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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS, IF ANY This application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of co-pending provisional application Serial No. 60/225,071, filed Aug. 14, 2000. Application Ser. No. 60/225,071 is hereby incorporated by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT Not applicable. REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX, IF ANY Not applicable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a modular manufacturing environmental chamber, and more particularly, to a modular manufacturing environmental chamber used for semiconductor manufacturing or microelectronic machine manufacturing (MEMS). 2. Background Information The manufacture of semiconductor components and devices has seen many changes and innovations in recent years. As semiconductor devices have become smaller in size with greater circuit density, manufacturing methods require careful control of the environment where processing takes place to prevent contamination of the semiconductors by particulates. To address this problem, manufacturers have devised clean rooms where processing of semiconductors occurs. These clean rooms are expensive to prepare, maintain and operate, plus individuals entering the clean room must wear special clothing to prevent contamination of the work pieces. Also, moving semiconductor work pieces from one process to the next entails transporting devices that adds cost and complexity to the process. A number of patents concerned with clean rooms and various conveyers and transfer systems have been granted. Tanaka, in U.S. Pat. No. 4,649,830, describes a tunnel for transferring semiconductor wafers that includes two tunnel zones. A carrier holding the wafer is located in one zone while a driving assembly in the second tunnel zone moves the attached carrier. Clean air flows into the zone containing the carrier and then to the zone with the driving assembly. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,682,927, Southworth et al. disclose a conveyor system for transferring a cassette of semiconductor wafers between clean rooms. The system includes an elevator in each room that takes the cassette to a pressurized horizontal conveyer where the load moves on a driven cart which straddles, and is magnetically coupled to, an enclosed driver cart. FIG. 3 shows the details of the driver cart that magnetically moves the outer driven cart. Additionally, a turntable system for changing directions of travel is described and shown in FIGS. 12 and 13. Iwasawa et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,826,360, describe a transfer system with a pod for containing a wafer cassette. The pod is located in a transfer tube and is moved by differences in air pressure within the tube. The tube is shown as being square. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,821,866, Melgaard discloses a conveyer for clean rooms that includes parallel housings with moveable rods between the housings. The rods move by mechanical means within the housings. A negative pressure inside the housings pulls air and particles to the interior thereof. Scott et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,365, disclose a circular semiconductor manufacturing facility with a central circular silo and surrounding clean rooms. The silo is used for storing and transferring wafers to clean rooms disposed radially around the silo at each floor. FIGS. 2 and 3 show wafer storage and transfer in the circular silo section. Sinclair et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,512, describe a mini-environment for hazardous process tools. The enclosure permits open access to the work area from outside and prevents toxic substances from escaping the enclosure. A higher pressure region within the enclosure near the access aperture keeps particles out and toxic materials in. A pair of overlapping moveable plates with holes control air flow within the enclosure. In U.S. Pat. No. 5,713,791, Long et al. disclose a clean room conduit that is modular to be adapted for various distances between multiple clean rooms. Each module system has a perforated floor for exhausting air and contaminants. Each module also has a filter for supplying recirculated clean air to the module. The modules have a conveyer track that hangs from the top and include a product carrier in a car assembly for transport of wafers in the product carrier. Thus, there is an unmet need for a system that can economically process and transport semiconductor devices while maintaining controlled environment conditions to prevent contamination to these devices. Applicant has devised such a system which overcomes the difficulties encountered by the above inventions. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is a modular manufacturing environmental chamber, including a hollow cylindrical member of selected outside diameter and length having an interior surface and an exterior surface, the cylindrical member with a longitudinal axis there through, and having first and second ends. Positioning members are secured to the cylindrical member exterior surface adjacent each end thereof, with the positioning members maintaining the cylindrical member in a static orientation. A chamber conveyor assembly is positioned within the hollow cylindrical member and includes a planar material movement plate member sized to linearly divide the hollow cylindrical member interior into a conveyer system section and a controlled environment section by contacting the cylindrical member interior surface with two opposite edges of the plate member. A pair of parallel, linear bumper rail members is affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface and parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis for supporting the planar plate member. A conveyer system is secured to one surface of the planar plate member facing the conveyer system section, while a linear rail guide member is affixed to the opposite surface of the linear plate member facing the controlled environment section, with the linear rail guide member parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis. A linear power and control bus member is affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface within the controlled environment section, with the linear power and control bus member positioned parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis. The linear power and control bus member is in electrical communication with devices exterior the cylindrical member. A means for connecting the hollow cylindrical member to other environmental chambers or for sealing the hollow cylindrical member to ambient environment is also present. The invention also includes a modular manufacturing environmental chamber assembly comprising a plurality of modular manufacturing environmental chambers in communication by means of an interconnect chamber member having at least two open ends sealably connected to one open end of a hollow cylindrical member of a modular manufacturing environmental chamber. The interconnect chamber member includes an interconnect chamber conveyor assembly positioned within the interconnect chamber member, with the interconnect chamber conveyor assembly adapted for moving items from one modular manufacturing environmental chamber, through the interconnect chamber member and to another modular manufacturing environmental chamber. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective elevational view of an environmental chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a perspective elevational view of a sealing access panel of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective elevational view of the chamber conveyer assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the chamber conveyer assembly of FIG. 3 . FIG. 5 is an end view of the environmental chamber with the planar plate member position therein. FIG. 6 is a side view of the environmental chamber showing the power and control bus with attached transformers of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective elevational partial view of the linear elevational locking track members of the present invention. FIG. 8 a is a top view of the mounting assembly including the locking tracks holding multiple locking bars. FIG. 8 b is a closeup view of portions of the locking tracks of the present invention. FIG. 8 c is a closeup view of the ends of two different locking bars of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a perspective elevational view of a connecting chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a perspective elevational view of the interconnect chamber conveyer assembly of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a cross sectional view of another connecting chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is another cross sectional view of the connecting chamber of FIG. 11 of the present invention. FIG. 13 is a perspective elevational view of yet another connecting chamber of one embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Nomenclature 5 Modular Manufacturing Environmental Chamber 10 Hollow Cylindrical Member 15 Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 20 Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 25 First End of Cylindrical Member 30 Second End of Cylindrical Member 40 Cylinder Positioning Member 45 Positioning Block Members 47 Flat Surface of Block Members 50 Chamber Conveyer Assembly 55 Planar Material Movement Plate Member 60 Opposite Edges of Planar Plate Member 70 Conveyer System Section 80 Controlled Environment Section 90 Linear Bumper Rail Members 100 Conveyer System Assembly 110 Linear Rail Guide Member 120 Linear Power and Control Bus Member 122 Plug Members 124 Power Transformers 125 End Sealing Means 130 Flat Plate Sealing Member 135 Sealable Access Panel Member 140 Linear Elevational Locking Track Members 145 Mounting Apertures of Locking Track Members 150 Locking Bar Member 155 First End of Locking Bar Member 160 Second End of Locking Bar Member 165 Mounting Peg Members of Bar Members 170 Toothed Bar Members 175 Power Strip Members 180 DC Stepping Motors 185 Gear Member of Stepping Motor 200 End Conveyer Unit 205 Conveyer Belt Member 210 Belt Mounting Pulleys 215 DC Stepping Motors 220 Flat Surface of Belt Member 250 Central Conveyer Unit 255 Endless Conveyer Belt Member 260 Belt Mounting Pulleys 265 DC Stepping Motor 270 Flat Surface of Belt Member 1005 Interconnecting Environmental Chamber 1010 Hollow Cylindrical Member 1015 Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 1020 Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 1025 First End of Cylindrical Member 1030 Second End of Cylindrical Member 1040 Cylinder Positioning Member 1045 Positioning Block Members 1047 Flat Surface of Block Members 1050 Chamber Conveyer Assembly 1055 Planar Material Movement Plate Member 1060 Opposite Edges of Planar Plate Member 1070 Conveyer System Section 1080 Controlled Environment Section 1090 Linear Bumper Rail Members 1100 Conveyer System Assembly 1110 Linear Rail Guide Member 1205 Interconnect Chamber Member 1210 Hollow Cylindrical Member 1215 Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 1220 Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 1225 First End of Cylindrical Member 1226 First End of Cylindrical Member 1230 Second End of Cylindrical Member 1231 Second End of Cylindrical Member 1250 Chamber Conveyer Assembly 1255 Magnetically Driven Belt Member 1260 Belt Track Member 1270 Magnetic Solenoid Members 1280 Central Elevator Aperture 1405 Interconnect Chamber Member 1410 Hollow Cylindrical Member 1415 Interior Surface of Cylindrical Member 1420 Exterior Surface of Cylindrical Member 1425 First End of Cylindrical Member 1426 First End of Cylindrical Member 1427 First End of Cylindrical Member 1430 Second End of Cylindrical Member 1431 Second End of Cylindrical Member 1432 Second End of Cylindrical Member 1450 Chamber Conveyer Assembly 1455 Magnetically Driven Belt Member 1460 Belt Track Member 1470 Magnetic Solenoid Members 1480 Central Elevator Aperture 1490 Central Elevator Member 1495 Push Arm Member Construction In FIGS. 1-6, one embodiment of the present modular manufacturing environmental chamber invention is shown. Referring to FIG. 1, the modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 includes a hollow cylindrical member 10 of selected length L, selected outside diameter D 0 , and having an interior surface 15 and an exterior surface 20 . The cylindrical member 10 has a longitudinal axis A there through, and the cylindrical member 10 has an open first end 25 and an open second end 30 . Positioning members 40 are secured to the cylindrical member exterior surface 20 adjacent each end 25 , 30 , with the positioning members 40 maintaining the cylindrical member 10 in a static orientation. The positioning members 40 preferably include a pair of block members 45 , with one block member 45 at each end of the hollow cylindrical member 10 . Each block member 45 of the pair has a mutually coplanar flat surface 47 opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface 20 for maintaining the cylindrical member 10 in a static orientation on a support surface. The pair of block members 45 support and elevate the cylindrical member 10 of the modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 on a flat surface. The positioning members 40 most preferably includes four pairs of block members 45 , one block member 45 of each pair at each end of the hollow cylindrical member 10 . Each pair of block members 45 has mutually coplanar flat surfaces 47 , opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface 20 , with each block member flat surface 47 , opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface 20 , oriented at 90 degrees to an adjacent block member flat surface 47 opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface 20 . The block member flat surfaces 47 opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface 20 maintain the cylindrical member 10 in a static orientation relative to a support surface and to similar modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 positioned adjacent thereto. The four pairs of block members 45 allow for formation of rows of modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 on a support surface, as well as columns of modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 stacked upon each other, thereby forming an array of modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 for nanomanufacturing purposes. Within each hollow cylindrical member 10 is positioned a chamber conveyer assembly 50 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. The conveyer assembly 50 includes a planar material movement plate member 55 sized to linearly divide the hollow cylindrical member interior volume into a conveyer system section 70 and a controlled environment section 80 , as depicted in FIG. 5 . Preferably the controlled environment section 80 is larger than the conveyer system section 70 . The division of interior volume is achieved by contacting the cylindrical member interior surface 15 with two opposite edges 60 of the planar plate member 55 . The planar plate member 55 is sized to extend the length L of the hollow cylindrical member 10 and is supported and held in position by a pair of parallel, linear bumper rail members 90 affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface 15 and parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. A conveyer system assembly 100 is secured to one surface of the planar plate member 55 facing the conveyer system section 70 , and a linear rail guide member 110 is affixed to the opposite surface of the linear plate member 55 facing the controlled environment section 80 . The linear rail guide member 110 is oriented parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6, a linear power and control bus member 120 is shown in more detail. The bus member 120 contains multiple plug members 122 for providing electrical power, transmitting data to and from the chamber 5 , and for controlling devices within the chamber 5 . There is also provided electrical transformers 124 to supply suitably controlled electrical power to various power plugs on the bus member 120 . The electrical transformers 124 are mounted exterior the chamber 5 so as to minimize impact on the environment control section 80 and for better heat dissipation from the transformers 124 . The linear power and control bus member 120 is affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface 15 within the controlled environment section 80 . The linear power and control bus member 120 is also oriented parallel with the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A and in electrical communication with devices exterior the cylindrical member 10 . Also provided is a means 125 for sealing the hollow cylindrical member first end 25 and second end 30 to an ambient environment. The sealing means 125 may be a flat plate member 130 , one fastened at each end of the hollow cylindrical member 10 , or may include a connecting member 1005 , described later, for interconnecting two or more modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 . Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 2, the modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 may also include a sealable access panel member 135 for gaining access to the hollow cylindrical member interior volume. The sealable access panel 135 comprises a removable radial section of the cylindrical member 10 , extending a portion of the cylindrical member length L. The access panel 135 allows various third party devices to be conveniently inserted into and removed from the controlled environment section 80 of the interior volume of the hollow cylindrical member 10 . Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a further embodiment of the present invention is shown. As seen in FIG. 7, a pair of parallel, linear elevational locking track members 140 are affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface 15 within the controlled environment section 80 . The linear elevational locking track members 140 are oriented parallel with the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. FIG. 8 is atop view of the linear elevational locking track members 140 , showing the mounting apertures 145 in each track member 140 . Locking bar members 150 , having a first end 155 and a second end 160 , are adapted to connect at the first end 155 to one linear elevational locking track member 140 and at the second end 160 to the other linear elevational locking track member 140 . The locking bar members 150 have mounting pegs 165 at each end that fit into corresponding mounting apertures 145 in each track member 140 . Multiple locking bar members 150 can be mounted on track members 140 within a modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 . The locking bar members 150 can be manually positioned between the track members 140 at the desired locations. In yet a further embodiment of the invention, the placement and movement of the locking bar members 150 on the track members 140 can be automated. Each track members 140 is provided with a toothed edge 170 opposite the cylindrical member interior surface 15 , as shown in FIG. 8 b . One or both track members 140 is provided with a power strip 175 . The locking bar member 150 is provided a DC stepping motor 180 , having a gear member 185 that engages the toothed edge 170 of the track member 140 . Providing suitable current to the power strip 175 activates the stepping motor 180 , turning the gear member 185 to move the locking bar member 150 in a selected direction. The locking bar member 150 does not have mounting pegs but is held in place by the gear member 185 of the stepping motor 180 secured to the locking bar member 150 . Again referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the conveyer system assembly 100 is shown in detail. The assembly 100 includes two end conveyer units 200 and a central unit 250 , each individually controlled. The central unit includes a single endless conveyer belt member 255 mounted around a pair of pulleys 260 that are rotatably secured to DC stepping motors 265 each secured to the surface of the planar plate member 55 . The rotational axis of the pulleys 260 are perpendicular to the planar plate member 55 and centered under the linear rail guide member 110 . The conveyer belt member 255 is preferably fabricated from an elastomeric material with magnetic properties. This feature allows items located on the side of the planar plate member 55 opposite the conveyer system assembly 100 to be moved by magnetic attraction to the conveyer belt 255 , while maintaining a clean environment in the controlled environment section 80 . The conveyer belt member 255 is held with its larger flat surface 270 perpendicular to the surface of the planar plate member 55 facing the conveyer system section 70 , and the belt member 255 is centered beneath the linear rail guide member 110 . When the conveyer belt member 255 rotates, the belt member 255 moves only in one direction on each side of the linear rail guide member 110 . Thus, items on one side of the linear rail guide member 110 move in one direction, while items on the other side of the linear rail guide member 110 move in the opposite direction. The end conveyer units 200 are each composed of pairs of smaller conveyer belt members 205 , each belt mounted on separate sets of pulleys 210 , at least one of which is secured to a separate DC stepping motor 215 . The pulleys 210 and DC stepping motor 215 are each secured to the surface of the planar plate member 55 . The pairs of conveyer belt members 205 of each end unit 200 are mounted with a flat surface 220 parallel the planar plate member 55 and with one conveyer belt member 205 of the pair aligned with one side of the central unit conveyer belt member 255 , and the other conveyer belt member 205 of the pair aligned with the other side of the central unit conveyer belt member 255 . Each conveyer belt member 205 of an end unit pair moves in opposite directions and matches the direction of movement of the central unit conveyer belt member 255 , with which each is aligned. Thus, items on one side of the linear rail guide member 110 move in one direction the full length of the planar plate member 55 and items on the opposite side of the liner rail guide member 110 move in the opposite direction the full length of the planar plate member 55 . In a further embodiment of the present invention, a two-way interconnect chamber member 1005 is shown in FIG. 9 . The chamber 1005 includes a hollow cylindrical member 1010 , having open ends 1025 and 1030 that are sized to connect with either of the open ends 25 or 30 of the modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 described above. Similar positioning members 1040 preferably include block members 1045 secured to the exterior surface 1020 of the interconnect chamber 1005 to hold the chamber 1005 in a static orientation and provide for placement of the chamber 1005 in rows and/or columns when connected to similarly configured modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 . Preferably, the block members 1045 include mutually coplanar flat surfaces 1047 opposite the cylindrical member exterior surface 1020 . A similar chamber conveyer assembly 1050 is present within each hollow cylindrical member 1010 . The chamber conveyer assembly 1050 includes a planar material movement plate member 1055 sized to linearly divide the interconnect chamber hollow cylindrical member interior volume into a conveyer system section 1070 and a controlled environment section 1080 . Preferably the controlled environment section 1080 is larger than the conveyer system section 1070 . The division is achieved by contacting the cylindrical member interior surface 1015 with two opposite edges 1060 of the planar plate member 1055 . The planar plate member 1055 is sized to extend the length L of the hollow cylindrical member 1010 and is supported and held in position by a pair of parallel, linear bumper rail members 1090 affixed on the cylindrical member interior surface 1015 and parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A, as shown in FIG. 5 for the chamber cylindrical member 10 . A conveyer system assembly 1100 is secured to one surface of the planar plate member 1055 facing the conveyer system section 1070 , and a linear rail guide member 1110 is affixed to the opposite surface of the linear plate member 1055 facing the controlled environment section 1080 . The linear rail guide member 1110 is oriented parallel to the cylindrical member longitudinal axis A. The interconnect chamber 1005 differs from the modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 in that power for the conveyer system assembly 1100 is obtained from the modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 to which the interconnect chamber 1005 is attached. Similarly, no linear power and control bus member is needed since the interconnect chamber 1005 functions to transport items there through and to change the direction and/or elevation of items traveling along a miniature manufacturing line. No end sealing means is needed either since another function of the interconnect chamber 1005 is to connect two modular manufacturing environmental chambers 5 which are sealed at their terminal ends. Referring now to FIG. 11, a bi-directional or four-way interconnect chamber member 1205 is shown from above in cross-sectional view. The interconnect chamber member 1205 includes two intersecting hollow cylindrical members 1210 each having opposed open ends 1225 , 1230 and 1226 , 1231 , oriented at 90° relative to either adjacent open end. The open ends 1225 , 1230 and 1226 , 1231 , are sized to sealably connect with either open end 25 , 30 of a modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 described above. No position members are required on the four-way interconnect chamber member 1205 since when in use, the chamber member 1205 is connected to at least two environmental chambers 5 , each having cylinder position members 40 , which provides support for the assembly. Any open end of the interconnect chamber member 1205 not connected to an environmental chamber 5 is sealed with an end sealing means 125 to close the assembly. The interconnect chamber member 1205 contains a magnetically driven movement belt assembly 1250 which transfers work pieces from one interconnect chamber open end to any of the three other interconnect chamber open ends. The belt assembly 1250 includes a continuous flexible magnetically driven belt member 1255 that is fabricated from a solid composite material. The belt member 1255 is positioned at the same height as the material movement plate member 55 located in an attached modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 described above. This alignment allows for facile movement of work pieces between the attached chamber 5 and the interconnect chamber 1205 . The belt member 1255 is preferably fabricated from rubber or synthetic materials with the under side thereof containing uniform magnetic north/south zones. The belt member edges and under side are preferably coated with Teflon or other non-friction producing material, allowing the belt member 1250 to slide freely on a track member 1260 which shapes and limits belt member movement, as depicted in FIG. 11. A series of magnetic solenoids 1270 located below the track member 1260 in the interconnect chamber 1205 are used to control bi-directional movement of the belt member 1255 , as illustrated in FIG. 12 . The track assembly 1250 is designed with a central elevator aperture 1280 present, which is employed in a six-way interconnect chamber 1405 , as described below. Referring now to FIG. 13, a six-way interconnect chamber 1405 is shown. The six-way interconnect chamber 1405 includes three intersecting hollow cylindrical members 1410 that are all mutually perpendicular. Each hollow cylindrical member 1410 has opposed open ends 1425 , 1430 , 1426 , 1431 and 1427 , 1432 , each oriented at 90° relative to any adjacent open end. The open ends 1425 , 1430 , 1426 , 1431 , and 1427 , 1432 are sized to sealingly connect with either open end 25 , 30 of a modular manufacturing environmental chamber 5 described above. No position members are required on the six-way interconnect chamber member 1405 , since when in use, the chamber member 1405 is connected to at least two environmental chambers 5 , each having cylinder position members 40 , which provide support. The interconnect chamber member 1405 contains a magnetically driven movement belt assembly 1450 which transfers work pieces from one interconnect chamber open end to any of the three other interconnect chamber open ends on a horizontal plane. The belt assembly 1450 is the same as the belt assembly 1250 described above for the four-way interconnect chamber 1205 and will not be described further. The track assembly 1450 is designed with a central elevator aperture 1480 present for installation of an elevator member 1490 to move work pieces vertically. The elevator member 1490 is any commercial third party elevator that meets requirements for clean environments, size and speed, with the elevator moving vertically in either direction to transfer work pieces from one chamber to another. A commercial third party robotic push arm member 1495 is mounted to the chamber inner wall to push work pieces to and from the elevator member 1490 . Optionally, guide rails may be employed to control the path of the work pieces to and from the elevator member 1490 . Of course, a second interconnect chamber member 1405 is mounted atop the first interconnect chamber member 1405 with an interconnecting elevator member 1490 for transferring work pieces between two environmental chambers 5 on separate levels. One or more of the interconnect chamber member open ends 1425 , 1430 , 1426 , 1431 , and 1427 , 1432 can be sealed with an end cap 1433 as required, as shown in FIG. 13 . While the invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to preferred embodiments thereof, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
A mini-modular manufacturing environmental chamber for processing and transporting semiconductor devices is disclosed. The cylindrical chamber is provided with a conveyer assembly that transports items within the chamber and divides the interior into two sections. Also included within the chamber are a power and control bus for process equipment located therein and a mounting assembly for securing the process equipment. Multiple environmental chambers can be connected by interconnect units and the chambers can be arranged in rows and columns to produce an array of manufacturing chambers useful for various semiconductor and microelectronic machine manufacture (MEMS) processing steps.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is the U.S. National Stage of international application PCT/CA2007/000535, filed Apr. 2, 2007, which claims the benefit of U.S. Patent Application 60/788,045, filed Apr. 3, 2006. The present invention relates to a method of producing an extract by thermal extraction, and a thermal extraction product. BACKGROUND Extraction of a desired compound from a source is commonly performed by solvent extraction methods. Solvent extraction is used today on a number of starting materials, including biomass, to extract desired components. A good example of this is the extraction of taxanes from biomass. Taxanes are a group of diterpenoid compounds, some of which have been demonstrated to be useful in the treatment of cancer and other serious diseases, such as multiple sclerosis and kidney disease. In particular, the taxane compounds paclitaxel, docetaxel, Baccatin III, 10-O-deacetylbaccatin III (10-DAB or DAB), 13-acetyl-9-dihydrobaccatin III (DHB), cephalomannine, and prostratin have been identified as useful in pharmaceutical applications. For instance, paclitaxel, is currently being used in cancer treatment (marketed as TAXOL® by Bristol-Myers Squibb). Certain taxanes, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel, can be used directly in pharmaceutical applications, without additional chemical modification, while other taxanes (DAB and DHB, for example) are viewed as precursors for the production of other taxanes such as paclitaxel and docetaxel. The major sources of taxanes are the bark, needles and clippings of the yew (hemlock) tree, which belongs to the genus Taxus . Unfortunately, even though taxanes are more concentrated in yew than in other species of trees, the absolute concentrations are very low. For example, it has been reported that in a typical sample, yields of only 0.01% of paclitaxel are obtained from the bark of the yew tree, and in the range of from 0.003 to 0.015 percent (dry basis) of paclitaxel from the clippings and needles (Huang et al., J. Nat. Prod., 49:665, 1986.) where the first extraction is a solvent extraction. Furthermore, the yew tree is relatively rare and grows quite slowly, raising valid concerns that reforestation and resource management cannot keep up with the demand. Although synthetic and semi-synthetic pathways for producing paclitaxel have been devised, they are extremely complex and generally too costly for commercial production. Semi-synthetic processes have also been devised for producing docetaxel. Current methods of commercial paclitaxel and other taxane production are complex and costly. The unit operations are predominantly physical methods involving: harvesting/collection, grinding, mulching, preliminary solvent extraction and separation to get a crude taxane product. Once the crude taxane product is produced, paclitaxel may be recovered and purified in additional solvent extractions and other refining steps. In many cases, the other natural taxanes are chemically converted to additional yields of paclitaxel or to docetaxel. Current methods for isolating other compounds from starting materials also often include an initial step of solvent extraction, which removes a large amount of impurities together with the desired compounds. As a result, one or more liquid partitioning steps to enrich the concentrations of desired compounds in the extracts are often performed, followed in some cases by several chromatography steps. A drawback of these methods is that they require large amounts of costly and, sometimes, toxic organic solvents for the extraction and partitioning steps. Commercially, this translates to very high capital and operating costs for materials, qualified expertise, qualified technical staffing, and infrastructure. There is therefore a need for a method of isolating compounds, which method would reduce or eliminate the requirement of large amounts of toxic and costly organic solvents. SUMMARY According to one broad aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for producing a thermal extract by thermal extraction of a starting material, comprising: heating the starting material to a temperature and for a time sufficient to extract an amount of a desired compound from the starting material, without conversion of the desired compound into one or more other compounds in a substantial amount. According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for obtaining a taxane-rich extract by thermal extraction. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for producing a taxane-rich thermal extract from a diterpenoid-containing biomass starting material by thermal extraction of the biomass starting material, comprising: heating the biomass starting material to a temperature and for a time sufficient to extract an amount of taxanes, without conversion thereof into one or more other compounds in a substantial amount. In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for producing a thermal extract comprising a desired compound, comprising: introducing a starting material into a thermal extraction system comprising a contained vessel, a heat source, and at least one recovery unit; heating the starting material in the thermal extraction system to a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a product stream comprising an amount of the desired compound, without conversion of the desired chemical compound into one or more other compounds in a substantial amount; and collecting at least one fraction from the product stream enriched in the desired compound in at least one of the at least one recovery units to obtain the thermal extract. In a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a method for producing a taxane-rich thermal extract from a diterpenoid-containing biomass starting material comprising: introducing the biomass starting material into a thermal extraction system comprising a contained vessel, a heat source, and at least one recovery unit; heating the biomass starting material in the thermal extraction system to a temperature and for a time sufficient to produce a product stream comprising an amount of taxanes, without conversion thereof into one or more other compounds in a substantial amount; and collecting at least one taxane-containing fraction from the product stream in at least one of the at least one recovery units to obtain the taxane-rich thermal extract. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a taxane-rich extract. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a terpene or terpenoid-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to a still further exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a taxane-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to a further exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a flavonoid-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided an epicatechin-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a catechin-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a caffeine-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a vanillin-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to another exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided a beta-sitosterol-rich thermal extract obtained by a method of the invention. According to a yet further exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided an extract comprising paclitaxel and 10-O-deacetylbaccatin III, wherein the 10-O-deacetylbaccatin III is present in the extract in an amount that is approximately 10 times greater than an amount of the paclitaxel on a weight per weight basis. According to a yet further exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided an extract comprising paclitaxel and 13-acetyl-9-dihydrobaccatin III, wherein the 13-acetyl-9-dihydrobaccatin III is present in the extract in an amount that is approximately 10 times greater than the amount of paclitaxel on a weight per weight basis. According to a yet further exemplary embodiment of the invention, there is provided an extract comprising paclitaxel and 7-epi-taxol, wherein the 7-epi-taxol is present in the extract in an amount that is approximately 10 times greater than the paclitaxel on a weight per weight basis. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an example of a suitable thermal extraction system according to one embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method of the invention according to Example 1C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION It has been observed that thermal extraction can be used as an alternate means of extraction to solvent extraction. An implication of thermal extraction is that the initial step of solvent extraction of a feedstock, as presently associated with solvent extraction methods, is not required. By “thermal extraction” (which may also be referred to as “thermal distillation” or “rapid thermal distillation”), as used herein is meant an extraction method where heat is used to separate one or more desired compounds from suitable starting materials. By applying heat to suitable starting materials in a controlled manner in a contained (i.e., enclosed) environment, one or more desired compounds can be liberated, preserved, recovered, and left substantially undestroyed. Thermal extraction may therefore be used to extract a naturally occurring desired compound from a starting material, which naturally occurring compound was found in the starting material, without chemical conversion. While thermal extraction may destroy or chemically convert some compounds in the starting material, a substantial amount of the desired compound is not degraded or otherwise chemically altered. By “naturally occurring desired compound” or “desired compound” obtained by thermal extraction is meant a compound present in the starting material and where a substantial amount of this compound is not degraded or otherwise chemically converted into another compound by the thermal extraction method of the present invention. The material that may be used in the present invention is not particularly limited, providing that it provides a source of the one or more desired compounds and it can be subjected to thermal extraction. For example, biomass is a common starting material for solvent extraction methods, and it may also be a suitable starting material for the methods of the present invention. The biomass may be, for example, derived from a plant. Any part of the plant may be suitable for thermal extraction, including the bark, needles, stems, roots, leaves, seeds, plant cells in culture, etc.; or a mixture thereof. Plant derived biomass material that is used in the present invention may be in, for example, a freshly harvested state, a dry state, or a hydrated state. If one or more taxanes are the desired compounds, then diterpenoid-containing biomass materials such as those derived from the yew tree are generally considered an excellent source of taxanes. For example, all or various components of a species of the genus Taxus or Austrotaxus may be used as a taxanes source. In another invention embodiment, thermal extraction may be used to extract flavonoids from suitable starting materials. Over five thousand naturally occurring flavonoids (including isoflavonoids and neoflavonoids) have been characterized from various plants. The thermal extraction method of the present invention can be used to extract some of these compounds from these biomass materials. Some of these compounds include, without limitation, quercetin, epicatechin, proanthocyanidins, citrus bioflavonoids, catechins, resveratrol, kaempferol vanillin and beta-sitosterol. In one embodiment of the present invention, epicatechin is extracted from cocoa or a cocoa containing starting material, for example. Flavonoids may be used, for instance, as antioxidants, as well as other uses, such as in treating or preventing cancer, heart disease, etc. Another source of flavonoids is, for example and without limitation, flax or a flax containing starting material. Flax may be used to obtain a thermal extract according to the invention comprising one or more flavonoids including catechins and epicatechin. Other natural products extracted from biomass might also be obtained by using thermal extraction, and used as medicines, natural supplements, etc. By way of another non-limiting example, a starting material comprising coffee could be used to obtain a thermal extract comprising caffeine. It will be apparent to a person skilled in the art that any number of other materials may be suitable starting materials for obtaining a thermal extract comprising one or more desired compounds. The starting material used in the present invention may also be reduced in size. For example, it may be shredded or ground by methods known in the art, prior to thermal extraction. In one exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the material that is to be subjected to thermal extraction is first reduced in size to having an average diameter of less than about 2 cm in its smallest dimension. In another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the starting material is first reduced in size to having an average diameter of less than about 1 cm in its smallest dimension. Thermal extraction according to the invention may be carried out in a thermal extraction system, which system is not particularly limited. In a thermal extraction of the invention, all or a portion of the starting material may be exposed to heat in a controlled and contained environment. For instance, if the starting material is a biomass material, ligninic, cellulosic, or hemicellulosic fractions, or combinations thereof, could be used. By a controlled environment is meant an environment where heat is applied in such a manner as to cause a phase change or chemical conversion of the starting material but not in a manner that would cause a substantial amount of the desired compound present in the starting material to be adversely altered, degraded, destroyed, etc. For example, in one embodiment, the thermal extract comprises from about 0 to 10% w/w (or any sub-range thereof) of impurities resulting from chemical or other conversion of the desired compound into another compound. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, the thermal extraction is carried out in a thermal extraction system comprising a contained vessel, a heat source and one or more recovery units. Thermal extraction may then be achieved by heat transfer to the starting material and any resulting intermediate product. The starting material and any resulting intermediate product may thus be heated to a sufficient temperature for a sufficient period of time to produce a product stream, fractions of which may then be recovered in the one or more recovery units, and collected to obtain an extract. By way of example, the thermal extraction system may comprise a standard retort system (i.e., a fixed or moving bed either under vacuum or at pressure), a bubbling fluid bed, an upflow thermal extraction unit, a circulating fluid bed, a transported bed, an ablative thermal extraction unit, an entrained flow thermal extraction unit, a rotary kiln or a mechanical transport thermal extraction unit (e.g., heated auger system). Any device that collects product vapours and liquids produced during thermal extraction may be used as a recovery unit. A recovery unit may include a condenser. The condenser may be a contact or surface condenser that cools and collects a liquid product from a vapour, or a liquid quench that may also cool and collect a liquid product from a vapour. A recovery unit may also include demisters, fiber filter beds, or other devices used within the art to collect a liquid product from a vapour stream. A recovery unit may comprise one or more components, for example, one or more condensers, which may be linked in series. In one exemplary embodiment of the invention, sufficient heat is supplied in the thermal extraction system to produce a temperature in the range of from about 250° C. to about 650° C., or any subrange thereof, including, for example, from about 300° C. to about 550° C., or from about 320° C. to about 400° C. A total residence time of the material in the thermal extraction system may be, for example, less than about 30 seconds, for example, in the range of from about 0.1 to about 30 seconds, or any subrange thereof. For instance, in an exemplary embodiment, the total residence time is from about 0.2 to about 5 seconds. In another exemplary embodiment, the total residence time is about 2 seconds, or less. The residence time of the material in the thermal extractionsystem is measured as the time interval from the heating up of the starting material in the thermal extraction system to quenching (for example, cooling). Thermal extraction can produce a product stream comprising solid, liquid and/or vapour. The product stream may be fractionated to obtain fractions, which may be collected to obtain one or more extracts. Fractions may be a solid, e.g., a char, a liquid and/or a vapour, or a combination thereof. Fractions or combinations thereof may be obtained comprising a concentrated extract of the desired compound. Liquid and/or vapour fractions will generally comprise a higher concentration of desired compounds than a solid fraction. However, a solid fraction may also be obtained. For example, during thermal extraction of yew biomass, taxanes may collect and concentrate on the surface, matrices or pores of any solid by-products, such as carbon by-products, which may result in a taxane-rich solid fraction, that can be collected to obtain a taxane-rich extract of the invention. In one embodiment of the invention, a liquid fraction is obtained by condensing vapours obtained according to the thermal extraction method of the invention. A liquid fraction may also be obtained following removal of solids, such as char, from the liquid and collecting the liquid to obtain an extract according to the invention. A liquid fraction obtained following extraction of plant based biomass material may be, for example, a tar, a pitch, a pyroligneous acid mixture, etc. In the thermal extraction method of the invention, the liquid and/or vapour fractions may be further fractionated. Each further fraction thus produced may be individually collected to obtain multiple extracts, or collected and combined into one or more extracts. Fractionation may also be used to selectively produce extracts rich in selected compounds, such as selected taxanes. The extract of the invention (also referred to herein as a “thermal extract”) may be the collected solid, liquid or vapour fractions, or any combination thereof. It may also be a fraction of the collected solid, liquid and/or vapour fractions, or a combination of selected collected fractions. A single extract may be obtained by collecting a single fraction or collecting and combining multiple fractions. Multiple extracts may also be obtained by collecting multiple fractions or by collecting multiple combined fractions. Also, the extract may comprise a phase change from the starting material (e.g., solid to liquid, etc.), or not. It has been observed that thermal extraction can provide higher yields of extracted compounds than yields reported in the literature for other methods, including conventional solvent-recovery extraction and purification methods and other non-solvent methods. For instance, it has been observed that higher yields of total and specific taxanes, including paclitaxel, may be obtained by thermal extraction. It has further been observed that the taxane-rich extract obtained by thermal extraction has a higher concentration of taxanes in a given volume than in an equivalent volume of Taxus or Austrotaxus solid biomass starting material or in an equivalent volume of the initial (first-stage) solvent-extract of the Taxus or Austrotaxus biomass material. One implication of a more concentrated extract is that, to achieve a comparable amount of finished product, a smaller volume of material is required to be processed in subsequent purification, isolation and recovery steps, than is the case with solid feedstock material or an extract obtained from conventional solvent recovery processes. It has been observed that the initial volume of an enriched extract of the invention to be processed in subsequent purification steps can be lower, for example, an order of magnitude lower, than the volume of initial material required to be processed in a conventional solvent extraction method in order to obtain comparable yields. For instance, for taxanes extraction, thermal extraction may produce a volume of taxane-rich extract that is reduced by factors of, for example, 10, 15, 25 or 50, or greater, or factors in between, when compared to the volume of initial biomass material required to be processed in conventional solvent-extraction methods to obtain comparable yields of purified taxanes. Taxanes that may be present in a taxane-rich extract of the present invention include one or more than one of the following taxane compounds: paclitaxel, cephalomannine, baccatin III, 10-deacetyltaxol, 10-deacetylcephalomannine, 10-deacetylbaccatin III (also known as 10-DAB or DAB), 13-acetyl-9-dihydrobaccatin III (also known as DHB), 7-xylosyltaxol, 7-xylosylcephalonammine, 7-xylosylbaccatin III, and derivatives and analogs thereof. This listing is not intended to be exhaustive. Other taxanes may also be present in the taxane-rich extract of the present invention. The fractions produced by thermal extraction, and the taxane-rich extract, may also comprise, in addition to one more taxane compounds, a number of other components, including depolymerized lignin, fragmented cellulose- and hemicellulose-derived products, and other reactive components including phenolics, as well as a number of other components. It has been observed that thermal extraction gives a higher overall yield of taxanes, and higher yields of taxanes that are of present commercial value, than known methods of taxane recovery or production. The observed “fingerprint” or relative distribution of the predominant taxane components in the extract, and the concentration of taxanes in the extract obtained by thermal extraction is also different than extracts obtained by current methods. For example, it has been observed that paclitaxel yields can be increased by a factor of about 3 to about 5 (i.e., about 300 to about 500%), DHB yields can be increased by a factor of about 2 to about 3 (i.e., about 200 to about 300%), DAB yields increased by a factor of about 8 (i.e., about 800%) and overall taxane yields can be increased by a factor of about 20 (i.e., about 2000%), compared to average yields obtained from solvent extraction of yew needles and clippings, as reported in the literature. According to one theory of the invention, which is not to be considered limiting on the scope of the invention, thermal extraction is believed to liberate compounds that may be either chemically bound or physically isolated (e.g., in cellular structures) and therefore not as available for recovery by solvent methods. In these cases, the thermal extraction of the present invention, while extracting free and available desired compounds, may simultaneously free and extract bound or isolated compounds by rupturing weak chemical bonds and/or rupturing any physical structures which may isolate or inhibit extraction by conventional means. For instance, where the starting material is a biomass, desired compounds may be contained in vacuoles that can be disrupted by thermal extraction to liberate the whole of the contents, which disruption and liberation would not normally occur by using conventional methods of extraction. Extracts of the invention, including, but not limited to, liquids, liquid fractions, solids and solid fractions may be further processed by various methods known to those skilled in the art to purify, isolate and recover the desired compounds for commercial use. For instance, where taxanes are recovered, the method of the present invention may further comprise a step of contacting taxane-rich extracts obtained, including, for example, the whole extract obtained by combining all of the fractions collected, selected liquid fractions collected, and solid carbon fractions collected, with water or some other appropriate partitioning solvent to further separate, isolate and concentrate the taxane components. The addition of water or some other appropriate partitioning solvent may occur directly in the thermal extraction system (i.e., in situ), particularly in product recovery units, during processing of the biomass, or as a separate step, or steps, after the product is recovered from the thermal extraction process. Furthermore, the thermal extraction method of the present invention may further comprise a step of fractionation for the purpose of isolating and concentrating certain desired compounds fractions from other less desirable components. (For instance, where taxanes are extracted certain desired taxanes could be separated from less desirable taxanes, phenolics, lignocellulosics, inhibitors, and other contaminants.) The removal of non-desirable components may be carried out to simplify subsequent purification steps or to increase the intermediate economic value. The isolated yield of paclitaxel obtained by current organic solvent extraction techniques from the bark of Taxus is typically in the order of 0.01%, and from clipping and needles, about 0.003 to about 0.015%. However, with the methods of the present invention, isolated yields of about 0.031 to 0.049% have been obtained. The isolated yield of DHB from clippings and needles, as obtained by current organic solvent extraction techniques, is typically on the order of 0.04%. However, with the methods of the present invention, isolated DHB yields of between 0.08 and 0.12% have been obtained. The isolated yield of DAB from clippings and needles, as obtained by current organic solvent extraction techniques, is typically on the order of 0.06%. However, with the methods of the present invention, isolated DAB yields of between 0.46 and 0.53% have been obtained. The yield of total taxanes recovered from clippings and needles, as obtained by current organic solvent extraction techniques, is typically on the order of 0.25%. However, with the methods of the present invention, total taxane yields of between 5 and 7% have been measured. Thermal extraction can also be used on a starting material, which may have been initially processed, including by solvent extraction. It has been observed, for example, that caffeine can be thermally extracted from a fresh source, or following a solvent extraction. An example of a thermal extraction system suitable for preparing an extract or extracts according to the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,420 (Freel and Graham); the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference, and is diagrammatically presented in FIG. 1 . Briefly, the system includes a feed system ( 10 ), a contained vessel ( 20 ), a particulate inorganic heat carrier reheating system ( 30 ), and for the purposes of the invention described herein, at least one recovery unit, which as shown in FIG. 1 , and which is not to be considered limiting in any manner, may comprise a primary ( 40 ) and a secondary ( 50 ) condenser through which the product vapor streams produced during thermal extraction are cooled and collected for example using a liquid quench ( 80 ). The recovery unit may also include a demister ( 60 ) and a fiber filter bed ( 70 ) or other device to collect the liquid product. The thermally extracted product composition of this invention may be derived from a selected product fraction obtained from at least one recovery unit, for example the primary, or the secondary recovery unit, or a combination thereof, or it may be a whole oil (i.e, whole thermal liquid product) obtained from first and second recovery units, including demisters and fiber filter bed, or a combination thereof. However, it is to be understood that analogous thermal extraction systems, comprising different number or size of recovery units, or different condensing means may be used for the selective preparation of the extract for the purpose of the present invention. The recovery unit system used within the thermal extraction reactor system, outlined in FIG. 1 , which is not to be considered limiting in any manner, may involve the use of direct-liquid contact condensers ( 80 ) to cool the thermal extraction product. However, it is to be understood that any suitable recovery unit may be used, including surface condensers. In one embodiment, liquid, used within these condensers ( 80 ) to cool the thermal extraction product, is obtained from the corresponding cooled primary or secondary condenser product ( 90 ). However, as would be evident to one of skill in the art, any other compatible liquid for cooling the product within the primary and secondary recovery units, or a combination thereof, may also be used for this purpose. Furthermore, it is considered within the scope of this invention that other scrubber or cooling means including heat exchangers comprising solid surfaces and the like may also be used for cooling the product vapors. Examples 1 and 2 A. Description of a Feed Material—Canada Yew Taxus Canadensis Marsh, Canada yew, ground hemlock shrubs were collected in July-September 2004 from Sault Ste. Marie surrounding area, Ontario, Canada (lat. 46.34 N, long. 84.17 W). Pressed voucher specimens are deposited in the Canadian Forest Service-Sault Ste. Marie herbarium as Taxus canadensis Marsh (2004-4001-10 CFS-SSM # s), Taxaceae—yew family. The fresh T. Canadensis needles and twigs were air dried at room temperature 22-24° C. The dried sample was ground to ˜0.5 mm particle size in a Thomas-Wiley Laboratory mill, Model 4 (Thomas Scientific, USA). B. Analytical Methods and Procedures Analysis of Taxane Products: High performance liquid chromatography was performed using a Waters Delta Prep 4000 Liquid Chromatograph equipped with a computer and Empower software, a Waters® 996 autoscan photodiode array spectrophotometric detector; and an analytical column. The analytical column used in the experiments described below was a Curosil-PFP Phenomenox (250×4.60 mm i.d.). A modified gradient chromatographic technique (Phenomenex) was used at room temperature using an acetonitrile/water solvent system. However, other solvent systems were also used. Samples were eluted using an appropriate gradient, for example, a 25/75 to 65/35 gradient of acetonitrile/water over a 40 minute period with a flow rate of 1.0 ml/min. Compounds were detected at a wavelength of 228 nm and resolved peaks were scanned by the photodiode array detector from 200 to 400 nm. A dilute solution (10 mg/mL) of extract was filtered through 13 mm GHP 0.45 μm Minispike (Waters, EDGE) and 10 μL was injected onto an HPLC column with and without spiking with standards. Peaks were identified on the basis of retention times and UV spectra. Peak heights, measured as absorbance at 228 nm, were converted to mg/ml using conversion factors obtained for commercial taxane standards. Such HPLC analyses were performed in triplicate. UV spectra were recorded on a UV-Vis. Beckman DU series 640 spectrophotometer. Taxanes were identified by co-chromatography with authentic samples (ChromaDex, Sanata Ana, Calif., USA) using TLC and HPLC. Example 1 Production of Thermal Extract Using Thermal Extraction A hemlock feedstock, prepared according to the procedure described above, was processed in a thermal extraction system essentially as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,844,420 (the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference). In the thermal extraction system, a char product is rapidly separated from the product vapor/gas stream, and the product vapor and liberated liquids are rapidly quenched within a primary recovery unit using, a direct liquid contact condenser, or a liquid quench, as described below. The compounds remaining within the product vapor are transferred to a secondary recovery unit linked to the primary recovery unit in series. The product vapor is then quenched within the secondary recovery unit using, a direct liquid contact condenser, or a liquid quench, and the condensed product collected. Any remaining product within the product vapor is collected within the demister and filter bed (see FIG. 1 ). The primary recovery unit product is collected, as well as the secondary recovery unit product. The yield of liquid product from the recovery unit ranges from about 40 to about 60% (w/w), and is typically about 49% (see FIG. 1 ). Example 1A Thermal Extraction Run 1 A hemlock feedstock (4,715 g) containing 2.52 wt % ash and 8.73 wt % moisture was thermally extracted in an upflow reactor (See FIG. 1 ) at 490° C. using a surface-condenser, to produce a bio-oil sample. The liquid yield on a feed “ash free” basis was 55.49 wt %. Samples of the thermal extract submitted for taxane analysis included an aqueous fraction (1024.5 g), a tar fraction (440.5 g) and pure liquid fraction (170 g) squeezed from a fiberglass filter material in the demister. Example 1B Thermal Extraction Run 2 A hemlock feedstock (7,996 g) containing 1.80 wt % ash and 5.20 wt % moisture was thermally extracted in an upflow reactor (See FIG. 1 ) at 398° C. run in surface-condensing mode, to produce a liquid thermal extract. The liquid yield on a feed “ash free” basis was 45.12 wt %, char was 28.54 wt % and the gas was 17.41 wt %. Samples of the taxane-containing thermal extract products were taken and submitted for taxane analysis. In this example, the volume of the thermal extract is reduced by a factor of about 25 (without the requirement for any initial solvent extraction of the solid biomass) when compared to the initial volume of biomass from which the extract was produced. Example 1C Thermal Extraction Run 3 (See FIG. 2 ) A hemlock feedstock (5,641 g) containing 1.80 wt % ash and 5.20 wt % moisture was thermally extracted in an upflow reactor (See FIG. 1 ) run at 397° C., and in liquid quench mode, to produce liquid thermal extract samples. The quench liquid was an approximate 50/50 mix of the aqueous product from the run of Example 1A, and demineralized water. The liquid yield on a feed “ash free” basis was 46.77 wt %, char was 25.87 wt % and the gas was 19.0 wt %. The purpose of this run was to compare product yields obtained using a liquid quench with that of surface condensing. Samples of the taxane-containing thermal extraction products were taken and submitted for taxane analysis. In this example, the volume of the thermal extract is reduced by a factor of about 50 (without the requirement for any initial solvent extraction of the solid biomass) when compared to the initial volume of biomass from which the extract was produced. Example 1D Selective Fractionation of Taxanes in the Recovery Train An example of the selective fractionation and concentration of taxanes in the recovery train is demonstrated in the thermal extraction example described in 1B. In this example, approximately 50% of the identifiable taxane content was detected in the fraction of the thermal extract that was recovered from the fiber bed filter recovery unit, even though this fraction represented only 22% of the total thermal extract produced during Thermal Extraction Run 2. Example 1E Further Selective Fractionation of Taxanes in the Recovery Train An example of further selective fractionation and concentration through the addition of water or other partitioning solvent is demonstrated in the thermal extraction example described in 1C. In this example, water was added in situ in the recovery train, and in the result, approximately 67% of the identifiable taxane content was detected in the fraction of the thermal extract that was recovered from the fiber bed filter recovery unit, even though this fraction represented only 24% of the total thermal extract produced during Thermal Extraction Run 3. Other than the addition of water and direct condensation of the thermal extract products, the thermal extraction conditions of Run 3 were similar to those of Run 2 with respect to temperature and processing time. The selective fractionation of taxanes using water portioning was therefore demonstrated to be more effective in Run 3 when compared to the selective fractionation of taxanes without water partitioning as was the case in Run 2. Analyses for Examples 1A, 1B and 1C Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) of the thermal extract using silica gel and methylene chloride:MeOH 95:5 as a solvent was used and proved beneficial in obtaining qualitative analysis of the taxanes (i.e., confirmation of the presence of taxanes in the samples). The results of the TLC analysis are presented in the last column of Table 1 (i.e, taxanes are reported as “detected” or “not detected”). Example 2 Isolation and Quantitative Analyses of Taxanes by Gel Chromatography and HPLC Isolation Method 1: Thermal extract samples (1 g) obtained as outlined in Examples 1A, 1B and 1C were mixed and adsorbed onto 1 g of Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, PVPP (Sigma Chemical Co., P-6755 [25249-54-1]) and applied to strata-X 33 μm Polymeric Sorbent 1 g/20 ml Giga Tubes (Phenomenex, 8B-S100-JEG). The strata-X was conditioned with 20 mL methanol and equilibrated with 20 mL D.I. water before loading the above-mentioned sample. Elution was carried out at a slow rate using the following solvent systems: a) methanol D.I. water (7:3) [5×12 mL], b) methanol:acetonitrile:D.I. water (6:3:1), (6:2:2) or (5:2:3) [5×12 mL], and c) methanol:acetonitrile (1:1) [5×12 mL]. The taxane enriched fractions were analyzed chromatographically by TLC and HPLC. TLC was used for qualitative analysis (Table 1) and HPLC was used for quantitative analysis to determine the yields of total and individual taxanes (Tables 1, 2 and 3). Solvent system “b” (6:3:1) was selected as effective for the quantitative determination of taxane yields, and the yields reported in the Tables were determined using this solvent system. TABLE 1 TLC and HPLC Analysis % Taxane Sample Solvent Wt. Of Yield TLC # Name System Fraction (g) (HPLC) Results Example 1A 1 1R104 Aqueous Fraction A N.D. B 0.0568 5.68 Taxanes fraction C 0.0194 1.94 N.D. 2 2R104 Non-Aqueous Fraction A N.D. B 0.4150 41.5 Taxanes fraction C 0.0325 3.25 N.D. 3 3R104 Filter Liquid A N.D. B 0.4213 42.13 Taxanes fraction C 0.0439 4.39 N.D. Example 1B 4 R129a - Vessel 1 Tar A N.D. B 0.3738 37.38 Taxanes fraction C 0.0322 3.22 N.D. 5 R129a - Recovery Vessel 1 A N.D. B 0.0234 2.34 N.D. C 0.0013 0.13 N.D. 6 R129a - Recovery Vessel 2 A N.D. (demister) B 0.3720 37.2 Taxanes fraction C 0.0310 3.1 N.D. 7 R129a - Recovery Vessel 3 A N.D. (filter) B 0.4109 41.09 Taxanes fraction C 0.0337 3.37 N.D. 8 R129a - Recovery Vessel 4 A N.D. (bath) B 0.0046 0.46 N.D. C 0.0010 0.1 N.D. 9 R129a - Rotovap Residual Wash A N.D. B 0.3158 31.58 Taxanes fraction C 0.0306 3.06 N.D. Example 1C 10 R130a - Recovery Vessel 1 A N.D. B 0.0267 2.67 Trace C 0.0018 0.18 N.D. 11 R130a - Solids from Vessel 1 A N.D. B 0.2079 20.79 Taxanes fraction C 0.0311 3.11 N.D. 12 R130a - Recovery Vessel 2 A N.D. (demister) B 0.0201 2.01 Trace C 0.0014 0.14 N.D. 13 R130a - Vessel 3 A N.D. (filter) B 0.3682 36.82 Taxanes fraction C 0.0410 4.1 N.D. 14 R130a - Vessel 4 A N.D. (bath) B 0.0050 0.5 N.D. C 0.0012 0.12 N.D. 15 R130a - Rotovapped Residual A N.D. Wash B 0.0782 7.82 Trace C 0.0021 0.21 N.D. 16 R130a - Roto-vap Condensate A N.D. B 0.0041 0.41 N.D. C 0.0014 0.14 N.D. Solvent system A. methanol:deionized water (7:3) Solvent system B. methanol:acetonitrile:D.I. water (6:3:1) Solvent system C. methanol:acetonitrile (1:1) N.D. = not detected Trace = trace amount of taxanes The yield of total taxanes and individual taxane components, as produced via thermal extraction and as recovered using Isolation Method 1, are reported in Tables 2 and 3, respectively. A comparison of total “Isolation Method 1” taxane yields with those reported in the literature for conventional solvent recovery processes (e.g. Daoust, G and Sirois, G., 2003, and “ Canada Yew ( Taxus canadensis Marsh .) and Taxanes: A Perfect Species for Filed Production and improvement Through Genetic Selection ” Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Sainte-Foy, Quebec), is also given in Table 2. A comparison of the “Isolation Method 1” yields of individual representative taxanes with the solvent control test yields is also given in Table 3. As can be observed from the data in Tables 2 and 3, the yields of total taxanes and individual representative taxanes are higher using the methods of the present invention than yields that have been obtained using conventional solvent extraction methods. TABLE 2 “Isolation Method 1” Yields of Total Taxanes via Thermal Extraction compared with Conventional Solvent Yields (as reported in the literature*) Extraction Temp. Total Taxane RUN# (° C.) (wt % R-104A 490 5.0 R-129A 398 6.7 R-130A 397 5.2 Solvent Extraction - 0.2 *Daoust, G and Sirois, G., 2003, “Canada Yew ( Taxus canadensis Marsh.) and Taxanes: A Perfect Species for Filed Production and improvement Through Genetic Selection” Natural Resources Canada, Canadian Forest Service, Sainte-Foy, Quebec TABLE 3 “Isolation Method 1” Yields of paclitaxel and Other Taxane Compounds via Thermal Extraction compared with Solvent Extraction (Solvent Control*) Yields Paclitaxel 10 DAB III Bacatin III Cephalomannine 10-deacetyl-Taxol 7-epi-taxol DHB RUN# (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) (wt %) R-104A 0.031 0.49 0.29 0.61 0.39 0.37 0.092 R-129A 0.049 0.53 0.37 0.71 0.42 0.44 0.12 R-130A 0.034 0.46 0.33 0.59 0.4 0.4 0.084 Solvent Control 0.011 0.061 0.042 0.052 0.012 0.021 0.039 *see Example 3 Isolation Method 2: Liquid thermal extract samples (1 g) obtained as outlined in Examples 1A, 1B and 1C were mixed and adsorbed onto 1 g of Polyvinylpolypyrrolidone, PVPP (Sigma Chemical Co., P-6755 [25249-54-1]) and applied to strata-X 33 μm Polymeric Sorbent 1 g/20 ml Giga Tubes (Phenomenex, 8B-S100-JEG). The strata-X was conditioned with 20 mL methanol and equilibrated with 20 mL D.I. water before loading the above-mentioned sample. Elution was carried out at a slow rate using 20 mL of water followed by 20 mL aliquots of increasing concentrations (20, 50, 70, 100%) of methanol. All fractions were analyzed chromatographically with maximum concentration found in the fraction eluting with 50-70% methanol. Example 3 Solvent Extraction of Taxanes (Non-Pyrolytic Control Test) Fresh Taxus canadensis Marsh needles (4417.13 g fr. wt.) were extracted at room temperature in two steps: first, by steeping for 24 h in 100% MeOH (1 g fr. wt/10 ml solvent), followed by chopping in a commercial Waring blender and decanting the solvent; second, by steeping the chopped residue for an additional 24 h in 60% aqueous MeOH. The combined methanolic extracts were evaporated under reduced pressure until most or all of the MeOH had been removed. The residue was freeze-dried to obtain 713.88 g of crude extract. Thus from each g fresh weight of needles, 162 mg of T. canadensis crude extract was obtained. Results of this test are presented in Table 3 as “solvent control”. Example 4 A post-solvent coffee feedstock was thermally extracted in an upflow reactor (See FIG. 1 .) operated at a temperature of 464° C., and in a liquid quench mode, to produce thermal extract samples. The liquid yields on a feed “ash free” basis was 55.15 wt %, the char yield was 16.87 wt %, and the gas yield was 24.37 wt %. The purpose of the run was to determine whether any residual caffeine remaining in post solvent extracted coffee feedstock could be thermally extracted. A sample of the caffeine-containing thermal extraction products were taken and submitted for caffeine analysis using an Agilent Technologies 1200 Liquid Chromatograph equipped with a computer and Chem. Station software (Chem. 32), a Binary pump SL (G1312B), a high performance autosample SL (G1367C) and an autoscan photodiode array spectrophotometer detector Agilent Technologies (G1315C). Results: R158A Demister Glycol: 91.2 ppm caffeine in 1 g of the oil R158A Primary Condenser 129 ppm caffeine in 1 g of the oil Example 5 A flax shive feedstock was thermally extracted in an upflow reactor (See FIG. 1 .) operated at a temperature of 500° C., and in a liquid quench mode, to produce thermal extract samples. The liquid yields on a feed “ash free” basis was 55.57 wt %, the char yield was 14.48 wt %, and the gas yield was 23.61 wt %. The purpose of the run was to determine whether any epicatechin and catechin in flax shives could be thermally extracted. Samples of the collected liquid thermal extract products were taken and submitted for epicatechin and catechin analysis using an Agilent Technologies Eclipse Plus C-18 5 μm (4.6×150 mm i.d.) reverse-phase analytical column. A gradient chromatographic technique was used at room temp: solvent A=MeOH/Acetonitrile (95:5); solvent B=0.05% aq. HCOOH; with the flow rate set at 0.9 ml/min. Three fixed detection wavelengths were used: 270 nm, 280 nm and 350 nm and resolved peaks were scanned by the photodiode array detector from 250 to 400 nm. Results: Epicatechin and cathechin were detected in significant quantities Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail by way of illustration and example, and with regard to one or more embodiments, for purposes of clarity of understanding, it is readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in light of the teachings of this invention that certain changes, variations and modifications may be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as described in the appended claims. It must be noted that as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms of “a”, “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. Unless defined otherwise all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. All publications, patents and patent applications cited in this specification are incorporated herein by reference as if each individual publication, patent or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference. The citation of any publication, patent or patent application in this specification is not an admission that the publication, patent or patent application is prior art.
The present invention is related to a thermal extract of a plant material and methods of extraction thereof. The method of producing a thermal extract from a plant starting material by means of a thermal extraction of the starting material wherein the improvement consists in requiring smaller amounts of costly and/or toxic organic solvents for the extraction and partitioning steps.
2
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a receiver system for vehicles having a circuit for suppressing the receipt of an interference radiation emitted by these vehicles. 2. Description of the Prior Art The interference radiation emitted by the vehicle body often leads to a considerable lowering of the quality of the receipt in the on board receiver system. Particularly in the range of the receipt of the middle and short wave (AM range) radio waves, the radio receipt is often strongly affected by audible pulse-like interferences. Often the ignition system and digital components create a series of high intensity high frequency component radio waves that are received via an antenna and sent into a receiver. These radio waves are of such intensity that the antenna cannot be attached in the vicinity of the engine, or respectively any means causing strong interference radiation is not possible. In the praxis of automobile construction, by arranging the conduits or the input of means avoiding interference, it has been shown that the suppression of an interference emitting radiation through these measures is often not feasible or only feasible with high cost. Thus, antenna systems for vehicles with front wheel engines are now disposed in the rear region. This is done to attain an improved interference distance with the aid of the larger distance from the main interference source. However, vehicle interferences are often so intensive that even in the case of antennas that are arranged away from the interference source, there is still noticeable interference. In German Patent 24 60 227.5 there is shown a proposed solution to present vehicle interference with respect to the amount of phase in the HF range with the aid of control system and in superposition to the receiver signal of the receiver system. This receiver system is affected by the interference in that manner that the interference components in the receiver signal are cancelled. This method is very cost intensive and relies on the precise evaluation of the interference effective in the receiver antenna which is in many cases impossible. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, one object of the invention is to provide an effective and cost efficient arrangement so as to reduce the interference to render inaudible the receiver interferences which are associated with the interference radiation emitted by the entire vehicle, particularly in the frequency bands of amplitude modulated radio. This aim is solved in accordance with the invention in a receiver system for vehicles. With the present invention, there is an advantage in that the determination of the time intervals, within which a series of received usable signals must be sampled. In this way, the interference from an interference radiation is not passed through the terminus device and is not determined in the received usable signals. The essence of the invention resides in that with the aid of one or more coupling elements, the interference radiation is taken up separately, and the signal corresponding to the received usable signals is rather small. Thus from this invention it is possible to configure the shortest possible sampling time through the sampling of the received usable signals so that the interference is as small as possible. In the praxis it shows that there is often appreciable interference so that even with a strong received usable signal and a weak interference signal, interference free reception is rare. This applies particularly in periods when there is electrical ignition or when there are pulses of digital signals and especially in the AM radio range. Accordingly the invention is aimed to determine the time intervals of the appearance of pulse-like interferences, separated from the received usable signals, and to determine the sampling time points and the duration of sampling in accordance with the invention. This is done with the aid of an interference signal receiving device. In addition there is also a coupling element for the uptake of the pulse-like interfering interference radiation emitted by the entire vehicle. Thus, the coupling element is positioned in the vehicle in such a manner and configured in such a way that its output signal predominantly contains the pulses leading to receiving interference of the interference radiation, wherein a component of the received usable signals is low so that the ratio of the component of the receiving usable signals over the interference beam is at least 10 dB lower than the output of the antenna over the interference beam. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings which disclose several embodiments of the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the drawings are designed for the purpose of illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention. In the drawings wherein similar reference characters denote similar elements throughout the several views: FIG. 1 . shows a block diagram of the first embodiment of the receiver system; FIG. 1 b shows a block diagram of an additional embodiment of the invention further comprising sampling device; FIG. 2 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention wherein the evaluation circuit further comprises a reference level and a logic circuit; FIG. 3 a shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention wherein the evaluation circuit comprises a bandpass filter; FIG. 3 b is a block diagram of the band pass filter having a low frequency component and a band width having a middle frequency; FIG. 4 shows a block diagram of an additional embodiment of the invention further comprising a receiver circuit; FIG. 5 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention wherein the evaluation circuit comprises a logic circuit; FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention wherein the antenna is configured as a controllable transmission element having a sampling device; FIG. 7 shows a block diagram of another embodiment of the invention wherein the antenna has an antenna amplifier, and a transit time element with a post connected controllable transmission element; FIG. 8 shows a block diagram of a receiver having a controllable transmission element and an interference signal receiving device having a sampling device and a transit time element; FIG. 9 shows a block diagram of the receiver system having a signal receiving device with a sampling device in the range of a low frequency component of the receiver; FIG. 10 a shows a receiver system having an electrical coupling conductor disposed at a suitable distance; FIG. 10 b shows a coupling element that is in the vicinity of the window frame; FIG. 10 c shows a coupling element showing a series of capacitors and also shows the electrical and magnetic fields associated with these capacitors; FIG. 11 shows an additional embodiment of the receiver system having a matrix circuit; and FIG. 12 shows another embodiment of the receiver system having a level indicator and a level evaluation circuit for control of the sampling time and the sampling depth through adjustment of the reference level and the logic circuit. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 refers to a receiver system having a receiver 2 connected to antenna 1 , and connected to an interference signal receiving device 29 . Receiving device 29 comprises a coupling element 3 and an evaluation circuit 4 . Evaluation circuit 4 is for the generation of a sample signal 7 when the receiver system receives an interference signal 11 from vehicle 20 . In a first, simplified embodiment, a controllable transmission element 6 is contained in a interference signal receiving device 29 . Interface signal receiving device 29 also contains transmission elements 5 connected to and disposed adjacent to controllable transmission element 6 . In this case, when sample signal 7 is introduced into transmission element 6 , it blocks transmission of interference radiation 11 from passing on to terminus device 25 . This sampling can be carried out as full sampling over a fixedly adjusted time interval. In this case, there is a congruent time interval between the occurrence of the interference in a series of received usable signals 16 , and sample signals 7 . When the sampling time is longer than the occurrence of the interference in the received usable signal 16 , there is unnecessarily large and unavoidable interference. However, when the sampling time is smaller than the occurrence of interference in the received usable signal 16 , the interference in the receiving usable signal is not fully ineffective. To overcome this discontinuity in time intervals, the receiver can be configured to reduce interference by means of sampling techniques such as soft sampling with time wise polished transitions, having appropriate sampling depth which is limited taking back of the transmission characteristics in controllable transmission element 6 . In addition other techniques such as sample and hold techniques whereby the momentary value of the received usable signal 16 during the sampling time is held at the last value. FIG 1 b shows a second embodiment of the receiving system wherein the interference signal receiving device 29 is integrated in a housing with receiver 2 , with separated input connections for antenna 1 and coupling element 3 . In addition in this embodiment there is shown sampling device 19 disposed within controllable transmission element 6 . Sampling device 19 is for receiving sample signals 7 from evaluation circuit 4 . As shown in FIG. 2, interference radiation 11 is received via coupling element 3 and i s evaluated in a broad band manner. To start the sampling process in evaluation circuit 4 , there is a comparing logic circuit 10 with two inputs disposed with in evaluation circuit 4 . The first input is connected to the interference radiation level 13 , which is compared with reference level 9 at the other input. When reference level 9 is exceeded by interference radiation level 13 at the exit of logic circuit 10 , sample signal 7 is generated which effects the sampling process in controllable transmission element 6 . When there are time wise pulse forms which have only relatively low signal components in the frequency range of receiver 2 , the sampling interval is often too long and not optimally placed time wise. Because the invention offers a substantial improvement the frequency band width is narrowed in interference radiation signal receiving device 29 . This result is obvious from FIGS. 3 a and 3 b . In this design, there is a band pass filter 8 , that is post connected to coupling element 3 . Band pass filter 8 is adjusted, with its middle frequency 41 , wherein its band width 22 is selected to be sufficiently large so that the indicated interference radiation level 13 is largely representative of the interference arising in the receipt channel of receiver 2 . A further possibility exists therein to configure the band width 22 of band pass filter 8 nearly congruently with that frequency range wherein receiver 2 can be adjusted. As shown in FIG. 4, the signal band width in interference signal receiving device 29 is adapted to the channel band width of receiver 2 . This will ensure that sample signal 7 is present only due to those components in interference radiation 11 which can lead also to interferences in the receiver, and thereby, in terminus device 25 . Thus, the sampling time is limited to the lowest extent required. Oscillator 24 of receiver 2 is used with the superposition principle to ensure the adjustment of the interface signal receiving device to the present receipt channel of receiver 2 . As shown in FIG. 4, controllable transmission element 6 contains sampling device 19 which is disposed adjacent to receiver ZF component 26 but ahead of receiver demodulator 27 . Interference radiation 11 is read by coupling element 3 which then presents signals that are converted in interference signal mixer 12 to the intermediary frequency plane and limited in their band width with the aid of an intermediary frequency filter 14 . With the aid of a demodulator circuit 17 , the interference radiation level 13 is won and passed to logic circuit 10 and next processed. Now controllable transmission element 6 is disposed behind receiver ZF component 26 in the sequence of the transmission elements 5 . Thus, the one advantage of the receiver system is that because of band limitations in the receiver 2 and the arising delays are similar in the interference signal receiving device 29 , only small differences in transit time arise. Thus, the sampling intervals of the signals arise approximately nearly fully time wise with the pulse-like interferences in the receiving usable signal 16 . In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the invention requires that the logical signal experiences retardation at the exit of logic circuit 10 due to band limitation. This occurs through inclusion of a transit time element 15 in sequence with transmission elements 5 in receiver 2 which is adjusted prior to controllable transmission element 6 . This type receiver is shown in FIG. 5 . Thus, the time wise placement of the sampling interval is largely congruent with the point of time of the appearance of the interference in the receiving usable signal 16 . It is common in the automotive industry for receiver devices to be included within the production of the auto. Unfortunately, in many cases, because of requirements, different vehicle series may not permit the integration of an interference signal receiving device 29 . For these cases, it is possible in another embodiment of the invention to configure the interference signal receiving device 29 by utilizing serially manufactured receivers 2 . A receiver system of this type is shown in FIG. 6 . In this embodiment, antenna 1 is configured as controllable transmission element 6 , which contains sampling device 19 which receives sample signal 7 . The interference signal receiving device 29 can thereby be arranged in the vicinity of antenna 1 in the vehicle, or respectively can form a component unit with antenna 1 . FIG. 7 shows a receiver system of this type wherein antenna 1 is formed as an active antenna with an antenna amplifier 28 . The configuration can thereby be by way of sampling the interior amplification of the active antenna with the aid of controllable transmission element 6 . Because of the limitation of the band to band width 22 of band pass filter 8 , there must be a corresponding transit time element 15 , in the signal train of the active antenna. FIG. 8 shows that the transit time element 15 is included in the signal branch of the interference signal receiving device 29 to improve the congruency of the time wise positioning of the sampling interval with the point of time of appearance in the interface in the receiving usable signal 16 . As shown in FIG. 9, transit time element can be placed at the exit of logic circuit 10 to retard the signal whereby the sample signal is retarded by the required time difference. To achieve a rather large ratio of interference radiation level 13 to receiving usable signal 16 , coupling element 3 which receives interference radiation 21 should be configured to a coupling conductor 32 and arranged in the vicinity of antenna 1 . However, coupling conductor 32 is configured so that its electric-magnetic coupling to the body of vehicle 20 is substantially greater than the unavoidable coupling of antenna 1 to the body of vehicle 20 . In addition, the associated coupling of coupling element 3 to the free space is substantially smaller than that of antenna 1 . With this design, the intakes of the vehicle bound interference radiation 11 of coupling element 3 and of antenna 1 are similar to one another. In addition, the interferences of the receiving usable signal can be sampled in an aimed manner. Embodiments of coupling element 3 of this type are represented in FIGS. 10 a, b , and c . Coupling element 3 is comprised of coupling conductor 32 with a co-coupling circuit 33 respectfully. In FIG. 10 a coupling conductor 32 is configured so that it receives interference radiation 11 as electrical field strength E. In FIG. 10 b , however, coupling conductor 32 is configured as magnetic loop 32 a for receiving interference radiation 11 as magnetic field strength H. In FIG. 10 c , there is shown both magnetic loop and electrical loop 32 b for receiving interference radiation 11 as both magnetic field strength H and electrical field strength E. Coupling conductor 32 is arranged in the vicinity of window frame 42 because of the high concentration of the electrical and magnetic fields of interference radiation 11 in an immediate vicinity of window frame 42 . The superposed uptake of electrical and magnetic field components of interference radiation 11 is done with the aid of coupling conductor 32 . This embodiment is shown in FIG. 10 c wherein both ends are subjected to capacitive loading. Electronic element 43 in coupling circuit 33 forms with its input capacity of less than 50 pF between control electrode 44 and the source electrode 45 the capacitive load. The exit tension of electronic elements 43 contains both magnetic and electrical field components of interference radiation 11 effected components. FIG. 11 shows a coupling element 3 for co-coupling with immediate inductive coupling at conductor 34 which carries interference current. In a similar manner, coupling element 3 is represented as capacitive coupling at a conductor 35 which carries the interference tension, at the vehicle 20 . With the aid of matrix circuit the signals of several coupling elements 3 emanating from different interference sources, are superposed in a linear and weighted manner. Such a matrix circuit can be realized as a resistence network. The exit signal of matrix circuit 31 is passed to evaluation circuit 4 , when there is correct weighting of the individual interference causes, the interference components of such causes can be effectively sampled in the receiving usable signal. In reception situations in which there is a sufficiently large level of the receiving usable signal 16 it is advantageous to not utilize the sampling process because the interference components due to the interference radiation 11 do not take effect as receiver interferences. This will fully preclude remainder interferences, which could be associated with the sampling per se. Received usable signals 16 have an interference region which is between dominant pulse like receipt interferences, with complete sampling and negligible pulse like receipt interferences without sampling, so that the sampling depth is shown as a function of the level. In FIG. 12, in receiver 2 , the signal level is passed to a level indicator 38 and evaluated in a level evaluation circuit 39 with respect to the sampling time and the sampling depth. Through adjusting of reference level 9 and logic circuit 10 , a suitable sampling time and suitable sampling depth is adjusted. In a simplified embodiment, especially exhibiting the least number of components in the logic circuit 10 , the ratio of level of receiving usable signal 15 to the interference radiation 13 is determined. When occurring below a threshold value, the controllable transmission element 6 , through activation with the aid of sample signal 7 , controls a low frequency component so that during the time interval of sampling, the present receiving usable signal is blocked at its output. However, the last value prior to commencement of the sampling is present in a sample and hold situation. Accordingly, while several embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
The invention relates to a receiver system for vehicles having an antenna and a receiver with an interference signal receiving device. This interference receiving device comprises a coupling element with an input for taking up the pulse-like interference radiation emitted by the vehicle aggregates and which interference radiation emitted by the vehicle aggregates and which interfere with the reception, with an evaluation circuit for presenting the interference radiation. A controllable transmission element is disposed within the receiver between transmission elements. Controllable transmission element is controllable with respect to its transmission behavior for the purpose of signal sampling, which also receives output signals of evaluation circuit so that during the duration of the interference pulses, the interference pulses interfered with receive and sample usable signals. The coupling element is configured and positioned within the vehicle so that its output signal contains the pulses of the interference radiation which lead to the reception interference, and the component of the receiving usable signals is considerably low.
7
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/961,156, filed Dec. 7, 2015, which is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 14/125,984, filed Dec. 13, 2013, now issued patent U.S. Pat. No. 9,225,140 which is a national phase of PCT Application No. PCT/IL2012/000230, filed Jun. 13, 2012, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application 61/457,822, filed Jun. 13, 2011. Each of these applications is herein incorporated by reference in their entirety for all purposes. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to the field of distributed laser resonators using retroreflectors, especially for use in systems for wireless transmission of power to portable electronic devices by means of intracavity laser power. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In the PCT application PCT/IL2006/001131, published as WO2007/036937 for “Directional Light Transmitter and Receiver” and in the PCT application PCT/IL2009/000010, published as WO/2009/008399 for “Wireless Laser Power” there are shown wireless power delivery systems based on distributed laser resonators. This term is used in the current disclosure to describe a laser having its cavity mirrors separated in free space, and without any specific predefined spatial relationship between the cavity mirrors, such that the laser is capable of operating between randomly positioned end reflectors. In the above mentioned applications, one use of such distributed laser resonators is in transmitting optical power from a centrally disposed transmitter to mobile receivers positioned remotely from the transmitter, with the end mirrors being positioned within the transmitter and receiver. Such distributed laser resonators use, as the end mirrors of the cavity, simple retro reflectors, such as corner cubes, and cats-eyes and arrays thereof. Retroreflectors differ from plane mirror reflectors in that they have a non-infinitesimal field of view. An electromagnetic wave front incident on a retroreflector within its field of view is reflected back along a direction parallel to but opposite in direction from the wave's source. The reflection takes place even if the angle of incidence of such a wave on the retroreflector has a value different from zero. This is unlike a plane mirror reflector, which reflects back along the incident path only if the mirror is exactly perpendicular to the wave front, having a zero angle of incidence. [0004] Many of such generally available retroreflectors, 15 , such as that shown in FIG. 1 , generate an optical image inversion around an inversion point 10 situated in the retroreflector (or around points in the case of an array of retroreflectors), or in close proximity thereto, with the reflected beam 11 traversing a spatially different path to that of the incident beam 12 , as is shown in FIG. 1 . [0005] This inversion around a point causes a number of problems in practical systems: a. In many such simple retro reflectors, the inversion point is situated in an optically opaque location, where optical access cannot be provided, such as in a corner cube retroreflector. b. As will be further expounded in paragraphs (c) to (f) below, a distributed laser system designed for practical use should require the placing of optical elements within the cavity. However, this may be problematic, since, following paragraph (a) above, the inversion point in an optically opaque location results in two beams which do not overlap. The explanation for this is that a retro reflector does inversion around the point of inversion 10 in the beam's direction. Thus, expressing the beam directions in in cylindrical coordinates, Theta, the orientation angle, remains constant, R becomes minus R and the direction is reversed. For the two beams to overlap R must equal minus R which dictates that R equals 0, meaning that the reflection must take place at the opaque inversion point. As a result of this lack of overlap, as shown in FIG. 1 , placing a required optical element with at least one non-flat optical surface in the beam path will generally result in the two beams becoming unparallel, causing the distributed resonator to cease lasing. Such an optical component may cause each beam to be deflected differently, as is shown in FIG. 2 , which illustrates the behavior of two parallel beams, one, marked Beam 1 passing through the optical center 21 of a lens 20 , and one, marked Beam 2 , passing through a point 23 displaced from the center. As is observed, after passage through the lens 20 , the beams are no longer parallel. Since the two beams need to remain parallel for a distributed resonator to operate, as described in the aforementioned WO2007/036937 and WO/2009/008399, such an optical component cannot be used within a resonator having optical image inversion at its retroreflector(s) and having an opaque inversion point. Although it is possible to design certain optical elements to handle two parallel beams, such as a telescope lens arrangement, such a device may have a limited field of view and limited functionality, may require the separation between the beams to be fixed and may cause aberrations to both beams. This usually prevents the practical use of such telescope solutions. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,209,689 to G. J. Linford et al., for “Laser Secure Communications System”, there is described a distributed laser cavity for long range communication, with a telescope in the cavity close to the gain medium. This system deals with a beam which is very axially defined, and operates with as limited a field of view as possible, involving angles of propagation close to the axis. No mention is made of the longitudinal position of elements such as the gain medium, down the cavity length. It is believed that the telescope is used to expand the beam and hence to limit the beam divergence and field of view. In many other cases, there may not be need for a telescope, but rather for another optical element having a different function, such as a focusing lens, with the same problems arising therefrom because of the double beams. c. An optical system designed for two beams needs to use components generally having diameters of at least twice the size as those of equivalent single beam systems, in order to accommodate the two beams and the distance between them. This would increase the cost of the system, and its overall width. d. Usually, two simple retroreflectors are not enough to achieve lasing, since the beam typically needs to be focused in order to compensate for Rayleigh expansion. In the above referenced WO/2009/008399, this problem was solved by using a thermal focusing element. However such a solution suffers from increased complexity due to the need to initiate it. e. Optical elements having optical power, such as those having at least one non flat surface, may be necessary in the beam's path to achieve other optical functions, such as focusing, to correct aberrations, to monitor the system's state, to change the field of view of the system or to work with different apertures to allow for better performance/price of the system. Since the two beams are essentially separated, it may also be difficult to block ghost beams, as an increased aperture is needed. f. Since placing imaging optics inside the resonator is difficult, it is difficult to form an image of the position of a receiver. Such information may be potentially necessary to monitor a receiver or receivers connected to the transmitter. [0012] An additional problem arises with the distributed laser systems shown in the above two referenced PCT publications, since the direction and position of the beams within the system are not known. It then becomes difficult to know where to place direction sensitive components in the beam's path, such as polarizers, waveplates, frequency doubling crystals, and the like, it also becomes difficult to know how to use position limited components, such as small detectors, gain media, and the like, since it is not known where to position such components laterally. [0013] There therefore exists a need for a distributed laser cavity architecture which overcomes at least some of the above mentioned disadvantages of prior art systems and methods. [0014] The disclosures of each of the publications mentioned in this section and in other sections of the specification, are hereby incorporated by reference, each in its entirety. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The present disclosure describes new exemplary systems and methods, for achieving distributed cavity laser operation using retro-reflecting elements, in which the spatially separated retro-reflecting elements define a power transmitting unit and a power receiving unit. The gain medium is advantageously placed in the transmitter unit, so that one transmitter can operate with several receivers, the receivers being of simpler and lighter construction. The described systems and methods overcome the double beam problems associated with use of simple retroreflectors in such prior art lasing systems. The described systems and methods also overcome the problems of defining the position, both laterally and longitudinally, of various optical components within the laser cavity, which provide ancillary advantages to the lasing properties of the cavity. There is therefore an advantage to a system which allows for some or all of the following characteristics: a) Allows for retro reflection along the incident beam's path, so that the incoming and returning beams travel along the same path. This feature enables the distributed laser to operate with the beams in a co-linear mode, instead of the ring mode described in the prior art. b) Allows for elements with optical power, such as those with one or more non-fiat optical surfaces to be placed in the outgoing/returning beam, wherein these components might perform, inter alia: Focusing/defocusing Increasing the field of view of the system Changing the Rayleigh length of the beam Adapting the beam to a specific operation distance. c) Have regions in the system allowing placing of components so that light is always guaranteed to pass through the center of the component, so that component may be reduced in size and price, and increased in efficiency. d) Have regions in the system allowing the placing of optical components such that light is always guaranteed to be parallel to an optical axis. e) Have regions in the system where an image of the position of the receivers is formed, so that the receivers can be monitored. f) Have regions in the system where it is known that the laser beam cannot reach, so that functional elements sensitive to the laser beam but not required for the lasing action itself, may be placed there. [0026] In order to achieve at least some of the above mentioned requirements, and to thereby provide a distributed cavity laser capable of operating with the features necessary for practical use of such a laser in the general environment, and with the necessary safeguards, there is proposed in this disclosure a distributed laser having a number of novel characteristics, as explained forthwith: [0027] Firstly, use is made of cavity end mirrors based on retro-reflectors capable of reflecting a beam back onto itself, such that the incoming and returning beams from each retro-reflector essentially travel along coincident, but counter propagating paths. Some examples of such retroreflectors include conventional cat's eye retroreflectors for beams entering the cat's eye through the central region of its entrance aperture, focusing/defocusing cat's eye retroreflectors (including two hemispheres such that one hemisphere focuses light on the surface of the other, or more complicated structures having multiple elements in them, and still focusing), multi element (generalized) cat's eye retroreflectors, hologram retroreflectors, phase conjugate mirrors, and reflecting ball mirrors which are capable of reflecting a beam onto itself. In the case of the reflecting ball mirrors, although the beam would become defocused as a result of the reflection, this may be solved by use of a focusing element elsewhere along the beam's path. [0028] However, such retro-reflectors may generate aberrations and other beam propagation problems such as focusing or defocusing, excitation of higher-order beams, or other artifacts, which need to be treated in order to ensure consistent quality lasing at acceptable power conversion efficiencies and within accepted safety standards. In addition, use of such retroreflectors may limit the field of view, which therefore may need to be increased optically to make the system of practical use. Additionally, components of the laser system might not have the optimum or the required size or field of view, which may be corrected using an additional optical system within the laser cavity. In order to overcome such effects, and to improve the performance of the overall laser system, it may be necessary or advantageous to add other optical components in the beam's path within the cavity, which operate so as to compensate for the undesired effect or effects. Using prior art distributed laser resonators having a double beam geometry, the insertion of additional optical components into the beam was ineffective because of this double beam geometry. However, this aim now becomes possible by the use of a single beam co-linear resonator, as described in the exemplary cavity structures of the present disclosure, instead of a two beam ring resonator. [0029] Amongst the additional intra-cavity optical components or sub-systems which can be used, and the objectives which their use can achieve, are the following: (a) A telescope may be used to increase the angular field of view of either the transmitter or the receiver units. (b) A telescope may be used to increase/decrease the Rayleigh length of the system, thus increasing operation range (for the case of increase of the Rayleigh length) or allowing selection of a single device from several that may be within range (for the case of decrease of the Rayleigh length). (c) A focusing system in either the transmitter unit or the receiver unit may be used to move the beam waist from the transmitter towards, or even right up to the receiver, thus reducing the size of the beam of at the receiver and hence the receiver's dimensions. (d) A lens, a grin lens, or a curved mirror system may be used to compensate for thermal lensing, or for compensating for other undesirable lensing effects in the system, such as when a ball mirror retro-reflector is used. (e) A polarizer may be used to define the polarization of the light propagating within the lasing system. (f) A waveplate may be used to: (i) Define the polarization of the system (ii) Prevent unintentional lasing through transparent surfaces inserted into the beam and accidentally inclined at, or close to, the Brewster angle (iii) Prevent use of improvised and unauthorized receivers (iv) Increase the sensitivity of a safety system (g) Optical elements may be used to correct aberrations caused by various component parts in the system. (h) The intra-cavity optical system may be used to enable a smaller gain medium to be used to amplify the light both in the forward direction and the backwards direction, allowing for increased gain and reduced size. [0042] Further details of some of these components or sub-systems are given in the Detailed Description section herein below. [0043] The existence of co-linear counter propagating beams has enabled the positioning of such optical components or subsystems within the laser cavity, enabling the achievement of the purposes described in the above paragraphs. This is a significant departure from prior art lasers, whether localized or distributed, where imaging or focusing functions are not generally incorporated within the laser cavity. The generation of focal points within a laser cavity is usually undesirable, since it can lead to hotspots on the coatings of optical components or on the components themselves or to plasma generation within the cavity. Usually there is no need for any components within the laser cavity, other than those essential for the lasing process itself, and attempts are generally made to avoid the inclusion of such additional components within the cavity in order to minimize optical losses, to simplify the system and to eliminate ghost beams. However in a distributed laser cavity for the type of application described in this disclosure, there is need for wide angle angular operation of the end mirrors of the cavity and the gain medium, since the transmitter and receiver units may be disposed at any position within the environmental range of the distributed laser cavity, and the laser must continue to function at its desired efficiency over a wide range of angles of incidence of the input and output beam of each end mirror. This requires an intra-cavity optical sub-system for handling the rays from different angles of incidence in such a manner that they do not detract from the lasing process. [0044] In order to facilitate these aims, the exemplary distributed laser cavities described in the present disclosure advantageously utilize novel designs which involve the use of pupil imaging. Such a pupil imaging system can be defined as one in which light arriving from any incident angle and passing through the pupil, forms an image on a predefined image plane, the image position on this plane being dependent on the angle of incidence of the light passing through the pupil. [0045] All of the light from each different angle of incidence, even if spatially spread out but arriving from a particular angle of incidence, will be transferred to the same spatial point on the image plane, on condition that all of the light from that angle passes through the pupil region. Light from different angles of incidence generates different spatial points on the image plane. The pupil itself can thus be defined based on these properties of the pupil imaging system. A graphic description of this concept is given in FIG. 3 in the Detailed Description section herein below. [0046] Exemplary distributed cavity laser systems described in the present disclosure may be constructed having pupil imaging characteristics, thereby providing the following advantages to the system. Since the positioning of optical components or subsystems within the laser cavity is also an important criterion for ensuring a compact and readily designed lasing system, the optical imaging subsystem is also designed to allow placement of the various components in their optimal positions. There are several different criteria involved, depending on the purpose desired. In the first place, the system should be designed to have regions such that for components placed in that region, light from any angle of incidence is guaranteed to pass through the center of those components. This enables the reduction in the size of those components, thus decreasing cost and increasing efficiency. This can be achieved at the pupil or pupils of a pupil-equipped imaging system, and such a location or locations are therefore suitable for the positioning of such components as the gain medium of the lasing system, the photovoltaic power converting detectors, monitoring diodes, etc. [0047] In practice, a pupil imaging system is defined by using a focusing element such as a lens, disposed at its focal distance from the desired position of the pupil. The above definition of the operation of a pupil based imaging system can be readily described in terms of the Fourier transform between angular and spatial information generated by passage of the beam through the lens. Using Fourier transform methodology a lens is described by the mathematical Fourier transform of angles into positions while the light travels the focal distance. In a simple single lens system, light emitted from the focal point of a lens at an angle to the axis, after passage through the lens, would be directed parallel to the optical axis of the lens at a distance from the axis that is dependent on the angle, thus loosing all angular information and exchanging it completely for spatial information. Reversing the direction of light, spatial information would be retranslated to angular information, so that at the pupil of the system, the beam would have no spatial information (as the pupil point is predefined) and only angular information. [0048] When the lasing system is in operation, a laser beam would be formed between the center of the front pupil of the transmitter and the center of the front pupil of the receiver. When entering (or exiting) the transmitter, that beam would have only angular information, as it is passing through a known point. The optical system in the transmitter now images that front pupil onto an internal pupil plane where the gain medium may optimally be located. The beam passes through the center of the gain medium as that position provides an exact image of the front pupil of the system. Further along the beam's path, a lens positioned at its focal length from the internal pupil, transforms the angular information into spatial information. As soon as there is no angular information, a telecentric region is formed where components sensitive to angular information may be positioned. [0049] In general, throughout this application, the functional effect of a pupil is understood to be achieved either by a real pupil, as implemented by the actual physical position in space through which the beam passes as it enters a lens, or by an image of a real pupil, as projected by imaging to another location in the system. References to a pupil, and claims reciting a pupil, are intended to cover both of these situations. [0050] Applying the definition of a pupil imaging system from above to the distributed laser structures of the present disclosure, one immediate advantage is that when using a gain medium in the form of a thin disk located at the imaging plane of a pupil imaging system, light passing through the pupil from any direction will, after passage through the telescope system, always be centered on the disk of the gain medium at the secondary pupil relative to the output of the telescope. Therefore, a gain medium in the form of a thin disc, having its thickness substantially smaller than its lateral dimensions, will efficiently lase independently of the direction of incidence of the beam directed into the transmitter through the entrance pupil. Such use of a pupil imaging distributed laser system can optimally be implemented if the retroreflectors used in the system do not have a point of inversion, such that the incident beam is reflected back co-linearly from the retroreflector. This location of the gain medium relative to the elements of the pupil imaging system applies whether the imaging system is the input lens of the transmitter containing the gain medium, or the imaging system of the retro-reflector in front of which the gain medium is located. In either of these situations, the gain medium is located relative to the imaging elements such that light from any incident direction within the field of view will be focused onto the gain medium. Examples are given in the detailed description section of this disclosure as to how this is achieved in practice. [0051] In addition, the system may be designed to have other regions, other than at pupil positions, at which beams coming from different angles will be optically directed to traverse those regions parallel to each other (i.e. telecentric regions), enabling the placement of optical components which should operate independently of the angle of incidence of the beam on the input lens. [0052] Furthermore, the system should be designed to have regions where an image of the field of view of the system may be formed (imaging planes). Those regions are especially useful in placing such optical subsystems, for instance for generating an image of the position of the receivers. [0053] Furthermore, the system should be designed to have regions where laser beam does not pass, so that components affected by the laser beam may be placed there. Such components might be detectors such as for monitoring the levels of such parameters as gain medium fluorescence level, thermal lens sensors, pump beam sensors for monitoring the level of the pump diode beams, either directly or through their effect in generating other wavelengths in the gain medium, and safety sensors. [0054] One exemplary implementation of the systems described in this disclosure involves a distributed resonator laser system, comprising: (i) first and second retro-reflectors, both of the retro-reflectors being such that a beam incident thereon is reflected back along a path essentially coincident with that of the incident beam, (ii) a gain medium disposed between the first and second retro-reflectors, (iii) an output coupler, disposed such that part of the beam impinging thereon is directed out of the resonator, (iv) a beam absorbing component disposed relative to the output coupler, such that that part of the beam directed out of the resonator impinges on the beam absorbing component, and (v) at least one optical component having at least one non-flat optical surface, disposed between the retro-reflectors, wherein the gain medium is essentially located at a pupil of the optical system incorporating the at least one optical component having at least one non-flat optical surface. [0060] In the above described distributed resonator laser system, the beam absorbing component may be either a photovoltaic power converter or a heat transfer component. Additionally, the at least one optical component may be at least one lens disposed so as to define an entrance/exit pupil, such that light passing through the pupil at a plurality of different angles will be directed to the gain medium. Alternatively, the at least one optical component may be a mirror disposed so as to define an entrance/exit pupil such that light passing through the pupil at a plurality of different angles will be directed to the gain medium. [0061] According to further exemplary implementations, such a system may further comprise a second lens disposed so that the beam is refracted thereby to generate a region of propagation parallel to the axis joining the center of the lens and the gain medium. [0062] Additionally, the at least one optical component having at least one non-flat optical surface may be part of an optical system having an imaging plane. The gain medium may then be located at an imaged pupil of the entrance/exit pupil. [0063] In any of the above described exemplary distributed resonator laser systems, at least one of the first and second retroreflectors should not have a point of inversion. Furthermore, the resonator should then support collinear beam modes. Furthermore, the optical system should have at least one imaging plane, and may have at least one telecentric region. [0064] Additionally, the distributed resonator laser system may further comprise a sensor located at the pupil. The output coupler may be part of one of the retroreflectors, or it may be independent of the retroreflectors. [0065] Additionally, alternative implementations of the distributed resonator laser systems described in this disclosure may comprise: (i) a first retroreflector reflecting a beam incident thereon back along a path essentially coincident with that of the incident beam, (ii) a second retroreflector reflecting a beam incident thereon back along a path essentially coincident with that of the beam incident thereon, (iii) a gain medium disposed between the first and second retroreflectors, and (iv) a lens system disposed between the first and second retroreflectors, at a position such that the gain medium is situated at an imaging plane of the lens system. [0070] In such a system, the lens system may further have an external pupil plane disposed at its end opposite to that of the gain medium, such that light passing through the external pupil from any direction will be directed towards the center of the gain medium at the internal pupil plane. In any of these systems, the system may include at least one telecentric region. Additionally, it may have at least one imaging plane. In such a case, it may then further comprise an optical sensor forming an electronic picture of the imaging plane. Additional components that may be incorporated into the system include a polarization manipulating optical component, doubling optics, and one or more waveplates located in the telecentric region. The system may further comprise a sensor located in the pupil. [0071] The features and advantages described herein are not all-inclusive and, in particular, many additional features and advantages will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art in view of the drawings, specification, and claims. Moreover, it should be noted that the language used in the specification has been principally selected for readability and instructional purposes, and not to limit the scope of the inventive subject matter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0072] The presently claimed invention will be understood and appreciated more fully from the following detailed description, taken in conjunction with the drawings in which: [0073] FIG. 1 shows a representation of a prior art corner cube retro reflector generating an optical image inversion around a point situated in the retroreflector, with the reflected beam traversing a spatially different path to that of the incident beam; [0074] FIG. 2 shows schematically the result of placing a lens in the beam path of a retroreflector such as that shown in FIG. 1 , having a point of optical inversion, resulting in spatially separated propagating beams; [0075] FIG. 3 illustrates the manner in which pupils, or pupil planes and pupil imaging can be visualized, as used in the present disclosure; [0076] FIG. 4A illustrates schematically a cat's eye retroreflector which can retroreflect a beam traversing its point of inversion; [0077] FIG. 4B illustrates schematically a telecentric retroreflector using a flat reflector mirror; [0078] FIG. 5 illustrates schematically a mirror ball retroreflecting a beam directed towards the center of the ball; [0079] FIG. 6 illustrates schematically a distributed laser system according to one exemplary implementation of the novel structural features described in this disclosure, showing the location of the pupils of the system; [0080] FIG. 7 illustrates schematically the distributed laser system of FIG. 6 , including further details of the components therein, and showing additional components of the lasing system; [0081] FIG. 8 illustrates the display of a beam profiling unit for determining the presence of any perturbation to the propagating beam shape; [0082] FIG. 9 illustrates how the telecentric region of the system may be generated using an auxiliary lens; [0083] FIG. 10 illustrates schematically the manner in which the pupil imaging systems shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 incorporate a number of pupils; [0084] FIG. 11 illustrates schematically the use of regions inaccessible to the beam for various monitoring functions, and [0085] FIG. 12 illustrates schematically the use of mirror focusing in the transmitter, in place of the previously described lens focusing. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0086] Reference is first made to FIG. 3 , which is provided to illustrate one way in which pupils, or pupil planes and pupil imaging can be visualized, in order to clarify graphically the explanations thereof given in the Summary section of this disclosure. In FIG. 3 , a lens 24 is positioned in space. All collimated beams passing through the pupil 25 form an image spot on the image plane 26 . For example collimated beam 27 will be focused on point 27 a on the imaging plane, while collimated beam 28 will form a focused image spot 28 a on imaging plane 26 . [0087] If the system would be designed or set up to handle uncollimated beams with a certain radius of curvature, the imaging plane would move in space, but would still exist. The imaging plane is not necessarily flat. In this application the area in the vicinity of the pupil having a width essentially similar or slightly larger than the beam width, is termed “the pupil”, and the plane at which the beams are focused the “imaging plane”. [0088] A telescope generally has an entrance pupil and an exit pupil, such that light beams passing through the entrance pupil would also pass through the exit pupil. The two pupils are positioned in space such that one pupil is an optical image of the other. [0089] Reference is now made to FIG. 4A , which illustrates schematically a conventional cat's eye retroreflector configuration 30 which can retroreflect a beam back along its incident path, on condition that it passes through the point of inversion 31 , which in FIG. 4A is situated at the center of the lens 32 . In such a retroreflector, a concave mirror 33 is disposed at the focal plane of the entrance lens 32 , or more accurately, at the focal distance from the entrance lens, such that a beam incident at any angle of incidence is focused by the entrance lens onto the concave mirror surface, each angle of incidence being focused at a different spatial position on the mirror. To illustrate the importance of the point of inversion, two incident beams are shown in FIG. 4A . The beam 35 coming from the top left-hand region of the drawing, passes through the point of inversion 31 at the center of the lens, impinges on the reflector mirror 33 at a normal angle of incidence, and is reflected back along its own incident path. On the other hand, the beam 36 coming from the bottom left hand side of the drawing, passing through the lens at a location away from the point of inversion, impinges on the mirror 33 at an angle of incidence other than zero, and is reflected back on a path 37 which is parallel to, but not coincident with, the incident path. Since rays of light from any incident angle, passing through the point of inversion at the center of the lens, are retroreflected back along their own path, this position represents the pupil of the optical system of the cat's-eye, and this point would be the ideal position for locating the gain medium of the laser cavity. However, the use of this simple cat's eye retroreflector is limited since the pupil is situated at the center of the lens, and it is thus difficult to locate the gain medium there, unless the gain medium also acts as a lens, such as by shaping it as a lens or by using the thermal lensing properties generated by the gain medium during lasing. [0090] Reference is therefore made to FIG. 4B which illustrates schematically a telecentric retroreflector 40 which overcomes the problem of the inaccessibility of the pupil in the retroreflector of FIG. 4A . The reflection mirror in this case is a flat mirror 43 , and as in FIG. 4A , it is located at the focal distance from the lens 42 . A pupil, as marked pupil region 44 in FIG. 4 , can now be defined at a distance equal to the focal length on the input side of the lens, such that any incident ray passing through the center of the pupil will be focused normally at a position on the reflector mirror in accordance with its angle of incidence, and will be reflected back along its incident path through the center of the pupil. Two such rays 45 , 46 , coming from different angles of incidence are shown in FIG. 4B . However, unlike the device shown in FIG. 4A , the pupil plane 47 is now physically situated outside of the focusing lens, such that optical components, such as the gain medium, or the photovoltaic converter (assuming it would be only partially absorbing), an iris to block ghost beams or an output coupler, can be positioned at such a pupil without any physical limitation. [0091] An alternative to the above types of cat's eye retroreflectors, are retroreflectors having no point of inversion, but still capable of retroreflecting a beam onto itself. One such example is a mirror ball 50 , as shown schematically in FIG. 5 . A mirror ball would retroreflect and defocus a beam directed towards the center of the ball 51 , as shown by the beam 52 entering the ball mirror vertically, while beams not directed towards the center of the ball mirror, as shown by the beam 53 entering the ball horizontally, are not retroreflected but are reflected off the ball in some other direction and defocused in the procedure. [0092] Reference now is being made FIG. 6 , which illustrates schematically a distributed laser system according to one exemplary implementation of the novel structural features described in this disclosure, such as could be used for distributing optical power from a transmitting power source to remote receivers, which can use the lasing power to operate a portable electronic device or to charge its battery. One characteristic feature of the optical design of such distributed laser systems is the positioning of pupils within the system at locations which enable advantageous positioning of components or elements of the lasing system which should have small lateral dimensions. Thus for instance, the gain medium is placed at pupil 54 , which is a common pupil for the internal retro-reflector 55 and for the internal end of the telescope 78 , to which it behaves as the internal pupil. The telescope also has an external pupil at its outer side, which is the exit entrance pupil 57 of the transmitter and is coincident with the plane of the optical image of the internal pupil 54 , where the gain medium is located. From the exit/entrance transmitter pupil 57 the lasing light propagates essentially collimated towards the center of the receiver entrance/exit pupil 58 and is reflected from the receiver 59 back through this pupil. Since the light between the two entrance/exit pupils ( 57 and 58 ) is essentially collimated, the two pupils 57 and 58 are essentially optical equivalents of each other. The receiver and transmitter may have other internal pupils (by means of imaging of the above pupils) where optical components may be placed. In that respect, each of the system's pupils are essentially located at image planes of other system pupils. The telescope shown in the embodiment of FIG. 6 typically uses lenses in its optical system, but it is to be understood that any other optical system which has pupils at the desired locations in the resonator, such that components such as the gain medium can be positioned thereat, can also be used. An exemplary system using mirrors is shown in FIG. 12 herein below. [0093] Reference is now made to FIG. 7 , which illustrates schematically a rendering of the distributed laser system shown schematically in FIG. 6 , but showing more of the details of the specific elements of the laser. The transmitter 60 , situated in the top half of the drawing, containing the gain medium 61 of the laser and the lens 63 and rear mirror 62 , form together a telecentric cat's eye retroreflector capable of retroreflecting the lasing beam back onto itself, such as any of the types described hereinabove. The gain medium may advantageously be Nd:YAG, lasing at 1064 nm. The receiver 65 is situated in the bottom part of the drawing, and contains the output coupler 66 which should also be part of a retroreflector reflecting the laser beam back onto itself. These three components, namely the back retroreflector (composed of the lens 63 and the back mirror 62 ), the gain medium 61 , and the output coupler retroreflector (composed of the output coupler 66 and the lens 68 ) thus constitute the basic lasing system. Their relative location with respect to additional components used in the system is an important element of the novelty of the presently described system. The “intra cavity” beam propagates between the two cavity mirrors 62 , 66 in free space 64 , which is the transmission path of the lasing beam feeding optical energy from the transmitter 60 to the receiver 65 . As described in relation to FIG. 6 , the telescope 78 has two pupils, an internal (relative to the transmitter) pupil of the telescope located at, or very close to the gain medium 61 and an external (exit) pupil located on the other side of the telescope, towards the free space propagation region 64 . Besides these pupils external to the telescope itself, there may also be an internal pupil or a telecentric region of the telescope, which may be useful for placing other components. [0094] In the exemplary implementation shown in FIG. 7 , the rear mirror 62 of the transmitter comprises a flat reflector located at the focal distance of a lens 63 , in the same configuration as that shown in FIG. 4B . The gain medium 61 is positioned at the common pupil of both this retroreflector and the internal pupil of the telescope 78 , such that light entering through the telescope would be directed towards the gain medium, and then towards the retroreflector, and back. A mirror 67 at the rear of the gain medium 61 reflects the beam towards the back retroreflector 62 , such that the beam passes twice through the gain medium in each pass through the laser. However it is to be understood that the system is not meant to be limited to this configuration, and that the gain medium could also have a pure transmission configuration, without the mirror 67 , and with the retroreflector linearly located behind the gain medium 61 . [0095] The retroreflector of the receiver 65 of this implementation comprises the output coupler 66 , such as a partially reflecting mirror, with a lens 68 located at its focal distance from the output coupler. This combination comprises a cat's eye retroreflector which ensures that that part of the beam which passes through the inversion point at the center of the pupil, which is physically located at the center of the lens 68 , is reflected back along its incident path. The nature of the laser cavity is such that, when possible, the central part of the beam passing through the pupil would undergo efficient lasing, while other directed beams would not, such that the central part of the beam develops at the expense of other directed parts of the beam. The center of the lens 68 is a pupil of the receiver, such that the receiver, like the transmitter, operates independently of the angle of incidence of the input beam (as long as that passes through the pupil). That part of the beam which passes through the output coupler is again focused by another lens 69 onto the photovoltaic cell 70 which converts the optical power of the laser beam to electricity. This photovoltaic cell is situated at another pupil, the focal length away from the lens 69 , such that it can be a small photodiode. Prior art distributed cavity lasers, without the focusing facility enabled by the present implementation, would require a photovoltaic cell of much larger lateral dimensions. [0096] The above description constitutes one possible combination of building blocks of a system exemplary of the type described in this disclosure. The transmitter may also have a number of other features, beyond this structure, and these are also shown in FIG. 7 . The transmitter 60 may further comprise a beam blocking aperture 80 disposed at its entrance/exit pupil 57 , blocking most of the ghost beams reflected from the optical surfaces. Elimination of such ghost reflections increases the safety of the system. The receiver 65 may likewise have an entrance pupil 58 with a beam blocker (not shown) for the same purpose. A lens at the entrance to the receiver is required in order to relay the position of the internal pupil to the external beam blocker plane. Achieving such an image of the internal pupil may also be achieved by many optical designs. [0097] The back mirror 62 in the transmitter may be partially reflecting, allowing a back leak beam to pass through for monitoring purposes. A beam splitter 71 allows part of the beam to pass through for monitoring the position of receivers which are lasing in conjunction with the transmitter. This sensing device 72 could be in the form of a simple CCD camera, or a quadrant detector or any similar position sensing device. Use of simple algorithmic position detection routines enables the number of receivers to be counted, and their approximate angular positions to be determined. [0098] Another part of the back leak beam may optionally be used for inspecting the beam profile, in order to determine the presence of any perturbation to the beam shape. With a cat's eye configuration, the leaked beam is the Fourier transform of the beam's shape at the pupils. In order to inspect the profile of the beam itself, it is necessary to use a lens 75 to image the pupil(s) onto a plane where a beam profiler 74 could be positioned. This is used as a safety feature for determining when an obstruction, such as a part of the user's body, has entered the beam path. Reference is now made to FIG. 8 which illustrates this facility. So long as the beam is unobstructed, the beam profile has a generally circular shape 76 , as determined by the beam profiler 74 . When even a small obstruction enters the beam from any position, it will cause such a significant degradation in the laser mode that the profile of the output beam will be perturbed by a factor many times larger than the size of the physical perturbation of the obstruction. In the example shown in FIG. 8 , a small obstruction has entered the beam at a point horizontal (as defined by the drawing orientation) to the beam, and this has resulted in the generation of a distinctly oval beam profile 77 , which can be readily detected by the beam profiler 74 . Image processing algorithms can then be used to generate a warning or a shutdown signal to the laser system in order to avoid potential damage to the user who has caused the perturbation by entry into the beam. [0099] The telescope 78 of FIG. 7 may be used to increase the field of view of the transmitter. In addition a polarizer may be placed in a telecentric region in order to define the polarization of the light generated by the laser. The definition of the polarization direction of the lasing beam can be used to prevent lasing through a transparent surface inserted into the beam unintentionally and accidentally aligned at the Brewster angle to the beam. If the laser beam was unpolarized, although the likelihood of a transparent surface being inserted at the Brewster angle is low, it is still an existent danger. However if in addition to the Brewster angle, the transparent surface must be aligned such that the polarization direction of the beam allows the Brewster angle to function as a reflector with the predetermined polarization, the likelihood of this happening is infinitesimally small, thereby increasing the safety of the system. Alternatively a quarter wave plate may be added in the transmitter and or in the receiver at a telemetric region, causing the beam polarization to be circular or unpolarized, therefore eliminating the Brewster angle reflection risk altogether. As an alternative implementation, the polarization direction can be used for coding specific receivers, each polarization direction connecting the transmitter with a specific receiver. [0100] An additional focusing lens 79 may be included in the transmitter 60 , in order to make small compensation changes to the Rayleigh length of the system. [0101] Reference is now made to FIG. 9 , which illustrates how the telecentric region of the system may be generated. In a similar manner to the planar mirror cat's eye retroreflector illustrated in FIG. 4B , if a lens 80 is located at its focal distance from a pupil 81 of the system, it will refract the beam in a direction parallel to the axis in its passage towards the imaging plane 82 . The imaging plane 82 could be the planar rear mirror of the distributed laser cavity, or any other plane. The region where the beam propagates parallel to the axis is the telecentric region, where it is possible to locate any optical components whose performance is dependent on the direction of the light traversing it. Beams coming through the pupil location at different angles will be refracted in paths laterally displaced from that shown in FIG. 9 , but parallel thereto, such that the direction sensitive component will optically handle all of those beams in the same way. Although the configuration of FIG. 9 shows the telecentric region as being parallel to the optical axis of the system, if the pupil is offset from that optical axis, the beams in the telecentric region will at an angle to the optical axis, but will still be parallel to each other, such that they will be optically handled in an identical manner by any directionally sensitive optical component. Such components could include frequency multipliers using optically active crystals, polarizers, any type of wave plate, interference filters, or even additional lasing components associated with a separate laser system. [0102] Reference is now made to FIG. 10 which illustrates schematically the manner in which the pupil imaging systems shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 incorporate a number of pupils, and the functions of each of the pupils. The receivers Rx 1 and Rx 2 each have an entrance pupil 101 , 102 , at their front aperture, the function of these pupils being to ensure that incoming beams from any direction are directed into the receiver retro reflector. The iris 103 at the outer aperture of the transmitter Tx is located at an entrance/exit pupil, ensuring that light beams passing through the iris 103 from any external angle are directed into the telescope 106 such that, after traversing the lenses of the telescope, they are focused onto the back pupil of the telescope, where the gain medium 104 is disposed. The same arrangement is of course applicable for light emitted from the gain medium and passing through the telescope out of the transmitter. The pupil location of the gain medium then also acts as a pupil plane for the internal retroreflector 105 of the transmitter Tx. This drawing thus illustrates how the lasing beam passes through a number of sequentially located pupils, defining planes in which externally propagated beams from any angle within the operating field of view of the system are focused into regions of small lateral dimensions, suitable for placement of such components as the gain medium 104 , the photovoltaic detector 70 , and the input/exit apertures 101 , 102 , 103 of the receivers or the transmitter respectively. [0103] Reference is now made to FIG. 11 which illustrates schematically the use of regions inaccessible to the beam for various monitoring functions. One such region has already been shown in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 , where part of the back leak beam from the rear mirror 62 of the cavity is use to monitor the beam shape 76 , 77 . In addition, there are regions within the transmitter where it is possible to position beam detectors for monitoring functions of the lasing beam, such as photodiodes, even though the detectors themselves are not in the beam path or any selected part of it. The detectors can, for instance, view the gain medium and monitor lasing performance by changes observed therein. Some such locations are shown schematically in FIG. 11 , where the various components are labeled as in FIG. 7 . Thus, in locations 111 , 112 and 113 , a sensitive detector can monitor conditions in the gain medium without fear that the beam will impinge upon and damage the detector. Thus for instance, a detector viewing the power level of the fluorescent emission of the gain medium at a wavelength different from the lasing beam would instantly detect any change in beam power arising from the obstruction of part of the external beam path by an object, such as a person's body part, and the monitor signal could be used for momentarily shutting down the laser to avoid damage to the intruding body part. As another exemplary use, the detector could incorporate a filter for viewing a secondary laser emission from the gain medium at a different wavelength, such as may arise when the pump power changes due to pump diode heating, and the monitor signal is used to correct the pump diode temperature or current to restore correct lasing conditions. A thermal lensing sensor may also be used in such locations. [0104] All of the above described implementations of the present systems have been shown using lenses for focusing the laser beam. Reference is now made to FIG. 12 which illustrates schematically a distributed laser system, in which mirrors are used instead of lenses in order to define entrance and exit pupils, such that light passing through the pupil at a plurality of different angles will be directed to the gain medium. In FIG. 12 , the beam retro reflected from the receiver 120 to the transmitter 121 is focused by means of a telescope system comprising a pair of mirrors 123 , 123 , which direct the lasing beam onto the gain medium 125 . The gain medium 125 is optimally located at a pupil of the internal end of the double mirror telescope. [0105] The foregoing description of the embodiments of the invention has been presented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of this disclosure. It is intended that the scope of the invention be limited not by this detailed description, but rather by the claims appended hereto.
A distributed resonator laser system using retro-reflecting elements, in which spatially separated retroreflecting elements define respectively a power transmitting and a power receiving unit. The retroreflectors have no point of inversion, so that an incident beam is reflected back along a path essentially coincident with that of the incident beam. This enables the distributed laser to operate with the beams in a co-linear mode, instead of the ring mode described in the prior art. This feature allows the simple inclusion of elements having optical power within the distributed cavity, enabling such functions as focusing/defocusing, increasing the field of view of the system, and changing the Rayleigh length of the beam. The optical system can advantageously be constructed as a pupil imaging system, with the advantage that optical components, such as the gain medium or a photo-voltaic converter, can be positioned at such a pupil without physical limitations.
7
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This filing claims the benefit of, and priority from U.S. provisional application 61/497,260 filed Jun. 15, 2011, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a fabric construction, and more particularly, to a fabric construction adapted for use in applications such as a cleaning wipe or fluid acquisition layer in a diaper. The fabric construction is formed by stitch-bonding and has a contoured creped surface. A method for forming such materials is also provided. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE [0003] Hand wipe products have recently gained popularity as a mechanism for cleaning and disinfecting surfaces. Such wipe products typically incorporate a nonwoven sheet which is saturated with a cleaning and sanitizing solution. By way of example only, such wipe products are available at many grocery stores for use by customers to clean the surfaces of grocery carts and baskets before use. Such wipe products are also sold for home use. [0004] In existing wipe products the sheet material acts primarily as a carrier for the cleaning or disinfecting solution and must have sufficient thickness to avoid tearing during use. Flat or textured non-woven sheets have been used successfully, but such nonwoven sheets must have a relatively substantial weight to avoid falling apart during use. Thus, relatively substantial quantities of fiber are required to form such sheets. The use of additional fiber has the undesired consequence of making the sheets relatively bulky thereby making packaging more difficult. Additional fiber also increases the cost of the final wipe product. Pre-existing wipe products also tend to lack significant surface texture. Thus, scouring ability is relatively limited. [0005] Diapers are well known for use in containing urine and bowel discharge. Modern diapers typically have a layered structure in which a user contact surface layer characterized by low moisture retention is disposed in overlying relation to a highly absorbent fiber layer which acts to lock expelled fluid in place. One or more intermediate wicking layers may be disposed between the user contact surface layer and the fluid absorption layer. In general, it is desirable to move fluid away from the user's skin as quickly as possible. However, there may be some delay in achieving full absorption of fluid into the absorbent layer. This may slow down the rate of fluid removal from the user's skin surface. [0006] In light of the above, there is a continuing need for an improved wipe product which may act as a carrier for disinfecting solution and which has a scouring surface adapted to promote aggressive cleaning without failure. There is also a continuing need for an improved diaper construction which facilitates efficient removal of fluid from a user's skin surface. SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0007] The present disclosure provides advantages and alternatives over the prior art by providing a stitch-bonded fabric construction in which broadly spaced parallel linear stitch lines are applied through a very low weight spun bonded substrate or the like to stabilize the substrate in the machine direction. Texture is imparted by applying significant overfeed conditions to the stitching substrate thereby causing a substantial bunching of the substrate at the stitching position. The resulting product has an arrangement of alternating ridges and valleys running predominantly in the cross-machine direction. The linear stitch lines define lateral sides of crater-like depressions between adjacent ridges. The stabilizing linear stitch lines lock in the puckered texture. The fabric construction may be saturated with a sanitizing or cleaning solution if desired. The substantially inelastic character of the linear stitch lines acts to lock in the textured construction. [0008] In accordance with one exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a cleaning wipe of stitch-bonded construction. The wipe includes a stitching substrate of fibrous nonwoven material having a mass per unit area of not more than about 30 grams per square meter. A plurality of stitching yarns are disposed in stitched relation through the stitching substrate in a pattern of substantially parallel linear stitch lines extending in the machine direction across the stitching substrate. The linear stitch lines are spaced apart from one another by a significant distance. The stitching substrate is delivered to the stitching position at a substantial surplus such that it bunches and is consolidated during stitching. The stitching substrate is delivered to the stitch-forming position with at least 25% overfeed (i.e. surplus) relative to the rate of discharge from the take-up rolls such that one meter of stitching substrate yields no more than about 0.75 meters of stitched product. The surplus stitching substrate forms an arrangement of surface ridges running predominantly in the cross-machine direction with valleys disposed between the surface ridges. The stabilizing linear stitch lines lock in the texture-imparting ridges and valleys and define lateral sides of crater-like depressions between adjacent ridges. A disinfecting and/or cleaning solution may at least partially saturate the cleaning wipe. [0009] In accordance with another exemplary aspect, the present disclosure provides a stitch-bonded fluid acquisition layer for a diaper disposed at an intermediate position between the user contact layer and the highly absorbent fluid retention layer. The fluid acquisition layer is highly permeable and includes a stitching substrate of fibrous nonwoven material having a mass per unit area of not more than about 30 grams per square meter. A plurality of stitching yarns are disposed in stitched relation through the stitching substrate in a pattern of substantially parallel linear stitch lines extending in the machine direction across the stitching substrate. The linear stitch lines are spaced apart from one another by a significant distance. The stitching substrate is delivered to the stitching position at a substantial surplus such that it bunches and is consolidated during stitching. The stitching substrate is delivered to the stitch-forming position with at least 25% overfeed (i.e. surplus) relative to the rate of discharge from the take-up rolls such that one meter of stitching substrate yields no more than about 0.75 meters of stitched product. The surplus stitching substrate forms an arrangement of surface ridges running predominantly in the cross-machine direction with valleys disposed between the surface ridges. The stabilizing linear stitch lines lock in the texture-imparting ridges and valleys and define lateral sides of crater-like depressions between adjacent ridges. The highly textured fluid acquisition layer collects and holds fluid in the crater-like depressions for dissipation into an underlying fluid absorption layer. This is believed to improve the efficiency of fluid removal from the user's skin surface. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] The accompanying drawings which are incorporated in and which constitute a part of this specification illustrate exemplary constructions and procedures in accordance with the present disclosure and, together with the general description of the disclosure given above and the detailed description set forth below, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 illustrates schematically a single bar stitch bonding system and take-up for forming a stitch-bonded fabric construction of creped character according to the present disclosure by stitching a pattern of parallel stabilizing stitch lines yarns running in the machine direction through a light-weight substrate material delivered at a substantial overfeed condition; [0012] FIG. 2 is a scanned image of an exemplary creped material formed by the system of FIG. 1 illustrating stabilizing yarns running in parallel stitch lines along the machine direction retaining the substrate in a pattern of crater-line depressions bounded by cross-machine ridges and machine-direction stabilizing yarns; and [0013] FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-section of one exemplary layered diaper construction incorporating the stitch-bonded creped material of the present disclosure as a fluid acquisition layer. [0014] Before the exemplary embodiments are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is in no way limited in its application or construction to the details and the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. Rather, the invention is capable of other embodiments and being practiced or being carried out in various ways. It is intended that the present disclosure shall extend to all alternatives and modifications as may embrace the general principles of the invention within the full and true spirit and scope thereof. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein are for purposes of description only and should not be regarded as limiting. The use herein of terms such as “including” and “comprising” and variations thereof is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items and equivalents thereof. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0015] Reference will now be made to the drawings, wherein to the extent possible like reference numerals are used to designate like elements in the various views. In FIG. 1 , a so called single bar stitch-bonding process is illustrated schematically. In the illustrated exemplary practice, one or more plies of a substrate material 30 of fibrous nonwoven construction such as a spunbonded fleece or the like is conveyed to a stitch-forming position in the direction indicated by the arrows. By way of example only, the substrate material 30 may be a spunbonded polyester or polypropylene fleece having a mass per unit area of about 5 to about 30 grams per square meter and more preferably about 12-16 grams per square meter. However, other materials with higher or lower weights may also be used. While FIG. 1 illustrates the use of a single ply of substrate material, it is also contemplated that multiple plies also may be used if desired. [0016] As will be appreciated by those of skill in the art, during the stitch-bonding process a needle 34 (shown in greatly exaggerated dimension) pierces the substrate material 30 and engages stitching yarns 36 delivered into position by the yarn guide such that the stitching yarns are captured within a hook portion of the needle 34 . By way of example only, and not limitation, the stitching yarns 36 may be multifilament polyester yarns or the like having a linear density in the range of about 20 to 150 denier, although heavier or lighter yarns may be used if desired. One potentially preferred yarn is a 40 denier, 12 filament fully oriented polyester, although other yarns may be used if desired. As the needle is reciprocated downwardly, a closing element such as a closing wire which moves relative to the needle 34 closes the hook portion to hold the stitching yarns therein. With the hook portion closed, the captured stitching yarns are pulled through the interior of an immediately preceding yarn loop disposed around the shank of the needle 34 at a position below the substrate material 30 . As the captured stitching yarns are pulled through the interior of the preceding yarn loop a stitch is formed which is knocked off of the needle 34 . As the needle 34 is raised back through the substrate material 30 , the hook portion is reopened and a new yarn loop moves out of the hook portion and is held around the shank of the needle 34 for acceptance of captured yarns and formation of a subsequent stitch during the next down stroke. As this process is repeated multiple times at multiple needles 34 , a resultant stitch-bonded fabric 38 is thus produced. In this regard, while only a single needle 34 is shown engaging a single stitching yarn 36 , in actual practice, multiple needles 34 are disposed in spaced-apart, side by side relation across the width of the substrate material 30 to each engage a stitching yarn 36 in a manner as will be well understood to those of skill in the art. [0017] In practice, the substrate material 30 may be held down on either side of each needle 34 by a low profile hold down sinker 40 . According to one exemplary practice, in order to impart functional tear lines across the fabric, the stitch-bonded fabric 38 may be periodically subjected to localized melt fusion and/or perforation at a station 44 downstream from the needling position. As will be appreciated, the application of a melt fusion line and/or localized perforation line defines a stress concentrator to facilitate controlled tearing during use. That is, the material will have sufficient strength to permit rolling but application of a shear force along the perforation line will cause controlled tearing. [0018] In accordance with the preferred practice, the substrate material is delivered to the needling position at a substantial overfeed condition of greater than about 25% and more preferably, about 40% or higher and most preferably about 50% or higher. In one potentially desirable construction illustrated in FIG. 2 , the substrate material 30 is delivered at about 60% overfeed. In this regard, it is to be understood that the term “overfeed” refers to the percentage difference between a defined linear distance of substrate material 30 fed into the stitching position and the resultant linear distance of stitch-bonded fabric 38 collected by the take-up roll. This ratio may be adjusted by varying the rate of substrate delivery relative to the rate of stitched fabric take-up. By way of example, in the event that one meter of substrate material 30 is delivered to the stitching position and is consolidated to 0.4 meters of stitch-bonded fabric following take-up, the overfeed is 60%. Likewise, in the event that one meter of substrate material 30 is delivered to the stitching position and is consolidated to 0.7 meters of stitch-bonded fabric 38 following take-up, the overfeed is 30%. [0019] As best seen in FIG. 2 , the presence of excess substrate material 30 causes the substrate to bunch up and pucker at the needling position and to form a pattern of alternating raised ridges and depressed valleys of alluvial character oriented with major length dimensions of the ridges and valleys running predominantly in the cross-machine direction. Normally, bunching and puckering is considered a defect and is avoided if possible. As shown, the stitching yarns 36 are stitched into relatively widely spaced parallel linear stitch lines 50 which run in the machine direction (i.e. the direction of travel of the substrate material 30 . These linear stitch lines 50 act to lock in the puckered character of the substrate material 30 . In this regard, the linear stitch lines 50 act to compress the ridges at the location of contact and define lateral sides to crater-like depressions of substantial depth between adjacent ridges. In the stitch-bonded fabric 38 , the crater-like depressions on one side cooperatively define the ridges on the opposite side. [0020] As will be appreciated, each of the linear stitch lines 50 is formed by an individual reciprocating needle 34 (only one shown) with a row of such needles extending in adjacent relation to one another across the width of the substrate material 30 substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the substrate material 30 . The so called gauge or needle density in the cross machine direction maybe adjusted as desired. By way of example only, and not limitation, it is contemplated that the gauge may be in the range of about 7 to 28 needles per inch and will more preferably be about 12 to 16 needles per inch and will most preferably be about 14 needles per inch. However, higher and lower needle densities may likewise be used if desired. By way of example only, and not limitation, it is contemplated that the stitch bonding machine may be set to apply about 10 to 16 stitches per inch and most preferably about 12 stitches per inch along each stitch line 50 in the machine direction (also known as courses per inch or CPI). [0021] By way of example only, and not limitation, the stitch lines 50 may be formed by stitching the yarns 36 through the substrate material 30 in a pattern of parallel, spaced apart chain stitches extending along the machine direction in a partially threaded arrangement. By way of example, an exemplary stitch pattern notation for the linear stitch lines may be (1-0,0-1//). The distance between the linear stitch lines 50 is preferably at least about 3 mm and will more preferably be in the range of about 5 mm to about 12 mm although greater or lesser spacing distances may be used. In the illustrated exemplary construction of FIG. 2 , the stitching yarns 36 are threaded in a so called “1 miss 4” pattern with every fifth needle being engaged. Of course, other partial threading arrangements such as “1 miss 2”, “1 miss 3”, “1 miss 5”, “1 miss 6” etc. may be used if desired. It has been found that in at least some instances leaving the unthreaded intermediate needles in place may be beneficial in promoting processing in the desired overfeed condition. Perforation by these unthreaded needles continues to occur such that small needle holes are produced through the substrate material across the width of the stitch-bonded fabric 38 between the individual stitch lines 50 . These needle holes are oriented in linear relation to one another and to the individual stitches in the stitch lines across the width of the stitch-bonded fabric 38 . [0022] The stitch-bonded material and resulting products according to the present disclosure are characterized by relatively limited stretch in the machine direction due to the presence of the linear stitch lines. In this regard, the stretch before failure in the machine direction is preferably less than 20% and is more preferably less than 10%. The absence of substantial machine direction stretch is believed to promote maintaining the presence of the texture-imparting ridges and valleys across the surface during use. [0023] As noted previously, in one application, the stitch bonded constructions described may be used as a cleaning wipe. If desired, such cleaning wipes may be saturated with a disinfecting or cleaning solution by techniques such as spraying, immersion or the like as will be known to those of skill in the art and packaged as rolls with periodic tear lines to permit withdrawal and use for cleaning and disinfecting purposes. The presence of the ridges and valleys provides a textured scrubbing surface to facilitate the cleaning function. [0024] In another application, the stitch-bonded fabric 38 such as illustrated in FIG. 2 may be used as a relatively light-weight fluid acquisition layer in a diaper disposed in overlying relation to a highly absorbent fluid retention layer. By way of example only, and not limitation, FIG. 4 illustrates one exemplary layered arrangement 70 for a diaper. The layered arrangement 70 includes a user contact layer 72 of highly permeable, non-absorptive character which is adapted to pass fluid while remaining relatively dry. An optional fibrous wicking layer 74 of generally hydrophobic character may be disposed below the user contact layer 72 to facilitate moving fluid away from the user. A fluid acquisition layer 76 formed by the stitch-bonded fabric 38 of creped construction as described may be disposed at an intermediate position below the user contact layer 72 and above a highly absorbent fluid retention layer 78 . An optional, fluid barrier layer 80 may be disposed at a position behind the fluid retention layer 78 . Of course, any number of additional layers may be introduced between any of the layers if desired. [0025] In operation, the fluid acquisition layer is not highly absorptive but may act to hold a relatively large volume of fluid in a readily releasable manner for delivery to the underlying fluid retention layer 78 . In particular, it is contemplated that the fluid will pool in the available craters across the surface of the fluid acquisition layer 76 . It thus acts as a reservoir for collecting and holding fluid away from a user until it can be absorbed within the fluid retention layer 78 . [0026] Of course, variations and modifications of the foregoing are within the scope of the present disclosure. Thus, it is to be understood that the disclosure disclosed and defined herein extends to all alternative combinations of two or more of the individual features mentioned or evident from the text and/or drawings. All of these different combinations constitute various alternative aspects of the present disclosure. The embodiments described herein explain the best modes known for practicing the disclosure and will enable others skilled in the art to utilize the disclosure. The claims are to be construed to include alternative embodiments and equivalents to the extent permitted by the prior art.
A stitch-bonded fabric construction in which broadly spaced parallel linear stitch lines are applied through a very low weight fibrous substrate to stabilize the substrate in the machine direction. Texture is imparted by applying significant overfeed conditions to the stitching substrate thereby causing a substantial bunching of the substrate at the stitching position. The resulting product has an arrangement of alternating ridges and valleys running predominantly in the cross-machine direction. The stabilizing linear stitch lines lock in the puckered texture.
3
RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 774,825 filed by the applicants on 11 Sept. 1985, now abandoned. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a dispenser for fluent materials and in particular for granular material, powders or other fluent solid compositions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A number of dispensers have been proposed to distribute particulate material such as fertiliser as the device containing the dispenser is moved. Usually a wheel of the device causes relative rotation of plates at the outlet of the hopper for the material, the plates having orifices which are in and out of register as rotation occurs, thereby allowing a controlled amount of the material to be dropped. German Pat. No. 2 444 285 (WOLLNER) relates to a silo outlet having a plate having orifices in direct communication with the material in the hopper. The material drops through the orifices on to a second plate spaced away from the first plate and a wiper blade causes the material deposited on the lower plate to be transferred to a central opening through which it drops by gravity. In this way a predetermined measured amount of the material can be delivered. In German Pat. No. 2 731 798 (CHAMBON) a series of three plates is provided. These are movable relatively to one another, the arrangement being such that the orifices of the first plate register with those of the second plate when the latter are out of register with the orifices of the third (or lowermost) plate. Thus, the orifices in the second plate become full and further relative movement brings the orifice of the second plate into register with those of the third plate, the material falling through the latter orifices. Thus, an intermittent discharge of the material is obtained and while this may be satisfactory for certain purposes, it is not entirely satisfactory for all purposes. Another patent which describes a dispenser which dispenses fluent material in an intermittent fashion is U.S. Pat. No. 2,207,822 (ROONEY et al). In this patent, there is an upper plate, an intermediate plate and a lower plate which is fixed with reference to the upper plate. The intermediate plate is rotatable relative to the upper and lower plates. Both the upper and lower plates have a single orifice while the intermediate plate has a plurality of orifices. During rotation of the intermediate plate, its orifices receive material in turn from the single orifice of the upper plate and then subsequently discharge that material in intermittent fashion as each of its orifices in turn registers with the single orifice in the lower plate. The material dropping through the lower plate falls into a vertical pipe feeding into a horizontal chute along which air is forced by a fan. The action of the fan is to spread the material. In the case of a dispenser intended to dispense granular material such as fertilizer it is clearly undesirable to have an intermittent flow as would result from the Rooney apparatus in the absence of its fan. By the same token, the provision of a fan involves extra complications and expense. It is the object of the present invention to provide a dispenser for granular and other fluent materials which has an assembly of upper and lower plates and a rotatable intermediate member, the dispenser operating in such a manner that there is a continuous, and not intermittent, dispensing of material through the lower plate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a continuous flow dispenser for fluent materials, the dispenser comprising: (a) a first, upper plate having a central axis and a plurality of first orifices communicating in use with a hopper containing fluent material which is to be dispensed, the first orifices being spaced angularly apart about the central axis; (b) a second, lower plate which is fixed with respect to the first plate and which has a central axis coincident with the central axis of the first plate and which is formed with a plurality of second orifices spaced angularly apart about the central axis, the second orifices being out of register with the first orifices; and (c) an intermediate member which is rotatable relative to the first and second plates about a central axis which is coincident with the central axis of the first and second plates and which is formed with a plurality of third orifices spaced angularly apart about the central axis, the number of third orifices being different from the number of first orifices and the number of second orifices and being neither a multiple nor a factor of the number of first orifices or the number of second orifices; the arrangement of the orifices being such that relative rotation of the intermediate member relative to the first and second plates causes the third orifices to move into and out of register with the first orifices and the second orifices so as to receive material from the first orifices and to dispense that material through the second orifices, and furthermore being such that, at all times during such relative rotation in operation of the dispenser, material flow through the second plate is continuous. In a preferred version of the invention, the first and second plates have an equal number of orifices and the intermediate member has one more orifice than the plates. In a particularly preferred embodiment the first and second plates each have four orifices and the intermediate member has five orifices. In one design, the first and second orifices are all identical and sector-shaped, the third orifices are also sector-shaped and identical to one another and the circumferential extent of each third orifice at its radially outer limit is greater than that of each first or second orifice. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS An embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawing in which: FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an assembled dispenser of the present invention; FIG. 2 shows the dispenser of FIG. 1 in an exploded state; FIG. 3 illustrates, in diagrammatic fashion, the operation of the dispenser; and FIG. 4 shows a partial cross-section at the line 4--4 in FIG. 3a. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to the drawings a dispenser 10 has a ring 12 which forms part of a hopper (not seen in the drawings) for fluent material such as fertiliser in granular form. The dispenser 10 is an assembly of successive plates which comprise a cut off or regulating plate 14, a first stationary plate 16 to which is fixed a shaft 18 having a bevel gear 20 at one end, a rotating intermediate member 22, and a second fixed plate 24. The plate 14 has four sector-shaped cut-outs 23a, 23b, 23c and 23d. The plate 16 also has four sector-shaped cut-outs 25a, 25b, 25c and 25d. Similarly, the plate 24 has four sector-shaped cut-outs 27a, 27b, 27c and 27d. The intermediate member 22 has five sector-shaped cut-outs 28a, 28b, 28c, 28d and 28e. The three plates and the intermediate member have a common central axis 29. In an alternative form of the invention (not seen in the drawings) the shaft 18 may be located in the throat of the hopper separate from the top plate and journalled by suitable bearings. The cut off plate 14 has a central aperture 30 and a radial projection 32 by means of which it can be rotated relatively to the first plate 16 in order to arrange complete, partial or no obturation of the openings 25a-25d of the plate 16 depending on the rate desired of discharge of the fluent material. The ring 12 is marked with H (for high delivery), L (for low delivery) and 0 (for zero delivery). A boss 34 fixed centrally to the first stationary plate 16 passes through the aperture 30 of the cut off plate 14. The rotating intermediate member 22 has a central aperture 36 and the peripheral circumferential edge of the member has bevel gear teeth 38. The aperture 36 receives a central boss 40 fixed on the plate 24. The bevel gear teeth 38 mesh with the bevel gear 20 mounted on the stationary plate 16. An axial bolt (not seen in the drawings) holds the assembly of plates together during operation. When the dispenser is fitted to a hopper of granular fertiliser or other fluent material, the orifices 23a to 23d are filled under gravity with the material. Assuming that the plate 14 is arranged at some position other than the zero delivery position, the orifices 25a to 25d will be at least partially in register with the orifices 23a to 23d and will, as a result, also be filled with the material from the hopper. The shaft 18 is connected to some motive source. In the case of a dispenser for fertiliser, the motive source will typically be a ground-engaging wheel of a vehicle which is transportable over a field which is to be fertilised. Rotation of the shaft 18 results in rotation of the intermediate member 22 at a speed dependent on the speed of rotation of shaft 18. In the case of a shaft 18 rotated by a ground-engaging wheel, the speed of rotation of the intermediate member 22 is dependent on the speed at which the ground-engaging wheel turns, i.e. on the speed at which the vehicle is drawn over the field. As the member 22 rotates, its orifices 28a to 28e move into and out of register with the orifices 25a to 25d of the plate 16, and receive material from those orifices. Also, the rotation of the intermediate member 22 brings its orifices 28a to 28e into and out of register with the orifices 27a to 27d of the plate 24, with the result that material is discharged under gravity through the latter orifices. It is clearly most important that the orifices in the plates 16 and 24, which are fixed relative to one another, should not be in register. If they or any of them were in register, material would be able to drop directly through the plate 24 each time an orifice 28a to 28e came into register, resulting in an uneven spread. FIGS. 3a to 3c show the plates 16 and 24 and the intermediate member 22 in a plan view in superimposed relationship, with the orifices of the plate 16 illustrated by means of a chain-dot line, with the orifices of the plate 24 illustrated by means of a chain line, and with the orifices of the member 22 illustrated by means of solid, thick lines. Reference to any one of these figures indicates that the orifices 25a to 25d are totally out of register with the orifices 27a to 27d. In this embodiment, the orifices of the one plate are angularly space by 45° from the orifices of the other plate. For continuous operation, i.e. continuous dispensing of fluent material through the plate 24, it is also important that the number of orifices in the intermediate member be different from the number of orifices in the plate 16 or the plate 24, and that it be neither a factor nor a multiple of the number of orifices in the plate 16 or the plate 24. The illustrated case is a 4:5:4 dispenser, that is there are four orifices in the plate 16, four in the plate 24 and five in the member 22. Intermittent flow will result if, for instance, the number of orifices in the member 22 is a factor of the number of orifices in either the plate 16 or the plate 24. For example with a 4:2:4 arrangement, the two orifices of the member 22 will be filled from the first two orifices of the plate 16 that they pass under and will discharge through the first two orifices in the plate 24 that they pass over. There will then be a delay before further material is able to drop through the orifices of the plate 24. Intermittent flow will clearly also result if, for instance, the number of orifices in the member 22 is a multiple of the number of orifices in either the plate 16 or the plate 24. This kind of situation is illustrated in the ROONEY et al patent referred to earlier. In the preferred, illustrated arrangement, there are equal numbers of orifices in the plate 16 and 24 and one more orifice in the intermediate member. FIG. 3a shows the orifice 28a at a location in which it registers with no orifice in the plate 16 or the plate 24. The orifice 28a will be full of material by virtue of its prior passage beneath the orifice 25a of the plate 16. Further rotation of the member 22 in the direction of the arrow 50 to the FIG. 3b position brings the orifice 28a partially into register with the orifice 27a in the plate 24, with the result that material is able to drop through that plate onto, in the case of fertiliser, the ground. At this stage, the orifice 28d has just moved into register with the orifice 25d and is filling with material from the orifice. The orifice 28b has filled while the orifice 28c is filling, the orifice 28a is emptying and the orifice 28e has already emptied. FIG. 3c shows the situation after a further, small increment of rotation in the direction of the arrow 50. Here, the orifice 28a has completely emptied, the orifice 28b is starting to empty, the orifice 28c is filling, the orifice 28d has filled, and the orifice 28e has finished emptying just prior to refilling through the orifice 25a. It will be appreciated that at any moment during the rotation of the member 22 (assuming that the plate 14 permits flow to the plate 16 to take place), material is being discharged through the plate 24. Thus there is continuous flow during operation which is in complete contrast to the prior art device proposed by ROONEY. The orifices 28a to 28e are slightly larger in the circumferential direction than the orifices 25a to 25d and 27a to 27d, which have the same size. FIG. 4 shows a schematic cross-section at the line 4--4 in FIG. 3a with the intermediate member 22 left out. The dimension A represents the circumferential extent of the orifice 25a at its radially outer limit, the dimension t represents the thickness of the intermediate member 22 and the angle r is the angle of repose of granular material, such as granular fertiliser, which is being dispensed and which has a mean particle size of F. The fact that all granular materials have a natural angle of repose affects the maximum value of the dimension A. As illustrated by FIG. 4, the width of the solid portion of the lower plate opposed to each of the orifices 25a-25d in the upper plate must exceed the dimension A by at least a quantity 2t/tan r. In this way, the granular material cannot move down the slope defined by the angle of repose r to escape through orifices 28a-28e except when the intermediate plate is rotating. The material is thereby prevented from flowing directly through the orifices in the upper, intermediate, and lower plates and is properly metered by the intermediate plate of the dispenser. The angle of repose of the material being dispensed and the mean particle size have been taken into account by the inventors in arriving empirically at the following formula defining upper and lower limits for the dimension A in the preferred arrangement: ##EQU1## where C is the circumference of a circle passing through the radially outer limits of the orifices, H is the number of orifices in the member 22 and h is the number of orifices in the plates 16 and 24. Other preferred relationships are the following: ##EQU2## (3) a>F, where a is the circumferential extent of an orifice 25, 27 or 28 at the radially inner limits of such orifices. The inventors have tested a number of fertiliser dispensers conforming to the above relationships and have found that they operate well in practice, depositing the fertiliser continuously onto the ground uniformly enough for practical purposes.
An improved dispenser for granular materials is disclosed, comprising upper and lower fixed plates and a rotating intermediate plate. The upper and lower plates have orifices formed in them which are out of register with one another. The relative extent of these orifices is chosen in accordance with the material to be dispensed such that the material only flows through the plates when the intermediate plate is rotating.
1
FIELD [0001] The present disclosure relates to heat exchangers for special applications such as a heat pump. BACKGROUND [0002] There are many heat exchanger configurations that have been used over the years. Many of these designs have been constrained by manufacturing limitations. However, with the advent of new manufacturing techniques, heat exchangers that might have not been conceived of previously might now be fabricated. SUMMARY [0003] A heat pump presently being developed has a heat exchanger specification of high effectiveness and favorable packaging. A heat exchanger having such characteristics is disclosed herein as one example of such a heat exchanger to provide the desired characteristics for the heat pump. [0004] A cross flow heat exchanger is disclosed that has an inlet for a first fluid, an outlet for the first fluid, an inlet spiral having a plurality of passages therein, an inlet manifold fluidly coupling the inlet with the plurality of passages of the inlet spiral, an outlet spiral having a plurality of passages therein, and an outlet manifold fluidly coupling the outlet with the plurality of passages of the outlet spiral. The passages of the inlet spiral are fluidly coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral. Interior walls of the passages of the inlet and outlet spirals are in contact with the first fluid. The exterior walls of the inlet and outlet spirals are in contact with a second fluid. The inlet spiral is nested with the outlet spiral. A gap between adjacent turns of the inlet and outlet spirals is less than a predetermined distance. [0005] The predetermined distance is less than a distance at which a predetermined Reynolds number exists. The predetermined Reynolds number is that which is defined to lead to laminar flow for the given geometry of the gaps. [0006] The crossflow heat exchanger may include a plurality of braces mechanically coupling adjacent turns of the inlet and outlet spirals. [0007] In some embodiments, the passages of the inlet spiral and the passages of the outlet spiral are fluidly coupled via a collector ring. In another embodiment, the passages of the inlet spiral and the passages of the outlet spiral are coupled via a transition section. [0008] In some embodiments, the passages of the inlet spiral are arranged along a first line, the passages of the outlet spiral are arranged along a second line, and the first line and the second line are parallel. [0009] The passages of the inlet and outlet spirals are circular, elliptical, polygonal, or any suitable shape. [0010] A heat pump is disclosed that includes a cylinder, a hot displacer disposed in the cylinder, a cold displacer disposed in the cylinder, and a crossflow heat exchanger disposed between the hot displacer and the cold displacer. The crossflow heat exchanger includes: an inlet spiral having a rectangular cross section and defining a plurality of passages arranged longitudinally, an inlet manifold coupled to an upstream end of the inlet spiral with the inlet spiral defining an inlet volume that fluidly couples with the plurality of passages of the inlet spiral, an outlet spiral having a rectangular cross section and defining a plurality of passages arranged longitudinally, and an outlet manifold coupled to a downstream of the outlet spiral with the outlet spiral defining an outlet volume that fluidly couples with the plurality of passages of the outlet spiral, wherein the passages of the inlet spiral are fluidly coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral. [0011] The passages of the inlet spiral are coupled to the passages of the outlet spiral via a transition section, a central collector ring, or any suitable transition. [0012] Turns of the inlet spiral interleave with turns of the outlet spiral, and gaps exists between adjacent turns. [0013] The cylinder is filled with a working fluid. And reciprocation of one of the displacers in the cylinder causes the working fluid to pass through the gaps. [0014] A pressurized fluid supply is coupled to the inlet manifold. [0015] Turns of the inlet spiral interleave with turns of the outlet spiral, and a gap exists between adjacent turns. The heat exchanger further includes a plurality of braces mechanically coupling adjacent turns. [0016] A liquid flows from the inlet manifold into passages in the inlet spiral into passages in the inlet ring into passages in the outlet spiral into the outlet manifold. [0017] A crossover passage in parallel with gaps between inlet spirals through which the second fluid may bypass the heat exchanger. [0018] Newer fabrication techniques, such as 3-dimensional printing and hydroforming, facilitate manufacture complicated shapes is facilitated. Some of the embodiments in the present disclosure, which may have been very difficult to fabricate with prior fabrication techniques, may now be readily fabricated via such newer methods. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0019] FIG. 1 is a top view of a heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the disclosure; [0020] FIG. 2 is a core of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ; [0021] FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional, isometric view of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ; [0022] FIG. 4 a cross-sectional view of a portion of the heat exchanger of FIG. 1 ; [0023] FIGS. 5-9 are illustrations of alternative cross-sectional shapes for inlet and outlet spirals of a heat exchanger; [0024] FIGS. 10-12 are representations of alternative embodiments of heat exchanger spirals; [0025] FIG. 13 is a schematic of a heat pump with a centrally-located heat exchanger; [0026] FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional view of a heat exchanger showing a bypass passage; [0027] FIGS. 15-17 illustrate various stages of an embodiment in which a heat exchanger is assembled using sintering; and [0028] FIG. 18 is an illustration of a spiral heat exchanger according to an embodiment of the disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0029] As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features of the embodiments illustrated and described with reference to any one of the Figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other Figures to produce alternative embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. However, various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of the present disclosure may be desired for particular applications or implementations. Those of ordinary skill in the art may recognize similar applications or implementations whether or not explicitly described or illustrated. [0030] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a heat exchanger 100 , which has a frame 102 having two nested spirals 110 and 112 . The term involute is an alternative term for spiral. In some applications, frame 102 of heat exchanger 100 is welded to a cylinder (not shown) in which it is disposed. In other applications, frame 102 is a sealing member and has any number of O-rings, or other suitable type of seals in grooves in frame 102 , to seal against a cylinder (not shown). Inlet spiral 110 has three turns 111 interleaved with turns 113 of outlet spiral 112 . A spiral may alternately called and involute. [0031] A gap 106 between adjacent turns has a distance 108 less than a predetermined distance. In one embodiment, a liquid circulates in passages within spirals 110 and 112 and a gas travels through gaps 106 (into, or out of, the plane of FIG. 1 ) between adjacent turns of spirals 110 and 112 . The predetermined distance, in one embodiment, is a distance in which laminar flow would exist if the length of the flow were to be enough to set up laminar flow. There is a Reynolds number which is based on the geometry, the velocity expected, and parameters of the fluid itself, below which is defined to provide laminar flow. Braces 104 are provided to maintain the gaps of predetermined distance of spirals 110 and 112 with a gap that is less than or equal to the gap that provides laminar flow. Manifold housing 114 is an inlet area and manifold housing 116 is an outlet area, which will be discussed below. A central collector 118 has an internal passage that fluidly couples with passages in spirals 110 and 112 . [0032] In FIG. 2 , a representation of a core 120 of heat exchanger 100 (of FIG. 1 ). The core is essentially the “negative” of heat exchanger 100 , i.e., the part where the fluid would flow inside heat exchanger 100 . Core 120 has an inlet 122 and an outlet 124 . Inlet 122 leads to an inlet spiral passages (only one of which is visible) 132 via an adapter 136 to a central collector 134 . The fluid moves from central collector 134 to outlet spiral passages (only one of which is visible) 130 via an adapter 138 . Outlet spiral passages 130 fluidly couple to outlet 124 . Inlet spiral passages 132 interleave with outlet spiral passages 130 , although offset by 180 degrees in the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . The three-turn embodiment with 180 degree offset in FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only and not intended to be limiting as the turns can be any suitable number and the offset can be altered to accommodate desired inlet and outlet locations or for other purposes. [0033] In FIG. 3 , an isometric view of a section of heat exchanger 100 is shown. The cross section is taken through two of braces 104 . In FIG. 2 , outlet spiral passage 130 appears as a single spiral. However, in the embodiment in FIG. 3 , there are four parallel outlet spirals passages arranged along a line, such as illustrated with one of the turns shown arranged along dash dot line 140 . In place of four openings along line 140 , a single slot could be provided. However, in some embodiments in which the pressure difference between the inside and the outside is great, a plurality of passages essentially provides bracing and prevents collapse that might occur with a single slot. Similarly, inlet spiral passage 132 has four parallel spirals. The passages of one of the turns is shown lying in a line, as illustrated with dash-dot line 142 . Central collector 134 is shown as a single slot. Thus, the four passages of the inlet spiral passage 132 combine to form a single slot passage of central collector 134 and then manifolds into four passages of outlet spiral passage 130 . Central collector 134 has beefier walls than spiral passages 130 and 132 . If thinner walls for the central collector are desired, the central collector may alternatively have a plurality of passages that correspond to the passages in the spirals. [0034] In FIG. 4 , a portion of heat exchanger 100 is shown in cross section. An inlet 152 leads to a manifold 154 that fluidly couples with inlet spiral passages 132 . A similar manifold is provided for the outlet spiral passages (not shown). [0035] The cross section of heat exchanger 100 shown in FIG. 3 is taken through brace 104 . Thus, passages 132 appear to be in a block with an array of passages. In FIG. 5 , a single turn of a spiral 200 is shown in cross section with the cross section taken at a place away from a brace. Within that turn are multiple circular passages 200 . In an alternative, passage 206 in turn 204 are substantially square. Passages 206 have rounded corners to avoid stress risers. In turn 208 , passages 210 are substantially rectangular. Any suitable passage shape can be used. In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 3-7 the spiral has straight sides. However, in an alternative configuration shown in FIG. 9 , adjacent turns 220 and 222 of spirals have a gap distance 224 that is consistent along the gap. [0036] An alternative heat exchanger 240 configuration is also contemplated, as shown in FIG. 10 . Heat exchanger 240 has an inlet spiral 242 interleaved with an outlet spiral 244 . In the embodiment in FIG. 10 , the spirals are not regular, but have kinks in them. Herein, such a configuration or other similar configurations with slight kinks are called spirals. Heat exchanger 240 has a central opening 248 to accommodate a post. In other configurations, opening 248 is filled with a plug so that gasses flow through the gaps between adjacent turns of the spirals. The gaps in FIG. 10 are exaggerated for illustration convenience. The gaps are to be consistent and are generally narrow. To fill any blank spaces that would allow gases to flow rather than between the spirals, plugs 250 and 252 are provided. A transition section 246 is provided to connect inlet spiral 242 with outlet spiral 244 . Another heat exchanger 260 alternative is shown in FIG. 11 with inlet spiral 262 , outlet spiral 264 , plugs 270 and 272 , opening to accommodate a post 268 , and transition section 266 . And yet, another alternative heat exchanger 280 is shown in FIG. 12 . Heat exchange 280 has: inlet spiral 282 , outlet spiral 284 , plugs 290 and 292 , opening to accommodate a post 288 , and transition section 296 . [0037] The illustrations in FIGS. 10-12 show the inlet and outlet spirals to be single lines for illustration simplicity. In reality, the turns of the spirals are wider than is implied in the Figures and the gap between adjacent turns is a predetermined width. That predetermined width is based on the properties of the gas that travels through the gap and the velocity of the gas traveling through the gap such that the Reynolds number is in a range defined to provide laminar flow. [0038] An illustration of a heat pump 300 is shown in cross section in FIG. 13 . Heat pump 300 has a cylinder 302 in which a hot displacer 304 and a cold displacer reciprocate. A heat exchanger 310 is located within cylinder 302 . A top edge of heat exchanger 310 is substantially at the bottom end of travel of hot displacer 304 ; a bottom edge of heat exchanger 310 is substantially at the top of travel of cold displacer 306 . Heat exchanger 310 has an inlet 314 and an outlet 316 and passages fluidly coupling inlet 314 with outlet 316 . The fluid within heat exchanger 310 is a liquid, but alternatively a gas. Flow within heat exchanger 310 is in the plane of such heat exchanger. Flow on the exterior surface is substantially perpendicular to the flow with heat exchanger 10 . Gas flows through gaps 312 . [0039] If both cold and hot displacers 304 and 306 move upward or downward, the gases flow from one side of heat exchanger 310 to the other side. If only one of the displacers moves, the gases that flow through heat exchanger 310 bypasses the cylinder. That is, for example, if cold displacer 306 moves upwardly while hot displacer 304 is stationary, gases from the volume within cylinder 302 that is above displacer 306 flow through gaps 312 into the volume above heat exchanger 310 through a bypass tube 340 , a regenerator 342 , a bypass tube 344 , and a heat exchanger 346 then into the volume within cylinder 302 that is below displacer 306 . Gases reverse that flow path when hot displacer 304 moves upwardly while hot displacer 306 is stationary. Another bypass path is provided that has a bypass tube 334 , a regenerator 332 , a bypass tube 330 , and a heat exchanger 336 . These elements provide desired function in the context of a heat pump, in particular a Vuilleumier heat pump, further description of which can be found elsewhere. The heat exchanger disclosed herein is suitable for such a heat pump, but this is a non-limiting application. [0040] In FIG. 14 , a cross section through a heat exchanger 400 shows bypass passages 430 and 440 . There are a plurality of such passages around the periphery of heat exchanger 400 . The cross section in FIG. 14 happens to cut through two such passages 430 and 440 . Unlike the cross section in FIG. 3 that is through a brace section, the cross section of FIG. 14 is away from the brace section. A turn of the inlet spiral in which passage 402 is located is displaced by a gap 406 from a turn of the outlet spiral in which passage 404 is located. [0041] One of the processes by which a heat exchanger according to the present disclosure can be manufactured is via 3D printing. Alternatively, a sintering process is used. In FIG. 15 , two portions 450 are shown in cross section. The two portions 450 are shown sintered together at interface 452 in FIG. 16 . An assembly 456 of a grid of such portions 450 is shown in which the portions are sintered at interfaces 452 and interfaces 454 . Gaps 458 less than a predetermined width are provided between each column. [0042] In some applications, it is desirable to have an annular heat exchanger, such as a heat exchanger 500 shown in FIG. 18 . An inlet 502 leads inwardly and couples to a turnaround 504 which causes heat exchanger 500 to spiral outwardly to outlet 506 . Heat exchanger 500 allows for space 510 in the center to provide the annular shape. In the case of a Vuilleumier heat pump, displacers can reciprocate through the middle of heat exchanger 500 . [0043] While the best mode has been described in detail with respect to particular embodiments, those familiar with the art will recognize various alternative designs and embodiments within the scope of the following claims. While various embodiments may have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments with respect to one or more desired characteristics, one or more characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. These attributes include, but are not limited to: cost, strength, durability, life cycle cost, marketability, appearance, packaging, size, serviceability, weight, manufacturability, ease of assembly, etc. The embodiments described herein that are characterized as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.
Newly-developed manufacturing techniques have opened up new possibilities in fabricating designs of components that were previously infeasible. One such component is a heat exchanger. A crossflow heat exchanger is disclosed that includes a plurality of internal passages for conducting a first fluid. The internal passages that form a spiral with adjacent passages separated by a gap of a predetermined distance or less. The second fluid passes through the gaps. The internal passages may be a plurality of parallel passages arranged along a first line. From upstream to downstream, each of the passages form an inlet spiral connected to an inner ring connected to an outlet spiral. The gaps are less than a predetermined distance related to a Reynolds number that is less than that at which laminar flow exists.
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This invention claims the benefit of priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/666,225 filed Mar. 29, 2005. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to pharmaceutical management and dispensing systems, and more specifically to an automated system, apparatus, device and method for management and dispensation of inhaled pulmonary medications as administered by a respiratory therapist under the direct orders of a physician. BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART Interest in the use of information technology and automation to address the management and dispensation of medication safely, without errors, timely and effectively has never been greater. Healthcare organizations and healthcare professionals are in agreement that medication error represents one of the most pervasive, preventable, and costly sources of patient harm. Various devices are known, such as, a timed apparatus for dispensing medicines in U.S. Pat. No. 3,762,601 to McLaughlin, U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,992 to Brown, U.S. Pat. No. 4,572,403 and an electronic system for dispensing items (U.S. Pat. No. 3,998,356 to Christensen) and medications (U.S. Pat. No. 4,747,514 to Stone). A mechanical pill-dispensing and storage container is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,744,672 to Dangles et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,113,098 to Howard, U.S. Pat. No. 4,512,500 to Belbin, Sr., U.S. Pat. No. 4,674,651 to Scidmore et al. Pharmaceutical dispensing cabinets with recording systems and automatic accountability of items are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,267,942 to Wick, Jr. et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,504,153 to Schollmeyer et al. and a computer controlled system for dispensing drugs in a health care institution is discussed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,847,764 to Halvorson. Further innovations include a modular medication dispensing system with a microprocessor or portable memory device as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,695,954 to Rose et al. and U.S. Pat. No. 4,717,042 to McLaughlin. Improved variations of a medication dispensing system are provided by McLaughlin in Design Patent 280,132, U.S. Pat. No. 4,785,969 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,811,764 designed to dispense a variety of different medications. Beginning in the early 1990s, the use of programmable systems (computers) for controlled access storage of medication and other pharmaceuticals in a medical facility became the state of the art as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,014,875 to McLaughlin et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,431,299 to Brewer et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,536,084 to Curtis et al., Reissue Patent Re. 35,743 to Pearson and U.S. Pat. No. 6,996,455 B2 to Eggenberger et al. Most recently, specialized carts have been developed such as the computerized unit dose medication dispensing cart of Barrett in U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,779 B1 and point of care medication dispensation as shown in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0054436 A1 to Haitin et al. and U.S. Patent Publication 2003/0120384 A1 to Haitin et al. Thus, we find an approximately 50-year history of automated or mechanical medication dispensing systems. Systems that are centralized in medical facilities, decentralized in various treatment units and finally, point of care medication dispensing carts. Centralized medication dispensation systems offer the advantage of a single, centralized inventory and a lower overall inventory and the disadvantages of large size, high cost, expenditure of high-cost professional time to stock and retrieve medication, and reliance on efficient delivery systems. Decentralized, medical unit medication dispensation systems are smaller size and lower cost relative to the centrally-located devices and provide more immediate access to medications and automated documentation of medication administration with the primary disadvantage of reliance on efficient delivery systems. Point of care systems, as described in the two U.S. Patent Publications 2003/0120384 A1 and 2004/0054435 A1 to Haitin et al., are designed to enable immediate exchange of patient data at the bedside. However, these devices are generally limited to measuring vital signs such as temperature, pulse rate and blood pressure. Collectively, the above references do not provide a point of care, respiratory therapy medication dispensing system. Further, none of the above references provide a point of care, respiratory therapy medication dispensing system capable of collecting respiratory data simultaneously with medication dispensing. Respiratory data includes measurements of, sensing or observation of such conditions as, respiratory rates, SpO 2 (oxygen levels in the blood), heart rate, lung sounds, respiratory distress, work of breathing, amount and consistency of sputum production, skin color, temperature and whether or not the patient is diaphoretic (clammy, sweating). As a further development, in 2005, the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO) established new Patient Safety Standards that requires that all prescribed medications be dispensed to the management/dispenser systems by the hospital pharmacy. The new Patient Safety Standards by the JCAHO will reduce unwanted drug interactions and repeat dosing of similar medications by passing all prescriptions, including pulmonary prescriptions, under the watchful eye of hospital pharmacy staff. The plan is for all respiratory therapy medications to be stocked in “medication rooms” on the nursing floors into the same devices, either centralized or decentralized units, that nursing staff have been using for years. The advantages of “medication rooms” are highlighted above in the discussion of centralized and decentralized medication dispensing units and are considered an affordable patient safety investment. The disadvantages of medication rooms include, but are not limited to, reliance on an efficient delivery system, the hectic day-to-day traffic in and out of the room by health practitioners. In practice, shift change in the medication rooms is comparable to rush hour traffic as lines form at the dispensing system cabinet. Medication rooms are typically small and quickly become crowded with staff that are either waiting their turn at the dispensers or are preparing medications for administration to patients. In this crowded room, the risk of sharps injuries to staff is increased along with an increased risk of staff members' medications becoming mixed up with those of another staff member for lack of space. Prior to 2005 and the implementation of the new Patient Safety Standards by the JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations), respiratory therapists maintained a private stock of inhaled medications in a medication room in the respiratory care department. Each respiratory therapist had his or her own system for organization of medication types kept in the many pockets of his or her uniform. This system which is no longer permitted under the new Patient Safety Standards, carried the risk of medication errors, but allowed for expedited delivery of patient care. Patients are at increased risk for deterioration of their pulmonary status if a stat medication is required and the respiratory therapist has to stand in line for the patient's rescue medication. Other times patients will miss scheduled pulmonary medications because they are transferred off of the treatment floor for diagnostic tests while the therapist is in line in the medication room. A further drawback in the medication room dispensation system for pulmonary or respiratory medications is that there is no standard method for storage and dispensation of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) that is practiced the same in all medical facilities. Frequently MDIs are stored in the medication rooms in patient-specific boxes. In some hospitals, there is some confusion as to whether nursing or respiratory therapists administer these medications which can result in double-dosing. Still further, the medication room dispensation can result in loss of metered dose inhalers (MDIs) by respiratory and nursing staff. This results in the need for the medication to be re-dispensed by the pharmacy and the patient is re-charged for these expensive drugs. When the patient becomes aware that the charge has been made twice for an expensive medication through no fault of the patient, the hospital will be called and the charge must be removed from the bill; causing a loss of hospital revenues and personnel productivity. If, respiratory therapy medications are the most recent addition to the dispensing systems, it is most likely that these medications will be stored in the bottom-most drawers requiring the therapist to repeatedly bend down to retrieve dispensed medications leading to an increased risk for back and knee injuries for the therapists. Thus, it becomes apparent that there is a need for a system for the dispensation of respiratory medication designed to function within the new Patient Safety Standards; a system that moves with the therapist as they move through the hospital or medical facility administering inhaled pulmonary medication and various modalities of respiratory care. A system is needed that is designed to avoid knee and back injuries to therapists, the queuing and long waits for medications secured in centralized or decentralized units. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the problems with the prior art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The first objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method. The second objective of the present invention is to provide a tool, apparatus, device and method for dispensation of respiratory medications. The third objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that allows monitoring of patient respiratory data, such as, respiratory rate, oxygen levels in the blood, and other conditions, during drug administration. The fourth objective of the present invention is to provide a secure, mobile respiratory therapy station. The fifth objective of the present invention is to provide an ergonomic device, system, apparatus and method to assist respiratory therapists to work more effectively. The sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that interfaces with hospital pharmacies to provide a direct record of drug dispensation by respiratory therapists. The seventh objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that facilitates the tracking and stocking of respiratory medications by pharmacy personnel. The eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that expedites patient treatment and care. The ninth objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that provides respiratory therapists with a portable device for charting patient care. The tenth objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that controls and secures respiratory medications. The eleventh objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that provides an automated dispensing system for trained and licensed professionals. The twelfth objective of the present invention is to provide a mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method that ensures that medications removed from the automated system have a matching physicians's order, in accordance with Federal, State and hospital guidelines, such as the new Patient Safety Standards by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Hospital Organizations (JCAHO). The novel invention eliminates knee and back injuries to therapists, and the queuing and long waits for medications secured in centralized or decentralized units that exist with prior art devices and techniques. The device and medication dispensing system, apparatus, device and method of the present invention overcomes deficiencies in prior practices and provides for the first time a customized unit for respiratory therapists that dispense prepackaged unit dose pulmonary medications, bottles of mucolytic medication, metered dose inhalers (MDIs) and the like, as prescribed for a patient by a physician and authorized by a pharmacist. The present invention further assures safety through positive therapist identification, positive patient identification, medication verification at the patient's bedside, while respiratory data are being monitored and recorded in real time. The preferred embodiment of a respiratory therapy cart includes a mobile cart having a housing with a plurality of wheels for making the housing mobile, a plurality of different size storage compartments in the housing for storing patient medications and supplies, a plurality of respiratory sensors attached to the housing for sensing respiratory conditions of patients in real time, a central processing unit in the housing for recording respiratory sensed parameters of a patient in real time, and a rechargeable energy source adjacent to the housing for providing power to the sensors and the central processing unit. It is preferred that the mobile cart have six wheels, each being swivel and that the plurality of different size storage compartments, include one size for patient medications, and a different size for individual respiratory equipment. A separate wire basket is also a preferred compartment stored in the bottom portion of the cart. It is preferred that a compartment with the one size for patient medications is for different inhaled pulmonary medications. The different inhaled pulmonary medications include bronchodilators, corticosteroids, inhaled antibiotics and mucolytics. The respiratory sensors included in the mobile respiratory therapy cart are a pulse oximeter, a spirometer and an arterial blood gas analyzer, more preferably a pulse oximeter. The preferred central processing unit for recording is a wireless laptop computer adapted to be operated by a respiratory therapist. The preferred parameters that are sensed and recorded are respiratory rates, oxygen levels in the blood, heart rate, lung sounds, respiratory distress, amount and consistency of sputum production, skin color, temperature and diaphoretic condition of the patient. The preferred renewable energy source for the respiratory therapy medication cart is a battery pack that is electrically recharged. A preferred method for treating respiratory therapy patients with a mobile cart includes providing a mobile medication cart having a central processing unit with a plurality of respiratory sensors, biometric access validation scanner and respiratory therapy medication dispensers all powered by a rechargeable energy source, scanning biometric information of a respiratory therapist with the validation scanner in order to access the CPU and the respiratory therapy medication and allow for the cart to be become mobile, wheeling the mobile cart to a patient's bed after validation of the respiratory therapist biometric information, sensing respiratory conditions of the patient with the respiratory sensors, entering the sensed respiratory conditions of the patient into the central processing unit, dispensing respiratory therapy medications from the cart based on the sensed respiratory conditions, entering the medications dispensed to patient into the central processing unit, recharging the energy source, and returning the cart for restocking and stocking of respiratory therapy medication. The preferred scanning of biometric information is from a magnetic identification (ID) badge on the respiratory therapist with a magnetic scanner, wherein the validation automatically activates power on the cart and non-validation deactivates the power to the cart. The preferred wheels for wheeling of the medication cart includes six swivel wheels on the cart. It is also preferred to sense the respiratory conditions of a patient by built-in respiratory equipment, hand-held equipment and manual input by the respiratory therapist. The preferred respiratory equipment for sensing is a pulse oximeter, a spirometer or an arterial blood gas analyzer, more preferably a pulse oximeter. The respiratory conditions of the patient sensed, recorded and entered into archives include respiratory rate, oxygen levels in the blood, heart rate, lung sounds, work of breathing, amount and consistency of sputum production, skin color, temperature and diaphoretic condition. The respiratory data are used to determine patient care and medications that will be dispensed. The preferred treatment is dispensing an inhaled pulmonary medication, wherein the inhaled pulmonary medication is at least one of a fast-acting bronchodilator, a less-fast acting bronchodilator, a corticosteroid, an inhaled antibiotic, and a mucolytic. It is also preferred that medication be dispensed to a patient, based on sensed conditions, by a respiratory therapist and be recorded by manual in-put by the respiratory therapist. Further objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of a presently preferred embodiment, which is illustrated in the accompanying flow charts and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 is a front view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective plan view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 2B is a front view of the bottom section of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention showing the leg support and wire basket contained therein. FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention showing six swivel wheels. FIG. 3B is a front view of the bottom section of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention showing the wheels in alignment and facing forward. FIG. 3C is a front view of the bottom section of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention showing the wheels in alignment and facing in a horizontal direction. FIG. 4 is a right side view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of one of the small drawer compartments of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a perspective view of one of the larger drawer compartments of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a schematic illustration of the use of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention with a built-in pulse oximeter, at a patient's bedside with a pulse oximeter probe attached to the patient's finger. FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the communication links between the various components of a preferred embodiment of a respiratory therapy medication dispensing system of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a flow chart of the interaction of physician and pharmacist with the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a flow chart of actions taken by a respiratory therapist using and interacting with the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of a frame of the diagnostic program which illustrates the patient' respiratory information monitored in accordance with a preferred embodiment. FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of a frame of patient information available for display re: Chest X-ray for a respiratory therapist using the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of a frame of patient information available for display re: an arterial blood gas result obtained by a respiratory therapist and entered into the patient's archive using the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. FIG. 16 is an exemplary illustration of a frame of patient information available for display re: spirometry results entered into the hospital archive by a respiratory therapist who performed the test using the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Before explaining the disclosed embodiment of the present invention in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangement shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. It would be useful to discuss the meanings of some words used herein and their applications before discussing the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention and method of using the same. “Cart” “cabinet” “device” and “station” are used interchangeably herein when referring to the mobile unit for managing and dispensing respiration therapy medications. “Compartment” and “Drawer” is used to include any type of box like storage unit that is made to slide in and out of a housing. “Pulmonary” is used to mean relating to or affecting the lungs. “Pulse oximeter” is a device that determines the oxygen saturation of the blood on an anesthetized patient using a sensor attached to a finger, yields a computerized read out, and sounds an alarm if the blood saturation becomes less than optimal. “Respiratory” means of, relating to, used in, or affecting respiration or breathing, including respiratory organs, nerves and the like. “Spirometer” is an instrument for measuring the volume of air entering and leaving the lungs as in inhaling or exhaling, respectively. “SpO 2 ” is blood oxygen saturation measured by a pulse oximeter in percentage. “Vital signs” are signs of life, including pulse rate, body temperature, respiratory rate and often, blood pressure of a person. The circuitry for opening and closing drawers in the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device of the present invention is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,175,779 B1 to Barrett and U.S. Pat. No. 6,996,455 B2 to Eggenberger et al.; the teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference. The basic components of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device or cart of the present invention, include, but are not limited to, a housing having a plurality of wheels, a plurality of different size storage compartments in the housing for storing patient medications, built-in respiratory sensors in the housing for sensing respiratory conditions, a respiratory sensor recorder, a processor having a memory (computer), a display screen, a communication medium for input and output of data, a staff identification scanning device to avoid any unauthorized use of the dispensing cart or station and a power source. FIG. 1 provides a front view of the preferred embodiment of the respiratory therapy medication dispensing cart of the present invention. The overall dimensions of cart 10 are approximately 35.56 centimeters (cm) (14 inches) wide by approximately 30.48 cm (12 inches) deep by approximately 127.0 cm (50 inches) in height (14″W×12″D×50″H). The height of the cart 10 is measured from the bottom of the swivel wheels 12 to the outer edge of the recessed area 14 supporting a wireless laptop computer 16 . There are forty-eight medication drawers 18 for secure storage of each patient's inhaled pulmonary medications, each drawer measures approximately 5.08 cm (2 inches) wide×7.62 cm (3 inches) deep×5.08 cm (2 inches) high (2″W×3″D×2″H). Two larger drawers 20 provide secure storage of prescribed metered dose inhalers (MDIs), unit doses of saline, MDI spacers (Single-patient use devices to enhance MDI medication deposition in the lungs) turbohalers and disc inhalers (MDIs containing powdered medication which is not released under pressure like the traditional MDI that releases a “cloud” of medication to be inhaled), peak-flow meters (devices a patient blows into to measure the severity of bronchospasm), and the like. The large drawers 20 each measure approximately 30.48 cm (12 inches) wide by approximately 25.40 cm (10 inches) deep by approximately 15.24 cm (6 inches) in height (12″W×10″D×6″H). A wire basket 22 is placed below the larger drawers 20 in a rack formed by the bottom 24 of the cart 10 and cross braces 26 that support and provide structural integrity to the side walls of the cart. A hook 28 for hanging treatment bags is attached to and protrudes from the top of the cart 10 . Hook 28 is a place for hanging equipment and other items so that the therapists's hands are free. A scanner 30 used for therapist identification and turning on the power to the cart protrudes from the left side of cart 10 . An angled receptacle 32 for holding small devices, such as oxygen nipples, connectors and adaptors, protrudes from the right side of cart 10 . The wire basket 22 , hook 28 , and receptacle 32 are convenient design features that keep the therapist on the floor and maximize the therapist's availability for patient care. FIG. 2A shows a perspective plan view of the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device wherein the positioning of the wireless laptop computer 16 with display screen 16 A is shown in greater detail. The therapist identification scanning device 30 is position in the top right corner of the left side wall, just above a hook 34 for hanging the pulse oximeter probe 36 with an approximately ten foot retractable cord 38 , that is retractable into orifice A. The pulse oximeter 40 is recessed in the left side wall and has a display screen 40 A for displaying SpO 2 data taken before, after or during the dispensing of medication. A power cord 42 provides and supports the power source for the unit. FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the structural support and cross braces 26 which are also used to contain the wire basket 22 . The wire basket 22 is used to carry extra supplies that may be required during a work shift, such as nebulizers, aerosol masks, oxygen administration devices (nasal cannulas, venturi masks, nonrebreather masks), flowmeters, arterial blood gas kits, and the like. FIG. 3A is a bottom view of the computerized mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing cart showing six swivel wheels 12 arranged to provide the most stable support for the cart. Two opposing wheels at the left and right side of the cart 10 would preferably have a locking mechanism to prevent the cart from pivoting or moving when it is necessary for the cart to remain in a fixed position. Swivel wheels with a locking feature are well known in the art and are available from Carpin Manufacturing, Inc., 411 Austin Road, Waterbury, Conn. 06705 or from Service Caster Corporation in West Reading, Pa 19611. The preferred wheels 12 for cart 10 are approximately 4 to 5 inches in diameter. With the arrangement of wheels 12 , as shown in FIG. 3A , the cart is easily moved from room to room, and can be positioned in close proximity to the patient's bedside, as the therapist treats each patient. FIG. 3B shows the swivel wheels 12 facing forward in a front view of the bottom of cart 10 . FIG. 3C shows the swivel wheels 12 facing horizontally in a front view of the bottom of the cart 10 ; thus the combination of FIGS. 3B and 3C show the swivel feature of the wheels 12 . FIG. 4 is a right side view of cart 10 showing the position of a receptacle 32 for smaller devices like oxygen nipples, connectors and adaptors. Also shown in the power cord 42 which is used to charge batteries that are used to power the unit for up to 2 hours, so that the therapist can move freely through the hospital to provide point of care respiratory therapy for patients. FIG. 5 is a left side view of the cart 10 showing the instrumentation and attachments discussed in FIG. 2A , namely, a badge scanner 30 , a hook 34 for hanging the pulse oximeter probe 36 with an approximately ten foot retractable cord 38 and a pulse oximeter 40 recessed in the left side wall with a display screen 40 A for displaying SpO 2 data. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of cart 10 from front to back showing the location of battery packs 44 positioned behind the 48 unit drawers 18 and above the two larger drawers 20 . The battery pack 44 is connected to power source 42 for recharging. FIG. 7 provides detail of the smaller size drawer 18 for patient specific medication. Four separate compartments 18 A, 18 B, 18 C, 18 D are used to separate the various inhaled pulmonary medication classes, such as, but not limited to, bronchodilators, fast-acting and less-fact acting; corticosteroids; inhaled antibiotics; and mucolytics. Separation of the drugs into the various classes is an added precaution taken to prevent medication errors, especially because the respiratory therapy medications usually are packaged in single-use vials and look very much alike. Class 1 drugs, such as bronchodilators, are used to increase airway diameter to allow deeper, regular breathing in patients with pulmonary diseases that cause airway constriction and thus, difficulty breathing; they come in clear, single-use vials. Class 2 drugs, such as corticosteroids, are stabilizers of lung function when they are inhaled. They decrease inflammation in the airways. The most common one comes in a different shaped, although a clear, single dose vial, it can be differentiated from the others based on the shape. Class 3 drugs, such as inhaled antibiotics, are not frequently used, but common in specific patient populations, such as those with cystic fibrosis. It is a local antibiotic that is inhaled using a nebulizer and it also comes in a clear single-use vial. Class 4 drugs, such as, mucolytics are inhaled drugs that break-down the chemical bonds in the mucus in the lungs, making them thinner and therefore easier to cough up and clear out pneumonias and the like. Some mucolytics come in clear single-use vials while other drugs in this class must be drawn out by syringe. In FIG. 7 the four separate compartments are shown in a permanent configuration, which is the preferred arrangement. The well-defined separation of respiratory therapy drug classes, discussed above, is a very important step towards eliminating medication errors. A patient identification sticker (not shown) can be placed inside to minimize drawer confusion. FIG. 8 shows the inside of the larger drawer 20 which is permanently divided down the center 46 and further illustrates moveable dividers 48 used to create patient specific compartments, such as, 20 A, 20 B inside the larger drawer 20 . Patient-specific compartment, such as 20 A and 20 B are used to securely store metered dose inhalers (MDIs), spacers, turbohalers, disc inhalers, peak flow meters, and the like. MDIs are different shapes and therefore are packaged in differently shaped and sized boxes. A common problem is loss; another is confusion about who is administering them, nurses or respiratory therapists? Frequently, a patient will have nebulizer treatments and MDIs or even, multiple MDIs. The moveable dividers 48 shown in FIG. 8 , create patient-specific compartments in the larger drawers 20 . The adjustable compartments permit all of one patient's MDIs to be stored in one compartment identified by a patient identification sticker, as with the smaller drawers 18 . The multiple compartments can also store the MDIs of a number of patients. This arrangement eliminates the loss of MDIs as well as any confusion about who is administering them. MDI loss costs hospital pharmacies a considerable amount each year, some MDIs cost $300.00 (2006 pricing) and when one is lost and a patient is recharged for a medication that the patient was not responsible for losing, the hospital has to bear the cost of a replacement. FIG. 9 is a schematic layout of the mobile cart 10 of the present invention in close proximity to a patient's bed 50 and a close-up sketch of a pulse oximeter probe 36 on the patient's finger 52 at the patient's bedside. The patient is 70 . In FIG. 10 , the block diagram illustrates the communication links between the hospital archive 100 which contains patient information, pharmacy 102 , and the mobile respiratory therapy medication dispenser cart 10 . The medication therapy dispensing cart 10 employs a central processing unit (CPU) 121 with memory 122 and transmitting and receiving capabilities to recognize the therapist with the I.D. badge reader 30 , then permit the respiratory therapist access to patient results in hospital archives 100 , in order to help direct the respiratory plan of care. The CPU 121 further allows the therapist to chart patient care at bedside, with input from built-in respiratory sensors 124 and manual in-put 125 of auditory and visual observations made by the therapist. The CPU 121 also provides the pharmacy 102 with a record of the dispensation and stock of medications in the computerized mobile respiratory therapy cart 10 ; this record is created from input from the medicine cabinet 123 and output to the medicine cabinet 126 . At the end of each twelve hour shift, inhaled pulmonary medications are stocked or restocked by pharmacy staff. The CPU 121 can download information to a printer or can include a printer 128 and a display screen 16 A, which in alternative embodiments (not shown), the traditional laptop computer is replaced with a touch screen device. FIG. 11 is a flow chart with steps numbered 201 to 206 , showing that the medication order is generated by a physician to the pharmacist who researches to see if significant drug interactions are involved for the patient. If significant drug interactions are found, the pharmacist calls the physician to explore other possible medications. If no significant interactions are found, the medication is stocked in the respiratory therapy medication dispensing cart 10 . FIG. 12 is a flow chart with steps numbered 301 to 310 , showing how the therapist operates the medication dispensing cart 10 . First, the therapist uses a personal identification badge to access the unit. Cart 10 is shown with a magnetic identification badge-reader 30 for security, so that no unauthorized use is allowed, thus securing the medications in the respiratory therapy station. In an alternative embodiment, the badge scanner can be replaced with any biometric identification device, such as those distributed by UPEK, Inc. 2200 Powell Street, Suite 300, Emeryville, Calif. 94608. Validation of biometrics can also include, but is not limited to facial feature recognition, eye and retinal scan recognition, fingerprint validation, and the like, and combinations thereof. After the respiratory therapist scans a personal ID badge that is recognized by the scanner, the power to the cart is automatically turned on with an electronic signal. The display screen 16 A on the computer 16 presents a list of patients to choose from. The therapist selects a patient; the display screen 16 A shows patient information and asks for confirmation of correct patient. After the therapist confirms that the patient selection is correct, a display screen appears listing that particular patient's inhaled pulmonary medications in a patient-specific drawer 18 and asks the therapist for medication selection. The therapist selects the medications and the patient-specific drawer 18 opens in response to an electronic signal allowing the therapist to access the specific patient's medication. The therapist removes medication(s) when the patient's specific drawer 18 opens and administers the medication to patient ( FIG. 10 , 70 ). If the patient is receiving metered dose inhalers (MDIs), the therapist can select them from the screen and the larger drawer 20 where the inhalers are stored will open in response to an electronic signal, as well. With the computerized portable respiratory therapy cart at the patient's bedside, the therapist places the pulse oximeter probe 36 on the patient's finger and bends over to listen to the lungs. While listening to the patient's lung sounds, the patient's respiratory condition can be observed on the pulse oximeter display 40 A. The therapist administers the treatment and uses the computer 16 to chart/access diagnostic results by inputting data into the computer 16 while monitoring the respiratory data of patient at the bedside. The light-weight, approximately 100 pounds, computerized mobile, respiratory therapy medication dispensing cart is moved easily from room to room as the therapist treats each patient. The process outlined above is repeated for each patient receiving respiratory care on each scheduled treatment round, typically, every four hours. At the end of each treatment round, the cart plugs into a standard electrical outlet to recharge the batteries for the next round. FIG. 13 is an exemplary illustration of patient respiratory information selections that can be displayed on screen 16 A. The respiratory therapist chooses from these selections in charting a patients treatment and inputting the information into the hospital archives ( FIG. 10 , 100 ). FIG. 14 is an exemplary illustration of patient respiratory information that can be displayed on screen 16 A when the therapist accesses information from a chest X-ray obtained from hospital archives ( FIG. 10 , 100 ). FIG. 15 is an exemplary illustration of arterial blood gas (ABG) result accessed from the hospital archive that can be displayed on screen 16 A. A respiratory therapist performed the test and placed the result in the archive. Abnormal results direct patient care. FIG. 16 is an exemplary illustration of patient respiratory information that can be displayed on screen 16 A when the therapist uses a spirometer to obtain information about a patient's condition before, during or after dispensing medication. Other embodiments of the present invention comprise the addition of point-of-care arterial blood gas analysis technology. This equipment would significantly diminish the time between initiation of an arterial blood gas order and the delivery of results. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the addition of bedside spirometry technology. A spirometer built into the cart would significantly decrease the amount of time between initiation of a physician order and the delivery of the results. The embodiments outlined above would maximize the respiratory therapist's availability on the patient-care floor, increasing productivity, effectiveness and positively influencing patient outcomes. Another embodiment of the present invention comprises the addition of a compressed gas source for ease in administration of inhaled pulmonary medications in areas where gasses are not traditionally available or when for example, compressed air is desired instead of oxygen. The present invention fills a void in the field of respiratory therapy medication dispensation by providing a computerized, mobile unit equipped with a plurality of storage compartments uniquely suited for securely and safely storing and dispensing respiratory therapy medications to patients in an expedited manner. The present invention is capable of significantly reducing costs and errors associated with medication dispensation and improve the security and accuracy of same. Use of the respiratory therapy medication system provided reduces the time that respiratory therapists must devote to medication administration and allows valuable time for the therapists to perform functions of patient care, as appropriate to the scope of a therapist's practice. While the invention has been described, disclosed, illustrated and shown in various terms of certain embodiments or modifications which it has presumed in practice, the scope of the invention is not intended to be, nor should it be deemed to be, limited thereby and such other modifications or embodiments as may be suggested by the teachings herein are particularly reserved especially as they fall within the breadth and scope of the claims here appended.
A computerized, mobile respiratory therapy medication dispensing device, apparatus, system, and method having a mobile housing having a plurality of different size drawers for storing and transporting respiratory therapy medication, devices, and supplies. The housing mounted on a plurality of wheels has a biometric sensor, such as a magnetic badge reader for security, a pulse oximeter mounted in the cabinet for patient monitoring, a computer system mounted on the cabinet including a central processing unit, a transmitter and receiver system responsive to the central processing unit for transmitting and receiving data, the transmitter and receiver system capable of transmitting and receiving data through radio frequency signals, a display responsive to the central processing unit for displaying data, and an input device for inputting data into the computer system, and a rechargeable energy source.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to the anti-fungal use of certain steroids. 2. Description of the Prior Art UK Patent 2161380 B (National Research Development Corporation) describes the anti-fungal, especially anti-candida use of, bile acids and derivatives thereof, collectively having the formula ##STR2## wherein each of X, Y and Z independently represents a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group or a derivative thereof which is a conjugate formed between the carboxyl group and the NH 2 group of an amino acid, and their pharmaceutically acceptable salts. It has been a problem to find alternative anti-fungal compounds having improved therapeutic action against various fungi invasive to the human body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It has now been found that compounds of the general formula (7): ##STR3## wherein X is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, Y is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and at least one of X and Y is a hydroxyl group and Z is a hydroxyl group or a methylol (--CH 2 OH) group, have useful anti-fungal activity. Against some fungi, at least, activity appears to be better than is obtainable from the bile salts of the prior patent. Such fungi include Candida species and the fungi implicated in athlete's foot and ringworm (Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum audonil). The compounds of the invention are of particular interest for topical application. The compounds of general formula (7) wherein Z is a hydroxyl group are known compounds. Insofar as such compounds might have no previously described medical use, this invention comprises the first medical use thereof and insofar as they might have a previously described medical use, this invention comprises the specific second medical use thereof as anti-fungal agents, said uses to be claimed in the conventional manner appropriate to national patent law. Thus, in particular, the invention, in EPC countries, includes the use of a compound of formula (7) for the manufacture of a medicament for the therapeutic application of treating fungal infections, especially by topical application, while for US purposes it includes a method of treatment of a fungal infection in a human patent, which comprises administering to the patient, preferably topically, a therapeutically effective amount of a compound of formula (7). The invention includes particularly a pharmaceutical composition, especially for topical application, comprising a compound of formula (7) in association with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier or diluent. Compounds of formula (7) wherein Z is a methylol group are believed to be novel compounds and are therefore claimed as such. These compounds have one additional carbon atom in their side-chain compared to the bile acids or the bile alcohols (Z═OH). DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Investigations into the effectiveness of various bile acid derivatives has shown that the compounds of the invention have a greater activity against at least one of the three selected fungal strains than the corresponding bile salts of formula (1). These tests are reported below. They indicate in particular that the following compounds of formula (7) are particularly effective against the following organisms: ______________________________________X = OH, Y = H vs Microsporum audonii and("chenodeoxycholic"), Trichophyton mentagrophytesZ = OHX = H, Y = OH vs. Microsporum audonii and("deoxycholic"), Trichophyton mentagrophytesZ = OH or --CH.sub.2 OHX = OH, Y = OH ("cholic") vs. Trichophyton mentagrophytesZ = --CH.sub.2 OH______________________________________ The above-recited compounds or groups of compounds are accordingly preferred. The compounds of the invention exhibit optical isomerism through an asymmetric carbon atom at the 21-position. The invention includes the individual isomers, which can be resolved by conventional means, as well as mixtures thereof. The compounds of the invention are particularly useful in treating candidiasis and infections by dermatophytes. (Dermatophytes are fungi which cause infections of skin, hair and nails in humans and animals). In particular they are useful against fungi of the genera Trichophyton, especially Trichophyton mentagrophytes and rubrum, and Microsporum. Dermatophytes have many shared antigenic components. The anti-fungal compounds of formula (7) can be formulated in any conventional way suitable for topical application, bearing in mind that they are water-insoluble. Thus, they can be formulated, for example, as a capsule, suppository or pessary for intracavital application (to the vagina, urethra or rectum) or a gel, ointment, cream or the like, dusting powder or aerosol spray. A suppository or pessary may contain theobroma oil, glycerinated gelatin or polyethylene glycol, for example, as a carrier which melts at body temperature or dissolves in body fluids. The compound of formula (7) can be formulated as an ointment or cream with an oleaginous or waxy binder. An aqueous phase may be present, to provide a cream. Other forms of formulation include gelatin capsules containing the ingredient in a liquid diluent, mixtures with talc or the like to provide dusting powder and aerosol bombs which comprise the ingredient and an inert propellant. Pessaries can be formulated as controlled release compositions using as excipient a polymeric carrier comprising residues which are cross-linked through urethane groups and which comprise polyethylene oxide, as described in UK Patent Specification 2047093 A (National Research Development Corporation). A preferred formulation is an ointment or cream containing say, from 1 to 5 percent by weight of the compound of formula (7) depending on its effectiveness. For athlete's foot and ringworm formulations it could be advisable to include dodecyl sulphate in the product. On testing, this had activity against M. audonii and T. mentagrophytes and was at least additive in activity with bile salts. A particularly preferred aspect of the invention comprises the compound of formula (7) in association with an anti-inflammatory agent, especially of the steroidal type, most especially a corticosteroid, e.g. betamethasone, fluocinolone acetonide, beclomethasone dipropionate, hydrocortisone, cortisone or cortisol. These compositions are useful for the treatment of fungal infections of the skin. A reasonable prediction from the information available is that the invention would be particularly useful in treating the same kinds of topical fungal infections as miconazole. It is contemplated that the compounds of formula (7) could also be formulated as an aerosol for application to the orapharynx or upper respiratory tract, orally or intranasally. In principle, they could also be administered systemically, e.g. as tablets, pills and capsules for oral ingestion. The following tests were carried out, comparing compounds of formula (7) with their prior art counterparts of formula (1). TESTS Organisms Candida albicans NCYC 597; Trichophyton mentagrophytes NCPF 224 and Microsporum audounii NCPF 638 were used throughout as test organisms. These are open deposits at the National Collection of Yeast Cultures, Norwich UK and the National Collection of Pathogenic Fungi of the Commonwealth Mycological Institute, Kew UK. Media All organisms were maintained in a nutrient broth containing (gl -1 ): Lab Lemco (Oxoid), 5; Peptone (Oxoid), 5; NaCl, 10. Cultures for testing antimicrobial activity were grown in this medium for 18h prior to use. Solidified media were prepared by the addition of Agar (Oxoid No. 3) 1.5% w/v. Antifungal Activity Antifungal activity was estimated using solutions of the compound (as the free acid) in dimethyl sulphoxide. A range of concentrations was used for each compound to permit calculation of an approximate MIC. 13 mm discs (Whatman) were soaked in a solution of the appropriate dilution, either allowed to dry, or placed directly onto the surface of nutrient agar plates seeded with the required test organism. After 24h incubation the diameters of zones of inhibition were measured. After a further 24h incubation, the plates were re-examined and zones re-measured. The results are shown in the following Table: ______________________________________ MICs μg/ml This inventionBasic Skeleton Prior Art Formula (2),of Compounds Formula (1) Z = OH Z = CH.sub.2 OH______________________________________3α-OH("lithocholic",X = H, Y = H)C. albicans 410T. ment.M. aud. 1003α, 7α-OH("chenodeoxycholic",X = OH, Y = OH)C. albicans 140 7000 110T. ment. 1300 30 NONEM. aud. 1000 50 2703α, 12α-OH"deoxycholic",X = OH, Y = H)C. albicans 2100 730 150T. ment. 300 10 30M. aud. 30 10 53α, 7α, 12α-OH("cholic")X = OH, Y = OHC. albicans 390 900 450T. ment. 10000 1650 100M. aud. 5500 3800 20-50______________________________________ From the above Table it will be seen that the deoxycholane and hemodeoxycholane were outstanding against the athlete's foot and ringworm organisms and that several of the other compounds had valuable activity. Generally, those compounds exhibiting a minimum inhibitory concentration of 100 μg/ml. or less are preferred. The following Examples illustrate the preparation of compounds of the invention. A flow sheet is provided to indicate the general route. Some of the compounds prepared have two melting parts shown. The crystals melt, solidify and re-melt, apparently the result of polymorphism. ##STR4## 1. Preparation of 3α,7α,12α-triformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid(2). Cholic acid (15.0 g, 36.8 mmol) in formic acid was stirred at 55° C. for 4 hours and then allowed to stand at ambient temperature overnight. The resultant mixture was then evaporated to dryness. and dissolved in benzene. Further evaporation to remove any residual formic acid afforded a white solid (18.0g, 99.5%). Recrystallisation from ethanol gave 3α,7α,12α-triformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2a) 1 (12.8 g, 71%), which appeared pure by tlc and by 1 H nmr: (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.77 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.95 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 4.3-5.1 (1H, m, 3β-H), 5.0-5.2 (1H, m, 7β-H, 5.2-5.4 (1H, m, 12β-H, 8.02 (1H, s, 3-OCHO), 8.12 (1H, s, 7-OCHO), 8.17 (1H, s, 12-OCHO), 9.5-10.0 (1H, m, exchanges on adding D 2 O, 24-OH). 2. Preparation of 3α,12α-diformoxy-5β-cholan-24-olc acid (2b). Deoxycholic acid (15.0 g, 38.2 mmol) in formic acid was stirred at 55° C. for 4 hours and then allowed to stand at ambient temperature overnight. The resultant mixture was then evaporated to dryness and dissolved in benzene. Further evaporation to remove any residual formic acid afforded a white solid (17.1 g, 99.8%). Recrystallisation from ethanol gave 3α,12α-diformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2b) 2 (13.9g, 81%), which appeared pure by tlc and by 1 H nmr: (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.75 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.93 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 4.5-5.2 (1H, m, 3β-H), 5.2-5.4 (1H, m, 12β-H), 8.04 (1H, s, 3-OCHO), 8.15 (1H, s, 12-OCHO), 8.8-9.5 (1H, m, exchanges on adding D 2 O, 24-OH). 3. Preparation of 3α,7α-diformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2c) Chenodeoxycholic acid (9.3 g, 23.7 mmol) in formic acid was stirred at 55° C. for 4 hours and then allowed to stand at ambient temperature overnight. The resultant mixture was then evaporated to dryness and dissolved in benzene. Further evaporation to remove any residual formic acid afforded a white solid. (10.5 g, 99%). Recrystallisation from ethanol gave 3α,7α-diformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2c) 3 (8.0 g, 75%), which appeared pure by tlc and by 1 H nmr: (60MHz; CDCl 3 )δ0.77 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.97 (3H, S, 19-CH 3 ), 4.3-5.0 (lH, m, 3β-H), 4.9-5.2 (lH, m, 7ft-H), 7.1-7.5 (lH, m, exchanges on adding D 2 O, 24-CH), 8.02 (lH, s, 3-OCHO), 8.09 (lH, s, 7-OCHO). 4. Preparation of 3α,6α,12α-triformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homo-5β-cholane (3a) To 3α,7α-triformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2a) (1.0 g, 2.0 mmol) was added freshly distilled thionyl chloride (2.5 ml). The reaction was allowed to proceed at room temperature for 2 hours. The excess thionyl chloride was then removed in vacuo, and the residue dissolved in benzene and re-evaporated to remove any last traces of thionyl chloride. The crude acid chloride was then dissolved in benzene (50 ml), and added dropwise to diazomethane in diethyl ether (about 1 g in 50 ml, prepared from diazald in the normal manner) at 0° C. The reaction was then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. Evaporation gave a yellow foam which recrystallised from methanol to give a yellow solid (0.65 g, 62%). Tlc showed some trace impurities, but 1 H nmr showed the product to be essentially pure 3α,7α,12α-triformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homocholane (3a) 1 . 1H nmr: (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.77 (3 H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.97 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ). 4.4-5.0 (1H, m, 3β-H), 5.0-5.2 (1H, m, 7β-H), 5.25 (1H, s, 25-H), 5.2-5.4 (1H, m, 12β-H), 8.09 (1H, s, 3-OCHO), 8.18 (1H, s, 7-OCHO), 8.23 (1H, s, 12-OCHO). The product was considered to be pure enough to proceed to the following reaction to produce the homo acid. 5. Preparation of 3α,12α-diformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homo-5β-cholane (3b) To 3α,12α-diformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2b) (1.0 g, 2.2 mmol) was added freshly distilled thionyl chloride (2.5 ml). The reaction was allowed to proceed at room temperature for 2 hours. The excess thionyl chloride was then removed in vacuo, and the residue dissolved in benzene and re-evaporated to remove any last traces of thionyl chloride. The crude acid chloride was then dissolved in benzene (10 ml), and added dropwise to diazomethane in diethyl ether (about 1 g in 50 ml, prepared from diazald in the normal manner) at 0° C. The reaction was then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. Evaporation gave a yellow foam (1.1 g. 100%) which would not recrystallise. Tlc showed some trace impurities, but 1H nmr showed the product to be essentially pure 3α,12α-diformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homocholane (3b) 2 , 1H nmr: (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.73 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.92 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 4.5-5.1 1H, m, 3β-H), 5.18 (1H, s, 25-H), 5.1-5.4 (1H, m, 12β-H), 7.97 (1H, s, 3-OCHO), 8.07 (1H, s, 12-OCHO); IR (neat) 2100, 1716 (24-CO), 1638 (25-C-N═N) cm- 1 . The product was considered to be pure enough to proceed to the following reaction to produce the homo acid. 6. Preparation of 3α,7α-diformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25- omo-5β-cholane (3c) To 3α,7α-diformoxy-5β-cholan-24-oic acid (2c) (2.1 g, 4.7 mmol) was added freshly distilled thionyl chloride (5.0 ml). The reaction was allowed to proceed at room temperature for 2 hours. The excess thionyl chloride was then removed in vacuo, and the residue was dissolved in benzene and re-evaporated to remove any last traces of thionyl chloride. The crude acid chloride was then dissolved in benzene (100 ml), and added dropwise to diazomethane in diethyl ether (about 2 g in 100 ml, prepared from diazald in the normal manner) at 0° C. The reaction was then allowed to stand at room temperature overnight. Evaporation gave a yellow oil which recrystallised from ethanol to give a yellow solid (2.0 g, 90% ). Tlc showed some trace impurities, but l H nmr showed the product to be essentially pure 3α,7α-diformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homocholane (3c) 3 , 1H nmr: (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.65 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.96 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 4.4-5.0 (1H, m, 3β-H), 4.9-5.2 (1H, m, 7β-H), 5.23 (1H, s, 25-H), 8.04 (1H, s, 3-OCHO), 8.10 (1H, s, 7-OCHO). The product was considered to be pure enough to proceed to the following reaction to produce the homo acid. PREPARATION OF THE HOMO ACIDS 7. Preparation of 25-homocholic acid (4a) 3α,7α,12α-triformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homocholane (3a) (1.3 g, 2.5 mmol) in collidine (4 ml) and benzyl alcohol (4 ml) was added to a preheated flask at 200° C. and heated with stirring at 180°-200° C. for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was then cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with water (50 ml) and extracted into diethyl ether (4×). The combined ether extracts were then washed with water (1×), 2M HCl (2×), water (1×), sat. NAHCO 3 solution (1×), and water (3×), dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated. The resultant gum was then hydrolysed by dissolving in 10% methanolic KOH (40 ml) and refluxing for 1.5 hours. The resultant mixture was cooled to 0° C. and quenched with water (20 ml) and 2.5% K 2 CO 3 solution (40 ml). The basic solution was then washed with ethyl acetate (3×) to remove the benzyl alcohol, acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into diethyl ether (3×). The combined ether extracts were washed with water (3×), dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to afford a cream-coloured solid (0.91 g, 86%). Recrystallisation from acetone/dichloromethane gave a white solid (0.58 g, 55%). Tlc showed a trace of impurity, but 1 H nmr, 13 C nmr and IR showed the compound to be essentially pure 25-homocholic acid (4a) 1 : m.p. 218°-220° C. (softens at 215° C.) (Lit. 219.5°-220° C. 1a , 216°-218° C. 1b ); 1 H nmr (90 MHZ; CDCl 3 /DMSO d 6 ) δ 0.66 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.87 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 2.1-2.3 (2H, t[broadened], 24-CH 2 ), 3.0-3.6 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.6-3.8 (1H, m, 7β-H), 3.8-4.0 (1H, m, 12β-H); 13 C nmr (pyridine d 5 /CD 3 CN) δ 11.5 (C-18), 16.4 (C-21), 20.9 (C-23), 21.6 (C-19), 22.3 (C-15), 25.9 (C-9, 26.8 (C-16), 27.9 (C-11), 29.9 (C-2), 33.8 (C-6, C-10), 34.2, 34.7 (C-1, C-20, C-22, C-24), 39.1 (C-4, C-8), 41.1 (C-5, C-14), 45.5 (C-13), 46.0 (C-17), 66.6 (C-7), 70.5 (C-3), 71.4 (C-12), 176.4 (C-25); IR 3490, 3350 (OH's), 1707 (C═O) cm -1 . The product was recrystallised twice more from acetone/dichloromethane before submitting for testing. Although tic still showed some trace impurity on charring the plate, gas chromatography on the methyl ester (6a) [see below for details of prep.] showed the compound submitted for testing to be 99% pure. [GC procedure: The methyl ester (6a) (10 mg) was dissolved in pyridine (1.0 ml ) and treated with hexamethyldisilazane (0.2 ml and trimethylchlorosilane (0.1 ml); 0.2 μl of this solution was injected onto a BP-1 column 25 m×0.2 mm at 282° C.; chart speed 1.0 cm/min. Retention time 16.1 min; cf. retention time for methyl cholate=13.6 min. The BP-1 column is a bonded phase non-polar dimethylsiloxane column supplied by SGE UK Ltd.] 8. Preparation of 25-homodeoxycholic acid (4b). 3α,12α-(x-diformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homocholane (3b) (3.0 g, 6.3 mmol) in collidine (5 ml) and benzyl alcohol (5 ml) was added to a preheated flask at 200° C. and heated with stirring at 180°-200° C. for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was then cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with water (50 ml) and extracted into diethyl ether (4×) . The combined ether extracts were then washed with water (1×), 2M HCl (2×), water (1×), sat. NaHCO 3 solution (1×), and water (3×), dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated. The resultant gum was then hydrolysed by dissolving in 10% methanolic KOH (60 ml) and refluxing for 1.5 hours. The resultant mixture was cooled to 0° C. and quenched with water (30 ml) and 2.5% K 2 CO 3 solution (60 ml). The basic solution was then washed with ethyl acetate (3×) to remove the benzyl alcohol, acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into diethyl ether (3×). The combined ether extracts were washed with water (3×), dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to afford an orange oil (1.8 g, 70%). Recrystallisation from acetone/dichloromethane gave an off-white solid (1.2 g, 47%). Tlc showed a trace of impurity, but 1 H nmr, 13 C nmr and IR showed the compound to be essentially pure 25-homodeoxycholic acid (4b) 2 : m.p. 169°-171° C. (softens at 167° C.) [Lit 2 . 160°-161° C.); 1 H nmr (90MHz; CDCl 3 /DMSO d 6 ) δ 0.65 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.88 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 2.1-2.3 (2H, t[broadened], 24-CH 2 ), 3.2-3.7 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.8-4.0 (1H, m, 12β-H); 13 C nmr (pyridine d 5 /CD 3 CN) δ 11.6 (C-18), 16.4 (C-21), 21 .0 (C-23), 22.1 (C-19), 22.9 (C-15), 25.5 (C-16), 26.5 (C-7), 26.8 (C-6), 28.2 (C-11), 29.8 (C-2), 32.8 (C-9), 33.3 (C-10), 34.8, 35.2 (C-1, C-20, C-22, C-24), 35.8 (C-4), 36.2 (C-8), 41.4 (C-5), 45.7 (C-13), 46.2 (C-17), 47.2 (C-14), 70.0 (C-3), 71.4 (C-12), 174.9 (C-25); IR 3490, 3260 (OH's), 1702 (C═O) cm -1 . The product was recrystallised again from acetone/dichloromethane before submitting for testing. Although tlc still showed some trace impurity on charring the plate, gas chromatography on the methyl ester (6b) [see below for details of prep.] showed the compound submitted for testing to be 97% pure. [procedure: The methyl ester (6b) (10 mg) was dissolved in pyridine (1.0 ml ) and treated with hexamethydisilazane (0.2 ml) and trimethylchlorosilane (0.ml); 0.2μl of this solution was injected onto a BP-1 column 25 m×0.2 mm at 282° C.; chart speed 1.0 cm/min. Retention time 15.3 min; cf. retention time for methyl deoxycholate=12.6 min.]. 9. Preparation of 25-homochenodeoxycholic acid (4c). 3α,7α-diformoxy-24-oxo-25-diazo-25-homocholane (3c) (2.0 g, 4.2 mmol) in collidine (5 ml) and benzyl alcohol (5 ml) was added to a preheated flask at 200° C. and heated with stirring at 180°-200° C. for 15 minutes. The reaction mixture was then cooled to ambient temperature, diluted with water (50 ml) and extracted into diethyl ether (4×). The combined ether extracts were then washed with water (1×), 2M HCl (2×), water (1×), sat. NaHCO 3 solution (1×), and water (3×), dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated. The resultant gum was then hydrolysed by dissolving in 10% methanolic KOH (40 ml) and refluxing for 1.5 hours. The resultant mixture was cooled to 0° C. and quenched with water (20 ml) and 2.5% K 2 CO 3 solution (40 ml). The basic solution was then washed with ethyl acetate (3×) to remove the benzyl alcohol, acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into diethyl ether (3×). The combined ether extracts were washed with water (3×), dried (MgSO 4 ) and evaporated to afford a cream-coloured solid (1.2 g, 70%). Recrystallisation from acetone/dichloromethane gave a white solid (0.71 g, 41%). Tlc showed a trace of impurity, but 1 H nmr, 13 C nmr and IR showed the compound to be essentially pure 25-homochenodeoxycholic acid (4c) 3 : m.p. 217°-219° C. (softens at 210° C.) [Lit 3 210°-212° C]; 1H nmr (90 MHz; CDCl 3 /DMSO d 6 ) δ 0.64 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.88 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 2.1-2.3 (2H, m, 24-CH 2 ), 3.1-3.5 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.6-3.8 (1H, m. 7β-H); 13 C nmr (pyridine d 5 /CD 3 CN) δ 10.8 (C-18), 17.6 (C-21), 19.9 (C-11), 20.9 (C-23), 21.9 (C-19), 22.8 (C-15), 27.4 (C-16), 30.3 (C-2), 32.1 (C-9), 34.3 (C-6), 34.4 (C-10), 34.8, 34.9 (C-1, C-20, C-22, C-24), 38.9 (C-4), 39.4 (C-8, C-12), 41.3 (C-5), 41.6 (C-13), 49.7 (C-14), 55.2 (C-17), 66.6 (C-7), 70.5 (C-3), 175.0 (C-25); IR 3470, 3300 (OH's), 1698 (C═O) cm -1 . The product was recrystallised again from acetome/dichloromethane before submitting for testing. Although tlc still showed some trace impurity on charring the plate, gas chromatography on the methyl ester (6c) [see below for details of prep.]showed the compound submitted for testing to be 96% pure. [GC procedure: The methyl ester (6c) (10 mg) was dissolved in pyridine (1.0 ml ) and treated with hexamethyl disilazane (0.2 ml and trimethylchlorosilane (0.1 ml); 0.2 μl of this solution was injected onto a BP-1 column --25 m×0.2 mm at 282° C.; chart speed 1.0 cm/min. Retention time 15.7 min; cf. retention time for methyl chenodeoxycholate=13.2 min.]. PREPARATION OF THE METHYL ESTERS 10. Preparation of methyl chelate (5a). Cholic acid (1a) (2.0 g, 4.9 mmol) in THF (40 ml) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with freshly prepared diazomethane in ether (prepared in the usual manner from diazald:diazald is N-methyl-N-nitroso-p-toluenesulphonamide) until the yellow colour persisted. After 15 minutes at 0° C. the solvent was evaporated to yield a white foam (2.1 g, 100%). Recrystallisation from methanol afforded pure methyl cholate (5a) 4 (1.3 g, 63%): m.p. 158°-159° C. (crystals began to melt 86°-88° C. and then resolidified--this was probably due to the retention of methanol in the crystals, see nmr data) [Lit 4 156°-158° C.]; 1 H nmr (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.66 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.87 (3H, s, 19--CH 3 ), 3.0-3.6 (1H, m. 3β-H), 3.2-3.5 (3H, m [exchanges on adding D 2 O], 3α,7α and 12α OH's), 3.48 (s, MeOH of crystallisation [ca. 1 mol equiv.]), 3.65 (3H, s, 24-OMe), 3.7-3.9 (1H, m, 7β-H), 3.8-4.0 (1 H, m, 12β-H); IR (nujol mull) 3392, 3300 (OH's), 1734 (C═O) cm -1 . The compound (5a) was submitted for testing without any further purification. Gas chromatography showed the product to be 96% pure [for GC procedure see prep. of (4a); retention time=13.6 min.]. 11. Preparation of methyl deoxycholate (5b). Deoxycholic acid (1b) (0.54 g, 1.4 mmol) in THF (10 ml) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with freshly prepared diazomethane in ether (prepared in the usual manner from diazald) until the yellow colour persisted. After 15 minutes at 0° C. the solvent was evaporated to yield a white foam (0.60 g). The compound would not recrystallise, although gas chromatography showed the product to be 99% pure [for GC procedure see prep. of (4b); retention time=12.6 min.]. The product was further purified by preparative silica tlc. (solvent system: EtOAc/CH 2 Cl 2 /AcOH--10:10:1) to afford pure methyl deoxycholate (5b) 5 (0.45 g, 80%) as a foam: 1 H nmr (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.67 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.82 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 2.18 (2H, s [exchanges on adding D 2 O],3a and 12a OH's), 3.2-3.7 (1H, m. 3β-H), 3.65 (3H, s, 24-OMe), 3.8-4-1 (1H, m, 12β-H); IR (nujol mull) 3368 (OH's), 1740 (C═O) cm -1 ; MS; Found m/z 288.2951 C 25 H 40 O 3 (M-H 2 O) requires m/z 388.2977. The compound (5b) was submitted for testing without further purification. 12. Preparation of methyl chenodeoxycholate (5c) Chenodeoxycholic acid (1c) (0.5 g, 1.3 mmol) in THF (10 ml) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with freshly prepared diazomethane in ether (prepared in the usual manner from diazald) until the yellow colour persisted. After 15 minutes at 0° C. the solvent was evaporated to yield a white foam (0.55 g). The compound would not recrystallise, although gas chromatography showed the product to be 97% pure [for GC procedure see prep. of (4c); retention time=13.2 min.]. The product was further purified by preparative silica tlc. (solvent system: EtOAc/CH 2 Cl 2 /AcOH--10:10:1) to afford pure methyl chenodeoxycholate (5c) 6 (0.42 g, 81%) as a foam: 1 H nmr (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.65 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.80 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 1.85 (2H, s [exchanges on adding D 2 O], 3α and 7αOH's), 3.1-37 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.64 (3H, s, 24-OMe), 3.7-3.9 (1H, m, 7β-H); IR (nujol mull) 3384 (OH's), 1740 (C═O) cm -1 ; MS: Found m/z 406.3077; C 25 H 42 O 4 (M) requires 406.3083. The compound (5c) was submitted for testing without further purification. 13. Preparation of 25-homocholate (6a). Homocholic acid (4a) (0.10 g, 0.24 mmol) in THF (6 ml) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with freshly prepared diazomethane in ether (prepared in the usual manner from diazald) until the yellow colour persisted. After 15 minutes at 20 C. the solvent was evaporated to yield a white foam (0.11g). Gas chromatography showed the product to be 99% pure [see prep. of (4a) for details]. Recrystallisation from acetone afforded pure methyl 25-homocholate (6a) 1 (46 mg. 45%): m.p. 155°-157° and 169°-170° C. [Lit 1a 150°-151° and 166°-167° C.]; 1 H nmr (60 MHz: CDCl 3 ) δ 0.67 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.88 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.0-3.6 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.67 (3H, s, 24-OMe), 3.7-3.9 (1H, m, 7β-H), 3.8-4.1 (1H, m, 12β-H), IR (KBr) 3416 (OH's), 1738 (C═O) cm -1 . The compound (6a) was submitted for testing without any further purification. 14. Preparation of methyl 25-homodeoxycholate (6b). Homodeoxycholic acid (4b) (0.28 g, 0.69 mmol) in THF (8 ml) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with freshly prepared diazomethane in ether (prepared in the usual manner from diazald) until the yellow colour persisted. After 15 minutes at 0° C. the solvent was evaporated to yield a white foam (0.28 g, 97%). Gas chromatography showed the product to be 97% pure [see prep. of (4b) for details]. Recrystallisation from methanol afforded pure methyl 25-homodeoxycholate (6b) 2 (0.11 g, 38%): m.p. 126°-127° and 129°-131° C. [Lit 2 125°-126° C.]; 1 H nmr (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.67 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.90 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.3-3.7 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.67 (3H, s, 24-OMe), 3.8-4.1 (1H, m, 12β-H); IR (KBr) 3412 (OH's), 1740 (C═O) cm -1 . The compound (6b) was submitted for testing without any further purification. 15. Preparation of methyl 25-homochenodeoxycholate (6c) Homochenodeoxycholic acid (4c) (0.19 g. 0.47 mmol) in THF (8 ml) at 0° C. was treated dropwise with freshly prepared diazomethane in ether (prepared in the usual manner from diazald) until the yellow colour persisted. After 15 minutes at 0° C. the solvent was evaporated to yield a white foam (0.20 g, 100%). Gas chromatography showed the product to be 96% pure [see prep. of (4c) for details). The product would not recrystallise. The product (0.12 g) was therefore combined with the product from a similar experiment (0.14 g) and further purified by preparative tlc. [solvent system: EtOAc/CH 2 Cl 2 /ACOH--10:10:11 to afford pure methyl 25-homochenodeoxycholate (6c) 3 (0.23 g, 89%): 1H nmr (60 MHz; CDCl 3 ) δ 0.66 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.91 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 1.82 (2H, s (exchanges on adding D 2 O], 3β-OH and 7β-OH), 3.1-3.7 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.68 (3H, s, 24-OMe), 3.7-4.0 (1H, m, 7β-H); IR (neat) 3392 (OH's), 1738 (C═O) cm -1 . The compound (6c) was submitted for testing without any further purification. PREPARATION OF THE BILE ALCOHOLS Initially attempts were made to reduce cholic acid (1a) with LiA1H 4 , but this reaction did not go to completion. Consequently, reduction of the methyl ester was found to be a better method of preparing the corresponding bile alcohol. 16. Preparation of 3α,7α,12α,24-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholane (7a) A suspension of LiA1H 4 (0.06 g, 3 mols. equiv.) in dry THF (25 ml) was stirred under nitrogen whilst standing in an ice/methanol bath. Methyl cholate (5a) (0.22 g, 0.52 mmol) in dry THF (10 ml) was then added dropwise and the resultant mixture stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Water was then introduced carefully to the mixture until all the excess LiA1H 4 ad been destroyed. The resultant mixture was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), dried and evaporated to give a white solid (0.17 g, 83%). Recrystallisation of 0.11 g from ethyl acetate afforded pure 3α,7α,12α,24-tetrahydroxy-5β-cholane (7a) 7 (40 mg., 31%): m.p. 226°-227° and 231°-234° C. [Lit. 7 226°-227° C.]; 1 H nmr (90 MHz; CDCl.sub. 3 /DMSO d 6 ) δ 0.64 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.85 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.0-3.6 (4H, m [exchanges on adding D 2 O], 3α-,7α-,12α- and 24- OH's), 3.0-3.6 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.35-3.55 (2H, t[broadened], 24-CH 2 ), 3.6-3.8 (1H, m, 7β-H), 3.8-4.0 (1H, 12β-H); IR (KBr) 3382 (OH's) cm -1 . The compound (7a) was submitted for testing without further purification. 17. Preparation of 3α,12α,24-trihydroxy-5β-cholane (7b). A suspension of LiA1H 4 (0.15 g, 3 mols. equiv.) in dry THF (25 ml) was stirred under nitrogen whilst standing in an ice/methanol bath. Methyl deoxycholate (5b) (0.5 g, 1.2 mmol) in dry THF (30 ml) was then added dropwise and the resultant mixture stirred at ambient temperature for 2.5 hours. Water was then introduced carefully to the mixture until all the excess LiA1H 4 had been destroyed. The resultant mixture was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), dried and evaporated to give a white foam (0.47 g, 100%). Recrystallisation of 0.41 g from ethyl acetate afforded pure 3α,12α,24-trihydroxy-5β-cholane (7b) 8 (0.30 g, 73%): m.p. 110°-116° C. [Lit 8 107°-114° C.); 1 H nmr (90 MHz; CDCl 3 /DMSO d 6 ) δ 0.67 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.90 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.2-3.7 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.4-3.6 (2H, t(broadened), 24-CH 2 ), 3.8-4.0 (1H, m, 12β-H); IR (KBr) 3366 (OH's) cm -1 . The compound (7b) was submitted for testing without further purification. 18. Preparation of 3α,7α,24-trihydroxy-5β-cholane (7c) A suspension of LiA1H 4 (0.15 g, 3 mols. equiv.) in dry THF (25 ml) was stirred under nitrogen whilst standing in an ice/methanol bath. Methyl chenodeoxycholate (5c) (0.5 g, 1.2 mmol) in dry THF (30 ml) was then added dropwise and the resultant mixture stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Water was then introduced carefully to the mixture until all the excess LiA1H 4 had been destroyed. The resultant mixture was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), dried and evaporated to give a white foam (0.47 g. 100%). Recrystallisation of 0.27 g from dichloromethane afforded pure 3α,7α,24-trihydroxy-50-cholane (7c) 3 (0.16 g, 59%): m.p. 116°-118° C. [Lit. 9a 150° C.; also reported as an amorphous solid 9b ]; 1 H nmr (90 MHz; CDCl 3 /DMSO d.sub. 6) δ0.64 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.88 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 2.9-3.2 (2H, s (exchanges on adding D 2 O], OH's, 3.1-3.6 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.4-3.6 (2H, t[broadened), 24-CH 2 ), 3.6-4.0 (1H, m[exchanges on adding D 2 O], OH), 3.7-3.9 (1H, m, 7β-H); IR (KBr) 3420 (OH's) cm -1 ; MS: Found m/z 378.3130; C 24 H 42 O 3 (M) requires m/z 378.3134. The compound (7c) was submitted for testing without further purification. 19. Preparation of 3α,7α,12α,25-tetrahydroxy-25-homo-5β-cholane (7e). A suspension of LiA1H 4 (0.15 g, 3 mols. equiv.) in dry THF (25 ml) was stirred under nitrogen whilst standing in an ice/methanol bath. Methyl homocholate (6a) (0.53 g, 1.2 mmol) in dry THF (50 ml) was then added dropwise and the resultant mixture stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Water was then introduced carefully to the mixture until all the excess LiA1H had been destroyed. The resultant mixture was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), dried and evaporated to give a white solid (0.50 g, 100%). Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate afforded pure 3α,7α,12α,25-tetrahydroxy-25-homo-5β-cholane (7e) (0.26 g, 52%): m.p. 171°-172° and 192°-194° C.; [α] D =+31.7° (c=1.0%; dioxane); 1 H nmr (90 MHz; CDC 3 /DMSO d.sub. 6) δ 0.64 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.85 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.1-3.6 (4H, m [exchanges on adding D 2 O], 3α-,7α-,12α-, and 25-OH's), 3.2-3.6 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.4-3.6 (2H, t[broadened], 24-CH 2 ), 3.6-3.8 (1H, m, 7β-H), 3.8-4.0 (1H, m, 12β-H); IR (KBr) 3384 (OH's) cm 1 ; MS : Found m/z 390.3129; C 25 H 42 O 3 (M-H 2 O) requires m/z 390.3134; Elemental Analysis: Found: C, 74.0; H, 11.0%; C 25 H 44 O 4 requires C, 73.5; H, 10.9%. The compound (7e) was recrystallised again from ethyl acetate before submitting for testing. 20. Preparation of 3α,12α,25-trihydroxy-25-homo-5β-cholane (7b) A suspension of LiA1H 4 (0.15 g, 3 mols. equiv.) in dry THF (25 ml) was stirred under nitrogen whilst standing in an ice/methanol bath. Methyl homodeoxycholate (6b) (0.54 g, 1.3 mmol) in dry THF (50 ml) was then added dropwise and the resultant mixture stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Water was then introduced carefully to the mixture until all the excess LiA1H had been destroyed. The resultant mixture was acidified with 2M HCI and extracted into EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), dried and evaporated to give a white solid (0.50 g, 100%). Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate afforded pure 3α,12α,25-trihydroxy-25-homo-5β-cholane (7b) (0.26, 52%): m.p. 94°-97° C. [α] D =+48.6° (c=1.0%; dioxane); (90 MHz; CDCl 3 /DMSOd 6 D 2 O) δ 0.64 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ), 0.88 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.2-3.7 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.4-3.6 (2H, t[broadened], 24-CH 2 ), 3.8-4.0 (1H, m, 12βt-H); IR (KBr) 3404 (OH's) cm -1 ; MS Found m/z 374.3180; C 25 H 42 O 2 (M-H 2 O) requires m/z 374.3185; Elemental Analysis: Found: C, 75.5; H, 11.3%; C 25 H 44 O 3 requires C, 76.5; H, 11.3%. The compound (7b) was recrystallised again from ethyl acetate before submitting for testing. 21. Preparation of 3α,7α, 25-trihydroxy-25-homo-5β-cholane (7g). A suspension of LiA1H 4 (0.15 g, 3 mols. equiv.) in dry THF (25 ml) was stirred under nitrogen whilst standing in an ice/methanol bath. Methyl homochenodeoxycholate (6c) (0.55 g, 1.3 mmol) in dry THF (50 ml) was then added dropwise and the resultant mixture stirred at ambient temperature overnight. Water was then introduced carefully to the mixture until all the excess LiA1H 4 had been destroyed. The resultant mixture was acidified with 2M HCl and extracted into EtOAc (3×). The combined organic extracts were washed with water (2×), dried and evaporated to give a white solid (0.51 g, 100%). Recrystallisation from ethyl acetate afforded pure 3α,7α,25-trihydroxy-25-homo-5β-cholane (7g) (0.23g, 45%): m.p. 185°-186.5° C.; [α] D =+16.1° (c=0.9%; dioxane); 1 H nmr (90 MHz; CDCl 3 /DMSO d 6 /D 2 O) δ 0.65 (3H, s, 18-CH 3 ). 0.90 (3H, s, 19-CH 3 ), 3.2-3.7 (1H, m, 3β-H), 3.5-3.7 (2H, t[broadened], 24-CH 2 ), 3.7-3.9 (1H, m, 7β-H); IR (KBr) 3414 (OH's) cm -1 ; MS: Found: m/z 392.3295; C 25 H 44 O 3 (M) requires m/z 392.3290; Elemental Analysis: Found: C, 76.5; H, 11.4%; C 25 H 44 O 3 requires C, 76.5; H, 11.3%. The compound (7g) was recrystallised again from ethyl acetate before submitting for testing. REFERENCES 1a. W. H. Pearlman, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1947, 69, 1475. b. B. Dayal, S. Shefer, G. S. Tint, G. Salen and E. H. Mosbach, J. lipid research, 1976, 17, 74. 2. H. Lettre, J. Greiner, K. Rutz, L. Hofmann, A. Egle and W. Bieger, Liebigs Ann. Chem., 1972, 758, 89. 3. B. I. Coben, G. S. Tint, T. Kuramoto and E. H. Mosbach, Steroids, 1975, 25, 365. 4. Elseviers Encyclopaedia of Org. Chem., 1962, 14, 3288s. 5. Elseviers Encyclopaedia of Org. Chem., 1962, 14, 3229s. 6. A. F. Hofmann, Acta Chem. Scand., 1963, 17, 173. 7. R. J. Bridgewater, T. Briggs, and G. A. D. Haslewood, Biochem. J., 1962, 82, 285. 8. R. T. Blickenstaff and F. C. Chang, J. Amer. Chem. Soc., 1959, 81, 2835. 9a. S. Ahmed, M. Alauddin, B. Caddy, M. Martin-Smith, W. T. L. Sidwell and T. R. Watson, Aust. J. Chem., 1971, 24, 521. b. K. von Matumoto, J. Biochem. (Japan), 1955, 42, 207. The following claims define some important aspects of the invention, but do not purport to include every conceivable aspect for which protection might be sought in subsequent continuing and foreign patent applications, and should not be construed as detracting from the generality of the inventive concepts hereinbefore described.
Compounds of the general formula (7): ##STR1## wherein X is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group, Y is a hydrogen atom or a hydroxyl group and at least one of X and Y is a hydroxyl group and Z is a hydroxyl group or a methylol (--CH 2 OH) group, have anti-fungal activity, especially against organisms selected from Candida spp. and the athlete's foot/ringworm organisms Trichophyton mentagrophytes and Microsporum audonii. Compounds in which Z is a methylol (--CH 2 OH) group are claimed per se.
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RELATED APPLICATION DATA This application claims priority to and the benefit of Danish Patent Application No. 2002 00618, filed on Apr. 25, 2002. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a method of fitting a hearing prosthesis to requirements of a hearing impaired individual based upon estimated, or measured, loss data that characterize the hearing impaired individual's signal-to-noise ratio loss. Another aspect of the invention relates to a hearing prosthesis which comprises an environmental classifier adapted to recognize different listening environments and control a noise reduction amount in the hearing prosthesis in response to the hearing impaired individual's current listening environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Mead C. Killion and Patricia A. Niquette: “What can the pure-tone audiogram tell us about a patient's SNR loss?”, The Hearing Journal 53-3, March 2000 discloses various studies revealing that the amount of signal-to-noise ratio loss (SNR loss) for a patient with a sensorineural hearing impairment can not be accurately predicted from the audiogram. The audiogram measures (audiometric) hearing loss, the loss of sensitivity for sounds. Hearing loss can be appropriately restored by amplification of the incoming sounds. For most hearing impaired patients, the performance in speech-in-noise intelligibility tests is worse than for normal hearing people, even if the audibility of the incoming sounds is restored by amplification. The term SNR loss is defined as the average increase in signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) needed for a hearing impaired patient relative to a normal hearing person in order to achieve similar performance (50% word recognition) on a hearing in noise test, at levels above the hearing threshold. Killion found that SNR loss is relatively independent from hearing loss for most sensorineaural hearing impaired patients. Consequently, in order to determine the SNR loss for a specific patient, one needs to measure it, rather than make a guess based on the hearing loss (audiogram). Thus, hearing impaired individuals or patients often experience at least two distinct problems: a hearing loss, which is an increase in hearing threshold level, and SNR loss, which is a loss of ability to understand high level speech in noise in comparison with normal hearing individuals. SNR loss is traditionally estimated by measuring a speech reception threshold (SRT) of the hearing impaired individual. An individual's SRT is the signal-to-noise ratio required in a presented signal to achieve 50% correct word recognition in a hearing in noise test. Hearing loss is typically caused by a loss of outer hair cells and conductive loss in the middle ear, while SNR loss is typically caused by a loss of inner hair cells. On average, a hearing loss of 30 to 70 dB is accompanied by a 4-7 dB SNR loss, cf. QuickSIN™ Speech in Noise Test available from Etymotic Research. However, accurate estimates of the SNR loss for a given hearing impaired individual can only be obtained by specific testing since the increase in hearing threshold level, which is measured by traditional pure-tone audiograms, and SNR loss appear to be independent characteristics. Today's digital hearing aids that use multi-channel amplification and compression signal processing can readily restore audibility of amplified sound for a hearing impaired individual or patient. The patient's hearing ability can thus be improved by making previously inaudible speech cues audible. Loss of capability to understand speech in noise due to the above-mentioned SNR loss is accordingly the most significant problem of most hearing aid users today. Compensating for the patient specific SNR loss has, however, proven far more difficult. While some single observation processing algorithms are able to improve an objective signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of a noise-contaminated input signal, such as a microphone signal, a difficulty lies in the fact that filtering, i.e. attenuating or removing, noise components from the input signal introduces various artifacts into the desired signal (typical speech). These artifacts generally lead to a loss of speech cues and the single observation processing algorithms therefore fail to improve the patient's hearing ability in noisy listening environments. The most successful technique to improve the SNR of noise-contaminated speech signals has been to utilize a multi-observation system, such as a microphone array, which may contain from 2 to 5 individual microphones. An array microphone system exploits spatial differences between a desired, or target, signal and interfering noise sources. Unfortunately, many of these microphone array systems are not practical for hearing aid applications because of their accompanying requirements to surface area on a housing of the hearing prostheses. Cost and reliability issues are other factors that tend to make microphone arrays less attractive for many hearing aid applications. Even though an ultimate goal of noise reduction systems and algorithms in hearing aids should be to improve the user's ability to hear in noise by compensating for the user's SNR loss, improving the patient's listening comfort through noise reduction is also a worthwhile achievement. In this latter situation, listening may be less tiring for the user and as such indirectly improves long-term intelligibility of noise contaminated speech signals. As mentioned above, there exist a number of single observation and multiple observation algorithms and systems to reduce interfering noise from a target signal, e.g. speech. Since each of these algorithms and systems is associated with certain costs, there is a need for defining a strategy for selecting and applying these different noise reduction algorithms both during a fitting procedure and during normal operation of the hearing prosthesis. According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by selecting parameter values of a noise reduction algorithm or algorithms based on the patient's measured or estimated SNR loss Thereby, a degree of restoration/improvement of the SNR of noise-contaminated input signals of the hearing prosthesis has been made dependent on patient specific loss data. According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing prosthesis capable of controlling parameters of a noise reduction algorithms in dependence on the user's current acoustic subspace, or listening environment, as recognized and indicated by the environmental classifier has been provided. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first aspect of the invention relates to a method of fitting a hearing prosthesis to a hearing impaired individual, the method comprising steps of: providing estimated or measured loss data that represent the hearing impaired individual's signal-to-noise ratio loss in a fitting system, providing a data communication link between the hearing prosthesis and the fitting system, determining parameter values of a noise reduction algorithm of the hearing prosthesis based on the loss data to set a noise reduction amount of an input signal of the hearing prosthesis, storing the parameter values within a persistent data space in the hearing prosthesis. According to the invention, the noise reduction amount, or restoration of the SNR, in an input signal of the hearing prosthesis is dependent on specific, estimated or measured, loss data of the hearing impaired individual or patient. The SNR loss of the patient may be fully or partly compensated, or even overcompensated, so that a determined 5 dB SNR loss may be accompanied by selected parameter values of the noise reduction algorithm which provide e.g. between 2 and 8 dB of noise reduction, or SNR improvement. Accordingly, a target noise reduction amount may be selected so as to substantially restore the hearing impaired individual's hearing ability to that of a normal hearing individual in a standardized hearing in noise test. By selecting parameter values of the noise reduction algorithm which provide a noise reduction amount larger than the estimated SNR loss of the patient, it may even be feasible to improve the patient's' hearing ability relative to that of a normal hearing individual. A fitting program may automatically select the noise reduction amount through an appropriate selection of the parameter values of the noise reduction algorithm based on the loss data. Alternatively, a dispenser may manually or semi-automatically select the desired noise reduction amount from presented patient specific loss data. In the present specification and claims the “SNR loss” of a hearing impaired individual means a required increase in SNR of a presented signal for the hearing impaired individual relative to a normal hearing person in order to achieve substantially similar hearing performance in a standardized hearing in noise test. As an example, the standardized test may measure 50% correct word recognition on a hearing in noise test at signal levels above the hearing threshold. The SNR loss may conveniently be expressed in dB. The SNR loss of the patient may be estimated by measuring the patient's SRT. The measurement of the patient specific SNR loss may conveniently be implemented as an auxiliary measurement module, or measurement option, in a hearing aid fitting system. Alternatively, the SNR loss of the patient may be derived from hearing threshold level data through an appropriate prescriptive procedure. The determination of the parameter values of the noise reduction algorithm of the hearing prosthesis may be provided as described in detail in the embodiment of the invention disclosed with reference to the figures. As a simple example, it may have been determined through an appropriate procedure that a particular patient suffers from 3 dB SNR loss. This patient could be fitted with a hearing prosthesis that contains a noise reduction algorithm or agent based on beam forming of signals from a microphone array. In order to substantially fully restore the hearing ability of this patient in noisy acoustic conditions, parameters values of the beam forming algorithm may be selected to provide a beam formed, or directional, microphone signal with a noise reduction amount of 3 dB, i.e. a SNR improvement of 3 dB, under specified acoustic conditions, e.g. diffuse field conditions. This noise reduction amount can be achieved by setting appropriate parameter values of the beam-forming algorithm or beam forming system so that a desired directional pattern of the directional microphone signal is obtained. The noise reduction algorithm may comprise several different noise reduction algorithms and the target noise reduction amount can in that situation be achieved by distributing the target noise reduction amount between the different noise reduction algorithms in a suitable manner. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the noise reduction algorithm comprises a noise reduction algorithm based on beam forming, i.e. spatial filtering, in combination with a single observation based noise reduction algorithm and respective parameter values. The data communication link between the hearing prosthesis and the fitting system may comprise a wireless or wired data interface. A wired or wireless serial bi-directional data interface is preferably used. The data communication link may comprise an industry-standard programming box such as the Hi-Pro device. The persistent data space of the hearing prosthesis may be placed in an EEPROM or Flash memory device or any other suitable memory device or combination of memory devices capable of retaining stored data during periods where a normal voltage supply of the hearing prosthesis is interrupted. A second aspect of the invention relates to a hearing prosthesis fitting system adapted to perform a fitting methodology as described above. The fitting system may comprise a host computer such as Personal Computer controlled by suitable fitting program and an industry-standard programming box. The programming box may also serve as a galvanic isolation between the host computer and the hearing prosthesis itself. A hand-held computing device such as a suitably programmed Personal Digital Assistant may alternatively constitute or form part of the fitting system. A third aspect of the invention relates to a hearing prosthesis for a hearing impaired individual, comprising an input signal channel providing a digital input signal, an environmental classifier that is adapted to analyze the digital input signal for predetermined signal features to indicate respective recognition probabilities for different listening environments, a processor that is adapted to process the digital input signal in accordance with one or several noise reduction algorithms and associated algorithm parameters to generate a noise reduced digital signal, control a noise reduction amount of the noise reduced digital signal based on the recognition probabilities indicated by the environmental classifier; wherein the parameter set of the environmental classifier has been selected to be substantially identical to a training-phase parameter set determined during a training phase of an environmental classifier of the same type. The training phase comprises applying a collection of predetermined sound segments, representative of the different listening environments, to an environmental classifier of the same type as that of the hearing prosthesis and to noise reduction algorithms of the same type or types as that/those of the hearing prosthesis to produce a collection of noise-reduced predetermined sound segments; The training phase further comprises adapting parameter values of the training-phase environmental classifier in a manner that minimizes a perceptual cost function associated with the collection of noise-reduced predetermined sound segments to produce the training-phase parameter set. A hearing prosthesis according to the present invention may be embodied as a BTE, ITE, ITC, and CIC type of hearing aid or as a cochlear implant type of hearing loss compensation device. The hearing prosthesis preferably comprises one or two microphones with respective preamplifiers and analogue-to-digital converters to provide one or two digital input signals representative of the microphone signal or signals. The environmental classifier analyses the digital input signal or signals, or a signal derived from this or these, such as a directional signal, for predetermined signal features to determine respective probabilities, or classification results, for the different listening environments. The predetermined signal features may be temporal features, spectral features or any combination of these. A listening environment may be constituted by one of the following types of signals or any combination of these: clean speech, speech mixed with babble noise, speech and any type of noise at a specific SNR, music, traffic noise, cafeteria noise, interior car noise, etc. The environmental classifier may form part of the processor or may be embodied as an application specific circuit communicating with the processor in accordance with a predetermined protocol. In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the environmental classifier comprises an executable set of program instructions for a proprietary Digital Signal Processor (DSP). The processor may accordingly comprise a programmable processor such as a DSP or a microprocessor or a combination of these. According to the present invention, the environmental classifier of the hearing prosthesis is not explicitly trained to detect and categorize various predetermined listening environments, or acoustic sub-spaces, as well as possible but adapted to minimize the perceptual cost of applying the noise reduction algorithms to the digital input signal. This is achieved because the parameter set of the environmental classifier has been selected to be substantially identical to the training-phase parameter set determined during the training phase of the environmental classifier of the same type. The purpose of the training phase is to determine that particular parameter set for the training-phase environmental classifier that minimizes the perceptually based cost function on the collection predetermined sound segments, i.e. sound segments that are relevant because they are representative of listening situations or environments which are common and important in the hearing impaired user's daily life. The categorization of the user's various daily listening environments, which can be derived from the indicated probabilities of the environmental classifier in the hearing prosthesis during its use, can be interpreted as a by-product of the adaptation of the training-phase environmental classifier. The training phase may further have comprised adapting the parameter values of the training-phase environmental classifier so as to obtain a target signal-to-noise ratio improvement to the collection of noise-reduced predetermined sound segments. Thereby, a corresponding noise reduction amount is applied to the digital input signal of the hearing prosthesis through due to a coupling between the training-phase parameter set of the training phase environmental classifier and the on-line parameter set utilized by the environmental classifier of the hearing prosthesis. A plurality of environmental classifiers, or separate parameter sets of a single environmental classifier, may be trained to provide respective target noise reduction amounts to the collection of predetermined sound segments during the training phase. Thereby, characteristics of each environmental classifier, or of each parameter set, may be tailored to a particular group of hearing impaired individuals with a common prescriptive requirement due to their SNR loss or range of SNR losses. The plurality of environmental classifiers, or parameter sets, is preferably trained to provide a range of target noise reduction amounts distributed between 1 and 10 dB, e.g. in steps of 1 or 2 dB, to the collection of predetermined sound segments. The persistent data space of the hearing prosthesis may store all or at least some parameter sets for the environmental classifier that are identical to these training-phase parameter sets. A suitable active parameter set in the hearing prosthesis can thereafter automatically, or manually, be selected during the fitting procedure in accordance with estimated or measured loss data that represent the hearing impaired individual's signal-to-noise ratio loss. An attractive feature of the present aspect of the invention is that the entire acoustic space in which the hearing prosthesis is intended to function can be divided into a collection of differing listening environments. Each of these listening environments may be associated with an, in some sense, optimal noise reduction algorithm. The optimal noise reduction algorithm is selectively applied to the digital input signal in accordance with the recognition probabilities indicated by the environmental classifier. An advantage of this approach is that a designer/programmer of a particular noise reduction algorithm may tailor characteristics of that noise reduction algorithm to a priori known signal or noise features that are characteristic for a particular target listening environment. This approach to noise reduction accordingly operates by a divide-and-conquer approach to noise reduction. For some of the different listening environments, such as clean speech or speech with a high SNR, the optimum solution for noise reduction may be to completely turn off the noise reduction algorithm or algorithms, i.e. setting the noise reduction amount to zero, to avoid potential artifacts and reduce computational load on the processor. Accordingly, each noise reduction algorithm may be associated with a particular predetermined listening environment or associated with a set of predetermined listening environments in case that the noise reduction algorithm in question has been found useful for several different environments. Noise reduction algorithms based on various techniques such as beam forming, spectral subtraction, low-level expansion, speech enhancement may be usefully applied in the present invention. The amount of noise reduction may be controlled by regulating parameters values of a noise reduction algorithm or respective parameter values of several noise reduction algorithms. Alternatively, or additionally, the amount of noise reduction may be obtained by regulating respective scaling factors of a gating network connected between each noise reduction algorithm and a summing node that combines processed signal contributions from all operative noise reduction algorithms. The noise reduction amount provided by the noise reduction algorithm or algorithms has preferably been set in dependence on estimated or measured loss data that characterize a user's SNR loss. Therefore, the SNR loss of the user or patient may be fully or partly compensated, or even overcompensated. Preferably, the noise reduction amount is set so as to substantially compensate the user's signal-to-noise ratio loss. Thereby, restoring the user's hearing capability and allowing the user to perform comparable to an average normal hearing individual in a standardized hearing in noise test. The noise reduction algorithm or the plurality of noise reduction algorithms may comprise a cascade of a spatial filtering based algorithm and a single observation based noise reduction algorithm. The spatial filtering may comprise a fixed or adaptive beam-forming algorithm applied to a set of microphone signals provided by two closely spaced omni-directional microphones mounted on a housing of the hearing prosthesis. The noise reduction amount provided in the hearing prosthesis is preferably programmable and controllable from a fitting system. The fitting system may be adapted to allow an operator to adjust the parameters of the environmental classifier or select a particular environmental classifier from a set of environmental classifiers. Since the noise reduction amount is based on the indicated recognition probabilities of the classifier, adjusting the parameters of the environmental classifier or changing between different environmental classifiers, also adjusts the amount of noise reduction applied to the digital input signal. A fourth aspect of the invention relates to a method of fitting a hearing prosthesis to a hearing impaired individual, the method comprising steps of: providing a data communication link between the hearing prosthesis and a fitting system, providing estimated or measured loss data that represent the hearing impaired individual's signal-to-noise ratio loss in the fitting system, providing an environmental classifier and a number of different parameter sets for the environmental classifier; the different parameter sets being selected to produce different noise reduction amounts in the hearing prosthesis, selecting a parameter set for the environmental classifier based on the loss data, storing the selected parameter set and optionally also the environmental classifier within a persistent data space in the hearing prosthesis. The different parameter sets for the environmental classifier may be substituted by a set of different environmental classifiers each being adapted to produce a target noise reduction amount. The different parameter sets for the environmental classifier, or the set of different environmental classifiers, may be provided on a storage media of a hearing aid fitting system adapted to provide the present fitting methodology. When the desired environmental classifier, or the desired parameter set, has been identified in the fitting procedure, it is transmitted to the persistent data space of the hearing prosthesis through the data communication link. The environmental classifier may, alternatively, have been preloaded into the persistent data space of the hearing prosthesis during the manufacturing. In that situation only the selected parameter set need to be transmitted to the hearing prosthesis and stored within the persistent data space in connection with the fitting procedure. In yet another alternative, the set of different environmental classifiers, or the different parameter sets, has been preloaded in the persistent data space during manufacturing of the hearing prosthesis. Thereby, selecting the desired environmental classifier, or the desired parameter set, merely amounts to indicating e.g. through a data pointer the desired classifier or desired parameter set of the classifier in the persistent data space. Preferably, at least some of the different parameter sets for the environmental classifier have been obtained in a training phase of an environmental classifier of the same type as the environmental classifier provided in the hearing prosthesis. The preferred training procedure is described in detail below with reference to the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, specific embodiments of a hearing aid fitting system and DSP based hearing aid according to the invention are described and discussed in greater detail. FIG. 1 illustrates a network configuration with three example noise reduction agents. FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating a number of noise reduction agents operating within a hearing aid in accordance with the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS According to the present embodiment of the invention, a noise reduction system comprising a network of different signal processing algorithms or agents is provided in a DSP based hearing aid. The various agents are adapted to reduce the unwanted signals (noise, reverberation, feedback) in the system. These noise-reduction agents are collectively called noise reduction agents in the present preferred embodiment of the invention. In general, signal processing agents in hearing aids need not to be limited to noise reduction and the disclosure presented here applies to a more general signal processing framework as well. An example is depicted in FIG. 1 , where we have a network that comprises a beam former agent 5 , a car noise suppression agent 10 , speech enhancement agent 15 and music enhancement agent 20 . The beam former agent 5 comprises a closely spaced pair of omni-directional microphones 1 , 2 and respective input signal channels (not shown) with analogue-to-digital converters. The beam former agent 5 also comprises means that applies digital processing operations to a pair of microphone signals derived from the omni-directional microphone pair 1 , 2 to form a directional, or spatially filtered, digital signal with adjustable spatial reception characteristics. The best system performance of the present hearing aid in terms of intelligibility and comfort is not obtained when all signal processing agents 5 , 10 , 15 and 20 are operative at full force at all times. The music enhancement agent 20 is preferably only active when music segments are applied to the microphones 1 , 2 . Hence, an environmental classifier 25 has been provided and adapted to detect presence/absence of music and turn the music enhancement agent 20 accordingly on or off. Some noise-reduction agents however are not so specific for a well-defined acoustic subspace such as music or car environment. For instance, it is hard to determine a priori under what acoustic conditions a generic spectral subtraction based noise reduction agent can be usefully applied. According to the present embodiment of the invention, a method to determine the appropriate acoustic conditions for turning any noise reduction agent on or off (or even partly active) is disclosed. In FIG. 1 , the outputs p k of the environmental classifier 25 control the impact of the gain scaling elements G k of the various noise reduction agents 5 , 10 , 15 and 20 , depending on the state (recent history) of the acoustic input. The environmental classifier outputs may additionally control specific parameters within one or several of the noise reduction agents. The processing of signals occurs in 2 phases. We distinguish between a training phase and an operative phase. The training phase is preferably carried out at the manufacturing stage and involves determining a set of environmental classifiers or parameters for a single environmental classifier which can be stored in a fitting system adapted to fit hearing aids in accordance with the present embodiment of the invention, or which can be stored in a EEPROM location of the hearing aid before it is shipped to a dispenser. The operative phase refers to normal use of the hearing aid, i.e. under circumstances where the hearing aid is in its operational state on the patient. In the training phase, a collection of representative sound segments, including speech and music under adverse conditions (with noise) is available. These sound segments may conveniently be stored in a digital format in a computer database symbolically illustrated as item 30 of FIG. 1 . We have furthermore available a desirable level of signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) improvement to be achieved by the network of noise reduction agents. This desired level of SNR improvement is patient specific and can be estimated from a commercially available hearing in noise test such as the QuickSIN™ or other comparable speech in noise test, cf. QuickSIN™ Speech in Noise Test available from Etymotic Research. For the collection of sound segments, we derive desired output signals after processing by the noise reduction agents, e.g. by applying an off-line model of the signal processing operation of each of the noise reduction agents 5 , 10 , 15 and 20 that are operational in the hearing aid to the sound segments or files. If we denote a pre-processed database sound segment by s+n, then the desired or target processed sound segment is s+γn, where s is the target (speech, music) signal, n represents the unwanted signal such as broad-band white noise, babble noise or subway noise, and −20 log(γ) dB is the target SNR improvement in decibel. A perceptually inspired cost function 35 then computes a distance between the target sound segment s+γn and the actually processed sound segment or signal. As an example, the sum of differences of a log-spectrum on a bark frequency scale constitutes a preferred and relevant cost (distance) function. Other cost functions are also possible. The goal of the training phase is to adapt the parameters of the environmental classifier such that the selected cost function 35 accumulated over all sound segments within the collection in database 30 is minimized. The above-mentioned adaptation scheme is a well-known “machine learning” type of application. We choose an environmental classifier that controls the parameters of the noise suppression agent or agents 5 , 10 , 15 and 20 such that the target y(t)=s(t)+g*n(t) is obtained as closely as possible for the inputs x(t)=s(t)+n(t). The classifier 25 is therefore a parameterized learning machine such as a Hidden Markov Model, neural network, fuzzy logic machine or any other machine with adaptive parameters and can be trained by learning mechanisms that are well-known in the art such as back propagation, see for example “P. J. Werbos. Back propagation through time: What it does and how to do it. Proceedings of the IEEE, 78(10):1550--1560, 1990”; or see “Jacobs R. A., Jordan M. I., Nowlan S. J., and Hinton G. E., Adaptive mixtures of local experts, Neural Computation, vol. 3, pp. 79-87, 1991”. During the training phase, separate environmental classifiers or separate parameter sets of a single environmental classifier are trained for an appropriate range of values for γ. For example, the environmental classifiers can be trained for values of γ between 1-20 dB in steps of 1 or 2 dB, or more preferably for values γ between 3-10 dB in 1 dB steps. An important aspect of the present embodiment of the invention is that the proposed environmental classifier 25 does not detects a priori declared acoustic categories such as speech, car noise, music etc. The classifier 25 is trained to optimize a cost function on a database 30 of relevant sound segments. By training a plurality of environmental classifiers, or separate parameter set of a single environmental classifier, for a range of SNR ratio improvements, it is possible, during the fitting session, to choose a patient-specific environmental classifier or a patient-specific parameter set for the environmental classifier based the patient's SNR loss. The proposed optimization methodology leads to a categorization of the acoustic space that can be seen as a by-product of the training phase and not a priori declared by the designer. The categorization is therefore implicit and does not have to conform to predetermined categories such as clean speech, noise, music etc. The environmental classifier 25 may during the operative phase directly control parameters of one or several of the provided noise reduction agents without an intermediate step of the acoustic categorization. At the end of the training phase, a number of environmental classifiers may have been provided and each environmental classifier trained for a particular target SNR improvement. Data representing these environmental classifiers, or their respective parameters, may be stored on a suitable storage media and loaded into a host computer that forms part of the fitting system. In order to choose a specific environmental classifier or classifiers for the operative phase, it is preferred to measure the patient's SNR loss during the fitting procedure. As an example, consider a noise reduction system or network (or a configuration of noise reduction algorithms, e.g. a beam forming noise reduction algorithm based on two or more microphone signals followed by a spectral enhancement algorithm) and associate a variable α with the target SNR restoration, or desired improvement. Thus, the variable α represents the desired, or target, amount of noise reduction that a particular hearing impaired individual, or a particular group of hearing impaired individuals, should be provided with to restore their hearing ability/abilities in noise to a predetermined level of performance. In a user interface of the fitting system, α may take on one of the values of the categorical set {none, mild, moderate, strong} or one of the numerical set {0, 1, 2, . . . , 20 dB}. A chosen value for α thereafter determines the values for the algorithm parameters in the noise reduction algorithm. For example, when the noise reduction algorithm is based on spectral subtraction, the output signal of the noise reduction algorithm is given by Y ⁡ ( f ) = ( 1 - β ⁢ ⁢  N est ⁡ ( f )   X ⁡ ( f )  ) ⁢ X ⁡ ( f ) Where X(f), N est (f) and Y(f) denote Fourier transforms of an input signal, such as a microphone signal, an estimated noise signal and the output signal, respectively. The constant scalar β regulates the obtained amount of noise reduction. In the ideal case (N est equals the true noise) the SNR improvement on the output is equal to 20 log(1/(1-β)) dB. Hence, in this case, β is set to β=1−10 −α/20 The goal of the fitting procedure is to determine α and thereby calculate or determine corresponding parameter values for the noise reduction algorithm or algorithms. For an ideally operating spectral subtraction agent, β makes it possible to derive appropriate parameter values for the spectral subtraction agent. The target amount of noise reduction may be estimated (extrapolated) from the audiogram based on a prescriptive methodology or measured in the beginning of the fitting procedure. If α is set too low, the patient will not fully recover speech intelligibility in a noisy acoustic environment and cannot perform comparable to that of a normal hearing person. If α is set too high, comfort of amplified and processed sound delivered by the hearing aid will likely be compromised since noise reduction algorithms tend to distort the input signal more for greater values of α. Hence, the below mentioned systematic method for setting α, i.e., the degree of desired noise reduction in the hearing aid, is of great value. 1. measure the patient specific SNR loss. Various methods for estimating SNR loss in a patient have been proposed. Issues here are prediction accuracy and measurement time. 2. set α to a value that is derived from the patient's estimated SNR loss, such as to patient's SNR loss. The goal is to apply a noise reduction algorithm that restores the patient's SNR loss in order to provide a listening experience as close as possible to a normal hearing person. 3. set the noise reduction algorithm parameters to values that correspond with the chosen value for α Then, for the operative phase we use the environmental classifier whose trained SNR improvement matches, according to some predetermined criteria, the patient's SNR loss. During the operative phase, the environmental classifier directly or indirectly controls the impact of the various noise reduction agents by controlling signals p k (t). For many acoustic environments it is not only unclear whether certain noise reduction agents should be turned on, off or be partly active, but also whether these noise reduction agents should be placed in parallel or in series (or be partially in parallel and series) to other noise reduction agents. In the below disclosure a network configuration is given in which not only the emerging categorization of the acoustic space but also the emerging network structure is a product of the training phase and not a priori declared by the designer. In FIG. 2 , a specific network configuration is exemplified for three noise reduction agents. Let x be the (recorded) input signal, y the output of the network. u i the input signal of the i-noise reduction agent, G i the resulting gain of the i'th noise reduction agent and N the number of noise reduction agents. Then the disclosed network is given by u i = a i ⁢ x + ∑ n = 1 i - 1 ⁢ b ni ⁢ G n ⁢ u n + ∑ n = [ 1 ] N ⁢ b ni ⁢ G n ⁢ u n y = ∑ i = 1 N ⁢ p i ⁢ G i ⁢ u i The environmental classifier outputs or parameters are now the a i , b ij and p i . The outputs p i possibly also control parameters within the noise reduction agents. The two phases (training and operative) processing of signals is completely similar as in the above-description disclosure.
An individual with a hearing loss often experiences at least two distinct problems: 1) the hearing loss itself i.e. an increase in hearing threshold level, and 2) a signal-to-noise ratio loss (SNR loss) i.e. a loss of ability to understand high level speech in noise as compared to normal hearing individuals. According to one aspect of the present invention, this problem is solved by selecting parameter values of a noise reduction algorithm or algorithms based on the individual user's SNR loss. Thereby, a degree of restoration/improvement of the SNR of noise-contaminated input signals of the hearing prosthesis has been made dependent on user specific loss data. According to another aspect of the present invention, a hearing prosthesis capable of controlling parameters of a noise reduction algorithms in dependence on the user's current listening environment as recognized and indicated by the environmental classifier has been provided.
7
This is a division of application Ser. No. 738,202, filed May 24, 1985 and now U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,011. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a novel group of compounds and more particularly to a novel group of compounds particularly well suited as sweeteners in edible foodstuff. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART Sweetness is one of the primary taste cravings of both animals and humans. Thus, the utilization of sweetening agents in foods in order to satisfy this sensory desire is well established. Naturally occuring carbohydrate sweeteners such as sucrose, are still the most widely used sweetening agents. While thse naturally occurring carbohydrates, i.e., sugars, generally fulfill the requirements of sweet taste, the abundant usage thereof does not occur without deleterious consequence, e.g., high caloric intake and nutritional imbalance. In fact, oftentimes the level of these sweeteners required in foodstuffs is far greater than the level of the sweetener that is desired for economic, dietetic or other functional consideration. In an attempt to eliminate the disadvantages concomitant with natural sweeteners, considerable research and expense have been devoted to the production of artificial sweeteners, such as for example, saccharin, cyclamate, dihydrochalcone, aspartame, etc. While some of these artificial sweeteners satisfy the requirements of sweet taste without caloric input, and have met with considerable commercial success, they are not, however, without their own inherent disadvantages. For example, many of these artificial sweeteners have the disadvantages of high cost, as well as delay in the perception of the sweet taste, persistent lingering of the sweet taste, and very objectionable bitter, metallic aftertaste when used in food products. Since it is believed that many disadvantages of artificial sweeteners, particularly aftertaste, is a function of the concentration of the sweetener, it has been previously suggested that these effects could be reduced or eliminated by combining artificial sweeteners such as saccharin, with other ingredients such as aspartame or natural sugars, such as sorbitol, dextrose, maltose, etc. These combined products, however, have not been entirely satisfactory either. Some U.S. Patents which disclose sweetener mixtures include for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,228,198; U.S. Pat. No. 4,158,068; U.S. Pat. No. 4,154,862; and U.S. Pat. No. 3,717,477. Accordingly, much work has continued in an attempt to develop and identify compounds that have a sweet taste and which will satisfy the need for better lower calorie sweeteners. Search continues for sweeteners that have intense sweetness, that is, deliver a sweet taste at low use levels and which will also produce enough sweetness at low levels to act as sole sweetener for most sweetener applications. Furthermore, the sweeteners sought must have good temporal and sensory qualities. Sweeteners with good temporal qualities produce a time-intensity sweetness response similar to natural sweeteners without lingering. Sweeteners with good sensory qualities lack undesirable off tastes and aftertaste. Furthermore, these compounds must be economical and safe to use. In U.S. Pat. No. 3,798,204, L-aspartyl-O-t-butyl-L-serine methyl ester and L-aspartyl-O-t-amyl-L-serine methyl ester are described as sweet compounds having significant sweetness. In U.S. Pat. No. 4,448,716 metal complex salts of dipeptide sweetners are disclosed. In the background of this patent a generic formula is described as an attempt to represent dipeptide sweeteners disclosed in five prior patents: U.S. Pat. No. 3,475,403; U.S. Pat. No. 3,492,131; Republic of South Africa Pat. No. 695,083 published July 10, 1969; Republic of South Africa Pat. No. 695,910 published Aug. 14, 1969. The general formula attempting to represent these patents is as follows: ##STR2## wherein R represents the lower alkyls, lower alkylaryls and cycloalkyls, n stands for integers 0 through 5, R 1 represents (a) phenyl group, (b) lower alkyls, (c) cycloalkyls, (d) R 2 . Where R 2 is hydroxy, lower alkoxy, lower alkyl, halogen, (e) (S(O) m (lower alkyl) where m is 0, 1 or 2 and provided n is 1 or 2, (f) R 3 . Where R 3 represents an hydroxy or alkoxy and (g) single or double unsaturated cycloalkyls with up to eight carbons. These compounds also are not entirely satisfactory in producing a high quality sweetness or in producing a sweet response at lower levels of sweetener. Dipeptides of aspartyl-cysteine and aspartylmethionine methyl esters are disclosed by Brussel, Peer and Van der Heijden in Chemical Senses and Flavour, 4, 141-152 (1979) and in Z. Lebensm. Untersuch-Forsch., 159, 337-343 (1975). The authors disclose the following dipeptides: α-L-Asp-L-Cys(Me)-OMe α-L-Asp-L-Cys(Et)-OMe α-L-Asp-L-Cys(Pr)-OMe α-L-Asp-L-Cys(i-Pr)-OMe α-L-Asp-L-Cys(t-But)-OMe α-L-Asp-L-Met-OMe In U.S. Pat. No. 4,399,163 to Brennan et al., sweeteners having the following formulas are disclosed: ##STR3## and physiologically acceptable cationic and acid addition salts thereof wherein R a is CH 2 OH or CH 2 OCH 3 ; R is a branched member selected from the group consisting of fenchyl, diisopropylcarbinyl, d-methyl-t-butylcarbinyl, d-ethyl-t-butyl-carbinyl, 2-methylthio-2,4-dimethylpentan-3-yl, di-t-butyl-carbinyl, ##STR4## In a related patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,925, Brennan, et al. disclose compounds of the above general formula with R being defined hereinabove, except R a is defined as methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl. U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,430 to Sklavounos discloses dipeptide sweeteners which are aromatic sulfonic acid salts of L-aspartyl-D-alaninoamides or L-aspartyl-D-serinamides. European Patent Application No. 95772 to Tsau describe aspartyl dipeptide sweeteners of the formula: ##STR5## wherein R' is alkyl of 1 to 6 carbons, and R 2 is phenyl, phenylakylenyl or cyclohexylalkenyl, wherein the alkenyl group has 1 to 5 carbons. Closely related is U.S. Pat. No. 4,439,460 to Tsau, et al. which describes dipeptide sweeteners of the formula: ##STR6## wherein n is an integer from 0 to 5, and R 1 is an alkyl, alkylaryl or alicyclic radical. Similar such compounds are described in many related patents, the major difference being the definition of R 2 . In U.S. Pat. No. 3,978,034 to Sheehan, et al., R 2 is defined as cycloalkenyl or phenyl. U.S. Pat. No. 3,695,898 to Hill defines R 2 as a mono- or a di-unsaturated alicyclic radical. Haas, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,029,701 define R 2 as phenyl, lower alkyl or substituted or unsubstituted cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl or cycloalkadienyl, or S(O) m lower alkyl provided that n is 1 or 2 and m is 0 or 2. Closely related are U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,448,716, 4,153,737, 4,031,258, 3,962,468, 3,714,139, 3,642,491, and 3,795,746. U.S. Pat. No. 3,803,223 to Mazur, et al. describe dipeptide sweeteners and anti-inflammatory agents having the formula: ##STR7## wherein R is hydrogen or a methyl radical and R' is a radical selected from the group consisting of alkyl, or ##STR8## wherein Alk is a lower alkylene radical, X is hydrogen or hydroxy, and Y is a radical selected from the group consisting of cyclohexyl, naphthyl, furyl, pyridyl, indolyl, phenyl and phenoxy. Goldkamp, et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,260 describe sweeteners of the formula: ##STR9## wherein R is hydrogen or a lower alkyl radical, Alk is a lower alkylene radical and R' is a carbocyclic radical. Closely related is U.S. Pat. No. 3,442,431. U.S. Pat. No. 4,423,029 to Rizzi describes sweeteners of the formula: ##STR10## wherein R is C 4 -C 9 straight, branched or cyclic alkyl, and wherein carbons a, b and c have the (S) configuration. European Patent Application No. 48,051 describes dipeptide sweeteners of the formula: ##STR11## wherein M represents hydrogen, ammonium, alkali or alkaline earth, R represents ##STR12## R 1 represents methyl, ethyl, propyl, R 2 represents --OH, or OCH 3 , * signifies an L-optical configuration for this atom. German Patent Application No. 7259426 discloses L-aspartyl-3-fenchylalanine methyl ester as a sweetening agent. U.S. Pat. No. 3,971,822 to Chibata, et al., disclose sweeteners having the formula: ##STR13## wherein R' is hydrogen or hydroxy, R 2 is alkyl of one to five carbon atoms, alkenyl of two to three carbon atoms, cycloalkyl of three to five carbon atoms or methyl cycloalkyl of four to six carbon atoms and Y is alkylene of one to four carbon atoms. U.S. Pat. No. 3,907,366 to Fujino, et al. discloses L-aspartyl-aminomalonic acid alkyl fenchyl diester and its physiologically acceptable salts as useful sweeteners. U.S. Pat. No. 3,959,245 disclose the 2-methyl cyclohexyl analog of the abovementioned patent. U.S. Pat. No. 3,920,626 discloses N-α L-aspartyl derivatives of lower alkyl esters of O-lower-alkanoyl-L-serine, β-alanine, γ-aminobutyric acid and D-β-aminobutyric acid as sweeteners. Miyoshi, et al. in Bulletin of Chemical Society of Japan, 51, p. 1433-1440 (1978) disclose compounds of the following formula as sweeteners: ##STR14## wherein R' is H, CH 3 , CO 2 CH 3 , or benzyl and R 2 is lower alkyl or unsubstituted or substituted cycloalkyl. European Patent Application No. 128,654 describes gem-diaminoalkane sweeteners of the formula: ##STR15## wherein m is 0 or 1, R is lower alkyl (substituted or unsubstituted), R' is H or lower alkyl, and R" is a branched alkyl, alkylcycloalkyl, cycloalkyl, polycycloalkyl, phenyl, or alkyl-substituted phenyl, and physically acceptable salts thereof. U.S. Pat. No. 3,801,563 to Nakajima, et al. disclose sweeteners of the formula: ##STR16## wherein R' is a branched or cyclic alkyl group of 3 to 8 carbon atoms, R 2 is a lower alkyl group of 1 to 2 carbon atoms and n is a integer of 0 or 1. European Patent Application No. 34,876 describes amides of L-aspartyl-D-amino acid dipeptides of the formula: ##STR17## wherein R a is methyl, ethyl, n-propyl or isopropyl and R is a branched aliphatic, alicyclic or heterocyclic member which is branched at the alpha carbon atom and also branched again at one or both of the beta carbon atoms. These compounds are indicated to be of signficant sweetness. In the Journal of Medicinal Chemistry, 1984, Vol. 27, No. 12, pp. 1663-8, are described various sweetener dipeptide esters, including L-aspartyl-α-aminocycloalkane methyl esters. The various dipeptide esters of the prior art have been characterized as lacking significant stability at low pH values and/or thermal stability. These characterstics have limited the scope of use of these sweeteners in food products which are of low pH values or are prepared or served at elevated temperatures. Accordingly, it is desired to find compounds that provide quality sweetness when added to foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals at low levels and thus eliminate or greatly diminish the aforesaid disadvantages associated with prior art sweeteners. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present new compounds are amides of certain α-aminodicarboxylic acids and alkoxyalkylamines which are low calorie sweeteners that possess a high order of sweetness with pleasing taste and higher stability at acid pH and elevated temperatures compared to known dipeptide sweeteners. This invention provides new sweetening compounds represented by the formula: ##STR18## wherein, A is H, alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms, alkoxymethyl wherein the alkoxy group contains 1-3 carbon atoms, or CO 2 R in which R is alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms; A' is H or CH 3 ; A and A' when taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl containing 3-4 carbon atoms; R 1 and R 2 are each a branched-chain alkyl containing 3-5 carbon atoms; and m=0 or 1; and food-acceptable salts thereof. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Preferred compounds include those wherein, R 1 and R 2 contain a total of 6-8 carbon atoms, especially where at least one of R 1 and R 2 is a tertiary alkyl. Of these the preferred are those wherein both R 1 and R 2 are tertiary alkyl. Particularly preferred are the compounds in which R 1 and R 2 are each tertiary butyl since these compounds, in present experience, appear to provide the highest sweetness in standard comparison determinations with sucrose. Alkyl groups illustrative of R 1 and R 2 include isopropyl, sec-butyl, sec-amyl, tertiary butyl and tertiary amyl. Of these, tertiary butyl is preferred, as previously indicated, especially where R 1 and R 2 are each tertiary butyl. In those compounds in which A is CO 2 R, the preferred are those in which R is methyl. Of the substituents representative of A, the preferred are methyl, methoxymethyl and carbomethoxy in view of their high sweetness and/or stability. Particularly preferred compounds of this invention include: N-L-aspartyl 0-[di-(t-butyl)methyl]serine methyl ester. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-3-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-2-methyl-3-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-1-methoxy-3-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 1-amino-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxymethyl]cyclopropane. N-L-aspartyl 0-[di-(t-amyl)methyl]serine methyl ester. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-3-[di-(t-amyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-2-methyl-3-[di-(t-amyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-1-methoxy-3-[di-(t-amyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 1-amino-1-[di-(t-amyl)methoxymethyl]cyclopropane. N-L-aspartyl 0-[di-(isopropyl)methyl]serine methyl ester. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-3-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 1-amino-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]methyl cyclopropane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-3-methoxy-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]-3-hydroxy propane. N-L-aspartyl 2-amino-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]-3-methoxy propane. These novel compounds are effective sweetness agents when used alone or in combination with other sweeteners in an ingesta, e.g., foodstuffs or pharmaceuticals. For example, other natural and/or artificial sweeteners which may be used with the novel compounds of the present invention include sucrose, fructose, corn syrup solids, dextrose, xylitol, sorbitol, mannitol, acetosulfam, thaumatin, invert sugar, saccharin, thiophene saccharin, meta-aminobenzoic acid, metahydroxybenzoic acid, cyclamate, chlorosucrose, dihydrochalcone, hydrogenated glucose syrups, aspartame (L-aspartyl-L-phenylalanine methyl ester) and other dipeptides, glycyrrhizin and stevioside and the like. These sweeteners when employed with the sweetness agents of the present invention, it is believed, could produce synergistic sweetness responses. Furthermore, when the sweetness agents of the present invention are added to ingesta, the sweetness agents may be added alone or with nontoxic carriers such as the abovementioned sweeteners or other food ingredients such as acidulants and natural and artificial gums. Typical foodstuffs, and pharmaceutical preparations, in which the sweetness agents of the present invention may be used are, for example, beverages including soft drinks, carbonated beverages, ready to mix beverages and the like, infused foods (e.g. vegetables or fruits), sauces, condiments, salad dressings, juices, syrups, desserts, including puddings, gelatin and frozen desserts, like ice creams, sherbets, icings and flavored frozen desserts on sticks, confections, toothpaste, mouthwash, chewing gum, cereals, baked goods, intermediate moisture foods (e.g. dog food) and the like. In order to achieve the effects of the present invention, the compounds described herein are generally added to the food product at a level which is effective to perceive sweetness in the food stuff and suitably is in an amount in the range of from about 0.0005 to 2% by weight based on the consumed product. Greater amounts are operable but not practical. Preferred amounts are in the range of from about 0.001 to about 1% of the foodstuff. Generally, the sweetening effect provided by the present compounds are experienced over a wide pH range, e.g. 2 to 10 preferably 3 to 7 and in buffered and unbuffered formulations. It is desired that when the sweetness agents of this invention are employed alone or in combination with another sweetner, the sweetener or combination of sweeteners provide a sucrose equivalent in the range of from about 2 weight percent to about 40 weight percent and more preferably from about 3 weight percent to about 15 weight percent in the foodstuff or pharmaceutical. A taste procedure for determination of sweetness merely involves the determination of sucrose equivalency. Sucrose equivalence for sweeteners are readily determined. The amount of a sweetener that is equivalent to a given weight percent sucrose can be determined by having a panel of tasters taste solutions of a sweetener at known concentrations and match its sweetness to standard solutions of sucrose. In order to prepare compounds of the present invention several reaction schemes may be employed. In one reaction scheme compounds of the general formula II (protected α-aminodicarboxylic acid) and III (etherified hydroxy amino compound) are condensed to form compounds of the general formula IV. Subsequent removal of protecting groups A and B from compounds of general formula IV give the desired compounds of general formula I. ##STR19## In these, group Z is an amino protecting group, B is a carboxyl protecting group and the remaining groups have the same meaning as previously described. A variety of protecting groups known in the art may be employed. Examples of many of these possible groups may be found in "Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis" by T. W. Green, John Wiley and Sons, 1981. Among the preferred groups that may be employed are benzyloxycarbonyl for Z and benzyl for B. When A includes a free hydroxy group suitable protecting groups can be employed as known in the art. Coupling of compounds with general formula II to compounds having general formula III employs established amide-forming techniques. One such technique uses dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) as the coupling agent. The DCC method may be employed with or without additives such as 4-dimethylaminopyridine or copper(II). The DCC coupling reaction generally proceeds at room temperature, however, it may be carried out from about 31 20° to 50° C. in variety of solvents inert to the reactants. Thus suitable solvents include, but are not limited to, N,N-dimethylformamide, methylene chloride, toluene and the like. Preferably the reaction is carried out under an inert atmosphere such as argon or nitrogen. Coupling usually is complete within 2 hours but may take as long as 24 hours depending on reactants. Various other amide-forming methods can be employed to prepare the desired compounds using suitable derivatives of the free-carboxy group in compounds of structure II, e.g., acid halide, mixed anhydride with acetic acid and similar derivatives. The following illustrates such methods using aspartic acid as the amino dicarboxylic acid. One such method utilizes the reaction of N-protected aspartic anhydrides with the selected amino compound of formula III. Thus compounds of formula III can be reacted directly in inert organic solvents with L-aspartic anhydride having its amino group protected by a formyl, carbobenzloxy, or p-methoxycarbobenzloxy group which is subsequently removed after coupling to give compounds of general formula I. The N-acyl-L-aspartic anhydrides are prepared by reacting the corresponding acids with acetic anhydride in amounts of 1.0-1.2 moles per mole of the N-acyl-L-aspartic acid at 0° to 60° C. in an inert solvent. The N-acyl-L-aspartic anhydrides are reacted with preferably 1 to 2 moles of compounds of formula III in an organic solvent capable of dissolving both and inert to the same. Representative solvents are ethyl acetate, methyl propionate, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, ethyl ether, N,N-dimethylformamide and benzene. The reaction proceeds smoothly at 0° to 30° C. The N-acyl group is removed after coupling by catalytic hydrogenation with palladium on carbon or with HBr or HCl in a conventional manner. U.S. Pat. No. 3,879,372 discloses that this coupling method can also be performed in an aqueous solvent at a temperature of -10° to 50° C. and at a pH of 4-12. Compounds of formula III are prepared by art-recognized procedures from known compounds or readily preparable intermediates. For example, the alkanol can be reacted with the appropriate nitroalkene in an inert solvent. As in any organic reaction, solvents can be employed such as methylene chloride, ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, chloroform and the like. The reaction is normally effected at 0° C., but temperatures ranging from -78° C. to 100° C. can be employed. Usually an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or argon is supplied. The nitro group of the formed product is then reduced by catalytic hydrogenation, e.g., H 2 /Pd or H 2 /Nickel. Compound III can be prepared from the reaction of an alkanol and the appropriate N-protected alkyl aziridine in an inert solvent. Inert solvents include methylene chloride, ether, tetrahydrofuran, dioxane, chloroform and the like. The reaction is normally effected at cold temperatures, e.g., 0° C. but temperatures ranging from -78° C. to -100° C. can be employed. Usually an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or argon is employed. Compounds of general formula III may be synthesized from N-protected ethanolamine compounds by employing a variety of etherification methods known in the art. Some of these methods may be found in "Modern Synthetic Reactions", 2nd ed., by H. O. House, W. A. Benjamin, Inc., 1972; "Advanced Organic Chemistry", 2nd ed., by J. March McGraw-Hill, 1977, and "Compendium of Organic Synthetic Methods", Vol. 1 and 2, by I. T. Harrison and S. Harrison, Wiley-Interscience, 1971 & 1974. One etherification method is the base, or other catalyst, promoted reaction of N-protected ethanolamine compound with X--CHR 1 R 2 , where X is an organic leaving group such as halide, tosylate or mesylate. Any base normally employed to deprotonate an alcohol may be used, such as sodium hydride, sodium hydroxide, triethylamine, or diisopropyl ethylamine. Reaction temperatures are in the range of -78° to 100° C. and the reaction times vary from 2 to 48 hours. The reaction is carried out in a solvent that will dissolve both reactants and is inert to both as well. Solvents include, but are not limited to, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofurn, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, and the like. Usually an inert atmosphere of nitrogen or argon is supplied. Alternatively, a netural catalyst such as mercury (II) salts or nickel (II) 2,4-pentanedionate may be employed in this reaction. These reactions are also carried out in inert solvents at room temperature or above. The intermediate formed in this reaction is deprotected to yield compounds of formula III. A further method of etherification is the reaction of an N-protected compound of the formula NH.sub.2 --C(A)(A')--CH.sub.2 X where X is halide, tosylate, mesylate or other leaving groups, with R 2 R 1 CHOH using a base or other catalyst. Any base normally employed to deprotonate an alcohol may be used, including sodium hydride, sodium hydroxide, triethylamine, or diisopropyl ethylamine. The reaction may be run either with or without additives, for example, copper salts. Reaction temperatures are in the range of -78° C. to 100° C., and reaction times vary from 2 to 48 hours. The reaction is carried out in a solvent that will dissolve both reactants and is inert to both. Solvents include, but are not limited to, diethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran, N,N-dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, and the like. Usually an inert atmosphere of nitorgen or argon is supplied. Alternatively, a netural catalyst such as mercury (II) salts or nickel (II) 2,4-pentanedionate may be employed in this reaction. These are also carried out in inert solvents at room temperature or above. This product is then deprotected to yield compounds of general formula III. The preparative procedures for formula III compounds also include a number of alternative procedures known to those skilled in the art, e.g. etherification of the corresponding hydroxyethylamine: H.sub.2 N--C(A)(A')--CH.sub.2 OH for example, employing a halide X--CH(R 1 )(R 2 ) preferably in the presence of a hydrogen halide acceptor, e.g. pyridine, triethylamine, and various organic amines known for this purpose. Compounds in which A is hydroxymethyl can be prepared by reduction of the corresponding serine compound to convert the --CO 2 R group to CH 2 OH using known procedures. The --CH 2 OH compounds can be alkylated to form the corresponding alkoxymethyl compounds, e.g. using dimethylsulfate to form the methoxymethyl compound. For compounds in which A and A' form a cycloalkyl group, similar procedures can be used starting with ##STR20## a known compound. For example, CO 2 R can be converted to CH 2 OH by reduction procedures using a variety of metal or alkylaluminum hydrides and, thereafter, the ethers formed by standard procedures. In all cases, the amino group of formula III compounds is preferably protected in the intermediates using the usual reagents and the protecting groups removed before condensation with formula II compounds. With regard to the removal of protecting groups from compounds of formula IV and N-protected precursors of formula III, a number of deprotecting techniques are known in the art and can be utilized to advantage depending on the nature of the protecting groups. Among such techniques is catalytic hydrogenation utilizing palladium on carbon or transfer hydrogenation with 1,4-cyclohexadiene. Generally the reaction is carried at room temperature but may be conducted from 5° to 65° C. Usually the reaction is carried out in the presence of a suitable solvent which may include, but are not limited to water, methanol, ethanol, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, acetic acid, t-butyl alcohol, isopropanol or mixtures thereof. The reaction is usually run at a positive hydrogen pressure of 50 psi but can be conducted over the range of 20 to 250 psi. Reactions are generally quantitative taking 1 to 24 hours for completion. In any of the previous synthetic methods the desired products are preferably recovered from reaction mixtures by crystallization. Alternatively, normal or reverse-phase chromatography may be utilized as well as liquid/liquid extraction or other means. The desired compounds of formula I are usually obtained in the free acid form; they may also be recovered as their physiologically acceptable salts, i.e., the corresponding amino salts such as hydrochloride, sulfate, hydrosulfate, nitrate, hydrobromide, hydroiodide, phosphate or hydrophosphate; or the alkali metal salts such as the sodium, potassium, lithium, or the alkaline earth metal salts such as calcium or magnesium, as well as aluminum, zinc and like salts. Conversion of the present new compounds of formula I into their physiologically acceptable salts is carried out by conventional means, as for example, bringing the compounds of formula I into contact with a mineral acid, an alkali metal hydroxide, an alkali metal oxide or carbonate or an alkaline earth metal hydroxide, oxide, carbonate or other complexed form. These physiologically acceptable salts can also be utilized as sweetness agents usually having increased solubility and stability over their free forms. It is known to those skilled in the art that the compounds of the present invention having asymmetric carbon atoms may exist in racemic or optically active forms. All of these forms are contemplated within the scope of the invention. An asymmetric carbon atom exists in those compounds where A and A' differ. Thus, optical isomers are possible in such compounds and the present compounds include such isomers. When A is CO 2 R, i.e. the serine esters, preference exists for the L-serine compounds which appear to be sweeter than the D-compounds. In those compounds in which A is other than CO 2 R, and A' differs from A, the same chiral configuration as in L-serine is preferred. Mixtures of the optical isomers of course, can be employed but compounds with the chiral configuration of L-serine are preferred. The preferred isomers can be prepared by pre-selecting intermediates of appropriate configuration at the asymmetric center. In addition to the aforesaid asymmetric center, a further such center will exist in those compounds in which R 1 and R 2 differ at the asterisked carbon atom: The following examples further illustrate the invention: EXAMPLE 1 N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane Di-t-butylmethanol To a solution of trimethylacetaldehyde (5.12 g, 59.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) at -78° C. under an argon atmosphere is added 40.9 ml of a solution of t-butyllithium in hexanes (1.6M, 65.4 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm from -78° to room temperature over 2 hours. The reaction is quenched with 25 ml of 1M hydrochloric acid and the resulting mixture extracted with two 25 ml portions of ether. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield a yellow oil (9.3 g) which is purified by vacuum distillation to yield a colorless oil. Method A: Di-t-butylmethanol is added to a dry flask under argon at 0° C. Dry tetrahydrofuran is added with a syringe. Sec-Butyl lithium (1.5M in Hexanes) is added quickly in one portion and the contents of the flask are stirred for one hour at room temperature. A 10 mM solution of 18-crown-6-ether in acetonitrile is added with a syringe and the flask cooled to 0° C. A tetrahydrofuran solution of 2-nitropropene is added with vigorous stirring over a 10 minute period. After completion of the reaction as judged by thin layer chromatography, it is quenched with saturated ammonium chloride and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to yield 2-nitro 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. This product is dissolved in methanol and hydrogenated at 50 psi with Raney nickel T-1 as a catalyst. The reaction mixture is filtered through Celite and evaporated to yield 2-amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. Method B: 2-Methyl aziridine is dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 and triethylamine under argon at 0° C. Benzylchloroformate is added and the contents of the flask are at room temperature overnight. The mixture is poured into 10% citric acid and is extracted with CHCl 3 . The organic layer is washed with dilute aqueous NaHCO 3 and dried over MgSO 4 . The solution is evaporated to yield N-Cbz-2-methyl aziridine. N-Cbz-2-Methyl aziridine and di-t-butylmethanol are dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 at 0° C. under argon. Boron trifluoride etherate is added and the flask is stirred overnight. The contents are poured into saturated NaHCO 3 and are extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to yield N-Cbz-2-amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-Cbz-2-Amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane is dissolved in CH 3 OH and hydrogenated over 5% Pd/C in a Paar hydrogenation apparatus. When the reaction is complete the mixture is filtered through Celite and concentrated to yield 2-amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. To a magnetically stirred solution of 2-amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane in dry dimethylformamide at 0° C. under argon atmosphere is added N-Cbz-L-aspartic acid beta-benzyl ester followed by copper (II) chloride and dicyclohexyl cabodiimide. This is stirred for 18 hours, after which the reaction mixture is poured into 0.1N HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO 3 and then water, and dried over MgSO 4 . Evaporation of the solvent yielded N-(N'-Cbz-L-aspartyl beta-benzyl ester) 2-amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-(N'-Cbz-L-aspartyl beta-benzyl ester) 2-amino-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane is dissolved in CH 3 OH and hydrogenated over 5% Pd/C in a Paar apparatus. Upon completion of the reaction the mixture is filtered and concentrated to yield N-(L-aspartyl)-2-amino-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. Similarly, by using the appropriate starting materials, the following compounds are also prepared: N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-1-[di-(t-amyl)methoxy]propane N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]propane N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-1-[(isopropyl-t-butyl)methoxy]propane EXAMPLE 2 N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane (1) Di-t-butylmethanol To a solution of trimethylacetaldehyde (5.12 g, 59.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) at -78° C. under an argon atmosphere is added 40.9 ml of a solution of t-butyllithium in hexanes (1.6M, 65.4 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm from -78° to room temperature over 2 hours. The reaction is quenched with 25 ml of 1M hydrochloric acic and the resulting mixture extracted with two 25 ml portions of ether. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield a yellow oil (9.3 g) which is purified by vacuum distillation to yield a colorless oil. (2) 2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane Method A: Di-t-butylmethanol is added to a dry flask under argon at 0° C. Dry tetrahydrofuran is added with a syringe. Sec-Butyl lithium (1.5M in Hexanes) is added quickly in one portion and the contents of the flask are stirred for one hour at room temperature. A 10 mM solution of 18-crown-6-ether in acetonitrile is added with a syringe and the flask cooled to 0° C. A tetrahydrofuran solution of 2-nitropropene is added with vigorous stirring over a 10 minute period. After completion of the reaction, as judged by thin layer chromatography, it is quenched with dimethyl sulfate, poured into saturated ammonium chloride and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to yield 2-nitro-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. This product is dissolved in methanol and hydrogenated at 50 psi with Raney nickel T-1 as a catalyst. The reaction mixture is filtered through Celite and evaporated to yield 2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. Method B: 2,2-Dimethyl aziridine is dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 and triethylamine under argon at 0° C. Benzylchloroformate is added and the contents of the flask are stirred at room temperature overnight. The mixture is poured into 10% citric acid and extracted with CHCl 3 . The organic layer is washed with dilute aqueous NaHCO 3 and dried over MgSO 4 . The solution is evaporated to yield N-Cbz-2,2-dimethylaziridine. N-Cbz-2,2-Dimethyl aziridine and di-t-butylmethanol are dissolved in CH 2 Cl 2 at 0° C. under argon. Boron trifluoride etherate is added and the flask is stirred overnight. The contents are poured into saturated NaHCO 3 and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to yield N-Cbz-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-Cbz-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane is dissolved in CH 3 OH and hydrogenated over 5% Pd/C in a Paar hydrogenation apparatus. When the reaction is complete the mixture is filtered through Celite and concentrated to yield 2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. Method C: 2-Methyl-2-amino-1-propanol is dissolved in saturated aqueous NaHCO 3 at room temperature. Di-tert-butyl di-carbonate is added in tert-butanol. The contents are stirred overnight and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and filtered. The filtrate is evaporated to give N-Boc-2-amino-2-methyl-1-propanol. N-Boc-2-Amino-2-methyl-1-propanol is dissolved in triethylamine under argon at 0° C. Methanesulfonyl chloride is added and the mixture is stirred overnight. The solution is poured into 10% aqueous citric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give N-Boc-2-amino-2-methyl-1-O-mesylate. Di-t-butylmethanol is added to a dry flask under argon at 0° C. Dry tetrahydrofuran is added with a syringe. Sec-Butyl lithium (1.5M in Hexanes) is added quickly in one portion and the contents of the flask are stirred for one hour at room temperature. A 10 mM solution of 18-crown-6-ether in acetonitrile is added with a syringe and the flask cooled to 0° C. A tetrahydrofuran solution of N-Boc-2-amino-2-methyl-O-mesylate is added with vigorous stirring over a 10 minute period. After completion of the reaction, as judged by thin layer chromatography, it is quenched with dimethyl sulfate, poured into saturated ammonium chloride and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to yield N-Boc-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. N-Boc-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. propane is dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid and stirred overnight. The solution is poured into water and neutralized with 20% aqueous KOH. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give 2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. (3) Amide Formation To a magnetically stirred solution of 2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di(t-butyl)methoxy]propane in dry dimethylformamide at 0° C. under argon atmosphere is added N-Cbz-L-aspartic acid beta-benzyl ester followed by copper (II) chloride and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. This is stirred for 18 hours, after which the reaction mixture is poured into 0.1N HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO 3 and then water, and dried over MgSO 4 . Evaporation of the solvent yields N-(N'-Cbz-L-aspartyl beta-benzyl ester)-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. The product of the above paragraph is dissolved in CH 3 OH and hydrogenated over 5% Pd/C in a Paar apparatus. Upon completion of the reaction the mixture is filtered and concentrated to yield N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]propane. Similarly, by using the appropriate starting materials, the following compounds are also prepared: N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(t-amyl)methoxy]propane. N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]propane. N-(L-Aspartyl)-2-amino-2-methyl-1-[(isopropyl-t-butyl)methoxy]propane. EXAMPLE 3 N-L-Aspartyl-2-amino-1-[(di-t-butyl)methoxy]methylcyclopropane Di-t-butylmethanol To a solution of trimethylacetaldehyde (5.12 g, 59.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) at -78° C. under an argon atmosphere is added 40.9 ml of a solution of t-butyllithium in hexanes (1.6M, 65.4 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm from -78° to room temperature over 2 hours. The reaction is quenched with 25 ml of 1M hydrochloric acic and the resulting mixture extracted with two 25 ml portions of ether. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield a yellow oil (9.3 g) which is purified by vacuum distillation to yield a colorless oil of Di-t-butylmethanol. To a suspension of 1-amino-1-cyclopropane carboxylic acid in dry diethyl ether under argon at 0° C. is slowly added 1M borane in tetrahydrofuran with vigorous stirring. The contents are stirred overnight and then water is added dropwise to destroy the remainder of the borane. The mixture is acidified with 2N HCl and then brought to approximately pH 11 with 20% KOH and saturated with NaCl. The product is extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer dried over MgSO 4 . Filtration and evaporation of the solvent yields 1-amino-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane. 1-Amino-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane is dissolved in saturated aqueous NaHCO 3 at room temperature. Di-tert-butyl dicarbonate is added in tert-butanol. The contents are stirred overnight and then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and filtered. The filtrate is evaporated to give N-Boc-1-amino-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane. N-Boc-1-amino-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane is dissolved in triethylamine under argon at 0° C. Methanesulfonyl chloride is added with a syringe and the contents stirred at room temperature overnight. The solution is poured into 10% aqueous citric acid and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give N-Boc-1-amino-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane-O-mesylate. Di-t-butylmethanol is added to a dry flask under argon at 0° C. Dry tetrahydrofuran is added with a syringe. Sec-Butyl lithium (1.5M in Hexanes) is added quickly in one portion and the contents of the flask are stirred for one hour at room temperature. A 10 mM solution of 18-crown-6-ether in acetonitrile is added with a syringe and the flask cooled to 0° C. A tetrahydrofuran solution of N-Boc-1-amino-1-hydroxymethylcyclopropane-O-mesylate is added with vigorous stirring over a 10 minute period. After completion of the reaction, as judged by thin layer chromatography, it is quenched with dimethyl sulfate, poured into saturated ammonium chloride and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer is dried over MgSO 4 and evaporated to yield N-Boc-1-amino 1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]methyl cyclopropane. The above product is dissolved in trifluoroacetic acid and stirred overnight. The solution is poured into water and neutralized with 20% aqueous KOH. The mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate, dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and evaporated to give 1-[(di-t-butyl)methoxy-1-amino]methylcyclopropane. To a magnetically stirred solution of 1-amino-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]methylcyclopropane in dry dimethylformamide at 0° C. under argon atmosphere is added N-Cbz-L-aspartyl acid beta-benzyl ester followed by cooper (II) chloride and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. This is stirred for 18 hours after which the reaction mixture is poured into 0.1 N HCL and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO 3 and then water, and dried over MgSO 4 . Evaporation of the solvent yields N-(N'-Cbz-L-aspartyl beta-benzyl ester)-1-amino-1-[di-(t-butyl)methoxy]methylcyclopropane. The above product is dissolved in absolute ethanol to give a 0.1M solution. An equivalent weight of 10% palladium on carbon is added and the solution is cooled in an ultra-sound ice bath. Cyclohexadiene (10 equivalents) is added and sonication is begun. After the reaction is complete as judged by thin layer chromatography, the mixture is filtered through Celite with ethanol and evaporated to yield the final product. Similarly, by using the appropriate alkanol, the following compounds are also prepared: N-(L-aspartyl)-1-amino-1-[di-(t-amyl)methoxy]methylcyclopropane. N-(L-aspartyl)-1-amino-1-[di-(isopropyl)methoxy]methylcyclopropane. N-(L-aspartyl)-1-amino-1-[(isopropyl-t-butyl)methoxy]methylcyclopropane. EXAMPLE 4 N-(L-Aspartyl)-0-(di-t-butyl)methyl-L-serine methyl ester A. Di-t-butylmethanol To a solution of trimethylacetaldehyde (5.12 g, 59.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) at -78° C. under an argon atmosphere is added 40.9 ml of a solution of t-butyllithium in hexanes (1.6M, 65.4 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm from -78° to room temperature over 2 hours. The reaction is quenched with 25 ml of 1M hydrochloric acic and the resulting mixture extracted with two 25 ml portions of ether. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield a yellow oil (9.3 g) which is purified by vacuum distillation to yield a colorless oil. B. L-N-Triphenylmethyl serine methyl ester A solution of L-serine methyl ester hydrochloride (100 g), triphenylmethylchloride (179.3 g) and triethylamine (197 ml) was stirred at 0° C. for 2 hours, then allowed to warm to room temperature overnight. The solution was diluted with diethyl ether and then washed successively with 10% aqueous citric acid and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield the product (212 g., 91%). C. L-N-Triphenylmethyl-aziridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester A mixture of compound B (212 g), methanesulfonyl chloride (45.6 ml), and pyridine (1.76 l) was stirred at 0° C., then allowed to warm slowly to room temperature overnight. Ethyl acetate (1.5 l) was added, and the resulting solution washed with 10% aqueous citric acid and water, dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent removed. The residual oil was dissolved in tetrahydrofuran (2.5 l) and triethylamine (143 ml) was added. The mixture was heated at reflux overnight, then cooled and most of the solvent was removed under vacuum. The residual oil was dissolved in ethyl acetate (2 l) and the solution was washed successively with 10% aqueous citric acid saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, and water, and then dried over magnesium sulfate, after which the solvent was evaporated under vacuum. The residue was dissolved in hot methanol and the product crystallized on cooling (115 g., 57%). D. L-N-Benzyloxycarbonylaziridine-2-carboxylic acid methyl ester To a cold solution (0° C.) of compound C (17.0 g) and methanol (100 ml) in dichloromethane (100 ml) was added concentrated sulfuric acid (5.0 ml). The mixture was stirred at 0° C. for 10 min. Approximately half of the solvent was removed under vacuum, and the residue was dissolved in ether. This was made basic with sodium bicarbonate and extracted with dichloromethane (3×25 ml). To these combined extracts was added triethylamine (4.36 g) and the solution was cooled to 0° C. Benzyl chloroformate (7.80 g), was added, and the mixture was allowed to warm to room temperature overnight. The solution was then washed successively with 1M aqueous hydrochloric acid and saturated aqueous sodium bicarbonate, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent was removed under vacuum to yield a brown oil (7.0 g). The product was purified by column chromatography on silica gel (4:1 hexanes: ethyl acetate, eluent) to yield compound D, a pale yellow oil (3.44 g., 30%). E. N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-0 -(di-t-butyl)methyl-L-serine methyl ester To a solution of compound D (0.67 g) and di-t-butylmethanol (1.65 g) in dichloromethane (20 ml) was added boron trifluoride diethyl etherate (15 drops). The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 4 hours, then washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate and the solvent is evaporated. The residue is purified by column chromatography (silica gel, 10:1, hexanes: ethyl acetate, eluent) to yield compound E (0.58 g). F. O-di-t-butylmethyl-L-serine methyl ester The product of E is dissolved in methanol in a Paar hydrogenation bottle and purged with argon. Palladium on carbon (5%) is added and hydrogenation carried out at 50 psi. After cessation of hydrogen uptake, the contents of the bottle are filtered through Celite and evaporated to give the product. G. N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-α-L-aspartyl-β-benzylester-0-di-t-butylmethyl-L-serine methyl ester Compound F is coupled with N-benzyloxycarbonyl-L-aspartic acid-β-benzyl ester in dimethylformamide at 0° C. under argon in the presence of CuCl 2 , and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. The mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and then poured into water and acidified with 2N HCl (pH 5). The product is extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic phase afforded an oil which is chromatographed on silica-gel with 2:1 petroleum ether/ethyl acetate to give an oily product (370 mg). H. Product G is deprotected to the final product by hydrogenation (Paar) using Pd/C (5%) in methanol purged with argon. After cessation of hydrogen uptake, the reaction mixture is filtered through Celite and evaporated to provide the unprotected product. Reverse phase chromatography on C 18 silica with 50% methanolic water gave purified product (110 mg), m. 165°-167° C. Using the foregoing procedure, the corresponding O-di-t-amylmethyl, O-diisopropylmethyl and 1-isopropyl-1-t-butylmethyl serine ethers are prepared. The following sensory evaluations were obtained by a panel of experts using known weight percent aqueous solutions of the above compound matched to sucrose standard solutions. ______________________________________Concentration Sucrose Equivalent X-Sucrose______________________________________0.005% 3.3% 6600.010% 6.3% 6300.025% 7.3% 308______________________________________ It was further determined by the panel of experts that the sweetener possessed excellent temporal and sensory qualities. EXAMPLE 5 N-(L-Aspartyl)-1-(2-amino-3-hydroxypropoxy)di-t-butylmethane Di-t-butylmethanol To a solution of trimethylacetaldehyde (5.12 g, 59.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) at -78° C. under an argon atmosphere is added 40.9 ml of a solution of t-butyllithium in hexanes (1.6M, 65.4 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm from -78° to room temperature over 2 hours. The reaction is quenched with 25 ml of 1M hydrochloric acic and the resulting mixture extracted with two 25 ml portions of ether. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield a yellow oil (9.3 g) which is purified by vacuum distillation to yield a colorless oil. The product of Example 4 is dissolved in ether and is reduced with LiAlH 4 to give -(2-amino-3-hydroxypropoxy)di-t-butylmethane. To a magnetically stirred solution of this product in dry dimethyl formamide at 0° C. under argon atmosphere is added N-Cbz-L-aspartic acid beta-benzyl ester, followed by copper (II) chloride and dicyclohexylcarbodiimide. This is stirred for 18 hours, after which the reaction mixture is poured into 0.1N HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO 3 and then water and is dried over MgSO 4 . The solvents evaporated off to give N-(N'-Cbz-L-aspartyl beta-benzyl ester)-1-(2-amino-3-hydroxypropoxy)-di-t-butylmethane. This product is dissolved in CH 3 OH and hydrogenated over 5% Pd/C in a Paar apparatus. Upon completion of the reaction, the mixture is filtered and concentrated to yield the final product. Similarly, by utilizing the above procedure, and the appropriate alkanol, the corresponding di-t-amylmethane, diisopropylmethane and 1-isopropyl-1-t-butylmethane compounds are prepared. N-(L-Aspartyl)-1-(2-amino-3-methoxypropoxy)di-t-butylmethane Di-t-butylmethanol To a solution of trimethylacetaldehyde (5.12 g, 59.4 mmol) in anhydrous tetrahydrofuran (15 ml) at -78° C. under an argon atmosphere is added 40.9 ml of a solution of t-butyllithium in hexanes (1.6M, 65.4 mmol). The mixture is allowed to warm from -78° to room temperature over 2 hours. The reaction is quenched with 25 ml of 1M hydrochloric acid and the resulting mixture extracted with two 25 ml portions of ether. The combined ethereal extracts were washed with saturated sodium bicarbonate solution and water, dried over magnesium sulfate, and the solvent evaporated to yield a yellow oil (9.3 g) which is purified by vacuum distillation to yield a colorless oil. To a suspension of N-Benzyloxycarbonyl-0-di-t-butylmethyl-L-serine methyl ester (prepared as in Example 4) in dry diethyl ether under argon at 0° C. is slowly added 1M borane in tetrahydrofuran with vigorous stirring. The contents are stirred overnight and then water is added dropwise to destroy the remainder of the borane. The mixture is acidified with 2N HCl and then brought to approximately pH 11 with 20% KOH and saturated with NaCl. The product is extracted with ethyl acetate and the organic layer dried over MgSO 4 and filtered and the solvent is evaporated off. The product of the preceding paragraph is dissolved in methylene chloride and methylated with dimethylsulfate to afford the 1-(2-N-Boc-amino-3-methoxypropoxy)-di-t-butylmethane. This product is dissolved in methanol in a Paar hydrogenation bottle and purged with argon. Palladium on carbon (5%) is added and hydrogenation carried out at 50 psi. After cessation of hydrogen uptake, the contents of the bottle are filtered through celite and evaporated to give 1-(2-amino-3-methoxypropoxy)di-t-butylmethane. To a magnetically stirred solution of this product in dry dimethyl formamide at 0° C. under argon atmosphere is added N-CbZ-L-aspartic acid beta-benzyl ester followed by copper (II) chloride and dicyclohexyl carbodiimide. This is stirred for 18 hours, after which the reaction mixture is poured into 0.1N HCl and extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed with saturated NaHCO 3 , and then water and dried over the MgSO 4 . The solvent is evaporated off to give N-(N-CbZ-L-aspartyl-beta benzyl ester)-1-(2-amino-3-methoxypropoxy)di-t-butylmethane. This product is dissolved in CH 3 OH and hydrogenated over 5% Pd/C in a Parr apparatus. Upon completion of the reaction, the mixture is filtered and concentrated to yield the final product. Similarly, by utilizing the above procedure and the appropriate cycloalkanol, the corresponding di-t-amylmethane, diisopropylmethane and 1-isopropyl-1-t-butylmethane compounds are prepared.
The present invention is directed to new sweeteners of the formula: ##STR1## wherein, A is H, alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms, hydroxyalkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms, alkoxymethyl wherein the alkoxy group contains 1-3 carbon atoms, or CO 2 R in which R is alkyl containing 1-3 carbon atoms; A' is H or CH 3 ; A and A' when taken together with the carbon atom to which they are attached form a cycloalkyl containing 3-4 carbon atoms; R 1 and R 2 are each a branched-chain alkyl containing 3-5 carbon atoms; and m=0 or 1; and food-acceptable salts thereof.
2
FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY [0001] The present invention relates to data encryption/decryption methods and principles, and more particularly, to an encryption method based on sequential logic and characterized by feedback control. BACKGROUND [0002] There are two data encryption methods widely used by the industrial sector and the academic circle nowadays, namely data encryption standard (DES) and advanced encryption standard (AES). The two data encryption methods share characteristics as follows: [0003] 1. Both methods employ an encryption principle based on combinational logic, wherein an ciphertext being output is utterly determined by a plaintext being input and thus is unrelated to a plaintext previously input. [0004] 2. Both methods enable encryption of data blocks of fixed size, wherein a data block encrypted by DES contains 64 bits, and a data block encrypted by AES contains 128 bits. [0005] 3. Both methods employ an encryption principle that requires performing specific core computation repeatedly, for example, DES entails performing specific core computation 16 times, whereas AES entails performing specific core computation 10 times. [0006] 4. Both methods employ an S-Box whereby transition is performed with a fixed table in the course of encryption. [0007] Although both DES and AES are regarded as the best data encryption methods which have ever been available, they have disadvantages as follows: [0008] 1. With the combinational logic-based encryption principle, an ciphertext being output is utterly determined by a plaintext being input, and thus the encryption principle is not effective in withstanding violent attacks, such as the known plaintext/ciphertext attack and differential attack. With DES being dedicated to 64 bit-data block encryption, it has already been cracked by the DES Cracker created by the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF). In view of this, AES, which is dedicated to 128 bit-data block encryption, is going to be in crack crisis too. [0009] 2. Both DES and AES encrypt data blocks of fixed size to the detriment of the flexibility of an encryption system. If the size of an encrypted data block varies flexibly, the encryption system can perform data encryption as needed more flexibly and thereby resist violent attacks and other types of attacks efficiently. [0010] 3. Both DES and AES entail performing specific core computation repeatedly. For example, DES entails performing specific core computation 16 times, whereas AES entails performing specific core computation 10 times. Although each of the instances of repeated computation is accompanied by the introduction of a new key value, repetitious computation with the same equation not only weakens security inevitably, but also reduces performance greatly. [0011] 4. Both DES and AES employ a fixed S-Box, thereby posing issues pertaining to flexibility and security. If they use a dynamic S-Box for encrypting different data, different S-Boxes with different content values can perform different non-linear transition to thereby enhance their security greatly. SUMMARY [0012] The present invention provides an encryption method with a view to addressing the aforesaid four disadvantages of data encryption standard (DES) and advanced encryption standard (AES). To overcome the aforesaid first disadvantage of DES and AES, that is, the disadvantage inherent to the combinational logic-based encryption principle, the present invention adopts a sequential logic-based encryption principle that features feedback control, such that an ciphertext being output is not just determined by a plaintext being input; instead, an ciphertext being output is jointly determined by a plaintext being input and a plaintext previously input, such that not only can the ciphertext weather violent attacks efficiently, but the security of the ciphertext is enhanced greatly. [0013] To overcome the aforesaid second disadvantage of DES and AES, that is, the disadvantage inherent to encryption of data blocks of fixed size, the present invention enables encryption of data blocks of a flexible size, such that data blocks of different sizes can be encrypted as long as data units to be encrypted by the encryption system, encryption keys, dynamic transition boxes, and the resultant ciphertext data units have the same size. [0014] To overcome the aforesaid third disadvantage of DES and AES, that is, the disadvantage inherent to performing specific core computation repeatedly, the present invention puts forth different basic processing units for performing encryption and decryption by means of a feedback control mechanism, non-linear transition functionality of dynamic transition boxes, and three dimensional computation. [0015] To overcome the aforesaid fourth disadvantage of DES and AES, that is, the disadvantage inherent to a fixed S-Box, the present invention involves replacing a S-Box with a mother transition box and inputting the content values of dynamic feedback keys into the mother transition box in the course of encryption/decryption so as to generate a child transition box, such that the contents of the child transition box is dynamic and thereby varies with the feedback key values as input, thereby overcoming the drawback of fixed transition boxes. [0016] The three dimensional computation of the present invention employs three invertible operators (described later) for performing three dimensional computation on a plaintext data unit, a system key, and a dynamic feedback key in conjunction with multiple operands, such as dynamic keys, as described below. [0017] Given a plaintext data unit p, an ciphertext data unit c, and a dynamic key K, then: [0018] 1. Exclusive OR operator: ⊕ [0019] encryption: c=p ⊕ K [0020] decryption: p=c ⊕ K [0021] 2. Exclusive AND operator: ⊙ [0022] encryption: c=p⊙K [0023] decryption: p=c⊙K [0024] 3. Binary adder operator: + 2 [0025] encryption: c=p+ 2 K, where p and K undergo binary addition, and ignore the carry generated from the addition of the highest bit; [0000] decryption  :   p = { c  - 2  K , if   c ≥ K c  + 2  K _  + 2  1 , if   c < K , [0000] where − 2 denotes binary subtraction computation, and K expresses an one's complement of the key K. [0026] According to the present invention, there are two types of the transition boxes, namely mother transition box and child transition box, and their contents, definitions, operation, and functions are described below. [0027] If a data block to be encrypted by the encryption/decryption system contains m bits (m is a multiple of 8), then: [0028] 1. The mother transition box consists of g rows and h columns, where m=gh, 2≦g, h. Numbers 1, 2, 3, . . . , m-1, and m are rearranged randomly as a random number sequence, and then the number sequence is written to the mother transition box sequentially to become the contents of the mother transition box. Thereby there are m! candidates of the mother transition box; [0029] 2. The child transition box is obtained by rotating the mother transition box clockwise or anticlockwise t times by one unit each, where the count variable t is a function of feedback keys. An embodiment of the 16-bit mother transition box and child transition box is illustrated with FIG. 1 ; [0030] 3. Encryption operation of child transition box [0031] The encryption operation of a child transition box requires moving the content of the j th bit of the plaintext data unit or dynamic key to a position specified by the content value at the j th position of the child transition box, where 1≦j≦m. Upon completion of the transition of all the bits, the encryption operation of the child transition box is finished; [0032] 4. Decryption operation of child transition box [0033] The decryption operation of a child transition box requires moving the ciphertext data unit bit at a position specified by the content value at the j th position of the child transition box to the j th position of the ciphertext data unit. Upon completion of the transition of all the bits, the decryption operation of the child transition box is finished. An embodiment of encryption/decryption of a data unit by the 16-bit child transition box is illustrated with FIG. 2 . [0034] Referring to FIG. 3 which shows a flow chart of the encryption method characterized by three dimensional computation, feedback control, and dynamic transition boxes and disclosed in the present invention. [0035] The encryption/decryption system of the present invention comprises 11 system keys K 1 ˜K 11 , three dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 , and d i-1 , three dynamic keys a i , b i , and d i , a mother transition box, and four dynamic child transition boxes. The initial values of the three feedback keys are a 0 =K 9 , b 0 =K 10 , and d 0 =K 11 . A plaintext is divided into n blocks each with a length of m bits, that is, Pla int exts=p 1 p 2 p 3 . . . p n . If the plaintext data is insufficient to fill up p n , then p n will fill any unoccupied bit with a zero. In this regard, each p i , 1≦i≦n, contains m bits, and every key of the system contains m bits too, where m is a multiple of 8, such as 8, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048 or any larger integer multiple of 8. If every key of the system contains m bits, then the mother transition box consists of g rows and h columns, where m=gh, 2≦g, h. [0036] The content values of the three dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 , and d i-1 in the encryption/decryption system of the present invention are obtained by the feedback of the content values of the three dynamic keys a i , b i , and d i , respectively, implying that the values of a i , b i , and d i are the values of a i-1 , b i-1 , and d i-1 in encrypting the next plaintext data unit p i . In other words, the three dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 are treated as the input values whenever the i th plaintext data unit p i is input; that is to say, the value of the i th ciphertext key c i and the value of the i th dynamic keys a i , b i , d i are jointly determined by p i , a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 , that is, [0000] a i =f 1 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), [0000] b i =f 2 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), [0000] d i =f 3 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), and [0000] c i =f 4 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), [0037] where p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 and the child transition boxes are dynamic, and system keys K 1 ˜K 11 are fixed. Most importantly, in the encryption system of the present invention, neither b i , d i nor the a i for performing feedback plays any direct role in generating the ciphertext data unit c i value. That is to say, b i , d i , and the a i for performing feedback are dynamic parameters hidden in the system and thus invisible to crackers. Hence, crackers are unable to infer the dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 from the dynamic keys a i , b i and d i for performing feedback. Therefore, a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 are very secure. In conclusion, not only are the feedback dynamic keys a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 being input in every instance of encryption of the plaintext data unit p i secure, but a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 are changing continuously and dynamically while the ensuing plaintext data units are being encrypted. Multiple feedback dynamic keys are hidden during the encryption processing process of the present invention, and thus the feedback control mechanism for the encryption system of the present invention is more secure than conventional feedback control mechanisms. [0038] The encryption process of the present invention is described below. Encryption Process [0039] 1. (a) input the plaintext data unit p i , 1≦i≦n; [0040] (b) calculate parameter t 1 =(b i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS, 1≦i≦n, where KS denotes key size; [0041] (c) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 1 times to obtain the child transition box; [0042] (d) perform the encryption operation by applying the child transition box to the plaintext data unit p i to generate the encrypted parameter p i ; [0043] 2. denote the notations A=p i ⊕ a i-1 , B=K 1 ⊕ b i-1 , C=K 2 ⊕ d i-1 , D=K 3 ⊕ d i-1 , E=K 4 ⊕ a i-1 , F=K 5 ⊕b i-1 [0000] calculate: a i =[( A+ 2 B )⊙ D]+ 2 [( B+ 2 C )⊙ E], [0000] b i =[( B+ 2 C )⊙ E]+ 2 [( B+ 2 C )⊙ F], [0000] d i =[( B+ 2 C )⊙ F]+ 2 [( A+ 2 B )⊙ D] [0044] 3. (a) calculate parameters t 2 =( a i-1 +b i-1 ) mod KS, t 3 =(a i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS; [0045] (b) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 2 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to the dynamic key a i to generate the encryption key a e ; [0046] (c) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to the parameter b i to generate the dynamic key b i ; [0047] (d) rotate the mother transition box anticlockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to the parameter d i to generate the dynamic key d i ; [0048] 4. calculate c i =[(a e ⊕K 6 )+ 2 (b i-1 ⊕K 7 )]⊕(d i-1 + 2 K 8 ), 1≦i≦n, and output the ciphertext data unit c i , 1≦i≦n; [0049] The decryption process flow of the present invention is described below. Decryption Process [0050] 1. (a) input the ciphertext data unit c i , 1≦i≦n; [0051] (b) restore the encryption key [0000] a e = { [ [ c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) ]  - 2  ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 ) ] ⊕ K 6 , if   c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) ≥ ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 ) [ [ c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) ]  + 2  ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 _ )  + 2  1 ] ⊕ K 6 , if   c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) < ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 ) [0052] 2. (a) calculate parameter t 2 =(a i-1 +b i-1 ) mod KS; [0053] (b) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 2 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform decryption operation by applying the child transition box to the encryption key a e to generate the dynamic key a i ; [0054] 3. denote the notations G=(B+ 2 C)⊙E, H=(a i − 2 G)⊙D, L=(a i + 2 G + 2 1)⊙D, then [0055] (a) restore the encrypted parameter [0000] p i = { [ [ ( a i  - 2  G ) ⊙ D ]  - 2  B ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i ≥ G   and   H ≥ B [ [ ( a i  - 2  G ) ⊙ D ]  + 2  ( B _  + 2  1 ) ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i ≥ G   and   H < B [ [ ( a i  + 2  G _  + 2  1 ) ⊙ D ]  - 2  B ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i < G   and   L ≥ B [ [ ( a i  + 2  G _  + 2  1 ) ⊙ D ]  + 2  ( B _  + 2  1 ) ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i < G   and   L < B ; [0056] (b) restore parameters: b i =[(B+ 2 C)⊙E]+ 2 [(B+ 2 C)⊙F]; d i =[(B+ 2 C)⊙F]+ 2 [(A+ 2 B)⊙D] [0058] (c) calculate parameter t 3 =(a i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS [0059] (1 0 ) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to parameter b i to generate the dynamic key b i ; [0060] (2 0 ) rotate the mother transition box anticlockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to parameter d to generate the dynamic key d i ; [0061] 4. (a) calculate parameter t 1 =(b i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS [0062] (b) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 1 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform decryption operation by applying the child transition box to the encrypted parameter p i to restore plaintext data unit p i , (1≦i≦n). BRIEF DESCRIPTION [0063] Objectives, features, and advantages of the present invention are hereunder illustrated with specific embodiments in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0064] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of generation of a child transition box according to the present invention; [0065] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of encryption/decryption performed on a data unit by the child transition box according to the present invention; and [0066] FIG. 3 is a flow chart of encryption according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0067] Referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown a flow chart of encryption according to an embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 3 , an encryption/decryption system comprises 11 system keys K 1 ˜K 11 , three dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 , and d i-1 , three dynamic keys a i , b i , and d i , a mother transition box, and four dynamic child transition boxes. The initial values of the three feedback keys are a 0 =K 9 , b 0 =K 10 , and d 0 =K 11 . A plaintext is divided into n blocks each of which is m bits long, that is, Pla int exts=p 1 p 2 p, . . . p n . If the plaintext data is insufficient to fill up p n , then p n will fill any unoccupied bit with a zero. In this regard, each p i , 1≦i≦n, contains m bits, and every key of the system contains m bits too, where m is a multiple of 8, such as 8, 64, 128, 256, 512, 1024, 2048 or any larger integer multiple of 8. If every key of the system contains m bits, then the mother transition box consists of g rows and h columns, where m=gh, 2≦g, h. [0068] The content values of the three dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 , and d i-1 in the encryption/decryption system of the present invention are obtained by the feedback of the content values of the three dynamic keys and a i , b i , d i , respectively, implying that the values of a i , b i , and d i are the values of a i-1 , b i-1 , and d i-1 in encrypting the next plaintext data unit p i . The three dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 , d i-1 and the i th plaintext data unit p i are input; that is to say, the value of the i th ciphertext data unit c i and the value of the i th dynamic keys a i , b i , d i are jointly determined by p i and a i-1 , b i-1 , d i-1 , that is, [0000] a i =f 1 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), [0000] b i =f 2 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), [0000] d i =f 3 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), and [0000] c i =f 4 ( p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 , child transition box, system keys K 1 ˜K 11 ), [0069] where p i , a i-1 , b i-1 , c i-1 and the four child transition boxes are dynamic, and system keys K 1 ˜K 11 are fixed. Most importantly, in the encryption system of the present invention, neither b i , d i nor the a i for performing feedback plays any direct role in generating the ciphertext data unit c i value. That is to say, b i , d i , and the a i for performing feedback are dynamic parameters hidden in the system and thus invisible to crackers. Therefore, it can be inferred the dynamic feedback keys a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 from the dynamic keys a i , b i and d i for performing feedback are very secure. In conclusion, not only are the feedback dynamic keys a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 being input in every instance of encryption of the plaintext data unit p i secure, but a i-1 , b i-1 and d i-1 are changing continuously and dynamically while the ensuing plaintext data times are being encrypted. Multiple feedback dynamic keys are hidden during the encryption processing process of the present invention, and thus the feedback control mechanism for the encryption system of the present invention is more secure than conventional feedback control mechanisms. [0070] An embodiment of the encryption process of the present invention is described below. Encryption Process [0071] 1. (a) input the plaintext data unit p i , 1≦i≦n; [0072] (b) calculate parameter t 1 =(b i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS, 1≦i≦n, where KS denotes key size; [0073] (c) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 1 times to obtain the child transition box; [0074] (d) perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to plaintext data unit p i to generate the encrypted parameter p i ; [0075] 2. denote the notations A=p i ⊕ a i 1 , B=K 1 ⊕ b i 1 , C=K 2 ⊕ d i 1 , D=K 3 ⊕d i 1 , E=K 4 ⊕ a i 1 , F=K 5 ⊕ b i 1 and [0000] calculate: a i =[( A+ 2 B )⊙ D]+ 2 [( B+ 2 C )⊙ E], [0000] b i =[( B+ 2 C )⊙ E]+ 2 [( B+ 2 C )⊙ F], [0000] d i =[( B+ 2 C )⊙ F]+ 2 [( A+ 2 B )⊙ D] [0076] 3. (a) calculate parameters t 2 =(a i-1 +b i-1 ) mod KS, t 3 =(a i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS; [0077] (b) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 2 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to dynamic key a i to generate the encryption key a e ; [0078] (c) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to parameter b i to generate the dynamic key b i ; [0079] (d) rotate the mother transition box anticlockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to parameter d i to generate the dynamic key d i ; [0080] 4. calculate c i =[(a e ⊕ K 6 )+ 2 (b i-1 ⊕ K 7 )]⊕(d i-1 + 2 K 8 ), 1≦i≦n, and output the ciphertext data unit c i ; [0081] An embodiment of the decryption process flow of the present invention is described below. Decryption Process [0082] 1. (a) input the ciphertext data unit c i , 1≦i≦n; [0083] (b) restore the encryption key [0000] a e = { [ [ c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) ]  - 2  ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 ) ] ⊕ K 6 , if   c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) ≥ ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 ) [ [ c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) ]  + 2  ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 _ )  + 2  1 ] ⊕ K 6 , if   c i ⊕ ( d i - 1  + 2  K 8 ) < ( b i - 1 ⊕ K 7 ) [0084] 2. (a) calculate parameter t 2 =(a i-1 +b i-1 ) mod KS; [0085] (b) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 2 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform decryption operation by applying the child transition box to a e to generate the dynamic key a i ; [0086] 3. denote the notations G=(B+ 2 C)⊙E, H=(a i − 2 G)⊙D, L=(a i + 2 G + 2 1)⊙D, then [0087] (a) restore encrypted parameter [0000] p i = { [ [ ( a i  - 2  G ) ⊙ D ]  - 2  B ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i ≥ G   and   H ≥ B [ [ ( a i  - 2  G ) ⊙ D ]  + 2  ( B _  + 2  1 ) ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i ≥ G   and   H < B [ [ ( a i  + 2  G _  + 2  1 ) ⊙ D ]  - 2  B ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i < G   and   L ≥ B [ [ ( a i  + 2  G _  + 2  1 ) ⊙ D ]  + 2  ( B _  + 2  1 ) ] ⊕ a i - 1 , if   a i < G   and   L < B ; [0088] (b) restore parameters: b i =[(B+ 2 C)⊙E]+ 2 [(B+ 2 C)⊙F]; d i =[(B+ 2 C)⊙F]+ 2 [(A+ 2 B)⊙D] [0090] (c) calculate parameter t 3 =(a i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS; [0091] (1 0 ) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to parameter b i to generate the dynamic key b i ; [0092] (2 0 ) rotate the mother transition box anticlockwise by t 3 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform encryption operation by applying the child transition box to parameter d to generate the dynamic key d i ; [0093] 4. (a) calculate parameter t 1 =(b i-1 +d i-1 ) mod KS; [0094] (b) rotate the mother transition box clockwise by t 1 times to generate the child transition box, and then perform decryption operation by applying the child transition box to encrypted parameter p i to restore data unit p i , (1≦i≦n).
An encryption method adopts an encryption principle based on sequential logic and involves performing three dimensional computation on a plaintext data unit having undergone non-linear transition through a dynamic child transition box, system keys, and dynamic feedback keys together to generate dynamic keys. After undergoing non-linear transition through different dynamic child transition boxes respectively, the dynamic keys undergo the three dimensional computation together with the system keys to generate a ciphertext data unit. Content values of the dynamic feedback keys and dynamic child transition box operating under a feedback control mechanism vary with each instance of feedback, and thus the dynamic keys and the ciphertext data are difficult to crack but effective in resisting violent attacks.
7
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 908,814, filed May 24, 1978. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention pertains to high-speed conveyors, and more particularly, to conveyors of the type used in conjunction with a strapping machine especially where the strapping machine is strapping unstable articles such as stacks of newspaper and for compacting the stacks at a strapping location on the strapping machine. 2. Description of the Prior Art Strapping machines heretofore known have been unable to move stacks of paper through the strapping station of the machine at very high speeds. One of the reasons is the fact that the stack of newspapers is very unstable requiring that it be accelerated and decelerated slowly. One attempt to provide more stability to the stack has been to place a spring biased wheel on the top of the stack to hold the stack tightly against the lower conveying surface. Another technique has been to place a second conveyor on the top of the stack and to attempt to drive both of the conveyors synchronously at the same acceleration rates. Neither of these techniques has proven successful. Still a further problem with strapping machine is that frequently the stack is not perfectly rectangular but rather is bowed up at the bottom because of inserts in the stack. This makes rapid conveying of such stacks very difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to provide an inexpensive and simple accelerating hold-down device. It is another object to provide a stack hold-down device for rapidly accelerating bowed stacks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary front elevation looking into the strapping machine in the direction of conveyor movement into the strapping station. FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of a side elevation of a strapping machine preceded by an accelerating stack feeding unit. FIG. 3 is a schematic plan illustrating the arrangement of conveyors and stops for locating a stack at a strapping station. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS As best shown in FIG. 1, a strapping machine is provided with an arch 10 which encircles a strapping station above a conveyor 12 of the strapping machine. The conveyor preferably is in the form of two synchronously driven spaced belts. As is well understood, the strapping station is surrounded by a strap track shown partially as 14. Strap is encircled around the object or stack of papers through the strap track at the strapping station and when the strap is then pulled or tensioned tight, it leaves the strap track in a loop closing completely around the stack and is then sealed. Positioned above the conveyor is a compactor beam 16 which is carried in a frame. The frame can be lowered and raised to compact the stack resting on the conveyor and preferably can be lowered all the way to the conveyor surface for handling any size stack. In general, the beam is lowered onto the stack and compresses the stack as the strap is tensioned around the stack. Once the strap is sealed, the conveyor is accelerated to remove the stack from the strapping station to be replaced by a new stack. It is during this period of rapid acceleration necessary for a high production machine that the stack is unstable. The compactor beam 16 is mounted to the frame via linear ball bearings which ride on a shaft. This allows the compactor to continue to press the stack against the conveyor during the acceleration since the compactor is free to follow the stack for a short distance. The ball bearings have very low friction so that the compactor beam provides essentially only a minimal amount of drag on the top of the stack but rather is carried along with the stack. The compactor pressing the stack against the conveyor assures a fast start since slippage between the conveyor and the stack is minimized. As thus far described, the device is the same as described in said application Ser. No. 908,814 the details of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. The compactor beam 16 preferably is provided with compressor blocks 17 which are adjustably positioned along the beam 16 by bolts 18. A stack S frequently is bowed upwardly at its lateral ends because of inserts placed for example in the center of newspapers making up the stack. For this reason the desired friction between the ends of the stack and the conveyor belts 12 is not obtained thus limiting the acceleration of the stacks. The compression blocks 17 can be positioned over the ends of the stack so that as the beam 16 is lowered the main compression forces are applied directly to the upwardly bowed ends of the stack bending them down tight against the belts 12. The blocks can be moved away from one another to positions where not required for compacting or can be moved closer together for smaller stacks. An accelerating unit 28 can be placed ahead of the strapping unit 30 with the accelerating unit having its own conveyor 28a with blocks 17, stops 28b and its compacting accelerator hold-down bar 28c. The strapping machine 30, of course, has its own conveyor 12, strap track 14, hold-down accelerator bar 16 and stops 32. In operation of the combined unit, the stops 28b are positioned in front of the on-coming bundle or stack and the bundle is carried very rapidly by the conveyor 28a. As the bundle approaches the stop 28b it passes a conventional switch and conventional photocell which de-energizes the conveyor 28a allowing the bundle to decelerate and eventually hit the stops 28b. The accelerator hold-down bar 28c is lowered onto the bundle and the stops 28b are removed. When the strapping machine is clear, the conveyor is accelerated to rapidly feed a bundle into the strapping station at the strapping machine 30. Again, the conveyor 12 picks up this rapidly moving bundle and, after a short movement, passes another switch and photocell sensor to de-energize the conveyor 12 allowing the bundle to decelerate and finally come to rest against the stops 32. Next the top conpactor bar 16 comes down compressing the stack, the strap is applied next to the compactor and while the strap is being applied, the stops 32 are opened. Next the conveyor is accelerated with the compactor bar still down and after approximately 0.04 seconds, the top compactor is raised but during this period has moved with the conveyor until it is almost at full speed. After the bundle clears the stops, the stops are closed again. As the compactor bar is raised, it is pushed back to its home position adjacent the strap track by the springs. The conveyors when de-energized will stop with the bundle coasting into the bundle stops. As can be readily seen with or without the addition of the accelerating section 28, the hold-down bar enables very rapid accelerations of the bundles. The bundle stops 32 preferably are mounted for horizontal reciprocation in guides 80 and are coupled to opposite runs of an endless overhead cable 82. A cylinder and piston 84 is coupled to one of the stops and by movement of this one stop both stops separate or come together synchronously. The details of the compactor bar will now be described, these details being applicable to the separate accelerator section 28 also. The arch 10 comprises a generally rectangular inverted U-shaped frame 40 which supports a pair of bars 42 vertically arranged on opposite sides of the strapping station. The bars slidably carry brackets 44 each of which support a shaft. The compactor bar opposite ends can be lowered and raised synchronously by a cable system 50. The cable system includes a cable 52 having one end attached to a piston 54 in a pneumatic cylinder 56. The cable leaving the left hand side of the piston 54, as shown in FIG. 1, travels around an upper first sheave 60 down to a lower second sheave 62 and then up to be dead ended or connected as at 63 to one of the ends of the compactor bar. The cable is then again connected as at 64 above the compactor bar travels about an upper third sheave 66 and across over the strapping station to an upper fourth sheave 68. The cable travels around the fourth sheave to a lower fifth sheave 69 and then up to be again connected to the opposite end of the compactor bar as at 70. The cable then is connected again at the upper end of the compactor bar as at 72 passes around an upper sixth sheave 74 and thence back to the opposite side of the piston 54. As can be readily seen as the piston is stroked to the right the cable at 63 and the cable at 70 will be pulling down synchronously on opposite ends of the compactor bar. When the piston is moved to the left, the opposite ends of the compactor bar are raised synchronously. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it should be understood that variations will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the principles herein. Accordingly, the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawing.
A hold-down beam is provided on a rapid acceleration conveyor to hold articles, such as an unstable stack of newspapers, tightly against the conveyor for providing frictional engagement between the stack and the conveyor and allow the upper part of the stack to move with the conveyor so that the stack will not topple. Compression blocks are provided at adjustably spaced locations on the bar for pressing bowed stacks.
1
CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This is a U.S. National Stage under 35 U.S.C 371 of the International Application PCT/CN2014/000624, filed Jun. 27, 2014. BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0002] Field of Invention [0003] The present invention relates to an internal combustion engine, and in particular, relates to a method for realizing variable compression ratio and variable air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine. [0004] Description of Related Arts [0005] In recent years, with the raised requirements of the economy for the internal combustion engine and stricter regulations on internal combustion engine emissions, to improve the internal combustion engine fuel economy and emissions performance has become the endeavor direction of designing and manufacturing. [0006] Conventional internal combustion engines have always sought to increase the combustion temperature, by which means the combustion pressure can be increased. However, the higher the combustion temperature is, the more heat is taken away by the exhaust gas. The combustion temperature of the conventional internal combustion engine is as high as 2,200° C.-2,500° C. while the exhaust temperature is as high as 1,000° C.-1,200° C., and then the exhaust gas must be discharged in the form of flame which takes away a large amount of heat. Therefore, the thermal efficiency of the conventional internal combustion engine is only about 30%, which means that 70% of the combustion heat is directly discharged into the atmosphere without participating in working. [0007] Chinese Patent No. CN200580008399.7 discloses an internal combustion engine which archives ultra-expansion working. The ultra-expansion working can increase the expansion volume to reduce the exhaust pressure, but the exhaust temperature cannot be further lowered. The root cause lies in the inherent flaw of the high combustion temperature of the conventional internal combustion engine. SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION [0008] The present invention provides a method for realizing a variable compression ratio and a variable air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine, aiming at reducing the combustion temperature, increase the combustion pressure, and improve the utilization of combustion heat. [0009] The method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine comprises the following steps of: [0010] (1) dividing an air intake volume in a cylinder into a first air intake volume and a second air intake volume, designing a compression ratio according to the first air intake volume and opening a throttle to enable the air intake volume to reach the first air intake volume; [0011] (2) increasing the opening of the throttle to increase an air inflow to enable the second air intake volume to start intake, wherein the second air intake volume goes beyond the first air intake volume, the compression ratio increases with increase of the air intake volume, a compression density of a fuel air mixture increases with increase of the compression ratio, and the air-fuel ratio reduces with increase of the compression density of the fuel air mixture; and [0012] (3) correcting, by an electronic control unit, a duration of ignition in real time according to a detonation signal fed back by a knock sensor, and controlling a fuel-injection quantity in real time to ensure the compression density required by combustion of a lean fuel air mixture. [0013] Preferably, the designed compression ratio is a compression ratio of the internal combustion engine under a low power operating condition, and the first air intake volume is an air intake volume of the internal combustion engine under a low power operating condition, and the second air intake volume is an air intake volume of the internal combustion engine under a high power operating condition. [0014] Preferably, the second air intake volume is larger than the first air intake volume. [0015] Preferably, the internal combustion engine is a four-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine, a variable range of the compression ratio of the four-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine is 10:1-26.7:1, and a variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 15:1-32:1. [0016] Alternatively, the internal combustion engine is a four-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine, a variable range of the compression ratio of the four-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine is 14:1-40:1, and a variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 18:1-50:1. [0017] Alternatively, the internal combustion engine is a four-stroke compression ignition internal combustion engine, a variable range of the compression ratio of the four-stroke compression ignition internal combustion engine is 20:1-48:1, and a variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 16:1-60:1. [0018] Alternatively, the internal combustion engine is a two-stroke compression ignition internal combustion engine, a variable range of the compression ratio of the two-stroke compression ignition internal combustion engine is 25:1-60:1, and a variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 30:1-70:1. [0019] Preferably, the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine comprises cancelling a closed-loop control of an oxygen sensor and adjusting a fuel-injection pulse width according to a knock signal of the knock sensor. [0020] The method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine of the present invention is that the air intake volume of the cylinder is divided into a first intake volume and a second intake volume, a compression ratio is designed according to the first air intake volume; the second air intake volume goes beyond the first air intake volume. Since the combustion chamber volume is constant, the compression ratio increases, the compression density of the fuel air mixture increases, the air-fuel ratio decreases, and the combustion temperature decreases, therefore, an exhaust temperature is reduced from 1,200° C. to 180° C.-300° C., and the thermal efficiency of the internal combustion engine is greatly improved. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] FIG. 1 is a structure schematic diagram of a method for realizing a variable compression ratio and a variable air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine according to the present invention; [0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a density of fuel molecules of a traditional theoretical air-fuel ratio; [0023] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the density of the fuel molecules of a lean fuel air mixture; [0024] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of the density of the fuel molecules of the lean fuel air mixture having a high compression density according to the present invention; and [0025] FIG. 5 is a flow chart showing controlling of the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine according to the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0026] To make the technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present invention become more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described with reference to the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part, rather than all of the embodiments of the present invention. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without the inventive effort according to the embodiments of the present invention, fall within the scope of the present invention. [0027] As shown in FIG. 1 , an internal combustion engine comprises a cylinder 1 and a piston 2 , wherein the cylinder 1 comprises a working volume V and a combustion chamber volume V 1 . The working volume V comprises an air intake volume V 2 of a low power operating condition and an air intake volume V 3 of a high power operating condition, wherein the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition is larger than the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition. [0028] For a conventional internal combustion engine, a compression ratio is designed according to the cylinder working volume V, i.e., V:V 1 . For a conventional spark ignition internal combustion engine, an actual air intake volume of the low power operating condition is very small, an actual compression ratio is low, and a thermal efficiency is very low; and the air intake volume of the high power operating condition is large, the actual compression ratio is high, and the thermal efficiency is high. For the conventional compression ignition internal combustion engine, the air intake volume of the low power operating condition is large, consumption of compression power is large, and it is difficult to start. Since an inflation coefficient of a naturally aspirated internal combustion engine can only reach about 0.8 and cannot reach the designed compression ratio. Then, the question is how to make the inflation coefficient of 0.8 to reach the designed compression ratio. [0029] In the present invention, the compression ratio is designed according to the inflation coefficient of 0.8 (depending on the cylinder volume, it is 0.8). As long as the inflation coefficient reaches 0.8, it is considered to reach the designed air intake volume, which is equivalent to reaching the designed compression ratio. Assumption: if the cylinder inflation coefficient can exceed 0.8, such as 0.9, 1.0, 1.1 or greater, because the compression ratio is designed according to the inflation coefficient of 0.8, as long as the inflation coefficient exceeds 0.8, it is considered to exceed the designed air intake volume, which is equivalent to exceeding the designed compression ratio, and which achieves a variable compression ratio. However, such assumption cannot be achieved, because the inflation coefficient cannot exceed 0.8. [0030] The above assumption provides a reverse-thinking variable compression ratio solution: since it is possible to design the compression ratio according to the inflation coefficient of 0.8, it is also possible to design the compression ratio according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, i.e. depending on that the cylinder volume is V 2 , as long as the air intake volume reaches the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is considered to reach the designed air intake volume, which is equivalent to reaching the designed compression ratio. [0031] A core of the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio of the present invention is to design the compression ratio according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, i.e. V 2 :V 1 . Therefore, as long as the air intake volume of the cylinder reaches the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is considered to reach the designed air intake volume, which is equivalent to reaching the designed compression ratio. As long as the air intake volume exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is considered to exceed the designed air intake volume, which is equivalent to exceeding the design compression ratio. [0032] Advantages of the present invention, where the compression ratio is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, are as follows. [0033] For the low power operating condition, as long as the air intake volume of the spark ignition and compression ignition internal combustion engines under the low power operating condition reaches V 2 , since the compression ratio is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is considered to reach the designed air intake volume, which is equivalent to reaching the designed compression ratio. Thus, it is possible to obtain a higher compression ratio under the low power operating condition, and compression work is reduced under the low power operating condition, and it is easy to start. [0034] For the high power operating condition, the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition of the spark ignition and compression ignition internal combustion engines exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition. Since the combustion chamber volume VI is constant, as long as the air intake volume exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is considered to exceed the designed intake volume, which is equivalent to exceeding the designed compression ratio. The compression ratio increases with continuous increase of the air intake volume, so as to achieve the variable compression ratio. [0035] The technical solution of the present invention achieves the variable compression ratio, and a burning rate of the lean fuel air mixture is increased. However, detonation may occur when the burning rate increases. The conditions for the occurrence of detonation are: i. a higher operating temperature; ii. a higher compression ratio; and iii. a higher concentration of the fuel air mixture. For the above three conditions, if any one of them can be reduced, the detonation may be eliminated. It is obvious that the higher operating temperature and the higher compression ratio are helpful to improve the thermal efficiency. [0036] The present invention eliminates the detonation by means of reducing the concentration of the fuel air mixture. The high power operating condition achieves the variable compression ratio. The compression ratio increases as the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition continuously increases, which is equivalent to the continuous increase of the compression ratio, the air-fuel ratio of a high-power working condition decreases as the compression ratio continuously increases, so as to achieve the variable air-fuel ratio. [0037] As shown in FIG. 2 , in the case of the theoretical air-fuel ratio, a distance between the fuel molecules 10 is L 1 . A fuel density in the fuel air mixture is the density required by the combustion. This fuel density is easily ignited and can be burned normally. [0038] As shown in FIG. 3 , in the case of the lean fuel air mixture, the distance between the fuel molecules 10 is L 2 , L 2 >L 1 . The fuel density does not reach the level required by the combustion, and therefore the lean fuel air mixture cannot be ignited and cannot be burned normally. [0039] As shown in FIG. 4 , in the case that the lean fuel air mixture is at a high compression density, the distance between the fuel molecules 10 is L 3 , L 3 =L 1 . Although the fuel air mixture is very lean, it can reach the compressed density required by the combustion by further compressing, thus the lean fuel air mixture can be ignited and burned normally. [0040] In summary, since the fuel cannot be compressed, and the air can be compressed, in a process of further compression of the lean fuel air mixture, the fuel compression density increases, so as to reach the density required by the combustion. Therefore, as long as the fuel air mixture reaches the compression density required by the combustion, it is possible to be burned normally. [0041] For example, 1 g of fuel is mixed with 14.7 g of air at a compression ratio of 10:1, i.e., a traditional theoretical air-fuel ratio, where the fuel air mixture is compressed at 10:1, and the fuel can be burned normally. [0042] For example, 1 g of fuel is mixed with 29.4 g of air at a compression ratio of 10:1, and the fuel in the fuel air mixture does not reach the density required by the combustion, and cannot be burned normally. If the compression ratio is increased to 20:1, although the fuel air mixture is very lean, it reaches the compression density required by the combustion, and it can be burned normally. It can be seen that the fuel air mixture can be very lean, as long as it reaches the compression density required by the combustion, it can be burned normally, since the reached density has changed its physical properties. [0043] Experiment 1: 1 g of gasoline is mixed with 14.7 g of the air at a compression ratio of 10:1, i.e., a theoretical air-fuel ratio combustion mode. The combustion temperature after ignition is 2,500° C. and the combustion pressure is 6 MPa, which can do working. [0044] Experiment 2: 1 g of gasoline is mixed with the oxygen extracted from the 14.9 g of the air, i.e., pure oxygen combustion, at a compression ratio 10:1. The combustion temperature after ignition is 3,000° C., and the combustion pressure is 1 Mpa, high in combustion temperature, which may cause the detonation, as well as low in combustion pressure, which cannot do working. [0045] Experiment 3: 1 g of gasoline is mixed with 14.7 g×2 times of the air at a compression ratio of 10:1, i.e., a lean combustion mode, which cannot be ignited and cannot do working. [0046] Experiment 4: 1 g of gasoline is mixed with 14.7 g×2 times of the air at a compression ratio of 20: 1, i.e., a high compression density lean fuel air mixture combustion mode. The combustion temperature after ignition is 1,500° C. and the combustion pressure is 9 Mpa, without detonation. As the combustion pressure is increased, the power is increased. [0047] Experiment 5: 1 g of gasoline is mixed with 14.7 g×4 times of the air at a compression ratio of 40:1, i.e., a high compression density lean fuel air mixture combustion mode. The combustion temperature after ignition is 1,000° C. and the combustion pressure of 15 Mpa, without detonation. As the combustion pressure is increased, the power is increased greatly. [0048] Experimental analysis: Experiments 2, 3, 4, and 5 are compared with Experiment 1. [0049] Experiment 2: for pure oxygen combustion, the burning rate is extremely high, since no other gas, as a medium, absorbs heat and expands in the combustion process, the combustion temperature is high, and the combustion pressure is very low, which cannot do working. [0050] Experiment 3: the density of the fuel in the lean fuel air mixture does not reach the required level of combustion. Since the fuel cannot be ignited, it cannot do working. [0051] Experiment 4: the lean fuel air mixture reaches the compression density required by the combustion, and it can be burned normally. A large amount of other gases absorb heat in the combustion process, and thus the combustion temperature decreases; The large amount of other gases quickly expand after absorbing heat, and thus the combustion pressure increases, and the power is increased. [0052] Experiment 5: the lean fuel air mixture reaches the compression density required by the combustion, and it can be burned normally. Meanwhile, a large amount of other gases absorb heat during the combustion process, as a result the combustion temperature further decreases; and the large amount of other gases quickly expand after absorbing heat, thus the combustion pressure is further increased, and the power is increased greatly. [0053] The experiments show that: the theoretical air-fuel ratio, of which a concept is: burning 1 g of fuel consumes 14.3 g-14.7 g of air, and the actual meaning lies in that: burning 1 g of fuel just needs to consume oxygen in these air, and that's all, does not mean that it is the best burning. Because, during the combustion process, only oxygen in the air participates in combustion while a large amount of other gases absorb heat, and therefore, the combustion temperature decreases, the large amount of other gases quickly expand after absorbing heat, and in turn the combustion pressure increases, and the power is increased greatly. [0054] As shown in FIG. 5 , the compression ratio of the internal combustion engine is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition; the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition and continually increases, as well as the compression pressure. An ECU (electronic control unit of a system) controls in real time the matching between the fuel-injection quantity and the compression density, and ensures in real time the compression density required by the combustion of the lean fuel air mixture; during the operation of the internal combustion engine, the changes of the opening of the throttle, rotation speed and the temperature can affect the burning rate. After the knock sensor detects the knock signal, it sends feedback to the ECU in real time, and the ECU reduces the fuel-injection quantity in real time, until the knock signal is gradually weakened, the best scenario is that a slight knocking is detected by the knock sensor. (The conventional internal combustion engine changes the injection pulse width according to the oxygen content in the exhaust gas collected by the oxygen sensor and changes the fuel-injection quantity.) If the slight knock signal gradually disappears, it indicates that the burning rate is reduced, and the ECU may increase the fuel-injection quantity to increase the burning rate until the knock sensor detects the slight knocking signal, so that the internal combustion engine always works at the critical state of detonation, which eventually achieves a low combustion temperature and a high combustion pressure. [0055] Strong acceleration function: when the internal combustion engine is at maximum power, the combustion temperature reaches the lowest, the combustion pressure reaches the highest, and the internal combustion engine works at the highest efficiency point. At this moment, no matter the fuel air mixture is slightly rich or slightly lean, it will not detonate. According to this feature, an appropriate increase in fuel-injection quantity can increase the output power, so as to achieve the strong acceleration function. The internal combustion engine is used for the car, and when the car encounters a situation which needs strong acceleration, such as overtaking, going uphill and the like, it can start the strong acceleration function on the premise that it does not affect emissions. [0056] Application of the strong acceleration function: in the case that the opening of the throttle has reached the maximum and the power has reached the maximum, if the strong acceleration is needed to be jogged once quickly by manually operating the throttle, a strong acceleration signal may be triggered by the throttle position sensor or other means, and the fuel-injection quantity may increase appropriately to start the strong acceleration function which further improves the practical value of the internal combustion engine. [0057] The method for realizing variable compression ratio and variable air-fuel ratio of the present invention is to design the compression ratio according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition; and to ensure the compression density required by the combustion of the lean fuel air mixture. Therefore, the complicated variable compression ratio and variable air-fuel ratio are achieved by a simple method, and the method is simple, practical, and reliable. [0058] The present invention uses the high compression density lean fuel air mixture combustion mode, the combustion temperature of the lean fuel air mixture is reduced, the oxygen is sufficient and the combustion is sufficient. Therefore, emissions of the CO (carbon monoxide) and THC (hydrocarbon) are only 1/10 of those of a conventional internal combustion engine. Emission of NOx is only ⅙ of that of a conventional internal combustion engine, because the combustion temperature is reduced and NOx (nitrogen oxide) loses high-temperature production conditions. It can be seen that not only the fuel consumption is greatly reduced, but also pollution emissions are greatly reduced, which is a major progress for the combustion of the internal combustion engine. First Embodiment [0059] This embodiment is a four-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine; [0060] the cylinder working volume is 400 ml, and the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 15 ml; [0061] the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 150 ml; [0062] the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 10:1; [0063] the air-fuel ratio of the low power operating condition is 15:1; [0064] the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition is 250 ml; [0065] the range of variable compression ratio of the high power operating condition is 10:1-26.7:1; and [0066] the range of variable air-fuel ratio of the high power operating condition is 15:1-32:1; [0067] In this embodiment, the compression ratio is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, and as long as the intake air volume reaches V 2 , it is considered to reach the designed compression ratio. The air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 150 ml, the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 15 ml, the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 10:1, and the air-fuel ratio is 15:1. Under the low power operating condition, the internal combustion engine can reach a higher compression ratio. The actual pressure of the low power operating condition is increased, and the compression work is reduced, and it is easy to start. [0068] The internal combustion engine transits from the low power operating condition to the high power operating condition, and the opening of the throttle is increased and the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition. Since the combustion chamber volume V 1 is constant while the air intake volume increases, as long as the air intake volume exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is equivalent to increasing the compression ratio. The compression ratio increases as the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition continuously increase, and the variable range of the compression ratio is 10:1-26.7:1. [0069] Under the high power operating condition, the actual compression pressure of the internal combustion engine is increased, the compression density of the fuel air mixture is increased and the burning rate is accelerated. The ECU reduces the fuel-injection quantity in real time according to the feedback signal from the knock sensor and reduces the concentration of the fuel air mixture, maintains the matching between the concentration and the compression density of the fuel air mixture in real time and controls the duration of ignition in real time. The air-fuel ratio decreases as the compression ratio continuously increases, and the variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 15:1-32:1. [0070] This embodiment employs the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio, so as to ensure the compression density required by the combustion of the lean fuel air mixture and to maintain the burning rate required by the operation. High compression density generates high combustion pressure which can increase the power. The lean fuel air mixture generates low combustion temperature which can reduce pollution emissions, and be an effective measure to improve the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engine. [0071] In this embodiment, an exhaust temperature is lowered to 300° C., so that the thermal efficiency is greatly improved. Second Embodiment [0072] This embodiment is a four-stroke spark ignition internal combustion engine; [0073] the cylinder working volume is 600 ml, and the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 15 ml; [0074] the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 210 ml; [0075] the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 14:1; [0076] the air-fuel ratio of the low power operating condition is 18:1; [0077] the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition is 360 ml; [0078] the range of variable compression ratio of the high power operating condition is 14:1-40:1; and [0079] the range of variable air-fuel ratio of the high power operating condition is 18:1-50:1; [0080] In this embodiment, the compression ratio is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, and as long as the intake air volume reaches V 2 , it is considered to reach the designed compression ratio. The air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 210 ml, the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 15 ml, the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 14:1, and the air-fuel ratio is 18:1. Under the low power operating condition, the internal combustion engine can reach a higher compression ratio. The actual pressure of the low power operating condition is increased, and the compression work is reduced, and it is easy to start. [0081] The internal combustion engine transits from the low power operating condition to the high power operating condition, and the opening of the throttle is increased and the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition. Since the combustion chamber volume V 1 is constant while the air intake volume increases, as long as the air intake volume exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is equivalent to increasing the compression ratio. The compression ratio increases as the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition continuously increases, and the variable range of the compression ratio is 14:1-40:1. [0082] Under the high power operating condition, the actual compression pressure of the internal combustion engine is increased, the compression density of the fuel air mixture is increased and the burning rate is accelerated. The ECU reduces the fuel-injection quantity in real time according to the feedback signal from the knock sensor and reduces the concentration of the fuel air mixture, maintains the matching between the concentration and the compression density of the fuel air mixture in real time and controls the duration of ignition in real time. The air-fuel ratio decreases as the compression ratio continuously increase, and the variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 18:1-50:1. [0083] This embodiment employs the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio, so as to ensure the compression density required by the combustion of the lean fuel air mixture and to maintain the burning rate required by the operation. High compression density generates high combustion pressure which can increase the power. The lean fuel air mixture generates low combustion temperature which can reduce pollution emissions and be an effective measure to improve the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engine. [0084] In this embodiment, the exhaust temperature is lowered to 250° C., so that the thermal efficiency is greatly improved. Third Embodiment [0085] This embodiment is a four-stroke compression ignition internal combustion engine, in which a throttle is needed to be additionally installed; [0086] the cylinder working volume is 1,200 ml, and the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 25 ml; [0087] the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 500 ml; [0088] the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 20:1; [0089] the air-fuel ratio of the low power operating condition is 16:1; [0090] the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition is 700 ml; [0091] the range of variable compression ratio of the high power operating condition is 20:1-48:1; and [0092] the range of variable air-fuel ratio of the high power operating condition is 16:1-60:1; [0093] In this embodiment, the compression ratio is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, and as long as the intake air volume reaches V 2 , it is considered to reach the designed compression ratio. The air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 500 ml, the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 25 ml, the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 20:1, and the air-fuel ratio is 16:1. Under the low power operating condition, the internal combustion engine can reach a higher compression ratio. The actual pressure of the low power operating condition is increased, and the compression work is reduced, and it is easy to start. [0094] The internal combustion engine transits from the low power operating condition to the high power operating condition, and the opening of the throttle is increased and the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition. Since the combustion chamber volume V 1 is constant while the air intake volume increases, as long as the air intake volume exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is equivalent to increasing the compression ratio. The compression ratio increases as the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition continuously increases, and the variable range of the compression ratio is 20:1-48:1. [0095] Under the high power operating condition, the actual compression pressure of the internal combustion engine is increased, the compression density of the fuel air mixture is increased and the burning rate is accelerated. The ECU reduces the fuel-injection quantity in real time according to the feedback signal from the knock sensor and reduces the concentration of the fuel air mixture, which maintains the matching between the concentration and the compression density of the fuel air mixture in real time and controls the duration of ignition in real time. The air-fuel ratio decreases as the compression ratio continuously increases, and the variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 16:1-60:1. [0096] This embodiment employs the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio, so as to ensure the compression density required by the combustion of the lean fuel air mixture and to maintain the burning rate required by the operation. High compression density generates high combustion pressure which can increase the power. The lean fuel air mixture generates low combustion temperature which can reduce pollution emissions and be an effective measure to improve the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engine. [0097] In this embodiment, the exhaust temperature is lowered to 200° C., so that the thermal efficiency is greatly improved. Fourth Embodiment [0098] This embodiment is a two-stroke compression ignition internal combustion engine, in which a throttle is needed to be additionally installed; [0099] the cylinder working volume is 420 L, and the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 7 L; [0100] the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 175 L; [0101] the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 25:1; [0102] the air-fuel ratio of the low power operating condition is 30:1; [0103] the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition is 245 L; [0104] the range of variable compression ratio of the high power operating condition is 25:1-60:1; and [0105] the range of variable air-fuel ratio of the high power operating condition is 30:1-70:1; [0106] In this embodiment, the compression ratio is designed according to the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, and as long as the intake air volume reaches V 2 , it is considered to reach the designed compression ratio. The air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition is 175 L, the combustion chamber volume V 1 is designed as 7 L, the compression ratio of the low power operating condition is 25:1, and the air-fuel ratio is 30:1. Under the low power operating condition, the internal combustion engine can reach a higher compression ratio. The actual pressure of the low power operating condition is increased, and the compression work is reduced, and it is easy to start. [0107] The internal combustion engine transits from the low power operating condition to the high power operating condition, and the opening of the throttle is increased and the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition. Since the combustion chamber volume V 1 is constant while the air intake volume increases, as long as the air intake volume exceeds the air intake volume V 2 of the low power operating condition, it is equivalent to increasing the compression ratio. The compression ratio increases as the air intake volume V 3 of the high power operating condition continuously increases, and the variable range of the compression ratio is 25:1-60:1. [0108] Under the high power operating condition, the actual compression pressure of the internal combustion engine is increased, the compression density of the fuel air mixture is increased and the burning rate is accelerated. The ECU reduces the fuel-injection quantity in real time according to the feedback signal of the knock sensor and reduces the concentration of the fuel air mixture, which maintains the matching between the concentration and the compression density of the fuel air mixture in real time and controls the duration of ignition in real time. The air-fuel ratio decreases as the compression ratio continuously increases, and the variable range of the air-fuel ratio is 30:1-70:1. [0109] According to the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio of the internal combustion engine as described in the present invention, the closed-loop control of an oxygen sensor is canceled and the fuel-injection pulse width according to the knock signal of the knock sensor is adjusted. [0110] This embodiment employs the method for realizing the variable compression ratio and the variable air-fuel ratio, so as to ensure the compression density required by the combustion of the lean fuel air mixture and to maintain the burning rate required by the operation. High compression density generates high combustion pressure which can increase the power. The lean fuel air mixture generates low combustion temperature which can reduce pollution emissions, which is an effective measure to improve the thermal efficiency of internal combustion engine. [0111] In this embodiment, the exhaust temperature is lowered to 180° C., so that the thermal efficiency is greatly improved. [0112] Finally, it should be noted that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the technical solutions of the present invention and are not to be construed as the limit; Although the invention has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the technical solutions described in the foregoing various embodiments may be modified or some of the technical features thereof can be equivalently substituted; And such modifications or substitutions do not make the nature of the corresponding technical solutions depart from the spirit and scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention.
A method for realizing a variable compression ratio and a variable air-fuel ratio of an internal combustion engine includes the following steps of: dividing an air intake volume in a cylinder into a first air intake volume and a second air intake volume, designing a compression ratio according to the first air intake volume and opening a throttle to enable the air intake volume to reach the first air intake volume; increasing the opening of the throttle to increase an air inflow to enable the second air intake volume to start intake, and correcting, by an electronic control unit, a duration of ignition in real time according to a detonation signal fed back by a knock sensor, and controlling a fuel-injection quantity in real time to ensure the compression density required by combustion of a lean fuel air mixture.
5
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 28,356, filed on Apr. 9, 1979, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to roof constructions for buildings and, in particular, to such constructions with wide spans, consisting of three-dimensional lattices or frameworks in which the bars are arranged in clusters in several mutually intersecting planes, the planes being group-wise parallel. Such frameworks are widely known in planar construction, and increasingly also for domes or gabled roofs or for individual forms extending in several planes. They have been used so far as supports for space-sealing roof elements of the arbitrary type. The object of the present invention is to exploit solar energy by means of frameworks of the above type. As solar heat is free, the economical efficiency of such utilization practically depends only on the investment in the solar equipment. Accordingly it is important to minimize to the utmost the installation costs of the solar collectors proper and also for the integration of their accessories. It is already known to arrange solar collectors for solar heating on the surface of slanted (gabled or single-slant) roofs resting on conventional lumber construction, and to integrate them into the roofing material over said lumber. However, steep gabled roofs sloping advantageously with respect to solar irradiation are impossible for wide-span buildings (arenas, plants, etc.). Therefore, flat roofs or at least truncated domes or low-height barrel roofs are used for such wide-span buildings. As regards flat roofs, it has been possible so far to erect solar collectors at a slant above the roofing only by using special mounting means for the purpose of receiving a maximum of solar heat. In such cases, therefore, high costs are added to the supporting roof construction and roofing by the costly mounting means for the solar collectors. To the extent that the building seen in top view does not face toward the sun at high noon (toward the south in the northern hemisphere), such mounting means require rotation with respect to the axes of the building in order to achieve the most advantageous position of the solar collectors for heat absorption. While theoretically quite simple, this does cost a lot of money in practice. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A special object of the present invention, therefore, is to create a roof design using a three-dimensional framework for buildings allowing for the integration of the solar collectors into the supports so that special or additional posts or fastening means for the solar collectors are eliminated and so that, in any circumstance, i.e., for arbitrary building orientation, the three-dimensional framework supports the solar collectors so they are in an advantageous position with respect to the main direction of solar irradiation (in the northern hemisphere, therefore, at a raised height with respect to the horizontal, depending on latitude, and pointing south). In a further step the roofing used for room enclosure and climatization is included in such integration. This problem is solved by the present invention for a roof design of the initially described kind in that a group of sets of bars arranged in parallel planes points independently of building orientation to the highest elevation of the sun and in that solar collectors are directly mounted in or on these sets of bars. Because of this integration of the solar collectors into the three-dimensional framework, additional constructions involving posts or girders can be advantageously eliminated. Furthermore, the solar collectors can be directly integrated into the roofing material without an appreciable rise in the upper chord plane (O) taking place. In the previously conventional gabled roof designs, the effectiveness of the solar collectors depends decisively on the essentially southward orientation of one of the surfaces. In the present invention, on the other hand, the framework can be mounted independently of building orientation, so that the solar collectors always assume an optimum orientation with respect to the main axis of the sun's rays. As any additional support construction for the solar collectors is eliminated, and in view of their optimal orientation, the proposal of the invention offers a universal teaching, i.e., one applicable to any building no matter what its orientation, for achieving an economically operating solar roof facility. Further advantageous embodiments are made clear in the dependent claims of this application. As is known, the design principle for three-dimensional frameworks arranges bars and junction elements in such manner that the bars are arrayed in several (at least three) sets located in parallel and mutually intersecting planes. Each bar is located on the intersection of planes containing at least two sets of bars and each junction is located at the common intersection of planes containing three sets of bars. It was commonplace practice, therefore, when using such frameworks to arrange at least one of its supporting main axes when seen in top view in such manner that the entire three-dimensional framework was placed symmetrically on the building (i.e., to date and for a square lattice in the framework, the lattice axes have been laid parallel to the sides or to the axes of symmetry of a rectangular building). The present invention departs from this mode of array and offers a teaching for trueing the framework with the sun for arbitrary building orientations--accordingly, also for those buildings lacking a north-south orientation, and this with a very economical solution. As the deformation of a regular framework can always be implemented with a minimum number of bars of different lengths where the frameworks considered herein are concerned, the great economy found in practice when using the regular ones is thus maintained (where the attempt will be made to use the fewest possible variations in bar lengths and junctions with varying positions of the connecting bores). Further advantages when integrating solar collectors into a three-dimensional framework according to the invention are obtained by mounting accessory equipment for exploiting the solar energy in the space bounded by the framework and next to the solar collectors, and especially when adjusting the space-defining elements to the principles of the invention. The invention is described below in greater detail in relation to the drawings of illustrative embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a building with a framework roof construction consisting essentially of parallel and spaced triangular trusses, and partly with roofing and solar collectors; FIGS. 1a and 1b are elevational views of the building with the roof construction seen in the direction of arrows "a" and "b", respectively, of FIG. 1; FIG. 1c illustrates top views of the elementary cells in the shape of a semi-octahedron and a tetrahedron from which the triangular trusses of FIG. 1 are build; FIG. 2 is a top view of a roof construction approximately half covered by roofing and solar collectors for a building which does not face north-south; FIGS. 2a and 2b are elevational views of the building with the roof construction of FIG. 2, seen in the direction of arrows "a" and "b", respectively, of FIG. 2c; FIG. 2c is a top view of the roof construction of FIG. 2, without the roofing and the solar collectors, to show the deformed framework thereof; FIG. 2d illustrates top views of the elementary cells in the shape of a deformed semi-octahedron and a tetrahedron which build up the parallel mutually bounding triangular trusses of the three-dimensional framework of FIG. 2c, each time in the axial direction; FIG. 3 is a top view similar to that of FIG. 2 of a building which has an orientation other than north-south; FIGS. 3a and 3b are an elevational view in the direction of the arrows "a" and "b", respectively, of FIG. 3c; FIG. 3c is a top view of a roof construction of the building of FIG. 3, without roofing and solar collectors, to better show the deformed framework of this embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3d illustrates top views of the elementary bodies similar to those of FIG. 2d; FIG. 4 is a partial elevational view of the roof construction of FIG. 1a on an enlarged scale, with monoaxially clamped triangular trusses, which are arrayed offset with respect to other trusses behind or in front of them; FIG. 5 is a partial elevational view of the roof construction, for instance, of FIGS. 2a or 3a, on an enlarged scale; FIG. 6 is a partial elevational view similar to that of FIG. 5, of a roof construction built up from triangular trusses of asymmetric cross-section; FIG. 7 is a partial elevational view of a roof construction similar to that of FIG. 5, with a framework clamped along two axes and with a roofing arrangement underneath the framework; FIG. 8 is a front elevational view of a building with a stepped or terraced roof construction, representing a further embodiment of the invention and supporting the solar collectors on the slanted, southward surfaces; FIG. 9 is a top plan view of the roof construction of FIG. 8, partly broken away to show the deformed three-dimensional framework; FIG. 10 is a view in section taken substantially along line X--X of FIG. 9; and FIG. 11 is a partial view of the elementary cells which build up the framework of the roof construction of FIGS. 8, 9 and 10, achieved by deforming the elementary cells of the regular cubic design. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The building 5 with a rectangular top view shown in FIG. 1 is oriented precisely along the north-south direction and comprises a roof of which the support consists of a three-dimensional framework in the form of parallel, uniaxially stressed triangular trusses 10 which are mutually spaced a distance L a in the plane U of the lower chord in the north-south direction, the spacing L a of the triangular trusses. The triangular trusses 10 consist individually of the elementary cells 11 and 12 (FIG. 1c), the elementary cell 11 representing a semi-octahedron and elementary cell 12 a tetrahedron. The elementary cell 11 individually consists of four bars 13 connected at their ends by junctions 14 to which are connected further four diagonal bars 15 connected in turn at their upper ends by junctions 16. The bars 13 form a square grid or lattice with a lattice separation of L a . The elementary cells 12 located between adjacent elementary cells 11 consist of junctions 14, bars 13 and diagonal bars 15, also of junctions 16 from adjacent elementary cells 11, bars 17 extending in the east-west direction between junctions 16. Accordingly, the bars 13 are located in the plane U of the lower chord, while bars 17 are located in the plane O of the upper chord. The arrangement of this embodiment is such that the length L b of bars 17 equals that of bars 13 in the plane U of the lower chord. Again, the diagonal bars may be of a corresponding length, so that one length for all the bars will suffice for the entire framework. The above arrangement and design of the triangular trusses 10 results in the diagonal bars 15 being arrayed as groups of sets of bars in parallel planes subtending an angle alpha with the horizontal and pointing midway in the direction of the highest sun (southward). Solar collectors 18 are mounted above these southward pointing sets of diagonal bars 15, as shown also in FIG. 4. As can be seen in FIG. 4, solar collectors 18 are bolted onto the junctions 16 in the plane O of the upper chord and to the junctions 14 in the plane U of the lower chord. FIG. 4 further shows that the triangular trusses 10 can also be mutually connected by rods 20 transversely to their main axes. The spacings between the parallel triangular trusses 10 in each case are so selected that even for the sun at its lowest, shade formation by neighboring solar collectors will be avoided or at the least kept trivial. Again, FIG. 4 shows that in such a three-dimensional framework the roofing 21 can be suspended together with a supporting trapezoidal plate or sheet metal 22 and a heat barrier 23 below the statically effective triangular trusses 10. Alternatively, the northward, westward and eastward pointing sets of diagonal bars 15 and the spaces between the triangular trusses 10 may be provided with a roofing 210. As regards the embodiment of FIG. 5, this is a bi-axially clamped framework with upper chord bars 19. In this instance, deviating from the above embodiment, the triangular trusses are so arrayed directly next to one another that the diagonal bars 15 between the plane O of the upper chord and the plane U of the lower chord of adjacent triangular trusses are connected at the bottom to common junctions 14. To prevent in this case forming a shadow on the solar collectors 18, or at least to reduce it to a minimum, the collectors are shortened at their bottoms with respect to the embodiment of FIG. 4. This variation of the invention furthermore shows roofing 24 in FIG. 5 which is so mounted above the sets of diagonal bars 15 that a passable rain drain is obtained between all of the triangular trusses, the solar collectors 18 being mounted above those rain drains or gutters yet below the upper boundary of the roofing 24, and in such a manner that said collectors offer the most advantageous angle with respect to the main beam of solar irradiation. Accordingly, in this instance the solar collectors 18 are integrated in the roofing 24 whereas the heat barrier 23, consisting for instance of laminations, is suspended from the triangular trusses similarly to the embodiment of FIG. 4. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 further comprises triangular trusses of symmetrical cross-section, the roofing 24 opposite the solar collectors, if appropriate, being made opaque. In FIG. 6, to the contrary, the triangular trusses are asymmetrical in cross-section, as is usually the case for instance in shed roofs. The solar collectors 18 are mounted on the sets of diagonal bars 15 which point in the direction of the highest sun (southward) and which are shorter than the neighboring sets of bars 15 above which are mounted transparent roof slabs 25 or the like, where appropriate incorporating a heat barrier, whereby the space below the framework is illuminated by diffuse daylight without undue glare and direct illumination by solar heat. The roof slabs 25 and solar collectors 18 are connected at their lower edges by the rain drains 26, whereas provision may be made for plates or sheet metal 27 at the upper edges of the solar collectors to overlap the slabs 25. Be it further noted that the connecting bars 19 between the triangular trusses are of the same length as bars 13 in the plane U of the lower chord. The embodiment of FIG. 7 essentially corresponds to that of FIG. 4, except that in this case the triangular trusses are arrayed directly against one another by means of upper chord bars 19 and that solar collectors 18 shortened at the bottom are mounted above the sets of diagonal bars 15 pointing in the direction of the highest sun (southward). Accessory equipment 28 may be incorporated, furthermore, within the three-dimensional framework or the triangular trusses, together with the solar collectors 18, as schematically indicated in FIGS. 5 and 6. The solar energy captured by the solar collectors 18 may be delivered by these accessories for room heating, e.g., by these accessories taking in the air from below, heating it and then releasing it below again. Inversely, the energy delivered by the solar collectors can also be used, for instance, in the presence of absorber facilities to cool the air in the room below the three-dimensional framework. The combination of accessories within the framework is especially advantageous also because only short connections are required between the solar collectors on one hand and these accessories on the other. Accordingly, a particularly economical implementation is possible while the operation of the entire equipment is also economical. Furthermore, it is immediately feasible to integrate such combinations of accessories and collectors retroactively, as indicated by FIGS. 5 and 6. Whereas the building 5 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 is oriented north-south and the framework is mounted symmetrically on it in such manner that the one-half of the set of diagonal bars 15--above which are mounted the solar collectors 18--satisfactorily points south, the conditions relating to the buildings 30 and 31 of FIGS. 2 and 3 are different, as these, for instance, because of the direction of the street, subtend an angle with the north-south direction. According to the theory of the three-dimensional frameworks, the socalled "regular frameworks" (for instance with a square base grid) are the basis of all such designs. It is also known to build the socalled "derived three-dimensional frameworks" from the "regular" ones, for instance by changing their height or by forming a rectangular grid from a square basic one due to the transforming of the axial direction. These steps, however, do not automatically and easily lead to an optimal solution as regards the orientation of the building in FIGS. 2 and 3. On one hand, in order to line up a group of sets of diagonal bars extending in parallel planes toward the highest sun (southward), above which then the solar collectors can be mounted, and on the other hand in order to make do with a minimum number of bars of different lengths and junctions with connecting bores in different places, so that the economy of the three-dimensional framework as a roof support is retained, a regular framework is deformed in a special manner in accordance with the present invention as regards the cases mentioned above. A framework 33 acting as the roof support for the building 30 shown rectangular in top view of FIG. 2 is deformed in a special manner as indicated in FIG. 2c so that part of diagonal bars 15 extending in parallel sets is pointing in the direction of the highest sun (southward). This results in a parallel alignment of the bars 17 in the upper chord axes, which run from east to west. The junctions 14 and 16 together with the grid lines 34 parallel to the edges of the building and the equal spacings in each axis thereby form a grid. However, the spacings from one axis to the next are different in this case. Looked at in detail, the framework 33 consists of the parallel triangular trusses 10 (FIG. 2a), which are immediately adjoining. The elementary bodies 11a and 12a of each triangular truss also comprise four bars 13 in the plane U of the lower chord, which are connected by junctions 14 with one another and also with diagonal bars 15, which are each connected to a junction 16 in the plane O of the upper chord. In turn, the bars 17 in the plane O of the upper chord connect the junctions 16 of neighboring elementary cells 11a. In contrast to the embodiment of FIG. 1, the elementary cells 11a and 12a are deformed, whereby the elementary cells 11a assume not a square, but rhombic basic surface. All the junctions of the framework 33, however, as already stated rest on a grid of which the grid lines 34 are parallel to the edges of the building 30. The grid spacing L a remains the same in the principal axis of the framework except for the end spacings L' a and even the grid spacing L b along the transverse axis of the framework is uniform, though different from L a . Because of these grid spaces between the junctions 14 and 16 in the plane of the lower chord or upper chord, the framework can be implemented despite the cited deformation with a minimum of different bar lengths and junctions with varyingly located connection bores. Solar collectors 18 can be emplaced in optimal manner above the sets of diagonal bars 15 properly facing south. The roofing can be simply suspended from the framework as indicated for instance in FIG. 7. The embodiments of FIGS. 3 through 3d essentially correspond to those of FIGS. 2 through 2d. The framework 35 forms the roof support for building 31 and consists in this case also of parallel, adjoining triangular trusses 10, again the framework being so deformed that the bars 13 of the elementary cells 11b bound not a square, but a parallelogram. Junctions 14 and 16 form a grid with the grid lines 34 running parallel to the edges of the building 31, a constant grid spacing L a obtaining transversely to the building and a constant grid spacing L b in its longitudinal direction, in both cases across the entire housing facade. Thereby, it becomes possible in this example also of making do with a minimum number of bars of different length and different junctions with varyingly located connection bores. The solar collectors 18 are mounted above the south-facing parallel sets of diagonal bars 15. As in the preceding embodiment, the bars 17 extending in parallel in the plane O of the upper chord are of the same length as those bars 13 mounted in plane U of the lower chord. The roofing can be implemented as shown in FIG. 7. Unlike the deformed frameworks 33 and 35 on buildings 30 and 31, respectively, of FIGS. 2 and 3, which are derived from the elementary cells of semioctahedral and tetrahedral shapes, the spatially deformed framework 36 of the embodiment of FIGS. 8 through 11 is derived from the cubic elementary cells 11c and 11d and the cubic diagonal segments 11e. The framework 36 rests on the building walls 37 by means of the elementary cells 11e in the form of cubic diagonal segments. A triangular truss 38 is located only in the top of the roof. In order to achieve an efficient solar installation in this case, it is important that as much as possible of the roof surface be in a favorable orientation with respect to the sun. Framework 36, furthermore, must form the support not only for the solar collectors 18 but also for the roofing 39. The optimal orientation of the solar collectors 18 is obtained by so designing the three-dimensional framework that sets of external diagonal bars 150 located in parallel planes point in the direction of the highest sun (southward). The solar collectors 18 are mounted above those external diagonal bars 150. As clearly shown in FIG. 10, the sets of external diagonal bars 150 are interconnected by horizontal bars 17, whereby a sequence of steps of sets of bars is formed. Passable plates or roof elements further may be mounted on the horizontal sets of bars between the solar collectors 18. In this manner, it is easy to have access to the solar collectors 18 for monitoring purposes. FIG. 9 illustrates that in this instance also the building 41, which is rectangular in plan view, is oriented at an angle to the north-south axis. Therefore, the three-dimensional framework must be mounted asymmetrically with respect to the building and at the same time it must be derived from a regular cubic framework in order on one hand to align part of the external sets of diagonal bars 150 toward the south with parallel upper chord axes, and on the other hand to arrange the junctions 14 and 16 in a grid of which the grid lines 34 run parallel to the building contour and of which the grid spacings L a and L b are each constant for its building axis. Accordingly, part of the bars 17 in the upper chord lines up approximately in the east-west direction, the remaining bars 17 being oblique to them and aligned along the north-south line. The elementary cells 11c and 11d as well as the elementary cells 11e have a base-rhombic surface (FIG. 9). Seen in cross-section in FIG. 10, the bars 13 or the diagonal bars 150 in the lower chord are connected with the bars 17 or the diagonal bars 150 in the upper chord by vertical bars 40. It is noted that such a ladder-type three-dimensional framework can be modified in departure from the illustrative embodiment and can be provided further with solar collectors across its entire southward side. In such a case, merely the sets of diagonal bars 150 need being interconnected. Al already fundamentally stressed above, the design of the invention, in addition to the already discussed advantages, also offers the feasibility of integrating the solar collectors in an especially advantageous manner (both with respect to construction and economy) not only in the overall construction but also with the roofing, as can be seen in detail especially in FIGS. 4 through 7. Thus, FIG. 4 shows the arrangement of the solar collectors 18 in the construction space between the plane O of the upper chord and the plane U of the lower chord of the framework with construction components 21, 22, 23 below the framework and sealing off the space. In FIG. 5 the solar collectors 18 form part of the weather-skin, functioning in concert with a special sheet metal roofing 24, whereby a gutter for draining precipitation is achieved in the lower region where this gutter can also be used for access for maintenance of the solar collectors 18. Lastly, FIG. 6 shows a variation, in which, unlike the case for FIGS. 4 and 5, the three-dimensional framework is asymmetrical. Opposite the optimally arrayed solar collectors 18 are the roof slabs or plates 25, which are so designed and mounted as to transmit diffuse daylight to the roofed space below, but not direct sunlight. In this manner, one achieves favorable illumination of the roofed space with daylight while keeping out the undesired solar irradiation. In this case, both the solar collectors 18 and the roof plates 25 and the rain gutters 26 may be made with or without heat barriers, depending on the nature of the buildings. The arrangement of the solar collectors in FIG. 7 in principle is that of FIG. 4, except that in this figure there are no uni-axially clamped triangular trusses arranged in mutual offset; rather there is a framework clamped along two axes which in addition to the lower chord bars 13 also comprises upper chord bars 19 between the upper chord junctions 16 in plane O of the upper chord. As in FIG. 4, the actual space sealing 21, 22, 23 here also is located below the plane U of the lower chord. It is significant to the economy of construction that such a framework design can be mounted not only horizontally and above a space, but also at a slant to the horizontal or vertically. This means that the framework construction of the present invention can also be applied as a vertical or slanted support skeleton, e.g., for sports arenas, meeting halls or the like. All the inventive principles treated herein furthermore apply not only to two-tiered frameworks, but also to constructions with a larger number of tiers.
A roof construction for buildings comprising a framework of bars and junctions, the bars being arranged in sets which are located in several mutually intersecting planes that are group-wise substantially parallel. One group of a set of bars extends in substantially parallel planes of the framework and is aligned independently of building orientation in the direction of the highest elevation of the sun. Solar collectors are mounted on these sets of bars.
8
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims the benefit of provisional application No. 61/296,555 filed Jan. 20, 2010, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND [0002] The present disclosure relates to a coordinate measuring machine, and more particularly to a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine having a repeatable base mount having an electronic base mount identification system. [0003] Portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machines (AACMMs) have found widespread use in the manufacturing or production of parts where there is a need to rapidly and accurately verify the dimensions of the part during various stages of the manufacturing or production (e.g., machining) of the part. Portable AACMMs represent a vast improvement over known stationary or fixed, cost-intensive and relatively difficult to use measurement installations, particularly in the amount of time it takes to perform dimensional measurements of relatively complex parts. Typically, a user of a portable AACMM simply guides a probe along the surface of the part or object to be measured. The measurement data are then recorded and provided to the user. In some cases, the data are provided to the user in visual form, for example, three-dimensional (3-D) form on a computer screen. In other cases, the data are provided to the user in numeric form, for example when measuring the diameter of a hole, the text “Diameter=1.0034” is displayed on a computer screen. [0004] An example of a prior art portable articulated arm CMM is disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,582 ('582), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. The '582 patent discloses a 3-D measuring system comprised of a manually-operated articulated arm CMM having a support base on one end and a measurement probe at the other end. Commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,611,147 ('147), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety, discloses a similar articulated arm CMM. In the '147 patent, the articulated arm CMM includes a number of features including an additional rotational axis at the probe end, thereby providing for an arm with either a two-two-two or a two-two-three axis configuration (the latter case being a seven axis arm). [0005] What is needed is an AACMM that can be quickly mounted and dismounted in a repeatable manner. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine including a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals, a measurement device attached to the first end of the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, a base coupled to the second end, an upper mount portion disposed on the base, a lower mount portion fixed to a mounting structure and configured to repeatably connect to the upper mount portion and an electronic identification system configured to send identifier information identifying the lower mount portion to the electronic circuit. [0007] Additional exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine including a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals, a measurement device attached to the first end of the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, a base coupled to the second end, an upper mount portion disposed on the base and a lower mount portion fixed to a mounting structure and configured to repeatably connect to the upper mount portion, wherein the upper mount portion and the lower mount portion are components of a curvic coupling or a Hirth coupling. [0008] Further exemplary embodiments include a method of operating a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, with steps including providing a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals, a measurement device attached to the first end of the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, a base coupled to the second end, and an upper mount portion disposed on the base, providing a first lower mount portion fixed to a first mounting structure and configured to repeatably connect to the upper mount portion, connecting the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine to the first lower mount portion and sending to the electronic circuit first identifier data that identifies the first lower mount portion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] Referring now to the drawings, exemplary embodiments are shown which should not be construed to be limiting regarding the entire scope of the disclosure, and wherein the elements are numbered alike in several FIGURES: [0010] FIG. 1 , including FIGS. 1A and 1B , are perspective views of a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) having embodiments of various aspects of the present invention therewithin; [0011] FIG. 2 , including FIGS. 2A-2D taken together, is a block diagram of electronics utilized as part of the AACMM of FIG. 1 in accordance with an embodiment; [0012] FIG. 3 , including FIGS. 3A and 3B taken together, is a block diagram describing detailed features of the electronic data processing system of FIG. 2 in accordance with an embodiment; [0013] FIG. 4 , including FIGS. 4A and 4B , are perspective views of curvic couplings and Hirth couplings, respectively, that are used as part of a mount for mounting the AACMM of FIG. 1 in a specific location according to embodiments of an aspect of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 5 is a cross section view of a portion of the base of the AACMM of FIG. 1 having the mount embodied therein according to embodiments of an aspect of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 6 , including FIGS. 6A and 6B , are perspective views, partially cutaway, of the mount in unassembled and assembled positions, respectively, according to embodiments of an aspect of the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method for mounting the AACMM in accordance with exemplary embodiments. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] Exemplary embodiments include a repeatable base mount having an electronic base mount identification system that associates a base-mount serial number with a prior measurement history for one or more AACMMs. The exemplary base mount allows the AACMM to be removed and repeatably replaced without the need to re-establish the frame of reference of the one or more AACMMs. [0018] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate, in perspective, a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine (AACMM) 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention, an articulated arm being one type of coordinate measuring machine. As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the exemplary AACMM 100 may comprise a six or seven axis articulated measurement device having a measurement probe housing 102 coupled to an arm portion 104 of the AACMM 100 at one end. The arm portion 104 comprises a first arm segment 106 coupled to a second arm segment 108 by a first grouping of bearing cartridges 110 (e.g., two bearing cartridges). A second grouping of bearing cartridges 112 (e.g., two bearing cartridges) couples the second arm segment 108 to the measurement probe housing 102 . A third grouping of bearing cartridges 114 (e.g., three bearing cartridges) couples the first arm segment 106 to a base 116 located at the other end of the arm portion 104 of the AACMM 100 . Each grouping of bearing cartridges 110 , 112 , 114 provides for multiple axes of articulated movement. Also, the measurement probe housing 102 may comprise the shaft of the seventh axis portion of the AACMM 100 (e.g., a cartridge containing an encoder system that determines movement of the measurement device, for example a probe 118 , in the seventh axis of the AACMM 100 ). In use of the AACMM 100 , the base 116 is typically affixed to a work surface. [0019] Each bearing cartridge within each bearing cartridge grouping 110 , 112 , 114 typically contains an encoder system (e.g., an optical angular encoder system). The encoder system (i.e., transducer) provides an indication of the position of the respective arm segments 106 , 108 and corresponding bearing cartridge groupings 110 , 112 , 114 that all together provide an indication of the position of the probe 118 with respect to the base 116 (and, thus, the position of the object being measured by the AACMM 100 in a certain frame of reference—for example a local or global frame of reference). The arm segments 106 , 108 may be made from a suitably rigid material such as but not limited to a carbon composite material for example. A portable AACMM 100 with six or seven axes of articulated movement (i.e., degrees of freedom) provides advantages in allowing the operator to position the probe 118 in a desired location within a 360° area about the base 116 while providing an arm portion 104 that may be easily handled by the operator. However, it should be appreciated that the illustration of an arm portion 104 having two arm segments 106 , 108 is for exemplary purposes, and the claimed invention should not be so limited. An AACMM 100 may have any number of arm segments coupled together by bearing cartridges (and, thus, more or less than six or seven axes of articulated movement or degrees of freedom). [0020] The probe 118 is detachably mounted to the measurement probe housing 102 , which is connected to bearing cartridge grouping 112 . A handle 126 is removable with respect to the measurement probe housing 102 by way of, for example, a quick-connect interface. The handle 126 may be replaced with another device (e.g., a laser line probe, a bar code reader), thereby providing advantages in allowing the operator to use different measurement devices with the same AACMM 100 . In exemplary embodiments, the probe housing 102 houses a removable probe 118 , which is a contacting measurement device and may have different tips 118 that physically contact the object to be measured, including, but not limited to: ball, touch-sensitive, curved and extension type probes. In other embodiments, the measurement is performed, for example, by a non-contacting device such as a laser line probe (LLP). In an embodiment, the handle 126 is replaced with the LLP using the quick-connect interface. Other types of measurement devices may replace the removable handle 126 to provide additional functionality. Examples of such measurement devices include, but are not limited to, one or more illumination lights, a temperature sensor, a thermal scanner, a bar code scanner, a projector, a paint sprayer, a camera, or the like, for example. [0021] As shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the AACMM 100 includes the removable handle 126 that provides advantages in allowing accessories or functionality to be changed without removing the measurement probe housing 102 from the bearing cartridge grouping 112 . As discussed in more detail below with respect to FIG. 2 , the removable handle 126 may also include an electrical connector that allows electrical power and data to be exchanged with the handle 126 and the corresponding electronics located in the probe end. [0022] In various embodiments, each grouping of bearing cartridges 110 , 112 , 114 allows the arm portion 104 of the AACMM 100 to move about multiple axes of rotation. As mentioned, each bearing cartridge grouping 110 , 112 , 114 includes corresponding encoder systems, such as optical angular encoders for example, that are each arranged coaxially with the corresponding axis of rotation of, e.g., the arm segments 106 , 108 . The optical encoder system detects rotational (swivel) or transverse (hinge) movement of, e.g., each one of the arm segments 106 , 108 about the corresponding axis and transmits a signal to an electronic data processing system within the AACMM 100 as described in more detail herein below. Each individual raw encoder count is sent separately to the electronic data processing system as a signal where it is further processed into measurement data. No position calculator separate from the AACMM 100 itself (e.g., a serial box) is required, as disclosed in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 5,402,582 ('582). [0023] The base 116 may include an attachment device or mounting device 120 . The mounting device 120 allows the AACMM 100 to be removably mounted to a desired location, such as an inspection table, a machining center, a wall or the floor for example. In one embodiment, the base 116 includes a handle portion 122 that provides a convenient location for the operator to hold the base 116 as the AACMM 100 is being moved. In one embodiment, the base 116 further includes a movable cover portion 124 that folds down to reveal a user interface, such as a display screen. [0024] As described further herein with respect to FIGS. 4-6 , the base 116 and mounting device may further include a repeatable base mount 150 incorporated into the base 116 and having an electronic base mount identification system that associates an arm serial number and prior measurement history with the mount 150 . The exemplary base mount allows the AACMM 100 to be removed and properly replaced relatively more quickly without the need to establish all the baseline parameters of measurement each time the AACMM 100 is removed from the mount 150 and then subsequently replaced in the mount 150 . [0025] In accordance with an embodiment, the base 116 of the portable AACMM 100 contains or houses an electronic data processing system that includes two primary components: a base processing system that processes the data from the various encoder systems within the AACMM 100 as well as data representing other arm parameters to support three-dimensional (3-D) positional calculations; and a user interface processing system that includes an on-board operating system, a touch screen display, and resident application software that allows for relatively complete metrology functions to be implemented within the AACMM 100 without the need for connection to an external computer. [0026] The electronic data processing system in the base 116 may communicate with the encoder systems, sensors, and other peripheral hardware located away from the base 116 (e.g., a LLP that can be mounted to the removable handle 126 on the AACMM 100 ). The electronics that support these peripheral hardware devices or features may be located in each of the bearing cartridge groupings 110 , 112 , 114 located within the portable AACMM 100 . [0027] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of electronics utilized in an AACMM 100 in accordance with an embodiment. The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 includes an electronic data processing system 210 including a base processor board 204 for implementing the base processing system, a user interface board 202 , a base power board 206 for providing power, a Bluetooth module 232 , and a base tilt board 208 . The user interface board 202 includes a computer processor for executing application software to perform user interface, display, and other functions described herein. [0028] As shown in FIG. 2 , the electronic data processing system 210 is in communication with the aforementioned plurality of encoder systems via one or more arm buses 218 . In the embodiment depicted in FIG. 2 , each encoder system generates encoder data and includes: an encoder arm bus interface 214 , an encoder digital signal processor (DSP) 216 , an encoder read head interface 234 , and a temperature sensor 212 . Other devices, such as strain sensors, may be attached to the arm bus 218 . [0029] Also shown in FIG. 2 are probe end electronics 230 that are in communication with the arm bus 218 . The probe end electronics 230 include a probe end DSP 228 , a temperature sensor 212 , a handle/LLP interface bus 240 that connects with the handle 126 or the LLP 242 via the quick-connect interface in an embodiment, and a probe interface 226 . The quick-connect interface allows access by the handle 126 to the data bus, control lines, and power bus used by the LLP 242 and other accessories. In an embodiment, the probe end electronics 230 are located in the measurement probe housing 102 on the AACMM 100 . In an embodiment, the handle 126 may be removed from the quick-connect interface and measurement may be performed by the laser line probe (LLP) 242 communicating with the probe end electronics 230 of the AACMM 100 via the handle/LLP interface bus 240 . In an embodiment, the electronic data processing system 210 is located in the base 116 of the AACMM 100 , the probe end electronics 230 are located in the measurement probe housing 102 of the AACMM 100 , and the encoder systems are located in the bearing cartridge groupings 110 , 112 , 114 . The probe interface 226 may connect with the probe end DSP 228 by any suitable communications protocol, including commercially-available products from Maxim Integrated Products, Inc. that embody the 1-Wire® communications protocol 236 . [0030] FIG. 3 is a block diagram describing detailed features of the electronic data processing system 210 of the AACMM 100 in accordance with an embodiment. In an embodiment, the electronic data processing system 210 is located in the base 116 of the AACMM 100 and includes the base processor board 204 , the user interface board 202 , a base power board 206 , a Bluetooth module 232 , and a base tilt module 208 . [0031] In an embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the base processor board 204 includes the various functional blocks illustrated therein. For example, a base processor function 302 is utilized to support the collection of measurement data from the AACMM 100 and receives raw arm data (e.g., encoder system data) via the arm bus 218 and a bus control module function 308 . The memory function 304 stores programs and static arm configuration data. The base processor board 204 also includes an external hardware option port function 310 for communicating with any external hardware devices or accessories such as an LLP 242 . A real time clock (RTC) and log 306 , a battery pack interface (IF) 316 , and a diagnostic port 318 are also included in the functionality in an embodiment of the base processor board 204 depicted in FIG. 3 . [0032] The base processor board 302 also manages all the wired and wireless data communication with external (host computer) and internal (display processor 202 ) devices. The base processor board 204 has the capability of communicating with an Ethernet network via an Ethernet function 320 (e.g., using a clock synchronization standard such as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 1588), with a wireless local area network (WLAN) via a LAN function 322 , and with Bluetooth module 232 via a parallel to serial communications (PSC) function 314 . The base processor board 204 also includes a connection to a universal serial bus (USB) device 312 . [0033] The base processor board 204 transmits and collects raw measurement data (e.g., encoder system counts, temperature readings) for processing into measurement data without the need for any preprocessing, such as disclosed in the serial box of the aforementioned '582 patent. The base processor 204 sends the processed data to the display processor 328 on the user interface board 202 via an RS485 interface (IF) 326 . In an embodiment, the base processor 204 also sends the raw measurement data to an external computer. [0034] Turning now to the user interface board 202 in FIG. 3 , the angle and positional data received by the base processor is utilized by applications executing on the display processor 328 to provide an autonomous metrology system within the AACMM 100 . Applications may be executed on the display processor 328 to support functions such as, but not limited to: measurement of features, guidance and training graphics, remote diagnostics, temperature corrections, control of various operational features, connection to various networks, and display of measured objects. Along with the display processor 328 and a liquid crystal display (LCD) 338 (e.g., a touch screen LCD) user interface, the user interface board 202 includes several interface options including a secure digital (SD) card interface 330 , a memory 332 , a USB Host interface 334 , a diagnostic port 336 , a camera port 340 , an audio/video interface 342 , a dial-up/cell modem 344 and a global positioning system (GPS) port 346 . [0035] The electronic data processing system 210 shown in FIG. 3 also includes a base power board 206 with an environmental recorder 362 for recording environmental data. The base power board 206 also provides power to the electronic data processing system 210 using an AC/DC converter 358 and a battery charger control 360 . The base power board 206 communicates with the base processor board 204 using inter-integrated circuit (I2C) serial single ended bus 354 as well as via a DMA serial peripheral interface (DSPI) 356 . The base power board 206 is connected to a tilt sensor and radio frequency identification (RFID) module 208 via an input/output (I/O) expansion function 364 implemented in the base power board 206 . [0036] Though shown as separate components, in other embodiments all or a subset of the components may be physically located in different locations and/or functions combined in different manners than that shown in FIG. 3 . For example, in one embodiment, the base processor board 204 and the user interface board 202 are combined into one physical board. [0037] Referring to FIGS. 4-6 , another aspect of the improvements to the portable AACMM 100 of embodiments of the present invention relates to a repeatable base mount 150 having an electronic base mount identification system that associates a mount serial number with the and prior measurement history of one or more articulated arm CMMs. The repeatable base mount 150 includes a lower mount portion 402 and an upper mount portion 404 . The repeatable base mount 150 can be integral with the base 116 , and the mounting device 120 can be used to hold upper mount portion 404 in contact with lower mount portion 402 . This may be done by screwing the mounting device 120 downward against the threads of lower mounting portion 402 using a method similar to that illustrated in FIG. 9 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/006,490, filed 14 Jan. 2011, which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference. [0038] In certain work scenarios, the operator of the portable AACMM 100 must routinely remove virtually the entire portable AACMM 100 (i.e., the base and arm portions) from a tool, machine, fixture, instrument stand, surface plate, or other work surface to which it was affixed during a machining or assembly operation. The operator must then re-install the portable AACMM 100 to take subsequent measurements. In current portable CMM systems, each time the portable AACMM 100 is re-installed, a relatively long time is required to properly re-establish a coordinate system and re-initiate the measurement session. For example, to establish a frame of reference, the AACMM is used to measure positions on the workpiece or the surroundings in at least three, but usually more, points. If the AACMM is moved to multiple locations, common points are measured by the AACMM in each of the locations to establish a common frame of reference. The user accesses application software to convert the coordinates of the measured points into mathematical transformation matrices that are needed when moving the AACMM from one mounting location to another. Such matrices might be 4×4 matrices that combine the actions of rotation and translation, for example. Methods for obtaining and using transformation matrices are well known to those of ordinary skill in the art and will not be discussed further. Using the transformation matrices, software can be used to find the pose (x, y, z, and three orientation angles) of the AACMM 100 at the new mount position. In general, the time it takes to perform the above-described steps greatly exceeds measurement times. As such, the exemplary embodiments described herein greatly improve efficiency in using the AACMM 100 . [0039] The present invention provides a repeatable base mount 150 that allows the AACMM 100 to be removed and repeatably replaced without the need to re-establish the pose of the AACMM 100 whenever the AACMM is moved. [0040] Some embodiments of the current invention use kinematic mounting elements, which may include combinations of balls and rods, for example. Other embodiments of the present invention are based on the principle of elastic averaging (overconstraint) to resist deformation from large forces. Such an embodiment includes a repeatable base mount 150 that can accommodate the relatively extreme forces required to secure the base 116 and arm portion 104 of the AACMM 100 to a mounting ring 400 , without deformation. For example, a static force can be an order of magnitude of a weight of the AACMM 100 . The torque on the mount of the AACMM 100 can be an order of magnitude of maximum spring forces times a length of the arm segments 106 , 108 . An embodiment of the repeatable base mount 150 makes use of the principle of elastic averaging (overconstraint). Examples of elastic-averaging mounts 400 shown in FIGS. 4A and 4B include curvic ring couplings 410 ( FIGS. 4A , 6 A, 6 B) and Hirth ring couplings 420 ( FIG. 4B ), which is also known as V-tooth or Voith couplings. The curvic ring couplings provide a relatively large support surface area and also constrain motion vertically, radially, and concentrically. Implementation of the curvic ring couplings 410 and the Hirth ring couplings 420 overcome the problems of the relatively extreme forces as described herein. As known in the art, curvic ring couplings 410 have precision face splines with curved radial teeth of contact depth. Curvic ring couplings 410 are implemented for joining two or more members to form a single operating unit. Also as known in the art, Hirth ring couplings 420 include radial grooves milled or ground into an end face of a cylindrical feature of a part. Grooves are made one by one into the part tilted by a bottom angle of the grooves, and rotated from groove to groove until serration is complete. Hirth ring couplings 420 are implemented to connect two pieces of a part together and are characterized by teeth that mesh together on end faces of each part half. [0041] In addition to the features that enable the repeatability of the couplings 400 , the base mounting system 150 also includes a key or pin to ensure a single mounting orientation. Each coupling 400 has a lower mount portion 402 and an upper mount portion 404 . The lower mount portion 402 is incorporated into a mounting ring, which can be attached using conventional means to a tool, machine, fixture, instrument stand, surface plate, or other work surface. The mounting ring may, for example, be integrated into mounting device 420 . The lower mount portion 402 may be assigned a unique serial number that can be transmitted to the AACMM 100 when installed on the mounting ring. This communication can be achieved wirelessly, magnetically, or via electrical connectors. In an embodiment, an encapsulated RF identification (RFID) tag 440 may be installed in the center of the mount assembly. In an embodiment, the serial number of the RF identification tag 440 is read by a transceiver 430 . [0042] An alternative design that provides a relatively more rigid coupling is a center drawn (e.g., bolt) attachment instead of a threaded ring (such as the threaded ring shown in lower mount portion 402 of FIG. 6A ). Such a design may involve moving the RFID tag off the center of the lower mount portion 402 and the transceiver 430 off the center of the base 116 . In their places, a bolt is threaded between the lower mount portion 402 and the base 116 to hold the lower mount portion 402 and upper mount portion 404 securely together. Compared to a threaded design, this alternative design may provide a relatively more uniform edge loading of the ring, thereby providing a relatively more rigid mount. [0043] The upper mount portion 404 is attached to the base 116 of the AACMM 100 . The base 116 includes a means to read the serial number of the mount. In an embodiment, an RF transceiver 430 may be mounted inside the base 116 of the AACMM 100 , and an RF transparent window permits RF energy to pass from the base 116 to the RFID tag 440 . Shielding may be provided around the transceiver 430 and RFID tag 440 to minimize RF radiation emission from the transceiver 430 and susceptibility to RF radiation by the transceiver 430 . [0044] In embodiments of the present invention, the AACMM 100 contains hardware and software to allow storage of the pose (x, y, z, and three orientation angles) of the AACMM 100 within the global frame of reference for each position of a lower mounting portion 402 . Consequently, installation of the AACMM 100 on the mount is relatively fast. That is, the previous set-up information (i.e., pose) for that AACMM 100 is not lost and may be reused to quickly re-establish the baseline coordinate system for that particular AACMM 100 . Multiple mount and AACMM 100 combinations can be created and stored. Multiple lower mount portions 402 can be secured within a work area and an AACMM 100 moved from one lower mount portion 402 to another. Multiple AACMMs 100 and multiple lower mount portions 402 may store unique set-up information allowing for relatively fast, flexible equipment changes. [0045] FIG. 7 illustrates a flow chart of a method 700 for mounting the AACMM 100 in accordance with exemplary embodiments. At step 705 , the transceiver 430 of the AACMM 100 reads the serial number of the RFID tag 440 attached to the lower mount portion 402 . At step 710 , the electronic data processing system 210 determines whether the pose of the AACMM 100 is known for the serial number read in step 705 . If the serial number is known, then in step 715 the electronic data processing system 210 reads from memory 304 the six numbers (three positions and three angles) associated with the pose of the AACMM 100 . If the serial number is not known, then in step 720 the operator uses the AACMM 100 to measure a collection of points that are used by software to establish the pose of the AACMM 100 within a desired (e.g., global) frame of reference. Generally at least three points need to be measured. The points may be referenced to features from a CAD model or to features on a workpiece. In some cases, the same points may be measured by other AACMMs to place the AACMMs in a common frame of reference. In step 725 , the electronic data processing system 210 stores in the memory 304 the pose of the AACMM 100 and the serial number from the RFID tag 440 of the lower mount portion 402 . [0046] The method described with reference to FIG. 7 assumes that the lower mount portion 402 has not been moved since the pose of the AACMM 100 was last determined. The possibility that the lower mount portion 402 has been moved can be accounted for in the application software, if desired. [0047] In embodiments hereinabove, an electronic identification system, which may include an RF identification tag and a transceiver, for example, is used to automatically send information to the electronic data processing system 210 to identify the particular lower mount portion 402 . For example, the lower mount portion 402 may be identified by a serial number. In another embodiment, the operator may take an action to identify the lower base portion 402 . For example, the application software may provide a user interface that enables the operator to identify the lower mount portion 402 whenever AACMM 100 is moved. By this means the operator can identify a particular lower mount portion 402 even if an electronic identification system is not available. In this case, the AACMM 100 can be moved among lower base portions 402 and quickly identified by the user in software. The software will then have access to the required transformation matrices, thereby eliminating the time-consuming measurement steps that would otherwise be required. [0048] Technical effects and benefits include the ability to store and recall the pose for an AACMM 100 when placed on a lower mount portion 402 , thereby saving setup time when moving an AACMM from place to place. [0049] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method, or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. [0050] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that may contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. [0051] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. [0052] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. [0053] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++, C# or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). [0054] Aspects of the present invention are described with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, may be implemented by computer program instructions. [0055] These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that may direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. [0056] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. [0057] The flowchart and block diagrams in the Figures illustrate the architecture, functionality, and operation of possible implementations of systems, methods, and computer program products according to various embodiments of the present invention. In this regard, each block in the flowchart or block diagrams may represent a module, segment, or portion of code, which comprises one or more executable instructions for implementing the specified logical function(s). It should also be noted that, in some alternative implementations, the functions noted in the block may occur out of the order noted in the Figures. For example, two blocks shown in succession may, in fact, be executed substantially concurrently, or the blocks may sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality involved. It will also be noted that each block of the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, and combinations of blocks in the block diagrams and/or flowchart illustration, may be implemented by special purpose hardware-based systems that perform the specified functions or acts, or combinations of special purpose hardware and computer instructions. [0058] While the invention has been described with reference to example embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc. do not denote any order or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are used to distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of the terms a, an, etc. do not denote a limitation of quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least one of the referenced item.
Exemplary embodiments include a portable articulated arm coordinate measuring machine including a manually positionable articulated arm portion having opposed first and second ends, the arm portion including a plurality of connected arm segments, each of the arm segments including at least one position transducer for producing position signals, a measurement device attached to the first end of the articulated arm coordinate measuring machine, an electronic circuit for receiving the position signals from the transducers and for providing data corresponding to a position of the measurement device, a base coupled to the second end, an upper mount portion disposed on the base, a lower mount portion fixed to a mounting structure and configured to repeatably connect to the upper mount portion and an electronic identification system configured to send identifier information identifying the lower mount portion to the electronic circuit.
6
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of pending application Ser. No. 10/388,989 filed Mar. 14, 2003. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to thermal transfer media and to methods of making and using thermal transfer media. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The following prior art is made of record: U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,541,340; 4,828,638; 4,944,827; 5,464,289; 5,196,030; 5,658,647; 5,661,099; 5,707,475; 5,788,796; 6,067,103; 6,246,326; 6,296,022; and 6,460,992; and also Paxar 5300ZT Operation/Maintenance and Parts List, January 1995 and User's Manual Paxar Model 5300ZT-Modified Addendum Feb. 14, 2003. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to improved thermal transfer media and to improved methods of making and using thermal transfer media. The transfer media of the invention are useful for transferring printing to a wide variety of flexible or rigid surfaces or substrates such as fabric, painted surfaces, metal, wood, plastics, composite materials, and so on. It frequently happens that a product manufacturer will have a variety of products that need to be printed or marked with information, and that some of the information to be printed remains constant over many or all products in the product line while other information may vary from product-to-product within the product line. The information that is the same from product-to-product in the product line can be termed “fixed information” and the information that varies from product-to-product can be termed “variable information.” When the product manufacturer uses transfers to transfer printed information onto the products, without the present invention, the product manufacturer is required to use a different transfer containing both fixed and variable information for each different product within the product line. This requires each product manufacturer to stock tens, hundreds, or thousands of different transfers, one transfer for each different product, although the products may vary by only a small amount of information, for example a serial number, a date code, country of origin, and/or size, and so on. This can become an enormous burden and expense for both the transfer media manufacturer and the product manufacturers. The transfer media manufacturer has the burden and expense of generating, identifying, tracking, handling and perhaps storing or inventorying possibly a tremendous number of different transfers for each product manufacturer and each product manufacturer in turn has the burden and expense of identifying, tracking, handling, and storing or inventorying a tremendous number of transfers. When using the transfers of the invention, the product manufacturer simply determines the fixed information and variable information and then again places an order for a transfer medium printed with only fixed information but which is capable of receiving any desired variable information. The transfer media manufacturer then generates a large number of transfers containing only fixed information, and thereafter variable information can be added either by the transfer media manufacturer upon instruction from the product manufacturer, or the variable information can be printed by the product manufacturers. In this way, the desired variable information is printed as needed. While the information is described in connection with the application of transfers to fabrics or garments, there is no intention to thereby limit the invention. For example, a garment manufacturer may make many different garments in many different sizes. The garment manufacturer may find it necessary or desirable to mark the garments with information, such as a logo, material content, country of origin, washing instructions, bleaching instructions, ironing instructions, drying instructions, various types of codes including code numbers, and size. Frequently most or all this information except size is common to a large number of garments made by that garment manufacturer, however, it is possible for any or most of the normally fixed information to change. For example, a product manufacturer may make products in different countries so that country of origin information can be variable information, and so on. A series of transfers or images disposed along the length of a transfer web can be partially printed or preprinted with the same information, namely, fixed information. Later, as the need arises, the partially printed transfer medium such as a transfer web can be printed with various additional variable information. For example, each printed image of fixed information on the transfer web can be supplemented with variable information, such as size information. A long web of transfer medium printed with fixed information produced in a long production run by a transfer media manufacturer can simply be wound into a large roll and subsequently printed with variable information or the long transfer medium with fixed information can be cut into shorter lengths and wound into two or more rolls which may be easier to handle and/or to distribute to different locations. The transfer medium of the invention can be printed with fixed information on a high volume basis in one location, for example the transfer media can be printed at the transfer media manufacturer's location, and thereafter the variable information can be printed on an as-needed basis at the same location or at different locations by various parties such as a subcontractor or the garment manufacturers themselves. It is not uncommon for a manufacturer such as a garment manufacturer to have different factories or locations where items requiring marking with both fixed and variable information are desired or required to be printed on a garment. The roll(s) of transfer media can be sent to these different factories or locations and the variable information can be printed there. The transfer medium of the invention is particularly suited to all these situations because previously prepared partially printed transfer medium containing only fixed information can be efficiently tailored to include variable information. When a fully printed transfer medium is needed, the large roll, or the small roll, as the case may be, of partially printed transfer medium is passed through a relatively low-cost, small footprint, short-run printer that prints all the variable information. For example, partially printed transfer medium on either a large or a small roll can be threaded into a short-run printer. The printer prints, for example, size information of one size, e.g., 2X/2XG, 50 – 52 on some or all of the images in the variable-information zones on the transfer medium in that roll. It may be that only part of the roll will need to be printed with variable information of the size-indicated above, so some or all of the remainder of this transfer medium roll can be printed with information of a different size, e.g., size X/XL, 46 – 48 . Thus, a length of transfer medium will have been printed with the same fixed information and differing variable information. This obviates the need for a large inventory of fully printed transfer media printed with both fixed and variable information. It should be noted that while large, expensive, long-run equipment suitable for long production runs can produce long webs of transfer medium, it is not well suited to produce short runs because such long-run equipment needs to be repeatedly stopped, changed over to print different variable information and restarted. This changeover results in some waste of transfer medium, and the more frequently the equipment needs to be stopped, changed over and restarted, the less efficient the equipment is. Also, such long-run equipment creates more waste than the above-described short-run printers. According to the invention, the improved thermal transfer medium and improved method of making such a transfer medium containing both fixed and variable information can be used to apply printed information to a fabric, and the printed label is capable of undergoing repeated laundering. In one preferred embodiment, the fixed information is printed with a screen printing ink in a screen printing process, and the variable information is printed with a hot stamp ink in a hot stamp process. While screen printing-processes are frequently referred to as silk screen processes, the screen material used today comprises other materials such as synthetic polyester. Therefore, the process is referred to as a screen process. Irrespective of the printing technology used, the inks should have the desired elasticity to perform well when applied to garments, which are inherently subject to stretching. It is also preferred to provide a protective coating having sufficient elasticity, which protects the printed information during laundering. In particular in one embodiment, the improved thermal transfer medium is made by providing a carrier web, wherein one side of the carrier web has a release coating both in one or more fixed-information zone(s) capable of receiving fixed information and in one or more variable-information zone(s) capable of receiving variable information, optionally applying a protective coating over the release coating in the fixed information zone(s) and in the variable information zone(s), printing fixed information over any protective coating in the fixed-information zone(s), optionally applying a contrasting-color coating over the printed fixed information in the fixed-information zone(s), applying an adhesive coating both to the fixed-information zone(s) including over the printed fixed information and the protective coating and to the variable-information zone(s) including over the protective coating, printing variable information over the adhesive in the variable-information zone(s), and optionally printing a contrasting color over the printed variable information. If the color of the surface or substrate onto which the printing is to be transferred is light in color and assuming the ink is dark in color such as black, it may not be necessary or desirable to include a contrasting-color coating such as white in the transfer. Likewise, if the color of the surface onto which the print is to be transferred is dark in color such as dark blue or black and assuming the printing ink is light in color such as white, it may not be necessary or desirable to include a contrasting-color coating such as black in the transfer. However, if the product manufacturer desires the printing to be highlighted or if it is desired to print on a dark color substrate with a dark ink, then it may be desirable for the printing to have an underlying contrasting-color coating to provide an outline or a background for good readability of the printing. In addition, in instances where the garment or other product is not subject to washing, abrasion or other rough handling, the protective coating may be omitted. Also, if the printed information on a garment has sufficient color fastness without the protective coating or if a particular application does not require it, the protective coating can be omitted. The invention provides a thermal transfer medium in which adhesive is used to bond the printed information to the fabric or surface, wherein the printed fixed information is between an adhesive coating and a release coating, whereas the adhesive is between the printed variable information and the release coating. One specific embodiment of a thermal transfer medium for use in a hot stamp process includes a carrier web, a uniform release coating on the carrier web, a uniform adhesive coating on the release coating, and a uniform ink coating on the adhesive coating. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the drawings and the following detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DIAGRAMMATIC DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a fabric printed with a transfer medium in accordance with the invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view through the carrier-web or film side of a partially printed transfer medium printed with fixed information; FIG. 3 is a fully printed transfer medium printed with both fixed and variable information; FIG. 4 is an exploded a perspective view showing various stations in making a thermal transfer medium in accordance with the invention, wherein the printed information and coatings are shown in general block form for the sake of clarity; FIG. 5 is an enlarged top plan view of one of the coatings, namely the protective coating, which is applied over a release coating; FIG. 6 is a top plan view of the printed fixed information in a first color which is applied over the protective coating; FIG. 7 is a top plan view of additional printed fixed information, e.g. a logo, in an optional second color. FIG. 8 is a side elevational view showing equipment with a sequence of coating and printing stations; FIG. 9 is a side elevational view similar to FIG. 8 ; FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the various printing and coating layers, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity; FIG. 11 is a side elevational view showing Stations 9 and 10 of the transfer medium making method; FIG. 12 is a bottom plan view of one of the hot stamp printing plates shown in FIG. 11 ; FIG. 13 is a top plan view showing the manner in which the variable printed information and the contrasting-color coating are applied to the partially printed thermal transfer medium; FIG. 14 is a sectional view of the layers in a fully printed variable information zone, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity. FIG. 15 is a side elevational view of Station 11 showing an arrangement for transfer printing onto a substrate, e.g., a fabric garment; FIG. 16 is a fragmentary sectional view showing an alternative embodiment of a web of hot stamp medium by which variable printed information and adhesive can be hot stamped onto the partially printed thermal transfer medium; FIG. 17 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIG. 10 , but showing an alternative embodiment of the partially printed thermal transfer medium, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity; FIG. 18 is a sectional view of a variable information zone showing adhesive and printing having been applied using a hot stamp ribbon, together with a contrasting-color coating, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity; FIG. 19 is a fragmentary sectional view showing another alternative embodiment of a web of hot stamp medium by which variable printed information can be hot stamped onto the partially printed thermal transfer medium, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity; FIG. 20 is a fragmentary sectional view similar to FIGS. 10 and 17 , but showing another alternative embodiment of the invention, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity; and FIG. 21 is a sectional view of a variable information zone showing adhesive, printing and a protective coating having been applied using a hot stamp ribbon, together with a contrasting-color coating, with cross-hatching omitted for the sake of clarity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1 , there is shown a substrate such as a piece of flexible fabric 20 which may be part of a garment 54 ( FIG. 15 ) and a complete image comprised of printed information which has been transferred directly onto the fabric 20 from a thermal transfer medium in accordance with the invention. As indicated above, the substrate can also be comprised of various other surfaces and materials. The printed information shown in FIG. 1 includes information common to various products made by one manufacturer, in this case a particular garment manufacturer. Thus, this information is termed “fixed information” which is shown in fixed-information zones 21 through 28 . This particular manufacturer uses the same fixed information in connection with various sizes of garments. Therefore, the image also includes “variable information” in one or more variable-information zone(s) 29 . Although in this example only one variable-information zone is illustrated, another or other variable information zones can be provided. As shown, the zone 21 bears the manufacturer's logo or other identification, the zone 22 contains the manufacturer's code, zone 23 contains the country of origin of the garment, zone 24 contains washing instructions, zone 25 contains bleaching instructions, zone 26 contains drying instructions, zone 27 contains ironing instructions and zone 28 contains material content information. Variable information zone 29 contains size information. FIG. 2 shows a thermal transfer web W partially printed with fixed information in fixed-information zones 21 T through 28 T and variable-information zone 29 T is free of variable information. The zones 21 T through 29 T correspond exactly to the zones 21 through 29 of FIG. 1 . The web W is also printed with registration marks 30 at equally longitudinally spaced apart intervals corresponding to the images on the thermal transfer web W. The images are repeated in the longitudinal direction along the web W. FIG. 3 is like to FIG. 2 except that FIG. 3 contains variable printed information in the variable-information zone 29 T. With reference to FIG. 4 , there is shown Station 1 which shows providing a flexible carrier preferably in the form of a carrier web C which had been wound into a roll. The carrier web C can be plastic or cellulose-based. Non-limiting examples of carrier web C include polyester or polypropylene films and papers. In the case of silicone or wax-treated papers, the step of applying a release coating R can be omitted. Station 2 shows that for each image a release coating R is applied onto or over the upper surface of the carrier web C. Release coating R can be any release coating known to persons skilled in the art. A typical release coating R can comprise a waxy substance that softens or melts to facilitate release of the material to be transferred. The release coating R can be applied at a thickness of about 0.1 to about 1 thousandths of an inch, and preferably about 0.2 to about 0.8 thousandths of an inch, after drying. Station 3 shows that a protective coating PC is applied onto or over the release coating R in each of zones 21 T through 29 T. The pattern of the protective coating PC is better illustrated in FIG. 5 , and as shown the pattern is printed in reverse. As used herein, the term “protective coating” refers to a coating that protects the printed information and is sufficiently transparent such that the printed fixed and variable information can be read by example through the coating PC. The protective coating can be clear or colorless, or it can be tinted or colored, so long as the desired printed fixed and variable information can be read for example by an individual. It is preferred that the protective coating PC be composed of or include an ink which is preferably like ink used for printing the fixed information, but is free of pigment. An important property of the protective coating is flexibility when the image is to be transferred to a flexible and/or stretchable substrate or surface such as a fabric garment. After application to a garment, the resulting thermal transfer or image will undergo deformation, for example, when the garment is put on or taken of, or washed. Therefore, in this application the protective coating is sufficiently flexible or elastic to deform. For example, the protective coating should desirably be able to conform at least 25 percent, and up to about 400 percent, in any direction without forming cracks or other imperfections. Also, the protective coating should have sufficient “memory” to return to the original size and shape after the deforming force is removed. Like the release coating R, the protective coating PC is preferably at a thickness of about 0.1 to about 1, and preferably about 0.2 to 0.8 thousandths of an inch, after drying. The chemical composition of the protective coating PC is not limited, as long as the coating has the above-described elasticity in connection with use on garments. In the event the transfer or image is applied to a solid or rigid surface which does not deform or stretch as indicated above, or the protective coating is not required to have all the above characteristics. Station 4 shows that a first color FC, e.g. black, is printed in zones 22 T through 28 T. The printing which is done in reverse is shown in FIG. 6 . The printing in FIG. 6 in zones 21 T through 28 T falls just within the pattern shown in FIG. 5 . Therefore, all the printing will always be entirely over the protective coating PC even though registration between the protective coating and the printing is not perfect but within reasonable tolerances. The registration marks 30 are printed at the time the fixed information printing FC is done. Station 5 illustrates printing in a second color SC, e.g. red, in the fixed-information zone 21 T. Further details of the printing in zone 21 T is shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 6 shows a phantom outline P where the printing of FIG. 7 will occur at zone 21 T. In the event that all fixed information is in one color, e.g. black, then Station 5 is eliminated. Alternatively, if there is printing in more than two colors, additional printing stations can be added. In the event one or two contrasting-color coatings or printing CC are desired, they are applied at Station 6 aligned with but preferably slightly larger than any printing applied in Stations 4 and 5 so that the printing is more readily visible. When the article to which the transfer medium is to be applied is comprised of a fabric, the ink used is preferably wash resistant such that none of the printed information is destroyed, disturbed or otherwise affected after repeated washing of the garment. The characteristics of the ink can vary according to the surface to which the transfer is to be applied, and/or to the type of printing technique which is used to print the information. The ink should preferably have the same elasticity as the protective coating PC when the transfer is used to print onto fabric garments. Next a coating of adhesive A is applied in zones 21 T through 29 T at Station 7 . Any suitable adhesive A can be used, and the characteristics may vary depending on the nature of the surface or substrate to which the transfer is to be applied. For example, in the event the transfer is to be applied to a garment, the adhesive A is preferably about 1 to about 5, and most preferably about 1.5 to about 4 thousandths of an inch in thickness, after drying. When the transfer is applied to a fabric, the adhesive A is not limited but it should have the elastic properties of the protective coating PC and the ink or inks which comprise the fixed and variable printing. The profile of the area of adhesive A is slightly larger than the profile of the area of the protective coating in zones 21 T through 29 T. The adhesive A is a heat-activated adhesive that is wet when applied but which dries so that it is dry to the touch. In that the printed variable information 29 in the variable-information zone 29 T is under the adhesive A after the printed variable information 29 has been transferred to the intended substrate, it is necessary that the adhesive A be clear enough so that the printed variable information 29 in the variable information-zone 29 T can be read through the adhesive A. Therefore, the clearer the adhesive A the better. This is in contrast to the printed fixed information 21 through 28 in the fixed-information zones 21 T through 28 T after the printed fixed information has been transferred to the intended substrate, because the adhesive A is under the printed fixed information 21 through 28 . Therefore, in the fixed-information zones 21 T through 28 T, the clarity of the adhesive A does not affect the readability of the printed fixed information 21 through 28 . However; in the case of both the fixed information 21 through 28 and the variable information 29 it is not usually desirable to use an adhesive A that is highly visible because it provides an unnecessary background which may not be desired. In one alternative embodiment, the amount of adhesive A is less per unit area in the variable-information zone 29 T than in the fixed-information zones 21 T through 28 T so that the printed variable information, when transferred onto the substrate, is more highly visible through the adhesive A. Ways of providing less adhesive A per unit area in the variable information zone 29 T are to make the adhesive A in the variable-information zone 29 T uniform but thinner than in the fixed-information zone 29 T, or the adhesive A can be varigated. The relative overlapping between the release coating R, the protective coating PC, the printed first color FC, the printed second color SC, the contrasting-color coating CC, and the adhesive coating A is best illustrated in FIG. 10 . FIG. 10 shows that the release coating R has a larger profile or area than the profile of the protective coating PC, that the protective coating PC has a larger profile or area than the printing FC and SC, and that the profile or areas of the adhesive A are greater than that of the protective coating PC. Following the application of the adhesive A, the partially printed web W is wound into a roll R 1 as shown at Station 8 . It is noted that the partially printed web W is flexible and dimensionally stable so that it can be rolled and unrolled as needed and the transfers or images it contains can be readily applied to contoured surfaces or to yieldable materials such as fabrics or garments. The web W can also be used to transfer images onto fabric tape. With reference to FIG. 8 , there is diagrammatically illustrated long-run equipment 31 with stations 32 through 35 for roll-to-roll printing and coating. A carrier in the form of a carrier web C wound into a roll 36 passes successively to stations 32 through 35 after which the carrier web C is wound into a roll 37 . The carrier web C is preferably flexible, protective and clear or sufficiently transparent film so that the location of the printed information, and preferably the printing itself, is visible through the carrier web or film from the carrier-web or film side. This is useful when registering the transfer or image with the product to which transfer or image is to be applied. The stations 32 through 35 in the illustrated embodiment are equipped to be printing and coating stations. In this illustrated embodiment the printing and coating stations 32 through 35 are screen printing stations, although other printing techniques described herein can be used at these stations. There is a drier (not shown) after each station 32 through 35 so that the printing and/or coating applied at each station is dried before the web C reaches the next station and before the web C is wound into roll 37 or 39 . The station 32 applies the release coating R at each zone 21 T through 29 T for each image to be printed with information. Alternatively, the entire upper face of the carrier C can be coated with a continuous uniform release coating R or the release coating may have been applied to the carrier web C before the carrier web C is loaded into the equipment 31 . As shown, the release coating R can be applied at station 32 in the pattern shown in FIG. 4 at equally spaced intervals. In particular, the release coating R is shown to be generally a rectangle which covers all of zones 21 T through 29 T. The station 33 in FIG. 8 applies a protective coating PC over the release coating R in the pattern as shown in FIG. 4 and as shown in greater detail in FIG. 5 . The station 34 prints the fixed information shown in FIG. 6 is a first color FC over the fixed-information zones 21 T through 28 T for each image. The station 35 prints the fixed information shown in FIG. 7 in a second color SC in the fixed information zone 29 T for each image. After the carrier web C has been wound into the roll 37 , the carrier web C is rewound to provide a roll 38 shown in FIG. 9 . For a further pass of the carrier web C, the stations 32 through 35 , or some of them, are set up to add further desired coatings and/or printing. As the carrier web C is unwound from the roll 38 it passes again to the print stations 32 through 35 in succession. At the station 32 ( FIG. 9 ), a contrasting-color coating CC can optionally be applied. If two contrasting-color coatings CC are to be applied, then the station 33 can be used to apply a second contrasting-color coating CC. If only one contrasting-color coating CC is to be applied, then the station 33 can be used to apply an adhesive coating A at zones 21 T through 29 T. If the station 33 was used to apply a second contrasting-color coating, then station 34 will be used to apply the adhesive coating A. From there the partially printed thermal transfer web W is wound into a roll 39 . The coatings and printing that have been applied to the carrier web C are dry to the touch. FIG. 10 shows the various layers of coating and/or printing that have been applied to the partially printed transfer web W, however, only zones 21 T, 24 T, 25 T, 26 T, 27 T and 29 T are shown. The first layer is the film of carrier web C. The second illustrated layer is the release coating R. All the zones 21 T through 29 T including illustrated zones 21 T, 24 T, 25 T, 26 T, 27 T and 29 T have layers comprised by the carrier web C, the release coating R and protective coating PC. In another layer, the illustrated zones 24 T, 25 T, 26 T and 27 T as well as the other fixed information zones have printed fixed information in a first color FC typically black and the zone 21 T also has printed fixed information in a second color SC, for example, red. Over the printing FC and SC is at least one layer as shown and possibly two layers of contrasting-color printing CC in illustrated zones 21 T, 24 T, 25 T, 26 T and 27 T as well as the other fixed information zones. Over the contrasting-color layers CC in zones 21 T through 28 T including illustrated zones 21 T, 24 T, 25 T, 26 T and 27 T and over the protective coating in zone 29 T, is the adhesive coating A. The thicknesses of the layers have been exaggerated for clarity. In reality all of the coatings are thin. It should be noted that the pattern of protective coating PC applied over the release coating R is wider than the printing FC and SC. This assures that if the printing is slightly out of registration it will still be aligned with the protective coating PC. Next, the profile or pattern of contrasting-color coating CC should be slightly larger than or overlap the printing FC and SC, but preferably smaller than the profile or pattern of the protective-coating PC. The profile or pattern of the adhesive A is at least slightly larger than the profile or pattern of the protective coating PC. The partially printed thermal transfer web W is now ready to be printed or overprinted with variable information. With reference to FIG. 11 , the user can use any suitable printer such as a known printer 42 to print the variable information. The printer 42 , Model 5300ZT-Modified produced by Paxar Americas, Inc., can be provided with a web WSB and also a second web HSW of hot stamp medium each one of which is shown to comprise a carrier in the form of a flexible carrier web C 1 , a uniform release coating R 1 , and a uniform ink I 1 in a color such as black or if a background color is also to be printed, a contrasting color such as white. In instances where only printing without a contrasting-color background is required, only a hot stamp medium HSB in one color ink, such as black, is used. In instances such as illustrated, a hot stamp medium HSW with ink in a light color, such as white, is also provided. The partially printed web W from a roll 43 , which has been rewound from the roll 39 , is passed over a platen 44 of the machine 42 ; as shown. A hot stamp ribbon HSB bearing a dark color ink, e.g., black, is positioned to advance transversely to the direction of travel of the web W, and likewise a hot stamp ribbon bearing a light color ink, e.g., white, is positioned transversely to the direction of travel of the web W. Hot stamp print heads 46 and 47 are located opposite the platen 44 . The print heads 46 and 47 carry replaceable hot stamp plates 48 and 49 or chases with printing type (not shown) which typically bear raised indicia 50 for printing or more particularly imprinting or hot stamping variable information onto the web W. In the illustrated embodiment, the indicia 50 on the plates 48 and 49 are similar except that the indicia on the plate 49 have a broader profile or footprint than the indicia 50 on the plate 48 , so that the printing made by the plate 49 overlaps the printing made by the plate 48 to provide a contrasting-color background. The web W is brought to rest while the movable print heads 48 and 49 stamp the variable information onto the partially printed web W. Thereafter, the print heads 46 and 47 move away from the platen 44 to enable the hot stamp media HSB and HSW to be advanced in the direction of arrows 51 . The print heads 46 and 47 are spaced so that the variable-information zones 29 T of image I and identical image I′ are printed simultaneously. The print heads 46 and 47 are registered with adjacent images I and I′ and preferably move in unison. The spacing of the printing plates 46 and 47 is also the same as the spacing of registration marks 30 . The variable information of image I is printed with, e.g. black ink, while the same variable information of image I′ is printed with, e.g., white ink. It is noted that the W is advanced stepwise in the direction of arrow 52 following printing. Image I″ has no variable information in zone 29 T. The zones 29 T of images I and I′ are printed simultaneously by the print heads 46 and 47 ( FIG. 13 ). As best shown in FIG. 14 , the printed variable information or indicia 50 ′ printed by the hot stamp medium HSB in zone 29 T is applied over the adhesive A, and has a smaller profile than the adhesive A; and the contrasting-color 50 ″ printed by hot stamp medium HSW in zone 29 T can have a larger profile than the printing 50 ′ but a smaller profile than the adhesive A or the protective coating PC. The fully printed web W produced by the printer 42 is wound into a roll 53 . The printed information is dry to the touch. The web W can be used directly from the roll 53 to transfer the images one-by-one onto separate garments, e.g., the garment 54 shown, in FIG. 15 , or the web W can first be rewound from the roll 53 , depending upon the construction of the transfer machine. A transfer machine 55 , shown diagramatically in slightly exploded form in FIG. 15 , has a platen 56 with a platen surface 57 on which the garment 54 is placed and with which the garment 54 and the web W are registered. The fully printed web W with the carrier-web or film side up is passed between the garment 54 and a heated anvil 58 having a surface 59 . The heated anvil 58 can move toward and away from the platen surface 57 so that the printed image, which has been registered with the garment 54 , is transferred by heat and pressure from the carrier web C to the garment 54 . The heat from the platen 58 softens or melts the release coating R so that the remainder of the coatings and printing such as PC, FC, SC, A and the printing 50 ′ and 50 ″ made from ribbons HSB and HSW are transferred onto the garment 54 . In so doing the adhesive A is activated and becomes tacky and holds or bonds the transferred coatings and printed information to the garment 54 . Once applied, the adhesive A is no longer tacky. FIG. 16 shows an alternative form of thermal transfer medium, particularly hot stamp medium 60 , having a flexible carrier web C′, a uniform release coating R 1 , a uniform adhesive coating A and a uniform ink coating I 1 which can be used to print variable information on web W′ in the variable information zone 29 T over the protective coating PC. Ink I 1 and adhesive A corresponding to the indicia 50 will be hot stamped over the provisionally applied protective coating PC. The resulting layering in the variable-information zone 29 T provides carrier web C, release coating R, protective coating PC, printing 50 ′ and adhesive A as shown in FIG. 18 . Contrasting-color printing 50 ″ also shown in FIG. 18 can be applied by a thermal transfer hot-stamp ribbon like the ribbon HSW. In the embodiment of FIG. 17 there is no coating of adhesive A on web W′ in the variable-information zone 29 T. As seen in FIG. 17 , the zone 29 T has a layer of a carrier web C, a layer of a release coating R and a layer of a protective coating PC. When variable information is printed on the transfer medium web W′ in the FIG. 17 embodiment by a printer such as in the printer 42 , the hot stamp medium 60 shown in FIG. 16 is used. Simultaneously adhesive A and ink I 1 from the hot stamp medium 60 are transferred onto the protective coating PC in zone 29 T by the heated printing plate 48 . In particular, the printing 50 ′ and the adhesive A as shown in FIG. 18 , applied simultaneously to the protective coating PC, will correspond to the indicia 50 on the printing plate or printing type on the plate 48 . The adhesive A and the printing 50 ′ have the same profile. Any printing 50 ″ has a larger profile than the adhesive A and printing 50 ′ but a smaller profile than the protective coating PC, as shown in FIG. 18 . In other respects the completely printed web W′ is like the web W. FIG. 19 shows another alternative form of thermal transfer medium, particularly a hot stamp medium 60 ′ which can be used to print variable information in the variable-information zone 29 T directly onto an alternative form of a partially printed release coated web W″ as shown in FIG. 20 . In the embodiment of FIG. 20 , there is no coating of adhesive A or protective coating PC in the variable information zone 29 T on the web W″. When the variable information is printed by the printing plate 48 using the transfer medium 60 ′, then the protective coating PC, the variable information printing 50 ′ and the adhesive A are transferred simultaneously directly onto the release coating R in the configuration of the indicia 50 as shown in FIG. 21 . The adhesive A, the printing 50 ′ and the protective coating PC have the same profile. Any printing 50 ″ has a larger profile than the adhesive A, the printing 50 ′ and protective coating PC as shown in FIG. 21 . In other respects the web W″ is like the web W. It should be noted that the partially printed web W, W′ or W″ can be printed with different information-simply by inserting into the printer 42 one or both printing plates 48 and 49 with the desired indicia. For example, the plate 48 shown in FIG. 12 can be replaced by a similar plate bearing indicia X/XL, 46 – 48 in reverse. It should also be noted that when the webs W′ and W″ have transferred images onto the substrate such as the garment 54 , the adhesive A underlies the printing 50 ′ and any printing 50 ″ so there is no need for the adhesive A to be clear or transparent enough to enable the printing 50 ′ to be read, however, if there is any contrasting-color printing 50 ″ that contrasting-color printing 50 ″ still needs to be seen so the adhesive A needs to be sufficiently transparent. It should be noted that the printing of fixed and variable information can be performed by various printing techniques, although the printing techniques of screen printing for printing the fixed information and hot stamp printing for printing the variable information are preferred. Other usable techniques include, thermal transfer printing having a print head with a line of closely spaced heating elements used with a thermal transfer, ribbon, ink jet printing, flexographic printing, laser printing, and so on. The ink I 1 can have the same characteristics following printing as the ink in the printed information in zones 21 T through 29 T applied by the equipment 31 and likewise the adhesive A applied from ribbons 60 , 60 ″ HSB, and HSW can have the same characteristics as the adhesive A applied by the equipment 31 . When a hot stamp process is used, the ink is embossed or is driven into the adhesive A to provide hot-stamped embossments in accordance with the raised indicia 50 on the printing plate 48 so even if the essentially transparent adhesive A would present a very slight diminution of visibility or readability of the printing, the hot stamp process makes the printing even more vibrant and visible than in the event certain other techniques for printing on the adhesive A are used. In the event it is desired to produce a transfer medium web W, W′, or W″ with information such as country of origin 23 or material content 28 in addition to size 29 being variable information, then zones 23 T and/or 28 T and 29 T can be printed in the printer 42 after the partially printed transfer medium W, W′or W″ is produced, and in that event suitable printing plates tailored to print all such variable information will be used. Although coatings R, PC, A are referred to, these coatings can be and are applied by screen printing and therefore, they can be considered to be printed. Other embodiments and modifications of the invention will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art, and all such of these as come within the spirit of this invention are included within its scope as best defined by the appended claims.
There is disclosed thermal transfer media containing both fixed and variable printed information, and method of making and using such a thermal transfer medium. The fixed information is printed in one or more fixed-information zone(s) preferably on a web during a long production run and thereafter as the need arises the variable information is printed or imprinted in one or more variable information zone(s) on sections of the web during shorter production runs. The transfer medium is particularly suited for printing onto fabrics that are subject to repeated home laundering and commercial dry cleaning.
3
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a division of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/288,019, filed Nov. 28, 2005, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/764,612, filed Jan. 26, 2004, U.S. Pat. No. 7,337,177, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/605,923, filed Jun. 28, 2000, U.S. Pat. No. 6,704,736, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD [0002] The present invention relates generally to the conversion of information or data in computing systems, and more particularly to the conversion of hierarchical information or data to a relational database model and the conversion of information or data in a relational database model to hierarchical information or data. BACKGROUND [0003] The efficient communication of information over computer networks is very important for individuals, corporations, and governments in a world in which networks play an ever increasing role in commerce, science, and world affairs. Efficient communication of information is promoted in networked multi-vendor environments by having a standard method of formatting the information. [0004] Relational databases provide one method of formatting, manipulating, and exchanging information in a networked computing environment. Relational databases are widely used, have been in use for many years, and have many support tools. For example, query languages, such as the Structured Query Language (SQL), are in common use for retrieving information from a relational database. Unfortunately, there are many competing relational database systems in use and the data formatting is not uniform among these systems. This variation in data formatting makes database files unsatisfactory vehicles for exchanging information in a multi-vendor environment. [0005] On the other hand, in applications requiring information exchange, hierarchical data formats, such as the eXtensible Markup Language (XML), are becoming a standard. Using XML as a standard formatting language for exchanging information has several advantages. First, XML is a text based language, which allows the XML data to be exchanged across a multitude of computer systems that may be based on different binary data representations. Second, XML is a tag oriented language. Tags permit the creator of the data to express the semantics of the data and to capture the hierarchical relationships in the data in a way that is self-describing. Unfortunately, XML has not yet been extensively woven into relational database systems. [0006] For these and other reasons there is a need for the present invention. SUMMARY [0007] The above-mentioned shortcomings, disadvantages and problems are addressed by the present invention, which will be understood by reading and studying the following specification. [0008] The present invention provides a method for transforming hierarchical data, such as XML data, into a rowset and a system and method for transforming a rowset into hierarchical data, such as XML data. The hierarchical data may exist in an active store or may be parsed from a stream format. In addition, data not initially included in an active store may be introduced into the active store. In transforming hierarchical data into a rowset, the hierarchical data stream is parsed into an internal format (such as for example the document object model (DOM)) that is processed to form rowsets. This internal representation may be used as an active store before the rowsets are generated or it may be only a temporary representation for the duration of the rowset generation. When processing the internal representation, a query processor receives and processes a query to form the rowset from that representation. The query may be formulated using the Structured Query Language (SQL) SELECT statement, and may include a row pattern for defining row information, one or more column patterns for defining column information, and a number of metaproperties, which are properties implied by the information in the data stream. [0009] Data in a hierarchical format includes explicit information and implicit information. The explicit information is information that is obtained from viewing the file. The implicit information is implied by the structure and hierarchy of the file. This implicit information is used in transforming hierarchical data into a rowset. In transforming hierarchical data into a rowset, the implicit information can explicitly be identified and saved as explicit information in the rowset. [0010] In transforming a rowset into hierarchical data, row information, column information, and a number of metaproperties are identified in the rowset. The row information, column information and the number of metaproperties are used in transforming the rowset into hierarchical data. [0011] The invention includes systems, methods, computers, and computer-readable media of varying scope. Besides the embodiments, advantages and aspects of the invention described here, the invention also includes other embodiments, advantage and aspects, as will become apparent by reading and studying the drawings and the following description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 illustrates example embodiments of a hardware and operating environment in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be practiced; [0013] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example embodiments of a computerized system for transforming an XML data file into a rowset and for transforming a rowset into an XML data file; [0014] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of example embodiments of the computerized system shown in FIG. 2 ; [0015] FIGS. 4A , 4 B, and 4 C illustrate example embodiments of a method for processing XML data; [0016] FIG. 4D is a flow diagram of an example embodiment of a method for producing a rowset from hierarchical data; [0017] FIG. 4E is a flow diagram of an example embodiment of a method for producing an XML data stream from a rowset; and [0018] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of example embodiments of a method for including overflow data in an XML data file. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0019] In the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and in which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. it is understood that other embodiments may be utilized and structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention. Hardware Operating Environment [0020] Referring to FIG. 1 , a diagram of the hardware and operating environment in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be practiced is shown. The description of FIG. 1 is intended to provide a brief, general description of suitable computer hardware and a suitable computing environment in conjunction with which the invention may be implemented. Although not required, the invention is described in the general context of computer-executable instructions, such as program modules, being executed by a computer, such as a personal computer. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, etc. that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. [0021] Moreover, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the invention may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, network PCS, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. 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 memory storage devices. [0022] The exemplary hardware and operating environment of FIG. 1 for implementing the invention includes a general purpose computing device in the form of a computer 20 , including a processing unit 21 , a system memory 22 , and a system bus 23 that operatively couples various system components, including the system memory 22 , to the processing unit 21 . There may be only one or there may be more than one processing unit 21 , such that the processor of computer 20 comprises a single central-processing unit (CPU), or a plurality of processing units, commonly referred to as a parallel processing environment. The computer 20 may be a conventional computer, a distributed computer, or any other type of computer; the invention is not so limited. [0023] The system bus 23 may be any of several types of bus structures including a memory bus or memory controller, a peripheral bus, and a local bus using any of a variety of bus architectures. The system memory may also be referred to as simply the memory, and includes read only memory (ROM) 24 and random access memory (RAM) 25 . A basic input/output system (BIOS) 26 , containing the basic routines that help to transfer information between elements within the computer 20 , such as during start-up, is stored in ROM 24 . The computer 20 further includes a hard disk drive 27 for reading from and writing to a hard disk (not shown), a magnetic disk drive 28 for reading from or writing to a removable magnetic disk 29 , and an optical disk drive 30 for reading from or writing to a removable optical disk 31 such as a CD ROM or other optical media. [0024] The hard disk drive 27 , magnetic disk drive 28 , and optical disk drive 30 are connected to the system bus 23 by a hard disk drive interface 32 , a magnetic disk drive interface 33 , and an optical disk drive interface 34 , respectively. The drives and their associated computer-readable media provide nonvolatile storage of computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules and other data for the computer 20 . It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any type of computer-readable media which can store data that is accessible by a computer, such as magnetic cassettes, flash memory cards, digital video disks, Bernoulli cartridges, random access memories (RAMs), read only memories (ROMs), and the like, may be used in the exemplary operating environment. [0025] A number of program modules may be stored or encoded in a machine readable medium such as the hard disk, magnetic disk 29 , optical disk 31 , ROM 24 , RAM 25 , or an electrical signal such as an electronic data stream through a communications channel, including an operating system 35 , one or more application programs 36 , other program modules 37 , and program data 38 . As described below in more detail, operating system 35 may allocate memory such as RAM 25 into kernel-mode memory or user-mode memory. A user may enter commands and information into the personal computer 20 through input devices such as a keyboard 40 and pointing device 42 . Other input devices (not shown) may include a microphone, joystick, game pad, satellite dish, scanner, or the like. These and other input devices are often connected to the processing unit 21 through a serial port interface 46 that is coupled to the system bus, but may be connected by other interfaces, such as a parallel port, game port, or a universal serial bus (USB). A monitor 47 or other type of display device is also connected to the system bus 23 via an interface, such as a video adapter 48 . In addition to the monitor, computers typically include other peripheral output devices (not shown), such as speakers and printers. [0026] The computer 20 may operate in a networked environment using logical connections to one or more remote computers, such as remote computer 49 . These logical connections are achieved by a communications device coupled to or a part of the computer 20 ; the invention is not limited to a particular type of communications device. The remote computer 49 may be another computer, a server, a router, a network PC, a client, a peer device or other common network node, and typically includes many or all of the elements described above relative to the computer 20 , although only a memory storage device 50 has been illustrated in FIG. 1 . The logical connections depicted in FIG. 1 include a local-area network (LAN) 51 and a wide-area network (WAN) 52 . Such networking environments are commonplace in office networks, enterprise-wide computer networks, intranets and the Internet, which are all types of networks. [0027] When used in a LAN-networking environment, the computer 20 is connected to the local network 51 through a network interface or adapter 53 , which is one type of communications device. When used in a WAN-networking environment, the computer 20 typically includes a modem 54 , a type of communications device, or any other type of communications device for establishing communications over the wide area network 52 , such as the Internet. The modem 54 , which may be internal or external, is connected to the system bus 23 via the serial port interface 46 . In a networked environment, program modules depicted relative to the personal computer 20 , or portions thereof, may be stored in the remote memory storage device. It is appreciated that the network connections shown are exemplary and other means of and communications devices for establishing a communications link between the computers may be used. [0028] The hardware and operating environment in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be practiced has been described. The computer in conjunction with which embodiments of the invention may be practiced may be a conventional computer, a distributed computer, an embedded computer or any other type of computer; the invention is not so limited. Such a computer typically includes one or more processing units as its processor, and a computer-readable medium such as a memory. The computer may also include a communications device such as a network adapter or a modem, so that it is able to communicatively couple other computers. Example Embodiments of the Invention [0029] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of example embodiments of the present invention showing computerized system 201 including computer system 203 for transforming hierarchical information, such as eXtensible Markup Language (XML) data file 205 , into rowset 207 and for transforming rowset 207 into hierarchical data, such as XML data file 205 . XML data file 205 is only one example embodiment of hierarchical data suitable for use in connection with the present invention. A Structured Generalized Markup Language (SGML) data file is an alternate example embodiment of hierarchical data suitable for use in connection with the present invention. Both XML and SGML are useful for creating interchangeable structured documents. FIG. 2 also shows an example of hierarchical data 209 formatted as XML data and the corresponding relational data formatted as rowset data 211 . Those skilled in the art will recognize that the present invention described for use in connection with hierarchical data and XML data is also suitable for use in connection with data represented in graphs. [0030] In the present invention, computer system 203 is not limited to a particular type of computer system. Computer system 203 typically includes computers 20 , as shown in FIG. 1 , and commonly referred to as personal computers, mid-range computers, mainframe computers, and networks made up of these types of computers and other types of computers. Computer system 203 also includes the operating systems, such as operating system 35 shown in FIG. 1 , associated with the above described computers and the methods for performing the above described transformations. [0031] Also, in the present invention, XML data file 205 and rowset 207 , which is sometimes referred to as a database table, are not limited to a collection of data stored in a semiconductor memory or on a magnetic or optical disk. XML data file 205 and rowset 207 also include any XML or rowset information stream, such as a character stream, capable of being processed by computer system 203 . XML data file 205 and rowset 207 can be transmitted to computerized system 201 in a variety of ways. For example, data file 205 and rowset 207 can be transmitted to computerized system 201 as an electromagnetic wave over a fiber optic cable. Alternatively, data file 205 and rowset 207 can be transmitted to computerized system 201 over a conductive cable. [0032] FIG. 3 is a detailed block diagram of example embodiments of computerized system 201 shown in FIG. 2 . Computerized system 201 shown in FIG. 3 includes computer system 203 , XML data file 205 , rowset 207 and XML data file 301 . Computer system 203 , in the example embodiments shown in FIG. 3 , includes parser 307 , active store 309 , query processor 311 , and formatter 313 . [0033] Parser 307 processes XML data file 205 . In one embodiment, parser 307 processes a data stream version of XML data file 205 without storing the data stream in active store 309 . In an alternate embodiment, parser 307 processes XML data file 205 and stores the processed XML data in active store 309 . The XML data format includes tags which define the XML data format. The XML tags can be nested and parser 307 is capable of identifying the nesting and building a tree or edge table from the tags and information included in XML data file 205 . Building a tree or edge table from the tags and information included in XML data file 205 assists parser 307 in transforming XML data file 205 into active store 309 and processing the information in active store 309 . Information stored in active store 309 may be associated with a number of different types of data structures. For example, in one embodiment, the information is associated with a tree. In an alternate embodiment, the information is associated with an edge table. In a tree having parent and child nodes, the edges connecting the parent and child nodes can be represented in an edge table. Each row of the edge table represents a connection between two nodes of the tree. For example, for a tree including a parent node (A) having two children, nodes (B) and (C), the edge table representation includes three rows in which each row has a parent id column and an id column. In the first row representing the parent node (A), the parent id column refers to the parent of (A) and the id column identifies (A). The second row represents (B) and identifies (A) in the parent and (B) in the id column. Finally, the third row represents (C), where the parent id column identifies (A) and the id column identifies (C). Building a tree or an edge table includes the use of metaproperties, which are described below. [0034] Parser 307 converts XML data file 205 into a format that is capable of being efficiently accessed and processed by query processor 311 . For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, XML data file 205 is stored as tables in active store 309 . Tables are efficiently accessed and processed by query processor 311 . Alternatively, an XML data file 205 is stored in an internal representation such as the document object model (DOM) format in the active store 309 . In one embodiment, parser 307 includes an XPath module or other module capable of identifying nodes in hierarchical data. An XPath module is defined in the World Wide Consortium (W3C) standard for parsing XML data, which is hereby incorporated by reference. (XML Path Language (XPath) Version 1.0, W3C Recommendation 16 Nov. 1999) The XPath module is operable for identifying the row information in active store 309 . In an alternate embodiment, the XPath module is a modified W3C XPath module that is capable of processing information including metaproperties. [0035] Active store 309 holds a parsed image of XML data file 205 for processing by query processor 311 . Active store 309 , in one embodiment, is a magnetic or magneto-optic device, such as a magnetic disk drive or a magneto-optic disk drive. Alternatively, active store 309 is a semiconductor storage device, such as a DRAM. Query processing performance in computerized system 201 is affected by the type of storage device selected for active store 309 . For example, active store 309 embodied in a high speed semiconductor storage device provides faster access to the stored XML data in response to a query than active store 309 embodied in a magnetic or magneto-optic disk device. [0036] In the operation of the present invention, query processor 311 receives query 315 from process 317 . Query processor 311 extracts information, such as row information, column information, and metaproperty information, from query 315 , processes the image of XML data file 205 in active store 309 , and returns rowset 207 to process 317 . For example, assume XML data file 205 includes a customer list with each customer in the list having a name, an account balance, and a zip code. Assume query 315 is a SELECT which requests the zip codes of all customers having an account balance of more than $100,000 dollars and a name starting with the letter “J.” For one embodiment, in retrieving a subset of the information in active store 309 in response to the SELECT, row information is formatted as a row pattern that defines the pattern of characters being searched for in the rows of active store 309 , and column information is formatted as a column pattern that defines the pattern of characters being searched for in the columns of active store 309 . For an alternate embodiment, to locate information in active store 309 a path pattern is matched to the path information in active store 309 . Query processor 311 retrieves a subset of the information in active store 309 and then selects the information that matches the query to form a rowset 207 . Query processor 311 then returns rowset 207 to process 317 . In this way, XML data 205 is processed as rowset information in a relational database model. [0037] Formatter 313 is operable for transforming the information in active store 309 to XML data file 301 . In transforming the information in active store 309 to XML data file 301 formatter 313 utilizes metaproperties in parsing active store 309 into XML tags and XML tagged information and in organizing the information. For example, the parent metaproperty is used in parsing the hierarchical structure of active store 309 . The parent metaproperty identifies the parent of each data element in a hierarchical data structure. [0038] Metaproperties are useful and necessary in transforming XML data into a rowset and for transforming a rowset into XML data. A metaproperty is a property associated with an XML data file or graph or hierarchical input that is not explicitly included as character information contained in the XML data file. For example, the parent metaproperty associates each node in an XML data file with a parent node. As described above, metaproperties are used by parser 307 in transforming XML data file 205 into active store 309 and by formatter 313 in transforming the information in active store 309 into XML data 301 . As an XML data stream is transformed into a rowset, the metaproperties associated with the XML data stream can be explicitly preserved in the rowset. Metaproperties are also used in generating a rowset 207 from active store 309 . To generate a rowset, query processor 311 receives a query and generates a query plan for processing information contained in active store 309 . The query plan includes the information provided by the metaproperties included in the query. [0039] A metaproperty is a property associated with an XML data file that is not explicitly included as character information contained in the XML data file. One embodiment of the present invention includes the following metaproperties: id, parent, parent id, previous (and/or next) neighbor, datatypes, and DOM node type. The id metaproperty provides a method of assigning an identifier to tagged information in an XML file. Once an id is associated with tagged information, the id metaproperty can be used in a query to reference the tagged information directly. The parent metaproperty provides a method of associating each node in an XML data file with a parent node. The parent id metaproperty provides a method for associating an id of a parent node with each child node related to the parent node. The previous (and/or next) neighbor metaproperty provides a method for identifying the immediate neighbor of tagged XML information in an XML data file. The datatype metaproperty provides a method of associating each element of information in an XML data file with a datatype. Finally, the DOM node type provides a method of associating each node in an XML data file with a DOM node type. Those skilled in the art will recognize that other metaproperties capable of exposing implicit properties in XML or other hierarchical data may be identified, developed, and used in connection with the present invention. [0040] FIGS. 4A and 4B illustrate example embodiments of a method for processing XML data 401 . XML data is tag formatted text data which can be viewed using a text editor. XML data 401 describes order information for a number of sales. The tags, such as the “Sales” tag and the “Orderinfo” tag are enclosed in brackets. The tagged data is unbracketed text located between the tags. For example, the name “SMITH” is the tagged data associated with the “Name” tag. The present invention is not limited to associating names with tags. Any structure or method of associating data with a name is suitable for use in connection with the present invention. For example, in XML data can also be stored in XML attributes. [0041] The sales information in XML data 401 includes “Orderinfo” including the purchaser's “Name” and the “Order” which includes the “Producttype” and the “Quantity.” The XML to rowset process 403 transforms XML data 401 to rowset 405 in response to query 404 . XML to rowset process 403 takes as input query 404 which includes row information, such as a row identity pattern, column information, such as a column identity pattern, and a number of metaproperties. In this example, the row identity pattern is “/Sales/Orderinfo”, and the column identity pattern includes “Name”, “Order/Producttype”, and “Order/Quantity.” The metaproperties include the parent ID metaproperty and the ID metaproperty. The parent ID metaproperty identifies “Sales” (with ID 0 ) as being the parent of two instances of “Orderinfo” (IDs 1 and 2 ). The first instance is the “Orderinfo” for “Smith” and the second instance is the “Orderinfo” for “Jones.” Since “Jones” and “Smith” have the same parent, the parent ID metaproperty identifies “Jones” and “Smith” as parallel row information. The row information, column information, and metaproperties are used to form rowset 405 , which is suitable for processing using relational techniques. [0042] After XML data 401 is transformed into rowset 405 , in one embodiment of the present invention, rowset 405 may be modified by process 407 , as shown in FIG. 4B . For example, rowset 405 may be modified by an INSERT operation, which adds information to rowset 405 . In the example shown in FIG. 4B , an order for the name “Smith” including a product type of “7563” and a quantity of “82” is inserted into rowset 405 and an order for the name “Black” including a product type of “8754” and a quantity of “99” are inserted into rowset 405 to form rowset 409 . After the insertion, rowset 409 also includes parent IDs, as shown in column 410 . The parent ID metaproperty identifies “Sales” (with ID 0 ) as being the parent of four instances of “Orderinfo” (IDs 1 , 2 , 3 , and 4 ). An INSERT statement, in one embodiment of the present invention, includes a pathname, which indicates where in the hierarchy to add the information and the actual data to be inserted. Rowset to XML process 411 transforms rowset 409 into XML data 413 . In this transformation, the parent ID metaproperty identifies the inserted row of information “Black 8754 99” to be tagged and inserted into XML data 413 . [0043] Separate data elements are fusible in an XML data file or in a rowset, if the data elements have the same ID metaproperty. For example, if the rowset 405 has a new column entitled “Phone” added by process 407 to form rowset 414 , as shown in FIG. 4C , then the rowset to XML transformation 411 identifies rowsets with the ID metaproperty values that already exist in the internal representation 309 and fuses the new properties and values to the already existing values in the XML document 401 to form document 415 . [0044] FIG. 4D is a flow diagram of an example embodiment of a method for producing a rowset from hierarchical data, such as XML data. To produce a rowset from hierarchical data, rowset structure information is first extracted from a query (block 417 ). The query includes row identity pattern information, column identity pattern information, and metaproperties, such as ID and parent ID. The hierarchical data is processed using rowset structure information (block 419 ) to form rows matching the row identity pattern provided in the query and columns matching the column identity pattern provided in the query. Metaproperties provided in the query are added as columns in the rowset data. For example, as shown in rowset 405 , a metaproperty ID column and a metaproperty parent ID column are included in the rowset. The metaproperty ID column includes IDs provided in the query used in constructing rowset 405 . The metaproperty parent ID column includes parent ID information that was implicit in XML data 401 used to create rowset 405 . The rowset may then be stored or streamed (block 421 ) without storing. [0045] FIG. 4E is a flow diagram of an example embodiment of a method for producing an XML data stream from a rowset. To produce an XML data stream from a rowset, XML organization information is first extracted from the rowset information (block 422 ). Metaproperties, such as ID and parent ID included in rowset 409 , shown in FIG. 4B , provide hierarchical organization information for transforming the rowset in to an XML data stream. Rowset information is processed to generate XML structure using the XML organizational information (block 425 ). Finally, the XML structure can be stored or transmitted as a stream. [0046] In summary, the method illustrated in FIGS. 4A and 4B transforms XML data 401 into rowset 405 using row pattern information, column pattern information, and metaproperties provided in query 404 . Process 407 is applied to rowset 405 to form rowset 409 . After applying process 407 , rowset 409 includes the added “Phone” column and the added rows of order information “Smith 7563 82 3 0 555-0102” and “Black 8754 99 4 0 555-0104”. Rowset to XML process 411 transforms rowset 409 into XML data 413 . XML data 413 is suitable for transmission in a computer network or viewing using a text editor. No data is lost in performing the transformation. [0047] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of example embodiments of a method 501 for including overflow data 503 in XML data file 505 . In the example embodiment illustrated in FIG. 5 , XML data file 505 is first transformed into rowset 507 . In one embodiment, XML data 505 is transformed into rowset 507 by processing XML data 505 using query 509 to generate rowset 507 . In an alternate embodiment, XML data file 505 is directly transformed into rowset 507 . Overflow data 503 is added to rowset 507 to form second rowset 511 . Overflow data 503 is a category of XML data that does not fit into the row or column categories that make up rowset 507 . For example, if rowset 507 includes a list of customers, overflow data 503 could be text information describing products that have been marketed to the list of customers. Using an overflow metaproperty that identifies the overflow data incorporated in second rowset 511 , second rowset 511 is converted back into XML formatted information 513 . XML formatted information 513 is then suitable for transmission as XML data stream 515 . The capability to add overflow data to XML data files and to rowsets is very useful for annotating the information contained in rowsets or XML data files. [0048] Thus, while the embodiments of the invention have been described with specific focus on their embodiment in a software implementation, the invention as described above is not limited to software embodiments. For example, the invention may be implemented in whole or in part in hardware, firmware, software, or any combination thereof The software of the invention may be embodied in various forms such as a computer program encoded in a machine readable medium, such as a CD-ROM, magnetic medium, ROM or RAM, or in an electronic signal. Further, as used in the claims herein, the term “module” shall mean any hardware or software component, or any combination thereof.
A method and apparatus is disclosed for transforming hierarchical information into a rowset and for transforming a rowset into hierarchical information. In transforming hierarchical information, such as an XML data file, into a rowset, a parser parses the XML data file to form an active store. A query processor, after receiving a query including a number of metaproperties, processes data from the XML active store to form a rowset. The rowset can be processed further using a query language, such as the Structured Query Language (SQL). After processing, the rowset can be converted back into an XML data file using an XML formatter. An overflow feature facilitates the addition of text data to the rowset. A fusion feature facilitates defining a relationship between different data items in the rowset such that they can be merged into a single data element as the rowset is converted into an XML data file.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a flat cutting blade for use in a cutting machine and, more particularly, to a cutting blade for cutting a sheet-like substrate such as a ceramic green sheet. 2. Description of Related Art There is a cutting machine suitable for getting a plurality of chips by cutting, into a form of checkers, a sheet-like substrate (material sheet) such as a ceramic green sheet before sintering. The cutting machine is designed to cut with a flat cutting blade pressed like a guillotine against a work at a given spacing (pitch feed). The overall cutting section of the cutting blade thus used is formed in a shape of a sharp V-edge in a front view. With a recent tendency to down-size electronic equipment, there has been a demand for small chips measuring for example 0.6 mm long by 0.3 mm wide. To cut a work by pressing a guillotine type double-edged cutting blade mentioned above while maintaining a given working accuracy, it becomes necessary to decrease the edge angle to minimize deformation of a cut surface of the work. This type of cutting blade, therefore, is provided with a edge angle of around 10 deg. to 30 deg. and a shank thickness of around 1 mm. This type of cutting blade is detachably mounted on a vertically movable tool holder of a cutting machine not depicted, and a centering camera is mounted on a supporting body of the tool holder, so that the centering camera will make an exposure of a pair of line marks provided in opposite positions at an equal spacing on the edges of a work (on four edges in the case of a rectangular work) every time the work is fed for a specific amount each pitch. Furthermore an image thus obtained is processed to center the line marks, and, after moving by the amount of correction to correct an index table on which the work is held by adsorption, the cutting blade is fed downwardly to cut the work. This operation is repeated every time of pitch feed in a given direction of length of the work, and after the completion of operation in one direction, the work W on the index table is turned through 90 degrees and is cut in a like manner as described above, thereby making chips. At this time, the four edges carrying the line marks are unsuitable for use as cut chips because of the presence of the line marks. Therefore, it is a mainstream of a cutting method to cut a work into a form of checkers, leaving the cutting edge portion of the work in the form of a frame. However, if the edge angle is formed much smaller without altering the blade thickness (thickness of the shank portion), the surface area of the edge surfaces (cutting portion) on both right and left sides naturally increases; and both the right and left sides work as a great resistance at the time of cutting. Therefore a great cutting force is needed at the time of cutting, with the result that the cutting edge portion will be subjected to buckling deformation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of the above-described disadvantages inherent to the heretofore known cutting blades, it is an object of the present invention to provide a flat cutting blade which cuts well and has a high buckling strength at the cutting edge portion even at a desired edge angle. It is another object of the present invention to provide a cutting blade suitable for making microchips. It is further another object of the present invention to provide a cutting blade which can prevent sideward fall and scattering of chips when a work is cut into a form of checkers to make chips while leaving its edges in the form of frame. As a technological means for attaining the above-described objects, the gist of first aspect of the present invention is that the cutting blade is a flat cutting blade for cutting a thin plate-like work; the cutting portion formed from the forward end towards the shank portion is comprised of a cutting edge portion formed for a specific length and having right and left concave curved surfaces symmetric with respect to the centerline, and a continuous portion which is continuously formed through from the cutting edge portion to the shank portion so that the blade thickness will gradually increase as it goes towards the shank portion, and is formed of single-stage or multi-stage concave curved surfaces symmetric with respect to the centerline; and that fine vertical lines of projections and depressions are formed by grinding for the entire length of the blade in the same direction as the direction of the curved surface, on both the right and left sides of the cutting edge portion and the concave curved surface of the continuous portion. According to the technological means stated above, the cutting edge portion having a desired edge angle to perform work cutting has flat or concave curved surfaces formed symmetrical with respect to the centerline for a given length (a minimum required), and a continuous portion connecting the cutting edge portion with the shank portion is connected on the symmetrical concave curved surfaces so that the cutting edge portion will gradually increase as it goes from the rear end (upper end) of the cutting edge portion towards the shank portion, thereby restraining a contact resistance to be added from the continuous portion to the work during cutting operation. Consequently work cutting operation can be done with little cutting force without buckling deformation of the cutting edge portion. The cutting edge portion cuts well as if shearing with the fine vertical lines of projections and depressions. Referring to the gist of second aspect of the present invention, both the right and left surfaces of the cutting edge portion stated in first aspect of the present invention is comprised of flat surfaces and are mirror-finished through the entire length of blade, and further that fine lines of projections and depressions are formed, in the concave curved surface of the continuous portion, by grinding over the entire length of the blade in the same direction as the curved surface on said concave curved surface of said continuous portion. According to the technological means, it is possible to obtain fine cut chips with a beautiful cut surface in addition to the above-described advantages. To explain the gist of third aspect of the present invention, in the continuous portion, a concave curved surface continuous to the cutting edge portion, and each upper-stage concave curved surface continuous to the lower-stage concave curved surface are formed on a midway and provided with a little thinner portion than the numbered angle at the lower stage, and then the upper-stage concave curved surfaces are symmetrical concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in thickness. According to the technological means, numbered edge angles include the edge angle designated as No. 1 angle, and upper-stage concave curved surfaces as No. 2 angle, No. 3 angle, and so forth. Therefore, the symmetrical concave curved surfaces of the upper stage have No. 2 angle and are located immediately above the cutting edge having No. 1 angle. The edge contact with a work of the concave curved surfaces decreases, thereby restraining the cutting resistance of No. 2 angle (symmetrical concave curved surfaces at the upper stage located immediately above the cutting edge portion), thus enabling to cut a work with a less cutting force, that is, to achieve a very good cutting quality. To give the gist of fourth aspect of the present invention, both ends of the blade in the direction of blade length are V-shaped throughout the blade height as viewed in a plan view. The gist of fifth aspect of the present invention is that both ends of the blade in the lengthwise direction are formed at least in a V-shape in a plan view throughout the blade height of the continuous portion. According to the technological means, when cutting a work into a checkers form to make chips while leaving the edge of the work in the form of a frame, the cutting blade is fed down to cut into the work; at this time, both ends of the work are likely to be torn and spread as shown in FIG. 4 a because the cross section of the cutting edge portion is supposed to be long and rectangular. Chips thus cut tend to fall down or scatter with their elastic recovery force generated at the spread work ends. The spread gives a push-to-move force to adjacent chips after cutting, causing the cut chips to fall down and scatter. Since both ends of the blade are V-shaped in the direction of blade length through the overall height as viewed in a plan view, it is possible to prevent both ends of the blade from spreading to thereby solve the aforesaid problems. A material best suited for the above-described cutting blade is a cemented carbide material, which can improve the abrasion resistance of the cutting blade formed into a configuration having a high buckling strength. The foregoing objects and other objects will become more apparent and understandable from the following detailed description thereof, when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an enlarged view of a cutting portion which forms a portion of a cutting blade of a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 consists of FIGS. 2A, and 2 B, wherein FIG. 2A shows a perspective view of the cutting blade and FIG. 2B shows an enlarged perspective partial view of the cutting blade; FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of the cutting portion of a second embodiment; FIG. 4A consists of FIGS. 4 A 1 and 4 A 2 , is a cross-sectional plan view of a cutting action of a known cutting edge having a thin, long cross-sectional form, wherein FIG. 4 A 1 shows both spread ends of the known cutting edge, and FIG. 4 A 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional plan view of an end of the known cutting edge; FIG. 4B consists of FIGS. 4 B 1 and 4 B 2 , is a cross-sectional plan view of a cutting action of a known cutting edge having a thin, long cross-sectional form, wherein FIG. 4 B 1 shows the known cutting edge cutting a work into chips, and FIG. 4 B 2 shows an enlarged cross-sectional partial plan view of the known cutting edge cutting a work into chips; FIG. 5 consists of FIGS. 5A and 5B, wherein FIG. 5A shows a perspective view of a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 5B shows a perspective view of an enlarged portion of the cutting blade of the third embodiment; and FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Next, preferred embodiments of a cutting blade according to the present invention will be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 show the first embodiment; FIG. 3 shows the second embodiment; FIGS. 4 a and 4 b are reference views; FIG. 5 is the third embodiment; and FIG. 6 is the fourth embodiment. In these drawings, numeral 1 denotes a cutting blade. First, the first embodiment of the cutting blade will be explained. A cutting blade 1 shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 is comprised of a flat plate-shaped shank portion 21 , and a cutting portion 11 having an increase buckling strength for cutting a work. The cutting portion 11 is so shaped as to gradually increase in thickness as it goes from the forward end portion towards the shank portion 21 , and includes a cutting edge portion 11 a (No. 1 angle) having concave curved surfaces 11 a ′ symmetrical with respect to a centerline X and formed at a desired edge angle for a given length, and the first-stage continuous portion 11 b formed of symmetrical concave curved surfaces (No. 2 angle) 11 b ′, 11 b ′ with respect to the centerline X continuously formed from the cutting edge portion 11 a to the shank portion 21 , gradually increasing in thickness as it goes towards the shank portion 21 . The cutting blade 1 is made of a brittle cemented carbide material. In the blade 1 , the concave curved surfaces (No. 2 angle) 11 b ′, 11 b ′ forming the blade cutting edge portion (No. 1 ) 11 a and the continuous portion 11 b are ground in the same direction as the curved surfaces with a grinding wheel having a grinding surface on a circumferential surface to form the concave curved surfaces at the same curvature as the grinding wheel. On the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a and the continuous portion 11 b , fine vertical lines of projections and depressions 31 are formed, by grinding, through the entire length of the blade in the direction of the blade edge. In the present embodiment, concave curved surfaces (No. 2 angle) 11 b ′, 11 b ′ continued to the cutting edge portion (No. 1 ) 11 a are symmetrical surfaces which gradually increase in thickness after passing through a little thinner portion than the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a. The purpose of the above-described blade configuration is for minimizing a cutting edge-to-work resistance at the time the concave curved surfaces (No. 2 angles) 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 contact the work. The cutting blade 1 thus formed is attached to a vertically movable tool holder of an unillustrated cutting machine, and is moved up and down to cut a ceramic green sheet (work) W. The cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a and the continuous portion 11 b are formed of the concave curved surfaces 11 a ′ and 11 b 40 , so that the concave curved surfaces (No. 2 angle) 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 are designed to have a role to escape from the upper cutting edge portion of the ceramic green sheet W to reduce an unnecessary pressure. That is, the concave curved surfaces 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 of the continuous portion 11 b have the same function as the flanks of a cutting tool. The fine vertical lines of projections and depressions 31 formed for the overall length of the blade improve the cutting quality of the blade, and also serve to increase the strength of the cutting blade 1 (strength of the cutting edge portion 11 a and the continuous portion 11 b ). Next, a second embodiment will be explained. FIG. 3 shows an example of the cutting blade 1 having a cutting edge (No. 1 angle) 11 a which is provided with inclined flat surfaces 11 a ″ symmetrical with respect to the centerline X and is formed at a desired edge angle which is the same as that of the first embodiment, in place of the cutting edge portion 11 a formed of concave curved surfaces in the first embodiment. The cutting blade 1 of the second embodiment is the same in other points of configuration as that of the first embodiment; therefore the same members as those of the first embodiment are designated by the same reference numerals and will not be described. The inclined flat surfaces 11 a ″, 11 a ″ forming both sides of the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a have been mirror-finished. The mirror-finished surfaces of the cutting edge portion 11 a are precision surfaces, which can produce fine cut chips. In the present embodiment, similarly to the preceding embodiment, the concave curved surfaces (No. 2 angle) 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 continuous to the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a are symmetrical concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in thickness after passing through a little thinner portion than the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a. FIGS. 4 a and 4 b show a phenomenon of a conventional cutting blade during cutting operation. This phenomenon gives particularly an adverse effect to cutting operation when cut chips C (chips after cutting) are very small chips each measuring 0.6 mm long and 0.3 mm wide. The phenomenon is the spread S of both ends of the work W after test cutting the work W as shown in FIG. 4 a. The cause of this phenomenon is unknown. Since the cross sectional form of the cutting edge portion is a horizontally long, rectangular form, the work W is torn at two points of square corners between the blade surface and the end face, and a compressive elastic force of the blade surfaces (both the right and left surfaces) at the time of cutting acts in the direction of length of the blade, resulting in the spread S. Because the spread S exists, when the work W is cut into chips C of checkers form, leaving the edge of the work W in the form of a frame as shown in FIG. 4 b , cut chips C at both ends of the cutting blade having the spread S are changed to an inclined orientation, thereby pushing chips C already cut. The cut chips C, therefore, will be caused to jump up or fall down by a reactive force resulting from the push. FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 show a cutting blade 1 (the third and fourth embodiments) having a means to prevent occurrence of the phenomenon. In the cutting blade 1 of FIG. 5, both ends, in the direction of length, of the cutting blade of the first or the second embodiment are V-shaped throughout the height in a plan view. In the cutting blade 1 of FIG. 6, the continuous portion 11 b at both ends in the direction of blade length is V-shaped through the height at least in a plan view. The V-shaped surface 41 in the cutting blade 1 of FIG. 6 has particularly a concave curved surface of a large curvature. The blade has been ground to form fine vertical lines of projections and depressions 31 by a grinding wheel having a grinding surface on the circumferential surface in the same direction as the curved surface. Probably because of this configuration, the cut chips C did neither jump up nor fall. The concave curved surface 11 a ′ or inclined plane 11 a ″ of the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a and the V-shaped surface 41 , and the concave curved surfaces (No.2 angle) 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 of the continuous portion 11 b and the V-shaped surface 41 are continuously formed each at an obtuse angle, to thereby restrict the phenomenon that the ceramic green sheet (work) W is torn by both ends. Accordingly it is supposed that the compressive elastic force acted in the direction of blade length during cutting operation, thereby preventing the occurrence of the spread S. However, there was hardly found any difference in effect between the cutting blade 1 of FIG. 5 and the cutting blade 1 of FIG. 6 . The thickness T2 of a shank portion 21 of the cutting blade 1 in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments is 0.4 mm to 1.0 mm; the edge angleθ is about 15 deg. to 20 deg.; the maximum thickness (an intersection with the continuous portion 11 b ) T1 of the cutting edge portion (No. 1 ) 11 a is 25 μm to 50 μm; the height H1 of the cutting edge portion is 50 μm to 100 μm; and the height H2 from the forward end of the cutting edge portion 11 a to an intersection with the shank portion 21 of the continuous portion 11 b is a little higher than 1 mm. And in the symmetrical concave curved surfaces 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 which are No. 2 angles, the midway portion T3 located close to the cutting edge portion (No. 1 angle) 11 a is gradually increased in thickness after forming midway a portion about 5 μm thinner than the maximum thickness T1, for cutting an about 0.1 mm to 1.0 mm thick work (a thin substrate of a ceramic green sheet) W. In the embodiment described above, the continuous portion 11 b given as an example is a single-stage type. It should be noticed that a distance along the centerline X from the intersection between the continuous portion 11 b and the shank portion 21 to the forward end of the cutting edge may be changed to a two-stage type of the same distance as in the first, second, third and fourth embodiments, and furthermore, to other plurality of stages, such as three-stage and four-stage types. In this case also, either of the concave curved surfaces 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 may be gradually increased in thickness similarly to the first and second embodiments. In this case, the symmetrical concave curved surfaces 11 b 40 , 11 b 40 are gradually increased in thickness at No. 3 angle with respect to No. 2 angle, and at No. 4 angle with respect to No. 3 angle, after forming a slightly thin portion similarly to the above-described embodiment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, no explanation has been given, in claims 1 and 2 , about the continuous portion 11 b which is formed of symmetrical single-stage or multi-stage concave curved surfaces 11 b 40 continuously formed, gradually increasing in thickness as it goes from the cutting edge portion 11 a to the shank portion 21 . The continuous portion, however, is not formed of concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in thickness after passing through a thin portion in. No. 2 angle with respect to No. 1 angle, No. 3 angle with respect to No. 2 angle, and No. 4 angle with respect to No. 3 angle, but is formed of symmetrical concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in thickness in order from the numbered angle at each lower stage. Therefore, although restraining the edge-to-work contact resistance can not be expected so much as in the case of the symmetrical concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in thickness after passing through a little thin portion with respect to the cutting edge portion (No. 1), it is possible to reduce the edge-to-work contact resistance during cutting operation as compared with a conventional cutting blade having generally a sharp V-shaped edge surface in a front view. According to claims 1 and 2 , the cutting portion formed from the forward end of the edge to the shank portion is a cutting blade comprised of a cutting edge portion formed, for cutting a thin plate-like work such as a ceramic green sheet, to the minimum necessary limit (minimum necessary angle) of symmetrical plane or concave curved surfaces with respect to the centerline, and a continuous portion formed of symmetrical single-stage or multi-stage concave curved surfaces which are continuously formed through from the cutting edge portion to the shank portion so that the blade thickness will gradually increase in thickness as it goes towards the shank portion. Therefore, it is possible to restrain the work-to-continuous portion (concave curved surface) contact resistance during cutting operation as compared with the conventional cutting blade which is formed generally of a sharp V-shaped edge in a front view, thereby enabling work cutting with a little cutting force while preventing buckling deformation of the cutting edge portion. Furthermore, the provision of the fine vertical lines of projections and depressions can greatly improve the cutting quality of the cutting blade and also increase reliability of the buckling strength of the continuous portion as well as the cutting edge portion. Furthermore, since the continuous portion where the cutting edge portion is continuous to the shank portion is formed of symmetrical single-stage or multi-stage concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in blade thickness, little pressure is exerted from the continuous portion to the upper cutting edge portion of a thin work to be cut. The work, therefore, will be less liable to deformation. Furthermore, because either of the cutting edge portion and the continuous portion has a symmetry with respect to the right and left sides, reactive forces working in the directions perpendicular to the centerline during cutting remain equal and will not affect a balanced internal stress; therefore the cutting blade will get neither warped nor broken. According to claim 2 , the mirror-finished edge surface is a beautiful cutting surface, which is best suited for cutting fine chips. Furthermore, according to claim 3 , in the continuous portion, the concave curved surface continued to the cutting edge portion and the concave curved surface at the upper stage continued to the concave curved surface at the lower stage are symmetrical concave curved surfaces which gradually increase in thickness after forming a portion midway which is a little thinner than the numbered angle at the lower stage. It is, therefore, possible to minimize the contact resistance of the concave curved surface of each numbered angle except the cutting edge portion to the work during cutting operation, thereby providing the optimum cutting blade for work cutting with a little cutting force to produce fine chips without buckling deformation of the cutting edge portion. According to claims 4 and 5 , because the concave curved surfaces or inclined planes at the cutting edge portion and the V-shaped surface, and the concave curved surface of the continuous portion and the V-shaped surface are continued each at an obtuse angle, there occurs little phenomenon to tear the work at both ends. When gaining chips by cutting the work into a checkers form while leaving the edge in the form of frame as shown in FIG. 4, the edge will not be spread if a compressive elastic force acts in the direction of blade length at the time of cutting. Therefore it is possible to prevent such an accident likely to arise with a conventional cutting blade as scattering of cut chips and adjacent chips after cutting. Having described specific preferred embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it will be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to those precise embodiments, and that various changes and modifications can be effected therein by one of the ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
A cutting blade includes a shank portion and a cutting portion having a predetermined length and opposed sides, and affixed to the shank portion. The cutting portion has a cutting edge portion having a predetermined length and opposed sides and a continuous portion which continuously extends from the cutting edge portion to the shank portion, so that blade thickness gradually increases in a direction towards the shank portion. The cutting portion further has at least one pair of opposed concave curved surfaces substantially symmetrical to each other with respect to a center line, each opposed concave surface axially extending in a direction substantially parallel to the length of the cutting edge portion and provided on at least one of the cutting edge portion and the continuous portion. Also provided is a plurality of arcuate surfaces provided on at least one of the opposed sides of the cutting edge portion, and the opposed concave curved surfaces, each arcuate surface extending along the continuous portion in a direction substantially orthogonal to the length of the cutting edge portion.
1
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hinge assembly having at least one hinge unit of a mounting strap for use with a portable information apparatus. 2. Description of the Prior Art Generally, as a mounting strap for mounting a wrist watch or a portable apparatus such as a wrist watch type communication apparatus or a wrist watch type information apparatus represented by a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) communication terminal onto the arm, there is known, for example, a mounting strap mounted onto the arm by connecting together two pieces of a 6 o'clock side strap and a 12 o'clock side strap connected to two opposed ends (hereinafter, referred to as “6 o'clock side” and “12 o'clock side”) of a case main body of a portable apparatus by locking thereof by buckles. Herein, such a type strap is referred to as a strap of a buckle type. There is known a strap of the buckle type made of skin or made of fiber having buckles or made by a metal chain having bindings. Further, other than the strap of the buckle type, there is known a strap of a bangle type formed in a predetermined shape capable of surrounding the arm by a 6 o'clock side strap and a 12 o'clock side strap. The strap of the bangle type is mounted onto the arm by fixing the strap in a state of being fitted to pinch the arm without connecting together the 6 o'clock side strap and the 12 o'clock side strap. There is constructed a structure in which in opening and closing the strap of the bangle type, when the strap is detached in a state of being fitted to the arm, the 6 o'clock side strap or the 12 o'clock side strap is pulled to open directly by force of the hand of a user, further, when the strap is fitted thereto in an opened state, the 6 o'clock side strap or the 12 o'clock side strap is pushed to close directly by the force of the hand of the user. However, according to the above-described conventional mounting strap of the buckle type, the 6 o'clock side strap and the 12 o'clock side strap are connected together by the buckles and locked to prevent from being readily detached and firmly fitted to the arm and therefore, the operability in attaching and detaching thereof is poor. Further, even in the case of the mounting strap of the bangle type referred to also as a bracelet type, there poses a problem that the opening and closing operation is carried out directly by the force of the hand of the user per se and therefore, the operability in attaching and detaching thereof is poor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Hence, the invention has been carried out in view of the above-described drawbacks in the conventional art and it is an object thereof to provide a hinge unit for opening or closing a mounting strap of a bangle type facilitating attaching and detaching thereof and having an excellent fitting feeling. In order to achieve the above-described object, according to an aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge unit of a mounting strap characterized in comprising a rotational pipe member formed with a hole in an L-like shape perforated in the L-like shape toward a peripheral direction and an axial direction at a side face thereof, a button member inserted to the rotational pipe member, a fixed member projected and inserted into the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member and connected to the button member, an axial direction elastic member for urging the rotational pipe member and the button member to each other such that the fixed member is butted to a side of a terminal end in the axial direction of the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member, and a rotational direction elastic member for urging the rotational pipe member and the button member to each other such that the fixed member is butted to a side of a terminal end in a peripheral direction of the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member, wherein either one of the rotational pipe member and the fixed member is attached to a case main body of a portable apparatus and other thereof is attached to a strap piece to thereby axially fix the strap piece rotatably to one end side or other end side of the case main body. Thereby, as described later, by axially fixing the strap piece rotatably to the one end side or the other end side of the case main body, the user can detach the mounting strap from the arm and mount the mounting strap thereto by operation of pushing the button member. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a hinge unit of a mounting strap characterized in comprising a rotational pipe member formed with a hole in an L-like shape perforated in the L-like shape in a peripheral direction and an axial direction at a side face thereof, a slide pipe member inserted to the rotational pipe member and formed with a long hole perforated to direct skewedly relative to the axial direction at a side face thereof, a button member inserted into the slide pipe member, a fixed member projected and inserted to the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member and the long hole of the slide pipe member and connected to the button member, an adjusting mechanism for adjusting a range of rotating the rotational pipe member relative to the slide pipe member by changing a length of the slide pipe member relative to the rotational pipe member, an axial direction elastic member for urging the slide pipe member and the button member to each other such that the fixed member is butted to a side of a terminal end in the axial direction of the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member, and a rotational direction elastic member for urging the rotational pipe member and the slide pipe member to each other such that the fixed member is butted to a side of the terminal end in the peripheral direction of the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member, wherein either of the rotational pipe member and the fixed member is attached to a case main body of a portable apparatus and other thereof is attached to a strap piece to thereby axially fix the strap piece rotatably to one end side or other end side of the case main body. Thereby, as described later, by axially fixing the strap piece rotatably to the one end side or the other end side of the case main body, a user can detach the mounting strap from the arm and mount the mounting strap thereto by operation of pushing the button member. Further, the fixed member is regulated not only by the hole in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe member but also by the long hole of the slide pipe member and therefore, when a length of the slide pipe member relative to the rotational pipe member is adjusted, in accordance with a pitch of the long hole, the range of rotating the rotational pipe member is changed and a ring diameter formed by the mounting strap can finely be adjusted. Further, according to the hinge unit of the mounting strap of the invention, when the fixed member is butted to a side of a terminal end in the axial direction of the hole in the L-like shape, the strap piece is axially fixed rotatably to the one end side or the other end side of the case main body such that the mounting strap is stabilized in a state of being closed. Thereby, when the button member is pushed into the rotational pipe member (or the slide pipe member) until the fixed member is butted to a portion intersected with the axial direction and peripheral direction of the hole in the L-like shape, the button member is slid to a side of a terminal end in the peripheral direction of the hole in the L-like shape by urge force by the rotational direction elastic member and the rotational pipe member is rotated relative to the button member to thereby rotate the strap piece in an opening direction relative to the case main body. Therefore, the user can detach the mounting strap by one touch operation since the strap piece can be opened by operation of pushing the button member. Further, according to the hinge unit of the mounting strap of the invention, when the fixed member is butted to the side of the terminal end in the axial direction of the hole in the L-like shape, the strap piece is axially fixed rotatably to the one end side or the other end side such that the mounting strap is stabilized in a state of being opened. Thereby, when the button member is pushed into the rotational pipe member (or the slide pipe member) until the fixed member is butted to the portion intersected with the axial direction and the peripheral direction of the hole in the L-like shape, the button member is slid to the side of the terminal end in the peripheral direction of the hole in the L-like shape by urge force of the rotational direction elastic member to thereby rotate the strap piece in the direction of being closed relative to the case main body. Therefore, the user can attach the mounting strap to the arm by one touch operation since the strap piece can be closed by operation of pushing the button member. Further, a stepped portion may be formed at the terminal end in the axial direction of the hole in the L-like shape and the fixed member may be fitted to the stepped portion. Further, it is preferable to provide a button bar for bridging the respective button members of the hinge unit axially fixed to the one end side of the case main body of the portable apparatus and the hinge unit axially fixed to the other end side to thereby connect each other. Thereby, the hinge units at the both ends can simultaneously be operated and therefore, attaching and detaching by one touch operation is facilitated. The hole in the above-described L-like shape is provided when the rotational pipe member is viewed from an outer side thereof and there is included also a Γ-like shape constituting a shape of a mirror image thereof. The hinge unit can correspond to either of one touch release and one touch mounting by a difference of the L-like shape and the Γ-like shape. Further, the hinge unit can deal with either of one touch release and one touch mounting by attaching the hinge unit by changing a direction of axial fixing by 180. Further, it is preferable to mold the strap piece in a bow-like shape by injection molding since a feeling of fitting to the arm is promoted. Further, the shape is not limited to the bow-like shape so far as the shape is the shape capable of surrounding the arm in a ring-like shape. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred form of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a wrist watch type PHS communication terminal according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining a pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view for explaining an assembled state of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view for explaining development of a connecting portion of a case main body according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 5 is a sectional view for explaining the portion of connecting the case main body and a 12 o'clock side strap according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 6 is a perspective view for explaining an operational state of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 7 is a perspective view for explaining an operational state of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 8 is a perspective view for explaining an operational state of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 9 is a side view for explaining operational states of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention; FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a wrist watch type PHS communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the invention; and FIG. 11 is a partially cut sectional view of the wrist watch type PHS communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A detailed explanation will be given of the invention with reference to the drawings as follows. Further, the invention is not limited by the embodiments described herein. Further, an explanation will be given of the embodiments by taking an example of a mounting strap used for a PHS (Personal Handyphone System) communication terminal of a wrist watch type communication apparatus. (Embodiment 1) FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a wrist watch type PHS communication terminal showing Embodiment 1 of the invention. The wrist watch type PHS communication terminal 100 is constituted by a case main body 10 and a mounting strap 40 in a ring-like shape comprising a 12 o'clock side strap 20 in a bow-like shape rotatably attached to the case main body 10 on a 12 o'clock side of the case main body 10 and a 6 o'clock side strap 30 in a bow-like shape rotatably attached to the case main body 10 on a 6 o'clock side of the case main body 10 . The case main body 10 includes a PHS communication unit 13 comprising electronic parts for carrying out PHS communication such as an antenna, a battery and a display panel in a space hermetically closed by a glass member 11 for protecting a display panel attached on a surface side and a case back 12 attached to a rear face side thereof. The 12 o'clock side strap 20 is formed in the bow-like shape by integrating an upper strap 20 a and lower straps 20 b and 20 c and includes a speaker 21 , a sheet board 22 and wirings 23 and 24 for electrically connecting these to the PHS communication unit 13 . Further, the 10 o'clock side strap 20 is axially supported rotatably relative to the case main body 10 by a hinge assembly having a pipe hinge unit 50 , urged to rotate from a closed state indicated by bold lines to an opened state indicated by two-dotted chain lines and is fixed to maintain the closed state indicated by the bold lines. Further, as described later, the wrist watch type PHS communication terminal 100 can be detached from the arm by bringing the 12 o'clock side strap 20 from the closed state to the opened state by one touch operation of the pipe hinge unit 50 . Meanwhile, the 6 o'clock side strap 30 is formed in the bow-like shape by integrating an upper strap 30 a and lower straps 30 b and 30 c and includes a microphone 31 , an operational button unit 32 and wirings 33 and 34 for electrically connecting these to the PHS communication unit 13 . Further, similarly, the 6 o'clock side strap 30 is axially supported rotatably relative to the case main body 10 by a pipe hinge unit 60 of the hinge assembly, urged to rotate from a closed state indicated by bold lines to an opened state indicated by two-dotted chain lines and fixed to maintain the closed stated indicated by the bold lines. Further, as described later, the wrist watch type PHS communication terminal 100 can be detached from the arm by bringing the 6 o'clock side strap 30 from the closed state to the opened state by one touch operation of the pipe hinge unit 60 . Next, an explanation will be given of the structure of the pipe hinge unit 50 . Further, the same structure applies to the pipe hinge unit 60 . FIG. 2 is a perspective view for explaining the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. FIG. 3 is a disassembled perspective view showing an assembled state of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. As shown by FIG. 2 or FIG. 3, the pipe hinge unit 50 comprises respective parts of a slide pipe 51 , a rotational tubular member 52 (hereinafter “rotational pipe”), a pipe return spring 53 constituting a first biasing member, a button 54 , a button extracting spring 55 constituting a second biasing member, a fixed pin 56 and a unit fixing screw 57 . The slide pipe 51 is formed in a shape integrated with a hollow member one end side of which is opened and a rod-like member formed at other end side of the hollow member and, is formed with a fixed pin slide hole 51 a, a pipe return spring engaging groove 51 b, a case inserting portion 51 c, a slide pipe drawing screw portion 51 d, a hollow hole portion 51 e and a fixed pin regulating face 51 f, mentioned later. The fixed pin slide hole 51 a is a hole formed at a peripheral face of the hollow member skewedly relative to the axial direction (spirally) with a width by which the fixed pin 56 can be inserted and is a hole through which the fixed pin 56 slides when the slide pipe 51 per se is rotated. That is, when the fixed pin 56 is fixed, rotation of the slide pipe 51 is regulated by the fixed pin 56 . The pipe return spring engaging groove 51 b is inserted with a slide pipe inserting bent portion 53 b of the pipe return spring 53 . The case inserting portion 51 c is inserted into a side of the case main body 10 , mentioned later. The slide pipe drawing screw portion 51 d is screwed with the unit fixing screw 57 . The hollow hole portion 51 e is inserted with the button 54 . The rotational pipe 52 is a pipe both ends of which are opened and is formed with a fixed pin slide slot or hole 52 a , a pipe return spring engaging groove 52 b forming a longitudinal extension of the fixed pin slide hole 52 a , a strap regulating portion 52 c , a fixed pin settling stepped portion 52 d and a hollow hole portion 52 e . The fixed pin slide hole 52 a is a hole formed in an L-like shape at a peripheral face of the rotational pipe 52 with a width by which the fixed pin 56 can be inserted. The pipe return spring engaging groove 52 b is inserted with a rotational pipe inserting bent portion 53 a of the pipe return spring 53 . The strap regulating face portion 52 c is brought into contact with an end face of a strap to thereby regulate rotation of the strap, as mentioned later. The fixed pin settling stepped portion 52 d is a portion provided by recessing one end side of the fixed pin slide hole 52 a extended in the axial direction of the rotational pipe 52 and is a portion fitted with the fixed pin 56 to thereby prevent the rotational pipe 52 and the slide pipe 51 from being rotated, as mentioned later. The hollow hole portion 52 e is inserted with the slide pipe 51 from one end side and inserted with the unit fixing screw 57 from other end side thereof. The pipe return spring 53 is a spring in a helical shape formed with the rotational pipe inserting bent portion 53 a and the slide pipe inserting bent portion 53 b, however, the pipe return spring 53 is not limited to the helical spring but may be, for example, rubber so far as the portion is constituted by an elastic member exerting urge force operated between the slide pipe 51 and the rotational pipe 52 respectively in the rotational direction. The pipe return spring 53 is integrated between the rotational pipe 52 and the slide pipe 51 inserted into the rotational pipe 52 . The rotational pipe inserting bent portion 53 a of the pipe return spring 53 is inserted into the pipe return spring engaging groove 52 b and another member of the slide pipe inserting bent portion 53 b thereof is inserted into the pipe return spring engaging groove 51 b. Thereby, when the slide pipe 51 is rotated and fixed and the rotational pipe 52 is rotated, reaction force is operated. The button 54 is formed with a fixed pin fixing hole 54 a . The fixed pin fixing hole 54 a is a hole fitted with the fixed pin 56 in a state in which the button 54 is inserted into the hollow hole portion 51 e of the slide pipe 51 . Under this state, the fixed pin 56 is inserted into the fixed pin slide hole 51 a and the fixed pin slide hole 52 a and the button 54 is made movable in the axial direction in a range of not being disengaged from the slide pipe 51 by regulating the fixed pin 56 by the fixed pin slide hole 51 a. Further, movement of the fixed pin 56 is regulated also by the fixed pin slide hole 52 a and accordingly, movement of the button 54 relative to the rotational pipe 52 is regulated by the fixed pin settling stepped portion 52 d. The button extracting spring 55 is a helical spring inserted into the depth side of the hollow hole portion 51 e for exerting urge force directed to an outer side relative to the button 54 . Also the button extracting spring 55 is not limited to the helical spring but may be, for example, rubber so far as the portion is an elastic member exerting the urge force directed to the outer side relative to the button 54 . The fixed pin 56 regulates rotation of the slide pipe 51 and the rotational pipe 52 . The unit fixing screw 57 is attached to make the slide pipe 51 and the rotational pipe 52 rotatable to each other. Next, an explanation will be given of a portion for connecting the case main body 10 and the 12 o'clock side strap 20 . FIG. 4 is a disassembled perspective view for explaining the portion of connecting the case main body according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. In the case main body 10 , a recessed groove portion 10 a is formed at inside of an inserting hole 10 b for inserting the pipe hinge unit 50 , an inserting hole 10 c is formed coaxially with the inserting hole 10 b and a curved face portion 10 d is formed on a side of the inserting hole 10 c. Further, the case back 12 is formed with a hook portion 12 a forming a curved face. Similarly, the lower strap 20 b is also formed with a hook portion 20 d forming a curved face. The hook portions 12 a and 20 d constitute one inserting hole in a state of being integrated with the inserting hole 10 c and the curved face portion 10 d. Further, the upper strap 20 a is formed with a projected portion 20 e at inside of an inserting hole 20 f for inserting the pipe hinge unit 50 . The sheet board 22 is connected to a sheet board 22 b on a side of the case main body 10 by interposing a cylindrical member 22 a therebetween. The cylindrical member 22 a is sandwiched at a portion surrounded by the curved face portion 10 d and the hook portions 12 a and 20 d. FIG. 5 is a sectional view for explaining the portion of connecting the case main body and the 12 o'clock side strap according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. The pipe hinge unit 50 is inserted and axially fixed to connect the case main body 10 and the 12 o'clock side strap 20 . That is, the pipe hinge unit 50 is axially fixed by coupling the strap regulating portion (rotation regulating portion) 52 c of the rotational pipe 51 with the projected portion 20 e (upper strap 20 a ) and inserting the case inserting portion (projection) 51 c of the slide pipe 51 into the recessed groove portion 10 a of the case main body 10 . Next, an explanation will be given of operational states of the pipe hinge unit having the above-described constitution in opening and closing the strap. FIG. 6, FIG. 7, FIG. 8 and FIG. 9 are perspective views for explaining operational states of the pipe hinge unit according to Embodiment 1 of the invention. Further, in the following explanation, FIG. 5 is pertinently referred to. First, when the strap is closed from the state in which the strap is opened (in FIG. 1, the 12 o'clock side strap 20 (6 o'clock side strap 30 ) is brought from the state indicated by the two-dotted chain lines to the state indicated by the bold lines), as shown by an operational state view of FIG. 6, rotation of the slide pipe 51 relative to the case main body 10 is regulated by fitting the case inserting portion 51 c to the recessed groove portion 10 a, further, since the slide pipe 51 is fixed by the projected portion 20 e and the strap regulating portion 52 c, when the rotational pipe 52 is rotated by force F 1 , there is brought about a state in which reaction by the pipe return spring 53 is operated. At this occasion, when the rotational pipe 52 is further rotated and reaches a state shown by FIG. 7, since the button 54 having the fixed pin 56 integrated to inside of the slide pipe 51 , is exerted with force F 3 by the button extracting spring 55 , there is brought about a state in which the fixed pin 56 starts to enter the fixed pin slide hole 52 a in the L-like shape of the rotational pipe 52 in the axial direction. Then, the fixed pin 56 is brought into a state of being sandwiched between the fixed pin regulating face (wall face) 51 f of the slide pipe 51 and the fixed pin settling stepped portion (wall face) 52 d of the rotational pipe 52 and there is brought about a state shown by FIG. 8 in which even force of closing the strap is released, the strap is held. Conversely, with regard to a mechanism for detaching the strap, the state shown in FIG. 8 is brought into the state shown by FIG. 7 and the state shown by FIG. 6 finally. That is, by pushing in the button 54 , the fixed pin 56 rides over the fixed pin settling stepped portion (groove) 52 d, the fixed pin 56 and the rotational pipe 52 are separated from each other and the rotational pipe 52 is rotated by the strap return spring 53 having reaction force. Thereby, the strap can be detached from the arm. Next, an explanation will be given of a mechanism of adjusting a wrapping angle according to the size of the arm. An explanation will be given of fine adjustment operation by the pipe hinge unit 50 described above. As shown by FIG. 5 and FIG. 9, there is provided a gap A between the slide pipe 51 and the case main body 10 (also between the slide pipe 51 and the rotational pipe 52 ) and the gap can be elongated and contracted in the left and right direction by the unit fixing screw (fine adjustment screw) 57 . Further, since the fixed pin slide hole 51 a of the slide pipe 51 is provided with a twisted shape and accordingly, by elongating or contracting the unit fixing screw 57 , as shown by FIG. 9, the position of the fixed pin regulating face 51 e for sandwiching the fixed pin 56 is changed in the rotational direction. Thereby, the position of the fixed pin settling stepped portion 52 d fitted with the fixed pin 56 relative to the fixed pin slide hole 51 a, is also changed and by changing a position of locking the strap in accordance with a pitch of the fixed pin slide hole 51 a, a set position of the arm of respective person can be determined. According to the above-described embodiment, there are provided the pipe hinge units at hinge portions of the case and the straps and therefore, there is achieved an effect that the straps of the bangle type can be opened and closed by one touch operation, further, the straps are fitted to the arm of respective person in steps. Further, between two pairs of the pipes rotated coaxially, the fixed pins are fitted to the fixed pin settling stepped portions and therefore, firm locking can be carried out. Therefore, the strap can be opened and closed instantaneously relative to the arm and can be fitted to the arm of respective person at a stable position and therefore, particularly, there is achieved further excellent effect when the strap is used in a PHS communication terminal of a wrist watch type which needs to attach and detach frequently. (Embodiment 2) FIG. 10 is a perspective view for explaining a wrist watch type PHS communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the invention. FIG. 11 is a partially cut sectional view of the wrist watch type PHS communication terminal according to Embodiment 2 of the invention. Embodiment 2 is constituted by adding the constitution of Embodiment 1 with a button bar 71 , striking pins 72 and 74 and a sliding washer 73 shown below. That is, when the buttons of the hinge units 50 and 60 on the 12 o'clock side and the 6 o'clock side are bridged by the button bar 71 and the striking pines 72 ad 74 , the strap pieces 20 and 30 can simultaneously be opened by one touch operation. Further, the sliding washers 73 and 75 fix the button bars 71 when the buttons of the hinge units 50 and 60 are rotated by a strap opening angle and operate to help rotate the buttons 50 and 60 and the button bar 71 . Further, although according to the above-described embodiments, an explanation has been given by taking an example of the mounting strap used for the PHS communication terminal of the wrist watch type communication apparatus, the mounting strap can similarly be constituted and operated also for other portable apparatus such as other wrist watch type communication apparatus, wrist watch, wrist watch type information apparatus or the like. Further, in the foregoing embodiments, an explanation has been given of the case in which the 10 o'clock side strap 20 and the 6 o'clock side strap 30 are urged in the opening direction, maintain the closed state and release the closed state. In an alternative embodiment, the straps are urged in the closing direction, maintain the opened state and release the opened state. Thus, a portable terminal can be mounted to the arm easily by one touch operation. In this case, the above-described pipe hinge unit is attached by changing the direction by 180 degrees to invert the rotational direction. As has been explained above, according to the hinge unit of the mounting strap of the invention, there is achieved an effect in which by axially fixing the strap pieces rotatably to the one end side or the other end side of the case main body, a user can detach or mount the mounting strap from and to the arm by operation of pushing the button member. Further, there is achieved an effect of capable of providing inexpensively the mounting strap having high general purpose performance for a maker thereof. Particularly, in the case of a portable apparatus of an arm mounting type such as a PHS communication terminal which needs to fit to the arm to ensure the operability, there can be promoted attaching and detaching operability when the portable apparatus is operated by attaching and detaching thereof to and from the arm in a hurry.
A hinge assembly has a tubular member having a longitudinal axis, a peripheral surface, and a slot formed in the peripheral surface. A button member extends into the tubular member to undergo sliding movement in an axial direction along the longitudinal axis of the tubular member and to undergo rotational movement relative to the tubular member. A pin member is connected to the button member and extends into the slot of the tubular member to undergo movement therein during sliding and rotational movement of the button member relative to the tubular member. The button member is biased in a preselected direction of rotation relative to the tubular member by a first biasing member. The button member is biased in an axial direction by a second biasing member.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This information relates to devices for gathering information with respect to fluids in subsurface earth formations penetrated by a well bore and, specifically, to a device and method for providing a more reliable indication of the nature of the fluid or fluids in the subsurface formation surrounding the borehole. 2. Description of the Prior Art A number of wireline formation testing devices are known in the oil and gas industry. In use, such devices are suspended from a wireline from the earth's surface and are lowered downwardly within the well bore. Such devices are used to gather information about the fluids in the subsurface formations surrounding the borehole. The pressure of fluid in an earth formation and the rate at which that fluid enters a low pressure sample chamber from a borehole surface of known area are two of the most frequently recorded values. Another common use of such devices is to obtain fluid samples which are brought to the earth's surface and preserved for laboratory examination. The wireline formation testing device has evolved steadily since its inception. Contemporary wireline formation testing devices are typically designed with the capacity to make an unlimited number of fluid pressure tests and to obtain one or two fluid samples per trip into the well bore. The earliest versions, such as that described in U.S. Pat. No. 2,747,402, were not commercially successful due to numerous shortcomings. The early devices often failed to achieve successful isolation of a portion of the borehole surface. The internal flow lines frequently became plugged with formation materials during efforts to obtain pressure readings for fluid samples. The early devices also utilized less accurate pressure measuring means than do contemporary formation testing devices. Over the years, improvements have been steadily introduced to correct many of the deficiencies associated with the early wireline formation testing devices. Although the present day wireline formation tester is commercially successful and is often relied upon to provide valuable information which aids in the evaluation of potentially production oil and gas wells, certain deficiencies continue to exist. The operation of present day formation testing devices is discussed in such articles as "Improved Use of Wireline Testers for Reservoir Evaluation", by Gunter and Moore, Journal of Petroleum Technology, June 1987. This article describes a technique by which a formation tester can be used to determine the density of fluids in an earth formation where the earth formation is fluid continuous over a given depth interval. A formation tester is used to measure fluid pressures at a number of depths within the interval. Pressure versus depth data is plotted and the slope of the resulting curve defines a fluid pressure-depth gradient. Fluid density determines the value of such a gradient. Fluids such as water, oil and gas are known to have different pressure-depth gradients. Also, the pressure-depth gradient of each of these fluids remains substantially the same over relatively small depth intervals of, e.g., 300 to 400 feet. Thus, any distinct change in the slope of a pressure-depth curve serves to indicate a transition point from one type of fluid to another. In many cases, however, an earth formation penetrated by a well bore contains only one type of moveable fluid over the interval studied. In such cases, the pressure gradient indicated by a pressure-depth plot will closely conform to a straight line. And, as already mentioned above, the slope of the line will conveniently indicate the type of fluid present in the formation. For example, pressure-depth gradients of 0.05 psi per foot, 0.35 psi per foot, and 0.46 psi per foot would suggest the presence of gas, oil and water, respectively, as the moveable formation fluids. It should be noted that the density of gas is in part dependent upon absolute pressure and temperature, the density of oil is in part dependent upon the amount of absorbed gas it contains, and the density of water is in part dependent upon the amount of dissolved solids. Nevertheless, for practical purposes, no overlapping of densities of these fluids is encountered in the course of formation analysis. It will also be understood that in a single moveable fluid environment, only two fluid pressure measurements taken at known depths are needed to determine the pressure-depth gradient. Such a determination, in turn, provides a highly reliable means of establishing moveable fluid type. With this general discussion of the operation of the modern day formation testing device in mind, one limitation should be readily apparent. The accurate determination of a pressure-depth gradient is dependent upon the accuracy of the pressure measurements provided by the formation tester's pressure measurement instruments and the accuracy of the depth readings which are used to define the plot. The latter readings are normally provided by instruments and devices contained in a logging truck which is attached to the wireline which serves to transport the formation tester as it penetrates the borehole from the well surface. Currently, formation testing devices typically incorporate both a quartz gauge and a strain gauge in their design. The quartz gauge provides both higher resolution and higher absolute pressure measurement accuracy than the strain gauge. One commercially available quartz gauge which is currently used for well bore measurements is the Hewlett Packard HP2813E/D. Published specifications for this gauge are: OPERATING ENVIRONMENT CALIBRATED PRESSURE RANGE: 200-11,000 psi. CALIBRATED TEMPERATURE RANGE: 95°-350° F. STATIC MEASUREMENT (pressure and temperature are constant). ACCURACY: plus or minus [1.0 psi (due to curve fit error)+0.01% of actual pressure (due to calibration system error)]. REPEATABILITY: plus or minus 1.0 psi over the entire calibrated pressure and temperature range; or, plus or minus 0.4 psi over the entire calibrated pressure range with temperature held to a single value. RESOLUTION: 0.001 psi when sampling for 1 second. It is also common for well service contractors to modify the quartz gauges that are installed in their formations testers. Thus, the above specification serve only as an approximate guide to gauge performance. In addition to the performance changes resulting from modifications, it should also be noted that the above specifications assume that temperature is constant during the measurement time interval. If temperature is not constant, pressure measurement errors can normally be expected to be considerably higher than those incurred during intervals of constant temperature. The condition of constant temperature during a pressure test is, in actual practice, difficult to achieve. There are many reasons, including the fact that the temperature of the well bore changes continuously with depth. Typical earth temperature gradients range from one to two degrees F. per 100 feet. Thus, a formation testing device is subjected to continuously changing temperature as it traverses the well bore. Also, when the formation testing device is positioned in the well bore for the purpose of testing a particular subsurface formation, the temperature adjustments of internal components do not occur instantly. Another factor which affects the temperature of tool components is the cooling effect which results when certain formation fluids which are liquid in the connate state vaporize entirely or partly as a result of entering the low pressure environment of the tester's pretest chamber. Then, as the pressure test proceeds, the reverse effect normally occurs and heat is released as the gaseous material recondenses. The recondensation occurs because the fluid in the pretest chamber again approaches the original formation fluid pressure. There are at least two other factors which may affect the tool's rate of temperature change. One is the heat which is generated as a result of operating the hydraulic system or other means used to position the sealing means against the borehole wall. The second is the heat which is generated by various electronic components which operate within the tool housing. In this dynamic heat environment, constant temperature conditions are virtually impossible to achieve with certainty. One well service contractor in a printed release describing the performance capabilities of its formation testing device has stated that selected, modified Hewlett Packard gauges will have a maximum error of 20 psia when the rate of temperature changes 1-2 degrees F. per minute and that pressure measurement error will be within plus or minus 2 psia when the rate of temperature change is less than 0.5° F. per minute. Assuming arbitrarily that an absolute pressure measurement accuracy of plus or minus 0.5 psia is achievable, it can be determined that a pressure-depth gradient error calculated using two readings taken 100 feet apart would result in a maximum gradient error of plus or minus 0.01 psi per foot. If the two readings indicated a 0.44 psi per foot pressure-depth gradient, for example, it could be assumed with confidence that the true gradient value was somewhere in the range of 0.43-0.45 psi per foot. Since the pressure-depth gradient for oil will in all circumstances be considerably lower than 0.43 psi per foot, the accuracy of the gradient calculation would be quite sufficient to determine that the fluid type was water. Likewise, if the moveable formation fluid had been gas or oil, an error of plus or minus 0.01 psi per foot would have in fact been sufficiently small to allow accurate determination of the fluid type. Now assume that the two pressure readings are taken some ten feet apart in a fluid continuous formation. The error assumption of plus or minus 0.5 psia would now translate into a pressure-depth gradient error of plus or minus 0.1 psia per foot. If the two recorded readings taken by the formation tester indicated a pressure-depth gradient of 0.40 psi per foot, for example, then the true gradient value could be anywhere in the range of 0.30-0.50 psi per foot. The high part of that range would indicate water as the fluid type and the lower portion would indicate oil as the fluid type. Certainly there could be times when the readings generated by the formation tester would indicate only one possible fluid. For example, an indicated gradient of 0.53 psi per foot would suggest only water as the fluid type. However, in general, it can be seen that two readings taken at a depth differential of ten feet would not generate pressure readings of sufficient accuracy to predict the type of moveable fluid with confidence. A second error causing factor which was not considered in the above two examples is that one or both depth readings may be incorrect. If, for example, two readings are taken over what is believed to be a ten foot interval, and the true pressure gradient is 0.433 psi per foot, a plus or minus 0.5 psi measurement accuracy could be assumed to produce a measurement in the range of 0.483-0.383 psi per foot. However, if the vertical distance between readings is nine feet to eleven feet, the pressure gradient reading could lie anywhere in the 0.34 and 0.53 psi per foot range. Depth errors are conceivable because many earth formations selected for testing are permeable. Consequently, it is not uncommon for the well bore surface to be covered with a layer of mud cake. Such mud cake can vary in thickness and can also be scraped off as the formation tester is moved to penetrate the well bore. Thus, the formation tester, which is normally of larger diameter than other logging tools which may have preceded it, may unpredictably be subjected to a downward pull resulting from mud cake friction as it is moved upward vertically into position for a formation test. Such a force would be added to the normal weight of the logging cable and formation tester and could cause the cable to stretch to a length greater than would otherwise be the case. Clearly, given the above assumptions, the absolute pressure measuring capacity of prior art formation testing devices is insufficient to reliably determine fluid types over such short intervals as ten feet. In fact, the estimated absolute accuracy of currently available formation testing devices is often considered by those active in well logging analysis to be even less than the plus or minus 0.5 psia which was assumed in the above examples. It should be noted that the majority of examples published in the literature illustrating the use of formation testing devices involve earth formations which are many hundreds of feet in vertical depth. This fact notwithstanding, nearly all wells drilled in todays economic environment encounter formations of ten feet or even less in thickness which, if filled with moveable gas or oil, would justify well completion. This reality tends to highlight the inadequacies of the currently available formation testing devices. A need exists for a formation testing device with the ability to harness the resolution capacity of commercially available quartz gauges to measure the difference in absolute formation fluid pressure between two well bore depths. A need also exists for a formation testing device which provides a differential pressure reading indicative of the difference in formation fluid pressure at two well bore depths. A need also exists for such a formation testing device in which the vertical distance between the two measuring points is fixed with great accuracy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The formation testing apparatus of the invention is used for testing subsurface earth formations penetrated by a borehole. The testing apparatus includes a body of the type adapted to be suspended in a well bore penetrating such formations. A first sealing means is carried on the body and has a first central opening therein. The first sealing means is adapted for sealing engagement with the well bore to isolate a first portion thereof adjacent to said first central opening from well bore fluids. A second sealing means is carried at a different location longitudinally on said body and has a second central opening therein. The second sealing means is adapted for sealing engagement with the well bore to isolate a second portion thereof adjacent to said second central opening from well bore fluids. Actuating means are provided for moving the first and second sealing means into sealing engagement with the well bore to establish communication at the first and second sealing means with connate fluids in the earth formations surrounding the borehole. A first sample-collecting means is carried by the body and is connected by a first sample passageway with the first central opening for receiving samples of connate fluids produced from such formations. A second sample collecting means is carried by the body and connected by a second sample passageway with the second central opening for receiving samples of connate fluids produced from such formations. A primary control fluid passage containing a control fluid of known density is pressure communicative with the connate fluid contained in the first sample passageway. A secondary control fluid passage containing a control fluid of known density is pressure communicative with the connate fluid contained in the second sample passageway. Pressure sensing means are provided for sensing the pressure of the known density control fluid in the primary and secondary fluid passages and for comparing the pressures to determine a fluid pressure-depth gradient from which the nature of the connate fluid in the earth formations adjacent the formation testing device can be predicted. The pressure sensing means can include an absolute pressure gauge and valve means for alternately communicating the pressure in the primary and secondary control fluid passages to the absolute pressure gauge. The pressure sensing means can also include a differential pressure gauge in fluid communication with the primary and secondary control fluid passages for simultaneously sensing the pressures and providing a differential pressure reading between said pressures. Additional objects, features and advantages will be apparent in the written description which follows. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a simplified, schematic view of a formation testing device of the invention with the body of the device suspended by a wireline within a borehole; FIG. 2 is an isolated view of the actuating portion of the formation testing device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3a is a schematic view of the device of the invention showing the first and second sealing means in the relaxed position; FIG. 3b is a downward continuation of FIG. 3a showing the sampling portion of the device; FIG. 4 is an isolated view of the primary fluid passage of the device of FIG. 1 which contains a control fluid of known density; FIG. 5a is a schematic view of the device of the invention showing the first and second sealing means in the extended position; FIG. 5b is a downward continuation of FIG. 5a showing the sampling portion of the device; and FIG. 6 is an isolated view of the valve means used in the sampling portion of the device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a formation testing apparatus incorporating the principles of the present invention designated generally as 8. The apparatus 8 is shown suspended by a multi-conductor cable 11 in a well bore 12 which traverses one or more earth formations 13, 14 where testing or sampling will be performed. The cable 11 is carried by a spool and winch 15 at the earth surface and is connected with typical surface equipment including a tool-control system 16, a power supply 17, suitable pressure indicating devices such as gauges 18, 19 and 20 and a recording device 22. Such surface equipment is known to those skilled in the art and is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 3,344,860, issued Oct. 3, 1967, to Voetter; U.S. Pat. No. 3,261,402, issued July 19, 1966, to Whitten, and others. The formation testing apparatus 8 includes an elongated body 10 adapted to be passed through a well bore which is comprised of an actuating section 23 and tester section 21. As illustrated, the body 10 is transportable through a well bore and can be positioned adjacent to a selected formation zone 13 or zone 14 for sampling the pressure of the fluids in each of the formation zones. OVERALL OPERATION Before describing the component parts of the formation testing apparatus, a brief description of the overall operation will be provided. The body 10 is first lowered to a desired depth on the cable 11. As the body 10 is lowered in the well bore, it passes through a weighted well bore fluid commonly called "mud". The surface gauges 18 and 19 provide an indication of the hydrostatic pressure detected by the tool in the well bore while the tool is passed through the well bore. The surface gauge 18 is connected to pressure transducer or sensor 18a (FIG. 3a) in the tester section 21 and is used to indicate pressure of hydraulic fluid in the tester. The surface gauge 19 is connected to pressure transducer or sensor 19a (FIG. 3a) to measure the pressure of the fluid in channel or passage 99. The surface gauge 20 is connected to differential pressure transducer or sensor 20a to measure the differential pressure of the fluid in passages 88 and 90. Pressure transducers of the type described are commercially available and will be familiar to those skilled in the art. The pressure transducers or sensors 18a and 19a can be, e.g. the previously described Hewlett Packard HP2813E/D quartz gauges. When the tool is located next to a formation 14 to be tested, a command from surface control system 16 causes internal components in the actuating section 23 and the testing section 21 to cause first annular sealing means 25 and second annular sealing means 25a, as well as diametrically opposed backup shoe means 26 and 26a to be moved outwardly into engagement with the wall of the well bore to the position illustrated in FIG. 5a. The general construction and function of annular sealing means 25, 25a and backup shoe means 26, 26a for this purpose are well known. The first annular sealing means and shoe means 25 and 26 are selectively extendable and retractable relative to the well tool. Second annular sealing means and shoe means 25a and 26a are likewise extendable and retractable relative to the well tool. As shown in FIG. 3a, the first and second annular sealing means 25, 25a are connected to the same hydraulic pressure channel 32 as are shoe means 26 and 26a. Thus, annular sealing means 25 and 25a are extended and retracted simultaneously with shoe means 26 and 26a. When the annular sealing means 25 and 25a sealingly engage the wall of the well bore, a temporary fluid sample may be taken into the tool through either or both annular sealing means 25 and 25a. A fluid pressure measurement may then be taken of the fluid located adjacent to the first and second segments of the well bore wall which are isolated from the borehole fluid by the annular sealing means 25 and 25a. Also, a differential pressure measurement may be taken of the fluid adjacent to the segments of the well bore wall. After the testing process is complete, the annular sealing means 25 and 25a and shoe means 26 and 26a may be retracted to the well tool. THE ACTUATING SECTION The actuating section 23 of the apparatus 8 will be familiar to those skilled in the art and is described, e.g., in U.S. Pat. No. 4,210,018. As shown in FIG. 2, the actuating section 23 includes a housing member 31 with a hydraulic cylinder 32a which opens to a hydraulic fluid passage 32. In the housing member 31 is a piston 33 which forms a sliding seal within the cylinder 32a. Piston 33 is mounted on a piston rod 34. A spring 35 on the piston rod 34 normally urges the piston 33 upwardly into engagement with a shoulder stop on the piston rod 34. The shoulder stop on the piston rod engages the piston 33 to move the piston 33 downwardly to transmit pressure to the hydraulic fluid 36 in the cylinder 32a and fluid passage 32. Above the piston 33 the housing 31 has a port 37 which opens to the mud fluid in the well bore 12. Thus mud pressure is transmitted to the piston 33 and to the hydraulic fluid 36 independently of the action of the piston rod 34 on the piston. Above the cylinder 32a is an internal chamber 38 which receives an enlarged piston section 39 on the piston rod 34. Hydraulic fluid 36 from the cylinder 32a is admitted to the volume or space above the piston section 39 by means of an internal passage through the piston rod 34. The volume or space in chamber 38 below the piston section 39 is at atmospheric pressure. Above the chamber 38, the piston rod 34 has an upper adapter 40 which has a nut threadedly receiving a lead screw 42. The adapter 40 is connected by a pin 41 to a vertical guideway in the tool housing. Thus, as the lead screw 42 is turning, the adapter 40 is moved longitudinally of the tool and the piston rod 34 is moved in a vertical direction. The lead screw 42 is driven by an electric, reversible motor 43 which is controlled from the surface control system 16. THE TESTER SECTION Referring now to FIG. 3a, the tester section 21 of the tool is schematically illustrated. The tester section 21 includes first annular sealing means 25 which has a metal plate 50 with a curvature to conform to the curvature of the well bore. On the forward face of the metal plate 50 is a resilient sealing pad 51. The sealing pad has a central fluid admitting, opening 52. Opening 52 connects to a first flow passage 53 which is a tubular passage generally inward and transverse to the pad 51. The first flow passage 53 is intersected by a first sample passageway 62. Longitudinally spaced piston and piston rods 54 and 55 are coupled to the pad plate 50 and are responsive to fluid pressure in the passage 32 and in the well bore to extend or retract the pad plate 50 relative to the section 21. Similarly, the first back-up shoe 26 has a curvature about a vertical axis for engaging the wall of the borehole and longitudinally spaced piston rods 56 and 57. Pistons 56 and 57 are also responsive to fluid pressure in the passage 32 and in the well bore to extend or retract the shoe 26 relative to the tester section 21. The second annular sealing means 25a is positioned on the tester section 21 at a known distance below the first annular sealing means 25 and has a similar design. The annular sealing means 25a includes a metal plate 50a with a curvature to conform to the curvature of the well bore. On the forward face of the metal plate 50a is a resilient sealing pad 51a. The sealing pad has a central fluid admitting, opening 48. Opening 48 connects to a second flow passage 53a which is generally inward and transverse to the pad 51a. Longitudinally spaced piston rods 54a and 55a are coupled to the metal plate 50a and are responsive to fluid pressure in the passage 32 and in the well bore to extend or retract the metal plate 50a relative to the tester section 21. Similarly, the first back-up shoe 26a has a curvature about a vertical axis for engaging the wall of the borehole and longitudinally spaced apart piston rods 56a and 57a. Pistons 56a and 57a are also responsive to fluid pressure in the passage 32 and in the well bore to extend or retract the shoe 26a relative to the tester section 21. First sample passageway 62 runs longitudinally down the tool body 10 and terminates at the upper end of a bore or cylinder 67 (FIG. 3b) which opens into an expandable space 71 located above a piston segment 69. The cylinder 67, in turn, opens to a lower, enlarged bore or cylinder 68. The piston segment 69 and stepped segment 70 are slidably mounted in the cylinders 67 and 68 respectively. The expandable space 71 above the piston segment 69 is connected by virtue of first sample passageway 62, to the first flow passage 53 in the pad 51. The bottom part of the cylinder 68 below the piston segment 70 contains a spring 74 for normally urging the piston segment 70 to its uppermost position and maintaining the space 71 at its smallest volume. Cylinder 68 is also connected by a passage 75 to the mud or fluid pressure in the well bore. The second flow passage 53a (FIG. 3a) beginning at pad 51a is coupled to a second sample passageway 62a. The second sample passageway 62a terminates at the upper end of a bore or cylinder 67a (FIG. 3b) and opens into an expandable space 71a located above the piston segment 69a. The cylinder 67a, in turn, opens to a lower, enlarged bore or cylinder 68a. Slidably and sealingly mounted in the cylinders 67a and 68a is a stepped piston with segment 69a in the cylinder 67a and a segment 70a in the cylinder 68a. The expandable space 71a above the piston segment 69a is connected by virtue of second sample passageway 62a, to the second flow passage 53a in the pad 51a. The bottom part of the cylinder 68a below the piston segment 70a contains a spring 74a for normally urging the piston segment 70a to its uppermost position and maintaining the space 71a at its smallest volume. Cylinder 68a is also connected by a passage 75a to the mud or fluid pressure in the well bore. As shown in FIG. 4, a first fluid separation means, such as pressure transmitting diaphragm 82 is mounted within the first flow passage 53 radially inward of the point of intersection with the first sample passageway 62. The flexible diaphragm 82 has an outer gasket region which is sandwiched between flanges 73a and 73b. An opening 84 defined between flanges 73a, 73b in the first flow passage 53 exposes flexible diaphragm 82 to fluid in first flow passage 53. A similar opening 85 exposes flexible diaphragm 82 to control fluid 86 contained in a primary control fluid passage 63. As a result, the diaphragm 82 represents a pressure responsive area exposed to fluid in first flow passage 53. Flexible diaphragm 82 serves to conduct pressure from the fluid in first flow passage 53 to the control fluid in the primary control fluid passage 63. Preferably, the control fluid in passage 63 is a substantially incompressible liquid, such as oil. A second fluid separation means, diaphragm 82a is mounted in the second flow passage 53a. The construction and operation of pressure transmitting diaphragm 82a is identical to that of pressure transmitting diaphragm 82. Pressure of fluid in second flow passage 53a is conducted through flexible diaphragm 82a to control fluid 86 in a secondary control fluid passage 63a. Control fluid 86 is also preferably a liquid of known density such as substantially incompressible oil. Returning to FIG. 3a, passage 63 forks into two branches, one branch, passage 89 connects to valve 87, the other branch 88 connects to differential pressure transducer or sensor 20a. Passage 63a forks into two branches, one fork, passage 90 connects to differential pressure transducer or sensor 20a and the other passage 91 connects to valve means 87a. Sensor 20a provides measurements of the fluid pressure differences between passages 88 and 90. These measurements are indicated on surface gauge 20 and are recorded by surface device 22. Passages 88 and 90 are, of course, at no time fluid connected at sensor 20a or at any other location in the tool. Valve means 87 and 87a can be controlled remotely, preferably, by operation of tool-control system 16, by means of electrical leads 92 and 92a extending from valve means 87 and 87a to the remote location. Valve means 87 and 87a are selectively operated to prevent fluid communication between passageways 63 and 63a. That is, when valve means 87 is open and 87a closed, passage 89 and passage 99 are connected. When valve means 87a is open and valve means 87 is closed, passage 91 is connected with passage 99. Passage 99 fluidly connects with pressure transducer or sensor 19a. Pressure transducer or sensor 19a can transmit to surface device 19 a pressure measurement to be recorded by surface recorder 22. Thus, depending upon the position of valve means 87 and 87a, a fluid pressure measurement in passage 89 or in passage 91 may be taken. A suitable valve 87 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,416,152, issued Nov. 22, 1983, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. The valve is also commercially available from Atkomatic Valve Company under part number 15-885 and is supplied off-the-shelf with a solenoid control system. A suitable electrical command and switching system for the valve is described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,780,575, which is incorporated herein by reference. Referring again to the sampling portion of the tool shown in FIGS. 3b, valve means 94 and 95 are located in line between passage 32 and passage 96. Valve means 95 permits fluid flow only if the pressure of fluid in passage 32 is a certain selected pressure magnitude higher than the pressure of the borehole fluid. Passage 75b opens at the outer surface of the tool 10 and connects the borehole fluid with valve means 95, thus facilitating the comparison of borehole fluid pressure with the pressure of fluid in passage 32. The arrangement of valve means 95 is such that borehole fluid has no access to the passage 32. Valve means 94 can be controlled remotely, preferably from control system 16, by means of electrical leads 97 extending from the valve 94 to the surface location. When valve means 94 is in open position and the pressure of fluid in passage 32 is at least a certain magnitude of pressure greater than the borehole fluid pressure, with that magnitude being determined by the arrangement of valve means 95, fluid in passage 32 can flow from passage 32 through valve means 95, valve means 94 and into passage 96. Passage 96 opens into the space 72 above piston segment 70. As a result of the hydraulic pressure of the entering fluid, piston segment 70 is driven downwardly, space 72 expands and spring 74 is compressed. In order to supply additional fluid to passage 32, the motor 43 is operated causing replacement fluid to be pumped into line 32. The downward movement of piston segment 69 causes a small fluid sample from the formation to be received into the expanding space 71. Referring to FIG. 6, valve means 95 is shown in detail. Passage 101 within the valve body 102 communicates with passage 32. A cylindrical piston 103 is free to move in valve body 102. A spring 104 applies continuous pressure to piston 103, causing it to be in the position shown when the pressure of the fluid in passageway 32 is equal to the pressure of the well bore fluid which freely enters the space 105 in cylindrical housing 102 containing spring 104 via passage 75b. When the pressure of the fluid in passageway 32 is higher than the pressure of the well bore fluid in space 105, piston 103 exerts a force on spring 104 causing it to compress. When this force is strong enough to cause sufficient compression, piston 103 moves to the right a distance sufficient to permit fluid contact between passageway 32 and passageway 106. Passageway 106 leads to valve means 94. O-rings 107 and 107a provide a sliding seal to prevent fluid leakage between the valve body 102 and piston 103. The construction of valve 95a is identical to that of valve 95. The arrangement of valve means 95a is such that borehole fluid has no access to the passage 32. Valve means 94 is preferably closed before valve means 94a is opened. Valve means 94a can be controlled remotely, preferably from control system 16, by means of electrical leads 97a extending from the valve 94a to the remote location. When valve means 94a is in open position and the pressure of fluid in passageway 32 is at least a certain magnitude of pressure greater than the borehole fluid pressure, with that magnitude being determined by the arrangement of valve means 95a, fluid in passageway 32 can flow from passageway 32 through valve means 95a, valve means 94a and into passage 96a. Passage 96a opens into the space 72a above piston segment 70a. As a result of the hydraulic pressure of the entering fluid, piston segment 70a is driven downward, space 72a expands and spring 74a is compressed. In order to supply additional fluid to passage 32, the motor 43 is operated causing the actuating system to pump replacement fluid into passageway 32. The downward movement of piston segment 70a causes a small fluid sample from the formation to be received into the expanding space 72a. SINGLE PRESSURE TEST OPERATION In the running-in position shown in FIG. 3a, the pressure transducer or sensor 18a, which is connected to passage 32, will detect the hydrostatic/mud pressure. The pressure transducer or sensor 19a will also detect mud pressure prior to the sealing pads 51 and 51a and backup shoes 26 and 26a being set against a well bore. To sample the pressure of the fluids in a formation at a given level, the tool is positioned at the desired location and motor 43 (FIG. 2) operated to increase the pressure in the hydraulic fluid 36 in the passage 32. As the pressure in passage 32 is increased, the shoes 26 and 26a and the sealing pads 51 and 51a are moved against the wall of the well bore by virtue of the pressure in the passage 32 acting on the pistons. FIG. 5a illustrates the position of sealing pads 51 and 51a and shoes 26 and 26a following this process. Seals are thus established between pads 51 and 51a and the well bore surface which isolate two small portions of the well bore surface from the well bore fluid. As is illustrated, one isolated portion 45 is adjacent passage 53 and the other isolated portion 47 is adjacent passage 53a. The preferred embodiment of the formation testing apparatus 8, permits the independent measurement of fluid pressure at sealing pad 51 and sealing pad 51a and the measurement of the differential pressure of the fluids at sealing pads 51 and 51a. During the process of taking temporary fluid samples from the formation adjacent to openings 52 and 52a (FIG. 5a), the pressure of fluid in fluid passages 53 and 53a can be detected by pressure transducer or sensor 19a. If valve means 87 is open and valve means 87a is closed, fluid communication between passage 89 and passage 99 is established and the fluid pressure in first flow passage 53 is detected. If valve means 87 is closed and valve means 87a is open, fluid communication between passage 91 and passage 99 is established and the pressure in second flow passage 53a can be detected. If a period of time is allowed to elapse, sufficient formation fluid will enter first and second flow passages 53 and 53a and fluid pressure in those passageways will become equal to the pressure of fluid in the formation adjacent to each annular sealing pad. The preferred embodiment of the apparatus 8 provides that valve means 87 and 87a can be opened and closed an unlimited number of times during the pressure measuring process, thus permitting the opportunity to rapidly change the pressure exposure of transducer 19a from fluid pressure in passage 89 to passage 91 or, the reverse, from passage 91 to passage 89. During the short time interval required to take a fluid pressure measurement and then switch valve means 87 and 87a to the opposite position and take a second pressure measurement, the rate at which the temperature of pressure transducer or sensor 19a is changing can be expected to remain nearly constant. Differential pressure transducer or sensor 20a detects the pressure difference between fluid in passages 88 and 90. In the preferred embodiment, the pressure measuring range of device 20a is limited to a comparison of pressure in passage 88 with pressure in passage 90 of plus or minus 25 psi, and thus device 20a can be expected to normally only provide useful information when both sealing pads 51 and 51a have formed successful seals against the borehole wall. When the formation fluid pressure measuring process is over at that location in the well bore, valve means 94 (FIG. 5b) is again opened and the motor 43 is reversed thereby releasing the hydraulic pressure of fluid in passage 32. The springs 74 and 74a and well bore fluid pressure applied against the bottoms of piston segments 70 and 70a provide force to eject the temporary fluid samples from the spaces 71 and 71a above the piston segments 69 and 69a. Hydraulic fluid simultaneously returns to passage 32 from spaces 72 and 72a above piston segments 70 and 70a via bypass passages 98 and 98a. Passages 98 and 98a contain one-way valves 93 and 93a. When the piston segments 69 and 69a are returned to their initial condition and valve means 94 and 94a are closed, the expandable spaces 71 and 71a are thus prepared to receive another set of temporary samples for purposes of testing pressure. Thus, the tool 10 can be moved to any number of locations where the fluid pressure of a formation may be sampled in a similar manner. OPERATION FOR MULTIPLE PRESSURE TESTS The operation of the tool for multiple pressure tests involves positioning the tool at the location where the pressure test is desired. The motor 43 is actuated to move the piston 33 and pressure up the hydraulic fluid in the hydraulic pressure passage 32. The pressure in passage 32 is sensed by the pressure sensor 18a and indicated on gauge 18 while the fluid pressure in either the first flow passage 53 or second flow passage 53a is coupled to pressure sensor 19a depending upon the position of valves 87 and 87a so that mud pressure is indicated on the pressure gauge 19a. As the pressure in passage 32 is increased, the shoe and sealing pad means are urged against the borehole wall to bring the sealing pads 51 and 51a into sealing engagement with the wall of the well bore. The sealing of the pads against the wall of the well bore is indicated by an increase in hydraulic pressure on gauge 18. Valve means 87 and 87a are then operated using control system 16 to permit pressure transducer or sensor 19a to detect fluid pressure in first flow passage 53. Valve means 94 is opened and motor 43 is again actuated to move the piston 33 and to supply additional hydraulic fluid to passage 32. Piston segment 69 is thereby lowered and a fluid sample expelled from the formation at opening 52, adjacent to first flow passage 53, is ingested into space 71. Sensor 19a provides a pressure measurement of the fluid pressure of first flow passage 53 as the pressure builds up to formation fluid pressure after having been reduced below that level by the expansion of space 71. A similar sequence of events can then be carried out using sealing pad 51a. Valve means 87 and 87a are operated so as to permit sensor 19a to detect pressure in second flow passage 53a. Valve means 94 is temporarily closed, valve means 94a is opened and motor 43 is again actuated to move the piston 33 and to supply additional hydraulic fluid to fluid pressure passage 32. Piston segment 69a is thereby lowered and a fluid sample expelled from the formation at opening 52a, adjacent to second flow passage 53a, is ingested into space 71a. Sensor 19a detects the pressure of second flow passage 53a as the pressure builds up to formation fluid pressure level after having been reduced below that level by the expansion of space 71a. The difference between the fluid pressures in first flow passage 53 and second flow passage 53a can be determined by remotely operating valve means 87 and 87a, preferably, using control system 16, so that sensor 19a is pressure connected with first flow passage 53, then taking a first pressure reading of the fluid in passage 99 using sensor 19a. Next, remotely operating valve means 87 and 87a so that sensor 19a is pressure connected to second flow passage 53a and then taking a second pressure reading of the fluid in passage 99. The nature of the sampled fluid can be determined by subtracting the first pressure reading from the second and adding the product of the vertical pressure gradient of the known density fluid 86 and the distance longitudinally between the pads 51 and 51a. For example, assume (1) the pressure reading by sensor 19a as indicated on surface gauge 19, when pressure connected to first flow passage 53, is 2,000.74 psi; (2) the pressure reading by sensor 19a as indicated on surface gauge 19, when pressure connected to second flow passage 53a, is 2,001.17 psi; (3) the longitudinal distance between sealing pads 51 and 51a is 5 feet; and (4) the density of the measuring fluid 86 is 52.97 pounds (mass) per cubic foot; the following calculations can then be made: ##EQU1## Using the above result, the indicated pressure gradient per foot is 0.454 psi. Recalling the previous discussion, it can be concluded that a quartz pressure probe with 0.01 psi resolution would conservatively permit a pressure gradient error of no more than plus or minus 0.004 psi. Thus, the pressure range which can be safely assumed to include the true pressure gradient of the formation fluid is 0.46-0.45 psi per foot. Clearly, salt water is indicated to be the moveable formation fluid. A second method of determining the pressure gradient of the formation fluid is to obtain a differential fluid pressure reading using differential pressure transducer or sensor 20a. Sensor 20a measures the pressure difference between passage 88 and 90 as shown in FIG. 3a. This pressure reading is added to the product of the pressure gradient of the control fluid 86 and the distance between the formation fluid at sealing pads 51 and 51a. When this result is divided by the distance between the sealing pads 51 and 51a, the indicated formation fluid pressure gradient is obtained. For example, if (1) the differential pressure reading of sensor 20a, as indicated on surface gauge 20, shows the pressure in passage 88 to be 0.02 psi higher than in passage 90; (2) the pressure gradient of the control fluid 86 is 0.368 psi per foot; and (3) the distance between sealing pads 51 and 51a is 5 feet, then the indicated fluid pressure gradient is calculated as follows: Formation Fluid Press. Grad.=(-0.02+(0.368)(5))/5=0.36 psi/ft The range of pressure which would, with certainty, include the true fluid pressure gradient of the formation would depend upon the accuracy of sensor 20a. When the pressure test is concluded, valve means 94, 94a are again opened, and motor 43 is reversed to relieve the pressure in the passage 32 so that the pads and shoes are unseated from the wall of the well bore and the piston segments 69 and 69a are returned to their initial condition by virtue of mud pressure acting through the ports 75 and 75a and the additional force of the springs 74 and 74a acting on piston segments 70 and 70a. The hydraulic fluid in the spaces 72 and 72a is returned to passage 32 via bypass passages 98 and 98a, both of which include a one-way valve (93,93a). Valves 94 and 94a can then be closed and the tool can be moved to a second location and the above described procedure for testing a formation repeated. An invention has been provided with several advantages. Because an absolute pressure reading can be taken at two depths simultaneously, the difference in the readings provides a highly reliable indication of the nature of the fluid or fluids sampled. Depth errors are eliminated because the pressure measuring points are located a known distance apart. Because the changes in pressure of the fluid sampled are related to a fluid of known density, a highly accurate calculation of the pressure-depth gradient can be made. While the invention has been shown in only one of its forms, it is not thus limited but is susceptible to various changes and modifications without departing from the spirit thereof.
A formation testing apparatus is shown for testing subsurface earth formations penetrated by a borehole. A tester body has two longitudinally spaced sealing pads which are used to isolate a portion of the well bore from well bore fluids. A pair of sample collectors are carried by the body and communicate thru openings provided in the sealing pads for receiving samples of connate fluids produced from the surrounding formations. A pair of control fluid passages containing a control fluid of known density are pressure communicative with the connate fluid contained in each sample passageway. A pressure sensor is provided for sensing the pressure of the known density fluid in the control fluid passages and for comparing the pressures to determine a fluid pressure-depth gradient from which the nature of the connate fluid in the earth formations adjacent the formation testing device can be predicted.
4
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a divisional of co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/101,855, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/811,559, filed on Mar. 29, 2004, now abandoned, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/893,505, filed on Jun. 27, 2001, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 6,712,153, which are each incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention relates to a downhole non-metallic sealing element system. More particularly, the present invention relates to downhole tools such as bridge plugs, frac-plugs and packers having a non-metallic sealing element system. [0004] 2. Background of the Related Art [0005] An oil or gas well includes a wellbore extending into a well to some depth below the surface. Typically, the wellbore is lined with tubulars or casing to strengthen the walls of the borehole. To further strengthen the walls of the borehole, the annular area formed between the casing and the borehole is typically filled with cement to permanently set the casing in the wellbore. The casing is then perforated to allow production fluid to enter the wellbore and be retrieved at the surface of the well. [0006] Downhole tools with sealing elements are placed within the wellbore to isolate the production fluid or to manage production fluid flow through the well. The tools, such as plugs or packers for example, are usually constructed of cast iron, aluminum, or other alloyed metals, but have a malleable, synthetic element system. An element system is typically made of a composite or synthetic rubber material which seals off an annulus within the wellbore to prevent the passage of fluids. The element system is compressed, thereby expanding radially outward from the tool to sealingly engage a surrounding tubular. For example, a bridge plug or frac-plug is placed within the wellbore to isolate upper and lower sections of production zones. By creating a pressure seal in the wellbore, bridge plugs and frac-plugs allow pressurized fluids or solids to treat an isolated formation. [0007] FIG. 1 is a cross sectional view of a conventional bridge plug 50 . The bridge plug 50 generally includes a metallic body 80 , a synthetic sealing member 52 to seal an annular area between the bridge plug 50 and an inner wall of casing there-around (not shown), and one or more metallic slips 56 , 61 . The sealing member 52 is disposed between an upper metallic retaining portion 55 and a lower metallic retaining portion 60 . In operation, axial forces are applied to the slip 56 while the body 80 and slip 61 are held in a fixed position. As the slip 56 moves down in relation to the body 80 and slip 61 , the sealing member is actuated and the slips 56 , 61 are driven up cones 55 , 60 . The movement of the cones and slips axially compress and radially expand the sealing member 52 thereby forcing the sealing portion radially outward from the plug to contact the inner surface of the well bore casing. In this manner, the compressed sealing member 52 provides a fluid seal to prevent movement of fluids across the bridge plug 50 . [0008] Like the bridge plug described above, conventional packers typically comprise a synthetic sealing element located between upper and lower metallic retaining rings. Packers are typically used to seal an annular area formed between two co-axially disposed tubulars within a wellbore. For example, packers may seal an annulus formed between production tubing disposed within wellbore casing. Alternatively, packers may seal an annulus between the outside of a tubular and an unlined borehole. Routine uses of packers include the protection of casing from pressure, both well and stimulation pressures, as well as the protection of the wellbore casing from corrosive fluids. Other common uses include the isolation of formations or leaks within a wellbore casing or multiple producing zones, thereby preventing the migration of fluid between zones. Packers may also be used to hold kill fluids or treating fluids within the casing annulus. [0009] One problem associated with conventional element systems of downhole tools arises in high temperature and/or high pressure applications. High temperatures are generally defined as downhole temperatures above 200° F. and up to 450° F. High pressures are generally defined as downhole pressures above 7,500 psi and up to 15,000 psi. Another problem with conventional element systems occurs in both high and low pH environments. High pH is generally defined as less than 6.0, and low pH is generally defined as more than 8.0. In these extreme downhole conditions, conventional sealing elements become ineffective. Most often, the physical properties of the sealing element suffer from degradation due to extreme downhole conditions. For example, the sealing element may melt, solidify or otherwise loose elasticity. [0010] Yet another problem associated with conventional element systems of downhole tools arises when the tool is no longer needed to seal an annulus and must be removed from the wellbore. For example, plugs and packers are sometimes intended to be temporary and must be removed to access the wellbore. Rather than de-actuate the tool and bring it to the surface of the well, the tool is typically destroyed with a rotating milling or drilling device. As the mill contacts the tool, the tool is “drilled up” or reduced to small pieces that are either washed out of the wellbore or simply left at the bottom of the wellbore. The more metal parts making up the tool, the longer the milling operation takes. Metallic components also typically require numerous trips in and out of the wellbore to replace worn out mills or drill bits. [0011] There is a need, therefore, for a non-metallic element system that will effectively seal an annulus at high temperatures and withstand high pressure differentials without experiencing physical degradation. There is also a need for a downhole tool made substantially of a non-metallic material that is easier and faster to mill. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures as well as high and low pH environments without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation. Further, the non-metallic element system will drill up considerably faster than a conventional element system that contains metal. [0013] The element system comprises a non-metallic, composite material that can withstand high temperatures and high pressure differentials. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. [0014] A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided that consists essentially of a non-metallic, composite material which is easier and faster to mill than a conventional bridge plug containing metallic parts. In one aspect, the tool comprises a non-metallic element system, comprising a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings. [0015] A method is further provided for sealing an annulus in a wellbore. In one aspect, the method comprises running a body into the wellbore, the body comprising a non-metallic sealing system having a first and second support ring, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings, wherein the support ring comprises one or more tapered wedges. The method further comprises expanding the one or more tapered wedges to engage an inner surface of a surrounding tubular, and flowing the expansion ring to fill voids between the expanded wedges. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] So that the manner in which the above recited features, advantages and objects of the present invention are attained and can be understood in detail, a more particular description of the invention, briefly summarized above, may be had by reference to the embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. [0017] It is to be noted, however, that the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of this invention and are therefore not to be considered limiting of its scope, for the invention may admit to other equally effective embodiments. [0018] FIG. 1 is a partial section view of a conventional bridge plug. [0019] FIG. 2 is a partial section view of a non-metallic sealing system of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 3 is an enlarged isometric view of a support ring of the non-metallic sealing system. [0021] FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view along lines A-A of FIG. 2 . [0022] FIG. 5 is partial section view of a frac-plug having a non-metallic sealing system of the present invention in a run-in position. [0023] FIG. 6 is section view of a frac-plug having a non-metallic sealing system of the present invention in a set position within a wellbore. [0024] FIG. 6A is an enlarged view of a non-metallic sealing system activated within a wellbore. [0025] FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along lines B-B of FIG. 6 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0026] A non-metallic element system that is capable of sealing an annulus in very high or low pH environments as well as at elevated temperatures and high pressure differentials is provided. The non-metallic element system is made of a fiber reinforced polymer composite that is compressible and expandable or otherwise malleable to create a permanent set position. [0027] The composite material is constructed of a polymeric composite that is reinforced by a continuous fiber such as glass, carbon, or aramid, for example. The individual fibers are typically layered parallel to each other, and wound layer upon layer. However, each individual layer is wound at an angle of about 30 to about 70 degrees to provide additional strength and stiffness to the composite material in high temperature and pressure downhole conditions. The tool mandrel is preferably wound at an angle of 30 to 55 degrees, and the other tool components are preferably wound at angles between about 40 and about 70 degrees. The difference in the winding phase is dependent on the required strength and rigidity of the overall composite material. [0028] The polymeric composite is preferably an epoxy blend. However, the polymeric composite may also consist of polyurethanes or phenolics, for example. In one aspect, the polymeric composite is a blend of two or more epoxy resins. Preferably, the composite is a blend of a first epoxy resin of bisphenol A and epichlorohydrin and a second cycoaliphatic epoxy resin. Preferably, the cycloaphatic epoxy resin is Araldite® liquid epoxy resin, commercially available from Ciba Geigy Corporation of Brewster, N.Y. A 50:50 blend by weight of the two resins has been found to provide the required stability and strength for use in high temperature and pressure applications. The 50:50 epoxy blend also provides good resistance in both high and low pH environments. [0029] The fiber is typically wet wound, however, a prepreg roving can also be used to form a matrix. A post cure process is preferable to achieve greater strength of the material. Typically, the post cure process is a two stage cure consisting of a gel period and a cross linking period using an anhydride hardener, as is commonly know in the art. Heat is added during the curing process to provide the appropriate reaction energy which drives the cross-linking of the matrix to completion. The composite may also be exposed to ultraviolet light or a high-intensity electron beam to provide the reaction energy to cure the composite material. [0030] FIG. 2 is a partial cross section of a non-metallic element system 200 made of the composite, filament wound material described above. The element system 200 includes a sealing member 210 , a first and second cone 220 , 225 , a first and second expansion ring 230 , 235 , and a first and second support ring 240 , 245 disposed about a body 250 . The sealing member 210 is backed by the cones 220 , 225 . The expansion rings 230 , 235 are disposed about the body 250 between the cones 220 , 225 , and the support rings 240 , 245 , as shown in FIG. 2 . [0031] FIG. 3 is an isometric view of the support ring 240 , 245 . As shown, the support ring 240 , 245 is an annular member having a first section 242 of a first diameter that steps up to a second section 244 of a second diameter. An interface or shoulder 246 is therefore formed between the two sections 242 , 244 . Equally spaced longitudinal cuts 247 are fabricated in the second section to create one or more fingers or wedges 248 there-between. The number of cuts 247 is determined by the size of the annulus to be sealed and the forces exerted on the support ring 240 , 245 . [0032] Still referring to FIG. 3 , the wedges 248 are angled outwardly from a center line or axis of the support ring 240 , 245 at about 10 degrees to about 30 degrees. As will be explained below in more detail, the angled wedges 248 hinge radially outward as the support ring 240 , 245 moves axially across the outer surface of the expansion ring 230 , 235 . The wedges 248 then break or separate from the first section 242 , and are extended radially to contact an inner diameter of the surrounding tubular (not shown). This radial extension allows the entire outer surface area of the wedges 248 to contact the inner wall of the surrounding tubular. Therefore, a greater amount of frictional force is generated against the surrounding tubular. The extended wedges 248 thus generate a “brake” that prevents slippage of the element system 200 relative to the surrounding tubular. [0033] Referring again to FIG. 2 , the expansion ring 230 , 235 may be manufactured from any flexible plastic, elastomeric, or resin material which flows at a predetermined temperature, such as Teflon® for example. The second section 244 of the support ring 240 , 245 is disposed about a first section of the expansion ring 230 , 235 . The first section of the expansion ring 230 , 235 is tapered corresponding to a complimentary angle of the wedges 248 . A second section of the expansion ring 230 , 235 is also tapered to compliment a slopped surface of the cone 220 , 225 . At high temperatures, the expansion ring 230 , 235 expands radially outward from the body 250 and flows across the outer surface of the body 250 . As will be explained below, the expansion ring 230 , 235 fills the voids created between the cuts 247 of the support ring 240 , 245 , thereby providing an effective seal. [0034] The cone 220 , 225 is an annular member disposed about the body 250 adjacent each end of the sealing member 210 . The cone 220 , 225 has a tapered first section and a substantially flat second section. The second section of the cone 220 , 225 abuts the substantially flat end of the sealing member 210 . As will be explained in more detail below, the tapered first section urges the expansion ring 230 , 235 radially outward from the body 250 as the element system 200 is activated. As the expansion ring 230 , 235 progresses across the tapered first section and expands under high temperature and/or pressure conditions, the expansion ring 230 , 235 creates a collapse load on the cone 220 , 225 . This collapse load holds the cone 220 , 225 firmly against the body 250 and prevents axial slippage of the element system 200 components once the element system 200 has been activated in the wellbore. The collapse load also prevents the cones 220 , 225 and sealing member 210 from rotating during a subsequent mill up operation. [0035] The sealing member 210 may have any number of configurations to effectively seal an annulus within the wellbore. For example, the sealing member 210 may include grooves, ridges, indentations, or protrusions designed to allow the sealing member 210 to conform to variations in the shape of the interior of a surrounding tubular (not shown). The sealing member 210 , however, should be capable of withstanding temperatures up to 450° F., and pressure differentials up to 15,000 psi. [0036] In operation, opposing forces are exerted on the element system 200 which causes the malleable outer portions of the body 250 to compress and radially expand toward a surrounding tubular. A force in a first direction is exerted against a first surface of the support ring 240 . A force in a second direction is exerted against a first surface of the support ring 245 . The opposing forces cause the support rings 240 , 245 to move across the tapered first section of the expansion rings 230 , 235 . The first section of the support rings 240 , 245 expands radially from the mandrel 250 while the wedges 248 hinge radially toward the surrounding tubular. At a pre-determined force, the wedges 248 will break away or separate from the first section 242 of the support rings 240 , 245 . The wedges 248 then extend radially outward to engage the surrounding tubular. The compressive force causes the expansion rings 230 , 235 to flow and expand as they are forced across the tapered section of the cones 220 , 225 . As the expansion rings 230 , 235 flow and expand, they fill the gaps or voids between the wedges 248 of the support rings 240 , 245 . The expansion of the expansion rings 230 , 235 also applies a collapse load through the cones 220 , 225 on the body 250 , which helps prevent slippage of the element system 200 once activated. The collapse load also prevents the cones 220 , 225 and sealing member 210 from rotating during the mill up operation which significantly reduces the required time to complete the mill up operation. The cones 220 , 225 then transfer the axial force to the sealing member 210 to compress and expand the sealing member 210 radially. The expanded sealing member 210 effectively seals or packs off an annulus formed between the body 250 and an inner diameter of a surrounding tubular. [0037] The non-metallic element system 200 can be used on either a metal or more preferably, a non-metallic mandrel. The non-metallic element system 200 may also be used with a hollow or solid mandrel. For example, the non-metallic element system 200 can be used with a bridge plug or frac-plug to seal off a wellbore or the element system may be used with a packer to pack-off an annulus between two tubulars disposed in a wellbore. For simplicity and ease of description however, the non-metallic element system will now be described in reference to a frac-plug for sealing off a well bore. [0038] FIG. 5 is a partial cross section of a frac-plug 300 having the non-metallic element system 200 described above. In addition to the non-metallic element system 200 , the frac-plug 300 includes a mandrel 301 , slips 310 , 315 , and cones 320 , 325 . The non-metallic element system 200 is disposed about the mandrel 301 between the cones 320 , 325 . The mandrel 301 is a tubular member having a ball 309 disposed therein to act as a check valve by allowing flow through the mandrel 301 in only a single axial direction. [0039] The slips 310 , 315 are disposed about the mandrel 302 adjacent a first end of the cones 320 , 325 . Each slip 310 , 315 comprises a tapered inner surface conforming to the first end of the cone 320 , 325 . An outer surface of the slip 310 , 315 , preferably includes at least one outwardly extending serration or edged tooth, to engage an inner surface of a surrounding tubular (not shown) when the slip 310 , 315 is driven radially outward from the mandrel 301 due to the axial movement across the first end of the cones 320 , 325 thereunder. [0040] The slip 310 , 315 is designed to fracture with radial stress. The slip 310 , 315 typically includes at least one recessed groove (not shown) milled therein to fracture under stress allowing the slip 310 , 315 to expand outwards to engage an inner surface of the surrounding tubular. For example, the slip 310 , 315 may include four sloped segments separated by equally spaced recessed grooves to contact the surrounding tubular, which become evenly distributed about the outer surface of the mandrel 301 . [0041] The cone 320 , 325 is disposed about the mandrel 301 adjacent the non-metallic sealing system 200 and is secured to the mandrel 301 by a plurality of shearable members 330 such as screws or pins. The shearable members 330 may be fabricated from the same composite material as the non-metallic sealing system 200 , or the shearable members may be of a different kind of composite material or metal. The cone 320 , 325 has an undercut 322 machined in an inner surface thereof so that the cone 320 , 325 can be disposed about the first section 242 of the support ring 240 , 245 , and butt against the shoulder 246 of the support ring 240 , 245 . [0042] As stated above, the cones 320 , 325 comprise a tapered first end which rests underneath the tapered inner surface of the slips 310 , 315 . The slips 310 , 315 travel about the tapered first end of the cones 320 , 325 , thereby expanding radially outward from the mandrel 301 to engage the inner surface of the surrounding tubular. [0043] A setting ring 340 is disposed about the mandrel 301 adjacent a first end of the slip 310 . The setting ring 340 is an annular member having a first end that is a substantially flat surface. The first end serves as a shoulder which abuts a setting tool described below. [0044] A support ring 350 is disposed about the mandrel 301 adjacent a first end of the setting ring 340 . A plurality of pins 345 secure the support ring 350 to the mandrel 301 . The support ring 350 is an annular member and has a smaller outer diameter than the setting ring 340 . The smaller outer diameter allows the support ring 350 to fit within the inner diameter of a setting tool so the setting tool can be mounted against the first end of the setting ring 340 . [0045] The frac-plug 300 may be installed in a wellbore with some non-rigid system, such as electric wireline or coiled tubing. A setting tool, such as a Baker E-4 Wireline Setting Assembly commercially available from Baker Hughes, Inc., for example, connects to an upper portion of the mandrel 301 . Specifically, an outer movable portion of the setting tool is disposed about the outer diameter of the support ring 350 , abutting the first end of the setting ring 340 . An inner portion of the setting tool is fastened about the outer diameter of the support ring 350 . The setting tool and frac-plug 300 are then run into the well casing to the desired depth where the frac-plug 300 is to be installed. [0046] To set or activate the frac-plug 300 , the mandrel 301 is held by the wireline, through the inner portion of the setting tool, as an axial force is applied through the outer movable portion of the setting tool to the setting ring 340 . The axial forces cause the outer portions of the frac-plug 300 to move axially relative to the mandrel 301 . FIGS. 6 and 6 A show a section view of a frac-plug having a non-metallic sealing system of the present invention in a set position within a wellbore. [0047] Referring to both FIGS. 6 and 6 A, the force asserted against the setting ring 340 transmits force to the slips 310 , 315 and cones 320 , 325 . The slips 310 , 315 move up and across the tapered surface of the cones 320 , 325 and contact an inner surface of a surrounding tubular 700 . The axial and radial forces applied to slips 310 , 315 causes the recessed grooves to fracture into equal segments, permitting the serrations or teeth of the slips 310 , 315 to firmly engage the inner surface of the surrounding tubular. [0048] Axial movement of the cones 320 , 325 transfers force to the support rings 240 , 245 . As explained above, the opposing forces cause the support rings 240 , 245 to move across the tapered first section of the expansion rings 230 , 235 . As the support rings 240 , 245 move axially, the first section of the support rings 240 , 245 expands radially from the mandrel 250 while the wedges 248 hinge radially toward the surrounding tubular. At a pre-determined force, the wedges 248 break away or separate from the first section 242 of the support rings 240 , 245 . The wedges 248 then extend radially outward to engage the surrounding tubular 700 . The compressive force causes the expansion rings 230 , 235 to flow and expand as they are forced across the tapered section of the cones 220 , 225 . As the expansion rings 230 , 235 flow and expand, the rings 230 , 235 fill the gaps or voids between the wedges 248 of the support rings 240 , 245 , as shown in FIG. 7 . FIG. 7 is a cross sectional view along lines B-B of FIG. 6 . [0049] Referring again to FIGS. 6 and 6 A, the growth of the expansion rings 230 , 235 applies a collapse load through the cones 220 , 225 on the mandrel 301 , which helps prevent slippage of the element system 200 once activated. The cones 220 , 225 then transfer the axial force to the sealing member 210 which is compressed and expanded radially to seal an annulus formed between the mandrel 301 and an inner diameter of the surrounding tubular 700 . [0050] In addition to frac-plugs as described above, the non-metallic element system 200 described herein may also be used in conjunction with any other downhole tool used for sealing an annulus within a wellbore, such as bridge plugs or packers, for example. Moreover, while foregoing is directed to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, other and further embodiments of the invention may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope thereof is determined by the claims that follow.
A non-metallic element system is provided which can effectively seal or pack-off an annulus under elevated temperatures. The element system can also resist high differential pressures without sacrificing performance or suffering mechanical degradation, and is considerably faster to drill-up than a conventional element system. In one aspect, the composite material comprises an epoxy blend reinforced with glass fibers stacked layer upon layer at about 30 to about 70 degrees. A downhole tool, such as a bridge plug, frac-plug, or packer, is also provided. The tool comprises a first and second support ring having one or more tapered wedges, a first and second expansion ring, and a sealing member disposed between the expansion rings and the support rings.
4
FIELD [0001] The invention relates to a transmit power control method and to a radio arrangement. BACKGROUND [0002] In some radio systems, such as in wireless CDMA (Code Division Multiple Access) communications systems, fast closed loop power control is used to overcome the negative effects caused by slow fading and partial negative effects caused by fast fading. The fast closed loop power control comprises inner and outer loop power control. The outer loop power control sets a SIR (signal-to-interference ratio) target, while the inner loop power control determines the command of increasing or decreasing the transmit power. A SIR is a ratio of the power of the required signal to that of interference. The values of the SIR target and the received/measured SIR are used in determining the power control commands for increasing or decreasing the transmit power. The SIR target may be a fixed or a dynamic value. The dynamic SIR target is advantageous over the fixed one. The method of setting a SIR target is crucial to the system performance. A good method of setting a SIR target reduces the transmit power and keeps the quality of the communication in a given level and thus increases the capacity of interference-limited wireless communications systems. [0003] Soft handover is another important feature of radio systems. User equipment under soft handover starts to communicate with a new base station and keeps the connection with the previous base station(s) when the user equipment moves to the boundary area of two or more base stations. Thus, the user equipment simultaneously communicates with two or more base stations during soft handover. [0004] During soft handover, the power of the user equipment is controlled by power control commands from all the base stations with which the user equipment is communicating. Only when the power control commands from all the base stations are all detected by the user equipment as ‘UP’ ones does the user equipment increase its transmitter power. Otherwise, the user equipment reduces its transmitter power. The mechanism of uplink inner loop power control at each BTS (Base Transceiver Station) or Node B is used under soft handover. For outer loop power control of the base stations under soft handover different systems adopt different methods. In some systems, for example, all the base stations in an active set of the user equipment have the same SIR target for the user equipment. An RNC (Radio Network Controller) sets the target for all base stations in the active set of the user equipment based on the combined quality of received frames when the user equipment is under soft handover. However, in some systems, the outer loop power control is carried out independently at each BTS during soft handover and each BTS sets its independent SIR target based on the quality of received frames at the BTS. [0005] It is known that the uplink soft handover brings diversity and thus improves the system performance. Because the diversity brought by uplink soft handover is selection combining instead of maximum ratio combining diversity, the error rate performance of each link directly determines the error rate performance after combining. Therefore, the SIR target of each base station directly determines the performance of the radio system. [0006] In some systems, the uplink outer loop power control is centralizedly performed at the RNC, which brings more signalling between the RNC and the Node B and also long feedback delays of the SIR target, the feedback delay being typically hundreds of milliseconds. Under uplink soft handover, outer loop power control is carried out at the RNC according to a method described in an article by A. Sampath, P. Sarath Kumar, J. M. Holtzman: On setting reverse link target SIR in a CDMA system published in the IEEE 47 th Vehicular Technology Conference 1997 . [0007] A problem occurs in systems where outer loop power control is distributed in each base station in the following situation. It is assumed that user equipment is communicating with two base stations. The sum of the path loss and shadow between the user equipment and the first base station is Δ slow-fading dB smaller than that between the user equipment and the second base station for a relatively long time, typically hundreds of milliseconds. The symbol Δ slow-fading is a slow fading difference between two links with the two base stations. The first base station is said to be a primary base station, while the second base station is a secondary base station. The first base station receives signals with higher SIR values and obtains fewer error frames after decoding while the secondary base station receives more error frames after decoding. As a result, the SIR target of the secondary base station increases quickly and may always be near the predetermined maximum SIR target value. Thus, the received SIR value at the secondary base station is seldom above the SIR target value set by the outer loop power control and the secondary base station seldom sends a ‘DOWN’ command to the user equipment. Thus, the power control commands sent by the second base station may be of no use. [0008] When the secondary base station becomes a primary base station, it uses a SIR target value that is substantially higher than necessary. It takes some time to adjust the SIR target value to a proper level. This is a problem especially in the known outer loop power control method in which small step sizes are used to adjust downwards. During the time the SIR target value is being adjusted, the user equipment requests too high power. This further leads to capacity degradation. Also, when user equipment communicates simultaneously with two or more base stations, the performance of the system will degrade due to one or more useless power control channels. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0009] According to an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a transmit power control method in a radio system supporting a use of coding blocks in communication between a base station and user equipment, the method comprising receiving coding blocks in at least one base station having a target SIR (signal-to-interference ratio) value, decoding the received coding blocks by the base station, measuring a SIR (signal-to-interference ratio) value, comparing, by the base station, the measured SIR value with the target SIR value of the base station. The method includes the steps of determining the quality of a received coding block, storing samples of differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value, adjusting the target SIR value based on the values of the samples of the differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value and the quality of the received coding block, and providing a transmit power control command based on the adjusted target SIR value to the user equipment. [0010] According to another embodiment of the invention, there is provided a radio arrangement of transmit power control, the radio arrangement being configured to use coding blocks in communication between a transceiver and a receiver, and to use a target SIR (signal-to-interference ratio) value in transmit power control. The radio arrangement comprises decoding means for decoding a received coding block, measuring a SIR (signal-to-interference ratio) value and comparing means for comparing the measured SIR value with the target SIR value. The radio arrangement further comprises means for determining the quality of the received coding block, storing means for storing samples of differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value, adjusting means for adjusting the target SIR value based on the values of the samples of the differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value and the quality of the received coding block, and means for providing a transmit power control command based on the adjusted target SIR value. [0011] The method and radio arrangement of the invention provide several advantages. For example, the power control of the radio arrangement is improved. Another advantage is that the transmit power of the user equipment is reduced timely and the communication quality is kept at a target level. Thus, the capacity of the radio arrangement supporting uplink fast closed loop power control and uplink soft handover is increased. LIST OF DRAWINGS [0012] In the following, the invention will be described in greater detail with reference to the preferred embodiments and the accompanying drawings, in which [0013] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the structure of a radio system which may be employed in an embodiment of the invention; [0014] FIG. 2 shows a simplified outline of an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 3 shows a time evolution of parameters associated with data transfer; and [0016] FIG. 4 shows an example of the method of transmit power control in a radio arrangement according to an embodiment of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0017] FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a radio system to which the embodiments of the invention can be applied. A radio system in FIG. 1 , known at least as UTRAN [UMTS (Universal Mobile Telecommunications System) Terrestrial Radio Access Network] 130 , is taken as an example. The UTRAN belongs to the third generation and is implemented with WCDMA (Wideband Code Division Multiple Access) technology. The solution is not limited to a WCDMA radio interface but applications exist which are implemented with cdma2000, MC-CDMA (Multi-Carrier Code Division Multiple Access) or OF-DMA (Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access) technologies without restricting the invention to the above-mentioned technologies. [0018] FIG. 1 is a simplified block diagram which shows the most important parts of a radio system and the interfaces between them at a network-element level. The structure and functions of the network elements are not de-scribed in detail, because they are generally known. [0019] The main parts of a radio system are a core network (CN) 100 , a radio access network 130 and user equipment (UE) 170 . The term UTRAN is short for UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network, i.e. the radio access net-work 130 belongs to the third generation and is implemented by wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) technology. The main elements of the UTRAN are radio network controller (RNC) 146 , 156 , Node Bs 142 , 144 , 152 , 154 and user equipment 170 . The UTRAN is attached to the existing GSM core network 100 via an interface called Iu. This interface is supported by the RNC 146 , 156 , which manages a set of base stations called Node Bs 142 , 144 , 152 , 154 through interfaces called lub. The UTRAN is largely autonomous from the core network 100 since the RNCs 146 , 156 are interconnected by the lur interface. [0020] On a general level, the radio system can also be defined to comprise user equipment also known as a subscriber terminal and a mobile phone, for instance, and a network part which comprises the fixed infrastructure of the radio system, i.e. the core network, radio access network and base station system. [0021] From the point of view of Node B 142 , 144 , 152 , 154 , i.e. a base station, there is one controlling RNC 146 , 156 where its Iub interface terminates. The controlling RNC 146 , 156 also takes care of admission control for new mobiles or services attempting to use the Node B 142 , 144 , 152 , 154 . The controlling RNC 146 , 156 and its Node Bs 142 , 144 , 152 , 154 form an RNS (Radio Network Subsystem) 140 , 150 . [0022] The user equipment 170 may comprise mobile equipment (ME) 172 and a UMTS subscriber identity module (USIM) 174 . The USIM 174 contains information related to the user and information related to information security in particular, for instance, an encryption algorithm. [0023] In UMTS networks, the user equipment 170 can be simultaneously connected to a plurality of Node Bs in the occurrence of soft handover. [0024] From point of view of the user equipment 170 there is a serving RNC 146 , 156 that terminates the mobile link layer communications. From the point of view of the CN 100 , the serving RNC 146 , 156 terminates the Iu for this user equipment 170 . The serving RNC 146 , 156 also takes care of admission control for new mobiles or services attempting to use the CN 100 over its Iu interface. [0025] In the UMTS, the most important interfaces between network elements are the Iu interface between the CU 100 and the radio access network 130 , which is divided into the interface IuCS on the circuit-switched side and the interface IuPS on the packet-switched side, and the Uu interface between the radio access network and the user equipment. [0026] In the prior art solutions, under uplink soft handover, outer loop power control in some systems is carried out at the RNC 146 , 156 . It is assumed that the target FER (Frame Error Rate) of the connection is FER target . A FER is a ratio of the number of erroneous frames to the total number of frames transmitted in a given time interval. When a frame is in error after having been combined at the RNC, the SIR target increases by Δ OLPC-UP , the symbol Δ OLPC-UP denoting SIR target up step of outer loop power control. Otherwise, the SIR target decreases by Δ OLPC-DOWN , where Δ OLPC-DOWN denotes SIR target down step of outer loop power control. The RNC then feedbacks the SIR target to Node B. The Δ OLPC-DOWN may be calculated by dividing the value of the SIR target up step of outer loop power control by the inverse value of the FER minus one by using formula (1): Δ OLPC_DOWN = Δ OLPC_UP 1 / FER target - 1 ( 1 ) where: Δ OLPC-DOWN is the SIR target down step of outer loop power control, Δ OLPC-UP is the SIR target up step of outer loop power control, and FER target is the target frame error rate. [0031] In prior art solutions, the uplink outer loop power control of some systems may be carried out in the following way during uplink soft handover. It is assumed that the target FER of the connection is FER target and the user equip-ment is connecting m base stations. Each BTS has its independent SIR target and outer loop power control. When a frame is decoded in error at the BTS, the SIR target of the BTS increases by Δ OLPC-UP . Otherwise, the SIR target of the BTS decreases by Δ OLPC-DOWN , where the Δ OLPC-DOWN may be calculated by dividing the value of the SIR target up step of outer loop power control by the inverse value of the m th root of FER target minus one by using formula (2): Δ OLPC_DOWN = Δ OLPC_UP 1 / FER target m - 1 ( 2 ) where: m is the number of base stations with which the user equipment is communicating. [0034] In an embodiment of the invention, the balance between the target SIR values from the outer-loop power control distributed in the cells is kept by interfering in the steps of prior art when for a period the target SIR value is much larger than the measured SIR target. [0035] FIG. 2 shows a simplified outline of an embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 2 , a transmitter 200 transmits a dedicated channel 226 , which is received by a receiver 216 . The dedicated channel is typically dedicated to a single transmitter-receiver pair, and may be separated from other radio channels by a specific channelization coding. The dedicated channel may further be associated with a specific antenna beam, which may be a transmit antenna beam or a receive antenna beam, depending on the antenna configuration of the receiver 216 and the transmitter 200 . [0036] In the UTRAN, the dedicated channel 226 may be an uplink dedicated physical channel, such as a DPDCH (Dedicated Physical Data Channel), and DPCCH (Dedicated Physical Control Channel), for example. In the UTRAN, the dedicated channel 226 may be a downlink dedicated physical channel, such as a DPCH (Downlink Dedicated Physical Channel). In an embodiment of the invention, the transmitter 200 may be user equipment 170 , and the receiver 216 may be a base station 142 , for example. [0037] The dedicated channel 226 is received by the receiver 216 , which measures a SIR (Signal-to-interference Ratio) value in a SIR measurement unit 220 . The SIR value measurement and the SIR measurement unit 220 are known to one skilled in the art. The SIR value characterizes the signal quality obtained with a direct measurement. [0038] In an embodiment of the invention, the arrangement 234 further includes an adjusting unit 236 . A measured SIR value 228 is inputted from the SIR measurement unit 220 into a comparator unit 222 , which compares the measured SIR value with a target SIR value 250 received from the adjusting unit 236 . The target SIR value provides a reference SIR value for closed loop power control. [0039] The comparator 222 provides differences between the measured SIR and the SIR target values 249 to the adjusting unit 236 and generates a transmit power control command 230 (TPC) based on the comparison and inputs the transmit power control command into a multiplexer 224 . For example, if the measured SIR value is less than the target SIR value, the transmit power control command aims at increasing the transmit power. If the measured SIR value is more than the target SIR value, the transmit power control command aims at decreasing the transmit power. [0040] The multiplexer 224 multiplexes the transmit power control command into a physical channel 232 , such as the DPCH or uplink DPCCH, and provides the receiver 200 with the transmit power control command. The physical channel 232 may further transfer a payload signal 252 inputted into the multiplexer 224 . The receiver 200 may include a de-multiplexer 208 , which extracts the transmit power control command from the physical channel 232 , and provides the power amplifier 202 with the transmit power control command 212 . [0041] The invention is not restricted to the presented example but may be applied to any power control mechanism that supports fast power control wherein a target SIR value is used as a reference value. [0042] Coding blocks, such as frames, of the dedicated channel 226 may be decoded in a decoder 218 . The decoder 218 may report an error indicator value 248 to the adjustment unit 236 . The error indicator typically characterizes a quality of data transfer carried by the dedicated channel. The reliability indicator may be a result from a CRC (Cyclic Redundancy Check), estimated BER (Bit Error Rate), soft information, or E b /N 0 (a ratio of the combined received energy per information bit to the noise power spectral density), E b /N 0 (a ratio of the combined received energy per information bit to the effective noise power spectral density), for example. The error indicator value typically indicates erroneous or correct decoding of a coding block decoded in the decoder 218 . [0043] With reference to FIG. 3 , let us consider an example of time evolution of parameters associated with data transfer. The x-axis 300 shows time in arbitrary scale. The y-axis 320 shows a target SIR in arbitrary scales. [0044] Transmission of the dedicated channel 226 may be divided into a first TX time interval 302 and a second TX time interval 304 . Further time intervals may exist, but they are not shown in FIG. 3 . [0045] A first coding block 308 is transmitted during the first TX time interval 302 and a second coding block 310 is transmitted during the second TX time interval 304 . The second TX time interval 304 is transmitted before the first TX time interval 304 . [0046] A coding block 308 , 310 may be a frame structure, such as a radio frame. In the UTRAN, for example, the duration of a TX time interval 302 , 304 is typically a multiple of the duration of a 10 milliseconds radio frame. [0047] The first coding block 308 and the second coding block 310 may be divided into time slots 308 A, 308 B, 308 C and 310 A, 310 B, 310 C, respectively. In the UTRAN, a coding block 308 , 310 includes 15 time slots, each time slot corresponding to an inner loop power control period. [0048] The adjusting unit 236 adjusts the target SIR 250 and inputs the target SIR 250 into the comparator 222 . As a result, the inner loop of the closed-loop power control converges to a transmit power, thus enabling minimizing the multi-user interference effects and increasing the capacity of the telecommunications system. The adjusting unit 236 may be implemented with a computer and software, and required interfaces and connections to the receiver 216 . The computer may include random access memory. [0049] The equations and the quantities herein are typically expressed in dB units. However, it is clear to one skilled in the art to convert the equations into other units. [0050] In an embodiment of the invention, the adjusting unit 236 adjusts the target SIR value to provide a required quality of the dedicated channel. The required quality may be a target FER (Frame Error Rate) or another quality measure characterizing the true quality of the data transfer. The adjusting unit 236 may, for example, include a look-up table including target SIR values for different required qualities of the dedicated channel. For example, there are target FER values FER target =5% and FER target =1% corresponding to the required quality of transmission of a video signal and transmission of an electric mail file. Therefore, there may be a look-up table for each target FER value, and as a result, the target SIR value is different in the two cases, thus leading to different transmit power requirements. [0051] In an embodiment of the invention, the adjusting unit 236 estimates a change 318 in a required SIR with respect to a change from a second data rate 322 to the first data rate 306 . The required SIR is defined, for example, by the target FER. The target SIR 314 , which matches the first data rate 306 , may be obtained by subtracting the change 318 in the required SIR from the target SIR 316 , which matches the second data rate 322 . [0052] In an embodiment of the invention, the radio arrangement stores samples of differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value 249 . Next, the adjusting unit 236 adjusts the target SIR value based on the values of the samples of the differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value 249 and the quality of a received coding block. Finally, a transmit power control command is provided based on the adjusted target SIR value. The arrangement 234 may be in the receiver 216 , or it may be separate from the receiver 216 . [0053] In an embodiment of the invention, the adjustment unit 236 is configured to adjust the target SIR value by reducing the target SIR value by a predetermined down step when the decoding of the received coding block succeeds and the difference between the measured SIR value and the SIR target value is smaller than the threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value for the fraction of time slots of the coding blocks. Accordingly, the adjustment unit 236 may be configured to reduce the target SIR value by a predetermined down step when the decoding of the received coding block succeeds and the sum of the multiple differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value is smaller than the negative value threshold that is de-fined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value. The adjusted target SIR value is limited not to be smaller than a local minimum target SIR value. [0054] In an embodiment, a target SIR value up step is added to the target SIR value when the decoding of the received coding block fails and the difference between the measured SIR value and the SIR target value is smaller than the threshold for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value for the fraction of time slots of the coding blocks. Further, the adjustment unit 236 may be configured to add a target SIR value up step to the target SIR value when the decoding of the received coding block fails and the sum of the multiple differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value is smaller than the negative-value threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value. The target SIR value up step may be either negative, positive or zero. The adjusted target SIR value is limited not to be smaller than a local minimum target SIR value and not to be larger than a local maximum target SIR value. [0055] In an embodiment of the invention, when the decoding of the received coding block succeeds, the adjustment unit 236 is configured to adjust the target SIR value by reducing the target SIR value by a predetermined down step of outer loop power control when the difference between the measured SIR value and the SIR target is larger than the threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value for the fraction of time slots of the coding blocks. Accordingly, the adjustment unit 236 may be configured to reduce a predetermined down step of outer loop power control from the target SIR value when the decoding of the received coding block succeeds and the sum of the multiple differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value is larger than the negative value threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value. The adjusted target SIR value is limited not to be smaller than a global minimum target SIR value. [0056] In an embodiment, a target SIR up step of outer loop power control is added to the target SIR value when the decoding of the received coding block fails and the difference between the measured SIR value and the SIR target is larger than the threshold for the measured SIR value minus target SIR value for the fraction of time slots of the coding blocks. Further, the adjustment unit 236 may be configured to add a target SIR value up step to the target SIR value when the decoding of the received coding block fails and the sum of the multiple differences between the measured SIR value and target SIR value is larger than the negative value threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value. The adjusted target SIR value is limited not to be lar-ger than a global maximum target SIR value. [0057] FIG. 4 shows an example of a method of transmit power control in a radio system. The method starts in 400 . In 402 , a coding block is received and decoded in at least one base station of the radio system, for example. In 404 , the SIR value is measured. In 406 , the measured SIR value is compared with the target SIR value of the base station. In 408 , the quality of the received coding block is determined. Samples of differences between the measured SIR values and the target SIR values are stored in 410 . In 412 , the target SIR value of the base station is adjusted based on the stored differences between the measured SIR values and the target SIR values and on the quality of the coding blocks. Next, step 412 is next described in more detail. [0058] Let us assume that a base station of the radio system is under an uplink soft handover situation. The base station compares the measured SIR value with the target SIR value and then stores samples, for example N samples, of differ-ences between the measured SIR values of the latest N power control groups (or slots) and the target SIR values of the latest N power control groups (or slots). N is a positive integer, a system parameter. Herein, SIR target (i-1) and SIR target (i) denote the target SIR values (in dB) for the (i-1)th and (i)th coding blocks at the base station, respectively. Each base station in the user equipment active set has its independent target SIR value, SIR target (i), that is based on SIR target (i-1), quality of the (i-J)th coding block and the values of the N samples Δ SIR (n)dB, where n=1, . . . ,N. The embodiments of the invention may be divided into hard decision and soft decision ones. The hard-decision method may be implemented as follows. [0059] Let us assume that K is the number of N samples, Δ SIR (n), that satisfy a condition of Δ SIR (n) being smaller than a threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value, t. We denote this in the following way: Δ SIR (n)<t. When adjusting the target SIR value, it is first detected whether K is higher than or equal to the product of N and a fraction threshold of the slots, f, that is, whether K≧└N·f┘ and using the operator of └ ┘ results in the larger integral whose value is smaller than the processed real number. Let us assume that J-1 is the decoding delay whose value depends on the implementation of the decoder. If K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly, and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ≧SIR 1 , it can be determined that SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 <SIR 1 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 1 ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target — max ≧SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ≧SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ≧SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 <SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 2 ; Else, if K<└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ≦SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ; Else, if K<└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ≧SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; Else, if SIR target (i−1)−Δ OLPC-DOWN ≧SIR target — min , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ OLPC-DOWN ; Else, SIR target (i)=SIR target — min . [0069] The parameters used in the above example are as follows: Δ OLPC-UP is a SIR target up step of outer loop power control, Δ OLPC-DOWN is a SIR target down step of outer loop power control, SIR target — max is a global maximum SIR target value, SIR target — min is a global minimum SIR target value, t is a threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value, f is the fraction threshold of the slots in which the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value is smaller than the threshold, t, SIR 1 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded correctly and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction f of slots, SIR 2 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded in error and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction f of slots, Δ 1 is the SIR target down step when the coding block is decoded correctly and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction f of slots, Δ 2 is the SIR target up step when the coding block is decoded in error and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction f of slots. [0080] The ranges of the given parameters may be as follows: t≦0, 1≧f≧0, Δ 1 ≧0, Δ OLPC-UP >0, Δ OLPC-DOWN >0, SIR target — max ≧SIR 1 ≧SIR target — min and SIR target — max ≧SIR 2 ≧SIR target — min . The range of Δ 2 is, for example, Δ OLPC-UP ≧Δ 2 ≧−Δ 1 . [0081] In an embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is decoded correctly and the measured SIR value is t dB smaller than the target SIR value for the fraction f of slots, the target SIR value is too high and the power of the soft handover user is controlled by another base station and the power control bits generated by this base station are of no use. Thus, the target SIR value should be reduced by the step Δ 1 , which is larger than Δ OLPC-DOWN . [0082] In an embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is decoded in error and the measured SIR value is t dB smaller than the target SIR value for the fraction f of slots, it is uncertain whether or not the target SIR value is too high. Thus, the target SIR value may be updated by step Δ 2 , which is either negative (progressive), positive (conservative) or zero (neutral). If step Δ 2 is zero, the target SIR value may be unchanged. [0083] Next, an embodiment of the soft decision method is described. The soft-decision method uses the sum of Δ SIR (n), ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) , for adjusting the target SIR value. If ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly, and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ≧SIR 1 , it can be determined that SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ≦SIR 1 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 1 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target — max ≧SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ≧SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 >SIR targe — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; [0088] Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ≦SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 2 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) > t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ≦SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) > t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP >SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; Else, if SIR target (i−1)-Δ OLPC-DOWN ≧SIR target — min , then SIR target (i) SIR target (i−1)−Δ OLPC-DOWN ; Else, SIR target (i)=SIR target — min , [0093] The parameters used in the above example are as follows: Δ OLPC-UP is a SIR target up step of outer loop power control, Δ OLPC-DOWN is a SIR target down step of outer loop power control, SIR target — max is a global maximum SIR target value, SIR target — min is a global minimum SIR target value, t is a threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value, SIR 1 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded correctly and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative-value threshold of t dB, SIR 2 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded in error and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative-value threshold of t dB, Δ 1 is the SIR target down step when the coding block is decoded correctly and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative-value threshold of t dB, Δ 2 is the SIR target up step when the coding block is decoded in error and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB. [0103] The ranges of the given parameters are, for example, as follows: t≦0, Δ 1 ≧0, Δ OLPC-UP >0, Δ OLPC-DOWN >0, SIR− target — max ≧SIR 1 ≧SIR target — min and SIR target — max ≧SIR 2 ≧SIR target — min. The range of Δ 2 is, for example, Δ OLPC-UP ≧Δ 2 ≧−Δ 1 . [0104] In an embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is decoded correctly and the sum of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative-value threshold of t dB, the target SIR is too high and the power of the soft handover user is controlled by another base station and the power control bits generated by this base station are of no use. Thus, the target SIR value should be reduced by step Δ 1 , which is larger than Δ OLPC-DOWN . [0105] In the embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is decoded in error and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB, it is uncertain whether or not the target SIR value is too high. Thus, the target SIR value may be updated by step Δ 2 , which is either negative (progressive), positive (conservative) or zero (neutral). [0106] In an embodiment of the invention, the method may be used in association with Hybrid ARQ (Automatic Repeat reQuest). Let us assume that a base station of a radio system is under uplink soft handover situation. The base station compares the measured SIR value with the target SIR value and then stores samples, for example N samples, of the differences between the measured SIR values of the latest N power control groups (or slots) and the target SIR values of the latest N power control groups (or slots) in an initial Hybrid ARQ transmission frame. N is a positive integer, a system parameter. Herein, SIR target (i) denotes the target SIR value (in dB) for the (i)th coding block at the base station. SIR target — init is the last target SIR value (in dB) for initial Hybrid ARQ transmissions. Each base station in the active set of the user equipment has its independent target SIR value, SIR target (i), that is based on SIR target — init , quality of decoding of the (i-J)th coding block and the values of the N samples Δ SIR (n)dB, where n=1, . . . ,N and the (i-J)th coding block is initial Hybrid ARQ transmission. The embodiments of the invention may be divided into hard-decision and soft-decision ones. The hard-decision method may be implemented as follows. [0107] Let us assume, that K is the number of N samples, Δ SIR (n), that satisfy a condition of Δ SIR (n) being smaller than a threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value, t. We will denote this in the following way: Δ SIR (n)<t. When adjusting the target SIR value, it is first detected whether K is higher or the same than the product of N and a fraction threshold of the slots, f, that is, whether K≧└N·f┘ and using the operator of └ ┘ results in a larger integral whose value is smaller than the processed real number. Let us assume, that J-1 is the decoding delay whose value depends on the implementation of the decoder. [0108] If the (i)th coding block is a (L) th retransmission coding block, SIR target (i)=SIR target — init −Step L . Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly, and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ≧SIR 1 , then it can be determined that SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly, and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 <SIR 1 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 1 ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target — max ≧SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 21 SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 >SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; Else, if K≧└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 <SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 2 ; Else, if K<└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP<SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ; Else, if K<└N·f┘ and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP >SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; Else, if SIR target (i−1)−Δ OLPC-DOWN ≧SIR target — min , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ OLPC-DOWN; Else, SIR target (i)=SIR target — min . [0118] The parameters used in the above example are as follows: Step L is the amount in decrease in the SIR target of the retransmission, and L is an ordinal number denoting the index of retransmission, Δ OLPC-UP is a SIR target up step of outer loop power control, Δ OLPC-DOWN is a SIR target down step of outer loop power control, SIR target — max is a global maximum SIR target value, SIR target — min is a global minimum SIR target value, t is a threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value, f is the fraction threshold of the slots, in which the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value is smaller than the threshold, t, SIR 1 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded correctly and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction of slots, SIR 2 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded in error and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction of slots, Δ 1 is the SIR target down step when the coding block is decoded correctly and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction f of slots, Δ 2 is the SIR target up step when the coding block is decoded in error and the measured SIR value (in dB) is t dB smaller than the target SIR value (in dB) for the fraction f of slots. [0130] The ranges of the given parameters may be as follows: t≦0, 1≧f>0, Δ 1 ≧0, Δ OLPC-UP >0, Δ OLPC-DOWN >0, SIR target — max ≧SIR 1 ≧SIR target — min and SIR target — max ≧SIR 2 ≧SIR target — min . The range of Δ 2 is, for example, Δ OLPC-UP ≧Δ 2 ≧−Δ 1 . [0131] In an embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is de-coded correctly and the measured SIR value is t dB smaller than the target SIR value for the fraction f of slots, the target SIR value is too high and the power of the soft handover user is controlled by another base station and the power control bits generated by this base station are of no use. Thus, the target SIR value should be reduced by step Δ 1 , which is larger than Δ OLPC-DOWN . [0132] In an embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is de-coded in error and the measured SIR value is t dB smaller than the target SIR value for the fraction f of slots, it is uncertain whether the target SIR value is too high or not. Thus, the target SIR value may be updated by step Δ 2 , which is either negative (progressive), positive (conservative) or zero (neutral). If step Δ 2 is zero, then the target SIR value may be unchanged. [0133] Next, an embodiment of the soft-decision method is described. The soft-decision method uses the sum of ΔSIR(n), ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) , for adjusting the target SIR value. [0134] If the (i)th coding block is a (L) th retransmission coding block, SIR target (i)=SIR target — init −Step L . Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly, and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ≧SIR 1 , then it can be determined that SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded correctly, and SIR target (i−1)−Δ 1 <SIR 1 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 1 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target — max ≧SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ≧SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 >SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target — max ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) ≤ t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target (i−1)+Δ 2 <SIR 2 , then SIR target (i)=SIR 2 ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) > t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ≦SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ; Else, if ∑ n = 1 N ⁢   ⁢ Δ SIR ⁡ ( n ) > t and the (i-J)th coding block is decoded in error, and SIR target (−1)+Δ OLPC-UP ≧SIR target — max , then SIR target (i)=SIR taget — max ; Else, if SIR target (i−1) Δ OLPC-DOwN ≧SIR target — min , then SIR target (i)=SIR target (i−1)−Δ OLPC-DOWN ; Else, SIR target (i)=SIR target — min . [0144] The parameters used in the above example are as follows: Step 1 is the amount in decrease in the SIR target of the retransmission, and L is an ordinal number denoting the index of retransmission, Δ OLPC-UP is a SIR target up step of outer loop power control, Δ OLPC-DOWN is a SIR target down step of outer loop power control, SIR target — max is a global maximum SIR target value, SIR target — min is a global minimum SIR target value, t is a threshold that is defined for the measured SIR value minus the target SIR value, SIR 1 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded correctly and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB, SIR 2 is the local minimum target SIR value when the coding block is decoded correctly and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB, Δ 1 is the SIR target down step when the coding block is decoded correctly and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB, Δ 2 is the SIR target up step when the coding block is decoded in error and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB. [0155] The ranges of the given parameters are, for example: t≦0, Δ 1 ≧0, Δ OLPC-UP >0, Δ OLPC-DOWN >0, SIR targe — max ≧SIR 1 ≧SIR target — min and SIR target — max ≧SIR 2 ≧SIR target — min . The range of Δ 2 is, for example, Δ OLPC-UP ≧Δ 2 ≧−Δ 1 . [0156] In an embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is de-coded correctly and the sum of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR value (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB, the target SIR is too high and the power of the soft handover user is controlled by another base station and the power control bits generated by this base station are of no use. Thus, the target SIR value should be reduced by step Δ 1 , which is larger than Δ OLPC-DOWN . [0157] In the embodiment of the invention, when the coding block is de-coded in error and the sum of the N samples of the differences between the measured SIR value (in dB) and the target SIR (in dB) is smaller than the negative value threshold of t dB, it is uncertain whether the target SIR value is too high or not. Thus, the target SIR value may be updated by step Δ 2 , which is either negative (progressive), positive (conservative) or zero (neutral). [0158] After adjusting the target SIR value in 412 , the process enters step 414 , where the transmit power control command is provided to the user equipment. The embodiment of the method ends in 416 . [0159] In an embodiment of the invention, the method may be used in soft-handover, for example. Thus, a distributed outer loop power control without SIR value imbalance between primary and secondary base stations is provided. Such outer loop power control may serve both soft handover and non-soft handover users. [0160] Even though the invention has been described above with reference to an example according to the accompanying drawings, it is clear that the invention is not restricted thereto but can be modified in several ways associated with data rate control within the scope of the appended claims.
A radio and a transmit power control method in a radio system supporting a use of coding blocks in communication between a base station and user equipment is disclosed. The method comprises producing a measured SIR (signal-to-interference ratio) value and compares the measured SIR value with the target SIR value. Accordingly, the method also comprises determining the quality of the received coding blocks. The method also comprising storing samples of the differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value. The method also comprises adjusting the target SIR value based on the values of the samples of differences between the measured SIR value and the target SIR value and the quality of the received coding block. The method also comprises providing a transmit power control command based on the adjusted target SIR value to the user equipment.
7
This application is a National Stage Application of PCT/EP2010/002806, filed 7 May 2010, which claims benefit of Serial No. TO2009A000394, filed 26 May 2009 in Italy and which applications are incorporated herein by reference. To the extent appropriate, a claim of priority is made to each of the above disclosed applications. BACKGROUND The present invention takes its place in the field of mixing, consolidation and compaction technologies and concerns a modular system of multipurpose rods for drilling soils. Various procedures are known for the consolidation of the soil through the formation of cylindrical columns of consolidated soil, based on the mixing of particles of the soil itself with binders, usually cemented mixtures. A traditional procedure, through which a mainly mechanic mixing is carried out, uses the rotating movement of tools (see FIG. 1 ) able to dig and breaks up the soil through appendixes which radially extend to the axis of the tool itself. The soil so broken up is kneaded with a low-pressure (1-2 MPa) cemented mixture pumped through openings obtained on the tubular shaft right under the blades. A known variant of the described procedure is to use higher pressures for the cemented mixtures. This technique, by using the combination of the mechanical action of the disintegrating gears of the tool and of the kinetic energy of the pressurized jets, differs for a substantial execution speed, with considerable economic advantages. There are variants of these techniques which require a double line of cemented mixtures. In addition to the outputs on the shaft of the tool which interact with the disintegrating gears, there are others on the upper parts of the blades which treat a diameter of soil bigger than the one treated by the mechanical disintegrating gears. This increase of the treated diameter when it is not requested for all the depth, makes it necessary a double supply. Another technology taken into consideration by the present invention is the one of compacting piles. From the European patent EP 0 228 138 it is known an excavation and compaction equipment for the construction of compacting piles. In this technology, during the excavation phase, the equipment undergoes a torque on the drill rod and a thrust on the excavation screw relatively elevated as the quantity of soil to be compacted during the excavation by the displacer element ( FIG. 2 ) is of significant relevance and exerts also a strong resistance to the advancement of the tool in the soil itself. During the ascent, the excavation is filled by means of injection of concrete which passes through the rods and the tool itself. The document U.S. Pat. No. 7,494,299 describes an equipment provided with screw tool to which a plurality of hollow, extended and substantially cylindrical shaped rods is applied. The rods are provided with special endings adapted to vertically connect them. The inner of the rods is destined to be filled with concrete at the end of the anchoring procedures which provide that the rods themselves are disposable as reinforcing structural elements. However, the internal passage of the rods is not cylindrical and reduces in correspondence with the endings provided with particular inserts for the assembly of the rods themselves. Furthermore, the rods are designed for carrying inner elements adapted for realizing the rotation which reduce the internal passage but only in correspondence of said endings. SUMMARY The invention refers to a modular system of multipurpose rods for drilling soils which, opportunely assembled, permits the use of the described technologies of soil treatment without having to assemble one specific for each use. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The equipment will be now described in some forms of embodiment by way of example according to the invention with reference to the attached drawings which show: FIG. 1 shows a prior art rotating system; FIG. 2 shows a prior art compacting system; In FIG. 3 an axonometric projection of the part of the structural rod and common to different applicative technologies; FIG. 4 shows the rod of FIG. 3 in longitudinal section; FIG. 5 shows the section according to the V-V trace of FIG. 4 ; FIGS. 6 , 7 and 8 shows the rod of the preceding figures in three different types of embodiments; FIGS. 9 and 10 shows partial perspective views in longitudinal section of the two portions of pipe endings according to the invention in the form of embodiment shown in FIG. 8 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION Rod 1 according to the invention, visible in FIGS. 3 , 4 and 5 , is a modular rod provided with internal passage 2 created by an inner pipe 1 ′ which guarantees the continuity of the internal passage, through a cylindrical shape constant for all the length, which permits an optimal runoff of the injected material and which contributes to the tensile structure by collaborating to the most external pipe 1 ″ of rod 1 , and provided at endings with a male insert 5 and a female insert 6 adapted to plug in one another in order to permit the assembly in batteries of desired lengths. The constant section of the internal passage avoids speed variations and material stagnations caused by the slowdowns in proximity of zones enlarged with respect to other narrower ones. The inserts are provided with polygonal zones 11 and 11 a adapted to plug in one another (insertable the one in the other for a coupling length equal to at least one time the diameter) for permitting the torque transmission along the whole battery. Furthermore, male insert 5 is provided with centering zones 7 and 8 compatible with respective zones 7 a and 8 a of female insert 6 and can be provided with respective gaskets 9 and 10 . The double centering guarantees the perfect alignment among adjacent elements of rods, necessary for permitting the correct functioning of the gaskets subject to pressure. A unique coupling could anyhow work but it would be much more axially extended and would have therefore a higher realization cost and would require a higher difficulty of insertion during the assembly. Gasket 10 on the end avoids the leakage of the compacting mixture and at the same time prevents external agents from penetrating as far as internal passage 2 . Gasket 9 has the function of protecting polygonal coupling 11 and 11 a from the inlet of external agents (water, soil, mixing, and so on) which could make the disassembly of the rods difficult. In inserts 5 and 6 there are spaces 13 and 13 a for the assembly of pins 12 for holding the rods among them. In FIG. 5 it may be noticed that pins 12 are assembled with an axis mainly transversal with respect to the longitudinal direction of the rod and does not encumber further than the external diameter of the rods allowing the possibility of externally guiding the rod, during the excavation steps, without encountering discontinuities. FIG. 6 shows the section of a rod according to the invention, wherein internal passage 2 is about 4″-6″, preferably 5″, adapted for the use for compacted piles, and with a seal collar 3 mounted on male insert 5 through a prearrangement that advantageously uses screws 4 for fixing. In order to avoid the leakage of the concrete during the injection, a gasket 14 , mounted on seal collar 3 , strikes in a zone 15 of female insert 6 . FIG. 7 shows a section of the rod assembled with the insertion of a pipe 17 which creates in its inner side a passage 16 of about 50-75 mm, preferably 2″¾ (about 70 mm), suitable for the realization of cylindrical columns of compacted ground. On female insert 6 of rod 1 , described in FIG. 4 , is screwed pipe 17 for the passage of the cemented mixture with flange terminal 18 ; on the opposite side, upon male insert 5 , a flange 20 guarantees the centering between pipe 17 and rod 1 , using the same prearrangements described for seal collar 3 . In segment 17 a of pipe 17 which exceeds male insert 5 are obtained seats for gaskets 19 which, striking on zone 21 of pipe 17 on the side of female insert 6 , can bear pressures up to 500 bar. Higher pressures require structural precautions and opportune choices of the most appropriate set of gaskets, with consequent cost increases. In FIG. 8 there is a section of rod 1 assembled for a double passage of fluids. On the rod described in FIG. 4 is screwed into female insert 6 an element 30 constituted by two concentric pipes 22 and 22 ′ for providing an annular passage 22 ″ of the cemented mixtures, and provided with flange terminal 23 which fixes in the same prearrangement present on female insert 6 of rod 1 upon which, as previously described, it has been fixed flange 18 ; on the opposite side, on male insert 5 , a flange 24 guarantees the centering between pipe 22 and rod 1 and it is also fixed using the prearrangements present on male insert 5 , upon which as previously described are fixed seal collar 3 and flange 24 . In segment 22 a of pipe 22 ′ which exceeds centering flange 24 of male insert 5 , are obtained seats for gaskets 25 which, finding strike upon zone 26 on the side of female insert 6 , can bear pressures up to 500 bar. In FIG. 9 there is the upper part of the embodiment of FIG. 8 so that it is possible to detect that flange 23 is provided with passages 29 for not completely obstructing annular passage 22 ″ between pipes 22 and 22 ′ and leaving suitable structural strength to the part. FIG. 10 shows the zone of the male insert embodiment of FIG. 8 where protruding ending 22 a of the pipe for the central passage is kept at the center of the pipe for annular passage 22 ″ by a support 27 which leaves free some perimeter areas. An elastic ring 28 holds centering support 27 and prevents its extraction by means of the stair obtained through the processing on segment 22 a for the external centering of central pipe 22 ′. It is finally clear that to the device up to here described can be applied some variants, changes or adaptations without exiting from the protection field of the claims of the present invention. For example, it is clear that the preferred connection system among the different reference flanges described ( 3 , 18 , 20 , 24 , 23 , 27 ) through screws, can be replaced by alternative systems (such as for instance threadings, interference mountings, bayonet coupling, glueings) which can be advantageously used as they are equivalent. The solution with screw coupling permits a maneuvering easiness during the mounting steps of the different variants and guarantees with opportune reference shoulders a perfect centering between the coupled parts which render it preferable with respect to the other systems previously described. By means of the solution proposed by the invention, the use of a unique external structural rod opportunely arranged for the various kinds of ground treatment technologies brings to a reduction of the storage with consequent cost reduction. Furthermore, the assemblies for the various technologies are of easy and rapid mounting and removal encouraging the flexibility and the maintenance. Finally, given that the single or two-passages inner rods are wear components, in the solution according to the invention they are easily replaceable, and therefore the recovery in the construction site is immediate, using again the same structural body. Rod 1 common to different technologies is the structural part for which the inner elements can be advantageously sized only for bearing the inner pressures and for being adequately fixed and centered with respect to rod 1 .
A modular system of multipurpose rods for drilling soil is constituted by rods ( 1 ) crossed by an internal passage ( 2 ) for the passage of concrete, of substantially cylindrical shape, that completely crosses the rod; each of the rods is provided at the endings with a male insert ( 5 ) and a female insert ( 6 ) respectively, adapted to be plugged in one to the other for permitting the assembly in batteries of any length. The inserts ( 5, 6 ) are provided with transmitters ( 11, 11 a ) for transmitting the rotation along the whole battery of rods ( 1 ) and arranged for fixing elements that reduce the internal passage ( 2 ).
4
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to power level monitors for nuclear reactors; and more particularly, to power level monitors which detect neutron emissions from a pressurized light water nuclear reactor. 2. Description of the Related Art Several types of radiation detectors are used in the monitoring of nuclear reactors. One type detects gamma radiation from, e.g., power generation/cooling loops. Other radiation detectors sense the emission of neutrons from, e.g., the core barrel which surrounds the reactor. The neutron sensors are typically one of two types, the first type is used to detect infrequent emissions during low level operation of the reactor, such as during the start-up of the reactor in what is termed the source range. The second type of neutron sensors, for example dual uncompensated ionization chambers, such as WL-24156, manufactured by Westinghouse Industrial & Government Tube Division, detect more frequent emissions of neutrons in intermediate and power ranges. The signals output by the second type of neutron sensors include flow induced perturbations or "nuclear noise", particularly in the power range, caused by vibration of the core barrel generated when water from the cooling loops enters the core barrel. A prior art circuit for monitoring the power level of a nuclear reactor by detection of neutron emissions is illustrated in FIG. 1. The neutron sensors 10 are of the second type, described above, and output a current which indicates the number of neutrons detected during a sampling period. A current-to-voltage amplifier 15, such as an NM310 summing and level amplifier (part no. 3378C21), manufactured by Westinghouse Electrical Systems Division, converts the current signal to a voltage signal which is supplied to a rate/lag circuit 20, such as an NM311 power range rate circuit (part no. 3378C20), manufactured by Westinghouse Electrical Systems Division. The rate/lag circuit 20 is represented by an amplifier 25 having one input directly receiving the voltage from the current-to-voltage amplifier 15 and another input receiving the voltage signal filtered by an RC circuit comprising a variable resistor 30 and capacitor 35; however, a typical rate/lag circuit will include additional elements. Proper adjustment or alignment of the prior art power level monitoring circuit illustrated in FIG. 1 requires the generation of known input signals, adjustment of the rate/lag circuit 20 by, e.g., changing the resistance of the variable resistor 30. Next, additional adjustments are made to circuits (not shown) which receive the output of the rate/lag circuit 20. In practice, the alignment of the rate/lag circuit 20 has been found to be quite difficult, sometimes requiring reiterative adjustment of the rate/lag circuit 20 and the following circuits. In addition, the noise filtering capability of prior art power level monitoring circuits has been limited to removing some high frequency signals. Also, the use of an RC network in the rate/lag circuit 20 results in relatively slow response for prior art power monitoring circuits, making quick detection of transients difficult. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a power level monitor having noise reduction capability. Another object of the present invention is provide a power level monitor capable of quick detection of transients in the neutron flux of a nuclear power reactor. A further object of the present invention is to provide a power level monitor which is easily aligned. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a power level monitor which generates a prediction of the power level of a nuclear reactor. The above objects are accomplished by a power level monitor including a neutron detector, a current-to-voltage amplifier, an analog/digital converter and a microprocessor. When neutrons are detected, the neutron detector outputs a signal which is amplified into an analog voltage by the current-to-voltage amplifier. The analog voltage is converted into a digital sample signal by the analog/digital converter that is supplied to the microprocessor which outputs signals indicating reactor power level, rate of change of the reactor power level and predicted reactor power level for a sampling period having a predetermined length. The signals output by the microprocessor are generated from the digital sample signal by converting the sample signal into a converted signal; multiplying the converted signal by a first constant to produce a first multiplied signal; multiplying the converted signal by a second constant divided by the length of the sampling period to produce a second multiplied signal; summing a prior rate of power level change signal produced during an immediately previous sampling period with the second multiplied signal to produce the current rate of power level change signal for the current sampling period; summing a prior power level signal produced during the immediately previous sampling period with the length of the sampling period multiplied by the prior rate of power level change signal produced during the immediately previous sampling period to produce a predicted power level signal; subtracting the predicted power level signal from the sample signal to produce the converted signal; and summing the converted and predicted power level signals to produce the current power level signal. These objects together with other objects and advantages which will be subsequently apparent, reside in the details of construction and operation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, reference being had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a prior art power level monitoring circuit; FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a power level monitoring circuit according to the present invention; FIG. 3A is a block diagram of the calculations performed by the microprocessor in the block diagram of FIG. 2; and FIG. 3B is a block diagram of the Z-transform of the calculations illustrated in FIG. 3A. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 and includes neutron sensors 10 and current-to-voltage amplifiers 15 similar to those used in the prior art circuit illustrated in Fig. 1. According to the present invention, both of the neutron sensors 10 may be connected to a single one of the current-to-voltage amplifiers 15, as indicated by the dashed line and as in the prior art circuit of FIG. 1, or each neutron sensor 10 may supply a current signal as the sole input to one of the current-to-voltage amplifiers 15. The analog voltage output by the current-to-voltage amplifiers 15 is supplied to an analog/digital converter 40 for input to a microprocessor 45. The analog/digital converter 40 and microprocessor 45 may be implemented on a single board computer such as an Intel 88/40. Depending on the particular analog/digital converter 40 and microprocessor 45 and monitoring system requirements, separate current-to-voltage amplifiers 15 may each be connected to separate analog-digital converters 40 or, as indicated by the dashed line, be connected to the same analog-digital converter on separate channels. Similarly, there may be one or more microprocessors 45 for each analog/digital converter 40. Mere replacement of the analog circuits illustrated in FIG. 1 by the digital circuitry illustrated in FIG. 2, may simplify the alignment process and the speed with which the power level monitoring circuit responds to transients; however, there is no automatic reduction in noise. It is possible to reduce the effects of nuclear noise by proper selection of the algorithm performed by the microprocessor 45. The selection of an algorithm is governed by several factors. First, the algorithm should be capable of reducing noise without total loss of the ability to detect transients. Secondly, power level monitoring circuits which operate in the power range of a nuclear reactor are required to supply a signal indicating rate of change of the power level, so that a "trip" can be generated when the rate of change has a magnitude above a specified value, i.e., indicating a sudden change in power, which may be a transient condition. One algorithm which meets these requirements is defined by alpha-beta tracker equations which are commonly used in radar applications. Application of the alpha-beta tracker equations to processing in radar systems is described in J. A. Cadzow, Discrete-Time Systems, Prentiss-Hall, 1973, sections 2.6 (pages 63-66) and 8.11 (pages 272-278). Applying the equations described in Cadzow to the power level monitoring circuit illustrated in FIG. 2, the digital voltage output by the analog/digital converter 40 can be represented by f(k). The power level p(k), rate of change of power level p(k) and predicted power level p p (k) are defined by equations (1)-(3) below. p.sub.p =p(k-1)+T p(k-1) (1) p(k)=p.sub.p (k)-α[f(k)-p.sub.p (k)] (2) ##EQU1## The power level p(k) is an estimate or smoothed output for the current sampling period in which the effects of noise have been reduced. The predicted power level p p (k) is a prediction of the estimated power p(k) for the immediately following sampling period. The length of the sampling period is represented by T, α and β are constants which determine the dynamic response of the power level monitor. The interrelationship of equations (1)-(3) is visually represented by the block diagram illustrated in FIG. 3. The input sample signal f(k) is converted by adder 110 and multiplied by constants α and β/T in multipliers 120 and 130. The resulting signals are input to adders 140 and 150, respectively. The outputs of adders 140 and 150 are supplied to registers 160, 170 and 180 which provide a delay of T. The output of register 160 is summed with the output of multiplier 130 to provide the rate of change of the power level p(k). The output of register 180 is multiplied by the length of the sampling period T in multiplier 190 prior to being summed with the output of register 170 in adder 200 to provide the predicted power level p p (k). The predicted power level p p (k) is multiplied by negative one so that it is subtracted from the sampled signal f(k) by adder 110 and is also summed with the output of multiplier 120 to produce the smoothed power level p(k). Selection of appropriate values for the constants α and β is explained in Cadzow in section 8.11 (pages 272-278) using the Z-transform which is 8.11 (pages 272-278) using the Z-transform which is throughly discussed on pages 144-175 of Cadzow. The Z-transform of equations (1)-(3) are illustrated as a block diagram in FIG. 3B and appear below as equations (4)-(6). P.sub.p (z)=z.sup.-1 p(z)+z.sup.-1 T P(z) (4) P(z)=P.sub.p (z)+α[F(z)-P.sub.p (z)] (5) ##EQU2## Since the outputs illustrated in FIG. 3B are all derived from a single input, the following transfer functions H 1 (z)-H 3 (z) can be defined. P(z)=H.sub.1 (z)F(z) (7) P(z)=H.sub.2 (z)F(z) (8) P.sub.p (z)=H.sub.3 (z)F(z) (9) Dividing both sides of equations (4)-(6) by the Z-transform F(z) of the input signal f(k), incorporating the transfer function relationships of equations (7)-(9) and rearranging the terms, results in the following equations (10)-(12). z.sup.-1 H.sub.1 (z)+z.sup.-1 T H.sub.2 (z)-H.sub.3 (z)=0 (10) H.sub.1 (z)-(1-α)H.sub.3 (z)=α (11) ##EQU3## Solving equations (10)-(12) for H.sub.1 (z)-H.sub.3 (z) results in the following equations (13)-(15). ##EQU4## The denominator polynomial which is common to all three of the fractions above is known as the characteristic equation which defines the system poles. Solving for the poles of the characteristic equation yields equation (16) below. ##EQU5## Assuming a critically damped system is desired, the term (β.sup.2 +α.sup.2 +2αβ-4β) is set to zero with the result that α=2√β-β. Substituting for in equations (13)-(15) produces the following equations (17)-(19). ##EQU6## Thus, a critically damped power monitor using alpha-beta tracker equations has a double pole of z=1-√β. Implementation of an alpha-beta tracker power level monitor requires selection of a sampling period length T and a value for β, from which the value of α can be found. The sampling period length T will be determined by the speed of the neutron sensor 10, analog/digital converter 40, and the requirements of the equipment which receives the signals output by the microprocessor. A discussion of how to select the value of β can be found on page 278 of Cadzow and in Benedict, T. R. and Bordner, G. W., "Synthesis of an Optimal Set of Radar Track--While Scan Smoothing Equations," IRE Transactions on Automatic Control, Vol. AC-7, No. 4 (July, 1962) pages 27-32. The value of β affects the degree of noise reduction and system response speed. For applications such as data logging of the neutron flux in a nuclear reactor, a value of β equal to or very close to zero is preferable, because the effects of noise will be minimized. However, the response time will be very slow. Therefore, in neutron flux monitors which must generate trip signals, the value of β is increased (up to a maximum of 1) until statisfactory system response time is achieved. The amount of noise suppression provided by an alpha-beta tracker is reduced as β is increased; therefore, β should be selected to be as small as possible while meeting the system response time requirements. Once the value of has been selected, the value of α can be found as 2√β-β and a program for microprocessor 45 can be easily written from the block diagram in FIG. 3A. When implemented, a power level monitor using alpha-beta tracker equations will provide noise suppression and "fast follow" capibility for responding to transients in the neutron flux. In addition, both the rate of power level change p(k) and a predicted next power level p p (k) are automatically produced by the alpha-beta tracker equations. Also, alignment of such a power level monitor is considerably simplified due to the noise suppression capabilities of the alpha-beta tracker equations and the use of digital processing which eliminates the need for adjusting a variable resistor in a rate/lag circuit 20 as in the prior art. The many features and advantages of the present 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 power level monitor which fall within the true spirit and scope 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 illustrated and described, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.
A nuclear reactor power monitor utilizes radiation sensors, and a microprocessor implementing alpha-beta tracker equations. The use of alpha-beta tracker equations results in good noise suppression and fast follow capability. Therefore, alignment of the reactor power monitor is simplified and transients in the power level of a nuclear reactor can be detected.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a signal store with a signal-to-noise improving system which has particular, but not exclusive application, where still picture television video frame signals are to have the signal-to-noise ratio improved. A preferred embodiment of the invention has particular application in scientific environments, wherein a video signal involving still pictures having an inherently noisy nature can be improved. 2. Description of Prior Art In scientific applications noise has hitherto been reduced in video picture frame signals by either a summing technique involving averaging a number of T.V. frames in order to suppress non-coherent signal components. The improvment in the signal-to-noise is proportional to the square root of the total number of frames involved in the averaging process. The necessary electronic hardware used to perform this method, if a considerable signal-to-noise improvement is to be obtained, requires that the memory be large and thus the resulting cost of the equipment is generally prohibitive. For example in a system using a gray-scale resolution of 8 bits, a signal-to-noise enhancement of 40 dB would require a memory size based on at least 21 bits per picture element. A further method of reducing the signal-to-noise ratio has been by exponential smoothing: where an exponentially weighted moving average of A frames yield an ultimate signal-to-noise ratio improvement of √2A-1 and allows a normalized image to be displayed while the signal averaging is progressing. This is referred to in "smoothing, forecasting and prediction of Discrete Time Series, by R. G. Brown, Prentice Hall, (1963) chaps. 7 and 8". Theoretically the best result (in terms of both signal-to-noise improvement rate and ultimate value) which can be expected in any form of filtering technique is given by the summing algorithm i.e. enhancement=√η where η is the number of the frames. For a system operating according to the summing technique it is a simple matter to calculate the memory size (i.e. bits per pixel) required to meet specific performance criteria. For example if a (voltage) enhancement factor of (say) 90 is required and the system gray-scale resolution is 8 bits then the size of the memory will be based on 21 bits per pixel and the total accumulation time (625/50 system) is approx. 6 minutes. If, in addition, a digital signal normalizer is required to produce a continuous display during the signal averaging process then the total system's hardware complexity would be considerable. STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, we have devised a system to attempt to overcome these problems. A preferred embodiment of the invention does not use an expensive video signal analogue to digital converter and it provides a continuous normalized video output during the process. Further it achieves a (voltage) enhancement ratio equal to √2/π√η≈0.8√η and makes more efficient use of memory in terms of the ultimate enhancement ratio (per memory bit). Therefore in accordance with one broad aspect of the present invention there may be provided a signal-to-noise improving system comprising, a circuit input for incoming noisy analogue signals and a circuit output for digitally stored input signals which have an improved signal-to-noise ratio provided by the system and which have been reconverted to analogue form, said circuit input and said circuit output being connected to inputs of an analogue comparator arranged to give an output which signifies that the stored signal is either higher or lower in magnitude than the incoming signal or that the incoming signal is either higher or lower in magnitude than the stored signal, said comparator output being connected to a signal incrementor which is arranged to give a signal output which is the stored digital signal incremented higher or lower by a number digitally in response to either a higher or lower signal output from said comparator, a store for storing in digital form the so incremented input signals, the store output being connected to a digital to analogue converted the output of which is connected to said circuit output. said comparator, said incrementor, said store and said digital to analogue converter being operative cyclically to compare the incoming noisy signals with the analogue output signals generated from the stored digital signals and to up date the stored signals to new stored signals determined by adding to or subtracting from the stored signals a digital number in accordance with whether said comparator comparing the analogue input and output signals gives a higher or lower output whereby to eventually store signals representative of the incoming signals with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio so that said circuit output can provide an output signal of those enhanced stored signals. It is preferred that the system components are of a size digitally to process each of the picture element signals in a frame of a video picture image and wherein each of the said picture element signals is assigned with a respective N-bit digital word by said incrementor. It is also preferred that said incrementor will, in use, increment by small levels, such that eventually the stored signal will `hunt` about a mean value of the analogue input signal. It is also preferred that there be an incrementor controller, for controlling the incrementation of said incrementor, and wherein, in use, said incrementor initially, increments in a series of increments which are similar to those of a successive approximation analogue to digital converter whereby to provide for rapid convergence to a signal value near the mean value of the analogue input signal. It is also preferred that said incrementor, in use, is caused to increment initially by a value corresponding to the most significant bit and then increments successively to the least significant bit. It is also preferred that said small level of incrementation is controllable by said incrementor controller according to a predetermined sequence based on a prior knowledge of the signal-to-noise ratio contamination such that during commencement of said small level of incrementation, the incrementation will be approximately equal to √2/π×R.M.S. input noise voltage, and will be reduced to approximately √2/π/A where A is the number of times the picture element is incremented. It is also preferred that the digital number of the N-bit word is greater than the gray-scale resolution of each picture element of the frame and is also greater than the resolution of said digital to analogue converter. It is also preferred that each of the picture elements is incremented by the same amount during that frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In order that the invention can be more clearly ascertained a preferred embodiment thereof will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram thereof used for storing and displaying still T.V. video picture signals with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio. FIG. 2 is a graph showing the probability p of a downward incrementation as a function of the output voltage deviation m from the input means voltage. FIGS. 3A through 3L are collectively a diagram of the total circuit of the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, showing some of the sections still in block schematic form. FIGS. 4A through 4C are collectively a diagram of the incrementor circuit of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagram of the memory circuit of FIG. 3. FIGS. 6A 6B & 6C are collectively a diagram of the incrementor controller circuit of FIG. 3, and FIG. 7A, is a block circuit layout of the embodiment, and FIG. 7B is a timing diagram of the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 3. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The preferred system includes an incrementor controller in order to accelerate the convergence of the stored signal to a substantially noise free signal. The preferred circuit comprises (a) An N-bit digital to analogue converter 1 (b) A comparator 2 having two analogue inputs and a 1 bit (0 or 1) digital output (c) An incrementer 3 which generates the sum or difference S of two M-bit input words (L and Δ) according to a binary "sign bit" input signal. It should be noted that M will always be greater than N) (d) A digital memory 4 representing the frame store and whose capacity in bits is given by M times the (total number of picture elements) and (e) An incrementor controller 5 which presets the magnitude of the incrementation Δ at the beginning of each T.V. frame according to a predetermined algorithm. The increment Δ is the same for all words in a single frame. In use, the digital frame store 4 is read at the T.V. scan rate and the N most significant bits converted to analogue form in the analogue converter 1 to form a restored analogue output signal. This analogue output signal is also presented to one input of the comparator 2 whose other input is the incoming (noisy) T.V. video signal. In this way a sign bit of the difference between the stored picture element value and the corresponding picture value of the input signal is formed at a frame clock period for incrementing each picture element. This sign bit (SGN) is then used to determine the sense in which the stored picture element value L is updated by the increment value Δ to form (S)--the overall effect being to converge each stored picture element value digitally towards the corresponding input picture element value but with reduced noise. It should be noted that all stored picture values are updated once each frame period. During the process, in order to achieve a rapid convergence of the stored signal to a close replica of the input signal but with reduced noise, the increment size Δ can be stepped down successively after each frame period from the most significant bit--the highest number stored divided by 2. In this process each M-bit picture element cell of the frame store may be likened to the register of a successive approximation analogue to digital converter which is clocked at the frame rate. During the final stage of the process, smaller values of Δ will apply over many frame periods. It can therefore be seen that the size of word increment Δ is reduced so the influence of any random noise contaminating the input signal will be reduced. Thus any random noise contaminating the input signal will progressively have a less and less effect on the value of the stored signal. The maximum degree of noise reduction is finally obtained when the value of Δ is equal to one least significant bit of stored number in the store 4. Therefore it can be seen that the process has an effective integrating function on the value of each stored picture element. Therefore, when the value of Δ reaches a low value the stored picture element number in the store will `hunt` about a corresponding noise free input picture element value. Ultimately, when the desired degree of image enhancement has been achieved (for example by observing the output signal on a picture monitor) the incrementing process is terminated and the contents of the frame store frozen. In practice for a high quality imaging system based on the 625/50 T.V. standard, a raster of (typically) 512×512 picture elements is required for the frame store and 256levels (N=8) are necessary for an accurate gray-scale rendition. A mathematic analysis of a quantitative model of the pixel incrementing mechanism for input signals contaminated by stationary gaussian noise will now be provided. The mathematical treatment is intended to be plausible rather than rigorous, and it is to yield expressions which quantify the behaviour of the system in the engineering sense. Referring again in FIG. 1 consider a (still) video input signal comprising a wanted signal component masked by a noise component whose RMS value is ν in . Although the real time signal sequence formed by looking along a T.V. line at spacially adjacent pixels may be a Markoff process due to band limiting or frequency weighting of the input noise signal it can confidently be said that the signal sequence formed by looking along temporally adjacent values at any particular pixel will be purely random (i.e. in all practical cases the autocorrelation function of the contaminating noise will be assumed zero for times equal to or greater than the T.V. frame period). Let V out (t) be the RMS value of the output (stored signal) at any time t. For the moment let us consider the case N=M. Two distinct phases of the convergence process for the ensemble of pixels constituting the T.V. frame will be given: (i) Outer convergence. This is the initial phase of the convergence process during which each pixel cell of the frame store behaves like the register of a successive approximation analogue-to-digital converter (i.e. during the first frame the value of Δ is set to the value of the most significant bit; during the second frame the value of Δ is set to the value of the 2nd most significant bit and so on). The aim of this phase is to allow the stored signal to achieve a rapid approximation to the input signal. Obviously in the absence of noise (ν in =0) the outer convergence process alone would be sufficient to give us the desired result. For ν in ≠0 we shall assume that the value of ν out at the completion of the outer convergence process shall be approximately equal to ν in . An accurate treatment of this phase is difficult because the initial conditions as determined by arbitrary picture content are difficult to define for the ensemble of pixels that constitute a complete T.V. frame. In practice the above approximation was found to be conservative as the typical result for a wide range of picture contents gave (empirically): ##EQU1## (where τ=T.V. frame period) (ii) Inner convergence. In this second phase of the convergence process the smaller values of Δ (culminating in Δ equal to one least significant bit) are used to allow each pixel value to approach the desired average value. The initial conditions for inner convergence shall be assumed to be: ##EQU2## The total time required to process a noisy T.V. signal is therefore the sum of the times taken for the outer and inner convergence processes i.e. ##EQU3## In a typical case we may be seeking a noise improvement factor of greater than 10. Also, the pixel word size will be typically between 6 and 12. We know that the shortest total convergence time will be greater than that given by the theoretical limit as set by the summing algorithm √N ##EQU4## From this it is evident that the magnitude of N dominates the total convergence time and for practical purposes we may make the approximation: T.sub.TOTAL ≈T.sub.INNER In order to characterize the inner convergence behaviour the purpose of the following analysis shall serve to establish: (i) The algorithm giving the magnitude of Δ (as a function of time) to ensure the fastest convergence. (ii) The enhancement ratio as a function of time using the above algorithm for Δ. (iii) The ultimate (limiting value) of enhancement ratio. Considering, again, the behaviour at any particular pixel cell. Let V be the mean value of the input signal at that pixel (for still pictures the value of V is a constant). Let mΔ (m is an integer) be the deviation of the stored pixel value from V at time t=nτ (i.e. after n frame periods). Note that the value Δ is quantized due to its digital origin. Let ν o be the stored pixel value at an arbitary time origin n=0. Once each frame period a decision is made by the comparator causing the stored pixel value to be increased or decreased by the increment Δ. Clearly this behaviour constitutes a Markoff process for which the probability of moving either higher or lower depends on the deviation of the output voltage from V at the time of decision i.e. on the value of mΔ. For m=0 the probability of an up movement is equal to that of a down movement, while for m≠0 the probabilities are weighted to favour a movement towards m=0. More precisely, the probability of a down movment is given by ##EQU5## and the probability of an upward movement is given by ##EQU6## We may expect that the statistical properties of mΔ are completely described by the second order conditional probability function P 2 (sΔ/mΔ;nτ) (i.e. the probability that the pixel voltage takes on a value mΔ after n frame periods given that m=s at time n=0). The RMS output noise voltage ν out (t) is obtained by scanning an ensemble (constituting a complete T.V. frame) of such pixel voltages each satisfying these statistics ν out 2 (t) may therefore be equated with the variance of mΔ. Unfortunately we were unable to find an exact solution to this problem due to the non-linear nature of ρ and . However, an approximation applicable to the particular situation enables us to find the "engineering solution" we seek. Bearing in mind the initial condition for the inner convergence process i.e. ν out (0)=ν in and letting the inequality Δ<<ν in apply, we shall assume that the excursions of the ensemble of voltages mΔ are confined to the essentially linear region of the probability function for ρ given by (1) near m=0 (see FIG. 2). If a solution can now be found then such a solution will in itself be a test for the validity of the above approximation. The proportionality between ρ and mΔ near m=0 is found from (1) to be: ##EQU7## Hence the probability of a down movement at mΔ may now be approximated by: ##EQU8## and the probability of an upward movement by ##EQU9## The approximation has thus achieved a simplified problem formulation which is now seen to be identical to that of a discrete one dimensional random walk of an elastically bound particle. A detailed solution of this problem is given in M. Kac "Random Walk & Theory of Brownian Motion" Am. Math. Monthly, 14:369 (1947). According to this formulation the probabilities of the voltage moving down or up at each decision instant are ##EQU10## respectively. This leads to a difference equation for the conditional probability whose solution is shown to be: ##EQU11## Although this is the correct solution to our discrete random walk model involving quantized voltage levels the format of (6) does not readily lend itself to an interpretation of the behaviour of the variance of mΔ. A more convenient form of the solution is the continuous case which may be derived from (6) by letting ##EQU12## ν is now a continuous approximation to the discrete variable mΔ and for which the second order probability density function is found to be (see Kac, Supra and an introduction to statistical Communication Theory, D. Middleton, McGraw Hill (1960) pp 438-466): ##EQU13## the validity of (10) being subject in our situation to the conditions: ##EQU14## Thus, at any pixel, the deviation of the output voltage from the mean input voltage (V) at that pixel is seen to have a gaussian distribution whose variance approaches a final value D/γ with a time constant 1/2γ. The initial σ value of zero corresponds to our knowledge that ν(t=0)=0 with a probability of 1. The identical result (10) is obtained by solving the first order Langevin equation which describes the physical process governing the behaviour of the ensemble of pixel voltages all subject to identical statistics and all subject to the initial condition ν(t=0)=0 ##EQU15## In the analysis that follows, the convergence process shall be analysed in terms of the power ratio: ##EQU16## where ν in is constant. Notice from equation (10) that the value of σ 2 diverges from an initial value zero to its final (stationary) value σ.sub.∞ 2 . In the convergent situation the initial value of σ 2 (=σ o 2 ) will be greater than σ.sub.∞ 2 . Because the stochastic differential equation (12) for the process is linear we can expect σ 2 to approach σ.sub.∞ 2 with the same time constant (1/2γ). Thus in the convergent case: ##EQU17## Combining (3), (5) and (14) and observing the proportionality between σ 2 and ρ we find: ##EQU18## Furthermore if we apply the initial condition ρ 0 =1 for inner convergence we have: ##EQU19## Notice that the ultimate value of Voltage enhancement ratio for a given value of Δ is: ##EQU20## Let us examine the convergence behaviour in more detail with the help of equation (18). A conflict in the choice of Δ is immediately apparent. If we make Δ as small as possible in order to achieve a good ultimate reduction ratio ρ(t→∞) the convergence rate is slow. Conversely, if we aim for a faster convergence rate by choosing a higher value of Δ the ultimaate power reduction ratio suffers. Intuitively we may anticipate an optimum performance ρ(t)=ρ opt (t) by continuously (within quantization constraint) reducing the value of Δ according to some predetermined algorithm Δ opt (t). The function Δ opt (ρ) may be found by determining the values of Δ which will give the steepest slope at all points along the curve ρ(t). We know that at any time t 1 , the slope is equal to the gradient of the function (cf (15)); ##EQU21## and the maximum gradient at t=t 1 occurs when (differentiating (21) w.r.t.Δ) ##EQU22## but (22) is true for all values of t 1 , ##EQU23## Substituting (23) in (21) we obtain: ##EQU24## whose solution when subject to the initial condition ##EQU25## Alternatively, expressed in terms of the number of frames (n) processed (25) becomes: ##EQU26## The voltage enhancement ratio is then: ##EQU27## which compares favourably with the theoretical limit as set by the summing algorithm: ##EQU28## Notice that according to equations (25), (26) and (27) the enhancement ratio would increase ad infinitum with increasing time. Obviously the maximum value of voltage enhancement ratio corresponding to the smallest value of Δ is determined by the smallest quantizing step (as determined by the value of M). From (19) this asymptotic value is seen to be: ##EQU29## In summary the optimum convergence process in terms of voltage enhancement ratio is seen initiaally to follow a quadratic law according to (27) until a "breakpoint" value is reached and thence to asymptote to a value defined by (29). The number of frames taken to reach the breakpoint value may be considered as an index for the conversion rate for a particular value of ν in and is given by: ##EQU30## So far we have considered only systems for which all bits of the pixel word are converted to an analog signal to close the feedback loop at the comparator input. The function of the Digital-to-Analogue converter is one of ensuring a proportionality between the stored pixel values and the feedback component. The speed requirements on the Digital-to-Analogue converter are quite stringent and some hardware simplification may be achieved by using a converter of reduced resolution (i.e. N<M) provided that N is sufficiently large for the gray-scale requirements of the system to be met. The effect of truncating the stored pixel word by omitting some of the less significant bits in the conversion process is discussed below. Obviously for input noise levels less than the smallest resolvable step of the converter (M-N)Δ min we would expect no enhancement whatsoever. On the other hand for input noise levels much greater than (M-N)Δ min we would expect little performance degradation due to the coarser conversion quantising as long as the residual output noise level was much larger than (M-N)Δ min . Intuitively it would seem that the degradation in enhancement would not be seriously affected (irrespective of the input level) until the residual output level was comparable with (M-N)Δ min . Most practicle situations (as discussed hereinafter) allow the value N to be determined solely by the gray-scale resoltuion requirements of the system. In such cases it has been empirically found that the lower limit on absolute output noise level is comparable in magnitude to the quantising noise for an N bit system. The function of the incrementer controller 5 is to generate the appropriate sequence of Δ values for correct outer convergence and optimum inner convergence. It will be remembered that for the outer convergence the sequence for Δ is: 1st frame--MSB, 2nd frame--2nd MSB and so on. The optimum inner convergence process commences with a Δ value (see equation (23)) equal to ##EQU31## Thereafter the value of Δ must be varied according to equation (23), ##EQU32## It has been found that a quite coarse discrete approximation Δ opt (n) to (32) exists which represents a considerable hardware saving while at the same time causing negligible impairment to the convergence rate. Bearing in mind that the outer convergence process involves preferred values of Δ corresponding to discrete bit magnitudes, the convenience of using the same preferred values of Δ for the inner convergence process is apparent. Using this approach the inner convergence behaviour for ρ(t) would take the form of a discrete sequence of exponential decays. The discrete sequence Δ opt (n) approximating the curve Δ opt (n) may be tabulated thus: ##EQU33## Substituting these values for Δ in (15) and remembering that t=nτ we obtain the relationship between the power ratio at the beginning (ρ Q ) and the end (ρ Q+ 1) of the Q th exponential decay section: ##EQU34## where the frame number n=2 Q -1 It can be easily shown that the convergence process as defined by equation (34) is a good approximation to ρ opt (n) as per equation (26), the error being less than 5% over the range of interest. The asymptotes are of course the same in both cases (being defined by (29)). It is evident from equation (23) that the choice of the optimum convergence algorithm depends on the input noise level as this determines the initial conditions of the inner convergence process. The apparatus desirably therefore has a control for selecting the best algorithm to span a wide range of input noise levels. With the algorithm as given by ρ opt (n) (26) such a control would be continuous and thereby allow an optimum matching of the algorithm to the input noise level. With the algorithm as given by ρ Q (34) we no longer have a continuous control due to the preferred fixed values of Δ 1 . The control in this case is a geometric series with adjacent settings differing by a facter of 2. In practice this does not lead to significant performance degradations as the signal-to-noise ratios in typical operational situations are not accurately known anyway. Ideally the chosen setting would put Δ 1 as close as possible to the value ##EQU35## of the particular signal to be processed. A preferred filter is shown in FIG. 3 and follows the block schematic of FIG. 1. Such filter is suitable for the 625/50 T.V. system. The instrument is designed primarily for the scientific market and comprises a square 512×512 pixel frame store matrix. A design goal requiring noise voltage enhancement ratios in excess of 100 (for appropriately large input noise levels) dictates a pixel word depth of 12 (M=12), whereas a gray-scale resolution of 8 bits per pixel word was considered adequate to meet the needs of most applications. A pixel word duration of 69 ns places some quite critical performance criteria on the pixel incrementing circuitry. Each 12-bit pixel word has to be retrieved from the memory, D/A converted, compared with the incoming video signal and modified by Δ(another 12 bit word) within a 69 ns time-slot. No sufficiently fast 12-bit D/A converter was available at the time of design and the choice thus fell on the Motorola chip MC10318--an 8-bit (i.e. N=8) device with a settling time of around 10 ns. A suitable voltage comparator was found in the AMD 685--a 6 ns latched device. All digital operations associated with the incrementor have been designed in ECL logic. The only cost effective type of memory device was the 16k dynamic RAM whose read--modify--write cycle time is typically 375 ns. The data rate commensurate with a 69 ns pixel duration has been achieved with a stagger-phased combination of 8 such memory chips. The incrementor controller is implemented according to the ρ Q algorithm (see equation (34)) with Δ 1 , values selectable from MSB down to LSB (the latter giving purely an outer convergence process). The corresponding values of video input signal-to-noise ratio catered for (in terms of optimum convergence times) thus range from 4 dB in 3 dB steps up to 37 dB. Signal-to-noise ratios less than 8 dB are of course also capable of being processed but with sub-optimum convergence times. The temporal filter has been designed with a front-end video signal processor capable of providing a large range of gain and level shifts. The detailed circuit description is shown in FIGS. 3 to 7 and and are as follows. The overall circuit is shown in FIG. 3. The circuit has the following features: Instrument controls have been provided to give the equipment the following facilities: 1. "Integration Mode" (switch S1 FIG. 6A) controls the incrementer 3 such that in the "Peak" mode, only positive increments are recognised and processed thus allowing an irreversible build up of brightness of an image being processed. The normal position of this switch is the "Mean" position whereby the incrementer 3 operates as has been described so far. 2. "Step Size" (switch S2 FIG. 6B) allows the selection of a particular increment size. Also the last position of the switch enables one of eleven fast convergence algorithms according to the setting of S3 (see item 3 which follows. 3. "Integration Time" (switch S3 FIG. 6B) sets the initial increment size according to the a priori knowledge of the input signal-to-noise ratio and thereby determines the total time taken to complete the convergence algorithm. 4. "Video Polarity" (switch S4 FIG. 6A) enables the stored video signal to be inverted to achieve a "negative" display effect. 5. "Display Mode" (switch S5 FIG. 6A) allows the selection of the output video between input only (Direct) stored only (Stored) and stored blended into input (Insert). 6. "Field Select" (switch S6 FIG. 6C) allows the selection of each TV field (i.e. half the total memory) for display as a complete TV frame. 7. "Input Set-Up" (switch S7 FIG. 6A) affects a selectable DC shift of the input processor. 8. "Input Gain" (switch S8 FIG. 6A) affects a selectable gain of the input processor. 9. "Reset" (momentary switch K3 FIG. 6C) sets all pixel locations of the memory to black level. 10. "Start"(momentary switch K2 FIG. 6C) initiates the incrementing process. 11. "Hold" (momentary switch K1 FIG. 6C) terminates the incrementing process and holds the memory contents unchanged until the activation for either "Start" or "Reset". The I.C.'s used are identifable as follows: __________________________________________________________________________IC IDENTIFICATION__________________________________________________________________________U1 LM3086 U21 DM7407 U41 DM74157 U66 DM74300U2 LM3086 U22 DM7404 U42 DM74157 U67 CD4069U3 LM3086 U23 DM74123 U68 74C221U4 DM4011 U24 DM7402 U69 DM74304U5 74C221 U25 DM74123 U50 DM74LS374 U70 LM7805 U26 DM74123 U51 DM74LS374 U71 LM7812U7 LM3086 U27 DM74LS374 U52 DM74LS374 U72 LM7812U8 LM3086 U28 DM74LS374 U53 DM74LS374 U73 LM7812U9 CD4069 U29 DM74LS374 U54 DM74LS374 U74 LM7812U10 CD4013 U30 DM74LS374 U55 DM74LS374 U75 LM7805U11 74C221 U31 DM7430 U56 DM74LS374 U76 LM7812U12 CD4011 U32 DM74191 U57 DM74LS374 U77 LM7812U13 CD4013 U33 DM74123 U58 DM745153U14 74C221 U34 DM7430 U59 DM745153U15 CD4080 U35 DM74191 U60 DM745153U16 CD4013 U36 DM7404 U61 DM745153U17 DM74504 U37 DM7430 U62 DM745153U18 DM7474 U38 DM74191 U63 DM745153U19 AMD685 U39 DM7474 U64 DM7474U20 DM74500 U40 DM74191 U65 DM74574__________________________________________________________________________ It should be noted that in FIGS. 3A-3K, 4A 4B, 6A-6C, the individual A,B,C, etc figures are combinable to produce an overall diagram of the respective part of the circuit designated by the individual figure numbers 3, 4 and 6. It should also be noted that where a circuit line leaves one figure, say FIG. 4A, it will be designated say (BB)/B. This in turn means that it connects with circuit line (BB)/A in FIG. 4B. In all cases the letter in the denominator designates which of the FIGS. A-L in the case of FIGS. 3, that it connects with. Similar consideration applies to each of the lines in FIGS. 4 & 6. Where BB is repeated several times it is designated as follows B2B, B3B, B4B etc. Similar considerations apply for each of the letters C, D E etc. INCREMENTING OPERATION The video input signal is passed through a buffer amplifier and clamp (U1 and U2 FIG. 1) and thence via a low pass filter to a variable gain and level processing stage (Q4 to Q8 FIG. 3). The processed video signal is now converted from an unbalanced to balanced format (Q1, Q2, Q3 FIG. 4) before being presented to the input of a voltage comparator (pins 3 and 4 of IC U21 FIG. 4). This comparator corresponds to the functional block 2 of FIG. 1. The Digital-to-Analogue converter U5 output (pins 14 and 15) forms a balanced drive to the cascode stage (Q4 and Q5) whose balanced current source output is subtracted from the balanced video signal (representative of the video input) at the comparator input (pins 3 and 4). In this way the sign of the difference between the video input signal and the D to A converter output signal is generated at the complementary output (pins 11 and 12 of the U21) of the comparator. This one bit word is stored within the comparator (The AMD685 has a latching capability) in response to the latch enable command which appears at pixel rate at pin 6 of the comparator. The complementary binary signal at the comparator output (pins 11 and 12) corresponds to the SGN parameter of FIG. 1. The digital memory of the instrument is made up to 192 16K dynamic RAM chips (The industry standard 4116) whose storage capacity forms a raster matrix of 512×512 picture elements each of which constitutes a 12 bit word. During the incrementing process these memory chips are operated in the "read-modify-write" mode whereby a picture element word is extracted from the memory, modified in the incrementor and written back into the same memory location. When incrementing ceases the memories are operated in the read mode. The data bits are accessed at pin 14 of the memory chips and are written back into the memory by presenting the modified bits at pin 2. In order to achieve data read and write rates commensurate with the picture element rate of incoming video signal the memory bank is divided in to 8 groups of chips per T.V. field. The members of the 8 groups are addressed cyclicly out of phase in order to achieve a high data rate. The circuit diagram of the memory shown in FIG. 5. constitutes one quarter of the total memory bank of the instrument. Four identical circuit boards make up the complete memory bank A, B, C and D. Note that each circuit board contains rows of chips 1 to 4. The addressing sequence may now be described thus: ODD T.V. FIELDS: A1, B1, C1, D1, A3, B3, C3, D3, A1, B1, etc. EVEN T.V. FIELDS: A2, B2, C2, D2, A4, B4, C4, D4, A2, B2, etc. Addressing of the memory chips is accomplished in the normal way according to the row and column address multiplexing method. In order to comply with dynamic RAM refresh requirements the addressing pattern has been chosen such that all row address locations are cycled in less than 2 ms. In this way the need for a separate refresh cycle disappears. A timing diagram of the 8-phase clocking cycle is shown in FIG. 7B. Here we follow the event sequences pertaining to the memory group A1. It should be noted that the event sequences for each of the other memory groups are identical except for a time shaft. The generation of the multiplexed address word pattern is realised in U31, U32, U34, U35, U37, U38, U39, U40, U41, U42 FIG. The address pattern is then passed through an 8 stage shift register bank (U50 to U57 FIG. 3) to achieve the desired 8-phase format as fed to the memory bank via connectors J7 to J10. The row address strobe pulse, column address strobe pulse and write enable pulse are generated in U23 and U26 (FIG. 3) and are presented in the required 8-phase format to the memories via U27 to U30 (FIG. 3). The stored picture element word (12-bit) stream appears in serial format at the outputs (pins 7 and 9) of the multiplexing IC's (U58 to U63 FIG. 3) and corresponds to the quantity L of FIG. 1. The picture element word stream (TTL format) is translated to ECL format within the incrementer (U7, U8 and U9) and latched by means of type D flip flops (U4 and U6). The 8 most significant bits of the picture element word stream (L) are fed to the Digital-to-Analogue converter (MC 10318--U21 pins 1 to 8). All 12 bits of the picture element word stream are fed to the input of a 12-bit adder/subtractor (corresponding to functional block 3 of FIG. 1) as implemented by means of three ALU chips of type MC 10181 (U10, U11 and U12 pins 10, 16, 18 and 21). The other (12-bit) input word corresponding to the quantity D of FIG. 1. to this adder/subtractor is derived from the Incrementor controller FIG. 6 and is generated according to the algorithem for D opt . D appears at the pins 9, 11, 19 and 20 of the three ALU chips that make up the adder/subtractor. The 12-bit output of the adder/subtractor (pins 2, 3, 6 and 7) corresponds to the quantity S of FIG. 1 and is equal to either the sum quantity L+D or the difference quantity L-D according to the sense of the SGN parameter as present in complementary form at pins 11 and 12 of the voltage comparator U21. The value S thus derived is in accordance with the incrementing algorithm and must be written into the same memory location as the picture element word L from which it was derived. The 12 type D flip-flops (IC's 17 and 18) serve to hold the 12 bits of S for the most optimum time slot available for writing back into the memory. The interface chips 16, 19 and 20 translate the ECL format into the TTL format as required by the memory chips. See FIG. 7B for timing details of the incrementing process. The balanced analog output of the Digital-to-Analogue converter serves also as a basis for the derivation of the output signal. Transistors Q7 to Q10 (FIG. 3) form a balanced to unbalanced buffer stage with selectable signal inversion. The analog signal thus generated contains only picture information and is devoid of synchronising pulses. The mixing amplifier (U7 and U8 FIG. 3) serves to blend the stored (analog) signal into the input video signal and thereby restoring synchronising information. At the same time this amplifier provides the facility of additive mixing of the inverted stored signal with the incoming signal for comparison measurements. Finally the output signal is presented in 1ν pp (75Ω) format via Q5 FIG. 3. TIMING PULSE GENERATION All timing pulses, as required by the memory PCB;3 s the Incrementor and the Incrementor Controller are generated on the main circuit (FIG. 3) and are locked to the synchronising pulses of the incoming video signal. Separation of the synchronising pulses from the input video signal is performed by U3. A negative polarity composite synchronising pulse in CMOS format is available at U4 pin 4. The origin of this signal is selectable between video input and external composite sync input by means of a sync selector switch on the rear panel. U11 (pin 1 and 4) is a one-shot timed to suppress the twice line frequency components associated with the equalising and serration content of the composite sync pulse stream. Thus, the pulse stream at pin 4 of U11 will be at T.V. line rate only. The purpose of the field pulse detector (U10 pins 8 to 13) and the gate (U12) back to back one-shot arrangement (U14) is to provide missing line pulses when the input video contains a non-standard industrial sync. format. The two halves of U14 form a self-sustained oscillation capable of "fly-wheeling" over broad vertical pulses and thereby providing the missing line pulses. The importance of this is to maintain clock continuity to the memory bank during the vertical block. U17 (pins 1 and 2) serves to level shift the line reference pulse into TTL format. U19, U20 (pins 11, 12,13) and U21 (pins 8, 9, 10) form a gated oscillator operating at the picture element rate of 14.5 MHz and which is locked to the T.V. line reference pulse. The incrementor clock pulse is derived directly from the 14.5 MHz via the pulse former (C46, C47, R141) and gate (U66 pins 11, 12, 13). Also the clock pulse for the 8 phase shift registers (U50 to 57) is derived from the 14.5 MHz via a phase shift network (U22 pins 11 to 13) A further phase shift (U69 inverter propagation delays) derives the clock pulse for the generation of the 8 phase memory write enable pulse. The 14.5 MHz clock pulse for the generation of both 8 phase row and column address strobe pulses are taken directly from U22 pin 12. The drive to the memory address word generator is taken via U18 pins 3, 6 (which performs a frequency halving) and U21 pins 1, 2, 3, 11, 12, 13 which performs the gating function for correct positioning of the clock pulse to the divide by 32 counters (U32, 35). U39 (pins 1 to 6) provides a clock gating drive to prevent address word overflow at the termination of the count for each T.V. line. U18 supplies a complementary drive to the video switch U7 and U8. Switching points are defined by the trailing edges of the one-shots U33. Vernier control of the commencement of stored signal blend-in boundary is achieved by R181. Vernier control over the end of the blend-in boundary is achieved by R172. U20 (pins 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10) allow manual overide of the window blend-in drive by the front-panel "diaplay" control to obtain either "direct" (i.e. input signal) only or "stored" signal only. The one-shots of U25 define the position and width of the X-Y enable command--relevant only when the application of the instrument is extended to X-Y (as well as T.V.) scan. The flip-flops U64 and U65 provide a coherent two-bit drive to the 4-way multiplexers U58 to U63. The function of these multiplexers is to convert the 12-bit parallel data stream as accessed in the memory banks into a 12-bit serial stream as required by the incrementor. Separation of the field pulse from the incoming composite sync component pulse is achieved by means of the integrating network R132, C32 and subsequent schmitt trigger U67 (pins 1, 2, 13, 13). U68 and U10 (pins 1 to 6) constitute the frame pulse discriminator. U16 in conjunction with U22 (pins 1,2,5,6) and U24 (pins 1 to 6) define the field alternating drive to the two halves of the memory bank corresponding to the two T.V. fields. Selection of either field (front panel control) is made possible by means of a reset or set command to U16 via U12 (pins 4, 5, 6) or U9 (pins 8,9) respectively. The one-shot U11 (pins 9,12) is set to approximately 90% of the field period and by inhibiting the generation of the field pulse in U68 (pins 10, 5) improves the systems noise immunity by reducing the probability of interference from false field pulses. The vertical position of the video blend-in command is determined by U13 (pins 1 to 6), U15 and U16 (pins 1 to 6). This command is mixed with the line switching command by means of an over-riding clear operation in U33 (pin 3). GENERATING THE INCREMENTS (D) The quantity designated D is generated by the Incrementor Controller. FIG. 6. During the initial stage of the picture acquisition process (outer convergence) the magnitude of D is halved after each frame period commencing with a value equal to half the dynamic range of L (i.e. by stepping down the value of D by one bit level after each frame period). This process is allowed to continue until the value of D is comparable with the value ##EQU36## At this point (say D=Do) the rate of halving of the value D will be reduced in such a way as to give the following approximation to a hyperbolic function of time: ______________________________________VALUE OF D DURATION (NO. OF FRAMES)______________________________________Do 1Do/2 2Do/4 4Do/8 8Do/2.sup.N 2.sup.N______________________________________ The transition point between the "outer" and "inner" convergence processes is preset (on the front panel of the instrument) by a prior knowledge of the input noise level. Convergence is complete after the value of D has been held at one least significant bit (of M) for a sufficiently long period for the residual noise level to assymptote to its final value. With reference to the circuit diagram of the incrementor controller (FIG. 6) 11 to 1 are the bits constituting the value D. Each bit is generated at one output of a chain of D type flip-flops (U13, U14) which forms a 12 stage shift register. Prior to the commencement of a convergence cycle all shift register outputs are set to zero by means of a reset command on pin 1 of U13 and U14 ("step size" selector on "Auto"). Thus the initial value of D is 011111111111. Let us assume for the moment that a high logic level (corresponding to the 12 bit ripple counter (U10) set to all zeros) at pin 12 of U12 allows a frame rate pulse to drive the shift register (U13, U14) via the clock inputs (pin 1). On initiation of a convergence cycle the reset command is removed from the shift register and the high logic level on the input stage (pin 11, U13) is allowed to propagate through the register. The sequence of D values generated in this way may be tabulated thus: __________________________________________________________________________ D VALUE Most signifi-TIME Δ.sub.12 Δ.sub.11 Δ.sub.10 Δ.sub.9 Δ.sub.8 Δ.sub.7 Δ.sub.6 Δ.sub.5 Δ.sub.4 Δ.sub.3 Δ.sub.2 Δ.sub.1 cant bit__________________________________________________________________________ 1st Frame 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 2nd Frame 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 3rd Frame 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 4th Frame 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 5th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 6th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 7th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 8th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 9th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 110th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 Least signifi-11th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 cant bit__________________________________________________________________________ This sequence will generate a purely "outer" convergence cycle with a convergence time equal to 11/25 Th of a second and is obtained with the input signal-to-noise ratio selector on the 2nd lowest setting. With the input signal-to-noise ratio selector switch set for higher input noise levels the above sequence is modified below the appropriate bit level by a progressive reduction in the number of clock pulses allowed to reach the shift register via the gate U12 (pins 11, 12, 13). This progressive reduction is defined by the counter U10 and the combinational network U1 to U9. For example with the input signal-to-noise ratio selector on pin 7 of U13 the following sequence of D values is obtained: __________________________________________________________________________TIME D VALUE__________________________________________________________________________ 1st Frame 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ↑ 2nd Frame 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ↑ 3rd Frame 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 OUTER 4th Frame 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 CONVERGENCE 5th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 1 ↓ 6th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 1 ↓ 7th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 ↑ 8th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 1 ↑ 9th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 ↑to ↑12th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 1 INNER13th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 CONVERGENCEto ↓20th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 1 ↓21st Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 ↓to ↓36th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 1 ↓37th Frame 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ↓to ↓End of ↓Convergence 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 ↓__________________________________________________________________________ The above algorithm may be overidden by means of the step size selector which provides a means of manual step size selection. U11 and U18 serve to synchronise all command transitions to the T.V. frame pulse to ensure that all processing occurs for an integral number of frames.
A signal-to-noise improving system is described which comprises a circuit input for incoming noisy analogue signals and a circuit output for digitally stored input signals which have an improved signal-to-noise ratio provided by the system and which have been reconverted to analogue form, said circuit input and said circuit output being connected to inputs of an analogue comparator arranged to give an output which signifies that the stored signal is either higher or lower in magnitude than the incoming signal or that the incoming signal is either higher or lower in magnitude than the stored signal, said comparator output being connected to a signal incrementor which is arranged to give a signal output which is the stored digital signal incremented higher or lower by a number digitally in response to either a higher or lower signal output from said comparator, a store for storing in digital from the so incremented input signals, the store output being connected to a digital to analogue converter 1 the output of which is connected to said circuit output, said comparator, said incrementor, said store and said digital to analogue converter 1 being operative cyclically to compare the incoming noisy signals with the stored analogue output signals and to up date the stored signals to new stored signals determined by adding or subtracting a number digitally from the stored signals in accordance with whether said comparator, comparing the analogue input and output signals gives a higher or lower output whereby to eventually store signals representative of the incoming signals with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio so that said circuit output can provide an output signal of those enhanced stored signals. Preferably there is provided an incrementor controller, for controlling the incrementation of said incrementor, and wherein, in use, said incrementor initially, increments in a series of increments which are similar to those of a successive approximation analogue to digital converter whereby to provide for rapid convergence to a signal value near the mean value of the analogue input signal.
7
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to door holders and door closers and, in particular, to improvements in door holders and closers for use in screen doors, storm doors or any type of door which has the need for a device for maintaining the door in a particular orientation and/or for self-closing of the door. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Screen door and storm door closers are known in the art. Door holders, are utilized for holding side pivoted, i.e., hinged, doors open against the self-closing action of such a door closer. This self-closing action of the door closer is caused by a coil spring which is either elongated or compressed, depending on the type of mechanism, when the door is opened. [0003] Such self-closing mechanisms usually consist of a cylinder connected at one end to the door frame, a spring loaded piston rectilinearly displaceable in the cylinder, and a piston rod fixed to the piston and extending from the second end of the cylinder. The free end of the piston rod is rotatably or pivotally connected to the door itself. [0004] These types of self-closing mechanisms function as air enters the cylinder freely as the door is opened. The air escapes at a controlled rate through an orifice as the door is closed by the force of the spring, thus slowing the rate at which the door is closed by an air cushioning or damping action, much like a gas spring. [0005] The more advanced of the known door closers have a mechanism for holding the door open after it has been manually swung open to a predefined position. This allows for a person carrying groceries or other objects to conveniently walk through a door without having to continuously overcome the force of the closing spring. One of the only complaints in the use of such door closers is the ease with which a person can set the door closer to stay open or conversely, the ease with which a door being held open can be released. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] There is a need for a more convenient door closer and holder, which requires little effort from a person to enable the door to remain open or to close the door and which can even be retrofit to existing door closers without increasing the complexity and cost of manufacturing. The present invention is directed at further solutions to address this need, including the invention of a door-waiter for use as a door holder. [0007] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the door-waiter is used in conjunction with a spring loaded cylinder and piston rod assembly which provides the force to automatically close the door. [0008] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the door-waiter has a body including a stepped cylinder holding section which will automatically hold the spring loaded cylinder and the door in a desired open position. [0009] In accordance with yet another aspect of the present invention, a door closer has a kick-out assembly, which facilitates an ergonomic disengagement and respective self-closing of the door-waiter when the door is being held open. [0010] In accordance with further aspects of the present invention, the door holder has an automatic release response to prevent damage to the door or the door holder assembly. [0011] The present invention also relates to a door closer ( 10 ) comprising a frame bracket ( 7 ) and a door bracket ( 4 ); a spring-loaded cylinder ( 12 ) and piston rod assembly ( 16 ) extendable between an open and a closed positions; a door-waiter ( 34 ) pivotably supported adjacent a first end ( 18 ) of the piston rod ( 16 ) connected to one of the frame bracket and the door bracket; and wherein the door-waiter ( 34 ) is capable of retaining the spring-loaded cylinder ( 12 ) and piston rod assembly ( 16 ) in the open position by rotating about its pivotal support adjacent the first end of the piston rod ( 16 ) and engaging a holding portion of the door-waiter ( 34 ) with an end surface of the cylinder ( 12 ). [0012] The present invention also relates to a door closer ( 10 ) comprising a frame bracket ( 7 ) and a door bracket 4 ; a spring-loaded cylinder ( 12 ) and piston rod assembly ( 16 ) extending between the frame bracket and the door bracket; a cylinder housing ( 34 ) at least partially encompassing the cylinder and piston rod assembly and being pivotably supported adjacent a first end ( 18 ) of the piston rod ( 16 ). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] FIG. 1 is a conventional screen door with a conventional door closer attached thereto in the closed position; [0014] FIG. 2 is a top plan view of the conventional screen door with the door closer attached thereto in the open position; [0015] FIG. 3 is a conventional door closer apparatus; [0016] FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the door-waiter in an inoperative, door closed position; [0017] FIG. 5 is a top elevational view of one embodiment of the present invention showing the door-waiter in an operative, door open position; [0018] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention including the door-waiter; [0019] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the first embodiment of the present invention in the open or extended position; [0020] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the kick-out assembly; [0021] FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of the present invention with the kick-out assembly; [0022] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the kick-out assembly actuated to close the door; [0023] FIG. 11 is a perspective exploded view of the second embodiment of the present invention with the kick-out assembly; [0024] FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the present invention with a kick-out assembly in the locked position; and [0025] FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view of the door-waiter unlocked to close the door without actuation of kick-out assembly. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0026] As is known in the art, and referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , a door 2 is shown equipped with a spring operated and pneumatically damped door closer 10 as known in the art. The door 2 is fixed by hinges 3 to one vertical side of a door frame 6 . The door frame 6 is set in an opening through a wall above a door sill 9 . The door 2 can accordingly be swung between the closed position shown in FIG. 1 and the open position, illustrated in FIG. 2 , by the handle of a latch 8 , which is employed to secure the door 2 in its closed, FIG. 1 position. [0027] In general, the door closer 10 is affixed to the door frame 6 at one end by a door frame bracket 7 and at the opposing end to the door 2 , by a door bracket 4 . During use, the door 2 is automatically returned from an open position, such as that shown in FIG. 2 , to the closed position of FIG. 1 at a controlled rate via a coil spring 26 encased within the cylinder 12 , and a corresponding pneumatically controlled air damping action. The damping action controls the rate of return movement of the door 2 by regulating the escape of air from the cylinder 12 relative to the coil spring 26 , which continuously urges the piston rod 16 toward a retracted relationship in the cylinder 12 , as well known in the art. Alternatively, the door 2 may be maintained in the open position, as shown in FIG. 2 , by a friction tab 14 on the cylinder piston being slid along the piston rod 16 to a point where the friction tab 14 contacts and frictionally interferes with the movement of the cylinder 12 along and relative to the piston. [0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the damping cylinder 12 is of common construction and has an opening 0 on a first end 16 to allow the piston rod 16 to enter into the cylinder 12 . The inner surface of the cylinder 12 is substantially smooth with no protrusions or indentations to permit the piston to slide therein and the interior compartment of the cylinder 12 is essentially divided into a spring compartment 11 and an air compartment 13 on opposing sides of the piston 24 . For example, in a closed position the coil spring 26 inside the spring compartment 11 of the cylinder 12 is expanded to push the piston 24 into the air component 13 of the cylinder 12 . The air compartment 13 is maximized thus shortening the length of the door closer 10 and closing the door 2 . When a force is applied to open the door 2 , the piston 24 compresses the spring and ambient air is permitted to flow through an orifice 27 past an adjustable air stop 25 and into the air compartment 13 , and the overall length of the door closer 10 increases until the point at which the force is removed. Subsequently, the spring bias causes the piston 24 to extend and close the door 2 . As the general structure and operation of such a gas/spring cylinder is well known in the art, no further discussion is believed necessary. [0029] FIG. 4 shows a first embodiment of the present invention, a door closer 10 of the present invention is shown defined substantially about a central axis A extending the length of the door closer 10 between a door frame pivot 5 on door frame bracket 7 to a door pivot 17 located on a door bracket 4 . The door frame bracket 7 is generally attached to the inner part of a door frame 6 , substantially aligned with the vertical positioning of the door hinges 3 . The door bracket 4 is generally attached to the inside surface of a door 2 (i.e., the side of a door which faces the inside of the home, garage, shed, or the like). The door bracket 4 is mounted on the door 2 at a vertical height relative to the floor or door sill 9 , substantially the same as the door frame bracket 7 , such that the central axis A of the door closer 10 remains essentially horizontal relative to the floor. Each of the door bracket 4 and door frame bracket 7 are held in place by screws, nails, or any other mounting means known in the art, through respective mounting plates as also known in the art. [0030] The door frame bracket 7 has a pair of opposing parallel, identical protruding arms 17 extending perpendicular to the mounting plate and horizontally away from the door frame 6 . Each opposing arm 17 has a pin hole 21 which is aligned with a corresponding pin hole 22 through the free end 18 of the piston rod 16 when the free end of the piston rod 18 is placed in between the two opposing arms 17 of the door frame bracket 7 . The free end 18 of the piston rod 16 is shaped to fit horizontally, rotatably but vertically secured between the two opposing arms 17 of the door frame bracket 7 when the free end 18 of the piston rod 16 is inserted in between the two opposing arms 17 . A pin is vertically inserted through the corresponding pin holes 21 , 22 to secure the piston rod 16 to the door frame bracket 7 . The pin is generally maintained in positioning securing these components by gravity, where a larger head of the pin keeps the pin from falling though the pin holes 21 , 22 in the door frame bracket 7 and piston rod 16 . [0031] The opposing end of the piston rod 16 is fixed to the slidable piston 24 which is slidably secured within the cylinder 12 as described above. The second end 23 of the cylinder 12 , opposite from the first end 15 through which the piston rod 16 passes, has a small tab 19 extending away from the cylinder 12 generally along the central axis A of the door closer 10 , although the tab 19 could be offset as well. This tab 19 is provided with a door bracket pin hole 28 through which the second end 23 of the damping cylinder 12 is rotatably affixed to the door bracket 4 by a door bracket pin substantially similar in nature to the attachment described above relative to the door frame bracket 7 . [0032] The door bracket 4 also has a pair of opposing identical horizontally protruding arms 29 extending perpendicular to and away from the door 2 . These arms 29 have aligning holes 30 , similar to the pin holes 21 of the door frame bracket 7 , which provide horizontal pivoting support when the cylinder tab 19 is inserted between the arms 29 and a door bracket pin is passed through the corresponding aligning holes 30 and the door bracket pin hole 28 in the tab 19 on the damping cylinder 12 . [0033] The embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 4-7 , provides the conventional door closer with a door-waiter 34 as a means for retaining the door 2 in the open position. The door-waiter 34 is a substantially hollow, cylindrical tube 36 defined by a cylindrical sidewall 37 positioned around the cylinder 12 and the piston rod 18 . The door-waiter 34 is connected at a first end 38 in some manner to the door frame bracket 7 , and a second end 40 of the door-waiter 34 is essentially free and includes a cylinder engaging portion. Slots or windows 42 can be formed through the sidewall 37 of the door-waiter 34 to provide access to the damping cylinder 12 and to facilitate the relative longitudinal axial movement between the door-waiter 34 and the damping cylinder 12 . [0034] In the present embodiment as seen in FIGS. 4-7 , the first end 38 of the door-waiter 34 is connected to a pin block 50 which connects both the door-waiter 34 and the free end of the piston rod 16 to the door frame bracket 7 . The pin block 50 is an intermediate feature which has both a first passage 52 and a second passage 54 defined about axes P and R respectively as seen in FIG. 6 which are generally perpendicular to one another so as to permit rotation of the pin block about a vertical axis P with the pin holes 21 in the door bracket arms 17 , and horizontal rotation of the door-waiter 34 and piston rod 16 about axis R. This horizontal rotation of the door-waiter 34 and piston rod 16 is necessary for the door holding function of the door-waiter 34 , explained in detail below. [0035] The first end 38 of the door-waiter 34 has two support flanges 44 having flange holes 46 defining the door-waiter rotation axis R there between. The flanges 44 are aligned with one of the passage of the pin block 50 , as well as the pin hole 22 in the free end 18 of the piston rod 16 and a door-waiter pin 43 is then passed through the flanges 44 on the first end 38 of the door-waiter 34 , the pin block 50 and also the pin hole 22 in the free end 18 of the piston rod 16 along the axis R to define rotation for the door-waiter 34 about the substantially horizontal door-waiter axis R. [0036] The first passage 52 in the pin block 50 is connected to the door frame bracket 7 along the axis P defined by the pin holes 21 in the arms 17 of the door frame bracket 7 . Thus, the separate door-waiter rotation axis R and the vertical axis P of the door bracket 3 connection are separate axis of rotation which allow substantially 360 degree freedom of rotation to the door closer 10 and the door-waiter 34 within a desired range. [0037] A cross-section of the door-waiter 34 , shown in FIG. 7 , shows the door-waiter 34 as it is engaged with the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 when it is desired that the door 2 be maintained in an open position. The second free end 40 of the door-waiter 34 is provided with a partially stepped profile where the first end opening is defined by a rim 60 of a first sidewall portion 64 which has a desired axial length. A first step 66 is defined by a radial ledge having a desired step length extending radially inward towards the damping cylinder 12 . From the first step 66 , a second axial sidewall 68 extends axially to a second step 70 defined by another radial ledge extending inwardly towards the damping cylinder 12 . From the second step 70 , the inner sidewalls of the door-waiter 34 extend axially to the first end 38 of the door-waiter 34 . It is to be appreciated that there could be more than a first and second step in the stepped portion profile of the door-waiter 34 . [0038] As described above, the second free end 40 of the door-waiter 34 is a two tiered step-profile formed generally in a top-most, circumferential portion of the door-waiter 34 . In other words, in this embodiment the stepped profile only extends partially around the circumference of the door-waiter 34 . As seen in FIG. 7 , the stepped profile is not formed on a bottom portion of the door-waiter 34 . It is conceivable that the stepped profile could extend completely circumferentially around the door-waiter 34 or be located on a portion besides the top-most portion as well. [0039] The stepped profile is formed generally on the top portion of the door-waiter 34 so that gravity will facilitate the functioning of the device to hold the door 2 open as follows. When the door 2 is in the closed position, the piston 24 and most of the piston rod 16 are collapsed within the damping cylinder 12 as seen in FIG. 4 . In this position, the first end 15 of the cylinder 12 rests at the first closed end 38 of the door-waiter 34 . [0040] As the door 2 is opened, the damping cylinder 12 , which is of course, attached at the second end 23 to the door bracket 3 , is extended away from the first end 38 of the door-waiter 34 and exposes the piston rod 16 . When the door 2 is open in FIGS. 5-7 , the piston rod 16 is nearly extended fully and the first end 15 of the cylinder 12 approaches the stepped portion of the door-waiter 34 . If the door 2 is extended to a slightly greater extent, the first end 15 of the cylinder 12 passes into the second step 70 of the door-waiter 34 . The weight of the door-waiter 34 itself causes the door-waiter 34 to rotate slightly about the axis R defined by the flange holes 44 and the respective passage in the pin block 50 , and the second step 70 thus falls down onto the cylinder 12 as seen in FIG. 7 . When the door-waiter 34 is in this position, it is said to be in a “locked” position. [0041] While in the locked position, the second radial step 70 engages a portion of the end surface of the cylinder 12 to prevent the door 2 from closing. The end surface of the cylinder 12 remains engaged with the second step 70 by the force of the spring 26 in the cylinder 12 which maintains a tensile force between the damping cylinder 12 and the piston rod 16 , thus resulting in a net compressive force between the cylinder 12 and the door-waiter 34 . [0042] If the door 2 is opened slightly farther, the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 is moved axially farther along the second sidewall portion 68 until reaching the first radial step 66 which permits the door-waiter 34 to fall even slightly lower relative to the cylinder 12 , thus allowing the radially aligned first step 66 to engage the end wall of the first end 15 of the cylinder 12 and thus maintain the door 2 locked in an even more open position. [0043] In order to “unlock” the door closer 10 , and allow the door 2 to close, a user must simply apply an upward force on the lower-most portion of the door-waiter 34 , i.e., opposite to the stepped profile in the top-most portion of the door-waiter 34 . Such an upward force on the door-waiter 34 will cause the door-waiter 34 to rotate upwards about the door-waiter rotation axis R and realign the damping cylinder 12 with the interior of the door-waiter 34 and permit the spring 26 and air chamber 13 to allow the door closer 10 to return to its closed position. The force required to realign the cylinder 12 with the door-waiter 34 is equal to the friction force created by the contact of the end surface of the cylinder 12 with the stepped portion of the door-waiter 34 while considering the compressive force provided by the spring 26 . Such a restoring force can be lessened by slightly opening the door 2 to lessen the friction force while realigning the inner walls of the door-waiter 34 with the damping cylinder 12 . [0044] In another embodiment of the present invention, shown in FIGS. 8-13 , the door-waiter 34 is further provided with a kick-out assembly 80 for facilitating the unlocking of the door closer 10 and permitting the door 2 to close. The construction of the door-waiter 34 in this embodiment is substantially the same as the previous embodiment notwithstanding the additional kick-out assembly 80 . Viewing FIG. 9 , the kick-out assembly 80 can be seen as being incorporated into the structure of the door-waiter 34 and door closer 10 of the previous embodiment to provide two important functions. First, direct actuation of the kick-out assembly 80 unlocks the door closer 10 and permits the damping cylinder 12 and piston rod 16 to compress and close the door 2 ; second, if the door 2 is pulled shut without actuating the kick-out assembly 80 , the kick-out assembly 80 will ensure that the door closer 10 unlocks and is permitted to close. A further discussion of the structure and function of this embodiment is provided below. [0045] Returning to FIG. 8 , the kick-out assembly 80 comprises three main parts: a release lever 82 , the push rod 84 and the pivot body 86 . The release lever 82 extends from a intermediate pivot point 88 with the pivot body 86 within the door-waiter 34 through an opening in the sidewall 37 of the door-waiter 34 to a point outside the door-waiter 34 where a user may easily access and operate the release lever 82 . The purpose of the release lever 82 and, in essence the entire kick-out assembly 80 , is to provide a user an easy means of disengaging the door-waiter 34 from the cylinder 12 when the door 2 is being held open. The release lever 82 , extends from the opening in the door-waiter 34 to a position providing adequate leverage for unlocking the door closer 10 when actuated by a user. [0046] The release lever 82 is connected at the intermediate pivot point 88 with the pivot body 86 and the door-waiter 34 . The release lever 82 is thus permitted to rotate about this intermediate pivot point 88 relative to the pivot body 66 , the door-waiter 34 and the door closer 10 and unlock the door closer 10 as explained below. A push rod pivot 90 is spaced from the intermediate pivot point 88 and arranged on a second end of the release lever 82 opposite from the contact end of the release lever 82 . When the release lever 82 is actuated by a user, the release lever 82 rotates about the intermediate pivot point 88 and pushes the push rod pivot 90 , and hence the push rod 84 axially in the direction of the free end 40 of the door-waiter 34 , i.e., towards the door bracket 4 . [0047] The push rod 84 is a rigid, flat, rod which substantially follows the inner sidewall profile of the door-waiter 34 . The push rod 84 has a pivot end attached to the push rod pivot 90 and a substantially straight portion 91 extending therefrom to an angled portion 92 for engaging the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 . As seen in FIG. 10 , when the release lever 82 is actuated, the push rod pivot 90 forces the push rod 84 axially in the direction of the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 so that the axially displaced angled portion 92 of the push rod 84 forces the damping cylinder 12 out of contact with the first 66 or second step 70 formed in the door-waiter 34 . The damping cylinder 12 is thus disengaged from the second free end 40 of the door-waiter 34 and is hence permitted to retract into the door-waiter 34 and close the door 2 . [0048] In order to accommodate the angled portion 92 of the push rod 84 the stepped profile of the door-waiter 34 is provided with a channel 94 formed in or adjacent the stepped portion of the door-waiter 34 which accepts and maintains the angled portion 92 of the push rod 84 out of contact with the damping cylinder 12 when the door 2 is in the locked position, but permits axial displacement of the angled portion 92 to force the damping cylinder 12 out of engagement with the steps 66 , 70 in the second free end 40 of the door-waiter 34 . When the user wishes to close the door 2 , the user need only provide a slight force against the handle of the release lever 82 by arrow F as indicated in FIG. 10 . As the release lever 82 rotates about the intermediate pivot 88 , the push rod 84 is moved axially in the direction towards the damping cylinder 12 and causes the angled portion 92 of the push rod 84 to contact the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 and push the damping cylinder 12 out of contact with the first step 66 as shown in the Figures. The angled portion 92 of the push rod 83 directs the damping cylinder 12 , biased by its inherent compression forces, into the door-waiter 34 closing the door 2 . [0049] The pivot body 86 which supports the release lever 82 is shown in FIG. 11 achieves two main functions. First, the pivot body 86 provides a substantially static base about which the release lever 82 can rotate about the intermediate pivot 88 ; second, the pivot body 86 provides an automatic release response if an excessive amount of force is applied when closing the door 2 , for example, without actuating the release lever 82 . The pivot body 86 is connected to the frame bracket 7 by inserting a connecting pin 96 through one of three possible connecting holes 98 formed in the pivot body 86 and through the holes 98 in the arms 17 of the door frame bracket 7 as seen in FIG. 8 . A piston rod passageway 100 is also provided perpendicular to and communicating with the connecting holes 98 so that the piston rod 16 can be inserted therethrough and the free end 18 of the piston rod 16 , and the pin hole 22 therein is aligned with the connecting hole 98 and the connecting pin 96 to secure the piston rod 16 to the door frame bracket 7 . [0050] The pivot body 86 also includes a pair of tension springs 102 set in a pin slot 106 formed in the pivot body 86 . The pin slot 106 is a substantially horizontal slot through the pivot body 86 which accepts a securing pin 104 for securing the pivot body 86 to the sidewalls 37 of the body and the pin slot 106 . The pin slot 106 is provided with a substantially horizontal space permitting a desired horizontal freedom of movement of the securing pin therein. In other words, where the securing pin 104 is held vertically fixed by the attachment to the sidewalls 37 of the door-waiter 34 , the horizontal space in the pin slot 106 permits a specified relative movement of the door-waiter 34 relative to the pivot body 86 . The springs 102 in the pin slot 106 push perpendicularly on the securing pin 104 to bias the door-waiter 34 into a certain position relative to the pivot body 86 which is essentially axially fixed (although relatively rotatable) to the door bracket 3 . This spring bias can be overcome by certain applied forces, as described below, which may force the door-waiter 34 to move relative to the pivot body 86 . A pair of set screws 108 may be provided to connect with the springs 102 to compress or extend the springs 26 in order to regulate the spring tension on the securing pin 104 . [0051] Turning to FIG. 12 , the door 2 is being held in the open and locked position with the door-waiter 34 engaging the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 as previously described. [0052] The secondary aspects of the kick-out assembly 80 , the automatic release response occurs when an excessive force is used to close the door 2 without physically actuating the release lever 82 of the kick-out assembly 80 . Where the door 2 is being held open by the door-waiter 34 , as in FIG. 12 , and a force is applied to close the door 2 directly without actuation of the release lever 82 . In this case, the cylinder 12 presses against the first step 66 of the door-waiter 34 which transmits this force to the securing pin 104 connecting the door-waiter 34 to the pivot body 86 . The securing pin 104 presses against the inherent bias of the preloaded springs 102 , moving the pin 104 to the far end of the slot as seen in FIG. 13 . [0053] In this manner, the door-waiter 34 is permitted to move relative to the pivot body 86 against the bias of the springs 102 , the pivot body 86 substantially maintains the push rod 84 in a static position relative to the moving door-waiter 34 . As the door-waiter 34 moves axially away from engagement with the damping cylinder 12 , the push rod 84 , which is remaining somewhat axially immovable, forces the first end 15 of the damping cylinder 12 off the radial first step 66 and guides it down into the door-waiter 34 permitting the door 2 to close. [0054] Since certain changes may be made in the above described improved door closer and door holder, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention herein involved, it is intended that all of the subject matter of the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted merely as examples illustrating the inventive concept herein and shall not be construed as limiting the invention.
A door holder and a door closer and, in particular, and improvements in door holders and closers for use in screen doors, storm doors or any type of door which has the need for a device for maintaining the door in a particular orientation and/or for self-closing of the door.
4
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a safety ski binding release mechanism and, more particularly, to a release mechanism which includes at least one sole holder, holding jaw or the like which engages a two-part slide member which is movable against the force of a spring, a coupling device which can couple the slide member parts and is releasable in dependence on the slide member stroke, and a binding part which releases the coupling device, wherein one slide member part carries one abutment for the spring and, after a release of the coupling device, is returned by the urging of the spring into its inital position, and wherein the other abutment for the spring is formed by a preferably ski-fixed housing part of the binding. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A release mechanism of this type is disclosed for example in Austrian Pat. No. 368 025 (which corresponds to the U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,152). This release mechanism cooperates with the sole holder levers of a front jaw, which sole holder levers can be swung out laterally. After a certain swinging out movement of one of the two sole holder levers, there occurs a release of the coupling device, and since the slide member is then no longer biased by the spring, a quick and force-free swinging out of the sole holder lever is assured. This release mechanism operates entirely mechanically. A release mechanism which is controlled by an electronic circuit is part of the binding which is disclosed in German Offenlegungsschrift No. 29 07 939. In this binding, electric signals produced by sensors responsive to forces exerted by a ski boot are processed in an electronic circuit. If the electronic circuit recognizes that the forces acting on the skier have reached a critical value, an electromagnetic device is operated and drives a pinion in such a manner that a rack operates a toggle lever linkage (see in particular FIGS. 1-3). Through this, a nose is freed from a pivot, and hooks which laterally hold the ski boot are also freed. In this manner, a housing is freed for rotation, so that the ski boot can rotate with the housing and can also be released from the housing due to the release of the hooks. However, when the electronic circuit is not working, or when the battery is discharged, a release is not possible in this binding. Furthermore, a relatively high current output from the battery is necessary for the operation of this release mechanism. A purpose of the invention is therefore to provide a release mechanism of the above-described type which has an electrically controlled release but does not have the disadvantages of the conventional devices. When the electric circuit does not work or a discharge of the power source has occurred, a mechanical release is still to be possible. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This purpose is attained inventively by providing a release mechanism of the above-mentioned type in which the slide member stroke is detected by a potentiometric motion pickup, signals from which are processed in dependence on their existence and time duration in an electric circuit which, upon the signals exceeding a predetermined value prior to a mechanical release of the coupling device, and preferably through a motor, actuates the binding part which releases the coupling device between the slide member parts. In this manner, a release of the binding in the case of danger is assured with a small current consumption. Through the time dependency of the measurement, strong but short impacts which are not yet dangerous to the leg of the skier do not result in a release. In a case where the electronic circuit is not working or in a case where the battery is discharged, a proper mechanical release is still assured for safety. Also, use of this release mechanism both in bindings which consist of a front jaw and heel holder and also in bindings with a sole plate and holding jaws which engage, for example laterally, the boot sole is possible. A further characteristic of the invention involves the binding part which releases the coupling device between the slide member parts being a release sleeve with a rack which has a tooth system which engages a pinion driven by a motor. This construction is structurally very simple and does not require any complex and expensive mechanical changes to the mechanical release mechanism. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further characteristics, advantages and details of the invention will now be described in connection with the drawings, which illustrate one exemplary embodiment. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional side view of a safety ski binding embodying the invention in a downhill skiing position; FIG. 1a is a block diagram of an electronic circuit which is part of the binding of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top view of the binding of FIG. 1 with a cover plate removed; FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional side view similar to FIG. 1 which shows the release mechanism of the binding at the point in time at which a release occurs; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary top view similar to FIG. 2 which shows the release mechanism of the binding at the point in time at which a release occurs; FIG. 5 is a block diagram for a control unit for controlling the inventive binding; and FIGS. 6 and 7 are schematic diagrams of exemplary circuits implementing different parts of the control unit of FIG. 5. DETAILED DESCRIPTION As can be seen from the drawings, the inventive release mechanism is provided in a housing 1. The housing 1 may be a ski-fixed structural part, or a structural part which is supported on or in a further binding part. Within the housing 1 there is supported a two-part slide member, one part of which is constructed as a draw rod or pull rod 2. One end of the pull rod 2 is provided with a threaded section 2a which threadedly cooperates with an abutment 3 for a spring 4. The other end of the spring 4 is supported on an upright, transversely extending intermediate wall 5 of the housing 1. The end of the pull rod 2 which has the threaded section 2a is provided with a screwhead 6, which projects outwardly through the housing 1 and is provided with a slot for receiving an operating tool such as a screwdriver. The initial tension of the spring 4 can therefore be adjusted by rotating the screwhead 6 of the pull rod 2. A middle section 2b of the pull rod 2 follows the threaded section 2a and transfers, through an annular, axially facing shoulder 7, into a section 2c. The diameter of the section 2c is greater than the diameter of the middle section 2b. The pull rod 2 is surrounded by a cage or sleeve 8 in the region of its middle section 2b and its section 2c, which cage also extends through an opening provided in the wall 5 of the housing 1, whereby the end of the cage 8 remote from the rod 2 carries a thread onto which a second slide member part 9 is screwed. The slide member part 9 is the structural part of the binding to which release forces acting on a ski boot held in the binding are transmitted, for example by sole holder levers of a front jaw which can be swung out in a horizontal plane. The sole holders are conventional and not illustrated, and are preferably similar to those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,405,152, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The slide member 9 can also be a structural part of a binding with a sole plate, which structural part cooperates with holding jaws which engage the boot sole or a sole fitting. Such mechanical arrangements are also know. The end of the cage 8 which is nearest the middle section 2b of the pull rod 2 has radially extending holes therethrough which receive balls 10. These holes are evenly distributed about the circumference of the cage 8, and at least three holes for balls 10 are provided. The diameter of each ball 10 is slightly smaller than the diameter of its hole, so that it sits with a small clearance in its hole. The radial thickness of the cage 8 in the region of the balls 10 is less than the diameter of the balls 10. The balls 10 are supported, in the downhill skiing position of the safety ski binding, on the shoulder 7 which offsets the middle section 2b of the rod 2 from the section 2c thereof. The cage 8 is biased by a helical compression spring 11 which encircles the cage 8 and is supported at one end on the cage 8 and at the other end on the partition 5 of the housing 1. The cage 8 is concentrically surrounded by a cylindrical release sleeve 12. An end portion 12a of the release sleeve 12 surrounds the balls 10 and has an inner diameter selected so that the balls 10 of the cage 8 rest on the surface of the section 2b of the rod 2 and on the inner surface of the release sleeve 12. This end portion of the release sleeve 12 extends over a portion of the length of the release sleeve 12 and determines the elasticity range for a release of the binding. Through an annular, axially facing shoulder or edge 13 which is inclined at all points around the circumference of the release sleeve 12, a transition is defined to a portion 12b of the release sleeve 12 which has a larger inside diameter than the end portion 12a. The release sleeve 12 has an axial extension or rack 14 thereon which extends through an opening in the wall 5 of the housing 1 and, in the present exemplary embodiment, is arranged above and parallel to the slide member part 9. The rack 14 is provided with a tooth system which extends longitudinally thereof and engages teeth of a pinion 15. The pinion 15 is coupled by a gearing mechanism 16 to an electric motor 17, which in turn is electrically connected to an electronic circuit 18. The motor 17 could be, for example, a "MICRO T05" and the gearing mechanism 16 the "MICRO T05 485:1" manufactured by GRAUPNER, D 7312 Kirchheim-Teck, West Germany. A potentiometric pickup 19 is secured on the slide member 9 and produces a signal which is processed in the electronic circuit 18. The pickup 19 includes a housing 19a which is secured to the slide member 9 and a plunger 19b which is movably supported in the housing 19a and is biased into engagement with the wall 5 by a not illustrated spring. The position of the plunger 19b relative to the housing 19a thus always corresponds to the position of the slide member 9 relative to the housing 1. The pickup 19 also includes in the housing 19a a potentiometer 19c (FIG. 1a), the wiper of which is controlled by the plunger 19b. The pickup 19 thus serves as a variable resistor, the resistance of which varies with the position of the slide member 9 relative to the housing 1. The pickup 19 could be, for example, a potentiometer "QXYZZ 2322 43 P", manufactured by PHILIPS NEDERLAND, 5600PB Eindhoven. FIG. 1a illustrates the electronic circuit 18 in a block diagram. The supply of power for the electronic circuit 18 is provided by a battery or other voltage source 21 which is disposed in the housing 1. When a ski boot steps into the binding, it closes a switch 23 which creates an electrically conducting connection from the voltage source 21 to the electronic circuit 18. The electronic circuit 18 includes an evaluating circuit 20 and a motor control circuit 22 for controlling the motor 17. FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an exemplary control unit 20 for use with the inventive release mechanism of FIGS. 1 to 4. For convenience, the description which follows describes the evaluation circuit 20 in connection with the release mechanism of FIG. 1. The force sensing element, for example the potentiometric motion pickup 19 (FIG. 2), is connected to a signal converter 46, which in turn is connected to the battery 21 and the central control circuit 48. The control circuit 48 is also connected to an exchangeable program store 49, a storage unit 50 for user-specific data, and a motor control circuit 22 which drives the motor 17 (FIG. 2). FIGS. 6 and 7 schematically illustrate an exemplary circuit for the evaluation circuit 20. The signal entering the control circuit 48 from the potentiometric pickup 19 is fed to the integrator V2. The R-C network comprising resistor R2 and capacitor C2 defines the feedback path of integrator V2, and the output resistor R4 of the integrator V2 is connected to the summing amplifier V3. The amplifier V3 has also an R-C network R 3 , C 3 in its feedback path. The R-C networks R 3 , R 2 , C 3 , C 2 could be changed with networks with other R and/or C values and therefore they correspond to the ability group of the particular skier, for example a beginning or sport skier, the signal amplification and dynamic release behavior being predetermined by the particular component values selected so as to correspond to the appropriate ability group. The program store 49 could, for example, be located in a not shown slide in the binding. The output signal of V3 is then fed to the amplifier V4, which acts as a threshold switch, the switching threshold of which is determined by the voltage divider comprising variable resistors R6, R7 and R8, which resistors are provided in the storage unit 50 and have values corresponding to user-specific data. The motor control circuit 22 which is driven by the threshold switch, namely, amplifier V4, is formed substantially by a thyristor T1 which is connected to and controls the motor 17. FIG. 6 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a battery monitor 54 which includes two threshold switches formed by operational amplifiers V5 and V6, each having an input connected to a different point in a voltage divider comprising three resistors R10, R11 and R12 which are connected in series across the battery. The other inputs of the amplifiers V5 and V6 receive a common reference voltage generated by the series connection of zener diode D1 and resistor R13 across the battery. A light emitting diode (LED) is connected through a resistor to the output of the operational amplifier V6 and lights up when the battery output drops below a certain predetermined voltage value and causes amplifier V6 to switch state, thereby indicating that the battery must be either charged or exchanged. If the battery output voltage applied at the + and - terminals drops further, then the operational amplifier V5 also changes its switching condition and causes the oscillator 80 to oscillate, driving the piezo summer S connected thereto so that it emits an audible signal to indicate that the jaw or jaws can no longer be safely used. All parts of these circuits are commercially available parts and a man skilled in the art is able to obtain and interconnect them. The release mechanism operates as follows. When a force acts onto the slide member part 9 in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 1 and is greater than the adjusted force of the spring 4, the slide member part 9 moves, together with the cage 8, in the direction of the arrow F in FIG. 1. Since the balls 10 are held against the shoulder 7 of the pull rod 2, the pull rod 2 moves axially with the cage 8 and the slide member part 9, which causes the spring 4 and the spring 11 to be compressed. The release sleeve 12 engages the wall 5 and thus remains stationary. The movement of the slide member part 9 effects a change in the resistance of the potentiometric motion pickup 19. As soon as the slide member part 9 has moved a distance which is slightly less than the initial distance of the balls 10 from the shoulder 13 of the release sleeve 12, the evaluating circuit 20, which processes the signals from the potentiometric pickup 19, emits a release signal to the circuit 22 to cause it to actuate the motor 17. The motor 17 drives the pinion 15 through the gearing mechanism 16, which pinion engages the teeth on the rack 14 of the release sleeve 12. Through this, the release sleeve 12 is moved in the direction of the balls 10, or in other words rightwardly in FIG. 1, so that the balls 10 pass the shoulder 13 of the release sleeve 12 and can move radially outwardly to positions free of engagement with the shoulder 7 of the pull rod 2. As soon as this position, illustrated in FIG. 3, is reached, the pull rod 2 is returned to its initial position under the urging of the spring 4, and the spring 4 relaxes to its original tension. The slide member part 9 is now no longer biased by the spring 4, and so an almost force-free release of the ski boot can occur at the sole holders, which are coupled to the slide member part 9. The evaluating circuit 20 produces the release control signal in dependence on both the distance which the slide member part 9 has moved and the time interval within which this movement occurred. In this manner, it is assured that strong but relatively short impacts, which are not dangerous to the leg of the skier, do not result in a release. For the return of the release mechanism into its initial position, the spring 11 returns the cage 8 into its initial position and a reverse rotation of the motor 17 is effected. The reverse rotation of the motor 17 can be controlled by the electronic circuit 18, which for example after a predetermined time interval of several seconds following a release of the pull rod 2 can effect a reverse rotation of the motor 17. If the voltage source 21 becomes too weak, and proper functioning of the electronic circuit 18 is no longer assured, then the inventive release mechanism can still free the ski boot in a purely mechanical manner. In particular, as soon as the movement of the slide member part 9 is sufficiently large, the balls 10 reach the edge 13 of the release sleeve and move out of engagement with the shoulder 7 of the pull rod 2. The pull rod 2 can then return to its initial position under the urging of the release spring 4, since the slide member part 9 is no longer biased by the spring 4. Since the mechanical release requires only a slightly greater movement of the slide member part 9 than an electrical release, even in this case a safety release is assured and injuries to the skier are prevented. A further advantage of this release mechanism is that an elasticity range which is as large as desired and which is freely adjustable is available. The invention is not limited to the illustrated exemplary embodiment. Further modifications and variations, including the rearrangement of parts, are conceivable without leaving the scope of protection. Thus, the inventive release mechanism can be used for a binding system which includes a front jaw and a heel holder, and also for a safety ski binding which includes a sole plate and a holding jaw which engages, for example laterally, a boot sole. Furthermore, it is conceivable to use the invention with other mechanical release mechanisms, as long as they have a structural part which is movable against the force of a spring and preferably can support the potentiometric motion pickup.
A safety ski binding which can releasably hold a ski boot on a ski includes a release mechanism having a slide member which operatively engages the ski boot when it is held in the binding and moves from an initial position in a first direction in response to movement of the ski boot during a release thereof. A coupling mechanically couples the resilient arrangement to the slide member, the resilient arrangement biasing the slide member in a second direction opposite the first direction. The coupling automatically interrupts the coupling of the resilient arrangement and the slide member when the slide member has moved a first distance from its initial position in the first direction. A pickup responsive to movement of the slide member sends signals to a circuit which, when the slide member has moved a second distance less than the first predetermined distance from its initial position, actuates an arrangement which causes the coupling to interrupt the coupling of the slide member and resilient engagement.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a communication service control apparatus for controlling communication services in the public network, private network or a network such as a virtual private network not accompanied by geographical conditions or physical conditions such as apparatus and more particularly to a communication service control apparatus for controlling the charging process for the communication services. In these years, a plurality of domestic or international communication service companies have started to offer a variety of communication services. However, these communication services are offered to subscribers in the complicated manners because the procedures and tariff system to utilize these services are different from each other. The networks which offer such multiplex communication services are expected easily enables subscribers to enjoy various services and to expand service area of network and application frequency and simultaneously to further improve the service level such as the concentrated management control of the charging process. 2. Description of the Related Art FIG. 24 is a block diagram for explaining a general charging control system introduced in the ordinary telephone network. In FIG. 24, the reference numeral 101 denotes an exchange and 201 denotes a charging control apparatus. As shown in FIG. 24, in the ordinary telephone network, each exchange 1 records and stores a telephone number of called subscriber, a telephone number of calling subscriber, communication period and time information of each call in the exchange operation when a call is terminated and simultaneously provides information about several calls as an output to the external charging and calculation center. Calculation of tariff and determination of customer has been conducted at a time, for example, in the external charging and calculation center on the basis of an output information and subscriber information. Namely, the tariff system, determination of customers, charging method and selection of routing are previously determined by the subscriber number of calling party or determined by the subscriber information or the codes inputted when a subscriber requests connection of call. However, the method of related art explained above has a restriction, because information about tariff table and charging are dispersed in each exchange, that the tariff system, determination of customers, charging method and selection of routing are previously determined by the subscriber information or the codes inputted when a subscriber requests connection of call or conform to the method previously registered in the exchange. Moreover, the time and place for executing call connecting process and tariff calculation process have been isolated. With the reasons explained above, it has been impossible to control the charging method with the realtime conditions and to control the charging method with the subscriber's intention before the call connecting process. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a communication service control apparatus which can flexibly control the charging method for each connection of call by concentrically control and managing the charging information. In view of achieving the object explained above, an apparatus of the present invention comprises an information supply means for supplying a charging control information including charging conditions about a plurality of customers for demanding the tariff of communication services, a charging decision means for deciding, based on the charging control information, to charge for the predetermined customer among the plural customers, and a charging recording means for recording charging result information based on the charging decision means. It is preferable that the information supply means has a location information for identifying accommodation location of subscribers to which the communication services are offered and a charging rule information for identifying the charging rule in such a case that the desired accommodation location is decided as the initial point of charging, while the charging decision means makes reference to the location information and the charging rule information and compares the charging rules with each other based on the accommodation locations of at least two or more subscribers among those to which the communication services are offered to decide any one of the subscribers compared as the initial point of charging. It is also preferable that the information supply means has a customer information for identifying customers predetermined corresponding to the subscribers to which the communication services are offered and the charging decision means makes reference to the customer information to demand the charges for the communication service tariff to the predetermined customers. FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. In FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 denotes an exchange which accommodates subscribers 4 to execute the exchange operation; 2, a communication service control apparatus for controlling the exchange 1 to offer the communication services requested by subscribers; 3, a virtual network offered for the subscribers accommodated in the exchange 1 through a private exchange 5; and 6, a public network for connecting each exchange 1 and communication service control apparatus 2. In this specification, a public network includes a signal network for transmitting control signals between the exchanges 1 and a speech channel network for connecting communication paths between subscribers 4 (or exchanges 1) or an international public network having such functions. The service control apparatus 2 comprises a information supply means 21, a charging decision means 22 and a charging recording means 23. The information supply means 21 supplies a charging control information including charging conditions about a plurality of customers to whom the tariff for communication services requested by the subscribers should be demanded. Customers mean the subscribers to whom the tariff is demanded and are not always originating subscribers or terminating subscribers. A customer may be set freely for each subscriber and a plurality of customers may be designated for only one subscriber. It is of course possible to demand the charge only to an originating subscriber. Moreover, the charging control information means the information for determining to which customers the tariff is finally charged. Moreover, the information for determining how the charging is demanded to which customers in what kind of conditions is called the charging condition. The charging decision means 22 makes reference to the above-mentioned charging control information to decide to charge for the predetermined customers among a plurality of customers on the basis of the predetermined charging condition. The charging recording means 23 records the charging result information on the basis of determination by the charging decision means. As the charging result information, amount of money to be demanded for each customer, for example, is recorded every time the communication service is offered. That is, the service control apparatus 2 utilizes these information supply means, charging decision means and charging recording means to charge the tariff generated by the communication services requested by the customers 4 to the customers determined depending on the predetermined condition. This charging information is recorded for each customer every time the communication service is offered and the tariff is demanded based on this charging information. Therefore, according to the communication service control apparatus of the present invention, since the tariff demanding customers are determined when a communication service is executed, flexible charging can be realized and charging information can be concentrically controlled and managed. The tariff demanding customers can be determined in the following steps. (i) Automatic control charging The terminating side having received a call from the exchange 1 presents the charging conditions on the basis of the accommodation location of the subscriber 4 in the originating side and the charging rule. For execution of communication services, comparison is made for the originating and terminating sides based on the accommodation locations and charging rule and any one of these originating and terminating subscribers is defined as the initial point of charging, the subscriber which results in a lower tariff is decided as the customer. However, the accommodation location means an information for identifying the exchange, for example, to accommodate subscribers and can be used as the information to identify the area in which a subscriber is located. For example, when a communication service between the subscribers located in different countries is considered, if unit price is compared in the same time duration, the subscriber which results in lower cost may be changed due to change of the exchange rate. That is, such change of subscriber may be reflected on determination of customer by comprising a means for supplying the exchange rate changing information on the realtime basis within the communication service apparatus. Meanwhile, the charging rule means a tariff system of a unit price of the communication service when a certain subscriber is defined as the initial point of charging. The charging rule is capable of including information about discount hours. For example, a subscriber in such a side as can be accepting the discount service may be determined as the initial point of charging from the time duration in the charging time. It is naturally possible to determine the customers in combination with the exchange rate changing information explained above. Determination of customers and charging thereto with the method explained above is hereinafter called the automatic control charging. (ii) Customer control charging Customers are determined depending on the information inputted from subscribers 1 who has requested communication services. The information inputted by subscribers may preferably be a service access code which is inputted when communication services are requested. Moreover, the subscribers may previously register a plurality of customers and can freely select the desired customers by designating service access codes. In addition, it is also possible to establish the condition that tariff is shared to a plurality of customers in the predetermined ratio. Determination of customers and charging to these customers by the method explained above is hereinafter called the customer control charging. (iii) Flexible charging In the case where subscribers who have registered customers for the customer control charging have requested application of the automatic control charging, any charging method may be selected and executed depending on the predetermined condition. That is, any one charging method having higher priority can be selected by previously determining the priority, for example, which indicates the application priority of charging method to each subscriber. As a result, it is now possible to realize complicated charging control through multiple combination of the automatic control charging and customer control charging. Determination of customers and charging to these customers by the method explained above is hereinafter called the flexible charging. Determination of customers by the methods explained in the items (i) to (iii) enables decision of charging objects considering the unit price in charging which changes from time to time depending on the area in which the subscribers are located and date of charging such as discount time duration service and international exchange rate, etc., as well as situations of subscribers. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the principle of the present invention. FIG. 2 to FIG. 5 illustrates examples of structure of the service control station. FIG. 6 illustrates an example (1) of the control flow for determining the flexible charging mode. FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 illustrate the examples (2) to (5) of the control flow for determining the flexible charging mode. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrates examples of the control flow for executing the automatic control charging. FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 illustrate examples of the control flow for executing the customer control charging. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of structure of the flexible charging mode decision database. FIG. 17 illustrates an example of structure of the exchange rate/time difference determination database. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of structure of the routing number determination database. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of structure of tariff table determination database. FIG. 20 illustrates an example of structure of the customer/tariff sharing ratio determination database. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of the control to change the contents of registration. FIG. 22 illustrates an example of contents of a bill in the flexible charging system. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram for explaining the method with which a calling subscriber can input the telephone number of the customer. FIG. 24 is a block diagram for explaining a general charging control system introduced in the ordinary telephone network. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A preferred embodiment of the present invention will then be explained with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a structure of a service control station corresponding to a communication service control apparatus in the present invention will be explained first and a control flow in the service control station will then be explained in detail. 1! Service control station FIG. 2 illustrates an example (1) of structure of the service control station. A service control station 2-1 in FIG. 2 indicates a profile of the communication service control apparatus 2 in FIG. 1 and a structure of the public network 6 connected to the apparatus 2 is deleted. The service control station 2-1 comprises a flexible charging control section 2-2 and a database. The database comprises a detail charging and calculation information section 2-3 corresponding to the information supply means 21 and a charging information section 2-4 corresponding to the charging recording means. The detail charging and calculation information section 2-4 is composed of a tariff table based on the tariff system of communication service companies to which each exchange connected to the service control station 2-1 belongs, a charging mode registration database (explained later) which may be registered for each subscriber, financial rate/dime difference determination database (explained later), a routing number determination database (explained later), a tariff table determination database (explained later) and a customer/sharing ratio determination database, etc. with inclusion of information which is necessary for calculation of detail charging for each call. The charging information section 2-4 is constituted so that the communication recording information of every calls is accumulated to accumulate the information about detail contents of tariff of a generated bill (explained later). The flexible charging control section 2-2 corresponds to the charging decision means of FIG. 1. The flexible charging control section 2-2 determines, for continuation of the relevant communication services, whether charging should be demanded to any one of the originating side and terminating side, depending on the predetermined control flow, using the information obtained with reference to the detail charging and calculation information section 2-3 corresponding to the communication service request from the subscribers. A communication service requested from a customer may be the service in which the charging object explained above is determined by the service control station and ordinary line connections only are executed, or may be the service in which after the charging object is determined, the other well known communication service is executed. In addition, it is also possible to inform that the tariff may be demanded to a subscriber who will become the customer before or after execution of the other communication services mentioned above in view of urging the answer for acceptance or no-acceptance. FIG. 3 illustrates an example (2) of the service control station. A service control station 3-1 in this figure indicates another profile of the communication service control apparatus in FIG. 1. The service control station 3-1 and the service control station 2-1 in FIG. 2 are respectively constituted to provide the detail charging and calculation information section 2-3 and the charging information section 2-4 of database in the different apparatuses. The service control station 3-1 is different from the structure shown in FIG. 2 in such a point that it is provided with the charging control system 3-3 comprising the charging information control section 3-4 for updating the information in the charging information section 2-4 depending on the request from the flexible charging control section 3-2, but is almost similar to the structure explained in regard to the other operations. That is, a more variety and a larger amount of control data may be stored and more complicated flexible charging control processing can be realized by isolating the flexible charging control section 3-2 from the charging control system 3-3 in the service control station 3-1 for controlling the charging for the other communication service calls. Introduction of such structure makes lesser the influence on the processing capability of the service control station which executes the other charging processes, etc. and enhances safety of data in both sides. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5, external data access sections 4-4, 5-5 for making access to external database for making reference to the information required for charging may be provided as a complementary means of the detail charging information section 2-4 (not illustrated) in the flexible charging control sections 4-2, 5-2 in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. That is, the flexible charging control processing having a higher grade of realtime performance can be realized by making reference, for example, to the data such as exchange rate and tariff table, etc. which are stored or managed in the external databases such as those of banks and other companies, etc. 2! Control Flow The control flow in the service control station will then be explained hereunder with reference to the drawings and tables. The control flow explained hereunder may also be applied in the service control station having any structure shown in FIG. 2 to FIG. 5. 2.1! Determination of flexible charging mode An operating condition for selecting and executing any one of the automatic control charging or customer control charing in the service control station explained above, is called the flexible charging mode. FIG. 6 illustrates an example (1) of the control flow for determining the flexible charging mode. Upon reception of a service access code which is inputted from a subscriber for requesting the communication service, the service control station retrieves a decision database (not illustrated) using the service access code as the key in order to decide which communication service is requested. When the relevant communication service is decided as the execution object of the automatic control or customer control, the processing 1 and the processing 2 are executed, respectively. When the requested communication service does not correspond to any controls and it can be found as the starting request for the other communication services, the processing skips to the processing for executing the relevant communication service. FIG. 16 illustrates an example of structure of the flexible charging mode decision database. The flexible charging mode decision database is structured as the object database to obtain the charging mode (13-5) and priority class (13-6) by making retrieval with the telephone number of the calling party (13-1), telephone number of the called party (13-2), credit card number (13-3) and service access code (13-4), etc. used as the key. For instance, the retrieval is conducted by inputting 1231111! to the database with the telephone number of calling party (13-1) used as the key, the resultant charging mode (13-5) is customer control!. In this case, since the priority class (13-6) is database priority!, the customer control charging may be executed without relation to the service access code of the subscriber. Moreover, when the retrieval is made by inputting 800!, for example, with the service access code (13-6) used as the key, since the charging mode is not designated! and the priority class is service access code priority!, charging is performed depending on the service access code inputted by the subscriber. That is, if the communication service designated by the service access code 800! is the line connection for which all tariff is demanded to the called subscriber, the processings of the automatic control charging and customer control charging are not performed and charging for all tariff is demanded to the subscriber called subscriber as the intrinsic charging processing of the relevant communication service. Table 1 is the table indicating an example of the service access codes for controlling the charging inputted by a subscriber when the subscriber requests the communication services. A subscriber inputs, for requesting a communication service, the service access code indicated in the table 1 to the exchange. TABLE 1!______________________________________List of Charging Control CodesCharging controlcode Contents______________________________________500 Requesting flexible charging501 Requesting automatic control mode502 Requesting customer control mode503 Requesting change of customer registration800 Communication service Y______________________________________ The service control station retrieves the flexible charging mode decision database shown in FIG. 16 using the inputted service access code as the key and decides, for each call, which is to be used among the flexible charging function and charging mode depending on the result of decision. FIG. 7 to FIG. 10 illustrate the examples (2) to (5) of the control flow for determining the flexible charging mode. In addition to the control explained above using the service access code for controlling the charging inputted by the subscriber, it is also possible that the flexible charging mode decision database is retrieved using a subscriber number of the calling subscriber (telephone number of calling subscriber) or subscriber number of the called subscriber (telephone number of called subscriber) or credit card number which are previously registered in the database of the service control station and the flexible charging mode is determined depending on the result of decision. Moreover, it is also possible to previously define that the charging mode derived from which element among the service access code for controlling the charging, telephone number of calling subscriber or telephone number of called subscriber should be decided first with priority. With the control explained above, the service control station can decide the charging mode for each call for the charging to the communication services requested by the subscriber. When the charging mode is decided, the automatic control charging or customer control charging is executed depending on the determined charging mode under the control explained in the next paragraph. 3! Automatic control charging The control flow for executing the automatic control charging will then be explained. The automatic control charging is a function to automatically determine the charging method which will provide the lowest tariff to the predetermined subscribers in such communications as connecting a plurality of countries or running organizations. The service control station can select the charging method which provides the lowest tariff from the methods listed below. 1) Tariff specially determined for day and time 2) Tariff determined for class calls (automatic call/attendant call, conference call, etc.) 3) Tariff determined for class of services 4) Tariff determined for running organizations 5) Private line 6) Exchange rate In this embodiment, following three databases are provided for determining the charging method. FIG. 17 illustrates an example of structure of the exchange rate/time difference determination database. FIG. 18 illustrates an example of structure of the routing number determination database. FIG. 19 illustrates an example of structure of tariff table determination database. First, the routing number determination database as shown in FIG. 18 is provided using the telephone numbers of the calling subscribers and called subscribers as the objects. As its output result, the tariff calculation information associated with the telephone numbers of calling subscribers (time difference, additional telephone services, to which the calling subscribers belong, requiring a special tariff, etc.) and tariff calculation information associated with the telephone numbers of called subscriber (least cost routing number, time difference, etc.) are set previously. The tariff table determination database as shown in FIG. 19 using the routing number as the object is also provided. As its output result, a telephone tariff table (for first three minutes, each minute after first three minutes, additional tariff and discounted tariffs for time and day, etc.) is previously set. Moreover, the exchange rate/time difference determination database shown in FIG. 17 using the termination countries as the objects is also provided. As its output result, time difference and exchange rate of each country are previously set. FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 illustrates examples of the control flow for executing the automatic control charging. The flexible charging control section of the service control station automatically determines the charging method with the control explained below to generate bills for adequate charging to the subscribers. The control flows of FIG. 11 and FIG. 12 will be explained hereunder. First, the routing number determination database is retrieved with the telephone number of called subscriber received from the exchange used as the key. When the telephone number of called subscriber exists actually, the tariff determination information (least cost routing number (3.2.1) associated with the telephone number of called subscriber and time difference (3.2.2), etc. can be obtained. Moreover, the tariff determination database is then retrieved with the routing number obtained as the least cost routing number used as the key. When the routing number exists actually, the telephone tariff table (for first three minutes, each minute after first three minutes, additional tariff and discounted tariffs for time and day, etc.) may be obtained. Furthermore, the exchange rate/time difference determination database is retrieved with the called country number used as the key. When the called country number exists actually, the exchange rage information (5.1) of the called country can be obtained. The telephone tariff in charging for the telephone number of called subscriber is calculated from the tariff determination information (3.2) associated with the telephone number of called subscriber, telephone tariff table (4.1) and exchange rate information (5.1) and the result is stored. Subsequently, the routing number determination database is retrieved with the telephone number of calling subscriber used as the key. When the telephone number of the calling subscriber exists actually, the tariff determination information (time difference (3.1.1), additional telephone service (3.1.2) to which the calling subscriber belongs) associated with the telephone number of calling subscriber may be obtained. The telephone tariff for charging to the telephone number of calling subscriber is calculated from the tariff determination information (3.1) associated with the telephone number of calling subscriber and telephone tariff table (4.1) and the result is stored. The telephone tariff table (4.1) is the information corresponding to the charging rule explained previously. Moreover, the exchange rate/time difference determination database is retrieved with the calling country number used as the key. When the calling country number exists actually, the exchange rate information (5.1) of the calling country may be obtained. The telephone tariff for charging to the telephone number of calling subscriber can be calculated from the tariff determination information (3.2) associated with the telephone number of calling subscriber, telephone tariff table (4.1) and exchange rate information (5.1) and the result is stored. The customer is determined so that the tariff in charging to the telephone number of calling subscriber and the tariff in charging to the telephone number of called subscriber are compared and charging is demanded to the telephone number of lower tariff. FIG. 22 illustrates an example of contents of a bill in the flexible charging system. The flexible charging control section generates, for example, a flexible charging bill as shown in FIG. 22 based on the determined result mentioned above. The generated bill may be sent to the customer when it has been generated or may also be sent at a time as a set of those generated in the predetermined period. If the calling/called telephone numbers and calling/called country numbers do not exist in the database, the ordinary charging method should be employed. With the control as explained above, the charging method which automatically provides the lowest tariff can be determined. In regard to the information which changes from time to time such as the international exchange rate, above decision can be made based on the latest information by making access, as required, to the external databases. 4! Customer control charging The customer control charging is a function which allows the subscribers to freely designate the tariff charging method. This customer control charging function will then be explained hereunder in detail. According to the control explained hereunder, the flexible charging control section of the service control station flexibly selects the charging system for each call or decides the charging objects depending on the request from the subscribers in view of recording the communication service tariff such as communication tariff in various manners. 4.1! Charging system designating means A subscriber can designated the charging system depending on the following designation method. First of all, as the charging system designation means depending on the data in the calling subscriber side, any one or both of 1) previous registration to the service control station 2) determination with an input operation by a calling subscriber for each connection may be employed. Moreover, the charging method designation means depending on the data in the called subscriber side is previously registered in the service control station. 4.2! Designation of customer As the customers, following may be considered. 1) Telephone number of calling subscriber 2) Telephone number of called subscriber 3) Telephone number of the third party 4) Telephone number of a proposer in the conference call 5) Telephone number of an attendant of the conference call 6) Accounting number in the bank The means for designating the customer is as follow. A calling subscriber inputs any number among those listed above or inputs the designated code corresponding any one of these numbers from a telephone set. Thereby, the flexible charging control section of the service control station converts the input code into any customer number in order to select the customer. 4.3! Divided tariff designation The divided tariff designation is possible by the following methods. 1) Any plurality of items 1) to 6) listed above are designated as the customers for divided tariffs. 2) The tariff division ratio to a plurality of customers is freely designated to each designated customer. 3) If division is impossible, only one customer is designated with additional designation for division ratio of 100%. 4.4! Means for realizing determination of charging system and customer FIG. 20 illustrates an example of structure of the customer/tariff sharing ratio determination database. For determination of charging method and customers, the customer/tariff sharing ratio determination database as shown in FIG. 20 is provided with the telephone number of the calling subscriber and telephone number of the called subscriber used as the keys. As its output result, the customers and tariff sharing ratio are previously set. FIG. 13 and FIG. 14 illustrate examples of the control flow for executing the customer control charging. The control flow in the service control station will be explained hereunder with reference to FIG. 13 and FIG. 14. The flexible charging control section of the service control station retrieves the customer/tariff sharing ratio determination database with the telephone number of calling subscriber received in the exchange processing used as the key. When the telephone number of calling subscriber exists actually, it is determined whether 1 previously registered designation information is used or 2 the designated information inputted from the subscriber is used, depending on the contents of the data to be controlled. In the case of 1, the customers and the tariff sharing ratio are determined depending on the contents of the data to be controlled. In the case of 2, the customers are determined depending on the input information from a telephone set of the calling subscriber. When the calling subscriber inputs the telephone number of the customer, the customer is determined in direct. FIG. 23 is a sequence diagram for explaining the method with which a calling subscriber can input the telephone number of the customer. In the case where the calling subscriber inputs the telephone number of the customer, the telephone number to be inputted may be a telephone number of the third party different from the calling subscriber and the called subscriber. However, in this case, justification of the subscriber selected as the customer must be guaranteed. Therefore, it is preferable that the service control station makes inquiry, as shown in FIG. 23, to the exchange accommodating the subscriber designated as the customer in order to get some data indicating validity of the customer. If the designated subscriber is inadequate, the exchange can reject such subscriber to be designated as the customer. In FIG. 23, the procedures from 1 to 5 may respectively deleted and the sequence of the procedures from 1 to 4 can be determined as desired. In the procedure 5 explained above, when the inquiry is rejected, retrying is instructed, for example, by announcement to urge the calling subscriber to newly select again the charging method. On the contrary, when the inquiry is accepted, the communication service is offered (timing B). Such inquiry 5 about the charging method can also be issued before the start of communication service (timing A). Moreover, when rejection is continued for several times, it is for example announced, although it is not particularly illustrated, to forcibly release the connection of a call. The limit value of such continuous rejection may be changed freely by registering such limit value. Meanwhile, in the case of 2, the calling subscriber may input the customer designation code as explained below. That is, as a means for realizing the decision of customer number in the method of inputting the customer designation code by the calling subscriber, the customer number decision database (not illustrated) is provided with the customer designation code used as the key. Its output result, it is enough that the customer number is preset. The flexible charging control section retrieves the customer number decision database with the customer designation code inputted by the calling subscriber used as the key. When the code is actually exists, the customer number is decided from the output result thereof. If the code does not exist, the customer control charging function is not offered. On the other hand, when the telephone number of calling subscriber does not exit, the customer/tariff sharing ratio decision database is retrieved with the telephone number of the called subscriber received used as the key. When the telephone number of called subscriber exists actually, the charging method is determined to that already registered depending on the contents of the object to be controlled. When neither the telephone number of calling subscriber nor telephone number of the called subscriber exist, the customer control charging function is not offered (for example, the ordinary call connecting processing and charging processing are executed). Here, registration of the charging class which indicates the priority thereof into the registration pattern of the customer/tariff sharing ratio decision database enables, after comparison of the charging class, determination of the charging method, charging information, recording method and contents of bill, depending on the registration pattern having the class of the highest priority. With the control explained above, each subscriber can designate the detail charging method for each call. FIG. 21 illustrates an example of the control to change the contents of registration. The charging method, charging information recording method and customer determination method, etc. which are already registered in any database provided in the service control station may also be changed freely with an input of the registration change codes from each subscriber terminal. Table 2 is a list indicating an example of the registration change codes. TABLE 2!______________________________________List of Customer Registration Change CodesCustomer regis-tration change codes Contents______________________________________*01 Change of information associated with service access code*02 Change of information associated with the calling telephone number;*03 Change of information associated with called telephone number*04 Change of information associated with credit card number*05 Change of information associated with abbreviated dial number#01 Change of number#02 Change of priority class#03 Change of start/stop indication#04 Change of pattern#05 Change of time______________________________________ (Note): The customer registration change code is combined as *XX#XX. The flexible charging control section of the service control station analyzes the registration change codes of table 2, for example, inputted from the subscriber with the control shown in FIG. 21 and adequately changes the subscriber designation information in the predetermined database. In this case, the service control station makes announcements listed in the table 3 to the subscribers with the speech or display. TABLE 3!______________________________________List of Announcement NumberAnnouncement No. Contents______________________________________01 Please input the credit card number.02 Please input the secret number.03 Please input the called telephone number.04 Please input the code.05 Please input the number.06 Please input the class.07 Please input the start/stop indication.08 Please input the pattern change.09 Please input the time.10 Please input again.11 Processing has completed normally.12 Service cannot be offered.______________________________________ It is of course possible to freely change the charging classes already registered with an input of the codes listed in the table 2. In regard to selection of both modes of the automatic control charging and customer control charging, it can be fixed for each of the telephone number of the calling subscriber or it may be changed as required with an input of the codes in the table 2. The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been explained above in detail, but the present invention is not limited only to the structure disclosed in the above preferred embodiment and allows a variety of modifications without departure from the intrinsic effect thereof. As explained above in detail, according to the present invention, there is provided a communication service control apparatus which can flexibly control the charging method before establishing the connections of a call by concentrically controlling and managing the information about charging.
The present invention relates to a communication service control apparatus for controlling communication services in the public network, private network or a network such as a virtual private network not accompanied by geographical conditions or physical conditions such as apparatus and more particularly to a communication service control apparatus for controlling the charging process for the communication services. The service control apparatus 2 comprises an information supply means 21 for supplying a charging control information including charging conditions about a plurality of customers for demanding the tariff of communication services, a charging decision means 22 for deciding, based on the charging control information, to charge for the predetermined customer among the plural customers, and a charging recording means 23 for recording charging result information based on the charging decision means. Therefore, according to the communication service control apparatus of the present invention, since the tariff demanding customers are determined when a communication service is executed, flexible charging can be realized and charging information can be concentrically controlled and managed.
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CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS [0001] This patent application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/567,174 filed Dec. 6, 2011, the entire teachings and disclosure of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention generally relates to system for modulating the capacity of a compressor or group of compressors. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Refrigeration systems, particularly commercial and industrial refrigeration systems, may have a single compressor though these systems often include a number of refrigerant compressors. Typically, there are enough compressors to accommodate the anticipated peak load to be placed on the refrigeration system. However, most refrigeration systems operate at peak load for only a few hours out of the year and spend most of the time operating at a load point less then the peak design load. As such, it is desirable to be able to modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system to save energy and reduce operating costs when the load on the refrigeration system decreases. [0004] In other conventional refrigeration systems, the compressors are unloaded using a gas bypass system. In a gas bypass system, compressed refrigerant is recirculated from the discharge side of the compressor back to the suction side of the compressor. However, with this method of compressor unloading, the energy expended to compress the refrigerant is wasted each cycle that the refrigerant is recirculated back to the suction side of the compressor, thus reducing overall system efficiency. As a result, maintaining and operating the types of conventional refrigeration systems described above can be costly. [0005] Embodiments of the invention represent an improvement in the state of the art for single-compressor and multiple-compressor refrigeration systems. These and other advantages of the invention, as well as additional inventive features, will be apparent from the description of the invention provided herein. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] In one aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a variable-capacity compressor that includes a housing having an inlet for receipt of refrigerant and an outlet for return of refrigerant, and a plurality of compressing elements contained in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The compressor further includes at least one valve having an electrical control. Each valve is dedicated to selected compressing elements that are fewer than all of the plurality of compressing elements. Also, each valve is movable between a first state in which the at least one valve is open to communicate refrigerant flow to the compressing elements, and a second closed state in which the at least one valve is closed to reduce or stop flow to the compressing elements relative to the first open state. The unloading controller is programmed to implement an operational modulation mode to cycle the at least one valve between on and off states to provide a portion of capacity represented by the at least one valve's corresponding compressing elements. In a particular embodiment of the invention, the unloading controller is programmed to provide a minimum delay time between transitions between the first and second states, but no maximum dwell time between transitions. In a more particular embodiment, the minimum delay time ranges from 5 to 40 seconds. [0007] In an embodiment, the at least one valve comprises a plunger and a solenoid configured to control movement of the plunger. In a more particular embodiment, the plunger is located in a flow path between a discharge chamber of the compressor and a suction chamber of the compressor. In a further embodiment, the at least one valve is configured to control the flow of refrigerant to a single compressing element. In yet another embodiment, the at least one valve is configured to control the flow of refrigerant to a pair of compressing elements. The variable-capacity compressor may include a plurality of valves, each controlled by the unloading controller. The unloading controller may be programmed to provide a minimum dwell time for the analog control signal, such that transitions between the first and second states only occur when the analog control signal, after crossing a threshold voltage or current level, does not cross the threshold level again for the minimum dwell time. In particular embodiments, the minimum dwell time ranges from three to seven seconds. Further, the unloading controller may be programmed to reset a clock each time the analog control signal crosses the threshold voltage or current level. [0008] In certain embodiments, the commands from the refrigeration system controller are transmitted in the form of an analog control signal, and wherein transitions between the first and second states are determined by the analog control signal. In particular embodiments, the variable-capacity compressor has a desired operating condition, wherein the unloading controller, in response to the analog control signal, is programmed to vary, without limit, the amount of time the at least one valve dwells in the first or second state in order for the variable-capacity compressor to reach the desired operating condition. [0009] In one embodiment, the unloading controller comprises a programmable logic controller (PLC) programmed to energize the solenoid in response to analog control signals from the refrigeration system controller. In certain embodiments, a voltage level or a current level of the analog control signal has a predetermined range, and the at least one valve is commanded to change states based on variations in the voltage level or the current level of the analog control signal. [0010] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the voltage level of the analog control signal ranges from a minimum voltage to a maximum voltage. In a more particular embodiment, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one valve to dwell in, or cycle to, one of the first and second states when the voltage level of the analog control signal is less than a threshold low voltage, and to cause the at least one valve to dwell in, or cycle to, the other of the first and second states when the voltage level of the analog control signal is greater than a threshold high voltage, where the threshold high voltage is greater than the threshold low voltage, and where the threshold low voltage and the threshold high voltage are both greater than the minimum voltage, but less than the maximum voltage. In some embodiments, the at least one valve does not change its state when the voltage level of the analog control signal is between the threshold low voltage and the threshold high voltage. [0011] In certain embodiments, when the voltage level of the analog control signal is between the low threshold voltage and the high threshold voltage, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one valve to change states based on a rate of change in the voltage level or current level of the analog control signal. In some embodiments, when the voltage level of the analog control signal is between the low threshold voltage and the high threshold voltage, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one valve to remain closed or cycle from open to closed when the voltage level or current level of the analog control signal drops by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time period, and to cause the at least one valve to remain open or cycle from closed to open when the voltage level or current level of the analog control signal rises by the predetermined amount within the predetermined time period. [0012] In a further embodiment, the current level of the analog control signal ranges from a minimum current to a maximum current. In a more particular embodiment, the unloading controller is programmed such that the at least one valve dwells in one of the first and second states when the current level of the analog control signal is less than a threshold low current, and dwells in the other of the first and second states when the current level of the analog control signal is greater than a threshold high current, where the threshold high current is greater than the threshold low current, and where the threshold low current and the threshold high current are both greater than the minimum current, but less than the maximum current. In some embodiments, the at least one valve does not change its state when the current level of the analog control signal is between the threshold low current and the threshold high current. [0013] In a particular embodiment, the variable-capacity compressor further comprises a second valve, which, in combination with the at least one valve, controls a flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the plurality of compressing elements. In yet another particular embodiment, the variable-capacity compressor further comprises a third control valve, which, in combination with the first and second control valves, controls a flow of gas to fewer than all of the plurality of compressing elements. [0014] In another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a refrigeration system that includes a refrigeration circuit with an evaporator and a condenser. The refrigeration system further includes a plurality of refrigerant compressors configured to circulate refrigerant through the refrigeration circuit. In a particular embodiment, the plurality of refrigerant compressors includes a trim compressor with a plurality of cylinders. The flow of refrigerant to the trim compressor can be modulated to vary the capacity of the refrigeration system. Refrigerant is compressed in each of the plurality of cylinders. In this embodiment, the trim compressor also includes at least one control valve for regulating a flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the plurality of cylinders. Further, the at least one control valve is configured to transition between open and closed positions, and is located in a cylinder head of the trim compressor. The refrigeration system also includes a refrigeration system controller, which regulates a rate of total refrigerant output from the plurality of compressors. Further, the refrigeration system includes a variable unloading controller configured to receive a control signal from the refrigeration system controller. The variable unloading controller is also configured to transmit a control signal to the at least one control valve to vary a rate of refrigerant output from the trim compressor. [0015] In one embodiment, the trim compressor includes a plurality of control valves configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the plurality of cylinders. In a particular embodiment, the trim compressor includes six cylinders and further includes either one or two control valves. In yet another particular embodiment, the trim compressor includes eight cylinders and further includes either two or three control valves. [0016] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the control signal from the refrigeration system controller is an analog control signal which varies according to the load placed on the refrigeration system, and the variable unloading controller is programmed to provide a minimum delay time between transitions between the open and closed positions, but no maximum dwell time between transitions. In a more particular embodiment, the minimum delay time ranges from 10 to 30 seconds. [0017] In a further embodiment, the refrigeration system further comprises a second trim compressor having a second variable unloading controller and at least one control valve located in a cylinder head of the second trim compressor, wherein the second variable unloading controller is configured to transmit a control signal to the at least one control valve for the second trim compressor to vary a rate of refrigerant output from the second trim compressor. In a more particular embodiment, the variable unloading controller and the second variable unloading controller are configured to operate independently of each other. [0018] In a particular embodiment of the invention, the voltage level of the analog control signal ranges from a minimum voltage to a maximum voltage. In a more particular embodiment, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one valve to dwell in, or cycle to, one of the open and closed positions when the voltage level of the analog control signal is less than four volts, and to cause the at least one valve to dwell in, or cycle to, the other of the open and closed positions when the voltage level of the analog control signal is greater than six volts. [0019] In an alternate embodiment, the current level of the analog control signal ranges from a minimum current to a maximum current. In a more particular embodiment, the unloading controller is programmed such that the at least one valve dwells in one of the open and closed positions when the current level of the analog control signal is less than a threshold low current, and dwells in the other of the open and closed positions when the current level of the analog control signal is greater than a threshold high current. [0020] In a further embodiment, the at least one control valve comprises a plunger and a solenoid configured to control movement of the plunger. In a more particular embodiment, the variable unloading controller comprises a PLC controller programmed to energize the solenoid in response to the analog control signals from the refrigeration system controller. [0021] In particular embodiments of the refrigeration system, a voltage level or a current level of the analog control signal varies within a predetermined range, and the at least one control valve is commanded to change states based on variations in the voltage level or the current level of the analog control signal. In certain embodiments, the voltage level of the analog control signal ranges from a minimum voltage to a maximum voltage, and the variable unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one control valve to dwell in, or cycle to, one of the open and closed positions when the voltage level of the analog control signal is less than a threshold low voltage, and to cause the at least one control valve to dwell in, or cycle to, the other of the open and closed positions when the voltage level of the analog control signal is greater than a threshold high voltage. In these cases, the threshold high voltage is greater than the threshold low voltage, and the threshold high voltage and the threshold low voltage are both greater than the minimum voltage but less than the maximum voltage. In embodiments of the invention, the current level of the analog control signal ranges from a minimum current to a maximum current, and the variable unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one control valve to dwell in, or cycle to, one of the open and closed positions when the current level of the analog control signal is less than a threshold low current, and to cause the at least one control valve to dwell in, or cycle to, the other of the open and closed positions when the current level of the analog control signal is greater than a threshold high current. In these embodiments, the threshold high current is greater than the threshold low current, and the threshold high current and the threshold low current are both greater than the minimum current but less than the maximum current. [0022] In certain aspects, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one control valve to dwell in, or cycle to, one of the first and second states when the voltage level of the analog control signal is less than a threshold low voltage, and cause the at least one control valve to dwell in, or cycle to, the other of the first and second states when the voltage level of the analog control signal is greater than a threshold high voltage. When the voltage level of the analog control signal is between the low threshold voltage and the high threshold voltage, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one control valve to change states based on a rate of change in the voltage level or current level of the analog control signal. [0023] In a particular embodiment, when the voltage level of the analog control signal is between the low threshold voltage and the high threshold voltage, the unloading controller is programmed to cause the at least one control valve to remain closed, or cycle from open to closed, when the voltage level or current level of the analog control signal drops by a predetermined amount within a predetermined time period, and to cause the at least one control valve to remain open, or cycle from closed to open, when the voltage level or current level of the analog control signal rises by the predetermined amount within the predetermined time period. [0024] In yet another aspect, embodiments of the invention provide a method of modulating refrigerant flow in a variable-capacity compressor that includes inletting refrigerant into the compressor, which has a plurality of compressor elements, and separately controlling the flow to different sets of compressor elements with a plurality of dedicated valves. In an embodiment, the method also includes controlling the dedicated valves independently of each other between open and closed positions. [0025] In a particular embodiment, separately controlling flow to different sets of compressor elements with a plurality of dedicated valves comprises separately controlling flow to different sets of compressor elements with a plurality of dedicated valves, wherein the different sets of compressor elements comprises fewer than all of the plurality of compressor elements. In a further embodiment, separately controlling flow to different sets of compressor elements with a plurality of dedicated valves comprises separately controlling flow to different sets of compressor elements with a plurality of dedicated solenoid valves. [0026] In a further embodiment, controlling the dedicated valves independently of each other comprises controlling the dedicated valves independently of each other via a variable unloading controller electrically coupled to each of the dedicated valves. [0027] Other aspects, objectives and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0028] The accompanying drawings incorporated in and forming a part of the specification illustrate several aspects of the present invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. In the drawings: [0029] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor operating in a fully loaded condition, in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0030] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a compressor, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention, operating in an unloaded condition; [0031] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration system having multiple-cylinder compressor, constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; [0032] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a refrigeration system having multiple-cylinder compressor, constructed in accordance with an alternate embodiment of the invention; and [0033] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a multiple-compressor refrigeration system constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. [0034] While the invention will be described in connection with certain preferred embodiments, there is no intent to limit it to those embodiments. On the contrary, the intent is to cover all alternatives, modifications and equivalents as included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0035] The following detailed description describes embodiments of the invention as applied in a refrigeration system. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the invention is not necessarily limited to refrigeration systems. Embodiments of the invention may also find use in other systems where compressors are used to supply a flow of compressed gas. [0036] As will be shown below, the demand placed on a refrigeration system may vary with the load placed on the refrigeration system. One way the efficiency of refrigeration systems is increased involves modulating the capacity of the refrigeration system, that is, adjusting the output of the refrigeration system in response to changes in demand. Embodiments of the present invention provide a system for modulating the capacity of a refrigeration system which can be implemented without customized components, and further can be used to retrofit existing refrigeration systems to reduce the cost of operating these systems. [0037] A system for unloading a compressor, i.e., reducing the flow of compressed gas from the compressor, is shown in FIG. 1 , according to an embodiment of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a compressor 100 , such as would be used in a refrigeration system, operating in a full-load condition. By “full-load” condition, it is meant that the compressor 100 is operating without any restriction on the flow of refrigerant into the compressor 100 . The compressor 100 is a reciprocating piston-type compressor having a compressing element that includes a cylinder 102 with a piston 104 for the compression of a gas, such as those used in refrigeration systems. However, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention can be used with compressors other than piston-type compressors. The compressor 100 further includes suction chamber 106 , having an inlet 107 , and discharge chamber 108 . There is an inlet valve 110 in the flow path from the suction chamber 106 to the cylinder 102 , and an outlet valve 112 in the flow path from the cylinder 102 to the discharge chamber 108 . [0038] A cylinder head 114 , located above the cylinder 102 , defines a substantial portion of the suction chamber 106 and further houses a plunger 116 at least partially disposed in the suction chamber 106 and configured to regulate or stop the flow of gas into the suction chamber 106 . In an embodiment of the invention, an upper portion of the cylinder head 114 includes a control valve 118 . In the embodiments of FIGS. 1 and 2 , the control valve 118 is a solenoid valve having a coil 120 and an armature 122 . While other types of control valves 118 are envisioned, in the examples and embodiments described below, the control valve 118 will be referred to as a solenoid valve of the type depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 . Further, the terms “control valve” and “solenoid valve” are used interchangeably in the text below. The armature 122 is disposed in a flow path of a discharge gas port 124 that runs through the cylinder head 114 from the discharge chamber 108 to the plunger 116 . [0039] In a particular embodiment of the invention, during operation of the compressor 100 at full-load, refrigerant flows into the suction chamber 106 , and from the suction chamber into the cylinder 102 through inlet valve 110 . The refrigerant is compressed in cylinder 102 by piston 104 and then flows into discharge chamber 108 through outlet valve 112 . In at least one embodiment, the solenoid valve 118 is de-energized during operation at full-load. The armature 122 includes a biasing element (not shown), a spring for example, such that when the solenoid is de-energized, the armature 122 is extended downward by the biasing element, relative to the orientation of FIG. 1 . In this downward position, the armature 122 blocks the flow path of the discharge gas port 124 . With the flow path blocked, the plunger 116 remains in its upward position, relative to the orientation of FIG. 1 , thus allowing refrigerant to flow continuously into the suction chamber 106 . [0040] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the compressor 150 with the compressing element of FIG. 1 including cylinder 102 and piston 104 , wherein the compressor 150 is operating in the unloaded condition. Unloading of the compressor 150 occurs when the solenoid valve 118 is energized causing the armature 122 to move against the biasing element (not shown) in the upward direction, relative to the orientation of FIG. 1 . This upward movement of the armature 122 allows refrigerant in a discharge chamber 109 to flow through the discharge gas port 124 past the armature 122 to the plunger 116 . [0041] Typically, refrigerant in the discharge chamber 109 has been compressed, and is at a higher pressure than refrigerant in the suction chamber 106 . The higher pressure refrigerant from the discharge chamber 109 via the discharge gas port 124 exerts a downward force on the plunger 116 causing it to block the inlet 107 to the suction chamber 106 . Without the flow of refrigerant into the suction chamber 106 , there will be no refrigerant flow from cylinder 102 . Thus, in an embodiment of the invention, unloading of the compressor 150 occurs when the plunger blocks the flow of refrigerant into the suction chamber for a particular cylinder, or pair of cylinders. In particular embodiments, the reciprocating piston 104 will continue to run even though no refrigerant flows into the cylinder 102 . In alternate embodiments of the invention, a valve other than a solenoid valve can be used to unload the compressor. Further, the plunger for such a valve may be actuated using mechanical means rather than by the refrigerant gas. [0042] It is envisioned that the compressors 100 , 150 of FIGS. 1 and 2 , and other compressors employed in embodiments of the present invention, are multiple-cylinder reciprocating piston-type compressors. As such, in these multiple-cylinder compressors 100 , 150 , while one compressing element may include cylinder 102 that is not being supplied with refrigerant (i.e., unloaded), there will be other compressing elements with cylinders in the compressor 100 , 150 which will be supplied with refrigerant. Further, in an embodiment of the invention, the plunger 116 may be configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to two adjacent cylinders. [0043] However, embodiments of the invention feature systems for unloading of the compressor 100 , 150 where the unloading apparatus (i.e., solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 ) is configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the cylinders in the compressor 100 , 150 . As such, there is always some flow of refrigerant to cylinders of the compressor 100 , 150 which do not have a solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 to block the flow of refrigerant to the suction chamber for that cylinder. During unloading of the compressor 100 , 150 , this helps prevent overheating because the flow of refrigerant provides a cooling effect to counteract the heat generated by those pistons and cylinders in the compressor 100 , 150 operating with a reduced flow of refrigerant. [0044] In a particular embodiment, the compressor 150 of FIG. 2 includes a cylinder head 115 housing a plunger that regulates the flow of refrigerant to cylinder 102 , as in FIG. 1 , and also to a second cylinder 130 (shown in phantom) having a second piston 132 (shown in phantom). Refrigerant flows into the second cylinder 130 from the suction chamber 106 via a second inlet valve 134 (shown in phantom), and, once compressed, flows from the second cylinder 130 into the discharge chamber 109 via a second outlet valve 136 (shown in phantom). [0045] For example, a common multiple-cylinder compressor is one having four cylinders. FIG. 3 provides a schematic illustration of an exemplary refrigeration system 200 having two compressors 205 , each with four cylinders 210 , 212 , and input flow line 206 configured to supply the two compressors 205 compressor with refrigerant, and an output flow line 208 configured to carry compressed refrigerant away from the compressors 205 . However, the principles described herein with respect to the refrigeration system 200 of FIG. 3 , and the system of FIG. 4 , apply equally as well in refrigeration systems having more than two compressors. In the example of FIG. 3 , each compressor 205 includes a variable unloading controller 214 configured to regulate the control valve 118 . Both variable unloading controller 214 are electrically coupled to the refrigeration system controller 215 . [0046] In the embodiment of FIG. 3 , each four-cylinder compressor 205 includes control valve 118 , which may be a solenoid valve, electrically coupled to the variable unloading controller 214 and further includes plunger 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ) configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to two cylinders 210 of the compressor 205 , as illustrated in FIG. 3 . Thus, during unloading of the compressor 205 via the variable unloading controller 214 , refrigerant flows uninterrupted to two cylinders 212 . In this embodiment, the four-cylinder compressor 205 can operate in two modes: at 100% capacity in the full-load condition; or anywhere between 50% and 100% capacity in the unloaded condition. It is also envisioned that a refrigeration systems could employ two-cylinder or three-cylinder compressors, in which the solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 regulate flow to one cylinder, as illustrated in FIG. 1 . But, it is also possible that a four-cylinder compressor could have one or more solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 that each regulate flow to one cylinder of the compressor. [0047] Six-cylinder and eight-cylinder compressors are also fairly commonplace in refrigeration systems. FIG. 3 also shows the refrigeration system 200 with compressors 205 having fifth and sixth cylinders 216 (shown in phantom). According to embodiments of the invention, a six-cylinder compressor could have either one or two solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 that each regulate flow to two of the six cylinders. FIG. 3 also illustrates a particular embodiment in which the six-cylinder compressors 205 include a second control valve 118 (shown in phantom), which may be a solenoid valve, configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to two cylinders 212 . [0048] The six-cylinder compressor 205 with one solenoid valve 118 and one plunger 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ) would have refrigerant flowing uninterrupted to four cylinders 212 , 216 of the six cylinder during unloading of the compressor. Thus configured, the six-cylinder compressor 205 could operate in two modes: at 100% capacity in the full-load condition; or between 67% and 100% capacity in the unloaded condition. The six-cylinder compressor 205 with two solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 that each regulate flow to two of the six cylinders would have uninterrupted flow of refrigerant to two cylinders 216 , and would have three modes of operation: at 100% capacity in the full-load condition; anywhere between 67% and 100% capacity with only one solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 unloading the compressor; or anywhere between 33% and 100% capacity with both solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 unloading the compressor. However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it is possible to construct a six-cylinder compressor in accordance with embodiments of the invention, wherein the compressor has anywhere from one to five solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 that each regulate flow to one cylinder of the six-cylinder compressor. [0049] The arrangement shown in FIG. 3 can also be applied in systems having eight-cylinder compressors. In accordance with that described above, an eight-cylinder compressor could have either one, two or three solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ) that each regulate flow to two of the eight cylinders. With one solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 , the eight-cylinder compressor could operate in two modes: at 100% capacity in the full-load condition; or at anywhere between 75% and 100% capacity in the unloaded condition. [0050] With two solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 , the eight-cylinder compressor could operate in three modes: at 100% capacity in the full-load condition; at anywhere between 75% and 100% capacity with only one solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 unloading the compressor; or at anywhere between 50% and 100% capacity with both solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 unloading the compressor. [0051] With three solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 , the eight-cylinder compressor could operate in four modes: at 100% capacity in the full-load condition; at anywhere between 75% and 100% capacity with only one solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 unloading the compressor; at anywhere between 50% and 100% capacity with two solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 unloading the compressor; or at anywhere between 25% and 100% capacity with all three solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 unloading the compressor. [0052] However, one of ordinary skill in the art would recognize that it is possible to construct a eight-cylinder compressor in accordance with embodiments of the invention, wherein the compressor has anywhere from one to seven solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 that each regulate flow to one cylinder of the eight-cylinder compressor. Further, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that embodiments of the invention described herein may be used with compressors having any number of cylinders and pistons. [0053] An alternate embodiment of the invention, illustrated in FIG. 4 , provides for a refrigeration system 250 with two four-cylinder compressors 255 , an input flow line 206 and output flow line 208 . As stated above, the principles of operation described herein also apply to refrigeration systems having more than two compressors. Refrigeration system 250 is similar to the refrigeration system 200 , shown in FIG. 3 , except that compressors 255 each include two control valves 118 and plungers 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ), which may be solenoid valves coupled electrically to the variable unloading controller 214 , configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to all of the cylinders in the compressor 255 . In the particular embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 4 , compressor 255 is a four-cylinder compressor with two solenoid valves 118 and two plungers 116 configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to all four cylinders 210 , 212 . As such, during unloading, the output of this compressor 255 could be varied from some capacity slightly above zero percent to one slightly below 100% of rated capacity. In this embodiment, both control valves 118 are variable unloading devices configured to be modulated, or cycled on and off, as required to achieve a desired operation condition, by the variable unloading controller 214 during operation of the compressors 255 . [0054] In a further embodiment, one of the control valves 118 is a variable unloading device configured to cycle on and off as necessary to modulate the capacity of the compressor 255 within relatively narrow limits, such that the refrigeration system 250 operates within a desired operating region, while the other of the control valves 118 is a fixed unloading device configured to remain either open or closed for an extended period of time. In this embodiment, both fixed and variable control valves 118 and plungers 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ) are identical. The only difference is the control exercised over these valves 118 by the variable unloading controller 214 . When the fixed control valve 118 is in the off or closed position, the variable control valve 118 can modulate the compressor 255 capacity from some capacity slightly above zero percent to 50% of rated capacity. When the fixed control valve 118 is in the on or open position, the variable control valve 118 can modulate the compressor 255 capacity from 50% to 100% of rated capacity. [0055] Thus, the variable unloading controller 214 can be configured to include programming for fixed plus variable unloading of a multiple-cylinder compressor 255 . As such, the compressor 255 can make large capacity adjustments using the fixed unloading control valve 118 , and precise capacity adjustments using the variable unloading control valve 118 . The fixed unloading control valve 118 is configured to selectively shut off refrigerant flow to selected compressing elements to reduce the load capacity by corresponding load capacity portions represented by the selected compressing elements, while the variable control valve 118 is configured to be cycled as necessary to modulate refrigerant flow to selected compressing elements to trim load capacity of the compressor 255 by a fraction of the selected compressing element's total load capacity. [0056] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration system 250 has two six-cylinder compressors 255 . As shown in FIG. 4 , the compressor 255 has fifth and sixth cylinders 216 (shown in phantom), and a third solenoid valve 118 and plunger (shown in FIG. 1 ) to regulate the flow of refrigerant to fifth and sixth cylinders 216 . As in the example above, during unloading by operation of the variable unloading controller 214 , the output of this compressor 255 could be varied from some capacity slightly above zero percent to slightly below 100% of rated capacity. As with the four-cylinder compressor described above, the six-cylinder compressor 255 can include both fixed and variable unloading solenoid valves 118 . The embodiment of FIG. 4 may include a compressor with two fixed unloading solenoid valves 118 and one variable unloading solenoid valve 118 , or one fixed unloading solenoid valves 118 and two variable unloading solenoid valve 118 . As such, there are a number of possible variations wherein the fixed unloading solenoid valves 118 adjust the capacity of the compressor 255 in 33% steps and where the variable unloading solenoid valves 118 provide fine, incremental capacity adjustments. [0057] In the various embodiments of the invention described above, the solenoid valve 118 is controlled by a variable unloading controller. FIG. 5 provides a schematic illustration of a multiple-compressor refrigeration system 300 having N compressors. The N compressors of refrigeration system 300 are connected in a parallel circuit having inlet flow line 206 that supplies a flow of refrigerant to the N compressors, and outlet flow line 208 that carries compressed refrigerant away from the N compressors. The outlet flow line 208 supplies a flow of refrigerant to a condenser 304 . In a particular embodiment, the condenser 304 includes a fluid flow heat exchanger 306 (e.g. air or a liquid coolant) which provides a flow across the condenser 304 to cool and thereby condense the compressed, high-pressure refrigerant. [0058] An expansion unit 308 to provide cooling is also arranged in fluid series downstream of the condenser 304 . In an alternate embodiment, the condenser 304 may feed multiple expansion units arranged in parallel. In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the expansion unit 308 includes an on/off stop valve 310 , controlled by the refrigeration system controller 215 to allow for operation of the expansion unit 308 to produce cooling when necessitated by a demand load on the refrigeration system 300 , or to preclude operation of the expansion unit 308 when there is no such demand. The expansion unit 308 also includes an expansion valve 312 that may be responsive to, or in part controlled by, a downstream pressure of the expansion unit 308 , sensed at location 314 . The expansion valve 312 is configured to control the discharge of refrigerant into the expansion unit 308 , wherein due to the expansion, heat is absorbed to expand the refrigerant to a gaseous state thereby creating a cooling/refrigeration effect at the expansion unit 308 . The expansion unit 308 returns the expanded refrigerant in a gaseous state along the inlet flow line 206 to the bank of N reciprocating compressors. [0059] In an embodiment of the invention, all N compressors in refrigeration system 300 have a plurality of cylinders. In at least one embodiment of the invention, one compressor serves as a trim compressor 302 having one or more solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 (shown in FIG. 1 ) configured to regulate the flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the plurality of cylinders. The trim compressor 302 includes the variable unloading controller 214 , which is coupled to a refrigeration system controller 215 . In embodiments of the invention, the trim compressor 302 is the first compressor in the refrigeration system 300 to turn on and the last compressor to turn off. Practically, with respect to many commercial and industrial refrigeration systems, it is contemplated that the trim compressor would operate continuously. [0060] The variable unloading controller 214 , which in at least one embodiment is an off-the-shelf programmable logic controller (PLC), is coupled to one or more solenoid valves 118 on the trim compressor 302 to regulate the flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the cylinders in the trim compressor 302 in order to modulate the capacity of the trim compressor 302 , and therefore, modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system 300 . In at least one embodiment, the refrigeration system controller 215 generates a control signal to modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system 300 . In particular embodiments, this control signal is an analog control signal. In some refrigeration systems, this analog control signal is generated in response to input from one or more sensors (e.g., temperature sensors, pressure sensors) that provide some indication of the load being placed on the refrigeration system. [0061] In the embodiment of FIG. 5 , the refrigeration system controller 215 is coupled to a sensor 316 . The sensor 316 could be a pressure sensor configured to sense the suction pressure in the refrigeration system 300 , or in an alternate embodiment, sensor 316 could be a temperature sensor located in the storage compartments being cooled by the refrigeration system 300 . In particular embodiments, the refrigeration system controller 215 uses the data from sensor 316 to determine the voltage or current level of the analog control signal. Further, in some conventional refrigeration systems, this analog control signal operates to increase or decrease the speed of the compressor motors in order to modulate the capacity of the system. [0062] However, in a particular embodiment of the invention, the variable unloading controller 214 is configured to convert the analog control signals from the refrigeration system controller 215 into ON/OFF (i.e., open/close) control signals to operate the one or more solenoid valves 118 on the trim compressor 302 . In an embodiment, the variable unloading controller 214 is configured to cycle the solenoid valves 118 based on a voltage level of the analog control signal. For example, when the trim compressor 302 is to be unloaded, the variable unloading controller 214 causes the solenoid valve 118 to close until the voltage level of the analog control signal indicates that the solenoid valve 118 should be opened. [0063] In a particular embodiment, the variable unloading controller 214 is configured to accept a variable analog control signal from the refrigeration system controller 215 that ranges from zero to 10 volts, for example. To accommodate various types of refrigeration system controllers 215 , in alternate embodiments of the invention, the variable unloading controller 214 is configured to accept a variable analog control signal from the refrigeration system controller 215 whose current ranges from 4 milliamps (mA) to 20 mA, for example. [0064] However, in alternate embodiments of the invention, the variable unloading controller 214 and the refrigeration system controller 215 could be configured to work with a variety of ranges for the analog control signal voltage levels other than zero volts to 10 volts, or for ranges of current levels other than 4 mA to 20 mA, where the ranges may be either greater or lesser than those provided in the example above. [0065] In a particular embodiment of the invention, in which the analog control signal has a range of zero volts to 10 volts, the refrigeration system 300 may include a variable unloading controller 214 coupled to the trim compressors 302 , and programmed to cycle the control valve 118 whenever the voltage level of the analog control signal crosses a 4-volt threshold level, or a 6-volt threshold level. For example, if the load on the refrigeration system 300 is such that the output of the compressors in the refrigeration system can be reduced to save energy and reduce operating costs, the refrigeration system controller 215 would generate an analog control signal of less than four volts, causing the variable unloading controller 214 to close the control valve 118 . [0066] At some point, the load on the refrigeration system 300 will increase, or the refrigeration system sensors will indicate the need for increased refrigeration system 300 output. This will cause the refrigeration system controller 215 to generate an analog control signal of more than six volts, causing the variable unloading controller 214 to open the control valve 118 . In this embodiment, when the analog control signal voltage is between four and six volts, no cycling of the control valve 118 occurs. In this manner, the variable unloading controller 214 can continuously vary the capacity of the trim compressor 302 to modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system 300 . Of course, the variable unloading controller 214 could just as easily be programmed to open the control valve 118 when the analog control signal is less than four volts, and close the control valve 118 when the analog control signal is more than six volts. It should be understood that the four-volt and six-volt threshold levels are exemplary. The threshold levels can be set any level within the range of the analog control signal. Further, as implied above, the variable unloading controller 214 can be programmed to take a particular action, or perform a particular function, when a threshold level is crossed in either direction. [0067] The variable unloading controller 214 can continue operation of the trim compressor 302 in this fashion—cycling the control valve 118 whenever the analog control signal crosses the 4-volt, or 6-volt threshold. However, to prevent over-cycling of the control valve 118 which could lead to frequent replacement of the solenoid components therein, in an embodiment of the invention, in a particular embodiment, the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed to implement a minimum delay time between transitions of the solenoid valve 118 between open and closed positions. In particular embodiments of the invention, the minimum delay time could be as few as 5 seconds or as great as 40 seconds, or possibly longer. However, it should be noted that in particular embodiments of the invention, the variable unloading controller can be programmed to operate without a minimum delay time. A suitably stable refrigeration system, in which the analog control signal does not change rapidly, may operate without a minimum delay time. In this case, the control valve 118 will change states whenever the analog control signal crosses the threshold voltage (or current) level. [0068] However, in systems where the variable unloading controller 214 has been programmed to implement such a minimum delay time, the shorter the minimum delay time, the more quickly the trim compressor 302 can respond to the demands of the refrigeration system controller 215 , while a longer minimum delay time is generally seen as providing a longer lifetime for the solenoid valve 118 . In a particular embodiment, the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed to implement a minimum delay time of 20 seconds, while in alternate embodiments, the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed to implement a minimum delay time of 10 seconds or 30 seconds. But, it is also contemplated that refrigeration systems with variable unloading controllers 214 having minimum delay times less than five seconds or greater than one minute could be employed. [0069] For example, consider an embodiment where the minimum delay time is 20 seconds, and the analog control signal range is zero to 10 volts wherein the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed to cycle the solenoid valve 118 when the analog control signal crosses the 4-volt threshold or 6-volt threshold. If the analog control signal goes from less than four volts to 6.5 volts, causing the variable unloading controller 214 to open the solenoid valve 118 , then five seconds later the analog control signal voltage drops to 3.5 volts, the variable unloading controller 214 will wait 15 seconds before cycling the solenoid valve 118 to the closed position. Once closed, the solenoid valve 118 will remain closed for at least 20 seconds before it can be cycled to the open position. [0070] In an alternate embodiment of the invention, in which the analog control signal has a range of four mA to 20 mA, the refrigeration system 300 may include a variable unloading controller 214 coupled to the trim compressors 302 , and programmed to cycle the control valve 118 whenever the current level of the analog control signal crosses a 9-mA threshold level, or a 12-mA threshold level. For example, if the load on the refrigeration system 300 is such that the output of the compressors in the refrigeration system can be reduced to save energy and reduce operating costs, the refrigeration system controller 215 would generate an analog control signal of less than 9 mA, causing the variable unloading controller 214 to close the control valve 118 . [0071] At some point, the load on the refrigeration system 300 will increase, or the refrigeration system sensors will indicate the need for increased refrigeration system 300 output. This will cause the refrigeration system controller 215 to generate an analog control signal of more than 12 mA, causing the variable unloading controller 214 to open the control valve 118 . In this embodiment, when the analog control signal current is between 9 mA and 12 mA, no cycling of the control valve 118 occurs. In this manner, the variable unloading controller 214 can continuously vary the capacity of the trim compressor 302 to modulate the capacity of the refrigeration system 300 . Of course, the variable unloading controller 214 could just as easily be programmed to open the control valve 118 when the analog control signal is less than 9 mA, and close the control valve 118 when the analog control signal is more than 12 mA. As in the exemplary system described above, it should be understood that the 9 mA and 12 mA threshold levels are exemplary. The threshold levels can be set any level within the range of the analog control signal. Further, as implied above, the variable unloading controller 214 can be programmed to take a particular action, or perform a particular function, when a threshold level is crossed in either direction. [0072] As with the previous example, the variable unloading controller 214 can continue operation of the trim compressor 302 in this fashion—cycling the control valve 118 whenever the analog control signal crosses the 9-mA, or 12-mA threshold. For example, if the minimum delay time is 20 seconds, and the analog control signal range is four to 20 mA wherein the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed to cycle the solenoid valve 118 when the analog control signal crosses the 9-mA threshold or 12-mA threshold. If the analog control signal goes from less than 9 mA to 13 mA, causing the variable unloading controller 214 to open the solenoid valve 118 , then five seconds later the analog control signal current drops to 8 mA, the variable unloading controller 214 will wait 15 seconds before cycling the solenoid valve 118 to the closed position. Once closed, the solenoid valve 118 will remain closed for at least 20 seconds before it can be cycled to the open position. [0073] While, in particular embodiments of the invention, there is a minimum delay time between transitions of the solenoid valve 118 , typically, there is no maximum dwell time for the solenoid valve 118 once a transition has been executed. This means that when the trim compressor 302 is loading, embodiments of the variable unloading controller 214 will keep the solenoid valve in the open position until the refrigeration system controller 215 indicates, via the analog control signal, that the output of the refrigeration system 300 needs to be reduced. For example, where the analog control signal level has fallen below four volts in certain cases, or 9 mA in other cases, per the previous example, the variable unloading controller 214 would cause the solenoid valve 118 to close, wherein the valve 118 would remain closed, unloading the trim compressor 302 , until the refrigeration system controller 215 determines that the output of the refrigeration system needs to increase. [0074] While embodiments of the invention have no maximum dwell time, certain embodiments do have a minimum dwell time for the analog control signal. That is, the variable unloading controller 214 will be programmed to change the state of the control valve 118 only if the analog control signal crosses the threshold value and does not cross the threshold value again for the minimum dwell time. If the analog control signal does cross the threshold value before the minimum dwell time, the control valve 118 will not change states. In this manner, a rapid fluctuation in the analog control signal will prevent rapid cycling of control valve 118 . In a particular embodiment, this approach is implemented by programming the variable unloading controller 214 to reset a clock each time the threshold value is crossed by the analog control signal. For example, the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed, in particular embodiments, to only cause the control valve 118 to change states when the analog control signal is on the appropriate side of the threshold value and the clock has reached the minimum dwell time. [0075] For example, if the analog control signal voltage goes from below four volts to above six volts causing the solenoid valve 118 to open, as long as the voltage stays above six volts, the solenoid valve 118 will remain in the open position. Further, the solenoid valve 118 will remain in the open position as long as the analog control signal voltage is above four volts, because no cycling of the solenoid valve 118 occurs between the 4-volt and 6-volt thresholds. This example also applies in the case where the analog control signal voltage goes below four volts and the solenoid valve 118 cycles to the closed position. In this case, the solenoid valve will remain closed as long as the analog control signal voltage is below six volts. However, with a minimum dwell time of five seconds, for example, if the analog control signal goes from below four volts to above six volts for four seconds and back below four volts before five seconds, the solenoid valve 118 will not cycle remaining in the closed position. [0076] In yet another embodiment of the invention, the solenoid valve 118 cycles based on the rate of change of the analog control signal. In an exemplary embodiment, the variable unloading controller 214 is programmed to unload the trim compressor 302 when the analog control signal voltage is less than two volts and to load the trim compressor 302 when the analog control signal voltage is greater than eight volts. Between two and eight volts, if the trim compressor 302 is unloading, the solenoid valve 118 would cycle to load the trim compressor 302 when the analog control signal voltage increases by more than 2.5 volts in three seconds, or passes above the 8-volt level. If the trim compressor 302 is loading, the solenoid valve 118 would cycle to unload the trim compressor 302 when the analog control signal voltage decreases by more than 2.5 volts in three seconds, or passes below the 2-volt level. [0077] This particular embodiment may also include a minimum dwell time to prevent the solenoid valve 118 from cycling too frequently. Thus, if the minimum dwell time is 12 seconds, for example, the solenoid valve 118 will wait at least that long between successive cycles. As explained above, the minimum dwell time operates as a running clock that resets after each state change of the solenoid valve 118 . Once the minimum dwell time has expired, per the example above, the solenoid valve 118 , depending on its initial state, can change states if the analog control signal falls below the lower threshold (e.g., two volts), passes above the upper threshold (e.g. eight volts), or rises or falls by more than 2.5 volts in three seconds. [0078] The ability of the variable unloading controller 214 to cycle the solenoid valve 118 to load or unload the trim compressor 302 as required to reach a desired operating condition, combined with the ability to regulate the flow of refrigerant to fewer than all of the cylinders in the trim compressor 302 , provides an efficient and inexpensive way to maintain fairly precise control of refrigeration system 300 output within a defined range. The defined range is dependent on the number of cylinders in the trim compressor 302 and on the number of cylinders that include a solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 to regulate the flow of refrigerant to that cylinder. For example, in a four-cylinder trim compressor 302 with one solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 regulating the flow of refrigerant to two cylinders, the defined range is 50 percent. Specifically, the trim compressor 302 capacity from 50 to 100 percent can be modulated by the variable unloading controller 214 . [0079] Based on the example above, we can see that a similarly situated six-cylinder trim compressor 302 , either 67 to 100 percent of capacity, or 33 to 100 percent of capacity could be modulated by the variable unloading controller 214 , depending on whether the trim compressor 302 had one solenoid valve 118 and plunger 116 regulating the flow of refrigerant two cylinders or four cylinders or two one solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 regulating the flow of refrigerant to four cylinders. Similarly, in a similarly situated eight-cylinder trim compressor 302 , 75 to 100 percent, 50 to 100 percent, or 25 to 100 percent of capacity could be regulated by the variable unloading controller 214 , depending on whether the trim compressor 302 had one, two or three solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 , each controlling the flow of refrigerant to two cylinders. [0080] In the examples discussed above, only one compressor, the trim compressor 302 , of the bank of compressors in refrigeration system 300 has its capacity modulated. This is an efficient and cost-effective method for adjusting the output of refrigeration system 300 , as only the trim compressor includes solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 , and programming of the variable unloading controller 214 is somewhat simplified in that it only has to control the output of one compressor. This may be a satisfactory arrangement for those commercial or industrial refrigeration systems which run continuously near the maximum capacity of the system. When only marginal changes to the refrigeration system output are required, one trim compressor 302 may be suitable. [0081] However, in refrigeration systems having a greater variation in the load placed on the system it may be desirable to have more than one trim compressor. Referring again to FIG. 5 , a second variable unloading controller 214 (shown in phantom) is illustrated attached to a compressor 318 configured as a second trim compressor. The second variable unloading controller 214 is coupled to refrigeration system controller 215 and to one or more solenoid valves 118 and plungers 116 on second trim compressor 318 . It is also envisioned that refrigeration systems having a third, fourth, or greater number of trim compressors could also be constructed in accordance with embodiments of the invention. In a particular embodiment of the invention, independent operation of the first and second variable unloading controllers 214 of trim compressors 302 , 318 allows for precise control of refrigeration system 300 output over a larger system output range than would be possible with only one trim compressor 302 . [0082] All references, including publications, patent applications, and patents cited herein are hereby incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each reference were individually and specifically indicated to be incorporated by reference and were set forth in its entirety herein. [0083] The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) is to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention. [0084] Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context.
A variable-capacity compressor that includes a housing having an inlet for receipt of refrigerant and an outlet for return of refrigerant, and a plurality of compressing elements contained in the housing between the inlet and the outlet. The variable capacity compressor includes a valve having an electrical control. The valve is dedicated to fewer than all of the compressing elements. The valve is movable between a first state which communicates refrigerant flow to the compressing elements, and a second state that reduces or stops flow to the compressing elements. In an embodiment of the invention, an unloading controller has an operational modulation mode that includes cycling the valve between on and off states to provide a portion of compressor capacity. The unloading controller is further programmed to provide a minimum delay time between transitions between the first and second states, but no maximum dwell time between transitions.
8
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 11/866,981, entitled “NONLINEAR RECEIVER MODEL FOR GATE-LEVEL DELAY CALCULATION” filed Oct. 3, 2007 which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/977,243, entitled “NONLINEAR RECEIVER MODEL FOR GATE-LEVEL DELAY CALCULATION” filed Oct. 29, 2004, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 7,299,445. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The invention is in the field of electronic design automation (EDA), and more particularly, is related to receiver models for that enable accurate timing analyses. [0004] 2. Related Art [0005] An electronic design automation (EDA) system is a computer software system used for designing integrated circuit (IC) devices. The EDA system typically receives one or more high level behavioral descriptions of an IC device (e.g., in HDL languages like VHDL, Verilog, etc.) and translates (“synthesizes”) this high-level design language description into netlists of various levels of abstraction. A netlist describes the IC design and is composed of nodes (functional elements) and edges, e.g., connections between nodes. At a higher level of abstraction, a generic netlist is typically produced based on technology independent primitives. [0006] The generic netlist can be translated into a lower level technology-specific netlist based on a technology-specific (characterized) cell library that has gate-specific models for each cell (i.e., a functional element, such as an AND gate, an inverter, or a multiplexer). The models define performance parameters for the cells; e.g., parameters related to the operational behavior of the cells, such as power consumption, delay, and noise. The netlist and cell library are typically stored in computer readable media within the EDA system and are processed and verified using many well-known techniques. [0007] FIG. 1 shows a simplified representation of an exemplary digital ASIC design flow. At a high level, the process starts with the product idea (step E 100 ) and is realized in an EDA software design process (step E 110 ). When the design is finalized, it can be taped-out (event E 140 ). After tape out, the fabrication process (step E 150 ) and packaging and assembly processes (step E 160 ) occur resulting, ultimately, in finished chips (result E 170 ). [0008] The EDA software design process (step E 110 ) is actually composed of a number of steps E 112 -E 130 , shown in linear fashion for simplicity. In an actual ASIC design process, the particular design might have to go back through steps until certain tests are passed. Similarly, in any actual design process, these steps may occur in different orders and combinations. This description is therefore provided by way of context and general explanation rather than as a specific, or recommended, design flow for a particular ASIC. [0009] A brief description of the components steps of the EDA software design process (step E 110 ) will now be provided. During system design (step E 112 ), the designers describe the functionality that they want to implement and can perform what-if planning to refine functionality, check costs, etc. Hardware-software architecture partitioning can occur at this stage. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Model Architect, Saber, System Studio, and DesignWare® products. [0010] During logic design and functional verification (step E 114 ), the VHDL or Verilog code for modules in the system is written and the design is checked for functional accuracy. More specifically, does the design as checked to ensure that produces the correct outputs. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include VCS, VERA, DesignWare®, Magellan, Formality, ESP and LEDA products. [0011] During synthesis and design for test (step E 116 ), the VHDL/Verilog is translated to a netlist. The netlist can be optimized for the target technology. Additionally, the design and implementation of tests to permit checking of the finished chip occurs. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Design Compiler®, Physical Compiler, Test Compiler, Power Compiler, FPGA Compiler, Tetramax, and DesignWare® products. [0012] During design planning (step E 118 ), an overall floorplan for the chip is constructed and analyzed for timing and top-level routing. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Jupiter and Floorplan Compiler products. [0013] During netlist verification (step E 120 ), the netlist is checked for compliance with timing constraints and for correspondence with the VHDL/Verilog source code. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include VCS, VERA, Formality and PrimeTime products. [0014] During physical implementation (step E 122 ), placement (positioning of circuit elements) and routing (connection of the same) is performed. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include the Astro product. [0015] During analysis and extraction (step E 124 ), the circuit function is verified at a transistor level, this in turn permits what-if refinement. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include Star RC/XT, Raphael, and Aurora products. [0016] During physical verification (step E 126 ), various checking functions are performed to ensure correctness for: manufacturing, electrical issues, lithographic issues, and circuitry. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include the Hercules product. [0017] During resolution enhancement (step E 128 ), geometric manipulations of the layout are performed to improve manufacturability of the design. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include the iN-Phase, Proteus, and AFGen products. [0018] Finally, during mask data preparation (step E 130 ), the “tape-out” data for production of masks for lithographic use to produce finished chips is performed. Exemplary EDA software products from Synopsys, Inc. that can be used at this step include the CATS(R) family of products. [0019] As indicated in FIG. 1 , timing analyses can be performed at various points along the EDA process, such as during synthesis, design planning, netlist verification, and analysis (as indicated by the bolded chevrons). The accuracy of these timing analyses is critical to the quality of final IC produced using EDA systems. A timing analysis is performed at the transistor level, and makes use of the performance data included in the characterized cell library. To perform a timing analysis, the IC design (or a portion of the IC) is modeled as a network of drivers and receivers. Cells designated as drivers provide stimuli to the network, and the resulting waveforms are received by the cells designated as receivers. [0020] For example, FIG. 2A shows a schematic diagram of a sample driver-receiver network 200 that includes a driver 210 and a receiver 230 . An input pin 211 of driver 210 receives a driver input signal S_IND and generates a driver output signal S_OUTD at a driver output pin 212 . This signal is transmitted across an interconnect element 220 and is received as a receiver input signal S_INR at a receiver input pin 231 of receiver 230 (depicted as an inverter for exemplary purposes). Receiver 230 processes receiver input signal S_INR and generates a receiver output signal S_OUTR at a receiver output pin 232 . Note that receiver 230 can also function as a driver for downstream cells, as indicated by load 240 connected to receiver output pin 232 . [0021] Because signals do not propagate instantly through a real-world circuit (e.g., due to propagation delays and parasitics), signals S_IND, S_OUTD, S_INR, and S_OUTR will have differing slew and delay characteristics. In the context of a timing analysis, “slew” represents the time required for a signal to transition between an upper threshold voltage and a lower threshold voltage (or vice versa), while “delay” represents the time required for the signal to transition from either the upper or lower rail (supply voltage) to a gate threshold voltage. Meanwhile, the gate threshold voltage typically represents the voltage at which the transistor switches state (from off to on, or vice versa). [0022] The concepts of slew and delay are depicted in FIG. 2B , which shows a graph of a sample signal S_SAMP that represents a general signal provided to, or generated by, a cell within an IC design. Signal S_SAMP transitions between a lower rail voltage RL and an upper rail voltage RU, which represent the operating (supply) voltages for the cell. To define the slew and delay characteristics of signal S_SAMP, an upper threshold voltage THU, a lower threshold voltage THL, and a gate threshold voltage THG are selected. Upper threshold voltage THU, lower threshold voltage THL, and gate threshold voltage THG are typically selected to be predetermined percentages of the difference between rail voltages RU and RL. For example, lower threshold THL and upper threshold THU could be selected to be 20% and 80%, respectively, of the difference between upper rail voltage RU and lower rail voltage RL. Likewise, gate threshold voltage THG could be selected to be midway (i.e., 50% of the difference) between upper rail voltage RU and lower rail voltage RL. [0023] Once lower threshold voltage THL, gate threshold voltage THG, and upper threshold voltage THV have been defined, delay and slew values can be determined for signal S_SAMP. For example, signal S_SAMP reaches gate threshold voltage THG at a time T 2 . Therefore, the delay value for signal S_SAMP is equal to the difference between times T 2 and T 0 (i.e., T 2 −T 0 ). Similarly, since signal S_SAMP reaches lower threshold voltage THL and upper threshold voltage THU at times T 1 and T 3 , respectively, the slew value for signal S_SAMP is the difference between times T 3 and T 1 (i.e., T 3 −T 1 ). Delay and slew values can be determined in a similar manner for a signal transitioning from upper rail voltage RU to lower rail voltage RL. [0024] In an EDA system, a characterized cell library is generated by fitting mathematical models to actual delay data (i.e., measured data or simulated (SPICE) data). Typically, a CMOS cell operating as a receiver is modeled as a single capacitor. For example, FIG. 3A shows receiver cell 230 of FIG. 2A replaced with a conventional receiver model 230 -ST that includes a resistor R_ST and a capacitor C_ST serially coupled between receiver input pin 231 and ground. The value of capacitor C_ST is selected such that a model receiver input signal S_INR-ST generated by the RC circuit in response to driver output signal S_OUTD fits the actual (measured or simulated) receiver input signal S_INR. Typically, a different capacitance value is determined for rising signals, falling signals, “best case” (fastest) transitions, and “worst case” (slowest) transitions. Furthermore, since cell performance generally changes with operating conditions such as temperature and voltage, a new set of capacitance values are often generated across a range of operating conditions. [0025] Thus, a receiver model entry in a conventional characterized cell library generally includes a set of capacitance values, with each single capacitance value being referenced by a signal type (rise, fall, best case, worst case) and set of operating conditions. For example, FIG. 3B shows a characterized library cell entry 300 for a receiver model of cell 230 (shown in FIG. 3A ). Cell entry 300 includes a set of capacitance values C_ST referenced by signal type and operating conditions. For example, for a rising signal generated under operating conditions OP 1 , cell 230 is modeled (as a receiver) using a capacitance value C_ST(R 1 ). Likewise, for a falling signal under the same operating conditions, cell 230 is modeled using a capacitance value C_ST(F 1 ), while a rising signal under a set of operating conditions OP 2 leads to the selection of a capacitance value C_ST(R 2 ) to model cell 230 . [0026] Unfortunately, as device sizes continue to shrink, the behavior of a signal at a receiver can no longer be modeled by a single (static) capacitance value, as dynamic effects (e.g., the Miller Effect) begin to affect the signal shape. For example, FIG. 3C shows an actual signal S_INR-A 1 (indicated by the bold curve) measured at the input pin of a receiver cell instantiated using 0.12 μm technology. Also depicted are model signals S_INR-ST 1 , S_INR-ST 2 , and S_INR-ST 3 (indicated by the dashed curves), each having been generated using the above-described single-capacitance receiver model (with each of the signals being generated using a different capacitance value). [0027] Because the curvature of signal S_INR-A 1 varies significantly over the course of the signal transition, none of model signals S_INR-ST 1 , S_INR-ST 2 , and S_INR-ST 3 can accurately model both the delay and slew characteristics of actual signal S_INR-A 1 . For example, model signal S_INR-ST 1 provides a relatively good match to the actual delay of actual signal S_INR-A 1 . However, because model signal S_INR-ST 1 reaches the upper threshold voltage THU much sooner than does actual signal S_INR-A 1 , the slew value generated by model signal S_INR-ST 1 is much lower than the actual slew value of signal S_INR-A 1 . Unfortunately, while the model capacitance can be adjusted to reduce the slew error, such as in model signals S_INR-ST 2 and S_INR-ST 3 , any such adjustment increases the model delay error. [0028] Thus, conventional cell receiver models can be inadequate for the timing analysis of modern IC designs. Accordingly, it is desirable to provide a cell receiver model that can accurately represent the delay and slew characteristics of a CMOS cell. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0029] To improve receiver modeling accuracy without unduly increasing cell library size or analytical complexity, a multi-capacitance receiver model can be used. For example, in one embodiment, the static capacitor used in conventional receiver models can be replaced by a two-stage non-linear capacitor. The two-stage non-linear capacitor provides a first capacitance value while the receiver model is generating a first portion of a model receiver signal, and then switches to a second capacitance value when the model receiver signal reaches a predetermined switching voltage. In other embodiments, the non-linear capacitor can switch between three or more capacitance values. [0030] In one embodiment, a two-stage non-linear capacitor in a receiver model can include a switching voltage set to the gate threshold voltage of the cell being modeled. Then, the first capacitance value can be selected such that the delay of the model receiver signal matches the delay of the actual receiver signal, and the second capacitance value can be selected such that the slew of the model receiver signal matches the slew of the actual receiver signal. Further accuracy can be achieved by making the first and/or the second capacitances a function of the load capacitance coupled to the output of the receiver and/or the input slew of the signal provided at the input of the receiver. For example, the first and/or the second capacitances could actually be tables of capacitance values indexed (referenced by) different receiver load capacitances and/or input slew values. [0031] In another embodiment, a cell library entry for a receiver can be generated by translating actual receiver timing data into a receiver model that incorporates a non-linear capacitor receiver model. For example, the non-linear capacitor can be defined as a two-stage capacitor. A first value of the two-stage capacitor can be selected such that the receiver model exhibits the same delay as the actual receiver cell, while a second value of the two-stage capacitor can be selected such that the receiver model exhibits the same slew as the actual receiver cell. [0032] The matching of the model receiver signal portions to the actual receiver signal portions can be performed using receiver input signals or receiver output signals. Furthermore, instead of matching timing characteristics such as delay and slew, the matching operation can compare the profiles of the model receiver signal portions and the corresponding actual receiver signal portions. In another embodiment, greater accuracy (i.e., a closer fit to the actual signal profile) can be achieved by increasing the number of different capacitance values assigned to the non-linear capacitor during generation of the model receiver signal. [0033] In another embodiment, a timing analysis can be performed using a receiver model incorporating a non-linear capacitor. The non-linear capacitor is initially assigned a first capacitance value, and a driver output signal is applied to the receiver model to cause the receiver model to generate a receiver signal. When the receiver signal reaches a first signal voltage, the non-linear capacitor switches to a second capacitance value. Generation of the receiver signal continues in this manner (i.e., switching capacitance values at predetermined signal voltages) until the receiver signal reaches a maximum voltage (generally a supply voltage). The receiver signal can then be applied to downstream cells, or signal characteristics (such as delay and slew) can be extracted from the receiver signal as part of the timing analysis. [0034] The invention will be more fully understood in view of the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0035] FIG. 1 is a process flow diagram for a general EDA design flow. [0036] FIG. 2A is a schematic diagram of a sample driver-receiver network. [0037] FIG. 2B is a graph of a sample signal within a load-receiver network. [0038] FIG. 3A is a schematic diagram of a conventional receiver model. [0039] FIG. 3B is a sample cell entry for a conventional receiver model in a cell library. [0040] FIG. 3C is a graph of conventional model receiver signals compared to an actual receiver signal. [0041] FIG. 4A is a schematic diagram of a driver-receiver network that incorporates a multi-capacitance receiver model. [0042] FIG. 4B is a graph of a multi-capacitance model receiver signal compared to an actual receiver signal. [0043] FIG. 5A is a flow diagram of a multi-capacitance receiver model generation process. [0044] FIGS. 5B-5E are sample cell libraries that include multi-capacitance receiver models. [0045] FIG. 6 is a diagram of a computing system that includes logic for generating a multi-capacitance receiver model. [0046] FIG. 7 is a flow diagram of a process for performing a timing analysis using a multi-capacitance receiver model. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0047] Because of the various dynamic effects that become more significant as device geometries are reduced in size, conventional single-capacitance receiver models used in EDA systems can no longer provide accurate timing simulations. FIG. 4A shows a multi-capacitance receiver model that overcomes this deficiency. [0048] FIG. 4A models driver-receiver network 200 shown in FIG. 2A by replacing receiver 230 with a cell receiver model 430 -NL that includes a resistor R_NL and a non-linear capacitor C_NL serially coupled between receiver input pin 231 and ground. Like cell receiver model 230 -ST shown in FIG. 3A , cell receiver model 430 -NL generates a model receiver input signal S_INR-NL in response to driver output signal S_OUTD provided by driver cell 210 . [0049] However, unlike static capacitor C_ST in cell receiver model 230 -ST, non-linear capacitor C_NL in cell receiver model 430 -NL does not provide a single, static capacitance over an entire signal transition. Rather, non-linear capacitor C_NL switches between different capacitance values at predetermined signal voltages as receiver model 430 -NL is generating model receiver input signal S_INR-NL (or model receiver output signal S_OUTR-NL). The capacitance values for non-linear capacitor C_NL are selected such that the signals generated by cell receiver model 430 -NL match the timing characteristics of the actual signals (S_INR and/or S_OUTR) generated within the driver-receiver network 200 (shown in FIG. 2A ). [0050] For example, in one embodiment, non-linear capacitor C_NL provides two different capacitance values, switching from the first capacitance value to the second capacitance value when the model receiver input signal reaches the gate threshold voltage of the cell being modeled. The first capacitance value can be selected to cause the delay of model receiver input signal S_INR-NL to match the delay of actual receiver input signal S_INR, while the second capacitance value can be selected to cause the slew of signal S_INR-NL to match the slew of signal S_INR. Note that for this and other types of non-linear capacitance-based models, different sets of first capacitance and second capacitance values (and gate threshold voltages) could be generated for different signal types (e.g., rising, falling, best case, and worst case signals) and for different operating conditions (e.g., different temperatures and operating voltages). [0051] Note further that while the non-linear capacitance-based model is described with respect to a single driver and single cell receiver model for clarity, in various other embodiments, any number of additional drivers 210 ( 1 ) and any number of additional cell receiver models 430 -NL( 1 ) can be coupled to interconnect 220 . Each additional cell receiver models 430 -NL( 1 ) could then include a non-linear capacitor as described with respect to cell receiver model 430 -NL. [0052] FIG. 4B shows an example of this “two-stage capacitance” approach used to fit a receiver model to actual data. The graph of FIG. 4B includes same actual receiver input signal S_INR shown in FIG. 3C (i.e., 0.12 μm technology cell acting as a receiver). As described above with respect to FIG. 3C , signal S_INR exhibits the type of curvature variations that can become more prominent as device sizes are reduced in size. [0053] However, rather than modeling signal S_INR using a conventional single capacitance model, in FIG. 4B actual signal S_INR is modeled by a two-capacitance receiver model that generates a model receiver input signal S_INR-NL. The portion of signal S_INR-NL from 0V to gate threshold voltage THG is generated using a first capacitance C_NL 1 , while the portion of signal S_INR-NL from gate threshold voltage THG to upper rail 1.08V is generated using a second capacitance C_NL 2 . Capacitances C_NL 1 and C_NL 2 are selected such that the delay and slew characteristics of model receiver input signal S_INR-NL match those of actual receiver input signal S_INR (to within a desired tolerance). [0054] Note that switching from capacitance C_NL 1 to C_NL 2 when the model receiver signal reaches the gate threshold voltage essentially covers switching from capacitance C_NL 1 to C_NL 2 exactly at, just before, or just after the model receiver signal reaches gate threshold voltage, since the timing model accuracy will generally not be affected significantly by any of these situations. Note also that while the graph of FIG. 4B depicts the capacitance switch as being performed at the gate threshold voltage of the cell being modeled (i.e., either the actual gate threshold voltage of the cell (from measurements or simulations) or a predetermined gate threshold voltage such as 50% of the rail-to-rail voltage), according to other embodiments, the switch can be performed at any selected receiver signal voltage. [0055] Note further that even though the specific profile of model receiver input signal S_INR-NL does not exactly match the profile of actual receiver input signal S_INR, the timing characteristics of interest (i.e., the delay and slew) of model receiver input signal S_INR-NL are substantially the same as those of actual receiver input signal S_INR. Therefore, the dual-capacitance model (capacitance values C_NL 1 and C_NL 2 ) can be used to provide an accurate cell receiver model. [0056] For exemplary purposes, capacitance values C_NL 1 and C_NL 2 are described as being derived by fitting the model receiver input signal S_INR-NL to the actual receiver input signal S_INR. In another embodiment, first capacitance C_NL 1 could be selected to cause the delay of model receiver output signal S_OUTR-NL to match the delay of actual receiver output signal S_OUTR, while second capacitance C_NL 2 could be selected to cause the slew of model receiver output signal S_OUTR-NL to match the slew of actual receiver output signal S_OUTR (shown in FIG. 4A ). [0057] Because the goal of a model is typically to provide an accurate output, selecting first and second capacitances C_NL 1 and C_NL 2 based on a fit to the receiver output signal can often provide the most accurate modeling results. However, since such an approach will generally depend on the load connected to receiver output pin 232 (e.g., capacitance C_OUT in load model 440 -ST), a different set of capacitance values for non-linear capacitor C_NL could be required for each different loading configuration (each different value of a load capacitance C_OUT at receiver output pin 232 (shown in FIG. 4A )). Because a given receiver may be coupled to a wide variety of different loads in an IC design, this output-based receiver modeling can sometimes result in increased library file size. [0058] In another embodiment, the first capacitance C_NL 1 and/or the second capacitance C_NL 2 can themselves be sets of capacitances that are based on the load capacitance C_OUT at receiver output pin 232 and/or the input slew at receiver input pin 231 . This allows cell receiver model 430 -NL to account for any coupling that occurs between receiver input pin 231 and receiver output pin 232 once the cell “turns on”. Thus, for example, the first capacitance C_NL 1 and/or the second capacitance C_NL 2 could be represented by tables of capacitance values indexed by input slew and/or output capacitance. Exemplary capacitance tables for first capacitance C_NL 1 and second capacitance C_NL 2 are provided below as tables 1 and 2, respectively. [0000] TABLE 1 First Capacitance Values C_OUT1 C_OUT2 C_OUT3 C_OUT4 C_OUT5 IN_SLEW1 C_NL1-a1 C_NL1-b1 C_NL1-c1 C_NL1-d1 C_NL1-e1 IN_SLEW2 C_NL1-a2 C_NL1-b2 C_NL1-c2 C_NL1-d2 C_NL1-e2 [0000] TABLE 2 Second Capacitance Values C_OUT1 C_OUT2 C_OUT3 C_OUT4 C_OUT5 IN_SLEW1 C_NL2-a1 C_NL2-b1 C_NL2-c1 C_NL2-d1 C_NL2-e1 IN_SLEW2 C_NL2-a2 C_NL2-b2 C_NL2-c2 C_NL2-d2 C_NL2-e2 The first capacitance values C_NL 1 and second capacitance values C_NL 2 in tables 1 and 2, respectively, are indexed by input slew values IN_SLEW 1 and IN_SLEW 2 , and output capacitances C_OUT 1 through C_OUT 5 . Note that just as with the above-described two-value non-linear capacitance models, different sets (tables) of capacitance values and switching voltages could be determined for different signal type-operating condition combinations. [0059] FIG. 5A shows a flow diagram for an exemplary process for generating a two-stage capacitance receiver model (as described above with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B ). The receiver model can be defined in an optional “DEFINE RECEIVER MODEL” step N 500 . Specifically, the characteristics of the non-linear capacitor (e.g., capacitor C_NL in FIG. 4B ) in the receiver model can be defined (e.g., switching voltage(s), static or load-dependent capacitance values). [0060] In a “DEFINE OPERATING PARAMETERS” step N 510 , values for the relevant operating parameters are defined. For example, an output (load) capacitance for receiver can be specified. Also, a current input signal for the receiver is determined. For example, the receiver cell (e.g., receiver 230 in FIG. 2A ) is provided with a voltage signal (e.g., driver output signal S_OUTD) having a predetermined slew, and the current flow into the receiver cell is determined (via testing or simulation). This current input signal can then be used for model generation purposes. Alternatively, the current input signal for the receiver can be derived by applying the driver output current signal to the receiver cell (where only a portion of the driver output current may flow into the receiver cell as the current input signal). [0061] In a “SELECT FIRST CAPACITANCE VALUE(S)” step N 520 , a test first capacitance value (e.g., capacitance C_NL 1 in FIG. 4B ) is selected for the receiver model. Then, in a “MODEL SIGNAL COMPARISON” step N 530 , the receiver model performance is evaluated using the output capacitance value and the current input signal determined in step N 510 . [0062] As noted above with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B , the comparison performed in step N 530 can be between the receiver model input voltage signal and the actual receiver input voltage signal, or between the receiver model output voltage signal and the actual receiver output voltage signal. In either case, a target fit between the receiver model (input/output) signal and the actual receiver (input/output) signal is assessed in a “FIT?” step N 535 . In one embodiment, the target fit could be a match between the model delay value and the actual delay value (generally a match to within 5% of the actual delay value will provide sufficient accuracy for most timing analyses). In another embodiment, the target fit could be a match between the profile of the portion of the model receiver signal generated using the first capacitance value and the profile of the corresponding portion of the actual receiver signal. Various other fit definitions can be used in other embodiments. In any case, if the target fit is achieved, the first capacitance value is finalized in a “FINALIZE FIRST CAPACITANCE VALUE(S)” step N 540 . Otherwise, the process iterates back to step N 510 where a new first capacitance value is selected. [0063] Once the first capacitance value is determined, a test second capacitance value (e.g., capacitance C_NL 2 in FIG. 4B ) is selected in a “SELECT SECOND CAPACITANCE VALUE(S)” step N 550 . Once again, in a “MODEL SIGNAL COMPARISON” step N 560 , the receiver model performance with the test second capacitance value is evaluated using the output capacitance value and the current input signal determined in step N 510 . [0064] As described with respect to steps N 530 and N 535 , a target fit between the receiver model signal and the actual receiver signal is evaluated in a “FIT?” step N 565 . In this case, the target fit could be a match between the profile of the receiver model signal generated using the second capacitance value and the profile of the corresponding portion of the actual receiver signal. Alternatively, the target fit could be a match between the model slew and the actual slew (as with the delay modeling described above, a match to within 5% of the actual slew value will generally provide sufficient accuracy for most timing analyses). [0065] Note that the slew performance of a two-capacitance receiver model depends on both the value of the first capacitance and the value of the second capacitance. This slew-dependence on both capacitances is due to the fact that delay is measured between a rail voltage and a switching voltage (as described with respect to FIG. 2B ), whereas slew is measured between a lower threshold voltage and an upper threshold voltage. Therefore, the first capacitance controls the portion of the slew between the lower threshold voltage and the switching voltage (or between the upper threshold voltage and the switching voltage for a falling signal). [0066] Thus, the model slew in the comparison of step N 570 can be generated by adding the time required for the model signal to transition from the lower threshold voltage to the switching voltage using the first capacitance value, and the time required for the model signal to transition from the switching voltage to the upper threshold voltage using the test second capacitance value. The resulting model slew (for either the receiver input signal or the receiver output signal) can then be compared with the actual receiver slew (for the input signal or output signal, respectively). [0067] If the target fit is detected in step N 575 , then the second capacitance value is finalized in a “FINALIZE SECOND CAPACITANCE VALUE(S)” step N 570 . Otherwise, the process iterates back to step N 550 , where a new test second capacitance value is selected. As part of this finalization, both the first and second capacitance values can be associated with the cell in a cell library (described in greater detail below with respect to FIG. 53 ). [0068] Note that once a particular first capacitance/second capacitance set of values is finalized in step N 570 , the process can loop back to step N 510 (indicated by the dotted line). Then, new input slew and/or output capacitance values can be specified for the generation of additional first capacitance/second capacitance sets. Note further that while the flow diagram in FIG. 5A provides a two-stage model generation process for exemplary purposes, the process can be readily extended for any number of stages (i.e., any number of different capacitance values for non-linear capacitor C_NL in FIG. 4B ). [0069] FIG. 5B shows an embodiment of a characterized cell library 500 that incorporates a non-linear capacitance receiver model, such as described with respect to FIG. 4A . A cell entry 510 in library 500 includes a cell identifier 511 and multiple sets of model definition values. Each set of model definition values includes first capacitance C_NL 1 , a second capacitance C_NL 2 , and a switching voltage V_SW. As described above with respect to FIGS. 4A and 4B , first capacitance C_NL 1 can be used as the receiver model until the receiver input signal reaches switching voltage V_SW, at which point second capacitance C_NL 2 (which can comprise a single (static) capacitance value or table of capacitances) is used for the receiver model. [0070] Each set of model values is referenced by a particular combination of operating conditions (OP 1 -OP 3 ) and signal types (RISE, FALL, BEST CASE, and WORST CASE). For example, for a rising receiver input signal under operating conditions OP 1 , cell 230 is modeled as a receiver by a first capacitance C_NL 1 (R 1 ), a second capacitance C_NL 2 (R 1 ), and a switching voltage V_SW(R 1 ). Similarly, for a falling receiver input signal under operating conditions OP 2 , cell 230 is modeled as a receiver by a first capacitance C_NL 1 (F 2 ), a second capacitance C_NL 2 (F 2 ), and a switching voltage V_SW(F 2 ). Each set of model values could be generated by the process described with respect to FIG. 5A . [0071] Note that while four different signal types and three different operating conditions are shown for exemplary purposes, a cell entry for a multi-capacitance receiver model can include any number of signal types and any number of operating conditions. Note further that the same switching voltage can be applied to all receiver models in a library to simplify library generation and usage. The use of a standard switching voltage (e.g., midway between the upper and lower power rail for all receiver models) can also reduce library size, since each set of model definition values would then only include two capacitance values, as shown in FIG. 5C . A cell entry 510 -C on a library 500 -C is substantially similar to cell entry 510 shown in FIG. 5B , except that each set of model definition values only includes a first capacitance value C_NL 1 and a second capacitance value C_NL 2 . The switching voltage is associated with cell identifier 511 (or even library 500 -C) as a whole, and therefore need not be included within individual sets of model definition values. [0072] Note also that as described above with respect to FIG. 4B , second capacitance C_NL 2 can itself comprise multiple capacitance values that are based on the load capacitance applied to the receiver. For example, FIG. 5D shows a cell library 500 -D that includes a cell entry 510 -D. Cell entry 510 -D is substantially similar to cell entry 510 -C shown in FIG. 5C , except that each first capacitance entry C_NL 1 and each second capacitance value C_NL 2 is now a function of the receiver load capacitance and/or input slew. For example, the set of model definition values referenced by a rising signal and operating conditions OP 1 includes a second capacitance C_NL 2 (R 1 )[1:N], indicating that second capacitance C_NL 2 (R 1 )[1:N] can take any of N different values, with each of the capacitance values being indexed by a particular combination of load capacitance and/or input slew applied to cell 230 . In one embodiment, first capacitance values C_NL 1 and second capacitance values C_NL 2 can be represented as tables of capacitance values, such as tables 1 and 2, respectively. [0073] Note further that while only two different capacitances are shown for each set of model definition values, according to other embodiments, each set of model definition values can include any number of capacitance values. For example, multiple capacitance values could be selected to generate a model receiver signal that closely matches the actual receiver signal (rather than simply matching the delay and slew characteristics of the actual receiver signal). For example, the actual receiver signal could be divided into segments, and a different capacitance value could be selected for each segment. [0074] FIG. 5E shows an exemplary embodiment of a characterized cell library 500 -E that incorporates a non-linear capacitance receiver model based on more than two capacitance values. Each set of model definition values in a cell entry 510 -E in library 500 -E includes first capacitance C_NL 1 , a second capacitance C_NL 2 , a third capacitance C_NL 3 , a first switching voltage V_SW 1 , and a second switching voltage V_SW. First capacitance C_NL 1 can be used as the receiver model until the receiver input signal reaches first switching voltage V_SW 1 , at which point the receiver model switches to second capacitance C_NL 2 . Modeling is performed using second capacitance C_NL 2 until the receiver input signal reaches second switching voltage V_SW 2 , at which point the receiver model switches to third capacitance C_NL 3 to generate the remainder of the receiver signal. [0075] FIG. 6 shows a block diagram of a computer system 600 that includes a library generator 620 for translating an uncharacterized cell library 610 (which includes actual receiver signal data) into a characterized cell library 660 . The embodiment of library generator 620 shown in FIG. 6 includes a first capacitance generator for generating a first capacitance for a two-capacitance receiver model (e.g., steps N 510 -N 540 in FIG. 5A ), a second capacitance generator for generating a second capacitance (or set of capacitances) for the two-capacitance receiver model (steps N 550 -N 570 in FIG. 5A ), and a model definition compiler 650 for compiling model definition data (one or more sets generated by generators 630 and 640 ) into a characterized cell library 660 . Characterized cell library 660 can be written to some form of computer-readable medium, such as memory within computer system 600 , a removable storage medium (e.g., CDROM or DVD), or a network storage location. [0076] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram for an embodiment of an analysis process (e.g., synthesis or static timing analysis) using a characterized cell library that includes a two-capacitance receiver model. In a “READ FIRST CAPACITANCE VALUE” step N 710 , a first capacitance value (e.g., C_NL 1 described with respect to FIG. 5B ) is read from the cell library. In an optional “READ SWITCHING VOLTAGE” step N 720 , a switching voltage (e.g., V_SW described with respect to FIG. 5B ) is also read from the cell library. Note that if a general switching voltage has been predefined (e.g., as in cell entry 510 -C in FIG. 5C ), step N 720 can be skipped. [0077] Then, a first portion of the model receiver signal (either the input signal or the output signal) is generated in a “GENERATE FIRST RECEIVER SIGNAL PORTION” step N 730 . A second capacitance value (e.g., C_NL 2 from FIG. 5B ) is then read from the cell library in a “READ SECOND CAPACITANCE VALUE(S)” step N 740 . Note that if the second capacitance is a function of the receiver load capacitance (e.g., as described with respect to FIG. 5D ), the load capacitance coupled to the receiver can be read in an optional “READ RECEIVER LOAD CAPACITANCE” step N 750 . [0078] The remainder of the model receiver signal is generated in a “GENERATE SECOND RECEIVER SIGNAL PORTION” step N 760 . Then, from the completed model receiver signal, the model delay and slew values can be determined, in a “DELAY/SLEW DETERMINATION” step N 770 . [0079] The various embodiments of the structures and methods of this invention that are described above are illustrative only of the principles of this invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular embodiments described. Thus, the invention is limited only by the following claims and their equivalents.
A characterized cell library for EDA tools includes receiver model data that provides two or more capacitance values for a given receiver modeling situation (signal type and operating conditions). The receiver model can then use different capacitance values to generate different portions of the model receiver signal, thereby enabling more accurate matching of actual receiver signal timing characteristics. For example, a two-capacitance receiver model can be generated by using the first capacitance value to match the delay characteristics of an actual receiver, and by using the second capacitance (in light of the use of the first capacitance) to match the slew characteristics of that actual receiver. Because typical EDA timing analyses focus mainly on delay and slew (and not the detailed profile of circuit signals), a two-capacitance receiver model can provide a high degree of accuracy without significantly increasing cell library size and computational complexity.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an antenna arrangement comprising a multiband antenna having at least one feed point and a multiplexer for connection between the antenna and a transceiver. The present invention further relates to a radio communications apparatus incorporating such an arrangement. In the present specification, the term multiband antenna relates to an antenna which functions satisfactorily in two or more distinct frequency bands but not in the unused spectrum between the bands. Multiband radio communications apparatuses are becoming increasingly common. For example, cellular telephones are available which can operate in GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications), DCS1800 and PCS1900 (Personal Communication Services) networks. Future apparatus is likely to operate in an even greater range of networks. Implementation of such apparatus requires the availability of multiband antennas and transceivers capable of driving such antennas. It is conventional for a multiband antenna to be realised as a multi-resonant single feed antenna. There are two common ways of achieving antenna multi-resonance. The first is by having different parts of the antenna structure resonate at different frequencies, for example by the use of two antennas joined at a common feed point. The second is by integrating a transmission line matching structure within the antenna with distributed capacitance and inductance to realise a multi-band matching circuit. A multiband antenna is normally fed via a multiplexer having one input per frequency band and a single output. The function of the multiplexer is to provide isolation between the various inputs and to provide a known impedance at the inputs which are not in use for a particular frequency band. The multiplexer output drives the antenna via antenna matching circuitry, which must therefore be effective over all frequency bands. The matching circuitry may also perform a broadbanding function, to enhance the bandwidth available from compact antennas such as planar antennas. A problem with the conventional multiband antenna arrangement described above is that the antenna matching has to be effective at a plurality of frequencies. The more frequencies that are to be matched the more difficult this becomes, which means that the opportunity for other optimisations, such as bandwidth enhancement, is lost. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a multiband antenna arrangement having improved performance. According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an antenna arrangement comprising a multiband antenna having at least one feed point and a multiplexer, the multiplexer comprising at least one input, at least one output and isolation means, the or each output being coupled to a respective antenna feed point, wherein the or each coupling between an antenna feed point and a multiplexer output has a substantially negligible impedance. By ensuring that the coupling between the antenna and the multiplexer is not influenced by parasitic or other ill-defined discrete components (for example circuit board track impedances), it is ensured the isolating function of the multiplexer is not compromised. The negligible impedance would typically be ensured by implementing the multiplexer and antenna close to one another, possibly on the same substrate. For an antenna having a plurality of feed points, implementation of the multiplexer close to the feed points enhances the isolation between the feed points. An antenna arrangement made in accordance with the present invention enables the use of antennas having multiple feeds, which has the advantage of allowing the isolation of the feeds from one another and also of allowing individual matching of the feeds. By implementing some or all of the matching between the antenna and a transceiver within the multiplexer, it is possible to have independent matching and bandwidth broadening for each frequency band. As well as being much easier to implement than multiple frequency matching and bandwidth broadening, it allows further bandwidth enhancement via resonant matching circuitry. Further improvements and economies can be realised by sharing of components between matching, bandwidth broadening and multiplexing functions. According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a radio communications apparatus including an antenna arrangement made in accordance with the present invention. The present invention is based upon the recognition, not present in the prior art, that by having the multiplexer located close to the antenna no significant impedances are present between the antenna and multiplexer. The resultant antenna arrangement has improved performance and is simpler to design than prior art arrangements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a block schematic diagram of an antenna arrangement having a three input, one output multiplexer; FIG. 2 is a block schematic diagram of an antenna arrangement having a three input, three output multiplexer; FIG. 3 is a block schematic diagram of an antenna arrangement having a one input, three output multiplexer; FIG. 4 is a block schematic diagram of a radio communications apparatus incorporating a single output multiplexer; FIG. 5 is a cross-section of a dual-band patch antenna; FIG. 6 is a top view of a dual-band patch antenna; FIG. 7 is an equivalent circuit for modelling the dual-band patch antenna of FIGS. 5 and 6; FIG. 8 is a graph of simulated return loss S 11 in dB against frequency f in MHz for the equivalent circuit of FIG. 7; FIG. 9 is a Smith chart showing the simulated impedance of the equivalent circuit of FIG. 7 over the frequency range 1500 to 2000 MHz; FIG. 10 is an equivalent circuit for modelling an antenna arrangement comprising the dual-band patch antenna of FIGS. 5 and 6 and a distributed diplexer; FIG. 11 is a graph of simulated return loss S 11 in dB against frequency f in MHz for the first multiplexer input to the equivalent circuit of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 is a Smith chart showing the simulated impedance of the first multiplexer input of the equivalent circuit of FIG. 10 over the frequency range 1500 to 2000 MHz; FIG. 13 is a graph of simulated return loss S 11 in dB against frequency f in MHz for the second multiplexer input to the equivalent circuit of FIG. 10; and FIG. 14 is a Smith chart showing the simulated impedance of the second multiplexer input of the equivalent circuit of FIG. 10 over the frequency range 1500 to 2000 MHz. In the drawings the same reference numerals have been used to indicate corresponding features. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, an antenna arrangement made in accordance with the present invention comprises a multiband antenna 102 having a single feed 104 . The antenna 102 is fed via a multiplexer 106 , which multiplexer comprises a plurality of circuits 108 . Each circuit 108 is fed by a corresponding input 110 and provides the required isolation between inputs 110 , while the outputs of the circuits 108 are combined and applied to the antenna feed 104 . In the example shown in FIG. 1 there are three inputs 110 , for frequencies f 1 , f 2 and f 3 respectively. The circuit connected to the f 1 input 110 passes that frequency and prevents signals at the other frequencies, f 2 and f 3 , from being coupled from the antenna feed 104 to the f 1 input 110 . Each circuit 108 also provides a predetermined terminating impedance at the frequencies of the set f 1 , f 2 , f 3 which it does not pass. The circuits 108 could be implemented as resonant circuits, for example comprising either a open circuit series LC circuit or a short circuit parallel LC circuit (or a combination of the two), in either case tuned to be resonant at the input frequencies other than that to be passed. In a Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) system, the circuits 108 might simply comprise switches. Matching circuitry, for matching the impedance of a transceiver to that of the antenna 102 and optionally for increasing the bandwidth of the antenna, could be located between the multiplexer 106 and the transceiver. Alternatively, some or all of the matching or bandwidth broadening could be performed in the multiplexer itself, as part of the circuits 108 . Such an implementation has the advantage of allowing component sharing between multiplexing, matching and broadbanding functions, giving the possibility of reduced component count and a simpler implementation. FIG. 2 shows a similar antenna arrangement, comprising a multiband antenna 202 having three feeds 104 . In this example the multiplexer 106 is distributed between the feeds 104 , and the antenna 202 itself also provides some of the isolation between the inputs 110 . The circuits 108 could be implemented in a similar manner to the previous example. By including passive filtering (or even switching) close to the antenna, use of an antenna 202 having multiple feeds is made practical. In the arrangement of FIG. 2, if the circuits 108 comprise open circuit series LC circuits, each input 110 will present an open circuit to the other inputs 110 at their respective frequencies, so that the antenna 202 will operate as if there is only a single feed at each of the frequencies f 1 , f 2 , f 3 . As well as serving a multiplexing function, this allows the entire volume of the antenna to be used at all three frequencies. The individual feed points of the antenna 202 can then be chosen to provide self-resonance at each frequency using the entire antenna structure, thereby providing improved bandwidth and efficiency. This arrangement also enables more efficient matching than with an antenna having a single feed, in particular allowing independent matching and broadbanding of each feed. Another variation is illustrated in FIG. 3, in which the multiplexer 106 has a single input 110 , shared between frequency bands, and a plurality of outputs connected to the feeds 104 of the multiband antenna 202 . In a simple implementation of such a multiplexer 106 , each of the circuits 108 comprises open circuit series LC circuits. Each input frequency is then passed by its respective circuit 108 and blocked by the other two circuits 108 . As in the arrangement shown in FIG. 2, at each operational frequency the antenna 202 behaves as if there is only a single feed. Such an arrangement could be enhanced by including appropriate matching circuitry within each of the circuits 108 , as well as between the multiplexer 106 and the transceiver. It will be apparent that other variations on the arrangements shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 can be envisaged in which each antenna feed 104 receives signals for one or more operational frequency bands, and similarly each input to the multiplexer receives signals for one or more operational frequency bands. All such variations are within the scope of the present invention. A radio communications apparatus 400 incorporating a multiplexer 106 having a single output is shown in FIG. 4 . The apparatus comprises a microcontroller (μC) 402 , which controls a transceiver (Tx/Rx) 404 , which is operable in three frequency bands. The transceiver has three outputs 110 , one per frequency band, which comprise the inputs of a multiplexer (MP) 106 having a single output connected to a multiband antenna 102 . In this example the matching and broadbanding functions are also performed by the multiplexer 106 . It will be apparent that although the above examples relate to an antenna arrangement for use with three frequency bands, the present invention is not restricted such a use but can be used with any arrangement having two or more frequency bands and corresponding multiplexer (or diplexer) inputs. A prototype embodiment of a dual resonant quarter wave patch antenna 500 is shown in cross-section in FIG. 5 and in top view in FIG. 6 . Details of the design of such an antenna are disclosed in our co-pending UK Patent Application 0013156.5. The antenna comprises a planar, rectangular ground conductor 502 , a conducting spacer 504 and a planar, rectangular patch conductor 506 , supported substantially parallel to the ground conductor 502 . The antenna is fed via a co-axial cable, of which the outer conductor 508 is connected to the ground conductor 502 and the inner conductor 510 is connected to the patch conductor 506 . The cable 510 is connected to the patch conductor 506 at a point on its longitudinal axis of symmetry. A series resonant circuit between the patch conductor 506 and ground conductor 502 is formed by a mandrel 512 and a hole 514 in the ground conductor 502 . The mandrel 512 comprises a threaded brass cylinder, which is turned down to a reduced diameter for the lower portion of its length, which portion of the mandrel 512 is then fitted with a PTFE sleeve to insulate it from the ground conductor. The threaded portion of the mandrel 512 co-operates with a thread cut in the patch conductor 506 , enabling the mandrel 512 to be raised and lowered. The lower portion of the mandrel 512 fits tightly into the hole 514 . Hence, a capacitance having a PTFE dielectric is provided by the portion of the mandrel 512 extending into the hole 514 , while an inductance is provided by the portion of the mandrel between the ground and patch conductors 502 , 506 . The mandrel is located on the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the conductors 502 , 506 . A transmission line circuit model, shown in FIG. 7, was used to model the behaviour of the antenna 500 . A first transmission line section TL 1 , having a length of 30.8 mm and a width of 30 mm, models the portion of the conductors 502 , 506 between the open end (at the right hand side of FIGS. 5 and 6) and the connection of the inner conductor 510 of the coaxial cable. A second transmission line section TL 2 , having a length of 4.1 mm and a width of 30 mm, models the portion of the conductors 502 , 506 between the connection of the inner conductor 510 and the mandrel 512 . A third transmission line section TL 3 , having a length of 1.7 mm and a width of 30 mm, models the portion of the conductors 502 , 506 between the mandrel 512 and the edge of the spacer 504 (which acts as a short circuit between the conductors 502 , 506 ). A resonant circuit is connected from the junction of TL 2 and TL 3 to ground. The resonant circuit comprises an inductance L 2 , having a value of 1.95 nH, and a capacitance C 2 , having a value of 3.7 pF. The resonant circuit has zero impedance at its resonant frequency, 1/( 2π{square root over (L 2 C 2 )})= 1874 MHz. In the vicinity of this resonant frequency the behaviour of the patch is modified, while at other frequencies its behaviour is substantially unaffected. Capacitance C 1 represents the edge capacitance of the open-ended transmission line, and has a value of 0.495 pF, while resistance R 1 represents the radiation resistance of the edge, and has a value of 1000 Ω, both values determined empirically. A port P represents the point at which the co-axial cable 508 , 510 is connected to the antenna, and a 50 Ω load, equal to the impedance of the cable 508 , 510 , was used to terminate the port P in simulations. FIG. 8 shows the results of simulations for the return loss S 11 for frequencies f between 1500 and 2000 MHz. There are two resonances, at frequencies of 1718 MHz and 1874 MHz. The lower of these corresponds to the original resonant frequency of the patch antenna reduced by the effect of the resonant circuit, while the higher corresponds to a new radiation band at the resonant frequency of the resonant circuit. The fractional bandwidths at 7 dB return loss (corresponding to approximately 90% of input power radiated) are 2.2% and 1.3%, giving a total radiating bandwidth of 3.5%. The spacing of the radiation bands corresponds to that between the centre of the UMTS uplink and downlink frequency bands, which are centred at 1962.5 MHz and 2140 MHz respectively (the actual frequencies are lower by a factor of 0.875 because the dimensions of the prototype antenna 500 of FIGS. 5 and 6 were scaled up for simplicity of manufacture). A Smith chart illustrating the simulated impedance of the antenna 500 over the same frequency range is shown in FIG. 9 . The match could be improved with additional matching circuitry, and the relative bandwidths of the two resonances could easily be traded, for example by changing the inductance or capacitance of the resonant circuit. The transmission line circuit model of FIG. 7 was modified by the addition of single antenna feed diplexer (i.e. a two input one output multiplexer), as shown in FIG. 10, intended for use with UMTS and DCS1800. The first arm of the diplexer, terminated by a 50 Ω load R L1 , is designed to pass UMTS frequencies (scaled by a factor of 0.875 to correspond to the dimensions of the prototype antenna 500 ). It includes a resonant circuit comprising an inductance L 3 , having a value of 1.025 nH, and a capacitance C 3 , having a value of 10 pF. The resonant circuit has infinite impedance at its resonant frequency of 1572 MHz, corresponding to the centre of the scaled DCS1800 frequency bands, which it therefore blocks. An inductance L 4 , having a value of 2.8 nH, ensures that the antenna remains matched for the scaled UMTS frequency bands. The second arm of the diplexer, terminated by a 50 Ω load R L2 , is designed to pass DCS1800 frequencies (again scaled by a factor of 0.875). It includes a resonant circuit comprising an inductance L 5 , having a value of 1.5688 nH, and a capacitance C 5 , having a value of 5 pF. The resonant circuit has infinite impedance at its resonant frequency of 1797 MHz, corresponding to the centre of the scaled UMTS uplink and downlink frequency bands, which it therefore blocks. A capacitance C 6 , having a value of 0.7 pF, recovers the match for the scaled DCS1800 frequency band. FIG. 11 shows the results of simulations for the return loss S 11 at the first arm of the diplexer for frequencies f between 1500 and 2000 MHz. The two resonant frequencies are virtually unchanged from the equivalent results without the diplexer shown in FIG. 8 . However, the fractional bandwidths at 7 dB return loss significantly increased to 3.7% and 2.8%, giving a total radiating bandwidth of 6.5%. This demonstrates that the design of the diplexer circuit can result in significant enhancement of the bandwidth of the antenna 500 . A Smith chart illustrating the simulated impedance of the antenna 500 over the same frequency range is shown in FIG. 12 . This demonstrates that the match for both bands is better than without the diplexer (as is also apparent from comparing FIGS. 8 and 11 ). FIG. 13 shows the results of simulations for the return loss S 11 at the second arm of the diplexer for frequencies f between 1500 and 2000 MHz. There is now a single radiation band, having a centre frequency of 1666 MHz and a fractional bandwidth at 7 dB return loss of 5.1%. This demonstrates that the matching and filtering circuitry in the diplexer can be used to fine-tune the resonant frequency of the antenna, here reducing it to slightly below the two natural resonant frequencies of the antenna. A Smith chart illustrating the simulated impedance of the antenna 500 over the same frequency range is shown in FIG. 14, illustrating that the diplexer circuitry has combined the original two resonances. Further enhancements to the bandwidth of the antenna 500 are possible with the aid of independent matching and broadbanding circuits. A particular advantage of an arrangement made in accordance with the present invention is that such matching and bandwidth enhancement can be performed independently for each frequency band of operation. A particular advantage of an arrangement made in accordance with the present invention is that the multiplexer can be implemented very close to the antenna feed or feeds, thereby minimising the effect of parasitic impedances which could otherwise seriously compromise its performance. For example, parasitic capacitance to ground could seriously compromise the open circuits generated by the resonant circuits L 3 ,C 3 or L 5 ,C 5 at the frequencies that each circuit is designed to block. From reading the present disclosure, other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the art. Such modifications may involve other features which are already known in the design, manufacture and use of antenna arrangements and component parts thereof, and which may be used instead of or in addition to features already described herein. Although claims have been formulated in this application to particular combinations of features, it should be understood that the scope of the disclosure of the present application also includes any novel feature or any novel combination of features disclosed herein either explicitly or implicitly or any generalisation thereof, whether or not it relates to the same invention as presently claimed in any claim and whether or not it mitigates any or all of the same technical problems as does the present invention. The applicants hereby give notice that new claims may be formulated to such features and/or combinations of features during the prosecution of the present application or of any further application derived therefrom. In the present specification and claims the word “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. Further, the word “comprising” does not exclude the presence of other elements or steps than those listed.
A antenna arrangement comprising a multiband antenna having at least one feed point; a multiplexer, the multiplexer comprising reciprocal networks and including at least one output coupled to the at least one feed point of the multiband antenna, the multiplexer further comprising at least one input for receiving at least one signal at a first frequency, wherein the coupling between the at least one feed point and the at least one output of the multiplexer has a substantially negligible impedance.
7
RELATED APPLICATION The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/653,153, entitled LED CURABLE INK SYSTEM FOR MULTI-COLORED SUB-SURFACE APPLICATIONS, filed Oct. 16, 2012. The above application is incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is directed toward a graphics display system in which a graphics layer is printed upon a transparent substrate so that the graphics are visible therethrough. The inks used to create the graphics layer exhibit excellent adhesion to substrates, such as polycarbonate, and resist degradation by adhesives that might otherwise cause the graphics layer to delaminate from the substrate. In particular embodiments, the inks used to create the graphics layer are UV-curable digital inks capable of being printed onto the substrate by an inkjet printer. 2. Description of the Prior Art Polycarbonate membrane displays are used in a variety of applications in many industries. Because of its durability, polycarbonate is a good material for use in high-performance environments. Moreover, because it is transparent, one can place an image on the underside, or sub-surface, of the polycarbonate sheet and the image will be protected against damage or wear. Polycarbonate membranes have been employed as overlays in the manufacture of membrane switches which are oftentimes required with withstand millions of switch activations over the product's lifetime. Polycarbonate membrane displays are also typically attached to a mounting surface through the use of a permanent adhesive. Because the image is printed on the sub-surface of the membrane, the ink comes into direct contact with the adhesive. If the adhesive and ink are not properly formulated to be compatible with each other, the adhesive can re-wet the ink thereby resulting in delamination of the ink, and adhesive, from the polycarbonate substrate. Polycarbonate membrane displays have also been used in the construct of backlit displays, such as those found in automotive interiors. In a backlit display, certain portions of the polycarbonate membrane display are opaque or “blacked out” so that light is permitted to pass through only certain parts of the display. In order to deliver the required opacity, the inks printed upon the polycarbonate membrane must have a high solids and pigment levels. Therefore, such inks have typically been of the screen-printed variety. Inkjet printing offers the capability to produce on-demand graphics of very high quality. However, until now, digital inks have not been able to provide the performance characteristics necessary to successfully print polycarbonate membrane displays. Presently available digital inks are susceptible to adhesive migration in which the solvents from the adhesive attack and re-wet the ink. This can lead to degradation of image quality over time and failure of the display due to ink delamination. Furthermore, because digital inks are fired through very small nozzles in the inkjet head, it is very difficult to construct an ink having sufficient opacity for use in polycarbonate membrane displays. In some applications for polycarbonate membrane displays, the membrane may need to be thermally formed into a desired shape, or embossed. Therefore, inks that are highly crosslinked will not stretch or elongate during thermal processing or embossing thereby resulting in the degradation of the graphic's quality. Accordingly, there is a need in the art for an ink system that can be digitally printed onto a transparent substrate for use in graphics display systems that exhibit excellent adhesion to the substrate, resist adhesive migration, and are capable of elongation along with the substrate during thermal processing. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one embodiment of the present invention there is provided a laminate graphics system comprising a thin transparent substrate, a graphics layer printed thereon, and an adhesive layer applied over the graphics layer. The substrate typically comprises a synthetic resin material, and in particular embodiments, a polycarbonate material. The graphics layer is printed on the substrate using at least one UV-curable ink, which is subsequently cured. The UV-curable ink, prior to being cured, comprises one or more acrylate oligomers, one or more reactive diluents, one or more acrylate monomers, one or more photoinitiators, and a pigment. The graphics layer exhibits excellent adhesion to the substrate, and in particular embodiments, the graphics layer adheres more strongly to the substrate than to the adhesive layer. According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a UV-curable ink formulated for use in the manufacture of thin synthetic resin membrane graphics display systems having an adhesive backing. The ink comprises one or more acrylate oligomers, one or more reactive diluents, one or more acrylate monomers, one or more photoinitiators, and a pigment. The ink exhibits excellent adhesion to polycarbonate substrates, and when applied to such a substrate and subjected to a cross hatch tape test according to ASTM D-3359, does not delaminate from the substrate. According to another embodiment of the present invention there is provided a method of forming laminate graphics systems comprising the steps of providing a relatively thin transparent substrate, printing a graphics layer onto the substrate with at least one UV-curable ink, and exposing the at least one UV-curable ink to a source of UV radiation thereby causing the ink to cure on the substrate. The substrate generally comprises a synthetic resin material such as polycarbonate. The one or more inks that are printed on the substrate can be any of the inks described herein. Once printed, the substrate bearing the graphics layer is exposed to a source of UV radiation thereby causing the UV-curable ink to cure on the substrate. In particular embodiments, the ink is printed on the substrate using an inkjet printer. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of an exemplary graphics display system in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Thin film systems having subsurface graphics can be used in a number of applications where it is desirable to protect the graphic from physical damage. For instance, certain devices are equipped with membrane switches designed to be actuated by the user. If the graphic were located on the outer surface of the membrane switch, repeated contact by the user would eventually degrade or cause the graphic to wear to the point that the graphic is rendered useless. By placing the graphic on the underside of the film, it will not see such direct contact. Rather, user contact will occur directly with the more durable synthetic resin film. Particular applications for thin film graphics display systems include devices comprising the aforementioned membrane switches, as well as a number of automotive applications, and particularly, automotive interior fixtures such as dashboards and instrument clusters. In certain applications, the graphics display systems are configured to be illuminated from behind. Thus, the system may comprise a transparent substrate and translucent graphics layers which permit light to pass through. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary graphics display system 10 made in accordance with the present invention. System 10 generally comprises a substrate 12 upon which a graphics layer 14 is printed. Substrate 12 is preferably sufficiently transparent so that graphics layer 14 is visible therethrough. Exemplary substrate materials include polycarbonates (e.g., LEXAN), polyethylene terephthalate, including PET-G, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene, and polypropylene. The thickness and hardness of the substrate material can vary depending upon the desired application for the graphics display. For example, with membrane switches, it is desirable for the substrate to comprise a thin sheet or membrane material that is relatively flexible and will take embossing. In other applications, such as automotive interior parts, the substrate may be thicker and relatively more rigid and be capable of being molded or thermoformed. In certain embodiments, polycarbonate is a preferred substrate given its hardness and processability. Polycarbonate has a glass transition temperature (T g ) of about 147° C., thus any forming operation will require the substrate to be heated above this temperature. While possessing many desirable characteristics, successful direct printing of an ink image onto polycarbonate has been a difficult. As discussed further below, graphics system 10 further comprise an adhesive layer 16 directly applied over graphics layer 14 . Many times the adhesives used in adhesive layer 16 contain solvents that can attack the inks used in graphics layer 14 thereby causing them to delaminate from the polycarbonate substrate. The present invention solves this problem and provides an ink having good chemical resistance and adhesion characteristics to polycarbonate. Graphics layer 14 is directly printed on substrate 12 , preferably using an inkjet printer. Graphics layer 14 , therefore, is printed using one or more inks, particularly UV-curable digital inks. The inks for use in forming graphics systems 10 generally comprise one or more acrylate oligomers, one or more reactive diluents, one or more acrylate monomers, one or more photoinitiators, and a pigment. A number of optional additives may also be used to give the ink formulations other desirable characteristics such as surfactants, viscosity modifying agents, and coupling agents. The acrylate oligomer can be a monofunctional or multifunctional oligomer (e.g., difunctional or trifunctional). As used herein, the term “oligomer” refers to two or more reacted monomers. It is also understood that the term “oligomer” refers to both reacted monomeric chains that are capable of further reaction and reacted monomeric chains that are considered to have no further substantial reactivity. In certain embodiments, the molecular weight and T g of the oligomer component of the ink is an important characteristic. In some applications, it is preferable to closely match the T g of the oligomer with the T g of the resins contained in the adhesive of adhesive layer 16 . In particular embodiments, the T g of at least one oligomer in the ink formulation is between about −50° C. to about 0° C. or between about −40° C. to about −25° C. In other embodiments, at least one oligomer in the ink formulation has a slightly higher T g , between about 0° C. to about 75° C. or between about 20° C. to about 50° C. In still other embodiments, at least one oligomer in the ink formulation has a T g above 90° C. or between about 90° C. to about 120° C. Moreover, certain ink formulations made in accordance with the present invention may comprise two or more oligomers having significantly varying T g values. For example, the ink formulation may include one oligomer having a T g within the range of −40° C. to −25° C., and another oligomer having a T g within the range of 20° C. to about 50° C. With respect to molecular weight, in certain embodiments the oligomer has a molecular weight of at least 500 g/mol, between about 500 to about 5000 g/mol, between about 800 to about 4500 g/mol, or between about 1500 to about 4000 g/mol. Exemplary acrylate oligomer compounds that may be used in formulating inks according to the present invention include polyester polyurethane acrylate oligomers such as: CN991 from Sartomer (a polyester-based polyurethane diacrylate oligomer, MW=800-1000 g/mol, T g =27° C.), CN966H90 from Sartomer (an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer blended with 10% 2(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate, MW=3000−4000 g/mol, T g =−35° C.), CN 983 from Sartomer (an aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer, MW=<500 g/mol, T g =92° C.), and CN973J75 from Sartomer (an aromatic polyester based urethane diacrylate oligomer blended with 25% isobornyl acrylate, MW=3000−4000 g/mol, T g =−31° C.). The one or more oligomers of the ink formulation may be present therein at a level of between about 5% to about 50% by weight, between about 7.5% to about 40% by weight, or between about 10% to about 25% by weight. The acrylate monomers, like the oligomers, can be monofunctional or multifunctional (e.g., di- or trifunctional). In certain embodiments, both monofunctional and multifunctional acrylate monomers can be included in the ink formulation. The monomers can have molecular weights of between about 100 to about 600 g/mol, between about 150 to about 500 g/mol, or between about 175 to about 350 g/mol. The monomers may also have T g values of between 0° C. to about 110° C., between about 20° C. to about 100° C., or between about 30° C. to about 90° C. Exemplary monomers for use in ink formulations according to the present invention include various alkyl and cycloalkyl acrylate monomers such as: SR833S from Sartomer (a tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate monomer, MW=304 g/mol, T g =104° C.), CD420 from Sartomer (a monofunctional acrylic monomer, MW=197 g/mol, T g =29° C.), and isobornyl acrylate (MW=208.3 g/mol, T g =88° C.). Generally, ink formulations made in accordance with the present invention comprise between about 30% to about 60% by weight, between about 35% to about 55%, between about 40% to about 50% by weight of said one or more monomers. Reactive diluents are present in the ink formulation to modify the viscosity thereof. The diluent generally comprises one or more monomers that react with the other monomers and/or oligomers present in the ink formulation upon curing of the ink. The monomer may be mono-functional or multifunction (di- or trifunctional). In certain embodiments, the monomers of the diluent present molecular weights of less than about 1000 g/mol, between about 100 to about 500 g/mol, or between about 110 to about 250 g/mol. Moreover, the monomers of the diluent may exhibit T g values of between about −25° C. to about 100° C., or between about −5° C. to about 50° C., or between about 0° C. to about 35° C. Exemplary reactive diluents for use with inks made according to the present invention include N-vinylpyrrolidone (MW=111 g/mol, T g =˜100° C.), CD420 from Sartomer, and Genomer 1122 from Rahn (a monofunctional urethane acrylate, MW=215 g/mol, T g =−3° C.). Generally, the one or more reactive diluents are present in the ink formulations at a level of between about 8% to about 30% by weight, between about 10% to about 25% by weight, or between about 12% to about 22% by weight. Being a UV-curable, inks according to the present invention generally comprise one or more photoinitiators which absorb light energy and produces free radicals in a free radical polymerization system. Exemplary photoinitiators suitable for use with ink formulations according to the present invention include 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF), 1-benzoyl-1-hydroxycyclohexane (IRGACURE 184 from CIBA/BASF), Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate (EDAB from Albermarle), ITX (2-isopropylthiaoxanthone), ESACURE ONE (Difunctional-alpha-hydroxy ketone photoinitiator from Lamberti), 2-methyl-1-[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-2-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone (IRGACURE 907). Ink formulations according to the present invention generally comprise between about 4% to about 15% by weight, between about 5% to about 13% by weight, or between about 7% to about 12% by weight of said one or more photoinitiators. Ink formulations also include a pigment or pigment dispersion (pigment particles dispersed in a carrier fluid). The level of pigment present in the ink formulation depends largely upon the color and desired opacity of the ink. In certain applications it is desirable for the inks to be transparent, and thus have very low opacity. For example, in the creation of an automotive instrument display, a transparent colored ink (red, for example) may be printed upon a polycarbonate substrate in the pattern of a particular gauge. A transparent black ink may then be laid down on top of the gauge pattern and additional portions of the substrate as desired. In this manner, the instrument display normally appears black, but when backlight, the red transparent ink becomes visible. Alternatively, the inks used may be quite opaque. Particularly, in certain applications, it may be desirable to overcoat the printed graphics with an opaque ink, such as a white pigmented ink. Such opaque inks, especially white opaque inks, can be formulated similarly to any of the inks discussed herein. The curable ink composition may further include one or more optional additives. These optional additives can comprise one or more viscosity modifying agents, coupling agents, surfactants or dispersants, anti-foaming agents, binders, antioxidants, photoinitiator stabilizers, fungicides, bactericides, leveling agents, opacifiers, antistatic agents, or combination thereof. In certain embodiments, it is preferred to include a silane compound, such as an arylalkoxy silane available from Dow Corning under the name XIAMETER OFS-6124. The silane compound can be used to make inorganic surfaces hydrophobic thereby improving pigment dispersion and adhesion. The silane compound may be present in ink formulations at a level of between about 0.25% to about 5% by weight, between about 0.5% to about 2.5% by weight, or between about 0.75% to about 1.5% by weight. Other exemplary additives that may also be included in the ink formulations described herein are a stabilizer additive available from Rahn under the product number 99-775, a chlorinated binder available from BASF under the name LAROFLEX MP 15, and siloxane surfactants such as a polyether siloxane copolymer from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF under the name TEGO 450. When used, such additives are typically present in the ink formulations at levels of less than 5% by weight. In particular embodiments of the present invention, the ink formulations are intended for application to the substrate with an inkjet printer. Therefore, ink viscosity can be an important physical characteristic, as is pigment particle size. In certain embodiments, the inks can be jetted through heated inkjet heads. Therefore, inks made in accordance with the present invention can have viscosities of between about 8 to about 35 cp, between about 10 to about 30 cp, or between about 15 to about 25 cp at 35° C. The inks should also be jettable through 7 to 80 picoliter inkjet heads. Therefore, the pigment particles should be reduced in size sufficient to be jetted through these small inkjet nozzles without clogging or obstructing the nozzle. Viscosity can also be controlled through the addition of an alcohol having a relatively low vaporization temperature. For example, ethyl alcohol can be used in this capacity at levels of between about 1% to about 15% by weight, between about 3% to about 12% by weight, or between about 4% to about 10% by weight, as necessary. After application to substrate 12 , the inks which comprise graphics layer 14 are cured by exposure to a UV light source such as mercury vapor lamp or an LED lamp. In certain embodiments, no baking of the substrate and graphics layer is required to sufficiently cure the inks. When cured, the ink formulations exhibit excellent adhesion characteristics to the substrate. In certain embodiments, the ink, when applied and cured upon a polycarbonate substrate and subjected to a cross hatch tape test according to ASTM D-3359, incorporated by reference herein, does not delaminate from the substrate. Generally, this test method involves applying a 0.5 mil layer of the coating to the polycarbonate substrate, creating a lattice pattern of cuts in the cured coating, applying a pressure-sensitive tape over the lattice, and removing the lattice. Performance is then judged by how much, if any, of the coating was removed from the lattice by the tape. In particular embodiments according to the present invention, less than 5% of the coating is removed by the tape, and more preferably, none of the coating is removed by the tape. In certain embodiments according to the present invention, the inks also exhibit excellent impact resistance, particularly as measured by ASTM D2794, incorporated by reference herein. In this test, a polycarbonate panel containing an ink layer (at least 0.5 mil thick) is placed beneath a vertical guide tube down which falls a weight fitted with a handle which protrudes through a vertical slot in the tube. A graduated inch-pound scale is marked along the length of the tube. The weight is raised to a certain level on the graduated tube and dropped onto the panel. The weight can be dropped onto either the coated side or the reverse side of the test panel, although impact on the reverse side general is the more severe test. The coated panel is inspected for cracking. Certain ink formulations according to the present invention, when cured on a polycarbonate substrate, do not exhibit cracking visible to the naked eye after a weight is dropped from the 180 inch-pound graduation, even when dropped onto the reverse side of the test panel. Adhesive layer 16 generally comprises a pressure-sensitive adhesive 17 , and particularly an acrylic adhesive. Layer 16 may be provided as a sheet having two removable liners (e.g., a double-sided tape). In such embodiments, one of the liners is stripped and the remaining adhesive layer 16 comprising adhesive 17 and liner or backing sheet 18 applied over graphics layer 14 . In particular embodiments, the adhesive layer has a peel value of at least 60 N/100 mm, at least 70 N/100 mm, or at least 80 N/100 mm as measured according to ASTM D3330 based on a 2 mil thick layer of adhesive 72 hours after application to a polycarbonate panel and stored at room temperature. In other embodiments, the adhesive layer has a peel value of between about 60 to about 120 N/100 mm, between about 65 to about 110 N/100 mm, or between about 70 to about 100 N/100 mm as measured according to ASTM D3330 based on a 2 mil thick layer of adhesive 72 hours after application to a polycarbonate panel and stored at room temperature. Exemplary adhesive systems include 467 MP and 468MP adhesive transfer tapes available from 3M. These adhesive transfer tapes are manufactured with different thicknesses of adhesive 17 . In some embodiments, the adhesive thickness is between about 1 mil to about 8 mils, between about 2 mils to about 6 mils, or between about 2.3 to about 5.2 mils. The graphics layer 14 generally exhibits greater adhesion to the substrate than to the adhesive 17 . This is observed when removing graphics system 10 from a mount or support. In order to permanently affix system 10 to a mount or support, liner 18 is stripped to expose the adhesive 17 . System 10 is then positioned on top of the support and pressed into position. If one were to attempt to separate system 10 from the support, particularly after they have been in contact for several hours or more, graphics layer 14 will not delaminate from substrate 12 . In fact, what is typically observed is that a portion of adhesive 17 remains adhered to graphics layer 14 , and a portion of adhesive 17 remains adhered to the support. Thus, the graphics layer 14 exhibits greater adhesion to the substrate than to the adhesive 17 as though a portion of the adhesive remains adhered to the support, the graphics layer remains intact on substrate 12 . EXAMPLES The following examples set forth varnish and ink formulations made in accordance with the present invention. Two varnish formulations are provided. Although the various inks listed below comprise Varnish 1, Varnish 2 could be substituted for Varnish 1 in these formulations. It is to be understood that these examples are provided by way of illustration and nothing therein should be taken as a limitation upon the overall scope of the invention. Varnish 1 Amount Component (wt. %) Polyester-based polyurethane diacrylate   23% oligomer (CN991 from Sartomer) N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone   23% Isobornyl acrylate 19.7% Tricyclodecane dimethanol diacrylate   15% monomer (SR833S from Sartomer) Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn)  1.3% Chlorinated binder   3% (LAROFLEX MP 15 from BASF) Monofunctional acrylic monomer   15% (CD420 from Sartomer) Varnish 2 Amount Component (wt. %) Aromatic polyester based urethane diacrylate 40.75% oligomer blended with 25% isobornyl acrylate (CN973J75 from Sartomer) N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone   24% Aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate    5% oligomer blended with 10% 2(2-ethoxyethoxy) ethyl acrylate (CN966H90 from Sartomer) Aliphatic polyester based urethane diacrylate    5% oligomer (CN 983 from Sartomer) Monofunctional urethane acrylate   10% (GENOMER 1122 from Rahn) Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn)  1.3% Chlorinated binder    8% (LAROFLEX MP 15 from BASF) Ethyl alcohol   25% Arylalkoxy silane (XIAMETER OFS-6124 from    6% Dow Corning) Yellow Ink Amount Component (wt. %) Varnish 1 54.25% Isobornyl acrylate   15% N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone    4% 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide    3% (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF) IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF  3.5% Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate    4% (EDAB from Albermarle) Isothioxanone (photoinitiator)  2.75% Yellow Pigment Dispersion    9% (from Polymeric Imaging) Polyether siloxane copolymer (surfactant)    1% (TEGO 450 from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF) Ethyl alcohol    3% Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn)  0.5% Magenta Ink Amount Component (wt. %) Varnish 1   42% Isobornyl acrylate 14.28% N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone    7% 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide  2.75% (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF) IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF  3.5% ESACURE ONE (Difunctional-alpha-hydroxy  1.5% ketone photoinitiator from Lamberti) Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate    4% (EDAB from Albermarle) Isothioxanone (photoinitiator)  1.3% Magenta Pigment Dispersion 19.23% (from Polymeric Imaging) Polyether siloxane copolymer (surfactant)    1% (TEGO 450 from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF) Ethyl alcohol    3% Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn)  0.5% Cyan Ink 1 Amount Component (wt. %) Varnish 1   50% Isobornyl acrylate 14.5% N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone   4% 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine oxide 2.75% (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF) IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF   3% Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate   4% (EDAB from Albermarle) IRGACURE 907 (photoinitiator)  2.5% Cyan Pigment Dispersion 4.75% (from Polymeric Imaging) Polyether siloxane copolymer (surfactant)   1% (TEGO 450 from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF) Ethyl alcohol   3% Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn)  0.5% Black Ink Amount Component (wt. %) Varnish 1  55% Isobornyl acrylate  15% N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone   4% 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine   3% oxide (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF) IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator from 3.5% CIBA/BASF Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate   4% (EDAB from Albermarle) Isothioxanone (photoinitiator)   3% Black Pigment Dispersion 8.5% (from Polymeric Imaging) Polyether siloxane copolymer (surfactant)   1% (TEGO 450 from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF) Ethyl alcohol   3% Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn) 0.5% Cyan Ink 2 Amount Component (wt. %) Varnish 1 55.95% Isobornyl acrylate 14.45% N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone  3.85% 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine  2.75% oxide (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF) IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF    3% Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate    4% (EDAB from Albermarle) IRGACURE 907 (2-methyl-1[4-(methylthio)phenyl]-  2.5% 2-(4-morpholinyl)-1-propanone photoinitiator) Cyan Pigment Dispersion (from Polymeric Imaging)  8.5% Polyether siloxane copolymer (surfactant)    1% (TEGO 450 from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF) Ethyl alcohol    3% Arylalkoxy silane coupling agent    1% (XIAMETER OFS-6124 from Dow Coming) Cyan Ink 3 Amount Component (wt. %) Varnish 1 53.38% Isobornyl acrylate 13.95% N-vinyl-2-pyrrolidone  3.85% 2,4,6-Trimethylbenzoyldiphenylphosphine  2.75% oxide (TPO photoinitiator from CIBA/BASF) IRGACURE 184 photoinitiator from    3% CIBA/BASF Ethyl-4(dimethylamino)benzoate    4% (EDAB from Albermarle) IRGACURE 907 (photoinitiator)  2.5% Cyan Pigment Dispersion  8.5% (from Polymeric Imaging) Stabilizer (Additive 99-775 from Rahn)  0.5% Polyether siloxane copolymer (surfactant)    1% (TEGO 450 from TEGO CHEMIE/BASF) Ethyl alcohol    3% Arylalkoxy silane coupling agent  3.57% (XIAMETER OFS-6124 from Dow Corning)
A graphics display system is provided in which a graphics layer is printed upon a transparent substrate. An adhesive is generally applied over the graphics layer so that the graphics display system may be permanently affixed to a support. The graphics layer may be digitally printed upon the substrate using one or more UV-curable inks formulated to provide excellent adhesion to the substrate and resistance to degradation by the adhesive. The inks are capable of curing by UV radiation emitted from an LED array as opposed to conventional mercury vapor lamps.
2
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of co-pending U.S. Application Ser. No. 805,739, filed June 13, 1977, which in turn is a continuation-in-part of copending U.S. application Ser. No. 739,198 filed Nov. 5, 1976 and now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates in general to a pivot assembly mold, and more particularly to a mold enabling an improved and more economical method for forming and attaching a freely rotatable handle to an article and/or the more economical article created thereby. SUMMARY OF THE PRIOR ART Pivot assemblies for pails, as for example, used in the paint industry and the like usually include a wire handle or bail having bent ends for receipt in the recesses of a pair of metal ears attached to the wall of a metal pail. This arrangement suffers from the need to attach the ears to the annular metal wall of the pail, and then to assemble the wire bail to the ears. There are economic defects in this arrangement, since the expense of attaching the ears and assembling the bail represents a significant portion of the pail cost. In the case of inexpensive, light duty plastic pails, ears are formed simultaneously with the molding of the pail, but the handle or bail must still be formed and attached in separate steps or operations, since no economically viable technique has heretofore been developed for enabling a mold part forming the bearing surfaces between the pail and handle to be withdrawn, while retaining the bail attached or assembled to the pail. Attempts have been made to sidestep the problem of forming the bearing surfaces in the case of relatively expensive, heavy duty plastic pails for use in the paint industry by simultaneously molding a plastic pail and bail in integrally formed and attached relationship. The bail is pivotable only through a limited angle, since the integral connection restrains the relative movement. As may be appreciated, this creates inconvenience in use, while the weight of the pail and its contents places severe stress on the integral connection. The result is that while some economies are offered in the fabrication of the pail, this type of integrally molded pail and bail does not provide practical, convenient carrying and stacking properties, and accordingly has not received universal acceptance. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention proposes a substantial improvement in the method of forming a pivot assembly, for a pail, a box with a hinged lid, or other structures, by integrally molding bearing surfaces between a plastic bail and plastic bushings formed on the pail, for example, and severing the integral connection therebetween, to permit free rotation of the bail relative the pail, while thereafter maintaining the pail and bail in assembled relationship. This is done by providing a mold in which diametrically opposed pairs of concentric mold chambers or cavities are defined by pivot assembly making apparatus in a mold. A ring member is positionable in the mold chamber to define a pair of spaced mold cavities inside and outside of the ring member, and means for inserting and withdrawing the ring member from the mold chamber is provided. The mold is adapted to receive materials to be molded into the mold chamber. Also, means are provided for causing the separate members molded in the spaced mold cavities to be interlocking, relatively pivotable relationship, to prevent them from separating from each other. Various specific embodiments of this means are described below. The mold cavity between the inner surface of each ring member and core may be in communication with the mold cavity forming the annular wall of the pail or other article, to form a bushing therebetween projecting from the pail wall. A gate in each ring member communicates the plastic to a mold cavity positioned between the outer surface of each ring member and a bore of the mold, to form an outer bearing positioned about each bushing. Plastic in each bail or handle bearing cavity can extend into an arcuate mold cavity interconnecting the outer bearing cavities for forming the handle or bail, or, alternatively a box lid or the like. As one type of interlocking means, an end shoulder and internal recess in the ring member can define arcuate resilient retaining ear portions at the end of each molded bushing. After the core is withdrawn from the bushing, the retaining ears are free to flex inwardly to enable withdrawl of the ring member. Withdrawal of the ring member severs the plastic in the gate from between each bail bearing and bushing, so that the handle is free to rotate, while the resilient retaining ears limit relative axial movement between the bearings and bushings to prevent disassembly of the bail from the pail. The problem of withdrawing the ring mold part forming the spaced bearing and bushing surfaces is solved by the simple provision of providing a core or plunger in the ring member adjacent resilient ear portions thereon, to facilitate withdrawal of the ring mold part from between the bearing surfaces by deflection of the resilient ear portions after the plunger has withdrawn. The resilient ear portions then assume their normal position to prevent disassembly of the bail from the pail. As another type of interlocking means, the core or plunger member which is positioned within the ring member may define a flared or pointed end. Accordingly, prior to the molded plastic reaching complete solidification, the bushing or pivotal member molded within the ring member is spread outwardly into interlocking relation with the relatively pivotable member molded outside of the ring member by means of the plunger member passing through the bushing, as specifically illustrated below. It is therefore one object of the present invention to provide an improved mold and/or method for forming a pivot assembly. It is another object of the present invention to provide an improved mold and/or more economical method for forming a freely rotatable bail on a pail. It is still another object of the present invention to provide a more economical assembly of a plastic pail and a freely rotatable plastic bail. Other objects and features of the present invention will become apparent on examination of the following specification and claims together with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along transverse diametrical planes illustrating the relevant portions of a mold assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the insert assembly used in the mold assembly seen in FIG. 1 for molding the bushings and bearings. FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the insert assembly seen in FIG. 2 in position for molding the bushings and bearings. FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary view similar to FIG. 3 and showing the relevant portion of the insert assembly being withdrawn from the bushing and bearing. FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 5--5 in FIG. 3. FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken generally along the line 6--6 in FIG. 3. FIG. 7 is a side elevational view of a pail molded in accordance with the principles of the present invention and indicating a stack of such pails by broken or dashed lines. FIG. 8 is a top elevational view of the pail shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of the pail bushing and bearing formed in accordance with the principles of the present invention; and FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary end view of the pail bushing and bearing shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a bucket made in the mold illustrated in FIGS. 13 through 16. FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12--12 of FIG. 11. FIG. 13 is a longitudinal sectional view of part of a mold for a bucket or the like, utilizing a different embodiment of structure for forming an attached, freely pivotable handle on the bucket, shown in an initial stage of operation. FIGS. 14, 15 and 16 are similar fragmentary longitudinal sectional views of the structure of FIG. 13 in sequential stages of the mold operation. FIG. 17 is a fragmentary longitudinal section al view of a mold for making a bucket or the like, utilizing yet other embodiment for structure for forming the attached, freely pivotable handle. FIGS. 18, 19 and 20 are sectional views similar to that of FIG. 17, showing further sequential steps in the mold operation. FIG. 21 is a plan view of a box with an integrally attached pivotal lid made in accordance with this invention. FIG. 22 is an elevational view of the same box and pivotally attached lid. FIG. 23 is a sectional view taken along line 23--23 of FIG. 21. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1 through 10, in FIG. 1 of the relevant portion of a mold assembly incorporating the principles of the present invention is indicated by the reference character 10. The mold assembly 10 is shown in half sections taken along transverse diameter lines or planes to illustrate various relationships between the parts, and includes an upper, cup-shaped outer mold assembly 12 having a separable back wall 13 and annular wall 13a arranged for conventional vertical and radial outward movement. A lower mold ring assembly 14 is provided at the open end of assembly 12. It will be understood that references to various directions of movement or location are made with respect to the drawings and are not limitations on the orientation of the parts or their movement. An inner core assembly 16 is received by the cup and ring mold assemblies 12 and 14 to define a cup-shaped mold cavity 18. A bucket, can or pail 20 made by this mold has a freely rotatable handle or bail 22 attached to pail 20 by spaced retaining ears 24, as best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8. The bucket is formed in cavity 18 during a single molding cycle or operation by the injection of a suitable plastic molding powder or mixture through a passage 25 formed in the back wall of the upper mold means or assembly 12. Passages for the conventional transmission of a cooling fluid may also be provided in the respective assembles. The pail 20 includes a back wall 26 formed in corresponding mold chamber 27 at the end of passage 25 between assemblies 12 and 16, and an annular side wall 28 formed in cavity 30, which is defined by the spacing between the outer surface of core assemblies 12 and 14 with the cavity 30 extending radially outwardly at a draft angle of about 5° from the perpendicular to the back wall cavity 27. Cavity 30 terminates in conventional radially inwardly and outwardly directed recesses 33 located respectively in the core means 16 and ring assembly 14 to form a conventional circumferential lip or bead 32 at the open end of pail wall 28. Lip 32 enables a conventional lid (not shown) to be held in engagement with the open end of wall 28 to close the can or pail 20. The core means 16 includes a knockout pin 34 extending in a passage along the axis of an inner member or inner core 36. Member 36 seats in the cavity of a cup shaped outer core or core member 38, which in combination with assemblies 12 and 14 defines the mold cavity 18. The knockout pin 34 extends through a passage in the back wall of member 38 and has a flared end portion 29, the end face of which is spaced opposite passage 25 to define a central portion of the back wall of cavity 18 and the back wall of pail 20. The flared end portion of pin 34 is seated in a flared seat of the passage in the back wall of core member 38 for preventing the application of air pressure to the pail back wall from an ejection air passage 40 in the inner core 36, and this prevents ejection of the pail until the knockout pin 34 is moved relative the core members 36 and 38 by an ejector plate 42 located below the core member 36. O rings 41 encircling the pin 34 prevent air from passage 40 in the passage surrounding the pin 34 from entering the space between the back wall of core member 38 and core member 36. The ejector plate 42 is arranged for guided conventional movement along the axis of pin 34 on pins or bushings such as 44 to engage a shoulder on pin 34 at a predetermined position to move the pin 34. Pins such as 46 resting on wear pads of the plate 42 are also moved by the plate 42. The pins 46 extend vertically upwardly and radially outwardly from the ejector plate 42 to pass through a radially outwardly directed annular flange 48 on the outer core member 38 to move the ring assembly or ring 14. Ring 14 is arranged as a split ring for movement of the respective segments radially outwardly and vertically upwardly, as seen in the drawings. The flange 48 defines outer wall 50, which in turn defines an annular horizontal parting line between the assemblies 12 and 16 at surfaces 52, space radially outwardly of ring 14. The parting surfaces 52 between assemblies 12 and 16 extend to radially inwardly directed, vertically extending annular surface 54, also to the radially inward side 54 of annular wall 50. Side 54 forms an annular, inclined parting line with ring means 14 below assembly 12. Also, horizontal, annular parting line is formed at surfaces 56 between the outwardly extending flange 48 and the lower surface of ring 14 permitting radially outward and upward movement of the ring 14 in response to the movement of the ejector plate 42 and pins 46 in an upward direction. A horizontal annular parting line is formed between assemblies 12 and 14 at surfaces 58 which extend radially inwardly from wall 50 along a horizontal plane to a position intermediate opposite ends of one annular vertical or axial leg 60 of a cross-sectionally L shaped annular mold cavity 62 as best seen in FIGS. 2-4. Cavity leg 60 is formed by a recess extending upwardly from parting line 58 in assembly 13a and a pair of spaced vertical surfaces formed respectively by a depending leg 64 and a recess of assemblies 12 and 14 extending below surfaces or parting lines 58. The other cavity leg 66 of cavity 62 is formed by a pair of spaced horizontal surfaces located respectively at the end of the depending leg 64 of assembly 12 and the mating recess of ring 14. The leg 66 communicates at its radially inward end with the annular mold cavity 30 adjacent to but spaced from the lip 32, so that the molten plastic material flows from cavity 30 into cavity 62. A peripheral annular wall 68 of bucket 20 (FIG. 9) is thus formed in cavity leg 66 extending radially outwardly from the annular wall 28 of the pail 20, and a skirt wall 70 depending from wall 68 is formed in cavity leg 60. In addition each leg 64 of assembly 12 is provided with a series of spaced recesses 71, as best seen in FIG. 3, extending radially between cavities 30 and 62 for forming a plurality of spaced reinforcing ribs 72 between the annular wall 28 and the skirt wall 70 of the pail 20. Also extending radially outwardly from intermediate the ends of cavity leg 60 so as to be symmetrical with the parting surfaces 58 are a pair of diametrically opposed cylindrical cavities or passages such as 74. Passages 74 each receive an insert assembly 76 extending through flange 50 and movable radially relative the pail axis by a corventional hydraulic cylinder assembly 78 at a selected or predetermined time in the molding cycle. Each insert assembly 76 as best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 includes an elongate outer sleeve member 80, whose axis extends along surfaces or parting line 58. Sleeve member 80 is movably carried by an elongated core member 82. The core member 82 also passes through flange 50, and is alternatingly moved along its longitudinal axis in opposite directions by the hydraulic assembly 78. Member 82 is provided with spaced shoulders 84 and 86 seated in a recess 88 of an enlarged portion 90 of sleeve member 80 external to wall 50. Shoulders 84 and 86 are adapted to engage shoulders 92 and 94 respectively at opposite ends of the recess 88 in response to movement by the cylinder 78 of the core member 82. Passages 74 each include a bore portion 96 spaced from cavity leg 60 and extending axially from the respective passage 74. One end of bore 96 is closed by an enlarged shoulder 98 on sleeve member 80. A reduced diameter bore 100, coaxial with bore 96, is formed between bore 96 and cavity leg 60 with a shoulder 102 located intermediate bores 100 and 96. A ring member 104 projects from shoulder 98 of sleeve member 80 with the ring being of reduced diameter for extension through bore 96 into bore 100, to form an annular mold bearing cavity outside of ring member 104 within bore 96, with end surfaces formed by shoulders 10s and 98. As best seen in FIGS. 3-6, each cavity 96 communicates with an end mold passage 108 for handle 22 in assemblies 12 and 14, extending between spaced, diametrically opposed mold cavities 96, to define the handle or bail mold cavity. The ring member 104 projects against a reduced diameter shoulder in bore 100. Elongated core or rod 82 extends therethrough and terminates adjacent cavity leg 60. The periphery of core 82 is spaced inwardly from the inner surface of the ring member 104 to define a second annular mold or bushing cavity 112, concentric with cavity 96 and terminating at an inner shoulder 114 formed in sleeve 80 at a position spaced outwardly of shoulder 98 and mold cavity 96. Cavity 112 communicates at one end with the cavity leg 60 for receiving molten plastic material to form an annular boss or bushing 116 on skirt wall 70 of the bucket, terminating at shoulder 114. Cavity 112 also communicates with annular mold cavity 96 through a gate or passage 118 in ring member 104, for forming an annular bearing member 120 on the bucket intermediate the ends of the bushing 116 and the handle 22 in handle cavity 110 by allowing plastic to flow from cavity 112 to cavity 96. Retaining ears or resilient retaining fingers 24, for retaining the bearings 120 and handle 22, are formed on the end of bushing 116 in a series of three equally spaced recesses 122 formed in the inner surface of sleeve 80 at the outward end of cavity 112 at shoulder 114. For operation, the mold assembly 10 is mounted in a conventional molding machine and moved to the closed position indicated in FIG. 1 by such conventional means as hydraulic pressure. A molten plastic material is injected through the passage 25 in the back wall of the assembly 12. The plastic flows through the cavities 18, 30, and 62 and into the cavities 112 and 96 defined by the core 82 and ring 104, to form the projecting bushings 116 and retaining fingers 24 respectively of the bucket. Plastic flows from cavity 112 through the gate 118, in the ring 104 into the bore cavity 96, defined outside of ring 104, to form the handle bearings 120. From cavity 96 the plastic also flows through the arcuate bail cavity 108 between the ring means 14 and the assembly 12 to form the bail 22 interconnecting the bearings 120. The molten plastic also flows into the recesses between ring means 14 and the core member 38 at the lower end of cavity 30 and through the recesses 71 in the leg 64 (FIG. 3) of assembly 12 to form lip 32 and ribs 72 respectively. It will be understood of course that the plastic for forming the bail and ring bearing may be supplied through another or additional paths. However, the advantages in providing the common communication with cavity 30 for forming the various portion of a pail are substantial. After cure has taken place, and while the plastic is still warm, the hydraulic cylinders 78 (FIG. 2) are activated to move each core member 82 radially outwardly from the pail. The core member 82 is moved past recesses 122 to clear ears 24 and shoulder 114. Shoulder 84 on core 82 engages shoulder 92 of the recess 88 in sleeve member 80, to cause the sleeve member 80 to be also moved radially outwardly from the pail. The ring member 104 therefore moves radially outwardly also. Movement of the ring member 104 shears the plastic in gate 118 from the bushing 116 and from the ring bearing 96, while simultaneously causing the retaining ear 24 to flex radially inwardly toward the core axis as indicated by dashed line 124 in FIG. 4. Flexing movement of FIG. 24 occurs without interference, since the core 82 has already been withdrawn. As soon as the ring member 104 passes the retaining ears 24, they return to their normal position, which is radially coincident with the bearings 120, for preventing disassembly of the ring bearings 120 and bail or handle 22 from the pail 20. The upper mold assembly 12 is then moved upwardly to clear leg 64 from between the annular wall 28 and skirt wall 70 of the pail, whereafter segments of mold assembly 12 are moved radially outwardly to clear the pail. The ejector plate 42 is now permitted to move upwardly. As it does so pins 46 move the split ring means 14 outwardly and upwardly. The pins 46 may of course translate or move transversely of the plate 42 on the wear pads. The recess in core 38 for forming lip 32 of the bucket is shallow, and at a small transverse angle to wall 28 to permit lip 32 to flex free of the core as the radially inward pressure of ring 14 is relieved, while the pail 20 is carried upwardly by the engagement of ring 14 with wall 68 of the bucket (FIG. 4). As the ejector plate 42 continues to move upwardly, it engages the shoulder on the knockout pin 34, to move the knockout pin 34 upwardly for disengaging the flared portion 39 of the pin from the flared seat in the back wall of the core 38, thereby permitting air from the passage 40 to blow the pail free of the mold assembly 10. Closure of the mold assembly may now take place with the ejector plate 42 moving downwardly, to enable ring assembly 14 to engage the cup shaped flange 48 along parting surfaces 54 and 56, while the upper mold assembly 12 is returned to the closed position shown in FIG. 1 to engage wall 50 along surfaces 52. The hydraulic cylinder 78 now moves core member 82 radially inwardly to disengage shoulders 84 and 92. Shoulder 86 on the core member 82 thereafter engages shoulder 94 on the sleeve member 80, to also move the sleeve member radially inwardly. When shoulder 98 on the sleeve member closes one end of bore 96, the mold 10 is prepared for another molding cycle. Essentially, therefore, the ring 104 forms a pair of spaced bearing mold cavities with the ring outer surface forming one bearing cavity surface and the ring inner surface forming the other bearing cavity surface. Since the cavity 112 defined by ring 104 extends past the outer bearing cavity 96, the ears or resilient retaining means 24 formed therein occupy a radial position intercepting the outer handle bearing 120 in the formed porduct. The ears 24 are secured to the inner bearing 116, and their radially inward flexure is permitted by the retraction of core 82, which also defines the inner wall for the cavity 112. As the ring 104 withdrawn axially, it engages the newly-formed ears 24, to flex the ears radially inwardly. When ring 104 disengages from the ears, they simply flex or return to their normal radial position, intercepting again the outer bearing 120, to limit axial movement of the outer bearing relative the inner bushing 116. Typical or practical dimensions for the bushing 116 is an inner diameter of 0.18 inch and an outer diameter of 0.3 inch. The outer bearing 120 may have an inner diameter of 0.39 inch and an outer diameter of 0.56 inch with the ears 24 formed on an outer radius of 0.23 inch, so that a relatively large intercepting area is provided. With the pail and bail separated from the mold, it may now be utilized for the desired purpose without further assembly or fabrication of either the pail or bail, or assembly of either the bail 22 or retention means 24 to the pail, since the bail 22 is now freely rotatable on and attached to the pail. Thus the rings 120 and bail 22 may rotate about the axis of each bushing 116 from a position in which the bail is engaged with the pail wall 28, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 7, to a vertical position in which the bail is aligned with the vertical axis of the pail for carrying purposes. Rotation of the bail to engage wall 28 permits easy stacking of the pails, as shown by the dashed lines in FIG. 7, with the skirt wall 70 and ribs 71 of each pail resting on the open end of the annular wall 28 of the lower pail. Retraction or disassembly of the bail from the pail is of course prevented by the transverse, flexible retaining ears or fingers 24 on the bushing or each boss 116, which hold or limit relative axial movement of the bail rings or bearings 120. Referring now to FIGS. 11 through 17, a bucket, and another embodiment of a bucket handle molding apparatus in various stages of operation, is illustrated. Overall, the structure and function of the mold of this embodiment is generally similar to the previous embodiment, except as otherwise described herein. Referring to FIG. 13, mold parts 200, 202, 204 are separably positioned together to define a bucket-forming cavity 206, in which plastic is shown to be molded to form a bucket 207. A plunger 210 is provided, being positioned within an insert member 212 as shown, which terminates in a ring member 214, defining a gate 216, as in the previous embodiment to, in turn, define, during the molding operation, spaced outer chamber 218 and inner chamber 220. These chambers are analogous to the previously described outer chamber 96 and inner chamber 112 as shown, for example, in FIG. 2. A passageway through the mold is positioned in communication with the two diametrically opposed outer chambers 218 on the bucket to serve as a handle mold cavity, being fed with plastic, if desired, through gate 216, or, alternatively, having independent feeding means. The handle mold cavity is not shown in FIGS. 13 through 16, but is positioned in a manner similar to the handle mold cavity 108 of the previous embodiment. In distinction from the previous embodiment, plunger 210 defines a bulbous end 222 fitting within the inner mold chamber 220. As a further distinction from the previous embodiment, no enlarged portion of inner chamber 220 is defined for forming any structure analogous to ears 24 of the previous embodiment. Plunger 210 having bulbous front end 222 and rear end 226, may be freely slidable within insert member 212, to be adapted to reciprocate back and forth in chamber 228 of insert member 212. Conventional hydraulic means 230 are connected with insert member 212 for the independent control of that structure. Cooling line 224 communicates with passage 225 in plunger 210 for cooling thereof. FIG. 13 shows the fragment of a bucket mold, illustrating one of the two diametrically opposed handle pivot-forming members in the initial molding stage, in which the plastic has been allowed to flow into the mold chambers 206 and is in the process of cooling. Thereafter, as illustrated in FIG. 14, plunger 210, by the pressure of plastic against end 222, is moved rearwardly as bulbous end 222 withdraws slightly. One effect of this is to assure the complete filling of inner chamber 220, since the bulbous end 222 provides a outward surge of pressure as it withdraws through inner chamber 220. Plastic material is also, by the same action, forced through gate 126 to assure the complete filling of outer chamber 218. Upon further cooling of the molding material, ring member 214 is then withdrawn, as illustrated in FIG. 15, a residue of plastic being retained in gate 216 until it is pushed out and melted in the next molding cycle. Thereafter, while the molded material in chambers 218, 220 still exhibits some plasticity, plunger 210 is also withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 16. The effect of this is to force the walls of the plastic in inner chamber 220 outwardly because of the bulbous shape of the plunger end 222, which causes the plastic in the inner chamber to bear against the plastic in the outer chamber 218 in a retaining configuration, to generate the pivot of the bucket handle, and to prevent, upon final cooling of the plastic, the outer pivot 221 (FIG. 12) formed in the outer chamber 218, from disengaging from the bucket. The outer pivot 221, shaped in outer chamber 218, rests against the inner pivot or bushing 223, formed in inner chamber 220, along outwardly angled annular surface 232, which is stretched into the outwardly angled configuration shown in FIGS. 12 and 16 by the withdrawing of bulbous end 222 through the bushing 223, to form the completed bucket handle pivot. The handle 225 itself is, of course, attached to the outer pivot 221 formed in chambers 218, having been formed in a handle-forming cavity defined between mold parts 200, 202, and 204. Referring to FIGS. 17 through 20, another embodiment of the pivot mold system of this invention is disclosed. The drawings illustrate a fragment of a mold, showing the formation of a pivoting member, and may be used in the molding of a bucket and pivoting handle as in the previous embodiment. Also, other structures may be manufactured by the present or previous mold embodiments. For example, an integrally molded box and pivoted lid as shown in FIGS. 21 through 23 may be made in accordance with this invention, by appropriate modification of any of the embodiments disclosed herein. Other integrally molded, pivotally arranged structures may also be made in accordance with this invention as well. The mold system of FIGS. 17 through 20 utilizes similar principles to those of the previous embodiments, except as otherwise specified. For example, portions of an openable and closable mold system comprising pieces 250, 252 and 254 are disclosed to be of a structure which may be similar to that of the previous embodiment, to define a mold chamber 256 containing molded plastic in the shape of a bucket, a box, or otherwise as desired. The same sort of pivot structure is utilized with the mold, including an insert member 258 which terminates in a ring member 260, similar to the previous embodiments. A plunger member 262 is used which operates for independent axial movement in the general manner previously described. Ring member 260 defines a pair of spaced mold chambers: an outer chamber 264, which is annular in shape and is connected to a mold chamber for forming the bucket handle, or, alternatively, a mold chamber for forming the lid of the box, not visible in FIGS. 17 through 20, but generally extending behind the parts shown, transversely of the plane of the section of the drawings. Inner chamber 266 is, in this embodiment, initially not annular as in the previous embodiments. Gate 268 may, once again, be provided in ring member 260 to facilitate the flow from the inner chamber 266 to the outer, annular chamber 264. In the operation of this embodiment, the initial molding takes place in the configuration of FIG. 17. Thereafter, upon partial cooling of the mold material, insert 258 is withdrawn, as shown in FIG. 18. Thereafter, plunger 262 is advanced, as shown in FIG. 19, to force the mold material in inner chamber 266 radially outwardly against the plastic material in outer chamber 264. The mold wall 268 is outwardly flared as illustrated, so the junction line 270 between plastic molded in the inner and outer chamber 264 and 266 correspondingly assumes an outwardly flared shape, as illustrated in FIG. 19. Upon further cooling of the mold material, plunger 262 is then withdrawn, to release the pivot assembly of outer annular member 280 formed in chamber 264, retained by outwardly flared edge 270 on the plastic bushing 282 formed in inner chamber 266, which has been reformed in shape by the advance of plunger 262. Accordingly, the outer member 280 cannot be removed from bushing 282 because of the outward spread of annular surface 270. Accordingly, the pivoting hinge is sturdy and stable, and may be used in molded materials for any of a large multiplicity of purposes. FIGS. 21 through 23 illustrate a box having a hinged lid which may be made in a mold according to any of the previous embodiments and, specifically, for exemplary purposes, an embodiment of FIGS. 17 through 20. The body 274 of the box, as shown is formed in the main cavity 256 of the mold. Pivot member 276 is illustrated in its as-formed configuration. Lid 278 may be formed by a chamber in the mold communicating with the opposed pair of mold chambers 264. The above has been offered for illustrative purposes only, and is not to limit the invention of this application, which is as defined in the claims below.
The following specification describes a paint can mold in which a pair of concentric ring members and cores at diametrically opposed positions create concentric mold cavities for forming projecting bushings on the pail, each having a concentric handle bearing. The plastic for forming each bearing and a handle interconnecting the bearings passes through a gate in each ring member. Withdrawal of the ring member severs the plastic in the gate from between the bushing and bearing so that the handle is free to rotate on the bushings. Means are provided to prevent disassembly of the handle from the can.
1
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to diamino compounds which are useful for material monomers of high-molecular compounds such as polyimides, polyamides, epoxy resins and the like, crosslinking agents and modifiers, and to liquid crystal aligning films comprising polyimides which are obtained from the diamino compounds. The main current of liquid crystal display elements which are used in conventional clocks, watches and electronic calculators is a twist nematic (abbreviated as TN hereinafter) mode having a structure in which molecular alignment of nematic liquid crystals is twisted at an angle of 90° on the surface of a couple of upper and lower electrode substrates. However, this display mode is insufficient to obtain improved display in quality and size because it shows an indistinct contrast and a narrow viewing angle. In recent years, a liquid crystal display element using supertwist nematic (abbreviated as STN hereinafter) mode in which the molecular alignment of nematic liquid crystals is twisted at angles of 180-270 degrees between the upper and lower electrode substrates has been developed, and then large panel liquid crystal elements having sufficient display quality are developing. Among these elements, in an element having a relatively narrow twist angle (twisted at 180-200 degrees), surface treatment on the electrode substrates is sufficiently conducted in the similar manner to those employed in conventional TN cells which are equipped with aligning films having surface alignment of pretilt angles (abbreviated as θ hereinafter) of five degrees and below. In the specification, the pretilt angle means the angle between the rod-shaped liquid crystal molecules and the substrate of the liquid crystal cell. In STN modes having twist angles of 200-270 degrees along with better display quality, surface alignment having higher pretilt angles (10°<θ≦30°) must be used, and therefore liquid crystal display cells having the aligning films which satisfy these angles are required. In polyimide aligning films which are currently available for the TN mode, the limit of pretilt angles of display cells produced on a technical scale is about five degrees. Japanese Publication of Unexamined Patent Application No. 61-240223 describes a liquid crystal display element which is equipped with liquid crystal aligning films produced from a polyimide resin. The resin has a repeating unit represented by a formula: ##STR2## wherein R 1 and R 2 indicate the same or different groups selected from a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms and CF 3 , and R 3 and R 4 indicate the same or different groups selected from a hydrogen atom and an alkyl group having one to four carbon atoms. As materials for the polyimide resin, the only diamine represented by a formula: ##STR3## is exemplified. However, the polyimide aligning films produced from the above diamine have a problem that high pretilt angles are unobtainable as shown in the comparative examples described hereinafter. Furthermore, there are polyimide aligning films having high pretilt angles for the STN mode. Problems of these films are stability and reproducibility of pretilt angles over the whole display surface of a cell substrate. In order to obtain the high pretilt angles definitely, the best method which is currently conducted is film formation by vacuum oblique evaporation of SiO and the like. However, as the films are mass-produced by the vacuum evaporation, it is a costly process in its production unit. As the result, it is desired earnestly to realize the aligning films having high pretilt angles by the surface treatment of rubbing organic films that is the same method as in the conventional surface treatment method which has been employed in the TN mode. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide diamino compounds which are materials of polyimide compounds for obtaining organic aligning films having excellent aligning properties and high pretilt angles. Another object of the present invention is to provide liquid crystal aligning films which can offer high pretilt angles and excellent aligning properties of liquid crystals. For achieving the above objects, a first feature of the present invention is a diamino compound represented by the general formula: ##STR4## wherein R 1 indicates an alkyl group having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, R 2 indicates a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and R 3 -R 10 indicate a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, respectively. A second feature of the present invention is a liquid crystal aligning film which is characterized by containing a polymeric material of a polyimide type having a structure unit represented by the general formula: ##STR5## wherein R 1 -R 10 indicate the same meaning of the formula (I), and Ar indicates an aromatic group of four valences. The polymer is obtained by using the diamino compound (I) as a raw material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGS. 1 and 2 are 1 H-NMR spectrum and IR spectrum of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane which is obtained in Example 1, respectively. FIGS. 3, 5, 7, 9 and 11 are 1 H-NMR spectra of diamino compounds which are shown in Examples 2-6, respectively. FIGS. 4, 6, 8, 10 and 12 are IR spectra of the diamino compounds, which are shown in Examples 2-6, respectively. FIGS. 13, 14 and 15 are IR spectra of polyimides which are obtained in Examples 8,9 and 10, respectively. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION When the compounds of the present invention are used as raw materials of polyimides for liquid crystal aligning films, R 2 in the formula (I) is preferably an alkyl group. When R 2 is a methyl group or an ethyl group, R 1 is desirably a straight-chain alkyl group having 4 to 12 carbon atoms, more preferably, R 1 is a straight-chain alkyl group having 5 to 10 carbon atoms. Diamino compounds of the present invention include for instance 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]heptane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]nonane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]decane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]undecane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]dodecane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]pentane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]heptane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]nonane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]decane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]undecane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]dodecane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexane, 3,3-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]pentane, and the like. When the sum of carbon numbers of the alkyl chains of R 1 and R 2 in the formula (I) is three or less, it is undesirable because the liquid crystal cells obtained by using the polyimide aligning films obtained can not exhibit wider tilt angles. When the sum of carbon numbers of the alkyl chains of R 1 and R 2 is 25 or more, it is undesirable because the obtained polyimide films have low thermal stability. The compounds of the present invention are mainly used as the raw materials or intermediates of the organic aligning films for the STN display cells. The compounds also can be used for production of high-molecular compounds such as other polyimides, polyamides and the like, and for modification thereof. The compounds also can be used for other objects such as epoxy crosslinkers. The polyimide compounds prepared by using the diamino compounds of the present invention as one of the raw materials can realize the high pretilt angles which are necessary to the STN liquid crystal display elements by the conventional rubbing treatment. It is thought that the high tilt angles are derived from the long-chain alkyl groups of diamino compounds of the raw materials. The compounds of the present invention are most preferably synthesized by the following reaction process which is summarized as an example. ##STR6## wherein R 1 indicates an alkyl group having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, R 2 indicates a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and R 3 -R 10 indicate a hydrogen atom or an methyl group, respectively. The production process is outlined hereinafter. First stage A aliphatic alkanone or alkanal and phenol or its derivative (e.g. o-cresol, m-cresol, 2,6-dimethyl phenol) are reacted with hydrogen chloride gas in the absence of solvent or in a suitable solvent such as toluene or xylene, and compound (II) is obtained. Second stage Compound (II) and p-chloronitrobenzene or its derivative (e.g. 5-chloro-2-nitrotoluene) are condensed with KOH or NaOH in a solvent of dimethyl sulfoxide (abbreviated as DMSO hereinafter), and compound (III) is obtained. Third stage By hydrogen reduction of compound (III) in a suitable solvent such as toluene, xylene or benzene in the presence of palladium-carbon (abbreviated as Pd-C hereinafter) catalyst, compound (I) is obtained. As shown in the above process, by appropriate selection of R 1 , R 2 and R 7 -R 10 in the first stage and R 3 -R 6 in the second stage, all kinds of desired diamino compounds (I) can be prepared selectively. Liquid crystal cells have aligning coatings of polyimides prepared from these diamino compounds. The pretilt angles of the cells are mainly influenced by the chain length of R 1 and R 2 , and also by the rubbing process which is one of the main processes for producing the liquid crystal display elements. Pretilt angles may vary in a certain range with other factors such as a kind of liquid crystals employed, preparation condition of the aligning films, and the like. For these factors, the chain length of R 1 and R 2 of the diamino compounds of the present invention can be selected optionally. The polyimides for liquid crystal aligning films of the present invention have imide bonds and these are insoluble in a general solvent. For providing homogeneous polyimide films on a substrate, preferably, a precursor polyamic acid which is obtained by common condensation of a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamino compound is dissolved in a solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO). After the resulting solution is applied on the substrate by a method such as a brush method, a dipping method, a rotation coating method, a spray method, a printing method and the like, the substrate is heated at 100°-450° C., preferably 150°-300° C., according to the above preferable method, imide bonds of the polyimide are obtained by dehydration and ring closure of the precursor. The above precursor polyamic acid for providing the polyimide is generally prepared by condensation between a tetracarboxylic dianhydride and a diamino compound. The condensation is conducted under anhydrous conditions in a solvent such as N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP), dimethylacetamide (DMAc), dimethylformamide (DMF), dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO), dimethyl sulfate, sulfolane, butyrolactone, cresol, phenol, a halogenated phenol, cyclohexanone, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran and the like, preferably N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone (NMP) at temperatures of 50° C. or lower. When the polyimide is soluble in a solvent, the precursor polymer may be reacted at high temperatures before coating it on the substrate as polyimide varnish. The tetracarboxylic dianhydrides include for instance pyromellitic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,2', 3,3'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,3',4'-biphenyltetracarboxylic dianhydride, 3,3',4,4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,3',4'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,2',3,3'-benzophenonetetracarboxylic dianhydride, bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)ether dianhydride, bis(3,4-dicarboxyphenyl)sulfone dianhydride, 1,2,5,6-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride, 2,3,6,7-naphthalenetetracarboxylic dianhydride and the To increase the adhesivity of the polyimide aligning films on the substrates, an aminosilicon compound or a diaminosilicon compound can be added to denature the polyimide. The aminosilicon compounds represented by the following formulas can be exemplified. ##STR7## When these aminosilicon compounds are added to the polyimide type polymers which are used in the present invention, the contents of the compounds can be used so as to satisfy the range of the following relations. ##EQU1## wherein A, B and C show molar numbers of the tetracarboxlic dianhydrides, the diamino compounds represented by general formula (I) and the aminosilicon compounds, respectively. The diaminosilicon compounds represented by the following formulas can be also exemplified. ##STR8## wherein 1 indicates an integral number of 0-4. When the diaminosilicon compounds are added to the polyimides, the diaminosilicon compounds can be replaced by 50 mol % or less, preferably 30 mol % or less of the diamino compounds represented by the above formula (I). The polyimides for the liquid crystal aligning films of the present invention can be denatured by adding other diamino compounds, such as aromatic diamino compounds, alicyclic diamino compounds and their derivatives. The above diamino compounds are 4,4'-diaminophenylether, 4,4'-diaminodiphenylmethane, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl sulfide, 4,4'-di(meta-aminophenoxy)diphenyl sulfone, 4,4'-di(para-aminophenoxy)diphenyl sulfone, ortho-phenylenediamine, meta-phenylenediamine, para-phenylenediamine, benzidine, 2,2'-diaminobenzophenone, 4,4'-diaminobenzophenone, 4,4'-diaminodiphenyl-2,2'-propane, 1,5-diaminonaphthalene, 1,8-diaminonaphthalene and the like as aromatic diamino compounds, and alicyclic diamino compounds such as 1,4-diaminocyclohexane, etc. These diamino compounds can be replaced by 50 mol % or less, preferably 30 mol % or less of the diamino compounds represented by the above formula (I). When the adhesivity of the obtained polyimide type polymer coating to the substrate is not good, the surface of the substrate is previously treated with a silane coupling agent, and then the polyimide film is formed on the substrate. The obtained film surface is then repeatedly rubbed in the same directions, and a liquid crystal aligning film is obtained. The measurement of the pretilt angle θ is described hereinafter. The polyimide films provided by the above method on the liquid crystal element substrates are repeatedly rubbed in the same directions for a certain times with a rubbing device such as a liquid crystal cell rubbing device made by Kyoei Semiconductor Company. The liquid crystal elements having thickness of about 10 μm are assembled by the resulting liquid crystal element substrates so as to obtain the elements oriented in parallel and anti parallel rubbing directions between the two substrates. A nematic liquid crystal, of which parallel dielectric constants (ε) and perpendicular dielectric constants (ε⊥) are known, is kept in the liquid crystal elements. Sufficiently lower voltage than threshold voltage is applied to the elements and the dielectric constants (ε) are measured. According to the following equation, θ is determined. ε=ε sin.sup.2 θ+ε⊥cos.sup.2 θ(3) In this equation, the values ε and ε⊥ are given by the application of sufficiently lower voltage than threshold voltage of Freedericksz transition with a homeotropic alignment cell and a homogeneous alignment cell, respectively. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following examples illustrate the present invention more specifically, but these will not always be precise in practical applications. EXAMPLE 1 1st stage A thousand grammes of 2-octane and 1,468g of phenol was mixed and vigorously stirred at room temperature during hydrochloric acid gas was blown. The mixture was reacted for 48 hours and left for more 48 hours at room temperature. Meantime, the viscosity of the reaction solution increased. At the conclusion of the reaction, 2,000 ml of toluene was added to the solution, the mixture was washed and hydrochloric acid was removed. After toluene was distilled away, the residue was distilled under reduced pressure to remove low boiling point fractions which mainly consisted of unreacted materials. 1,000 g of 2,2-bis (4-hydroxyphenyl)octane was obtained as a tarry product. The obtained tarry material was recrystallized from an ethanol-heptane mixed solvent and light-brown crystals were obtained. 2nd stage Fifty grammes of 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)octane obtained by the first stage, 66.0g of p-chloronitrobenzene and 28.2 g of KOH were mixed and dissolved in 500 ml of DMSO, and the mixture was stirred for about 60 hours at 100° C. After the reaction finished, the reaction mixture was cooled to room temperature, and added to a mixture of dilute hydrochloric acid and ice. The organic phase was extracted with toluene. The obtained toluene phase was washed with a dilute hydrochloric acid solution and then an aqueous alkaline solution. After the toluene phase was washed with water until the washed water became neutral, toluene was distilled away from the obtained solution. 84.2 g of oily yellow brown 2,2-bis[4-(4-nitrophenoxy) phenyl] octane was obtained. 3rd stage After 84.2 g of 2,2-bis[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl] octane obtained by the second stage was dissolved in toluene, 5 g of Pd-C catalyst (5% quality, 55.9% moisture content) was added to the solution and stirred at 40° C. at ordinary pressure in contact with hydrogen gas. As the reaction proceeded, water release was observed. After absorption of hydrogen gas was stopped, the catalyst was filtered off, low boiling materials were distilled away and the products were concentrated. The concentrated products were dissolved in chloroform and isolated by column chromatography on silica gel. After the solvent was distilled off, 43.4 g of browish glassy 2,2-bis [4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane was obtained. FIGS. 1 and 2 show a 60 MHZ proton nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectrum and an infrared (IR) spectrum of the obtained compound, respectively. EXAMPLE 2 Conditions of operation were the same as described in Example 1, except the raw material 2-octanone was changed to 2-pentanone. After 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)pentane (m.p.: 142.0°-143.9° C.) was given as an intermediate, 2,2-bis[4-(4-nitrophenoxy)phenyl]pentane (m.p.: 151.4°-151.9° C.) was obtained. By the reduction of the obtained compound, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]pentane was obtained. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a NMR spectrum and an IR spectrum of the product, respectively. EXAMPLE 3-6 Conditions of operation were the same as described in Example 1, except the raw material 2-octanone was changed to corresponding alkanones, respectively, and 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]heptane, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]nonane, and 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]decane were prepared. The obtained compounds and intermediates, namely, the corresponding diols and dinitro compounds were highly viscous oily substances. The NMR spectra and IR spectra of the obtained diamino compounds were shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, FIGS. 7 and 8, FIGS. 9 and 10, and FIGS. 11 and 12, respectively. EXAMPLE 7 Using a 100 ml flask equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, a condenser and a nitrogen displace apparatus, the air in the flask was replaced by nitrogen, and 50 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone which was previously dehydrated and purified was introduced in the flask. Then, 2.53 g (5.27 mmol) of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane prepared in Example 1 was added and dissolved with stirring. The obtained polyamic acid was cooled to 5° C. in an ice bath. 1.15 g (5.27 mmol) of pyromellitic dianhydride was added to the solution at once and reacted with stirring and cooling. After reaction was continued for two hours, a transparent solution containing 6.67% by weight of polyamic acid was obtained. The obtained polyamic acid was consisted of 1:1 by molar ratio of 2,2-bis[4(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane and pyromellitic dianhydride. The viscosity of the solution was 6.4 centipoises at 25° C. It was determined with a viscometer of E type made by Tokyo Keiki Co.Ltd. at 25°±0.1° C. The solution was applied by a rotation coating method (spinner method) on transparent glass substrates at 3,000 rpm for ten seconds. Previously, one side of the substrate was coated with transparent conductive coatings (ITO coatings) of indium tin oxide type, and the resultant electrodes were treated with silane coupling agent APS-E made by CHISSO Corporation. After the application of the solution, the substrates were heated at 200° C. for one hour, and polyimide coatings were obtained. The thickness of the films that was measured with a feeler type thickness meter was 1,200Å. Further, coated surfaces of two substrates were rubbed with a rubbing apparatus for 30 times, respectively. A liquid crystal cell having thickness of 10 μm was assembled by the substrates so as to be oriented in parallel and anti parallel rubbing directions. Liquid crystal composition YY-4006 made by CHISSO Corporation was sealed in the cell. The cell was heated to a temperature of an isotropic liquid, and then cooled. The aligning properties of the obtained liquid crystal element were excellent. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal that was measured with the aforementioned measurement method was 19 degrees. Polyimide films were prepared as described in the above, and the pretilt angles measured by changing the number of times of rubbing are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1______________________________________Number of times of rubbing Pretilt angle (degree)______________________________________10 3120 2430 19______________________________________ EXAMPLE 8 Polyimide films were prepared by the following method. Using a 300 ml flask equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, a condenser and a nitrogen displace apparatus, the air in the flask was replaced by nitrogen, and 150.71 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone which was previously dehydrated and purified was introduced in the flask. Then, 5.00 g(10.4 mmol) of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane prepared in Example 1 was added and dissolved with stirring. The solution was cooled to 5° C. in an ice bath. 2.60 g(11.9 mmol) of pyromellitic dianhydride was added to the solution at once and reacted with stirring and cooling. The reactant was gradually increased the viscosity and it was exothermic to 10° C. After reaction was continued for one hour, 0.57 g (2.67 mmol) of p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane was added to the solution, and reacted with stirring at 10° C. for one hour. The obtained transparent solution contained 5% by weight of polyamic acid consisted of 8:7:1.8 by molar ratio of pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy) phenyl]octane and p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane. The viscosity of the solution was 17.3 centipoises at 25° C. The solution was diluted with Butyl Cellosolve (trade mark) and a solution containing 4.5% of polyamic acid was obtained. The polyamic acid solution was applied by a rotation coating method (spinner method) at 3,000 rpm for 10 seconds on transparent glass substrates on which electrodes of transparent conductive coatings of indium tin oxide type (ITO coatings) were previously set. After the application of the solution, the substrates were heated at 200° C. for one hour, and polyimide films having thickness of about 1,100Å were obtained. Further, using the same method as in Example 7, a liquid crystal element having cell thickness of 10 μm was obtained. The aligning properties of the obtained liquid crystal element were excellent. The pretilt angle of the liquid crystal that was measured with the aforementioned measurement method was 13 degrees. EXAMPLE 9 Conditions of operation were the same as described in Example 8, except that 194.61 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 6.60 g (13.0 mmol) of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]decane, 3.24 g(14.9 mmol) of pyromellitic dianhydride and 0.71 g (3.33 mmol) of p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane were used. The obtained transparent solution contained 5% by weight of polyamic acid consisted of 8:7:1.8 by molar ratio of pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]decane and p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane. The viscosity of the solution was 13.5 centipoises at 25° C. The solution was diluted with Butyl Cellosolve and a solution containing 4.5% of polyamic acid was obtained. Using the same method as in Example 7, polyimide type polymer coatings having thickness of about 1,000Å were prepared, and then a liquid crystal element having cell thickness of 10 um was obtained. The aligning properties of the obtained element were excellent. The pretilt angle of the element was 18 degrees. EXAMPLE 10 Conditions of operation were the same as described in Example 8, except that 235.19 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 7.60 g(16.9 mmol) of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexane, 4.22 g(19.3 mmol) of pyromellitic dianhydride and 0.93 g (4.36 mmol) of p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane were used. The obtained transparent solution contained 5% by weight of polyamic acid consisted of 8:7:1.8 by molar ratio of pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]hexane and p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane. The viscosity of the solution was 38.4 centipoises at 25° C. The solution was diluted with a mixed solution of 1:1 of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone and Butyl Cellosolve and a solution containing 4.0% of polyamic acid was obtained. Using the same method as in Example 7, polyimide films having thickness of about 1,000Å were prepared, and then a liquid crystal element having cell thickness of 10 μm was obtained. The aligning properties of the obtained element were excellent. The pretilt angle of the element was seven degrees. EXAMPLE 11 Conditions of operation were the same as described in Example 8, except that 151.7 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 4.34 g (9.04 mmol) of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane, 2.63 g (12.06 mmol) of pyromellitic dianhydride and 1.28 g (6.01 mmol) of p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane were used. The obtained transparent solution contained 5% by weight of polyamic acid consisted of 8:6:4 by molar ratio of pyromellitic dianhydride, 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]octane and p-aminophenyl trimethoxysilane. The viscosity of the solution was 21 centipoises at 25° C. The solution was diluted with Butyl Cellosolve and a solution containing 4.5% of polyamic acid was obtained. Using the same method as in Example 7, polyimide type polymer coatings having thickness of about 860 Å were prepared, and then a liquid crystal element having cell thickness of 10 μm was obtained. The aligning properties of the obtained element were excellent. The pretilt angle of the element was seven degrees. COMPARISON EXAMPLE 1 Conditions of operation were the same as described in Example 8, except that 61 ml of N-methyl-2-pyrrolidone, 2.16 g (5.27 mmol) of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane, and 1.15 g (5.27 mmol) of pyromellitic dianhydride were used. The obtained transparent solution contained 5% by weight of polyamic acid that consisted of 1:1 by molar ratio of 2,2-bis[4-(4-aminophenoxy)phenyl]propane and pyromellitic anhydride. The viscosity of the solution was 203 centipoises at 25° C. The solution was diluted with Butyl Cellosolve and a solution containing 2.5% of polyamic acid was obtained. Using the same method as in Example 7, polyimide films having thickness of about 1000 Å were prepared, and then a liquid crystal element having cell thickness of 10 μm was obtained. The aligning properties of the obtained element were excellent. The pretilt angle of the element was five degrees.
The present invention provides diamino compounds and liquid crystal aligning films comprising polyimides which are obtained from the said diamino compounds represented by the general formula: ##STR1## wherein R 1 indicates an alkyl group having 3 to 22 carbon atoms, R 2 indicates a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group having 1 to 22 carbon atoms, and R 3 -R 10 indicate a hydrogen atom or a methyl group, respectively. The liquid crystal aligning films are useful for STN mode display cells in realizing a high pretilt angle.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Field of the Invention This invention describes thermally insulative aerogel-containing foam compositions, a composite insulation which these compositions can provide, and their preparation. Thermal insulation is an important and valuable product. Although many insulative compositions are already in use, there is a continuing desire for energy conservation pushing a drive to achieve insulation having lower thermal conductivity (T k ). In addition to a low T k , furthermore, insulation ideally should have other qualities. Low flammability and low smoke are particularly important for use in both business and residential structures. It should also be easily prepared, non-toxic, environmentally safe in both use and preparation, and it should have good handling properties. Insulation which is capable of being molded into large sheets or other needed shapes, and which has sufficient flexibility and compressibility to be transported, handled and installed in homes, buildings, and even manufactured goods is called for. Present forms of thermal insulation include foams. Foams which require blowing agents, however, can be detrimental to the environment and difficult to make. The foamed insulation also can have the disadvantage of the flammability of the foam itself, and frequently the added problem of toxic smoke even with, and sometimes because of added flame retardants. Aerogels are known to be advantageously insulative; but, as insulation, they are disadvantageous in several ways. As a loose fill, aerogel is dusty, and is prone to settling over time. In addition to this, the aerogel is brittle, non-flexible and when compressed it fractures. As a result, aerogel can't be flexed during use. An attempt to compress or flex large pieces of it will result in breaking them. Transportation, handling and installation are difficult with aerogels due to the lack of shock resistance and flexibility. Thus, there is need for the thermally insulative composites which are described herein. The present invention provides thermal insulation having a low T k , good handling properties, fire resistance, low smoke, and which is also environmentally safe and is easily made. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thermally insulative composite compositions can be prepared using a process which comprises combining an aqueous gelatin solution and an aerogel and agitating this mixture to form a foam. The foam is then dried to provide a composite composition having a low T k , good handling properties, low flammability, and low smoke. Both the process and its insulative product are environmentally safe, and provide good thermal insulation. Hydrophobic aerogel and an aqueous gelatin can be used to prepare the insulative composite compositions of the present invention. With the foamed gelatin and aerogel combination, the present composites can provide thermal insulation with a thermal conductivity less than about 0.032 watt/meter-K° (W/mK). The thermal insulation provided by the composite composition comprises a composite composition of foamed gelatin and an aerogel. The maximum amount of aerogel will be about 98% by dry weight; acceptably, the aerogel can be present in the foam composites at a minimum amount of at least about 5% by weight. Where the present composites are insulation, however, the aerogel concentration will be maintained at a higher level, in the range of from about 98% to about 53% by dry weight of the total composite composition. The maximum amount of gelatin will be about 47% by dry weight of the total composition. Acceptably, there is at least about 2% (by dry weight) of gelatin in the composite foam. The gelatin has a minimum Bloom of at least about 60. The present composition can be made into pipe insulation. Advantageously, the insulative composite can be molded or otherwise shaped into a pipe covering material which is also insulative and can be secured around a pipe to cover it and provide effective insulation for the pipe. As pipe insulation the composite composition forms substantially identical sections which, when put together, form the hollow structure, shaped so that it can snugly embrace the pipe to be covered. Each section has mating surfaces which, when put together form a tubular shaped hollow structure with a central bore that has a size which allows it to snugly embrace the pipe to be covered. Preferably, the foam pipe insulation is in two substantially identical sections with mating surfaces which, when put together, form the hollow structure, which can snugly embrace the pipe. Each section has mating surfaces. To close, and hold the insulation to the pipe, any suitable means can be used. For example, a pipe wrap can be put around the outside of the foam, holding the mating surfaces together and holding the insulation on the pipe. Alternatively, an adhesive coating can be put on at least one surface which will be brought into contact with and hold the mating surface (which can also optionally have adhesive) on the other section of pipe covering. Preferably, both surfaces will have an adhesive so that the sections will be secured to each other and held together by the cohesion of the adhesives. A layer of protective sheet material can be put over the adhesive on the coated surface of each pipe covering section to keep it from sticking until it is ready for installation. The present pipe insulation can also be fitted with the closing system described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,060. Commercially available pipe jacketing can also be used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a view of the pipe insulation showing substantially identical mating sections 1 and 2 of the pipe covering. Each of the sections has an adhesive coated mating surface 3 and 4 of each section with the protective sheet of release paper 5 in between the mating surfaces to prevent them from sticking to each other. When the sections 1 and 2 are placed together they form a tubular structure which is a jacket for the pipe. The tubular structure (or jacket) has a bore 6 which has a suitable size to receive a pipe. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through the pipe covering and pipe 7 which it covers. Mating sections 1 and 2 are shown along with the mating surfaces 3 and 4, the bore 6 and pipe 7. FIG. 3 is a view of the pipe insulation covering (jacket) which is in an open position with a pipe 7 in one section and the exposed, substantially identical mating surfaces 8 and 9. The two sections can be placed together and secured by suitable means for holding the sections in place (such as ties or cladding). Alternatively, as in FIG. 1, a pressure sensitive adhesive can be used so that the two identical mating sections 1 and 2 can be put together so that the mating surfaces touch and stick to each other. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Advantageously, the present insulative, foamed composites can be prepared by mixing the water and the dry gelatin to form the aqueous gelatin solution. The amount of water used in the process is that amount which will be high enough to be effective to wet the dry ingredients and dissolve the dry gelatin, but it is low enough to also allow the mixture to foam. The combination of dry gelatin and water are mixed until the liquid is clear; suitably, it is mixed at a temperature in the range of from about 33° to about 37° C. When the mixture becomes clear, this aqueous gelatin solution can then be combined with the aerogel. Agitation is used to form the foam. The dry foam composites prepared using the processes described herein can be used to provide insulation or objects which must have low thermal conductivity. As insulation, the composite compositions, advantageously have low flammability and low smoke characteristics. Preferably, the water is present in the wet composite mixture at a maximum of about 60% by total processing wt. (the weight of all ingredients in the process, including the water). Preferably, the amount of water used in this process is from about 45% to about 60% by total processing wt. Although the water could be present at up to about 75% by processing weight, it is preferably minimized in order to increase the density and dry strength of the foam. Broadly, the amount of water can range from about 75% to about 35% by total processing weight. In preferred processes features such as high agitation and/or a surfactant are used in order to help form a good foam. After mixing the solution and the dry ingredients, the combination is then given an effective amount of agitation to make the foam and the wet foam is then dried to provide the product. While wet, the foam can be put into a mold having a configuration which is designed to give the composite product a needed shape. Alternatively, it can be sheeted out in a continuous process or put directly into place (with proper ventilation) followed by drying. Drying can be done at any suitable temperature which is low enough to allow the foam to dry without melting the foamed gelatin. In the most preferred processes the wet composite is heated to accelerate the drying step. In another preferred embodiment, blowing is used to increase air circulation during drying; in most preferred drying steps, dry air is blown over the foam being dried. If the foam has been crosslinked (by using a gelatin crosslinker in the process), drying can be done at a temperature up to about 200° F. With no crosslinking of the gelatin, the temperature should acceptably be a maximum of about 90° F. until the foam is substantially dry. If wet foam is subjected to too high a temperature before it has substantially dried, there may be a collapse of the foam. A suitable aerogel for the present invention can be prepared by removing liquid from a silica-based gel under conditions which minimize the shrinkage of the gel's solid structure. The phrase "silica-based" refers to gels made with silicon compounds (such as, for example, tetraethylorthosilicate, silicate or colloidal silica). Suitable aerogels have a density less than about 0.3, generally in the range of from about 0.05 to about 0.3 grams/mm 3 and a thermal conductivity of about 0.03 or less, generally in the range of from about 0.01 to about 0.030 W/mK. For the present invention the aerogels are hydrophobic, and yet they are combined with an aqueous gelatin foam to form the insulative composites and the insulation described herein. The key to this invention is the preparation of a foam (from the gelatin) which allows the hydrophobic aerogel to be easily and uniformly dispersed and the binder level to be minimized. The consistency which the foam has permits adhesion to the hydrophobic aerogel during drying so that it doesn't "de-wet" or lose adhesion like a non-foamed combination would. Typical processes for making aerogels minimize shrinkage by using supercritical conditions while drying to form the porous, solid aerogel. The hydrophobic aerogel can therefore, be commercially obtained, or it can be prepared using suitable procedures known to the art, such as those indicated in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,954,327; 4,610,863; 2,249,767, and 2,978,298. The aerogel can be used in any particle size which allows it to be dispersed within the gelatin. It has been found, however, that a composite composition or insulation having an advantageously and remarkably low thermal conductivity can be obtained when the aerogel is used in two different sizes, comminuted powders and larger chunks. Preferably, the large pieces range from about 1 to about 10 mm in diameter. The comminuted aerogel will typically have an average particle size less than 1 mm in diameter. In more preferred embodiments, the powder used has an average particle size less than about 0.5 mm in diameter while the large pieces have an average size greater than 1 mm in diameter. Most preferably, the large pieces are spheres, although the aerogel chunks can have any shape. In a composite composition, the aerogel could be used in a minimum amount needed to reduce the thermal conductivity of a foam. Acceptably, the aerogel is in the dry composite in at least about 5% by total weight or more, (up to about 98% by wt.) of the dry composite. For insulation the minimum amount is 53% by total wt. In preferred cases (for example, to obtain a low T k ) in a composite or insulation, the aerogel is present at an amount in the range of from about 60% to about 98% by total dry wt. The gelatin can be present at an amount of from about 2% to about 47% by total dry wt. In addition to the gelatin and aerogel, other ingredients can be included in a composite composition; such as, for example, one or more of the following: fiber, a pesticide, a fungicide, an anti-wicking agent, a gelatin crosslinker, a surfactant, a pigment, a dye, and an opacifier. Although the aerogel concentration is maximized in the most preferred embodiments, such preferred embodiments will also include a gelatin crosslinker, a surfactant, an opacifier, and a fungicide. The larger pieces of aerogel (at least about 1 mm in diameter) can acceptably be present at an amount of from about 5% to about 98% by total dry wt. Since, however, it is the aerogel that gives the best (lowest) thermal conductivity (T k ) value, the insulation and the preferred composites are from about 53% to about 98% by dry weight aerogel. The liquid ingredients (water, surfactant, dye, etc.) used in the preparation of the foamed composite have to wet out the aerogel in order to form a well mixed, uniform blend for the product. When the aerogel has a sufficiently large surface area to hinder or prevent the aqueous solution from wetting out the particles, then an effective amount of surfactant or surfactant and water can be used to wet the aerogel and form a uniform blend. A failure to wet out the aerogel will generally occur when the aerogel contains high concentrations of fine particles and a low water concentration in the process. The surfactant is a preferred ingredient, therefore, when the amount of water used in the process is between about 35% and 50% by wt. The gelatin, a degradation product of collagen, has different molecular weights, depending on the degree of degradation. The various gelatins, therefore, have different jelly strengths; these strengths are expressed in Bloom grades. A gelatin is rated with a jelly strength of 1 Bloom grade level if a weight of 1 gram on a 1/2 inch diameter tup causes the tup to penetrate the gelatin to a depth of 4 millimeters (mm). Commercially available gelatin has strengths from 30 to 300. The gelatin utilized with the present invention can be commercially obtained or could even be prepared by boiling the animal parts in water. Gelatins having different Bloom grades can be mixed together to obtain a gelatin having a different Bloom grade. The gelatin used for the present invention does have a minimum Bloom of at least about 60. A preferred insulation is made with gelatin having a Bloom level in the range of from about 100 to about 300. The aqueous gelatin solution which is combined with the aerogel is made by mixing water and the protein gelatin to form a clear mixture (herein also referred to as a gelatin solution). Preferably, dry gelatin is added to water and mixed until a clear solution is obtained. The water and gelatin mixture can be heated to help form the clear solution. Preferably, the temperature used is in the range of from about 33° to about 37° C. The aqueous gelatin solution provides a minimum of about 2% by dry weight of the gelatin to the composite product. It has been found that at least about 2% by wt of the gelatin is required for the ingredients to stay together and form the product. Acceptably, the gelatin can be used at an amount up to about 47% by dry weight of the composite product, although it is preferred to minimize the amount of gelatin and maximize the amount of the hydrophobic aerogel in the product, especially where the product is insulation. In preferred embodiments, the gelatin will be present at an amount up to about 25% by weight in the dry product. In other preferred embodiments the insulation can include one or more additives which improve or modify the insulative foam, such as, for example, fiber, a pigment, a dye, an anti-wicking agent, a fungicide, a surfactant, an adhesive, a binder, and an opacifying filler. Such additives, obtainable commercially, can be used to improve tensile strength, modify density, decrease friability, optimize thermal conductivity and even make the wet foam adhesive. Such additives can be combined at any time during the preparation process; amounts ranging from about 0.05 to about 35% by dry weight can be used. They can be added with the aerogel or added to the water along with the gelatin. In the preferred processes the additive will be combined with the gelatin and water if it is a liquid; if it is a solid, it will be mixed into the aqueous gelatin solution along with the aerogel. Frequently, a preferred additive can perform more than one function; for example, a binder might be used to reduce friability and also act as an opacifier, or a complex dye might be used which also acts as a surfactant, opacifier, improve strength, and/or make the wet foam more adhesive so that it is more easily processed and stays in the mold more easily. Although any dye can be used, it is preferred that the dye is a pourable liquid. Since the present compositions have a tendency to wick (take in water) anti-wicking agents are used, and in fact are preferred for the insulation. Although gelatin crosslinkers also give protection against wicking, a separate anti-wicking agent can also be included at preferred amounts in the range of from about 0.05% to about 8% by dry weight of the composition. A surfactant can be included in these compositions to obtain benefits like improved foaming or the wetting of an aerogel. A preferred surfactant for the present invention is sodium lauryl sulfate. A surfactant is preferably included at an amount in the range of from about 0.05% to about 8% by dry weight of the composition. With the presence of gelatin one preferred additive is a fungicide and/or pesticide. These ingredients can be included at preferred amounts in the range of from about 0.5% to about 8% by dry weight of the composition. Fungicides which can be used include borates (zinc borate and calcium borate) and 1,2-benzisothiazolin-3-one. Gelatin crosslinker is a preferred additive, and is included to crosslink the proteinaceous gelatin foam, making it more durable, and allowing it to be dried at a higher temperature. Preferred crosslinkers include glutaraldehyde, aziridine, mucochloric acid, and cyanamide. The crosslinker can be added to the water with the gelatin, or combined with the aerogel, or added to the composite mixture during foaming. The gelatin crosslinking agent can be included at an acceptable amount in the range of from about 0.05 to about 25 parts by weight per 100 parts by weight (pph) of the gelatin and preferably from about 0.05 to about 8 pph of the gelatin. Although binders can be included in any of the embodiments, with the gelatin present at an amount of at least about 2% by total dry weight, no other binder need be present. In fact, the most preferred embodiments of the insulation do not have a binder. If desired, however, a binder can be added. It has been found that a binder will increase the density of the product, while the thermal conductivity values of the product remain low. The binder can be included at an amount in the range of from about 0.1% to about 30% by dry weight of the composition. Binders which can be used include an inorganic binder such as sodium silicate and an organic polymer-based binder such as a latex. Acceptable latex binders are styrene butadiene rubber, nitrile rubber, carboxylated styrene butadiene rubber, acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, acrylic, carboxylated acrylonitrile butadiene rubber, and silicon rubber latex. Opacifiers (also referred to as opacifying fillers) can be included to further improve insulation capabilities. Preferably, the opacifier used is inorganic so that the flammability and smoke characteristics of the insulation remain at a low level. A suitable opacifying filler is carbon black, TiO 2 , Fe 2 O 3 , clay, graphite, silica, and finely ground minerals. The opacifier is preferably selected from the group consisting of: iron oxide, clay, titanium dioxide, and graphite; the most preferred opacifier is iron oxide. The opacifier preferably is included at an amount in the range of from about 0.5% to about 35% by dry weight. In preferred embodiments fiber is included. Any fiber can be included in the present insulation; preferred amounts are in the range of from about 0.5% to about 20% by dry weight of the composition. The fiber used can be organic or inorganic. The organic fiber can be synthetic or natural. The inorganic fiber could be mineral, metal, or synthetically made non-carbon fiber. Fibers included in the present insulative compositions can be selected from the group consisting of: fiberglass, mineral wool, wollastonite, ceramic, cellulose, carbon, cotton, polyamide, polybenzimidazole, polyaramid, acrylic, phenolic, polyester, polyethylene, polypropylene, and other types of polyolefins. For the insulation the fiber is preferably non-flammable such as, for example, fiberglass. The following examples are offered to illustrate the present invention. In the Examples, all parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated; and all measurements of thermal conductivity, unless otherwise indicated, were made at ambient temperatures. EXAMPLES In the examples which follow, except where it is otherwise indicated, the thermally insulative foams were prepared according to the following procedure. Dry, gelatin-forming powder was combined with water. This combination was then stirred and heated (at 33°-37° C.) until the dry powder had dissolved (the aqueous mixture was clear). When fibers were being used in the insulation, the fibers were added to the clear, aqueous gelatin and the combination was then agitated to disperse the fibers. The aerogel was combined with any other dry ingredients being used in the particular sample (carbon black, zinc borate as a fungicide, etc.). These ingredients were then stirred until a uniform mixture was obtained. As the aerogel and other dry ingredients were being stirred, the clear, aqueous gelatin combination was added. This mixture was then blended rapidly for 75 seconds to produce a wet foam. The foam was then used to fill a molding-frame and was then dried, producing the sample (a molded thermally insulative panel). In these Examples, unless otherwise indicated, the following ingredients were used: gelatin (type A (Lot GG1144-3H) from Grayslake Gelatin Co.; aerogel beads from BASF (diameters ranging from 1-6 mm); carbon black (Elftex-8) from Cabot Corp.; zinc borate (2B-223) from Climax Performance Materials Corp (polymer additives group) is added as a fungicide/pesticide; surfactant (unless otherwise indicated) is Dawn (from Proctor & Gamble); the carbon black in Sample B was Elftex-8 from Cabot Corp.; TiO 2 --Pure R-901 from Dupont; graphite--Dixon Graphite M-200 from Dixon Ticonderoga Co. The particular data obtained for each sample is indicated in the Examples which follow. Example 1 In accordance with the above described procedure, the following ingredients were used in the amounts indicated. 14 g (grams) of gelatin 275 Bloom; 200 ml (milliliters) of deionized water; 80 g of a hydrophobic aerogel which was derived from tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS); the aerogel used had an average particle size in the range of from 0.5 to 0.15 mm; 10 g of carbon black; 3 g of zinc borate. The thermal conductivity was measured using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM-C-1114). The sample's thermal conductivity was 0.023 watt/meter-K° (W/mK). Example 2 An insulative composition having a formulation identical to Example 1 was prepared using the previously described procedure except that the mold was lined with a polyester scrim and a fiberglass scrim. The wet foam was put in the mold between the scrims, and the composite was then allowed to dry. It was observed that the polyester scrim and the fiberglass scrim stuck to the composite forming a jacket giving added durability, protection, and strength. Using a fibrous scrim on both sides of the composite there was a decrease in flaking and debris which ordinarily would fall from the dried sample. Example 3 A composite was prepared and molded to form pipe insulation. The wet foam was packed in two semi-circular molds which gave the dried product the shape of a pipe. In accordance with the above described procedure, the following formulations was used: ______________________________________Ingredient Amount______________________________________gelatin 14water 200fiberglass 2.12aerogel (beads) 83.3aerogel (powder) 41.7surfactant 0.5carbon black 10.0zinc borate 13.0glutaraldehyde 2 ml.______________________________________ In the above formulation the 2 ml. of a 5% by weight solution of glutaraldehyde in water was added to all of the samples after all of the solids had wetted out and the foam had developed. In the above formulation all amounts are given in grams. To aid in dispersion, the fiber was wetted before its addition. Approximately 0.43 g of water was used. The water was deionized. The aerogel powder was obtained by grinding the BASF aerogel beads in an Alpine Mill. This powder had an average particle size in the range of from 0.5 to 0.10 mm The wet foam was packed in 2 identical molds which were shaped as 1/2 of a pipe. After the foam dried the 1/2 pipe sample was removed from the mold. The pipe insulation formed from each of the samples had an outer diameter of 3 in. (inch) and an inner diameter of 1 in. This pipe insulation could be used by putting each half around a pipe having a 1 inch diameter and securing them together with suitable means. Preferred methods which can be used to secure the pipe insulation forms together is 1) cladding; and 2) pressure sensitive strips with adhesive on each side. Example 4 Samples were prepared using the procedure and formulation of Example 1 except that instead of the carbon black the samples compared three different opacifiers. The TiO 2 , iron oxide, and graphite in the amounts indicated in the table below. The thermal conductivity was tested (using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method ASTM C-1114) and the amounts are indicated in the table below. ______________________________________Ingredient Sample A Sample B Sample C______________________________________Iron Oxide 10 g -- --TiO.sub.2 -- 10 g --Graphite -- -- 10 gT.sup.k (W/mK) 0.0242 0.0262 0.0266______________________________________ Using the previously described procedure samples were prepared having the aerogel and perlite at weight ratio (in grams) of 80/0 (aerogel to perlite respectively) down to 0/80. The aerogel was a TEOS based aerogel having a particle size ranging from 0.5 mm to 2 mm. The perlite was 7, 5, and 3 lb. perlite. The rest of the ingredients and amounts were the same as was used for Example 1 without surfactant and having no glutaraldehyde. Testing the three grades of perlite at 5 different ratios resulted in 15 different samples; the thermal conductivity of each sample was tested (using the Hager Thin foil Test Method ASTM C-1114) and the results are given below in W/mK. ______________________________________Wt. Ratio in g. A) T.sup.k of B) T.sup.k of C) T.sup.k ofaerogel/perlite #7 perlite #5 perlite #3 perlite______________________________________1) 80/0 0.0228 0.0237 0.02212) 60/20 0.0275 0.0263 0.02543) 40/40 0.0343 0.0311 0.03344) 20/60 0.0424 0.0381 0.04235) 0/08 0.0525 0.0452 0.0450______________________________________ The above data shows that the worst conductivities are found in the comparison composites having no aerogel present (samples 5A, 5B, and 5C). The best insulation is thus provided by composites having aerogel and gelatin without the other insulative filler (perlite). Example 6 Using the previously described procedure and the formulation indicated below, 6 different samples were prepared using different blooms of gelatin. ______________________________________Ingredient Amount (in g)______________________________________water 200total gelatin 14Zn Borate 13Dawn (surfactant) 0.5green dye 2.5% by wt. 5.65fiber 2.12aerogel beads (BASF 1-6mm) 83.3aerogel 1-.1mm (ground beads) 41.7BASF5% glutaraldehyde in water 3 ml.______________________________________ The gelatin used had the blooms indicated in the table below. Samples D, E and F contained 7 g of each type of gelatin indicated. The thermal conductivity, measured using the Hagar Thin Foil Test Method ASTM C1114), is also indicated for each sample: ______________________________________Sample Bloom Grade T.sup.k (W/mK)______________________________________A 60 0.0239B 150 0.0241C 275 0.0247D 60/150 0.0237E 60/275 0.0241F 150/275 0.0232______________________________________ Example 7 The formulation and procedure which was used for Example 1 was repeated with the exception that 2.14 g of polyvinylalcohol fibers (Kuralon VPB 1/8 in. long from Kurary Co. Ltd.) were added. The thermal conductivity of this sample was found to be 0.028 (using the Hagar Thin Foil Test Method ASTM-C1114). Example 8 To demonstrate a composite having cellulose fibers a sample was prepared using the procedure described previously. The following formulation was used: ______________________________________Ingredient Amount (in g)______________________________________water 125gelatin 14Zn Borate 13Dawn (surfactant) .115/0.5cellulose fiber 2.12aerogel beads 1-6mm (BASF) 83.3aerogel 1-.1 mm ground (BASF) 41.71% glutaraldehyde 3 ml.in water - .1g/10 ml______________________________________ The gelatin was 50% by weight 150 Bloom and 50% by weight 275 Bloom. The thermal conductivity was measured using the Hagar Thin Foil Test Method ASTM C1114). The thermal conductivity of the sample was 0.023 W/mK. The density was 7.21 lb/ft 3 . Example 9 Insulation was prepared using the procedure previously described. In this sample only powdered aerogel was included and a surfactant was used. The following formulation was used: 10 g (grams) of 275 Bloom gelatin; 10 g of 150 Bloom gelatin; 200 ml (milliliters) of deionized water; 125 g of aerogel which was ground to a powder in an ACM Mill. The particle sizes of the powder was a maximum of 0.5 mm; 10 g of carbon black; 3 g of zinc borate; 1.5 g of surfactant (dishwashing liquid Dawn™ from Proctor & Gamble) added to the aqueous gelatin. The insulation sample was found to have a density of 7.42 lb/ft 3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0262 watt/meter-K° (W/mK). The thermal conductivity of sample A was measured using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114). Example 10 The formulation and procedure of Example 9 was used except that here, only aerogel beads were used. The aerogel beads (from BASF) had diameters in the range of from about 1 to about 6 mm. The insulation was tested and was found to have a density of 5.75 lb/ft 3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0267 W/mK, measured using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114). Example 11 The formulation and procedure of Example 10 was used except that no surfactant was used. The sample prepared was found to have a density of 7.20 lb/ft 3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0242 W/mK, measured using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114). The results of this example demonstrates that by eliminating the surfactant less foaming will be obtained in the product resulting in a higher density. With aerogel beads and no surfactant a lower conductivity is also obtained. Example 12 The formulation and procedure to make this insulative sample was identical to Ex. 11 except that it contained 83.3 g of the BASF aerogel beads and 41.7 g of the ground aerogel powder (BASF beads ground in an Alpine Mill to a particle size in the range of from 0.5 to 0.15 mm). The sample prepared was tested and found to have a density of 7.93 lb/ft 3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0238 W/mK (using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114) for thermal conductivity. In comparing this example to Ex. 11, it is noteworthy that the best insulative results are obtained with the sample which had the aerogel present both as a powder and as beads. Example 13 A series of insulation samples were prepared using the procedure previously described. Samples A-I were prepared using the ingredients and amounts indicated. The amount of gelatin used for each sample was varied for comparison. The following formulation was used for the samples: 200 ml (milliliters) of deionized water; 125 g of a hydrophobic aerogel from BASF (83.3 g of the BASF aerogel beads were added as beads 1-6 mm; the remaining 41.7 g of the aerogel beads which were ground into a powder with a particle sizes in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5 mm); 10 g of carbon black; 3 g of zinc borate; 2 ml of 5% glutaraldehyde (crosslinker) in an aqueous solution. The gelatin used for each sample was 50% by weight (wt.) 275 Bloom and 50% by weight 150 Bloom. The total amount of gelatin used for each sample is indicated below (in grams) along with the density and conductivity measurements obtained for each sample. The density measurement is in lb/ft 3 ; conductivity was measured using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114). ______________________________________Sample Gelatin Density T.sup.k (W/mK°)______________________________________A 18 8.62 0.0235B 16 8.10 0.0231C 14 8.92 0.0228D 12 8.99 0.0225E 10 9.11 0.0218F 8 9.18 0.0212G 6 9.15 0.0201H 4 8.60 0.0197I 2 8.86 --______________________________________ Sample I was too weak to be measured for the T k to be measured. Example 14 In accordance with the above described procedure, a sample was prepared which combined a latex binder at a gelatin concentration less than about 2%. The following formulation was used in the previously described procedure: ______________________________________Ingredient Amount (in grams)______________________________________gelatin 2.0silicon latex 35% solid 5.71water 200.0wet fiberglass (2.12 g dry) 2.65aerogel (beads) 83.3aerogel (powder) 41.7carbon black 10.0zinc borate 3.0______________________________________ The silicon latex was SM2059 from General Electric. This formulation made damp crumbs which were pressed together into a mold and dried at room temperature. The sample, however, fell apart when dry and was discarded. At a gelatin content of 1% by wt. (less than the 2% by weight level) even the addition of the silicone latex binder failed to make a sample that would stay together. Example 15 Using the procedure previously described, three samples were prepared, each having a different binder used at the identical concentration. The formulation and T k of each sample is given below. The following formulation was used for the samples: 200 ml (milliliters) of deionized water; 125 g of a hydrophobic aerogel from BASF, (83.3 g of the BASF aerogel beads were added as beads 1-6 mm; the remaining 41.7 g of the aerogel were beads ground into a powder with particle sizes in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5 mm); 3.1 g of each latex (by dry weight) 0.5 g of Dawn (as a surfactant from Proctor & Gamble); 13 g of zinc borate; 3 ml of 5% glutaraldehyde in an aqueous solution; 5.65 g of green dye (2.5% solids); 2.65 g of 1/8 in. chopped, wet fiberglass (2.21 g dry weight); 14 g of gelatin which was 7 g of the 275 Bloom and 7 g of the 150 Bloom. The following binders were used: Sample A had silicone latex (SM 2059 from General Electric); Sample B had carboxylated styrene-acrylonitrilebutadiene rubber latex (L-4 from BASF); and Sample C had acrylic latex (L-23 from B.F. Goodrich). ______________________________________ Sample A Sample B Sample C______________________________________density 9.06 lb/FT.sup.3 5.86 lb/FT.sup.3 5.33 lb/FT.sup.3T.sup.k W/mK 0.0223 0.0243 0.0242______________________________________ Using the procedure previously described, a sample was was prepared with the silicon latex binder (SM 2059 from General Electric). The formulation and T k of the sample is given below. 200 ml (milliliters) of deionized water; 125 g of a hydrophobic aerogel from BASF; (83.3 g of the BASF aerogel beads were added as beads 1-6 mm; the remaining 41.7 g of the aerogel were beads ground into a powder with particle sizes in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5 mm); 8.86 g of silicon latex as a binder (on a dry weight basis the latex was 3.1 g, the remainder of the weight being water); 13 g of zinc borate; 3 ml of 5% glutaraldehyde in an aqueous solution; 5.65 g of green dye (2.5% solids); 14 g of gelatin which was 50% by weight (wt.) 275 Bloom and 50% by wt. 150 Bloom, type A; 2.65 g of 1/8 in. chopped, wet fiberglass (2.21 g dry weight). The sample prepared was tested and found to have a density of 10.55 lb/ft 3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0211 W/mK (using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114) for thermal conductivity. Example 17 Using the procedure previously described, a sample was prepared using the opacifier iron oxide and the aerogel in both beads and in comminuted form. The formulation and T k of the sample is given below: 125 g of deionized water; 125 g of a hydrophobic aerogel from BASF (83.3 g of the BASF aerogel beads were added as beads, 1-6 mm; the remaining 41.7 g of the aerogel were beads ground into a powder with substantially all of the particle sizes in the range of from 0.1 to 0.5 mm); 3 g of zinc borate; 10 ml. of 1% glutaraldehyde in an aqueous solution; 14 g of gelatin which was 50% by weight (wt.) 275 Bloom and 50% by wt. 150 Bloom, type A; 5.7 g of a 2% by wt. solution of sodium lauryl sulfate; 10 g of iron oxide. The sample prepared was tested and found to have a density of 7.62 lb/ft 3 and a thermal conductivity of 0.0224 W/mK (using the Hager Thin Foil Test Method (ASTM C-1114) for thermal conductivity.
Insulative compositions are prepared by agitating an aqueous mixture of aerogel and gelatin. Insulation obtained with such methods is non-toxic, environmentally safe, fire resistant with low smoke, has good handling properties, and provides low thermal conductivities. The insulation can be made in sheets, loose fill, or can be molded into particular shapes to provide particular types of insulation such as pipe insulation.
8
This invention relates to a process for the production of silicon by reaction of gaseous silicon compounds having the general formula SiH n X 4-n , where X is halogen and n may assume a value of from 0 to 3, with aluminium. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION For the commercial utilization of solar energy by photovoltaic current generation in the terrestrial sector, silicon is at the present the only suitable semiconductor material both for economic and for ecological reasons. Silicon originating from semiconductor silicon, of which the production process is known from semiconductor technology has hitherto been almost exclusively used. Whereas material costs are of minor importance in the semiconductor industry, they are crucially important in photovoltaics because the electrical output of a solar cell is proportional to its area and hence to the amount of material involved. Photovoltaics can contribute towards solving terrestrial energy problems when solar cells capable of competing with conventional energy sources in price and efficiency have been successfully developed. Accordingly, a basic prerequisite for the utilization of solar energy on a large scale is an economical process for the production of silicon which satisfies the solar silicon requirements. Various processes have been proposed for the production of solar silicon, including: 1. The reduction of high-purity quartz sand with high-purity carbon (DE-A 3 013 319), 2. The purification of metallurgical silicon (DE-A 2 623 413), the reduction of SiO 2 with aluminium (EP-A 0 029 182), 3. The reduction of SiF 4 or SiCl 4 with sodium (Mater. Res. Bull. 16(4), 437 (1981); DE-A 2 800 254), 4. The reduction of SiCl 4 with zinc (U.S. Pat. No. 3,012,862) and 5. The reduction of SiCl 4 with aluminium at 360° C. (P. Pascal, Nouveau traite de chimie minerale, Vol. VIII, No. 2, Silicon, page 275). Economically, these processes are not satisfactory for the production of a silicon for solar cells on an industrial scale. EP-A-0 123 100 describes a process in which solid aluminium is reacted with Si-halides at 500° to 660° C. A pure silicon suitable for solar cells is economically obtained by this process. The reaction of liquid aluminium with SiCl 4 at 750° to 1000° C. is described by Yoshizawa et al (Kagyo kagaku Zasshi 64 (1961), 1347 to 1350)Silicon tetrachloride is passed over a bath of liquid aluminium at the reaction temperature. At most 50% by weight silicon with adhering aluminium is obtained. The silicon was isolated by dissolving the residual aluminium in acid. This method is not practicable for an economic process. Since the diffusion of dissolved silicon in the molten aluminium (D=10 -5 cm 2 /S)is the speed-determining factor in the reaction described by Yoshizawa et al, the reaction times are relatively long. A complete conversion of the aluminium in an economically reasonable time does not occur. The reaction is largely determined by the temperature, the atmosphere and the SiCl 4 throughput. The disadvantages mentioned above persist despite the described optimization. Accordingly, the object of the present invention was to provide an economical process without any of the disadvantages described above. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It has now surprisingly been found that substantially quantitative conversion can be economically obtained if the process is carried out in a way which guarantees intensive contact between as large an aluminium surface as possible and the reaction gas. Thus, the invention relates to an improved process for the production of silicon suitable for use in solar cells by reacting a gaseous silicon compound with the molten surface of finely dispersed particles of pure aluminium or an aluminium/silicon alloy in intensive contact with the gaseous silicon compound during the reaction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the present invention relates to a process for the production of silicon by reaction of gaseous silicon compounds having the general formula SiH.sub.n X.sub.4-n where X is halogen and n may assume a value of 0 to 3, with aluminium, a finely dispersed molten surface consisting of pure aluminium or of an Al-Si alloy being intensively contacted with the gaseous silicon compound during the reaction. In one preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the intensive contact is obtained by fine dispersion of the molten aluminium in a space containing the gaseous silicon compound. Particularly good results are obtained when the molten surface measures at least 10 -3 m 2 /g. Conversely, SiCl 4 gas may of course also be finely dispersed in molten aluminium. To obtain a quantitative conversion, intensive contact has to be established by fine dispersion of the gaseous silicon compound in the melt. According to the invention, this may be achieved by setting the maximum gas bubble distribution in the melt at a gas bubble size of at most 5 mm. In one preferred embodiment of the process according to the invention, the aluminium is reacted in the form of fine droplets and more preferably in the form of aluminium droplets smaller than 500 μm. The product obtained in the reaction of aluminium droplets is a silicon "grit" of comparable grain size which handles well. The molten aluminium is converted into droplet form by known methods (A. Lowley, International Journal of Powder Metallurgy and Powder Technology, Vol. 13 (3), July, 1977), for example by spraying the melt through one- or two-component nozzles or by dispersing the melt by centrifugal forces. In the process according to the invention, the dispersion process is directly carried out in a silicon halide atmosphere, the reaction taking place. The quantitative conversion required depends on the particle size of the aluminium melt, the residence time and the silicon halide gas concentration. The preferred temperature in the process according to the invention is above 660° C. and more preferably between 700° and 1000° C. The residence time may be adjusted through the flight or descent path of the melt particles in the reactor. The particle size of the melt is determined by the parameters of the dispersion process. In the spray method, it may be adjusted through the inlet pressure and the choice of nozzle. The process according to the invention is not confined to the use of a certain silicon halide, halosilane, silane or any two- or multi-component mixture thereof, nor is it confined to their production by any one chemical or physical process. In the context of the invention, halides are understood to be fluorine, chlorine, bromine and iodine. The gaseous silicon compound may be delivered to the reaction in a pure atmosphere or together with inert gases not participating in the reaction, such as for example Ar, SF 6 . The silicon compound is preferably used in excess. In one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, silicon tetrachloride SiCl 4 is used as the silicon compound. In the reaction of SiCl 4 purified by distillation with pure aluminium, pure silicon is formed in addition to pure AlCl 3 . This variant can be made into an elegant recycle version (EP-A 0 123 100) of the process according to the invention. The advantage of the process according to the invention over EP-A 0 123 100 in this regard is that high-purity aluminium obtained by electrolysis of pure AlCl 3 may be directly returned to the process in molten form. The saving of one process step, namely conversion of the aluminium into a finely divided solid form, affords a considerable economic and quality advantage in regard to product purity. Production capacity is considerably increased in relation to EP-A 0 123 100. The following Examples are intended to illustrate the invention without limiting it in any way. EXAMPLE 1 In an apparatus heated to 800° C. consisting of a 100 liter quartz glass vessel with gas inlet and outlet tubes, approx. 0.3 kg molten aluminium is sprayed through a spray nozzle installed therein (nozzle diameter 1 mm) into an SiCl 4 atmosphere in 10 s at an inlet pressure of 4 bar. The supply of purified SiCl 4 heated to 600° C. is regulated in such a way as to guarantee a stoichiometric SiCl 4 excess of 200%. The aluminium used reacts almost completely to silicon with formation of AlCl 3 . The AlCl 3 sublimated off is removed with the excess SiCl 4 and condensed in suitable receivers. The silicon formed is removed as granulate (grain diameter between 100 and 800 μm) at the reactor exit. The impurities in the silicon are determined by the impurities in the aluminium used. Where ultra-pure aluminium is used, a high-purity silicon is directly obtained. EXAMPLE 2 100 g molten aluminium are introduced into a quartz vessel at 700° C. The vessel is provided with an inlet tube of quartz glass. A total of 1200 g SiCl 4 is introduced into the melt through this inlet tube over a period of 1 hour, the temperature rising continuously to 1460° C. The off-gases are removed through an outlet into a condensation apparatus. After cooling, 40 g high-purity silicon are obtained in the form of a regulus.
The process for producing silicon suitable for use in solar cells is improved by reacting a gaseous silicon compound with aluminum wherein a finely dispersed molten surface of pure aluminum or an aluminum/silicon alloy is intensively contacted with the gaseous silicon compound during the reaction.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an automatic cutter for glass tubes used in making Christmas bulbs. Traditionally, glass tubes used as bulbs are manually cut to the required length by means of rotary a saw. The cutting speed is slow and a lot of labor is wasted. The instant invention relates to an automatic cutter to take the place of a manual cutter. Since the invention has sets of cutters to cut both ends of glass tubes simultaneously, the production is larger per unit time and the quality is uniform. Therefore, man power is saved. It is indeed a new and useful invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to cutting glass tubes to a preset length one by one where the length to be cut is adjustable by adjustment of the position of the cutter. The invention utilizes a specialized conveyor system which conveys glass tubes one by one in a wave-like transversal direction. There are sets of cutters along both laterals of the conveyor. Each set of cutters comprises two knives in opposed position and the cutter sets are arranged in different widths so that the glass tubes passing the system are cut at their both ends to the required length by a first set of cutters which has the widest distance, and then the second set of cutters which is arranged with a width smaller than the first set, and so on. At the last set of cutters, each glass tube is cut into three sections. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 A flow chart for the operation of the invention. FIG. 2 A top view of the bottom layer of the conveyor system. FIG. 3 A front view of FIG. 2. FIG. 4 A top view of the next higher layer of the conveyor system. FIG. 5 A front view of FIG. 4. FIG. 6 A top view of the penultimate layer of the conveyor system. FIG. 7 A front view of FIG. 6. FIG. 8 A top view of the topmost layer of the conveyor system. FIG. 9 A front view of FIG. 8. FIG. 10 A top view of the conveyor system illustrating the whole system. FIG. 11 A front view of the conveyor system illustrating the whole system. FIG. 12 A top view of the transmission system for the conveyor of the invention. FIG. 13 A front view of the transmission system for the conveyor of the invention. FIG. 14 A top view of the cutter for the invention. FIG. 15 A front view of the cutter for the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1, pieces of long glass tubes are placed at the feeding table 9, where there is a gate 11 to control the number of glass tubes 10 fed. After passing the gate 11, glass tubes are rolling on a feeding plate 12 and then fall into an opening 14 of loading wheel 13. Beside the loading wheel there is a scraping plate 11' for scraping away excessive glass tubes. By means of a declining narrow path 15 the glass tubes fall into the conveyor 16 one by one closely. One major feature of the invention is the technology applied in the conveyor and the arrangement of the cutter. FIGS. 1-9 illustrates the detailed structure of the conveyor. FIG. 1 shows the specially wound conveyor; on it glass tubes are moved by the conveyor due to the driving of rollers. The conveyor is not driving the rollers, since the rollers are driven by chains. Because of the special winding of the conveyor, it is not easy to illustrate its winding with only FIG. 1. Therefore layer dismantling illustrated in FIGS. 2-9 are presented to give a detailed description and FIGS. 10 and 11 will give an overall understanding on the whole system. The number of rollers is variable. This embodiment is one with eight rollers. They can be increased or decreased upon actual requirement. Their lengths are decreased gradually and each of them is symmetrical at line A--A. In the rollers 1, 2, 3, . . . 8, four of them, 1, 2, 5 and 7 are rotated in the counterclockwise direction. Therefore, rotations of any two adjacent roller are in opposite directions. The said rollers are driven by a chain transmission, which will be described hereafter. As shown in the FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, the belts 31a and 31b are wound around the roller 1 and roller 2 at their respective ends. The belts 17a and 17b are wound around both ends of rollers 1, 2 and 3 respectively. The belts 17a and 17b are wound around the roller 1, and then under roller 2 and finally around the roller 3 to form a complete cycle. The belts 31a and 17a form a conveying train. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the belts 18a and 18b are wound around both ends of the leading roller 1' and the rollers 2, 3, and 4, inside both ends of the belts 17a and 17b. The two belts 18a and 18b are wound over the leading roller 1' and then under roller 2. The belt 18a is located inside the belt 17a. From the FIG. 4, we can see then the belt 17a does not intersect with the belt 18a. The space formed between 17a and 18a as well as 17b and 18b comprises a path for the glass tubes. Similarly, there is a continuous supply of glass tubes feeding the path formed between the belts 17a and 18a. Since the belts are passing the top of some rollers, those rollers are rotating in a counterclockwise direction, and the belts 17a and 18a are moving forward continuously and stably in a wave-like state. The path from the inlet 23 between 1 and 1' to the outlet 24 between 3 and 4 is a wave-like path, a path for feeding glass tubes. Glass tubes are fed from the inlet 23, through a path beneath the roller 2, then lifted to the path above the roller 3. Since there is a set of cutters 26a and 26b installed at both ends of the roller 3 respectively, glass tubes passing the roller 3 are cut at both ends simultaneously. The cut tubes are discharged from the outlet 24 and carried away by means of belt conveyor or conveying channel. In this embodiment, the cutter 26 is for cutting away the waste ends of the glass tubes and the remaining tubes are in an uniform length. Since between 17a, 18a and 17b, 18b there are other belts arranged symmetrically, the long glass tubes will not be broken while being conveyed. The FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the winding of the belts 19a, 19b and 20a, 20b inside the belts 18a and 18b. Their winding is different from that of 17a and 18a with an additional winding of 19a around the roller 5, passing 5 and then to 1, while 20a passes above the roller 5, around 6 and then to 1'. 19a and 19b are wound at the position inside the belts 18a and 18b and the belts 20a and 20b are wound inside 19a and 19b. Above the roller 5 there is a set of cutter 27a and 27b. When the fed glass tubes are lifted to the roller 5 from 4, they are cut by the cutter 27a and 27b to a preset length. The length is adjustable by adjusting the distance between 27a and 26a (of course, 27b and 26b are symmetrical to 27a and 26a along the line A--A, the length so cut is equal to the distance between 27a and 26b). The cut tubes are discharged from the outlet 29. Similarly, as shown in the FIGS. 8 and 9, the belts 21a, 21b and 22a, 22b are wound around the rollers 7 and 8 respectively. 21a and 21b are at the innerside of 20a and 20b, and 22a and 22b are in the inner side of 21a and 21b. Above the roller 7 there is a set of cutter 28a and 28b to cut the tubes from the cutter 27a and 27b at both ends simultaneously, and then the cut tubes are discharged from the outlet 30. FIG. 11 illustrates the overall arrangement of the conveyor system. From this we can see that glass tubes are passing rollers 1 and under 2, and then cut at both ends at roller 3, 4 . . . one by one. At each roller there are belts symetrically placed to carry the tubes. Therefore, the tubes will not be broken. FIGS. 12 and 13 illustrate the transmission system of the conveyor. There are sprockets 1a, 2a and 3a on the rollers 1, 2 and 3 respectively. Since the transmission is by means of the chain 32, the rollers 1 and 3 are rotating in counterclockwise direction at uniform speed and the roller 2 is rotating clockwise. In order to maintain an uniform pressure to the roller, chains and sprockets at the ends make a synchronous transmission. Furthermore, since the distance between the centers of the shafts is not great, transmission by gearing is possible. Transmission of the rollers 4, 5, 6, 7 and 8 is identical to that of rollers 1, 2, and 3. FIGS. 14 and 15 show the structure of the cutter and breaking device respectively. The abovementioned cutters 26a, 26b, 27a, 27b, 28a and 28b are installed on both ends of the rollers 3, 5 and 7 respectively. All cutters are identical both in structure and function. Cutter 27a is used as an example in the description herein. As shown in the FIG. 15, there is a directing rod 33 above the roller 5. Its right end is hinged at the frame 35 by means of a pin 34 and it can swing upward and downward freely with the pin 34 as a pivot. Its left end is in an arch shape, the knife wheel 36 is installed beside it by means of a pin 37 and works as a cutter directly. At the middle of the directing rod 33 there is a pressure regulating rod 38. The pressure regulating rod 38 passes through the frame 35 and has spring 39 and 40 installed at both ends respectively for regulating the pressure applied to the glass tubes. Adjustment is done by turning a nut 41. At the shaft of the roller 6 there is a belt pulley 42 and at the left side of the regulating rod 38 there is a small pulley 43, which is hinged at the frame and rotatable freely. The breaking belt 44 is wound around the pulley 43 and pulley 42. It is driven by the pulley 42 and it applies a pressure to the tubes which have just been cut by 36 so that the tubes are broken and fall into the collection path 45, as shown in the FIG. 15. The cut tubes are then moved forward by the belts 20a and 21a for further cutting. Since glass tubes will be broken easily once there is a load applied to them, the section of breaking is uniform. Since the glass tubes to be cut by the invention are mainly used in making bulbs, it is not essential that the section of breaking be uniform but that their length should be uniform. In conclusion, ordinary conveyor systems are not able to carry glass tubes satisfactorily and therefore, cutting them on an ordinary conveyor is impossible. The invention has overcome the problem. The characteristics of the invention are as follows: (1) On efficiency: by means of traditional cutting equipment, a laborer, who works 8 hours per day, can cut about 10 boxes of glass tubes. By means of the invention, with 2 laborers, one at each side of the invention for picking waste material, the production capacity is 160 boxes per day and on the average, each laborer has a capacity of cutting 80 boxes per day. Therefore, the production efficiency is 8 times that of traditional ones and in overall production capacity, it is 16 times that of traditional one. (2) Operation is safer than that of a traditional one. In a traditional operation, tubes have to be taken by hands and moved to the saw blade. The operator has to pay full attention to the operation. Otherwise, he will be injured. The invention is of mechanical operation. It is impossible to injure an operator. (3) Glass tubes are moved forward in a wave-like form safely and efficiently. (4) Quality of the product is uniform, control of quality is easy. (5) On the power consumption in unit production, less power is required than an ordinary operation. It is an economic benefit in the time of an energy crisis.
Disclosed herein is a cutter for long glass tubes which are placed on a feeding table, and dropped into a carrier one by one, and then onto a specially wound conveyor for wave-like-transversal feed. When the glass tubes pass the cutter, they are cut one by one to the required length and the cut glass tubes are then packed or conveyed to another place for further processing.
8
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY The present disclosure relates to a locking device for a swinging/sliding door. In particular, the present disclosure relates to a swinging/sliding door for vehicles. The locking device interacts with a guide rail arranged on the door leaf of the swinging/sliding door along the bottom horizontal edge thereof. The bottom horizontal edge is provided in the floor region, in the region of the secondary closing edge, and which can be actuated by a door drive. Swinging/sliding doors, as are often used in particular in vehicles, for example in railroad cars or subway cars, are usually guided, and connected to the door drive, in the region of their top horizontal edge. The bottom door region is usually guided via guide rollers or guide rails or the like in order to prevent the door leaf from striking against the doorway or from rattling in the open state. There is then the problem of having to provide a closure means along the bottom peripheral region of the door leaf, in the region of the secondary closing edge, in the closed state, in order that reliable closure and sealing of the door is also ensured in this region. There are essentially two possible ways of providing for this in the prior art. The first possibility provides a type of rotary lever or hook. The rotary lever or hook, once the door has reached the final closed position, is rotated such that it presses onto a latching surface of the door leaf in the closing direction and fixes the position of the door leaf in this way. In the case of the second possibility, the guidance of the door leaf in the region of its bottom horizontal edge is used in order for the guide means interacting with the guide, at the end of the closing movement, to be moved in the direction normal to the door-leaf plane (or more or less normal to the door-leaf plane). This is done so that the correct final closed position can be ensured. The first possibility has the disadvantage of requiring additional elements which have to be accommodated in the doorway. It thus involves high outlay and requires a considerable amount of space. In addition, special allowances have to be made in the door-control means. The second possibility is easier to manage from the point of view of the control means, but the amount of space which it requires is precisely where the door users will be particularly aware of the space available. That is, in the inside width of the doorway. The present disclosure relates to an improved device related to the second possibility mentioned above such that the amount of space required is reduced and that it is possible to have configurations in which a guide rail arranged on the door leaf may be of shorter design than has been the case hitherto. All of this is being done without increasing the costs or the installation outlay. This present disclosure relates to a four-bar mechanism, such as a parallelogram, which is formed by an essentially horizontally arranged coupling member and levers arranged in an articulated manner thereon. One of the levers includes a guide slot into which projects a locking bolt. The locking bolt can be moved in the guide slot by an actuating element actuated by the door drive. This makes it possible for a rotary movement. Heretofore, movement ran in a horizontal plane and essentially transversely to the width of the doorway, and thus required a considerable amount of space in this direction. The movement can now be changed into a rotary movement about horizontally, or essentially horizontally, running axes. The components involved are formed as flat structures, which thus have considerably reduced dimensions in the direction of the width of the doorway. One embodiment, according to the present disclosure, includes a locking bolt that projects into the guide slot. The locking bolt is arranged on a locking lever, which lever can be pivoted about an essentially horizontal axis. The actuating element acts on the locking lever, for example, in the region of the bolt. This allows precise guidance of the locking bolt and of the actuating element using just one component, which cuts back on space and costs. In an embodiment, according to the present disclosure, the coupling member has arranged on it a pivoting lever which can be pivoted about an essentially vertical axis and, at its free end, bears a guide roller which interacts with the guide. It is thus possible for the guide roller to be located within the width of the doorway when the door leaf is in the closed position, but right up against the periphery of the doorway, or slightly outside the width of the doorway, in the open position. As a result, the guide rail on the door leaf may be configured to be considerably shorter than the door leaf in this direction (width). Other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent from the following descriptions when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a schematic view in a horizontal direction parallel to a door-leaf plane, as seen looking in direction I in FIG. 2 , of a locking device in a closed and locked position, according to the present disclosure. FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view in a direction of arrow II in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 shows a schematic view in a direction of arrow III in FIG. 1 . FIGS. 4 and 5 show views analogous to the views of FIGS. 1 and 2 , respectively, the locking device being in the open position, according to the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic view of a retaining and locking mechanism or device, according to the present disclosure, as seen in a direction of arrow I in FIG. 2 , running in a direction of a longitudinal axis of a vehicle. The retaining device 11 is installed in a car body or door frame 10 such that it is fastened on an installation plate 12 . Two levers 2 and 3 , connected by a coupling member 1 , are mounted on the installation plate 12 in a manner of a four-bar mechanism, such as, in this embodiment, for example, a parallelogram. A pivoting lever 7 is mounted on the coupling member 1 such that it can be pivoted about an essentially vertically running axis 15 . At an end region, which is directed toward a doorway opening and a door leaf 13 , the pivoting lever 7 bears a guide roller 8 , which interacts with a guide rail 9 of the door leaf 13 . One of the two levers 2 and 3 , shown as lever 2 in the present embodiment, has a guide slot 14 into which projects a locking bolt 4 , which is fastened on a locking lever 5 arranged in a pivotable manner on the installation plate 12 . An actuating element 6 acts on the locking lever 5 , as shown in FIG. 1 . Actuating element 6 leads upward along a secondary closing edge of the vehicle and is actuated there by a door drive (not shown). This device 11 , functions as follows. Starting from a position shown in FIG. 1 , the actuating element 6 is raised, which pivots the locking lever 5 , and thus the locking bolt 4 , upward along a circular path about a point of articulation of the locking lever 5 . This movement gives rise to the displacement of the locking bolt 4 in the guide slot 14 , which moves the coupling member 1 to the left, (as seen viewing FIG. 1 ) by way of the two levers 2 , 3 being pivoted. The movement continues until an end position is reached, as shown in FIG. 4 . The coupling member 1 , and thus ultimately also the guide roller 8 , executes a slight vertical movement. Such slight vertical movement may be of no consequence for the reliability and quality of guidance in the guide rail 9 . During an opening movement of the door, the pivoting lever 7 also moves about its axis 15 , as seen by comparing FIGS. 2 and 5 . From the closed position, as shown in FIG. 2 , in which the pivoting lever 7 is directed into an interior of the width of the doorway, pivot lever 7 pivots and is carried along by the guide rail 9 of the opening door in a direction in which it is pivoted out of the width of the doorway, as shown in FIG. 5 . As a result, a length of the guide rail 9 on the door leaf 13 may be considerably smaller than a length of an opening movement of the door leaf 13 Furthermore, the doorway width, when the door is open, is kept free of retaining and guiding parts of the door mechanism to a greater extent than was possible in the prior art. In the embodiment as shown in the Figures, the guide slot 14 has a feature of being in a part of a circle arc in a portion in which the locking bolt 4 ends up being located when the door is in the closed position, as shown in FIG. 1 , wherein a center point of the circle arc coincides with a pivot axis of the locking lever 5 . This forms a dead region in the cinematics. This means that forces which act on the coupling member 1 , and thus on the lever 2 , in the opening direction via the door leaf 13 , the guide rail 9 , the guide roller 8 , the pivoting lever 7 and the mounting thereof, are not capable of subjecting the locking lever 5 to a moment in the opening direction. This present locking or retaining mechanism or device 11 thus remains resistant to unintentional or malicious attempts to open the door in an unauthorized manner by shaking the door leaf 13 . This resistance could be achieved by a so-called over-dead-center mechanism, in which the shaping of the guide slot 14 in this region would have to be such that an opening movement on the door leaf 13 results in the locking lever 5 being pushed further in the locking direction. However, previously known over-dead-center mechanisms have the disadvantage that, in the absence of the customary door drive, when the door is being forced by the users, and then opened by the emergency opening device, the locking lever 5 has to be rotated out of its end region counter to the locking torque exerted by the passengers. That, in particular in situations which are unusual, unpleasant or dangerous, is difficult for passengers without training. In comparison with what was just described, a guide slot 14 with a dead region like that shown herein, the forces which occur on the door leaf 13 , with the exception of a negligible increase in the friction in the bearing of the locking lever 5 , have no effect on the force which is required for opening the locking means or mechanism 11 . As shown in FIG. 4 , which corresponds to the door being open, that region of the guide slot 14 in which the locking bolt 4 is located runs essentially in the direction in which the actuating element 6 is moved (see arrow II in FIG. 1 and the oppositely directed unnumbered arrow in FIG. 4 ). As a result, it is not necessary for the actuating element 6 , or the displacement thereof, to be adjusted precisely since further movement of the actuating element 6 in the upward direction is no longer accompanied by any marked pivoting of the lever 2 , or therefore by any marked change in the guide roller 8 . As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 5 , by way of metal plates, which run essentially parallel to one another, the device 11 , according to the present disclosure, may be of very flat design. Such metal plates are easy to install in the doorway region and can be fitted at a distance from the floor itself, so that a risk of it becoming clogged with dirt or iced up is low. An emergency release device, which is necessary for most doors of the type described herein, is within the scope of the present disclosure. When the door drive is moved manually, it automatically carries along the actuating element 6 in the region above the doorway, and no additional measures need therefore be taken. Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in detail, it is to be clearly understood that this is done by way of illustration and example only and is not to be taken by way of limitation. The scope of the present disclosure is to be limited only by the terms of the appended claims.
A locking device for a swinging/sliding door for vehicles. The swinging/sliding door includes a door leaf having a guide rail along a bottom horizontal edge in a floor region. The swinging/sliding door is configured to be actuated by a door drive.
4
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to controlling the supply of power to a portable phone of the type mentioned in the preamble of the independent claims. STATE OF THE ART Many portable communication devices, such as mobile phones, personal communicators etc, normally require a “hardware power on system” for powering on. A “hardware power on system” is referred to as a system, which comprises a physical switch, controlling the power on function of the portable phone. Other portable communication devices have a hinged front panel, a so-called flip, which can be opened when the device is used for certain functions and which can be closed in order to reduce the bulk of the device when these functions are not required. One example of such a device is the mobile phone known from GB-A-2 297 661, which describes a flip which can be folded down to expose a touch screen display. When the flip is folded up against the touch screen display, the touch screen display can be operated by means of a keypad consisting of a plurality of buttons, which extend through the flip and which can be pressed by a user into contact with the touch sensitive parts of the touch screen display. There is a flip position-indicating switch in the main body of the unit, which can be operated by a switch activation device disposed in the flip. The flip position indicating switch and switch activation device co-operate to produce a mode change signal which is sent to a processor of the mobile phone and which indicates whether the flip is open or closed. If the flip is closed, a first set of functions is available to the user and if the flip is open, a second set of functions is available to the user. Mobile phones of this type can be switched on and off by means of a hardware switch, which disconnects the processor from the logic voltage supply in order to minimise unnecessary battery drainage caused by the logic voltage supply leaking current. Thus, a separate hardware switch is required, which increases the manufacturing costs and, as it introduces a potential failure path, also lowers the reliability of the mobile phone. It is also known to use “soft power control” for instance in personal computer systems, to be able to save power and extend battery lifetime. This is ordinarily done by the operator of the computer system without using a “hard power on switch” for powering on. “Soft power control” in such a computer system normally comprises several power control modes, such as a “full power” mode and a “sleep” mode. In the “full power” mode, the main parts of the computer system are supplied with power and are active. In the “sleep” mode, one or more parts of the computer system are not supplied with power and are said to be inactive. In the “sleep” mode, the operator can depress a key on the keyboard to power on the main parts of the computer system. It is known from U.S. Pat. No. 5,553,296 to use a touch screen for a power control function in a computer system, whereby the touch screen is employed to control a number of power modes, such as a “full power” mode and a “sleep” mode. The touch screen detects a touch input by the operator from the touch screen. If the computer system is in a power down mode, a so-called “sleep” mode, the touch screen provides a main power-on signal after the touch input is detected, by means of a control means controlling a voltage regulator arranged to power on the computer by connecting to a power supply. U.S. Pat. No. 4,825,209 describes a remote control apparatus, which puts a transmitting portion, a receiving portion and an image display control portion thereof in an enabled state for a predetermined period of time after a touch panel is pressed to be able to reduce power consumption. The press detection is done with push button switches in the corners of a remote control. In Swedish patent application SE 9803960-5 an enhanced power-on function is described, wherein hard switches to be implemented in a portable communication device are not required, and also if comprising a flip provided with a flip hinge, it does not have to be provided with wires through the flip hinge. A touch-screen provided on a LCD is able to detect keystrokes from a push-through keyboard covering parts of, or the entire LCD. If the mobile phone should be powered up by pressing an on button in the keyboard, the power up detection can be performed by means of the touch-screen. However, there still remain problems to be solved. For instance, if the communication device is left in a pocket of a shirt or in a purse, spurious starts of the device can occur, if the touch-screen is pressed by accident. This may lead to significant power drainage of the battery. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to solve the described problems and provide a portable phone, in which power drainage by pressing the touch-screen by accident is avoided. Herein, the term “portable phones” comprises: mobile telephones, cordless telephones and personal communicators. This is attained according to the present invention by means of a portable phone, in which the touch screen display is used for switching on the device, wherein a hardware switch is not necessary. The touch screen display comprises at least one inner and one outer essentially transparent, conducting plate, which are movable in relation to each other between a first position, in which the plates are spaced apart, and a second position, in which the plates are contacted to each other by the outer plate being depressed by a user of the portable phone by means of an input means, such as a key-pad, or by direct activation providing a pressure against the touch screen display, wherein a voltage controlled switch comprising a control block, is connected to said plates and arranged to turn on the power of the portable phone upon receipt of a signal indicating that a power-on key or a power-on area has been depressed by the user, after an initial detection of the pressed position on the touch screen, verifying a “valid” input. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention this is attained by a portable phone comprising at least one touch screen display and at least one power supply, said touch screen display comprising at least one inner and one outer essentially transparent, conducting plate, which are movable in relation to each other between a first position, in which the plates are spaced apart, and a second position, in which the plates are contacted to each other by the outer plate being depressed by a user of the portable telephone by means of an input means, such as a keypad, or direct activation providing a pressure against the touch screen display, wherein a voltage controlled switch connected to said plates is adapted to turn on the power of the portable phone upon receipt of a signal indicating that a power-on key or a power-on area has been depressed by the user, characterised in that a control block connected to the voltage controlled switch is arranged to perform an initial detection and evaluation whether it is a valid pressed position on the touch-screen display before powering-on the phone. In this way, accidentally pressing the touch-screen in positions away from the ON-button will not start the logic. Preferably, the control block is arranged to detect whether the touch position lies within an area defined by four co-ordinates or less (MAX X, MIN X, MAX Y, MIN Y) defining the maximal area of an on-button of the input-means, or possibly whether it lies within any of the areas of two or more buttons or within the combined area of ajoining on-buttons. If a higher security against involuntary switch-on is desired it is possible to arrange two on-buttons to be depressed in sequence. In this case the control block is arranged to detect whether of two sequential touch positions one lies within one of two areas and the second within the other of the two areas, each defined by four co-ordinates or less defining the maximal area of a corresponding on-button of the input-means. Preferably, the voltage controlled switch comprises control means provided with always-on low frequency (LF) generator means adapted to perform said detection and evaluation. Another advantage of the present invention is that the invention simplifies the use of a portable phone, compared to prior art. An additional advantage of the present invention is that no additional switch need be incorporated in the portable phone. Therefore, it is possible to use the display of a portable phone for powering on. The invention will now be described in more detail with reference to preferred embodiments thereof and to the appended drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a portable phone, according to the invention. FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of the touch screen display and the voltage controlled switch, comprising a control block, of the portable phone illustrated in FIG. 1 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of a portable phone 10 according to the invention. The portable phone 10 is provided with a touch screen display 20 for displaying information such as telephone number(s), signal strength, battery level, roaming information etc, and intended for receiving commands from a user in a conventional way, as well as the inventive power-on function. The portable phone 10 has a main body 3 , comprising a loudspeaker 6 , an antenna 7 , a microphone 8 , and a flip 4 , attached to the main body 3 by means of a flip hinge 4 a , and movable in relation to the main body 3 , which flip 4 can be folded up against the main body 3 . The flip 4 has input means 70 , for example a keypad having a plurality of keys 9 , where each key 9 corresponds to a desired function. The function of each key 9 can be determined by the software of the portable phone 10 . The touch screen display 20 detects which key 9 has been pushed and carries out the desired function. Activating the power-on key 9 ′ causes the touch screen display 20 to register that the key 9 ′ has been pushed and causes a voltage controlled switch to connect to the power supply (not shown). To illustrate the invention, the voltage-controlled switch 2 will now be described, with reference to FIG. 2 . FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the touch screen display 20 connected to the voltage controlled switch 2 for connecting and disconnecting the power supply 50 to the portable phone (not shown). The power supply 50 is connected to an input terminal 51 of a first voltage regulator 60 a , which can provide a fixed logic voltage supply Von on an output terminal 52 thereof. The voltage regulator 60 a is always enabled to provide the high input voltage Von to a control means 5 on its input terminal 53 . The power supply 50 is also connected to the input terminal 54 of a second voltage regulator 60 b , which can provide a logic voltage supply Vcc on its output terminal 55 . The voltage regulator 60 b can be enabled to provide the logic voltage supply Vcc to the control means 5 on its input terminal 56 , when it receives a suitable input voltage (low or high, low in the described embodiment, since the enable terminal is inverted) on its enable terminal 57 . This causes the control means 5 to start its logic, which controls the power-on function. The logic is of a conventional type for controlling a touch screen display, also of conventional type, and the function thereof will therefore not be described in more detail. The logic comprises at least one main microprocessor, as well as other control circuits of known technologies. The way of applying a high input voltage to the enable terminal 57 of regulator 60 b , which thereby allows the power supply to be connected to the input terminal 56 of the control means 5 , to power-on the mobile phone, will now be described in more detail. The touch screen display 20 comprises at least two plates, one inner plate 30 and one outer plate 40 , which are spaced apart, and connected via four signal lines 31 , 32 , 41 , 42 to the terminals of the control means 5 in a conventional way. The outer plate 40 , intended to be depressed by a user, is preferably connected via signal line 41 provided with a pull-up resistor (or pull-down resistor) 19 and the inner plate 30 is connected to ground when the phone is powered down. When the portable phone is powered down, Vcc is low (e.g. 0 V) and Von high (e.g. 5 V). All signals on the output terminals 11 - 17 of the control means 5 are low. Thus, in this mode, one of the plates 40 has high potential and the other plate 30 has low potential. When the user depresses a power-on key on the input means 70 provided on the touch screen display 20 , the plate 40 that is connected via the pull up resistor 19 will be forced to ground, whereby the signal in signal line 41 will go low. A signal will be sent via signal line 18 to the enable terminal 57 of regulator 60 b , which will provide an enabling current, or in other words, a high potential, to the terminal 56 of the control means 5 , thereby starting its logic to obtain a power-on function. However, before the logic is started, the control means 5 will start to interpret the meaning of the activation, starting with detecting the touch position, which will be described below. A control block 80 provided with a comparator function is provided at a touch-screen interface 31 , 32 , 41 , 42 . This block 80 is active in power down mode (by Von) and is arranged to perform an initial detection of the pressed position on the touch-screen before a logic voltage supply Vcc is applied to the rest of the logic, as described above. The control block 80 is in a conventional way either arranged outside the control means 5 and connected thereto or is inside the control means 5 . The control block 80 may for instance be transmitting output signals via a signal multiplexing unit 81 , which is connected through enable terminal 57 to the voltage regulator 60 b to control the logic voltage supply Vcc. To the control means 5 , there is also provided a low frequency clock generator (LF clock generator) 82 , such as a 32.768 kHz crystal oscillator. In this way conventional clock generator means (not shown), using a much higher frequency, which is very power consuming, can be turned off in power-down mode, even during detecting the pressed position, in order to save power. This may be of importance, since a very flat touch-screen is easily accessible to inputs made by mistake, which are not intended to start the phone. In prior art phones, such as the one described in SE 9803960-5, the touch screen is normally arranged “deeper”. Preferably, one or more keys 9 of the keypad 70 can be assigned a power-on function by the software of the control means 5 . In this way switching on the portable phone is obtained without requiring any special hardware power-on switch. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the touch screen display comprises a resistive type of touch screen display, but the invention is not limited thereto. The resistive touch screen display comprises two sheets of clear material, which is conducting. The time period for performing the power-on function will vary depending on application. Thus, the touch screen display must be depressed for a predetermined period of time before performing the power on command. This prevents accidental touching of the power-on button on the touch-screen. In alternative embodiments, a plurality of power on modes may exist between the full power up and the full power down mode. Shutting down the portable telephone is performed in a conventional way. One of the keys in the input means 70 can be assigned an “off” function by the software of the control means. The input means is for instance a movable housing element, such as a flip, comprising a push-through keyboard. It is also possible to use direct activation providing a pressure against the touch screen display, whereby the touch screen display can comprise a user data area divided into multiple sub-areas corresponding to the keys of the keypad. While the invention has been illustrated by a portable telephone provided with a flip, it is also possible to use other arrangements of keypads, for instance of sliding type. The voltage regulator 60 a which is always enabled to provide a high input voltage to the control means 5 can be substituted by any other switching means, provided that the components in the control means 5 are not destroyed. The voltage regulator 60 b can be substituted by any other voltage-controlled switch. While the advantages of the invention are most fully realised when no separate hardware switch is used to switch the processor on and off, it is also possible to provide the portable phone with a separate hardware switch if so desired in order to control the power supply to some other component of the portable phone, as well as the processor.
The present invention relates to a portable telephone, which can be switched on/off by using the touch screen of the portable phone.
8
[0001] The present invention relates to a centrifugal pendulum. BACKGROUND [0002] A centrifugal pendulum is known from DE 10 2011 013 232 A1, which includes a pendulum flange and pendulum masses fastened on both sides of the pendulum flange with the aid of a spacer bolt accommodated in an arc-shaped cutout of the pendulum flange, a movement of the pendulum mass pair being limited by a stop. The spacer bolt has a damping system, which includes a damping element and a ring surrounding the damping element. The ring is designed to strike a cutout contour of the cutout. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] It is an object of the present invention to increase the reliability of the centrifugal pendulum while simultaneously reducing noise emissions. [0004] The present invention provides a centrifugal pendulum, which includes a pendulum mass pair and a pendulum flange, in which an arc-shaped cutout having a cutout contour is provided, the pendulum masses of the pendulum mass pair being situated on both sides of the pendulum flange and being connected to each other with the aid of at least one spacer bolt guided through the cutout, and the spacer bolt having a damping system, which includes at least one stabilizing element and at least one elastic damping element, and the damping system being designed to damp an impact of the spacer bolt on the cutout contour of the cutout, a compression of the damping element being able to occur, due to the impact. The stabilizing element limits the compression. [0005] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, the spacer bolt includes a spacer bolt body, the damping element being situated on a circumferential surface of the spacer bolt body, and the stabilizing element being situated on a front surface of the damping element. [0006] A stabilizing element is preferably provided on each front surface of the damping element, so that the damping element is axially limited by the stabilizing element. Each front surface of the damping element may also be surrounded at least in sections by a shared stabilizing element, so that the damping element is axially limited by the stabilizing element. [0007] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, at least one damping element has an essentially rectangular cross section. [0008] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, at least one damping element has an essentially L-shaped cross section. [0009] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, at least one damping element has an essentially U-shaped cross section. [0010] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, at least one stabilizing element has a smaller outer diameter than the damping element. [0011] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, at least one stabilizing element surrounds an outer circumference and/or an inner circumference of the damping element at least in sections. [0012] In another special specific embodiment of the present invention, at least one stabilizing element has a solidity which is greater than the solidity of the damping element. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The present invention is explained in greater detail below with reference to the figures. The same components are identified by the same reference numerals. Specifically: [0014] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a torsional vibration damper, including a centrifugal pendulum situated thereon; [0015] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the centrifugal pendulum; [0016] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a cutout of the centrifugal pendulum illustrated in FIG. 2 ; [0017] FIG. 4 shows a special specific embodiment of a spacer bolt of the centrifugal pendulum illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 3 ; [0018] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 7 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 8 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0022] FIG. 9 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0023] FIG. 10 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0024] FIG. 11 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; [0025] FIG. 12 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention; and [0026] FIG. 13 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0027] FIG. 1 shows a side view of a torsional vibration damper 10 , including a centrifugal pendulum 12 situated thereon; A disk carrier 16 , functioning as a clutch output of a clutch device, is situated on a damper input part 14 of a torsional vibration damper 10 designed as a series damper. The clutch device may be designed, for example, as a converter lockup clutch or as a wet clutch. Torsional vibration damper 10 is actively connected between the clutch output and an output hub 18 , output hub 18 being connectable to a transmission input shaft of a transmission in a drive train of a motor vehicle via a toothing 20 . [0028] Damper input part 14 is accommodated, centered radially on the inside of output hub 18 and axially secured, and encompasses first energy storage elements 22 radially on the outside, for example bow springs, which actively connect damper input part 14 to a damper intermediate part 24 , damper intermediate part 24 being restrictively rotatable with respect to damper input part 14 . Damper intermediate part 24 , in turn, is restrictively rotatable with respect to a damper output part 28 via the action of second energy storage elements 26 situated radially farther to the inside, for example pressure springs. Damper output part 28 is rotatably fixedly connected to output hub 18 , for example via a welded connection. [0029] Damper intermediate part 24 includes two disk parts 30 , 32 , which are spaced an axial distance apart and axially surround damper output part 28 . The one disk part 32 is elongated radially outwardly to form a pendulum flange 34 . Pendulum flange 34 is integrated into disk part 32 , but may also be fastened thereto as a separate component. Pendulum flange 34 is part of centrifugal pendulum 12 . Disk part 32 is rotatably fixedly connected radially on the inside to a turbine hub 36 , which is designed to connect a turbine wheel of a hydrodynamic torque converter. Turbine hub 36 is centered on output hub 18 and is rotatably situated with respect thereto. [0030] Pendulum flange 34 of centrifugal pendulum 12 accommodates, in a radially outer section, two pendulum masses 38 , which are situated axially opposite each other and are connected to each other via a spacer bolt 40 , spacer bolt 40 engaging with pendulum flange 34 through an arc-shaped cutout 42 . [0031] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of centrifugal pendulum 12 , and FIG. 3 shows a cutout (shown by the dashed line) of centrifugal pendulum 12 , marked in FIG. 2 and identified by “C.” For the sake of better clarity, not all pendulum masses 38 are illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 . As explained above, spacer bolt 40 engages with arc-shaped cutout 44 and thus connects pendulum masses 38 situated on both sides of pendulum flange 34 . Cutout 44 illustrated in FIG. 3 has an arc-shaped cutout contour 46 , which limits a mobility of spacer bolt 40 by striking against cutout contour 46 with an outer circumferential surface 50 of spacer bolt 40 . [0032] FIG. 4 shows a sectional view of a spacer bolt 40 according to one special specific embodiment of the present invention. The section runs along section line A-A illustrated in FIG. 1 . Spacer bolt 40 has a spacer bolt body 51 of a rotationally symmetrical design, including a longitudinal axis 52 , which may also be a rotation axis of spacer bolt 40 , depending on the fastening of spacer bolt 40 to pendulum masses 38 . Spacer bolt body 51 has two fastening areas 54 , on which spacer bolt body 51 is connected to pendulum masses 38 . Stop area 56 is situated between fastening areas 54 . Stop area 56 has a larger diameter than the two fastening areas 54 , which are adjacent to stop area 56 on the right and the left. [0033] Spacer bolt body 51 has a circumferential surface 58 in stop area 56 , which has a cylindrical design and has a chamfer 60 situated on each of its lateral edges in the direction of fastening area 54 . A damping system 62 is provided radially on the outside of circumferential surface 58 of spacer bolt body 51 . Damping system 62 of spacer bolt 40 includes a damping element 64 of an annular design, which is situated on circumferential surface 58 of spacer bolt body 51 . [0034] Damping element 64 has an essentially rectangular cross section, bevels 65 being provided on outer circumferential surface 50 . Damping element 64 is limited laterally in the axial direction by a stabilizing element 66 . Stabilizing element 66 is situated in direct contact with a particular front surface 68 of damping element 64 . The side surfaces of damping element 64 or stabilizing element 66 situated perpendicularly in the axial direction of longitudinal axis 52 are referred to as front surface 68 of stabilizing element 66 . [0035] For easier assembly, front surface 68 of damping element 64 is oriented perpendicularly to longitudinal axis 52 of spacer bolt 40 . Stabilizing element 66 has a smaller outer diameter than damping element 64 . This initially prevents stabilizing elements 66 from striking pendulum flange 34 or cutout contour 46 of cutout 44 , so that the impact contact initially takes place by damping element 64 striking cutout contour 46 of pendulum flange 34 . [0036] When damping element 64 strikes cutout contour 46 of pendulum flange 34 , a compression of damping element 64 occurs. To avoid or reduce an overload, due to the compression, stabilizing element 66 is able to limit the compression of damping element 64 , for example in that stabilizing element 66 strikes cutout contour 46 when damping element 64 reaches a certain compression. [0037] Due to the lateral limitation of damping element 64 by laterally situated stabilizing elements 66 , a lateral deflection of damping element 64 is avoided when outer circumferential surface 50 strikes cutout contour 46 of pendulum flange 34 . A possible breaking and cracking of damping element 64 is avoided thereby, so that spacer bolt 40 is more durable than known spacer bolts. The impact noise is also significantly reduced. [0038] Damping element 64 may be made of an elastic material, in particular rubber. [0039] Stabilizing elements 66 and damping element 64 have the same inner diameter, which is selected in such a way that damping element 64 and stabilizing elements 66 may be fastened to circumferential surface 58 of spacer bolt body 51 with the aid of a clearance fit. [0040] The clearance fit ensures that damping system 62 is easily rotatably seated on spacer bolt body 51 . For axially securing damping system 62 , the latter is fixed in the assembled state in stop area 56 of spacer bolt body 51 by laterally situated pendulum masses 38 . [0041] Damping elements 64 may be connected to stabilizing element 66 using vulcanization or another integral and form-fitting connection. If damping element 64 is connected to stabilizing element 66 using vulcanization, this has the advantage that a compression stress or an internal stress may be built up in damping element 64 during vulcanization, which is maintained after the vulcanization operation. The introduced internal stress results in the fact that, when damping element 64 strikes cutout contour 46 of cutout 44 directly, the internal stress, which is aimed oppositely to the introduced impact force or impact stress induced thereby, at least partially compensates for the impact stress, so that a dynamic damping capability and an effective rigidity of damping system 62 are increased. [0042] In this way, damping element 64 or damping system 62 may be subjected to a higher impact stress, or it has a longer service life as a result thereof. The assembly security of damping system 62 on spacer bolt body 51 is also improved. [0043] FIG. 5 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. Stabilizing element 66 is designed as a single piece with spacer bolt body 51 . [0044] FIG. 6 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a stabilizing element 66 is introduced centrally between axially adjacent damping elements 64 . Stabilizing element 66 is designed to form a single piece with spacer bolt body 51 . [0045] FIG. 7 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. Stabilizing element 66 is introduced as a separate component centrally between axially adjacent damping elements 64 . [0046] FIG. 8 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a stabilizing element 66 encompasses a damping element 64 on an outer circumference and in sections on the front surfaces of damping element 64 . Stabilizing element 66 has a U-shaped design. Stabilizing element 66 limits a compression of damping element 64 due to an impact on spacer bolt body 51 . [0047] FIG. 9 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. A stabilizing element 66 encompasses damping element 64 on an inner circumference which has a U-shaped design. Another stabilizing element 66 encompasses a radial outer circumference of damping element 64 . If a maximum compression is reached, an impact of the two stabilizing elements 66 against each other limits further compression. [0048] FIG. 10 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. In this case, a stabilizing element 66 encompasses a damping element 64 on an inner circumference and in sections on the front surfaces of damping element 64 . Stabilizing element 66 has a U-shaped design. Stabilizing element 66 limits a compression of damping element 64 due to an impact on cutout contour 46 . [0049] FIG. 11 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. A stabilizing element 66 , which encompasses damping element 64 at least in sections on an outer circumference and also at least in sections on a front surface, has an L-shaped design. If a maximum compression is reached, an impact of the radially inwardly oriented section of stabilizing element 66 on spacer bolt body 51 limits a further compression of damping element 64 . [0050] FIG. 12 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. A stabilizing element 66 , which encompasses damping element 64 at least in sections on an outer circumference and also at least in sections on a front surface, has an L-shaped design. Another stabilizing element 66 encompasses damping element 64 at least in sections on an inner circumference and at least in sections on the other front surface of damping element 64 . If a maximum compression is reached, an impact of the radially inwardly oriented section of stabilizing element 66 on other stabilizing element 66 as well as vice versa limits a further compression of damping element 64 . [0051] FIG. 13 shows a detail of a cross section of a centrifugal pendulum, including a spacer bolt 40 in another special specific embodiment of the present invention. A stabilizing element 66 encompasses an outer circumference of damping element 64 at least in sections. If a maximum compression is reached, an impact of stabilizing element 66 on a shoulder 70 in pendulum mass 38 limits further compression. Shoulder 70 may be provided as a single piece from pendulum mass 38 , or it may be implemented as a separate component fastened thereto. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS [0000] 10 torsional vibration damper 12 centrifugal pendulum 14 damper input part 16 disk carrier 18 output hub 20 toothing 22 energy storage element 24 damper intermediate part 26 energy storage element 28 damper output part 30 disk part 32 disk part 34 pendulum flange 36 turbine hub 38 pendulum mass 40 spacer bolt 42 cutout 44 cutout 46 cutout contour 50 circumferential surface 51 spacer bolt body 52 longitudinal axis 54 fastening area 56 stop area 58 circumferential surface 60 chamfer 62 damping system 64 damping element 65 bevels 66 stabilizing element 68 front surface 70 shoulder
The invention relates to a centrifugal-force pendulum having a pair of pendulum masses and a pendulum flange, in which a curved cut-out having a cut-out contour is provided, wherein the pendulum masses of the pair of pendulum masses are arranged on both sides of the pendulum flange and are connected to each other by at least one spacer pin led through the cut-out, wherein the spacer pin has a damping arrangement which comprises at least one stabilizing element and at least one elastic damping element ( 64 ), wherein the damping arrangement is designed to damp an impact of the spacer pin on the cut-out contour of the cut-out, wherein end compression of the damping element can be carried out by the impact, wherein the stabilizing element limits the end compression.
8
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a division of my earlier co-pending application, Ser. No. 123,425, filed Feb. 21, 1980, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,289,545. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The invention relates to a process and apparatus for boronising pieces made of metal or cermet and to surface-boronised pieces. 2. Description of the Prior Art A process is known for the treatment of pieces made of a material from the group comprising alloys of metals of the iron family (Fe, Ni and Co) and cermets, in which process the pieces are heated to an operating temperature of the order of 850° to 1,150° C., in the presence of a solid boronising agent and the boronising is activated by simultaneously subjecting the pieces to the contact action of a stream of a gaseous fluorine-containing agent, under defined operating conditions regarding pressure and temperature. A process of the type referred to above for the boronising of steels is known from French Patent No. 2,018,609 and the equivalent U.S. Pat. No. 3,673,005, in which process the activator is a fluoroborate which is mixed with the boronising agent, in the presence of borax and to which a diluent consisting of alumina is optionally added. The whole reaction takes place in the solid phase and makes it possible to obtain a coating in which two phases are observed, one phase being FeB and the other being Fe 2 B. However, the different crystal structures of these two phases create tensile stresses, on cooling, which detract from the high strength of the coating, all the more so because the FeB phase is more fragile and this leads to risks that the coating will flake off. Furthermore, it is observed that the pieces boronised by this known process retain traces of adhered powder because of the appearance of a molten phase, whereupon they must be subjected to an additional treatment in order to remove the more or less fritted powder which adheres to their surface to a greater or lesser extent. Moreover, since the activating agent, which is consumed, is present in the treatment bed, it must be replenished, for example, a quarter at a time, with fresh powder after each treatment operation. Furthermore, it is known that the same process can be applied, with the same advantages and disadvantages, to cermets, in particular to tungsten carbide or titanium carbide, enclosed in a cobalt matrix. Reference can be made, for example, to the article by G. L. Zhunkovskii et al, Boronising of cobalt and some cobalt-base alloys--Soviet Powder Metallurgy, 11 (1972) pp. 888-90 and to the article by O. Knotek, et al, Surface layers on cobalt base alloys by boron diffusion--Thin Solid Films, 45 (1977) pp. 331-9. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The object of the invention is to provide a new, very economical process and a new apparatus which make it possible to avoid the abovementioned disadvantages, in particular by obtaining a monophase layer so far as carbon steels are concerned and by obtaining clean pieces without adhesion of powder in all cases. These objects are achieved, according to the invention, in a process of the type described above, by virtue of the fact that the gaseous fluorine-containing agent contains trifluoroboroxole (BOF) 3 . This activating agent exhibits numerous advantages which will become apparent below. According to the invention, it is advantageous to use boron trifluoride (BF 3 ) or a gaseous mixture containing BF 3 as the starting gas and, in accordance with a preferred embodiment, the gaseous fluorine-containing agent containing trifluoroboroxole is produced by passing the starting gas through a pulverulent mass of mineral oxides free of cationic impurities, such as simple or complex oxides of silicon, aluminum and magnesium, for example a silican sand, the mass being heated to a temperature of at least 450° C. In this way, there are no longer any disadvantages caused by the internal consumption of the activating agent, because the latter is supplied externally. Also in this way, and depending on the speed at which the fluorine-containing activating agent passes through the pulverulent mass of oxides, a moderation is observed in the action of the effluent gaseous agent from the said mass. If the agent introduced into the mass heated to at least 450° C. is boron trifluoride, as is most economic according to the invention, the effluent will contain trifluoroboroxole, according to the equation: BF.sub.3 +3MO→(BOF).sub.3 +3MF in which MO is the simple or complex oxide. In all cases, it is much simpler according to the invention to separate the boronising agent, very little of which is consumed, a moderator, of which again very little is consumed and the activating agent. It is advantageous to bring the fluorine-containing activating agent into contact with the pieces to be boronised at an adjustable flow-rate and preferably at a pressure of the order of atmospheric pressure. According to an embodiment, the fluorine-containing agent is diluted to an inert carrier gas. According to an embodiment, the boronising agent can be not only B 4 C but also any boron carbide B n C, in which n is between 4 and 10. Also, according to an advantageous characteristic of the invention, it is possible to choose whether to increase or reduce the proportion of B 10 in the boron of the solid boronising agent and/or of the gaseous, fluorine-containing activating agent or starting gas. In this way, it is possible to obtain pieces having a larger or smaller, controlled neutron-stopping cross-section, by increasing the proportion of B 10 , which has a large cross-section, or by increasing the proportion of B 11 , which is very transparent to neutrons. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the solid boronising agent and the pieces to be boronised are subjected to the contact action of the stream of gaseous fluorine-containing agent, whilst being out of mutual contact. This embodiment is decisive in making it possible to obtain clean pieces free of more or less fritted powder. This embodiment is therefore carried out in the gas phase, as will be explained below, which results in economy and ease of working. For this purpose, the solid boronising agent present with the pieces to be boronised is advantageously placed in the stream of the gaseous fluorine-containing agent, upstream of the pieces to be boronised. Using this embodiment, the pieces to be boronised can be arranged directly in a treatment chamber in order to expose them, in the chamber, only to the gaseous treatment phase. However, in the case of very small pieces, they can be arranged in a bed consisting of a granular or pulverulent inert mass such as silicon carbide. Although, according to the preferred embodiment, the solid boronising agent and the pieces to be boronised are out of mutual contact, it is nevertheless possible for the solid boronising agent to be arranged in the form of a pulverulent solid constituting the treatment bed for the pieces to be boronised, in a manner which is in itself known. It is advantageous to recycle at least part of the gaseous, fluorine-containing activating agent. A particularly suitable apparatus for putting the invention into effect comprises: a first boronising treatment chamber, means for heating the said first chamber to a temperature of the order of 850° to 1,150° C., a second chamber for a pulverulent or granular mass of mineral oxides, means for heating the said second chamber to at least about 450° C., means for bringing a flourine-containing gas into the said second chamber, a passage for transferring the gaseous fluorine-containing effluent from the second chamber to the first chamber and means for discharging the gaseous fluorine-containing effluent from the said first chamber. The invention also relates to pieces of carbon steel which have been subjected, on the surface, to a boronising treatment over a thickness of about 20 to 200 μm, the said pieces being covered with a monophase layer of crystals of Fe 2 B of acicular formation. The micrographs included as drawings, and which will be subsequently described, show the acicular formation or morphology as the term is referred to in this specification. For example, FIGS. 5 and 6 show needle-like or tooth-like or finger-like projections extending downward from an Fe 2 B layer into the steel portion at the Fe 2 B-steel interface of a boronised steel object. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a general plan of an installation, according to the invention, for carrying out the process according to the invention, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 are partial sections, on a larger scale, of that part of the reactor of FIG. 1 which contains the two chambers described below, FIGS. 5 to 11 are micrograph sections of steels boronised by the process of the invention, and FIG. 12 is a sectional view, on a larger scale, of a variant of the reactor included in the plan of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An installation according to the invention comprises a reactor 1 made of refractory steel. Viewing from top to bottom, two chambers 2 and 3, which are separated simply by a retaining grid 4 located at the bottom of the chamber 2, are arranged in this reactor. The lower chamber 3 is intended to contain the pieces 6 to be boronised. The upper chamber 2 is intended to contain a pulverulent mass of mineral oxides 7. The reactor 1 is in a furnace 8, the temperature of which is regulated, in a manner which is in itself known, by means of a thermocouple 9. A pipe 10, controlled by a valve 11, is inserted through the upper wall of the reactor 1 so as to emerge in the chamber 2. The chamber 3 and the reactor 1 are closed, at the bottom, by means of porous walls, respectively 12 and 13, the porous wall 13 being closed, on its other face, by a pipe 14 for discharging the gaseous effluents. The valve 11 is connected, for the gas feed, to two sources of gas, respectively a source 15 of compressed boron trifluoride and a source 16 of inert diluent gas, such as argon or nitrogen. These two sources 15 and 16 are connected to the valve 11 via two flowmeters 17 and 18, which lead into a common pipe 19. The pipe 14 itself leads to a valve 20 which is connected to a manometer 21 and to a scrubbing unit 22 via a pipe 23. At the outlet of the pipe 24, it is possible to add a dividing valve 25, between a discharge pipe 26 and a recycling pipe 27, the said valve bringing part of the gaseous effluent back to the valve 11, which is then a mixer valve. In the embodiment of FIG. 1, provision has been made for the lower chamber 3 to contain the boronising agent 5 in the form of a bed surrounding the pieces, in a manner which is in itself known. However, according to the embodiment of FIG. 2, the lower chamber 3 does not contain a pulverulent or granular bed. In this case, the pieces 6 and the solid boronising agent are separated from one another and the agent is arranged in the form of fritted elements 30, suspended in the lower chamber 3. However, according to the invention, the preferred embodiment is that of FIGS. 3 and 4, which differs from the preceding embodiment by a presence of a retaining grid 31, arranged in the upper part of the lower chamber 3, for an interposed bed of pulverulent, solid boronising agent 33 of particle size 1 to 2 μm, in the path of the gaseous activating agent brought through the pulverulent mass of mineral oxides 7. The embodiment of FIG. 3 is suitable for small pieces which can be surrounded by pulverulent silicon carbide 34 as the inert agent. In FIG. 4, the bed of silicon carbide has simply been omitted so that the piece or pieces 6 is or are placed directly in the chamber 3. In the installation of FIG. 1, a boronising agent of a known type has been arranged in the chamber 3, the agent consisting of powdered B 4 C of particle size 1 to 100 μm, which is mixed with powdered silicon carbide of particle size 100 μm, in a proportion of 2/98 to 100/0 by weight. A pure silica sand washed with acids, 90% of which passes through a 2 mm screen, has been placed in the chamber 2. After pieces to be treated have been placed in the bed of the chamber 3, the chamber is swept with an inert gas, namely nitrogen or argon and the temperature is simultaneously raised. The BF 3 gas, diluted if appropriate, is then passed through when the temperature reaches about 500° to 950° C. The latter is chosen as the boronising temperature. The duration of the passage of the activating gas varies from half to the whole of the residence time of the pieces at 950° C., the said residence time being about 5 hours. Simultaneously, the temperature of the bed of silica 7 is raised to about 850° C. EXAMPLES 1 and 2 Two steels, containing 0.1% and 0.35% of carbon, were tested with a weight proportion B 4 C/SIC of 20/80, these steels being respectively designated XC 10 and XC 35 in accordance with the AFNOR designation. After cooling, the pieces were examined in the laboratory. It was found (see the micrograph sections in FIGS. 5 and 6) that, in both cases, the pieces were covered with a 170 μm monophase layer A of oriented Fe 2 B crystals, with the formation of teeth penetrating deeply into the metal C to constitute an acicular formation therein. A layer B, of only 10 μm, of non-oriented FeB/Fe 2 B crystals covered the Fe 2 B layer and was not therefore likely to cause harmful tensile stresses therein, because, as in the known processes, this layer can be removed by simply sanding with a jet or can even be preserved as such, since it is removed in use, if pieces having a matt appearance are acceptable. Thus, useful 170 μm layers were obtained which were virtually monophase, whereas, using the known process. all other things being equal, 200 μm layers were obtained which, however, were two-phase with two layers of highly oriented, different phases of FeB and Fe 2 B in a proportion of 1/2 to 1/3. The process was then carried out, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, with the installation of FIG. 1 being modified as shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4. EXAMPLE 3 In the embodiment of FIG. 2, a piece 6 made of carbon steel was placed in the presence of, but out of contact with, pieces 30 fritted under the action of heat, which were made of β boron, B 4 C and B 10 C. BF 3 was passed through the bed of sand 7 in the chamber 2 for 18 hours, the temperature of the chamber 3 being kept at 1,000° C. FIG. 7 shows a micrograph section of the steel boronised in this way. EXAMPLE 4 In the embodiment of FIG. 3, two pieces, one being made of carbon steel and the other of 18/10 chrome/nickel steel, were placed in the bed 34 of SiC in the chamber 3. BF 3 was passed through the bed of sand 7 in the chamber 2 for 2.5 hours, the temperature of the chamber 3 being kept at 1,020° C. FIG. 8 shows a micrograph section of the carbon steel boronised in this way and FIG. 9 shows a section of the chrome/nickel steel boronised in this way. EXAMPLES 5 and 6 In the embodiment of FIG. 4, a piece 6 made of carbon steel, which had received two 0.5 mm saw cuts in its side, was treated. BF 3 was passed through the bed of sand 7 in the chamber 2 for 2 hours at 1,000° C. FIG. 10 shows a micrograph section of the external surface of the piece, and FIG. 11 shows a micrograph section on the surface of the saw notch. Each of these operations resulted in the boronising of the steel pieces present in the reactor. The thickness of the compact layer (Fe 2 B alone) is fairly low in the case of the process of Example 3, namely about 15 to 20 μm. A metallographic study of the pieces treated in this way provides information on the morphology of these layers. In the case of the process of Example 4, they are identical to those already observed in Examples 1 and 2. The layer is not strictly flat (FIG. 9) and it is noted that the boronising stops at certain grain boundaries when the latter are parallel to the surface or form an angle with the latter which ranges up to about 120°. FIG. 7 shows the appearance of the boronised layer obtained in the case of the reactor of Example 3. The progression of the dendrites does not take place perpendicular to the surface but has been disturbed by the presence of a phase which has the appearance of perlite after cooling. The boronising rate thus has a significant influence on the progression of the boronised layer in the matrix and the direction of growth (001) is not absolute. As regards the piece which has received saw cuts, it is found that this piece is boronised (FIGS. 10 and 11) not only on the two external faces (90 to 120 μm) but also on the internal faces defined by the saw cuts. A micrograph of these internal faces shows a boronised layer of variable thickness and of discontinuous acicular character, which is explained by the intervention of a gas phase alone. The conclusion drawn from these tests is that, since boronising in the gas phase is perfectly satisfactory, it becomes industrially possible, in the reactor, to separate the chamber for the generator of the gaseous boron-containing agents (BF 3 +SiO 2 , B 4 C) from the metal pieces to be boronised, which can conveniently be placed in a bed of SiC or, alternatively, if desired, can be left bare. It is seen that the invention has made it possible to develop an original process which makes it possible to boronise all steels, including tool steels, with total reliability. The processes of the prior art resulted in pieces of mediocre quality when using mild steels (formation of two layers FeB+Fe 2 B); the flexibility of the process of the invention, coupled with the use of an activation moderator (SiO 2 ), makes it possible, also under industrial conditions, to produce pieces of desired and satisfactory quality. Mechanical tests have shown that the strength of the layers obtained on tool steel is of a very high calibre. As in the case of the known processes, the boronising of stainless 18/10 chrome/nickel steel still has only a slight effect. Moreover, from a purely industrial point of view, the advantages of the process are considerable, namely simplicity, flexibility, labour saving (lack of adhesion of the powder to the pieces) and total reliability according to numerous tests carried out to scale. The cost price of the operation is reduced by a factor of about three as regards the consumable materials and the handling operations are reduced to a minimum. The above operating conditions are the preferred conditions, but it was possible to obtain viable results with Al 2 O 3 and MgO, it being noted, however, that these two oxides lead to a fairly high activity of the effluent used as the gaseous activating agent, which then contains boric anhydride B 2 O 3 . SiO 2 is ultimately the most favourable in the role of a moderator and it is therefore preferred. The times, percentages and particle sizes given in the above description do not imply a limitation. They can be varied in accordance with the desired, higher or lower rate of formation of the layer and in accordance with the thickness of the layer. Some of these factors only have a small influence, such as, for example, the particle size of B 4 C and SiC. The Applicants have also observed good results with boron carbides other than B 4 C, such as the borides B n C, in which n is between 4 and 10. It is within the scope of the invention to feed several boronising chambers 3 with activating gas from a single chamber 2. As regards the application of the invention to cermets, tests were carried out on tungsten carbide tools containing varying proportions of cobalt (or nickel or iron) using the installation of FIG. 1. Boronised pieces are obtained using a flow-rate of BF 3 of 1 to 5 liters/hour and setting the treatment temperature at between 800° and 1,100° C. At 950° C., the main phase detected by X-ray diffraction is CoB; the mixed boride W 2 CoB 2 also appears to be present; on the other hand, W 2 B 5 is absent. Depending on the temperature, various mixed borides (W-Co) can be formed. Machining tests were carried out by traversing various materials (non-graphitised carbon, stainless 18/10 nickel/chrome steel, high-speed steel, ceramics and the like) on a lathe. It was observed that the boronised tool showed a very superior wear resistance to that of the untreated tool and that the test on high-speed steel showed that the boronised or non-boronised tools deteriorated fairly rapidly; however, the cut obtained with the boronised tool is clean (non-boronised plates do not permit cutting). FIG. 12 shows a particularly simple embodiment of a reactor for carrying out the process of the invention. The lower part of the reactor constitutes the chamber 3 closed by a leaktight cover 40 having a watercooled gasket 41. The chamber 2 is constructed in the form of a container which can fit into the reactor before the cover 40 is placed in position. The bottom of the chamber 2 comprises the grid 4 for retaining the sand and allowing the activating gas to pass through, and a grid 31 for retaining the boron carbide, the latter preferably being pulverulent. A tube 10 fixed to the chamber 2 passes through the cover in order to bring BF 3 through the sand in the chamber 2. A central chimney 14 passes through the cover and also passes, in a leaktight manner, through the chamber 2 and terminates near the bottom of the reactor under a grid 12 for retaining the pieces to be boronised. The thermometric probe 9 can be arranged in the chimney 14.
The invention relates to a process and apparatus for boronizing pieces made of metal or cermet and to surface-boronized pieces. The pieces are placed in a chamber at between 850° and 1,150° C. and they are subjected, in the presence of boron carbide, to a gaseous stream of trifluoroboroxole (BOF) 3 . The boron carbide is advantageously pulverulent and out of contact with the pieces to be boronized.
2
CROSS-REFERENCE SECTION This application is a divisional application of currently U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/412,954, filed Oct. 5, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to laryngeal mask airway devices (LMA-devices) which are artificial airway devices permitting spontaneous or artificial ventilation of the lungs of a patient. LMA-devices are described in UK Patents Nos. 2,111,394 and 2,205,499. Such devices have become accepted items of equipment for rapidly and reliably establishing an unobstructed airway in a patient in emergency situations and in the administration of anaesthetic gases, and have found use in most countries of the world. The insertion of such a LMA-device into the throat of the patient is, in the great majority of cases an entirely straightforward procedure which can be carried out successfully following readily understandable training. FIG. 1 illustrates a preferable situation for the insertion of an LMA-device into a patient's throat. The inflatable cuff surrounding the bowl of the mask is fully deflated and correctly oriented and aligned for passage through the back of the mouth and into the throat. The semi-rigid bowl of the mask is supported by the anesthetist's hand grasping the flexible airway tube adjacent its junction with the mask in order to gently urge the mask into the patient's throat. Circumstances do, however, occasionally arise during insertion leading to undesirable positioning of the device and/or undesirable forces being applied to the device and/or to the patient. One of the most common of such circumstances is that the leading end of the device, i.e., the distal end of the fully deflated inflatable cuff formation, becomes folded over on itself presenting the more rigid distal end of the mask to catch the inside the throat and subject the patient to undesirable forces. Alternatively, or additionally, the folded over distal end of the cuff will obstruct correct and full inflation of the cuff thereby obstructing the creation of a full seal around the patient's laryngeal inlet and hence obstructing formation of a full enclosed airway to the patient's lungs. This, in turn, may result in anesthetic gases passing unnecessarily into the patient's oesophagus and in any matter regurgitated through the oesophagus entering the larynx and soiling the patient's trachea and lungs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention seeks to eliminate the disadvantages associated with such undesirable insertion by minimizing the risk of the deflated cuff formation becoming folding over on itself during the insertion procedure. This is achieved by incorporating into the cuff at its distal end a reinforcing rib which serves to stiffen the leading end of the LMA-device during the course of the procedure for its insertion. In accordance with the invention, there is provided a laryngeal mask airway device comprising a flexible airway tube and a mask attached to one end of the airway tube, the mask having a generally elliptical periphery provided with an inflatable cuff which surrounds the hollow interior of the mask into which the airway tube opens, the device including a reinforcing rib incorporated into the distal end of the inflatable cuff. In a preferred aspect, the mask structure or backplate which is of a more rigid material than that of the soft and inflatable cuff formation has its back extended to the distal end of the cuff, in order to form the reinforcing rib. The LMA-device of the invention incorporating such a reinforcing rib has a number of advantages over and above that for which it was specifically devised. Thus, not only does the reinforcing rib largely eliminate the likelihood of the distal end of the deflated cuff formation folding over on itself during insertion of the LMA-device into the patient's throat, but also the cuff is easier to deflate preferably since the reinforcing rib will urge the deflating cuff into the desired orientation. Since the cuff in its deflated state may adopt an upturned or down turned orientation, the reinforcing rib will urge the deflated cuff into the down turned position desirable for insertion into the patient. Further, in addition to the rib being stiffer than the deflated cuff, it will preferably also be more compliant than the material of the bowl of the mask and the stiffness gradient formed by the rib and the mask will assist in the insertion of the device and substantially reduce the likelihood of any hard or angular edges of the bowl of the mask being presented which may subject the patient's throat to undesirable forces. Additionally, the rib will substantially reduce the promontory previously formed by the distal end of the mask structure, rendering the LMA-device substantially self-inserting when it is properly deflated. As shown in FIG. 1 , insertion of the LMA-device requires use of the index finger to ensure correct placement of the LMA-device in the base of the throat. However, the index finger may slip from its intended position on the airway tube at the proximal end of the inflatable cuff, due to the presence of slippery secretions in the patient's mouth and/or the application of lubricant to assist smooth passage of the LMA-device. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, an indentation is provided on the airway tube or backplate at the intended location of finger contact to assist in locating and stabilizing the finger and to reduce the possibility of finger slippage. The indentation is situation on the surface of the airway tube adjacent its junction with the tube-joint, or on the tube-joint itself, and beneath the cuff formation surrounding the backplate. The airway tube usually has a thicker wall at this point, i.e., near the distal end of the airway tube, to form a smooth joint with the tube-joint, and the extra thickness enables the indentation to be accommodated without weakening the airway tube at this location. The tube-joint may also have a thicker wall at this point. Indeed, the indentation serves the additional useful purpose of improving the flexibility of the airway tube or tube-joint at this point. The indentation serves not only to prevent sideways slippage of the finger from the airway tube or tube-joint, but also to minimize the possibility of forward slippage and undesirable contact between the finger and the inflatable cuff, for example by the fingernail. An additional difficulty which may occur during attempts to insert the LMA-device is that the patient's epiglottis (which protects the entrance to the glottis or larynx) may be pushed downwards or anteriorly as the LMA-device is inserted fully into the throat. Indeed, this occurs in about 40% of cases and can sometimes obstruct breathing. A conventional LMA-device has the interior of the mask which in use surrounds the glottis, communicating with the interior of the airway tube through an aperture which is traversed by two bars, known as mask aperture bars (MABs). The MABs function as a ramp up which the epiglottis slides as the mask is inserted and are intended to hold the epiglottis away from the mask floor when the LMA-device is in its correct operating location. Additionally, the MABs serve to prevent the epiglottis from obstructing the narrow entrance of the airway tube. Generally, the MABs successfully perform this function but occasionally obstruction may occur if the epiglottis is down folded, e.g., anteriorly, or if the mask is not sufficiently advanced into place. In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the aperture by which the interior of the airway tube opens into the mask is elongated and the MABs are extended to traverse the length of that aperture. By elongating the aperture to half the bowl of the mask, the range of positions of the LMA-device compatible with a clear airway is greatly increased and the angle of ramp up which the epiglottis must slide is reduced, both of which make the epiglottis less likely to be down-folded during insertion of the LMA-device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the laryngeal-mask airway device of the present invention being inserted into the throat of a patient; FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 inserted into sealed engagement with the tissue surrounding the laryngeal inlet of the patient; FIG. 3 is a posterior perspective view of the device of FIG. 1 removed from the patient, the proximal portions of the airway and inflation tubes being broken away, the back-cushion being cut-away; FIG. 4 is an anterior plan view of the device of FIG. 1 removed from the patient, the proximal portions of the airway and inflation tubes being broken away, the indentation on the backplate being shown as hidden; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the device in the plane indicated by line 5 - 5 of FIG. 4 , the proximal portions of the airway and inflation tubes being broken away; FIG. 6 is an anterior plan view of the backplate removed from the device shown in FIG. 5 ; FIG. 7 is a schematic view of the device in the plane of FIG. 5 showing the present invention, in solid lines, and an airway tube and adjoining portion of the backplate of a prior laryngeal-mask airway device, in broken lines, the proximal portions of the airway and inflation tubes being broken away; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the device in the plane of FIG. 5 showing one of the mask aperture bars of the present invention, in solid lines, and one of the mask aperture bars of a prior laryngeal-mask airway device, in broken lines, the proximal portions of the airway and inflation tubes being broken away; FIG. 9 is a lateral view of the backplate removed from the device shown in FIG. 5 ; FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the device of FIG. 1 removed from the patient, the device being shown in the plane of FIG. 5 , the proximal portions of the airway and inflation tubes being broken away; and FIG. 11 is an anterior plan view of the backplate removed from the device shown in FIG. 10 . Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As used herein, the anatomical terms “anterior” and “posterior”, with respect to the human body, refer to locations nearer to the front of and to the back of the body, respectively, relative to other locations. The term “anterior-posterior (A-P)” refers to a direction, orientation or the like pointing either anteriorly or posteriorly. The anatomical terms “proximal” and “distal”, with respect to applying an instrument to the human body, refer to locations nearer to the operator and to the inside of the body, respectively. Alternatively, “distal”, as opposed to “proximal”, means further away from a given point; in this case, “distal” is used to refer to positions on the LMA-device 20 or in the body relative to the extreme outer or connector end of the LMA-device. “Proximal” is the opposite of “distal”. The term “lateral” refers to a location to the right or left sides of the body, relative to other locations. Alternatively, “lateral” means to one or other side of the mid-line, with respect to the major axis of the body, or to a device lying in the body's major axis. The term “bilateral” refers to locations both to the left and right of the body, relative to the sagittal plane. The term “sagittal” or “sagittally” refers to a vertical longitudinal plane through the center or midline of the body that divides a bilaterally symmetrical body into right and left halves. The sagittal plane is the plane passing antero-posteriorly through the middle of the body in its major axis. The term “medial” means nearer to the mid-line. A laryngeal-mask airway device (LMA-device) of the present invention, is designated generally by the reference numeral 20 in FIGS. 1 and 2 . The LMA-device 20 , in a deflated condition, is inserted into the throat 22 the upper surface of which is bounded by hard and soft palates 25 , 27 . The LMA-device 20 is lodged in the pharynx 30 of the throat 22 at the base of the hypo-pharynx 32 where the throat divides into the trachea 35 (i.e., windpipe) and oesophagus 37 . A lower portion of the LMA-device 20 reaches to the base of the hypo-pharynx 32 . After the LMA-device 20 is so lodged in the pharynx 30 such that the lower portion of the LMA-device reaches the base of the hypo-pharynx 32 , the LMA-device is inflated. Disposed in the junction between the throat 22 and trachea 35 is the flexible epiglottis 40 (i.e., a lid-shaped structure) which forms the upper border of the larynx, entry through which is provided by the laryngeal inlet 45 . Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , and more particularly to FIG. 3 , the laryngeal-mask airway device (LMA-device) 20 is shown comprising an airway tube 47 , installed through the mouth 50 of a patient. The LMA-device 20 further comprises a backplate 52 having an airway port 55 through which the airway tube 47 can establish a free externally accessible ventilation passage, via the patient's mouth 50 and throat 22 , and past the epiglottis 40 to the larynx. The backplate 52 is preferably of an elastomer such as silicone rubber and relatively stiff, for example, of 80 Shore durometer. As further shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the backplate 52 is surrounded by a main-cuff 55 comprising an inflatable ring which, when inflated, has the shape of a torus generated by an asymmetrical oval or ellipse having a wider proximal region 57 and narrower distal region 60 . The main-cuff 55 is circumferentially united to the backplate 52 in essentially a single plane. An externally accessible cuff-tube 62 and cuff-port 65 on the main-cuff 55 are the means of supplying air to the main-cuff and of extracting air from (and therefore collapsing) the main-cuff for purposes of insertion in or removal from the patient. The check-valve 67 is disposed in the cuff-tube 62 for holding a given inflation or holding a given deflation of the main-cuff 55 . In the installed position of FIGS. 1 and 2 , the projecting but blunted distal region 60 of the main-cuff 55 is shaped to conform with the base of the hypo-pharynx 32 where it has established limited entry into the upper sphincteral region of the oesophagus 37 . The pharyngeal-side 70 of the backplate 52 is covered by a thin flexible panel 72 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 , which is peripherally bonded to a margin 75 on the posterior surface of the main-cuff 55 , to define an inflatable back-cushion 77 which assures referencing to the posterior wall of the pharynx 30 and thus is able to load the inflated main-cuff 55 forward for enhanced effectiveness of sealing engagement to the tissues surrounding the laryngeal inlet 45 . The inflated main-cuff 55 , thus-engaged to the laryngeal inlet 45 , orients a portion of the airway tube 47 including the distal-end 80 at an acute angle to a mid-line major plane 82 of the main-cuff 55 and in substantial alignment with the axis of the laryngeal inlet 45 , for direct airway communication only with the larynx. The major plane 82 is a plane containing the major axis 85 of the main-cuff 55 extending between proximal and distal regions 57 , 60 . The major plane 82 is disposed between, and parallel to, the anterior and posterior surfaces of the main-cuff 55 . Additionally, the major plane 82 is equidistant from the anterior and posterior surfaces of the main-cuff 55 . More specifically, and with particular reference to FIG. 5 , the toroidal-shaped main-cuff 55 is formed by first moulding it in an intermediate stage having opposing edges, each of which has an elliptical shape. The opposing edges of the main-cuff 55 , when in generally edge-to-edge relation, are welded together to form an internal seam 87 , as shown in FIG. 5 . The seam 87 defines an oval contained in a plane which is parallel to the major plane 82 , corresponding to the internal surface of the main-cuff 55 . As used herein, the term “welding” describes the bonding together of two components having the same or similar chemical compositions, either by adhesive having the same or similar chemical composition as the components, or by high pressure or temperature fusion, or a combination of any of them. The back-cushion 77 , or auxiliary rear cushion, overlies the posterior surface of the backplate 52 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5 . Construction of the back-cushion 77 is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,355,879, the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference herein. Inflation-air supply to the back-cushion 77 may be via one or more ports in the main-cuff 55 which provide communication between the interiors of the main-cuff and back-cushion so that both are inflated and deflated together. Alternatively, inflation-air supply to the back-cushion 77 may be via a separate inflating means, such as an inflation tube (not shown), similar to cuff-tube 62 , may be provided for the back-cushion so that the back-cushion 77 and main-cuff 55 are separately and independently inflatable and deflatable. If the main-cuff 55 and back-cushion 77 are inflated and deflated together, communication between the main-cuff and back-cushion may be facilitated by a separate tube (not shown), preferably with multiple perforations along its length, contained within the main-cuff in communication with the cuff-port 65 such that each perforation communicates with a port between the interiors of the main-cuff and back-cushion 77 . Such a separate tube preserves a flowpath between the cuff-port 65 and back-cushion 77 if the main-cuff 55 is completely collapsed from deflation, thereby providing for further deflation of the back-cushion 77 via the cuff-port 65 . Alternatively, a channel (not shown) may be formed on the inner surface of the main-cuff 55 between the opening of the cuff-tube 62 into the main-cuff and at least one of the one or more ports between the interiors of the main-cuff and back-cushion 77 . Such a channel preserves a flowpath between the cuff-tube 62 and back-cushion 77 if the main-cuff 55 is completely collapsed from deflation. The backplate 52 has a one-piece, integral spoon-shape including a bowl 90 and an external tube-joint 92 oriented proximally relative to the bowl, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . Opposite proximal sides of the bowl 90 are defined by a convex pharyngeal-side 95 and concave laryngeal-side 97 . The bowl 90 is relatively shallow in the anterior-posterior direction. The bowl 90 also has an elongate integral reinforcing distal rib 105 . The proximal portion of the bowl 90 sandwiched between the pharyngeal- and laryngeal-sides 95 , 97 abuts the posterior surface of the seam 87 , as shown in FIG. 5 , to attach the backplate 52 to the main-cuff 55 . More specifically, the periphery of the proximal portion of the bowl 90 sandwiched between the pharyngeal- and laryngeal-sides 95 , 97 is hermetically bonded to the inner periphery of the main-cuff 55 to establish separation between the laryngeal-chamber region 100 and pharyngeal region 102 . The seam 87 may also be inserted into a corresponding groove in the bowl 90 . Alternatively, the backplate 52 and main-cuff 55 may be extruded as a single, unitary piece. The periphery of the bowl 90 which abuts the inner periphery of the main-cuff 55 defines a bowl plane 106 which is parallel to the major plane 82 of the main-cuff 55 . When the backplate 52 is attached to the main-cuff 55 , the distal rib 105 pierces the proximal surface of the distal region 60 . The edges of the main-cuff 55 in the distal region 60 surrounding the distal rib 105 are hermetically sealed to it such that the enclosure of the main-cuff is defined in part by the distal rib. The distal rib 105 extends through the interior of the main-cuff 55 to the distal surface of the distal region 60 . The bowl 90 has a longitudinally elongated airway aperture 107 into which opens a backplate passage 110 extending through the tube-joint 92 . The airway aperture 107 has a major axis 111 which is contained in the sagittal plane 112 . Two mask aperture bars (MABs) 115 , 117 extend longitudinally and anteriorly of the airway aperture 107 , as shown in FIG. 4 . The MABs 115 , 117 are disposed on opposite sides of the sagittal plane 112 and symmetrical relative to the plane. The MABs 115 , 117 each have a proximal end 120 , 122 abutting the laryngeal-side 97 of the bowl 90 proximally of the airway aperture 107 . Additionally, the MABs 115 , 117 each have a distal end 125 , 127 , abutting the laryngeal-side 97 of the bowl 90 distally of the airway aperture. The MABs 115 , 117 may be defined by a portion of a continuous layer of elastomer, integral with the main-cuff 55 , which overlies the laryngeal-side 97 . The elastomer layer has an opening the periphery of which is outward of the airway aperture 107 . The opening is longitudinally traversed by the MABs 115 , 117 . The distal ends 125 , 127 of the MABs 115 , 117 are joined to the bowl 90 generally near the longitudinal mid-point of the laryngeal-side 97 , or distally of it. This results in each MAB 115 , 117 forming an angle 118 with the bowl plane 106 which is less than the corresponding angle between the MAB P 1 of a prior LMA-device, as shown in FIG. 8 . The relative shallowness of the bowl 90 in the anterior-posterior direction further results in the angle 118 being more acute. A preferred angular displacement of the angle 118 is between 7 and 12 degrees, and may preferably be 9 degrees. The elongate tube-joint 92 is formed on the pharyngeal-side 95 and extends posteriorly and proximally relative to the bowl 90 . The tube-joint 92 has a proximal end 130 from which the backplate passage 110 extends to the airway aperture 107 in the laryngeal-side 97 . The backplate passage 110 has a longitudinal central axis 132 contained in the sagittal plane 112 . At the proximal end 130 , the backplate passage 110 has an elliptical cross section with a major axis 135 oriented in perpendicular relation to the sagittal plane 112 . The major axis 135 is therefore transverse to the major axis 111 of the airway aperture 107 . This differing orientation of the major axes 111 , 132 of the backplate passage 110 is accomplished by a smooth transition in the cross-sectional shape of the backplate passage along its length. The tube-joint 92 , and the central axis 132 of the backplate passage 110 are inclined posteriorly in the sagittal plane 112 relative to a plane containing the periphery of the bowl 90 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , the inclination of the tube-joint 92 may be defined by a tube-joint axis 136 which is perpendicular to the cross-section of the proximal end 130 and which coincides with the central axis 132 at its intersection with the cross-section of the proximal end 130 . The inclination of the tube-joint 92 may be further defined by an angle 137 between the tube-joint axis 136 and bowl plane 106 . A preferred angular displacement of the angle 137 is between 5 and 10 degrees, and may preferably be 7 degrees. The inclination of the tube-joint 92 , defined by the angle 137 , is less than the corresponding angle defined by the inclination of a tube-joint P 2 of a prior-LMA, as shown in FIG. 7 . The anterior surface of the tube-joint 92 has an indentation 140 , as shown in FIGS. 4 , 5 , 6 and 9 . As shown in FIG. 5 , the indentation 140 is in the thick wall region of the tube-joint 92 resulting in the advantage of increasing the flexibility of the tube-joint. The indentation 140 may be occupied by the main-cuff 55 when the main-cuff is inflated. The indentation 140 may also be formed closer to the proximal end 130 , such as is shown in FIG. 1 . Alternatively, the proximal portion of the indentation 140 may also be formed across the boundary between the tube-joint 92 and airway tube 47 such that portions of the indentation are both the airway tube and tube-joint. Also, the entire indentation 140 may be formed in the airway tube 47 adjacent to its connection to the tube-joint 92 . The backplate 52 , main-cuff 55 and back-cushion 77 of LMA-devices 20 are generally manufactured by molding techniques from suitably soft and compliant rubber materials. The backplate 52 and inflatable main-cuff 55 may be formed as a one piece molding by molds and molding techniques such as are described, for example, in U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,743, the contents of which are hereby incorporated herein. The backplate 52 is formed to have a greater thickness than the walls of the main-cuff 55 to provide the LMA-device 20 with a degree of rigidity while still allowing it to have an overall soft and flexible nature. The main-cuff 55 has a thin-walled construction and the reinforcing distal rib 105 has an intermediate thickness and compliancy. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the portion of the airway tube 47 containing the distal end 80 is supported in the backplate passage 110 of the tube-joint 92 in communication with the airway aperture 107 in the laryngeal-side 97 . Such communication provides a flowpath between the airway tube 47 and laryngeal-chamber region 100 . The airway tube 47 is connected to the tube-joint 92 by welding using an adhesive or, alternatively, connected by high-pressure or temperature fusion. FIG. 10 shows a second embodiment of the backplate 52 a . Parts in FIG. 10 having corresponding parts in FIGS. 5 and 6 have the same reference numeral with the addition of suffix a. The backplate 52 a is similar to the backplate 52 illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 except that the distal rib 105 a of the backplate 52 a is applied to the posterior surface of the distal region 60 a of the main-cuff 55 a , as shown in FIG. 10 . The distal rib 105 a has a concave anterior surface corresponding to the adjoining convex posterior surface of the distal region 60 a thereby limiting the radial clearance between the distal region and end 60 a , 105 a . The distal rib 105 a does not pierce the posterior surface of the distal region 60 a , in contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 , and is therefore separated from the interior of the main-cuff 55 a . The distal rib 105 a may be effectively constituted by a thickening of the posterior wall of the distal region 60 a of the inflatable main-cuff 55 a and, as shown, forms a distal extension of the bowl 90 a of the backplate 52 a . The distal rib 105 a has a downturned profile by being incorporated into the posterior surface of the main-cuff 55 a . The distal end of the distal rib 105 a is spatulate. Insertion of the LMA-device 20 into the patient's throat 22 is illustrated in FIG. 1 , and is done preferably with the patient in a supine orientation and the head 142 of the patient tilted backwards and supported from below by the left hand 145 of the anaesthetist. The right index finger 147 and thumb 150 of the anesthetist gently grasps the flexible airway tube 47 of the LMA-device 20 . The right index finger 147 is located at the junction of the airway tube 47 and the main-cuff 55 to gently urge the LMA-device 29 with its down-turned deflated main-cuff into the patient's throat 22 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the indentation 140 provides a locator for the right index finger 147 of the anaesthetist during insertion of the LMA-device 20 into the throat 22 of the patient. When the LMA-device 20 is properly positioned across the patient's laryngeal inlet 45 , the main-cuff 55 is gently inflated through cuff tube 62 to form an airway seal around the laryngeal inlet and establish a closed airway to the patient's lungs. The LMA-device 20 so positioned, with the main-cuff 55 fully inflated, is shown in FIG. 2 . The thin-walled construction of the main-cuff 55 enables it, when inflated, to present to the tissues surrounding the laryngeal inlet 45 a softly compliant sealing surface. As shown in FIG. 1 , the distal region 60 of the fully deflated main-cuff 55 is the leading end of the LMA-device 20 when inserting the LMA-device into the patient's throat 22 . Careful insertion of the LMA-device 20 into the patient's throat 22 is required to prevent the distal region 60 from folding over onto itself because the distal region is formed of a soft and flexible material which facilitates such folding over. Such folding over is obstructed by the reinforcing distal rib 105 within the distal region 60 of the inflatable main-cuff 55 . The intermediate thickness and compliancy of the reinforcing distal rib 105 allows it to follow the contours of the posterior surface of the inflated main-cuff 55 , thereby to urge the deflated main-cuff into the desired downturned orientation and to enable the LMA-device 20 present a distal end to the tissues of the throat 22 which is sufficiently pliable to avoid undesirable contact with the throat during its insertion but sufficiently rigid to prevent it from being readily folded over on itself during such a procedure. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the distal rib 105 is not readily visible when the main-cuff 55 is either deflated or inflated since it is contained within the distal region 60 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 , the downturned profile the distal rib 105 a helps to facilitate adoption by the main-cuff 55 a of the desired downturned orientation when it is fully deflated. The distal rib 105 a may not be readily visible because it may appear to blend in with the posterior wall of the distal region 60 . The spatulate of the distal portion of the distal rib 105 a does not present any sharp edges or corners to the throat 22 the patient during insertion of the LMA-device 20 which is desirable as striking of the throat 22 by sharp edges or corners is normally to be avoided. The acute angle 118 between the MABs 115 , 117 and the bowl plane 106 results in the MABs presenting a substantially less gradient to the patient's epiglottis 40 than the MABs P 1 of a prior-LMA, as shown in FIG. 8 . The MABs 115 , 117 provide a ramp up which the epiglottis 40 slides when the backplate 52 and the attached main-cuff 55 enter the pharynx 30 . If the MABs are sufficiently posterior of the epiglottis 40 , e.g., MAB P 1 , such sliding contact may result in the proximal end of the epiglottis 40 folding over posteriorly such that it becomes sandwiched between the base of the epiglottis and the MABs possibly obstructing the airway aperture 107 . The likelihood of such posterior folding over of the epiglottis 40 is substantially reduced by the MABs 115 , 117 because the A-P clearance between the MABs 115 , 117 and laryngeal-side 97 is increased thereby anteriorly propping the epiglottis to limit further anterior displacement necessary to accommodate the posterior folding. Further reduction in the likelihood of an obstruction is provided by the increased A-P clearance between the MABs 115 , 117 and laryngeal-side 97 , which in turn provides increased A-P clearance between the epiglottis 40 and airway aperture 107 contained in the laryngeal-side. When the main-cuff 55 and backplate 52 are installed in the pharynx 30 such that main-cuff is sealed against the tissues surrounding the patient's laryngeal inlet 45 , the reduced angle 137 between the tube-joint axis 136 and bowl plane 106 , relative to the corresponding force resulting from tube-joint P 2 , reduces the force exerted by the tube-joint 92 and airway tube 47 against the posterior surface of the throat 22 . Any force against the tissues of the throat 22 should normally be limited. The reduction in the force exerted by the tube-joint 92 and airway tube 47 against the posterior surface of the throat 22 may result in a reduction in the reaction force of the main-cuff 55 against the tissues surrounding the patient's laryngeal inlet 45 which, in turn, may reduce the tightness of the seal between the main-cuff and tissues. Any such reduction in the seal is compensated for the inflatable back-cushion 77 which gently urges the backplate 52 and main-cuff 55 anteriorly against the tissues surrounding the patient's laryngeal inlet 45 in order to reinforce the seal between the inflated main-cuff and the tissues. Additionally, the inflatable back-cushion 77 presents a more softly compliant surface to the posterior surface of the patient's throat 22 . Also, the back-cushion 77 enables the main-cuff 55 to be inflated at a lower pressure, i.e., typically 60 cm H 2 O, as compared to the inflation pressure required of the main-cuff if the LMA-device 20 does not include a back-cushion 77 . Reducing the inflation pressure of the main-cuff 55 enables a reduced wall thickness of the main-cuff. While the invention has been described by reference to certain preferred embodiments, it should be understood that numerous changes could be made within the spirit and scope of the inventive concept described. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the disclosed embodiments, but that it have the full scope permitted by the language of the following claims.
A modified laryngeal mask airway device (LMA-device) is provided with means to improve ease of insertion, reliability of function and higher seal pressure (i.e., cuff pressure ratio). The LMA-device includes an indented section of the airway tube to offer locating means and purchase for the inserting finger, and extended mask aperture bars to increase the effective ventilating area of the mask and reduce the possibility of epiglottis displacement occasioned by mask insertion. The LMA-device further includes a modification of the airway tube angle of attachment to the mask, and provision of a posterior or back-cushion covering the entire posterior surface of the mask.
0
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (a) Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a transfer car for transporting a container of material from a storage facility and dumping the contents of the container at a preselected site. More particularly, the present invention relates to a transfer car including means to rotate a container mounted onto a transfer car. The transport vehicle rides on a rail system and is self-powered thereby allowing for automated and computerized material transportation and discharging. The transport vehicle allows a container to be loaded into the interior portion of the vehicle whereupon the container is transported to a destination site where the vehicle then inverts the container such that the contents of the container are fully discharged. The vehicle then returns to the storage facility with the empty container and unloads the empty container so that said container can be refilled. The vehicle may then be reloaded with another container whose contents may then be automatically transported to a possibly different dumping site. The transport vehicle provides means for loading the container into the transport vehicle, securing the container within the vehicle, raising the lid of the container, moving the container to a different site, and then inverting the container such that the contents of the container are fully discharged. By providing a transfer car, such as is the subject of the present invention, human intervention is not required for the transferring of the material stored in the containers at a storage facility to the eventual destinations and dumping site. (b) Description of the Prior Art While there generally vehicles known for transporting containers of different size and shape material, the Applicant is unaware of any transport vehicle which fulfills the goals of the present invention. The current system utilizes a transfer car which has a shuttle to retrieve a delided container from a rack. Once the container is onboard the transfer car, the transfer car delivers the container to the selected bulker. The container is transferred from the transfer car into a rotating dumper using the same shuttle that was used for loading the transfer car. A rotating dumper is permanently mounted on each tobacco bulker. After the container is dumped, the empty container is loaded onto the transfer car again utilizing the shuttle. The transfer car then delivers the empty container back to the rack and unloads the container using the shuttle again to remove the container from the car to the rack. The Applicant is currently unaware of any transfer vehicles which can load, transport, rotate to varying degrees and dump storage containers as is described herein. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed towards a transfer car for delivering containers of material, such as tobacco, to a series of bulkers. The transfer car including bulk containers for tobacco and the like is generally a self-powered car mounted on a rail system. The transfer car is designed to receive containers full of tobacco from a storage facility which includes an automated storage and retrieval system wherein the containers are loaded into and secured in the transfer car then transported to another location and dumped. Preferably, the transfer car additionally has an electromagnetic lid lifter for raising a lid away from the loading and unloading opening on the container and securing it in a position away from the opening. The transfer car is provided with a rotatable interior circular portion wherein the container is secured. Moreover, the container rests upon a plurality of support rollers which rotatably engage this interior circular portion. When activated, the interior circular portion is rotated on the support rollers so that the container, securely held therein, is rotated at least 90°, and preferably about 180°, and the contents of said container are discharged. The transfer car includes a plurality of rail car wheels, at least one of which is self powered by a drive unit. A powered conveyor is provided on a lower portion of the transfer car to assist in the removal of an empty container and load a full container back onto the transfer car. In the present invention, full or loaded containers can be removed from a storage facility, transported to a preselected dump site and dumped at the dump site into, for example, a tobacco car without human intervention. The transfer container assembly provides a system which handles a load of material, such as tobacco, in a rapid and efficient manner without manual assistance or human intervention and with little or no material loss. As shown, the container is held in a secured position with reasonable stability such that there is little or no waste of the material held therein. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A better understanding of the present invention will be had upon reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a side view of a container transfer car of a preferred embodiment; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the container car of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a top view of the transfer car of FIG. 1; FIGS. 4-7 is the transfer car of FIG. 1 rotating a container held therein; FIG. 8 is an enlarged view of a positioning clamp assembly of a container transfer car; FIG. 9 is an enlarged view of the belt drive combination for rotating the inner circular frame of a transfer car; FIG. 10 is an enlarged view of the powered conveyor system utilized for loading and unloading the container of FIGS. 4-7; and, FIG. 11 is an enlarged view of the electromagnetic contacts and actuator arm of the preferred embodiment utilized in lifting a lid from a loading and unloading opening in the container. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As best shown in FIG. 2, transfer car 1 is provided with an exterior frame 1a of generally cubic shape. Frame 1a houses an interior circular frame 2 which is fully rotable within exterior frame 1a. Interior circular frame 2 is shown as having a material transport container 21 located therein, said container 21 having a lateral exterior rib portion 9 on both sides for engaging with a positioning clamp assembly 70, to be discussed hereinafter. Container 21, as more clearly shown in FIG. 10, has a bottom flanged portion 21a with outwardly extending flanges 101 and 102, said flanges being received within C-shaped slots 104 and 103, said slots 104, 103 extending the full length of bottom flanged portion 21a. A powered conveyor 12, as shown in FIG. 1, is provided as the means to load container 21 into the interior circular frame 2. Conveyor 12 is further provided with runners 13 and 14 which contact or engage a bottom surface 21a of container 21 for loading and unloading the container 21 from the transfer car 1. As shown in FIG. 10, the drive motor 12a for the power conveyor 12 is reversible so that the container 21 can be conveyed into and out of the interior circular frame 2. This reversible feature of drive motor 12a allows for the proper placement of container 21 within inner circular frame 2 so that the positioning clamp assembly 70 firmly secures the container 21 on rib portion 9. Power conveyor 12 may also contain an over travel sensor (not shown) to detect the correct position and stop the conveyor 12 when the container 21 is properly centered within the interior circular frame 2. The over travel sensor may also detect an error in the position of the container 21 within the inner circular frame 2 and subsequently reverse the power conveyor 12 so that the container 21 can be backed out and then re-positioned within frame 2. If the container 21 cannot be properly loaded within the inner circular frame 2 as detected by the over travel sensor, human intervention may be required. Proper placement or positioning of container 21 allows flange portions 101 and 102 to be secured within C-shaped slots 103 and 104 such that container 21 may not move in a vertical direction regardless of the movement of transfer car 1 or circular frame 2. As shown in FIG. 8, a positioning clamp assembly 70, is provided for tilting forward container 21 by fully engaging the lateral rib of the container 9, as shown in FIG. 2, so that the container is firmly secured within the transfer car. A motor driven ball screw unit 7a is provided for actuating clamp 70. Moreover, positioning clamp assembly 70 is provided with cleated member 7b for firm grasping of rib member 9. Positioning clamp assembly 70 includes dual positioning arms 7c and 7d on opposite sides of the container 21 thereby providing four points of contact on container 21 to positively and securely hold the container 21 within the frame 2. As shown in FIG. 1, transfer car 1 is propelled along rail 24 by a plurality of rail wheels 22 in combination with a drive motor 23 attached to at least one of said rail wheels 22. Rail wheels 22 may be located either below outer frame 1a as shown in FIG. 1 or rail wheels 22 may be inverted and located above outer frame la so that the transfer car 1 hangs below the rail wheels 22 and rail lines 24. As further shown in FIG. 1, rails 24 are situated below the transfer car 1 so that a plurality of rail wheels 22 propel the transfer car 1 in a horizontal direction along rails 24. Drive motor 23 may propel the transfer car 1 along rails 24 at any preselected speed, such as, for example, a minimum horizontal speed of 200 feet per minute. Rail wheels 21 may be rotated by the drive motor via a chain or belt, as shown in FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 11, the transfer car 1 is provided with a lid lifter assembly 110, the lid lifter assembly 110 being attached to the upper portion of outer frame 1a. A lid lifter actuator arm 16 is hinged at point 111 to outer frame 1a so that actuator arm 16 may raise and lower a lid 21b positioned on container 21. The lid lifter assembly 110 is provided with a plurality of electromagnetic contacts 17 through 20, as shown in FIG. 3, for securely holding container lid 21b. The actuator arm 16 lowers and places the electromagnetic contacts 17 through 20 in close proximity to the lid 21b of container 21 so that when the electromagnetic contacts are magnetized, lid 21b becomes magnetically attached to the lid lifter assembly 110. Actuator arm 16 is attached to a motor driven ball screw unit 16a which is fixed to outer frame 1a at a position denoted by the numeral 112 so that when the motor assembly is actuated, the actuator arm 16 raises the lid 21b away from opening 21e and out of the interior circular frame 2. Once the lid 21b is removed from container 21, and out of the frame 2, the container 21 may be rotated so that the material therein is "dumped". After dumping of the material from inside container 21, the lid lifter assembly 110 replaces the lid 21b over the opening 21e in the container 21 when the container 21 is brought to its upright position. Re-seating of lid 21b is accomplished by reactivating motor ball drive unit 16a thereby lowering arm 16 to place lid 21b back over the opening 21e and deactivating electromagnetic contacts 17 through 20. As shown in FIG. 9, exterior frame 1a of the transfer car 1 may be fitted with a drive unit 25 which has a drive motor attached to the exterior frame 1a of transfer car 1. The drive motor drives a chain or belt 30 which engages with the inner circular frame 2. The inner circular frame 2 engages a plurality of support wheels 3, 4, 5 and 6 at one distal end and support wheels 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a at the opposite distal end, as best shown in FIG. 2, whereby said inner circular frame 2 rotates freely within outer frame 1a. The plurality of support wheels 3, 4, 5 and 6, as well as support wheels 3a, 4a, 5a and 6a engage inner circular frame 2 at curve track portions 2a and 2b so that said support wheels are retained within tracks 2a and 2b thereby keeping inner circular frame 2 within outer frame 1a. The rotatable support wheels 3-6 and 3a-6a, are affixed to outer frame 1a and directed inward towards inner circular frame 2 and tracks 2a and 2b, contacting said inner circular frame 2 at eight separate points, four of said points being at one distal end of the interior circular frame as indicated by numerals 3-6 and the other four points being at the opposite distal ends of said inner circular frame as indicated by numerals 3a-6a. Rotatable wheels 3, 4, 5, and 6, as shown in FIG. 1, allow interior circular frame 2 to rotate freely within the outer frame 1a, said rotation being powered by drive motor unit 25 shown in FIG. 9. Drive motor unit 25 engages chain or belt 30 which, in turn, circumferentially wraps interior circular frame 2 so that when drive motor unit 25 is activated thereby turning belt 30, interior circular frame 2 rotates. The rotation of interior circular frame 2 within the outer frame 1a by belt drive motor 25 is at a preselected rate, such as, for example, a rotational speed of 10 to 60 rotations per minute. As shown in FIG. 9, the belt attached to drive motor 25 may also be a chain and drive socket assembly 31 attached to a drive shaft 32, wherein drive shaft 32 is turned by drive motor 25. Chain 30 is driven by sprocket 31a which is attached to drive shaft 32 and engages idler sprockets 33 and 34 in circumferentially wrapping and engage interior circular frame 2. Chain 30 may circumferentially wrap interior circular frame 2 in its entirety so that interior circular frame 2 may rotate within outer frame la a full 360 degrees without requiring drive motor 25 to be placed into reverse. Alternatively, the chain 30 may only wrap a portion of interior circular frame 2 and be fixedly secured at each end so that drive motor 25, when activated, fully rotates container 21 located therein for dumping, and after completion of the dumping cycle, drive motor 25 may be reversed to bring the container 21 to an upright position. If chain 30 circumwraps interior frame 2 in its entirety, drive motor 25 rotates interior frame 2 dumping the contents of container 21 and continues turning the interior frame 2 in the same direction until the container 21 is brought to its upright position. As shown in FIG. 2, Interior frame 2 is designed so that top portion 2c of FIG. 2 is left substantially open without any support bars thereacross so that when lid lifter assembly 110 magnetically engages container top 21b, the actuator arm 16 of the lid lifter assembly 110 may raise the lid 21b outside the top portion of interior circular frame 2c without hindrance. This also allows the contents of container 21 to be removed from interior frame 2 after rotation of the interior circular frame 2 by the belt drive motor 25. Outer frame la is designed so that bottom area 1c, is substantially open and without support frame structure thereacross so that when interior circular frame 2 is rotated 180 degrees, the contents of container 21 may be discharged from within the container 21 through the top of interior circular frame 2, now rotated 180° inverted and through the bottom area 1c of FIG. 2, of the exterior frame 1a of transfer car 1, said 180° rotated container being shown in FIG. 7. As shown on FIGS. 4, 5, 6 and 7, FIG. 4 shows a container 21 within the transfer car 1, its lid 21b raised outside of interior circular frame 2. Drive motor 25 is activated thereby rotating the container to a rotated position of approximately 45% as shown in FIG. 5, approximately 90° as shown in FIG. 6, and a dumping position of 180° as shown in FIG. 7. As best shown in FIGS. 1 and 8, positioning clamp assembly 70 supports and secures the container 21 as it is rolled over. Clamp assembly 70 is fitted with hooks or cleats 7b that fit over ribbed side members 9 of container 21 or vibrator units, not shown in the drawings, to insure a complete emptying of the container 21. Thus, as the transfer car 1 approaches a dumping site or station subsequently rotating container 21 to dump the contents therein into a tobacco bulker (not shown), vibrator units which may be attached to positioning clamp assembly 70 will be activated thereby providing a vibration resonating throughout the container 21 causing compacted portions of the material contained therein to be dislodged and subsequently dumped out. As a further enhancement, a camera system (not shown) may be attached to the upper portion of outer frame 1 near the lid lifter assembly 110 to allow the scanning of the interior of container 21 to ensure all material held therein has been dumped as the container 21 is rotated back to its upright position. In one example of use of the novel transfer car 1 described herein, a rail system with a plurality of transfer cars 1 located thereon transport containers 21 full of tobacco to a series of bulkers, the bulkers being utilized in loosening compacted stored tobacco which occurs from long periods of storage of tobacco in containers 21. In this example, a storage facility may contain a large number of tobacco storage containers 21 stored in a plurality of aisles wherein the containers 21 are stacked one on top of the other. Each aisle is provided with a conveyor for forwarding containers 21 removed from the storage shelves by an automatic storage retrieval unit to an outbound station. The conveyors direct the containers 21 to the outbound station at one end of an aisle system adjacent to rails 24 wherein a plurality of transfer cars are located thereon. For example, a transfer car 1 located at the outbound station is loaded with a container 21. The container 21 is loaded from the storage facility aisle conveyor system onto a power conveyor with runners indicated as elements 12 through 14 in FIG. 1 within the transfer car. The power conveyor 12 located on the transfer car 1 advances the tobacco container 21 into the transfer car 1 until an over travel sensor (not shown) indicates that the proper position within the car has been reached, the proper position being centrally disposed within the interior circular frame 2, as shown in FIG. 2. If the sensor indicates that the container 21 has been advanced too far within the transfer car 1, the conveyor 12 will reverse, retracting the container 21 allowing it to be entered once again into the interior circular frame 2. If the container 21 cannot be properly positioned within the transfer car, the over travel sensor will indicate such to allow for a repetition of a predetermined number of reload attempts and failing that, human intervention will be required. Once the container 21 is properly positioned within the transfer car 1 and situated properly within the interior circular frame 2, positioning clamp assembly 70 with cleats 7b thereon are activated so that cleats 7b on positioning arms 7c and 7d are firmly engaged upon rib portion 9 on container 21. When container 21 is properly positioned and secured within the transfer car 1, drive motor 23 is activated engaging rail wheel 22 causing the transfer car 1 to advance upon the rails 24 towards a predetermined location for dumping within a bulker. Rails 24 may be positioned overhead in a tobacco manufacturing facility such that when the transfer car 1 approaches the tobacco bulkers, the transfer car 1 is positioned directly above the open top of the bulker. The transfer car 1, upon debarkation from the storage facility, has a predetermined destination bulker wherein the transfer car 1 follows a predetermined path on the rails 24 to a specific tobacco bulker. Once positioned properly over the tobacco bulker, electromagnets 17 through 20 are activated and actuator arm 16 of lid lifter assembly 110 is lowered by activation of ball screw unit 16a so that the electromagnets come into contact with the lid 21b of container 21. Ball screw unit 16a is then actuated so that the container lid 21b is raised above the inner circular frame portion 2c thereby allowing proper rotation of the interior circular frame 2 within outer frame 1a. Once the lid 21b is removed from within the interior circular frame 2, a sensor indicates that it is clear and chain drive 25 begins to rotate. Chain drive assembly 31 turns chain 30 via drive shaft 32 and drive sprocket 31a thereby rotating interior circular frame 2 in a counter clock-wise direction at, for example, a maximum rotational speed of 60 feet per minute. Once rotated 180°, the contents of the container 21, stored and somewhat compressed tobacco, are dumped into the tobacco bulker. If the system is equipped with vibrator units, the units located on the actuator arms 7c and 7d are activated so as to vibrate throughout the container 21 and cause a complete emptying of the contents therein when container 21 is held in the up-turned position. Chain drive assembly 31 is then reactivated to either continue the counter clock-wise rotation of interior circular frame 2 to an upright position or, if the chain 30 does not completely circumscribe the interior circular frame 21, the chain drive 25 is placed in reverse and the interior circular frame 2 is rotated in a counter clock-wise direction until the container 21 is in the proper upright position. The rotation of the interior circular frame 2 is facilitated by a plurality of rotatable support wheels 3a-6a rotatably connected to exterior frame 1a. Once the container 21 is in an upright position, if the transfer car 1 is equipped with a vision system, a camera (not shown) within the vision system will cause the scanning of the interior portion of the container 21 thereby insuring the proper removal of all contents located therein. If it is determined that there are still remnants of the stored tobacco within the container 21, the container 21 will again be rotated 180° and the vibrator units, if equipped on the transfer car 1, will be activated to ensure proper dislodging of the contents therein. Once all of the contents of the container 21 have been removed, rail drive motor 23 will again be activated to advance the transfer car 1 back to the storage facility at, for example, a maximum speed of 200 feet per minute. The transfer car will return to the storage facility where the transfer car will stop adjacent to an inbound station. The inbound station is located at the end of the aisle conveyors which go between the storage racks. After stopping at said inbound station, the power conveyor located on said transfer car will be activated powering runners 13 and 14 upon which container 21 is resting upon. Said runners are powered by drive motor 12. Once activated, the power conveyor 12 will move the empty container 21 onto a moving conveyor at the inbound station whereupon the container 21 will be forwarded to an empty storage container rack. The transfer car 1 may then again be used at the outbound station for loading of a full container 21 of tobacco. The foregoing detailed description is given primarily for clearness of understanding and no unnecessary limitations are to be understood therefrom for modifications can be made by those skilled in the art upon reading this disclosure and may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and scope of the appended claims.
A transfer car for transporting a container of tobacco from a first location to a second location includes an outer frame and an inner frame rotatable within the outer frame. The interior frame is adapted to hold a container therein and is provided with a lid lifter for removing the lid from a container. A system for rotating the container from an upright position to a dumping position is also included. The transfer car is also provided with an internal power source for moving the transfer car from the first location to the second location.
1
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a system, a Midcom Agent, a method for re-establishing context and a computer program product for performing the steps of said method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The technical field for the present invention is context transfer, especially in networks comprising access points. [0003] Following documentation is regarded as state of the art: [1] J. Kempf (ed), “Problem Description: Reasons for Performing Context Transfers Between Nodes in an IP Access Network” (RFC 3374); http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3374.txt [2] J. Loughney (ed), “Context transfer protocol”,IETF, Internet draft, October 2003; http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/seamoby-charter.html. [3] G. Kenward (ed), “General Requirements for context transfer” IETF Internet draft, October 2002; http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/seamoby-charter.html. [4]R. P. Swale et al., “Middlebox Communications (MIDCOM) Protocol Requirements”, IETF RFC 3304; http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3304.txt [5] B. Carpenter et al, “Middleboxes: Taxonomy and Issues”, IETF RFC 3234, 2002; http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3234.txt [6]P. Srisuresh, “Middlebox Communications (MIDCOM) Architecture and framework”, IETF RFC3303; http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3303.txt [7] R. Hancock (ed): Next Steps in Signalling: Framework”, IETF Internet draft, October 2003; http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/nsis-charter.html. [8] G. Fodor, A. Eriksson, A. Tuoriniemi, “Providing QoS in Always Best Connected Networks”, IEEE Communications Magazine , Vol 41, No7, pp. 154-163, July 2003. [9] J. Rosenberg et al., “SIP: Session Initiation Protocol”, IETF RFC 3261. http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3261.txt. [10] M. Handley et al. “SDP: Session Description Protocol”, IETF RFC 2327. http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc2327.txt. [11] G. Camarillo (ed), “Integration of Resource Management and Session Initiation Protocol”, IETF RFC 3312.http://www.ietf.org/rfc/rfc3312.txt. [12] K. El Malki (ed), “Low Latency Handoffs in Mobile IPv4”, IETF Internet Draft, October 2003.http://www.ietf.org/html.charters/mip4-charter.html. [0016] For context transfer purposes, the organization IETF has developed the Context Transfer protocol (see references [1], [2], [3]). In these documents, the context is defined as the information on the current state of a service required to re-establish the service on a new subnet without having to perform the entire protocol exchange with the mobile host from scratch and Context transfer is defined as the movement of context from router or other network entity to another as a means of re-establishing specific services on a new subnet or collection of subnets. [0017] In IP (Internet Protocol) access networks that support host mobility, the routing paths between the host and the network may change frequently and rapidly. For example, Mobile IP networks allow a mobile node MN or an entire moving network to change acces router AR that provides the first IP layer hop seen from the mobile node or from a moving network's edge. When the MN changes AR (due to, for instance, mobility), there is a need to establish a new path, whose nodes should ideally provide similar treatment to the IP packets as was provided along the old routing path. [0018] In some cases, the host may establish certain context transfer candidate services on subnets that are left behind when the host moves. Examples of such services are Authentication, Authorization and Acounting (AAA), header compression and Quality of Service (QoS).In order for the host to obtain those services on the new subnet, the host must explicitly re-establish the service by performing the necessary signalling flows from scratch. This process may in some cases considerably slow the process of establishing the mobile host on the new subnet. [0019] Alternatively, IP flow related state information, the context, can be transferred to the new subnet. In the example above, context could be transferred from the old AR to the new AR in conjunction with inter-AR hand-over. [0020] The IETF MIDCOM working group (WG) is examining scenarios and defining protocols for IP networks that contain entities that perform functions apart from traditional Layer 3 (L3) routing, so called middle-boxes (MB) (see for example references [4], [5], [6)]. A middlebox is defined as any intermediary device performing functions other than the normal, standard functions of an IP router on the datagram path between a source host and a destination host. Such middle-boxes may require a context that is specific to the functions and services they perform. For instance, a Quality of Service scheduler may need to maintain some token bucket state associated with an IP flow (QoS context), a firewall may need to know about a security association of an IP flow (security context), etc. For the moment, it is possible to list 22 different kind of middleboxes that could be provided along an end-to-end path. [0021] Middleboxes embed application intelligence within the device to support specific application traversal. Middleboxes supporting the Middlebox Communication (MIDCOM) protocol will be able to externalize application intelligence into Midcom agents. Therefore, Midcom agents are logical entities which may reside physically on nodes external to a middlebox, possessing a combination of application awareness and knowledge of middlebox function. A Midcom agent may communicate and interact with one or more middleboxes. Said Midcom protocol between a Midcom agent and a middlebox allows the Midcom agent to invoke services of the middlebox and allow the middlebox to delegate application specific processing to the Midcom agent. Further, the protocol enables the middlebox to perform its operation with the aid of Midcom agents, without resorting to embedding application intelligence. The transfer of IP flow related state and context information is facilitated by the IETF Context Transfer protocol (see for example ref. [2)]. The proposed scope and protocol requirements do not consider scenarios where the context needs to be re-established at an arbitrary point within an IP network that supports middleboxes. For instance in the mobile IP scenario, when the end-to-end path changes during the lifetime of a session, the involved middleboxes may also change upon hand-over. When a particular IP flow is moved from one path to another, new firewalls and packet schedulers may be involved along the new path. In such situations, context needs to be communicated to these new in-path middleboxes rather than just from the “old” access router AR to the “new” access router AR. In fact, the “old” or “new” may not even know which middleboxes along the new path that require to re-establish what type of context (firewall, QoS scheduler, etc) after a mobile IP hand-over. [0022] The particular end-to-end path, along which some middleboxes may need context can traverse multiple operator domains. Herein, a domain or administrative (operator) domain is the collection of hosts, routers, middleboxes and the interconnecting networks managed by a single administrative authority or owner. The devices that operate in the same administrative domain share common security features that are administered across the domain. It is an issue how to distribute the context to the middle-boxes that need the context, since the operator domain where the hand-over occurred may be unaware of the particular middle-boxes that are located in another provider's or operator's domain. Therefore, one problem to be solved is how to make context available even in such situations. [0023] The generalized context transfer problem is stated as follows. In a multi-domain, multi-access IP network there is a need for a method to re-establish context associated with a flow when the end-to-end path changes. The path change is typically due to mobility, but can also be caused by access re-selection (which can be performed for a stationary mobile node as well). [0024] The main requirements on the context re-establishment are: It should facilitate seamless hand-over and therefore it should be possible to execute such context re-establishment as fast as possible. It should be applicable to paths that contain middle-boxes. These middle-boxes may or may not be split into an Agent and general middle-box-box part as in(see ref. [6]). It should be independent of the information elements that define the context. For instance, a QoS context can be described by the so called QoS (wireless) hints, as in reference [8], but these information elements should be transparent to the actual context re-establishment procedure and the employed context transfer protocols. It should minimize the necessary involvement of the mobile node. In particular it should allow that the mobile node does not need to re-signal context information upon AR change, thereby facilitating efficient use of spectrum resources in wireless scenarios. It should allow scenarios where the context needs to be re-established in several administrative domains. [0030] In simple terms, the problem that the current invention addresses is to define a context transfer procedure that meets the above requirements and the object of the present invention is to provide a solution to the stated problem. SUMMARY [0031] The problem is solved according to the present invention by a method in which the context is moved from one middlebox to at least one selected middlebox via a Midcom Agent. [0032] The above-mentioned object is achieved by said context method, a system, a Midcom Agent and computer program product set forth in the characterizing part of the independent claims. [0033] Preferred embodiments are set forth in the depending claims. [0034] An advantage with the present invention is that it facilitates the transfer of context information from a set of middleboxes to another set of middleboxes. Each set may contain diverse types of such middleboxes. [0035] A further advantage is that the context transfer procedure is seamless for the old set of middleboxes. That is, adding a new middlebox to the administration domain requires updating the associated Midcom Agent only. [0036] Yet another advantage is that the network solution is not tied to the existing set of middleboxes, but new types of middleboxes can be added to the administrative domain that uses the method of the current invention for performing context transfer. [0037] Yet another advantage is that the Midcom Agents along the end-to-end communications path may belong to several administrative domains. [0038] Yet another advantage with the present invention is that the invented method is independent of the information elements that define the context. That is, in the future contexts may be described by means of new information elements, but the steps of the described procedures remain the same. [0039] Yet another advantage is that the present invention minimizes the involvement of the mobile node. Specifically, it is only required that the mobile node is capable of NSIS signalling to initiate the context, and that the mobile node is ccapable of initiating Context Transfer Start Request CTSR by sending the CTSR message. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0040] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a network system according to a preferred embodiment of the invention. [0041] FIG. 2 a is a flow chart showing a first part of the method according to the invention. The flow chart continues in FIG. 2 b. [0042] FIG. 2 b is a flow chart showing a second part of the method according to the invention. The flow chart starts in FIG. 2 a. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0043] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram illustrating an Internet protocol (IP) flow path over a number of domains D 1 -Dn between two end user terminals UTA, UTB. Said IP information flow is passing a number of middleboxes MB. Each domain comprises one Midcom Agent MA controlling at least one associated middlebox MB. The middleboxes are associated to router nodes that is routing the flow of data packets in accordance with their IP address. The IP flow is generated by one of the user terminals during an end-to-end session. The middleboxes MB store context data for each IP session flow. Once the middleboxes MB within a domain D receive context data, they establish and store the associated context. As user data packets arrive at the middleboxes MB of a domain D, the respective middlebox MB associate these packets with their proper context and provide them with appropriate context dependent service. Such context dependent service is specific to the respective middlebox MB. A middlebox MB has means 20 for controlling the its operation and function. It also comprises means for handling context, e.g. reading, sorting, selecting, deleting, writing, storing, etc. A middlebox has also means for communicating with its associated Midcom Agent by means of one or more suitable protocols. Further, a middlebox comprises means for communicating with other middleboxes by means of one or more suitable protocol. The middleboxes can be implemented by means of computer software program comprising coded instructions, when said computer program software is stored in a computer usable medium and run in a computer or processing means, such as e.g. a server unit, a microprocessor, PC, data processing unit, CPU, etc. [0044] As mentioned above, the network comprises a horizontal IP layer state-ful protocol, for example NSIS, that is implemented by the user terminal as well as all involved middleboxes MB. (Said protocol is described further down in this description.) A vertical protocol, for example the Midcom protocol, allows Midcom Agents to distribute and/or redistribute context information among middleboxes that are under control of said Midcom Agent. Said protocols contains information elements that allows the description of contexts. [0045] When a user terminal UT starts a session, it starts signalling along the end-to-end path UTA-UTB in order for the context, e.g. session related context, to get established in the middleboxes MB along the path UTA-UTB. That is, in all middleboxes MB, that the user session data is going to traverse, the proper QoS, security or other context needs to be established and configured. The user terminals UT use a session layer, e.g. SIP/SDP, and/or an IP level signalling protocol, that supports the establishment and manipulation of arbitrary state information along the path of the IP flow. Such IP level stateful multi-domain protocol that is being standardized by the IETF is the group of of protocols termed Next Steps in Signalling (NSIS). The NSIS protocol family is therefore the preferred IP level signalling protocol of the present invention. The connection between the Midcom Agents is referred to as the control plane. [0046] NSIS carries all information elements that are necessary to establish proper context in each domain D. The respective Midcom Agents MA that receive this signalling, examine the information elements and use the Midcom protocol to distribute. context information to the middleboxes MB that are under their control. Hence, the interface between separate Midcom Agents MA is a state-full, horizontal, and domain independent protocol. The NSIS protocol fulfil these requirements. The Interface between the Midcom Agent MA and its associated middleboxes MB is the Midcom protocol. [0047] A Midcom Agent MA has means 22 for controlling the its operation and function. It also comprises means for handling context, e.g. reading, sorting, selecting, deleting, writing, storing, etc. Midcom Agent MA has also means for communicating with its associated middleboxes MBs by means of one or more suitable protocols. Further, a Midcom Agent MA comprises means for communicating with other Midcom Agents MAs by means of one or more suitable protocol. The Midcom Agent MA can be implemented by means of computer software program comprising coded instructions, when said computer program software is stored in a computer usable medium and run in a computer or processing means, such as e.g. a server unit, a microprocessor, PC, data processing unit, CPU, etc. [0048] Domain D 1 comprises two access points AP 1 , AP 2 for mobile communication with mobile user terminals. Each access point AP 1 , AP 2 comprises an access router AR (not shown), which is connected over an interface to a base station BS in a mobile radio access network. User movement may cause a handover to a new base station and a new access router. [0049] The change of access router AR results in a new IP flow path, and middleboxes MB along the new path has to be up-graded regarding the proper, i.e. the valid, context data. In FIG. 1 , user terminal UTA is communicating with user terminal UTB via a flow path starting in UTA that is communicating via a radio interface with the base station BS in access point AP 1 comprising an access router AR (not shown) and middlebox MB 11 . The flow of data packets will flow through the network, starting in middlebox MB 11 , passing a number of domains and middleboxes, which have the proper context for controlling and supporting the IP flow of data packets, and finally arrive at middlebox MBm, which is associated to an access router AR in the access point APm. Access point APm is capable of communicating with the user terminal UTB. The flow path in the network can be described as starting in middlebox MB 11 , passing through MB 13 to MBm. [0050] A situation is illustrated in FIG. 1 , wherein the User Terminal UTA is moving towards the access point AP 2 . If the terminal UPA is measuring the received signal strength from the surrounding base stations BS, the User Terminal UTA may find it necessary to perform an handover to the base station BS 2 in AP 2 , as the signal strength from BS 1 (associated with AP 1 ) becomes weaker than from BS 2 . The movement is therefore causing a L 2 trigger in the terminal resulting in a handover to BS 2 and AP 2 . The new flow path in the network can be described as starting in middlebox MB 12 (instead of MB 11 ), passing through MB 13 to MBm. A fast context transfer from MB 11 to MB 12 is therefore necessary. Hence, a User Terminal UT has to be capable of initiating a context transfer procedure, by sending a Context Transfer Start Request (CTSR), which will be further described. The invented mechanism for context transfer will now be described with help of FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 . [0051] FIG. 2 is a flow chart illustrating a method for re-establishing context of an IP information flow by means of a Midcom Agent MA 1 according to the present invention. [0052] Before a context transfer according to the present invention is possible to perform, the context for the data packet flow of a session has to be established in the middleboxes along the end-to-end-path between terminals participating in the session. Therefore, it is assumed that the context has been established in the middleboxes along the end-to-end-path between the terminals UTA, UTB (step 100 ).(The negotiation of context is not within the scope of this invention.) [0053] In step 102 , the Midcom Agent MA 1 receives from the User Terminal (Mobile node) UTA, one CTSR (Context Transfer Start Request) message indicating a change from one current access point AP 1 (to which UTA is currently connected to) to a selected access point AP 2 within the domain D 1 of said Midcom Agent MA 1 . [0054] Step 102 , is initiated when the user terminal UTA decides on executing an access router AR change, said terminal sends the Context Transfer Start Request (CTSR) message using NSIS protocol towards its communicating party through its currently serving ingress domain D 1 Midcom Agent MA 1 . Said CTSR message contains information about the current and the desired, or selected, next access point AP 2 and middlebox MB 12 . This step assumes that the user terminal UTA receives sufficient information to perform some form of access selection and decision algorithm including the decision on the new access point AP (AP 2 ) and middlebox (MB 12 ). This can be achieved by using e.g. Layer 2 (L 2 ) triggers, or L 3 candidate router advertisements earlier known from reference [12]. However, the details of this procedure are out of the scope of the invention. This procedure yields that the terminal initiates the context transfer by sending the CTSR message using IP layer signalling (specifically NSIS, see ref. [7]) towards its communicating party through the ingress Midcom Agent MA 1 . The CTSR message includes the IP address of the selected access point AP (AP 2 in FIG. 1 ) and access router AR. [0055] After having received the CTSR message, the Midcom Agent MA 1 sends a CTDReq (Context Transfer Data Request) message to the current middlebox MB 11 , step 104 . The request (CTDreq) message comprises a copy of stored context in the Midcom Agent for said data packet flow to the middlebox MB 11 of said current access point. [0056] In next step, step 106 , the current middlebox MB 11 analyses if the sent context is equal to the context stored in said middlebox MB 11 . The context is associated with the user terminal UTA and determines whether that context has been updated since context data was received from the Midcom Agent MA 1 and the context was established based on said data. If it has, the current context is included in the CTDResp (Context Transfer Data Response) message, otherwise the CTDResp message only serves as an acknowledgment of the CTDReq message. [0057] In step 108 , the Midcom Agent MA 11 updates according to new received context in a CTDresp message from the middlebox MB 11 of said current access point AP 1 said stored context to a valid context. [0058] In step 110 , the Midcom Agent MA 1 distributes said valid context CTD to at least the middlebox MB 12 of said selected access point AP 2 , but even to other middleboxes along the new flow path within the Midcom Agent's domain. The Midcom Agent MA 11 can further send context (modified or the same) to other middleboxes MB within its domain D 1 , a so called intra-agent generalized context transfer for re-establishing context. The Midcom Agent MA 1 sends this context, or a modified context (modified by the MA to fit the new access router AR and associated middlebox) to the next middlebox MB 12 . The Midcom Agent MA 1 uses the IP address of the next middlebox MB 12 . Here the Midcom Agent MA 1 makes use of the information that it received in the CTSR message for identifying the new middlebox MB 12 and access router AR (in AP 2 ) that the mobile user terminal UTA is connected to after the hand-over procedure. The Midcom Agent MA 1 uses the MIDCOM protocol (see for example ref. [14]) to send the context to the next middlebox MB 12 and to other middleboxes along the new flow path within the Midcom Agent's domain. [0059] As stated above, the Midcom Agent MA 1 may modify the context that it sends to the middlebox MB 12 of the next access point AP 2 and its associated access router. This modification is based on information on the actual context usage in the new access router, stored in the Midcom Agent MA 1 . For instance, if the old access router does not support differentiated packet scheduling functionality, that part of the context (e.g. current state of a token bucket associated with the IP flow) does not need to be sent to the new middlebox MB 12 . [0060] The Midcom Agent MA 1 can further send context (modified or the same) to other middleboxes MB within its domain D 1 that need it if the set of middleboxes “used” by the terminal has changed (or if they need to be updated due to the new AR). If the context has been updated, the Midcom Agent needs to distribute to all middleboxes within its domain D (with which it has a Midcom protocol level association). The Midcom Agent has to decide, step 112 , whether such context distribution has to take place or not. If the criteria for distributing context to other middleboxes than those already updated with valid context is fulfilled, “yes”, a distribution will be performed according to step 114 . Step 114 will not be executed if no other middleboxes have to be updated with valid context. [0061] The Midcom Agent may decide to execute inter-agent generalized context transfers, step 116 . When the MIDCOM Agent for the first time receives context for a new data packet flow from one of its middleboxes, or a CTSR message, or has modified the context, the Midcom Agent makes a decision to send the context to other MIDCOM agents that lie in different domains. The Midcom Agent sends the context downstream to its next-hop Midcom Agent, step 118 . However, if the operator of the domain D to which the MIDCOM Agent belongs has decided a policy to prohibit the Midcom Agent to send context associated with certain sessions, such session context will be stopped. [0062] The invention also relates to a system comprising means for performing the method according to claim 1 - 6 . [0063] Further, the invention relates to a Midcom Agent for re-establishing context according to the method claims 1 - 6 . [0064] The method may be implemented by means of a computer program product comprising the software code means for performing the steps of the method. The computer program product is run on processing means, such as e.g. a server unit, a microprocessor, PC, data processing unit, CPU, etc., within a network, or in a separate processing means connected to a network. The computer program is loaded from a computer usable medium. [0065] The present invention is not limited to the above-described preferred embodiments. Various alternatives, modifications and equivalents may be used. For example, the embodiments of the invention have been implemented by means of Internet Protocol technology (IP). However, the invention are also applicable with ATM (Asynchronous Transfer Mode) technology and MPLS (Multi Protocol Label Switching). [0066] Therefore, the above embodiments should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention, which is defined by the appending claims.
The present invention relates to a system, a Midcom Agent, a method for re-establishing context and a computer program product for performing the steps of said method. In a multi-domain, multi-access IP network there is a need for a method to re-establish context associated with a flow when the end-to-end path changes. The path change is typically due to mobility, but can also be caused by access re-selection (which can be performed for a stationary mobile node as well). Therefore, a method is provided in which the context is moved from one middlebox to at least one selected middlebox via a Midcom Agent. An advantage with the present invention is that it facilitates the transfer of context information from a set of middleboxes to another set of middleboxes. Each set may contain diverse types of such middleboxes.
7
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to novel intermediates useful in the preparation of 3,4-dihydro-5-methyl-6-(2-methylpropyl)-4-oxothieno[2,3-d]pyrimdine-]-carboxylic acid (tiprinast) and related compounds. This invention also relates to the regioselective synthesis of such intermediates. Tiprinast, which has the formula ##STR4## and related compounds are useful as orally active antiallergy agents. The preparation of tiprinast and related compounds is described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,054,656 and 4,159,377 to Davis L. Temple, Jr., the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. Esters of tiprinast and related compounds, which are also useful as orally active antiallergy agents, are disclosed in an article by D. L. Temple et al, J. Med. Chem., Volume 22, pages 505-510 (1979), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. The basic approach to these compounds has been to construct the pyrimidinone ring on a 2-amino-3-carboxy substituted thiophene, which in turn is available from procedures published by K. Gewald et al in Chem. Ber., 99, pages 94-100 (1966). However, the Gewald et al procedures result in a mixture of 2-aminothiophene-3-carboxylate isomers which are not easily separated. The present invention permits the use of this mixture of isomers without separation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides compounds of Formulas I and II: ##STR5## wherein R 1 and R 2 may be hydrogen, lower alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, lower alkenyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, lower alkoxy having from 1 to 6 carbo atoms, hydroxy, nitro, amino, halo including chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine, phenyl, alkanoyl having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms or they are bonded to one another to form a cycloalkene ring fused to the thiophene ring and having a total of from 5 to 7 annular ring carbon atoms, and R 3 is an aliphatic group or an aromatic group such as lower alkyl, e.g., methyl or ethyl. Such compounds are useful as intermediates in the production of tiprinast and related compounds. This invention also provides a process for the regioselective synthesis of a compound of Formula I wherein R 1 is CH 3 and R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 which comprises reacting a mixture of compounds of the following formulas: ##STR6## and ##STR7## with trichloroacetonitrile under acidic conditions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The mixture of compounds of Formulas III and IV is prepared by the general procedure described by K. Gewald et al in Chem. Ber., 99, pages 94-100 (1966), the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This mixture is reacted wih trichloroacetonitrile using anhydrous hydrochloric acid. Preferably, the reaction is conducted at a temperature ranging from room temperature to the reflux temperature of acetic acid for a period of from 2 hours to 24 hours. Preferably, from about 0.2 to 2.0 mol of trichloroacetonitrile is used per mol of the mixture of Compounds III and IV. There is thus obtained a compound of Formula I wherein R 1 is CH 3 and R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 . Surprisingly, the isolated trichloromethyl intermediate is free from the isomer which would be expected from reaction of Compound IV with trichloroacetonitrile, i.e., a compound of Formula I wherein R 1 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 CH 2 and R 2 is hydrogen. If any of that isomer was present, it is lost during work-up. The trichloromethyl intermediate, i.e., the compound of Formula I where R 1 is CH 3 and R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 , can be converted to the compound of Formula II wherein R 1 is CH 3 , R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 and R 3 is CH 3 CH 2 , by heating it at reflux with excess sodium ethoxide. Similarly, the corresponding compound where R 3 is methyl, may be obtained by heating the trichloromethyl intermediate at reflux with sodium methoxide. The triethers can then be converted to the ethyl or methyl ester of tiprinast by treatment with acid, e.g., 10% HCl. Alternatively, rather than isolating the triether intermediate, i.e., compounds of Formula II, the trichloromethyl intermediate described above may be converted to the ethyl ester of tiprinast by refluxing it with excess sodium ethoxide and then immediately mixing it with acid, preferably dilute aqueous acid. Similarly, the methyl ester of tiprinast may be prepared by refluxing the trichloromethyl intermediate with sodium methoxide and then mixing it with acid, preferably dilute aqueous acid. The methyl and ethyl esters of tiprinast may be hydrolyzed under known conditions to give tiprinast. The following examples illustrate the best modes contemplated for carrying out this invention. Melting points were determined using a Buchi 510 capillary melting point apparatus and are uncorrected. Infrared spectra were recorded on a Nicolet MX1 spectrophotometer. Proton magnetic resonance spectra were recorded on a Perkin-Elmer R32 instrument. Chemical shifts are reported as values in parts per million relative to tetramethylsilane as an internal standard (00.0). High performance liquid chromatography was done using an HP 1080n series chromatograph with a 25 μL injection loop, Varian Autosampler, 320 nanometers detection and an HP 1084 microprocessor. All temperatures are degrees Celsius. EXAMPLE 1 Ethyl 2-Amino-4-methyl-5-(2-methylpropyl)thiophene-3-carboxylate and Ethyl-2-Amino-4-(3-methylbutyl)-thiophene-3-carboxylate (III and IV) A mixture of 3140.3 g (27.5 mole) of 5-methyl-2-hexanone, 2828 g (25.0 mole) of ethyl cyanoacetate, 1927.1 g (25.0 mole) of ammonium acetate, 217.8 g (2.5 mole) of morpholine and 7.5 L of toluene was stirred and heated at reflux with a water-trap for 8 hours. The reaction mixture was washed with water (3×5 L) and the solvent was distilled in vacuo. Sulfur (761.5 g, 23.75 g-atom), 2530.0 g (25.0 mole) of triethylamine and 7.0 L of absolute ethanol were added to the oil, and the mixture was stirred and heated under reflux for 6 hours. The mixture was cooled and stirred with 10.0 L of cold water. The layers were separated, and the aqueous layer was extracted with methylene chloride (3×2 L). The combined organic layers were washed with water (2×2 L). The solution was filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure to give 5222.0 g (91.1% theory) of dark oil which partially crystallized. This mixture of isomers was used without purification. EXAMPLE 2 3,4-Dihydro-5-methyl-6-(2-methylpropyl)-4-oxo-2-(trichloromethyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine (I wherein R 1 is CH 3 and R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 ) Gaseous hydrochloric acid (1.45 mol) was bubbled into 437.5 ml (7.6 mole) of glacial acetic acid at 10° (±2°). After 30 minutes the bubbling was stopped, and nitrogen was swept across the solution for 30 minutes at 10° (±2°). This solution was added to a mixture of 350.0 g (4.55 mole) of the mixture of isomers obtained in Example 1 and 291.2 ml (2.02 mole) of trichloroacetonitrile in 350 ml of acetic acid. The resulting mixture was heated with stirring on a steam bath overnight. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and 1 liter of isopropanol was added. This mixture was warmed on a steam bath to reflux and then was cooled to room temperature with stirring. After cooling in a refrigerator overnight, the mixture was filtered and rinsed with cold isopropanol giving a tan solid, which when dry, weighed 198.0 g (0.58 mole, 40% yield); mp 189°-192°. This was used without further purification. An analytical sample of the title compound was prepared by successive recrystallization with acetone (1:35), toluene (1:6), and isopropanol (1:30) giving white crystals; mp 192°-193.5°; ir (0.5%) potassium bromide) 3400 (br), 2960, 2875, 1675(s), 1580, 1470, 1310, 1210, 850, 780 and 675 cm -1 ; nmr (deuteriochloroform): δ 0.85 (d, CH(CH 3 ) 2 , 6H, J=6 Hz), 1.8 (m, CH, 1H), 2.45 (s, ArCH 3 , 3H), 2.65 (d, ArCH 2 , 3H, J=6 Hz), and 12.6 (s, NH, 1H). Anal. Calcd. for C 12 H 13 Cl 3 N 2 OS:C, 42.43; H, 3.86; N, 8.25; S, 9.44; Cl, 31.31. Found: C, 42.45; H, 3.81; N, 8.36; S, 9.56; Cl, 31.16. EXAMPLE 3 3,4-Dihydro-5-methyl-6-(2-methylpropyl)-4-oxo-2-(triethoxymethyl)thieno]2,3-d]pyrimidine (II wherein R 1 is CH 3 , R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 and R 3 is C 2 H 5 ) To a mixture of sodium ethoxide in ethanol, generated from 1.0 g (43 mmole) of sodium in 200 ml of ethanol, a mixture of 3.0 g (8.8 mmole) of the trichloromethyl intermediate obtained in Example 2 in 50 ml of toluene was added. This was heated to reflux for 18 hours. After cooling and solvent removal under reduced pressure, the residue was taken up in 25 ml of ethanol and poured into 50 ml of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution. This was extracted with 3×25 ml of toluene. The combined organic layer was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the remaining solid, which was the title compound, was recrystallized with absolute ethanol (1:5) giving 1.2 g (3.2 mmole, 36% yield) of white needles; mp 135.5°-137°; ir (0.5% potassium bromide) 3400 (br), 3175, 3100, 2995, 1660, 1270, 1210, 1140, 1125, 1080, 1000, and 900 cm.sup. -1 ; nmr (deuteriochloroform): δ 1.00 (d, CH(CH 3 ) 2 , 6H, J=6 Hz) 1.33 (s, OCH 2 CH 3 ), 9H, J=6 Hz) 1.9 (m, CH, 1H) 2.56 (s, ArCH 3 , 3H) 2.71 (d, ArCH 2 , 2H, J=6 Hz), 3.67 (q, OCH 2 , 6H, J=6 Hz) 9.8 (s, NH, 1H). Anal. calcd. for: C, 58.67; H, 7.66; N, 7.60; S, 8.70. Found: C, 58.85; H, 7.81; N, 7.75; S, 8.74. The product can be converted to the ethyl ester of tiprinast by treatment with 10% HCl. EXAMPLE 4 3,4-Dihydro-5-methyl-6-(2-methylpropyl)-4-oxo-2-(trimethoxymethyl)thieno[2,3-d]pyrimidine (II wherein R 1 is CH 3 , R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 and R 3 is CH 3 ) To a mixture of sodium methoxide in methanol, generated from 12.8 g (0.56 mole) of sodium in 250 ml of methanol, 34.0 g (0.10 mole) of the trichloromethyl intermediate obtained in Example 2 was added. This was heated to reflux for two hours. After cooling, the mixture was poured into 250 ml of 5% aqueous sodium bicarbonate solution and extracted with 3×100 ml of methylene chloride. The combined organic layer was dried with anhydrous magnesium sulfate and filtered. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure and the remaining solid, which was the title compound, was recrystallized with methanol giving 11.1 g (0.034 mole, 34% yield) of white crystals; mp 152°-154°; ir (0.5% potassium bromide) 3440 (br), 3110, 2950, 1650, 1575, 1490, 1460, 1440, 1270, 1205, 1100 and 990 cm -1 ; nmr (deuteriochloroform): δ 1.00 (d, CH(CH 3 ) 2 , 6H, J=7 Hz), 1.66 (s, ArCH 3 , 3H), 1.78 (d, ArCH 2 , 2H, J=7 Hz), 1.94 (m, CH, 1H), 3.52 (s, OCH 3 , 9H), and 10.87 (brs, NH, 1H). Anal. Calcd. for: C, 55.20; H, 2.79; N, 8.58. Found: C, 55.15; H, 6.70; N, 8.54. The product can be converted to the methyl ester of tiprinast by treatment with 10% HCl. Examples 5 and 6 illustrate the preparation of the ethyl ester of tiprinast and the methyl ester of tiprinast, respectively, from the trichloromethyl intermediate of Example 2 without isolating the products obtained in Examples 3 and 4. EXAMPLE 5 Ethyl 3,4-Dihyddro-5-methyl-6-(2-methylpropyl)-4-oxothieno-[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2-carboxylate (ethyl ester of tiprinast) To a solution of sodium ethoxide in ethanol, generated from 95 g (4.0 mole) of sodium and 1500 ml of ethanol, 275 g (0.81 mole) of the trichloromethyl intermediate obtained in Example 2 was added. This mixture was heated to reflux eight hours. After cooling, the mixture was filtered. The dark solution was stirred wih one liter of water while 250 ml of 10% aqueous hydrochloric acid solution was added. The pH was acidic to litmus. After one hour of stirring at room temperature, this mixture was filtered and dried, giving 150 g of tan solid. Recrystallization with toluene (1:5) gave 122 g (0.415 mol, 51% yield) of off-white solid which was the title compound, mp 175.5°-177°; sepctral data was consistent with an authentic sample of the ethyl ester of tiprinast. EXAMPLE 6 Methyl 3,4-Dihydro-5-methyl-6-(2-methylpropyl)-4-oxothieno-[2,3-d]pyrimidine-2-carboxylate (methyl ester of tiprinast) To a solution of sodium methoxide in methanol, generated from 9 g (0.39 mole) of sodium and 125 ml of methanol 15.0 g (0.0442 mole) of the trichloromethyl intermediate obtained in Example 2 was added. This mixture was heated to reflux for two hours. After cooling, the mixture was filtered and rinsed with 200 ml of methanol. The resulting solution was stirred with 325 ml of water, then 75 ml of 10% hydrochloric acid solution was added. The pH was acidic to litmus. This was warmed with stirring to 50°, then cooled to 0°. Filtration followed by recrystallization with toluene (1:5) gave 8.3 g (0.030 mole, 67% yield) of white solid which was the title compound; mp 173°-175°; ir (0.5% potassium bromide) 3440 (br), 3090, 3040, 2950, 1740, 1670, 1560, 1490, 1460, 1440, 1300, 1200, and 1050 cm -1 ; nmr (deuteriochloroform): δ 0.75 (d, CH(CH 3 ), 6H, J=7 Hz), 1.75 (m, CH, 1H), 2.50 (s, ArCH 3 , 3H), 2.56 (d, ArCH 2 , 2H, J=7 Hz), 4.0 (s, OCH 3 , 3H), and 10.2 (brs, NH, 1H). Anal. Calcd. for: C, 55.70; H, 5.57; N, 9.99. Found: C, 55.74; H, 5.82; N, 10.07.
There are disclosed compounds of Formulas I and II: ##STR1## wherein R 1 and R 2 may be hydrogen, lower alkyl having from 1 to 8 carbon atoms, lower alkenyl having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms, lower alkoxy having from 1 to 6 carbon atoms, hydroxy, nitro, amino, halo including chlorine, bromine, iodine, and fluorine, phenyl, alkanoyl having from 2 to 6 carbon atoms or they are bonded to one another to form a cycloalkene ring fused to the thiophene ring and having a total of from 5 to 7 annular ring carbon atoms, and R 3 is an aliphatic or an aromatic group such as lower alkyl, e.g., methyl or ethyl. Such compounds are useful as intermediates in the production of tiprinast and related compounds. There is also disclosed a process for the regioselective synthesis of a compound of Formula I wherein R 1 is CH 3 and R 2 is (CH 3 ) 2 CHCH 2 which comprises reacting a mixture of compounds of the following formulas: ##STR2## and ##STR3## with trichloroacetonitrile under acidic conditions.
2
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates in general to a hose reel system and, more particularly to a hose reel system for winding and unwinding a liquid manure hose on an agricultural field. [0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art [0004] It is known in the art of agricultural liquid manure application to lay out a hose along the path of the manure application. A liquid manure supply and pump are connected to one end of the hose, and the manure applicator is connected to the other end. The manure applicator travels across the field delivering manure to the field for use as fertilizer. As it is desirable to quickly lay out and remove a hose from a field, it is known in the art to use hose reel systems which are pulled by a tractor or similar vehicle. Prior art hose reels typically include a large mechanically driven spool coupled to a wheeled frame. To lay out the hose, the hose is coupled at one end to a pump or similar stationary object. The vehicle then pulls the hose reel as the hose unwinds from the spool, and lays out along the agricultural field. When it is desirable to remove the hose from the field, the hose is coupled to the hose reel and a motor on the hose reel is used to drive the spool and wind the hose onto the reel. [0005] One drawback associated with the prior art is the tendency for the hose to wind on the spool in a single spot. This causes overlapping and tangling of the hose, which can lead to twists, kinks and other malfunctions associated with the hose. It can also lead to the hose tying up on itself as it winds on the spool. When it is desired to unwind the hose from the spool, the hose may catch against itself and may cause tearing or ripping of the hose. [0006] It is also known in the art to provide a means for pivoting the hose reel as the hose is being wound around the spool. By pivoting the hose reel, the hose winds along the spool more evenly. One drawback associated with prior art pivoting hose reels is that they simply turn back and forth. While the back and forth motion tends to wind the hose somewhat more evenly along the spool, the turning is difficult to control and does not maximize the efficiency of the winding of the hose along the spool. [0007] Another drawback associated with the prior art is the difficulty associated with winding the spool most efficiently at the ends of the spool. As the ends of the spool are typically flat, it is difficult to obtain accurate winding at the end of the spool. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a hose reel which allows for efficient winding of the spool at the end of the spool. [0008] Still another drawback associated with the prior art is the tendency of the hose to extend beyond the edges of the spool during winding. If this occurs, the hose can become entangled in the drive mechanism, causing damage to both the hose and the drive mechanism itself. It would, therefore, be desirable to provide a mechanism for preventing the hose from winding beyond the edges of the spool. [0009] Given the limitations of the prior art, it would be desirable to provide a hose reel which allows for more efficient pivoting of the hose reel during winding, more efficient winding of the spool near the ends of the spool, and means for preventing the hose from extending beyond the ends of the spool. The difficulties encountered in the prior art discussed hereinabove are substantially eliminated by the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] In an advantage provided by this invention, a hose reel system is provided which allows for pivoting of the hose reel to more efficiently wind the hose on a spool. [0011] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which is of a lightweight, low cost manufacture. [0012] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which is long lasting and easy to maintain. [0013] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which allows for more efficient winding of the hose at the ends of the spool. [0014] Advantageously, this invention provides a hose reel which prevents the hose from winding beyond the ends of the spool. [0015] Advantageously, in the preferred embodiment of this invention, a hose reel is provided which includes spool journaled to a frame along a first axis. A tongue is provided, pivotally coupled to a frame. A spool is journaled to the frame. An axle is coupled to the frame, and wheels are coupled to the axle. Means are provided for pivoting the tongue relative to the frame. In the preferred embodiment, the spool is provided with domed ends to more efficiently wind a hose near the ends of the spool, and an arch guard is provided to prevent the hose from winding beyond the ends of the spool. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a front perspective view of the hose reel system of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a top perspective view of the pivotal connection of the tongue to the cross member of the hose reel; [0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a rear perspective view of the hose reel of the present invention laying hose onto an agricultural field; and [0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a front perspective view of a pair of hose reels coupled in tandem and winding a hose from an agricultural field. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0021] A hose reel according to the present invention is shown generally as ( 10 ) in FIG. 1 . The hose reel ( 10 ) includes a frame ( 12 ). Journaled to the frame ( 12 ) is an axle ( 14 ) coupled to a pair of wheels ( 16 ). The axle ( 14 ) is coupled to the frame ( 12 ) by leaf springs ( 18 ), such as those known in the art. [0022] Provided on the frame are a pair of support bars ( 20 ), supporting a shoulder ( 22 ). Coupled between the shoulder ( 22 ) and an arch guard ( 24 ) are a first angled support arm ( 26 ) and a second angled support arm ( 28 ). Provided on the angled support arms ( 26 ) and ( 28 ) are support brackets ( 30 ). Journaled between the support brackets ( 30 ) is an axle ( 32 ) around which is journaled a spool ( 34 ). The spool ( 34 ) includes a first curved dome ( 36 ) and a second curved dome ( 38 ), coupled to one another by a sleeve ( 40 ). Secured to the spool ( 34 ) is a large gear ( 42 ). The large gear ( 42 ) is coupled by a chain ( 44 ) to a small gear ( 46 ). As shown in FIG. 1 , the small gear is driven by a hydraulic motor ( 48 ) secured to the support bracket ( 30 ) on the first angled support arm ( 26 ). The hydraulic motor ( 48 ) is coupled by hydraulic lines ( 50 ) to the hydraulic system of a pulling vehicle, such as a tractor ( 52 ). [0023] Coupled to the frame ( 12 ) is a cross brace ( 54 ) supporting a pivot box ( 56 ), constructed of steel or similar rigid material. ( FIG. 2 ). A towing tongue ( 58 ) is coupled to the pivot box ( 56 ) by a pin ( 60 ) to allow the tongue ( 58 ) to pivot relative to the frame ( 12 ) of the hose reel ( 10 ). A linear actuator such as a hydraulic piston ( 62 ) is coupled between the cross brace ( 54 ) and the pin ( 60 ). The hydraulic piston ( 62 ) is driven by hydraulic lines ( 64 ) which extend from the hydraulic piston ( 62 ) through a hole ( 66 ) in the towing tongue ( 58 ) to the tractor ( 52 ). ( FIGS. 1-2 ). A lattice fence ( 68 ) is provided across the bottom of the frame ( 12 ) to prevent material from moving upward from the field into contact with a hose ( 70 ) provided around the spool ( 34 ), and to prevent the hose ( 70 ) from dropping downward through the frame ( 12 ) to be run over by the hose reel ( 10 ). The hose reel ( 10 ) is preferably constructed of steel, but parts thereof may be constructed of PVC or other similarly strong, weather resistant material. As shown in FIG. 4 , a second hose reel ( 72 ) may be coupled to the first hose reel ( 10 ) by a hitch ( 74 ) coupled to the frame ( 12 ) of the hose reel ( 10 ). [0024] When it is desired to operate the hose reel ( 10 ), the hose ( 70 ) is provided through a hole ( 76 ) in the sleeve ( 40 ) of the spool ( 34 ). The hydraulic motor ( 48 ) is then actuated to drive the small gear ( 46 ), chain ( 44 ) and large gear ( 42 ) to rotate the spool ( 34 ) to wind the hose ( 70 ) around the spool ( 34 ). ( FIGS. 1 and 3 ). The size of the hydraulic motor ( 48 ), small gear ( 46 ), chain ( 44 ) and large gear ( 42 ) may be adjusted as desired to wind the hose ( 70 ) at the desired speed. When the hose ( 70 ) is being wound around the spool ( 34 ) while the hose reel ( 10 ) is stationary, it is desirable to feed the hose ( 70 ) back and forth across the spool ( 34 ) to insure an even winding around the spool ( 34 ). [0025] Once the hose ( 70 ) has been provided around the spool ( 34 ), the hose reel ( 10 ) can be transported to a field ( 78 ) where it is desired to lay the hose ( 70 ) to supply a liquid manure distribution implement (not shown) from a liquid manure pump (not shown). The hose ( 70 ) is partially unwound from the spool ( 34 ) and secured in some manner, such as via connection to a liquid manure pump. The tractor ( 52 ) is then used to pull the hose reel ( 10 ) across an agricultural field ( 78 ). As the hose reel ( 10 ) is being pulled, the operator disengages the hydraulic motor ( 58 ) so the spool ( 34 ) feeds freely. If desired, the hydraulic motor ( 58 ) may be maintained in engagement to supply a slight resistance to the spool ( 34 ) to prevent the spool ( 34 ) from freewheeling and causing the hose ( 70 ) to tangle. [0026] As the tractor ( 52 ) pulls the hose reel ( 10 ), the operator actuates the hydraulic piston ( 62 ) to cause the towing tongue ( 58 ) to pivot relative to the frame ( 12 ) of the hose reel ( 10 ). The operator preferably actuates the hydraulic piston ( 62 ) in alternate directions to cause the spool ( 34 ) to feed the hose ( 70 ) more evenly. The operator positions the side of the spool ( 34 ) currently feeding the hose ( 70 ) forward of the other side of the spool ( 34 ). This rotation allows the hose ( 70 ) to feed out more linearly behind the hose reel ( 10 ), reducing torque and kinking of the hose ( 70 ). [0027] When it is desired to collect the hose ( 70 ), the end of the hose ( 70 ) is positioned through the hole ( 76 ) in the sleeve ( 40 ) of the spool ( 34 ), and the hydraulic motor ( 48 ) is actuated to rotate the spool ( 34 ). The tractor ( 52 ) and hose reel ( 10 ) are then driven over the hose ( 70 ) laying in the field ( 78 ). The operator actuates the hydraulic piston ( 62 ) back and forth to position the side of the spool ( 34 ), around which it is desired to be wound, more forward of the opposite end of the spool ( 34 ). The operator actuates the hydraulic piston ( 62 ) to pivot the spool ( 34 ) back and forth to evenly wind the hose ( 70 ) around the spool ( 34 ). [0028] As shown in FIG. 1 , the domes ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) of the spool ( 34 ) are preferably curved to facilitate an even winding of the hose ( 70 ) around the spool ( 34 ). The domes ( 36 ) and ( 38 ) may be provided with any desired curvature, or may directly tapered toward the sleeve ( 40 ) of the spool ( 34 ). Although the pivot box ( 56 ) may be located in any desired positioned, in the preferred embodiment, it is preferably that the pivot box ( 56 ) be located at the axle ( 32 ) to allow the pivot point of the hose reel ( 10 ) to be at the axle ( 14 ). It is also desirable to locate the sleeve ( 40 ) in alignment with the axle ( 14 ) to allow efficient winding of the hose ( 70 ) around the spool ( 34 ). [0029] As shown in FIG. 4 , the guide bar ( 24 ) is preferably sized to guide the hose ( 70 ) onto the spool ( 34 ). The guide bar ( 24 ) prevents the hose ( 70 ) from extending beyond either dome ( 36 ) or ( 38 ), or from back lashing by allowing excess hose ( 70 ) to extend over the spool ( 34 ) and cause a back lash and tangle. [0030] The foregoing description and drawings merely explain and illustrate the invention, and the invention is not limited thereto, except insofar as the claims are so limited, as those skilled in the art who have the disclosure before them will be able to make modifications and variations therein without departing from the scope of the invention.
A hose reel system for winding a liquid manure hose. The hose reel includes a spool pivoted in alignment with the wheels and axles of the system to allow for even winding of the hose on a spool. The spool is provided with curved domes on either, end and a protective bar to prevent the hose from winding beyond the ends of the spool. Pivoting the spool in alignment with the axle allows for a more even winding and unwinding of the hose, thereby reducing torsion, kinks and other damage to the hose during the rolling and unrolling processes.
1
U.S. GOVERNMENT INTEREST The inventions described herein may be made, used, or licensed by or for the U.S. Government for U.S. Government purposes. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION There exists a constant need for soldiers to enter fortified or non-fortified structures/objectives through unconventional means often referred to as breaching. With current urban type conflicts, collateral damage is a concern when insurgents reside among non-insurgents, whether in the same structure or in near-by structures. There is great need for operations which will limit collateral damage. Current theatre environments limit the ability to utilize conventional weapons to suppress an objective in a target (such as by firing for affect and demolishing such fortified or non-fortified structure), but require instead a non-conventional means of suppression through breaching, sweeping, and clearing such structures. Therefore, soldiers are often called upon to clear buildings or to produce an ingress route into a building, all while unbeknownst to the objective. This approach can allow the soldier to suprise the objective and limit confrontation, or perhaps to be able to capture the objective. This invention provides a very versatile new explosive breaching system which can aid the warfighter in such operations. This system can be used (but is not limited) to produce an ingress route in fortified or non-fortified structures large enough for a soldier to gain access to an objective—an effective breaching charge. This system could also be used in structural demolition, conventional and non-conventional breaching, along with materiel demolition. The system could also be used in the field to dispose of excess ammunition or other war fighter materiel not wished to be abandoned for possible use by an adversary. The system is herein also referred to as the Modular Breaching and Demolition System (“MBDS”). BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION This system utilizes either inert light weight non-metallic assemblies hand packed prior to a mission, or light weight pre-loaded conventional energetic assemblies utilizing cast-cure or press loaded explosives. The system is generally made so it can fit in a soldier's ruck sack, and because it is modular, its net explosive weight can be tailored to the target needs. As an added benefit, this system is only approximately one third the weight compared to conventionally issued soldier demolition kits. As a further benefit, this system can still be classified in the same safety class as bulk explosives for the configuration where the base system is not designed to produce fragments, thus there is less red tape in distributing/obtaining the system. If desired, a soldier can still choose to incorporate a liner into any one or all of the assemblies to produce a shaped charge type explosion. By contrast, a current breaching system fielded to the soldiers uses home made breaching charges which are field configured on the spot to carry out the mission in a timely manner, often utilize bulk explosives, detonating cord, and often also require soldiers to improvise use of surrounding/natural resources to make a frame for the explosives. Though relatively quick to setup if not relying on natural resources, such home made breaching types still are heavy (some approximately twenty eight lbs). They are also often quantity limited in availability to soldier units, consumable, and some are in a safety class different from that of bulk explosives, making for more red tape in handling. The field produced charge versions of these conventional systems might be lighter and can be made from bulk explosives readily available to soldier units and can be configured for different breaching applications; but they still rely on having the necessary natural resources to produce a frame. They also require large amounts of detonation cord to propagate the detonation around the frame. They also require more time to produce the frame/breaching charge and they also require first hand knowledge of how to reliably build and match a breaching charge to an intended target to produce the desired effects. Both the pre-loaded and hand packed versions of this MBDS invention improve over such conventional field produced breaching charges. The MBDS will be organic to a unit of soldiers. The MBDS doesn't utilize natural resources in the surroundings and doesn't need detonation cords to propagate detonation. The MBDS is light weight and, after hand packing, or if utilizing the pre-loaded version, can be assembled in a few minutes at the last concealed and covered position. Further, if the soldier wished, a liner can be snapped into the MDBS to give a capability which field produced breaching charges currently do not have (tailored fragment generation). In more detail, this MDBS system is comprised of multiple assemblies which can be arranged into different geometeric shapes or lines, linked together by a hinged system with clocking features and continuous cavity paths. The assemblies are made of a few inert non-metallic material pieces which snap or slide together to produce a cavity which can be hand packed with high explosives or can be pre-loaded with high explosive. Assemblies can then be used to produce any desired shape, whether square, line, T or E shape, for example. The assemblies have features which also allow a soldier to couple a shaped charge or anti-personnel liner into the MDBS if desired. Since the liner is not permanently attached to the assemblies the soldier can choose to make the MDBS a fragment producing or non-fragmenting charge depending on the target set. A novelty in the MDBS design is the fact that it utilizes press fit joints, hinged with clocking features to produce any desired shape capable of being made with line segments. The way the cavity or high explosive in each assembly is positioned with respect to another assembly when connected and adjoined allows an ignition/detonation wave to propagate from one assembly to the next without the need of multiple detonation cords or multiple initiation points as in the conventional breaching systems. Each assembly in and of itself is also capable of having a node attached to it if desired. Such could increase the net explosive weight of the breaching charge, which would allow the MDBS breaching charge to be tailored to a particular target. Materials used for the MDBS structure are non-metallic; this fact leads to a weight reduction in the final breaching charge/assembly compared to metallic materials. Such therefore allows for quicker implementation and functioning of the system. Nonetheless, such non-metallic materials if desired can be impregnated with metallic particles such as aluminum which can enhance the high explosive effects. Such non-metallic materials can also be reinforced with fibers to make the pieces and assemblies more rigid. Since the material is generally entirely non-metallic, all traces of the assembly are consumed during detonation which prevents enemies from tracing the system or from reverse engineering the system. Another valued feature is the ability to also introduce a fragmenting charge if desired. Such is accomplished by snapping/coupling in a liner within the segments or otherwise by utilizing predesigned features built into the MDBS. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide soldiers with a field demolition system which comprises inert modular pieces for customized assembly of a breaching or demolition system that the soldier requires for a particular task. Another object of this invention is to provide soldiers with a modular field demolition system of only a few types of basic plastic components that can be snapped together by hand without need of specialized tools of finding natural resources in the field. A yet further object of this invention is to provide soldiers with a modular field demolition system which requires no detonation cord to successfully explode such entire assembled system. A still further object of this invention is to provide soldiers with a field demolition system of relatively light weight, and which can also be preloaded or custom hand loaded with plasticized explosive material in the field, as the soldier requires for a particular task. A yet other object of the present invention is to provide a field demolition system which can be customized to form an inert frame which can support the positioning of trimmed sheet explosive such as detasheet® explosive between frame and target. A still further object of the present invention is to provide a field demolition system which can be custom loaded with fragment producing shaped liners, or with fragment producing explosively formed penetrators, or a pre-formed fragment pack similar to a claymore as the soldier may require for a particular task. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become more apparent in view of the within detailed descriptions of the invention, the claims, and in light of the following drawings wherein reference numerals may be reused where appropriate to indicate a correspondence between the referenced items. It should be understood that the sizes and shapes of the different components in the figures may not be in exact proportion and are shown here for visual clarity and for purposes of explanation. It is also to be understood that the specific embodiments of the present invention that have been described herein are merely illustrative of certain applications of the principles of the present invention. It should further be understood that the geometry, compositions, values, and dimensions of the components described herein can be modified within the scope of the invention and are not generally intended to be exclusive. Numerous other modifications can be made when implementing the invention for a particular environment, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a male piece 100 , part of a leg that is used to build up a demolition device according to this invention. FIG. 2 shows a female piece 200 , mate of male piece 100 shown in FIG. 1 , used to build up a leg portion of an overall demolition device according to this invention. FIG. 3A shows a circular like hub piece 300 that can be used with pieces 100 , 200 to build up a snowflake configuration for a demolition device according to this invention. FIG. 3B shows a front side view of the circular like hub piece 300 of FIG. 3A . FIG. 3C shows a detailed view of a recessed area 306 found on the circular like hub piece 300 of FIG. 3A . FIG. 4A illustrates placement of a shaped charge metallic liner 401 in a cavity of a piece 100 , 200 for a demolition device according to this invention. FIG. 4B illustrates a liner of explosively formed projectiles for insertion in a cavity of a piece 100 , 200 for a demolition device according to this invention. FIG. 5 shows a random shaped demolition line made up from three legs assembled according to this invention. FIG. 6 shows a porthole shaped demolition device made from legs assembled according to this invention. FIG. 7 shows an X-shape demolition device made from legs assembled according to this invention. FIG. 8 shows a window frame like demolition device made from legs assembled according to this invention. FIG. 9 shows a middle connect piece 500 according to this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The MDBS breaching charge system according to this invention is made up essentially interconnected modular plastic “legs” which are usually filled with an explosive material; the legs are arranged in preferred patterns useful for field breaching of a target. The legs shown are made of plastic (or rubber if more flexibility of the MBDS is desired), but many other lightweight sturdy inert nonmetallic materials might be considered for substitution, if compatible to the environment used and suitable for holding explosives. The MBDS may be of nonmagnetic material, but may also employ magnetic portions (or magnets proper as portions) in the MBDS frame for additional advantage of magnetic clinging to a target set in particular cases where such is desirable. Numerous patterns for arranging/emplacing the legs in a chain should be seen as possible; while these patterns are not all fully discussed herein they are in fact best known/well know to soldiers who have performed demolition/breaching as one of their specialties. An explosive type suggested for this invention might be C-4, and would likely be handled in a plasticized form, but solid blocks of explosive are also a possibility, as well as other suitable types of explosive materials. FIG. 1 shows an inert male plastic piece 100 which is a half section piece of what will be built up into a “leg”, when joined with a mating female piece 200 (see FIG. 2 ). Such leg may thereafter be serially joined with one or more other male and/or female type pieces to form a chain of these “legs”. Piece 100 has a rectangular box cavity 103 (formed by sides 121 ) to hold explosives, however, box 103 also opens through passage 129 into a recessed ring area 127 . Explosive is filled throughout in recessed ring 127 , passage 129 , as well as in box 103 , and also in a passageway 125 in tab 118 (which further insures ignition contact/shock wave propagation of explosive between adjacent pieces/legs of a chain, to be explained further below). Likewise in female piece 200 , there is a recessed ring shaped area 227 which through wide passage area 229 connects up with its rectangular box cavity area 203 . Explosive will fill all of box 203 , ring area 227 , and passage 229 . (Area 209 , which reinforces hole 206 , is higher in level than ring area 227 so as to contain the). Furthermore, there is also a passageway 225 , in tab 221 , which further insures ignition contact/shock wave propagation of explosive between adjacent pieces/legs of a chain. This contiguous ignition contact/shock wave propagation through all pieces/legs in a chain makes it only necessary to have a single ignition source to ignite an entire chain, instead of multiple wires, blasting caps, and detonation cord as may have been necessary with other demolition systems. However, redundant wiring may be added to as many locations as desired to insure a successful explosion and breaching operation of the whole chain or chains of pieces/legs. The bottom side of piece 100 is generally just flat, as is the bottom side of piece 200 . Female piece 200 could be used to mate to piece 100 , or else used with yet other male pieces to build up a string of legs in a chain. Piece 100 has a post 108 which will mate with hole 206 of piece 200 . (Post 108 also has a slight dimple recessed top area 106 ). Piece 200 could be joined face to face with piece 100 so that post 108 goes into hole 206 , all the while that the half cavity 103 formed by rectangular box shape 121 directly fits in to and mates into the half cavity 203 rectangular box shape 218 , and the two pieces could thus be ‘snapped together’ and joined into a completed “leg”. The leg would have a completed inside cavity which might be filled with explosive, for example. The leg is roughly an inch thick, but roughly two inches wide. The first position just mentioned can form a sealed cavity device. However, in a more preferred “second configuration” here, one of the two pieces to be joined is positioned where its longitudinal axis is 180 degrees rotated planarly than was above described. The cavity is still formed by the mating of boxes 103 and 203 , (which still snap together just as snugly even in this backwards second configuration), however in this second configuration, post 108 of male piece 100 does not mate into hole 206 of female piece 200 . Instead, the post 108 and the hole 206 are positioned at opposite poles, fully 180 degrees away from each other, and each is left exposed and not mated. Post 108 has a hole to allow the MBDS to be hung from a stud, strung together on a line, etc., for convenience. Ideally, to begin constructing a “chain”, one begins with any two pieces (whether 100 and 200 , or both 100 , or both 200 ), and joins them in the “second configuration” as above described. That is, the post or hole parts of these pieces are made to not be adjacent or opposite one another, while the two rectangular box cavities are indeed adjacent and joined, then both snapped into one another permanently. These two will now be considered the “first leg” here in building up the chain. Thereafter, in either direction further pieces are mated onto this “first leg”, at either end of this first leg, by inserting a respective post or a respective hole of a new respective piece into an exposed respective hole or post, as the case may be, adding onto the existing above described “first leg”, and therefore likewise linked on. By adding on pieces theoretically ad infinitim in either direction, a chain could be created of any desired number of legs/pieces, with their flat portions alternately facing up or down (in one direction or in its opposite direction) towards the target. Like the leg, the chain would also be roughly an inch thick, but roughly two inches wide. The length of the chain depends on how many pieces are linked together. An entire geometric shape can be made of such chained pieces because it will be seen that the post (like 108 ) of a newly added piece may be rotated about its mating hole (like 206 ) by close to 90 degrees in either a clockwise or in a counterclockwise direction. This will change the direction the chain is aimed in and thus allow different, selected shapes to be created by a chain, or a joining of chains together. It will be seen that the rounded edge of piece 100 has gear shaped grooves 111 interspersed between more flat portions 115 . These grooves 111 are sized for holding a small tab (such as 221 on a to be snapped in mating piece like 200 , for example) or perhaps a tab 118 of another male piece 100 if the case might be. Thus, piece 100 can be clocked around the hole of piece 200 by close to 90 degrees in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction as was described, and held in place by such tab 221 being in a groove such as shown by 111 on a piece like 100 . Likewise, piece 100 has a tab 118 sized to fit into a groove 215 on a mating piece like 200 . Thus, a piece 200 could likewise be clocked around the post of a piece like a piece 100 by close to 90 degrees in either a clockwise or a counterclockwise direction, as was described. This enables the pieces in a chain to be set into a select direction at each juncture, and held by the lock of a tab in the serrated areas as was described. Chains can thus be made in many forms and contain many angles and lengths, and the chains can be combined as desired to form a larger “frame” that can be used for breaching or other demolition type tasks. Chains can be combined into, for instance, an irregular S-chain ( FIG. 5 ), E-shapes, square shapes, cross-like shapes, other polygonal type shapes, spoke-like/snowflake type configurations when used with a hub piece 300 , e.g., porthole configurations ( FIG. 6 ), X-shapes ( FIG. 7 ), and window frame like shapes ( FIG. 8 ), for example, to be further described below. There are also other possible variations of shown pieces 100 and 200 to accommodate other functions, and the pieces could also be designed to be made in other sizes, dimensions, shapes, colors, and/or even color coded as may be needed or found desirable. A middle piece 500 for example, is a component for simultaneous joining legs/chains, of three different paths, at one juncture point. FIG. 3 , (which has FIGS. 3A-3C ), shows a round hub piece 300 which is used to create a snowflake pattern of pieces. Hub piece 300 has a bulging top surface 301 . Though not fully shown here, the reverse side of hub piece 300 is open so as to be a cavity to receive explosive powder. The cavity is then fully closed by a flat matching backing piece (not shown) to simply enclose all of the back side of hub piece 300 and all of the explosive powder that may be loaded therein. The hub piece has 12 edges. Six respective equilaterally-located flat edges 303 are interspersed respectively with six respective partially rounded recessed areas 306 , though a greater or lesser number of recessed areas may be used as may be necessary, to accommodate more (or fewer) spokes, for example. A more detailed view of a recessed area 306 is shown in FIG. 3C . Each recessed area 306 is a mate to receive a male piece 100 . One respective male piece 100 is inserted respectively into each of the recessed areas 306 . Post 108 of a male piece will plug right in to opening 309 of a recessed area 306 . Serrated areas 115 on a male piece 100 will fit snugly into corresponding areas 319 here on a recessed area 306 of hub piece 300 . The male piece 100 will be inserted until it rests flush upon flat surface 318 here in a recessed area 306 of hub piece 300 . There are open areas 311 , 313 , 315 , 317 in flat surface 318 ; their purpose is to insure contiguity of ignition contact between explosive inside 300 and explosive inside an inserted piece 100 . The six male pieces 100 if inserted inside hub piece 300 as described, begin forming the spokes of a snowflake type structure. Through addition of female pieces 200 , legs are built up, which in turn can be extended by further legs as may be desired. It will be seen that one could build up a snowflake pattern for example by interconnecting a hub piece and various pieces/legs. Detonation is only needed at one place in the snowflake. Because of ignition continuity as above described all parts of the snowflake should explode in unison. The hub piece is usually detonated at its center, but it will be appreciated that the hub piece could be used (without detonation cord), to divide out and spread detonation from just one plugged in leg (if detonated from elsewhere) to up to five other legs, if those other legs are also plugged in to the hub piece. FIG. 4A generally shows the addition of a metallic liner/shape charge arrangement 401 into cavity 103 of a male piece (or cavity 203 of a female piece, e.g.). The metallic liner is a thin metal sheet roughly the length/width of the main cavity. The liner is made to be in a V-cross or C-cross sectional shape, with the crease fold part 402 positioned away from the direction the target will be. The volume lying above 401 is filled with explosive. When detonated, a line of molten metal (along the fold) ultimately should slam into the target at high speed, as the liner deforms. Instead of metallic liner 401 , one could have a copper preformed EFP (explosively formed projectile) on 403 , or a series of EFP's 407 lined up. Instead of placing the metallic liner or EFP's in the main cavity 103 , 104 , the metallic liner or EFP's could be placed in a false bottom cavity (not shown) of a male or female piece. The direction of orientation of the metallic liner or EFP's is as before still aimed towards the target and placement of explosive is as before above the liner so as to deform the metallic liner or EFP's into the direction of a target. Metallic liners or EFP's can also be used without, or with, a further presence of explosive within the other legs of the chain (or hub piece), as may be desired. Detasheet® (sheet explosive) may be placed in a leg (or legs) or between a leg (or legs) and the target. In such case, the detasheet® is trimmed to the outline profile of the frame (and hub piece if any) as against the target (it may also be used untrimmed in the proper cases as best known to the soldier). The detasheet® may also be wrapped entirely around a leg (both above the leg, draping down the long sides of the leg, then completely under the leg over against the target) or of the entire frame. Detonation of such detasheet® in known manner will produce a satisfactory breakage into the target, along the outline profile of the frame (and hub piece if any). The detasheet® can also be used without, or with, a loading of explosive or within the legs or hub piece, as may be desired. In fact, one use of the MDBS according to this invention, is simply to form an inert frame structure around which datasheet may be deployed, to breach a target. This can happen by design or in a case where the soldier might run out of explosive in the field, for instance. It will be appreciated that the MBDS provides a soldier with a very versatile, lightweight system, having simple snap together building blocks, which can be conveniently loaded as desired with explosives, used with detasheet®, or metallic liners/EFP's, pre-form fragments such as balls, cubes, stars, etc., and used against a target. The soldier does not have to look for hard to obtain natural objects to build up a frame to support his demolition needs with an MBDS. While the invention may have been described with reference to certain embodiments, numerous changes, alterations and modifications to the described embodiments are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
A modular explosive breaching and demolition system comprised of inert light weight plastic assemblies, field custom hand packed or pre-loaded, utilizing for example cast-cure or press loaded explosives. The assemblies can be snapped together to make different geometeric shapes or lines as may be desired, for demolition objectives.
5
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This invention relates to medical devices, and more particularly to a fixation device. BACKGROUND [0002] To perform a surgical repair, e.g., of a torn anterior cruciate ligament (“ACL”), the surgeon typically connects a length of suture to the replacement ACL soft tissue graft. The suture enables the surgeon to pull the tissue graft through holes formed in the tibia and femur for receiving the tissue graft. Typically, the surgeon attaches the suture to the ACL soft tissue graft using a whipstitch. Stitching the suture to the tissue graft using a whipstitch usually takes over two minutes per tissue graft. SUMMARY [0003] This invention relates to a fixation device that attaches to a tissue graft without requiring stitching. One advantage is that the time it takes for the surgeon to attach the fixation device to the tissue graft is shorter than the time it takes to whipstitch a suture to the tissue graft. In one aspect, there is a tissue fixation device that includes a member having a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, where each sub-loop is configured to receive a length of tissue therethrough. In one example, the member comprises suture. In another example, the member further includes a third sub-loop configured to receive a length of tissue therethrough. [0004] In another aspect, there is a medical device including an adjustable loop and an assisting member. The adjustable member includes a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop configured to receive a length of tissue therethrough. The assisting member is disposed through the first sub-loop and through the second sub-loop. In one example, the assisting member comprises a medical grasping device. In another example, the assisting member comprises a cannula. In another example, the adjustable member is a first member. In this example, the medical device also includes a second adjustable member including a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, wherein the assisting member is further disposed through the first sub-loop of the second adjustable tissue fixation device and through the second sub-loop of the second adjustable tissue fixation device. In another example, the adjustable member comprises suture. In yet another example, the adjustable member also includes a third sub-loop configured to receive a length of tissue therethrough. [0005] In yet another aspect, there is a tissue fixation device including an adjustable, flexible member. The adjustable, flexible member is formed by inserting one end portion of the flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member. The adjustable member is further formed into a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop. Crossing a portion of the flexible member over a different portion of the flexible member forms the first sub-loop and the second sub-loop. The first sub-loop and the second sub-loop are configured to fixate onto tissue. [0006] In one example, the flexible member comprises suture. In another example, the sub-loops are configured to fixate on ligament or tendon tissue. In another example, the adjustable member also includes a third sub-loop. In yet another example, the adjustable member is a first adjustable member. In this example, the fixation device further includes a second adjustable member including a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop. [0007] In another aspect, there is a medical device that includes a plurality of adjustable suture members and a cannula. The plurality of adjustable suture members each include a first sub-loop, a second sub-loop, and a third sub-loop, where each sub-loop is configured to receive a length of tissue therethrough. The cannula is disposed through the sub-loops of each of the plurality of adjustable suture members. [0008] In another aspect, there is a method for making a medical device. He method includes inserting one end portion of a flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member to form an adjustable loop. The method further includes locating a first portion of the adjustable loop over a second portion of the adjustable loop to form a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, where the sub-loops configured to receive a length of tissue. [0009] In one example, the method also includes locating a first portion of the second sub-loop over a second portion of the second sub-loop to form a third sub-loop. In another example, the flexible member comprises suture. In another example, the method also includes locating further comprises rotating a portion of the adjustable loop approximately 180 degrees of rotation. In another example, the method also includes sliding the first portion of the adjustable loop over the second portion of the adjustable loop to form a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop. [0010] In yet another example, the method also includes locating a first portion of an assisting member within the first sub-loop and a second portion of the assisting member within the second sub-loop. In one example, the assisting member includes a medical grasping device. In another example, the assisting member comprises a cannula. In another example, the flexible member is a first flexible member. In this example, the method also includes inserting one end portion of a second flexible member through another end portion of the second flexible member to form a second adjustable loop, locating a first portion of the second adjustable loop over a second portion of the second adjustable loop to form a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop and locating a fourth portion of the assisting member within the first sub-loop of the second flexible member and a fifth portion of the assisting member within the second sub-loop of the second flexible member. [0011] In another aspect, there is a method for attaching a fixation device to tissue. The method includes moving a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop of the fixation device over a portion of the tissue and pulling an end portion of the fixation device to reduce the size of the sub-loops to fixate the fixation device to the portion of the tissue. In one example, the method also includes moving a third sub-loop over the portion of tissue. In another example, the method also includes grasping tissue with an assisting member located within the first and second sub-loops. In another example, the method also includes sliding the first sub-loop and the second sub-loop off of the assisting member. [0012] In another example, the fixation device comprises suture. In another example, the tissue comprises ligament or tendon graft. [0013] The details of one or more embodiments of the invention are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, objects, and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description and drawings, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0014] [0014]FIG. 1 is a side view of a fixation device connected to tissue. [0015] [0015]FIG. 2 is a side view of an adjustable loop. [0016] [0016]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the adjustable loop. [0017] [0017]FIG. 4 is a side view of two sub-loops formed from the adjustable loop. [0018] [0018]FIG. 5 is a side view of three sub-loops formed from the adjustable loop to produce the fixation device. [0019] [0019]FIG. 6 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of three sub-loops formed from the adjustable loop of FIG. 2 to produce the fixation device. [0020] [0020]FIG. 7A is a side view of the fixation device over a cannula. [0021] [0021]FIG. 7B is a side view of a plurality of fixation devices over a cannula. [0022] [0022]FIG. 8 is a side view of the fixation device over a cannula being used with a medical grasping device. [0023] [0023]FIG. 9 is a side view of the fixation device over a medical grasping device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0024] Referring to FIG. 1, a fixation device 100 includes a length of flexible material, e.g., a suture 108 formed into a first sub-loop 110 , a second sub-loop 115 , and a third sub-loop 120 . As described in more detail below, sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 are formed and wrapped around tissue 105 such that when a surgeon pulls an end 125 of suture 108 in a direction indicated by arrow 130 , sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 constrict around and thus fixate on a portion 105 a of tissue 105 . This allows the surgeon to pull tissue 105 by pulling end 125 of fixation device 100 and provides a limitless gripping force in that as the tension applied to 125 increases, the constriction of the loops around tissue 105 increases. In other words, the harder the surgeon pulls, the tighter sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 constrict around portion 105 a of tissue 105 . Tissue 105 includes, for example, a replacement ligament or tendon. Suture 108 includes, for example, medical grade suture suitable for use in a surgical procedure. [0025] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, fixation device 100 is constructed by initially forming suture 108 into an adjustable loop 205 . Adjustable loop 205 is formed by passing end 125 of suture 108 through an opposite end 210 of suture 108 . For example, suture end 125 is pushed through end 210 such that portions 108 a and 108 b of suture end 210 define a hole 305 . Alternatively, hole 305 is preformed in suture end 210 and suture end 125 is passed through the hole. As constructed, suture 108 easily slides through hole 305 to increase or decrease the size of adjustable loop 205 . This mechanism also allows the surgeon to increase and decrease the size of any sub-loops formed from adjustable loop 205 when the surgeon pulls on end 125 . [0026] Referring to FIG. 4, rotating adjustable loop 205 one-half turn, approximately 180 degrees, around an axis 400 generates sub-loops 110 and 115 . As illustrated, the rotation is in a direction indicated by arrow 405 . This rotation causes a first portion 410 of adjustable loop 205 to cross and overlap a second portion 415 of adjustable loop 205 . The overlapping portions 410 and 415 define part of the boundaries of sub-loops 110 and 115 . Axis 400 also represents how tissue 105 (FIG. 1) passes through sub-loops 110 and 115 . As illustrated, tissue 105 goes into the center of second sub-loop 115 , under (with respect to the illustrated viewing angle) overlapping portions 410 and 415 , and out of the center of the first sub-loop 110 . [0027] Referring to FIG. 5, rotating sub-loop 115 another one-half turn, approximately 180 degrees, around axis 400 generates the third sub-loop 120 . This rotation causes a third portion 510 of adjustable loop 205 to cross and overlap a fourth portion 515 of adjustable loop 205 . The overlapping portions 510 and 515 define part of the boundaries of sub-loops 115 and 120 . Axis 400 also represents how tissue 105 (FIG. 1) passes through sub-loops 110 , 115 and 120 . As illustrated, tissue 105 goes into the center of third sub-loop 120 and over (with respect to the illustrated viewing angle) overlapping portions 510 and 515 . Tissue 105 also goes into the center of second sub-loop 115 , under (with respect to the illustrated viewing angle) overlapping portions 410 and 415 , and out of the center of the first sub-loop 110 . This process can be repeated multiple times to generate multiple sub-loops from adjustable loop 205 . An advantage to having three sub-loops over two sub-loops, as depicted in FIG. 4, is that additional loops provide greater tissue to suture purchase, along with greater capacity for load distribution. [0028] Rotating adjustable loop 205 , or a portion thereof, is one way to generate sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 . There are, however, other processes to generate sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 . FIG. 6 illustrates one of those alternative processes to generate sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 . As illustrated in FIG. 6, starting with the adjustable loop 205 of FIG. 2, one side of adjustable loop 205 is moved in the direction of arrow 605 while an opposite side of adjustable loop 205 is moved in the direction of arrow 610 . The moving sides eventually overlap at portions 410 , 415 , 510 , and 515 , generating sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 . In this process, unlike the rotation process illustrated in FIG. 5, fourth portion 515 of adjustable loop 205 crosses and overlaps third portion 510 of adjustable loop 205 (with respect to the illustrated viewing angle). [0029] Referring to FIG. 7A, to aid in positioning sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 around tissue 105 , a device, e.g., 705 is placed through sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 along axis 400 . Referring to FIG. 7B, cannula 705 can include a plurality of fixation devices 100 and 100 ′. In another example (not shown), cannula 705 includes four fixation devices 100 . [0030] Referring to FIG. 8, to transfer fixation device 100 from cannula 705 onto tissue 105 , a surgeon uses a grasping device 805 , inserted through cannula 705 , to grasp tissue 105 . With tissue 105 located at an end 810 of cannula 705 , the surgeon manually slides sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 in a direction indicated by arrow 815 . Sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 slide off of cannula 705 and onto tissue 105 . As illustrated, fixation device 100 slides off of cannula 705 , onto grasping device 805 and then onto tissue 105 . [0031] In an alternative example, the surgeon can locate end 810 of cannula 705 directly over tissue 105 so that when fixation device 100 slides off of cannula 705 , it falls directly onto tissue 105 . In yet another alternative example, with a plurality of fixation devices 100 located on cannula 705 , after attaching a first fixation device to tissue 105 , the surgeon grasps another piece of tissue and slides second fixation device onto the other piece of tissue without the need to reload a fixation device between attachments. [0032] Referring to FIG. 9, cannula 705 can be eliminated and the fixation device 100 located directly on the grasping device 805 . Like FIG. 8, the surgeon slides sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 in a direction indicated by arrow 815 . Sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 slide off of grasping device 805 and onto tissue 105 . [0033] In use, fixation device 100 allows a surgeon to easily fix suture 108 to tissue 105 so the surgeon can manipulate and direct tissue 105 as needed using suture end 125 . As described above, while the surgeon pulls end 125 to direct tissue 105 during a surgical procedure, the sub-loops 110 , 115 , and 120 formed from adjustable loop 205 constrict and grip the tissue 105 tighter. The surgeon is able to pull and move tissue 105 to direct tissue 105 , for example, through holes for receiving the tissue formed in a bone or other soft tissue. When the surgeon is done, the surgeon typically cuts off tissue portion 105 a from tissue 105 and discards portion 105 a. [0034] A number of embodiments of the invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example only and not limit the alternatives the following are some variations to the above examples. For example, other materials can be used in addition to suture for a flexible member. Also, the number of sub-loops and the process used to generate those sub-loops can vary. Also, any device can be used to help temporarily hold the fixation device so that a surgeon can locate the sub-loops onto the tissue. Also, although the term surgeon was used for clarity, any medical personnel can use the fixating device. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims.
A medical device that attaches to tissue without requiring stitching includes a tissue fixation device having a first sub-loop and a second sub-loop, and an assisting member disposed through the first sub-loop and through the second sub-loop. The tissue fixation device includes an adjustable, flexible member formed by inserting one end portion of the flexible member through another end portion of the flexible member, and first and second sub-loops formed by crossing a portion of the flexible member over a different portion of the flexible member.
0
This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 09/888,616, filed Jun. 26, 2001 now abandoned, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/245,567, filed Nov. 6, 2000, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference, and also which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/214,008, filed Jun. 26, 2000, the entirety of which is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improved process control in combustion applications, and particularly those relating to the steelmaking industry. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Modern steelmaking industries need to monitor the process characteristics of the steelmaking process due, in part, to the unknown composition of scrap steel that can give rise to inaccuracies in achieving the desired end point concentration of carbon and melt temperature in the final steel product. Further, real time process monitoring in the steelmaking process is required to ensure safety, minimize pollutant emissions, and maximize productivity and energy efficiency—factors the steelmaking industry is sensitive to, due to increasing environmental regulations and ever greater competition within the industry. Steelmaking technologies of today generally use either basic oxygen furnaces (BOFs) or electric arc furnaces (EAFs). EAFs are enjoying an increase in market share due, in part, to the EAFs ability to use 100% recycled scrap metal which, in turn, results in lower energy requirements per unit production (a large part of the energy savings for EAFs arises from avoidance of mining, smelting, and refining the raw ore). Additional savings can occur since the primary energy source for EAFs is electrical energy, rather than fossil fuels—particularly desirable given that the steelmaking industry is a source of both greenhouse gases (mainly CO 2 ), as well as pollutants such as CO, NO x and other noxious substances, such as dioxins, hydrocarbons, and other particulates. Notwithstanding the above benefits of EAFs current EAFs are often limited to energy efficiencies on the order of about 50–60%. Further efficiency to the steelmaking process can be achieved by improved process control during the combustion application, particularly by using non-intrusive, real time measurements of selected off-gases and temperature produced during the combustion application. For example, reducing CO to 1–2% from current industry levels in the 10–30% range can result in substantial energy savings for large EAF operations. CO provides a good empirical measure of chemical energy losses while exhaust gas temperature allows a reasonable estimate of thermal energy losses. It can be appreciated that the requirements for a sensor to measure off-gas exhaust from an EAF is primarily driven by considerations of the harsh environment that exists in the exhaust duct where the off-gas sensor is located. Exhaust temperatures can range from about 1000 K to about 2000 K. Moreover, duct gases can have high dust concentrations that can interfere with the operation of the sensor. Further, chunks of molten slag can occasionally spew up into the duct and interfere with or damage the sensors. Many commercial steel mills use extractive techniques to obtain a sample of off-gas from the exhaust. The extracted gas is cooled then analyzed using commercially available mass spectrometry or non-dispersive infrared absorption methods or chemical cells. It can be appreciated, however, that the steps required to obtain a sample of the off-gas from extractive techniques can result in time delays in acquiring the data. By contrast, a process control that uses real time sensors can obtain selective measurements of the off-gas constituents and provide adjustment of the inputs to a furnace (such as oxygen, fuel, electric current, etc.) on a continuous feedback loop. Due to the harsh environment, temperature measurements are generally not available in the EAF exhaust duct because thermocouples are unable to withstand the demanding conditions. Optical techniques, for example, can provide a non-intrusive sensor for measuring real time composition of the off-gas and temperature in an exhaust duct. The non-intrusive nature provides numerous operation and maintenance advantages in the harsh exhaust duct environment. Moreover, optical techniques offer the benefit of providing a line average concentration and temperature measurement, rather than a point measurement, which can provide more accurate and reliable approximation of average conditions with an exhaust duct of a furnace. Optical techniques generally utilize a laser beam passing straight across an exhaust duct. One example of an optical based method and apparatus for off-gas composition sensing is disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,984,998. This patent discloses transmitting a tunable diode laser with wavelengths in the mid-infrared (mid-IR) region through the off-gas produced by a steelmaking furnace, and measuring the transmitted laser beam to produce a signal based on the wavelength absorption properties of the different off-gases. This measurement provides measurements of the gaseous constituents of the off-gas. Mid-IR diode lasers provide good sensitivity for certain molecules of interest in the off-gas, particularly, CO 2 , CO, and H 2 O. Mid-IR laser systems, however, have certain practical limitations, particularly when operating beyond the 3.0 μm wavelengths into the mid-IR range. For example, a Pb-salt diode laser operates significantly below room temperature, necessitating cryogenic cooling. This adds to the complexity and cost of a steelmaking process control system. Other problems using a mid-IR based laser diode sensor include signal saturation during high emission portions of the steelmaking process. Signal saturation can result in loss of process information during times of high emissions. Further, mid-IR light does not propagate readily through available fibre optics. Accordingly, the sensor should be located near the harsh environment of the exhaust duct of the furnace. This can result in a need to design special protective equipment such as water-cooling jackets and airtight seals. In addition, mid-IR systems use mirrors to project and align the laser beam from the instrument through the desired measurement location in the exhaust duct. Ambient dust can be a problem on the electrical motors necessary to control the mirrors. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the most promising ways to meet competitive and regulatory pressure is through significant process control improvements. The attributes of tunable diode lasers operating in the near-infrared match very well with many of the requirements for improved process control in numerous combustion applications, including electric arc furnaces (EAFs). The present invention provides a system for process control in a combustion application, comprising a tunable diode laser for generating a frequency modulated near-infrared laser beam, a transmitting means for transmitting the near-infrared laser beam through off-gas produced by the combustion application, a detecting means for detecting the transmitted laser beam, a controller means for analyzing the detected laser beam for select CO and H2O absorption lines to determine CO concentration, and for producing an electrical signal in response to CO concentration, and a control system for providing adjustment of select inputs to the combustion application in response to the electrical signal from the controller means. In the invention disclosed, the controller comprises means for providing predetermined calibration curves to determine CO concentration. In particular, the calibration curve is CO concentration as a function of CO absorption lines and temperature. For the embodiment disclosed, the controller determines the temperature of the off-gas from analysis of the H2O absorption lines, and particularly H2O absorption lines that respond differentially to changes in temperature. In the preferred embodiment disclosed the temperature of the off-gas is determined from the ratio of two H2O absorption lines. The CO absorption lines are chosen where they have a profile of strong lines as compared to H2O. For the purpose of this invention the wavelength of a near-infrared laser beam is in the range of about 0.7 μm to about 3.0 μm. In one embodiment the transmitting means is a tunable diode laser operating with a wavelength in the range of about 1.5 μm to about 1.7 μm. In a further embodiment of the invention the transmitting means is a distributed feedback laser operating with a wavelength in the range of about 1.57 μm to about 1.59 μm. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the select inputs to the combustion application comprise, for example, either singly, or in combination, oxygen, fuel, and electric power—particularly where this invention is practiced on an electric arc furnace as a combustion application. This invention also provides for a method of process control in a combustion application, comprising: a) transmitting a frequency modulated near-infrared laser beam through off-gas produced by the combustion application to target CO and H2O; b) detecting the transmitted laser beam; and c) analyzing the detected laser beam for select CO and H2O absorption lines; d) determining CO concentration from the CO and H2O absorption lines; e) adjusting select inputs of the combustion application in response to the CO concentration. In the method disclosed the CO concentration is determined using predetermined calibration curves. In particular, the calibration curve is CO concentration as a function of CO absorption lines and temperature. For the embodiment disclosed, the method targets H2O absorption lines to determine the temperature of the off-gas, and particularly H2O absorption lines that respond differentially to changes in temperature. In the preferred embodiment disclosed the temperature of the off-gas is determined from the ratio of two H2O absorption lines. Moreover, the method of a preferred embodiment of this invention targets CO as one off-gas for analysis, and particularly where CO has a profile of strong lines compared to H2O. While temperature measurements are necessary from a spectroscopic point of view, they are also valuable from other perspectives, including process control, quantification of exhaust gas thermal energy, improved air pollution control system design and operation, and others. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it would be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings that show a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a typical electric arc furnace; FIG. 2 is a graph of emissions of major off-gasses from an electric arc furnace during a typical tap-to-tap cycle; FIG. 3 is a schematic view of an experimental set-up; FIG. 4 is a schematic view of a laser used in the experimental set-up of FIG. 3 ; FIG. 5 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITRAN modelling results for H 2 O at 300 K; FIG. 6 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITEMP modelling results for H 2 O at 1,500 K; FIG. 7 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITRAN modelling results for CO at 300 K; FIG. 8 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITEMP modelling results for CO at 1,500 K; FIG. 9 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITEMP modelling results for CO at 2,000 K; FIG. 10 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITEMP modelling results for H 2 O at 2,000 K; FIG. 11 is a graph of the U.S. Air Force's HITEMP modelling results for CO 2 at 2,000 K; FIG. 12 is a graph of an optical response for an optimal CO line; FIG. 13 is a graph of a comparison of an isothermal CO calibration curve with test data; FIG. 14 is a graph of HITRAN modelling results for OH at 1,500 K; FIG. 15 is a schematic view of an optical measurement system of this invention used in an electric arc furnace; FIG. 15 a is a schematic view of an alternative optical measurement system of this invention used in an electric arc furnace; FIG. 16 is a schematic view of the optical system in an exhaust duct of an electric arc furnace; FIG. 17 is a graph of a comparison of the gas temperature calibration curve with test data (H 2 O peak height ratio versus temperature); FIG. 18 is a graph of a laser scan; and FIG. 19 is a graph of an alternative laser scan. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Two dominant furnace technologies used in contemporary steelmaking are basic oxygen furnaces (BOFs) and electric arc furnaces (EAFs). As mentioned in the background of the invention, EAFs are enjoying an increase in market share due, in part, to the ability of EAFs to process 100% recycled scrap steel and its primary reliance on electrical energy, rather than fossil fuels, as an energy source for the combustion application. Accordingly, this invention shall be described referencing EAFs, but it is to be understood that the methods and apparatus disclosed are not to be limited to EAFs, but rather, can apply to any combustion application requiring real-time monitoring of off-gas composition and temperature, and particularly for process control. An EAF 10 is shown in FIG. 1 . In general an EAF is first charged (ie., raw material is added to the furnace) with a mixture of metal (typically scrap metal) and lime. The metal is then melted (shown at 12 ) by creating electric arcs from the electrodes 14 . The temperature around the arcs can rise to 12,000° C. At this temperature a 100 tonne charge takes about 60 minutes to melt. After melting, carbon and oxygen gas are both blown or injected into the furnace at 16 and 18 to form a foamy slag layer generating and releasing large quantities of CO. The oxygen also oxidises elements in the metal, such as carbon, silicon and manganese. The acidic oxides combine with the basic lime to form a neutral slag that can be poured off the surface. Carbon monoxide is also formed and escapes as a gas through exhaust duct 20 . The metal is then allowed to run out of the furnace (known as tapping) into a ladle for secondary processing and casting, as needed. Significant gases emitted from steelmaking furnaces such as EAFs include CO, CO 2 , NO x , H 2 O, O 2 , H 2 , and other gases, such as hydrocarbons. The percent concentration of gas emissions from a typical EAF are shown in FIG. 2 , which plots extractively measured off-gas composition averaged over approximately 100 runs at a full scale EAF. It can also be appreciated from FIG. 2 how rapidly the conditions within an EAF can change. Variations are caused by many factors, such as, for example, charging of the EAF with scrap metal, combustion of oil and other combustible impurities, as well as injections of O 2 (blown into the furnace), CH 4 , and carbon. Further, the quality of scrap steel can vary from one batch to the next. CO gives a good representation of chemical energy that is wasted when oxygen gas is blown into the furnace. H 2 emissions also provide a good representation of chemical energy not utilized effectively in the process. FIG. 2 shows that CO and H 2 track each other very closely (the oxygen blown into the furnace reduces both compounds concurrently releasing the chemical energy of each compound). Accordingly, so long as one of either CO or H 2 is measured, the required information from a process control perspective is obtained. It is also desirable to monitor temperature of the off-gas and hence obtain a measure of thermal energy losses in the combustion application. As will hereinafter be detailed, this invention provides for a method of targeting H 2 O to measure temperature of the off-gas. The absorption and emission of light is related to a change in the molecular energy from one level to another, or the energy transition. In absorption, electrons are elevated to a higher energy state (describing a change in rotational energy, vibrational energy, electronic energy and/or any combinations of those), and during emission this energy is discharged. The width of a typical absorption peak is less than 0.01 nm. Diode laser based optical absorption is based, in part, on conventional absorption spectroscopy, and, in particular, follows Beer's Law: I I 0 = exp ⁡ [ - S ⁡ ( T ) · ϕ ⁡ ( T , P ) · n i · L ] = exp ⁡ ( - A ) ( 1 ) Where I is the laser intensity reaching the detector, I 0 is the incident laser intensity, S(T) is the temperature dependent line strength, Φ(T,P) is the temperature and pressure dependent line shape function, and takes into account both temperature (Doppler) and pressure (collision) broadening mechanisms, n is the number density of the absorbing species, L is the absorption path length, and A is the absorbance. Optical systems that offer real time analysis of the off-gas are generally based on tunable diode lasers (TDLs). In particular, with a diode laser based system response times can be less than a second. Near-infrared (near-IR) TDLs (for purposes of this invention a near-IR laser operates with wavelengths in the range of about 0.7 μm to about 3.0 μm) offer certain advantages for use in an optical sampling system. For example, near-IR TDLs can operate over a temperature range of about 0° C. to about 50° C. This near room temperature operation allows lasing to be achieved using, for example, thermoelectric heating and cooling without undue complexity or energy requirements. Moreover, the wavelengths of near-IR TDLs typically match the optical loss minima in quartz fibres, facilitating the use of fibre optic cables. Moreover, decreased sensitivity of near-IR TDLs has a benefit in that non-linear absorption can be reduced (allowing Beer's Law to remain applicable for the measurement). It should be noted that decreased sensitivity of near-IR TDLs is generally not an issue in measuring the combustion of select off-gasses, such as CO, which generally need to be measured in percentages, rather than at trace levels. For quantitative measurements with the best sensitivity, a laser should operate in a single mode so that only one wavelength is emitted. Near-IR TDLs have a multimode output near the lasing threshold. With increasing current applied to the laser, the output evolves to a single mode output. Near-IR lasers employing distributed feedback (DFB) are constrained to single mode operation under all conditions. DFB lasers are fabricated with a miniature grate, aligned along the length of the gain region. Single mode near-IR TDLs are suited for the detection of gases by optical absorption, or spectroscopy. The laser wavelengths coincide with the absorption lines of the targeted gas molecules. Moreover, the laser wavelengths typically are less than about 50 MHz, meaning that, in general, the wavelengths are typically narrower than the pressure and temperature broadened line widths of targeted molecules. This high spectral resolution allows line specific measurements of targeted species. The targeted species for industrially or environmentally significant gases from EAFs that may be measured by near-IR TDL spectroscopy include, for example, oxygen, water vapour, methane, acetylene, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, hydrogen halides, ammonia, hydrogen sulfide, and nitrogen oxides. Near-IR TDLs are easily tunable with current and temperature, and for current designs having wavelengths below about 2.4 μm they operate at room temperature, dissipating about 100 mW of power. Moreover, DFB near-IR TDLs show continuous single mode tuning at the rate of about 0.5 cm −1 /° C. An additional benefit of operating in the near-IR is that pressure broadening does not present as large a problem as it does at the longer wavelengths. This is a benefit for measurements conducted at or above atmospheric pressure, as in the exhaust duct of an EAF. One characteristic that limits measurement sensitivity is intensity noise or fluctuations associated with output power. The fundamental quantum limit, in the absence of any attempt to produce “squeezed light,” is the shot noise associated with the detected laser power. Relative shot noise (RSN) is inversely proportional to the detected power. In addition to RSN, DFB lasers produce what is referred to as relative intensity noise (RIN). RIN is expressed as the fluctuations in the detected power per unit bandwidth, divided by the detected power squared. RIN arises from amplified spontaneous emission and is inversely proportional to the cube of the detected power. At sufficiently high levels of detected power, RIN will be less than the RSN, and the limit to the laser output beam will be approximately the shot noise. Typically, the intensity noise of DFB lasers is about 5 dB Hz −1/2 above the shot noise limit. This suggests that near-IR TDLs have best S/N ratio at high operating powers, limited only by facet damage. Near-IR instruments probe overtones or combinations of the fundamental vibrational transitions. To achieve the required sensitivity a TDL can employ frequency modulation detection techniques. This can allow a TDL to measure absorbencies as small as 1 part in about 10 5 . Frequency modulation is sometimes referred to as “wavelength modulation,” “derivative spectroscopy,” or “harmonic detection.” In practice, however, frequency modulation spectroscopy and wavelength modulation spectroscopy differ only with regard to the choice of modulation frequency: frequency modulation spectroscopy involves modulation frequencies greater than the absorption line width; wavelength modulation spectroscopy involves modulation frequencies smaller than the absorption line width. Accordingly, frequency modulation spectroscopy produces distinct laser sidebands whereas wavelength modulation spectroscopy generates a continuous distribution of laser wavelengths. Where absorption line widths exceed 1 GHz this distinction becomes important. This can occur, for example, when working with gases at atmospheric pressure or higher. Moreover, elevated temperatures increase the line widths even further due to Doppler broadening. These are the type of conditions that typically exist in the exhaust duct of an EAF. For these reasons, a preferred embodiment of this invention uses frequency modulation spectroscopy, and particularly operated at MHz frequencies: matching the modulation to the absorption line width only requires a change of the modulation amplitude. Moreover, by modulating the laser frequency at MHz rates, the measurement bandwidth is shifted to higher frequencies where the laser excess noise is substantially reduced to the shot noise limit. The laser wavelength can be modulated sinusoidally by an amount comparable to the wavelength of the target optical absorption line. This modulation is readily effected by adding a small AC component to the laser current. Phase sensitive electronics measure the detector photocurrent at the modulation frequency, f, or a harmonic nf. In the limit where the modulation amplitude is small compared with the spectral feature line width, the resulting demodulated signal is the nth derivative with respect to wavelength of the direct transmission spectrum. Absolute absorbencies are obtained by dividing the demodulated AC signal by the detector DC output. It is to be understood, however, that alternate sensitive techniques are possible to those skilled in the art. For example, one alternative technique is based on signal detection using a balanced ratiometric detector. This technique is known to yield optical absorbencies as low as 1 ppm. With this technique, cancellation of excess laser amplitude noise is achieved by electronically balancing (rather than optically balancing) the photocurrents from each photodiode detector. EXAMPLE From the above analysis the preferred embodiment will be described using a near-IR DFB TDL as a process sensor for use with EAFs. For a better understanding of the present invention and to show more clearly how it would be carried into effect, the following illustrative example is provided. The example is in the form of an experiment and methodology used to select the near-IR TDL laser. Available modelling tools and research was used to assist in the selection of a promising laser diode material for the wavelengths of interest to combustion applications. For example, the U.S. Air Force provides atmospheric modelling programs (known as HITRAN and HITEMP) that can be used to 5 select an optimum wavelength region of the species of interest for combustion applications, such as CO and H 2 O. In particular, HITEMP modelling is available for CO, CO 2 , and H 2 O, whereas HITRAN modelling has a much wider selection but for complex molecules is only accurate at low temperatures. Unfortunately, current spectral databases are not well verified at the high temperatures present in combustion applications such as EAFs. Research conducted to date indicates that while models such as HITEMP appear to predict line position and strength relatively well for divalent compounds such as, for example, CO, there are significant inaccuracies for triatomic compounds such as, for example, CO 2 and H 2 O. It has been suggested that HITEMP is a reasonably good predictor of the high temperature absorption of water vapour: while individual line positions and strengths are often erroneous, global positioning of the strongest water features is largely correct. When working in spectrally dense regions, however, even small errors in predicted position and strength can be critical. Research and independent experimental confirmation by the present inventors indicate that HITEMP predictions for CO 2 line strengths in the near-IR are very poor and appear to over predict CO 2 line strengths. The difficulty in modelling triatomic absorption lines is thought to be due to the increased number of possible energy states available to these compounds, particularly at high temperatures. Notwithstanding the limitations of high temperature modelling tools, there is little alternative but to use them when selecting a laser to investigate spectral ranges. In deciding upon the near-IR laser diode to be used in this experiment, several factors were taken into consideration, including: Strong spectroscopic line(s) for the species of interest, namely, CO, and H 2 O, over the full range of temperature conditions (≅1000–2000 K); Minimal interference with other species and particularly H 2 O; and Availability/cost of the laser diode and other system components. Once the laser is selected, the spectroscopy in the target wavelength regions are established for the range of environmental conditions to be tested. Due to the uncertainty in high temperature modelling results, particularly for H 2 O, it is necessary conduct laboratory tests in order to confirm, and in some cases establish, the spectroscopy over the wavelength range and environmental conditions of interest. Once the spectroscopy is established over a representative range of test conditions, the optimal CO and H 2 O absorption peaks can be selected. Accurate calibration curves over the full range of test conditions are then established using the laboratory set-up shown in FIG. 3 . In the experimental set-up of FIG. 3 a source of high temperature and combustion gases 22 is provided to simulate a combustible environment of an EAF and particularly the exhaust duct as at 24 . A laser beam is transmitted from source 26 through fibre optic cable 28 to launch assembly 30 . The laser beam is then transmitted from launch assembly 30 across region 24 to detector 32 , which feeds the electronic signal back to source 26 through a coaxial cable 34 . In addition, the experimental set-up features in region 24 a thin-wire thermocouple 36 to detect the temperature and an extractive analyzer 38 to measure the CO and CO 2 . To study the laser response to a wide range of high temperature target gas concentrations, a flat flame Hencken diffusion burner 40 was selected as the source of high temperature and combustion gases 22 . In order to increase the measurement sensitivity, and to more accurately represent typical path lengths present in region 24 as in full scale EAFs, a multi-pass optical absorption cell 42 was created for the lab testing. An open path Herriot type multi-pass optical set-up was used. Thermocouple 36 is a 0.020″ diameter, unsheathed, type “R” (Pt-Rh) thermocouple from Omega Engineering Inc. This type of thermocouple is able to withstand temperatures up to about 1723 K, and has a fast response time. The laser source 26 used in this study is from Unisearch Associates Inc. (model number LCM-03) and is illustrated in FIG. 4 . This laser utilizes two-tone frequency modulation to increase the detection sensitivity. The source 26 contains the DFB diode laser 44 and its temperature and current circuits, the detector 46 and its circuitry, the connector 48 to the fibre optic cable to launch assembly 30 , the connector 50 for coaxial cable 34 from detector 32 , the interface to the computer 52 for automatic control and data acquisition and logging, and a reference cell 54 containing measurements of known concentrations of CO and CO 2 . Using a 90/10 beam splitter 56 , approximately 10% of the laser beam 58 is passed to reference cell 54 to lock the laser onto the selected absorption feature. For room temperature measurements (approximately 0–50° C.) reference cell 54 at atmospheric pressure (approximately, 100 kPa) can also serve as a secondary calibration standard. For high temperature applications, however, as, for example, found in the exhaust duct of an EAF, the calibrations found in reference cell 54 for the targeted species are inadequate. High temperature applications require calibration curves to be calculated and stored, for example, in computer 52 , or, for example, in a calibration cell 55 . The remaining 90% of the beam is used for the measurement channel. In particular, the laser beam is brought to one or more of the measurement locations as far as several kilometres away using a standard silica fibre optic cable 28 , such as those used in the telecommunication industry. This allows the controller to be placed in any suitable location within an industrial site far away from hazardous or explosive conditions in an EAF to which the launch and detector assemblies may be exposed. To decrease connection losses and back-reflections, FC/APC fittings, such as part number F1-2069APC as supplied by Fiber Instrument Sales Inc. of New York, are used. The controller is operated by an on-board computer. The data is also directly linked to a separate computer for data processing and storage via an RS-232 port provided with the controller unit. As previously noted, while there has been a great deal of spectroscopic work done at room temperatures, much less work has been done at elevated temperatures typically found in combustion applications, such as EAFs. In general, the locations and strengths of high temperature absorption features are completely independent of room temperature lines. One of the major difficulties in detecting CO and CO 2 at high temperatures is the dramatic increase in the strength and number of H 2 O absorption lines compared to room temperature. For example room temperature modelling results of optical absorption strengths are plotted for H 2 O in FIG. 5 over a range of wavelengths in the near infrared. FIG. 6 shows similar results for a temperature of 1500 K—clearly showing the increase in strength and frequency of the H 2 O absorption lines. FIG. 7 and FIG. 8 are similar to FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively, but for CO. Upon comparing FIGS. 5 , 6 , 7 , and 8 , it becomes apparent that CO lines are much less frequent and generally weaker than H 2 O lines. This is a limitation for CO, particulary due to the prevalence of H 2 O throughout the near infrared region. Therefore it is important to select not only a strong CO region, but also one where there is minimal H 2 O interference. However, there is uncertainty in H 2 O line positions and strengths at elevated temperatures. Accordingly, the selection process involves more of a dependence on H 2 O line strength and density trends, rather than exact positions. As a result, regions of relatively low H 2 O absorption but strong CO lines were considered the most attractive. FIGS. 9 , 10 , and 11 , show HITEMP modelling of CO, H 2 O, and CO 2 , respectively, at 2,000 K. In particular FIG. 11 shows weaker CO 2 lines in the near-IR. As mentioned previously, research indicates even these weak predictions are much stronger than actual CO 2 absorption at elevated temperatures. Consequently, less consideration was given to choosing an optimal near-IR wavelength region based on CO 2 lines. An available and affordable laser diode was then selected by looking at the several regions of equally attractive CO and H 2 O absorption characteristics. The laser diode selected based on the above results can access the approximate range of 6320–6340 cm −1 (1577–1582 nm). The first step in the laboratory tests was to compile a reference table (see Table 1) of laser current and temperature settings versus reference line locations. In combination with modelling results, this table provides a reference table to determine laser wavelengths. Once established, an approximate wavelength can be determined for each laser current and temperature setting. The location of the reference lines is more or less certain due to the high degree of independent validation of room temperature features for both CO and CO 2 , which are both contained in the reference cell 54 . TABLE 1 Approximate Reference Currents (mA) for Various Diode Operating Temperatures Temp CO 2 CO CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 #7 and CO 2 CO 2 CO CO 2 CO 2 CO CO 2 CO 2 CO 2 #14 and CO 2 (° C.) #4 #2 #5 #6 CO #3 #8 #9 #4 #10 #11 #5 #12 #13 CO #6 #15 Date Conducted 5 116 153 171 217 259 May 1999 10 87 110 165 212 254 May 1999 15 104 161 209 252 265 May 1999 20 99 155 205 221 248 May 1999 25 93.5 153 171 202 247 272.5 May 1999 30 85 108.5 146 196 226 241 Aug. 17, 1999 35 83.5 145 180 197 242 Aug. 17, 1999 40 126 145 196 238.5 Aug. 17, 1999 42 100 121 176 221 264 Aug. 17, 1999 CO #1 1576.628 CO 2 #3 1578.939 CO 2 #4 1577.362 CO #2 1577.635 CO 2 #5 1577.785 CO 2 #6 1578.233 CO 2 #7/CO #3 1578.669 CO 2 #8 1579.105 CO 2 #9 1579.567 CO #4 1579.729 CO 2 #10 1580.041 CO 2 #11 1580.515 CO #5 1580.828 CO 2 #12 1581.003 CO 2 #13 1581.578 CO 2 #14/CO #6 1582.041 CO 2 #15 1582.436 To obtain reliable high temperature data the best absorption line(s) were located experimentally. Since the locations and strengths of the high temperature features are, in general, completely independent of the room temperature lines that exist for the gases in the reference cell (namely, CO and CO 2 ), the first part of the lab work focused on finding suitable CO lines that were not significantly interfered with by water. First, the high temperature CO lines were conclusively located using pure CO as a fuel. The rich combustion of CO in air is shown below: CO+ x (O 2 +3.78N 2 )→(1−2 x )CO+(2 x )CO 2 −3.78( x )N 2 In a rich CO flame, substantial amounts of CO are present, with levels greater than 30% measured for some flame conditions. Off-gas temperatures obtained using CO as a fuel were in the range of about 1000 K to about 1500 K. Since CO 2 is also expected to be present in high levels for a CO flame, CO line locations were isolated from CO 2 by changing the reactant mix and observing the trends. In general, a richer flame should give off more CO than a leaner one. Once CO and CO 2 lines are differentiated, a comparison to high temperature modelling results is used to verify the final CO line locations. Such validation confirms the relative accuracy of CO modelling prediction in contrast to poor accuracy of CO 2 predictions. Having established the high temperature CO profile, a pure H 2 flame is used to obtain the high temperature water spectrum in a similar manner. By combining the results of these two steps, locations of strong CO lines in combination with weak or non-existent water lines are identified. After focusing on CO lines that are relatively removed from water lines, typical hydrocarbon fuels such as methane and propane, that produce a mixture of CO, H 2 O and CO 2 product gases, are used to confirm the superposition of pure CO and H 2 flame results to help find CO lines that appear to be relatively free of water interference. It can be appreciated that certain laser settings such as the RF modulation, laser gain, and laser phase, are adjusted before any suitable CO lines are found amongst the backdrop of strong water lines. In early tests, the electronics of the laser were configured to give strong signals. This had the disadvantage of resulting in relatively large line widths so that saturation was occurring for many of the strong water lines. By adjusting the laser modulation to decrease the line width, line height is sacrificed. Eventually, a point appears to be reached where the line width no longer decreases, but below which the height continues to get smaller. The above procedure was conducted using the laser source 26 (from Unisearch Associates Inc., model number LCM-03). It was found that for this laser the following settings give the least possible interference, while maintaining reasonable signal strength to find as many CO lines as possible amongst the backdrop of strong water lines, namely: Gain=1700; Phase=1550; and RF=−2.15. The Unisearch laser uses a thermoelectric cooler temperature-stabilized near-infrared diode laser (1.58 microns) as a light source to study CO and moisture at high temperatures as, for example, would exist in electric arc furnaces. In order to correctly determine the CO concentration the temperature of the furnace is monitored, and the line strength of the CO is adjusted accordingly. Moreover, if a ‘clean’ CO line to be monitored cannot be found at elevated temperatures (because of the presence of water lines that overlap the CO lines), the moisture level must be monitored and the CO signal corrected for the overlap with the water signal. In order to measure the furnace temperature, two appropriate water lines that vary differently in line strength with the change in temperature can be monitored. Such a measurement can provide information on the furnace temperature as well as the moisture content. Since a ST/SL mode DFB lasers emit a specific wavelength of very narrow line width (compared to the line widths of the absorption signal of gases at ambient pressures and temperatures) when operated at a fixed temperature and current, the laser requires a rapid change of its operating parameters to scan multiple lines (CO and H 2 O) virtually simultaneously. In Unisearch's laser the temperature of the laser is held constant using a thermoelectric cooler. A constant DC current is applied to the laser that brings the emitted wavelength close to the absorption line of the gas. The laser current is rapidly and repeatedly swept across the absorption feature of interest (for example, a CO absorption line) for a certain period of time (usually a few milliseconds). The laser current is then jumped to another DC setting and rapid sweeps are made at this new current setting (for example, the first H 2 O line to be monitored). Another jump in DC current and rapid sweeps could scan, for example, a second H 2 O line being monitored. The ramp current with such jumps and sweeps is shown in FIG. 18 . Since the magnitude of the modulated signal of the gas detected at 2 f is proportional to the laser return power, it is important that the power be continuously monitored. The power varies from time to time due to the dust loading and the debris that crosses the laser beam. Also, the background radiation level from the arc in an electric arc furnace can be significant. A part of the background radiation from the arc that falls on the detector bandwidth is easily detected as well, along with the ‘true’ laser return power. This background radiation is monitored and subtracted to obtain the true power to compensate for the changing magnitude of the measured signal due to dust, debris and optical misalignment. In the current configuration, the laser current is switched “OFF” as at 71 for a very short period of time at the end of each integration cycle. The background radiation that is seen by the detector is measured during this period. The laser is then switched “ON” and the scan continues. A variation of the scan is shown in FIG. 19 . Here, the species 1 (CO) is scanned first (single sweep), the current is jumped to the next DC value, species 2 (H 2 O- 1 ) is scanned (single sweep) and the current is again jumped to the next value where species 3 (H 2 O- 2 ) is scanned (single sweep). The laser current is then switched “OFF” as at 73 and the background radiation measured. The laser is then switched “ON” and the scan continues. Operating the laser in a ‘jump-scan’ mode to monitor multiple species can be essentially simultaneous. The Unisearch laser analyzer is set to make a single sweep in about 4 milliseconds. Therefore, all the three species and the background radiation can be monitored about every 15 milliseconds. Once several attractive CO lines are located, the choices are further narrowed. In particular, closely controlled tests are conducted for various air-to-fuel (A/F) ratios using propane and methane, with the lower A/F ratios resulting in increased CO production. From these tests, preliminary calibration curves can be plotted, such as that illustrated in FIG. 13 . Since absorption strength is a strong function of temperature for many of the lines investigated, it is important at this stage to isolate temperature effects from concentration effects. The easiest way to accomplish this is to maintain a constant temperature in the flame region, for all A/F ratios. Since the A/F ratio has a significant impact on flame temperature (in addition to CO concentration), this requires using independently controlled inputs of O 2 and N 2 , rather than being limited to a fixed ratio of the two in the form of air. For example, to generate increased CO in the off-gas, the oxygen/fuel ratio must be reduced to allow richer combustion. However, since the temperature will otherwise decrease when moving away from stoichiometric conditions, a concurrent reduction in the level of dilution gas (nitrogen, N 2 ), accomplished by a reduction in the N 2 /F ratio, will allow for constant temperature control. The thermocouple cannot be in the measurement region while the optical measurements are being conducted since the laser beam path would be interrupted. Since refined temperature measurements are not critical at this stage of testing, the thermocouple is left in a fixed position just above the maximum extent of the optical beam path, as confirmed with the visible alignment laser. On the basis that a fixed flow rate of reactant gases will result in an approximately constant flame plane height 25 and roughly equal convection to the thermocouple for a given fuel, the flame plane temperature is assumed to be lower than the thermocouple measurement by a fixed amount, independent of the O 2 /F ratio. In other words, it is assumed that for a fixed flow rate of influent gases, if the thermocouple temperature is the same from one O 2 /F value to another, then the temperature in the measurement region itself is also constant. This provides an empirical and iterative process for obtaining the influent gas settings that allow measurement of a wide range of suitable CO off-gas concentrations, with temperature held more or less constant. To aid in the first guess at rotameter settings that result in a range of CO levels over a constant temperature, adiabatic combustion is assumed to plot influent gas mixtures of various O 2 /F and N 2 /F levels versus adiabatic flame temperature, all of which can be predicted by software programs, such as STANJAN, and later plotted in an appropriate graphing application, such as Microsoft Excel. Levels along a particular isotherm are chosen as the first iterative step and subsequent adjustments are made to these settings to obtain actual thermocouple temperatures closer to one another than the adiabatic assumption produces. It is noted that the accuracy of the above assumptions is reduced by several factors, including the assumption that flame height depends only on reactant gas flow rate and not composition, the fact that constant influent gas flow does not mean constant exhaust gas flow (due to both increased off-gas temperature and unequal moles of reactants and products), and the fact that convection is not constant due to both of the above factors in addition to differences in heat capacities associated with the variable off-gas mixture. Once the rotameter settings are determined for a given gas, the levels of exhaust gases are measured extractively using a high range detector. To save time only one measurement was obtained for each gas setting regardless of how many subsequent tests were conducted for each condition. The off-gas concentrations obtained extractively are converted from a dry basis to a wet or actual basis using the following formula: Actual ⁢ [ ] = Dry ⁢ [ ] 1 - % ⁢ ⁢ H 2 ⁢ O ( 2 ) Where the Dry [ ] represents the extractive instrument reading and the % H 2 O is approximated using STANJAN (since no extractive value can be obtained). Optical measurements are then taken for each of the promising CO lines, using the pre-set reactant gas flow rates. In this manner, curves of peak height can be plotted for each of the flame conditions (and resultant CO concentrations) and the response then assessed. Using the CO concentrations obtained with the extractive probe, and corrected for water content, a plot of peak height versus CO concentration is then plotted, for example, see FIG. 13 . An ideal response is a graded increase in CO peak height for each successively increasing extractive CO measurement. In addition, the shape of the CO line for pure CO should match that for hydrocarbon fuels such as, for example, CH 4 and propane (see FIG. 12 ). If the width does not fit the pure CO line well at a comparable temperature, then this is an indication of interference from neighbouring water lines. Further confirmation of water interference is obtained by plotting a line in the same spectral region using pure H 2 fuel. If this water line is flat or nearly flat, it can be assumed that water is not present in this region, at least for the given flame temperature. If this water line is flat and of zero magnitude, the CO calibration curve for the hydrocarbon fuel will intersect zero. Finally, water interference can be assessed by confirming the independence of results for different fuels, since the combustion of fuels such as methane and propane produce significantly different amounts of water in their product gases. In general, water production is proportional to the H/C ratio of the hydrocarbon fuel. Therefore, CH 4 produces a greater proportion of water than any other hydrocarbon fuel. A good CO response for one temperature does not automatically mean the response is acceptable across the entire range of desired temperatures of about 1000 K to about 2000 K. This is due to the change in intensity of absorption lines with temperature. Therefore the above procedure is repeated on a subset of CO absorption lines that were attractive at the initial temperature evaluated. This procedure can eliminate some of the CO lines that were attractive at the one temperature but would not work well across the full temperature range. Having selected the optimal CO absorption line, the water lines are then located. Selection of water lines can be an easier task than finding CO lines unaffected by water due, in part, to the frequency and strength of water absorption in this optical region. Assuming temperature is known, only one water line would be required to obtain concentration. However, the ratio of peak strengths for two water lines must be used to optically obtain the temperature, since thermocouples are not suitable for EAF applications. The following should be considered in selecting the water lines: Strong spectroscopic line(s) for water over the full range of temperature conditions (≅1000–2000 K); Minimal interference with other species; Lines are accessible within the jump scan range of the laser; and Two water lines that respond differentially to changes in temperature. Due to the tremendous strength and frequency already demonstrated for water lines, the first two factors are not a problem. The last point limits the range of the laser to a smaller range represented by the limits accessible by jump scanning using current alone. Jump scanning involves a limited portion of the current tuning only range. For the Unisearch laser as used for this experiment, the maximum jump scan range is somewhere in the neighbourhood of 40–50 mA, representing a maximum search range of approximately 0.5 nm from the optimal CO line. Within this range, then, the search for H 2 O lines focuses on locating lines that respond differentially to changes in temperature. Optical temperature sensitivity is maximized when two lines are used from completely different absorption bands that respond in completely opposite directions to temperature, for example, optimal sensitivity can be achieved when one of the two water lines increases with increasing temperature while the other decreases. It can be appreciated, however, that both lines must be measurable over the entire temperature range. Once two water lines are found that best meet these requirements, they are used as optical temperature measurement tools. Several flame conditions (using different fuels, such as, for example, methane and propane) are tested to evaluate the change in the ratio of peak height of these two lines with changing temperature, as measured by the thermocouple. After locating optimal CO and H 2 O lines, increasingly accurate calibration curves are developed. Multiple regression tools (for example, the ones available in Microsoft Excel) are used to evaluate large data sets that encompass a wide range of concentration and temperature tests for each surrogate fuel. Since multiple regression can evaluate both temperature and concentration effects concurrently, it is no longer necessary to confine influent gas flows by the constant off-gas temperature and flow requirements. However, it is critical to obtain representative and accurate data for each measurement. In addition, accurate calibration curves depend on a large data set. The Unisearch laser of this experiment is used to record peak attributes for CO and the two water lines, such as, for example, the best of peak height, peak area, or other suitable peak attributes, as determined through statistical analysis. This data is used to optically assess temperature and concentration. To assess the temperature optically for a given fuel, the ratio of the selected peak attribute for two water lines is fit against several higher order polynomials. The optimal combination of fit and minimal complexity is then used to describe the temperature-peak attribute ratio relation. An example of a 7th order polynomial fit against peak height ratio for two water lines is given in FIG. 17 . Calibration of the selected CO peak attribute as a function of temperature and concentration is accomplished in the lab via multiple regression against extractive and thermocouple data. Since H 2 O concentrations are not attainable with extractive samplers, assumptions must be made to enable the correction of dry CO readings to actual CO concentrations (as per the earlier equation). In addition, the lack of independent H 2 O confirmation necessitated the use of the calculated values to establish the multiple regression for H 2 O peak attribute as a function of temperature and concentration. As a result of this increased uncertainty in actual H 2 O concentration, the values of R 2 (a statistical measure of the error) are expected to be larger for optical determination of H 2 O concentration than they are for CO concentration, since the effects of the H 2 O estimate on CO concentration are limited to the amount of the correction from dry to wet concentrations. In order to estimate the H 2 O concentration, a mass balance approach using rotameter inflows is necessary, along with a consideration of the water gas shift equilibrium, which is very significant under rich conditions. The following equations were solved for CH 4 (slight modifications to the values are necessary for other hydrocarbon fuels due to the different number of carbon and hydrogen atoms) to obtain an estimate of the H 2 O concentration: n C= n CH 4 =n T ( y CO 2 +y CO)  Equation 1 n O=2* n O 2 =n T (2* y O 2 +y H 2 O+2* y CO 2 +y CO)  Equation 2 n H=4* n CH 4 =n T (2* y H 2 +2* y H 2 O)  Equation 3 1 =y N 2 +y CO+ y CO 2 +y H 2 +y H 2 O+ y O 2   Equation 4 N 2 =n T *y N 2   Equation 5 CO (g) +H 2 O (g) — CO 2(g) +H 2(g)   Equation 6 K p =exp[Δ G 0 T /( R u T )]  Equation 6a Δ G 0 T =ΣV i g 0 f,T   Equation 6b y CO= X CO (1− y H 2 O)  Equation 7 Where: nX=molar inflow of reactant gas X through the rotameters (obtained from rotameter calibration chart) [moles] yX=mole fraction of product gas X in the off gas n T =total product gas (exhaust) flow [moles] K p =equilibrium constant ΔG 0 T =standard Gibb's function change [J] R u =universal gas constant [8.314 J/(mol*K)] T=temperature [K] v 1 =moles of component “i” from balance chemical equation g 0 f,t =Gibb's function of formation [J/mol] XCO=Dry concentration of CO (extractive reading) Dilution from the shroud flow (N 2 ) into the combustion region were considered using an iterative approach based on “Equation 1.” Wherever CO and CO 2 extractive data are available (i.e., not off scale for the extractive device), any apparent deficiency between the inflow of C moles (from the fuel) and the outflow in the form of CO and CO 2 is caused by some shroud nitrogen penetrating to the extractive measurement location. Quantification of this dilution and correction of the predicted concentrations allows increasingly accurate predictions to be made. To further improve temperature and extractive sampling accuracy the thermocouple and sample probe measurements are conducted at the same point where optical measurements are obtained. While significant variation in temperature and concentration is expected in the measurement region, single measurements in the middle of the measurement region are used to obtain “average” values. Ideally, multiple measurements are taken throughout the region to obtain an even more representative temperature and concentration profile. Since the thermocouple and extractive probe will block the laser beam when placed in the measurement region, an accurate and repeatable method must be used to move the thermocouple and probe into the same position each time measurements are taken. To accomplish this the probe and thermocouple were attached at the same position to a vertical kinematic stage to ensure reproducibility of the measurement location. One temperature and extractive measurement is taken either before or after each optical test. Optical results for the most attractive CO line in the measurement region accessible by this laser are shown in FIG. 12 . These measurements were obtained using methane as a fuel with thermocouple temperatures of about 1550 K. Pure CO was also used as a fuel for comparison purposes. Several things worth noting include the exact matching of the methane profile with the pure CO flame width to the left of the peak. To the right of the peak there is some difference due to superposition with the tail of a small H 2 O peak (the left side of the peak is somewhat visible at the right edge of the graph). This indicates minimal interference with water. By using experimental absorption measurements over a wide range of representative gas conditions it was determined that the CO absorption line located at 1577.96 nm was the optimal CO feature present within the 1577–1582 nm operating range of the selected laser. The optimal water absorption lines were 1577.8 nm and 1578.1 nm. FIG. 12 shows increasing absorption peak height with increasing CO concentration under roughly isothermal test conditions. An analysis of the method's accuracy has been conducted using 209 calibration and 105 unique test burner setpoints. The burner setpoints had a random distribution across CO concentration (from 0 to 10%) and gas temperature (from 970 to 1480° C.). The water concentration varied from 3 to 27%. The calibration data set and multiple regression analysis provided calibration curves linking the absorption peak heights with measured gas concentrations and temperatures. The test data set was used to independently evaluate accuracy. It was found that peak height gave a slightly better correlation with CO concentration than did peak area. The CO concentration increased linearly with CO peak height. There was a weak dependence on temperature. A small correction for the water concentration was required. The multiple regression analysis provided a calibration curve of CO concentration as a function of the CO and water peak heights. The correlation had an R squared of 0.96, indicating excellent representation of the data. FIG. 13 compares the CO peak height to the measured CO concentration for groups of data that had temperatures within a ±20° C. range. The isothermal calibration curves are also shown. These results show that the CO peak height response is essentially linear with CO concentration, with a slight offset attributed to a weakly interfering water absorption line nearby. An error analysis using the previously established calibration curve and the test data indicates that this optical technique is able to measure CO concentrations within a standard deviation of 0.47% CO. This value is comparable to the accuracy of extractive systems and is considered to be satisfactory in light of the high CO concentrations present in many EAFs, where levels in excess of 20% CO are common. The gas temperature increased linearly with the ratio of the water peak heights. The multiple regression analysis determined a calibration curve with an R squared of 0.92. FIG. 6 shows the variation of the selected water peak height ratio with temperature. The test data analysis found a standard deviation of the error of 36° C. The use of two separate lasers to access more widely separated water lines is likely to improve temperature measurement sensitivity considerably. There were numerous difficulties pertaining to the measurement of CO 2 at the desired temperatures. Unlike CO, the absorption peaks were very weak at elevated temperatures for this gas in most areas of near-IR, including a specific region selected. Combined with the increase in H 2 O peak strength and intensity, this made CO 2 measurements difficult in the initial test range. Using HITEMP modelling results, it became apparent that an alternate region in the near-IR contained some strong CO 2 lines that appeared to be sufficiently far away from neighbouring H 2 O lines for temperatures from about 1000 K to about 2000 K. A more promising region for high temperature CO 2 measurements is around 2.0 μm. It was discovered during this experiment that two particularly strong OH absorption lines were readily accessible within the jump scan range of the selected CO peak. The approximate locations of these two lines were confirmed by HITRAN modelling results, as shown for 1500 K in FIG. 14 . While these two lines are very close together, it is not possible to use their ratio for temperature determination. One reason is that they appear to move very much in sync over a wide range of temperatures. Application to an Electric Arc Furnace A schematic of an EAF system using the process sensor of this application is shown in FIG. 15 . A more detailed view of the exhaust duct is shown in FIG. 16 . In general FIG. 15 shows an EAF 10 having an exhaust duct 20 . A laser source 26 is provided to transmit a laser beam through fibre optic cable 28 to a launcher assembly 30 (see FIG. 16 ). The laser beam is transmitted across duct 20 as at 60 to detector 32 which, in turn, transmits an appropriate electronic signal back to source 26 via a coaxial cable 34 . It can be appreciated that a fiber optic cable can also be used in place of coaxial cable 34 . Source 26 , through use of a computer that can be located on-board (for example, see FIG. 4 ) uses the calibration curves calculated for high temperature applications to interpret the readings of the concentration of, for example, CO, from detector 32 and sends an appropriate signal to an EAF process control system 62 . Control system 62 can then adjust the oxygen flow through controller 64 , or temperature of the EAF through, for example, natural gas flow controller 66 , as needed. FIG. 15 illustrates a process control system that uses real time sensors to obtain selective measurements of the off-gas constituents and provides adjustment of the inputs to a furnace (such as oxygen, fuel, electric power, etc.) on a continuous feedback loop. Although the laser beam propagates through the measurement path 60 in the exhaust duct 20 , small holes 68 and 70 in the duct allow the laser launch assembly 30 and detector 32 , respectively, to be located away from the harsh conditions within the exhaust duct. Accuracy concerns can arise, however, due to the in-leakage of room air through the small holes 68 and 70 . It is expected that the contribution of ambient gases to the measured signal strength should be negligible, however. This is principally related to the fact that the high temperature optical absorption wavelengths selected have no significant room temperature absorption for species likely to be present in the steel plant ambient air, according to HITRAN modelling results. Moreover, any dilution of stack gases by the relatively small inflow of ambient air can be further minimized by designing the optical interface in such a manner that ambient air is largely directed at an angle downstream into the stack beyond the measurement zone. A schematic of an EAF system using an alternative process of this invention is shown in FIG. 15 a . Except where noted and described below the same reference characters will be used to identify the same parts in both figures. In FIG. 15 a the launcher assembly 30 ′ transmits the laser beam across a gap 74 between duct 20 and exhaust duct 76 . The laser beam is detected by detector 32 ′ which, in turn, transmits an appropriate electronic signal back to source 26 via cable 34 . Such an arrangement enables the launcher assembly and detector to be placed away from duct 20 and the high temperature environment of the off-gas. Accuracy concerns are minimized due to the relatively small size of the gap compared to the large diameters of the ducts 20 and 76 . With slightly different laser diodes that still operate in the near-IR, absorption models and limited research indicate the potential to measure CO 2 , NO, hydrocarbons, HX (where X represents various halogens), and H 2 S compounds. By multiplexing additional lasers through a shared optical system (optical launch and receive components, fibre optic transmission cables, laser electronic control components, etc.) the incremental system cost for this measurement capability may be a small fraction of the total system cost since the laser diodes themselves typically represent a small fraction of the total system capital cost. This possibility would extend the benefits of near-IR optical measurement techniques to an extremely wide range of applications. Moreover, visible lasers offer many of the same advantages of near-IR lasers, including, for example, cost, simple operation, and efficient transmission through conventional fibre optics. Attractive regions for O 2 detection lie in the visible wavelengths, especially around 0.76 μm. NO 2 detection in the visible wavelengths has been documented around 0.68 μm. While this technique has been investigated specifically for application in the steel industry, and more specifically for EAFs, there exists tremendous potential for extension to near-IR measurement of additional compounds and application to numerous other combustion devices. Some particular examples can include: steel production (smelting, reheat furnaces, BOFs, etc.); aluminum smelters and other metallurgical applications; potash processing; fossil fuelled power generation plants; incineration; glass furnaces; cement kilns; and recovery boilers in the pulp and paper industry. It can be appreciated that variations to this invention would be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and this invention is intended to include those alternatives.
This invention relates to a method and apparatus for improved process control in combustion applications, and particularly those relating to the steelmaking industry. An apparatus is provided for process control in a combustion application comprising a laser to transmit a near-infrared laser beam through off-gas produced by the combustion application, a detector to detect the transmitted laser beam and convert the detected laser beam to an electrical signal, and a control system for providing adjustment of select inputs to the combustion application in response to the electrical signal from the detector. The method of this invention comprises transmitting a near-infrared laser beam through off-gas produced by the combustion application, detecting the transmitted laser beam, and adjusting select inputs of the combustion application in response to the detected transmitted laser beam.
8
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This is a Continuation Application of PCT Application No. PCT/JP01/01710, filed Mar. 6, 2001, which was not published under PCT Article 21(2) in English. This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from the prior Japanese Patent Application No. 2000-060578, filed Mar. 6, 2000, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a pattern formation member applied to a sectioning image observation apparatus for observing/measuring sample microstructure or three-dimensional shape of a sample by using light and a sectioning image observation apparatus using them. 2. Description of the Related Art Conventionally, as a sectioning image observation apparatus, a confocal microscope using a rotation disk called Nipkow rotation disk where a number of pin holes are arranged in spiral with an interval of about ten times of the pin hole diameter is known. FIG. 1 shows the schematic configuration of a confocal microscope using such a Nipkow rotation disk, wherein a condenser lens 2 and a PBS (polarized beam splitter) 3 are arranged on a light path of the light emitted from a light source 1 such as halogen light source or mercury light source or others, and a Nipkow rotation disk (called rotation disk, hereinafter) 4 , a first imaging lens 5 , ¼ wavelength plate 6 and a sample 8 through an objective 7 are arranged on the reflected light path of the PBS 3 . In addition, a CCD camera 10 is arranged through a second imaging lens 9 on the filtered light path of the PBS 3 of the light reflected from the sample 8 . A monitor 11 is connected to the image output terminal of this CCD camera 10 for displaying the image taken by the CCD camera. Here, pin holes 4 a are arranged in spiral on the rotation disk 4 with an interval of about ten times of the pin hole diameter between respective pin holes, and the rotation disk 4 a is connected to the shaft of a not shown motor via a rotation shaft 12 and rotated at a fixed rotation speed. In such configuration, the light emitted from the light source 1 passes through the condenser lens 2 and only polarized component of a fixed direction is reflected by the PBS 3 and input to the rotation disk 4 rotating at the fixed speed, and the light filtered by the pin hole 4 a of this rotation disk 4 passes through the first imaging lens 5 , circularly polarized by the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , imaged by the objective lens 7 and input to the sample 8 . On the other hand, the light reflected from the sample 8 passes through the objective lens 7 , takes a polarization direction orthogonal to the incident light again at the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , and projects the sample image on the rotation disk 4 by means of the first imaging lens 5 . A focused portion of the sample image projected on the rotation disk 4 passes through the pin hole 4 a , further passes through the PBS 3 and taken by the CCD camera 10 through the second imaging lens 9 . A confocal image taken by the CCD camera 10 is displayed on the monitor 11 . Such confocal microscope allows to observe a so-called sectioning image, namely image for each level of the sample 8 , by moving the focus vertically (Z axis direction), as only images having focused position (height) where the pin hole 4 a of the rotation disk 4 passes can be observed. By the way, for the confocal microscope using such Nipkow rotation disk, it is necessary to dispose pin holes on the rotation disk so that unevenness may not come into prominence in the observation field during the eye observation or imaging by a CCD camera. In short, it is necessary to arrange pin holes so that the sample observation field is illuminated evenly within a human perceptible time interval (about {fraction (1/20)} to {fraction (1/30)} sec) or CCD camera exposure time (often {fraction (1/60)} or {fraction (1/30)} sec). Therefore, conventionally, various proposals have been made concerning the pin hole arrangement and, for instance, an arrangement wherein a plurality of pin holes are arranged in spiral in the rotation disk radial direction with an equal angle is known as the simplest arrangement. However, in such pin hole arrangement, the brightness of captured image is uneven, because the pin hole pitch is different in the outer circumferential section and the inner circumferential section of the rotation disk. As a method to solve such problem, various pin hole arrangements for reducing the uneven brightness of captured image, such as an arrangement wherein the radial pitch of the locus of the virtual center line connecting centers of a plurality of pin holes composing pin hole lines arranged in spiral and the circumferential pitch along the spiral are made equal, or an arrangement wherein all pin holes composing a plurality of pin hole lines are differentiated in diameter at their center position have been proposed. However, in the former pin hole arrangement, certainly, the image brightness in the observation field is even when the rotation disk center and the rotation axis agree exactly, but the observed image brightness is uneven when the rotation disk center and the rotation axis disagree. In general, the pin hole diameter is so small as about several dozens of μm (45 μm for 100 times, 100 μm for 250 times); therefore, it is necessary to limit the difference between the rotation disk center and the rotation center to 10 μm or less, namely sufficiently smaller than the pin hole diameter so that the observed image brightness may not be uneven, thereby, requiring an extremely high precision for perforation of pin hole on the rotation disk, shaping of the rotation disk, attachment of the rotation disk to the rotation shaft, or other processing. On the other hand, the latter pin hole arrangement is improved to reduce the unevenness of observed image brightness; however, the unevenness is certainly reduced, but not eliminated. In addition, when pin holes are formed on the rotation disk in this way, the pin hole arrangement is so devised not to make the observed image brightness uneven for all samples, and the pin hole is positioned using a complicated pattern prepared extremely precisely, in order to position each pin hole exactly. For instance, for Nipkow rotation disk, Cr or low-reflective Cr film is formed on a glass substrate, masked with a pin hole pattern and etched, and this mask is prepared by a EB drawing machine using electron beam similarly as semiconductor manufacturing, making the rotation disk preparation very costly and expensive due to the use of such complicated pattern mask. Therefore, in order to solve these problems, it has been proposed a rotation disk wherein a straight line pattern section 141 including linearly formed translucent sections and shield sections arranged alternately, a full translucent section 142 , and shield sections 143 , 144 in each fan-shaped areas between these straight line pattern section 141 and full translucent section 142 are disposed on a rotation disk 14 as shown in FIG. 3A, and the width of translucent sections and shield sections of the straight line pattern section 141 among them is set to about several dozens of μm similarly as the pin hole diameter, and formed to 1:1 as shown in FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3 B. According to such rotation disk, first, an observation when the observation field passes through the straight line pattern section 141 is taken by the CCD camera, then an observation when it passes through the full translucent section 142 is taken by the CCD camera. In this case, a combined image (confocal image including non-confocal component) including not only an image having focused position (height) components (confocal component), but also image having non-focused position (height) components (permeated non-confocal component) is obtained, because the ratio of each width of translucent sections 141 a and shield sections 141 b is equal, for the image taken in the straight line pattern section 141 . Consequently, only the confocal image having position (height) components in good focus ban be obtained by the difference calculation of bright-field taken through the full translucent section 142 from this combined image. In addition, uneven brightness is not generated in the observation image even when the rotation disk rotation center has shifted, and the rotation disk preparation cost will be limited because the pattern for creating the straight line pattern section 141 including linearly formed translucent sections and shield sections arranged alternately is a simple linearly pattern. On the contrary, in the rotation disk 141 shown in FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B, the non-confocal component is prominent, because the ratio of each width of translucent sections and shield sections of the straight line pattern section 141 is 1:1. Therefore, a so-called sectioning effect, containing only confocal image can be expected only by the difference calculation. This generates problems such as impossibility of directly viewing the confocal image, necessity of operation equipment such as computer for image processing, enlargement of equipment scale, cost increase, and moreover, two images subjected to the difference calculation are susceptible to disturbance such as vibration, because they are taken with different timing. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide a pattern formation member applied to a sectioning image observation apparatus for stably observing a good image, without making the observed image brightness uneven and a sectioning image observation apparatus. A pattern formation member adopted to a sectioning image observation apparatus which selectively irradiates a light from a light source to a sample, scans the sample, and acquires a light from the sample as a sectioning image, is characterized in that the pattern formation member comprises an irradiation section and a cutoff section, each of the irradiation section and the cutoff section is in a straight pattern, and these straight patterns are disposed alternatively. Another pattern formation member adopted to a sectioning image observation apparatus which has a rotation disk having a translucent section which passes a light and a shield section which shields a light and rotating on a light path, irradiates a light passing through the translucent section to a sample, scans the sample, and passes a light from the sample passed through the rotation disk to acquire a sectioning image, is characterized in that each of patterns to scan the sample by the light passing through the rotation disk is formed in a straight pattern, and these patterns are disposed alternatively, straight pattern areas of the translucent section and the shield section with different direction are formed not to be parallel to a scanning direction (H direction) according to a rotation of the rotation disk in an observation field. Preferable manners of the present invention are as follows. (1) The pattern formation member is a rotation disk such that the irradiation section is a translucent section to pass a light and the cutoff section is a shield section to shield a light, the rotation disk is rotated on a light path, each of patterns to scan the sample by the light passing through the rotation disk is formed in a straight pattern, and these patterns are disposed alternatively. (2) A shield area is formed at a portion to which straight patterns of the translucent section and the shield section of the rotation disk is parallel to a scanning direction (H direction) according to a rotation of the rotation disk in an observation field. (3) The straight pattern areas have a plurality of sector shaped areas divided in a circumferential direction of the rotation disk. (4) A portion parallel to a scanning direction (H direction) according to a rotation of the rotation disk in an observation field has another straight pattern area of the translucent section and the shield section with sector shape having a predetermined central angel whose direction differs from the straight pattern. (5) A width of the straight pattern of the shield section is larger than that of the translucent section. (6) The pattern formation member is a digital micro mirror having a plurality of mirrors, whose directions are independently changeable, disposed in a two-dimensional form. (7) A plurality of areas having different ratios of the translucent section and the shield section are further provided. (8) A plurality of areas having different direction of the translucent section and the shield section of the straight pattern of the rotation disk are further provided. (9) The rotation disk is a rotation disk in which a rotation radial direction of the rotation disk is not normal to a direction of the straight pattern of the translucent section and shield section. (10) A width of a straight portion of the rotation disk which shield a light is larger than a width of a straight portion thereof which passes a light. (11) A width of a straight portion of the rotation disk is substantially constant. (12) The rotation disk is divided into a plurality of areas and a pattern of each of the plurality of areas is different. (13) A pattern of each of the plurality of areas has an equal area ratio of the translucent section and the shield section, and widths of the translucent section and the shield section are different for each of the areas. (14) When a width of different direction area having a constant width is X and a period of the translucent section and the shield section is W in the rotation disk, X/W is constant. (15) The patterns of the plurality of concentric circle areas have an equal area ratio of the translucent section and the shield section, a width of inner circumference concentric circle area is smaller than that of outer circumference concentric circle area, and a width of different direction area of the inner circumference concentric circle area is smaller than that of outer circumference concentric circle area. (16) When the translucent sections of the least two concentric circle areas have a same width and a period W of the translucent section and the shield section is different, a period of the translucent section and the shield section on an inner concentric circle area is smaller than that of an outer concentric circle area, and a width X of a different direction area of inner and outer concentric circle areas is proportional to the period W. A sectioning image observation apparatus according to the present invention scans a sample with a light by using any one of above-mentioned pattern formation members, and acquires a reflected light from the sample as a sectioning image through the pattern formation member. With this arrangement, it is preferable that a moving mechanism to change a projection position on the rotation disk to the sample is further provided. Another sectioning image observation apparatus according to the present invention enters an excited light with a predetermined wavelength through an excitation filter to any one of above-mentioned pattern formation members, scans a sample with a light by using the pattern formation member, and acquires a fluorescence emitted from the sample as a sectioning image through the pattern formation member and a barrier filter selecting a wavelength of the emitted fluorescence. A still another sectioning image observation apparatus is characterized by comprising: a light source; a rotation disk having a pattern in which a slit translucent section which passes a light and a straight shading section which shields a light, are alternately and periodically arranged; means to lead a light from the light source to the rotation disk; means to irradiate a light passing the rotation disk to a sample and project a pattern of the rotation disk to the sample; an optical lens which projects a light reflected from the sample on the rotation disk; and means to rotate the rotation disk on an optical path, scan the pattern of the rotation disk projected on the sample, and acquires an image passing the rotation disk as an sectioning image among sample images projected on the rotation disk, and when an angle of the rotation disk surface and a surface normal to an optical axis is θ, an aperture of the lens from the sample is NA, an expansion rate of a sample image projected on the rotation disk is M, a diameter (called as a number of view) on the rotation disk in an area of the observed sample is R, an angle between a main light beam which passes at an outermost edge of a diameter on the rotation disk of the observed sample area and an optical axis is φ, and a wavelength of the light is λ, at least one of the following conditions are satisfied: θ>φ2 NA/M , and θ < M 2  λ NA 2  R . As the result, according to the present invention, a high quality observation image without uneven brightness can be obtained even when the rotation disk rotation center has shifted, because the straight pattern of translucent sections and shield sections are scanned while changing the direction thereof according to the rotation of the rotation disk 141 . Also, uneven brightness is prevented from occurring in the observed image, because it is so devised that the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field and the direction of the straight pattern of translucent sections and shield sections will not be parallel. Moreover, the mask pattern preparation is simple and cheap in cost, because the straight patterns of translucent sections and shield sections are only arranged alternately. In addition, according to the present invention, the permeability of the rotation disk can be set by providing a plurality of areas where a pattern constituted of alternately disposed straight translucent sections and shield sections, changing the line width for each area, and allowing to move the rotation disk use area, the sectioning effect and the image brightness can be set selectively according to the sample situation, light can be used effectively according to the sample, and it becomes possible to obtain a bright sectioning image for various kinds of samples. Further, according to the present invention, a pattern corresponding to the objective magnification or number of apertures, among a plurality of patterns on the disk, without making the observed image brightness uneven, so a disk applied to a sectioning image observation apparatus for stably observing a good image, and a sectioning image observation apparatus can be supplied. Besides, according to the present invention, a confocal image can be observed even with a plurality of objectives, and images of different confocal effect can be observed, by dividing a disk where translucent sections and shield sections are arranged linearly into a plurality of concentric areas, and changing the translucent section slit width (L) and the shield section width (W-L) in each area, and at the same time, every confocal image observed in any area can be made homogenous and satisfactory, because the width X of a different direction area where patterns for suppressing the generation of alternating contrast stripes can be decided by the cycle W of translucent sections and shield sections. Further, as the width of different direction area can be decided easily, it is unnecessary to remake times and times for deciding the width of this area, reducing the examination time and the cost. Moreover, according to the present invention, the rotation disk inclination angle can be decided practically for reducing unnecessary reflected light (flare) by calculation considering the magnification of the sample image projected on the disk, field of view range, and light incident angle; therefore, not only the angle can be decided to obtain a good contrast sectioning image free of flare, but also it is possible to include the disk inclination within the focal depth of the sample, preventing an image focused to different height on the sample from being observed. Still further, according to the present invention, in place of scanning the pattern where straight translucent sections and shield sections are arranged alternately using a disk, the pattern is created and scanned by using a micro mirror array and changing the direction of respective micro mirror. Consequently, the slit light width can be created in correspondence to various objectives, making useless to exchange disks, or make a disk divided into a plurality of areas circumferentially, and a quality confocal image can be obtained simply, as a pattern corresponding to an objective can be created, without modification. Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The objects and advantages of the invention may be realized and obtained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention, and together with the general description given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention. FIG. 1 shows a schematic configuration of an example of a conventional confocal microscope; FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for the conventional confocal microscope; FIG. 3 A and FIG. 3B show a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for the conventional confocal microscope; FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5B show a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for the first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 6 A and FIG. 6B illustrate the first embodiment; FIG. 7 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for a third embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for a fourth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for a fifth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 11 is a figure to explain the fifth embodiment; FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration applied to the conventional confocal microscope of a sixth embodiment; FIG. 13 A and FIG. 13B show a rotation disk in the sixth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 14 shows a rotation disk in a seventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 15 A and FIG. 15B show a rotation disk in an eighth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 16 shows a rotation disk in a ninth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 17 shows a rotation disk in a tenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 18 shows a rotation disk in an eleventh embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 19 is a partial enlargement view of the pattern section of the rotation disk 28 in FIG. 18; FIG. 20 illustrates a twelfth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 21 shows the relationship between the contrast ratio and the different direction area width X; FIG. 22 shows the relationship between the contrast ratio and the different direction area width X; FIG. 23 A and FIG. 23B show a rotation disk in a thirteenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 24 shows the calculation results of the relationship between the contrast ratio and the different direction area width X; FIG. 25 shows the calculation results of the relationship between the contrast ratio and the different direction area width X; FIG. 26 shows a rotation disk in a fourteenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 27 is a partial enlargement view of the rotation disk and a first eyepiece; FIG. 28 shows a rotation disk in a fifteenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 29 shows a configuration of a sixteenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 30A to FIG. 30C show a configuration of a micro mirror array; FIG. 31 A and FIG. 31B show pattern examples created by the micro mirror array; FIG. 32A to FIG. 32D show pattern examples created by the micro mirror array; FIG. 33 shows a schematic configuration of a seventeenth embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 34 shows the permeability of an excitation filter used in the seventeenth embodiment; and FIG. 35 A and FIG. 35B show the reflectivity/permeability of PBS and absorbing filter used in the seventeenth embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Now, embodiments of the present invention will be described referring to attached drawings. (First Embodiment) FIG. 4 shows a schematic configuration of a confocal microscope having a confocal effect as sectioning image observation apparatus (called confocal microscope, hereinafter) to which the present invention is applied, and same symbols are affected to the parts identical to FIG. 1 . In this case, a condenser lens 2 , a deflecting plate 15 , and a PBS (polarized beam splitter) 3 are arranged on a light path of the light emitted from a light source 1 such as halogen light source, mercury light source or the like, and a rotation disk 13 which is a pattern formation member, a first imaging lens 5 , ¼ wavelength plate 6 and a sample 8 through an objective 7 are arranged on the reflected light path of the PBS 3 . In addition, a CCD camera 10 is arranged through a second imaging lens 9 on the filtered light path of the PBS 3 of the light reflected from the sample 8 . A monitor 11 is connected to the image output terminal of this CCD camera 10 for displaying the image taken by the CCD camera 10 . Here, the rotation disk 13 is connected to the motor (not shown) to be able to transmit, that is, the shaft of the motor via a rotation shaft 12 etc. and rotated at a fixed rotation speed. As shown in FIG. 5A, respective patterns of linearly formed translucent sections 13 a and linearly formed shield sections 13 b are arranged alternately on the rotation disk 13 . In this case, as shown in FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5B, the width of the straight shield section 13 b is larger than the straight translucent section 13 a and is set to 1:9 for example. Besides, suppose the projection magnification of the sample image on the rotation disk 13 be M, light wavelength λ and the aperture of the objective NA, the width L of the straight translucent section 13 a is decided by the following expression: L=kλ 2 M/NA   (1) Here, k represents a coefficient, and k=0.5 to 1 or so is often used. For instance, as the objective 7 , if the magnification 100 times, NA=0.9 are used, λ is visible and 550 nm is often used, and the width L becomes approximately 45 μm, but set within the range of 30 to 60 μm considering k=0.5 to 1. Next, the function of thus constituted first embodiment will be described. Light emitted from the light source passes the condenser lens 2 , becomes a straight line polarized light containing only a certain polarized light at the deflecting plate 15 , and enters the PBS 3 . The PBS 3 reflects the polarized light in the direction passing through the deflecting plate 15 , and permeates the polarized light in a direction perpendicular thereto. Light reflected by the PBS 3 enters the rotation disk 13 rotating at a fixed speed. Then the light having passed through the straight translucent section 13 a of this rotation disk 13 , passes through the first imaging lens 5 , becomes a circular polarized light at the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , is imaged by the objective 7 and enters the sample 8 . On the other hand, light reflected from the sample 8 passes through the objective 7 , becomes a straight polarized light orthogonal to the incidence at the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , and forms a sample image on the rotation disk 13 through the first imaging lens 5 . Considering a moment during the observation of the sample 8 , as show in FIG. 6A, line projection is performed in a certain direction. Then, in this sate, if the light reflected from the sample 8 forms an image on the rotation disk 13 , a focused portion of the sample 8 can pass through the rotation disk 13 because it is projected in line by multiplying the line projected on the rotation disk 13 with the sample image, most of non-confocal image cannot pass through the rotation disk 13 , because its image projected on the rotation disk 13 is also not focused. As it is, the sample image and the pattern image are simply superposed; however, according to the rotation of the rotation disk 13 , the pattern image is shifted (scanned) on the sample image changing the direction, they are averaged to erase the line image and a focused quality image can be observed. Accordingly, if the rotation disk 13 rotates fast enough in respect to the exposure time of the CCD camera 10 , a confocal image take by the CCD camera 10 can be observed by the monitor 11 . To be more specific, in this case, if the CCD camera 10 is an ordinary TV rate, the exposure time is {fraction (1/60)} or {fraction (1/30)} sec; therefore, it may be set to 1800 rpm with which the rotation disk 13 makes a half revolution during these exposure times. Therefore, in this way, a sectioning image which is a confocal image can be obtained by a simple pattern configuration of arranging alternately patterns of straight translucent sections 13 a and shield sections 13 b . In addition, a high quality observation image without uneven brightness can be obtained even when the rotation disk rotation center has shifted, because straight line patterns of straight translucent sections and shield sections are arranged, the straight lines are always scanned in different directions according to the rotation of the rotation disk, different from the case of the aforementioned pin holes. Besides, the mask pattern can be created by the EB drawing machine at an extremely low cost, because only straight patterns are arranged, different from a complicated arrangement of a number of pin holes as in the case of Nipkow rotation disk. (Second Embodiment) Now, the second embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the second embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 will be used. By the way, considering the pattern movement in the observation field during the rotation of the aforementioned rotation disk 13 , as translucent sections 13 a and shield sections 13 b are formed with straight patterns, the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field and the straight line patterns of translucent sections 13 a and shield sections 13 b may become parallel as shown in FIG. 6B, before and after this, the observation image may have an uneven brightness in the rotation direction of the rotation disk, because, in this state, the pattern projected on the sample varies hardly, even when the rotation disk 13 continues to rotate. FIG. 7 shows a rotation disk considering the uneven brightness that had possibilities to appear in the observation image described using FIG. 6B, and now, a confocal microscope using the rotation disk shown in FIG. 7 will be described referring to FIG. 4 . In this case, for the rotation disk 13 , respective straight patterns of linearly formed translucent sections 13 a and straight shield sections 13 b are arranged alternately all over the rotation disk surface, and among these straight patterns of translucent sections 13 a and shield sections 13 b , fan-shaped shield areas 13 c , 13 d are formed with several degrees of center angle, along a direction orthogonal to the straight pattern of these translucent sections 13 a and shield sections 13 b , in the portion parallel to the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation direction of the rotation disk in the observation field. Therefore, the shield areas 13 c , 13 d are formed in the portion where the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field and the straight line patterns of translucent sections 13 a and shield sections 13 b may become parallel, in a way to inhibit to observe the image in this portion, thereby preventing an uneven brightness from appearing in the observed image. Moreover, in the shield areas 13 c , 13 d on the rotation disk 13 , the light from the light source 1 to the sample 8 is shielded, the brightness may vary among images taken successively, if the rotation of the rotation disk 13 is slow in respect to the exposure time of the CCD camera 10 , and this problem can be resolved by synchronizing the rotation of the rotation disk 13 and the shooting by this CCD camera 10 so that, for instance, the rotation disk 13 makes a half revolution during the exposure time of the CCD camera 10 . (Third Embodiment) Now, the third embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the third embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 will be used. FIG. 8 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk used for such confocal microscope, and fan-shape areas 161 , 162 , 163 divided into three in the circumferential direction are formed on the rotation disk 16 , as shown in FIG. 8, and patterns of straight translucent sections 16 a and straight shield sections 16 b are arranged alternately in respective areas 161 , 162 , 163 . In this case, straight translucent sections 16 a and shield sections 16 b in respective areas 161 , 162 , 163 change the straight direction in the observation field, according to the rotation of the rotation disk 16 , and at this time, it is set so that the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field and the straight line patterns of translucent sections 16 a and shield sections 16 b never become parallel in any case. In addition, in this case, the width of the straight shield section 16 b is larger than the straight translucent section 16 a and is set to 1:9 for example. Besides, the width L of the straight translucent section 16 a is decided by the expression (1) mentioned above. According to such rotation disk 16 , considering a moment during the observation of the sample 8 , similarly as described for FIG. 6A, the pattern of the translucent sections 16 is line projected slant in a certain direction. Then, in this sate, the light reflected from the sample 8 forms an image on the rotation disk 16 , a focused portion of the sample 8 is projected in line on the rotation disk 16 , however, most of non-confocal image cannot pass through the rotation disk 16 , because its image projected on the rotation disk 16 is also not focused, and only confocal image passes through the rotation disk 16 . As it is, the sample image and the pattern image are simply superposed; however, according to the rotation of the rotation disk 16 , the pattern image moves on the sample image changing the direction. In this case also, when the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field and the straight line patterns of translucent sections 16 a and shield sections 16 b become parallel as shown in FIG. 6B as mentioned above, the observation image may have an uneven brightness, because, in this state, the pattern projected on the sample 8 varies hardly, even when the rotation disk 16 continues to rotate; however, according to the rotation disk 16 of this embodiment, as it is set so that the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field and the straight line patterns of translucent sections 16 a and shield sections 16 b never become parallel in any case, an uneven brightness does not appear in the observed image, and moreover, the line-shape images are averaged by the rotation of the rotation disk 16 , allowing to observe a focused quality image. Consequently, in this way, the portion to be parallel to the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation of the rotation disk in the observation field is eliminated by forming a plurality of areas 161 , 162 , 163 different in direction with straight line patterns arranging translucent sections 16 a and shield sections 16 b alternately, an uneven brightness does not appear in the observed image, allowing to observe a focused quality image. In addition, as there is no portion shielding a quantity of light on the surface of the rotation disk 16 , light can be used effectively, and further, a quality image can be obtained with less uneven brightness from the vicinity of the center of the rotation disk 16 to far way, by making the area width constant. Besides, the mask pattern can be created by the EB drawing machine, by scanning with electron beam in one direction, at an extremely low cost, because only straight patterns are arranged, different from a complicated arrangement of a number of pin holes as in the case of Nipkow rotation disk. (Fourth Embodiment) Now, the fourth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the fourth embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 will be used. FIG. 9 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk 17 used for such confocal microscope, and patterns of straight translucent sections 16 a and straight shield sections 16 b are arranged alternately on the rotation disk 17 similarly as mentioned for FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5 B. In addition, the relationship of width of these translucent sections 17 a and shield sections 17 b and the setting conditions of the width L of the translucent section 17 a are also as mentioned for FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5 B. Among the straight patterns of these straight translucent sections 17 a and straight shield sections 17 b , areas 19 a , 19 b having a plurality of translucent sections 18 a and shield sections 18 b in a direction orthogonal to the straight pattern of these translucent sections 17 a and shield sections 17 b , are disposed in the portion parallel to the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation direction of the rotation disk in the observation field. In this case, the areas 19 a , 19 b are formed in fan-shape by changing sequentially the length of respective straight patterns from the rotation disk periphery, and the center angle θ is decided by the reduction degree of uneven brightness, width of the translucent sections 18 a and shield sections 18 b , and distance R between the observation field and the rotation disk 17 rotation center. For instance, when the width of the translucent sections 18 a is 20 μm, width of shield sections 18 b 180 μm, and distance R 30 mm, in order to reduce the uneven brightness to 1% or less, θ is set to about 10 degrees. Therefore, the use of such rotation disk 17 also allows to obtain a sectioning image without uneven brightness, and moreover, patterns can be formed easily on the rotation disk 17 , thereby reducing the cost, because respective straight patters exist substantially only in two directions as for the straight line direction, even though divided in four areas. (Fifth Embodiment) Now, the fifth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the fifth embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 4, FIG. 4 will be used. FIG. 10 shows a schematic configuration of a rotation disk 20 used for such confocal microscope, and patterns of straight translucent sections 20 a and straight shield sections 20 b are arranged alternately on the rotation disk 20 similarly as mentioned for FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5 B. In addition, the relationship of width of these translucent sections 20 a and shield sections 20 b and the setting conditions of the width L of the translucent section 20 a are also as mentioned for FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5 B. Among the straight patterns of these straight translucent sections 20 a and straight shield sections 20 b , an area 22 of a fixed width X having a plurality of translucent sections 21 a and shield sections 21 b in a direction orthogonal to the straight pattern of these translucent sections 20 a and shield sections 20 b , is disposed in the portion parallel to the scanning direction (H direction) by the rotation direction of the rotation disk in the observation field. In this case, the width X of the area 22 is decided by the reduction degree of uneven brightness, and width of the translucent sections 21 a and shield sections 21 b . For instance, when the width of the translucent sections 21 a is 6 μm, and width of shield sections 21 b 54 μm, in the case of the rotation disk 17 mentioned for the fourth embodiment, the angle θ for reducing the uneven brightness to a fixed value or less in the portion near and in the portion far from the rotation disk center, is different. In short, suppose the distance from the rotation disk center be R, the calculation of the angle θ for reducing the uneven brightness to 1% or less, gives the result shown in FIG. 11 . This result shows that the distance R is larger, θ for reducing the uneven brightness to 1% or less is smaller; however, when the observation field is extremely large, as the portion near and the portion far from the rotation disk center are equally used, there will be prominent unevenness and attenuated unevenness in the observation field, if the areas 19 a , 19 b are decided to make θ constant. However, in case of the rotations disk 20 of this fifth embodiment, width X becomes a almost constant value as shown in FIG. 11 given X=R sin θ, the uneven brightness can be reduced to a fixed value or less all over the field even when the observation field is extremely large, allowing to observe the sample still better. (Sixth Embodiment) Now, the sixth embodiment of the present invention will be described. The following problems may be indicated, in the first to fifth embodiments. The image brightness obtained by the aforementioned sectioning image observation apparatus is in proportion to the translucent section area in the observation field on the rotation disk surface. The width of the straight pattern of the translucent section of the rotation disk is decides as a value determined from a constant of the optical system for obtaining the sectioning effect as shown before. It is more effective to adopt a larger width for the shield section, because the plan resolution and the sectioning effect in the height direction are damaged by the filtration of non-focused light from adjacent translucent sections; however, in practice, it is set to a certain value (for instance, in the aforementioned example, translucent section: shield section=1:9) compromising the total light amount contributing to the image formation. Thus, the line width value of translucent section and shield section is a fixed value, and the rotation disk permeability is constant. However, as represented by certain semiconductor samples, there is a case of observing an upper and lower images at the same time for a sample having a predetermined height such as a multi-layered structure. For the observation of such sample, sometimes it is better to give the permeability in the observation field on the rotation disk priority, and increase the light amount contributing to the image, for securing the image brightness. On the other hand, in case of observation with fluorescence, the increase of light source light amount for securing the image brightness may increase the irradiated light amount to the sample, resulting in a premature fading. Similarly, for the sample in the semiconductor filed, it can be considered that the irradiation light alters the resist film, and damages the sample in some cases. Thus, concerning the application of high sectioning effect of aforementioned sectioning image observation apparatus to various kinds of sample, it is considered difficult to apply to more various kinds of sample observation, given the problem of lack of image brightness due to low permeability of the rotation disk especially in the fluorescent observation or the like. It is evident that this restriction influences prominently especially in eye observation. FIG. 12 shows a schematic configuration applied to the conventional confocal microscope of the sixth embodiment, and the same symbol is affected to the same part as FIG. 4 . In the configuration of FIG. 12, a motor 16 and a transport stage 17 are added explicitly to the configuration of FIG. 4, both the motor 16 and the rotation disk 13 are mounted on the transport stage 17 and movable in a direction where the rotation disk 23 cross the optical axis. The other configuration being similar to that in FIG. 4, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. FIG. 13 A and FIG. 13B show a rotation disk in the sixth embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 12A, the rotation disk 23 is divided into three concentric areas 231 , 232 , 233 in the rotation radial direction, and each areas has linearly formed translucent section 23 a and light shielding portion 23 b arranged alternately as shown in the enlarged view of FIG. 13 B. The line widths of the shield portion 23 b are different respectively for three areas 231 , 232 , 233 mentioned above, and are for example: 231 : 50×L 232 : 10×L 233 : 4×L in respect to the width L of the aforementioned translucent section. In this embodiment, 231 , 232 and 232 of FIG. 3A can be selected by moving the transport stage 17 for the light incident position on the rotation disk 23 , namely the position of pattern projected to the sample 8 on the rotation disk 23 . This is set so that the observation field is contained within a specific area, as shown by the dot line circle in FIG. 13 A. Consequently, the rotation disk permeability in the field can be changed about 1 time, 5 times or 20 times by setting the transport stage 17 . Consequently, according to the sectioning image observation apparatus of this embodiment, in case when the height direction change of the sample 8 is small, or when the irradiation amount to the sample is desired to be restricted as in the fluorescent observation, the permeability of the rotation disk 13 can be changed by selecting the use portion of the rotation disk 23 different in shield section width, through the movement of the transport stage 17 . This allows to set an appropriate sectioning effect and image brightness in accordance with the situation of the sample 8 , and to perform the sectioning image observation with appropriate brightness for more various kinds of samples. In addition, the rotation disk pattern per se is a simple line pattern similarly as the prior art, that will not increase the manufacturing cost, and can be manufactured at a low cost. (Seventh Embodiment) Now, the seventh embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the seventh embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 12, FIG. 12 will be used. FIG. 14 shows a rotation disk in a seventh embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment being pattern modification of the rotation disk of the sixth embodiment, only pattern portion will be described, and description of parts similar to the sixth embodiment will be omitted. In the rotation disk of this embodiment, in the straight patterns 241 of the rotation disk as in FIG. 14, the straight patterns 242 are disposed orthogonal to the other portion in the portion where H direction when the rotation disk 24 rotates and the straight patterns become parallel as in FIG. 10 . Three areas different in shield section width are disposed in the radial direction as in the sixth embodiment. The adoption of such rotation disk pattern limits the image uneven brightness at the position where the rotation direction (H direction) and the pattern direction become parallel, during the rotation disk rotation. The permeability of the rotation disk can be changed by modifying the use point of the rotation disk as in the sixth embodiment, and this allows to modify the image brightness in accordance with the sample situation, by still even brightness in the field. (Eighth Embodiment) Now, the eighth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the seventh embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 12, FIG. 12 will be used. FIG. 15A shows a general view of the rotation disk 23 and FIG. 15B is a partial enlargement view of the rotation disk 25 . As shown in FIG. 15A, the rotation disk 25 is divided in two areas 251 and 252 and, as shown in FIG. 15B, straight patterns such as translucent section 251 a and shield section 251 b are arranged alternately. The translucent sections 251 a (or 252 a ), and shield sections 251 b (or 252 b ) are arranged alternately in the area 251 (or area 252 ), and the line width of the shield portion 251 b (or 252 b ) is wider than the translucent sections 251 a (or 252 a ) by 9:1. Here, in order to dispose the area 252 disposed on the inner circumference side of the rotation disk 25 , it can move in the arrow direction, by the transport stage 17 with manual or automatic control using straight guide, ball screw, rack and pinion or the like connected to the motor 16 . Concerning the width L of translucent section, as in the case of pin hole, using the expression (1), suppose the projection magnification of the sample image on the rotation disk be M, light wavelength λ and the aperture of the objective NA, and for instance in the area 251 of FIG. 15A, an objective 7 of magnification 100 times, NA=0.9 are supposed and placed on the light path, the width L of the translucent section 251 a is set to the range of 30 to 60 μm by calculation with λ=550 nm generally used. On the other hand, in the area 252 , suppose the magnification 20 times, NA=0.4 for the objective 7 , the width L of the translucent section 252 a is set in the range of 13.75 to 27.5 μm for the same wavelength λ. The straight line direction in the observation field changes as the rotation disk 25 rotates; however, among the straight patterns of translucent sections 251 a (or 252 a ) and shield sections 215 b (or 252 b ), two shield areas 281 a , 231 b having a center angle of several degrees are disposed in the portion where the pattern direction becomes parallel to the scanning direction in the observation field, along a direction orthogonal to the straight patterns of translucent sections 251 a (or 252 a ) and shield sections 215 b (or 252 b ). Here, in the case when the sample image is desired to be observed using the area 252 of FIG. 15A, the area 252 arranged on the inner circumference side of the rotation disk 25 connected to the motor 16 can be placed on the optical path (or in the observation field) by moving in the arrow direction by the transport stage 17 as shown in FIG. 12 . Besides, two shield areas 25 a , 25 b are arranged as shown in FIGS. 15A and 15B in the portion where the direction of straight patterns of translucent sections 251 a (or 252 a ) and shield sections 215 b (or 252 b ) become parallel to the scanning direction in the observation field, and in these areas, observation image is not formed, preventing uneven brightness from appearing. Thus, a good confocal image of the sample 8 can be obtained only by moving the rotation disk 25 , without changing the rotation disk, as the optimal pattern for the objective magnification and the number of aperture can be selected from a plurality of areas concentrically disposed on the rotation disk 25 . In addition, uneven brightness does not appear in the observation image, because the rotation disk pattern is as simple as arranging only translucence portions and shield portions alternately. Besides, the mask pattern can be created by the EB drawing machine, by only scanning with electron beam in one direction, at an extremely low cost, different from a precise and complicated arrangement of a number of pin holes of the rotation disk, as in the case of Nipkow rotation disk. (Ninth Embodiment) Now, the ninth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 16 illustrates the configuration of the ninth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a pattern modification of the rotation disk of the eighth embodiment, only pattern portions will be described, and description of parts similar to the eighth embodiment will be omitted. In the ninth embodiment also, the width of the translucent section 261 a (or 262 a ) is wider than the shield section 261 b (or 262 b ) and set to 9:1 for instance. Besides the width L of the translucent section 261 a (or 262 b ) is decided by the aforementioned expression (1). Among straight patterns of translucent sections 261 a and shield sections 261 b in the rotation disk of this embodiment, there are provided two areas 263 having translucent section 263 a , shield section 263 b disposing straight patterns and placed orthogonal to the straight patterns of translucent sections 261 a and shield sections 261 b in the portion where the straight patterns become parallel to the rotation disk scanning direction when the rotation disk 24 rotates. These two area 263 are disposed symmetric to the rotation disk center. Two areas 263 described above are formed by changing the length of respective straight pattern sequentially from the rotation disk periphery, and the center angle e is decided by the reduction degree of uneven brightness, width of the shield section 261 b and translucent section 261 b , and distance R between the observation field and the rotation disk 26 rotation center. For instance, in the two areas 263 , when the translucent section is 20 μm, the shield section 180 μm, and distance R 30 mm, in order to reduce the uneven brightness to 1% or less, θ is about 10 degrees. In case where a low magnification objective (and low NA objective) is used, as the width of the translucent section 262 a reduces, for instance, in two areas arranged symmetrical to the rotation center, suppose the translucent section be 6 μm and the shield section 54 μm, the center angle θ2 can be determined from FIG. 11 . Similarly to the eighth embodiment, if the sample image is desired to be observed using the inner circumference side area 4 of the rotation disk 26 , objective lens 7 different in magnification and number of aperture can be used only by moving the rotation disk 26 , without changing the rotation disk 26 , by moving the rotation disk 26 connected to the motor 16 in the arrow direction as shown in FIG. 12 . In addition, a sectioning image can be obtained without making uneven brightness, by forming area 264 a and area 264 b , for the portion in parallel with the rotation disk scanning direction, among straight patterns arranging translucent section 261 a (or 262 b ) and shield section 261 b (or 262 b ) alternately. Further, patterns can be formed on the rotation disk at a low cost, because there are nothing but two straight line directions, even though this rotation disk is divided into four in the circumferential direction. (Tenth Embodiment) Now, the tenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 17 illustrates the configuration of the tenth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment is a pattern modification of the rotation disk of the eighth embodiment, only pattern portions will be described, and description of parts similar to the eighth embodiment will be omitted. The rotation disk 27 of this embodiment is divided by 120 degrees in the circumferential direction of the rotation disk 27 so that there is no potion where the straight patterns becomes parallel to the rotation disk scanning direction in the observation field when the rotation disk 24 rotates, among straight patterns of the rotation disk as shown in FIG. 17 . Straight pattern translucent section 272 a , shield section 272 b can be disposed on the light path in the area 6 , allowing to respond to a low magnification objective. Similarly to the eighth embodiment, in the case when the sample image is desired to be observed using the area 6 on the inner circumference side of the rotation disk 27 , objectives 7 different in magnification or number of aperture can be adopted, only by moving the rotation disk 27 , without exchanging the rotation disk 27 , by moving the rotation disk 27 connected to the motor 16 in the arrow direction as shown in FIG. 12 . The sectioning image can be obtained without producing uneven brightness, because there is no straight pattern becoming in parallel with the rotation disk scanning direction in the observation field of the rotation disk 27 . Further, in this embodiment, patterns can be prepare precisely at a low cost, because, there are nothing but straight line patterns. (Eleventh Embodiment) FIG. 18 illustrates the configuration of the eleventh embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment being a pattern modification of the rotation disk of the eighth embodiment, only pattern portions will be described, and description of parts similar to the eighth embodiment will be omitted. For the rotation disk of this embodiment, there are provided areas 283 (or areas 284 ) having a plurality of straight patterns constant in diameter X1 (or X2) of translucent section 283 a (or 284 a ) placed orthogonal to the direction of the straight patterns of translucent sections 281 a (or 282 a ) and shield sections 281 b (or 282 b ) in the portion where the straight patterns of translucent sections 501 a (or 502 a ), shield sections 281 b (or 282 b ) of the rotation disk 28 become parallel to the scanning direction by the rotation of the rotation disk as shown in FIG. 18 . For instance, FIG. 11 shows the result of calculation of the angle θ, supposing that, in the area 7 , translucent section width be 6, μm, shield section width 54 μm, distance from rotation disk 28 center R and uneven brightness 1%. Longer is the distance R, smaller is θ, and in FIG. 18, given X1=R×sin θ for the width X1, it becomes substantially a constant value, allowing to make the uneven brightness in the observation field to a fixed value or less, thereby to perform an satisfactory sample observation. Similarly, the width of X2 of the area 8 can be determined from the proportion of dimension width to the translucent section 282 a and shield section 282 b. Similarly to the eighth embodiment, when the sample image is desired to be observed using the area 8 on the inner circumference side of the rotation disk 28 , objectives 7 different in magnification or number of aperture can be accommodated, only by moving the rotation disk 28 , without exchanging the rotation disk 28 , by moving the rotation disk 28 connected to the motor 16 in the arrow direction. In addition, the formation of straight patterns such as the area 283 allows to obtained the sectioning image without producing uneven brightness, Further, in this embodiment, patterns can be prepare precisely at a low cost, because, there are nothing but straight line patterns. In the respective aforementioned embodiments, examples wherein different directions of straight line patterns are disposed at right angles each other were shown; however, it is unnecessary to be always 90 degrees. The angle in respect to the rotation disk rotation direction may be any degrees provided that being larger than θ which is a degree calculated by the uneven brightness. (Twelfth Embodiment) Now, the twelfth embodiment of the present invention will be described. In this case, as the confocal microscope to which the seventh embodiment is applied is similar to that in FIG. 12, FIG. 12 will be used. In addition, disk pattern of this embodiment being similar to that in FIG. 18, the illustration and description thereof be omitted. FIG. 19 is a partial enlargement view of the pattern section of the rotation disk 28 in FIG. 18 . Now, the rotation disk pattern will be described in detail. Different direction areas where tow patters are orthogonal to the other portion are provide in a portion where the direction of straight patterns of the translucent section 281 a (or 282 a ) and shield section 281 b (or 282 b ) become parallel to the scanning direction in the observation field. The reduction degree of contrast stripe can be decided by the widths X1, X2 of theses different direction areas. Suppose a contrast stripe in a certain rayon on the rotation disk. For the calculation convenience, suppose the portion where patterns go straight {cross at right angles} be fan-shaped, and the half angle from the center thereof θ. When the width of the translucent section is L and a width of the translucent section and shield section is W, from r=R when the rotation disk make half revolution, the ratio of the maximum and the minimum brightness of the reflected light in the range of r=R+W is the contrast ratio. Suppose the rotation disk rotation angle be φ, the range of φ=−θ to θ is different in slit direction by 90 degrees. The slit image projected on the rotation disk when a slit is projected on a sample, reflected and returned again to the rotation disk is not rectangular influence by the NA of the objective lens. Suppose a sin θ function having 0 point at L, approximately. When the rotation angle of the rotation disk is φ, the reflected light amount V (r, φ) passing through the rotation disk is: V  ( r , φ ) = { sin     c  ( x  ( r , φ ) L - L 2 ) x  ( r , φ ) ≤ L 0 L < x  ( r , φ ) ≤ W   Here, ( 4 ) x  ( r , φ ) = r     sin     φ - L     int     ( r     sin     φ L ) - θ < φ < θ x  ( r , φ ) = r     cos     φ - L     int     ( r     cos     φ L ) otherwise ( 5 ) However, provided that in t(x) is a function expression the integer portion of x. Therefore, the light amount S (r) of the position of which distance from the center is r, is determined by integrating V by a half revolution: S  ( r ) = ∫ π 2 - π 2  V  ( r , φ )   φ ( 6 ) In the calculation of the expression (6), φ is −π/2 to π/2 integrated; however, in reality, the rotation disk being symmetrical to x axis y axis, a range of φ=0 to π/2 corresponding to a ¼ revolution is sufficient. This is calculated from r=R to R+W, and the ratio of maximum value and minimum value thereof is the contrast ratio of the moment when the portion whose slit is vertical has an angle of θ. Suppose the contrast ratio be Iratio (θ), I ratio  ( θ ) = max  ( S  ( r ) r = R r = R + W ) min  ( S  ( r ) r = R r = R + W ) ( 7 ) The variation thereof is determined for the range of θ=0 to π/4 (45 degrees) and the variation of contrast ratio for respective slit width and distance R from the center according to θ is calculated for judging how many degrees will be convenient as θ. If the angle θ is converted into the width X of the different direction area: X=R sin θ  (8) FIG. 21 shows the relationship between the contrast ratio and the different direction area width X. It is a contrast ratio at the position R=25 mm and R=40 mm with the translucent section slit width L=30 μm, W=300 μm. From FIG. 21, it is understood that curbs agree each other event at R=25 mm, 40 mm. In short, the variation of contrast ratio is decided by the different direction area width X independently of R provided that L and R are same. Larger is X, smaller is the contrast ratio; however, exceeding once a fixed value, it varies scarcely. It is around X=15 mm in case of FIG. 21 . Therefore, if the slit width L of the translucent section is 30 μm, and W is 300 μm for 232 of FIG. 19, X2=10 mm may be set. Next, suppose both L and W are larger. FIG. 22 shows the calculation results for L=60 μm, W=600 μm. FIG. 22 shows a prominent relief around X=20 mm; however, the contrast ratio varies scarcely around 20 to 25. This corresponds to a position about two times compared to FIG. 21 . In other words, if L:W does not change, it is understood that it is enough to double the value of X, when W has doubled. Suppose L=60 μm, and W=600 μm for 231 of FIG. 19, X1=20 mm may be set. The foregoing shows that, among the translucent section slit width, cyclic width L of translucent section and shield section, and different direction area width X, there is a law saying “suppose the duty ratio L/W be constant, X is proportional to W”. However, an upper limit is applied to the magnitude of X, by the distance R from the rotation disk center. The examination of FIG. 20 shows that when the angle θ is equal or superior to 45 degrees, then, the pattern area in the orthogonal direction becomes narrower. In short, the maximum value of X is: X ≤ R     sin     π 4 ( 9 ) As X is proportional to W, if a pattern responding to a plurality of objective is desired with L:W constant, the translucent section larger in the slit width L should be disposed outside the circle as shown in FIG. 18 . For the rotation disk of this time, as the slit width is different for inside and outside two bands as shown in FIG. 18, it will be enough to dispose the smaller slit width inside, and the lager slit width outside. As mentioned above, it was made possible to observe a good quality confocal image, even when observed changing the area, because it was made possible to select a pattern matched with the objective magnification or number of apertures from a plurality of areas arranged concentrically on the rotation disk 28 , and at the same time, it was made possible to decide appropriately the width X of the different direction area orthogonal to the pattern for avoiding contrast strips provided in each area by the pattern cycle W. Further, if the translucent section slit width L and its cycle W are constant, it is enough to design so that said width X of the different direction area is in proportion to W, making unnecessary to create a trial pattern to decide its the different direction area, and reducing time and cost. (Thirteenth Embodiment) FIG. 23 A and FIG. 23B illustrate the configuration of the thirteenth embodiment of the present invention. This embodiment being a pattern modification of the rotation disk of the eleventh embodiment, only pattern portions will be described, and description of parts similar to the eleventh embodiment will be omitted. For the rotation disk of this embodiment, a rotation disk 29 is divided into two concentric areas as shown in FIG. 23A, and the translucent section slit width L is identical for outside areas 291 , 293 and inside areas 292 , 294 , and the cycle W1 of outside translucent section and shield section and the inside cycle W2 are made different in width as shown in FIG. 23B. A different direction area 293 is disposed outside 2×1 in width, a different direction area 294 is disposed inside its width 2×2, and patterns of this portion are orthogonal to the other portion. According to this embodiment, in the case when the sample image is desired to be observed using the area 8 on the inner circumference side of the rotation disk 29 , different patterns can be selected, only by moving the rotation disk 29 , without exchanging the rotation disk 29 , by moving the rotation disk 29 connected to the motor 16 in the arrow direction. Different from the fourteenth embodiment, the slit width is of the same value inside and outside, but the cycle thereof is different. When a sample is observed, sometimes the brightness takes priority over the Z resolution, by reducing the confocal effect. As it is known that higher is W/L, better is the confocal effect (Z resolution), in a case as the forgoing, the observation can be performed by simply changing the brightness and confocal effect be executing the aforementioned changeover, by changing the ratio of L and W inside and outside as in this embodiment. In this embodiment, the slit width L is identical, and only the cycle W is different for two areas 291 , 292 . The relationship of width X of the different direction area for such case will be shown. Suppose the translucent section slit width L=30 μm, its cycle W1=150 μm. As in the eleventh embodiment, FIG. 24 shows the calculation results of the relationship between the contrast ratio and the different direction area width X. From FIG. 24, it is understood that the contrast ratio varies little approximately when X=5 mm is exceeded. Compared to FIG. 21 where W is double as W=300 μm for the same L, the contrast ratio becomes substantially a fixed value at the position where X is double. In order to confirm this, FIG. 25 shows the calculation results of the contrast ratio with an extremely large W as W=1200 μm for the same L=30 μm. Here, the contrast ratio varies scarcely around X=40 to 60 mm, and it is understood that the value of X is four times higher compared to W=300 μm of FIG. 21, as expected. In short, “a width X of the different direction area making the contrast ratio a fixed value or below, regardless of ′L/W, is proportional to the pattern cycle W”. In addition, similarly to the eleventh embodiment, given the relationship of the expression (9) exists between the distance R from the rotation disk center and X, it is necessary to dispose the pattern with larger W outside. In short, “when a plurality of patterns are to be disposed on the rotation disk, it is preferable to increase the distance R from the rotation disk center, and if it is impossible, those of larger W will be arranged outside”. Therefore, in case of this embodiment, for instance, it can be set as follows: Inside: L=30 μm, W=150 μm Outside: L=30 μm, W=300 μm. As mentioned above, it was made possible to observe images with different confocal effect and brightness, without changing the rotation disk, because it was made possible to select a pattern of the same slit width L and different cycle width L from a plurality of areas arranged concentrically on the rotation disk 29 , and at the same time, it was made possible to observe a good quality confocal image, even when observed changing the area, because it was made possible to decide appropriately the width X of the different direction area orthogonal to the pattern for avoiding contrast strips provided in each area by the pattern cycle W. Further, if the translucent section slit width L and its cycle W are constant, it is enough to design so that said width X of the different direction area is in proportion to W, making unnecessary to create a trial pattern to decide its the different direction area, and reducing time and cost. In the embodiment, it was proposed to dispose two areas in the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side of the rotation disk 29 : however, if the area is contained within the observation field, three or more pattern areas corresponding to respective objective 7 , or different in Z resolution, may be disposed concentrically on the rotation disk 29 . (Fourteenth Embodiment) Now the fourteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 26 shows a schematic configuration applied to the confocal microscope according to the fourteenth embodiment, and the same symbol is affected to the same portion as FIG. 4 . In the configuration of FIG. 12, a motor 16 is added explicitly to the configuration of FIG. 4, and the rotation disk is constituted slant to the optical axis by a predetermined angle θ. The other configuration being similar to that in FIG. 4, the detailed description thereof will be omitted. The rotation disk 13 is slant to the plane vertical to the optical axis by an angle θ, connected to the motor 16 through a rotation shaft 12 , and rotates at a fixed rotation speed. The pattern of the rotation disk 12 is usable by any rotation disk of respective embodiment as mentioned above, the description and illustration of the pattern will be omitted. In the configuration of FIG. 26, light reflected from the sample 8 passes through the objective 7 , becomes a straight polarized light orthogonal to the incidence at the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , and forms an image of the sample 8 on the rotation disk 13 through the first imaging lens 5 . Among formed images, most of confocal component passes through the translucent section on the rotation disk 13 , but cannot pass if not focused. Most of light of non-confocal component is absorbed by the shield section, but partially reflected. Given the permeability not 100%, light of translucence portion also is reflected partially. The component having passed through the translucence portion of the rotation disk 13 passes further through the PBS 3 and confocal component in the sample image is imaged by the CCD camera through the second imaging lens 9 . On the other hand, if the reflected light passes again through the first imaging lens 5 , objective 7 and passes through the translucent section of the rotation disk 13 , reflected by the sample or others, it may possibly create flare deteriorating the image contrast. FIG. 27 is a partial enlargement view of the rotation disk and the first objective. The rotation disk 13 is slant to the plane vertical to the optical axis by an angle θ, and suppose the magnification of sample image projected on the rotation disk 13 be M, and the diameter of the observation field on the rotation disk 13 R; the number of apertures of the objective 7 be NA. First, the image projected on the optical axis in the center of the field. As sin of the maximum incident angle φ at this point on the rotation disk is the quotient of the objective NA by the magnification M, suppose the angle be small, ψ= NA/M As the rotation disk is slant to the plane vertical to the optical axis by θ, light of said maximum incident angle φ is incident to the axis to the rotation disk by θ±ψ=θ± NA/M when this light is partially reflected, it should be NA/M<θ±NA/M   (5) so that it does not enter the objective. As all symbols are positive, eventually θ>2 NA/M ( 6) will be satisfied. These are discussions about the central point of the field of view, the angle of the light to the rotation disk from the sample attains its maximum at the point at the edge of the observation field as the right side line of FIG. 27 . In this case, it is necessary to add an angle φ between the optical path and a main optical line passing the point in the edge of the observation field to (5). Eventually, the rotation disk inclination θ condition for preventing light from the sample, if reflected from the rotation disk 13 , from entering the objective 7 again will be: θ>ψ+2 NA/M   (2) These consider only the case of light from the sample, and do not refer to the flare in case of reflection of light from the light source by the rotation disk. Ordinary microscopes are designed so that the light from the light source enters, in a way to illuminate the observation filed with an even brightness, and satisfy the objective NA. The expression (2) is satisfied as it is for the light from the light source, because this condition is absolutely identical to the one for the light from the sample to form the image in a way to satisfy NA with an even brightness in the field of view of the rotation disk. According to the expression (2), the larger the better is θ; however, it is necessary to be included within the depth of focus, in the observation field projected on the rotation disk, because it is focused on different height, when the focal plan of the sample is slant in respect to the rotation disk plan. The sample plan depth of focus zd is given approximately by the following expression with the objective NA and the wavelength λ. z d = 0.9  λ NA 2 The depth of focus z'd of the sample image projected on the rotation disk being multiplied by M 2 : z d ′ = 0.9     M 2  λ NA 2 ( 7 ) It is necessary to be included within the focal depth range of the expression (7), in the observation field of the sample image projected on the rotation disk slant by the angle θ. Suppose the diameter (number of fields) on the rotation disk 13 be R, the condition of θ to be determined is: tan     θ < z d ′ R = 0.9     M 2  λ NA 2  R ( 8 ) Suppose θ be small, the constant about 1, approximately, the condition: θ < M 2  λ NA 2  R ( 3 ) will be satisfied. As an example, suppose a case where the objective is M=50 [times], NA=0.9, number of field R=11 [mm]. Suppose the light wavelength λ=0.55 [μm]. As φ is given by: φ = R 2 L = 5.5 180 = 0.0306    [ rad ] when the depth of focus of the first objective is L, and L=180 [mm], from this and the expression (2) θ>0.067[rad]=3.8° and, from the expression (3) θ<0.154[rad]=8.8° therefore, it will be enough to set θ in the range of 3.8°<θ<8.8°. As mentioned above, a confocal image free from focus inclination or flare, by deciding the inclination angle θ of rotation disk 13 , in correspondence to the objective magnification, number of aperture, and number of field can be obtained. (Fifteenth Embodiment) Now the fifteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 28 shows the configuration of the fifteenth embodiment. The same symbols are affected to the same portions as FIG. 14 . The rotation disk 13 is slant to the plane vertical to the optical axis by an angle θ, connected to the motor 16 through a rotation shaft 12 , and rotates at a fixed rotation speed. As rotation disk 13 , for instance, the rotation disk of the six embodiment and thereafter can be applied. The motor 16 can move the transport stage 17 in the arrow direction, keeping the angle θ, under the manual or automatic control using linear guide, ball screw, rack and pinion or others. Now the function of this embodiment will be described. Here, as for the rotation disk, the disk 28 shown in FIG. 18 will be used. When 100 times, NA=0.95 are adopted for the objective 7 , the rotation disk is turned by the transport stage 17 connected to the motor 16 , so that areas 281 , 283 of the rotation disk 13 are positioned on the optical path. The function up to the imaging by the light from the light source is identical to the fourteenth embodiment. Next, when the objective 7 is changed to 30 times, NA=0.5, the areas 282 , 283 disposed on the inner circumference side of the rotation disk 28 are moved by the transport stage 17 connected to the motor 16 in the arrow direction to place them on the optical path (or observation field). Now, the rotation disk inclination at this time will be examined. The number of fields, depth of focus of the first objective, and light wavelength are the same as the fourteenth embodiment. When the objective lens is 100 times, NA=0.95, from expressions (2) and (3): 2.8°<θ<31.7° When the objective lens is 20 times, NA=0.4, from expressions (2) and (3): 4.0°<θ<7.2° Consequently, it is enough to decide the angle θ in a way to satisfy the condition for the objective of 20 times. As mentioned above, also in the case where a plurality of patterns are provided, a good contrast sectioning image can be observed, even when the objective lens setting to the rotation disk inclination condition, from the lens characteristics used for respective pattern, is changed. In this embodiment, two areas are disposed on the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side of the rotation disk 13 : however, if the area is contained within the observation field, three or more pattern areas corresponding to respective objective, may be disposed concentrically on the rotation disk 13 . In the aforementioned embodiments, examples satisfying both expressions (2) and (3) simultaneously were shown; however, they are not always satisfied simultaneously. For instance, even when an objective lens of 20 times, NA=0.4, if the observation field is large. For instance the number of field R=25, suppose the other conditions be identical, the expression (2) will be: θ>6.3°  (2)′ under the conditions of the expression (3): θ<3.2°  (3)′ and it becomes impossible to satisfy (2)′ and (3)′ simultaneously. In such a case, it will be set to satisfy only the condition (3)′ to be enter the depth of focus, without considering the flare reduction condition (2)′; while the flare will be reduced by another means such as enhancement of optical system antireflective coat, improving the polarization rate of the optical system for polarization. (Sixteenth Embodiment) Now the sixteenth embodiment of the present invention will be described. Different from the first to thirteenth embodiments, this embodiment uses a micro mirror in place of rotation disk. FIG. 29 illustrates the configuration of the sixteenth embodiment, and the same symbol is affected to the same portion as FIG. 4, and the description thereof will be omitted. As for the micro mirror array 32 applied to the present invention, a number of mirror, each several μm to several tens of μm are arranged two-dimensionally as shown in FIG. 30A, and individual mirror is supported by two bars as shown in FIG. 30B. A different electrode is attached respectively to the individual mirror, and three states, faced to the front (2), inclined oppositely each other (1), (3), can be changed over depending on the voltage applied to the electrode as shown in FIG. 30 C. Light emitted from the light source 1 passes the optical lens 2 , becomes a straight line polarized light containing only a certain polarized light at the deflecting plate 15 , and enters the PBS 3 . The PBS 3 reflects the polarized light in the direction passing through the deflecting plate, and permeates the polarized light in a direction perpendicular to this. Light reflected by the PBS 3 is reflected by a first mirror 31 and enters the micro mirror array 32 with an incident angle of 45 degrees. In the micro mirror array 32 , light incident to the micro mirror array 32 faced to the front of FIG. 30 C( 2 ) is reflected in the direction of the second mirror 33 , and light incident to the micro mirror array faced to the direction (1) or (3) of FIG. 30C is directed to the other direction. Light directed in the direction of the second mirror 33 is reflected in the direction of the first imaging lens 5 by the second mirror 33 , passes through the first imaging lens 5 , becomes a circular polarized light at the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , is imaged by the objective 7 and enters the sample 8 . On the other hand, light reflected from the sample 8 passes through the objective 7 , becomes a straight polarized light orthogonal to the incidence at the ¼ wavelength plate 6 , I reflected by the first mirror 7 in the direction of the micro mirror array 32 and forms a sample image on the mirror array through the first imaging lens 5 . In the micro mirror array 32 , similarly as before, light incident to the micro mirror array 32 faced to the front of FIG. 30 C( 2 ) is reflected in the direction of the first mirror 31 , and light incident to the micro mirror array faced to the direction (1) or (3) of FIG. 30C is directed to the other direction. At this time, as confocal image is formed on the portion faced to the front of FIG. 30 C( 2 ) and non-focused portion on the other micro mirror, only focused portion proceeds in the direction of the first mirror 31 . The focused component is reflected by the first mirror 31 , passes through the PBS 3 and the sample image is formed on the CCD camera 13 through the second imaging lens 12 . Now, the actual shooting operation will be described. The size of individual mirror of the micro mirror array 32 is supposed to be 10 μm×10 μm. As an example, suppose the objective lens be 10 times and NA=0.3. At this time, the appropriate slit width at the micro mirror array 32 position is about 10 μm from the expression (1). A period of each slit assumed to be 50 μm. For imaging, first, a computer 34 sends a command to a driver 35 , to direct the micro mirror array 32 to respective mirror as shown in FIG. 31 A. In FIG. 31 A and FIG. 31B, white portions are mirrors faced to the front as in FIG. 30 C( 2 ), while black portions, inclined as (3) in FIG. 30C, are directed to the second mirror 33 . As the illumination light is irradiated to the sample only when the micro mirror faces to the front, as mentioned before, an image of slit light juxtaposition is projected on the sample. In this state, the computer 34 sends a command to open the shutter of the CCD camera 10 , to start the exposure by the CCD camera 10 . During the exposure with the shutter open, the micro mirror pattern is shifted as follows. First, from the state of FIG. 31A, the computer 34 sends a command to the driver 35 so that the slit light moves in Y direction of FIG. 31A by one line, or so that the micro mirror array pattern becomes as shown in FIG. 31 B. If this were repeated 3 more times, the sample would have been scanned evenly; however, as it is, similarly as the slit scanning, the resolution in X direction results in being inferior to the resolution in Y direction, provoking an anisotropy. In a way to cancel, continuously, a pattern inclined by 45 degrees in respect to X as in FIG. 32A is moved in the S direction of FIG. 32A in the same manner, for scanning. Further, the scanning is performed similarly for the pattern of 90 degrees as in FIG. 32B or of 135 degrees as in FIG. 32C, the shutter is closed to finish the exposure, and the taken image is transferred to the computer 34 to display the image on the monitor 11 . The aforementioned operation allows to obtain a confocal image of less anisotropy. Now, the case of objective exchange will be examined. When the objective is 50 times, NA=0.8, the slit width being about 20 μm from the expression (1), one slit corresponds to two lines of micro mirror, and to obtain an slit interval of 100 μm with the same ratio to the slit width (duty ratio 1:5) as for the 10 times objective, it will be enough to adopt a pattern as shown in FIG. 32 D. Besides, as mentioned before, a confocal image can be obtained by moving changing the pattern direction. For convenience, 12×12 micro mirror array is illustrated in the drawing; however, in reality, 500×500 or more mirrors are arranged, therefore, the confocal image can be obtained similarly for larger slits width, for instance, even for a slit width of 40 μm or so of the of a 100 times, NA=0.9 objective or the like. Though the angle is change by 45 degrees in this embodiment, it is not necessarily to limit to this angle. 90 degrees or 30 degrees or 5 degrees will be adopted. Smaller is the angle, smaller is the anisotropy different in resolution according to the direction, it takes a long time per screen. Though the slit width to slit interval ratio is set to 1:5, it goes without saying that this value may be set arbitrarily in order to change the brightness or the Z direction resolution. (Seventeenth Embodiment) FIG. 33 shows a schematic configuration of the present invention applied to the confocal microscope, and the same symbol is affected to the same portion as FIG. 12 . In this case, a condenser lens 2 , an excitation filter 36 , and a dichroic mirror 37 are arranged on a light path of the light emitted from a light source 1 such as mercury light source or others, and a rotation disk 13 , a first imaging lens 5 , and a sample 8 through an objective 7 are arranged on the reflected light path of the dichroic mirror 37 . In addition, a CCD camera 10 is arranged through an absorbing filter 38 and a second imaging lens 9 on the filtered light path of the dichroic mirror 37 of the light emitted from the sample 8 . A monitor 11 is connected to the image output terminal of this CCD camera 10 for displaying the image taken by the CCD camera. Here, similarly as mentioned for FIG. 5 A and FIG. 5B, for the rotation disk 13 , respective patterns of linearly formed translucent sections 13 a and linearly formed shield sections 13 b are arranged alternately, and at the same time, the width dimension of the straight shield section 13 b is larger than the width dimension of the straight translucent section 13 a , and set for instance to 1:9. The excitation filter 36 has such translucence characteristics that the permeability attains the maximum in a wavelength band shorter than the fluorescence wavelength a as shown in FIG. 34, filters selectively a light of a predetermined frequency exciting the fluorescence, and shields light of the other wavelength. The dichroic mirror 37 has such reflection characteristics that the reflectivity attains the maximum in a wavelength band shorter than the fluorescence wavelength a as shown in FIG. 35A, reflects the light of the wavelength having passed through the excitation filter 36 , has such translucence characteristics that the permeability attains the maximum in a wavelength band including the fluorescence wavelength a as shown in FIG. 35 A and FIG. 35B, and filters the fluorescence wavelength emitted from the sample 8 . In addition, the absorbing filter 38 has such translucence characteristics that the permeability attains the maximum in a wavelength band including the fluorescence wavelength as shown in FIG. 35B, shields the excitation wavelength having passed through the excitation filter 36 and filters the fluorescence wavelength. The wavelength characteristics of these excitation filter 36 , dichroic mirror 37 and absorbing filter 38 are different according to the fluorescent pigment to be used and, for example, in case of observing FITC, given the maximum excitation wavelength 490 nm, the maximum fluorescence wavelength 520 nm, a wavelength of 460 to 490 nm is used as wavelength for filtering the excitation filter 36 and as wavelength reflected by the dichroic mirror 37 , and a wavelength of 510 nm is used as wavelength for filtering the absorbing filter 38 . In such configuration, light emitted from the light source 1 passes through the condenser lens 2 , and light of fluorescence exciting wavelength is selected by the excitation filter 36 , and introduced to the dichroic mirror 37 . The dichroic mirror 37 reflects the light of the wavelength having passed through the excitation filter 36 , and the light reflected by the dichroic mirror 37 enters the rotation disk 13 turning at a fixed speed. Then the light having passed through the straight translucent section 13 of this rotation disk 13 passes through the first imaging lens 5 , forms an image by the objective 7 and enters the sample 8 . This incident light generates fluorescence from the sample 8 . Fluorescence generated from the sample 8 and reflection light passe through the objective 7 , and form the sample image on the rotation disk 13 through the first imaging lens 5 . In this case, a focused portion of the sample 8 is projected in line on the rotation disk 13 in the form of product of the projected line and the sample image, and can pass the translucent section 13 a of rotation disk 13 ; however, most of non-confocal image cannot pass through the rotation disk 16 , because its image projected on the rotation disk 13 is also non-focused. As it is, the sample image and the pattern image are simply superposed; however, according to the rotation of the rotation disk 13 , the pattern image is moved (scanned) on the sample image changing the direction, averaging them and canceling the line image, allowing to obtain a confocal image. Then, fluorescence and reflection light having passed trough the translucent section 13 a of rotation disk 13 enter the dichroic mirror 37 and as dichroic mirror 37 filters the fluorescence wavelength and the absorbing filter 38 also filters light of fluorescence wavelength, only the fluorescence is formed as a sample fluorescent image on the CCD camera through the second imaging lens 9 and can be observed on the monitor 11 . Therefore, in this way also, effects similar to the aforementioned first embodiment can be expected. Note that the rotation disk used for this seventeenth embodiment is an example, and it can also be applied to the rotation disk described for respective embodiment mentioned above. The present invention is not limited to the aforementioned embodiment, but can be modified variously without departing from the subject matter of the invention. For example, in the fourth and fifth embodiments among respective embodiments mentioned above, the straight pattern area of other translucent section and shield section is formed in the direction orthogonal to the straight patterns of translucent section and shield section in both of them, it in not always required to be orthogonal. In addition, though in the aforementioned embodiment, images taken by the CCD camera 10 are displayed on the monitor 11 , they may be eye observed in place of CCD camera 10 . Besides, a half mirror can be disposed on this side of the second imaging lens 9 and an objective on the split optical path, allowing both eye observation and CCD, or a full reflection mirror is mounted detachably to switch over both observation methods. Further, though in the aforementioned embodiment, the width ratio of straight translucent section and shield section is set to 1:9, this ratio may be set to a larger or smaller value; when it is set to 1:3 or so, the image is brighter, but contains more non-confocal component. If it is set to 1:50 or 1:100, non-confocal component exists hardly, allowing to obtain a sectioning image constituted uniquely of confocal images can be obtained. Still further, though in this embodiment, there is shown an embodiment where two areas are disposed on the inner circumference side and the outer circumference side of the rotation disk: however, the observation is sometimes performed by connecting an objective 7 different in magnification and number of aperture to a not shown revolver, if the area is contained within the observation field, three or more pattern areas corresponding to respective objective 7 , may be disposed concentrically on the rotation disk. Moreover, though not mentioned in the aforementioned embodiment, the three-dimensional observation can be realized by putting the sample on a Z stage, and capturing images by changing the distance between the sample 8 and the objective 7 . As mentioned before, according to the present invention, a pattern formation member applied to a sectioning image observation apparatus allowing to observe stably a quality image without making the observed image brightness uneven, and a sectioning image observation apparatus can be supplied. As the foregoing, the present invention is appropriate for a pattern formation member applied to a sectioning image observation apparatus for observing/measuring sample microstructure or three-dimensional shape using light and a sectioning image observation apparatus. 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 and 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.
In a pattern formation member adopted to a sectioning image observation apparatus which selectively irradiates a light from a light source to a sample, scans the sample, and acquires a light from the sample as a sectioning image, the pattern formation member comprises an irradiation section and a cutoff section, each of the irradiation section and the cutoff section is in a straight pattern, and these straight patterns are disposed alternatively.
6
BACKGROUND [0001] 1. Field of Invention [0002] The invention is directed to devices for milling a window in casing disposed in an oil or gas wellbore and, in particular, to four-mill bottom hole assemblies for cutting a window in the wellbore casing such as for allowing a lateral, offshoot, horizontal, or branch wellbore to be drilled. [0003] 2. Description of Art [0004] Bottom hole assemblies, or casing window milling assemblies, for use with whipstocks disposed within wellbore casing are known in the art. In general, these assemblies operate by lowering the assembly into a wellbore casing until a cutting end, or mill head or window mill, contacts the whipstock. As the assembly is further lowered, the window mill is forced into the wellbore casing by the whipstock. As a result, the window mill begins cutting the wellbore casing to form a window. [0005] Contemporaneously, two additional, or secondary, mills such as a reaming mill and a honing mill, begin cutting the wellbore casing above the window formed by the window mill. As the window mill moves further downhole, and is further forced into the wellbore casing by the whipstock, the opening in the casing, or window, is enlarged, usually by the two secondary mills cutting additional openings in the casing above the whipstock and gradually moving toward the window formed by the window mill until the openings and the window connect. To assist with the bending moment caused by the window mill being forced by the whipstock into the wellbore casing, a flex-joint or flexible section within the upper mills is usually disposed above the window mill. [0006] Although prior assemblies are effective at ultimately forming the desired opening in the wellbore casing, they have several shortcomings. For example, the size of the window ultimately cut in the casing should, theoretically, be as long as the ramp of the whipstock. The length of the ramp of the whipstock is defined as the distance along the angled portion of the whipstock from the point where the window mill is first moved toward the casing wall to the bottom of the angled portion. However, the window formed by the typical three-mill bottom hole assemblies have difficulty cutting a window that is as long as the ramp length of the whipstock because of the loss of appreciable restraining force on the window mill during its traverse on the bottom quarter section of the whipstock ramp. As a result, the length of the window is shortened such that longer and larger diameter assemblies and other equipment which, in most cases, are more desirable, cannot pass through the opening. [0007] Current casing window milling assemblies also experience problems with the cutting structure on the mills wearing out prematurely while cutting a window in large size casings with large size whipstocks. In many instances, three mills in three-mill assemblies do not ensure enough cutting structure to create a full gauge window while sustaining the long ramp lengths of large size whipstocks. The vibration impact can also cause the cutters to breakdown and the mills loose their cutting ability prematurely. This can lead to the considerable expense of a second milling operation with a fresh set of mills. [0008] Also, in many situations, disposition of a full gauge secondary reaming/honing mill at a location too close to a full gauge window mill produces large bending stresses in the bottom hole assembly, especially between the window mill and the secondary mill. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0009] Broadly, the bottom hole assemblies or casing window milling assemblies disclosed herein comprise four separate mills disposed at particular locations along the length of the bottom hole assembly. The locations of each of the mills allow for a window to be cut in the casing that is substantially equal to or greater than the length of the ramp of the whipstock. “Substantially equal to” is used herein as meaning at least 95% of the length of the ramp of the whipstock. [0010] The bottom hole assemblies comprise a window mill at a lower end of the bottom hole assembly. In some embodiments, the window mill is releasably connected to a whipstock so that the whipstock and the bottom hole assembly are run into the wellbore together. A first upper mill is disposed above the window mill, a second upper mill is disposed above the first upper mill, and a third upper mill is disposed above the second upper mill. The first upper mill is an under-gauged mill disposed at a distance measuring approximately 20-37% of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. In one particular embodiment, the first upper mill is at a distance that is 25% of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. [0011] The second upper mill is disposed above the first upper mill and, thus, the window mill, at a distance measuring approximately 55% to 75% percent, and in one embodiment 65% percent, of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. The third upper mill is disposed above the second upper mill and, thus, the first upper mill and the window mill, at a distance measuring approximately 120% to 130%, and in one embodiment, 125% of the length of the ramp of the whipstock. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of one specific embodiment of a casing window milling assembly disclosed herein and a whipstock shown disposed in a cased wellbore during run-in. [0013] FIGS. 2-5 are cross-sectional views of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 showing the progression of the assembly shown in FIG. 1 as a window is cut in the casing of the wellbore. [0014] While the invention will be described in connection with the preferred embodiments, it will be understood that it is not intended to limit the invention to that embodiment. On the contrary, it is intended to cover all alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION [0015] Referring now to FIGS. 1-5 , in one specific embodiment, casing window milling assembly of bottom hole assembly 20 includes window mill 22 secured, such as through threads (not shown), to lower joint 26 . Window mill 22 may be a conventional carbide mill or PDC mill known in the art. Lower joint 26 may be a rigid joint or have flexibility to assist in reducing stresses in bottom hole assembly 20 . Window mill 22 includes lower end 23 and mill head housing or body 27 . Lower joint includes under-gauged portion 28 to which first upper mill 30 is secured, or which forms first upper mill 30 . As is readily understood by persons of ordinary skill in the art, first upper mill 30 , as well as any other mills discussed herein, may be separate components secured to the joints of bottom hole assembly 20 or they may be formed integral with the joints of bottom hole assembly 20 . [0016] Under-gauged portion 28 is used herein to describe a portion of the lower joint 26 that has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameter of the remainder of lower joint 26 . In alternative embodiments, the outer diameter of lower joint 26 is uniform, i.e., there is no under-gauged portion 28 , or the portion of lower joint 26 that includes mill 30 has an enlarged outer diameter to provide additional strength to lower joint 26 . In these embodiments, first upper mill 30 disposed along lower joint 26 is a mill that has an outer diameter that is smaller than the maximum outer diameter of window mill 22 and the maximum outer diameters of the mills disposed above first upper mill 30 , which are discussed in greater detail below. Regardless of whether lower joint 26 includes an under-gauged portion 28 or if the lower joint includes an under-gauged mill, first upper mill 30 is referred herein as the “under-gauge mill” because the combined outer diameter, i.e. the outer diameter of lower joint 26 and the overall thickness of first upper mill 30 , is less than the maximum outer diameters of window mill 22 and the two mills disposed above first upper mill 30 . First upper mill 30 is disposed along lower joint 26 above window mill 22 at a distance measuring approximately 20% to 37%, and in one embodiment 25%, of the distance 24 measured from window mill 22 to third upper mill 46 (discussed in greater detail below). [0017] Lower joint 26 is secured, such as through threads (not shown), to upper joint 36 . Upper joint is then secured to a tool string (not shown) such as through threads (not shown). Upper joint 36 includes second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 . In one embodiment, both second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 are “full-gauge mills” because their diameters are not increased or decreased by the outer diameter of upper joint 36 . Nor are the outer diameters of second upper mill 40 or third upper mill 46 increased or decreased to be any larger or smaller than the maximum diameter of window mill 22 . [0018] Second upper mill 40 is disposed toward a lower end of upper joint 36 and third upper mill 46 is disposed toward an upper end of upper joint 36 . Second upper mill 40 is disposed above first upper mill 30 and, thus, window mill 22 , at a distance measuring approximately 55%-75% percent, and in one embodiment 65%, of the distance 24 measured from window mill 22 to third upper mill 46 . Third upper mill 46 is disposed above second upper mill 40 and, thus, above first upper mill 30 and window mill 22 , at a distance measuring approximately 120%-130%, and in one embodiment, 125%, of the length of the ramp 82 of whipstock 80 . Referring to FIG. 1 , the length of ramp 82 is measured from the top 84 of whipstock 80 where ramp 82 begins to the bottom 86 of ramp 82 of whipstock 80 . In certain embodiments, whipstock 80 has an over-all length greater than 20 feet and a ramp length greater than 18.5 feet. [0019] The locations of first upper mill 30 , second upper mill 40 , and third upper mill 46 with respect to window mill 22 facilitates creation of a restraining force on window mill 22 to decrease the chance of early jump-off of window mill 22 from casing 15 near the mid-section of whipstock ramp 82 . Also, under-gauge portion 28 disposed at a distance discussed above, facilitates reduction of unacceptable bending stresses in bottom hole assembly 20 . [0020] Although first, second, and third upper mills 30 , 40 , and 46 may be any mills known in the art, in one particular embodiment, first and second upper mills 30 , 40 are ball mills having a rounded, arcuate cross-section, and third upper mill 46 is a watermelon mill, having a substantially flat surface cross-section with bearing structure ingrained. [0021] Window mill 22 , and first, second, and third upper mills 30 , 40 , 46 , all may include an outer layer of, or formed completely out of, a material selected from the group consisting of carbide, aluminum bronze, tungsten carbide, or hardfacing. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more of window mill 22 , or first, second, or third upper mills 30 , 40 , 46 may include blades or other cutting devices known in the art. [0022] Bore 50 is longitudinally disposed through window head 22 , lower joint 26 and upper joint 36 to facilitate circulation of fluid down wellbore 10 . [0023] In operation, bottom hole assembly 20 is assembled as shown in FIG. 1 , secured to a tool string (not shown), and lowered into wellbore 10 having casing 15 . It is to be understood, however, that although whipstock 80 is shown as part of bottom hole assembly 20 in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-5 so that whipstock 80 can be set during a single run of bottom hole assembly 20 into cased wellbore 10 , whipstock 80 is not required to be part of bottom hole assembly 20 . To the contrary, whipstock 80 may be previously disposed within cased wellbore 10 so that bottom hole assembly 20 can be lowered into cased wellbore 10 until mill head 22 contacts whipstock 80 . [0024] In either of the foregoing operations, window mill 22 is freed from whipstock 80 so that whipstock 80 guides window mill 22 into the wellbore casing 15 to facilitate window mill 22 cutting window 90 in the wellbore casing 15 . As bottom hole assembly 20 is lowered downward, bottom hole assembly 20 is rotated and begins cutting window 90 in casing 15 ( FIG. 2 ). As bottom hole assembly 20 is lowered further into casing 15 , rotation of bottom hole assembly 20 continues, and cutting of window 90 continues as window mill 22 moves down ramp 82 of whipstock 80 ( FIGS. 3-5 ). In so doing, bottom hole assembly 20 is angled off of the axis 70 ( FIG. 2 ) of casing 15 so window mill 22 cuts through casing 15 and moves into the earth formation (not shown) to form an open-hole wellbore (not shown). [0025] After window mill 22 has cut into casing 15 a sufficient distance, first upper mill 30 engages casing 15 ( FIG. 3 ) above the top of whipstock, and, thereafter, starts to cut casing 15 above window 90 . First upper mill 30 continues to cut casing 15 above the top 84 of whipstock 80 , and hence enlarging the window 90 , until the enlarged portion of window 90 , i.e. the portion of casing 15 cut by first upper mill 30 , combines with the portion of window 90 cut in casing 15 by window mill 22 . Bottom hole assembly 20 then exits casing 15 through window 90 as illustrated in FIG. 5 . [0026] During creation of window 90 , one or both of second upper mill 40 and/or third upper mill 46 contact casing 15 when window mill 22 is past half-way down the length of ramp 82 of whipstock 80 . At this point during the window cutting process, second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 contact casing 15 and begin to ream, i.e., clean and cut, the portion of window 90 cut by first upper mill 30 . As bottom hole assembly 20 moves downward, second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 continue to ream the portion of window 90 cut by window mill 22 . It is to be understood, however, that second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 are not required to be limited to reaming window 90 in casing 15 . In certain embodiments, second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 can also engage and cut casing 15 above the portion of window 90 cut by first upper mill 30 . [0027] Further down the cutting process, first upper mill 30 , second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 , engage the formation to continue cutting and cleaning out window 90 . Because of the location of first upper mill 30 relative to window mill 22 , the cutting ability of first upper mill 30 is best utilized to extend window 90 above the top 84 of whipstock 80 and ream/clean window 90 at later stages of window formation. As also shown in FIG. 5 , window 90 is greater than length of ramp 82 of whipstock 80 . After this is accomplished bottom hole assembly 20 can be retrieved from the wellbore casing 15 and a drill string or another piece of equipment can be run into the wellbore casing 15 to complete the new wellbore. [0028] The four mills of bottom hole assembly 20 disposed at the locations discussed herein assist in providing a constant and appreciable restraining force on window mill 22 during its traverse on the bottom quarter section of whipstock ramp 82 leading to a longer window length, especially with large size whipstocks. The location of first upper mill 30 to window mill 22 also facilitates creation of a restraining force on window mill 22 to reduce the chance of early jump-off of window mill 22 from casing 15 . Under gauge first upper mill 30 facilitates reduction of bending stresses in bottom hole assembly 20 , especially between window mill 22 and first upper mill 30 . The appreciable distance between second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 facilitate reduction of bending stresses between second upper mill 40 and third upper mill 46 . [0029] It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the exact details of construction, operation, exact materials, or embodiments shown and described, as modifications and equivalents will be apparent to one skilled in the art. For example, each mill described herein can be any type of mill or milling device known to persons in the art. Each mill may comprise a separate device secured to the lower and upper joints or they may be formed integral with the lower or upper joints. Each mill may include blades or other cutting devices, or they may include abrasive surfaces. In other words, as used herein, the term “mill” is to be understood to be given its broadest meaning as being any device capable of cutting or reaming casing of a wellbore. Moreover, second and third upper mills may be designed to only ream out the window after it has been cut in the casing by the window mill and the first upper mill. Alternatively, second and/or third upper mill may also cut an upper portion of window 90 above the portion cut by first upper mill 30 . Accordingly, the invention is therefore to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
Bottom hole assemblies for cutting windows in wellbore casing comprise a window mill, a first upper mill, a second upper mill, and a third upper mill. The first mill has an outer diameter that is smaller than the outer diameters of the window mill and the second and third upper mills. The first upper mill is disposed above the window mill at a distance measuring approximately twenty to thirty-seven percent of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. The second upper mill is disposed above the window mill at a distance measuring approximately fifty-five to seventy-five percent of the distance measured from the window mill to the third upper mill. The third upper mill is disposed above the window mill at a distance measuring approximately one-hundred twenty to one-hundred thirty percent of the length of a ramp of a whipstock for guiding the mills.
4
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a storage system, more specifically, to a charging method based on the reduced initial investment for a storage system, easy volume addition of the storage system, and the used volume of the storage system, and to a storage system for realizing the charging method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] With the rapid spread of Internet, the amount of data has been increased suddenly in the computer network market, and opportunities to add a storage system also have risen sharply in order to store the enormous data. A solution which can supply volumes timely to an abrupt demand for volumes centering on IDC (Internet Data Center), the so-called storage on-demand has been desired. [0003] Each time the volume of a storage system is required, it has been necessary to perform a system adding operation. The system adding operation includes maintenance of power source equipment, ensuring of installing space, planning of an introduction schedule, supply and installation of a system, connection test, and delivery of the system to a user. A great deal of time and funds are required, so that the system cannot be easily added. [0004] To reduce the number of addition times, a high-capacity storage system may be introduced at first. To do this, however, this increases the initial introduction cost which is a problem to a user who does not have enough funds. As a known example to such a problem, there is a function of IBM's “ESS capacity upgrade on-demand”. [0005] In this function, in addition to the disk volume to be needed initially, an added disk volume (the capacity upgrade on-demand) is mounted for shipment, so that a user can use the added disk volume whenever necessary. A server processor additionally mounted is extended to enable the added disk volume to be used. The storage on-demand function has the merit of instantly adding and using the excessive added disk on customer demand. After introduction, however, a volume for the capacity upgrade on-demand must be purchased within one year. [0006] The customer judges that a disk must be really added, not when the used disk is actually insufficient, but when the unused area of the usable disk is not enough. Naturally, there may be the case that disk addition is instructed when the total unused area is used and added data cannot be written. Since the system, which has already been in a state that data cannot be written thereinto, cannot be operated substantially, the case is late as the timing to add a disk. A system manager must always grasp the system state and sequentially add a disk to the area to be insufficient by the disk on-demand. [0007] The disk on-demand solves the speed problem in that the adding operation can be efficient. In an aspect of a prior investment to be performed by predicting that storage data will be increased in the future, the problem how the wasteful prior investment is avoided still remains. Reduction of the added disk volume may be considered. In this case, however, addition opportunities are increased, which may easily exert some influence onto the system's long-time continuous stable operation. Charging opportunities by the disk on-demand are increased so as to provide a complex fee system. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] To solve the foregoing problems, an object of the present invention is to find a disk addition provision method in order to avoid a wasteful prior investment. Specifically, the object of the present invention is to provide a method in which an owner of a storage system rents the storage system to a user and charges for the used volume of the user for a fixed period, wherein timely volume addition corresponding to the user's addition needs is easily provided to the user for a short time, and a wasteful prior investment is reduced. [0009] Another object of the present invention is to review the volume construction and the charged cost of a storage system on a fixed period basis, to enable addition of optimal hardware such as a disk and a cache memory at the point, and to optimally set the hardware construction. [0010] To achieve these objects, in the present invention, the volume of the storage system can be divided into a basic supplied volume charged for a volume supplied initially to a user (hereinafter, called an initial introduction volume) and an excessive used volume charged for a volume actually used by the user in excess of the basic supplied volume (hereinafter, called an added volume). The storage system has a disk volume, a cache volume, and other elements to construct the storage system more than the user's increase intension, and the user borrows it. An owner of the storage system charges to the user the basic supplied volume and the excessive used volume. Charging for the basic supplied volume is uniform irrespective of the user's actually-used volume. The excessive used volume is charged for the user's used volume for a fixed period. [0011] The initial introduction volume needed by the user is charged from introduction. Charging for the volume more than the increase intension is started to the user's actually-used volume. The unused volume is charged based on a previously concluded contract [0012] For this reason, the storage system has means for allowing the owner to grasp that the user starts using the system. In addition, the storage system has means for expanding a used area corresponding to the user's storage system increase intension and means for recognizing the expanded volume. [0013] Further, in the present invention, a disk volume, a cache volume, and other elements to construct the storage system used by the user of the storage system can be expanded into a given period by an arrangement with the user on a fixed period basis within the range of the volume to be added which is previously mounted on the storage system. [0014] Furthermore, in the present invention, in the case that hardware constructing the storage system rented to the user by the owner is doubled, the main side charges for the normal fee and the sub side charges for a cost lower than that of the main side, so as to reduce the user's investment cost to the storage system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire system of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 2 shows a management table of a disk control unit of a storage system according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 3 is a diagram showing the information flow of the storage system and an information display terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the information flow of the storage system and the information display terminal according to the embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 5 is an example of an information management table by users of the storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the charged volume transition to the disk volume of the storage system showing one embodiment of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a charging method to the disk volume of the storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention; [0022] FIG. 8 is a diagram showing time required for volume addition to the storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention and the prior art; [0023] FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the initial invested volumes to the storage system according to the embodiment of the present invention and the prior art; [0024] FIG. 10 is a diagram showing the hardware construction of the storage system of the present invention; [0025] FIG. 11 is a diagram showing the rental charging system construction of the storage system of the present invention; [0026] FIG. 12 is a flowchart for performing an addition instruction on a user's display terminal; [0027] FIG. 13 is a flowchart for performing an addition process in the storage system of the present invention; [0028] FIG. 14 is a flowchart for calculating a charge upon reception of an addition instruction on an owner's display terminal of the present invention; [0029] FIG. 15 is an output screen example of the embodiment displayed on the user's display terminal of the present invention; [0030] FIG. 16 is an output screen example of the embodiment displayed on the user's display terminal of the present invention; and [0031] FIG. 17 is an output screen example of the embodiment displayed on the user's display terminal of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0032] Embodiments of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. [0033] FIG. 1 is a diagram showing the entire system of the present invention. There are an owner and a user of a storage system. A storage system 10 rented by the owner is connected to a line 20 by the user site. The same line is connected to an information display terminal 30 of the owner site. The storage system 10 is equipped with a disk drive 11 for the initial introduction volume and a disk drive 12 more than the user's increase intension. A storage controller 13 of the storage system 10 has a management part 14 for managing the used disk volume and an operation part 15 . The operation part 15 is connected to the storage controller 13 and has an operation panel. More specifically, it is constructed by an SVP 108 shown in the hardware construction of FIG. 10 . The information display terminal by users 30 of the storage system has a used volume display part 31 for displaying used volume information by users of the storage system. [0034] The management part 14 of the storage system 10 has a table for managing on-demand flag information. The on-demand flag is reset so as to increase the usable volume. The owner of the storage system 10 uses the operation part 15 at shipment of the system to set an on-demand flag on a given logic volume basis to the disk drive 12 and rents the system 10 . The management unit is not limited to the logic volume, and may be an RAID group, a physical volume, or an address. [0035] FIG. 2 shows a table for managing on-demand flag information. This table manages on-demand volumes, on-demand flag attributes, and the reset time. [0036] In the on-demand volume, all the logic volumes to which the on-demand flags are set are managed. The on-demand flag attributes are all “Set” at shipment, and are recorded into the management table as “Reset” when the flag is reset. Once this flag is reset, the initial state cannot be returned. When the flag is reset, the reset date and time to the second are recorded into the management table. Items managed by the table may be volume numbers in place of the on-demand volume, or may include identification information inherent to the user and system use periods. [0037] The operation part 15 shown in FIG. 1 can refer to the table and display that the on-demand flag is being set or reset. The user starts using the disk drive 11 for the initial introduction volume of the rented storage system. When the user wishes to increase the volume since the volume is insufficient for using the disk drive 11 for the initial introduction volume, the operation part 15 of the storage system 10 is used to reset the on-demand flag for the volume to be used and to start using the added volume. In other words, the used area corresponding to the user's volume increase intension can be easily expanded within the range of the added volume previously mounted. The information that the user resets the flag to start using the added volume is notified to the information display terminal 30 of the owner site, so that the owner can recognize the user starts using the added volume. [0038] Notification of the flag reset can be realized by operating the program for that purpose by means of the storage controller 13 of the storage system 10 . The dedicated program in part or in whole may be mounted on the information processor of the user side information display terminal and perform reset control via a network. With FIG. 3 , the information flow of the storage system 10 and the information display terminal 30 will be described. [0039] The program in the storage controller 13 refers to the on-demand flag management table when the user resets the flag. When in the usable state (the set state), the on-demand flag is reset so that an event occurs. At this time, the management part 14 of the storage system 10 records an on-demand flag attribute and reset time targeted for management information by resetting the on-demand flag. (Step sa 1 ) [0040] With the event of the management part 14 , the operation part 15 of the storage system 10 notifies the information that the user resets the flag to start using the on-demand volume to the owner's information display terminal 30 through the line 20 . The notification means may be an infrastructure only for this charging system or may use the existing system failure report infrastructure. The notified information may include information managed by the table such as reset time, reset volume, reset volume number, and setting information including identification information inherent to the storage system 10 . (STEP sa 2 ) [0041] The information display terminal 30 receives the notification, and the used volume display part 31 displays the used volume information of the user. (STEP sa 3 ). [0042] The information flow with the event of resetting the on-demand flag is described above. When the owner of the storage system wishes to know the use state, the owner can inquire the state. FIG. 4 shows the sequence. [0043] The information display terminal 30 accesses the storage system 10 through the line 20 to inquire on-demand flag information. (STEP sb 1 ) [0044] The operation part 15 of the storage system 10 inquired by the information display terminal 30 collects on-demand flag information from the management table of the management part 14 and sends the information to the information display terminal 30 through the line 20 . (STEP sb 2 ) (STEP sb 3 ) [0045] The information display terminal 30 receives the information, and the used volume display part 31 displays the on-demand flag information. (STEP sb 4 ) [0046] Specific examples of the owner and the user of the storage system can be as follows. [0047] (1) An owner is a production and sales maker of the storage system, and a user is a data center operator (IDC (Internet Data Center) or ASP (Application Service Provider). [0048] (2) An owner is a production and sales maker of the storage system, and a user is an end user (a general customer needing storage for actually storing data). [0049] (3) An owner is a data center operator (IDC or ASP), and a user is an end user. [0050] In description of the embodiment of the present invention, this specification describes by assumption that in the case (1), the owner is a production and sales maker of the storage system and the user is a data center operator (IDC or ASP). Other cases can be the same form so that the present invention can be applied. A combination of the owner and user can be other than that of the above cases (1) to (3). [0051] In the case (1), the owner includes a person in charge of service and maintenance and the person in charge of service and maintenance may perform an actual operation. For example, upon the user's request, the person in charge of service and maintenance may substitutably perform an operation for resetting the on-demand flag in the presence of the user. [0052] When in the case (2), the owner is a data center operator and the user is an end user, storage is supplied to plural end users. The used volume must be managed for each of the end users. The management may be performed on a bookkeeping base, or dedicated software can be developed to manage the used volume by the program. [0053] FIG. 5 shows an example of a management table. The managed contents include a user ID, a used volume, an added volume, a use period, a use starting date, an allocated volume, and a use unit cost. [0054] FIG. 6 shows one embodiment of the present invention. In a method in which the owner of the storage system rents the storage system to the user based on a volume plan for a certain period and charges for the user's used volume, the disk mounted volume of the storage system and the charged volume transition are shown. [0055] In FIG. 6 , a graph vertical axis 40 indicates the disk volume of the storage system and a graph horizontal axis 50 indicates time elapsed since the owner of the storage system rents the storage system to the user. A volume 41 indicated by A is an initial introduction volume of the storage system. A volume 42 indicated by B is an added volume on a fixed period 51 basis. A volume 43 indicated by the broken line is a mounted volume. At initial introduction, a volume obtained by adding A 41 to an added volume B 42 on the first fixed period 51 basis is supplied. The initial introduction volume A 41 as a charged volume is charged to the user of the storage system for at least 12 months. The added volume B 42 is not charged for the first fixed period 51 after introduction regardless of whether the added volume B 42 storage system is used or unused. The added volume B 42 is charged after the fixed period 51 elapses. [0056] A charged volume 44 is reviewed on the fixed period 51 basis, and a monthly charged cost is decided based on the volume 44 and a predetermined volume unit cost per month. Used percentages α% and α′% indicate ratios of the used volume excluding the initial introduction volume A 41 after the fixed period 51 to the added volume B 42 . In the presence of an unused volume after the fixed period 51 , the charging percentage to the unused volume is β%. [0057] In the charged volume 44 , when it is confirmed that the whole added volume B 42 is used after the fixed period 51 elapses, the initial introduction volume A 41 and the whole added volume B 42 are charged. When there is an unused volume of the existing added volume B 42 after the fixed period 51 elapses, the total percentage obtained by adding “the used percentage α% at the point” to “a value obtained by multiplying the unused percentage of the added volume B 42 by a certain percentage β%” is charged for the next fixed period 51 . The initial introduction volume A 41 is also charged. After the fixed period 51 elapses, the added volume B 42 for the next fixed period 51 is added. In the same manner, the added volume B 42 added is not charged for the next fixed period 51 , and is charged after the next fixed period 51 elapses. [0058] The volume construction and the charged cost are reviewed on the fixed period basis. The user can add optimal hardware at the point. For example, a large-volume disk or a large-volume cache memory which has not been produced at the contract can be mounted. [0059] In this embodiment, in FIG. 6 , the owner of the storage system rents the storage system to the user for 3 years, the initial introduction volume A 41 is 1 TB (tera byte), the added volume B 42 on a fixed period basis is 1 TB, and the fixed period 51 for performing volume addition and review is 6 months. FIG. 6 also shows that the used percentage α for first 6 months is 0%, the used percentage α′ for the next 6 months is 10%, and the fixed charging percentage β% to the unused percentage is 20%. The values are one example, and the values are varied by the previous arrangement of the owner and the user of the storage system. [0060] With FIGS. 6 and 7 , the flow and the specific example of the charging method to the storage system will be described. [0061] In the present invention, the owner and the user of the storage system make a volume plan for several years since supply of the system and conclude a renting and borrowing contract of the storage system. By way of example, in a three-year volume plan, the initial introduction volume A 41 is 1 TB, the volume and cost review period 51 is 6 months, and the added volume B 42 on a fixed period 51 (6 months) basis is 1 TB. When there is an unused volume after the fixed period 51 (6 months) elapses, the charging percentage to the unused volume is 20%. Assuming that the user uses the storage system for at least 3 years, it is desirable to conclude the contract. At the contract, a monthly charged cost is decided. At this time, 1 TB of the initial introduction volume A 41 as a charged volume is charged for at least 12 months. 1 TB of the added volume B 42 is not charged for first 6 months after introduction regardless of whether the added volume B 42 is used or unused. It is charged after 6 months elapse. (STEP S 1 ). [0062] The user orders to the owner of the storage system a storage system having a total volume of 2 TB of the initial introduction volume 1 TB and the added volume 1 TB for the next 6 months. The owner who has received the order ships a system of the construction for setup and rents it to the user. At this time, the owner constructs and sets the system so that the user automatically notifies the use starting of the added volume. For rental, the storage system includes, not only a disk drive, but also hardware required for the next 6 months (a disk drive, a housing mounting the disk drive, a cache memory, a storage medium to construct the storage system, a controller, a host interface, a relay between the storage systems). (STEP S 2 ) [0063] The user starts using the storage system, and the owner starts charging for the storage system. For the first fixed period 51 (6 months), 1 TB of the initial introduction volume A 41 is a charged volume. (STEP S 3 ) [0064] The used volume of the user can be expanded into a given period by the user within the range of 1 TB of the previously-mounted added volume B 42 . When the previously-mounted added volume is started to use, the on-demand flag may be reset. The storage system has means for notifying to the owner that the user starts using the added volume B 42 . When the user resets the on-demand flag, the use starting information is notified to the owner, and the owner can recognize the use starting. The user uses the operation panel connected to the storage system to display the used volume, and can always confirm the used volume. (STEP S 4 ) (STEP S 5 ) [0065] When the used volume of the fixed volume 51 (6 months) is insufficient in 1TB of the added volume B 42 , another addition is performed. The addition including the volume with the added equipment is completed. After completion of this addition, irrespective of the used volume, the initial introduction volume A 41 and the added volume B 42 are committed as the charged volume for 12 months. The added volume in excess of this is not charged. When it is not insufficient, the use is continued. (STEP S 6 ) (STEP S 7 ) (STEP S 8 ) [0066] Each time the fixed period 41 (6 months) elapses, the charged volume 44 is reviewed. [0067] The owner and the user of the storage system discuss deciding a use fee based on the charged volume 44 and the monthly volume unit cost to conclude a contract to change the use fee. In the charged fee 44 , when it is confirmed that the whole 1 TB of the added volume B 42 is used after 6 months elapse, the total volume of 2 TB of 1 TB of the initial introduction volume A 41 and 1 TB of the added volume B 42 is charged. 1 TB of the added volume B 42 is added so that the mounted volume of the storage system is 3 TB. (STEP S 9 ) (STEP S 10 ) (STEP S 11 ) [0068] On the other hand, when 1 TB of the existing added volume B 42 is not used at all after the fixed period 51 (6 months) elapses, that is, when the used percentage is 0%, a percentage obtained by adding “the used percentage 0% at the point” to “a value obtained by multiplying the unused percentage (100−0) % of the added volume B 42 by the charging percentage 20% to the unused volume decided at the contract” is charged to 1 TB of the added volume B 42 for the next 6 months. In other words, “1 TB of the initial introduction volume A 41 ”+“1 TB of the added volume B 42 ×(0%+(100−0)%×20%)” makes “1 TB+1 TB×0.2=1.2 TB”. [0069] After the next fixed period 51 (6 months) elapses, when the used percentage is 10% in 1 TB of the exiting added volume B 42 , the same calculation is performed. The total charged volume for the next 6 months is “the initial introduction volume 1 TB”+“the added volume 1 TB×(10%+(100−10)%×20%)” makes “1 TB+1 TB×0.28=1.28 TB”. [0070] When the unused volume of the added volume B 42 is large, addition of a new added volume is not performed in this example. Without being limited to this, it may be decided based on the user's use volume increase intension for the next 6 months. [0071] Thereafter, the user uses the storage system based on a new contract, and the owner charges for the charged volume after review to review it on the fixed period 51 (6 months) basis (STEP S 12 ) [0072] The disk volume is described above as an example. The cache volume and other elements to construct the storage system (a housing mounting the disk drive, a storage medium constructing the storage system, a controller, a host interface, and a relay between the storage systems) are reviewed on the fixed period basis and are added for reflection on the charged cost. [0073] The used volume is described with the case that it is charged after the fixed period elapses. Upon notification of the use starting to the owner, the charged cost may be changed. When there is an unused volume after the fixed period elapses, the charging percentage to the unused volume is 20%. This value is arranged between the owner and the user, and the whole unused volume may be charged. The money amount more than the owner's depreciation may be charged to the user as a user's burden. When the user does not use the storage system for the fixed period, the user may accept the storage system assuming that the user pays the corresponding compensation to the owner. [0074] When the hardware constructing the storage system is doubled, the main side charges for the normal fee, and the sub side charges a cost lower than that of the main side. This allows the user to use a reliable storage system at a lower cost. [0075] With FIGS. 8 and 9 , time required for volume addition and the initial investment cost of the charging method applying the present invention are compared with those of a prior art charging method. [0076] FIG. 8 shows time required for volume addition. In a prior art method 61 , a system adding operation must be performed each time the volume of the storage system is needed. The system adding operation includes maintenance of power source equipment, ensuring of the installing space, planning of an introduction schedule, supply and installation of the system, connection test, and deliver of the system to the user, and a great deal of time and fund are required. On the other hand, in the case of the storage system according to the present invention, a volume required by the user of the storage system is planned for several years, and a system with the volume more than the user's addition intension is rented. At normal 62 , when the volume is insufficient, the operation panel of the installed system may be used to extend the usable volume. At review on the fixed period basis 63 , the volume is reviewed, and addition of the added volume may be performed as needed. [0077] In other words, maintenance of power source equipment, ensuring of installing space, planning of an introduction schedule, and connection test are unnecessary, so that time can be shortened largely. Labor costs involved in the addition operation are also unneeded. [0078] FIG. 9 shows initial invested volumes. In the prior art method, the user of the storage system plans a volume required for several years to meet a rapid increase of volume demand, and the volume must be purchased or borrowed at one time. In other words, the mounted volume of the system and a charged volume 71 are the same as an initial invested volume 72 . A great deal of fund is required, and the investment burden is large to a user having a weak financial strength. On the other hand, in the present invention, a mounted volume 73 of the system is more than the user's addition intension, and a charged volume 74 is smaller than the mounted volume 73 . An initial invested volume mounted volume 75 may be only the initial introduction volume, so as to reduce the initial investment. [0079] FIG. 10 is a hardware block diagram showing one example of the storage system 10 for realizing the above-mentioned embodiment. [0080] The storage system 10 is provided with the storage controller 13 connected to a server or a host computer (hereinafter, called a server) and a storage system 110 consisting of a plurality of storage devices 111 for storing data from the server. The storage controller 13 consists of the next control unit or memory in order to control transferring data from the server to the storage system 110 . A channel control unit 101 is connected to the server and responds to requests from the server. The channel control unit 101 transfers data transferred from the server to a cache memory 106 and transfers data stored in the cache memory 106 to the server. The channel control unit 101 incorporates a microprocessor (called an MP) 102 for performing these controls. A plurality of the channel control units 101 are mounted so as to be connected to a plurality of servers. A disk control unit 103 controls transferring and storing data from the server stored on the cache memory 106 to the storage device 111 and transferring data stored on the storage device 111 to the cache memory 106 . The disk control unit 103 is equipped with a microprocessor 104 (called an MP) for performing these controls. A plurality of the disk control units are provided to expand the storage volume. The disk control unit 103 performs RAID control for making data redundant and storing the same. [0081] The cache memory 106 is connected to the channel control unit 101 and the disk control unit 103 , and temporality stores data from the server or data from the storage device 111 . A shared memory 107 holds information of all the controls performed by the storage controller. The process is performed while the MPs of the channel control unit 101 or the disk control unit 103 accesses the shared memory 107 . [0082] An SVP 108 maintains the storage controller 13 and the storage system 110 . In the SVP 108 of a large storage system, a generally used personal computer is used. The SVP 108 is connected to the MPs 102 of the channel control units 101 or the MPs 104 of the disk control units 103 , instructs maintenance, and monitors the current failure of the storage controller. The SVP 108 and the MPs 102 and 104 are connected in an internal LAN. The numeral 109 in the drawing denotes a LAN port for connecting the external display terminal. [0083] The relation to correspond the hardware construction of FIG. 10 with the above-mentioned FIG. 1 will be described hereinbelow. The used volume management part 14 of FIG. 1 is performed by the MPs 102 and 104 of the channel control units 101 and the disk control units 103 of FIG. 10 . The operation part 15 of FIG. 1 is performed by the SVP 108 . The disk drive 11 and the disk drive 12 more than the user's increase intension consist of the storage device 111 . The management table of FIG. 2 is stored into the shared memory 107 . The information management table example by users of the storage system shown in FIG. 5 is stored into the shared memory 107 . [0084] FIG. 11 shows the connection relation between the storage system 10 , a user's display terminal 203 referred and set by the user, and an owner's display terminal 204 referred by the owner for charging management. The storage system 10 is installed in the user site of the storage system and is interconnected by LAN 201 in the user site. The LAN 201 is connected to Internet 202 . The LAN 201 connected to the Internet 202 is actually protected by security such as a firewall. The user's display terminal 203 is connected to the storage system 10 via the Internet 202 and the LAN 201 so as to instruct, to the storage system, confirmation of the use state and used disk drive volume addition (hereinafter, called addition). The owner's display terminal 204 is connected to the storage system 10 via the Internet 202 and the LAN 201 , and receives notification of the addition instruction performed by the user for charging management. The line 20 of FIG. 1 corresponds to the Internet 202 . The information display terminal by users 30 of the storage system of FIG. 1 corresponds to the owner's display terminal 204 . [0085] Using the construction shown in FIG. 11 , a flowchart of the operation of the user's display terminal 203 , the owner's display terminal 204 , and the storage system 10 . [0086] FIG. 12 is a flowchart of the user's display terminal 203 . Step 302 is a step for inquiring the current use state. The screen example is shown in FIG. 15 . [0087] Here is shown the screen for inputting a product type name 601 and a production number 602 of a product to be confirmed its use state, and a user support ID 603 . The user support ID 603 is an ID for identifying the user and is the same as the user ID shown in FIG. 5 . After input, an inquire button 604 is selected to access the targeted storage system and to require information acquisition. Step 303 of FIG. 12 is a step for displaying information acquired from the storage system. The screen example is shown in FIG. 16 . [0088] FIG. 16 shows the screen example for displaying the inquired use state. The numeral 701 denotes an area for showing the inputted system and the inputted user ID in step 302 . The numeral 702 denotes an area for displaying the current use state. Here, a basic volume, an excessive used volume, an unused volume, and a contract period are displayed. The contents are only an example, and data shown by the table structure of FIG. 5 may be displayed. An add button 703 is a button to increase the used volume. When this is selected, the process continues to step 304 . [0089] Step 304 of FIG. 12 is a step for inputting an addition instruction. The screen example is shown in FIG. 17 . Here is displayed a field 801 for inputting a basic volume to be added. The user inputs a volume to be added. After input, an apply button 802 is selected, and the process continues to the step 305 . [0090] Step 305 of FIG. 12 is a step for performing an addition instruction to the targeted storage system. The addition instruction is transmitted to the storage system together with the previously inputted volume. Based on the volume inputted on the storage system side, the addition process is performed to send the result. Step 306 is a step for displaying the result processed on the storage system 10 side. The screen example may be the same as that shown in FIG. 16 . This allows the user to confirm whether the addition instruction result is reflected. [0091] FIG. 13 shows a flowchart for performing an addition request process on the storage system 10 side. In step 401 , whether there is an inquiry or an addition instruction from the user' terminal 203 is checked. When there is not such a request, the request is waited. When there is such a request, whether it is an addition request or an inquiry request is discriminated in step 402 . [0092] In step 403 , when the request is an addition request, a volume to be added is transmitted from the user's terminal. The volume to be added is sampled. In step 404 , the on-demand flag attribute of the management table shown in FIG. 2 is changed from “SET” to “RESET”. [0093] In step 405 , the addition result including the current latest use state such as the volume increased is sent to the user's terminal 203 . In step 406 , the addition notification is reported to the owner's terminal 204 . Step 407 is executed when the request is a use state inquiry. In step 407 , a used volume is calculated based on the user support ID transmitted from the user's terminal 203 . In step 408 , the calculated result is sent to the user's terminal 203 . [0094] FIG. 14 shows a process flow of the owner's terminal 204 . In step 501 , whether there is an addition request from the storage system or not is checked. When there is not such a request, the addition request is waited. When there is an addition request, step 502 is executed. In step 502 , the validity of the user support ID sent from the storage system 10 is checked. In step 503 , the validity of the product number sent from the storage system 10 is checked. As a result of steps 502 and 503 , when they are not valid, the notification is sent immediately to the storage system 10 , and the display of the notification that the volume addition is impossible is transferred to the user's terminal 203 . In step 504 , the customer charging table managed based on the user support ID is updated. The customer charging table, not shown, is a normal customer database. When new charging occurs by the addition instruction, charging calculation is performed based on the volume added from the instruction date for charging and payment to the customer. [0095] According to the present invention, the owner of the storage system can provide easy and timely volume addition to the user's volume increase demand. [0096] Further, according to the present invention, the user of the storage system can reduce the initial investment and greatly shorten time required for volume addition. An opportunity to review the volume construction and the charged cost on a fixed period basis is provided to add optimal hardware at the point. [0097] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the owner of the storage system can promote expansion of the user's used volume and increase frequency. It can be expected that the user's future disk demand and potential volume demand are dug up, leading to business.
Reduction of the initial investment cost of a user of a storage system can be realized, and the user of the storage system can easily perform timely addition for a short time. In a preferred embodiment, a method for renting and charging the storage system includes the steps of: reading a used volume from a use management table held in the storage system; and sending the read used volume from the storage system to a charging system. Preferably, the storage system has means for allowing an owner to grasp that a user starts using the storage system, wherein the owner rents to the user a storage system having a disk volume, a cache volume, and other components more than the user's increase intension, charges for a used volume of the user for a fixed period, and reviews the added volume and the charged cost on the fixed period basis.
6
FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates in general to catheter systems employed in intravascular procedures. More particularly, the present invention relates to catheter systems for facilitating the exchange of catheters and/or guidewires, and for the transport of such catheters and/or guidewires to a selected site within the patient's vasculature without the need for guidewire extensions or exchange wires. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Catheters are widely used by the medical profession for a variety of purposes and procedures. For example, catheters are commonly used in the treatment of atherosclerotic lesions or stenoses formed on the interior walls of the arteries. One procedure developed for the treatment of such lesions or stenoses is coronary angioplasty. The most commonly practiced angioplasty procedure is known as percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty, or PTCA. According to this procedure, a balloon located at the distal end of a dilatation catheter is guided through the patient's vasculature and positioned within the stenosis. The balloon is then inflated such that it dilates the stenosis and opens the restricted area of the artery. After a short period of time, the balloon is deflated and removed from the patient's vasculature. Typically, the dilatation catheter is maneuvered through the patient's vasculature with the use of a flexible guidewire having a diameter of approximately 0.018 to 0.015 inches and a length of about 180 centimeters. The distal end of the guidewire is extremely flexible so that it may be routed through the convoluted arterial pathway to the site of the stenosis. After the distal portion of the guidewire is positioned across the stenosis, a dilatation catheter having a lumen adapted to receive the guidewire is advanced over the guidewire until the balloon is positioned within the stenosis. During a catheterization procedure, it may be necessary to thread a catheter on or off an indwelling guidewire, or exchange an indwelling catheter with another catheter over an indwelling guidewire. When using a conventional over-the-wire catheter having a guidewire lumen extending throughout the length of the catheter, it is necessary to extend the guidewire outside the patient's body a sufficient distance to enable the catheter to be threaded on the guidewire without disturbing the position of the distal end of the guidewire within the stenosis. Because of the difficulty in managing such a long guidewire, the additional length of guidewire needed is typically provided through the use of a guidewire extension which is temporarily “linked” or attached to the proximal end of the guidewire. Once the catheter has been threaded onto the guidewire extension and advanced over the guidewire through the patient's vasculature, the guidewire extension may be detached from the guidewire. Alternatively, an exchange wire on the order of 300 centimeters may be guided through the patient's vasculature such that its distal portion is positioned across the stenosis. The catheter may then be advanced over the exchange wire without disturbing the position of the distal end of the wire. After the balloon located at the distal end of the catheter is positioned within the stenosis, the exchange wire may be removed from the guidewire lumen and replaced with a shorter, easier to handle guidewire. A number of alternative dilatation catheter designs have been developed in an attempt to eliminate the need to use guidewire extensions or exchange wires. One such catheter design is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,356 issued to Crittenden et al. This catheter and guidewire exchange system includes a catheter shaft having a slit which extends longitudinally between the proximal end and the distal end of the catheter and radially from the catheter shaft outside surface to the guidewire lumen. A guide member slidably coupled to the catheter shaft functions to open the slit such that the guidewire may extend transversely into or out of the slit at any location along the length of the slit. When using this system, the guidewire is maneuvered through the patient's vascular system such that the distal end of the guidewire is positioned across the treatment site. With the guide member positioned near the distal end of the catheter, the proximal end of the guidewire is threaded into the guidewire lumen opening at the distal end of the catheter and through the guide member such that the proximal end of the guidewire protrudes out the proximal end of the guide member. By securing the guide member and the proximal end of the guidewire in a fixed position, the catheter may then be transported over the guidewire by advancing the catheter toward the guide member. In doing so, the guide member slides down the length of the catheter and spreads the slit such that the guidewire lumen envelops the guidewire as the catheter is advanced into the patient's vasculature. The catheter may be advanced over the guidewire in this manner until the distal end of the catheter having the inflation balloon is positioned within the stenosis and essentially the entire length of the guidewire is encompassed within the guidewire lumen. Furthermore, the indwelling catheter may be exchanged with another catheter by reversing the operation described above. To this end, the indwelling catheter may be removed by holding the proximal end of the guidewire and the guide member in a fixed position and withdrawing the proximal end of the catheter from the patient. When the catheter has been withdrawn to the point where the guide member has reached the distal end of the slit, the portion of the catheter over the guidewire is of a sufficiently short length that the catheter may pass over the proximal end of the guidewire without disturbing the position of the guidewire within the patient. After the catheter has been removed, another catheter fitted with a guide member and a longitudinal slit may be threaded onto the guidewire and advanced over the guidewire in the same manner described above with regard to the original catheter. Another catheter design having a slitted catheter shaft in communication with a guidewire lumen is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,982 issued to Horzewski et al. This catheter design includes a guidewire lumen which extends along only a short portion of the distal end of the catheter. Accordingly, when the catheter is advanced over the guidewire, the guidewire is located outside the catheter except for the short segment which passes through the guidewire lumen at the distal end of the catheter. As disclosed in Horzewski et al., the catheter shaft defining the guidewire lumen includes a longitudinal slit which extends from the proximal end of the guidewire lumen toward the distal end of the guidewire lumen. This slit facilitates the exchange of catheters by shortening the length over which the guidewire extends through the guidewire lumen during removal of the catheter. When it is desired to exchange the indwelling catheter with another catheter, the catheter is withdrawn from the patient until the proximal end of the guidewire lumen extends outside the patient. From this point as the catheter is further withdrawn from the patient, the guidewire can be pulled out through the slit until the catheter has been withdrawn to the point of the termination of the slit near the distal end of the guidewire lumen. The portion of the catheter remaining over the guidewire is of sufficiently short length that it can be removed over the proximal end of the guidewire without disturbing the position of the distal end of the guidewire within the patient. Despite these advantages slitted catheters have been known to fail to adequately contain the guidewire within the guidewire lumen during normal operation. More particularly, as the catheter is advanced over the guidewire through the patient's convoluted vasculature it is often bent such that the catheter slit buckles and creates an opening through which the guidewire may protrude. Should the guidewire protrude through the slit it may possibly cause trauma to the interior walls of the arteries. In addition, should the guidewire protrude from and subsequently become pinched within the slit, the distal end of the guidewire may be pulled out of or pushed beyond the treatment site, thus complicating the procedure and requiring repositioning within the patient's vasculature. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is, therefore, a principal object of the present invention to provide an improved catheter and guidewire system. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved catheter and guidewire system having a reinforced catheter slit which opens to allow transport of the catheter within a patient's vasculature over a guidewire or removal of an indwelling catheter without effecting the position of the guidewire within the patient's vasculature. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved catheter and guidewire system having a reinforced catheter slit which remains closed to contain the guidewire within the guidewire lumen, when desired. It is also an object of the present invention to provide an improved catheter and guidewire system having a reinforced catheter slit which enables catheter exchanges without the use of extension guidewires or long exchange guidewires. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved catheter and guidewire system having a reinforced catheter slit which enables guidewire exchanges through the catheter guidewire lumen. Objects and advantages of the invention are set forth in part above and in part below. In addition, these and other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent herefrom, or may be appreciated by practice with the invention, the same being realized and attained by means of instrumentalities, combinations and methods pointed out in the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention resides in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, improvements, methods and steps herein shown and described. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing showing a plan view of a balloon catheter employing the reinforced edge catheter shaft according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the catheter tube of the present invention taken along line 2 — 2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a second embodiment of the catheter shaft of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a third embodiment of the catheter shaft of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It should be noted that while the following description will be specifically in the context of coronary angioplasty dilatation catheters, the invention is not so limited and is applicable to other catheter assemblies and procedures. For example, it will be understood that the present invention also applies to drug delivery and/or stent delivery catheters. Referring generally to the embodiments of the invention shown in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numbers refer to like parts throughout the various views, the basic principles of the broadest aspects of the invention can be appreciated from FIGS. 1 and 2. The basic principles of the present invention will be described with reference to the preferred embodiment of the balloon dilatation catheter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,356 issued to Crittenden et al. To this end, the Crittenden et al. patent is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. As shown in FIG. 1, a dilatation catheter, indicated generally as 8 , embodying the present invention comprises an elongated, flexible catheter shaft 10 having two inner lumens extending longitudinally between the proximal and distal ends of the catheter shaft. The catheter includes an inflation balloon 20 located at the distal end of the catheter shaft 10 . A guide member 12 is slidably received over catheter shaft 10 and functions to merge or separate catheter shaft 10 and guidewire 14 . The proximal end of catheter shaft 10 further includes a fitting 24 which is designed to be coupled to a suitable source of pressurized fluid for inflating or a suction device for deflating balloon 20 . Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, inflation lumen 22 is adapted to provide flow communication between fitting 24 and the interior of balloon 20 . Guidewire lumen 26 is adapted to slidably receive a guidewire 14 . Guidewire lumen 26 may extend the full length of catheter shaft 10 , terminating at the distal outlet 18 . The cross-section of guidewire lumen 26 may comprise any general configuration, however, it should be dimensioned to be greater than the cross-section of guidewire 14 to permit relative longitudinal movement between guidewire 14 and catheter shaft 10 . In accordance with the present invention, catheter shaft 10 includes a slit 28 extending longitudinally between the distal end and the proximal end of the catheter shaft. The proximal end of slit 28 may terminate at or near fitting 24 . In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in which the catheter includes a balloon 20 at its distal end, the distal end 32 of slit 28 terminates short of the distal tip 17 of the catheter shaft, thereby leaving a distal segment 34 of the catheter shaft which is unslit and in which the guidewire lumen 26 is defined by a continuous surrounding wall. It should be understood, however, that the principles of the present invention are usable with catheters which do not have a balloon or other encircling members at the distal end of the catheter shaft. Accordingly, the present invention may be usable with catheters having a slit 28 which extends fully to the distal tip of the catheter shaft. With reference to the two-lumen catheter shaft embodiment shown in FIG. 2, slit 28 extends from a first end 29 through the catheter tube wall to a second end 30 . Slit 28 may be considered as defining a pair of flaps 36 which are normally closed to form an enclosed guidewire lumen 26 . As illustrated in FIG. 2, the cross-section of catheter shaft 10 defines a centroid 38 through which a principal axis 40 passes. The principal axis 40 is defined as the line passing through centroid 38 wit h respect to which the second moment of inertia for the catheter cross-sectional area is a minimum. As further illustrated in FIG. 2, the cross-section of guidewire lumen 26 defines a center point 27 . According to the present invention, guidewire lumen 26 is disposed within the catheter shaft 10 such that the closing force of flaps 36 exceeds the buckling forces which may be exerted on the catheter shaft when the catheter is routed through the patient's vasculature. The maximum cross-sectional diameter of catheter shaft 10 is a finite measure so that it may fit through a patients vasculature. To provide the desired forces for maintaining the flaps 36 in their closed position, guidewire lumen 26 is disposed within the as catheter shaft such that the distance between the principal axis 40 of the catheter cross-section and the slit first end 29 (designated as A) is less than the distance between the guidewire lumen center point 27 and the slit first end 29 (designated as B). As shown in FIG. 3, the present invention can be applied to a catheter having a single lumen catheter shaft 10 . In this embodiment, catheter shaft 10 includes a guidewire lumen 26 and a slit 28 . Slit 28 extends longitudinally from the proximal end toward the distal end of the catheter shaft and radially through the catheter shaft wall from a first end 29 to a second end 30 . As here embodied, the guidewire lumen 26 is disposed within the catheter shaft 10 such that the distance between the principal axis 40 of the catheter cross section and the slit first end 29 (designated as A) is less than the distance between the guidewire lumen center point 27 and the slit first end 29 (designated as B). By further example, the present invention can also be adapted for use with a catheter having a three lumen catheter shaft. As illustrated in FIG. 4, catheter shaft 10 includes two inflation lumens 22 and a guidewire lumen 26 . Catheter shaft 10 further includes a slit 28 which extends longitudinally from the proximal end toward the distal end of the catheter and radially through the catheter wall from a first end 29 to a second end 30 . Again as provided by the present invention, guidewire lumen 26 is disposed within catheter shaft 10 such that the distance between the principal axis 40 of the catheter cross section and the slit first end 29 (designated as A) is less than the distance between the guidewire lumen center point 27 and the slit first end 29 (designated as B). It should be understood that although the invention is described, for purposes of illustration, as being used in connection with a balloon catheter of the type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,988,356 issued to Crittenden, the invention is not limited to practice with that type of catheter. The invention may be practiced with any type of catheter having a slitted catheter shaft. For example, the reinforced edge of the present invention may be used with the slitted catheter disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,748,982 issued to Horzewski et al. While only a few embodiments have been illustrated and described in connection with the present invention, various modifications and changes in both the apparatus and method will become apparent to those skilled in the art. All such modifications or changes falling within the scope of the claims are intended to be included therein.
The invention relates to a catheter and guidewire exchange system in which the guidewire is contained within an indwelling portion of the catheter and with the guidewire and the catheter being separated externally of the patient. The catheter includes a guidewire lumen and a longitudinal slit which penetrates through the catheter wall and into the guidewire lumen. The catheter walls adjacent the slit are provided with reinforced edges which function to maintain the slit in a normally closed position during the catheterization procedure, when desired.
0
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a mechanism for registration. In particular, the present invention is related to a method and apparatus for maintaining a user registered for an emergency service. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Within the IP (Internet Protocol) Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) as defined by 3 rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) defined by Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF) is used for controlling communication. SIP is an application-layer control protocol for creating, modifying, and terminating sessions with one or more participants. These sessions may include Internet multimedia conferences, Internet telephone calls, and multimedia distribution. Members in a session can communicate via multicast or via a mesh of unicast relations, or a combination of these. Session Description Protocol (SDP) is a protocol which conveys information about media streams in multi-media sessions to allow the recipients of a session description to participate in the session. The SDP offers and answers can be carried in SIP messages. Diameter protocol has been defined by IETF and is intended to provide an Authentication, Authorization and Accounting (AAA) framework for applications such as network access or IP mobility. [0003] Generally, for properly establishing and handling a communication connection between network elements such as a user equipment and another communication equipment or user equipment, a database, a server, etc., one or more intermediate network elements such as control network elements, support nodes, service nodes and interworking elements are involved which may belong to different communication networks. [0004] Also procedures for IMS emergency services have been defined by the 3GPP. Emergency call is an example of emergency services. Before establishing an IMS emergency session, user equipment (UE) must attach to the IP connectivity access network (IP-CAN) and, if required by local regulations, must be registered to the IMS. However, an IMS emergency registration cannot be distinguished in a home subscriber server (HSS) from a normal IMS registration. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present invention overcomes above drawbacks by providing an apparatus, a method and a computer program product comprising receiving a request to terminate a registration of a user, determining if the user is registered for an emergency service, maintaining the user registered for the emergency service, if based on the determination the user is registered for the emergency service, and transmitting an indication indicating that the user is registered for an emergency service if based on the determination the user is registered for the emergency service. [0006] The apparatus, method and computer program product can comprise terminating at least one registration relating to the user, wherein the at least one registration does not comprise a registration for an emergency service. [0007] The user can comprise or can be identified with a user identity and/or a public identity and/or an IMPU. [0008] The indication can be transmitted: responsive to the request, and/or, in a rejection, and/or, in a response, and/or, according to diameter protocol, and/or in Registration-Termination-Answer message (RTA). [0014] The indication can comprise an experimental result code of an internet protocol multimedia subsystem (IMS). [0015] The request can comprise: a request received from a subscription entity, and/or, a de-registration, and/or, network initiated de-registration. [0019] Further, an apparatus, a method and a computer program are provided for transmitting a request to terminate a registration of a user, receiving an indication indicating that the user is registered for an emergency service, and, maintaining the registration of the user active based on the received indication. [0020] The indication can be received: responsive to the request, and/or, in a rejection, and/or, in a response, and/or, according to diameter protocol, and/or in Registration-Termination-Answer message (RTA). [0026] Embodiments of the present invention may have one or more of following advantages: An HSS is made aware of active emergency registration of a user. An active emergency registration of a user can be kept alive, even when terminating normal registration of the user. Enable a call back from an emergency centre to succeed. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0030] FIGS. 1 illustrates signalling and interfaces between relevant network elements according to aspects of the invention. [0031] FIGS. 2 illustrates examples of internal structure and functions of apparatuses implementing aspects of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0032] Different types of network entities and functions exist in the IMS network. Call Session Control Functions (CSCF) implement a session control function in SIP layer. The CSCF can act as Proxy CSCF (P-CSCF), Serving CSCF (S-CSCF) or Interrogating CSCF (I-CSCF). The P-CSCF is the first contact point for the User Equipment (UE) within the IMS; the S-CSCF handles the session states in the network; the I-CSCF is mainly the contact point within an operator's network for all IMS connections destined to a subscriber of that network operator, or a roaming subscriber currently located within that network operator's service area. [0033] The functions performed by the I-CSCF are, for example, assigning an S-CSCF to a user performing a SIP registration and routing SIP requests received from another network towards the S-CSCF. The S-CSCF can perform the session control services for the UE. It maintains a session state as needed by the network operator for support of the services and may be acting as Registrar, i.e. it accepts registration requests and makes its information available through the location server (e.g. HSS). The S-CSCF is the central point to users that are hosted by this S-CSCF. The S-CSCF can provide services to registered and unregistered users when it is assigned to these users. This assignment can be stored in the Home Subscriber Server (HSS). [0034] The HSS is the master database for a given user. It is the entity containing the subscription-related information to support the network entities actually handling calls/sessions. As an example, the HSS provides support to the call control servers (CSCFs) in order to complete the routing/roaming procedures by solving authentication, authorisation, naming/addressing resolution, location dependencies, etc. [0035] The HSS can be responsible for holding the following user related information: User identification, numbering and addressing information, including a display name. User security information: Network access control information for authentication and authorization, such as password information User Location information at inter-system level: the HSS supports the user registration, and stores inter-system location information, etc. User profile information. [0040] An IMS public user identity (IMPU) is a user identity that is used by any user for requesting communications with other users. The IMPU can take the form of a SIP uniform resource identifier (URI) or an E.164 number. Every IMS subsystem subscriber has one or more public user identities. At least one public user identity can be stored in the IM services identity module (ISIM). UE can receive more public identities from the IMS, where they can be stored in the HSS. [0041] IMS private user identity (IMPI) is a user identity that is assigned by the home network operator and used, for example, for registration, authorisation, administration, and accounting purposes. The IMPI can be stored in ISIM and the IMPI can be derived from the international mobile subscriber identity (IMSI). [0042] In an IMS registration with a CSCF, user equipment (UE) registers itself to a CSCF for a specific time, and the CSCF becomes the UE's serving CSCF (S-CSCF). The time for which the UE is registered in the CSCF is called registration lifetime. For the registration lifetime a binding can be created between the Contact address (IP address) of the UE and the public user identities of the user (both can be provided in the registration request). [0043] De-registration is a process in which UE ends its current registration to the serving call state control function (S-CSCF). De-registration is actually a registration where the registration lifetime is set to 0. [0044] Network initiated de-registration is a process in which a network element, for example, an S-CSCF or a HSS initiates de-registration of the user. [0045] Registration-Termination-Request (RTR) message is a Diameter command message that a Diameter multimedia server sends to a Diameter multimedia client to request the de-registration of a user. Registration-Termination-Answer (RTA) message is a Diameter command message that a client sends as a response to a previously received Registration-Termination-Request message. [0046] Cx reference point or Cx interface is an interface between a CSCF and a HSS, supporting the transfer of data between them. The Cx reference point is based on the diameter protocol with 3GPP standard diameter applications. Sh interface is a corresponding interface between the HSS and an AS. Diameter is an authentication, authorisation, and accounting (AAA) protocol defined by the IETF and used for network access services, such as dial-up and mobile IP. The Diameter base protocol is evolved from the remote authentication dial-in user service (RADIUS) protocol. [0047] Diameter multimedia client and Diameter multimedia server implement the Diameter multimedia application. The client is one of the communicating Diameter peers that usually initiates transactions. Examples of communication elements that may implement the Diameter multimedia client are the I-CSCF and S-CSCF. An example of a Diameter multimedia server is the HSS. [0048] Attribute-value pair (AVP) is a generic pair of values that consists of an attribute header and the corresponding value. The AVP can be used, for example, to encapsulate protocol-specific data such as routing information, as well as authentication, authorisation, or accounting information. Diameter messages can contain AVPs to transmit information between an CSCF and the HSS. [0049] Emergency registration is a special registration that relates to binding of a public user identity to a contact address used for emergency service. The contact address can be embedded in SIP Contact header. Emergency service related requests can obtain priority over normal requests in the IMS. [0050] The IMS registration request can include an emergency indication. The implicit registration set of the emergency Public User Identifier can contain an associated TEL URI that is used to call back the user from the PSTN. After registration, the UE can initiate an IMS emergency session establishment using the IMS session establishment procedures containing an emergency session indication and any registered Public User Identifier. [0051] Public safety answering point (PSAP) is a network element for emergency services that is responsible for answering emergency calls and can perform call back to a user which has previously called the PSAP. However, the call back can succeed only if the user is still registered at the time the call back is performed. [0052] It would be beneficial not to de-register a user which is currently emergency registered to the network, to support emergency call back function. Currently it is not defined what the S-CSCF can do when a registration termination request (RTR) is received from the HSS, if the affected user is emergency registered (and optionally has a normal registration in parallel). [0053] Currently no procedures or response codes have been defined how the S-CSCF can either reject the HSS initiated registration termination in this case, or indicate to HSS that the normal registration is terminated but the user has emergency registration and thus the HSS must keep the user's status as registered and keep the S-CSCF name as well (both necessary to enable emergency call back). [0054] According to an aspect of the invention (shown in FIG. 1 ), when a session control entity 1 (S-CSCF) receives a registration termination request 10 (for example, an RTR message) relating to a user (e.g. user 1 of UE 3 ), the S-CSCF 1 can reject the RTR and can transmit an indication (for example a response code) in a response message 12 (for example, an RTA) so that the HSS 2 can become aware of that: normal registration(s) associated with the affected user (e.g. user 1 ) are terminated, and/or the user (e.g. user 1 ) has active emergency registration which is to be kept. [0057] According to an aspect of the invention, as a result of receiving the response 12 , the HSS 2 can keep the user's status as registered and may not delete the S-CSCF name as the registrar of the user (and thus enabling emergency call back). [0058] According to another aspect of the invention, when a session control entity 1 (S-CSCF) receives a registration termination request 10 (for example, an RTR message) for a user (user 1 of UE 3 ), the S-CSCF 1 can accept the RTR (i.e. is not rejecting it), but can indicate within the response 12 that the deregistered user still has an emergency registration. When receiving this response 12 , the HSS 2 can keep the user's status as registered and keep the S-CSCF name as assigned S-CSCF for the user. [0059] Two solutions have been described, the difference is whether the response is considered as a reject with a special response code or an accept with additional indication. [0060] The rejection with a special response code can have an advantage that even an HSS from an earlier release (not implementing aspects of the invention) will keep the registration status of the user. [0061] The registration termination request can be a de-registration, for example a network (HSS) initiated de-registration and can happen over Cx interface. The registration termination request can contain user identities (user identity, public identity IMPU) which registration is to be terminated. An IMPU can be registered with an IMPI. Hence, via an RTR can one or more IMPU/IMPI pairs be de-registered. [0062] FIG. 2 illustrates examples of internal structure and functions of apparatuses implementing aspects of the invention. The apparatus (S-CSCF 1 , HSS 2 ) can have a receiving unit 21 (receiver) configured to receive signaling messages, for example, Diameter messages (RTA, RTA). The receiving unit 21 can be configured to extract from a received message an indication indicating that a user (user identity, public identity, IMPU) to which the message relates to has an active registration to an emergency service. A processing unit 22 (processor) can be configured to handle received messages and, for example, to determine status of various registrations of the user, for example, to determine if the user has an active emergency registration. The processing unit 22 can interface a memory unit 24 (memory) which can be configured to maintain information of users, user identities (IMPUs), registration states, etc. A transmitting unit 23 (transmitter) can be configured to transmit signaling messages, for example, Diameter messages (RTA, RTA). The processing unit 22 can be configured to include an indication in a message to be transmitted by the transmitting unit 23 . The indication can be a result code or other indication indicating that the user (user identity, public identity, IMPU) to which the message relates to is having an active registration to an emergency service. [0063] The apparatus can be, for example, a subscription entity (HSS 2 ) or a session control entity (S-CSCF 1 ). [0064] All units described above in relation to FIG. 2 may be implemented for example using microprocessors, chips and/or other electrical components and/or by software. [0065] According to an aspect of the invention, it can be forbidden to deregister an emergency registration. The procedures in 3GPP describe on SIP level how to deregister a normal registration for the HSS initiated deregistration case. For emergency registration no SIP procedure is needed, but the HSS must be aware that the emergency registration is there, as to a route terminating PSAP call back using the emergency registration, it is necessary in the HSS to keep the user registered and assigned to the S-CSCF. [0066] According to an aspect of the invention, an S-CSCF must reject the HSS initiated registration termination if the to-be-deregistered user identity has an emergency registration. For normal registration (non-emergency registration) the S-CSCF can still perform deregistration procedures as usual. [0067] Without implementing aspects of the invention, the S-CSCF cannot indicate to the HSS that an emergency registration must be kept alive, thus if the HSS attempts HSS initiated deregistration for the emergency registered user identity, then a later PSAP call back will fail. [0068] According to an aspect of the invention, in case of network initiated de-registration of by the HSS, the HSS can change the state of the Public Identities to “Not Registered” and send a notification to the S-CSCF indicating the identities that shall be de-registered. The procedure invoked by the HSS, can correspond to the functional level operation Cx-Deregister. For emergency registered Public Identities the S-CSCF can reject the network initiated de-registration by returning an experimental result code, for example “DIAMETER_ERROR_EMERGENCY_REGISTRATION”. In this case, the HSS shall keep the registration and shall not change the registration state. [0069] According to an aspect of the invention, if the emergency registered Public Identity (IMPU) has normal registration as well, then for the normal registration the S-CSCF can perform the detailed de-registration procedures for each reason code as described in the 3GPP procedures. [0070] According to an aspect of the invention, a new result code can be introduced, for example in Table 8.1.4 of 3GPP specification 29.230, which describes 3GPP specific Permanent Failure result codes: [0071] Experimental [0072] Result Code: Result text: [0073] 5xxx DIAMETER_ERROR_EMERGENCY_REGISTRATION [0074] The result code can be used when a network initiated de-registration from the HSS is rejected by the S-CSCF because the user is emergency registered. [0075] According to an aspect of the invention, an S-CSCF keeps the user's registration status unchanged for an emergency service, when a network initiated de-registration occurs. [0076] A session control entity and subscription entity may be physically implemented in a switch, router, server or other hardware platform or electronic equipment which can support data transmission and processing tasks, or can be implemented as a component of other existing device. [0077] For the purpose of the present invention as described herein above, it should be noted that an access technology via which signaling is transferred to and from a network element or node may be any technology by means of which a node can access an access network (e.g. via a base station or generally an access node). Any present or future technology, such as WLAN (Wireless Local Access Network), WiMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access), BlueTooth, Infrared, and the like may be used; although the above technologies are mostly wireless access technologies, e.g. in different radio spectra, access technology in the sense of the present invention implies also wirebound technologies, e.g. IP based access technologies like cable networks or fixed lines but also circuit switched access technologies; access technologies may be distinguishable in at least two categories or access domains such as packet switched and circuit switched, but the existence of more than two access domains does not impede the invention being applied thereto, usable access networks may be any device, apparatus, unit or means by which a station, entity or other user equipment may connect to and/or utilize services offered by the access network; such services include, among others, data and/or (audio-) visual communication, data download etc.; a user equipment may be any device, apparatus, unit or means by which a system user or subscriber may experience services from an access network, such as a mobile phone, personal digital assistant PDA, or computer; method steps likely to be implemented as software code portions and being run using a processor at a network element or terminal (as examples of devices, apparatuses and/or modules thereof, or as examples of entities including apparatuses and/or modules therefor), are software code independent and can be specified using any known or future developed programming language as long as the functionality defined by the method steps is preserved; generally, any method step is suitable to be implemented as software or by hardware without changing the idea of the invention in terms of the functionality implemented; method steps and/or devices, apparatuses, units or means likely to be implemented as hardware components at a terminal or network element, or any module(s) thereof, are hardware independent and can be implemented using any known or future developed hardware technology or any hybrids of these, such as MOS (Metal Oxide Semiconductor), CMOS (Complementary MOS), BiMOS (Bipolar MOS), BiCMOS (Bipolar CMOS), ECL (Emitter Coupled Logic), TTL (Transistor-Transistor Logic), etc., using for example ASIC (Application Specific IC (Integrated Circuit)) components, FPGA (Field-programmable Gate Arrays) components, CPLD (Complex Programmable Logic Device) components or DSP (Digital Signal Processor) components; in addition, any method steps and/or devices, units or means likely to be implemented as software components may for example be based on any security architecture capable e.g. of authentication, authorization, keying and/or traffic protection; devices, apparatuses, units or means can be implemented as individual devices, apparatuses, units or means, but this does not exclude that they are implemented in a distributed fashion throughout the system, as long as the functionality of the device, apparatus, unit or means is preserved, an apparatus may be represented by a semiconductor chip, a chipset, or a (hardware) module comprising such chip or chipset; this, however, does not exclude the possibility that a functionality of an apparatus or module, instead of being hardware implemented, be implemented as software in a (software) module such as a computer program or a computer program product comprising executable software code portions for execution/being run on a processor; a device may be regarded as an apparatus or as an assembly of more than one apparatus, whether functionally in cooperation with each other or functionally independently of each other but in a same device housing, for example. [0087] The invention is not limited to registration handling in the IMS network(s), but may also be applied in other type of networks having similar kind of session control entity and subscription entity roles and where emergency registration should be maintained active and not de-registered by the network. Functions of the gateway entity and session control entity described above may be implemented by code means, as software, and loaded into memory of a computer.
The invention relates to a session control entity, subscription entity, methods and computer programs for transmitting a request to terminate a registration of a user, determining if the user is registered for an emergency service, for maintaining the user registered for the emergency service, if based on the determination the user is registered for the emergency service, and transmitting an indication indicating that the user is registered for an emergency service if based on the determination the user is registered for the emergency service.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to gaming devices, and specifically to an automated roulette game which provides interaction of play of the game as well as a jackpot. 2. Background of the Invention Roulette is an extremely popular gambling game which is played in virtually all casinos throughout the world. Casino roulette generally employs a table into which a radially compartmented wheel is mounted. The compartments are each assigned to a separate number, generally between one and thirty-six. These compartments are equally divided between two colors, usually red and black. There are usually one or two additional compartments, 0 and 00, which are assigned a third color. Also on the table is a layout consisting of an arrangement of the numbers corresponding to the compartments. Wagers are made generally by placing markers or cash on a spot on the layout corresponding to a compartment. The arrangement is configured to allow betting on either individual numbers, various combinations of two, three, four, five, six, twelve, or eighteen numbers, as well as odd/even numbers and either of the colors. A column bet of 12 numbers can also be bet. Each of the various combinations carries specific odds. Any number of players may bet, playing against the "bank." To begin play, an operator calls for bets and spins the wheel in one direction as a ball is rolled in the opposite direction within a track surrounding the wheel. As the wheel is spinning, the players make bets on which compartment into which the ball will settle. As the speed of the ball slows, the operator announces that betting is closed, after which no further bets may be placed. Once the ball settles into a particular compartment, the operator must determine which bets are winners and which are losers, which is not an easy task considering the multitude of betting combinations that are available. In addition, the operator must determine what the payout is for each winning bet and make the payouts, again a daunting task. Finally, the challenge is to make these determinations quickly enough to keep play moving along at a brisk pace, a challenge which could easily lead to errors, especially among inexperienced or fatigued operators. Thus, there is a need for a better means of determining winning bets and the appropriate payouts, both the increase the rate of play and decrease the possibility of error. In addition, there is a need for a roulette game which can be operated automatically, to reduce the expense of hiring and training skilled operators. In addition, if players were permitted more interaction, they would be more interested in the game, and would therefore play more often and for longer periods. Thus, there is a need for a roulette game that permits the players to actively participate in the game by, for instance, controlling the launching of the ball onto the spinning roulette wheel. In addition, players would be kept more interested in the game if there were a chance to make a side bet on a progressive jackpot. Thus, there is a need for a roulette game which provides such a progressive jackpot side bet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention fulfills the need in the art. Broadly described, the present invention provides an automated, interactive roulette game with a progressive jackpot, for use with a rotatable roulette wheel within which a roulette ball is set into relative motion for each spin, the outcome of each spin being into which of a plurality of designated ball receptor zones in the wheel the ball settles. The preferred embodiment of the present invention provides a wheel control means operated by a central processor for controlling the rotation of the roulette wheel; a ball launching mechanism for releasing the ball into the roulette wheel for each spin; and detection means on the roulette wheel for monitoring the position of the roulette ball relative to the ball receptor zones. An automatic ball return mechanism is provided for resetting the ball for release by the ball launching mechanism at the completion of each spin. The processor is interconnected to the roulette wheel, the ball launching mechanism and the detection means for receiving input from the detection means and determining the outcome of each spin. Play display means is interconnected with the processor indicating the outcome of each spin as determined by the processor. A player console is interconnected to the processor from which a player enters wagers on the outcome of each spin. The player console provides .cash input means, which may include a bill validator, for reception of money, wherein the processor translates the money into units of wagering credit. The processor also monitors and adjusts current credit available to the player based upon money received and wager results. Credit display means displays the current credit available as determined by the processor as well as any amount of credit currently being wagered. Bet input means is provided for inputting the wagers, only in amounts not exceeding the current credit available, into the processor prior to the ball's settling into one of the pockets. Bet display means is provided for displaying the wagers as input. Ball launch control means, interconnected to the processor, allows the player to control the time of release of the ball by the ball launching mechanism into the roulette wheel and control the ball's relative velocity at its release into the roulette wheel. Cash-out means is provided for terminating player participation and printing credit receipts in the amount of the current credit available, including winning in-play bets. More specifically, a printer prints the credit receipts in the amount of the current credit available which includes any winnings from successful bets. A cash-out key is depressed to terminated player participation, activate the printer, and zero the current credit available. The processor compares the wagers to the outcome in order to determine which of the wagers are winning, and the processor determines an appropriate payout for each winning wager. For each wager that is determined to be winning, the processor adds an appropriate amount to the current credit available. The amount of each wager which is not determined to be a winning is subtracted by the processor from the current credit available. Bet gate means can be provided for determining and indicating when bets may be input based upon predetermined criteria. In the preferred embodiment, sensors are provided on the roulette wheel and interconnected to the processor for monitoring the speed of the ball when in play, and the bet gate means will only allow bets to be input when the sensors indicate that the ball is in play and traveling above a predetermined speed. In the preferred embodiment, a jackpot bet means is provided by which the player can participate in a bet on a jackpot for each of the spins provided the player has entered a roulette wager on the spin. A jackpot generator randomly generates a series of elements for each of the spins, and the processor compares the series of elements to predetermined parameters to determine whether and in what amount the jackpot pays out. When it is determined that the jackpot pays out, the processor adds an appropriate amount to the current credit available for the player participating in the bet on the jackpot; when it is determined that the jackpot does not pay out, the processor subtracts a predetermined amount from the current credit available for the player participating in the bet on the jackpot. The jackpot can be progressive, meaning that the prize money increases as more bets are placed on the jackpot. Alternatively, the jackpot can be a fixed amount of money which remains constant. In the preferred embodiment, the bet input means provides a panel having a plurality of betting keys, each of the betting keys representing one of a plurality of wagering selections or combinations. Each depression of one of the betting keys indicates a single wager of a predetermined value on the particular of the wagering selections or combinations represented by the betting key. Also provided is a reset key for canceling bets. The bet display means resembles the bet input means and has a plurality of betting displays. Each of the betting displays represents one of the wagering selections and combinations, and each unit wagered is indicated on the particular of the betting displays representing the wagering selection or combination selected. A units display can be provided for displaying the value of each wagering unit. In the preferred embodiment, the wheel control means is controlled randomly within predetermined parameters by the processing means. Also, the ball launch control means provides a plurality of speed selection buttons, wherein depressing one of the speed selection buttons determines the ball's relative velocity at its release into the roulette wheel, and a release button, wherein depressing the release button initiates the release of the ball by the ball launching mechanism. An automatic release mechanism initiates the release of the ball whenever the release button is not depressed within a predetermined period of time. In the preferred embodiment, the play display means comprises a table having a plurality of indicator lights corresponding to the ball receptor zones wherein each the of the indicator lights illuminates when the ball is adjacent its corresponding ball receptor zone. One of the indicator light flashes when the ball settles into its corresponding ball receptor zone. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an automated roulette game which provides interaction as well as an additional jackpot on which to wager. It is an object of the invention to provide a roulette game in which a player may insert money, place bets on each spin of the wheel, in turn release the ball, and cash out at the completion of play, all without the assistance of any casino employees. It is a further object of the invention to provide a roulette game having an interactive option for dictating the speed and time of release of the ball into the wheel. It is a further object of the invention to provide a mechanism for use with a roulette game for allowing the players to determine the conditions of release of the ball. It is a further object of the invention to provide a progressive jackpot game in conjunction with a roulette game. It is a further object of the invention to provide a credit accounting mechanism for an automated roulette game and including a cash-out printer for printing a receipt for value based on a players winnings and/or remaining credit. These and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention may be more clearly understood and appreciated from a review of the following detailed description of the disclosed embodiment and by reference to the appended drawings and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial illustration of the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a detailed pictorial illustration of the player console portion of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the system of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the roulette game portion of the invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the jackpot portion of the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the interactive ball release mechanism of the roulette game. FIG. 7 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the cash-out process of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, FIG. 1 illustrates the automated jackpot interactive roulette device 10 of the present invention. The winning number in each play is determined by a ball 20 which is released into an annular track about a spinning roulette wheel 30 and falls into one of the numbered and colored pockets or ball receptor zones 35 on the wheel 30. Either the ball 20 or the wheel 30, or both, may be video simulations or actual physical bodies. Therefore, any discussion herein of the ball 20 or wheel 30, and any components thereof (such as the pockets 35), shall apply to video simulations as well as actual physical devices. The ball 20 is released, recovered and reset automatically. The betting on the various numbers, colors, or combination is done from a plurality of consoles 50 from which each player plays. The players may also choose to participate in betting on the jackpot, or progressive pot, on each spin of the wheel 30. The players do not bet with chips, as in conventional casino roulette. Instead, betting is done through the consoles 50 by pressing designated keys on a panel, as discussed later. At each console 50, a player may insert money, place bets on each spin of the wheel, in turn release the ball 20, and cash out at the completion of play, all without the assistance of any casino employees. The player's consoles 50 and the wheel 30 are placed around a table 100. On this table 100 are numbered blocks 110 corresponding to each pocket or ball receptor zone 35 on the wheel 30. During the spin of the ball 20, the blocks 110 will individually illuminate as the ball 20 passes over or adjacent to its corresponding pocket 35 on the wheel 30. When the ball 20 settles into a particular pocket 35, the corresponding block 110 on the table 100 will flash to indicate the winning number. The jackpot display 40 displays the amount of money in the jackpot and the combinations generated by the jackpot random generator (not shown in this figure). FIG. 2 illustrates one of the player consoles 50 on which each player participates. On the console 50, there is a bet input panel 60, a bet display panel 70, an interactive panel 80 for dictating the speed and time of release of the ball 20 into the wheel 30, a credit display panel 85, a jackpot bet key 90, a cash acceptance mechanism 95, and a cash-out mechanism 97. Each of these elements will be discussed in more detail below. Each console 50 has a bet input panel 60, which provides individual keys 61 for placing bets. The keys 61 themselves may be mechanical, electronic, or otherwise, and may be activated by any of a number of means such as pressure, thermal, or electrical stimulation. The keys 61 correspond to individual numbers and colors on the wheel 30, as well as various combinations of numbers and colors. Each depression of a key 61 will enter a single wager of predetermined units of credit on the particular number, color, or combination represented by the key 61. The value of credit units is predetermined and displayed in the unit display 72. Each such wager will result in a corresponding debit to the player's account. If a player wishes to change or cancel a wager, all bets currently in play can be canceled by depressing the reset button 62. When this button 62 is depressed, all current bets are canceled, and the amount wagered is credited back to the player's total. During play, if a number, color, or combination chosen by a player wins, then that particular wager will remain in force for the next spin unless the player hits the reset button 62. All losing bets are automatically reset. All best must be placed before the lockout mechanism activates. This mechanism will automatically activate as speed of the ball 20 falls below a predetermined level. The speed can be monitored by any well-known means, for instance, optical sensors placed at regular intervals on the wheel 30 to detect the passing of the ball 20. Upon completion of a spin, the appropriate amounts are debited and credited to each player's total depending upon the outcome of his or her wagers. Also on the console 50 is a bet display panel 70, which is similar in appearance to the bet input panel 60. Instead of keys, this panel 70 provides individual displays 71, corresponding in the same manner as the keys 61 on the bet input panel 60 to individual numbers and colors on the wheel 30, as well as various combinations of numbers and colors. Each individual display 71 will indicate the number of units wagered on that corresponding number, color, or combination. The console 50 also provides an interactive panel 80 for dictating the speed and time of release of the ball 20 into the wheel 30. This panel 80 is not used on each spin of the wheel 30, but players take turns releasing the ball 20 based upon a predetermined pattern. When it is a particular player's turn to release the ball 20, the interactive panel 80 will illuminate. The panel 80 provides a plurality of speed selection buttons 81, each corresponding to a different speed, and a release button 82. Depressing one of the speed selection buttons 81 determines the speed at which the ball 20 will be traveling at release, and depressing the release button determines the moment of release. An automatic release mechanism is provided for releasing the ball 20 should the release button 82 not be activated within a predetermined period of time. The credit display panel 85 provides individual displays 86, 87, 88, 89 to indicate the total credit available (86), the amount won on the preceding spin (87), the amount currently in play (88), and whether the player has entered the jackpot wager (89). The credit display panel 85 can be configured to display credits in either units or actual value. A player may bet on the jackpot by activating the jackpot bet key 90. This key 90 can only be activated in conjunction with a roulette bet. Each time the ball 20 is released, a random generator (not shown in this figure) is activated and generates a combination, which is displayed at the jackpot display 40 (FIG. 1). Winning combinations are predetermined. Certain individual combinations can pay out at certain percentages of the total jackpot, which can be either predetermined or progressive, based upon play turnover at the roulette game 10. Whether a player wins the jackpot depends upon three factors: one, the player has bet on the jackpot; two, the jackpot generator generates a winning combination; and three, the player has also bet on predetermined winning numbers in his or her roulette wager. The cash acceptance mechanism 95 will generally be a bill validator, a device commonly found in many vending machines. Upon insertion of paper money into the mechanism 95, the player's credit total will be credited in the proper amount, as reflected at the credit display panel 85. The cash-out mechanism 97 is activated by depressing the cash-out key 98. When the player wants to terminate play and cash out, key 98 is activated. Cash-out mechanism 97 will print a ticket indicating the amount of total credit held by the player. The player can cash the ticket in at a central cashier. Activating key 98 will also reset the bets in play as well as the total credits at the console 50. Turning to schematic FIG. 3, all of the table activities are monitored by a central processor 200. The processor 200 registers all table activities, all activities of each player, regulates games, controls wheel mechanisms, and the like. In addition, a remote processor (not shown) can serve as a backup and as a terminal for inputting programming changes such as changing betting units. Reference is now made to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the roulette game portion of the invention. FIG. 5 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the jackpot portion of the invention. FIG. 6 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the processing and controlling of the interactive ball release mechanism of the roulette game. These can each be accomplished by means of any known type of microprocessor and will not be discussed at length herein since it comes well within the knowledge of those skilled in the art. The present invention has been described and illustrated in what is considered to be preferred and practical embodiments thereof, and the scope of the invention is not to be limited except as set forth in the following claims and within the doctrine of equivalents. Now that the invention has been described,
An automated roulette device is provided with a central processor and at least one player console having interactive controls and visual displays for placing bets and controlling the speed and moment of release of a ball from a launching mechanism onto a spinning roulette wheel. Wagering credits are calculated from cash deposited through a bill validator mechanism, as well as winning bets throughout play, as determined by the central processor. Additional bets can be placed on a jackpot, the winning of which is determined by a random generator. Upon terminating play by actuating a cash-out control on the player console, a printer dispenses a receipt having a redemption value equal to the remaining wagering credit available upon termination of play.
6
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a textile product having adsorbent qualities and more particularly to a textile product having a unitary layer of nonwoven staple fibers and an adsorbent material interposed therein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Particulate or fibrous adsorbent materials which can adsorb a wide variety of liquid and vapor phase contaminates are often incorporated in textile materials for the production of protective clothing, various liquid or vapor filter media, or the like. Examples of adsorbent materials which have been used are activated carbon, natural and synthetic zeolites, ion exchange resins, silica gel, alumina and other synthetic carbonaceous materials. Due to the particulate or fibrous nature of these materials, however, in most such applications the material must be attached in some fashion to a substrate material. As an example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,250,172 to Mutzenburg et al. discloses a sandwich-type material wherein a particulate adsorbent is held between at least two fibrous mats. The multi-layered product is held together by needling, which mechanically interlocks the fibers of the respective layers in the thickness direction. In another example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,948 to Ogino et al. describes an air-cleaning filter element prepared by adhesively adhering an adsorbent material, such as activated carbon, evenly across the opposed surfaces of a pair of three-dimensional mesh-structured elastic-flexible webs. Once the adsorbent is adhered to each of the webs, the opposed faces thereof are adhesively joined together to form the overall filter element. The above described products, however, are undesirable in several respects. First, because the fibrous structure of the products is interrupted through the thickness of the product by the contained adsorbent material, the integrity in the thickness direction is weakened, leading to delamination and spillage of the adsorbent material. Second and from a manufacturing standpoint, the process for producing these products must include a needling, adhesive or other step to laminate the overall product. These additional steps are both costly and cumbersome. Third, with respect to those products where an adhesive is used to join the various layers, the adhesive tends to coat the active surfaces of the adsorbent material and thereby to unfavorably impact its adsorptive properties. And lastly, due to their multi-layered nature, such products are generally thicker and bulkier than desired, especially when the material is intended for use in protective clothing. A third type of product similar to the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,397,907 to Rossen et al., and 4,540,625 to Sherwood, both assigned to Hughes Aircraft Company. These patents disclose an in situ composite containing organic polymeric fibers and solid adsorbent particles or fibers. The composites are prepared by providing a hot polymer solution of a fiber-forming polymer material and subsequently adding thereto a desired solid adsorbent material to form a suspension. The temperature of the solution is lowered while the solution is agitated whereby the polymer crystallizes to form fibers which precipitate from the solution, taking with them the solid adsorbent material. The resultant composite, which may be deposited onto a woven substrate to provide added structural integrity, may be used in protective clothing or as a filter medium or the like. Although this product overcomes some of the above listed disadvantages, this product, for obvious reasons, must be made via a batch process, which is both costly and unsuited for mass production. It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a strong, unitary textile product having excellent adsorptive qualities, that can be mass produced with relative ease, has structural integrity through its thickness, and can be produced at thicknesses easily incorporated into the protective clothing and small-sized liquid or vapor filters. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are accomplished by providing an adsorbent textile product characterized by a compressed nonwoven unitary batt of textile staple fibers, a cured binder disposed substantially throughout said batt, and an adsorbent material disposed substantially within the confines of said batt, wherein (1) the cured binder serves to hold the batt in its compressed condition, (2) the density of the compressed batt is of a magnitude relative to the average size of the adsorbent material such that the adsorbent material is retained within the confines of the batt, and (3) the outer surfaces of the adsorbent material are effectively free of said binder such that the adsorptive qualities of the adsorbent material are preserved. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the compressed nonwoven unitary batt contains at least two different denier of textile staple fibers, wherein the fibers are arranged within the batt such that the fibers of the smallest denier tend to congregate in the lower regions of the overall textile product, and the fibers of the largest denier tend to congregate in the upper regions of the product. In this way, because smaller denier fibers pack more densely than larger denier fibers, the density of the batt is at its highest near the lower surface of the product and at its lowest near the upper surface thereof. As in the broader invention described above, the density of the compressed batt in the preferred embodiment is of a magnitude relative to the average size of the adsorbent material such that the adsorbent material is retained within the confines of such batt. The method of making the product of the present invention is partially responsible for its improved features and qualities. The product may be made by a method whereby staple fibers are fed into an air-card assembly, passed through a downwardly-blowing air curtain, and collected in the form of a nonwoven unitary batt on a conveyor moving away from the air-card assembly. Thereafter, the batt is sprayed with a curable binder material which is then dried to its "B" stage. Next, an adsorbent material, such as a carbonaceous adsorbent, is sprinkled across the upper surface of the batt and allowed to settle into the interior of the moving batt. Thereafter, heat and compression are applied to the batt so as to compress the same and to fully cure the binder. After cooling, the compressed nature of the batt is maintained. Because the binder is applied to the batt and cured to its "B" stage before the adsorbent material is applied, the binder does not coat the active surfaces or otherwise clog the pores of the material such that the adsorbent qualities of the material is preserved. In order to enable optimum loading of the adsorbent material into the batt, the density of the uncompressed batt should be of a magnitude relative to the average size of the adsorbent material such that the adsorbent material may settle into the thickness of the batt, but will not pass all the way through under their own weight. In this regard, it is a preferred embodiment of the present invention to fabricate the invention using a precursor mixture of at least two different denier of fibers. When this is done and the fibers of the appropriate denier are used, the resultant nonwoven batt, in its uncompressed state, will have a lower region thereof which has a density relative to the average size of the adsorbent material such that the latter cannot pass through the thickness of the batt under its own weight. In addition, where the product is made in this fashion, and by the appropriate method described below, the density of the upper region of the nonwoven batt, in its uncompressed state, will be of a magnitude relative to the average size of the adsorbent material that the adsorbent material will easily settle into the interior of the batt. Because the density of the batt increases with depth, however, the descent of the material is inhibited by the increasing density of the batt as the material move toward the lower regions of the batt. In this way, the adsorbent material tends to settle into the medial depths of the batt. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention presented below, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the product of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention in an uncompressed state; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, but in a compressed state; FIG. 4 is a magnified view of the fiber/binder/adsorbent material arrangement of the present invention; and FIG. 5 is a schematic of an air-card assembly for use in making the claimed invention. FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the present invention wherein the product contains an additional retaining layer to further entrap the adsorbent material within the confines of the batt. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT With reference to the figures, FIG. 1 illustrates the adsorbent textile product 10 of the present invention. As shown, the product 10 contains a compressed, nonwoven unitary batt 11 of textile staple fibers 12, a cured binder disposed substantially throughout the batt (not shown), and an adsorbent material 13 disposed substantially Within the confines of the batt. The batt can be made in any width or length needed to fit a particular need or in standard sizes for die-cutting, etc., as needed to prepare protective clothing, filter media or the like. The density of the batt in its final compressed state is important to optimum production of the present invention. That is, inasmuch as it is an object of the present invention to avoid coating the adsorptive with the binder so as to preserve the adsorptive qualities thereof, it is an important aspect of the present invention that the adsorbent material are mechanically rather than adhesively held within the overall batt. Accordingly, the density of the batt in its compressed state should be of a magnitude relative to the average size of the adsorbent material such that the various pieces of the material (i.e. particles or fibers) will be mechanically "trapped" within the batt. The density of the batt in the uncompressed state is also an important factor. In order to successfully load the adsorbent material into the confines of the batt, the density of the uncompressed batt should be small enough to allow the material to settle into the batt, yet large enough to stop it from falling through the batt under its own weight. The density of the batt can be adjusted, by choosing fibers of the appropriate denier and by manipulating various manufacturing parameters. Although it is not necessary, the settling process may be enhanced by agitating the moving batt to coax the adsorbent material into the batt. A more preferred embodiment of the present invention is depicted in an uncompressed state in FIG. 2. In this embodiment, the product 20 is made of a batt 21 of nonwoven textile staple fibers 22 but, unlike the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, this batt is made of two different denier of fibers. The smallest denier fibers concentrate in the lower regions of the batt, while the largest denier fibers favor upper regions thereof. Consequently, the density of the batt increases with depth. Thus, the upper surface of the batt is "open" to accept the loading of the adsorbent material 23, whereas the lower regions are "closed" to prevent the adsorbent material 23 from falling through the batt 21 during the fabrication process. In addition, this arrangement of the fibers leads to an improved product by enabling the material to penetrate more easily into the medial depths of the batt. Preferably, the fibers chosen to makeup the batt in this embodiment will be such that the larger thereof is at least twice the denier of the smaller. In this way, a more defined density gradient is achieved in the final product. If desired, a precursor mixture having three or more different denier of fibers may be used. In such a case, the resultant batt will exhibit a gradient of the various denier through its thickness, with the largest denier fibers toward the upper surface and the smallest denier fibers toward the lower. Thus, the density of the batt in the thickness direction can be tailored as desired to allow optimum loading of the adsorbent material. If three or more different denier of fibers are used, each successive denier is preferably twice that of the next smallest denier in the batt. Once the adsorbent material 23 has been loaded into the batt, the overall batt is compressed to "close" the upper regions of the batt and to thus prevent any escape of the adsorbent material 23 through the upper side of the batt. The product is finished by curing the binder under heat and compression. The finished product 30, as shown in FIG. 3, has overall density such that the adsorbent material 33 is held within the confines of the batt 31 by the mesh-work of the fibers 32. As shown in FIG. 4 in a magnified view, the adsorbent material 43 is mechanically retained with the batt by the entanglement of the fibers 42 therein. Because the binder 44 is added to the batt and dried before the adsorbent material 43 is loaded therein, the binder does not coat or otherwise clog the active sites on the surface of the adsorbent material. Accordingly, the binder 44 does not adversely affect the adsorptive properties of the overall product. The present invention can be made from any sort of textile fiber including synthetic fibers of polyester, nylon, or acrylic, and natural fibers such as cotton or wool. In addition, fibers of most any denier may be used, depending on the particular application and size of the chosen adsorbent material. Generally speaking, for the synthetic fibers, from 3 to 60 denier may be used and at lengths from 1/2 to 3 inches, preferably 11/2 to 21/2 inches. Crimp level is preferably from 9-13/inch of a sawtooth crimp. For natural fibers, any available cotton fibers, such as bleached cotton, raw cotton, or waste cotton, may be used. Wool fibers or silk fibers may also be used. For comparison, cotton fibers are equivalent to approximately a 11/2 denier synthetic fiber. In addition, in certain environments, such as when the textile product is to be incorporated into protective clothing, it is advantageous to use a mixture of natural and synthetic fibers in the batt. It is even more advantageous if such natural fibers are of a size relative to the synthetic fibers such that the natural and synthetic fibers are segregated to opposite surfaces of the batt. Such a product can advantageously be used in protective clothing by orienting the product with the natural side thereof facing the exterior of the garment. Since the natural fibers tend to wick liquids across a larger area of the product's surface, quicker volatilization of the liquid and thus a more efficient adsorption can be obtained. The binder that is employed to hold the batt in its compressed state is another important aspect of the invention. The binder should be capable of existing in a stable, dry and uncured or "B" stage, as well as curable by heat, radiation and/or pressure and, when fully cured, stable, i.e. non-flowing, to temperatures as high as 350° F. In addition, the binder should be formable under heat and compression from its dry and uncured or "B" stage. Suitable binders are Rohm & Haas RHOPLEX TR-407, a self-crossing acrylic emulsion, and other cross-linkable binders having a T 1 (temperature at which the Torsional Module of air-dried film is 300 kg/cm 2 ) of or near 30° C. The adsorbent material may be any known particulate or fibrous adsorbent and should be chosen with the end use environment in mind. Examples of suitable adsorbents are activated carbon; synthetic carbonaceous adsorbents, such as Rohm & Haas AMBERSORB® carbonaceous adsorbents; natural or synthetic ion exchange resins; natural or synthetic zeolites; silica gel; activated alumina; etc. These materials may be used in various sizes depending on the particular application, however, average sizes from 200-500 microns are generally preferred. In addition, the adsorbent material may be an electret, i.e. a dielectric particle or fiber carrying a permanent electrostatic charge, such as disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. Re. 32,171 to van Turnhout, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Electrets are commonly used in the air filtration industry to filter particulates from the air. Useable electrets are preferably very fine, i.e. on the order of 5 microns or less in diameter. The appropriate size, however and as described above, is related to the denier of the fibers used to make the nonwoven batt. The preferred process for producing the products of the present invention is an air-lay method employing an air-card assembly as shown in FIG. 5. The first step of the process is to assemble a precursor mixture of suitable fibers. This precursor mixture is fed into the air-card assembly 50 by a feed conveyor 51 where it is lifted by lifting roller 52 into contact with the main roller 53 of the assembly. The main roller 53, in conjunction with a series of opposing rollers 54, 55, 56, 57, separates the individual fibers from the precursor mixture and casts the same into the downwardly blowing air curtain produced by the blower 58. This air curtain forces the individual fibers onto a take-off conveyor 59 where the fibers form a three-dimensional, nonwoven batt 60 in which fibers are oriented in the x, y, and z directions within the formed batt. By appropriately adjusting the speeds of the feed conveyor 51 and the take-off conveyor 59 and the velocity of the air curtain, the thickness and density of the batt can be controlled to within desired ranges. In the preferred embodiment of this invention, where the precursor mixture contains at least two different denier of fibers, the air-card assembly 50 is operated at a high speed, preferably at a surface speed of the main roller 53 of 10,000 feet per minute, or 50 meters per second. At this speed, the carded fibers are cast from the main roller 53 by centrifugal force and thrown into the air curtain, which is preferably operating at a velocity of 2500 to 3500 feet per minute. This effect separates the fibers according to their denier, with the higher denier fibers being thrown further from the main roller than their lower rated counterparts. At lower speeds, a lesser degree of centrifugal force is present and thus lesser separation occurs. As the fibers land on the take-off conveyor 59, which is moving away from the main roller 53 along the line of flight of the fibers, a batt 60 grows which has a greater concentration of the smallest denier fibers in the region nearest its lower surface, and a greater concentration of largest denier fibers in the region nearest its upper surface. This fiber arrangement results in a batt 60 having its greatest density near the lower surface and its least density near its upper surface. In this way, the produced batt is "open" on the upper side to the loading processes downstream, but "closed" on the lower side to spillage of the loaded adsorbent material as discussed above. Once the nonwoven batt is prepared, an appropriate binder is sprayed into the batt with enough force to dispose the binder throughout the batt. In this regard, care must be taken to avoid an overly dense or overly thick batt which would inhibit sufficient binder penetration. As a general guide, the following Table lists the maximum batt thickness allowing complete penetration for a given uniform denier. Batts having multiple denier of fibers allow complete penetration at thicknesses proportional to the denier makeup of the overall batt. Of course, complete penetration is only an ideal goal and less efficient binder penetration can be accommodated in any given product as described below. ______________________________________ Maximum Thickness for Complete BinderDenier Penetration (inches)______________________________________ 3 1/2 6 115 11/260 3______________________________________ The binder may be applied to the batt by ordinary means, such as a spray system using reciprocating or fixed spray nozzles aimed at both sides of the batt. To facilitate proper spraying, water and/or a surfactant may be admixed with the binder to form a sprayable emulsion. The binder is generally applied to the batt at a fiber to binder dry weight ratio of from 85/15 to 60/40, however, the optimum ratio will depend on the particular application. After the binder has been applied to the batt, the batt is passed through a typical drying oven where the temperature is controlled such that the binder will be dried, but little, if any, cross-linking will occur. Although the proper temperature and drying times will vary from binder to binder, if Rohm & Haas RHOPLEX TR-407 is used, sufficient drying can be accomplished at 225° F. for 30 seconds. At this point in the process, the intermediate product may be formed into rolls of convenient length for storage, or may be moved into the next sequence for loading the batt with the adsorbent material. In the loading step, the adsorbent material can be loaded into the batt by using, for example, a gravity-fed hopper-type applicator, such as that manufactured by Christy Mfg. Co. of Fremont, Ohio. The adsorbent material, which generally range from 200 to 500 microns in average size (5 microns or less for electrets), is applied evenly across the upper surface of the batt at a rate of from about 10 to 30 grams per square meter, although that amount will vary depending on the application. Next, the loaded batt is passed through a compressing and curing unit where the same is compressed, thus "closing" the upper surface of the batt to retain the adsorbent material within the confines thereof, and heated to fully cure the binder and thus hold the batt in its compressed and "closed" state. The final product is a thin, pliable adsorbent textile product suitable for the fabrication of protective clothing or filter media or the like. In the latter case and where multiple fibers of denier are used, the filtrate should preferably flow from the low density side to the high density side of the filter. The filter will operate in the reverse direction, albeit less effectively. As will be understood, there will be instances where a particular use of the present invention will dictate that the product be maintained at thicknesses where the upper surface of the batt cannot be entirely "closed" to escape of the adsorbent material during the compression step. In such instances, the adsorbent material can be entrapped within the confines of the batt by laminating to the upper surface of the batt a layer of thermo-responsive fibers that will fuse together under the heat of the final curing process. Such fibers should be of a smaller denier than those forming the upper surface of the batt and preferably applied to the upper surface by imposing a preformed layer or mesh of such fibers on the batt prior to the final heating and pressing step. A perspective view of such a product is shown in FIG. 6, wherein the batt 61 carries retaining layer 64 of thermo-responsive fibers. These thermo-responsive fibers are generally commercially available from, for example, DuPont Company and Eastman Kodak under the trade names DACRON Binder Fibers and KODEL, respectively. The following examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention: EXAMPLE 1 A uniform mixture of 25% by weight of 15 denier×11/2 inch polyester fiber (dia.=39.19 microns); 25% by weight of 6 denier×2 inch polyester fiber (dia.=24.8 microns); and 50% by weight of 3 denier×2 inch polyester fiber (dia.=17.5 microns) was fed into an air-card assembly having a main roller operating at a surface speed of about 10,000 feet per minute or 50 meters per second. The carded fibers were cast from the main roller by centrifugal force into an air-curtain moving within the range of 2500 to 3500 feet per minute. After collecting the resultant batt to a thickness of approximately one inch, Rohm & Haas RHOPLEX TR-407 was applied at a 65:35 fiber:binder weight:weight ratio, and then dried to its "B" stage. At this point in the process the fiber plus binder weighed approximately 7.5 ounces per square yard. Next, the batt was passed under a hopper-type dispenser where 20×50 mesh activated charcoal was loaded into the moving batt at 16.2 ounces per sq. yard. Once the charcoal particles were applied, the loaded batt was compressed to 0.2 inches in thickness for 30-60 seconds at 300° F., thus fully curing the binder to form the finished product. EXAMPLE 2 A uniform mixture of 50% bleached cotton fiber (dia.=12 microns) and 50% 6 denier non-crystalline polyester fiber (dia.=24.8 microns) was fed into an air-card assembly as described in Example 1 to yield a nonwoven batt weighing 2.0 ounces per square yard and 10 millimeters thick. The cotton fibers were segregated in the lower regions of the batt and the polyester fibers tended toward the upper regions thereof. Next, 20% dry weight of binder was sprayed on both surfaces of the batt, yielding a batt of 2.5 ounces per square yard. The adsorbent material was loaded into the polyester side of the binder as in Example 1 at a rate of 24 grams per square meter. The chosen adsorbent was Rohm & Haas AMBERSORB 572, with an average particle size of approximately 500 microns. These particles are spherical beads with exceptional physical integrity which allow easy loading into interior of the batt. Lastly, the loaded batt was compressed to a total thickness of 3.0 millimeters and heated to fully cure the binder. The final product exhibited a relatively soft hand, and good breathability and adsorbed greater than 1.8 mg/cm 2 of carbon tetrachloride using ASTM test method B-3467-88. It should be recognized that the embodiments disclosed herein are shown for exemplary purposes and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, the scope of the invention being defined by the claims hereinbelow.
An adsorbent textile product comprising a compressed nonwoven unitary batt of textile staple fibers, a cured binder disposed substantially throughout said batt, and an adsorbent material disposed substantially within the confines of said batt. In the disclosed product, the binder serves to hold the batt in its compressed condition such that the adsorbent is mechanically retained within the confines of the batt. In this way, the outer surfaces of said adsorbent material remain effectively free of the binder so that the adsorptive qualities of the adsorbent are preserved. An intermediate product and a process for making the disclosed products are also disclosed.
3
This invention was revealed in Disclosure Document Nr. 460,697 filed Aug. 16, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The subject invention generally pertains to electronic power conversion circuits, and more specifically to high frequency, switched mode power electronic converter circuits. 2. Description of Related Art There are some power conversion circuits which accomplish higher efficiencies by implementing a mechanism that accomplishes switching at zero voltage. Power loss in a switch is the product of the voltage applied across the switch and the current flowing through the switch. In a switching power converter, when the switch is in the on state, the voltage across the switch is zero, so the power loss is zero. When the switch is in the off state, the power loss is zero, because the current through the switch is zero. During the transition from on to off, and vice versa, power losses can occur, if there is no mechanism to switch at zero voltage or zero current. During the switching transitions, energy losses will occur if there is simultaneously (1) non-zero voltage applied across the switch and (2) non-zero current flowing through the switch. The energy lost in each switching transition is equal to the time integral of the product of switch voltage and switch current. The power losses associated with the switching transitions will be the product of the energy lost per transition and the switching frequency. The power losses that occur because of these transitions are referred to as switching losses by those people who are skilled in the art of switching power converter design. In zero voltage switching converters the zero voltage turn off transition is accomplished by turning off a switch in parallel with a capacitor and a diode when the capacitor's voltage is zero. The capacitor maintains the applied voltage at zero across the switch as the current through the switch falls to zero. In the zero voltage transition the current in the switch is transferred to the parallel capacitor as the switch turns off. The zero voltage turn on transition is accomplished by discharging the parallel capacitor using the energy stored in a magnetic circuit element, such as an inductor or transformer, and turning on the switch after the parallel diode has begun to conduct. During the turn on transition the voltage across the switch is held at zero, clamped by the parallel diode. The various zero voltage switching (ZVS) techniques differ in the control and modulation schemes used to accomplish regulation, in the energy storage mechanisms used to accomplish the zero voltage turn on transition, and in a few cases on some unique switch timing mechanisms. One of the ZVS techniques uses an inductor or transformer with relatively low inductance so that the inductor current reverses sign during each switching cycle. An example of a buck converter with this property is shown in FIG. 1 and its wave forms are illustrated in FIG. 2 . One advantage of this technique is that the switching transitions are all zero voltage transitions driven by the stored energy and current in the inductor. Another advantage is that the inductor can be made small and the inductance needs to be small in order that the current can be reversed during each switching cycle. The disadvantages are that the output current reverses each cycle so that the output capacitor must be relatively large and must store a substantial amount of energy and be able to accommodate the large ripple currents. Although the inductor can be made smaller because the inductance is reduced, the size reduction of the inductor is not as large as might be suggested by the reduction in inductance value. In a typical hard switching buck converter the output choke would be saturation limited. Its core losses would be small by comparison to its copper losses. With a small value inductor with large current swings the inductor will more likely be core loss limited, so that the cross section, the core gap, and the number of turns would need to be increased to reduce the flux swing and associated core losses. Also, in the typical hard switching buck converter in which the inductor current has a large DC component and a small AC component the AC copper winding losses are typically very small. In the FIG. 1 circuit the issue of AC winding losses must be addressed by suitable magnetic circuit element design (Litz wire or properly placed and oriented copper foil or strip) or AC winding losses will be substantial. Another disadvantage of the small inductance value technique is that there will be much higher peak currents in the choke winding and in the switches which will result in additional conduction losses in those elements. Another disadvantage of the small inductance value technique is that the energy and current available to drive the zero voltage transitions decreases as the load current increases so that in an over load condition there may be no energy available to drive a zero voltage transition and there may be substantial switching losses at the same time that the conduction losses are at their highest levels. In general, almost any power converter can be made to have zero voltage switching by this mechanism. That is, almost any power converter can be designed so that the current in its principal magnetic circuit element(s) reverses each cycle so that the stored energy in its magnetic storage element(s) is directed in a way which will enable a zero voltage transition on every switching transition. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES An object of the subject invention is to provide a power converter which is relatively simple and is capable of delivering high output power at high efficiencies and high switching frequencies. Another object is to provide a converter design with minimal snubber requirements and superior EMI performance. Another object is to provide a simple resonant transition converter design that can be readily used with the single frequency pulse width modulated controller integrated circuits. Another object is to provide a resonant switching transition mechanism which can be designed to provide zero voltage switching over the full range of line voltage and load conditions. Another object is to provide a generalized resonant switching mechanism that can be applied to a wide variety of simple non-isolated and isolated converter topologies. Another object is to provide a high power conversion scheme with reduced conduction losses. Another object is to provide a high frequency soft switching converter with low output filter capacitor requirements. Further objects and advantages of my invention will become apparent from a consideration of the drawings and ensuing description. These and other objects of the invention are provided by a novel circuit technique that uses a generalized active reset switching cell consisting of two switches, a reset capacitor, and a small resonator choke. The critical zero voltage switching transitions are accomplished using the stored magnetic energy in the small resonator choke. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention is illustrated by reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 illustrates a circuit schematic drawing of a prior art zero voltage switching buck converter in which the inductor current is reversed each cycle in order to provide a properly directed current for driving a zero voltage switching transition. FIG. 2 illustrates the switch timing and current wave forms of the FIG. 1 circuit. FIG. 3 illustrates the generalized active reset zero voltage switching cell of the subject invention. FIG. 4 illustrates a generalized single main choke converter using the generalized active reset switching cell of FIG. 3 . Table 1 indicates how the terminals of the FIG. 4 circuit are connected to from buck, boost, and buck boost converters. FIG. 5 illustrates the FIG. 4 circuit with the terminals connected to form a buck converter. FIG. 6 illustrates the FIG. 4 circuit with the terminals connected to form a boost converter. FIG. 7 illustrates the FIG. 4 circuit with the terminals connected to form a buck boost converter. FIG. 8 illustrates the generalized active reset switching cell augmented by a rectifier whose purpose is to clamp ringing associated with the small inductor. FIG. 9 illustrates a generalized single main choke power converter using the generalized active reset switching cell of FIG. 8 . FIG. 10 illustrates the circuit of FIG. 9 with its terminals connected to form a buck converter. FIG. 11 illustrates a buck implementation of the subject invention. FIG. 12 illustrates switch and inductor current wave forms of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 13 illustrates an initial condition and on state of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 14 illustrates a first phase of a turn off transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 15 illustrates a second phase of a turn off transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 16 illustrates a third phase of a turn off transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 17 illustrates the off state of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 18 is another illustration of the off state of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 19 illustrates a first phase of a turn on transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 20 illustrates a second phase of a turn on transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 21 illustrates a third phase of a turn on transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 22 illustrates a fourth phase of a turn on transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 23 illustrates a fifth phase of a turn on transition of the FIG. 11 circuit. FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 11 circuit in which the S 1 and S 2 switches are implemented using power mosfets and the S 3 switch is implemented with a diode rectifier. FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 11 circuit in which all three switches are implemented with power mosfets and augmented by a diode to clamp ringing associated with the small inductor and the parasitic capacitance of the third switch. FIG. 26 illustrates the FIG. 25 circuit augmented by an LC tank circuit that provides a speed up mechanism for the switching transitions. FIG. 27 illustrates the FIG. 25 circuit with its terminals rearranged to form a boost converter. FIG. 28 illustrates the FIG. 25 circuit with its terminals rearranged to form a buck boost converter. FIG. 29 illustrates a Cuk implementation of the subject invention. FIG. 30 illustrates the switch current wave forms of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 31 illustrates the inductor current wave forms of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 32 illustrates an initial condition and on state of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 33 illustrates a first phase of the off transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 34 illustrates a second phase of the off transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 35 illustrates a third phase of the off transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 36 illustrates the off state of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 37 is another illustration of the off state of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 38 illustrates a first phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 39 illustrates a second phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 40 illustrates a third phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 41 illustrates a fourth phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 42 illustrates a fifth phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 43 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 29 circuit in which the three switches are implemented using power mosfets. FIG. 44 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 29 circuit in which the third switch is implemented with a diode and the circuit is augmented by another diode to clamp ringing associated with the small inductor and the circuit's parasitic capacitance. FIG. 45 illustrates a SEPIC implementation of the FIG. 29 circuit. FIG. 46 illustrates a SEPIC implementation of the FIG. 29 circuit with a clamp diode. FIG. 47 illustrates a Cuk implementation with a tank circuit to speed the switching transitions. FIG. 48 illustrates a Cuk implementation with the two main inductors coupled on a common core. FIG. 49 illustrates a SEPIC implementation with a coupled inductor replacing the second main choke to provide isolation. FIG. 50 illustrates a transformer coupled Cuk implementation of the subject invention. FIG. 51 illustrates the switch current wave forms of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 52 illustrates the inductor current wave forms of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 53 illustrates the on state and the initial condition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 54 illustrates the first phase of the turn off transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 55 illustrates the second phase of the turn off transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 56 illustrates the third phase of the turn off transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 57 illustrates the off state of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 58 is another illustration of the off state of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 59 illustrates the first phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 60 illustrates the second phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 61 illustrates the third phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 62 illustrates the fourth phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 63 illustrates the fifth phase of the turn on transition of the FIG. 50 circuit. FIG. 64 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 50 circuit in which all three switches are implemented using power mosfets. FIG. 65 illustrates a variation of the FIG. 64 circuit which uses a diode for the third switch and is augmented with a clamp diode. FIG. 66 illustrates the FIG. 65 circuit augmented with a LC tank circuit. FIG. 67 illustrates the FIG. 65 circuit wherein the two main chokes are integrated on a common core. Reference Numerals 100 DC input voltage source 101 node 102 node 103 lead 104 lead 105 node 106 node 107 capacitor 108 switch 109 diode 110 capacitor 111 switch 112 diode 113 node 114 node 115 lead 116 lead 117 node 118 inductor 119 node 120 lead 121 node 122 capacitor 123 switch 124 diode 125 inductor 126 lead 127 node 128 node 129 capacitor 130 load 131 capacitor 132 capacitor 133 node 200 DC input voltage source 201 node 202 node 203 capacitor 204 inductor 205 node 206 diode 207 switch 208 capacitor 209 node 210 diode 211 switch 212 capacitor 213 node 214 lead 215 lead 216 node 217 inductor 218 node 219 capacitor 220 node 221 inductor 222 diode 223 switch 224 capacitor 225 lead 226 node 227 lead 228 node 229 capacitor 230 load 231 node 300 DC input voltage source 301 node 302 node 303 capacitor 304 node 305 capacitor 306 switch 307 diode 308 node 309 diode 310 switch 311 capacitor 312 inductor 313 inductor 314 node 315 capacitor 316 transformer 317 capacitor 318 node 319 node 320 diode 321 switch 322 capacitor 323 inductor 324 node 325 capacitor 326 load SUMMARY The subject invention uses a generalized active reset switching cell consisting of two switches, a capacitor, and a small inductor in a variety of converter topologies as a substitute for the main switch to form zero voltage switching converters with similar properties to the original hard switching forms of the converters, except that first order switching losses are eliminated. During the off time of each switching cycle the current in the small inductor of the generalized cell reverses direction so that there is energy available in the small inductor to drive every switching transition. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 3 illustrates a generalized active reset switching cell which can be used to provide zero voltage switching to a wide variety of hard switching converter topologies. FIG. 4 illustrates a generalized single inductor power converter based on the generalized active reset switching cell which can be made to be either a buck, boost, or buck boost converter by appropriate selection of connection of the terminals. Table 1 indicates how the terminals of the FIG. 4 circuit are connected to form the buck, boost, and buck boost topologies. FIG. 5 illustrates a buck converter using the generalized active reset switching cell. FIG. 6 illustrates a boost converter using the generalized active reset switching cell. FIG. 7 illustrates a buck boost converter using the generalized active reset switching cell. FIG. 8 illustrates an improvement to the switching cell that provides a clamp for potential ringing that would occur at the junction of the diode and the inductor when switch 3 is off (open). FIG. 9 illustrates a generalized power converter based on the modified generalized switching cell of FIG. 8 . Table 1 can be used with the FIG. 9 circuit to determine how to configure the basic switching converter types. FIG. 10 illustrates a buck converter based on the modified generalized active reset switching cell. Referring to FIG. 11, there is shown a series type power processing topology. The circuit employs a source of substantially DC voltage, a switching network consisting of three switches, a reset capacitor, a small resonator inductor, a main choke, a main filter capacitor, an input capacitor, and a load. For purposes of the operational state analysis, it is assumed that the reset and output filter capacitors are sufficiently large that the voltages developed across the capacitors are approximately constant over a switching interval. It is also assumed that the main choke is sufficiently large that the current in the main choke is approximately constant over a switching cycle. Also for purposes of the operational state analysis, it is assumed that the input DC voltage source has sufficiently low source impedance that the voltage developed across the input DC voltage source is approximately constant over a switching interval. It will be assumed that the parasitic capacitors that parallel the switches are small and their effects can be ignored, except during the switching transitions. It will be assumed that diodes are ideal and have no leakage and no forward voltage drop. It will finally be assumed that the power switches are ideal; that is, lossless and able to carry current in either direction. Structure The structure of the circuit of the subject invention is shown in FIG. 11. A positive terminal of an input source of DC potential 100 is connected to a node 101 . A negative terminal of source 100 is connected to a node 102 . A first terminal of an input capacitor 131 is connected to the node 101 . A second terminal of capacitor 131 is connected to node 102 . A lead 103 is connected to node 101 and a node 105 . A lead 104 is connected to node 102 and to a node 106 . A first terminal of a capacitor 107 is connected to node 105 . A second terminal of capacitor 107 is connected to a node 113 . A first terminal of a switch 108 is connected to node 105 . A second terminal of a switch 108 is connected to node 113 . A cathode terminal of a diode 109 is connected to node 105 . An anode terminal of diode 109 is connected to node 113 . A first terminal of a reset capacitor 132 is connected to node 106 . A second terminal of capacitor 132 is connected to a node 133 . A first terminal of a capacitor 110 is connected to node 133 . A second terminal of capacitor 110 is connected to a node 114 . A first terminal of a switch 111 is connected to node 133 . A second terminal of switch 111 is connected to node 114 . An anode terminal of a diode 112 is connected to node 133 . A cathode terminal of diode 112 is connected to node 114 . A lead 115 is connected to node 113 and to a node 117 . A lead 116 is connected to node 114 and to node 117 . A first terminal of an inductor 118 is connected to node 117 . A second terminal of inductor 118 is connected to a node 119 . A lead 120 is connected to node 106 and to a node 121 . An anode terminal of a diode 124 is connected to node 121 . A cathode terminal of diode 124 is connected to node 119 . A first terminal of a switch 123 is connected to node 121 . A second terminal of switch 123 is connected to node 119 . A first terminal of a capacitor 122 is connected to node 121 . A second terminal of capacitor 122 is connected to node 119 . A first terminal of a choke 125 is connected to node 119 . A second terminal of choke 125 is connected to a node 127 . A lead 126 is connected to node 121 and to a node 128 . A first terminal of a capacitor 129 is connected to node 127 . A second terminal of capacitor 129 is connected to node 128 . A first terminal of a load 130 is connected to node 127 . A second terminal of load 130 is connected to node 128 . Operation It is assumed in this analysis that the system has reached a settled operating condition. Except for the short, but finite, switching intervals there are two states of the circuit of FIG. 11, an on state and an off state. It is also assumed, for purpose of analysis, that the switching intervals between the states are approximately zero seconds and that capacitors 107 , 110 , and 122 are small and do not contribute significantly to the operation of the converter, except during the brief switching transitions. It is also assumed that the capacitors 131 , 132 , and 129 are large and the voltages on these capacitors are constant over a switching cycle. In operation consider an initial condition, illustrated in FIG. 13, in which the switch 108 is on and the other two switches are off. Current flows through the two inductors, 118 and 125 to the load and stored energy and current in the two inductors is increasing in magnitude, as indicated in FIGS. 12 d and 12 e. The current wave forms of the switches are illustrated in FIGS. 12 a, 12 b, and 12 c. At a time determined by the control circuit the switch 108 is turned off (opened), as illustrated in FIG. 14 . During the interval illustrated by FIG. 14 capacitor 107 is charged while the capacitors 110 and 122 are discharged, due to the currents and stored energies in the inductors 118 and 125 , as the voltages at nodes 117 and 119 fall, until the diode 112 is forward biased as illustrated in FIG. 15 . After diode 112 turns on the voltage at node 117 is clamped by diode 112 , but the voltage at node 119 continues to fall until diode 124 becomes forward biased, as illustrated in FIG. 16 . Shortly after diode 124 begins to conduct switches 111 and 123 are turned on (closed), as illustrated in FIG. 17 . The circuits of FIGS. 17 and 18 represent the off state of the converter. During the off state the voltage applied to the small inductor 118 causes its current to decrease to zero and then increase in the negative direction, as illustrated in FIG. 18 and FIG. 12 d. During the off state all of the energy stored in the inductor 118 is transferred to the capacitor 132 and back to the inductor 118 so that the energy stored in the inductor 118 is the same at the end of the off state as it was at the beginning of the off state, but the current in the inductor 118 is reversed. At the end of the off state as determined by the control circuit the switches 111 and 123 are turned off (opened) as illustrated in FIG. 19 . When switch 123 is turned off the current in inductor 125 forces the diode 124 to conduct again. When switch 111 is turned off the current in inductor 118 forces current into capacitors 107 and 110 so that capacitor 110 is charged and capacitor 107 is discharged until the diode 109 is forward biased, as illustrated in FIG. 20 . Shortly after diode 109 begins to conduct switch 108 is turned on (closed), as illustrated in FIG. 21 . The applied voltage to the inductor 118 is now large and equal to the source 100 voltage V_IN, so that the current in the small inductor 118 changes rapidly in both magnitude and direction, as illustrated in FIG. 22 and FIG. 12 d, until the current in the inductor 118 is equal to the current in inductor 125 , at which time the current in diode 124 becomes zero and the voltage at node 119 begins to rise charging capacitor 124 , as indicated in FIG. 23 . The voltage at node 119 will rise until the voltage reaches the level of the source 100 voltage. The converter is now in the state of the initial condition as illustrated in FIG. 13, which represents the on state of the converter. During the full cycle of operation each of the three switches were turned on and off at zero voltage. Related Embodiments FIG. 24 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 11 circuit in which the switches S 1 and S 2 are implemented with power mosfets and the switch S 3 is implemented with a diode. FIG. 25 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 11 circuit similar to the FIG. 24 circuit except that the switch S 3 is implemented with a power mosfet and a diode D 1 is added to clamp potential ringing associated with L_RES and C 3 , where C 3 is the parasitic output capacitance of S 3 . FIG. 26 is another embodiment of the FIG. 11 circuit in which an LC tank circuit is added to the generalized switching cell. The tank circuit consisting of L 1 and C 1 in series provides additional energy and current for driving the switching transitions while L_RES is also providing some energy and a delay since the time required by L_RES to reverse its current is small but not zero. The additional current provided by the tank circuit reduces the size and cost of the L_RES inductor and also reduces the insertion loss associated with L_RES. The tank circuit reduces the transition time and reduces the value of L_RES thereby enabling higher effective duty cycles and enabling effective converter operation at lower line voltages. Reducing the value of the inductor L_OUT has a similar effect as adding the tank circuit and has the additional benefit of reducing the size and cost of the inductor. The value of reducing the value of L_OUT must be weighed against the cost of reducing L_OUT in additional output filter capacitance required to obtain the desired output ripple performance. FIG. 27 shows another embodiment of the subject invention in which the components are arranged to form a boost converter. The operation of the generalized switching cell is identical to the buck converter, described in detail above, but the circuit is arranged so that the main choke is connected to the input's positive terminal and the main switch is connected to the negative terminal of the input, as indicated in table 1 . FIG. 28 shows another embodiment of the subject invention in which the components are arranged to form a buck boost converter. The operation of the generalized switching cell is identical to the buck converter, described in detail above, but the circuit is arranged so that the main choke is connected to the input's negative terminal, which is also the output's positive terminal, as indicated in table 1 . Structure The structure of the circuit of the subject invention is shown in FIG. 29. A positive terminal of a source 200 of DC potential is connected to a node 201 . A negative terminal of source 200 is connected to a node 202 . A first terminal of a capacitor 203 is connected to node 201 . A second terminal of capacitor 203 is connected to a node 205 . A first terminal of a first main inductor 204 is connected to node 201 . A second terminal of inductor 204 is connected to a node 218 . A cathode terminal of a diode 206 is connected to node 205 . An anode terminal of diode 206 is connected to a node 209 . A first terminal of a switch 207 is connected to node 205 . A second terminal of switch 207 is connected to node 209 . A first terminal of a capacitor 208 is connected to node 205 . A second terminal of capacitor 208 is connected to node 209 . An anode terminal of a diode 210 is connected to node 202 . A cathode terminal of diode 210 is connected to a node 213 . A first terminal of a switch 211 is connected to node 202 . A second terminal of switch 211 is connected to node 213 . A first terminal of a capacitor 212 is connected to node 202 . A second terminal of capacitor 212 is connected to node 213 . Node 213 is connected to a lead 214 . Lead 214 is connected to a node 216 . Node 216 is connected to a lead 215 . Lead 215 is connected to node 209 . A first terminal of a small inductor 217 is connected to node 216 . A second terminal of inductor 217 is connected to node 218 . A first terminal of a capacitor 219 is connected to node 218 . A second terminal of capacitor 219 is connected to a node 220 . A lead 225 is connected to node 202 . Lead 225 is connected to a node 226 . An anode terminal of a diode 222 is connected to node 220 . A cathode terminal of diode 222 is connected to node 226 . A first terminal of a switch 223 is connected to node 220 . A second terminal of switch 223 is connected to node 226 . A first terminal of a capacitor 224 is connected to node 220 . A second terminal of capacitor 224 is connected to node 226 . A first terminal of a second main inductor 221 is connected to node 220 . A second terminal of inductor 221 is connected to a node 228 . A lead 227 is connected to node 226 . Lead 227 is connected to a node 231 . A first terminal of an output capacitor 229 is connected to node 228 . A second terminal of capacitor 229 is connected to node 231 . A first terminal of a load 230 is connected to node 228 . A second terminal of load 230 is connected to node 231 . Operation It is assumed in this analysis that the system has reached a settled operating condition. Except for the short, but finite, switching intervals there are two states of the circuit of FIG. 29, an on state and an off state. It is also assumed, for purpose of analysis, that the switching intervals between the states are approximately zero seconds and that capacitors 208 , 212 , and 224 are small and do not contribute significantly to the operation of the converter, except during the brief switching transitions. It is also assumed that the capacitors 203 , 219 , and 229 are large and the voltages on these capacitors are constant over a switching cycle. The circuit of FIG. 29 is a Cuk form of the subject invention based on the generalized active reset switching cell. In operation consider an initial condition which is also the on state of the converter, illustrated in FIG. 32, in which the switch 211 is on and the other two switches are off. Current flows from the source 200 through the inductors 204 and 217 and through the switch 211 . Current also flows from the output through the inductor 221 through the capacitor 219 through the inductor 217 and through the switch 211 . During the on state the current in the switch 211 is increasing, as illustrated in FIG. 30 a, and the currents in all three inductors are increasing as illustrated in FIGS. 31 a, 31 b, and 31 c. At a time determined by the control circuit the switch 211 is turned off. The current flowing in the switch 211 is now diverted into the capacitors 208 and 212 . At the time that the switch 211 is turned off the voltages at the node 216 begins to rise and the capacitor 208 begins to discharge as the capacitor 212 begins to charge. At the same time there is some discharging of the capacitor 224 as the voltage at the nodes 218 and 220 begin to rise. This condition is shown in FIG. 33 . The voltages at the nodes 216 , 218 , and 220 continue to rise until the diode 206 becomes forward biased clamping the voltage at node 216 . This condition is illustrated in FIG. 34 . The voltage at the nodes 218 and 220 continue to rise until the diode 222 is forward biased, as illustrated in FIG. 35 . Soon after diode 222 becomes forward biased the switches 207 and 223 are turned on, as illustrated in FIG. 36 . FIG. 36 represents the off state of the converter. During the off state the current in the inductor 217 ramps down to zero then ramps up in the opposite direction to the same magnitude that it had at the beginning of the off state. This is illustrated in FIG. 37 and in FIG. 31 c. During the off state all of the energy stored in the inductor 217 is transferred to the capacitor 203 and then the energy is transferred back to the inductor 217 so that the energy stored in the inductor 217 is the same at the end of the off state as it was at the beginning of the off state, but the current in the inductor 217 is reversed. At a time determined by the control circuit the switches 207 and 223 are turned off. The current in the inductor 217 is channeled into capacitors 208 and 212 charging capacitor 208 and discharging capacitor 212 . During this time the current in the switch 223 is diverted into the diode 222 , as illustrated in FIG. 38 . When the voltage at node 216 falls to the level of the negative terminal of source 200 the diode 210 begins to conduct, as illustrated in FIG. 39 . Soon after diode 210 begins to conduct switch 211 is turned on at zero voltage, as illustrated in FIG. 40 . At this point there is a large voltage applied across inductor 217 so that the current in the inductor 217 is changing rapidly, as indicated in FIGS. 31 c and 30 a. The current in the inductor 217 will change sign, as illustrated in FIG. 41, and ramp up to the level of the sum of the currents in inductors 204 and 218 . During this time interval the current in diode 222 is ramping down towards zero, as illustrated in FIG. 30 c. When the current in the diode 222 reaches zero the voltages at the nodes 218 and 220 begins to drop as the capacitor 224 begins to charge, as illustrated in FIG. 42 . When the voltage at node 218 reaches a level near the negative terminal of the source 200 the charging of capacitor 224 is complete and the circuit enters a first on state, which is the initial condition, as illustrated in FIG. 32 . During the full cycle of operation each of the three switches were turned on and off at zero voltage. Related Embodiments FIG. 43 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 29 circuit in which all three of the switches are implemented with power mosfets. FIG. 44 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 29 circuit similar to the FIG. 43 circuit except that the S 3 switch is implemented with a diode and a diode D 2 is added to clamp potential ringing associated with L_RES and C 3 , where C 3 is the parasitic output capacitance of D 1 . FIG. 45 illustrates another embodiment of the FIG. 29 circuit in which the positions of the output choke and output switch are rearranged to form a SEPIC form of the converter, rather than the Cuk form. The differences between the Cuk form and SEPIC form are well known to those skilled in the art of power conversion. One difference is that the Cuk form yields an output that is inverted with respect to the input and the output of the SEPIC form is non-inverted. Another difference is that the SEPIC relies on the output capacitor to hold up the load when the S 3 switch is off. FIG. 46 illustrates another embodiment in the SEPIC form of the invention with a clamp diode to prevent ringing of the output switch parasitic capacitance. FIG. 47 illustrates another embodiment in the Cuk form of the invention with an LC tank circuit used to speed up the switching transitions and to reduce the value of the small inductor L_RES, thereby reducing the insertion loss of L_RES and enabling operation at lower line voltages. FIG. 48 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in the Cuk form in which the two main chokes are coupled and integrated onto a single core. FIG. 49 illustrates another embodiment of the invention in the SEPIC form in which the output inductor is replaced by a coupled inductor which provides for an output with galvanic isolation. Structure The structure of the circuit of the subject invention is shown in FIG. 50. A positive terminal of a DC input power source 300 is connected to a node 301 . A negative terminal of source 300 is connected to a node 302 . A first terminal of a capacitor 303 is connected to node 301 . A second terminal of capacitor 303 is connected to a node 304 . A cathode terminal of a diode 307 is connected to node 304 . An anode terminal of diode 307 is connected to a node 308 . A first terminal of a switch 306 is connected to node 304 . A second terminal of switch 306 is connected to node 308 . A first terminal of a capacitor 305 is connected to node 304 . A second terminal of capacitor 305 is connected to node 308 . A cathode terminal of a diode 309 is connected to node 308 . An anode terminal of diode 309 is connected to node 302 . A first terminal of a switch 310 is connected to node 308 . A second terminal of switch 310 is connected to node 302 . A first terminal of a capacitor 311 is connected to node 308 . A second terminal of capacitor 311 is connected to node 302 . A first terminal of an inductor 312 is connected to node 308 . A second terminal of inductor 312 is connected to a node 314 . A first terminal of an inductor 313 is connected to node 301 . A second terminal of inductor 313 is connected to node 314 . A first terminal of a capacitor 315 is connected to node 314 . A second terminal of capacitor 315 is connected to an undotted terminal of a primary winding of a transformer 316 . A dotted terminal of the primary winding of transformer 316 is connected to node 302 . A dotted terminal of a secondary winding of transformer 316 is connected to a first terminal of a capacitor 317 . An undotted terminal of the secondary winding of transformer 316 is connected to a node 319 . A second terminal of capacitor 317 is connected to a node 318 . A cathode terminal of a diode 320 is connected to node 318 . An anode terminal of diode 320 is connected to node 319 . A first terminal of a switch 321 is connected to node 318 . A second terminal of switch 321 is connected to node 319 . A first terminal of a capacitor 322 is connected to node 318 . A second terminal of capacitor 322 is connected to node 319 . A first terminal of an inductor 323 is connected to node 318 . A second terminal of inductor 323 is connected to a node 324 . A first terminal of a capacitor 325 is connected to node 324 . A second terminal of capacitor 325 is connected to node 319 . A first terminal of a load 326 is connected to node 324 . A second terminal of load 326 is connected to node 319 . Operation It is assumed in this analysis that the system has reached a settled operating condition. Except for the short, but finite, switching intervals there are two states of the circuit of FIG. 50, an on state and an off state. It is also assumed, for purpose of analysis, that the switching intervals between the states are approximately zero seconds and that capacitors 305 , 311 , and 322 are small and do not contribute significantly to the operation of the converter, except during the brief switching transitions. It is also assumed that the capacitors 303 , 315 , 317 , and 325 are large and the voltages on these capacitors are constant over a switching cycle. The circuit of FIG. 50 is an implementation of the generalized active reset switching cell in the transformer coupled Cuk form. In an initial condition illustrated in FIG. 53 the switch 310 is on and the switches 306 and 321 are off. Current is flowing from the source 300 through the inductor 313 through the inductor 312 through the switch 310 and back to the source 300 . Current also flows in a loop consisting of the primary winding of transformer 316 , the capacitor 315 , the inductor 312 , and the switch 310 . The current in the primary winding of the transformer 316 flows out of the undotted terminal. A current is induced in the secondary winding of the transformer 316 which flows out of the dotted terminal, through the capacitor 317 , through the inductor 323 to the load 326 and the output filter capacitor 325 . The initial condition also represents a first on state of the converter during which time the currents in all three inductors is increasing as illustrated in FIGS. 52 a, 52 b and 52 c. At a time determined by the control circuit the switch 310 is turned off, as illustrated in FIG. 54 and FIG. 51 a. The current flowing in switch 310 is diverted to capacitors 311 and 305 . During this time the voltage at node 308 rises as capacitor 311 charges and capacitor 305 discharges. During this time the voltage at node 314 begins to rise as the voltage at node 318 begins to fall and capacitor 322 begins to discharge. The voltage at node 308 rises up until the diode 307 becomes forward biased, as illustrated in FIG. 55 . The voltage at node 314 rises up and the voltage at node 318 falls until the diode 320 becomes forward biased, as illustrated in FIG. 56 . Shortly after diode 320 becomes forward biased switches 306 and 321 are turned on at zero voltage, as illustrated in FIG. 57 . FIG. 57 represents the off state of the converter. During the off state the currents in inductors 313 and 323 are ramping down, as illustrated in FIGS. 52 a and 52 b. The current in inductor 312 is ramping down too, but at a much higher rate and the current in inductor 312 drops to zero, reverses, and climbs up to its magnitude at the beginning of the off state, as illustrated in FIG. 58 and FIG. 52 c. During the off state all of the energy stored in the inductor 312 is transferred to the capacitor 303 and back to the inductor 312 so that the energy stored in the inductor 312 is the same at the end of the off state as it was at the beginning of the off state, but the current in the inductor 312 is reversed, as illustrated in FIGS. 58 and 52 c. When the current in inductor 312 has reached its magnitude at the beginning of the off state the switches 306 and 321 are turned off, as illustrated in FIG. 59 . The current from switch 306 is diverted into capacitors 305 and 311 . The current from switch 321 is diverted into diode 320 . During this time the voltage at node 308 falls as capacitor 311 is discharged and capacitor 305 is charged. When the voltage at node 308 falls to the level of the negative terminal of source 300 diode 309 becomes forward biased, as illustrated in FIG. 60 . Soon after diode 309 turns on switch 310 is turned on at zero voltage, as illustrated in FIG. 61 . The applied voltage on inductor 312 is now large so that its current is changing rapidly, as illustrated in FIGS. 52 c, and the current in diode 320 is also ramping down rapidly. The current in inductor 312 reverses again as indicated in FIG. 62 . When the current in diode 320 reaches zero it becomes reverse biased and the voltage at node 318 rises up charging capacitor 322 , as illustrated in FIG. 63, as the voltage at node 314 falls toward the voltage of the negative terminal of source 300 , at which time the circuit enters the on state as illustrated in FIG. 52, and a full cycle of operation has been completed. Related Embodiments FIG. 64 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 50 circuit in which all three of the switches are implemented with power mosfets. FIG. 65 illustrates an embodiment of the FIG. 50 circuit similar to the FIG. 64 circuit except that the S 3 switch is implemented with a diode, D 1 , and a diode, D 2 , is added to clamp potential ringing associated with L_RES and the parasitic capacitance of D 1 . FIG. 66 illustrates another embodiment in which an LC tank circuit is added to speed the switching transition and reduce the value of L_RES and the associated insertion loss of L_RES, thereby enabling circuit operation at lower line voltages. FIG. 67 illustrates an embodiment in which the input and output chokes are integrated into a single coupled inductor on a common core. Additional Embodiments Additional embodiments are realized by applying the generalized active reset switching cell to other converter topologies. The buck, boost, buck-boost, Cuk, and SEPIC converters are shown here as examples, but it is clear to one skilled in the art of power conversion that by extending the techniques illustrated and demonstrated here to other hard switching topologies that these other hard switching topologies can be converted from hard switching converters to soft switching converters with the elimination of first order switching losses. CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS, AND SCOPE OF INVENTION Thus the reader will see that the power converters of the invention provide a mechanism which significantly reduces switching losses, has low component parts counts, and does not require high core losses, high output filter capacitance, or high conduction losses to accomplish zero voltage switching, relying on the energy stored in a small magnetic circuit element. While my above description contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limitations on the scope of the invention, but rather as exemplifications of preferred embodiments thereof. Many other variations are possible. For example, interleaved, parallel power converters with two or more parallel converter sections; power converters arranged in a bridged configuration for amplifier and inverter applications; power converters similar to those shown in the drawings but which integrate individual magnetic circuit elements onto a single magnetic core; power converters similar to those shown but which have instead high AC ripple voltages on input filter capacitors; power converters, similar to those shown in the drawings, but where the DC input source is instead a varying rectified AC signal. Accordingly, the scope of the invention should be determined not by the embodiments illustrated, but by the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
A generalized active reset switching network using a small choke, a pair of switches, and a capacitor is revealed. The application of the generalized active reset switching network to any of a wide variety of hard switching power converter topologies yields equivalent power converters with zero voltage switching properties, without the requirement that the magnetizing current in the main power choke be reversed during each switching cycle. In the subject invention the energy required to drive the critical zero voltage switching transition is provided by the small choke that forms part of the generalized active reset switching network. The application of the generalized active reset switching network to buck, boost, buck boost, Cuk, and SEPIC converters is shown. A variation of the generalized active reset switching network which adds a single diode to clamp ringing associated with the parasitic capacitance of off switches is also revealed.
8
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates generally to systems for the automation of clinical laboratories and the like, and more particularly to an elevator and specimen carrier utilized with a conveyor track utilized in an automated conveyor system for transporting specimens throughout an automated laboratory. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Clinical laboratory testing has changed and improved remarkably over the past 70 years. Initially, tests or assays were performed manually, and generally utilized large quantities of serum, blood or other materials/body fluids. As mechanical technology developed in the industrial work place, similar technology was introduced into the clinical laboratory. With the introduction of new technology, methodologies were also improved in an effort to improve the quality of the results produced by the individual instruments, and to minimize the amount of specimen required to perform a particular test. More recently, instruments have been developed to increase the efficiency of testing procedures by reducing turnaround time and decreasing the volumes necessary to perform various assays. Present directions in laboratory testing focus on cost containment procedures and instrumentation. Laboratory automation is one area in which cost containment procedures are currently being explored. Robotic engineering has evolved to such a degree that various types of robots have been applied in the clinical laboratory setting. The main focus of prior art laboratory automation relies on the implementation of conveyor systems to connect areas of a clinical laboratory. Known conveyor systems in the laboratory setting utilize separate conveyor segments to move specimens from a processing station to a specific laboratory work station. In order to obtain cost savings, the specimens were sorted manually, and grouped in a carrier rack to be conveyed to a specific location. In this way, a carrier would move a group of 5-20 specimens from the processing location to the specific work station for the performance of a single test on each of the specimens within the carrier rack. With the development of new and improved automatic conveyor systems for laboratories and other environments, the inventors herein have found a need for a customized conveyor track and support system for supporting the conveyor track above the ground. Preferably, the track and support system permits flexibility in the arrangement of tracks and "gates" accessing various work stations, as well as simple and economic modules which are easily connected to customize the layout of the particular conveyor system. In the prior art, conveyor track was conventional directly suspended from a ceiling or a wall support. For this reason, each and every section of conveyor track would necessarily be customized to fit a particular location. In the event of a repair, or other mechanical problem, the entire conveyor track would need to be shut down and the pertinent section removed for repair or replacement. Because of the customized design of each automated conveyor system of the prior art, any replacement pieces would also necessarily be customized. Prior art elevator systems typically utilized a vertically moveable platform upon which a specimen carrier would rest during transport. However, it has been found that such prior art elevator systems are relatively complex to employ in the automated laboratory conveyor systems currently available, and typically do not provide for enclosed transport to contain any spilled fluid during the movement of a specimen among vertically displaced tracks. Another problem with prior art elevator systems was in the time required to customize a particular elevator between two vertically displaced tracks. Most elevator systems required that the tracks be spaced a predetermined and uniform distance apart, in order to prevent customized manufacture of an elevator for a particular location. Unfortunately, on site laboratory automation systems frequently require non-uniform movement and locations. Thus, such unified vertical displacement was rarely found in the typical laboratory setting. A change in the type of elevator utilized in automated conveyor systems also requires the modification of the specimen carrier for use in combination with the elevator. In the laboratory environment, it is common for the conveyor track to transport various fluid specimens among a plurality of work stations. One problem with prior art designs of conveyor track was in the fact that spillage of such fluid would contaminant the track and the surrounding environment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore a general object of the present invention to provide an improved elevator and specimen carrier for a modular conveyor track in an automated conveyor system. Another object is to provide an elevator which includes features for the retention of fluid spillage, and to prevent the escape of fluid which has been spilled. Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an elevator which may be easily connected to a modular conveyor track in an automated conveyor system. A further object is to provide an elevator which is vertically adjustable in length to extend between a variety of vertically displaced conveyor tracks. Still another object is to provide an improved specimen carrier which cooperates with an improved elevator to permit simple and efficient vertical transport of the specimen carrier from one conveyor track to a second vertically displaced conveyor track. These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art. The elevator for specimen carriers of the present invention includes an upper housing which is removably connected to an upstream end of an upper conveyor track and a lower housing which is removably connected to a downstream end of a lower conveyor track, the conveyor tracks being vertically spaced. Each conveyor track has a moving support surface which transports a specimen carrier downstream. The elevator includes a pair of opposingly disposed lift pins operably mounted along a chain housed within the elevator, the lift pins located to engage opposingly disposed wings on each specimen carrier, to lift the specimen carrier from the lower track to the upper track. The elevator housings are adjustably connected together, to permit adjustment of the overall height of the elevator for a variety of vertically spaced tracks. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the elevator of the present invention installed between an upper and lower conveyor track; FIG. 2 is an enhanced side elevational view of the elevator lower housing and lower track; FIG. 3 is an enlarged perspective view of the lower housing of the elevator, with portions broken away for clarity; FIG. 4 is a top elevational view of the elevator with the top plate removed for clarity; FIG. 5 is a front elevational view, with portions broken away; FIG. 6 is a front elevational view, with the elevator in a retracted position; FIG. 7 is a front elevational view with the elevator in an extended position; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a specimen carrier used with the elevator; FIG. 9 is a top elevational view of the specimen carrier; FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of the specimen carrier; and FIG. 11 is an end elevational view taken from the right side of FIG. 10. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, in which identical or corresponding parts a identified with the same reference numeral, and more particularly to FIG. 1, the elevator of the present invention is designated generally at 10 and is shown connected between an upper conveyor track 12 and a lower conveyor track 14, for the vertical transport of a specimen carrier 16 therebetween. Elevator 10 includes a lower generally L-shaped housing 18 telescopically connected to an upper inverted L-shaped housing 20, with the vertical back 18a of lower leg 18 inserted within the vertical back 20a of upper housing 20. The horizontal leg 18b of lower housing 18 is secured to lower track 14, while the horizontal leg 20b of upper housing 20 is secured to upper track 12. Referring now to FIG. 2, conveyor track 14 is supported on a support rail 22, which is connected to a plurality of hangers to support conveyor track 14 above the ground. Support rail 22 has a generally I-shaped cross-section with an upper horizontal plate 22a connected to a lower horizontal plate 22b by a vertical web 22c. Upper plate 22a includes a pair of upwardly projecting forward and rearward walls 22d and 22e, oriented parallel to web 22c. Upper plate walls 22d and 22e each have an upper lip 22f and 22g, respectively, and inwardly towards one another to form a pair of co-planar horizontal upper support surfaces. Conveyor track 14 has a generally U-shaped cross-section with a forward vertical leg 24 and a rearward vertical leg 26 connected by a generally horizontal base plate 28. A generally J-shaped fastener leg 30 depends from the lower end of forward leg 24, below base plate 28. A rearward J-shaped fastener leg 32 depends from the lower end of rearward leg 26, below base plate 28, opposite to forward fastener leg 30. Base plate 28 of lower track 14 is supported on the upper support surfaces of lips 22f and 22g of support rail 22, as shown in FIG. 2. Fastener legs 30 and 32 receive the support rail upper walls 22d and 22e therebetween, such that track 14 engages support rail 22. Clips (not shown) interconnect fastener legs 30 and 32 with support rail 22 to securely fasten track 14 to support rail 22. An upper flange 34 projects forwardly and upwardly from a location spaced below the upper end 24a of track forward leg 24. Upper flange 34 thereby forms an upper support channel 36 between flange 34 and the forward face of forward leg 24. A lower flange 38 also projects forwardly and upwardly from the forward face of forward leg 24, at a position spaced below upper flange 36 and spaced above base plate 28. Lower flange 38 thereby forms a lower support channel 40 on the forward surface of forward leg 24 spaced below upper support channel 36. Rearward leg 26 is a mirror image of forward leg 24, and also includes an upper support channel 36' and lower support channel 40' thereon. As shown in FIG. 2, upper and lower support channels 36, 36', 40 and 40' provide support for lower housing leg 18b, as described in more detail hereinbelow. Referring now to FIG. 3, lower housing leg 18b includes a pair of forward an rearward opposing parallel plates 42 and 44 connected at their upper ends by a to plate 46, to form a generally inverted U-shaped housing. A pair of hook members 4 are mounted on the inward face of forward plate 42, each hook member 48 having a upper hook 48a and a lower hook 48b projecting inwardly and downwardly from a inward face thereof, for engagement in the upper and lower support channels 36 an 40 of conveyor track 14. A second pair of hook members 48' are mounted on the inward face of rearward plate 44, disposed oppositely of hook members 48, with upper and lower hooks 48'a and 48'b engaged in upper and lower channels 36' and 40', as shown in FIG. 2. Set screws 50, threaded through apertures in forward and rearward plates 42 and 44 engage the sides of track 14 to secure lower housing 18 in position. Referring once again to FIG. 1, lower track 14 and support rail 22 extend through lower housing 18, to project from the opposite end thereof. An end cap 52 is provided for the end of the projecting conveyor track 14 and support rail 22, and serves to retain any fluids spilled within the conveyor track 14 from escaping from the track. A removable cover 54 is provided for conveyor track 14, and has a generally inverted U-shape and is preferably formed of a resilient material such as plastic. Cover 54 snaps over the upwardly projecting legs 24a and 26a of conveyor track 14 to form an enclosed housing through which specimen carriers 16 are transported. Referring once again to FIG. 3, a pair of opposing co-planar end walls 56 are mounted between lower housing forward and rearward plates 42 and 44, with each end wall having an inwardly directed edge with a profile matching the profile of track 14 and the cover 54 (also shown in FIG. 1 ). Thus, specimen carrier 16 remains enclosed as it is transported along conveyor track 14 into lower housing 18 of elevator 10. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the vertical back 18a of lower housing 18 is formed from a length of conveyor track 14' attached to a length of support rail 22'. Top plate 46 of lower housing leg 18b has an aperture formed therein following the profile of track 14' and support rail 22', such that back 18a is fastened within housing 18b with screws 58, with track 14' projecting upwardly therefrom. A stop plate 58 is fastened to the lower end of track 14' and depends therefrom to stop movement of a specimen carrier 16 along lower track 14 in a position to permit engagement of lift pins 60 projecting from a pair of continuous loop chains 62, with projecting wings 64 on the specimen carrier 16, as described in more detail hereinbelow. Referring once again to FIG. 1, upper housing 20 includes a general L-shaped forward plate 66, a matching rearward plate 68 and a top plate 70 connecting the upper ends of the forward and rearward plates 66 and 68. As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a pair of hook members 72 are affixed to the inward face of forward plate 66 so as to engage the upper and lower channels 36' and 40' of track 14', with a pair of so screws 74 engaging the forward leg 24' to secure upper housing 20 in the desired position along track 14'. A pair of opposing hook members 76 and set screws 78 are mounted through rearward plate 68 in a similar fashion to selectively engage the rearward leg 26' of track 14'. FIGS. 6 and 7 show the overall height of elevator 10 adjusted between a Shorter height and longer height, to meet the particular requirements of the vertical spacing of a pair of vertically spaced conveyor tracks. By loosening and tightening set screws 74, upper housing 20 may be selectively secured at the desired location along lower housing back 18a. Referring to FIG. 5, it can be seen that upper housing 20 includes a horizontally oriented support plate 80 affixed between the forward and rearward plates 68, on the bottom of the projecting leg 20b of housing 20. Support plate 80 rests on the support rail 22" of upper conveyor track 12. As shown in FIG. 5, support rail 22" projects beyond the end of upper conveyor track 12 specifically to accept support of upper housing 20 of elevator 10. A stop plate 82 projects vertically between forward and rearward plates 66 and 68 of upper housing 20 and is oriented to contact the end of upper conveyor track 12, when properly positioned within upper housing 20 of elevator 10. As shown in FIG. 4 and 5, upper housing 20 is secured to upper conveyor track 12 by set screws 84 extending through forward and rearward plates 66 and 68 and biasing against the opposing sides of track 12. The endless loop chains 62 are engaged around a plurality of pairs of sprockets in order to raise or lower a specimen carrier 16 between upper and lower conveyor tracks 12 and 14. Since each sprocket shown in FIG. 5 has an opposing coaxial sprocket associated therewith, only one set of sprockets will be described in detail herein. A pair of lower sprockets 86a and 86b are rotatably mounted within lower housing leg 18b and preferably horizontally spaced apart from one another. Chain 62 includes a first horizontal leg extending beneath lower sprocket 86a and thence around lower sprocket 86b and a second leg 62b extending vertically upwardly from lower sprocket 86b to the first of a pair of upper sprockets 88a and 88b. Sprockets 88a and 88b are rotatably mounted and horizontally spaced apart in the leg 20b of upper housing 20, with a third leg 62c of chain 62 extending from sprocket 88a to sprocket 88b. A pair of intermediate sprockets 90a and 90b are vertically spaced apart from one another and located below upper sprockets 88a and 88b and are mounted in upper housing 20. A third intermediate sprocket 90c is rotatably mounted on an upright 92 which projects upwardly from the upper end of lower housing back 18a. A fourth leg 62d of chain 62 extends from upper socket 88b, and around the upper sprocket 90a of intermediate sprockets 90a and b. A fifth leg 62e of chain 62 extends vertically downwardly from sprocket 90a to sprocket 90b, thence upwardly to form sixth leg 62f, and around third intermediate sprocket 90c. The seventh leg 62g of chain 62 extends vertically from third intermediate sprocket 90c downwardly to the first lower sprocket 86a, to complete the loop. Referring now to FIGS. 6 and 7, it can be seen that the adjustment of vertical height of elevator 10 is accomplished by the use of intermediate sprockets 90a, 90b and 90c. By locating third intermediate sprocket 90c vertically between sprockets 90a and 90b, with third sprocket 90c connected to the lower housing 18 and sprockets 90a and 90b connected to the upper housing 20, the lengths of legs 62f and 62g of chain 62 will be inversely proportional, so as to maintain the overall length of chain 62. A tension pulley 92 is adjustably mounted in a slot 94 to provide a biasing force against leg 62d of chain 62, to maintain tension throughout the chain loop 62. As shown in FIG. 1, a drive motor 96 is connected to sprocket 90a in order to drive the chains 62 about the system. Referring now to FIGS. 8-11, a specimen carrier 16 is shown in more detail. Specimen carrier 16 is preferably formed of a solid block of plastic material, with forward and rearward faces 16a and 16b, right and left ends 16c and 16d, and top and bottom surfaces 16e and 16f. A cavity 98 is provided for retaining a specimen tube 100 in a generally upright orientation, and a generally rectangular slot 102 is provided for retaining a specimen slide in specimen carrier 16. A pair of wings 104 and 106 project outwardly in opposite directions from the forward and rearward faces 16a and 16b respectively, and are located adjacent the top surface 16e of specimen carrier 16. Wings 104 and 106 are identical, and therefore only wing 104 will be described in detail herein. Referring now to FIG. 10, wing 104 includes an upper surface 104a, and a lower surface 104b, each projecting outwardly from forward face 16a of carrier 16. A generally semicylindrical notch 108 is formed in lower surface 104b and extends orthogonally from forward face 16a of carrier 16, to receive lift pins 60 therein. Preferably, lower surface 104b slopes upwardly towards carrier top surface 16d from diametric sides of notch 108, to form a generally inverted triangular shape, as shown in FIG. 10. As shown in FIG. 9, wings 104 and 106 project outwardly from forward and rearward faces 16a and 16b, and are centered between ends 16c and 16d. Preferably, wings 104 and 106 have a length less than the full length of forward and rearward faces 16a and 16b. A corresponding notch 108' is formed in wing 106, as shown in FIG. 9. Whereas the invention has been shown and described in connection with the preferred embodiment thereof, many modifications, substitutions and additions may be made which are within the intended broad scope of the appended claims.
An elevator for specimen carriers includes an upper housing which is removably connected to an upstream end of an upper conveyor track and a lower housing which is removably connected to a downstream end of a lower conveyor track, the conveyor tracks being vertically spaced. Each conveyor track has a moving support surface which transports a specimen carrier downstream. The elevator includes a pair of opposingly disposed lift pins operably mounted along a chain housed within the elevator, the lift pins located to engage opposingly disposed wings on each specimen carrier, to lift the specimen carrier from the lower track to the upper track. The elevator housings are adjustably connected together, to permit adjustment of the overall height of the elevator for a variety of vertically spaced tracks.
8
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the protection of foundations from water leakage and earth subsidence around the walls. More particularly the present invention provides a protector for foundations that has a drainage space for moisture to escape from the foundations themselves. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Building structures that have foundation walls and floors made of concrete, concrete blocks, foam insulation and concrete composite blocks, wood or other materials are adversely affected over time by moisture, either moisture coming from the exterior or earth side of the foundations or alternatively, moisture that enters the foundations from the interior of the building. Most buildings have tile drains provided at the base of the foundation walls to remove water that penetrates the soil from above, but it is preferred to have waterproof protectors on the exteriors of foundation walls to prevent water entering the walls through cracks that occur over time. One example of such a protector is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,956,951 to Kannankeril and has an array of spaced-apart projections that provides drainage space between a foundation wall and the protector. In the past, such protectors have been attached to the foundation walls either by nails or adhesive sheets that attach directly to the exteriors of the foundation walls. It has been found that adhesive sheets having the same area as the protectors do not permit the foundation walls to breathe and any moisture that may be retained in these walls cannot escape. Also, the use of nails has been undesirable because of the difficulty of properly installing the nails and the lack of secure attachment of the protectors to the foundation walls by the nails. One other problem that has occurred with these protectors with spaced-apart projections positioned on foundation walls is due to the earth on the exterior of the walls filling the projections from the outside. Thus, if and when the earth subsides, it tends to pull the protectors away from the foundation wall. This leaves gaps between the protectors and the walls, which defeats the purpose of the protectors. It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide a novel protector for a foundation wall that is easily installed and permits moisture in the foundation to escape into a drainage space between the protector and the foundation. It is another object of the present invention to provide a substantially smooth surface on the exterior of the protector to prevent the protector itself moving when earth adjacent the protector subsides. It is still a further object of the present invention to provide at least one adhesive strip extending across a protector and attached to protrusions to provide attachment of the protector to a foundation wall. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a protector for a foundation wall, floor or other substantially flat foundation surface which includes protrusions extending from a base portion, the protrusions being for positioning adjacent the foundation surface and being spaced apart from one another to provide a drainage space between the foundation surface and the base portion of the protector, and an outer waterproof membrane on the base portion to cover recesses formed by the protrusions and provide a substantially smooth exterior surface to prevent movement of the protector due to earth subsidence. The present invention also provides a concrete foundation protection system for providing drainage for foundation walls including a waterproof dimpled sheet with spaced-apart protrusions from a base portion, the protrusions for positioning adjacent the foundation walls to provide drainage space between the foundation walls and the base portion of the dimpled sheet, and an outer waterproof membrane on the base portion to cover recesses formed by the protrusions and provide a substantially smooth exterior surface to permit earth subsidence adjacent the membrane without movement of the dimpled sheet. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In drawings, which illustrate embodiments of the present invention:— FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a foundation protector according to one embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an elevational view of a foundation protector according to one embodiment of the present invention showing attachment strips for attachment to a foundation wall or floor. FIG. 3 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the foundation protector of FIG. 2 at line 3 — 3 positioned against a foundation surface. FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional view of a portion of an overlap seal between adjacent protectors as shown in FIG. 2 at line 4 — 4 FIG. 5 is a partial cross-sectional view of a foundation protector according to one embodiment of the present invention positioned against a foundation wall of blocks of concrete with insulating foam on each side. FIG. 6 is a detailed elevational view of a portion of a foundation protector showing protrusions. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of one of the protrusions shown in FIG. 6 at line 7 — 7 . FIGS. 8 and 9 are partial perspective views showing other types of protrusions. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A waterproof foundation protector 10 according to one embodiment of the invention is illustrated in FIG. 1 and includes a waterproof dimpled sheet 16 which has a plurality of dimples or protrusions 12 spaced apart in a regular pattern as illustrated. The rows of protrusions 12 may be staggered or varied. The purpose of the protrusions 12 is to provide drainage space 14 between the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 and the outer surface of a concrete wall 26 . The protrusions 12 extend from a base portion 13 and are integral therewith. Ridges 17 are shown extending linearly between the protrusions to provide additional strength to the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 . In a preferred embodiment, the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 is formed from quasi-rigid high-density polyethylene or other suitable tough long-lasting plastic material. When the protrusions 12 are formed on the inner surface of the waterproof sheet 16 , then corresponding recesses occur behind the protrusions 12 on the opposite outer surface of the waterproof sheet 16 and, as seen in FIG. 1, the underside surface of the base portions 13 is covered by an outer waterproof membrane 18 which is adhered to the sheet 16 so as to cover these recesses and provide a smooth exterior surface. The membrane 18 is preferably formed of medium density polyethylene, although any suitable long lasting plastic material may be used. The protrusions 12 have a substantially flat top surfaces 20 which abut the concrete wall 26 and, as shown in FIG. 1, a top adhesive strip 22 extends across the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 attached to the surfaces 20 of the protrusions 12 . The top adhesive strip 22 has a tear-off protective sheet 24 , which is removed before attachment to a foundation wall or other surface. The waterproof dimpled sheet 16 and membrane 18 can, in one embodiment, incorporate UV protection in the form of 2% carbon black. The protector 10 may be of any desired color. Whereas the protector 10 is shown on a foundation wall, it may be used on concrete floors or on substantially flat surface where protection is desired. A waterproof foundation protector 10 is shown in FIG. 2 with adjacent protectors 10 A and 10 B on either positioned on either side. A top adhesive strip 22 extends along the top edge of the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 attached to an offset flat portion 30 as shown in FIG. 3 . When the top adhesive strip 22 is attached to the concrete wall 26 , it forms a seal to prevent water on the earth 32 entering the drainage space 14 in the dimpled sheet 16 . As can be seen in the drawings, the outer waterproof membrane 18 extends over the complete outside surface of the dimpled sheet 16 and thus provides a smooth surface and, if the earth 32 should subside downwards, it will not drag the dimpled sheet 16 down with it but the dimpled sheet 16 will remain affixed to the concrete wall 26 . Vertical adhesive attachment strips 34 are shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 extending substantially perpendicularly downwards from the top adhesive strip 22 with a space 36 between strips 22 and 34 for moisture to escape from the concrete wall 26 . The vertical adhesive attachment strips 34 have vertical spaces 36 therebetween and extend down over the protrusions 12 of the dimpled sheet 16 . They may be fused to the surfaces 20 of the protrusions 12 or adhered by adhesive. Drainage can occur in the space 14 and any water that enters the drainage space 14 will not be retained therein. A vertical overlap seal 40 is shown in FIG. 4 between the protector 10 and an adjacent protector 10 A as may be seen in FIG. 2 . One vertical side edge 42 on the protector 10 has an offset vertical flat side portion 44 of the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 which is attached to the concrete wall 36 by a vertical adhesive strip 46 . The side edge 50 on the adjacent protector 10 A has an offset vertical adhesive strip 52 that is attached to the underside of the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 and forms a seal on the membrane 18 with the offset flat side portion 44 of the protector 10 . This offset vertical adhesive strip 52 extends under the adjacent row of protrusions 12 on the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 thus assuring that the adjacent protector 10 A is sealed to the protector 10 and the concrete wall 26 . Leakage is thus prevented between adjacent protectors. The strips 22 , 34 , and 52 may be double-sided adhesive strips or may be heat-fused at one side to the dimpled sheet 16 . Another use of the protector 10 is shown in FIG. 5 wherein the protector 10 is attached to an insulating foam panel 54 which, with a second insulating foam panel 56 , contains a concrete foundation wall 58 . The foam panels 54 and 56 are interconnected in a known manner and provide forms during installation for forming the concrete wall 58 . FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 illustrate protrusions 12 which are frusto-conical in shape and have an annular top surface 20 with an indented center aperture 60 which extends downwards to a base 62 level with the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 so membrane 18 remains flat when attached to the sheet 16 . FIG. 8 shows another type of protrusion 66 which is in the shape of a truncated pyramid, and FIG. 9 shows a further type of protrusion 70 which is L-shaped with sloping arms 72 at the ends. Protrusions 12 or dimples of other shapes may be used. Raised projections or patterns of vertical or inclined ribs or grooves may be used provided moisture can flow downwards or away from the foundation surface. In other embodiments dimples or protrusions may project from both sides of the waterproof dimpled sheet 16 . Such a sheet can provide increased strength. A permeable wicking material pad may be attached to the outside of the membrane 18 so that moisture may drain downwardly between the earth and the membrane. Preferred embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in the drawings and specification and, although specific terms are employed, it is to be understood and appreciated that they are to be used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for the purpose of limitation. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the following claims.
A foundation protector for a foundation wall prevents moisture being retained in the foundation wall and also provides drainage for surface water so that water does not rest against the surface of the foundation wall. The foundation protector has a smooth exterior surface so that it remains attached to the foundation if earth subsidence occurs. The foundation protector includes a waterproof dimpled sheet with spaced-apart protrusions and an outer waterproof membrane which covers recesses formed by the protrusions and provides a substantially smooth exterior surface.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates generally to gas turbine engine nozzles and more particularly, to methods and apparatus for assembling gas turbine engine nozzles. [0002] Gas turbine engines include combustors which ignite fuel-air mixtures which are then channeled through a turbine nozzle assembly towards a turbine. At least some known turbine nozzle assemblies include a plurality of nozzles arranged circumferentially and configured as doublets. At least some known turbine nozzles include more than two circumferentially-spaced hollow airfoil vanes coupled by integrally-formed inner and outer band platforms. Specifically, the inner band forms a radially inner flowpath boundary and the outer band forms a radially outer flowpath boundary. Additionally, at least some known outer bands include a forward and an aft hook assembly that are used to couple the turbine nozzle within the engine. However, such hook assemblies may induce stresses in the turbine nozzle in areas adjacent the assembly, for example an intersection between the outer band and an airfoil vane, which may shorten a lifespan of the nozzle. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0003] In one aspect, a method is provided for assembling a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The method includes providing a turbine nozzle including a plurality of airfoil vanes extending between an inner band and an outer band, wherein the outer band includes a forward hook assembly having a rail and at least one hook, providing at least one scalloped recessed area within the forward hook assembly at least one hook to facilitate reducing stresses induced to the turbine nozzle, and coupling the turbine nozzle into the gas turbine engine using the forward hook assembly such that the turbine nozzle is at least partially supported by the forward hook assembly. [0004] In another aspect of the invention, a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine includes an outer band comprising an inside face, an outside face, and a forward hook assembly extending outwardly from said inside face. The forward hook assembly includes a rail and at least one hook extending outwardly from the rail. The at least one hook includes at least one scalloped recessed area. The turbine nozzle also includes an inner band and at least one airfoil vane extending between the outer band and the inner band. [0005] In another aspect, a gas turbine engine includes at least one turbine nozzle assembly including an outer band, an inner band, and a plurality of airfoil vanes coupled together by the outer and inner bands. The outer band includes a forward hook assembly extending radially outwardly from the outer band. The forward hook assembly includes a rail and at least one hook extending outwardly from the rail. The at least one hook includes at least one scalloped recessed area. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of an exemplary gas turbine engine. [0007] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a turbine nozzle that may be used with the gas turbine engine shown in FIG. 1 . [0008] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of the turbine nozzle shown in FIG. 2 . [0009] FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a portion of the turbine nozzle shown in FIG. 2 . [0010] FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a portion of the turbine nozzle shown in FIG. 2 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic illustration of a gas turbine engine 10 including, in serial flow arrangement, a fan assembly 12 , a high-pressure compressor 14 , and a combustor 16 . Engine 10 also includes a high-pressure turbine 18 and a low-pressure turbine 20 . Engine 10 has an intake side 28 and an exhaust side 30 . In one embodiment, engine 10 is a CF-34 engine commercially available from General Electric Aircraft Engines, Cincinnati, Ohio. [0012] In operation, air flows through fan assembly 12 and compressed air is supplied to high-pressure compressor 14 . The highly compressed air is delivered to combustor 16 . Airflow from combustor 16 drives turbines 18 and 20 , and turbine 20 drives fan assembly 12 . Turbine 18 drives high-pressure compressor 14 . [0013] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a turbine nozzle sector 50 that may be used with gas turbine engine 10 (shown in FIG. 1 ). FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a portion of turbine nozzle sector 50 . FIG. 4 is another perspective view of a portion of turbine nozzle sector 50 . FIG. 5 is another perspective view of a portion of turbine nozzle sector 50 . Nozzle sector 50 includes a plurality of circumferentially-spaced airfoil vanes 52 coupled together by an arcuate radially outer band or platform 54 and an arcuate radially inner band or platform 56 . More specifically, in the exemplary embodiment, each band 54 and 56 is integrally-formed with airfoil vanes 52 , and nozzle sector 50 includes two airfoil vanes 52 . In one embodiment, each arcuate nozzle sector 50 is known as a two vane segment. [0014] Inner band 56 includes an aft flange 60 that extends radially inwardly therefrom. More specifically, flange 60 extends radially inwardly from band 56 with respect to a radially inner surface 62 of band 56 . Inner band 56 also includes a forward flange 64 that extends radially inwardly therefrom. Forward flange 64 is positioned between an upstream edge 66 of inner band 56 and aft flange 60 , and extends radially inwardly from band 56 . [0015] Outer band 54 includes a cantilever mounting system 70 that includes a forward hook assembly 72 and an aft flange 74 . Cantilever mounting system 70 facilitates supporting turbine nozzle 50 within engine 10 from a surrounding annular engine casing (not shown). Forward hook assembly 72 extends radially outwardly from an outer surface 76 of outer band 54 . Forward hook assembly 72 includes a forward rail 78 and a hook 80 . Rail 78 extends radially outwardly from outer band outer surface 76 in a circumferential direction across outer band outer surface 76 and between a pair of oppositely disposed circumferential sector ends 82 . [0016] Engine 10 includes a rotor assembly (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a low pressure turbine (not shown), that includes at least one row of rotor blades (not shown) that is downstream from turbine nozzle sector 50 . The rotor assembly is surrounded by a rotor shroud (not shown) that extends circumferentially around the rotor assembly and turbine nozzle sector 50 . Cantilever mounting system 70 couples each turbine nozzle sector 50 to the rotor shroud through a hanger (not shown) that supports and is coupled to the shroud. More specifically, hook 80 is slidably coupled within a radially outer channel (not shown) defined within the hanger. [0017] Hook 80 does not extend continuously between circumferential ends 82 , but rather hook 80 includes one or more scalloped recessed areas 84 . Scalloped recessed area(s) 84 may facilitate reducing stresses, such as, but not limited to, mechanical and/or thermal stresses, induced to turbine nozzle sector 50 . For example, in some embodiments scalloped recessed area(s) 84 may facilitate reducing stresses induced into an intersection between an airfoil vane 52 and outer band 54 . Although one recessed area 84 is illustrated, hook 80 may include any number of scalloped recessed areas 84 . Moreover, scalloped recessed area(s) 84 may have any suitable size, shape, orientation, and/or location that facilitates reducing stresses induced into turbine nozzle sector 50 , whether such size, shape, orientation, and/or location is described and/or illustrated herein. Accordingly, scalloped recessed area(s) 84 may facilitate increasing an operational life of turbine nozzle sector 50 and/or reducing an amount of cooling air that may be necessary and/or desired to maintain to turbine nozzle sector 50 during operation. In addition, because forward hook assembly 72 is scalloped, an overall weight of turbine nozzle sector 50 is reduced in comparison to other known turbine nozzles that do not include recessed area(s) 84 . [0018] One or more seal assemblies 88 is positioned adjacent scalloped recessed area(s) 84 . Although one seal assembly 88 is illustrated, turbine nozzle sector 50 may include any number of seal assemblies 88 . Although seal assembly 88 may be positioned anywhere to facilitate reducing fluid leakage through a recessed area 84 , in the exemplary embodiment seal assembly 88 includes a seal member 90 that extends in sealing contact along a downstream side 90 of hook assembly rail 78 at least partially overlapping scalloped recessed area 84 . Moreover, in the exemplary embodiment seal member 90 extends in sealing contact along a radially outer surface 94 of hook 80 . Accordingly, seal assembly 88 may facilitate reducing fluid leakage through scalloped recessed area 84 . In some embodiments, fluid pressure facilitates maintaining seal member 90 in sealing contact with rail 78 and/or hook 80 . Moreover, in some embodiments, seal member 90 is slidably coupled to hook assembly 72 to facilitate sealing contact between member 90 hook assembly 72 during thermal expansion and/or contraction of hook assembly 72 . For example, in the exemplary embodiment seal member 90 is coupled to hook assembly 72 for movement within a slot 92 within hook radially outer surface 94 . Seal member 90 may be slidably coupled to hook assembly 72 in any suitable fashion, configuration, position, location, orientation, arrangement, and/or by any suitable structure and/or means. [0019] The above-described turbine nozzle includes a scalloped aft forward hook assembly that extends from the forward rail. The hook assembly includes one or more recessed areas that are circumferentially spaced across the outer band. The recessed areas not only reduce an overall weight of the turbine nozzle assembly, but also facilitate reducing mechanical and/or thermal stresses induced to the turbine nozzle. In addition, the turbine nozzle includes a seal assembly that at least partially overlaps a recessed area to facilitate reducing fluid leakage through the recessed area. As a result, the durability and useful life of the turbine nozzle are facilitated to be increased by the combination of the scalloped hook assembly and the seal assembly. [0020] Exemplary embodiments of turbine nozzles are described above in detail. The nozzles are not limited to the specific embodiments described herein, but rather, components of each turbine nozzle may be utilized independently and separately from other components described herein. [0021] While the invention has been described in terms of various specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the claims.
A method for assembling a turbine nozzle for a gas turbine engine. The method includes providing a turbine nozzle including a plurality of airfoil vanes extending between an inner band and an outer band, wherein the outer band includes a forward hook assembly having a rail and at least one hook, providing at least one scalloped recessed area within the forward hook assembly at least one hook to facilitate reducing stresses induced to the turbine nozzle, and coupling the turbine nozzle into the gas turbine engine using the forward hook assembly such that the turbine nozzle is at least partially supported by the forward hook assembly.
5
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of German patent application 101212349.7-24 filed Mar. 13, 2002, incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing a metal or metal-alloy product for a casting process—wherein the product is brought into a partly solidified (semi-solidified) state before casting—in which the product contains crystallization nuclei uniformly distributed throughout its volume. BACKGROUND [0003] The production of semi-solidified metal or metal-alloy products is known, for example, from an article by J. -P. Gabathuler and J. Erling, entitled “Thixocasting: ein modemes Verfahren zur Herstellung von Formbauteilen” [Thixocasting: A Modem Method for Producing Molded Components], which was published in the proceedings of “Aluminium als Leichtbaustoff in Transport und Verkehr” [Aluminum as a Light Building Material for Transporting and Traffic], pages 63-77 (ETH Züirich, May 27, 1994). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] An object of the present invention is to prepare a metal or metal-alloy product from a metal or metal alloy carrier material (hereinafter referred to as “melt”) and an alloy, the product having a homogeneous distribution of crystallization nuclei throughout its volume at a point prior to the product being introduced into a mold during the casting process. [0005] The present invention achieves this object by introducing an amount of a chosen alloy (in pulverized form) and an amount of a chosen melt, which is at a temperature above the liquefaction temperature of the alloy, into a crystallization vessel, which is heated to below the liquefaction temperature of the alloy, and mixing the melt and the alloy together in the crystallization vessel by means of electrical and/or magnetic forces to create the desired product. [0006] During the introduction of the alloy and the melt into the crystallization vessel, the pulverized particles of the alloy, which preferably is in a powdered form, are immediately enclosed by the melt to form crystallization nuclei, which are then homogeneously distributed within the subsequent mixture by means of the electrical and/or magnetic forces to form the product. [0007] In another embodiment of the present invention, the melt is introduced into the crystallization vessel in the form of a stream flowing between two electrodes, which are supplied with an electrical voltage. The resulting stream is narrowed, based on the so-called pinch effect, compressed and is already partially split into individual liquid drops as the melt flows into the crystallization vessel. Thus, the crystallization vessel is not filled by means of compact and separate streams (one of melt and one of alloy), but rather by a dispersed stream in which the melt and alloy are partially intermingled. Such a dispersal means that the surface area of the resulting stream is clearly increased, so that degassing also occurs. [0008] After the melt has completely flowed into the crystallization vessel, the melt stream disappears so that the flow of the dispersed product stream is also interrupted. For achieving further dispersion, and also for creating an electrical field, an electrical arc is established between the product and an electrode within the crystallization vessel after the introduction of the alloy and the melt into the crystallization vessel. [0009] A magnetic field may be generated in the crystallization vessel to promote additional mixing of the product contained therein, and to improve the uniformity of the distribution of the crystallization nuclei therein. The magnetic field and the electrical field act in different ways on the product, and the particles contained therein, so that the mixing effect is enhanced. [0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the melt is aspirated into the crystallization vessel, to which a vacuum has been applied. By creating a vacuum in the crystallization vessel, the dispersed melt stream is further dispersed into individual drops, increasing the mixing of the alloy with the melt and, thus promoting the formation of crystallization nuclei within the product. [0011] In a further embodiment of the invention, a protective gas is added to the melt as it is being fed into the crystallization vessel. In particular, the process is farther improved if the protective gas is supplied under pressure. The introduction of the protective gas prevents chemical reactions of the alloy with the atmosphere, which could negatively affect any subsequent casting process using the product. [0012] In an apparatus for performing the method, a crystallization vessel with an inlet for melt and an inlet for alloy in powder form is provided. The crystallization vessel includes a heating arrangement and is provided in the area of its bottom and its melt inlet with electrodes connected to a voltage source. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] Further features, embodiments, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description with reference to the drawings, wherein: [0014] [0014]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view, of a schematic representation of the present invention, illustrating the connection between the crystallization vessel and the furnace; [0015] [0015]FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view, of a schematic representation illustrating another embodiment of the present invention; [0016] [0016]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, of a schematic representation of another embodiment of the present invention illustrating the crystallization vessel with an added arrangement for receiving the processed melt; and [0017] [0017]FIG. 4 represents a nomograph for predicting the thermo-kinetic progress of a product produced by the method of the present invention, specifically the alloy AISI9Cu 3 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0018] Now referring to FIG. 1, in a furnace 10 a melt 11 of a metal alloy, for example AISI 9, is maintained at a temperature greater than the liquefaction temperature of the particular alloy. The furnace 10 is maintained at a vacuum by means of an exhaust device 12 . [0019] The furnace 10 is connected to the crystallization vessel 14 by a casting conduit 13 . The crystallization vessel 14 includes a cylinder 15 made of an electrically nonconducting material that has a heat conducting capability between 0.20 and 1.5 W/mk. A cover 16 , made of an electrically nonconductive material, closes the top of the cylinder 15 . The casting conduit 13 is connected to the cover 16 . Preferably, a melt inlet element 17 extends from the casting conduit 13 through the cover 16 to allow the melt 11 to flow into the crystallization vessel 14 . The melt inlet element 17 has a conically widening inlet opening and is made of an electrically conductive material. An aspirating line 18 is connected to the cover 16 to provide communication between the crystallization vessel 14 and a suction removal device 19 , so that a vacuum may be created within the crystallization vessel 14 . The cover 16 is also provided with a filler neck 20 , through which alloy in powder form can be introduced into the crystallization vessel 14 . A piston 21 , also made of an electrically nonconducting material, is movably inserted into a bottom of the cylinder 15 to seal a bottom of the crystallization vessel 14 . The cylinder 15 , the cover 16 and the piston 21 form a chamber for mixing the melt and the alloy into the product. The piston 21 travels within a guide cylinder 22 which is connected to the crystallization vessel 14 . A product outlet port (not shown) is integral to the guide cylinder 22 and is used to affect the removal of the product from the crystallization vessel 14 . [0020] A heating device 26 is arranged about the crystallization vessel 14 , to selectively heat and maintain the crystallization vessel 14 at a pre-selected temperature. Preferably, the heating device 26 is electrical and is adjustable. A magnetic coil 27 is arranged about the crystallization vessel 14 . The magnetic coil 27 preferably generates an adjustable magnetic field in the chamber defined by the cylinder 15 , the cover 16 and the piston 21 inside the crystallization vessel 14 . [0021] A gate slide 28 is disposed within the casting conduit 13 to regulate flow of the melt from the furnace 10 to the crystallization vessel 14 . A gas supply line 29 is connected to the casting conduit 13 , through which a protective gas, for example argon, can be supplied to a melt stream flowing through the casting conduit 13 . Preferably, the protective gas is supplied under overpressure. [0022] In a preferred embodiment, an electrode 23 is disposed on an interior of the cylinder 15 , preferably near the bottom of the cylinder 15 of the crystallization vessel 14 . As already mentioned, the melt inlet element 17 is made of an electrically conducting material. A voltage source 24 is connected to the electrode 23 and the melt inlet element 17 to provide electrical power to both. Preferably, the voltage source 24 is adjustable, in particular its current strength, by an adjustment device 25 . [0023] The product is prepared by the method discussed as follows. The furnace 10 is maintained at a vacuum by operation of the exhaust device 12 . Preferably, the furnace 10 is maintained at a vacuum between about 0.5 mbar and 3 mbar. The melt within the furnace 10 is maintained at a temperature greater than the liquefaction temperature of the alloy. [0024] The crystallization vessel 14 is heated to a temperature less than the liquefaction temperature of the alloy by selectively controlling the heating device 26 attached thereto. Preferably, the crystallization vessel 14 is maintained at a temperature which is about 3% to 50% lower than the liquefaction temperature of the respective alloy. The suction removal device 19 attached to the crystallization vessel 14 by the aspirating line 18 creates and maintains a vacuum within the crystallization vessel 14 . Preferably, the vacuum in the crystallization vessel 14 is greater than the vacuum maintained in the furnace 10 to promote the aspirating of the melt from the furnace 10 into the crystallization vessel 14 . [0025] Upon opening of the slide gate 28 , the melt 11 within the furnace 10 is aspirated into the crystallization vessel 14 . Protective gas is supplied to the aspirating melt by the gas supply line 29 . The vacuum created within the crystallization vessel 14 causes the alloy powder to be aspirated into the crystallization vessel 14 through the filler neck 20 . The aspirated alloy powder is thus combined with the aspirated melt and is distributed therethrough to form the product. [0026] A voltage is applied to the electrode 23 and the inlet element 17 by the voltage source 24 to establish an electrical current through the product within the crystallization vessel 14 . Preferably, the current is less than about 10 A. To promote as homogeneous as possible distribution of the crystallization nuclei within the product, radial movement of the product within the crystallization vessel 14 is created generating a magnetic field within the interior of the crystallization vessel 14 by the magnetic coil 27 . [0027] Once the desired amounts of melt and alloy have been introduced into the crystallization vessel 14 , the electric current generated between the electrode 23 and the melt inlet element 17 may be temporarily interrupted. Thereafter an electrical current is established therebetween that preferably has a voltage between about 150 V and 400 V, so that an arc is ignited between the electrode and the product, the arc preferably having a current of up to about 1300 A. To prevent a directional orientation of the crystallization nuclei within the product, the magnetic field generated by the magnetic coil 27 is adjusted accordingly and, for example, is continuously increased in the direction of the fill. [0028] After the product has been prepared in this manner, the piston 21 is lowered, so that the product flows out via the guide cylinder 22 and the product outlet port for further processing. The product prepared by the method disclosed herein is suitable for use with all known casting methods. [0029] In another preferred embodiment, the electrode 23 is integrated into the piston 21 . [0030] In another preferred embodiment, illustrated in FIG. 2, the voltage source 24 is connected to two electrodes 30 and 31 arranged, preferably, in a vertically spaced manner along a portion of the cylinder 15 of the crystallization vessel 14 . The voltage source is also connected to a portion of the casting conduit 13 . In this embodiment the piston 21 continuously moves downward while the melt and alloy are fed into the crystallization vessel, so that the electrodes 30 and 31 are sequentially employed and are switched on and off during the piston movement by means of switches 32 and 33 . [0031] In another preferred embodiment, as shown in FIG. 3, the product prepared in the crystallization vessel 14 is passed on to a storage or transport vessel 34 , in which the product is maintained in its prepared state. The storage vessel 34 is provided with an exhaust device 35 , so that a vacuum may be established therein. A heating device 36 and a magnetic coil 37 are arranged about the storage vessel 34 . An electrode 38 is disposed within the storage vessel 34 . Finally, two opposing walls 39 , 40 of the storage vessel 34 are comprised of pistons that manipulate the product as it is stored therein. The storage vessel 34 may for forming the product therein into a more desired configuration for continued storage or casting. [0032] The thermo-kinetic progress of a particular melt/alloy product can be predicted by means of a nomograph. For example, a nomograph for the melt/alloy product AISI9Cu 3 is represented in FIG. 4. The amount of pulverized alloy—added at a grain size of approximately 125 μm to approximately 400 μm—is entered as percentile amounts (see vertical axis). The temperature difference (Delta T) in C.° is the difference between the casting temperature and the liquefaction temperature of the alloy (see horizontal axis). If the percentage amount of pulverized alloy added lies within the nomograph range A, it only causes a reduction in the temperature of the product, i.e., the product is placed into a semi-solidified state without the pulverized particles forming crystallization nuclei. If the percentage amount of pulverized alloy is added so that the nomograph range B is reached, then the pulverized particles act as additional, unmelted crystallization nuclei. Finally, and most desired, if the percentage amount of added pulverized particles lies within the C range of the nomograph, then the two processes will take place side-by-side, i.e. a reduction of the product temperature and formation of crystallization nuclei because of unmelted particles. It is of course necessary to draw different nomographs for different alloys. It is understood that products of different melts and alloys will have their own nomographs. [0033] It will therefore be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention is susceptible of broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those herein described, as well as many variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing description thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended or to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise to exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications and equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof.
The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for preparing a metal or metal-alloy product for a casting process—wherein the product is brought into a partly solidified (semi-solidified) state before casting—in which the product contains crystallization nuclei uniformly distributed throughout its volume. The method involves introducing an amount of a chosen alloy (in pulverized form) and an amount of a chosen melt, which is at a temperature above the liquefaction temperature of the alloy, into a crystallization vessel, which is heated to below the liquefaction temperature of the alloy, and mixing the melt and the alloy together in the crystallization vessel by means of electrical and/or magnetic forces to create the desired product.
2
TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates in general to the manufacture of mattresses and box springs, and particularly relates to the manufacture of springs for use in pocketed coil, or "Marshall" type constructions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the prior art, it is known to form springs from wire, and to insert said springs into strings of pocketed or "Marshall" type coils. An example of such a construction is illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,234,983 and 4,986,518 to Stumpf (hereinafter incorporated by reference). Methods and apparatuses for providing such constructions is disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,439,977 and 4,854,023 to Stumpf (hereinafter incorporated by reference). Such elongate constructions, sometimes called pocketed coil strings, may then be assembled into an innerspring construction as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,566,926 and 4,578,934 to Stumpf (hereinafter incorporated by reference). Although the above inventions provide effective, a need has been recognized for a method and apparatus for providing such innerspring constructions in a variety of sizes and coil heights to satisfy a buying public which has a recognized variety of mattress preferences. In order to minimize inventory expenses and to provide a truly "produced as needed" product, a need was recognized to provide a single manufacturing process which could be adapted to produce a variety of innerspring construction sizes. To achieve this goal, a need has also been recognized for a spring manufacturing apparatus which can manufacture springs having differing wire lengths, spring heights, and spring widths, with a minimum of changeover difficulties. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes inadequacies in the prior an by providing an apparatus for manufacturing springs for an innerspring construction, which provides an optimization of spring size to production rate. This is accomplished in part by providing interchangable and matches change gears and spreader cams which correspond to a particular spring size. Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved mattress construction. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved method for manufacturing mattresses. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing mattresses which is cost-efficient to operate. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing mattresses which is cost-efficient to maintain. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing mattresses which is simple in operation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing mattresses which is readily compatible with other manufacturing devices. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing mattresses which is reliable in operation. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved apparatus for manufacturing mattresses which may be operated with a minimum of operator oversight. Other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent upon reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the drawing and the appended claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a pictorial view of a wire forming apparatus according to the present invention, facing the front left corner of the apparatus. FIG. 2 is an illustrative view of a prior art power transfer scheme. FIG. 3 is an illustrative view of a power transfer scheme according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is an isolated view of one portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is an isolated view of an upper wire feed roll assembly. FIG. 6 is an isolated view of a lower wire feed roll assembly. FIG. 7 is an isolated view of a wire straightening assembly. FIG. 8 is an isolated view of a cross sectional section of an upper or lower feed roll. FIG. 9 is an isolated view of a cross sectional section of an upper and lower feed roll with wire therebetween. FIG. 10 is a pictorial view of a coil formed by the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 11 is a side plan view of a coil formed by the apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 12 is an illustrative view of the linkage between the bull gear and the sliding front bearing of the upper feed roll shaft. FIG. 13 is an illustrative view of the wire passing through the feed rolls and being bent into a spring. FIG. 14 is an isolated view of the linkage between the bull gear and the coil diameter roller. FIG. 15 is an isolated view of the linkage between the bull gear and the spreader bar. FIG. 16 is an isolated view of the linkage between the bull gear and the wire cutoff knife. FIG. 17 is a chart illustrating various change gear ratios possible under the present invention. FIGS. 18A and 18B are a pair of charts illustrating differing processes varying due to use of different change gear ratios. FIG. 19 is a view of pocketed coils. FIG. 20 is a view of an innerspring construction. FIG. 21 is a view of a pocketed coil assembly machine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Reference is now made to the figures, where like numerals designate like objects throughout the several views. GENERAL CONSTRUCTION AND OPERATION General operation of the method and apparatus according to the present invention is now made. Referring now to FIG. 1, wire is pulled from a wire spool (not shown) and straightened by passing through a wire straightening station 70. The wire is fed by means of two cooperating upper and lower wire feed rolls 44, 24, respectively, which periodically combine to grip and feed the wire a selected distance. The wire is bent and cut to result in a finished wire spring such as that shown in FIGS. 10 and 11. Referring now to FIG. 3, change gears 24, 51, attached to a lower feed roll shaft 22, and a jackshaft 52, respectively, allow for adjustment or wire feed per each wire-forming cycle. This is to be distinguished from prior art system shown in FIG. 2. Particular Construction and Operation For purposes of this discussion, the spring forming apparatus 10 will be considered to have a "front", "rear", "left" and "right" sides, and is in relation to three mutually perpendicular axes, comprising axis "X", "Y", and "Z" (See FIG. 1). In operation the wire forming apparatus will it will be understood that, if an observer views the front of the apparatus, the operator will view the initial wire feed into the machine as going right-to-left and along the "Y" axis, with the springs formed thereon exiting along a path coming toward the observer and along the "Z" axis. General Power Transmission As illustrated particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, power is supplied by an electric motor and gearbox assembly 12 or other power source. A chain 14 transfers power from a sprocket 13 mounted to the electric motor to a lower feed roll shaft sprocket 16 mounted approximate the end of a lower feed roll shaft 22, which is part of a lower feed roll shaft assembly 20. The lower feed roll shaft 22 is rotatably mounted relative to a frame 20 by bearings as known in the art, such that the lower feed roll shaft has a preferably stationary rotational axis relative to the frame 11 and substantially along the "Z" axis. A change gear 24 is fixed approximate the rear end of the lower feed roll shaft 22. This gear 24 drives a change gear 51 fixed to the jackshaft 52. The jackshaft 52 is rotatably mounted to a jackshaft housing 55 by typical bearings and substantially along the "Z" axis. The jackshaft housing 54 is fixed to the frame 11. A pinion gear 53 is fixed approximate the front end of the jackshaft 52. This pinion gear 53 drives a bull gear 23, which is rotatably mounted by a beating to the lower feed roll shaft 22. It is very important to the note that the bull gear 23 is not fixed to the lower feed roll shaft 22, but is allowed to rotate relative to the lower feed roll shaft 22. As discussed in further detail below, the bull bear 23 acts as a type of timing device, in that the timing of the bull gear 23 determines the timing of wire feeding, spring formation, spring cutoff and the timing of other actions. Upper Feed Roll Shaft Assembly Referring now to FIGS. 3, 5 and 6, an upper feed roll shaft 42 is rotatably mounted relative to frame 11 by a pair of bearings which allow the shaft to pivot somewhat as discussed in detail later in this application. Power is transferred from the lower feed roll shaft 22 to the upper feed roll shaft 42 by means of interacting sprockets 21, 41, fixed approximate the rear end of the lower and upper feed roll shafts, 22, 42, respectively. Approximate the front end of the upper feed roll shaft 42 is fixed an upper feed roll 44. As discussed in detail later in this application, the upper feed roll shaft 42 is periodically pivoted upwardly, causing the upper feed roll 44 to move upward and away from the lower feed roll 24, such that even though the two rolls are rotating, a gap therebetween prevents the two rolls from gripping the wire. However, when the upper feed roll shaft is in its "down" position, the feed rolls cooperate to grip or "pinch" the wire therebetween, to facilitate feeding of the wire for later forming and cutting. Lower Feed Roll Shaft Assembly Referring particularly to FIG. 6, the lower feed roll shaft assembly 20 includes a lower feed roll shaft 22, a wire feed roll 24 fixed to the lower feed roll shaft 22, a pair of bearings 21, a bull gear 23 having a bearing therein, a spreader cam 25 fixed relative to the bull gear 23, a fixed wire feed cam 26 fixed relative to the bull gear 23, a movable wire feed cam 27 adjustably fixed relative to the bull gear 23, a cutting knife driver 28 attached to the leading face of the bull gear 23, and a timing gear (not shown), attached adjacent the rear side of the bull gear. The timing gear drives a timing shaft 83 (See FIG. 14) which controls the timing of various pneumatically driven processes downstream of spring forming, including coil compression, coil insertion into fabric pocketing, pocket fabric feeding and pocket fabric sealing. Thus it may be seen that the timing of these pneumatic operations is dependent upon the speed of the bull gear. The lower feed roll shaft 20 is rotatably mounted relative to the stationary frame 11. Wire Feeding The wire to be used in forming the spring is a typical spring wire. One type of wire is an upholstery wire having a property of 270,000-290,000 pounds per square inch tensile strength. The Straightener Referring now to FIG. 7, a wire straightening assembly 70 is illustrated, which includes a wire straightening frame 71, and five straightener rollers 72. Each straightener roller 72 is mounted to a corresponding roller block 75 which may slide relative to the wire straightening frame 71. Adjustment and fixation of the corresponding roller blocks 75 to the wire straightening frame 71 is done by corresponding roller studs 73. As may be understood, the relative positioning of the straightener rollers 72 allows an operator to cause wire coming from a spool-type roll to be straightened prior to coiling an cutting. The V-Grooved Rolls As discussed above, the two wire feed rolls 24, 44 pinch the wire to feed it. As shown in FIG. 12, two V-shaped grooves are in each of the rolls 24, 44. Referring now to FIG. 8, the cross-sectional area of one of the grooves in each of the wire feed rolls is shown. As may be seen in light of FIG. 9, the V-shaped cross section of the trough allows different gauges of wire to be used. The two gauges shown in FIG. 9 are 0.086" and 0.056" in diameter. Two grooves are in each roller to allow either roll to be reversed if one groove wears out. Only one groove per roll is utilized during operation. The Sliding Upper Front Bearing Assembly Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 12, the upper front bearing assembly 30 functions to allow the front end of the upper front feed roll shaft 42 to be lifted, to allow the upper feed roll 44 to be lifted relative to the lower feed roll 24, to facilitate selective feeding of wire gripped therebetween. The upper front bearing assembly 30 includes a slidable bearing block 31 into which is mounted a roller bearing. The bearing block 31 is slidably mounted relative to the frame 11 along an axis which is substantially vertical. The bearing block is spring loaded such that the block is biased into an "up" position, the position in which the wire is not gripped by the two feed rollers. The bearing block 31 is periodically indexed into a "down" position, which facilitates periodic feeding of the wire via the two rollers. This indexing is initiated by a pair of wire feed cams 26, 27, which are fixed relative to the bull gear (not shown in FIG. 12) and are allowed to rotate with the bull gear 23 relative to the lower wire feed shaft 22. The pair of wire feed cams includes a fixed wire feed cam 26 and a movable wire feed cam 27. Both of these cams provide a rolling path for a single roller member 32, which is spring-biased against the cams and facilitates up-and-down movement of the roller member as discussed in later detail. The roller member 32 is rotatably mounted along a substantially horizontal axis to the rear end of an elongate pivot arm 33. This pivot arm 33 is pivotably mounted relative to frame 11 along a substantially horizontal axis at pivot point 34. The front end of the elongate pivot arm 33 is attached to the upper front bearing block 31, such that downward movement of the roller member 32 translates into an upward movement of the bearing block 31 (as well as the upper feed roll). The fixed and movable cams 26, 27, are substantially similar in shape. The function of the leading (fixed) cam 26 is to cause the cam follower 32 to move from an upper position (no wire feed) to a lower position (wire feed), which is done by allowing the cam follower to be ramped up to the high side of cam 26. The cam follower then is passed to the high side of cam 27, where it eventually is allowed to ramp down depending on the position of movable cam 27. As may be seen, spherical beatings are used at the rear of the upper and lower feed roll shafts, and at the front of the lower feed roll shaft. Wire Forming General Referring now to FIG. 13, the wire 15 is fed from the wire feed rolls 44, 24, through a fixed forming tube 17, which serves as a consistent positioning guide for the wire. The wire is then bent downwardly and into a curve by bending roller 81, also known as diameter roller 81. As discussed later in further detail, this action defines the "diameter" of the coil spring, which varies along its length. After being bent by the diameter roller 81, the wire then passes along side a spreader cam 91, which as discussed in later detail is movable along a substantially horizontal axis along the "Z" direction. The more the spreader cam 91 is moved forwardly, the more the convolutions of the coil spring are spread. It may be understood that for a coil spring as shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the spring convolutions are spread more in the center of the spring than at its ends. The Coil Diameter Assembly 80 It may be understood that for the coils shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the diameter of the coil at its center is greater than the diameter at its ends. For this purpose, varying amounts of the bending in this direction is provided. The coil diameter assembly 80 provides a bending action to the wire which determines the width (at the ends and at the middle) of the springs being manufactured. Referring now also to FIG. 14, the construction and operation of the coil diameter assembly 80 is now discussed. Power and timing is obtained from a timing gear (not shown, attached to the rear of the bull gear) which drives the takeoff gear 82, which is fixed to the rear end of a timing shaft 83, which itself is rotatably mounted along the "Z" direction relative to frame 11 by bearings as known in the art. A pair of cams 84, 85, are adjustably mounted relative to the timing shaft. These cams engage a cam follower 86, which is rotatably mounted relative to a pivoting bar 87 which is pivotably mounted relative to frame 11 along a substantially vertical "front-to-back" pivot axis parallel to the "Z" direction. As the cam follower 86 is moved up and down by the leading cam, the pivot bar 87 is also pivoted up and down. The upper face of the pivot bar 87 includes a channel which slidably accepts a sliding bearing member 88, which itself accepts the lower end of an adjustment screw having a handle 89. A block 76 threadably accepts the adjustment screw approximate its middle, and this block 76 is fixed to a angled rod 77 which is fixed to a pivoting block 78 which is fixed approximately to the rear end of coil diameter shaft 79. Coil diameter shaft 72 is rotatably mounted along an axis along the "Z" direction by bearings (as known in the art) relative to frame 11. A cam mounting member 75 is fixed to the front and of the coil diameter shaft 79. This member pivots along a substantially vertical axis along the "Z" direction to allow the coil diameter roller 81, rotatably attached thereto, to be moved into various bending positions between an "extreme in" position (more bending of the wire resulting in a lesser diameter) to an "extreme out" position (lesser bending of the wire resulting in a greater diameter). A spring 74 biases the roller towards the "extreme out" position. The Coil Spreader Assembly The coil spreader assembly 90 provides a varying bending action to the wire which assists and determining the length of a coil spring. Again in reference to FIGS. 10 and 11, it may be seen that it is often desirable to provide a coil spring which includes a full and complete revolution at the top and bottom ends 8 of the spring; this is especially desirable if the spring is to be placed upon a flat surface. However, in the middle 9 of the spring no overlap is desired, as such could cause the springs to bind or "hook". Therefore it may be understood that it is desirable to provide a variable bending action to the wire to case such a configuration. Referring now to FIGS. 14 and 15, the movement of the spreader bar 92 along the "Z" direction is now discussed. As previously discussed, a replaceable spreader cam 25 is fixed relative to the bull gear, and is allowed to rotate with the bull gear relative to the lower feed roll shaft 22. As the spreader cam 91 rotates, it engages a pair of spreader cam followers 94, 95, each of which are adjustably attached to a medial portion of pivoting spreader linkage 96. As will be understood, as the cam followers are engaged and disengaged by the spreader cam 91, the spreader bar 91 is moved outwardly and inwardly, respectively, to cause a spreading action to be imparted upon the springs. Referring now particularly to FIG. 15, the "right" end of the pivoting spreader linkage 96 is attached to a ball joint assembly 97, which is attached to a adjusting block 98 which is adjustable front-to-back, to allow the vertical pivot point of the pivoting spreader linkage to be moved forward or backward. The "left" end 112 of the pivoting spreader linkage is reduced to a rectangular cross section, which fits within a transverse slot 11 extending through elongate spreader shaft 110. The shaft 110 is slidably mounted relative to the frame 11 by bushings (not shown), such that the shaft may slide along its longitudinal axis, which is along the "Z" direction. The spreader bar 92 is attached to the forward end of shaft 110 by means of a mount. Spreader shaft 110 is spring-biased into its retracted, rearmost position by a tensile spring 113. As may be understood, as the spreader cam engages the two cam followers, the 96 tends to pivot relative to its right end, with the left end 112 causing the 110 to move forwardly along direction "Z" (by the pushing action of the cam 25) and rearwardly (by the tensile force or spring 113). This causes the spreader bar 92 to likewise be pushed forwardly (more spreading) and rearwardly (less or no spreading). It should be understood that the use of two cam followers allows for a wider, adjustable "effective cam follower surface" which allows some adjustment of the cam following action by relative movement of the two cam followers 94, 95, relative to each other and along pivoting linkage 96, as in the preferred embodiment of the spreader cam 25 is not adjustable, although it is replaceable with a cam having a differing profile to match a particular pair of change gears. However, as discussed in later detail, the spreader cam is replaceable, as it may be necessary to change the spreader cam when the change gears are changed to provide a different cam profile corresponding to a different spring shape. A shield 67 (shown in FIG. 1) is fixed in place relative to the frame to move the second convolution of wire out of the way of the spreader bar. However, as discussed in later detail, the spreader cam is replaceable, and it may be necessary to change the spreader cam when the change gears are changed to provide a different spring shape. Wire Cutting Referring now to FIG. 16, the wire cutting process is now discussed. As previously discussed a cutting knife cam 28 is attached to the front face of the bull gear. The cutting knife cam 28 periodically contacts the rear end of a spring-loaded cut-off knife shaft 101, which causes a cut-off knife 102 to cut wire passing through the apparatus. After wire cutting, a spring biases the shaft back to its "retracted" position. The cut-off knife is replaceable. Associated Devices Referring now to FIG. 21, a pocketing apparatus is shown, which accepts coils formed from the apparatus 10, and places the coil springs into pocketing material, such that a pocketed coil string is provided such as shown in FIGS. 19 or 20. The strings may be bonded together to form an innerspring construction as shown in FIG. 20. Such processes are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,234,983, 4,439,977, 4,566,926, 4,578,834, and 4,854,023, to Stumpf all hereinafter incorporated by references. Timing In the preferred embodiment, the timing shaft includes cams which engage corresponding switches. Each of these switches cause a specific type of action being part of the overall invention. In the preferred embodiment the switches open and close air valves to allow pressurized air to pneumatically drive or control these actions. One action is the action of coil compression of the downstream coils. In order to insert the coils into fabric pockets, it is often necessary to compress them. One action is the action of coil insertion of the compressed coils into the pockets. One action is the action of thermally welding or otherwise providing coil pockets. One action is the action of indexing the pocketing fabric after the coils have been inserted. It may therefore by seen that the steps of coil compression, coil insertion, fabric welding, and fabric indexing are all timed in response to rotation of the timing shaft. Therefore it may also be understood that the use of the change gears allows for a change in wire feed for a given rate at which these steps occur. The relative timing of the various processes according to the invention is shown by the graphs shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b, discussed in detail later. Change Gear Ratios and Spreader Gear Changing As previously discussed, the change gears may be replaced in matching pairs. Each matching pair is accompanied by a particular associated spreader cam 25, which is replaced with the change gears. Referring now to FIG. 17, the different ratios of the change gears which may be used is shown. Column one, entitled "Base Ratio Pinion/Bull Gear", sets forth the rotational ratio between the pinion and the bull gear: three revolutions of the pinion gear per single revolution of the bull gear. Column two, entitled "J'Shaft Gears, Driver-Driven", sets forth the number of teeth on the two change gears. For example, in the first line, the change gear on the lower feed roll shaft has 50 teeth, and the change gear on the jackshaft has 70 teeth. The ratio of lower feed roll shaft rotation to rotation of the bull gear (a cycle of operation of the spring forming apparatus) is 1.4/1.0, which is set forth in the next column entitled "J'Shaft Ratio". The "Total Ratio", set forth in the following column, is the ratio at which the lower feed roll shaft rotates relative to the bull gear. Again taking the first example, the bottom feed roll shaft rotates 4.2 times per single rotation of the bull gear. This graph illustrates one important feature of the invention. By changing the change gears, the number of times the feed roll shafts rotate per cycle may be changed. One distinct advantage is that more wire may be fed per cycle, thus providing larger coils if needed. As discussed above, larger coils are at present in high consumer demand. The advantage of providing additional wire feed is illustrated in reference to FIGS. 18a and 18b. Explanation of the terms used in FIGS. 18a and 18b is as follows. "Feed Wire" is the process of feeding the wire to provide enough for a coil. As discussed above, this is dependent upon the speed of the lower wire feed shaft. "Cut-Off Wire" is the process of cutting the wire to complete formation of a coil. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the bull gear, and occurs once per cycle. "Coil Drop" is the process of dropping the coil from its cut-off position to its position atop of coil compression surface and beneath a coil compression head. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the bull gear, and occurs once per cycle. "Coil Comp.-Down" is the process of urging the coil compression head downward. "Coil Comp.-Up" is the reverse of the above process. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the timing shaft (which is the same as that of the bull gear), and occurs once per cycle. "Coil Insert-In" is the process of inserting a compressed coil within a pair of pocketing fabric plies by the use of an inserter head. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the timing shaft (which is the same as that of the bull gear), and occurs once per cycle. "Coil Insert-Out" is the process of withdrawing the inserter head from the fabric plies. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the timing shaft (which is the same as that of the bull gear), and occurs once per cycle. "Index" is the process of indexing the fabric one coil width at a time. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the timing shaft (which is the same as that of the bull gear), and occurs once per cycle. "U/S Seal" is the process of welding the fabric to form at least part of a fabric pocket. The frequency of this is dependent upon the rotational speed of the timing shaft (which is the same as that of the bull gear), and occurs once per cycle. As may be seen by a comparison of the two FIGS. 18A and 18B, the use of change gears and a forming cam allows the provision of a Total Ratio (see FIG. 17) of 3.42/1 instead of the previously "locked in" ratio of 3.00/1. Therefore, for a given cycle the feed time of the "feed wire" process may be shortened for a given amount of wire feed, as the wire may be fed at a greater rate for a given speed of the bull gear. This in effect causes a "domino" effect, in that by adjusting such elements as 27, 84, 85, 94 and 95, the other processes may be given more time, which is desirable in that one of these processes is gravity-dependent, namely the Coil Drop process. It has been found that in many instances this process is the limiting process. Therefore if any time in the cycle may be "borrowed" from other processes (e.g., the Wire Feed cycle) the apparatus 10 may be run at an advantageously high rate, improving production rates. In effect, this allows for an optimization of spring size to production rate. CONCLUSION Therefore it may be seen that the present invention provides an improvement over the prior art by providing an apparatus for manufacturing springs for an innerspring construction, which provides an optimization of spring size to production rate. It should be understood that although much of the discussion herein relates to springs for mattresses or box springs, it should be understood that the present invention may also related to springs used in other constructions, such as cushions. While this invention has been described in specific detail with reference to the disclosed embodiments, it will be understood that many variations and modifications may be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention as described in the appended claims.
An apparatus for forming springs for incorporation into an innerspring mattress is disclosed. The apparatus includes the use of change gears to facilitate the manufacture of a variety of innerspring sizes.
8
RELATED APPLICATION This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 804,114 filed June 6, 1977, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to castors, such as may be used on domestic and office furniture, industrial equipment, trolleys and the like. The majority of castors in present use are of the swivel-wheel type, essentially comprises a wheel mounted on a horizontal or substantially horizontal axle which in turn is supported for turning about a substantially vertical swivel axis. Such castors, though highly versatile and efficient if well designed, do have certain inherent drawbacks. One drawback is that the bearings, especially the vertical swivel bearings are subject to non-axial forces which tend to accentuate wear and require heavy duty ball or roller bearings if wear is to be minimised and bearing life to be prolonged. Another problem is the need to provide and maintain adequate lubrication for the bearings. A further problem is that since the swivel (vertical) axis is normally offset in a vertical plane with respect to the horizontal axis, any load supported on the castor will generate a turning moment about the vertical axis and thus an extremely rigid connection must be made between the castor and the article to which it is mounted in order to withstand the resulting side forces. To offset the aforementioned drawbacks, modern swivel castors are ruggedly built with heavy duty bearings and high quality materials. This however makes such castors relatively expensive to manufacture and replace. Another drawback inherent in a swivel castor is that it will tend to align itself in the particular direction in which it is moving, so that when it is intended to suddenly shift the article through an angle of, say, 90°, the castor will tend to resist this change in direction. Thus, in general, articles mounted on swivel castors are awkward to move around corners. To overcome the above mentioned drawbacks, a number of so-called "ball-castor" designs have previously been proposed. In this text a ball castor is one in which the main rolling element is a ball as compared with the wheel of a swivel castor. A ball castor is inherently symmetrical and does not require a vertical swivel axis. Furthermore, the load (i.e. weight of article supported on the castor) acts vertically through the axis of the ball and therefore the castor is not subject to large side forces, unlike the case with a swivel castor in which the load does not act vertically through the axis of the wheel. Thus, in principle, a ball castor is free from a number of drawbacks inherent in a swivel castor. On the other hand, there are certain difficulties associated uniquely with the design of a ball castor in practice. A main difficulty is that of supporting the ball in a manner to reduce friction as much as possible, but at the same time to maintain the ball in a stable relationship with its support. This problem arises from the fact that the ball must be capable of rotating freely in any direction about a horizontal axis and thus the means for supporting the ball must be capable of doing so with the least possible friction or resistance to the rotation of the ball. Unlike the wheel of a swivel castor, a ball has no axle or bearings and must be supported solely by some member or members in contact with its surface. U.S. Pat. No. 78,850 to Wilkinson, patented June 9, 1868 illustrates the simplest possible arrangement for supporting a ball within a socket. This arrangement comprises stationary bearing surfaces which contact the surface of the ball and transmit the load thereto. This arrangement results in excessive friction between the ball and bearing surfaces, since these can only slide with respect to each other. The resultant friction makes it difficult to move the castor on a surface under load and can also cause the ball to jam and stick in its socket. Such a design is therefore incapable of giving a performance comparable to that of a conventional swivel castor. U.S. Pat. No. 601,726 to Boveroux and patented Apr. 5, 1898 illustrates a castor design in which an attempt has been made to overcome the problem of friction with stationary bearing surfaces, by replacing these with ball bearings in a race. Unfortunately, such an arrangement can only materially reduce friction about the vertical axis of the main ball. The supporting ball bearings cannot significantly reduce rolling friction about a horizontal axis of rotation and therefore this design does not overcome the problem inherent with stationary bearing surfaces. U.S. Pat. No. 992,290 to Taylor patented May 16, 1911 teaches rollers to support the main ball of a castor and this arrangement significantly improves over the previous designs referred to above. The rollers are supported on horizontal bearings and are arranged about the vertical axis of the ball and support the ball at points of contact near to the top of the ball, within a socket. Such an arrangement cannot eliminate friction, that is, resistance to rolling of the ball, but it can significantly reduce this, in principle, compared with stationary bearing or ball bearing support arrangements. In a roller supported castor as taught by Taylor, it will be seen that for any orientation of the ball rolling axis, the axes of some of the rollers will be aligned (parallel with) or approximately aligned with the ball rolling axis, while the axes of the remainder of the rollers will be substantially out of alignment with, or offset with respect to, the rolling axis of the ball. Those rollers having their axes aligned or substantially aligned with the axis of the ball will tend to roll freely with the ball and thus impose minimum resistance. On the other hand, those rollers with their axes offset with respect to the rolling axis of the ball will tend to slide and contribute maximum resistance to the movement of the ball. The net resistance, therefore, to the rolling of the ball will be determined mainly by the sliding resistance due to those rollers with their axes offset with respect to the rolling axis of the ball. This applies generally to any arrangement utilising rollers to support a castor ball as disclosed also in, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 9464 to Hinton, patented Dec. 14, 1852 and British Pat. No. 264298 to Craymer. Although in principle the use of rollers for supporting the ball in a ball castor greatly reduces rolling resistance to the ball compared with other methods of support, in practice it has been found exceedingly difficult to reduce rolling resistance sufficiently to the point where the castor can be used on practically any smooth surface without any sticking of the ball in its socket and sliding on the smooth surface. Thus, despite the use of rollers for supporting the ball, the ball has been found to jam or stick in its socket on some smooth surfaces or, under certain loads, there has been a tendency for the ball to be forced to one side of the castor against the inside wall of the castor. At the same time rolling resistance has been relatively high compared with that of a conventional swivel castor and consequently, despite the inherent advantages mentioned previously of the ball castor over a swivel castor, the defects of the known ball castors have been such that their performance has compared unfavourably with that of an ordinary swivel castor. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a ball castor in which the ball is supported by six uniformly arranged rollers. A further object of the invention is to provide a ball castor in which rolling resistance of the ball within a socket is made as low as possible. Another object of the invention is to provide a ball castor in which tendency for the ball to jam or stick within a castor socket is substantially eliminated. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a ball castor which can roll smoothly even on smooth surfaces with practically no tendency for the ball to slide on the surfaces. An additional object of the invention is to provide means whereby the castor can be rapidly and securely fitted to an article of furniture or the like without the need for special tools. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a novel means for maintaining support rollers within a castor socket. Yet another object of the invention is to provide a unitary castor housing assembly having a retaining lip to retain a ball within the housing and prevent accumulation of foreign matter within the housing. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS These and other objects advantages and features of the invention will be more fully explained in the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a vertical cross section of a castor in accordance with the invention; FIG. 1a is a bottom view, of the castor showing a ball retained in its socket; FIG. 1b is a cross section, slightly enlarged, showing a lip for retaining a bolt in the socket; FIG. 1c is a slightly enlarged view of an arrangement for mounting a roller within the socket; FIG. 1d is a slightly enlarged view in cross section, of a lip for retaining the ball in the socket; FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the castor, with the ball omitted; FIG. 3 is a side elevation of the castor; FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the top of the castor; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an embodiment for mounting rollers within the castor; FIG. 6 is a partial view, on an enlarged scale of the device of FIG. 5, showing how the parts are assembled; FIG. 7 is a schematic representation of a ball supported by six rollers, in which the ball is assumed to roll about axis X--X; FIG. 8 is a similar representation in which the ball is assumed to roll about axis Y--Y; FIG. 9 is a further schematic representation to illustrate the effect of angle of contact between the rollers and the ball; DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a castor comprises a ball 20 mounted in a socket member 21 which is adapted to be fixed to the underside of an article (not shown). Bearing support for the ball 20 is provided by a set of rollers 22, which are symmetrically arranged about the vertical axis of symmetry of the castor and contact the surface of the ball at a position measured at 40°±5° from the horizontal axis O--O of the ball. For reasons subsequently to be made clearer this angle has been found to be relatively critical to the performance of the castor. The rollers 22 comprise six in number, and are uniformly arranged about the vertical axis of the ball. The rollers are mounted on hardened steel axle bearings 23 which are press-fitted into locking recesses 24 formed at either side of each roller in lugs 25 projecting inwardly of the wall of the cavity containing the ball. The roller surfaces are composed of a relatively hard, low coefficient of friction plastics material having self-lubricating properties with respect to the steel bearings 23. To retain the ball in the cavity, there is provided a continuous lip 26 which projects inwardly towards the ball 20 from a lower rim of the socket member, lip the lip 26 having a diameter slightly less than that of the ball so as to hold the ball in place but being of a yieldable resilient plastics material to permit the ball to be removed and replaced, if necessary, by forcing the ball past the lip. The socket member has a general dome shape and has an aesthetically attractive appearance. A hole 27 through the centre of the base 28 of the socket member receives a screw or bolt 29 for fastening the castor to the underside of an article 1. The hole 27 is formed with a hexagonally shaped recess 27a which engages a complementarily shaped head 29a of the screw or bolt to prevent the bolt from rotating in the hole. A lip 30 adjacent the mouth of the recess locks the bolt in place. The lip 30 may however be yieldable to enable the bolt to be removed if necessary. Due to the manner of engaging the head 29a in the recess, the need for a tool to fasten the castor to an article is completely eliminated since the bolt or screw can be tightened simply by rotating the castor socket by hand. Instead of a bolt or screw head, the recess may engage a hexagonal nut, to achieve the same advantage. In this case, the castor can be fixed to a bolt (not shown) projecting from the underside of the article to which the castor is to be mounted. Ribs (not shown) may be formed in the base of the socket member and/or the cavity wall so as to provide rigidity combined with low weight and minimum use of material. Due to its construction and the fact that there are no significant bending moments acting on the castor, the castor as a whole has exceptional strength and stability for its weight, especially when compared with conventional swivel castors and thus stability and long life are assured. The retaining lip 26 preferably does not extend below the bottom edge of the annular rim 31. If the ball is temporarily removed while the castor is affixed to the article (there is no need to remove the socket member when replacing the ball) the castor can be allowed to rest with it annular rim 31 supported on the horizontal surface without danger of bending or damaging the retaining lip 31. Referring to FIG. 4, this shows the top of the base 28 of the castor, which is formed with radial serrations 32 formed on the top surface. The serrations 32 perform a locking action when the castor is fastened to an article, especially if the article is of wood, so as to resist any motion which might tend to loosen the castor from the article during use. An advantageous feature of the castor is that the socket comprises a substantially unitary construction which can be moulded in plastics material or cast from metal. Preferably, both for aesthetic reasons and for manufacturing and structural reasons, the castor socket is formed with a substantially dome-shaped configuration, which may have a rounded, hemispherical or polygonal outer surface. The lugs 25 advantageously can be cast or moulded integrally with the castor socket. An important feature of the castor is its simplicity of construction and manufacture. Essentially, assembly of the castor consists of three main steps, namely: 1. Casting or moulding of the socket member, 2. press fitting the axle bearings, with the rollers 22 mounted thereon, into the recesses 24 formed in the lugs 25 and 3. Inserting the ball 20 into the castor cavity. Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6, these show an alternative arrangement for mounting the rollers within the castor. FIG. 5 shows an annular cage 33 supporting six uniformly arranged rollers 34 within rectangular slots 35 formed through the walls of the cage. As shown more clearly in FIG. 6, which is an exploded view of a part of the cage assembly, the cage comprises upper and lower annular portions 33a and 33b respectively which fit together in the assembled cage in contact with each other. Each roller 34 is rotatably mounted on an axle bearing 36, the ends of which extend from each end of the roller and seat within depressions 37 formed in the respective portions 33a and 33b. Thus, in the assembled arrangement the ends of the bearings 36 are trapped between the opposing depressions formed in the cage portions, with the roller being free to rotate in the slot 35. The portions 33a and 33b may be held together by adhesive or bending lugs or equivalent means. The cage assembly is mounted in the castor in a simple and rapid manner and can greatly facilitate ease and speed of castor assembly, especially in the production of large numbers of castors. We have found that in order to obtain satisfactory performance from a "ball castor" a number of factors are important, some being critical. One of the reasons for this is that in principle it is impossible to eliminate friction entirely between the rollers and the ball. Even if absolutely friction-less bearings, for example, were used for the rollers there is always a theoretical finite component of slip between at least some of the rollers and the ball surface at any one time. The performance of the castor will thus be limited by the net sum of the slip resistances contributed by the rollers. By contrast, a conventional swivel castor in theory can be made to have zero rolling resistance, and in practice it is not difficult to achieve results close to such an ideal. However with a ball castor this is another matter. To perform satisfactorily, any castor should be capable of rolling smoothly on a wide variety of surfaces, some of which may be very smooth and slippery. Prior art ball castors would not appear capable of doing so on a smooth surface such as a polished floor without a tendency to slide on such surface rather than roll as they should. This is due to the fact that on such smooth surface slippage resistance at the surface is less than the internal resistances or friction within the castor and this in turn is due to the nature of the rolling and slipping forces acting internally of the castor, and the difficulty of minimising such forces. One factor which we have found to influence, quite surprisingly, the performance which can be had from a ball castor, is the contact angle of the rollers, that is, the angle made between the points of contact between the rollers and the ball surface with respect to the horizontal axis. Another factor is the number of rollers, in fact six being found to give best results. A further factor is the tolerances between the rollers and their supporting bearings both radially and axially, since poor tolerances in either of these respects have been found to have surprisingly degrading effects on the final performance. FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic representations in plan view of a ball 20 supported by six rollers a,b,c,d,e and f. In FIG. 5 the ball is assumed to be rolling about an axis X--X which is parallel with a line passing through rollers a,d. In FIG. 6 the ball is assumed to be rolling about an axis Y--Y which passes between the pairs a,f and c,d. These Figures represent respectively the ball orientations for maximum and minimum resistances to the ball motion. Referring to FIG. 5 rollers a and d have their axes at a maximum angle of 90° to the axis X--X. At this angle, only slipping between the rollers a and d and the ball surface is possible. Therefore, the friction components by rollers a and d will be the normal sliding friction between the respective surfaces which depends on the particular friction coefficients for the respective materials. For the rollers b,c,e and f, which are at intermediate "offset" angles, there will be a minimum sliding resistance component which depends only on the "offset angle" between the axes of these rollers and the axis X--X and the materials in question. In addition there is a further component which depends on such factors as bearing friction in the rollers. It has been found that for those rollers at offset angles, the bearing friction is accentuated by side forces acting on the rollers, which in turn are dramatically influenced by the angle of offset, and also the tolerances in the bearings themselves, since poor tolerances will magnify the effective "offset angle" of the rollers (due to sideways "wobble" in the rollers). If, in the arrangement of FIG. 7, bearing friction in the rollers b,c,e and f due to poor tolerances, lack of lubrication and like factors, exceed a critical value, then none of the rollers will rotate, with the result that the ball will stick or slide as if there were no rollers at all. This is a serious defect existing in prior ball castor designs. In FIG. 8, the axes of the rollers are parallel to the rolling axis Y--Y of the ball, so that in this instance the rollers d and e will roll freely. However the rollers a,c,d, and f are at a large offset angle with respect to the axis Y--Y and thus friction in the bearings of these rollers will have a significant effect on the overall rolling resistance of the ball. If the rollers a,c,d and f are at such a large offset angle so as to cease to roll, then the total friction acting on the ball surface will be about two thirds of the friction that would occur if all of the rollers were replaced by equivalent stationary bearing surfaces. The actual "offset angle" between the rollers and the ball surface in fact is a function of both the angles α and β as indicated schematically in FIGS. 7 and 8 and the angle θ made by the points of contact of the roller and ball surfaces with respect to the horizontal axis of the ball, bearing in mind that the ball is a three dimensional spherical surface and the effective offset angle is an angle measured at that surface. FIG. 9 schematically illustrates the effect of the angle between the points of roller contact and the surface of the ball with respect to the horizontal axis of the ball. In the drawing θ represents the angle subtended by the radius line from the centre of the ball to the point of contact with each roller measured with respect to the horizontal or equitoral plane (as indicated in the "side view" in FIG. 9). It will be seen that the rollers c and b describe a circular line of contact with the ball as the ball rotates about an axis parallel to the axes a and d. The radius of that circle is a function of the angle θ. There are three major effects determined by the choice of the angle θ as follows: 1. As the ball rolls, there will be a combination of forces acting at the respective points of contact between the rollers and the ball surface. These forces include a vertical component which is a function of the loading on the ball, and a tangential component which represents the reaction forces due to drag between the rollers and the ball, when the rollers are offset with respect to the rolling axis of the ball. The resulting reaction component of these forces will have a magnitude and direction which is dependent upon the angle θ. The horizontal component of this vector represents the tendency for the ball to be shifted sideways, and if the ball is to be prevented from jumping out of the socket, or from being pressed against the wall of the socket, which would result in instability and sticking of the ball, the rollers must at all times be capable of exerting at least an equal and opposing horizontal reaction component. This depends upon, principally, the angle θ. If the angle is too great, that is too close to the pole of the ball, then the ball can very easily jump out of its socket when the castor is moved along a horizontal surface. 2. The radius R' relative to the radius R has an effect on the effective offset angle, which is the angle between the vector component of ball motion at the point of contact with respect to the vector component of roller motion at the same point. The offset angle also is proportional to the displacement angle between any given roller and the direction of movement of the roller as measured in the horizontal plane. For a given displacement angle the actual offset angle will increase with the angle θ and vice versa, so as to be a maximum when θ is (theoretically) 90° and a minimum when θ is 0°. Thus increasing the angle θ results in an increase (which is non linear) in the offset angle with a consequent increase in the drag component exerted by the respective roller. 3. Reducing the angle θ, that is, bringing the rollers closer to the equator reduces the effective offset angle and therefore reduces friction but also increases side thrust exerted by the ball surface against each roller, compared with the vertical reaction forces. If the angle θ is reduced too much, this will result in a tendency for the ball to jam between the rollers. We have found that the effect of the angle θ is critical to the performance of the castor. As will be clear from the foregoing its selection must of necessity be a compromise between the minimum angle beyond which jamming of the ball is likely to occur and the maximum angle beyond which the rollers may cease to function as such. The importance of the last factor will be appreciated from the explanation given with respect to FIG. 7 which shows that there is a critical situation beyond which none of the rollers may rotate. We have found this maximum critical angle to be about 45°. We have found the minimum useful angle to be about 35°, although this may vary somewhat depending upon the materials used, the nature of the bearings and the magnitude of the load which the castor is intended to support. We have found the preferred angle to be about 40°. EXAMPLE A castor constructed in accordance with the invention having a configuration substantially as shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings and having the following dimensions and features. 1. Angle of points of contact of rollers and ball with respect to equatorial plane of ball, 40°. 2. Diameter of ball approximately 2 inches. 3. Diameter of rollers approximately 0.25 inches. 4. Central thickness of rollers approximately 0.2 inches. 5. Peripheral thickness of rollers approximately 0.15 inches. 6. Diameter of axle bearings approximately 0.1 inches. 7. Maximum radial clearance between axle bearing and roller, 0.002 inches. 8. Maximum axial clearance between roller sides and adjacent lug surfaces, 0.005 inches. 9. Castor body moulded in one piece in plastics material. 10. Axle bearings of hardened steel. 11. Rollers of plastic material (nylon) having self lubricating properties with respect to steel. 12. Tested load 100 lbs. 13. Clearance between lip 26 and ball approximately 0.002 inches.
A castor comprising a socket member defined by a base portion and a cup portion extending from the base portion, the base portion being adapted to be affixed to the underside of an article, and the cup portion defining a generally dome-shaped cavity therein. A ball is engaged in the cavity in a manner to be freely rotatable in any direction in the cavity. The cup portion has six equally spaced rollers rotatably mounted to the wall of the cavity and supports the ball for rotatable movement within the cavity, the rollers being supported on bearings which in turn are supported on inwardly projecting lugs integral with the cavity walls. The rollers contact the ball at an angle of less than 45° with respect to the horizontal axis of the ball. An annular rim defines an open end of the cavity, through which a portion of the ball outwardly projects, and a circumferential lip is arranged adjacent the annular rim, the lip projecting inwardly towards the surface of the ball, to maintain the ball within the cavity but being resiliently yieldable to permit the ball to be mounted in or removed from the cavity by applying force to the ball.
8
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Provisional Patent Application [0002] Ser. No. 60/664,844 Filed Mar. 23, 2005 [0003] Entitled “ROTATIONAL SET WELL PACKER DEVICE” [0004] Inventor: Harold Dean Clifton Midland , Tex. 79707 STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0006] Not Applicable. REFERENCE TO A MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0007] Not Applicable BACKGROUND [0008] This patent application discloses to those skilled in the art a rotational set packer device for use in oil and gas exploration and production. [0009] The packer device of this invention is of the type that is insertable from the top of a well, which usually will be into a well casing, or other conduit. The packer device broadly comprises means, usually known in the oil field as a packer device or packer apparatus having expansible, resilient packer elements. The packer device is considered a downhole tool forming a part of a tool string for use in isolating various parts of a wellbore or borehole. [0010] Packer devices are widely used in the oil field for isolating different elevations of the borehole from one another. One example of a packer device is set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,800,781, issued Apr. 12, 1974 to inventor Billy Ray Watson. Reference is made to the Watson patent and to the art cited therein for further background of this invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0011] Oil field tools, especially packer devices or packer apparatus, are fabricated with right hand or clockwise rotation for setting the resilient packer elements thereof, whereupon fluid flow thereacross is precluded. One primary function of a packer device as described herein is to arrange the packer elements in series respective the tubing string whereby the annulus formed between the production tubing and the well casing prevents uphole flow of well fluid when the packer elements are expanded and set into engagement with the wall of the casing, thereby filling the annulus between the tubing and casing, whereupon both uphole and downhole flow of well fluid is prevented. [0012] Packer apparatus often remain downhole for extended lengths of time and when the time arrives to remove the tool string for one reason or another, the deleterious affects of the well fluids may have corroded the various coacting parts of the packer apparatus, making it difficult to unscrew the components of the packer that unseat or relax the packer elements. [0013] Packer apparatus usually form a component of a tool string wherein there may be a tubing anchor, and other components such as a gas separator and a production pump, for example only, arranged in series relationship. Usually, such a tool string is made up as the recited components thereof are introduced into the casing at the well head or Christmas Tree. Consequently, when downhole problems arise, the packer and the tubing anchor must be unseated, or released from engagement with the casing, otherwise the production tubing along with the tool string cannot be retrieved without resorting to costly fishing expedients. [0014] In order to overcome these difficulties, several novel improvements are set forth in this disclosure. [0015] When unseating the resilient packer elements of a prior art packer device having clockwise rotation of the tubing string for setting, the torque is effected upon the entire tubing string and this action is liable to disconnect most any of the threaded joints of the tool string that are located above the hold-down. In such a catastrophe, it would then be necessary to call in the experts to fish for whatever is stuck downhole. [0016] Consequently, it is desirable to have available a unique packer device which is set by counterclockwise rotation with a torque force less than the force required to unscrew the joints of the tubing string as well as other tools of the tool string. When the packer device of this invention is located above the hold down, as shown in the Figures of the drawings, there can be no separation of the threaded connections of the various tools located therebelow, regardless of the direction of rotation required to unscrew various parts thereof. [0017] Those skilled in the art, after digesting this entire disclosure, will appreciate that this disclosed packer device can be run above a tubing anchor along with other tools, such as a gas separator hookup, for example. This invention includes equalizing or drain ports that facilitate running and pulling the packer. In the present packer apparatus, approximately three turns left are required to set the packer elements, and right hand rotation to release the packer elements. The tubing can be placed in tension, compression or neutral. Low torque is required for setting the packer elements, and there are no slips or moving parts to wear out from pump movement. When desired, two packers can be run in the same string to isolate a zone for pumping, and furthermore, this packer can be run below a casing leak or perforations, and preferably is fabricated of stainless steel to further avoid the likelihood of corroded threads. [0018] When the packer elements of this disclosure are set with counterclockwise rotation of the tubing string, the clockwise torque that must be effected on the tubing string cannot disconnect any of the threaded connections in the string when the packer device is located immediately above the hold-down, or tubing anchor. [0019] Accordingly, a primary object of the present invention is the provision of a packer apparatus that can be run downhole to a selected elevation and set by rotating the supporting upper part of the packer counterclockwise respective a lower part thereof. [0020] Another object of this invention is the foregoing packer apparatus that has upper and lower mandrels rotatable clockwise in order to unseat the packer device. [0021] Still another object of this invention is a packer apparatus or packer device that forms a part of a tool string, has an axial passageway longitudinally extending therethrough, and further includes a valve device that is closed upon setting the packer elements thereof with a counterclockwise rotation between coacting parts thereof. [0022] A further object of this invention is the provision of a packer apparatus that can be run downhole to a selected elevation and set by rotating the supporting upper part of the packer counterclockwise respective a lower part thereof and furthermore contains upper and lower mandrels rotatable clockwise in order to unseat the packer device; and further includes a valve device that is closed upon setting the packer elements thereof with a counterclockwise rotation between coacting parts thereof. [0023] A still further object of this invention is the provision of a new combination of apparatus that include a packer device that is set by rotating part of the packer device in a counterclockwise direction and is unseated by rotating the last said part clockwise, in combination with a tubing anchor having selected prior art tools such as for example, a gas separator associated therewith. [0024] These and other objects of the invention are attained in accordance with the present invention by the provision of a combination of elements which are fabricated in a manner substantially as claimed and described herein. [0025] These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art upon reading the following detailed description and claims and by referring to the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0026] While the invention is claimed in the concluding porions hereof, preferred embodiments are provided in the accompanying detailed description which may be best understood in conjunction with the accompanying drawings where like parts in each of the several diagrams are labeled with like numbers: [0027] FIG. 1 of the drawings is a part diagrammatical, part schematical representation of an oil well having disclosed therein the assembled packer tool of various embodiments of this invention; [0028] FIG. 2 of the drawings is an enlarged part cross-sectional, part elevational, schematical representation of the assembled packer tool of one embodiment of this invention; [0029] FIG. 3 is an enlarged representation of a side elevational view of the assembled packer tool of the preferred embodiment of this invention; and, [0030] FIG. 4 illustrates a side elevation of the combination of the packer device and hold-down of this disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0031] FIG. 1 of the drawings diagrammatically discloses a producing well bore 10 formed through the surface of the earth and extends downhole through a fluid producing formation F. There is a surface pipe or upper casing 11 for protecting the upper aquifer. Within surface casing 11 there is axially received a main well casing 12 extending downhole into proximity of the bottom 13 of the borehole. Production tubing 14 is also axially received respective casings 11 and 12 . Accordingly, an annulus 16 is formed between casing 12 and tubing 14 . Tubing 14 is a production pipe string, sometime referred to as a tool string for it is series connected respective to various oil field apparatus such as, for example only, the instant packer device 18 , made in accordance with this invention, the details of which are more fully described later on herein. [0032] The surface casing 11 , well casing 12 , and production tubing 14 are attached to a wellhead 17 , also called a Christmas tree. [0033] The tubing string 14 , also referred to as a tool string 14 , therefore discloses the packer apparatus 18 of this invention, a tubing hold-down 20 having slips 21 , and other downhole apparatus such as a pump 22 , as well as various other tools as may be desired or required. [0034] As seen in FIG. 2 , together with other figures of the drawings, the packer device 18 of this invention has annular packer elements 24 , 24 ′ spaced from one another. The packer elements 24 , 24 ′ are expansible, resilient, annular bodies made of an elastomeric product such as vulcanized rubber. [0035] Looking now to FIG. 3 of the drawings, the uppermost end of upper mandrel 26 terminates in a box end 28 which is adapted to threadedly engage a complementary threaded end of production string 14 , and a lower end 30 having a threaded marginal pin end received respective an upper threaded box end, seen at 32 , of a lower mandrel 34 . The lower mandrel 34 has an upper circumferentially extending enlarged terminal end portion 36 ; with the lower end of the lower mandrel terminating at pin end 38 , thereby forming the lowermost end of packer device or apparatus 18 . [0036] An element compressor 40 of annular configuration is threadedly affixed to the upper mandrel 26 by the illustrated coacting threaded surface illustrated at 41 and therefore is considered a removable part of the upper mandrel 26 . The element compressor 40 terminates in an upper circumferentially extending end 42 which abuttingly engages the illustrated external complementary shoulder formed on the upper mandrel. [0037] The lower end 44 of element compressor 40 encloses the reduced diameter part of rubber packer elements 24 , 24 ′ and acts as a seal as it bears against the illustrated packer elements. [0038] An outwardly directed circumferentially extending groove 46 receives a carrier brass screw 46 ′ in low friction relationship therewithin and admits axial movement of element compressor 40 respective lower mandrel 34 to thereby compress the pair of confroning packer elements 24 , 24 ′ responsive to rotation of the upper mandrel respective the lower mandrel. [0039] An annular equalizing chamber 48 is formed between the upper mandrel 26 and the element compressor 40 as shown in FIG. 2 . Within equalizing chamber 48 there is slidably received in a reciprocating manner the before mentioned enlarged upper marginal terminal end 36 of the lower mandrel 34 . Inner and outer equalizing ports 50 , 52 , respectively, are formed in members 26 , 40 , respectively, and thereby complete the fluid flow path from within the tool string, through inner port 50 , into chamber 48 , and out of outlet port 52 when the packer is in the illustrated running in or unseated configuration of FIG. 2 , thus enabling flow from the tubing string into the annulus 16 in order to drain or equalize the tool string upon unseating of the packer apparatus 18 . [0040] The opposed ends of an annular element spacer 54 engages similar complementary confronting ends of the packer element and separates the two packer elements 24 , 24 ′. The element spacer 54 is slidably received in close tolerance relationship about the lower mandrel to transmit the resultant compressive forces that occur as the upper and lower mandrels are screwed together at low friction left-hand threaded surface 32 . [0041] A lower gauge 56 , in the form of an inverted annular cap, threadedly engages the lower mandrel 34 by means of a threaded surface 58 . Disposed within the gauge or cap 56 is an annular ring 60 that bears against reduced diameter lower sealing end 62 ′ of the lower packer element 24 ′ as follower 61 is urged against the lower mandrel and gauge responsive relative rotation between the upper and lower mandrels; which effectively lengthens and shortens the distance between the lower edge 44 of the element compressor 40 and gauge 56 , and thereby compresses or relaxes the packer elements, which also sets and unseats the packer. [0042] As pointed out above and claimed herein, the packer device can be used in combination with a downhole pump and tubing anchor, and often a gas separator hookup is advantageously included by connecting the recited apparatus in series relationship with respect to one another. An important feature of this invention is the provision of equalizing ports arranged to be closed and opened, respectively, in response to the rotation of the tubing string to move the packer elements into the set and unseated configuration, respectively, and thereby facilitate running and pulling the packer with a dry string. The packer is set by rotating the tubing from above the ground approximately 3 turns to the left; and opposite rotation of the tubing to the right for release. CATALOG OF PARTS [0000] 10 producing wellbore 11 surface casing 11 ′ surface of earth 12 main casing 13 lower end of casing 12 F formation P perforations 14 tubing string 14 ′ outlet for 14 15 lower end of 14 16 annulus 16 ′ outlet for upper annulus 18 packer of this invention 20 tubing hold down 21 slips of 20 22 Downhole pump and other tools 24 elements are expansible resilient packer rubber 24 ′ as 24 FIG. 2 : 26 upper mandrel 28 upper box end, threaded 30 lower end of 26 32 threaded to engage 34 34 lower mandrel 36 upper circumferentially extending end of 34 38 pin end forming the lower end of packer 18 40 element compressor 42 upper end abuts external shoulder on 26 44 lower end encloses reduced diameter part of elements 24 , 24 ′ 46 locking groove 46 ′ carrier brass screw received within 46 admits moving 40 axially concurrently respective to movement of 26 . 47 ′ set screw received within 40 preventing relative axial movement of 40 / 26 48 equalizing chamber 50 inner port connected to 48 52 outer port connected to 52 54 element spacer 56 lower gauge in form of a cap 58 threads attaching 56 to 34 60 ring 61 seal ring or follower 62 , 62 ′ lip seal received within complementary cavities 66 pumping string 68 side string 70 gas separator or other tool end catalog parts
A packer apparatus that is set with low friction counter-clockwise rotation, and unset with clockwise rotation. A drain valve is opened concurrently as the packer apparatus is unset and closed as the packer apparatus is set. The Packer apparatus requires a minimum of parts and is designed to be used in corrosive environments.
4
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a continuation-in-part application of pending U.S. application Ser. No. 13/362,018, filed Jan. 31, 2012. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to a powertrain of hybrid electric vehicles, particularly to a powertrain module that can be installed between and secured to an engine output and a transmission input. [0003] Hybrid electric vehicles (HEVs) have both an internal combustion engine and an electric machine, which are alternately, or in combination, used to propel the vehicle. A variety of different powertrains are used in hybrid vehicles such as a parallel configuration, in which the engine is connected to the motor by a disconnect clutch with the motor driving a torque converter input of an automatic power transmission. The transmission has an output which is connected to a differential coupled to the two driven wheels of the vehicle. [0004] A need exists in the industry for a hybrid electric powertrain that includes a modular subassembly for use with a variety of engines and transmissions, such that the module can be installed between and secured to an output of one of a number of engines and to an input of one of a number of transmissions. The assembled powertrain may then be employed in a variety of vehicles. The module should include a hydraulically actuated disconnect clutch, the electric machine and suitable power paths between the engine and electric machine to the transmission input. Preferably, the module provides for hydraulic communication from the transmission's hydraulic system to the clutch, a balance dam and the electric machine. The module must provide an oil sump containing hydraulic fluid delivered to the module, and a path for continually returning that fluid to the transmission's oil sump so that the transmission pump is continually supplied reliably with fluid. [0005] The module should require low manufacturing and assembly costs and no vehicle body modification, and should provide reliable performance. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0006] An assembly includes a shell fixed against axial displacement, a clutch including first plates secured to the shell by a spline, a member fixed against axial displacement, supporting the shell and secured to the shell by the spline, a retainer for limiting axial movement of the first plates and member along the spline, and a piston for forcing the plates along the spline toward the retainer. [0007] The assembly secures the wet disconnect clutch pack to the rotor of the electric machine using only one snap ring, which transmits a portion of the piston apply force to a bulkhead. [0008] Because the shell transmits a portion of the piston apply force to parallel load paths, the last clutch reaction plate can be thinner than if a reaction block were used, thereby allowing the all clutch plates to be of uniform in size and of lower cost. [0009] Because the shell is in contact with clutch plates, heat is readily transferred from the clutch plates to the shell, thereby providing a heat flow path for cooling the clutch plates. [0010] The scope of applicability of the preferred embodiment will become apparent from the following detailed description, claims and drawings. It should be understood, that the description and specific examples, although indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of illustration only. Various changes and modifications to the described embodiments and examples will become apparent to those skilled in the art. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0011] The invention will be more readily understood by reference to the following description, taken with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0012] FIGS. 1A and 1B comprise a side cross-sectional view of a powertrain module showing a front connection to an engine output and a rear connection to a transmission torque converter input; and [0013] FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of a portion of the powertrain module showing a component functioning as a clutch reaction plate and a forward support of the electric machine's rotor. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] FIGS. 1A and 1B illustrate a module 10 of a powertrain for a hybrid electric vehicle that includes an engine having a rotary output 12 ; a torsional damper 14 , secured to the engine output 12 ; an input shaft 16 , secured by a spline 18 to an output 20 of damper 14 ; a disconnect clutch 22 , supported on a clutch hub 24 that is secured by a spline 26 to input shaft 16 ; an electric machine 28 , which includes a stator 30 bolted to a front bulkhead 32 and a rotor 34 supported by a first leg 36 and a second leg 38 for rotation about an axis 39 ; a rotor hub 40 , secured preferably by a weld to leg 38 ; and a flexplate 42 , secured at one end by a spline connection 44 or by bolts 110 to rotor hub 40 and secured at the opposite end by bolts 46 to a torque converter casing 48 , which encloses a hydrokinetic torque converter 49 . The electric machine 28 may be an electric motor or an electric motor-generator. [0015] Torque converters suitable for use in the powertrain are disclosed in and described with reference to FIGS. 4 a, 4 b, 5, 12 and 15 of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/325,101, filed Dec. 14, 2011, the entire disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference. [0016] The torque converter 49 includes a bladed impeller wheel located within and secured to casing 48 ; a bladed turbine, driven hydrokinetically by the impeller and secured by a spline 50 to the input shaft 52 of an automatic transmission 54 ; and a bladed stator wheel, located between the turbine and stator and secured to a stator shaft 56 , which is held against rotation on a transmission housing 58 . [0017] A rear bulkhead 60 , secured by bolts 62 to the transmission housing 58 , is fitted at its radial inner surface with a hydraulic seal 64 , which contacts the radial outer surface of rotor hub 40 . [0018] A flywheel 66 , secured by bolts 68 to the engine's rotary output 12 , carries an engine starting gear 70 , which is secured by a disc 72 , welded to the starting gear and flywheel. [0019] A bearing 74 supports the first leg 36 for rotation on the front bulkhead 32 . A bearing 76 supports the second leg 38 for rotation on the rotor hub 40 . A tube 78 , aligned with axis 39 and supporting the rotor 34 for rotation about the axis, is secured to the first leg 36 and second leg 38 . Lips 80 , 82 at the front and rear ends, respectively, of tube 78 may be rolled radially outward to secure the rotor 34 to tube 78 and to prevent axial displacement of the rotor 34 relative to the tube. The inner surface of tube 78 is formed with an axial spline 81 , which is engaged by the legs 36 , 38 and alternate plates 83 of the disconnect clutch 22 . The friction plates 84 of clutch 22 are secured by an axial spline formed on the radial outer surface of clutch hub 24 . [0020] A hydraulic servo for actuating clutch 22 includes a piston 86 , balance dam 88 , return spring 90 and hydraulic lines for transmitting actuating pressure to the pressure control volume 92 at the right hand side of piston 86 and to the pressure balance volume 94 at the left hand side of the piston. Piston 86 moves leftward in a cylinder formed by the rear leg 38 when actuating pressure and hydraulic fluid is supplied to volume 92 , by the use of seals 151 and 152 , thereby causing clutch 22 to engage and driveably connect rotor 34 and the engine output 12 through damper 14 , input shaft 16 , clutch hub 24 and clutch 22 . [0021] Because the piston 86 , balance dam 88 and return spring 90 are supported on the rotor hub 40 , rotational inertia of the piston 86 , balance dam 88 and return spring 90 is located on the output side, i.e., the rotor side of clutch 22 . [0022] Rotor 34 is continually driveably connected to the transmission input shaft 52 through the torque path that includes rear leg 38 , rotor hub 40 , flexplate 42 , torque converter casing 48 , the hydrodynamic drive connection between the torque converter impeller and turbine, which is connected by spline 50 to transmission input shaft 52 . [0023] A resolver 100 , a highly accurate type of rotary electrical transformer used for measuring degrees of rotation, is secured by bolts 102 to the front bulkhead 32 , is supported on the front bulkhead 32 and first leg, and is located axially between the front bulkhead 32 and rear bulkhead 60 . [0024] The teeth of spline 44 , which produces a rotary drive connection between flexplate 42 and rotor hub 40 , are fitted together such that no lash is produced when torque is transmitted between the flexplate and rotor hub. Flexplate 42 is formed with a thick walled portion 104 having a threaded hole 106 that terminate at a web 108 . The external spline teeth on flexplate 42 are forced axially into engagement with the internal spline teeth on rotor hub 40 by bolts 110 , which engage threaded holes in the right-hand end of rotor hub 40 . The engaged spline teeth at the spline connection 44 are disengaged upon removing bolts 110 and threading a larger bolt into hole 106 such that the bolt contacts web, thereby forcing flexplate axial rightward. [0025] Rotor hub 40 is formed with multiple axially-directed hydraulic passages 120 and laterally-directed passages 122 , 124 , 126 , 128 , 129 , which carry hydraulic fluid and pressure to module 10 from the hydraulic system of the transmission 54 . Passages 120 , 122 , 124 , 126 , 128 , 129 carry hydraulic fluid and pressure which includes to the control volume 92 of the servo of clutch 22 located at the right hand side of piston 86 , to the pressure balance volume 94 between balance dam 88 and the piston, to a variable force solenoid (VFS) 130 , and to the surfaces of rotor 34 and stator 30 , which surfaces are cooled by the fluid. The rear bulkhead 60 is formed with passage 128 , which communicates hydraulically with VFS 130 . [0026] The rear bulkhead 60 supports a sump 132 , which contains fluid supplied to module 10 from the hydraulic system of the transmission 54 . Transmission 54 includes a sump 136 , which contains hydraulic fluid that is supplied by a transmission pump 134 to the transmission hydraulic system, from which fluid and control pressure is supplied to module 10 , torque converter 49 , transmission clutches and brakes, bearings, shafts, gears, etc. [0027] A bearing 140 , fitted in the front bulkhead 32 , and a bearing 142 , fitted in the rotor hub 40 , support input shaft 16 in rotation about axis 39 . The front bulkhead 32 also supports the stator 30 in its proper axial and radial positions relative to the rotor 34 . Bearing 76 , fitted between rear bulkhead 60 and rotor hub 40 , and bearing 142 support rotor hub 40 in rotation about axis 39 . The front and rear bulkheads 32 , 60 together support rotor 34 in rotation about axis 39 due to bearing 74 , fitted in bulkhead 32 , and bearing 76 , fitted in bulkhead 60 . [0028] Seal 64 , fitted in the rear bulkhead 60 , and seal 141 , fitted in the front bulkhead 32 , prevent passage of fluid from module 10 located between the bulkheads 32 , 60 . Another dynamic seal 144 prevents passage of contaminants between the engine compartment 146 and module 10 . [0029] The components of module 10 are installed and assembled in the module. The assembled module can then be installed between and connected to the engine output 12 and the torque converter casing 48 . [0030] In operation, when the engine output 12 is driven by an engine, torque is transmitted from the engine through rotor hub 40 and flexplate 42 to the torque converter casing 48 , provided that clutch 22 is engaged. The rotor 34 electric machine 28 is continually driveably connected through tube 78 , leg 38 , rotor hub 40 and flexplate 42 to the torque converter casing 48 . Therefore, the torque converter casing 48 can be driven by the engine alone, provided the electric machine 28 is off and clutch 22 is engaged; by the electric machine alone, provided the engine is off or the engine in operating and the clutch is disengaged; and by both the engine and electric machine concurrently. [0031] Referring to FIG. 2 , the rotor 34 of electric machine 28 is supported on tube 78 , which is supported by a shell 160 , connected by a weld 162 to tube 78 and by welding to rotor hub 40 , and by a leg 164 , secured through an axial, inner spline 166 to shell 160 . A single snap ring 168 , secured to the shell 160 and contacting leg 164 , limits axial displacement of the friction plates 84 , which are secured by spline 166 to shell 160 . Spacer plates 83 are secured by an external axial spline 170 on clutch hub 24 . [0032] A thrust bearing 172 contacts clutch hub 24 and a flange 174 on a shaft 176 that is parallel to axis 19 . A bearing supports clutch hub On shaft 176 . The engine output 12 is connected through flywheel 66 , damper 20 , input shaft 16 and spline 26 to clutch hub 24 . [0033] A bearing 182 , fitted between front bulkhead 32 and leg 164 , supports the rotor 34 for rotation about axis 19 and provides a reaction to axial force transmitted between leg 164 and bulkhead 32 . [0034] In operation, piston 86 moves leftward against the force of return spring 90 when pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied through passage 184 to the cylinder 186 that contains piston 86 . Disconnect clutch 22 is engaged when friction plates 83 and spacer plates 84 are forced by piston 86 into mutual frictional contact, thereby producing a drive connection between rotor hub 40 and the engine output 12 . Rotor 34 is continually driveably connected to rotor hub 40 through shell 160 . [0035] The leftward axial force applied by piston 86 is transmitted through plates 83 , 84 through 164 , and snap ring 168 and shell 160 . [0036] In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the preferred embodiment has been described. However, it should be noted that the alternate embodiments can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described.
An assembly includes a shell fixed against axial displacement, a clutch including first plates secured to the shell by a spline, a member fixed against axial displacement, supporting the shell and secured to the shell by the spline, a retainer for limiting axial movement of the first plates and member along the spline, and a piston for forcing the plates along the spline toward the retaine.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to liquid crystal display devices and, more particularly, is directed to a liquid crystal display with back light. 2. Description of the Prior Art A variety of liquid crystal displays (hereinafter simply referred to as LCDs) have been proposed so far and a twisted nematic display mode (TN mode) liquid crystal is known as one of the most popular LCDs. As shown in a schematic diagram forming FIG. 1, this type of LCD is comprised of X-axis and Y-axis transparent electrodes 6, 8 formed on the inner surface of a pair of glass substrates 5, 9 in the direction perpendicular to each other in a matrix fashion, a TN liquid crystal 7 sandwiched between the two electrodes 6 and 8 with a twisted orientation of 90 degrees and a pair of polarizing plates 4, 10 unitarily formed with the outer surfaces of the glass substrates 5, 9 in the direction perpendicular to each other. In this case, the pair of polarizing plates 4, 10 are bonded to the outer surfaces of the glass substrates 5, 9. A voltage is applied between the transparent electrodes 6, 8 of a liquid crystal panel 13 formed by the above-mentioned elements by means of a driving source 11 and a switching device 12. When this TN mode liquid crystal is in its off state, that is, without application of voltage, a linearly-polarized light is rotated 90 degrees and passed by the liquid crystal panel 13. When on the other hand this TN mode liquid crystal is applied with voltage and turned on, then the twisted state is removed and the linearly-polarized light is inhibited from passing the liquid crystal panel 13. When the LCD is constructed by using such liquid crystal panel 13, the LCD is generally formed as a reflection type, a reflection type using a back light or a transparent type. The kinds of back light 2 are selected in accordance with the purpose that for which the LCD is to be used. The back light might be an incandescent lamp, a fluorescent lamp, an electroluminescent lamp (EL) and so on. The fluorescent lamp is a light source suitable for color LCD and widely used because the fluorescent lamp produces light having a plurality of peaks of brightness in the visible region and this light becomes substantially white light. The fluorescent lamp is generally formed as a hot cathode type or a cold cathode type. The hot cathode type of fluorescent lamp is driven by a voltage of from 200 to 300 Volts and the cold cathode type of fluorescent lamp is driven by a high voltage of nearly 4000 Volts. The back light 2 formed of, for example, the fluorescent lamp is housed in a casing 1 having a diffuser 3 on the front surface thereof. This casing 1 is generally made of metal and the diffuser 3 is made of a white plastic plate or the like. The casing 1 has the liquid crystal panel 13 unitarily assembled into the front portion of the diffuser 3 as shown in FIG. 2. When the back light 2 of the LCD is driven, a voltage of 200 to 300 Volts is applied to the cathode of the hot cathode type fluorescent lamp and a high voltage of about 4000 Volts is applied to the cathode of the cold cathode type fluorescent lamp. Further, a driving source is not a commercially available voltage source but a high frequency of about 40 kHz is employed as a switching means to thereby increase light emission efficiency. Let us now consider that such LCD is installed, for example, on the rear surface of each of the passenger seats in the cabin of an airplane so that the passengers can enjoy watching video programs of different channels. In that case, the airplane has very strict specification on the leaked electromagnetic noise so as to prevent the automatic pilot system of the airplane from being affected thereby. Particularly, since the electromagnetic noise from the fluorescent lamp 2 is emitted from the LCD panel surface through the diffuser 3 and the liquid crystal panel 13, it is necessary to provide a countermeasure to prevent the electromagnetic noise, i.e., electromagnetic waves, from being leaked. As one of the methods for preventing electromagnetic waves from being leaked, it is proposed that, as shown in FIG. 2, a conductive film 14 such as an ITO film or the like is bonded to or coated on the front surface of the liquid crystal panel 13 to thereby shield the electromagnetic noise from the back light 2. In this arrangement, however, in order to visually confirm whether the light is passed through or cut off by the liquid crystal panel 13, the conductive film 14 must be made transparent, which unavoidably decreases the light utilizing ratio of the liquid crystal panel 13. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved liquid crystal display with a back light in which the aforementioned shortcomings and disadvantages of the prior art can be eliminated. More specifically, it is an object of the present invention to provide a liquid crystal display with a back light in which electromagnetic noise from the back light is completely shielded by rendering a diffuser (diffusing plate) conductive, thereby making it possible to utilize a conductive material which is not transparent. As an aspect of the present invention, a liquid crystal display with a back light is provided, in which a diffuser (diffusing plate) mounted on a front surface of a casing in which the back light is housed is rendered conductive to thereby reduce the leakage of electromagnetic waves. The above and other objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become apparent in the following detailed description of an illustrative embodiment thereof to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numerals are used to identify the same or similar parts in the several views. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing a conventional liquid crystal display; FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional side view of the conventional liquid crystal display with a back light; FIGS. 3A and 3B are front view and cross-sectional side view illustrating a liquid crystal display with a back light according to an embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional side view of a main portion of the liquid crystal display with a back light of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The arrangement of the liquid crystal display with a back light according to the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 3A, 3B and FIG. 4. In FIGS. 3A, 3B and FIG. 4, like parts corresponding to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 are marked with the same references and therefore need not be described in detail. As shown in FIGS. 3A, 3B, the casing 1 is made of a metal material and shaped substantially as a box whose front surface is opened. The diffuser 3 is rectangular and made of white plastic or the like. This diffuser 3 is mounted on the front surface of the casing 1 and the back light 2 formed of a fluorescent lamp having an M-letter configuration is disposed within a space defined by the casing 1 and the diffuser 3. The back light 2 has two electrodes 2a, 2b connected, for example, to a switching power supply source of high frequency, e.g., 40 kHz (not shown) and, a voltage of 200 to 300 Volts is supplied to the cathode of the back light 2 if the back light 2 is formed of the hot cathode type fluorescent lamp. If the diffuser 3 is made of white plastic, then a conductive member 15 may be produced by bonding a transparent conductive film (manufactured by TEIJIN LTD.) to the front or rear surface of the diffuser 3. Alternatively, this conductive member 15 may be provided by mixing a predetermined amount of conductive material, such as very small particle powder of carbon or the like into the diffuser 3 during the manufacturing-process of the diffuser 3 or the transparent or conductive member 15 may be produced by vapor-depositing a certain kind of metal thin film, such as gold, titanium or the like onto the diffuser 3. If the diffuser 3 is formed of a glass substrate whose surface is formed as a frosted glass by the etching-process so as to improve its light diffusion effect, then a NESA,film or ITO film available on the market can be deposited onto the diffuser 3. The NESA film is a transparent conductive glass formed by depositing a stannic oxide (SnO 2 ) film on the glass substrate, and the ITO film is produced by vapor-depositing an indium oxide (In 2 C 2 ) film on the glass substrate. The diffuser 3 having the conductive member 15 is rendered conductive to the metal casing 1 sufficiently via a brush 16 or metal fitting of L-letter configuration, etc., as shown in FIG. 4. Then, the liquid crystal panel 13 similar to that of FIG. 1 is mounted on the front surface of the diffuser 3 and the diffuser 3 is unitarily secured to the casing 1. As shown in FIG. 4, the liquid crystal panel 13 is composed of a pair of polarizing plates 4, 10 and a TN type liquid crystal 7 sandwiched between the transparent electrodes 6 and 8 provided on the pair of glass substrates 5, 9. Of course, the liquid crystal 7 is not limited to a STN (super twisted nematic) liquid crystal, a DSTN (double STN) liquid crystal or the like and might be an active matrix type LCD and so on. Since the liquid crystal display with back light of this embodiment is arranged as described above, the electromagnetic noise from the back light 2 can be shielded even though the high voltage of the back light 2 is switched at high frequency, the electromagnetic noise from the back light 2 can be shielded. Also, effect of the diffusing plate for diffusing light from the back light 2 and effect of the electromagnetic shielding plate can be achieved at the same time. It is clear that the shape of the back light 2 is not limited to the M-letter configuration and may be modified variously. According to the liquid crystal display with back light of the present invention, since the electromagnetic noise from the back light can be shielded and this liquid crystal display can be unitarily formed with the diffusing plate, the diffuser is not necessarily made of the transparent conductive material, which renders the diffuser conductive with ease. Having described the preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying drawings, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to that precise embodiment and that various changes and modifications thereof could be effected by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims.
A liquid crystal display with a back light is provided, in which a diffuser (diffusing plate) mounted on a front surface of a casing in which the back light is housed is rendered conductive to thereby reduce the leakage of electromagnetic waves.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to a sewing machine frame made from a synthetic resin in which an arm portion, a tower portion and a bed portion are provided integrally. The present invention also relates to a sewing machine having the sewing machine frame. [0002] In the sewing machine frame, a horizontally extending arm portion supports a reciprocation mechanism for a needle carrying a needle thread, and the tower portion vertically extends from the bed portion for supporting the arm portion in a cantilevered fashion. In the bed portion, a loop taker is supported for trapping a loop of the needle thread carried on the vertically reciprocating needle in order to form a stitch. [0003] In the sewing machine, a smooth stitching operation is required To this effect, vibration and displacement of a needle tip due to the vertically reciprocating motion of the needle must be reduced or minimized, otherwise a loop seizing beak of the loop taker disposed in the bed portion cannot trap the needle thread loop formed by vertical reciprocation of the sewing needle. Thus, the stitching may be degraded. [0004] In order to avoid this problem, the needle & rotary hook timing must be adequately provided. To this effect, the sewing machine frame must provide high rigidity capable of avoiding deformation or displacement thereof due to reaction force occurring when the needle penetrates a workpiece fabric. Therefore, in the conventional sewing machine, a metallic frame having high rigidity is provided in an interior of a sewing machine cover, and a stitch forming mechanism including a needle vertical reciprocating mechanism and the loop taker is attached to the metallic frame. [0005] However, such a conventional arrangement is costly, bulky and heavy. More specifically, the sewing machine frame has a rigid box shape arrangement in order to provide high rigidity. Further, the frame is made from a metal such as a cast iron or aluminum, which in turn increase weight and size. Further, high skill and elaboration is required for assembling the sewing machine because the stitch forming mechanism must be installed into the metallic frame through a small area opening thereof. This increases assembly cost. [0006] Laid open Japanese Patent Application Kokai No.Hei-11-137880 discloses a sewing machine frame made from a synthetic resin to reduce production cost and to provide a light weight frame. As shown in FIG. 16, the frame 300 has an open end arrangement in a U-shape cross-section in which a bed portion 304 , a tower portion 303 and an arm portion 302 are provided integrally, and a reinforcing plate 301 is fixed between upper and lower portions at the open end of the bed portion 304 . [0007] However, the disclosed sewing machine frame 300 provides a rigidity still lesser than that of the metallic frame. More specifically, as shown in FIG. 16, vertical vibration occurs in the arm portion 302 due to a load exerted along a vertical line containing the needle, the load being caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle during stitching operation. Further, a horizontal swing also occurs at an upper portion of the tower portion 303 during stitching. [0008] Such vibration and swing occur due to the cantilevered support structure of the arm portion 302 with respect to the tower 303 . That is, a combination of the arm portion 303 , the tower portion 303 and the bed portion 304 provides an arcuate recessed wall 305 , and a stress generated by the vertically reciprocating motion of the needle will be concentrated on the wall 305 . However, the wall 305 does not have a sufficient rigidity, and therefore, such unwanted vibration and swing occur to lower stitching quality in comparison with the conventional sewing machine provided with the metallic frame. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0009] It is an object of the present invention to overcome the above-described problems and to provide a sewing machine frame having a bed portion, a tower portion and an arm portion those integrally with each other and formed of a synthetic resin, yet having high rigidity, and to provide a sewing machine having such an improved sewing machine frame. [0010] This and other objects of the present invention will be attained by a sewing machine frame for use in a sewing machine including a frame member, and a peripheral wall reinforcing rib. The frame member is formed of a synthetic resin and has a bed portion, a tower portion upstanding from the bed portion, and an arm portion extending from the tower portion at a position above the bed portion. The bed portion, the tower portion and the arm portion are formed integrally and provide a concaved peripheral wall defining a stitch working space. The peripheral wall reinforcing rib protrudes from the frame member. The peripheral wall reinforcing rib extends along the peripheral wall and ranges at least from a boundary between the bed portion and the tower portion to a boundary between the tower portion and the arm portion. [0011] In another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sewing machine frame for use in a sewing machine including an outer panel wall, a side wall, a peripheral wall reinforcing rib, and an outer panel wall reinforcing rib. The outer panel wall constitutes a front wall and a rear wall and has a peripheral edge. The side wall protrudes from the peripheral edge to provide a closed space with the outer panel wall and is formed integrally with the outer panel wall with a synthetic resin. A combination of the outer panel wall and the side wall provides a bed portion, a tower portion upstanding from the bed portion, and an arm portion extending from the tower portion and positioned above the bed portion. The side wall has a part providing a concaved peripheral wall which defines a stitch working space surrounded by the bed portion, the tower portion and the arm portion. The peripheral wall reinforcing rib protrudes from the outer panel wall and extends along the peripheral wall. The peripheral wall reinforcing rib ranges at least from a boundary between the bed portion and the tower portion to a boundary between the tower portion and the arm portion. The outer panel wall reinforcing rib protrudes from the outer panel wall for reinforcing the same. [0012] In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sewing machine frame including a bed portion, a tower portion upstanding from the bed portion, and an arm portion extending from the tower portion in a cantilevered fashion, a stitch forming mechanism of the sewing machine being assembled in the sewing machine frame. The sewing machine frame includes an integral main frame body, an integral frame cover and a concave wall reinforcing rib. The integral main frame body is made from a synthetic resin and to which the stitch forming mechanism is assembled. The integral main frame body includes a back panel wall having a first peripheral edge, and a first side wall integrally protruding from the first peripheral edge. The integral main frame body provides an arm section, a tower section and a bed section. The integral frame cover is made from a synthetic resin and is attached to the main frame body. The integral frame cover includes a front panel wall having a second peripheral edge, and a second side wall integrally protruding from the second peripheral edge for providing a complementary bed section to form the bed portion with the bed section, a complementary tower section to form the tower portion with the bed section, and a complementary arm section to form the arm portion with the arm section. The first side wall and the second side wall have parts defining a concave wall surroundingly provided by the combination of the arm portion, the tower portion, and the bed portion. The concave wall reinforcing rib extends along the concave wall and ranges at least from a boundary between the bed portion and the tower portion to a boundary between the tower portion and the arm portion. [0013] In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sewing machine frame for use in a sewing machine including an outer panel wall, a side wall, and a reinforcing member. The outer panel wall constitutes a front wall and a rear wall. The side wall protrudes from a peripheral edge of the outer panel wall to provide a closed space with the outer panel wall and is formed integrally with the outer panel wall with a synthetic resin. A combination of the outer panel wall and the side wall provides a bed portion extending in its longitudinal direction, a tower portion upstanding from the bed portion, and an arm portion extending in its longitudinal direction from the tower portion and positioned above the bed portion. A congregated area among the bed portion, the tower portion and the arm portion provides a concaved peripheral wall defining a stitch working space of the sewing machine. The reinforcing member is formed integrally with the outer panel wall and has a generally semi-circular hollow cross-section. The reinforcing member is positioned along the peripheral wall and has one end portion positioned in the arm portion and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, and has another end portion positioned in the bed portion and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof. [0014] In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sewing machine frame including a bed portion, a tower portion upstanding from the bed portion, and an arm portion extending from the tower portion in a cantilevered fashion, a stitch forming mechanism of a sewing machine being assembled in the sewing machine frame. The sewing machine frame includes an integral main frame body, an integral frame cover, and a reinforcing member. The integral main frame body is made from a synthetic resin and to which the stitch forming mechanism is assembled. The integral main frame body includes a back panel wall having a peripheral edge, and a side wall integrally protruding from the peripheral edge. The integral main frame body provides an arm section, a tower section and a bed section. The side wall has a part defining a peripheral wall surroundingly provided by the combination of the arm section, the tower section and the bed section. The integral frame cover serves as a front panel wall and is made from a synthetic resin and is attached to the main frame body for providing a complementary bed section to form the bed portion with the bed section, a complementary tower section to form the tower portion with the tower section, and a complementary arm section to form the arm portion with the arm section. The reinforcing member is formed integrally with the main frame body and has a generally semi-circular hollow cross-section. The reinforcing member is positioned along the peripheral wall and has one end portion positioned in the arm section and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof, and has another end portion positioned in the bed section and extending in the longitudinal direction thereof. [0015] In still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a sewing machine including a stitch forming mechanism and any one of the above-described sewing machine frames. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The aforementioned aspects and other features of the invention are explained in the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawing figures wherein: [0017] [0017]FIG. 1 is a front view showing the overall construction of a sewing machine comprising a frame according to the preferred embodiment; [0018] [0018]FIG. 2 is a side view showing the overall construction of the sewing machine in FIG. 1; [0019] [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of a main frame; [0020] [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal construction of the main frame; [0021] [0021]FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the internal construction of the main frame; [0022] [0022]FIG. 6(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame indicated by the arrows A in FIG. 5; [0023] [0023]FIG. 6(B) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame indicated by the arrows B in FIG. 5; [0024] [0024]FIG. 7(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame indicated by the arrows C in FIG. 5; [0025] [0025]FIG. 7(B) is an enlarged view showing the lower end of the main frame; [0026] [0026]FIG. 7(C) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame indicated by the arrows D in FIG. 5; [0027] [0027]FIG. 8(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame indicated by the arrows E in FIG. 5; [0028] [0028]FIG. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame indicated by the arrows F in FIG. 5; [0029] [0029]FIG. 8(C) is an enlarge view of a protrusion; [0030] [0030]FIG. 8(D) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame Indicated by the arrows M in FIG. 5; [0031] [0031]FIG. 9(A) is an enlarged plan view showing the main frame from the perspective of the line G in FIG. 5; [0032] [0032]FIG. 9(B) is an enlarged plan view showing the main frame from the perspective of the line H in FIG. 5; [0033] [0033]FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the frame cover; [0034] [0034]FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal construction of the frame cover; [0035] [0035]FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the internal construction of the frame cover; [0036] [0036]FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the frame cover indicated by the arrows I in FIG. 12; [0037] [0037]FIG. 14(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the frame cover indicated by the arrows J in FIG. 12; [0038] [0038]FIG. 14(B) is an enlarged view showing the lower end of the frame cover; [0039] [0039]FIG. 15(A) is an enlarged plan view along the plane of the frame cover indicated by the arrows K in FIG. 12; [0040] [0040]FIG. 15(B) is an enlarged plan view along the plane of the frame cover indicated by the arrows L in FIG. 12; and [0041] [0041]FIG. 16 is a perspective view showing a conventional sewing machine frame. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0042] Structure of a Sewing Machine [0043] A sewing machine frame according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will be described while referring to the accompanying drawings. First the overall construction of a sewing machine comprising a frame according to the preferred embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 is a front view, and FIG. 2 is a side view showing the overall construction of the sewing machine comprising a frame 1 according to the preferred embodiment. [0044] As shown in FIG. 1, the frame 1 substantially comprises a bed 8 , a cantilever support 7 provided vertically on the bed 8 , an arm 6 , and an arm 6 cantilevered from the cantilever support 7 above the bed 8 . The bed 8 , the cantilever support 7 , and the arm 6 are integrally formed of a synthetic resin in a substantially C shape. [0045] The frame 1 supports a stitch forming mechanism including a loop taker and a mechanism for driving a needle 16 reciprocally up and down, and constitutes a shell of the sewing machine. In other words, the frame 1 does not need any metallic frame for mounting the stitch forming mechanism. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture a lighter frame 1 having simplified structure, compared with a conventional metal frame to mount a stitch forming mechanism, covering with a resin cover. The frame 1 may be formed of a synthetic resin material by using a well-known injection molding method. [0046] The synthetic resin material for the frame 1 may be a noncrystalline thermoplastic resin, such as a styrene resin. More specifically, the material may be one or mixture of acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer, polystyrene, acrylonitrile-styrene, acrylonitrile-acrylate-styrene, acrylonitrile-ethylene-styrene, chlorinated acrylonitrile-polyethylene-styrene. Of these materials, a resinous matter having acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene copolymer as the primary component with an inorganic additive of talc or glass bead has good rigidity and a good thermal expansion coefficient. The usage of the above material may eliminate frame coating in the later step due to a good appearance of the frame. [0047] The arm 6 supports a top mechanism 3 for reciprocally driving the needle 16 up and down, the needle 16 retaining needle thread. A motor 2 provided in the cantilever support 7 generates rotational motion. The top mechanism 3 converts this rotational motion to reciprocal motion by means of a crank mechanism to transfer the reciprocal motion to the needle 16 . The top mechanism 3 comprises a spindle 12 , a thread take-up crank 13 , a needle bar holder 14 , a needle bar 15 , and a thread take-up lever link hinge pin 17 mounted in a metal top frame 11 The top frame 11 is directly attached to the frame 1 by several screws. [0048] Next, the operations of the top mechanism 3 will be described. A rotational driving force generated by the motor 2 is transferred to a large pulley 35 via a motor belt 36 . The rotational driving force transferred to the large pulley 35 is further transferred to the thread take-up crank 13 via an arm shaft 31 and the spindle 12 . The arm shaft 31 is rotatably supported by two bearings 32 , 32 . The spindle 12 is linked to the arm shaft 31 via a coupler. Through the movement of a needle bar crank rod, rotational motion transferred to the thread take-up crank 13 is converted to reciprocal motion of the needle bar 15 that is supported rotatably on the needle bar holder 14 . The needle bar 15 is capable of moving vertically in the needle bar holder 14 . This reciprocal motion is transferred to the needle 16 . [0049] The arm 6 is supported on the top end of the cantilever support 7 , while the bed 8 is connected to the bottom end of the cantilever support 7 . A drive transferring mechanism 5 is disposed in the cantilever support 7 for transferring rotational driving force generated by the motor 2 to the top mechanism 3 housed in the arm 6 and a lower mechanism 4 housed in the bed 8 . The drive transferring mechanism 5 comprises the motor 2 , the large pulley 35 , the motor belt 36 , a pulley 38 , a pulley 39 , and a timing belt. The drive transferring mechanism 5 is directly attached to the frame 1 . The motor 2 is supported by motor supporting brackets 33 that are fixed near the bottom end of the cantilever support 7 . [0050] Next, the operations of the drive transferring mechanism 5 will be described. The rotational driving force provided by the motor 2 is transferred to the large pulley 35 via the motor belt 36 . The rotational driving force transferred to the large pulley 35 is then transferred to the arm shaft 31 rotatably supported by the two bearings 32 , 32 . As described above, this rotational motion is transferred to the top mechanism 3 via the spindle 12 , while this movement is also transferred to the lower mechanism 4 . That is, the pulley 39 is fixed at approximately the center point of the arm shaft 31 . Rotational motion transferred to the pulley 39 is further transferred to the pulley 38 disposed in the bed 8 via the timing belt 41 . A rotary hook shaft 37 is rotatably supported by a bearing 32 . Since the rotary hook shaft 37 is linked to the pulley 38 , the rotary hook shaft 37 rotates in synchronization with the rotations of the arm shaft 31 due to the rotational motion of the pulley 38 . [0051] The cantilever support 7 is formed on one end of the bed 8 . The bed 8 supports a rotary hook 23 constituting a loop taker for catching a thread loop of the needle thread as the needle moves up and down and forming a stitch. The lower mechanism 4 is provided inside the bed 8 for rotating the rotary hook 23 in synchonization with the reciprocal motion of the needle 16 . The lower mechanism 4 comprises a rotary hook shaft 21 , a helical gear 22 , the rotary hook 23 , a helical gear 24 , and the rotary hook shaft 37 mounted on a metal lower frame 20 . The lower frame 20 is mounted directly on the frame 1 by a plurality of screws. [0052] Next, the operations of the lower mechanism 4 will be described. The rotational motion transferred via the timing belt 41 to the pulley 38 is transferred to the helical gear 22 via the rotary hook shaft 37 rotatably supported by the bearing 32 and the rotary hook shaft 21 rotatably supported by two bearings 25 , 25 and linked to the rotary hook shaft 37 via a coupler. As shown in FIG. 2, the helical gear 22 is fixed on the rotary hook shaft 21 . A rotary hook shaft on which the rotary hook 23 is fixed is rotatably supported on the lower frame 20 for rotating beneath the top surface of the bed 8 . The helical gear 24 engaged with the helical gear 22 is fixed to the rotary hook shaft. Accordingly, when the rotary hook shaft 21 rotates, the rotary hook 23 rotates via the helical gear 22 and helical gear 24 . At the same time, A loop seizing beak of the loop taker moves in synchronization with the tip of the needle 16 , and catches the thread loop of the needle thread supported on the needle 16 as the needle 16 moves vertically. [0053] Sewing Machine Frame [0054] In order to execute smooth sewing operations with a sewing machine having the construction described above, it is necessary to minimize vibration caused by the vertical movement of the needle 16 . Simultaneously, displacement of the needle tip caused by deformation of the frame 1 due to the vertical movement of the needle 16 is required to be minimized. This is because large amount of the displacement and the vibration of the needle tip can prevent the loop seizing beak of the loop taker provided in the bed 8 from catching the thread loop, resulting in the formation of an inappropriate stitch. To avoid this, it is necessary to maintain at all times an appropriate needle and rotary hook timing between the loop seizing beak of the rotating rotary hook 23 and the needle 16 that is moved reciprocally up and down. Accordingly, the frame 1 must have high rigidity in order to prevent deformation (displacement) due to a reaction force generated when the needle penetrates a working piece cloth. However, since it is difficult to maintain sufficient rigidity in a frame formed of synthetic resin, the frame 1 of the present embodiment employs various constructions to achieve sufficient rigidity. [0055] As shown in FIG. 2, the frame 1 is formed of a main frame 1 A and a frame cover 1 B along a dividing plane 52 formed in approximately the center of the periphery of the frame 1 when viewed from the end (the dotted line in FIG. 2). The main frame 1 A is provided with the stitch forming mechanism including the top mechanism 3 for driving the needle 16 reciprocally up and down and the lower mechanism 4 for rotating the rotary hook 23 is mounted. The frame cover 1 B is coupled to the main frame 1 A to cover the stitch forming mechanism. [0056] The insides of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B are configured to accommodate the top mechanism 3 and the lower mechanism, as shown when the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B are in an open state divided along the dividing plane 52 (refer to FIGS. 4 and 11) When assembling the sewing machine, the top mechanism 3 and the lower mechanism are first mounted in the main frame 1 A while the main frame 1 A is rendered in an open state. The main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B are then joined together by inserting screws through couplings 90 , 190 provided in the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B (see FIGS. 4 and 11). By simplifying the process for assembling the sewing machine in this way, it is possible to reduce the assembly costs. Since the open area of the frame is closed after assembly, the frame retains sufficient rigidity, and the arm 2 is not easily subject to torsional deformation due to reciprocal motion of the needle 16 . [0057] Main Frame [0058] Next, the main frame 1 A of the frame 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 3 through 9. FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the main frame 1 A. FIG. 4 is a perspective view showing the internal construction of the main frame 1 A. FIG. 5 is a plan view showing the internal construction of the main frame 1 A. FIG. 6(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows A in FIG. 5. FIG. 6(B) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows B in FIG. 5. FIG. 7(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows C in FIG. 5. FIG. 7(B) is an enlarged view showing the lower end of the main frame 1 A. FIG. 7(C) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows D in FIG. 5. FIG. 8(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows E in FIG. 5. FIG. 8(B) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows F in FIG. 5. FIG. 8(C) is an enlarge view of a protrusion shown in FIG. 8(B). FIG. 8(D) is a cross sectional view along the plane of the main frame 1 A indicated by the arrows M. FIG. 9(A) is an enlarged plan view showing the main frame 1 A from the perspective of the line G in FIG. 5. FIG. 9(B) is an enlarged plan view showing the main frame 1 A from the perspective of the line H in FIG. 5. [0059] As shown in FIG. 3, the main frame 1 A substantially comprises the arm 6 , the cantilever support, 7 , and the bed 8 formed integrally. The semicircular space surrounded by the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 is a space 9 . [0060] In addition, the main frame 1 A comprises a back panel wall 250 constituting a back side of the sewing machine, and side wall 251 extending from a peripheral edge 250 a of the back panel wall 250 . Especially, the surface of the main frame 1 A facing the space 9 is designated as an inner surface wall 51 . The inner surface wall 51 has a rectangular opening 53 that a cloth-pressing lever for fabric (not shown) is passed through. [0061] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5 , the main frame 1 A is provided with an arrangement for mounting stitch forming mechanism. More specifically, the interior of the arm 6 is provided with a pair of thread take-up shaft supports 140 , 140 for rotatably supporting the thread take-up lever link hinge pin (not shown); a needle bar holder mount 141 on which the needle bar holder 14 is mounted; an upper frame mount 142 on which the top frame 11 is mounted; and a pair of arm shaft supports 144 , 144 for rotatably supporting the arm shaft 31 that transfers the rotational drive force from the motor 2 to the top mechanism 3 . Motor support bracket mounts 146 are mounted in the cantilever support 7 for attaching the motor supporting brackets 33 that fixedly support the motor 2 . Further, the interior of the bed 8 is provided with a pair of lower conducting shaft supports 147 , 147 for rotatably supporting the rotary hook shaft 37 that transfer the rotational drive force from the motor 2 to the lower mechanism 4 , and a lower frame mount 148 on which the lower frame 20 is mounted. [0062] Reinforcing Member [0063] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, a reinforcing member 60 is provided around the inner surface wall 51 of the main frame 1 A facing the space 9 surrounded the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 . The reinforcing member 60 is formed integrally with the back panel wall 250 . One end of the reinforcing member 60 extends along the longitudinal direction of the arm 6 to the point adjacent to the side wall 251 at one end of the arm 6 opposing the cantilever support 7 . The other end of the reinforcing member 60 extends along the longitudinal direction of the bed 8 to the point adjacent to the side wall 251 at one end of the bed 8 opposing the bed 8 . As described above, the reinforcing member 60 comprises three parts: one part placed around the inner surface wall 51 in a semicircle shape, another part placed in a linear manner as if it crosses the arm 6 , and the other part placed in a linear manner as if it crosses the bed 8 . Accordingly, the reinforcing member 60 is placed in a continuous manner to form a U-shape as a whole. The above structure of the reinforcing member 60 reinforces projecting portions of the arm 6 and the bed 8 which extend from the cantilever support 7 . [0064] Referring to FIG. 8(D), the reinforcing member 60 has a tubular shape with a hollow circular cross-section. This reinforcing member 60 is formed with the back panel wall 250 integrally to project from the inner surface of the back panel wall 250 . The reinforcing member 60 is formed in a tubular shape for the following reasons. As described above, the main frame 1 A is formed according to an injection molding method. In this method, after injecting a molten resinous material in a cavity die shell, the resinous material is cooled. At this time, thicker portions of the molded product harden slower than thinner portions. Since contraction is greater at the thicker portions, shrinkage occurs in those portions. In order to prevent such shrinkage, it is necessary to maintain a uniform thickness in the molded product. For this reason, the reinforcing member 60 is formed in a hollow tubular shape. When forming the frame 1 , the tubular shape of the reinforcing member 60 is formed by injecting an inert fluid, such as argon gas or nitrogen gas, through an injection hole 61 formed at one end of the reinforcing member 60 adjacent to the side wall 251 , and subsequently cooling the reinforcing member 60 . [0065] The above structure of the reinforcing member 60 ensures the rigidity of the inner surface wall 51 facing the space 9 surrounded by the arm 6 , the cantilever support 7 , and the bed 8 on which stress caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 is concentrated. The above structure of the reinforcing member 60 also ensures the rigidity of the back panel wall 250 and the side wall 251 of the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 adjacent to the inner surface wall 51 . Accordingly, a sewing machine including the main frame 1 A prevents horizontal and vertical vibrations of the main frame 1 A caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing a smooth stitch forming action. [0066] In addition, the reinforcing member 60 has a semicircle hollow section to achieve a light weight and provide sufficient rigidity. The reinforcing member 60 is formed integrally with the back panel wall 250 . Accordingly, process for manufacturing the main frame 1 A is simplified. [0067] In the embodiment described above, the reinforcing member 60 has one end extending to the point adjacent to the side wall 251 placed at the tip of the arm 6 , and the other end extending to the point adjacent to the side wall 251 placed at the tip of the bed 8 . In another embodiment, the reinforcing member 60 may extend to a certain point between the arm 6 and the bed 8 . It is preferable that the reinforcing member 60 is provided around at least the space 9 . In this case, the arrangement of the reinforcing member 60 may have a J-shape, C-shape, or a rectangular shape with one open side. [0068] Auxiliary Reinforcing Member [0069] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, the back panel wall 250 of the main frame 1 A has an auxiliary reinforcing member 66 formed integrally therewith. The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 is placed substantially parallel to the reinforcing member 60 outside thereof at a predetermined interval. The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 is placed in a continuous manner described as follows: The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 extends from a certain point between the cantilever support 7 and the side wall 251 at the arm 6 along the longitudinal direction of the arm 6 within the arm 6 to one end of the cantilever support 7 . The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 is then curved in a semicircle shape within the cantilever support 7 to extend to one end of the bed 8 . The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 further extends from the one end of the cantilever support 7 along the bed 8 with in the bed 8 to the point adjacent to the side wall 251 opposing to the cantilever support 7 . As describe above, the parallel arrangement of the reinforcing member 60 and the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 leads to a uniform filling to the interior of the back panel wall 250 between the reinforcing member 60 and the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 with synthetic resin, thereby preventing weld line and shrinkage appearing on the back panel wall 250 . As a result, the main frame 1 A can obtain a good appearance. [0070] Referring to FIG. 7( c ), the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 has the substantially semicircle cross section similar to that of the reinforcing member 60 . The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 has a hollow tubular shape having a hollow space 68 within the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 . The auxiliary reinforcing member 66 is formed integrally with the back panel wall 250 in a manner to project from the interior of the back panel wall 250 of the main frame 1 A. The reason why the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 has a tubular shape is the same as that of the reinforcing member 60 . Additionally, a method to form the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 is the same as that of the reinforcing member 60 . [0071] The above arrangement of the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 ensures the rigidity of the back panel wall 250 . Therefore, a sewing machine including the above main frame 1 A can advantageously prevent horizontal and vertical vibrations of the main frame 1 A caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing smooth stitch forming action [0072] In the above embodiment, the main frame 1 A is provided with the reinforcing member 60 and the auxiliary reinforcing member 66 , while the frame cover 1 B does not has any reinforcing member and auxiliary reinforcing member (See FIG. 11). The reason why frame cover 1 B has no reinforcing member is as follows: the main frame 1 A accommodates the stitch forming mechanism including the tope mechanism 3 for reciprocating the needle 16 and the lower mechanism 4 for rotating the rotary hook 23 . Therefore, vibrations or displacement are more easily induced to the main frame 1 A than the frame cover 1 B. However, the frame cover 1 B may be provided with a reinforcing member or an auxiliary reinforcing member, if necessary. In that case, the frame cover 1 B obtains stronger rigidity. [0073] Inside Wall Reinforcing Rib [0074] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an inside wall reinforcing rib 70 for reinforcing the inner surface wall 51 of the main frame 1 A facing the space 9 is provided on the inside of the back panel wall 250 around the periphery of the space 9 . A lot of inside wall reinforcing ribs 70 are provided around the periphery of the space 9 from the joint of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 to the joint of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 . [0075] The inside wall reinforcing rib 70 comprises a partitioning rib 71 spaced from the inner surface 51 and a plurality of intermediate ribs 72 intersecting with the inner surface 51 and partitioning rib 71 . The partitioning rib 71 extends from the inside of the back panel wall 250 and parallel and perpendicularly to the inner surface wall 51 in a continuous manner. The intermediate rib 72 extends from the inside of the back panel wall 250 between the inner surface wall 51 and the partitioning rib 71 at a constant intervals perpendicularly to the back panel wall 250 . The intermediate rib 72 connects the inner surface wall 51 to the partitioning rib 71 , and connects the inner surface wall 51 and the partitioning rib 71 to the back panel wall 250 . The above arrangement of the inner surface wall 51 , the partitioning rib 71 , and the intermediate ribs 72 provides a plurality of cells 73 in the space between the inner surface 51 and partitioning rib 71 . The intermediate ribs 72 are arranged radially from a center point located in the space 9 , because the inner surface wall 51 surrounding the space 9 has a semicircle shape. Accordingly, each intermediate rib 72 intersects the inner surface 51 and partitioning rib 71 at a perpendicular angle. Thus, the arrangement of the ribs is optimized, thereby reinforcing the inner surface wall 51 advantageously. [0076] The above structure of the inside wall reinforcing ribs 70 provides the rigidity equal to that of the inner surface wall 51 having a considerable thickness. In other words, the above structure of the inside wall reinforcing ribs 70 ensures the rigidity over the back panel wall 250 from the area adjacent to the joint of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 , through the cantilever support 7 , to the area adjacent to the joint of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 . A sewing machine having the main frame 1 A can prevent horizontal and vertical vibrations of the main frame 1 A caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing a smooth stitch forming action. [0077] In the above embodiment, the inside wall reinforcing ribs 70 are provided on the back panel wall 250 from the joint of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 through the 7 through the 7 to the joint of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 . In another embodiment, the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 may be formed over the whole of the inner surface wall 51 . In the above embodiment, a lot of intermediate ribs 72 are provided. However, in another embodiment, the number of the intermediate ribs 72 may be only one or a few. Each of the intermediate ribs 72 may be coupled or crossed to each other, so that the resultant arrangement of the intermediate ribs 72 may have honeycomb or diagram shape. [0078] As described above, the hollow reinforcing member 60 having a substantially semicircle shape is formed integrally with the back panel wall 250 around the inner surface wall 51 . In other words, both the reinforcing member 60 and the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 are formed at the substantially same positions on the inner surface wall 51 . Especially, the reinforcing member 60 is located near the back panel wall 250 inside of the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 . The inside wall reinforcing rib 70 projects from the surface of the reinforcing member 60 . The above structure is necessary to obtain considerable reinforcement, because stress induced by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 is concentrated on the inner surface wall 51 . In addition, the space around the inner surface wall 51 has sufficient spare room because the stitch forming mechanism is not mounted. Therefore, the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 having a considerable height can be formed. [0079] Outside Wall Reinforcing Rib [0080] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, outside wall reinforcing ribs 80 are formed in a matrix shape over nearly the entire inside of the back panel wall 250 . The outside wall reinforcing rib 80 projects from the inside of the back panel wall 250 . The outside wall reinforcing rib 80 is formed of vertical ribs 81 vertically oriented when the sewing machine is placed on a working surface, and horizontal ribs 82 oriented horizontally when the sewing machine is in the same position. As shown in FIGS. 6 (A) and 6 (B), these vertical ribs 81 and horizontal ribs 82 are approximately perpendicular to the back panel wall 250 . The ends of the vertical ribs 81 and horizontal ribs 82 are joined with the side wall 251 on the side portions of the main frame 1 A. The spaces surrounded by pairs of intersecting vertical ribs 81 , 81 and horizontal ribs 82 , 82 form approximately square or rectangular shaped cells 83 . Hence, a plurality of cells 83 are formed on the back side of the back panel wall 250 . [0081] Among the cells 83 , the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 defining a cell 83 having a wider area is formed to have a higher height from the back panel wall 250 , compared to a cell 83 having a narrower area. The above structure of the cell 83 will be explained with respect to a wider cell 83 A located on the right side of the arm conducting shaft supports 144 in the cantilever support 7 (see FIGS. 4 and 5), and a narrower cell 83 B located on the lower-right side of the needle bar holder mount 141 in the arm 6 (see FIGS. 4 and 5). [0082] As shown in FIG. 5, the vertical length X of the wider cell 83 A is identical to the vertical length U of the narrower cell 83 B. On the other hand, the horizontal length Y of the wider cell 83 A is longer more than two times of the horizontal length V of the narrower cell 83 B. Thus, the area of the wider cell 83 A is wider than that of the narrower cell 83 B. [0083] Referring to FIG. 6(A), the height Z from the 250 of the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 constituting the wider cell 83 A (horizontal rib 82 ) is higher than the height W from the back panel wall 250 of the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 constituting the narrower cell 83 B (vertical rib 81 ). In the case where the outside wall reinforcing ribs 80 have different height from each other due to requirements for a design of the main frame 1 A, the wider area of the higher outside wall reinforcing rib 80 and the narrower area of the narrower outside wall reinforcing rib 80 lead to the uniform rigidity over the whole of the back panel wall 250 . Accordingly, the action of stress on the particular point on the back panel wall 250 can be avoided. Thus, the main frame 1 A ensures considerable rigidity as a whole. [0084] The outside wall reinforcing rib 80 on the accommodating part for the stitch forming mechanism in the arm 6 or the bed 8 has a lower height from the back panel wall 250 than those of the outside wall reinforcing ribs 80 on the inside of the back panel wall 250 other than the accommodating part. In other words, as described above, the narrower cell 83 B is located on the right-lower side of the needle bar holder mount 141 for mounting the needle bar holder 14 constituting the tope mechanism 3 , thereby corresponding to the part accommodating the stitch forming mechanism. Therefore, the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 (vertical rib 81 ) has a relatively lower height W from the back panel wall 250 so as to face the stitch forming mechanism at a closer distance. On the other hand, the wider cell 83 A is not a part for accommodating the stitch forming mechanism. Accordingly, as described above, the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 (horizontal rib 82 ) has a relatively higher height Z form the back panel wall 250 . However, the above structure may lead to insufficient rigidity over the part for accommodating the stitch forming mechanism. To overcome the above problem, the narrower area of the cell 83 , that is, the formation of the narrower cell 83 B, results in the increase of the rigidity thereof. The resultant rigidity is substantially the same as that of the wider cell 83 A. Accordingly, the concentration of stress to a certain point of the back panel wall 250 can be prevented, so that the main frame 1 A can obtain sufficient rigidity. [0085] The above arrangement of the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 ensures the sufficient rigidity of the back panel wall 250 , thereby minimizing or restricting distortion appearing on the back panel wall 250 of the arm 6 due to the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 . The above arrangement of the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 also minimizes distortion appearing on the back panel wall 250 of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 due to the distortion of the arm 6 . In this embodiment, the outside wall reinforcing ribs 80 extend in vertical and horizontal directions on the back panel wall 250 to define the cells 83 . This arrangement results in the sufficient rigidity of the back panel wall 250 in the case where the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 is not allowed to have a higher height in order that the main frame 1 A accommodates the stitch forming mechanism. Accordingly, a sewing machine having the above main frame 1 A can prevent vertical and horizontal vibrations of the main frame 1 A caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing a smooth stitch forming action. [0086] In another embodiment, the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 may not be formed over the whole back panel wall 250 , but be formed over only the part of the back panel wall 250 which needs sufficient rigidity of the back panel wall 250 for accommodating the stitch forming mechanism. In another embodiment, the outside wall reinforcing ribs 80 may be arranged in order that the cells 83 have hexagonal or octagonal shapes. [0087] It should be noted that the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 has a higher height from the back panel wall 250 than that of the outside wall reinforcing rib 80 . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 8(A), at the base end of the arm 6 , the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 is formed at a height from the back panel wall 250 reaching the dividing plane 52 . In contrast, the vertical ribs 81 reach approximately halfway to the dividing plane 52 from the back panel wall 250 . As shown in FIG. 8(B), in the center portion of the cantilever support 7 , the intermediate ribs 72 have a height from the sidewall 50 reaching the dividing plane 52 . In contrast, the horizontal ribs 82 reach less than half the height of the dividing plane 52 from the sidewall 50 . A high rigidity is necessary for the inner surface wall 51 since stress generated by the vertical movement of the needle 16 is concentrated in this area. On the other hand, these height differences are necessary to maintain space at the inside of the back panel wall 250 for accommodating the stitch forming mechanism including the top mechanism 3 and the lower mechanism 4 . [0088] Couplings [0089] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, a plurality of couplings 90 , 92 , 94 , and 96 are provided in the back panel wall 250 of the main frame 1 A for joining the main frame 1 A to the frame cover 1 B. The coupling 90 is formed near the inner surface wall 51 in the area adjacent to the joint of the bed 8 and the cantilever support 7 . More specially, the coupling 90 is placed in the vicinity of the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 and the reinforcing member 60 . The above arrangement of the coupling 90 is aimed at preventing distortion of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 which causes swings of the top portion of the cantilever support 7 during the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 . The coupling 92 is formed near the inner surface wall 51 at the joint area of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 . More particularly, the coupling 92 is placed in the vicinity of the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 and the reinforcing member 60 . The coupling 94 is formed near the inner surface wall 51 in the vicinity of the end of the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 near the arm 6 . The couplings 92 , 94 are placed on the circumference of the semicircle of the space 9 at constant intervals with respect to the coupling 90 . A plurality of couplings 96 are formed on the sides and the corners of the inside of the back panel wall 250 in order to couple the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B by a uniform pressure. [0090] Screw holes 91 , 93 , 95 , and 97 are formed inside the couplings 90 , 92 , 94 , and 96 . The main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B can be detachably joined together by inserting screws (not shown) in the screw holes 91 , 93 , 95 , and 97 when the couplings 90 , 92 , 94 , and 96 are aligned with couplings 190 , 192 , 194 , and 196 (see FIG. 11) provided in corresponding positions on the frame cover 1 B. Accordingly, the sewing machine is easily assembled by mounting the stitch forming mechanism to the main frame 1 A, and then screwing the frame cover 1 B to the main frame 1 A, thereby enabling cost reductions. In the case of maintenance, only undoing the screws leads to remove of the frame cover 1 B from the main frame 1 A, so that all the stitch forming mechanism is exposed. Therefore, the maintenance work is facilitated. In the present embodiment, screws are used to join the main frame 1 A to the frame cover 1 B, but bolts and nuts may also be used in place of the screws. [0091] When stress induced by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 forces the inner surface wall 51 of the main frame 1 A and an inner surface wall 161 of the frame cover 1 B to relatively move in a vertical or horizontal directions, relative movement of the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B is restricted because a plurality of couplings 190 , 192 , and 194 (see FIG. 11) are arranged around the inner surface walls 51 , 161 . Therefore, the inner surface wall 51 of the main frame 1 A remains contact with the inner surface wall 161 of the frame cover 1 B. A appropriate coupling between the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B is maintained. Stress is transmitted from the main frame 1 A including the stitch forming mechanism which generates vibrations to the frame cover 1 B through the inner surface walls 51 , 161 which are contact to each other, thereby dispersing over the whole frame 1 . The stress dispersion ensures the sufficient rigidity of the frame 1 . As a result, a sewing machine including the frame 1 can prevent vertical vibrations and horizontal swings of the frame 1 induced by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing a smooth stitch forming action. [0092] In another embodiment, two or more than four couplings may be formed around the inner surface wall 51 of the main frame 1 A. [0093] Protrusions [0094] As shown in FIG. 4, protrusions 100 , 101 , 102 , and 103 are formed on the main frame 1 A at the dividing plane 52 . These protrusions 100 , 101 , 102 , and 103 engage with engaging units 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 provided on the frame cover 1 B at the dividing plane 52 (see FIG. 11) when the main frame 1 A is joined with the frame cover 1 B. The protrusions 100 , 101 , 102 , and 103 are aimed at limiting the relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B in the horizontal direction. [0095] Next, the reason that the sewing machine frame of the present invention is configured in this way will be described. As mentioned earlier, a swing effect occurs in the horizontal direction in the top portion of the cantilever support 7 due to the vertical movement of the needle 16 . When this happens, the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B can move relative to one another in the horizontal direction, shifting their relative positions. When this positional shifting occurs, a reliable joined state cannot be maintained, resulting in insufficient rigidity, thereby promoting vibrations and displacement in the frame 1 . Moreover, the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B are joined by screws through considerable pressure, causing a large frictional coefficient. As a result, when the relative position of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B shifts, they do not easily return to their original positions. The above construction is employed because it is necessary to prevent such shifting in the relative position of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B from occurring. With this construction, it is possible to maintain sufficient rigidity in the frame 1 . [0096] As shown in FIG. 9(A), the protrusion 100 protrudes from the bottom of the arm 6 at the dividing plane 52 substantially perpendicular to the frame cover 1 B and near the border between the horizontal portion on which the mechanism for reciprocally driving the needle 16 is supported and the semicircular portion by which the space 9 is formed. An opening 143 is formed in the front end of the arm 6 from which the reciprocally driving mechanism protrudes downward. The protrusion 100 is positioned to one side of the opening 143 . The protrusion 100 fits in the engaging unit 111 provided on the arm 6 of the frame cover 1 B (see FIG. 11). This configuration prevents relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B generated by vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of arm 6 . [0097] As shown in FIG. 9(B), the protrusions 101 and 102 protrude from the top of the bed 8 at the dividing plane 52 , that is, at both ends of an opening 149 approximately perpendicular to the frame cover 1 B. The opening 149 is aimed for exposing rotary hook 23 . The protrusions 101 , 102 are fitted into engaging units 112 , 113 provided in the bed 8 of the frame cover 1 B (see FIG. 11). The above arrangement can prevent relative movement of both the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B caused by vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of the bed 8 in the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B. [0098] Referring to FIGS. 8 (B), 8 (C), the protrusion 103 protrudes to the frame cover 1 B being coupled at a predetermined point on the dividing plane 52 around the space 9 . The predetermined point is placed on the intermediate rib 72 constituting the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 in the vicinity of a cross point with the inner surface wall 51 around the space 9 . The protrusion 103 fits a channel-shaped engaging unit 114 (see FIG. 11) provided the periphery of the frame cover 1 B facing the space 9 . The above structure prevents vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 around space 9 , thereby restricting relative movement of the coupled main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B. [0099] Referring to FIG. 9(A), an engaging unit 110 for receiving the protrusion 104 (see FIG. 11) protruding from the dividing plane 52 below the arm 6 of the frame cover 1 B. The place of the engaging unit 110 is on the dividing plane 52 below the arm 6 of the main frame 1 A. The above arrangement prevents vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of the arm 6 of the coupled main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B, thereby restricting relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B. [0100] Top Edge [0101] As shown in FIGS. 4 and 7(A), a top edge 120 is formed across the top of the main frame 1 A for contacting the frame cover 1 B. A raised step 121 is formed across nearly the entire top edge 120 , the bottom of raised step 121 protruding toward the frame cover 1 B. The protruding portion of the raised step 121 fits into a recessed step 126 formed in a top edge 125 of the frame cover 1 B for contacting the main frame 1 A (see FIG. 11). By engaging the raised step 121 with the recessed step 126 from above, this construction can limit the relative movement of the main frame 1 A in the upward direction. [0102] Next, the reason that the sewing machine frame of the present invention is configured in this way will be described. As mentioned earlier, the portion of the main frame 1 A near the arm 6 vibrates in the vertical direction due to the vertical movement of the needle 16 . In particular, the main frame 1 A on which the top mechanism 3 is mounted for supporting the needle 16 tends to move in the upward direction. When this happens, the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B can move relative to one another in the vertical direction, shifting their relative positions. When this positional shifting occurs, a reliable joined state cannot be maintained, resulting in insufficient rigidity, thereby promoting vibrations and displacement in the frame 1 . Moreover, the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B are joined by screws through considerable pressure, causing a large frictional coefficient. As a result, when the relative position of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B shifts, they do not easily return to their original positions. The above construction is employed because it is necessary to prevent such shifting in the relative position of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B from occurring. With this construction, it is possible to maintain sufficient rigidity in the frame 1 . [0103] While the raised step 121 in the present embodiment is formed across nearly the entire length of the top edge 120 of the main frame 1 A that contacts the frame cover 1 B, it is not necessary for the raised step 121 to span the entire length of the top edge 120 . In view of the reason described above for forming the raised step 121 , however, it is desirable that the raised step 121 be formed on the top edge 120 at least at portions of the main frame 1 A corresponding to the arm 6 . Similarly, the recessed step 126 (see FIG. 11) should be formed on the top edge 125 at least on portions of the frame cover 1 B that correspond to the arm 6 . With this construction, it is possible to achieve sufficient rigidity for the arm 6 . [0104] A bottom edge 130 is formed across the bottom of the main frame 1 A for contacting the frame cover 1 B. A raised step 131 is formed across nearly the entire length of the bottom edge 130 , the top of the raised step 131 protruding toward the frame cover 1 B. As shown in FIG. 7(B), the raised step 131 comprises an insertion part 132 for inserting into a recessed step 136 (see FIG. 11) formed on a bottom edge 135 of the frame cover 1 B for contacting the main frame 1 A; a sliding surface 133 for guiding the raised step 131 into the recessed step 136 ; and an engaging wall 134 for engaging in the recessed step 136 after the recessed step 136 has been slid to a prescribed position. By inserting the insertion part 132 in the recessed step 136 of the frame cover 1 B and engaging the sliding surface 133 with the bottom of the recessed step 136 , it is possible to limit relative movement of the main frame 1 A in the downward direction. [0105] Next, the reason that the sewing machine frame of the present invention is configured in this way will be described. As mentioned earlier, the portion of the main frame 1 A tends to move upward due to the vertical movement of the needle 16 . When this happens, the bed 8 of the frame cover 1 B engaged with the main frame 1 A attempts to move downward relative to the main frame 1 A. As a result, the frame cover 1 B shifts vertically from the main frame 1 A, promoting the generation of vibrations and displacement in the frame 1 . Hence, it is necessary to prevent such shifting in the relative position of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B from occurring. With this construction, it is possible to maintain sufficient rigidity in the frame 1 . [0106] While the raised step 131 in the present embodiment is formed across nearly the entire length of the bottom edge 130 of the main frame 1 A that contacts the frame cover 1 B, it is not necessary for the raised step 131 to span the entire length of the bottom edge 130 . In view of the reason described above for forming the raised step 131 , however, it is desirable that the raised step 131 be formed on the bottom edge 130 at least at portions of the main frame 1 A corresponding to the bed 8 . Similarly, the recessed step 136 (see FIG. 11) should be formed on the bottom edge 135 at least on portions of the frame cover 1 B that correspond to the bed 8 . With this construction, it is possible to achieve sufficient rigidity for the bed 8 . [0107] Here, the sliding surface 133 of the raised step 131 is retracted further internally than the back panel wall 250 of the main frame 1 A. When the recessed step 136 of the frame cover 1 B overlaps this portion, the sidewall of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B become the same height, Accordingly, by engaging the main frame 1 A with the frame cover 1 B, the sidewall of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B forms a continuous surface at this point, improving the appearance of the frame 1 . [0108] While a detailed construction of the raised step 121 described above is not shown in the drawings, this construction is similar to the raised step 131 of the bottom edge 130 shown in FIG. 7(B). However, the raised step 121 is vertically symmetrical to the raised step 131 . [0109] Flame Cover [0110] Next, the frame cover 1 B of the frame 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 10 through needle bar 15 . FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the frame cover 1 B. FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing the internal construction of the frame cover 1 B. FIG. 12 is a plan view showing the internal construction of the frame cover 1 B. FIG. 13 is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the frame cover 1 B indicated by the arrows I in FIG. 12. FIG. 14(A) is a cross-sectional view along the plane of the frame cover 1 B indicated by the arrows J in FIG. 12. FIG. 14(B) is an enlarged view showing the lower end of the frame cover 1 B. FIG. 15(A) is an enlarged plan view along the plane of the frame cover 1 B indicated by the arrows K in FIG. 12. FIG. 15(B) is an enlarged plan view along the plane of the frame cover 1 B indicated by the arrows L in FIG. 12. [0111] As shown in FIG. 10, the frame cover 1 B comprises the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 , and is integrally formed of a synthetic resin with the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 . The semicircular area surrounded by the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 is the space 9 the main frame 1 A substantially comprises the arm 6 , the cantilever support 7 , and the bed 8 formed integrally. The semicircular space surrounded by the arm 6 , cantilever support 7 , and bed 8 is a space 9 . [0112] In addition, the frame cover 1 B comprises a front panel wall 252 constituting a front side of the sewing machine, and side wall 253 extending from a peripheral edge 252 a of the front panel wall 252 . Especially, the surface of the frame cover 1 B facing the space 9 is designated as an inner surface wall 161 . A side portion of the arm 6 is provided with a thread cassette mount 203 in which a thread cassette including different kinds of thread. [0113] Inside Wall Reinforcing Rib [0114] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, an inside wall reinforcing rib 170 for reinforcing the inner surface wall 161 of the frame cover 1 B facing the space 9 is provided on the inside of the front panel wall 252 around the periphery of the space 9 . A lot of inside wall reinforcing ribs 170 are provided around the periphery of the space 9 from the joint of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 to the joint of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 in order to surround the inner surface wall 161 . [0115] The inside wall reinforcing rib 170 comprises a partitioning rib 171 spaced from the inner surface 161 and a plurality of intermediate ribs 172 intersecting with the inner surface 161 and partitioning rib 171 . The partitioning rib 171 extends from the inside of the front panel wall 252 and parallel and perpendicularly to the inner surface wall 161 in a continuous manner. The intermediate rib 172 extends from the inside of the front panel wall 252 between the inner surface wall 161 and the partitioning rib 171 at a constant intervals perpendicularly to the front panel wall 252 . The intermediate rib 172 connects the inner surface wall 161 to the partitioning rib 171 , and connects the inner surface wall 161 and the partitioning rib 171 to the front panel wall 252 . The above arrangement of the inner surface wall 161 , the partitioning rib 171 , and the intermediate ribs 172 provides a plurality of cells 173 in the space between the inner surface 161 and partitioning rib 171 . The intermediate ribs 172 are arranged radially from a center point located in the space 9 , because the inner surface wall 161 surrounding the space 9 has a semicircle shape. Accordingly, each intermediate rib 172 intersects the inner surface 161 and partitioning rib 171 at a perpendicular angle. Thus, the arrangement of the ribs is optimized, thereby reinforcing the inner surface wall 161 advantageously. [0116] The above structure of the inside wall reinforcing ribs 170 provides the rigidity equal to that of the inner surface wall 161 having a considerable thickness. In other words, the above structure of the inside wall reinforcing ribs 170 ensures the rigidity over the front panel wall 252 from the area adjacent to the joint of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 , through the cantilever support 7 , to the area adjacent to the joint of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 . A sewing machine having the frame cover 1 B can prevent horizontal vibrations and swings of the frame cover 1 B caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing a smooth stitch forming action. [0117] In the above embodiment, the inside wall reinforcing ribs 170 are provided on the front panel wall 252 from the joint of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 through the 7 through the 7 to the joint of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 . In another embodiment, the inside wall reinforcing rib 170 may be formed over the whole of the inner surface wall 161 . In the above embodiment, a lot of intermediate ribs 172 are provided. However, in another embodiment, the number of the intermediate ribs 172 may be only one or a few. Each of the intermediate ribs 172 may be coupled or crossed to each other, so that the resultant arrangement of the intermediate ribs 172 may have a honeycomb or diagram shape. [0118] In order to further support the partitioning rib 171 of the inside wall reinforcing ribs 170 , a supplemental concave wall reinforcing rib 177 is provided outside of the inside wall reinforcing ribs 170 . The supplemental concave wall reinforcing rib 177 comprises an auxiliary partitioning rib 174 and a plurality of auxiliary intermediate ribs 175 . The auxiliary partitioning rib 174 is provided in a continuous manner along the partitioning rib 171 , while being spaced from the partitioning rib 171 . The auxiliary intermediate ribs 175 intersect the partitioning rib 171 and partitioning rib 174 at predetermined intervals, and form a plurality of cells or compartments 176 between the partitioning rib 171 and partitioning rib 174 . This construction attains further rigidity of the inner surface 161 of the space 9 . In another embodiment, supplemental concave wall reinforcing ribs may be provided outside of the inside wall reinforcing rib 70 of the main frame 1 A, if the main frame 1 A has sufficient spare space. [0119] Outside Wall Reinforcing Rib [0120] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, outside wall reinforcing ribs 180 are formed in a matrix shape over nearly the entire inside of the front panel wall 252 . The outside wall reinforcing rib 180 projects from the inside of the front panel wall 252 . The outside wall reinforcing rib 180 is formed of vertical ribs 181 vertically oriented when the sewing machine is placed on a working surface, and horizontal ribs 182 oriented horizontally when the sewing machine is in the same position. As shown in FIGS. 13 and 14(A), these vertical ribs 181 and horizontal ribs 182 are approximately perpendicular to the front panel wall 252 . The ends of the vertical ribs 181 and horizontal ribs 182 are joined with the side wall 253 on the side portions of the frame cover 1 B. The upper ends of the vertical ribs 181 are not coupled to the side wall 253 . This is because the upper portion of the frame cover 1 B needs sufficient space to accommodate thread cassettes and an LED display substrate. The spaces surrounded by pairs of intersecting vertical ribs 181 , 181 and horizontal ribs 182 , 182 form approximately square or rectangular shaped cells 183 . Hence, a plurality of cells 183 are formed on the back side of the front panel wall 252 . [0121] Among the cells 183 , the outside wall reinforcing rib 180 defining a cell 183 having a wider area is formed to have a higher height from the front panel wall 252 , compared to a cell 183 having a narrower area. The outside wall reinforcing rib 180 on the accommodating part for the stitch forming mechanism in the arm 6 or the bed 8 has a lower height from the front panel wall 252 than those of the outside wall reinforcing ribs 180 on the inside of the front panel wall 252 other than the accommodating part. The cells 183 in the vicinity of the accommodating part for the stitch forming mechanism have narrower areas than those of the cells 183 provided on the area other than the accommodating part. The reason the above arrangement has been adopted is the same as that of the main frame 1 A, so that detailed explanation will be omitted. [0122] The above arrangement of the outside wall reinforcing rib 180 ensures the sufficient rigidity of the front panel wall 252 , thereby minimizing or restricting distortion appearing on the front panel wall 252 of the arm 6 due to the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 . The above arrangement of the outside wall reinforcing rib 180 also minimizes distortion appearing on the front panel wall 252 of the cantilever support 7 and the bed 8 due to the distortion of the arm 6 . In this embodiment, the outside wall reinforcing ribs 180 extend in vertical and horizontal directions on the front panel wall 252 to define the cells 183 . This arrangement results in the sufficient rigidity of the front panel wall 252 in the case where the outside wall reinforcing rib 180 is not allowed to have a higher height in order that the frame cover 1 B accommodates the stitch forming mechanism. Accordingly, a sewing machine having the above frame cover 1 B can prevent vertical and horizontal vibrations of the frame cover 1 B caused by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 , thereby performing a smooth stitch forming action. [0123] It should be noted that the inside wall reinforcing rib 170 has a higher height from the front panel wall 252 than that of the outside wall reinforcing rib 180 . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 14(A), at the base end of the arm 6 , the inside wall reinforcing rib 170 is formed at a height from the front panel wall 252 reaching the dividing plane 52 . In contrast, the vertical ribs 181 reach approximately halfway to the dividing plane 52 from the front panel wall 252 . The reason is as follows: the inner surface wall 161 needs sufficient rigidity, because stress induced by the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 generally tends to concentrate on the inner surface wall 161 . [0124] In another embodiment, the outside wall reinforcing rib 180 may be provided on the only part of the frame cover 1 B. Alternatively, the frame cover 1 B may have no outside wall reinforcing rib 180 . The frame cover 1 B does not need so high rigidity as that of the main frame 1 A. [0125] Couplings [0126] As shown in FIGS. 11 and 12, a plurality of couplings 190 , 192 , 194 , and 196 are provided in the front panel wall 252 of the main frame 1 A for joining the main frame 1 A to the frame cover 1 B. The coupling 190 , 192 , 194 , and 196 are placed at positions corresponding to the positions of the couplings 90 , 92 , 94 , and 94 of the main frame 1 A. The coupling 190 is formed near the inner surface wall 161 in the area adjacent to the joint of the bed 8 and the cantilever support 7 . More specially, the coupling 190 is placed in the vicinity of the inside wall reinforcing rib 170 formed outside of the inner surface wall 161 . The above arrangement of the coupling 190 is aimed at preventing distortion of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 which causes swings of the top portion of the cantilever support 7 during the reciprocating motion of the needle 16 . The coupling 192 is formed near the inner surface wall 161 at the joint area of the arm 6 and the cantilever support 7 . More particularly, the coupling 192 is placed in the vicinity of the inside wall reinforcing rib 170 outside of the inner surface wall 161 . The coupling 194 is formed near the inner surface wall 161 in the vicinity of the end of the inside wall reinforcing rib 170 near the arm 6 . The couplings 192 , 194 are placed on the circumference of the semicircle of the space 9 at constant intervals with respect to the coupling 190 . A plurality of couplings 196 are formed on the sides and the corners of the inside of the back panel wall 250 in order to couple the main frame 1 A and the frame cover 1 B by a uniform pressure. [0127] Screw holes 191 , 193 , 195 , and 197 are formed inside the couplings 190 , 192 , 194 , and 196 . The main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B can be detachably joined together by inserting screws (not shown) in the screw holes 191 , 193 , 195 , and 197 when the couplings 190 , 192 , 194 , and 196 are aligned with couplings 90 , 92 , 94 , and 96 provided in corresponding positions on the main frame 1 A. [0128] Engaging Unit [0129] As shown in FIG. 11, engaging units 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 are formed in the frame cover 1 B at the dividing plane 52 . These engaging units 111 , 112 , 113 , and 114 engage with protrusions 100 , 101 , 102 , and 103 provided on the main frame 1 A at the dividing plane 52 (see FIG. 4) when the main frame 1 A is joined with the frame cover 1 B and function to limit the relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B in the horizontal direction. [0130] As shown in FIG. 15(A), the engaging unit 111 is recessed in the bottom of the arm 6 on the frame cover 1 B at the dividing plane 52 and on one side of an opening 200 through which the mechanism for reciprocally driving the needle 16 protrudes downward. The engaging unit 111 engages with the protrusion 100 (see FIG. 4) formed on the arm 6 of the main frame 1 A. This construction limits relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B generated by vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of the arm 6 . [0131] As shown in FIG. 15(B), the engaging units 112 and 113 are recessed in the top of the bed 8 at the dividing plane 52 and on both sides of an opening 202 for exposing the rotary hook 23 . The engaging units 112 and 113 engage with the protrusions 101 and 102 formed on the bed 8 of the main frame 1 A (see FIG. 4). This construction restricts relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B caused by vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of the bed 8 . [0132] As shown in FIG. 11, the engaging unit 114 is formed in a continuous channel on the inner surface 161 of the space 9 . The protrusions 103 provided on the main frame 1 A (see FIG. 4) engage with this channel portion. This construction restricts relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B caused by vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of the space 9 . [0133] Protrusion [0134] As shown in FIG. 15(A), the protrusion 104 is formed on the bottom of the arm 6 of the frame cover 1 B at the dividing plane 52 and on the opposite side of the opening 200 as that in which the engaging unit 111 is formed. The protrusion 104 protrudes substantially perpendicularly to the frame cover 1 B. The protrusion 104 fits in the engaging unit 110 provided on the arm 6 of the main frame 1 A (see FIG. 4). This construction restricts relative movement of the main frame 1 A and frame cover 1 B caused by vibrations and displacement at the dividing plane 52 of the arm 6 . [0135] Recessed Top Edge [0136] As shown in FIG. 14(A), the recessed step 126 is formed across nearly the entire top edge 125 on the frame cover 1 B that contacts the main frame 1 A for accommodating the raised step 121 formed on the top edge 120 of the main frame 1 A and engaging the raised step 121 from the top. As shown in FIG. 14(B), the recessed step 126 comprises an engaging wall 127 protruding toward the main frame 1 A for engaging the raised step 121 of the main frame 1 A when the raised step 121 is guided to a prescribed position; a sliding surface 128 for guiding the raised step 121 ; and an accommodating portion 129 for accommodating the insertion part of the raised step 121 . By accommodating the insertion part of the raised step 121 in the accommodating portion 129 and when the sliding surface of the raised step 121 engages with the sliding surface 128 from above, it is possible to limit relative movement of the main frame 1 A in the upward direction. [0137] The recessed step 136 is formed across nearly the entire bottom edge 135 of the frame cover 1 B that contacts the main frame 1 A for accommodating the raised step 131 formed on the bottom edge 130 of the main frame 1 A and engaging the raised step 131 from below. While a detailed construction of the recessed step 136 is not shown in the drawings, this construction is basically the same as the recessed step 126 of the top edge 125 shown in FIG. 14(B). However, the recessed step 136 is vertically symmetrical to the recessed step 126 . By engaging the raised step 131 with the recessed step 136 , it is possible to limit the relative movement of the main frame 1 A in the downward direction. [0138] It is understood that the foregoing description and accompanying drawings set forth the preferred embodiments of the invention at the present time. Various modifications, additions and alternative designs will, of course, become apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing teachings without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosed invention. Thus, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments but may be practiced within the full scope of the appended claims.
A sewing machine frame having reinforced structure for use in a sewing machine is disclosed. The sewing machine frame has a frame member formed of a synthetic resin and having a bed portion, a tower portion upstanding from the bed portion, and an arm portion extending from the tower portion at a position above the bed portion, the bed portion, the tower portion and the arm portion being formed integrally and providing a concaved peripheral wall defining a stitch working space. The sewing machine frame is characterized by a peripheral wall reinforcing rib protruding from the frame member, the peripheral wall reinforcing rib extending along the peripheral wall and ranging at least from a boundary between the bed portion and the tower portion to a boundary between the tower portion and the arm portion.
3
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to integrated circuits, and more particularly, to an improved system for making electrical contact to silicon substrates in which the contact must withstand high temperatures in the presence of oxygen. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION As memory densities increase, memories utilizing ceramic dielectrics become increasingly attractive because of the high dielectric constants provided by ceramics such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT). For example, in DRAMs, the data is stored as a charge on a capacitor. The length of time between refresh cycles is determined by the size of the capacitor. As the size of the memory cell is reduced, the size of the capacitor must also be reduced, thereby leading to a decrease in the time interval between refresh cycles. To maintain reasonable intervals between refresh cycles, the capacitance of the capacitors must be increased without increasing the physical size of the capacitors. The simplest method for obtaining higher capacitance is to use a dielectric medium with an increased dielectric constant. In prior art systems, the memory capacitors and transistors are fabricated separately, both in time and space. The capacitors and transistors are then connected together during the standard CMOS metalization steps. While this method works adequately for memories up to 64 Mbytes, resulting cell size is too large to allow a cost effective memory to be made at higher densities. To obtain higher densities, the ferroelectric capacitor must be built with the bottom electrode of the capacitor connected directly to the CMOS transistor. This geometry saves a significant amount of space, since the source of the transistor and the capacitor can be built in the same space. This fabrication technique requires the capacitor electrode to be in contact with the silicon structures of the source or the drain during the subsequent deposition of the ceramic dielectric and the sintering operations following that deposition. The temperatures involved in these steps together with the need to have oxygen present lead to the oxidation of the silicon structures. These oxidation reactions lead to high resistance regions that destroy the contact efficiency. Broadly, it is the object of the present invention to provide an improved contact system for use in making connections to silicon structures that can withstand high temperatures in the presence of oxygen. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved contact system for use in connecting ceramic capacitors directly to the gate or drain of a CMOS transistor. These and other objects of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of the invention and the accompanying drawings. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention comprises a method for connecting a silicon substrate to an electrical component via a platinum conductor. The resulting structure may be heated in the presence of oxygen to temperatures in excess of 800° C. without destroying the electrical connection between the silicon substrate and components connected to the platinum conductor. The present invention utilizes a TiN or TiW buffer layer to connect the platinum conductor to the silicon substrate. The buffer layer is deposited as a single crystal on the silicon substrate. The platinum layer is then deposited on the buffer layer. The region of the platinum layer in contact with the buffer layer is also a single crystal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a prior art arrangement of a CMOS transistor connected to a capacitor having a ceramic dielectric. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a transistor having a capacitor built over, and in contact with, the source thereof. FIGS. 3 is a cross-sectional view of a transistor according to the present invention utilizing a TiN barrier layer. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a memory array using the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The manner in which the present invention gains its advantages may be more easily understood with reference to a prior art structure having a capacitor 19 connected to a CMOS transistor 11 as shown in FIG. 1 at 10. Transistor 11 includes a drain 12, gate region comprising gate oxide 15 and gate electrode 16 and a source 14. The gate structures are isolated with the aid of a glass layer 17. Prior to constructing transistor 11, capacitor 19 is constructed by depositing a first electrode 20 on a thermal oxide layer 18. A layer 22 of ceramic material such as PZT is deposited over electrode 20 and then sintered to form a thin film dielectric. A top electrode is then deposited on layer 22. The top and bottom electrodes are typically constructed from platinum or a conductive metal oxide. Bottom electrode 20 is typically constructed by first depositing a glue material such as Titanium onto which the platinum is deposited. After capacitor 11 is completed, source 14 is connected to top electrode 22 by a metal layer 25. Since capacitor 19 occupies a different region of the silicon substrate from that occupied by transistor 11, the area of a cell having both transistor 11 and capacitor 19 is larger than would be the case if capacitor 19 were built over transistor 11. Refer now to FIG. 2 which illustrates the manner in which a capacitor 40 can, in principle, be built over the source 34 of a transistor 32. Cell 30 is constructed by first constructing a CMOS transistor 32 having a drain 33, gate region consisting of gate oxide 35 and gate electrode 36, and source 34. The gate structures are insulated with a glass layer 37. A capacitor 40 is then constructed by depositing a bottom electrode 42 on source 34. A ceramic layer 43 is then deposited and sintered. Finally, the top electrode 41 is deposited. Structures such as that shown in FIG. 2 have been suggested in the literature. However, no metal or oxide structure has been demonstrated that allows a satisfactory bottom electrode to be constructed. For example, if platinum is deposited on the silicon of source 34, oxygen passes through the platinum layer during the sintering of ceramic layer 43 and oxidizes the silicon at the interface with source 34. This leads to a high resistance region which has reduced structural integrity as well as increased resistance. The reduced structural integrity often results in the entire capacitor structure separating from the source because of the stresses associated with the thermal expansion miss-match between the ceramic, bottom layer, and source. The addition of a glue layer such as the titanium layer described above does not solve these problems. The titanium reacts and diffuses into the silicon as well as oxidizes during the high temperature sintering of the ceramic layer. The oxides cause high resistance problems as well as reduced structural integrity. The problems encountered in prior attempts at constructing platinum electrodes in contact with silicon have resulted from the diffusion of oxygen through the platinum layer. The present invention is based on the observation that oxygen diffusion occurs along the grain boundaries in the platinum layer. Hence, if there were no grain boundaries at the platinum interface, oxygen diffusion can be eliminated. In the present invention, this goal is achieved by utilizing a bottom electrode that is a single crystal of platinum, and hence, has no grain structure. It can be shown that a layer of platinum that is deposited on a substrate that is a single crystal forms a single crystal. The source of the transistor is a portion of a single crystal. Hence, in principle, a layer of platinum deposited directly on the source should form a single crystal, and the above-described oxygen diffusion problems avoided. Unfortunately, platinum cannot be deposited directly on silicon. If platinum is deposited on silicon, the silicon and platinum layers diffuse into one another during the subsequent high temperature processing steps and create a diode junction. Hence, a barrier layer must be provided between the silicon and the platinum. If this barrier layer is also a single crystal, then the subsequently deposited platinum layer will also form a single crystal if the appropriate deposition conditions are utilized. TiN or TiW may be used as a barrier layer. It should be noted that past attempts to make ferroelectric capacitors with TiN and platinum have failed because the underlying surface was amorphous silicon dioxide. The amorphous foundation leads to a polycrystalline bottom electrode structure. Oxygen diffused through the ferroelectric and platinum along the grain boundaries and reacted with the TiN or TiW causing the structure to fail. The fundamental problem with prior art barriers lies in the exposure to oxygen at high temperatures. Referring to FIG. 3, a capacitor according to the present invention is constructed as follows. First, the bulk CMOS circuit processing is completed through the opening of vias to the transistor source and drain contacts. A single crystal layer 62 of TiN is deposited on the source 61 by sputtering or laser ablation. A single crystal layer 64 of platinum is then deposited on the TiN layer via sputtering, laser ablation, or evaporation. The Pt/TiN layers may be deposited using pulsed laser deposition techniques. The silicon substrate is first cleaned and etched. The substrate is cleaned using semiconductor grade acetone and methanol followed by spin etching using 10% HF solution in ethanol. This cleaning provides an oxide free silicon surface to be used for the deposition of the TiN and Pt layers. The TiN film was deposited using stoichiometric sintered target of TiN. The silicon substrate was transferred to a high vacuum chamber after the cleaning operation described above. The silicon substrate was then heated to 700° C. in vacuum. TiN was then deposited using a 308 nm XeCl excimer laser. The Pt layer was then deposited on the TiN layer. For the deposition of the Pt thin film, the substrate was also maintained at 700° C. in vacuum. The Pt layer was deposited from a Pt target using the same excimer laser. After deposition, the substrate was cooled at a rate of 10° C./min. The thickness of the TiN and Pt layers was of the order of 500 Angstroms. The laser energy used for these depositions was 5-10 J/cm 2 . A layer of ferroelectric material 66 is then deposited along with any interfacial electrode materials. For example, Strontium Ruthenium Oxide (SRO) is often used to isolate the platinum electrode from PZT. In such structures, a layer of SRO is deposited on the platinum before depositing the PZT layer. A second layer of SRO is then deposited on the PZT. The SRO layer reduces the fatigue problems commonly found in ferroelectric capacitors. These materials may be deposited via laser ablation or sputtering. The SRO is deposited at a temperature of 800° C. The PZT may be deposited via sol-gel or vapor deposition techniques. The PZT is then sintered at 850° C. Finally, the second layer of SRO is deposited. To simplify the drawings the SRO layers, if any, have been omitted. The multi-layer structure is then etched into individual capacitors located over each transistor contact. It should be noted that in multi-transistor chips such as ferroelectric memory arrays only the top SRO layer need be etched to form the top electrode of the capacitor. Refer now to FIG. 4 which is a cross-section through two FET 102 and 103 of a ferro-electric memory array according to the present invention. FET 102 has source 104 and drain 105. Similarly, FET 103 has source 106 and drain 107. The sources and gates of the FETs are connected by conductors 108 and 109 prior to fabricating the capacitors used to store the data on the drains. The conductors can be constructed from polysilicon or platinum. After the source and gate lines are connected, an insulating layer is placed over the CMOS circuitry and openings are etched therein to expose the drain regions. TiN and Platinum layers are then deposited in the openings as shown at 114 and 112, respectively. A layer 120 of SRO is then deposited and eteched to form the lower electrodes 120 and 121 of the capacitors. Then a layer 122 of PZT is deposited on the entire surface of the device. Finally, an SRO layer is deposited on the PZT layer and etched to form the top electrodes of the capacitors as shown at 124 and 126. The top electrodes may then be connected by conventional metalization techniques. The regions over the drains 105 and 107 remain as single crystal structures. That is, TiN layer 114, Pt layer 112, the portion of the SRO layer 120 overlying Pt layer 112, and the portion of the PZT layer overlying Pt layer 112 are all single crystal structures. The regions of the SRO layer 120 and PZT layer 122 which do not overlay the single crystal regions, are polycrystalline. However, these polycrystalline regions do not cause the problems discussed above, because the single crystal regions protect the sensitive structures. The entire wafer is then covered with glass, via holes opened therein, and the aluminum interconnects deposited through the via holes. From this point, the processing of the wafer is conventional, and hence, will not be discussed in more detail here. In the case of ferroelectric capacitors, the contact system of the present invention provides additional advantages. In non-volatile ferroelectric memories, data is stored in the remnant polarization of the PZT material. Each time the memory cell is read, the data is destroyed and must be restored. With each re-writing of the data, the difference between the polarization of the two states defining logical 1 and 0 decreases. This phenomena is referred to as fatigue. Fatigue limits the useful lifetime of non-volatile ferroelectric memories. Fatigue is substantially reduced if the ferroelectric material is a single crystal. The ferroelectric layer generated in the present invention is a single crystal when deposited on a single crystal electrode structure. Hence, the contact structure of the present invention provides substantially improved ferroelectric capacitors. Lanthium strontium cobalt oxide(LSCO) may be used in place of SRO. The LSCO may be etched with dilute nitric acid, and hence, is preferred over SRO which requires that the material be deposited as a metal, etched, and then oxidized. Various modifications to the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and accompanying drawings. Accordingly, the present invention is to be limited solely by the scope of the following claims.
A method for connecting a silicon substrate to an electrical component via a platinum conductor. The resulting structure may be heated in the presence of oxygen to temperatures in excess of 800° C. without destroying the electrical connection between the silicon substrate and components connected to the platinum conductor. The present invention utilizes a TiN or TiW buffer layer to connect the platinum conductor to the silicon substrate. The buffer layer is deposited as a single crystal on the silicon substrate. The platinum layer is then deposited on the buffer layer. The region of the platinum layer in contact with the buffer layer is also a single crystal.
8
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a process for rehabilitation or recycling and strengthening of road surfaces using cold recycling technology. More particularly, the invention relates to a process whereby a geomaterial, such as mesh, membrane, textile, grid or fabric membrane, is placed up to 300 mm underneath in-situ road surface material, which has been loosened as part of a regenerative or recycling process, as an added structural benefit to the rehabilitated road structure. The invention also relates to an apparatus suitable for retrofitting to existing paver devices for carrying out the process of the invention. DESCRIPTION OF RELATED ART [0002] Road and pavement surfaces typically comprise structural layers of compacted materials (roadbase) on a compacted subgrade, covered by a friction or surface layer. The friction layer is typically substantially non-structural and is often made up of one or more surface dressing layers which are about 100 mm thickness and which act as water-resistant protective layers with skid resistance. Subgrade, typically formed of non-bound material, is the in-situ native material upon which the road or pavement structure is placed or constructed at selected location. A subgrade that can sustain a high degree of loading without an excessive deformation is considered good quality. Structural layers placed above the sub-grade typically consists of aggregate such as natural gravel or stone (both crushed and uncrushed) and other granular materials, bituminous macadam base, hydraulically bound macadam or treated base, including treatment with lime, cement or bituminous binders. As the structural layer(s) lie immediately beneath the friction layer and upon the subgrade, it is the part of the road construction which imparts most integrity to the overall structure and may be considered to be the part of the structure subjected to most intense loading. Therefore, to maximise road service lifecycle, the structural materials must be of very high quality and great care should be taken during its construction. The friction course, making up the top layer of the road or pavement, is the part of the road structure which forms the driving surface and is in direct contact with the vehicle wheels and typically constitute asphalt materials comprising bitumen binders. The subgrade must be able to receive without deflection loads transmitted from the road or pavement surface through the structural pavement layers. Where the subgrade is weak, it is generally necessary to have a capping or fill layer over the subgrade to increase the subgrade bearing strength before the actual road pavement thickness required can be determined. Critically, the strength of the subgrade will be maintained or even increased by good drainage, with bad drainage weakening an otherwise good subgrade. The primary function of the road base structural layers is to sustain and spread the traffic load sufficiently during transfer downwards to the subgrade formation. The subgrade load bearing capacity is frequently affected by factors including the types of soil, moisture content, and degree of compaction. If the road base structural layers becomes water saturated, the load can not be dissipated to the underlying subgrade in an effective manner; such saturation can occur either from rising water from the subgrade or downward ingress from a friction course which has become pervious. Therefore, free draining subgrade is considered the best while peat type is considered as the poorest type of subgrade material in order to both maximise subgrade strength and minimise water transfer to the roadbase structural layers above. [0003] Road surfaces deteriorate over time as a result of continuous damage resulting from traffic, and more significantly, from environmental stresses, which include thermal stresses such as freeze thaw cycles and cold and heat extremes, together with natural deterioration resulting from aging and crushing in-situ. For instance, some clay soils can shrink and swell depending upon moisture content, whereas soils with excessive fines may be susceptible to frost heave in freezing areas. [0004] Virtually all roads require some form of maintenance before they come to the end of their service life. Weathering and heavy use can loosen chippings and cause road surfaces to become worn, which increases the risk of vehicle skidding. Typical damage includes cracking, pothole formation, surface water ponding and more seriously water infiltration. If the water-resistant protective road surface dressing becomes compromised or becomes loosened, further problems, such as cracking and potholes, are likely to occur, depleting and/or destroying the integrity of the structural layers through downward moisture ingress. Surface water (ponding) occurs when water cannot drain. Ponding is often caused by poor drainage, usually because the drains are blocked or are not fit for purpose, or because the road does not have sufficient slope or camber to allow water to runoff. If left untreated, surface ponding can widen cracks and contribute to the development of potholes and other damage. Spillages, residues from motor engines and farm effluent are also problematic being particularly aggressive to bituminous surfaces and over time can degrade the friction course, making the surface more susceptible to the types of damage discussed above. [0005] Water infiltration causes the most serious damage, particularly in cases where drainage is poor. Typically, road surface drainage occurs across the (veneer) friction course on top of the shaped structural road base layers to an installed drainage system, for example, French drains or a road side ditch. However, if the drainage system is poor or not operating correctly, the water can infiltrate and rests within the road, where repeated vehicle loading can quickly lead to failure as the vehicle load is no longer transferred correctly to the underlying supporting subgrade. For surface dressed roads, aggregates have a greater affinity for water than they do for their bitumen coating. In the presence of water and movement of the aggregate, the binder film on the aggregate particles can become compromised and water can contact with the underlying structural layers which are often of unbound or hydraulically bound aggregate composition. The broken down binder is stripped off the aggregate particles over time and the protective impervious layer is substantially washed away rendering the surface more prone to water infiltration. As the water table rises and falls, for example seasonally, it is clear that good drainage is essential to facilitate the minimisation of seasonal variations in the water table and thus keep the risk of water infiltration and flooding low. When water enters a road structure, water damage is initially caused by pressure from vehicles passing over the road putting stress on the water present in the road pavement. This pressure forces the water further into the core of the road matrix where more damage is caused. The water infiltrates into the structural layers and even the subgrade layer below the road structure weakening the entire road structure. Furthermore, once the surface integrity has been compromised and water enters the road structure, over time the moisture content of the road structure increases with a simultaneous reduction of the road strength, either of individual layers or as a composite structure. The process eventually leads to weakening and failure of the road. The effect can be accelerated under action of freeze thaw cycles in which frost heave occurs. This involves freezing from the surface downwards, which results in water being drawn up from the lower levels. Subsequent layers of ice are formed which cause the road to expand upwards. Water that has entered the road pavement and is subject to the process of freezing (expansion) and thawing during the winter also brings about the swift failure of the road pavement. Not surprisingly, good drainage helps prevent frost heave and frost damage. If the water table below the road or pavement is allowed to rise up into the road matrix construction layers, water can be imbibed into the core of the matrix (facilitated by capillary action). Likewise, if water resting on the surface dressing is not prevented from entering the road or pavement matrix by means of an impervious binder course (for example, bitumen based surface dressing) or a completely impervious bond coat, the water will weaken the road structure and may eventual lead to road failure of the type discussed above. [0006] Surface rehabilitation tackles defects in the upper parts of the road, at a thickness of about 50 mm to 100 mm, whereas structural distress requires recycling or rehabilitation to depths of over 200 mm, even to 300 mm on occasion. Asphalt overlay is the simplest repair process and involves paving a thin 40-50 mm hot mix asphalt overlay onto an existing surface. Damaged layers of asphalt can be milled off and replaced with fresh course while maintaining the supporting layers. Recycling a thin layer of about 50-150 mm of the asphalt layer can be done by hot in-situ processes, whereas deeper conditioning requires cold in-situ or in-plant recycling processes which can tackle rehabilitation at depths of up to 300 mm. Hot paving is useful where the damage is only to the road surface or dressing layers, for example, poor grip or minor surface damage to about 50 mm depth. Hot paving can be carried out by machines such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,011,023, which discloses an asphalt pavement recycling apparatus. This is a machine for hot recycling of a macadam highway pavement, whereby a pickup device removes crumbled pavement material from a roadbed sit, and heaters heat the material as it passes through the machine. Typically the hot recycling process starts with a heating and milling pass to heat and scarify the macadam to be recycled. The relatively soft, hot, lubricated material is easily picked up by a lifting means comprises a chain conveyor having flights which carry the material to heaters within the machine. An applicator applies liquid asphalt to the material to form a rejuvenated mix. Simultaneously, roadbed heaters heat the roadbed site, and an applicator applies liquid asphalt. A spreader spreads the mix on the roadbed site, and adjustable screeds preliminarily form the spread mix for final working into a finished road. Such systems are not suitable for lifting roads milled to greater depths, for example, 100-300 mm, as are used in cold road recycling. Such milled roadbeds are typically full of hard rock and lumps and cannot be easily lifted by existing reprofiling devices. Cold milling machines are first used to mill a thin layer of the surface. Such processed surfaces are ideal for deposition of a thin layer of fresh hot asphalt dressing using a standard road paver. Tack coats of modified butument emulsions may be applied under the dressing to seal the surface and facilitate bonding of the asphalt surface dressing. Such methods are extrement efficient from the time, environment and econonical standpoint. [0007] Even more economical and environmentally friendly are cold paving techniques which can also be used in place of full road replacement. After the cold thin layer milling step which mills the road surface up to 50 mm, the road surface is levelled, and treated paving mixture is applied. The levelled surface and new dressings bond to form a new surface. The cold paving mix is distributed across the full width in two separate layers, the first being the profile, the second the surface course layer. [0008] Hot recycling can be used where wear and tear results in porous, crack or other deformations in the road surface. The process involved heating the existing surface to soften it so that recycler machines can remove the lubricated surface course, mix it with any necessary virgin mix and relaying it using standard asphalt pavers. [0009] Asphalt pavers are quite commonplace and all share a common configuration having a hopper for hot macadam (HMA) in the front, a material feed system for carrying HMA to the rear of the machine by a set of flight conveyor belts, augers for spread out laid material, and a screed for leveling and compacting the surface. Paving machines also have a push roller and truck hitch arrangement which is located on the front of the hopper. The push roller is the portion of the paver that contacts and pushes against trucks that deliver the HMA material to the hopper. The truck hitch holds the transport vehicle in contact with the paver. Trucks reverse to the paver and deposit HMA into the hopper. The material feed system conveys the HMA from the hopper, under the chassis and engine, then to the augers. The amount of HMA carried back by the conveyors is regulated by either variable speed conveyors and augers or flow gates, which can be raised or lowered by the operator or, more often, by an automatic feed control system. The auger receives HMA from the conveyor and spreads it out evenly over the width to be paved. Operation of the material feed system, can have significant effects on overall construction quality and thus long-term pavement performance. HMA must be delivered to maintain a relatively constant delivery of material in front of the screed. This involves maintaining a minimum amount of HMA in the hopper, regulating HMA feed rate by controlling conveyor/auger speed and flow gate openings (if present), and maintaining a constant paving speed. A fluctuating HMA head in front of the screed will affect the screed angle of attack and produce bumps and waves in the finished surface. Furthermore, the hopper should never be allowed to empty during paving as this can results in the leftover cold, large aggregate in the hopper sliding onto the conveyor in a concentrated mass and then being placed on the mat without mixing with any hot or fine aggregate. [0010] Where damage extends into the subgrade, a more serious repair must be undertaken to restore strength and stability. Typically, the road is processed using cold milling techniques, whereby the damaged road layers are milled to depths of up to 300 mm, far greater that those used in hot paving techniques involving surface dressing only. In this fashion surface course, binder and even part of the base layer are milled up together. Binder agents are added in precise amounts depending on measured requirements. All of the worn road material is recycled by adding one or several binding agents. Existing methods and apparatus for carrying out cold regeneration same involve milling the existing road surface, lifting the loosened surface and treating it with chemicals to produce a foamed or otherwise stabilised asphalt cold regeneration layer which is then put down on the original surface and processed to form a regenerated road or pavement surface. Many of the known apparatuses for cold road recycling are large, high cost machines which are inherently unsuitable for smaller regional, local and rural roads. The cold process can be carried out in situ, or in-plant. In situ involves the use of a expensive cold recycling trains, and the treated material is laid on site. Using the in-plant process requires that material is recycled off site to a treatment plant and returned by truck for relaying after treatment. A thin surface course of virgin asphalt mix can be applied on top of the cold recycled layer by standard road pavers, and is then compacted by rollers. The in situ process is extremely efficient, however, many roads are inherently unsuitable for in-situ cold recycling using sizeable cold recycling trains, for example, where serve damage to the subgrade has occurred, poor access, smaller country roads, or heavy traffic flow. In such cases, typically in-plant methods are used as they are less costly than maintaining cold recycling trains. The drawback of the in-plant method mainly arise from a large increase in cost and jobtime as materials have to be hauled from site to the treatment plant and back, rather than utilising the one pass methods facilitated by cold recycling trains. It is therefore one object of the present invention to faciliate alternative means for cold in situ recycling. [0011] As discussed above, hot mix road recycling trains for recycling asphalt and wearing course bituminous macadam have been available for quite some time, but are large and expensive machines and involve high cost operations and are generally only suitable for wide primary road and motorway type projects covering large areas. Such trains are not at all suited to smaller regional and local roads which have not been designed and constructed to a specific design specification. Such roads can vary greatly in thickness and may be built up from layers of pit run, gravel, broken stone or hydraulically bound macadam and so simply hot thin dressing replacement is usually not possible or troublesome. Such roads are typically maintained by repeated rounds of surface dressing replacement of the friction course using asphalt pavers and by occasional deepening and strengthening of sections of the structural layers prior to new surface dressing. Where road or pavement drainage is poor, for example, on regional, local or indeed rural road networks (where drainage of the road surface generally involves poorly maintained ditches adjacent to the roadway) the problems are compounded. Generally, cost and indeed access can limit the type of repair work that be carried out. As it would be difficult and costly to build new roads in these situations, such roads are typically maintained by periodic use of subsequent layers of surface dressing applied using simple paving devices, rather than correction of the fundamental factors leading to the problems. Excessive water infiltration can result in lifting of this top dressing leading to a failed friction course where the required repairs have to be repeatedly and regularly implemented. In reality, cold recycling or complete rehabilitation is the best method to re-strengthen and stabilise such roads. However, for the reasons described above, cold in-situ recycling or indeed cold in-plant recycling may be extremely costly, where appropriate at all. It is one object of the present invention therefore, to provide improved process and an apparatus for cold in-situ recycling of such roads. Cold recycling involves recovering and re-using 100% material from an existing pavement, without the addition of heat. Whereas hot recycling is restricted to heating and reusing upper layers of asphalt material on roads, cold recycling can be applied to both thin layers of asphalt (typically to 50 mm depth) to thicker layers (to about 300 mm) that include more than one different pavement materials (full depth reclamation). One advantage resulting from the cold reclamation being that a single thicker layer of stabilised material is far stronger than separate thin layers making up an equivalent thickness. Furthermore, cold recycling machines are designed to recycle thick paving layers in a single pass. As such, modern recycling machines are usually huge, powerful machines, often set on tracks, and which can have inbuilt milling capacity, pumping systems for addition of binders and other fluids, storage tanks for such chemicals, and paving screens for reprofiling the recycled materials. As mentioned above, the size and oftentimes cost of these powerful machines is prohibitive for their use on small or unstable regional or country roads or paths. [0012] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an alternative, more economical and accessible means for facilitating cold recycling on small or unstable regional or country roads or paths, or the like It is a further object of the present invention to provide means for cold recycling without requiring need for purchase or hire of large and expensive cold recycling machines. Geomaterials are commonly used in road construction for the retardation or prevention of water movement for example vertical movement. Suitably then they comprise continuous sheets of low permeability materials. Using a geomaterial to separate the subgrade from the roadbase by laying a membrane between these layers strengthens the road base by preventing layer contamination resulting from sub-base mixing with sub-grade. Furthermore, such membranes limit damage caused by water infiltration, in addition to preventing surface water pooling. Bitumen coated membranes provide a waterproof layer which can protect the road structure from water infiltration and the resulting damage and weakening of the road. Geotextile membranes provide the drainage, separation and reinforcement required to stabilize the base of roads on soft subgrade. Many geomaterials are specifically for strengthening road as reinforcement acting in conjunction with the structural roadbase layers. These tend to be of the grid variety (with overlapping oriented structural elements) in order to generate friction with surrounding aggregate and providing for load transfer. Where this is used, the total road strength can be increased or the depth of required roadbase structural layers can be minimised, thus reducing the weight of the road, primarily where subgrade is very poor and susceptible to shear failure. If a geomaterial is required, it can only be laid after the road-lifting step has exposed the road base or subgrade. Therefore, where the structural improvement offered by the incorporation of a geomaterial is desired, the process is slow, time-consuming and thus expensive, as the membrane can only be laid when the old road surface is completely removed. Road rehabilitation can only then occur when the geomaterial laying step is complete. This means that there are often disruptive long-term closures while these additional roadworks are taking place. [0013] EP 0 241 803 describes laying down the grid fabric on a road level of a bituminous carrier (asphalt) layer, the layer having been prepared in a pre-fabric laying step. The fabric web is wound onto a carrier sleeve aligned transversely to the direction of fabrication is fixed against the road level and the fabric web is wound off the support sleeve in the direction of fabrication by moving the support sleeve and the mixed product for forming the pavement is applied to the laid-down grid fabric by means of a pavement fabricator, the pavement fabricator equipped with a screed having a beam distributing and releasing the mixed product over the fabrication width in the direction of fabrication behind the screed and having in front of the running gear pushing rollers for the lorries bringing the mixed product to the pavement fabricator. To enable the fabric web to be laid down correctly and without folds and to fix the laid-down web as quickly as possible, the fabric web is wound off a carrier sleeve located between the push rollers and the beam of the pavement fabricator during the fabrication of the pavement and the carrier sleeve is moved together with the pavement fabricator in the direction of fabrication. This device appears to be part of a surface dressing process, where a milling machine has milled and lifted an asphalt surface to a desired depth, and the lifted material is delivered by truck to paver reservoir located on the front of the paver, whereby it is conveyed to the paver screen and overlaid on the deposited fabric. The system is said to be useable with a repaver device; however, neither devices would suitable for cold carrying out recycling process at cold rehabilitation depths. Prior art repavers are only capable of lifting from X to Y mm of milled and/or heated lubricated surface dressing layers, Thus, it is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved process and an apparatus for the placement of such a geomaterial for use during such road rehabilitation or recycling works which is capable of using the existing road materials. An apparatus or process relating to same would advantageously allow in-situ cold road regeneration in a fraction of the time currently required for carrying out this operation, with cost efficiencies, improved safety for workers, increased road service life, reduction in maintenance cost for years, minimising traffic disruption associated with road closures for regular maintenance roadworks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] According to the present invention, as set out in the appended claims, there is provided an in situ recycling process for in situ insertion of a geomaterial underneath a loosened road or pavement surface material comprising the steps of: (i) lifting at least part of the loosened material to leave at least part of the road base or road subgrade exposed; (ii) laying a geomaterial onto the exposed road base or road subgrade; (iii) optionally treating the lifted material with at least additive; and (iv) relaying the treated material to a predetermined profile on top of the geomaterial, [0019] characterised in that the process is carried out in-situ in a single pass by the same apparatus. [0020] Preferably, the process is preceded by the step of adapting an existing paver to operate as an in-situ recycling machine by mounting the apparatus of the invention described below onto the paver. [0021] Thus in a preferred embodiment, there is provided an in situ recycling process for in situ insertion of a geomaterial underneath a loosened road or pavement surface material comprising the steps of: (i) adapting a paver to operate as an in-situ recycling machine by mounting an apparatus as defined herein onto the paver; (ii) lifting at least part of the loosened material with the adapted paver to leave at least part of the road base or road subgrade exposed, wherein loosened material has a depth of from about 1 to 300 mm; (iii) laying a geomaterial onto the exposed road base or road subgrade; (iv) optionally treating the lifted material with at least additive; and (v) relaying the treated material to a predetermined profile on top of the geomaterial, [0027] characterised in that the process is carried out in-situ in a single pass by the adapted paver. [0028] This facilitates lifting at least part of the loosened material with the adapted paver to leave at least part of the road base or road subgrade exposed, wherein loosened material has a depth of from about 1 mm to about 300 mm. Suitably, the loosened material is at a depth of from about 25 mm to about 200 mm. More suitably still, the loosened material is at a depth of from about 100 mm to about 150 mm. [0029] The skilled person will appreciate that loosened road or pavement surface material may comprise any uncompacted road base material. It will be further appreciated that the loosened road or pavement surface material may be hot, cold, hydraulically, cement or bitumen bound. Preferably, the material is cold and the process concerns a cold recycling road rehabilitation process. The present invention thus allows for lifting of the in-situ road materials at a depth of from X to Y, simultaneously laying a geomaterial underneath the loosened and lifted site won materials and relaying the site won materials to an designed road profile over the geomaterial in a one-pass process. This is an extremely efficient process that allows for geomaterial installation up from about 1 mm to 300 mm beneath a road surface. Suitably, the material can be laid at a depth of from about 25 mm to about 200 mm. More suitably still, t a depth of from about 100 mm to about 150 mm. [0030] In a preferred embodiment, the lifted loose road or pavement surface material may be treated with at least one additive, selected to enhance particular mix attributes, for example, a binder, to a pre-selected dosage using a calibrated or metered dosing arrangement. [0031] The skilled person will appreciate that the term “geomaterial” is deemed to include all suitable materials, typically in the form of a flexible sheet and including materials from geogrids to water proof membranes. Suitably, geotextile membranes are one example of the preferred type of geomaterial, but also included are mesh, membrane, textile, grid or fabric membrane. Preferably, the geomaterial will be specially chosen for desired attributes, whether as a water barrier or layer maintenance or as a structural reinforcement, with the appropriate strength, shape and form for site specific application, including expected traffic loading as part of a road design process. [0032] In a preferred embodiment, step (iv) may be followed a pre-compacting step. It will be appreciated that this pre-compacting step may be carried out by any suitable compacting apparatus such as a paving apparatus or other equivalent machinery. [0033] Thus, the invention concerns a highly efficient process for road rehabilitation, particularly, cold rehabilitation of road surfaces to a depth of from 1 to 300 mm, etc. as described above, and more particularly where insertion of a geomaterial is desired at these depths. Thus the process of the invention comprises lifting a loosened surface, with the optional addition of materials such as water or other additive to the lifted material in a calibrated or metered fashion, redepositing the lifted or site won material to form a new rehabilitated and rejuvenated road surface. In a preferred embodiment, the process involves simultaneously laying a selected geomaterial, for example on the exposed road base or subgrade surface, redepositing the lifted or site won material onto the top of the geomaterial, with some compaction of this resulting profile. [0034] The process is advantageous over prior art method of geomaterial placement in that deeper depths can be achieve for laying the geomaterial. The process has been highly streamlined so that significant time and cost savings can be made by facilitating this step in a single pass operation, thus obviating the need for distinct stages in the works usually associated with geomaterial. Significant road closure time is avoided. [0035] Preferably, as much as possible of the loosened road or pavement material is lifted. However, it is normally preferred that none of the clay or soil subgrade material is lifted. Typically, the depth of loose material to be lifted is in the range of about 1 to about 300 mm, more preferably from about 60 to about 200 mm, more preferably still from about 80 to about 150 mm. [0036] While compaction, typically minor compaction, may occur after step (iv), the relaid treated road or pavement material may be compacted after step (iv). Thus, in a preferred embodiment, on-site compaction is carried out after step (iv) by compressing the regenerated surface in a traditional post-paving process by any suitable machine or device known to the skilled person, for example, a static or vibrating compactor device. The compacted road base may then be topped with a friction course, typically comprising a suitable surface dressing, such as a bituminous sealing layer, for example. [0037] In a related aspect, the invention provides an apparatus for carrying out the process of the invention. The apparatus of the invention allows the above rehabilitation and strengthening process to be carried out in the cold, in-situ, in a single pass fashion, whereby recycling occurs to a depth of from 50 mm to about 300 mm of milled or loosened road material. Advantageously, the apparatus of the invention may be used to retrofit a regular asphalt paver to convert the paver to a cold in-situ recycling device, capable of lifting recycled material from a depth of about 50 mm to about 300 mm. The apparatus of the invention is extremely useful as it obviates the need for purchase or hire of expensive cold recycling machinery. Since the apparatus can be fitted to existing pavers, the apparatus of the invention is significantly smaller in size than existing cold recycling machinery. Using the apparatus of the invention with a standard asphalt paver means previously inaccessible smaller or rural roads may be subjected to cold in-situ rehabilitation methods. Advantageously, the apparatus of the invention may be easily added into existing in-situ recycling processes or machinery or can be used to replace relevant part of such machinery for carrying our same (for example involving a continuously moving train of machinery) to save time and cost by deriving the benefit of the one pass action. Thus existing processes may be easily adapted to include the apparatus of the invention so that the benefits described herein can be obtained. Existing processes and machinery can thus be easily integrated resulting in a more efficient and cost effective road rehabilitation and/or strengthening process. [0038] Accordingly, in a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an apparatus for converting a paver to an in-situ road-recycling device, the apparatus having a frame mountable onto the front of the paver, comprising: [0039] (i) means for lifting and delivering loosened material from a road or a pavement surface to a reservoir on the paver device to expose road base or road subgrade surface; [0040] (ii) optional means for treating the loosened material with at least one fluid and/or at least one stabilizing additive; [0041] (iii) optional means for laying a geomaterial onto exposed road base or road subgrade surface; [0042] wherein the material is re-laid onto the road base or the road subgrade by the paver in a predetermined profile in a single pass. [0043] Desirably, the apparatus of the invention converts a standard paving device, such as an asphalt paver device, into an adapted paving device (functioning as a cold in-situ recycling machine) which is suitable for use in a cold recycling process, where loosened road material, up to a depth of 300 mm, may be lifted, optionally treated or stabilized, and re-laid by a standard paver having a screed arrangement. [0044] Preferably, the apparatus of the invention is mounted onto the paver in such a way as to ensure that the frame of the apparatus is height adjustable. In other words, mounting means is provided on the frame such that the frame and particularly the means for lifting and delivering loosened material from the road or the pavement surface to the reservoir may be raised and lowered as desired to reach a predetermined lift depth of loosened material. Preferably, the frame may be mounted onto the front of the paver by at least one mounting arms. Preferably said arms are pivotally mounted onto the paver, for vertical upwards and downward movement thereon. Hydraulic cylinders may be provided proximate to the arms, so that the apparatus may be lifted and lowered as necessary, for example, for selecting am operating depth of lifting material up to about 300 mm, for raising the apparatus for maintenance, transport or for replacing the geo-membrane roll as necessary. [0045] In a preferred embodiment, at least one height adjustable wheel is provided on the frame to assist further height/lift depth adjustment of the apparatus of the invention. Preferably, the at least one wheel may be mounted behind a pick up head provided on the frame. The height adjustable wheel may be hydraulically operated. Preferably, electrical and hydraulic power is supplied to the apparatus of the invention by connection to the pavers systems. Tension may be applied to the geotextile roll/spool by extending a pivoting tensioner from the frame of the apparatus. Tension may be applied to the spool of geotextile as it pivots from the frame of the machine. [0046] In a related aspect there is provided an apparatus for in situ insertion of a geomaterial underneath a loosened road or pavement surface material, the apparatus comprising a frame, onto which is mounted: [0047] (i) means for lifting loosened material from the road or pavement surface to expose road base or road subgrade surface, said means being provided at the front of the apparatus; [0048] (ii) means for laying a geomaterial onto exposed road base or road subgrade surface; [0049] (iii) means for relaying the material to a predetermined profile on top of the geomaterial, [0050] characterised in the apparatus simultaneously lays the geomaterial onto the exposed road base or road subgrade surface, while relaying the lifted material to a predetermined profile onto the laid geomaterial in a single pass. In this embodiment wherein the means for laying a geomaterial is present, the apparatus of the invention, when mounted onto a paver, may simultaneously lay the geomaterial onto the exposed road base or road subgrade surface (at the desired predetermined depth), while relaying the recycled (lifted) material to a predetermined profile onto the laid geomaterial in a single pass. In other words, in this embodiment, in operation, the apparatus facilitates the in situ insertion of a geomaterial underneath a loosened road or pavement surface material in a single pass operation using standard asphalt paver technology. The geomaterial may be laid under, up to about 300 mm depth under the surface. Existing prior art pavers having geomembrane dispensing means are not suitable for laying membrane to this depth. The apparatus of the invention therefore facilitates depositing and compacting the recycled road material onto a membrane provided on the exposed road base or road subgrade surface. Preferably, the geotextile roll is mounted onto a horizontal axis on the frame, may be extended, for example, telescopically extended so that wider rolls of geotexile may be accommodated and laid, depending on the requirements of a particular application. Prior art dispenser described in EP 0 241 803 is part of a machine having push rollers for use with material delivery trucks. The skilled person would appreciate that the maximum width of these machines is therefore about 2.5 m. Accordingly, this would be the maximum width of geomaterial that could be used with this prior art machine. The present apparatus can facilitate delivery of up to 4 m of geomembrane through use of telescopically extendible horizontal axis for supporting a wider geomembrane roll. [0051] Preferably, the apparatus of the invention comprises means for delivering or transferring the lifted material to a reservoir means on the paver for storing and/or treating the material. The reservoir is for holding the lifted loosened material and any necessary additives that may have been incorporated into the material in the reservoir so that it may be consistently laid by the paver in it's normal mode of operation. In a preferred embodiment, the reservoir for the lifted loose material is a hopper or a modified hopper of a paver machine. In other words, in this embodiment, the apparatus connects to the front of an existing asphalt paver and integrates completely with same. This retrofitting converts a standard paver into a cold in-situ recycling device. The apparatus is mountable, through provision of means for mounting the apparatus onto the front of a paver machine. Suitable means include extending side arms for example, and may include use of brackets, hook or other connecting arrangements known to the person skilled in the art. Preferably, the mounting means allows the arms to pivot about their connection to the paver to allow vertical movement thereon for height adjustment of the device. Advantageously, the apparatus may then utilise the hydraulic, mechanical and electrical outputs of the paver. In a related aspect the apparatus can be supplied and used as a component in a new type of machine suitable for carrying out all aspects of the inventive process described above. [0052] Suitably, the apparatus of the invention may further comprises means for adding water or at least one other additive or fluid onto the lifted (recycled) material and/or the reservoir of the paver. Desirably, the additive is sprayed onto the lifted material while being transferred or while stored in the reservoir. Spraying is the preferred adding means. A spray bar for example, provides efficient means of spraying water and/or additives. The spray bar may have a plurality of nozzles for even distribution of additive. [0053] The standard paver, to which the apparatus is attached, typically comprises means for transferring the lifted material from the reservoir/hopper to the rear of the paver so that the lifted material may be re-laid on top of the geomaterial. For example, a conveyor may be used to transferring the lifted (recycled) material from the reservoir to the rear of the paver so that the material may be re-laid on top of exposed surface or the geomaterial where used. In a preferred embodiment, the paver further comprises means for depositing and/or lightly pre-compacting the material re-laid on the geomaterial provided on the exposed surface. Suitably, means for depositing and/or pre-compacting the material re-laid on the geomaterial is also included, for example, a paver screed. [0054] In a preferred embodiment of the apparatus of the invention, the means for lifting the loosened material from the road or pavement surface comprises a feeder assembly. The feeder assembly suitably comprises means for forming a directed flow of lifted loose material. Suitably, the feeder assembly is mounted onto the front of the apparatus in the form of a pick up head. The feeder assembly may also comprise a cutting edge that ensures a clean edge is taken from the material in the path of the machine to facilitate efficient transfers of material to the transferring means. The feeder assembly may further comprise a cutting edge which transfers material to the transferring means. The pick up head may comprise a frame encasing a series of horizontal shafts which in turn drive the conveyor through a chain and sprocket system powered by an hydraulic motor fed by the paver itself. In a preferred embodiment, the blades, arms or wings may be provided with a vertically mounted baffle forward of the mouth of the feeder assembly to ensure an even feed of material, and to prevent crowning. At least one auger may be provided about the working width of the lifting means. Preferably, a pair of augers is provided. Suitably, the augers may be short flight augers. [0055] Preferably, the means for transferring the loosened lifted material to the reservoir for the lifted loose material is a conveyor means, preferably, an endless conveyor belt, for example. Preferably, the conveyor comprises a sprocket and chain conveyor. The conveyer may be provided with laterally disposed slats and/or rakes to facilitate lifting and transferring the loosened material onto to conveyer and into the reservoir/hopper of the paver device. Suitably, the slats and/or rakes are of steel or other suitably hard and wear resistant material. In a preferred embodiment, an arrangement of alternating slates and rake is provided. Use of a combination of slats and rake is preferred, rather than slats alone as found in prior art conveyors, as this arrangement facilitates efficient pick up of the loosened material from the ground. The skilled person will appreciate that cold recycling involves cold, rocky, uneven, hard and bulky material and so it not as easy to pick up as hot or melted milled macadam, which is loose, lubricated and sticky. When only slats are used, if the loosened material is rocky or clumpy, the slats alone tend to bang off the material rather than picking up same. The slate and rake arrangement has been found to facilitate actual lifting of the cold loosed material in these cases. Suitably, the slates and/or rakes may be interchangeably positioned on the conveyor as necessary. Clockwise motion of the belt and consequently, the slats and rakes, allow the slates and rakes at the cutting edge to engage well with the loose material being collected to lift it onto the conveyor for transportation into the paver reservoir or hopper. In a preferred embodiment, the conveyor means, is a endless conveyor belt type arrangement having a first and second pulley (the first of which is a lead pulley for revolving the conveyor), having a third idler pulley located in a vertically disposed position (or otherwise located clear of incoming material) above the second pulley. The idler is positioned such that the slats on the belt may present themselves at right angles to the ground before becoming engaged with the material to be lifted. This idler pulley arrangement has been found to facilitate the lifting action and minimising the tendency of the slats to bang off the material, rather than engaging with same in a lifting action. Prior art conveyors in pavers, or repavers do not have this three pulley arrangement. [0056] More preferably still, the apparatus of the invention further comprises means for directing the loosened material into the cutting edge area for pick up. Suitably, the means for directing the flow of loosed material comprises horizontally actuatable side blades, arms or wings located on opposite sides of the feeder assembly. Desirably, the blades, arms or wings are provided in a pair, one of each on opposite side of the feeder assembly. Preferably, said side blades, arms or wings extend forward in front of the feeder assembly. The hydraulically actuatable blades, arms or wings may be hydraulically adjusted vertically and horizontally. The blades, arms or wings are suitable for adjusting the width of the directed flow to a predetermined width. This facilitates feeding material which is outside the scope of the lifting means into the correct position for optimised uptake and lifting by the cutting edge. The blades, arms or wings are horizontally actuatable so that width of material entering the device may be controlled, whereas the vertical movement allows the blades, arms or wings to follow the contours of the ground as necessary, where terrain is uneven. [0057] In a preferred embodiment, a blade may be mounted at the bottom of the feeder/lifting means. Preferably the blade is mounted horizontally at this location. The blade forms a barrier between the remaining road surface and the material which is being removed by the machine, ensuring a clean surface is left behind for relaying. [0058] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus further comprises calibration or metering means for measuring the amount of lifted material to be treated with additives. Preferably, said calibration or metering means is provided on the transferring means, for example, the conveyor system. [0059] As described in a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention may further comprises means for laying a supply of geomaterial onto exposed roadbase, subgrade or other surface, said means comprising a supply of geomaterial adapted to be delivered onto receiving surface by forward movement of the apparatus. Preferably, the supply of geomaterial comprises a roll of membrane mounted on the frame of the apparatus, for example, rearward of the height adjustable wheels where provided Desirably, the supply is provided on the underside of the apparatus. Suitably, dispensing of geomaterial is achieved by the forward motion of the apparatus or the paver onto which the apparatus is mounted. Suitably, the means for laying the geomaterial further comprises a spooling means and tensioning means for controlling the tension on the geomaterial, thereby avoiding kinks or creases in the laid membrane. [0060] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention comprises means for adding water or other additive (for example, binder) to the lifted material. Preferably, additive is added while the material is on the transferring means (for example, the conveyor). Desirably, said means comprises a spray bar provided above the conveyor or at the top of the conveyor. A plurality of nozzles may be provided on the spray bar to facilitate even addition. [0061] In a preferred embodiment, the apparatus of the invention further comprises storage means for holding the water and/or additives until required for use. Suitable storage means include at least one tank, reservoir or the like, provided on the apparatus or otherwise connected to the apparatus. Preferably a pair of tanks may be provided on either side of the reservoirs of the paver. [0062] In a related aspect, the invention relates a paver machine comprising the apparatus of the invention. Apparatus of the invention may be used in existing hot mix and cold mix trains and processes involving same. [0063] In a related aspect, there is provided a method of retrofitting a paver comprising mounting the apparatus of the invention onto the front of the existing paving device. Suitably, the apparatus of the invention is electrically and hydraulically connected to the paver. [0064] The words “comprises/comprising” and the words “having/including” when used herein with reference to the present invention are used to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof. [0065] It is appreciated that certain features of the invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of separate embodiments, may also be provided in combination in a single embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment, may also be provided separately or in any suitable sub-combination. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0066] The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of an embodiment thereof, given by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: [0067] FIG. 1 illustrates a schematic sectional drawing of an apparatus of the invention mounted onto the front end of a paver machine in use; [0068] FIGS. 2 & 3 illustrate top perspective photograph views of the front of a prototype of the apparatus of the invention; [0069] FIG. 4 illustrates a top perspective photograph view of one side of a prototype of the apparatus of the invention; [0070] FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective photograph view of the top of a prototype of the apparatus of the invention; [0071] FIG. 6 illustrates a side view of a further embodiment of the apparatus of the invention mounted onto the front end of a paver machine; [0072] FIG. 7 illustrates a cross sectional view from the side of the further embodiment of the apparatus of the invention shown in FIG. 6 ; [0073] FIG. 8 illustrates a top plan view of the apparatus of the invention in the unmounted state; [0074] FIG. 9 illustrates a top perspective view of the apparatus of the invention in the unmounted state. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0075] Referring now to the drawings and specifically FIGS. 1 to 9 inclusive and initially FIG. 1 . FIG. 1 shows an apparatus of the invention generally by reference (R) pivotally mounted on to the front end of a paver machine at connector ( 14 ), hereinafter called a paver (P) via a pair of mounting arms ( 11 ). The paver (P) ideally is of the type in the 15 ton and over classification, which can be on multi drive wheels or tracks. The paver machine used should have at least 4 metre screed length with tampers for compacting (not shown here). Apparatus (R) is mounted mechanically onto the front of an existing paving machine (P) and is powered hydraulically, mechanically and electrically by the paver (P). The apparatus of the invention comprises a cutting edge ( 1 ), augers ( 2 ), conveyor or elevator arrangement (S), all of which make up the collecting head (H) which lifts loosened material (A) in the path of the paver (P) onto the conveyor arrangement (S). A membrane dispenser (G) is located behind the cutting edge ( 1 ) and underneath the conveyor arrangement (S), where it is held onto frame (M) with bolts ( 7 ) and ( 8 ). A spool ( 5 ) of membrane (B) is positioned on the membrane dispenser (G). Tensioning arrangement ( 7 ) is in contact with the spool ( 5 ). The membrane (B) dispenser (G) is located beneath the cutting edge ( 1 ) and the conveyor arrangement (S). The conveyor or elevator arrangement (S) comprises a conveyor ( 3 ) comprising parallel chains ( 10 a ) (not shown in this drawing), which are linked onto a pair of sprocket/pulley arrangements ( 10 b, 10 c ). The conveyor ( 3 ) also has a plurality of slats ( 4 ) laterally displaced relative to the conveyer chains which transfer loosened material (A) from the milled road or pavement surface to a hopper or reservoir ( 13 ) which is part of the paver (P) in this example. The slats ( 4 ) are bolted to receiving lugs (not shown in this Figure) on drive chains to facilitate feed of the loosened material (A) being processed. The sprockets ( 10 ) are keyed to the frame/shaft (M) to ensure alignment and positive drive as the apparatus (R) traverses the site where the pavement is to be laid. Feeder assembly (F) (not shown in this drawing) positioned at the front of the apparatus (R) comprises a pair of lateral feed augers ( 2 ) which feed loosened material (A) into the slates ( 4 ) of the conveyor ( 3 ) for transfer to the hopper reservoir ( 13 ). The collecting head (H) comprising a pair of actuatable side arms (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) are positioned in front of the feeder assembly (F). The width of the side arm displacement can be adjusted to control the width of the loose material (A) located outside the scope of the cutting edge ( 1 ). The operating width of the side arms (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 ) of the collecting head (H) of apparatus (R) is variable through a hydraulically adjustable ram actuator (not shown), which scoops material (A) towards the feed auger ( 2 ) and conveyor arrangement (S). The apparatus (R) comprises tanks ( 13 ) for water or some other additive for treating the loose material (A) before it is fed through the paver (P). Tanks ( 13 ) are located on either side of the hopper ( 13 ) in this example. Nozzles ( 12 ) are mounted on a spray bar ( 12 a ) positioned over the hopper reservoir ( 13 ) for spraying material (A) with water or some other additive before being deposited in the hopper ( 13 ) of the paver (P). The conveyer arrangement (S) and collecting head (H) can be hydraulically raised to facilitate loading a spool ( 5 ) of geomaterial onto the dispenser (G). There is typically sufficient space to handle rolls of up to 200 m×4 m, which allows an area of 800 m 2 to be treated with a single roll of the membrane. FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the side arms ( 5 a, 5 b ) of the collecting head (H) of the apparatus (R) of the invention, where the hydraulic ram actuators ( 8 a, 8 b ) are visible for telescopic extension of the axis for holding the membrane spool, as are hydraulic ram actuators ( 6 a, 6 b ) for moving the side arms ( 5 a, 5 b ). [0076] FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate the apparatus of the invention from the side and from the top. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrates a side view of a preferred embodiment of the invention, wherein the apparatus (R) is attached to an existing road paver (P) via a pair of mounting arms ( 11 ) which are vertically moveable by action of hydraulic cylinder ( 11 a ) which control the operating position of the machine as well as its transport position. Power is provided to its hydraulic motor ( 11 b ) from the paving machine (P). Further height control of the apparatus (R) is achieved by the height control wheels ( 15 ), which are mounted directly behind the collecting head (H). Collecting head (H) comprises of al frame (M) encasing a series of horizontal shafts which in turn drive the conveyor arrangement (S) through a chain ( 10 a ) and sprocket/pulley system ( 10 b, 10 c, 10 d ), comprising drive pulley or sprocket ( 10 b ) connected to hydraulic motor, working pulley or sprocket ( 10 c ) and idler pulley or sprocket ( 10 d ), which are powered by an hydraulic motor ( 11 b ) fed by the paving unit (P) itself. A screw adjustment on the shaft carrying the driving sprocket puts tension on the chain drive system. Interchangeable slats ( 4 ) and rakes ( 4 a ) are affixed to chain, transversely. These engage with the loose material (A) being collected and move it into the hopper ( 13 ) of the paver (P). Forward of the collecting head (H) are mounted two extension wings ( 6 a, 6 b ) which are moveable horizontally and vertically by means of hydraulic actuators ( 6 c ) controlled by the operator of the paver (P). The horizontal movement controls the width of material taken in by the machine and the vertical movement allows the extension wings to follow the contours of the ground. Cutting edge ( 1 ) ensures that a clean edge is taken from the loosened material (A) in the path of the machine. A horizontal blade ( 17 ) is mounted at the bottom of the feed chute. This forms a barrier between the remaining road surface and the material (A) which is being removed by the machine. Baffles ( 16 ) provided on side arms are also shown, as are the hydraulic actuators ( 5 c, 5 d ) for operating same. In operation, the apparatus (R) of the invention is mounted onto a paver (P). The paver (P) is driven in the path of loosened road or pavement surface (A). The collecting head (H) of the apparatus (R) is width variable by means of a hydraulically adjustable arms ( 8 ) to bring loosened material into the feeder assembly (F). The arm spacing may be adjusted according to the width of pavement (D) being laid. The cutting edge ( 1 ) and augers ( 2 ) pick up the loose material (A) which is then scooped up into the slats ( 4 ) and carried by the conveyer ( 3 ) towards the reservoir ( 13 ). The material (A) is then sprayed with a mist of water or additive through nozzles ( 12 ) mounted on a spraybar ( 14 ) before being deposited in the hopper ( 13 ) of the paver (P) where it is conveyed to the rear of it and deposited as a new layer of stabilised roadbase (D). The apparatus (R) will simultaneously deploy a layer of proprietary geotextile material (B) as it traverses the path of the about to be paved subbase (D). The spool is unrolled by the forward motion of the apparatus. Since the wheels or tracks of the paver moves forward as the loose material (A) moves through the apparatus (R), an unwind restrictor type tensioner ( 7 ) applies a desired tension on the geomaterial (B). The treated loose material is deposited on top of the unwound membrane (B) leaving a re-profiled new road base (D) that is strengthened and rejuvenated and protected from water infiltration by the friction surface. In operation as the machine traverses the loosened material (A), the material (A) is gathered into a wind-row by the collecting head (H) and fed into the mouth of the conveyor by the cutting edge ( 1 ). Vertically mounted baffles ( 16 ) forward of the cutting edge ( 1 ) of the machine ensure an even feed of material, and prevent crowning. Material (A) is gathered towards the working width of the conveyor by two horizontally opposed short flight augers ( 2 ). It is then moved up along the floor of the feed chute by interchangeable slats ( 4 ) and rakes ( 4 a ) mounted on conveyor chains ( 10 a ). The leading idler pulleys ( 10 b ) on this chain drive system are vertically disposed above, and clear of incoming material (A) so as to allow the interchangeable slats ( 4 ) and rakes ( 4 b ) to present themselves at a right angle to the ground before becoming engaged with the material (A). The material (A) is sprayed with a mist of additive through nozzles ( 12 ) mounted on a spray-bar ( 14 ) before being deposited in the hopper ( 13 ) where it is conveyed to the rear of the paving machine (P) and deposited as a new layer of road surface (D). The machine is designed to deploy a geotextile grid (G) for geo-stabilisation operations using its geotextile grid dispenser (G). This is mounted rearwards of the height control wheels ( 15 ) and is extendable to cater for the different widths of geo-textile grid available and to suit varying paving applications. Tension is applied to the geo-textile spool ( 5 ) as it deploys it in the path of the machine by a tensioner ( 7 ) which pivots from the frame of the machine. The device has an inherent system, where the collected material is treated with an additive, stored in proprietary tanks ( 13 a ) on either side of the hopper ( 13 ) before it is fed through the paver (P).
The invention relates to an optional additional process during routine rehabilitation or recycling of road surfaces. More particularly, the invention relates to a process whereby a geomaterial, whether mesh, membrane, textile, grid or fabric membrane is placed underneath in-situ road surface material, which has been loosened as part of a regenerative or recycling process, as an added structural benefit to the rehabilitated road structure.
4
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention pertains to poultry houses and, more particularly, to automated animal houses. Workers and livestock, such as poultry and pigs, must endure biohazardous conditions on a daily basis. In poultry (fowl) houses and hog confinements (swine houses), for example, chickens, turkeys, ducks, ostriches, sheep, goats and pigs secrete waste matter, which produces noxious gases comprising volatile fumes of ammonia and methane. Poultry also produce great amounts of dust with their feathers. Swine (pigs and hogs) which like to wallow in mud, also produce great amounts of dust when swine shake off mud. The biohazardous conditions in animal houses create an unsafe atmosphere and an unpleasant environment for poultry (birds), swine, livestock, farmers and workers. Some poultry houses and hog confinements have an air intake and exhaust system to extract gases and dust for emission into the outside atmosphere. The exhaust fans typically have timed controls or sensors that trigger the fans on and off depending on the level of ammonia and dust in the poultry houses or hog confinements. Even with conventional exhaust fans running at 100% capacity, the farmers and workers often wear protective masks in poultry houses and hog confinements to attempt to shield the gases and dust from their lungs. The emission and concentration of noxious gases and dust in conventional poultry houses adversely affect the health, growth rate, and well being of livestock, such as chickens, turkeys, and other poultry. Excessive amounts of noxious gases and dust can cause livestock, such as poultry to develop eye diseases. It can also cause the poultry to become sick and lose their appetite. As a result, many of the chickens, turkeys and other poultry stop eating and drinking, their growth rate becomes stunted, and their meat may no longer be tender, firm and tasty. Unsafe levels of these harmful gases and dust can also kill many of the chickens, turkey and other poultry. In conventional poultry houses, the floor is normally covered with a bedding of litter material, such as wood shavings, or rice hulls, etc. which remain in place for long periods of time, e.g. such as a year, before the bedding is changed. During that time, the bedding accumulates fecal matter (waste), urine, bacteria from dead animals, water, spilled feed, etc., which can cause the bedding to become contaminated. Used bedding can be become encrusted with fecal matter and can serve as an incubation area for mold and bacteria. The conditions of the bedding directly affect the quality of the air and living conditions in the poultry house. The preceding conditions can have an adverse affect on the health and longevity of the poultry and swine and the quality of the their meat and eggs. Another factor affecting air quality in a poultry house is the amount of ammonia and methane produced by the livestock in their fecal matter and the used bedding. High levels of ammonia can also adversely affect the health, growth rate and longevity of the birds up to the point of being fatal. The production of broilers in the poultry industry includes a grow out stage in which many thousands of young chicks are delivered and sheltered in a poultry house, where they are provided with food and water through a growth cycle of about 6 to 8 weeks. The chicks are not individually caged, but live in a poultry house by the thousands. A typical poultry house is a rectangular steel truss or wood frame structure. One or more dividers or partitions can be provided along the length of the poultry house to divide the building into sections to restrict the access of the birds. The rectangular building providing the poultry house can be provided with large openings along its length for natural ventilation. For the first three weeks of the chicks' life, the chicks are not usually able to control their own body temperature and are, therefore, very susceptible to changes in temperature within the poultry house. In order to keep the poultry houses warm, poultry houses are usually equipped with heaters, such as butane heaters. During the first three weeks of growth for a new batch of chickens, the poultry houses are typically kept at a temperature of 90° F. for the first week, 85° F. for the second week, and 80° F. for the third week. For the remainder of the five to seven-week growing cycle, the poultry houses are kept at a comfortable level. With the exhaust fans running at 100% capacity in an attempt to remove some of the noxious gases and dust, the heaters often have to operate continuously in conventional poultry houses to heat the houses to the proper temperature. Continuous operation of the fans and heaters in conventional poultry houses consumes an enormous amount of energy and is very expensive. These expenses are usually and/or ultimately passed on to the consumer. Many farmers seek improved ways to operate their poultry houses. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and State environmental agencies are implementing higher standards for the quality of air exiting the poultry houses, hog confinements and other biohazardous areas. It is, therefore, desirable to provide an automated animal house, which overcomes most, if not all, of the preceding problems. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A novel automated animal house is provided which improves the health and growth rate of poultry and swine, and enhances the quality of their meat. Advantageously, the improved automated animal house is efficient, effective and economical. Desirably, the user-friendly automated animal house is environmentally attractive and achieves cleaner air for workers and livestock, less pollution, and a decrease of energy and power to exhaust the air, as well as a reduction in butane usage and other sources of energy to heat the animal house. The automated animal house can comprise an automated poultry or an automated hog confinement and includes a facility to house livestock, such as poultry or swine. Preferably, the facility has an upright annular wall, such as an external vertical circular wall, which extends downwardly from a roof. Desirably, the facility has an upper compartment below the roof, a stationary fixed non-rotating (non-rotatable) animal compartment below the upper compartment, and a lower compartment below the stationary animal compartment. In order to enhance the quality of life and health of the animals, a bed of replaceable bedding material is placed in the animal compartment to support and comfort the animals. An annular feeder can be positioned above the bed to dispense animal feed to the livestock. An annular water line can also be positioned above the bed to dispense water to the livestock. Ionizers can be provided in the upper compartment to emit ions to help purify the air in the animal house. The animal house can have at least one heater source in the lower compartment to provide heat for the livestock in cold weather. Desirably, the animal house includes at least one fan in the upper compartment to draw heat from the heat source towards the livestock and to blow cooler air on the livestock in warm weather. At least one ozone generator can be provided in the lower compartment to help sanitize the animal house. The automated animal house can include an internal lighting system with DC powered multi-colored high intensity light-emitting diodes (LED's) which require less power consumption and has longer life than the conventional incandescent lighting. Advantageously, the automated animal house has at least one conveyor with a feed conveyor portion in the lower compartment to feed fresh bedding material to the bed. Desirably, the automated animal house also has at least one conveyor with a discharge conveyor portion in the lower compartment to convey used bedding material away from the bed for discharge to a receptacle or collection bin, preferably outside of the animal house. In the preferred form, the automated animal house has at least one rotatable (rotating) arm to move the bedding material. The rotatable arm can have tines to loosen fecal encrusted bedding material. In the illustrative embodiment, the rotatable arm comprises a tubular conduit with at least one internal conveyor which communicates with the bed to convey the fresh bedding material and/or used bedding material. The rotatable arm may also have tines located on the top rear side to collect the dead animal carcass as it refurbishes the bedding material. The automated animal house preferably comprises a set, series, or array of animal houses with substantially upright annular walls, such as vertical circular external walls, to increase the amount of living and growing space for the animals. At least one refurbishing unit can be positioned between and communicate with the animals houses to convey fresh bedding material to the animals houses. At least one recycling unit can also be positioned between and communicate with the animal houses to convey used bedding material from the animal houses. Moreover, at least one feed unit can also be provided to communicate with the animal houses in order to supply animal feed to the livestock in the animal houses. The feed unit can be positioned between or outwardly of the animal houses. A more detailed explanation of the invention is provided in the following description and claims taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional diagrammatic view of an automated animal house in accordance with principles of the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary cross-sectional view of the lower compartment of the automated animal house; FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of conveyors in the lower compartment of the automated animal house; FIG. 4 is an end view of the conveyors and ozone generators in the lower compartment of the automated animal house; FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional end view of a rotatable (rotating) arm moving through the bedding in the intermediate compartment; FIG. 6 is a cross-section front view of the rotatable arm of the automated animal house; FIG. 7 is a top plan elevational view of one arrangement of automated animal houses in accordance with principles of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a top plan elevational view of another arrangement of automated animal houses in accordance with principles of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a top plan elevational view of a further arrangement of automated animal houses in accordance with principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION A detailed description of the preferred embodiments and best modes for practicing the invention are discussed herein. An automated animal house 10 (FIG. 1) is provided to raise animals 12 (livestock). The animal house can comprise an automated poultry house to raise and house animals, such as poultry (fowl), comprising birds, such as chickens, chicks, hens, roasters, turkeys, ducks, geese, ostriches, swans, etc. The animal house can also comprise an automated livestock to house and raise livestock, such as sheep and goats, or an automated swine house (hog confinement) to house and raise swine, such as pigs and hogs. The automated animal house provides an environmentally attractive ecological facility 14 (FIG. 1 ), which comprises a compact animal dwelling to house, the animals. Preferably, the facility has a substantially upright, vertical annular wall 16 . The annular wall can be a circular wall, an oval wall, a rounded wall, or a polygonal wall. A roof 18 with an apex 20 extends above and is connected to the annular wall. The roof can comprise a conical roof, a doomed roof, or a polygonal roof. Flooring 22 comprising a basement substructure can extend laterally across a bottom portion of the annular wall. The flooring can extend horizontally or be sloped at a slight angle of inclination. The automated animal house can have an upper ventilation compartment 24 (FIG. 1) below the roof, a lower heating compartment 26 above the basement flooring, and a fixed stationary non-rotatable (non-rotating) intermediate livestock (animal) compartment or production floor 28 between the upper and lower compartments. The intermediate compartment provides a stationary fixed non-rotating (non-rotatable) animal housing and support to support the animals, e.g. poultry. A removable (replaceable) bed 30 of removable (replaceable) bedding material is positioned in the intermediate compartment (production floor) to support the animals. The bedding material can be comprised of one or more of the following: rice hulls, cork, wood chips, bark, straw, hay, plant material, etc. Other bedding material can also be used. An annular animal feeder 32 (FIG. 1) can be positioned above the bed of bedding material to dispense animal feed to dispensers 34 in proximity to the animals to feed the animals. Feed can be conveyed to the animal feeder by a feed conveyor 36 , such as a screw conveyor or auger. The annular feeder can comprise a moveable annular feeder with a feeder-lifting device 38 to raise and lower the annular feeder. The feeder-lifting device can comprise a mechanism, such as an hydraulic lifting device, a pneumatic lifting device, a motor driven lifting device, a power driven lifting device, and/or one or more cables. The feed dispensers can comprise feed trays, dishes, collection basins, or troughs. An annular water line 40 (FIG. 1) can be positioned above the bed of bedding material, as well as above the annular feeder, to dispense water to water-containing dispensers 42 in proximity to the animals for the animals to drink (the water). Water in the water lines can be enhanced with vitamins; nutrients and medicine to further improve the health and growth of the animals, i.e. poultry. A water supply line 44 provides a pipe or conduit to supply water to the annular water line. The annular water line can comprise a moveable annular water line with a water line-lifting device 46 to raise and lower the annular water line. The water line-lifting device can comprise a mechanism, such as a hydraulic water line-lifting device, a pneumatic water line-lifting device, a motor driven water line-lifting device, a power driven water line-lifting device, and/or one or more cables. The water-containing dispensers (water dispensers) can comprise nipples, pipes, faucets, trays, dishes, collection basins or troughs. An array, set or series of interconnected modules 48 (FIG. 1) comprising ionizers 50 are preferably located in the upper compartment below the roof to emit ions to charge particulates of dust and noxious gases in the air in the animal house so as to help purify the air in the animals house. Each of the ionizers can have a set, series or array of ion-emitting needles 52 . Preferably, the ionizers comprise self-cleaning ionizers to automatically clean the ion-emitting needles. A blower system 54 (FIG. 1) comprising or one or more electrically powered fans 56 can be mounted in the upper compartment of the automated animals house to draw heat upwardly from the lower compartment about the animals in the winter. The fans also blow cooler air downwardly on the animals in summer. Advantageously, the fans also circulate ions, ozone and air in the animal house. The fans can draw influent ambient air into the animal house and discharge effluent air out of the animal house. Ozone generators 58 (FIGS. 1 and 4) can be located in the lower compartment to generate ozone to help reduce and/or eliminate bacteria and sanitize the animal house. The ozone generated by the ozone generators help lower ambient, pathogen concentrations in the poultry house to help reduce the mortality rates and improve feed conversion ratios in the animal house. Heaters 60 , such as butane heaters, can be located in the lower compartment to heat the animal house, or in a central location that would allow a greater efficiency to heat more than one house at any given time. The automated animal houses can have a rotatable (rotating) cleaning arm 62 (FIGS. 1, 2 , 5 and 6 ), which rotates laterally and horizontally through the replaceable bed of bedding material to loosen and help clean the used bedding material. The cleaning arm can be powered and rotated by a motor 64 , or, by the rotating auger mechanism. The cleaning arm can have outwardly extending tines 66 to rake the bedding material or pick up and hold the dead carcass. The tines can comprise: rubber tines, plastic tines, flexible tines, and/or resilient tines. The cleaning arm can comprise a radial or a diametric arm. Preferably, the cleaning arm comprises a tubular conduit 68 (FIG. 2) with at least one internal conveyor 70 , such as a screw conveyor or auger, which is operably connected to lower conveyors 72 - 74 . The tubular conduit can have a partition 76 , such as an upright partitions, which provides a divider. The tubular conduit preferably has at least one feed outlet 78 to dispense fresh bedding material into the bed. The tubular conduit also preferably has an inlet 80 to receive used bedding material from the bed. The tubular conduit of the cleaning arm can also have an intake chamber 82 , which communicates a refurbishing chamber 84 in the lower compartment to convey fresh bedding material to the bed. The tubular conduit can further have a discharge chamber 86 , which communicates with a recycling chamber 88 in the lower compartment, to convey used bedding material from the bed. The lower conveyor in the lower compartment can comprise screw conveyors or augers. The lower conveyors include feed conveyors 72 and 73 (FIGS. 1 and 2) comprising feed conveyor portions in the refurbishing chamber 92 . The feed conveyors convey and feed fresh bedding material to the bed, such as from a fresh bedding material supply bin 90 (FIG. 1 ). The lower conveyors can also include one or more discharge conveyors 74 which provide discharge conveyor portions into the refurbishing chamber 92 and/or other chambers such as a waste collection bin, disposal receptacle or tank. The withdrawn used bedding material can be recleaned and recycled in the refurbishment chamber, receptacle or elsewhere to provide clean recycled fresh bedding material for the poultry house. The automated poultry house can be operatively connected to one or more controllers 94 and 96 (FIG. 1 ). The controller 94 can comprise a heat and airflow controller to automatically regulate and control the flow heat and airflow through the poultry house, such as conduit 98 - 101 . The controller 96 can comprise a central processing unit (CPU), such as a: main frame computer, server, wireless computer, portable computer, lap top computer, palm pilot computer, hand-held computer, personal digital assistant computer, computer chip, cell phone-computer, logic control board or a microprocessor. The controllers can comprise a: (a) an ozone-controller to control the ozone generators; (b) a module-controller to control the modules so as to regulate emission of the ions; (c) a blower-controller to automatically regulate the blower system; (d) a conveyor-controller to automatically control movement of the conveyors; (e) a cleaning-arm controller to automatically regulate rotation of the cleaning arms; (f) a feeder-controller to control the animal feeder; and (g) a water-line controller to regulate dispensing of water to the animals. The controllers can also include one or more cameras 102 - 104 to visually monitor conditions inside the automated animal house. Cameras 102 and 103 can be located in the intermediate compartment to observe the animals, e.g. poultry, bedding material, and equipment in the intermediate compartment. Camera 104 can be positioned in the lower compartment to observe and monitor the conveyors and equipment in the lower compartment. One or more of the computer(s) can be positioned inside or outside the poultry house. Cameras, such as three or more cameras can be placed in the poultry house and can be controlled by the poultry house computer. The computer provides monitoring, command, and control capabilities for all of the automated components in the poultry house. The poultry house computer can be part of a network of computer that links each poultry house on a local area network (LAN) or on a wireless local area network (WLAN). The poultry house computer(s) can be accessible to remote computer(s). Each poultry house computer can communicate with a hand-held device using an infrared or wireless connection. The hand-held device can be a cell phone, a personal digital assistant, hand held computer, or other such device. The rotating cleaning arm is preferably positioned and buried within the bed of bedding material. Sections of the conveyor can be divided so that the front half of the cleaning arm picks up contaminated bedding material while the back half of cleaning arm deposits fresh bedding material. The partition or divider can provide a barrier to separate the pick up and deposit functions of the cleaning arm. After the used bedding material has been raked by the tines of the cleaning arm, the used bedding material can be conveyed to the recycling chamber. In the recycling chamber, the used bedding material can be dried by hot air from the heaters and sanitized by the ozone from the ozone generators. The conveyors in the cleaning arm can provide a duel conveyor system. The second set of times 147 (FIGS. 5 and 6) located on the top rear side of the cleaning arm can collect and hold the carcass of the dead chickens. This eliminates the need for the grower and workers to walk through the production floor area to gather the dead livestock. An internal light system 148 (FIG. 1) can comprise high intensity LED's and can be powered by DC voltage. The automated animal houses can be arranged in a series, set or array of automated animal houses 110 - 126 (FIGS. 7 - 9 ). Each of the automated animal houses can be similar to the automated animal house 10 of FIG. 1 . FIG. 7 illustrates that six (6) automated animal houses 110 - 115 can be placed in the same location as four (4) conventional animal houses 128 - 131 to provide a substantially increase of housing area, e.g. 50% increase, for housing the animals, e.g. poultry, with a substantial decrease in construction cost. Refurbishing and recycling units 132 - 134 (FIG. 8) and 135 (FIG. 9) can be positioned between and communicate with the automated animals houses to recycle and refurbish the used bedding material from the automated animal houses and convey fresh and/or recycled bedding material to the beds in the automated animals houses. Heat and air circulation system controller 136 - 138 (FIG. 8) and 139 (FIG. 9) can be positioned between the automated poultry houses to regulate the flow of heat and air in the automated poultry houses. Animal feed units 140 - 145 (FIG. 8) and 146 (FIG. 9) provide animal feed chambers to supply animal feed to the livestock, e.g. poultry or swine, in the automated animal houses. In the arrangement of FIG. 8, the feed units 140 - 145 are positioned outwardly of the automated animal houses. In the arrangement of FIG. 9, the feed unit 146 is positioned between the automated animal houses. Among the many advantages of the automated animal houses of the this invention are: 1. Outstanding performance. 2. Superior automation of animal houses. 3. Increase land space for raising animals, e.g. poultry and swine. 4. Increased health and longevity of poultry and swine. 5. Better quality animals. 6. Stronger and healthier animals. 7. Improved conditions for animals. 8. Better quality meat. 9. Superior removal of dust. 10. Superb removal of noxious gases. 11. Excellent air purification. 12. Significant decrease of ammonia and methane. 13. Enhanced removal of contaminated bedding material and animal waste, i.e. fecal matter. 14. Healthier environment for people, poultry, swine and other animals. 15. Greater removal of pollutants and containments. 16. Better energy savings. 17. Increased growth rate of poultry and swine. 18. Decrease in deaths of poultry and swine. 19. Less poultry diseases. 20. Enhanced firmness, texture and flavor of poultry. 21. Beneficial to the environment. 22. Better compliance with government environmental regulations. 23. Decrease of dirt and dust. 24. Cleaner growing and working areas. 25. Excellent ammonia reduction. 26. Easy to use. 27. Environmentally attractive. 28. Economical. 29. Dependable. 30. User-friendly. 31. Convenient. 32. Safe. 33. Efficient. 34. Effective. Although embodiments of this invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that various modifications and substitutions, as well as rearrangements of parts, components, equipment, structure, and process steps, can be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the novel spirit and scope of this invention.
An efficient economical automated animal house is provided to increase the health and longevity of animals, such as poultry, and swine. The automated poultry house provides for automatic removal of contaminated bedding and replacement with fresh or recycled bedding. The automated animal house also greatly reduces concentration of dust and noxious gases to provide for a cleaner and healthier environment for the animals and workers.
0
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Technical Field [0002] The present invention relates to an iron based alloy material for a thixocasting process and to a method for casting the material. [0003] 2. Related Art [0004] Thixocasting processes are methods in which a pressure load is applied to a half-melted billet in a solid-liquid coexisting state to perform injection molding into a die. This method enables the formation of parts with thinner walls and more complicated shapes in comparison with conventional forming methods. In this method, production costs can be reduced due to reduction of machined portions, and thermal load to the die is extremely reduced since the casting can be performed at a lower melting temperature than that in an ordinary diecasting process. Therefore, it has been known that thixocasting processes are promising as method for diecasting materials such as cast iron. However, the liquid phase of cast iron produced by thixocasting processes forms a quenched matrix with low toughness. In iron molding using a high-temperature billet, solidification contraction is greatly when cooling in the die, and cracks are easily formed in the quenched matrix. [0005] In Japanese Patent Unexamined (KOKAI) Publication No. 239513/97, there is proposed a method in which formation of cracks can be suppressed by preventing the formation of chill matrix by using a carbon die. However, the carbon die has insufficient strength and the service life thereof is short, and the production efficiency is reduced due to frequent maintenance of the die. In Japanese Patent Unexamined (KOKAI) Publication No. 123242/01 and Japanese Patent Unexamined (KOKAI) Publication No. 144304/00, there is proposed a method in which formation of cracks can be inhibited by strengthening the quenched matrix by adding chromium or by mixing the quenched matrix with a high toughness phase by increasing the content of manganese. However, the die is worn by friction with a product having a hard quenched matrix during solidification contraction thereof since the solidification contraction in the die still occurs to a great extent. When the wear in the die is promoted, the precision in size of a product at the worn portion is degraded and service life of the die is shortened. When a washing provided on the inner surface of the die is partially stripped by friction with the product, the heat conductivity between the die and the product varies at each portion. As a result, the solidification rate varies at each portion, and this results in casting defects such as size variations and cracks. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide an iron based alloy material for thixocasting processes and a method for casting the material, in which the service life of the die can be extended by inhibiting solidification contraction and in which casting defects such as size variations and cracks can be inhibited. [0007] The present invention provides an iron based alloy material for a thixocasting process, the material comprising: 1.6 wt %≦C≦2.5 wt %; 3.0 wt %<Si≦5.5 wt %; a carbon equivalent (the value of CE) defined as “C(wt %)+1/3Si(wt %)”; and satisfying 2.9≦(C(wt %)+1/3Si(wt %))≦3.5. The iron based alloy material preferably contains 0.1 wt %≦Cr≦0.3 wt %. [0008] The present invention also provides a method for casting an iron based alloy material for a thixocasting process in which the aforesaid material of the present invention is made to be in a half-melted state with 35 to 50 wt % of a solid phase, to be cast under a pressure load. [0009] The reasons for the aforesaid numerical value limitations and effects are explained hereinafter. [0010] Content of Si: 3.0 wt %<Si≦5.5 wt % [0011] It is possible for the solidification contraction rate in a thin walled part of, for example, about 2.5 mm, to be suppressed to 0.6% or less by reducing the amount of solidification contraction in the case in which the content of Si is limited at more than 3.0 wt %. Therefore, as the abrasion of the molding for the die decreases, preventing damage to the die, the formation of cracks also becomes difficult. From the viewpoint of these effects being well obtained, the lower limit value of the Si content is more than 3.0 wt %, and preferably it is 3.5 wt % or more. In conventional sand molded nodular graphite cast iron, elongation and toughness tend to be remarkably decreased in the case in which the material contains 3.5 wt % or more of Si. However, in a product in which a fixed annealing heat treatment is conducted after casting by using the material of the present invention, sufficient elongation is obtained even if the Si content is more than 3.5 wt %, and in particular, an elongation of 10% or more is ensured with a Si content of 4 wt % or less. At the same time, it is necessary to lower the solid phase rate in order to ensure sufficient fluidity because viscosity in the casting increases by decreasing the content of C when the content of Si is made to increase at the value of CE in any range. Therefore, decrease in the amount of solidification contraction cannot be expected in the case in which the content of Si is 4.5 wt % or more, and there is the possibility that cracks will occur in the molding by lowering the toughness of the matrix even if the solidification contraction rate is small in the case in which the content of Si is 6.5 wt % or more. Furthermore, it is difficult to obtain a molding having a uniform matrix by crystallizing graphite in the molding in the case in which the content of Si is more than 5.5 wt %. Therefore the content of Si is made to be in the range 3.0 wt %<Si≦5.5 wt %. [0012] If the content of Si is in the range of 3.0 wt %<Si≦5.5 wt %, the greater the content of Si, the more a hard passive oxide film composed of SiO 2 is formed on the surface of the material when the material before the casting, such as a billet, is heated. Therefore, the material becomes difficult to transform to become easy to handle, and oxidation is also difficult to progress in the heating. Furthermore, the material held on a pallet, etc., is heated by using an induction heating coil or a furnace, and there are cases in which the adhesion of the material and the pallet becomes a problem; however, there is an advantage in that the adhesion is difficult to generate because the hard oxide film on the surface is formed. Equivalent of carbon (the value of CE): 2.9≦the value of CE≦3.5 [0013] The amount of the eutectic phase decreases when the value of CE falls less than 2.9, and in the molding in a half-melted state, the resupply of the liquid phase becomes inadequate, so that the filling easily becomes insufficient. In the meantime, the amount of the eutectic phase increases too much when the value of CE exceeds 3.5, and deformation may easily occur when the material is heated in the half-melted state, so that the material becomes difficult to handle. Therefore, there is a possibility that the material will be transformed in the case in which the half-melted material is filled into the die in the molding, and that the oxide film of the surface will contaminate the inside. Therefore, the value of CE is made to be 2.9≦the value of CE≦3.5. [0014] Content of C: 1.6 wt %≦C≦2.5 wt % [0015] The content of C is decided according to the content of Si and the value of CE, and it is made to be 1.6 wt %≦C≦2.5 wt %. However, it is desirable that the content of C be small because a lowering of Young's modulus is caused after the product is heat-treated by annealing after the molding in the case in which the content of C is not small. [0016] Content of Cr: 0.1 wt %≦Cr≦0.3 wt % [0017] Cr is effective as an element which suppresses the crystallization of the graphite in the molding. The aforesaid Si is an element which promotes graphitization, and the graphite crystallizes in the molding in the case in which the content of Si in the composition of the material is 4.0 wt % and in thick walled parts which are difficult to cool rapidly, and the crystallized graphite coarsens when the annealing heat treatment is conducted after the molding in the product, thereby lowering mechanical properties. Furthermore, it is not desirable that the crystallization of the graphite be partially generated because the dimensional accuracy is lowered since the solidification contraction rate in the graphite crystallized parts changes. Then, the addition of Cr is effective, and the crystallization of the graphite cannot be suppressed when the content of Cr is less than 0.1 wt %, and the toughness after the annealing heat treatment is lowered when the content of Cr is more than 0.3 wt %. Therefore, the content of Cr is made to be 0.1 wt %≦Cr≦0.3 wt %. [0018] Solid phase rate: 35 to 50% [0019] With regard to the solid phase rate in the molding of the material, when the value is less than 35%, deformation of the material easily occurs, and the material becomes difficult to handle, whereas when the value is more than 50%, the fluidity is reduced since the solid phase part is too great, and failure to fill the die occurs. Therefore, the solid phase rate in the cast is made to be 35 to 50%. BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] [0020]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of casting equipment by which pressure load can be conducted which is used in an embodiment of the present invention. [0021] [0021]FIG. 2A is a side elevation view of a test piece produced in an embodiment of the present invention. [0022] [0022]FIG. 2B is a front view of a test piece produced in an embodiment of the present invention. [0023] [0023]FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of the amount of solidification contraction in an embodiment of the present invention and in a comparative example. [0024] [0024]FIG. 4 is a photomicrograph showing the internal texture of a material in an embodiment of the present invention. [0025] [0025]FIG. 5 is a photomicrograph showing the internal texture of a material in a comparative example to be compared to an embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0026] Embodiments of the present invention will be explained hereinafter with reference to the figures to clarify the effects of the invention. [0027] A. Casting Equipment [0028] [0028]FIG. 1 is a longitudinal sectional view of casting equipment by which pressure load can be conducted in order to cast a thin plate-shaped test piece which has two thicknesses which change stepwise as shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B. The pressure load type of casting equipment 1 comprises a fixed die 2 and a movable die 3 which are both made of copper and which have perpendicular matching planes 2 a and 3 a matching each other, a runner 4 and cavities 5 in which test pieces are formed between the two perpendicular matching planes 2 a and 3 a. A chamber 6 which accommodates billet B as the cast material is formed in the fixed die 2 , and the chamber 6 runs to the runner 4 by way of the gate 7 . Furthermore, sleeve 8 which runs to the chamber 6 is installed horizontally in the fixed die 2 , and plunger 9 which is inserted in the chamber 6 is fit horizontally in the sleeve 8 so as to freely slide. Then, billet B is filled in the cavities 5 from the runner 4 by placing the billet B in the half-melted state in the sleeve 8 from insertion mouth 8 a formed at an upper part of the impounding dike in sleeve 8 , and by moving the plunger 9 horizontally in a direction of the movable die 3 . [0029] B.Test Piece [0030] A test piece molded in cavity 5 in the aforesaid pressure load type of the casting equipment 1 is 90 mm in width and 110 mm in height as is shown in FIGS. 2A and 2B, and is a thin plate with two thicknesses which change stepwise in which there is a thin walled part 10 A 2.5 mm in thickness extending from half way in the height direction to one end (upper parts of FIGS. 2A and 2B) and a thick walled part 10 B 5 mm in thickness extending from half way in the height direction to the other end (lower parts of FIGS. 2A and 2B). [0031] C. Casting Test [0032] Iron based alloys of embodiments 1 to 5 and comparative examples 1 to 5 with C contents, Si contents and Cr contents as shown in Table 1 were used as materials in the following test, cylindrical billets 50 mm in diameter and 65 mm long were made of these materials, and these were heated inductively. The conditions of the heating were as follows: temperature and solid phase rate at which the billet was filled into the part 2.5 mm in thickness of the aforesaid cavity 5 by measuring the internal temperature in the 5 mm depth from the end face of the billet were properly set. The heating conditions are given in Table 1. The heated billets were cast under a pressure load by using the pressure load type of casting equipment 1 shown in FIG. 1, and the test pieces were molded. The pressurization force in the cast was 70 MPa, preheating temperature in the dies 2 and 3 was 200° C., and the test pieces were taken out by opening the dies 2 and 3 after a holding time of 1 second. TABLE 1 Billet heating conditions Amount of C Si Cr Temperature Solid solidification content content content Value in heating phase contraction Elongation Crystallization wt % wt % wt % of CE ° C. rate % % % of graphite Notes embodiment 1 2.1 3.1 — 3.1 1210 48 0.57 16.5 none 2 2 3.6 — 3.2 1220 41.8 0.46 13.8 none 3 1.9 4 0.1 3.2 1220 43.2 0.40 12.4 none 4 1.8 4.5 0.2 3.3 1220 42.4 0.34 7.3 none 5 1.6 5.5 0.3 3.4 1220 37.7 0.41 2.1 none comparative example 1 3.3 0.8 — 3.6 1170 30.1 0.88 none contamination by oxide film 2 2.8 0.7 — 3.0 1170 54.5 0.84 none 3 2.3 2 — 3.0 1200 54.6 0.68 none 4 2.2 2.5 — 3.0 1210 43.7 0.63 none 5 1.4 6.5  0.05 3.6 1230 29.3 0.46 present cracks in molding [0033] The amount of solidification contraction was obtained by measuring the width of the thin walled part 10 A in the test pieces of embodiments 1 to 5 and comparative examples 1 to 5 which were molded in the above manner. Furthermore, the internal texture of the thick walled part 10 B of the as-cast condition was observed after polishing by a microscope, and the existence of crystallization of graphite was examined. These results are given in Table 1, and the results of the amounts of solidification contraction are shown in FIG. 3. [0034] D. Tensile Test [0035] For the test pieces of embodiments 1 to 5, an annealing heat treatment was conducted in which the test pieces were cooled in a furnace after they were retained at 950° C. for 60 minutes. Afterwards, the tensile test pieces having the tensile test parts 6 mm in width and 27 mm in parallel parts were cut down from the thick walled part 10 B. The elongations of these tensile test pieces were measured by conducting the tensile tests. The measurement results are given in Table 1. [0036] E. Result of the Casting Test [0037] In embodiments 1 to 5 based on this invention, the amounts of solidification contraction are less than 0.6% in any of the embodiments, and this value is equivalent to or less than the value in diecasting products composed of aluminum. Therefore, it can clearly prevent damage such as abrasion of the die. Furthermore, the oxide film on the surface of the billet was trapped at the gate, and so the contamination of the test piece by the oxide film was not observed because the billet was transformed so as not to collapse when the billet was put into the sleeve. [0038] In addition, in the comparative example 1 among comparative examples 1 to 5 which are outside the scope of the present invention, there were large amount of the eutectic phase since the CE value was high, so the billet was easily transformed in the heating. Therefore, the billet collapsed when the billet was put into the sleeve, and the oxide film on the surface of the billet passed the gate to contaminate the test piece, and therefore cracks and cold shuts arose on the surface of the test piece. Although the defects concerned with the filling of the material in the comparative examples 2 to 4 were not observed, it was clear that the amount of solidification contraction was large and 0.6% or more, damage such as abrasion to the die occurred, and cracks were easily generated in the product. Although the filling was not insufficient in the comparative example 5 with the large content of Si and the amount of solidification contraction was also small, cracks were generated at the step part of the boundary between the thin walled part and the thick walled part because of low toughness. [0039] F. Results of Tensile Tests [0040] Judging from the tensile tests conducted on embodiments 1 to 5, it was clear that the greater the content of Si, the more the elongation tended to decrease; however sufficient elongation was obtained even if the content of Si exceeded 3.5 wt %. [0041] G. Results of Examination of the Matrix [0042] [0042]FIG. 4 is a photomicrograph of the matrix in embodiment 4, and FIG. 5 is a photomicrograph of the matrix in comparative example 5. It is clear that the matrix in embodiment 4 is uniform and sound; however, in comparative example 5, crystallization (black part) of the graphite is confirmed in parts. Therefore, it is believed that mechanical properties after annealing heat treatment and dimensional accuracy when the solidification contraction rate changes, etc., will be reduced in comparative example 5.
An iron based alloy material for a thixocasting process and a method for casting the material which extends the service life of dies by inhibiting solidification contraction, and in which casting defects such as size variations and cracks can be inhibited. The material comprises 1.6 wt %≦C≦2.5 wt % and 3.0 wt %<Si≦5.5 wt %, and a carbon equivalent (the value of CE) defined as “C(wt %)+1/3Si(wt %)” of 2.9 to 3.5. This material is made to be in a half-melted state with 35 to 50 wt % of a solid phase to be cast under a pressure load.
2
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 11/178,262, filed Jul. 8, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,425,700 which is a Continuation in Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/760,100, filed Jan. 16, 2004 now abandoned, which is a Continuation in Part of U.S. application Ser. No. 10/645,863, filed Aug. 20, 2003, now abandoned which claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/473,272, filed May 22, 2003, each of which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. This application is also related to U.S. application Ser. No. 11/178,245, entitled “BIOLOGICAL PATTERNS FOR DIAGNOSIS AND TREATMENT OF CANCER”, filed Jul. 8, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present inventions provide a business system and method for pharmaceutical, diagnostic, and biological research as well as applications of such research. Additionally, the present inventions provide a system for creation of assays such as assays based on the use of mass spectrometry. A common aspect of all life on earth is the use of polypeptides as functional building blocks and the encryption of the instructions for the building blocks in the blueprint of nucleic acids (DNA, RNA). What distinguishes between living entities lies in the instructions encoded in the nucleic acids of the genome and the way the genome manifests itself in response to the environment as proteins. The complement of proteins, protein fragments, and peptides present at any specific moment in time defines who and what we are at that moment, as well as our state of health or disease. One of the greatest challenges facing biomedical research and medicine is the limited ability to distinguish between specific biological states or conditions that affect an organism. This is reflected in the limited ability to detect the earliest stages of disease, anticipate the path any apparent disease may or will take in one patient versus another, predict the likelihood of response for any individual to a particular treatment, and preempt the possible adverse affects of treatments on a particular individual. New technologies and strategies are needed to inform medical care and improve the repertoire of medical tools, as well as methods or business methods to utilize such technologies and strategies. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to one aspect, the present invention relates to systems comprising: a mass spectrometer; and a microfluidic device adapted for sample separation, wherein said microfluidic device has a electrospray ionization interface to said mass spectrometer. In some embodiments, the system above has a microfluidic device that is disposable and/or is composed of a polymeric material. In some embodiments, the system above has a microfluidic device adapted to reduce the amount of one or more abundant proteins from a sample or to remove sample components that are greater than 50 kD. Removal of abundant protein(s) or of components greater than 50 kD can be carried out using various devices, such as 96 well plates. In any of the embodiments herein, a sample can be a fluid sample or non-fluid sample. Fluid samples include, but are not limited to serum, plasma, whole blood, nipple aspirate, ductal lavage, vaginal fluid, nasal fluid, ear fluid, gastric fluid, pancreatic fluid, trabecular fluid, lung lavage, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, sweat, pericrevicular fluid, semen, prostatic fluid, and tears. In any of the embodiments herein, the detection device can be a mass spectrometer, more preferably a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, or more preferably an orthogonal acceleration, time-of-flight (OA-TOF) mass spectrometer (MS). In any of the embodiments herein, the separation is performed by electrophoresis, more preferably, capillary electrophoresis, or more preferably zone capillary electrophoresis. According to one aspect, the present invention relates to a method for screening an organism for a biological state or condition of interest comprising the steps of: obtaining a sample from the patient; providing a system comprising: a mass spectrometer and a microfluidic device adapted for sample separation, wherein the microfluidic device has a electrospray ionization interface to the mass spectrometer; and determining if the sample from the patient includes a marker for the biological state or condition of interest. In any of the embodiments herein an organism and/or a patient is preferably a human; the sample is a body fluid; the sample herein is preferably a blood, serum or plasma sample; and the biological state or condition of interest is selected from the group consisting of: cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, and pregnancy related disorders. A marker identified or used by the methods and systems herein can be a polypeptide, nucleic acid, lipid, small molecule, or any other composition or compound. In some embodiments, a marker is a polypeptide or a small molecule. According to one aspect, the present invention relates to business methods. In one embodiment, the business methods herein comprise: identifying one or more markers using a system comprising: a mass spectrometer and a microfluidic device adapted for sample separation, wherein the microfluidic device has an electrospray ionization interface to the mass spectrometer (more preferably electrospray ionization); and commercializing the one or more markers identified in the above step in a diagnostic product. The biomarkers identified are preferably polypeptides or small molecules. Such polypeptides can be previously known or unknown. The diagnostic product herein can include one or more antibodies that specifically binds to the marker (e.g., polypeptide). In one embodiment, the business methods herein comprise: identifying one or more markers using a system comprising: a mass spectrometer and a microfluidic device adapted for sample separation, wherein the microfluidic device has an electrospray ionization interface to the mass spectrometer; and providing a diagnostic service to determine if an organism has or does not have a biological state or condition of interest. A diagnostic service herein may be provided by a CLIA approved laboratory that is licensed under the business or the business itself. The diagnostic services herein can be provided directly to a health care provider, a health care insurer, or a patient. Thus the business methods herein can make revenue from selling e.g., diagnostic services or diagnostic products. According to one embodiment of the invention, a business method is provided that includes the steps of collecting more than 10 case samples representing a clinical phenotypic state and more than 10 control samples representing patients without said clinical phenotypic state; using a mass spectrometry platform system to identify patterns of polypeptides in said case samples and in said control samples without regard to the specific identity of at least some of said proteins; identifying representative patterns of the phenotypic state; and marketing diagnostic products using said representative patterns. Such patterns contain preferably more than 15 polypeptides that are represented on output of said mass spectrometer, but the identity of at least some of said more than 15 polypeptides is not known. INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE 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. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES FIG. 1 a diagram illustrating preferred aspects of the inventions and systems used herein. FIG. 2 illustrates a timing diagram showing operation of a parallel system. FIG. 3 illustrates an SDS PAGE gel of serum with and without denaturation of serum with acid prior to ultrafiltration. Lane 1 of FIG. 3 is 0.025 μL of unprocessed serum; Lane 2 of FIG. 3 is 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with water, passed thru 30 kD MWCO membrane; Lane 3 of FIG. 3 is 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with water, passed through 50 kD MWCO membrane; Lanes 4 of FIG. 3 is 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with 1% formic acid, passed thru 30 kD MWCO membrane, Lane 5 of FIG. 3 is 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with 1% formic acid, passed through 50 kD MWCO membrane. FIG. 4 illustrates results of an experiment addressing the tradeoff between signal gain and resolution for zone electrophoresis (“ZE”) versus transient isotachophoresis-zone electrophoresis (“tiRP-ZE”) separations conducted using a capillary electrophoresis-electrospray ionization-mass spectrometry system. FIG. 5( a ) illustrates results of an experiment comparing base peak intensity (BPI) traces for pooled human serum separated by zone electrophoresis (lower trace) and by transient isotachophoresis-zone electrophoresis (upper trace). FIG. 5( b ) illustrates overlapping results for the two separations shown in FIG. 5( a ). FIG. 6 represents the CE-MS data illustrated in a two-dimensional (2-D) format, similar to that obtained through 2-D polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE). The x-axis represents the mass-to-charge ratio and the y-axis represents the separation time. Mass spectra are acquired as components come out of the capillary or chip. Black regions represent mass-to-charges and separation times where components are observed. White regions represent those were no components are observed. FIG. 7 illustrates the migration time of neurotensin, one of the post-processing standards, plotted as a function of run order. FIG. 8 illustrates the average mass spectra results for substance P (m/z 674.4, +2 charge state) where the difference in concentration between selected Groups A and B was 4-fold. FIG. 9 illustrates various range abundances of various components in serum. Classical plasma proteins are high abundance components that are preferably removed from a sample prior to analysis. FIG. 10 shows the results of an experiment addressing the separation of a mixture of seven polypeptides in acetonitrilic (bottom trace) and methanolic (top trace) solutions conducted using a capillary electrophoresis (CE)-electrospray ionization (ESI)-mass spectrometry (MS) system. FIG. 11 illustrates an exemplary microfluidic device. The microfluidic device has a curved separation channel, a second channel for application of the electrospray/electrophoresis voltage, and the electrospray emitter tip. The tip is protected from mechanical damage by plastic extensions on either side. FIG. 12 illustrates a two dimensional plot of a serum separation from the microfluidic device-electrophoresis-electrospray ionization mass spectrometry system. FIG. 13 illustrates an expanded view of the electrospray tip. FIG. 14 illustrates a TOF-MS coupled to a separation device. FIG. 15 illustrates a mass spectrum comparison of a serum sample processed with and without pepstatin A. FIGS. 16A and 16B illustrate mass spectra of a sample without pepstatin A ( FIG. 16A ) and with pepstatin A ( FIG. 16B ). FIG. 17 is a schematic representation of the experimental design. FIG. 18 is a schematic representation of an embodiment of the sample preparation process. FIG. 19 is an overall flowchart illustrating the operation of one embodiment of the business method. FIG. 20 illustrates one mass spectrometer that may be used herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The term “organism” as used herein refers to any living being comprised of a least one cell. An organism can be as simple as a one cell organism or as complex as a mammal. An organism of the present invention is preferably a mammal. Such mammal can be, for example, a human or an animal such as a primate (e.g., a monkey, chimpanzee, etc.), a domesticated animal (e.g., a dog, cat, horse, etc.), farm animal (e.g., goat, sheep, pig, cattle, etc.), or laboratory animal (e.g., mouse, rat, etc.). Preferably, an organism is a human. The term “polypeptide,” “peptide,” “oligopeptide,” or “protein” as used herein refers to any composition that includes two or more amino acids joined together by a peptide bond. It may be appreciated that polypeptides can contain amino acids other than the 20 amino acids commonly referred to as the 20 naturally occurring amino acids. Also, polypeptides can include one or more amino acids, including the terminal amino acids, which are modified by any means known in the art (whether naturally or non-naturally). Examples of polypeptide modifications include e.g., by glycosylation, or other post-translational modification. Modifications which may be present in polypeptides of the present invention include, but are not limited to, acetylation, acylation, ADP-ribosylation, amidation, covalent attachment of flavin, covalent attachment of a heme moiety, covalent attachment of a polynucleotide or polynucleotide derivative, covalent attachment of a lipid or lipid derivative, covalent attachment of phosphotidylinositol, cross-linking, cyclization, disulfide bond formation, demethylation, formation of covalent cross-links, formation of cystine, formation of pyroglutamate, formylation, gamma-carboxylation, glycation, glycosylation, GPI anchor formation, hydroxylation, iodination, methylation, myristoylation, oxidation, proteolytic processing, phosphorylation, prenylation, racemization, selenoylation, sulfation, transfer-RNA mediated addition of amino acids to proteins such as arginylation, and ubiquitination. Overview The business methods herein utilize and apply a system that is able to differentiate biological states with reliability, reproducibility, and sensitivity. Additionally, the systems herein can be used to differentiate biological states or conditions with reliability, reproducibility, and sensitivity. The system and methods herein involve the process of obtaining sample from organism(s); preparing the sample(s)—e.g., preferably by denaturing sample component(s); separating components of the sample e.g., using capillary electrophoresis, such that various components travel at various speeds; inputting the samples into a detection device—e.g., a mass spectrometer; and analyzing mass spectra patterns to detect markers that are associated with a particular biological state. The preparation and separation steps herein can be accomplished using any means known in the art. In some embodiments, either or both the preparation and separation steps occur on a microfluidic device. Such device is preferably disposable. When the methods herein involve the use of a mass spectrometer, a microfluidic device of the invention preferably provides a tip adapted for electrospraying the sample into the mass spectrometer. In some embodiments, the tip is adapted for sheath spraying. In some embodiments, the tip is adapted for non-sheath spraying. In any of the embodiments herein the mass spectrometer may include a disposable inlet capillary. In one embodiment, the system relies on an integrated, reproducible, sample preparation, separation and electrospray ionization system in a microfluidic format, with high sensitivity mass spectrometry and informatics. These systems can serve as the foundation for the discovery of patterns of markers, including polypeptides, that reflect and differentiate biological states or conditions specific for various states of health, disease, etc. The present invention relates to systems and methods (including business methods) for identifying unique patterns that can be used for diagnosing a biological state or a condition in an organism, identifying markers based on the patterns, preparing diagnostics based on such markers, and commercializing/marketing diagnostics and services utilizing such diagnostics. Markers of the present invention may be, for example, any composition and/or molecule or a complex of compositions and/or molecules that is associated with a biological state of an organism (e.g., a condition such as a disease or a non-disease state). A marker can be, for example, a small molecule, a polypeptide, a nucleic acid, such as DNA and RNA, a lipid, such as a phospholipid or a micelle, a cellular component such as a mitochondrion or chloroplast, etc. Markers contemplated by the present invention can be previously known or unknown. For example, in some embodiments, the methods herein may identify novel polypeptides that can be used as markers for a biological state of interest or condition of interest, while in other embodiments, known polypeptides are identified as markers for a biological state of interest or condition. The systems and methods herein can rely on a microfluidic device, a detection device (e.g., a mass spectrometer), and an informatics tool to provide an integrated, reliable, reproducible, and sensitive analysis of a complex sample mixture. It shall be understood that various aspects of the invention described herein can be applied individually, collectively, or in different combinations with each other. In some embodiments, the systems and methods herein are used to differentiate biological states or conditions with reliability, reproducibility, and sensitivity. In one embodiment, the system relies on an integrated, reproducible, sample preparation, separation and electrospray ionization system in a microfluidic format, with high sensitivity mass spectrometry and informatics. This system serves as the foundation for the discovery of patterns of markers, such as polypeptides, small molecules, or other biological markers that reflect and differentiate biological states or conditions specific for various states of health and disease. For purposes herein, polypeptides include, e.g., proteins, peptides, and/or protein fragments. These patterns of markers (e.g., polypeptides) reflect and differentiate biological states or conditions and can be utilized in clinically useful formats and in research contexts. Clinical applications include detection of disease; distinguishing disease states to inform prognosis, selection of therapy, and the prediction of therapeutic response; disease staging; identification of disease processes; prediction of efficacy; prediction of adverse response; monitoring of therapy associated efficacy and toxicity; and detection of recurrence. The system used herein may be utilized in both the applications of studying protein patterns that distinguish case and control samples, and/or in using patterns to diagnose individuals. FIG. 19 illustrates the overall process of the business methods disclosed herein. At step 101 the involved business (alone or with collaborators) collects a representative sample set of case samples and control samples. Case samples are those wherein a patient exhibits a particular biological state or condition, such as, for example, a disease state or other phenotype state. For example, the case samples may be those where a patient exhibits a response to a drug. Conversely, the control samples are collected from patients that do not exhibit the phenotype under study, such as those that do not have the disease or response to a drug. Preferably more than 10 case and 10 control samples are collected for use or for identifying marker or protein signals of interest. Preferably more than 20 case and 20 control samples, preferably more than 50 case and 50 control samples, preferably more than 100 case and 100 control samples, and most preferably more than 500 case and 500 control samples are collected. At step 103 , the case and control samples are assayed to identify patterns of markers that are present in the case and control samples. In preferred embodiments the markers are polypeptides such as proteins, although they may also include small molecules, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, metabolites, lipids, or the like. Preferably, the patterns are obtained without advance selection or screening of the particular polypeptides involved. In some embodiments, the patterns are obtained without identification of some or all of the markers that are shown in the pattern. Three conceptual patterns are illustrated for cases at 104 a and controls at 104 b . As shown, the patterns are greatly simplified from those that will be actually observed. Preferably the assay identifies the presence of more than 100 polypeptides, preferably more than 200 polypeptides, more preferably more than 500 polypeptides, more preferably more than 1000 polypeptides, and more preferably more than 2000 polypeptides. While the identity of some of the polypeptides will be known from prior studies, it is not necessary to specifically identify all of the polypeptides indicated by the assay. Instead, the business takes advantage of the presence of (or absence of) a pattern of many polypeptides repeatedly found to be in the cases in a pattern distinct from the controls. In various embodiments a number of polypeptides are represented in the pattern, but the identity of some of these polypeptides is not known. For example, more than 15 polypeptides can be represented, more than 30 polypeptides can be represented, more than 50 polypeptides can be represented, more than 100 polypeptides can be represented, and more than 1000 polypeptides can be represented The case and control samples are assayed to identify patterns of markers that are present in the case and control samples. In preferred embodiments the markers are polypeptides such as proteins, although they may also include small molecules, nucleic acids, polysaccharides, metabolites, lipids, or the like. Preferably, the patterns are obtained without advance selection or screening of the particular polypeptides involved. In some embodiments, the patterns are obtained without identification of some or all of the markers that are shown in the pattern. Preferably, more than 50%, 55%, 60%, 65%, 70%, 75%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 99% markers in a sample are known. In some embodiments, an assay identifies the presence of more than 100 markers, preferably more than 200, 300, or 400 markers, more preferably more than 500, 600, 700, 800, or 900 markers, more preferably more than 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500, 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900 markers, and more preferably more than 2000 markers. Preferably, the assay identified the presence of more than 100 polypeptides, preferably more than 200 polypeptides, more preferably more than 500 polypeptides, more preferably more than 1000 polypeptides, and more preferably more than 2000 polypeptides. While the identity of some of the markers or polypeptides is known from prior studies, it is not used to identify specifically all of the markers or polypeptides indicated by the assay. The presence of (or absence of) a pattern of many markers or polypeptides repeatedly found to be in the cases in a pattern distinct from the controls can be used in the study of phenotypes and/or diagnostics. In various embodiments, a number of markers or polypeptides are represented in the pattern, but the identity of some of these markers or polypeptides is not known. In some embodiments, more than 15 markers can be represented, more than 30 markers can be represented, more than 50 markers can be represented, more than 100 markers can be represented, and more than 1000 markers can be represented. In some embodiments, more than 15 polypeptides can be represented, more than 30 polypeptides can be represented, more than 50 polypeptides can be represented, more than 100 polypeptides can be represented, and more than 1000 polypeptides can be represented. In any of the embodiments herein, at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40, 45, 50, 55, 60, 65, 70, 75, 80, 85, 90, 95, 100, 110, 120, 130, 140, 150, 160, 170, 180, 190, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 800, 900, 1000, 1100, 1200, 1300, 1400, 1500 1600, 1700, 1800, 1900, or 2000 markers (e.g., polypeptides) are used to distinguish case individuals from control individuals. In preferred embodiments, the business relies on a mass spectrometry system to perform the assays. Preferably such systems and methods allow for the capture and measure of many or all of the instances of a marker or polypeptide in a sample that is introduced in the mass spectrometer for analysis. Using such systems it is preferable that one can observe those markers or polypeptides with high information-content but that are only present at low concentrations, such as those “leaked” from diseased tissue. Other high information-content markers or polypeptides may be those that are related to the disease, for instance, those that are generated in the tumor-host environment. In some embodiments, an early assay, or discovery experiment, such as the first assay, is followed by a later assay. The early assay is normally used in initial identification of markers or polypeptides that identify or separate cases from controls. The later assay is adjusted according to parameters that can focus diagnostics or evaluation of regions of interest, such as regions of high differentiation or variability, i.e. those regions or markers where there are significant differences between case samples and control samples. The parameters can be determined by, for example, an early assay which may identify the regions of interest, which may be on one technology platform, and a later assay on the same or a different platform. At step 105 , bioinformatics system are utilized to identify the differences in patterns, or the polypeptide patterns, in the case and control samples. Such techniques may be proceeded by various data cleanup steps. Patterns can be composed of the relative representation of numerous markers (e.g., polypeptides, other biological entities, small molecules, etc.), the collective profile of which is more important than the presence or absence of any specific entities. By identifying patterns in blood or other patient samples, the methods herein do not only provide the window to the presence of disease and other pathology in some embodiments, but also to the body's ongoing response to the disease or pathologic condition in other embodiments. In a high throughput mode (pipelined system operation), data from a first sample are evaluated in a bio-informatics system at the same time another sample is being processed in a detection device using, for example, a mass spectrometry system. As shown in the three simplified patterns for “cases” 104 a , peaks 106 a and 106 b tend to be observed in three “case” samples at higher levels. Conversely, less or no signal is observed at peak 106 c in the three case samples. By contrast, in the control samples 104 b , peaks 106 a and 106 c tend to be observed while peak 106 b tends to be at low levels. Of course, the patterns shown in FIG. 1 are greatly simplified, and there will be much more complex patterns in actual practice, such as tens, hundreds, or thousands of such peaks. In the particular example illustrated in FIG. 1 , peak 106 a is not informative, while peak 106 b tends to occur in cases, and peak 106 c tends to occur in controls. Automated systems will generally be applied in the identification of the patterns that distinguish cases and controls. The measurement of patterns of multiple signals will enable the identification of subtle differences in biological state and make the identification of that state more robust and less subject to biological noise. At step 107 the business uses the patterns of markers (e.g., polypeptides) present in the sample may be used to identify the disease state of a patient sample in, for example, a diagnostic setting. Samples used in both the steps 101 and 107 can, in preferred embodiments, be serum samples, although tissue or bodily fluid samples from a variety of sources can be used in alternative embodiments. Preferably, though not necessarily, the system used in the diagnostic application is based upon the same technology platform as the platform used to identify the patterns in the first instance. For example, if the platform used to identify the patterns in the first instance is a time of flight (TOF) mass spectrometer, it is preferred that the diagnostic applications of the patterns are run on a time of flight mass spectrometer. The marketing of the products can take a number of forms. For example, it may be that the developer actually markets the instruments and assays into the diagnostic research market. In alternative embodiments, the developer of the patterns will partner with, for example, a large diagnostic company that will market those products made by the developer, alone or in combination with their own products. In alternative embodiments, the developer of the patterns licenses the intellectual property in the patterns to a third party and derives revenue from licensing income arising from the pattern information. The business method herein can obtain revenue by various means, which may vary over time. Such sources may include direct sale revenue of products, upfront license fees, research payment fees, milestone payments (such as upon achievement of sales goals or regulatory filings), database subscription fees, and downstream royalties and from various sources including government agencies, academic institution and universities, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, insurance companies, and health care providers. Often, diagnostic services hereunder will be offered by clinical reference laboratories or by way of the sale of diagnostic kits. Clinical reference laboratories generally process large number of patient samples on behalf of a number of care givers and/or pharmaceutical companies. Such reference laboratories in the United States are normally qualified under CLIA and/or CAP regulations. Of course, other methods may also be used for marketing and sales such as direct sales of kits such as FDA or equivalent approved products. In some cases the developer of the pattern content will license the intellectual property and/or sell kits and/or reagents to a reference laboratory that will combine them with other reagents and/or instruments in providing a service. In the short term, the business methods disclosed generate revenue by, for example, providing application specific research or diagnostic services to third parties to discover and/or market the patterns. Examples of third-parties include customers who purchase diagnostic or research products (or services for discovery of patterns), licensees who license rights to pattern recognition databases, and partners who provide samples in exchange for downstream royalty rights and/or up front payments from pattern recognition. Depending on the fee, diagnostic services may be provided on an exclusive or non-exclusive basis. Revenue can also be generated by entering into exclusive and/or non-exclusive contracts to provide polypeptide profiling of patients and populations. For example, a company entering clinical trials may wish to stratify a patient population according to, for example, drug regimen, effective dosage, or otherwise. Stratifying a patient population may increase the efficacy of clinical trial (by removing, for example, non responders), thus allowing the company to enter into the market sooner or allow a drug to be marketed with a diagnostic test that identifies patients that may have an adverse response or be non-responsive. In addition, insurance companies may wish to obtain a polypeptide profile of a potential insured and/or to determine if, for example a drug or treatment will be effective for a patient. In the long term, revenue may be generated by alternative methods. For example, revenue can be generated by entering into exclusive and/or non-exclusive drug discovery contracts with drug companies (e.g., biotechnology companies and pharmaceutical companies). Such contracts can provide for downstream royalties on a drug based on the identification or verification of drug targets (e.g., a particular protein or set of polypeptides associated with a phenotypic state of interest), or on the identification of a subpopulation in which such drug should be utilized. Alternatively, revenue may come from a licensee fee on a diagnostic itself. The diagnostic services, patterns, and tools herein can further be provided to a pharmaceutical company in exchange for milestone payments or downstream royalties. Revenue may also be generated from the sale of disposable fluidics devices, disposable microfluidics devices, or other assay reagents or devices in for example the research market, diagnostic market, or in clinical reference laboratories. Revenue may also be generated from licensing of applications-specific software or databases. Revenue may, still further, be generated based on royalties from technology platform providers who may license some or all of the proprietary technology. For example, a mass-spectrometer platform provider may license the right to further distribute software and computer tools and/or polypeptide patterns. In preferred embodiments, the mass spectrometer or TOF device utilized herein is coupled to a microfluidic device, such as a separations device. The sample preparation techniques used preferably concentrate the markers (e.g., polypeptides or small molecules) the mass spectrometer is best able to detect and/or are which are most informative, and deplete the ones that are more difficult to detect and/or are less informative (because, for example, they appear in both case and control samples). Prepared samples may then be placed on a microfluidic device, separated and electrosprayed into a mass spectrometer. In most preferred embodiments the microfluidic separations device is a disposable device that is readily attached to and removed from the mass spectrometer, and sold as a disposable, thereby providing a recurring revenue stream to the involved business and a reliable product to the consumer. Preferably, a mass spectrometer is utilized that accepts a continuous sample stream for analysis and provide high sensitivity throughout the detection process. Any of the methods and systems herein can be automated to require no manual intervention for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or more preferably at least 10 hours. Sample preparation, in some embodiments, includes the removal of high abundance markers or polypeptides, denaturation, removal of markers or polypeptides expected to be in abundance in all samples, addition of preservatives and calibrants, and desalting. These steps allow sensitive measurement of concentrations of information-rich markers, or more preferably information-rich polypeptides, such as those that have leaked from tissue, as compared to markers or polypeptides that would carry little information, such as those highly abundant and native to serum. Prepared samples can then be separated using fast molecular separations methods with high peak capacities. An electrospray-ionization (ESI) interface may be integrated on the microfluidic device (chip), which ionizes and sprays the prepared and separated sample directly into a mass spectrometer and is preferably sold as part of a disposable component to assure that there is no carry-over between samples, and to assure high reliability of the system. In another embodiment, the system's reproducibility and resolution allows for the differentiation of different levels of markers between case and control samples, even for high abundance components that are not removed by the sample preparation steps. The system resolution allows for the differentiation of modified forms of the components, e.g. modified polypeptides, in which the modification or the level of the modified molecule is the marker. The microfluidic-based separations preferably provide the marker mixtures and polypeptide mixtures at flow rates and at complexity levels that are matched to the mass spectrometer's optimal performance regions. The mass spectrometer's sensitivity is preferably optimized to detect the species most likely to differentiate between biological states or conditions. Preferably, the reagents used for performing these steps are provided in or along with the microfluidic device, thereby allowing for additional recurring revenue to the involved business and higher performance for the user. The sample preparation system provides for different operations depending upon the detection device to be utilized. The sample preparation system preferably provides for protein denaturation prior to processing on the mass spectrometer. Analytes of interest herein may be in some cases a protein in a bound form. Preferably the system provides for denaturation of proteins preferably prior to the removal of high abundance materials (such as albumin or other proteins from serum or plasma samples). By denaturing such proteins prior to their removal, bound analytes of interest can be released such that they can be meaningful in later analysis. Denaturation may utilize any of several techniques including the use of heat, high salt concentrations, the use of acids, base, chaotropic agents, organic solvents, detergents and/or reducing agents. Liotta, Lance, A., et al., “Written in Blood,” Nature (Oct. 30, 2003), Volume 425, page 905. Tirumalai, Radhakrishna S., et al. “Characterization of the Low Molecular Weight Human Serum Proteome,” Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 2.10 (Aug. 13, 2003), pages 1096-1103. The system used for removal of high abundance markers (e.g., polypeptides) may be based on, for example, the use of high affinity reagents for removal of the markers (e.g., polypeptides), the use of high molecular weight filters, ultracentrifugation, precipitation, and/or electrodialysis. Polypeptides that are often be removed include, for example, those involved in normal metabolism, and a wide variety of other indications not of relevance to a particular assay. Such markers or proteins may be removed through, for example, a solid phase extraction resin or using a device that removes such proteins with antibodies (e.g., Agilent's High-Capacity Multiple Affinity Removal System). Additionally, the system may include a reversed phase chromatography device, for example, for separation or fractionation of small molecules and/or to trap, desalt, and separate or fractionate a marker or protein mixture. FIG. 1 illustrates additional aspects of an exemplary system platform used herein. The invention involves an integrated system to a) discover; and b) assay patterns of markers including polypeptides that reflect and differentiate biological and clinical states of organisms, including patients, in biological materials including but not limited to body fluids. Biological and clinical states include but are not limited to phenotypic states; conditions affecting an organism; states of development; age; health; pathology, disease detection, process, or staging; infection; toxicity; or response to chemical, environmental, or drug factors (such as drug response phenotyping, drug toxicity phenotyping, or drug effectiveness phenotyping). Biological fluids 201 include but are not limited to serum, plasma, whole blood, nipple aspirate, ductal lavage, vaginal fluid, nasal fluid, ear fluid, gastric fluid, pancreatic fluid, trabecular fluid, lung lavage, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, sweat, pericrevicular fluid, semen, prostatic fluid, and tears. The system provides for the integration of fast molecular separations and electrospray ionization system 204 on a microfluidic platform 203 . The system provides processed samples to a high sensitivity time of flight mass spectrometer 205 . Signal processing system and pattern extraction and recognition tools 207 incorporate domain knowledge to extract information from polypeptide patterns and classify the patterns to provide a classification 209 . The signal processing system may include or be coupled to other software elements as well. For example, the signal processing system may provide for an easy to use user interface on the associated computer system and/or a patient database for integration of results into an institution's laboratory or patient information database system. The microfluidic device(s) 203 and 204 may be formed in plastic by means of etching, machining, cutting, molding, casting or embossing. The microfluidic device(s) may be made from glass or silicon by means of etching, machining, or cutting. The device may be formed by polymerization on a form or other mold. The device may be made from a polymer by machining, cutting, molding, casting, or embossing. The molecular separations unit or the integrated fast molecular separations/electrospray ionization unit may provide additional sample preparation steps, including sample loading, sample concentration, removal of salts and other compounds that may interfere with electrospray ionization, removal of highly abundant species, selective capture of specific molecules, with affinity reagents concentration of the sample to a smaller volume, proteolytic or chemical cleavage of components within the biological material, enzymatic digestion, and/or aliquoting in to storage containers. The particular operations performed by the device depend upon the detection technology that is utilized. The device(s) for separations and electrospray may be either single use for a single sample, multi-use for a single sample at a time with serial loading, single use with parallel multiple sample processing, multi-use with parallel multiple sample processing or a combination. Separations processes may include isoelectric focusing, electrophoresis, chromatography, or electrochromatography. The separations device may include collection areas or entities for some or all of the purified or partially purified fractions. It is to be understood that the inventions herein are illustrated primarily with regard to mass spectrometry as a detection device, but other devices may be used alone or with the mass spectrometer. For example, detection devices may include electrochemical, spectroscopic, or luminescent detectors, and may be integral with the microfluidics device. Mass spectrometers that may be used include quadrupole, ion trap, magnetic sector, orbitrap Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance instruments, or an orthogonal multiplex time-of-flight mass spectrometer which includes an analyzer that receives an ion beam from an electrospray ionization (ESI) source. FIG. 20 illustrates a mass spectrometer system 205 in greater detail in one specific embodiment of the invention. In FIG. 20 , an orthogonal multiplex time-of-flight mass spectrometer which includes an analyzer that receives an ion beam from an electrospray ionization (ESI) source 301 such as disclosed in U.S. Ser. No. 10/395,023. By “multiplex” in this context it is intended to mean a system that processes multiple ion packets at the same time. The ion beam is initially introduced into analyzer 303 along an axis 305 , and the analyzer generally accumulates differing size packets of ions of the beam and accelerates the packets of ions laterally along a flight path 307 . The pulses or packets of ions are spaced in time and along the flight path by different accumulation periods, and the speed of travel of the ions along flight path 307 varies with a mass-to-charge ratio (m/z) such that the ions of sequential pulses, and often the ions of three or more pulses, will arrive intermingled at one time at a detector 309 . In addition to analyzer 303 , the system includes a driver 311 to intermittently energize lateral acceleration electrodes of analyzer 303 . Driver 311 modulates or encodes the beam with the pseudorandom sequence by reference to a clock signal supplied from a multichannel scaler 313 . Driver 311 also supplies a trigger signal to the multichannel scaler 313 to signal the start of a sequence. An output signal from detector 309 is amplified by an amplifier 315 and is counted by multichannel scaler 313 . The pseudorandom sequence applied by driver 311 will typically provide for time periods which may each be defined as integer multiples of a unit accumulation time. To facilitate reconstruction of a spectrum from the signal generated by detector 309 , multichannel scaler 313 may count the amplified signal from amplifier 315 into time bins which represent integral fractions of this unit time. These counts can then be sent to a computer 317 for reconstruction of a particular spectra and characterization of the sample material introduced into the system via ESI source 301 . Computer 317 may also control a variety of additional components of system 205 , with a wide variety of alternative data processing being possible. The structure and use of driver 311 , multichannel scaler 313 , amplifier 315 and computer 317 may in some embodiments be those such as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 6,300,626 issued to Brock et al. and entitled “Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometer and Ion Analysis” on Oct. 9, 2001, which is fully incorporated by reference along with all other references cited in this application. In preferred embodiments the system also adapts the speed of the system in response to the detection of known markers that are likely to be present in all samples, and which are readily detectable. Since separations may often vary in retention or migration time, by detecting molecules that are known, likely to be in all samples, and easily detectable, and then comparing the speed at which they have passed through the system in comparison to a standard from other experiments, it becomes possible to speed the system up by speeding the separations in response to the detection of slower than expected migration time, or slowing the system down in response to faster than expected migration times. The speed may be adjusted through, for example, adjustments in system pressure, voltage, current flow, or temperature. Preferably, the system is operated faster or slower by changing the voltage. Thus the speed of the system can be fine tuned to detect specific markers. Representative markers (e.g., peptides and proteins) that could be spiked into samples for quality control include neurotensin, lysozyme, aprotinin, insulin b-chain, and renin substrate. In addition, the speed of operation of the device may be slowed to provide greater accuracy in the detection of molecules of particular interest in a spectrum. Conversely, the system may be operated more quickly during the times when components of low interest would be expected to be detected. In some embodiments pressure is added to move the components through the electrophoretic device, especially to migrate components to the end of an electrophoretic separation capillary (in conjunction with the use of the electro osmotic flow). The pressure produces buffer flow that is used to maintain a stable electrospray. Ions formed by electrospray ionization may be singly or multiply charge ions of molecules, with charge coming from protons or alkali metal bound to the molecules. Ion excitation may be produced by collision of ions with background gas or an introduced collision gas. Alternatively, excitation may be from collision with other ions, a surface, interaction with photons, heat, electrons, or alpha particles. Through excitation of the sample in an electrospray the information content of the process should be altered and/or enhanced. Such excitation may, for example, desolvate ions, dissociate noncovalently bound molecules from analyte ions, break up solvent clusters, fragment background ions to change their mass to charge ratio and move them to a ratio that may interfere less with the analysis, strip protons and other charge carriers such that multiply charged ions move to different regions of the spectrum, and fragment analyte ions to produce additional, more specific or sequence-related information. In preferred embodiments the excitation system may be turned on and off to obtain a set of spectra in both states. The information content of the two spectra is, in most cases, far greater than the information content of either single spectra. In such embodiments the system includes a switching device for activating and de-activating the excitation/ionization system. Analysis software is configured in this case to analyze the sample separately both in the “on” state of the excitation system and in the “off” state of the excitation system. Different markers may be detected more efficiently in one or the other of these two states. FIG. 2 illustrates the pipelined systems operations in greater detail. As shown at step 351 , a first sample is acquired during this time frame and separated in the microfluidics device, and then processed in the mass spectrometer. At step 353 a second sample is processed in the microfluidics device and processed in the mass spectrometer. During at least some of the time when second sample is being processed at step 353 , the data from the mass spectrum for the first sample are processed in the data analysis system at step 357 . Similarly, at step 355 a third sample is processed in the microfluidics device and the mass spectrometer, while the data from sample 2 are being analyzed in the data analysis system at step 359 . Sample Collection In some embodiments, the system and methods (including business methods) herein involve obtaining sample(s) from organism(s) as is illustrated in FIG. 1 , element 201 . Preferably the organism is a human. Such samples can be in liquid or non-liquid form. Examples of liquid samples that can be obtained from an organism, such as a patient, include, but are not limited to, serum, plasma, whole blood, nipple aspirate, ductal lavage, vaginal fluid, nasal fluid, ear fluid, gastric fluid, pancreatic fluid, trabecular fluid, lung lavage, urine, cerebrospinal fluid, saliva, sweat, pericrevicular fluid, semen, prostatic fluid, and tears. Examples of non-liquid samples include samples from tissue, bone, hair, cartilage, tumor cells, etc. Non-liquid samples may be dissolved in a liquid medium, containing, e.g., detergent, chaotrope, denaturant, acid, base, protease or reducing agent prior to further analysis. In preferred embodiments, samples collected are in liquid form. Preferably, samples collected are serum or plasma. Case samples are obtained from individuals with a particular phenotypic state of interest. Examples of phenotypic states include, phenotypes resulting from an altered environment, drug treatment, genetic manipulations or mutations, injury, change in diet, aging, or any other characteristic(s) of a single organism or a class or subclass of organisms. In a preferred embodiment, a phenotypic state of interest is a clinically diagnosed disease state. Such disease states include, for example, cancer, cardiovascular disease, inflammatory disease, autoimmune disease, neurological disease, infectious disease and pregnancy related disorders. Control samples are obtained from individuals who do not exhibit the phenotypic state of interest or disease state (e.g., an individual who is not affected by a disease or who does not experience negative side effects in response to a given drug). Alternatively, states of health can be analyzed. Cancer phenotypes are studied in some aspects of the invention or business method. Examples of cancer include, but are not limited to: breast cancer, skin cancer, bone cancer, prostate cancer, liver cancer, lung cancer, brain cancer, cancer of the larynx, gallbladder, pancreas, rectum, parathyroid, thyroid, adrenal, neural tissue, head and neck, colon, stomach, bronchi, kidneys, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma of both ulcerating and papillary type, metastatic skin carcinoma, osteo sarcoma, Ewing's sarcoma, veticulum cell sarcoma, myeloma, giant cell tumor, small-cell lung tumor, non-small cell lung carcinoma gallstones, islet cell tumor, primary brain tumor, acute and chronic lymphocytic and granulocytic tumors, hairy-cell tumor, adenoma, hyperplasia, medullary carcinoma, pheochromocytoma, mucosal neurons, intestinal ganglioneuromas, hyperplastic corneal nerve tumor, marfanoid habitus tumor, Wilm's tumor, seminoma, ovarian tumor, leiomyomater tumor, cervical dysplasia and in situ carcinoma, neuroblastoma, retinoblastoma, soft tissue sarcoma, malignant carcinoid, topical skin lesion, mycosis fungoide, rhabdomyosarcoma, Kaposi's sarcoma, osteogenic and other sarcoma, malignant hypercalcemia, renal cell tumor, polycythermia vera, adenocarcinoma, glioblastoma multiforma, leukemias, lymphomas, malignant melanomas, epidermoid carcinomas, and other carcinomas and sarcomas. Cardiovascular disease may be studied in other applications of the invention. Examples of cardiovascular disease include, but are not limited to, congestive heart failure, high blood pressure, arrhythmias, atherosclerosis, cholesterol, Wolff-Parkinson-White Syndrome, long QT syndrome, angina pectoris, tachycardia, bradycardia, atrial fibrillation, ventricular fibrillation, congestive heart failure, myocardial ischemia, myocardial infarction, cardiac tamponade, myocarditis, pericarditis, arrhythmogenic night ventricular dysplasia, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, Williams syndrome, heart valve diseases, endocarditis, bacterial, pulmonary atresia, aortic valve stenosis, Raynaud's disease, Raynaud's disease, cholesterol embolism, Wallenberg syndrome, Hippel-Lindau disease, and telangiectasis. Inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease may be studied in other applications of the system or business method. Examples of inflammatory disease and autoimmune disease include, but are not limited to, rheumatoid arthritis, non-specific arthritis, inflammatory disease of the larynx, inflammatory bowel disorder, psoriasis, hypothyroidism (e.g., Hashimoto thyroidism), colitis, Type 1 diabetes, pelvic inflammatory disease, inflammatory disease of the central nervous system, temporal arteritis, polymyalgia rheumatica, ankylosing spondylitis, polyarteritis nodosa, Reiter's syndrome, scleroderma, systemis lupus and erythematosus. Infectious disease may be studied in still further aspects of the system or business method. Examples of infectious disease include, but are not limited to, AIDS, hepatitis C, SARS, tuberculosis, sexually transmitted diseases, leprosay, lyme disease, malaria, measles, meningitis, mononucleosis, whooping cough, yellow fever, tetanus, arboviral encephalitis, and other bacterial, viral, fungal or helminthic diseases. Neurological diseases include dementia, Alzheimer disease, Parkinsons disease, ALS, MS. Pregnancy related disorders include pre-eclampsia, eclampsia pre-term birth, growth restriction in utero, rhesus incompartability, retained placenta, septicemia, separation of the placenta, ectopic pregnancy, hypermosis gravidarum, placenta previa, erythroblastosis fetalis, pruritic urticarial papula and plaques. Samples may be collected from a variety of sources in a given patient depending on the application of the business. In some embodiments samples are collected on the account of the company itself while in other examples they are collected in collaboration with an academic collaborator or pharmaceutical collaborator that, for example, is collecting samples in a clinical trial. Samples collected are preferably bodily fluids such as blood, serum, sputum, including, saliva, plasma, nipple aspirants, synovial fluids, cerebrospinal fluids, sweat, urine, fecal matter, pancreatic fluid, trabecular fluid, cerebrospinal fluid, tears, bronchial lavage, swabbings, bronchial aspirants, semen, precervicular fluid, vaginal fluids, pre-ejaculate, etc. In a preferred embodiment, a sample collected is approximately 1 to 5 ml of blood. In some instances, samples may be collected from individuals over a longitudinal period of time (e.g., once a day, once a week, once a month, biannually or annually). The longitudinal period may, for example, also be before, during, and after a stress test or a drug treatment. Obtaining numerous samples from an individual over a period of time can be used to verify results from earlier detections and/or to identify an alteration in polypeptide pattern as a result of, for example, aging, drug treatment, pathology, etc. Samples can be obtained from humans or non-humans. In a preferred embodiment, samples are obtained from humans. When obtaining a blood, serum, or plasma sample, a coagulation cascade may activate proteases that can induce clotting and cleave proteins in the sample. Preferably, such processes can be prevented or their effect reduced. Thus for serum samples, separating clots from the serum as soon as the clotting process is completed, then freezing the serum as quickly as possible but no longer than within 24 hrs, 12 hrs, 6 hrs, 3 hrs or 1 hr. Similarly for plasma samples, the present invention contemplates removing cells quickly from the blood sample (e.g., in less than 24 hrs, 12 hrs, 6 hrs, 3 hrs, or 1 hr) and the plasma is frozen as soon as possible. Preferred protocols for sample collection and storage are given in Table 1 below. TABLE 1 Recommended protocols for blood collection and storage. Process Step Serum Plasma Tube type Plastic serum separator tube (Plus K 2 EDTA SST) Clotting time and 30-45 min at room temperature N/A temp Centrifuge 10 min at 1100-1300 g at room Within 30 min of venipuncture temperature centrifuge for 15 min at 2500 g at room temperature Aliquot and Freezing 0.5 mL aliquots to cryovials, and 0.5 mL aliquots to cryovials, and refrigerated until frozen at −80° C., refrigerated until frozen at −80° C., within 2 hours of venipuncture. within 2 hours of venipuncture. Sample Preparation After samples are collected, they are optionally prepared and/or separated before they are analyzed. Sample preparation and separation can involve any of the following procedures, depending on the type of sample collected and/or types of marker or protein searched: removal of high abundance markers or polypeptides (e.g., albumin, and transferring; addition of preservatives and calibrants, denaturation, desalting of samples; concentration of sample markers and/or polypeptides; selective capture of specific molecules with affinity reagents; protein digestions; and fraction collection. Further disruption of proteolytic processes by adding protease inhibitors to blood collection tubes or tubes used to store or prepare the blood is also used in some embodiments. Examples of protease inhibitors that may be added to a blood, plasma or serum sample include but are not limited to acid protease inhibitors, serine protease inhibitors, threonine protease inhibitors, cysteine protease inhibitors, aspartic acid protease inhibitors, metallo protease inhibitors, and glutamic acid protease inhibitors. Examples of common serine protease inhibitors include alpha 1-antitrypsin, complement 1-inhibitor, antithrombin, alpha 1-antichymotrypsin, plasminogen activator inhibitor 1 (coagulation, fibrinolysis) and neuroserpin. In preferred embodiments, a protease inhibitor is an acid protease inhibitor, or more preferably, Pepstatin A. Other examples of acid protease inhibitors include Ahpatinins, In some embodiment, sample preparation may involve denaturation or the addition of an added solution to the sample. Exemplary steps for sample preparation are given in Table 2 below: TABLE 2 Sample preparation procedure. (i) Dilute 50 μL serum to 500 μL in 1% formic acid, 1 μM pepstatin, 300 nM angiotensin III, 1 μM aprotinin (ii) Centrifuge through 50 kDa ultrafiltration membranes (30 min., 14,000 × g) (iii) Apply to activated reverse phase resin in 96 well plate (Waters μElute plate) - on a vacuum manifold (iv) Wash (desalt) and then elute (70% ACN, 0.1% acetic) Dry under N2 stream (v) Redissolve each well with 5 μL 20% IPA, 0.1% formic acid, 3 μM renin substrate, 3 μM bradykin, using two minute vortexing (vi) Freeze @ −20° C. until analysis FIG. 3 illustrates the efficiency of the sample preparation method for removal of high MW components and recovery of low MW components. Total protein measurement on serum before preparation by denaturation (70 mg/nL) and after preparation by denaturation using an acid (70 ug/nL) followed by ultrafiltration released a significant amount of lower molecular weight components. In particular, FIG. 3 shows an SDS PAGE gel of serum with and without denaturation of serum with acid prior to ultrafiltration. Lane 1 of FIG. 3 illustrates protein from 0.025 μL of unprocessed serum. Lane 2 of FIG. 3 illustrates protein from 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with water, passed thru 30 kD MWCO membrane. Lane 3 of FIG. 3 illustrates 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with water, passed through 50 kD MWCO membrane. Lanes 4 of FIG. 3 illustrates 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with 1% formic acid, passed thru 30 kD MWCO membrane. Lane 5 of FIG. 3 illustrates 40 μL serum diluted 1:10 with 1% formic acid, passed through 50 kD MWCO membrane. FIG. 3 demonstrates that about 99% of polypeptides were depleted by denaturation prior to separation by ultrafiltration. Recovery of representative polypeptides averaged 65%, demonstrating the efficiency of low MW peptide recovery. Additional examples on the use and effects of protease inhibitors on sample analysis are discussed herein. Preferably, sample preparation techniques concentrate information-rich markers or polypeptides (e.g., polypeptides that have “leaked” from diseased cells or are produced by the host response to the tumor) and deplete markers and/or polypeptides that would carry little or no information such as those that are highly abundant or native to serum (e.g., classical plasma proteins such as albumin). FIG. 9 illustrates range abundances of various components/markers in serum. Classical plasma proteins that are highly abundant are preferably removed from a sample prior to analysis. Sample preparation can take place in a manifold or preparation/separation device. In preferred embodiment, such preparation/separation device is a microfluidic device. Optimally, the preparation/separation device interfaces directly or indirectly with a detection device. In another embodiment, such preparation/separation device is a fluidics device. In yet another embodiment, the preparation device is a 96-well plate and the separation device is a microfluidic device. In other preferred embodiments, sample preparation uses conventional methods (e.g., pipettes and 96 well plates, while separation takes place on a microfluidic device. Approximately 100 μL of a sample or less is analyzed per assay in some particular embodiments of the invention. Removal of undesired markers or polypeptides (e.g., high abundance, uninformative, or undetectable polypeptides) can be achieved using, e.g., high affinity reagents, high molecular weight filters, size exclusion, untracentrifugation and/or electrodialysis. High Affinity Reagents High affinity reagents include antibodies or aptamers that selectively bind to high abundance polypeptides or reagents that have a specific pH, ionic value, or detergent strength. Examples of high affinity reagents that can be used to remove high abundant, or informatics depleted components from a sample include antibodies and aptamers that selectively bind to such components (e.g., polypeptide, reagents, etc.). For example, albumin may be removed by specific antibodies (Pieper, R., et al. (2003) Proteomics 3, 422-32), dyes (e.g. Cibachron Blue), synthetic peptides, and aptamers. Immunoglobulins (e.g., IgG) can readily bind Protein A and Protein G. Other antibody reagents are also available for removal of abundant proteins (e.g., Agilent's High-Capacity Multiple Affinity Removal System). In preferred embodiments, a device that removes the highest abundance proteins, such as Agilent's device, is utilized to remove a high abundant protein. High Molecular Weight Filters High molecular weight filters include membranes that separate molecules on the basis of size and molecular weight. Such filters may further employ reverse osmosis, dialysis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration. Examples of high molecular weight filters that can be used to remove undesired components from a sample include membranes that separate molecules on the basis of size and molecular weight. Such membranes may further employ reverse osmosis, dialysis, nanofiltration, ultrafiltration and microfiltration. In some embodiments high molecular weight filters separate out all components that have molecular weight greater than 1,000 kD, 900 kD, 800 kD, 700 kD, 600 kD, 500 kD, 400 kD, 300 kD, 200 kD, 100 kD, 90 kD, 80 kD, 70 kD, 60 kD, 50 kD, 40 kD, 30 kD, 20 kD, 10 kD, 1 kD. Ultracentrifugation Ultracentrifugation is another method for removing undesired components of a sample. Ultracentrifugation can involve centrifugation of a sample at least about 10,000 rpm, 20,000 rpm, 30,000 rpm, 40,000 rpm, 50,000 rpm, 60,000 rpm, 70,000 rpm, 80,000 rpm, 90,000 rpm, or 100,000 rpm while monitoring with an optical system the sedimentation (or lack thereof) of particles. Electrodialysis Another method for removing undesired components is via electrodialysis. Electrodialysis is an electromembrane process in which ions are transported through ion permeable membranes from one solution to another under the influence of a potential gradient. Since the membranes used in electrodialysis have the ability to selectively transportions having positive or negative charge and reject ions of the opposite charge, electrodialysis is useful for concentration, removal, or separation of electrolytes. In a preferred embodiment, the manifold or microfluidic device performs electrodialysis to remove high molecular weight markers and polypeptides or undesired markers and polypeptides. Electrodialysis is first used to allow only molecules under approximately 30 kD (not a sharp cutoff) to pass through into a second chamber. A second membrane with a very small molecular weight (roughly 500 D) allows smaller molecules such as salts to egress the second chamber. In some embodiments, electrodialysis is used to allow only molecules under approximately 10 kDa, 20 kDa, 30 kDa, 40 kDa, 50 kDa, 60 kDa, 70 kDa, 80 kDa, 90 kDa, 100 kDa to pass through from a first chamber into a second chamber. A second membrane with a very small molecular weight, e.g., less than 900 Da, 800 Da, 700 Da, 600 Da, 500 Da, 400 Da, 300 Da, 200 Da, or 100 Da, allows smaller molecules such as salts to egress the second chamber. Size Exclusion Another method for separating molecules by molecular weight is size exclusion chromatography also called gel-permeation chromatography (GPC). Size exclusion chromatography uses porous particles to separate molecules of different sizes. In size exclusion chromatography, molecules can flow past a porous resin or be entrapped or entrained in a porous resin. Thus, molecules that are smaller than the pore size can enter the particles and therefore have a longer path and longer transist time than larger molecules that cannot enter the particles. The low molecular weight molecules are collected by passing additional solution over the resin of particles. In some of the embodiments herein, depletion of high abundance markers such as proteins occurs based on size. For example, in one embodiments polypeptides>1,000 kD, 900 kD, 800 kD, 700 kD, 600 kD, 500 kD, 400 kD, 300 kD, 200 kD, 100 kD, 90 kD, 80 kD, 70 kD, 60 kD, 50 kD, 40 kD, 30 kD, 20 kD, 10 kD, 1 kD) are removed. More preferably polypeptides>50 kD, 49 kD, 48 kD, 47 kD, 46 kD, 45 kD, 44 kD, 43 kD, 42 kD, 41 kD, 40 kD, 39 kD, 38 kD, 37 kD, 36 kD, 35 kD, 34 kD, 33 kD, 32 kD, 31 kD, 30 kD, 29 kD, 28 kD, 27 kD, 26 kD, 25 kD, 24 kD, 23 kD, 22 kD, 20 kD, 19 kD, 18 kD, 17 kD, 16 kD, 15 kD, 14 kD, 13 kD, 12 kD, 11 kD, 10 kD, 9 kD, 8 kD, 7 kD, 6 kD, 5 kD, 4 kD, 3 kD, 2 kD, or 1 kD are removed. Preferably greater than 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 99% of such proteins with the above molecular weight are removed. In other embodiments, depletion of high abundance markers occurs based on binding specificity (e.g., using antibodies). In one example, sample preparation including denaturation of components (e.g., polypeptides) occurs prior to detection of the sample by a detection device. More preferably, denaturation of markers occurs prior to removal of one or more high abundance materials. By denaturing such markers prior to their removal, bound analytes of interest are released such that they can be meaningful in later analysis. Denaturation may involve any technique known in the art including, for example, the use of heat, high salt concentrations, the use of acids, base, chaotropic agents, organic solvents, detergents and/or reducing agents. Liotta, Lance, A., et al., Nature (Oct. 30, 2003), Volume 425, page 905; Tirumalai, Radhakrishna S., et al. “Characterization of the Low Molecular Weight Human Serum Proteome,” Molecular & Cellular Proteomics 2.10 (Aug. 13, 2003), pages 1096-1103. In one embodiment, denaturation occurs prior to filtration with a high-molecular weight filter. This allows for the disassociation of low molecular weight components from large protein complexes. Following size separation, the filtrate (low MW composition) may be concentrated and desalted with a reverse phase resin in a solid phase extraction (SPE) format. Sample Separation After samples are prepared, markers including polypeptides of interest may be separated or fractionated. Separation or fractionation can take place in the same location (manifold or microfluidic device) as the preparation or in another location. In a preferred embodiment, separation occurs in the same microfluidic device where preparation occurs, but in a different location on the device. Samples can be removed from an initial manifold location to a microfluidic device using various means, including an electric field. In one embodiment, the samples are concentrated during their migration to the microfluidic device using reverse phase beads and an organic solvent elution such as 50% methanol. This elutes the molecules into a channel or a well on a separation device of a microfluidic device. In another embodiment, samples are concentrated by isotachophoresis, in which ions are concentrated at a boundary between a leading and a trailing electrolyte of lower and higher electrophoretic mobilities, respectively. In other embodiments, sample preparation occurs or sample fractionation using conventional methods (e.g., pipettes and 96-well plates) and samples are then transferred to a microfluidic device for separations. Separation can involve any procedure known in the art, such as capillary electrophoresis (e.g., in capillary or on a chip/microfluidic device), or chromatography (e.g., in capillary, column or on a chip/microfluidic device). (i) Electrophoresis Electrophoresis separates ionic molecules such as polypeptides by differential migration patterns through an open capillary or open channel or a gel based on the size and ionic charge of the molecules in an electric field. Electrophoresis can be conducted in a gel, capillary or on a chip. Examples of capillaries used for electrophoresis include capillaries that interface with an electrospray tip. Capillary Gel Electrophoresis (CGE) separates ionic molecules through a gel. Examples of gels used for electrophoresis include starch, acrylamide, agarose or combinations thereof. In a preferred embodiment, polyacrylamide gels are used. A gel can be modified by its cross-linking, addition of detergents, immobilization of enzymes or antibodies (affinity electrophoresis) or substrates (zymography) and pH gradient. Examples of capillaries used for electrophoresis include capillaries that interface with an electrospray. Capillary electrophoresis (CE) is preferred for separating complex hydrophilic molecules and highly charged solutes. Advantages of CE include its use of small samples (sizes ranging from 0.001 to 10 μL), fast separation, easily reproducible, and the ability to be coupled to a mass spectrometer. CE technology uses narrow bore fused-silica capillaries to separate a complex array of large and small molecules. High voltages are used to separate molecules based on differences in charge, size and hydrophobicity. Depending on the types of capillary and buffers used, CE can be further segmented into separation techniques such as capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), capillary isoelectric focusing (CLEF) and capillary electrochromatography (CEC). Capillary zone electrophoresis (CZE), also known as free-solution CE (FSCE), is the simplest form of CE. The separation mechanism of CZE is based on differences in the size and charge of the analytes. Fundamental to CZE are homogeneity of the buffer solution and constant field strength throughout the length of the capillary. The separation relies principally on the pH-controlled dissociation of acidic groups on the solute or the protonation of basic functions on the solute. Capillary isoelectric focusing (CIEF) allows amphoteric molecules, such as polypeptides, to be separated by electrophoresis in a pH gradient generated between the cathode and anode. A solute migrates to a point where its net charge is zero. At this isoelectric point (the solute's pI), migration stops and the sample is focused into a tight zone. In CIEF, once a solute has focused at its pt, the zone is mobilized past the detector by either pressure or chemical means. CEC is a hybrid technique between traditional liquid chromatography (HPLC) and CE. In essence, CE capillaries are packed with HPLC packing and a voltage is applied across the packed capillary, which generates an electro-osmotic flow (EOF). The EOF transports solutes along the capillary towards a detector. Both differential partitioning and electrophoretic migration of the solutes occurs during their transportation towards the detector, which leads to CEC separations. It is therefore possible to obtain unique separation selectivities using CEC compared to both HPLC and CE. The beneficial flow profile of EOF reduces flow related band broadening and separation efficiencies of several hundred thousand plates per meter are often obtained in CEC. CEC also makes it is possible to use small-diameter packings and achieve very high efficiencies. Alternatively, isotachophoresis (ITP) is a method of concentrating samples by electrophoretic separation using a discontinuous buffer. See Osbourn, D. M., et al., “On-line Preconcentration Methods for Capillary Electrophoresis” Electrophoresis 2000, 21, 2768-2779. In ITP, charged molecules are concentrated at a boundary between a leading and a trailing electrolyte of lower and higher electrophoretic mobility, respectively. The technique can be used in conjunction with capillary electrophoresis where a discontinuous electrolyte system is preferably employed at the site of sample injection into the capillary. Moreover, transient isotachophoresis (tITP) is a variation of this technique commonly used in conjunction with capillary electrophoresis (CE). Foret, F., et al. describes two electrolyte arrangements for performing tITP. Trace Analysis of Proteins by Capillary Zone Electrophoresis with On-Column Transient Isotachophoretic Preconcentration. Electrophoresis 1993, 14, 417-428 (1993). One configuration employs two reservoirs connected by a capillary. The capillary and one reservoir are filled with a leading electrolyte (LE), while the second reservoir is filled with terminating electrolyte (TE). The sample for analysis is first injected into the capillary filled with LE and the injection end of the capillary is inserted into the reservoir containing TE. Voltage is applied and those components of the sample which have mobilities intermediate to those of the LE and TE stack into sharp ITP zones and achieve a steady state concentration. The concentration of such zones is related to the concentration of the LE co-ion but not to the concentration of the TE. Once a steady state is reached, the reservoir containing TE is replaced with an LE containing reservoir. This causes a destacking of the sharp ITP zones, which allows individual species to move in a zone electrophoretic mode. The other configuration discussed by Foret, F., et al. employs a similar approach but uses a single background electrolyte (BGE) in each reservoir. The mobility of the BGE co-ion is low such that it can serve as the terminating ion. The sample for analysis contains additional co-ions with high electrophoretic mobility such that it can serve as the leading zone during tITP migration. After sample is injected into the capillary and voltage is applied, the leading ions of higher mobility in the sample form an asymmetric leading and sharp rear boundary. Just behind the rear boundary, a conductivity discontinuity forms, which results in a non-uniform electric field, and thus stacking of the sample ions. As migration progresses, the leading zone broadens due to electromigration dispersion and the concentration of higher mobility salt decreases. The result is decreasing differences of the electric field along the migrating zones. At a certain concentration of the leading zone, the sample bands destack and move with independent velocities in a zone electrophoretic mode. In preferred embodiments, the samples are separated on using CE, more preferably CEC with sol-gels, or more preferably CZE. This separates the molecules based on their electrophoretic mobility at a given pH (or hydrophobicity in the case of CEC). A separation channel in a separation microfluidic device of the present invention is preferably coated with a positive coating that reduces molecular interactions at the low pH used in the system, and produces an electro-osmotic flow of at least 10 nL/min, 20 nL/min, 30 nL/min, 40 nL/min, 50 nL/min, 60 nL/min, 70 nL/min, 80 nL/min, 90 nL/min, 100 nL/min, 110 nL/min, 120 nL/min, 130 nL/min, 140 nL/min, or 150 nL/min to feed the electrospray process. Preferably, the electro-osmotic flow is of at least 100 nL/min. The microfluidic devices can separate all serum components in under 12 minutes, with a separation efficiency of 100,000 theoretical plates. (ii) Chromatography Chromatography is another method for separating a subset of polypeptides. Chromatography is based on the differential absorption and elution of certain polypeptides. Liquid chromatography (LC), for example, involves the use of fluid carrier over a stationary phase. Conventional LC columns have an in inner diameter of roughly 4.6 mm and a flow rate of roughly 1 ml/min. Micro-LC has an inner diameter of roughly 1.0 mm and a flow rate of roughly 40 μL/min. Capillary LC utilizes a capillary with an inner diameter of roughly 300 um and a flow rate of approximately 5 μL/min. Nano-LC is available with an inner diameter of 10-300 μm or 50 um-1 mm and flow rates of 10-200 nl/min. Nano-LC can vary in length (e.g., 5, 15, or 25 cm) and have typical packing of C18, 5 um particle size. Nano-LC stationary phase may also be a monolithic material, such as a polymeric monolith or a sol-gel monolith. In a preferred embodiment, nano-LC is used. Nano-LC provides increased sensitivity due to lower dilution of chromatographic sample. The sensitivity of nano-LC as compared to HPLC can be as much as 3700 fold. Ionization Once prepared and separated, the markers (e.g., polypeptides or small molecules) are automatically delivered to a detection device, which detects the markers (e.g., polypeptides or small molecules) in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, markers (e.g., polypeptides or small molecules) in solution are delivered to a detection device by electrospray ionization (ESI). ESI operates by infusing a liquid containing the sample of interest through a channel or needle, which is kept at a potential (typically 3.5 kV). The voltage on the needle causes the spray to be charged as it is nebulized. The resultant droplets evaporate at atmospheric pressure or in a region maintained at a vacuum as low as several torr, until the solvent is essentially completely stripped off, leaving a charged ion. The charged ions are then detected by a detection device such as a mass spectrometer. In a more preferred embodiment, nanoelectrospray ionization is used. Nanospray ionization is a miniaturized version of ESI and provides low detection limits using extremely limited volumes of sample fluid. Ions formed by electrospray ionization normally are singly or multiply charge ions of molecules, with charge coming from protons or alkali metal bound to the molecules. Ion excitation may be produced by collision of ions with background gas or an introduced collision gas, e.g., collision induced dissociation (CID). Alternatively, excitation may be from collision with other ions, a surface, interaction with photons, heat, electrons, or alpha particles. Through excitation of the sample in an electrospray, the information content of the process should be altered and/or enhanced. Such excitation may, for example, desolvate ions, dissociate non-covalently bound molecules from analyte ions, break up solvent clusters, fragment background ions to change their mass to charge ratio and move them to a ratio that may interfere less with the analysis, strip protons and other charge carriers such that multiply charged ions move to different regions of the spectrum, and fragment analyte ions to produce additional, more specific or sequence-related information. In preferred embodiments of the invention, the selected excitation system may be turned “on” and “off” to obtain a set of spectra in both states. The information content of the two spectra is, in most cases, far greater than the information content of either single spectrum. In such embodiments, the system includes a switching device for activating and de-activating the excitation/ionization system. Analysis software which is part of the informatics tools herein may be configured to analyze the sample separately both in the “on” state of the excitation system and in the “off” state of the excitation system. Different markers may be detected more efficiently in one or the other of these two states. In preferred embodiments, separated markers, including optionally polypeptides, are directed down a channel that leads to an electrospray ionization emitter, which is built into a microfluidic device (an integrated ESI microfluidic device). Preferably, such integrated ESI microfluidic device provides the detection device with samples at flow rates and complexity levels that are optimal for detection. Such flow rates are, preferably, approximately 1-1000 nL/min, 10-800 nL/min, 20-600 nL/min, 30-400 nL/min, 40-300 nL/min, or more preferably approximately 50-200 nL/min. Furthermore, a microfluidic device is preferably aligned with a detection device for optimal sample capture. For example, using dynamic feedback circuitry, a microfluidic device may allow for control positioning of an electrospray voltage and for the entire spray to be captured by the detection device orifice. The microfluidic device can be sold separately or in combination with other reagents, software tools and/or devices. In any of the embodiments herein, pressure may be added to move a sample through a separation device and maintain a stable flow into the detection device. Such pressure may be applied after at least partial preparation of the sample or complete preparation of the sample. Such pressure can be added using a buffered solution which increases/maintains the flow rate of the liquid-containing sample. Such buffer can form a “sheath” around the sample and help sample components migrate to the end of an electrophoretic separation capillary and into the detection device. Such sheath may also dilute the sample being detected. In some embodiments, the invention contemplates methods for sheathless ionization. In one embodiment, a sheathless ionization element provides voltage from a second channel to produce enough energy to generate the electrospray. In another embodiment, an electrical contact at the spray tip provides the voltage to generate the electrospray. FIG. 11 is an exemplary embodiment of a microfluidic device having a sheathless ionization element. The microfluidic device in FIG. 11 has a curved separation channel 1101 , a second channel 1110 for application of the electrospray/electrophoresis voltage, and the electrospray emitter tip 1120 . Sample is inputted in the well at sample input location 1103 and exits in the well at sample output location 1104 , while separation buffer is inputted in the well at location 1102 . The emitter tip 1120 is protected from mechanical damage by plastic extensions on either side. The microfluidic device is preferably made of a polymeric material, such as plastic, and is disposable. Thus it is contemplated by the present invention that an electrospray emitter is integrated with the preparation/separation microfluidic device which is also polymeric and disposable. In preferred embodiments, the samples are separated on using capillary electrophoresis separation, more preferably CEC with sol-gels, or more preferably CZE. This will separate the molecules based on their electrophoretic mobility at a given pH (or hydrophobicity in the case of CEC). FIG. 13 shows the microfluidic device in an expanded view of the electrospray emitter tip. The side channel 1310 is uncoated so no electro-osmotic flow is generated. Positive analyte ions from the separation channel 1320 do not move into the side channel because their electrophoretic mobility is in the opposite direction. Thus, all of the analyte ions are sprayed from the tip 1330 without the dilution effect that is common to similar interfaces that use a sheath. Voltages for the separation and electrospray are provided either to liquids in wells or electrodes in the microfluidic device, which prevents bubble formation in the channels or at the tip due to hydrolysis. The electrospray voltage at the tip is determined by the ratio of the electrical conductivities of the separation and side channels. The voltage provided by side channel 1310 may be, for example, less than 10V, 5V, 1V, 0.5V, 0.1V, 0.05V, 0.01V, or between 0.0001-10 V, between 0.001-1V, or between 0.01 and 0.1V. No additional electrode or tip electrical coating, as found on other integrated electrospray tips for sheathless electrospray interfacing, is used. A voltage controller has been designed to provide the high voltages to each well on the chip, and to change them in proper sequence for sample loading, injection, and separation. Importantly, the voltages are floated with respect to a common, permitting the electrospray voltage to be changed without altering the potential differences between electrodes that drive the separation. In either sheath or sheathless system, buffers may be used to improve signal intensity and/or carry the voltage charge. Examples of buffers that can be used in a sheath or sheathless system include, but are not limited to, 10-50% methanol 10-50% ethanol, 10-50% n-propanol, 10-50% isopropanol, each including 10-100 nM acetic acid or formic acid. The selected buffer system can be fully volatile, and moreover, in-line transient isotachophoresis can be employed to further improve signal intensity. In one embodiment, the present invention relates to a sheathless-ESI interface that couples a capillary electrophoresis (CE) microfluidics device to a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometer for the automated separation and detection of intact polypeptides in human serum. The sheathless interface provided in this embodiment of the invention is often preferred for its relatively improved inherent sensitivity. To further increase sensitivity, it may be preferable under particular conditions to employ transient isotachophoresis (tITP) to concentrate a sample on-line. In some embodiments, pressure is added using a combination of sheath and sheathless processes. Calibrants can also be sprayed into detection device. Calibrants are used to set instrument parameters and for signal processing calibration purposes. Calibrants are preferably utilized before a real sample is assessed or at the same time a real sample is assessed. Calibrants can interface with a detection device using the same or a separate interface as the samples. In a preferred embodiment, calibrants are sprayed into a detection device using a second interface (e.g., second spray tip). Microfluidic Devices In some of the embodiments herein, sample preparation and/or separation occur on a micro fluidic device. In other preferred embodiments, the steps of sample preparation and separation are combined using microfluidics technology. A microfluidic device is a device that can transport liquids including various reagents such as analytes and elutions between different locations using microchannel structures. Microfluidic devices provide advantageous miniaturization, automation and integration of a large number of different types of analytical operations. For example, continuous flow microfluidic devices have been developed that perform serial assays on extremely large numbers of different chemical compounds. Microfluidic devices may also provide the feature of disposability, to prevent sample carry-over. By microfluidic device it is intended to mean herein devices with channels smaller than 1000 μm, preferably less than 500 μm, and more preferably less than 100 μm. Preferably such devices use sample volumes of less than 1000 μl, preferably less than 500 μl, and most preferably less than 100 μl. Preferably, both sample preparation and separation occur on microfluidic device(s). More preferably, both sample preparation and sample separation occur on the same microfluidic device. Optimally, any of the above, or more preferably a single preparation/separation microfluidic device interfaces directly or indirectly with a detection device. Preferably, the microfluidic devices are disposable, meaning that they are marketed for one or a few uses followed by disposal and replacement. Preferably, sample preparation occurs using conventional methods, while separation occurs on a microfluidic device. The microfluidic devices herein are preferably polymeric and/or disposable. A microfluidic devices (or chip) may be formed in any material known in the art. In some embodiments, a microfluidic device herein is formed from a polymer such as plastic by means of, for example, etching, machining, cutting, molding, casting or embossing. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices can be made from glass or silicon by means of, for example, etching, machining, embossing, or cutting. In some embodiments, the microfluidic devices may be formed by polymerization on a form or other mold. Preferably, the microfluidic devices may be fabricated by hot embossing of PMMA and the channels are sealed by lamination with a 75 um PMMA film. A positively-charged coating can then be applied to the separation channel after lamination. A microfluidic device can provide multiple integrated operations as well as fast separations, efficient electrospray ionization, high throughput, zero carry-over between samples, and reliable, reproducible, connection-free fluid junctions. The particular operations performed by the microfluidic devices herein depend, in part, upon the detection technology that is utilized. A mass spectrometer of the present invention, preferably contains a disposable inlet capillary(ies) for receiving spray from a microfluidic device. Inlet capillaries can be made with high precision, and mating of hardware to the mass spectrometer can be performed by a person of ordinary skill in the art. A capillary within a mass spectrometer herein is preferably designed to include a faceplate to avoid the need to clean the outside face of the MS inlet. Furthermore, the inlet capillary could be connected directly or indirectly to the electrospray emitter. Preferably, the orientation and/or proximity of the emitter tip to the inlet capillary is pre-determined and does not need to be set or adjusted by the user. Some of the benefits of the capillary inlets is that it allows an operator to simply replace the mass spectrometer's inlet capillary assembly as opposed to having to dismantle and clean the entire source of the mass spectrometer. A microfluidic device can transport liquids including various reagents such as analytes and elutions between different locations using microchannel structures. Microfluidic devices provide advantageous miniaturization, automation and integration of a large number of different types of analytical operations. For example, continuous flow microfluidic devices have been developed that perform serial assays on extremely large numbers of different chemical compounds. Microfluidic devices may also provide the feature of disposability, to prevent sample carry-over. By microfluidics device it is intended to mean devices with channels having a channel width smaller than 1000 μm, 900 μm, 800 μm, 700 μm, 600 μm, 500 μm, 400 μm, 300 μm, 200 μm, 100 μm, 50 μm or 10 μm and a channel height of the same or similar dimension. In some embodiments, such devices perform functions on a sample having volume less than 1000 nL, 900 nL, 800 nL, 700 nL, 600 nL, 500 nL, 400 nL, 300 nL, 200 nL, 100 nL, 50 nL, 10 nL, 5.0 nL, 1.0 nL, 0.5 nL, 0.1 nL or less. The microfluidic devices may be either single use for a single sample; multi-use for a single sample at a time with serial loading; single use with parallel multiple sample processing; multi-use with parallel multiple sample processing; or a combination. Furthermore, more than one microfluidic device may be integrated into the system and interface with a single detection device. In preferred embodiments, the microfluidic device is a disposable device that is readily connected to and removed from the mass spectrometer, and sold as a disposable, thereby providing a recurring revenue stream to the involved business and a reliable product to the consumer. Preferably, the disposable product is for single use only. In some embodiments, the disposable microfluidic device is for multiple uses. Preferably, a mass spectrometer that accepts a continuous sample stream for analysis and provides high sensitivity throughout the detection process is utilized. Preferably, any reagents used for preparation/separation are provided in or along with the microfluidic device, thereby allowing for additional recurring revenue to the business herein and higher performance for the user. In some of the embodiments herein, the microfluidic device(s) have a sheathless ionization interface. It is further contemplated that after detection of a marker, the business herein may further develop diagnostic products based on such marker. A diagnostic product for a polypeptide marker can include, for example, an antibody (polyclonal, monoclonal, humanized, or a fragment thereof) or other agent that can detect the presence/absence or level of a marker in a sample. The business methods herein also contemplate providing diagnostic services to, for example, health care providers, insurers, patients, etc. The business herein can provide diagnostic services by either contracting out with a service lab or setting up a service lab (under Clinical Laboratory Improvement Amendment (CLIA) or other regulatory approval). Such service lab can then carry out the methods disclosed herein to identify if a particular pattern and/or marker is within a sample. Once prepared and separated, the polypeptides are automatically delivered to a detection device, which detects the polypeptides in a sample. In a preferred embodiment, polypeptides in elutions or solutions are delivered to a detection device by electrospray ionization (ESI). ESI operates by infusing a liquid containing the sample of interest through a channel or needle, which is kept at a potential (typically 3.5 kV). The voltage on the needle causes the spray to be charged as it is nebulized. The resultant droplets evaporate in a region maintained at a vacuum of several torr, until the solvent is essentially completely stripped off, leaving a charged ion. The charged ions are then detected by a detection device such as a mass spectrometer. In a more preferred embodiment, nanospray ionization (NSI) is used. Nanospray ionization is a miniaturized version of ESI and provides low detection limits using extremely limited volumes of sample fluid. In preferred embodiments, separated polypeptides are directed down a channel that leads to an electrospray ionization emitter, which is built into a microfluidic device (an integrated ESI microfluidic device). Preferably, such integrated ESI microfluidic device provides the detection device with samples at flow rates and complexity levels that are optimal for detection. Such flow rates are, preferably, approximately 50-200 uL/min. Furthermore, a microfluidic device is preferably aligned with a detection device for optimal sample capture. For example, using dynamic feedback circuitry, a microfluidic device may allow for control positioning of an electrospray voltage and for the entire spray to be captured by the detection device orifice. The microfluidic device can be sold separately or in combination with other reagents, software tools and/or devices. Calibrants can also be sprayed into detection device. Calibrants are used to set instrument parameters and for signal processing calibration purposes. Calibrants are preferably utilized before a real sample is assessed. Calibrants can interface with a detection device using the same or a separate interface as the samples. In a preferred embodiment, calibrants are sprayed into a detection device using a second interface (e.g., second spray tip). Detection Detection devices can comprise any device or use any technique that is able to detect the presence and/or level of a composition in a sample. Examples of detection techniques that can be used in a detection device include, but are not limited to, nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) spectroscopy, 2-D PAGE technology, Western blot technology, immunoanalysis technology, electrochemical detectors, spectroscopic detectors, luminescent detectors, and mass spectrometry. In a preferred embodiment, the system or business model herein relies on a mass spectrometry to detect biomarkers, such as polypeptides, present in a given sample. There are various forms of mass spectrometers that may be utilized. In a preferred embodiment, an ESI-MS detection device is utilized. An ESI-MS combines the novelty of ESI with mass spectrometry. Furthermore, an ESI-MS preferably utilizes a time-of-flight (TOF) mass spectrometry system. In TOF-MS, ions are generated by whatever ionization method is being employed and a voltage potential is applied. The potential extracts the ions from their source and accelerates them towards a detector. By measuring the time it takes the ions to travel a fixed distance, the mass of the ions can be calculated. TOF-MS can be set up to have an orthogonal-acceleration (OA). OA-TOF-MS are advantageous and preferred over conventional on-axis TOF because they have better spectral resolution and duty cycle. OA-TOF-MS also has the ability to obtain spectra at a relatively high speed. See Brock et al. Anal. Chem (1998) 70, 3735-41, discuss on-axis TOF known as Hadamard OA-TOF-MS. In addition to the MS systems disclosed above, other forms of ESI-MS include quadrupole mass spectrometry, ion trap mass spectrometry, orbitrap mass spectrometry, and Fourier transform ion cyclotron resonance (FTICR-MS). Quadrupole mass spectrometry consists of four parallel metal rods arranged in four quadrants (one rod in each quadrant). Two opposite rods have a positive applied potential and the other two rods have a negative potential. The applied voltages affect the trajectory of the ions traveling down the flight path. Only ions of a certain mass-to-charge ratio pass through the quadrupole filter and all other ions are thrown out of their original path. A mass spectrum is obtained by monitoring the ions passing through the quadrupole filter as the voltages on the rods are varied. Ion trap mass spectrometry uses three electrodes to trap ions in a small volume. The mass analyzer consists of a ring electrode separating two hemispherical electrodes. A mass spectrum is obtained by changing the electrode voltages to eject the ions from the trap. The advantages of the ion-trap mass spectrometer include compact size, and the ability to trap and accumulate ions to increase the signal-to-noise ratio of a measurement Orbitrap mass spectrometry uses spatially defined electrodes with DC fields to trap ions. Ions are constrained by the DC field and undergo harmonic oscillation. The mass is determined based on the axial frequency of the ion in the trap. FTICR mass spectrometry is a mass spectrometric technique that is based upon an ion's motion in a magnetic field. Once an ion is formed, it eventually finds itself in the cell of the instrument, which is situated in a homogenous region of a large magnet. The ions are constrained in the XY plane by the magnetic field and undergo a circular orbit. The mass of the ion can now be determined based on the cyclotron frequency of the ion in the cell. In a preferred embodiment, the system or business model herein employs a TOF mass spectrometer, or more preferably, an ESI-TOF-MS, or more preferably an OA-TOF-MS, or more preferably a mass spectrometer having a dual ion funnel and that supports dynamic switching between multiple quadrupoles in series, the second of which can be used to dynamically filter ions by mass in real time. In preferred embodiments, the detection device yields spectra at a rate of more than 0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 0.7, 0.8, 0.9, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, or 10 seconds per spectra. In preferred embodiments, the detection device yields a spectrum of at least 150, more preferably 200, or more preferably 300 spectrums per second. The detection device preferably interfaces with a separation/preparation device or microfluidic device, which allows for quick assaying of many of the polypeptides in a sample, or more preferably, most or all of the polypeptides in a sample. Preferably, a mass spectrometer is utilized that accepts a continuous sample stream for analysis and provide high sensitivity throughout the detection process (e.g., an ESI-MS). In another preferred embodiment, a mass spectrometer interfaces with one or more electrosprays, two or more electrosprays, three or more electrosprays or four or more electrosprays. Such electrosprays can originate from a single or multiple microfluidic devices. In some preferred embodiments, the system herein employs a TOF mass spectrometer, or more preferably, an ESI-TOF-MS, or more preferably an ESI-OA-TOF-MS. In preferred embodiments, a mass spectrometer may have a single or dual ion funnel(s) and that supports dynamic switching between multiple quadruples in series, the second of which can be used to dynamically filter ions by mass in real time. Such MS detection devices are described in more detail in Belov, M. E., et al. (2000) J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 11, 19-23 and Belov, M. E., et al. (2000) Anal Chem 72, 2271-9. FIG. 14 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a detection device of the present invention. In some embodiment, an injection volume of the microfluidic device is less than 10 nL, 9 nL, 8 nL, 7 nL, 6 nL, 5 nL, 4 nL, 3 nL, 2 nL, 1 nL, 0.9 nL, 0.8 nL, 0.7 nL, 0.6 nL, 0.5 nL, 0.4 nL, 0.3 nL, 0.2 nL, or 0.1 nL. In some embodiments, less than 500 μL, 400 μL, 300 μL, 200 μL, 100 μL, 90 μL, 80 μL, 70 μL, 60 μL, 50 μL, 40 μL, 30 μL, 20 μL, 10 μL, 9 μL, 8 μL, 7 μL, 6 μL, 5 μL, 4 μL, 3 μL, 2 μL, or 1 μL of a sample or less is analyzed per assay. The instrument has features for ion accumulation, ion selection, and scan overlapping that are being developed to improve sensitivity and capability further, and it can be configured for tandem mass spectrometry. The detection system utilized preferably allows for the capture and measurement of most or all of the components (e.g., markers and polypeptides) that are introduced into the detection device. It is preferable that one can observe components (e.g., markers and polypeptides) with high information-content that are only present at low concentrations. By contrast, it is preferable to remove those in advance that are, for example, common to all cells, especially those in high abundance. The detection devices herein can be used singly or in combination with one another. Informatics The output from a detection device can then be processed, stored, and further analyzed or assayed using a bio-informatics system. A bio-informatics system can include one or more of the following: a computer; a plurality of computers connected to a network; a signal processing tool(s); a pattern recognition tool(s); and optionally a tool(s) to control flow rate for sample preparation, separation, and detection. Quality Assurance Quality assurance methods are used to ensure that devices and/or instrumentations herein function properly and that outliers are discovered before discriminatory patterns are sought. Generally, quality assurance uses metrics including, but not limited to, total intensity of a spectrum, intensity of calibrants, intensity of expected peaks, resolution of calibrants, resolution of expected peaks, mass accuracy of calibrants, mass accuracy of expected peaks, ratios of intensities of peaks or other metrics alone or in combinations to eliminate data that should not be further analyzed due to issues such as, but not limited to, data acquisition problems or sample collection problems. Signal Processing Data/signal processing utilizes mathematical foundations. Generally, dynamic programming or non-linear fitting is preferably used to align a separation axis with a standard separation profile. Furthermore, intensities may be normalized, preferably by dividing by the total ion current of a spectrum or by dividing by the intensity of a calibrant, or using quantile normalization methods or by fitting roughly 90% of the intensity values into a standard spectrum. The data sets are then fitted using wavelets or other methods that are specifically designed for separation and mass spectrometer data. Data processing preferably filters out some of the noise and reduces spectrum dimensionality. This allows the system or business to identify the more highly predictive patterns. Data/signal processing may involve the use of mathematical algorithms. Such signal processing can combine statistical and machine learning approaches to isolate the information-rich data features (e.g. forward and backward selection or ranking by univariate statistics, combined with Support Vector Machines and Kernel Discriminant Analysis), thereby reducing the dimensionality of the data and determining the combinations of these features that are highly predictive of a biological state or condition of interest. Rigorous cross-validation, false discovery rate analysis, and the use of independent validation sets remove issues with overfitting of data and bias in the study and allow finding more highly predictive and robust patterns that are more generalizable (i.e., patterns that are useful for analyzing other samples sets). In some embodiments, data/signal processing may also involve the calibration of a mass-axis using linear correction determined by the calibrants. Calibration can take place prior to any sample detection; after sample detection; or in recurring intervals, for example. A signal processing device herein can process data consisting of at least 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 700, 900, 1000, 5000, or 10,000 spectra, or at least 100, 200, 300, 400, 500, 600, 700, 700, 900, 1000, 5000, or 10,000 spectra/hour. Thus, in any of the embodiments herein, data/signal processing can involve one or more of the following steps: (i) correcting for any lack of experimental reproducibility, (ii) noise reduction/removal, and (iii) dimensionality reduction. (i) Correcting for Lack of Experimental Reproducibility Artifacts can be corrected using intensity normalization, transformation, and separation time alignment. Under this method, the intensity at each point in a spectrum is divided by the Total Ion Current (TIC) or by the intensity of a calibrant or by quantile normalization. This puts intensity on an absolute scale and allows comparisons across spectra. Additionally, each intensity value can be replaced by its square root (or log) to stabilize variances. Dynamic programming or non-linear fitting can be used to correct for any local or global contractions or dilations in the time in which components elute off the separations channel or column. A global alignment across all samples or an alignment to a standard spectrum can also be performed. These approaches increase the precision of data and allow the comparison of spectrum with the correct corresponding spectrum in a different data set, even if the separations in the two experiments were different. (ii) Noise Reduction/Removal Standard denoising methods, such as Savitzky-Golay, as well as other methods using wavelet and Fourier transforms can be used to reduce experimental artifacts. Such methods remove high frequency noise in a spectrum without altering the generally lower frequency signal. (iii) Dimensionality Reduction Experimental artifacts can be reduced by reduction of dimensionality. Dimensionality reduction is used to reduce the number of dimensions to ˜1000s and greatly reduce the risk of classifying based on noise. The reduction in the number of data features gives greater statistical assurance that patterns analyzed are predictive and generalizable. Examples of methods used for dimensionality reduction include, for example, simple models of throwing out data points with high P-values in a univariate statistical test and more complex models that use Support Vector Machines (SVMs) in an iterative manner. Any of the signal processing tools above may include or be coupled to other software elements as well. For example, the signal processing system may provide for an easy to use user interface on the associated computer system and/or a patient database for integration of results into an institution's laboratory or patient information database system. Pattern Recognition Following data processing, pattern recognition tools are utilized to identify differences between biological or phenotypic states or conditions that may affect an organism. Pattern recognition tools are based on a combination of statistical and computer scientific approaches, which provide dimensionality reduction. Such tools are scalable. Pattern recognition methods take as input the normalized, aligned, de-noised and dimensionally reduced data sets and find patterns that classify the patients into classes (for example, case versus control). The present invention contemplates any pattern recognition method known in the art, but preferably one or more of the following: Support Vector Machines, Discriminant Analysis, k-Nearest Neighbor, and Nearest Shrunken Centroid. Additional pattern recognition algorithms are also contemplated by the methods herein. Pattern recognition methods can be used to find, for example, sets of data points (e.g., m/z values) that distinguish samples (e.g., cases from controls). Preferably, a three-fold cross validation is used to discover and test patterns found using the above techniques. Three-fold cross validation means that the dataset is divided into thirds, where one third is set aside as a test set and the other two thirds are used as a training set. This is performed three times, using a different third of the data as the test set each time. The training data is used to select features and find patterns that distinguish between the two groups (e.g., breast cancer and healthy). The test set is then used to assess how well the patterns perform on independent and blind data. Such cross validation methodology is very important in supervised learning, since it insures that the predictive power of the pattern is assessed using a test set and thus is not biased. If such methods are not used, it is possible that data may be overfit and patterns discovered may not be generalizable (i.e. not translate to new independent data and new populations). Thus, patterns discovered using the methods herein can be converted into simple decision algorithms in a diagnostic setting. In some embodiments, pattern recognition methods utilize hierarchical clustering, which is an unsupervised pattern recognition method. This method does not use information on the biological state of interest, but rather tries to organize the data into clusters based only on information found in the data. Such a method is especially useful for identifying sub-groupings within the data. For example, there may be subgroups of breast cancer that are due to known factors (e.g., Her2/neu overexpression) or due to unknown factors that have biological significance and could be the basis for further research. Such classifications may be important for understanding prognosis. Data are analyzed in several ways. First univariate statistics are used to find single data points that correlate with the presence/absence of a biological or condition of interest. Such methods can be used either with or without prior signal processing. Standard non-parametric methods, such as non-parametric versions of the t-test (Mann-Whitney test) corrected for multiple comparisons by, for example, a Bonferroni correction are used to analyze the data. After ranking by P-value, the data is visualizes data points with low P-values and high group-mean differences are reported. A suite of advanced signal processing and pattern classification methods may optionally be used to find patterns in the data that are indicative of the presence/absence of a biological state or condition of interest. Data analysis pipelines have been constructed from various methods of both signal processing and pattern recognition. Such pipelines may find relevant signals in complex data as well as very good discriminatory patterns. Sensitivities and specificities—as well as other relevant statistics such as area under the curve (AUC) of the receiver operator characteristic (ROC) curve and positive/negative predictive value—of patterns of data points that can highly discriminate between classes are reported. Examples of signal processing and pattern recognition methods used are described in more detail below. In the case that a pattern of markers for a biological state of interest (e.g., a condition such as disease) is discovered or known and we want to assay another sample to determine if that patient has the disease, data could be analyzed as follows. After separation time alignment with dynamic programming or non-linear fitting, the intensities of datapoints corresponding to the markers of interest could be normalized by dividing by the total ion current, the intensity of a calibrant, or by quantile normalization. The normalized intensities may then be log or square root transformed, or left as is. The resulting intensities would be combined as instructed in the discovery data analysis to yield a single number that would predict the biological or disease state of the patient. In this case, when assaying additional samples, no feature selection and pattern recognition would be used since the pattern would already be known. EXAMPLES The following prophetic example illustrates certain aspects of the invention. Approximately one to five ml of blood will be collected through venipuncture into special tubes that contain the appropriate calibrants/controls. Following thorough clot formation, serum will be isolated from sample following centrifugation. Serum sample will be aliquoted and frozen at −70 C until analysis. On the order of 100 uL of thawed sample will be placed in a disposable plastic device that fits into a manifold, and hereafter, the entire process would be automated. The device will perform electrodialysis on the sample. Using an electric field and tangential flow, the sample will be passed through a membrane that allows only molecules under approximately 30 kD (not a sharp cutoff) to pass through into a second chamber. Molecules of with the opposite charge or large molecules will not pass. A second membrane with a very low molecular weight cutoff (˜500D) will allow small molecules to pass out of the second chamber. Molecules that remain in the second chamber will therefore be in a MW range (500D-30 kD). Most of these molecules will be peptides, protein fragments and small proteins. Salts will have been removed, as will most of the abundant polypeptides, such as albumin. This process should take approximately 60 minutes. The molecules of interest (i.e. those that remain in the second chamber) will then be moved to another location on the disposable device, again using an electric field, and onto reverse phase beads for sample concentration. Using an organic solvent elution such as 50% methanol, the molecules will be eluted into a channel or well on a second disposable device, this time a microfluidics chip. On this chip, a 1-5 minute capillary electrophoretic separation, CZE or CEC, will be run to separate the molecules on the basis of electrophoretic mobility at the given pH (or hydrophobicity in the case of CEC). Preferred separation peak widths under 1 second will be utilized. Separated molecules will be directed down a channel that leads to a electrospray ionization emitter that is built onto each chip. Expected flow rates are 50-200 uL/min. Prior to starting the separation, the microfluidics device will be aligned with the mass spectrometer using dynamic feedback circuitry to optimally control positioning stage placement and electrospray voltage to establish a stable spray and, assuming appropriate nl flow rates, allow the entire spray to be captured in the mass spectrometer orifice. Standards/calibrants would also be sprayed into the mass spectrometer using a dedicated second spray tip and used to set instrument parameters and for signal processing calibration purposes before the real samples are run. An orthogonal multiplexed mass spectrometer captures the spray from the prepared/separated sample (given that it is separated, the molecules will be migrating in small groups) and yield a spectrum at a rate of 200 spectrum/s. The mass spectrometer incorporates a dual ion funnel to support dynamic switching between calibrants and analyte sprays to optimize instrument accuracy. The instrument contains multiple quadrapoles in series, the second of which can, in real time during a data acquisition run, be used to dynamically filter ions by mass, thus allowing increased dynamic range or focus on particular mass ranges of interest. The orthogonal Multiplexed implementation allows multiple ion packets to fly in the flight tube while at the same time decoupling mass accuracy from beam modulation rate, thus supporting high throughput, high sensitivity, and high mass resolution. A resulting data set from one sample would have on the order of 10 9 data points. Each data set would take approximately 5 minutes to collect, from start to finish. While a data set is being analyzed, a second sample could be run through the system to increase throughput. Each data set would have its mass axis calibrated through a linear correction determined by the calibrants run before the sample and by the calibrants run in parallel in the dual ion funnel. Then dynamic programming would be used to align the separations axis (using the TIC) to some standard separations profile. Intensities would then be normalized by fitting the 90% intensity values to a standard spectrum. These corrected data sets would then be fit using wavelets (or vaguelettes) that are specifically designed for separations/mass spectrometer data. The parameterized information about the spectrum would be soft thresholded and otherwise filtered to both remove noise and reduce dimensionality. During pattern discovery, a set of approximately 50 case and 50 controls of these filtered parameter sets would be entered into a pattern recognition tool such as a linear support vector machine, but probably multiple learning algorithms will be used on each data set. The space of tunable parameters for the learning machine will be searched, and optimal patterns that distinguish the sample classes will be found, as would be error bounds on that prediction using cross-validation. During validation or in clinical assay, the filtered parameters from each new data set would be classified into a category by identifying which side of the decision boundary in the multidimensional parameter space that data set lies. Confidence intervals could also be calculated. This prediction and confidence interval would be reported back to the technician running the machine. In some embodiments the information about these clinical samples would be captured and those results and clinical outcomes of those patients in pattern recognition using more samples would be used, yielding better patterns to improve classification. Eventually, polypeptides/patterns that give rise to the most important data points for prediction could be identified using a tandem mass spectrometry approach. Once a pattern is discovered, separations will be optimized to increase the amount of information about the polypeptides of interest, by slowing down separations during the elution of those polypeptides and speeding it up elsewhere. This would allow for the use of a separate, efficient assay for every diagnostic developed It is to be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention should be determined with respect to the scope of the appended claims, along with their full scope of equivalents. Example 1 Automated separation and detection of intact polypeptides from selected samples was performed using a sheathless CE-ESI-MS system. The selected CE-ESI-MS system was assembled from a combination of commercially available and custom-built instrumentation as follows. Materials The system included a Beckman P/ACE MDQ (Beckman Coulter, Fullerton, Calif.) with a cooled sample garage and an EDA cartridge to allow the separations capillary to exit the instrument to the mass spectrometer. The MDQ was grounded to the chassis of the mass spectrometer when CE-MS was performed. The separations capillary was mated to the electrospray emitter via an ADPT-PRO nanoelectrospray adapter (New Objective, Woburn, Mass.). The adapter was used according to the instructions provided by the manufacturer. Briefly, the ends of the separation capillary and spray emitter are inserted into a modified, plastic, zero-dead-volume union and sealed in place with plastic finger-tight screws and sleeves. Voltage was applied via a metal adapter attached to the screw holding the emitter in place. The interface was mounted on an xyz positioning stage to allow adjustment of the emitter position relative to the inlet of the mass spectrometer. A CCD camera (Model KP-M22AN, Hitachi Kokusai, Japan) was mounted to enable visualization of the spray and the position of the emitter tip. For work with human serum, a plastic enclosure was built to enclose the interface in a chamber at a slight negative pressure. Fused silica capillaries (360 μm OD, 50 μm ID) were purchased from Polymicro Technologies (Phoenix, Ariz.). The inner surface was cleaned and derivatized with methacryloylaminopropyltrimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC) according to a variation of the procedure of Kelly, J. F. in Analytical Chemistry 1997, 69, 51-60. This produced a hydrophilic, positively-charged coating on the inner surface. Briefly, the capillary is rinsed with sodium hydroxide for 45 minutes, water for 45 minutes, and methanol for 15 minutes to clean the surface. Next, the capillary is silanized by flushing a 0.5% v/v solution of 7-oct-enyltrimethoxysilane in acidified methanol (0.5% v/v acetic acid in methanol) overnight followed by 15-minute rinses of methanol and water. To initiate polymerization, 40 μL of TEMED and 140 μL of 10% w/v freshly prepared APS are added to a freshly prepared solution of 5% MAPTAC. The MAPTAC solution is then pumped through the capillary overnight, followed by a one-hour water rinse. After derivatization with poly-MAPTAC, the capillaries were stored wet at 4° C. until use. Typically, two ˜3 m lengths of capillary were prepared at the same time and were referred to as a batch. The electroosmotic flow (EOF) was measured under standardized conditions on a segment from each batch of poly-MAPTAC derivatized capillary and found to vary by less than 5% batch-to-batch. Fused silica electrospray emitters (TT360-50-5-D-5) were purchased from New Objective (Woburn, Mass.) and derivatized with poly-MAPTAC according to the procedure described above. The emitters used for the pattern recognition experiment were purchased with a conductive coating applied to the distal end. The frontal (tip) end is tapered from the outer diameter of 360 μm to the inner diameter of 50 μm. After derivatization, emitters were stored submersed in water until use. Before use, emitters were rinsed with acetone and cut carefully to 3 cm. The cleaned and cut emitters were inspected under a microscope for the integrity of the polyimide and conductive coatings at the cut end of the emitter. Any overhanging coating material was carefully removed under microscope observation with a dental pick. Damaged emitters were not used and were discarded. Methods Selected samples were separated by capillary electrophoresis (CE), subjected to electrospray ionization (ESI) and analyzed in a mass spectrometer (MS) as follows. Electrophoresis was performed at a constant −20 to −40 kV voltage in a 65-cm capillary coated internally with poly-MAPTAC as described in the previous section. The run buffer was 10-30% methanol and 20-80 mM acetic acid (pH 3.2). The stacking solution was prepared by adding 5-10 μL of a stock of 5.02 N ammonia to 1.5 nL of run buffer (pH 4.7). For the pattern recognition experiment, serum was injected for about 5 seconds at about 9.5 psi followed by the stacking buffer for about 5 seconds at about 4.8 psi. Under these conditions, the EOF was approximately 5×10 −4 cm 2 V-sec. To reduce evaporation, the bottom of a 2 mL Beckman P/ACE sample vial was filled with 250-450 μL of run buffer. The serum sample was transferred into a 200 μL PCR vial, suspended on a spring inside the 2 mL vial, and capped before loading into the sample tray of the P/ACE MDQ. The sample garage of the MDQ instrument was kept at 4° C. Before each injection of serum, the capillary was rinsed and conditioned by a series of five pressure rinse steps performed for 1-3 minutes at 10-30 psi. The five solutions were in sequence: 75 mM ammonia in run buffer, 1.8 M formic acid, water, 60 mM acetic acid, and run buffer. The electrospray voltage was supplied independently by the mass spectrometer. While developing this methodology, the electrospray voltage was adjusted manually to provide optimal spray stability and detected signals, and was typically 2-3 kV. For selected experiments with spiked serum for pattern recognition, the volumetric flowrate was approximately 280 nL/min, and the electrospray voltage was constant at 2.3 kV. Furthermore, the mass spectrometer was operated in positive ion mode and was mass calibrated daily. The daily mass calibration may be particularly important for informatics algorithms to perform optimally, as the algorithms are sensitive to drifts in the mass accuracy. In the development of the separations methodology, an ABI Mariner (Applied Biosystems, Foster City, Calif.) time-of-flight mass spectrometer was used as the detector. For the pattern recognition experiments involving serum, an in-house constructed orthogonal TOF mass spectrometer with a two-stage ion reflector was used. In this instrument, ions were introduced into the extraction chamber after passing through an electrodynamic ion funnel/collisional quadrupole assembly, selection quadrupole, and an Einzel lens arrangement. The home-built mass spectrometer was controlled and data acquired using a software program developed in a LabView environment (National Instruments, Austin, Tex.). The m/z resolution was typically 3500-4000 for the +3 charge state of neurotensin, and the mass accuracy was typically 3 ppm. When performing CE-MS in automated mode, a relay-open step was incorporated into the electrophoresis method file to trigger mass spectral data acquisition. Instrument-specific parameters for the MDQ and TOF-MS were controlled independently. Results Because detection limitations are an important factor in the discovery of biomarkers, sheathless CE-ESI-MS provides improved sensitivity that can be effectively used as biomarker discovery tools. The initial selection of an ESI-MS combination in selected systems herein presented certain common and practical challenges. The use of ESI-MS as a detection method for CE imposes well-known restrictions on the choice of buffer and capillary chemistry. For example, to minimize blocking the inlet capillary of the MS with salt crystals and to minimize formation of salt adducts, only volatile components are used in the separation buffer. For maximum sensitivity, components should be excluded from the run buffer that compete with the analytes for charge in the electrospray, causing signal loss due to ion suppression. Furthermore, the composition of the buffer must be chosen so as to support stable electrospray at the given flow rate of the separation. Optimal choices for buffer components are water, volatile organics, (commonly acetonitrile or methanol) and volatile acids (commonly acetic or formic acid). When there is no sheath flow, the flow that supports the electrospray is supplied by the electro-osmotic flow (EOF) generated in the separations capillary. Since the MS was operated in positive-ion mode, the inner surface of the separation capillary was modified with the covalently-linked, hydrophilic, positively-charged coating poly (MAPTAC). Kelly, J. F., et al. have reported previously the utility of this coating chemistry for CE-MS of peptides in Analytical Chemistry 1997, 69, 51-60. The fixed positive charge on the coating generates the electro-osmotic flow, and it was expected that the combination of fixed positive charge and hydrophilicity of the coating would minimize adsorption of the primarily positively-charged components of serum. As part of the sample preparation workflow, serum samples were de-salted by adsorption on reverse phase material. After washing the reversed-phase material, the serum components were then eluted in 60-80% acetonitrile/0.1-0.5% acetic acid. Thereafter, performance of the separations in an aqueous solution of acetic acid or formic acid and acetonitrile (0-40%) was first investigated. Example 2 FIG. 10 illustrates how improved separations can result in improved signal output. In particular, FIG. 10 shows the separation data of a mixture of seven polypeptides in acetonitrilic (bottom trace) and methanolic (top trace) solutions. In each case, the concentration of acetic acid was 50-70 mM. Electrophoresis was performed at 500 V/cm in a 60 cm, 50 um ID poly-MAPTAC treated capillary. Detection was by UV absorbance at 214 nm, 50 cm from the injection end. The composition was as follows: (NM) 0.001X eCAP™ Neutral Marker, (1) neurotensin, (2) angiotensin I, (3) bradykinin, (4) carbonic anhydrase, (5) ribonuclease A, (6) myoglobin, and (7) cytochrome c. In FIG. 10 , the seven polypeptides are separated approximately equally well in both acetonitrile and methanol-containing solutions; however, the later-migrating proteins are better resolved in the methanolic solution. A range of different concentrations of methanol (0-40%) and acetic acid (20-80 mM) was investigated for their ability to separate a standard set of peptides and proteins and for the stability of electrospray. It was found that using 20% methanol and 60 mM acetic acid gave the best combination of resolution, run-time, and electrospray performance. To minimize concerns of sample-to-sample carry-over from adsorption of serum components and to improve the reproducibility of migration times from run-to-run, a capillary rinsing and conditioning procedure was developed and implemented. This procedure consists of rinsing the capillary with alkaline and acidic solutions and then conditioning the surface by flushing with water, dilute acid (60 mM acetic) and, finally, the separation buffer. For the rinsing solutions, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid were used first just as other authors have used for separations of serum components. Altria, K., Capillary Electrophoresis Guidebook: Principles, Operation, and Applications , Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. 1996; Paroni, R., et al., Electrophoresis 2004, 25, 463-468. However, it was found that even with the subsequent flushing steps, enough sodium and chloride ions were retained in the system to create detectable sodium and chloride adducts of serum components. To eliminate these undesired adducts, sodium hydroxide and hydrochloric acid were replaced with ammonium hydroxide (75 mM, pH 9.2) and formic acid (1.8 M, pH 1.6). There are many choices for how to concentrate samples in-line in CE; for example, field-induced sample stacking (Altria, K., Capillary Electrophoresis Guidebook: Principles, Operation, and Applications , Humana Press, Totowa, N.J. 1996; Weinberger, R., Practical Capillary Electrophoresis , Academic Press, Inc., San Diego, Calif. 1993) transient isotachophoresis (Foret, F., et al., Electrophoresis 1993, 14, 417-428; Larsson, M., et al., Electrophoresis 2000, 21, 2859-2865; Smith, R. D., et al., Anal Chem 1990, 62, 882-899; Auriola, S., et al., Electrophoresis 1998, 19), in-line reverse-phase chromatography columns (Tempels, F. W. A., et al., Anal Chem 2004, 76; Stroink, T., et al., Electrophoresis 2003, 24, 897-903; Figeys, D., et al., Nature Biotechnology 1996, 14, 1579-1583), membrane preconcentration (Tomlinson, A. J., et al., J Capillary Electrophor 1995, 2, 225-233; Tomlinson, A. J., et al., J Am Soc Mass Spectrom 1997, 8, 15-24), etc. The experiments performed herein provide the basis for selecting a transient isotachophoresis concentration method to improve sensitivity. The transient isotachophoresis (tITP) step was also selected for its simplicity to concentrate relatively large injection volumes of serum. As a sample, the processed serum is complex and reasonably concentrated, containing many separable components detectable by UV absorbance (214 nm). This is relevant because an in-line concentration step is applied to maximize the number of dilute species that are detectable in a background of more concentrated species. Example 3 FIG. 4 demonstrates the tradeoff of signal gain and resolution for zone electrophoresis (ZE) versus tITP-ZE separations. Approximately 13-fold more sample was loaded for the tITP-ZE separation, resulting in an improvement of ten- to fourteen-fold in signal. Electrophoresis was performed in 10-30% methanol/50-70 mM acetic acid at 500 V/cm in a 60 cm, 50 um ID poly-MAPTAC treated capillary. Detection was accomplished by UV absorption at 214 nm at 50 cm from the injection end. For the ZE run, sample was injected for 6 seconds at 1 psi. For the tITP-ZE run, sample was injected for 8 seconds at 9.5 psi, followed by an 8 second, 9.5 psi injection of the stacking solution. The components of each at a flowrate of 10 ug/nL are as follows: (1) neurotensin, (2) angiotensin I, (3) bradykinin, (4) carbonic anhydrase, (5) myoglobin, (6) cytochrome c. For these analytes, the signal intensity increases approximately ten-fold upon injecting 13 times more sample and a plug of ammonia-containing separation buffer. However, it was noted that although the injected volume is stacked into a zone that gives rise to peaks that are fairly symmetrical, some resolution is lost. A noted concern for this embodiment was whether for MS detection, the gain in total number of detectable and quantifiable species achieved by injecting more sample was offset by ion suppression resulting from the loss of electrophoretic resolution between species. An absolute answer to this question may be ascertained with a devised algorithm that counts the total number of species detected in a CE-MS run. In the absence of this algorithm during the development of this procedure, a series of CE-MS experiments were performed in which the amount of sample injected was varied and performed either by ZE alone or by tITP-ZE. It was found that a modest (as much as five-fold) increase in signal, which varied from component to component, could be obtained by injecting a relatively large amount of sample and performing tITP-ZE. Accordingly, another preferable embodiment of the invention provides a system that combines transient isotachophoresis (tITP), capillary zone electrophoresis (ZE), electrospray ionization (ESI) and mass spectrometry (MS). The ammonia concentration (20-80 mM) and the ratio of sample-to-stacking plugs were also investigated to determine conditions for a reasonable resolution and signal gain. It was found that for a 60-cm capillary, the best signal gain with MS detection was obtained when the sample was injected for about 5 seconds at about 9.5 psi and the stacking solution (25 mM ammonium in 20% methanol/60 mM acetic acid, pH 4.7) was injected for about 5 seconds at about 4.8 psi. FIG. 5( a ) shows a comparison of the base peak intensity (BPI) trace for pooled human serum separated by ZE (lower trace) and that separated by tITP-ZE (upper trace). The signal displayed is relative to a value of 100 for the maximum intensity in the data set. For the data in FIG. 5 , the amount of injected serum and run conditions (applied voltage, capillary, buffer etc) were the same, except that in the tITP-ZE separation, the injection of serum was followed by an injection of the ammonium stacking solution as described in the CE-ESI-MS system conditions noted above. By comparing the two BPI traces, narrower peaks are observed for the tITP-ZE separation. FIG. 5( b ) shows a comparison of the spectra where angiotensin I (m/z 432.9) has its maximum intensity for the two separations shown in FIG. 5( a ). The spectrum for the ZE separation lies within that for the tITP-ZE separation. Angiotensin I was added to human serum before processing the serum. By extracting ion electropherograms for individual components, we find that individual components typically have a narrower peak width and a higher signal in the tITP-ZE data. For example, the maximum intensity for angiotensin I (m/z 432.9, +3 charge state) is approximately four times greater with tITP (˜2950) than without (˜720) (( FIG. 5 b )). It is believed that the mechanism of stacking is likely due to a combination of several effects. For example, the ammonium ion has a faster mobility than the serum components, and therefore the serum components should stack against the boundary with the ammonium ions for as long as ITP conditions persist local to the sample zone. Additionally, the pH of the ammonium solution is higher than that of the sample, and therefore peptides that migrate through the boundary into the ammonium zone may become less positively charged and slow, also causing the stacking to occur at the boundary with the ammonium zone. The following three techniques were tested to apply the voltage to the fluid in the emitter: (1) the use of a distally coated emitter from New Objective (2) the use of a stainless steel union to join the emitter and capillary and (3) the use of a t-junction in which a platinum or palladium wire was inserted perpendicular to the capillary-emitter axis. The metal union was easy to assemble and use; however, several undesired contaminant peaks were observed when performing CE-MS, and this was hypothesized to arise from iron-acid interactions. Furthermore, the t-junction was found to be less robust than the distally coated emitters from New Objective. Emitters where the tip was drawn to a smaller inner diameter at the end (SilicaTips) and emitters where only the external (outer) diameter is tapered (TaperTips) were utilized. Tips with inner diameters of 8-30 um were prone to clogging. It was found that an externally tapered tip with 50 um ID (equivalent to the ID of the separations capillary) worked best. The internal surface of the emitter was also cleaned and coated with poly(MAPTAC) to match the surface coating in the separations capillary. To extend the lifetime of the emitter to between one and five days of constant use, a careful procedure was developed to cut, trim and clean the emitter. Rinsing of the emitter with acetone to remove adherent material from the packaging and examining the emitter end for a clean, perpendicular cut with no damage to the coating were found to be critical. For the best or optimal signal observed, the emitter was positioned on-axis with the inlet capillary of the assembled mass spectrometer, and the tip was placed approximately 1-5 mm from the MS inlet. In the exemplary embodiments of the invention described herein, samples were run through a selected CE system before reaching the interface between the capillary and the electrospray emitter. For sheathless electrospray interfaces as described elsewhere, the separations capillary can be coupled directly to the electrospray emitter by means of a junction or by fabricating the spray tip from the end of the separations capillary. The spray voltage can be supplied either at the junction or at the tip of the emitter. It was observed that when the spray voltage is applied to the tip end of a frontally coated electrospray emitter (SilicaTips, New Objective), frequent electrical arcing from the emitter to the metal curtain gas plate on the ABI Mariner occurred. The arcing destroyed the conductive coating and rendered the emitter useless. Therefore, the frontally-coated emitters were abandoned in favor of applying the voltage at the junction between the separation capillary and the emitter. Example 4 Experiments were performed to assess to what extent serum samples could be distinguished and classified based on patterns of component intensities. A total of 76 CE-MS analyses were planned on 18 individual human serum samples and 8 pooled serum samples. Each sample was analyzed two to five times, in random order. Pooled serum samples were made by combining an aliquot of each individual sample to eliminate effects caused by biological variability between individuals. One of two specific sets of 13 polypeptide standards in predetermined amounts were added to each sample, creating two sample groups: A and B. The final concentration of each polypeptide in each sample group is given in Table 3. TABLE 3 Group A Group B Type Component nM nM Fold Pre-processing Insulin β-chain 500 500 1 standard Ubiquitin 200 200 1 Post-processing Lysozyme 100 100 1 standard Neurotensin 100 100 1 Pattern recognition Angiotensin I 10 100 10 standard Angiotensin III 100 800 8 Aprotinin 50 150 3 Bradykinin 100 200 2 Insulin 500 25 20 LHRH fragment 150 750 5 Mellitin 1000 100 10 Renin substrate 25 250 10 Substance P 1000 250 4 Total Spiked Concentration: 2935 2625 Two components, neurotensin and lysozyme, were added after sample processing and before CE-MS analysis as standards that could be used to characterize the performance of the CE-ESI-MS methodology. These components, the post-processing standards, were added to a final concentration of 100 nM in each sample. All other peptides and proteins were added before any processing was performed on the serum sample. Two of these, ubiquitin and insulin β-chain, were added to each sample at 200 nM and 500 nM, respectively, in the starting serum volume. The other nine peptides and proteins were added at different levels in Group A samples than in Group B samples to emulate a different pattern of peptide concentrations between the two groups. The difference in concentration of each of the nine ‘pattern recognition standards’ between the two groups varied from two to twenty-fold. The concentrations in Group A and Group B were chosen so that similar total molar amounts of peptides were added to each group of samples. The CE-MS runs were performed in an automated mode with analytical systems provided in accordance with other aspects of the invention. Each of ten samples were loaded into an autosampler at a time. All of the post-processing standards and pattern recognition standards were added to the samples before the start of the experiment. The samples were stored at −20 C until they were run and in between repeat analyses. At the start of every day during experimentation, the system was conditioned with three runs of a standardized serum sample, and then a standard set of ten peptides was run to monitor the separation performance and signal intensity. If fluid wicked back along the emitter tip, or if the signal could not be brought to within 10% of the typical signal for the set of ten peptides, the emitter was discarded and replaced with a new one. FIG. 6 represents the CE-MS data for human serum in a 2-D format, similar to that of a 2-D PAGE gel. Black regions of the illustration generally correspond to relative high intensity. Each vertical segment represents a single charge state of a component. Proteins can be recognized by their charge envelopes, which appear as a set of lines spaced in the m/z axis. Data was collected for an individual serum sample during the pattern recognition experiment. The illustration provided depicts one of the runs of individual sera displayed in a “pseudo-2D-gel” format, with m/z increasing from right to left, and separation time increasing from top to bottom—relatively black regions indicating high intensity and relatively white regions indicating zero intensity. However, unlike in a typical image of a 2-D protein gel, each serum component in this separation may give one or more spots or lines, according to the number of charge states detected. When employing more enhanced graphics to view results with even greater resolution, resulting images other than those shown herein as examples could further display the isotopic resolution of the components. In general, only one or two charge states are detected for smaller peptides such as neurotensin, whereas multiple charge states are observed for proteins, such as residual human serum albumin. In FIG. 7 , the migration time of neurotensin, one of the post-processing standards, is plotted as a function of run order. The solid horizontal line denotes the mean value, and the dotted lines denote the bounds of one standard deviation. The average migration time is 436.5+/−9 seconds. Most of the data lies within one standard deviation of the mean. Furthermore, the migration times are distributed more or less randomly with run order, indicating that the tITP-ZE methodology is performing equivalently throughout the experiment. It was investigated whether there was a correlation of the data with the day a sample was run. For the pre- and post-processing standards, which are present in the same concentration in each sample, we calculated a total intensity, akin to the area of a single-component peak in an electropherogram. Where more than one charge state was detected for a component, the two most prevalent charge states were summed over. Then the total intensity against run order was plotted and no obvious grouping of the intensities by day was found. As described above, the pattern recognition standards were added to the serum samples such that the difference in their concentration between the two groups spanned from 2 to 20-fold. Example 5 FIG. 8 provides example data for Substance P, which was added into samples in Group A at a 4-fold higher concentration than into samples in Group B, is shown. The graph provided shows the mathematically averaged mass spectra for Group A (solid line) and for Group B (dotted line). Black circles on the x-axis identify the values of m/z determined to be distinguishing features by our support vector machine (SVM)-based feature selection algorithms. These features are adjacent to each other (the black circles appear as a line) and correspond to the m/z for the first three isotope peaks of Substance P in its doubly charged state. The difference in average signal is easily discernable by eye. Immediately to the right of the isotope envelope for Substance P is an unidentified serum component (m/z 676.4), whose intensity was not significantly different between the two sample groups and was therefore identified correctly as a non-distinguishing feature. To determine the fold-difference in concentration that was detected among the samples, the mean total intensities for each standard over all runs of Group A samples and the mean total intensities for each standard for all runs of Group B samples were used. Then, for each standard, the total intensities of that standard in Group A were compared to those in Group B by performing a student's t-test. The result of the t-test is a p-value which indicates the probability due to chance of the difference in means for Groups A and B. For example, if the p-value is 0.5, there is a 50% chance that the observed difference in mean values is due purely to chance and, hence, one would conclude that there is no statistically significant difference between the means. Conversely, a p-value of 0.0001 indicates there is a statistically significant difference between the means because there is only a 0.01% chance that this could have occurred by happenstance. The following Table 4 shows the p-values for all standards analyzed, the observed (detected) fold difference, and the expected fold difference in concentration for all of the polypeptides added to the sera. The observed fold differences for the pre- and post-processing standards range from 1.05 to 1.30, close to the expected value of 1.0, as these standards are present at the same concentration in Group A and Group B. In particular, there was only a 5% difference between the mean total intensities for neurotensin, and the p-value for this difference was greater than 0.5. Two of the post-processing standards, neurotensin and lysozyme, have p-values an order of magnitude higher than those of the pre-processing standards, ubiquitin and insulin β-chain. Therefore, it is likely that ubiquitin and insulin β-chain are more sensitive to an unidentified effect correlated to the two groups of samples (e.g. the additional peptides spiked into each group). The significance of these results may be further considered with additional data. TABLE 4 t-test Observed Expected Standard p-value Fold Fold pre-processing Insulin β-chain 0.04712 1.3 1 Ubiquitin 0.01436 1.3 1 post-processing Lysozyme 0.33615 1.2 1 Neurotensin 0.71149 1.0 1 pattern recognition Angiotensin I 0.00001 7.6 10 Angiotensin III 0.00000 6.3 8 Aprotinin 0.00003 1.9 3 Bradykinin 0.00000 1.6 2 Insulin 0.00000 13.4 20 LHRH fragment 0.00000 4.5 5 Mellitin 0.08071 3.8 10 Renin substrate 0.00000 7.8 10 Substance P 0.00000 3.4 4 As explained above, the p-values are less than 0.0001 for all pattern recognition standards except mellitin. Therefore, with the exception of mellitin, the differences in mean total intensities between the groups are statistically significant. There was a 1.6-fold difference in the mean total intensities for Group A and B for bradykinin, which was spiked in at twice the concentration in Group B than in Group A. Therefore, the system provided in accordance with this embodiment of the invention is capable of detecting at least a two-fold difference in the average concentration of a component in two groups. Example 6 The results in the preceding sections suggests that if a particular component (a biomarker, for example) has at least a two-fold different concentration on average between the two groups, the difference can be detected and quantified with reasonable accuracy and certainty. A desired goal of the experimentation conducted was to determine whether it was possible, without a priori knowledge of the markers, to automatically identify the pattern recognition standards as those and only those features which differentiate Groups A and B, and furthermore, whether classification of samples as belonging to Group A and Group B was possible using the pattern recognition algorithm. The pattern recognition algorithm selected was based on the use of support vector machines (SVM) on signal-processed data. (Boser, B. E., et al., In Computational Learning Theory, 1992, pp 144-152; Christianni, N., et al., An introduction to support vector machines, Cambridge University Press, 2000; Vlapnik, V., Statistical Learning Theory , John Wiley and Sons, 1998.) The result of signal processing was a single intensity vs. m/z spectrum for each CE-MS run. The raw data was processed by first removing noise from the m/z spectra via wavelet transformation. (Donoho, D. L., Applied and Computational Harmonic Analysis 1995, 2, 101-126.) Then, the intensity for each m/z over all spectra collected during the run were summed, effectively ‘collapsing’ the data over separation time. After signal processing, support vector machines were used in an iterative manner to identify and select those features (i.e. m/z values) that differentiate Group A from Group B. The signal-processed data was divided into two sets: a “training set” and a “test set.” Within the training set, the data was sub-divided by group, since it is known which samples belong to Group A and which belong to Group B. The SVM algorithm was then run on the training set. The result is a weights vector which indicates the relative importance (weight) of each m/z in differentiating Group A from Group B. Next, the training set of data was ‘updated’ by taking the dot product of the weights vector and the raw data. SVM is run on the updated data, forming a new weights vector. The process of running SVM to form a new weights vector and updating the data was repeated so that the only features (m/z values) retained are those which best distinguish the groups. These features were the selected features that make up the distinguishing pattern. The final step in this process was to classify a sample as belonging to either Group A or Group B. To do this, all the original, raw data is reduced so that for each CE-MS run, the only intensities that remain in the data set are those that correspond to the selected features. The SVM is run one last time with the data reduced in this manner to give the weights vector which may be used to classify samples (the classification rule). All the samples in the test set are classified by forming the dot product of the classification rule with the reduced data for each sample and examining the sign of the product. If the sign is positive, the sample belongs to Group A, and if negative, the sample belongs to Group B. To estimate how well data could be classified, a three-fold cross validation study was performed. Cross-validation based on multiple folds (groupings) is a statistical technique that has been shown to be a reliable empirical method to estimate the error of an algorithm. Efron, B., J. Amer. Statist. Assoc. 1983, 78, 316-331; Stone, M., et al., J. Roy. Statist. Soc. 1974, 36, 111-147. The data was randomly separated into three sets: 1, 2, and 3. Sets 1 and 2 were combined to form the training set (as discussed above). The remaining set, set 3, was the ‘test set,’ the set of data that would be classified. In this way, the data used to develop the algorithm is independent from that used to test the algorithm, and therefore the statistics on the accuracy of the algorithm are more indicative of how the algorithm performs on a much larger, more general data set. Stone, M., J. Roy. Statist. Soc. 1974, 36, 111-147. The process of feature selection and sample classification was repeated twice more so that each of the three sets of samples was used as the test set, completing the three-fold cross validation. Table 5 below provides the results of the feature selection for the components added to serum for each of the three sets of data. TABLE 5 Type Component Set 1 Set 2 Set 3 Pre-processing standard Insulin β-chain − − − Ubiquitin − − − Post-processing standard Lysozyme − + − Neurotensin − − − Pattern recognition Angiotensin I + + + standard Angiotensin III + + + Aprotinin − + + Bradykinin + + + Insulin + + + LHRH fragment + + + Mellitin + + + Renin substrate + + + Substance P + + + A plus sign appears in the table where a component was identified as a distinguishing feature, and a minus sign appears where a component was not identified as a distinguishing feature. It is therefore expected that the minus signs for all the table entries for pre- and post-processing standards, as those components were added to Group A and Group B samples in equivalent amounts. It would also be expected that plus signs in the rows for the pattern recognition standards, as the concentrations of these components differed between the groups. Out of the three sets of data and the nine pattern recognition standards, in only one instance (aprotinin in set 1) was a pattern recognition standard not identified as a distinguishing feature. In only one instance also (lysozyme in set 2), a post-processing standard was identified as a distinguishing feature. Using the classification rule based on identified features, the samples in each of the three test sets were assigned to either Group A or Group B. The accuracy obtained was determined to be approximately 94%. Example 7 Samples Individual human serum samples were obtained from Golden West Biologics (Temecula, Calif.). Samples were prepared by adding thirteen polypeptides as mock biomarkers at pre-determined levels to two groups of human sera. Because the targets of the biomarker discovery experiments herein were peptides and small proteins, a procedure was developed to deplete the serum of proteins larger than 50,000 MW. This step effectively removed the majority of the high abundance proteins such as serum albumin and immunoglobulins G which could have overwhelmed the lower abundance peptides of interest. Eight proteins alone constitute approximately 90% of the 60-80 milligrams of protein per milliliter of serum (Burtis, C. A., et al., Tietz Textbook of Clinical Chemistry , W.B. Saunders Company, Philadelphia, Pa. 1999; Putnam, R. W., The plasma proteins , Academic Press, New York 1975); and therefore the high-abundance proteins are of less interest. This procedure also effectively de-salts the sample to reduce the conductivity of the sample and to avoid the possible formation of salt adducts in the electrospray. The procedure consisted of diluting 50 μL of human serum ten-fold and filtering the diluted serum through an Amicon YM50 (Millipore Corporation, Billerica, Mass.) molecular weight cut-off membrane at about 14,000 g for 10 to 40 minutes at room temperature. After centrifugation, 15 to 35 μL of 5-12% trifluoroacetic acid was added to the filtrate, and the filtrate was loaded onto a pre-equilibrated, C8 reverse-phase Optiguard guard column (Optimize Technologies, Oregon City, Oreg.) at 70-90 μL/min. The column was washed with 150-250 μL of 3-7% acetonitrile/0.1-0.5% acetic acid to remove salt, and the serum components are eluted with 15-25 μL of 60-80% acetonitrile/0.1-0.5% acetic acid. The column may be re-used after rinsing with 90-99% acetonitrile and equilibrating with 3-7% acetonitrile/0.1-0.5% acetic acid. Materials Various materials and reagents were selected and obtained from different sources such as the following: glacial acetic acid (99+%), formic acid (96%), 5.02 N ammonium hydroxide volumetric standard, ammonium persulfate (APS), 7-oct-1-enyltrimethoxysilane, 3-methacryloylaminopropyl trimethylammonium chloride (MAPTAC), and N, N, N′, N′,-tetramethylethylenediamine (TEMED), human angiotensin I, angiotensin III, bovine lung aprotinin, bradykinin, bovine heart cytochrome c, bovine pancreatic insulin β-chain (oxidized), bovine pancreatic insulin, chicken egg white lysozyme, luteinizing hormone releasing hormone fragment 1-6 amide, melittin, equine skeletal myoglobin, neurotensin, porcine N-acetyl renin substrate tetradecapeptide, substance p, and bovine erythrocyte ubiquitin were purchased from the Sigma-Aldrich Company (St. Louis, Mo.). GC-MS grade methanol, HPLC-grade acetonitrile, high purity acetone and HPLC-grade water were obtained from Honeywell Burdick and Jackson (Muskegon, Mich.). Trifluoroacetic acid and 10 M sodium hydroxide were obtained from JT Baker (Phillipsburg, N.J.). eCAP™ Neutral Marker was obtained from Beckman Coulter, Inc. (Fullerton, Calif.) and diluted 100-fold in acetonitrile. Results The efficacy of this procedure was determined using HPLC with W detection. More than 99% of the high abundance proteins were removed. To gain an additional measure of the recovery of lower molecular weight peptides, a set of standard peptides was added to the serum at a known concentration. Recovery of endogenous and spiked peptides varied by peptide; in general, endogenous peptides were recovered at more than 70% (range: 65%-100%) and spiked peptides were recovered at more than 85% (range: 70-100%) (data not shown). Example 8 A 50 μL sample of human serum is processed with or without the addition of 5 μL pepstatin A (a 1 mM solution of pepstain A prepared in methanol diluted 1:10 in water). Samples with and without pepstatin are added to 50 μL of 10% formic and the sample is diluted to 500 μL with water and added standards if desired. Each sample was passed over a gradient C18 column using an acetonitrile gradient and monitored at 215 nM in an Agilent™ 110 as shown in FIG. 15 . Examples of affected components are illustrated in FIG. 15 as indicated by the arrows. A serum sample was processed with or without 0.1 μM pepstatin A as described above and each sample was infused by electrospray using Nanomate™ instrument (Advion, Inc.) linked to a QStar™ mass spectrometer with the results shown in FIG. 16( a ) (without pepstatin) and 16 ( b ) (with pepstatin). A component affected by the addition of pepstatin is indicated with an arrow. Example 9 Microfluidic-based capillary electrophoresis-mass spectrometry was used to identify prostate cancer markers. The objective was to find patterns which differentiate those individuals with prostate cancer from those without in subjects with a PSA value between 1-6 ng/ml. Study Design Samples were divided into discovery and validation sets. Data was collected from both sample sets concurrently. Data from the discovery samples was used to find a biomarker pattern, and data from the validation samples was used to evaluate how well the pattern can distinguish between the two groups of men (i.e. the validation data set was not used for training or testing in discovery cross-validation). Data was analyzed from each site's samples independently and then evaluated for overlap between the results. Table 6 provides a description of the samples and FIG. 17 provides a schematic overview of the samples. Half of the 200 samples shown in FIG. 17 were used for Discovery of patterns, as described above. These included 25 case and 25 control samples from site A and 25 case and 25 control samples from site B. Following pattern discovery, the second half of the 200 samples shown in FIG. 17 were used for validation of the patterns. Validation consisted of determining whether, for each sample, a pattern correctly identifies the sample as prostate cancer (case) or non-prostate cancer (control), using the decision function, D, described above. TABLE 6 Sites Sample Site A Site B Disease Cases 50 50 Control Cases 50 50 Sample Analysis Serum samples were prepared, separated, and introduced into a mass spectrometer for analysis. Preparation included the removal of high abundance proteins, addition of preservatives and calibrants, and desalting. Prepared samples were then separated using microfluidic based capillary electrophoresis (CE) in a ˜12 minute separation. Using an electrospray ionization (ESI) interface, samples were ionized and sprayed directly into a time-of-flight mass spectrometer (MS). The resulting CE-MS data for each sample was a series of mass spectra, acquired during the electrophoretic separation. Samples were prepared and analyzed in a randomized order to minimize biases. Sample Criteria Samples were collected pre-biopsy and pre-treatment, and samples were collected either before or after DRE. If a DRE had been performed, samples were collected at least 24 hours post-DRE. Matching of cases and controls was done based on site, PSA levels, age at sample collection, date of sample draw, and race, in that order of priority. A volume of approx. 10 cc of venous blood was drawn in serum tubes (“red or marble” top glass tube, BD Vacutainer. After sitting for minimum of 30 minutes to a maximum of 12 hrs the sample was centrifuged and the serum was collected and frozen (−80° C.). Approximately 200 μL of serum was required for analysis from each patient. TABLE 7 Inclusion and Exclusion Criteria Cases Objective Inclusion Exclusion 1 PSA values in the 1-6 ng/ml Prior to entering this range who have a confirmed study history of any diagnosis of prostate cancer. other cancer, other Reasons for biopsy of these than non-melanoma skin individuals may include cancer. rising PSA, abnormal DRE, <40 years old or high-risk status (e.g., Samples that have family history of prostate undergone more than 1 cancer). freeze/thaw cycle. Prostate cancer diagnosis was based on pathological analysis of at least one 6-core TRUS guided biopsy. To be considered a control, patients had at least one 6-core TRUS guided biopsy that did not find evidence of prostate cancer. Control Samples Spiked serum A was a control run at the beginning of each day. This consisted of serum that had been processed following the standard sample prep protocol and spiked with components at specific concentrations post processing. Composition can be found in Table 8. TABLE 8 Spiked Serum A components Concentration (nM) Effective Actual concentration in concentration in Standard unprocessed serum resuspended serum Pre-Processing 100 1000 Ala-met enkephalin Post-Processing LHRH fragment 300 3000 Bradykinin 300 3000 Angiotensin III 300 3000 Ubiquitin 300 3000 Aprotinin 300 3000 Renin 300 3000 Neurotensin 50 500 Sample Preparation and Data Collection Each sample was prepared 4 times and run 2 times on the CE-MS. The 200 samples were prepared four times each. The 4 replicates of each prepared sample were pooled and re-divided into 4 aliquots. Two of those aliquots were used in CE-MS. The standard sample preparation is outlined in FIG. 18 . The composition of Sample Standard was 0.30 μM angiotensin III and 10.0 μM Aprotinin and Sample Diluent was 390 μL HPLC water, 50 μL 10% formic, 5 μL Pepstatin 1:10 in H 2 O, 5 μL Sample Standard. Samples were thawed sample for the run at room temperature and transferred to ice at once when thawed. Runs were set up in duplicate on each of two μElute plate (n=4 each sample). All samples were run individually. 450 μL of sample diluent was added to 50 μL of serum sample and mix. Diluted samples were transferred immediately to YM50 Microcon (within ten minutes) and centrifuged at 13,000×g for 30 minutes in the centrifuge with 45° angle black anodized rotor. 25 μL 10% trifluoroacetic acid was added just before application to reverse phase. Samples were processed on μElute plate and collected in PCR plate. Samples were dried in the vacuum centrifuge. Aliquots were re-suspended with 5 μL of re-suspension buffer of IPA and formic containing post-processing standard, bradykinin and renin at 3000 nM actual concentration in resuspended serum. Samples were vortexed for two minutes and centrifuged for 10 sec. After sample preparation the 4 separate preparations were pooled and re-aliquoted. The mass spectrometer was set up with the inlet capillary voltage to 280, PMT bias to −770, and MCP bias to −6000 in the volts window. The scan range was set to 122496, Number of Scans to 8000, Acq. Bin Width to 1 and threshold to 35. The spiked serum sample was run in the CE-MS to verify the intensities, resolution and migration times for the standards. The mass spectrometer was rinsed with sample and then loaded with a chip of 1 μM set 6 in 20% IPA, 0.05% formic acid for chip infusion. A single use vial is run of set 6 1 μM in 20% IPA 0.05% forming acid for chip infusion. After the pre-run is complete, the signal and resolution of the 1 μM neurotensin 3+ peak at 558.3 m/z is monitored. The inlet lens voltage is adjusted in 0.05 V increments to obtain the optimum counts and resolution for neurotensin 3+ (signal intensity: ≧150,000 counts; resolution: 6000-8000). When the intensity and resolution fall within these limits, another Spiked Serum A was run. Sample runs: Samples are removed from −20° C. freezer and stored on ice during CE-MS runs for no longer than 4 hours. One sample is used to complete 1 CE-MS run and obtain the data. During sample runs, sprays were visually inspected for stability. Data Analysis CE-MS data were analyzed several ways after data quality assurance. Peaks were identified using several methods, including mass-spectrometry-specific signal processing methods. First, univariate statistics were used to find single peak and/or component intensities that correlate with the presence/absence of prostate cancer. Standard non-parametric methods were used due to small sample size and the inability to assume normality of data. Such methods include the Mann-Whitney test. Second, after ranking by P-value, results were visualized, and those peaks/components that have high group-mean differences were determined. Third, a suite of feature selection and pattern classification methods were used to find multi-variate patterns that distinguish between the presence and absence of prostate cancer. These methods include support vector machines, discriminant analysis, and other machine learning methods. Cross-validation techniques were utilized to train and test patterns. The sensitivities, specificities and positive/negative predictive values of patterns that can highly discriminate between classes were determined. Proteomic data were analyzed with and without PSA scores and other clinical measurements available. The markers identified are shown in Tables 9 and 10A-10D below. TABLE 9 Separation Time (sec) up or down Observed m/z monoisotopic* or Molecular Weight (+/−64 sec for regulated in Biomarker Charge (thomson) average for m/z (Daltons) 95% CI) cancer cells 1* 1 2.9511E+02 monoisotopic 294 214 down 2  9 1.5433E+03 average 13880 452 up 10 1.3890E+03 average 13880 452 11 1.2629E+03 average 13880 452 12 1.1577E+03 average 13880 452 13 1.0687E+03 average 13880 452 14 9.9246E+02 average 13880 452 15 9.2636E+02 average 13880 452 16 8.6852E+02 average 13880 452 17 8.1749E+02 average 13880 452 18 7.7213E+02 average 13880 452 19 7.3155E+02 average 13880 452 20 6.9502E+02 average 13880 452 21 6.6197E+02 average 13880 452 *molecular weight for the indicated monoisotopic entities is as shown or +1 dalton TABLE 10A Separation Time (sec) up or down Observed m/z monoisotopic* or Molecular Weight (+/−64 sec for regulated in Biomarker Charge (thomson) average for m/z (Daltons) 95% CI) cancer cells  3 2 5.2576E+02 monoisotopic 1050 230 down  4 1 5.2035E+02 monoisotopic 519 192 down 2 2.6067E+02 monoisotopic 519 192  5 8 1.1336E+03 average 9061 708 up 9 1.0077E+03 average 9061 708 10 9.0707E+02 average 9061 708  6 4 1.0513E+03 monoisotopic 4201 341 up 5 8.4127E+02 monoisotopic 4201 341  7* 1 4.9723E+02 monoisotopic 496 279 down  8 3 1.1113E+03 monoisotopic 3331 452 up 4 8.3369E+02 monoisotopic 3331 452 5 6.6715E+02 monoisotopic 3331 452  9 3 7.2164E+02 monoisotopic 2162 495 up 4 5.4148E+02 monoisotopic 2162 495 10 6 1.0291E+03 average 6169 452 up 7 8.8222E+02 average 6169 452 8 7.7207E+02 average 6169 452 11 4 8.2773E+02 monoisotopic 3307 331 up 12 7 1.3279E+03 average 9288 643 up 8 1.1620E+03 average 9288 643 9 1.0330E+03 average 9288 643 10 9.2982E+02 average 9288 643 13 7 1.1050E+03 average 7728 400 up 8 9.6701E+02 average 7728 400 9 8.5967E+02 average 7728 400 14 7 1.3279E+03 average 9289 633 up 8 1.1621E+03 average 9289 633 9 1.0331E+03 average 9289 633 10 9.2986E+02 average 9289 633 15 4 8.0696E+02 monoisotopic 3224 564 up 5 6.4576E+02 monoisotopic 3224 564 16 1 7.6536E+02 monoisotopic 764 235 down 2 3.8318E+02 monoisotopic 764 235  17* 1 6.1935E+02 monoisotopic 618 265 up 18 6 9.5430E+02 average 5720 483 up 7 8.1812E+02 average 5720 483 8 7.1598E+02 average 5720 483 9 6.3653E+02 average 5720 483 *molecular weight for the indicated monoisotopic entities is as shown or +1 dalton TABLE 10B Separation Time (sec) up or down Observed m/z monoisotopic* or Molecular Weight (+/−64 sec for regulated in Biomarker Charge (thomson) average for m/z (Daltons) 95% CI) cancer cells 19 2 6.9929E+02 monoisotopic 1397 246 up 20 12 9.5422E+02 average 11439 482 up 13 8.8089E+02 average 11439 482 14 8.1804E+02 average 11439 482 15 7.6357E+02 average 11439 482 16 7.1591E+02 average 11439 482 17 6.7386E+02 average 11439 482 18 6.3648E+02 average 11439 482 21 13 1.0812E+03 average 14043 451 up 14 1.0040E+03 average 14043 451 15 9.3718E+02 average 14043 451 16 8.7867E+02 average 14043 451 17 8.2704E+02 average 14043 451 18 7.8115E+02 average 14043 451 19 7.4009E+02 average 14043 451 22 3 5.4295E+02 monoisotopic 1626 470 up 4 4.0747E+02 monoisotopic 1626 470  23* 1 3.3413E+02 monoisotopic 333 296 up 24 13 1.0569E+03 average 13727 455 up 14 9.8152E+02 average 13727 455 15 9.1615E+02 average 13727 455 16 8.5896E+02 average 13727 455 17 8.0849E+02 average 13727 455 18 7.6363E+02 average 13727 455 19 7.2349E+02 average 13727 455 25 14 9.9214E+02 average 13876 494 up 15 9.2607E+02 average 13876 494 16 8.6825E+02 average 13876 494 17 8.1723E+02 average 13876 494 18 7.7189E+02 average 13876 494  26* 1 2.2911E+02 monoisotopic 228 193 down  27* 1 3.2712E+02 monoisotopic 326 194 up 28 2 4.8368E+02 monoisotopic 965 199 up  29* 1 2.5715E+02 monoisotopic 256 199 down 30 1 6.2533E+02 monoisotopic 624 306 up 2 3.1316E+02 monoisotopic 624 306 3 2.0911E+02 monoisotopic 624 306 31 2 4.4813E+02 monoisotopic 894 235 down *molecular weight for the indicated monoisotopic entities is as shown or +1 dalton TABLE 10C Separation Time (sec) up or down Observed m/z monoisotopic* or Molecular Weight (+/−64 sec for regulated in Biomarker Charge (thomson) average for m/z (Daltons) 95% CI) cancer cells 32 1 8.5739E+02 monoisotopic 856 235 down 2 4.2920E+02 monoisotopic 856 235 33 7 1.7797E+03 average 12451 373 up 8 1.5574E+03 average 12451 373 9 1.3845E+03 average 12451 373 34 3 6.1932E+02 monoisotopic 1855 328 up 35 10 1.1739E+03 average 11729 601 up 11 1.0673E+03 average 11729 601 12 9.7840E+02 average 11729 601 13 9.0322E+02 average 11729 601 14 8.3878E+02 average 11729 601 36 13 1.0700E+03 average 13897 451 up 14 9.9366E+02 average 13897 451 15 9.2748E+02 average 13897 451 16 8.6957E+02 average 13897 451 17 8.1848E+02 average 13897 451 18 7.7307E+02 average 13897 451 19 7.3243E+02 average 13897 451 20 6.9586E+02 average 13897 451 37 11 1.2593E+03 average 13841 443 up 12 1.1544E+03 average 13841 443 13 1.0657E+03 average 13841 443 14 9.8967E+02 average 13841 443 15 9.2376E+02 average 13841 443 16 8.6609E+02 average 13841 443 17 8.1520E+02 average 13841 443 18 7.6997E+02 average 13841 443 19 7.2949E+02 average 13841 443 *molecular weight for the indicated monoisotopic entities is as shown or +1 dalton TABLE 10D Separation Time (sec) up or down Observed m/z monoisotopic* or Molecular Weight (+/−64 sec for regulated in Biomarker Charge (thomson) average for m/z (Daltons) 95% CI) cancer cells 38  11 1.2717E+03 average 13978 452 up 12 1.1659E+03 average 13978 452 13 1.0762E+03 average 13978 452 14 9.9944E+02 average 13978 452 15 9.3288E+02 average 13978 452 16 8.7464E+02 average 13978 452 17 8.2325E+02 average 13978 452 18 7.7757E+02 average 13978 452 39  6 1.1060E+03 average 6630 585 up 7 9.4818E+02 average 6630 585 8 8.2978E+02 average 6630 585 9 7.3769E+02 average 6630 585 10 6.6402E+02 average 6630 585 11 6.0375E+02 average 6630 585 40* 1 6.8650E+02 monoisotopic 686 195 up 41* 1 3.1314E+02 monoisotopic 312 305 up 42  2 7.3335E+02 monoisotopic 1465 266 down 3 4.8924E+02 monoisotopic 1465 266 4 3.6718E+02 monoisotopic 1465 266 43  2 4.9167E+02 monoisotopic 981 198 up 44  1 9.4442E+02 monoisotopic 943 198 up 2 4.7271E+02 monoisotopic 943 198 45* 1 2.7310E+02 monoisotopic 272 192 down 46* 1 229.1146625 monoisotopic 228 337 down 47* 1 342.145859 monoisotopic 341 440 up *molecular weight for the indicated monoisotopic entities is as shown or +1 dalton The above examples are in no way intended to limit the scope of the invention. Further, it can be appreciated to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims, and such changes and modifications are contemplated within the scope of the instant invention. Example 10 In one embodiment, deciding whether a test sample comes from a patient that has prostate cancer is computed as follows: Identify the intensity levels for every marker in Table 6 for every reference sample and for the test sample. The reference samples are those samples defined in the study design. Sum together the intensities for all charge states for a given biomarker. This yields a set of summed intensities, two intensities for every sample. Let the intensities for the test sample be identified by T=(biomarker 1 intensity for test sample, biomarker 2 intensity for test sample). Let the intensities for each of the reference samples be identified by R(i)=(biomarker 1 intensity for sample i, biomarker 2 intensity for sample i). A comparison between the test sample, T, and reference sample, R(i), is done by taking a dot product between the two: ( T*R ( i ))=(biomarker 1 intensity for test sample)*(biomarker 1 intensity for sample i )+(biomarker 2 intensity for test sample)*(biomarker 2 intensity for sample i ) A decision function, D, is made from these comparisons by computing a function that appropriately weights them: D =(\sum\\alpha — i *( T*R ( i )))+ b The alpha_i and b parameters are numbers that are appropriate for deciding whether the patient has prostate cancer based on the reference samples. The decision is made that the patient has prostate cancer if the function D is greater than 0 and that the patient does not have prostate cancer if the function D is less than or equal to 0.
The present invention relates to a charged particle beam apparatus which employs a scanning electron microscope for sample inspection and defect review. The present invent provides solution of improving imaging resolution by utilizing a field emission cathode tip with a large tip radius, applying a large accelerating voltage across ground potential between the cathode and anode, positioning the beam limit aperture before condenser lens, utilizing condenser lens excitation current to optimize image resolution, applying a high tube bias to shorten electron travel time, adopting and modifying SORIL objective lens to ameliorate aberration at large field of view and under electric drifting and reduce the urgency of water cooling objective lens while operating material analysis. The present invent provides solution of improving throughput by utilizing fast scanning ability of SORIL and providing a large voltage difference between sample and detectors.
8
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/323,265, filed Sep. 19, 2001. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for metallurgical processing, particularly steel making. More particularly, the invention relates to a metallurgical furnace comprising, in part, an aluminum-bronze type alloy wherein the alloy is formed into piping which is mounted to the walls, roof, duct work and the off-gas system of the furnace for cooling the same, thereby extending the operational life of the furnace. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Today, steel is made by melting and refining iron and steel scrap in a metallurgical furnace. Typically, the furnace is an electric arc furnace (EAF) or basic oxygen furnace (BOF). With respect to the EAF furnaces, the furnace is considered by those skilled in the art of steel production to be the single most critical apparatus in a steel mill or foundry. Consequently, it is of vital importance that each EAF remain operational for as long as possible. [0004] Structural damage caused during the charging process affects the operation of an EAF. Since scrap has a lower effective density than molten steel, the EAF must have sufficient volume to accommodate the scrap and still produce the desired amount of steel. As the scrap melts it forms a hot metal bath in the hearth or smelting area in the lower portion of the furnace. As the volume of steel in the furnace is reduced, however, the free volume in the EAF increases. The portion of the furnace above the hearth or smelting area must be protected against the high internal temperatures of the furnace. The vessel wall, cover or roof, duct work and off-gas chamber are particularly at risk from massive thermal, chemical, and mechanical stresses caused by charging and melting the scrap and refining the resulting steel. Such stresses greatly limit the operational life of the furnace. [0005] Historically, the EAF was generally designed and fabricated as a welded steel structure which was protected against the high temperatures of the furnace by a refractory lining. In the late 1970's and early 1980's, the steel industry began to combat operational stresses by replacing expensive refractory brick with water-cooled roof panels and water-cooled sidewall panels located in portions of the furnace vessel above the smelting area. Water-cooled components have also been used to line furnace duct work in the off-gas systems. Existing water-cooled components are made with various grades and types of plates and pipes. An example of a cooling system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,207,060 which uses a series of cooling coils. Generally, the coils are formed from adjacent pipe sections with a curved end cap which forms a path for a liquid coolant flowing through the coils. This coolant is forced through the pipes under pressure to maximize heat transfer. Current art uses carbon steel and stainless steel to form the plates and pipes. [0006] In addition, today's modern EAF furnaces require pollution control to capture the off-gases that are created during the process of making steel. Fumes from the furnace are generally captured in two ways. Both of these processes are employed during the operation of the furnace. One form of capturing the off-gases is through a furnace canopy. The canopy is similar to an oven hood. It is part of the building and catches gases during charging and tapping. The canopy also catches fugitive emissions that may occur during the melting process. Typically, the canopy is connected to a bag house through a non-water cooled duct. The bag house is comprised of filter bags and several fans that push or pull air and off-gases through the filter bags to cleanse the air and gas of any pollutants. [0007] The second manner of capturing the off-gas emissions is through the primary furnace line. During the melting cycle of the furnace, a damper closes the duct to the canopy and opens a duct in the primary line. This is a direct connection to the furnace and is the main method of capturing the emissions of the furnace. The primary line is also used to control the pressure of the furnace. This line is made up of water cooled duct work as temperatures can reach 4000° F. and then drop to ambient in a few seconds. The gas streams generally include various chemical elements including hydrochloric and sulfuric acids. There are also many solids and sand type particles. The velocity of the gas stream can be upwards of 150 ft./sec. These gases will be directed to the main bag house for cleansing as hereinabove described. [0008] The above-described environments place a high level of strain on the water cooled components of the primary ducts of the EAF furnace. The variable temperature ranges cause expansion and contraction issues in the components which lead to material failure. Moreover, the dust particles continuously erode the surface of the pipe in a manner similar to sand blasting. Acids flowing through the system also increase the attack on the material, additionally decreasing the overall lifespan. [0009] Concerning BOF systems, improvements in BOF refractories and steelmaking methods have extended operational life. However, the operational life is limited by, and related to, the durability of the off-gas system components, particularly the duct work of the off-gas system. With respect to this system, when failure occurs, the system must be shut down for repair to prevent the release of gas and fumes into the atmosphere. Current failure rates cause an average furnace shut down of 14 days. As with EAF type furnaces, components have historically been comprised of water-cooled carbon steel or stainless steel type panels. [0010] Using water-cooled components in either EAF or BOF type furnaces has reduced refractory costs and has also enabled steelmakers to operate each furnace for a greater number of heats then was possible without such components. Furthermore, water-cooled equipment has enabled the furnaces to operate at increased levels of power. Consequently, production has increased and furnace availability has become increasingly important. Notwithstanding the benefits of water-cooled components, these components have consistent problems with wear, corrosion, erosion and other damage. Another problem associated with furnaces is that as available scrap to the furnace has been reduced in quality, more acidic gases are created. This is generally the result of a higher concentration of plastics in the scrap. These acidic gases must be evacuated from the furnace to a gas cleaning system so that they may be released into the atmosphere. These gases are directed to the off-gas chamber, or gas cleaning system, by a plurality of fume ducts containing water cooled pipes. However, over time, the water cooled components and the fume ducts give way to acid attack, metal fatigue or erosion. Certain materials (i.e., carbon steel and stainless steel) have been utilized in an attempt to resolve the issue of the acid attack. More water and higher water temperatures have been used with carbon steel in an attempt to reduce water concentration in the scrap and reduce the risk of acidic dust sticking to the side walls of a furnace. The use of such carbon steel in this manner has proven to be ineffective. [0011] Stainless steel has also been tried in various grades. While stainless steel is less prone to acidic attack, it does not possess the heat transfer characteristics of carbon steel. The result obtained was an elevated off-gas temperature and built up mechanical stresses that caused certain parts to fracture and break apart. [0012] Critical breakdowns of one or more of the components commonly occurs in existing systems due to the problems set forth above. When such a breakdown occurs, the furnace must be taken out of production for unscheduled maintenance to repair the damaged water-cooled components. Since molten steel is not being produced by the steel mill during downtime, opportunity losses of as much as five thousand dollars per minute for the production of certain types of steel can occur. In addition to decreased production, unscheduled interruptions significantly increase operating and maintenance expenses. [0013] In addition to the water cooled components, corrosion and erosion is becoming a serious problem with the fume ducts and off gas systems of both EAF and BOF systems. Damage to these areas of the furnace results in loss of productivity and additional maintenance costs for mill operators. Further, water leaks increase the humidity in the off-gases and reduce the efficiency of the bag house as the bags become wet and clogged. The accelerated erosion of these areas used to discharge furnace off-gases is due to elevated temperatures and gas velocities caused by increased energy in the furnace. The higher gas velocities are due to greater efforts to evacuate all of the fumes for compliance with air emissions regulations. The corrosion of the fume ducts is due to acid formulation/attack on the inside of the duct caused by the meetings of various materials in the furnaces. The prior art currently teaches of the use of fume duct equipment and other components made of carbon steel or stainless steel. For the same reasons as stated above, these materials have proven to provide unsatisfactory and inefficient results. [0014] A need, therefore, exists for an improved water-cooled furnace panel system and method for making steel. Specifically, a need exists for an improved method and system wherein water cooled components and fume ducts remain operable longer than existing comparable components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] The present method and system utilizes a heavy-walled type pipe comprised of an Aluminum-Bronze alloy used in a cooling panel, the panels being used in both EAF and BOF type furnaces. In an EAF, an array of pipes are aligned along the inside wall above the hearth thereby forming a cooling surface between the interior and the wall of the furnace. Generally, the EAF has a furnace shell, a plurality of electrodes, an exhaust system and off gas chamber that utilizes the aluminum-bronze alloy (“alloy”), which is custom melted and processed into a seamless pipe. The EAF system also utilizes fume ducts composed of the same material. In an alternative BOF system, a similar piping array forms an assemblage of panels used to line the furnace hood and off gas chamber. The aluminum-bronze alloy has superior thermal conductivity, hardness and modulus of elasticity over the prior art materials used. Thus, the operational life of the furnace is extended and corrosion and erosion of the water cooled components and the fume ducts is reduced. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0016] The principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved method and system for steel-making with a furnace wherein water cooled components remain operable longer than existing comparable components. Thus, the present invention is directed to a heavy-walled, aluminum bronze alloy pipe for use in a cooling panel in a metallurgical furnace. [0017] According to another object of the present invention, a method is provided for cooling the interior walls of a metallurgical furnace. The method includes providing a plurality of cooling panels having a plurality of extruded pipes or cast comprised of an aluminum-bronze alloy. The pipes have a generally tubular section and a base section. The method further includes the steps of attaching the cooling panels to the interior of the furnace and running water through the pipes thereby cooling the furnace. [0018] Another object of the invention is to provide an improved furnace with extruded seamless piping and duct work which better resists corrosion, erosion, pressure, and thermal stress. [0019] A further object of this invention is to provide an improved method and system for steel making with a furnace wherein maintenance costs are reduced and production is increased. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0020] The foregoing and other objects will become more readily apparent by referring to the following detailed description and the appended drawing in which: [0021] [0021]FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a typical EAF used in the steel making industry wherein the cooling panels comprising an array of pipes is provided, said pipes being made of an aluminum-bronze alloy. [0022] [0022]FIG. 2 shows a front view of an array of pipes according to the present invention connected to a cooling panel. [0023] [0023]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an array of pipes according to the present invention connected to a cooling panel. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0024] As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein, however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting. [0025] Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is shown in an EAF type furnace. It is to be understood that the EAF disclosed is for explanation only and that the invention can be readily applied in BOF type furnaces and the like. In FIG. 1, an EAF 10 includes a furnace shell 12 , a plurality of electrodes 14 , an exhaust system 16 , a working platform 18 , a rocker tilting mechanism 20 , a tilt cylinder 22 and an off gas chamber 48 . The furnace shell 12 is movably disposed upon the rocker tilt 20 or other tilting mechanism. Further, the rocker tilt 20 is powered by tilt cylinder 22 . The rocker tilt 20 is further secured upon the working platform 18 . [0026] The furnace shell 12 is comprised of a dished hearth 24 , a generally cylindrical side wall 26 , a spout 28 , a spout door 30 and a general cylindrical circular roof 32 . The spout 28 and spout door 30 are located on one side of the cylindrical side wall 26 . In the open position, the spout 28 allows intruding air 34 to enter the hearth 24 and partially burn gases 36 produced from smelting. The hearth 24 is formed of suitable refractory material which is known in the art. At one end of the hearth 24 is a pouring box having a tap means 38 at its lower end. During a melting operation, the tap means 38 is closed by a refractory plug or a slidable gate. Thereafter, the furnace shell 12 is tilted, the tap means 38 is unplugged or open and molten metal is poured into a teeming ladle, tundish, or other device, as desired. [0027] The side wall 26 of the furnace shell 12 consists of water-cooled side wall panels 40 which produce a more efficient operation and prolong the operation life of EAF 10 . In a preferred embodiment, the panels 40 are comprised of an array of pipes 50 and are understood to include an inner metallic wall cooled by spray nozzles 52 . However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the panels 40 may take any conventional form, since the details thereof form no part of the present invention other than the pipes comprising the same. In any event, the upper ends of the panels 40 define a circular rim at the upper margin of the side wall 26 portion. [0028] The roof 32 is water cooled by additional piping 50 and includes a cylindrical skirt portion located at the upper end of the upper side wall 26 section and forming an extension thereof. In particular, the lower margin of the skirt portion is complementary to and abuts the circular rim of the wall section. Also forming a part of the roof 32 is an annular section whose outer periphery is complementary to the upper end of the skirt portion. Disposed within the annular section is a central section having a circular outer periphery which is complementary to and abuts the edge of the opening defined by the annular section. Also forming part of the roof 32 is a plurality of perforations 42 centrally located thereon for inserting of one or more electrodes therethrough. [0029] Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the number of electrodes 14 in any particular furnace is determined by the metallurgical process to be performed and the nature of the energy source. However, in a preferred embodiment of this invention, the number of electrodes 14 is three. The electrodes 14 are vertically disposed through the perforations 42 of the roof 32 and extend downward into the hearth 24 . The general direction of the movement of the electrodes 14 is normally downwardly as their lower ends are consumed or broken away. [0030] The exhaust system 16 generally comprises a plurality of fume ducts 44 and panels 40 made of the piping 50 and which lead from a vent 46 in the furnace shell 12 to off gas chamber 48 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any exhaust system 16 utilizing water cooled components can be employed as the system's details form no part of the present invention. However, in a preferred embodiment of the invention, a “fourth hole” direct furnace shell evacuation system (“DES”) is used. The term fourth hole refers to an additional hole, the vent 46 , other than the perforations 42 for the electrodes 14 , which vent is provided for off gas extraction. [0031] In operation, hot waste gases 36 , dust and fumes are removed from the hearth 24 through vent 46 in the furnace shell 12 to a gas cleaning system (i.e., the off gas chamber 48 ) for filtering before discharge into the atmosphere. The vent 46 communicates with the exhaust system 16 comprised of the fume ducts 44 and piping 50 , which is connected to the off-gas chamber 48 . [0032] As shown in FIG. 2, a panel 40 has an inner surface or face that is exposed to a furnace interior. In one embodiment, nozzles 52 are positioned on the panel 40 for introducing and/or removing fluid from the piping 50 . A flange 54 is attached to an upper region 56 of the panel 40 for connecting the panel 40 to a furnace shell. [0033] The panel 40 is a pipe embodiment having multiple axially arranged pipes 50 . U-shaped elbows 58 connect adjacent pipes 50 together to form a continuous pipe system. Spacers 60 may optionally be provided between adjacent pipes 50 to provide structural integrity of the panel 40 . [0034] [0034]FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the panel embodiment of FIG. 2. An array of pipes 50 having a tubular cross-section and a base section. The pipe 50 is attached to a panel back 64 thereby forming the panel 40 and positioned between and interior and a wall of a furnace. The pipes 50 are used to cool the wall of the furnace above the hearth in an EAF or the hood and fume ducts of a BOF. [0035] As further shown in FIG. 3 embodiment, the pipe 50 includes a tubular section and base section 62 . The tubular section is hollow for conveying water or other cooling fluids. The base section 62 has a planer bottom for connection to the panel 40 . The base section 62 is provided with protruding ends which preferably extend the distance of the outer diameter of the pipe 50 to contact the base section 62 of an adjacent pipe 50 . Alternatively, the protruding ends can extend more than, or less than, the outer diameter of the pipe 50 . The base section 62 additionally acts as a seal bar to ease the manufacturing process. [0036] As further shown by FIG. 3, the plurality of pipes 50 are connected to the panel 40 . The pipes 50 are parallel to each other and preferably arranged so that the base section 62 of each pipe 50 abuts the base section 62 of an adjacent pipe 50 . The pipes 50 are connected in serpentine fashion (shown in FIG. 2), that is, the elbow connects each pipe 50 to the succeeding pipe 50 . It is to be understood that the panel 40 of pipes 50 can be arranged in a horizontal fashion or in a vertical fashion. Further, the pipes 50 can be linear, or, the pipes 50 can curve to follow the interior contour of the furnace wall. [0037] The ducts 44 and piping 50 of the water cooled components are comprised of an aluminum-bronze alloy custom melted and processed into a seamless pipe 50 . Thereafter, the ducts 44 are formed and incorporated into the exhaust system 16 . Moreover, the piping 50 is formed into the cooling panels 40 and placed throughout the roof 32 and ducts 44 . The aluminum-bronze alloy preferably has a nominal composition of: 6.5% Al, 2.5% Fe, 0.25% Sn, 0.5% max Other, and Cu equaling the balance. However, it will be appreciated that the composition may vary so that the Al content is at least 5% and no more than 11% with the respective remainder comprising the bronze compound. [0038] The use of the Aluminum-bronze alloy provides enhanced mechanical and physical properties over prior art devices (i.e., carbon or stainless steel cooling systems) in that the alloy provides superior thermal conductivity, hardness, and modulous of elasticity for the purposes of steel making in a furnace. By employing these enhancements, the operational life of the furnace is directly increased. The properties of the alloy of the preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in Table 1 in conjunction with various thicknesses. 12.7- 25.4- 50.8- Mechanical and ≦12.7 25.4 50.8 76.2 physical properties Units mm ø mm ø mm ø mm ø 1) Tensile strength Rm MPa 586 (552) 565 (517) 552 (496) 517 (485) 2) Yield strength Rp 0, 2 MPa 386 (352) 358 (317) 323 (288) 283 (248) 3) Elongation A5 % 35 (30) 35 (30) 35 (30) 35 (30) 4) Brinell hardness HB 30 187 183 174 163 5) Rockwell hardness HRB  91  90  88  85 6) Reduction of area ψ %  55  55  60  63 7) Compressive strength Rmc MPa 931 896 862 827 8) Compressive strength, 0.1% MPa — 324 — — perm. set 9) Proportional limit in MPa 179 165 152 138 compression R oc 10) Shear strength R cm MPa 331 310 276 276 11) Modulus of elasticity E GPa 124 124 124 124 12a) Charpy ak J  41  47  54  54 12b) Izod ak J  61  68  75  75 13) Density ρ g/cm 3 7.95 14) Coefficient of expansion α 10 −6 /K 16.3 15) Thermal conductivity λ W/m · K 54 16a) Electrical conductivity γ m/Ω · mm 2 7 16b) Electrical conductivity I.A.C.S % 12 17) Specific heat C. ° J/g · K 0.42 [0039] In addition to the superior heat transfer characteristics, the elongation capabilities of the alloy is greater than that of steel or stainless steel thereby allowing the piping and duct work 44 to expand and contract without cracking. Still further, the surface hardness is superior over the prior art in that it reduces the effects of erosion from the blasting effect of off-gas debris. [0040] The process of forming the piping and fume ducts 44 is preferably extrusion, however, one skilled in the art will appreciate that other forming techniques may be employed which yield the same result, i.e., a seamless component. During extrusion, the aluminum-bronze alloy is hot worked thereby resulting in a compact grain structure which possesses improved physical properties. Further, a preferred embodiment of this invention utilizes piping and fume ducts 44 wherein the mass on each side of the center line of the tubular section is equivalent so that stress risers are not created during manufacture. Since relatively uniform temperature in stress characteristics are maintained within the piping or ducts 44 , the component is less subject to damage caused by dramatic temperature changes encountered during the cycling of the furnace. [0041] The composition of the piping and ducts 44 differs from the prior art in that piping and ducts 44 in the prior art were composed of carbon-steel or stainless steel. The composition of the alloy is not as prone to acid attack. In addition, a higher heat transfer rate exists over both carbon-steel or stainless steel. One of the properties which makes the alloy better than the stainless steel is that the alloy possesses the capability to expand and contract without cracking. Finally, the surface hardness of the alloy is greater than that of either steel thereby reducing the effects of eroding the surface from the blasting effects of the off-gas debris. [0042] In operation, extruded pipes 50 are attached to the panel 40 . The panel 40 is hung within a furnace or off-gas system. Circulating fluid provided to the pipes 50 feeds through each pipe 50 in serpentine fashion, thereby cooling the system. Upon failure of a pipe 50 , the panel 40 of pipes 50 can be removed for repair and replaced by a new panel 40 of pipes 50 . [0043] Although particular embodiments of the invention have been described in detail, it will be understood that the invention is not limited correspondingly in scope, but includes all changes and modifications coming within the spirit and terms of the claims appended hereto. Summary of the Achievement of the Objects of the Invention [0044] From the foregoing, it is readily apparent that we have invented an improved method and system for steel making wherein the operational life of a metallurgical furnace is extended. [0045] It is further apparent that we have invented an improved method and system for steel making with a furnace by using extruded seamless piping and duct work which better resists corrosion and erosion. [0046] It is further apparent that we have invented an improved method and system for steel making with a furnace wherein water cooled components remain operable longer than existing comparable components. [0047] It is further apparent that we have invented an improved method and system for steel making with a furnace wherein maintenance costs are reduced and production is increased. [0048] It is to be understood that the foregoing description and specific embodiments are merely illustrative of the best mode of the invention and the principles thereof, and that various modifications and additions may be made to the apparatus by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
A metallurgical furnace, which includes a furnace shell, an exhaust system, and a gas cleaning system, further includes a plurality of improved pipes and fume ducts throughout to increase operational life and productivity. The pipes and fumes ducts are comprised of an aluminum-bronze alloy which provides enhanced properties over prior art materials including thermal conductivity, modulous of elasticity and hardness. The use of the alloy also minimizes maintenance requirements of the pipes and fume ducts, thereby extending their operational life. In operation, gases formed from smelting or refining are evacuated from the furnace shell through the exhaust system into the gas cleaning system. The gases, as well as the system, are water cooled by way of the plurality of pipes displaced throughout.
5
PRIORITY [0001] The present application claims priority from to commonly owned and assigned application No. 60/716,632, Attorney Docket No. MELC-001/00US, entitled Stitching System and Method, filed on Sep. 13, 2005, which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to systems and methods for stitching. In particular, but not by way of limitation, the present invention relates to mechanized systems and methods for stitching. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] The stitching of patterns on fabrics using computer controlled sewing machines has become a standard practice in the industry. Fabrics that can be embroidered assume a variety of shapes and sizes. Popular shapes frequently embroidered are curved shapes that are often in the form of a cap (e.g., a baseball cap), shirt sleeves, pockets and pant legs where the fabric for embroidering includes the tubular or cylindrical-shape. [0004] It is common to embroider tubular shaped objects (e.g., caps) with emblems, logos, letters and the like. Present embroidery equipment, however, is not particularly well-suited for providing embroidery along substantial portions of tubular or curved shaped objects. Accordingly, a system and method are needed to address the shortfalls of present technology and to provide other new and innovative features. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention that are shown in the drawings are summarized below. These and other embodiments are more fully described in the Detailed Description section. It is to be understood, however, that there is no intention to limit the invention to the forms described in this Summary of the Invention or in the Detailed Description. One skilled in the art can recognize that there are numerous modifications, equivalents and alternative constructions that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention as expressed in the claims. [0006] In some embodiments, the invention may be characterized as a stitching machine that includes a sewing head with a needle, an arm assembly disposed relative to the sewing head so as to allow a garment to be placed between the sewing head and the arm assembly and a non-planer needle plate coupled to the arm assembly. The non-planer needle plate in these embodiments includes an aperture that is disposed so as to allow the needle to project through the aperture after the needle has moved through the garment. [0007] In several variations of these embodiments, a trimmer assembly is coupled to the arm assembly and the trimmer assembly includes a blade configured to trim thread while moving along an axis of the arm assembly. In many embodiments, the blade is configured to move along an axis of the arm assembly without substantial movement in a radial direction. [0008] In another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a trimmer assembly for a stitching machine comprising a trimmer housing adapted so as to couple with the stitching machine, a knife configured to slide within the trimmer housing along a single axis and a selector arm slideably coupled to the trimmer housing so as to be capable of sliding along a length of the trimmer housing. The selector arm in this embodiment includes one end with a hook portion that is configured to pull thread to the knife so as to trim the thread. [0009] In yet another embodiment, the invention may be characterized as a knife for trimming thread comprising a planer portion including a slot that is configured to allow the planer portion to slide along a retainer pin and a blade portion coupled to the planer portion, wherein the blade portion is adapted so as to trim thread when the planer portion is moving along a single axis. In variations of this embodiment, the blade portion includes two tangs that are relatively disposed so as to allow thread to be trimmed when the thread is interposed between the two tangs. As previously stated, the above-described embodiments and implementations are for illustration purposes only. Numerous other embodiments, implementations, and details of the invention are easily recognized by those of skill in the art from the following descriptions and claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] Various objects and advantages and a more complete understanding of the present invention are apparent and more readily appreciated by reference to the following Detailed Description and to the appended claims when taken in conjunction with the accompanying Drawings wherein: [0011] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a stitching machine in accordance with the exemplary embodiment; [0012] FIG. 2 a perspective front-view of the lower arm assembly depicted in FIG. 1 in a disassembled form; [0013] FIG. 3 a perspective rear-view of the lower arm assembly and a portion of the stitching machine depicted in FIG. 1 ; [0014] FIGS. 4A and 4B are a front view of the lower arm assembly and a side view of the lower arm assembly respectively; [0015] FIG. 5A is a cut-away view of the lower arm assembly along line A-A of FIG. 4A ; [0016] FIG. 5B depicts an exploded-detail view of a distal end of the lower arm assembly identified as area B in FIG. 5A ; [0017] FIG. 5C shows an exploded and detailed view of a proximate end of the lower arm assembly identified as area C in FIG. 5A ; [0018] FIGS. 6A, 6B , 6 C and 6 D are respective, front, side and top views of the trimmer assembly depicted in FIG. 2 ; and [0019] FIG. 7 is a detailed view of the trimmer assembly depicted in FIGS. 2 and 6 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] Referring now to the drawings, an exemplary embodiment is shown which depicts various aspects of the present invention. Shown in FIG. 1 , is a perspective view of a stitching machine 100 in accordance with the exemplary embodiment. Shown is a head portion 102 positioned above a lower arm assembly 104 . As depicted in FIG. 1 , the lower arm assembly 104 includes a non-planer needle plate 106 , which in this embodiment includes a curved (e.g., cylindrical-shaped) outer surface. [0021] Advantageously, the curved surface of the needle plate accommodates garments with a tubular topology so as to allow a point of the garment that is being penetrated by a needle to rest against the needle plate 106 . This is in contrast with prior art stitching machines that either must deform a tubular garment to conform to a planer needle plate or leave a gap between the garment and the planer needle plate. [0022] Referring next to FIG. 2 , shown is a perspective front-view of the lower arm assembly 200 in a disassembled form. As depicted in this embodiment, the lower arm assembly 200 includes among other components, a non-planer needle plate 202 , a trimmer assembly 204 that couples to a push-pull cable 206 via a push rod 205 for a knife of the trimmer assembly 204 and a push cable 208 that couples to a selector of the trimmer assembly 204 via a push rod 207 . [0023] Also shown are an axial reference 210 (depicting an axial direction) and a radial reference 212 (depicting a radial direction perpendicular to the axial direction) relative to the arm assembly 200 . As discussed further herein, a knife of the trimmer assembly 204 in several embodiments is capable of trimming a thread passing through the aperture 214 of the needle plate 202 while translating along the axial direction 210 (e.g., without substantial radial translation). In this way, the amount of space occupied by the trimmer assembly 204 is substantially reduced; thus allowing the needle plate 202 to be sized and configured to curve around the trimmer assembly 204 in a non-planer manner. [0024] Referring to FIG. 3 , shown is a perspective rear-view of the lower arm assembly 104 and a rear portion of the body 300 of the stitching machine 100 . As depicted, the lower arm assembly 104 in the exemplary embodiment protrudes from the body 300 of the stitching machine in a substantially perpendicular fashion. [0025] Referring to FIGS. 4A and 4B , shown are a front view of the lower arm assembly 104 and a side view of the lower arm assembly 104 respectively. In FIG. 5A , shown is a cut-away view of the lower arm assembly along line A-A of FIG. 4A . FIG. 5B depicts an exploded and detailed view of a proximate end of the lower arm assembly 104 identified as area B in FIG. 5A , and FIG. 5C shows an exploded detailed view of a distal end of the lower arm assembly 104 identified as area C in FIG. 5A . [0026] Referring next to FIGS. 6A, 6B , 6 C and 6 D, shown are perspective, front, side and top views of the trimmer assembly 204 depicted in FIG. 2 . Details of the trimmer assembly 204 are shown in FIG. 7 , which shows a trimmer housing 700 , a spring presser 702 , a knife retainer pin 704 , a selector 706 , a knife 708 , a knife carrier 710 and a knife hold down 712 . [0027] As depicted, the knife 708 in the exemplary embodiment includes a planer portion 714 that includes a slot 716 to accommodate the knife retainer pin 704 . In addition, the knife 708 includes a blade portion 718 that includes a first and second tangs 720 A, 720 B that are configured to trim thread when thread is interposed between the two tangs 720 A, 720 B. In particular, the knife 708 in the exemplary embodiment is capable of trimming thread while moving solely in the axial direction shown in FIG. 7 . As shown, the knife carrier 710 includes an aperture 722 to accommodate the push rod 205 that couples with the push-pull cable 206 (shown in FIG. 2 ) for the knife 708 . The push rod 205 in this embodiment enables actuation of the knife 708 along the axial direction. [0028] Referring again to FIG. 6C , the tangs 720 A, 720 B in one embodiment are relatively disposed so as to occupy a non-planer region (i.e., one tang is positioned lower than the other tang). In some embodiments, an inside edge of one or both tangs 720 A, 720 B is intentionally roughened so as to facilitate trimming of the thread. [0029] As shown in FIG. 7 , the selector 706 includes a hook 724 at a distal portion and a push rod coupling 726 and an aperture 727 , which accommodates the push rod 207 for the selector 706 , at a proximate portion. In addition, a slot 728 in a planer region 730 of the selector 706 is configured to accommodate the knife retainer pin 704 , and in addition, the slot 728 is shaped so that when the selector 706 is pushed by the push rod 207 in an axial direction opposite its proximate end, the selector 706 moves in a radial-outward direction so as to allow the hook end 724 of the selector 706 to move around the thread and then to move back in a radial-inward direction to capture the thread. Then the selector 706 is moved in an axial direction inward to place tension on the thread so that the knife 708 may efficiently trim the thread. [0030] Referring again to FIG. 5B , the trimmer assembly 204 is shown positioned within the distal end of the lower arm assembly 104 . As shown the trimmer assembly 204 is in close proximity to the non-planer needle plate 106 so that there is very little distance between the blade of the knife 708 when extended and the inner portion of the aperture 214 of the needle plate 106 . In this way, a tail of trimmed thread is short (which means less follow-up trimming by hand) and the thread length to the bobbin is relatively long allowing for easy handling. [0031] As a consequence, the present invention provides several advantages over the prior art. Those skilled in the art, however, can readily recognize that numerous variations and substitutions may be made in the invention, its use and its configuration to achieve substantially the same results as achieved by the embodiments described herein. Accordingly, there is no intention to limit the invention to the disclosed exemplary forms. Many variations, modifications and alternative constructions fall within the scope and spirit of the disclosed invention.
A system, apparatus and method for stitching are described. One embodiment includes a sewing head including a needle; an arm assembly that is disposed relative to the sewing head so as to allow a garment to be placed between the sewing head and the arm assembly; and a non-planer needle plate coupled to the arm assembly that includes an aperture that is disposed so as to allow the needle to project through the aperture after the needle has moved through the garment.
3
FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE [0001] The present disclosure relates generally to media services, and more specifically to a system for provisioning media services. BACKGROUND [0002] Deployment of Set-Top Boxes (STBs) in residences and commercial enterprises to enable presentation of media services on one or more media devices such as a plasma TV, a desktop computer or otherwise requires tedious installation for field technicians. Usually, a field technician needs to perform a number of provisioning steps to enable media services on an STB. The time spent to install such devices can be time consuming and costly to service providers. [0003] A need therefore arises for a system for provisioning media services. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system; [0005] FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method operating in portions of the communication system; and [0006] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies disclosed herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0007] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a system for provisioning media services. [0008] In a first embodiment of the present disclosure, a computer-readable storage medium in a Set-Top Box (STB) can have computer instructions for receiving an identifier from a Residential Gateway (RG), submitting the identifier of the RG and a certificate of the STB to an IPTV system, and receiving from the IPTV system provisioning information for enabling presentation of IPTV services at a media device upon authenticating the STB according to the identifier of the RG and the certificate of the STB. [0009] In a second embodiment of the present disclosure, a Service Startup System (SSS), comprising a controller element that receives from an STB an identifier of an RG, and a certificate associated with the STB for authenticating the STB and for provisioning the STB to receive media services. [0010] In a third embodiment of the present disclosure, a service orchestration system (SOS) can have a controller element that receives from a computing device a request for provisioning information for an STB according to an identifier of an RG and a certificate identifying the STB, and submits said provisioning information to the computing device for provisioning said STB to enable presentation of media services. [0011] In a fourth embodiment of the present disclosure, a media device can have a controller element that receives media services from an STB enabled to deliver said media services upon being authenticated and provisioned according to a certificate that identifies the STB and an identifier of an RG. [0012] In a fifth embodiment of the present disclosure, an authentication system can have a controller element that authenticates an STB according to a certificate that identifies the STB and an identifier of an RG, each supplied by the STB. [0013] FIG. 1 depicts an exemplary embodiment of a communication system 100 . The communication system 100 can comprise a media system 112 , a Service Startup System (SSS) 114 , an authentication system 116 and a Service Orchestration System (SOS) 118 coupled to a communication network 101 having common network elements that support wireline and/or wireless packet and/or circuit switched communication access technologies (e.g., PSTN, cable, xDSL, Ethernet, CDMA, GSM, Software Defined Radio, Ultra Wide Band, WiMax, etc.). [0014] The media system 112 can represent an analog multimedia service system and/or digital multimedia service system such as presented by satellite, cable, and telecommunication service providers. Multimedia services can include without limitation voice, moving images (e.g., high definition, standard or streaming video), still images (e.g., JPEGs), audio entertainment (e.g., MP3, or streaming audio), or any form of data services. A portion of digital multimedia services can be presented by way of a common IPTV system which can deliver television and/or video signals distributed to consumers by way of a broadband connection to a residence or commercial establishment (“property”) 102 as shown in FIG. 1 . The property 102 can include a common residential gateway (RG) 104 that exchanges unicast or multicast signals with the media system 112 over the communication network 101 and distributes a portion of said signals to one or more Set-Top Boxes (STBs) 106 used for presenting multimedia services to a media device 108 such as a computer, or analog or digital television (e.g., plasma TV). [0015] To assist in the installation of STBs 106 at the property 102 , the media system 112 can direct installation requests to the SSS 114 , the authentication system 116 , and the SOS 118 . Systems 114 , 116 and 118 can operate independently from the media system 112 , or can be combined with one another and the media system 112 . Accordingly the media system 112 and said systems 114 , 116 and 118 can be centralized or decentralized (as shown in FIG. 1 ) without departure from the scope of the present disclosure. [0016] With these principles in mind, FIG. 2 depicts an exemplary method 200 operating in portions of the communication system 100 . Method 200 begins with step 201 in which an agent 110 creates a media services order (MSO) directed by a customer desiring to install multimedia services in property 102 . The MSO is recorded and processed by the SOS 118 which orchestrates provisioning of said service at a time when installation of an STB 106 takes place. Once the MSO is entered, a field technician is also assigned to deliver one or more STBs 106 to the requesting customer. Alternatively, the customer can be asked to pick up the STBs 106 , or said STBs 106 can be delivered by a courier. Once the STBs 106 have arrived, they are installed to a common broadband connection (e.g., cable, xDSL, or fiber) in the property 102 and powered up in step 202 . [0017] After the STB 106 has completed a power cycle, it proceeds to step 204 where it retrieves a static IP address from the RG 104 in the property 102 . The RG 104 is assigned the static IP address by the SOS 118 or other suitable system at the time of installation in the property. The SOS 118 associates the static IP address with the location of the property 102 to track the location of the RG 102 . Accordingly, the static IP address supplied by a requesting STB 106 serves to locate the STB relative to the property 102 . Alternatively or in combination, the STB 106 can be programmed to retrieve the MAC address of the RG 104 . The MAC address is also a unique identifier for the RG 104 which can be stored in the SOS 118 and associated with the property 102 . [0018] In step 206 , the STB 106 can further retrieve a Public Key Infrastructure (PKI) certificate that includes a unique identifier of the STB. The unique identifier can be an alphanumeric character sequence created by the manufacturer of the STB 106 or provided by the service provider of the media system 112 . To avoid identity theft, the alphanumeric sequence can be a unique identifier created for the STB 106 that cannot be readily disclosed by viewing or tampering with the STB unit. Alternatively or in combination, the MAC address of the STB 106 can be included in the PKI certificate. However, in this latter embodiment if the MAC address is exposed by the housing assembly of the STB 106 , tampering may be more likely. The PKI certificate including either of these embodiments utilizes common encryption technology to minimize a possibility of identity theft. [0019] In step 208 , the STB 106 submits the IP address of the RG 104 and the certificate of the STB to the media system 112 . The media system 112 in step 210 submits said identifiers to the SSS 114 to perform authentication and if necessary provisioning of the requesting STB 106 . The SSS 114 in step 212 submits the identifiers to the authentication system 116 . The authentication system 116 can utilize a common authentication protocol such as AAA (Authentication, Authorization and Accounting) to perform an authentication process. For ease of storage and rapid retrieval, the authentication system 116 can store authentication information associated with an STB 106 according to a Lightweight Directory Access Protocol (LDAP). In the case of un-provisioned STBs 106 , the authentication system 116 can be programmed to initially store a complementary copy of the certificate of each STB without related customer information. Storage of this certificate can take place at the time that the STB 106 is manufactured, or when it is deployed for consumer use. [0020] The certificate can thus be used by the authentication system 116 as a secure means to verify in step 214 that the requesting STB 106 is a legitimate device managed by the service provider of the media system 112 . If the device is not recognized, the authentication system 116 submits a failure notice to the SSS 114 which conveys this notice in whole or in part to the requesting STB 106 , thereby indicating that the authentication process has failed. Thus the certificate can serve as a tool to prevent contraband STBs 106 from receiving multimedia services. [0021] If the STB 106 is recognized as a legitimate device, the authentication system 116 proceeds to step 218 where it determines if the requesting STB 106 is a new device not previously used, or a reused STB. In the former use case, an entry in the database of the authentication system 116 can show a certificate and no associated IP address of an RG 106 since the STB has not been previously used. In the latter use case, there are three possibilities: (1) the STB remains with the same customer and is undergoing a power cycle in the same property (due to, for example, an electrical interruption in the property 102 , (2) the STB 106 is being transferred by the same customer to another property 102 , or (3) the STB is being transferred between customers to another property. [0022] In the first case, the authentication system 116 detects a match between the IP address supplied by the requesting STB 106 and the IP address stored in the database of the authentication system 116 . In this instance, the authentication system 116 can provide the SSS 114 in step 220 a message indicating that the STB 106 has been authenticated and that provisioning is not necessary. The SSS 114 in turn submits a notice to the requesting STB 106 indicating media services are enabled and it can proceed to present such services to end users in the property 102 via a corresponding media device 108 coupled thereto. [0023] The last two scenarios can be identified by a mismatch between the IP address supplied by the requesting STB 106 and the authentication information stored in the authentication system 116 . The mismatch can occur as a result of a customer submitting a request to an agent 110 to discontinue media services or to transfer media services to another property 102 . Upon receiving a service update request such as this from the agent 110 , the SOS 118 can be programmed to direct the authentication system 116 to remove the IP address stored in the database in relation to the affected STB 106 . Other suitable alternative methods for detecting a mismatch or a need for provisioning the STB 106 can be applied to the operations of the authentication system 116 . Once the authentication system 116 informs the SSS 114 that there is a need for provisioning, the SSS in step 222 submits a request to the SOS 118 for provisioning information for the requesting STB 106 according to the static IP address and certificate supplied by the STB 106 [0024] In step 224 , the SSS 114 receives the provisioning information from the SOS 118 and proceeds to direct the authentication system 116 to store said provisioning information in its database for future use if needed. The SSS 114 then provisions the STB 106 in step 226 with the provisioning information supplied by the SOS 118 and notifies the STB after completion of the provisioning process that it can proceed to process media services supplied by the media system 112 . During the time that media services are enabled, the media system 112 in step 228 can be programmed to submit period tokens (e.g., every 8 hours) to the STB 106 for authentication purposes. The tokens are then utilized by the STB 106 in step 230 to maintain enablement of the media services by authenticating itself with the media system 112 . The tokens can represent dynamic passwords that change over the course of time similar to devices used by computer users attempting to securely log into an enterprise system's IT network. Thus steps 228 and 230 provide a service provider of the media system 112 added security for preventing tampering and/or altering of STBs 106 . [0025] Method 200 as presently described provides service providers of media services an automated means to install STBs 106 in homes or commercial enterprises with minimal or no effort on the part of a customer or field technicians assigned to perform the installation. Method 200 further provides a means to perform the installation process under a secure method that helps to prevent tampering and counterfeits installation of STBs 106 . Consequently, said method improves speed of installation and minimizes if not eliminates the possibility of identity theft, thereby reducing expenses for the service provider of the media system 112 which can benefit its consumers. [0026] Upon reviewing the present disclosure, it would be evident to an artisan with ordinary skill in the art that the aforementioned embodiments can be modified, reduced, or enhanced without departing from the scope and spirit of the claims described below. For example, steps 228 - 230 of method 200 can be removed without affecting the scope of the present disclosure. Other present and future security techniques for generating certificates can be applied to the present disclosure for assisting in the prevention of identity theft for STBs 106 . It should be apparent by these examples that several modifications can be applied to the present disclosure without departing from the scope of the claims stated below. Accordingly, the reader is directed to the claims section for a fuller understanding of the breadth and scope of the present disclosure. [0027] FIG. 3 depicts an exemplary diagrammatic representation of a machine in the form of a computer system 300 within which a set of instructions, when executed, may cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed above. In some embodiments, the machine operates as a standalone device. In some embodiments, the machine may be connected (e.g., using a network) to other machines. In a networked deployment, the machine may operate in the capacity of a server or a client user machine in server-client user network environment, or as a peer machine in a peer-to-peer (or distributed) network environment. [0028] The machine may comprise a server computer, a client user computer, a personal computer (PC), a tablet PC, a laptop computer, a desktop computer, a control system, a network router, switch or bridge, or any machine capable of executing a set of instructions (sequential or otherwise) that specify actions to be taken by that machine. It will be understood that a device of the present disclosure includes broadly any electronic device that provides voice, video or data communication. Further, while a single machine is illustrated, the term “machine” shall also be taken to include any collection of machines that individually or jointly execute a set (or multiple sets) of instructions to perform any one or more of the methodologies discussed herein. [0029] The computer system 300 may include a processor 302 (e.g., a central processing unit (CPU), a graphics processing unit (GPU, or both), a main memory 304 and a static memory 306 , which communicate with each other via a bus 308 . The computer system 300 may further include a video display unit 310 (e.g., a liquid crystal display (LCD), a flat panel, a solid state display, or a cathode ray tube (CRT)). The computer system 300 may include an input device 312 (e.g., a keyboard), a cursor control device 314 (e.g., a mouse), a disk drive unit 316 , a signal generation device 318 (e.g., a speaker or remote control) and a network interface device 320 . [0030] The disk drive unit 316 may include a machine-readable medium 322 on which is stored one or more sets of instructions (e.g., software 324 ) embodying any one or more of the methodologies or functions described herein, including those methods illustrated above. The instructions 324 may also reside, completely or at least partially, within the main memory 304 , the static memory 306 , and/or within the processor 302 during execution thereof by the computer system 300 . The main memory 304 and the processor 302 also may constitute machine-readable media. [0031] Dedicated hardware implementations including, but not limited to, application specific integrated circuits, programmable logic arrays and other hardware devices can likewise be constructed to implement the methods described herein. Applications that may include the apparatus and systems of various embodiments broadly include a variety of electronic and computer systems. Some embodiments implement functions in two or more specific interconnected hardware modules or devices with related control and data signals communicated between and through the modules, or as portions of an application-specific integrated circuit. Thus, the example system is applicable to software, firmware, and hardware implementations. [0032] In accordance with various embodiments of the present disclosure, the methods described herein are intended for operation as software programs running on a computer processor. Furthermore, software implementations can include, but not limited to, distributed processing or component/object distributed processing, parallel processing, or virtual machine processing can also be constructed to implement the methods described herein. [0033] The present disclosure contemplates a machine readable medium containing instructions 324 , or that which receives and executes instructions 324 from a propagated signal so that a device connected to a network environment 326 can send or receive voice, video or data, and to communicate over the network 326 using the instructions 324 . The instructions 324 may further be transmitted or received over a network 326 via the network interface device 320 . [0034] While the machine-readable medium 322 is shown in an example embodiment to be a single medium, the term “machine-readable medium” should be taken to include a single medium or multiple media (e.g., a centralized or distributed database, and/or associated caches and servers) that store the one or more sets of instructions. The term “machine-readable medium” shall also be taken to include any medium that is capable of storing, encoding or carrying a set of instructions for execution by the machine and that cause the machine to perform any one or more of the methodologies of the present disclosure. [0035] The term “machine-readable medium” shall accordingly be taken to include, but not be limited to: solid-state memories such as a memory card or other package that houses one or more read-only (non-volatile) memories, random access memories, or other re-writable (volatile) memories; magneto-optical or optical medium such as a disk or tape; and carrier wave signals such as a signal embodying computer instructions in a transmission medium; and/or a digital file attachment to e-mail or other self-contained information archive or set of archives is considered a distribution medium equivalent to a tangible storage medium. Accordingly, the disclosure is considered to include any one or more of a machine-readable medium or a distribution medium, as listed herein and including art-recognized equivalents and successor media, in which the software implementations herein are stored. [0036] Although the present specification describes components and functions implemented in the embodiments with reference to particular standards and protocols, the disclosure is not limited to such standards and protocols. Each of the standards for Internet and other packet switched network transmission (e.g., TCP/IP, UDP/IP, HTML, HTTP) represent examples of the state of the art. Such standards are periodically superseded by faster or more efficient equivalents having essentially the same functions. Accordingly, replacement standards and protocols having the same functions are considered equivalents. [0037] The illustrations of embodiments described herein are intended to provide a general understanding of the structure of various embodiments, and they are not intended to serve as a complete description of all the elements and features of apparatus and systems that might make use of the structures described herein. Many other embodiments will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. Other embodiments may be utilized and derived therefrom, such that structural and logical substitutions and changes may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure. Figures are also merely representational and may not be drawn to scale. Certain proportions thereof may be exaggerated, while others may be minimized. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. [0038] Such embodiments of the inventive subject matter may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any single invention or inventive concept if more than one is in fact disclosed. Thus, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any arrangement calculated to achieve the same purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the above description. [0039] The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b), requiring an abstract that will allow the reader to quickly ascertain the nature of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, it can be seen that various features are grouped together in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This method of disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter lies in less than all features of a single disclosed embodiment. Thus the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as a separately claimed subject matter.
A system for monitoring order fulfillment of telecommunication services is disclosed. An apparatus that incorporates teachings of the present disclosure may include, for example, a monitoring system having a controller element that submits a correlation ID to a service orchestration system (SOS) that manages one or more order fulfillment systems (OFSs) that collectively fulfill a select one of a plurality of telecommunication service orders according to a plurality of intermediate fulfillment steps, receives from the SOS information associated with the plurality of intermediate fulfillment steps tagged with the correlation ID, records said information according to the correlation ID, and collects correlated fulfillment activity for the plurality of telecommunication service orders from a plurality of iterations of the foregoing steps. Additional embodiments are disclosed.
7
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Technical Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to devices employed for automatically walking or exercising an animal. More particularly, this invention relates to devices employing a tether assembly for restraining a dog to a path of travel defined by a suspended elevated cable. (2) Prior Art A number of devices have been proposed for exercising animals and particularly for automatically exercising dogs. U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,232,630 issued to Orlowski et al., 4,286,788 issued to Simington et al., 2,871,915 issued to Hogan, and 3,965,866 issued to Lorentz et al. generally disclose devices which employ a motor operated assembly for reciprocating a tethered object along a path. U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,630 discloses an animal exerciser having a carriage which attaches to an animal and an endless belt which moves the carriage in a substantially straight line, the direction of travel of the carriage being reversed at each end of the line of travel. U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,866 discloses an animal exerciser adapted to be mounted overhead within a support structure spanning a ground area. The exerciser of U.S. Pat. No. 3,965,866 includes a drive sheave and a plurality of idler sheaves suspended to receive an endless elongated belt. A tether assembly is connected to the belt and includes a drum and a retractable cord adapted to be connected to an animal leash or halter so that when the device is driven by a motor to move the belt in a continuous cycle, the animal is led about a circuit defined by the drive and idler sheaves. U.S. Pat. No. 3,678,903 discloses an animal or a leash guide assembly for confining the movement of a tethered animal to a limited area. The guide assembly employs a plurality of stationery retaining blocks to provide a mount for an endless cable. A traveler member is slidably secured along the cable at one end and secured to the animal at another end. The traveler member forms a slot so that the traveler member passes through the retaining blocks and traverses a path for restraining the movement of the associated animal to a limited area. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Briefly stated, the invention in a preferred form is an animal walking device having a cable or the like which provides an overhead linear guideway. A slider is mounted on the cable for sliding linear motion along the cable. An endless belt is suspended between an idler pulley and a drive pulley to provide a belt drive which is parallel to the guideway. A connector cord connects the endless belt with the slider to pull the slider along the guideway. A leash assembly extends from the slider and is adapted for leashing a dog or other animal so that upon continuous unidirectional driving of the belt, the animal is led back and forth along a path which is generally defined by the guideway. The idler pulley is biased by a spring to provide tension to the endless belt. The slider preferably comprises a ring member which is adapted to slide along the cable. The endless belt is formed from a rope which is at least partly hollow. The connector cord is received in the hollow portion of the rope, i.e., the end of the connector cord extends through an enclosing side of the belt defining rope. The length of the endless belt may be varied to facilitate the proper tensioning of the belt. The rope which defines the belt is preferably formed from a braided continuous filament polyester material. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partly broken away, of a dog walking device in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 is a top plan view, partly broken away, of the dog walking device of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary top perspective view of an endless belt employed in the dog walking device of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary top plan view of the dog walking device of FIG. 1; and FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary central end view of the dog walking device of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to the drawing, wherein like numerals represent like parts throughout the FIGURES, a dog walking device in accordance with the present invention is generally designated by the numeral 10. Dog walking device 10 functions in a manner wherein a dog or other animal may be leashed to the device and the device operated to thereby lead the dog in continuous back and forth fashion (generally to the left and right of FIG. 1). The leashed dog traverses a general path across the ground G from left to right and right to left in continuing sequential fashion. A pair of upstanding support posts 12 and 14 are mounted in the ground in a generally parallel vertical relationship to provide a sturdy support structure for the dog walking device. A plastic covered steel cable 16 is anchored at one end by an eyebolt 18 secured in support post 12. The other end of cable 16 is fastened to a turn buckle 18 which is anchored in a support bracket 20 secured to support post 14. Cable 16 is tightened by turn buckle 20 to a taut configuration so that cable 16 generally extends between the support posts in an elevated orientation substantially parallel to the ground G which constitutes the general area for the travel path of the dog. With additional reference to FIG. 4, bracket 20 is connected to an obliquely extending brace 24. The end of brace 24 is bolted to a support member 26 so that there is a limited degree of pivotal play between brace 24 and member 26. Support member 26 mounts a 31/2 inch pulley 28 which rotates about a generally vertical axis. A coil spring 30 couples bracket 22 to support member 26 to exert tension relative to member 26 to pulley 28 as will be further described below. The bracket 20, brace 24 and support member 26 may be formed from 11/2 inch by 11/2 angle iron or other rugged materials. A sturdy support housing 40 is mounted to support post 12 at a location vertically spaced from cable 16 and generally transversely symmetric thereto. A support frame 42 is secured to the support housing 40 as illustrated in FIG. 5 for securing a drive shaft 44 in generally vertical orientation. A driver pulley 46 is mounted below the support housing on the lower end of the drive shaft 44. The upper end of drive shaft 44 receives a drive wheel 48 which may be rotatably coupled to a motor (not illustrated) which provides the power for driving driver pulley 46. With additional reference to FIG. 3, an endless belt 50 is suspended between driver pulley 46 and idle pulley 28 in a taut configuration to provide a belt drive between the pulleys. Endless belt 50 is comprised of a braided hollow rope which forms, at one end, an opening 52 for receiving the opposite end portion 54 of the braided rope. The end portion 54 is fed into the inerior of the rope and led outwardly through the wall of the hollow rope to thereby form the endless belt. In a taut configuration of the rope, the threads which define the rope tighten against rop portion 54 at point 56 where end 54 protrudes through the wall frictionally secure the end 54 in a fixed position. The length of the endless belt may be adjusted by relieving tension and adjusting (increasing or decreasing) the length of the exposed or protruding portion of end 54. The endless belt is placed under a suitable tension by mounting the belt between pulleys 28 and 46 and pulling the end 54 through the wall, to thereby decrease the effective length of the endless belt, and also by the force of tension spring 30. In preferred form, the endless belt is formed from continuous filaments of "Dacron" material such as "DuPont" Type No. 707. In one reduction to practice the material was braided into an eight-carrier weave with two piks per inch and a weight of 28 lbs. per 1,000 feet. The first end of a connector cord 60, which is also preferably a braided cord material, also extends through the wall of the hollow braided rope which forms the endless belt and is thus secured at a fixed position to the endless belt. Connector cord 60, at the second end thereof loops to connect with a slide member 62. Slide member 62 may comprise a ring mounted on cable 16 so that slide member 62 may slide freely along cable 16. A tether line 64 is also connected via a universal swivel connector 65 to slide member 62. Tether line 64 extends generally downwardly to provide a connecting element for leashing a dog. It should be appreciated that the length of tether line 64 should be sufficient so that a dog standing on the ground below the device 10 may be leashed to the end of the member. In preferred form a second universal swivel element 66 is provided at the free end of the tether line 64. By providing a universal swivel connection between the tether line 64 and slide member 62 and a second universal swivel connection at the end of the line for connection to the dog collar, the leashed dog will be free to turn in any direction relative to the ground. In operation, a dog is leashed to the end of the tether line 64 in a conventional manner. A rotational drive applied to drive shaft 44 drives the endless belt 50. The endless belt 50 to coupled via connector cord 60 to slide member 62 to pull the slide member along cable 16 (from right to left as illustrated in the configuration of FIG. 1). As the connector cord 60 passes over the driver pulley 46 the direction of travel of the endless belt relative to cable 16 is reversed, thus reversing the drive pull applied to slide member 62 so that the direction of travel of the slide member is reversed (from left to right as illustrated in FIG. 1). The foregoing reverse drive applied to slide member 62 is again reversed when the connector cord traverses around idler pulley 28. It can thus be seen that as the endless belt is continuous unidirectionally driven, the slide member is sequentially moved back and forth across the cable thus providing an efficient means whereby the leashed dog below the device may be efficiently led or walked back and forth along a path below the foregoing cable. The length of the tether cord may be dimensioned so that the path traversed by the leashed dog may be within selected limits. A particular feature and advantage of the foregoing invention is the provision of the adjustable endless belt which may be selectively dimensioned for incorporation into a pulley system as described herein having a wide variety of spacial dimensions. The dog walking device 10 as described provides a very efficient means for leading the dog back and forth across a rather extended area on the ground in a fashion wherein the binding of the restraining lines is substantially eliminated and the potential for the dog engaging or becoming wrapped in the restraining lines is minimized. While a preferred embodiment of the foregoing invention has been set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly, various modifications, adaptations, and alternatives may occur to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and the scope of the present invention.
A dog walking device employs an endless belt which is suspended between two pulleys and is connected to a slider element for driving a tether assembly. The slider element slides along a cable which is positioned generally parallel to the endless belt and is elevated above the path which is traversed by the dog. The endless belt is formed from a continuous filament braided material forming a hollow portion which interiorly receives one section of the material so that one end of the section extends through the side of the hollow enclosure for adjustably varying the length of the endless belt.
0
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This non-provisional patent application claims priority to co-pending Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/840,758, filed Aug. 28, 2006. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to golf and indoor putting. More particularly, the present invention relates to bases for standing golf bags and for indoor putting greens. BACKGROUND [0003] Golf is a very popular sport. People who golf like to have their golf bags near them, and they like to practice putting. Golf bags are not stable when standing without support. There is a need for a golf bag stand base that allows a golf bag to be stably leaned against a support, such as a wall, and which can also serve as a putting green. SUMMARY AND ADVANTAGES [0004] A convertible golf bag base and putting green includes a base plate, a ramp surface, a raised lip, a sidewall and a cup. A convertible golf bag base and putting green includes a circular incline with a perimeter rim wherein said perimeter rim defines a circle with an open arc and a depression within said incline within the perimeter of said rim. A convertible golf bag base and putting green includes a base, an incline rising up from said base, said incline including a rectangular ramp rising from the level of said base and spreading into a circular incline upon said base, a perimeter rim along two parallel edges of said rectangular ramp and encircling a portion of said circular incline; and a depression within said incline within the perimeter of said rim. [0005] The convertible golf bag base and putting green of the present invention presents numerous advantages, including: (1) storage of golf bags, (2) portability, (3) user can practice putting, (4) ease in switching from storage use to putting use, (5) invention itself is easy to store, and (6) durability. Additional advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and in part will be obvious from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention may be realized and attained by means of the instrumentalities and combinations particularly pointed out in the appended claims. Further benefits and advantages of the embodiments of the invention will become apparent from consideration of the following detailed description given with reference to the accompanying drawings, which specify and show preferred embodiments of the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0006] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated into and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the present invention and, together with the detailed description, serve to explain the principles and implementations of the invention. [0007] FIG. 1A shows a top view of an embodiment of the invention. [0008] FIG. 1B shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the invention, based on the cutting plane line, labeled 1 B, in FIG. 1A . [0009] FIG. 1C shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0010] Before beginning a detailed description of the subject invention, mention of the following is in order. When appropriate, like reference materials and characters are used to designate identical, corresponding, or similar components in differing figure drawings. The figure drawings associated with this disclosure typically are not drawn with dimensional accuracy to scale, i.e., such drawings have been drafted with a focus on clarity of viewing and understanding rather than dimensional accuracy. [0011] In the interest of clarity, not all of the routine features of the implementations described herein are shown and described. It will, of course, be appreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation, numerous implementation-specific decisions-must be made in order to achieve the developer's specific goals, such as compliance with application- and business-related constraints, and that these specific goals will vary from one implementation to another and from one developer to another. Moreover, it will be appreciated that such a development effort might be complex and time-consuming, but would nevertheless be a routine undertaking of engineering for those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of this disclosure. [0012] As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C , a convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 is provided. As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C , a convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 includes a base plate 20 , a ramp surface 22 , a raised lip 24 , a sidewall 26 and a cup 28 . In an alternate embodiment, a convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 includes a base plate 20 , a ramp surface 22 , a raised lip 24 , a sidewall 26 , but lacks a cup 28 . Consequently, the user may continue to use the invention to hold the golf bag and to practice putting skills but the golf ball B will roll back down the ramp surface 22 towards the user. Any portion of the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 may be constructed of fiberglass, plastic, or aluminum but is preferably constructed of rigid plastic. [0013] The base plate 20 is a thin, flat surface, preferably lightweight and portable. The base plate 20 may rest upon any hard surface, including a floor, the ground, concrete, blacktop, or a lawn. [0014] The ramp surface 22 slopes upward from its unenclosed end to the opposite, enclosed end, as shown in FIGS. 1A-1C . As a result, the ramp surface 22 at the unenclosed end, i.e., the portion of the ramp surface 22 lacking a raised lip 24 , and adjacent to the base plate 20 edge is planar to the base plate 20 . The ramp surface 22 then begins to slope up from the base plate 20 and is at its greatest height from the base plate 20 at the enclosed end opposite the unenclosed end and adjacent to the raised lip 24 . The ramp surface 22 has a substantially circular portion, preferably of sufficient diameter upon which to place a golf bag. [0015] The raised lip 24 is located on the peripheral edge of the ramp surface 22 . The raised lip 24 helps support the golf bag when in place and prevents the golf ball B from falling off the ramp surface 22 during putting practice. The raised lip 24 is preferably rounded on top so as to not scratch the golf bag when used for storage. The raised lip extends beyond the ramp surface 22 to form two parallel ridges on the base plate 20 . This configuration guides the golf ball B up the ramp surface 22 during putting practice. [0016] The sidewall 26 connects the raised lip 24 to the base plate 20 . Thus, as the raised lip 24 slopes upward with the ramp surface 22 , the sidewall 26 extends upward correspondingly as shown in FIGS. 1B and 1C . Preferably, the sidewall 26 is approximately 0.25 inches (0.64 cm) at its shortest height to approximately 1.0 inch (2.54 cm) at its tallest height to create a challenging but not impossible slope for putting practice as well as a slope for golf bag storage that permits the bag to lean, even up against a wall or other surface, but not topple over. [0017] The cup 28 is located preferably at the midpoint of the slope of the ramp surface 22 and equidistant from the curved portions of the raised lip 24 . The cup 28 is preferably at least 0.5 inches (1.27) cm deep at its shallowest end and preferably at least 1.0 inches (2.54 cm) deep at its deepest end to prevent a golf ball B that lands in the cup 28 from leaving the cup 28 . [0018] In operation in one embodiment, a golf bag is placed on top of the ramp surface 22 . Because of the slope of the ramp surface 22 , the golf bag will tilt slightly. Preferably, the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 is positioned with one edge against a wall, such that when the golf bag is placed on top of the ramp surface 22 the golf bag tilts but is secured by the raised lip 24 and the wall. In fact, the golf bag's upper portion may lean against a wall. The wall may be a room wall, a building wall, a cabinet wall or door, or a similar sturdy surface perpendicular to the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 of sufficient height to support the golf bag. [0019] In operation in one embodiment, the user places the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 in an open area, such as on an open clearing within a room, and uses a golf club to strike a golf ball B, aiming for the open end of the ramp surface 22 in between the straight, parallel portions of the raised lip 24 . Ideally, the user is successful in hitting the golf ball B up the ramp surface 22 and into the cup 28 . The user may then retrieve the golf ball B from the cup 28 and continue practicing or place the golf bag on top of the ramp surface 22 for storage. [0020] However, if the user misses the cup, the golf ball B may roll down the ramp surface 22 and into the cup 28 , or down the ramp surface 22 , between the straight, parallel portions of the raised lip 24 , and back onto the floor or surface area upon which the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 rests. If the golf ball B does not enter the cup 28 or jumps out of the cup 28 due to excessive striking force, the golf ball B may hit a curved portion of the raised lip 24 . The golf ball B will hit the curved portion of the raised lip 24 and then either go down the ramp surface 22 between the straight, parallel portions of the raised lip 24 , or continue to hit the curved portion of the raised lip 24 until reaching the open portion of the ramp surface 22 and then exiting the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 between the straight, parallel portions of the raised lip 24 . The user may then retrieve the golf ball B from the floor or surface area upon which the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 rests and continue practicing or place the golf bag on top of the ramp surface 22 for storage. [0021] In an alternate embodiment, the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 lacks a cup 28 but the user can continue to practice hitting the golf ball B up the ramp surface 22 between the straight, parallel portions of the raised lip 24 . The golf ball B will then roll down the ramp surface 22 and out the straight, parallel portions of the raised lip 24 until the golf ball B is back onto the floor or surface area upon which the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 rests. The user may then retrieve the golf ball B from the floor or surface area upon which the convertible golf bag base and putting green 10 rests and continue practicing or place the golf bag on top of the ramp surface 22 for storage. [0022] Those skilled in the art will recognize that numerous modifications and changes may be made to the preferred embodiment without departing from the scope of the claimed invention. It will, of course, be understood that modifications of the invention, in its various aspects, will be apparent to those skilled in the art, some being apparent only after study, others being matters of routine mechanical, chemical and electronic design. No single feature, function or property of the preferred embodiment is essential. Other embodiments are possible, their specific designs depending upon the particular application. As such, the scope of the invention should not be limited by the particular embodiments herein described but should be defined only by the appended claims and equivalents thereof.
A convertible golf bag base and putting green includes a base plate, a ramp surface, a raised lip, a sidewall and a cup. A convertible golf bag base and putting green includes a circular incline with a perimeter rim wherein said perimeter rim defines a circle with an open arc and a depression within said incline within the perimeter of said rim. A convertible golf bag base and putting green includes a base, an incline rising up from said base, said incline including a rectangular ramp rising from the level of said base and spreading into a circular incline upon said base, a perimeter rim along two parallel edges of said rectangular ramp and encircling a portion of said circular incline; and a depression within said incline within the perimeter of said rim.
0
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to audio systems that limit radio distortion, and more particularly to an improved method for limiting radio distortion. BACKGROUND In general, audio reproduction systems are designed to produce a specific amount of audio power while specifically limiting the amount of audio distortion. Conventional audio reproduction systems include an audio source, such as an AM/FM tuner, a cassette deck, a CD player, or the like, that feeds a digital audio signal to a digital signal processor (DSP). The DSP includes a variable gain amplification stage for processing the audio signal and feeding an output signal through a fixed-gain power amplifier to a speaker or plurality of speakers. The DSP receives operator inputs such as volume and tone control (e.g. bass boost, treble and the like) for varying the amplification of respective frequencies during the variable gain amplification stage. Audio distortion can occur when an operator increases the volume amplification and/or boosts any of the tone controls. The amplified audio signal (i.e. power amplifier output signal) may grow to the point where its amplitude approaches the power supply voltage limits. Typical power amplifiers include clipping circuits for “clipping” the signal peaks as they reach the power supply limit. Clipping of the audio signal is undesirable in that it causes new audio components to be introduced into the original signal. The new audio components occur at odd harmonics of the frequency associated with the clipped signal, thus distorting the original audio signal. Prior art methods for controlling distortion include: implementation of voltage limiting or compression to the input of a power amplifier to prevent clipping, comparing the power output signal to a predetermined reference and attenuating the signal when the output signal exceeds the predetermined reference, or separating the audio signal into separate paths for bass frequencies and higher frequencies, then reducing the gain of each path upon the occurrence of a peak level. Each of these methods, however, includes associated disadvantages that inhibit cost efficient implementation. Another method for controlling distortion provides a micro-controller for managing the operation of an audio system having a DSP that controls a wideband and a narrowband gain for the audio signal. Clipping is avoided by sensing clipping in the power amplifier and initially reducing the narrowband gain and subsequently reducing the wideband gain if clipping persists. Upon cessation of clipping, the narrowband gain is initially restored and the wideband gain is subsequently restored if clipping is still not sensed. This method, however, includes certain disadvantages including a fixed value of reduction in each of the gains and the order of restoring the previously reduced gains. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention provides an audio system comprising an audio source, a first processing unit in electrical communication with the audio source wherein the first processing unit controls a plurality of parameters. A plurality of inputs are also provided and are in electrical communication with the first processing source, whereby the plurality of inputs affect the plurality of parameters. A power amplifier is included and is in electrical communication with the first processing unit for receiving an output signal of the first processing unit, the power amplifier selectively generating a clipping signal and further in electrical communication with at least one speaker. A second processing unit is in electrical communication with the power amplifier and the first processing unit for receiving the clipping signal from the power amplifier and sending a control signal to the first processing unit. The control signal initiates at least one of either an incremental reduction in a level of a first parameter of the plurality of parameters until one of either the clipping signal recedes or a reduction limit of the first input is achieved and incremental reduction in a level of a second parameter of the plurality of parameters if a reduction limit of the first parameter is achieved and the clipping signal persists, or an incremental recovery of an original level of the second parameter if the clipping signal is not detected and an incremental recovery of an original level of the first parameter if the original level of the second parameter is recovered and the clipping signal is not detected. The present invention further provides a method for controlling distortion in an audio system having at least a volume and a bass parameter wherein each of the parameters is a function of an operator input. The method comprises the steps of determining a reduction limit of the bass parameter, determining a reduction limit of the volume parameter, detecting a clipping signal in the audio system, incrementally reducing a level of the bass parameter until one of either the clipping signal recedes or the reduction limit of the bass parameter is achieved, incrementally reducing a level of the volume parameter if the reduction limit of the bass parameter is achieved and the clipping signal persists, and incrementally recovering an original level of the volume parameter if the clipping signal is not detected and incrementally recovering an original level of the bass parameter if the original level of the volume parameter is recovered and the clipping signal is not detected. Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood however that the detailed description and specific examples, while indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. 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 schematic diagram of an audio reproduction system according to the principles of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a flow diagram detailing an audio distortion processing algorithm according to the method of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a flow diagram detailing a clip attack algorithm of the audio distortion processing for limiting distortion; and FIG. 4 is a flow diagram detailing a recovery algorithm of the audio distortion processing algorithm for recovering audio signals. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to FIG. 1 , an audio reproduction system 10 is shown. The audio reproduction system 10 includes an audio source 12 , such as an AM/FM tuner, a cassette deck, a CD player, or the like, that is in electrical communication with an audio processor 14 , such as a digital signal processor (DSP). The audio source 12 generates an audio signal and feeds the signal to the DSP 14 . A micro-controller 16 is also included and is in electrical communication with both the audio source 12 and the DSP 14 . A plurality of operator inputs 18 , 20 , 22 are provided and are each in communication with the micro-controller 16 for sending associated control signals to the micro-controller 16 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the operator inputs 18 , 20 , 22 include volume, bass boost and treble control. The DSP 14 further communicates the audio signal to a power amplifier 24 , which communicates an amplified signal to attached speakers 26 for generating sound. The power amplifier 24 preferably includes a clip detector 28 for generating a clip signal as the audio signal reaches a predefined power limit. The power amplifier 24 is in communication with the micro-controller 16 for sending the clip signal to the micro-controller 16 . The micro-controller 16 manages the overall function of the audio reproduction system 10 , taking into account operator inputs such as volume, bass boost and treble control. Depending upon the operator's input the micro-controller 16 sends digital control signals to the DSP 14 for controlling the variable gain stage of the audio signal processing. The control signals command the DSP 14 to determine gain for both a narrowband signal (i.e. bass) and a wideband signal (i.e. volume). The modified audio signal is then sent to the power amplifier 24 . The power amplifier 24 applies a fixed gain to the audio signal received from the DSP 14 . The clip detector 28 of the power amplifier detects clipping distortion in the audio signal and generates a clip signal to signal the micro-controller 16 that clipping has occurred. Referencing FIG. 2 , the audio-processing algorithm of the present invention will be described in detail. It should be initially noted, however, that the micro-controller 16 is pre-programmed with the algorithms of the present invention for performing the audio-processing according to the method of the present invention. At step 100 , it is initially determined whether or not a clip signal has been received. If a clip signal has been received, step 110 determines whether or not a clip attack time delay has expired. The clip attack time delay is essentially a waiting period to determine if the detected clipping was an isolated event or a persistent occurrence. The clip attack time delay is relatively short (e.g. several milliseconds). If the attack time delay has not yet expired, the micro-controller 16 reverts to step 100 to again determine if a clip signal is present. If the attack time delay has expired, the clip attack process is performed at step 120 . If at step 100 , however, a clip signal has not been received, the micro-controller 16 moves to step 130 for determining whether or not a clip recovery time delay has expired. The clip recovery time delay is a waiting period, similar to the clip attack time delay, to ensure that a clip recovery process is not initiated too soon (i.e. prior to the elimination of clipping). The clip recovery time delay is relatively short (e.g. several milliseconds). If the clip recovery time delay has expired, the micro-controller performs the clip recovery process at step 140 . In general, the clip attack algorithm of the present invention incrementally reduces the bass boost level up to a maximum amount, until clipping ceases. If clipping fails to desist after achieving the maximum reduction, the clip attack algorithm incrementally reduces the volume level up to a maximum amount. The maximum level of reduction in bass boost is a function of the amount of bass boost an operator has input. In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the maximum level of reduction is equal to one half of the input level. For example, if an operator inputs an eight (8) dB bass boost, the maximum level of reduction in bass boost is four (4) dB. However, if an operator has not input a bass boost value, the algorithm only reduces the volume. The maximum level of reduction in volume is a function of a predefined system maximum and the maximum level of reduction in bass boost. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the maximum level of reduction in volume is equal to the difference between the system maximum and the maximum level of reduction in bass boost. For example, if the system maximum is equal to seven (7) dB and the maximum level of reduction in bass boost is equal to four (4) dB, the maximum level of reduction in volume is equal to three (3) dB. In this manner, the bass boost reduction is a function of a user input and the volume reduction is a function of both a user input and a system maximum. Therefore, both maximum reduction levels are variable according to operator influence. With particular reference to FIG. 3 , the clip attack algorithm will be described in detail. At step 200 , it is initially determined if an operator has applied narrowband gain (i.e. bass boost). If the operator has applied narrowband gain, at step 210 , the micro-controller 16 determines whether or not the maximum level of reduction in narrowband gain has been achieved. If the maximum level of reduction in narrowband gain has been achieved, at step 220 the micro-controller 16 determines whether or not the maximum level of reduction in wideband gain (i.e. volume) has been reached. If at step 200 , the operator has not applied narrowband gain, the clip attack algorithm moves to step 220 . If the maximum level of reduction in narrowband gain has not been achieved as determined at step 210 , the micro-controller 16 signals the DSP 14 to reduce the narrowband gain by an increment at step 230 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the incremental value is one (1) dB, however, it will be appreciated that the incremental value may vary as design preference dictates. Having reduced the narrowband gain by the incremental value, the clip attack algorithm ends at step 240 . However, if the micro-controller 16 determines at step 220 that the maximum wideband gain reduction has not been reached, the micro-controller 16 signals the DSP 14 to reduce the wideband gain by an increment, at step 250 . In a preferred embodiment of the present invention the incremental value is one (1) dB, however, it will be appreciated that the incremental value may vary as design preference dictates. Having reduced the wideband gain by the incremental value, the clip attack algorithm ends at step 240 . If, on the other hand, the micro-controller 16 determines that the maximum wideband gain reduction has been reached, the clip attack algorithm ends at step 240 . The objective of the clip attack algorithm is to eliminate clipping and thus eliminate audio distortion. However, once clipping has been eliminated, the audio-processing algorithm implements a recovery algorithm for incrementally increasing the previously reduced narrowband and wideband gains (i.e. bass boost and volume levels). In general, the recovery algorithm of the present invention functions on a “last in, first out” basis wherein the wideband gain is recovered prior to recovering the narrowband gain (the clip attack algorithm functions to decrease the narrowband gain and then the wideband gain). With particular reference to FIG. 4 , the recovery algorithm will be described in detail. At step 300 , the micro-controller 16 initially determines whether the wideband gain has been reduced as the result of clipping. If the wideband gain has not been reduced due to clipping, the recovery algorithm advances to step 310 to determine if the narrowband gain has been reduced due to clipping. However, if the wideband gain has been reduced due to clipping the micro-controller 16 determines whether the wideband gain has been totally recovered, at step 320 . If the wideband gain is not totally recovered the micro-controller 16 sends a signal to the DSP 14 to incrementally increase the wideband gain, at step 330 . Having incrementally increased the wideband gain, the recovery algorithm ends at step 340 . However, if the wideband gain has been totally recovered the micro-controller 16 moves to step 310 to determine whether the narrowband gain has been reduced due to clipping. If the narrowband gain has not been reduced due to clipping the recovery algorithm ends at step 340 . However, if the narrowband gain has been reduced due to clipping the micro-controller 16 determines whether the narrowband gain has been totally recovered, at step 350 . If the narrowband gain has been totally recovered the recovery algorithm ends at step 340 . However, if the narrowband gain has not been totally recovered the micro-controller 16 signals the DSP 14 to incrementally increase the narrowband gain at step 360 . Having incrementally increased the bass boost, the recovery algorithm ends at step 340 . The audio-processing algorithm of the present invention improves the overall sound quality and listening comfort. By initially reducing the narrowband gain (i.e. bass boost), in the event of clipping, the audio signal change is less noticeable by listeners. Conversely, by initially recovering the wideband gain (i.e. volume) that has been reduced due to clipping, the audio distortion process remains less noticeable to listeners and is thus advantageous over prior art audio reproduction systems. Further, the bass boost and volume reduction limits of the present invention are a function of operator input. In this manner, the audio distortion processing of the present invention accounts for operator preference, again holding specific advantages over prior art audio reproduction systems The invention being thus described, it will be obvious that the same may be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention, and all such modifications as would be obvious to one skilled in the art are intended to be included within the scope of the following claims.
A method for audio distortion processing is provided, whereby narrowband and wideband gains are incrementally reduced and recovered for controlling audio distortion of an audio reproduction system. Reduction limits are determined for both the narrowband and wideband gains, as a function of operator controlled inputs. If clipping is detected, the narrowband gain is initially reduced until either the narrowband gain reduction limit has been achieved or the clipping desists. The wideband gain is subsequently reduced if the reduction limit of the narrowband gain has been achieved and the clipping persists. The wideband gain is reduced until either the wideband gain reduction limit has been achieved or the clipping desists. After the clipping desists, a gain recovery process ensues, whereby the wideband gain is initially recovered until at its original level and the narrowband gain is subsequently recovered until reaching its original level.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to digital computer network technology; more particularly, to intrusion detection systems for network-based computer systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] With the rapid growth of the Internet and computer network technology in general, network security has become a major concern to companies around the world. The fact that the tools and information needed to penetrate the security of corporate networks are widely available has only increased that concern. Because of the increased focus on network security, network security administrators often spend more effort protecting their networks than on actual network setup and administration. [0003] Confidential information normally resides in two states on a computer network. It can reside on physical storage media, such as a hard disk or memory of a device such as a server, or it can reside in transit across the physical network wire in the form of packets. A packet is a block of data that carries with it the information necessary to deliver it, analogous to an ordinary postal letter that has address information written on the envelope. A data packet switching network uses the address information contained in the packets to switch the packets from one physical network connection to another in order to deliver the packet to its final destination. In modern computer network technology, network nodes such as gateway devices, routers, and switches are commonly utilized to forward data packets toward their destinations. The format of a packet is usually defined according to a certain protocol. For example, the format of a packet according to the widely-used Internet protocol (IP) is known as a datagram. [0004] Computer viruses and worms are two types of malicious programs designed to attack and compromise the security of a network. A computer virus attaches itself to a program or file so it can spread from one computer to another through the process of sharing infected files or sending e-mails with viruses as attachments in the e-mail. Most often, viruses are attached to an executable file, which means the virus may exist on a computer or network node but it cannot damage the computer's hardware, software, or files unless a user runs or opens the malicious program. [0005] A worm is similar to a virus by its design, but is much more insidious than a virus insomuch as it has the ability to propagate without direct human action (such as running an infected program). A worm takes advantage of file or information transport features on a computer system, which allows it to rapidly propagate throughout a network unaided. A big danger with a worm is its ability to replicate itself so that a single host computer can send out hundreds or thousands of copies of the worm to other computers in the network, thereby creating a huge devastating effect. For example, a worm may scan hundreds of computer nodes across a local access network (LAN) looking for a vulnerable host. When a worm finds a vulnerable hose, it tries to infect it and continue the replication process down the connectivity line. [0006] A worm's ability to propagate itself rapidly (and often surreptitiously) is essential to its success in disrupting the integrity of a network by compromising Web servers, network servers, and individual computers. For example, the recent “MySQL” worm attack was reported to have infected approximately 4,500 computer systems per hour in the early hours following outbreak. Detection of a worm may occur when the worm starts consumes large amounts of system memory or network bandwidth, which may cause certain network nodes to stop responding. Evidence of a worm attack may also be found in a significant upsurge in scans performed on a particular port of a network device. For example, a past outbreak of the MySQL worm was evidenced by a massive number of port 3306 scans during a relatively short time period. [0007] Current Intrusion Detection System (IDS) or Intrusion Prevention System (IPS) technologies usually discover worm attacks via comparisons of network traffic against known attack signatures. Basically, data packets traveling across the network are inspected for the presence of a particular byte signature associated with a known worm. Knowledge of the worm's signature is typically obtained by extensive analysis of the malicious code after it has been detected on a victim network. This conventional worm detection technique is described in U.S. Patent Application No. 2005/0022018, which teaches a system for detecting and preventing the spread of malicious code in which a local analysis center provides a signature update to a network IDS. Another signature technique is described at http://www.cs.ucsd.edu/Dienst/UI/2.0/Describe/ncstrl.ucsd_cse/CS2003-0761. [0008] The signature update approach to detecting and stopping a worm attack is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which shows a timeline of a worm's propagation in an enterprise network. The example of FIG. 1 begins with an infected laptop computer connecting to a corporate network at time T 1 . As soon as the laptop connects to the network, the worm starts replicating itself by infecting nearby hosts. The worm continues to spread in an undetected manner until the time, T 2 , when network users or a system administrator first reports a problem with network operations or with particular computer nodes. At this point, the arduous and time-consuming process of manually analyzing and reverse-engineering the worm begins. Once a corresponding signature of the worm has been identified, a small piece of software (known as a “patch”) designed to fix or shore up the vulnerability is then installed onto each and every node of the network. The creation of a patch is shown occurring at time T 3 in FIG. 1 . [0009] One problem with existing signature update approaches is that it usually takes a long time (e.g., 4-5 hours) to generate a working patch after a worm has been detected. During this interval (e.g., from T 2 to T 3 ) the worm may continue to spread and infect tens of thousands of additional computers. Another drawback is that signature databases must be constantly updated, and the intrusion detection system must be able to compare and match activities against large collections of attack signatures. That is to say, a signature-based IDS only operates on known attacks. In addition, if signatures definitions are too specific the IDS may miss variations or mutations of known attacks. The signatures also need to be configured for each branch/installation of the network. For a large corporation the overhead associated with maintaining the signature database information can be very costly. [0010] Profile-based intrusion detection, sometimes called anomaly detection, is another security methodology that has been used to detect malicious network activity. Anomaly detection systems examine ongoing network traffic, activity, transactions, or behavior for anomalies on networks that deviates from a “normal” host-host communications profile. By keeping track of the services used/served by each host and the relationships between hosts, anomaly-based intrusion detection systems can observe when current network activity deviates statistically from the norm, thereby providing an indicator of attack behavior. [0011] U.S. Pat. No. 6,681,331 teaches a dynamic software management approach to analyzing the internal behavior of a system in order to assist in the detection of intruders. Departures from a normal system profile represent potential invidious activity on the system. U.S. Pat. No. 6,711,615 describes a method of network surveillance that includes receiving network packets (e.g., TCP) handled by a network entity and building long-term and short-term statistical profiles. A comparison between the building long-term and short-term profiles is used to identify suspicious network activity. [0012] One problem with conventional anomaly detection systems is that the baseline of normal behavior can easily change, causing anomaly-based IDS systems to be prone to false positives where attacks may be reported based on events that are in fact legitimate network activity, rather than representing real attacks. (A false negative occurs when the IDS fails to detect malicious network activity. Similarly, a true positive occurs when the IDS correctly identifies network activity as a malicious intrusion; a true negative occurs when the IDS does not report legitimate network activity as an intrusion.) Traditional anomaly detection systems can also impose heavy processing overheads on networks. [0013] By way of further background, U.S. Pat. No 6,785,818 teaches a programmable control module adapted to determine when a change in mapping constitutes a malicious code attack. U.S. Pat. No 6,681,331 teaches a dynamic software management approach to analyzing the internal, normal behavior of a system in order to assist in the detection of intruders. U.S. Pat. No 6,711,615 describes a method of network surveillance that includes receiving network packets (e.g., TCP) handled by a network entity and building long-term and short-term statistical profiles. A comparison between the building long-term and short-term profiles is used to identify suspicious network activity. A network surveillance system that compares statistical profiles to identify suspicious network activity is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No 6,708,212. [0014] Thus, there remains an unsatisfied need for an intrusion detection system and method capable of quickly detecting a worm attack, as distinguished from legitimate network behavior, and mitigating the effects of the attack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0015] The present invention will be understood more fully from the detailed description that follows and from the accompanying drawings, which however, should not be taken to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown, but are for explanation and understanding only. [0016] FIG. 1 is a timeline that illustrates a prior art signature-based worm detection approach. [0017] FIG. 2 is a diagram of a typical corporate network configuration in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing the basic architecture of a network intrusion detection device according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram of a module with knowledge database and correlation engine components according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 5 is a network node diagram showing propagation across a network of a worm having a particular infection vector. [0021] FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates worm alert correlation and alert alarms according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0022] FIG. 7 is a flowchart showing a generalized worm detection process according to one embodiment of the present invention. [0023] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing worm detection and mitigation processes according to one embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0024] A system and method for real-time detection of a network worm attack is described. In the following description specific details are set forth, such as devices, protocols, configurations, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, persons having ordinary skill in the networking arts will appreciate that these specific details may not be needed to practice the present invention. [0025] FIG. 2 is an exemplary network with an intrusion detection system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. A core corporate network 10 is shown having a plurality of nodes or devices that provide a gateway to various services, servers, applications, and sub-networks. For example, device 11 is shown connected with a set of file servers and/or application servers; device 12 connects network 10 with an outside network (e.g., the Internet); and devices 13 & 14 provide a gateway to computer nodes remotely located in corporate buildings “A” & “B”, respectively. Also included in the diagram of FIG. 2 is an intrusion detection (ID) device 16 that embodies intrusion detection hardware/firmware/software that includes anomaly detection (AD) functionality in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Alternatively, the intrusion detection function of device 16 can be distributed among one or more of network devices that act as traffic gateways. In still other embodiments, a method of intrusion detection according to the present invention may be implemented in machine-readable code stored in firmware, software, on a hard disk, etc., for execution on a general purpose processor. [0026] FIG. 3 is a generalized block diagram showing an exemplary ID device 16 that includes a processor 21 coupled with a memory unit 22 , one or more hardware/software modules 20 , and an input/output (I/O) interface 24 via a system bus 23 . Modules 20 implement an IDS/IPS with anomaly detection (AD) using a knowledge database 31 coupled to a correlation engine 32 , as depicted in FIG. 4 . It is appreciated that knowledge database 31 and correlation engine 32 may comprise separate hardware devices coupled to the system bus 23 , or, alternatively, knowledge database 31 and correlation engine 32 may be implemented as software programs or modules that run on one or more processors. In other words, the AD engine may be implemented as separate hardware devices, memory locations (storing executable code), firmware devices, software modules, or other machine-readable devices. (In the context of the present application, therefore, the term “module” is to be understood as being synonymous with both hardware devices and computer-executable software code, programs or routines.) [0027] As previously explained, the IDS/IPS of the present invention may also be distributed in the network, rather than residing on a single node or device 16 . Another possibility is to implement the knowledge database and correlation engine functions on various gateway nodes of the network. [0028] In accordance with one embodiment of the present invention knowledge database 31 is generated by gathering information about normal network activity over a period of time (e.g., 4-6 hours) for the purpose of creating an activity baseline. That is, knowledge database 31 summarizes information about the kind and frequency of traffic generated by each and every node in the network. A baseline of normal behavior of the various network elements is then maintained in memory. In most cases, learning continues as the network is constantly monitored, new behaviors are detected, and the store of network activity and behavior is dynamically updated to track normal changes in host relations and network activity. In other words, the knowledge database of normal activity need not be static; it may evolve over time as the network is reconfigured, expands, new users are added, etc. [0029] When the AD engine of ID device 16 observes anomalous or abnormal behavior (i.e., activity that deviates from the baseline of normal activity) on the network, correlation engine 32 records the abnormality by an entry in an alert memory or storage unit 34 (see FIG. 6 ). Note that an alert event may also be produced by an external device, such as an IDS associated with a sub-network or a computer system administrator (CSA). Once an alert event is produced, either by an AD module or another external device, correlation engine 32 begins tracking the abnormality to determine whether the abnormality represents legitimate or malicious network activity. [0030] There may be many valid reasons why a host deviates from its normal network activities. Examples include cases where the corporate network is reconfigured, or a new website is launched. Another example of activity that is not malicious, but outside of the bounds of daily normal activity, is where a host resets a password or other credentials. Because a given AD alert of abnormal behavior does not necessarily indicate a worm outbreak, correlation engine 32 tracks the abnormality to determine whether the particular behavior or activity is repeated or spreads in a pattern across the network. [0031] FIG. 5 is a network diagram showing propagation of a worm having a particular infection (i.e., attack) vector through a plurality of nodes A-F. Assume that the AD module of ID device 16 observes host “A” communicating with host “B” using a particular application or protocol, and that such communications have never been observed previously. This abnormal activity event is recognized by correlation engine 32 and the event information is stored in alert storage 34 (see FIG. 6 ). The particular attack vulnerability shown in FIG. 5 is on Transmission Control Protocol port 445 (TCP/ 445 ). Assume further that another AD alert event is generated when host “A” communicates with host “C” using the same application. At this point, the correlation engine not only recognizes that another abnormality occurred, but also that a pattern is emerging, i.e., host “A” communicating with another host using the same application or protocol. [0032] According to the present invention, correlation engine 32 includes a unit or module (shown by block 35 in FIG. 6 ) for correlating alert events in order to identify patterns in abnormal behavior. When the pattern repeats itself in a certain manner, a worm alert alarm signal is generated. Periodic correlation of alerts is shown in FIG. 6 by correlation unit 35 coupled with alert storage 34 . Unit 35 generates a worm alert alarm output signal when a certain number of hosts exhibit behavior that exceeds a predetermined threshold. The trigger point mechanism (as represented by block 36 ) may also be made dependent upon activity that exceeds a particular threshold of normal behavior within a set time period. In other words, since worms tend to propagate very rapidly, infrequent AD events stretched out over long time periods may be ignored by the ID system. [0033] In the embodiment shown, the worm alert alarm signals generated by unit 35 include a list of infected hosts and protocols involved in the worm attack. Outputs may be sent to a signature event action processor (SEAP) 37 , AD engine 38 , as well as various external devices 39 . SEAP 37 is responsible for coordinating the data flow from the signature event in the alarm channel to an event handler designed to take action mitigating spread of the worm. The output to AD engine 38 may notify the knowledge database with information about the infected hosts. [0034] Continuing with the example of FIG. 5 , hosts “B” and “C” are shown exhibiting the same type of behavior as host “A”. The same pattern is then repeated on hosts “D”, “E”, and “F”. Correlation engine 32 accumulates these alert events related to the various hosts and new usages; it then periodically examines and correlates these events to determine when a new worm attack is present on the network. According to the present invention, a worm outbreak is declared when correlation engine 32 discovers a predetermined number of hosts exhibiting role-reversal behavior involving a common protocol within a given time period. In other words, when the number of hosts exhibiting role-reversal behavior exceeds a certain threshold, correlation engine 32 declares a worm outbreak using the associated protocol. [0035] FIG. 7 is a flowchart that illustrates a sequence of events in the real-time worm detection method according to one embodiment of the present invention. Assume that a compromised host H 1 is trying to spread a worm across the network by communicating with hundreds of new hosts. When H 1 is successful in infecting one of its victims, say, host H 2 , the victim then repeats the process by contacting hundreds of new hosts until it is able to successfully infect another host, e.g., host H 3 . Thus, the first AD event recognized by the correlation engine is host H 1 as a client of a certain protocol (e.g., protocol-x) contacting host H 2 , which is shown by block 41 . Block 42 shows host H 2 as a server of protocol-x communicating with host H 1 . The next event in the sequence is host H 2 , now acting as a client of protocol-x, contacting host H 3 , is represented by block 43 . The key event of host H 2 becoming a client just after being a server, is referred to as role-reversal behavior at host H 2 using protocol-x. This role-reversal behavior indicates to correlation engine 32 that host H 2 is compromised in the same manner as host H 2 , and is exhibiting the same type of replicating behavior characteristic of a worm outbreak. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a worm outbreak is declared when a predetermined number (e.g., 40) of role-reversal events are observed occurring within a relatively short time period (say, 1 second). [0036] As soon as a worm outbreak has been identified as described above, the particular attack vector (e.g., TCP/ 445 ) is extracted for use by SEAP 37 or other devices, nodes, administrators, etc., involved in the attack mitigation process. The attack vector is particularly useful in mitigating the attack since, for example, it enables the shutting down of vulnerable services or compromised hosts or nodes. [0037] FIG. 8 is a flowchart showing the overall worm detection and mitigation processes according to one embodiment of the present invention. The process begins with the production of an AD event (block 46 ), followed by accumulation of information about the event (e.g., host, application, protocol) in storage by the correlation engine (block 47 ). Block 48 represents the periodic examination of the AD events by the correlation engine to determine whether a pattern of abnormal behavior exceeds a predetermined threshold limit. In the context of the description provided above, the key trigger occurs when a certain number of hosts exhibit role-reversal behavior within a given time period. If the abnormal activity is below the threshold limit, the monitoring and tracking of AD events continues as before. On the other hand, if the threshold limit has been exceeded, a worm outbreak is declared (block 49 ), worm alarm alerts are generated by the correlation engine, and mitigation actions are commenced based on the extracted infection vector (block 50 ). [0038] It is appreciated that a variety of different mitigating actions may be taken by the IDS/IPS depending upon the particular infection vector. For example, if the infection vector involves TCP/ 80 (which is normally used as an Internet access interface) the mitigation action may not include blocking of that particular port. Instead, the port can remain open but all traffic to new hosts may be blocked. In other words, the knowledge database may be consulted to determine which destination websites each host normally communicates with; traffic to those websites will be allowed, but all traffic to new websites will be blocked. This action has the effect of isolating the worm outbreak. Of course, in other instances, infected hosts on the network may simply be shut down to halt further spread of the worm. [0039] Still another alternative mitigating action is to re-direct all traffic associated with a particular service to an entirely different network or sub-network, removed from the corporate production network. Yet another mitigation option is to inspect all packets passing through the IDS node or certain gateway nodes on the network for identifying characteristics of the particular infection vector. In this manner, traffic may be halted (or approved) on a per packet basis. [0040] It should also be understood that elements of the present invention may also be provided as a computer program product which may include a machine-readable medium having stored thereon instructions which may be used to program a computer (or other electronic device) to perform a process. The machine-readable medium may include, but is not limited to, floppy diskettes, optical disks, CD-ROMs, and magneto-optical disks, ROMs, RAMs, EPROMs, EEPROMs, magnet or optical cards, propagation media or other type of media/machine-readable medium suitable for storing electronic instructions. For example, elements of the present invention may be downloaded as a computer program product, wherein the program may be transferred from a remote computer (e.g., a server) to a requesting computer (e.g., a customer or client) by way of data signals embodied in a carrier wave or other propagation medium via a communication link (e.g., a modem or network connection). [0041] Furthermore, although the present invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments, those of ordinary skill in the computer networking arts will appreciate that numerous modifications and alterations are well within the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the specification and drawings are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense.
An intrusion detection system for a computer network includes a knowledge database that contains a baseline of normal host behavior, and a correlation engine that monitors network activity with reference to the knowledge database. The correlation engine accumulating information about anomalous events occurring on the network and then periodically correlating the anomalous events. The correlation engine generates a worm outbreak alarm when a certain number of hosts exhibit a role-reversal behavior. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract that will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims.
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FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to a telecommunications environment. In particular, this invention relates to reducing echo in a telecommunications environment. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In DSL technology, communications over the local subscriber loop between the central office and the subscriber premises is accomplished by modulating the data to be transmitted into a multiplicity of discrete frequency carriers which are summed together and then transmitted over the subscriber loop. Individually, the carriers form discrete, non-overlapping communication subchannels of limited bandwidth; collectively, they form what is effectively a broadband communications channel. At the receiver end, the carriers are demodulated and the data recovered. The data symbols that are transmitted over each subchannel carry a number of bits that may vary from subchannel to subchannel, depending on the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the subchannel. The number of bits that can be accommodated under specified communication conditions is known as the “bit allocation” of the subchannel, and is determined for each subchannel in a known manner as a function of the measured SNR of the subchannel and the bit error rate associated with it. The SNR of the respective subchannels is determined by transmitting a reference signal over the various subchannels and measuring the SNR's of the received signals. The loading information is typically determined at the receiver, or “local” end of the subscriber line, e.g., at the subscriber premises, in the case of transmission from the central office to the subscriber, and at the central office in the case of transmission from the subscriber premises to the central office, and is communicated to the other “transmitting,” or remote end, so that each transmitter-receiver pair in communication with each other uses the same information for communication. The bit allocation information is stored at both ends of the communication pair link for use in defining the number of bits to be used on the respective subchannels in transmitting data to a particular receiver. Other subchannel parameters such as subchannel gains, time and frequency domain equalizer coefficients and other characteristics may also be stored to aid in defining the subchannel. Information may, of course, be transmitted in either direction over the subscriber line. For many applications, such as the delivery of video, Internet services, etc., to a subscriber, the required bandwidth from the central office to the subscriber is many times that of the required bandwidth from the subscriber to the central office. One recently developed service providing such a capability is based on discrete multitone asymmetric digital subscriber line (DTM ADSL) technology. In one form of this service, up to 256 subchannels, each of 4312.5 Hz bandwidth, are devoted to downstream, from central office to subscriber premises, communications, while up to 32 subchannels, each also of 4312.5 Hz bandwidth, provide upstream, from subscriber premises to central office, communications. Communication is by way of frames of data and control information. In a presently used form of ADSL communication, 68 data frames and one syncronization frame form a superframe that is repeated throughout the transmission. The data frames carry the data that is to be transmitted and the syncronization frame, or sync frame, provides a known bit sequence that is used to syncronize the transmitting and receiving modems and that also facilitates determination of transmission subchannel characteristics such as signal-to-noise ration (SNR), and the like. In providing upstream and downstream channels, ADSL modems divide the available bandwidth of the subscriber loop in one of two ways, frequency-division multiplexing (FDM) or echo cancellation. Frequency division multiplexing assigns one set of subcarriers for upstream data and a different set of subcarriers for downstream data. The downstream path is then divided by time-division multiplexing into one or more high-speed channels and one or more low-speed channels. The upstream path is also multiplexed into corresponding low-speed channels. Echo cancellation assigns the upstream band to overlap the downstream, and separates the two by means of local echo cancellation, a technique well known in V.32 and V.34 modems. With either technique, ADSL splits off a 4 kHz region for basic telephone service at the DC end of the band. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The systems and methods of this invention rely on the known characteristics of the sync frame to monitor, update in an off-line fashion and determine the accuracy of an echo canceller in, for example, a modem, such as an ADSL modem. Specifically, time domain samples are read from the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) paths of the modem. These samples are stored in memory, such as registers. When the sync frame has received a predetermined number of the same Tx samples and Rx samples, the samples are stored into an array. Running averages, over the sync frames, of the TX and RX samples are maintained. These averages are subtracted from a sync frame of samples, to allow LMS updating of the echo canceller taps, free of extraneous signals. Updating, i.e., tracking of changes in the echo channel, is done for the echo canceller in an off-line fashion. The coefficients for the in-line version are updated, while the off-line version is updated over several sync frames. Periodically, the performance of the off-line version is compared with the in-line version. The coefficients of the in-line version are replaced by those of the off-line version only if it is determined the off-line version, which is tracking echo channel changes, has better performance. After replacement of the in-line coefficients, the off-line tracking is continued in the off-line version. These and other features and advantages of this invention are described in or are apparent from the following detailed description of the embodiments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The embodiments of the invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures wherein: FIG. 1 is a functional block diagram illustrating an exemplary echo canceller according to this invention; FIG. 2 is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method for monitoring and updating an echo canceller according to this invention, and FIG. 3 is a flowchart outlining an exemplary method for determining the accuracy of an echo canceller according to this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The exemplary embodiments of this invention will be described in relation to the application of the invention to an ADSL transceiver environment. However, it should be appreciated that in general the systems and methods of this invention will work equally well for any telecommunications environment having a known extraneous signal. An exemplary digital echo canceller is realized as a 192 tap long finite impulse response (FIR) filter. However, it is to be appreciated that the system and methods of this invention will work equally well with any echo cancellation type filter or device. The echo canceller serves to remove echo from the received sequence by subtracting an estimate of the transmitter signal (Tx) from the received signal (Rx). This results in a received signal without echo (Rx′) in accordance with: Rx n ′ = Rx - Echo estimate = Rx n - ∑ k ⁢ ⁢ Taps k · Tx n - k Where Rx n is the nth received sample, Tx n is the nth transmitted sample, and Taps k is the kth digital echo canceller (DEC) tap. The echo free sequence Rx′ n is then passed along for further non-DEC related processing. The initial settings for the taps are obtained during an initialization stage of the modem by using an impulse. For example, a single unity sample can be transmitted, and the echo directly measured therefrom. During showtime, the taps can be trained and/or updated based on a least mean squares (LMS) algorithm. For LMS, in general, if ω j are the coefficients of an N-taps adaptive FIR filter, x i is the ith input signal sample and y i is the ith filter output sample, these are related as: y i =Σω j ·x i-j The LMS algorithm for updating (adapting) the coefficients of the adaptive filter can be represented as: ω k ( n+ 1)=ω k ( n )+μ·ε n ·x n-k k =0 . . . Nε n =a n −y n Where a n is the desired filter output for sample n, w k (n) are the filter coefficients used to produce the filter output sample n and w k (n+1) are the updated coefficients to be used to produce the (n+1)th output sample. This formula can be rewritten in vector form as: ω _ n + 1 = ω _ n + μ · ɛ n · x _ n ⁢ ( ω _ 1 ω _ 2 … ω _ N ) n + 1 = ( ω _ 1 ω _ 2 … ω _ N ) n + μ · ɛ n · ( x n x n - 1 … x n - N ) Now applying this to the case of an adaptive digital echo canceller, the input signal x is the transmitted signal Tx, ω is the taps of the filter and y is an estimate of the echo. ω=Taps x=Tx y=Echo estimated Echo estimated = ∑ k = 0 191 ⁢ ⁢ Taps k · Tx n - k In order to determine the error, ε, the estimated echo is subtracted from the measured echo in accordance with: ε=Echo measured −Echo estimated , where it is seen that Echo measured is the desired response, a, from above. The reception Rx n however will contain not only the echo, but also a strong far end signal component, and so unmodified, it is not a good choice for Echo measured . The far end component should be removed from Rx n before using it as Echo measured , to give best performance of LMS. It is removed by exploiting the fact that for ADSL, the far end signal will be known for each sync frame. An estimate of its contribution in Rx n is thus obtained via an average, over sync frames, Rx n of the reception. Therefore, the desired DEC output is formed according to: Echo measured,n =Rx n − Rx The resulting equation for the updating of the coefficients of echo canceller is: ⟶ Taps n + 1 ⁢ = ⟶ Taps n ⁢ + μ · ⟶ Tx ⁢ ( Echo measured - Echo estimated ) = ⟶ Taps n T ⁢ + μ · ⟶ Tx ⁢ ( Rxn - 〈 Rx 〉 - ⟶ Taps n T ⁢ · ⟶ Tx ) where μ is the LMS step size, which governs convergence speed, excess coefficient error. The LMS coefficient μ is implemented as a right shift of the Tx*error. Thus, the algorithm for updating the digital echo canceller taps is: ⟶ Taps n + 1 ⁢ = ⟶ Taps n ⁢ + ⟶ Tx · ( Rxn - 〈 Rx 〉 - ⟶ Taps n T ⁢ · ⟶ Tx ) If the Tx signal is random, averaging of the reception Rx over several sync frames will leave only the contribution of the far-end (periodic) sync frame signal, as intended. However, the Tx signal may contain a pilot tone component which would then also have contribution in Rx . Therefore, when Rx is subtracted from Rx, the pilot component of the echo is removed. If not modified, the update algorithm above takes the form in the presence of a Tx pilot as: ⟶ Taps n + 1 ⁢ = ⟶ Taps n ⁢ + [ ⟶ Tx ⁢ - Pilot ] ⁢ ( { Rxn + Pilot_echo _ _ } ⁢ 〈 Rx + 〉 - ⟶ Taps Tn T ⁢ · [ ⟶ Tx - Pilot ] ) · 2 mu_shift ⁢ (* ) If Tx contains a pilot tone component, it is best to subtract it from Tx before applying the update algorithm above. The algorithm then becomes: ⟶ Taps n + 1 ⁢ = ⟶ Taps n ⁢ + [ ⟶ Tx ⁢ - Pilot ] ⁢ ( Rxn - 〈 Rx 〉 - ⟶ Tapsn T ⁢ · [ ⟶ Tx - Pilot ] ) · 2 mu_shift ⁢ (* ) In an exemplary embodiment based on the 918 chipset, the 918 chipset provides the capability of reading current time domain samples from the Tx and the Rx path with the use of ‘shadow registers.’ Registers F 4 and F 5 in this exemplary embodiment are updated with arriving Tx samples and registers F 6 and F 7 with Rx samples. When the sync frame is being received, e.g., frame 67 in ADI code, 200 consecutive Tx samples and then 8 consecutive Rx samples are collected in an array [Tx 1 , . . . , Tx 200 , Rx 0 , . . . , Rx 7 ]. Thus, the collected Rx samples are the same samples of the received reference DTM frame, n through n+7. In particular, the last eight Tx samples can be used to extract the pilot tone from the transmitted signal. These samples are averaged over a large number of frames. The averaged samples of one pilot period <Tx 192 , . . . , Tx 200 > are subtracted from the entire Tx array. For each of the eight Rx samples the echo is determined and subtracted from the signal. These ‘echoless’ samples are then used to update the average of the Rx signal −<Rx 0 −Rx 7 >. After the Tx and the Rx data is collected and averages determined, all the necessary digital echo canceller tap update information is available. The difference in propagation delays between the echo and echo estimate leaves the first eight taps of the exemplary echo canceller unused (equal to zero). This makes possible for multiple updates of the echo canceller taps with a single set of data from one sync frame. More updates could be realized if the collection of Tx and Rx samples was performed in parallel. The error signal is determined in accordance with: ( Rxn - 〈 Rx 〉 - ∑ k = 0 192 ⁢ ⁢ Taps n · Tx n - k ) This signal is useful to monitor the quality of current digital echo canceller taps. Ideally, this error contains only channel noise. An exemplary embodiment of the invention monitors the average of the error, the average of the absolute value of the error and the minimum and the maximum errors. The exemplary digital adaptive echo canceller can then be coded as a background task in showtime. This exemplary task is active for, for example, 200 superframes, unless interrupted by, for example, frequency domain equation updates. Specifically, the code for the adaptive digital echo canceller algorithm is placed in Swap B. Hardware read functions also reside in Swap B although they are called from code placed in Swap A. This allowed some memory savings. As a result only about 50 words of memory from Swap A are used in this exemplary embodiment. FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary echo cancellation device 100 according to an embodiment of this invention. In particular, the echo cancellation device 100 comprises an I/O interface 110 , a controller 120 , memory 130 , a sync frame detection device 140 , an accuracy determination device 150 , a comparison device 160 , an echo canceller 170 and a tracking echo canceller 170 , all interconnected by link 5 . The echo cancellation device 100 is also connected to a modem 200 , such as a CO modem, CPE modem, DSL modem, ADSL modem, or the like, or into one or more additional modems via link 5 . The memory 130 can be any memory device, such as a register, a shadow register, or the like. Furthermore, the links 5 can be a wired or a wireless link or any other known or later developed element(s) that is capable of supplying electronic data to and from the connected elements. While the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 1 shows components of the echo cancellation device collocated, it is to be appreciated that the various components of the echo cancellation device 100 can be located at distant portions of a distributed network, such as a local area network, a wide area network, an intranet and/or the Internet, or within a dedicated echo cancellation device. Thus, it should be appreciated that the components of the echo cancellation device 100 can be combined into one device, such as a modem, or collocated on a particular node of a distributed network. As will be appreciated from the following description, and for reasons of computational efficiency, the components of the echo cancellation device 100 can be arranged at any location, such as within a general purpose computer, within a distributed network, integrated into a modem, or linked to a modem, without affecting the operation of the system. In operation, the modem 200 receives and/or transmits data in the form of frames including a sync frame. As previously discussed, the characteristics of the sync frame are known. The receipt of this sync frame is detected by, with the cooperation of the I/O interface and the controller 120 , the sync frame detection device 140 . Upon detection of a received sync frame, the echo cancellation device 100 begins path sampling of data within the sync frame. These samples are then stored, with the cooperation of the controller 120 and the I/O interface, in the memory 130 . Next, with the aid of the controller 120 , the samples stored in the memory 130 are read and a determination is made whether to enter a measurement mode. If the echo cancellation device 100 is not to enter a measurement mode, the tracking echo canceller 180 is updated with a modified set of coefficients that allow the echo canceling filter to reduce the echo in the signal. Alternatively, if the echo cancellation device 100 is to enter the measurement mode, the accuracy of the echo canceling filter in both the tracking echo canceller 180 and the echo canceller 170 are determined. Specifically, an extraneous signal is subtracted from the received sample signal. Furthermore, an estimate of the echo is subtracted from this extraneous signal. This results in an estimate of the error. The error of the echo canceller 170 and the tracking echo canceller 180 are then compared. If the accuracy of the tracking echo canceller 180 is more accurate than that of the echo canceller 170 , the echo canceller 170 is updated by downloading, for example from memory 130 , new coefficients for the echo cancellation filter. However, if the echo canceller 170 is more accurate than the tracking echo canceller 180 , the coefficients of the echo cancellation filter are unchanged and monitoring of the echo and the received signal continues. FIG. 2 illustrates an exemplary method for determining and updating an echo canceller in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. In particular, control begins in step S 100 and continues to step S 110 . In step S 110 , a transmitted and/or received sync frame is detected. Next, in step S 120 , path sampling is initiated. Then, in step S 130 , the samples are stored in memory. Control then continues to step S 140 . In step S 140 , the samples are read into memory. Next, in step S 150 , a determination is made whether to enter a measurement mode. If a measurement mode is to be entered, control continues to step S 170 , otherwise, control jumps to step S 160 . In step S 160 , the tracking echo canceller is updated and control returns to step S 110 . In step S 170 , the accuracy of the tracking echo canceller is determined. Next, in step S 180 , the accuracy of the current echo canceller is determined. Then, in step S 190 the accuracy of the current echo canceller is compared to the tracking echo canceller. Control then continues to step S 200 . In step S 200 , a determination is made whether the tracking echo canceller is more accurate than the current echo canceller. If the tracking echo canceller is more accurate, control continues to step S 210 . Otherwise, control jumps to step S 220 . In step S 210 , the current echo canceller is updated with the echo canceller filter coefficients of the tracking echo canceller. Control then continues to step S 220 . In step S 220 , a determination is made whether to continue monitoring the performance of the echo canceller. If continued monitoring is desired, control returns to step S 110 . Otherwise control continues to step S 230 where the control sequence ends. FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method of determining the accuracy of an echo canceller in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. In particular, control begins in step S 300 and continues to step S 310 . In step S 310 the extraneous signal is extracted from the received sample signal. Next, in step S 320 , an estimate of the echo is subtracted from the extraneous signal resulting in an estimate of the error. Then, in step S 330 , an echo canceller update is determined based on the product of a step size, an error and a vector of samples across the echo canceller for which the echo estimate was determined. Control then continues to step S 340 where the control sequence ends. As shown in FIG. 1 , the echo cancellation system can be implemented either on a single program general purpose computer, a modem, such as a DSL modem, or a separate program general purpose computer having a communications device. However, the echo cancellation system can also be implemented on a special purpose computer, a programmed microprocessor or microcontroller and peripheral integrated circuit element, an ASIC or other integrated circuit, a digital signal processor, a hardwired electronic or logic circuit such as a discrete element circuit, a programmed logic device such as a PLD, PLA, FPGA, PAL, or the like, and associated communications equipment. In general, any device capable of implementing a finite state machine that is capable of implementing the flowchart illustrated in FIGS. 2-3 can be used to implement an echo cancellation system according to this invention. Furthermore, the disclosed method may be readily implemented in software using object or object-oriented software development environments that provide portable source code that can be used on a variety of computer, workstation, or modem hardware platforms. Alternatively, the disclosed echo cancellation system may be implemented partially or fully in hardware using standard logic circuits or a VLSI design. Other software or hardware can be used to implement the systems in accordance with this invention depending on the speed and/or efficiency requirements of the systems, the particular function, and a particular software or hardware systems or microprocessor or microcomputer systems being utilized. The echo cancellation system and methods illustrated herein however, can be readily implemented in hardware and/or software using any known or later developed systems or structures, devices and/or software by those of ordinary skill in the applicable art from the functional description provided herein and with a general basic knowledge of the computer and telecommunications arts. Moreover, the disclosed methods can be readily implemented as software executed on a programmed general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a microprocessor, or the like. In these instances, the methods and systems of this invention can be implemented as a program embedded in a modem, such a DSL modem, as a resource residing on a personal computer, as a routine embedded in a dedicated echo cancellation system, a central office, the CPE, or the like. The echo cancellation system can also be implemented by physically incorporating the system and method into a software and/or hardware system, such as a hardware and software systems of a modem, a general purpose computer, an ADSL line testing device, or the like. It is, therefore, apparent that there is provided in accordance with the present invention, systems and methods for echo cancellation. While this invention has been described in conjunction with a number of embodiments, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations would be or are apparent to those of ordinary skill in the applicable arts. Accordingly, applicants intend to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, equivalents and variations that are within the spirit and the scope of this invention.
An echo cancellation device relies on the known characteristics of the sync frame to monitor, update in an off-line fashion and determine the accuracy of an echo canceller in, for example, a modem, such as an ADSL modem. Specifically, time domain samples are read from the transmit (Tx) and receive (Rx) paths of the modem. These samples are stored in memory. When the sync frame has received a predetermined number of the same Tx samples and Rx samples, the samples are stored. Running averages, over the sync frames, of the TX and RX samples are maintained. These averages are subtracted from a sync frame of samples, to allow LMS updating of the echo canceller taps, free of extraneous signals. Updating, i.e., tracking of changes in the echo channel, is done for the echo canceller in an off-line fashion. The coefficients for the in-line version are updated, while the off-line version is updated over several sync frames. Periodically, the performance of the off-line version is compared with the in-line version. The coefficients of the in-line version are replaced by those of the off-line version only if it is determined the off-line version, which is tracking echo channel changes, has better performance. After replacement of the in-line coefficients, the off-line tracking is continued in the off-line version.
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[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent application No. 61/673,908, filed Jul. 20, 2012; and this application is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/718,641, filed Dec. 18, 2012; which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/034,053, filed Feb. 24, 2011; now U.S. Pat. No. 8,347,772 which is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/348,601, filed Jan. 5, 2009, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,908,956, where application Ser. No. 13/034,053 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/368,417, filed Jul. 28, 2010, and 61/413,034, filed Nov. 12, 2010; and application Ser. No. 12/348,601 claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/019,694 filed Jan. 8, 2008, all of the above applications being expressly incorporated by reference herein in their entireties. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present disclosure relates to tubular braiding transitioning to flat braiding transitioning to tubular braiding with added reinforcing material. BACKGROUND [0003] Braided suture tapes are used in orthopedic procedures such as hip and shoulder reconstructions, achilles tendon, rotator cuff and patellar tendon repair. Current technology for creating suture tapes, reference U.S. Pat. No. 7,892,256, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, includes manual assembly processes, which are typically slow and difficult to repeat accurately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0004] FIG. 1 is a top and front view schematic diagram of an 8-end braided tubular braid, an 8-end flat bifurcated braid and an 8-end tubular braid. [0005] FIG. 2 is a top and front view schematic diagram of 8-end braided tubular braid, an 8-end flat braid and an 8-end tubular braid with material inserted. [0006] FIG. 3 is a side view schematic diagram of 8-end braided tubular braid, an 8-end flat braid and an 8-end tubular braid with material inserted. [0007] FIG. 4 a - 4 q are flow schematics showing the individual steps in the process. [0008] FIG. 5 is an isometric schematic of 8-end tubular braids transitioning to two 4-end bifurcated flat braids with internal material inserted. [0009] FIG. 6 is an isometric schematic of 8-end tubular braids transitioning to two 4-end bifurcated flat braids with external material inserted. SUMMARY [0010] In some embodiments, a method comprises ( a ) operating a braider in a first braiding mode to provide a first braid section having a single flat braid or a single tubular braid; [0011] ( b ) operating the braider in a second braiding mode to provide a second braid section having at least two flat braids with a gap therebetween, the second braid section being continuous with the first braid section, wherein steps ( a ) and ( b ) are performed alternately to form a continuous braid having a plurality of first braid sections and one or more second braid sections alternating with each other; and ( c ) passing a length of material through the respective gap of one or more of the second braid sections, so the length of material crosses one or more times between a first side of the continuous braid and a second side of the continuous braid. [0012] In some embodiments, a method comprises ( a ) operating a braider in a first operating mode to provide a first braid section having a single tubular braid; ( b ) operating the braider in a second braiding mode to provide a second braid section having a single flat braid adjacent the single tubular braid, the second braid section being continuous with the first braid section,; ( c ) operating the braider in a third braiding mode to provide a third braid section adjacent the second braid section, the third braid section having at least two flat braids with a gap therebetween, the third braid section being continuous with the second braid section, wherein steps ( b ) and ( c ) are performed alternately to form a continuous braid having a plurality of second braid sections and one or more third braid sections alternating with each other; ( d ) passing a length of material through a longitudinal tubular opening of the tubular braid and (f) passing the length of material through the respective gap of one or more of the third braid sections, so the length of material crosses one or more times between a first side of the continuous braid and a second side of the continuous braid. [0013] In some embodiments, a continuous braid structure has one or more first braid sections, each having a respective single flat braid or a respective single tubular braid. A plurality of second braid sections each have at least two flat braids with a gap between them. The second braid sections alternate with the one or more first braid sections. The adjacent first and second braid sections are continuous with each other. A length of material extends through the respective gap of at least one of the one or more second braid sections, so the length of material crosses one or more times between a first side of the continuous braid and a second side of the continuous braid. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower”, “upper”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “above”, “below”, “up”, “down”, “top” and “bottom” as well as derivative thereof (e.g., “horizontally”, “downwardly”, “upwardly”, etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and the like, such as “connected” and “interconnected” refer to a relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships, unless expressly described otherwise. [0015] This disclosure provides a suture tape construct, which can be automatically manufactured and dimensionally and structurally repeatable. [0016] A structure and application of materials is disclosed herein, using braiding technology that braids from base tubular constructions into flat constructions and return to a tubular constructions with reinforcing material incorporated into the constructions. [0017] In one embodiment, FIG. 1 shows a schematic of an 8-end tubular braid ( 1 ) in a 1 over 1 construction. At transition point ( 2 ) the tubular braid transitions to an 8-end flat braid ( 3 ) in a 1 over 1 construction. At transition point ( 4 ) the 8-end flat braid transitions to two 4-end flat braids ( 5 ), ( 6 ) in a 1 over 1 construction. This pattern is continued for as long as desired until transition point ( 7 ) when the 8-end flat braid transitions back to an 8-end tubular braid ( 8 ). This is accomplished using the method as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/034,053, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. In FIG. 1 the transitions between one 8-end flat braid to two 4-end flat braids total nine giving five sections of one 8-end flat braid and four sections of two 4-end flat braids. The gap between the two 4-end flat braids creates openings ( 9 ), ( 10 ), ( 11 ), ( 12 ) in the 8-end flat braid. [0018] FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 are a front and side view showing a schematic of an 8-end tubular braid ( 1 ) transitioning to 8-end and 4-end flat braids ( 13 ) transitioning to an 8-end tubular braid ( 8 ). A material ( 14 ) is included in the tubular sections ( 1 ), ( 8 ). The tubular sections ( 1 ), ( 8 ), may be formed using standard braiding techniques, for example, to which the yarn of additional material ( 14 ) is added. In some embodiments, the material ( 14 ) is the same type of yarn as is used to form the 8-end tubular braid ( 1 ) and 8-end and 4-end flat braid sections ( 13 ). In other embodiments, the material ( 14 ) can be a yarn of the same material type having a greater density (tex) than the yarn of the tubular braid ( 1 ). In other embodiments, the material ( 14 ) can be a yarn having at least one attribute different from the corresponding attribute of the yarn of the tubular braid ( 1 ) (e.g., higher modulus of elasticity). [0019] The material ( 14 ) exits from the 8-end tubular braid ( 1 ) at transition point ( 2 ). During flat braiding, as described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/034,053, when the two 4-end flat braid adjacent selvages are not being interwoven (and therefore a gap is formed), the material ( 14 ) can be passed from one side of the braiding machine to the other. The passing of the material ( 14 ) can be accomplished by a number of mechanical methods such as, but not limited to, a shuttle mechanism, a robotic arm, a pick and place mechanism, or the like. [0020] When the two 4-end flat braids are brought together and the adjacent selvages are interwoven the material ( 14 ) is trapped. Therefore at gap opening ( 9 ) the material ( 14 ) passes to the back of the flat braid. At gap opening ( 10 ) the material ( 14 ) passes to the front of the flat braid. At gap opening ( 11 ) the material ( 14 ) passes to the back of the flat braid. At gap opening ( 12 ) the material ( 14 ) passes to the front of the flat braid. The material ( 14 ) enters the 8-end tubular braid ( 8 ) at transition point ( 7 ). When the braid is under tension, the tubular braid collapses around the material ( 14 ) trapping it and keeping it from slipping creating the reinforcing spine. [0021] In another embodiment, FIG. 5 shows a schematic of an 8-end tubular braid ( 32 a ) in a 1 over 1 construction braided over material ( 29 ). At transition point ( 31 a ) the tubular braid ( 32 a ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 33 a ), ( 34 a ) creating bifurcation ( 30 a ) and exposing the tubular braid inner core passageway opening ( 35 a ) allowing the material ( 29 ) to be pulled to the front side. At transition point ( 36 a ) the two 4-end flat braids ( 33 a ), ( 34 a ) change to an 8-end tubular braid ( 32 b ). [0022] At transition point ( 31 b ) the tubular braid ( 32 b ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 33 b ), ( 34 b ) creating bifurcation ( 30 b ) allowing the material ( 29 ) to be pulled to the back side. [0023] At transition point ( 36 b ) the two 4-end flat braids ( 33 b ), ( 34 b ) change to an 8-end tubular braid ( 32 c ). [0024] At transition point ( 31 c ) the tubular braid ( 32 c ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 33 c ), ( 34 c ) creating bifurcation ( 30 c ) allowing the material ( 29 ) to be pulled to the front side. [0025] At transition point ( 36 c ) the two 4-end flat braids ( 33 c ), ( 34 c ) change to an 8-end tubular braid ( 32 d ). [0026] At transition point ( 31 d ) the tubular braid ( 32 d ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 33 d ), ( 34 d ) creating bifurcation ( 30 d ) and exposing the tubular braid inner core passageway opening ( 35 b ) allowing material ( 29 ) to reinserted and the 8-end tubular braid ( 32 e ) to be braided over material ( 29 ). [0027] This process can be executed for as few as two bifurcations or as many as desired. In addition, the lengths of the tubular braids and bifurcation braids can be as long or short as desired and do not have to be equal lengths. If appropriate, tubular and/or bifurcation braids can be skipped. [0028] In another embodiment, FIG. 6 shows a schematic of an 8-end tubular braid ( 38 a ) in a 1 over 1 construction with external material ( 37 ). At transition point ( 39 a ) the tubular braid ( 38 a ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 40 a ), ( 41 a ) creating bifurcation ( 43 a ) allowing the material ( 37 ) to be pulled to the front side. At transition point ( 44 a ) the two 4-end flat braids ( 40 a ), ( 41 a ) change to an 8-end tubular braid ( 38 b ). [0029] At transition point ( 39 b ) the tubular braid ( 38 b ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 40 b ), ( 41 b ) creating bifurcation ( 43 b ) allowing the material ( 37 ) to be pulled to the back side. [0030] At transition point ( 44 b ) the two 4-end flat braids ( 40 b ), ( 41 b ) change to an 8-end tubular braid ( 38 c ). [0031] At transition point ( 39 c ) the tubular braid ( 38 c ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 40 c ), ( 41 c ) creating bifurcation ( 43 c ) allowing the material ( 37 ) to be pulled to the front side. [0032] At transition point ( 44 c ) the two 4-end flat braids ( 40 c ), ( 41 c ) change to an 8-end tubular braid ( 38 d ). [0033] At transition point ( 39 d ) the tubular braid ( 38 d ) changes to two 4-end flat braids ( 40 d ), ( 41 d ) creating bifurcation ( 43 d ) allowing material ( 37 ) to be pulled to the back side. [0034] This process can be executed for as little as one bifurcation or as many as required. In addition, the lengths of the tubular braids and bifurcation braids can be as long or short as required and do not have to be equal lengths. If needed tubular and/or bifurcation braids can be skipped. [0035] Any combinations of these configurations can be created by controlling when tubular, bifurcations and/or flats are braided along with the movement of the external material. [0036] FIG. 4 a - 4 q shows the steps in the process for braiding a tube to flat to tube with an included spine of material ( 14 ). FIG. 1 , 2 features are referenced. In FIGS. 4 a - 4 q, the horngears 8 a - 8 f and 24 a - 24 b of the braiding machine are shown schematically using the same convention as in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/034,053, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. Details of the braiding machine, and use of the bifurcation gates are not repeated herein. [0037] FIG. 4 a shows the position of the material supply ( 15 ) in its position in relation to the braiding carriers ( 16 ) for the tubular portion ( 1 ), ( 8 ) of the process. The orientation, FRONT and BACK, represents that of FIG. 3 . In the FIG. 4 a position the carriers braid around the outside of the material. Neither of the bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) are activated. The tubular braid can be as long as appropriate for a given application or specification. [0038] In FIG. 4 b the carriers have reached the bifurcation position with one set of bifurcation gates ( 17 ) activated and the second set of bifurcation gates ( 18 ) inactivated, the material supply ( 15 ) moves out of the braid area. This corresponds to transition point ( 2 ). [0039] FIG. 4 c is the configuration for 8-end flat braiding. The braiding carriers ( 16 ) travel in the closed path to create the 8-end flat braid ( 3 ) with the material in the front of the braid. The 8-end flat can be as long as desired. [0040] FIG. 4 d is the configuration for the two 4-end flat braids. The bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) activate and the two 4-end braids ( 5 ), ( 6 ) are braided creating the gap opening ( 9 ). The length of the gap opening is typically 1 to 2 picks but can be as long as desired. [0041] In FIG. 4 e the two 4-end flat braiding ( 5 ), ( 6 ) has completed with both sets of bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) activated. The material ( 15 ) is passed from the front to the back moving the material through the gap opening ( 9 ). [0042] In FIG. 4 f the carriers braid 8-end flat braid ( 25 ) with the material in the back of the braid. The braid ( 25 ) can be as long as desired. [0043] In FIG. 4 g the bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) are activated and the carriers braid two 4-end flat braids ( 19 ), ( 20 ) creating gap opening ( 10 ) typically 1 to 2 picks in length but can be as long as desired. [0044] In FIG. 4 h the two 4-end flat braiding ( 19 ), ( 20 ) has completed with both sets of bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) activated. The material ( 15 ) is passed from the back to the front moving the material through the gap opening ( 10 ). [0045] In FIG. 4 i the carriers braid 8-end flat braid ( 26 ) with the material in the front of the braid. The braid ( 26 ) can be as long as desired. [0046] In FIG. 4 j the bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) are activated and the carriers braid two 4-end flat braids ( 21 ), ( 22 ) creating gap opening ( 11 ) typically 1 to 2 picks but can be as long as desired. [0047] In FIG. 4 k the two 4-end flat braiding ( 21 ), ( 22 ) has completed with both sets of bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) activated. The material ( 15 ) is passed from the front to the back moving the material through the gap opening ( 11 ). [0048] In FIG. 4 l the carriers braid 8-end flat braid ( 27 ) with the material in the back of the braid. The braid ( 27 ) can be as long as desired. [0049] In FIG. 4 m the bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) are activated and the carriers braid two 4-end flat braids ( 23 ), ( 24 ) creating gap opening ( 12 ) typically 1 to 2 picks but can be as long as desired. [0050] In FIG. 4 n the two 4-end flat braiding ( 23 ), ( 24 ) has completed with both sets of bifurcation gates ( 17 ), ( 18 ) activated. The material ( 15 ) is passed from the front to the back moving the material through the gap opening ( 12 ). [0051] In FIG. 4 o the carriers braid 8-end flat braid ( 28 ) with the material ( 15 ) in the front of the braid. The braid ( 28 ) can be as long as desired. [0052] In FIG. 4 p the 8-end flat braid ( 28 ) has been completed and the material ( 15 ) is passed into the center of the carriers. This corresponds to transition point ( 7 ). [0053] In FIG. 4 q the carriers braid around the material ( 15 ) creating the tubular section ( 8 ). [0054] For embodiments of FIGS. 2 and 6 the number of gaps, as long as it is an even number, and the length of the gaps and the tubular and flat braids is not limited. For embodiment of FIG. 6 the number of gaps can be either even or odd and the length of the gaps and the tubular and flat braids is not limited. The total number of ends for either the tubular or flat braids , as long as it is divisible by 4 , are also not limited. The material can be any material with the property of being able to be braided such as, but not limited to, nylon, high tenacity polyester, fiberglass, carbon, wire, Poly-paraphenylene terephthalamide (such as, e.g., “KEVLAR®” para-aramid fibers sold by E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company of Wilmington, Del., or Ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE, UHMW), such as “DYNEEMA®” fibers sold by Koninklijke DSM N.V., Heerlen, the Netherlands. [0055] Although the invention has been described in terms of exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the appended claims should be construed broadly, to include other variants and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of equivalents of the invention.
A continuous braid structure has one or more first braid sections, each having a respective single flat braid or a respective single tubular braid. A plurality of second braid sections each have at least two flat braids with a gap between them. The second braid sections alternate with the one or more first braid sections. The adjacent first and second braid sections are continuous with each other. A length of material extends through the respective gap of at least one of the one or more second braid sections, so the length of material crosses one or more times between a first side of the continuous braid and a second side of the continuous braid.
3
BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to intake and/or exhaust valves for reciprocating internal-combustion engines, specifically: (1) structures within a cylinder head that provide passages for delivering an air-fuel mixture to a combustion chamber and for removing combustion-product exhaust gasses: (2) a configuration of valves that control the flow of the air-fuel mixture into and the combustion products out of the combustion chamber; and (3) the mechanisms to operate the valves. 2. Prior Art Reciprocating spark-ignition and compression-ignition internal combustion engines have generally used poppet valves for fuel and/or air intake and combustion product exhaust as appropriate. All four-stroke. spark-ignition engines currently in production use poppet valves. An engine's efficiency or power output can be increased if the area of its valves can be maximized. To increase valve area, many manufacturers are currently making multiple-valve engines, some very complex examples having as many as eight valves per cylinder. Circular poppet valves have inherent geometric limitations. Poppet valves cannot use all of the available area of a cylinder head. No matter how many small, circular poppet valves are used, there will always be unused areas among the valves, the cylinder edges, and the spark plug or fuel injector. Engines with total valve area substantially smaller than available cylinder head area are inherently inefficient. The valve openings are constrictions to the flow of fuel-air mixtures and exhaust gasses. The engine must perform unproductive work to move these gasses across the constriction. These are commonly referred to as pumping losses. In addition, there is a pressure drop across the valve constrictions while the fuel-air mixture is flowing into the cylinder. This pressure drop limits the amount of fuel-air mixture that can enter the cylinder unless expensive, complex supercharging is used. Finally, poppet valves are inherently asymmetrical to the cylinder axis. The fuel-air mixture is not uniformly distributed within the cylinder or around the spark plug that initiates combustion. Poppet valves can contribute to incomplete combustion with attendant loss of engine efficiency and increased unburned hydrocarbons in the exhaust stream. OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION This invention proposes a circular, concentric arrangement for engine valves and ports that can use all available cylinder head area for intake and exhaust. The concentric engine valve arrangement provides even and symmetrical distribution of the intake mixture and improved scavenging of exhaust products. Accordingly, objects and advantages of my invention are: (1) to overcome the inherent geometric limitations of poppet valves; (2) to reduce the pressure drop across engine intake and exhaust valves as compared to poppet valves; (3) to reduce the amount of unproductive work that an engine must perform by pumping intake mixtures and exhaust gasses; (4) to enhance even, symmetrical distribution of the intake fuel-air mixture to promote complete combustion; (5) to promote complete scavenging of combustion products from the engine cylinder; and (6) to increase engine efficiency and reduce the generation of pollutants by reducing pumping losses and ensuring complete, even combustion. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES The drawings are informal and are not necessarily to scale. Exact dimensions and configuration will vary according to engine application. Closely related drawings have the same figure number but different suffixes. Parts numbers are consistent throughout the drawings and are described and referred to in subsequent sections of this application. FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a four-cycle spark-ignition engine using the concentric valve arrangement according to the invention. FIGS. 2(A) through 2(D) are shaded perspective views showing the operation of the concentric intake and exhaust valves during the four stroke cycles of the engine. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the engine taken on line 3--3 of on the vertical axis FIG. 1 on the vertical axis, and shows the configuration of the annular, concentric intake and exhaust ports. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view similar to FIG. 1 except that the engine block, valves, and stems have been removed and the view is tilted slightly away from the viewer to help show the annular ports and the valve seating surfaces. FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the partially assembled valves, stems, operating plates, springs and various fittings. FIG. 6(A) is a cross-sectional plan view on line 6--6 of FIG. 1, and shows the intake and exhaust ports and the top of the valves. FIG. 6(B) is an alternate configuration that accommodates the use of multiple intake ports. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional plan view on line 7--7 of FIG. 1, immediately above the valves and shows the annular configuration of the intake and exhaust ports. FIG. 8(A) is a plan view with the cams and intake and exhaust valve operating forks removed, showing the valve operating plates and a method for connecting the valve stems and springs where the exhaust stems and springs are coaxial. FIG. 8(B) is a similar view of an alternate embodiment where the exhaust stems and springs are not coaxial. FIG. 9(A) is a plan view with the cams removed and shows the configuration of the intake and exhaust valve operating forks that act as cam followers, and their relation to the valve operating plates. FIG. 9(B) is a similar view of a low-friction alternate configuration that uses rollers on the operating forks to contact the cam lobes and valve operating plates. FIGS. 10(A) through 10(C) are perspective drawings of alternative configurations of the opening forks. FIGS. 11(A) through 11(D) repeat the view of FIG. 1 and show the position of all parts during each of the four strokes of a four-cycle engine. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The drawings and the following discussion concern a typical internal combustion engine using concentric ring valves; concentric, annular intake and exhaust passages; and operating hardware according to the invention. There is no discussion of cooling and lubrication, which are within the skill of the art. Similarly, there is no discussion of minor fasteners, brackets, stiffeners, braces, and gussets that might be applied by the engine designer. The selection of materials and manufacturing processes needed to produce the invention are conventional in nature and are not discussed here. The cylinder block 11 and crankshaft structure 15 (shown schematically) are generally conventional. The invention relates to an improved internal combustion engine having a cylinder head defining annular intake and exhaust ports and to which are mounted concentric intake and exhaust ring valves; and the hardware necessary to actuate the valves. A typical embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 1 which represents a single cylinder of a spark-ignition, four-stroke internal combustion engine with double overhead camshafts. The configuration shown in this and subsequent figures do not represent the only possible configuration or even the preferred choice. Details of the configuration of the invention will vary according to the overall arrangement of the engine to which the invention is being applied. Conventional engine materials and manufacturing methods can be used to produce the invention. Each ring valve (14, 16) is a circular disk with a hole in its center. The ring valves are not flat but are shaped to match the surface of a truncated cone as shown in FIG. 1. The seat contact surfaces of the ring valve disks are on the convex side and meet the seating surfaces of the cylinder head (12). The ring valves are coaxial with the engine cylinder and each other. The intake ring valve (16) has a hole in its center to accommodate a spark plug (18) in a spark-ignition engine and a fuel injector in a compression-ignition engine, received in a passage 18 open at one end to the outer surface of the engine and having a port in communication with the combustion chamber 13 at its opposite end. The exhaust valve (14), also ring-shaped, is located on the outside perimeter of the intake valve. The surface area of the intake and exhaust valve openings is generally equal, but can be varied widely according to the needs of the engine designer. The conical shape of the ring valves makes them generally self-centering with the cylinder axis even with variations in size due to thermal expansion and contraction. The conical shape also slightly increases the effective area of the cylinder head. The seat contact surfaces for each ring valve disk are located on its upper surface at both the inner and outer perimeters. As shown in FIG. 2(A), the intake ring valve (16) is opened downward during the intake stroke of the engine. The fuel-air mixture enters the combustion chamber (13) through the hole in the center of the valve as well as around its periphery. Thus, the intake charge is evenly and symmetrically distributed in the combustion chamber. During the compression and expansion strokes (FIGS. 2(B) and 2(C) respectively) the valves are closed. The exhaust valve (14) is opened downward during the exhaust stroke (FIG. 2(D)) and combustion products are scavenged from all areas of the combustion chamber. Ports (20, 22) that allow the intake charge to reach the combustion chamber and remove exhaust gasses are also concentric with the cylinder axis and generally annular in configuration. The cross-sectional area of the ports is generally constant, thus there is no constriction to gas flow at the valves. FIG. 3, perpendicular on the vertical axis to FIG. 1, shows how the intake port is annular and concentric to the spark plug and the exhaust port annulus surrounds them both. FIG. 4 further demonstrates the configuration of the annular intake (20) and exhaust (22) ports. The figure shows the cut-away of the cylinder head (12) from FIG. 1. The valves (14,16) and their stems (24,26) are removed for clarity. The drawing is tilted away from the viewer slightly. This view exposes the seating surfaces on the head (12). An inner seating surface (12a) is used exclusively by the intake valve. An outer seating surface (12c) is used exclusively by the exhaust valve. A common seating surface (12b) is shared by both valves. FIG. 4 also shows how the exhaust port (22) passes under the intake port (20) on one side of the engine so that there is complete coverage of the periphery of the cylinder. FIG. 6(A) further illustrates the annular configuration of the ports and shows how part of the exhaust port (22) must pass under the intake port (20). The alternate design shown in FIG. 6(B) demonstrates how the intake port (20) can be configured to accommodate dual intake ports. This allows the use of high-speed and low-speed intake runners, a contemporary practice for multi-valve engines. FIG. 7 shows the entire exhaust port (22). If necessary for structural rigidity, braces may be placed within the annular port passages. These braces, if used, would be shaped and oriented to control the flow of the intake fuel-air mixture, imparting a spin on the intake charge to further enhance mixing and distribution within the combustion chamber. For clarity, braces are not shown in the drawings. As shown in FIGS. 6 and 7, the intake valve is typically actuated by three valve stems (24), and the exhaust valve is similarly actuated by three stems (26). Except for their length, the intake and exhaust stems are nearly identical. Each valve stem is fitted into an engagement block (14a, 16a) that is integral with the upper surface of the ring valve (14, 16). See FIG. 5. FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the valves (14, 16), the exhaust valve stems (24), the intake and exhaust valve operating plates (36 and 38, respectively), exhaust and intake valve closing springs (32 and 34, respectively), and various other hardware. Each ring valve is fitted with multiple valve stems (24), sliding axially within a like number of intake valve stem guides (28) and exhaust valve stem guides (30). In the example shown there are three stems for each valve. The stems are not rigidly attached to the ring valves. Instead, crossbars e.g., 24B on the lower ends of the stems 24 are loosely fitted into the engagement blocks (14a, 16a). The perpendicular grooves in the engagement blocks are made slightly larger that the valve stems and crossbars, thus permitting the ring valves to have some freedom for lateral movement relative to the stems. This permits self centering and allows for thermal changes to prevent the stems from binding in the valve guides (28, 30). The valve stems are connected at their upper ends to operating plates, one for the intake valve (36) and one for the exhaust valve (38). Each operating plate is a flat disk with a hole in its center. In the application shown, the intake operating plate fits within the central hole in the exhaust operating plate. The central hole in the intake operating plate (36) provides access to the cylinder head for a spark plug for spark-ignition engines. This channel would be used for a centrally located fuel injector for compression-ignition engines. The operating plates are supported by compressed helical springs (32, 34). The operating springs (32, 34) bias the operating plates 36, 38), the valve stems (24, 26), and the valves (14,16) toward the raised (valve shut) position. In the arrangement shown in the figures, there are three small operating springs (34) for the exhaust valve and a single, larger operating spring (32) for the intake valve. In the arrangement shown, the valve stems are connected to the operating plates by spring locators (48) and valve stem keepers (50) that fit into grooves (24c) at the end of the valve stems. The spring locators (48) are below the operating plate (36, 38) and prevent the springs from moving laterally. The spring locators also transmit downward motion of the operating plate to the valve stem. The valve stem keepers ((50) are above the operating plate. The valve stem keepers (50) thus also transmit spring bias to the valve stems (24, 26). The locators and keepers may be held in place by a variety of methods, including pins or set screws (not shown). FIGS. 8(A) and 8(B) are plan views of the operating plates (36, 38) showing with alternate possible relationships of the plates, the stems, the connecting hardware, and the operating springs. As shown in FIG. 1, the operating plates, the springs, and the upper ends of the stems are located atop the cylinder head (12) and are out of the intake and exhaust streams. Valve guides (28, 30) seal the valve stems (24, 26). Each operating plate (40, 42) is moved in the downward (valve open) direction, increasing the compression of the springs, by a valve operating fork (40, 42), so named because of its shape as shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B). The intake fork (40) moves the intake operating plate (36) and an exhaust fork (42) moves the exhaust operating plate (38). The forks translate the rotary motion of the camshafts (44, 46) to the reciprocating motion of the operating plates and the valves. In the application illustrated, each fork moves about a shaft (40b and 42b, respectively) providing a fulcrum point at the end of the fork. The opposite end of each fork (40, 42) is split into two tines, each of which contacts the fork's respective operating plate (36, 38). FIG. 9(B) shows an alternate configuration where the operating forks are fitted with rollers (40 and 40c, and 42a and 42c) where the forks contact the cam and the operating plate. The embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 9(A) and 9(B) uses dual overhead camshafts. However, the forks can also be adapted for single overhead camshaft actuation, or by an underhead camshaft using pushrods to actuate the forks. FIG. 10 is a rough perspective view of some of the possible variations in the configuration of the operating forks. These alternatives would be selected by the engine designer to accommodate the overall configuration of the engine. FIG. 10(A) shows intake and exhaust forks that would be actuated by separate overhead camshafts. This double-overhead camshaft version is also shown in FIGS. 1 through 9. FIG. 10(B) shows an arrangement where the forks can be mounted on a common pivot shaft and operated by a single overhead camshaft. FIG. 10(C) shows a potential configuration for the forks where they would be operated by pushrods from a single camshaft that is located in the engine block. EXPLANATION OF HOW INVENTION OPERATES FIGS. 11(A) through 11(D) illustrate the operation of the ring valves (14, 16) during the four strokes of a gasoline engine. The view of the figures is identical to FIG. 1. During the intake stroke, shown in FIG. 11(A), the intake cam (44) lobe presses downward on the intake operating fork (40). The fork presses down on the intake operating plate (36) at two points. The operating plate (36) and the three valve stems (24) move downward, forcing the intake ring valve (16) open. The fuel-air mixture is drawn into the intake port (20) from the engine's external induction system (carburetor, fuel injector, etc.). The intake fuel-air mixture enters the combustion chamber (13) from the annular intake port (20). The fuel-air mixture passes through the hole in the center of the intake ring valve (16) as well as around its periphery and is distributed more or less evenly throughout the combustion chamber (13). At the end of the intake stroke, the cam lobe (44) moves off of the intake fork (40) allowing the compressed operating spring (32) to shut the intake ring valve (16). During the compression stroke (FIG. 11(B)) and the expansion stroke (FIG. 11(C)) the cams (44, 46) are positioned such that both ring valves (14, 16) remain shut. During the exhaust stroke (FIG. 11(D)), the exhaust cam lobe (46) forces the exhaust fork (42), exhaust operating plate (38), valve stems (26), and exhaust ring valve (14) into the open position. Combustion-product exhaust gasses leave the combustion chamber (13) primarily through the hole in the center of the exhaust ring valve (14), although a portion of the exhaust gasses pass around the ring valve's periphery. After exiting the combustion chamber (13), exhaust gasses enter the annular, concentric exhaust port (22) from which they are routed into the engine's external exhaust system. After the exhaust cam lobe (46) moves off of the exhaust fork (42), the exhaust ring valve (14) is shut by the three operating springs (34). CONCLUSION From the preceding, it can be seen that this invention overcomes many of the limitations of conventional popper valves. The entire area of the cylinder head can be put to a useful purpose, either for intake and exhaust or for the necessary spark plug (or central fuel injector for diesel engines). Because of geometric limitations, poppet valves must have wasted head space between them. This is not so with concentric ring valves. Poppet valves do not distribute the fuel-air mixture within the combustion chamber in a uniform manner. Concentric ring valves introduce the fuel-air mixture in a manner that is symmetrical throughout the combustion chamber. This contributes to uniform distribution of the mixture throughout the combustion chamber which should enhance complete combustion. This, in turn, will lead to more power, better fuel efficiency, and lower hydrocarbon emissions for an engine of given displacement. Additionally, no exotic materials or manufacturing methods are required. Concentric ring valves and concentric, annular ports according to the invention can be adapted to any internal combustion engine that uses valves. A wide variety of configurations is available to meet the needs of individual engine designs. The configurations presented in this application are representative of only a few variants. The selection of one ring valve configuration over another is a function of engine design more than any other factor. It should further be recognized that use in the above specification and in the following claims of terms of relative orientation, e.g., use of the terms "upper", "over", "upwardly" and the like, do not imply any limitation on the relative orientation of the engine of the invention in use, but are provided merely to make clear the relation of the components thereof. These terms are used with respect to the orientation of the engine shown in the Figures.
An internal-combustion-engine cylinder head has a concentric, annular passages to admit an intake charge into a combustion chamber and to remove combustion product exhaust gasses. Each of these passages is isolated from the combustion chamber by the closure of concentric ring valves coaxial with the engine cylinder. Mechanical devices are provided to actuate the valves according to the timing of an engine camshaft. The actuating mechanisms comprise multiple valve stems, concentric operating plates, fork-shaped actuators, and connecting devices.
5
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/US2007/000110, filed Jan. 3, 2007. This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/759,172 filed Jan. 13, 2006 and U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/855,786 filed Nov. 1, 2006, the entire specifications of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The field of the present invention is that of clutch assemblies and friction plates used therein. More particularly the present invention relates to clutch assemblies and friction plates used in automotive transmissions. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In many modern automotive automatic transmissions, particularly of the design known as Lepelltier layout, a single clutch in the transmission will be required to perform its function under widely different conditions, depending on the gear ratio in which the transmission is functioning. There is a need to have good smooth engagement properties in one gear with low torque capacity requirements, and very high holding torque requirements while engaged in another gear. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To meet the aforementioned need, the present invention provides a clutch assembly having good smooth engagement properties in one gear with low torque capacity requirements, and very high holding torque requirements while engaged in another gear. The present invention additionally provides friction plates that are highly useful in such clutch assemblies. Other features of the invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art as the invention is further revealed in the accompanying drawings and detailed description of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial sectional view of a clutch assembly of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an operational view of the clutch assembly of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of a preferred embodiment friction plate of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 3 . FIG. 5 is a front elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment friction plate of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a view taken along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 5 . FIGS. 7 and 8 are schematic views illustrating the use of the friction plate shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment friction plate of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a front elevational view of an alternate preferred embodiment friction plate of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIG. 1 a clutch assembly 7 of the present invention is provided. The clutch has two rotating members provided by a hub 10 and clutch housing 12 . The clutch housing 12 mounts a plurality of axially moveable pressure plates 14 . The pressure plates 14 have a splined connection along their outer diameter with the clutch housing 14 . A snap ring 16 provides a stop for the pressure plates 14 . Juxtaposing the pressure plates 14 are a plurality of friction plates 18 having their inner diameters mounted on a splined portion of the hub 10 . At least one of the friction plates 18 and preferably all of them has a friction facing 20 with multiple coefficients of friction. The friction plate 18 has a friction facing 20 with a radially inward first friction facing 22 of a first height 24 and a first coefficient of friction. The friction plate 18 also has a radially outward second friction facing 26 having a second lower height 28 and a second coefficient of friction that is higher than the first coefficient of friction. A piston 30 mounted in the clutch housing 12 is provided for actuating the friction pack provided by the pressure plates 14 and friction plates 18 . The piston 30 contacts one of the pressure plates 14 along a radially outward portion of the pressure plates 14 displaced radially outward of a radial centerline 34 of the friction plate friction facing 20 . Upon initial actuation of the piston 30 , the radial inner portion of the pressure plates 14 contacts the first friction facings 22 . Separation still exists between the pressure plates 14 and the second friction facings 26 . Accordingly, the clutch 7 exhibits the characteristic of a clutch with smooth shifting qualities due to the first friction facing 22 . Upon further actuation of the piston 30 , the friction pack experiences a contracting axial deflection along its outer radial plane of rotation. The deflection will be a function of contact of the piston 30 with the pressure plates 14 outward of the of the radial centerline 34 of the friction plate facing 20 and a compression of the first friction facing 22 due to the gap with the second friction facings 26 . The aforementioned deflection increases the pressure upon the first friction facing 22 compressing the same. Further pressure by the piston 30 required when the clutch 7 is in a high torque holding operation causes the second friction facing 26 to additionally be engaged by the pressure plates 14 ( FIG. 2 ). The additional frictional engagement with the second friction facings 26 with its increased coefficient of friction greatly enhances the clutch's 7 holding torque. Referring to FIG. 9 , an alternate embodiment friction plate 107 is provided having a first facing 110 and a second facing 112 . The first friction facing 110 and the second friction facing 112 have the same height. The second friction facing 112 has a higher coefficient of friction. When the friction plate 107 is used in clutch 7 , the contracting radial deflections of the clutch assembly increases the proportion of the piston load carried by facing 112 relative to facing 110 . The proportionally increased force carried by facing 112 increases the torque carrying capacity of the clutch assembly. This effect can also be enhanced by having the modulus of compression of facing 110 and 112 different with friction facing 110 having a lower modulus of compressibility (less stiff). The aforementioned facing 22 and 26 ( FIGS. 1 and 2 ) can also have a differential modulus of compressibility contributing to the differential loading due to the contracting axial deflection. Referring to FIG. 10 , an alternate embodiment friction plate 157 is provided having a first friction facing 158 that encompasses a plurality of button second friction facings 160 . The second friction facing 160 has a greater coefficient of friction and modulus of compressibility than the first friction facing 158 . The second friction facing 160 has a lower height. In operation, the friction plate 157 functions in a manner to those friction plates previously described. The second friction facings 160 tend to run hotter when engaged with a pressure plate an accordingly encircled by an oil groove 164 that intersects the radial edges 166 and 168 of the facing. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4 , a preferred embodiment friction plate 207 useful in the clutch assembly of the present invention and other conventional clutches is shown. The friction plate 207 in the present example is a wet type friction plate. The friction plate 207 has a core plate 210 . The core plate 210 is typically fabricated from carbon steel or plastic. An inner diameter of the core plate 210 has spline teeth 12 to provide a torsional interface with a drive member. In another embodiment (not shown), the core plate 210 may be connected with a torsional damper. In still another embodiment (not shown), the core plate may have spline teeth on an outer diameter. Connected along a major continuous circumference of the core plate 210 on at least one side, and as shown both sides, is a first friction facing 214 . The first friction facing 214 is typically a fiber type friction facing such as BW 1777 or BW 4300 or other suitable material. The first facing 214 typically has a static coefficient of friction in the range of 0.12 to 0.14 and a dynamic coefficient of friction in range of 0.14 to 0.16. The first facing 214 can be connected with the core 210 by adhesives or other suitable techniques. The first facing 214 can have a height 218 preferably in the range of 0.4 to 1.0 mm. Radially separated outward from a first facing 214 and connected with the core plate 210 along a major continuous circumference is a second facing 222 . The second facing 222 may be similarly fabricated as the material in the first facing 214 , or of an alternate composition and fabrication, but in either case having a different coefficient of friction. In the example shown in FIG. 1 the second facing 222 has a higher static coefficient of friction in the range of 0.16 to 0.22 and a dynamic coefficient of friction in the range of 0.15 to 0.22. The second facing 222 has a height 224 preferably in the range of 0.05 mm to 0.15 less than the height 218 of the first facing 214 . Referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 , an alternate preferred embodiment friction plate 237 has a unitary friction disc providing a first facing 238 integrally formed with a second facing 244 . The first facing 238 is radially separated by a groove 240 from the second facing 244 . The core plate 210 can be identical to the core plate previously described for friction plate 237 . The facings 238 and 244 are fabricated from a fiber based friction material and have heights 245 and 247 comparable to those previously described. The fiber based friction material can be a fibrous material with or without various additives to modify its frictional characteristics. The second facing 244 has a higher static and dynamic coefficient of friction due to being saturated with a higher concentration of friction modifying saturant. Examples of such a saturant are phenolic, epoxy, polyimide, or silicone materials, blends thereof, or other suitable materials. Saturation levels vary from 5-60 percent by weight with higher concentrations typically enhancing friction properties. The groove 240 is provided to aid in the prevention of wicking of the saturant from the second facing 244 to the first facing 238 during fabrication. The groove 240 can be formed or milled into the facings before, after, or during connection of the facings with the core plate 210 . The presence of the groove 240 allows the manufacture of friction plates with different frictional properties for different transmissions or different locations within a transmission or clutch pack using the same common materials. The specific frictional characteristics on any given friction plate can be custom selected by simply determining the saturation concentration of the separate friction facings. The saturating operation can be performed before or after connection of the facings with the core plate 210 . In operation ( FIGS. 7 and 8 ), the friction plate 207 (friction facing being shown on only one side of the friction plate 207 for illustrative purposes only) is torsionally connected with a first rotating member 262 . A rotating disc 264 is provided which is torsionally connected with a second shaft 68 . The disc 264 and the friction plate 207 can move axially relative to one another to torsionally engage. Upon initial engagement, the disc 264 first contacts the first facing 214 without contacting the second facing 222 . This above noted action allows smooth initial engagement for a gearshift operation. The increased pressure to the disc 264 compresses the first friction facing 214 to a height of the second friction facing 222 and begins to engage the second facing 222 . The disc 264 then engages with both facings 214 and 222 to provide a high holding torque. Differences in the coefficients of friction, surface area, radial widths and radius of the facings 214 , 222 can be specified so that either facings may transmit more torque when both facings 214 , 222 are engaged with the disc 264 . In most applications, the deformation of the first facing 214 should be such that under clutch engagement pressures it compresses to the facing thickness of the second facing 222 . The deformation characteristics of the second facing 222 are such that as additional pressure is applied to the locked up clutch pack, the majority of the additional load is carried on the second facing 222 . While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed, it is to be understood it has been described by way of example only, and various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as it is encompassed in the following claims.
A friction plate is provided including ,a core plate, a core plate first friction facing having a first radius and a first height; and a core plate second friction facing having a second radius differing from the first radius and a second height differing from the first height and having a coefficient of friction differing from a coefficient of friction of the first friction facing, wherein both of the facings are formed from an integral base fiber type friction facing material and wherein the difference in coefficients of friction is due to a percentage of a friction modifying saturant in the facings and wherein there is a groove separating the facings.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a panel construction, particularly for movable office partitions. 2. Prior Art In the prior art, various divider screens or panels have been advanced. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,605,851 shows a type of panel construction which is multi-layered, utilizing at least one extrusion along the outer vertical edges for holding the support members in an assembly. FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate a typical panel construction. However, sound absorption and strength have continued to be a problem in movable partitions or panels, and ease of fabrication, together with speed of assembly are desired goals. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a panel construction which permits rapid assembly, has adequate space within a perimeter frame for sound absorbing materials, and provides means for rapidly attaching an outer fabric or other flexible covering over the core assembly. The framework provides sturdy support for the panel and the individual interior components and permits supporting the panel on feet members from below the panel. The feet members are used for supporting a raceway having flexible side walls that may be hinged outwardly for access. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary side elevational view of two panels made according to the present invention shown with a connecting post in position between the two panels, with parts and sections of parts broken away; FIG. 2 is a view of the frame construction utilized with the panel of the present invention; FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken as on line 3--3 in FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is the enlarged perspective view showing a vertical upright frame member and a cross member or rib in position to be assembled with the upright member; FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken as along line 5--5 of FIG. 1; FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken as along line 6--6 of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view taken as on the line 7--7 in FIG. 1; and FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken as on line 8--8 in FIG. 7 with parts in section and parts broken away. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT A panel construction illustrated generally at 10 made according to the present invention is shown installed relative to a center connecting post in a desired manner. The post 11, also supports a second panel 12 of similar construction. The panels include a perimeter frame 14. Various interior materials can be utilized for noise and vibration control and the basic perimeter frame provides rigidity, ease of assembly and good performance. Perimeter frame 14 includes a pair of vertical channel shaped end members 15,15. These vertical end members have a base wall 16, side walls 17,17, and have inturned spaced, parallel wall portions 18 which define a central channel. The side walls 17,17 have continuous ribs 21 formed along the length thereof. The vertical frame members are joined at the top and bottom by horizontal frame members 22 and 23, respectively, and these frame members are identical in cross sectional shape, as shown in FIG. 7. The members 22 and 23 have offset upper portions 24 which form a shoulder for the side panels. The members 22 and 23 also have lower side walls 25. At the lower ends of the side walls 25, there are inturned edges 26, which are serrated. The serrations form teeth as shown indicated at 27 in FIG. 8, spaced evenly along the length of the horizontal members. These teeth are sharp and flattened at their outer ends, and are used for retaining a fabric cover as will be more fully explained. Both the upper and lower horizontal frame members are substantially identical in cross section as previously stated, and both have the teeth extending along the longitudinal length of such members. The upper and lower edge frame members rest on the ends of the vertical frame members and have tabs 28 (FIG. 2) at the opposite ends which are bent out of the inner walls of the channels. The vertical frame members which are shown in FIG. 4 are provided with partially shear formed bands 30 forming receptacles along the wall 16, and positioned at desired intervals. The tabs 28 are held in the end receptacles 30. The intermediate bands 30 form pockets or receptacles into which tabs indicated at 31 of cross members 32 are placed for support. Thus, in the assembly, the top frame members and members 32 can be mounted in the vertical frame members by placing the tabs into selected pockets, for proper positioning, and after squaring, the tabs can be welded into place with a tack weld or a spot weld so that the members 32 and the vertical frame members form an assembly. The horizontal frame members also are attached to the vertical frame members with welds, to form the rigid perimeter frame 14 as shown in FIG. 2. For lateral strength (into the plane of the panel), a sheet of expanded metal indicated generally at 40 is attached to the vertical and horizontal members of the perimeter frame on each side of the frame assembly. The expanded metal sheets 40 are attached by spot welding at desired intervals between the solid portions of the expanded metal sheets and the ribs 21,21 on the vertical frame members. Referring to FIG. 7, it can be seen that the upper and lower horizontal frame members also have ribs 29 formed in the walls 24. The sheets 40 of expanded metal are also spot welded to the ribs 29. Thus by having spot welds approximately every four inches along substantially the entire perimeter of the frame 14 a very rigid subframe is made. As shown in FIG. 2, two or more cross members 32 can be used with the vertical frame members for support and stability, and in making the assembly, depending upon the degree of soundproofing desired, the perimeter frame 14 can be used for supporting a central divider of suitable thickness imperforate hardboard. The hardboard can be manually fitted into the open channel cross members 32, and then overlayed on either side with approximately one-half inch thick matts of fiberglass or other similar material. The hardboard and mats thus form a core for the panel which is positioned between the expanded metal sheets and is placed in the assembly before the expanded metal is spot welded to the perimeter frame members. This type of construction reduces sound transmission substantially, because the hardboard between the ribs provides for no open spaced for sound transmission from one side of the panel to the other. After the core assembly has been made, including the hardboard imperforate panels 42, the fiberglass mats 43 layered over these hardboard panels, and the expanded metal attached to the frame on the outside of the fiberglass mat, the exterior surfaces of the panel, as well as the edge finishing, can be completed. In the form shown particularly in FIG. 5, a layer of cushioning material such as fiberglass or foam, indicated at 45, is placed over each of the expanded metal sheets 40, to provide a soft undercushion for an exterior fabric layer indicated at 46. One of the problems in attaching fabric to this type of panel has been obtaining sufficient tightness, so that there are no wrinkles, and yet providing adequate fastening along the entire lengths of the panel perimeter. In this instance, the teeth 27 on the horizontal members are used for retaining the fabric in a taut or stretched condition by stretching the edges of the fabric indicated at 50 over the teeth on both the top and bottom of the perimeter frame, and on both sides of the panel, and then retaining the fabric edges 50 in place with suitable flexible "U" cross section clip members indicated at 51. For the horizontal members 22 and 23, the clips can be longitudinally extending channel shaped members which are made out of a plastic and provide a type of friction grip as they slip over the fabric layers and the teeth 27. The teeth 27 are sufficiently sharp so that they will hold the fabric in place under tension. On the vertical edges, however, where it is necessary to connect one panel to an additional panel, the support post shown at 12 has to be accommodated. A fabric retaining anchor strip indicated generally at 60 is utilized. The anchor strip 60 is coextensive with the vertical frame members 15 on each end of the frame, and as shown the strip 60 has a base wall 61 that is shaped similar to a hat section which mates with the outer side edges of the vertical frame member wall 17,17. The outer edges of base wall 61 is joined to outer wing members or arms 62 that are positioned to the outside of the vertical frame member 15 and extend from the base wall in direction opposite from the panel. The anchor 60 and the vertical frame member 15 are clamped together so that they form an assembly as shown in FIG. 5. The outer ends of the arms 62 have a plurality of evenly spaced teeth 63 extending vertically along the length of the vertical frame members 15. The teeth 63 are similar to the teeth 27 utilized with the horizontal frame members. The edges of fabric along the vertical frame members can be pulled taut and lapped over the teeth 63, so that it will be retained by the teeth, which partially penetrate the fabric or at least provide anchor points for the fabric. A fabric retainer strip 65 can be placed in position against the outer surface of the wall 61 of the anchor strip 60, and as shown wall portions along the lateral side edges of the retainer strip 65 bear against the fabric that fits over the teeth 63. The edges thus will hold the vertical fabric edges in place so that it is anchored by the teeth 63. The edges of retainer 65 may also be used for anchoring accessories such as desk tops, shelves and the like as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,119,287. The assembly also includes a vertical channel member 70 which forms a shield mating with the post 11, is placed over the anchor strip, and the entire assembly is then fastened relative to the vertical frame member 15 with a plurality of screws 71, spaced vertically along the frame members which thread into provided weld nuts 72 on a nut strip 73 that is slipped inside of the frame member 15, and which abuts against the edge portions of the inturned walls 18 of the frame member 15. By tightening down the screws 71 the fabric retainer is clamped against the fabric edges where they overlie the teeth 63, and additionally the anchor strip 60 and outer shield channel 70 are securely held in place. As shown, a support block 74 can be provided adjacent the upper edges of the panel and used as an anchor for holding the panels relative to the post 11. If desired, the interior layers of the panels can be eliminated (on the interior of the sheets 40), but the toothed fabric anchors would be utilized whether or not the central core members are included. The center hardboard sheet is not always used, and in some instances outer hardboard sheets may be bonded to the perimeter frame instead of expanded metal. The resilient layer 45 may be provided over the outer hardboard, and the fabric attached around the perimeter of the frame utilizing the teeth. The frame construction provides for a unique way of holding in place a bottom raceway that can be used for communication cable, and at the same time the horizontal frame member can be used for electrical outlets if desired. As shown in FIG. 1, an opening indicated at 80 is of size so that it will receive an electrical outlet, and this is raised above the teeth members 27, and the receptacle is thus held above the bottom of the metal bottom frame members. A suitable support foot 81 can be fastened to the bottom frame member 23 with suitable clamp bolts which clamps the support foot into position (see FIG. 7) and an adjustable foot 82 can be threaded through the support foot 81. A bottom extruded raceway channel 83 made of plastic can be snapped over the edges of the metal member support foot as shown in FIG. 7, and retained in place by the support foot 81. Note that the raceway 83 has lip members 85 which fit into grooves in the upper edges of the support foot 81 and snap in place, while at the lower wall of the raceway 83, the support feet 81 slide into provided overhanging ledge members 87 as shown. The raceway housing thus forms an enclosure in cooperation with the lower frame member. The lower wall of the raceway is supported on the support feet. Only two such support feet are needed for supporting a panel member and two support feet 81 will adequately hold the raceway in working position. The plastic raceway is used for communication equipment. The panels may also have prewired electrical raceways at the top edges thereof to provide for prewired panels that have electrical outlets.
A movable partition panel is made with a perimeter frame and supporting members for easily, quickly and in a low cost manner fastening and reinforcing braces in place and permitting the rapid installation of fabric to the outside of the panel.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present disclosure relates to air conditioning and pressurizing systems for an aircraft, and more specifically, operations of the air conditioning and pressurizing systems for an aircraft. Aircraft air-conditioning systems typically include compressors operated with ambient air. These systems receive ambient air from outside the aircraft and utilize the compressor to adjust the air pressure before sending the air into the cabin of the aircraft. The ambient air pressure, and other conditions, varies considerably depending on the flight altitude. Such variations can affect the performance and efficiency of the compressors. The large demanded operation range that results from the variance in operating conditions cannot be covered completely in an efficient manner by one compressor. Accordingly, aircraft air-conditioning systems have been developed that utilize more than one compressor. These multi-compressor aircraft air-conditioning systems include various operating modes in which various combinations of the various compressors are used. One drawback of these multi-compressor aircraft air-conditioning systems is that the systems place an increased power demand on the aircraft. In addition, currently available multi-compressor aircraft air-conditioning systems rely on external conditions, such as the ambient air pressure, to determine the operating mode of the aircraft air-conditioning system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In accordance with one embodiment, a method for operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft including receiving an available power level from a control system of the aircraft, forwarding air from a first compressed air source to an aircraft cabin and forwarding air from a second compressed air source to the aircraft cabin if the available power level exceeds a threshold value. In accordance with another embodiment, an air-conditioning system for an aircraft, including a first compressed air source whose outlet is in direct or indirect communication with the aircraft cabin and a second compressed air source whose outlet can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin. The system also includes a controller that receives an available power level from a control system of the aircraft and responsively controls the first and second compressed air sources, wherein when the power level is below a threshold only the first compressed air source is in communication with an aircraft cabin and wherein when the power level is above the threshold both the first and the second compressed air sources are in communication with the aircraft cabin. In accordance with yet another embodiment, a method of operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft having a first compressed air source whose outlet can be connected directly or indirectly to an aircraft cabin and at least one second compressed air source whose outlet can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin, includes operating in a first operating mode where only the first compressed air source is in communication with the aircraft cabin, and operating in a second operating mode where both the first and the second compressed air sources are in communication with the aircraft cabin, wherein a selection of an operating mode depends on a available power level in the aircraft such that the first operating mode is selected at a low available power level and the second operating mode is selected at a power level higher in comparison. Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present disclosure. Other embodiments and aspects of the disclosure are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed disclosure. For a better understanding of the disclosure with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The foregoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an aircraft air-conditioning system in accordance with one embodiment of the present disclosure; FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of an aircraft air-conditioning system in accordance with another embodiment of the present disclosure; and FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an aircraft air-conditioning system including a pressure recovery system in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to FIG. 1 , a block diagram of an aircraft air-conditioning system 10 is shown. The aircraft air-conditioning system 10 includes a first compressed air source 12 that can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin 20 . The first compressed air source 12 includes a compressor 14 , a motor 16 and a turbine 18 . The compressor 14 , motor 16 and turbine 18 are in communication with one another via a shaft 28 . The shaft 28 can be unitary or formed of multiple pieces. The compressor 14 receives ambient air 15 and using power provided from either or both of the motor 16 and the turbine 18 compresses the ambient air and forwards compressed ambient air to the aircraft cabin 20 . The aircraft air-conditioning system 10 also includes a secondary compressed air source 22 , which may also include one or more motors and compressors, which can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin 20 . The compressors used in the aircraft air-conditioning system 10 may, for example, be a single-stage or also multistage compressors. The compressors used by the first and second compressed air sources 12 , 22 require substantial power to operate. In one embodiment, the aircraft air-conditioning system 10 is designed to be operated in various modes depending upon the available power in the aircraft. The aircraft air-conditioning system 10 can include a controller 24 which receives a signal 25 from the aircraft control system (not shown) that is indicative of the available power in the aircraft. The controller 24 controls the operation of the first and second compressed air sources 12 , 22 based upon the available power in the aircraft indicated by signal 25 . In a first operating mode, when the available power in the aircraft is below a threshold value the air supplied to the aircraft cabin 20 is provided only from the first compressed air source 12 . This first compressed air source 12 is designed to be able to provide the required pressurization, temperature control and fresh air supply of the cabin during ground operation of the aircraft. In a second operating mode, when the available power in the aircraft is above a threshold value the air supplied to the aircraft cabin 20 is provided from both the first and second compressed air sources 12 , 22 . In one embodiment, the two compressed air sources can be mixed and then the mixed air can be further treated, such as cooling, humidification or dehumidification before being forwarded to the aircraft cabin. In another embodiment, more than two compressed air sources may be utilized when the available power in the aircraft is above a second threshold value the air supplied to the aircraft cabin 20 can be provided from the first, second and third compressed air sources. In one embodiment, the compressed air is cooled prior to the entry into the aircraft cabin 20 . The cooling may be done by a ram air heat exchanger (not shown) located in a ram air duct of the aircraft and/or by the turbine 18 . In the first operating mode, the cooling can be done by both the ram air heat exchanger and by the turbine 18 integrated in the cooling process, with the turbine 18 being coupled on a shaft to the compressor 14 and to the motor 16 . One or more turbines 18 can be located on the shaft 28 with the compressor 14 . FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of an aircraft air-conditioning system 100 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The air-conditioning system 100 includes a first compressed air source 101 that includes a compressor 102 charged with ambient air. The compressor 102 is in communication with a motor 104 and a turbine 106 on a shaft 108 . The aircraft air-conditioning system 100 also includes a second compressed air source 103 that can be switched on depending on the operating mode in which the system is operated. In one embodiment, the second compressed air source 103 can be switched on or off or also partially switched on by a modulating valve 110 . In another embodiment, a check valve can also be arranged instead of the modulating valve 110 . The second compressed air source can, for example, be a second motorized compressor 128 charged with ambient air and/or bleed air from the control system of the aircraft. The outlet line of the compressor 102 has a check valve 112 which ensures that the flow through this outlet line does not lead toward the compressor 102 . The system of FIG. 2 can be operated in at least two operating modes based upon the available power in the aircraft. In a first operating mode, the total air supply for the cabin is provided by the compressor 102 . The power from the turbine 106 , together with the power from the motor 104 , the drive of the compressor 102 . The compressor 102 is designed to be able to meet the air supply demands of the cabin with respect to pressurization, temperature regulation and fresh air supply. The air output from the compressor 102 is cooled in the ram air duct heat exchanger 114 after passing through the mixing chamber 116 . This air subsequently flows through a water extraction circuit and is then subjected to a second cooling in the turbine 106 . The water extraction circuit may include a water extractor 118 , a reheater 138 and a condenser 120 . The water separated in the water extractor 118 may be supplied to the ram air duct via a water injector WI. In a second operating mode, the valve modulating valve 110 , or check valve, is opened and the air provided to the cabin is now formed by the outlet air of the compressor 102 and by the outlet air of the compressor 128 . In the second operating mode, the mixed air flow flows through the same components as the outlet air of the compressor 102 in the first operating mode. Due to the high demanded pressure ratio of the individual compressor stages based on single-stage compression, these compressor stages only achieve a limited operating range for the corrected mass flow. To be able to deliver the corrected mass flow, additional compressor stages or compressed air sources may be switched in parallel. The number of ambient air compressors utilized is not fixed in this connection, with a parallel connection of at least two compressed air sources per air-conditioning system taking place to cover the total application area. As shown in FIG. 2 , the second compressed air source 103 can be used with an open valve 122 to operate the jet pump 124 . This has the result that a coolant air flow is also ensured in the first operating mode via the ram air heat exchanger or exchangers. The compressor outlet air of the compressor 102 can also be supplied to the jet pump 124 via a valve 126 . Such a procedure may ensure a safe/stable operation of the compressor 102 . The additional mass flow is thereby directed via the jet pump 124 into the ram air duct or is alternatively supplied to further consumers. A ram air duct inlet valve may be located at the inlet side of the ram air duct and can be controlled by the ram air inlet actuator (RAIA). In one embodiment, the second compressed air source 103 is formed by compressor 128 which is driven by a motor 130 . It will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that one or more of these units can also be provided in the system 100 . In one embodiment, recirculation lines which can be closed by anti-surge valves 132 , 134 are drawn for the compressors 102 and 128 , respectively. Furthermore, a further compressor load valve 136 is provided in the line extending from the mixing chamber 116 to the ram air duct heat exchanger 114 . The recirculation air can be increased via the compressors 102 , 128 by opening the valve anti-surge valves 132 , 134 , whereby a stable operation of the compressors 102 , 128 is enabled. As stated above, the increase in the compressor mass flow can also be realized via the jet pump modulating valves 122 , 126 . The compressor load valve 136 can be used to restrict the compressors 102 , 128 and increase the exit temperature of the compressors 102 , 128 . Turning now to FIG. 3 , a block diagram of an aircraft air-conditioning system 10 is shown. The aircraft air-conditioning system 10 includes a first compressed air source 12 that can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin 20 . The first compressed air source 12 includes a compressor 14 , a motor 16 and a turbine 18 . The compressor 14 , motor 16 and turbine 18 are in communication with one another via a shaft 28 . The compressor 14 receives ambient air and using power provided from the motor 16 and turbine 18 compresses the ambient air and forwards the ambient air to the aircraft cabin 20 . The aircraft air-conditioning system 10 also includes a secondary air source 22 , which may also include one or more motors or compressors, which can be connected directly or indirectly to the aircraft cabin 20 . The controller 24 receives a signal from the aircraft control system that is indicative of the available power in the aircraft and responsively controls the operation of the first and second compressed air sources 12 , 22 based upon the available power in the aircraft. In current aircraft air-conditioning systems, after being circulated through the cabin pressurized air is removed from the cabin and discarded (i.e., sent “overboard”). Depending upon the altitude of the aircraft, the air pressure outside of the aircraft can be significantly lower than the air being discarded. In one embodiment, the pressurized air being discarded from the cabin 20 is forwarded to the turbine 18 , which captures the energy created as the air is depressurized to the ambient air pressure. After passing through the turbine 18 , the depressurized air from the cabin is sent overboard. In one embodiment, the turbine 18 may provide the energy captured from the depressurization of the air being discarded from the cabin to the shaft 28 coupled to the motor 16 and the compressor 14 . This energy can be used to reduce the energy required from the aircraft to operate the aircraft air-conditioning system 10 . In one embodiment, the aircraft air-conditioning system 10 also includes a discharge device 26 , which may be located in the aircraft cabin 20 . The discharge device 26 may be controlled by the controller 24 , which can instruct the discharge device 26 to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin 20 to either the turbine 18 or out of the aircraft. In one embodiment, the controller 24 may instruct the discharge device 26 to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin 20 to the turbine 18 if the ambient air pressure is lower than the cabin air pressure and to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin 20 out of the aircraft if the ambient air pressure is equal to, or approximately equal to, the cabin air pressure. In another embodiment, the controller 24 may instruct the discharge device 26 to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin 20 to the turbine 18 if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure exceeds a threshold value and to forward the circulated air from the aircraft cabin 20 out of the aircraft if the difference in the ambient air pressure and the cabin air pressure is below a threshold value. In one operating mode the aircraft may be in an environment with an ambient air pressure of approximately three Psi, or approximately 20.6 kPa, and have a cabin pressure of approximately twelve Psi, or approximately 82.7 kPa. The aircraft air-conditioning system 10 requires approximately one hundred kilowatts of power to pressurize the ambient air from 3 Psi to 12 Psi. In currently available aircraft air-conditioning systems, all of the power needed to pressurize the ambient air is provided from the motor 16 . In one embodiment, the turbine 18 captures the energy created by the depressurization of the air being discarded from the cabin and provides the power it creates to the motor 16 and the compressor 14 . In the operating mode with an ambient air pressure of approximately three Psi and a cabin pressure of approximately twelve psi, the turbine 18 may generate approximately twenty kilowatts of power. Accordingly, depending upon the operating conditions of the aircraft, capturing the energy created from the depressurization of the discarded air from the cabin can result in up to a twenty percent reduction in power consumption of the aircraft air-conditioning system. The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof. The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present disclosure has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the disclosure in the form 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 disclosure. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the disclosure and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the disclosure for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. While the preferred embodiment to the disclosure had been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the disclosure first described.
A method for operating an air-conditioning system for an aircraft including receiving an available power level from a control system of the aircraft, forwarding air from a first compressed air source to an aircraft cabin and forwarding air from a second compressed air source to the aircraft cabin if the available power level exceeds a threshold value.
1
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a method, system and apparatus for simultaneously sharing system resources by multiple input devices and refers particularly, though not exclusively, to such a method, system and apparatus where the input devices use the same device driver. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The home and, in some cases, office or commercial computer has become an active centre for entertainment. Often they are used to output audio produced by digital musical instruments such as, for example, guitars, MIDI-compliant keyboards, and so forth. However, if more than one musical instrument is to be connected, and the same interfacing software is to be used, difficulties arise as a plurality of instruments cannot use the same device driver at the same time. [0003] Resources from the computer may be limited, and latency, the delay of audio output after input into the digital musical instruments, may result if more than one instrument is connected to the computer and used simultaneously. This is undesirable as it would be impossible to teach music to multiple users, play music as a band/group, or jam in a group. A real time collaboration capability for the instruments is lacking. [0004] There is currently also no device which is able to function as a hub for a plurality of digital musical instruments that facilitates playing music as a band/group, or jam in a group. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] In accordance with a first preferred aspect there is provided a method for enabling the sharing of a computer system resources by multiple input devices connected (wired or wirelessly) to the computer system where device latency is diminished. The multiple input devices all utilize the same device driver. The device driver allocates a device identifier to each of the multiple input devices. The device driver receives data from each of the multiple input devices by reference to the device identifier. The device driver passes the received digital audio data to an application for processing. Preferably, the application may have multi-channel input and output. The wired connections may be connected through sockets such as P/S 2, USB, IEEE 1394, RCA, and SCART while the wireless connection may be using protocols such as UWB, USB wireless, Bluetooth, infrared, and radio frequency. [0006] The multiple input devices may be substantially identical and may be devices such as “Prodikeys” from Creative Technology Ltd, an alphanumeric keyboard or a musical instrument with electronic output. It is preferable that the device driver is either an emulator or a pointer to appropriate drivers. The device identifier may preferably be either a port address or a port identity. [0007] Preferably, the computer system may be selected from the group comprising: a desktop computer, a personal computer, a portable notebook, a laptop computer, a PDA, a standalone console and a peripheral attachable to the aforementioned devices. [0008] The method may further comprise displaying on a screen a graphic user interface for controlling functions of the multiple input devices. The graphic user interface may be able to be operated by each of the multiple input devices or by a a computer input device such as a mouse or alphanumeric keyboard. The graphic user interface may comprise a plurality of function buttons for controlling a first aspect of each of the multiple input devices. The first aspect may be a chord structure. [0009] The graphic user interface may further comprise a plurality of boxes, there being one box for each of the multiple input devices. Each of plurality of boxes may be for controlling at least one performance characteristic of the input device. The at least one performance characteristic may be one or more of: volume, pitch shift, octave, and instrument, or instrument audio characteristics for audio reproduction. [0010] The graphic user interface may also comprise a master control box for controlling one or more of: volume, pitch shift, octave, instrument audio characteristics for audio reproduction or other control boxes. [0011] According to a second preferred aspect there is provided a computer usable medium comprising a computer program code that is configured to cause a processor to execute one or more functions to perform the above method. [0012] According to a third preferred aspect there is provided a graphic user interface for controlling functions of multiple input devices, each of the multiple input devices being connectable to a computer system each of the multiple input devices using the one device driver; the graphic user interface being able to be operated by each of the multiple input devices. [0013] The graphic user interface may comprise a plurality of function buttons for controlling a first aspect of each of the multiple input devices. The first aspect may be a chord structure. [0014] The graphic user interface may be comprise a plurality of boxes, there being one box for each of the multiple input devices. Each of plurality of boxes may be for controlling at least one performance characteristic of the input device. The at least one performance characteristic may be one or more of: volume, pitch shift, octave, and instrument audio characteristics for audio reproduction. [0015] The graphic user interface may further comprise a master control box for controlling at least one of: volume, pitch shift, octave, instrument audio characteristics for audio reproduction and other control boxes. [0016] According to a fourth preferred aspect there is provided a computer usable medium comprising a computer program code that is configured to cause a processor to execute one or more functions to generate on a screen the graphic user interface describe above. [0017] According to a fifth preferred aspect there is provided a system for enabling the sharing of a computer system resources by multiple input devices each being connectable to the computer system, the system comprising: a device driver simultaneously and independently utilizable by each of the multiple input devices; the device driver including an identifier allocator for allocating an identifier to each of the multiple input devices; and an output application for outputting processed data received by the device driver from the multiple input devices. [0018] The system may further comprise a graphic user interface for controlling functions of the multiple input devices, the graphic user interface being able to be operated by each of the multiple input devices. The graphic user interface may be as described above. [0019] According to a sixth preferred aspect there is provided an apparatus for enabling the sharing of system resources by multiple input devices connectable to the apparatus, the apparatus comprising: a device driver simultaneously and independently utilizable by each of the multiple input devices; the device driver including an identifier allocator for allocating an identifier to each of the multiple input devices; and an output application for outputting processed data received by the device driver from the multiple input devices. The apparatus may be connectable to devices like a desktop computer, a personal computer, a portable notebook, a laptop computer, a mobile phone or a PDA. [0020] The apparatus may preferably include at least one speaker driver and at least one screen. The apparatus may also be powered by either a DC or an AC power supply. [0021] For all aspects, the multiple input devices may be substantially identical, and may be a musical instrument. In such a case, the data received by the device driver may be digital audio. [0022] Preferred aspects of the method, system and apparatus may be used when teaching music to a group or when playing music in a group. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] In order that the present invention may be fully understood and readily put into practical effect, there shall now be described by way of non-limitative example only preferred embodiments of the present invention, the description being with reference to the accompanying illustrative drawings. [0024] In the drawings: [0025] FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a computer installation with multiple input devices; [0026] FIG. 2 is an illustration of the system architecture; [0027] FIG. 3 is a flow chart for the operation of the system; and [0028] FIG. 4 is an illustration of a GUI for control of the multiple input devices. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0029] To refer to FIG. 1 there is shown a desktop computer system having a central processing unit 10 , monitor 12 , speakers 14 and two input devices 16 , 18 . As shown, the input devices 16 , 18 are both “Prodikeys” keyboards manufactured by Creative Technology Ltd, although any form of input device may be used. The input devices 16 , 18 are shown as being identical. Although this is preferred, they may be different. Other input devices that may be used include MIDI keyboards, electric guitars, electric pianos, alphanumeric keyboards and other electronic instruments. However, they should be able to use a universal device driver 24 ( FIG. 2 ) in the CPU 10 . The universal device driver 24 may be an emulator or it may act as a pointer to appropriate drivers. A graphical user interface (GUI) 40 for use together with the input devices 16 , 18 is shown on the monitor 12 . The GUI 40 is solely for illustrative purposes and outlook and features incorporated within GUI 40 may vary. The CPU 10 may be in a desktop computer, a personal computer, a portable notebook, a laptop computer, a PDA, a standalone console or a peripheral attachable to the aforementioned devices. [0030] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , each device 16 , 18 is connected to the CPU 10 by use of a cable connection 17 , 19 respectively with a USB or IEEE 1394 connector respectively at its end. In that way they connect to the appropriate socket 22 within CPU 10 . As shown in FIG. 2 , a third device 20 uses the same device driver 24 . Alternatively, or additionally, the devices 16 , 18 may be wirelessly connected to the CPU 10 . The wireless protocols used may include UWB, USB wireless, Bluetooth, infrared, and radio frequency. [0031] FIG. 2 may also represent an alternative embodiment. In this embodiment, CPU 10 may be a standalone device similar to a video games console. The CPU 10 may have at least one processor to process signals from devices 16 , 18 and 20 . The CPU 10 may also have a memory component, which may be non-volatile in nature. The memory component may be at least one hard disk, or flash memory. The memory component aids in solving the problem of playback latency for devices 16 , 18 and 20 . The CPU 10 may also have a sound card incorporated within to allow processing of audio signals from the input devices 16 , 18 , 20 for the playback of sound. The sound card may also include a MIDI synthesizer. [0032] There may also be a plurality of sockets 22 . Each socket 22 may be the same or may be of a different type, such as, for example, P/S 2, USB, IEEE 1394, RCA, SCART, and the like. The different types of sockets available allow for a range of different devices to be connectable to the CPU 10 . A dongle to facilitate the wireless connection of devices 16 , 18 and 20 may also be connected to the CPU 10 . The wireless protocols used may include UWB, USB wireless, Bluetooth, infrared, and radio frequency. It is possible that developments in wireless protocols may enable devices 16 , 18 and 20 to be portable to a range beyond state/national boundaries and yet still remain connected to the CPU 10 . In such an embodiment, devices 16 , 18 and 20 may have at least one sound output such as, for example, a speaker or a set of earphones receiving signals from the CPU 10 so that a user of one of the devices may be able to collaborate musically Damming) in real time with other users of devices. [0033] The CPU 10 may have a screen incorporated with (it as is the case of a notebook computer) to display a GUI 40 . The screen may be an LCD, TFT or OLED panel. Alternatively, the CPU 10 may also be connectable to an external display unit or to another computer system such as, for example, a desktop computer, personal computer, portable notebook, laptop, a mobile phone and a PDA. [0034] The CPU 10 may also include at least one speaker driver for the output of audio signals generated by the devices 16 , 18 , and 20 . A woofer may also be included in the CPU. Alternatively, the CPU 10 may be connectable to a set of at least one speaker for the transmission of sounds from the devices 16 , 18 , and 20 . [0035] In such an embodiment, a group of users may conveniently jam with each other at nearly any location, as the CPU 10 may be powered by DC power (portable batteries or lighter socket of the car) or from an AC mains supply (including drawing power from a computer connected to it). [0036] To refer to FIGS. 2 and 3 , when all three devices 16 , 18 , 20 are connected to CPU 10 ( 31 ), the universal device driver 24 is loaded ( 32 ) to be used for each device 16 , 18 , 20 . The device driver 24 establishes and allocates an identifier (“ID”) for each device 16 , 18 , 20 ( 33 ). As each, device 16 , 18 , 20 is connected to a different port, this may be by reference to the port identity/address. The device driver 34 then allows all devices 16 , 18 , 20 to access ( 34 ) the device driver 24 and subsequently be operable with the use of the necessary application 26 in the usual manner ( 35 ). [0037] Each device 16 , 18 , 20 may then operate simultaneously yet independently of each other when the universal device driver 24 is being utilized. For example: if all devices 16 , 18 , 20 are “Prodikeys”: (a) one device 16 could be operating to produce the sound of an electric piano and thus the data sent by device 16 to device driver 24 would be digital audio to replicate the sound of an electric piano; (b) one device 18 could be operating to produce the sound of an electric guitar and thus the data sent by device 18 to device driver 24 would be digital audio to replicate the sound of an electric guitar; and (c) one device 20 could be operating to produce the sound of a trumpet and thus the data sent by device 20 to device driver 24 would be digital audio to replicate the sound a trumpet. [0041] The device driver 24 processes all the received data and passes it to the application 26 , in this case a sound card within CPU 10 , for processing by the application 26 , and then reproduction by speakers 14 . The application 26 may allocate RAM and cache memory for each device 16 , 18 , 20 and the utilisation of cache memory may allow sound to be transmitted nearly instantaneously from each device 16 , 18 , 20 . The application 26 may have a multi channel input for digital signals from each device 16 , 18 , 20 . The application 26 may also have a multi channel output for the transmission of processed signals. Such a setup may to prevent latency from affecting the real time transmission and harmonisation of sounds from devices 16 , 18 , 20 . [0042] In this way the devices 16 , 18 , 20 can be used to create a band (in the case of devices being musical instruments and/or “Prodikeys”) using one computer, one device driver 24 , and one application 26 . The band may also be created using the standalone version of the CPU 10 . [0043] FIG. 4 shows the graphic user interface 40 (“GUI”) used for controlling the input devices 16 , 18 , 20 . In this case it is for controlling “Prodikeys”. The functions of the GUI 40 in FIG. 4 is merely illustrative as it should be noted that the main purpose of the GUI 40 is to allow access to core (not all) capabilities of each input device within the confines of the limited screen space permitted by a display screen (the higher the number of users, the smaller the screen space allocated for each user). As such, the GUI 40 may have more or fewer features than as shown in FIG. 4 depending on the number of input devices connected. [0044] The GUI 40 is for display on the monitor 12 and is operable in conjunction with the device driver 24 and a graphics application on CPU 10 . Users of any one of the devices 16 , 18 , 20 may be able to operate the GUI 40 and thus be able to control certain aspects of the operation of their own devices 16 , 18 , 20 . [0045] A master device may be manually designated by selecting a device using the GUI 40 or automatically designated once the device is connected/plugged at a predetermined port identity/address. A user of the master device may be able to control certain or all aspects of the master device as well as certain or all aspects of the other non-master devices using the GUI 40 . In an instance whereby the master device is unable to control a cursor, a cursor control device connected to the CPU 10 like a computer mouse may be used to access functions on the GUI 40 . [0046] The GUI 40 may have a number of function keys 41 for providing a basic chord structure to the audio. The chord structures may be pre-set, or set by reference to a menu of available chords. It also has a box 42 for controlling an automatically generated rhythm/accompaniment in accordance with known techniques. A second box 43 is used for the master device. The nature of the audio produced may be selected from three pre-programmed buttons shown as E, D and C. The three buttons can each be programmed to enable the reproduction of audio that resembles one of a set list of instruments including, but not limited to, trumpet, trombone, tuba, clarinet, flute, oboe, bassoon, saxophone (soprano, alto, tenor, baritone), violin, viola, cello, double bass, guitar, electric guitar, bass guitar, glockenspiel, xylophone, vibraphone, celesta, harp, piano, organ, electronic organ, harpsichord, and so forth. A volume slider 44 , pitch shift control 45 , and octave setting control 46 are also provided. [0047] A similar box 47 , 48 , 49 is provided for all other members of the “band”. As the GUI 40 is on monitor 12 , and as all devices 16 , 18 , 20 are connected to CPU 10 , each of the devices 16 , 18 , 20 can be used for controlling the various functions of the GUI 40 . Each member may be able to control their devices simultaneously and independently. The user of the designated master device may be able to control all devices including the master device and all functions of the GUI 40 . [0048] In another practical application of the present invention, the GUI 40 may be projected onto a screen and a musical keypad 50 of the GUI 40 may have the relevant keys illuminated in an environment where multiple users of Prodikeys connected to a single processing unit are able to learn to play songs on Prodikeys in a group learning environment. [0049] Whilst there has been described in the foregoing description preferred embodiments of the present invention, it will be understood by those skilled in the technology concerned that many variations or modifications in details of design or construction may be made without departing from the present invention.
There is disclosed a method, system and apparatus for enabling the sharing of computer system resources by multiple input devices. The multiple input devices utilize a device driver for all of the multiple input devices, with the method comprising: the device driver allocating a device identifier to each of the multiple input devices; the device driver receiving data from each of the multiple input devices by reference to the device identifier; and the device driver passing the received data to an application for processing.
6
FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention is related to medical pumps, more specifically to reservoirs used with insulin pumps and means to prevent and detect any over or under pressure in the reservoir. STATE OF THE ART [0002] Some insulin pumps, such as the one illustrated on FIG. 1 , have a rigid chamber defined between a rigid wall ( 3 ) and bottom ( 1 ) hard shell. A pumping element ( 4 ) is fixed to the rigid wall ( 3 ). The chamber contains a reservoir which is made of a movable membrane ( 2 ) (e.g. soft pouch or flexible film), such as thermoformed and heat-soldered onto the rigid wall ( 3 ) (see for instance international patent application WO 2007/113708). The bottom hard shell ( 1 ) protects the membrane ( 2 ) against external mechanical forces and ensures a water tightness of the system. The pump is vented using a hydrophobic filter in order to prevent a pressurization of the reservoir due to pressure or temperature changes. The risk of clogging with this filter is high and therefore a potential overdose becomes possible. Moreover such clogging cannot be detected with the gauge pressure detector of the pump because the reference port of the detector is vented by the same filter than the reservoir itself. Therefore, said device described by WO 2007/113708 can't detect a possible clogging of this vent which cause an over or under delivery of the insulin to the patient. [0003] The implementation of an additional anti-free-flow valve is a possible way to overcome this problem. See WO 2008/029051. However, this may be expensive for a disposable product and may not be totally fail safe. GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention provides another advantageous solutions to prevent an over or under delivery of fluid to the patient (for example: insulin) which is induced when the pressure gradient between the reservoir and the external environment changes. Furthermore, the present invention may advantageously use with a method described in the application EP 11172494.4. [0005] To this effect, it relates to a medical pump comprising three distinct chambers. Said medical device is designed to form a hard housing comprising a top and bottom hard shells. Said housing further comprises a hard wall and a movable membrane which create said three distinct chambers. Said movable membrane tightly separates the second and the third chambers. The first and third chambers have a watertight interface. Said second chamber is designed to contain a fluid. Said movable membrane may be moved between said rigid wall and the bottom hard shell, in such a way that the fluid tight reservoir is formed by the second chamber. Said first chamber comprises a first venting mean which is arranged to provide a fluidic communication between said first chamber and the external environment. Said third chamber comprises a second venting mean which is arranged to provide a fluidic communication between said third chamber and the external environment. The device further comprises a pumping element located in the first chamber, at least one pressure sensor which measures the pressure gradient between the first chamber and the third chamber. Said medical device comprises a fluid pathway which permits a first fluid connection between said second chamber and said pumping element and a second fluid connection between said pumping element and a patient line. [0006] With the present invention, the third chamber is completely vented by said second venting mean while maintaining the protection against mechanical forces or ingress of solid foreign objects such as sharp tips. In one of embodiment, said second venting mean is formed by several passages. The protection against water ingress is not insured for the third chamber, which is not necessary If said movable member is a tight membrane. While, the first chamber is vented by a vent which may be hydrophobic and or oleophobic to protect the electronic part. [0007] In one of embodiment, said movable membrane may transmit the pressure of the third chamber to said first fluid connection via the second chamber and the movable membrane. If, one or the both venting means get clogged, the pressure in the device and the pressure of the external environment may be different. The pressure gradient between inside device, in particular in the third chamber, and the external environment may induce an over or under delivery of the fluid to the patient. [0008] For this reason, the second venting mean comprises several passages (which reduce the clogging risk) and the device uses a method partially described in the application EP 11172494.4 for detecting if at least one venting means is clogged. [0009] The sensors may be localised in said chambers, in said fluid connections and/or outside. [0010] The sensor may be a gauge pressure sensor localised between: the third chamber and the first chamber, and/or said first fluid connection and the first chamber, and/or said second fluid connection and the first chamber, and/or said third chamber and external environment, and/or said first chamber and external environment. [0016] The reference port of said gauge pressure sensors may be the external environment, the first chamber or the third chamber. [0017] In one of embodiment, the device comprises processing means for the sensor signal which may measure the pressure gradient between the third chamber and the first chamber or the external environment. And said processing means detect a under or over pressure in said first chamber and/or said third chamber. [0018] Said processing means can detect the clogging of said first venting mean and/or said second venting mean. [0019] The medical pump comprises alarm means which alert the patient in case of said first venting mean and/or said second venting mean are clogged. LIST OF FIGURES [0020] FIG. 1 shows the prior art of the medical device without the holes. [0021] FIG. 2 Illustrates an embodiment of the Invention with several holes on one of hard shells [0022] FIG. 3 represents the same embodiment as the one illustrated on FIG. 2 but viewed from the other side. [0023] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the complete system. [0024] FIG. 5 shows the embodiment of the medical device with both venting means are directly connected to the external environment [0025] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the medical device with the first venting mean located between the first and the third chambers. LIST OF ELEMENTS [0000] 1 Bottom hard shell 2 Movable membrane 3 Rigid wall 4 Pumping element 5 Holes 6 Baffles 7 Second venting mean 8 Upper face of the second chamber and/or third chamber 9 Lower face of the third chamber 10 Lateral face of the third chamber 11 Marks on the bottom shell 12 Filling port of the second chamber 13 Lateral slides 14 Grips 16 Battery 17 PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 18 Spring contacts 19 Battery contact 20 First venting mean 21 Lock 22 Third chamber 23 First chamber 24 Top hard shell 25 Upper face of the first chamber 26 Lower face of the first chamber 27 First fluid connection 28 Second fluid connection 29 Second chamber 30 Patient line DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0055] The medical pump of the present invention comprises three distinct chambers ( 23 , 29 , 22 ). The second chamber ( 29 ) and the third chamber ( 22 ) is separated by a movable membrane ( 2 ) which may be moved between a bottom hard shell ( 1 ) and the rigid wall ( 3 ) and comprises an upper face ( 8 ), a lower face ( 9 ) and a lateral face ( 10 ). Said bottom shell ( 1 ) contains several holes ( 5 ) which are forming the internal ends of passages ( 7 ) communicating between the third chamber and the external environment. [0056] The first chamber ( 23 ) is defined between the top hard shell ( 24 ) and the rigid wall ( 3 ). Said first chamber ( 23 ) comprises an upper face ( 25 ), a lower face ( 26 ), a pumping element ( 4 ) and a first venting mean ( 20 ). [0057] The third chamber and the first chamber are tightly separated by at least said rigid wall ( 3 ) which is designed to form a watertight interface. [0058] In one of said embodiments, a hydrophobic surface treatment or coating can also be used on and/or around the holes ( 5 ) to limit the water ingress. [0059] In one of said embodiments, said first chamber ( 23 ) comprises the electronic elements. [0060] In one of said embodiments, the lateral faces of said chambers are formed by the junction between part of the top and the bottom hard shell of the medical device. [0061] The medical device comprises a first fluid connection ( 27 ) between said second chamber ( 29 ) and said pumping element, and a second fluid connection ( 28 ) between said pumping element and the patient line. [0062] A sensor may measure a pressure gradient between the fluid and said first chamber ( 23 ) and/or said third chamber ( 22 ) or between said both chambers. Said sensor can be located upstream and/or downstream of the pumping element ( 4 ). [0063] In a preferred embodiment, the sensor is a gauge pressure sensor. The reference port of said gauge pressure sensor is connected to said first chamber ( 23 ), allowing the detection of under or over pressure between: said third and first chambers, and/or the fluid and said first chamber, and/or the fluid and said third chamber, and/or the fluid and the patient line. [0068] In case of one or both of said venting means are clogged, a positive or negative pressure may be trapped in the third chamber ( 22 ) and/or in the first chamber ( 23 ). [0069] Therefore, the device further comprises alarm means which can alert the patient if the first venting mean ( 20 ) of the first chamber or/and the second venting mean ( 7 ) of said third chamber ( 22 ) are clogged. [0070] Vent Clogging Case Studies: [0071] In a preferred embodiment, the change of pressure due to clogging can be monitored using two gauge sensors located in the pumping element. A first gauge pressure sensor is located in the first fluid connection ( 27 ) which may measure the pressure of the third chamber which is transmitted to the second chamber ( 29 ) (and the first fluid connection ( 27 )) via the movable membrane ( 2 ). A second gauge pressure sensor is located in the second fluid connection ( 28 ) which may measure the pressure of the patient line. For both sensors, the reference port is the first chamber ( 23 ). [0072] 1. Clogging of the second venting mean ( 7 ) only→potential over or under pressure in the third chamber ( 22 ) is transmitted to the fluid in the second chamber ( 29 ) via the membrane ( 2 ) and is detected via the first sensor since the reference port (the first chamber ( 23 )) of said sensor is not pressurized. The first sensor detects a pressure gradient between the third chamber ( 22 ) and the first chamber ( 23 ) while the second sensor doesn't detect any pressure gradient between the patient line and the first chamber ( 23 ). [0073] 2. Clogging of the first venting mean ( 20 ) only→the first chamber ( 23 ) and therefore the reference ports of both sensors shall potentially exhibit over or under pressure with respect to external environment. Said over or under pressure will be detected by both sensors. Positive (respectively negative) pressure in said first chamber ( 23 ) leads to a pressure signal equivalent to a negative (resp. positive) pressure in the pumping chamber in normal conditions. Therefore, a clogging of said first venting mean ( 20 ) is detected when the pressure in the first chamber ( 23 ) becomes different from external environment pressure. Said difference of pressure inducing the same offset on both gauge pressure sensors with respect to a reference value obtained either by measuring the pressure sensor signal before the priming of the pump or by using calibration data. [0074] 3. Clogging of all venting ports→the first and third chambers ( 23 , 22 ) are potentially in over or under pressure with respect to the external environment. Therefore, the first sensor can't detect any pressure gradient between the first and the second or third chambers. But, the patient line pressure may be different. Therefore, the second sensor can detect a pressure gradient between the first chamber ( 23 ) and the patient line. [0075] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of the invention where the bottom shell ( 1 ) is provided with passages ( 7 ) on its lateral face ( 10 ) of the third chamber. Each passage ( 7 ) is provided with a baffle ( 6 ) which defines two opposite holes ( 5 ) oriented towards said lateral face ( 10 ), in a direction which is parallel with respect to the bottom face. In another embodiment, the holes are located within said lateral face ( 10 ) or said lower face ( 9 ) of the third chamber. [0076] In a preferred embodiment, said holes ( 5 ) are oriented in a direction which is forming an angle above 30° with the main direction of their respective passages ( 7 ). [0077] FIG. 4 shows an exploded view of the complete system, including the same embodiment as to the one illustrated on FIG. 2 and the top hard shell ( 24 ), the battery ( 16 ), a lock ( 21 ), the first venting mean ( 20 ), a PCB ( 17 ) and its spring contacts ( 18 ) to connect the pumping element ( 4 ) (not showed here) and finally the battery contact ( 19 ). [0078] In the present invention the design of the bottom shell and more particularly the second venting mean ( 7 ) are driven by: The capability to vent the membrane ( 2 ) for any foreseeable use or probable misuse of the pump, including the presence of dirt onto the pump, the wearing of the pump under clothes . . . The protection against solid foreign objects [0081] When second venting means ( 7 ), which is several passages like holes ( 5 ), are provided in the bottom shell ( 1 ) it is not possible to accidentally close all openings because of their specific locations. The compression of the pump against a soft material on the top shell cannot typically obstruct these passages because of their lateral orientated location. The closure of the passages by lateral compression is also prevented by baffles ( 6 ) that limit the access typically to fingers. [0082] The passages ( 7 ) may have the shape of a slit or any other shape having one dimension preferably lower than 1 mm. [0083] The passages ( 7 ) may also be made into a recess and oriented perpendicularly to the normal of the lateral face ( 10 ) of the third chamber ( 22 ) in order to prevent the insertion of a straight and rigid tip, the minimum dimension of the opening being preferably no longer limited to 1 mm in this configuration according to this recess. [0084] The bottom shell ( 1 ) is preferably transparent; the patient should be able to see any large obstruction due to foods or any sticky stuff and eventually to change the disposable. [0085] The bottom shell ( 1 ) and/or the rigid wall ( 3 ) and/or the membrane ( 2 ) are preferably made in plastic, and more generally in any material having specific grades compatible with insulin. The use of the same material is desirable for thermowelding. The contact surfaces for gluing or thermowelding between the top and bottom shell should be large enough to withstand reservoir overpressure up to 1 bar and drop test from a height of 1 meter or more. [0086] The membrane material has ideally a low elasticity and a low permeability. The membrane thickness is typically smaller than 100 microns. [0087] The surface of the membrane ( 2 ) is ideally larger than the surface of the lower face ( 9 ) of the third chamber ( 22 ) of the bottom shell to prevent any in-plane stress in the membrane and therefore any effect due to the membrane elasticity. [0088] The bottom shell ( 1 ) can advantageously include Moiré pattern. In case of overfilling of the reservoir, when the membrane is directly in contact with the bottom shell, the reservoir pressure would bend the bottom shell and induce changes in the Moiré pattern, giving a visual feedback of overfilling to the patient. The Moiré pattern covers partly the bottom shell ( 1 ) surface in order to make possible the observation of bubbles into the reservoir. [0089] The bottom shell may include any means to detect deformation due to static load or a pressurized reservoir (e.g. strain gauges, pressure sensors . . . ). [0090] The passages ( 7 ) may be partly or completely covered by a removable and permeable tape that ensures the venting of the reservoir. In case of projection of sticky stuff on the passages ( 7 ) the patient can advantageously remove the tape instead of trying to clean up the device or simply changing it. The tape may be made of several sheets that can be removed iteratively. Such air permeable tape may also cover the first venting mean ( 20 ) of the first chamber ( 23 ). [0091] The bottom shell ( 1 ) may include marks ( 11 ) that help the patient to find the filling port ( 12 ) containing a septum. [0092] The bottom shell ( 1 ) is ideally flat and has lateral slides ( 13 ) for patch insertion (clipping) and grips ( 14 ) for patch removal (unclipping). [0093] Fluid, e.g. water, can flow through the passages ( 7 ) and then in the space between the bottom shell ( 1 ) and the membrane ( 2 ), the fluid tightness being only provided to the first chamber ( 23 ) of the pump which, among other elements, includes the battery ( 16 ). The electronic and pump controller are in the first chamber which is water tight but has to be vented in case a zinc-air battery needing oxygen and when a gauge pressure sensors are used. The first chamber ( 23 ) is tightly assembled using lock ( 21 ) or clips or any other means onto the upper face of the rigid wall ( 3 ), contacting electrically the pads of the pump via the spring contacts ( 18 ) of the Printed Circuit Board (PCB) ( 17 ). [0094] The first chamber ( 23 ) uses the first venting mean ( 20 ) which is therefore preferably hydrophobic and/or oleophobic. [0095] In another embodiment ( FIG. 6 ), the first venting mean ( 20 ), which is hydrophobic, is located between the first and the third chambers. [0096] In another embodiment, the device further comprises three distinct venting means. The first venting mean connects directly the first chamber to the external environment, the second venting mean connects directly the third chamber to the external environment and the third venting mean is located between the third and the first chamber. This embodiment insure a good venting in third and first chambers even if one venting mean is clogged. Said third venting mean is preferably hydrophobic and/or oleophobic.
The present invention concerns a medical pump comprising: a. A hard housing comprising a top ( 24 ) and bottom ( 1 ) hard shells, within which a rigid wall ( 3 ) and a movable membrane ( 2 ) create three distinct chambers; wherein i. said movable membrane tightly separates said second ( 29 ) and third ( 22 ) chambers ii. said first and third chambers have a watertight interface iii. said second chamber ( 29 ) is designed to contain a fluid iv. said first chamber ( 23 ) comprises a first venting mean ( 20 ) which is arranged to provide a fluidic communication between said first chamber ( 23 ) and the external environment; v. said third chamber ( 22 ) comprises a second venting mean which is arranged to provide a fluidic communication between said third chamber ( 22 ) and the external environment b. A pumping element ( 4 ) located in the first chamber ( 23 ) c. A least one pressure sensor which measure the pressure gradient between the first chamber ( 23 ) and the second chamber ( 29 ) d. A fluid pathway which permits: i. a first fluid connection ( 27 ) between said second chamber ( 29 ) and said pumping element ii. a second fluid connection ( 28 ) between said pumping element and a patient line ( 30 ).
0
[0001] The present invention relates to a control device for an automotive vehicle and to a method for commanding said control device. [0002] In the last few years, automobiles have become easier to drive with the appearance of new emerging technologies (for example power steering, ABS, cruise control, parking sensors, etc.). However, the number of functions to be controlled while driving has paradoxically also greatly increased. This may create a certain complexity relating to unfamiliarity with the use of these functionalities and their diversity. The automobile has become a veritable living space, perceived as an interconnected center of personal communication: with for example MP3 player and GPS functionalities and connection with cell phones. [0003] The introduction of these new functions has led to an increase in the number of buttons on automobile passenger-compartment dashboards. However, the number of buttons cannot increase indefinitely, in particular because of the complexity engendered, space limitations, accessibility or cognitive load. In addition, the interaction of the driver with on-board systems in the automobile may create a situation of attentional overload in which the driver cannot optimally process all the information of the driving task, leading to mistakes and detection times that are too long. [0004] One option is to centralize the buttons by replacing them with a touchscreen. This makes it possible to continue to increase the number of functions, the latter becoming programmable and reconfigurable and being displayed temporarily or permanently depending on the context or the activated function. The screen thus enables multifunctionality, while virtualizing the buttons and being personalizable. In addition, screens have three other major advantages: on the one hand they allow direct interaction (the display and input are co-located), on the other hand they are flexible (the display may easily be configured for a certain number of functions), and lastly they are intuitive (familiar methods of interaction, such as a pointer for example, may be used). [0005] However, contrary to the case of a push button, when the driver interacts with a touchscreen he receives no feedback related directly to his action on the interface, other than the simple contact of his finger pressing against the screen. [0006] In order to compensate for the loss of information caused by the substitution of conventional mechanical interfaces with touchscreens, provision is made to add a stimulus, such as a haptic stimulus, to provide feedback from the system to the user. This stimulus allows any ambiguity as to whether the action of the user has been registered by the system, and that is liable to be instrumental in the appearance of dangerous situations, to be avoided. However, it is furthermore necessary to avoid overloading the driver's visual and auditory pathways, which are already greatly taxed by the driving task. Specifically, the use of touchscreens in an automotive vehicle must not distract the driver. [0007] One aim of the present invention is to provide a control device and a method for commanding said control device, which improves the stimulation of the user, without interfering with his driving, which is easily perceived and appreciated by the users, and which is able to be discriminated from other signals for a touchscreen application satisfying automotive constraints. [0008] For this purpose, one subject of the present invention is a method for commanding a control device for an automotive vehicle, in which device the pressure variation of a press of a user on a touch surface is measured and a sensory stimulus is generated, characterized in that the sensory stimulus includes at least one vibratory stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range and in that the sensory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range. [0009] Specifically it has been observed that when the user very rapidly presses and/or releases the touch surface i.e. in such a way as to leave his finger pressed on the touch surface for less than 80 ms, perception of the vibratory stimulus may be hindered because of a loss of contact between the skin and the vibrating touch surface. Thus, the user may not perceive the delivered haptic signal since his finger loses contact at the moment of the generation of the vibration. In these situations, in which the press or the release is very quick, the substitutional audio stimulus makes it possible to simulate the perception got by contact with the vibration of the touch surface. The substitutional audio stimulus thus gives the user the impression of having felt a haptic stimulus. [0010] According to one exemplary embodiment, the sensory stimulus includes a vibratory stimulus and an associated audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range, i.e. for a sufficiently long press. The audio-haptic sensory stimulus is then replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range. [0011] Provision is made for the frequency range of the substitutional audio stimulus to be distinct from the frequency range of the audio stimulus associated with the vibratory stimulus, thereby allowing the audio stimulus of a standard press, i.e. a press of sufficient length, to be distinguished from the substitutional audio stimulus simulating a haptic stimulus. [0012] According to one exemplary embodiment, the frequency range of the substitutional audio stimulus is substantially the same as the frequency range of the vibratory stimulus. By preserving the frequency of the vibratory stimulus for the generation of the substitutional audio stimulus, the resemblance with a haptic stimulus is improved by mimicry of the sound memorized by the user for a vibratory stimulus. The substitutional audio stimulus thus makes it possible to simulate, via the auditory canal, the audio-haptic sensation equivalent to the audio-haptic sensory stimulus generated for a standard press. [0013] According to one exemplary embodiment, the duration of the substitutional audio stimulus is substantially equal to the duration of the vibratory stimulus. By preserving the duration of the vibratory stimulus for the generation of the substitutional audio stimulus, the simulation of a haptic stimulus is improved by mimicry of the feeling memorized by the user for a vibratory stimulus. [0014] According to one exemplary embodiment, the sensory stimulus includes at least one vibratory stimulus when the value of the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is higher than or equal to a predefined threshold and the sensory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the value of the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration is smaller than the predefined threshold. [0015] For example, the sensory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the press pressure decreases to zero in less than 80 ms. Specifically, below 80 ms, it becomes difficult for the control device to process the information and to deliver in response a haptic stimulus to the user over a residual duration allowing good contact perception conditions to be enjoyed by the user. [0016] Another subject of the invention is a method for commanding a control device for an automotive vehicle, wherein a first pressure variation of a press of a user on a touch surface is measured and a first sensory stimulus is generated; then, when the measured press pressure ceases to increase and decreases, a second sensory stimulus is generated including at least one vibratory stimulus when the second press pressure variation over a second predetermined duration is comprised in a second predefined range, the second sensory stimulus being replaced with a second substitutional audio stimulus when the second press pressure variation over the second predetermined duration departs from the second predefined range. [0019] Another subject of the invention is a method for commanding a control device for an automotive vehicle, wherein a first pressure variation of a press of a user on a touch surface is measured and a first sensory stimulus is generated including at least one vibratory stimulus when the first press pressure variation over a first predetermined duration is comprised in a first predefined range, the first sensory stimulus being replaced with a first substitutional audio stimulus when the first press pressure variation over the first predetermined duration departs from the first predefined range; then, when the measured press pressure ceases to increase and decreases, a second sensory stimulus is generated. [0022] Another subject of the invention is a method for commanding a control device for an automotive vehicle, wherein a first pressure variation of a press of a user on a touch surface is measured and a first sensory stimulus is generated including at least one vibratory stimulus when the first press pressure variation over a first predetermined duration is comprised in a first predefined range, the first sensory stimulus being replaced with a first substitutional audio stimulus when the first press pressure variation over the first predetermined duration departs from the first predefined range; then, when the measured press pressure ceases to increase and decreases, a second sensory stimulus is generated including at least one vibratory stimulus when the second press pressure variation over a second predetermined duration is comprised in a second predefined range, the second sensory stimulus being replaced with a second substitutional audio stimulus when the second press pressure variation over the second predetermined duration departs from the second predefined range. [0025] The first and second sensory stimuli thus allow the press and release of a push button to be simulated. The generation of the substitutional audio stimulus, when substituted for the first and/or second, vibratory or audio-haptic, sensory stimuli/stimulus, makes it possible, in the case where the measured pressure variation decreases too fast, indicating a very rapid press or release, to ensure that nonetheless the user has the impression of having felt a haptic stimulus. [0026] Another subject of the invention is a control device for an automotive vehicle, including: a touch surface including a contact sensor able to measure a press pressure on the touch surface; and a sensory stimulus module configured to generate a sensory stimulus in response to a contact with the touch surface; [0029] characterized in that the sensory stimulus module is configured to generate a sensory stimulus including at least one vibratory stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range and to replace the sensory stimulus with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0030] Other advantages and features will become clear on reading the description of the invention, and from the appended figures which show an exemplary nonlimiting embodiment of the invention and in which: [0031] FIG. 1 shows an exemplary control device for an automotive vehicle; [0032] FIG. 2 shows a graph of the press pressure of a user on the touch surface as a function of time for a standard press (curve 1 ) and for a press having a very rapid release (curve 2 ); and [0033] FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary method for commanding a control device. [0034] In these figures, identical elements have been given the same reference numbers. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0035] The expression “haptic” designates a stimulus of the sense of touch. Thus, the haptic stimulus is for example a vibration of the touch surface felt by contact with the touch surface. The expression “vibratory stimulus” or “vibration” designates the vibration of the touch surface allowing a haptic stimulus to be delivered to the user manipulating the touch surface i.e. via his sense of touch. [0036] FIG. 1 shows a control device for an automotive vehicle 1 , for example arranged in a dashboard of the vehicle. [0037] The control device 1 includes a touch surface 2 and a sensory stimulus module 4 configured to generate a sensory stimulus in response to a contact with the touch surface 2 by a finger or any other activating means (for example a stylus) of a user having for example modified or selected a command. [0038] The touch surface 2 is for example a touchscreen. A touchscreen is an input periphery allowing users of a system to interact therewith through touch. It allows the user to interact directly with the zone that he wants to select for various purposes such as for example to select a destination address or a name in an address book, to adjust the air-conditioning system, to activate a dedicated function, to select a route from a list, or generally to scroll through a list of choices and to select, validate and correct a choice. [0039] The touch surface 2 includes a panel bearing a contact sensor able to measure a press pressure on the touch surface during a predetermined duration. [0040] The contact sensor is for example a pressure sensor, such as one using a force sensing resistor (FSR) technology, i.e. using pressure sensitive resistors. FSR technology is very resistant and robust while nonetheless having a high resolution. In addition, it is very reactive and precise, while being relatively stable over time. It may have a quite long lifetime, and is usable with any type of activating means, at relatively low cost. [0041] In one FSR technology, the sensor functions by sensing when two conductive layers make contact, for example under the action of a finger. One embodiment consists in covering a glass plate with a layer of conductive ink, on which is superposed a flexible polyester sheet, itself covered on its internal face with a layer of conductive ink. Transparent insulating pads insulate the plate from the polyester sheet. An activation of the touch surface produces a slight depression in the polyester layer, which makes contact with the conductive layer of the glass plate. The local contact of the two conductive layers leads to a modification in the electrical current applied to the plate, corresponding to a voltage gradient. [0042] According to another example, the contact sensor comprises flexible semiconductor layers sandwiched between, for example, a conductive layer and a resistive layer. By exerting a pressure or a swipe on the FSR layer, its ohmic resistance decreases thus allowing, by application of a suitable voltage, the applied pressure and/or the position of the location where the pressure is being exerted to be measured. [0043] According to another example, the contact sensor is based on a capacitive technology. [0044] The sensory stimulus module 4 is configured to generate a sensory stimulus including at least one vibratory stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range and to replace the sensory stimulus with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range. [0045] The predetermined duration is for example shorter than 80 ms, such as about 50 ms. [0046] Specifically it has been observed that when a user very rapidly presses and/or releases the touch surface 2 i.e. in such a way as to leave his finger pressed on the touch surface for less than 80 ms, perception of the vibratory stimulus may be hindered because of a loss of contact between the skin and the vibrating touch surface 2 . Thus, the user may not perceive the delivered haptic signal since his finger loses contact at the moment of the generation of the vibration. In these situations, in which the press and/or the release is very quick, the substitutional audio stimulus makes it possible to simulate the perception got by contact with the vibration of the touch surface 2 . The substitutional audio stimulus thus gives the user the impression of having felt a haptic stimulus. [0047] The command method and the control device 1 may thus be used to simulate a very quick single press or the press and release of a push button or the manipulation of a rotary control knob or a slider for which the press and/or the release is too rapid to allow a haptic stimulus to be delivered under good perception conditions. [0048] Thus, the sensory stimulus module 4 includes an audio emission unit 5 and at least one actuator 3 connected to the panel of the touch surface 2 , in order to generate a vibration depending on a signal issued from the contact sensor. The vibration is for example directed in the plane of the touch surface 2 or orthogonally to the plane of the touch surface 2 or even directed in a combination of these two directions. [0049] The vibration is produced by a sinusoidal command signal or by a command signal including a or a succession of pulses, sent to the actuator 3 . In the case of a plurality of actuators, the latter are arranged under the touch surface 2 , in various positions (at the center or on one side) or with various orientations (in the direction of the press on the surface or on another axis). [0050] According to one exemplary embodiment, the actuator 3 is based on a technology similar to that of voice coils. It includes a fixed portion and a portion that is translatably movable in a gap of the fixed portion, for example by about 200 μm, between a first and second position, parallelly to a longitudinal axis of the movable portion. The movable portion is for example formed by a movable magnet sliding in the interior of a fixed coil or by a movable coil sliding around a fixed magnet, the movable portion and the fixed portion interacting electromagnetically. The movable portions are connected to the panel so that the movement of the movable portions engenders the translational movement of the panel in order to deliver the haptic stimulus to the finger of the user. This technology is easily controllable and allows large weights, such as that of a screen, to be moved at various frequencies and meets the very strict constraints of the automotive industry that are a lowcost, a good resistance to large temperature variations, and implementational simplicity. [0051] According to one exemplary embodiment, the sensory stimulus only includes a vibratory stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range, i.e. for a press of sufficient length. The vibratory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range. [0052] According to another exemplary embodiment, the sensory stimulus includes a vibratory stimulus and an associated audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over a predetermined duration is comprised in a predefined range. The audio-haptic sensory stimulus is then replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration departs from the predefined range. [0053] Provision is for example made for the frequency range of the substitutional audio stimulus to be distinct from the frequency range of the audio stimulus associated with the vibratory stimulus, thereby allowing the audio stimulus of a standard press, i.e. a press of sufficient length, to be distinguished from the substitutional audio stimulus simulating a haptic stimulus. [0054] According to one exemplary embodiment, the frequency range of the substitutional audio stimulus is substantially the same as the frequency range of the vibratory stimulus and it is for example comprised between 60 and 200 Hz. By preserving the frequency of the vibratory stimulus for the generation of the substitutional audio stimulus, the resemblance with a haptic stimulus is improved by mimicry of the sound memorized by the user for the vibratory stimulus. The substitutional audio stimulus thus makes it possible to simulate, via the auditory canal, an audio-haptic sensation equivalent to the audio-haptic sensory stimulus generated for a standard press. [0055] According to one exemplary embodiment, the duration of the substitutional audio stimulus is substantially equal to the duration of the vibratory stimulus. By preserving the duration of the vibratory stimulus for the generation of the substitutional audio stimulus, the simulation of a haptic stimulus is improved by mimicry of the feeling memorized by the user for a vibratory stimulus. [0056] According to one exemplary embodiment, whether the sensory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus depends on a threshold of variation in the press pressure over the predetermined duration. For example, the sensory stimulus is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the press pressure decreases to zero in less than 80 ms. Specifically, below 80 ms, it becomes difficult for the control device to process the information and to deliver in response a haptic stimulus to the user over a residual duration allowing good contact perception conditions to be enjoyed by the user. [0057] It is also possible to provide for the sensory stimulus module 4 to be configured to evaluate the press pressure variation speed, and to replace the sensory stimulus with a substitutional audio stimulus depending on the press pressure variation speed profile, alternatively or in addition to the comparison with a press pressure variation threshold. [0058] Equally, it is possible to provide for the sensory stimulus module 4 to be configured to evaluate the press pressure variation acceleration, and to replace the sensory stimulus with a substitutional audio stimulus depending on the press pressure variation acceleration profile, alternatively or in addition to the comparison with a press pressure variation speed and/or press pressure variation threshold. [0059] FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the method for commanding the control device simulating the “push and release” of a key type button. [0060] In operation, the press pressure on the touch surface 2 is measured. When a press pressure variation becomes detectable, the press pressure is measured over a first predetermined duration dt 1 (step 104 ), for example by taking the mean of the press pressure over the first predetermined duration dt 1 . [0061] The first predetermined duration dt 1 is for example about 80 milliseconds. [0062] If the first press pressure variation dpi over the first predetermined duration dt 1 is comprised in a first predefined range, then a first sensory stimulus is generated including at least one vibratory stimulus (step 105 ). [0063] In contrast, if the first press pressure variation dp 1 over the first predetermined duration dt 1 departs from the first predefined range then the first sensory stimulus is replaced with a first substitutional audio stimulus (step 106 ). [0064] For example, the sensory stimulus including a vibration is replaced with a substitutional audio stimulus when the press pressure decreases to zero in less than 80 ms. [0065] Next, when the measured press pressure ceases to increase and decreases, the press pressure is measured over a second predetermined duration dt 2 (step 101 ), for example of same length as the first predetermined duration dt 1 . [0066] If the second press pressure variation dp 2 over the second predetermined duration dt 2 is comprised in a second predefined range, then a second sensory stimulus including at least one vibratory stimulus is generated (step 102 ). [0067] In contrast, if the second press pressure variation dp 2 ′ over the second predetermined duration dt 2 departs from the second predefined range then the second sensory stimulus is replaced with a second substitutional audio stimulus (step 103 ). [0068] FIG. 2 thus shows an example in which the press pressure variation dp 2 is small during the second predetermined duration, meaning that the release is accomplished slowly, allowing a haptic stimulus that will be felt by the finger of the user to be generated (curve 1 ). The case has also been illustrated in which the press pressure variation dp 2 ′ despite being very large has indeed decreased to zero at the end of the second predetermined duration dt 2 , meaning that the release is accomplished too rapidly to allow the sensory stimulus module 4 to generate a vibratory stimulus that would be perceived under good contact perception conditions by the user (curve 2 ). [0069] The first and second sensory stimuli thus allow the press and release of a push button to be simulated. The generation of the substitutional audio stimulus, when substituted for the first and/or second, vibratory or audio-haptic, sensory stimuli/stimulus, makes it possible, in the case where the measured pressure variation decreases too fast, indicating a very rapid press or release, to ensure that nonetheless the user has the impression of having felt a haptic stimulus.
The invention relates to a method for controlling a control device for a motor vehicle which comprises measuring the variation in the pressure by a user pressing on a touch-sensitive surface ( 2 ) and generating a haptic feedback, characterised in that the haptic feedback comprises at least one vibratory feedback when the variation in the pressing pressure (dp 1, dp 2, dp 2′ ) over a predetermined time (dt 1, dt 2 ) is within a predefined range, and in that the haptic feedback is replaced with a replacement acoustic feedback when the variation in the pressing pressure (dp 1, dp 2, dp 2′ ) over the predetermined time (dt 1, dt 2 ) leaves the predefined range.
1
INCORPORATIONS BY REFERENCE [0001] The following patent application is hereby incorporated by reference into this application: U.S. Pat. application Ser. No. 09/216,829 by Biegelsen et al. titled “Ferrofluidic Electric Paper”. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates generally to internal field activated display sheets and more particularly concerns an internal field activated display sheet which utilizes liquid in a plurality of reservoirs in which the liquid can be moved from each reservoir into an open space and can be moved back into the reservoir by applying an electric field to the liquid. [0003] Typically, a display device, in sheet form, comprises a thin sheet, which has many attributes of a paper document. It looks like paper, has ambient light valve behavior like paper (i.e. the brighter the ambient light, the more easily it may be seen), is flexible like paper, can be carried around like paper, can be written on like paper, can be copied like paper, and has nearly the archival memory of paper. [0004] There have been different approaches to making a field induced display sheet such as U.S. Pat. No. 5,956,005 titled “Electrocapillary Display Sheet which Utilizes an Applied Electric Field to Move a Liquid Inside the Display Sheet”, in which the display sheet utilizes three transparent parallel sheets spaced from each other. The medial plane has a plurality of reservoirs, which are filled with a dyed or pigmented ink. Each of the reservoirs has an individually addressable voltage source to create an individual electric field. Ink from a reservoir flows into the space between the medial plane and one of the other two sheets with the application or removal of an electric field. [0005] An alternate approach was disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,717,283 titled “Display Sheet with a Plurality of Hourglass Shaped Capsules Containing Marking Means Responsive to External Fields”, in which the display sheet contains a plurality of hourglass shaped capsules for each pixel of an image. Each hourglass shaped capsule contains ink in one of its chambers. With the application of an external electric field, ink is moved from one chamber to the other in each hourglass shaped capsule to display an image. Visibility of the ink is otherwise blocked by an opaque medial plane. [0006] Although these approaches, utilizing a standard vertical electric field, are useful, it is desirable to improve on their performance. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a means for more effectively moving material within electric paper pixels than is possible with a standard vertical electric field. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] Briefly stated, and in accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided an internal activated display sheet including a medial plane disposed between a first and second reservoir. Apertures in the medial plane permit communication between the first and second reservoirs. At least one of the reservoirs is filled with a liquid responsive to an internal peristaltic field developed within the medial plane, which includes a plurality of conductors. Applying an internal field across selected apertures in the medial plane causes liquid to move from one reservoir to the other. [0008] In an alternate aspect of the invention there is provided a method for activating a display sheet having a first non-conductive sheet, a plurality of first reservoirs, a plurality of second reservoirs located beneath the first reservoirs, a medial plane containing conductive means interposed between the first and second reservoirs. Apertures in the medial plane permit communication between the first and second reservoirs. At least one of the reservoirs is filled with a liquid means. A peristaltically driven internal field within the medial plane pumps the liquid means from at lease one of the filled reservoirs into one of the reservoirs not containing the liquid means. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] The foregoing and other features of the instant invention will be apparent and easily understood from a further reading of the specification, claims and by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: [0010] [0010]FIG. 1 shows a pixel wide cross sectional view of one embodiment of the electric display sheet of this invention; [0011] [0011]FIG. 2 shows a multi-pixel cross sectional view of the medial plane of one embodiment of the electric display sheet of this invention; [0012] [0012]FIG. 3A shows a portion of the top view of the medial plane of this invention; [0013] [0013]FIG. 3B shows a perspective view of the three conductive layers of the medial plane; [0014] [0014]FIG. 3C shows a perspective view of an alternate embodiment for the three conductive layers of the medial plane; [0015] [0015]FIG. 4A shows an approximately sinusoidal phased waveform that is applied to the conductive layers of the medial plane; [0016] [0016]FIG. 4B shows the waveform of FIG. 4A with the phasing reversed and applied to the conductive layers of the medial plane; [0017] [0017]FIG. 4C shows an approximately sawtooth phased waveform that is applied to the conductive layers of the medial plane; [0018] [0018]FIG. 4D shows an interrupted application of a waveform to the conductive layers of the medial plane; [0019] [0019]FIG. 5 shows a pixel wide cross sectional view of the electric display sheet in operation; [0020] [0020]FIG. 6 shows an alternate embodiment of the medial plane; [0021] [0021]FIG. 7 shows a pixel wide cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the medial plane with a frustoconical aperture; [0022] [0022]FIG. 8 shows a portion of the top view of the medial plane of an alternate embodiment of this invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0023] Referring to FIG. 1, there is shown a pixel wide cross sectional view of an embodiment of the display sheet 10 of this invention. The display sheet 10 comprises a transparent and insulating sheet 12 , such as glass or Mylar, an opaque sheet 16 , a medial plane 14 , and intermediate layers 18 and 20 . Transparent as used herein shall mean “having low optical absorption so that objects may be easily seen on the other side”. Intermediate layer 20 forms walls for a hidden lower reservoir 26 , medial plane 14 forms a top layer for the lower reservoir 26 and the bottom of a viewable upper reservoir 30 , and intermediate layer 18 forms walls for the upper viewable reservoir 30 . The layers may be thermo-compressively bonded together, using adhesive layers (wherein the patterned adhesive may suffice for layers 18 and 20 ), or the layers could be deposited one on top of the other by any means known in the art. Apertures 22 and 24 are defined in medial plane 14 . Apertures 22 provide vapor or liquid return vents through medial plane 14 . Aperture 24 forms a passageway which controls passage of a coloring fluid 28 between the upper reservoir 30 and the lower reservoir 26 . In one embodiment, the coloring fluid 28 is provided in the lower reservoir 26 . The coloring fluid 28 has a color that contrasts with the color of sheet 14 and intermediate layer 18 . In this first exemplary embodiment, the coloring fluid 28 is low surface energy, non-transparent and non-white in color, such as black. Surfaces of apertures 24 are created or treated to be wetting to coloring fluid 28 . Coloring fluid 28 , which may be transparent and be colored by neutrally buoyant pigment or dye, may include dyed or pigmented non-polar liquids such as Dow Corning 200 Series silicone oil, Exxon Isopar or 3M Fluorinert and mixtures of these and other suitable liquids. (Polar, e.g. water based, fluids can be used if the conductivity is sufficiently low and if fields are low enough to avoid hydrolysis.) Alternatively, coloring fluid 28 may comprise a conducting fluid, for example an organic dielectric liquid such as isopar, with charge directors to add charge pairs (positive and negative) to the fluid. As described above, the conducting fluid may be non-transparent and non-white, such as black, or it may be a transparent fluid colored by neutrally buoyant pigments or dyes. In this embodiment coloring particles or pigments carried by the liquid are not necessarily charged. [0024] For purposes of simplicity hereinafter, the following discussion will describe embodiments in which coloring fluid 28 comprises a conducting fluid carrying neutrally buoyant, uncharged pigment particles. However, one skilled in the art will appreciate that the display sheet disclosed herein would also operate beneficially with insulating fluids containing charged pigmented particles. [0025] The reservoir 30 and apertures 22 can be filled with a liquid 32 such as water, alcohol, ethylene glycol and mixtures of these and other suitable liquids. The two liquids 28 and 32 are immiscible. The liquid 32 may be clear, dyed or pigmented with a contrasting color to liquid 28 . The reservoir 30 and apertures 22 may also be filled with a gas such as air. Alternatively, a single transparent (and not dyed) conducting fluid can uniformly fill both lower and upper reservoirs. Then pigment is pumped with the fluid between reservoirs but is not allowed to recirculate along with the liquid through fluid return vents 22 . [0026] In any of the above cases the display is bistable. That is, after writing into the hidden or revealed state the image is non-volatile due to surface tension constraints (arising from curvature forces and/or surface coatings.) The bottom sheet 16 forms a carrier layer that may be opaque, or white. The bottom layer 16 , the medial plane 14 , and the intermediate layer 20 define the boundaries and dimensions of the hidden lower reservoir 26 . The upper reservoir 30 is formed by the intermediate layer 18 and the transparent cover layer 12 . The volume of the lower reservoir 26 needs to be at least as large as the volume of the upper reservoir 30 . The volume of the lower reservoir is primarily controlled by the thickness of the intermediate layer 20 . The distance d 1 between sheets 12 and 14 and the distance d 2 between sheets 14 and 16 both are in the range between 0.0001 and 0.05 inches. [0027] Referring to FIG. 2, there is shown a cross sectional view of medial plane 14 of one embodiment of this invention. In this embodiment, medial plane 14 comprises seven layers 210 , 212 , 214 , 216 , 218 , 220 and 222 . Layers 210 , 212 , 214 and 216 are each a thin, flexible, white (layer 210 only), opaque and highly reflective material such as TiO 2 -filled polymer membrane, Mylar®, Lexan®, Plexiglas®, ceramic, etc. Electric field generating elements 218 , 220 and 222 are interposed (e.g. by deposition on the top surfaces of 212 , 214 , and 216 respectively, or on the bottom surfaces of 210 , 212 , and 214 respectively) to form a stacked electrode structure. Electric field generating elements 218 , 220 and 222 are comprised of any conductive material such as aluminum. In FIG. 2, apertures 24 have the same properties and serve the same purpose as in FIG. 1. Apertures 22 have been omitted for clarity. [0028] Referring to FIG. 3A, there is shown a top view of medial plane 14 . Conductive strips 218 are patterned on layer 212 and form lines (columns) parallel to the edge 310 of medial plane 14 . Conductive strips 220 are patterned on layer 214 and form lines (rows) parallel to the edge 320 of medial plane 14 . As indicated in FIG. 3A, conductive unpatterned layer 222 is placed on layer 216 and all points within the plane are set at the same voltage. It should be clear that patterns chosen for metal layers 218 , 220 , and 222 can be interchanged, and that the unpatterned plane, as shown in perspective view in FIG. 3B, can in fact be patterned. For example, if layers 218 and 220 are patterned into column and row strips, respectively, as above and layer 222 is patterned into column strips vertically displaced below columns in layer 218 (FIG. 3C), then separate phases can be applied to the columns of layer 222 to extend the set of operations that can be achieved. In the following description, layer 222 will initially be taken to be patterned as in FIG. 3C. The conductive elements 218 , 220 and 222 are all fabricated by well-known methods of depositing and patterning a conductive material such as metal or polysilicon and may be encapsulated. For example, polyester sheets can be aluminized uniformly by sputtering and patterned into aluminum stripes by laser ablation in a roll to roll process. Apertures 24 have the same properties and serve the same purpose as in FIG. 1. Apertures 22 have been omitted from FIG. 3C for clarity. The crossing points of conductive strips 218 and 220 align with at least one corresponding aperture 24 . The crossing points can be larger than the apertures 24 in order to each activate more than one aperture 24 . When the elements 218 , 220 and 222 are activated with mutually phased waveforms P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 , a moving electric field wave, a peristaltic wave, is created which causes the fluid in the corresponding reservoir to move from one reservoir to another, as described in more detail hereinbelow. The peristaltic fields separate charge pairs locally, but transport both signs of charge in the same direction. The fields drive the charged species, which in turn viscously drag the fluid, which in turn drags the pigment particles (if pigment particles are used). Conductive layers 218 , 220 and 222 are connected to control logic, not shown, from the edges of sheet 10 by any well-known means such as edge connectors. [0029] Referring to FIGS. 4 A-D, there is shown three different phased waveforms P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 that are applied to conductive layers 218 , 220 and 222 , respectively, to write a particular pixel, that is, to move pigment from below to above the medial plane. The waveforms may be either digital voltage signals or analog voltage signals. For simplicity in the discussion, digital phased waveforms will be described in this embodiment. Referring to FIGS. 4 A-D and 5 , in operation, medial plane layer 216 is adjacent to reservoir 26 holding conductive liquid 28 . The liquid 28 may be a conductive fluid containing charge directors, as described above. [0030] The phased digital waveforms P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 are applied to the conductive layers 218 , 220 , and 222 through a known control logic. The control logic has a selection architecture such as multiplexers or programmable logic array (PLA) to select a given electrode at a given time. As shown in FIGS. 4A and B, an approximately sinusoidal voltage wave is applied to the three electrodes 218 , 220 , and 222 . A positive (negative) voltage here can be thought of as corresponding to an accumulation of positive (negative) charge in the electrode. This charge attracts oppositely charged species in the liquid and repels similarly charged species. The net neutral liquid is thus locally polarized, but no long distance charge separation is induced. The conductivity of the resultant fluid is adjusted to be low enough that field screening does not occur and approximately all charges in the liquid between the electrodes are separated. Field strengths and charged species mobilities are chosen so that drift times are comparable with switching times and are much shorter than diffusion times. [0031] In order to support an applied field, the concentration of mobile ions in the liquid must be sufficiently low. For voltages V and spacings d, the simple application of Poisson's equation to the electrode region shows that the concentration of ions must be less than ε·ε 0 ·V /( q 0 ·d 2 ), [0032] where ε is the relative permittivity (usually 2-4 for organic liquids) and ε 0 is the permittivity of free space (8.85e-12F/m), V is the typical voltage on the electrodes (10V for this example), q 0 is the ion charge (1.6e-19 C for most ions) and d is the electrode spacing (10 microns for this example). This gives a typical ion concentration of 1.1e19 m −3 . Mobilities for ions in these liquids are found in the literature to be typically in a range of from 1e-9 to 1e-8 m 2 /V −s , so that the corresponding fluid conductivity (the product of ion concentration and mobility) is somewhere around 2 to 20 nS/m. [0033] Once the voltage and spacings have been selected, the wave speed must be determined. In order to drag the ions effectively, it is necessary that the wave speed be somewhat less than the drift speed of the fastest ions. In that manner, the ions of each sign will stay separated from their opposites, and follow the potential profile as it travels along the length of the aperture. There will be no ion “slippage” and hence mixing of positive and negative ions, which would tend to reduce the effectiveness of the pumping action. The highest drift speed one would expect would be determined from the product of mobility and the highest electric field in the system, that is, μV/d, or, with the above numbers, 1e-2 m/s. The traveling speed of the wave would necessarily be a bit less than this value. The frequency of the phased voltages is then determined by the wave speed and the wavelength. The wavelength is determined by the electrode spacing, and for a 3-phase system is 3·d. The frequency is then the wave speed divided by the wavelength, or for this example, about 30 Hz. [0034] The resultant force on the liquid is determined by the force exerted on the fluid by that quantity of ions being dragged at the wave speed. The resulting force per unit area and per unit length is given by nq 0 v t /μ, [0035] where n is the ion concentration (1.1e19 m −3 ), v t is the wave speed (1e-2 m/s), and μ is the ion mobility. For the present example, this is approximately 2e7 N/m 3 , or the equivalent to a pressure gradient of about 200 bar/m. This can then be used to determine the flow rate through the aperture. [0036] While these numbers are chosen for particular voltages and spacings, it should be understood that higher voltages, smaller spacings, and higher concentrations could be used. By combination of the above relations, it can be shown that a scaling law for the fluid force is limited according to the relation ε·ε 0 ·V 2 /d 3 , [0037] so that, as long as breakdown is avoided, the force scales with voltage squared. Organic liquids can typically withstand field strengths of several megavolts per meter, so that for 10 micron spacings, fluid forces of 1.6e7 N/m 3 , or 160 bar/m are possible, although at voltages of 30V. Spacings smaller than 10 microns help to reduce the necessary voltage and, at the same time, increase the force on the fluid. [0038] As seen in FIG. 4A for a sinusoidal-like sequence, and FIG. 4C for a sawtooth-like sequence, the voltages are changed and a wave-like voltage pattern is shifted across the medial plane. Note that both positive and negative charged species are transported in the same direction, so called ‘ambipolar’ transport. The moving charged species drag the fluid and its contents along. In FIG. 4 a charges are driven peristaltically upward in time, thereby pumping fluid and suspended pigment upward through the orifice 24 . In the indicated configuration, this is a ‘write’ operation. As seen in FIG. 4 b reversing the phasing applied to the electrodes reverses the wave direction, which in turn reverses the fluid transport. This represents an ‘erase’ operation. [0039] In a display system each pixel must be put into its own state. The present system is able to support passive matrix addressing wherein a single row at a time is selected, and pixels at the intersection with each column within the row are selectively and simultaneously driven in a single selected direction. Thus, as shown in FIG. 3 c , phase P 2 is applied to a given row in plane 220 , P 1 is applied to each column in layer 218 and P 3 is applied to each column in layer 222 which is being addressed for writing. Peristaltically phasing P 1 , P 2 , P 3 drives fluid from the bottom reservoir to the top reservoir (writing). The voltages are switched synchronously through their cycles many times until all the pigment has been transferred. Simultaneously, in the case that layer 222 is also patterned into columns as in FIG. 3C, or in another time interval if layer 222 is unpatterned as in FIG. 3 b , other pixels in the same row can be driven as P 3 , P 2 , P 1 (on layers 218 , 220 and 222 , respectively) to drive fluid in the opposite direction (erasing.) In the case of FIG. 3C all pixel setting is completed after addressing each row once with no frame erase required. In the case of FIG. 3B each row can be addressed only once if preceded by a frame erase. Alternatively each row can be addressed twice: once to write selected column crossings and once again to erase the remaining column crossings. Each row is similarly addressed in turn until the entire display has been set. [0040] As described above proper phasing of voltages on the electrodes at a pixel are required to transport fluid. Referring to FIG. 4D it can be seen that, conversely, breaking the peristaltic pattern halts the flow. This effect is used to provide non-switching states for the pixels in non-addressed rows residing in the same columns as the desirably addressed pixels. Thus, if P 1 , P 2 and P 3 are ordered and cycled so as to transport fluid at desired column intersections for selected row, i, for example, then applying P 1 , P 1 , P 3 or P 1 , P 3 , P 3 does not transport fluid at intersection pixels in all other rows, j, where no switching is desired. Thus, by addressing rows and columns, transport will occur only at intersections where proper phasing is provided. [0041] As a result, the wave forms P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 cause the coloring fluid to move from reservoir 26 , through the opening 24 , past conductive layers 222 , 220 and 218 , and into reservoir 30 . Referring to FIG. 5, by applying the waveforms P 1 , P 2 , and P 3 , to the conductive layers 222 , 220 and 218 in the reverse order, coloring fluid 28 can be moved from reservoir 30 and down the opening 24 back into reservoir 26 . Gas or fluid originally contained in reservoir 30 flows into reservoir 26 through apertures 22 to maintain intra-pixel equilibration. In the case that gas fills half the pixel (one reservoir) and apertures 22 are made to be non-wetting to fluid 28 , then a dyed, non-pigmented fluid 28 can be used. In another embodiment, gas or fluid originally contained in reservoir 30 may also move through apertures 230 to maintain inter-pixel equilibration. Apertures 22 and/or 230 are at least half the diameter of the smallest pigment particles. For the case in which dyed, unpigmented fluids are used, then apertures 22 and/or 230 are either treated to be non-wetting or are made sufficiently small so that one fluid is not able to pass, but any gas or second fluid may pass. [0042] Furthermore, the number of conductive layers can be modified to be more than three. For example, four conductive layers 420 , 422 , 424 , and 426 can be used as shown in FIG. 6. Extra conductive layers can be used to increase the suppression of transport in non-selected pixels, and to enhance pumping in selected pixels. In this embodiment, conductive layers 420 and 426 are unpatterned and conductive layers 422 and 424 are patterned in the same manner as layers 218 and 220 respectively, as shown in FIG. 3B. [0043] Many different variations, combinations, and arrangements of this invention can be implemented to move the coloring fluid. For example, referring to FIG. 7, the shape of apertures 24 may be varied such that the sides are angled, rather than parallel. In the same manner, the patterned conductive layers may have different shapes or be configured differently, as shown in FIG. 8. In FIG. 8, conductive strips 340 are arranged in such a manner that they form parallel lines which are diagonal with respect to conductive strips 220 ′. In FIG. 8, those elements which are the same as those disclosed in the description of FIG. 3A, are designated by the same reference numerals with a prime “″” affixed thereto and have the same properties and serve the same purpose as their counterparts. In further variations apertures 24 and 22 can be hidden from viewing by masking layers (not shown). [0044] The sheet of the present invention may be produced in a continuous process from webs of material. Webs are fed from rolls, to die cutting stage to partial lamination stage to inking stage to final lamination stage to roll, as described in U.S. application Ser. No. 09/216,829, cited above. The orifices may be cut with a laser drilling apparatus, but alternatively could be die punched. A separate operation would cut the sheet to size. [0045] It is therefore apparent that there has been provided, in accordance with the present invention, a display sheet with a stacked electrode structure. The advantage of the display sheet disclosed in this invention over prior display sheets using a standard electric field is the more efficient movement of material from one reservoir to another and the minimization of space charge creation and field screening, and the resultant long time constants for charge re-equilibration. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations which may fall within the spirit and scope of the following claims.
An internal field activated display sheet is disclosed which comprises a medial plane disposed between reservoirs in the display sheet. The reservoirs communicate with each other through apertures in the medial plane, which includes a plurality of conductors. At least one of the reservoirs is filled with a liquid means, which is responsive to a peristaltic internal field developed within the medial plane. Applying a field across selected apertures in the medial plane causes the liquid means to be electrically pumped from one reservoir into the other, thereby displaying an image.
6
FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to refrigerators and freezers and more particularly to defrost cycle controllers therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Refrigeration and freezer systems, especially of the home appliance type, provide cooled air to food storage enclosures. Air is blown over heat exchangers which extract heat from the air to produce the cooled air. The heat exchangers generally operate on the known cooling effect provided by gas that is expanded in a closed circuit, i.e., the refrigeration cycle. In order to be expanded, the gas is first compressed in a compressor. As is known, the efficiency of a system can be enhanced by reducing the amount of frost that builds up on the heat exchanger. Present new systems generally are of a self-defrosting type, i.e., they employ a heater specially positioned and controlled to provide sufficient heat to the enclosure to cause melting of frost build-up on the heat exchanger. Such defrost heaters are controlled by various defrost cycle algorithms and configurations. Refrigeration and freezer systems have two general cycles or modes, a cooling cycle or mode and a defrost cycle or mode. During the cooling cycle, the compressor is connected to line voltage and the compressor is cycled on and off by means of a thermostat. The compressor is actually run only when the enclosure warms to a preselected temperature. During the defrost cycle, the compressor is disconnected from line voltage and instead, a defrost heater is connected to line voltage. The defrost heater is turned off by means of a temperature responsive switch, after the build-up frost has been melted away. According to the prior art, operation of the compressor and defrost heater is controlled using a defrost cycle controller generally by one of several techniques referred to herein as real or straight time, cumulative time and variable time. According to real time, the connection of the system to line voltage is monitored and the interval between defrost cycles is based on a fixed interval of real time. Cumulative time involves monitoring the cumulative time a compressor is run during a cooling cycle with the interval between defrost cycles varied based on the cumulative time the compressor is run. Variable time involves allowing for variable intervals between defrost cycles by monitoring both cumulative compressor run time as well as continuous compressor run time and defrost cycle length. The interval between defrost cycles then is based more closely on the need for defrosting. Defrost systems as described above use more energy than is needed to prevent excessive frost build-up which prevents efficient cooling. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is the provision of a refrigeration control having improved efficiency in operating the defrost heater. Another object is the provision of a lower cost refrigeration control and one which is more adaptable for use with different compressors and other ancillary components. Yet another object is the provision of a refrigeration control which overcomes the limitations noted above of the prior art. Briefly, in accordance with the invention, an integrated refrigeration controller for use in a refrigeration system having a compressor, an evaporator, a freezer compartment and a defrost heater comprises a microprocessor, a first temperature sensor thermally coupled to the freezer compartment and having a signal fed to the microprocessor, a second temperature sensor thermally coupled to the evaporator and having a signal fed to the microprocessor, an electronic switch for connecting the defrost heater to a voltage source and a zero-crossing network coupled to the voltage source and having an input to the microprocessor. The microprocessor is programmed to monitor the temperature responsive signals and based on such signals and zero-crossing detection to energize the electronic switch to thereby provide power to the defrost heater. According to a feature of the invention, the control monitors the previous on time on the defrost heater based on that time adaptively determines the defrost heater off time for the next cycle. According to a modified embodiment, the defrost heater is energized for short periods of time at preselected full or part energy level at selected intervals of time during what normally would be the normal compressor run time to thereby limit or prevent the build-up of frost and concomitantly shorten the defrost cycle. According to another feature of the invention, preferably the defrost cycles are initiated at the end of a warming cycle to take advantage of ambient warming effects. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects, advantages and details of the integrated refrigeration control of the invention appear in the following detailed description referring to the drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram showing an IRC module made in accordance with the invention along with a wiring diagram of a refrigerator controlled by the module; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram showing an IRC module along with sensor inputs and control outputs; FIG. 3 shows a microprocessor used in the IRC module and connections to the microprocessor, FIGS. 4A and 4B taken together show a schematic wiring diagram of a power connector and interconnected triac drives, a zero-crossing detection network and a power supply; FIG. 5 shows a schematic wiring diagram of a signal connector and interconnected thermistor circuits and a cold control circuit; and FIGS. 6-8 are flow charts relating to the operation of the system. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With particular reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment, an integrated refrigeration control system 10 comprises a compressor 12 having a start winding 12 a and run winding 12 b with an optional run capacitor 12 c across lines connected to s (start winding) and r (run winding). The compressor motor is controlled by a microprocessor U 1 of control module IRC, to be discussed in detail below. The IRC module also controls a compressor fan 13 and evaporator fan 14 along with a defrost heater 18 . Inputs to the IRC module include thermal sensor S 1 for a freezer compartment 2 , a defrost thermal sensor S 2 positioned in good heat conductive relation with the evaporator and preferably a thermal sensor S 3 in good heat conductive relation with the shell of the compressor. The thermal sensors employed are NTC thermistors which provide temperature signals used by the IRC module to perform thermal protection (S 3 ), cold control (S 1 ) and adaptive defrost control functions (S 2 ). It will be understood that other types of sensors, such as PTC, could be used, if desired. Another input to the IRC module is a user controlled cold control 16 shown in the form of a potentiometer in order to control the freezer temperature setting. With reference to FIG. 3 , the IRC module controls the temperature of the freezer compartment using two input signals, one corresponding to the temperature of the freezer compartment, PBO, and the other, PTAO, corresponding to the desired temperature setting. The freezer compartment temperature is controlled by comparing the actual freezer temperature to the desired setting. If the temperature rises higher than the setting, the IRC module independently provides power to the main PTA3 and start PTA4 windings of the compressor motor. The IRC module then de-energizes the start winding after a selected period. The module independently energizes the evaporator and compressor fans through lines PB 7 , PB 6 respectively. The IRC module is programmed so that for each desired temperature setting there is a programmed temperature at which the compressor is turned on and a corresponding programmed temperature at which it is turned off. The IRC module protects the compressor motor by sensing the current flowing through the compressor windings and cutting power to the motor when certain fault conditions are detected. The current overload threshold is programmed so that the main winding current is compared to a selected level and power is removed from the compressor motor within a preselected interval. The IRC module independently controls power to the fan motors while the motor is in the tripped state. Excessive motor temperatures are monitored by the NTC sensor located on the compressor shell with power to the compressor removed when a selected temperature threshold (trip temperature) is exceeded. As in the case of the over-current failure mode, power to the fan motors is independently controlled. The programmed trip temperature is dependent on the particular compressor motor employed. The IRC module adaptively controls the refrigerator defrost cycle to minimize system energy usage and maintain evaporator coil efficiency. As will be explained in detail below, an algorithm takes into account previous defrost cycle run times (i.e., defrost cycle duration). The module controls when power is applied to the defrost heater based on these times and a temperature signal from a thermistor located near the evaporator coil. The defrost cycle preferably begins when a call for cooling occurs to take advantage of warmer compartment temperatures. The module provides protection against shorted or open sensor failures. It can detect an open or short circuit condition on any of the three sensor inputs and is capable of de-energizing the compressor, fan motors and the defrost heater. The IRC module will run in a default operating mode in the event of failure of the freezer or defrost sensors. In the event of a failure of the compressor sensor, the IRC module will de-energize the compressor, fan motors and the defrost heater. To prevent rapid compressor cycling in cases where a fault condition is detected and then quickly disappears, the module enters a tripped state and remains in that state for a minimum period of time before resuming operation. In the embodiment described, power to the start and run windings, the evaporator fan, the compressor fan and the defrost heater are all controlled by the IRC module through electronic switches, in the specific embodiment described, triacs. With reference to FIGS. 4A , 4 B and 5 , triacs Q 1 of triac network 20 b , Q 4 of triac 20 c , Q 6 of triac network 20 d , Q 8 of triac network 20 e and Q 10 of triac network 20 f are connected respectively, to power connector J 1 through the compressor fan, evaporator fan, defrost heater, start winding and run winding. A zero-crossing detector network 20 a is also connected through power connector J 1 to line current and neutral. With respect to triac networks 20 b - 20 f , the triacs are operated in quadrants 2 and 3 and thus are provided with a negative supply VCC_Bar and with terminal MT 1 of each triac connected directly to neutral and terminal MT 2 connected to the respective load. The triac networks are interfaced with microprocessor U 1 through an output pin on the microprocessor. In the case of network 20 b , the output from microprocessor U 1 is received at the base of NPN transistor Q 2 through resistor R 6 selected to saturate the transistor. The emitter of transistor Q 2 is connected to negative voltage VCC_BAR and the collector is connected to the gate of triac Q 1 through resistor R 2 selected to provide a suitable current value. Microprocessor U 1 provides a high signal which biases transistor 02 on with current flowing from the gate through resistor R 2 until the signal goes low turning off the transistor current at the gate of triac Q 1 but current flowing from terminals MT 2 to MT 1 remains above the holding current to keep the triac on for the remainder of the half cycle. Capacitor C 1 , serially connected to resistor R 3 across the main terminals of the triac, is optional and serves as a snubber, or filter to provide transient switching noise protection. Triac networks 20 c - 20 e operate in a corresponding manner. With respect specifically to triac network 20 f , the compressor run triac, a current sense resistor R 31 is placed in series with terminal MT 1 and neutral and is chosen with a sufficiently low value that its voltage potential does not adversely affect the gating operation or the operation of the load. This provides a means for sensing current through resistors R 27 , R 28 and diode D 5 so that should the current rise above a selected threshold microprocessor U 1 can de-energize the compressor. Zero-crossing network 20 a comprises resistors R 1 , R 4 and R 8 connected as a voltage divider between line L 1 and VCC_BAR with the base of PNP resistor Q 3 connected between resistors R 4 , R 8 . The collector of transistor Q 3 is connected to the negative reference VCC_BAR and the emitter to the cathode of diode D 8 whose anode is connected to resistor R 5 in turn connected to neutral. The junction between the anode and resistor R 5 is fed into a timer input capture pin TCHO of microprocessor U 1 . The circuit provides a square wave from a 60 Hz line voltage. The use of transistor Q 3 and diode D 8 provides suitable noise immunity as well as the desired square wave. Power supply network 20 g comprises capacitor C 3 connected to line power source L 1 . The capacitance of C 3 determines the maximum value of current the supply can provide. Resistor R 14 is connected in parallel with capacitor C 3 while resistors R 9 , R 10 , R 16 , R 20 , R 11 , R 24 and rectifying diode D 1 are serially connected to capacitor C 3 providing negative reference VCC_BAR through zener diode D 4 . Transient overload protection is provided by protective device D 3 and EMI (electromagnetic immunity) protection is provided by capacitor C 4 . Capacitor C 5 serves to store energy between the times when capacitor C 3 is delivering energy. FIG. 5 includes thermistor networks 22 a , 22 b and 22 c as well as a multivibrator network 22 d connected to signal connector V 2 connecting the networks to respective NTC thermistors in the case of 22 a - 22 c , and cold control potentiometer 16 in the case of network 22 d . Thermistor networks 22 a - 22 c are used to translate NTC resistance into a voltage usable by the microcontroller. Referring to network 22 a , resistor R 32 is placed in parallel with the freezer thermistor, and the pair is connected in series between VCC_BAR and resistor R 34 . Resistor R 32 acts as a linearizing resistor and resistor R 34 defines the middle of the range whose resultant behavior is linearized. This orientation, given a positive VCC_BAR, results in a positive change in voltage for positive change in temperature, and the slope of this voltage-to-temperature curve is linear with constant slope over a range of approximately 40 degrees Celsius. Resistor R 33 is connected in series between an analog input pin of the microcontroller and the node between resistors R 32 and R 34 . Capacitor C 10 is connected from the analog input pin to ground. Resistor R 33 and capacitor C 10 comprise a simple analog noise filter. Networks 22 b and 22 c perform the same function as network 22 a for the compressor shell and defrost sensors. Multivibrator network 22 d , used for the cold control comprises PNP transistors Q 12 , Q 13 whose bases are connected to their respective collectors through respective capacitors C 17 , C 16 and whose emitters are connected to neutral. Serially connected resistors R 41 and R 30 are connected between the base of transistor Q 12 and its collector while serially connected resistors R 42 , R 53 are connected between the base of transistor Q 13 and its collector. The cathode of diodes D 6 , D 7 are respectively connected to the collectors of transistors Q 12 , Q 13 and the anodes are respectively connected to opposite sides of resistor R 52 and the nodes between resistors R 41 , R 30 and R 42 , R 53 respectively. Suitable resistors R 43 , R 44 are connected between the collectors of respective resistors Q 12 , 013 and reference VCC_BAR. The circuit functions as an oscillator and by placing potentiometer 16 effectively in series with resistor R 43 the frequency range can be divided into various settings, e.g., setting 1 between 0 and 1 KHz and setting 2 between 1 and 2 KHz. The collector of transistor Q 13 is connected to PTAO/KBDO of microprocessor U 1 configured as an interrupt so that the edges of the square wave output of the circuit are counted within a time period in order to determine the setting. In the described embodiment, the multivibrator circuit allows the use of a lower cost microprocessor having four analog-to-digital converter inputs. Such inputs in the present system are used for analog inputs for compressor main winding current, freezer, compressor shell and defrost temperatures. It will be understood that it is within the purview of the invention to use a microprocessor having an additional A/D input and use that for a cold control potentiometer input. For each desired temperature setting, a selected temperature at which the compressor is to be turned on and a corresponding selected temperature at which it is to be turned off is entered and stored in memory of microprocessor U 1 . As noted above, the IRC module controls the temperature of the freezer compartment by means of two input signals, one corresponding to the temperature of the freezer compartment through sensor S 1 and the other corresponding to the desired temperature sensor through potentiometer 16 , a linear taper potentiometer which is user-adjustable rotary knob typically situated in the freezer compartment. The freezer compartment temperature is controlled by comparing the actual freezer temperature to the desired setting. If the temperature rises higher than the setting, the IRC module independently energizes the compressors main winding and start winding. Preferably, the IRC module then de-energizes the start winding after a selected period. It will be understood that it is within the purview of the invention to use a conventional motor starting relay or PTC starter, if desired. The IRC module then de-energizes the main winding when the desired temperature is reached. Power is independently provided by the IRC module to the evaporator fan and the compressor fan. The IRC module provides protection for the compressor motor by sensing the current flowing through the main compressor winding and de-energizing the motor once certain fault conditions are detected. The current overload threshold is stored in memory of microprocessor U 1 and is calibrated by selecting a suitable value such as the Must Hold Amperes (MHA) rating for the compressor. Sensor S 3 located on the compressor shell is monitored and power is removed from the compressor by the IRC module when a selected “trip” temperature is exceeded to avoid excessive motor temperatures. As noted above, the IRC module independently controls power to the fan motors even in the tripped state. Trip temperature selection is compressor dependent and is determined for each specific motor application. When an acceptable motor winding temperature has been restored and the resistance of S 3 returns to a selected reset level, power is restored after a minimum trip time. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, the IRC module adaptively controls the refrigerator defrost cycle to minimize system energy and maintain evaporator coil efficiency. The algorithm measures the previous defrost cycle ON time and calculates the length of the following compressor run time before the next defrost cycle. After a power reset, the IRC module initiates a standard time/temperature defrost cycle after a default amount of compressor run time (defrost OFF time) has elapsed. Upon conclusion of the defrost cycle, the new amount of cumulative compressor run time (defrost OFF time) is calculated using the following equation: y=a*[ 1−( x/k )] where y is defrost OFF time, the new amount of required compressor run time before the start of the next defrost cycle, a is maximum defrost OFF time, the longest allowable amount of compressor run time between defrost cycles, x is actual defrost ON time, the amount of time the defrost heater was energized in the most recent cycle, k is the maximum defrost ON time, the longest allowable amount of time the defrost heater may be energized per defrost cycle. In effect this takes the ratio of the previous actual defrost ON time to the maximum allowable defrost ON time and using that ratio multiplying it by the maximum allowable defrost OFF time and subtracting that result from the maximum allowable defrost OFF time to determine the next defrost OFF time. The constants, a and k, along with the minimum defrost OFF time are stored in memory of microprocessor U 1 so that during operation the only variable in the equation is the previous defrost ON time. The refrigerator manufacturer chooses the constants of maximum and minimum compressor run time (defrost OFF time) as well as the minimum and maximum defrost ON time. The minimum and maximum defrost ON times along with a default slope determined by maximum defrost OFF time divided by minimum defrost OFF time provide manufacturers with the means to control the defrost system of the refrigerator in the manner they see fit. The slope term can also be a value other than this quotient, such that the MTBD (mean time between defrosts) is longer or shorter than it would be using the default slope term. The IRC module can be programmed to ensure that maximum and minimum values are not violated, if so desired. As noted above, defrost cycles are initiated at the end of a warming cycle in order to take advantage of ambient warming effects and thereby shorten defrost times. That is, a defrost cycle is initiated upon the first call for cooling following the completion of the defrost OFF time. In a modified embodiment, preventive defrost cycles are performed. By running the defrost heater at the same or reduced power levels for short periods of time relative to a full defrost cycle during a cumulative compressor run time, the build-up of frost is reduced and cooling efficiency losses are minimized. In a preferred modified embodiment, the defrost OFF time calculated by the defrost equations is divided into a selected number of intervals and at the beginning of each interval, a preventive defrost is preformed. For example, for a newly calculated defrost OFF time of 20 hours and a preselected number of intervals of 5, the defrost heater is energized once every four hours of cumulative compressor run time for 2 minutes at the same or a portion of full energy level. In the case of reduced energy level, the defrost heater triac Q 6 can be operated, for example, in only one quadrant to supply half the normal energy level. It will be understood that, if desired, other triac firing angles can be employed to vary the heater energy level. Alternatively, a preventive defrost could be initiated when the difference between the temperature of sensor S 2 and the freezer compartment (S 1 ) exceeds a chosen threshold or when the main compressor run time for a selected number of cooling cycles exceeds a selected threshold. The main loop of the flow chart is shown in FIG. 6 in which step 30 resets power to the IRC module, step 32 resets the stack pointer and steps 34 - 40 perform various system checks, initializes microprocessor U 1 and system variables and trims the internal clock. At step 42 , the A/D converter gets values of compressor main winding current and freezer, compressor and defrost temperatures. Open or short sensor checks are performed at step 44 and a defrost cycle check at step 46 . Step 46 includes a subroutine shown in FIG. 7 including creating a local dummy variable and pointer at step 46 a , determining whether energization of the defrost heater is required at decision step 46 b , and if so determining if the running default mode is active at 46 c . If the default mode is active, determining at decision step 46 d if the defrost ON time is greater than or equal to the RDM (Running Default Mode) limit. If affirmative, the defrost OFF time is reset to the default value at process step 46 e and then the routine exits the defrost cycle check functions at 46 f . Going back to decision step 46 b , if the defrost heater is not required the subroutine goes to decision step 46 g to determine if the compressor run time is greater than or equal to the defrost OFF time and if not onto exit step 46 f but if the decision is affirmative then the subroutine goes to process step 46 h to reset flags calling for energization of the defrost heater and resetting the compressor run time counter and then to exit step 46 f. With reference to decision step 46 c , if the running default mode is not active, the routine goes to decision step 46 i to determine if defrost ON time is greater than or equal to the maximum limit. If so, the routine goes to step 46 k to reset the defrost OFF time to the minimum value and then onto exit step 46 f . If the defrost ON time is not greater than or equal to the maximum limit at step 46 i , the routine goes to step 461 to set a pointer to the defrost over-temperature filterbank and then to step 46 m to update the noise filterbank. The routine then goes to decision step 46 n to determine whether the dummy is equal to 1 and if not onto exit step 46 f and if affirmative onto step 46 o setting flags for adaptive defrost calculation and then to exit step 46 f. Following step 46 of the main routine (FIG. 6 ), current overload is checked at step 48 and at step 50 system and delay status is updated. The cold control and setting are checked at steps 52 , 54 and the compressor over-temperature is checked at step 56 . Adaptive defrost calculations are performed at step 58 which is shown as a subroutine in FIG. 8 . At step 58 a of the subroutine, the local variable named temperature is cleared and a pointer is created and set to the temperature variable. Decision step 58 b looks to see if adaptive defrost calculations are required and if not, goes directly to exit stop 58 j but if they are required, then it goes to step 58 c and performs a multiplication of the adaptive defrost slope by the defrost ON time and stores the result in temperature via a pointer. At step 58 d , the result of step 58 c is subtracted from the maximum possible defrost OFF time with the result stored in defrost off time. Decision step looks to see if the defrost OFF time is less than the allowable minimum time and if not, goes directly to exit step 58 j . In the first described embodiment, i.e., the embodiment without preventive defrost. If the defrost OFF time of step 58 e is less than the minimum, then at step 58 f , the defrost OFF time is set to the minimum allowable OFF time and then the routine goes on to exit step 58 j. In the modified embodiment, steps 58 e and 58 f lead to step 58 g when the defrost OFF time is divided by the number of selected preventive defrosts. Decision step 58 h looks to see if the preventive defrost OFF time is less than the minimum limit and if not, goes on to exit step 58 j and if it is less than the minimum limit, the defrost OFF time is reset at step 58 i to the minimum value and then on to exit step 58 j . Following step 58 , in the main routine, a preventive defrost check is performed at step 60 and then the routine goes to step 62 resetting the COP timer and then looping back to step 42 . Thus, in accordance with the invention, an improved efficient refrigeration system is provided in which the defrost heater is energized directly at times determined adaptively by the previous defrost on time by an electronic switch such as a triac to provide any of the various selected energy levels at times which are more responsive to changing environmental conditions then in prior art systems and obviates the use of conventional electronmechanical switches. While the invention has been particularly shown and described above with reference to preferred embodiments, the foregoing and other changes in form and detail may be made by one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
An integrated refrigeration control (IRC) module is disclosed which combines both thermal and electrical protection to the main components of a refrigerator and uses sensor inputs to control the compressor. The IRC module employs triacs (Q 2 , Q 4 , Q 6 , Q 8 , Q 10 ) to control power to the start and run windings of the compressor motor, evaporator and compressor fans and the defrost heater. The module adaptively controls the refrigerator defrost cycle using pervious defrost cycle run times to determine new cumulative compressor run times. Also disclosed is the use of preventive defrost periods performed for brief periods at intervals between portions of the cumulative compressor run time.
5
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] The present application claims priority under 35 USC §119 to European Patent Application No. EP13382215 (Attorney Docket No. P9367EP00), “METHOD FOR ASSESING PRODUCTION STRATEGY PLANS” to Embid Droz et al.; and is related to European Patent Application No. EP13382214 (Attorney Docket No. P9366EP00), “METHOD FOR SELECTING AND OPTIMIZING OIL FIELD CONTROLS FOR PRODUCTION PLATEAU” to Embid Droz et al., both filed Jun. 6, 2013 with the Spanish Patent Office, assigned to the assignees of the present invention and incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention [0003] The present invention is related to generating production strategy plans and field development plans, assessing and ranking the potential of the different plans with a small number of parameters or initial conditions, thus considerably reducing the decision time for taking a particular strategy when compared with state of the art techniques. [0004] 2. Background Description [0005] A typical state of the art hydrocarbon reservoir production strategy provides production decisions for a given planning horizon on a drilling schedule to maximize production. A typical planning horizon may locate production and injection wells. The drilling schedule may indicate which wells are to be drilled and when, and the production rate at which the wells are to operate. Varying the position, schedule and/or control of each wells may vary production to have a multimillion-dollar impact. Thus, evaluating reservoir production potential and economic performance over a wide range of alternative oil and gas production strategies is crucial. Also, because there are a large number of variables in selecting the strategy, it has been a time-consuming activity. Frequently, available information is limited, and based on uncertain reservoir geological and petro-physical properties. Typically, major investment decisions must be made on this limited information, especially when subterranean-flooding (e.g., with water) is the main production strategy. [0006] Previously, experienced reservoir engineers heuristically defined and ranked complex production development plans, using trial-and-error to deal with problem components, separately and sequentially. After selecting drilling locations, for example, engineers heuristically defined a well drilling schedule. However, these ad hoc heuristic solutions, frequently have application only within the limited framework for which they were developed. Additionally, rather than arriving at the best overall or optimum realization, separately and sequentially dealing components may have discarded the most attractive or optimal solutions. [0007] Thus, there is a need for dramatically reducing the number of drilling configurations that must be considered for a comprehensive reservoir production strategy and more particularly for rapidly generating and ranking several representative development plans under uncertainty to quickly converge on plans that jointly encompass all available production aspects. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to a system, method and computer program product for generating well location plans and field development plans, assessing and ranking the potential of the different plans with a small number of parameters or initial conditions, thus considerably reducing the decision time for taking a particular strategy when compared with state of the art techniques. [0009] The preferred method generates production strategies suitable for the exploitation of a reservoir of hydrocarbon in a natural environment, wherein said natural environment is limited in its surface by a domain (Ω). If hydrocarbon reservoir is surrounded by water, then the domain (Ω) may be defined in such a way the hydrocarbon reservoir is completely located within the domain (Ω). Preferably, the method includes determining a reference system in the domain (Ω), determining an opportunity index (OI) as a function defined in the domain (Ω) providing the local production potential as a function of the location and the local properties determining a radius of drainage (rd) providing the radius of drainage of the hydrocarbon at the end of life of a production well as a function of the opportunity index rd=rd(OI); identifying production behavior zone cluster or clusters as locations with similar local production behavior; for each cluster to be exploited: determining a representative value of the opportunity index OI and its corresponding radius of drainage rd=rd(OI); providing an angle α; generating a discretization of the cluster according to a grid with a regular pattern wherein the distance between the closest nodes of the pattern is 2*rd, and the orientation of the grid, selecting a reference line in the grid, in the reference system is the angle α; determining the production well locations in the cluster as the coordinates of the nodes of the grid located within the cluster. [0019] Determining the location of production wells as the production strategy according to this method reduces the number of potential development plans in a certain domain (Ω) necessary to achieve an accurate reservoir simulation. [0020] For that purpose, an opportunity index is defined as a function that quantifies, for every location, the hydrocarbon production potential taking into account the local properties of every location—for example, as a function proportional to the amount of hydrocarbon trapped in that location and inversely proportional to the ability of hydrocarbon to flow thorough the rocks in that location. The information about the local properties of every location retrieved from the collected data may be obtained by averaging a set of geological models, named as “reservoir realizations” taking into account the uncertainty wherein each model may be simulated using CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamic) codes. Departing from deterministic data, tools like interpolation, Design of Experiments and others, provide a set of reservoir realizations taking into account the uncertainty. Statistic variables as average values or dispersion measures may be evaluated over the whole set of reservoir realizations. In the particular case of the opportunity index, the value taken in a predetermined location is the average measured on the whole set of reservoir realizations computed by means of simulations. [0021] The locations with a similar opportunity index are grouped in zones called clusters, each one thus having similar behavior in terms of hydrocarbon production potential. It is understood that “locations with similar OI,” locations whose OI is within a certain range of values. It is possible to provide only one cluster if the whole domain has a similar behavior in terms of hydrocarbon production potential. [0022] A new function, the radius of drainage, is determined from the OI and, in some cases, also as a function of other variables to be explained in further detail herein. The radius of drainage is a measure of the optimal radius of extraction for every well, since it provides for each well the radius of extraction at the end of the life of extraction under ideal conditions in such a way that the circumference determined by such radius with center in every well are tangent one each other. [0023] This association between a function of the potentiality of a location for hydrocarbon production and the radius of extraction of every well is an advantageous way of generating a well location plan with a number of parameters low enough as to not needing important computational resources. [0024] For every cluster, a representative value of the OI is taken (for example, the arithmetic mean of the extremes of the range that defines a cluster) and the subsequent rd is then calculated. [0025] The number of parameters to generate a well location plan is relatively small, and therefore the every plan can be quickly obtained from a set of parameters. Some of these parameters, as has been stated, relate the OI and the rd, as a function of the local properties. Others define a reference system and the planned well location with reference to this system such as the location of a first point of each patterned grid and the angle of a reference line of such grid. [0026] Once the reference system is defined, since the radiuses of drainage are tangent one each other, the well must be located at a distance of 2rd to comply with this condition. Keeping this condition, and starting at the origin of the first point, the grid is generated to discretize the cluster—the nodes are the possible location of the wells themselves, separated as has been said a distance 2rd. The grid is therefore a patterned grid, and its orientation with respect to the reference system is given by an angle α and is one of the parameters of the well location plan taking a reference line of the grid. Once this angle α is provided, the well location is given by the position of the nodes of the patterned grid with respect to the reference system. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] The foregoing and other objects, aspects and advantages will be better understood from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention with reference to the drawings, in which: [0028] FIG. 1 shows an example of a domain where an oil field development is carried out; [0029] FIG. 2 shows an example of a domain discretized in cells according to a regular grid in a Cartesian reference system; [0030] FIGS. 3A-B show examples of several nodes of the grid where the production wells are located, and the radius of drainage of these production wells at the end of their productive lives in a square patterned grid example and a equilateral triangle patterned grid example; [0031] FIG. 4 shows an example of the location of the production wells, separated one each other a distance twice the radius of drainage, for a grid defined with respect to a reference system by an angle α; [0032] FIG. 5 shows an example of a domain divided in two clusters, each of them with an associated opportunity index, radius of drainage and angle α; [0033] FIG. 6 shows an example of the position of injection wells when these are inside of certain cluster, when a square pattern of four production wells are within the domain and when at least one of the production well of the pattern falls beyond the boundary; [0034] FIG. 7 shows an example of a domain divided in two zones—one with hydrocarbon and another one with water, wherein a strip-shaped region has been defined along the boundary between both zones in the water zone; [0035] FIG. 8 shows an example of a strip-shaped region corresponding to a domain with peripheral injection, the region being divided in injection clusters each one with its corresponding injectivity index and radius of injection; [0036] FIG. 9 shows an example of a method of determining the first injection well in a development plan with peripheral injection; [0037] FIG. 10 shows an example of a flow chart diagram of a development plan with n parameters as initial condition and N development plans to be ranked. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0038] As will be appreciated by one skilled in the art, aspects of the present invention may be embodied as a system, method or computer program product. Accordingly, aspects of the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects that may all generally be referred to herein as a “circuit,” “module” or “system.” Furthermore, aspects of the present invention may take the form of a computer program product embodied in one or more computer readable medium(s) having computer readable program code embodied thereon. [0039] Any combination of one or more computer readable medium(s) may be utilized. The computer readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium or a computer readable storage medium. A computer readable storage medium may be, for example, but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, or device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. More specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer readable storage medium would include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a hard disk, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), an optical storage device, a magnetic storage device, or any suitable combination of the foregoing. In the context of this document, a computer readable storage medium may be any tangible medium that can contain, or store a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. [0040] A computer readable signal medium may include a propagated data signal with computer readable program code embodied therein, for example, in baseband or as part of a carrier wave. Such a propagated signal may take any of a variety of forms, including, but not limited to, electro-magnetic, optical, or any suitable combination thereof. A computer readable signal medium may be any computer readable medium that is not a computer readable storage medium and that can communicate, propagate, or transport a program for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. [0041] Program code embodied on a computer readable medium may be transmitted using any appropriate medium, including but not limited to wireless, wireline, optical fiber cable, RF, etc., or any suitable combination of the foregoing. [0042] Computer program code for carrying out operations for aspects of the present invention may be written in any combination of one or more programming languages, including an object oriented programming language such as Java, Smalltalk, C++ or the like and conventional procedural programming languages, such as the “C” programming language or similar programming languages. The program code may execute entirely on the user's computer, partly on the user's computer, as a stand-alone software package, partly on the user's computer and partly on a remote computer or entirely on the remote computer or server. In the latter scenario, the remote computer may be connected to the user's computer through any type of network, including a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), or the connection may be made to an external computer (for example, through the Internet using an Internet Service Provider). [0043] Aspects of the present invention are described below with reference to flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems) and computer program products according to embodiments of the invention. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and/or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions may be provided to a processor of a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. [0044] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer readable medium that can direct a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer readable medium produce an article of manufacture including instructions which implement the function/act specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. [0045] The computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer, other programmable data processing apparatus, or other devices to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer, other programmable apparatus or other devices to produce a computer implemented process such that the instructions which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus provide processes for implementing the functions/acts specified in the flowchart and/or block diagram block or blocks. [0046] Turning now to the drawings and more particularly, FIG. 1 shows an example of a domain for an oil field development, i.e., a well location plan, according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0047] An opportunity index (OI) defines the hydrocarbon production potential of certain location of a domain (Ω), and then the radius of drainage (rd) for such location is defined as a function of the OI so that the higher the OI the higher the rd. [0048] In one embodiment the relation between OI and rd is rd=a*OI b , where a and b, positive constants based on local properties of every cluster, are, in this example, two of the parameters used to calculate the potential well location plans. [0049] Further, the well location plan is controlled by five parameters per cluster, a number small enough as to allow that the domain (Ω) can be explored by means of experimental design techniques in a relatively exhaustive manner in a matter of a few hours. Apart from a and b, other parameters may be space parameters referred to the reference system (the coordinates of the first point of the patterned grid i and j and the aforementioned angle α of every cluster). Further, the same five parameters may be common to all clusters, such that the total number of parameters is five, regardless of the number of clusters being considered. [0050] As it is shown in FIG. 2 , the domain (Ω) is discretized in cells for computational purposes. The computational grid shown in FIG. 2 has been chosen very coarse and regular intentionally in order to be clearer. For every cell, the OI must be estimated or calculated. This is the case when the numerical simulations of the flow carried out over the domain are based on finite volume methods or finite element methods just as an example. At this stage only the reservoir geological and petro-physical properties are needed. [0051] The domain (Ω) is divided in clusters (C1, C2), as in FIG. 5 , whose locations have an opportunity index comprised within a particular range. A representative OI is associated to each cluster (C1, C2), for instance the average value over the cluster, and, as has been already explained, a representative rd is calculated, for example, according to the formula rd=a*OI b . [0052] As it is shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B , once the rd has been calculated the grid spacing is determined. The nodes of the grid are taken as production well locations, and therefore the grid spacing is chosen as 2·rd in order to optimize the well locations as, at the end of its production life, each well production would drain the maximum area not overlapping the surrounding drainage areas of contiguous production wells. FIG. 3A shows a pattern of the center of the circumferences made of squares and FIG. 3B shows a pattern made of equilateral triangles. Both are represented in a reference system (x,y) and oriented according to the angle α=0 selecting a reference line of the grid. In yet another example, the pattern of the center of the circumferences may be of rectangles, where a and b are sides of the rectangles. [0053] Once the different clusters, with its OI and rd, have been defined, the location of the production wells (P) for this particular plan (calculated with a particular set of initial parameters) is obtained for each cluster defining a patterned grid in which the distance between closest nodes is twice the radius of drainage (rd)—this can be seen in the examples of FIGS. 4 and 5 wherein square patterns are used, the latter for a case with two clusters (C1, C2) with its corresponding radius of drainage (rd1, rd2); then, the first point of the grid is located in a particular location of the cluster, and the grid is placed with reference to this system by providing another parameter, an angle α, which relates one of the axis of the reference system and the direction of a preselected line of the grid. The location of the first point of the grid with respect to the reference system in a bidimensional domain (Ω) and the angle α make a total of three parameters that added to the parameters a and b make, for a particular example, five parameters per cluster to characterize a well location plan. [0054] Since a reduced number of parameters characterizes every well location plan, and each plan provides a good proposal for the exploitation of the reservoir, a much smaller number of well location plans suffices as opposed to prior approaches that very often required several thousands of plans or more. As a result, a reduced number of computational flow simulations are required reducing the total computational effort. [0055] As for selecting the set of parameters (five per cluster in the particular example) that gives as a result a particular well location (P) plan, in a particular example the technique known in the art as Design of Experiments is used. Each set of parameters determine a well location plan. The use of Design of Experiments provides a plurality of different plans according to the disclosed method. [0056] Some development plans comprise, aside from production wells (P), injection wells (I) through which water is added to sweep the different regions of the domain (Ω). The injection wells (I) are, in one particular example, placed at the centroid of the pattern of the grid, for instance the square pattern formed by every four neighbor nodes, that set the locations of the production wells (P) for a certain cluster, as can be seen in FIG. 6 . When one of the nodes (P) falls outside of the cluster, at the other side of its boundary, the centroid (I) is calculated with the remaining nodes (P) inside the cluster. [0057] Alternatively, if the reservoir is susceptible to peripheral injection, injectors (I) can be located at a strip-shaped region (S) extending along a boundary (F) of the interface between water (W) and hydrocarbon (O) phases of the reservoir and located in the water side of the interface, as shown in FIG. 7 . For determining the distance between injection wells (I) in the strip-shaped region, a new function, the injectivity index (II), is defined. The II takes into account the local sweeping potential as a function of the location and its local properties, as the OI did with the oil production potential. [0058] As in the case of the OI, the locations of the strip-shaped region (S) with II within a determined range of values, which is to say locations with a relatively similar behavior, are grouped in injection clusters (S1, S2, S3) in the strip-shaped region (S). A II representative for each injection cluster (S1, S2, S3) is taken, for instance the average value of the II in such cluster. [0059] Likewise, a radius of injection (ri) is calculated from the II for every injection cluster (S1, S2, S3), so that the higher the II the higher the rd, that is, the bigger surface that a single injector (I1, I2, I3) of said cluster (S1, S2, S3) is able to sweep. In a particular example, the ri is expressed as ri=c*II d wherein c, d are positive constants depending on the local properties for each injection cluster. [0060] The spacing between consecutive injectors (I1, I2, I3) in the strip-shaped region (S), starting from a first injection well location (I1) of the strip-shaped region (S), is calculated as twice the radius of injection (ri1, ri2, ri3) of the injection cluster (S1, S2, S3) where the injection well (I1, I2, I3) is, as can be seen in FIG. 8 . When a different injection cluster (S1, S2, S3) is reached, the radius of injection considered is the one of the cluster (S1, S2, S3) of the strip-shaped region (S) where the former injection well (I1, I2, I3) is located. Further injection wells (I1, I2, I3) are located according to the present injection cluster (S1, S2, S3) until a new cluster (S1, S2, S3) is reached. [0061] In a particular example, this generation of injection wells (I1, I2, I3) is continued this way until all the clusters in the strip-shaped regions are exhausted or until the first injection well (I1) is reached (when the strip-shaped region (S) is a close region). [0062] In a further example, the strip-shaped region (S) is the width of a cell of the discretized domain (as the cells in FIG. 2 ) for computational simulation purposes. [0063] In a further example, the width of the strip-shaped region (S) is a fraction of the distance between a neighbor producer (P) well and the center of its corresponding pattern. [0064] With respect to determining the first injection well (I1) of a strip-shaped region (S) for a peripheral injection, in one example this first location is calculated as shown in FIG. 9 , that is, defining a polyhedron with the external production wells (P) of the oil region, calculating the center of mass (CM) of this polyhedron and determining the orthogonal projection of the center of mass with respect to the boundary between the hydrocarbon (O) and the water (W). In a further example, the center of mass is calculated over the whole production wells (P) of the oil region of the cluster. [0065] In a further example, the location of the first injection well (I1) of the strip-shaped region (S) for a peripheral injection is calculated determining the orthogonal projection of the production well (P) having higher opportunity index OI with respect to the boundary between the hydrocarbon (O) and the water (W). [0066] Once all injectors and producers are arranged in the domain, a number of these wells may be removed from the production plan using measures of productivity or injectivity potential. Suitable productivity or injectivity potential measures may include, for example, the opportunity index and the injectivity index. [0067] Similarly to the well location plan, other parameters are used to control the well drilling schedule. The drilling schedule comprises generating a list comprising the production wells (P); or both, production wells (P) and injection wells (I) wherein such list is sorted according to three criteria. In a particular example, three input parameters are used for this task and the list comprises both, production wells (P) and injection wells (I). In a further example, two of these parameters define the sequence of production and injection followed to complete the exploitation of the domain (Ω) (for example, a basic pattern of drilling two producers (P) followed by one injector (I), repeated until all wells (P, I) are considered), and the remaining parameter indicates the time interval between drilling two consecutive wells (assuming it is the same for all the drilling sequence). The order of drilling for both the production wells (P) and the injection wells (I) is predetermined according to different criteria. [0068] In a particular example, this criterion is as follows: the order is given by a list in which the wells (P, I) first in the list are those with higher index (OI and II), those closer to the outer boundary of the domain (Ω) or to the interface boundary between hydrocarbon (O) and water (W) in the domain (Ω), or those having a lesser average distance with precedent or antecedent wells (P, I). With this criterion, there is an adequate choice in the exploitation of the wells (P, I), since the first to be drilled are the ones with more oil potential, the ones more easily reachable from the boundary, and the ones closer to each other. The three conditions can be taken into account at the same time, if weights are given to each one of them. [0069] For the particular example in which both the well location plan and the well drilling location are taken into account, the n parameters (eight in this particular example) are selected by means of a technique such as the Design of Experiment to obtain a certain well location plan and drilling plan. In a further example, well controls are also provided based on estimations of the average potential recovery factor of the reservoir, on usual injection procedures, on standard economic constraints, etc. The number of well location plans and drilling locations, that is, the number of development plans (N) estimated, each one with a set of (Ω) parameters (for example, eight), may then be ranked, to select the most appropriate options, according to techniques such as the net present value (NPV). [0070] The ranking measure is a measure averaged over all reservoir realizations, for instance those reservoir realizations used for the determination of the opportunity index. For example, if NPV is the ranking measure, for each field development plan the ranking measure is the average of all NPVs over all realizations. The computational cost for the evaluation of a development plan mainly depends on the computational cost of the flow simulation. In this case, the Design of Experiments only needs a reduced number of plans because each plan provides well distributions and drilling schedules selected in an efficient manner. Therefore, the Design of Experiments does not need to explore a large amount of well locations in order to reach the efficient ones. Previously, the well distribution was entrusted to the Design of Experiments which required the number of proposals need to be large enough to obtain a reasonable result. Because each proposal requires a flow simulation the computational cost is drastically reduced. For this example, the field development plan with the highest average NPV ranks highest or first. [0071] FIG. 10 shows a flow chart diagram in which N different ranking measures ( 105 ), —for example, NPV—are calculated—one for each development plan starting with a set of n parameters (block 101 ) m of which generate well locations ( 102 ) and the rest, n-m, generating well scheduling plans ( 103 ), the development plan provided with well controls ( 104 ). Once the ranking measure is evaluated ( 105 ), the N different development plans are sorted. The development plan having the highest ranking measure is proposed as the result of the method. [0072] In a further example, the distance between the injector locations within a cluster can be determined through a fixed relation that involves the distance between the injector locations in nearby cluster(s) and the injectivity index. In particular, this does not introduce additional parameters for locating of the injectors. [0073] Advantageously, the present invention dramatically provides accurate heuristic solutions from fewer design parameters than are required for other prior approaches, and therefore, provides a less complex (and less time-consuming) forecast. [0074] While the invention has been described in terms of preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. It is intended that all such variations and modifications fall within the scope of the appended claims. Examples and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
A system, method and computer program product for generating well location plans and field development plans assessing and ranking the potential of the different plans with a small number of parameters or initial conditions, thus considerably reducing the decision time for taking a particular strategy when compared with the techniques described in the art.
4
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention broadly relates to weaving machines and, more specifically, pertains to a new and improved construction of a weaving machine having a weft thread supply roll or cone which remains outside the weaving shed during weft insertion and from which weft thread is unwound during weft insertion as well as a selvedge-tucking needle for tucking ends of the weft thread which lie outside the weaving shed into a subsequent weaving shed. In a known weaving machine of this type (cf. German Pat. No. 1,710,353, granted Mar. 2, 1972) the weft thread end is held by means of an edge thread clamp, is conducted over a selvedge-tucking needle having a hook and is subsequently laid into the weaving shed by the selvedge-tucking needle. The mechanical motion of the edge thread clamp and the subsequent transfer of the weft thread end to the selvedge-tucking needle requires a relatively long time within the operating cycle of the weaving machine. An increase in the operating speed of the weaving machine is limited by, among other things, this thread transfer procedure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, with the foregoing in mind, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved construction of a weaving machine which does not exhibit the aforementioned drawbacks and shortcomings of the prior art constructions. Another and more specific object of the present invention aims at providing a new and improved construction of a weaving machine of the previously mentioned type wherein there is accomplished positive and reliable transfer of the weft thread ends to the selvedge-tucking needle by a fluid medium in a particularly short amount of time, thus permitting a higher operating speed of the weaving machine. Yet a further significant object of the present invention aims at providing a new and improved construction of a weaving machine of the character described which is relatively simple in construction and design, extremely economical to manufacture, highly reliable in operation, not readily subject to breakdown and malfunction and requires a minimum of maintenance and servicing. Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the weaving machine of the present invention is manifested by the features that it comprises an air nozzle for transferring the ends of the weft thread to the selvedge-tucking needle. The air nozzle is preferably a blower nozzle. Practical experiments have shown that the weft thread end can be transferred in this manner to the selvedge-tucking needle in especially short time. By transferring the weft thread end to the selvedge-tucking needle by means of air, higher operating speeds of the weaving machine are made possible. 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 throughout the various figures of the drawings there have been generally used the same reference characters to denote the same or analogous components and wherein: FIG. 1 schematically shows a pneumatic or air jet weaving machine seen from the woven fabric side; FIG. 2 shows an associated detail in section; FIG. 3 is an elevational view taken in partial section along the line III--III in FIG. 2; FIGS. 4 through 6 are each an associated plan view of the fabric or cloth being woven, partly schematic, at three different positions of the components; FIG. 7 is a plan view of a modified embodiment of the invention on an enlarged scale; and FIG. 8 illustrates a further embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, it is to be understood that, to simplify the showing thereof, only enough of the structure of the weaving machine has been illustrated therein as is needed to enable one skilled in the art to readily understand the underlying principles and concepts of this invention. Turning now specifically to FIG. 1 of the drawings, the apparatus illustrated therein by way of example and not limitation will be seen to comprise a weaving machine 31 containing two machine end frames or cheek plates 32 and 33. A breast beam or fabric roll 34 and a weaving reed 35 are arranged between the end frames 32 and 33. The weft thread 36 is withdrawn or unwound from a stationary weft thread supply roll or cone 37, conducted through a weft thread tensioning device or brake 38 and blown into the weaving shed 65 by a main weft thread insertion nozzle 39 situated outside the weaving shed 65 having a weaving width W. Auxiliary nozzles 1 are distributed over the weaving width W and protrude into the weaving shed 65 during weft thread insertion. A suction nozzle 42 is arranged at the catch side 41. The nozzles 39, 1 and 42 are, for instance, connected to an air distribution tube or manifold 45 by means of valves 44 controlled by an electronic control device 43. The air distribution tube or manifold 45 is supplied with air from any suitable air source such as a compressed air reservoir or container 47 by an air supply line or conduit 46. The reservoir or container 47 is maintained under pressure by a not particularly shown air compressor. An air nozzle such as a blower nozzle 62 directed upwardly in FIGS. 1 to 3 is arranged at the shot or weft insertion side 61 and is mounted upon a carriage or carrier 64 oscillating in the direction of the double-headed arrow 63. The weaving shed 65 into which the weft thread 36 is inserted is formed by the upper shed warp threads 66 and the lower shed warp threads 67. There are furthermore present a number of edge warp threads 68 which fix or hold the weft thread ends 36a. During the insertion of a given weft thread 36c, as shown in the upper portion of FIG. 4, the carriage 64 with the nozzle 62 is moved out of the forward inoperative motion-reversing position remote from the reed 35 as shown in FIG. 4 into the rearward operative motion-reversing position close to the reed 35 shown in FIG. 5. The free end 36a of the previously inserted weft thread 36 is fixed or clamped by means of the edge warp threads 68. A selvedge-tucking needle 72 is then inserted through the upper shed warp threads 66 from above while pivoting about the pivot point 71 according to FIG. 2. The tip or point 73 of the selvedge-tucking needle 72 contains an eyelet 74 whose diameter is greater than the diameter of the nozzle 62. The nozzle 62 is now positioned immediately beneath the eyelet 74 of the selvedge-tucking needle 72 as shown in FIG. 5. The weft thread 36 is guided by a substantially pin-shaped thread guide 76 fastened upon and moving with the carriage or carrier 64 over the nozzle 62 and is held under tension in this position. Now the weft thread 36 is severed by a suitable shear or cutter 77. Simultaneously, the nozzle 62 is supplied with blower air so that the weft thread end 36b is blown into the eyelet 74 of the selvedge-tucking needle 72 according to FIG. 2. Subsequently, the selvedge-tucking needle 72 moves to the left according to FIG. 6, so that the weft thread end 36b is laid into the weaving shed 65. During this motion, the shed 65 is closed by not particularly shown weaving harnesses or equivalent structure and fixes or clamps the weft thread end 36b. Simultaneously, the reed 35 is pivoted to the right in FIG. 3 which beats-up the weft thread end 36b together with the weft thread 36c against the fell or edge 79 of the woven fabric 78. The selvedge-tucking needle 72 is in the meantime withdrawn from the shed 65, the blower air in the nozzle 62 is interrupted, the carriage or carrier 64 with the blower nozzle 62 is subsequently moved out of the rearward motion-reversing position (operative position) according to FIGS. 5 and 6 into the forward motion-reversing position (idle position) according to FIG. 4. The false selvedge 82 can now be removed. The machine is ready for the insertion of the weft thread subsequent to the previously inserted weft thread 36c. A laid-in or tucked-in listing or selvedge 81 is formed on the fabric or cloth 78 and forms the fabric edge or border thereof. In a modified embodiment, as shown in FIG. 8, the selvedge-tucking needle 72 has a hook 91 instead of an eyelet 74. The weft thread ends 36b are laid around the hook 91 by means of an appropriately arranged air nozzle such as the blower nozzle 62. An air nozzle such as the blower nozzle 62 for transferring the weft thread end 36b to the selvedge-tucking needle 72 is, by its nature, particularly well suited for pneumatic or air jet weaving machines in which compressed air is available in any case and in which especially high operating speeds are encountered. In another modified embodiment, an air nozzle such as a blower nozzle 62 is provided on the catch side 41 for transferring the weft thread ends to a selvedge-tucking needle. In yet a further exemplary embodiment, a suction nozzle is used instead of the blower nozzle 62. The thread end 36b is sucked or drawn through the eyelet 74 of the selvedge-tucking needle 72 by the appropriately arranged suction nozzle. In yet another embodiment, a multiple-orifice nozzle 62a is employed as a blower nozzle according to the modified showing of FIG. 7. The multiple-orifice nozzle 62a has a sieve-like arrangement of a plurality of basic nozzle orifices. While there are shown and described present preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be distinctly understood that the invention is not limited thereto, but may be otherwise variously embodied and practiced within the scope of the following claims. Accordingly,
A blower nozzle is provided on the shot or weft insertion side of the weaving machine for blowing the severed end of the weft thread into an eyelet of a selvedge-tucking needle. By transferring the weft thread end by means of the blower nozzle, a particularly short time within the operating cycle of the weaving machine is required for the procedure of transferring the weft thread end to the selvedge-tucking needle. This permits higher operating speeds of the weaving machine.
3
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a compound dobby machine used in a loom for weaving a dobby fabric, and particularly to an improvement of a hook connecting member in a chain disctype compound dobby machine. 2. Description of the Prior Art A conventional chain disc-type compound dobby machine is shown in FIG. 6 as comprising upper and lower rocking hooks 51 a and 51 b as a fabric weave selecting mechanism supported on a machine base of a dobby machine, an upper hook 52 a and a lower hook 52 b connecting respectively with the upper and lower rocking hooks 51 a and 51 b , a chain 53 connecting the upper and lower hooks 52 a and 52 b , a jack lever 54 supported at the bottom thereof, and a rotating plate 55 pivoted nearly at the center of the jack lever 54. The chain 53 engages the rotating plate 55 whereby the upper hook 52 a and lower hook 52 b are moved linearly respectively by means of an upper knife 56 a and a lower knife 56 b in linear reciprocating motion so as to permit the jack lever 54 to be movable in a forward and backward rocking motion. In recent years, the operating speed of dobby machines have been remarkably increasing in accordance with the high speed operation of looms. However, in a conventional compound dobby machine as shown in FIG. 6, parts which act according to instruction of the weave selecting mechanism 57, for example, the fish lever 58 a and the rocking hook 51 a , are mounted respectively on separate shafts 59 a and 60 a , or together on one shaft (not shown). Such fish lever 58 a and rocking hook 51 a are held in the connecting position by means of the springs 62 a , 63 a and transmit the action for the fish lever 58 a to the rocking hook 51 a according to instruction from the weave selecting mechanism 57 to displace the rocking hook 51 a to which the hook 52 a is connected in reciprocating motion by means of the knife 56. As above described, the fish lever 58 a and the rocking hook 51 a , both moved by the weave selecting mechanism 57, are separate structures, therefore the heavy weight decreases the efficiency for transmitting the motion according to instructions, particularly in high speed operation, and the moment of inertia increases tending to hinder the rotating speed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a hook connecting apparatus in a chain disc-type compound dobby machine, wherein a fish lever is made up of an instruction receiving member of light weight having elasticity and flexibility, one end of which instruction receiving member is fixed to a supporting hook oscillatably mounted on a supporting shaft so as to thereby constitute an integral structure with the supporting hook. The hooking portions of the supporting hooks are connected respectively with upper and lower reciprocally mounted hooks and are energized or biased by the elastic bending of the instruction receiving member for elastic or bias connection with the hooks to thereby provide for high speed operation of the dobby machine. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantages of known prior art arrangements and to decrease the moment of inertia of moving parts according to weave selecting instruction in a chain disc-type compound dobby machine by changing a fish lever into an instruction receiving member of light weight having elasticity and flexibility. Another object of the present invention is to securely and easily effect the connecting and detaching action of the hooking portion of the supporting hook with the hook in linear motion by fixing an instruction receiving member to a supporting hook as an integral structure and utilizing the elastic bending properties of the elastic receiving member. A further object of the present invention is to decrease the number of parts of the supporting hook and to simplify the structure. A still further object of the present invention is to increase the rotating speed of a dobby machine by decreasing the moment of inertia of the moving parts, by making secure the connecting and detaching action of the supporting hook by means of elastic bending of the instruction receiving member, and by simplifying the structure. Other features which are considered characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. Although the invention is illustrated and described in relationship to specific embodiments, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims. The construction and operation of the invention, however, 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 illustrating a hook connecting apparatus according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a partial view of the hook connecting apparatus in FIG. 1 showing the position of the parts just before the supporting hook is about to connect with the hook in linear motion. FIG. 3 is a view illustrating the operating position wherein, in the forward motion of the hook, the supporting hook is moved against the instruction receiving member and the hooking portion of the supporting hook is rotated against the bias of the instruction receiving member. FIG. 4 is a view illustrating the operating condition wherein the hook passes over the hooking portion of the receiving hook sufficiently so as to provide a gap between the hooking portions. FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the operating condition wherein the connection between the hook and the supporting hook is released. FIG. 6 is a view illustrating an arrangement of a conventional hook connecting apparatus in a chain disc-type compound dobby machine. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to the drawings, there is shown in FIG. 1 an upper supporting shaft 1 a mounted on a machine base. This shaft 1 a is oscillatable and carries an upper supporting hook 2 a on the tip of which there is provided a hooking portion 2 a ' . One end of an upper instruction receiving member 3 a is fixed to the end surface of the upper supporting hook 2 a on the end thereby adjacent to the upper supporting shaft 1 a . The instruction receiving member 3 a is disposed in a direction approximately perpendicular to the upper supporting hook 2 a . The upper instruction receiving member 3 a is flexible, for example it may be in the form of a leaf spring, and is provided with a sliding surface 3 a ' which may be flexibly or elastically bent by being activated or pushed by a peg 5 of a card apparatus 4 so that the upper supporting hook 2 a is rocked by means of the engagement or pushing of the sliding surface 3 a ' by the peg 5 for transmitting instructions. Near the center of an oscillatable jack lever 7, the lower end of which is mounted on a shaft 6 which is carried on the machine base, there is arranged a rotating disc 8 on which is mounted a chain 9. By means of this chain drive of a so-called chain disc type drive, upper and lower hooks 11 a , 11 b are moved in reciprocating motion by upper and lower knives 10 a , 10 b moving linearly at both ends of the chain 9. A hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a is adapted to be connected to the hooking portion 2 a ' of the upper supporting hook 2 a as will be further described. In completely symmetric position relative to upper supporting hook 2 a , upper instruction receiving member 3 a , upper knife 10 a and upper hook 11 a , there are provided a lower supporting hook 2 b , lower instruction receiving member 3 b , lower knife 10 b and lower hook 11 b . In addition the upper supporting hook 2 a and lower supporting hook 2 b are pivotally biased toward each other by means of a spring 12. Outer stops 13 a , 13 b are provided respectively for the upper and lower supporting hooks 2 a , 2 b and inner stops 14 a , 14 b for these same hooks. Hook stops 15 a , 15 b are also provided respectively on the inner side of the upper and lower hooks 11 a , 11 b . Operation of the above described apparatus will now be set forth. For easy understanding, only the connection of the upper supporting hook 2 a with the upper hook 11 a will be described although it will be understood that the connection of the lower supporting hook 3 a with the lower hook 11 b occurs similarly. Referring to FIG. 2, when the upper hook 11 a moves in the direction of arrow a by means of the linear reciprocating motion of the upper knife 10 a , before arrival of the upper hook 11 a to its connecting position, the upper instruction receiving member 3 a is rotated by the peg 5 of the card apparatus 4 to overcome the bias of spring 12. Accordingly, the upper supporting hook 2 a is rotated in the direction of arrow b until it contacts the outer stop 13 a where it awaits the arrival of the hooking portion 11 a ' of upper hook 11 a in a position where the hooking portion 2 a ' can connect with the hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a . Referring to FIG. 3, when the upper hook 11 a moves further to the left, the hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a will move linearly and therefore will push the hooking portion 2 a ' of the upper supporting hook 2 a downwardly. In this state, since the upper instruction receiving member 3 a is engaged or pushed by the peg 5, and since the hooking portion 2 a ' is being pushed down by the hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a , the upper instruction receiving member 3 a will flex and strengthen its elasticity or biasing force so as to energize the spring action force in the direction of arrow b, that is in a direction toward the hooking portion 2 a ' . Referring to FIG. 4, as the upper hook 11 a still continues to move to the left, the hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a rides over the hooking portion 2 a ' so that a gap S is provided between the hooking portion 11 a ' and the hooking portion 2 a ' . In this condition, the hooking portion 2 a ' , which was biased by the elastic bending of the upper instruction receiving member 3 a , as previously described, is instantaneously pushed upwardly and the hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a contacts or engages the hooking portion 2 a ' of the upper supporting hook 11 a when the pushing of the upper hook 11 a by the upper knife 10 a is released. In this latter condition, even if the card apparatus 4 is rotated and the peg 5 passes out of contact with the sliding surface 3 a ' of the upper instruction receiving member 3 a , the upper supporting hook 2 a is still held in connecting position. Thus, even though there is no peg 5 contacting sliding surface 3 a ' , and even though the spring 12 continues to exert a biasing force on upper hook 2 a , since the biasing force applied by spring 12 is less than the force applied by the chain 9 or rope, the connection is not released. However, when the upper knife 10 a moves back and pushes the upper hook 11 a so that the gap S is again established between the hooking portion 11 a ' of the upper hook 11 a and the hooking portion 2 a ' of the upper supporting hook 2 a , the upper supporting 2 a is rotated by the pulling or biasing force of the spring 12 and the connection is released as shown in FIG. 5. At the same time, as the upper supporting hook 2 a stops on the inner stop 14 a , the upper supporting hook 2 a does not connect with the upper hook 11 a even when the upper hook 11 a is moved again. As described above, in the present invention, parts corresponding to conventional fish levers 58 a , 58 b as shown in FIG. 6 are replaced by the instruction receiving members 3 a , 3 b which can be flexibly or elastically bent and which are fixed to the supporting hooks 2 a , 2 b respectively so as to constitute an integral structure. Therefore, members moving according to the weave selecting instructions can remarkably be made light weight, the amount of inertia of the moving body is decreased, and further wear between the parts is decreased by means of the intergral construction. It will also be seen that connection and detaching of the hooks may be effected securely and easily and moreover, springs 63 a , 63 b as shown in FIG. 6 are unnecessary, the number of necessary parts is reduced, and the construction becomes simple. Therefore, these advantages contribute to improve the rotating speed of a dobby machine and provide a superior operating effect. It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction, and arrangments of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form heretofore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.
In a chain disc-type compound dobby machine, flexible instruction receiving members are integrally fixed to supporting hooks for decreasing the weight and the moment of inertia of the moving parts so that the connecting and detaching action of the hooks may be securely and easily performed. Moreover the number of parts is reduced and the structure becomes simple while at the same time effecting a stable high speed operation of the dobby machine.
3
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance having a refrigerating circuit with a compressor, a condenser and at least two evaporators placed in different compartments of the appliance, a three-way valve being provided for alternatively directing the refrigerant flow towards one of the two evaporators. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The above kind of refrigerating circuit is also known as “sequential dual evaporator” (SDE) system and allows the design of refrigerators having high energy efficiency. It is an object of the present invention to further enhance energy efficiency of refrigeration appliances using the SDE cycle. Another object of the present invention is to stabilize temperature in the refrigeration compartment where one of the evaporators is placed. The above objects are reached tanks to the features listed in the appended claims. According to the invention, energy consumption improvement is reached by introducing a phase change material (PCM) in contact with the first evaporator inside the refrigeration compartment. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention and additional sub-cooling loop is provided for shifting cooling capacity from refrigeration compartment to freezer compartment. As phase change material any suitable composition can be used which has a liquid-solid phase change temperature below temperature of the refrigeration compartment and high enough to avoid freezing in the refrigeration compartment at minimum load. Example of suitable PCMs can be mixtures of water and glycol or eutectic gels. According to the invention, temperature of the refrigeration compartment becomes more stabilized because of higher thermal capacity of such compartment and therefore an extended ON/OFF period of the compressor is obtained. According to a further preferred embodiment, a second electro valve is used downstream the first in order to avoid additional heat gains of the appliance. Such second electro valve allows decision making when to use a sub-cooling loop or not. The system design according to the invention also offers a possibility of quick defrosting the first evaporator (i.e. the evaporator of the refrigeration compartment). Further features and advantages according to the present invention will become clear from the following description, with reference to the attached drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic view of the refrigeration circuit according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 and referring to a second embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 3 is a diagram pressure vs. specific enthalpy showing the thermodynamic effect of the sub-cooling according to the invention on the cooling capacity. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With reference to FIG. 1 , a sequential dual evaporator system is shown with a first evaporator 6 used in the refrigeration compartment RC and a second evaporator 10 used in the freezer compartment FC. System comprises also a shared compressor 1 , a condenser 2 followed by a bi-stable electro-valve 3 directing flow either to the first evaporator 6 or to the second evaporator 10 . Each evaporator has dedicated capillary tube, respectively 4 for the first evaporator 6 and 9 for the second evaporator 10 . Of course any expansion device different from a capillary tube can be used as well. The first evaporator 6 is connected to a reservoir or container 5 of phase change material. During the operation of RC evaporator 6 the PCM 5 is charged. When FC evaporator 10 is switched ON (i.e. by diverting the flow towards the evaporator 10 by means of the electro valve 3 ) the liquid refrigerant is directly expanded in capillary 9 (in the configuration where the second electro valve 7 does not divert the flow into the sub-cooling loop. It is important to notice that in having a sub-cooling PCM 8 inside of the refrigeration compartment RC additional appliance heat gains from ambient are avoided. Sub-cooling loop enters the refrigeration compartment RC and exchanges heat with PCM in such compartment. The second bi-stable electro-valve 7 is placed on the FC loop to allow switching ON and OFF of the sub-cooling loop. Operation of the loop is decided according to the amount of cooling capacity accumulated in PCM or RC evaporator request for defrost operation. Higher sub-cooling during FC operation results in higher cooling capacity delivered to FC evaporator 10 with the assumption of unchanged refrigerant mass-flow. This gain in cooling capacity is shown in FIG. 3 . According to the embodiment shown in FIG. 2 , the sub-cooling loop may contain a dedicated capillary tube 11 or any kind of expansion device placed after the PCM reservoir to properly match refrigerant mass-flow rate at high sub-cooling. One of the main advantages of the present invention derives from the PCM contact with the evaporator 6 of the refrigeration compartment RC. This contact improves the global heat transfer coefficient of such evaporator and therefore it allows operation of the RC refrigeration loop at increased evaporator temperatures and increased compressor COP (coefficient of performance). During the RC loop operation, cooling capacity is accumulated in the PCM and continuously released to the refrigeration compartment RC by means of natural convection or a variable speed air fan at a relatively small rate. In case the PCM in the refrigeration compartment contains a sufficient amount of accumulated cooling capacity, it can be used during the operation of the freezer evaporator 10 to additionally sub-cool liquid by switching ON the sub-cooling loop. Sub-cooling loop can also contain expansion valve (not shown) to partially expand the liquid refrigerant before entering sub-cooling heat exchanger. Increased cooling capacity is delivered to the refrigeration compartment FC, which decreases FC loop time and energy consumption. Sub-cooling loop acts also as a quick defrost of the evaporator 6 in cases when set phase change temperature is significantly below 0° C. and there is a risk of frost accumulation.
A refrigerator having a refrigerating circuit with a compressor, a condenser and two evaporators placed in different compartments of the appliance comprises valve means for alternatively directing refrigerant flow towards one of the evaporators. One of the evaporators is in heat exchange relationship with a phase change material.
5
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] Not Applicable FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not Applicable SEQUENCE LISTING [0003] Not Applicable FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0004] The invention relates to pick up truck accessories than can be added to pickups to make them more useful. More specifically the invention relates to an improved design for storing the rear door of a pickup truck topper. The improved design is substantially a retractable system for storing the rear door of a pickup truck topper. The side windows can also utilize the new concept for storing the windows in an retracted open position. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART [0005] Pickup trucks are very popular vehicles for consumers. This type of vehicle is often utilized for personal, recreational, and businesses purposes. Pickups are available from numerous manufacturers and are available in a wide variety of sizes and styles and models. There are small compact pickups, mid-size pickups, and full size pickups including half ton and three quarter ton pickups. Some of these vehicles have a regular size cab and cargo beds. Other versions have “king cabs” with front seats and rear seats. Some pickups have two doors and some have four doors. Some pickups have short cargo beds and some have long extended cargo beds. [0006] An accessory that is often added to pickups is a “truck topper.” These devices are sometimes called a “truck cap” or a “truck camper” or a “truck bed cap” or a “pickup truck cap” etc. A truck topper generally provides an enclosed compartment above the pickup cargo bed. Most toppers can be locked to prevent any enclosed tools and personal items from being stolen. Animals and humans can occupy the enclosed space of a pickup topper. Also the topper protects the cargo bed and contents from the rain and snow and bad weather, etc. [0007] Typically toppers have a roof, two side walls, a front wall adjacent the pickup cab and a rear opening with some type of rear door which opens and closes above the pickup tail gate. Typically the top of the rear door is hinged near the roof of the topper. [0008] Toppers are available in a variety of styles and shapes and designs. Consumers can purchase different designs that suit their needs. Typically the front wall of a pickup topper, which is adjacent the pickup cab, matches the contour of the truck cab. The top of the topper has a shorter length and the sides flair outward, generally matching the contour of the truck cab. The bottom edge of the front wall generally matches the dimension of front wall of the pickup bed. The topers can have a streamlined design with the front portion and the rear portion having similar height dimensions. If more cargo space is desired the roof top can arc upward as the roof makes a transition from the front of the topper to the rear of the topper. If the rear of the topper has a large opening, a large door can be incorporated. A large topper door allows bulky items to be loaded and unloaded from the back of the pickup. [0009] Some toppers utilize one piece windows that do not include a metal frame. The hinge mechanism and the struts are fastened through holes in the one piece window. [0010] Toppers can be made of a variety of materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, steel, plastic, etc. [0011] The side panels of toppers can have a variety of designs. The side panels can have permanent windows that cannot be opened, plastic “bubble” windows, windows that swing outward, windows that swing inward, windows that slide horizontally, etc. Topper side panels can also have doors that swing outward, doors that swing inward, doors that slide horizontally, etc Topper side panels can also be made so that there are no windows or doors. [0012] Toppers can have sun roofs to allow light into the interior of the topper. Some toppers have interior lights and brake lights incorporated thereon. [0013] Some pickup toppers have racks incorporated thereon which can hold long items such as ladders and/or lumber, etc. [0014] The truck topper rear opening typically has a hinged door that moves between an open position and a closed position. Often the rear door has two hinges on the top and it is hinged to the topper roof. Rear doors generally have a metal frame and the door also has a clear window. Often the back window as a trapezoid shape; the top and the bottom of the door are parallel to one another and the top has a shorter length than the bottom of the door. The two side sections of the door connect the shorter top to the longer bottom portion of the door. [0015] Many toppers also have a pair of struts that are connected between the sides of the back door and the sides of the back of the truck. The struts are usually biased with a spring type of mechanism that lifts the back door to an open position and keeps the door in the open position. [0016] Most toppers have some type of locking mechanism. There are one handle designs with linkage that extend to the sides of the back wall for locking. Some toppers have two locking mechanisms; one on left side and one on the right side of the topper door. [0017] Although truck toppers with hinged rear doors are popular there are numerous problems associated with them including the following: [0018] When the topper rear door is left in the open position it can be a serious hazard for someone walking in the area. They could injure their head by walking into an opened door if they are unaware that the door is open. [0019] Also, when the topper rear door is in its open horizontal position, there is often restricted head clearance near the tailgate area of the pickup. Unloading items from the pickup bed and loading items into the pickup bed can be cumbersome if someone can not stand upright during the unloading and/or unloading. [0020] When long items are hauled in the pickup bed, the topper door must be left open and that can be problematic. The door often can flap in the wind, and vibrate and jerk and wear out the hinges and various different components. The struts can be damaged. Also, the window can break. If a rear topper door that has been left in the open position should fall from its open position, the cargo extending out from the pickup bed may be damaged. [0021] Some toppers have racks on the top for hauling long items such as ladders and or long boards, etc. When long items are hauled in the rack on top of a topper, most topper doors cannot be placed in a fully open position because the ladder and/or boards extend beyond the end of the topper. This can be problematic. As it would be hard to place items into the topper and/or take items out of the topper when the rack has items thereon. Also, the window can break if the window would ever hit any items extending rearward beyond the topper rack. [0022] The topper rear door struts tend to wear out and may not hold the door properly in the open position which can be hazardous. Worn struts can be expensive to replace. [0023] When hauling a trailer with a pickup that has a topper can lead to problems. If the topper door is left open it may be damaged by the trailer during turns. Also, if the topper door is open, working in the area of the trailer hitch can be hazardous and cumbersome. [0024] If a topper rear door is left in the open position, it can be damaged during backing of the pickup near any building or a garage or a loading dock. [0025] Some topper designs have a hinged rear door that extends beyond the horizontal position when the door is in the open position. With these designs, the hinged door, when in the open position, can be higher than the height of the back of the topper. When these doors are in the fully open position, shorter people may have a hard time reaching the open door to pull it into the closed position. OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION [0026] It is an object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that can be placed in an open and a closed position and does not have the problems of conventional toppers with a hinged rear door. [0027] It is another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and thereby eliminating the possibility of a head injury by someone walking into an opened door. [0028] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and thereby providing unrestricted head clearance near the tailgate area of the pickup. Unloading items from the pickup bed and loading items into the pickup bed will no longer be cumbersome, and anyone can stand upright during the unloading and/or unloading regardless of how tall they are. [0029] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and thereby allowing the truck owner to hall long items that may stick out of the truck beyond the bed of the truck. [0030] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper that has a rack on the top that will still be allow the user to place rear door into the open position when long items in the topper rack. extend rearward beyond the rear end of the topper such as ladders and/or long boards, etc. The new design would enable a user to easily place items into the topper and/or take items out of the topper when the rack has long items thereon. [0031] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and the toper does not require rear door struts which wear our and malfunction and can be expensive to replace. [0032] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position thereby eliminating the problems associated with hauling a trailer. With the rear door stored out of the way, turning the pickup with the topper door is open can never cause any damage to the topper door or the trailer. Also, with the topper door stored out of the way, working in the area of the trailer hitch is no longer hazardous and cumbersome. [0033] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position thereby eliminating any damage during backing of the pickup near a building or a garage or a loading dock. [0034] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position which has a very simple design with a minimum of parts. [0035] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position which would be very easy to manufacture. [0036] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position which would be very easy to manufacture with different topper door sizes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0037] A pickup truck topper is provided that has a retractable rear door that can be stored in a closed position and an open position. In the open position the topper rear door is stored in a horizontal position just under the roof of the topper. In the closed position the topper rear door is fastened on the rear of the pickup topper above the tailgate of the pickup. The topper has two horizontal tracks mounted on the inside of topper near the roof. The topper rear door has two rollers fasten thereon. The rollers glide in the tracks when the door moves between the closed and the open position. The topper rear door can be locked in closed position and the topper door can be locked in the fully open and retracted position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0038] In order that the manner in which the above and other objects of the invention are obtained, a more particular description of the invention briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the invention and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the invention will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the accompanying annexed drawings wherein: [0039] FIG. 1 perspective view of one embodiment of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors. The rear door is in an open position and partially retracted into the topper. Two side doors are also in an open position and partially retracted into the topper. [0040] FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors. The rear door is in an open position and partially retracted into the topper. [0041] FIG. 3 is section view of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is through “A-A” of FIG. 2 . [0042] FIG. 4 is partial side view of the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is through “B-B” of FIG. 2 . The rear door is in an fully open position and fully retracted into the topper. [0043] FIG. 5 is partial view the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is through “C-C” of FIG. 2 . The rear door is in an fully open position and fully retracted into the topper. [0044] FIG. 6 is partial view the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is through “D-D” of FIG. 2 . The rear door is in an fully open position and fully retracted into the topper. [0045] FIG. 7 is a rear view of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The rear door is in the fully open position and fully retracted into the topper. A lock retains the retractable door in the fully retracted position. [0046] FIG. 8A is section side view of the pickup truck topper locking device with retractable door of FIG. 7 . The section is through “E-E” of FIG. 7 . The locking device is in the locked position. [0047] FIG. 8B is section side view of the pickup truck topper locking device with retractable door of FIG. 7 . The section is through “E-E” of FIG. 7 . The locking device is in the unlocked position. [0048] FIG. 9 is side view of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The rear door is in an open position retracted into the topper. Additional drawings show how the retractable door would be moved toward the closed position above the truck tailgate. [0049] FIG. 10A is partial view the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The similar to the section through “B-B” of FIG. 2 . The rear door is fully extended toward the rear of the topper. [0050] FIG. 10B is partial view the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is similar to the section “B-B” of FIG. 2 . The rear door is fully extended toward the rear of the topper and the door has been rotated toward the closed position. [0051] FIG. 11 is partial view the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is through “D-D” of FIG. 2 . The rear door is in an fully closed position. [0052] FIG. 12 is an enlarged partial view of the track and roller and door related hardware of the pickup truck topper with retractable doors shown in FIG. 11 . The rear door is in a fully closed position. [0053] FIG. 13 is side view of an alternate design for a the pickup truck topper with retractable door. This design has a large rear door. A partial section view shows the track and roller and door related hardware The rear door is in an fully closed position. [0054] FIG. 14 is rear view of the alternate design for a the pickup truck topper with retractable door shown in FIG. 13 . This design has a large rear door. The rear door is in a fully closed position. [0055] FIG. 15 is side view of the side retractable door for the pickup truck topper with retractable door shown in FIG. 2 . The side retractable door is in an open position. The section is through “F-F” of FIG. 2 . [0056] The objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent when the drawings are studied in conjunction with reading the following description and also reading the claims. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0057] In keeping with the requirements of Patent Laws there is described herein below the best mode of the invention that is currently known to the applicant. For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiment illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will nevertheless be understood that no limitation of the scope of the invention is thereby intended, such alterations and further modifications in the illustrated device, and such further applications of the principles of the invention as illustrated therein being contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates. [0058] With reference now to the drawings, and in particular, to FIGS. 1-15 thereof, the preferred embodiments of the new and improved pickup truck topper with retractable door embodying the principles and concepts of the present invention and generally designated by the reference number 10 will be described. [0059] FIG. 1 shown generally at 10 a pickup truck topper 11 with retractable doors. Shown generally at 60 is the pickup with a pickup cab 61 , a pickup bed 62 and pickup tailgate 63 . The pickup truck topper has a front wall 12 (not shown), a top wall 14 , a left side wall 16 , and left side panel, and a right side wall 18 . Topper has a rear wall 19 with a left rear wall 20 , with a left door stop 22 , and a right rear wall 24 , with a right door stop 26 and a top rear wall lip 28 . Topper 11 has a horizontal door support member 27 . The topper 11 has a rear retractable door 29 that has a door frame 30 , a window, and a locking device 32 . Topper has a left side retractable window 34 and a left side window 36 and a right side retractable window (not shown) and a right side window 40 . Topper side wall 16 has a wall section 17 above side retractable door 32 . [0060] The rear retractable door 29 is in an open position and partially retracted into the topper. The left side retractable window 32 is in an open position and partially retracted into the topper 11 . The topper 11 when viewed from the rear has substantially a rectangular rear shape. As the topper top left edge makes a transition from the rear left corner 42 toward the pickup cab 61 the left top edge of the toper has a left top contour 44 , and terminates at a left top front corner 46 where the topper 11 meets the left top rear corner 64 of the pickup cab 61 . Topper left side wall 16 angles outward as side wall 16 makes a transition from top left corner 46 to bottom left corner 48 . [0061] As the top right edge makes a transition from the right rear corner 50 toward the pickup cab 61 the right top edge of the toper has a right top contour 52 , and a right top front corner 54 where the topper 11 meets the right top rear corner 65 of the pickup cab 11 . Topper right side wall 18 angles outward as side wall 18 makes a transition from top right corner 54 to bottom right corner 55 (not seen). [0062] The front wall of the topper substantially matches the rear wall of the pickup cab. This gives the topper 11 an aerodynamic design relative to the pickup cab 61 . The rear retractable door 29 has a locking mechanism 32 which is utilized to lock the retractable rear door in a closed position above the tailgate 63 . A variety of designs could be utilized for the locking mechanism 32 . [0063] Shown generally at 70 in FIG. 2 is a top view of one embodiment of the pickup truck topper 11 with a retractable door 29 . The pickup truck topper 11 has a front wall (not shown), a top wall 14 , a left side wall 16 , and a right side wall 18 . Topper 11 has a rear wall 19 with a left rear wall 20 , with a left door stop 22 (not shown), and a right rear wall 24 , with a right door stop 26 (not shown) and a top rear wall lip 28 . The topper has a rear retractable door 29 that has a door frame 30 , a window 31 , and a locking device 32 . The rear door 29 is in an open position and partially retracted into the topper 11 . [0064] The topper 11 when viewed from the rear has substantially a rectangular rear shape. As the top left edge makes a transition from the rear left corner 42 toward the pickup cab 61 the left top edge of the toper has a left top contour 44 , and terminates at a left top front corner 46 where the topper 11 meets the left top rear corner 64 (not shown) of the pickup cab 611 (not shown). Topper left side wall 16 angles outward as side wall 16 makes a transition from top left corner 46 to bottom left corner 48 . As topper top right edge makes a transition from the rear right corner 50 toward the pickup cab 61 the right top edge of the topper has a right top contour 52 , and terminates at a right top front corner 54 where the topper 11 meets the top right rear corner 65 (not shown) of the pickup cab 11 . Topper right side wall 18 angles outward as side wall 18 makes a transition from top right corner 54 to bottom right corner 55 . [0065] Shown generally at 80 in FIG. 3 is section view of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable doors of FIG. 2 . The section is through “A-A” of FIG. 2 . The view shows the topper top wall 14 and a topper left side wall 16 , a topper right side wall 18 , and the topper front wall 12 . The shape of topper 11 front wall 12 generally matches the contour of the back wall of the pickup cab 61 (not shown). The left side wall 16 has a top left corner 46 and a bottom left corner 48 . Left side wall 16 generally angles outward as left side wall 16 makes a transition from top left corner 46 to bottom left corner 48 . The right side wall 18 has a top right corner 54 and a bottom right corner 55 . Right side wall 18 generally angles outward as right side wall 18 makes a transition from top right corner 54 to bottom right corner 55 . The topper front wall 12 has window 81 . Shown generally at 90 in FIG. 4 is partial side view of the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable rear door 29 of FIG. 2 . The section is through “B-B” of FIG. 2 . The retractable rear door 29 is in a fully open position and fully retracted into the topper 11 . Track 91 has a track top 91 A and a track bottom 91 B. Track 91 may have a fastening device (not shown) such a rivet or bolt or other mounting devices that hold the track to the topper 11 . The mounting hardware has a rigid member 100 that has a first end 101 that is securely fastened to the door 29 by welding or other fastening method. Rigid member 100 has a second end 102 that forms a pivot 103 with the wheel holding hardware member 93 . Wheel holding hardware member 93 has openings 105 that hold wheel shaft 108 which is connected to wheel 92 . Retractable door 29 has sealing lip 29 A on the top of door 29 . [0066] Shown generally at 120 in FIG. 5 is partial view the right track 91 and roller 92 and roller related hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 of FIG. 2 . The section is through “C-C” of FIG. 2 . The rear door 29 is in an fully open position and fully retracted into the topper 11 . Track 91 has a track top 91 A and a track bottom 91 B and is fastened to the right side wall 18 of the topper 11 . The mounting hardware has a rigid member 100 that has a first end 101 that is fastened to the door 29 by rivets 122 . Rigid member 100 has a second end 102 that forms a pivot with the wheel holding hardware member 93 . Wheel holding hardware member 93 has openings 105 that hold wheel shaft 108 which is connected to wheel 92 . Retractable door 29 has resilient sealing lip 124 the top of door 29 . [0067] Shown generally at 130 in FIG. 6 is partial view the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller related hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 of FIG. 2 . The section is through “D-D” of FIG. 2 . The rear door 29 is in an fully open position and fully retracted into the topper 11 The topper 11 has side windows 40 and 40 A. Horizontal door support holds door 29 in open position. [0068] Shown generally at 140 in FIG. 7 is a rear view of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 of FIG. 2 shown mounted on the pickup bed 62 . The retractable rear door 29 is in the fully open position and fully retracted into the topper 11 . Horizontal door support member 27 extends across the rear of the topper 11 and holds the retractable door 29 in the retracted position. The topper rear top wall 28 and left rear wall 20 and right rear wall 24 are shown. A left rear wall 20 has a left door stop 22 and a right rear wall 24 has a right door stop 26 . The retractable door 29 fits adjacent the left door stop 22 and the right door stop 26 when the retractable door 29 is in the fully closed position. The right door stop 26 can have a flexible sealing strip (not shown) and the left door stop 22 can have a flexible sealing strip (not shown). The sealing strips help seal the retractable door 29 when the door is in the fully closed position. Lock device 141 has a lock handle 142 that retains the retractable door 29 locked in the fully retracted position ( 142 “L”). Lock handle 142 rotates to an alternate position when the retractable door 29 is in an unlocked position ( 142 “U”). [0069] Shown generally at 150 in FIG. 8A is a cross section view of the lock device 141 shown in FIG. 7 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 . The view is through section “E-E” of FIG. 7 . Lock device 141 has a lock handle 142 that retains the retractable door 29 locked in the fully retracted position ( 142 “L”). Shown also is topper 11 top wall 14 and rear top wall lip 28 . Also shown is horizontal door support member 27 left rear wall 20 and left door stop 22 . Triangle lock support 144 that has shaft hole 153 . Lock device 141 has handle 142 , shaft 152 , spring 154 washer 155 and retaining nut 156 . Shaft 152 extends through hole 153 in triangle lock support 144 . Lock spring 154 is compressed and lock handle 142 retains door 29 in a fully retracted and locked position. [0070] Shown generally at 160 in FIG. 8B is a cross section view the lock device 141 shown in FIG. 7 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 . The view is through section “E-E” of FIG. 7 . Lock device 141 has a lock handle 142 that can retain the retractable door 29 in a locked position. Lock device 141 has lock handle 142 rotated to an unlocked position ( 142 “U”). Shown also is topper 11 top wall 14 and rear wall top lip 28 . Also shown is horizontal door support member 27 , and left rear wall 20 and left door stop 22 . Triangle lock support 142 has shaft hole 153 . Lock device 141 has handle 142 , shaft 152 , spring 154 washer 155 and retaining nut 156 . Shaft 152 extends through hole 153 in triangle support 144 . Lock spring 154 is uncompressed and lock handle 142 is rotated to an unlocked position. ( 142 “U”). Various other locking devices could be utilized to retain retractable door 29 in a locked position. Additionally, various locking devices could be utilized to retain retractable door 29 in a locked closed position. [0071] An alternate design for topper 11 and retractable door 29 would have the door 29 fully enclosed within topper 11 when the door is in a retracted and locked position. [0072] Shown generally at 170 in FIG. 9 is partial view of the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller related hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 of FIG. 2 . The section is through “D-D” of FIG. 2 . The rear door 29 is in an open position and retracted into the topper 11 The topper 11 has side windows 40 and 40 A. Horizontal door support member 27 holds door 29 in open position. Door 29 has sealing lip 124 . FIG. 9 shows how a door 29 would move from a retracted horizontal position (position “x”) and moving toward closed position. Position “y” and position “z” show the retractable door 29 rotating toward a closed position. (The closed position for the retractable door 29 is shown in FIG. 11 ) [0073] Shown generally at 180 in FIG. 10A is partial side view of the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper with retractable rear door of FIG. 2 . The section is through “B-B” of FIG. 2 . The retractable rear door 29 is positioned fully rearward toward the rear of the topper 11 . Rigid member 100 is adjacent horizontal door support member 27 and door 29 is resting on top of horizontal door support member 27 . Track 91 holds roller 92 . Door 29 has sealing lip 124 . The mounting hardware has a rigid member 100 has end 101 that is securely fastened to the door 29 by welding or other fastening method. Rigid member 100 has a second end 102 that forms a pivot 103 with the wheel holding hardware member 93 . Wheel holding hardware member 93 has openings 105 that hold wheel shaft 108 which is connected to wheel 92 . [0074] Shown generally at 190 in FIG. 10B is partial side view of the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper with retractable rear door of FIG. 2 . The section is generally through “B-B” of FIG. 2 . The retractable rear door 29 is in positioned fully rearward out of the topper 11 and door 29 is rotated toward the closed position similar to position “Z” in FIG. 9 . Rigid member 100 is rotating on top of horizontal door support member 27 . Track 91 holds roller 92 . Door 29 has sealing lip 124 . The mounting hardware has a rigid member 100 has end 101 that is securely fastened to the door 29 by welding or other fastening method. Rigid member 100 has a second end 102 that forms a pivot 103 with the wheel holding hardware member 93 . Wheel holding hardware member 93 has openings 105 that hold wheel shaft 108 which is connected to wheel 92 . [0075] Shown generally at 200 in FIG. 11 is partial view the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller related hardware 93 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 of FIG. 2 . The rear door 29 is in an fully closed position. Door 29 has lock 32 . Shown is topper top wall 14 and topper rear wall top lip 28 and door sealing lip 124 . The topper 11 has side windows 40 and 40 A. [0076] Shown generally at 210 in FIG. 12 is a close up partial side view the right track 91 and right roller 92 and right roller related hardware 93 , and horizontal door support member 27 of the pickup truck topper 11 with retractable door 29 of FIG. 11 . The rear door 29 is in an fully closed position. Shown is topper 11 top wall 14 and topper rear wall top lip 28 and door sealing lip 124 . [0077] Shown generally at 220 in FIG. 13 is an alternate embodiment for a topper 11 A with a large retractable door 29 A. This design gives the topper extra cargo space and enables large items to be hauled by the truck. Shown is the right track 91 A and right roller 92 A and right roller related hardware 93 A of the pickup truck topper 11 A with retractable door 29 A. The large rear door 29 A is in a fully closed position. Door 29 A has lock 212 and lock 214 (not seen). Shown is topper top wall 214 and topper rear lip 28 A and door sealing lip 124 A. Pickup cap has rear corner 64 A. Topper 11 A has front top edge 215 that matches pickup cab corner 64 A. Topper top wall 14 A generally angles upward as wall extends rearward to point 215 where topper top wall 14 A generally is horizontal until it reaches the rear of the topper. The topper 11 A has side windows 217 , 218 , and 219 . [0078] Shown generally at 230 in FIG. 14 is rear view of the alternate design for a the pickup truck topper 11 A with retractable door 29 A shown in FIG. 13 . The retractable rear door 29 A is in an fully closed position. The topper rear top wall 28 A and left rear wall 20 A and right rear wall 24 A are shown. The retractable door 29 A fits adjacent the left door wall 20 A and the right door wall 24 A when the retractable door 29 A is in the fully closed position. Retractable door 29 A has left side lock 212 and a right side lock 214 which retain the retractable door 29 A in the fully closed and locked position. Stop light 232 is located on top rear wall area 28 A of topper 11 A. Rear door has large window 234 . [0079] Shown generally at 240 in FIG. 15 is section view of the side retractable door shown in FIG. 1 . The section is through “F-F” of FIG. 1 . The design is for a side retractable door 32 shown in FIG. 1 . Retractable rear door 32 is in a partially open position. Also shown is topper top wall 14 , side wall section 16 A, curved track 244 , roller 246 , roller mounting hardware 248 , and roller hardware pivot 250 . Track 244 is curved up under the topper top wall 14 so that side door 32 can be stored near topper top wall 14 , thereby being out of the way when the pickup bed is utilized to haul bulky items even when side window 32 is in an open position. [0080] A variety of topper designs with retractable doors could be manufactured to accommodate the various designs of pickups that are manufactured. The different designs could be for small compact pickups, mid-size pickups, and full size pickups including half ton and three quarter ton pickups. Other topper designs with retractable doors could be made for vehicles that have regular size cabs and cargo beds, as well as pickups with “king cabs” with front and rear seats, and/or two doors and/or four doors, short cargo beds, long extended cargo beds, etc. [0081] Toppers with retractable doors can be made of a variety of materials such as aluminum, fiberglass, carbon fiber, wood, steel, plastic, etc. [0082] It should be very clear from the drawings and the above description that this new pickup truck topper with retractable door is unique and clearly provides a solution that the prior art does not provide. [0083] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that can be placed in an open and a closed position and does not have the problems of conventional toppers with a hinged rear door. [0084] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and thereby eliminating the possibility of a head injury by someone walking into an opened door. [0085] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and thereby providing unrestricted head clearance near the tailgate area of the pickup. Unloading items from the pickup bed and loading items into the pickup bed will no longer be cumbersome, and anyone can stand upright during the unloading and/or loading regardless of how tall they are. [0086] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and thereby allowing the truck owner to hall long items that may stick out of the truck beyond the bed of the truck. [0087] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position and the toper does not require rear door struts which wear our and malfunction and can be expensive to replace. [0088] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position thereby eliminating the problems associated with hauling a trailer. With the rear door stored out of the way, turning the pickup with the topper door is open can never cause any damage to the topper door or the trailer. Also, with the topper door stored out of the way, working in the area of the trailer hitch is no longer hazardous and cumbersome. [0089] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position thereby eliminating any damage during backing of the pickup near a building or a garage or a loading dock. [0090] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position which has a very simple design with a minimum of parts. [0091] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position which would be very easy to manufacture. [0092] It should be clear that the new pickup truck topper with retractable door does provide a pickup topper with a rear door that is stored out of the way when the door is left in the open position which would be very easy to manufacture with different topper door sizes. [0093] This invention having been described in its presently contemplated best mode, it is clear that it is susceptible to numerous, variations, modifications, modes and embodiments within the ability of those skilled in the art and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the novel concepts or principles of this invention. 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. It should be understood that the preferred embodiments have been shown and described and that all changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are desired to be protected. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. 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. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is defined by the scope of the following claims.
A pickup truck topper is provided that has a retractable rear door that can be stored in a closed position and an open position. In the open position the topper rear door is stored in a horizontal position just under the roof of the topper. In the closed position the topper rear door is fastened on the rear of the pickup topper above the tailgate of the pickup. The topper has two horizontal tracks mounted on the inside of topper near the roof. The topper rear door has two rollers fasten thereon. The rollers glide in the tracks when the door moves between the closed and the open position. The topper rear door can be locked in closed position and the topper door can be locked in the fully open and retracted position.
1
RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C § 119, from Austrian Patent Application No. A1552/2002 filed Oct. 14, 2002. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a device for continuous drying of a pulp sheet, particularly a tissue web, with a drying drum and an air circulating system. In conventional tissue plants, the drying process begins at an inlet dryness of some 40 to 45% in the tissue web. In order to achieve higher paper volume, mechanical pre-dewatering on presses is omitted and the inlet dryness to this equipment nowadays is approximately 20 to 25%. These plants operate with through drying. If there is no paper in the plant, e.g. if there is a sheet break, there is a problem because the drying drum is exposed to high temperatures in the vicinity of the paper web for short periods and the difference in temperature between drum and end cover can cause increased stress and thus, damage to the drum. The aim of the invention is to eliminate this disadvantage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is characterised by the drying drum having a perforated cylinder that is supported by external radial bearing rings. With this design the drum shell is centered, thus guaranteeing exact roundness at all times. A favorable configuration of the invention is characterised by the perforations in the cylinder being in the form of holes. In one aspect the invention is directed to the combination of a drum, axle means along the drum centerline for supporting the weight of the drum, journal means associated with the drum and the axle, a motor for imparting a rotational torque to the drum, and a hot air supply for delivering a flow of hot air to the drum for drying a paper pulp sheet or web carried on a circumferential portion of the drum as the drum rotates, wherein the improvement comprises that the drum has means for rigidly supporting a perforated drum cylinder relative to the journal means, and an outer shell including the perforated cylinder and a plurality of circumferential bearing rings fixed to the exterior of the cylinder. Preferably, at least three radial bearing rings are welded to the cylinder. The radial bearing rings in essence provide a series of belts around the cylinder that tightly (via welding) support the cylinder wall at the outside as the cylinder tries to expand non-uniformly during transient conditions. An advantageous further development of the invention is characterised by longitudinal ribs being provided in the axial direction, where the longitudinal ribs can be arranged at a distance of 40 to 80 mm from one another. The longitudinal ribs provide stability for the drying shell. If the longitudinal ribs are welded to the radial bearing rings as well as to the perforated cylinder, this results in a complete, load-bearing unit. A particularly favorable further development of the invention is characterised by the longitudinal ribs at the edges of the cylinder being welded to the outermost radial bearing ring only, where the outermost radial bearing ring is not connected to the cylinder. As a result, the drum can adjust to the various temperatures between the hot blow-air applied over the working width and the lower temperatures at the peripheral areas in such a way that there is no increased thermal stress in the shell and thus, the risk of cracks is virtually eliminated. An advantageous configuration of the invention is characterised by a circumferential ring being secured to each of the outermost radial bearing rings, which extends from the end cover internal flanges to the edge of the paper web, where the circumferential ring can have a pattern of perforations. As a result, a certain amount of cooling air, which is blown out of the high-efficiency hood onto the edge of the drum, can be discharged. A favorable further development of the invention is characterised by end covers screwed to the drum shell, being provided on the end faces of the cylinder in order to stabilize the drum shell. This design guarantees improved stability of the drum shell and, in particular, prevents any sliding movement between end cover and drum shell in the event of radial expansion due to the temperature. An advantageous configuration of the invention is characterised by the drying drum having a drum body that is welded only. This design virtually eliminates the risk of areas in which cracks could occur. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described using the examples in the drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 shows a general view of a drying plant according to the invention; FIG. 2 contains a sectional view along the line marked II—II in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 shows a configuration of a drying drum according to the invention; FIG. 4 contains a sectional view along the line marked IV—IV in FIG. 3 ; FIG. 5 a is an extract from FIG. 3 according to the circle marked V, and FIG. 5 b shows the same section when higher temperatures are applied; and FIG. 6 shows a 3D illustration of a section of the cylinder shell according to the invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 shows a sectional view through a drying drum 1 , which is fitted with an annular channel 2 on the drive side in order to extract the exhaust air. The exhaust air is brought through a return duct 3 to a fan 4 , which sends it back to the drying drum 1 via an air heating device 5 , which can be designed as a burner or heat exchanger, and an integrated air mixing device 6 . The temperature of the exhaust air is normally some 120° C., while the supply air to the drying drum has a temperature of approximately 260 to 300° C. FIG. 2 shows a section through the drying drum 1 according to the line marked II—II in FIG. 1 . The paper web 10 , particularly a tissue web, arrives at the drying drum 1 with approximately 20 to 25% dryness, supported on an endless wire. The hot air, with a temperature of approximately 260 to 300° C., preferably around 280° C., is blown onto the paper web 10 through a hood 7 , which can consist of two parts as shown. The hood 7 largely surrounds the drying drum 1 . After the drying process, the paper web, supported on an endless wire and with some 85% dryness, is guided round a deflection roll 8 and fed from there to a further drying process on a Yankee dryer (not shown). FIG. 3 is a sectional view through a possible variant of a drying drum 1 according to the invention. This illustration shows the axle 11 with the appropriate journal bearings 13 or the like for rotatably supporting the weight of the drum, the drive 14 for rotating the drum, and the drum shell 12 , which is welded only. End covers 15 , 16 are connected to the journal means 13 and attached to the end faces of the shell, with an annular suction channel 17 being flanged onto the latter of the two end covers. Furthermore, the illustration shows a covering device 19 , mounted on the stationary axle 11 , for that part c of the drum 1 (See FIG. 2 ) that is not wrapped in the tissue web 10 . FIG. 4 provides a sectional view along the line marked IV—IV in FIG. 3 . This figure shows the drying drum 1 around which the tissue web 10 is guided. When it leaves the drying drum, the web 10 is fed round a deflection roll 8 . Here, the covering device 19 is clearly discernible, covering the inside area c of the drum 1 in the section that does not come into contact with the tissue web 10 and also is not enclosed by the hood 7 . This arrangement thus prevents infiltrated air from being sucked into the drum, which would seriously diminish the suction effect through the paper web 10 . FIG. 5 a illustrates the structure of the drum shell 12 in an extract according to the circle marked V in FIG. 3 . In addition to the covering device 19 , the radially extending bearing rings 21 , 24 are also clearly discernible here. This figure also shows the axially extending, longitudinal ribs 22 attached by welds where the ribs transversely intersect slots in the radial bearing rings 21 to form a substantially rectilinear grid (as viewed from above) defining a multiplicity of pockets. The radial rings 21 and the longitudinal ribs 22 are also welded to the hollow, perforated cylinder 20 , which preferably has round holes. The perforated cylinder 20 with attached grid thereby defines the drum shell 12 . The shell 12 is closed off at the cylinder ends with annular flanges 26 . The cylinder 20 is welded to the flanges or end pieces 26 and the flange 26 can be considered part of the shell. In addition, the fastening screws 18 for attaching the flanges to the end covers 15 , 16 are shown. This gives additional space for thermal expansion and helps avoid cracks in welds. Furthermore, this Figure shows the circumferential cooling ring 25 attached to the outermost bearing ring 24 . The same extract is shown in FIG. 5 b , however this figure illustrates the condition when hot air at an approximate temperature of 260 to 300° C. is blown on without a paper web being present in between, i.e. the status at start-up or web break. The figure clearly shows that the outermost bearing ring 24 (i.e., closest to but spaced from covers 15 , 16 ) is not welded to the cylinder 20 , and the outer portion of the longitudinal ribs 22 between the outermost radial ring 24 and the adjacent radial ring 21 is likewise not welded to the cylinder. The axial ribs do not extend beyond the outermost bearing ring 24 so that the end regions outside of the web coverage on the shell have no axial ribs. Thus there is no longitudinal connection in the form of ribs at the ends of the drum, and during start-up and web break the axial ribs are only slightly deflected at the ends. As a result of the different temperatures between the middle region of the cylinder at approximately 260 to 300° C. and the outer edge with end covers 15 , 16 at approximately 120° C., deformation occurs, where the configuration according to the invention can substantially reduce the stresses in the connecting welds compared with those occurring in other known designs. The circumferential ring 25 attached to the outermost bearing ring 24 covers the end region of the drying drum 1 that has no contact with the paper web and has perforations, preferably with round holes, in an area b acting as an edge cooling zone, in order to discharge a certain amount of cooling air that is blown out of the high-efficiency hood onto the edge of the drum. Rings 25 prevents hot gases from exiting the shell at the ends. The hood has separate areas at the end side to blow cool air, i.e., cooler than the drying air, with temperatures up to 100° C. to the (end) rings 25 so that also here the terminal stresses to the end covers will be reduced. In addition, this Figure shows where the face end covers 15 , 16 are secured to the drum shell 12 (flange 26 ) by screws 18 . This ensures that there is no sliding movement between the end covers 15 , 16 and the drum shell 12 if there is radial expansion due to the effect of heat, and that a firm connection is always guaranteed. FIG. 6 contains a 3D illustration of a section through the shell according to the invention. This Figure shows the bearing rings 21 secured to the cylinder 20 , which is perforated here, and the longitudinal ribs 22 mounted at right angles thereto at a distance a from one another, where this distance should preferably be 40 to 80 mm. Because of the pockets formed by this narrow spacing to each other, cross-flows of air across the width of the paper web are largely prevented, thus also preventing an irregular drying profile. The perforated cylinder 20 acts as a choke and prevents different amounts of through-flow air over the web width, regardless of the basis weight and dryness of the paper web to be dried.
The invention relates to a device for continuous drying of a pulp sheet 10, particularly a tissue web, with a drying drum 1 and an air circulating system. It is mainly characterised by the drying drum 1 having a shell 12 with a perforated cylinder 20 that is externally supported by radial bearing rings 21.
3
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Working on extension ladders has been inefficient with inadequate methods for holding tools and materials in a convenient productive location. This awkward work environment causes workmanship problems and requires an excessive number of time and energy consuming trips back down and up the ladder in order to bring up additional tools or materials. Popular methods of attaching items to extension ladders consist of various designs of double-ended hooks where the upper hook fits over a ladder rung and the lower hook supports the handle of a pail; or the lower hook is inserted thru a ring attached as an integral part of a tool. Special purpose straps, ropes, wires and chains are often used to attach items to extension ladders. Special belts, pouches and pockets designed to fit around the waist of the ladder user are also popular for holding items. And recently, there have been tote boxes designed to fit onto ladder rungs. Paint-roller-pans are designed to sit upon flat surfaces; or hang onto the thin flat treads of stepladders. The L-shaped tabs which are formed into the two rear feet of the paint-roller-pan hook under the rear edge of the flat tread of the stepladder; which allows gravity to pull downward upon the front of the paint-roller-pan thereby holding it in position. Therefore, the higher productivity method of applying paint with rollers and paint-roller-pans have been restricted to use at ground level; or to use on shorter stepladders or on scaffolding. Unlike extension ladders, the typical stepladder has a fold-down shelf as an integral part of its design. And the top of a typical stepladder is wider than its treads; so that it also may be used as a small shelf. The most common type of extension latter available today is fabricated from cut pieces of aluminum extrusions; the steps or rungs are usually fabricated from hollow tubular-like pieces. The distance between rungs is a standard dimension with manufacturers in the United States of America. The inside diameters of the tubular rungs from various manufacturers have very small dimensional variations. Prior inventions of tray attachments to extension ladders are numerous and most are time consuming to attach and adjust. Most have been market-place failures because of the large number of components and/or the complexity of the components. Some have been market-place failures because they are hazardous. My invention is similar in function to U.S. Pat. No. 4,445,659 awarded to LaChance which is the most practical to attach and adjust of the numerous prior inventions. The LaChance Patent demonstrates more then twenty components. My invention has only ten components seven of which are standard hardware store items. My invention is lightweight which minimizes ladder stability problems. My invention uses an electrically nonconductive material for the tray which makes it less hazardous when used near electrical apparatus. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is a method of attaching a tray or shelf onto a typical commercially available hollow-rung extension ladder. Henceforth this attachment will be called a tray. This tray may be used to hold a variety of items in order to improve the productivity and workmanship of the ladder user. The means of attachment for this invention will acommodate a variety of ladder widths. The tray has an angular adjustment so that it may be attached at the right side or the left side of the ladder whichever is the most convenient loction for the user. The means of attachment of this invention is secure so that it cannot disengage from the ladder and become dangerous. The means of attachment is secure so that the tray cannot rotate and dump its contents. The means of angular adjustment will allow the tray to be made horizontal so that items placed upon it do not slide, roll or overflow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded view of all of the components of this invention. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view thru the long axis of the components shown in FIG. 1. FIG. 3 shows the invention attached to the right side-rail of a typical hollow-rung extension ladder. It is a side view of the right side-rail of the extension ladder and an end view of the tray. This view shows the extension ladder at an inclined angle of 751/2 degrees from the horizontal, which is the angle recommended by industry safety standards. FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view of a second method of fabricating the support. This invention has three unique major physical components: the tray 10, the shaft 20, and the support 30. The remaining components are standard commercially available hardware items. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The tray 10 shown on FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 has a raised edge 14 around the rectangular perimeter. The size of the flat horizontal storage surface 11 of the tray 10, inside the raised edge 14, is a minimum of 27 centimeters wide by 38 centimeters deep (which is large enough to hold a typical commercially available paint-roller-pan). The 27 centimeter minimum width is the dimension parallel to the shaft 20. The tray 10 is shown in its preferred implementation as a one-piece molding of electrically nonconductive thermoplastic. A geometrically identical tray 10 was fabricated from multiple pieces of wood and plywood that were screwed and glued together. A geometrically equivalent tray 10 was also been fabricated from a single piece or corrosion protected sheet metal that was cut to a specific outline and subsequently folded (edges up and down-leg down) into the configuration shown. All three methods of fabrication (one-piece molding, multiple piece assembly, and folded sheet metal) are geometrically identical and are therefore functionally equivalent. The tray 10 shown on FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 has thru clearance holes 12 and 13 which are used to receive screws 70 and 71. The screws 70 and 71 are the rpeferred implementation of rigidly attaching the tray 10 to the cylindrical shaft 20. Other methods such as riveting, welding, glueing, or bonding are equivalent methods for rigidly connecting these two components into the identical geometric shape. Regardless of which method is used, it is absolutely necessary to rigidly connect the tray 10 to the shaft 20 in order for this invention to function properly. The tray 10 has a down-leg 15. The preferred implementation of the down-leg 15 is shown as an integral part of the tray 10; a geometric equivalent is to use a separate piece that is rigidly attached to the tray 10 via mechanical hardware or welding. This down-leg 15 has a round thru hole 16 plus a thru worm-hole 17. The round thru hole 16 is slightly larger than the diameter of the shaft 20 so that it receives the shaft 20 and provides a means of locting the shaft 20 relative to the tray 10 during assembly. The worm-hole 17 is slightly wider than the outside diameter of the bolt 51 so that there is interference free clearance as the support 30 is rotated about the shaft 20. The worm hole 17 has a length that is dimensioned so that the support 30 may pivot about the shaft 20 for a minimum of plus or minus 20 degrees from the vertical while the tray 10 is held horizontal. Both of the long sides of the worm hole 17 are radii with the center of both radii being the center of the round thru hole 16. An alternative to the worm-hole 17 is to replace it with two clearance holes. One clearance hole for use in mounting this invention on the ladder's seft side and the other for use in mounting on the ladder's right side. Each clearance hole is located at a geometric position formerly occupied by the extremes of the worm-hole 17. The diameters of these two clearance holes is dimensioned to allow a plus or minus 5 degree angle adjustment of the tray 10 to horizontal. The cylindrical shaft 20 may be solid or tubular; both configurations are geometric equivalents with safety, weight and cost being the criteria for the preferred implementation of the invention. The preferred implementation uses electrically nonconducting fiberglass tubing material for the shaft 20 in spite of the fact that the lowest cost practical material is corrosion protected thin-wall metal tubing. The outside diameter of the shaft 20 is sized to fit freely inside the hollow-rung 82 of the extension ladder. The shaft 20 has a minimum of two thru cross holes 21 near the free end 22; these cross holes 21 are slightly larger in diameter than the wire diameter of the safety-clip 60 in order to freely receive said safety-clip 60. The axes of the cross holes 21 are perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 20. Hole 23 is sized to receive thread-cutting screw 70; and hole 24 is sized to receive machine screw 71 as the preffered method of rigidly attaching the shaft 20 to the tray 10. The flattened end 25 on the shaft 20 is an optional means of attaining additional rigidity. The free end 22 of the shaft 20 is smooth and rounded for safety reasons; an elastomer end-plug is used when the shaft 20 is thin-wall metal tubing. The support 30 shown on FIG. 1, FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 is a single L-shaped piece fabricated from corrosion protected sheet metal. The support 30 has a thru hole 31 that fits over the shaft 20 witha small amount of clearance. The width of the L-tab 33 is sized to fit freely inside the hollow rung of the extension ladder. The support 30 shown has a screw-threaded thru hole 32 to receive a screw-threaded bolt 51 with a lock-washer 52. A less preferred geometric equivalent is to use a screw-threaded stud that is welded at the same location as the bolt 51. This less preferred physical implemention of the design concept eliminates the lock-washer 52 and the threading of the hole 32 but is considerably more difficult to repair. Regardless of the method used, the screw-threaded bolt 51 must be rigidly attached to the support 30 in order for the invention to function properly. A functionally equivalent support 40 fabricated from a rectangular piece of sheet metal, plywood, or plastic is shown on FIG. 4. Instead of the L-tab 33, this straight support has a rigid bolted-on, or welded-on, hollow cylinder 43 that has the same outside diameter as the shaft 20. The hollow cylinder 43 is rigidly attached to the support 40 with the long screw-threaded bolt 45. The bolt 45 is inserted thru the hollow cylinder, then thru the clearance hole 44 in the support 40, and then secured into place with screw-threaded nut 46. This support 40 design has a thru clearance hole 42 to receive screw-threaded bolt 51 which is rigidly attached with screw-threaded nut 55. The thru hole 41 is sized to fit freely over the shaft 20 with a small amount of clearance. The preferred implementation of the safety-clip 60 shown on FIG. 1 is a standard commercially available hardware item called a hitch-pin; its function is to lock into positin thru one of the cross holes 21 in the shaft 20 in order to secure the assembly onto the ladder. The shaft 20 is inserted thru the hollow-rung 82 and out the opposite side of the ladder. After the safety-clip 60 is inserted thru the appropriate cross hole 21 in the shaft 20, the tray attachment assembly cannot be withdrawn or disengaged from the ladder until the safety-clip 60 is removed. Themultiple cross holes 21 accomodate ladders of various widths. Commercially available hardware items that are less practical yet functional equivalents to the hitch-pin safety-clip 60 are: cotter-pins, a bolt with a nut, wire shower-curtain clips, or a suitable proprietary clip. Any functional safety-clip 60 must fit thru a cross hole 21, be longer than the inside diameter of the hollow-rung 82, have sufficient strength to resist physical damage, and securely lock into position so that cannot be accidently dislodged. The large flat washer 53 plus the screw-threaded wing-nut 54 are essential items that are standard commercial hardware items made of corrosion protected metal; they fit onto the bolt 51. An internal screw-threaded knob is a functional equivalent to the wing-nut 54. In the complete assembly, the function of the washer 53 and the wing-nut 54 is to clamp the support 30 or 40 against the down-leg 15 of the tray 10. The washer 53 and wing-nut 54 used in conjunction with the design configuration and other components give a means of adjusting the tray assembly to a horizontal position along with the angular adjustment necessary for mounting on the right side or left side of the ladder. In order to hold the horizontal positin of a loaded tray 10 with a small amount of torque used to tighten the wing-nut 54, the surface finishes on the down-leg 15 are roughened; and the washer 53 hs one face, the face assembled against the down-leg 15, coated with rubber in order to yield a high coefficient of friction. Prior to its use, the tray assembly shown in FIG. 1 is put together from the components described in the preceeding paragraphs. First, the shaft 20 is inserted thru the hole 16 in the down-leg 15 of the tray 10; then the shaft 20 is rigidly attached to the tray 10 with the two screws 70 and 71 plus the screw-threaded nut 72. Second, the L-shaped support 30 is assembled with the screw-threaded bolt 51 and lock-washer 52 to create the support subassembly. Third, the hole 31 in the support assembly is slipped over the free end of the shaft 20 and moved up against the down-leg 15 of the tray 10 such that the bolt 51 protrudes thru the worm-hole 17. Last, the washer 53 (rubber side toward the down-leg 15) and the wing-nut 54 are threaded over the bolt 51 and tightened by hand. The tray assembly is then complete and ready for use. The tray assembly attaches to hollow-rung ladders for the purpose of holding tools and materials in order to improve user productivity. The protruding shaft 20 passes thru the hollow-rung 82 of the ladder and out the opposite side as the primary means of attachment. The hollowness and openendedness of the hollow-rung 82 are a long mounting hole thru which the protruding shaft 20 passes. The downleg 15 of the tray 10 and the L-shaped support 30 act similar to the head on a bolt that limit the movement into the hollow-rung 82. One of the cross holes 21 at the free end of the shaft 20 which projects out the opposite side of the hollow-rung 82 receives the safety-clip 60 which when properly inserted prevents the tray assembly from being withdrawn from the rung as would a nut on the end of a bolt. The plurality of cross holes 21 at the free end of the shaft 20 which protrudes out the opposite side of the hollow-rung 82 give a means of securing the tray assembly to ladders of various widths. The in/out movement of the tray assembly is minimized by inserting the safety-clip 60 into the exposed cross hole 21 that is closest to the adjacent side-rail 81 of the ladder. When the tray assembly is attached to the hollow-rung ladder, the protruding L-tab of the support 30 prevents the rotation of the tray 10 about the hollow-rung 82 into which the shaft 20 has been inserted. This L-tab fits into the hollow-rung 82 of the ladder that is the rung immediately below the rung into which the protruding shaft 20 of the tray assembly has been inserted. When the L-shaped support 30 is firmly secured to the downleg 15 of the tray 10 with the bolt 51, washer 53, and wing-nut 54, the tray assembly acts like a two-tanged fork that fits into two adjacent hollow ladder rungs. Since the support 30 pivots freely about the protruding shaft 20 and locks into position with the washer 53 and wing-nuts 54, the tray 10 may be adjusted to horizontal regardless to which ladder side-rail 81 it is mounted. This angular adjustment means also accommodates variations in the ladder-to ground leaning-angle.
This invention is a tray that attaches to the side of hollow-rung ladders. The tray is sized large enough to accommodate an industry standard paint-roller-pan and hold it in a convenient position for the user either at the left side or at the right side of the ladder. The tray mounts to the ladder via a shaft that passes thru one hollow-rung. Secure attachment to various width ladders is accomplished via a safety-clip inserted into one of the series of thru-holes in the free end of the shaft that extends thru the hollow-rung. Adjustment of the tray to horizontal is accomplished via a movable L-shaped support that penetrates into a second hollow-rung. This invention contains fewer and simpler parts in comparison to prior inventions.
4
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119 (e) to U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/787,224 filed Mar. 30, 2006, the entire content of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention is in the field of brake lining and brake friction material industry. In particular, the present invention provides a method and an apparatus for drilling of brake show lining. 2. Description of the Related Art The first drilling machine for the brake shoe lining industry was developed in the early 1980s in the former Soviet Union. A need was met when this prototype machine was created; for the whole concept was to increase drilling productivity over slower manual drilling for brake shoe lining drilling. One of the first successful prototypes for a brake shoe lining drilling machine was created for a Russian friction material company. The machine functioned with great success. The prototype is described in detail in a certificate for invention No. SU 1542780, filed in the former Soviet Union on Oct. 6, 1987, the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated by reference. While the original design as described in SU 1542780 was successful, several drawbacks did exist, such as inability to easily drill different linings, lack of drilling precision, and complicated and inflexible design. Thus, there was a needed for a brake lining drilling machine and method which would provide a more flexible design and higher drilling accuracy. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method and an apparatus to address at least the drawbacks noted above. According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a brake shoe lining drilling machine comprising a rotating wheel station, which holds the brake shoe liners through the loading, drilling (bore), and depositing process. In an exemplary implementation, approximately 34 drilled brake shoes can be produced in an hour by the brake shoe lining drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. According to exemplary embodiments of the present invention an apparatus and method are provided for automatically drilling rivet holes in standard and heavy-duty brake shoe linings (brake blocks) for the truck, bus, overhead crane, wheel drum and heavy machinery industries. In an exemplary implementation, a brake shoe lining drilling machine according to embodiments of the present invention can be customized for the unique needs of each friction material manufacturer and the specific brake liners they use. As will be understood by skilled artisans, while the brake shoe lining drilling machine according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is a customizable machine, the machine can also have a general purpose, function, and construction. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 : illustrates various conventional break linings which may be processed in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 2 : illustrates tolerances for break shoe liners which may be achieved in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIG. 3 : illustrated a general layout of a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 : illustrates a detail of the dill unit and rotating wheel assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 : is a flowchart showing method steps of a drilling operation according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 6 : illustrated a general layout with exemplary dimensions of a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS Standard and heavy-duty brake shoe liners (also called “Brake Blocks”) come in many sizes and multiple thicknesses, but generally the same curved shape. The size and curved diameter of the brake shoe liner vary as many types of heavy-duty liners are in the market. A typical size for a heavy-duty brake shoe liner would be (approximately) 2″-9″ wide×4″-12″ long×up to 1″ thick with 9″-26″ diameter curve. Liner weight is approximately up to 10 lbs. A drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can be customized to fit the design specifications of the manufacturer. A limit for the width size can be set in place through research and development. Weight restrictions can bet set on the entire amount of brake shoe liners stacked in the process rack. The restriction can be assessed through the type of liner used and the specifics applied to each customized drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Depending on a limited weight, the amount stacked can be closely considered with each drilling machine configured according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. Heavy-duty brake shoe liners, and some types of standard brake shoe liners, are riveted onto the brake shoe. In some applications, brake shoe liners are attached to the brake shoe by adhesive application. However, for a stronger application of the brake shoe liner to the brake shoe, rivets will be needed; thus the need for rivet holes drilled in liners is needed. Conventionally, brake shoe liners are drilled manually in a costly and time-consuming manner. A drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can reduce the cost and time consumption. Brake shoe liner rivet holes (counter bores), as well as the carbon based drill bits with Adjustable-Diameter Counter bores, will vary in size and will solely depend on the specific needs of the brake liner manufacturer. A drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can perform multiple size drilling holes by the simplified changing of multiple size drill bits. Multiple drill spindles will be used for multiple drilling simultaneously. Exemplary implementations of a Drilling Unit in a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described below. If manufacturer has the need of drilling multiple types of brake shoe liners, (such as liner with 9″, 12″ diameter, 14″ diameter, 16″ diameter) multiple drum wheels (Rotating Wheel Assy.) will be made available to provide for the different size applications. Brake shoe liners are made from flexible, solid woven, asbestos free friction based material. However, the materials used to make brake shoe liners may vary per manufacturer in quality and chemical composition. A drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is built to accommodate the drilling requirements of mostly all types of brake shoe liners, examples of which are illustrated in FIG. 1 where multiple variations of brake liners with their unique individual rivet hole patterns, sizes, thicknesses, weights, and curvature diameters are shown. As noted above, a typical size for a heavy-duty brake shoe liner would be (approximately) 2″ to 9″ wide×4″-12″ long×up to 1″ thick with 9″-26″ diameter curve. Liner weight is approximately up to 10 lbs. Counter bored holes have different locations, patterns, and diameters. All of these drilling factors are taken into account when the engineering of the customized drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention takes place. Dimensions counter bore to counter bore vary. However, the tolerance between counter bore to counter bore, and the counter bore itself, needs to comply with standard manufacturer specifications. Tolerances for brake shoe liners are illustrated in FIG. 2 . While the tolerances are subject to change depending on manufacturers' specifications, a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention can accommodate such changes. A drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is designed to, for example, target the drilling needs and demands of the brake shoe liner manufacturer/friction material industry. The benefit include total customization of the drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention around the design requirements of the brake shoe liner. Next, a method for drilling shoe liners according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention will be described in the context of a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. A drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention comprises six main assemblies as shown in FIG. 3 without covers on a table frame. These parts include, but are not limited to: Table Frame, Rotating Wheel Station, Drilling Unit, Program Set-Up Panel, Electronic Control Box, and the Vacuum. The Table Frame is its foundational structure. It will be welded together with angle iron, riveted onto the angle iron with sheet metal covers, and will have a sheet metal door to access assemblies and parts within the structure. It is noted that the Covers are not shown in FIG. 3 so as not to obscure some of the features of the exemplary implementation illustrated therein. The Rotating Wheel Station/Assembly is an entire assembly consisting of the main feature, the Rotating Wheel. This wheel will be responsible for rotating the liners from the storage rack, to the drilling presets, and to the deposit bin. The wheel will have adjusting holding pins to secure and position the exact coordinates for the liner to be drilled. Sensors sent by commands from the Set-Up Panel will activate rotation of the wheel. The assembly also comprises holding brackets, storage rack, and motor. The Drilling Unit Assembly is an assembly that performs the actual drilling of the brake liner. This assembly has a drilling shaft, multiple drilling spindles (2-4 Spindle Drill Head), a motor to spin the shaft, and an actuator to move the whole Drilling Unit into drilling position. Most of the Drilling Unit mechanisms can have safety covering. The Program Set-Up Panel is the main controller to operate a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Through this touch screen panel, set-up procedures can be programmed in. It will also display current activity of the drilling process. A skilled artisan will readily appreciate that other methods of control and display of information may be implemented without departing from the teaching of the present invention. The Electronic Control Box is the sorted electrical distribution center. Through this junction box, all the electric powered systems operate for the drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. It can wire into the Program Set-Up Panel, Drilling Unit, and Rotating Wheel Station. The Vacuum is an exemplary implementation which can make a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention an environmentally safe machine to use as it will remove the drilling particles and dust during the drilling process. An example of a process of drilling break show liners using a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described below and shown in a flowchart of FIG. 5 . The process begins as brake shoe liners are manually loaded into the storage rack by user. The Set-Up Panel will then need to be programmed by the user to set up the precise inputs for the specialized drilling task. Once programmed, the user will activate the start feature manually (located on the Set-Up Panel touch-screen). The holding pins hold the brake liner on the Rotating Wheel, which rotates clockwise by sensor. Once a brake liner has rotated on the Rotating Wheel another sensor will activate the actuator in the Drilling Unit to move the entire unit into position for drilling. At time of the Drill Unit positioning, sensors will activate the motor for the spin shaft. The action of the spin shaft will activate the gearbox to spin the individual drill spindles for drilling. The automated drilling process begins as rivet holes (counter bores) are drilled into the brake liner while locked into position by specific custom presets, as shown, for example, in FIG. 4 . Sensors again will activate the Rotating Wheel to rotate the brake shoe liner for another row of drilling. Set-Up Panel presets rows in increments. After drilling, the brake liner will rotate again on the wheel by sensor to be deposited into the collection bin (located under the Rotating Wheel assembly on the underside of table). During this part of the process, the vacuum will remove the drill dust and fragments. Once a brake liner moves into the collection bin, another brake liner immediately begins the drilling process. Brake liners are in continual process. FIG. 6 shows an example of the dimensions of a drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention which include Length is at 48 inches, Width is at 28 inches, Height is at 56 inches and Overall Weight of approximately 200 lbs (calculated without liner weight). Electric Motor Specifications according to an exemplary implementation are: 5 HP/120-750 RPM; 115 Volts; 60 Hz; 1 Phase. Exemplary improvements and advantages which can be achieved by exemplary implementations of the method and apparatus according to the embodiments of the present invention are described below. One of the main dangers in industry today is the environmental and atmospheric hazards within the manufacturing and fabrication areas. One of the most common dangers is the air that is breathed. The brake shoe lining industry does not escape this concern. Cutting, finishing, and drilling of brake liners can leave unhealthy deposits in the air. The vacuum system to the drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention eliminates foreign particles and dust from the air as it removes those unhealthy particles at the very moment of drilling. The drilling machine according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is environmentally safe compared to conventional manual drilling of brake shoe liners. With manual labor, the average time of drilling the required rivet holes for 1 brake block (brake shoe lining) is 4 minutes; this leaves approximately 15 brake blocks drilled per hour. On average, 120 brake blocks will be drilled in an 8-hour day, 600 per week, and 31,200 per year. A workingman receiving $12.00 hourly for an 8-hour working day receives $96.00 per day, $480.00 per week, and $24,960.00 per year in salary. With 15 brake blocks per hour at $12.00 per hour in salary results in a breakdown of 80 cents per brake block drilled. With the automation of the method and apparatus afforded by exemplary embodiments of the present invention, the average time of manufacturing each brake block is 1.75 minutes leaving approximately 34 brake blocks made per hour. On average, 275 blocks will be completed in an 8-hour day, 1,375 per week, and 71,500 per year. Taking manual labor cost of 80 cents per brake block and multiplying it with the new SWAB-34 production amount of 275 brake blocks per 8-hour working day results in $220.00 in profit gained per 8-hour working day, $1100.00 per week, and $53,900 per year. Table 1 set forth below shows exemplary economic advantages which may be achieved by implementing the method and apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. TABLE 1 AMOUNT PER AMOUNT WORKING DAY AMOUNT PROFITS PER (BASED ON PER AND/OR STATISTICS HOUR 8-HR DAY) YEAR EXPENSES MANUAL 15 120 BLOCKS 31,200 YEARLY LABOR BLOCKS BLOCKS EXPENSE $24,960.00 SWAB-34 34 275 BLOCKS 71,500 PROFITS BLOCKS BLOCKS GAINED $53,900.00 In summary, the advantages afforded by the method and apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention include, but are not limited to the following: Economic—Labor cost will be significantly reduced. Productive—Profit gain through increased production. Environmental—Percentages of atmospheric dust will be eliminated. Accessibility—Easy storage rack to load brakes with shoe liners. Easy Control—Program Set-Up Panel allows easy entry on a touch screen for programming. Simplified Design—Allows quick solutions when changing or conversion of parts or assemblies takes place. Uniqueness—One of a kind design. These advantages are achieved by the method and apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention for at least due to the following, non-limiting, unique features. A Rotary Table which rotates Working Drum with Linings for any needed angle by a divided electronic mechanism, which allows change to any degree for different linings. Thus the method and apparatus according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be used for any type of Lining with any different distance between group of holes. In addition, higher precisions that results in a higher quality can be achieved. Working Drum has a simplified design which does not require it to move in a horizontal direction, only rotate by Rotary Table. The Drill Head with Multiple Spindle Mechanism move against Working Drum with Lining by liner motion control. This design provides high precision and accuracy for an improved quality. A Drill Head which has mechanism for changing distance between drills facilitates greater accuracy and allows for use of a drill for different type of Linings. An interchangeable Working Drum allows the same machine to be used for several different types of brake lining. As will be appreciated by skilled artisans, the industry for friction materials has a wide national and international market with various methods of application. In light of this fact, one of the goals and purposes of the apparatus and method according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention is to offer the friction material industry a solution that will increase their production of drilling the necessary rivet holes in their brake shoe liners. Although several embodiments of the present invention have been disclosed for illustrative purposes, those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications, additions and substitutions are possible, without departing from the scope of the invention. Accordingly, the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments.
Apparatus and method are provided for automatically drilling work pieces, including drilling of rivet holes in standard and heavy-duty brake shoe linings for the truck, bus, overhead crane, wheel drum and heavy machinery industries. Apparatus and method are customizable to accommodate various sizes of work pieces, and programmable for drilling of multiple holes and handling of multiple work pieces, as required by manufacturers.
8
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE The present application claims priority from Japanese application JP2007-106689 filed on Apr. 16, 2007, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference into this application. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a feedforward (FF) amplifier for compensating for distortion produced in an amplifier and, more particularly, to a feedforward amplifier for effectively providing phase control in a vector adjuster. In a wireless communication system such as a mobile communication system, distortion produced when a signal to be sent is amplified by an amplifier in a base station unit or the like is compensated for by a feedforward type distortion compensator. FIG. 4 shows an example of configuration of a fundamental circuit of a feedforward amplifier that compensates for distortion by a feedforward method. For convenience of illustration, configuration portions of FIG. 4 which are similar to their counterparts of FIG. 1 that will be referenced in an embodiment described later are indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 1 . It is to be understood, however, this does not restrict the scope of the present invention unnecessarily. The feedforward amplifier shown in FIG. 4 has three directional couplers (combiner/splitter devices) HYB 1 , HYB 2 , and HYB 3 . Two routes are present between the directional couplers HYB 1 and HYB 2 . One of the two routes has a variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , a variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 , and a main amplifier AMP 1 . The other route has a coaxial delay line D 1 . Similarly, two routes are present between the directional couplers HYB 2 and HYB 3 . One of these two routes has a coaxial delay line D 2 . The other route has a variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 , a variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 , and an auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 . The feedforward amplifier further includes a control portion 11 for controlling the two variable attenuators AT 1 _ 1 and AT 2 _ 1 and the two variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 1 . The feedforward amplifier is composed of two loops, i.e., a distortion detection loop L 1 and a distortion compensation loop L 2 . The detection loop L 1 is made up of two directional couplers HYB 1 , HYB 2 and intervening components, i.e., variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 , main amplifier AMP 1 , and coaxial delay line D 1 . The compensation loop L 2 is made up of two directional couplers HYB 2 , HYB 3 and intervening components, i.e., coaxial delay line D 2 , variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 , variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 , and auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 . In each of the loops L 1 and L 2 , the gain can be varied by the variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 or AT 2 _ 1 such that the amplifier side route and the delay line route are identical in amount of delay and gain but are 180° out of phase with each other for a signal to be treated. The phase can be varied by the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 or PH 2 _ 1 . Such variations in gain and phase are controlled by the control portion 11 . Generally, the control portion 11 monitors the output levels from the directional couplers HYB 2 and HYB 3 and controls the variable attenuators and variable phase shifters so as to maximize or minimize the output levels. This is known as adaptive control. In each of the loops L 1 and L 2 , the gain or phase is adjusted by the variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 or AT 2 _ 1 or by the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 or PH 2 _ 1 . This is known as vector adjustment. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION If the amount of variation in phase due to absorption of moisture into the substrate and coaxial delay lines, the amount of variation in phase due to temperature, and the amounts of variations in phase due to various other factors are totalized, the total amount of variation in phase may not be sufficiently compensated for only by one phase shifter. One conceivable method of solving this problem is to increase the number of variable phase shifters (hereinafter referred to as the first example of improvement). Another conceivable method is that the number of variable phase shifters is increased and that each individual phase shifter is controlled independently (hereinafter referred to as the second example of improvement). The above-described first example of improvement is now described. FIG. 5 shows an example of configuration of a feedforward amplifier of this first example of improvement. The number of phase shifters in each of loops L 1 and L 2 is increased. For convenience of illustration, similar components are indicated by identical reference numerals in both FIGS. 4 and 5 . The feedforward amplifier shown in FIG. 5 is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 4 except that another variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 is added behind the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 in the distortion detection loop L 1 and that another variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 is added behind the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 in the distortion compensation loop L 2 . A control portion 12 controls the 2 variable attenuators AT 1 _ 1 , AT 2 _ 1 and the 4 variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 . The control portion 12 controls each variable phase shifter by the same control signal in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 . As a result, the amount by which the phase can be adjusted within each of the loops L 1 and L 2 is doubled compared with the configuration shown in FIG. 4 . As a specific example, assuming that the amount by which the phase can be varied in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 of the configuration shown in FIG. 4 is 60°, the amount by which the phase can be varied in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 in the configuration shown in FIG. 5 is doubled to about 120°. However, in the configuration of FIG. 4 , if the phase in each phase shifter is controlled in units of 8 bits, for example, the phase can be controlled in units of 0.23°/bit (=60°/256 bits) when a phase variation is caused by the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 , PH 2 _ 1 . In contrast, in the configuration of FIG. 5 , if the phase in each phase shifter is controlled in increments of 8 bits, it is possible to provide control in increments of only 0.47°/bit (=120°/256 bits) when a phase variation occurs in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 or variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 . The amount of variation in phase per bit is doubled. Hence, it is impossible to provide fine control. In this way, the amount of variation in phase can be doubled but the unit of control is also doubled. Consequently, there is the problem that it is impossible to provide finer control. The above-described second example of improvement is described. An example of configuration of a feedforward amplifier of this second example of improvement is shown in FIG. 1 , in which the number of phase shifters in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 is increased to control each phase shifter independently. For convenience of illustration, similar components are indicated by the same reference numerals in both FIGS. 1 and 5 . FIG. 1 will be referenced in an embodiment described later for convenience of illustration. It is to be understood, however, this does not restrict the scope of the present invention unnecessarily. The feedforward amplifier shown in FIG. 1 is similar to the configuration shown in FIG. 4 except that another variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 is added behind the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 in the distortion detection loop L 1 and that another variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 is added behind the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 in the distortion compensation loop L 2 . The control portion 1 controls the 2 variable attenuators AT 1 _ 1 and AT 2 _ 1 and the 4 variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 . The control portion 1 controls the two variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 separately (i.e., independently), the two phase shifters being in the distortion detection loop L 1 . Also, the control portion controls the two variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 separately, the phase shifters being in the distortion compensation loop L 2 . That is, the phases in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 1 are allowed to vary invariably such that the phases are optimized in the same way as in the prior art. The phases in the added variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are made semifixed without applying the above-described adaptive control. For instance, temperature correction can be made, for example, by varying a control value for the phase in the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 according to the temperature. Furthermore, the control value for the phase in the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 can be set by the input level to the amplifier AMP 1 as well as by temperature. FIG. 6 shows one example of a control value for the variable phase shifter PH 1 - 2 , the control value being plotted against the temperature or input level. In this graph, the horizontal axis indicates the temperature or input level. The vertical axis indicates the control value. In the configuration of this second example of improvement, it is possible to provide control in increments of 0.23°/bit (=60°/256 bits) when the phase in each of the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 1 varies in a case where the phase in each phase shifter is controlled in increments of 8 bits. For example, fine control can be provided in the same way as in the prior-art example shown in FIG. 4 . In the configuration of the second example of improvement, the added variable phase shifters P 1 _ 2 and P 2 _ 2 can vary their phases if the parameter such as temperature or input level can be converted into an electrical signal and measured. However, if the parameter cannot be converted into an electrical signal such as phase variations due to moisture absorption into the substrate or due to phase variations caused by aging, it is still necessary that the variable phase shifters P 1 _ 1 and P 2 _ 1 take account of such variations in the same way as in the prior art. For example, as the frequency is increased, the amount of variation in phase increases. In addition, if the amplifier is stocked in high-temperature, high-humidity environments or the product is operated in totally moisture-free environments, there is the problem that a sufficient amount of phase variation cannot be achieved simply by the variable phase shifters P 1 _ 1 and P 2 _ 1 . As described previously, the feedforward amplifier cannot yet sufficiently control the phase in the vector adjuster (i.e., control of phases in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 ). There is a demand for further development. The present invention has been made in view of the foregoing circumstances in the prior art. It is an object of the present invention to provide a feedforward amplifier capable of effectively controlling the phase in a vector adjuster. The above-described object is achieved in accordance with the teachings of the present invention by a feedforward amplifier for compensating for distortion produced in an amplifier, the feedforward amplifier being characterized in that at least one of the amplification route in a distortion detection loop for detecting the distortion and the distortion amplification route of a distortion compensation loop for compensating for the distortion is configured as follows. A first variable phase shifter varies the phase of a signal by a variable amount. A second variable phase shifter varies the phase of the signal transmitted through the first variable phase shifter by a variable amount. A phase control portion controls the amount of variation in phase of the first variable phase shifter. When values of the amount of variation in phase are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger direction(s) and relatively-smaller direction(s), the amount of variation in phase in the second phase shifter is controlled according to whether the values are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger direction(s) and relatively-smaller direction(s). Therefore, when the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter is controlled and values of the amount of variation in phase are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger direction(s) and relatively-smaller direction(s), the adjustable range of phase can be extended by controlling the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter according to whether the values are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger direction(s) and relatively-smaller direction(s). The phases in vector adjusters in the distortion detection loop and distortion compensation loop can be controlled effectively. With respect to the amount of variation in phase in the second phase shifter, the amount of variation is controlled only when values of the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter are unevenly distributed and control is required. Hence, the control operation is efficiently carried out. The present invention can be applied to either one or both of the amplification route in the distortion detection loop and the distortion amplification route in the distortion compensation loop. The first and second variable phase shifters can have the same or different characteristics. The amounts of variation in phase in the first and second variable phase shifters can be controlled in various manners. In one embodiment, the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter is varied continuously or in small increments, while the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter is varied discretely (e.g., in larger increments). Where values of the amount of variation in phase are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger value(s) and relatively-smaller value(s) (e.g., when a value (control value) for controlling the amount of variation in phase has a proportional or inversely proportional relationship with the resulting amount of variation in phase), the control value may be concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger value(s) and relatively-smaller value(s). An example of the case in which values of the amount of variation in phase are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger direction(s) and relatively-smaller direction(s) is that a given number of values of the amount of variation are concentrated toward either ones of relatively-larger value(s) and relatively-smaller value(s). As an example, where values of the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter are mainly distributed on the larger side, a control is provided to increase the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter. Meanwhile, where values of the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter are mainly distributed on the smaller side, a control is provided to reduce the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter. Consequently, the apparent total range of amounts of variation in phase can be made wider. Where the power supply of the feedforward amplifier is turned off and turned on the next time, the amount of variation in phase, for example, in the first variable phase shifter is initialized at a given value (e.g., 0). In a further example of configuration, the previous amount of variation in phase is stored in a memory, and a control is started from the stored value of amount of variation in phase. Where the power supply for the feedforward amplifier is turned of and turned on the next time, with respect to the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter, for example, the previous amount of variation in phase is stored in a memory, and a control is started from the stored value of the amount of variation in phase. As a further example of configuration, the amount of variation in phase may be initialized at a given value (e.g., zero (0)). Furthermore, when a given time is not yet passed since the power supply for the feedforward amplifier has been turned on, when the temperature is varying rapidly, or when the input level is varying rapidly, a configuration in which the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter is not controlled can also be used. As described so far, according to the feedforward amplifier associated with the present invention, when a vector adjuster in a distortion detection loop or distortion compensation loop is equipped with two variable phase shifters and values of the amount of variation in the phase in the first variable phase shifter are mainly distributed on larger or smaller side, the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter is controlled. Therefore, the phase in the vector adjuster in the distortion detection loop or distortion compensation loop can be controlled effectively. With respect to the amount of variation in phase in the second variable phase shifter, a control is provided only when values of the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter are unevenly distributed and a necessity arises. In consequence, the control is provided efficiently. Other objects, features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of the embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagram showing an example of configuration of a feedforward amplifier associated with one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of control operations performed in a feedforward amplifier associated with a first embodiment of the invention. FIG. 3 is a flowchart illustrating a sequence of control operations performed for a feedforward amplifier associated with a second embodiment of the invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing an example of configuration of a prior-art feedforward amplifier. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing an example of configuration of a feedforward amplifier. FIG. 6 is a graph showing one example of control value used for a variable phase shifter. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Embodiments of the present invention are hereinafter described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows an example of circuit configuration of a feedforward amplifier associated with one embodiment of the present invention. The feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment has three directional couplers (combiner/splitter devices) HYB 1 , HYB 2 , and HYB 3 . Two routes are present between the directional couplers HYB 1 and HYB 2 . One of the two routes has a variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , two variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 , and a main amplifier AMP 1 . The other route has a coaxial delay line D 1 . Similarly, two routes are present between the directional couplers HYB 2 and HYB 3 . One of these two routes has a coaxial delay line D 2 . The other route has a variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 , two variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 , and an auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 . The feedforward amplifier further includes a control portion 1 for controlling the two variable attenuators AT 1 _ 1 and AT 2 _ 1 and the four variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 . Instead of the coaxial delay lines D 1 and D 2 , filters capable of realizing a certain amount of delay may be used. The feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment is composed of two loops, i.e., distortion detection loop L 1 and distortion compensation loop L 2 . The detection loop L 1 is made up of two directional couplers HYB 1 , HYB 2 and intervening components therebetween. The intervening components are a variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , two variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 , a main amplifier AMP 1 , and a coaxial delay line D 1 . The compensation loop L 2 is made up of two directional couplers HYB 2 , HYB 3 and intervening components therebetween. The intervening components are a coaxial delay line D 2 , a variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 , two variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 , and an auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 . In each of the loops L 1 and L 2 , the gain can be varied by the variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , AT 2 _ 1 such that the amplifier side route and the delay line route are identical in amount of delay and gain but are 180° out of phase with each other. The phases can be varied by the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 2 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , and PH 2 _ 2 . Such variations in gain and phase can be controlled by the control portion 1 . The gain and phase are adjusted by the variable attenuators AT 1 _ 1 , AT 2 _ 1 and variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 in the loops L 1 and L 2 . Because of these functions, the functions of the vector adjusters are achieved. The control portion 1 controls the two variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 in the distortion detection loop L 1 independently (separately), and controls the two variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 in the distortion compensation loop L 2 independently (separately). One example of operation performed in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment is described now. A signal to be amplified is applied to the directional coupler HYB 1 . The coupler HYB 1 splits the input signal into two parts. One part is output to the variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , while the other part is output to the coaxial delay line D 1 . The variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 attenuates the signal entered from the directional coupler HYB 1 by an amount of attenuation controlled by the control portion 1 and outputs the attenuated signal to the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 . The variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 varies the phase of the signal entered from the variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 by an amount of variation controlled by the control portion 1 and outputs the varied phase to the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 . The variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 varies the phase of the signal entered from the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 by an amount of variation controlled by the control portion 1 and outputs the varied phase to the main amplifier AMP 1 . The main amplifier AMP 1 amplifies the signal entered from the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 and outputs the amplified signal to the directional coupler HYB 2 . In the main amplifier AMP 1 , distortion to be compensated for is produced. The coaxial delay line D 1 delays the signal entered from the directional coupler HYB 1 and outputs the delayed signal to the directional coupler HYB 2 . The directional coupler HYB 2 outputs the signal entered from the main amplifier AMP 1 to the coaxial delay line D 2 , combines the signal entered from the main amplifier AMP 1 and the signal entered from the coaxial delay line D 1 , and outputs the resulting signal to the variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 . The signal output to the variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 contains the component of distortion (ideally, only distortional component) produced in the main amplifier AMP 1 . The coaxial delay line D 2 delays the signal entered from the directional coupler HYB 2 and outputs the signal to the directional coupler HYB 3 . The variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 attenuates the signal entered from the directional coupler HYB 2 by an amount of attenuation controlled by the control portion 1 and outputs the attenuated signal to the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 . The variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 varies the phase of the signal entered from the variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 by an amount of variation controlled by the control portion 1 and outputs the varied phase to the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 . The phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 varies the phase of the signal entered from the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 by an amount of variation controlled by the control portion 1 and outputs the varied phase to the auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 . The auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 amplifies the signal entered from the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 and outputs the amplified signal to the directional coupler HYB 3 . The directional coupler HYB 3 combines the signal entered from the coaxial delay line D 2 and the signal entered from the auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 , and outputs the resulting signal as a signal indicating the result of distortion compensation. Ideally, the signal entered from the coaxial delay line D 2 includes the main signal (i.e., obtained by amplifying the original input signal) and a distortional component produced in the main amplifier AMP 1 . The signal entered from the auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 contains the distortional component produced in the main amplifier AMP 1 . These signals are combined, whereby the distortional component is canceled out. As a result, a distortionless amplifier output signal is produced from the directional coupler HYB 3 . In the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, the main amplifier AMP 1 is an amplifier for which distortion is compensated. In the distortion detection loop L 1 , the route having variable attenuator AT 1 _ 1 , variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , and main amplifier AMP 1 is an amplification route. In the distortion compensation loop L 2 , the route having variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 , variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 , PH 2 _ 2 , and auxiliary amplifier AMP 2 is a distortion amplification route. In the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, the distortion detection loop L 1 has the first variable phase shifter PH_ 1 used for control and the second variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 used for adjustment. The distortion compensation loop L 2 has the first variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 used for control and the second variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 used for adjustment. The control portion 1 has the function of controlling the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 . This function constitutes a phase control portion. First Embodiment A first embodiment of the present invention is described. FIG. 2 illustrates one example of a sequence of operations for controlling the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 within the distortion detection loop L 1 in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . In the present embodiment, processing for controlling the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 within the distortion detection loop L 1 is described. Processing for controlling the variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 within the distortion compensation loop L 2 can be performed similarly. In the present embodiment, two counters assume values i and j, respectively. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, it is assumed that the control portion 1 controls the amounts of attenuation of the variable attenuators AT 1 _ 1 and AT 2 _ 1 and the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 , PH 1 _ 2 , PH 2 _ 1 , and PH 2 _ 2 , using a control signal of 8 bits indicating a control value from 0 to 255. In addition, in the present embodiment, a control is provided so that as the value of the control signal indicating the control value from 0 to 255 decreases, the controlled amount (such as amount of attenuation and amount of variation in phase) is reduced, and vice versa. The relationship in magnitude between the value of the control signal (control value) and the controlled amount may be reversed as compared with the present embodiment. First, when the power supply for the feedforward amplifier is switched from OFF state to ON state, the values of the counters i and j are initialized at 0 (step S 1 ). Processing for optimizing the feedforward is started (step S 2 ). The amount of attenuation of the variable atteuator AT 1 _ 1 and the amount of variation in phase in the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 are adaptively controlled to optimize the gain and phase of the distortion detection loop L 1 . At this time, with respect to the distortion compensation loop L 2 , too, the amount of attenuation of the variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 and the amount of variation in phase in the variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 are varied to optimize the gain and phase in the distortion compensation loop L 2 . Because the operation is the same as for inside the distortion detection loop L 1 , its description is omitted below. In processing for feedforward optimization, if the control value for the variable phase shifter P 1 _ 1 assumes a minimum value of 0 (step S 3 ), the value of the counter i is incremented by 1 (step S 11 ). If the value of the counter i reaches +3 before control settles down (step S 12 ), a correction is made such that the control value α for the variable phase shifter P 1 _ 2 is varied to (α−100) (step S 13 ). Control returns to the processing in which the values of the counters i and j are set to 0 (step S 1 ). If the value of the counter i has not reached +3 (step S 12 ), the processing for feedforward optimization is continued (step S 2 ). Where the control value for the variable phase shifter P 1 _ 1 assumes a maximum value of 255 during processing for feedforward optimization (step S 4 ), the value of the counter j is incremented by 1 (step S 14 ). If the value of the counter j reaches +3 before the control settles down (step S 15 ), a correction is made such that the control value α for the variable phase shifter P 1 _ 2 is varied to (α+100) (step S 16 ). Control returns to the processing for resetting the values of the counters i and j to 0 (step S 1 ). If the value of the counter j has not reached +3 (step S 15 ), the processing for feedforward optimization is continued (step S 2 ). A decision is made as to whether the control has settled down by the processing for feedforward optimization (step S 5 ). If the control has settled down, the processing is terminated. Meanwhile, if the control has not settled down, control returns to the processing for resetting the values of the counters i and j to 0 (step S 1 ). The processing for feedforward optimization is again performed (step S 2 ). Alternatively, after step S 13 , the control value for the variable phase shifter P 1 _ 1 may be increased by 100. Still alternatively, after step S 16 , the control value may be reduced by 100. Any arbitrary technique can be used to determine whether the control has settled down. For example, with respect to the distortion detection loop L 1 , if a control is provided so that the level of the signal output to the variable attenuator AT 2 _ 1 from the directional coupler HYB 2 is detected and that the level is reduced (i.e., only distortional component is contained in the signal), a technique making it possible to determine that the control has settled down when the level has been equal to or less than a given threshold value can be used. With respect to the distortion compensation loop L 2 , if a control is provided so that the level of distortion contained in a signal output from the directional coupler HYB 3 is detected and that the level is reduced, a technique making it possible to determine that the control has settled down when the level has been equal to or less than a given threshold value can be used. If the control value for the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 becomes “0” or “255” three times before the control has settled down as in the present embodiment, the phase in the variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 is automatically varied by an apparatus. Thus, the control range of the variable phase shifter P 1 _ 1 seems to have become wider. As described so far, in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, the vector adjuster in the distortion detection loop L 1 is equipped with the two phase shifters, i.e., variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 used for phase control and variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 used for phase adjustment. The vector adjuster in the distortion compensation loop L 2 is equipped with the two phase shifters, i.e., variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 1 used for phase control and variable phase shifter PH 2 _ 2 used for phase adjustment. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 , the amount of variations in phase in the two variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 or PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 are controlled independently by variable amounts. In the present embodiment, in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 , if values of the amounts of variations in phase in the controlling variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 1 are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger direction(s) and relatively-smaller direction(s), the phases of the adjusting variable phases PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are switched. In this way, in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, the function of varying the phase in the vector adjuster in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 is achieved by two stages. The variable range of phases is substantially extended. Principally, the amount of variation in phase in one of the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 1 is adaptively controlled. When one limit of the variable range is reached, the number of times that the limit is reached is counted. If the count value reaches or exceeds a prescribed number, the amount of variation in phase in the other of the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 is varied. Accordingly, in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, a wider range of phases can be varied in adjusting vectors in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 when the phase is varied due to moisture absorption into the substrate, due to variations of the temperature of the substrate, or due to aging. Therefore, when the phase is varied greatly due to moisture absorption into the substrate, for example, variations in phase can be suppressed accordingly and appropriately. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, if the phase is varied by a large amount due to moisture absorption into the substrate, the feedforward control range of phase can be extended, for example, without adding any phase shifter. The feature of the control method of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 2 is described below. In the present embodiment, after the amount of variation in phase in each of the adjusting variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 is varied, if the power supply is once turned off, the previous value of the amount of variation in phase is stored in a memory. Therefore, if a variation occurs at all, the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 start control from the varied value (the amount of variation in phase) when the power supply is turned on the next time. Furthermore, in the circuit of the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, if the power supply is activated, the ambient temperature varies rapidly, or the input level varies rapidly, it takes a long time until control settles down. In addition, the control value reaches “0” of or “255” multiple times (three times, in the present embodiment) until a focal point is found. As a result, the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 may vary in a manner deviating from the intrinsic object. Second Embodiment A second embodiment of the present invention is described. The present embodiment provides improvements of the features of the control method shown in FIG. 2 , i.e., the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are stored in a memory before the power supply is turned off and, when the power supply is activated or the temperature or input level varies rapidly, the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 vary in a manner different from the intrinsic object. FIG. 3 illustrates one example of a sequence of operations for controlling the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 in the distortion detection loop L 1 of the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment shown in FIG. 1 . In the present embodiment, processing for controlling the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 1 and PH 1 _ 2 within the distortion detection loop L 1 is described. Processing for controlling the variable phase shifters PH 2 _ 1 and PH 2 _ 2 within the distortion compensation loop L 2 can be processed similarly. The control method of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to the control method illustrated in FIG. 2 except that processing of steps S 21 , S 22 , S 23 , and S 24 is added. For convenience of illustration, processing steps of FIG. 3 similar to their counterparts (steps S 1 -S 5 and S 11 -S 16 ) illustrated in FIG. 2 are indicated by the same reference numerals as in FIG. 2 . The differences of the present embodiment with the processing illustrated in FIG. 2 are next described in detail. In the control method of the present embodiment illustrated in FIG. 3 , when the power supply for the feedforward amplifier is switched from OFF state to ON state, the amount of variation in phase in the adjusting variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 2 is first initialized (step S 21 ). Then, control goes to the processing of step S 1 , where the amounts of variation in phase are set to a given value (e.g., 0), for example, to initialize the amounts of variation in phase. For example, depending on the state in which the feedforward amplifier is stocked, the state of the substrate is varied, for example, due to moisture absorption compared with the state in which the power supply for the amplifier was turned on the previous time. Therefore, it is desired that the initial values of the amounts of phase in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are returned to a given value and reset to the original state. In the control method of the present embodiment, if processing for feedforward optimization is started (step S 2 ), a decision is made as to whether a given time (1 minute in the present embodiment) has passed since the power supply for the feedforward amplifier has been turned on (step S 22 ). If the given time has passed, a decision is made as to whether the temperature has varied rapidly (step S 23 ). If the temperature has not varied rapidly, a decision is made as to whether the input level has varied rapidly (step S 24 ). If the input level has not varied rapidly, control proceeds to the processing of step S 3 . Meanwhile, if the given time has not passed since the power supply has been turned on (step S 22 ), the temperature has varied rapidly (step S 23 ), or the input level has varied rapidly (step S 24 ), control goes to processing of step S 5 . If control has not settled down, control returns to the processing of step S 1 . During the processing of step S 22 , the amounts of variations in phase in the adjusting variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are varied after the given time has passed since the power supply has been turned on for the following reason. When the power supply is activated, it takes some time until the operation of the amplifier stabilizes. During this time interval, the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being varied. One example of the configuration for making a decision as to whether the given time has passed since the power supply has been turned on has the function of a timer starting to count the time in response to turning on of the power supply and can determine that the given time has passed since the power supply has been turned on when the time counted by the timer has been equal to or longer than a given time or has passed beyond a given instant of time. During the processing of step S 23 , when the temperature varies violently, the amounts of variations in phase in the adjusting variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being varied, for the following reason. If violent temperature variations take place, the amplifier does not operate stably. During this time interval, the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being varied. One example of the configuration for making a decision as to whether the temperature is varying violently is equipped with a temperature detector inside or near the feedforward amplifier or at any arbitrary position to detect timewise amounts of variation (or otherwise, rate of variation) of the temperature detected by the temperature detector and can determine that the temperature is varying violently if the timewise amount of variation is in excess of a given threshold value. In the processing of step S 24 , the amounts of variations in phase in the adjusting variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being varied if the input level is varying violently, for the following reason. If the input level varies violently, the amplifier does not operate stably. During this time interval, the amounts of variations in phase in the variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being varied. One example of the configuration for making a decision as to whether the input level is varying violently can be equipped with a level detector in a stage preceding the feedforward amplifier, the input terminal, or other position where the level of the input signal can be grasped, detects the timewise amounts of variation (or otherwise, rate of variation) of the level detected by the level detector, and determines that the input level is varying violently if the timewise amount of variation is equal to or in excess of a given threshold value. Because of the processing of the steps S 22 , S 23 , and S 24 , the amounts of variations in phase in the adjusting variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being varied when the amplifier does not operate stably. Furthermore, in the control method of the present embodiment, too, the phase can be varied within a wider range in each of the loops L 1 and L 2 by performing processing (steps S 1 -S 5 and S 11 -S 16 ) similar to the processing illustrated in FIG. 2 and permitting the amount of variation in phase of another adjusting variable phase adjuster PH 1 _ 2 or PH 2 _ 2 to be varied automatically even if the control value for the controlling variable phase shifter PH 1 _ 1 or PH 2 _ 1 becomes “0” or “255” plural times (three times in the present embodiment). As described so far, in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, when the power supply is turned on, the phases (amounts of variations in phase) of the adjusting variable phase shifters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are initialized at a given set value. Therefore, if the amplifier is affected by variations in state due to moisture absorption into the substrate during the time interval from the instant when the power supply was turned off the previous time to the instant when the power supply was turned on the present time, control can be started from a given set value (amount of variation in phase) at all times. Furthermore, in the feedforward amplifier of the present embodiment, the amounts of variations in phase in the adjusting variable phase adjusters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 are prevented from being switched immediately after the power supply is turned on or when the temperature or input level is varying violently. Consequently, the amounts of variations in phase in the adjusting variable phase adjusters PH 1 _ 2 and PH 2 _ 2 can be switched, for example, after the operation has stabilized. It should be further understood by those skilled in the art that although the foregoing description has been made on embodiments of the invention, the invention is not limited thereto and various changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of the appended claim.
There is disclosed a feedforward amplifier for compensating for distortion produced in an amplifier. The feedforward amplifier controls the phase in a vector adjuster effectively. The feedforward amplifier has a first variable phase shifter PH 1 — 1 or PH 2 — 1 for varying the phase of a signal passed through the first variable phase shifter and a second variable phase shifter PH 1 — 2 or PH 2 — 2 for varying the signal passed through the first variable phase shifter in either or both of a distortion detection loop for detecting the distortion and a distortion compensation loop for compensating for the distortion. A phase control portion controls the amount of variation in phase in the first variable phase shifter and values of the amount of variation in phase are concentrated toward either one of relatively-larger directions or relatively-smaller directions, the amount of variation in phase in the second phase shifter is controlled according to the concentrated values.
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