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FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a container, comprising: a cover wall provided with at least one cover wall region which can be pierced to form a supply opening for introducing a liquid; a bottom wall provided with at least one bottom wall region which can be pierced to form an outlet opening; and at least one chamber surrounded by chamber walls, in which a basic product and an adjustment element are present, wherein the adjustment element is arranged so that it can be moved from a position of rest to an operating position, and in its operating position opens at least one chamber wall. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] In beverage machines, particularly in coffee makers, disposable containers or disposable packaging, for example in capsule form, are used, which are sealed using one or two foils and which contain, for example, coffee or other substances, such as flavourings, in powder or liquid form. These disposable containers are inserted into the beverage machine, the contents of the disposable container are combined with a liquid, for example water, and this preparation is subsequently dispensed as a beverage that is ready to drink. The used disposable container is subsequently removed from the beverage machine and disposed of. [0003] EP 0 451 980 B1 discloses a sealed package containing one or more powder, pasty or liquid comestible preparation ingredients. Through an inlet opening, water is supplied to these ingredients. The finished preparation is dispensed through an outlet nozzle in the bottom area, said outlet nozzle having a displaceable plug. For dispensing the finished preparation, the bottom wall of the package, consisting of a foil, is pierced from below in the area of the outlet nozzle by a connecting piece which is part of the machine, said connecting piece pushing the plug upwards against an intermediate wall after entering the outlet nozzle. This intermediate wall has a wall section equipped with predetermined breaking lines which is punctured by the plug, thus releasing the preparation. It flows downwards from the package through a central flow channel in the plug and subsequently through the connecting piece of the machine. [0004] This packaging has the disadvantage that the bottom outlet has to be opened by the connecting piece of the machine, so that the connecting piece comes into contact with the finished preparation. To satisfy the rigorous hygiene requirements that such a device has to meet nowadays, it is necessary to dean this connecting piece every time before inserting a new package. [0005] US 2004/0115317 A1 describes a cartridge filled with, for example, ground coffee, the bottom wall of which is pierced from the inside. Arranged above the bottom wall is a cup-shaped intermediate bottom which is termed an internal plunger, the dimensions of said intermediate bottom being adjusted to the interior dimensions of the cartridge. The powder resides between the intermediate bottom and the cover wall of the cartridge. The intermediate bottom has an outlet nozzle which is embodied as a cutting element. If water is introduced under pressure through the cover wall into the interior of the cartridge, the intermediate bottom is pushed downwards, whereby the cutting element pierces the bottom wall and the outlet is unblocked. [0006] This cartridge satisfies hygiene requirements, but the operability of the cartridge is not always ensured. It is essential in this embodiment that the water pressure and hence the pressure acting on the intermediate bottom be high enough, even from the start of introduction, that the bottom wall can be pierced. Jamming of the displaceable intermediate bottom in the process cannot be ruled out. In addition, since the intermediate bottom has a multitude of openings, liquid may enter the space between the bottom wall and the intermediate bottom, which may lead to relatively quick reduction of the pressure on the intermediate bottom after the beginning of the introduction process, whereby the bottom wall cannot be pierced reliably any more. [0007] Known from WO 2008/132671 are capsules containing a certain amount of a soluble beverage. The capsule has a cover foil which is perforated in the beverage machine by a connecting piece through which a liquid solvent under pressure, for example water, is led to the interior of the capsule. [0008] The capsule is essentially sub-divided into four chambers. The liquid supplied is first led into a distribution chamber and from there supplied to a storage chamber where the quantity of the soluble beverage is present. In this storage chamber, the soluble beverage mixes with the liquid supplied, and the prepared beverage is subsequently collected in a collection chamber, from where it is dispensed through an opening in the bottom wall of the capsule. [0009] To open the bottom wall, a displaceable perforator is arranged in a central chamber of the capsule, the perforator being pushed against the bottom wall by the connecting piece, so that the bottom wall is torn open. [0010] In the process, a through-channel arranged inside the perforator is aligned with the outlet opening of the collection chamber, so that the prepared liquid can be dispensed downwards from the capsule. [0011] This capsule, however, has the disadvantage that complicated built-in parts are required to separate the different chambers. A distribution chamber arranged before the storage chamber is required to ensure that the liquid is supplied to the storage chamber as uniformly as possible and to guarantee homogeneous mixing in the latter. [0012] WO 2007/114685 describes a capsule-shaped packaging containing a portion of liquid. A column is arranged centrally, which is connected with the bottom wall of the packaging at its bottom end via an undulating flexible bottom region. Both the top side and the underside of the packaging are closed off by a sealing foil. [0013] The upper sealing foil can be pierced and the column pushed downwards by means of a connecting piece, whereby it in turn punctures the foil attached to the bottom. The column is equipped with a venturi device through which the portion of liquid is drawn out of the chamber surrounding the column when a liquid is introduced into the column. Mixing of the two liquids takes place in the lower part of the column. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] It is an object of the invention to provide a container that has a simple construction and works reliably. [0015] This object is solved with the container according to the invention. [0016] The container is provided with a cover wall provided with at least one cover wall region that can be pierced to form a supply opening for introducing a liquid. The container further has a bottom wall that is provided with at least one bottom wall region that can be pierced to form an outlet opening, and with at least one chamber surrounded by chamber walls, in which a basic product and an adjustment element are present, wherein the adjustment element is arranged so that it can be moved from a position of rest to an operating position, and in its operating position opens at least one chamber wall. The chamber wall is provided with at least one opening to which or in which a component of the adjustment element is releasably attached in its position of rest, wherein this component of the adjustment element closes off the opening in the chamber wall. [0017] The term container is understood to mean both reusable containers and packaging and disposable containers and packaging. [0018] The term piercable indicates that the wall region in question can be opened in any particular manner and way. The opening of the wall region may, for example, be affected by incising or cutting open, broaching, puncturing or tearing open. [0019] In its position of rest, the adjustment element takes on the, in particular sealingly, closing off of the chamber containing the basic product, and is at the same time fixed in place due to the releasable attachment. Releasable attachment to the opening means that the component of the adjustment element is positioned at the outer surface of the wall region of the chamber wall that delimits the opening. [0020] Releasable attachment in the opening means that the component is arranged inside the opening at the wall region of the chamber wall which delimits the opening. [0021] The opening closed off by the adjustment element can be opened with a connecting and dispensing means, for example the connecting piece of a beverage machine, in that the closing component of the adjustment element is pushed inwards and out of the way inside the chamber. Depending on where this opening is located, the supply opening or the outlet opening of the chamber can thereby be created. [0022] The liquid supplied by the connecting and dispensing means of the beverage machine is led into the chamber and mixed with the basic product there. This chamber thus not only forms the storage space for the basic product but also the mixing chamber. Additional subdivisions of the container's interior can therefore be dispensed with. [0023] In an embodiment of the container, the chamber wall is a cover wall of the container, a bottom wall of the container or a partitioning wall inside the container. [0024] If the chamber wall forms the cover wall of the container, the supply opening through which the liquid can be led into the container out of the connecting and dispensing means of the beverage machine is created by detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the component of the adjustment element forms the cover wall region which can be pierced for the introduction of a liquid. [0025] If the chamber wall in question is the bottom wall, the outlet opening through which the mixture of liquid and basic product can be discharged is created by detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the component of the adjustment element forms the bottom wall region which can be pierced to form the outlet opening. In this embodiment the connecting and dispensing means first punctures the cover wall, and subsequently the adjustment element is actuated by this connecting and dispensing means. [0026] If the chamber wall is a partitioning wall located inside the container, an additional chamber is arranged inside the container between the partitioning wall and the cover wall or the bottom wall, which is advantageous for reasons of hygiene, be cause the component of the adjustment element closing off the opening is not directly exposed to external environmental influences. By detaching the releasable attachment of the component of the adjustment element, an access or exit opening of the chamber is created inside the container. [0027] In an embodiment of the container, the component of the adjustment element closes off the opening in a liquid-tight manner. [0028] The adjustment element may be connected to the chamber wall via a predetermined breaking line. This predetermined breaking line can, for example, be formed as an adhesive seam. Another possibility consists of casting the adjustment element to the chamber wall with a predetermined breaking line. In an embodiment a section of the predetermined breaking line may be constituted as a living hinge. [0029] In an embodiment of the container, the component of the adjustment element comprises a plate-shaped element that closes off the opening in the chamber wall. [0030] The plate-shaped element may be provided with an upstanding annular wall with at least one inlet opening. In this way, a cup-shaped formation is created, which the connecting piece of a beverage machine can engage, for example. [0031] In an embodiment, the adjustment element is provided with a cutting and/or puncturing device, which, in a particular embodiment, may consist of a needle. The bottom wall may, for example, be provided with a piercable region or a sealing foil that can be punctured with the cutting and/or puncturing device. [0032] When the connecting and dispensing means of a beverage machine engages the adjustment element, the opening in the chamber wall concerned is opened on the one hand and the bottom wall is simultaneously opened by means of the cutting and/or puncturing device on the other hand. [0033] In an embodiment of the container, the cutting and/or puncturing device extends to the bottom wall. In particular, the cutting and/or puncturing device contacts the bottom wall, so that an additional fixation of the adjustment element in its position of rest is achieved. The supply opening or an access opening and the outlet opening are thus created in the operating position of the adjustment element. [0034] In accordance with a further embodiment, the cutting and/or puncturing device may be provided with a tube section with at least one outlet opening. Other cutting and/or puncturing devices are possible. [0035] In accordance with a further embodiment, the component of the adjustment element is a plate-shaped element that closes off an opening in the bottom wall. [0036] The adjustment element may be provided with means for tilting the adjustment element. In this embodiment, the adjustment element, which is fixed to or in the bottom wall, projects upwards inside the container and is tilted by the connecting and dispensing means of the beverage machine so that the opening in the bottom wall is broken open. The means for tilting the adjustment element preferably comprise an actuating plate which is inclined relative to the longitudinal axis of the adjustment element. [0037] The term basic product is understood to mean a powder and/or liquid product, which may consist of one or several components. The basic product can, for example, be a syrup, a concentrate, or an extract. The basic product can be mixed with the liquid supplied from outside, and is preferably soluble in this liquid. [0038] The basic product may be a foodstuff, a nutritional supplement, a dietary foodstuff, a pharmaceutical product or a cleaning agent. [0039] The type of liquid is to be selected in dependence on the type of basic product. The associated device in which such a container may be used is directed to and equipped to suit the intended use concerned. Such a device may be a beverage machine in which containers, in particular disposable containers, with the contents of which the taste of for example, dunking water can be changed, are put to use. [0040] The device is provided with a receiving part for a container and a connecting and dispensing means, in particular in the form of a connecting piece, with which the container can be pierced and with which at least one liquid can be supplied to the container. [0041] The container and/or the adjustment element may be made of plastic. Production can take place by means of an injection moulding process. The container with its circumferential wall and its bottom wall and any further chamber walls may be manufactured in one piece, wherein the bottom wall may be formed entirely or partially onto the single-piece container, depending on the embodiment. [0042] Depending on the embodiment, the two components, container and adjustment element, may also be manufactured in one piece. This single-piece container with adjustment element is subsequently filled with the basic product and sealed with a respective sealing foil as cover wall and/or bottom wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0043] Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained below with reference to the drawings. In the drawings: [0044] FIG. 1 shows a perspective top view of a container, [0045] FIG. 2 a perspective bottom view of a container, [0046] FIG. 3 a cross-section of the container according to FIGS. 1 and 2 , together with a connecting piece which is part of the machine, [0047] FIG. 4 the embodiment of a container shown in FIG. 3 with inserted connecting piece, and [0048] FIG. 5-10 show further embodiments of a container with a connecting piece. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0049] In FIGS. 1 and 2 a container 10 , which is, for example, used as a disposable container, is shown in two perspective views. The container 10 has a cover wall 40 , a circumferential wall 30 and a bottom wall 50 . [0050] In the embodiment shown here, the cover wall 40 is formed by a foil 41 which is attached to an annular bead 32 of the circumferential wall 30 . [0051] The bottom wall 50 consists of a ring plate 52 and a centrally arranged foil 54 . Both the cover wall 40 and the bottom wall 50 , respectively the foil 54 , have a piercable wall region 42 , 56 . [0052] The bottom wall 50 is further provided with two annular ribs 60 and radial ribs 62 , which are not displayed in the following figures for the sake of clarity, between the two annular ribs 60 . These ribs may be completely dispensed with. [0053] In FIG. 3 , a vertical cross-section through the container 10 shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 is depicted. The interior space of the container 10 is partitioned into a first chamber 12 and a second, smaller chamber 18 . In the embodiment shown here, the chain chamber 18 is positioned centrally in the chamber 12 . This particular arrangement is rotationally symmetrical. An embodiment such as, for example, an asymmetrical arrangement is also possible. [0054] The two chambers 12 , 18 are separated by a cylindrical partitioning wall 20 , wherein the cylindrical partitioning wall 20 extends from the cover wall 40 downwards into the container. Furthermore, the basic product 14 , above the surface level 15 of which a free space 16 in which a gas, for example air or a protective gas, is present, is provided in the chamber 12 . [0055] The chamber walls 13 of the first chamber 12 are formed by the cover wall 40 , the circumferential wall 30 , the bottom wall 50 and the partitioning wall 20 , wherein the partitioning wall 20 is provided with the opening 19 . [0056] Also, an adjustment element 100 , which is in its position of rest and is provided with a plate-shaped element 102 , on which an upstanding annular wall 104 with an inlet opening 106 is moulded, is provided in the chamber 12 . The plate-shaped element 102 with the annular wall 104 forms the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 that closes off the opening 19 in the partitioning wall 20 . A cup-shaped configuration of the component 101 is created by the annular wall 104 . [0057] The annular wall 104 abuts the inside of the partitioning wall 20 and is connected with it via a predetermined breaking line 108 , wherein the inlet openings 106 located above the predetermined breaking line 108 are closed off by the interior wall 20 . The annular wall 104 can, for example, be bonded adhesively to the partitioning wall 20 along the predetermined breaking line 108 . The component 101 is thus releasably attached in the opening 19 . [0058] A cutting and/or puncturing device 110 , which is formed in the shape of a needle 112 , is arranged on the underside of the plate-shaped element 102 . The needle extends from the underside of the plate-shaped element 102 to the bottom wall 50 and ends above the piercable region 56 of the bottom wall 50 . The bottom wall 50 , like the cover wall 40 , may consist of a foil 54 , in particular a sealing foil. [0059] In FIG. 3 , the connection element 200 in the form of a connecting piece of a beverage machine, not shown, has been drawn in, with the connection element 200 being provided with a cutting and/or puncturing device 210 at its lower end, which has already partially punctured the cover wall 40 in its piercable region 42 for the purpose of forming the supply opening 46 , and is moving in the direction of the adjustment element 100 . The annular wall 104 forms the connection element 140 for the connecting piece 200 . After complete introduction of the connecting piece into the container 10 , a liquid can be led into the interior 12 of the first chamber via the through-channel 212 of the connecting piece 200 , as shown in FIG. 4 . The mixing of liquid and basic product 14 takes place in the chamber 12 . [0060] While FIG. 3 shows the adjustment element 100 in its position of rest, the operating position of the adjustment element 100 is shown in FIG. 4 . The adjustment element 100 is pushed downwards by means of the connecting piece 200 , whereby the predetermined breaking line 108 on the component 101 is broken open. The inlet openings 106 are unblocked, whereby an access opening to the chamber 12 is created. [0061] The cutting and/or puncturing device 110 has punctured the bottom wall 50 and in this way created the outlet opening 58 of the container 10 . The foil parts of the piercable region 56 hang downwards. The liquid supplied via the connecting piece 200 enters into the cup-shaped interior region of the adjustment element 100 , that is, the second chamber 18 , and can flow into the chamber 12 through the inlet openings 106 present in the annular wall 104 , and there mix with the basic product 14 into a mixture 14 ′. The chamber 12 thus also forms the mixing chamber for the two substances. [0062] If a free space 16 is present above the surface level 15 of the basic product 14 , as can be seen in the depiction shown here, the liquid introduced via the connecting piece 200 can first spread in this upper free space 16 before the mixing takes place in the lower part of chamber 12 . [0063] The length of the cutting and/or puncturing device 110 , in particular the length of the needle 112 , may be shorter than shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 . The advantage of a shorter needle 112 is that, when the adjustment element 100 is moved, the access openings in the form of the inlet openings 106 are opened first and the piercable area 56 is punctured at a later point in time. The liquid can thus enter into the chamber 12 prior to the opening of the bottom wall and begin the mixing process before discharge from the container 10 takes place. To promote this premature entering of the liquid into the chamber 12 , the connection piece 200 can be provided with a device 220 for puncturing the cover wall 40 and for creating at least one venting opening 44 (drawn in as an optional feature only in FIG. 4 by means of dashed lines). [0064] In FIGS. 5 and 6 , a further embodiment with an adjustment element 100 is shown in its position of rest and operating position, respectively, in which the cover wall 40 does not cover the region above the adjustment element 100 . This region remains uncovered, so that the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 is directly accessible. The partitioning wall 20 , which is also the chamber wall 13 , forms a component of the outer wall, that is, the cover wall 40 , of the container 10 . The component 101 of the adjustment element 100 forms the cover wall region 42 that is piercable to allow for the supply of the liquid in this embodiment. [0065] Here too, a plate-shaped element 102 with an annular wall 104 is shown as the component 101 , the end face of the annular will 104 being adapted to the shape of the cutting and/or puncturing device 210 of the connecting piece 200 . Also, only one lateral inlet opening 106 , which is arranged below the predetermined breaking line 108 , is provided in the annular wall. [0066] A column 122 is present at the underside of the component 101 , at the lower end of which bars 130 are arranged, between which openings 132 are formed, through which the mixture 14 ′ of liquid and basic product can enter the interior region in the operating position of the adjustment element 100 . An annular cutting and/or puncturing device 110 with a tube section 114 , which is provided with an outlet opening 116 , is arranged at these bars 130 . The mixture issues downwards through this outlet opening 116 . [0067] The opening 106 is unblocked, and thus the opening 19 opened, through detachment of the releasable attachment of the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 , whereby the supply opening 46 is formed. [0068] In FIG. 7 a further embodiment is shown, in which the plate-shaped element 102 of the component 101 of the adjustment element 100 is provided with a significantly shorter annular wall 104 without an opening. The annular wall 104 serves as a clamping element, which the connection piece 200 engages. The predetermined breaking line 108 is provided between the end surfaces of the interior wall 20 , which is part of the cover wall 40 , and the annular wall 104 . The component 101 of the adjustment element 100 is located at the opening 19 and closes off the opening 19 . [0069] The connecting piece 200 has a through-channel 212 which branches into two transversely arranged outlet channels 214 . [0070] As shown in FIG. 8 , the lower section 202 of the connecting element 200 engages the space between the annular wall 104 and holds the component 101 in clamping relationship, so that it cannot drop down in an uncontrolled manner and possibly close the discharge opening 58 unintentionally. The separation force required for separating the predetermined breaking line 108 must be set such that the clamping connection can be established first, and the tearing off takes place only then. [0071] The liquid supplied is dispensed laterally from the outlet channels 214 into the chamber 12 where the mixing with the basic product 14 takes place. [0072] In FIG. 9 , a further embodiment is shown, in which the adjustment element 100 is provided with a plate-shaped element 102 , which forms the component 101 that is releasably attached to the opening 19 of the bottom wall 50 and closes off the discharge opening 58 of the container 10 . A column 122 is moulded to the plate-shaped element 102 , the column 122 projecting upwards into the interior of the container 10 and provided at its upper end with an actuating plate 124 , inclined relative to the longitudinal axis 105 and slantingly arranged. [0073] Instead of the inclined actuating plate 124 , the column 122 may also be provided with a correspondingly inclined end face. [0074] The plate-shaped element 102 , and thus the component 101 , forms the piercable area 56 of the bottom wall 50 of the container 10 . The component 101 is connected to the bottom wall 50 via a predetermined breaking line 108 , wherein, in a section, the predetermined breaking line 108 is constituted as a living hinge 109 . The adjustment element and the bottom wall 50 and the circumferential wall 30 are constituted as a single piece. [0075] Once the connecting piece 200 —as shown in FIG. 10 —has punctured the cover wall 40 , the tip of the connecting piece 200 comes into contact with the slantingly arranged actuating plate 124 and swivels the adjustment element 100 sideways via the living hinge 109 , whereby the predetermined breaking line 108 in the region of the bottom wall 50 is broken open, and thus the discharge opening 58 is opened up. LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS [0000] 10 container 12 first chamber 13 chamber walls 14 basic product 14 ′ mixture 15 surface level 16 free space 18 second chamber 19 opening 20 partitioning wall 30 circumferential wall 32 annular collar 40 cover wall 41 foil 42 piercable wall region 44 venting opening 46 supply opening 50 bottom wall 52 ring plate 54 foil 56 piercable wall region 58 discharge opening 60 annular rib 62 radial rib 100 adjustment element 101 component 102 plate-shaped element 104 annular wall 105 longitudinal axis 106 inlet opening 108 predetermined breaking line, attachment point 109 living hinge 110 cutting and/or puncturing device 112 needle 114 tube section 116 outlet opening 122 column 124 actuating plate 130 bar 132 opening 140 connection element 200 connection element 202 lower section 210 cutting and/or puncturing device 212 through-channel 214 outlet channel 220 device for creating a venting opening
A container having a top wall, which has at least one top wall region that can be perforated to form a feed opening for feeding a liquid; a bottom wall, which has at least one bottom wall region that can be perforated to form an outlet opening; and at least one chamber, which is surrounded by chamber walls and in which a base product and an adjustment element are located. The adjustment element is arranged such that it can be moved from an idle position to a working position and, when in the working position, opens at least one chamber wall. A chamber wall has at least one opening, on or in which a component of the adjustment element is detachably fastened when in the idle position. The component of the adjustment element closes the opening in the chamber wall.
1
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (1) Field of Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a decorative eyelet ring and, more particularly, to a decorative eyelet ring for altering the appearance of an article of clothing containing an eyelet. [0003] (2) Description of Related Art [0004] Decorative items that attach to articles of clothing allow a wearer to customize an article of clothing to their liking. For instance, shoe charms, such as Crocs™ Jibbitz™ are formed to allow for customization of shoes containing eyelets. Existing shoe charms block the eyelet holes of the shoes. In shoes containing eyelets that are used for shoelaces, existing shoe charms would prevent the shoelace from being able to be used since the eyelet is blocked by the shoe charm. Thus, a continuing need exists for a decorative item that can be easily attached and detached from an eyelet in an article of clothing which does not block the eyelet opening to allow for full functionality of the eyelet. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0005] The present invention relates to a decorative eyelet ring for altering the appearance of any article of clothing containing an eyelet. The decorative eyelet ring comprises a ring element formed to be positionable around an existing eyelet of an article of clothing. A clasp portion extends from the ring element and comprises a set of support elements that extend distally from the ring element. The set of support elements is formed to be insertable into the existing eyelet. Each support element has a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of each support element is connected with the ring element. A tab extends from the second end of each support element for securing the decorative eyelet ring within the existing eyelet. [0006] In another aspect, the first end of each support element is curved to provide a secure fit around the existing eyelet. [0007] In another aspect, the decorative eyelet ring is composed of a malleable, polymer composite. [0008] In another aspect, the ring element is concave. [0009] Un another aspect, the tabs extend perpendicularly from the second end of each support element. [0010] Finally, as can be appreciated by one in the art, the present invention also comprises a method for forming the decorative eyelet ring described herein. The method for forming the device includes a plurality of acts of forming, molding, attaching, connecting, etc., each of the described components to arrive at the present invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0011] The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the following detailed descriptions of the various aspects of the invention in conjunction with reference to the following drawings, where: [0012] FIG. 1 is a top, perspective-view illustration of the decorative eyelet ring according to principles of the present invention; [0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom, perspective-view illustration of the decorative eyelet ring according to principles of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 3 is a front-view illustration of the decorative eyelet ring according to the principles of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 4 is a top-view illustration of the decorative eyelet ring according to principles of the present invention; and [0016] FIG. 5 illustrates the decorative eyelet ring attached with a shoe according to principles of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] The present invention relates to a decorative eyelet ring and, more particularly, to a decorative eyelet ring for altering the appearance of an article of clothing containing an eyelet. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [0018] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. [0019] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. [0020] Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. [0021] Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0022] The present invention relates to a decorative eyelet ring and, more particularly, to a decorative eyelet ring for altering the appearance of an article of clothing containing an eyelet. The following description is presented to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to make and use the invention and to incorporate it in the context of particular applications. Various modifications, as well as a variety of uses, in different applications will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art, and the general principles defined herein may be applied to a wide range of embodiments. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the embodiments presented, but is to be accorded with the widest scope consistent with the principles and novel features disclosed herein. [0023] In the following detailed description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a more thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without necessarily being limited to these specific details. In other instances, well-known structures and devices are shown in block diagram form, rather than in detail, in order to avoid obscuring the present invention. [0024] The reader's attention is directed to all papers and documents which are filed concurrently with this specification and which are open to public inspection with this specification, and the contents of all such papers and documents are incorporated herein by reference. All the features disclosed in this specification, (including any accompanying claims, abstract, and drawings) may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. [0025] Furthermore, any element in a claim that does not explicitly state “means for” performing a specified function, or “step for” performing a specific function, is not to be interpreted as a “means” or “step” clause as specified in 35 U.S.C. Section 112, Paragraph 6. In particular, the use of “step of” or “act of” in the claims herein is not intended to invoke the provisions of 35 U.S.C. 112, Paragraph 6. [0026] Please note, if used, the labels left, right, front, back, top, bottom, forward, reverse, clockwise and counter-clockwise have been used for convenience purposes only and are not intended to imply any particular fixed direction. Instead, they are used to reflect relative locations and/or directions between various portions of an object. As such, as the present invention is changed, the above labels may change their orientation. [0027] (1) Description [0028] The present invention, hereinafter referred to as the decorative eyelet ring, is a device consisting of, in a desired aspect, a single piece of a malleable, polymer composite (non-limiting examples of which include polyethylene or other corn based plastics) which is used to alter the appearance of any article of clothing that contains a generic eyelet. Alternatively, the decorative eyelet ring may be composed of a metal or rigid plastic, provided it is able to perform its intended function. Non-limiting examples of articles of clothing that the decorative eyelet ring may be used with are shoes, hats, bracelets, shorts, and pants. Any article of clothing containing an eyelet could be adorned with the decorative eyelet ring. The design of the decorative eyelet ring provides for effortless interchangeability through a clasp system, which ensures full stability of the decorative eyelet ring within the article of clothing containing the eyelet. Importantly, the decorative eyelet ring fits within the existing eyelet while still allowing full access to the eyelet, such as for use with a shoelace or drawstring. [0029] FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate a top and bottom, perspective view of the decorative eyelet ring 100 , respectively. The decorative eyelet ring 100 comprises a ring element 102 having a concave shape. In one aspect, each element of the eyelet ring 100 is made from the same material, and is one continuous piece without removable parts. However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the decorative eyelet ring 100 may also be comprised of separate components that together form the decorative eyelet ring 100 . The concave shape of the ring element 102 allows the decorative eyelet ring 100 to sit on top of an existing eyelet, thereby allowing the decorative eyelet ring 100 to seamlessly slip on and off of the eyelet without ever compromising the structural integrity of the article of clothing. In a desired aspect, and as shown in the present application, the ring element 102 is circular in shape. However, as can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, the ring, element 102 could be any suitable size and shape (e.g., heart, square, star) provided that the opening of the existing eyelet remains unblocked. Additionally, the entire decorative eyelet ring, or any portion thereof, can be formed in any desirable color and/or with a pattern design. [0030] The decorative eyelet ring 100 also comprises a clasp portion 104 . The clasp portion 104 consists of a set of support elements 106 that are specifically molded to align with the shape of the eyelet that the decorative eyelet ring 100 is being used with. The set of support elements 106 extend distally from the ring element 102 and are substantially parallel to one another. Furthermore, the set of support elements 106 extend from a perimeter of the ring element 102 such that the opening of the existing eyelet is not blocked when the clasp portion 104 (including the set of support elements 106 ) is inserted into the existing eyelet. At a first end of each support element 106 is the ring element 102 . At a second end of each support element 106 is a tab 108 , as illustrated in FIG. 2 . The tabs 108 are substantially aligned with one another. [0031] In a desired aspect, the tabs 108 are substantially perpendicular to the support elements 106 . One non-limiting example of an arrangement of the set of support elements 106 and tabs 108 is depicted in FIGS. 1-4 , which illustrate two support elements 106 and a tab 108 on each support element 106 . However, other arrangements are also possible. For instance, there may be three evenly spaced support elements, each with a tab extending therefrom, forming a triangular shape. Additionally, there may be four evenly spaced support elements, each with a tab extending therefrom, forming a square shape. As can be appreciated by one skilled in the art, any arrangement of support elements and tabs is possible, provided the existing eyelet remains unblocked when the decorative eyelet ring 100 is inserted. Additionally, the size of an aperture 110 within the ring element 102 as well as the length of the support elements 106 can be altered as needed to fit the specification of any article of clothing to be used with the decorative eyelet ring 100 . [0032] FIG. 3 illustrates a front-view of the decorative eyelet ring 100 , showing the support elements 106 and the tabs 108 extending from the support elements 106 . The dashed lines in FIG. 3 illustrate the three-dimensional aspect of the design. In a desired aspect, the decorative eyelet ring 100 is designed with curved supports 300 at the ends of the support elements 106 which are attached with the ring element 102 to provide a better fit around the ring of the existing eyelet on an article of clothing. [0033] FIG. 4 illustrates a top-view of the decorative eyelet ring 100 , depicting the ring element 102 and the aperture 110 which provides access to the opening of the existing eyelet in the article of clothing. The dashed lines represent the clasp portion 104 below the ring element 102 . [0034] FIG. 5 illustrates a decorative eyelet ring 100 inserted into an eyelet 500 of a shoe 502 . In order to attach the decorative eyelet ring 100 to the eyelet 500 of a shoe 502 , a wearer first unlaces the shoes completely to remove the shoelaces from the eyelets 500 . Then, the bottom decorative eyelet ring 100 , namely the set of support elements and tabs (i.e., clasp portion), are inserted into the eyelet 500 , Light pressure is applied until the decorative eyelet ring 100 is secured to the eyelet 500 such that the ring element 102 fits around the ring of the eyelet 500 on the shoe 502 . The above is repeated for all desired vacant eyelets 500 . The shoe 502 is then re-laced with the shoestrings.
A decorative eyelet ring for customizing an existing eyelet in an article of clothing is described. The decorative eyelet ring comprises a ring element formed to be positionable around an existing eyelet of an article of clothing. A clasp portion extends from the ring element and comprises a set of support elements that extend distally from the ring element. The set of support elements is formed to be insertable into the existing eyelet. Each support element has a first end and a second end. The first end of each support element is connected with the ring element, and a tab extends perpendicularly from the second end of each support element for securing the decorative eyelet ring to the existing eyelet.
0
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a hose attaching or fastening arrangement for roller pumps, especially for a heart-lung machine, which possesses a head constituted of a pump stator and pump rotor, including fastening devices for fastening of the pump piece which is inserted into the pump head of the roller pump. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art Roller pumps are utilized in the medical technology, especially in heart-lung machines for the conveyance of blood in an artificial flow circuit. Basically, roller pumps consist of a pump head and a pump drive, of which, in turn, the pump head is constituted of a pump stator and a pump rotor. The pump stator is an essentially cylindrical hollow chamber wherein the inner wall thereof, which is designated as a pump bed, serves as a support for the hose piece which is inserted into the pump head and which lies against the inner wall. The pump rotor, which is rotatable about its central longitudinal axis, is arranged in the pump stator in such a manner that rollers, which are rotatably supported on a roller carrier, are rollable along the hose piece and thereby compress the hose piece. The pump stator possesses at least one opened section for conducting out of the hose, through which the hose piece is led from the internal hollow chamber of the pump stator. In order to avoid the hose piece from wandering under the influence of the rollers of the pump rotor which are rolling thereon, at least one end of the hose piece must be fastened to the pump stator. For roller pumps with reversible running directions, it is necessary to provide a fastening at both ends of the hose piece. Because of this requirement, presently known roller pumps possess fastening devices of the most different kinds of constructional shapes; for example, clamping elements which are integrated into the pump stator and which afford a secure fastening of the hose piece. Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to be able to attain an improvement in the area of hose fastening for roller pumps, especially for heart-lung machines, and through the intermediary of which there is, in particular, achieved an enhanced flexibility for the hose fastening. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing object is achieved in that, pursuant to the invention, there is proposed a hose fastening arrangement for roller pumps of the above-mentioned type, which is detachable from the pump head of the roller pump. The invention is based on the recognition that the pump stator enables itself to be divided into to parts which are clearly different with respect to their functions; namely, the pump head, which defines the properties of the pump function, and the hose fastening, which represents a retaining or holding function. Through the introduction of a hose fastening module which corresponds to this conceptual separation, and which is detachable from the pump head of the roller pump as a unit, there are achieved a plurality of advantages. For one, through different hose fastening modules, one and the same pump head can be equipped with different retaining or holding systems for the hose piece up to the integrally connected construction. For another, sensors can be arranged in the hose fastening unit or embedded therein, which opens the possibility to be able to exchange a defective sensor through a changing of the hose fastening arrangement. In order to attach the inventive hose fastening arrangement on the pump stator, grooves are provided in the hose fastening module or in the pump stator of the roller pump, into which there are insertable protuberances and slidable therein, and which are formed on the pump stator of the roller pump or, respectively, on the hose fastening module. With regard to the sensors which are provided in the hose fastening module, this can relate to sensors for the measurement of the properties of the medium which is conveyed by the roller pump, which are integrated into the hose fastening arrangement, for example, in the receivers which are provided therefor, or embedded in the material. Applicable sensors for this purpose, especially for heart-lung machines, offer themselves as flow-through-put measuring sensors, flow velocity sensors and bubble detectors. Arranged in the hose fastening module are the fastening or attaching arrangements for the fastening of the hose piece which is inserted into the pump head of the roller pump. Hereby, this can relate to the internal conically-shaped receivers for external conically-shaped clamping elements. The clamping elements each possess an opening for the conducting-through of the hose, and whose diameter is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hose. The clamping elements consist essentially of two parts which are interconnected with each other in such a manner that through the insertion of the clamping element into the receiver, the hose is clamped in the opening of the clamping element due to the cooperation between the internal cone-shape of the receiver and the external cone-shape of the clamping element. The two parts of the clamping element can be connected by means of a hinge-like device, which is arranged on the clamping element in such a manner so as to cooperate with a guide groove which is provided in the receiver for effecting the orientation of the clamping element. Alternatively, there can be provided a flexible strip or film hinge for interconnecting the two parts of the clamping elements, so that it finally relates to a unitary construction. In the receiver and on the clamping element there can be formed a latching arrangement which upon the insertion of the clamping element is latchable in the receiver. In this instance, this preferably pertains to a groove extending about the internal wall of the receiver, into which there engages a bead which protrudes from and extends about the outer wall of the clamping element. Pursuant to a modified embodiment, receivers can be provided in the hose fastening module, which are conformed to attaching members which are applied onto the hose piece. The attaching members can be formed on the hose piece and constituted of the same material as the hose piece. According to a further embodiment, the hose piece is fixedly connected with the hose fastening module, and preferably fastened by adhesion or extrusion or injection-molding. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention is now more precisely described on the basis of an exemplary embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings; in which: FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of an inventive hose fastening arrangement on the pump head of a roller pump for a heart-lung machine; FIGS. 2A through 2C illustrate the embodiment of the hose fastening arrangement of FIG. 1 in three different views; and FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a clamping element for the hose fastening arrangement pursuant to FIGS. 1 and 2A through 2C. DETAILED DESCRIPTION In FIG. 1 there is illustrated a roller pump which consists of a pump stator 1 and a pump rotor 2. Inserted into the essentially cylindrical hollow chamber 3 of the pump stator is a hose 4. in such a manner as to contact or lie against the inner wall 5 of the pump stator which is designated as a pump bed. The rotatably supported rollers 6a and 6b of the pump rotor roll along the hose piece and compress the latter against the inner wall 5 of the pump stator. As a result thereof, the medium which is present in the hose piece is conducted in conformance with the direction of rotation (shown by the arrow) of the pump rotor. On the section of the pump stator 1 which is opened for the leading out of the hose piece, there is inventively arranged a hose fastening or attaching arrangement 7, which is detachable from the pump stator and resultingly from the pump head of the roller pump; in effect, although the hose fastening arrangement 7 is essentially fastened to the pump stator 1, it can, however, be detached therefrom. Two fastening devices 8a and 8b are provided in the hose fastening arrangement 7, and fixedly position the two ends of the hose piece 4 which are led out from the pump stator. The roller pump which is equipped with the inventive hose fastening arrangement 7 does not distinguish itself with regard to its utilization from usual roller pumps. As was the case up to now, the hose piece can be inserted into the pump bed and fastened or fixed in position with the aid of the fastening arrangements 8a and 8b. However, the detachable construction of the hose fastening arrangement 7 facilitates an exchange of this module by itself, so that different fastening arrangements 8a and 8b can be employed on one and the same pump head. Furthermore, in the region of the through-passageways 9a and 9b, there can be provided sensors (not shown) which are connected with the hose fastening arrangement 7 and arranged therewith on the pump head. The sensors are preferably inserted into receivers or embedded in the hose fastening arrangement. Especially the last-mentioned embodiment facilitates an arranging of the sensors which is secure from damage and concurrently a positionally-precise locating. Should one of the sensors become defective, the hose fastening arrangement can then be separated from the pump head without any problem and thereafter replaced. An embedding of sensors in the pump stator of the roller pump is not practicable, inasmuch as with a defective sensor the entire roller pump must be disassembled in order to be able to exchange the pump stator. From FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C there can be ascertained the hose fastening arrangement 7 of FIG. 1 illustrated in different views. In FIGS. 2B and 2C, there is recognizable the two passageways 9a, 9b for the two ends of the hose piece. In these passageways there are provided receivers 10a, 10b respectively for each clamping element. In FIG. 2A there is illustrated one of the receivers 10a, 10b in a cross-sectional representation. One can recognize the internal-conical configuration of the receiver and the groove 11 which is formed in and extends about the inner wall, and which represents a part of a latching device through which the clamping element is engageable in the receiver 10a, 10b. At the bottom of the receivers 10a, 10b, there are provided grooves 12a, 12b which serve for the orientation of the clamping element in the receiver, which is described in more detail in connection with the clamping element. The hose fastening arrangement 7 possesses two grooves 13a, 13b, of which the one groove 13a is represented in a partially sectioned representation in FIG. 2C. The grooves 13a, 13b serve for the fastening of the hose fastening arrangement to the pump stator 1 (FIG. 1). Provided on the pump stator are correspondingly shaped protuberances 19a, 19b which are insertable into the grooves 13a, 13b of the hose fastening arrangement and which are slidable therein. The hose fastening arrangement 7 is attached from above onto the protuberances and lowered onto the pump stator, whereby the protuberances slide into the grooves 13a, 13b. In FIG. 3 there is illustrated a clamping element 14 which can be inserted into one of the two receivers 9a, 9b (FIGS. 2A through 2C). The clamping element possesses an opening 15 having a diameter which is slightly smaller than the diameter of the hose piece, which is inserted into the roller pump. In order to be able to insert the hose piece into the opening 15 of the clamping element 14, the clamping element is divided into two parts which are pivotably interconnected by means of a hinge 16 on the lower side of the clamping element. The hinge 16 is conformed with the groove 12a, 12b (FIG. 2C) on the bottom of the receivers in such a manner, whereby an orientation of the clamping element in the respective receiver 9a, 9b is effected through the cooperation between the hinge 16 and the groove 12a, 12b. Alternatively, there can be provided a flexible strip or film hinge 16', for interconnecting the two parts of the clamping elements, so that it finally relates to a unitary construction. Provided above the through-opening 15 is an encompassing bead 17 which, as a counterpiece to the encompassing groove 11 in the receiver 10a, 10b (FIG. 2A), represents the second part of the latching device. When the clamping element 14 together with the hose which is introduced into the through-opening 15 is inserted into one of the receivers 9a, 9b, then because of the conical shape of the clamping element and of the receiver, the hose piece is clamped into the through-opening 15. The bead 17 of the clamping element engages into the groove 11 of the receiver, and concurrently the clamping element is oriented through the cooperation between the hinge 16 and the groove 12a, 12b. Preferably, the clamping element possesses a gripping region 18 which simplifies the insertion and withdrawal of the clamping element. The hose fastening arrangement can be equipped with receivers in a modified embodiment, in which there are introducible the fastening members which are themselves formed on the hose piece. In addition thereto, the fastening can also be alternatively effected in that the hose piece is fixedly connected with the hose fastening arrangement, whereby in suitably configured passageways, corresponding to the passageways 9a, 9b illustrated in FIGS. 2B and 2C, the hose fastening arrangement is either adhesively fastened or attached thereabout by extrusion or injection molding.
A hose fastening arrangement for roller pumps, especially for a heart-lung machine, which possesses a head constituted of a pump stator and pump rotor, including fastening devices for fastening of the pump piece which is inserted into the pump head of the roller pump. The hose fastening arrangement for roller pumps of the above-mentioned type is detachable from the pump head of the roller pump.
5
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a National Stage application under 35 U.S.C. §371 that claims the benefit of PCT/US02/09894, filed Mar. 29, 2002, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional application Ser. No. 60/280,210, filed Mar. 30, 2001. BACKGROUND 1. Technical Field The invention relates to methods for solid phase chemical synthesis. Specifically, the invention provides efficient methods for loading amino derivatives onto trityl chloride resins, and for cleaving modified amino derivatives from a resin. The invention also provides novel chemically modified amino derivatives made by these methods. 2. Background Information Combinatorial chemistry and automated organic synthesis have been used to generate collections of molecules, or “libraries.” As the size of such a library grows, so does the likelihood that it will contain individual molecules having activities suitable for treating human, animal, or plant diseases. Solid-supported methodologies have proven useful to create large chemical libraries. Trityl chloride resins have been used to immobilize alcohols and amines, typically for solid-supported synthesis of peptides (See e.g., Leznoff, Acc. Chem. Res. 1978 11, 327; Chen et al., J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1994, 116, 2661; Bunin, The Combinatorial Index, Academic Press, San Diego, 1998; Barlos et al., Liebigs Ann. Chem. 1988, 1079; Barlos, et al. Tetrahedron Lett. 1989 30, 3943). A generalized solid phase synthesis scheme utilizing trityl chloride resins is depicted in FIG. 1 . One advantage of using trityl chloride resins over other resins is that trityl chloride resins can be regenerated (e.g., by treating the hydroxytrityl resins that remain after cleaving product from the resin with SOCl 2 ). SUMMARY The invention relates to methods that facilitate the use of trityl chloride resins for solid phase chemical synthesis involving amino derivatives. Specifically, the invention provides methods for efficiently loading amino derivatives onto trityl chloride resins. Additionally, the invention provides methods for cleaving chemically modified amino derivatives from trityl chloride resins. Using these novel methods, collections of chemical compounds having potential therapeutic or agrochemical value can be created. In one aspect, the invention features methods for loading amino derivatives onto trityl chloride resins. The featured methods involve using diisopropylethylamine in methylene chloride to load amino derivatives (e.g., arylamines, amino carboxylic acids, and aminobenzoic acids) onto the trityl chloride resins. In some embodiments the derivative can be an activated 2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl ester, or an activated pentafluorophenyl ester. In another aspect, the invention features methods for cleaving amino derivatives from a chlorotrityl resin. The featured methods involve using an acetic acid containing solvent to cleave amino derivative from the trityl chloride resin. In some embodiments, the solution is acetic acid, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and methylene chloride (1:2:7). In another aspect, the invention features methods to produce a library of modified amines. The featured methods involve: 1) using diisopropylethylamine in methylene chloride to load an amino derivative onto a trityl chloride resin; 2) chemically modifying the loaded amino derivative; and 3) cleaving the amino carboxylic acid derivative from the trityl chloride resin using an acetic acid containing solvent. The invention also features collections of chemical compounds obtained by the feature methods. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention pertains. Although methods and materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the present invention, suitable methods and materials are described below. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. In case of conflict, the present specification, including definitions, will control. In addition, the materials, methods, and examples are illustrative only and not intended to be limiting. Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description, and from the claims. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 depicts a generalized scheme for solid phase chemical synthesis using trityl chloride resins. FIG. 2 depicts exemplary activated aminobenzoic acid derivatives, wherein R can be hydrogen, halogen, O(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, acetamido, benzoyl, halogenobenzoyl, aminobenzoyl, carbocyclic aromatic groups, heterocyclic aromatic group, sulfonamide, nitro, acetamido, or combination thereof. FIG. 3 depicts a scheme for synthesizing a library of discrete amidated aminobenzoic acid derivatives. In the scheme: R, R 1 , R 2 , R 3 , R 4 , and R 5 can be hydrogen, halogen, O(C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, (C 1 -C 5 )alkyl, acetamido, benzoyl, halogenobenzoyl, aminobenzoyl, carbocyclic aromatic group, heterocyclic aromatic group, sulfonamide, nitro, acetamido, or combination thereof; n is an integer between 2 and 14, inclusive; and m is an integer between 0 and 5, inclusive. FIG. 4 is a chart illustrating Farnesyltransferase inhibition activities of randomly selected compounds from a library. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Several practical problems limit the use of trityl chloride resins for solid phase chemical synthesis involving arylamino derivatives such as aminobenzoic acid derivatives, which can have anti-cancer or herbicidal properties (See e.g., Perola et al., J. Med. Chem. 2000, 43, 401-408; Nambara, et al., Current Opinion in Plant Biology 1999, 2, 388-392). First, loading arylamino derivatives onto trityl chloride resins using conventional methods generally resulted in a poor yield. Second, other nucleophiles of arylamino derivatives compete with the amino group for reaction with the trityl group. Third, cleavage with 1-5% trifluoroacetic acid as recommended by the resin producer (See, B. A. Bunin, The Combinatorial Index, Academic Press, San Diego, 1998) decomposed reaction products, resulting in an inseparable mixture of unknown compounds. Loading amino Derivatives onto trityl chloride Resins Any trityl chloride resin is suitable for the present invention, many of which are commercially available (e.g., from Advanced ChemTech (Louisville, Ky., U.S.A.) and Novabiochem (Laufelfingen, Switzerland)). Trityl groups can be deployed on solid substrates such as beads or membranes. Conventional methods for loading amines traditionally onto chloride resins involves the use of tetrahydrofuran or methylene chloride, without the use of a general base to scavenge the acid generated during the reaction (See, B. A. Bunin, The Combinatorial Index, Academic Press, San Diego, 1998). The conventional loading method does not efficiently load arylamines onto trityl chloride resins. In particular, amino carboxylic acid derivatives including amino benzoic acid derivatives do not react well, if at all, with trityl chloride resins in tetrahydrofuran at room temperature. Pyridine and triethylamine, which can be used to scavenge the acid generated during the reaction of a trityl group with alcohols, counterproductively compete with amino carboxylic acid derivatives such as aminobenzoic ester for reaction with the trityl group at room temperature and higher temperatures. The invention provides methods that use a sterically hindered base to scavenge the acid generated during the reaction of amino carboxylic esters with the trityl group. Tertiary amines at least as sterically hindered as diisopropylethylamine are suitable bases for use in methods according to the invention. The base typically is present in excess relative to the amino carboxylic acid to be loaded (e.g., at a ratio of 10:3 to 10:5 equivalents). Methods according to the invention can load aminobenzoic acid derivatives and other arylamino derivatives (e.g., 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxyaniline, 3-nitro-4-chloroaniline, m-toluidine, 1-aminonaphthalene) onto trityl chloride resins in high yields. Methods according to the invention also can be used to load alkylamines onto trityl chloride resins. In traditional solid phase syntheses, the starting compound that is attached to a resin has at least two functional groups; one functional group to attach to the resin and another for subsequent chemical modification. These two functional groups typically are nucleophilic. A two step method traditionally has been employed to prevent the two nucleophilic groups from competing with each other for reaction with a resin. In the traditional two step method, the nucleophilic functional group intended for chemical modification is protected before reaction with the resin, and is deprotected after loading. The traditional two step process is time and material intensive, and can be disadvantageous for subsequent chemical modification. The invention provides methods for selectively attaching the amino group of amino carboxylic acid derivatives to trityl chloride resins by converting carboxylic acid to an activated ester before loading. For example, in solid phase syntheses involving aminobenzoic acid derivatives the amino group can be reacted with the trityl group by converting the benzoic acid group to an activated ester such as 2,5-dioxo-pyrrolidin-1-yl ester or pentafluorophenyl ester (see FIG. 2 ) that does not react with the trityl group but is suitable for subsequent chemical modification. Cleaving Modified amino Derivatives from trityl chloride Resins Conventionally, 1˜5% trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) in methylene chloride is used to cleave amines and alcohols from trityl chloride resins (See e.g., B. A. Bunin, The Combinatorial Index, Academic Press, San Diego, 1998). Problematically, using TFA in methylene chloride to cleave modified amines from trityl chloride resins yields an inseparable mixture of unknown compounds. The invention provides mild cleavage methods that use acetic acid-containing solvents. Additional solvents may also be used, the identity and quantity of which depend on the nature of the amino derivative to be cleaved from the resin. For example, a solution of acetic acid, 2,2,2-trifluoroethanol, and methylene chloride (1:2:7) effectively cleaves modified aminobenzoic acid from trityl chloride resins. Library synthesis The methods described above were used to synthesize a library of 1,925 discrete compounds using trityl chloride resins with aminobenzoic acids ( 5 , FIG. 3 ), aromatic acids ( 3 , FIG. 3 ) and a wide range of α, ω-diaminoalkanes as building blocks according to the scheme depicted in FIG. 3 . Such building blocks ( 5 and 3 ) were identified by computer analysis to be potential inhibitors of farnesyltransferase, and derivatives thereof could be useful as anticancer drugs and/or herbicides. For loading onto resins, the bi-functional aminobenzoic acids were converted to 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl esters to give resin-bound active esters (see 5 in FIG. 3 ; and Examples 1 and 2). Various lengths of unmasked α, ω-diaminoalkane building blocks (see 2 in FIG. 3 ) were reacted with resin-bound active esters to give amides with an amino group at the end of the molecules (see 6 in FIG. 3 ; and Example 3, first amidation), which were capped by a second amidation with various aromatic acids (see 3 in FIG. 3 ; and Example 3, second amidation) to give a library (see 8 in FIG. 3 ) after cleavage with AcOH:2,2,2-trifluoroethanol (TFE):CH 2 Cl 2 =1:2:7 (see Example 4). At least 80% of the 105 sampled compounds had ≧30% purities in 22-82% yields. The 1,925 member library consists of discrete compounds, the exact structure of which can be determined as a matter of routine by an artisan of ordinary skill in the art. The invention is further described in the following examples, which do not limit the scope of the invention described in the claims. EXAMPLES Example 1 Synthesis of Activated Esters of Aminobenzoic Acids A) Preparation of 2-(3-Amino-4-chlorobenzoyl)benzoic acid 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl ester. To a cooled (0° C.) and stirred solution of 1 g (3.63 mmol) (1 eq) 3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl-benzoic acid in 30 mL THF was added 0.42 g (3.63 mmol) of N-hydroxysucinimide and 0.75 g (3.63 mmol) of DCC in that order. The resulting mixture was stirred for 30 min at 0° C. and 2 h at room temperature. The white precipitates were filtered off, and the filter cake was washed with EtOAc. The washings and the filtrate were combined and concentrated in vacuo. The residue was further purified by flash chromatography on silica gel. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.24 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.76 (m, 1 H), 7.65 (m, 1 H), 7.46 (d, J=7.4 H, 1 H), 7.29 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.21 (d, J=1.9 Hz, 1 H), 7.02 (dd, J=8.4, 1.9 Hz, 1 H), 4.19 (brs, 2 H), 2.79 (s, 4 H); 13 C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 195.9, 170.9, 161.9, 145.9, 143.6, 136.1, 135.7, 131.2, 131.1, 130.1, 128.9, 123.4, 123.1, 118.2, 116.2, 25.6. B) 5-Acetylamino-2-aminobenzoic acid 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl ester was prepared from 5-acetylamino-2-aminobenzoic acid following the same procedure as the one described in Example 1A. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 9.76 (s, 1 H), 8.17 (d, J =2.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.49 (dd, J=9.1, 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.83 (d, J=9.1 Hz, 1 H), 6.61 (s, 2 H), 2.86 (s, 4 H), 1.97 (s, 3 H); 13 C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 171.7, 168.9, 163.1, 150.3, 130.2, 128.6, 120.2, 118.0, 102.6, 25.6, 23.8. C) 3-Amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl ester was prepared from 3-amino-4-methoxybenzoic acid following the same procedure as the one described in Example 1A. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.33 (m, 2 H), 6.99 (d, J=8.9 Hz, 1 H), 5.19 (brs, 2 H), 3.87 (s, 3 H), 2.85 (s, 4 H); 13 C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 171.6, 162.8, 152.6, 139.2, 120.2, 117.1, 114.2, 110.9, 56.0, 25.6. D) 4-Amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl ester was prepared from 4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenzoic acid following the same procedure as the one described in Example 1A. 1 H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.72 (s, 1 H), 6.66 (brs, 2 H), 6.49 (s, 1 H), 3.77 (s, 3 H), 2.82 (s, 4 H); 13 C NMR (150 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 171.8, 162.1, 159.6, 153.0, 133.5, 109.1, 100.6, 97.8, 56.1, 25.6. E) 4-Amino-3-iodobenzoic acid 2,5-dioxolpyrrolidin-1-yl ester was prepared from 4-amino-3-iodobenzoic acid following the same procedure as the one described in Example 1A. 1 H NMR (600 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 8.19 (s, 1 H), 7.76 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.81 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1 H), 6.53 (brs, 2 H), 2.85 (s, 4 H); 13 C NMR (150 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 171.6, 161.2, 155.8, 153.0, 142.1, 132.3, 113.8, 112.5, 81.5, 25.6. F) 4-Amino-3-methoxybenzoic acid 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl ester was prepared from 4-amino-3-methoxybenzoic acid following the same procedure as the one described in Example 1A. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.52 (d, J=8.4, 1.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.30 (s, 1 H), 6.72 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.15 (brs, 2 H), 3.83 (s, 3 H), 2.84 (s, 4 H); 13 C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 171.9, 162.6, 146.4, 146.1, 126.5, 112.8, 111.5, 110.0, 55.8, 25.7. G) 2-Amino-6-methylbenzoic acid 2,5-dioxopyrrolidin-1-yl ester was prepared from 2-amino-6-methylbenzoic acid following the same procedure as the one described in Example 1A. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.15 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.56 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.54 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1 H), 2.80 (m, 4 H), 2.51 (s, 3 H); 13 C NMR (125 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ), δ 170.4, 165.0, 150.5, 141.6, 134.4, 120.8, 114.9, 109.6, 25.8, 22.4. Example 2 Loading Aminobenzoic Acid Derivatives onto Trityl Chloride Resins Porous polypropylene containers, MicroKan (IRORI, San Diego, Calif.), were packed with 20 mg of trityl chloride resins and a unique radiofrequency tag (IRORI, San Diego, Calif.). MicroKans were then soaked with 2 mL/MicroKan of CH 2 Cl 2 in a 50 mL bottle for 10 min. 10 eq of diisopropylethylamine and 3-5 eq of an activated ester were then added to the bottle which was then shaken for 17 h on an orbit shaker (VWR Scientific Products, Chicago, Ill.) at 120 rpm at room temperature. After the solvent and the excess reagents were removed by suction, all MicroKans were combined and washed sequentially with 2 mL MeOH/MicroKan and with 2 mL CH 2 Cl 2 /MicroKan. Each washing required 10 min shaking of the resins with the solvent. The sequential washing process was repeated three times. The washed resins in MicroKans were dried in vacuo. Example 3 Modification of Loaded Aminobenzoic Acid Derivatives A First Amidation Combined MicroKans containing dried resins described above were separated by a radiofrequency reader (IRORI, San Diego, Calif.). After soaking the resins with 2 mL/MicroKan of anhydrous THF in a 50 mL bottle for 10 min, 10 eq of an appropriate diamine (e.g., 2,2′-(ethylenedioxy)bis(ethylamine); 4,7,10-trioxa-1,13-tridecanediamine; 1,7-diaminoheptane; 1,11-diaminodecane; 1,9-diaminononane; ethylene diamine; 3-(2-Amino-ethoxy)-propylamine; 3-[2-(2-Amino-ethoxy)-ethoxy]-propylamine; 4-Aminomethyl-benzylamine; Hex-3-ene-1,6-diamine) was added to THF and the bottle containing the MicroKan and solvent were shaken on an orbit shaker at 120 rpm at room temperature for 17 h. The resins were washed and dried in the same manner as described above. A Second Amidation Method A. The same procedure as the one used for the first amidation except that 5 eq of DCC, 5 eq of HOBt, and 3 eq of an appropriate benzoic acid (e.g., 9,10,10-Trioxo-9,10-dihydro-10λ 6 -thioxanthene-3-carboxylic acid; 2-(4-chloro-3-nitrobenzoyl)benzoic acid; 4-acetylbenzoic acid; 3-benzoylbenzoic acid) were added to THF. Method B. The same procedure as the one used for the first amidation except that 2 mL/MicroKan of anhydrous CH 2 Cl 2 was used for soaking the resins and 10 eq of diisopropylethylamine, and 3 eq of an appropriate substituted benzoyl or sulfonyl chloride (e.g., 2,4-dichloro-5-sulfamoylzenzoic acid; 2-(4-Chloro-3-nitro-benzoyl)-benzoic acid; 9,10,10-Trioxo-9,10-dihydro-1016-thioxanthene-3-carboxylic acid; 4-Nitro-benzoyl chloride) were added to the reaction bottle, and the bottle was shaken for 6 h. Example 4 Cleaving Products from the Resins Combined MicroKans containing dried resins from Methods A and B were separated by the radiofrequency reader and placed individually in labeled vials. After each MicroKan was soaked with 4 mL of a solution of AcOH/TFE/CH 2 Cl 2 (1:2:7) at room temperature for 2 h, the cleavage solution was collected via suction. The MicroKan was soaked again with 2 mL of a solution of AcOH/TFE/CH 2 Cl 2 (1:2:7) at room temperature for 1 h. The combined cleavage solutions were concentrated to yield the desired product. Products obtained include: A) N-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulfonylamino)ethyl]-2-(3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl)benz-amide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 7.73 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.68 (ABq, J=8.7 Hz, 4 H), 7.55 (dt, J=7.3, 0.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.49 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.26 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.09 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 6.82 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.49 (dd, J=8.3, 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 3.52 (m, 1 H), 3.06 (m, 1 H), 2.82 (m, 2 H), 2.15 (s, 3 H). B) N-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulfonylamino)ethyl]-4-amino-5-chloro-2-methoxybenz-amide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 7.75 (s, 1 H), 7.69 (ABq, J=8.8 Hz, 4 H), 6.46 (s, 1 H), 3.91 (s, 3 H), 3.41 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2 H), 3.09 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2 H), 2.14 (s, 3 H). C) N-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulfonylamino)-ethyl]-4-amino-3-methoxybenzamide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 7.71 (ABq, J=8.8 Hz, 4 H), 7.26 (d, J=1.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.22 (dd, J=8.0, 1.6 Hz, 1 H), 6.67 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1 H), 3.87 (s, 3 H), 3.39 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2 H), 3.07 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (s, 3 H). D) N-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulfonylamino)ethyl]-3-amino-4-methoxybenzamide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 7.72 (ABq, J=8.3 Hz, 4 H), 7.13-7.10 (m, 2 H), 6.84 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 3.88 (s, 3 H), 3.39 (t, J=5.8 Hz, 2 H), 3.06 (t, J =5.8 Hz, 2 H), 2.13 (s, 3 H). E) N-[2-(4-Acetylaminobenzenesulfonylamino)ethyl]-4-amino-3-iodobenzamide 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.03 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.71 (ABq, J=8.8 Hz, 4 H), 7.52 (dd, J=8.5, 1.7 Hz, 1 H), 6.73 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 1 H), 3.37 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2 H), 3.06 (t, J=5.9 Hz, 2 H), 2.14 (s, 3 H). F) 9,10,10-Trioxo-9,10-dihydro-10λ 6 -thioxanthene-3-carboxylic acid {4-[2-(3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl) benzoylamino]butyl}amide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.57 (s, 1 H), 8.40 (dd, J=8.1, 2.4 Hz, 1 H), 8.35 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1 H), 8.23 (m, 1 H), 8.20 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1 H), 8.02 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.91 (t, J=7.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.76 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.55 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.49 (t, J=7.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.28 (d, J=7.4 Hz, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.89 (d, J=1.7 Hz, 1 H), 6.61 (dd, J=8.4, 1.7 Hz, 1 H), 3.54 (m, 1 H), 3.32 (m, 2 H), 3.19 (m, 1 H), 1.64 (m, 4 H). G) 9,10,10-Trioxo-9,10-dihydro-10λ 6 -thioxanthene-3-carboxylic acid {2-[2-(3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl)benzoylamino]ethyl}amide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.40 (s, 1 H), 8.32 (d, J=7.8 Hz, 1 H), 8.29 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1 H), 8.18 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.99 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.90 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.81 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.75 (brs, 1 H), 7.71 (d, J=7.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.48 (t,J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.44 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.31 (d, J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.19 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 1 H), 6.95 (s, 1 H), 6.67 (d, J=8.1 Hz, 1 H), 5.50 (brs, 1 H), 4.20 (m, 1 H), 4.15 (brs, 2 H), 4.04 (m, 1 H), 3.35 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1 H), 3.16 (d, J=14.5 Hz, 1 H). H) 9,10,10-Trioxo-9,10-dihydro-10λ 6 -thioxanthene-3-carboxylic acid [4-(5-acetylamino-2-aminobenzoylamino)butyl]amide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.59 (s, 1 H), 8.40 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1 H), 8.35 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1 H), 8.28 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1 H), 8.20 (d, J=7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.99 (t, J=7.6 Hz, 1 H), 7.91 (t, J=7.7 Hz, 1 H), 7.57 (s, 1 H), 7.16 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1 H), 6.70 (d, J=8.2 Hz, 1 H), 3.49 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2 H), 3.39 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 2 H), 2.08 (s, 3 H), 1.73 (m, 4 H). I) N-[4-(2-(3-Nitro-4-chlorobenzoyl)benzamido)butyl]-2-(3-amino-4chlorobenzoyl)-benzamide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.63 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2 H), 7.99 (d, J=8.7 Hz, 2 H), 7.57 (d,J=1.8 Hz, 1 H), 7.15 (dd, J=7.7, 1.8 Hz, 1 H), 6.71 (d, J=7.7 Hz, 1 H), 3.40 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2 H), 3.33 (t, J=6.9 Hz, 2 H), 2.08 (s, 3 H), 1.63 (m, 4 H), 1.43 (m, 6 H). J) N-[4-(4-Nitrobenzamido)butyl]-2-(3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl)benzamide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.49 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2 H), 7.94 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2 H), 7.73 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.48 (t, J=7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.44 (t, J=7.1 Hz, 1 H), 7.29 (d, J=7.3, 1 H), 7.17 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1 H), 7.04 (brs, 1 H), 6.84 (s, 1 H), 6.67 (d, J=8.0 Hz, 1 H), 4.09 (brs, 2 H), 3.55 (m, 1 H), 3.49 (m, 1 H), 3.39 (m, 1 H), 3.08 (m, 14 H), 1.68 (m, 4 H). K) N-[2-(4-Nitrobenzamido)ethyl]-2-(3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl)benzamide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CD 3 OD) δ 8.29 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.96 (d, J=8.6 Hz, 2 H), 7.76 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.58 (t, J=7.3 Hz, 1 H), 7.51 (t, J=7.3, 1 H), 7.31 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1 H), 7.11 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 6.92 (d, J=1.8 Hz, 1 H), 6.62 (dd, J=8.3, 2.0 Hz, 1 H), 3.85 (m, 1 H), 3.70 (m, 1 H), 3.54 (m, 1 H), 3.32 (m, 1 H). L) N-[7-(4-Nitrobenzamido)heptyl]-2-(3-amino-4-chlorobenzoyl)benzamide. 1 H NMR (500 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 8.24 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.84 (d, J=8.4 Hz, 2 H), 7.73 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 1 H), 7.47 (m, 2 H), 7.28 (d, J=7.3, 1 H), 7.18 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 6.83 (s, 1 H), 6.66 (d, J=8.3 Hz, 1 H), 6.49 (brs, 1 H), 3.49 (m, 2 H), 3.38 (m, 1 H), 2.95 (m, 1 H), 1.59-1.22 (m, 10 H). Example 5 Properties of Library Compounds The inhibition of farnesyltransferase (FT) by 54 compounds randomly selected from a library made according to Examples 1-4 were measured by using an FT [ 3 H]-SPA kit (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, N.J., U.S.A). In this assay, recombinant rat FT was incubated at a final concentration of 0.6 to 1.2 ng/μL for 1 h in the presence of [ 3 H] farnesyl pyrophsospaate (FPP), a human lamin-B carboxy-terminal sequence peptide (biotin-YRASNRSCAIM), and a library compound. Library compounds were dissolved in DMSO and diluted 1:10 in the final assay solution, to a final concentration of 100 μM. Control reactions contained 10% DMSO instead of a library compound. In an assay, the sequence peptide is [ 3 H] farnesylated at the cysteine near the C-terminus when processed by FT, and the resultant [ 3 H] farnesyl-(CYS)-biotin lamin B is captured by a streptavidin-linked SPA bead. Radioactivity attributable to the sequence peptide was measured using a Beckman LS 6000IC scintillation counter. Most of the 54 library compounds inhibited FIT (see FIG. 4 ). FTT inhibition is a measure of the radioactivity attributed to the sequence polypeptide in an assay containing a library compound (i.e., test signal) relative to the radioactivity attributed to a sequence polypeptide in a control assay (i.e., control signal). That is, % inhibition=(control signal−test signal)/control signal×100%. Each assay was carried out in duplicate with deviations less than 10%. Thus, members of the library are effective FTT inhibitors and could be used as anticancer drugs and/or herbicides to block undesirable cell proliferation. OTHER EMBODIMENTS It is to be understood that while the invention has been described in conjunction with the detailed description thereof, the foregoing description is intended to illustrate and not limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. Other aspects, advantages, and modifications are within the scope of the following claims.
Disclosed are efficient methods for loading amino derivatives onto trityl chloride resins and for cleaving chemically modified amino derivatives from trityl chloride resins. Methods for making a library of discrete chemically modified amino derivatives also disclosed.
2
TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to methods and apparatuses for supplying fluids to rotating tubes such as is done in the manufacture of optical fiber preforms. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Some industrial processes call for the introduction of fluids into rotating tubes. In many such situations it is desirable, if not essential, that this be done without ambient matter becoming entrained with the fluid as it flows from a stationary conduit into the rotating tube. For example, in constructing preforms from which optical fibers may be drawn, vapors of materials such as SiCl 4 , GeCl 4 , BCl 3 and POCl 3 are entrained in an oxidizing carrier gas such as oxygen. The vapor stream is then drawn through a stationary conduit and into a rotating glass preform tube. In order to inhibit the vapor stream from leaking to ambient atmosphere, and ambient air from entering and thereby contaminating the vapor stream, a rotary seal has been provided at the junction of the stationary and rotary tubes. This seal has been provided by locating an end portion of one of the tubes within an end portion of the other tube and positioning one or more resilient O-rings or washers between the two tubes. However, this arrangement has been less than satisfactory since at least one of the tubes is constantly rubbing against the resilient O-ring causing them to become heated and to wear out. Structural deterioration of the O-rings, of course, soon leads to leakage which is aggravated whenever, as here, there is a pressure differential between the fluid stream and ambient. Furthermore, in such highly controlled situations as optical fiber preform manufacture even a very slight leak can create severe problems. For example, a leak PPM to ambient surroundings can endanger personnel since the vapor stream is toxic. Such leakage also alters the rate of vapor stream flow into the preform which rate must be precisely controlled. Conversely, an ingress of ambient air will also alter the flow rate as well as contaminate the vapor stream with water vapor. Thus, it is desirable to provide improved methods and apparatuses for supplying a rotating tube with fluid uncontaminated with ambient air such as is done in fabricating optical fiber preforms. It is this task to which the present invention is primarily directed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one form of the invention a method is provided for delivering a fluid stream through a stationary conduit and into a rotating tube through a junction of the stationary conduit and the rotating tube without altering the qualitative composition of the fluid stream by ingress of ambient air at the junction. In accordance with the method a fluid constituent of the fluid stream is flowed over the junction at a pressure in excess of the pressure of the fluid stream within the junction. In another form of the invention a method is provided for forming an optical fiber preform wherein vapors of glass forming precursors are entrained with oxygen to form a vapor stream and the vapor stream drawn through a stationary conduit and into a rotating glass preform tube through a sealed junction of the stationary conduit and the rotating tube. In accordance with the method oxygen is flowed about the sealed junction at a pressure greater than the vapor stream pressure within the junction. In this manner any ingress of ambient fluid into the preform tube at the sealed junction is in the form of oxygen whereby the qualitative composition of this vapor stream is maintained. In another form of the invention a method is provided for introducing a vapor stream into a rotating optical fiber preform tube. The method comprises the steps of generating a vapor stream comprised of a vaporized glass forming precursor entrained in an oxidizing carrier gas and flowing the vapor stream into the rotating optical fiber preform tube through an at least partially sealed rotary joint. Any material alteration in the composition of the vapor stream is prevented from occurring should the sealed rotary joint become leaky by flowing a stream of fluid consisting essentially of the oxidizing carrier gas over the sealed rotary joint at a pressure greater than the pressure of the vapor steam as it flows through the rotary joint. In another form of the invention a protective end member is provided for a rotatable tubular member. The protective end member has a housing formed with a bore therein of greater inside dimensions than the outside dimensions of the tubular member for receiving an end of the tubular member without making contact with it. Means are provided within the housing for permitting the introduction of fluid into the interior of the tubular member. Means are also provided within the housing for permitting the introduction of a purging fluid into the housing bore at a pressure in excess of ambient pressure to prevent contaminating materials from being introduced into the interior of the tubular member from the ambient atmosphere. In another form of the invention apparatus is provided for supply fluid to a rotary tube substantially uncontaminated with ambient air. The apparatus comprises an end cap having an open ended bore in which an end portion of the tube may be rotatably positioned. First conduit means extend into the end cap through which fluid may be fed into the rotary tube. Second conduit means communicate with the end cap bore through which a purge fluid may be fed into and at least partially through the bore to the exterior of the end cap. In still another form of the invention apparatus is provided for inhibiting ambient air from entering an end of a rotatable tube into which a stream of fluid is to be delivered. The apparatus comprises an end cap adapted to be positioned closely about an end portion of the rotatable tube so as to form a generally annular channel therebetween which communicates with the exterior of the end cap. The end cap defines a first passage through which a first stream of fluid may flow into the rotatable tube and a second passage through which a second stream of fluid may flow into and through the annular channel to the exterior of the end cap. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lathe to which an optical fiber preform tube is rotatably mounted for chemical vapor deposition. FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in cross-section, of the sealed junction or joint of the rotatable and stationary members of the apparatus illustrated in FIG. 1 which joint is also referred to herein as a rotary seal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now in more detail to the drawing, there is shown in FIG. 1 a lathe for forming an optical fiber preform by a vapor deposition process wherein chemical reaction products are deposited on the interior surface of a glass preform tube 10. The lathe includes a frame 11 atop which a headstock 12 and a tailstock 13 are mounted. The headstock 12 and its internal mechanisms rotatably support and drive a chuck 15 while the tailstock 13 and its internal mechanisms similarly rotatably support and drive chuck 16 about a common axis with that of chuck 15. Each of the chucks is comprised of radially spaced jaws 18 which are adapted to be moved into and out of gripping engagement with the preform tube or with a tubular extension thereof. Centrally apertured heat shields 20 are mounted by pendants 21 to both stocks closely adjacent the rotatable chucks. A hydrogen-oxygen torch 23 is mounted atop a carriage 24 for reciprocal movement between the two heat shields 20 as indicated by arrows 25. The torch 23 is reciprocated by an unshown automated drive mechanism which can be manually over-ridden and positioned by a handwheel 26. Similarly, the lateral position of the headstock 12 may be adjusted by a handwheel 27 atop a rail 30 while the position of the tailstock may be manually adjusted over the rail by movement of handwheel 28. A rotary conduit 32 projects laterally from the headstock 12 to a rotary seal 33 and junction with a stationary conduit 34. The conduit 34 extends to an unshown vapor stream supply source. An exhaust hose 37 extends from the tailstock while a scrapper rod 48 extends into the tailstock for cleaning. FIG. 2 provides a detailed illustration of the rotary seal or joint 33. The seal includes a tubular member 50 which is rigidly mounted to the rotatable conduit 32 by a compression fit about two O-rings 51 sandwiched between the tubular member and conduit. Here the conduit 32 is an extension of the preform tube 10. Alternatively, the seal 33 may be positioned within the headstock 12 with the end of the glass preform tube 10 itself mounted within the rotatable member 50. The rotatable member 50 is seen to have a neck portion 53 whose outer surface is cylindrical and of reduced outside diameter. A tubular insert 52 is press-fitted into an end of the neck portion 53. This insert is formed with two axially spaced grooves in which a pair of resilient O-rings 54 are seated. The rotary seal is seen further to include an end cap or housing 55 having a cylindrical internal wall 56 which defines a bore that is open-ended to ambient atmosphere at one end 57. The cylindrical bore has an inside diameter slightly greater than the outside diameter of the neck portion 53 of the rotatable tube 50. The end cap is provided with a passage 58 coaxially that of the cylindrical bore through which a conduit 34 extends into the rotatable tube neck portion 53 and through the two O-rings 54. The end cap has another passage 59 through which another conduit 60 extends from an unshown source of compressed oxygen. During chemical vapor deposition the preform tube 10 is rotated by chucks 15 and 16. A stream of the aforementioned vapors, most of which are toxic, entrained with oxygen as a carrier gas, is forced into the preform tube 10 by positive pressure provided by an unshown vapor stream generator located upstream of conduit 34. As the vapor stream is passed through the preform tube the torch 23 is slowly moved along the rotating preform tube thereby causing a chemical reaction to occur within the band of heat created by the torch, and the products of the reaction to be deposited on the interior surface of the tube. The carrier gas, along with any undeposited reaction products, is exhausted out of the preform tube 10 through the exhaust tube 37 to which suction is applied. As the deposition process progresses the rotatable tube 32 and its tubular extension 50 are rotated by the chuck 15 as indicated by arrow 62. As this occurs the tubular neck portion 53, the tubular insert 52 and the two O-rings 54 also rotate about the stationary conduit 34. Oxygen is introduced into the end cap bore through conduit 60 at a pressure in excess of ambient air pressure and that of the vapor stream flowing through the sealed joint. From here the oxygen flows through the annular channel located between the end cap interior wall 56 and the exterior cylindrical wall of the rotatable member neck portion 53 to ambient. The pressure of the oxygen within the end cap is also above the pressure of the vapor stream flowing through the conduit 34 and into conduit 32. As a result the toxic vapor stream is inhibited from leaking outwardly through the O-rings into the end cap bore and then to the ambient atmosphere due to this pressure differential. Conversely, the O-rings also serve to inhibit the oxygen from flowing inwardly into the rotatable member 50 and the vapor stream. However, should any of the oxygen seep past the O-rings and into the vapor stream the qualitative compositional makeup of the vapor stream is unaltered. In such cases there would be a slight increase in the percentage of oxygen as the carrier gas to the toxic vapor entrained therewith. However, with the flow rate of the vapor stream being substantially greater than the flow rate of the purging oxygen being inputted through conduit 60, the change in the ratio of carrier gas to vapor is very slight. In this manner the composition of the vapor stream is prevented from being contaminated by ambient air and the moisture which it contains. Since oxygen is a constituent of the vapor stream the qualitative composition of the stream is maintained. At the same time there is little if any risk to toxins escaping from the vapor stream and thereby endangering personnel or damaging property located in the vicinity of the rotary seal. It should be understood that the just described embodiment merely illustrates principles of the invention in a preferred form. The words "stationary" and "rotary" as used herein are intended to be mutually relative terms. Furthermore, for ease of expression air has been used as the ambient fluid medium in which the rotary seal is located. In other circumstances, of course, the ambient atmosphere could be other than that of air such as an inert gas. In addition the various fluids described have been gaseous; however, liquid fluids could be used in other applications. Thus, it is apparent that many additions, deletions and modifications may be made to the methods and apparatuses particularly described without departure from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.
A method of introducing a vapor stream into a rotating optical fiber preform tube comprising the steps of: (a) generating a vapor stream comprised of a vaporized glass forming precursor entrained in an oxidizing carrier gas; (b) flowing the vapor stream into the rotating optical fiber preform tube through a sealed rotary joint; and (c) preventing any material alteration in the composition of the vapor stream from occurring should the sealed rotary joint become leaky by flowing a stream of fluid consisting essentially of the oxidizing carrier gas over the rotary joint at a pressure greater than the pressure of the vapor stream as it flows through the rotary joint.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention pertains to collapsible personal canopy shelters of typically light weight used as protection from wind or sun. In particular, the invention is such a shelter having unique frame hubs from which elongated frame elements extend radially and which allow both open and collapsed canopy conditions for ease of use, and portability. Such shelters are often referred to as “cabanas” and are employed typically in beach areas where sun and wind protection is often desired. Similar cabana shelters are generally known in the prior art. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,355,650 to Beaudry discloses a typical prior art design for a personal shelter including a collapsible frame and a flexible cover. Beaudry discloses a frame formed of frame-like “bows” which pivot on a hub to alter the shape of an attached cover. However, the Beaudry hub design uses a cantilevered pivot design which is likely prone to failure and is susceptible to damage from sand during use. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is an improved cabana canopy and canopy hub. Generally “U” shaped canopy frame elements are attached at their ends to hubs of novel design. The novel hub enables coordinating the placement and movement of the canopy frame into open and collapsed conditions. The collapsed condition enables the canopy to be collapsed to a reduced-space geometry for more convenient portability and storage. The hub design uses large joint knuckle elements with relatively large bearing surface area to reduce susceptibility to damage from sand. The hub consists of a hub body in which multiple joint knuckle elements are retained. Each joint knuckle is locationally captured yet allowed to rotate to allow movement of attached frame elements. Each joint knuckle is preferably shaped generally as a sphere and is received in a curved depression in the hub body. This geometry provides the large bearing surface desired in operation. Both the hub body and the joint knuckle are most advantageously formed of molded rigid structural plastic that, in combination with the joint knuckle design, provide a durable canopy hub and canopy for use in outdoor locations. In one embodiment, each hub may be precombined with shortened stub arms secured to the joint knuckles. This assembly may then be advantageously combined with canopy frame elements, to form a finished canopy in a simplified process. In this embodiment, the stub arms preferably take the form of wooden dowels which slide into metal tubing frame elements of the canopy. Additional elements and advantages of the invention are illustrated in the following description of preferred embodiments and the accompanying illustrations. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are, respectively, side and front views of a cabana canopy according to the invention in a configuration for use as a shelter, and including the present inventive canopy frame hubs. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are exploded isometric and side views, respectively, of the inventive cabana canopy frame hub. FIG. 3 is a side view of the inventive hub including stub terminal end arms in an opened condition with the terminal end arms separated for an opened canopy. FIG. 4 is a side view of the device of FIG. 3 showing the stub terminal ends arms in a collapsed condition. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIGS. 1 a and 1 b are, respectively, side and front views of a cabana canopy 100 according to the invention in a configuration for use as a personal shelter, and including two inventive canopy frame hubs 10 . The canopy 100 includes a cover 13 supported by generally “U” shaped frame elements 15 in the manner of many canopies in the prior art. The cover 13 is formed of a flexible sheet material such as cloth, canvas, rubberized cloth or plastic sheeting. The frame elements 15 are relatively rigid elongated structures, preferably formed of bent hollow metal tubing, such as aluminum tubing. In the prior art, bent or joined wood frame elements are also taught for such use. The frame elements 15 are dispersed over, and attached to, the cover 13 such that when separated, the frame elements 15 expand or stretch the cover 13 to create an open-faced shelter as shown in the figure. To provide a more compact collapsed configuration of the canopy, for portability and convenient storage, the frame elements 15 may all be gathered together in side-by-side stacked fashion, while the cover 13 is folded between. In the embodiment shown, there are five frame elements 15 , although other numbers may be similarly employed. At least two are necessary to stretch and open the cover 13 . To enable the movement of the frame elements 15 between the separated condition (canopy as a shelter) and the collapsed condition (see FIG. 4 —for portability or storage), the frame elements 15 each have terminal ends 17 which are connected on opposite sides of the canopy to a respective hub 10 . Each hub 10 rotatably retains the frame element ends 17 , and guides their movement to, alternatively, smoothly open and stretch the cover 13 , or collapse the canopy. The terminal ends 17 may be integral with the frame elements 15 or attached extensions thereof of like or distinct material and construction. The two canopy hubs 10 are preferably connected along a common axis by a rigid cross bar 19 . In this manner, each frame element's respective ends 17 are induced to move in coordinated fashion and prevent binding. This geometry is discussed in more detail below. The cross bar 19 need not provide complete torsional rigidity between the hubs 10 but rather limit angular displacement between the two sides. FIGS. 2 a and 2 b are exploded isometric and side views, respectively, of a preferred embodiment of the inventive cabana canopy frame hub 10 . The hub 10 is formed of rigid hub side portions 24 which, when joined, capture and retain, in fixed relative positions, multiple rotational joint knuckles 22 . The joint knuckles 22 are retained in a common plane and each has a rotation axis perpendicular to the plane. Consequently, the axes are mutually parallel. This geometry enables the function of the joint knuckles 22 of positioning and coordinating the canopy frame ends 17 as discussed above. Each joint knuckle 22 in the figures is shown in a different angular orientation. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 a, 2 b, the hub 10 is preferably formed of two mating hub sides 24 . The hub sides 24 are preferably identical in order to simplify, and reduce cost of, manufacture. Both hub sides 24 have a stepped internal face 25 in which are formed a number of round depressions 26 , each shaped to receive, in a loose fit, a respective joint knuckle 22 . The hub sides 24 are configured such that when joined to form the assembled hub, the stepped faces 25 are aligned but separated to allow the joint knuckles 22 to be received between the hub sides 24 , and captured in the respective aligned and facing depressions 26 . The aligned and facing depressions 26 , create a plurality of spherical receiving spaces for receiving each respective joint knuckle 22 . Because the stepped faces 25 extend to the exterior of the hub, they form a slot in the hub from which frame ends 17 , secured in the joint knuckles 22 , may extend (see FIGS. 3 , 4 ). Preferably, the joint knuckles 22 are generally spherical in shape with the depressions having matching shape. The hub sides 24 may be cojoined via threaded fasteners or other means. Preferably, each joint knuckle 22 has a pair of stub shafts 27 extending from opposite sides of the joint knuckle 22 . These are sized to be received in through-holes 28 extending through the middle of depressions 26 . Both the stub shafts 27 and through-holes 28 are aligned with the axis of rotation of the joint knuckles 22 and act to stabilize and direct the rotation of the joint knuckles—and attached frame elements. Because little force is exerted on the joint knuckle in their intended use, the stub shafts 27 need be little more that reduced-diameter half-sphere projections on the outer surface of the joint knuckles 22 . In one embodiment, each joint knuckle 22 has a cylindrical cavity 30 perpendicular to its axis of rotation and passing through its center. The inside diameter of the joint cavity 30 is sized to accept a frame end 17 (not shown—see FIG. 1 ) or other element to connect with the frame end 17 . Although the cavity 30 may be a through-hole, a blind end bore is preferred. Although in this embodiment the cavity 30 is cylindrical, other cavity geometries may be used, e.g., square or rectangular cross sections. Each joint knuckle 22 is preferably formed of molded high density plastic with integral molded stub shafts, although metals or other structural material may also be used. The hub sides 24 are preferably formed of a molded high-density plastic with an open, relatively thin-walled, construction using intercostals to interconnect the hub portion containing the stepped face 25 and the other portions of the hub. In the construction shown in the figure, intercostals rigidly connect the stepped face 25 with a hub portion including a cross bar bore 32 . The axis of the cross bar bore 32 is perpendicular to the plane of the stepped face 25 , and therefore also to the plane of the retained assembled joint knuckles 22 . The cross bar bore 32 is sized to accept a cross bar 19 to form the configuration shown in FIG. 1 b. In final assembly and use the cross bar 19 (see FIG. 1 ) is preferably permanently fixed in the cross bar bore 32 . Other alternative construction designs and methods are contemplated to also satisfy the functions detailed herein. The depressions 26 (and retained joint knuckles 22 ) are preferably located on the stepped face 25 in an approximate circular pattern with respect to the cross bar bore centerline. In the embodiment shown, they range through an angular dimension of preferably at least 90 degrees of arc with respect to the cross bar bore 32 . The exterior, outwardly facing surface of the hub adjacent to, and bounding, the stepped face is preferably curved as shown, although this shape is not critical. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict an embodiment of the inventive hub 10 including stub arms 36 connected to the joint knuckles as shown in FIG. 2 a (not visible in FIGS. 3 , 4 ). The hub 10 has a pair of exterior and outward facing bearing surfaces 34 . The bearing surfaces 34 are preferably both relatively flat and parallel to the cross bar bore centerline. The angle between the two bearing surfaces is preferably approximately 90 degrees. The junction of the two bearing surfaces 34 is preferably rounded, preferably at a radius of curvature of 1.5 inches (3.8 cm) or more. This geometry enables the hubs 10 of a canopy 100 , assembled in embodiments as shown in FIG. 1 , to be rotated about the cross bar 19 to orient the canopy 100 in relatively opposite directions on the ground. This can be conveniently accomplished by the user, by rotating the entire canopy assembly, without lifting its entire weight, on the bearing surfaces 34 and their rounded junction. The width W 1 ( FIG. 1 ) of each hub 10 , across the bearing surfaces, should be sufficient to “float” the canopy on beach sand. A hub width W 1 of two inches (5 cm) has been found to be satisfactory. This width also provides sufficient dimension to envelope a preferred construction of the stepped face and joint knuckles. In FIGS. 3 and 4 , the joint knuckles (not visible) are joined to stub arms 36 rather than directly to canopy frame terminal ends. This structure facilitates canopy manufacture and assembly. The stub arms 36 are preferably round wood dowels, of relatively short length, which are permanently secured within respective joint knuckle cavities. They are fixed there preferably by adhesive, but alternatively by fasteners. This operation can be accomplished prior to the assembly of the joint knuckles into a hub body. This results in the hub assembly shown including the attached stub arms 36 . This assembly can then be joined with a canopy frame formed of (for example) hollow tubing by inserting the stub arms 36 into the terminal ends of the tubing. The stub arms 36 may also be considered as forming the terminal ends 17 upon assembly into a canopy. This mode of construction is simple and modular and has cost benefits which will be obvious to one skill in manufacture of products of this nature. FIGS. 3 and 4 depict open and collapsed conditions, respectively, of the stub arms 36 . The open condition enables a fully opened canopy with the canopy frame opened at a quarter circle (90 degree) configuration as shown in FIG. 1 . The collapsed condition enables the canopy to be collapsed to a reduced-space geometry for more convenient portability and storage. In the open condition, the stub arms are separated to their greatest angular extent in an open fan shape with the outermost stub arms at a respective angle of at least 90 degree. In the collapsed condition, as shown in FIG. 4 , the stub arms 36 may be oriented in substantially mutually parallel fashion for compaction of the frame and canopy 100 . These conditions apply also in embodiments in which the joint knuckles 22 are connected directly to the canopy frame terminal ends 17 . The spacing and size of the joint knuckles and stub arms (or terminal ends) should accommodate both these conditions. In a prototype device following the construction shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 2 a, 2 b and 3 , five stub arms 36 , having a cross-sectional diameter of ⅞ inches (2.2 cm) and a length of 12 inches (30.5 cm), are each secured in matching joint knuckles. The outside diameter of spherical joint knuckles is about 5/4 inches (3.2 cm). The five joint knuckles are spaced over 90 degrees of arc—a 22.5 degree interspacing. The radial dimension from the center bore centerline to each joint knuckle centerline of rotation is 3.9 inches (9.9 cm). The slot created by the offset stepped faces of the facing hub sides is slightly wider than the stub arm diameter. This geometry allows the stub arms to swing freely between the open (90 degree) and collapsed (mutually parallel) conditions described above. The preceding embodiments and discussions are provided for example only. Other variations of the claimed inventive concepts will be obvious to those skilled in the art. Adaptation or incorporation of known alternative devices and materials, present and future is also contemplated. The intended scope of the invention is defined by the following claims.
An improved personal shelter canopy hub is formed using a number of spherical rotating joint elements captured in a hub body. The joint elements provide rotational movement of canopy frame elements to allow easy opening and collapsing of a canopy frame and cover. An improved canopy includes two hubs joined by a cross shaft. Each hub may be formed by molding in high-density plastic and combined with stub arms to facilitate subsequent assembly of a completed canopy.
4
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is related to and claims priority to a provisional application entitled “LIVE CENTER STEADY REST” filed Sep. 24, 2013, and assigned Ser. No. 61/881,528. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to woodworking, and more particularly to woodturning apparatus. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION When operating a lathe to turn a workpiece, particularly when the workpiece being formed has a large flat or curved surface to be formed, the end of the turning operation on the lathe frequently results in a tenon remaining on the workpiece to be removed after the workpiece has been removed from the lathe. For example, when forming a bowl-shaped surface, the bottom center of the bowl would normally need to be removed from the lathe to remove the remaining tenon. The tenon is typically removed by chiseling, sawing, or simply breaking it off. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention permits the removal of any such tenon while the workpiece remains mounted in the lathe. Lathing operations continue using conventional tools to remove the tenon without interference from any other support that may be used such as a live center that heretofore was used to maintain support for the workpiece during turning. The present invention provides retractable wheels contacting the workpiece to continuously support the workpiece and also permit the retraction of the live center's cone point if a live center is used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention may more readily be described by reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a top view of a steady rest incorporating the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded enlarged three-quarter front view of the steady rest of FIG. 1 with the knurled locking screw removed. FIG. 3 is an enlarged three-quarter rear view of the steady rest of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an exploded view of a portion of the alternative embodiment of FIG. 4 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring to FIGS. 1 to 3 , the embodiment of the invention incorporating a live center is shown. A tailstock is formed by an internally threaded cylindrical sleeve 10 provided with channels 12 machined diametrically opposed on either side of the sleeve 10 . The channels 12 are rectangular in cross-section with longitudinal axis slightly inclined with respect to the rotary axis of the workpiece being machined and the axis of the cylindrical sleeve. That is, the channels extend to a greater depth in the cylindrical sleeve 10 at one end surface of the cylindrical sleeve to the opposing end of the cylindrical sleeve. These channels receive struts 15 that are slidably contained within the channels and may be moved generally longitudinally of the cylindrical sleeve toward or away from the workpiece. The increasing depth of the channels is best illustrated by the top view of FIG. 1 where it may be seen that the struts 15 are at an angle with respect to the longitudinal axis 16 of the cylindrical sleeve 10 and thus to the rotary axis of the workpiece being machined. The struts 15 are retained in the corresponding channels by locking screws 18 that extend through holes or slots 20 provided in the struts 15 . Thus, the struts may be positioned longitudinally of the threaded sleeve 10 and fixed in position by tightening the respective locking screws 18 . At one end of each of the struts, a wheel 25 is journaled and is rotatably secured to the corresponding strut. When the struts are secured in their respective channels to the threaded sleeve, and the corresponding wheels are attached to the struts, the distance between the wheels may be adjusted by sliding the corresponding struts in their respective channels; that is, as the struts are extended to the left in FIG. 1 , the distance between the corresponding wheels increases. Thus, the wheel-to-wheel distance may readily be adjusted by sliding the struts within their corresponding channels. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 , a live center 29 is provided with a cone point 30 that is rotatable with respect to the remainder of the live center in a manner well known in the art. The live center includes a threaded cylinder 35 having a pair of opposing flats 37 . The diameter of the cylinder and the pitch of the threads permit the threaded engagement of the cylinder 35 in the threaded sleeve 10 . As the cylinder is threaded into the sleeve, the cone point 30 extends a greater or lesser distance out of the end of the threaded sleeve. The longitudinal position of the cone point may be fixed by a knurled locking screw 40 threadedly extending through locking holes 42 or 44 in the threaded sleeve 10 and engaging one of the flats 37 in the threaded cylinder 35 . In use, when for example a cylindrical tenon is to be removed from the surface of a workpiece, the knurled locking screw is loosened and the threaded cylinder is backed out of the threaded sleeve to permit the cone point to disengage the workpiece. The threaded sleeve, combined with the positioning of the struts thereon, is positioned with the wheels in contact with the workpiece. The wheels force the workpiece to remain engaged with a driving chuck plate or chuck mount while the cone point of the live center is withdrawn. This procedure thus exposes the cylindrical tenon to permit its removal using conventional woodturning tools. It thus becomes unnecessary to remove the workpiece to remove the tenon by sawing, chiseling, etc. Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown. In this latter embodiment, the live center has been omitted and the tailstock is formed by a cylindrical disk 65 having a center cylindrical passage 67 to receive a chuck arbor 69 in a manner well known in the art. The disc 65 is provided with diametrically opposing pairs of rectangular channels 70 - 72 and 73 - 75 . The channels are machined in the tailstock so that the bottom surface of the respective channel is slightly inclined with respect to the rotary axis 80 of the workpiece being machined. For example, it may be seen that the bottom surface 71 of channel 70 is inclined towards the axis 80 in the direction of a workpiece, while the bottom surface 76 of channel 75 is inclined away from the axis 80 in the direction of a workpiece. Thus, the diametrically opposed channels 70 and 72 incorporate bottom surfaces that are inclined slighted with respect to the axis 80 and are inclined toward the axis 80 ; in contrast, the diametrically opposed channels 73 and 75 have bottom surfaces that are inclined in the opposite direction. The surfaces of the channels 73 and 75 diverge from the axis 80 in the direction of a workpiece while the diametrically opposed channels 70 and 72 are inclined toward the axis 80 in the direction of a workpiece being machined. Thus, a strut 85 may be secured, for example, in the channel 76 by securing the locking screw 86 through the slot 87 into the threaded hole 88 provided in the tailstock which will result in the strut 85 extending upwardly from the tailstock slightly inclined away from the axis 80 . The wheel 92 , secured to the strut 85 , will thus be positioned as shown in FIG. 4 ; the distances between the wheels 92 and 93 are adjusted by loosening the corresponding locking screw and sliding the respective supporting strut within its corresponding channel and retightening the locking screws. If a shorter range of distances between the wheels 92 and 93 is required, the corresponding struts are moved from the diametrically opposed channels 73 and 76 to alternate opposing channels 70 and 72 . Since their inclined surfaces of channels 70 and 72 are angled toward the axis 80 , the distance between the wheels 92 and 93 will be less but will nevertheless still be adjustable. If it is determined that adjustment is not necessary, and that the selection of the diverging or converging surfaces of the respective channel pairs is sufficient, the slots in each of the struts may be eliminated and replaced by a single hole to receive the corresponding locking screw that will engage a mating threaded hole in the tailstock 65 . The present invention has been described in terms of selected specific embodiments of the apparatus and method incorporating details to facilitate the understanding of the principles of construction and operation of the invention. Such reference herein to a specific embodiment and details thereof is not intended to limit the scope of the claims appended hereto. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications may be made in the embodiments chosen for illustration without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.
A steady rest for use on a lathe is formed of a tailstock for mounting on an arbor and including a pair of diametrically opposed channels formed in the tailstock wherein each channel extends a pair of struts each slidably mounted within a different one of said channels, respectively, and securable within the channel to lock the respective strut in position, the struts extending from said tail stock toward the workpiece at an angle with respect to a rotary axis of the workpiece being machined. A pair of wheels each journaled on a different one of said struts are provided for contacting said workpiece.
1
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a Divisional patent application of co-pending application Ser. No. 11/404,750, filed on 17 Apr. 2006. The entire disclosure of the prior application Ser. No. 11/404,750, from which an oath or declaration is supplied, is considered a part of the disclosure of the accompanying Divisional/Continuation application and is hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention is generally related to a bumping process and bump structure, and more particularly, to a planarized bump structure and a bumping process therefor. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Wire bonding, tape automated bonding (TAB) and flip chip bonding are popular packages for integrated circuits (ICs). Generally, wire bonding is used in low-density package with less than 300 inputs/outputs (I/Os). In high-density packages, up to 600 I/Os may be provided by TAB, and flip chip package provides much higher package density with more than 600 I/Os. In flip chip package, it is required to form bumps on the pads of the integrated circuit for the pressing process in chip-on-glass (COG), chip-on-board (COB), chip-on-film (COF), or other package processes. In order to reduce electrical noises and to increase adhesion and conductivity, gold is typically used for the bump material, which makes the bumping process expensive and difficult. Therefore, improving the bump structure and bumping process becomes an important issue. On the other hand, the density and performance of a package limit the size and performance of a chip. As the size of IC shrinks, the IC package becomes the bottleneck to further shrink the IC, if the density and performance of the package are not enhanced, for example the size and pitch of the bumps are limited or the conductivity of the bumps are not good enough. [0004] FIG. 1 shows a conventional gold bump structure 10 , in which on a substrate 12 a pad 14 is partially covered by a passivation layer 16 , an under bump metallization (UBM) 18 is formed on the exposed surface of the pad 14 and the peripheral passivation layer 16 , and a gold film 20 and bump 22 are formed on the UBM 18 . Typically, the material of the pad 14 is aluminum, the passivation layer 16 comprises a layer of silicon dioxide 24 and a layer of silicon nitride 26 , and the UBM 18 is a stacked layer of titanium and tungsten. The gold film 20 is sputtered and has denser crystalline, to increase the adhesion between the gold bump 22 and UBM 18 . The gold bump 22 grows by electroplating from the gold film 20 and has larger crystalline and higher hardness. Since the passivation layer 16 always has step 28 at the peripheral of the pad 14 , the upper surface of the bump 22 will have step 30 at its edge and therefore, only the central concave region 32 becomes an effective region during the pressing process. The roughness h of the upper surface of the bump 22 is about 2 μm. If a larger effective region 32 is required, the pad 14 has to be larger. However, if only the width of the bump 22 is increased, as shown in FIG. 2 , the effective region 32 will remain nearly the same because the increased region 34 on the upper surface of the bump 22 is useless due to the uneven upper surface of the bump 22 . FIG. 3 shows several bumps 22 on the substrate 12 , where the width of the pad 14 is w 1 , the bump gap is g, and the bump pitch is p. The width w 2 of the bump 22 is no greater than the width w 1 of the pad 14 , so the effective region 32 is small compared to the pad 14 . To increase the effective region 32 , it is required to have a larger pad 14 . However, the contact density of the chip is thus lowered and the chip size cannot be minimized. In addition, a larger pad 14 will result in a larger bump pitch p. If the bump gap g remains constant, the only way to obtain an increase in the contact density of the chip is to shrink the pad 14 . But shrinking the pad 14 causes the minimization of the effective region 32 . There's difficulty to solve this problem using conventional techniques. [0005] A conventional bumping process is shown in FIGS. 4A to 4E . In FIG. 4A , a passivation layer 16 with a thickness of 1.2 μm is deposited to cover pads 14 on a substrate 12 . In FIG. 4B , the passivation layer 16 is etched to form openings 36 to expose the pads 14 , and after this step, the passivation layer 16 will have steps 38 at the peripherals of the pads 14 . In particular, the thicker the passivation layer 16 is, the higher the steps 38 are and the deeper the openings 36 are. In FIG. 4C , Ti/W stack with a deposition thickness of 800 Å is used as UBM 18 , and a gold film 20 with a thickness of 800 Å is deposited thereon. In this step, due to the step 38 , step 40 formed thereon is even wider. The thicker the UBM 18 is, the narrower the concavity 42 is. FIG. 4D shows the structure after the UBM 18 and gold film 20 are patterned. In FIG. 4E , gold bumps 22 are grown up from the gold film 20 and have a thickness of about 17 μm. It is therefore shown by this process that the steps 38 are inevitable. As a result, effective regions 32 always have small areas. The thicker the UBM 18 is, the smaller the effective region 32 is. Moreover, the thicker the passivation layer 16 is, the greater the roughness h is. Even though the semiconductor process is capable to minimize the chip size, the backend package does not catch up with the IC shrinkage and thus limits the minimized size of the chip. [0006] Further, a conventional bump structure has drawbacks during the pressing process. Referring to a COG structure 44 shown in FIG. 5 , while pressing the bump 22 to a wire 48 on a glass substrate 46 , an anisotropic conductive film (ACF) 50 is used therebetween as an interface. The ACF 50 is a polyimide (PI) with conductive particles thereof, and the conductive particles will form a conductive path in the pressing direction between the bump 22 and wire 48 during the pressing process. Since the surface roughness of the bump 22 is about 2 μm, the diameter of the conductive particles 52 within the ACF 50 has to be larger than 3 μm to construct an excellent conduction between the bump 22 and wire 48 . However, if the conductive particles 52 are larger, then there will be fewer of them to be trapped in the effective region 32 , and thus there's greater contact impedance and poor conduction quality after the pressing process. On the other hand, the conductive particles 56 with larger diameter inside the bump gap 34 will easily cause short or leakage between neighboring bumps 22 , and thus lower the yield of the pressing process. If small conductive particles 52 are used, excellent connection between the bump 22 and wire 48 cannot be reached. Therefore, there's unbeatable difficulty in conventional technology. To satisfy the requirement of smaller size and higher I/O count of an IC chip, the pad 14 on the chip is required to be shrunk, and the effective region 32 is thus minimized, which causes the drop of the yield of the pressing process and conduction quality of the product. Furthermore, an elemental drawback of flip chip package is the weak mechanical strength at the peripheral region 58 of the bump 22 , and damage happens easily due to lateral force. However, to obtain a smaller roughness h at the pressing surface of the bump 22 will have the step 28 to decrease, and a thinner passivation layer 16 could not overcome the drawbacks in weak mechanical strength. [0007] Therefore, it is desired an improved bumping process and bump structure. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] An object of the present invention is to provide a structure and process for a planarized bump to overcome the drawbacks of conventional art. [0009] In a bumping process, according to the present invention, it is formed a passivation layer with a planarized surface to cover a pad on a substrate, the passivation layer is etched to form a hole penetrating therethrough to expose a contact surface of the pad, and a bump is formed on the contact surface and the planarized surface. [0010] In a bump structure, according to the present invention, a passivation layer covering a portion of a pad on a substrate has a planarized surface, the pad has a contact surface, and a bump contacts the contact surface and the planarized surface. [0011] Preferably, the passivation layer comprises several layers with different hardness in stack. [0012] Preferably, the contact surface has a shape of stripe. [0013] Since the passivation layer has the planarized surface to provide for larger effective region, the pad could be minimized, and the mechanical strength at the peripheral of the pad could be enhanced by increasing the thickness of the passivation layer. During the pressing process, since the bump has a larger effective area, there will be greater selection flexibility for the anisotropic conductive film, and the probabilities of short circuit and current leakage are reduced, thereby improving the yield of the pressing process and the conductive quality for the pad. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0014] These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0015] FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional gold bump structure; [0016] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged conventional gold bump structure; [0017] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of several conventional gold bumps on a substrate; [0018] FIGS. 4A to 4E show a conventional bumping process; [0019] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a conventional COG structure; [0020] FIGS. 6A and 6B are two cross-sectional views of a gold bump structure according to the present invention; [0021] FIGS. 7A and 7B are two top views of a gold bump according to the present invention; [0022] FIGS. 8A to 8G show a first bumping process according to the present invention; [0023] FIGS. 9A to 9D show a second bumping process according to the present invention; [0024] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a COG structure according to the present invention; and [0025] FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of a gold bump with a thicker passivation layer. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0026] FIGS. 6A and 6B show a gold bump structure 60 according to the present invention, and FIGS. 7A and 7B show the top views, in which FIG. 6A is a cross-sectional view along the X direction and FIG. 6B is a cross-sectional view along the Y direction. Referring to FIGS. 6A and 6B , in the gold bump structure 60 , a passivation layer 64 has a planarized surface and covers a portion of each pad 62 on a substrate 12 , a UBM 18 and a gold film 20 are stacked on the pad 62 and passivation layer 64 , and a gold bump 66 is on the gold film 20 . The pad 62 is made of aluminum, aluminum alloy, or other metal or highly conductive alloy, and the passivation layer 64 comprises one or more layers of silicon dioxide, silicon oxide, silicon nitride, silicon oxy nitride, or other superior chemical resistive materials or their combination to protect the circuits within the substrate 12 . The UBM 18 is used mainly to protect the pad 62 from being penetrated by any chemical particles during the following processes to affect the electrical characteristics of the product, and at the same time to improve the adhesion between the gold film 20 and pad 62 . In one embodiment, the pad 62 is made of aluminum, and the UBM 18 comprises titanium (Ti) and tungsten (W) layers in the manner that the titanium layer is at the bottom to have good adhesion with the aluminum pad 62 and the tungsten layer is at the top to have good adhesion with the gold film 20 . As shown in FIG. 6A , the pad 52 has a width w 1 x in the X direction that is much smaller than a conventional pad, and the width w 2 x of the bump 66 in the X direction is also smaller such that the bump pitch p can be minimized. However, in the Y direction, as shown in FIG. 6B , though the width w 1 y of the pad 62 is also smaller than a conventional pad, the width w 2 y of the bump 66 is much larger than the width w 1 y of the pad 62 . Due to the smaller pad 62 , the concave region 68 at the center of the top surface of the bump 66 is minimized. If the UBM 18 is thicker, the concave region 68 may be completely eliminated. Since the passivation layer 64 has a planarized surface, a planarized region 70 occupies most of the top surface of the bump 66 and can be used as the effective region for pressing. Being different from the conventional bump structure 10 , the effective region of the bump 66 is at the peripheral of the top surface rather the center; in other words, it is mainly at the region above the passivation layer 64 . [0027] FIG. 7A further illustrates the relation between the bump 66 and pad 62 . For comparison, the conventional bump 22 and pad 14 are also shown at the right side of FIG. 7A . In the conventional bump structure 10 , the pad 14 is larger than the bump 22 , and thus, in order to have enough effective region on the bump 22 , the pad 14 cannot be shrunk. While in the bump structure 60 according to the present invention, the bump 66 is larger than the pad 62 , and therefore the pad 62 can be minimized. In the bump structure 60 , the exposed contact surface 72 on the pad 62 for coupling to the bump 66 has a stripe shape. In the conventional bump structure 10 , the exposed contact surface 74 on the pad 14 for coupling to the bump 22 has almost the same width in both the X and Y directions. FIG. 7B shows the high-density bump 66 on the substrate 12 . The bump 66 has a stripe shape extending in the Y direction. In the X direction, since the pad 62 can be minimized, the bump 66 can be more tightly arranged. If more planarized region 70 on the bump 62 is desired, it can be achieved by increasing the width w 1 y in the Y direction. Since the pad 62 can be minimized, more bumps 66 can be arranged on an IC of the same size to increase the I/O density and pin count. [0028] FIGS. 8A to 8G show a bumping process according to the present invention. In FIG. 8A , film 76 such as silicon dioxide or silicon oxide is deposited with thickness of 1000 to 1200 Å to cover pads 62 on a substrate 12 , and etching back process such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP) is used to etch the film 76 to leave a thickness of 600 to 800 Å, which results in a planarized surface 78 as shown in FIG. 8B . In FIG. 8C , film 80 such as silicon nitride or silicon oxy nitride is deposited with a thickness of 300 to 500 Å on the films 76 . Since the film 76 has a planarized surface 78 , the film 80 also has a planarized surface 82 . The films 76 and 80 serve as the passivation layer 64 in FIG. 6A , and preferably, the film 80 is harder than the film 76 . The softer film 76 is used to protect the substrate 12 and the surface of the pad 62 , and the harder film 80 is used against force. As shown in FIG. 8D , the films 80 and 76 are etched to form an opening 84 that penetrates through the films 80 and 76 from the planarized surface 82 to the top surface of the pad 62 , to expose a contact surface 72 on the pad 62 . In FIG. 8E , a UBM 18 with a thickness of 800 Å is deposited on the contact surface 72 on the pad 62 and the planarized surface 82 of the film 80 by sputtering titanium and tungsten for example. A gold film 20 is deposited on the UBM 18 thereafter by sputtering. As shown in FIG. 8F , the gold film 20 and UBM 18 are patterned to define the bumps, and in FIG. 8G , a gold bump 66 is grown up from the gold film 20 for 15 to 20 μm by electro-plating. Since the passivation layer 76 and 80 has planarized surface, the central concavity 68 on the top surface of the bump 66 is very small or even none, and most of the top surface of the bump 66 is a planarized region 70 . [0029] FIGS. 9A to 9D show another bumping process according to the present invention. In FIG. 9A , deposited films 76 and 80 cover pads 62 on a substrate 12 , in which the film 80 is preferably harder than the film 76 . The softer film 76 is used to protect the surfaces of the substrate 12 and pad 62 , and the harder film 80 is used against force. For example, the film 76 comprises silicon dioxide or silicon oxide with a thickness of 200 to 800 Å, and the film 80 comprises silicon nitride or silicon oxy nitride with a thickness of 300 to 500 Å. In FIG. 9B , the films 76 and 80 are etched back by for example CMP, to leave them a total thickness of about 600 to 1000 Å, which results in a planarized surface 86 . In FIG. 9C , an opening 84 is formed to expose a contact surface 72 on the pad 62 . In FIG. 9D , sputtering is used for example to deposit titanium and tungsten to a thickness of 800 Å as a UBM 18 on the contact surface 72 and planarized surface 86 , a gold film 20 is deposited by sputtering to a thickness of 800 Å on the UBM 18 , the gold film 20 and UBM 18 are patterned to define the bumps, a gold bump 66 is grown up by electroplating from the gold film 20 to a thickness of 15 to 20 μm. Since the planarized surface 86 is formed in previous step, the central concavity 68 on the top surface of the bump 66 is very small or even none, and most of the top surface of the bump 66 is a planarized region 70 . [0030] In the bumping process according to the present invention, since the passivation layer 64 with a planarized surface is used, on the planarized surface the UBM 18 has an area much larger than that on the contact surface 72 to obtain a maximized effective region 70 . Thus the pad 62 is minimized. [0031] FIG. 10 shows a structure 88 where the bump 66 is pressed to a wire 48 on a glass substrate 46 . Being different from the conventional COG structure 44 , the pressing effective region provided by the bump 66 is the planarized region 70 . Since there's no problem about surface roughness thereof, it will have more flexibility in selecting the diameter of the conductive particles 92 in the ACF 90 , for example 1 to 5 μm. Even though smaller conductive particles 92 are used, excellent conductivity can be still obtained. Since the effective region is the planarized region 70 that has larger area, the effective region 70 is capable to trap more conductive particles 92 . If the conductive particles 92 have smaller diameter, the trapped amount of them is even higher and the conductive quality is much better. On the other hand, if the conductive particles 92 have smaller diameter, it is less possible for the conductive particles 92 within the bump gap 94 to cause short circuit or current leakage during the pressing process. Moreover, since the passivation layer 64 with a planarized surface is used, the mechanical strength at the peripheral 96 of the bump 66 is improved and damage will not easily happen thereto. In the bump structure 60 , since it is used the passivation layer 64 with a planarized surface, the thickness of the passivation layer 64 is not limited. FIG. 11 shows an embodiment when a thicker passivation layer 64 is used. The passivation layer 64 comprises films 76 , 80 and 98 , in which the films 76 and 98 are silicon dioxide or silicon oxide, and the film 80 is silicon nitride or silicon oxy nitride. The total thickness of films 76 , 80 and 98 is up to more than 1.2 μm and thus increases the mechanical strength of the corresponding structure. [0032] While the present invention has been described in conjunction with preferred embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope thereof as set forth in the appended claims.
A bumping process comprises forming a passivation layer having a planarized surface covering a pad on a substrate, forming a hole penetrating through the passivation layer to expose a contact surface of the pad, and forming a bump on the contact surface and planarized surface. The planarized surface will provide a larger effective area for pressing, thereby minimizing the pad, enhancing the mechanical strength at the peripheral of the pad, providing more selection flexibility for anisotropic conductive film, reducing the possibilities of short circuit and current leakage within the bump gap, and increasing the yield of the pressing process and the conductive quality of the bump.
7
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a visual distraction detecting apparatus (visually-distracted-driving detection device) for detecting whether an occupant (driver, etc.) of a vehicle is visually distracted. BACKGROUND ART In relation to a visual distraction detecting apparatus, there has been proposed a technology that inhibits the visual distraction detecting apparatus from judging a visual distraction if a certain condition is satisfied. See, Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2007-072629 (hereinafter referred to as “JP2007-072629A”). According to JP2007-072629A (see FIG. 6), if a steering angle δ is not equal to or less than a predetermined steering angle δ0 (step 100: NO), if a turn signal switch 34 is not off (step 102: NO), if a gear shift position is not a forward position (step 104: NO), or if the road is not straight (step 106: NO), then the output of a facial image camera 18 is invalidated and information concerning a facial angle θ is invalidated (step 110), thereby inhibiting the visual distraction detecting apparatus from judging the occurrence of a visual distraction. The proposed technology aims to perform various warning processes that are suitable in the case of a visual distraction (see paragraphs [0055] through [0066]). The process of judging whether the road is straight or not (step 106) is performed by judging a road lane, in which the vehicle is traveling at present or in which the vehicle is expected to travel several seconds later, as a straight road if the curvature of the traveled road lane, which is detected based on information supplied from a white line recognizing ECU 38, is less than a predetermined curvature, or if the yaw angle of the vehicle is less than a predetermined angle (see paragraph [0058]). SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to JP2007-072629A, as described above, it is judged whether a visual distraction should be inhibited from being judged or not. The judgment conditions for the judging process include the steering angle δ, the on/off state of the turn signal switch 34, the gear shift position, and the straightness of the road (i.e., the curvature of the traveled road lane or the yaw angle). Therefore, the technology according to JP2007-072629A fails to deal with a crossroad intersection where straight roads run through one another continuously, for example. According to JP2007-072629A, for example, the visual distraction detecting apparatus is inhibited from judging a visual distraction (step 110) if a turn signal switch 34 is on (step 102: NO). However, while the turn signal switch 34 is off, if the driver who intends to turn at an intersection is looking in a direction along which the vehicle will travel after turning at the intersection, the visual distraction detecting apparatus tends to judge that the driver is visually distracted. Similarly, according to JP2007-072629A, if the curvature of the traveled road lane, which is detected based on information supplied from the white line recognizing ECU 38, is not less than a predetermined curvature (step 106: NO), then the visual distraction driving detecting apparatus is inhibited from judging a visual distraction (step 110). However, in a case where the vehicle approaches a crossroad intersection where straight roads run through one another continuously, if a judgment is made only based on the curvature of the traveled road lane, then the vehicle is judged erroneously as traveling straightly even if the driver intends to make a turn at the intersection. The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problems. It is an object of the present invention to provide a visual distraction detecting apparatus, which is capable of detecting a visual distraction with high accuracy. A visual distraction detecting apparatus according to the present invention comprises a present position identifying unit for identifying a present position of a vehicle, the present position identifying unit including map data, a gazing direction detecting unit for detecting a gazing direction of an occupant of the vehicle based on a viewing direction or a facial direction of the occupant, a visual distraction judging unit for judging that the occupant is visually distracted if the gazing direction of the occupant is angularly spaced from a front direction of the occupant by a predetermined angle or greater, and an inhibiting unit for inhibiting a process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, when the present position identified by the present position identifying unit is located within a first predetermined distance from an intersection. According to the present invention, when the vehicle approaches an intersection, a process, such as a visual distraction warning process, for example, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, is inhibited. Therefore, an action that the occupant takes to confirm the left or right of the vehicle is not judged erroneously as being a visual distraction. Consequently, the process, which should be performed only if the occupant is judged as being visually distracted, can be performed accurately. The visual distraction detecting apparatus may further comprise a route guiding unit for guiding the vehicle along a route set by the occupant, wherein the intersection is an intersection at which the route guiding unit guides the occupant to make a turn. In situations where it is highly likely that the occupant confirms the left or right of the vehicle, the process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, can be inhibited. Consequently, the process, which should be performed only if the occupant is judged as being visually distracted, can be performed accurately. The visual distraction detecting apparatus may further comprise an informing unit for informing the occupant of the intersection when the vehicle reaches a position within a second predetermined distance from the intersection at which the route guiding unit guides the occupant to make a turn, wherein the inhibiting unit inhibits the process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, after the informing unit has informed the occupant and until the present position identifying unit judges that the vehicle has completed a change in path. Therefore, the process which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, can be inhibited after informing of the intersection and only until the vehicle actually finishes turning through the intersection. Consequently, the process, which should be performed only if the occupant is judged as being visually distracted, can be performed accurately. The visual distraction detecting apparatus may further comprise a steering angle detecting unit for detecting a steering angle of a steering wheel of the vehicle, wherein the inhibiting unit inhibits the process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, until the steering angle detecting unit detects that the steering angle has changed from a value that is greater than a predetermined steering angle threshold value to a value that is less than the predetermined steering angle threshold value. Therefore, a visual distraction warning can be inhibited from being issued only until the vehicle actually finishes turning. Consequently, the process, which should be performed only if the occupant is judged as being visually distracted, can be performed accurately. The visual distraction detecting apparatus may further comprise a resetting unit for automatically resetting a route when the vehicle has traveled along a route that differs from the route along which the route guiding unit has guided the vehicle, wherein the inhibiting unit may inhibit the process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, until the resetting unit automatically resets a route. Even if the vehicle deviates from the route along which the route guiding unit has guided the vehicle, the process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, can be prevented from being performed while the route is being reset. The first predetermined distance may be shorter than, longer than, or equal to the second predetermined distance. If the first predetermined distance is shorter than the second predetermined distance, then even if the occupant confirms the left or right of the vehicle in response to being prompted by information from the informing unit, the action to confirm the left or right of the vehicle can be prevented from being judged erroneously as a visual distraction. Therefore, the process, which should be performed only if the occupant is judged as being visually distracted, can be performed accurately. According to the present invention, there also is provided a visual distraction detecting apparatus comprising a gazing direction detector for detecting a gazing direction of a driver of a vehicle based on at least one of a viewing direction and a facial direction of the driver, a visual distraction judging section for judging whether the driver is visually distracted, using an angle formed between the gazing direction and a front direction of the driver, or a direction along which the vehicle is traveling, and an intersection approach judging section for detecting whether the vehicle is approaching an intersection. If the vehicle is approaching the intersection, the visual distraction judging section does not judge that the driver is visually distracted, or alternatively, a process, which would be performed if the driver were judged as being visually distracted, is not performed even if the visual distraction judging section judges that the driver is visually distracted. According to the present invention, if the vehicle is approaching an intersection, the process, which would be performed if the occupant were judged as being visually distracted, is not performed. If the visual distraction detecting apparatus according to the present invention is incorporated in a configuration in which a warning is issued upon detection of a visual distraction, an action that the occupant of the vehicle takes to confirm the left or right side of the vehicle at an intersection, or to gaze at a pedestrian or the like, is not judged erroneously as being a visual distraction. Hence, an inappropriate warning is avoided. Further, if a certain numerical value, e.g., a TTC (Time To Contact) threshold value for judging whether a warning should be issued or not, is changed upon detection of a visual distraction, then such a numerical value can be set appropriately. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a vehicle, which incorporates therein a visual distraction warning apparatus as a visual distraction detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a view showing a peripheral area around a front windshield of the vehicle; FIG. 3 is a view showing a situation in which the visual distraction warning apparatus is applied; FIG. 4 is a first flowchart of a visual distraction detecting process carried out by the visual distraction warning apparatus; FIG. 5 is a second flowchart of a visual distraction detecting process carried out by the visual distraction warning apparatus; FIG. 6 is a plan view for describing the judgment of a visual distraction; FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a visual distraction warning inhibition judging process; and FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a modification of the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process shown in FIG. 7 . DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 1. Description of Overall Arrangement [1-1. Overall Arrangement] FIG. 1 is an overall block diagram of a vehicle 10 that incorporates therein a visual distraction warning apparatus 12 (hereinafter also referred to as a “warning apparatus 12 ”) as a visual distraction detecting apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a view showing a peripheral area around a front windshield 14 of the vehicle 10 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the warning apparatus 12 includes an occupant camera 16 , a navigation device 18 , a steering angle sensor 20 , an electronic control unit 22 (hereinafter referred to as an “ECU 22 ”), a speaker 24 , and a headup display 26 (hereinafter referred to as a “HUD 26 ”). As shown in FIG. 2 , the vehicle 10 according to the present embodiment is a so-called right-hand drive vehicle. Alternatively, the vehicle 10 may be a left-hand drive vehicle having the same arrangement as described above. [1-2. Occupant Camera 16 ] As shown in FIG. 2 , the occupant camera 16 (image capturing unit) is mounted on a steering column, not shown, directly in front of the driver seat of the vehicle 10 . The occupant camera 16 captures an image of the face (head) of the driver (hereinafter referred to as a “facial image”). The occupant camera 16 is not limited in position to the illustrated position, but may be positioned near a rearview mirror 28 ( FIG. 2 ) or on a dashboard 30 . The occupant camera 16 is not limited to a camera for capturing an image in one direction, but may be a camera for capturing images in multiple directions (a so-called stereo camera). The occupant camera 16 may be a color camera, a monochromatic camera, or a near-infrared camera. [1-3. Navigation Device 18 ] The navigation device 18 uses a GPS (Global Positioning System) to detect the present position of the vehicle 10 , and guides the user (occupant) through a route to the destination. As shown in FIG. 1 , the navigation device 18 includes a communication unit 40 , an input/output unit 42 , a processor 44 , a storage unit 46 , and a display unit 48 . The communication unit 40 acquires positional information from a GPS satellite, and performs wireless communications with an external server, not shown. The input/output unit 42 is used to communicate with the ECU 22 and the speaker 24 . The processor 44 performs various processing routines for controlling operations of various parts of the navigation device 18 as well as performing route guidance. As shown in FIG. 1 , the processor 44 includes a present position identifying function 50 , a route guiding function 52 , and a route resetting function 54 . The present position identifying function 50 (present position identifying unit) identifies the present position of the vehicle 10 based on positional information from the GPS satellite and map information that is stored in the storage unit 46 . The route guiding function 52 (route guiding unit, informing unit) sets a route for guiding the user (hereinafter referred to as a “guidance route”) based on the destination given by the occupant and the present position of the vehicle 10 , and guides the user through the guidance route. Alternatively, a guidance route may be set by an external server. More specifically, the route guiding function 52 may send the destination and the present position to an external server through the communication unit 40 , and the navigation device 18 (route guiding function 52 ) may receive and use a guidance route, which is set by the external server based on the destination and the present position. The route resetting function 54 (resetting unit) resets the guidance route if the path followed by the vehicle 10 deviates from the route that the navigation device 18 uses for guiding the vehicle 10 . The storage unit 46 serves to store various programs and data, and has a map database 56 (hereinafter referred to as “map information DB 56 ”). The map information DB 56 , which stores map information, is used by the processor 44 when the processor 44 performs route guidance. The data stored in the map information DB 56 includes information I 1 concerning the path followed by the vehicle 10 . The information I 1 is made up of information concerning intersections and curves (positions of intersections, positions of entrances and exits of curves, curvatures of curves, etc.). The display unit 48 , which includes a touch panel or the like, serves to input information to and output information from the navigation device 18 . For example, a destination is entered into the navigation device 18 , and a route to the destination is extracted from the navigation device 18 . In FIG. 2 , the navigation device 18 is installed in the vehicle 10 . However, a portable information terminal such as a smartphone or the like may be used as the navigation device 18 . If a portable information terminal is used as the navigation device 18 , then the map information DB 56 may be installed in the external server, and the portable information terminal may request the external server to calculate a guidance route. The portable information terminal may receive the guidance route, which was calculated in response to the request, from the external server, and may supply the information I 1 , etc., to the ECU 22 through a wired or wireless link. [1-4. Steering Angle Sensor 20 ] The steering angle sensor 20 (steering angle detecting unit) detects a steering angle θs of a steering wheel 32 of the vehicle 10 , and supplies the detected steering angle θs to the ECU 22 . [1-5. ECU 22 ] As shown in FIG. 1 , the ECU 22 , which serves to control the visual distraction warning apparatus 12 , includes an input/output unit 60 , a processor 62 , and a storage unit 64 . The input/output unit 60 is used to communicate with the occupant camera 16 , the navigation device 18 , the steering angle sensor 20 , the speaker 24 , and the HUD 26 . As shown in FIG. 1 , the processor 62 includes a gazing direction detecting function 70 , a visual distraction judging function 72 , a visual distraction warning function 74 , and a warning inhibiting function 76 . The gazing direction detecting function 70 (gazing direction detecting unit, gazing direction detector) detects a gazing direction of the driver based on at least one of the viewing direction (eyeball direction) and the facial direction of the driver (occupant). The visual distraction judging function 72 (visual distraction judging unit, visual distraction judging section) judges whether or not the driver is visually distracted based on the gazing direction of the driver. If the visual distraction judging function 72 judges that the driver is visually distracted, then the visual distraction warning function 74 issues a warning against the visual distraction (hereinafter referred to as a “visual distraction warning”). According to the present embodiment, the visual distraction warning is issued both as a warning sound from the speaker 24 and displayed as a warning indication on the HUD 26 . However, the visual distraction warning may be either one of a warning sound and a warning indication, or may be another type of warning, e.g., a warning given by turning on or blinking a predetermined indicator. Even if the visual distraction judging function 72 judges that the driver is visually distracted, the warning inhibiting function 76 (inhibiting unit, intersection approach judging section) inhibits the visual distraction warning function 74 from issuing a visual distraction warning if a predetermined condition is satisfied, as will be described in detail later. [1-6. Speaker 24 ] The speaker 24 is used to produce a speech output for delivering audible route guidance performed by the navigation device 18 , and also to produce a warning sound, which is output as a visual distraction warning issued by the ECU 22 (visual distraction warning function 74 ). The speaker 24 may also be used for other purposes, such as producing sound outputs from radio broadcasts, television broadcasts, and audio devices. [1-7. HUD 26 ] The HUD 26 includes a display device mounted on the front windshield 14 of the vehicle 10 , which displays the vehicle speed, mileage, guidance information for route guidance performed by the navigation device 18 (arrows for route guidance), and a warning image that provides a visual distraction warning issued by the ECU 22 (visual distraction warning function 74 ). The HUD 26 may also display other information, such as information that indicates the presence of pedestrians at night. 2. Overview of Control Process According to the Present Embodiment FIG. 3 is a view showing a situation in which the visual distraction warning apparatus 12 is applied. FIG. 3 shows by way of example a view, as seen from within the vehicle 10 , of an area in front of the vehicle 10 , along with a display screen 80 that is displayed on the display unit 48 of the navigation device 18 . The display screen 80 includes an icon 82 representing the vehicle 10 , and a straight line (guidance route line 84 ) on a road, which is representative of a guidance route set by the navigation device 18 . If there is an intersection 86 at which the vehicle 10 is expected to turn to the left or the right on the guidance route (guidance route line 84 ) set by the navigation device 18 , then it is assumed that the driver 88 will gaze at a direction in which the vehicle 10 will travel in the future (i.e., a left forward direction in FIG. 3 ). Stated otherwise, although the gazing direction X of the driver 88 is different from the front direction of the driver 88 or the vehicle 10 , i.e., the direction in which the vehicle 10 is traveling at present, the driver 88 is behaving normally, i.e., as required in order to drive the vehicle 10 , and is not visually distracted. In this case, according to the present embodiment, a visual distraction warning is inhibited from being issued, and hence an inappropriate visual distraction warning can be avoided. 3. Details of Control Process According to the Present Embodiment [3-1. Overall Sequence] FIGS. 4 and 5 are first and second flowcharts of a visual distraction detecting process, which is carried out by the visual distraction warning apparatus 12 . In step S 1 , the ECU 22 acquires various items of information from the navigation device 18 (hereinafter referred to as “navigational information”). The navigational information includes the present position of the vehicle 10 , in addition to the information I 1 referred to above (information concerning intersections and curves). In step S 2 , the occupant camera 16 acquires a facial image of the driver 88 . In step S 3 , based on the facial image of the driver 88 that was acquired by the occupant camera 16 , the ECU 22 detects a gazing direction X of the driver 88 . A viewing direction of the driver 88 can be detected by the method described in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2010-105417 (see paragraphs [0014] through [0016], for example). The facial direction of the driver 88 can be detected in the following manner, for example. Based on the facial image captured by the occupant camera 16 , the ECU 22 (gazing direction detecting function 70 ) detects the central position of the face along with left and right end positions of the face. Based on the detected positions, the ECU 22 approximates the face of the driver 88 to be a cylindrical shape, for example, and calculates the facial direction (cylinder process). In step S 4 , using the gazing direction X (to be described in detail later), the ECU 22 (visual distraction judging function 72 ) judges whether or not the driver 88 is visually distracted. If the driver 88 is judged not to be visually distracted (step S 5 : NO) as a result of the visual distraction judging process performed in step S 4 , the ECU 22 (warning inhibiting function 76 ) inhibits a visual distraction warning from being issued, i.e., the ECU 22 does not perform the visual distraction warning function 74 in step S 6 . In step S 7 , the ECU 22 resets a visual distraction time T 1 to zero. The visual distraction time T 1 represents an accumulated value of times during which the driver 88 has been judged as being visually distracted. In step S 8 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 has deviated from the guidance route. If the vehicle 10 has not deviated from the guidance route (step S 8 : NO), then in step S 9 , using the navigational information referred to above, the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 is traveling in the intersection 86 or along a curve. If the vehicle 10 is traveling in the intersection 86 or along a curve (step S 9 : YES), then control returns to step S 7 . If the vehicle 10 is not traveling in the intersection 86 or along a curve (step S 9 : NO), then in step S 10 , the ECU 22 cancels inhibition of the visual distraction warning. Inhibition of the visual distraction warning in step S 6 may not be carried out as a specific process, and may be continued by repeating steps S 7 through S 9 . If inhibition of the visual distraction warning is not carried out as a specific process, then cancelation of the inhibition of the visual distraction warning, which typically is performed in step S 10 , may not be carried out as a specific process. Returning to step S 8 , if the vehicle 10 has deviated from the guidance route (step S 8 : YES), then in step S 11 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not resetting of a guidance route by the navigation device 18 has been completed. The guidance route is automatically reset by the route resetting function 54 of the navigation device 18 . If resetting of the guidance route by the navigation device 18 has not been completed (step S 11 : NO), then the ECU 22 repeats step S 11 until the resetting operation is completed. If resetting of a guidance route by the navigation device 18 has been completed (step S 11 : YES), then control proceeds to step S 10 . Returning to step S 5 , if the driver 88 is visually distracted (step S 5 : YES), then in step S 12 of FIG. 5 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the navigation device 18 is performing route guidance. If the navigation device 18 is not performing route guidance (step S 12 : NO), then control proceeds to step S 15 . If the navigation device 18 is performing route guidance (step S 12 : YES), then in step S 13 , the ECU 22 performs a visual distraction warning inhibition judging process. As will be described later with reference to FIG. 7 , the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process is a process for judging whether or not a visual distraction warning should be inhibited, even if the visual distraction judging function 72 has judged that the driver 88 is visually distracted. If a visual distraction warning is to be inhibited (step S 14 : YES) as a result of the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process performed in step S 13 , then control proceeds to step S 6 in FIG. 4 . If a visual distraction warning is not to be inhibited (step S 14 : NO), then, in step S 15 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the visual distraction time T 1 is equal to or greater than a threshold value THt 1 . The threshold value THt 1 represents a time (e.g., a time ranging from 1 second to 4 seconds) required to finalize the judgment that the driver 88 is visually distracted. If the visual distraction time T 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value THt 1 , then the judgment that the driver 88 is visually distracted is finalized. If the visual distraction time T 1 is not equal to or greater than the threshold value THt 1 (step S 15 : NO), then the present processing cycle is brought to an end, and control returns to step S 1 . If the visual distraction time T 1 is equal to or greater than the threshold value THt 1 (S 15 : YES), then in step S 16 , the ECU 22 (visual distraction warning function 74 ) issues a visual distraction warning. As described above, the visual distraction warning is issued both as a warning sound from the speaker 24 and as a warning indication displayed on the HUD 26 . After step S 16 , control returns to step S 1 . [3-2. Visual Distraction Judging Process] FIG. 6 is a plan view illustrating judgment of a visual distraction. In FIG. 6 , reference numeral “ 100 ” denotes a line (hereinafter referred to as a “central line 100 ”) indicating the front direction of the driver 88 or the front direction of the vehicle 10 in the position of the driver 88 , and “θ” indicates an angle (hereinafter referred to as a “gazing angle θ”) of the gazing direction X of the driver 88 from the central line 100 . For ease of illustration, it is assumed that the gazing angle θ on the left side (counterclockwise) of the central line 100 (zero) is of a positive value, whereas the gazing angle θ on the right side (clockwise) of the central line 100 is of a negative value. The character “α” denotes a range (hereinafter referred to as a “non-visual-distraction angular area α” or a “non-visual-distraction area α”), which is judged by the ECU 22 (visual distraction judging function 72 ) as being a range in which the driver 88 is not visually distracted. Reference numeral “ 102 ” denotes a line indicating the left end of the non-visual-distraction area α, whereas reference numeral “ 104 ” denotes a line indicating the right end of the non-visual-distraction area α. These lines will hereinafter be referred to as “non-visual-distraction area boundary lines 102 , 104 ” or simply “boundary lines 102 , 104 ”. The boundary line 102 represents a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as a “threshold value THθ 1 ”) with respect to the central line 100 . If the gazing angle θ exceeds the threshold value THθ 1 (θ>THθ 1 ), then the ECU 22 (visual distraction judging function 72 ) judges that a visual distraction is taking place in the leftward direction (counterclockwise). Similarly, the boundary line 104 represents a predetermined value (hereinafter referred to as a “threshold value THθ 2 ”) with respect to the central line 100 . If the gazing angle θ runs past the threshold value THθ 2 (θ<THθ 2 ), then the ECU 22 (visual distraction judging function 72 ) judges that a visual distraction is taking place in the rightward direction (counterclockwise). If the gazing angle θ does not exceed either of the boundary lines 102 , 104 (THθ 2 ≦θ≦THθ 1 ), then the ECU 22 (visual distraction judging function 72 ) judges that a visual distraction is not taking place. [3-3. Visual Distraction Warning Inhibition Judging Process] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process. In step S 21 , based on the navigational information referred to above, the ECU 22 judges the distance D from the vehicle 10 to the intersection 86 ( FIG. 3 ) or a curve, for example. The intersection 86 refers to an intersection where the vehicle 10 is expected to turn to the left or the right on the guidance route. Alternatively, the intersection 86 may be an intersection at which the vehicle 10 is expected to travel straight through the intersection. In step S 22 , the ECU 22 judges whether the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 or a curve within a certain distance (hereinafter referred to as a “guidance execution distance Dnavi” or simply a “distance Dnavi”) at which the navigation device 18 executes speech guidance concerning the intersection 86 or a curve. Specifically, the ECU 22 judges whether or not the distance D is equal to or less than the distance Dnavi. Alternatively, instead of or in addition to the speech guidance from the speaker 24 , the ECU 22 may display on the HUD 26 a guidance indicator such as an arrow or the like pointing toward the direction in which the vehicle 10 is to turn. If the vehicle 10 has not approached the intersection 86 or a curve within the distance Dnavi (step S 22 : NO), then in step S 23 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 . More specifically, a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as an “intersection approaching judgment threshold value Di” or simply a “threshold value Di”) for judging whether or not the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 is preset, and the ECU 22 judges whether or not the distance D is equal to or less than the threshold value Di. The threshold value Di is set as a distance at which the driver 88 is likely to confirm the situation to the left or the right of the vehicle 10 in order to execute a left or a right turn, or is set as a distance greater than the above-mentioned distance, for example. Typically, the threshold value Di is set shorter than the distance Dnavi. If necessary, however, the threshold value Di may be set longer than or equal to the distance Dnavi. If the vehicle 10 has not approached the intersection 86 (step S 23 : NO), then, in step S 24 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 has approached a curve having a predetermined radius of curvature or less. More specifically, a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as a “radius-of-curvature threshold value Rc” or simply a “threshold value Rc”) indicative of the predetermined radius of curvature, and a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as a “curve approaching judgment threshold value Dc” or simply a “threshold value Dc”) for judging whether or not the vehicle 10 has approached the curve are preset, and the ECU 22 judges whether or not the radius R of curvature of the present curve in question is equal to or less than the threshold value Rc, and whether or not the distance D is equal to or less than the threshold value Dc. The threshold value Dc is set as a distance at which the driver 88 should confirm the direction in which the curve proceeds in order to turn safely along the curve, i.e., a direction that may potentially exceed the threshold value THθ 1 or the threshold value THθ 2 from the front direction, or as a distance greater than the above-mentioned distance. Usually, the threshold value Dc is set shorter than the distance Dnavi. If necessary, however, the threshold value Dc may be set to be longer than or equal to the distance Dnavi. If the vehicle 10 has not approached a curve having a predetermined radius of curvature (step S 24 : NO), i.e., if the radius R of curvature is not equal to or less than the threshold value Rc, or if the distance D is not equal to or less than the threshold value Dc, then the present processing sequence is brought to an end. If the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 or a curve within the distance Dnavi (step S 22 : YES), if the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 (step S 23 : YES), or if the vehicle 10 has approached a curve having a predetermined radius of curvature (step S 24 : YES), then control proceeds to step S 25 . In step S 25 , the ECU 22 (warning inhibiting function 76 ) inhibits a visual distraction warning from being issued. Consequently, a visual distraction warning is not issued, even if the visual distraction judging function 72 judges that the driver 88 is visually distracted. 4. Advantages of the Present Embodiment According to the present embodiment, as described above, when the vehicle 10 approaches the intersection 86 or a curve within the predetermined distance (step S 22 : YES, step S 23 : YES, or step S 24 : YES), a visual distraction warning is inhibited. Therefore, an action, which the driver 88 takes to confirm the left or right of the vehicle 10 at the intersection 86 or the direction in which the curve proceeds, is not judged erroneously as being a visual distraction. Therefore, a visual distraction warning process can be performed accurately. According to the present embodiment, the intersection 86 refers to an intersection at which the navigation device 18 guides the driver 88 to make a turn. The visual distraction warning process is inhibited in situations in which it is highly likely for the driver 88 to confirm the left or right of the vehicle 10 . Consequently, the visual distraction warning process can be performed accurately. According to the present embodiment, after the answer to any one of steps S 22 through S 24 is “YES” and until the answer to any one of steps S 22 through S 24 is “NO”, the ECU 22 (warning inhibiting function 76 ) inhibits the process, i.e., the visual distraction warning process, which otherwise would be performed if the driver 88 were judged as being visually distracted, or the ECU 22 (warning inhibiting function 76 ) continues to carry out step S 25 . Since a visual distraction warning is inhibited from being issued only until the vehicle 10 actually finishes execution of the turn along the curve, the visual distraction warning process can be performed more accurately. After the vehicle 10 has deviated from the guidance route (step S 8 in FIG. 4 ) and until a new guidance route is set (step S 11 : YES), the visual distraction warning is inhibited from being issued, i.e., step S 16 is not carried out. Therefore, even if the vehicle 10 deviates from the guidance route, a visual distraction warning is prevented from being issued erroneously while the guidance route is being reset. According to the present embodiment, the intersection approaching judgment threshold value Di and the curve approaching judgment threshold value Dc are less than the guidance execution distance Dnavi. Therefore, even at times that the driver 88 confirms the left or right of the vehicle 10 or the direction in which the curve proceeds, as prompted by speech guidance or guidance displayed on the HUD 26 concerning the intersection 86 or the curve, an action to confirm the left or right of the vehicle 10 or the direction in which the curve proceeds is prevented from being judged erroneously as being a visual distraction. Therefore, the visual distraction warning process can be performed accurately. According to the present embodiment, when the vehicle 10 approaches the intersection 86 within a predetermined distance (step S 22 : YES or step S 23 : YES), a visual distraction is not judged as occurring, i.e., step S 25 is continuously carried out. Therefore, an action, which the driver 88 takes to confirm the left or right of the vehicle 10 at the intersection 86 or to gaze at a pedestrian or the like, is not judged erroneously as being a visual distraction, and hence, issuance of an inappropriate warning is avoided. If a certain numerical value, e.g., a TTC threshold value for judging whether or not a warning should be issued, is to be changed when a visual distraction is detected, then such a numerical value can be set appropriately. 5. Modifications The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but various arrangements may be adopted based on the disclosure of the present description. For example, the present invention may adopt the following arrangements. [5-1. Objects Capable of Incorporating the Visual Distraction Detecting Apparatus] In the above embodiment, the warning apparatus 12 is incorporated in a vehicle 10 . However, the warning apparatus 12 may be incorporated in other types of objects. For example, the warning apparatus 12 may be incorporated in mobile objects such as ships, aircrafts, etc. The warning apparatus 12 is not limited to being incorporated in mobile bodies, but may be incorporated in other apparatus that have a need to detect when occupants thereof are visually distracted. [5-2. Visual Distraction Judging Process] According to the present invention, a visual distraction is judged to have occurred by the process described with reference to FIG. 6 . However, a visual distraction may be judged to have occurred by other processes, insofar as such processes are capable of judging whether or not an operator such as a driver 88 or the like is visually distracted. [5-3. Warning Inhibiting Process] The warning apparatus 12 according to the above embodiment inhibits a visual distraction warning, i.e., a warning for indicating the occurrence of a visual distraction to the driver 88 , from being issued when the vehicle 10 approaches the intersection 86 or a curve within a predetermined distance (any one of steps S 22 through S 24 : YES). However, another process, which normally would be performed when a visual distraction is detected, may be inhibited from being carried out when the vehicle 10 approaches the intersection 86 or a curve within a predetermined distance (any one of steps S 22 through S 24 : YES). For example, as disclosed in JP2007-072629A, in which a warning is issued if a TTC (Time to Contact) is equal to or less than a predetermined value, a TTC threshold value may be changed upon the occurrence of a visual distraction, i.e., a TTC threshold value may not be increased even if a visual distraction is judged to have occurred. Furthermore, rather than inhibiting a warning from being issued, a camera output may be invalidated, as disclosed in JP2007-072629A. Alternatively, in an arrangement in which the acceleration or the vehicle speed of the vehicle 10 is limited when a visual distraction is detected, the acceleration or the vehicle speed may be inhibited from being limited. Further, in an arrangement in which the vehicle 10 is automatically decelerated when a visual distraction is detected, the vehicle 10 may be inhibited from being automatically decelerated. In the above embodiment, the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process is carried out according to the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 . However, the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process is not limited to the features of the flowchart shown in FIG. 7 . The visual distraction warning inhibition judging process may be carried out according to another flowchart, insofar as a visual distraction warning, i.e., a warning for indicating the occurrence of a visual distraction to the driver 88 , can be inhibited from being issued based on the fact that the vehicle 10 approaches the intersection 86 or a curve within a predetermined distance. FIG. 8 is a flowchart of a modification of the visual distraction warning inhibition judging process. In step S 31 , the ECU 22 judges the distance D from the vehicle 10 to the intersection 86 or a curve. This judging process is the same as that performed in step S 21 of FIG. 7 . In step S 32 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 approaches the intersection 86 and whether or not a blinker (not shown) is turned on. More specifically, a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as an “intersection approaching judgment threshold value Di 1 ” or simply a “threshold value Di 1 ”) for judging whether or not the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 is preset, and the ECU 22 judges whether or not the distance D is equal to or less than the threshold value Di 1 . The threshold value Di 1 may be set as a distance at which the blinker is expected to be turned on or a value in the vicinity thereof, for example. After the blinker has been turned on by a switch that is operated by the driver 88 , the blinker continues operating after the steering angle θs detected by the steering angle sensor 20 has exceeded a first steering angle threshold value and until the steering angle θs becomes less than a second steering angle threshold value. The second steering angle threshold value may be set equal to or less than the first steering angle threshold value. If the vehicle 10 has not approached the intersection 86 and the blinker has not been operated (step S 32 : NO), then in step S 33 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 has further approached, i.e., has approached more closely to, the intersection 86 . More specifically, a threshold value (hereinafter referred to as an “intersection approaching judgment threshold value Di 2 ” or simply a “threshold value Di 2 ”) for judging whether or not the vehicle 10 has further approached the intersection 86 is preset, and the ECU 22 judges whether or not the distance D is equal to or less than the threshold value Di 2 . The threshold value Di 2 is set less than the threshold value Di 1 (Di 2 <Di 1 ). If the vehicle 10 has not approached closer to the intersection 86 (step S 33 : NO), then in step S 34 , the ECU 22 judges whether or not the vehicle 10 has approached a curve having a predetermined radius of curvature or less. The judging process of step S 34 is the same as the judging process of step S 24 of FIG. 7 . If the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 and the blinker has been operated (step S 32 : YES), or if the vehicle 10 has further approached the intersection 86 (step S 33 : YES), or if the vehicle 10 has approached a curve having a predetermined radius of curvature or less (step S 34 : YES), then control proceeds to step S 35 . In step S 35 , the ECU 22 (warning inhibiting function 76 ) inhibits a visual distraction warning from being issued. Therefore, a visual distraction warning process is not carried out, even if the ECU 22 (visual distraction judging function 72 ) has judged that the driver 88 is visually distracted. According to the present modification, since a visual distraction warning is inhibited from being issued until the blinker is turned on, i.e., until the vehicle 10 finishes turning through the intersection 86 , the visual distraction warning process can be performed more accurately. In the above embodiment, using navigational information from the navigation device 18 , the ECU 22 detects that the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 or a curve within a predetermined distance. However, the ECU 22 is not limited to using navigational information from the navigation device 18 . Other information may be used, insofar as such information enables the ECU 22 to detect that the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 or a curve within a predetermined distance. For example, the ECU 22 may detect that the vehicle 10 has approached the intersection 86 or a curve based on communications between the warning apparatus 12 and communication units, e.g., optical beacons, laid on the roadside. Alternatively, using an image from an image capturing device, e.g., an infrared camera, which captures images around the periphery of the vehicle 10 , the ECU 22 may judge the distance D up to an intersection or a curve, a traffic signal, or a mark that indicates an intersection or a curve.
A visually-distracted-driving detection device that can detect visually distracted driving with high accuracy. The visually-distracted-driving detection device includes a visually-distracted-driving determination unit that determines that a driver is visually distracted if the direction in which the driver is looking is greater than or equal to a predetermined angle with respect to the front of the driver; and a prohibition unit that, if it is specified that the present position of the vehicle as specified by a present-position specifying unit is within a first predetermined distance from an intersection, prohibits a process that is performed in cases where it is determined that the driver is visually distracted.
1
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to signal encoding and in particular to speech encoding. BACKGROUND [0002] For most of the period since the advent of wireless communication, information (e.g., audio, video) has been communicated through a process that involved continuously modulating a carrier signal with an information bearing signal, for example, an audio or video signal. [0003] In the 1990's progress in digital circuitry in terms of processing power and integrated circuit cost reduction allowed digital technology to supplant analog technology in cellular telephony. Digital technology is less prone to various types of analog signal degradation such as fading. Moreover, digital technology facilitates use of advanced techniques such as error-correction to achieve improved quality and data compression which results in lower bandwidth requirements for the same quality. [0004] For cellular telephony in particular the primary form of data to be communicated is speech audio. Typically, superior compression can be achieved by using a compression algorithm that is specifically designed for the type of data to be compressed. A compression technique that is especially suited to speech audio is known as Code-Excited Linear Prediction (CELP). CELP is based on a model of the human vocal apparatus, viz., the vocal cords and the vocal tract. In the model, the vocal tract is modeled by a discrete time signal filter that has a frequency response that mimics the resonances of the vocal tract, and sounds which in reality are generated by bursts of air passing the vocal cords and exciting acoustic resonances in the vocal tract are simulated (e.g., in a cell phone) by the output of the filter when a series of pulses are input into the filter. A discrete portion of speech (e.g., a frame or sub-frame) is then represented by a set of pulses and optionally by filter coefficients defining the filter. The set of pulses is described by the number of pulses, the magnitudes of the pulses, the positions of the pulses within the frame (or sub-frame), and the signs (±) of the pulses. As a person is speaking into his or her communication device, for each successive sub-frame the foregoing information must be transmitted; however, typically the information itself is not transmitted, rather the information is encoded and a code representing the information is transmitted. One way of doing this is to store each and every possible combination of the number, magnitudes, positions, and signs of the pulses in a codebook, with each possible combination having a unique address in the codebook, and to transmit the address in some form rather than transmitting the information about the pulses. A drawback of this approach is that if it is desired to achieve higher audio fidelity by allowing for more pulses or more precision in describing the positions or magnitudes of the pulses, the size of the codebook will increase thereby increasing the memory and search requirements for the codebook. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] According to one aspect, the invention provides a transmitting voice communication device that has an audio encoder that encodes audio coupled to an arithmetic encoder which further encodes the output of the audio encoder. According to certain embodiments the audio encoder is a CELP audio encoder. According other embodiments the audio encoder is a Discrete Cosine Transform (DCT) encoder. [0006] According to another aspect, the invention provides a receiving voice communication devices that has an arithmetic decoder that decodes received information encoding audio and passes output to an audio decoder which further decodes the output of the arithmetic decoder. According to certain embodiments the audio decoder is a CELP decoder and according to other embodiments the audio decoder is a DCT decoder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0007] The accompanying figures, where like reference numerals refer to identical or functionally similar elements throughout the separate views and which together with the detailed description below are incorporated in and form part of the specification, serve to further illustrate various embodiments and to explain various principles and advantages all in accordance with the present invention. [0008] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the invention; [0009] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of the invention; [0010] FIG. 3 is a high level flowchart of a method of processing audio to be transmitted according to an embodiment of the invention; [0011] FIG. 4 is a high level flowchart of a method of processing received digital audio signals according to an embodiment of the invention; [0012] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating the principle of arithmetic encoding for a binary sequence; [0013] FIG. 6 is a flowchart of an arithmetic encoder according to an embodiment of the invention; [0014] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of an arithmetic decoder according to an embodiment of the invention; [0015] FIG. 8 is a high level flowchart of a method of processing audio to be transmitted according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; [0016] FIG. 9 is a high level flowchart of a method of processing received digital audio signals according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; [0017] FIG. 10 is a front view of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the invention; [0018] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the wireless communication device shown in FIG. 10 according to an embodiment of the invention; and [0019] FIG. 12 shows how values used in arithmetic encoding are represented in binary fractions according to embodiments of the invention. [0020] Skilled artisans will appreciate that elements in the figures are illustrated for simplicity and clarity and have not necessarily been drawn to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements in the figures may be exaggerated relative to other elements to help to improve understanding of embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0021] Before describing in detail embodiments that are in accordance with the present invention, it should be observed that the embodiments reside primarily in combinations of method steps and apparatus components related to digital speech communication. Accordingly, the apparatus components and method steps have been represented where appropriate by conventional symbols in the drawings, showing only those specific details that are pertinent to understanding the embodiments of the present invention so as not to obscure the disclosure with details that will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art having the benefit of the description herein. [0022] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the invention. The communication system 100 comprises a first voice communication device 102 and a second voice communication device 104 communicatively coupled through a communication network 106 . Both devices 102 , 104 can have both transmit and receive capability or alternatively one of the devices 102 , 104 can have only transmit capability and the other device only receive capability. The communication network 106 may, for example, include wireless radio channels and or fiber optic channels. The communication network 106 can for example comprise a cellular telephone network, a landline telephone network, a satellite telephone network, the Internet, a broadcast network such as a digital television network, or a digital radio network. [0023] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an N TH communication device 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. Either or both of the devices 102 , 104 shown in FIG. 1 can have the internal architecture shown in FIG. 2 . Referring to FIG. 2 the device 200 comprises a microphone 202 coupled through a first amplifier 204 to an analog-to-digital converter (A/D) 206 . The A/D 206 is coupled to an audio preprocessor 208 . The audio preprocessor 208 can, for example, perform noise filtering and echo cancellation. The audio preprocessor is coupled to a CELP encoder 210 such as an Algebraic CELP (ACELP) encoder. The ACELP is a form of Code-Excited Linear Predictive (CELP) encoder that uses a specially structured excitation codebook. Each code vector from such a codebook consists of a specified number of integer-valued pulses at specific positions within a frame (or sub-frame). The CELP encoder 210 determines a small set of vocal apparatus model parameters, including the pulse information (i.e., excitation code vector) described above which describes a driving function for the model vocal apparatus. The pulse information including (1) the number of pulses per frame (or sub-frame), (2) the magnitudes of the pulses, (3) the locations of the pulses, and (4) the signs (±) of the pulses that are produced by the CELP encoder 210 is used to represent speech audio. [0024] If n is the number of pulse positions in a sub-frame and m is an upper bound on the sum of the integer pulse magnitudes for the sub-frame, then the number of pulses in the sub-frame denoted by k is bounded as follows: [0000] 1 ≦k ≦min( m,n ) [0000] The number of possible sets of pulse positions in the sub-frame is given by: [0000] ( n k ) = n ! k !  ( n - k ) ! = n · ( n - 1 ) ·  …  · ( n - k + 1 ) k · ( n - 1 ) ·  …  · 1 [0000] The number of possible ways to distribute the energy in the pulses is given by: [0000] ( m - 1 k - 1 ) = ( m - 1 ) ! ( k - 1 ) !  ( m - k ) ! = ( m - 1 ) · ( m - 2 ) ·  …  · ( m - k + 1 ) ( k - 1 ) · ( k - 2 ) ·  …  · 1 [0000] and the number of combinations of different signs of the pulses is given by 2 k . [0025] Accordingly, the number of different unique sets of pulses for a sub-frame is given by: [0000] N = ∑ k = 1 min  ( m , n )  ( n k )  ( m - 1 k - 1 )  2 k [0000] The preceding expression also gives the number of unique codes that would need to be stored if the prior art code-book approach were used. [0026] Referring again to FIG. 2 it is seen that the CELP encoder 210 is coupled to a pulse information encoder 211 . The pulse information encoder 211 serves to format the information produced by the CELP encoder 210 in a format acceptable to an arithmetic encoder 212 . In preparation for arithmetic encoding, the positions of pulses can be represented by a binary vector that includes a one for each position where there is a pulse. This may be the native format used by the CELP encoder in which case no reformatting is necessary. [0027] The magnitudes of the pulses can be represented by a magnitude vector in which each element is an integer representing the magnitude of a pulse. Such magnitude vectors can be converted to binary vectors (i.e., vectors in which each element is a single bit, viz., 0 or 1) by the pulse information encoder 211 by replacing each magnitude integer by a sequence of zeros numbering one less than the magnitude integer followed by a one. In as much as the last bit in the binary vector would always be a one, it can be ignored. The following are examples (for m=6 and k=3) of magnitude vectors at the left and corresponding binary vectors at the right that result from the foregoing conversion process: [0000] ( 4 1 1 1 4 1 1 1 4 3 2 1 3 1 2 1 3 2 2 3 1 1 2 3 2 1 3 2 2 2 )  ( 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 0 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 1 1 0 0 0 1 0 1 0 ) [0028] The binary vectors can then be encoded using the arithmetic encoder 212 . The magnitude vectors can be recovered, after arithmetic decoding, by counting the number of zeros preceding each one. [0029] The signs of the pulses can be represented by a binary vector in which the bit value represents the sign, e.g., a bit value of 1 can represent a negative sign, and a bit value of 0 a positive sign. If the CELP encoder 210 outputs sign information differently, the pulse information encoder 211 can reformat the sign information in the foregoing manner. [0030] The pulse information encoder 211 is coupled to the arithmetic encoder 212 . The arithmetic encoder 212 encodes the pulse information received from the CELP encoder 210 through the pulse information encoder 211 . The operation of the arithmetic encoder 212 is described more fully below. By using an arithmetic encoder, storing a large codebook is avoided. [0031] The arithmetic encoder 212 is coupled to a channel encoder 217 which is coupled to a transmitter 214 of a transceiver 216 . The transceiver 216 also includes a receiver 218 . The receiver 218 is coupled to an arithmetic decoder 220 through a channel decoder 219 . The arithmetic decoder 220 outputs pulse information. The operation of the arithmetic decoder 220 is described more fully below. The arithmetic decoder 220 is coupled through a pulse information decoder 221 to a CELP decoder 222 . The pulse information decoder 221 performs the inverse of the processes performed by the pulse information encoder 211 . The CELP decoder 222 reconstructs a digital representation of speech audio (digitized audio signal) using the pulse information. The CELP decoder 222 is coupled to a digital-to-analog converter (D/A) 224 that is coupled through a second amplifier 226 to a speaker 228 . [0032] FIG. 3 is a high level flowchart of a method 300 of processing audio to be transmitted according to an embodiment of the invention. In block 302 audio is detected with a microphone. In block 304 the audio is digitized. In block 306 the audio is pre-processed which can for example comprise filtering and echo canceling. In block 308 the audio is encoded with a CELP speech encoder. In block 310 the audio pulse information output of the CELP speech encoder is encoded with an arithmetic encoder. In block 312 the audio is channel encoded and in block 314 the channel encoded audio is transmitted. [0033] FIG. 4 is a high level flowchart of a method 400 of processing received digital audio signals according to an embodiment of the invention. In block 402 channel encoded audio is received. In block 404 the audio is decoded with a channel decoder. In block 406 the audio is decoded with an arithmetic decoder. In block 408 the output of the arithmetic decoder is decoded with a CELP speech decoder. In block 410 the output of the CELP speech decoder is converted to an analog signal, and in block 412 the analog signal is used to drive a speaker. [0034] According to alternative embodiments of the invention, parts of the methods shown in FIGS. 3-4 are used in a transcoder in which case detecting audio with a microphone or outputting audio through a speaker will not be done. Such a transcoder can be used at a gateway between two disparate networks for example. [0035] FIG. 5 is a diagram 500 illustrating the principle of arithmetic encoding for a binary sequence. The diagram 500 is divided into three columns. Each column corresponds to a bit position in a bit sequence to be encoded, with the column at the left corresponding to the first bit position. The diagram can be used for any 3-bit sequence. There are 8 possible 3-bit sequences. The diagram 500 is based on the assumption that there is a fixed probability of 2/3 that any bit in the sequence is a 0 and consequently a fixed probability of 1/3 that any bit is a 1. This is just an example for purposes of illustration. The code space is the domain from zero to one, [0,1). Each possible 3-bit sequence is to be encoded as a binary fraction in the range from zero to one. The diagram 500 works as follows. The left hand column is divided into an area for sequences that start with zero and an area for sequences that start with one. The relative size of the areas depends on the probability of emitting the respective values (e.g., 2/3 for 0 and 1/3 for 1). In each successive column the areas from the preceding column are again apportioned to binary one and binary zero according to their respective probabilities. Thus, the code space is most finely divided in the last (right side) column. Any given 3-bit sequence corresponds to a particular area of the last column. A fraction that falls within the area corresponding to a 3-bit sequence is used as a code for that 3-bit sequence. The fraction is represented in binary. Generally speaking, the smaller the area assigned to a particular 3-bit sequence, the longer is the code required to represent that sequence by a binary fraction. [0036] Although in the foregoing the probability of ones and zeros is assumed to remain fixed, alternatively the probabilities can vary. In certain embodiments total number of ones (or zeros) is known a priori or separately transmitted beforehand, and at any bit position in a sequence being encoded the probability of a zero is computed as the ratio of the number of zeros yet to be encountered to the total number of bits yet to be processed. [0037] In the example shown in FIG. 5 different 3-bit sequences map to regions of the code space of different sizes. However if one considers all the different n-bit sequences having a predetermined number, say k<n ones, and if the probability of a zero is computed as the aforementioned ratio, then it is the case that all of the different n-bit sequences having k ones will map to regions of equal size. In other words the code space will be portioned into equal size regions. The number of regions N P (n,k) representing the number of possible sets of pulse positions is given by: [0000] N P  ( n , k ) = ( n k ) = n ! k !  ( n - k ) ! = n · ( n - 1 ) ·  …  · ( n - k + 1 ) k · ( k - 1 ) ·  …  · 1 [0038] However, in practice, the width of the code space interval corresponding to a source sequence may not exactly be equal to 1/N P (n,k) because of the rounding operations necessary to perform fixed-precision arithmetic. The actual width of the interval corresponding to a source sequence depends on the sequence itself and the precision used in the calculations. While this is cumbersome to compute, a bound can be derived for the minimum length of the code words I P (n,k,w) based on a few conservative assumptions. For example, it can be shown that (see Appendix I): [0000] I P ( n, k, w )=┌log 2 N P ( n, k )+Ω( n, k, w )┐, where [0000] Ω( n, k, w )=log 2 (1/1−( n/k )2 −(w+1) )+log 2 (1/1−( n− 1/ k− 1)2 −(w+1) )+ . . . +log 2 (1/1−( n−k+ 1/1)2 −(w+1) )+log 2 (1/1−( n/n−k )2 −(w+1) )+log 2 (1/1−( n− 1/ n−k− 1)2 −(w+1) )+ . . . +log 2 (1/1−( k+ 1/1)2 −(w+1) ) [0039] In the equations above, w represents a precision parameter, i.e., (starting) positions, and (the widths of the) intervals in the code space are stored using w+2 and w+1 bits respectively. In general, in order to compute such positions (denoted x) and intervals (denoted y) in the code space, binary registers that are up to 2*(w+2) bits wide will need to be used assuming that the input symbol probabilities (e.g., probabilities of binary digits 0 and 1) are also represented using (w+1) bits. Binary registers of such width are used to store a numerator of a parameter z that is discussed below in the context of FIGS. 6-7 and is used in calculating intervals and positions in the code space. According to embodiments of the present invention, arithmetic encoders and decoders produce and decode code words I P (n,k,w) bits long using at least 2*(w+2) bits, and for efficiency sake, preferably less than 2*(w+2)+8 bits, more preferably less than 2*(w+2)+3 bits, and even more preferably exactly 2*(w+2) bits. It will not always be possible to use exactly 2*(w+2) bits because concessions may have to be made to other demands, e.g., other processes using a shared processor. [0040] FIG. 6 is a flowchart 600 of an arithmetic encoder according to an embodiment of the invention, and FIG. 7 is a flowchart 700 of an arithmetic decoder according to an embodiment of the invention. The flowcharts in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 can be used respectively to encode and decode the positions and magnitudes of the pulses. The number of pulses and the signs of the pulses can also be encoded and decoded using appropriately configured arithmetic encoders and arithmetic decoders respectively. A single code word can be computed to represent collectively the number of pulses, the positions, the magnitudes, and the signs of the pulses. Alternately, individual code words can be computed to represent separately the number of pulses, the positions, the magnitudes, and the signs of the pulses, and optionally these individual code words can be concatenated to form a single code word. Between the two extremes above any other combination is also possible, for example, a single code word can be computed to represent the positions and magnitudes together, and two individual code words can be computed to represent the number of pulses and the signs separately. The variables used in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 are defined in Table I below: [0000] TABLE I Upper Symbol Meaning bound u i i th information bit 1 i index for the information word α: u 1 , u 2 , . . . , u n n v j j th code bit 1 j index for the codeword β: v 1 , v 2 , . . . , V l l w precision parameter design value x (w + 2) least significant bits of the start of the 2 w+2 − 1 interval corresponding to α and its prefixes y (w + 1) least significant bits of the width of the 2 w+1 − 1 interval corresponding to α and its prefixes n number of information bits design value l number of code bits design value k number of 1's in α, i.e., the weight of α design value ñ number of bits yet to be scanned in α n ñ 0 number of 0's yet to be scanned in α n − k z value of └(2yñ 0 + ñ)/2ñ┘ y e ejected value from x, a code bit plus a possible carry 3 nb next bit to be stored away (or transmitted) 1 rb run bit, 0 if there is a carry and 1 if there is none 1 rl run length l [0041] A mathematical foundation of arithmetic encoding is given in the first part of Appendix I. Referring to FIG. 6 the encoding algorithm will be described. In block 602 the variables i, j, x, y, rl, ñ, and ñ 0 are initialized. Recall that in FIG. 5 the code space was the interval [0,1). The value 2 w to which y is initialized in some sense represents the upper bound 1 of the code space. 2 w can be viewed as a scale factor, and using such an integer scale factor allows the arithmetic coding to be performed using fixed precision integer arithmetic, which means that less computing power is needed to perform the encoding. [0042] After block 602 , decision block 604 tests if there are any remaining ones in the sequence α being encoded. If so the flowchart branches to block 606 in which the quantity z is computed, the number of information bits yet to be coded ñ is decremented, and the index i is incremented. Initially the outcome of decision block 604 is positive. The quantity z is related to the size of the portion of the code space that is associated with a zero value for a current bit position in the sequence being encoded and is a fraction of the portion of the code space associated with a previous bit. This can be understood by referring to second column of FIG. 5 in which it is seen that the regions of the first column associated with zero and one are further subdivided in column two into regions proportional to the probability of each bit value. FIG. 5 is constructed using a fixed probability of 2/3 for a zero bit and 1/3 for 1 bit throughout the sequence. The arithmetic encoder as shown in FIG. 6 works differently. In particular the probability of a zero bit is set to the number of zero bits remaining divided by the total number of bits remaining. This is accomplished in the computation of z in block 606 . Given the region corresponding to a previous bit represented by the integer y, the region corresponding to a zero bit at the current position is obtained by multiplying y with the probability of a zero bit and rounding the result to the nearest integer. As shown, a bias of ½ and the floor function are used for rounding to the nearest integer. Alternatively, fixed probabilities can be used. For example if the pulse sign information is to be encoded separately, and there is an equal probability of pulses being positive and negative, the computation of z can be based on fixed probabilities of zero and one bits equal to ½. [0043] Next the flowchart 600 reaches decision block 608 which tests if the current bit in the sequence being encoded, identified by index i, is a zero or one. If the current bit is a zero then in block 610 the value y is set equal to z and ñ 0 (the number of zeros yet to be encountered) is decremented. The value of x is unchanged. On the other hand if the current bit is a one then in block 612 y is set equal to a previous value of y minus z and x is set equal to a previous value of x plus z. The new value of y is a proportion of the previous value of y with the proportion given by the probability of the current bit value (zero or one). x and y are related respectively to the starting point and the width of the area within the code space [0,1) as represented by [0,2 w ) that corresponds to the bit sequence encoded so far. [0044] After either block 610 or 612 decision block 614 is reached. Decision block 614 tests if the value of y is less than 2 w . (Note that blocks 606 , 610 and 612 will reduce the value of y.) If so then in block 616 the value of y is scaled up by a factor of 2 (e.g., by a left bit shift), the value of e is computed, and the value of x is reset to 2(x mod 2 w ). Using the mod function essentially isolates a portion of x that is relevant to remaining, less significant code bits. Because both y and x are scaled up in block 616 in a process referred to as renormalization, even as the encoding continues and more and more information bits are being encoded, the full value of 2 w is still used as the basis of comparison of x in the floor function to determine the value of the code bits. Similarly, the full value of 2 w is still used as the basis of comparison of y in the decision block 614 . [0045] After block 616 , decision block 618 tests if the variable e is equal to 1. If the outcome of decision block 618 is negative, then the flowchart 600 branches to decision block 620 which tests if the variable e is greater than 1 (e.g., if there is an overflow condition). If not, meaning that the value of e is zero, the flowchart 600 branches to block 622 wherein the value of the run bit variable rb is set equal to 1. [0046] Next the flowchart 600 reaches block 624 in which the code bit index j is incremented, the code bit v j is set equal to value of nb, and then nb is set equal to e. Note that for the first two executions of block 624 , j is set to values less than one, so the values of v j that are set will not be utilized as part of the output code. [0047] When the outcome of decision block 618 positive the flowchart 600 will branch through block 626 in which the run length variable rl is incremented and then return to decision block 614 . Decision block 628 tests if the run length variable rl is greater than zero—the initial value. If so then in block 630 the index j is incremented, code bit v j is set to the run bit variable rb, and the run length rl is decremented, before returning to decision block 628 . When it is determined in decision block 628 that the run length variable rl is zero the flowchart 600 returns to block 614 . [0048] If the outcome of decision block 620 is positive, i.e., an overflow condition has been detected, then the flowchart 600 branches to block 632 in which the nb variable is incremented, the rb variable is zeroed, and the e is decremented by 2, after which the flowchart 600 proceeds with block 624 . [0049] If it is determined in decision block 604 that only zeros remain in the sequence being encoded, then the flowchart 600 branches to block 634 in which the value of the variable e is computed as the floor function of x divided by 2 w . Next decision block 636 tests if e is greater than 1. If so then in block 638 the next bit variable nb is incremented, the run bit variable rb is set equal to 0, and the variable e is decremented by 2. If the outcome of decision block 636 is negative, then in block 640 the run bit variable rb is set equal to 1. After either block 638 or 640 , in block 642 , the index j is incremented, the code bit v j is set equal to the next bit variable nb, and the next bit variable nb is set equal to e. [0050] Next decision block 644 tests if the run length variable rl is greater than zero. If so then in block 646 the index j is incremented, the code bit v j is set equal to the run bit variable rb, and the run length variable rl is decremented, after which the flowchart 600 returns to block 644 . [0051] After block 644 in block 648 the index j is incremented, and the code bit v j is set equal to the next bit variable nb. Next decision block 650 tests if the index j is less than the code length l. If so then block 652 sets remaining code bits to 1. When j reaches l the encoding terminates. [0052] Referring to FIG. 7 a flowchart 700 of an arithmetic decoding method corresponding to the encoding method shown in FIG. 6 will be described. In block 702 the variables i, j, x, y, ñ, and ñ 0 are initialized. Decision block 704 tests if y is less than 2 w . When, as is the case initially, this is true, the flowchart 700 branches to decision block 706 which tests if the index j is less than l. When, as is the case initially, this is true, the flowchart 700 braches to block 708 in which j is incremented, and the variable x is reset to 2x+v i . Basically, successive executions of block 708 build up the value of x based on the values of the code bits, taking into account the position (significance) of the bits. After block 708 in block 710 the value of y is similarly increased by multiplying by two. After block 710 the flowchart 700 returns to decision block 704 . When the end of the codeword is reached, i.e., after j reaches l, the outcome of decision block 706 will be negative, and in this case, in block 712 x is set to 2x+1. This is equivalent to reading in a code bit with a value of 1. [0053] After block 712 block 710 is executed. When it is determined in decision block 704 that y is not less than 2 w , the flowchart 700 branches to block 714 which computes the value of z as shown, decrements the number of information bits yet to be decoded n, and increments the index i which points to bits of the decoded sequence. Next decision block 716 tests if x is less than z. If not then in block 718 an i th decoded bit u i is set equal to one, x and y are decremented by z to account for the parts of x and y represented by the i th bit just decoded. If decision block 716 determines that x is less than z then in block 720 the i th decoded bit u i is set equal to zero, y is set equal to z, and the number of zeros yet to be encountered no is decremented to account for the zero bit u i just decoded. [0054] After either block 718 or 720 decision block 722 tests if the number of zeros remaining is less than the total number of bits remaining. If the outcome of block 722 is affirmative, the flowchart 700 loops back to decision block 704 . If the outcome of block 722 is negative, the flowchart branches to decision block 724 which tests if i is less than n. If so block 726 zero fills the remaining bits. When the outcome of decision block 724 is negative the decoding process terminates. [0055] FIG. 8 is a high level flowchart of a method 800 of processing audio to be transmitted according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. In block 802 audio to be encoded is input. The audio can, for example, be input through a D/A from a microphone. Optionally the audio can be passed through a noise filter or echo canceller. In block 804 a DCT is applied to the audio. One type of DCT that may be used is the Modified DCT (MDCT). The MDCT is distinguished by reduction of encoding artifacts. For many audio signals, DCTs such as the MDCT only produce a few coefficients of significant magnitude. In block 806 the output of the DCT is quantized, e.g., using an uniform scalar quantizer. Quantization will result in many low magnitude coefficients being set to zero, such that, for many audio signals, there will only be a relatively small number of non-zero DCT coefficients. Because of this, the quantized output of the DCT (e.g., MDCT) can be efficiently encoded, as will be described below, using arithmetic encoding. [0056] In block 808 information as to the position of any non-zero coefficients is encoded in a first binary vector. The length of the first binary vector is equal to the number of DCT coefficients, and each bit in the first binary vector is set to a one or a zero depending on whether the corresponding (by position) coefficient of the quantized DCT output is non-zero or zero. [0057] In block 810 the signs of the non-zero quantized DCT coefficients are encoded in a second binary vector. The second binary vector need only be as long as the number of non-zero quantized DCT coefficients. Each bit in the second binary vector is set equal to a zero or a one depending on whether the corresponding non-zero quantized DCT coefficient is negative or positive. As discussed above arithmetic coding and decoding of binary vectors encoding sign information can be based on assumed fixed probabilities of ½ for both zero and one, and therefore it is not necessary to transmit the number of ones (or zeros) in such vectors. [0058] In block 812 the magnitudes of the non-zero quantized DCT coefficients are encoded in a third binary vector. The method of encoding magnitudes described above with reference to the pulse information encoder 211 is suitably used. Note that according to certain embodiments the sum of the magnitudes of the coefficients is a fixed (design) value, and in such cases the number of zeros in binary vectors encoding the magnitudes will also be fixed and therefore need not be transmitted. [0059] In block 814 one or more of the first through third binary vectors are encoded using an arithmetic encoder. Two or more of the first through third binary vectors can be concatenated and encoded together by the arithmetic encoder, or the binary vectors can be encoded separately by the arithmetic encoder. In block 816 the number of non-zero DCT coefficients are transmitted. The number of non-zero DCT coefficients can be encoded (e.g., arithmetic encoded or Huffman encoded) prior to transmission. In block 818 the encoded binary vectors are transmitted. [0060] FIG. 9 is a high level flowchart of a method 900 of processing received digital audio signals according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The method 900 decodes the encoded vectors generated by the method 800 . In block 902 the number of non-zero DCT coefficients that was transmitted in block 816 is received (and decoded). In block 904 the arithmetic encoded vector(s) transmitted in block 818 are received. In block 906 the encoded vectors are decoded with an arithmetic decoder. In block 908 the positions of the non-zero coefficients are read from the first binary vector. In block 910 the magnitudes of the non-zero coefficients of the quantized DCT are decoded from the third binary vector. In block 912 signs of the non-zero coefficients of the quantized DCT are read from the second binary vector. In block 914 the quantized DCT vector is reconstructed based on the information obtained from the first through third binary vectors, and in block 916 the inverse DCT transform is performed on the reconstructed quantized DCT vector. In block 918 a sub-frame of audio is regenerated from the output of the inverse DCT. The flow charts in FIGS. 8-9 can also be used to process residual audio signals, that is, the difference between an original audio signal and a coded version of the original, as encountered often in embedded audio coders. [0061] FIG. 10 is a front view of a wireless communication device, in particular a cellular telephone handset 1000 according to an embodiment of the invention. The handset 1000 includes a housing 1002 supporting an antenna 1004 , display 1006 , keypad 1008 , speaker 1010 and microphone 1012 . Although a “candy bar” form factor handset is shown in FIG. 10 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that the encoders and decoders disclosed herein can be incorporated in a myriad of devices of different form factors. [0062] FIG. 11 is a block diagram of the wireless communication device 1000 shown in FIG. 10 according to an embodiment of the invention. As shown in FIG. 11 , the wireless communication device 1000 comprises a transceiver module 1102 , a processor 1104 (e.g., a digital signal processor), an analog to digital converter (A/D) 1106 , a key input decoder 1108 , a digital to analog converter (D/A) 1112 , a display driver 1114 , a program memory 1116 , and a workspace memory 1118 coupled together through a digital signal bus 1120 . [0063] The transceiver module 1102 is coupled to the antenna 1004 . Carrier signals that are modulated with data, e.g., audio data, pass between the antenna 1004 and the transceiver module 1102 . [0064] The microphone 1012 is coupled to the A/D 1106 . Audio, including spoken words and ambient noise, is input through the microphone 1012 and converted to digital format by the A/D 1106 . [0065] A switch matrix 1122 that is part of the keypad 1008 is coupled to the key input decoder 1108 . The key input decoder 1108 serves to identify depressed keys and to provide information identifying each depressed key to the processor 1104 . [0066] The D/A 1112 is coupled to the speaker 1010 . The D/A 1112 converts decoded digital audio to analog signals and drives the speaker 1010 . The display driver 1114 is coupled to the display 1006 . [0067] The program memory 1116 is used to store programs that control the wireless communication device 1000 . The programs stored in the program memory 1116 are executed by the processor 1104 . The workspace memory 1118 is used as a workspace by the processor 1104 in executing programs. Methods that are carried out by programs stored in the program memory 1116 are described above with reference to FIGS. 1-9 . The program memory 1116 is a form of computer readable media. Other forms of computer readable media can alternatively be used to store programs that are executed by the processor 1104 . [0068] In the foregoing specification, specific embodiments of the present invention have been described. However, one of ordinary skill in the art appreciates that various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of present invention. The benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any element(s) that may cause any benefit, advantage, or solution to occur or become more pronounced are not to be construed as a critical, required, or essential features or elements of any or all the claims. The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including any amendments made during the pendency of this application and all equivalents of those claims as issued. Appendix I [0069] A) Mathematical Foundation of Arithmetic Coding: [0070] In arithmetic coding, each information word to be coded is assigned a unique subinterval within the unit interval [0, 1). The computation of this interval can be performed recursively with the knowledge of the probabilities of the symbols within the information word. A point within the interval is then selected, and a fractional representation of this point is used as the codeword. [0071] Mathematically, let α denote a binary information word and l(α)=[x(α), x(α)+y(α)) denote the interval corresponding to α where x(α) denotes the start of the interval and y(α) denotes the width of the interval. When α is just the empty sequence ε, we define [0000] x (ε)=0.0 and y(ε)=1.0, [0000] so that l(ε)=[0, 1). If the interval corresponding to α is known, then the intervals corresponding to α0 and α1 (i.e., the concatenation of α and either 0 or 1 respectively) can be computed as follows. [0000] x (α0)= x (α), [0000] y (α0)= y (α) P (0|α), [0000] x (α1)= x (α)+ y (α) P (0|α), and [0000] y (α1)= y (α) P (1|α)= y (α) (1− P (0|α))= y (α)− y (α) P (0|α), [0000] where P(0|α) and P(1|α) (=1−P(0|α)) denote respectively the probabilities of a 0 or 1 bit following the bit sequence α. Using the notation z(α)=y(α) P(0|α) in the above equations, we have [0000] x (α0)= x (α), [0000] y (α0)= z (α), [0000] x (α1)= x (α)+ z (α), and [0000] y (α1)= y (α)− z (α). [0072] Computation of the interval l(α) corresponding to α using the above recursive equations requires infinite precision. In arithmetic coding, rounding and scaling (or renormalization) operations are used which allow the computation of l(α) to be performed using finite precision arithmetic. However, the computed interval is now only an approximation of the actual interval. Let us define the integers x*(α), y*(α), L(α), and w so that x(α) and y(α) can be expressed using finite precision (i.e., using L(α)+w bits) as [0000] x (α)= x *(α)/2 L(α)+w , and [0000] y (α)= y *(α)/2 L(α)+w . [0073] The recursive equations for the computation of the interval l(α) are now reformulated as follows. For the empty sequence ε, we define [0000] x *(ε)=0, y *(ε)=2 w , and L (ε)=0. [0074] If x*(α), y*(α), and L(α) are known for a sequence α, then we have [0075] for the sequence α0: [0000] z *(α)=└ y *(α) P (0|α)+1/2┘, [0000] x *(α0)= x *(α)2 d0 , [0000] y *(α0)= z *(α)2 d0 , and [0000] L (α0)= L (α)+ d 0, [0076] where d0 is an integer for which 2 w ≦y*(α0)<2 w+1 ; and [0077] for the sequence α1: [0000] z *(α)=└ y *(α) P (0|α)+1/2┘, [0000] x *(α1)=( x *(α)+ z *(α))2 d1 , [0000] y *(α1)=( y *(α)− z *(α))2 d1 , and [0000] L (α1)= L (α)+ d 1, [0078] where d1 is an integer for which 2 w ≦y*(α1)<2 w+1 . [0079] In the above equations, the rounding operation used in the computation of z*(α) ensures that it is expressed in finite precision (w+1 bits). Also, the choice of d0 (respectively d1) used in scaling y*(α0) (respectively y*(α1)) ensures that the scaled interval width has enough precision (w+1 bits) for further subdivision. The precision parameter w is a design value and should be chosen to suit the coding application. A choice of w=14, for example, provides enough precision for general applications and also allows standard integer arithmetic to be used in computing the codeword. [0080] The binary fractional representations of x(α) and y(α) are shown in FIG. 12 . Since y*(α) is always bounded by 2 w ≦y*(α)<2 w+1 , the binary fractional representation of y(α) has L(α)−1 leading zeros followed by w+1 least significant bits. The storage of y(α) therefore requires only a (w+1) bit register. Unlike y(α), x(α) is not bounded and can keep increasing in length as more and more information bits are coded. However, its binary representation can be thought of as consisting of four parts: 1) the most significant bits which will not undergo any further change and therefore can be stored away in a suitable medium or transmitted, 2) the next bit (to be stored away), 3) a run of 1's, and 4) the working end of (w+1) least significant bits. The next bit, the run length, and the working end can be stored in suitable registers. Both the next bit and the run bit may undergo a change if there is a carry (overflow condition) out of the working end. [0081] B) Bounding the Codeword Length: [0082] Consider the encoding of an n-bit sequence using the flowchart 600 in FIG. 6 . At any position within the sequence, the probability of a 0 is defined by the ratio n 0 / n which can be exactly represented by the integers n 0 and n . Therefore, the only source of error in computing x(α) and y(α) arises due to the rounding operation in the computation of z*(α). Using the recursive equations above and the inequality g−1<└g┘≦g for g real, we can express [0000] y *(α0)/2 L(α0)+w >( y *(α) P (0|α)−1/2))/ 2 L(α)+w , and [0000] y *(α1)/2 L(α 1)+w≧( y *(α) P (1|α)−1/2))/2 L(α)+w . [0083] Combining the two expressions, we have [0000] y *(α u )/2 L(αu)+w ≧( y *(α) P ( u|α )−1/2))/2 L(α)+w [0000] where u is a 0 or 1. The above expression can be rewritten as [0000] y  ( α   u ) ≥ y  ( α )  P  ( u  α )  ( 1 - 1 2   y * ( α )  P  ( u  α ) ) . [0084] Since y*(α)≧2 w , we have [0000] y  ( α   u ) ≥ y  ( α )  P  ( u  α )  ( 1 - δ P  ( u  α ) ) [0000] where δ=2 −(w+1) . Applying the above relationship recursively to the input bit sequence (i.e., information word) α=u 1 , u 2 , . . . , u n and recalling that y(ε)=1, we have [0000] y  ( α ) ≥ P  ( u 1  ɛ )  P  ( u 2  u 1 )   …   P  ( u n  u 1  u 2   …   u n - 1 ) ( 1 - δ P  ( u 1  ɛ ) )  ( 1 - δ P  ( u 2  u 1 ) )   …   ( 1 - δ P  ( u n  u 1  u 2   …   u n - 1 ) ) [0085] The expression P(u 1 |ε)P(u 2 |u 1 ) . . . P(u n |u 1 u 2 . . . u n−1 ) represents the probability P(α) of the sequence α and is also the ideal interval width. If α is a n-bit sequence with k ones and if the probability of a zero at any position is given by ñ 0 /ñ, then it can be shown that P(α)=1/N P (n,k) where [0000] N P  ( n , k ) = ( n k ) . [0086] Simplifying the notation by replacing P(u i |u 1 u 2 . . . u i−1 ) by P i , we have [0000] y  ( α ) ≥ P  ( α )  ( 1 - δ P 1 )  ( 1 - δ P 2 )   …   ( 1 - δ P n ) . [0087] Each term of the form [0000] ( 1 - δ P i ) [0000] reduces the interval width from the ideal value P(α) with the greatest reduction occurring for the smallest value of P i . While the actual set of probabilities {P i , i=1, 2, . . . , n} depends on the particular n-bit sequence, the following set of n probabilities {k/n, k−1/n−1, . . . , 1/n−k+1, n−k/n, n−k−1/n−1, . . . , 1/k+1} provides a lower bound for any sequence α. The codeword length l P (n,k,w) should be chosen such that 2 −l P (n, k, w) ≦y(α) for unique decodability. Substituting for P(α), {P i , i=1, 2, . . . , n}, taking logarithm to the base 2, and rearranging the terms, the minimum codeword length is given by [0000] l P ( n, k, w )=┌log 2 N P ( n,k )+Ω( n,k,w )┐, where [0000] Ω( n,k,w )=log 2 (1/1−( n/k )2 −(w+1) )+log 2 (1/1−( n− 1/ k− 1)2 −(w+1) )+ . . . +log 2 ( 1 / 1 −( n−k+ 1 / 1 )2 −(w+1) )+log 2 (1/1−( n/n−k )2 −(w+1) )+log 2 (1/1−( n− 1/ n−k− 1)2 −(w−1) )+ . . . +log 2 (1/1−( k+ 1/1)2 −(w+1) )
A communication system ( 100 ) includes devices ( 102, 104, 200 ) for transmitting and receiving digital audio. The devices use audio encoders ( 210, 804 ) and decoders ( 222, 916 ) such as ACELP or DCT/IDCT to compress and decompress audio and use arithmetic encoders ( 212 ) and decoders ( 220 ) to encode and decode the compressed audio on-the-fly (without a codebook of pre-stored codes).
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Waterbeds have, in recent years, come into widespread use throughout the country. A typical waterbed consists of a waterfilled bladder supported within a rigid frame. Although early users of waterbeds were primarily younger people attracted by the novelty and low cost of the apparatus, the use of waterbeds has now spread to a wider range of consumers. Perhaps the most important reason for the popularity of waterbeds is that waterbed mattresses provide uniform sleeping support and eliminate pressure points on which most of a person's weight rests when reclining on conventional sleeping surfaces. In addition, the co-action of the water and the waterbed bladder produces a floating sensation that many people find quite pleasant. Waterbed manufacturers have been very innovative in providing improvements such as waterbed heaters, elevated frames, and improved bedding material which make waterbeds much more acceptable in the conventional bedding market. However, a major problem with waterbeds to date has been the wave motion set up in the water whenever a person reclines on the bed or changes positions on the bed. Generally, a series of transverse waves are created which are reflected by the lateral walls of the waterbed. As the waves strike the walls, an annoying slapping sound is produced and, because of the reflective action of the walls, the waves generally continue for several seconds before dampening out. A number of inventors have sought to improve the dampening action of waterbeds by providing various insert devices to break up the wave action of the water. Unfortunately, most of the inventions to date have been only modestly effective and tend to impair the sleeping characteristics which have drawn people into the waterbed market. Most prior art devices utilize some sort of baffle arrangement which must be attached to the surface of the waterbed bladder. The surface connection requires heat welding or other attachment means which slows production and increases the cost of the waterbed to the buying public. In addition, the surface attachment sometimes tends to disrupt the co-action of the water and the bladder which produces the floating sensation associated with waterbeds. The use of open-celled foams as a dampening means represents a slightly different approach to the problem. The absorbtion of water within the foam member tends to reduce the wave action of the water by breaking up the volume of the water into a number of interconnected cells. However, a problem with open-celled foam members has been that the foam tends to retain the water and thus, makes it difficult to drain the waterbed after it is initially set up. In addition, the use of thick open-celled members tends to impair the fluid "feel" of the water, causing the waterbed to act like a foam cushion rather than a fluid body. For these reasons, it can be seen that a need exists for a waterbed dampening system which is easy to fabricate and produce and which will not interfere with the desirable sleeping characteristics of the waterbed. The device should not prevent the waterbed from being easily drained and should be compressible to facilitate folding and storage. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The wave-dampening apparatus of the present invention consists of a flexible fibrous member with a thin foam member attached to its upper surface. The dampening apparatus is placed within the bladder of a waterbed and co-acts with the water to produce wave dampening. The primary wave dampening is produced by the fibrous structure which tends to produce multi-directional difraction of any waves generated in the water. However, the fibrous strands themselves are not water absorbent; thus, the fibrous member is easily evacuated of water when it becomes necessary to drain the waterbed. The attachment of the fibrous member to the foam provides a means for spacial orientation of the dampening apparatus within the waterbed since the foam is extremely buoyant and remains in touching contact with the upper surface of the bladder. Accordingly, the primary object of the present invention is to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus for use in a waterbed mattress. It is a further object of the invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus with an attached foam member. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which will not retain water during drainage of a waterbed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which will not generate a substantial vertical force when it is compressed by a waterbed user. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which is not physically attached to the walls of the waterbed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which utilizes a foam member as an orientation means. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which may be fabricated in a variety of sizes and shapes. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which utilizes a foam member as a padding against shocks. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which may be compressed into a small volume by a vacuum means. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which is inexpensive to fabricate and produce. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus wherein foam from a foam member penetrates into the surface of a fibrous member to provide attachment thereto and to prevent the material from bunching up. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which may be used compatibly with conventional waterbed accessories. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which uses open celled foam. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a fibrous wave-dampening apparatus which uses closed celled foam. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a wave-dampening apparatus within a waterbed bladder. FIG. 2 is a top view of a wave-dampening apparatus. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the wave-dampening apparatus of FIG. 1. FIG. 4 is a tear-away view of a wave-dampening apparatus. FIG. 5 is an alternate view of a wave-dampening apparatus within a waterbed bladder. FIG. 6 is another alternate view of a wave-dampening apparatus within a waterbed bladder. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the wave-dampening apparatus of FIG. 6. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The structure and materials of the wave-dampening apparatus will now be described. It may be seen from FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 that the wave-dampening apparatus 10 is a parallelopiped, or more colloquially, a box-shaped solid with substantially the same dimensions as the interior dimensions of a waterbed bladder 11 into which it is placed. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the dampening apparatus 10 consists of a parallelopiped-shaped fibrous member 12 with a foam sheet 13 attached to its upper surface. In the preferred embodiment, the fibrous member 12 is formed from a resinated bonded fiber. The fiber material is a spun polyester which has been coated with a resin to stabilize the material chemically and to make the fiber strands impervious to water. The foam member 13 of the preferred embodiment is formed from a foam which is spread over the surface of the fibrous member 12 in a liquified form and allowed to cure. While in the liquid form, the foam penetrates into the upper surface of the fibrous member 12 to form a penetration layer 15 which co-acts with the fibrous material to bond the foam member 13 and fibrous member 12 together. The liquified foam may be applied with a high pressure spray gun to increase the penetration of the foam into the fibrous member 12. A flexible polyurethane foam such as that formed from polyol and resin is used in the preferred embodiment, although other foam substances could be applied in a similar manner and are within the scope of the invention. In the preferred embodiment, the foam member 13 is approximately one-half inch in thickness. The present invention provides wave dampening by filling the water in which wave disturbances are set up with a multiplicity of fibrous strands which refract wave energy in many different directions. The multi-directional wave patterns associated with each strand tend to combine and have a canceling effect on one another, thus allowing wave energy to be quickly dissipated. The advantage of a fibrous dampening apparatus 10 over most other dampening means is that, although wave energy is dissipated, the fluid deformability of the waterbed is not affected. Whereas most dampening means utilize baffles or chambers which tend to separate the waterbed into separate regions and create non-uniform pressure distributions on the sleeping surface, the pressure distributions produced by a mattress using the fibrous dampening apparatus 10 are uniform throughout the bed. Another advantage of the present dampening apparatus 10 has to do with the extremely low load bearing capability of the fibrous member 12. Because the fibrous member 12 is essentially incapable of supporting any weight, it creates no interference with the fluid support provided by the co-action between the waterbed bladder 11 and the water. The attachment of the foam sheet 13 to the upper surface of the fibrous member 12 allows the apparatus to be properly oriented within the bladder 11 since the foam is extremely buoyant and will orient itself to conform with the upper horizontal surface of the waterbed. The foam penetration of the fibrous member 12 produces a stiffening effect in the fibrous material which helps it to retain its shape. But the nonresonant structure of the fibrous member 12 also produces an effect on the foam sheet 13 causing it to be more resistent to bunching up. Thus, the co-action of the foam sheet 13 with the fibrous member 12 produces an apparatus with properties that are different and superior to those of either material acting by itself. In the preferred embodiment, the dampening apparatus is sized approximately four inches shorter in both length and width than the waterbed bladder to facilitate the self-orientation of the apparatus and to prevent curling of the edges of the apparatus. A hole 14 provided in the foam member 13 is positioned immediately below an opening in the bladder 11 and thus allows water to be readily passed through the foam member 13 when the waterbed is being inflated or deflated. The penetration bonding of the foam member 13 to the upper surface of the fibrous member 12 assures that two members will not separate. The foam member 13, in addition to providing orientation of the dampening apparatus 10 within the bladder 11 also creates an esthetically pleasing appearance by providing a solid uniform sheet which covers the upper surface of the apparatus 10. A further function of the sheet 13 is to provide cushioning against "bottoming out". "Bottoming out" refers to a person's striking the base and lower surface of a waterbed when most of his weight is applied to a single small area of the bed. Since the foam member 13 is positioned at the top of the dampening apparatus 10, it does not provide vertical support nor otherwise interfere with the fluid "feel" of the bed until the bladder 11 is so deformed that the upper surface and the lower surface of the bladder 11 are close to contacting each other. Thus, cushioning is provided only when required without affecting the desirable sleeping characteristics of the waterbed. For maximum dampening effect, the entire interior of the bladder 11 may be filled with the dampening apparatus 10 as shown in FIG. 1. In another embodiment of the invention, as shown in FIG. 5, the fibrous member 12 has a depth substantially less than that of the bladder 11 and the entire dampening apparatus 10 floats in the upper portion of the bladder 11. This embodiment provides maximum fluid "feel" because no surface of the dampening apparatus 10 is in contact with the lower surface of the bladder 11, and thus no support forces are felt by the sleeper except as produced by the co-action of the water and the bladder 11. FIGS. 6 and 7 show another embodiment of the invention in which a parallelopiped cutout 16 has been removed from the central portion of the fibrous member 12. In this embodiment, maximum dampening is produced along the lateral walls of the waterbed where the refracted waves and annoying slapping noises associated with the waves are produced. The cutout portion 16 increases the fluid "feel" in an area where a person is likely to sleep. Many other cutouts and configurations of either the fibrous member 12 or the foam member 13 may, of course, be produced and are within the scope of the present invention. Thus, it can be seen that a wave-dampening apparatus 10 has been provided which allows a waterbed to retain all of the desirable sleeping characteristics generally associated with waterbeds while, at the same time, providing efficient wave dampening. The dampening apparatus 10 provided is extremely light and does not retain water; therefore, the bed may be easily drained and stored. A vacuum apparatus may be attached to the opening in the bladder 11 to evacuate air and facilitate initial compression and packaging of the waterbed. Although specific components and steps have been stated in the above description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, other suitable materials, and process steps may be used with satisfactory results with varying degrees of quality. In addition, it will be understood that various other changes of the nature of the invention will occur to and may be made by those skilled in the art, upon the reading of this disclosure. Such changes are intended to be included within the principles and scope of this invention as claimed.
An apparatus for dampening wave action in a waterbed is disclosed. The apparatus consists of a fibrous member bonded to a flexible foam member which is positioned inside a waterbed bladder. The coaction of the fiber and foam dampens waves generated in the water and also provides improved shape-retaining characterisitcs in the apparatus. The use of a large fibrous component allows water to be quickly evacuated from the apparatus and the use of a foam component provides flotation and spacial orientation of the apparatus within the waterbed bladder. A method for bonding the foam to the fibrous member is also disclosed.
8
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority right of U.S. provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/072,037, filed Jan. 21, 1998 by applicants herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to the formation of multi-layer coatings on elongated strip articles. More particularly, the invention relates to the formation of coatings having two or more layers of coating materials on the surfaces of elongated strip articles, e.g. aluminum sheet material. There are many reasons why it is desirable to coat elongated strip articles, e.g. aluminum sheet, with layers of coating materials. For example, such coatings can provide the underlying strip material with protection against attack by harmful chemicals, the atmosphere or pollution, etc. Moreover, in the food industry, it may be desirable to protect packaged articles (e.g. foodstuffs) from attack by or contamination with components of the material forming the elongated strip articles used for packaging. While single coating layers may be used for these purposes, multiple coating layers of different materials are frequently advantageous. For example, it may be advantageous to provide an inner layer that has good adhesion to the underlying surface and an outer layer having good lubricity for forming operations, or other desirable characteristics, such as peelability, product release characteristics, etc. While coating materials used for this purpose are often solids dissolved or suspended in volatile solvents or aqueous media (e.g. conventional paints), in some cases it is more desirable to use molten polymers that are coated directly onto substrate surfaces and allowed to cool and harden, or to use liquid polymers that are subsequently cured by heat or radiation. The use of undissolved polymers has the advantage that atmospheric pollution by solvent vapors can be avoided. Methods of and apparatus for applying multi-layer coatings of materials onto suitable elongated substrates are already known, as briefly described below. U.S. Pat. No. 2,761,418, which issued on Sep. 4, 1956 to T. A. Russell, discloses a multiple coating apparatus intended primarily for producing photographic film. The apparatus uses a coating head capable of simultaneously applying two layers to a surface of a moving web of material. U.S. Pat. No. 3,413,143, which issued on Nov. 26, 1968 to E. Cameron et al., discloses a method of and an apparatus for applying a liquid to a moving web, again primarily intended for coating photographic materials. The apparatus employed a coating head capable of simultaneously applying multiple coatings of different materials. U.S. Pat. No. 3,573,965, which issued on Apr. 6, 1971 to Mamoru Ishiwata et al., discloses an improved so-called multiple doctor coating method. This involves the use of a coating head having multiple liquid chambers and coating slots leading from the liquid chambers to the coating face. The parts of the coating face between the slots form doctor edges which control the flow of the coating materials onto the moving substrate surface. U.S. Pat. No. 5,072,688, which issued on Dec. 17, 1991 to Chino et al., describes a process and apparatus for producing multi-layer coatings useful for magnetic recording media. The coatings are produced by an extrusion-type coating head in which different coating solutions are pumped into different pockets formed in the head and are passed through narrow slits meeting at a coating slot formed at the ends of the slits. U.S. Pat. No. 5,186,754, which issued on Feb. 16, 1993 to Umemura et al., discloses an extruder for coating magnetic layers onto a tape. The coating is produced by a coating head provided with two liquid reservoirs, each having an outlet channel. The channels merge before reaching the coating surface of the coating head to form a single coating slot. International (PCT) patent publication WO 94/03890 published on Feb. 17, 1994 in the name of BASF Magnetics GmbH discloses a coating arrangement for magnetizable coatings having a coating head provided with a particular geometry and utilizing a magnet to ensure a stabilized coating. While these known arrangements are capable of producing multi-layer coatings on substrates, they are mostly intended for use with very thin flexible substrates of uniform thickness, such as the backing material ribbon used for magnetic tapes or photographic films. All of the known arrangements employ coating heads held in a fixed position relative to a path normally followed by the substrate to be coated. However, such arrangements are not well suited to the application of thin coatings to metal strip articles, such as aluminum sheet, because they cannot easily adjust to the variations in thickness and surface height characteristic of moving strip articles of this kind. Therefore, they cannot easily be employed for the type of multi-layer coating contemplated above since coating layers having unacceptable variations in thickness are thereby produced and, in some cases, the fixed coating head may contact the surface to be coated, resulting in damage. There is therefore a need for an improved coating method and apparatus for forming multi-layer coatings on elongated strip articles of the type mentioned above. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming multi-layer coatings on elongated strip articles likely to be of somewhat variable thickness or to have surface irregularities, e.g. metal strip articles. Another object of the invention is to provide a method and apparatus for forming multi-layer coatings of polymeric material on elongated strip articles, particularly metal sheets. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of applying a multi-layer coating to a surface of an elongated strip article of variable thickness or surface height, comprising applying at least two layers of different coating materials in the form of solidifiable fluids onto said surface of said elongated strip article, and reducing said layers to a desired thickness by causing said applied coating materials to encounter at least one coating surface that is movable substantially perpendicularly relative to said strip article and is urged towards said strip article in opposition to hydrodynamic force generated by said coating materials on said at least one coating surface, thereby accommodating variations in thickness of said strip article or differences of surface height without unduly varying said coating thickness, said layers being applied one on top of another such that an outer layer is applied on top of an immediately underlying layer before said immediately underlying layer has solidified. To prevent damage to the newly formed multi-layer coating, or to the coating apparatus, it may be desirable to fully solidify the coating on the strip article by drying or cooling or hardening (whichever is appropriate) before it is contacted by guidance devices (e.g. rollers or deflection surfaces) for controlling the path of the strip article on the downstream side of the coating point. This may be done, for example, by causing the coated strip article to pass through a drying oven or over a cooled surface (e.g. a polished, water-cooled quench roll). Such a device may be provided close to the coating head(s) on the downstream side. It will, of course, be apparent that the multi-layer coating may be applied to a strip article having any orientation, i.e. the strip may be traveling horizontally or vertically, or at any desired angle to the horizontal when the coating is applied. The invention may be used to form very thin multi-layer coatings, e.g. those having thicknesses of less than about 10 microns, although thicker films, e.g. those of 20 microns or more in thickness, may also be produced. The coatings may be applied to metal strip articles of any desired thickness and metal composition, most preferably aluminum or aluminum alloys. Even when quite thin, such articles are different from polymer films and similar thin flexible substrates used for photographic film, magnetic tape and the like, in that surface irregularities and thickness variations of metal strip articles are not smoothed out to any significant extent by the type of forces applied during surface coating. The method of the invention is therefore required to accommodate such irregularities. Moreover, metal strip articles, particularly those made of aluminum and aluminum alloys, are also often provided with a "conversion coating" before the application of the coatings of solidifiable fluid of the present invention. This involves treating the surface with chromate-based or non-chromate-based (e.g. zirconia-based) chemicals to prevent corrosion under, and to promote adhesion to, a conventional paint layer. Such chemical pre-treatment is compatible with the coating method of the present invention. The term "solidifiable fluid" is intended to mean any fluid coating material that solidifies by normal cooling or drying after a period of time under the conditions in which the method is operated, e.g. a molten thermoplastic or a solid dissolved in a volatile solvent or water, or that is solidified upon further treatment, such as curing by heat or irradiation. The solidifiable fluids used in the present invention are thus usually molten or liquid polymer coatings or solvent-based lacquers or paints. The liquid/molten polymers may be either thermoplastic (e.g. polyesters, polyolefins such as polypropylenes, polyethylenes, etc., polycarbonates, and vinyl resins such as PVA and PVC), or thermosetting (e.g. epoxies). The solvent-based coatings may be organic solvent-based coatings or water-based coatings. In the present invention, when a layer is applied over a layer already formed, the underlying layer is still fluid, although perhaps slightly more viscous than when it was first applied. The time interval between successive coating steps (in practice, normally 5 seconds or less) is short enough for the coatings employed to avoid complete drying or solidification. If desired, the layers may be applied essentially simultaneously, e.g. from the same coating head and even from the same coating slot (as will be apparent from the description below). If more than two layers are applied successively, it is only necessary that an underlying layer still be fluid when a further layer is applied directly on to it. Thus, a first layer may have become solid when a third layer is applied over a second coating layer, but the second layer should itself still be fluid. In many cases, however, the coating times are such that all of the underlying layers, e.g. first and second layers, are still liquid when a third (often final) layer is applied. In the case of molten polymers, the temperature of an underlying layer is still above the "melting point" of the polymer when a further layer is applied directly onto it. The molten polymer may cool and increase in viscosity, but will generally not fall below its melting point until it passes through a subsequent quenching operation. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided apparatus for applying a multi-layer coating to a surface of an elongated strip article of variable thickness or surface height, comprising: at least one coating head provided with at least one open-sided slot and at least one associated coating surface adjacent to said slot for contacting and metering coating material emerging from said slot; force application device for urging said at least one coating head towards said elongated strip article to counterbalance a hydrodynamic force exerted on said at least one coating surface by coating material contacting said coating surface; drive apparatus for advancing said elongated strip past said at least one coating head; and supply apparatus for supplying at least two solidifiable liquid coating materials to said at least one coating head to be applied to said surface of said strip article in the form of coating layers arranged one on top of another; wherein said at least one coating head is arranged such that, in use, an outer coating layer is applied on top of an immediately underlying coating layer before said immediately underlying layer has solidified. It should be noted that, when the layers are applied sequentially, the anticipated time interval between the application of the first coating layer and each successive coating layer by this apparatus will depend on the spacing between coating application heads, or between slots in such coating heads, and the speed of advancement of the strip. For the commercial processes anticipated here, this time interval will generally be 5 seconds or less, preferably 1 second or less, and most preferably 0.5 seconds or less. For a high speed line with a compact coating head arrangement, time intervals of less than 0.1 seconds would be possible. Furthermore, unlike many other multi-layer coating processes, it is not necessary to incorporate any drying, cooling or curing steps between the successive coating applications; in fact, the provision of such steps is to be avoided (i.e. there is an absence or lack of such intervening drying, cooling or curing steps). In the case of solvent-borne coatings used in conventional processes, the solvent content of the coating as applied is typically about 80%. The conventional drying/curing process to remove the solvent involves passing the coating through a long oven (with a typical residence time of more than about 10 seconds at elevated temperature). Such a step is not required in the present invention. Many conventional coating systems used for such things as products involved automotive products involve complicated multi-step procedures to apply primers, intermediate coating layers and top coats with drying and curing steps after each coating step. Consequently, the coating lines are often very long and complicated and require large amounts of energy for the multiple drying and curing operations. This absence of drying or curing steps in the present invention represents a significant advantage in both productivity and energy saving when compared to the conventional application of multi-layer coatings The present invention makes use of the surprising finding that two or more coating layers can be applied while the layers are still wet or fluid without the need for intermediate drying, cooling or curing to avoid unacceptable mixing of the layers. This not only saves time, energy and equipment (capital costs), but has the additional advantage that the bond formed between the respective layers is usually enhanced in strength (compared to the bond achievable by liquid-on-solid coating) because of a small amount of intermingling of the layers that takes place at the interface as the layers solidify. When the coating materials are molten or liquid polymers, the method of the invention has the advantage that virtually zero emissions of polluting solvents are possible (e.g. the curing of liquid polymers generally generates less than 5% solvent). Moreover, it has been found possible to produce, from molten polymers, multi-layer coatings that are very thin (e.g. 10 μm or less) at high coating lines speeds (e.g. 200 m/min or greater). By judicious choice of the coating materials for the multi-layer coatings, unique property combinations can be achieved. For example, a layer which contacts the strip article may be chosen to have good adhesion properties for the substrate. In the case of aluminum sheet or foil as the substrate strip article, a maleic acid modified polyolefin or polyester may he chosen for good bonding characteristics. However, such polymers may not be ideal for outer layers intended to contact food or beverages. A different polymer would be chosen for the outer layer(s), e.g. one having minimal impact on the flavor of the contained foodstuff. In the case of retortable food containers, a polymer coating formulation with good product release characteristics would be advantageous. Outer polymer layers may be chosen for good formability, good mechanical strength, low cost, etc. Low cost, possibly recycled polymer may then be used as an internal layer to provide the coating with the necessary thickness. In the case of three-layer coatings, a central "tie layer" may be provided between innermost and outermost layers to provide better adhesion between those layers, for example if the innermost and outermost layers are made of materials having quite different properties and therefore have little tendency to adhere together. The innermost layer may then be selected to provide good adhesion to the strip article, the outermost layer may be selected for good exterior effects and the central layer may be used to bind the two together. Alternatively, a central layer in a three-layer coating may be used just to increase the thickness of the coating. This layer may be made of the least expensive suitable material (e.g. reground (recycled) polymer or polymers) in order to minimize costs. In contrast, it it is desired to produce a peelable structure, e.g. a lidding foil (such as a foil lidding for yoghurt or preserves), a combination of layers may be chosen to generate a peelable interface between two of the component layers (i.e. which allows a lid to be peeled easily from a container). This can be done by using materials for successive layers that form only weak bonds, i.e. materials that tend to resist intermingling at the interface. If this is done by using polymers dissolved in organic solvents or water, coating qualities are poor and "pinholes" and the like are often formed. When using molten polymers, however, good coating effects can be achieved even though the resulting bond between the layers is weak. It will be apparent that the present invention makes possible a wide variety of coating combinations to meet the requirements of different intended uses. In addition to food and beverage packaging, opportunities for such multi-layer coatings also exist, for example, in building products and in automotive sheet applications. In the latter cases, however, the coating thicknesses would typically be thicker than those used for food packaging applications and the like. The invention also makes possible various decorative effects. Decorative bands may be created by turning off one or more of the coating heads or coating slots (usually leaving at least one operational) at regular intervals during the coating operation. If colored polymers are used (e.g. a strong colour for an outer layer and white or clear for an underlying layer), this may produce a noticeable banding pattern, the bands being oriented transversely to the direction of strip advance. The thickness of the bands will depend on the speed of strip advance and the time during which one or more of the coating materials is turned oft. If coating materials of the same color are used, there may still be a decorative effect caused by the resultant undulating height of the coating along the strip (the strip will be thicker in those regions where all coating layers are present than in those regions where fewer are present). BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a partial side view of one embodiment of an apparatus according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional diagram of a coating head used in the apparatus of FIG. I for producing a two-layer film; FIGS. 3, 4 and 5 are diagrams similar to FIG. 2 of alternative coating heads suitable for use in the present invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of another embodiment according to the invention in which coating layers are applied separately to an elongated strip article; and FIG. 7 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view of part of the coated article produced in the apparatus of FIG. 6 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION An apparatus for coating elongated strip articles is shown and described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,675,230, which issued on Jun. 23, 1987 to Robert A. Innes and is assigned to the same assignee as the present application (the disclosure of this patent is incorporated herein by reference). The Innes patent discloses the formation of a single-layer coating on an elongated strip article such as a sheet of aluminum or aluminum alloy. The apparatus makes use of a coating head provided with a surface having an open-aided slot, to which the coating material is supplied under pressure, and an angled coating surface or land adjacent to the slot against which the coating material exerts a pressure as it is being applied. A load is continuously exerted on the coating head, urging the coating surface against the applied coating layer so as to maintain a uniform coating gap between the head and the coated strip surface. The head does not contact the strip surface but "floats" on the layer of coating material as it is applied and moves under the load to accommodate differences in the thickness of the strip or the height of the strip surface as coating proceeds. U.S. Pat. No. 5,622,562 to Innes et al., which issued on Apr. 22, 1997 and is assigned to the same assignee as the present application, describes a similar coating apparatus and method for coating strip articles with molten layers of polymer material. The disclosure of this patent is also incorporated herein by reference. While apparatus of this kind has proven extremely suitable for producing single-layer coatings of paints or polymers onto strip articles, the apparatus has not been regarded as suitable for producing multiple coating layers. This is because the coating material in the Innes and Innes et al. apparatus experiences extremely high shear rates as it exits the slot in the coater head, and encounters high pressures from the coating surface as the coating head is forced towards the surface of the strip article. The high shear was expected to cause turbulence at the exit of the coating slot, resulting in mixing of liquid layers, and the pressure from the coating head was believed likely to result in a loss of integrity between multiple layers as they were coated. However, the inventors of the present invention have now surprisingly found that this known apparatus may nevertheless be modified to achieve desirable multi-layer coatings. The present invention makes use of a coating apparatus and method similar to that of Innes or Innes et al., but provides a coating head having a plurality of channels for different coating materials leading to one or more open-sided coating slots in a single coating head, or makes use of numerous separate coating heads to apply the different layers sequentially. Surprisingly, acceptable multi-layer coatings are thereby achieved, even when extremely thin coating layers are applied. It should be noted that one of the unique features of this process compared to many (if not all) the conventional alternatives, is the shear rate regime in which the coating head operates. The shear rate (SHEAR) is determined from the strip speed (v) and the thickness of the coating (x) (the separation distance between the part of the coating head surface closest to the strip and the strip surface itself) at the point of application according to the equation: ##EQU1## For example, for a strip velocity (v) of 200 m/second and a coating thickness (x) of 10 microns, the shear rate SHEAR=2×10 7 per second. Alternatively, for a strip velocity of 100 m/second and a coating thickness of 100 microns, the shear rate SHEAR=10 6 per second. For conventional extrusion coaters (i.e. those not of the Innes or Innes et al. type), the shear rate at the coating point is small and certainly much less than 10 4 per second. However, in the method described herein, shear rates generally exceed 10 4 per second, and frequently exceed 10 6 per second. Typical commercial line speeds are about 200 m/second or more for the products envisioned for the present invention (e.g. coated can-end stock). Typical coating thicknesses of interest would generally be 10 microns or less but thicker coating for some applications may be appropriate. It is unlikely that any commercial coating operation based on the present invention would involve shear rates of less than 10 4 per second. As noted earlier, these very high shear rates are substantially different from those experienced in other known coating equipment. Given these extremely high shear conditions, the ability to maintain two or more distinct layers during coating is surprising. The high shear environment associated with the coating process of the present invention applies to molten polymers in a different manner than it does to solvent-borne coatings. Under high shear, a polymer melt behaves like a low viscosity solution because of its shear thinning characteristics. Once the polymer is behaving like a low viscosity coating, it benefits from the high shear laminar flow operation in the same way that a solvent-borne coating does. In both cases, the layers more or less maintain their identity and do not completely mix together. A first preferred embodiment of the invention is described in detail in the following with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2. FIG. 1 shows that a metal strip article 10 to be coated is continuously advanced in the direction of arrow A (by suitable and e.g. conventional drive apparatus) longitudinally parallel to its long dimension from a coil (not shown) around a back-up roll 11 rotatably supported (by structure not shown) in an axially fixed position. At a locality at which the strip is held firmly against the back-up roll, a double-layer 12 of coating materials is applied to the outwardly facing major surface 10a of the strip from a multi-layer coating device 13. The coating device 13 extends over the entire width of the strip 10 at this locality. Beyond the roll 11, the strip is coiled again, e,g. on a driven re-wind reel (not shown) which, in such a case, may constitute the drive apparatus for advancement of the strip through the coating line. The coating device 13 includes a moveable coating head 14 comprising a metal block 15 having a surface 16 facing but spaced from the roll 11 to define therewith a gap 17 through which the advancing strip 10 passes. Formed in the head 14 is an elongated open-sided slot 18 which opens outwardly through the surface 16 of the coating head. The slot, in this embodiment, is an axially rectilinear passage having a uniform cross-section throughout. It is orientated with its long dimension transverse to the direction of advance A of the strip 10; most preferably, the long dimension of the slot is perpendicular to the direction of strip advance and parallel to the axis of rotation of the roll 11. By way of example, the width of slot 18 in the direction of strip advance (i.e. the width of the slot opening through surface 16) may be 1 mm (0.04 inch). As best shown in FIG. 2, the slot 18 communicates at its interior side with a pair of enlarged coating material cavities 19a, 19b provided within the head and separated from each other by a thin wall or "septum" 20. One edge 20a of the septum extends into the inner part of the slot 18 for a short distance, but terminates short of the outer side of the slot 18. The septum 20, at least where it extends into the slot 18, is thin enough not to block the slot and, to the contrary, allows coating material to flow through the slot from both of the cavities 19a, 19b, which are normally respectively fed with different coating materials 12a, 12b under pressure. The coating materials from the two cavities merge at the edge 20a of the septum as they are extruded through the slot and form a combined flow that eventually forms the double coating layer 12. Referring again to FIG. 1, the coating head 14 rests on a flat supporting plate 21 and is free to move over the plate towards or away from the roll 11 in the direction of double headed arrow B. The coating head is nevertheless fixed on the plate by a fixing pin 22, having an enlarged outer head 23. The pin 22 passes through a narrow but elongated hole 24 in the head and has its lower end screwed into a threaded hole in the plate 21. The enlarged head 23 of the pin engages the coating head at the edges of the hole 24, but allows the indicated movement in the direction of the double headed arrow B by virtue of the elongated nature of the hole 24 The hole 24 is, of course, positioned rearwardly of the cavities 19a, 19b so as not to interfere with the flow of coating material through the coating head. The coating head 14 is connected at its end opposite to the roll 11 to a piston and cylinder device 25 supported on a supporting plate 26. The piston and cylinder device, when operated, acts as a force application device and exerts a force on the coating head 14 urging it in the direction of the roll 11. However, the coating head does not come into direct contact with the strip 10, but instead "floats" on the mass of combined coating materials emerging from the slot 18. This "floating" effect is caused by a balancing of the force from the piston and cylinder device 25 and the force exerted by the combined coating materials as they pass through the gap 17. The gap 17 narrows in the direction of arrow A because the coating head 14 has a coating surface (or "land") 27 (see FIG. 2 ), positioned immediately downstream of the slot 18, and that is angled inwardly relative to the surface of the strip 10. The combined coating material is consequently metered or spread by the coating surface 27 to form multiple coating layer 12 of the desired thickness as it loses contact with the coating head. The balancing of forces on the coating head 14 allows the head to move towards or away from the strip 10, preferably perpendicularly, while still "floating" on the coating material, to accommodate variations in thickness or surface height of the strip 10 while ensuring a uniform coating thickness. A combined layer 12 of constant thickness is thereby formed regardless of the thickness or surface height of the strip 10 at any particular location. This is achieved without the head contacting the strip directly, thereby avoiding scratching or scoring of the strip. For a dual layer 12 to be formed by the apparatus described above, the flow of material through the slot 18 must be laminar, i.e. the feeds of material from cavities 19a, 19b must not mix significantly as they emerge from the slot. This is most likely to be achieved when the coating materials each have a relatively high viscosity, so this type of coating apparatus is particularly suitable for the coating of multiple layers (12a, 12b, . . . etc.) of molten polymers (which normally have a viscosity in the range of 1,000 to 2,000,000 CPS at 1 rad./sec according to ASTM D4440). The molten polymers may be supplied to the cavities 19a, 19b from screw extruder devices 28a, 28b (shown in cross-section in FIG. 1) via heated high pressure hoses 29a, 29b that communicate with the cavities 19a, 19b via entry ports 30a, 30b. The screw extruder devices thus act as coating material supply apparatus. The hoses may be conventional flexible hoses first wrapped with a conventional flexible heating element and then wrapped with a conventional thermal insulation. The screw extruders, themselves heated by integral heaters 31a, 31b, heat, mix, compress and pressurize pelletized plastic coating materials 32a, 32b withdrawn from hoppers 33a, 33b. The mixing action takes place as the pressure inside the extruder builds towards the front of the extruder and a backward counter-flow of material takes place (as indicated by the small arrows) in the gap between the screw mechanism 34a, 34b and the extruder wall 35a, 35b. It is also usually necessary to heat the coating head 14 itself (by means not shown) to keep the polymers molten and suitably fluid. The strip article 10 may also be pre-heated (by means not shown) in advance of the roll 11 as a further way to prevent premature solidification of the polymers. Alternatively, or additionally, the roll 11 itself may be heated, e.g. by passing a heated fluid through a spiral channel beneath the roll surface. The supporting plate 21 is mounted on a fixed frame 37 for pivotal movement about a horizontal axis 38, so as to enable the coating head 14, with the supporting plate, to be swung upwardly (e.g. by suitable pneumatic means, not shown) from the position illustrated in FIG. 1 to a position removed from the path of strip advance. An arm 39, fixedly secured to the frame 37 and underlying the supporting plate 21, carries a screw 40 that projects upwardly from the arm and bears against the lower surface of the supporting plate 21, to enable adjustment of the angular orientation of the coating head 14 in its operative position. The frame 37 is fixed in position relative to the axis of the roll 11, both the frame and the roll being (for example) fixedly mounted in a common support structure (not shown). Thus, the axis 38 is fixed in position relative to the axis of the roll 11; and when the supporting plate 26 is in the operative position shown in FIG. 1, with the screw 40 set to provide a desired angular orientation, the roll 11 supports the advancing strip 10, opposite the slot 18, at a fixed distance from the supporting plate 26. It will be appreciated that the coating materials 12a, 12b are applied to the strip 10 simultaneously and are both in the molten condition when the coating takes place. The coating cools and solidifies a short distance from the coating head 14 as cooling proceeds. The coating head arrangement shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 may be replaced by other coating head designs, e.g. as shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5. In the embodiment of FIG. 3, the coating head may be provided with a pair of coating slots 18a, 18b adjacent to one another in the coating head, one slot being positioned upstream with respect to the other slot in the direction of travel A of the strip 10. Each coating slot is provided with its own angled coating surface 27a, 27b. In this embodiment, the coatings flow separately from the coating head and are applied separately, one on top of the other, before both layers have solidified. As shown, the downstream coating surface 27a is positioned further away from the surface of the strip article than the upstream coating surface 27b. This is to accommodate the thickness of the first layer applied from the first slot 18b when the second layer is applied from the second slot 18a. In the embodiment of FIG. 4, the septum 20 of FIG. 2 has been removed and instead the coating materials 12a, 12b are fed into the coating head in the form of adjacent laminar flows introduced from an inlet pipe 41. The separate flows can be produced, for example, by combining the hoses 29a, 29b from extrusion devices screw mechanisms 34a, 34b as shown in FIG. 1 in advance of the coating head in such a way that the illustrated side-by-side combined flow is obtained. FIG. 5 shows a coating head 14 in which different coating materials are introduced via different inlets 42a, 42b and the materials (not shown in this Figure) are combined in a side-by-side fashion in a narrow elongated cavity 19 before being extruded from slot 18. The coating surface 27 of the illustrated coating device is quite narrow because the coating head is intended for forming thin coating layers (less than 10 microns) from high viscosity polymers. Such polymers require narrow surface to increase the per unit force to such an extent that the desired coating thickness is achieved. In general terms, various parameters can be adjusted to form layers of desired thicknesses. For example, layer thicknesses may be governed by the width and angle of the coating surfaces 27, the force with which the coating head is urged towards the strip article, and the feed rate of the coating material to the coating head(s). All of the embodiments of FIGS. 1 through 5 are particularly suitable for coating molten polymers of high viscosity. For coating materials of lower viscosity, e.g. polymers dissolved in solvents (such as conventional paints), it is normally better to apply the multiple coatings sequentially from separate coating heads. This is because lower viscosity coating materials, such as paints, may tend to mix together if applied simultaneously in the manner of FIGS. 1 to 5. An example of a sequential coating arrangement is illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7. In the embodiment of FIG. 6, metal strip to be coated 10 is continuously advanced, in a direction longitudinally parallel to its long dimension, from a coil 70 along a path represented by arrows A and C extending successively around spaced guide rollers 43, 44 and 45 rotatably supported (by structure not shown) in axially fixed positions. The coil is then wound onto a roller 80, which may be driven by a motor (not shown) and thus acts as the means to advance the strip article 10 through the apparatus. The rollers 43 and 44 cooperatively define a rectilinear portion 46 of the path, in which portion the major surfaces of the advancing strip are substantially planar. At a locality in this path portion 46, coating material is applied to both major surfaces 47,48 of the strip 10 from two pairs of coating heads 14, 14' and 14a, 14a'. The heads of each pair are disposed in register with each other on opposite sides of the strip. Thus, the heads of each pair provide mutual support in the sense that the strip is held firmly between the respective coating heads being pushed towards the strip from opposite directions. The first pair of coating heads 14, 14' apply a first (inner) coating layer 12a (see FIG. 7), and the pair of coating heads 14a, 14a' apply a second (outer) coating layer 12b, on each side of the strip. The pairs of coating heads on the same side of the strip are so positioned with respect to each other that, given the speed of advancement of the strip and the drying time of the first coating material, the second coating material is applied on top of the layer 12a of the first coating material before the first coating material is dry. Thus the coating can be characterized as "liquid-on-liquid" coating. The elapsed time between successive coatings is preferably less than about 0.5 seconds, and more preferably less than about 0.1 seconds. For example, for line speeds of 200 m/min, and a required re-coating time of about 0.2 seconds, the spacing between the two groups of coating heads would be about 0.6 m. This type of coating is found to be possible since the application of the second layer does not disrupt the first layer, and it is beneficial because the layers form a strong mutual bond when they dry together. It will be noted that no intermediate curing or drying step is required according to the present invention. The coating heads 14, 14', 14a, 14a' may be of the type described in connection with the Innes patent, above and are supplied with liquid coating material in the same way. Usually, only one coating head of each pair is movable, the other being fixed. The strip article is capable of "floating" on the layer of coating material applied by the fixed coating head and the movable coating head then floats on the strip article. It desired, heaters 51, 51' may be provided upstream of the coating heads to cause preliminary heating of the strip article 10 to avoid premature setting of polymeric coating materials (it used). Of course, the embodiment of FIG. 6, may be modified to provide a single coating on one side of the strip article and a dual coating on the other. This may be achieved, for example, by replacing coating head 14 or 14' of the first pair of coating heads by a backing roller. Further alternatives would include providing two or more single coating heads at different positions around a large roll (of the type 11 shown in FIG. 1) to provide multiple layers on one side only of the strip article, or the provision of two single coating heads at the same relative positions on two adjacent rolls, again to provide a multiple coating on one side only of the strip article. After the coatings have been applied, the strip may be advanced through a heating oven 49 to assure complete drying and, if necessary, curing of the coating layers. Alternatively, if the coating materials are molten polymers, the strip may be passed between cooled quench rolls 50, 50' to complete the solidification of the coatings. In all embodiments of the present invention, it is preferable to choose coating materials that are compatible for liquid/liquid coating. In particular, the coating material used for the upper coating layer(s) should be capable of completely wetting the surface of the layer beneath while the layer beneath is still wet. Compatible combinations of hydrophilic/lipophilic properties are therefore desired. The invention is described in more detail with reference to the following Examples. These Examples are provided for the sake of clarification and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the present invention. EXAMPLE 1 Experiments were carried out using different coating materials and apparatus similar to that shown in FIG. 6 modified first of all to provide a coating layer on an upper surface of an aluminum strip and then a further coating layer on both the upper and lower surfaces of the strip, the second coating on the upper surface being applied over the first coating while the first coating is still wet. This produced a double coating layer on the upper surface of the strip and a single coating layer on the lower surface of the strip. The coating apparatus used was a 10 cm (4 inch) wide single direct coater for the first application using two air cylinders to control the film thickness and a 10 cm (4 inch) wide double direct coater for the second application using two air cylinders mounted on the top coater head. The single and double coaters were positioned about 1.5 metres (5 feet) apart so that, at a line speed of 91 metres/min. (300 ft./min.), the residence time between coatings was about one second. Experiment Run 596 A coating of CR22-174 can lacquer (a gold epoxy phenolic can lacquer sold by Dexter Midland) was applied in the single coater at a viscosity of 2,150 cps, and then layers of L8002 white polyester (Alcan formulation of high gloss white polyester top coat used for architectural products) were applied over the lacquer layer (while still wet) on the upper surface of the strip and directly over the metal on the lower surface of the strip at a viscosity of 1800 cps. The coated strip was subsequently fed through curing ovens set at 210° and 260° C. The air cylinder pressure of the single coater was 25 psi. and the cylinder pressure of the double coater was 103 kPa (15 psi). The resulting single and double coatings had excellent surface properties. The lacquer film thickness was 2 microns and the polyester film thickness was 17 microns. Experiment Run 598 A coating of VYES solution vinyl (a solution vinyl coating) was applied to the upper surface of the strip at a viscosity of 5,300 cps, and then a layer of L8002 white polyester (as above) was applied over the vinyl layer (while still wet) on the upper surface of the strip and directly over the metal on the lower surface of the strip at a viscosity of 1800 cps. The line speed was 91 metres/min (300 ft./min), and the coated strip was subsequently fed through curing ovens set at 260° and 260° C. The air cylinder pressure of the single coater was 40 psi. and the cylinder pressure of the double coater was 103 kPa (15 psi). The resulting single and double coatings had excellent surface properties. The vinyl film thickness was 3 microns and the polyester film thickness was 17 microns. EXAMPLE 2 The multi-layer coating process of the invention may be used to produce a material suitable for preparing a pre-coated metal strip for use as a starting material for the production of beverage cans (e.g. by means of deep drawing, and possibly drawing and ironing). In this case, the strip article may be a coil of aluminum sheet of an appropriate alloy and gauge (for example AA3104, 0.0254 cm (0.01 inch)). Prior to coating, the sheet is pretreated using a commercially available pretreatment process known in the industry. Using a coating process of the type described in this invention, two or more coating layers are applied sequentially. For simplicity, the case of a two-layer coating is described below, although it will be recognized that one or more additional intermediate layers may be included. The first layer is chosen to have good adhesion properties to the pretreated metal surface as well as the ability to bond well to the second layer. It also needs to have good formability so as to maintain integrity during forming of the beverage can product. The second layer is also chosen to have good forming capabilities so as to maintain integrity during the forming operations. Furthermore, since the surface of this film will be adjacent to the forming tooling, a polymer having good lubricity is advantageous. The thickness of the combined films, as applied, must take into account the stretching and concomitant reduction in thickness which occurs during the can-forming process. To achieve a final overall coating thickness of 8 microns, for example, the coating thickness which must be applied can be determined from the change in geometry and sidewall thickness which occurs during can forming. For this application, the following coatings are provided as examples: Coating Proposal no. 1: Polypropylene Film ______________________________________First layer: maleic acid modified polypropylene (e.g. the product sold under the name Admer ®)Second layer: standard packaging grade of polypropylene.______________________________________ In this example, the maleic acid modified polypropylene offers excellent adhesion characteristics, but is relatively expensive. For this application, a relatively thin coating (e.g. approximately 5 microns) is sufficient. A suitable grade of a lower cost polypropylene is chosen as the second layer to have good forming characteristics. Coating Proposal no. 2: Polyester Film ______________________________________First layer: modified polyester - polyesters with good adhesion to pretreated aluminum are commercially available (e.g. Dupont ® 8306) and for demanding applications, adhesion promoting additives are available. Since this would be comparatively costly, a relatively thin layer (e.g. approximately 5 microns) is provided.Second Layer: lower cost packaging grade of polyester. The lowest cost polyesters have relatively high melting points and do not have optimum rheological properties for this coating process. However, there is a wide variety of medium priced polyesters which have suitable property combinations. To improve lubricity, internal lubricant additives, such as a suitable grade of polyethylene, may be incorporated to aid in the forming process.______________________________________ It is, of course, to be understood that the invention is not limited to the features and embodiments herein-above specifically set forth but may be carried out in other ways without departure from its spirit or scope.
A method of applying a multi-layer coating to a surface of an elongated strip article (10) of variable thickness or surface height. The method involves applying at least two layers (12a, 12b,) of different coating materials in the form of solidifiable fluids directly onto the surface (10a, 47, 48) of the elongated metal strip article and reducing the layers to a desired thickness by causing the applied coating materials to encounter at least one coating surface (27) that is movable substantially perpendicularly relative to the strip article and is urged towards the strip article in opposition to hydrodynamic force generated by the coating materials on the at least one coating surface. Differences of thickness or surface height of the strip article are therefore accommodated unduly varying the coating thickness. In the method, one layer (12b) is coated on top of another (12a) in such a way that an outer coating layer is applied on an immediately underlying layer before the immediately underlying layer solidifies. The invention also relates to apparatus for carrying out the method.
1
TECHNICAL FIELD This invention relates to power management of circuits. BACKGROUND Secure integrated circuit cards, commonly referred to as smart cards, are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. Smart cards can be used to store and share information. Smart cards can be small enough to fit into a user's pocket or into a variety of electronic devices. Smart cards can be used in various electronic devices, including phones and personal digital assistants. Smart cards can be used for a number of different applications, including electronic payment systems, and for storing personal information. For example, a smart card can be used to store user account information and be included in a set-top box to facilitate pay-per-view or video-on-demand features and assist in the decryption of encrypted digital video streams. The smart card may communicate with a video provider to accomplish these tasks. As another example, a smart card such as a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) card can be used in a mobile phone to store a user's personal information, such as his or her phone book, device preferences, saved text or voice messages, service provider information, etc. Storage of such information in a SIM card can enable a user to change phones while retaining their individual information (i.e., on the SIM card). Smart cards may be structured to be compliant to various standards. Examples of standards include the ISO 7816 standard, ETSI standard, and EMV standard. The smart cards may also communicate with external devices using a variety of communication interfaces, such as an ISO 7816 interface, a USB interface, a MMC interface, and/or a SWP interface. Based on an given application, a smart card may be configured to operate in a particular voltage class. In current conventional applications, each class defines a different voltage level as follows: class A devices operate at a voltage level of 5 volts +/−10%, class B devices operate at a voltage level of 3 volts+/− 10%, and class C devices operate at a voltage level of 1.8 volts+/− 10%. Typically, a smart card is configured to operate in a singular desired voltage class. SUMMARY In one aspect, a method is described that includes monitoring whether an externally originating signal reaches a predetermined threshold value in a host, producing an output value based on the monitoring, and identifying a power environment for the host based on the output value. The method may include setting an initial value. The host may be a smart card. The power environment may be identified from a plurality of possible power environments. The externally originating signal may be a power signal. The output value may be a logical output. In another aspect, a method for determining the power environment of a host is provided that includes monitoring whether an externally originating signal reaches a predetermined threshold value in a host, producing a first output value based on the monitoring, identifying a first power environment for the host if the first output value meets a first specified criteria, producing a second output value based on the monitoring if the first output value does not meet a first specified criteria, and identifying a power environment for the host if the second output value meets a second specified criteria. The method may include producing a third output value based on the monitoring if the second output value does not meet a second specified criteria, and identifying a power environment for the host if the third output value meets a third specified criteria. The method may include restarting a sequence with producing a first output value if the third output value does not meet a third specified criteria. The method may include using additional output values and additional specified criteria to identify the power environment. The first specified criteria and the second specified criteria may be the same. The host may be a smart card. Each output value may be a logical output. In another aspect, a system for determining the voltage class of an environment is described that includes a hardware circuit including a signal monitoring circuit, a status register, and programmable control logic, and a software sequence to program the hardware circuit. The system may include one or more control registers. The system may include a central processing unit (CPU) bus that is able to communicate with the one or more control registers and the status register. The software sequence may change the values stored in the control registers. The values stored in the control registers may be used in generating an output from the signal monitoring circuit. The signal monitoring circuit may include an analog supply monitor. The signal monitoring circuit may include a plurality of predetermined, selectable signal (e.g., voltage) levels. The predetermined, selectable signal levels may include a first selectable voltage level between class A voltage and class B voltage, and a second selectable voltage level between class B voltage and class C voltage. The signal monitoring circuit may be used to monitor a power signal. The status register may be modified based on output generated by the signal monitoring circuit. An output may be generated based on the power supplied to the signal monitoring circuit. An output may be generated based on the voltage level supplied to the signal monitoring circuit. In another aspect, a host is described that includes a hardware circuit including a signal monitoring circuit for monitoring an externally originating signal, a status register to store output generated from the hardware circuit, a software sequence to program the hardware circuit including programming for the signal monitoring circuit to generate an output and programmable control logic to identify a power environment based on the generated output, and a bus to interface with the status register and obtain the generated output. The host may be a smart card. The host may include one or more communication interfaces. In another aspect, a method for determining the power environment of a host is described that includes means located within the host for monitoring an externally originating signal, means for producing an output value based on the monitoring, and means for identifying the power environment of the host based on the output. The method may include means for programming a software sequence used in monitoring the externally originating signal. Automatic detection methods may provide various possible advantages. Different aspects and embodiments of the invention may include or provide none, one or more of the following advantages. Automatic detection techniques for smart cards to determine a current operation voltage range can be beneficial for many reasons, including the ability to use the same smart card in a number of devices. Automatic detection techniques may reduce manufacturing costs as the same smart card could be manufactured for a number of different applications. These techniques may also reduce user costs and time, as the same smart card could be transferred from one device to another as the user upgrades devices, or could be transferred from one device to another to transfer information, etc. The details of one or more implementations 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 FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating an example system for determining the signal environment (e.g., voltage class) of a supplied signal. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method for a smart card to identify and operate in multiple signal environments. FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method to determine a signal class. FIG. 4 is a graph showing example voltage ranges of multiple voltage classes. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile phone that includes a smart card. DETAILED DESCRIPTION A smart card system is described that may use a combination of hardware and software to determine in which signal environment the smart card is powered. In one embodiment, the signal environment is a voltage class. In some implementations, the system can determine the signal environment by executing a software sequence to detect a voltage range of a supplied voltage. For example, the system may have the ability to determine that the supplied voltage is a class A voltage when the supplied voltage is greater than 4.0 V In another example, the system may determine that the supplied voltage is a class B voltage when the supplied voltage is greater than 2.4 V and not a class A voltage. In another example, the system may determine that the supplied voltage is a class C voltage when the supplied voltage is not a class A nor a class B voltage. Other configurations of signals and signal classes are possible. FIG. 1 is block diagram illustrating an example system for determining the signal environment (e.g., voltage class) for a device given a supplied signal. By way of example, reference will be made to a signal voltage, though other forms of signals (e.g., currents) are possible. Further, reference will be made to three classes of voltage signals at particular voltage levels, though other numbers of classes at other signal levels are possible. In one implementation, the system 100 is capable of determining the voltage class of a voltage signal (i.e., the input signal) supplied to the system 100 . In one implementation, the system 100 includes a CPU 105 , a memory 110 , and a voltage class detector (“VCD”) 115 . In one implementation, the memory 110 includes a software sequence 120 . By executing the software sequence 120 , the CPU 105 can program the VCD 115 to determine the voltage class of the input signal (e.g., an input power signal). In one implementation, the system 100 may detect a voltage class of an input signal of a multiple voltage usage smart card (e.g., a smart card that can be used in different class devices or applications). The CPU 105 can transmit data to and receive data from a CPU bus 125 . For example, the CPU 105 can read data, including the software sequence 120 , from the memory 110 via the CPU bus 125 . In one implementation, the CPU 105 can obtain and execute software instructions from the memory 110 . The software sequence 120 may be a sequence of the software instructions to be executed by the CPU 105 . In one implementation, the software sequence 120 can instruct the CPU 105 to perform a variety of operations during execution, such as transmitting signals, receiving signals, performing arithmetic operations, branching to another sequence of software instructions, and/or performing other CPU operations. In the example shown in FIG. 1 , the CPU 105 can also transmit control signals to and receive output signals from the VCD 115 using the CPU bus 125 . In one implementation, the CPU 105 can transmit one or more signals to the VCD 115 which in turn can generate an output based on the input signal. The CPU 105 can receive the generated output from the VCD 115 . For example, the CPU 105 can transmit signals to the VCD 115 to determine whether the input signal is in voltage class A and receives an output signal from the VCD 115 . If the output signal meets certain parameters, for example, then the CPU 105 may determine that the input signal is voltage class A. If the output signal does not meet certain parameters, for example, the CPU 105 may determine that the input signal is not voltage class A signal. Some examples of methods that may be used to determine a supplied signal environment (e.g., voltage class) are described below with reference to FIGS. 2-3 . The VCD 115 may include a number of subsystems and circuits. In one implementation, the VCD 115 may include one or more control registers 130 , 135 , an analog supply monitor 140 , and a status register 145 . The control registers 130 , 135 may receive signals from the CPU 105 through the CPU bus 125 . In various implementations, the control registers 130 , 135 may include control logic to generate selection signals for transmission to the analog supply monitor 140 to allow selection of one of the voltage levels. In some implementations, the selection signals may be generated based on the signals received from the CPU 105 . The analog supply monitor 140 may include a plurality of predetermined selectable voltage monitoring levels. In one implementation, the analog supply monitor 140 may include two selectable voltage levels at 2.4 V and 4.0 V, respectively. In some implementations, the voltage monitoring levels may be set internally and defined by the outputs of the control registers 130 , 135 . For example, the analog supply monitor 140 may include control logic to select one of the predetermined voltage monitoring levels based on the selection signals received from the control registers 130 , 135 . As discussed above, in various implementations the voltage monitoring level of the analog supply monitor 140 may be selected based on the inputs from the control registers 130 , 135 . In one implementation, the control registers 130 , 135 may include selection logic, such as a multiplexer, to select one of the predetermined voltage monitoring levels based on the received signals from the CPU 105 . In one implementation, the control register 130 can be configured such that a signal is generated to select a 2.4 V monitoring level. In one implementation, the control register 135 can be configured such that a signal is generated to select a 4.0 V monitoring level. In other implementations, other monitoring levels may be used. The analog supply monitor 140 may be configured to receive an input signal 150 (e.g. a voltage) from an external environment. In one implementation, using the selected voltage monitoring level(s), the analog supply monitor 140 can determine the supplied voltage class of the external environment using the input signal 150 . In one implementation, the analog supply monitor 140 may compare the input signal 150 and the selected voltage level. Based on the comparison result, the analog supply monitor 140 may, for example, set a value, retain a value, or clear a stored value in the status register 145 . In one example, the CPU 105 can execute the software sequence 120 to determine the voltage class of the input signal 150 . In one implementation, the CPU 105 may execute the software sequence 120 to determine the voltage class when the system 100 is powered up or reset. In another implementation, the CPU 105 can execute the software sequence 120 when there is a change in the voltage levels of the input signal 150 . For example, the system 100 may detect a change in a supplied voltage level of the input signal 150 and transmit an interrupt to the CPU 105 . After receiving the interrupt, the CPU 105 may then execute the software sequence 120 to determine the supplied voltage class of the input signal 150 . In another implementation, the CPU 105 may execute the software sequence 120 during a maintenance operation. For example, the CPU 105 may execute a maintenance operation, which includes determining the voltage class, periodically (e.g., every day, every hour, etc.) or non-periodically (e.g., execute when a user selects to execute the maintenance operation). When the CPU 105 executes the software sequence 120 , the CPU 105 may execute instructions to transmit the one or more selection signals to the control registers 130 , 135 to initiate selection of one or more of the predetermined voltage levels. The analog supply monitor 140 may compare the selected voltage level and the input signal level. Based on the comparison result, the analog supply monitor 140 may set or clear one or more values stored in the status register 145 . In one implementation, the analog supply monitor 140 may clear the status register 145 when the analog supply monitor 140 detects that the supplied voltage is higher than the selected voltage level. In one implementation, the analog supply monitor 140 may set the status register 145 when it detects that the supplied voltage is lower than the selected voltage level (i.e., when the supplied voltage is less than the selected voltage level). The CPU 105 can access and read values stored in the status register 145 via the CPU bus 125 . Based on the values (e.g., set or clear) in the status register 145 of the analog supply monitor 140 , the CPU 105 may determine whether the voltage class of the input signal has been identified, and/or whether more operations are required to identify the voltage class of the input signal. FIG. 2 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 200 for a smart card to identify and operate in multiple signal environments. Method 200 may be used by a smartcard to identify a voltage class and possibly adjust operating parameters based on the identified voltage class. In some implementations, the method 200 may be performed by a system including a processor. Examples of microprocessors that may be used include the microprocessor of a mobile device or the CPU of a video set-up box. An exemplary system 100 that may be used to identify a voltage class of an input signal is shown in FIG. 1 . The method 200 begins by initializing parameters 210 . In one implementation, a processor (e.g., CPU 105 ) may initialize parameters, such as reset registers, input power sources, and other hardware, by executing a startup code (e.g., a bootloader code). For example, a system reset of the system 100 ( FIG. 1 ) may trigger the CPU 105 to initialize parameters by executing the startup code stored in the memory 110 . After initialization, the system may receive an input signal 220 (e.g., a supplied voltage VCC). In one implementation, an analog monitor circuit 140 may receive an input signal 150 from an external environment. For example, the system 100 ( FIG. 1 ) can receive the input signal 150 from an external source. The voltage class 230 of the supplied signal may then be determined. In one implementation, a system 100 may determine whether the voltage class 230 of the supplied input signal 150 (e.g., voltage VCC) is a class A voltage, a class B voltage, or a class C voltage. For example, the CPU 105 ( FIG. 1 ) may execute the software sequence 120 to determine the voltage class of the input signal. An example of method that may be used to determine the voltage class 230 is described below with reference to FIG. 3 . After the voltage class is determined, one or more actions may be initiated. In one implementation, operating parameters may be adjusted according to the determined voltage class 240 . FIG. 3 is a flow diagram illustrating an example method 300 to determine a signal class of an input signal. In some implementations, the method 300 may be performed by a system (e.g., system 100 ). The system may include a processor (e.g., CPU 105 ). For example, the method 300 may be performed by a system including a circuit (e.g., analog monitor circuit 140 ) and a processor to determine a voltage class of a signal as required in step 230 shown in FIG. 2 . An exemplary system 100 that may be used to identify a voltage class is shown in FIG. 1 . In one implementation, the system receives a supplied input signal for which the voltage class is to be determined. The supplied input signal may be an input voltage signal to a circuit that is provided from an external source (e.g., a battery). The method 300 may be performed by the processor that is executing a software sequence (e.g., sequence 120 ). In one implementation, the software sequence may include instructions that, when executed, instruct the processor to transmit control signals to a detector (e.g., analog supply monitor 140 ) to determine a voltage class of the input signal. The method 300 may begin by selecting a first threshold 310 . In one implementation, the first threshold may be a voltage level. For example, the processor (e.g., CPU 105 ) can execute a software instruction to select a first threshold voltage level and transmit a control signal to a detector (e.g., voltage class detector 115 ) to set a detection level. In the exemplary system 100 , the CPU 105 can transmit a control signal to the control registers 130 , 135 to configure the control registers 130 , 135 and select a 4.0 V monitoring level. For example, the control registers 130 , 135 can transmit signals to the analog signal monitor 140 to disable the 2.4 V selectable voltage level and enable the 4.0 V selectable voltage level. Next, a determination is made whether the level of the supplied signal (e.g., voltage level) reaches or exceeds the selected threshold 320 . In one implementation, the detector (e.g., analog monitor circuit 140 ) may include a comparator to compare the selected threshold against the input signal. In one embodiment, after the 4.0 V monitoring level is enabled, the analog supply monitor 140 may compare the input voltage VCC with the 4.0 V level. This operating condition is shown represented as operating state 410 in FIG. 4 . The possible voltages of the supplied signal is shown in operating state 410 as either a shaded area (e.g., voltage less than 4.0V) or a clear area (e.g., voltage equal to or greater than 4.0V). In some implementations, the processor can read a status register (e.g., the status register 145 ) to determine whether the voltage level of the supplied signal has been identified. As an illustrative example, the detector may set or clear a value stored in the status register. In this implementation, the shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor 140 will set the status register 145 based on the comparison result, and the non-shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor 140 will clear the status register 145 based on the comparison result. In the depicted implementation, the CPU 105 may identify that the input voltage VCC is class A in the state 410 if the status register 145 is cleared. In contrast, if the status register 145 is set, the CPU 105 may identify that the input voltage VCC is not class A (e.g., class B or class C). Referring to FIG. 3 , if the determination in step 320 fails (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a first voltage class is detected 330 and the method 300 ends. Else, additional processing steps may be executed. If processing continues, a second threshold is selected 340 . In one implementation, the second threshold may be less than the first threshold. In one implementation, the first threshold may be a voltage level. For example, the processor (e.g., CPU 105 ) can execute a software instruction to select a second threshold voltage level and transmit a control signal to a detector (e.g., voltage class detector 115 ) to set a detection level. In the exemplary system 100 , the CPU 105 can transmit a control signal to the control registers 130 , 135 to configure the control registers 130 , 135 and select a 2.4 V monitoring level. For example, the control registers 130 , 135 can transmit signals to the analog signal monitor 140 to disable the 4.0 V selectable voltage level and enable the 2.4 V selectable voltage level. Next, a determination is made whether the level of the supplied signal (e.g., voltage level) reaches or exceeds the second selected threshold 350 . In one implementation, the detector (e.g., analog monitor circuit 140 ) may include a second comparator to compare the selected threshold against the input signal. In one embodiment, after the 2.4 V monitoring level is enabled, the analog supply monitor 140 may compare the input voltage VCC with the 2.4 V level. This operating condition is shown represented as operating state 440 in FIG. 4 . The possible voltages of the supplied signal are shown in operating state 440 as either a shaded area (e.g., voltage less than 2.4V) or a clear area (e.g., voltage equal to or greater than 2.4V). In some implementations, the processor can read a status register (e.g., the status register 145 ) to determine whether the voltage level of the supplied signal has been identified. As an illustrative example, the detector may set or clear a value stored in the status register. In this implementation, the shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor 140 will set the status register 145 based on the comparison result, and the non-shaded area indicates voltages where the analog supply monitor 140 will clear the status register 145 based on the comparison result. In the depicted embodiment, the CPU 105 may identify that the input voltage VCC is either class A or class B in the state 440 if the status register 145 is cleared. In contrast, if the status register 145 is set, the CPU 105 may identify that the input voltage VCC is class C. Referring to FIG. 3 , if the determination in step 350 fails (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a second voltage class is detected 360 and the method 300 ends. Else, a third voltage class is detected 370 and the method 300 ends. In other implementations, the system can execute the process steps 310 - 370 using different threshold values. Although 4.0V and 2.4V exemplary threshold values have been used for clarity throughout the description, many other selectable voltage levels (e.g. 3.9V and 2.5V, 4.1V and 2.3V, etc), may also be used. In some implementations, the system can execute process steps using different threshold values in different order to determine the voltage class of a system. For example, the detector can first select a second voltage threshold (e.g., the lower voltage threshold). Next, the detector can determine whether the supplied voltage is less than the second voltage threshold. If the determination passes (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a third voltage class is detected. Else, the detector can select the first threshold. Using the first threshold, the detector can determine whether the level of the supplied signal (e.g., voltage level) is less than the selected threshold. If the determination fails (e.g., it is determined that the supplied voltage exceeds the selected threshold), then a second voltage class is detected and the method ends. Else, a first voltage class is detected and the method ends. In various implementations, an additional confirmation test may be conducted. For example, the confirmation test can be implemented in the method after a third voltage class is detected. In one implementation, a third threshold, which may be lower than the second threshold may be used. In some implementations, additional thresholds may be selected to identify additional signal environments (e.g., additional voltage classes). In one implementation, the method 300 can be augmented by having additional thresholds to identify additional voltage classes. In another implementation, the system 100 may include additional control registers to select the additional thresholds to accommodate the extra comparisons. FIG. 4 is a graph showing example voltage ranges in different operating states 410 , 440 , 470 . The graph 400 illustrates examples of how the values stored in the status register 145 ( FIG. 1 ) may be based on the settings of the control registers 130 , 135 and an input signal 150 . In the examples shown, the analog supply monitor 140 may set one or more values in the status register 145 based on the results from one or more of the three operating states 410 , 440 , 470 . The value in the status register 145 may be set or cleared by determining whether the level of the input signal (e.g., voltage VCC) is higher or lower than a selected voltage level (e.g. 2.4 V and 4.0 V). In one implementation, the CPU 105 can use the control registers 130 , 135 to control the operating states 410 , 440 , 470 of the analog supply monitor 140 , and read the stored value in the status register 145 in order to determine the voltage class of the input voltage VCC. As described in FIG. 3 , in one specific implementation, a system receiving an input signal (e.g., an input voltage signal to smart card) above 4.0 V will be detected as a Class A system. FIG. 4 illustrates this as operating state 410 . Similarly, a system operating and providing an input signal in the range of 2.4 V to 4.0 V will be detected as a Class B system. FIG. 4 illustrates this as operating state 440 , which may follow operating state 410 in a testing sequence. In one embodiment, if the system is not a Class A system, then the detector can determine whether the system is a Class B system or a Class C system by operating in the state 440 . Also, a system operating and providing an input signal below 2.4 V (such as at around 1.8 V) will be detected as a Class C system. In addition, an operating state can be used to confirm the presence of a signal. FIG. 4 illustrates this as operating state 470 . A CPU (e.g. the CPU 105 in FIG. 1 ) can control the detector to be operating in one of the operating states to determine a voltage class of a presently supplied signal. In one implementation, the software sequence 120 can include selecting an initial (e.g., voltage) monitoring level at the analog supply monitor 140 . Based on the output of the analog supply monitor 140 , the software sequence 120 can include logic (e.g., the logic implemented in the method 300 described with reference to FIG. 3 ) for determining the supplied signal class or alternating the operating states 410 , 440 , 470 of the analog supply monitor 140 to identify the input voltage VCC. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating a mobile phone that includes a smart card. An example of a smart phone 500 including a smart card 505 is shown. The phone 500 includes a Subscriber Identity Module (SIM) smart card 505 , a battery 510 , and a communication interface 515 . In some examples, the battery 510 and/or the communication interface 515 may provide operating power to the smart phone 500 , including the SIM 505 . In this example, the SIM 505 is used in a mobile phone application. In some implementations, the SIM 505 may also be used in multiple models of the phone 500 . However, the battery 510 and the communication interface 515 in different smart phones 500 may supply power at different voltage ranges. According to the supplied voltage ranges, some operating parameters of the SIM 505 may require adjustment. By executing a software sequence (e.g., the software sequence 120 in FIG. 1 ), the SIM 505 can identify a supplied voltage range provided by the battery 510 and/or the communication interface 515 . In some examples, the SIM 505 may adjust operating parameters based on the identified voltage class using, for example, the method 300 . Consequently, the detection of a voltage class level can lead to the subsequent setting of internal parameters in the device (e.g., the smart card can adjust an output of an internal voltage regulator to allow for proper operation of the device given the input power provided). As shown in the example of FIG. 5 , the SIM 505 is connected to a memory 520 , a processor 525 , a display driver 530 , and a user interface (UI) 535 using a data bus 540 . Data may be transmitted through the data bus. For example, the processor 525 may process data received from the communication interface 515 . The processor 525 may also store the resulting data in the memory 520 using the data bus 540 . In another example, a user may use the UI 535 to input a phone number to be displayed on a display 545 using the display driver 530 . In some implementations, the SIM 505 , the memory 520 , the processor 525 , the display driver 530 , the UI 535 , and the display 545 may be powered by the battery 5 10 and/or the communication interface 515 . In some examples, the communication interface 515 may be compliant to one or more industry standards, such as European Telecommunications Standards Institute (ETSI), ISO 7816, or EMV Some of these industry standards may require the communication interface to supply power in different voltage ranges (e.g., class A, class B, or Class C). In some implementations, the phone 500 may include more than one communication interface. For example, the phone 500 ma include an ISO 7816 interface, an USB interface, a MMC interface, and a SWP interface. To feature these interfaces and to be compatible with different industry standards, the SIM 505 may include the system 100 to detect the supplied voltage range. In some implementations, an operating system embedded in the phone 500 can control the SIM to execute the software sequence to determine a voltage class and adjust operation parameters. For example, the SIM 505 may use the method 300 to determine the supplied voltage class. After the voltage class detection has been completed, the CPU may send additional instructions, or may provide control or input to other processes or components. In one approach, the system may include a regulator, and the programming of the regulator may be guided by instructions from the CPU. The instructions may be based on the results obtained from a supply monitor. The instructions may be based on the determined voltage class. The regulator may regulate the incoming supplied power, enabling a smart card to operate in the identified power environment. The CPU may send a control signal, enabling the regulator to establish and maintain a desired voltage level output. In another approach the CPU may be used by the Operating System to send instructions to parametrize oscillators and clock dividers in order to fit the power consumption restrictions specified for the detected voltage class. This approach may be used with a SIM card application, or in other applications. In another approach, multiple application programs could be present in the memory. For example, there could be different application programs for voltage class A, voltage class B, and voltage class C. After having detected the voltage class, the operating system could be instructed to jump to the dedicated application. In another implementation, the voltage class detection could be used to confirm that the integrated circuit (“chip”) is operating in the proper environment. In one embodiment, a chip could feature multiple interfaces. For example, a chip may work with the new high speed communication interface standard, USB-IC (Inter-Chip). The protocol is close to USB 2.0, with the major differences from USB 2.0 being electrical points (e.g., power ranges and driver characteristics). For instance, in USB 2.0 the power range is 5V and the data signaling level is 3.3V. In USB-IC, the power range can be 3V or 1.8V and the data signaling level is the same level as the VCC. In one implementation, a chip may feature multiple interfaces multiplexed on the same pads, enabling the chip and circuit to target multiple applications. For example, in one implementation, the circuit may be used to target mobile applications that require USB-IC and IT applications that require USB 2.0. The interface selection between IC and 2.0 may be done, for example, in software (such as programming a control register) following determination of the power environment. In one implementation, the operating system may know that the chip is in a mobile environment by the detection of any activity on the standard communication ISO 7816 interface, and can program the USB interface in USB-IC mode. If no activity on that interface is detected, the chip may determine that the chip is in an IT world and the OS can program the USB interface in USB 2.0 mode. The voltage class detector can be used to confirm the chip is programmed for the right environment. In another implementation, a chip may not include a low speed ISO 7816 interface. The voltage class detector may be used by the OS to know in which application the chip is used. EXAMPLES A smart card may be used to power a flash memory chip. Depending on the determined voltage class, the smartcard may enable or disable an on-chip voltage regulator that regulates voltage supplied to the flash memory chip. For example, the flash memory chip may be designed to operate at 1.8 V. If the determined voltage class of the external environment is class B voltage (3 V), then the smartcard may enable the voltage regulator to regulate a 3 V supply VCC to 1.8 V for the flash memory chip. If, however, the determined voltage class of the external environment is class C voltage, the smartcard may disable the voltage regulator because the supplied voltage is 1.8 V. If, in another example, the voltage class of an external environment is class A (5 V), then the smartcard may enable the voltage regulator to regulate a 5 V supply VCC to 1.8 V In some cases, two sets of operating parameters may be used for regulating a 5 V input voltage and a 3 V input voltage. Based on the identified voltage class, the smart card can control the parameters to maintain the 1.8 V level for the flash memory chip. A number of implementations 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, a voltage class detector may include other hardware, such as additional registers, multiplexers, and/or voltage sensors, to enhance performance of the voltage class detector. Accordingly, other implementations are within the scope of the following claims.
A method including monitoring whether an externally originating signal reaches a predetermined threshold value in a host, producing an output value based on the monitoring, and identifying a power environment for the host based on the output value is described. Also described is a method for determining the power environment of a host. Systems and hosts for implementing the methods are also described.
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RELATED APPLICATION DATA The present application claims priority to Japanese Application No. P2004-110008 filed Mar. 30, 2004, which application(s) is/are incorporated herein by reference to the extent permitted by law. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to image-capturing apparatuses that capture natural images and that detect optical signals indicating various types of information. 2. Description of the Related Art Currently, image-capturing devices, for example, charge-coupled device (CCD) image sensors and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor (CMOS) image sensors, are available at low prices. Thus, many home electrical appliances and information technology (IT) apparatuses, for example, camcorders, digital still cameras, mobile phones, and personal computers, include cameras. Since CMOS image sensors and other general metal-oxide semiconductor (MOS) devices can be manufactured on a common production line, an image-sensing unit and other system units such as a signal-processing unit and an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) can be readily mounted on the same chip. Moreover, an image sensor, disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 2003-169251, not only captures images, but also carries out other processes by analog and digital calculations. This image sensor will now be described. FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the structure of the CMOS image sensor. This image sensor can capture normal images that are referred to as natural images and three-dimensional range data of objects in images. The image sensor includes a pixel array 10 that has a two-dimensional array of pixels detecting light, a current-to-voltage (I-V) conversion circuit 12 that converts current signals detected by the pixel array 10 to voltage signals, a correlated double sampling (CDS) circuit 14 that filters out noise in image signals, an analog memory array 16 that holds the pixel signals detected by the pixel array 10 , a current mirror 18 that outputs the pixel signals detected by the pixel array 10 to the analog memory array 16 , a comparator-latch unit 20 that calculates the difference among values in memory cells in the analog memory array 16 and that latches the resulting difference value, a vertical (V) pixel scanner 22 , a horizontal (H) pixel scanner 24 , a vertical (V) memory scanner 26 , and a horizontal (H) memory scanner 28 . The V pixel scanner 22 and the H pixel scanner 24 control scanning of the pixel array 10 . The V memory scanner 26 and the H memory scanner 28 control scanning of the analog memory array 16 . FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of the circuits shown in FIG. 9 . FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating switching operation in the pixel array 10 shown in FIG. 10 . FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of one pixel in the pixel array 10 shown in FIG. 9 . As shown in FIG. 10 , the pixel array 10 includes four types of pixels 30 , i.e., yellow (Ye), cyan (Cy), green (G), and magenta (Mg). The analog memory array 16 includes memory units F 1 to F 4 corresponding to four respective frames in high-speed frame scanning. Each of the memory units F 1 to F 4 includes memory cells 32 . Signals from the pixels 30 are read through vertical signal lines 34 extending through the pixel array 10 . Each vertical signal line 34 includes a switch S 11 at the upper portion and a switch S 12 at the lower portion. The switches S 11 and S 12 are turned on and off in response to a read operation of pixel signals. A switch S 13 is provided between the analog memory array 16 and the comparator-latch unit 20 and is turned on and off in response to a read operation of memory signals. As shown in FIG. 12 , in this image sensor, five MOS transistors are provided for one pixel. Each pixel includes a photodiode PD serving as a photoelectric transducer, a floating diffusion part FD, a transfer transistor T 11 that transfers signal charge generated at the photodiode PD to the floating diffusion part FD, an amplifying transistor T 12 that outputs voltage signals or current signals based on the signal charge transferred to the floating diffusion part FD, a reset transistor T 13 that resets the floating diffusion part FD to a power source potential based on reset signals (RST), a transfer-controlling transistor T 14 that controls timing for switching the transferring transistor T 11 based on column selection signals (CGm) and charge transfer signals (TX), and a selecting transistor T 15 that controls timing for the amplifying transistor T 12 to output signals based on pixel selection signals (SEL). When normal image data is read out, signals from the pixels 30 are read out through the vertical signal lines 34 in the upward direction. The V pixel scanner 22 and the H pixel scanner 24 sequentially scan each row and each column to read out the signals from the pixels 30 . Then, the signals from the pixels 30 are processed in the I-V conversion circuit 12 and the CDS circuit 14 and are amplified to be output outside the chip as analog image signals. On the other hand, when three-dimensional range data is processed, signals from the pixels 30 are read out through the vertical signal lines 34 in the downward direction. In processing three-dimensional range data, frame scanning is carried out at a high rate of, for example, 14 kfps while a slit-shaped infrared light beam is emitted to an object and the reflected light is detected. Then, the difference among four consecutive frames is calculated. As shown in FIG. 11 , in a light-detecting section of the image sensor, color filters are provided on the pixels 30 . RGBG primary-color filters or CMYG complementary-color filters are used. In this image sensor, since color filters need to transmit infrared light when three-dimensional range data is processed, CMYG complementary-color filters having high transmittance of near-infrared light are used. When three-dimensional range data is processed, four pixels corresponding to CMYG are read out as one range operating unit (ROU) to be combined in order to cancel differences in transmittance of near-infrared light in the CMYG filters. The analog memory array 16 includes the four memory units F 1 to F 4 for holding signals of four consecutive frames. In each of the memory units F 1 to F 4 , the memory cells 32 are provided corresponding to respective ROUs in the pixel array 10 . In this arrangement, the signals from the pixels 30 pass through the current mirror 18 and are temporarily held in the memory cells 32 for four consecutive frames. Then, the comparator-latch unit 20 calculates the difference between combined signals from two leading frames and combined signals from two succeeding frames and latches the resulting difference as binary data. When the ROUs detect the infrared light beam, the calculated difference is “1”, and this data is output outside the image sensor. In processing three-dimensional range data, the timing of detecting the infrared light beam can be used for measuring the distance between each pixel and the corresponding object. Data communication can be carried out with signals obtained by encoding patterns (light intensity change) of a blinking light-emitting diode (LED), using the same image sensor as described above. For example, as shown in FIG. 13 , an LED light source (an LED beam controller) 2 blinks in the visual field of a camera 1 , and ID data is generated by encoding patterns of blinking light. As in processing three-dimensional range data, the image sensor is controlled so as to calculate the difference among four consecutive frames. Each ROU detects timing of changes in the LED light, and outputs this data outside the image sensor. An external device derives the patterns of the blinking LED from this timing data. Thus, the external device can obtain data on IDs and pixels that detected the blinking LED light, and thus can identify objects in an image, superimpose the ID data, other data related to the ID data, and the objects on a display, and capture motions of the objects. The known image sensor described above can capture image data, and can detect a slit-shaped infrared light beam for processing three-dimensional range data or can detect blinking LED light. However, since the same pixels detect light for these functions using common signals lines in the known image sensor, the operation of outputting image data and the operation of processing three-dimensional range data or of detecting blinking LED light cannot be simultaneously carried out. Thus, in the known image sensor, the operation mode must change between an image-capturing mode and an optical-change-detecting mode every frame so that more than one type of data seem to be simultaneously output. However, in the known image sensor, when image data is processed, image data is captured every other frame, and thus the usability of the image sensor is impaired. For example, in a system that is designed so as to use consecutive frames captured by a regular image sensor, the known image sensor may be installed instead of the regular image sensor so as to carry out a three-dimensional range data-processing function and an ID data communicating function in addition to an image-capturing function. In this case, there is no compatibility of image data between the known image sensor and the regular image sensor. Thus, the system needs to be rebuilt so that the system can control image data captured by the known image sensor. Moreover, since every other frame is available in detecting blinking LED light, when ID data is retrieved from an LED provided in an object that moves quickly, the object may not be correctly tracked due to time lag. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An image-capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pixel array including pixels. Each of the pixels includes a transducer for generating signal charge according to the intensity of an incident light beam. The image-capturing apparatus further includes an output circuit for outputting a pixel signal outside the pixel array at a frame rate depending on the pixel position in the pixel array, based on the signal charge; and an output-controlling unit for controlling the operation of the output circuit. An image-capturing apparatus according to the present invention includes a pixel array including pixels. Each of the pixels includes a transducer for generating signal charge according to the intensity of an incident light beam. The image-capturing apparatus further includes an output circuit for outputting a pixel signal outside the pixel array, based on the signal charge; an output-controlling unit for controlling the operation of the output circuit; and a signal-processing unit. The signal-processing unit includes signal-processing circuits. A predetermined signal-processing circuit depending on the pixel position in the pixel array processes the pixel signal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the connection of circuits in an image sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 1B illustrates the Bayer pattern; FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of pixels in the image sensor shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 3 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of reading out image data in the image sensor shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 4 is a timing chart illustrating the operation of processing three-dimensional range data and ID data in the image sensor shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of circuits in a modification of the image sensor according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 6 illustrates an arrangement of color filters in a modification of the image sensor according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 7 illustrates an arrangement of color filters in another modification of the image sensor according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 8 illustrates the wiring of pixels in another modification of the image sensor according to the first embodiment shown in FIG. 1A ; FIG. 9 is a block diagram illustrating the overall structure of a known image sensor; FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of circuits in the image sensor shown in FIG. 9 ; FIG. 11 is a block diagram illustrating an arrangement of color filters in the image sensor shown in FIG. 9 ; FIG. 12 is a circuit diagram of one pixel in the image sensor shown in FIG. 9 ; FIG. 13 illustrates a camera system for processing ID data, the camera system including the known image sensor; and FIG. 14 is a schematic view illustrating a camera module according to another embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In an image-capturing apparatus according to a first embodiment of the present invention, a pixel array in a CMOS image sensor includes pixels that capture normal images and pixels that are used for processing three-dimensional range data and ID data. These two types of pixels are separately provided. Signals are read out from the two types of pixels at respective frame rates and are processed in respective signal-processing circuits. Thus, capturing of normal images (natural images) and processing of three-dimensional range data and ID data can be simultaneously carried out. Moreover, the operations described above are carried out in different signal-processing circuits at different frame rates, corresponding to color components of filters of pixels in one matrix. The pixels in the matrix have respective color filters, other than one pixel that has no color filter or has a color filter having no wavelength-selectivity. In this arrangement, the operations are carried out in different signal-processing circuits at different frame rates, corresponding to these two types of pixels. Preferably, these pixels are controlled with respective control lines, and signals from the pixels are read out through respective signals lines. Moreover, these types of pixels may be provided in different regions in the pixel array. In this image-capturing apparatus, for example, first pixels that capture natural images and second pixels that detect infrared light may be separately provided, and different frame rates and signal-processing circuits may be used for these two types of pixels. Simultaneously, the first pixels may capture natural images and the second pixels may detect the reflected light of probe light in the light-section method, using different frame rates and signal-processing circuits. Simultaneously, the first pixels may capture natural images and the second pixels may detect optical signals generated by changing light intensity (blinking light), using different frame rates and signal-processing circuits. Moreover, the first pixels and the second pixels may simultaneously detect various types of optical signals generated by changing light intensity, using different frame rates and signal-processing circuits. In this arrangement, natural images may be retrieved by reading out signals of columns of pixels in the array in parallel (referred to as a column-parallel mode) through a plurality of output signal lines, or by reading out signals of each pixel in the array one by one (referred to as a pixel-by-pixel mode). FIG. 1A is a block diagram illustrating the connection of circuits in an image sensor according to a first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram of pixels in the image sensor shown in FIG. 1A . While image signals are processed for each pixel one by one in the known image sensor described with reference to FIGS. 9 to 12 , in the first embodiment, a CDS circuit is provided for each column of pixels and cancels noise of image signals from the pixels to output the image signals through horizontal signals lines, as shown in FIG. 1A . The first embodiment will now be described. The numbers of columns and rows of the pixel array and the analog memory array are the same as those in the known image sensor shown in FIG. 9 . That is, one pixel array includes 320×240 pixels, and an analog memory array 120 includes four units of memory cells. Each unit includes 160×120 memory cells for one frame. Moreover, while CMYG complementary-color filters having a mosaic pattern are used in the known image sensor, RGB primary-color filters are used in this embodiment. In general, the Bayer pattern (RGBG) including 2×2 matrices is used in the primary-color filters, as shown FIG. 1B . Two elements in each 2×2 matrix correspond to green. On the contrary, in the first embodiment, one of these two elements corresponds to white (W). The white element has no filtering function, and all light components in the entire wavelength range thus pass through the white element. Pixels corresponding to white elements are used for detecting reflected light resulting from infrared light that is emitted when three-dimensional range data is processed, and are used for detecting blinking LED light when ID data is processed. In this embodiment, first pixels corresponding to red, green, and blue elements are used for capturing normal images, and second pixels corresponding to the white elements are used for detecting light intensity changes, as described above. That is, these two types of pixels have distinct functions and simultaneously output respective data. The structure of this image sensor will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1A and 2 . The overall structure of this image sensor is the same as that shown in FIG. 9 . As shown in FIG. 1 , RGBW color filters having the Bayer pattern are provided for pixels 101 in a pixel array 100 . Vertical signal lines 102 extend in the upward direction, parallel to rows of pixels, to connect to respective CDS circuits 103 through switches S 1 . The CDS circuits 103 connect to horizontal signal lines 104 and an H scanner 105 . On the other hand, the vertical signal lines 102 extend in the downward direction to a current mirror 106 through a switch S 2 . The output of the current mirror 106 connects to memory cells (F 1 to F 4 ) 107 for four frames. The memory cells 107 connect to a comparator 108 and a latch circuit 109 . The output of the latch circuit 109 connects to a detection data output line 110 through a switch S 5 . As shown in FIG. 2 , in this image sensor, four MOS transistors are provided for each pixel. The following elements are provided for the pixel: a photodiode PD serving as a photoelectric transducer, a floating diffusion part FD, a transfer transistor T 1 that transfers signal charge generated at the photodiode PD to the floating diffusion part FD based on charge transfer signals (TX), an amplifying transistor T 2 that outputs voltage signals or current signals based on the signal charge transferred to the floating diffusion part FD, a reset transistor T 3 that resets the floating diffusion part FD to a power source potential based on reset signals (RST), and a selecting transistor T 5 that controls timing for the amplifying transistor T 2 to output signals based on pixel selection signals (SEL). In general CMOS image sensors, one vertical signal line (COL) is provided for each column of pixels, and one pixel-selecting line (SEL), one transfer line (TX), and one reset line (RST) are provided for each row of the pixels. In the first embodiment, in addition to these lines, pixel-selecting lines (SEL_W 0 ), transfer lines (TX_W 0 ), and reset lines (RST_W 0 ) are exclusively provided for the second pixels. Moreover, vertical signal lines (COL 0 to COL 3 ) are exclusively provided for respective pixels corresponding to RGBW. Signals from columns of the pixels through these vertical signals lines are processed by CDS in the respective CDS circuits 103 . Among these processed signals, WB row signals and RG row signals are transferred to respective horizontal signal lines (Hsig_WB and Hsig_RG) through switches. The operation of this image sensor will now be described. FIGS. 3 and 4 are timing charts illustrating the operation of this image sensor. FIG. 3 illustrates the control of the first pixels, i.e., the operation of outputting normal images. FIG. 4 illustrates the control of the second pixels, i.e., the operation of processing three-dimensional range data and ID data. In FIGS. 3 and 4 , the respective operations are carried out in the same video frame period ( 1/30 sec). In FIG. 3 , though signals transmitted through the vertical signal lines (COL 0 , COL 2 , and COL 3 ) are different from each other, these signals are shown by the same line. CLP and SH indicate clamp timing and sample-and-hold timing, respectively, in the CDS circuits 103 . As shown in FIG. 3 , to read out from the first pixels, pixel-selecting lines (SEL 0 and SEL 1 ) are selected, and the floating diffusion part FD in each pixel is reset by applying pulses to reset lines (RST 0 and RST 1 ). Then, in each pixel, electric charge from the photodiode PD is transferred to the floating diffusion part FD based on charge transfer signals (TX 0 and TX 1 ), and signals corresponding to the electric charge are read out through the vertical signal lines (COL 0 , COL 2 , and COL 3 ). As shown in FIG. 1 , column by column, the respective CDS circuits 103 process these signals to remove noise from the signals, and the H scanner 105 then reads out the processed signals to the horizontal signal lines 104 . In the first embodiment, the number of rows in a pixel array is 240 , as in the image sensor shown in FIG. 9 , and thus, the number of rows of RGBW matrices (ROU) is 120 . In this arrangement, when the read time for one horizontal scanning (H) period (corresponding to one row of ROUs) is 278 μsec, one frame can be read out in 1/30 sec. When signals are read out at a rate higher than 278 μsec, spare time in one video frame period can be used as a blanking period. FIG. 4 illustrates the read operation of the second pixels. The rate of read operation of the second pixels is higher than that of the first pixels: Frames are read out at a rate of 71 μsec per frame in one video frame period of 1/30 sec in the image sensor. This rate corresponds to 14 kfps. Thus, all rows of the second pixels are read out at a rate of 71 μsec, and the read time for one H period (corresponding to one row of ROUs) is 140 nsec. The read operation of the second pixels in one H period is the same as that of the first pixels. After the reset operation through the reset lines (RST_W 0 ), signals are read out to the vertical signals lines (COL 1 ) by the transfer operation through the transfer lines (TX_W 0 ). As shown in FIG. 1 , these read-out signals are transmitted in the downward direction through the current mirror 106 and the analog memory array 120 to be subjected to inter-frame differential calculation, as in the known image sensor. As described above, the operation of reading out image signals from the first pixels shown in FIG. 3 and the operation of detecting light intensity changes through the second pixels in processing three-dimensional range data and ID data shown in FIG. 4 are simultaneously carried out at the same video frame period at different frame rates. Thus, two different types of data can be simultaneously retrieved. In the operations described above, signals are read out from the first pixels only in the upward direction, and signals are read out from the second pixels only in the downward direction. In some operation modes, for example, when only image data is captured, the second pixels may also capture the image data to read out luminance signals at the same time when the first pixels capture the image data. Alternatively, current mirrors, analog memory arrays, and comparators may be provided for the first pixels and signal lines may extend in the downward direction from the first pixels to these circuits, or pixels in each ROU may share the same current mirror, the same analog memory array, and the same comparator, as in the known image sensor. In this arrangement, when only ID data is detected, the first pixels may also detect the ID data. To enable these alternative operations, the vertical signal lines (COL) include the switches S 1 at the upper portion and the switches S 2 at the lower portion to change the connection. In the first embodiment, RGB primary-color filters are used. In a modification of the first embodiment, CMYG complementary-color filters may be used, as in the known image sensor. FIG. 5 is a block diagram illustrating the connection of circuits in the modification of the image sensor according to the first embodiment. FIG. 5 is different from FIG. 1 only in the arrangement of the color filters. In the image sensor shown in FIG. 5 , M of CMYG is replace with W. Other components in FIG. 5 are the same as those in FIG. 1 , and thus the description of these components is omitted. Moreover, though image data are read out in a column-parallel mode in the first embodiment, the method of reading out image data is not limited to this mode because the operation of outputting image data and the operation of detecting ID data through the second pixels can be independently carried out. Thus, image data may be read out in a pixel-by-pixel mode as in the known image sensor. Alternatively, image data may be read out from pixels within a window of interest (WOI) using a special method of reading out image data to output the image data. Furthermore, in the present invention, the W element having no filtering function need not be used, but regular RGBG filters in a matrix may be used, as shown in FIG. 6 . In this modification of the first embodiment, for example, pixels corresponding to one of two G filters in the filter matrix are used for detecting ID data. However, since G filters transmit only green light, an LED that emits green light needs to be used for displaying ID data. Thus, the type of LED is limited. Moreover, pixels having other color filters than G filters may be used to detect ID data, or pixels having special filters that transmit only infrared light may be used. Furthermore, though the vertical signal lines (COL 0 to COL 3 ) are provided for respective pixels corresponding to RGBW in FIG. 2 , one (COL 3 ) of the vertical signal lines may not be provided, and a pixel having a G filter and a pixel having a B filter may share one vertical signal line (COL 2 ), as shown in FIG. 7 . In this modification of the first embodiment, WB rows and RG rows are not read out in parallel, but are alternately read out row by row. Thus, the horizontal signal lines 104 shown in FIG. 1 can be consolidated to one horizontal signal line that outputs WB row image data and RG row image data. However, the number of rows that need to be read for one frame period is twice that in the embodiment described above. Thus, when the frame rate is the same as that in the embodiment described above, a higher read rate is required. Furthermore, as shown in FIG. 8 , the signal lines (SEL, RST, TX, and COL) may be provided for each pixel of the 2×2 pixel matrix. In this modification of the first embodiment, any pixel in a pixel matrix may be set up so as to detect ID data. For example, one or more pixels in each matrix, or all pixels in matrices in a certain region in a pixel array may be set up so as to detect ID data. This configuration can be dynamically changed using the switches. Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the image-capturing apparatus, which is formed on a single chip, but is also applicable to a camera module 304 including an imaging unit 301 , a signal-processing unit 302 , and an optical system 303 , as shown in FIG. 14 . The imaging unit 301 and the signal-processing unit 302 may be formed on different chips or the same chip.
An image-capturing apparatus includes a pixel array including pixels. Each of the pixels includes a transducer for generating signal charge according to the intensity of an incident light beam. The image-capturing apparatus further includes an output circuit for outputting a pixel signal outside the pixel array at a frame rate depending on the pixel position in the pixel array, based on the signal charge; and an output-controlling unit for controlling the operation of the output circuit.
7
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a for a marine engine and more particularly to a stage carburetor for introduction of an air-fuel mixture into the crankcase of a two stroke marine engine. Prior art marine engine carburetors utilize a single bore or throat with a pivoting throttle plate for delivering an air-fuel mixture to a reed block for introduction of the mixture into the crankcase of a two stroke marine engine. The cross-sectional area of the throttle bore had to be of a size sufficient to provide an adequate air-fuel mixture during a wide open throttle operation of the engine. However, the rather large throttle bore resulted in poor fuel economy at low R.P.M.'s or idle operation of the engine and also caused poor operation quality at idle and low R.P.M. The large throttle bore also caused fuel puddling during operation at idle speeds due to the low velocity of the air-fuel mixture and resulting poor atomization of the fuel. It is an object of the present invention to provide a two stage carburetor which will have a primary throttle bore that introduces an air-fuel mixture into the crankcase at low engine R.P.M.'s or during idle operation and a secondary throttle bore that becomes operable at higher R.P.M. engine operation. Such a two stage carburetor ensures a high velocity of the air-fuel mixture through the reed blocks regardless of the throttle setting of the engine. It is a further object of the present invention to eliminate fuel puddling and provide better low speed fuel economy and engine running quality for low R.P.M. operation of the engine, while still maintaining high power during wide open throttle operation of the engine. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A two stage carburetor for introduction of an air-fuel mixture into the crankcase of a two stroke marine engine includes a carburetor body defining a first throttle bore of first cross-sectional area and containing a pivoting throttle plate movable between an open and closed position. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the carburetor body also defines a second throttle bore having a cross-sectional area greater than that of the first throttle bore and also containing a pivoting throttle plate movable between an open and closed position. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, each of the throttle bores is provided with a distinct and separate reed block having a cross-sectional area comparable to its respective throttle bore. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the carburetor is provided with a throttle linkage that is operably connected to the throttle plates of the first and second bores and which moves the throttle plate in the first bore to a substantially open position prior to moving the throttle plate in the second bore away from its closed position. The present invention thus provides a two stage carburetor in which the proper air-fuel mixture is delivered to the cylinder at a high rate of speed regardless of the throttle setting of the engine. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The drawings illustrate the best mode presently contemplated of carrying out the invention. In the drawings: FIG. 1 is a sectional view taken along the line 1--1 of FIG. 3A; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3A is a right hand side view of a series of three vertically mounted carburetors constructed according to the present invention; FIG. 3B is a left hand side view of the carburetors of FIG. 3A; FIG. 4A is a view of the carburetors of FIG. 3A with the primary throttle bores being moved to an open position; FIG. 4B is a left hand side view of the carburetors of FIG. 4A; FIG. 5A is a right hand side view of the carburetors of FIG. 3A with the primary throttle bore in a wide open condition; FIG. 5B is a left hand side view of the carburetors of FIG. 5A with the secondary throttle bores in a wide open condition; and FIG. 6 is a rear view of the carburetors of FIG. 3A. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 a two stage carburetor 10 is comprised of a carburetor body 12 which defines a primary throttle bore 14 having a cross-sectional area "A" and a substantially adjacent secondary throttle bore 16 having a cross-sectional area "B". Throttle bores 14 and 16 are separated by body wall 18 and cross-sectional area "B" is approximately five times that of cross-sectional area "A". A throttle plate 20 is pivotally mounted in primary throttle bore 14 and is movable between a closed position in which the flow of an air-fuel mixture through bore 14 is prohibited and an open position in which the flow is permitted. Throttle bore 14 is also provided with a venturi 22 which is located upstream of throttle plate 20 and which introduces fuel into primary throttle bore 14. Similarly, secondary throttle bore 16 is provided with a throttle plate 24 which also can be pivoted between an open and closed position and a venturi 26 which is located upstream of throttle plate 24 and which introduces fuel into secondary throttle bore 16. The diameter of venturi 26 is greater than that of venturi 22, since it is supplying fuel to a throttle bore of greater area. The fuel-air mixture passing through primary throttle bore 14 is delivered to a pair of reed blocks 28 and 28' which contain reed valves 30 which open in response to a pressure differential in the crankcase caused by reciprocating movement of a pair of engine cylinders. The opening of reed valves 30 allows the air-fuel mixture to be introduced into the crankcase for a pair of cylinders 1 and 2. Similarly, the air-fuel mixture passing through secondary throttle bore 16 is delivered to a pair of reed blocks 32 and 32' which contain reed valves 34 which when in their open position introduce the fuel-air mixture into the crankcase for engine cylinders 1 and 2. Thus each of cylinder bores 14 and 16 terminate in a pair of reed blocks that provide the air-fuel mixture for a pair of engine cylinders. FIGS. 3 through 6 illustrate the use of a series of three two stage carburetors 10a through 10c stacked in a vertical array and supplying an air-fuel mixture to a six cylinder marine engine. The movement of throttle plates 20 and 24 between their open and closed positions is controlled by a pair of throttle linkages 36 and 38 each of which is operatively connected to pivotable member 40. Throttle linkage 36 is connected to pivotal member 40 by means of extension 42 that terminates in a roller 44 that rides along camming surface 46 of member 40. Extension 42 is pivotally connected to arm 48c which is operatively connected to throttle plate 20c so that movement of roller 44 along camming surface 46 results in downward movement of arm 48c and movement of throttle plate 20c from a closed to an open position. The movement of arm 48c is transmitted to arms 48a and 48b through connecting arm 50 so that throttle plates 20a and 20b are moved in an identical fashion. FIG. 3A shows throttle plates 20a through 20c in their closed position. In FIG. 4A pivotable member 40 has been rotated by a force exerted by throttle cable 51 and roller 44 is moved along camming surface 46 to a point where throttle plates 20a through 20c have opened approximately halfway. At this point secondary throttle plates 24a through 24c remain in their closed position as shown in FIG. 4B. The movement of secondary throttle plates 24a through 24c is caused by movement of throttle linkage 38 which is pivotally fastened to an upper portion of pivotal member 40. While the pivotal movement of member 40 from the position shown in FIG. 3A to the position shown in FIG. 3B caused substantial movement of roller 44 along camming surface 46, there was very little, if any, vertical movement of linkage 38. However, as the pivotal movement of member 40 continues to that shown in FIG. 5A, the downward movement of linkage 38 becomes substantial and this downward movement of linkage 38 is translated into upward movement of control arm 52 by means of pivoting arm 54 and cross linkage 56. This substantial movement of linkage 38 occurs subsequent to throttle plates 20a moving to a substantially open position. Thus, the further pivotal movement of member 40 from its position shown in FIG. 4A to that shown in 5A results in substantial downward movement of linkage 38 which is translated into substantial upward movement of control arm 52. Control arm 52 is operably connected to secondary throttle plate 24 through linkage 54 and thus the downward movement of linkage 38 causes secondary throttle plate 24a to move from its closed to its open position. The movement of control arm 52 is communicated to secondary throttle plates 24b and 24c by means of connecting arm 58. In operation, the operator of the boat moves the throttle control (not shown) which in turn moves throttle cable 51 causing pivotal member 40 to pivot about point 60. As discussed above, the initial pivoting movement of member 40 results in substantial movement of primary throttle plates 20a through 20c. Thus, primary throttle bores 14a through 14c will be progressively opened and a small quantity of an air-fuel mixture will be delivered at a high velocity to primary reed blocks 28a and 24b. Thus, at low engine R.P.M.'s or idle operation the smaller throttle bores are utilized to provide an adequate yet reduced quantity of air-fuel mixture at a high velocity to the engine cylinders. As the operator continues to move the throttle control, pivoting member 40 moves to its position shown in FIG. 5A in which primary throttle bores 14a through 14c are fully open and secondary throttle bores 16a through 16c have been opened to deliver a much higher quantity of air-fuel mixture to the engine so that it may be operated at wide open throttle or very high R.P.M.'s. Various modes of carrying out the invention are contemplated as being within the scope of the following claims, particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as the invention.
A two stage carburetor for introduction of an air-fuel mixture into the crankcase of a two-stroke marine engine includes a carburetor body that defines a pair of throttle bores, one of which has a reduced cross-sectional area. The throttle bores deliver an air-fuel mixture to separate and distinct reed blocks having comparable cross-sectional areas.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to an image forming system and a print job renewal management method in the same system. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] In a print processing, generally, a print job such as a private, storage or scheduled print is received from a client PC and print data are held to carry out printing. In such a print job in the print processing, all of print data are stored when they are transmitted, and the print data obtained by partially modifying the stored print data are also stored sequentially as an exactly new print job. [0005] The print data subjected to the partial modification are also stored as the exactly new print job. For this reason, a large number of jobs are generated as a job list. In the case in which a user confirms a print job or deletes the unnecessary print job which has not been modified partially, therefore, a great deal of time and labor for searching the print data by setting, as a standard, a time required for an input to an MFP or for searching the newest print job is generated. Even if a file name is displayed, moreover, the time required for inputting the print data is a portion to be compared, for example, in the case of the same file name. Consequently, a great deal of time and labor for searching the newest print data is generated, which is very inconvenient. [0006] In the case in which data on a network are accessed to carry out printing, the presence of a change in the data is discriminated. It has been proposed that the data related to the change are acquired when the change is carried out (for example, JP-A-2002-278719). BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] According to embodiments of the present invention, it is an object to provide an image forming system which devises a renewal management of a print job and a print job renewal management method in the same system. [0008] The present invention may provide an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus (MFP) is connected to a host device through a network comprising: a driver for controlling a transmission/receipt of data to/from the MFP in the host device, wherein the driver carries out a control to detect a presence of a print job specifying a processing of storing data, to display, on the host device, the print job thus detected and to select whether the detected print job can be renewed or not. [0011] The MFP includes: 1) a network terminal for transmitting/receiving data to/from the host device; 2) a storage portion for storing data received from the host device and data processed in the MFP; 3) an operating portion for inputting and displaying a set item related to an image formation; and 4) a control portion for developing the data and controlling a print processing, and the control portion receives data from the host device and executes a processing in accordance with an instruction for renewing the print job in the case of a job specifying the storage processing. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0017] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an image forming system according to an embodiment of the invention. [0018] FIG. 2 is a flowchart showing a flow of a processing of a print job in the image forming system. [0019] FIG. 3 is a flowchart showing the flow of the processing of the print job in the image forming system. [0020] FIG. 4 is a view showing an example of GUI, illustrating a type of a print processing in a driver. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0021] Throughout this description, the embodiments and examples shown should be considered as exemplars, rather than limitations on the apparatus and methods of the present invention. [0022] An embodiment of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of the drawings, the same portions have the same reference numerals. [0023] FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a structure of an image forming system according to the embodiment of the invention. [0024] In FIG. 1 , an image forming processing apparatus 200 comprises a communicating portion 26 for transmitting/receiving data and an instruction to/from an outside, and is connected to a client PC 28 through a general purpose network, for example. The image forming processing apparatus 200 is constituted by a storage portion 21 for storing data processed in the apparatus, a control portion 23 for carrying out a control for developing data stored in the storage portion 21 and transferring a processing method, a printer portion 27 for carrying out printing, a scanner portion 22 for reading image data, a paper feeding portion 24 for taking in a print paper specified by a user, a paper discharging portion 25 for discharging a printed matter, and an operation panel 29 for inputting and displaying an operation of the apparatus. [0025] Referring to the flowcharts in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 , next, description will be given to a flow of a processing of a print job in the image forming system. The flowchart in FIG. 2 shows a processing to be carried out by a client PC and the flowchart in FIG. 3 shows a processing to be carried out by an MFP. [0026] In the client PC 28 , print data are processed. The print data are set by the driver, thereby carrying out the processing. There are various print processings. [0027] FIG. 4 shows an example of GUI, illustrating a type of the print processing in the driver. When a tab of a job type (Print job) is clicked, the type of the print processing in the driver is displayed. Herein, the following printing types are prepared. Therefore, the user can select any of the types with a button. Normal Print: [0028] When this is selected, the completion of a print processing or the receipt of print data is reported to the client PC 28 transmitting data in the processing of the print data. Scheduled Print: [0029] This is also referred to as a time designating print, and the printing is carried out at a time designated by the user and the completion of the print processing or the receipt of print data is reported to the client PC 28 transmitting the data. Private Print: [0030] When this is selected, the print data are held in the MFP. By the authentication of the user, the completion of the print processing or the receipt of the print data is reported to the client PC 28 transmitting the print data. Proof Print: [0031] This is a processing of carrying out printing by way of trial in the execution of the print. Print to Overlay File: [0032] The transmitted print data are stored, and the present data are added to the print data and are used as an overlay function. Store to Filing: [0033] This is a function of storing the transmitted print data in the MFP body. In the same manner as the storage function, “share”, “group” and “individual” can be designed as a file storage destination. When the print data are stored in the MFP to carry out printing, the user operates a control panel of the MFP. [0034] As shown in FIG. 2 , first of all, a print data processing is executed in the client PC (Step S 201 ). The user selects the print type to be executed by the driver in the processing of the print data, that is, a job. [0035] As a next step, therefore, a job to be held in the MFP is selected and a print job which is not held in the MFP is decided (Step S 202 ). [0036] If the print job which is not held in the MFP is selected, the client PC transmits the print data to the MFP (Step S 212 ). The MFP receiving the print data from the client PC (Step S 301 ) carries out a print processing (Step S 302 ). When the print processing is completed, a notice of the completion is transmitted to the client PC (Step S 306 ). [0037] If the job to be held in the MFP is selected, the type of the print processing is subsequently decided. “Private Print”, “Store to Filing” or “Scheduled Print” is decided (Steps S 203 , S 204 and S 205 ). If any of them is decided, user information held currently in the MFP are compared with each other (Step S 206 ). If a job of the user is present, a list of the job of the user is displayed (Step S 207 ). If the job of the user is present, whether a processing of updating the job is carried out is selected and confirmed (Step S 208 ). When the renewal processing is carried out, job renewal information is added to the transmitted data (Step S 209 ) and the same data are transmitted from the client PC 28 to the MFP (Step S 211 ). When the renewal processing is not carried out, the data are transmitted from the client PC 28 to the MFP (Step S 211 ) If the job of the user is not present, “No job” is displayed, for example (Step S 210 ) and the data renewal processing is not carried out but the data are transmitted from the client PC 28 to the MFP (Step S 211 ). [0038] As shown in FIG. 3 , the MFP receives the data (Step S 302 ) and then confirms the presence of the job renewal information (Step S 303 ). If the job renewal information is present, a job which has already been present in the MFP is deleted (Step S 304 ) and a processing of storing the received data is carried out (Step S 305 ). When the processing of storing the data on the MFP side is completed, a notice of the completion is transmitted to the client PC (Step S 306 ). [0039] At the Step S 208 , the list of the job of the user is displayed when whether the job is renewed is selected. If an instruction for printing is received in the same job name, however, an inquiry may be given as to whether the print data are renewed or not. While the job which has already been present in the MFP is deleted at the Step S 304 , moreover, a comparison of the print data corresponding to the print job may be executed and the renewal of only data in a changed portion may be executed. [0040] According to the invention, it is possible to display, as a list, data stored to be print jobs of individual users, thereby renewing and managing the print job easily. Moreover, the user can select whether the renewal can be carried out or not before and after the comparison of the print data. Therefore, it is possible to enhance the convenience of the user for the renewal and management. [0041] Although exemplary embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art that a number of changes, modifications, or alterations to the invention as described herein may be made, none of which depart from the spirit of the present invention. All such changes, modifications, and alterations should therefore be seen as within the scope of the present invention.
The invention provides an image forming system in which an image forming apparatus (MFP) is connected to a host device through a network, wherein a command for a processing of print data of a user is accepted, a presence of a print job specifying a storage processing by the user is detected from the command, the print job thus detected is displayed on the host device, the user can select whether the detected print job can be renewed or not, and renewal information of the print job is added and data are transmitted from the host device to the MFP when the renewal of the print job is selected.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to game board apparatus which includes a central betting board and individual playing cards containing a pathway for tokens, movements of which tokens are established by chance through a combination of values showing on a standard deck of cards and playing dice. 2. Description of the Prior Art Numerous game board apparatus exist comprising a single game board containing a rectangular course of travel for player pieces. These game boards necessarily require that all the game action take place on a single board. Two examples of prior art employing the single board concept is that such as the C. B Darrow patent issued on Dec. 31, 1935, as U.S. Pat. No. 2,026,082. This board entails a rectangular course of travel over which the tokens of each individual opponent must pass during the course of the game. Another example of a similar type of single board game is that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 2,780,463 issued to I. Salomon on Feb. 5, 1957, which contains an involuted pathway or course over which the individual markers or tokens pass in the course of the game. Some games have a common rectangular course over which most of the game is played but then provide a final course taking the player to a final goal or "home" by means of a particular path over which exclusive travel belongs only to that particular player. A game board of this nature is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,104,106 issued to J. T. Kenney, et al, on Sept. 17, 1963. The number of spaces that an individual player may move his token or player piece in any one move is frequently arrived at by means of a single device which will produce a number by chance thereby allowing the player to move his token a corresponding number of spaces on the game board. These devices are well known and usually involved a spinner, dice or cards. The game apparatus of the present invention calls upon employment of at least one deck of standard playing cards containing fifty-two cards and one or more die. The game apparatus of the present invention employs a central betting board which also contains the unplayed decks of standard playing cards and, in addition, is employed in combination with the individual playing cards which are held in the possession of each individual player. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A preferred embodiment of the present invention utilizes a central playing board containing three centrally located spaces upon which three complete decks of cards containing fifty-two standard playing cards each, may be placed face down. Along several edges of this central playing card six spaces are provided for the placement of the betting chips during the course of the game. Six individual playing cards are provided so that each opponent will have one card in his possession on which his tokens or playing pieces will pursue a generally rectangular course. The basic objective is for each player to go around the rectangular course of spaces or dots four times with his playing token before any of the other players. Four additional dots are contained inside the rectangular course for the purpose of keeping track of how many times a player has traversed the rectangular course of dots or spaces. Each time he passes the beginning dot or space he places a scorekeeping token over one of the inside spaces or dots in order to record that he has in fact made one complete turn around the rectangular course. Once all four of the inside spaces or dots are covered with the record keeping tokens, that particular player has won the round of the game. He is entitled at that point to take all the chips and/or paper money located at the central betting board that has been played in the course of betting from all the rest of the players. That is not the end of the game, however, as a new round begins and each round will continue until one player has all the betting chips and scrip money of all the other players in the game. A betting "occasion" occurs at the beginning of a round and each time a player passes the starting space or dot. Only call betting is allowed and no raises are permitted. A person need not bet when he passes the starting dot if he so chooses. However, he must call each bet made by others or drop out of the game. The game is played by each player in turn, rolling the single die, and then removing one of the face down cards from his choice of any one of the three decks of cards located on the central betting board. The difference between the die and the card is the number of spaces which that player may move. If he rolls a 3 on the die and he draws a face down card which is a 3 of Diamonds, his token remains on the same space, since he is allowed to move no spaces due to the fact that 3 minus 3 is 0. In this game Aces count as 1 and face cards count as 10 in the calculation of the difference between that number appearing on the face of the die and that appearing on the card drawn from the central betting board. Once the player has moved his token on his individual playing card the appropriate number of spaces, the card drawn from the central betting board is discarded face up in the space provided for that particular deck of cards on the individual playing card. The game continuouly calls upon the arithmetic exercise of substraction thereby developing the subtraction skills of the players. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a Plan view, on a reduced scale, illustrating the preferred form of the central betting board of the game apparatus of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a Plan view of the individual playing card on a reduced scale, of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the symbols or tokens that are used by the several players in moving over the rectangular course on the individual playing cards and also used, in a different color, for recording the number of times the rectangular course is traversed. FIG. 4 represents in perspective the die used in the course in determining the number of spaces a player may move. FIG. 5 shows a typical playing card from a deck of standard cards which also is used for determining the spaces a player may move. FIG. 6 is a view of the play or scrip money used in denominations of $1.00, $5.00 and $10.00. FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the chips used in denominations of $1.00, $5.00 and $10.00. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the game apparatus of the present invention, in FIG. 1 there is shown the central betting board 10 which contains along the central portion thereof three spaces 1, 2 and 3 for containing three full decks of cards in a face down configuration. Along two edges of the central betting cards are six spaces 4 provided for the placement of chips during the course of betting in the game. In FIG. 2 there is shown the individual playing card 20 which has three spaces 21, 22 and 23 corresponding to the spaces for placing discarded cards drawn from the playing decks located on the central betting board 10. On individual playing card 20 there is located adjacent to the area for the three stacks of discarded cards a course 24 containing twenty-four dots arranged in a generally rectangular configuration. The first dot 25 is the beginning point of the game, and at the start of the game each player places his token 30 on this beginning dot 25. The playing token 30 is then moved to one of the other twenty-three dots in accordance with a number arrived by chance through the die and the playing cards in the central betting board. Four other dots 26, 27, 28 and 29 are located inside the rectangular course for the purpose of maintaining a score of how many times the token 30 has passed around the rectangular course 24. At the beginning of each round of the game, and each time a player passes the beginning dot 25, a betting occasion occurs wherein a player may place any number of chips and/or paper money or script on his respective betting square 4 contained on the central betting card 10. For example, player No. 1 will play his chips on rectangular space 4, and player No. 2 will place his chips on rectangular space 4', and so on. Generally, a maximum of six players may join in on the game and as few as two can play the game. Accordingly, this requires each game kit to have one central betting board 10, six individual playing cards 20 and six playing tokens or pieces. In addition, twenty-four marking or recording pieces 31 of different color are required so that each player may have four for the purpose of recording the number of times his rectangular course 24 has been traversed. In addition, a game kit contains 294 betting chips, comprising 150 white chips of a value of $1.00, 72 blue chips having a value of $5.00, and 72 red chips having a value of $10.00. Also included is play money having a total value of $1,200.00, consisting of 150 $1.00 bills, 90 $5.00 bills, and 60 $10.00 bills. Accordingly, at the beginning of each game, each player is issued one individual playing card 20, one moving token 30, four black marking tokens 31 as shown in FIG. 3, 49 betting chips consisting of 25 white, 12 red, and 12 blue chips shown as 71, 72 and 73 in FIG. 7. In addition, play money having a total value of $200.00, consisting of 25 $1.00 bills, 15 $5.00 bills, and 10 $10.00 bills shown as 61, 62 and 63 in FIG. 6, are distributed to the participating players. In order to better understand a preferred embodiment of the game apparatus of the present invention, the following rules are set forth. THE RULES The central betting board 10 is placed in the center of the playing area and three decks of standard playing cards are placed in the spaces marked 1, 2 and 3. During the course of the game, each player may draw a card such as 50 shown in FIG. 5 from whichever deck of cards he chooses, and after each play he discards the card in the appropriately marked space on his individual playing card 20. Each player places his moving token 30 on the beginning dot or space 25 in the rectangular course 24. The players roll the dice to determine who will start the game and the playing order of the other players. In the case of a tie, the players continue to roll the dice until the tie is broken. The player with the highest roll is entitled to start the game. The other players follow in clockwise rotation. The beginning player who starts out the game places one or more betting chips on his betting number on the central betting board 10. At this time, the other players must match his bet in order to stay in the game. They are not, however, allowed to raise the bet. To begin the game, the beginning player rolls the die 40 and then draws a card from one of the three decks in the central betting board 10. He takes the difference between the number showing on the face of the die 40 and the number showing on the face of the card. The smallest number, whether it be on the die or on the card, is subtracted from the other number. Aces count as one point, and all face cards count as ten points in calculating the number of spaces the player is entitled to move by virtue of his rolling his die 40 and having taken one card from the central betting board 10. The player discards the card in the appropriate space on his individual playing card 20 and moves his token 30 the appropriate number of spaces along the rectangular course of travel 24. The players continue taking turns, rolling the die 40, drawing the cards and moving their tokens 30 in a clockwise direction around the rectangular course 24 until a player reaches or passes the beginning space or dot 25. The player then marks the first time around the rectangular course 24 by placing a record keeping piece 31 on the first dot 26 located in the central portion of the individual playing card 20. This player can at that point either bet the number of chips he so desires by placing them on his respective betting square, such as, 4 located on the central betting board 10. If the player so desires, he may pass and bet no chips or money at this point. Once this player places his bet, all the other players must match the bet in order to remain in the game. A player may drop out of the game at any time by not placing a betting chip on his betting number when any player places a bet. When the player drops out and there are three or more players, his chips which have been betted previously remain on the board 10 until there is a winner. Chips and scrip not yet betted are returned to the bank. Once there is a winner, then the winner collects all the money on the card, including that of all those who have dropped out. Every time a player reaches or passes the beginning dot 25 in the rectangular course 24, a record keeping token 31 is to be placed on the next consecutive dot 27, 28 and 29 on his individual playing card 20, and if, on the fourth round, the winner lands the playing token 30 exactly on the starting dot 25, that player receives not only the winnings located on the central betting board 10, but, in addition, each player remaining in the game must pay an amount to the winner equal to the last bet made just prior to the win. The player who is first to complete the four rounds wins the game and collects all the betting chips on the betting squares. Before the next game goes into play, the cards must be collected from the individual playing cards 20 and placed back into the central betting board 10. The player who was the farthest behind in the previous round must shuffle the cards and replace them in their respective playing positions on the central betting board 10. The game continues until one player has all the chips and script money of all the rest of the players. It will be appreciated from the foregoing description that the game apparatus herein described presents a preferred embodiment and a variety of alternatives may be employed. For example, the number of betting spaces on the central betting board may be increased to over six spaces. In addition, the number of spaces for the playing cards may be increased four, or more. Likewise, a pair of dice or additional dice may be used in order to arrive at the number of spaces that may be moved and, of course, the number of spaces in the rectangular course 24 may be increased or decreased by any appropriate number. Likewise, the number of times that one has to pass around the rectangular course may be varied. Having thus described one illustrative embodiment of the invention, it is to be understood that although specific terms are employed, they are used in a generic and desciptive sense and not for purposes of limitation, the scope of the invention being set forth in the following claims.
A game board apparatus comprising a central betting board and individual playing cards containing thereon a rectangular pathway for the movement of individual player tokens. The number of spaces an individual player may move his token on his card during his turn is established by chance by combining the values shown on the face of a standard playing card and dice. Chips, and script dollars are allocated to each player at the beginning of the game and the object is for one player to acquire all the chips and script money from all the rest of the players.
0
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is related to pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,191 (Attorney Docket Number EH-10536) filed on 12 Feb. 2002, herein incorporated by reference. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to brush seals. Specifically, the present invention relates to brush seals with adjustable clearances. As used herein, the phrase brush seal clearance refers to the distance that the bristles extend past the plates. [0003] Proper operation of a turbine engine should occur when the myriad engine parts remain within acceptable limits of alignment with other engine parts. The performance of the engine tends to decline when the alignment exceeds these acceptable limits. This is particularly true when dealing with seals. [0004] Many factors influence whether parts maintain proper alignment. Assembly techniques and rotor balancing clearly affect part alignment Unexpected situations, like foreign object damage, can also create misalignments. Misalignment can even occur with normal operation of the engine. Typically, thermal conditions cause this type of misalignment. For example, steam turbine rotors can bow over time. [0005] Conventional methods exist to handle such misalignment. For example, the technician could re-machine certain features of the engine to return to proper alignment. Re-machining features on an installed turbine engine, however, can prove time consuming and costly. [0006] Another method is for the operator to maintain an inventory of spare engine hardware. This allows a technician to replace the misaligned parts rapidly. Likewise, this method can prove expensive in terms of inventory costs. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] It is an object of the present invention to provide a brush seal with an adjustable clearance. [0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a brush seal in which a technician can adjust the clearance in the field. [0009] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a brush seal that can adjust clearance without re-machining the brush seal. [0010] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a brush seal that allows replacement of specific components. [0011] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a brush seal with adjustable bristle stiffness. [0012] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in one aspect by a brush seal, comprising: a bristle arrangement having a retention section; a pair of plates flanking the bristle arrangement and having a clamping section to frictionally engage the retention section. The clamping section allows movement of said retention section before the plates are secured together and prevents movement of the retention section after said plates are secured together. [0013] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by brush seal segment, comprising: a bristle arrangement having a retention section; a pair of plates flanking the bristle arrangement and having a clamping section to frictionally engage the retention section. The clamping section allows movement of the retention section before the plates are secured together and prevents movement of the retention section after the plates are secured together. [0014] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in another aspect by a method of assembling a brush seal, comprising the steps of: providing a pair of plates and a bristle arrangement, the bristle arrangement locatable between the plates at a plurality of positions; selectively locating the bristle arrangement at a desired one of the positions; and securing the plates together to retain the bristle arrangement at the desired position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0015] Other uses and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon reference to the specification and the drawings, in which: [0016] [0016]FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a conventional brush seal; [0017] [0017]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a brush seal of the present invention; [0018] [0018]FIG. 3 is a detailed view of the brush seal of FIG. 2; and [0019] [0019]FIGS. 4 a - d are various views during the assembly of the brush seal of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0020] [0020]FIG. 1 displays a conventional annular brush seal 100 . Although shown as a single stage, the brush seal 100 could have multiple stages. The brush seal 100 includes several sub-assemblies, namely a back plate 101 , side plate 103 and a bristle pack 105 . The plates 101 , 103 flank the bristle pack 105 . [0021] The bristle pack 105 comprises a plurality of densely arranged wire bristles. Each of the bristles has a first end 107 and an opposed second end 109 . While extending at an angle to a radial line, the first ends 107 of the bristles reside at the inner diameter of the brush seal 100 . The second ends 109 of the bristles reside at the outer diameter of the brush seal 100 . [0022] The plates 101 , 103 and the bristle pack 105 are welded together to form the brush seal 100 . Specifically, the outer diameter of the plates 101 , 103 and the bristle pack 105 are welded together to sandwich the bristles between the plates 101 , 103 . Typically, the weld process occurs long before installation of the brush seal 100 in the engine. That means a clearance C between the bristle pack 105 and the back plate 101 is set long before installation. Accordingly, the brush seal 100 may not be able to accommodate, for example, any misalignment between the engine parts. [0023] In addition, welding the components 101 , 103 , 105 together requires the removal of the entire brush seal 100 despite instances where less than all of the components require replacement. [0024] [0024]FIGS. 2 and 3 display one embodiment of the present invention. The figures display the present invention in one possible embodiment—a packing ring segment 200 . Packing ring segments 200 includes both a labyrinth seal and a brush seal to prevent fluid from exiting through a gap between a stationary component (such as the engine case) and a rotating component (such as the rotor shaft). When fully arranged, the segments 200 form an annual packing ring (not shown) within the engine. The packing ring is typically spring loaded (not shown) to urge the ring against the rotor. [0025] Although the packing ring segment 200 has other features, only features relevant to the brush seal will be described. The segment 200 includes a first plate 201 , second plate 203 and a pre-assembled bristle arrangement 205 . The first plate 201 , located upstream, preferably acts like a side plate. The side plate could include a windage cover 207 . The second plate, located downstream, preferably acts like a back plate. [0026] The bristle arrangement 205 includes a plurality of bristles 211 secured together by a joint 213 . The bristles 211 could be made from any suitable material such as a cobalt alloy wire. FIGS. 2 and 3 show a radial brush seal arrangement with the bristles 211 extending radially. Alternatively, the brush seal could be an axial brush seal with the bristles 211 extending in the axial direction. [0027] The joint 213 secures one end of the bristles 211 together and obviates the need to weld the bristles 211 to the plates 201 , 203 . Preferably, the joint 213 is a weld joint. U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/074,191 describes in more detail the method of making the bristle arrangement 205 . The present invention could, however, use other methods to produce the joint 213 . [0028] Suitable fasteners 209 , such as machine screws, secure the plates 201 , 203 together. When secured together, the plates 201 , 203 sandwich the bristle arrangement 205 and prevent movement of the bristle arrangement 205 during operation of the turbine engine. In the radial arrangement shown in the figures, the plates 201 , 203 prevent radial movement of the bristle arrangement 205 . The plates 201 , 203 preferably restrain the bristle arrangement 205 without an interference fit. The present invention could have features (not shown) to prevent the fasteners 209 from backing out from engine vibration. Examples include a locking feature (not shown) or subjecting the segment 200 to chemical treatment (not shown) or staking of the surrounding packing body material (not shown). [0029] The present invention however, allows a technician to adjustably position the bristle arrangement 205 before the fasteners 209 secure the first and second plates 201 , 203 together. In other words, the present invention allows the technician to adjust the bristle arrangement 205 radially to change the clearance of the brush seal. FIGS. 4 a - d demonstrate this capability. [0030] [0030]FIG. 4 a displays the second plate 203 before receiving the bristle arrangement 205 . The second plate 203 includes a clamping section to receive a retention section of the bristle arrangement 205 . Specifically, the second plate 203 includes a channel 215 in the surface of the second plate 203 that faces the first plate 201 . The joint 213 of the bristle arrangement 205 preferably acts as the retention section. At a minimum, the channel 215 receives the joint 213 of the bristle arrangement 205 . As seen in the figure, the channel 215 extends to a distal end 217 of the second plate 203 to receive the joint 213 and a length of the bristles 211 of the bristle arrangement 205 . [0031] Next, the technician places the bristle arrangement 205 in the channel 215 as seen in FIG. 4 b . At this point, the brush seal exhibits an initial clearance C′ between the bristle arrangement 205 and the second plate 203 . [0032] The technician can then adjust the bristle arrangement 205 in the channel 215 to achieve a desired clearance C as seen in FIG. 4 c . The desired clearance could be either larger or smaller than the initial clearance C′. Preferably, the present invention allows the technician to adjust the bristle arrangement 205 within a range of between approximately 25% below and above an average clearance. [0033] Although FIG. 4 c shows just the second plate 203 and the bristle arrangement 205 , the technician could adjust the clearance C with the bristle arrangement 205 positioned between both plates 201 , 203 (provided the technician has not yet tightened the fasteners 209 ). [0034] After selecting the proper clearance C, the technician secures the first plate 201 to the second plate 203 as discussed above. As seen in FIG. 4 d , the first plate 201 has a channel 219 corresponding to the channel 215 in the second plate 203 . Both channels 215 , 219 define the clamping section of the brush seal. [0035] In an alternative arrangement, only one of the plates 201 , 203 could contain such a channel. The other plate would have a planar surface. Regardless of whether one or both of the plates 201 , 203 have such channels, the depth of the clamping section should correspond to the width of the joint 213 of the bristle arrangement 205 . Preferably, the plates 201 , 203 frictionally retain the bristle arrangement 205 without an interference fit. [0036] Similarly, the clamping section of the plates 201 , 203 should have a length greater than the retention section of the bristle arrangement 205 . This allows the technician to adjust the clearance C. [0037] Although described as useful during assembly of the brush seal, the present invention is also useful during maintenance, repair and/or overhaul of the engine. During a maintenance operation, the technician may remove the segment 200 using conventional techniques. Rather than scrapping the entire segment 200 due to worn or damaged bristles 211 , the present invention allows the technician to replace the used bristle arrangement 205 and to reuse the plates 201 , 203 . Specifically, the technician removes the fasteners 209 to separate the plates 201 , 203 . The technician then substitutes the used bristle arrangement 205 with a replacement bristle arrangement 205 . As described above, the technician adjusts the clearance C of the bristle arrangement 205 before securing the plates 201 , 203 together with the fasteners. Using conventional techniques, the technician reinstalls the segment 200 in the engine. [0038] Another important aspect of the present invention is bristle stiffness. Conventionally, brush seals are designed to fit the needs of a specific location within an engine. A prime consideration during such design is the expected pressure drop at that engine location. [0039] The present invention, however, obviates the need to custom design seals for specific engine locations. In other words, the present invention allows the use of one seal design at different engine locations exhibiting different pressure drops. Varying the clearance C of the bristle arrangement 205 as described above also alters the stiffness of the bristles 211 . Similar to a cantilever beam, the free length of the bristles 211 determines stiffness. Free length is the distance from bristle pinch/clamping point (between side plate 201 and back plate 203 ) to the free end of the bristle 211 . As free length increases, stiffness decreases. This allows, for example, the technician to use a seal at an engine location having a smaller pressure drop by increasing clearance C. Conversely, the technician could use the same seal at an engine location having a larger pressure drop by decreasing clearance C. [0040] The present invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiments of the various figures. It is to be understood that other similar embodiments may be used or modifications and additions may be made to the described embodiment for performing the same function of the present invention without deviating therefrom. Therefore, the present invention should not be limited to any single embodiment, but rather construed in breadth and scope in accordance with the recitation of the appended claims.
A brush seal, comprising: a bristle arrangement having a retention section; a pair of plates flanking the bristle arrangement and having a clamping section to frictionally engage the retention section. The clamping section allows movement of the retention section before the plates are secured together, to place the bristle arrangement at a desired position between the plates, and prevents movement of the retention section after the plates are secured together.
5
RELATED APPLICATIONS Priority is hereby claimed to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/489,233 filed on Mar. 10, 2004 (issued on May 30, 2006 as U.S. Pat. No. 7,051,389) and to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/383,169 filed on May 24, 2002, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to pillows or cushions, and more particularly to a pillow or cushion for therapeutic use. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The neck of a person lying in a supine or sidelying position is often out of alignment with the person's spine. This is commonly the case when the person's neck is supported by a pillow or multiple pillows such that the neck lies at an angle defined by the deflected height of the pillow(s), and this angle is typically not co-planar with the spine. The deflected height of the pillow is closely related to its stiffness, which is conventionally provided by filling material disposed within a fabric covering. Conventional filling material can include feathers, cotton, or a synthetic filler. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION To provide a pillow structure more likely to properly align the user's neck and spine, the invention provides a pillow having multiple foam components. One embodiment of the present invention includes a pillow having a viscoelastic sleeve defining a cavity and filler material positioned within the cavity. Another embodiment of the present invention includes a pillow having outer layers and a filler material comprised of granulated viscoelastic foam disposed between the outer layers. Yet another embodiment of the present invention includes a pillow having outer layers of reinforcing fabric, intermediate layers of viscoelastic foam, and a filler material comprised of granulated viscoelastic foam disposed between the intermediate layers. The present invention also includes a method for manufacturing a pillow. The method includes providing a viscoelastic sleeve that defines a cavity, inserting filler material within the cavity, and closing the sleeve to maintain the filler material within the cavity. The viscoelastic foam responds to changes in temperature such that body heat molds the pillow to conform to the curves of a body for comfort and support. This allows the shape of the pillow to more closely follow the contours of the body and to promote an improved alignment of the neck and spine when a person is in a supine or sidelying position. A cover preferably encases the pillow and contours to the shape of the pillow. The cover is removable, washable, and has a resealable slot through which the pillow may be inserted or removed. The slot extends across an edge portion of the pillow and is preferably opened and closed by a zipper. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a pillow embodying the present invention. FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the pillow shown in FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional view of the pillow shown in FIG. 1 . Before the embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangements of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1-3 illustrate a pillow 10 of the present invention having a sleeve construction formed of multiple layers. The pillow 10 comprises a filler material 14 disposed between layers of viscoelastic foam 18 . The viscoelastic foam layers 18 possess specific thermally responsive properties which cause the pillow 10 to conform to the shape of the portion of a person's body that contacts the pillow 10 . The viscoelastic foam layers 18 have a lower stiffness or hardness at an elevated temperature as compared to the stiffness at a cooler temperature. Conversely, conventional pillow filler materials typically have a constant stiffness with respect to a changing temperature. The body heat of the person acts to soften the portion of the pillow 10 in contact with the body, while the portion of the pillow 10 not contacting the body remains more firm. As a result, the pillow 10 embodying the present invention allows for greater comfort over a conventional pillow by accommodating each user's body form. In one embodiment of the present invention, the filler material 14 is granulated, or shredded, viscoelastic foam having a density of about 85 kg/m 3 . However, a suitable density for the viscoelastic foam filler material 14 for an average weight pillow 10 , for example, can be between about 30 and about 140 kg/m 3 . Further, a suitable density for the viscoelastic foam filler material 14 for a light-weight pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 40 kg/m 3 . Likewise, a suitable density for the viscoelastic foam filler material 14 for a heavy-weight pillow 10 , for example, can be great granulated viscoelastic foam utilized as the filler material 14 can have any density in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . In addition, a suitable viscoelastic foam filler material 14 possesses an indentation load deflection, or “ILD,” of 65% between 100-500 N loading, and a maximum 10% rebound according to the test procedure governed by the ASTM-D-1564 standard. The granulated filler material 14 can be made up of recycled, virgin, or scrap viscoelastic material. The granulated filler material 14 may consist of pieces of a nominal length, or the granulated filler material 14 may consist of pieces of varying lengths. For example, granulated filler material 14 may have a nominal length of about 1.3 cm. Also, granulated filler material 14 may consist of varying lengths between about 0.6 cm and about 2 cm. The granulated filler material 14 can be as short as 0.3 cm and as long as 4 cm, or the filler material 14 can be any length in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the granulated filler material 14 is comprised of 16-20% having a length longer than 2 cm, 38-42% having a length between 1 and 2 cm, and 38-42% of the pieces shorter than 1 cm. Significant cost savings and waste reduction can be realized by using scrap or recycled filler material 14 rather than virgin filler material 14 . The viscoelastic foam used as the filler material 14 is made from a polyurethane foam material, however, the filler material 14 can be made from any other viscoelastic polymer material that exhibits similar thermally-responsive properties. The composition of the filler material 14 can be varied to alter the characteristics of the pillow 10 and the cost of the pillow 10 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the filler material 14 is a combination of granulated viscoelastic foam and a fiber material. The fiber material can be made from any kind of textile, such as an organic textile (cotton) or a synthetic textile, which is often less expensive than viscoelastic foam. In one embodiment of the present invention, the fiber material has a density of about 1 g/cm 3 . However, a suitable density for the fiber material for an average weight pillow 10 , for example, is 0.1-2 g/cm 3 . Further, a suitable density for the fiber material for a light-weight pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 0.3 g/cm 3 . Likewise, a suitable density for the fiber material for a heavy-weight pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 1.8 g/cm 3 . Alternatively, the fiber material utilized in combination with the granulated viscoelastic foam as the filler material 14 can have any density in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the filler material 14 is comprised of about 50% fiber material, while the remaining composition includes the granulated viscoelastic foam. However, a suitable range of fiber material in the filler material 14 for an average-cost pillow 10 , for example, can be between about 20% and about 80%. Further, a suitable range of fiber material in the filler material 14 for a more expensive pillow 10 , for example, can be more than about 30% of the filler material 14 . Likewise, a suitable range of fiber material in the filler material 14 for a less expensive pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 70% of the filler material 14 . In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the filler material 14 is a combination of granulated viscoelastic foam and polystyrene balls, which are often less expensive than viscoelastic foam. The filler material 14 of this embodiment can also include an organic or synthetic fiber material depending on the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . The polystyrene balls may consist of balls of a nominal diameter, or the polystyrene balls may consist of balls of varying diameters. For example, the polystyrene balls may have a nominal diameter of about 5 mm. Also, the polystyrene balls may consist of varying diameters between about 1 mm and about 10 mm. The polystyrene balls can also be as small as 0.5 mm and as long as 20 mm, or the polystyrene balls can be any length in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the filler material 14 is comprised of about 50% polystyrene balls, while the remaining composition includes the granulated viscoelastic foam. However, a suitable range of polystyrene balls in the filler material 14 for an average-cost pillow 10 , for example, can be between about 20% and about 80%. Further, a suitable range of polystyrene balls in the filler material 14 for a more expensive pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 30% of the filler material 14 . Likewise, a suitable range of polystyrene balls in the filler material 14 for a less expensive pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 70% of the filler material 14 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the filler material 14 can also include granulated highly-elastic (“HE”) foam in addition to the granulated viscoelastic foam. HE foam is often less expensive than viscoelastic foam, thus yielding a potentially less expensive pillow 10 . The filler material can be comprised of any single filler described above or any combination of the fillers. Alternatively, the filler material 14 can also include any conventional materials, such as feathers, granulated cotton, cotton fibers, etc. In one embodiment of the present invention, the filler material 14 includes HE foam having a density of about 35 kg/m 3 . However, a suitable density for the HE foam for an average weight pillow 10 , for example, can be between about 20 and about 50 kg/m 3 . Further, a suitable density for the HE foam for a lightweight pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 25 kg/m 3 . Likewise, a suitable density for the HE foam for a heavyweight pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 45 kg/m 3 . Alternatively, the HE foam utilized in the filler material 14 can have any density in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . The granulated HE foam may consist of pieces of a nominal length, or the granulated HE foam may consist of pieces of varying lengths. For example, the granulated HE foam may have a nominal length of about 1.3 cm. Also, the granulated HE foam may consist of varying lengths between about 0.6 cm and about 2 cm. The granulated HE foam can be as short as 0.3 cm and as long as 4 cm, or the granulated HE foam can be any length in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the granulated HE foam is comprised of 16-20% having a length longer than 2 cm, 38-42% having a length between 1 and 2 cm, and 38-42% of the pieces shorter than 1 cm. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, the filler material 14 is comprised of about 50% granulated HE foam, while the remaining composition includes the granulated viscoelastic foam. However, a suitable range of HE foam in the filler material 14 for an average cost pillow 10 , for example, is 20%-80%. Further, a suitable range of granulated HE foam in the filler material 14 for a more expensive pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 30% of the filler material 14 . Likewise, a suitable range of granulated HE foam in the filler material 14 for a less expensive pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 70% of the filler material 14 . As previously mentioned, the filler material 14 is disposed between layers of viscoelastic foam 18 . In one embodiment of the present invention, the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 have a density of about 85 kg/m 3 . However, a suitable density for the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 for an average weight pillow 10 , for example, can be between about 30 and about 140 kg/m 3 . Further, a suitable density for the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 for a lightweight pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 40 kg/m 3 . Likewise, a suitable density for the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 for a heavyweight pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 130 kg/m 3 . Alternatively, the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 can have any density in accordance with the desired characteristics of the pillow 10 . The layers of viscoelastic foam 18 are preferably about 10 mm thick and have thermally-responsive properties similar to the granulated viscoelastic foam of the filler material 14 . Likewise, a suitable thickness for the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 for an average weight pillow 10 , for example, can be between about 5 mm and 15 mm. However, a suitable thickness for the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 for a lightweight pillow 10 , for example, can be less than about 7 mm. Further, a suitable thickness for the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 for a heavyweight pillow 10 , for example, can be greater than about 13 mm. The layers of viscoelastic foam 18 are made from a polyurethane foam material, however, the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 can be made from any other viscoelastic polymer material that exhibits similar thermally-responsive properties. The overall stiffness or hardness of the pillow 10 is dependent on the stiffness of the individual viscoelastic foam layers 18 and the filler material 14 . As such, the overall stiffness or hardness of the pillow 10 may be affected by varying the stiffness of the individual viscoelastic foam layers 18 and/or the filler material 14 . As shown in FIGS. 1-3 , reinforcing fabric layers 22 are positioned on the outside of the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 . The reinforcing fabric 22 acts as an anchor for stitches 26 that secure together the layers of reinforcing fabric 22 and the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 . Without the reinforcing fabric layers 22 , the viscoelastic foam layers 18 , which are less durable than the layers of reinforcing fabric 22 , would have to directly anchor the stitches 26 such that the filler material 14 is secured between the viscoelastic foam layers 18 . In a pillow having this construction (not shown), the viscoelastic foam layers 18 would likely tear near the stitches 26 as a result of normal use of the pillow. Further, if the viscoelastic foam layers 18 were to tear, then the filler material 14 would spill out. Therefore, the reinforcing fabric layers 22 provide a measure of durability to the pillow 10 . The reinforcing fabric 22 is preferably made from a durable material, such as a cotton/polyester blend. A cover 30 surrounds and encases the pillow 10 , and conforms to the shape of the pillow 10 . The cover 30 is preferably made from a durable and washable fabric material, such as a cotton/polyester blend. As shown in FIG. 1 , a slot 34 extends across the cover 30 along the cover's edge. The pillow 10 may be inserted into the cover 30 through the slot 34 . The pillow 10 may also be removed from the cover 30 through the slot 34 to facilitate cleaning of the cover 30 . The slot 34 is resealable to close the cover 30 around the pillow 10 and to open the cover 30 for removing the pillow 10 . A closure device is used to open and close the slot 34 . In the preferred embodiment, the closure device is a zipper 38 , although the closure device could also comprise snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners, overlapping flaps, laces, or other similar fasteners. During manufacture, the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 are sewn together with the layers of reinforcing fabric 22 to form a sleeve or casing having an open end, wherein the layers of viscoelastic foam 18 comprise the inner layers of the casing and the layers of reinforcing fabric 22 comprise the outer layers of the casing. The filler material 14 is then inserted through the open end of the casing until the desired amount of filler material 14 is reached within the casing. The open end is then sewn closed, thereby encasing the filler material 14 within the casing and defining a pillow 10 . The pillow 10 is then inserted within the cover 30 and the cover 30 is closed by the zipper 38 .
In some embodiments, a pillow including a viscoelastic sleeve defining a cavity and filler material positioned within the cavity is disclosed. In other embodiments the pillow includes a sleeve in which is received viscoelastic filler material, or includes a viscoelastic sleeve in which is received other type(s) of filler material.
8
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to a storage compartment for a vehicle. [0002] In vehicles, in particular passenger vehicles, there is the need for closable deposit compartments which are easily accessible. [0003] European document EP 501 021 B1 describes a deposit compartment with a cover which can be opened toward two sides. A gear device arranged in the cover ensures here that, after the cover is released, via release handles likewise arranged in the cover, the cover can be opened manually either in one or in the other direction. In this case, the gear device locks the particular other pivot axis as a consequence of the rotation of the cover. A disadvantage here is the structurally complex solution allowing the cover to become relatively thick and heavy. [0004] European document EP 0 495 290 B1 likewise discloses a deposit compartment for vehicles that has a cover which can be opened toward two sides. The cover has hinges which can be released on both sides and are of latching design. The hinges mount the cover pivotably, so that the latter, after the hinge is released on one side, can execute a pivoting movement and can be opened manually. Disadvantages here are that the deposit-compartment operation is not very convenient, and the hinge solution is of a relatively large size and constricts the opening cross section of the deposit compartment. [0005] It is an object of the present invention to provide a storage compartment for vehicles which permits objects to be safely accommodated, can be operated simply and conveniently, and is constructed as compactly as possible. [0006] This object is achieved according to the invention by a storage compartment as claimed. [0007] The storage compartment has a deposit compartment which can be closed by a storage compartment cover. The storage compartment cover is locked in the closed position and has two axes of rotation, i.e. it can be opened either toward one side or toward the other side by pivoting about an axis of rotation. In the closed position, the two axes of rotation of the storage compartment cover are locked, so that the deposit compartment is securely closed and the objects deposited in it are secured against unauthorized access. The storage compartment has a driving device which, after release of the lock of one axis of rotation, automatically opens the storage compartment cover. The storage compartment cover can be automatically opened by means of a simple release of one axis of rotation, preferably by pressing a button. This permits a particularly convenient operation of the storage compartment from two sides. The storage compartment may thus be arranged, for example, in a central console or in the cockpit region or in an armrest between two seats, and is equally easily accessible from both seats. [0008] Provision is made for a retaining device which is designed for locking both axes of rotation to be arranged on a side wall of the storage compartment. The storage compartment cover can thus be designed to be as slim as possible, since the retaining device is arranged outside the storage compartment cover. In order to be constructed as compactly as possible, the retaining device may be arranged on one or both sides of the storage compartment cover. In the case of a storage compartment cover of essentially rectangular design, the retaining device may be arranged on a small side in order to take up as little construction space as possible. [0009] Furthermore, provision may be made for actuating buttons for releasing the retaining device to be arranged in the region of a side wall of the storage compartment, in particular in a readily accessible manner on the upper side thereof. The actuating buttons thus do not take up any construction space in the storage compartment cover and can readily be reached irrespective of the position of the storage compartment cover. [0010] In one embodiment, provision may be made for the storage compartment to have a printer and/or a fax machine and/or a copier. The latter may be integrated in a deposit compartment, with the swung-up cover of the storage compartment being designed as a paper support for the printer and/or the fax machine and/or the copier. [0011] In one embodiment, provision may be made for the driving device to have an energy store, preferably spring store or gas-filled spring store, for storing driving energy. The energy store is preferably designed in such a manner that it is charged during the closing of the storage compartment cover. During the opening, it acts upon the storage compartment cover in the opening direction and opens the latter by discharging the stored kinetic energy. The storage compartment is thus largely independent of external energy, e.g. electric energy, and is particularly highly reliable. In order to obtain a convenient opening movement, the energy store is connected to a damping device, so that the opening movement takes place in a damped manner. [0012] The energy store may be designed in two parts by each axis of rotation being connected to one energy store. These energy stores may be designed separately and independently, with the result that the kinetic energy of one axis of rotation is stored in the energy store provided for it. [0013] In one embodiment, the two energy stores may also be connected to each other, so that each energy store stores part of the kinetic energy, preferably approximately half of it. As a result, the two energy stores can be of correspondingly smaller dimensions. In addition, the respective lock of the axis of rotation is acted upon with a smaller force, as a result of which a smaller force is also required in order to release the locking device. This enables, in particular, a short pressing stroke to be obtained for the actuating buttons. Particularly convenient operation and a good sense of quality are therefore achieved. [0014] Embodiments are also possible in which the energy store is divided into a plurality of energy stores, in particular four, six or eight energy stores, in order to make particularly good use of the existing construction space. [0015] Use of the storage compartment in particular in road vehicles, for example passenger vehicles and/or trucks and/or coaches, is envisaged. However, it is also possible for the storage compartment to be used in ships or aircraft. [0016] Further features and embodiments of the invention emerge from the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above and explained below can be used not only in the combination indicated in each case, but also in other combinations or on their own without departing from the scope of the invention. [0017] Further embodiments of the invention are illustrated and explained in the figures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0018] FIG. 1 shows a schematic illustration of a storage compartment in a central console with a closed storage compartment cover, [0019] FIG. 2 shows an illustration of the storage compartment with the storage compartment cover open in one direction, [0020] FIG. 3 shows an illustration of the storage compartment with the storage compartment cover open in the opposite direction, [0021] FIG. 4 shows storage compartment with an energy store arranged in the storage compartment cover, [0022] FIG. 5 shows an illustration of the cut-out storage compartment cover, and [0023] FIG. 6 shows an illustration of an alternative embodiment of the storage compartment cover with a rack. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0024] FIG. 1 shows a storage compartment 1 in a central console 12 of a passenger vehicle. The central console 12 may be arranged between a driver's seat and front passenger's seat in a vehicle interior. The storage compartment has a deposit compartment 11 , which is bounded by side walls 13 , for accommodating objects. The storage compartment 1 is closed upward by a cover 2 . The storage compartment cover 2 has two axes of rotation 22 , 21 which are locked in the closed position by means of a retaining device 4 . The lock of an axis of rotation 21 , 22 can be released via buttons 41 arranged on the upper side of the central console 12 in the region of a side wall 13 . A driving device 3 then automatically opens the storage compartment cover in a damped manner by pivoting the storage compartment cover 2 either about the first axis of rotation 21 or the second axis of rotation 22 in the opening direction. [0025] The storage compartment cover 2 has two spindle stubs 23 , 24 in each case in the region of the axes of rotation 21 , 22 . The spindle stubs are mounted in a linearly displaceable manner on the storage compartment cover 2 and run along the particular axis of rotation 21 , 22 . They are connected to each other via racks 25 a and 25 b which both mesh with a toothed wheel 26 . The toothed wheel 26 is mounted rotatably on the storage compartment cover and connects the spindle stubs 23 and 24 in opposite directions. If one spindle stub 23 or 24 is acted upon axially, e.g. is pressed into the storage compartment cover 2 , then it uses the deflecting wheel 26 to likewise pull the other spindle stub 24 or 23 into the storage compartment cover 2 . The spindle stubs are acted upon by a spring and are prestressed in such a manner that they protrude out of the storage compartment cover 2 . Closing of the storage compartment cover 2 causes the spindle stubs 23 , 24 to be automatically latched in place by reaching beyond the storage compartment cover 2 , in the closed position thereof, and reaching into a retaining device 4 . [0026] The retaining device 4 has two bars 27 and 28 which are arranged on the end sides of the storage compartment cover 2 and connect the two axes of rotation 21 , 22 to each other. In the region of the second axis of rotation 22 , the bar 28 reaches through the side wall 13 of the storage compartment 1 and is connected in a rotationally fixed manner to a driving device 3 which has a toothed wheel 29 . The toothed wheel 29 is in turn connected to a gear 34 which has a spring store with a damper 33 . [0027] If the lock of the first axis of rotation 21 is released, by the connection between the bar 28 or bar 27 and the side wall being released by means of the button 41 , by axially pressing on the spindle stubs 23 and 24 of the first axis of rotation 21 , then the driving device 3 , which comprises the energy store with the damper 33 , the gear 34 and the toothed wheel 29 , pivots the bar 28 in the opening direction. Since the bar 28 is also connected to the spindle stub 24 of the first axis of rotation, it carries along the storage compartment cover 2 and the latter is pivoted about the axis of rotation 22 and automatically opens the storage compartment, as illustrated in FIG. 2 . [0028] A blocking device 42 is arranged in the region of the axes of rotation 21 , 22 and prevents the two axes of rotation 21 , 22 from being able to be released when the storage compartment cover 2 is open. A ball 43 is guided movably in the blocking device 42 and, when the cover is positioned vertically, drops downward and thus prevents the linear displacement of the spindle stubs 23 , 24 . [0029] The two buttons 41 are connected to the first axis of rotation 21 and the second axis of rotation 22 respectively via a Bowden cable. When one button 41 is actuated, an axial pressure is exerted via the Bowden cable 38 on the spindle stub 24 of the corresponding axis of rotation 21 or 22 , with the result that the spindle stubs 23 and 24 , which are connected in opposite directions, are pushed into the storage compartment cover 2 and the corresponding axis of rotation 21 or 22 is released. [0030] In contrast to the energy store 33 of the second axis of rotation 22 , the energy store 32 of the first axis of rotation 21 is arranged within the storage compartment cover 2 , as illustrated in FIG. 3 . [0031] The energy store of the first axis of rotation 21 is in two parts, each spindle stub 23 and 24 being connected to one energy store 32 . The energy stores 32 each have a spring, which is wound around the spindle 23 or 24 and has a damper, and act between the storage compartment cover and the spindle stubs 23 and 24 to rotate the storage compartment cover 2 . The energy stores 32 act upon the storage compartment cover 2 in the opening direction. [0032] If the lock of the second axis of rotation 22 is released from the closed position, the energy stores 32 automatically rotate the storage compartment cover in a damped manner about the first axis of rotation into an open position. When the button 42 is actuated to release the lock of the second axis of rotation, an axial pressure is exerted via a Bowden cable 38 on the spindle stub 24 of the second axis of rotation 22 . The latter is pushed axially into the housing of the storage compartment cover 2 and released from the retaining device 4 . The bars 28 and 27 remain connected to the side wall 13 of the storage compartment 1 and, in contrast to the above-described release of the first axis of rotation 21 , do not pivot together with the storage compartment cover 2 in the opening direction when the second axis of rotation 22 is released. [0033] The energy stores 32 and 33 are charged during the manual closing of the storage compartment cover 2 by the storage compartment cover being closed counter to the spring force of the energy stores 32 and 33 . The spring of the energy store 32 , 33 is prestressed and then remains stressed until the next opening process. [0034] The components of the storage compartment cover 2 , for example the energy stores 32 , spindle stubs 23 , 24 , toothed wheel 26 and blocking device 42 , are arranged within the storage compartment cover and are covered by a panel, so that they are not visible from the outside. The panel and the outside of the storage compartment cover are provided with a covering of leather or fabric or wood in order to match the design of the storage compartment 1 to the vehicle interior. The components of the retaining device 4 are arranged on the rear side of the side wall, so that they are not visible. Only the operating buttons 41 are arranged on the upper side of the central console 12 , so that they are readily accessible. [0035] The exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a storage compartment 1 in which, in contrast to the above-described exemplary embodiment, the two energy stores 32 and 33 , i.e. the energy store 32 of the first axis of rotation 21 and the energy store 33 of the second axis of rotation 22 , are arranged within the storage compartment cover 2 . The retaining device 4 together with the two operating buttons 41 for pivoting up the storage compartment cover 2 are arranged outside the storage compartment cover 2 in the region of the side wall 13 , as in the above-described exemplary embodiment. [0036] The energy stores 32 and 33 arranged in the region of the axes of rotation 21 and 22 are connected to each other via a shaft 36 . The shaft is guided within the storage compartment cover 2 and transfers torque between the two energy stores 32 and 33 . Each energy store 32 or 33 stores part of the torque necessary for pivoting the storage compartment cover 2 , with the energy stores 32 and 33 being equalized via the shaft 36 . The energy stores 32 and 33 can thus be of smaller dimensions and, as a result, require a smaller amount of construction space. In addition, a smaller force is required in order to keep the energy stored in the particular energy store 32 or 33 . This brings about a smaller release force for releasing the particular axis of rotation and therefore a more convenient operation by means of the buttons 41 . As a result, these buttons 41 can be designed to be correspondingly smooth-running or can be designed with a short pressing stroke. [0037] In the region of the axes of rotation 21 and 22 , two short spindle stubs 24 , which are connected to the energy stores 32 and 33 , are arranged on that side of the storage compartment cover 2 which faces the retaining device 4 . The energy stores 32 and 33 have wire springs which are mounted on the spindle stubs 24 and engage between the storage compartment cover 2 and the spindle stubs 24 . A damping device, e.g. a viscous brake, is connected to the energy stores 32 and 33 and damps the opening movement of the storage compartment cover 2 . [0038] On that side of the storage compartment cover 2 which faces away from the retaining device 4 , the storage compartment cover has mounts for plug-in spindles 45 in the region of the axes of rotation 21 , 22 . The short plug-in spindles 45 are mounted in a linearly displaceable manner in the side wall of the storage compartment 1 . A Bowden cable 44 or a transmission linkage connects the plug-in spindles 45 to an actuating button 41 . If a button 41 is actuated and therefore the corresponding axis of rotation 21 or 22 is released, then the button 41 acts via the Bowden cable 44 on the plug-in spindle 45 and pulls the latter back out of the mount in the storage compartment cover 2 . Both sides of the storage compartment cover 2 are therefore released in the region of the axis of rotation 21 or 22 , with the result that the cover can automatically be pivoted up. [0039] FIG. 5 shows an open position of the storage compartment cover 2 . The left button 41 has released the axis of rotation 21 , as described above, so that the storage compartment cover, driven by the energy stores 32 and 33 , is pivoted into the open position. [0040] At its end facing the retaining device 4 , the spindle stub 24 has an elliptically shaped cam 37 . The latter is connected fixedly to the particular spindle stub 24 and reaches beyond the storage compartment cover 2 and into the retaining device 4 . When the axis of rotation 21 , 22 is locked, the retaining device secures the cam 37 in a rotationally fixed manner by the retaining device 4 engaging in a form-fitting manner around the cam. The spring of the energy store 32 or 33 can therefore be supported on the spindle stub 24 , which is now mounted in a rotationally fixed manner, and can exert a torque on the storage compartment cover 2 or can absorb such a torque. [0041] The retaining device 4 has a mount which engages in a form-fitting manner around the cam. The mount is designed in two parts, the lower part being arranged in a fixed manner and the upper part being mounted in a displaceable manner and being connected to a button 41 . When the button 41 is actuated, the upper part of the mount is pulled back and releases the cam 37 . At the same time, the button 41 pulls the plug-in spindle 45 back via the Bowden cable 44 and thus entirely releases the corresponding axis of rotation 21 or 22 . [0042] FIG. 6 describes an exemplary embodiment which is constructed such that it largely corresponds to the exemplary embodiment described in FIGS. 4 and 5 . As a modification to the embodiment illustrated there, energy stores 32 and 33 accommodated in the storage compartment cover 2 are connected here to a rack 35 . The rack 35 is mounted in a linearly displaceable manner in the storage compartment cover 2 and meshes at its two ends with the spindle stubs 24 . The rack 35 therefore transfers torque between the energy stores 32 and 33 .
The invention relates to a storage compartment ( 1 ) for a vehicle, having a storage compartment cover ( 2 ) which is pivotably mounted toward two sides. The latter can be pivoted either toward one side or toward the other side. In order to design the storage compartment ( 1 ) such that it can be operated as simply and conveniently as possible and is secure, provision is made for the storage compartment cover ( 2 ) to have two locked axes of rotation ( 21, 22 ) in its closed position. After one axis of rotation ( 21 ) is released, a driving device ( 3 ) automatically pivots the storage compartment cover ( 2 ) in a damped manner into an open position.
4
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to altered antibodies that bind to myelin associated glycoprotein (MAG) and neutralise the function thereof, polynucleotides encoding such antibodies, pharmaceutical formulations containing said antibodies and to the use of such antibodies in the treatment and/or prophylaxis of neurological diseases. Other aspects, objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the description below. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Stroke is a major cause of death and disability in the Western World. There is no approved therapy for the treatment of stroke other than t-PA which has to be administered within 3 h of onset following a CT scan to exclude haemorrhage. To date most therapeutic agents directed towards the treatment of acute stroke (i.e. neuroprotection), have predominantly involved targeting glutamate receptors and their down stream signalling pathways known to be involved in acute cell death. However to date these strategies have proved unsuccessful in clinical trials and are often associated with dose-limiting side effects (Hill & Hachinski, The Lancet, 352: (suppl III) 10-14 (1998)). Therefore there is a need for novel approaches directed towards the amelioration of cell death following the cessation of blood flow. [0003] Following the onset of stroke, some degree of spontaneous functional recovery is observed in many patients, suggesting that the brain has the (albeit limited) ability to repair and/or remodel following injury. Agents that have the potential to enhance this recovery may therefore allow intervention to be made much later (potentially days) following the onset of cerebral ischaemia. Agents which are able to offer both acute neuroprotection and enhance functional recovery may provide significant advantages over current potential neuroprotective strategies. [0004] The mechanisms underlying functional recovery are currently unknown. The sprouting of injured or non-injured axons has been proposed as one possible mechanism. However, although in vivo studies have shown that treatment of spinal cord injury or stroke with neurotrophic factors results in enhanced functional recovery and a degree of axonal sprouting, these do not prove a direct link between the degree of axonal sprouting and extent of functional recovery (Jakeman, et al. 1998, Exp. Neurol. 154: 170-184, Kawamata et al. 1997 , Proc Natl Acad. Sci. USA., 94:8179-8184, Ribotta, et al. 2000 , J Neurosci. 20: 5144-5152). Furthermore, axonal sprouting requires a viable neuron. In diseases such as stroke which is associated with extensive cell death, enhancement of functional recovery offered by a given agent post stroke may therefore be through mechanisms other than axonal sprouting such as differentiation of endogenous stem cells, activation of redundant pathways, changes in receptor distribution or excitability of neurons or glia (Fawcett & Asher, 1999 , Brain Res. Bulletin, 49: 377-391, Horner & Gage, 2000 , Nature 407 963-970). [0005] The limited ability of the central nervous system (CNS) to repair following injury is thought in part to be due to molecules within the CNS environment that have an inhibitory effect on axonal sprouting (neurite outgrowth). CNS myelin is thought to contain inhibitory molecules (Schwab M E and Caroni P (1988) J. Neurosci. 8, 2381-2193). Two myelln proteins, myelin-associated glycoprotein (MAG) and Nogo have been cloned and identified as putative inhibitors of neurite outgrowth (Sato S. et al (1989) Biochem. Biophys. Res. Comm. 163,1473-1480; McKerracher L et al (1994) Neuron 13, 805-811; Mukhopadhyay G et al (1994) Neuron 13, 757-767; Torigoe K and Lundborg G (1997) Exp. Neurology 150, 254-262; Schafer et al (1996) Neuron 16, 1107-1113; WO9522344; WO9701352; Prinjha R et al (2000) Nature 403, 383-384; Chen M S et al (2000) Nature 403, 434-439; GrandPre T et al (2000) Nature 403, 439-444; US005250414A; WO200005364A1; WO0031235). [0006] Myelin-associated glycoprotein is a cell surface transmembrane molecule expressed on the surface of myelin consisting of five extracellular immunoglobulin domains, a single transmembrane domain and an intracellular domain. MAG expression is restricted to myelinating glia in the CNS and peripheral nervous system (PNS). MAG is thought to interact with neuronal receptor(s) which mediate effects on the neuronal cytoskeleton including neurofilament phosphorylation and inhibition of neurite outgrowth in vitro. Although antagonists of MAG have been postulated as useful for the promotion of axonal sprouting following injury (WO9522344, WO9701352 and WO9707810), these claims are not supported by in vivo data. Furthermore, the role of MAG as an inhibitor of axonal sprouting from CNS neurons in vivo is not proven (Li C M et al (1994) Nature 369, 747-750; Montag, D et al (1994) Neuron 13, 229-246; Lassmann H et al (1997) GLIA 19, 104-110; U C et al (1998) J. Neuro. Res. 51, 210-217; Yin X et al (1998) J. Neurosci. 18, 1953-1962; Bartsch U et al (1995) Neuron 15 1375-1381; Li M et al (1996) 46,404-414). [0007] Antibodies typically comprise two heavy chains linked together by disulphide bonds and two light chains. Each light chain is linked to a respective heavy chain by disulphide bonds. Each heavy chain has at one end a variable domain followed by a number of constant domains. Each light chain has a variable domain at one end and a constant domain at its other end. The light chain variable domain is aligned with the variable domain of the heavy chain. The light chain constant domain is aligned with the first constant domain of the heavy chain. The constant domains in the light and heavy chains are not involved directly in binding the antibody to antigen. [0008] The variable domains of each pair of light and heavy chains form the antigen binding site. The variable domains on the light and heavy chains have the same general structure and each domain comprises a framework of four regions, whose sequences are relatively conserved, connected by three complementarity determining regions (CDRs) often referred to as hypervariable regions. The four framework regions largely adopt a beta-sheet conformation and the CDRs form loops connecting, and in some cases forming part of, the beta-sheet structure. The CDRs are held in close proximity by the framework regions and, with the CDRs from the other domain, contribute to the formation of the antigen binding site. CDRs and framework regions of antibodies may be determined by reference to Kabat et al (“Sequences of proteins of immunological interest” US Dept. of Health and Human Services, US Government Printing Office, 1987). [0009] It has now been found that an anti-MAG monoclonal antibody, described (Poltorak et al (1987) Journal of Cell Biology 105, 1893-1899, DeBellard et al (1996) Mol. Cell Neurosci 7, 89-101; Tang et al (1997) Mol. Cell Neurosci. 9, 333-346; Torigoe K and Lundborg G (1997) Exp. Neurology 150, 254-262) and commercially available (MAB1567 (Chemicon)) when administered either directly into the brain or intravenously following focal cerebral ischaemia in the rat (a model of stroke), provides neuroprotection and enhances functional recovery. Therefore anti-MAG antibodies provide potential therapeutic agents for both acute neuroprotection as well as the promotion of functional recovery following stroke. This antibody is a murine antibody. Although murine antibodies are often used as diagnostic agents their utility as a therapeutic has been proven in only a few cases. Their limited application is in part due to the repeated administration of murine monoclonals to humans usually elicits human immune responses against these molecules. To overcome these intrinsic undesireable properties of murine monoclonals “altered” antibodies designed to incorporate regions of human antibodies have been developed and are well established in the art. For example, a humanised antibody contains complementarity determining regions (“CDR's”) of non human origin and the majority of the rest of the structure is derived from a human antibody. [0010] The process of neurodegeneration underlies many neurological diseases/disorders including acute diseases such as stroke, traumatic brain injury and spinal cord injury as well as chronic diseases including Alzheimer's disease, fronto-temporal dementias (tauopathies), peripheral neuropathy, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and multiple sclerosis. Anti-MAG mabs therefore may be useful in the treatment of these diseases/disorders, by both ameliorating the cell death associated with these diseases/disorders and promoting functional recovery. [0011] All publications, both journal and patent, disclosed in this present specification are expressly and entirely incorporated herein by reference. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0012] The invention provides an altered antibody or functional fragment thereof which binds to and neutralises MAG and comprises one or more of the following CDR's. The CDR's are identified as described by Kabat (Kabat et al. (1991) Sequences of proteins of immunological interest; Fifth Edition; US Department of Health and Human Services; NIH publication No 91-3242. CDRs preferably are as defined by Kabat but following the principles of protein structure and folding as defined by Chothia and Lesk, (Chothia et al., (1989) Conformations of immunoglobulin hypervariable regions; Nature 342, p 877-883) it will be appreciated that additional residues may also be considered to be part of the antigen binding region and are thus encompassed by the present invention. [0013] Light Chain CDRs CDR According to Kabat L1 KSSHSVLYSSNQKNYLA (SEQUENCE ID NO: 1) L2 WASTRES (SEQUENCE ID NO: 2) L3 HQYLSSLT (SEQUENCE ID NO: 3) [0014] Heavy Chain CDRs CDR According to Kabat H1 NYGMN (SEQUENCE ID NO: 4) H2 WINTYTGEPTYADDFTG (SEQUENCE ID NO: 5) H3 NPINYYGINYEGYVMDY (SEQUENCE ID NO: 6) [0015] The present invention also relates to an antibody which binds to the same epitope as an antibody having the CDRs described above. Competitive inhibition assays are used for mapping of the epitopes on an antigen. Thus there is also provided an anti-MAG antibody (altered or unaltered) which competitvely inhibits the binding of the altered antibody having the CDRs described supra to MAG, preferably human MAG. [0016] In a further aspect, the present invention provides an altered antibody or functional fragment thereof which comprises a heavy chain variable domain which comprises one or more CDR's selected from CDRH1, CDRH2 and CDRH3 and/or a light chain variable domain which comprises one or more CDRs selected from CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3. [0017] The invention further provides an altered anti-MAG antibody or functional fragment thereof which comprises: a) a heavy chain variable domain (V H ) which comprises in sequence CDRH1, CDRH2 and CDRH3, and/or b) a light chain variable domain (V L ) which comprises in sequence CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3 [0020] A further aspect of the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising an altered anti-MAG antibody of the present invention or functional fragment thereof together with a pharmaceutically acceptable diluent or carrier. [0021] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of treatment or prophylaxis of stroke and other neurological diseases in a human which comprises administering to said human in need thereof an effective amount of an anti-MAG antibody of the invention or functional fragments thereof. [0022] In another aspect, the invention provides the use of an anti-MAG antibody of the invention or a functional fragment thereof in the preparation of a medicament for treatment or prophylaxis of stroke and other neurological diseases. [0023] In a further aspect, the present invention provides a method of inhibiting neurodegeneration and/or promoting functional recovery in a human patient afflicted with, or at risk of developing, a stroke or other neurological disease which comprises administering to said human in need thereof an effective amount of an anti-MAG antibody of the invention or a functional fragment thereof. [0024] In a yet further aspect, the invention provides the use of an anti-MAG antibody of the invention or a functional fragment thereof in the preparation of a medicament for inhibiting neurodegeneration and/or promoting functional recovery in a human patient afflicted with, or at risk of developing, a stroke and other neurological disease. [0025] Other aspects and advantages of the present invention are described further in the detailed description and the preferred embodiments thereof. DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0026] FIG. 1 : Sequence of a mouse/human chimeric anti-MAG antibody heavy chain (Seq ID No. 27). [0027] FIG. 2 : Sequence of a mouse/human chimeric anti-MAG antibody light chain (Seq ID No. 28). [0028] FIG. 3 : Sequence of a mouse/human chimeric anti-MAG antibody heavy chain (Seq ID No. 29). [0029] FIG. 4 : Chimeric anti-MAG antibody binds to rat MAG [0030] FIG. 5 Humanised anti-MAG antibody sequences [0031] FIG. 6 : Humanised anti-MAG antibodies bind to rat MAG [0032] FIG. 7 : Humanised anti-MAG antibodies bind to rat MAG [0033] FIG. 8 : Humanised anti-MAG antibodies bind to human MAG [0034] FIG. 9 : Competition ELISA with mouse and humanised anti-MAG antibodies MAG DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0000] Anti-MAG Antibody [0035] The altered antibody of the invention is preferably a monoclonal antibody (mAb) and is preferably chimeric, humanised or reshaped, of these humanised is particularly preferred. [0036] The altered antibody preferably has the structure of a natural antibody or fragment thereof. The antibody may therefore comprise a complete antibody, a (Fab 1 ) 2 fragment, a Fab fragment, a light chain dimer or a heavy chain dimer. The antibody may be an IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, or IgG4; or IgM; IgA, IgE or IgD or a modified variant thereof. The constant domain of the antibody heavy chain may be selected accordingly. The light chain constant domain may be a kappa or lambda constant domain. Furthermore, the antibody may comprise modifications of all classes eg IgG dimers, Fc mutants that no longer bind Fc receptors or mediate Clq binding (blocking antibodies). The antibody may also be a chimeric antibody of the type described in WO86/01533 which comprises an antigen binding region and a non-immunoglobulin region. The antigen binding region is an antibody light chain variable domain or heavy chain variable domain. Typically the antigen binding region comprises both light and heavy chain variable domains. The non-immunoglobulin region is fused at its C terminus to the antigen binding region. The non-immunoglobulin region is typically a non-immunoglobullin protein and may be an enzyme, a toxin or protein having known binding specificity. The two regions of this type of chimeric antibody may be connected via a cleavable linker sequence. Immunoadhesins having the CDRS as hereinbefore described are also contemplated in the present invention. [0037] The constant region is selected according to the functionality required. Normally an IgG1 will demonstrate lytic ability through binding to complement and/or will mediate ADCC (antibody dependent cell cytotoxicity). An IgG4 will be preferred if an non-cytototoxic blocking antibody is required. However, IgG4 antibodies can demonstrate instability in production and therefore is may be more preferable to modify the generally more stable IgG1. Suggested modifications are described in EP0307434 preferred modifications include at positions 235 and 237. The invention therefore provides a lytic or a non-lytic form of an antibody according to the invention [0038] In a preferred aspect the altered antibody is class IgG, more preferably IgG1. [0039] In preferred forms therefore the antibody of the invention is a full length non-lytic IgG1 antibody having the CDRs described supra. In most preferred forms we provide a full length non-lytic IgG1 antibody having the CDRs of SEQ.I.D.NO:13 and 16 and a full length non-lytic IgG1 antibody having the CDRs of SEQ.I.D.NO: 15 and 18. [0040] In a further aspect, the invention provides polynucleotides encoding CDRH1, CDRH2, CDRH3, CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3. Preferred polynucleotide sequences are [0041] Light Chain CDRs CDR L1 AAGAGCAGCCACAGCGTGCTGTACAGCAGCAA CCAGAAGAACTACCTGGCC (SEQUENCE ID NO: 7) L2 TGGGCCAGCACCCGCGAGAGC (SEQUENCE IDS NO: 8) L3 CACCAGTACCTGAGCAGCCTGACC (SEQUENCE ID NO: 9) [0042] Heavy Chain CDRs CDR H1 AACTACGGCATGAAC (SEQUENCE ID NO: 10) H2 TGGATCAACACCTACACCGGCGAGCCCACCTAC GCCGACGACTTCACCGGC (SEQUENCE ID NO: 11) H3 AACCCCATCAACTACTACGGCATCAACTACGAG GGCTACGTGATGGACTAC (SEQUENCE ID NO: 12) [0043] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a polynucleotide encoding a light chain variable region of an altered anti-MAG antibody including at least one CDR selected from CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3, more preferably including all 3 CDRs in sequence. [0044] In a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a polynucleotide encoding a heavy chain variable region of an altered anti-MAG anti body including at least one CDR selected from CDRH1, CDRH2 and CDRH3, more preferably including all 3 CDRs in sequence. [0045] In a particularly preferred aspect, the anti-MAG antibody of the invention is a humanised antibody. [0046] The invention therefore further provides a humanised antibody or functional fragment thereof that binds to and neutralises MAG which comprises a heavy chain variable region comprising one of the following amino acid sequences:— (SEQ ID No 13). QVQLVQSGSELKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFT NYGMN WVRQAPGQGLEWMG W INTYTGEPTYADDFTG RFVFSLDTSVSTAYLQISSLKAEDTAVYYCAR NP INYYGINYEGYVMDY WGQGTLVTVSS. (Sequence ID No 14) QVQLVQSGSELKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFT NYGMN WVRQAPGQGLEWMG W INTYTGEPTYADDFTG RFVFSLDTSVSTAYLQISSLKAEDTAVY F CAR NP INYYGINYEGYVMDY WGQGTLVTVSS (sequence ID No 15) QVQLVQSGSELKKPGASVKVSCKASGYTFT NYGMN WVRQAPGQGLEWMG W INTYTGEPTYADDFTG RFVFSLDTSVSTAYLQISSLKAEDTA T Y F CAR NP INYYGINYEGYVMDY WGQGTLVTVSS [0047] In a further aspect of the invention there is provided a humanised antibody or functional fragment thereof which binds to MAG which comprises the heavy chain variable region of Sequence ID No 13, 14 or 15 together with a light chain variable region comprising amino acid Sequences, Sequence ID No 16, 17, 18, or 19: (SEQ ID No 16) DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINC KSSHSVLYSSNQKNYLA WYQQKPGQPP KLLIY WASTRES GVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLQAEDVAVYYC HQYLSS LT FGQGTKLEIKRTV (SEQ ID No 17) DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINC KSSHSVLYSSNQKNYLA WYQQKPGQPP KLLIY WASTRES GVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTIINLQAEDVAVYYC HQYLSS LT FGQGTKLEIKRTV (SEQ ID No 18) DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINC KSSHSVLYSSNQKNYLA WYQQKPGQPP KLLIY WASTRES GVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTISSLHTEDVAVYYC HQYLSS LT FGQGTKLEIKRTV (SEQ ID No 19) DIVMTQSPDSLAVSLGERATINC KSSHSVLYSSNQKNYLA WYQQKPGQPP KLLIY WASTRES GVPDRFSGSGSGTDFTLTIINLHTEDVAVYYC HQYLSS LT FGQGTKLEIKRTV [0048] In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a humanised antibody comprising: a heavy chain variable fragment comprising SEQ ID No13, 14 or 15 and a constant part or fragment thereof of a human heavy chain and a light chain variable fragment comprising SEQ ID No 16, 17, 18 or 19 and a constant part or fragment thereof of a human light chain. Ina preferred aspect the humanised antibody is class 1gG more preferably IgG1. [0052] Preferred antibodies of the invention comprise: Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 13 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 16; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 13 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 17; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 13 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 18; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 13 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 19. Heavy chain variable region Scomprising eq ID No 14 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 16; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 14 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 17; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 14 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 18; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 14 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 19. Heavy chain variable region Scomprising eq ID No 15 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 16; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 15 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 17; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 15 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 18; Heavy chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 15 and light chain variable region comprising Seq ID No 19. [0065] In a further aspect, the invention provides polynucleotides encoding the heavy chain variable region comprising Sequence ID Nos 13, 14 and 15 and light chain variable regions comprising Sequence ID No 16, 17, 18 and 19. [0066] Preferred polynucleotide Sequence encoding the amino acid Sequence SEQ ID NO 13 is (SEQ ID No 20) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAATCTGGGTCTGAGTTGAAGAAGCCTGGGGCCTC AGTGAAGTTTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACCTTACT AACTACGGCATG AAC TGGGTGCGACAGGCCCCTGGACAAGGGCTTGAGTGGATGGGA TGGAT CAACACCTACACCGGCGAGCCCACCTACGCCGACGACTTCACCGGC CGGT TTGTCTTCTCCTTGGACACCTCTGTCAGCACGGCATATCTGCAGATCAGC AGCCTAAAGGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTGTATTACTGTGCGAGA AACCCCTC AACTACTACGGCATCAACTACGAGGGCTACGTGATGGACTAC TGGGGCCA GGGCACACTAGTCACAGTCTCCTCA [0067] Preferred polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid Sequence ID No 14 is: (SEQ ID No 21) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAATCTGGGTCTGAGTTGAAGAAGCCTGGGGCCTC AGTGAAGGTTTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACCTTCACT AACTACGGCA TGAAC TGGGTGCGACAGGCCCCTGGACAAGGGCTTGAGTGGATGGGA TGG ATCAACACCTACACCGGCGAGCCCACCTACGCCGACGACTTCACCGGC CG GTTTGTCTTCTCCTTGGACACCTCTGTCAGCACGGCATATCTGCAGATCA GCAGCCTAAAGGCTGAGGACACTGCCGTGTAT TTC TGTGCGAGA AACCCC ATCAACTACTACGGCATCAACTACGAGGGCTACGTGATGGACTAC TGGGG CCAGGGCACACTAGTCACAGTCTCCTCA [0068] Preferred polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid Sequence ID No 15 is: (SEQ ID No 22) CAGGTGCAGCTGGTGCAATCTGGGTCTGAGTTGAAGAAGCCTGGGGCCTC AGTGAAGGTTTCCTGCAAGGCTTCTGGATACACCTTCACT AACTACGGCA TGAAC TGGGTGCGACAGGCCCCTGGACAAGGGCTTGAGTGGATGGGA TGG ATCAACACCTACACCGGCGAGCCCACCTACGCCGACGACTTCACCGGC CG GTTTGTCTTCTCCTTGGACACCTCTGTCAGCACGGCATATCTGCAGATCA GCAGCCTAAAGGCTGAGGACACTGCC ACC TAT TTC TGTGCGAGA AACCCC ATCAACTACTACGGCATCAACTACGAGGGCTACGTGATGGACTAC TGGGG CCAGGGCACACTAGTCACAGTCTCCTCA [0069] Preferred polynucleotide sequence encoding the amino acid Sequence ID No 16 is: (SEQ ID No 23) GACATCGTGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGACTCCCTGGCTGTGTCTCTGGGCGA GAGGGCCACCATCAACTGC AAGAGCAGCCACAGCGTGCTGTACAGCAGCA ACCAGAAGAACTACCTGGCC TGGTACCAGCAGAAACCAGGACAGCCTCCT AAGCTGCTCATTTAC TGGGCATCTACCCGGGAATCC GGGGTCCCTGACCG ATTCAGTGGCAGCGGGTCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCC TGCAGGCTGAAGATGTGGCAGTTTATTACTGT CACCAGTACCTGAGCAGC CTGACC TTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTG [0070] Preferred polynucleotide sequence encoding SEQ ID No 17 is: (SEQ ID No 24) GACATCGTGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGACTCCCTGGCTGTGTCTCTGGGCGA GAGGGCCACCATCAACTGC AAGAGCAGCCACAGCGTGCTGTACAGCAGCA ACCAGAAGAACTACC TGGCCTGGTACCAGCAGAAACCAGGACAGCCTCCT AAGCTGCTCATTTAC TGGGCATCTACCCGGGAATCC GGGGTCCCTGACCG ATTCAGTGGCAGCGGGTCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCATCAACC TGCAGGCTGAAGATGTGGCAGTTTATTACTGT CACCAGTACCTGAGCAGC CTGACC TTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTG [0071] Preferred polynucleotide encoding SEQ ID No 18 is: (SEQ ID No 25) GACATCGTGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGACTCCCTGGCTGTGTCTCTGGGCGA GAGGGCCACCATCAACTGC AAGAGCAGCCACAGCGTGCTGTACAGCAGCA ACCAGAAGAACTACCTGGCC TGGTACCAGCAGAAACCAGGACAGCCTCCT AAGCTGCTCATTTAC TGGGCATCTACCCGGGAATCC GGGGTCCCTGACCG ATTCAGTGGCAGCGGGTCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATCAGCAGCC TG CACACC GAAGATGTGGCAGTTTATTACTGT CACCAGTACCTGAGCAGC CTGACC TTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTG [0072] Preferred polynucleotide encoding SEQ ID No 19 is: (SEQ ID No 26) GACATCGTGATGACCCAGTCTCCAGACTCCCTGGCTGTGTCTCTGGGCGA GAGGGCCACCATCAACTGC AAGAGCAGCCACAGCGTGCTGTACAGCAGCA ACCAGAAGAACTACCTGGCC TGGTACCAGCAGAAACCAGGACAGCCTCCT AAGCTGCTCATTTAC TGGGCATCTACCCGGGAATCC GGGGTCCCTGACCG ATTCAGTGGCAGCGGGTCTGGGACAGATTTCACTCTCACCATC ATCAAC C TG CACACC GAAGATGTGGCAGTTTATTACTGT CACCAGTACCTGAGCAGC CTGACC TTTGGCCAGGGGACCAAGCTGGAGATCAAACGTACGGTG [0073] “Neutralising” refers to inhibition, either total or partial, of MAG function including its binding to neurones and inhibition of neurite outgrowth. [0074] “Altered antibody” refers to a protein encoded by an altered immunoglobulin coding region, which may be obtained by expression in a selected host cell. Such altered antibodies include engineered antibodies (e.g., chimeric, reshaped, humanized or vectored antibodies) or antibody fragments lacking all or part of an Immunoglobulin constant region, e.g., Fv, Fab, or F(ab) 2 and the like. [0075] “Altered immunoglobulin coding region” refers to a nucleic acid sequence encoding altered antibody. When the altered antibody is a CDR-grafted or humanized antibody, the sequences that encode the complementarity determining regions (CDRs) from a non-human immunoglobulin are inserted into a first immunoglobulin partner comprising human variable framework sequences. Optionally, the first immunoglobulin partner is operatively linked to a second immunoglobulin partner. [0076] “First immunoglobulin partner” refers to a nucleic acid sequence encoding a human framework or human immunoglobulin variable region in which the native (or naturally-occurring) CDR-encoding regions are replaced by the CDR-encoding regions of a donor antibody. The human variable region can be an immunoglobulin heavy chain, a light chain (or both chains), an analog or functional fragments thereof. Such CDR regions, located within the variable region of antibodies (immunoglobulins) can be determined by known methods in the art. For example Kabat et al. ( Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 4th Ed., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (1987)) disclose rules for locating CDRS. In addition, computer programs are known which are useful for identifying CDR regions/structures. [0077] “Second immunoglobulin partner” refers to another nucleotide sequence encoding a protein or peptide to which the first immunoglobulin partner is fused in frame or by means of an optional conventional linker sequence (i.e., operatively linked). Preferably it is an immunoglobulin gene. The second immunoglobulin partner may include a nucleic acid sequence encoding the entire constant region for the same (i.e., homologous—the first and second altered antibodies are derived from the same source) or an additional (i.e., heterologous) antibody of interest. It may be an immunoglobulin heavy chain or light chain (or both chains as part of a single polypeptide). The second immunoglobulin partner is not limited to a particular immunoglobulin class or isotype. In addition, the second immunoglobulin partner may comprise part of an immunoglobulin constant region, such as found in a Fab, or F(ab) 2 (i.e., a discrete part of an appropriate human constant region or framework region). Such second immunoglobulin partner may also comprise a sequence encoding an integral membrane protein exposed on the outer surface of a host cell, e.g., as part of a phage display library, or a sequence encoding a protein for analytical or diagnostic detection, e.g., horseradish peroxidase, p-galactosidase, etc. [0078] The terms Fv, Fc, Fd, Fab, or F(ab) 2 are used with their standard meanings (see, e.g., Harlow et al., Antibodies A Laboratory Manual , Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory, (1988)). [0079] As used herein, an “engineered antibody” describes a type of altered antibody, i.e., a full-length synthetic antibody (e.g., a chimeric, reshaped or humanized antibody as opposed to an antibody fragment) in which a portion of the light and/or heavy chain variable domains of a selected acceptor antibody are replaced by analogous parts from one or more donor antibodies which have specificity for the selected epitope. For example, such molecules may include antibodies characterized by a humanized heavy chain associated with an unmodified light chain (or chimeric light chain), or vice versa. Engineered antibodies may also be characterized by alteration of the nucleic acid sequences encoding the acceptor antibody light and/or heavy variable domain framework regions in order to retain donor antibody binding specificity. These antibodies can comprise replacement of one or more CDRs (preferably all) from the acceptor antibody with CDRs from a donor antibody described herein. [0080] A “chimeric antibody” refers to a type of engineered antibody which contains a naturally-occurring variable region (light chain and heavy chains) derived from a donor antibody in association with light and heavy chain constant regions derived from an acceptor antibody. [0081] A “humanized antibody” refers to a type of engineered antibody having its CDRs derived from a non-human donor immunoglobulin, the remaining immunoglobulin-derived parts of the molecule being derived from one (or more) human immunoglobulin(s). In addition, framework support residues may be altered to preserve binding affinity (see, e.g., Queen et al., Proc. Natl Acad Sci USA, 86:10029-10032 (1989), Hodgson et al., Bio/Technology, 9:421 (1991)). A suitable human acceptor antibody may be one selected from a conventional database, e.g., the KABAT® database, Los Alamos database, and Swiss Protein database, by homology to the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the donor antibody. A human antibody characterized by a homology to the framework regions of the donor antibody (on an amino acid basis) may be suitable to provide a heavy chain constant region and/or a heavy chain variable framework region for insertion of the donor CDRs. A suitable acceptor antibody capable of donating light chain constant or variable framework regions may be selected in a similar manner. It should be noted that the acceptor antibody heavy and light chains are not required to originate from the same acceptor antibody. The prior art describes several ways of producing such humanised antibodies—see for example EP-A-0239400 and EP-A-054951 [0082] “Reshaped human antibody” refers to an altered antibody in which minimally at least one CDR from a first human monoclonal donor antibody is substituted for a CDR in a second human acceptor antibody. Preferrably all six CDRs are replaced. More preferrably an entire antigen combining region (e.g., Fv, Fab or F(ab′) 2 ) from a first human donor monoclonal antibody is substituted for the corresponding region in a second human acceptor monoclonal antibody. Most preferrably the Fab region from a first human donor is operatively linked to the appropriate constant regions of a second human acceptor antibody to form a full length monoclonal antibody. [0083] A “vectored antibody” refers to an antibody to which an agent has been attached to improve transport through the blood brain barrier (BBB). (Review see Pardridge; Advanced Drug Delivery Review 36, 299-321, 1999). The attachment may be chemical or alternatively the moeity can be engineered into the antibody. One example is to make a chimera with an antibody directed towards a brain capilliary endothelial cell receptor eg an anti-insulin receptor antibody or anti-transferrin receptor antibody (Saito et al (1995) Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci USA 92 10227-31; Pardridge et al (1995) Pharm. Res. 12 807-816; Broadwell et al (1996) Exp. Neurol. 142 47-65; Bickel et al (1993) Proc Natl. Acad. Sc. USA 90, 2618-2622; Friden et al (1996) J. Pharm. Exp. Ther. 278 1491-1498, U.S. Pat. No. 5,182,107, U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,924, U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,988, U.S. Pat. No. 5,527,527). Once bound to the receptor, both components of the bispecific antibody pass across the BBB by the process of transcytosis. Alternatively the agent may be a ligand which binds such cell surface receptors eg insulin, transferrin or low density lipoprotein (Descamps et al (1996) Am. J. Physiol. 270H1149-H1158; Duffy et al (1987) Brain Res. 420 32-38; Dehouck et al (1997) J. Cell Biol. 1997 877-889). Naturally occuring peptides such as penetratin and SynB1 and Syn B3 which are known to improve transport across the BBB can also be used (Rouselle et al (2000) Mol. Pharm. 57, 679-686 and Rouselle et al (2001) Journal of Pharmacology and Experimental Therapeutics 296, 124-131). [0084] The term “donor antibody” refers to an antibody (monoclonal, or recombinant) which contributes the amino acid sequences of its variable regions, CDRs, or other functional fragments or analogs thereof to a first immunoglobulin partner, so as to provide the altered immunoglobulin coding region and resulting expressed altered antibody with the antigenic specificity and neutralizing activity characteristic of the donor antibody. [0085] The term “acceptor antibody” refers to an antibody (monoclonal, or recombinant) heterologous to the donor antibody, which contributes all (or any portion, but preferably all) of the amino acid sequences encoding its heavy and/or light chain framework regions and/or its heavy and/or light chain constant regions to the first immunoglobulin partner. Preferably a human antibody is the acceptor antibody. [0086] “CDRs” are defined as the complementarity determining region amino acid sequences [0087] of an antibody which are the hypervariable regions of immunoglobulin heavy and light chains. See, e.g., Kabat et al., Sequences of Proteins of Immunological Interest, 4th Ed., U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Institutes of Health (1987). There are three heavy chain and three light chain CDRs (or CDR regions) in the variable portion of an immunoglobulin. Thus, “CDRs” as used herein refers to all three heavy chain CDRS, or all three light chain CDRs (or both all heavy and all light chain CDRs, if appropriate). The structure and protein folding of the antibody may mean that other residues are considered part of the antigen binding region and would be understood to be so by a skilled person. See for example Chothia et al., (1989) Conformations of immunoglobulin hypervariable regions; Nature 342, p 877-883. For convenience the CDR's as defined by Kabat in SEQ ID Nos 13-26 are underlined. [0088] CDRs provide the majority of contact residues for the binding of the antibody to the antigen or epitope. CDRs of interest in this invention are derived from donor antibody variable heavy and light chain sequences, and include analogs of the naturally occurring CDRs, which analogs also share or retain the same antigen binding specificity and/or neutralizing ability as the donor antibody from which they were derived. [0089] A “functional fragment” is a partial heavy or light chain variable sequence (e.g., minor deletions at the amino or carboxy terminus of the immunoglobulin variable region) which retains the same antigen binding specificity and/or neutralizing ability as the antibody from which the fragment was derived. [0090] An “analog” is an amino acid sequence modified by at least one amino acid, wherein said modification can be chemical or a substitution or a rearrangement of a few amino acids (i.e., no more than 10), which modification permits the amino acid sequence to retain the biological characteristics, e.g., antigen specificity and high affinity, of the unmodified sequence. For example, (silent) mutations can be constructed, via substitutions, when certain endonuclease restriction sites are created within or surrounding CDR-encoding regions. The present invention contemplates the use of analogs of the antibody of the invention. It is well known that minor changes in amino acid or nucleic acid sequences may lead eg to an allelic form of the original protein which retains substantially similar properties. Thus analogs of the antibody of the invention includes those in which the CDRs in the hypervariable region of the heavy and light chains are at least 80% homologous, preferably at least 90% homologous and more preferably at least 95% homologous to the CDRs as defined above as CDRH1, CDRH2, CDRH3, CDRL1, CDRL2 and CDRL3 and retain MAG neutralising activity. Amino acid sequences are are at least 80% homologous if they have 80% identical amino acid residues in a like position when the sequences are aligned optimally, gaps or insertions being counted as non-identical residues. The invention also contemplates analogs of the antibodies of the invention wherein the framework regions are at least 80%, preferably at least 90% and more preferably at least 95% homologous to the framework regions set forth in Seq ID 1-5. Amino acid sequences are at least 80% homologous if they have 80% identical amino acid residues in a like position when the sequences are aligned optimally, gaps or insertions being counted as non-identical residues. [0091] Analogs may also arise as allelic variations. An “allelic variation or modification” is an alteration in the nucleic acid sequence. Such variations or modifications may be due to degeneracy in the genetic code or may be deliberately engineered to provide desired characteristics. These variations or modifications may or may not result in alterations in any encoded amino acid sequence. [0092] The term “effector agents” refers to non-protein carrier molecules to which the altered antibodies, and/or natural or synthetic light or heavy chains of the donor antibody or other fragments of the donor antibody may be associated by conventional means. Such non-protein carriers can include conventional carriers used in the diagnostic field, e.g., polystyrene or other plastic beads, polysaccharides, e.g., as used in the BIAcore [Pharmacia] system, or other non-protein substances useful in the medical field and safe for administration to humans and animals. Other effector agents may include a macrocycle, for chelating a heavy metal atom, or radioisotopes. Such effector agents may also be useful to increase the half-life of the altered antibodies, e.g., polyethylene glycol. [0093] A neutralising antibody specific for MAG has been described (Poltorak et al (1987) Journal of Cell Biology 105,1893-1899, DeBellard et al (1996) Mol. Cell Neurosci. 7, 89-101; Tang et al (1997) Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 9, 333-346; Torigoe K and Lundborg G (1997) Exp. Neurology 150, 254-262) and is commercially available (MAB1567 (Chemicon)). [0094] Alternatively, one can construct antibodies, altered antibodies and fragments, by immunizing a non-human species (for example, bovine, ovine, monkey, chicken, rodent (e.g., murine and rat), etc.) to generate a desirable immunoglobulin upon presentation with native MAG from any species against which antibodies cross reactive with human MAG can be generated, eg human or chicken. Conventional hybridoma techniques are employed to provide a hybridoma cell line secreting a non-human mAb to MAG. Such hybridomas are then screened for binding using MAG coated to 384- or 96-well plates, with biotinylated MAG bound to a streptavidin coated plate. or in a homogenous europium-APC linked immunoassay using biotinylated MAG. [0095] A native human antibody can be produced in a human antibody mouse such as the “Xenomouse” (Abgenix) where the mouse immunoglobulin genes have been removed and genes encoding the human immunoglobulins have been inserted into the mouse chromosome. The mice are immunised as normal and develop an antibody reponse that is derived from the human genes. Thus the mouse produces human antibodies obviating the need to humanize the after selection of positive hybridomas. (See Green L. L., J Immunol Methods 1999 Dec. 10;231(1-2): 11-23) [0096] The present invention also includes the use of Fab fragments or F(ab′) 2 fragments derived from mAbs directed against MAG. These fragments are useful as agents protective in vivo. A Fab fragment contains the entire light chain and amino terminal portion of the heavy chain; and an F(ab′) 2 fragment is the fragment formed by two Fab fragments bound by disulfide bonds. Fab fragments and F(ab′) 2 fragments can be obtained by conventional means, e.g., cleavage of mAb with the appropriate proteolytic enzymes, papain and/or pepsin, or by recombinant methods. The Fab and F(ab′) 2 fragments are useful themselves as therapeutic or prophylactic, and as donors of sequences including the variable regions and CDR sequences useful in the formation of recombinant or humanized antibodies as described herein. [0097] The Fab and F(ab′) 2 fragments can also be constructed via a combinatorial phage library (see, e.g., Winter et al., Ann. Rev. Immunol., 12:433-455 (1994)) or via immunoglobulin chain shuffling (see, e.g., Marks et al., Bio/Technology, 10:779-783 (1992), which are both hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. [0098] Thus human antibody fragments (Fv, scFv, Fab) specific for MAG can be isolated using human antibody fragment phage display libraries. A library of bacteriophage particles, which display the human antibody fragment proteins, are panned against the MAG protein. Those phage displaying antibody fragments that bind the MAG are retained from the library and clonally amplified. The human antibody genes are then exicised from the specific bacteriophage and inserted into human IgG expression constructs containing the human IgG constant regions to form the intact human IgG molecule with the variable regions from the isolated bacteriophage specific for MAG. [0099] The donor antibodies may contribute sequences, such as variable heavy and/or light chain peptide sequences, framework sequences, CDR sequences, functional fragments, and analogs thereof, and the nucleic acid sequences encoding them, useful in designing and obtaining various altered antibodies which are characterized by the antigen binding specificity of the donor antibody. [0100] Taking into account the degeneracy of the genetic code, various coding sequences may be constructed which encode the variable heavy and light chain amino acid sequences, and CDR sequences as well as functional fragments and analogs thereof which share the antigen specificity of the donor antibody. Isolated nucleic acid sequences, or fragments thereof, encoding the variable chain peptide sequences or CDRs can be used to produce altered antibodies, e.g., chimeric or humanized antibodies, or other engineered antibodies when operatively combined with a second immunoglobulin partner. [0101] Altered immunoglobulin molecules can encode altered antibodies which include engineered antibodies such as chimeric antibodies and humanized antibodies. A desired altered immunoglobulin coding region contains CDR-encoding regions that encode peptides having the antigen specificity of an anti-MAG antibody, preferably a high affinity antibody, inserted into a first immunoglobulin partner (a human framework or human immunoglobulin variable region). [0102] Preferably, the first immunoglobulin partner is operatively linked to a second immunoglobulin partner. The second immunoglobulin partner is defined above, and may include a sequence encoding a second antibody region of interest, for example an Fc region. Second immunoglobulin partners may also include sequences encoding another immunoglobulin to which the light or heavy chain constant region is fused in frame or by means of a linker sequence. Engineered antibodies directed against functional fragments or analogs of MAG may be designed to elicit enhanced binding. [0103] The second immunoglobulin partner may also be associated with effector agents as defined above, including non-protein carrier molecules, to which the second immunoglobulin partner may be operatively linked by conventional means. [0104] Fusion or linkage between the second immunoglobulin partners, e.g., antibody sequences, and the effector agent may be by any suitable means, e.g., by conventional covalent or ionic bonds, protein fusions, or hetero-bifunctional cross-linkers, e.g., carbodiimide, glutaraldehyde, and the like. Such techniques are known in the art and readily described in conventional chemistry and biochemistry texts. [0105] Additionally, conventional linker sequences which simply provide for a desired amount of space between the second immunoglobulin partner and the effector agent may also be constructed into the altered immunoglobulin coding region. The design of such linkers is well known to those of skill in the art. In further aspects of the invention we provide diabodies (bivalent or bispecific), triabodies, tetrabodies and other multivalent scFV protein species having one or more CDRs as described supra that bind to and neutralise MAG function. [0106] In still a further embodiment, the antibody of the invention may have attached to it an additional agent. For example, the procedure of recombinant DNA technology may be used to produce an engineered antibody of the invention in which the Fc fragment or CH2-CH3 domain of a complete antibody molecule has been replaced by an enzyme or other detectable molecule (i.e., a polypeptide effector or reporter molecule). [0107] The second immunoglobulin partner may also be operatively linked to a non-immunoglobulin peptide, protein or fragment thereof heterologous to the CDR-containing sequence having the antigen specificity of anti-MAG antibody. The resulting protein may exhibit both anti-MAG antigen specificity and characteristics of the non-immunoglobulin upon expression. That fusion partner characteristic may be, e.g., a functional characteristic such as another binding or receptor domain, or a therapeutic characteristic if the fusion partner is itself a therapeutic protein, or additional antigenic characteristics. [0108] Another desirable protein of this invention may comprise a complete antibody molecule, having full length heavy and light chains, or any discrete fragment thereof, such as the Fab or F(ab′) 2 fragments, a heavy chain dimer, or any minimal recombinant fragments thereof such as an F v or a single-chain antibody (SCA) or any other molecule with the same specificity as the selected donor mAb. Such protein may be used in the form of an altered antibody, or may be used in its unfused form. [0109] Whenever the second immunoglobulin partner is derived from an antibody different from the donor antibody, e.g., any isotype or class of immunoglobulin framework or constant regions, an engineered antibody results. Engineered antibodies can comprise immunoglobulin (Ig) constant regions and variable framework regions from one source, e.g., the acceptor antibody, and one or more (preferably all) CDRs from the donor antibody. In addition, alterations, e.g., deletions, substitutions, or additions, of the acceptor mAb light and/or heavy variable domain framework region at the nucleic acid or amino acid levels, or the donor CDR regions may be made in order to retain donor antibody antigen binding specificity. [0110] Such engineered antibodies are designed to employ one (or both) of the variable heavy and/or light chains of the anti-MAG mAb or one or more of the heavy or light chain CDRs. The engineered antibodies may be neutralising, as above defined. [0111] Such engineered antibodies may include a humanized antibody containing the framework regions of a selected human immunoglobulin or subtype, or a chimeric antibody containing the human heavy and light chain constant regions fused to the anti-MAG antibody functional fragments. A suitable human (or other animal) acceptor antibody may be one selected from a conventional database, e.g., the KABAT® database, Los Alamos database, and Swiss Protein database, by homology to the nucleotide and amino acid sequences of the donor antibody. A human antibody characterized by a homology to the framework regions of the donor antibody (on an amino acid basis) may be suitable to provide a heavy chain constant region and/or a heavy chain variable framework region for insertion of the donor CDRs. A suitable acceptor antibody capable of donating light chain constant or variable framework regions may be selected in a similar manner. It should be noted that the acceptor antibody heavy and light chains are not required to originate from the same acceptor antibody. [0112] Desirably the heterologous framework and constant regions are selected from human immunoglobulin classes and isotypes, such as IgG (subtypes 1 through 4), IgM, IgA, and IgE. However, the acceptor antibody need not comprise only human immunoglobulin protein sequences. For instance a gene may be constructed in which a DNA sequence encoding part of a human immunoglobulin chain is fused to a DNA sequence encoding a non-immunoglobulin amino acid sequence such as a polypeptide effector or reporter molecule. [0113] Preferably, in a humanized antibody, the variable domains in both human heavy and light chains have been engineered by one or more CDR replacements. It is possible to use all six CDRs, or various combinations of less than the six CDRS. Preferably all six CDRs are replaced. It is possible to replace the CDRs only in the human heavy chain, using as light chain the unmodified light chain from the human acceptor antibody. Alternatively, a compatible light chain may be selected from another human antibody by recourse to the conventional antibody databases. The remainder of the engineered antibody may be derived from any suitable acceptor human immunoglobulin. [0114] The engineered humanized antibody thus preferably has the structure of a natural human antibody or a fragment thereof, and possesses the combination of properties required for effective therapeutic use. [0115] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that an engineered antibody may be further modified by changes in variable domain amino acids without necessarily affecting the specificity and high affinity of the donor antibody (i.e., an analog). It is anticipated that heavy and light chain amino acids may be substituted by other amino acids either in the variable domain frameworks or CDRs or both. [0116] In addition, the constant region may be altered to enhance or decrease selective properties of the molecules of the instant invention. For example, dimerization, binding to Fc receptors, or the ability to bind and activate complement (see, e.g., Angal et al., Mol. Immunol, 30:105-108 (1993), Xu et al., J. Biol. Chem, 269:3469-3474 (1994), Winter et al., EP 307,434B). [0117] An altered antibody which is a chimeric antibody differs from the humanized antibodies described above by providing the entire non-human donor antibody heavy chain and light chain variable regions, including framework regions, in association with immunoglobulin constant regions from other species, preferably human for both chains. [0118] Preferably, the variable light and/or heavy chain sequences and the CDRs of suitable donor mAbs, and their encoding nucleic acid sequences, are utilized in the construction of altered antibodies, preferably humanized antibodies, of this invention, by the following process. The same or similar techniques may also be employed to generate other embodiments of this invention. [0119] A hybridoma producing a selected donor mAb is conventionally cloned, and the DNA of its heavy and light chain variable regions obtained by techniques known to one of skill in the art, e.g., the techniques described in Sambrook et al., ( Molecular Cloning ( A Laboratory Manual ), 2nd edition, Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (1989)). The variable heavy and light regions containing at least the CDR-encoding regions and those portions of the acceptor mAb light and/or heavy variable domain framework regions required in order to retain donor mAb binding specificity, as well as the remaining immunoglobulin-derived parts of the antibody chain derived from a human immunoglobulin are obtained using polynucleotide primers and reverse transcriptase. The CDR-encoding regions are identified using a known database and by comparison to other antibodies. [0120] A mouse/human chimeric antibody may then be prepared and assayed for binding ability. Such a chimeric antibody contains the entire non-human donor antibody V H and V L regions, in association with human Ig constant regions for both chains. [0121] Homologous framework regions of a heavy chain variable region from a human antibody may be identified using computerized databases, e.g., KABAT®, and a human antibody having homology to the donor antibody will be selected as the acceptor antibody. A suitable light chain variable framework region can be designed in a similar manner. [0122] A humanized antibody may be derived from the chimeric antibody, or preferably, made synthetically by inserting the donor mAb CDR-encoding regions from the heavy and light chains appropriately within the selected heavy and light chain framework. Alternatively, a humanized antibody can be made using standard mutagenesis techniques. Thus, the resulting humanized antibody contains human framework regions and donor mAb CDR-encoding regions. There may be subsequent manipulation of framework residues. The resulting humanized antibody can be expressed in recombinant host cells, e.g., COS, CHO or myeloma cells. [0123] A conventional expression vector or recombinant plasmid is produced by placing these coding sequences for the antibody in operative association with conventional regulatory control sequences capable of controlling the replication and expression in, and/or secretion from, a host cell. Regulatory sequences include promoter sequences, e.g., CMV promoter, and signal sequences, which can be derived from other known antibodies. Similarly, a second expression vector can be produced having a DNA sequence which encodes a complementary antibody light or heavy chain. Preferably this second expression vector is identical to the first except insofar as the coding sequences and selectable markers are concerned, so to ensure as far as possible that each polypeptide chain is functionally expressed. Alternatively, the heavy and light chain coding sequences for the altered antibody may reside on a single vector. [0124] A selected host cell is co-transfected by conventional techniques with both the first and second vectors (or simply transfected by a single vector) to create the transfected host cell of the invention comprising both the recombinant or synthetic light and heavy chains. The transfected cell is then cultured by conventional techniques to produce the engineered antibody of the invention. The humanized antibody which includes the association of both the recombinant heavy chain and/or light chain is screened from culture by appropriate assay, such as ELISA or RIA. Similar conventional techniques may be employed to construct other altered antibodies and molecules. [0125] Suitable vectors for the cloning and subcloning steps employed in the methods and construction of the compositions of this invention may be selected by one of skill in the art. For example, the conventional pUC series of cloning vectors, may be used. One vector, pUC19, is commercially available from supply houses, such as Amersham (Buckinghamshire, United Kingdom) or Pharmacia (Uppsala, Sweden). Additionally, any vector which is capable of replicating readily, has an abundance of cloning sites and selectable genes (e.g., antibiotic resistance), and is easily manipulated may be used for cloning. Thus, the selection of the cloning vector is not a limiting factor in this invention. [0126] Similarly, the vectors employed for expression of the antibodies may be selected by one of skill in the art from any conventional vector. The vectors also contain selected regulatory sequences (such as CMV promoters) which direct the replication and expression of heterologous DNA sequences in selected host cells. These vectors contain the above described DNA sequences which code for the antibody or altered immunoglobulin coding region. In addition, the vectors may incorporate the selected immunoglobulin sequences modified by the insertion of desirable restriction sites for ready manipulation. [0127] The expression vectors may also be characterized by genes suitable for amplifying expression of the heterologous DNA sequences, e.g., the mammalian dihydrofolate reductase gene (DHFR). Other preferable vector sequences include a poly A signal sequence, such as from bovine growth hormone (BGH) and the betaglobin promoter sequence (betaglopro). The expression vectors useful herein may be synthesized by techniques well known to those skilled in this art. [0128] The components of such vectors, e.g. replicons, selection genes, enhancers, promoters, signal sequences and the like, may be obtained from commercial or natural sources or synthesized by known procedures for use in directing the expression and/or secretion of the product of the recombinant DNA in a selected host. Other appropriate expression vectors of which numerous types are known in the art for mammalian, bacterial, insect, yeast, and fungal expression may also be selected for this purpose. [0129] The present invention also encompasses a cell line transfected with a recombinant plasmid containing the coding sequences of the antibodies or altered immunoglobulin molecules thereof. Host cells useful for the cloning and other manipulations of these cloning vectors are also conventional. However, most desirably, cells from various strains of E. coli are used for replication of the cloning vectors and other steps in the construction of altered antibodies of this invention. [0130] Suitable host cells or cell lines for the expression of the antibody of the invention are preferably mammalian cells such as NS0, Sp2/0, CHO, COS, a fibroblast cell (e.g., 3T3), and myeloma cells, and more preferably a CHO or a myeloma cell. Human cells may be used, thus enabling the molecule to be modified with human glycosylation patterns. Alternatively, other eukaryotic cell lines may be employed. The selection of suitable mammalian host cells and methods for transformation, culture, amplification, screening and product production and purification are known in the art. See, e.g., Sambrook et al., cited above. [0131] Bacterial cells may prove useful as host cells suitable for the expression of the recombinant Fabs of the present invention (see, e.g., Plückthun, A., Immunol. Rev., 130:151-188 (1992)). However, due to the tendency of proteins expressed in bacterial cells to be in an unfolded or improperly folded form or in a non-glycosylated form, any recombinant Fab produced in a bacterial cell would have to be screened for retention of antigen binding ability. If the molecule expressed by the bacterial cell was produced in a properly folded form, that bacterial cell would be a desirable host. For example, various strains of E. coli used for expression are well-known as host cells in the field of biotechnology. Various strains of B. subtilis, Streptomyces , other bacilli and the like may also be employed in this method. [0132] Where desired, strains of yeast cells known to those skilled in the art are also available as host cells, as well as insect cells, e.g. Drosophila and Lepidoptera and viral expression systems. See, e.g. Miller et al, Genetic Engineering, 8:277-298, Plenum Press (1986) and references cited therein. [0133] The general methods by which the vectors may be constructed, the transfection methods required to produce the host cells of the invention, and culture methods necessary to produce the altered antibody of the invention from such host cell are all conventional techniques. Likewise, once produced, the antibodies of the invention may be purified from the cell culture contents according to standard procedures of the art, including ammonium sulfate precipitation, affinity columns, column chromatography, gel electrophoresis and the like. Such techniques are within the skill of the art and do not limit this invention. For example, preparation of altered antibodies are described in WO 99/58679 and WO 96/16990. [0134] Yet another method of expression of the antibodies may utilize expression in a transgenic animal, such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,316. This relates to an expression system using the animal's casein promoter which when transgenically incorporated into a mammal permits the female to produce the desired recombinant protein in its milk. [0135] Once expressed by the desired method, the antibody is then examined for in vitro activity by use of an appropriate assay. Presently conventional ELISA assay formats are employed to assess qualitative and quantitative binding of the antibody to MAG. Additionally, other in vitro assays may also be used to verify neutralizing efficacy prior to subsequent human clinical studies performed to evaluate the persistence of the antibody in the body despite the usual clearance mechanisms. [0136] The therapeutic agents of this invention may be administered as a prophylactic or post injury, or as otherwise needed. The dose and duration of treatment relates to the relative duration of the molecules of the present invention in the human circulation, and can be adjusted by one of skill in the art depending upon the condition being treated and the general health of the patient. [0137] The mode of administration of the therapeutic agent of the invention may be any suitable route which delivers the agent to the host. The antagonists and antibodies, and pharmaceutical compositions of the invention are particularly useful for parenteral administration, i.e., subcutaneously, intramuscularly, intravenously, or intranasally. [0138] Therapeutic agents of the invention may be prepared as pharmaceutical compositions containing an effective amount of the antagonist or antibody of the invention as an active ingredient in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. In the prophylactic agent of the invention, an aqueous suspension or solution containing the engineered antibody, preferably buffered at physiological pH, in a form ready for injection is preferred. The compositions for parenteral administration will commonly comprise a solution of the antagonist or antibody of the invention or a cocktail thereof dissolved in an pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, preferably an aqueous carrier. A variety of aqueous carriers may be employed, e.g., 0.9% saline, 0.3% glycine, and the like. These solutions are sterile and generally free of particulate matter. These solutions may be sterilized by conventional, well known sterilization techniques (e.g., filtration). The compositions may contain pharmaceutically acceptable auxiliary substances as required to approximate physiological conditions such as pH adjusting and buffering agents, etc. The concentration of the antagonist or antibody of the invention in such pharmaceutical formulation can vary widely, i.e., from less than about 0.5%, usually at or at least about 1% to as much as 15 or 20% by weight and will be selected primarily based on fluid volumes, viscosities, etc., according to the particular mode of administration selected. [0139] Thus, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention for intramuscular injection could be prepared to contain 1 mL sterile buffered water, and between about 1 ng to about 100 mg, e.g. about 50 ng to about 30 mg or more preferably, about 5 mg to about 25 mg, of an antagonist or antibody of the invention. Similarly, a pharmaceutical composition of the invention for intravenous infusion could be made up to contain about 250 ml of sterile Ringer's solution, and about 1 to about 30 and preferably 5 mg to about 25 mg of an engineered antibody of the invention. Actual methods for preparing parenterally administrable compositions are well known or will be apparent to those skilled in the art and are described in more detail in, for example, Remington's Pharmaceutical Science, 15th ed., Mack Publishing Company, Easton, Pa. [0140] It is preferred that the therapeutic agent of the invention, when in a pharmaceutical preparation, be present in unit dose forms. The appropriate therapeutically effective dose can be determined readily by those of skill in the art. To effectively treat stroke and other neurological diseases in a human, one dose of up to 700 mg per 70 kg body weight of an antagonist or antibody of this invention should be administered parenterally, preferably i.v or i.m. (intramuscularly). Such dose may, if necessary, be repeated at appropriate time intervals selected as appropriate by a physician. [0141] The antibodies described herein can be lyophilized for storage and reconstituted in a suitable carrier prior to use. This technique has been shown to be effective with conventional immunoglobulins and art-known lyophilization and reconstitution techniques can be employed. [0142] In another aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising anti-MAG antibody of the present invention or a functional fragment thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for treatment or prophylaxis of stroke and other neurological diseases. [0143] In a yet further aspect, the invention provides a pharmaceutical composition comprising the anti-MAG antibody of the present invention or a functional fragment thereof and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier for inhibiting neurodegeneration and/or promoting functional recovery in a human patient suffering, or at risk of developing, a stroke or other neurological disease. [0144] The following examples illustrate the invention. EXAMPLE 1 Anti-MAG Antibody in Stroke Model [0000] Materials and Methods [0000] Anti-MAG Monoclonal Antibody [0145] Anti-MAG monoclonal antibody was mouse anti-chick MAG antibody MAB 1567 obtained from Chemicon. The antibody has the following characteristics: [0146] Antigen: myelin-associated glycoprotein (human, mouse, rat, bovine, chick, frog) [0147] Isotype: IgG1 [0148] Neutralising ability: see DeBellard et al (1996) Mol. Cell Neurosci. 7, 89-101; Tang et al (1997) Mol. Cell. Neurosci. 9, 333-346; Torigoe K and Lundborg G (1997) Exp. Neurology 150, 254-262. [0149] Control IgG1 mab was purchased from R+D Systems. [0000] Intra-Cerebral Ventricular Cannulation (for Study 1 Only) [0150] Under halothane anaesthesia intra-cerebral ventricular (i.c.v.) cannulae were positioned in the left lateral cerebral ventricle (coordinates: 1.6 mm from the midline, 0.8 mm caudal from bregma, 4.1 mm from skull surface, incisor bar—3.2 mm below zero according to Paxinos and Watson, 1986) All rats were singly housed to avoid damage to the guide or dummy cannula. 7 days following surgery, correct cannula placement was verified by an intense drinking response to Angiotensin II (100 ng, Simpson, et al. 1978). Nine days later, animals underwent cerebral ischaemia. [0000] Transient Focal Cerebral Ischaemia [0151] Transient (90 min) focal cerebral ischaemia was induced in male Sprague Dawley rats, each weighing between 300-350 g. The animals were initially anaesthetised with a mixture of 5% halothane, 60% nitrous oxide and 30% oxygen, placed on a facemask and anaesthesia subsequently maintained at 1.5% halothane. Middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) was carried out using the intraluminal thread technique as described previously ( Zea Longa , et. al., 1989). Animals were maintained normothermic throughout the surgical procedure, allowed to recover for 1 h in an incubator, before being singly housed. Only those animals with a neurological score of 31 h post-occlusion were included in the study (as assessed using a 5-point scoring system: 0, no deficit; 1, contralateral reflex; 2, weakened grip; 3, circling; 4, immobile; 5, dead). Animals were maintained for up to 1 week at which time animals were killed by transcardial perfusion of 0.9% saline followed by 4% paraformaldehyde in 100 mM phosphate buffer. The brains were post-fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde at 4° C. for 48 h at which time they were removed from the skulls and cut into 2 mm blocks using a rat brain matrix. The 2 mm sections were then paraffin embedded using a Shandon Citadel 1000 tissue processor, cut into 6 μm sections using a microtome and mounted on poly-L-lysine coated slides. Sections were then processed for Cresyl Fast Violet (CFV) staining. [0000] Dosing Regime [0152] Anti-MAG monoclonal antibody and mouse IgG1 isotype control antibody were dialysed against sterile 0.9% sodium chloride overnight and concentrated appropriately. [0000] Study 1: Animals received 2.5 μg of anti-MAGmab or 2.5 μg mouse IgG1 i.c.v. 1, 24 and 72 h following MCAO (5 ul per dose). [0000] Study 2: Animals received 200 μg of anti-MAG mab or 200 μg mouse IgG i.v. 1 and 24 following MCAO. [0000] Investigator was blinded to the identity of each dosing solution. [0000] Neurological Assessment [0153] Prior to induction of cerebral ischaemia, rats for Study 1 received training in beam walking and sticky label test. Animals not reaching criteria in both tests were excluded from further study. Following training, the remainder of the animals were stratified according to performance into two balanced groups. Throughout the neurological assessment, the investigators were blinded to the treatment group of the animal. [0000] Bilateral Sticky Label Test [0154] The bilateral sticky label test (Schallert et al., Pharmacology Biochemistry and Behaviour 16: 455-462, (1983)) was used to assess contralateral neglect/ipsilateral bias. This models tactile extinction observed in human stroke patients (Rose, et al. 1994). This test has been described in detail previously (Hunter, et al., Neuropharmacology 39: 806-816 (2000); Virley et al Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 20 563-582 (2000)). Briefly, a round, sticky paper label was placed firmly around the hairless area of the forepaws with equal pressure with order of placement randomised (left, right). Training sessions were conducted for 6 days prior to MCAO, day 6 data was utilised as the preoperative baseline (Day 0). Animals were given two trials 24 and 7 d following MCAO, the data represents a mean of the two trials. The latency to contact and remove the labels were recorded and analysed using the logrank test (Cox, J. Royal Statistical Society B 34: 187-220 (1972)). [0000] Beam Walking [0155] Beam walking was used as a measure of hind-limb and fore-limb co-ordination by means of distance travelled across an elevated 100 cm beam (2.3 cm diameter, 48 cm off the floor) as previously described in detail (Virley et al Journal of Cerebral Blood Flow & Metabolism, 20: 563-582 (2000)). Rats were trained to cross the beam from start to finish. For testing, each rat was given 2 trials 24 h and 7 d following MCAO, the data represents a mean of the two trials. Statistical analysis was ANOVA followed by Student's t-test. [0000] The 27-Point Neurological Score (Study-1) [0156] This study consists of a battery of tests to assess neurological status including, paw placement, visual forepaw reaching, horizontal bar, contralateral rotation, inclined plane, righting reflex, contralateral reflex, motility & general condition, as described previously (Hunter, et al. Neuropharmacology 39: 806-816 (2000)) with the addition of grip strength measurements (scores 2 for good right fore-limb grip, 1 for weak grip). Total score=27 for normal animal. [0157] For study 2 this test was modified further: Grip strength—normal scores 3, good—2, weak—1, very weak—0; Motility—normal scores 4, excellent—3, very good—2, good—1, fair—0; General Condition—normal scores 4, excellent—3, very good—2, good—1, fair—0; Circling—none scores 5, favours one-side scores 4, large circle—3, medium circle—2, small circle—1, spinning—0). Total score=32 for a normal animal. [0158] In both studies animals were tested 1, 24, 48 h and 7 d following MCAO, a healthy normal animal scores 27 or 32 respectively. Data are presented as median values, Statistical analysis was Kruskil Wallis ANOVA. [0000] Lesion Assessment [0159] Study 1—For each animal, lesion areas were assessed in sections from three pre-determined levels in the brain (0, −2.0 and −6.0 mm from Bregma respectively). Neuronal damage was assessed using cresyl fast violet staining and the area of damage measured using an Optimas 6.1 imaging package. Data is expressed as mean area (mm 2 )±sem. [0160] Study 2—For each animal, lesion areas were assessed in sections from seven pre-determined levels in the brain (+3 mm to −8 mm w.r.t. Bregma). Neuronal damage was assessed using cresyl fast violet staining and the area of damage measured using an Optimas 6.1 imaging package. Data is expressed as mean area (mm 2 )±sem. [0000] Results [0000] Study 1—Intra-Cerebral Ventrical (i.c.v.) Administration of Anti-MAG Mab [0000] Neurological Score [0161] One hour following MCAO animals in both treatment groups showed marked impairment in neurological score (median score 12 in each group). There was no significant difference between groups at this time. However, 24 (p=0.02), 48 (p=0.005) h and 7 d (p=0.006) following MCAO animals treated with anti-MAG mab (2.5 μg, 1, 24 and 72 h post-MCAO) showed significantly improved Total Neurological score compared to those treated with control IgG. Median neurological scores 24, 48 h and 7 d following MCAO in the IgG 1 treated group were 15, 14 and 18 respectively compared to 19.5, 21.5 and 22 in the anti-MAG mab treated animals. On further analysis of the individual behaviours comprising the total score, this significant improvement was mainly attributed to improved performance in the following tests: paw placement (24 h, p=0.045; 48 h, p=0.016; 7 d, p=0.008), grip strength (24 h, p=0.049 48 h, p=0.0495; 7 d, p=0.243), motility (24 h, p=0.199; 48 h, p=0.012; 7 d, p=0.067), horizontal bar (24 h, p=0.065; 48 h, p=0.005; 7 d, p=0.016), inclined plane (24 h, p=0.006; 48 h, p=0.006; 7 d, p=0.169), visual forepaw reaching (48 h, p=0.049, 7 d, p=0.049) and the degree of circling (24 h, p=0.417; 48 h, p=0.034; 7 d, p=0.183). [0000] Beam Walking [0162] Prior to surgery all animals were trained to cross the beam (100 cm). Twenty four hours following surgery there was a significant impairment on the distance travelled on the beam in both anti-MAG (50±18 cm) and IgG 1 (22±14 cm) treated animals compared to pre-operative values. Although not significant, anti-MAG treated animals showed marked improvement over IgG 1 treated animals in that they travelled twice the distance of IgG 1 treated animals 24 h following tMCAO. Seven days following surgery however, while both groups showed marked improvement over time, the performance of animals treated with IgG remained significantly impaired compared to baseline (55±15 cm; p=0.005). In contrast however 7 d following MCAO, animals treated with anti-MAG mab (2.5 μg 1, 24 and 72 h, i.c.v post MCAO) performance was not significantly different from baseline (75±15 cm; p=0.07). This data shows that anti-MAG mab treatment accelerated recovery of this beam walking task compared to mouse IgG 1 treated controls. [0000] Sticky Label [0163] Prior to surgery, animals in each of the treatment groups rapidly contacted and removed the labels from each forepaw, there was no significant difference in the groups prior to treatment (Table 1). Twenty-four hours and 7 d following MCAO the latency to contact the left paw in each of the treatment groups remained relatively unaltered, while that of the right was markedly increased. However there was no significant differences between removal times in anti-MAG and IgG 1 treated animals. In addition 24 h following MCAO, the latency to removal from both the left and right forepaw was significantly increased in both treatment groups compared to baseline, however in anti-MAG treated animals the latency to removal from the left paw was significantly shorter than that of IgG 1 treated animals (p=0.03). There was also a trend for reduced latency to removal from the right paw in anti-MAG treated animals compared to those treated with IgG 1 (p=0.08) (Table 1). At 7 d there was some degree of recovery in IgG 1 treated animals in that the latency to removal times for each forepaw were reduced compared to those at 24 h (Table 1). This data suggests that treatment of rats with anti-MAG mab accelerate the recovery in this sticky label test following tMCAO. TABLE 1 Sticky label data Contact Time (s) Removal Time (s) (Mean ± sem) (Mean ± sem) Left Right Left Right Day Treatment Forepaw Forepaw Forepaw Forepaw 0 Anti-MAG 2.4 ± 0.2 3.6 ± 0.5 12 ± 2 12 ± 2 0 IgG 1 3.3 ± 0.6 4.2 ± 0.7 10 ± 1  9 ± 1 1 Anti-MAG 5.9 ± 3.7 109.6 ± 27.5  *61 ± 26  96 ± 26 1 IgG 1 3.6 ± 0.5 71.8 ± 31.7 130 ± 21 156 ± 19 7 Anti-MAG 3.8 ± 1   36.4 ± 10.2  54 ± 23  80 ± 30 7 IgG 1 2.8 ± 0.3  64 ± 28  23 ± 8  87 ± 20 *p = 0.03 Anti-MAG v's IgG 1 using the logrank test [0164] Lesion Area Measurements [0165] Administration of anti-MAG mab i.c.v, significantly reduced lesion area in two of the three brain levels examined compared to those animals treated with equal amounts of mouse IgG 1 when examined 7 days following tMCAO (Table 2). TABLE 2 Mean Lesion Area ± sem (mm 2 ) 7d following tMCAO 0 mm wrt −2 mm wrt −6 mm wrt Treatment Bregma Bregma Bregma Anti-MAG mab *9 ± 2 $ 4 ± 3 # 3 ± 1  (n = 8) Mouse IgG 1 14 ± 1 12 ± 1 5 ± 1 (n = 9) *p = 0.02, $ p = 0.03, # p = 0.06, anti-MAG v's IgG 1 , One-way, unpaired Students T-Test Study 2—Intra-Venous (i.v.) Administration Neurological Score [0166] One and 24 hours following MCAO animals in both groups showed marked impairment in neurological score. There was no significant difference between groups at this time, median scores 24 h following anti-MAG mab and IgG 1 treatment were 20 and 18 respectively (p=0.5). Forty-eight hours following MCAO, animals treated with anti-MAG mab (200 ug, i.v. 1 and 24 h post-MCAO) showed significant improvement in paw placement (p=0.048) and grip strength (p=0.033). Seven days following the onset of cerebral ischaemia animals treated with anti-MAG mab continued to improve (paw placement p=0.041; grip strength, p=0.048; motility, p=0.05) and showed significant improvement in total neurological score (median score 25) compared to those treated with mouse IgG 1 (Median score 23, p=0.047). [0000] Lesion Area Measurements [0167] The anti-MAG antibody when administered i.v. MCAO significantly reduced lesion area at 5 out of 7 pre-determined brain levels (+3 to −8 mm w.r.t. Bregma) compared to isotype controls, when examined 7 d following MCAO. Brain level Mean lesion area ± Mean lesion area ± wrt SEM (mm 2 ) SEM (mm 2 ) Bregma Anti- MAG treated Mouse IgG 1 treated  3 mm *0.38 ± 0.27  1.77 ± 0.45  1 mm *5.82 ± 1.65 9.627 ± 1.14 −1 mm  8.98 ± 2.58 12.07 ± 1.57 −2 mm  7.28 ± 1.92 10.04 ± 1.87 −4 mm *5.57 ± 1.06 10.38 ± 1.39 −6 mm *1.36 ± 0.51  4.43 ± 1.95 −8 mm *0.27 ± 0.27  1.93 ± 0.56 *p < 0.05 - Unpaired, one-way Students T-test Conclusions [0168] An anti-MAG monoclonal antibody administered either directly into the CSF or intravenously following transient middle-cerebral artery occlusion in the rat, both reduced the area of cell death and improved functional recovery compared to control treated animals. The degree of neuroprotection seen in these studies suggests that this effect can not be attributed to axonal sprouting as this would not result in neuronal sparing. The improvement in functional recovery seen 24 and 48 h following MCAO probably reflects the degree of neuroprotection offered by this antibody compared to control treated animals. However, over time the animals appear to improve further, suggesting that blocking MAG activity can also enhance functional recovery over time. [0169] The studies presented here provide evidence that blocking the actions of MAG provide both neuroprotection and enhanced functional recovery in a rat model of stroke, and therefore anti-MAG antibodies provide potential therapeutic agents for acute neuroprotection and/or the promotion of functional recovery following stroke. The low amounts of antibody administered via the i.v route and the resulting low serum levels of the antibody would in turn suggest extremely low antibody concentrations in the brain due to the constraints of the blood brain barrier for antibody penetration. Surprisingly, however, this still resulted in both, neuroprotection and enhanced functional recovery being observed. Anti-MAG antibodies also have potential use in the treatment of other neurological disorders where the degeneration of cells and or nerve fibres is apparent such as spinal cord injury, traumatic brain injury, peripheral neuropathy, Alzheimer's disease, fronto-temporal dementias (tauopathies), Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease and Multiple Sclerosis. In the examples that follow the CDRs of the chimeric and humanised antibodies disclosed therein are the CDRs of the antibody of example 1. EXAMPLE 2 Chimeric Antibody [0170] Altered antibodies include chimeric antibodies which comprise variable regions deriving from one species linked to constant regions from another species. Examples of mouse-human chimeric anti-MAG immunoglobulin chains of the invention are provided in FIGS. 1, 2 , and 3 . Mouse-human chimeras using human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgE, IgM, IgD constant regions may be produced, as may chimeras associating the mouse variable regions with heavy or light chain constant regions from non-human species. [0171] FIG. 1 (Seq ID No. 27) provides the amino acid sequence of a chimeric immunoglobulin heavy chain in which the murine anti-MAG heavy chain variable region is associated with a functional immunoglobulin secretion signal sequence, and with an altered form of the human IgG1 constant region, in which Kabat residues 248 and 250 have been mutated to alanine in order to disable the effector functions of binding to FcγRI and complement protein C1q (Duncan, A. R. and Winter, G. Localization of the C1q binding site on antibodies by surface scanning. Nature 332, 738-740, 1988. Duncan, A. R., Woolf, J. M., Partridge, L. J., Burton, D. R. and Winter, G. Localisation of the binding site for human FcR1 on IgG. Nature 332, 563-564, 1988). Such mutations are optionally made in order to customise the properties of an altered antibody to achieve a particular therapeutic effect—for example binding to and blocking the function of an antigen without activating lytic effector mechanisms. [0172] FIG. 2 (Seq ID No. 28) provides the amino acid sequence of a chimeric immunoglobulin light chain in which the murine anti-MAG light chain variable region is associated with a functional immunoglobulin secretion signal sequence, and with the human kappa constant region. [0173] Similarly, the anti-MAG variable regions may be associated with immunoglobulin constant regions which lack mutations disabling effector functions. FIG. 3 (Seq ID No. 29) provides the amino acid sequence of a chimeric immunoglobulin heavy chain in which the murine anti-MAG heavy chain variable region is associated with a functional immunoglobulin secretion signal sequence, and with a wild-type form of the human IgG1 constant region. [0174] From the information provided in FIGS. 1 to 3 , cDNA inserts encoding these chimeric chains may be prepared by standard molecular biology techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Briefly, the genetic code is used to identify nucleotide codons encoding the desired amino acids, creating a virtual cDNA sequence encoding the chimeric protein. If the cDNA insert is desired to be expressed in a particular organism, then particularly favoured codons may be selected according to known codon usage biases. The desired nucleotide sequence is then synthesised by means of PCR amplification of a template comprising overlapping synthetic oligonucleotides which, as a contig, represent the desired sequence. The resulting product may also be modified by PCR or mutagenesis to attach restriction sites to facilitate cloning into a suitable plasmid for expression or further manipulations. EXAMPLE 3 Chimeric Antibody Binds to Rat MAG in ELISA [0175] Chimeric anti-MAG antibody containing the light and heavy chain CDRs of the invention was produced by transient transfection of CHO cells. For this, Transfast transfection reagent (Promega; E2431) was used and transfections carried out according to manufactures instructions. In brief, ˜10 6 CHO cells were plated out per well of 6-well culture plates. The following day mammalian expression vector DNA encoding the appropriate heavy or light chain were mixed at 1:1 ratio (5 μg total DNA) in medium (Optimem1 with Glutamax; Gibco #51985-026). Transfast transfection reagent was added and the solution transferred to wells with confluent cell layers. After 1 h at 37° C. in the cell incubator, the DNA/Transfast mixture was overlaid with 2 ml Optimem medium and left for 48-72 h in the incubator. Supernatants were harvested, cleared by centrifugation and passed through 0.2 μm filters. Antibody concentration in CHO cell culture supernatant was determined by ELISA and estimated to be around 0.5 μg/ml. For MAG binding, commercially available ratMAG-Fc was used. Due to the fusion with human Fc bound chimeric antibodies could not be detected using anti-human IgG secondary antibodies. Instead, anti-human kappa light chain-specific antibody was used. FIG. 4 shows that this chimeric antibody binds to MAG even at 1/64 dilution. An unrelated humanised antibody and culture supernatant from mock transfected cells did not generate any signal in this assay. [0000] Procedure: [0176] ELISA microtiter plates (Nunc Maxisorp) were coated with 1 μg/ml rat MAG-Fc fusion protein (R&D systems; 538-MG) in PBS at 4° C. overnight. Plates were washed twice with PBS and then blocked with PBS/BSA (1% w/v) for 1 h at room temperature (RT). Culture supernatants from transiently transfected CHO cells were passed through 0.2 μm filters and serial diluted in PBS/BSA starting at neat supernatant to 1/64 dilution. Sample dilutions were left at RT for 1 h. Plates were then washed three times with PBS/Tween 20 (0.1% v/v). Detection antibody was goat anti-human kappa light chain specific-peroxidase conjugate (Sigma A-7164) diluted at 1/2000 in PBS/BSA. The detection antibody was incubated for 1 h at RT and the plates washed as above. Substrate solution (Sigma Fast OPD P-9187) was added and incubated until appropriate colour development was detected and then stopped using 3M H 2 SO 4 . Colour development was read at 490 nm. EXAMPLE 4 Humanised Antibodies [0177] Altered antibodies include humanised antibodies which comprise humanised variable regions linked to human constant regions. Examples of humanised anti-MAG immunoglobulin chains of the invention are provided in FIG. 5 . Humanised antibodies using human IgG1, IgG2, IgG3, IgG4, IgA, IgE, IgM, IgD constant regions may be produced. [0178] FIG. 5 (Seq ID No: 30) provides an example of the amino acid sequence of a humanised immunoglobulin heavy chain in which the humanised anti-MAG heavy chain variable region is associated with a functional immunoglobulin secretion signal sequence, and with an altered form of the human IgG1 constant region, in which Kabat residues 248 and 250 have been mutated to alanine in order to disable the effector functions of binding to FcγRI and complement protein C1q (Duncan, A. R. and Winter, G. Localization of the C1q binding site on antibodies by surface scanning. Nature 332, 738-740, 1988. Duncan, A. R., Woolf, J. M., Partridge, L. J., Burton, D. R. and Winter, G. Localisation of the binding site for human FcR1 on IgG. Nature 332, 563-564, 1988). Such mutations are optionally made in order to customise the properties of an altered antibody to achieve a particular therapeutic effect—for example binding to and blocking the function of an antigen without activating lytic effector mechanisms. [0179] FIG. 5 (Seq ID No. 31) also provides an example of the amino acid sequence of a humanised immunoglobulin light chain in which the humanised anti-MAG light chain variable region is associated with a functional immunoglobulin secretion signal sequence, and with the human kappa constant region. [0180] Similarly, the anti-MAG variable regions may be associated with immunoglobulin constant regions which lack mutations disabling effector functions. FIG. 5 (Seq ID No. 32) provides the amino acid sequence of a humanised immunoglobulin heavy chain in which the humanised anti-MAG heavy chain variable region is associated with a functional immunoglobulin secretion signal sequence, and with a wild-type form of the human IgG1 constant region. [0181] From the information provided in FIG. 5 , cDNA inserts encoding these humanised chains may be prepared by standard molecular biology techniques well known to those skilled in the art. Briefly, the genetic code is used to identify nucleotide codons encoding the desired amino acids, creating a virtual cDNA sequence encoding the protein. If the cDNA insert is desired to be expressed in a particular organism, then particularly favoured codons may be selected according to known codon usage biases. The desired nucleotide sequence is then synthesised by means of PCR amplification of a template comprising overlapping synthetic oligonucleotides which, as a contig, represent the desired sequence. The resulting product may also be modified by PCR or mutagenesis to attach restriction sites to facilitate cloning into a suitable plasmid for expression or further manipulations. EXAMPLE 5 Humanised anti-MAG Antibodies Bind to Rat and Human MAG in Elisa [0000] 1) Direct Binding ELISA to Rat MAG-Fc Fusion Protein of Normalised Amounts of Culture Supernatant for 9 Humanised Heavy and Light Chain Combinations [0182] Humanised anti-MAG antibodies containing the light and heavy chain CDRs of the invention were produced by transient transfection of CHO cells. For this, Transfast transfection reagent (Promega; E2431) was used and transfections carried out according to manufactures instructions. In brief, ˜10 6 CHO cells were plated out per well of 6-well culture plates. The following day mammalian expression vector DNA encoding the appropriate heavy or light chain were mixed at 1:1 ratio (5 μg total DNA) in medium (Optimem1 with Glutamax; Gibco #51985-026). Transfast transfection reagent was added and the solution transferred to wells with confluent cell layers. After 1 h at 37° C. in the cell incubator, the DNA/Transfast mixture was overlaid with 2 ml Optimem medium and left for 48-72 h in the incubator. Supernatants were harvested, cleared by centrifugation and passed through 0.2 μm filters. 9 heavy and light variable chain combinations were produced from the sequences shown in the table below and the IgG1 heavy chain constant regions were functional according to Seq.ID. Seq ID No (V-regions) Description Alternative name 13 Humanised Vh BVh1 14 Humanised Vh BVh2 15 Humanised Vh BVh3 16 Humanised Vl CVl1 17 Humanised Vl CVl2 18 Humanised Vl CVl3 19 Humanised Vl CVl4 [0183] Antibody concentration was determined by ELISA and the amounts of supernatant used in the assay normalised to a starting concentration of 250 or 500 ng/ml (depending on concentration of culture supernatant). As antigen, commercially available ratMAG-Fc was used (R&D Systems; 538-MG). Due to the fusion of this antigen with human Fc, bound chimeric antibodies could not be detected using general anti-human IgG secondary antibodies. Instead, anti-human kappa light chain-specific antibody was used. FIG. 6 shows that all 9 humanised antibodies examined here bound to rat MAG with very similar binding curves down to ˜4 ng/ml. The chimeric antibody used as a reference showed binding characteristics that fell within the group of humanised antibodies examined here. Although not absolute, this may suggest that the affinities of the humanised antibodies examined here lie very closely within the affinity range of the non-humanised chimeric antibody used as a reference here. [0000] Procedure [0184] 96-well Nunc Maxisorp plates were coated overnight at 4° C. with rat MAG-Fc fusion protein (1 μg/ml; R&D Systems; Cat.No. 538-MG) in PBS. Plates were washed twice with PBS containing Tween20 (0.1% v/v; PBST) and blocked with PBS containing BSA (1% w/v) for 1 h at room temperature (RT). Variable amounts of culture supernatants were serial diluted in blocking buffer and added to the blocked wells starting at approximately 500 or 250 ng/ml. Antibody concentrations of supernatants were based on independent assays measuring the amount of humanised antibody present in each culture supernatant. Chimeric mouse-human (non-humanised) antibody was also included as reference. Antibody samples were incubated 1 h at RT and plates then washed 3× with PBST. Secondary antibody (Goat anti-human light chain specific-peroxidase conjugate; Sigma A-7164) was added diluted 1/5000 in blocking buffer and incubated for 1 h at RT. Wells were washed three times as above and binding detected by adding substrate (OPD tablets dissolved according to instructions; Sigma P-9187). Colour development was monitored and the reaction stopped using 3M H 2 SO 4 . Colour development was read at 490 nm. [0000] 2) Direct Binding ELISA to Rat MAG-Fc Fusion Protein of Two Purified Humanised Anti-MAG Antibody Heavy-Light Chain Combinations [0185] Two humanised antibodies consisting of heavy and light chain variable region combinations BVh1/CVl1 and BVh3/CVl3 (table FIG. 5 ) and a mutated IgG1 constant region as exemplified by SEQ.I.D.NO:30 (which is BVh1/CVl1 mutated IgG1, those skilled in the art can readily derive the sequence for the BVh3/CVl3 equivalent) were produced by a scaled-up version of the transient transfection described in example 3 and purified using protein A affinity chromatography. Purified antibody material was dialysed against PBS and the concentration determined by OD280 reading; Antibody concentrations were adjusted to 5000 ng/ml and used as serial dilutions in a rat MAG-Fc binding ELISA. FIG. 7 shows that purified antibody material binds rat MAG-Fc and that both heavy and light chain variable region combinations tested here are extremely similar. [0000] Method: [0186] 96-well Nunc Maxisorp plates were coated overnight at 4° C. with rat MAG-Fc fusion protein (2.5 μg/ml; R&D Systems; Cat.No. 538-MG) in PBS. Plates were washed twice with PBS containing Tween20 (0.1% v/v; PBST) and blocked with PBS containing BSA (1% w/v) for 1 h at room temperature (RT). Purified humanised antibody was adjusted to a starting concentration of 5 μg/ml in blocking buffer and then serial diluted. Antibody samples were incubated 1 h at RT and plates then washed 3× with PBST. Secondary antibody (Goat anti-human light chain specific-peroxidase conjugate; Sigma A-7164) was added diluted 1/5000 in blocking buffer and incubated for 1 h at RT. Wells were washed three times as above and binding detected by adding substrate (OPD tablets dissolved according to instructions; Sigma P-9187). Colour development was monitored and the reaction stopped using 3M H 2 SO 4 Colour development was read at 490 nm. [0000] Results: [0187] Both purified humanised antibodies carrying none or several framework mutations show extremely similar binding to rat MAG. The results are seen in FIG. 7 . [0000] 3) Binding to Human MAG Expressed on CHO cells of Normalised Amounts of Culture Supernatant for Two Humanised Heavy and Light Chain Combinations [0188] The same humanised variable heavy and light chain combinations described in example 52) were tested as cleared culture supernatants against human MAG expressed on the surface of CHO cells. The amount of culture supernatant used for each antibody was normalised based on antibody concentrations determined by ELISA. For this, 96-well plates (Nunc Maxisorp) were coated overnight at 4° C. with goat anti-human IgG (gamma) chain (Sigma I-3382; in bicarbonate buffer pH9.6; 2 μg/ml). Following day, plates were washed twice with wash buffer (PBST) and blocked by adding at least 75 μl blocking buffer (PBS containing BSA 1% w/v) for 1 h at RT. Antibody sample solution were serial diluted in blocking buffer (starting dilution neat or 1/2) in duplicate. Ab standard was purified humanised IgG1 antibody of an unrelated specificity and known concentration. [0189] The standard solution was also serial diluted across plate starting at 500 ng/ml. All antibody solutions were incubated for 1 h at RT. Plates were washed 3× as above and then incubated with goat anti-human light (kappa) chain specific (free and bound) peroxidase conjugate (Sigma; A-7164) at 1/5000 in blocking buffer for 1 h @ RT. Plates were again washed 3× as above and incubated with substrate solution (OPD tablets; Sigma P-9187 until strong colour development. Colour development was stopped by adding 25 μl 3M H2SO4 and the plate read at 490 nm. [0190] FIG. 8 shows that both antibodies tested here are recognising human MAG and are very similar in their binding characteristics. CHO/− are negative controls of CHO cells with no MAG expressed. [0000] Method for Eu Cell-Based ELISA [0191] 96-well plates (Costar 3595) were filled with 100 μl cell suspension/well (see table below for recommended cell number for performing assay on days 1, 2, 3 or 4). Day cell number/ml 1 3 × 105 2 1 × 105 3 5 × 104 4 1 × 104 [0192] Culture medium was removed and plates blocked with DMEM/F12 (Sigma D6421) containing FCS (10%), BSA (1%), NaN3 (1%; blocking buffer) for 1 hour at RT. Blocking solution was then removed and sample added (in blocking buffer 50 μl/well). Incubated samples at 4° C. for 1 h. Plates were then washed 3× with PBS using a Skatron plate washer. After wash, cells were fixed with 0.5% paraformaldehyde (diluted in PBS) for 20 minutes at 4° C. and again washed as above. 50 μl/well Europium-conjugated secondary antibody diluted in Europium buffer (50 mM Tris base, 150 mM NaCl, 0.5% BSA, 0.1 g/l, Tween 20, 7.86 mg/l DTPA at pH 7.3) was added and incubated for 1 h at 4° C. [0193] Washed plates as above and added 200 μl Delphia enhancement solution/well. Incubated solution at RT for 5-10 minutes. Wells were read within 24 hours on a Victor. [0000] 4) Competition ELSA for Binding to Rat MAG-Fc Fusion Protein of Two Purified Humanised Antibodies and the Non-Humanised Mouse Monoclonal Antibody [0000] Method: [0194] 96-well Nunc Maxisorp plates were coated overnight at 4° C. with rat MAG-Fc fusion protein (2.5 μg/ml; R&D Systems; Cat.No. 538-MG) in PBS. Plates were washed twice with PBS containing Tween20 (0.1% v/v; PBST) and blocked with PBS containing BSA (1% w/v) for 1 h at room temperature (RT). Purified humanised antibody was adjusted to a concentration of 200 ng/ml and mixed at equal volume with competitor molecules made up in blocking buffer ranging from 6000 to 0 ng/ml. Competitors were either parental mouse monoclonal antibody (anti-MAG) or an unrelated mouse monoclonal antibody (INN1) at the same concentrations (BVh1/CVl1 only). Antibody/competitor solutions were incubated 1 h at RT and plates then washed 3× with PBST. Secondary antibody (Goat anti-human light chain specific-peroxidase conjugate; Sigma A-7164) was added diluted 1/5000 in blocking buffer and incubated for 1 h at RT. Wells were washed three times as above and binding detected by adding substrate (OPD tablets dissolved according to instructions; Sigma P-9187). Colour development was measured at 490 nm. [0000] Results: [0195] Both purified antibody preparations are equally competed by the original mouse monoclonal antibody but not by a mouse monoclonal antibody that has an unrelated specificity—see FIG. 9 . This shows that the original mouse monoclonal antibody and the humanised antibodies tested here are probably recognising the same epitope and possibly have very similar affinities to rat MAG.
Invented are non-peptide TPO mimetics. Also invented is a method of treating thrombocytopenia, in a mammal, including a human, in need thereof which comprises administering to such mammal an effective amount of a selected hydroxy-1-azobenzene derivative.
2
This application is a division of application Ser. No. 08/135,291, filed Oct. 12, 1993, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,446,426. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic component such as inductive component and LC filter used in various electronic appliances and a method of manufacturing such an electronic component. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Prior art inductive elements are shown in FIG. 24 (a) to FIG. 24 (c). In the drawings, a plate material such as iron alloy was blanked to form a zigzag part 1 in the middle, and straight terminal parts 2 were provided at both ends of the zigzag part 1. Prior LC filters are shown in FIG. 25 (a) to FIG. 25 (d). In FIG. 25 (a), a U-shaped lead wire 4 was inserted into a pair of tubular sintered ferrite cores 3, and a capacitive element 5 with a lead was connected to the middle of the lead wire 4. In FIG. 25 (b), using a formed bobbin 8 having brims 6, 7 at both ends and in the middle, leads for external connection 9 were inserted into the brims 6 at both ends of the formed bobbin 8, a capacitive element 11 with leads was inserted into a indented part 10 of the middle brim 7, windings 12 were wound between the brims 6 and 7 of the formed bobbin 8, outgoing wires of the windings 12 were wound around the leads for external connections 9 and the lead of the capacitive element 11 was connected by soldering to the windings 12. The prior art LC filter shown in FIG. 25 (c) includes a pair of drum cores 14 having a coil 13, and a capacitive element 15 having a pair of axial leads. An axial lead is connected to the coil. In FIG. 25 (d), after forming four penetration holes 16 in a U-shaped ferrite core 17, lead wires were inserted into the penetration holes 16, and the penetration holes 16 were interconnected with conductors 18 to form an inductive element, while a capacitive element 19 was disposed in a indented part of the U-shaped ferrite core 17 to connect with the conductors 18, thereby forming an LC filter. The prior LC filters were generally molded with resin or encased with resin box. The prior inductive components, LC filters and other electronic components were manufactured as shown in FIG. 26 (a) to FIG. 26 (d). In accordance with the drawings, an electric conductive hoop 21 was blanked in an electronic component element 20 to form a terminal PG,5 plate 22, which was bent, connected and set in molding dies 23. Resin was then poured into the molding dies 23 so as to be formed into the state as shown in FIG. 26 (b). The electric conductive hoop 21 and terminal plate 22 were next cut off and separated to manufacture an intermediate part as shown in FIG. 26 (c). The terminal plate 22 was then bent along the flank of an exterior mold 24, thereby fabricating an electronic component for surface mounting as shown in FIG. 25 (d). That is, the electronic component manufactured by this method possessed a pair of terminals 22 having bottom terminals 22a and side terminals 22b on the flanks of the exterior mold 24. When forming the exterior mold, the resin deposited on the surface of the bottom terminal 22a and burrs were formed. As a result, the serious interference with soldering occurred when mounting on the surface of the electric circuit. Thus a deburring process was needed. As a result, the productivity was low. In addition, the terminal plate 22 was first separated from the electric conductive hoop 21 and then bent along the side surface from the corner of the exterior mold 24. In this case, the bent part was not square due to spring-back of the terminal plate 22. Furthermore, either the side terminal 22b was cleared from the flank of the exterior mold 24 or the bottom terminal 22a was lifted from the bottom of the external mold 24. Therefore, surface mounting quality was impaired, and the soldering performance with regard to mounting was poor. Accordingly, as shown in FIG. 27, it was proposed to compose molding dies 25 to as to draw out the terminal plate 22 vertically from the bottom of the exterior mold 24. However, this method requires high precision processing of the drawing part of the terminal plate 22 of the molding dies 25. Furthermore, the terminal plate 22 of the electric conductive hoop 21 is typically preliminarily bent in square direction, and the terminal plate 22 could not be bent completely at a right angle. Moreover, as shown in FIG. 28 (a) to FIG. 28 (d), the terminal plate 22 integrated with an electric conductive hoop 21 was drawn out from the side of the exterior mold 24, the terminal plate 22 was cut off to a specified dimension from the electric conductive hoop 21 as shown in FIG. 28 (b), and separated, and then this terminal plate 22 was bent squarely as shown in FIG. 28 (c). The terminal plate 22 was further bent along the flank of the exterior mold 24, thereby forming the bottom terminal 22a and side terminal 22b. Although the inductive element shown in FIG. 24 (a) to FIG. 24 (c) is effective as an independent inductive component when molded with resin involving magnetic powder, two inductive components are typically coupled. When further combined with a capacitive element, a large sized device was realized which required labor for assembly. Furthermore, productivity was low. Nevertheless, by using a resin which includes magnetic powder, the magnetic coupling increases, the attenuation is enlarged, and an eddy current is generated in the capacitive element to increase the loss (tan δ), thereby increasing the trap attenuation. Furthermore, when the zigzag part 1 was molded with resin in a hollow state, the zigzag part was deformed by the resin injection pressure which resulted in the generation of layer shorts and/or the lowering or variance of inductance. Furthermore, the stable production could not be realized. In the LC filters shown in FIG. 25 (a) to FIG. 25 (d), labor was typically required to insert lead into the ferrite core, and plating of high reliability was typically needed. Moreover, there were many places where the outgoing wire of the winding and the leads are connected, the productivity was low, and disconnections and faulty connections were likely to occur in the connections between the outgoing wires and leads. In the prior method of manufacturing electronic components, the inductive element was cut off and separated from the electric conductive hoop, and bent as shown in FIG. 28 (c). However, the terminal could not be set tightly along the flank of the exterior mold. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an electronic component comprising an inductive element which includes a pair of zigzag parts, a pair of first terminals connected to one side of the zigzag parts, a connection part connected to the other side of the zigzag parts, an electrode disposed in the middle of the connection part, a second terminal provided on the extentional position of the electrode, and an exterior mold having a gap in the middle in order to expose the front of the electrode and the front of the second terminal. When forming the exterior mold, since the zigzag parts, terminals, connection part and electrode are held by molding dies, deformation of the zigzag parts is prevented. As a result, the fluctuation of characteristics of the inductive element is decreased, and an electronic component of high quality can be manufactured stably. In addition, since the capacitive element is incorporated within the gap of the exterior mold, the LC filter can be reduced in size. Furthermore, productivity is excellent. In addition, by using an exterior mold made of a material including magnetic powder, because of the presence of the gap, the magnetic coupling is suppressed, and an inductive component which is small in attenuation is obtained. Furthermore, since the trap attenuation is not increased by the increase of the loss (tan δ) of the capacitive element due to eddy current, an LC filter of extremely excellent characteristics is obtained. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plane view of an inductive component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is an explanatory diagram which illustrates a method of manufacturing an inductive component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a partial perspective oblique view of an LC filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a partial perspective oblique view of an LC filter in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 5 is an oblique view of the LC filter shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 is a front view of the LC filter shown in FIG. 4. FIG. 7 is an attenuation characteristic diagram of a reference example LC filter and an LC filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a sectional view of an LC filter in accordance with a third exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a sectional view of an LC filter in accordance with a fourth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a sectional view of an LC filter in accordance with a fifth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a front view of an LC filter in accordance with a sixth exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 12 is a partial perspective oblique view of an inductive component having a three dimensional inductive element. FIGS. 12(a)-12(c) are partial perspective views of the inductive elements of FIG. 12. FIG. 13 is a top view of an exterior mold. FIG. 14 is a front view of the exterior mold shown FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is a side view of the exterior mold shown FIG. 14. FIG. 16 is a front view of an exterior mold which is formed by using a gate in the manufacture of an inductive component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 17 is a front view of an exterior mold formed by using a supporting element. FIG. 18(a) is a front view of an LC filter for surface mounting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 18(b) is a side view of the LC filter shown in FIG. 18(a). FIG. 18(c) is a bottom view of the LC filter shown in FIG. 18(a). FIGS. 19(a)-(d) provide oblique views of an electronic component for surface mounting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 20(a)-(d) provide oblique views of an electronic component for surface mounting in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 21 is a partial perspective oblique view of an LC filter in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 22 is a partial perspective oblique view of a simple inductive component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 23 is a partial perspective oblique view of a simple inductive component in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 24(a) is an oblique view of an inductive element in accordance with the prior art. FIG. 24(b) is an oblique view of a further inductive element in accordance with the prior art. FIG. 24(c) is an oblique view of a third inductive element in accordance with the prior art. FIG. 25(a) is a sectional view of a further prior LC filter. FIG. 25(b) is a partially cut-away front view of a further prior art LC filter. FIG. 25(c) is a sectional view of a third prior art LC filter. FIG. 25(d) is a partial perspective oblique view of a fourth prior art LC filter. FIG. 26(a) is a sectional view of a prior art electronic component for surface mounting. FIG. 26(b) is an oblique view of the electronic component shown in FIG. 26(a). FIG. 26(c) is a further oblique view of the electronic component shown in FIG. 26(a). FIG. 26(d) is a still further oblique view of the electronic component shown in FIG. 26(a). FIG. 27 is a partial perspective oblique view of a further prior art electronic component for surface mounting. FIGS. 28 (a)-(d) are oblique views of a third prior art electronic component for surface mounting. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Referring now to the drawings, several exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described in detail below. Referring to FIG. 1, a first inductive component is explained. Inductive element 28 may be manufactured by blanking an electric conductive hoop made of iron alloy, copper or copper alloy. This inductive element includes a pair of zigzag parts 30a, 30b, a pair of first terminals 29a, 29b connected to one side of the zigzag parts, a connection part 31 connected to the other side of the zigzag parts, an electrode 32 disposed in the middle of the connection part, and a second terminal 33 provided on the extensional position of the electrode. An exterior mold 34 is formed by molding a resin so as to have a gap 35 in the middle in order to expose the front of the electrode and the second terminal. In its manufacturing method, as shown in FIG. 2, feed holes 27 are provided at specific intervals on one side of the electric conductive hoop 26 made of iron alloy, copper or copper alloy, and the inductive element 28 is continuously blanked by molding dies. Consequently, by using molding dies, the exterior mold 34 have gap 35 to expose the fronts of the second terminal. The electrode is manufactured by molding resin. Finally, the electric conductive hoop 26 is cut and separated along line A-B. According to this manufacturing method, when forming the exterior mold, since the zigzag parts, connection part and electrode are fixed by molding dies, deformation by molding pressure is extremely decreased, so that an inductive component of high quality can be manufactured. The exterior mold 34 may be made of synthetic resin. By using a synthetic resin including magnetic powder, the impedance characteristics and noise suppressing effect of the inductive element may be enhanced. Exemplary embodiments of the LC filter using the inductive component shown in FIG. 1 are explained in FIG. 3 to FIG. 7. In FIG. 3, in the gap 35 of the exterior mold 34 of the inductive component shown in FIG. 1, a ceramic chip capacitor 37 of a capacitive element having external terminals 36 at both ends is inserted, and the external terminals 36 are connected to the front of electrode 32 and second terminal 33 by soldering or other means to form an LC filter. The first terminals 29a, 29b and the second terminal 33 are drawn out from the exterior mold 34, and are directly inserted into a circuit substrate. In the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6, as in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, a ceramic chip capacitor 37 is incorporated into the gap 35 of the exterior mold 34, and connected to the front of electrode 32 and second terminal 33 by soldering or other means. The first terminals 29a, 29b, and the second terminal 33 drawn out to the lower side of the exterior mold 34 are bent along the flank of the exterior mold to form an LC filter for surface mounting. An indented part 38 is provided in the exterior mold 34, and the terminals are bent along the indented part to be disposed at the same height as the surface of the exterior mold. Thus, the LC filters shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 6 are stably mounted for surface mounting. By using the exterior mold 34 made of resin involving magnetic powder, since a gap 35 is formed between a pair of zigzag parts 30a, 30b, the magnetic coupling is low. As a result, the attenuation is improved as shown in FIG. 7. That is, as compared with embodiment C without a gap, the attenuation is smaller in embodiment D having a gap. Moreover, since the ceramic chip capacitor is incorporated by later being inserted into the gap of the exterior mold, a gap is formed between the ceramic chip capacitor and the exterior mold. If a current flows in the ceramic chip capacitor, eddy current is not generated, and the loss (tan δ) of the ceramic chip capacitor does not increase. Thus, the trap attenuation is not enlarged. Exemplary embodiments of the present invention for realizing stabilization in the mounting of ceramic chip capacitor are explained. The third exemplary embodiment of an LC filter shown in FIG. 8 includes an electrode 32 and a second terminal 33 which are exposed in the gap 35 formed in the exterior mold 34, and projections 39 for positioning the external terminals 36 of the ceramic chip capacitor 37. This configuration results in a widening of the connection area, and an enhancement of the mounting strength of the ceramic chip capacitor to the inductive element. The fourth exemplary embodiment of an LC filter shown in FIG. 9 comprises an electrode 32 and a second terminal which are composed of an elastic metal which are exposed in the gap 35, and a ceramic chip capacitor 37 inserted in the gap 35. The electrode 32 and the second terminal 33 are elastically deflected to hold the ceramic chip capacitor elastically, which is then soldered in this state. In the fifth exemplary embodiment of an LC filter shown in FIG. 10, the dimensions of the gap 35 formed in the exterior mold 34 are smaller in the fixing position from the insertion side of the ceramic chip capacitor so that the ceramic chip capacitor may be inserted easily. Furthermore, when inserted up to the position of the electrode 32 and second terminal 33, the ceramic chip capacitor is press-fitted and held in the gap. In the sixth exemplary embodiment of an LC filter shown in FIG. 11, a rib 40 is formed in the inner wall of the gap 35, and when press-fitting the ceramic chip capacitor into the gap, the ceramic chip capacitor is supported by the rib 40. In FIG. 12 to FIG. 15, moreover, the inductance is increased by a pair of three dimensional zigzag parts. In this embodiment, an L-shaped horizontal part 41 is connected to a pair of first terminals 29a, 29b, an upward part 42 is connected to this L-shaped horizontal part, an L-shaped horizontal part 43 to this upward part, a downward part 44 to this L-shaped horizontal part, and another L-shaped horizontal part 41 to this downward part. By repeating this composition, a pair of three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b is formed. The other side of a pair of zigzag parts 30a, 30b is connected to a connection part 31, an integrated assembly of electrode part 32 and second terminal 33 is disposed in the middle of the connection part 31, and a supporting part 45 extending from a part of the zigzag parts 30a, 30b is coupled to the connection part of the electrode 32 and second terminal 33, thereby forming an inductive element. These parts may be molded and formed in resin to compose an exterior mold 34 having a gap 35 for exposing electrode 32, second terminal 33, and supporting part 45. The exterior mold 34 and the gap 35 are formed by holding the three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b, the electrode 32, the second terminal 33 and the supporting part 45 by molding dies. After forming the exterior mold 34, the connection part of the electrode 32, second terminal 33 and supporting part 45 are blanked in the gap 35, thereby forming an inductive component. Since the three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b are weak in mechanical strength and are likely to be deformed when molding in resin, as shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 16, the resin is injected by using molding dies having a gate 46 at the hollow parts of the three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b, so that the pressure is not directly applied on the three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b. After molding a resin, the first terminals 29a, 29b, and the second terminal 33 are separated from the electricconductive hoop depending on the application, and are left projected from the exterior mold 34, or may be bent along the flank of the exterior mold 34, thereby forming an inductive component. In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 17, instead of the supporting part 45, a supporting element 47 projecting outward is disposed in the middle of the three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b so as to be supported by dies when molding in resin. To use an inductive component having three dimensional zigzag parts 30a, 30b as an LC filter, a ceramic chip capacitor 37 is inserted into the gap 35 formed in the middle of the exterior mold 34, and connected by soldering to the fronts of electrode 32 and second terminal 33. FIG. 18(a) to FIG. 18(c) are front, side and bottom views of an LC filter for surface mounting in an embodiment of the invention. A pair of first terminals 29a, 29b drawn out from the bottom of an exterior mold 34 are bent so as to be fitted into a dented part 38 provided in the bottom, and a pair of first terminals 29a, 29b are bent so as to be fitted into a dented part 38 formed in the lower part of the flank of the exterior mold 34. Thus, the first terminals 29a, 29b and the second terminal 33 are at the same at height as the surface the exterior mold 34 so that the surface mounting is stable. As a result, the soldering area is increased, and the mounting strength is improved. Referring to FIG. 19(a) to FIG. 19(d), a method of manufacturing an electronic component for surface mounting in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is described. FIG. 19(a) is an oblique view after forming the exterior mold 34 having a gap 35 by blanking an electric conductive hoop 26, and molding in resin an inductive element 28 (see FIG. 1, FIG. 2) composed of a pair of first terminals 29a, 29b, a second terminal 33, a connection part 31, and a pair of zigzag parts 30a, 30b. At this time, the first terminals 29a, 29b and the second terminal 33 drawn out from the exterior mold 34 are drawn out from the joining surfaces of molding dies, and the second terminal 33, the connection part 31, and the electrode 32 are supported using molding dies. Projections 48a, 48b rectangular to the drawing direction are integrally formed in the first terminal 29a, 29b drawn out from the both ends of the bottom of the exterior mold 34. Next, in the state of being coupled with the electric conductive hoop 26 as shown in FIG. 19(b), the projections 48a, 48b of the first terminals 29a, 29b are bent squarely by using press dice or the like. In succession, as shown in FIG. 19(c), the first terminals 29a, 29b and the second terminal 33 are cut off and separated from the hoop 26, leaving a specific length. At this time, the connection part of the electrode 32 and second terminal 33 is cut off simultaneously to separate into the electrode 32 and the second terminal 33. Finally, as shown in FIG. 19(d), the first terminals 29a, 29b and the second terminal 33 drawn out from the bottom of the exterior mold 34 are folded so as to be settled in the dented part 38 formed at the flank of the exterior mold 34. At this time, the projections 48a, 48b of the first terminals 29a, 29b are settled in the dented part 38 along the flank of the exterior mold 34. Putting a ceramic chip capacitor 37 into the gap 35, the electrode 32 and the second terminal 33 are soldered to make up an LC filter. According to the manufacturing method in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of the present invention, since the projections of the terminal are bent in the state coupled with the electric conductive hoop, it is easy to bend squarely, and the terminals can be tightly fitted in the dented part of the flank of the exterior mold when bent. Therefore, an LC filter which is excellent in both appearance and surface mounting performance is realized. Another manufacturing method is explained below by reference to FIG. 20(a) to FIG.(d). In this exemplary embodiment, as shown in FIG. 20(a), the first terminals 29a, 29b are drawn out from the bottom of the exterior mold 34 in the side direction, and the projections 48a, 48b are provided in the direction parallel to the drawing direction of the second terminal 33. Furthermore, the projections are bent squarely as shown in FIG. 20(b), and the first terminals 29a, 29b, and the second terminal 33 are cut off and separated from the electric conductive hoop 26, leaving a desirable length as shown in FIG. 20(c). The first terminals and the second terminal are then bent, and a ceramic chip capacitor is soldered to the fronts of electrode 32 and second terminal 33 in the gap 35 of the exterior mold 34, thereby forming an LC filter as shown in FIG. 20(d). While, a method of manufacturing an LC filter is explained in FIG. 19 and FIG. 20, an inductive component may be similarly manufactured unless a ceramic chip capacitor is incorporated in the gap 35. In the foregoing exemplary embodiments, the inductive element 28 was formed by blanking an electric conductive hoop, but a larger inductance may be required depending on the application. An exemplary embodiment of LC filter with a larger inductance is explained by reference to FIG. 21. Using an electric conductive hoop, first terminals 29a, 29b, connection part 31, electrode 32, and second terminal 33 are formed by blanking, and windings 49a, 49b composed of copper wire covered with an insulated film are connected between the first terminals 29a, 29b and the connection part 31. An exterior mold 34 is formed, and a ceramic chip capacitor 37 is incorporated in the gap 35 formed between the electrode 32 and the second terminal 33. The ceramic chip capacitor 37 is soldered and connected to the fronts of electrode 32 and second terminal 33, thereby forming an LC filter with a large inductance. Moreover, an exemplary embodiment of a simple inductive component in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 22 and FIG. 23, in which a pair of terminals 29 are provided at both ends of an electric conductive hoop, and zigzag part 30 is formed between the terminals. One or more outward projecting supporting elements 47 are disposed in the middle of zigzag part 30, and the terminals 29 and the supporting elements 47 are supported and fixed by molding dies when forming the exterior mold 34 to prevent the zigzag parts 30 from deforming, so that an inductive component with stable quality may be obtained. Thus, according to the preset invention, when forming the exterior mold, since the terminals and the electrode are supported and fixed by molding dies, deformation of the zigzag part is prevented, and therefore deformation of the inductive element is smaller than that of prior art. Furthermore the fluctuation of characteristics is small, and an electronic component of high quality may be manufactured at high productivity. In addition, the LC filter can be reduced in size because the capacitive element is incorporated into the gap of the exterior mold. Excellent productivity is obtained as well. Furthermore, using an exterior mold made of a material including magnetic powder and because of the presence of the gap, the magnetic coupling is suppressed, and an inductive component which is small in attenuation is obtained. In addition, the trap attenuation is not enlarged due to increase of the loss (tan δ) of the capacitive element by eddy current. Thus, an LC component having extremely excellent characteristic may be obtained.
An electronic component comprising an inductive element which includes a pair of coils, a pair of first terminals connected to one side of the coils, a connection part connected to the other side of the coils, an electrode disposed in the middle of the connection part, a second terminal provided adjacent the extended portion of the electrode, and an exterior mold having an opening in the middle in order to expose the front portions of the electrode and the second terminal.
8
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION None. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to the use of latches to hold jointed sections of manual pipe tongs as deployed in the oilfield industry together. More particularly, the invention relates to the addition of a secondary safety latch to a set of manual pipe tongs to prevent the undesired opening of the tong jaws. 2. Description of the Related Art Manual pipe tongs are used throughout the oilfield industry to transmit torque to various tubular components of generally cylindrical shape. This assisted transmission of torque is most often used to secure, tighten (make-up), and loosen (break-out) the threaded connections of drill pipe, drill collars, casing, and tubing. Pipe tongs typically function by incorporating a cantilevered configuration that holds the workpiece in a grip that tightens as more torque is applied to the lever arm. FIG. 1 shows a typical prior art manual tong assembly 10 as used in oilfield drilling operations to secure or rotate a generally cylindrical workpiece 12 . This particular example of a manual tong assembly 10 includes a long jaw 14 , a short jaw 16 , a lug jaw 18 , and a lever arm 20 all connected together at pivot points 22 . A latch 24 is pinned to one end of the long jaw 14 and fits into a receiver step 26 at the end of the lug jaw 18 . FIGS. 2 a and 2 b show how different workpiece 12 sizes can be accommodated by adjusting the lengths and configurations of lug jaw 18 . FIG. 2 a shows a lug jaw 18 that includes an array of mounting locations 28 and a choice of receiver steps, 26 and 30 , that may be used to adjust to various workpiece diameters (e.g. pipe diameters). Similarly, FIG. 2 b details a hinged lug jaw 32 that is greater in length than lug jaw 18 and includes a hinged portion 34 attached to a lug portion 36 by means of a hinge 38 to allow even larger diameter workpieces to be accommodated by tong assembly 10 . Referring again to FIG. 1, jaws, 14 , 16 , and 18 are positioned around workpiece 12 and locked into place with latch 24 . Each jaw may contain one or more sets of sharpened teeth 40 (tong dies) that are used to “bite” into workpiece 12 and prevent slippage when manual tong 10 is engaged. Once latch 24 is engaged, lever arm 20 can be rotated in direction α so that latch 24 is loaded in tension and tool 10 engages and applies torque to workpiece 12 in the α direction. Rotating lever arm 20 in direction ω will loosen jaw's 14 , 16 , and 18 and allow latch 24 to be released. Several handles such as 42 and 44 , are typically placed about the periphery of manual tong assembly 10 to provide locations for rig workers to guide tong assembly 10 during operations. Manual tong 10 , as illustrated, is configured to only grip workpiece 12 when torque is applied on the α direction. Typical rig operations incorporate two sets of manual tongs, with each one being the mirror image of the other, so that one tightens in clockwise direction and the other in a counter-clockwise direction. Each can tighten or loosen the pipe threads, depending on whether it is installed in the upper position for rotating the pin (male) connection or the lower position for holding the box (female) connection. The number of tongs used in an operation and their position on the workpiece relative to each other depends on the operation being performed and the type of additional rig equipment used. It has been found that conventional tongs sometimes allow the undesired release of latch 24 when the tong is rotated in direction ω. After workpiece 12 has been positioned, it sometimes becomes necessary to slidably rotate manual tong 10 backwards (counter-clockwise as drawn, in the ω direction) about workpiece 12 , in a manner similar to a ratchet, so that the engagement and rotation steps can be repeated. Latch 24 of FIG. 1 is designed to engage when the manual tong device is loaded in direction α. If the load applied in direction α were slackened, or if the tong is rotated in direction ω, the latch device can release undesirably, allowing tong jaws 14 , 16 , and 18 to rotate and swing free of workpiece 12 . Because jaws, 14 , 16 and 18 are typically quite massive, such undesired openings can be hazardous, as well as requiring that operations cease until they are repositioned and secured. Any improvement made in latch 24 of manual tong 10 that is able to reduce such undesired openings would increase safety and reduce down-time and the costs associated therewith. In addition, manual tong components occasionally work themselves loose during operations, which can cause the tong apparatus to open unexpectedly and rapidly. This undesired failure has great potential to cause physical harm to operators and nearby support personnel. This potential for injury can be greatly magnified if the tong is being operated under high loads at the time of the undesired opening. For this reason, a system that maintains the jaws in a closed configuration in the event of such a failure is highly desirable. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, the issues noted above are addressed by providing a latch device for a manual tong that incorporates a secondary catch mechanism. Such a secondary catch assists in maintaining the tong assembly in its closed position during a reversing operation or at a time when load applied to the manual tong device in the gripping direction is very low. Additionally the secondary catch provides protection from undesired release by holding some components of the tong assembly together in the event of a failure of certain tong components. The mechanism of the secondary catch is spring loaded and is deactivated by swinging a handle in a direction that corresponds to the operator's natural motion to open the lug jaw. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a detailed description of a preferred embodiment of the invention, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a top view of a prior art manual tong apparatus; FIG. 2 a is a detail drawing of a lug jaw of the manual tong apparatus of FIG. 1; FIG. 2 b is an alternative to the lug jaw of FIG. 2 a; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a latch assembly in the closed position in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the latch assembly of FIG. 3 in the open position; FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the lug jaw of FIG. 3; FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of the latch arm of FIG. 3; FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the up-down rocker arm of FIG. 3; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a torsion spring in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 9 is a top view drawing of a While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring initially to FIG. 3, a close up of a preferred embodiment for a latch lock system 100 of a manual pipe tong apparatus is shown. Preferred latch lock system 100 includes a modified lug jaw 102 , a latch arm 104 mounted to long jaw 105 , a handle 106 , and a secondary catch system 108 . Secondary catch system 108 further includes a pivot member 110 , two rocker arms 112 , and a latch (catch) receiver 114 integral with lug jaw 102 . Rocker arms 112 are attached to latch arm 104 by fasteners 128 . Pivot member 110 includes an engagement member 116 , is secured to the end of latch arm 104 by fastener 120 and is free to rotate in directions σ and τ about a handle axis 121 . Handle 106 can be of any design or configuration available but is preferably a bolt on device that is removably secured at location 122 at the end of pivot member 110 . Such a handle is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/505074 filed on Feb. 16, 2000 entitled Multi-Piece Manual Tong Safety Handle hereby incorporated herein by reference. Fasteners 128 and 120 can be of any permanent, semi-permanent, or temporary type of fastener but are preferably generally cylindrical in form and include a longitudinal axis. Although fasteners 128 and 120 shown in FIG. 3 are shown as threaded bolts with corresponding nuts, screws, clevis pins, or press-fit rods may be used in their place without changing the function of the device presented herein. Torsion springs 130 (not visible in FIG. 3 but shown in FIG. 8) are mounted on fasteners 128 so as to bias rocker arms 112 toward lug jaw 102 . Referring now to FIG. 5, a preferred embodiment of lug jaw 102 includes latch receiver 114 , a handle 150 , latch steps 152 and 154 , and a location 156 to mount tong die teeth. Handle 150 is to assist in the manipulation of tong apparatus and is shown as a simple cast-in bar handle but can be of any configuration preferable to the tong operator or manufacturer. Latch receivers 114 are provided as integral bosses on each of the top and bottom faces 158 , 160 of lug jaw 102 in the latching region. Latch receivers 114 can either be cast or forged into place upon lug jaw 102 during manufacture or can be secured to lug jaw 102 using any standard attachment method following manufacture of lug jaw 102 . Latch receiver 114 attachment methods can include but are not limited to welds, brazed joints, bolts, rivets, adhesives, or interference fits. Latch receivers 114 preferably have a tapered leading edge 162 and a trailing edge 164 that is generally perpendicular to the face ( 158 or 160 ) to which latch receiver 114 is mounted. Latch steps 152 and 154 are for receiving latch arm 104 as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 in position on manual tong device and correspond to the various gauge sizes that lug jaw 102 is able to accommodate. Referring now to FIG. 6, latch arm 104 is shown in more detail. Latch arm 104 includes an attachment end 170 and a latch end 172 . Attachment end 170 includes a bore 174 for attaching latch arm 104 to the end of long jaw 105 of FIG. 3 . Each end of bore 174 forms an annular wear face 176 . Latch end 172 includes an upset portion 178 , bores 180 , and rocker arm mounts 182 and 184 on surface 186 . Upset portion 178 is fashioned so that it seats securely within the corresponding geometries of latch steps 152 , 154 of lug jaw 102 (FIG. 5 ). Bores 180 allow the mounting of pivot member ( 110 of FIG. 3) to latch arm 104 . Rocker arm mounts 182 and 184 are positioned in line with locations 124 and 126 of FIG. 3 to retain rocker arm device 112 and fasteners 128 in place. A gap exists between rocker arm mounts 182 and 184 to allow for torsion spring 130 of FIG. 8 to be easily positioned. One set of rocker arm mounts 182 and 184 is used for each rocker arm utilized in latch lock system 100 . Referring now to FIG. 7, a preferred rocker arm 112 , as used in secondary catch system 108 of FIG. 3, includes a back 200 and a top 202 positioned approximately 90° relative to each other. Mounting holes 204 are preferably positioned in a coaxial arrangement that defines an axis 205 that is generally parallel to the intersection between back 200 and top 202 . Holes 204 are positioned and sized so that rocker arm 112 can be mounted upon mounts 182 and 184 by fasteners 128 . Once mounted, rocker arm is allowed to pivot about axis defined by holes 204 . At a remote end of top 202 is a catch 206 that generally corresponds to the profile of latch receivers 114 . FIG. 8 details a perspective view of a preferred torsion wire spring 130 for use in latch lock mechanism 100 . Torsion wire spring 130 includes tines 210 and 212 , and a coil 214 that defines a center axis 216 . Squeezing tines 210 and 212 together, activates coil 214 and results in spring forces that urge tines 210 and 212 apart. Torsion springs 130 are preferably mounted on fasteners 128 of FIG. 3 to bias rocker arms 112 toward lug jaw 102 . An additional torsion spring (not shown) may also be mounted upon the axis of fastener 120 in order to bias handle 106 and pivot member 110 in direction σ but is not required. Torsion springs 130 and 132 may be manufactured from identical components in order to keep production costs at a minimum. Referring to FIGS. 3 and 6 - 8 , the installation of the two rocker arms upon latch arm 104 can be described. Torsion wire springs 130 are placed in between rocker arm mounts 182 and 184 of and held tightly in place while fasteners 128 are passed through holes 204 , mounts 182 and 184 , and coils 216 . For each spring 130 installed, one tine engages back 200 of rocker arm 112 while the other tine 212 engages surface 186 adjacent to upset portion 178 of latch arm 104 FIG. 6 . Once installed, rocker arms 112 are allowed to pivot around fasteners 128 in an up-down fashion, with torsion spring 130 biasing top 202 of each rocker arm toward upset portion 178 of latch arm 104 . Following installation of rocker arms 112 , pivot member 110 and handle 106 can then be added to latch arm at location 180 by fastener 120 . Once handle and pivot member are installed, latch lock system 100 is operable. Latch lock system 100 of FIG. 3 is engaged by swinging long jaw 105 and latch arm 104 into position with lug jaw 102 of FIG. 5 so upset portion 178 of latch arm engages latch step 152 or 154 . With typical prior art latches, this mechanism is all that holds lug jaw 102 and long jaw 105 together, making the connection dependant on tension between jaws 102 and 105 to maintain latch arm 104 within latch step 152 or 154 . When this connection is made with the latch lock system 100 of the present invention, the tapered profiles 162 of latch receivers 114 deflect catch points 206 of rocker arms 112 away from lug jaw 102 , allowing them to slide over latch receiver 114 . Once catch point 206 of each rocker arm has cleared latch receiver 112 , torsion spring 130 forces rocker back against lug jaw 102 , allowing the profile of catch point 206 to engage perpendicular edge 164 of receiver 114 . This action provides a secondary connection to prevent separation of jaws 102 and 105 if tension is lost between them or if tong apparatus is rotated backwards. Referring now to FIG. 4, the disengagement of latch lock system 100 can be described. When desired, latch lock system 100 may be disengaged by first deactivating secondary catch system 108 , then removing latch arm, 104 from lug jaw 102 . To deactivate secondary catch system 108 , pivot member 110 with attached handle 106 is rotated about axis 121 in the τ direction. Rotating pivot member 110 enables engagement member 116 to strike the back faces 200 of rocker arms 112 causing them to oppose torsion springs 130 and pivot about fasteners 128 . In the pivoted position, catch tips 206 of rocker arms 112 are cleared from latch receivers 114 upon lug jaw 102 , thus enabling latch arm 104 to be swung free from lug jaw 102 . Once handle 106 and pivot member 110 have been swung in direction τ, latch lock system 100 is able to function in a manner similar to a conventional manual tong latch. Referring now to FIG. 9, a top view of the engagement member 116 of pivot member 110 is shown. Engagement member 116 shown includes a cutout notch 117 to grasp back 200 of rocker arm 112 when latch lock system is engaged. Notch 117 acts as a hook to retain the rear of rocker arms 112 in the event of a component failure and acts as an additional safety measure. With notch 117 securely around rocker arms 112 , latch lock system 110 cannot be opened unless pivot member 110 is rotated in direction τ (as shown in FIGS. 3 - 4 ). As mentioned above, a torsion spring (not shown) may be employed about fastener ( 120 of FIGS. 3-4) at location 121 to bias pivot member 110 in direction σ to prevent premature release in the event of a failure. To disengage latch lock system 100 , pivot member 110 is rotated in direction τ and rocker arms 112 are released by notch 117 and engaged by the remainder of member 116 . With rocker arms 112 engaged, secondary catch 108 is deactivated, allowing latch lock system 100 to be opened. Latch lock system 100 is desirable over designs of the prior art because it provides added measures of safety and convenience to the operators of manual pipe tongs in rig environments. For sake of convenience, the latch lock device maintains the jaws of manual tong apparatus closed when a state of tension does not exist within the latch arm. Without latch lock mechanism 100 , jaws of manual tong could open if the load applied to tong were slackened or if tong were rotated counter to the gripping direction, in a matter similar to a ratchet. The operator of a manual tong apparatus incorporating latch lock assembly 100 is granted and additional level of safety in the event of a failure of a manual tong component. Without safety latch lock, the latch arm of a manual tong apparatus can release from the lug jaw rapidly and strike a nearby rig operator.
A latch device for a manual tong apparatus that incorporates a secondary catch mechanism is presented. Such a secondary catch would assist in maintaining the tong assembly in it's closed position during a reversing operation or at a time when load applied to the manual tong device in the gripping direction is very low. Additionally the secondary catch would also provide some additional protection by holding the tong assembly together in the event of a failure of certain tong components. The mechanism of the secondary catch is spring loaded and operates through two secondary up-down catch arms that are deactivated by swinging a handle in the direction that corresponds to the operator's natural motion to open the lug jaw.
4
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application is a national phase entry under 35 U.S.C. §371 of International Application No. PCT/SE2013/051570 filed Dec. 19, 2013, published in English, which claims priority from Swedish Application No. 1350030-1 filed Jan. 11, 2013, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to apparatus for washing and/or dewatering cellulose pulp. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Pulp washing is a key operation in a pulping line. There are many different types of washing apparatuses available, some of which are based on press washing and comprise means for pressing the pulp to remove liquid. After pressing, the pulp can, if suitable, be diluted to a desired consistency. A well-known washing apparatus is a twin-roll press of the general type disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,980,518, for example. It has two counter-rotating rolls with perforated outer surfaces. A web of pulp is formed on the respective rolls and is transported in the direction of rotation in a vat partially surrounding the rolls, to the so-called press nip between the rolls. The liquid removed from the pulp, i.e. the filtrate, passes through the perforated roll surface in a radial inwards direction and is led to the ends of the press roll, where it is output. Washing liquid or other treatment liquid may be supplied to the pulp web through inlets in the vat. The twin-roll press uses the washing principles of displacement, where dirty liquid (liquor) in the pulp is replaced by cleaner wash liquid added to the vat, and pressing, where dirty liquid is pressed (squeezed) out from the pulp, in particular at the press nip. The incoming pulp can be distributed lengthwise onto the respective press rolls by means of a distribution device, for example by using a rotating screw, such as the device shown in European Patent No. 1,229,164 B1, or the device shown in Swedish Patent No. 532,366 C2. There is a problem with the distribution of pulp along the total length of the press roll, with a danger that the end parts of the press rolls operate without pulp. In Swedish Patent No. 516,335 a device is described for feeding cellulose pulp, in the form of a pulp web. In this device the outlet includes restrictions in the form of holes, which are arranged along the generator of the envelope surface of the inlet box. The holes are preferably arranged so that their diameter is smaller than the distance between them. In that way, the pressure is maintained in the inlet box such that the pulp is forced out of the outlet and is uniformly distributed along the width of the pulp web. The holes have, however, a tendency to plug. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the present invention is to provide an improved pulp distribution device for an apparatus for washing and/or dewatering of cellulose pulp that solves the problem in the prior art. Some of the advantages of this invention are that the pulp distribution device will operate more filled than in earlier solutions. This leads to a better forming of the pulp web along the press roll are also in the ends of the press roll, independent of the rotation of speed of the press roll. This gives a higher capacity of the washing apparatus and a better washing. The formation of the pulp web will also be smoother, since the pulp is not torn from the pulp distribution device. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention may now be realized by the discovery of apparatus for washing and/or dewatering cellulose pulp comprising a first movable permeable surface traveling in a first direction, a pulp transportation chamber wall adjacent to the first movable permeable surface, sized to provide a pulp transportation chamber having a chamber gap between the pulp transportation chamber wall and the first movable permeable surface, the pulp distribution member comprising an inlet and an outlet arranged for distributing the pulp through the outlet onto the movable permeable surface, a throttle adjacent to the outlet of the pulp distribution member in the first direction, the throttle having a throttle gap width, a portion of the first movable permeable surface adjacent to the outlet of the pulp distribution member comprising a second permeable surface for initially dewatering the pulp moving in the first direction before the throttle, the second permeable surface being sufficiently large so as to begin forming and dewatering the pulp before the throttle, and an adjustable throttle member for remotely adjusting the throttle gap width, the throttle gap width being adapted whereby the pulp volume flow into the pulp distribution member is equal to or greater than the pulp volume flow out of the pulp distribution member during operation. Preferably, the pulp distribution member include web means for forming the pulp into a pulp web on the first movable permeable surface. In accordance with one embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the throttle gap width is adapted so that the pump distribution member remains substantially full during operation. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the throttle gap width is adapted so that an internal pressure is created inside the pulp distribution member during operation. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the pulp transportation chamber wall includes the movable throttle device for adjusting the throttle gap width. Preferably, the movable throttle device comprises at least one longitudinal segment. In another embodiment, the movable throttle device comprises a flexible or pivotable plate. In another embodiment, the movable throttle device includes a clearance after the throttle in the first direction. Preferably, the apparatus includes moving means for moving the movable throttle device. In a preferred embodiment, the moving means is at least one rod, at least one plate, and/or at least one eccentric puck disposed on a shaft. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the throttle gap width may be fixed during operation, and may be set by selecting an exchangeable member. Preferably, the exchangeable member comprises a predetermined number of shims. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the apparatus includes automatic control means for controlling the throttle gap width based upon at least one parameter. Preferably, the at least one parameter is one of the following: the filling level of the pulp distribution member, the pressure in the pulp distribution member, the ratio between the pulp volume flow into the pulp distribution chamber, and the pulp volume flow out of the pulp distribution chamber, the temperature in the pulp distribution member, the pressure in the pulp distribution chamber, and the pulp level in the ends of the first permeable surface. In accordance with another embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention, the first movable permeable surface comprises a first rotatable permeable surface of a press roll. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention, together with further objects and advantages thereof, may best be understood by reference to the following description and appended drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a twin-roll press with pulp distribution devices according to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pulp distribution device in a washing apparatus (partially shown) according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIG. 3 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pulp distribution device in a washing apparatus (partially shown) according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIG. 4 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pulp distribution device in a washing apparatus (partially shown) according to a third embodiment of the invention; FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pulp distribution device in a washing apparatus (partially shown) according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pulp distribution device in a washing apparatus (partially shown) according to a fifth embodiment of the invention; FIG. 7 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating a pulp distribution device in a washing apparatus (partially shown) according to a sixth embodiment of the invention; DETAILED DESCRIPTION In the drawings, similar or corresponding elements are denoted by the same reference numbers. FIG. 1 illustrates an apparatus 100 for the washing and/or dewatering of cellulose pulp. The apparatus 100 is in this example in the form of a twin-roll press 100 . The apparatus 100 comprises two co-operating cylindrical press rolls 20 . The two press rolls 20 are arranged to rotate in opposite directions during operation (as indicated by the arrows) and each has a first rotatable permeable surface 21 , more specifically a perforated metal sheet or the like. The press rolls 20 are partially enclosed by a vat 22 (also known as a trough) in the circumferential direction. The vat 22 comprises a vat wall 22 formed by guide surfaces and a vat chamber 25 . A pulp distribution device 10 is associated with each press roll 20 . The pulp distribution device 10 is arranged at the upper portion of the press roll 20 for distribution of pulp onto the perforated roll surface 21 . The pulp distribution device 10 comprises an elongated housing 18 , extending lengthwise along the press roll 20 . The pulp distribution device 10 is attached to the vat 22 . During operation, pulp enters the pulp distribution device 10 via its inlet 11 , which for example can be arranged at the middle of the twin-roll press 100 as seen in the longitudinal direction. The input consistency of the pulp is preferably in the range of 2-13%. In the pulp distribution device 10 , the pulp is distributed in the longitudinal direction and output through the outlet 12 during formation and dewatering of a pulp web on the first rotatable permeable surface 21 of the press roll 20 . A pulp transportation chamber 25 is defined as the chamber in which the pulp is transported in a pulp transportation direction, guided by a pulp transportation chamber wall 22 e.g. in the direction of rotation D 1 to be pressed in a nip (also known as pinch) 23 , where the distance between the press rolls 20 is smallest. In the example in FIG. 1 , the pulp transportation chamber 25 is the same as the vat chamber 25 , but the pulp transportation chamber may also include e.g. a pre-forming zone between the pulp distribution device 10 and the vat 22 . Also the last part of the pulp distribution device 10 may in certain circumstances be considered to be included in the pulp transportation chamber. The pulp transportation chamber 25 has a chamber gap width Wv between the pulp transportation wall 22 and the first permeable surface 21 of the respective press roll 20 . Washing liquid may e.g. be supplied to the pulp web in the vat 22 . The pulp is output by means of a discharge screw 24 . In FIG. 1 , two press rolls 20 , each provided with a pulp distribution device 10 , are arranged next to each other, with the rotation centers in the same horizontal plane. The invention is also suitable for washing and/or dewatering apparatuses where, for example, the rolls are differently arranged, or only one perforated roll is used, as well as for another apparatus where pulp is dewatered on a first movable permeable surface, which is movable in other ways than by being rotatable. The vat 22 may be formed by one continuous vat structure as in FIG. 1 or, alternatively, may comprise a number of vat segments linked together (not shown, a number of variants are known, compare e.g. International Application No. WO 2009/075641). In the latter case, one or more vat segments may be movable to and from the press roll 20 , for example so as to facilitate cleaning of the press roll. There could, for example, be one movable vat segment extending into each pulp distribution device 10 , e.g. pivotally attached at one of its ends. FIG. 2 is a schematic cross-sectional view illustrating in more detail a pulp distribution device 10 according to an exemplifying embodiment of the invention. The pulp distribution device 10 is arranged in the apparatus 100 , the upper left side of which is shown, so as to distribute pulp onto the first movable permeable surface 21 of the press roll 20 , via the outlet 12 . The pulp distribution device 10 may be of a type similar to e.g. the one described in Swedish Patent No. 532,366 C2 and preferably comprises an elongated housing 18 with a rotatable screw 13 or other rotatable distribution means 13 inside, rotating in a direction of rotation D 2 . Especially when low concentrations are used, other stirring means are also possible to use instead of a rotatable distribution means. The pulp distribution device 10 extends along the entire length of the press roll 20 and the rotation axis of the rotatable distribution means 13 is parallel to the rotation axis of the press roll 20 . According to the present invention it has been realised that the pulp volume flow into the pulp distribution device 10 should be at least equal to, but preferably higher than the pulp volume flow out from the pulp distribution device 10 . Since there has to be an equal mass flow of dry pulp into and out from the pulp distribution device 10 , an initial dewatering should be made through a second permeable surface 14 before the main dewatering is made through the first permeable surface 21 . This means that it is preferred that the pulp distribution device 10 operates completely filled and has an internal pressure in order to better distribute the pulp and form a better pulp web along the total length of the press roll 20 , as well as in the ends of the press roll 20 . The pressure in the pulp distribution device 10 may also give an enhanced initial dewatering. One way of making the pulp distribution device 10 operating completely filled would be to decrease the rotational speed of the press roll 20 , so that a desired ratio between the pulp volume flow into the pulp distribution device 10 and the pulp volume flow out from the pulp distribution device 10 is achieved. However, it might not be possible due to other parameters, such as vat pressure. A preferred way is to have a local throttle 31 in the pulp transportation chamber 25 near the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 , i.e. that the chamber gap width Wv is locally smaller in a throttle gap width Wt near the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 . This means that the throttle 31 may be positioned e.g. in the beginning of the vat, in the pre-forming zone, if any, or in the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 . An example may be that the throttle gap width Wt is 30 mm, while the chamber gap width Wv in other places is 40 mm. Note, that this throttle construction is independent of the appearance of the chamber gap width Wv in the rest of the transportation chamber 22 , which chamber gap width Wv in other places may be constant, diverging or converging from the pulp distribution device 10 to the nip 23 . The second permeable surface 14 is provided before the local throttle 31 as seen in the pulp transportation direction. As an example the second permeable surface 14 may be provided by having initial dewatering means already in the pulp distribution device 10 e.g. in the form of a permeable wall 14 in the casing 18 (see FIG. 1 ) or through a permeable surface (not shown) of the rotatable distribution means 13 , or the like. Another solution is to position the throttle 31 , so that there is a dewatering segment 14 ′ of the first permeable surface 21 at the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 , which dewatering segment 14 ′ works as a second permeable surface 14 ′. The dewatering segment 14 ′ should be sufficiently large for forming and dewatering of pulp to start already before the throttle 31 . Since the first permeable surface 21 is moving, what is meant with the dewatering segment 14 ′ is of course the segment of the first permeable surface 21 that at a particular moment is at the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 —i.e. the actual segment is constantly changing, when the first permeable surface 21 is moving. In general, the result is better the closer the throttle 31 is positioned to the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 due to the risk of plugging before the throttle 31 if the distance between the throttle 31 and the outlet 12 is too big, but the invention will work at least in the distance of 0-0.5 m from the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 . In the embodiment where the second permeable surface 14 ′ is considered to be a segment of the first permeable surface 21 , there should of course be a balance between having a sufficiently large dewatering segment 14 ′ and having the throttle 31 sufficiently close to the outlet 12 of the pulp distribution device 10 . The throttle gap width Wt may be fixed and the throttle 31 simply formed as an edge, wedge, knife or similar 30 in the transportation chamber wall 22 . It is, however, preferable that the throttle gap width Wt is adjustable and even more preferable that the throttle gap width Wt is adjustable during operation. A simple solution for the adjustment could be to choose an appropriate number of shims to set the position of said edge, wedge or knife 30 . More advanced embodiments can be seen in FIGS. 2-6 . FIG. 2 discloses an embodiment, where the pulp distribution device 10 is provided with a separate throttle device 32 . The edge 30 may e.g. be formed by a sealing. The position of the throttle device 32 may be adjusted from the outside with at least one rod 33 through a sealing lead-through 34 . For simplicity, the edge 30 is preferably divided into a number of longitudinal segments of e.g. 1 m. In FIG. 3 is shown a longer variant of FIG. 2 , where the edge 30 instead is formed by at least one plate, preferably divided into a number of longitudinal segments. The throttle device 32 is thus also provided with a clearance 35 after the throttle 31 in order to prevent plugging after the throttle device 32 . The clearance angle is preferably 5-10°. FIG. 4 is a variant of FIG. 3 , but where the throttle device 32 instead comprises two plates attached to each other, preferably also each divided into a number of longitudinal segments. The inner plate(s) 36 is/are instead of the rods 33 . In the FIGS. 2-4 the throttle device 32 was long, but comparatively small. In FIG. 5 is shown an embodiment where the throttle device 32 is somewhat larger. The part of the pulp transportation chamber wall 22 that is closest to the pulp distribution device 10 comprises at least one flexible plate 37 and a wedge 30 . The position of the plate 37 may be adjusted by means of e.g. eccentric pucks 38 or similar. The pucks 38 are fixed to a shaft which goes through the apparatus 100 . In this way adjustment of the throttle gap width Wt may be done e.g. by means of a not shown turning device on the side of the apparatus 100 . In FIG. 6 is shown another variant of FIG. 5 . In this embodiment the pulp transportation chamber wall part 22 which is closest to the pulp distribution device 10 is a separate plate 37 pivoted on rods 38 . Sealing may be provided by e.g. a transit plate, a seal between the pivoted plate 37 and the casing 18 and sealed lead-throughs for the rods 38 . The adjustment of the throttle gap width Wt may be made manually or automatically. If the adjustment is made automatically, then it is probably easiest to control the throttle gap width Wt on the pressure in the pulp distribution device 10 . Another alternative is to control on the inlet ratio, i.e. the pulp volume flow into the pulp distribution device 10 divided with the pulp volume flow out from the pulp distribution device 10 . The outlet pulp volume flow may be calculated as the rotational speed of the press roll 20 times the length of the press roll 20 times the throttle gap width Wt. Yet other alternatives may be to control on pulp level or temperature in the pulp distribution device 10 , on the vat pressure or on the pulp level in the ends of the press roll 20 . Of course it is also possible to control on a combination of different parameters. It is, however, preferable to separate the pulp distribution device pressure control from the vat pressure control, since this enables to have a high pressure in the pulp distribution device 10 without necessitating having a high pressure in the vat 22 . The practical implementation of the automatic control may be to have one or more sensors (not shown) for the parameter measurement and/or calculation and to use e.g. one or more actuators, e.g. hydraulic, pneumatic and/or mechanic actuators, (not shown) for the throttle gap width adjustment, which actuator(s) is/are controlled by a controller (not shown). The controller may be stand-alone or integrated in a computer in a known manner, preferably as simple feedback control, but feed-forward control is also conceivable or a combination of both. For the purpose of this disclosure, “longitudinal distribution of pulp” refers to distribution of pulp along/to the width of the pulp web formed on the first movable permeable surface. The pulp is thus distributed in a direction substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the movable first permeable surface. This means that the rotatable distribution means is arranged with its rotation axis substantially transverse to the direction of movement of the movable first permeable surface. Accordingly, in a roll press application “longitudinal distribution of pulp” refers to distribution of pulp along/to the width of the pulp web formed on the press roll. The pulp is thus distributed in a direction substantially transverse to the rotational direction of the press roll. This means that the rotatable distribution means is arranged with its rotation axis substantially transverse to the rotational direction of the press roll. In a roll press application, longitudinal distribution of pulp consequently means lengthwise distribution of pulp, typically along the length of the press roll and along the length of the pulp distribution device. Even though the description has been concentrated on an apparatus in the form of a twin roll press, the invention is by no means restricted to a twin roll press, but may be used in any apparatus where a pulp distribution device is distributing pulp on a first moving permeable surface. The first moving permeable surface needs thus not be rotatable, but may be moving in other ways and the apparatus may thus also be e.g. a twin wire press. Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
Apparatus for washing and/or dewatering cellulose pulp is disclosed including a movable permeable surface in a pulp transportation chamber having a chamber gap above the movable permeable surface, a pulp distributor for distributing pulp onto the movable permeable surface, a throttle having a throttle gap width and an adjustable throttle adjuster to remotely adjust the throttle gap width so that a volume of pulp flow into the pulp distributor is equal to or greater than the volume of pulp flow out of the distributor during operation.
3
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a Continuation of co-pending PCT Application No. PCT/ES2004/000544, filed Dec. 3, 2004 which in turn, claims priority from Spanish Application Serial No. P200302959, filed on Dec. 16, 2003. Applicants claim the benefits of 35 U.S.C. § 120 as to the PCT application and priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 as to said Spanish application, and the entire disclosures of both applications are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention, as expressed in the title of this specification, relates to a pallet assembling machine, the pallets in this case being made completely out of cardboard and made up by transverse beams and longitudinal beams provided with complementing notches that enable the assembly based on the different means and devices the machine is equipped with, essentially, the means of loading and positioning the longitudinal beams and the means of loading and positioning the transverse beams, as well as the pusher elements that enable the transversal assembly of both elements. [0003] The objective of the invention is to provide a machine capable of assembling transverse and longitudinal elements to form the structure of a pallet in a simple, efficient and highly productive manner. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] Currently, there are machines to assemble the traditional wooden pallets made by transverse beams and battens that are nailed to each other. The Spanish patent P-9001274 relates to an automatic one way advance pallet nailing machine that includes the means to feed the wooden transverse beams and the wooden lath o batten strips to be nailed over the transverse elements, and also includes nail guns to effect the nailing action. This machine is also equipped with the means to switch the position or turn about the formed structures before feeding a new series of wooden strips over the opposite face of the structure and nail them to form a pallet. [0005] This machine, besides being complex, since it requires the means to feed, nail, position, turning the structure around, etc, has the added inconvenient that has been designed for the assembly of wooden pallets, and therefore its structure cannot be used to assemble pallets made of cardboard longitudinal and transversal elements. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0006] The machine described in this invention is designed, precisely, to assemble pallets made of cardboard and allows the assembly of the longitudinal and transversal elements that make up the pallet's structure without the need of additional affixing elements to put them together. [0007] More specifically, the machine object of the invention is designed to assemble transversal and longitudinal elements of various types so differently structured pallets can be formed, and has the particularity of including two well differentiated areas, one area is designed for the storage, feeding and dosification of longitudinal beams or elements, and the other area is designed for the storage, feeding and dosification of transversal beams or elements, both the transversal and longitudinal elements being supplied by the machine one by one to meet at the common point where they are assembled together. [0008] To allow the assembly of longitudinal and transversal elements it is necessary that both have notches in their lower edge and those said notches complement and match those notches located in the upper edge of the longitudinal elements, since the assembly process is done with the transversal elements travelling in a vertical position and a downward direction over to the longitudinal elements. During the travelling path of the longitudinal elements glue is injected on the notches to aid the affixing process. [0009] The machine includes several feeding and dosification storage areas for longitudinal elements arranged in a collateral and parallel manner amongst them, as well as several feeding and dosification storages of transversal elements arranged so that they corresponds with the former, and are provided with a transportation rail guide that moves the longitudinal elements towards the area where the transverse elements will be fed. [0010] Specifically, each feeding and dosification storage area for the longitudinal beams comprises a plate with a tilted portion that configures a lateral support for the longitudinal beams that are piled by leaning one of the longitudinal edges of said beams over said support surface of the plate, while the longitudinal beams are retained by means that are actuated by a cylinder that actuates, in turn, over the claws that retain the pile when the previous means move in a basculating motion to expel the lower longitudinal beam towards a channel or passage way placed below, all of it associated to a system of spring mediated rockers. [0011] Said plate that supports the longitudinal beams, incorporates in its outer or posterior face, the dosification mechanism that is pat of the retention means mentioned above. [0012] A basculating bumper has been placed at the exit end of the longitudinal beam feeding and dosification system mentioned above to establish a mean to position the longitudinal elements on edgewise on their side, that is, laying on one of its longitudinal edges in a horizontal position, so they can be pointed, one by one, towards the channel or passageway provided with a rail guide that is placed in the lower side that transports the longitudinal elements towards the area in which they will be deposited and the transversal elements will be then affixed to them during the assembly stage. A particularity of the system is that the channel or transportation passageway has been outfitted with lateral retractile guides that are, preferably, located at the areas where the transversal elements are assembled, allowing the downwards sliding of said transversal elements on their way to be assembled onto the longitudinal elements. [0013] All the feeding and dosification means for both the longitudinal and transversal elements are equipped with spindle screws, sliding devices and other appropriate accessories to aid and control the relative positioning of said feeding and dosification means. [0014] As for the feeding and dosification storage for the transversal elements, it is configured by a couple of “U” shaped pillars facing each other and separated by a distance that will correspond, logically, with the length of the transversal elements, establishing a vertical storage guide for said transversal elements, the lower transversal element is then retained by actuating basculating bumpers that allow said lower transversal element to fall towards a channel established to that effect and equipped with a wall presenting a tilted surface that acts as a deflector allowing the transversal element to be positioned vertically and parallel to the vertical line of the pile of elements, at the exit end of this deflecting system there is a channel that the transversal element accesses in said position, and is then pushed by a pusher device to travel downwards and positioned with its notches facing the notches of the longitudinal elements and arrive to the area where the transversal element will be assembled over the longitudinal element that has been previously placed in the appropriate position for this to occur. [0015] The machine allows the assembly of differently structured cardboard pallet models, that is, is capable of assembling different types of pallets. This can be achieved by merely regulating the position of the storage, feeding and dosification means for both the longitudinal and the transversal elements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] To complement the detailed description to be found below and to aid in the understanding of the characteristics of the invention, a set of drawings has been attached to this specification. Said set of drawings will facilitate the understanding of the innovations and advantages of this pallet assembling machine that is the object of the invention. [0017] FIG. 1 Shows a perspective view of the structure of a given type of pallet that has been assembled by the machine object of the invention. [0018] FIG. 2 Shows an outline view of the section of the machine that configures the two areas of feeding and dosification for both the longitudinal and the transversal elements. [0019] FIG. 3 Shows another outline view of a profile of the transversal element dosification device and their subsequent assembly onto the longitudinal elements. [0020] FIG. 4 Shows a perspective view of the storage, feeding and dosification means for the longitudinal elements. [0021] FIG. 5 Shows a lateral profile view of the set represented in the previous figure, in which the storage, feeding and dosification means for the longitudinal elements can be seen. [0022] FIG. 6 Shows a perspective view of the storage, feeding and dosification means for the transversal elements. [0023] FIG. 7 Shows a perspective view of the rail guide for the longitudinal elements, as well as the regulation means that allow changing the position of the feeding and dosification means for the longitudinal elements. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0024] As shown in FIG. 1 , the structure of each pallet is composed of various longitudinal beams 1 and transversal beams 2 both provided with matching notches 3 that enable the assembly of both beams. [0025] The assembly of the longitudinal beams 1 and transversal beams 2 to make a pallet such as the one shown in FIG. 1 , is done by the machine described in this invention, that has two well differentiated areas 4 and 5 , as shown in FIG. 2 , the first of these areas is set as the feeding and dosification area for longitudinal beams 1 , and the second area 5 serves as the feeding and dosification area for the transversal beams 2 , as well as serving as the assembly area where they are affixed to the longitudinal beams 1 . [0026] The storage, feeding and dosification of the longitudinal beams 1 as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 , encompass a plate 6 , which has considerable length, and positioned in a tilted position, that supports the longitudinal beams 1 that are positioned laying on one of their longitudinal edges, said plate 6 is complemented by an additional plate 6 ′ which is separated from plate 6 by a distance that is approximately that of the width of the longitudinal beams 1 as shown in FIG. 5 . [0027] The posterior or external face of said support plate 6 for the longitudinal beams 1 , is equipped with the corresponding dosification mechanism 7 with a cylinder 8 , and a rocker 9 , to which retention means or claws 10 and 10 ′ are associated, and said rocker is actuated by a spring 11 that tends to thrust the rocker 9 in the direction of the retention means or claws 10 and 10 ′ for them to support the pile of longitudinal beams 1 . [0028] In addition there are bumpers 12 mounted over a basculating axis 13 , one of the bumpers 12 ceases acting over the rocker 9 and causing, by the action of the corresponding springs 11 , the retention means or claws 10 and 10 ′ to be thrown against the longitudinal beams 1 and therefore blocking said elements in their piled position as shown in FIG. 5 . [0029] Below said dosification systems there is a basculating bumper 14 that allows the fall of the longitudinal beam 1 placed in the lower position towards a channel or passageway 15 . The bumper 14 is placed in such a manner that longitudinal beam 1 accesses channel 15 laying on one of its edges, that is, with its lower longitudinal edge placed horizontally in order to reach rail guide 16 located in the lower part of the channel 15 , that will transport the longitudinal beams 1 from area 4 to area 5 , there are also pusher elements 17 that position, in a precise manner, the longitudinal beams 1 in area 5 , the same area to which the transversal beams 2 travel in vertical position with their notches 3 facing the matching notches of the longitudinal beams to allow assembly of both beams and form the required pallet. [0030] According to the above, the pile of pallets is retained by the basculating bumper 14 , that when is actuated by the cylinder 8 , causes with the oscillating motion of the basculating bumper 14 the longitudinal beam 1 placed on the lower position of the pile to fall, while the next longitudinal beam 1 in the pile is retained, and therefore the pile itself is also contained, by claws 10 and 10 ′ that act in synchronicity with bumper 14 while said bumper is basculating, since when said bumpers recovers its stationary position claws 10 and 10 ′ retract and the pile of longitudinal beams 1 is again supported by said basculating bumper. [0031] The storage, feeding and dosification of the transversal beams 2 , as shown in FIG. 6 , requires a pair of vertical pillars 18 placed apart at a distance that will correspond, logically, to the length of the transversal beam or beams 2 in question, said pillars or profiles being configured in a “U” shape to frame a guide against which the transversal beams 2 are piled by leaning on the largest wing 19 of said profiles 18 , as seen in FIG. 3 , in such a manner that the piled transversal beams 2 can access a tilted and deflecting surface 20 that guides the transversal beams 2 towards attaining a vertical position on their way to access channel 21 , above which there is a pusher element 22 that pushes each transversal beam 2 on a downward descent and presses it against the appropriate longitudinal beam 1 and thus achieving the assembly between both beams since their respective matching notches 3 will be facing each other. Once the assembly of the various transversal beams 2 over the longitudinal beams 1 , previously placed below, has been completed the extraction operation of the pallet thus obtained begins by means of the elements and means designed to that effect. [0032] FIG. 6 shows the actuating cylinders 23 and the bumper 24 which function is to retain the fall of the transversal beam, since the pile, or rather the lower transversal beam is retained by retractile bumpers 25 located over the basculating axis 26 , as represented in FIG. 6 , all of it in such a manner that the basculating motion of said bumpers 25 allows the fall of the first transversal beam 2 in order for it to be fed towards channel 21 according to the process described above. [0033] FIG. 7 shows rail 16 to guide the longitudinal beams 1 , this rail guide 16 has retractile bumpers 27 placed on its sides, that is, the bumpers 27 can be stowed away or retracted during the pressing operation but not during the transportation operation, since there are is a profile in the machine that travels vertically in each one of the transversal beams feeding-dosificator means. [0034] Said retractile bumpers 27 will be placed above area 5 , coinciding with the assembly area for the transversal beams 2 and allowing assembly of said elements all the way to the bottom of the structure by having previously lowered them to that point, and having the particular characteristic that said lateral bumpers 27 have to be retracted to allow the passage of the transversal beams 2 without harming them or impeding their free passage. [0035] Finally, the machine has devices to regulate the relative position of each feeder-dosificator by means of spindle screws 28 , sliding guides 29 and additional accessories that allow for said adaptability.
The machine is designed to form pallets by assembling cardboard longitudinal beams ( 1 ) and transverse beams ( 2 ) comprising means for storage, feed and dosification of longitudinal beams ( 1 ) and with means for storage, feed and dosification of transverse beams ( 2 ), means provided at corresponding areas ( 4, 5 ) for placing the longitudinal beams ( 1 ) longitudinally edgewise and coupling transversally thereto the corresponding transverse beams ( 2 ), both being provided with complementary notches for assembling the same. The longitudinal beams ( 1 ) from the area ( 4 ) are displaced on rails ( 16 ) and are situated in the area ( 5 ) where the transverse beams ( 2 ) fall and are pushed vertically by a pusher ( 22 ) to assemble the transverse beams ( 2 ) onto the longitudinal beams ( 1 ) previously and appropriately placed in the area.
1
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The invention relates to a low-pressure gas discharge lamp for a backlighting system arranged for being operated in a scanning mode of operation or in a blinking mode of operation. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Low-pressure gas discharge lamps generally comprise a discharge vessel having a luminescent layer comprising a luminescent material. The luminescent layer generally is applied to an inner wall of a discharge vessel. The luminescent material converts UV light emitted from the discharge space into light of increased wavelength, typically visible light, which is subsequently emitted by the low-pressure gas discharge lamp. Such discharge lamps are also referred to as fluorescent lamps. Low-pressure gas discharge lamps for general illumination purposes usually comprise a mixture of luminescent materials, where the combination of the luminescent materials determines the color of the light emitted by a fluorescent lamp. Examples of commonly used luminescent materials are, for example, a blue-luminescent europium-activated barium magnesium aluminate, BaMgAl 10 O 17 :Eu 2+ (also referred to as BAM), a green-luminescent cerium-terbium co-activated lanthanum phosphate, LaPO 4 :Ce,Tb (also referred to as LAP) and a red-luminescent europium-activated yttrium oxide, Y 2 O 3 :Eu (also referred to as YOX). [0003] The discharge vessel of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp is usually constituted by a light-transmitting envelope enclosing a discharge space in a gastight manner. The discharge vessel is generally tubular and comprises both elongate and compact embodiments. Normally, the means for generating and maintaining a discharge in the discharge space are electrodes arranged near the discharge space. Alternatively, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp is a so-called electrodeless low-pressure gas discharge lamp, for example, an induction lamp where energy required for generating and/or maintaining the discharge is transferred through the discharge vessel by means of an induced alternating electromagnetic field. [0004] Low-pressure gas discharge lamps are often used in backlighting units. Such backlighting units are used as a light source in, for example, non-emissive display devices, such as liquid crystal display devices, also referred to as LCD panels, which are used in, for example, television receivers and (computer) monitors for projecting images or displaying a television program, a film, a video program or a DVD, or the like. In backlighting units typically three primary colors are emitted, for example, the primary colors Red, Green and Blue. A primary color comprises light of a predefined spectral bandwidth around a specific wavelength. By using Red, Green and Blue, a full color image, including white, can be generated by the display device. Also other combinations of primary colors may be used in the display device, which enable the generation of full color images, for example, Red, Green, Blue, Cyan and Yellow. Thus, the number of primary colors used in backlighting units of display devices may vary. [0005] Often, the backlighting unit comprises a plurality of low-pressure gas discharge lamps arranged adjacent to one another in a plane parallel to the display device. The plurality of low-pressure gas discharge lamps may be operated in a continuous mode of operation, or may be operated in a scanning mode of operation, or may be operated in a blinking mode of operation. During the continuous mode of operation, the plurality of low-pressure gas discharge lamps emits light continuously during the time an image is being displayed on the display device, the so-called frame time. During the scanning mode of operation or the blinking mode of operation, the low-pressure gas discharge lamps are switched on and off sequentially such that each low-pressure gas discharge lamp only emits light during a part of the frame time. When using a scanning mode of operation or a blinking mode of operation in a backlighting unit which illuminates the LCD panel, the image quality of the LCD panel is improved, especially for moving objects in the displayed image. [0006] In the known LCD panels having a backlighting unit comprising low-pressure gas discharge lamps used in a scanning or blinking mode of operation, motion artifacts are still present. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a low-pressure gas discharge lamp which reduces the motion artifacts in an LCD panel. [0008] According to a first aspect of the invention, the object is achieved with a low-pressure gas discharge lamp comprising: a light-transmitting discharge vessel enclosing, in a gastight manner, a discharge space comprising a gas filling, [0009] the discharge vessel comprising discharge means for maintaining a discharge in the discharge space emitting light substantially comprising ultraviolet light, [0010] a wall of the discharge vessel being provided with a luminescent layer comprising a luminescent material selected from a group comprising: [0011] (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z ) 2 SiO 4 , [0012] (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z )Si 2 N 2 O 2 , and [0013] (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z ) 2 Si 5 N 8 , [0014] wherein 0≦x<1, 0≦y<1, 0<z≦0.20, and x+y+z≦1 [0000] for converting ultraviolet light into visible light emitted by the low-pressure gas discharge lamp. [0015] The effect of the measures according to the invention is that a low-pressure gas discharge lamp comprising a luminescent material selected from the group comprising (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z ) 2 SiO 4 (further also referred to as XSO), (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z )Si 2 N 2 O 2 (further also referred to as XSON), and (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z ) 2 Si 5 N 8 (further also referred to as XSN (where 0≦x<1, 0≦y<1, 0<z≦0.20, and x+y+z≦1) has a decay time of less than 0.5 milliseconds. Due to the relatively short decay time of the luminescent material, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention has a relatively short afterglow time. When luminescent material is used in a low-pressure gas discharge lamp, for example, to convert ultraviolet light into visible light, the luminescent material has an afterglow time, which is a period of time during which the luminescent material still emits light while the low-pressure gas discharge lamp is switched off. The intensity of the light emitted during the afterglow time decays over time. Usually the decay is exponential, and the decay time is defined as a period of time needed for the light intensity to decrease from a first light intensity to a second intensity, which is 1/e times lower than the first light intensity. Due to the afterglow time of the luminescent material, the image is visible longer than desired. The time during which the image is still visible is defined as a “hold-time” of the displayed image, which is a period of time during which the remaining light emitted by the low-pressure gas discharge lamp contributes less than 10% to the total luminance of the image. For a luminescent material having a regular exponential decay, the “hold time” is approximately 2.3 times the decay time. As indicated above, during scanning or blinking, a low-pressure gas discharge lamp of the backlighting system is only switched on during part of the frame time, which is the time during which the image is displayed on the display device. When the hold-time is in the order of magnitude of the frame time, motion artifacts become visible. The known low-pressure gas discharge lamps comprise a mix of luminescent materials to produce substantially white light, for example, BAM, LAP and YOX. Especially the luminescent materials LAP and YOX have a relatively long decay time (approximately 4-5 milliseconds for LAP and approximately 1-2 milliseconds for YOX). Using LAP and YOX in a low-pressure gas discharge lamp of a backlighting system which has a scanning or blinking frequency of, for example, 90 Hertz (resulting in a frame time of approximately 11 milliseconds), the hold-time for the primary color Green may become longer than the frame time and the hold-time for the color red is in the order of magnitude of the frame time. This results in green and red motion artifacts. Using the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention, the decay time of the luminescent material is less than 0.5 milliseconds and thus motion artifacts will be reduced. [0016] The luminescent materials XSO and XSON emit light of a primary color green and may, for example, replace the green-luminescent LAP in the known low-pressure gas discharge lamps to improve the decay time for the primary color green in the known low-pressure gas discharge lamp. The luminescent material XSN emits light of a primary color red and may, for example, replace the red-luminescent YOX in the known low-pressure gas discharge lamps to improve the decay time for the primary color red. [0017] A further benefit of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention is that the scanning frequency or the blinking frequency of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp in a backlighting system can be increased. Currently there is a trend to increase the scanning or blinking frequency of the backlighting system from the commonly available 50 or 60 Hertz to 90 Hertz or 100 Hertz. At the common frequency of 50 or 60 Hertz, a viewer may experience a flashing of the image. By increasing the scanning frequency or the blinking frequency, this flashing of the image experienced by the viewer is reduced. However, increasing the scanning frequency or the blinking frequency of a backlighting system comprising the known low-pressure gas discharge lamp will result in motion artifacts due to a decrease of the frame time while the luminescent materials used still have the relatively long decay times. Using the backlighting system comprising the low-pressure gas discharge lamps according to the invention enables an increase of the scanning frequency or the blinking frequency of the backlighting system substantially without introducing motion artifacts. [0018] In an embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp, the luminescent layer comprises a first luminescent material selected from a group comprising: (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x ,Ca y ,Eu(II) z ) 2 SiO 4 and (Sr 1-x-y-z ,Ba x ,Ca y ,Eu(II) z )Si 2 N 2 O 2 , where 0≦x<1, 0≦y<1, 0<z≦0.20, and x+y+z≦1, for emitting a primary color green, and comprises a second luminescent material (Sr 1-x-y-z ,Ba x ,Ca y ,Eu(II) z ) 2 Si 5 N 8 , where 0≦x<1, 0≦y<1, 0<z≦0.20, and x+y+z≦1, for emitting a primary color red. A benefit of this embodiment is that the primary colors green and red are both emitted using luminescent materials having a decay time less than 0.5 milliseconds. When the low-pressure gas discharge lamp further comprises a blue-emitting luminance material, for example, BAM (typically having a decay time of approximately 1.5 microseconds), the hold-time for each of the emitted colors is below 0.5 milliseconds, thereby substantially eliminating motion artifacts resulting from afterglow times of the luminescent materials in the backlighting system. [0019] In an embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp, the gas filling of the discharge space comprises mercury. A benefit of this embodiment is that an emission of ultraviolet light is relatively efficient, which results in a low-pressure gas discharge lamp having a relatively high efficiency. [0020] In a preferred embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp, the luminescent layer is arranged at an inner wall of the discharge vessel and an inorganic coating is arranged for covering the luminescent material. A benefit of this embodiment is that the luminescent material is shielded from the discharge environment. Exposure to the discharge environment typically results in a gradual degradation of the luminescent material and as such a gradual decrease of the efficiency of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp. The inorganic coating shields the luminescent material from the discharge environment, thus reducing degradation of the luminescent material, and substantially maintaining efficiency. The inorganic coating may be applied as a coating, for example, on top of the luminescent layer, or, alternatively, on individual particles of the luminescent material in the luminescent layer. In an embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp, the inorganic coating comprises SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , or MgO. [0021] In an embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp is a Hot Cathode Fluorescent Lamp (further also referred to as HCFL). A benefit of this embodiment is that the HCFL can be switched on and off relatively quickly, which makes the HCFL very suitable for use in a scanning or blinking backlighting system. [0022] The invention also relates to a backlighting system comprising the low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention, the backlighting system being arranged for being operated in a scanning mode of operation or in a blinking mode of operation, and the invention relates to a display system comprising the backlighting system. In a preferred embodiment of the backlighting system, the backlighting system is used in a blinking mode of operation or in a scanning mode of operation. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] These and other aspects of the invention are apparent from and will be elucidated with reference to the embodiments described hereinafter. [0024] In the drawings: [0025] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a cross-sectional view of a low-pressure gas discharge lamp according to the invention, [0026] FIGS. 2A , 2 B and 2 C show excitation and emission spectra BOSE, which is a specific variant of XSO, SSON which is a specific variant of XSON, and SSN which is a specific variant of XSN, respectively, [0027] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a display system having the backlighting system according to the invention, wherein the backlighting system is arranged for operating in a scanning mode of operation or for operating in a blinking mode of operation, respectively. [0028] The Figures are purely diagrammatic and not drawn to scale. Particularly for clarity, some dimensions are exaggerated strongly. Similar components in the Figures are denoted by the same reference numerals as much as possible. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS [0029] FIGS. 1A and 1B show a cross-sectional view of a low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 according to the invention. The low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 according to the invention comprises a light transmitting discharge vessel 14 which encloses a discharge space 16 in a gas-tight manner. The discharge space 16 comprises a gas filling, for example, comprising a metal compound and a buffer gas. The low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 further comprises coupling elements. The coupling elements couple energy into the discharge space 16 , for example, via capacitive coupling, inductive coupling, microwave coupling, or via electrodes 18 to obtain a gas discharge in the discharge space 16 . The discharge vessel 14 comprises a wall 15 having a luminescent layer 20 comprising luminescent material. The luminescent material, for example, absorbs ultraviolet light emitted from the discharge and, for example, converts the absorbed ultraviolet light into visible light. [0030] In an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the discharge vessel 14 comprises a set of electrodes 18 . In FIGS. 1A and 1B only one electrode 18 of the set of electrodes 18 is shown. The electrodes 18 are electrical connections through the discharge vessel 14 of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 . By applying an electrical potential difference between the two electrodes 18 , a discharge is initiated between the two electrodes 18 . This discharge is generally located between the two electrodes 18 and is indicated in FIGS. 1A and 1B as the discharge space 16 . Alternative coupling elements are capacitive couplers (not shown), inductive couplers (not shown), or microwave couplers (not shown). A benefit when using the alternative coupling elements for generating and/or maintaining the discharge in the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 is that the electrodes 18 , which generally limit the lifetime of low-pressure gas discharge lamps 10 , 12 , can be omitted. [0031] In general, light generation in the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 is based on the principle that charge carriers, particularly electrons but also ions, are accelerated by an electric field applied between the electrodes 18 of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 . Collisions of these accelerated electrons and ions with the gas atoms or molecules in the gas filling of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 cause these gas atoms or molecules to be dissociated, excited or ionized. When the atoms or molecules of the gas filling return to a ground state, a substantial part of the excitation energy is converted to radiation. When the gas filling comprises mercury, the light emitted by the excited mercury atoms is mainly ultraviolet light at a wavelength of approximately 254 nanometer. This ultraviolet light is subsequently absorbed by luminescent material in the luminescent layer 20 which converts the absorbed ultraviolet light, for example, to visible light of a predetermined color. Generally, there is a time delay between the absorption by the luminescent material of an ultraviolet photon (emitted by the mercury atom) and the subsequent emission of, for example, a photon in the visible range by the luminescent material. This time delay is different for different luminescent materials and determines the afterglow time of the luminescent material. [0032] In the low-pressure gas discharge lamps 10 , 12 , generally the luminescent layer 20 comprises a mixture of luminescent materials which is used to be able to emit substantially white light. In the known low-pressure gas discharge lamps often a mix of the luminescent materials BAM (emitting the primary color blue), LAP (emitting the primary color green) and YOX (emitting the primary color red) is used to obtain substantially white light. These luminescent materials each have a different decay time, as listed in table 1. [0033] When using the known low-pressure gas discharge lamp in a backlighting system arranged for being operated in a scanning mode of operation (further also referred to as scanning backlighting system 60 ) or in a blinking mode of operation (further also referred to as blinking backlighting system 70 ) (see FIG. 3 ) scanning or blinking at a frequency of 90 Hertz or 100 Hertz, the afterglow of the luminescent materials LAP and YOX is too large. As a result, motion artifacts are visible in display systems which use the known low-pressure gas discharge lamps in the scanning or blinking mode of operation. As indicated before, during scanning or blinking, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 of the backlighting system 60 , 70 is only switched on during part of the frame time, which is the time during which the image is displayed on the display device 40 . When the hold-time, which is the time during which the image is still visible after the low-pressure gas discharge lamp has been switched off, is in the order of magnitude of the frame time, motion artifacts become visible. In the known low-pressure gas discharge lamp comprising BAM, LAP and YOX, green and red motion artifacts will become visible. [0034] The low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 according to the invention comprises a luminescent material selected from a group comprising XSO, XSON or XSN. The luminescent materials XSO and XSON emit the primary color green and can, for example, replace the luminescent material LAP in the known mixture of BAM, LAP and YOX. Because the decay times of the luminescent materials XSO and XSON are below 0.5 milliseconds, the motion artifacts are reduced when these luminescent materials are used in the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 of a scanning or blinking backlighting system 60 , 70 scanning or blinking at a frequency of 90 Hertz or 100 Hertz. The low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 according to the invention, for example, comprises a mixture of BAM, XSO and YOX or a mixture of BAM, XSON and YOX, which, when applied in a scanning or blinking backlighting system 60 , 70 , results in a reduction of the motion artifacts, as only red motion artifacts remain visible. The luminescent material XSN emits the primary color red and can, for example, replace the luminescent material YOX in the known mixture of BAM, LAP and YOX. Because the decay times of the luminescent material XSN are below 0.5 milliseconds, the motion artifacts are reduced when this luminescent material is used in the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 of a scanning or blinking backlighting system 60 , 70 scanning or blinking at a frequency of 90 Hertz or 100 Hertz. The low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 according to the invention, for example, comprises a mixture of BAM, LAP and XSN, which, when applied in a scanning or blinking backlighting system 60 , 70 , results in a reduction of the motion artifacts, as only green motion artifacts remain visible. [0000] TABLE 1 decay time of commonly known luminescent materials, wherein 0 ≦ x < 1, 0 ≦ y < 1, 0 < z ≦ 0.20, and x + y + z ≦ 1. Phos- phor Chemical formula Decay time Known BAM BaMgAl 10 O 17 : Eu 2+ ~1.5 microsecond LAP LaPO 4 : Ce,Tb3 + ~4-5 milliseconds YOX Y 2 O 3 : Eu3 + ~1-2 milliseconds Inven- XSO (Sr 1-x-y-z ,Ba x ,Ca y ,Eu(II) z ) 2 SiO 4 <0.5 milliseconds tion XSON (Sr 1-x-y-z ,Ba x ,Ca y ,Eu(II) z )Si 2 N 2 O 2 <0.5 milliseconds XSN (Sr 1-x-y-z ,Ba x ,Ca y ,Eu(II) z ) 2 Si 5 N 8 <0.5 milliseconds [0035] In a preferred embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 , both luminescent materials LAP and YOX are replaced with the luminescent materials XSO or XSON, and XSN, respectively. This, for example, results in the following mixtures of the luminescent materials: BAM, XSO, XSN, or BAM, XSON, XSN. The use of a low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 according to the invention comprising one of the listed mixtures of luminescent materials in a scanning or blinking backlighting system 60 , 70 , results in substantially no motion artifacts at the scanning or blinking frequency of 90 Hertz or 100 Hertz. [0036] In an embodiment of the luminescent material XSO, the labels x, y and z, for example, are chosen to be: x=0.49, y=0 and z=0.02, resulting in (Sr 0.49 Ba 0.49 Eu 0.02 ) 2 SiO 4 , further also indicated as BOSE. In an embodiment of the luminescent material XSON, the labels x, y and z, for example, are chosen to be: x=0, y=0, and z=0.02, resulting in (Sr 0.98 Eu 0.02 ) 2 Si 2 N 2 O 2 , further indicated as SSON. In an embodiment of the luminescent material XSN, the labels x, y and z, for example, are chosen to be: x=0.98, y=0, and z=0.02, resulting in (Ba 0.98 Eu 0.02 ) 2 Si 5 N 8 , further also indicated as SSN. [0037] In the embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B , the luminescent layer 20 is applied to the inside of the wall 15 of the discharge vessel 14 . Alternatively, the luminescent layer 20 may be applied to the outside (not shown) of the wall 15 of the discharge vessel 14 . In the latter embodiment, the discharge vessel 14 must be made of a material which is transparent to ultraviolet light, such as quartz glass. [0038] FIG. 1B shows an embodiment of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 12 having a luminescent layer 20 which is covered substantially by an inorganic coating 22 which, for example, comprises SiO 2 , Al 2 O 3 , or MgO. This inorganic coating 22 substantially shields the luminescent material from the discharge environment of the discharge space 16 , which reduces gradual degradation of the luminescent material in the luminescent layer 20 due to the discharge environment, which degradation causes a decrease in efficiency of the luminescent material. Alternatively, the inorganic coating 22 is applied as a coating to each particle of luminescent material (not shown) rather than covering the luminescent layer 20 as shown in FIG. 1B . [0039] FIG. 2A shows an excitation spectrum 31 and emission spectrum 32 of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 comprising the luminescent material BOSE ((Sr 0.49 Ba 0.49 Eu 0.02 ) 2 SiO 4 ), as a special variant of XSO, comprising Barium. As can clearly be seen from the excitation spectrum 31 of FIG. 2A , the luminescent material BOSE absorbs ultraviolet light in a UV-A, UV-B and UV-C range where the main emission lines of mercury are located. The emission spectrum 32 of BOSE shows a peak around approximately 520 nanometers, and thus BOSE emits substantially green light (green light is defined between approximately 500 nanometers and 570 nanometers). [0040] FIG. 2B shows an excitation spectrum 33 and emission spectrum 34 of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 comprising the luminescent material SSON ((Sr 0.98 Eu 0.02 ) 2 Si 2 N 2 O 2 ), as a special variant of XSON, comprising Strontium. The excitation spectrum 33 of FIG. 2B again shows that the luminescent material SSON absorbs ultraviolet light in a UV-A, UV-B and UV-C range where the main emission lines of mercury are located. The emission spectrum 34 of SSON shows a peak around approximately 540 nanometers, and thus also SSON emits substantially green light (green light is defined between approximately 500 nanometers and 570 nanometers). [0041] FIG. 2C shows an excitation spectrum 35 and emission spectrum 36 of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 , 12 comprising the luminescent material SSN ((Sr 0.98 Eu 0.02 ) 2 Si 5 N 8 ), a special variant of XSN, comprising Strontium. The excitation spectrum 35 of FIG. 2C shows that also the luminescent material SSN absorbs ultraviolet light in a UV-A, UV-B and UV-C range. The emission spectrum 36 of SSN shows a peak around approximately 620 nanometers, and thus SSN emits substantially red light (red light is defined between approximately 610 nanometers and 750 nanometers). [0042] FIG. 3A shows a display system 40 according to the invention having a scanning backlighting system 60 according to the invention. The display system 40 comprises a display device 50 , for example a well-known liquid crystal display device. The liquid crystal display device generally contains a polarizer 52 , an array of light valves 54 and an analyzer 56 . Each light valve 54 typically comprises liquid crystal material which can alter a polarization direction of incident light, for example, by applying an electrical field across the liquid crystal material. The arrangement of polarizer 52 , light valve 54 and analyzer 56 is such that when the light valve 54 is switched to, for example, “bright”, the light emitted from the scanning backlighting system 60 will be transmitted. When the light valve 54 is switched to, for example, “dark”, the light emitted from the scanning backlighting system 60 will be blocked. In that way an image can be produced on the display device 50 . [0043] The scanning backlighting system 60 as shown in FIG. 3A comprises an array of low-pressure gas discharge lamps 10 which are arranged parallel to each other in a plane substantially parallel to the display device 50 . The scanning backlighting system 60 shown in FIG. 3A comprises a plurality of reflective walls 62 reflecting light emitted from the low-pressure gas discharge lamps 10 facing away from the display device 50 back towards the display device 50 . The scanning backlighting system 60 further comprises a light exit window 64 facing the display device 50 and emitting the light from the scanning backlighting system 60 towards the display device 50 . The scanning backlighting system 60 further comprises a controller 66 for controlling the sequential switching “on” and “off” of the low-pressure gas discharge lamps 10 during the frame time. [0044] FIG. 3B shows a display system 42 according to the invention having a blinking backlighting system 70 according to the invention. The display system 42 comprises a display device 50 , which is, for example, identical to the display device 50 shown in FIG. 3A . The blinking backlighting system 70 shown in FIG. 3B comprises a low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 which emits light via a light entrance window 72 into a light guide 74 . The light emitted by the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 is distributed in the light guide 74 and emitted towards the display device 50 via a light exit window 76 facing the display device 50 . The blinking backlighting system 70 further comprises a controller 78 for controlling the switching “on” and “off” of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp 10 during part of the frame time. [0045] It should be noted that the above-mentioned embodiments illustrate rather than limit the invention, and that those skilled in the art will be able to design many alternative embodiments without departing from the scope of the appended claims. [0046] In the claims, any reference signs placed between parentheses shall not be construed as limiting the claim. Use of the verb “comprise” and its conjugations does not exclude the presence of elements or steps other than those stated in a claim. The article “a” or “an” preceding an element does not exclude the presence of a plurality of such elements. The invention may be implemented by means of hardware comprising several distinct elements. In the device claim enumerating several means, several of these means may be embodied by one and the same item of hardware. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.
The invention relates to a low-pressure gas discharge lamp ( 10 ) for use in a scanning or blinking backlighting system, the low-pressure gas discharge lamp ( 10 ) comprising a luminescent layer ( 20 ) comprising a luminescent material selected from a group comprising: (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z )2Si0 4 (also known as XSO), (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z )Si 2 N 2 O 2 (also known as XSON), and (Sr 1-x-y-z , Ba x , Ca y , Eu(II) z ) 2 Si 5 N 8 (also known as XSN), wherein 0≦x<1, 0≦y<, 0<z≦0.20, and x+y+z≦1. The luminescent materials according to the invention have a relatively short decay time (less than 0.5 milliseconds), resulting in a relatively short afterglow time of the low-pressure gas discharge lamp ( 10 ) according to the invention. When using known low-pressure gas discharge lamps, for example, comprising the luminescent materials BAM, LAP and YOX in the scanning or blinking backlighting system, the afterglow time of these luminescent materials creates visible motion artifacts, especially when the scanning or blinking time is increased from 50 Hertz or 60 Hertz to, for example, 90 Hertz or 100 Hertz. Replacing the known luminescent materials LAP and/or YOX with luminescent material according to the invention will result in a reduction of the motion artifacts.
2
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to to the mounting of video display units, such as cathode-ray tubes (CRT). The invention relates more particularly to a mounting mechanism providing both a pivoting (swivelling) action of the display unit, and a tilting action of the display unit. The prior art contains many ways of providing a mount for a video display unit, and provides many ways of providing movement of the display unit, to allow it to be adjusted by an operator for viewing. Examples of some of these prior art mounting arrangements can be found in the following U.S. Patents: U.S. Pat Nos. 4,410,159 dated Oct. 18, 1983 by H. J. McVicker et al; 4,068,961 dated Jan. 17, 1978 by J. S. Ebner et al; 3,970,792 dated July 20, 1976 by E. E. Benham et al; and 4,019,710 dated Apr. 26, 1977 by C. O'Connor et al. Aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,410,159 provides a moulded base element having a pair of concave tracks in the top and an annular recess in the bottom, the concave tracks receive and support a moulded cradle element adapted to contain and support a CRT therein. The annular recess receives an annular support ring adapted to support said base and said cradle. The three assembled CRT support elements are maintained in contact with each other by gravity and are provided with keepers to assure the assembly does not come apart (see col. 1, line 65 to col. 2, line 7 of that patent). In aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,068,961 a swivel top mounts to the object to be provided with controlled movement. A swivel bottom mounts to a support. The swivel top and bottom are held together by a large, curved wafer and a nut and bolt arrangement. The swivel top and bottom interact with each other to provide controlled limited movement in the two orthogonal planes, simultaneously (from the abstract of that patent). Aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,019,710 describes an instrument support levelling socket having relatively adjustable parts with interfitting spherical sectioned surfaces in which one of the surfaces is defined by a plurality of spaced feet so that the surface is sectioned and separated by substantial clearance spaces. A locking knob threaded into one of the parts and sandwiching the other selectively clamps the surfaces together against relative movement (from the abstract of that patent). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to providing a mechanism of relatively simple construction for allowing both the pivoting (swivelling) and tilting of a display unit. In accordance with the present invention, and described in simplistic terms, the mounting arrangement of the present invention involves mounting, under the video display unit, a generally ball-shaped (or partial sphere-shaped) object and having it rest on a mating component carried by a base unit. As can be imagined, this ball and socket type of arrangement provides for a large degree of movement of the video display unit, both in pivoting, which would of course be about a generally vertical axis, and also in tilting, which would of course be about a generally horizontal axis. Such an arrangement would be prone to fall apart if there were nothing more to hold the display unit to the base unit. To prevent this from happening the present invention incorporates a rectangular slot in the ball unit attached to the display unit. A stud and a slider are carried by the base unit. The stud is firmly mounted to the base unit, and the slider can pivot about the stud. The slider, as its name implies, slides along the slot in the ball unit, thus allowing the display unit to be tilted. The pivoting action is allowed by the stud as will be described later in more detail. It should be noted that the slider is pivotally mounted to the stud and is in a captive arrangement with the stud. Consequently, the combination of the base unit, the stud and slider, and the ball unit of the video display, are all held in a captive arrangement. Stated in other terms, the present invention is a mechanism for mounting an upper unit to a lower unit so as to allow relative motion between the two units along two generally orthogonal axes of rotation, the mechanism comprising: a partial sphere-shaped member protruding from the lower part of the upper unit; the partial sphere-shaped member containing a slot in which is held, in a moving relationship, a slider means for traversing the slot from one end to another, the slider means having an aperture therein; a circular rim-shaped member protruding from the upper part of the lower unit, for mating with the partial sphere-shaped member; a stud means located within the periphery of the rim-shaped member, and fixed to the lower unit, the stud means passing through the aperture in the slider means and joined to the slider means so as to allow the slider, and consequently the upper unit, to pivot about the stud means, whereby the upper unit is supported by the rim-shaped member engaging the partial sphere-shaped member, the upper unit pivots about the stud means, the upper unit tilts by moving relative to the slider means, and the upper unit and the lower unit are in a captive arrangement; wherein the slider means is constructed so as to fit the slot such that a first part of the slider means is on a first side of the slot, a second part of the slider means is on a second side of the slot, and a third part of the slider means passes through the slot and joins the first part of the slider means to the second part of the slider means; and a bearing surface on the first part of the slider means mates against a bearing surface on a first surface of the partial sphere-shaped member, and a bearing surface on the second part of the slider means mates against a bearing surface on a second surface of the partial sphere-shaped member. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will now be described in greater detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like parts in each of the several figures are identified by the same reference character, and wherein; FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a display unit mounted to a base unit and including a keyboard; FIG. 2 is a plan view of the outside of the bottom cover of the display unit of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side view of the FIG. 2 embodiment, taken along a view line 3--3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the bottom cover of the display unit depicting the opposite side to that shown in FIG. 2; FIG. 5 an end view of the bottom cover of FIG. 4 taken through view lines 5--5 of FIG. 4; FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a portion of the bottom cover of FIG. 4 taken the Section line 6--6 in that Figure; FIG. 7a is a partial elevational view of a section of the base of the unit depicted in FIG. 1; FIG. 7b is a plan view of the base unit of FIG. 7a taken through the view line 7b --7b of FIG. 7a; FIG. 8 depicts the stud of FIG. 7a in more detail; FIG. 9 is an elevational view of the slider used in conjunction with the stud of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 a plan view of the slider of FIG. 9, taken along the view lines 10--10 FIG. 9; FIG. 11 a sectional view of the slider of FIG. 10 taken along the Section lines 11--11; FIG. 12 similar to FIG. 7a but shows the ball unit of the display unit as well the slider and its attachment hardware; FIG. 13 is similar to FIG. 9, but depicts a variation thereof; FIG. 14 is a plan view of the slider of FIG. 13, taken along the view lines 14--14 in FIG. 13; FIG. 15 is similar to FIG. 2, but depicts a variation thereof; and FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 12 but is more simplified and depicts a variation thereof. DETAILED DESCRIPTION FIG. 1 depicts a combined voice/data display unit 20. It is comprised of a base unit 21, a keyboard 22, a telephone handset 23, and a video display unit 24. Display unit 24 comprises a cathode-ray tube (CRT) 25 contained within a housing 30. The present invention is directed to mounting display unit 24 to base unit 21 and at the same time, to allow display unit 24 to pivot and to tilt relative to base unit 21. Attention is directed to FIG. 2 which depicts in more detail a portion of bottom cover 27 of display unit 24. As can be seen in FIG. 2, cover 27 includes a large circular area indicated as partial sphere 26, which is better seen in FIG. 3, to which attention is also directed. The FIG. 2 view also depicts a recessed portion 28, and a slot 29. The function of these two items will be described later in greater detail. Also depicted in FIGS. 2 and 3 are a plurality of rectangular squares, referenced generally as 31. These squares 31 are openings in partial sphere 26 to allow for the movement of air. FIG. 4 depicts the opposite side of bottom cover 27 as does FIG. 2. In the FIG. 4 view, partial sphere 26 is concave in shape. Cover 27, as shown in FIG. 4, also of course has slot 29. It additionally has support ribs 32, and it has a bearing surface 33, indicated in FIG. 4 by the shaded surface area. It should be noted that bottom cover 27 is made of phenylene oxide-based resin. FIG. 5 depicts an end elevational view of cover 27 taken through the view line 5--5 of FIG. 4. In FIG. 5, the curved surface of the partial sphere 26 is visible, as is slot 29. FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a part of FIG. 4, as indicated by the Section lines 6--6 in FIG. 4. FIG. 6 depicts a portion of the partial sphere 26 showing slot 29, bearing surfaces 33 and recessed portion 28. FIGS. 7a and 7b depict socket assembly 36, a part of base unit 21, for receiving partial sphere 26. FIG. 7a is a sectional view of socket assembly 36, and FIG. 7b is a plan view of socket assembly 36 taken through the view lines 7b--7b of FIG. 7a; they will be referenced simultaneously. Socket assembly 36 comprises a housing 37, having formed therein a bevelled circular rim 38 upon which partial sphere 26 can rest. Also depicted in FIGS. 7a and 7b is stud 39. Stud 39 forms the axis about which partial sphere 26, and consequently, display unit 24 (FIG. 1), rotates (i.e. pivots). It should be noted that socket assembly 36 is made of phenylene oxide. Note also that stops 40 limit the pivoting movement of display unit 24 (FIG. 1). In operation, lip 50 of slider 44 will contact one of the stops 40 so as to prevent complete rotation (i.e. 360°) of slider 44 and consequently of bottom cover 27 and display unit 24. As shown in FIG. 7b, rotation of approximately 200° is permitted. FIG. 8 depicts stud 39 in more detail. As can be seen from FIG. 8, stud 39 comprises a ribbed or grooved portion 41, which permits stud 39 to be fixed to housing 37. Stud 39 then has a smooth shank portion 42, of reduced diameter, relative to grooved portion 41. It then contains a necked down portion 43 for receiving a retaining means, such as a C-clip. Stud 39 is made of metal (e.g. steel). FIGS. 9 and 10 depict slider 44. FIG. 9 is a side elevational view of slider 44 and FIG. 10 is a plan view of slider 44, taken along view lines 10--10 of FIG. 9. Slider 44 contains a hole or opening 46 through which stud 39 of FIGS. 7a and 7b can pass so as to provide a fit that permits relative motion between stud 39 and slider 44. Notches 47 and 48 in slider 44 allow slider 44 to be inserted into slot 29 of partial sphere 26. Areas 51, on slider 44, are bearing surfaces which mate against the bearing surfaces 33, indicated in shaded lines, on FIG. 4 (when assembled). Slider 44 contains bearing surface 49 which mates against the surface of recessed portion 28 (FIG. 2) when in operation, and a lip 50. To aid in the description, the part of slider 44 to the left of notches 47 and 48 (as viewed in FIG. 10) will be referenced as slide 44a and that portion to the right of notches 47 and 48 (in FIG. 10) will be referenced as slide 44b. FIG. 11 is a sectional view of a portion of slider 44 depicting the hole 46. FIG. 12 is a partial sectional view of the FIG. 1 embodiment, taken along a section corresponding to that shown in FIG. 7a. As can be seen from FIG. 12, display unit 24 is depicted connected to its bottom cover 27, which has the partial sphere 26. Base unit 21 is depicted supporting socket assembly 36. The interaction of socket assembly 36 and partial sphere 26 can be seen from FIG. 12. Partial sphere 26 rests on the bevelled circular rim 38 of socket assembly 36. Pivotal movement of display unit 24 is about the longitudinal axis 34 of stud 39. As can be seen from FIG. 12, stud 39 passes through hole 46 in slider 44, and is maintained in position by washer 52, spring 53 and C-clip 54. Slider 44 mates with slot 29 such that the portion of slider 44, that is to the left of notches 47 and 48 in FIG. 10 (i.e. slide 44a), is above slot 29 in FIG. 12, and that portion of slider 44, that is to the right of notches 47 and 48 (i.e. slide 44b) is below slot 29 in FIG. 12. Bearing surfaces 51 of slider 44 bear against bearing surfaces 33 of partial sphere 26. As can be seen from FIG. 12, slider 44 becomes lodged in slot 29 and can move longitudinally along slot 29. This longitudinal movement allows the display unit 24 to tilt. The amount of the tilt is of course limited by the length of slot 29. The part of slider 44 that is below partial sphere 26 in FIG. 12 (i.e. slide 44b) bears against the recess portion 28 of partial sphere 26. FIGS. 13, 14, 15, and 16 depict a variation on the design just described, in that they illustrate how a detent function can be added to the tilting feature of the present invention. FIG. 13 depicts a slider 45 that is identical to slider 44 of FIG. 9 except that it additionally includes projections 61. It also includes a hole 46a, notches 47a and 48a, lip portion 50a and bearing surface 49a. FIG. 14 is a plan view of slider 45 taken through the view line 14--14 of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 depicts bottom cover 27a which is the same as cover 27 of FIG. 2 except for the addition of notches 62 to recessed portion 28a. FIG. 16 is similar to FIG. 12, but depicts how slider 45 (in lieu of slider 44) interacts, and depicts bottom cover 27a (in lieu of cover 27). As can be seen in FIG. 16, as slider 45 moves to the left, projections 61 engage notches 62 to thereby provide a positive detent position in the tilting direction.
A mechanism for mounting a video display unit (or the like) to a base unit is disclosed. The mechanism includes a ball-shaped (or partial sphere-shaped) portion which mounts to the bottom of the display unit. The base carries a circular bevelled rim-shaped member for mating with, and providing support for, the ball-shaped member. A slot in the ball-shaped member carries a sliding member. A stud, fixed to the base unit, passes through the sliding member such that pivoting of the display unit occurs about the axis of the stud. Tilting occurs by the display unit moving relative to the sliding member (i.e. the sliding member moves in the slot). Consequently, tilting is provided about an axis orthogonal to the axis of the stud.
5
BACKGROUND [0001] The invention relates to a system (such as a pool system) controlled in part by a motor (such as a motor-powered pump controlling the pool system). [0002] Pool systems (e.g., swimming pools, hot tubs, spas, whirlpools, jetted tubs, clothes washing machines, and similar apparatuses) typically have auxiliary loads connected to the system that perform different tasks. These task range from heating the fluid within the pool system to sanitizing the fluid within the pool system. These auxiliary loads often require a minimum flow rate of the fluid flowing though them. If the minimum flow rate is not met and the auxiliary load is still operating, then the auxiliary load will not function properly or can be damaged. Therefore, many pump systems for pool systems continually pump the fluid at a rate high enough to meet the minimum flow rate of the auxiliary load connected to the pool system or have sensors within each auxiliary load of the pool system to deactivate the auxiliary load if the minimum flow rate is not met. SUMMARY [0003] It has been determined that continually having the flow of fluid at a rate high enough to prevent auxiliary load damage or incorrect functionality wastes energy. Further, having sensors within each auxiliary load is costly for the auxiliary load manufacturers. [0004] In one embodiment, the invention provides a pool system for controlling an auxiliary load. The pool system includes a vessel to hold a fluid, an auxiliary load, and a pump system coupled to the vessel and the auxiliary load. The pump system pumps the fluid through the auxiliary load. The pump system includes a motor, and a fluid pump powered by the motor, and a controller. The controller controls a pump speed of the pump system, and a power source to the auxiliary load. [0005] In another embodiment the invention provides a control system for controlling a liquid movement system. The control system includes a controller electrically connected to a motor. The controller controls the speed of the motor. The controller is further electrically connected to an auxiliary load. The controller controls the activation of the auxiliary load based on an inputted maximum time that the auxiliary load is to be activated, and an inputted minimum speed of the motor that the auxiliary load is to be activated at. [0006] In yet another embodiment, the invention provides a method of controlling a liquid movement system. The method includes receiving a maximum time requirement that an auxiliary load is to operate, receiving a minimum pump speed requirement of a pump system that pumps a liquid through the auxiliary load, monitoring the time that an auxiliary load has been in operation, monitoring the pump speed of a pump system that pumps a liquid through the auxiliary load, and deactivating the auxiliary load if the maximum time requirement or minimum pump speed requirement has been met. [0007] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by consideration of the detailed description and accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a pool system. [0009] FIG. 1 a is a schematic diagram of another construction of a pool system. [0010] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a user interface of a controller of the pool system shown in FIG. 1 . [0011] FIG. 3 is a schematic diagram of the controller of the pool system shown in FIG. 1 . [0012] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the motor, controller, and user interface of the controller of the pool system shown in FIG. 1 . [0013] FIG. 5 is a flowchart implementing a method of controlling a pool system with an integrated auxiliary load control. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0014] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of construction and the arrangement of components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other constructions and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways. [0015] A pool system 100 embodying the invention is schematically shown in FIG. 1 . The pool system 100 generally includes a vessel 105 , an auxiliary load 110 , a pump system 115 , and a controller 120 . The pump system 115 generally includes a motor 116 , a fluid pump 117 coupled to the motor 116 , and a fluid agitator 118 located within the fluid pump 117 . [0016] In the preferred construction, the vessel 105 is a hollow container such as a tub, pool, or vat that holds a fluid. The fluid can be any type of fluid. In one construction the fluid is chlorinated water. [0017] As shown in FIG. 1 , the auxiliary load 110 is connected in line with the vessel 105 and pump system 115 by a piping system 125 . The auxiliary load 110 can be a type of pool equipment that receives the fluid originating from the vessel 105 in response to the pump system 115 moving the fluid. In one construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a pool heater used to heat the fluid contained within the vessel 105 and pumped by the pump system 115 through the pool heater. In another construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a saltwater chlorinator used to sanitize the fluid contained within the vessel 105 and pumped by the pump system 115 through the saltwater chlorinator. In another construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a booster pump used to operate a cleaning device within the vessel 105 and pumped by the pump system 115 through the booster pump. In another construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a pool cleaner which is used to clean the bottom of the vessel 105 , and has the fluid from the vessel 105 pumped through the pool cleaner by the pump system 115 . In another construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a solar heater which is used to heat the fluid contained within the vessel 105 and pump by the pump system 115 through the solar heater. In another construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a set of lights and does not receive fluid originating from the vessel 105 . [0018] FIG. 1 a shows another construction of the pool system 100 . In FIG. 1 a , the auxiliary load 110 connected to the vessel 105 and the pump system 115 with a T-shaped piping system 125 ′, rather than connected in line with the vessel 105 and the pump system 125 . [0019] As shown in FIG. 1 , the pump system 115 is connected in line with the vessel 105 and the auxiliary load 110 by the piping system 125 . The pump system 115 is used to pump the fluid contained within the vessel 105 through the auxiliary load 110 . The pump system 115 contains a motor 116 , a fluid pump 117 , and a fluid agitator 118 . As is known, the motor 116 takes electrical energy and converts the electrical energy into mechanical energy. The motor 116 can be, for example, a direct-current motor or an alternating-current motor. The motor 116 can also be a single-speed motor, a multi-speed motor, or a variable-speed motor. In one exemplary construction, the motor 116 is a permanent magnet, brushless direct-current (BLDC) motor. As is commonly known, BLDC motors include a stator, a permanent magnet rotor, and an electronic commutator. The electronic commutator typically includes, among other things, a programmable device (a microcontroller, a digital signal processor, or a similar controller) having a processor and memory. The programmable device of the BLDC motor uses software stored in the memory to control the electronic commutator. The electronic commutator then provides the appropriate electrical energy to the stator in order to rotate the permanent magnet rotor at a desired speed. [0020] The motor 116 is coupled to the fluid pump 117 by a shaft 130 . The fluid pump 117 contains a fluid agitator 118 . In one construction, the fluid agitator 118 is an impeller that controllably moves the fluid contained by the vessel 105 through the auxiliary load 115 . Other pump systems having other fluid agitators may be used without departing from the spirit of the invention. [0021] As shown in FIG. 1 , the controller 120 is electrically coupled to the auxiliary load 110 and the motor 116 of the pump system 115 . The controller 120 controls the pump speed of the pump system 115 and the activation or deactivation of the auxiliary load 110 . The controller 120 controls the auxiliary load 110 and the pump system 115 based on user inputs. In one construction, the controller 120 is the same controller already contained within the motor 116 , therefore having one controller that both directly controls the speed of the motor 116 and the activation of the auxiliary load 110 . In another construction, the controller 120 is a separate controller from the controller contained within the motor 116 and controls the auxiliary load 110 while controlling the controller contained within the motor 116 , therefore having two separate controllers. An exemplary controller 120 and motor 116 combination is described in US patent application Ser. No. ______, Attorney Docket No. 028460-8456 US00, filed on even date herewith, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. [0022] One user input that the controller 120 uses to determine activation or deactivation of the auxiliary load 110 is a user-inputted minimum pump speed of the pump system 115 that the auxiliary 110 can be active at. Different auxiliary loads have different minimum flow rates for the fluid that flows through them. If the flow rate falls below the minimum while the auxiliary load 110 is activated, then the auxiliary load 110 can be damaged or not function properly. The flow rate through the auxiliary load 110 is related to the pump speed of the pump system 115 . Therefore, to prevent damage to the auxiliary load 110 , a user inputs a minimum pump speed of the pump system 115 . Once the pump speed of the pump system 115 falls below the user-inputted minimum pump speed, the controller 120 automatically deactivates the auxiliary load 110 , preventing any possible damage that may be done to the auxiliary load 110 . [0023] Another user input that the controller 120 uses to determine activation or deactivation of the auxiliary load 110 is a user-inputted maximum time that the auxiliary load 110 is to be activated. Once the user-inputted maximum time is met, the controller 120 deactivates the auxiliary load 110 . In one construction, the user-inputted maximum time is based on a twenty-four hour period. Thus, if for example, a user inputs two hours as the maximum time for the auxiliary load 110 to be activated, the auxiliary load 110 runs for a maximum of two hours every twenty-four hours. [0024] In another construction, the controller 120 uses a user-inputted maximum pump speed of the pump system 115 that the auxiliary load 110 can be active at. Once the pump speed of the pump system 115 is above the user-inputted maximum pump speed, the controller 120 automatically deactivates the auxiliary load 110 . [0025] In another construction, the controller 120 uses a user-inputted minimum time that the auxiliary load 110 is to be activated. For example, the controller 120 controls the pump system 115 to operate at the minimum pump speed that the auxiliary load 110 can be active at and activates the auxiliary load 110 for at least the user-inputted minimum time. This ensures that no matter how the normal pump schedule is set the auxiliary load 110 will at least be active for the user-inputted minimum time. [0026] In another construction, the auxiliary load 110 is a load that does not receive fluid originating from the vessel 105 , but is still controlled by the controller 120 . For example, the auxiliary load 110 is a set of lights which are controlled by the controller 110 to be activated for a user-inputted minimum or maximum amount of time. [0027] The controller 120 further includes a user interface 200 , as illustrated in FIG. 2 . The user interface 200 includes a display screen 205 , push buttons 210 , and a control knob 215 . The display screen 205 , push buttons 210 , and control knob 215 allow the user to input the minimum pump speed, the maximum pump speed, the maximum time, and the minimum time. The user interface 200 can further include an audio output. [0028] As shown in FIG. 3 , the controller 120 further includes a microcontroller 300 having a processor 305 and memory 310 . The processor 305 of the controller 120 receives an input from the user interface 200 . The processor 305 then executes a software program, stored in the memory 310 , for analyzing the received signal, and generates one or more control signals that control the activation of the auxiliary load 110 and the motor 116 of the pump system 115 . In one construction, the controller 120 includes a relay switch to activate or deactivate the auxiliary load 110 and an internal clock to measure time. [0029] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of one construction of the motor 116 , the controller 120 , and the user interface 200 of the controller 120 . [0030] In one operation and as shown in FIG. 5 , the user first inputs a normal pump speed schedule 400 using the user interface 200 of the controller 120 . In one construction, where the motor 116 of the pump system 115 is a variable-speed motor, the normal pump speed schedule is a schedule of the pump system 115 operating at different pump speeds. In another construction, where the motor 116 of the pump system 115 is a single-speed motor, the normal pump speed schedule is a schedule of when the pump system 115 is activated or deactivated. In some constructions, the normal pump speed schedule is based on a twenty-four hour period. [0031] The user then inputs a minimum pump speed at act 405 using the user interface 200 of the controller 120 . The user then inputs a maximum time that the auxiliary load 110 is to be activated at act 410 using the user interface 200 of the controller 120 . [0032] At act 415 , the controller 120 starts the normal pump speed schedule that was inputted by the user at act 400 . While running the normal pump speed schedule, the controller 120 continually checks if the user-inputted minimum pump speed for the auxiliary load 110 and the user-inputted maximum time the auxiliary load 110 is to be activated has been met. When referring to the controller 120 performing an operation, the processor executes one or more instructions of the software to perform the operation. This may result in the process controlling one or more aspects of the controller 120 or the system either directly or indirectly. [0033] At act 420 , the controller 120 determines the pump speed of the pump system 115 . For example, at act 425 , the controller 120 determines if the calculated pump speed of the pump system 115 is less than or greater than the user-inputted minimum pump speed. If the calculated pump speed of the pump system 115 is greater than the user-inputted minimum pump speed then the operation proceeds to act 430 where the auxiliary load 110 is activated. If the calculated pump speed of the pump system 115 is less than the user-inputted minimum pump speed then the operation proceeds to act 435 where the auxiliary load 110 is deactivated if it is not already. [0034] If the auxiliary load 110 is activated at act 430 then the operation proceeds to act 440 where the controller 120 determines the time that the auxiliary load 110 has been active. At act 445 , the controller 120 determines if the determined time is less than or greater than the user-inputted maximum time the auxiliary load 110 is to be active. If the determined time is less than the user-inputted maximum time, then the operation proceeds to act 450 . If the calculated time is greater than the user-inputted maximum time, then the operation proceeds to act 455 . At act 455 the auxiliary load is deactivated. [0035] At act 450 the controller 120 determines the total time the pool system 100 has been operating. The operation then proceeds to act 460 . At act 460 , the controller 120 determines if the total time period that the pump system 115 operates has been met. In one construction, the total time period is twenty-four hours. If the total time period of the pump system 115 has been met, the operation then proceeds back to act 415 , which restarts the normal pump schedule again. If the total time period of the pump system 115 has not been met then the operation proceeds back to act 420 , where the controller 120 once again checks if the minimum pump speed has been met and if the maximum time has been met, activating or deactivating the auxiliary load 110 as necessary. [0036] Thus, the invention provides, among other things, a new and useful pool system for controlling an auxiliary load. Various features and advantages of the invention are set forth in the following claims.
A method of controlling a liquid movement system, such as a pool system. The method includes receiving a maximum time that an auxiliary load is to operate, receiving a minimum pump speed of a pump system that pumps a liquid through the auxiliary load, monitoring the time that an auxiliary load has been in operation, monitoring the pump speed of a pump system that pumps a liquid through the auxiliary load, and deactivating the auxiliary load if the maximum time or minimum pump speed has been met. Also disclosed are a pool system and a controller for controlling the pool system.
5
[0001] The present invention relates to a catalyst for olefin polymerization, and a process for the olefin polymerization using the same. BACKGROUND ART [0002] It is well known to use a solid catalyst component comprising a magnesium halide, and supported thereon, a titanium compound containing at least one Ti-halogen bond and an electron-donating compound for producing olefin polymers. [0003] Particularly, European patent application No. 361,494 reported that the use of certain diether compounds as an electron-donating compound (an internal donor) provides a highly active catalyst even without using another electron-donating compound (an external donor). Furthermore, the addition of an external donor, such as an organic silicon compound, a diether compound, a nitrogen compound or a carboxylate compound, to the above catalyst, allows one to obtain a polymer with very high level of stereo-regularity while maintaining high catalytic activity (EP 728769). [0004] It is also recognized that an alikoxyester compound is effective as the internal donor of olefin polymerization catalysts (EP 383346). Furthermore, it is reported that when the alkoxyester is employed as an external donor for a catalyst using a phthalate or ketoester compound as an internal donor, the catalyst provides a polymer having excellent polymer properties (EP704424). It is however always felt the need of improved catalysts systems with high activity and good hydrogen response during polymerization, and capable to produce an olefin polymer having a very high stereo-regularity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] The present inventors have surprisingly found that by using certain alkoxyesters as external donors coupled with specific diethers as internal donors is possible to obtain catalysts able to satisfying the above-mentioned needs. As a result, the present invention provides an olefin polymerization catalyst which comprises, [0006] (A) A solid catalyst component comprising magnesium, titanium, halogen and an electron-donating compound selected from ether compounds having at least two ether groups and that, under standard conditions, are capable of forming complexes with anhydrous magnesium chloride for less that 60 mmoles per 100 g of chloride and that they do not undergo substitution reactions with TiCl 4 , or they only do so for less than 50% in moles; [0007] (B) An organic aluminum compound; and [0008] (C) An alkoxyester compound represented by the general formula (1): (R 1 O) i (R 2 O) j (R 3 O) k —Z—COOR 4   (1) [0009] in which each of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is, independently, an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an alicyclic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group, a polycyclic hydrocarbon group or a heterocyclic compound group, Z represents an aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon group which may be substituted with an aromatic group or a polycyclic group, and i, j and k each are integers from 0 to 3 with the proviso that the sum of i, j and k is at least 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0010] The preferred titanium compounds used in the catalyst component (A) are those containing at least a Ti-halogen bond. Among them particularly preferred are TiCl 4 and TiCl 3 ; furthermore, also Ti-haloalcoholates of formula Ti(OR) n-y X y can be used, where n is the valence of titanium, y is a number between 1 and n-1 X is halogen and R is a hydrocarbon radical having from 1 to 10 carbon atoms. The said titanium compounds are suitably supported on a magnesium halide. The magnesium halide is preferably MgCl 2 in active form which is widely known from the patent literature as a support for Ziegler-Natta catalysts. Patents U.S. Pat. No. 4,298,718 and U.S. Pat. No. 4,495,338 were the first to describe the use of these compounds in Ziegler-Natta catalysis. It is known from these patents that the magnesium dihalides in active form used as support or co-support in components of catalysts for the polymerization of olefins are characterized by X-ray spectra in which the most intense diffraction line that appears in the spectrum of the non-active halide is diminished in intensity and is replaced by a halo whose maximum intensity is displaced towards lower angles relative to that of the more intense line. [0011] In a particular embodiment of the present invention the ether compounds having at least two ether groups can be selected among the class of the 1,3-diethers of formula (H) [0012] where R I and R II are the same or different and are hydrogen or linear or branched C 1 -C18 hydrocarbon groups which can also form one or more cyclic structures; R III groups, equal or different from each other, are hydrogen or C 1 -C 18 hydrocarbon groups; R IV groups equal or different from each other, have the same meaning of R III except that they cannot be hydrogen; each of R I to R IV groups can contain heteroatoms selected from halogens, N, O, S and Si. Preferably, R IV is a 1-6 carbon atom alkyl radical and more particularly a methyl while the R III radicals are preferably hydrogen. Moreover, when R 1 is methyl, ethyl, propyl, or isopropyl, R II can be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, isopentyl, 2-ethylhexyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, methylcyclohexyl, phenyl or benzyl; when R I is hydrogen, R II can be ethyl, butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, 2-ethylhexyl, cyclohexylethyl, diphenylmethyl, p-chlorophenyl, 1-naphthyl, 1-decahydronaphthyl; R I and R II can also be the same and can be ethyl, propyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, neopentyl, phenyl, benzyl, cyclohexyl, cyclopentyl. [0013] Specific examples of ethers that can be advantageously used include: 2-(2-ethylhexyl)1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-sec-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-phenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-tert-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-cumyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-(2-phenylethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-(2-cyclohexylethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-(diphenylmethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(1-naphthyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(p-fluorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2(1-decahydronaphthyl)1,3dimethoxypropane, 2(p-tert-butylphenyl)-3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dicyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dipropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dibutyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diethyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2-dicyclopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dipropyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2-dibutyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-ethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-propyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-benzyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-phenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-cyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-methylcyclohexyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(2-phenylethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(2-cyclohexylethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-isobutyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-(2-etlhylhexyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(2-ethylhexyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(p-methylphenyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-methyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diphenyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dibenzyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-isopropyl-2-cyclopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-bis(cyclohexylmethyl)-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-diisobutyl-1,3-diethoxypropane, 2,2-dilsobutyl-1,3-dibutoxypropane, 2-isobutyl-2-isopropyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2,2-di-sec-butyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2,2-di-tert-butyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2,2-dineopentyl-1,3-dimetlhoxypropane, 2-iso-propyl-2-isopentyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane, 2-phenyl-2-benzyl-1,3-dimetoxypropane, 2-cyclohexyl-2-cyclohexylmethyl-1,3-dimethoxypropane. [0014] In another particular embodiment the electron donor having at least two ether groups can be selected among the class of cyclopolyenic 1,3-diether in which the carbon atom in position 2 belongs to a cyclic or polycyclic structure made up of 5, 6, or 7 carbon atoms, or of 5-n or 6-n′ carbon atoms, and respectively n nitrogen atoms and n′ heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S and Si, where n is 1 or 2 and n′ is 1, 2 or 3, said structure containing two or three unsaturations (cyclopolyenic structure), and optionally being condensed with other cyclic structures, or substituted with one or more substitutes selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl radicals: cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, alkaryl radicals and halogens, or being condensed with other cyclic structures and substituted with one or more of the above mentioned substitutes selected that can also be bonded to the condensed cyclic structures; one or more of the above mentioned alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or alkaryl radicals and the condensed cyclic structures optionally containing one or more heteroatoms as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both. [0015] The above mentioned substitutes in cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers are selected from the group consisting of linear or branched alkyl groups having 1 to 20 carbon atoms, cycloalkyl groups having 3 to 20 carbon atoms, aryl groups having 6 to 20 carbon atoms, aralkyl groups having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, alkaryl groups having 7 to 20 carbon atoms, Cl and F. [0016] Heteroatoms optionally existing in alkyl, cycloalkyl, aryl, aralkyl and alkaryl groups and/or in condensed ring structure are preferably selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, P, Si and halogen, more preferably selected from Cl and F. [0017] A specific subgroup of cyclopolyenic 1,3-diethers is represented in the general formula (III): [0018] where the R groups, equal or different, are hydrogen, halogens preferably Cl and F; C 1 -C 20 alkyl groups, linear or branched, C 3 -C 20 cycloalkyl, C 6 -C 20 aryl, C 7 -C 20 alkylaryl or C 7 -C 20 aralkyl groups, optionally containing one or more heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, P, Si and halogens, in particular Cl and F, as substitutes for carbon or hydrogen atoms, or both; the groups R I , same or different to each other, are selected from the group consisting of hydrogen, halogens preferably Cl and F, C 1 -C 20 alkyl groups, linear or branched; C 3 -C 20 cycloalkyl, C 6 -C 20 aryl, C 7 -C 20 alkaryl and C 7 -C 20 arallyl groups, the R II groups, same or different to each other, are selected from the group consisting of C 1 -C 20 alkyl groups, linear or branched; C 3 -C 20 cycloalkyl, C 6 -C 20 aryl, C 7 -C 20 alkaryl and C 7 -C 20 aralkyl groups. [0019] Specific examples of cyclopolienic 1,3diethers are: [0020] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-fluorene; [0021] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-tetramethylfluorene; [0022] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,3,4,5,6,7-hexafluorofluorene; [0023] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,3-benzofluorene; [0024] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,3,6,7-dibenzofluorene; [0025] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,7-diisopropylfluorene; [0026] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-1,8-dichlorofluorene [0027] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,7-dicyclopentylfluorene; [0028] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-1,8-difluorofluorene; [0029] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-1,2,3,4-tetrahydrofluorene; [0030] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8-octahydrofluorene; [0031] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-4-tert-butylfluorene; [0032] 1,1-bis (1′-butoxyethyl)-cyclopentadiene; [0033] 1,1-bis (1′-isopropoxy-n-propyl)cyclopentadiene; methoxymethyl-1-(1′-methoxyethyl)-2,3,4,5-tetramethylcyclopentadiene; [0034] 1,1-bis (alfa-methoxybenzyl) indene; [0035] 1,1-bis (phenoxymethyl)-3,6-dicyclohexylindene [0036] 9,9-bis (alfa-methoxybenzyl)fluorene; [0037] 9,9-bis (1′-isopropoxy-n-butyl)-4,5-diphenylfluorene; [0038] 9,9-bis (1′-methoxyethyl)fluorene; [0039] 9-methoxymethyl-9-(1′-methoxyethyl)fluorene; [0040] 9-methoxymethyl-9-[2-(2-methoxypropyl)]-fluorene; [0041] 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,5-cyclohexadiene; [0042] 1,1-bis (methoxymethyl)benzonaphthene; [0043] 7,7-bis (methoxymethyl)-2,5-norbomadinene; [0044] 9,9-bis (methoxymethyl)-1,4-methanedihydronaphthalene. [0045] The preparation of the solid catalyst component (A) of the present invention may be carried out according to various methods. [0046] For example, a magnesium halide, a titanium compound and an ether compound having at least two ether groups disclosed in (A), are milled together under the conditions where activation of the magnesium halide occurs. [0047] The milled product is then treated one or more times with excess TiCl 4 at a temperature between 80 and 135° C. under the optional existence of the said ether compound having at least two ether groups, and then washed repeatedly with a hydrocarbon, e.g. hexane, until all chlorine ions are not detected in the washing medium. [0048] According to another method, an anhydrous magnesium halide is pre-activated according to known methods in the prior art and then reacts with an excess of TiCl 4 which contains said ether compound having at least two ether groups and optionally an aliphatic, cycloaliphatic, aromatic or chlorinated hydrocarbon solvent (for example, hexane, heptane, cyclohexane, toluene, ethylbenzene, chlorobenzene and dichloroethane). [0049] In this case also the operation is performed at a temperature between 80 and 135° C. The reaction with TiCl 4 is repeated with or without the presence of an additional amount of ether compound having at least two ether groups, and the solid is then washed with hexane to eliminate unreacted TiCl 4 . [0050] According to another method, an MgCl 2 ·nROH adduct (particularly in the form of spheroidal particles) in which n is generally a number from 1 to 6, and ROH is an alcohol such as ethanol, butanol or isobutanol for example, reacts with an ether compound having at least two ether groups and with an excess of TiCl 4 containing one of the above mentioned hydrocarbon solvents. [0051] The initial reaction temperature is from 0 to 25° C. and is then raised to a temperature between 80 to 135° C. After the reaction, the solid is treated once more with TiCl 4 , in the presence or absence of the ether compound having at least two ether groups, then separated and washed with a hydrocarbon until chlorine ions are not detected in the solvent. [0052] According to another method, magnesium alcoholate and magnesium chloroalcoholate may be allowed to react under reaction conditions described above with excess TiCl 4 containing the ether compound having at least two ether groups. [0053] According to another method, a complex of a magnesium halide and a titanium alcoholate (as a representative example, MgCl 2 ·2Ti(OC 4 H 9 ) 4 complex) are allowed to react in a hydrocarbon solution, with an excess of TiCl 4 containing the ether compound having at least two ether groups in a hydrocarbon solution. The solid product is separated and further reacted with an excess of TiCl 4 in the presence or absence of additional ether compound having at least two ether groups and then separated and washed with hexane. [0054] The reaction with TiCl 4 is carried out at a temperature between 80° C. and 130° C. [0055] According to a similar method, the complex of MgCl 2 and titanium alcoholate is caused to react with polyhydrosiloxane in a hydrocarbon solution; then the separated solid product undergoes reaction at 50° C. with silicon tetrachloride. Then, the solid obtained is caused to react with an excess of TiCl 4 at a temperature ranging from 80 to 130° C. in the presence or absence of an ether compound having at least two ether groups. [0056] Without relation to a specific catalyst preparation method mentioned above, it is preferable to separate the solid material obtained after the last reaction with TiCl 4 in the presence of an ether compound having at least two ether groups, then to cause said solid material to react with excess TiCl 4 at a temperature between 80 to 135° C., and further to be washed by a hydrocarbon solvent. Finally, it is possible to cause excess TiCl 4 containing the ether compound having at least two ether groups to react with porous resins such as partially cross-linked styrene-divinylbenzene in spherical particle form, or porous inorganic oxides such as silica and alumina, impregnated with a solution of magnesium compound or complex soluble in organic solvents. [0057] The porous resins which can be used are described in the published European patent application No. 344,755. The reaction with TiCl 4 is carried out at a temperature between 80 to 100° C. After separating the excess TiCl 4 , the reaction is repeated and the solid obtained is then washed with a hydrocarbon. [0058] The molar ratio of the magnesium halide/the ether compound having at least two ether groups used in the reactions indicated above generally may range from 4:1 to 12:1. [0059] The ether compound having at least two ether groups is fixed on the magnesium halide in a quantity generally ranging from 1 to 20 molar weight %. [0060] While Mg/Ti ratio of the solid catalyst component (A) is generally in the range of 30:1 to 4:1, such ratio may be different for the component supported on a resin or an inorganic oxide, and generally in the range of 20:1 to 2:1. [0061] In the present invention, the amount of the solid catalyst component in the polymerization system is normally in the range of 0.005 to 0.5 mmol/L, and preferably in the range of 0.01 to 0.5 mmol/L converted to Ti atom. [0062] The aluminum alkyl cocatalyst (B) can be chosen among those of formula (IV): AlR 5 R 6 R7   (IV) [0063] in which R 5 , R 6 and R 7 may be the same or different and each represents a hydrocarbon group having 12 or less carbon atoms, a halogen atom or a hydrogen atom, provided that at least one of R 5, R 6 and R 7 is a hydrocarbon group. [0064] Representative examples of the organic aluminum compounds represented by formula (5) include a trialkyl aluminum such as triethyl aluminum, tripropyl aluminum, tributyl aluminum, triisobutyl aluminum, trihexyl aluminum and trioctyl aluminum; an alkyl aluminum hydride such as diethyl aluminum hydride and dilsobutyl aluminum hydride; and an alkyl aluminum halide such as diethyl aluminum chloride, diethyl aluminum bromide and the like. [0065] Preferred among these organic aluminum compounds are a trialkyl aluminums which provides excellent result. [0066] In the polymerization of olefins, the amount of the organic aluminum compound to be used in the polymerization system is generally not less than 10 −4 mmol/L, preferably not less than 10 −2 mmol/L. The molar proportion of the organic aluminum compound to titanium atom in the solid catalyst component is generally not less than 0.5, preferably not less than 2, particularly not less than 10. If the amount of the organic aluminum compound to be used is too small, the polymerization activity may be drastically reduced. Preferably, the amount of the organic aluminum compound to be used in the polymerization system is not less than 20 mmol/L and the molar proportion of the organic aluminum compound to titanium atoms is not less than 1,000. The alkoxyester compounds (C) used in the present invention is represented by the above-mentioned general formula (1) (R 1 O) i (R 2 O) j (R 3 O) k —Z—COOR 4   (I) [0067] where R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 , same or different to each other, represent one or more of alilphatic hydrocarbon groups, alicyclic hydrocarbon group, aromatic hydrocarbon groups, polycyclic hydrocarbon groups, and heterocyclic compound groups. When they are aliphatic or alicyclic hydrocarbon groups, the former having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or the latter having 4 to 12 carbon atoms are preferable. [0068] Exemplary compounds are methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, i-propyl, n-butyl, i-butyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, hexyl, 3-methylpentyl, tert-pentyl, heptyl, 5-hexyl, octyl, nonyl, decyl, 2,3,5-trimethylhexyl, undecyl, dodecyl, vinyl, allyl, 2-hexenyl, 2,4-hexadienyl, isopropenyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, tetramethylcyclohexyl, cyclohexenyl, and nobornyl groups. Hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with halogen atoms. [0069] If any of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is an aromatic or polycyclic hydrocarbon group, the former having 6 to 18 carbon atoms or the latter having 4 to 12 carbon atoms is preferable. [0070] Specific examples are phenyl, tolyl, ethylphenyl, xylyl, cumyl, trimethylphenyl, tetramethylphenyl, naphthyl, methylnaphtliyl, and anthranyl groups. Hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with halogen atoms. [0071] If any of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is a heterocyclic compound group, that having 6 to 18 carbon atoms is preferable. Specific examples are furyl, tetrahydrofuryl, thienyl, pyrrolyl, imidazolyl, indolyl, pyridyl, and piperidyl groups. Hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with halogen atoms. [0072] If any of R 1 , R 2 , R 3 and R 4 is a group of an aromatic hydrocarbon, polycyclic hydrocarbon, or heterocyclic compound, connected to an aliphatic hydrocarbon, a group of an aromatic hydrocarbon or polycyclic hydrocarbon having 6 to 18 carbon atoms or a group of a heterocyclic compound having 4 to 18 carbon atoms, connected to an aliphatic hydrocarbon having 1 to 12 carbon atoms, is preferable. Specific examples are benzyl, diphenylmethyl, indenyl, and furfuryl groups. Hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with halogen atoms. [0073] Z is preferably an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms, in which a hydrogen atom may be substituted with an aromatic group having 6 to 18 carbon atoms or a polycyclic hydrocarbon group having 4 to 20 carbon atoms. As specific examples, there can be mentioned methylene, ethylene, ethylidene, trimethylene, tetramethylene, pentamethylene, hexamethylene, ethenylene, vinylidene and propenylene groups. As examples of the substituted hydrocarbon groups, there can be mentioned methylmethylene, n-butylmethylene, ethylethylene, isopropylethylene, tert-butylethylene, sec-butylethylene, tert-amylethylene, adamantylethylene, bicyclo[2,2,1]heptylethylene, phenylethylene, tolylethylene, xylylethylene, diphenyltrimethylene, 1,2-cyclopentylene, 1,3-cyclopentylene, 3-cyclohexe-1, 2-ylene, dimethylethylene, and inde-1,2-ylene groups. Hydrogen atoms of these groups may be substituted with halogen atoms. [0074] As specific examples of the alkoxyester compound of formula (1), there can be mentioned methyl methoxyacetate, ethyl methoxyacetate, butyl methoxyacetate, phenyl methoxyacetate, methyl ethoxyacetate, ethyl ethoxyacetate, butyl ethoxyacetate, phenyl ethoxyacetate, ethyl n-propoxyacetate, ethyl iso-propoxyacetate, methyl n-butoxy acetate, methyl iso-butoxyacetate, ethyl n-hexyloxyacetate, octyl sec-hexyloxyacetate, methyl 2-methylcyclohexyloxyacetate, methyl 3-methoxypropionate, n-octyl 3-ethoxypropionate, dodecyl 3-ethoxypropionate, pentamethylphenyl 3-ethoxypropionate, n-octyl 3-ethoxypropionate, dodecyl 3-ethoxypropionate, ethyl 3-(i-propoxy)propionate, butyl 3-(i-propoxy)propionate, allyl 3-(n-propoxy)propionate, cyclohexyl 3-(n-butoxy)propionate, ethyl 3-neopentyloxypropionate, butyl 3-(n-octyloxy)propionate, methyl 3-(2,6-dimethylhexyloxy)propionate, octyl 3-(3,3-dimethyldecyloxy)propionate, ethyl 4-ethoxybutylrate, cyclohexyl 4-ethoxybutyrate, octyl 5-(n-propoxy)valerate, ethyl 12-ethoxylaurate, ethyl 3-(1-indenoxy)propiouate, methyl 3-methoxyacrylate, methyl 2-methoxyacrylate, methyl 2-ethoxyacrylate, ethyl 3-phenoxyacrylate, ethyl 2-methoxypropionate, n-butyl 2-(i-propoxy)butyrate, methyl 2-ethoxyisobutyrate, phenyl 2-cyclohexyloxyisovalerate, butyl 2-ethoxy-2-phenylacetate, allyl 3-neopentyloxybutyrate, methyl 3-ethoxy-3(o-methylphenyl)propionate, Among them, an alkoxyester compound represented by the following general formula (V) is preferable. [0075] In the above formula each of R 14 and R 16 independently represents an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms; each of R 13 and R 15 independently represents a hydrogen atom or an aliphatic hydrocarbon group having 1 to 20 carbon atoms. [0076] Y represents a divalent linear hydrocarbon group having 1 to 4 carbon atoms, which is substituted with an aliphatic hydrocarbon group, an aromatic hydrocarbon group or a polycylic hydrocarbon group, or an alicyclic hydrocarbon group having 6 to 12 carbon atoms. [0077] The most preferred is an alkoxy ester having a bulky substituting group with at least 3 carbon atoms at the second or third position counted from the carboxyl group, and Y represents a linear hydrocarbon group. [0078] Furthermore, an alkoxyester compound having a 4- to 8-membered cycloalkane at the second or third position counted from the carboxyl group is also preferable. [0079] Specific examples of such compounds are, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-phenypropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-tolylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-mesitylpropionate, ethyl 3-butoxy-2-(methoxyphenyl) propionate, methyl 3-iso-propoxy-3-phenylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-3-phenylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-3-tert-butylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-3-adamantylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-tert-butylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-tert-amylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-adamnantylpropionate, ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-bicyclo[2,2,1]heptylpropionate, ethyl 2-ethoxycyclohexanecarboxylate, methyl 2-(ethoxymethyl)cyclohexanecarboxylate, methyl 3-ethoxynorbomane-2-carboxylate, ethyl 2,2-diisobutyl-3-methoxy-propionate, methyl 2-iso-propyl-2-iso-pentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, ethyl 2-iso-propyl-2-iso-pentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, methyl 2-iso-propyl-2-cyclopentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, ethyl 2-iso-propyl-2-cyclopentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, methyl 2-cyclopentyl-2-iso-pentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, ethyl 2-cyclopentyl-2-iso-pentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, methyl 2,2-dicyclopentyl-3-methoxy-propionate, and ethyl 2,2-dicyclopentyl-3-methoxy-propionate. The olefin polymerization process of the present invention is a process for polymerizing or co-polymerizing olefins of formula CH 2 ═CHR, in which R is hydrogen or a hydrocarbyl radical with 1-12 carbon atoms, using the catalysts of the invention. Representative examples of such an olefin include ethylene, propylene, buten-1, 4-methylpentene-1, hexene-1, and octene-1. The process of the present invention is advantageously used for the stereo-specific polymerization of olefins having three or more carbon atoms and most favorably used for the propylene polymerization. [0080] In the polymerization process, the solid catalyst component of the present invention, the organic aluminum compound, and the alkoxyester compound may be separately introduced into the polymerization vessel. Alternatively, two or all of these components may be previously mixed. Typically, an inert solvent hereinafter described, the organic aluminum compound and the alkoxyester compound described above may be mixed in a dropping funnel the air in which has been replaced by nitrogen. After the lapse of a predetermined period of time (over about 1 minute), this mixture is preferably brought into contact with the solid catalyst component so that it undergoes further reaction for a predetermined period of time (over about 1 minute), and then introduced into the polymerization reaction vessel. Examples of the inert solvent employable herein include aliphatic hydrocarbons such as pentane, hexane, heptane, n-octane, isooctane, cyclohexane and methyl cyclohexane, alkylaromatic hydrocarbon such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, ethyltoluene, n-propylbenzene, diethylbenzene, monoalkyl naphthalene and diallcyl naphthalene, halogenated or hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbon such as chlorobenzene, chloronaphthalene, orthodichlorobenzene, tetrahydronaphthalene and decahydronaphthalene, high molecular weight liquid paraffin, and mixture thereof. [0081] The polymerization of olefins according to the present invention can be carried out under an atmospheric or higher pressure. In gas phase polymerization, while the monomer pressure shall not be lower than the vapor pressure at the olefin polymerization temperature, in general the monomer pressure is in the range of atmospheric pressure to 100 kg/cm 2 , preferably in the range of about 2 to 50 kg/cm 2 . [0082] In another specific embodiment the polymerization may be carried out in liquid phase using an inert solvent (solution polymerizafion) or a diluent (slurry or bulk process). Dilution solvents preferable for a slurry polymerization comprise alkanes and cycloalkanes such as pentane, hexane, heptane, normal octane, cyclohexane and methylcyclohexane, alkylaryl hydrocarbons such as toluene, xylene, ethylbenzene, isopropylbenzene, ethyltoluene, normal propylbenzene, diethylbenzene and mono- or di-alkylnaphthalene, halogenated or hydrogenated aromatic hydrocarbons such as chlorobeizene, chloronaphthalene, ortho-dichlorobenzene, tetrahydronaphthalene and decabydronaphthalene, high molecular weight liquid paraffin, their mixtures and other well known dilution solvents. [0083] Further, the polymerization can be carried out by two or more sequential polymerization step with different polymerization conditions for each step. [0084] A molecular weight modifier (generally hydrogen) may be allowed to co-exist in order to obtain a polymer having a melt flow suitable for a practical use. [0085] A stirred bed reactor, fluidized bed reactor and the like may be used for the gas polymerization process useful for the implementation of the present invention. [0086] Although generally unnecessary, the completion, suspension of the polymerization or inactivation of the catalysts may be carried out by contacting the catalysts with water, alcohol or acetone that are well known as catalyst poisons or other appropriate catalyst deactivation agents. The polymerization temperature is generally between minus 10 and plus 180° C., preferably between 20 and 100° C. in view of obtaining excellent catalyst capabilities and high production speed, and the most preferably between 50 to 80° C. It is preferable to conduct pre-polymerization although it is not necessarily required. While olefins used in the pre-polymerization may be the same or different from the olefins employed in the polymerization mentioned above, propylene is preferred. The reaction temperature of the pre-polymerization is in the range of minus 20 to plus 100° C., preferably between minus 20 to plus 60° C. [0087] It is desirable to conduct the pre-polymerization so as to produce 0.1 to 1000 g of polymer per 1 g of the solid catalyst for olefin polymerization, preferably between 0.3 to 100 g, most preferably between 1 to 50 g of polymer per 1 g of the solid catalyst. The pre-polymerization may be effected in a batch or continuous process. [0088] Following are the illustrative examples of the present invention which examples shall not be construed as to limit the scope of the present invention. EXAMPLES [0089] Characterization [0090] Complexing test of the ethers with MgCl 2 [0091] In a 100 ml glass flask with fixed blades mechanical stirrer are introduced under nitrogen atmosphere in order: [0092] 70 ml of anhydrous n-beptane [0093] 12 mmoles of anhydrous MgCl 2 activated as described below [0094] 2 mmoles of ether. [0095] The content is allowed to react at 60° C. for 4 hours (stirring speed at 400 rpm). It is then filtered and washed at ambient temperature with 100 ml of n-heptane after which it is dried with a mechanical pump. [0096] The solid is characterized, after having been treated with 100 ml of ethanol, by way of a gaschromatographic quantitative analysis for the analysis of the quantity of ether fixed. [0097] The magnesium chloride used in the complexing test with the ethers is prepared as follows. [0098] In a 1 liter vibrating mill jar (Vibratom from Siebtechnik) containing 1.8 Kg of steel spheres 16 mm in diameter, are introduced under nitrogen atmosphere, 50 g of anhydrous MgCl 2 and 6.8 ml of 1,2-dichloroethane (DCE). [0099] The content is milled at room temperature for 96 hours, after which the solid recovered is kept under vacuum in the mechanical pump for 16 hours at 50° C. [0100] Characterization of the solid: [0101] Presence of a halo with maximum intensity at 2θ=32.1°. [0102] Surface area (B.E.T)=125 m 2 /g [0103] residual DCE=2.5% by weight. [0104] Test of the Reaction With TiCl 4 [0105] In a 25 ml test-tube with a magnetic stirrer and under nitrogen atmosphere are introduced: 10 ml of anhydrous n-heptane, 5 mmoles of TiCl 4 and 1 mmole of donor. The content is allowed to react at 70° C. for 30 minutes, after which it is cooled to 25° C. and decomposed with 90 ml of ethanol. [0106] The solutions obtained are analyzed by gaschromatography. [0107] The melt flow rate (“MFR”) described in the examples was measured in compliance with the condition L of ASTM D1238. [0108] Determination of Xylene Insolubility [0109] In order to measure the insoluble portion of a polymer in xylene (XI%), the polymer was dissolved in 250 mL of xylene at the temperature of 135° C. under agitation, then after 20 minutes allowed to cool down to 25° C. The precipitated polymer was filtered after 30 minutes, then dried under vacuum at the temperature of 80° C. Example 1 [0110] Preparation of the Microspheroidal MgCl 2 2.1C 2 H 5 OH [0111] Forty-eight (48) g of anhydrous MgCl 2 , 77 g of anhydrous C 2 H 5 OH, and 830 ml of kerosene were fed, in inert gas and at ambient temperature, into a 2 liter autoclave equipped with a turbine agitator and drawing pipe. The content was heated to 120° C. under agitation thus forming the adduct between MgCl 2 and the alcohol that melted and mixed with the dispersing agent. The nitrogen pressure inside the autoclave was maintained at 1.5 Pa. The drawing pipe of the autoclave was heated externally to 120° C. with a heating jacket, which had an inside diameter of 1 mm, and was 3 meters long from one end of the heating jacket to the other. Then the mixture was caused to flow through the pipe at a velocity of 7 m/sec. At the exit of the pipe the dispersed liquid was gathered in a 5 L flask, under agitation, containing 2.5 L of kerosene, and being externally cooled by way of a jacket maintained at an initial temperature of minus 40° C. The final temperature of the dispersed liquid was 0° C. The spherical solid product that constituted the dispersed phase of the emulsion was separated by way of settling and filtration, and then washed with heptane and dried. All these operations were carried out in an inert gas atmosphere. One hundred and thirty (130) g of MgCl 2 3C 2 H 5 OH in the form of spherical solid particles with a minimum diameter less than or equal to 50 microns were obtained. The alcohol was removed from the products thus obtained at temperatures that gradually increased from 50 to 100° C. in nitrogen current until the alcohol content was reduced to 2.1 moles per mole of MgCl 2 . [0112] Preparation of the Solid Catalyst [0113] In a 500 mL cylindrical glass reactor equipped with a filtering barrier at 0° C. were introduced 225 ml of TiCl 4, and, under agitation in a period of 15 minutes, 10.1 g (54 mmols) of microspheroidal MgCl 2 2.1C 2 H 5 OH obtained as above. At the end of the addition, the temperature was brought to 70° C., and 9 mmols of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene was introduced. The temperature was increased to 100° C. and, after 2 hours, the TiCl 4 was removed by filtration. Two hundred (200) ml of TiCl 4 and 9 mmols of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene were added; after 1 hour at 120° C. the content is filtered again and another 200 mL of TiCl 4 were added, continuing the treatment at 120° C. for one more hour; finally, the content was filtered and washed at 60° C. with n-heptane until all chlorine ions disappeared from the filtrate. The catalyst component obtained in this manner contained 3.6 weight % of Ti and 16.1 weight % of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene. [0114] Polymerization [0115] In a 6 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70° C. for 1 hour, were introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 7 mmols of aluminum triethyl, 0.35 mmols of ethyl 2-tert-butyl-3-methoxypropionate and 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 4 mg of the solid catalyst component prepared as described above. The autoclave was closed, 1.7 NL of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene were introduced; the agitator was put in motion and the temperature was increased to 70° C. in a period of 5 minuets. After 2 hours at 70° C., the agitation was interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer was removed, and the content was cooled to ambient temperature. [0116] The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. Example 2 [0117] The polymerization was carried out in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that the amount of hydrogen used was changed to the value indicated in Table 1. [0118] The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. Comparative Example 1 [0119] Polymerization [0120] In a 6 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70° C. for 1 hour, were introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 7 mmols of aluminum triethyl, 0.35 mmols of dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane and 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 4 mg of the solid catalyst component prepared as described in the Example 1. The autoclave was closed, 1.7 NL of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene were introduced; the agitator was put in motion and the temperature was increased 70° C. in a period of 5 minuets. After 2 hours at 70° C., the agitation was interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer was removed, and the content is cooled to ambient temperature. [0121] The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. Comparative Example 2 [0122] The polymerization was carried out in the same manner as described in Comparative Example 1 except that the amount of hydrogen used was changed to the value indicated in Table 1. [0123] The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. Comparative Example 3 [0124] Polymerization [0125] In a 6 liter autoclave, previously purged with gaseous propylene at 70° C. for 1 hour, were introduced at ambient temperature and in propylene current 7 mmols of aluminum triethyl, 0.35 mmols of 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene and 70 ml of anhydrous n-hexane containing 4 mg of the solid catalyst component obtained in Example 1 above. The autoclave was closed, 1.7 NL of hydrogen and 1.2 kg of liquid propylene were introduced; the agitator was put in motion and the temperature was increased to 70° C. in a period of 5 minuets. After 2 hours at 70° C., the agitation was interrupted, the nonpolymerized monomer was removed, and the content was cooled to ambient temperature. The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. Examples 3-4 [0126] The preparation of catalysts, polymerization and evaluation were carried out in the same manner as described in Example 1 except that the polymerization was conducted under polymerization conditions set forth in Table 1. [0127] The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. Examples 5-10 [0128] The compounds reported in the Table 1 were used instead of ethyl 3-ethoxy-2-tert-butylpropionate used in the Example 1 .The results of the polymerization are set forth in Table 1. TABLE 1 solid catalyst ED Al/ED time temp. H 2 yield Activity XI Ex. (mg) external donor(ED) (mmol) (m.r.) (h) (° C.) (molppm) (g) (g/gcat) (wt %) MFR 1 6.0 3-ethoxy-2-tert-butyl- 4.1 10 2 70 2400 508 85,000 99.1 23.2 ethylpropionate 2 6.0 3-ethoxy-2-tert-butyl- 4.1 10 2 70 7000 490 81,000 98.8 179.7 ethylpropionate Comp. 1 6.6 dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane 4.1 10 2 70 2400 505 76,000 99.0 16.8 Comp. 2 9.4 dicyclopentyldimethoxysilane 4.1 10 2 70 7000 528 56,000 98.8 117.6 Comp. 3 12.2 9,9-bis(methoxymethyl)fluorene 4.1 10 2 70 2400 551 45,000 97.5 20.0 3 6.2 3-ethoxy-2-tert-butyl- 8.1 20 2 70 2400 509 82,000 99.3 21.1 ethylpropionate 4 6.6 3-ethoxy-2-tert-butyl- 4.1 10 2 80 2400 576 87,000 98.9 27.2 ethylpropionate 5 7.2 3-ethoxy-ethylpropionate 4.1 10 2 70 2400 560 78,000 98.5 39.1 6 8.0 3-ethoxy-2-iso-propyl- 4.1 10 2 70 2400 582 73,000 98.7 32.6 ethylpropionate 7 6.1 3-ethoxy-2-phenyl- 4.1 10 2 70 2400 516 85,000 98.8 29.9 ethylpropionate 8 6.5 3-methoxy-2-tert-butyl- 4.1 10 2 70 2400 529 82,000 98.8 30.9 ethylpropionate 9 6.4 4-ethoxy-ethylbutyrate 4.1 10 2 70 2400 504 79,000 98.5 42.5 10 6.6 4-ethoxy-ethyl- 4.1 10 2 70 2400 531 81,000 98.7 34.4 cyclohexanecarboxynate
The present invention relates to catalyst components for the polymerization of olefins comprising a titanium compound, having at least a Ti-halogen bond, and at least two electron donor compounds supported on a Mg dihalide, said catalyst component being characterized by the fact that at least one of the electron donor compounds is selected from ethers containing two or more ether groups which are further characterized by the formation of complexes with anhydrous magnesium dichloride in an amount less than 60 mmoles per 100 g of MgCl 2 and by the failure of entering into substitution reactions with TiCl 4 or by reacting in that way for less than 50% by moles, and at least another electron donor compound is selected from esters of mono or polycarboxylic acids. Said catalyst components are able to produce propylene polymers which, for high values of xylene insolubility, show a broad range of isotacticity.
2
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally to supports for vehicles, and is more particularly concerned with a collapsible, wheeled support. 2. Discussion of the Prior Art When a vehicle is being serviced, it is frequently necessary to lift the vehicle so a mechanic can reach parts on the bottom of the vehicle. In some situations, one will use a hydraulic lift to elevate the entire vehicle as needed. However, some shops or individuals may not have access to a hydraulic lift, or the lift may be in use. Also, it may not be good economic use of a hydraulic lift when only one end of a vehicle needs to be lifted. In these various circumstances one generally utilizes a jack to elevate the vehicle, then uses jack stands to hold the vehicle securely in the elevated position. There are several disadvantages accompanying the use of jack stands. First, it will be understood that the jack stands have a relatively small base. Some jack stands are adjustable in height; but, if the height is greatly increased, the jack stand becomes somewhat unstable because of the small base. Also, one jack stand supports one point of a vehicle. If one end of a vehicle is to be supported, at least two jack stands are required; and, if the entire vehicle is to be supported, at least four jack stands are usually required. Each of the jack stands must be individually placed. If any change is to be made when a vehicle is supported by jack stands, each jack stand must be individually relieved of its load, and adjusted as desired. Such a procedure is obviously time consuming. Furthermore, if the vehicle on jack stands is to be relocated--even within the same shop--, the vehicle must be removed from the jack stands, relocated, then replaced on the jack stands. If the wheels of the vehicle have been removed, one of course must replace the wheels before removing the jack stands. There have been some prior art efforts at providing other forms of support for vehicles, and some of these have had wheels to allow easy manipulation of the support. Most of the prior art supports have been designed as special purpose supports, and have been rather complex. The result is that the prior art supports are not practical for general use in servicing vehicles. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a vehicle support comprising a pair of wheeled support members connected by an adjustable center member selectively connectable to each of the support members. Each of the support members has a cradle member for receiving a portion of the vehicle to be supported, and means are provided for adjusting the height of the cradle member with respect to the support member. It is also contemplated that, when an axle or the like is the portion of the vehicle received by the cradles, a safety chain may be passed around the vehicle portion and fixed to the cradle member. It is contemplated that the support members will have casters that allow easy movement of the vehicle support, with or without a vehicle on the support. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from consideration of the following specification when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing one form of vehicle support made in accordance with the present invention; FIG. 2 a top plan view of the device shown in FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a side elevational view showing a modified form of the invention; and, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken generally along the line 4--4 in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Referring now more particularly to the drawings, and to those embodiments of the invention here presented by way of illustration, the device shown in FIG. 1 includes a pair of support members designated at 10 and 11. The support members 10 and 11 are mirror images of each other, so only one will be described in detail. The support member 10 includes a longitudinal beam 12 having casters 14 and 15 at each end thereof. As here shown, the casters 14 and 15 are fixed to plates 16 and 18 which are fixed to the beam 12 by pillows 19 and 20. It will be obvious that other mechanical arrangements may be used, but the pillows 19 and 20 provide the desired height to the longitudinal beam 12. Between the casters 14 and 15 there are stanchions 21 and 22 carrying secondary beam 24, the secondary beam 24 supporting a cradle 25. In more detail, the stanchions 21 and 22 include sleeves 26 fixed to the longitudinal beam 12, the sleeves 26 receiving standards 28. The secondary beam 24 has sockets 29 that receive the upper ends of the standards 28. It will be realized by those skilled in the art that the device shown in the drawings is formed of conventional square tubing. In using conventional tubing, the standards 28 are selected to be slidably received within the sleeves 26 and the sockets 29. To strengthen the connection of the sleeves 26 to the longitudinal beam 12, blocks 30 are fixed to the bottom surface of the beam 12, and to the sleeves 26. The block 30 may of course also be a short length of square tubing. As here shown, the secondary beam 24 is vertically adjustable to vary the height at which a vehicle is supported. The adjustment comprises simply holes 31 through the standards 28 that are alignable with holes 32 in the sleeves 26. Pins 34 can then be inserted to secure the standards 28 with respect to the sleeves 26. Another versatile feature of the present invention is the cradle 25. In FIG. 1, the cradle comprises a base plate 35 having flanges 36 to confine a vehicle part to the base plate 35. The base plate 35 is then fixed to the secondary beam 24 by means of a pin 38 which passes through an appropriate hole in the secondary beam 24. Since a single pin holds the cradle 25, it will be understood that the cradle can rotate about the centerline of the pin 38. Thus, the cradle can be adjusted rotationally to receive various vehicle parts. In some circumstances, it may be desirable to fix a vehicle to the vehicle support. For this purpose, the secondary beam 24 has forwardly and rearwardly extending ears 39 which are on each side of the cradle, each of the ears 39 defining a hole therethrough. A chain 41 can therefore be passed over the axle or other vehicle part resting on the cradle 25, and fixed to the ends of the secondary beam 24 by the ears 39. As here shown, pins 42 will pass through the holes 40 and through the chain 41. Centrally of the longitudinal beam 12, there is a transverse sleeve 45. The transverse sleeve 45 is adapted to receive a transverse connecting member 46, which is slidably received within the transverse sleeve 45. A set screw 48, best shown in FIG. 2 of the drawings, selectively fixes the connecting member 46 to the sleeve 45. The above discussion of the support member is directed to the support member 10. As is stated above, the member 11 is a mirror image of the member 10, so the description does not need to be repeated, and the same parts on the two support members carry the same reference numerals. The transverse connecting member 46, then connects the member 10 to the member 11. Each of the support members 10 and 11 has only two wheels, so neither is stable by itself; however, by connecting together the two members, a very stable, four wheeled vehicle support is provided. Furthermore, the connection is adjustable so the vehicle support can be adjusted to fit a variety of vehicles. It will be realized that the connecting member 46 is slidably received in the sleeve 45, so the position of the support member 10 along the connecting member 46 is variable. The connecting member 46 includes a coupling 49 having a pair of set screws 50. The connecting member 46 is discontinuous within the coupling 49, so the member 46 can be adjusted with respect to the coupling, then fixed in the desired position with the set screws 50. In view of the construction of the vehicle support as described above, it will be understood that the vehicle support can be easily disassembled for storage. The connecting member 46 is easily removed from the sleeves 45; and, the connecting member 46 can be shortened by separating the member 46 from the coupling 49. The standards 28 can be separated from the sleeves 26 and from the sockets 29, so the largest single piece is the longitudinal beam with the casters 14 and 15 attached. The entire vehicle support can therefore be stored in a small space, and conveniently transported if desired. Looking at FIGS. 3 and 4 of the drawings, it can be seen that a lighter version of the vehicle support is shown. The primary difference is that the stanchion 60 includes a single standard 61 receivable within a sleeve 62. The cradle 64 comprises the base plate 65 with flanges 66 and ears 68 defining holes therethrough. Especially in FIG. 4 it can be seen that the block for strengthening the sleeve 62 is the same piece as the transverse sleeve 69. The sleeve 69 receives the connecting member 70 as described previously. The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 is the same as the previously described embodiment, so no separate description is thought to be necessary. In view of the foregoing discussion, it will be understood that the vehicle support of the present invention provides a support that can be disassembled for storage in a small space, and quickly and easily assembled for use. When assembling the device for use, one will consider the vehicle or the like to be supported, and the height of the standard and the length of the connecting member will be selected as appropriate. In use, the vehicle will be lifted by a conventional jack or the like, then the vehicle support of the present invention rolled into place. The vehicle will then be lowered to rest on the vehicle support. The chains or other fastening means can be passed around a portion of the vehicle if desired. Since the vehicle support has casters, it will be recognized that a vehicle on the support can be moved without removing the vehicle from the support. The vehicle can be pushed across the shop floor, and the casters allow full control of the direction of the vehicle. Further, a vehicle may have one end supported on one device, or the vehicle may be entirely supported, at both ends thereof, by two of the devices. Even fully supported, the vehicle can be easily moved by simply pushing the vehicle across the floor. If should also be understood that the transverse connecting member in the present invention is preferably at such a height that a conventional floor jack can pass beneath the connecting member. This feature allows the vehicle to be lifted by a floor jack, and the vehicle support to be put into place. The floor jack can then be pulled from under the vehicle, under the connecting member. Considering the foregoing discussion, those skilled in the art will realize that the device of the present invention may include hydraulic cylinders or the like as vertical and/or as horizontal adjustments of the device. For example a fluid operated cylinder may replace the connection member 46 and the cooperating sleeves. Also, fluid operated cylinders may replace the standards 21, 22 and 60. Thus, any of the adjustable portions of the support device described above may be replaced by fluid operated cylinders, mechanical screws, or other power arrangements. It will of course be understood by those skilled in the art that the particular embodiments of the invention here presented are by way of illustration only, and are meant to be in no way restrictive; therefore, numerous changes and modifications may be made, and the full use of equivalents resorted to, without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as outlined in the appended claims.
A vehicle support has two separate support members that can be connected by a center member of variable length. Each of the support members has casters for easy rolling, and a vertically adjustable beam for varying the height of the support. When two support members are connected by the center member, a stable vehicle support is formed. Cradles on the supports receive the axle or other part of a vehicle, and a chain can be passed over the axle and fixed to the support for fixing the vehicle to the vehicle support.
5
PRIORITY CLAIM [0001] The present invention claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/821,694, filed Aug. 7, 2006, entitled “Lacrosse Head Weight Training Device,” which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to devices for physical training purposes and specifically to training weights for use on a lacrosse head. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] There are many current styles and implementations of training weights for use to improve the strength and performance of athletes. A major drawback of many of the existing weight devices is that they rely on the use of lead, which is a hazardous substance. Lead plates or bars are used in these existing devices due to lead's ability to be hand formed and then maintain the hand formed shape. However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission has issued guidance to manufacturers, importers, distributors, and retailers warning against the use of lead in consumer products. [0004] The majority of training weights are general purpose devices such as ankle weights, weight vests, wrist weights, and weight belts that attach to the athlete's body. Another general category is weighted devices that mimic the shape and size of sports equipment. Two such devices are outlined in United States Patent Applications 20040176194 (Lacrosse training device) and 20050261075 (Sports training and conditioning device). The other general category includes training weights which attach to sports equipment and are targeted at specific sports such as baseball, tennis, golf, hockey, and lacrosse. The majority of these devices are intended to be attached to the handle or shaft of the sports equipment. Examples are outlined in United States Patent Applications 20050277491 (Adjustable weight training belt for a baseball bat), 20040259666 (Weighted training tape), 20020128085 (Swing weight) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,993,325 (Flexible swing weight). The category of the present invention is those devices that attach to the head of the sports equipment. One such device for tennis rackets is outlined in U.S. Pat. No. 3,330,560, issued Jul. 11, 1967. [0005] Two weight training products are currently found marketed in the general merchandise catalogs for lacrosse. The first product is a weighted lacrosse handle marketed by Warrior, the Powermaster Training Handle and is not in the category of the present invention. The second product is the Warrior Weighted Stick Doughnut and is in the category of the present invention. This second product attaches at the bottom of the lacrosse head and around the top of the lacrosse handle, concentrating the entire weight locally. A disadvantage of the second product and other prior art weighted training devices is the use of fabric as the outer casing to hold the weight medium. Fabric is flexible and allows these prior art training weights to wrap around sports equipment and an athlete's body parts. However, fabric has no structural rigidity. This lack of structural rigidity allows undue relative motions of the prior art devices during use. With a fabric casing, both shifting of the weight device relative to the sports equipment and shifting of the weight medium relative to the fabric casing occur. These undesirable relative motions are exaggerated by the back and forth rotational cradling motion required in lacrosse. [0006] A basic stick handling technique that is unique to the sport of lacrosse is cradling. Cradling is essential to keep the ball secure in the lacrosse head pocket while a player is running, dodging, and being checked by other players that are attempting to force the ball to be dropped. Cradling consists of rotating the lacrosse stick back and forth about the axis of the lacrosse handle to keep the ball held in the pocket of the lacrosse head. To avoid checks by other players, the player cradling the ball will also abruptly change the position of the lacrosse stick in reference to his body. To maintain a balanced feel during these lacrosse stick handling motions, a weighted attachment must distribute its weight uniformly around the entire perimeter of the lacrosse head and not allow shifting of its self and its weight medium. [0007] The application of attaching a weighted device to the perimeter of a lacrosse head creates multiple issues that must be addressed with novel approaches. Multiple manufacturers' head designs, multiple pocket styles, and multiple stringing methods combine to demand a novel solution. Therefore the device design must include features that allow the device to conform to multiple shapes and an attachment method that easily adapts to available securing points on any given combination of head, pocket, and stringing method. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to devices for physical training purposes and specifically to training weights for use on a lacrosse head. This weight training device for lacrosse distributes weight uniformly around the entire perimeter of a lacrosse head, is easy to attach to lacrosse heads from multiple manufacturers, is unobtrusive to be used during ball handling, does not require the use of lead plates or bars as a weight medium, and is available in multiple weight models to address the needs of beginners to professionals. [0009] The principal object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head. [0010] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which provides uniform distributed weight around the entire perimeter of the lacrosse head. [0011] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head with a single seamless weight compartment. [0012] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which is hand shapeable by children or adults. [0013] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which is hand shapeable by children or adults and maintains its formed shape during installation and use. [0014] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which does not require lead plates or bars as a weight medium to allow hand shaping and to maintain the formed shape during use. [0015] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which is easy to attach and remove. [0016] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head with an attachment method that can be relocated by the user anywhere along the attachment's length to easily adapt to the available securing points on any given combination of head, pocket, and stringing method. [0017] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which does not move during use. [0018] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head that does not allow the weight medium to shift during use. [0019] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head with a design that is easy to manufacture multiple weight versions with the same dimensions. [0020] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head with a design that is easy to manufacture multiple color versions with the same dimensions. [0021] A further object of this invention is to provide a training weight attachment for a lacrosse head which is unobtrusive and can be used during ball handling. [0022] The preferred embodiment of the present invention has been built and tested. Multiple progressive weight models ranging from four to twenty ounces have been developed to span the training needs from beginners to advanced players. The preferred embodiment has been shown to have the adaptability to fit most lacrosse heads on the market. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the lacrosse weight training device; [0024] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the lacrosse weight training device secured to the head of a lacrosse stick. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0025] Referring to FIG. 1 , the preferred embodiment of the present invention of a lacrosse weight training device 100 includes a tubular outer casing 110 , two end plugs 120 , weight medium 130 , spine 140 , cord 150 , and attachment straps 170 . [0026] The weight medium 130 is comprised of small particles approximately the size and consistency of sand. The use of small particles to fill the interior volume of the outer casing 110 distributes the weight uniformly along the device 100 length. As adjacent particles of the weight medium 130 readily shift in relationship to each other, the use of small particles allows the device 100 to be easily formed by hand to the shape of any lacrosse head. The small particles may be of various density materials such as sand, aluminum blasting grit, or steel shot. Lead shot would work well, however it is not a desirable material for the weight medium 130 due to its hazardous properties. The use of particles of different density for the weight medium 130 simplifies the manufacturing and packaging of multiple weight versions of the device 100 , as the same outer casing 110 length and diameter can be used. The use of small particles instead of large discrete weights also allows the homogenous mixture of particles of different densities to refine the weight of the device 100 . During manufacture, the weight medium 130 is easily poured into the outer casing 110 . [0027] The outer casing 110 has a seamless, uniform, one piece, tubular construction. The outer casing 110 is of a flexible yet durable material. The outer casing 110 has an inner surface 111 , an outer surface 112 , an end 113 , and an opposite end 114 . The outer casing 110 encircles the weight medium 130 and constrains the weight medium 130 against shifting during use of the device 100 . The outer casing 110 must be flexible, to be easily shaped to a lacrosse head, yet rigid enough so as not to collapse on its self. The ability of the outer casing 110 to not collapse on its self allows the weight medium 130 to be easily poured into the outer casing 110 during manufacture of the device 100 , and prevents shifting of the weight medium during use. The outer casing 110 should be readily available in multiple colors to facilitate the manufacture of numerous color varieties of the device 100 . The outer casing 110 is of sufficient length to extend around the entire perimeter of a lacrosse head. In the preferred embodiment, the outer casing 110 is PVC tubing with an outer diameter that allows it to be unobtrusive on the back side of a lacrosse head and a durometer range of approximately seventy to eighty on the Shore A scale. [0028] The two ends 115 and 116 of the device 100 are fitted with plugs 120 that confine the weight medium 130 within the outer casing 110 and restrain the weight medium 130 from shifting during use. The outer diameter of the plugs 120 correspond to the inner diameter of the outer casing 110 . The plugs 120 may be fabricated from materials of various densities to refine the overall weight of the device 100 . Materials such as PVC, DELRIN, nylon, aluminum, and steel can be used for the end plugs 120 . [0029] The ends 115 and 116 of the device 100 are secured together though the outer casing 110 and the end plugs 120 with a cord 150 . In the preferred embodiment, the cord 150 is elastic cord of approximately one eighth inch in diameter with a one hundred percent stretch. [0030] Internal to the outer casing 110 and captured between the end plugs 120 is the spine 140 . The spine 140 has physical properties that allow hand forming of the device 100 , yet the spine 140 maintains the formed shape of the device 100 during use. Retaining the formed shape during use minimizes the attachment points required to secure the device to the lacrosse head and prevents undue motion during use. Also, maintaining the formed shape of a lacrosse head while the device 100 is not attached to a lacrosse head provides the user with the perception of a high quality product. Although captured inside and between the end plugs 120 to prevent puncture of the outer casing 110 , the spine 140 is allowed some limited movement within the end plugs 120 along the length of the device 100 . This limited movement along the length facilitates forming the device 100 to the perimeter of a lacrosse head. In the preferred embodiment, the spine 140 is fabricated of ten gauge solid copper wire. Although included in the preferred embodiment of the device 100 , the spine 140 is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. In a lower perceived quality embodiment, the spine 140 would not be included and thus the device 100 would be less expensive to manufacture. In the “spineless” embodiment, a higher number of attachment points are likely to be required. [0031] Referring now to FIG. 2 , the preferred embodiment of the lacrosse weight attachment device 100 is secured to the head 180 of a lacrosse stick. As shown, the device 100 encircles the entire perimeter of the lacrosse head 180 and has been custom formed by hand to the shape of the lacrosse head 180 . In particular, during installation, a child or adult can shape the weight training device 100 without the use of any tool to the perimeter shape of any manufacturer's lacrosse head 180 . After forming, the device 100 will maintain the shape of the lacrosse head 180 to facilitate the easy attachment of the device 100 to the lacrosse head 180 . To be unobtrusive during use, taking the form of the lacrosse head 180 is essential so the device 100 can be securely fastened to the head 180 yet not interfere with the pocket 190 or stringing 200 . Also, the ability of the device 100 to maintain its shape during use minimizes the attachment points 181 required to secure the device 100 to the lacrosse head 180 and prevents undue motion during use. The two attachment points 181 shown in the scoop area 183 of the lacrosse head 180 are not required in all embodiments of the device 100 . However, in an embodiment of the device 100 without the spine 140 (as depicted on FIG. 1 ) the attachment points 181 in the scoop area 183 would likely be required to prevent undue movement of the device 100 during use. [0032] Still referring to FIG. 2 , the device 100 is attached to the back side of a lacrosse head 180 with multiple self gripping hook and loop straps 170 . The small device profile and attachment to the back side of the lacrosse head 180 allows the use of the device 100 without interfering with normal lacrosse stick handling, catching, throwing, and shooting. The straps 170 are secured to the outer casing 110 , yet may be easily repositioned by hand anywhere along the length of the training device 100 to facilitate fastening to any manufacturer's lacrosse head 180 . The ability to reposition the straps 170 along the outer casing 110 is essential to adapt to the available securing points 181 on any given combination of lacrosse head 180 , pocket 190 , and stringing method 200 . The straps 170 are of sufficient length to wrap around the various cross sectional shapes and sizes of lacrosse heads 180 . The use of self gripping hook and loop straps 170 allow a minimum number of straps to securely fasten the device to a lacrosse head 180 during use, thus enabling quick and easy installation and removal. The width of the straps 170 is sufficient to distribute the securing force during installation so as to not locally deform the outer casing 110 at the straps 170 . In the preferred embodiment, the fastening straps 170 are one half inch wide VELCRO® ONE-WRAP® brand straps. [0033] As shown in FIG. 2 , the cord 150 forms a loop though which the handle 210 of the lacrosse stick is passed during installation. The cord 150 secures the two ends 115 and 116 of the weight device 100 to the lacrosse stick preventing undue motion during installation and use. In the preferred embodiment, the size of the loop along with the elastic nature of the cord 150 provide a custom fit to the cross section of various manufacturers' lacrosse head 180 “throat” area 182 or handle 210 . It is obvious that alternate methods and materials to the preferred embodiment of the cord 150 can be used. As alternates to the use of an elastic cord of the proper loop size, a non-elastic cord could be used with a cord lock such as those commonly used on jackets to cinch the waist, or a non-elastic cord could simply be tied by the user to fit. [0034] Based on the above detailed description and figures, it can be determined that the novel design elements of the device 100 accomplish all of the stated objectives and embody a unique invention for a weight training device for use on a lacrosse head. However, the detailed descriptions and figures of the embodiments are not meant to limit the scope of the invention. It is intended that the scope of the invention includes modifications of the disclosed embodiments, as well as alternative embodiments of the invention that may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. It is the intention, therefore, to be limited only as indicated by the scope of the claims appended hereto.
The present invention relates to devices for physical training purposes and specifically to training weights for use on a lacrosse head. This weight training device for lacrosse distributes weight uniformly around the entire perimeter of a lacrosse head, is easy to attach to lacrosse heads from multiple manufacturers, is unobtrusive to be used during ball handling, and is available in multiple weight models to address the needs of beginners to professionals.
0
TECHNICAL FIELD The present invention relates to a device and a method to obstruct covering of snow or ice on cables, preferably tension cables of suspension bridges. A problem regarding suspension bridges that are built in a cold climate is that snow and ice accumulated on the tension cables fall down on cars and other traffic passing across the bridge underneath the tension cables. The problem arises when a thicker and thicker layer of hard snow and ice has been formed on the tension cables during a long period of time. If there after that will be a change in the weather with air temperatures above 0° C., the cable may be warmed up to such an extent that the layer of snow and ice closest to the cable begins to melt, the entire accumulated snow and ice layer running the risk of sliding off the cable and down on the traffic below. Hard winds may also bring about that accumulated snow and ice layers come loose from the cables and cause damage. PRIOR ART Existing solutions consist of different kinds of heating of the wires in order to prevent ice covers or freezing-on, or devices that periodically stretch or vibrate the wires. There are warning devices that sense the thickness of the layer of ice/snow that covers the cables, and if the thickness becomes too great, the bridge is closed for traffic. There are also solutions in the form of devices intended to move up and down along the cables of a bridge and scrape away possible snow and ice accumulated on the cables, see for example JP5033311—“CABLE SNOW REMOVER”. However, said known constructions are either very expensive or unnecessarily complicated in order to be particularly attractive solutions of the problem with down-falling ice and snow from cables. However, DE 370 776 C discloses a device that is a simple solution of the problem with snow and ice on cables. The device can move along a cable and simultaneously scrape away ice or other covering as well as also coat the cable with oil or grease. The oil or the grease is found in a container connected to the device. A disadvantage of this device is that it permanently has to be under the supervision of an operator, both for the operation of the device as well as for replenishment of oil or grease. Otherwise, there is a risk that the function of the device becomes considerably deteriorated. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Thus, the object of the present invention is to provide a device and a method that solve the above mentioned problems and prevent or at least obstruct covering of snow and ice on cables and that require minimal superintendence by an operator. Said object is attained by means of a device that comprises a compound in a container that obstructs covering of snow or ice as well as comprises means for coating the cable with the compound. In addition, the device comprises sensors arranged to detect how large amount of the compound that is in the container. The sensors detect if the container needs to be replenished, and if so is the case, the device is arranged to automatically move to a replenishing device in order to there replenish more of the compound. The invention also relates to a method to obstruct covering of snow or ice on a cable, preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge. A device is arranged to be moved along the cable and simultaneously apply a compound to the cable that obstructs covering of snow and ice on the same. Upon movement of the device along the cable, it is detected whether the device needs to be replenished or not. If the compound is about to be used up in the device, the device is automatically moved to a replenishing device, and there, more of the compound is transferred from the replenishing device to the device. With the present invention, a simple and relatively inexpensive device is obtained that does not need any inspection by an operator to ensure a necessarily large amount of the compound that obstructs covering of snow or ice. Thereby, it is not risked that the device is run empty along the cable, which would cause increased covering of, e.g., ice and snow on the cable. Additional embodiments of the invention are defined in the appurtenant dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the following, the invention will be described in a non-limiting way and for illustrative purposes, reference being made to accompanying figures, wherein: FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a bridge having tension cables as well as a device according to the invention, FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a tension cable having a device according to the invention as well as a pulling wire, FIG. 3 shows a schematic view of an example of how a device according to the invention is replenished with an anti-freezing compound, FIG. 4 finally shows a detailed view of an example of an internal design of a device according to the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 shows a schematic side view of a bridge having tension cables 1 as well as a device 2 according to the invention. In the figure, only one tension cable 1 is provided with a device 2 according to the invention. The device is intended to move substantially along the entire length of the tension cable 1 . The cables 1 need not necessarily be tension cables of a suspension bridge, but may, for instance, be cables in connection with other types of large buildings such as a stadium. FIG. 2 shows a preferred embodiment according to the invention, in which the device is connected to one or more pulling wires 3 that cause the device to be moved along the tension cable 1 and simultaneously coat the cable with a layer of a compound that prevents the cable from being covered with snow or ice. The pulling wire 3 is coupled to a motor (not shown in FIG. 2 ; see FIG. 4 ) that pulls the wires up and down along the tension cable 1 . Preferably, the wire 3 runs on pull-wheels (not shown) situated in each end of the tension cable 1 or in each end of the zone of the tension cable 1 that the device should be moved along. Preferably, the wire 3 is in the form of a closed wire loop and the motor, which advantageously is an electric motor, drives around the wire by rotating one or both of the pull-wheels. The motor may also be connected to some form of software that can control the motor. The software may be connected to sensors 12 (not shown in FIG. 2 ; see FIG. 4 ) that sense the temperature and weather conditions, the motor being arranged to be in operation or stand still depending on the external conditions, such as weather, wind, temperature and moisture. If it, for instance, is snowing and blowing, the motor is in operation generally continuously in order to guarantee that the cable all the time is provided with a layer of a compound that prevents application of snow and ice on the cable. However, if there are degrees above freezing and calm, there is no reason to let the device run along the cable, but the motor may rest. Even if the device 2 in this embodiment is arranged to entirely surround the cable at a part of the cable, it is conceivable to have designs where the device only partly covers the cable. FIG. 3 shows an example of how a device 2 according to the invention is replenished with an anti-freezing compound 6 . One or more pipes 4 are connected to a tank containing a compound having low freezing point, which, for instance, may be glycol, ethanol, silicone oil, or some salt and/or sugar solution. When the device 2 according to the invention is to be replenished with the compound 6 in question, one or more projecting parts 5 , which are adapted to the internal shape of the pipes 4 , are coupled into the pipes, and then the device automatically is filled with a desired amount of the compound 6 . The compound is preferably liquid having a viscous consistency, but may however also be, for instance, a gel. Advantageously, sensors 13 (not shown in FIG. 3 ; see FIG. 4 ) that sense the amount of the compound that is in the device, and whether it needs to be replenished or not, are arranged in a tank or the like of the device, and therefore the device only needs to dock to the pipes 4 if required. The sensors 13 may, e.g., be arranged to detect if the amount of compound in the device 2 (the container 9 ) is below a given limit value. In such a way, the device can automatically move to the filling place for replenishment when the compound 6 is about to be used up in the device 2 . The filling place is preferably arranged at the upper end of a cable, on the upper part of the bridge pylon, to which the de-icing agent 6 for instance is pumped up by a suitable station pump in order to, in this way, decrease the load on the device. By arranging the filling place at the top of the pylon, where the distance between the cables is smaller, it becomes simpler to provide a common filling place for different devices 2 even if they are acting on different cables. However, the filling places may naturally also be arranged on the lower end of a cable, which facilitates manual replenishment of the tanks of the filling places. In principle, the filling places may be placed anywhere along the cable. If the filling place is arranged on the upper end, the device may, for instance, be replenished with an amount of the de-icing agent 6 that precisely is enough in order to coat the cable 1 with one layer of the agent 6 during the travel of the device down the cable 1 . Upon the return travel, upward the cable 1 , back to the upper part of the cable 1 , the device is emptied of the agent 6 , the work required to pull up the device 2 becoming the smallest possible. FIG. 4 shows a schematic example of how a device according to the invention could be constructed interiorly. Scrapers 7 having resilient properties are arranged to scrape away possible snow and ice that have been formed on the cable 1 . These are preferably arranged at the very front and/or back of the device so that scraped-off snow or ice, without obstacle, can be removed directly from the cable depending on in which direction the device 2 moves along the cable 1 . The amounts of ice and snow that will be loosened from the cable by the scrapers are, provided that the same are operated at reasonably short intervals, so small that they will not be able to cause any damage on the traffic below, which thereby neither needs to be stopped during the scraping-off. Since the scrapers are resilient, the device has certain flexibility and will not stop because of small non-removable irregularities on the cable, but becomes reasonably reliable in operation. According to an alternative embodiment, the scrapers are in the form of rotating brushes of a suitable material. A preferably cylindrical casing 8 surrounds the entire device 2 , one or more pulling wires 3 being connected to the casing 8 and pulled by a motor 11 . Inside the casing, there is a tank 9 or a similar storage space for the compound that should coat the cable 1 . When the device is arranged to be replenished automatically, in the way described above, reference being made to FIG. 3 , the tank 9 is advantageously fairly small so that the weight of the device is minimized and includes sensors 13 . However, if the replenishment would take place manually, it would be necessary with a large tank 9 in order to avoid continual replenishment. If the compound that should coat the cable is not replenished automatically but manually, this means that the tank 9 or the storage space including the compound has to be made considerably larger to avoid unnecessarily much maintenance in the form of replenishment of the coating compound. In order to achieve an even distribution of the compound 6 along the cable 1 , the device 2 comprises internal rolls 10 , which are in direct contact with the cable 1 and rotate as the device moves along the cable. The rolls 10 are preferably manufactured from a soft and flexible material in order to provide an even distribution along the length and circumference of the entire cable. Simultaneously, the material should be resistant to rough weather and influence from the cable. The means 10 to apply the compound to the cable 1 do not have to be rolls and may also be in the form of a sponge-like device, brushes, spray nozzles, etc. If the compound 6 is not a liquid but a gel or a compound having a solid consistency that yet can be coated on the cable 1 , it would be enough that the compound substantially all the time is in contact with the surface to be coated, and may for instance be pressed against the cable by means of a resilient device. The compound could also be a powder or a salt of grain shape. Suitably, said compound is environmental-friendly. The nature and the function of the invention should have been clear from what has been mentioned above and shown in the drawings, and the invention is naturally not limited to the embodiment described above and shown in the accompanying drawings. Modifications are feasible, the pulling wire could, for instance, be supplemented with or replaced by wheels or belts situated in the device and driven by an internal motor, without departing from the protection area of the invention, such as it is defined in the claims. The driving may, for example, be effected by wind- or solar-cell-operated electric motors, and different motion patterns may also be a possibility, for example, that it is rotated around the cable.
The present invention relates to a device arranged to move along a cable ( 1 ), preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge, in order to obstruct covering of snow or ice on the cable. The device ( 2 ) comprises a compound ( 6 ) that obstructs covering of snow or ice as well as means ( 10 ) to coat the cable ( 1 ) with the compound ( 6 ). In addition, the device comprises sensors arranged to detect how large amount of the compound that is in the container. The sensors detect if the container needs to be replenished, and if so is the case, the device is arranged to automatically move to a replenishing device in order to there replenish more of the compound. The present invention also relates to a method to obstruct covering of snow or ice on a cable ( 1 ), preferably a tension cable of a suspension bridge.
4
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Total knee replacement (“TKR”) is a commonly-used procedure for correcting deformities and repairing damage to the knee joint. The procedure used for TKR is generally known in the art and includes many variations. Generally, such a procedure includes exposing the knee joint by forming at least one incision through the soft tissue in the knee area and retracting the wound. The joint is then resected, which includes removing the damaged portions of the joint. This typically includes removing one or both of the femoral condyles and/or the tibial plateau, which is typically accomplished by forming a series of cuts according to any one of various patterns. The cuts are typically made so that the bone can accept an artificial replacement for the resected portions of the joint. As the precise anatomy of the knee on which TKR is preformed varies significantly among patients, it is necessary to provide artificial replacements for the knee components in various shapes and sizes. It is also necessary to form the cuts in the bones of the knee joint to appropriately accept the implant that best suites the anatomy of the individual joint as best suited for the patient. [0002] In order to facilitate the appropriate joint resection and artificial joint selection, various trial implants have been developed are used in “trial reduction” of the resected joint. To assist in trial reductions, a number of differently sized “trial” joint implants (which are also referred to as “provisional” implants) are supplied. After a preliminary estimate of the appropriately sized implant is made, trial implants are inserted into the resected joint, usually on both the femur and on the tibia. The implant is then examined for proper fit, and the joint is tested for proper kinematics. If the fit of the trial is improper, different trials are selected in succession until proper fit is achieved. Selection of differently sized trials may require further joint resection. Once a proper size determination has been made, a permanent joint implant of a size which corresponds to that of the appropriately-sized trial is affixed within the joint. In TKR this typically includes affixing permanent implants into both the femoral and the tibial components of the knee. A similar trial reduction procedure is used to determine proper implant fit in a total hip replacement (THR) procedure. [0003] Trial femoral components must accurately match the geometry of the permanent implant to be used in TKR. Further, femoral trials must be sufficiently rigid to replicate proper joint kinematics. Costs associated with manufacturing such trial components has lead to known trial components being made so as to be reusable throughout multiple procedures. Reuse of trials requires that the trials be sterilized prior to each use, which is typically done using an autoclave procedure. Such a procedure is somewhat rigorous with respect to the items subjected thereto, which further requires robust construction of the trials. In response to these requirements, known trial components have been manufactured from cast cobalt-chromium (CoCr) or stainless steel (“SS”), both of which can withstand multiple autoclave cycles and are sufficiently rigid to provide accurate trial reduction. However, the processing required to impart the necessary geometry onto these materials requires many secondary operations, such as CNC grinding or polishing. The material properties of CoCr and of SS are such that these secondary operations require relatively low feed and tool speed rates to properly create the complex geometries that are part of the trial. Each of these secondary operations is, thus, costly and time consuming, leading to a large overall cost increase of trial components. [0004] In addition to the cost associated with processing the cast materials of typical trials, the density of the material can be quite high, resulting in a relatively heavy component. Each trial component may weigh approximately 1-1.5 pounds, a weight which becomes problematic due to the methods employed during TKR and THR procedures. Currently, validated sterilization methods require each component that may potentially enter the sterile field to be steam-sterilized prior to surgery (typically via an autoclave process) As a result, all surgical tools that may potentially be used during TKR and THR procedures are kitted and held in sterilization trays. The kitting of instruments is based on the surgical steps for which they are required as part of a particular procedure. As a result, all instruments required to complete a step are preferably stored in one tray or case. Multiple trays are then placed into a sterilization case and the case is processed through the sterilization process and brought into the operating room. In the case of femoral trials, because final determination of femoral size is made interoperatively, all such devices for a given TKR system are housed on a single tray and brought into the operating room together. A typical TKR system can have eight differently sized trials for both the left and right femoral components, resulting in sixteen femoral trials being stored in a single sterilization tray. Based on the average trial weight, the fully-loaded tray may twenty pounds or more. When combined with the other trays contained in the sterilization case, total case weight is significant. The same problem applies for THR procedures: as with femoral sizing, proximal stem sizing must be performed interoperatively. Therefore, a fully-loaded THR tray may also weigh upwards of twenty pounds. [0005] It is therefore desired to provide a trial component that has a reduced weight, and which reduces costly process steps, while retaining the desired characteristics for such a component. [0006] As used herein when referring to bones or other parts of the body, the term “proximal” means close to the heart and the term “distal” means more distant from the heart. The term “inferior” means toward the feet and the term “superior” means toward the head. The term “anterior” means toward the front part or the face and the term “posterior” means toward the back of the body. The term “medial” means toward the midline of the body and the term “lateral” means away from the midline of the body. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention relates to a femoral component for use in connection with knee anthroplasty. The implant includes a support having a contoured inner bone engaging surface, and a shell affixed to the support. The shell has an outer surface spaced so as to provide an articulation surface for engaging the tibia that substantially replicates the shape of a femoral condyle, and an inner surface for receiving an outer surface of the support. The support bone engaging surface is structured to mate with a prepared surface of the distal femur and the support spaces the shell outer surface at a predetermined distance from the prepared surface. [0008] The femoral component of the present invention may have a support that is formed from a plastic. Further, the femoral component may have a shell that is made from a metal, such as stainless steel or cobalt chrome, which may be formed using a hydroform process. Preferably, the shell is further shaped so as to provide an outer profile having a rib extending therefrom in a direction substantially away from the articulation surface. Further preferably, the support is made from a polymeric material and wherein the shell further includes a folded portion extending orthogonally away from the rib into a portion of the support. [0009] In an alternative embodiment, the shell is made from carbon fiber, which can include either long or short fibers. Further, the shell may include a layer of polymer overmolded on the carbon fiber. [0010] A further embodiment of the present invention relates to a femoral component for use in connection with a joint replacement for a patient. The femoral component includes a support and a shell affixed to the support. The shell is shaped so as to provide an articulation surface for the joint and the support is structured to mate with a prepared surface of the joint and to space apart the shell at a predetermined distance therefrom. [0011] In a preferred embodiment, the prepared joint is the knee, and the articulation surface is formed so as to replicate the anatomy of an articulation surface of a femoral condyle. In such an embodiment, the support bone engaging surface is structured to mate with a prepared surface of the distal femur. [0012] In an alternative embodiment, the prepared joint is the hip and the articulation surface is formed so as to replicate the anatomy an articulation surface of a femoral head. In such an embodiment, the support surface forms a stem being adapted to mate with the inside surface of a prepared femoral canal. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0013] The present invention will be better understood on reading the following detailed description of nonlimiting embodiments thereof, and on examining the accompanying drawings, in which: [0014] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of the trial implant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0015] FIG. 2 is an assembly view of the trial implant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0016] FIG. 3 is a distal to proximal view of an implant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0017] FIG. 4 is a posterior to anterior view of an implant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0018] FIG. 5 is a proximal to distal view of an implant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0019] FIG. 6 is a lateral view of an implant according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0020] FIG. 7 is an isometric view of the outer surface of an implant according to a further embodiment of the present invention; [0021] FIG. 8 is an isometric view of a bone engaging surface of an implant according to a further embodiment of the present invention; [0022] FIG. 9 is a cross section view taken along line 9 - 9 in FIG. 5 ; [0023] FIG. 10 is a hip implant according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and [0024] FIG. 11 is a cross section view taken along line 11 - 11 in FIG. 10 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0025] In describing the preferred embodiments of the subject matter illustrated and to be described with respect to the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, the invention is not intended to be limited to the specific terms so selected, and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. [0026] Referring to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals represent like elements, there is shown in FIGS. 1-6 , in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, more particularly, a femoral implant 10 used during a TKR procedure. The particular implant shown is preferably used as a trial implant; however it may be used as any type of femoral implant. Generally, the implant of the present invention has two primary surfaces thereof, including an articulating surface 12 , and a bone engaging surface 14 . Preferably, articulating surface 12 is shaped so as to approximately replicate the shape of the distal femur and, in particular, the articulating surfaces of the femoral condyles. It is not necessary that articulating surface 12 match the particular anatomy of the knee of the particular patient. Further, articulating surface is preferably designed to engage an artificial tibial implant (not shown). The desired general shape and design for articulating surfaces of femoral implants is known in the art. [0027] Bone engaging surface 14 is formed to match the surface of the distal femur once the bone has been resected. Resection of the distal femur may vary by application, but is generally performed so as to remove one or both of the femoral condyles. This is generally done by making a series of cuts in the distal femur, the positioning and formation of which is known in the art. The femoral implant bone engaging surface shown in FIGS. 1-6 has a profile that matches one known shape for the resected distal femur; however, other shapes may be now known or later contemplated and corresponding shapes for bone engaging surface 14 would be understood by one having reasonable skill in the art. [0028] The geometry of both articulating surface 12 and bone engaging surface 14 lead to bone engaging surface 14 being spaced proximally of articulating surface 12 and being spaced apart at a distance therebetween. Accordingly, implant 10 has a thickness that is appropriate to provide the preferred spacing between articulating surface 12 and bone engaging surface 14 . Preferably, the general shape of implant 10 is similar to that of implants known in the art. In particular, when implant 10 is to be used as a femoral trial, it is preferred that implant 10 matches the shape of a corresponding permanent implant as closely as possible. [0029] As best shown in FIG. 2 , implant 10 is preferably formed from two separate parts. Support 16 is interposed within shell 18 and forms bone engaging surface 14 therein. The outside surface 20 of support 16 is designed to substantially mate with inside surface 22 of shell 18 . Shell 18 forms articulating surface 12 , and preferably has a thin, substantially uniform thickness such that the shape of inside surface 22 substantially matches that of articulating surface 12 . Accordingly, support 16 provides a majority of the appropriate spacing between articulating surface 12 and bone engaging surface 14 . [0030] Various materials can be used in formation of shell 18 and support 16 . Acceptable materials for shell 18 include various metals, such as CoCr, SS and aluminum alloys, or polymeric material, such as polyetheretherketone (PEEK). If a polymeric material is used to form shell 18 , the polymer may be reinforced with carbon fiber, including long short or micro fibers, as they are known in the art. Preferably, shell is formed from a metal, such as CoCr or SS having a thickness between about 0.015 inches and about 0.065 inches, or aluminum alloy having a thickness between about 0.030 inches and about 0.080 inches. In a preferred embodiment, shell 18 is formed from SS and has a thickness of about 0.040 inches. [0031] Various materials may also be used in the formation of support 16 . Acceptable materials for support 16 , include metal and polymeric material. Metals may include CoCr, aluminum alloys and SS, and polymeric materials may include Ultex®, PEEK, polycarbonate, polysulphone, Xylar®, and Lexan®. In an embodiment of the present invention, support 16 can be made from a fiber-reinforced polymeric material. Such materials may include PEEK reinforced with carbon fibers, which may comprise long, short or micro fibers. Further, support 16 is preferably formed with a series of recesses 24 therein. The inclusion of recesses 24 within support 16 reduces the amount of material used to form support 16 , which may reduce the overall cost of implant 10 and/or the weight thereof. Further, the formation of recesses 24 in support 16 results in the formation of a number of ribs 26 within the structure of support 16 . Ribs may increase the overall strength of support 16 and, thus, of implant 10 , allowing for less-rigid and, possibly, less expensive materials to be used. Still further, the inclusion of recesses 24 allows the material from which support 16 is formed to have a more uniform thickness. This is advantageous when forming support 16 using an injection molding process because uniform material thickness allows the material throughout the entire part to cool (and thus, shrink) uniformly. This helps prevent the part from warping during cooling. [0032] In a preferred embodiment of implant 10 , shell 18 is formed from a metal, preferably CoCr or SS and support 16 is formed from a polymeric material, preferably Xylar®. In such an arrangement, shell 18 is more preferably formed using a hydroform process. Hydroform is a process that is generally known in the art and is useful for imparting complex, three-dimensional (“3D”) shapes into metal. Preferably, shell 18 is formed using a vertical hydraulic hydroforming press. Such a process can be carried out by Aero Trades Manufacturing, located at 65 Jericho Turnpike, Mineola, N.Y. It is preferred that a metal subjected to a hydroform process is thin enough to be accurately formed by the process. It is also preferred that the material be thick enough to retain the shape imparted therein. The ideal thickness for shell in this embodiment will vary by the material and specific geometry used and will be known by those having reasonable skill in the art. The use of a hydroform process to form shell 18 reduces the need for the additional process steps of CNC grinding or polishing, as are needed with a casting process. [0033] Generally, the combination of a shell 18 made from hydroformed metal and a support 16 made from a polymeric material allows for an implant 10 which is appropriately shaped and sufficiently rigid to provide acceptable trial joint reduction, while being lightweight and cost-effective from a manufacturing standpoint. The lightweight design of such an implant 10 allows for easy transportation of a number of such implants 10 when used in a set of trial implants. Further, the cost-effective manufacture of such implants makes it reasonable to use each of such implants in only one surgical procedure. The provision of such disposable trial implants may eliminate the need to design such an implant to withstand multiple autoclave cycles, and to withstand multiple trial reductions, further lowering the manufacturing cost thereof. [0034] Shell 18 may be affixed to support 16 by a variety of methods, including using adhesives. Additionally, fixation elements such as screws, bolts or rivets may be included within implant 10 to secure shell 18 to support 16 . Further, corresponding tabs may be formed in appropriate portions of shell 18 and support 16 to achieve fixation therebetween. [0035] Referring now to FIGS. 7-8 , a further embodiment of the present invention is shown wherein implant 10 is formed from support 16 and shell 18 in a manner similar to that of implant 10 described with reference to FIGS. 1-6 . Implant 10 of the present embodiment includes shell 18 having a generally proximally extending rib or flange 28 extending along at least a portion of the outer periphery of shell 18 and preferably the entire outer periphery. The integral formation of rib 28 within the outer periphery of shell 18 increases the rigidity of shell 16 , and accordingly of implant 10 overall. Rib 28 may be formed in a metal shell 16 by hydroforming. [0036] More preferably, as shown in FIG. 9 , shell 18 further includes folded section 30 extending inwardly from the upper surface of rib 28 . Folded section 30 further increases the rigidity of shell 18 and implant 10 , especially with respect to flexion of implant 10 in the anterior-posterior direction. Additionally, folded section 30 provides for a means of affixation between support 16 and shell 18 . In particular, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, shell 18 is formed from hydroformed metal, preferably CoCr or SS, and support 16 is formed from a polymeric material. In this embodiment, support 16 is formed by insert molding the polymeric material onto shell 18 . In such a process, support 16 is formed by injection-molding of a polymeric material into an appropriately shaped mold into which a pre-formed shell 18 has been inserted. Because the molten polymeric material can easily flow into and around any geometry formed in the shell, including rib 20 and folded portion 30 , direct contact between the polymeric support 16 and the shell 18 may be the primary method of attachment therebetween. Incorporation of rib 28 and folded portion 30 furthers this attachment because the polymer flows into the shell, fully encasing the folded portion 30 . This direct contact between the two materials along the periphery of the shell provides sufficient purchase to fully affix the shell 18 to the support 16 . [0037] Additionally, as shown in FIG. 9 , shell 16 may have post 32 affixed to inside surface 22 thereof. Preferably, post 32 is either T-shaped, as shown, or includes a “stepped” geometry, as it is known in the art. Inclusion of this form of post 32 provides additional contact points between shell 18 and support 16 . Post 32 may be fabricated to provide geometry similar to folded portion 32 discussed above, wherein the contact between post 32 and the hardened polymer comprising support 16 creates additional purchase, further affixing shell 18 to support 16 . Post 32 may be added to inside surface 22 after formation of shell 18 and affixed thereto using welding or a similar process. In this particular embodiment, implant 10 may include a plurality of posts 32 . [0038] In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, an implant 10 generally similar in structure to those discussed with respect to FIGS. 1-9 is made from polymeric reinforced carbon fiber. Carbon fiber is a reinforcing fiber known for its lightweight, high strength and high stiffness. Carbon fiber is produced by a high-temperature stretching process of an organic precursor fiber based on polyacrylonitrile (“PAN”), rayon, or pitch in an inert atmosphere at temperatures above 1,800 degrees, Fahrenheit. Fibers can be transformed by removing more non-carbon atoms via heat treating above 3,000 degrees Fahrenheit. After these fibers are produced, they can be utilized in many different forms. They can be woven into long, dry fabric, pre-impregnated with resin, wound onto spools for use in filament winding, or braided and chopped into small fibers. There are several ways in which to produce components using carbon fiber; however, all of such processes require the use of a mold to impart the necessary geometry into the carbon fiber. The mold used in such a process defines the shape of the component. Accordingly, any component that can be molded can be formed from carbon fiber. For example, femoral trials can be created using carbon fibers. In a preferred embodiment, the femoral trial can be molded using a two-part mold; one mold to define the bone engaging surface 14 and the other to form the articulating surface 12 . [0039] Molding processes used to form a trial from carbon fiber include autoclave molding, compression molding, bladder molding, resin transfer molding (“RTM”) roll wrapping, filament winding, and wet lay-up. Any of these methods can be used to produce knee femoral trials for TKR and hip stem trials for THR. All of these types of molding processes force the carbon and resin to conform to the desired shape using heat and/or pressure. Once the part has cured, it maintains its shape permanently and the composite construction provides sufficient rigidity to allow the implant 10 to perform equivalently to a metal trail during trial reduction. The use of micro carbon fibers reduces manufacturing costs, but also reduces material strength. Preferably, implant 10 of the present embodiment is molded from a polymer reinforced with long fiber, which is then overmolded with a “neat” polymer. [0040] While robust, the composite construction of the implant 10 of the present embodiment of the invention possesses less resistance to the effects of repeated autoclave cycling than cast CoCr or SS trials. Previously known trials have been designed to survive multiple autoclave cycles and retain the rigidity they had before the first use thereof. Implant 10 of the present embodiment need only possess sufficient rigidity for a single use and needs not have the same robustness of reusable trials. Implant 10 of the current embodiment, however, has a weight that is significantly less than reusable trials, and thus alleviates many of the problems associated with the weight thereof. [0041] Implant 10 of the present embodiment can be formed using a two-part structure as shown in FIGS. 1-9 , wherein shell 18 includes articulating surface 12 , and support 16 includes bone engaging surface 14 and appropriately spaces apart articulating surface 12 from bone engaging surface 14 . In such an embodiment, shell 18 is preferably affixed to support 16 using an adhesive or an epoxy compound. Alternatively, implant 10 can be molded in a unitary form, having articulating surface 12 and bone engaging surface 14 formed therein. [0042] Referring now to FIG. 10 , an alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in which implant 110 is in the form of a hip stem trial as is used in a THR procedure. The use of hip stem trials is similar to that of femoral trials. Generally, implant 10 replicates the shape and joint kinematics of a permanent implant and is used in trial reduction of the replacement joint. Implant 110 of the present invention includes a modular articulating surface 112 , which replicates a resected femoral head and is generally in the shape of a portion of a sphere. Further, implant 110 includes a bone engaging stem portion having surface 114 , which is appropriately shaped so as to fit within a resected proximal femoral canal. Support 116 gives shape to bone engaging surface 114 and appropriately spaces apart articulating surface 112 therefrom. Implant 110 can be fabricated using a hydroform process as discussed above by forming two half-shells with the hydroform process and then assembling the half-shells onto a plastic inner structure. Alternatively, implant 110 can be formed using a tube hydroforming process, which can be carried out by Vari-Form, which is located at, 250 Lothian Ave., Strathory, Ontario, CA. [0043] Support 116 can be formed from various materials including metal. In one form of the present embodiment, support 116 is made from a metal tube, which is subjected to pressure to impart the appropriate shape therefor. In an alternative embodiment, support 116 is made from a molded polymeric material, which may be fiber reinforced in a manner similar to other embodiments of the present invention discussed above. The general shape of the femoral head may be provided within support 116 . In such an arrangement, shell 118 may be affixed thereto to provide implant 110 with articulating surface 112 . Shell 118 can be formed from various metals including CoCr and SS or molded polymeric material, which may be fiber reinforced. A metal shell 118 may be formed by hydroforming, as discussed above. Alternatively, articulating surface 112 may be provided on support 116 in a unitary fashion. [0044] Although the various embodiments of the present invention have been discussed as they apply either to the human knee and hip joints, one having reasonable skill in the art upon reading this disclosure would understand that the present invention can be used to form other joints of human or animal bodies. Such joints may include the elbow, wrist, shoulder, etc. [0045] Although the invention herein has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it is to be understood that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles and applications of the present invention. It is therefore to be understood that numerous modifications may be made to the illustrative embodiments and that other arrangements may be devised without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention relates to a femoral component for use in connection with knee anthroplasty. The implant includes a support having a contoured inner bone engaging surface, and a shell affixed to the support. The shell has an outer surface spaced so as to provide an articulation surface for engaging the tibia that substantially replicates the shape of a femoral condyle, and an inner surface for receiving an outer surface of the support. The support bone engaging surface is structured to mate with a prepared surface of the distal femur and the support spaces the shell outer surface at a predetermined distance from the prepared surface.
0
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a ceramic electronic components and their manufacturing method. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a conventional ceramic capacitor. In the ceramic capacitor 30 shown in FIG. 1 , a laminated body 31 is formed by laminating a plurality of ceramic dielectric layers 32 with internal electrodes 33 and 34 are interposed between adjacent dielectric layers 32 in the laminated body 31 . External electrodes 35 and 36 are electrically connected to the respective ends of the internal electrodes 33 and 34 and extend to four side faces of the laminated body 31 . In the ceramic capacitor 30 , the external electrodes 35 and 36 contain a metal component and a glass component. At the time of firing, the metal component of the external electrodes 35 and 36 join the end faces so that the external electrodes 35 and 36 are electrically connected to the laminated body 31 . Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2002-270457 discloses such a connection (refer to Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 05-3131, for example). A manufacturing method of the ceramic capacitor 30 comprises a step of laminating a ceramic green sheet 32 as a dielectric layer and the internal electrodes 33 and 34 alternately to form the unfired laminated body 31 , a step of forming the external electrode conductor films 35 and 36 used as external electrodes on a pair of end faces of the unfired laminated body 31 , and a step of firing the unfired laminated body 31 on the external electrode conductor film 35 and 36 are formed to obtain the ceramic capacitor 30 In the prior art ceramic capacitor 30 , as shown in FIG. 1 , there is a problem that peeling (represented by 37 in FIG. 1 ) of the external electrodes 35 and 36 is likely to occur due to external forces. An object of the present invention is to provide a ceramic electronic component that can effectively resist peeling of external electrodes. Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of manufacturing a ceramic electronic component that can effectively resist peeling of external electrodes. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An electronic component containing internal and external conductive patterns within a laminated body having a plurality of layers. At least one internal electrode is provided to improve peel resistance. The internal electrode is separated from the external electrode by at least one layer of laminate and is bonded to the external electrode through a metal particle located in the separating layer of laminate. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing a prior art component. FIG. 2 is illustrative perspective view of ceramic capacitor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a sectional view of the ceramic capacitor along the line 3 — 3 . FIG. 4 is a sectional view similar to FIG. 3 , showing a ceramic capacitor in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. FIGS. 5 to 9 are sectional views that illustrate a method of manufacturing the ceramic capacitor according to the present invention. FIGS. 10 to 13 are sectional views that illustrate another method of manufacturing a ceramic capacitor according to the present invention. FIG. 14 is a sectional view, similar to FIG. 3 , showing a ceramic electronic component in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a ceramic capacitor in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 3 is a sectional view of that capacitor. In the ceramic capacitor 10 , a laminated body 1 is formed by laminating a plurality of ceramic dielectric layers 2 and internal electrodes 3 and 4 are interposed between adjacent dielectric layers 2 in the laminated body 1 . The internal electrode 3 a terminates at one end face of the laminated body 1 and is connected to external electrode 5 . The internal electrode 4 a terminates at the other end face body 1 , and is connected to external electrode 6 . External electrodes 5 and 6 are formed on respective end faces of the laminated body 1 . The internal electrodes 3 a , 4 a are referred to as “first internal electrodes 3 a , 4 a”. As shown in FIG. 2 , the external electrodes 5 and 6 cover a respective end face of the laminated body 1 and each extends part way around four side faces. The portions perpendicular to the direction of laminating the dielectric layers 2 are referred to as “principal faces”, and the portions wrapped around the sides are referred to as “extended portions 51 and 61 ”. The dielectric layer 2 is formed of a dielectric material containing BaTiO 3 , CaTiO 3 , SrTiO 3 or the like as a main component so as to have a thickness of 0.5 to 4 μm. The laminated body 1 may be formed by laminating from 20 to 2000 layers of the dielectric layer 2 . The first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a are formed of a conductive material containing a metal such as Ni, Cu, Cu—Ni and Ag—Pd as a main component so as to have a thickness of 0.5 to 2.0 μm. The external electrodes 5 and 6 are formed of a conductive material containing a metal such as Ni, Cu, Ag, Au and Sn as a main component. The external electrodes 5 and 6 may be formed by (a) applying a conductive paste and then sintering it or (b) depositing a metal plating film by the electroless plating method. The external electrodes 5 and 6 shown in FIG. 2 were formed by applying a conductive paste and then sintering it and a glass component is added to a conductive material containing a metal such as Ni, Cu, Cu—Ni and Ag as a main component. Advantageously, the ceramic capacitor manufactured by the deposition method above improves the accuracy of thickness and forming position of the external electrodes 5 and 6 and the external electrodes 5 and 6 can be formed in a desirable pattern by the simple treatment of soaking the laminated body 1 in a plating liquid for electroless plating for a predetermined time period to increase productivity of the ceramic capacitor 10 . The ceramic capacitor was treated with Pd activator solution and then plated in electroless Cu solution for 60 to 120 min. According to the present invention one or more of the internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b embedded in the laminated body 1 are dummy or supplemental electrodes (referred to as “second internal electrodes”). In FIG. 3 , two layers of the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are arranged in the vicinity of the upper and lower principal faces of the laminated body 1 . The second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are not directly connected to the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a. The second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b may be formed of the same conductive material as first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a or the different conductive material from the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a . Any number equal to or more than one of layers is acceptable. The first internal electrode 3 a and the second internal electrode 3 b are collectively referred to as a “internal electrode 3 ” and the first internal electrode 4 a and the second internal electrode 4 b are collectively referred to as a “internal electrode 4 ”. In FIG. 3 , the top layers of the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b face a respective extended portions 51 and 61 across one dielectric layer 2 . The second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are connected to the extended portions 51 and 61 of the external electrodes 5 and 6 , respectively, through one or more metal particles “M” which exist in the dielectric layer 2 and are preferably oriented in the laminating direction (direction perpendicular to the plane of dielectric layers 2 ). The metal particles “M” are connected to small metal particles existing in the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b (hereinafter referred to as fine metal particles “m”) and fine metal particles “m” existing in the external electrodes 5 and 6 . The metal particle “M” and the metal particle “m” are preferably composed of Ni, Cu, Cu—Ni, Ag—Pd etc., as in the second internal electrodes 3 b , 4 b . The metal particle “M” may be the same kind of metal as the fine metal particle “m” or a different kind of metal from the fine metal particle “m”. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 , the average particle diameter A of the metal particles “M” is set to be 100 to 200% of a thickness B of the dielectric layer 2 located between the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b and the extended portions 51 and 61 of the external electrodes 5 and 6 . The effect of setting the average particle diameter A within the predetermined range will be described later. The average particle diameter A of the metal particles “M” and fine metal particles “m” can be measured by performing chemical etching of a fractured surface of the fired laminated body 1 and observing it with a metallurgical microscope. Then, diameters of 20 to 30 samples of the metal particles “M” and fine metal particles “m” are measured, and averaged to obtain mean diameters of the metal particles “M” and fine metal particles “m” respectively. With the above-mentioned configuration utilizing dummy or supplemental electrodes (second internal electrodes), the mechanical connection strength between the external electrodes 5 and 6 and the principal faces of the laminated body 1 can be increased, thereby effectively preventing peeling of the external electrodes 5 and 6 from the laminated body 1 . Stated another way this configuration achieves the effect of preventing peeling of the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b from dielectric layer 2 . Since the mechanical connection through the metal particles “M” is made by sintering of the metal particles “M” with the fine metal particles “m” in the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b and sintering of the metal particles “M” with the fine metal particles “m” in the external electrode 5 and 6 , the metal particles take a random form and the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are embedded in the dielectric layer 2 Particles “M” are bonded to the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b , the metal particles “M” themselves are fixed within the laminated body 1 and they are integrated with the external electrodes 5 and 6 . FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a ceramic capacitor in accordance with another configuration of the present invention. The configuration of FIG. 4 is different from that of FIG. 3 in that surface electrodes 3 b 1 and 4 b 1 are formed on the principal faces of the laminated body 1 of the ceramic capacitor. The external electrodes 5 and 6 are connected, through a plurality of metal particles “M” which exist in the dielectric layer 2 , to the surface electrodes 3 b 1 and 4 b 1 formed on the principal faces of the laminated body 1 and exposed portions of the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a on the end faces of the laminated body 1 . Surface electrodes 3 b 1 and 4 b 1 are kinds of dummy or supplemental electrodes. The metal particles “M” may be contained in one or both of the surface electrodes 3 b 1 and 4 b 1 formed on the principal faces of the laminated body 1 or the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b located across one dielectric layer 2 . Hereinafter, a method of manufacturing a ceramic capacitor according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 5–9 . Whether before or after firing, similar members are designated by the same reference numerals. First, suitable organic solvent, glass frit, organic binder, etc. are added or mixed to a powder formed of a dielectric material containing BaTiO 3 , CaTiO 3 , SrTiO 3 or the like as a main component to prepare a ceramic slurry. The ceramic slurry thus obtained is formed so as to become a dielectric layer having a predetermined shape and thickness by the conventionally-known doctor blade method. This dielectric layer is commonly called a ceramic green sheet 2 . Subsequently, the conductive paste obtained by adding or mixing suitable organic solvent, glass frit, organic binder, etc. to the powder formed of a metal such as Ni, Cu, Cu—Ni or Ag—Pd is applied in a predetermined pattern, such as by the conventionally-known screen printing or a like method. In this manner, the internal electrodes 3 and 4 , as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4 , are established. With reference to FIG. 5 , the metal particles “M” with a relatively large particle diameter are mixed in the conductive pastes used as the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b . It is preferable that the metal particles “M” be 5 to 30% by weight of with respect to the total weight of the metal component in the conductive paste. It has been found that mixing less than 5% of metal particles “M” results in too few connections between the external electrodes 5 and 6 and the principal face of the laminated body to sufficiently maintain the desired strength. In a case where the ratio of the metal particles “M” is more than 30%, it was found that the large number of the metal particles “M” had a tendency to deform the laminated body. It is desirable that the average particle diameter A of the metal particles “M” is set to be about 100 to 200% of the thickness B of the ceramic green sheets 2 located between the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b and the extended portions 51 and 61 of the external electrodes 5 and 6 . When the average particle diameter A of the metal particles is set to be about 100% or more of the thickness B of the ceramic green sheet 2 , the metal particles penetrate the ceramic green sheet 2 , thereby certainly connecting the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b to the external electrodes 5 and 6 , respectively. On the other hand, when the average particle diameter A of the metal particles is set to be 200% or less of the thickness B of the ceramic green sheet 2 , at the time of manufacturing, the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b can be formed accurately by screen printing or the like, and when the ceramic green sheet 2 , first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a and second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b forming a large-sized laminated body 11 are pressurized, adhesiveness between the ceramic green sheets 2 is preserved. It is desirable that the average diameter of the metal particles “m” is, for example, 10 to 50% of the thickness B of the ceramic green sheet 2 . Thereby, metal particles “m” are sintered to each other to be a continuous metal layer. When the thickness of the ceramic green sheet 2 is 0.5 to 1 μm, the average particle diameter of the metal particles “M” having a large particle diameter is set to be 0.5 to 2 μm. It is desirable that the average particle diameter of the other fine metal particles “m” falls in the range of 0.1 to 0.3 μm. When the thickness of the ceramic green sheet 2 is 1 to 2 μm, it is desirable that the average particle diameter of the metal particles “M” falls in the range of 1 to 4 μm and the average particle diameter of the other fine metal particles “m” falls in the range of 0.3 to 0.5 μm. When the thickness of the ceramic green sheet 2 is 2 to 3 μm, it is desirable that the average particle diameter of the metal particles “M” falls in the range of 2 to 6 μm and the average particle diameter of the other fine metal particles “m” falls in the range of 0.4 to 0.6 μm. When the thickness of the ceramic green sheet 2 is 3 to 4 μm, it is desirable that the average particle diameter of the metal particles “M” falls in the range of 3 to 8 μm and the average particle diameter of the other fine metal particles “m” falls in the range of 0.5 to 1.0 μm. In this case, a gap between meshes of a plate making screen which forms the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b may be made larger than a gap between meshes of a plate making screen which forms the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a . This has been found to prevent clogging of the plate making screen in forming the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b. The thickness of the formed second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b formed becomes larger by making the gap between meshes of the net of screen plate making larger. However, since the number of laminated layers of the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b is less than the number of laminated layers of the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a , even when the thickness of the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b becomes large, the difference in level due to existence of the electrode patterns 3 and 4 is not problematic. Next, as shown in FIG. 6 , a predetermined number of ceramic green sheets 2 on which the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are formed are laminated. As shown in FIG. 7 , a large-sized laminated body 11 is obtained by pressurizing the laminated ceramic green sheets 2 . Since the metal particles “M” are contained in the second internal electrode 3 b and 4 b , the metal particles “M” break through the ceramic green sheets 2 and connect the vertically adjacent second internal electrodes to each other or become exposed on the surface of the large-sized laminated body 11 . At this time, the vertically adjacent second internal electrodes may be connected to each other by one metal particle “M” or by two or more metal particles “M” linked in the laminate. It is expected that the vertically adjacent second internal electrodes are often connected to each other by one metal particle “M” when the particle diameter of the metal particle “M” is larger by two or more metal particles “M” linked in the laminating direction when the particle diameter of the metal particle “M” is smaller. Preferably, the ceramic green sheet 2 broken through by the metal particles “M” is softer than the ceramic green sheet 2 arranged at the other parts. The softer green sheet can be made by being added by more plasticizer to the slurry. The ceramic green sheet 2 on which the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a are formed and the ceramic green sheet 2 on which the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are formed may be separately laminated and pressurized, and then joined. In this case, by making the pressure exerted on the one ceramic green sheet 2 , on which second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are formed, less than the pressure exerted on the other ceramic green sheet 2 , on which the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a are formed, the metal particles “M” contained in the second internal electrode 3 b and 4 b break through the ceramic green sheet 2 certainly and the fine metal particle “m” contained in the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b do not break through the ceramic green sheet 2 . Subsequently, the large-sized laminated body 11 is cut to a predetermined size to obtain the unfired laminated body 1 . As shown in FIG. 8 , the external electrode material 51 and 61 for electrodes 5 and 6 are formed on a pair of end faces and part way about four side faces of the laminated body 1 . That is, the conductive paste obtained by adding or mixing suitable glass component, organic solvent, organic binder, etc. to the powder formed of a metal such as Ni, Cu, Cu—Ni or Ag is applied on a pair of end faces of the laminated body 1 by the conventionally-known dipping method, screen printing or the like. The metal particles “M” with relatively large particle diameter may be mixed in the conductive paste. Then, the external electrodes 5 and 6 are fired at 700 to 900° C. Finally, as shown in FIG. 9 , by firing the laminated body 1 having the external electrodes 5 and 6 formed on its end faces at 1100 to 1400° C., for example, you obtain the laminated body 1 having the external electrodes 5 and 6 formed on the end faces and the extended portions 51 and 61 on the side faces is obtained. A metal plating layer (not shown) such as Ni plating layer, Sn plating layer or solder plating layer is coated on surfaces of the external electrodes 5 and 6 , when desired. When the first internal electrodes 3 and 4 contain Ni as a main component and the external electrodes 5 and 6 also contain Ni as a main component, the external electrodes 5 and 6 are preferably coated with a Cu plating layer. That is, since Cu coating results in a fine metal plating layer, solder leaching can be prevented. By this method, the ceramic capacitor 10 as shown in FIG. 2 can be obtained with improved mechanical strength that resist peeling. The connections through the metal particles “M” with the metal components in the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b and the metal particles “M” with the metal components “m” in the external electrode 5 and 6 are made by sintering. Since the sintering process is originally contained in the manufacturing line, the existing manufacturing process need not be changed greatly and manufacturing is simplified. Conventionally, in order to prevent peeling of the external electrodes 5 and 6 , it was the practice to increase the amount of glass component contained in the conductive paste as a material for the external electrodes 5 and 6 . This causes the problem that the electric interconnect resistance between the internal electrodes 3 and 4 and the external electrode 5 and 6 becomes high. With the present invention, peeling of the external electrodes 5 and 6 can be prevented even when the lesser amount of glass component is contained in the conductive paste, and the electric interconnect resistance between the internal electrodes 3 and 4 and the external electrode 5 and 6 is kept low. FIGS. 10 to 13 illustrate another method of manufacturing a ceramic component according to the present invention. This manufacturing method is different from the earlier manufacturing method in that the external electrodes 5 and 6 are formed by a plating method. As shown in FIG. 10 , the conductive paste containing the metal particles “M” is applied to the surface of the ceramic green sheet 2 to form the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b. Next, as shown in FIG. 11 , the ceramic green sheet 2 is laminated on the second internal electrode 3 b and 4 b and the metal particles “M” in the second internal electrode 3 b and 4 b are embedded into the ceramic green sheet 2 so as to be partly exposed on the surface of the ceramic green sheet 2 . Next, as shown in FIG. 12 , the ceramic green sheets 2 and the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are fired. Then, metal particles “M” embedded in the laminated body 1 can be certainly exposed from the principal face of the laminated body 1 by polishing the fired laminated body 1 by plane polishing or barrel polishing. Subsequently, the external electrodes 5 and 6 are bonded with the ends of the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a and the exposed portions of the metal particles “M” are formed on a pair of end faces and four side faces of the laminated body 1 formed by firing the ceramic green sheet 2 according to the electroless plating method. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13 , a metal plating film of Cu, Ni, Ag, Au or the like is deposited through deposition techniques by using the ends of the first internal electrodes 3 a and 4 a and the exposed portions of the metal particles “M” on the principal face of the laminated body 1 as the seed points. The external electrodes 5 and 6 each are integrally formed by bonding these deposits to each other. In this manner, with the simple treatment of soaking the laminated body 1 in a plating liquid for electroless plating for a predetermined time period, the external electrodes 5 and 6 can be formed in a desirable pattern, thereby enabling improved accuracy of thickness of the external electrodes 5 and 6 and productivity of the ceramic capacitor 10 . Then, by applying a heat treatment (annealing) to the laminated body 1 on which the metal plating films 5 and 6 are deposited by the electroless plating method, an alloy layer may be formed on the boundary between the metal particles “M” and the metal plating films 5 and 6 , respectively, thereby further increasing bond strength between the metal particles “M” and the metal plating films 5 and 6 . When the metal particles “M” are formed of Ni and the metal plating films 5 and 6 are formed of Cu, it is desirable to perform heat treatment at about 600° C. Furthermore, if desired, a Ni plating film, Sn plating film or the like (not shown) may be formed on the surface of the metal plating film of Cu, Ni, Ag, Au or the like according to the electrolytic plating method. In this case, the heat treatment needs to be applied before forming the Ni plating film, Sn plating film or the like. As described above, according to the present invention, second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b are arranged within the laminated body 1 separately from the principal face of the laminated body across at least one dielectric layer 2 , a plurality of metal particles “M” which are connected to the metal components in the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b by sintering and partly exposed on the side of the external electrode 5 and 6 are embedded in the dielectric layer 2 between the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b and the external electrodes 5 and 6 , and the external electrode 5 and 6 are formed of the metal plating films deposited by using the exposed portions of the metal particles “M” as seed points. Thus, since the external electrodes 5 and 6 are joined to the exposed portions of the metal particles “M” partly embedded in the laminated body 1 on the principal faces of the laminated body 1 by firm metal-metal bonding, bond strength between the external electrodes 5 and 6 and the principal faces of the laminated body 1 is increased. The present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above. Although the ceramic capacitor is used as a ceramic electronic component in the embodiments, the present invention can be applied to all ceramic electronic components such as laminated piezoelectric components, circuit boards and semiconductor parts. For example, as shown in FIG. 14 , the present invention can be also applied to a circuit board 10 ′. In FIG. 14 , the circuit board 10 ′ includes the laminated body 1 formed by laminating a plurality of ceramic dielectric layers 2 and the second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b which intervene between the adjacent dielectric layers 2 . In the circuit board 10 ′, the external electrode 5 is formed on the top surface of the laminated body 1 ′. As shown in FIG. 14 , the external electrode 5 does not need to be on the end face of the laminated body 1 ′. The external electrode 5 is connected to the second internal electrode 4 b and the second internal electrode 3 b is bonded to the second internal electrode 4 b through the metal particle “M” existing in the ceramic layer 2 therebetween. FIG. 14 shows an internal conductive pattern 3 a via conductor 7 and other electronic components 8 . With this configuration, mechanical connection strength between the external electrode 5 and the principal face of the laminated body 1 can be increased, thereby effectively preventing peeling of the external electrode 5 . Further, the same ceramic particles as those in the ceramic dielectric layer 2 may be contained in the second internal electrode 3 b and 4 b . Thus, since the ceramic particles serve as bridging between the dielectric layers 2 which sandwich second internal electrodes 3 b and 4 b , peeling of the second internal electrode 3 b and 4 b from the dielectric layer 2 can be prevented.
Ceramic electronic components having improved peel resistance and a method of manufacturing them are disclosed. The components have laminated bodies that include internal electrodes which join or bond the layer to the external conductor and prevent the external conductor from peeling.
7
TECHNICAL FIELD [0001] This application relates generally to digital video, and more specifically to embedding a changing series of numbers within the frames of a digital video stream to detect various system failure conditions. BACKGROUND [0002] Digital video systems generally communicate a sequence of digital images from a source, such a camera, to a destination, such as a display. The communication can be directly from a camera to a live display or the communication can be time delayed by storing the video and displaying it at a later time. The digital images may be compressed or communicated in their native format. [0003] Various system failures within a digital video system may cause the sequence of images to stop, or to lock-up, resulting in a frame freeze condition. Examples of such failures may be camera lock-up, electronics lock-up, communications fault, storage failure, repeated frames, skipped frames, or partial frames. In some critical applications, it is important for an operator to know quickly that the video system has failed. This may be especially true where a static image on the operator's display may cause the operator to erroneously conclude that scene at the source is simply not changing, when in fact the video system is not operating properly. Some examples of critical applications are security monitoring, medical monitoring, military surveillance, navigation, or manufacturing system tracking. [0004] Attempts to ensure against video system frame freeze have included calculating a checksum, or cyclic redundancy check (CRC) value for each frame at the receiver to determine if it is different than the previous frame. If the calculated value changed from frame to frame, then it could be assumed that the video was not frozen. Calculating such values over the entire two dimensional array of a video frame can be computationally complex and may consume considerable computer time and computer power. Additionally, there may be instances where the image actually did not change, such as a still portion of a video, which may result in the checksum value or CRC value remaining unchanged between frames. Also, two rather different video frames may just happen to have the same checksum value or CRC value which could result in false indications of video system lock-up. [0005] It is with respect to these considerations and others that the disclosure made herein is presented. SUMMARY [0006] Technologies are described herein for detecting faults in a digital video stream such as repeated, skipped, stopped or partial frames. Through the utilization of the technologies and concepts presented herein, frame freeze detection can alert an operator of frame faults in a digital video stream. Embodiments described below provide a counter or other code generator at the camera, or video source, to place a code into each frame of the video. The code can count, or otherwise change, from one frame to the next. Verification at the destination, or display, of the changing code within the frames of the video stream confirms that the video stream is not in a fault condition. If a fault condition is detected by the code verification process, an operator can be made aware of the fault. Extracting and verifying a sequential code can be a much more efficient operation than calculating a checksum or CRC over each frame of a video stream. [0007] According to various embodiments presented herein, a sequential code is generated using a roll-over counter, or a more complex deterministic function or algorithm. The code is embedded into one or more pixels of a video frame with each subsequent frame of the video containing the next value in the code sequence. These codes can be embedded in place of the color codes for one or more pixels of each frame. Using edge or corner pixels may reduce the visual impact of changing the color codes of the pixels where the code is embedded. For example, the upper left-hand corner pixel and lower right-hand corner pixel may be replaced with the sequential code. Other selections of edge, or corner pixels, or even any other pixel may be used to embed the codes. [0008] According to other embodiments, a method to detect a fault in a digital video signal includes acquiring a sequence of video frames, generating a sequence of code values corresponding to the sequence of video frames, and then embedding the sequence of code values into the sequence of video frames. The sequence of video frames with the embedded code values is transmitted to a destination where the sequence of code values is extracted. A second sequence of code values is generated at the destination and then compared with the extracted code values. A fault indication is presented when the comparison does not match and the video frames are displayed when the comparison does match. [0009] The features, functions, and advantages that have been discussed can be achieved independently in various embodiments of the present invention or may be combined in yet other embodiments, further details of which can be seen with reference to the following description and drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] FIG. 1A is a video display system diagram illustrating a frame freeze detection display according to embodiments described herein; [0011] FIG. 1B is a video display close-up illustrating a frame freeze detection display according to embodiments described herein; [0012] FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a frame freeze detection system according to embodiments described herein; [0013] FIG. 3 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a process for incorporating a frame freeze detection code into a digital video stream according to embodiments described herein; and [0014] FIG. 4 is a logical flow diagram illustrating a process for extracting and evaluating frame freeze detection codes from a digital video stream according to embodiments described herein. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0015] The following detailed description is directed to technologies for video frame freeze detection. Through the use of the embodiments presented herein, video frame freeze conditions in digital video systems may be detected and indicated to an operator. [0016] While the subject matter described herein is presented in the general context of program modules that execute in conjunction with a computer system, one having ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other implementations may be performed in combination with other types of program modules. Generally, program modules include routines, programs, components, data structures, and other types of structures that perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types. Moreover, one having ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the subject matter described herein may be practiced with other computer system configurations, including hand-held devices, multiprocessor systems, microprocessor-based or programmable consumer electronics, minicomputers, mainframe computers, and the like. [0017] As mentioned above, it is important to be able to detect a video frame freeze and to differentiate between a system failure and an unchanging scene. Embodiments described below provide a sequential code that is embedded within one or more pixels of each video frame at the video source. These sequential code values are extracted at the destination and compared against the expected code values. If the extracted codes progress as expected than the video system is not in a frame freeze fault condition. These embodiments provide an advantage over conventional checksum frame freeze detection methods due to a dramatic reduction in required computing complexity and computer power. [0018] In the following detailed description, references are made to the accompanying drawings that form a part hereof, and which are shown by way of illustration specific embodiments or examples. Referring now to the drawings, in which like numerals represent like elements through the several figures, aspects of a computing system and methodology for digital video frame freeze detection will be described. [0019] Turning first to FIG. 1A-1B , details will be provided regarding an illustrative video display system for frame freeze detection. In particular, FIG. 1A is a video display system diagram illustrating a frame freeze detection display according to various embodiments. A single frame 105 of a video stream is presented on a video display 100 . A sequence of frames 105 make up the digital video stream. Each frame 105 may be considered a bitmap or an arrangement of digital picture elements, or pixels. For example, each frame 105 may be a grid of colored pixels. The first pixel 110 in the grid of pixels may be in the upper left-hand corner of the frame 105 and thus appears in the upper left-hand corner of the video display 100 . The last pixel 120 in the grid of pixels may be in the lower right-hand corner of the frame 105 and thus appears the lower right-hand corner of the video display 100 . [0020] The first pixel 110 , and optionally the last pixel 120 , may be used when embedding a frame freeze detection code according to the embodiments described herein. The first pixel 110 and the last pixel 120 are notable options for code embedding because they are simple to extract and their location within a frame 105 causes them to be less visually relevant. That is, changes in these corner pixels are less noticeable to the observer then pixels in the center of the frame 105 may be. For similar reasons, other corner, or edge pixels may be selected for code embedding. However, non-edge, or non-corner pixels may be also used for code embedding. In fact, any pixel, or collection of pixels may be used for code embedding without departing from the scope of this disclosure. [0021] FIG. 1B is a video display close-up illustrating a portion of a frame freeze detection display according to various embodiments. A single frame 105 of a video stream is magnified to emphasize the upper left-hand corner of the frame 105 . From this magnified view, some of the individual pixels can be seen. The first pixel 110 in the grid of pixels is in the upper left-hand corner of the frame 105 . As discussed above, the first pixel 110 , or any other pixels, may be used for embedding a frame freeze detection code. [0022] Referring now to FIG. 2 , additional details will be provided regarding the embodiments presented herein for frame freeze detection. In particular, FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram illustrating a frame freeze detection system 200 according to embodiments described herein. The frame freeze detection system 200 includes a camera 210 , image encoding system 212 , image verification system 252 , and a video display 100 . The camera 210 is used to capture source video. The camera 210 may be any kind of conventional camera capable of capturing and transmitting video data that includes sequential video frames 105 . Examples include but are not limited to a digital charge coupled device (CCD) based camera, an infrared camera, a night vision camera, or any other type of image acquiring device. The camera 210 may have switches or other configuration setting mechanisms for configuring or manipulating aspects of the embodiments described herein. For example, the camera 210 may have a switch to turn on (and off) the code embedding mechanism. The camera 210 may have another switch or configuration setting to select the pixel(s) of each frame (such as the upper left-hand pixel) where the code values are to be embedded. [0023] Each frame of the source video is encoded to include embedded sequential code values within one or more pixels by the image encoding system 212 . It should be appreciated that the image encoding system 212 may be a part of the camera 210 , or may be located within a computer system that is directly, or remotely, connected to the camera 210 . The image encoding system 212 may include a source processor 220 , memory 230 , and storage 240 . [0024] The source processor 220 can be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or any other type of digital controller system or digital processor system. According to one embodiment, the memory 230 is used for buffering images and video from the camera 210 , while the storage 240 contains code to be executed by the source processor 220 . The storage 240 includes computer storage media such as a magnetic or optical disk, volatile memory such as random access memory (RAM), non-volatile memory such as a read only memory (ROM), programmable read only memory (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), or FLASH memory, or any other storage media. The memory 230 may be volatile or non-volatile memory and may be included as part of the storage 240 or exist independently from the storage 240 . [0025] The source processor 220 executes coded instructions, and/or hardwired electronic operations to encode pixels from the camera 210 with frame detection codes. The video frames 105 containing the coded pixels can be communicated over a communication link 250 to a display processor 260 . The communication link 250 may be wireless, wired, satellite, or optical. The communication link 250 may additionally be real-time, buffered, or store-and-forward in nature. The communication link 250 can be a single link, or a network of multiple links such as a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), metropolitan area network (MAN), the Internet, intranet, public switched telephone network (PSTN), or any combination thereof. Furthermore, the communication link 250 may use any protocol such as Ethernet, asynchronous transfer mode (ATM), synchronous optical network (SONET), X.25, global system for mobile (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), high-level data link control (HDLC), packet switched, streaming, cellular, mobile ad hoc, or otherwise. [0026] The image verification system 252 receives the encoded video from the image encoding system 212 and utilizes the embedded codes to verify video image continuity and detect frame freeze when it occurs. The image verification system 252 may include a display processor 260 , memory 270 , and storage 280 . The display processor 260 executes coded instructions, and/or hardwired electronic operations to extract and verify frame freeze detection codes from video frames 105 received via the communication link 250 . The display processor 260 can be a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a DSP, an ASIC, an FPGA, or any other type of digital controller system or digital processor system. [0027] According to one embodiment, the memory 270 is used for buffering images and video, while the storage 280 contains code to be executed by the display processor 260 . The storage 280 includes computer storage media such as a magnetic or optical disk, volatile memory such as RAM, non-volatile memory such as a ROM, PROM, EPROM, or FLASH memory, or any other storage medium. The memory 270 can be volatile memory such as RAM or non-volatile memory such as ROM, PROM, EPROM, or FLASH memory, and may be included as part of the storage 280 or exist independently from the storage 280 . It should be appreciated that the image verification system 252 may be part of the video display 100 , or may be located within a local or remote computer system that is associated with the video display 100 . [0028] The display processor 260 extracts and verifies frame freeze detection codes from each video frame 105 . The verification process includes generating a local version of the next expected code and comparing it with the code extracted from the received video frame 105 . When the frame freeze detection code extracted from a frame matches the expected code, then the video stream is not frozen and the frame 105 may be presented on the video display 100 . Otherwise, when the codes do not match, a fault indication may be presented to the operator using the video display 100 , a lamp, LED, siren, buzzer, or other indicator of system fault. [0029] Turning now to FIG. 3 , additional details will be provided regarding the embodiments presented herein for frame freeze detection. In particular, FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing a routine 300 for incorporating a frame freeze detection code into a digital video stream according to embodiments described herein. It should be appreciated that the logical operations described herein are implemented (1) as a sequence of computer implemented acts or program modules running on a computing system and/or (2) as interconnected machine logic circuits or circuit modules within the computing system. The implementation is a matter of choice dependent on the performance and other requirements of the computing system. Accordingly, the logical operations described herein are referred to variously as operations, structural devices, acts, or modules. These operations, structural devices, acts and modules may be implemented in software, in firmware, in special purpose digital logic, and any combination thereof. It should also be appreciated that more or fewer operations may be performed than shown in the figures and described herein. These operations may also be performed in parallel, or in a different order than those described herein. [0030] The routine 300 begins with operation 302 where a frame 105 of a video stream is acquired from the camera 210 by the image encoding system 212 . As described above, the image encoding system 212 may reside within the camera 210 , or in a computer system directly or remotely connected to the camera 210 . From operation 302 , the routine 300 continues to operation 304 , where the image encoding system 212 generates the next frame freeze code value. The frame freeze code generator may be a simple counter, such that the code embedded into one frame 105 is simply one value greater than the code embedded into the previous frame 105 . The code can also be generated by any other deterministic mechanism or algorithm. For example, the code can count by two, or five, or some other value. The code can count forward or backwards. The code may be the output of a linear shift register, or a linear feedback shift register. The code may be a single value or a vector of values. [0031] The routine 300 proceeds to operation 306 , where the image encoding system 212 inserts the next frame freeze code value that was generated in operation 304 into the video frame 105 . The code may be inserted into a single pixel, or multiple pixels of the video frame 105 . The code can spread across a group of neighboring pixels, or across a group of distant pixels. According to various embodiments, the code may entirely replace the value of the pixel. For example, the code may replace the red-green-blue (RGB) color codes of the pixel. Alternatively, the code can be applied as a perturbation to the value of a pixel or a group of pixels. [0032] From operation 306 , the routine 300 continues to operation 308 , where the frame 105 with the encoded pixels from operation 306 is transmitted to the image verification system 252 via the communication link 250 . The complimentary receive functionality of this transmission operation is described in more detail with respect to FIG. 4 . After operation 308 , the routine 300 returns to operation 302 to acquire the next video frame 105 and continues as described above. [0033] Turning now to FIG. 4 , additional details will be provided regarding the embodiments presented herein for frame freeze detection. In particular, FIG. 4 is a flow diagram illustrating a routine 400 for extracting and evaluating a frame freeze detection code from a digital video stream according to embodiments described herein. The routine 400 begins with operation 402 , where a video frame 105 from the image encoding system 212 is received at the image verification system 252 . At operation 404 , the frame freeze code value is extracted from the frame 105 that was received at operation 402 . The frame freeze code value should be extracted from the frame in the same manner as it was encoded into the frame in operation 306 . [0034] The routine 400 continues from operation 404 to operation 406 , where the image verification system 252 generates the next expected frame freeze code value to be compared to the frame freeze code value embedded within the received frame. The code generation technique should mirror that of the code generation performed at operation 304 . At operation 408 , the extracted code from operation 404 and the code generated in operation 406 are compared. From operation 408 , the routine 400 continues to operation 410 , where the image verification system 252 evaluates the outcome of the comparison from operation 408 . If the extracted code matches the expected code, then it is reasonable to conclude that the video stream is not frozen or locked-up. If the extracted code does not match the expected code, then it can be concluded that there is some type of system fault. [0035] If there is a fault concluded at operation 410 , the routine 400 proceeds to operation 412 where a fault condition is generated and presented to the operator and the operation 400 ends. However, if there was no fault concluded at operation 410 , then the routine 400 proceeds to operation 414 , where the frame 105 is displayed on the video display 100 . Optionally, the coded pixels may be removed prior to displaying the frame. For example, according to various embodiments, the coded pixels can be turned to black or replaced with the average value of surrounding pixels, or the average pixel value of the frame. After operation 414 , the routine 400 returns to operation 402 to receive the next frame 105 and continues as described above. [0036] Based on the foregoing, it should be appreciated that technologies for video frame freeze detection are presented herein. Although the subject matter presented herein has been described in language specific to computer structural features, methodological acts, and computer readable media, it is to be understood that the invention defined in the appended claims is not necessarily limited to the specific features, acts, or media described herein. Rather, the specific features, acts and mediums are disclosed as example forms of implementing the claims. [0037] The subject matter described above is provided by way of illustration only and should not be construed as limiting. Various modifications and changes may be made to the subject matter described herein without following the example embodiments and applications illustrated and described, and without departing from the true spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims.
Techniques for detecting faults in a digital video stream include frame freeze detection that can alert an operator of frame freeze in a digital video stream. According to various embodiments, a counter or other code generator is used to place a code into each frame of a video stream. The code counts sequentially, or otherwise changes in a predetermined manner, from one frame to the next and is embedded into one or more pixels of each frame. Verification at the destination, or display, of the changing code within the frames of the video stream can confirm that the video stream is not in a frame freeze fault condition prior to display. If a fault condition is detected by the code verification process, an operator can be made aware of the fault.
7
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to the manufacture of synthetic hydrocarbon products from coal and similar carbonaceous solids and is particularly concerned with overcoming corrosion problems of the pressure reducing systems used in these processes. 2. Description of the Prior Art Processes for the production of synthetic hydrocarbon products by liquefaction or gasification of coal and similar carbonaceous solids normally require direct contacting of the solid feed material with molecular hydrogen at elevated temperatures and pressure, with or without catalysts, to break down complex high molecular weight starting material into lower molecular weight hydrocarbon liquids and gases. There are numerous methods of coal liquefaction which achieve this result through different means. Over 170 such processes for the manufacture of synthetic hydrocarbon products from coal are described in "Oil from Coal" by Francis W. Richardson, Noyes Data Corporation (1975). Among these experimental processes being investigated, three liquefaction processes are in the more advanced stages of evaluation and show commercial promise: (1) the Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) process, (2) the Donor Solvent process and (3) the H-coal process. These processes are currently being scaled up from pilot plant to demonstration or semi-commercial plant size. U.S. Pat. No. 3,640,816 to Bull and Schmid describes the Solvent Refined Coal (SRC) process as a multiple-stage non-catalytic hydrogenation process for producing light liquids from coal in which a slurry of pulverized coal, a solvent therefor and hydrogen are charged under pressure into a first reaction zone where the temperature is elevated and maintained until substantially all of the coal is dissolved. Gases and light liquids produced by partial hydrogenation of the reaction products are separated from the heavy bottoms and the latter are charged to another reaction zone under pressure where the charge along with an added quantity of hydrogen are heated to a higher temperature than present in the first zone so as to hydrocrack the constituents and produce additional quantities of gas and light liquids which are then separated from the heavy bottoms. The gases and light liquids from each stage are selectively segregated in a separation and distillation unit. Two or more reaction zones in series relationship may be employed with the charges being subjected to treatment conditions of successively increasing severity accomplished by successively higher temperatures, pressures or residence times or combinations of these parameters. The heavy bottoms from one or more of the stages may be recycled back to preceding stages if desired. A 50 ton per day SRC unit is currently operational. U.S. Pat. No. 3,488,279 to Schulman describes the Donor Solvent Process in which coal is hydrogenated to produce liquid products in two stages. The first stage is an initial mild conversion by hydrogen donor extraction followed by a second stage of catalytic hydrogenation using a cobalt molybdate catalyst and added molecular hydrogen. By this sequence, conversion of oxygen to carbon dioxide rather than water is maximized, thus more efficiently using the hydrogen to form hydrocarbon products. The liquid products can be hydrocracked with a catalyst similar to that used in catalytic hydrogenation, and preferably the spent hydrocracking catalyst can be employed in the catalytic hydrogenation stage. A 250 ton per day plant using this process is being constructed. U.S. Pat. No. 3,540,995 to Wolk and Johanson describes the H-coal process for converting coal to a light crude distillate by hydrogenation in an ebullated catalyst bed reactor. The process is directed to increasing the conversion of coal into hydrocarbons by recycling of slurry oil and controlling the composition, recycle rate and solids content of recycle liquid to the ebullated bed reactor. The largest U.S. Plant utilizing this process (600 ton per day) produces 72,000 gallons per day of naphtha which can be converted to 72,000 gallons of gasoline. All of the aforementioned processes are plagued with severe corrosion problems due to the corrosive nature of the hot coal liquids and the resultant liquid and gaseous reaction products. This corrosion is aggravated by the high reaction temperatures and pressures employed. Particularly susceptible to this corrosion attack by hot coal liquids and gases are slurry pumps and pressure letdown valves. Extensive research into this problem is being carried out to develop new valve designs and valve materials. The importance in overcoming these problems is highlighted in a recent publication entitled "Inside D.O.E." page 9, McGraw-Hill, Nov. 9, 1979, in which it is noted that valves used in the Donor Solvent process which were made of conventional metals lasted only a few days and even valves made of such exotic material as tungsten carbide have to be replaced every 15 to 30 days. Not only is the replacement of the pressure letdown valves expensive per se but the resulting production down time escalates operating costs. Thus, there is an urgent need to solve problems of corrosion particularly in pressure letdown units before commercial coal liquefaction facilities are built. U.S. Pat. No. 3,211,135 to Grimes et al relates to a pressure breakdown control system for a once-through high pressure steam generator. This system is said to minimize or eliminate rapid erosion, objectionable vibrations and disturbing noise conditions which are inherent in the start-up and shutdown sequences of this type of steam generating equipment. The Grimes et al system employs one or more pressure reducing tubes that define relatively long flow paths. Nothing in Grimes et al that suggests the use of this type of pressure breakdown means would overcome the significant corrosion problem unique in coal liquefaction or coal gasification environments. The steam present in Grimes et al is not highly corrosive as are the coal liquefaction and gasification products of the present invention. Corrosion is primarily a chemical phenomenon while erosion is primarily a physical phenomenon. In many corrosive environments metal surfaces are protected by the in situ formation of complex metal oxide layers or other protective coatings. This very thin coating, in effect, seals off the metal surface from corrosive attack. In corrosive environments which also entail rapidly moving fluid streams, there is often a deleterious effect to metal surfaces from the combination of chemical corrosion and physical erosion. The rapidly moving fluid stream may erode, by abrasion or scraping, the thin protective coating on the metal surface. The fresh surface is then quickly oxidized again to form a new protective coating. If this process is continuously and rapidly repeated, the metal surface will be worn away as a result of alternate formation and removal of the oxide layer. In the present invention, pressure reduction is effected in such a manner that corrosion is significantly reduced. This is accomplished by limiting the local velocity of the corrosive fluid so that the protective oxide layer is not continuously and aggressively damaged. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The FIGURE is a flowsheet of an H-coal liquefaction system incorporating means to substantially reduce corrosion in a pressure reduction zone according to the present invention. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide improved system and process for the liquefaction of coal and similar carbonaceous solids which alleviates the difficulties referred to above and permits the production of liquid and gaseous products more economically than might otherwise be possible. More, specifically it is an object of the present invention to provide a system and process for the liquefaction of coal which does not exhibit the severe corrosion problems normally associated with pressure letdown valves in this type of environment. In accordance with these and other objects, the present invention provides a system for the manufacture of synthetic hydrocarbon products from a solid carbonaceous feed, said system comprising: treatment means for converting said solid carbonaceous feed into at least one fluid hydrocarbon stream at an elevated temperature and pressure; product recovery means for recovering a fluid hydrocarbon product at a pressure lower than that of said fluid stream from said treatment means; conduit means in communication relationship with said treatment means and said product recovery means; and reducing means located in said conduit means for reducing the corrosion in said conduit means as said fluid hydrocarbon stream passes therethrough and for reducing the pressure of said stream, said reducing means comprising at least one elongated tube defining a fluid flow passage having a transverse area that is substantially smaller than that of said conduit means at the point where said conduit means is connected to said reducing means, the reduction in pressure being effected substantially entirely by friction of the fluid within said tube, and valve means for isolating the flow of said fluid in said tube without effecting substantial pressure drop of the fluid. The present invention also contemplates a method for the manufacture of synthetic hydrocarbon products from a solid carbonaceous feed, said method comprising the steps of: introducing a solid carbonaceous feed and a hydrogenation agent into a reaction zone; reacting said carbonaceous feed and said hydrogenation agent at an elevated temperature and pressure in said reaction zone to form at least one high pressure fluid hydrocarbon stream; passing said high pressure fluid hydrocarbon stream through a pressure reducing zone which is not substantially adversely affected by the corrosive nature of said fluid hydrocarbon stream, said pressure reducing zone comprising at least one elongated tube defining a fluid flow passage having a transverse area that is substantially smaller than that of the conduit connecting said reaction zone with said reducing zone, said reduction in pressure being effected substantially entirely by friction of the fluid within said tube, and valve means for isolating the flow of the fluid in said tube without effecting substantial pressure drop in the fluid; and recovering at least one fluid hydrocarbon stream from said reducing zone. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In accordance with this invention the problem of corrosion from hot coal liquids particularly in pressure letdown valves commonly used in pressure reducing units in coal liquefaction systems is substantially reduced. This is accomplished by replacing the conventional pressure reducing valves with an arrangement of one or more pressure reducing tubes that define relatively long flow paths and have a small bore. This capillary arrangement allows expansion of the fluid into a larger volume thus spreading the pressure drop of the corrosive mixture along the full length of the bore of the tube rather than concentrating it at the valve seat and the adjacent inlet and outlet areas. While the system of the present invention can employ any of the known coal liquefaction techniques, for clarity the following description will relate primarily to a basic H-coal system shown in the FIGURE. In the process shown feed coal is introduced into the system at 1 and slurried with a recycle oil 2, to provide an oil-coal slurry 3 of from 1 to 1 to as high as 5 to 1 ratio on a weight basis. This oil-coal slurry is then fed to an upflow type reactor 4. Recycle hydrogen in stream 5 combines with make-up hydrogen in stream 6 and passes to the bottom of the reactor 4 where it flows upwardly through the reactor. The reactor 4 has three zones, an ebullated catalyst zone 7, a catalyst disengaging liquid zone 8 and a reactor vapor zone 9. The coal entering the bottom of the reactor is hydrogenated to form gas and liquid products in the reaction zone which is operated in the temperature range of 750° to 900° F. and at hydrogen partial pressures of 1000 to 4000 psig. The unconverted coal and ash being smaller in particle size and lighter in density than the catalyst, passes up through the ebullated zone 7 into the catalyst disengaging liquid zone 8 and is withdrawn from the reactor with the reactor liquid effluent stream 10. Suitable catalysts include cobalt, molybdenum, nickel, iron, and the like deposited on a base of alumina, magnesia, silica and the like. The catalyst is preferably in the form of beads, pellets, lumps, chips or the like having dimensions of about 3 to 14 mesh (Tyler) screen. The reactor effluent vapor at 9 is withdrawn in stream 11, cooled in condenser 12 and the condensed distillates are removed in stream 13. Hydrogen leaving in stream 14 is enriched by conventional means in hydrogen purification unit 15 and the light hydrocarbon gases are removed in stream 16. Enriched hydrogen may be recycled back to reactor 4 by stream 5. The liquid reactor effluent containing unconverted coal and ash leaving the high pressure reactor 4 in stream 10 is partially cooled and passed through a pressure reduction means, shown generally at 18, into a flash system 19. The flashed reactor liquid leaving flash system 19 as stream 20 contains residuum and unreacted coal and ash. The solids can be separated out in liquid cyclone 21. Better removal of solids can be effected in a somewhat modified H-coal process employing a rotary drum filter, see Stotler U.S. Pat. No. 3,962,070. A major proportion of the liquid product 22 can be recovered from the cyclone as the net reactor liquid. Turning with greater detail to the embodiment of the pressure reducing means shown at 18, this unit comprises a first isolation valve 25 in line 10 and a first tubular header 26 which communicates with line 10 and capillary tubes 27. Capillary tubes 27 in turn communicate with a second tubular header 28 which is connected to the recovery portion of the system, i.e., the flash drum and cyclone. Located in capillary tubes 27 are isolation valves 29 and 30. Each tube establishes communication between the high pressure liquid flow stream from the coal liquefaction reactor and the lower pressure recovery system. While the FIGURE shows the use of headers, the individual tubes can be connected directly to the fluid flow circuitry if desired. The isolation valves serve to place the system, or any part of it, into and out of active service, but they are not subjected to large fluid pressure differentials and high velocity fluid flow. Therefore, the isolation valves may be of any suitable standard type. In the system of the present invention pressure reduction is effected by fluid friction occasioned by the flow within each pressure reducing tube. In this configuration the pressure or energy reduction is distributed over the entire length of the tubes. The net effect is a smooth and gradual transition of the fluid from a high pressure condition to a low pressure condition even where this reduction in pressure results in the formation of two phase fluid streams. Objectionable vibrations and noise due to pressure drops are also eliminated. The parameters for the pressure reducing capillary tubes, i.e., number, size of bore, length, entrance geometry, surface condition of the bore, material of construction and the like, may vary widely and can be selected to fit the operating characteristics of the unit and the overall economics of the installation. The number of tubes preferably is sufficient to provide reasonable step-wise control of the fluid flow rate as individual tubes are opened or closed sequentially without utilizing too many tubes or excessively long tubes to accomplish the required pressure reduction. The overall length of the pressure reducing tube should be such that the tubes will provide a relatively high pressure drop per unit length. Once the overall tube length has been chosen it will be appreciated that the selected internal diameter of such tubes when considered in relation to the characteristics of the fluid flowing, i.e., temperature, pressure, etc. and the condition of the interior surface of the tubing, i.e., its degree of smoothness or roughness, determines the fluid velocity, the incremental friction loss per unit tube length and the fluid flow rate. The term "tubes" in this description, is not limited to conventional pipes or conduits but includes various forms of one-piece or multi-piece devices having suitable passages to permit fluid flow therethrough for the indicated purpose. One such device can consist of a suitable elongated, solid article having a plurality of relatively long, small diameter bores formed therein. While the invention has been described in what are presently considered to be the preferred embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that changes or modifications can be made in the system described without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
A system for the manufacture of synthetic hydrocarbon products from coal or similar carbonaceous solids is described. This coal liquefaction system includes means for reducing the pressure of high pressure and temperature liquid reaction product streams without attendant corrosion of the metal parts in the pressure reducing unit. The pressure reducing means comprises at least one elongated tube defining relatively narrow fluid flow passage, the reduction in pressure being effected substantially entirely by friction of the fluid within the tube.
2
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a National Phase application of PCT/FR2010/051012, filed on May 27, 2010, which in turn claims the benefit of priority from French Patent Application No. 09 53490 filed on May 27, 2009, the entirety of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a vitreous composition containing a vanadium-based particulate additive, to its method of preparation and to its use as self-healing material, in particular for manufacturing seals in devices operating at high temperature, such as fuel cells and steam electrolyzers. 2. Description of Related Art Glasses and glass-ceramics are rigid materials widely used in industry, especially for producing seals in various devices that have to operate at high temperature, especially between 500 and 900° C. Among such devices, mention for example may be made of fuel cells (in particular solid electrolyte fuel cells or solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)) that operate at temperatures of 700 to 900° C. and steam electrolyzers that can be used for the production of hydrogen and also operate at very high temperature. In these two particular cases, the anode and cathode compartments must be separated and gastight because of the presence of hydrogen and oxygen. During the operation and use of these devices, the glasses and glass-ceramics present therein are subjected to thermal cycles that cause cracks to form. The appearance of these cracks therefore reduces the longevity of the devices incorporating such materials. Two methods for healing cracks formed in glasses and glass-ceramics have already been proposed. The first type of method, called “intrinsic self-healing”, consists, without the addition of any healing additive, in filling the cracks or in repairing the surface state of a material of the glass, glass-ceramic or metal/glass composite type by a simple heat treatment in order to physically modify the material, usually to soften it. This treatment is carried out by heating the material or the device containing it to a temperature above the melting or softening point of the material. However, the temperatures used for such melting or softening are usually above the temperatures that the devices incorporating these materials can withstand. Thus, Liu et al. (Journal of Power Sources, 2008, 185, 1193-1200) discuss the heat treatment of SOFC fuel cells that contain glass seals based on a mixture of BaO, SiO 2 Al 2 O 3 , CaO and B 2 O 3 , at a temperature above the creep temperature of the glass in order to repair the cracks formed, while indicating, however, that one limitation of this method is that the need to raise the temperature in order to make the glass creep causes prejudicial deformations of the system into which it is incorporated. The second type of method, called “extrinsic self-healing”, consists in adding a healing additive to the composition of the material which enables the cracks to be filled by a chemical reaction of said additive. This second method applies to materials of the polymer and ceramic/composite type. Thus, U.S. Pat. No. 5,965,266 describes the production of a fibrous material reinforced by a ceramic matrix that comprises a self-healing phase containing at least one glass precursor, for example carbon tetraboride (B 4 C) or an SiBC system, and free carbon (10 to 35%). An oxidizing atmosphere, at a temperature of at least 450° C. but not exceeding 850° C., causes the carbon to oxidize, thereby subsequently transforming the self-healing phase into a glass so as to fill the cracks possibly present in the material. The above document therefore teaches that a composite material containing a glass precursor having the ability to be oxidized at a temperature of 850° C. or below, such as a precursor based on boron and/or silicon, is self-healing in an oxidizing atmosphere when the precursor composition used during its formation contains 15 to 35% carbon. Moreover, White et al. (Nature, 2001, 409, 794-797) describe a self-healing polymer material (polydicyclopentadiene) comprising a microencapsulated polymerizable self-healing agent (dicyclopentadiene) which is released upon appearance of a crack. The presence of a polymerization catalyst (Grubbs catalyst) in the structure of the polymer material is necessary in order to cause the healing agent to polymerize, at room temperature, and to fill the cracks. The material obtained after healing is, however, less resistant than in the initial state. Moreover, this healing technique must be carried out at room temperature and provides healing at any point in the material only if the polymerizable self-healing agent and the catalyst are in immediate proximity of each other and both uniformly distributed in the structure of the material. OBJECTS AND SUMMARY At the present time, there is therefore no glass or glass-ceramic composition having the property of rapidly self-healing at the operating temperatures of the devices in which said composition is intended to be used, in particular at use temperatures ranging from 400 to 900° C. Extrinsic self-healing is preferable in order to avoid having to raise the temperature above the operating temperature of the devices. The object of the present invention is to provide a glass or glass-ceramic composition having such a property. One subject of the present invention is a self-healing vitreous composition comprising at least one network-forming oxide and optionally one or more modifying oxides. This composition is characterized in that it further contains, in the form of solid particles, at least one healing additive chosen from vanadium and vanadium alloys. The presence of vanadium and/or a vanadium alloy gives this composition the property of being self-healing at temperatures of around 400 to 500° C., i.e. temperatures below those normally employed for nonpolymer materials according to the intrinsic and extrinsic healing methods described in the prior art. This property is very advantageous in so far as it enables the longevity of the vitreous composition and the devices incorporating it to be increased, as it is unnecessary to reach temperatures above the creep temperature of the vitreous composition in order to observe heating. The temperatures at which this vitreous composition self-heals are also compatible with the normal operating temperatures of the devices in which it can be used, thereby preventing these devices from being degraded during the healing process. Thus, the healing additive may be chosen depending on the temperature at which it is desired to obtain the healing effect. Finally, and as will be demonstrated in the examples illustrating the present application, the vitreous composition according to the invention, i.e. containing particles of vanadium and/or a vanadium alloy as self-heating additive, heals more rapidly than vitreous compositions not according to the invention since they contain a vanadium-free healing additive such as, for example, B 4 C. The inventors have demonstrated that when cracks form in the vitreous composition of the invention, and when this composition is in contact with gaseous oxygen, the healing additive rapidly reacts with the oxygen to form vanadium oxide and possibly other oxides such as, for example, boron trioxide when the vitreous composition contains vanadium in the form of an alloy with another element such as, for example, boron (vanadium boride). The vanadium oxide and the other oxides possibly formed then enable the crack to be filled, these being perfectly compatible with the principal components (network-forming and modifying oxides) of the glassy matrix. In the context of the present invention, the term “vitreous composition” is understood to mean oxide glasses consisting of a vitreous (amorphous) phase and glass-ceramics consisting of a vitreous phase (of the same type as the vitreous phase of oxide glasses) and a crystalline phase present in the form of crystals dispersed within the vitreous phase. Glass-ceramics result from the controlled devitrification of a chemically homogeneous glass via heat treatment at a temperature appropriate for the formation of crystallization nuclei. This heat treatment is called ceramization. Also in the context of the present invention, the term “network-forming oxides” is understood to mean oxides of elements that can form, by themselves, the skeleton (glassy matrix) of the vitreous composition. The network-forming elements most commonly used are silicon Si (in its oxide form SiO 2 ) which is the predominant constituent of glassy matrices, boron B (in its oxide form B 2 O 3 ), phosphorus P (in its oxide form P 2 O 5 ) and germanium Ge (in its oxide form GeO 2 ). Again in the context of the present invention, the term “modifying oxides” (or non-network forming oxides) is understood to means oxides of elements that cannot form a glassy matrix by themselves. These are essentially alkali metal oxides, alkaline-earth metal oxides and, to a lesser extent, certain oxides of transition or rare-earth elements. The alkali metal oxides, also called “fluxes”, are used to lower the melting point of the glassy matrix. They comprise especially sodium oxide (Na 2 O), potassium oxide (K 2 O), and lithium oxide (L 2 O). Other oxides, also called “stabilizers”, are used to modify the physical and/or mechanical properties of the glassy matrix generally attenuated by the addition of the fluxes. They comprise alkaline-earth oxides such as calcium oxide (CaO) which increases the chemical resistance of the glass, zinc oxide (ZnO) which increases the brilliance and elasticity of the glass, iron oxide (Fe 2 O 3 ) which is both a stabilizer and a pigment, and lead oxide (PbO) which forms part of the composition of the crystal and also lowers the melting point by stabilizing the vitreous composition. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the network-forming oxides and the modifying oxides are chosen from oxides of elements chosen from silicon, boron, phosphorus, aluminum, alkali metals, alkaline-earth metals, iron and zinc. According to the invention, the vanadium alloys are preferably chosen from alloys composed of vanadium and at least one additional element chosen from the metallic elements of atomic number 22 to 31, 39 to 42, 44, 47 to 51, 82 and 83 and the non-metallic elements of atomic number 5 to 7, 13 to 15, 33 and 52. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the healing additive is chosen from vanadium (V), and vanadium alloys chosen from vanadium boride (VB), vanadium diboride (VB 2 ), vanadium tetraboride (VB 4 ), vanadium carbide (VC), vanadium silicide (VSi 2 ), vanadium sulfide, vanadium phosphide (VP) and mixtures thereof. According to one particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the healing additive is chosen from vanadium, vanadium boride, vanadium carbide and mixtures thereof. It is possible to modulate the healing temperature depending on the choice of healing additive. Thus, vanadium (V) oxidizes at 350° C. and upward, VB at 400° C. and upward and VC at 350° C. and upward. The solid particles of the healing additive that can be used in the vitreous composition of the invention preferably have a mean size of about 1 to 60 μm and preferably about 1 to 10 μm. Within the vitreous composition according to the present invention, the healing additive preferably represents about 5 to 20% by volume, and even more preferably about 5 to 10% by volume, relative to the total volume of the composition. Although the healing effect is proportional to the volume content of healing additive, the amount of said additive may also be expressed as a percentage by weight. In this case, within the vitreous composition according to the present invention, the healing additive preferably represents about 1 to 4% by weight, and even more preferably about 1 to 2% by weight, relative to the total weight of the composition. In addition to the vanadium-based healing additive, the composition according to the present invention may further contain one or more additional healing additives normally used in self-healing compositions and among these the following may be mentioned, by way of example: boron (B), boron tetraboride (B 4 C) boron nitride (BN), silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) and silicon carbide (SiC). When said additional healing additives are used, they preferably represent about 1 to 4% by weight relative to the total weight of the vitreous composition. When the self-healing vitreous composition according to the invention is a glass-ceramic composition, it may furthermore contain at least one nucleation promoter, enabling better (more homogeneous) distribution of the crystals to be obtained. This is usually a fluoride such as for example calcium fluoride (CaF 2 ) or a phosphate, such as for example lithium phosphate (Li 3 PO 4 ). The vitreous composition according to the invention may be prepared by a method which is simple, rapid and inexpensive to implement. Another subject of the invention is therefore a method of preparing a self-healing vitreous composition (SVC) according to the invention and as defined above, characterized in that it comprises at least the following steps: a first step of preparing a putverulent vitreous composition (PVC) consisting of solid particles, by milling a non-pulverulent vitreous composition (NPVC) comprising at least one network-forming oxide and optionally one or more modifying oxides; a second step of preparing a self-healing pulverulent vitreous composition (SPVC) by blending the pulverulent vitreous composition (PVC) resulting from the first step with solid particles of at least one healing additive chosen from vanadium and vanadium alloys; and a third step of densifying the self-healing pulverulent vitreous composition (SPVC) resulting from the second step, by heat treatment in an inert atmosphere. According to the invention, the expression “nonpulverulent vitreous composition” is understood to mean any glass composition prepared by the melting methods conventionally used to produce glass. During the first step, the milling of the NPVC is carried out until solid particles preferably having a mean size of 1 to 60 μm, and even more preferably 1 to 10 μm, are obtained. This milling may be carried out by any conventional milling technique known to those skilled in the art. According to the invention, during the second step, the vanadium alloys are preferably chosen from alloys composed of vanadium and at least one additional element chosen from the metallic elements of atomic number 22 to 31, 39 to 42, 44, 47 to 51, 82 and 83 and the non-metallic elements of atomic number 5 to 7, 13 to 15, 33 and 52. During the second step, in addition to the vanadium-based healing additive, one or more conventional additional healing additives normally used in self-healing compositions may also be added to the PVC, among which additives the following may be mentioned by way of example: boron (B), boron tetraboride (B 4 C), boron nitride (BN), silicon nitride (Si 3 N 4 ) and silicon carbide (SiC). The blending of the PVC with the solid particles of the healing additive (vanadium-based additive and optionally additional healing additive) during the second step is preferably carried out by the method of progressive additions or using a mechanical blender, these two blending techniques making it possible in fact to obtain a homogeneous distribution of the healing additive particles in the PVC. It is important to carry out the densification third step in an inert (for example argon or nitrogen) atmosphere so as to avoid any premature oxidation of the healing additive so that this can then react with gaseous oxygen upon appearance of a crack in the self-heating vitreous composition of the invention. After densification, the self-healing vitreous composition of the invention can therefore be used in an oxidizing atmosphere without any restriction. According to one particular and preferred embodiment of the method in accordance with the invention, the densification heat treatment carried out during the third step comprises at least: i) a first substep in which the temperature is rapidly raised, for example at a rate of about 30° C./min, up to the densification temperature of the SPVC, said densification temperature being determined from the dilatometric softening temperature of the NPVC used during the first step, or by means of a heating microscope; ii) a second substep in which the densification temperature is maintained for a time of about 1 to 2 hours; and iii) a third substep of cooling down to room temperature, for example at a rate of about 10 to 20° C./min. According to a first variant of the method in accordance with the invention, the self-healing vitreous composition is intended to be used as a seal in a device operating at high temperature (i.e. at a temperature of 400 to 900° C.). In this case, the method in accordance with the invention further includes, before the densification third step, an additional step of producing the seals by means of the SPVC within said device. To do this, the SPVC is used as a conventional glass frit and then the device in which the seals have been produced undergoes the densification heat treatment defined above in the third step. In this case, the SPVC preferably contains at least one additive chosen from slips, binders and sintering aids. The heat treatment of the SPVC is preferably carried out according to a method comprising, apart from substeps i) to iii) detailed above, an additional substep prior to substep i), during which the SPVC is slowly heated, for example at a rate of about 1° C./min, up to a temperature of about 450° C. This preliminary slow heating substep is used to remove the binder from the SPVC. According to a second variant of the method, the self-healing vitreous composition is intended to be produced by itself (not in any device), for example for manufacturing bulk self-healing materials. In this case, the method of preparation according to the invention further includes, before the densification third step is carried out, a step of forming the SPVC, for example by uniaxial pressing. When the SVC is a glass-ceramic, the method according to the invention then further includes, after the densification third step, a fourth step of ceramization by heat treatment. The temperature and duration of this fourth step may be determined by the methods conventionally used in the field, generally by means of a prior characterization by differential thermal analysis (DTA). The final subject of the invention is the various uses of the self-healing vitreous composition according to the invention and as defined above. A particular subject is the use of a self-healing vitreous composition as defined above as self-healing material, especially for the manufacture of seals in devices operating at a temperature of 400° C. to 900° C., such as solid electrolyte fuel cells and steam electrolyzers. Another subject of the invention is the use of a self-healing vitreous composition as defined above for the manufacture of a glass or glass-ceramic coating of the enamel type, and especially for the manufacture of a coating for corrosion protection at high temperature (i.e. at a temperature of 400 to 900° C.). The present invention is illustrated by the following embodiment example, to which said invention is not limited. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a thermomechanical analysis of the Example recorded at a speed of 10° C./min, between 200° C. and 1000° C. in which the expansion (in %) is plotted as a function of temperature (in ° C.); FIG. 2 a is an optical micrograph (×10 magnification) of the glass-ceramic after the heat treatment of the Example; FIG. 2 b is a micrograph of the Example taken by environmental electron microscopy (×20 000 magnification) of the glass-ceramic before the heat treatment (0 min.), after 20 minutes of heat treatment (20 min.) and after 60 minutes of heat treatment (60 min.); FIG. 3 shows the oxidation curves of the Example obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of these various particles containing or not containing vanadium as a function of temperature; and FIG. 4 shows the rate of oxidation of these various particles (VB, VC, B 4 C and B) of the Example compared by gravimetric analysis as a function of time. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example Preparation of A Self-Healing Glass-Ceramic 1) Preparation of Glass-Ceramic Compositions Containing Vanadium Boride as Healing Additive In this example, a self-healing glass-ceramic was prepared from a glass composition (glass 1) derived from a sealing glass-ceramic precursor glass composition from the reference: Lara et al., “Sintering of glasses in the system RO—Al 2 O 3 —BaO—SiO 2 (R═Ca, Mg, Zn) studied by hot-stage microscopy”, Solid State Ionics, 2004, 170, 201-208. Glass 1 had the following composition, expressed in molar percentages: CaO: 14-15; BaO: 28-29; Al 2 O 3 : 9-10; SiO 2 : 47-48. In the glass 1 composition, the mean size of the particles was about 50 μm. The glass 1 composition was then blended with vanadium boride particles having a mean size of 50 μm, in an amount of 10% by volume, using the method of progressive additions. The resulting blend (blend 1) was then formed, by uniaxial pressing at a pressure of 1000 kg/cm 2 , in a stainless steel cylindrical die (diameter: 1.2 cm). A cylinder of compressed blend 1 having the following dimensions was obtained: length: 0.7 cm; diameter: 1.2 cm. This cylinder was then densified at a temperature of 1000° C., in argon, for one hour in an electric furnace. The density of the glass-ceramic thus obtained (GC 10) was close to 100% of the theoretical density (about 3.75 g/cm 3 ). This heat treatment also allowed the glass-ceramization of the material in accordance with the method explained in Lara et al, (see above). The glass-ceramics GC 5, GC 15 and GC 20, containing respectively 5%, 15% and 20% by volume of vanadium boride per 100 volumes of glass 1 composition, were thus prepared under the same conditions. For comparison, a glass-ceramic containing no vanadium boride (GC 0) was prepared from the glass 1 composition under the same conditions as those used above to prepare GC 10. 2) Illustration of the Self-Healing Properties of the Glass-Ceramics According To the Invention The thermal expansion properties of all these glass-ceramics were then studied by thermomechanical analysis using a thermomechanical analyzer sold under the name TMA SETSYS by the company SETARAM. The curves were recorded at a speed of 10° C./min, between 200° C. and 1000° C. The curves obtained are shown in appended FIG. 1 in which the expansion (in %) is plotted as a function of temperature (in ° C.). In this figure, the curve plotted as a continuous line corresponds to GC 0; the dashed curve corresponds to GC 5, the dotted curve corresponds to GC 10; the dot-dash curve corresponds to GC 15 and the double dot-dash curve corresponds to CC 20. These curves demonstrate that the thermal expansion properties of the glass-ceramics according to the present invention (GC 5, GC 10, GC 15 and GC 20) are not affected by the presence of the vanadium boride particles as healing additive. The cylinder of GC 10 was fractured, this fracture had the following dimensions: total length: 1.2 cm; total depth: 0.7 cm; average width: 0.01 cm. The fractured cylinder then underwent a heat treatment for 1 h at 700° C. in static air to simulate the conditions of use. This temperature is below the glass transition temperature (T g ) of the glass (T g =760° C.) so as to be under conditions where intrinsic self-healing, that is to say by softening, cannot occur. The appended FIG. 2 . a is an optical micrograph (×10 magnification) of the glass-ceramic after the heat treatment. The appended FIG. 2 . b is a micrograph taken by environmental electron microscopy (×20 000 magnification) of the glass-ceramic before the heat treatment (0 min.), after 20 minutes of heat treatment (20 min.) and after 60 minutes of heat treatment (60 min.). It may be seen in FIGS. 2 . a and 2 . b that the oxidation of VB at 700° C. is rapid and leads to self-healing of the crack. Specifically, FIGS. 2 . a and 2 . b show that the crack is filled with one or more phases resulting from the oxidation of VB. To test the reactivity of the particles of vanadium-based healing additive according to the present invention, the oxidation temperatures of vanadium boride (VB) and vanadium carbide (VC) particles alone were compared, by thermogravimetric analysis in a stream of air (20 cm 3 /min), using a thermogravimetric analyzer sold under the name TGA SETSYS by the company SETARAM, with those of carbon tetraboride (B 4 C) and boron (B) particles alone. The appended FIG. 3 shows the oxidation curves obtained by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) of these various particles containing or not containing vanadium as a function of temperature. In this figure, the gain in mass of the particles due to oxidation (in %) is plotted as a function of the temperature (in ° C.). The curve plotted as a continuous line corresponds to VB, the dashed curve corresponds to VC, the dotted curve corresponds to B and the dot-dash curve corresponds to B 4 C. It may be seen that the vanadium-based particles that can be used as healing additive according to the invention (VB and VC) start to oxidize at 350° C. in the case of VC and 400° C. in the case of VB, i.e. at temperatures well below the temperatures needed to cause the B 4 C and B particles to oxidize (above 800° C.: temperatures above the softening or creep temperature of the material into which they are incorporated). The rate of oxidation of these various particles (VB, VC, B 4 C and B) was also compared by gravimetric analysis as a function of time. The results obtained are given in the appended FIG. 4 , in which the ratio Δm/m, corresponding to (the difference (Δm) between the mass of an oxidized particle and the mass of an unoxidized particle)/(mass (m) of an unoxidized particle), is plotted as a function of time in minutes. In this figure, the curve plotted as a broken line corresponds to VC, the curve plotted as a continuous line corresponds to VB, the dot-dash curve corresponds to B 4 C and the dotted curve corresponds to B. From the curves in this FIG. 4 it may be seen that the VB and VC particles oxidize very rapidly (in a few minutes), whereas the B 4 C and B particles oxidize significantly more slowly. All of the results presented in this example show that the presence of the particles of vanadium-based healing additive in a glass or glass-ceramic composition according to the invention do not in any way impair its thermal expansion properties, and make it possible to induce rapid self-healing of the glass or glass-ceramic at a temperature below the melting point of the material (from 350° C. upwards), something which would not be the case with particles containing no vanadium, such as B 4 C and B particles.
The present invention relates to a self-healing vitreous composition containing a particulate vandium additive, to a method for preparing same, and to the use thereof as a self-healing material, in particular for making seals in devices operating at a high temperature such as fuel oils and steam electrolyzers.
2
The present application is a divisional application of application Ser. No. 09/717,213, filed Nov. 22, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,686,070, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a perpendicular magnetic recording medium which is suitable for high-density magnetic recording and a magnetic recording apparatus using the same. (ii) Description of the Related Art A magnetic disk storage device that has been actually used at present utilizes longitudinal magnetic recording. It is the technical problem to form longitudinal magnetic domains at high densities on a longitudinal magnetic recording medium which is easily magnetized in a direction parallel to a disc substrate, parallel to the surface of the disk substrate. To increase an areal recording density, particularly a linear recording density, in this recording mode, it is required to reduce the thickness of a magnetic film for recording while improving the coercivity of the longitudinal magnetic recording medium. When the coercivity is greater than 4 kOe, it becomes difficult to conduct recording by a magnetic head. Meanwhile, when the thickness of the magnetic film made of, for example, a Co alloy is equal to or smaller than 15 nm, intensity of recorded magnetization decreases with time due to thermal fluctuation. The longitudinal magnetic recording essentially has the problem that a magnetization transition region having wide boundaries is formed due to opposing magnetizations of adjacent recording bits. Therefore, mainly due to the above reasons, a technical difficulty is expected in order to achieve an areal recording density of 40 Gb/in 2 or higher. The perpendicular magnetic recording, in which magnetization occurs in a direction perpendicular to the surface of a thin-film medium, differs from the conventional longitudinal magnetic recording in its recording principle and mechanism for causing a medium noise. Since adjacent magnetizations are antiparallel in the perpendicular magnetic recording, it has drawn attention as a recording mode that is essentially suitable for high-density magnetic recording, and a medium structure suitable for the perpendicular magnetic recording has been proposed. The perpendicular magnetic recording is classified into two types, one of which uses a single-layer perpendicular magnetization film and the other of which uses a perpendicular magnetization film having a magnetic back film formed thereon. The technique using a dual-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium using the magnetic back film is described in, for example, IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, Vol.MAG-20, No.5, September 1984, pp.657–662, “Perpendicular Magnetic Recording—Evolution and Future”. As the perpendicular magnetic recording medium for this recording mode, there has been considered a medium having a perpendicular magnetization film made of a Co—Cr alloy formed on a soft magnetic back film made of a Permalloy. To commercialize a magnetic recording apparatus capable of high-density magnetic recording of 40 Gb/in 2 or higher by the perpendicular magnetic recording using the dual-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium, it is essential to reduce the medium noise, secure a magnetic signal strength from recorded magnetization and improve the recording efficiency of a recording head. The medium noise is manufactured from both the perpendicular magnetization film and the magnetic back film, and the spike noise manufactured from the magnetic back film has been particularly problematic. An example of such a noise is described in, for example, IEEE Transaction on Magnetics, Vol. MAG-20, No.5, September 1984, pp.663–668, “Crucial Points in Perpendicular Recording”. To deal with such a problem, a method of forming a longitudinal magnetization film underneath the magnetic back film has been proposed in, for example, The Magnetics Society of Japan Journal, Vol.21, Supplement No. S1, pp.104–108, “Improvement in S/N of three-layer perpendicular medium and stability of recording signal”. Such proposals have not been always satisfactory for commercializing a magnetic recording apparatus capable of high-density magnetic recording of 40 Gb/in 2 or higher. As for securing the magnetic signal strength from recorded magnetization, although the dual-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium can secure almost twice as much signal strength as the single-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium having no soft magnetic back layer, it has had a problem with the spike noise which is inherent in the soft magnetic back layer as described above. In a magnetic recording system comprising the dual-layer perpendicular recording medium and a single pole-type recording head, it is necessary for improving the recording efficiency of the recording head to urge the quick regression of a magnetic flux, which has emerged from the recording pole, to the head after passing through the perpendicular magnetization film. For this reason, the soft magnetic back film must be at least several times thicker than the perpendicular magnetization film for recording. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is the object of the present invention to provide a perpendicular magnetic recording medium for achieving a high-speed and high-density recording density of 40 Gb/in 2 or higher and to facilitate the attainment of a high-density recording and reproducing apparatus, by securing (1) a high-density magnetic recording property, (2) the signal strength from recorded magnetization, and (3) the efficiency of the recording head, which are the characteristics of the magnetic recording system comprising the dual-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium and the single pole-type recording head, and providing a method for preventing the production of the noise inherent in the magnetic back layer, which has been a big problem heretofore. To attain a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a low-noise property, high recording efficiency of a recording head and a high signal output property from a recording bit, the present invention is constituted by a perpendicular magnetic recording medium having a perpendicular magnetization film formed on a non-magnetic substrate via a magnetic back film, in which the magnetic back film comprises two or more soft magnetic films which are separated at least by a non-magnetic layer, the soft magnetic film closer to the perpendicular magnetization film serves as a soft magnetic keeper layer for keeping perpendicular magnetization, and the magnetization of the soft magnetic film(s) closer to the substrate has magnetization orientation(s) different from the above soft magnetic keeper layer. The magnetic back film in the dual-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium serves to (1) increase the intensity of magnetization leaked from the surface of the medium while stabilizing the magnetization recorded on the perpendicular magnetization film and (2) increase the recording efficiency of the recording head. The present inventor has found according to experiments and studies that the conventional problems can be solved with the above features intact by multiplying the soft magnetic back layer in a certain multilayer structure. A description will be given to the structure and effect of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to the present invention with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2 . FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium according to the present invention, and FIG. 2 exemplarily shows the magnetization orientations in the soft magnetic film at the A—A cross-section and the B—B cross-section. In the present invention, as the fundamental structure of the soft magnetic back film, a structure is employed that comprises a soft magnetic film 17 , which serves to increase the intensity of magnetization leaked from the surface of the medium while stabilizing the magnetization recorded on the perpendicular magnetization film, soft magnetic films 13 and 15 supplied for particularly improving the recording efficiency of the recording head, and a non-magnetic layer 16 which is interposed between the film 17 and the films 13 and 15 . FIG. 1 shows the structure having two soft magnetic films of the latter type. It is known that the spike noise inherent in the dual-layer perpendicular recording medium is manufactured with regard to the magnetic domain boundary generated in the soft magnetic back film. In the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 , the magnetization orientations 20 and 21 of the soft magnetic films 13 and 15 which take up the main portion of the soft magnetic back film are made antiparallel to each other, and when the substrate ii is in the form of a disk, the magnetization orientations can be aligned parallel to the circumferential direction of the disk substrate. By setting the magnetization orientations in the circumferential direction, the generation of the magnetic domain boundary causing the noise can be suppressed. Further, as shown in FIG. 1 , the soft magnetic films 13 and 15 adjacent to each other via a non-magnetic layer 14 are characterized in that they are apt to be magnetically coupled such that they are antiparallel to each other in terms of magnetic energy. Even when two or more of the magnetic films are formed, the above antiparallel relationship is apt to be established. It is desirable that an adhesion-reinforcing layer 12 be generally formed between the substrate 11 and the first soft magnetic film 13 . By forming a plurality of the layers 12 and incorporating anti-ferromagnetic films and ferromagnetic films for fixing the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films into the plurality of the layers, a more desirable practical effect can be obtained. To define the magnetization orientation of the soft magnetic film in the circumferential direction of the disk substrate, a magnetic field that spins in the circumferential direction of the disk substrate may be applied during or after the formation process of the thin-film. This is achieved by utilizing the phenomenon which is caused by placing an electric conductive wire in such a position that it passes through the hole made in the central portion of the disk at a right angle and generating a magnetic field in the form of a concentric circle around the wire by passing an electric current through the wire. Further, on these soft magnetic films 13 and 15 , a soft magnetic layer 17 which serves to increase the intensity of magnetization leaked from the surface of the medium while stabilizing the magnetization recorded on a perpendicular magnetization film 18 is formed via the non-magnetic film 16 . This soft magnetic film 17 serves not only to increase the recording efficiency of the recording head as does the above soft magnetic film in magnetic recording by the recording head but also to stabilize recorded magnetization by forming a closed magnetic path corresponding to the state of the recorded magnetization underneath the magnetic domains formed in the perpendicular magnetization film 18 as shown in FIG. 1 . This soft magnetic film 17 amplifies the intensity of magnetization from the surface of the medium by forming magnetically continuous horseshoe-shaped magnets by adjacent magnetic domains formed in the perpendicular magnetization film 18 underneath the domains. The soft magnetic film 17 which serves as described above is not necessarily as thick as the conventionally known soft magnetic film. Further, a film for controlling the crystal growth of the perpendicular magnetization film may be formed between the soft magnetic film 17 and the perpendicular magnetization film 18 . However, to take advantage of the characteristics of the dual-layer perpendicular magnetization film, care must be taken such as to ensure that the thickness of the film for controlling the crystal growth should be set to be thinner than the shortest bit length in magnetic recording. Further, in order not to deteriorate the magnetic recording property, this film is preferably made of a weak magnetic material having a saturation magnetization of not higher than 50 emu/cc or non-magnetic material. According to the experiments and studies made by the present inventor, it has been found that the condition which amplifies the intensity of magnetization from the surface of the medium but does not allow the spike noise to be noticeable depends on the linear recoding density of magnetic recording, when the saturation magnetization and thickness of the soft magnetic film formed underneath the perpendicular magnetic film are defined as Bs m and t, respectively. When the shortest bit length in magnetic recording and the average saturation magnetization of the perpendicular magnetic film are defined as Bmin and Ms, respectively, 0.5 Bmin·Ms≦Bs m ·t must be satisfied. For example, when the maximum linear recording density is defined as 500 kFCI (kilo Flux Change per. Inch), the average saturation magnetization of the perpendicular magnetic film as 0.4 T and the saturation magnetization of the soft magnetic film as 1 T, its thickness, t, satisfies 10 nm≦t. When Bs m ·t becomes smaller than 0.5 Bmin·Ms, the above effect becomes weak, and the intensity of magnetization from the surface of the medium lowers to a value which is almost the same as that when the single-layer perpendicular recording medium is used. Further, the maximum value of t does not so much depend on the recording density and the magnitude of the saturation magnetization of the soft magnetic film, and when it is higher than or equal to 100 nm, the thickness of the soft magnetic film increases, and the magnetic domains irrelevant to the information on the perpendicular magnetization supplied to the soft magnetic film are liable to be formed and become the sources of the spike noises. Further, a soft magnetic material having a larger saturation magnetization Bs m is preferably used in order to bring about the effect of output amplification by reducing the thickness of the film. It is effective to use a material having larger saturation magnetization than that of the soft magnetic film(s) that serves to promote the recording efficiency of the head mounted on the substrate side. Further, when the thickness and saturation magnetization of the m-th soft magnetic film including the soft magnetic films formed in the vicinity of the perpendicular magnetization film is defined as T m and Bs m , respectively, and the saturation magnetization (Bs h ) and track width (Tw) of the magnetic pole material for the recording head are considered, it is desirable that 0.16Bs h ·Tw≦Σ(Bs m ·T m ) be satisfied. When 0.16Bs h ·Tw>Σ(Bs m ·T m ), there occur such problems that the recording efficiency of the recording head lowers and that demagnetization in recording becomes noticeable. Further, although the recording efficiency improves as the total thickness of the soft magnetic films increases, the increase in the film thickness is accompanied by an increase in the degree of roughness on the medium surface or the like. Therefore, it is desirable that Σ(Bs m ·T m )≦Bs m ·Tw be satisfied. As the perpendicular magnetization film used in the present invention, any conventionally known types of perpendicular magnetization films can be used. That is, as the perpendicular magnetization film, there can be used a polycrystal film made of a Co alloy, a Co—Pt alloy and an Fe—Pt alloy, a polycrystal multilayer film made of a Co—Co alloy and a Pt—Pt alloy, a polycrystal multilayer film made of a Co—Co alloy and a Pd—Pd alloy, or the like. Further, a perpendicular magnetization film comprising an amorphous film containing rare earth elements can also be used. As the soft magnetic material, there can be used Fe group-based alloys such as Fe—Ni, Fe—Si, Fe—Al, Fe—Al—Si and Fe—Cr alloys, Ni group-based alloys such as Ni—Fe and Ni—Mn alloys, Co group-based alloys such as Co—Nb, Co—Zr and Co—Fe alloys, or a soft ferrite represented by MO·Fe 3 O 4 (M═Fe, Mn, Ni, Co, Mg, Zn or Cd). Particularly, as the soft magnetic film formed in the vicinity of the perpendicular magnetization film, there can be suitably used Fe group-based alloys such as Fe—Ta—C, Fe—Si—Al, Fe—Co—C, Fe—Si—B, Fe—B—C and Fe—B—C—Si alloys, and Co group-based alloys such as Co—Nb—Zr, Co—Mo—Zr, Co—Ta—Zr, Co—W—Zr, Co—Nb—Hf, Co—Mo—Hf, CoTa—Hf and Co—W—Hf alloys, all of which are capable of forming a soft magnetic film that has a high saturation magnetization of not lower than 1 T and is amorphous or microcrystalline. When this material is amorphous or microcrystalline, the crystal grains of the perpendicular magnetization film formed thereon are also liable to become minute, and such a material is suitable for imparting high perpendicular magnetic anisotropy. As the non-magnetic material interposed between the soft magnetic films, there can be used an element selected from the group consisting of B, C, Mg, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, w and Au, an alloy comprising these elements as main components, a compound selected from the group consisting of Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, MO, Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , CaO, ZrO 2 and MgO, or a mixed crystal comprising these compounds. To improve the high-frequency recording property of magnetic recording, a non-magnetic material having high electric resistance, that is, a material selected from the group consisting of B, C, Si, Si 3 N 4 , BN, B 4 C, NiO, Al 2 O 3 , SiO 2 and CaO or a mixed crystal material comprising any of these materials as main components, is suitably used. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating an example of the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating the magnetization orientations in the soft magnetic layer. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating another example of the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the result of evaluation of the magnetic recording medium. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the result of evaluation of the magnetic recording medium. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating another example of the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention. FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional schematic diagram illustrating another example of the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention. FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the result of evaluation of the magnetic recording medium. Reference numeral 11 denotes a substrate, 12 an anti-ferromagnetic material film, 13 a soft magnetic film, 14 a non-magnetic material layer, 15 a soft magnetic film, 16 a non-magnetic film, 17 a soft magnetic film, 18 a perpendicular magnetization film, 19 a protective film, 20 magnetization orientation, 21 magnetization orientation, 31 a substrate, 32 a non-magnetic film, 33 a soft magnetic film, 34 a non-magnetic film, 35 a soft magnetic film, 36 a non-magnetic film, 37 a soft magnetic film, 38 a film for controlling the crystal growth of the perpendicular magnetization film, 39 a perpendicular magnetization film, 40 a protective film, 61 a substrate, 62 a non-magnetic film, 63 a ferromagnetic layer, 64 a soft magnetic film, 65 a non-magnetic film, 66 a soft magnetic film, 67 a non-magnetic film, 68 a non-magnetic film, 69 a perpendicular magnetization film, 70 a perpendicular magnetization film, 71 a protective film, 72 a substrate, 73 an anti-ferromagnetic material film, 74 a soft magnetic film, 75 a non-magnetic film, 76 a soft magnetic film, 77 a non-magnetic film, 78 a soft magnetic film, 79 a non-magnetic film, 80 a perpendicular magnetization film and 81 a protective film. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The following examples will be given to further illustrate the present invention with reference to the drawings. EXAMPLE 1 A magnetic recording medium having the cross-sectional structure shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 1 was manufactured by direct-current magnetron sputtering using a glass substrate having a diameter of 2.5 inches. On the substrate 11 , an Fe.-50at % Mn anti-ferromagnetic material film 12 having a thickness of 50 nm, a Co-5at % Nb-5at % Zr film having a thickness of 50 nm as the soft magnetic layer 13 , a Cu film having a thickness of 3 nm as the non-magnetic material layer 14 , a Co-5at % Nb-5at % Zr film having a thickness of 50 nm again as the soft magnetic film 15 , a C film having a thickness of 10 nm as the non-magnetic film 16 , an Fe-8at % Si-10at % B film having a saturation magnetization of 1.6 T and a thickness of 30 nm as the soft magnetic film 17 , a Co-20at % Cr-8at % Pt-3at % B film having a thickness of 25 nm as the perpendicular magnetization film 18 , and a carbon film having a thickness of 5 nm as the protective film 19 were formed in this order, under the conditions of an Ar gas pressure for sputtering of 3 mTorr, a sputtering power of 20 W/cm 2 and a substrate temperature of 250° C. Under the same conditions, the same perpendicular media as described above were manufactured except that Fe-10at % B-2at % C, Fe-8at % B-2at % C-4at % Si, Fe-5at % Ta-3at % C, Fe-9at % Si-5at % Al-1at % Ni, Co-5at % Fe-4at % C and Co-6at % Fe-4at % B-10at % Si alloys were used as the soft magnetic film 17 formed immediately underneath the perpendicular magnetization film 18 . A comparative sample medium 1 was manufactured under the same sputtering conditions by forming a soft magnetic back film comprising a single 300-nm-thick layer of Ni-20at % Fe permalloy on a glass substrate, and a Co-20at % Cr-8at % Pt-3at % B film having a thickness of 25 nm and a carbon film having a thickness of 5 nm as the protective film 19 thereon. A perpendicular magnetic recording medium was manufactured as a comparative sample medium 2 by forming an Fe-50at % Mn anti-ferromagnetic material film between the soft magnetic film and substrate of the comparative sample medium 1 . The thus-manufactured perpendicular magnetic recording media were heated in a magnetic field to impart magnetization in the circumferential direction of the disk to the soft magnetic films thereof. The sample media were placed in a vacuum heater, and an electric conductive wire was passed through the hole in the central portion of the disk perpendicularly to the surface of the disk. The heat treatment was carried out in a magnetic field by generating the magnetic field which spun in the circumferential direction of the disk by passing an electric current through the wire while decreasing the temperature of the sample medium from 250° C. to room temperature. When the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films were observed by a microscope using an optical Kerr-effect, it was observed that the magnetization orientations, including those of the comparative sample media, were almost aligned parallel to the circumferential direction of the disk as shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 2 . Then, the recording/reproducing properties of these sample media were evaluated by using a separate-type recording/reproducing magnetic head. The track width of the Fe-Ni alloy magnetic pole of a single pole-type recording head was 0.52 μm, the track width of a giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) head for reproduction was 0.4 μm, a shield space was 0.08 μm, and spacing at the time of measurement was 0.02 μm. The S/N of the medium when magnetic recording was carried out at 400 kFCI was measured as a relative value to the S/N of the comparative sample medium 1 . A recording resolution was measured as a linear recording density D 50 , which was a half of the amplitude of an isolated read pulse. As for recording magnetization intensity, the recording signal output at 400 kFCI was measured as a relative output to the comparative sample medium 1 . Further, the frequency of occurrence of the spike noise was measured and evaluated as—when at least one ocurrence of the spike noise was detected per track, Δ when at least one ocurrence of the spike noise was detected while seeking the recording surface of the disk and ⊚ when no spike noise was detected. The results of these measurements are shown in Table 1. TABLE 1 Sample Writing-reading property Fe-50 at % Mn Soft magnetic Soft magnetic film of S/N Intensity of film film of substrate perpendicularly magnetized Spike (relative Resolution magnetization No. (50 nm) side film side (thickness) noise value) D50(kFCI) (relative value) 1 present Co-5 at % Fe-8 at % Si-10 at % B @ 1.31 295 1.5 Nb-5 at % Zr (30 nm) 2 layers (50 nm × 2) 2 present as above Fe-10 at % B-2 at % C @ 1.30 290 1.3 (30 nm) 3 present as above Fe-8 at % B-2 at % C-4 at % Si @ 1.33 310 1.4 (30 nm) 4 present as above Fe-5 at % Ta-3 at % C @ 1.29 285 1.5 (30 nm) 5 present as above Fe-9 at % Si-5 at % Al-1 at % Ni @ 1.33 325 1.5 (30 nm) 6 present as above Co-5 at % Fe-4 at % C @ 1.31 298 1.3 (30 nm) 7 present as above Co-6 at % Fe-4 at % B-10 at % Si @ 1.34 314 1.4 (30 nm) Control sample 1 absent Ni-20 at % Fe (300 nm) X 1.0 240 1.0 Control Single layer film sample present Ni-20 at % Fe (300 nm) Δ 1.15 245 1.1 2 Single layer film Table 1 It was found that the magnetic recording media of the present example had less occurrences of the spike noise in particular than the comparative examples and also exhibited improved S/N, recording resolutions and reproduction outputs and that they should be therefore desirable as high-density magnetic recording media. A 2.5-inch magnetic recording apparatus using a GMR head as a reproducing device was manufactured by using the magnetic recording medium manufactured in the present example. An error rate of 10 −9 was secured at an areal recording density of 40 Gb/in 2 , and it was confirmed that the apparatus could operate as an ultra high-density recording and reproducing apparatus. EXAMPLE 2 A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having the cross-sectional structure shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 3 was manufactured by magnetron sputtering using a silicon substrate having a diameter of 2.5 inches. On the substrate 31 , a Cr film having a thickness of 10 nm as the non-magnetic film 32 for reinforcing the adhesion of the thin film, an Fe-50at % Co film having a thickness of 10 nm as the soft magnetic film 33 and an Ru film having a thickness of 3 nm as the non-magnetic film 34 were laminated in this order, and these films were further laminated in this order 9 more times. Thereafter, the Fe-50at % Co film 35 having a thickness of 10 nm was laminated thereon, and an Al 2 O 3 film having a thickness of 5 nm was then formed as the non-magnetic film 36 . Further, an Fe-5at % Ta-12at % C film (saturation magnetization: 1.6 T) having a thickness of 50 nm as the soft magnetic film 37 , a Ti-5at % Cr film having a thickness of 10 nm as the film 38 for controlling the crystal growth of the perpendicular magnetization film, a Co-20at % Cr-8at % Pt-3at % B film (saturation magnetization: 0.4 T) having a thickness of 25 nm as the perpendicular magnetization film 39 , and a carbon film having a thickness of 5 nm as the protective film 40 were formed. The perpendicular magnetic recording medium was manufactured under the conditions of an Ar gas pressure for sputtering of 3 mTorr, a sputtering power of 10 W/cm 2 and a substrate temperature of 310° C. Under the same conditions, sample media were manufactured having the same structure as described above except that the thickness of the Fe-4at % Ta-3at % Si-2at % soft magnetic film 37 formed in the vicinity of the perpendicular magnetization film varied between 0 and 300 nm. The thus-manufactured perpendicular magnetic recording media were heat-treated in a magnetic field to impart magnetization in the circumferential direction of the disk to the soft magnetic films thereof. The sample media were placed in a vacuum heater, and an electric conductive wire was passed through the hole in the central portion of the disk perpendicularly to the surface of the disk. The heat treatment was carried out in a magnetic field by generating the magnetic field which spun alternately in the circumferential direction of the disk by passing an alternating current through the wire while decreasing the temperature of the sample medium from 250° C. to room temperature. When the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films were observed at the cross-sections of the peripheral portion of the disk by a microscope using an optical Kerr-effect, it was observed that the magnetizations of the soft magnetic films were antiparallel to each other via the non-magnetic layer and almost aligned parallel to the circumferential direction of the disk. Further, a single-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium was manufactured as a comparative sample medium by forming a Ti-5at % Cr film having a thickness of 10 nm as the film 38 for controlling the crystal growth of the perpendicular magnetization film, a Co-20at % Cr-8at % Pt-3at % B film (saturation magnetization: 0.4 T) having a thickness of 25 nm as the perpendicular magnetization film 39 , and a carbon film having a thickness of 5 nm as the protective film 40 on a silicon substrate having a diameter of 2.5 inches. The term “single-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium” as used here means a single-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium having no back layer as described above. Then, the recording/reproducing properties of the perpendicular magnetic recording media having the soft magnetic films were evaluated by using a separate-type recording/reproducing magnetic head. The track width of the Fe-Ni alloy magnetic pole of a single pole-type recording head was 0.52 μm, the track width of a giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) head for reproduction was 0.4 μm, a shield space was 0.08 μm, and spacing at the time of measurement was 0.15 μm. Further, for the magnetic recording of the single-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium as the comparative sample medium, a thin-film ring head having a track width of 0.52 μm was used under the same spacing conditions as described above. For detecting the reproduction output from the single-layer perpendicular medium, a giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) head (track width: 0.4 μm, shield space: 0.08 μm) was used at a spacing of 0.15 μm. The reproduction outputs when magnetic recordings were carried out at 250 kFCI and 500 kFCI were measured and compared with the reproduction output from the single-layer perpendicular medium. Further, the frequencies of occurrence of the spike noise from the perpendicular magnetic recording media having the soft magnetic films were measured. In this measurement, the number of occurrences of the spike noise per track of the disk sample was measured. The number of occurrences of the spike noise on 10 tracks was measured by moving the position of the magnetic head at a pitch of 1 μm on the disk in a radial direction thereof. In the case of the single-layer perpendicular medium, this spike noise was not detected at all. The results of these measurements are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 . As for the relationship between the reproduction output of the recording signal and the thickness of the soft magnetic film, there was seen the tendency that the reproduction output increased as the thickness of the soft magnetic film increased as shown in FIG. 4 . The reproduction output was at least 1.25 times as much as that of the recording signal of the single-layer perpendicular medium when the film thickness was 6 nm or larger at a linear recording density of 500 kFCI or when the film thickness was 12 nm or larger at a linear recording density of 250 kFCI, and the marked effect due to the soft magnetic back layer was recognized. As for the frequency of occurrence of the spike noise, it was found that it occurred at least once on 10 tracks when the thickness of the soft magnetic film is 100 nm or larger as shown in FIG. 5 . That is, when the shortest bit length in magnetic recording and the average saturation magnetization of the perpendicular magnetic film were expressed as Bmin and Ms, respectively, the range of 0.5 Bmin·Ms≦B5 m ·t must be satisfied to obtain the reproduction output which was at least 1.25 times as much as that in recording on the single-layer perpendicular magnetization film, and the markedly frequent occurrence of the spike noise was recognized when the thickness of the soft magnetic film became almost 10 nm or larger. Further, a 2.5-inch magnetic recording apparatus using a GMR head as a reproducing device was manufactured by using the magnetic recording medium manufactured in the present example. An error rate of 10 −9 was secured at an areal recording density of 40 Gb/in 2 comprising a maximum linear recording density of 500 kBPI (Bit per Inch) and a track density of 80 kTPI (Track per Inch), and it was confirmed that the apparatus could operate as an ultra high-density recording and reproducing apparatus. EXAMPLE 3 A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 6 was manufactured by magnetron sputtering using a glass substrate having a diameter of 2.5 inches. On a substrate 61 , a Cr non-magnetic layer 62 having a thickness of 10 nm, a Co-21at % Cr-12at % Pt-2at % Ta ferromagnetic layer 63 having a thickness of 15 nm, a Co-6at % Nb-3at % Zr soft magnetic film 64 having a thickness of 150 nm, a Si-15at % B non-magnetic film 65 having a thickness of 8 nm, an Fe-4at % Si-3at % AL soft magnetic film 66 having a thickness of 40 nm, a Si non-magnetic film 67 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-35at % Cr-15at % Ru non-magnetic film 68 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-21at % Cr-12at % Pt-2at % Ta perpendicular magnetization film 69 having a thickness of 20 nm, the Co-17at % Cr-16at % Pt perpendicular magnetization film 70 having a thickness of 2 nm, and the carbon film 71 having a thickness of 4 nm as a protective film were formed successively to form the perpendicular magnetic recording medium. The intensity of the saturation magnetization of the soft magnetic film formed closer to the substrate was 1 T and the intensity of the saturation magnetization of the soft magnetic film formed closer to the perpendicular magnetization film was 1.4T, setting the saturation magnetization value of the latter to be larger. Further, perpendicular magnetic recording media were manufactured having the same structure as described above except that a Co-5at % Nb-2at % Zr film, a Co-4.5at % Ta-3at % Zr film, a Co-4at % Mo-3at % Zr film, a Co-4at %W-3at % Zr film, a Co-4at % Nb-3at % Hf film, a Cu3.5at % Ta-2at % Hf film, a Co-3at % Mo-3at % Hf film, and a Co-3.2at % W-3at % Hf film, all of which had a saturation magnetization of not lower than 1.1 T, were formed in place of the above Fe-4at % Si-3at % Al soft magnetic film 66 . Further, perpendicular magnetic recording media were manufactured having the same structure as described above except that a Co-50at % Pt single-layer film (film thickness: 20 nm), an Fe-50at % Pt single-layer film (film thickness: 20 nm), {Co: 2 nm)/(Pt: 1 nm)} 10 multilayer film, {(Co-16at % Cr-4at % Ta: 2 nm)/(Pt: 1 nm)) 10 multilayer film, {(Co-20at % Cr-6at % B: 2 nm)/(Pd: 1 nm)} 10 multilayer film, and a Tb-12at % Fe-15at % Co amorphous perpendicular magnetization film (film thickness: 25 nm) were formed in place of the laminated perpendicular magnetization films 69 and 70 shown in FIG. 6 . As for the expressions of the multilayer films, in the case of the {(Co: 2 nm)/(Pt: 1 nm)} 10 multilayer film, for example, the expression represents a structure having 10 pairs of a Co film having a thickness of 2 nm and a Pt film having a thickness of 1 nm laminated. The thus-manufactured perpendicular magnetic recording media were heat-treated in a magnetic field to impart magnetization in the circumferential direction of the disk to the soft magnetic films thereof. The sample media were placed in a vacuum heater, and an electric conductive wire was passed through the hole in the central portion of the disk perpendicularly to the surface of the disk. The heat treatment was carried out in a magnetic field by generating the magnetic field which spun clockwise in the circumferential direction of the disk by passing a direct current through the wire while decreasing the temperature of the sample medium from 300° C. to room temperature. When the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films were observed at the cross-sections of the peripheral portion of the disk by a microscope using an optical Kerr-effect, it was observed that the magnetizations of the soft magnetic films were almost aligned parallel to the clockwise circumferential direction of the disk. Further, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium was manufactured as a comparative example by forming a Cr non-magnetic layer 62 having a thickness of 10 nm, a Co-21at % Cr-12at % Pt-2at % Ta ferromagnetic layer 63 having a thickness of 15 nm, a Co-6at % Nb-3at % Zr soft magnetic film 64 having a thickness of 200 nm, a Si non-magnetic film 67 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-35at % Cr-15at % Ru non-magnetic film 68 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-21at % Cr-12at % Pt-2at % Ta perpendicular magnetization film 69 having a thickness of 20 nm, a Co-17at % Cr-16at % Pt perpendicular magnetization film 70 having a thickness of 2 nm, and a carbon film 71 having a thickness of 4 nm as the protective film successively on the substrate 61 . Then, the recording-reproduction properties of these sample media were evaluated by using a separate-type recording/reproducing magnetic head. The track width of the Fe—Ni alloy magnetic pole of a single pole-type recording head was 0.52 μm, the track width of a giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) head for reproduction was 0.4 μm, a shield space was 0.08 μm, and spacing at the time of measurement was 0.02 μm. The S/N of the medium when magnetic recording was carried out at 400 a relative value to the S/N of the comparative sample medium. A resolution was measured as a linear recording density D 50 , which was a half of the amplitude of an isolated read pulse. As for recording magnetization intensity, the recording signal output at 400 kFCI was measured as a relative output to the comparative sample medium. Further, the frequency of occurrence of the spike noise was measured and evaluated as when at least one occurrence thereof was detected per track, ∘ when the occurrence thereof was not less than 0.1 and less than 1, and ⊚ when the occurrence thereof was less than 0.1. The results of these measurements are shown in Table 2. Incidentally, in Table 2, the expression {(Co: 2 nm)/(Pt: 1 nm)} 10 , for example, represents a multilayer film having 10 pairs of a Co film having a thickness of 2 nm and a Pt film having a thickness of 1 nm laminated. Writing-reading property S/N Magnetic film composing medium Resolution (relative Spike Sample Soft magnetic film Perpendicularly magnetized film D 50 (kFCI) value) noise 1 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 315 1.43 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 2 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al Co-50 at % Pt — 275 1.21 ◯ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) 3 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al Fe-50 at % Pt — 286 1.20 ◯ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) 4 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al {(Co:2 nm)/(Pt:1 nm)}10 — 284 1.22 ◯ (150 nm) (40 nm) 5 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al {(Co-16 at % Cr-4 at % Ta:2 nm)/ — 298 1.26 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (Pt:1 nm)}10 6 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al {(Co-20 at % Cr-6 at % B:2 nm)/ — 294 1.30 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (pd:1 nm)}10 7 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Fe-4 at % Si-3 at % Al Tb-12 at % Fe-15 at % Co — 283 1.29 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (25 nm) 8 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-5 at % Nb-2 at % Zr Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 310 1.41 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 9 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-4.5 at % Ta-3 at % Zr Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 312 1.46 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 10 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-4 at % Mo-3 at % Zr Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 305 1.44 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 11 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-4 at % W-3 at % Zr Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 302 1.35 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 12 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-4 at % Nb-3 at % Hf Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 311 1.31 ⊚ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % pt (2 nm) 13 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-3.5 at % Ta-2 at % Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 298 1.29 ⊚ (150 nm) Hf (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 14 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-3 at % Mo-3 at % Hf Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 316 1.30 ◯ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 15 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr Co-3.2 at % W-3 at % Hf Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 321 1.33 ◯ (150 nm) (40 nm) (20 nm) at % Pt (2 nm) 16 Co-6 at % Nb-3 at % Zr — Co-21 at % Cr-12 at % Pt-2 at % Ta Co-17 at % Cr-16 265 1.0 X (Com- (200 nm) (20 nm) at % pt (2 nm) (Base par- value) ison) It was found that the magnetic recording media of the present example had large resolutions and S/N and less occurrences of the spike noise, which was apt to occur from the soft magnetic back film, than the comparative sample medium and that they should therefore be desirable as high-density magnetic recording media. A 2.5-inch magnetic recording apparatus using a high-sensitive reproducing head to which a magnetic tunnel phenomenon was applied as a reproducing device was manufactured by using the magnetic recording medium manufactured in the present example. An error rate of 10 −8 was secured at an areal recording density of 40 Gb/in 2 for all the sample media, and it was confirmed that the apparatus could operate as an ultra high-density recording and reproducing apparatus. EXAMPLE 4 A perpendicular magnetic recording medium having the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 7 was manufactured by forming a NiO anti-ferromagnetic film 73 having a thickness of 20 nm, a Fe-25at % Ni soft magnetic film 74 having a thickness of 100 nm, a S1 3 N 4 non-magnetic film 75 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-6at % Nb-3at % Zr soft magnetic film 76 having a thickness of 100 nm, a SiO 2 non-magnetic film 77 having a thickness of 5 nm, an Fe-5at % Ta-10at % C soft magnetic film 78 having a thickness of 20 nm, a Ge film 79 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-18at % Cr-12at % Pt-1at % Si-3at % B perpendicular magnetization film 80 having a thickness of 20 nm, and a carbon protective film 81 having a thickness of 5 nm on a glass substrate having a diameter of 1.8 inches. Further, perpendicular magnetic recording media were manufactured having the same structure as described above except that B, C, Mg, Al, Si, Ti, V, Cr, Cu, Zr, Nb, Mo, Ru, Hf, Ta, W, Au, Al-10at % Mg, Si-2at % Ti, Ti-15at % V, Cu-5at % Ag, Au-50at % Ag, BN, B 4 C, NiO, AI 2 O 3 , SiO 2 , CaO, ZrO 2 , MgOCaO, SiO 2 —ZrO 2 and SiO 2 —CaO were used as a non-magnetic material film in place of the above S1 3 N 4 non-magnetic film 75 . Then, as a comparative sample medium, a perpendicular magnetic recording medium was manufactured by forming an Fe-25at % Ni single-layer film having a thickness of 200 nm directly on a glass substrate similar to the one used above and then forming a Ge film having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-18at % Cr-12at % Pt-1at % Si-3at % B perpendicular magnetization film having a thickness of 20 nm, and a carbon protective film having a thickness of 5 nm thereon. These perpendicular magnetic recording media were heat-treated in a magnetic field in the same manner as in Example 3. The media S/N and spike noises of these magnetic recording media were measured under the same conditions as used in Example 1. The results are shown in Table 3. TABLE 3 Sample Recording-reproduction property Non-magnetic Spike S/N No. Film material Noise (relative value) 1 Si3N4 ⊚ 1.32 2 B ⊚ 1.31 3 C ⊚ 1.34 4 Mg ⊚ 1.29 5 Al ⊚ 1.35 6 Si ⊚ 1.36 7 Ti ⊚ 1.30 8 V ⊚ 1.28 9 Cr ⊚ 1.29 10 Cu ⊚ 1.30 11 Zr ⊚ 1.32 12 Nb ⊚ 1.34 13 Mo ⊚ 1.33 14 Ru ⊚ 1.38 15 Hf ⊚ 1.36 16 Ta ⊚ 1.32 17 W ⊚ 1.29 18 Au ⊚ 1.31 19 Al-10 at % Mg ⊚ 1.36 20 Si-2 at % Ti ⊚ 1.36 21 Ti-15 at % V ⊚ 1.33 22 Cu-5 at % Ag ⊚ 1.35 23 Au-50 at % Ag ⊚ 1.39 24 BN ⊚ 1.34 25 B4C ⊚ 1.37 26 NiO ⊚ 1.35 27 Al2O3 ⊚ 1.36 28 SiO2 ⊚ 1.32 29 CaO ⊚ 1.27 30 ZrO2 ⊚ 1.29 31 MgO · CaO ⊚ 1.32 32 SiO2 · ZrO2 ⊚ 1.33 33 SiO2 · CaO ⊚ 1.30 Com- absent X (1.0) parison As is clear from the experiment results shown in Table 3, the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention had reduced occurrences of the spike noise and improved the media S/N by 20% to 40% as compared with the comparative example. Further, the states of magnetization at the cross-sections of the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention and the comparative example were observed by a magnetic force microscope and a Lorentz-type electron microscope. As a result, it was confirmed that all the perpendicular magnetic recording media according to the present invention had the state of magnetization shown in the schematic diagram of FIG. 7 . On the other hand, in the comparative example, a number of magnetic domain boundaries irrelevant to the information on recording magnetization were observed particularly in the soft magnetic film. It was assumed that such magnetic domain boundaries were observed as the spike noises in the evaluation of the recording-reproduction properties. EXAMPLE 5 A plurality of perpendicular magnetic recording media having the cross-sectional structure shown in FIG. 7 were manufactured in the same manner as in Example 4 by forming a Fe-50at % Pt ferromagnetic film 73 having a thickness of 10 nm, a Fe-25at % Ni soft magnetic film 74 having a thickness of T 1 nm, a Cu non-magnetic film 75 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-6at % Nb-3at % Zr soft magnetic film 76 having a thickness of T 2 , a SiO 2 non-magnetic film 77 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Fe-5at % Ta10at % C soft magnetic film 78 having a thickness of 20 nm, a Ti-10at % Cr film 79 having a thickness of 5 nm, a Co-18at % Cr-12at % Pt-1at % Si-3at % B perpendicular magnetization film 80 having a thickness of 20 nm and a carbon protective film 81 having a thickness of 5 nm on a glass substrate 72 having a diameter of 1.8 inches, and by varying the thicknesses (T 1 nm and T 2 nm) of the Fe-25at % Ni soft magnetic film 74 and the Co-6at % Nb-3at % Zr soft magnetic film 76 within the range of 5 to 200 nm. When the saturation magnetization values of the soft magnetic films used in the present example were measured, those of the Fe-25at % Ni soft magnetic film and the Co-6at % Nb-3at % Zr soft magnetic film were 1 T and that of the Fe-5at % Ta-10at % C soft magnetic film was 1.6 T. These perpendicular magnetic recording media were heat-treated in a magnetic field under the same conditions as used in Example 2, whereby the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films were defined to be almost in the circumferential direction of the glass disk substrate. The recording/reproducing properties of the prototyped perpendicular magnetic recording media were evaluated by using a separate-type recording/reproducing magnetic head. The following four types of magnetic heads were used. Although these four types of magnetic heads used different types of magnetic materials and different track widths of magnetic poles, they all had the same giant magnetoresistive effect (GMR) reproducing head device having a track width of 0.14 μm and a shield space of 0.07 μm as a reproducing device. The single pole-type recording head was constituted by an Fe—Co magnetic pole having a saturation magnetization of 1.6 T (with a track width of 0.15 μm, 0.30 μm, 0.50 μm or 1.0 μm). The recording/reproducing properties were measured at a spacing between the magnetic recording medium and the magnetic head of 0.02 μm. No spike noise was observed in any of the perpendicular magnetic recording media. To evaluate the recording efficiency of each of the recording heads to the media, an overwrite (O/W) property was measured. The overwrite property was evaluated by measuring the persistence rate of a high linear recording density signal in decibels when the high linear recording density signal (400 kFCI) was first written on the medium and a low linear recording density (100 kFCI) signal was overwritten thereon. FIG. 8 shows the relationship between the thickness of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium, in which the thicknesses of the Fe—Ni soft magnetic film (T 1 nm) and the Co—Nb—Zr soft magnetic film (T 2 nm) were varied (with the proviso that T 1 =T 2 ) simultaneously within the range of 5 to 200 nm, and the O/W property. The values of Σ(Bs m ·T m ) are also shown in the upper portion of FIG. 8 . Incidentally, in the Σ(Bs m ·T m ) the values of the Fe-5at % Ta-10at % C soft magnetic film having a thickness of 20 nm which were formed close to the perpendicular magnetization film was also integrated. As is clear from FIG. 8 , it was found that a good O/W property could be obtained at smaller thicknesses of the soft magnetic films as the track width of the recording head became smaller. To satisfy the expression O/W>30 dB required to be functional as the magnetic recording apparatus, it was found that 0.66Bs h ·Tw≦Σ(Bs m ·T m ) must be satisfied as the relationship between the saturation magnetization (Bs h ) and track width (Tw) of the magnetic material for the recording head and the thicknesses and saturation magnetizations of the soft magnetic films of the perpendicular magnetic recording medium. That is, from the viewpoint of the recording efficiency of the single pole-type recording head, it is effective to adjust the thicknesses and degrees of magnetizations of the soft magnetic films incorporated in the perpendicular magnetic recording medium in relation to the target areal recording density. To level the surface of the magnetic recording medium, it was confirmed that the total thickness of the soft magnetic films be desirably as small as possible and that the range defined by the expression Σ(Bs m ·T m )≦Bs h −Tw be substantially satisfactory. An error rate of 10 −8 or less was obtained when the error rate was measured at an areal recording density of 80 Gb/in 2 using the perpendicular magnetic recording medium prototyped in the present example and comprising an Fe—Ni soft magnetic film having a thickness of 50 nm, a Co—Nb—Zr soft magnetic film having a thickness of 50 nm and an Fe—Ta—C soft magnetic film having a thickness of 20 nm in combination with a separate-type recording/reproducing magnetic head having a track width for recording of 0.15 μm and a track width for reproducing of 0.14 μm. According to the present invention, the noise property of the dual-layer perpendicular magnetic recording medium and the recording efficiency of the magnetic head can be improved, whereby a magnetic disk storage device capable of high-speed and high-density magnetic recording, particularly, high-density magnetic recording of 40 Gb/in 2 or higher, can be attained and a reduction in the size of the apparatus and an increase in the capacity thereof can be facilitated.
A perpendicular magnetic recording medium which has been improved to be suitable for high-density magnetic recording and a magnetic recording apparatus using the medium are provided. The magnetic back film of a dual-layer perpendicular recording medium is caused to be constituted by a plurality of layers, and a keeper layer 17 for keeping perpendicular magnetization and layers 13 and 15 for improving the recording efficiency of a recording head are functionally separated from one another. Further, the magnetization orientations of the soft magnetic films excluding the keeper layer are defined to be in the circumferential direction of the disk, whereby the frequency of occurrence of noise is decreased.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention concerns a shoulder carrier particularly useful for camera's such as movie cameras and video cameras. More particularly, it is concerned with an adjustable harness and camera support useful with a variety of body sizes and which frees the photographer's hands for other tasks. 2. Description of the Prior Art An emerging consumer electronics industry has not only brought the ability to record sound motion pictures into the financial reach of many consumers, but has also brought the bulk and weight of such equipment down so that cameras can be used even by children or individual's of small stature. The video camera, which records both sound and images on economical cassettes or other magnetic media, has reduced substantially cost of audiovisual filming by eliminating, in large part, the need for expensive acetate film and film processing. As video cameras have become more available and lighter in weight, many individuals have sought ways to make them easier to carry and use. Because of the bulk and weight of many broadcast quality video cameras, special shoulder mounts have been developed to reduce the photographer's fatigue. Examples of such shoulder rests are shown, for example, in U.S. Des. Pat. Nos. D309,907, D324,874 and D323,181. Another approach to dealing with the weight and bulk of such cameras are harnesses or straps, as shown in U.S. Design Pat. Nos. 338,999 and 367,768. However, none of these designs have the requisite stability for true hands-free operation, coupled with a further ability to support the weight of the camera over a substantial length of time. There has thus developed a need for camera support which is adjustable for a large range of body sizes, positions the camera with the viewfinder in close relationship to the photographer's eye, provides prolonged weight-bearing capability, frees the photographer's hands for other tasks during use, and yields a stable platform for producing satisfactory audiovisual works in either film or magnetic media such as videocassette format. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION These and other objects have largely been met by the shoulder carrier of the present invention. That is to say, the shoulder carrier hereof is stable, properly positions a consumer-sized camera with the eyepiece in proximity to the photographer, is adjustable for a range of body sizes, is stable in use, permits substantially hands-free operation, and in addition is lightweight and comfortable to wear. The shoulder carrier hereof includes a substantially rigid harness designed for positioning on the photographer's shoulders, a belt which is sized to wrap around the photographer's chest, and a camera support. Preferably, the camera support is adjustable to position the camera coupled thereto at a selected elevation relative to the harness. In greater detail, the harness is preferably provided with a pair of flexible shoulder supports which may be bent into various configurations to substantially conform to the wearer's shoulders. The supports may be perforated at their ends to permit adjustable connection to respective front and back securement bars. The securement bars position the arcuate shoulder supports at the desired location and amount of separation on the shoulders, and are provided with a plurality of openings to permit attachment in any one of a number of different desired spacings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a shoulder carrier for a camera, showing the user and camera in phantom lines to depict the environment of use, and illustrating the; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the shoulder carrier of FIG. 1, with a portion of the padding of the shoulder support broken away to show the underlying brace; FIG. 3 is a top plan view thereof, with the camera shown in phantom lines, illustrating the platform of the camera mount presenting alternative locating slots for the camera receiver and a portion of the padding of the front and rear securement bars broken away showing the provision for lateral adjustment of the rear securement bars; and FIG. 4 is a front elevational view thereof, showing the adjustment holes on the front securement bar for varying both the distance between the shoulder supports and the height of the front adjustment bar relative to the shoulder supports, with the hinge for the platform hidden by covering material. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawing and in particular FIG. 1, a shoulder carrier 10 is provided for supporting a camera, such as a video camera 12 on the shoulders 14 of a wearer 16. The shoulder carrier 10 broadly includes a shoulder harness 18, a camera mount 20, and a coupler 22 which connects the camera mount to the shoulder harness for hands-free operation. In greater detail, the shoulder harness 18 includes a first shoulder support 24 and a second shoulder support 26 interconnected in spaced-apart, parallel relationship by a front securement bar 28 and a rear securement bar 30. Both the first shoulder support 24 and second shoulder support 26 are arcuate in configuration, presenting a substantially inverted U-shape in the orientation of typical use. First shoulder support 24 presents a back region 32 configured to engage the back of the wearer 16, a front region 34 configured to engage the chest of the wearer, and an intermediate connecting section 36 adapted to rest on the shoulder of the wearer. Second shoulder support 26 is similarly configured, presenting a back region 38 configured to engage the back of the wearer 16, a front region 40 configured to engage the chest of the wearer, and an intermediate connecting section 42 adapted to rest on the other shoulder of the wearer. Each of the shoulder supports 24 and 26 presents an underside 44 provided with padding 46 of foam rubber, quilted material, or other fabric or synthetic resin. A rib 48 is positioned over the padding 46 in use, the rib 48 being provided of deformable material which remains substantially rigid when bent into a desired configuration. A suitable material for rib 48 is a thin sheet of aluminum, but it may be appreciated that other metals, synthetic resins or deformable materials could also be used, and that, while less desirable, more rigid materials such as wood could also be used. The advantage of using deformable materials which are substantially rigid as set forth above is that the shoulder support may be bent or otherwise conform to the particular shape of the wearer without losing their supporting capabilities. The shoulder supports 24 and 26 are positioned in substantially parallel, vertical orientation by front securement bar 30. The front securement bar 28 is provided with a multiplicity of substantially horizontally aligned, spaced-apart holes 50 for alignment with complementally spaced holes in openings 52 in each of the first and second shoulder supports 24 and 26. At least some of the holes 50 and some of the openings 52 are normally in registry and receive therethrough threaded fasteners 54 such as bolts secured by nuts 56. The nuts may be removed and the threaded fasteners 54 relocated when one or both of the first and second shoulder supports are shifted laterally along front securement bar 28, thereby accommodating wearers 16 of different stature. It may also be seen in FIG. 4 that openings 52 in the first and second shoulder supports 24 and 26 may be offset vertically so that the front securement bar may be shifted vertically for adjustment to accommodate different positioning requirements. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the rear securement bar 30 has overlapping first stay 53a attached to first shoulder support 24 and second stay 53b attached to second shoulder support 26. The first stay 53a and second stay 53b overlap about halfway between first and second shoulder supports 24 and 26 where each is provided with two rows each of a plurality of normally horizontally aligned and spaced holes 55 receiving threaded fasteners 56 therethrough so that the first and second shoulder supports 24 and 26 may be maintained in substantially parallel vertical orientation when adjusted. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the front securement bar 28 includes a substantially rigid thin, preferably metal beam 58 covered by padding 46 which may include a cloth cover, with similar padding 46 provided over stays 53a and 53b of rear securement bar 30. Also, as may be seen in FIG. 3, a belt 60 is provided for assisting and maintaining the shoulder carrier 10 in position on the shoulders 14 of the wearer 16 during use. The belt 60 is connected to the the back region 32, 38 of each of the first and second shoulder 24, 26 supports and also though the rear securement bar 30. The belt 60 is adapted to pass beneath the arms of the wearer 16 to thereby operatively interconnect the front region to the back region of each of the first and second shoulder supports 24, 26. Belt 60 includes a band 62 of typically nylon webbing divided into a first length 64 and a second length 66, the first length being provided with a clasp 68 for releasably connecting with buckle 70. A first loop 72 is provided to depend from adjacent the front region 34 of the first shoulder support 24 and a second loop 74 is provided to depend from adjacent the front region 40 of second shoulder support 26. The loops 72 and 74 serve to guide and retain the respective first and second lengths of the band 62 in a comfortable wearing position, with the buckle interconnecting the first and second lengths to, in combination with the rear securement bar 30, substantially circumscribe the chest of the wearer 16. As may be seen in FIG. 3, the band 62 passes through slots 76 in registry on each of the rear securement bar and the first and second shoulder supports at the back regions thereof. Camera mount 20 includes a platform 78 which is generally L-shaped and provided with extension 80 extending from first shoulder support 24 laterally toward second should support 26. The platform is provided with a plurality of fore-and aft extending slots 82 which are laterally spaced across the platform 78. The slots 82 are sized to receive thumbscrew 84 therethrough which may be shifted forwardly or rearwardly along each progressively shorter slot 82a, 82b and 82c to properly position the camera for the individual user. Thumbscrew 84 is threadably connected to camera release 86. The camera release 86 is a quick release coupler adapted to receive a corresponding shoe located on the underside of video camera 12. It may be appreciated that an exemplary camera release 86 is shown, and that other commercially available camera releases 86 may be provided corresponding to the particular model of camera to be used. In some circumstances, the thumbscrew 84 alone will be sufficient when threaded into a complementally threaded recess on the underside of the video camera 12. By removing and relocating thumbscrew 84 in an alternate slot 82, the camera release 86 may be repositioned to locate a view finder 88 of the video camera 12 in an ergonometrically desirable position relative to the viewing eye of the wearer 16. The coupler 22 preferably permits adjustable positioning of the camera mount 20 to the shoulder harness 18. The coupler 22 includes a hinge 90 interconnecting the front region 34 of first shoulder support with the platform 78. The hinge 90 is shown in phantom in FIGS. 1 and 3 and partially in phantom with also a portion shown with the covering material over the platform 78 broken away. The hinge 90 and may be attached by rivets, sheet metal screws, bolts or the like. When bolts or similar removable fasteners are used to connect the hinge to the first shoulder support 24, alternative vertically spaced holes 52a in the shoulder support 24 may permit vertical repositioning of the hinge and thus the platform 78 to adapt to an individual wearer 16. In addition, a brace 92 adjustably maintains the desired orientation of the camera mount 20 to the shoulder harness 18. The brace 92 includes a turnbuckle 94 which is pivotably connected to first hinge bracket 96 attached to front region 34 beneath hinge 90, and to second hinge bracket 98 attached to the underside of the platform 78 rearwardly of the holes 82 receiving thumbscrew 82. By rotating turnbuckle body 100, the camera mount 20 may be pivoted on hinge 90 relative to shoulder harness 18. In use, the wearer 16 places the shoulder carrier on his or her shoulders with his neck located between first shoulder support 24 and second shoulder support 26. The wearer's arms are then passed over the band 62 and the buckle secured across his chest. The camera is then mounted to the camera release 86. With the camera 12 thus in position, the wearer can adjust the turnbuckle to pivot the platform 78 so that the camera 12 has the desired field of view. With the camera properly positioned, the wearer may begin filming. If desired, the camera may be locked in the filming mode, whereby the wearer's hands may be freed from the necessity of holding the camera until filming is to be discontinued. This substantially reduces fatigue on the wearer, as the weight of the camera remains borne entirely by the wearer's shoulders 14 rather than his or her arms. As noted above, the ribs 48 may be deformed so that the shoulder supports are in close conformance with the body of the wearer. The belt 60 aids in maintaining the shoulder supports in close contact. Yet further, the front securement bar 30 may be detached from the shoulder supports 24, 26 and repositioned and reattached so that the spacing between the shoulder supports may be varied to accommodate the body of the individual wearer 16. As demonstrated by the additional holes 52 visible in FIGS. 3 and 4, the securement bars may also be vertically repositioned on the shoulder supports 24 and 26 to accommodate the body size of the wearer 16. Further, the hinge 90 may be adjustably positioned in alternative holes 52a to properly position a desired camera. The camera release 86 may be laterally positioned in any one of the desired slots 82 by repositioning thumbscrew 84, and may be moved toward or away from the user's head by loosening the thumbscrew 84, moving the camera and camera release 86 by sliding the thumbscrew along the slot 82, and then retightening the thumbscrew. Finally, the angle of elevation of the platform 78 and thus the camera carried thereon may be adjusted by turning the turnbuckle body 100 to pivot the platform about the hinge 90. Although preferred forms of the invention have been described above, it is to be recognized that such disclosure is by way of illustration only, and should not be utilized in a limiting sense in interpreting the scope of the present invention. Obvious modifications to the exemplary embodiments, as hereinabove set forth, could be readily made by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the present invention. The inventor hereby states his intent to rely on the Doctrine of Equivalents to determine and assess the reasonably fair scope of his invention as pertains to any apparatus not materially departing from but outside the literal scope of the invention as set out in the following claims.
A shoulder carrier for a camera, such as a video camera, is provided which positions the camera with its viewfinder adjacent the viewer's eye without the necessity for additional support. The shoulder carrier includes a shoulder harness including a pair of spaced-apart shoulder supports and at least one securement bar interconnecting the supports, a camera mount including a platform and a camera release, and a coupler interconnecting the platform with the shoulder harness for adjustably orienting the camera mount, and thus a camera carried thereon, relative to the shoulder harness. A belt is provided which connects front and back regions of the shoulder supports and connects across the chest area of the wearer. The belt aids in inhibiting the shoulder support from inadvertently disengaging and falling from the wearer, which would result in damage to the camera, thereby freeing the wearer's hands from holding the camera during use.
6
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present disclosure generally relates to wind turbine components and, more particularly systems and methods for relieving stress on wind turbine components. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Wind turbines are continuously being designed and produced to be larger, to be more complex, and to have increased strength. One such structure is a wind turbine. Wind turbines can include a plurality of blades rotationally coupled to a generator rotor through a hub. The generator rotor can be mounted within a housing or nacelle, which may be positioned on top of a tubular tower or a base. The housing or nacelle has significant mass which is fatigue loaded on the tower or base. Movement of the housing due to wind or other forces may result in loads, such as reversing fatigue loads on the tower or base or on the nacelle or the housing. [0003] Fatigue loaded structures or portions of structures may be subjected to numerous physical forces. Physical forces may result from factors including, but not limited to, environmental effects (such as sunlight being on only a portion of the structure at a time), operational effects, and/or exposure to changing conditions. For example, a wind turbine tower can sway due to changes in wind speed, thereby subjecting the tower to tensile and compressive forces on the metal structures making up the tower. The nacelle may be exposed to similar forces from the rotation of the blades. Likewise, a generator housing or other portions of the wind turbine can be subjected to these and other forces. Over time, the tensile and compressive forces can form cracks. Upon being formed, the cracks can propagate with continued cycling of tensile and compressive forces. Ultimately, the cracks can lead to failure of the structure. [0004] To reduce, retard, or eliminate cracking, fillets having stress relief properties (for example, distribution of tensile and compressive forces) can be fastened to structures at locations where the structure is susceptible to cracking or experiences tensile and/or compressive forces. [0005] Fillets used for stress relief require a significant amount of material and require significant labor to install. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0006] In an aspect, a flange for securing an upper tower section and a lower tower section of a wind turbine includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm. [0007] In another aspect, a wind turbine includes at least one blade operably mounted on a tower, the at least one blade attached to a rotor having a rotor shaft, the rotor shaft in rotational communication with a generator, the tower including an upper tower section and a lower tower section, a first flange, and a second flange. Each flange includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm. [0008] In another aspect, a method of distributing stress in flanges securing an upper tower section and a lower tower section of a wind turbine includes forming a first flange, forming a second flange, and securing the first flange to the second flange with the fastener. Each flange includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction, the second direction being substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a wind turbine in accordance with the present disclosure. [0010] FIG. 2 shows a part of an exemplary flange between an upper tower section and lower tower section of a wind turbine. [0011] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary fastener for securing a first flange to a second flange. [0012] FIG. 4 shows a part of an exemplary flange between an upper tower section and lower tower section of a wind turbine. [0013] FIG. 5 shows a part of a flange having a fastener and no relief region. [0014] Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to represent the same parts. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0015] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary wind turbine 10 in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. The embodiments of the present disclosure may include decreased material costs by decreasing the amount of material desired, maintained or improved distribution of stress, increased machine life, and/or decreased size of parts thereby generating cost savings, such as reduced labor costs and reduced material costs. Other features and advantages of the present disclosure will be apparent from the following more detailed description of the preferred embodiment, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate, by way of example, the principles of the disclosure. [0016] Wind turbine 10 described and illustrated herein is a wind generator for generating electrical power from wind energy. However, in some embodiments, wind turbine 10 may be, in addition or alternative to a wind generator, any type of wind turbine, such as, but not limited to, a windmill (not shown). Moreover, wind turbine 10 described and illustrated herein includes a horizontal-axis configuration. However, in some embodiments, wind turbine 10 may include, in addition or alternative to the horizontal-axis configuration, a vertical-axis configuration (not shown). Wind turbine 10 may be coupled to an electrical load (not shown), such as, but not limited to, a power grid (not shown) for receiving electrical power therefrom to drive operation of wind turbine 10 and/or its associated components and/or for supplying electrical power generated by wind turbine 10 thereto. Although only one wind turbine 10 is shown in FIG. 1 , in some embodiments a plurality of wind turbines 10 may be grouped together, sometimes referred to as a “wind farm.” [0017] Wind turbine 10 includes a body 16 , sometimes referred to as a “nacelle,” and a rotor (generally designated by 18 ) coupled to body 16 for rotation with respect to body 16 about an axis of rotation 20 . In the exemplary embodiment, nacelle 16 is mounted on a tower 14 . The height of tower 14 may be any suitable height enabling wind turbine 10 to function as described herein. Rotor 18 includes a hub 22 and a plurality of blades 24 (sometimes referred to as “airfoils”) extending radially outward from hub 22 for converting wind energy into rotational energy. Each blade 24 has a tip 25 positioned at the end thereof which is distant from the hub 22 . Although rotor 18 is described and illustrated herein as having three blades 24 , rotor 18 may have any number of blades 24 . Blades 24 may each have any length (whether or not described herein). [0018] Despite how rotor blades 24 are illustrated in FIG. 1 , rotor 18 may have blades 24 of any shape, and may have blades 24 of any type and/or any configuration, whether or not such shape, type, and/or configuration is described and/or illustrated herein. Another example of a type, shape, and/or configuration of rotor blades 24 is a darrieus wind turbine, sometimes referred to as an “eggbeater” turbine. Yet another example of a type, shape, and/or configuration of rotor blades 24 is a savonious wind turbine. Even another example of another type, shape, and/or configuration of rotor blades 24 is a traditional windmill for pumping water, such as, but not limited to, four-bladed rotors having wooden shutters and/or fabric sails. Moreover, wind turbine 10 may, in some embodiments, be a wind turbine wherein rotor 18 generally faces upwind to harness wind energy, and/or may be a wind turbine wherein rotor 18 generally faces downwind to harness energy. Of course, in any embodiments, rotor 18 may not face exactly upwind and/or downwind, but may face generally at any angle (which may be variable) with respect to a direction of the wind to harness energy therefrom. [0019] Tower 14 can include an upper tower section 30 and a lower tower section 40 secured by flanges welded together. As shown, lower tower section 40 can support upper tower section 30 . Upper tower section 30 and/or lower tower section 40 can be arcuate, cylindrical or some portion thereof. In one embodiment, upper tower section 30 , lower tower section 40 , and other portions form tower 14 having a conical or frusto-conical geometry. In other embodiments, tower 14 may have other suitable geometries. [0020] FIG. 2 illustrates a part of a flanged joint between upper tower section 30 and lower tower section 40 . The flanged joint can be in turbine 10 between upper tower section 30 and lower tower section 40 . [0021] A lower region 37 of upper tower section 30 includes a flange 32 . Flange 32 includes a first arm 36 and second arm 38 , wherein first arm 36 and second arm 38 extend in a generally perpendicular arrangement. First arm 36 extends generally vertically along upper tower section 30 , and second arm 38 extends generally horizontally into the interior of tower 14 (see FIG. 1 ). As used herein, the term “L-flange” refers to a flange having the generally perpendicular arrangement of two arms. Between first arm 36 and second arm 38 is region 37 and a relief region 39 . Region 37 includes material consistent with first arm 36 and second arm 38 . Region 37 connects first arm 36 and second arm 38 . Region 37 , first arm 36 , and second arm 38 may be formed as a unitary article. In one embodiment, region 37 may be part of upper tower section 30 of tower 14 (see FIG. 1 ). Relief region 39 may be a relief region extending between an lower portion of first arm 36 and an lower portion of second arm 38 . The unitary article may be formed having relief region 39 or relief region 39 may be formed subsequent to the forming of the unitary article. For example, relief region 39 may be formed by machining. [0022] An upper region 47 of lower tower section 40 includes a flange 42 . Flange 42 includes a first arm 46 and second arm 48 , wherein the first arm 46 and second arm 48 extend in a generally perpendicular arrangement. First arm 46 extends generally vertically along tower section 40 , and second arm 48 extends generally horizontally into the interior of tower 14 . Between first arm 46 and second arm 48 is region 47 and a relief region 49 . Region 47 includes material consistent with first arm 46 and second arm 48 . Region 47 connects first arm 46 and second arm 48 . Region 47 , first arm 46 , and second arm 48 may be formed as a unitary article. Relief region 49 may be a relief region extending between an lower portion of first arm 46 and a lower portion of second arm 48 . The unitary article may be formed having relief region 49 or relief region 49 may be formed subsequent to the forming of the unitary article. [0023] First and second flange 32 , 42 meet along arms 38 , 48 extending horizontally into the interior of tower 14 . Each flange 32 , 42 includes at least one opening 50 (the section portion of FIG. 2 shows only one opening 50 ). For example, one arrangement of openings 50 includes openings spaced apart by the substantially same distance in the respective flanges. First flange 32 and second flange 42 are fastened to each other by fasteners 52 (for example a bolt sized to fit within opening 50 as shown in FIG. 3 ). The fasteners and/or weld 44 can secure first flange 32 to second flange 42 . [0024] FIG. 3 shows an exemplary fastener for securing flange 32 and flange 42 together. Fastener 52 is a bolt having an elongated generally cylindrical portion 54 configured to extend through opening 50 of both flange 32 and flange 42 as well as a bolt head 56 on one end and a nut 58 on the other end. Generally cylindrical portion 54 and/or other suitable portions of fastener 52 may include threading for tightening nut 58 thereby further securing flange 32 and flange 42 . Additionally or alternatively, opening 50 may also include threading. Fasteners 52 may be positioned within tower 14 or, in an alternate embodiment, outside of tower 14 if flange arms 38 , 48 extend outward from tower 14 . [0025] Relief regions 39 , 49 of flanges 32 , 42 can reduce or eliminate a desire for including excess material, thus avoiding excess material machining and providing cost savings without adversely affecting the stress resistance. Relief regions 39 , 49 may result in fillet 60 being positioned below the surface instead of being positioned on a surface 62 of flange 64 as is shown in FIG. 5 . In one embodiment, relief regions 39 , 49 may permit use of the same fillet 60 as may be used in flange 64 . Depending on the geometry of flanges not including relief regions 39 , 49 , the geometry of relief regions 39 , 49 can be adapted accordingly to decrease material use and maintain or improving stress distribution while permitting use of similar fillets 60 . Additionally or alternatively, relief regions 39 , 49 may have larger or smaller dimensions than those shown so long as in including relief regions 39 , 49 , the stress distribution in flanges 32 , 42 and/or fastener(s) 52 remains the same or improves in comparison to flange 64 . [0026] In an exemplary embodiment, flanges 32 , 42 may include relief regions 39 , 49 of a predetermined size and/or in a predetermined position. The predetermined size may be based upon the size of the flange. For example, flanges 32 , 42 may have a predetermined height 100 . In relation to predetermined height 100 , a predetermined amount of material may be present between relief region 39 and relief region 49 . For example, between relief region 39 and relief region 49 may be a predetermined distance 102 (with ½ of predetermined distance 102 being the distance between an end of the flange and the relief region). Predetermined distance 102 may be greater than about 70% of predetermined height 100 . A predetermined amount of material may be present between each relief region 39 , 49 and hole 50 of fastener 52 . For example, a predetermined distance 104 may be between relief region 39 , 49 and hole 50 and/or nut 58 of fastener 52 . Predetermined distance 104 may be greater than about 10% of predetermined height 100 . A predetermined amount of space may be present in relief region 39 , 49 . For example, relief region 39 , 49 may have a predetermined width 106 . Predetermined width 106 may be greater than about 10% of predetermined height 100 . In one embodiment, a depth 108 of relief regions 39 , 49 in flanges 32 , 42 may be about 36% of predetermined height 100 and/or a radial length of fillet 60 may be about 16% of predetermined height 100 . [0027] The predetermined size and/or predetermined position of flanges 32 , 42 may result in equivalent or improved stress resistance, as determined through extracting equivalent stress results from a simulation on a finite element computer program. Elastic measurements of the exemplary embodiment may be improved in comparison to flange 64 not having relief regions 39 , 49 . Elastic measurements of an exemplary embodiment of first arm 36 , 46 may be improved by at least 9%. Elastic measurements of an exemplary embodiment of second arm 38 , 48 may be improved by at least 3%. Elastic measurements of an exemplary embodiment of fastener 52 may be improved by at least 1%. [0028] While the disclosure has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment, 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 disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this disclosure, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.
A wind turbine including an article, article, and method of forming an article for distributing stress are disclosed. The article includes a flange for securing an upper tower section and a lower tower section of a wind turbine and includes a first arm extending in a first direction, a second arm extending in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction, a relief region disposed between the first arm and the second arm, the relief region maintaining or improving the distribution of stress on wind turbine components selected from the group consisting of the first arm of the flange, the second arm of the flange, a fastener of the flange, and combinations thereof.
4
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2005-40198, filed on May 13, 2005 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a compressor, and, more particularly, to system and method for controlling a linear compressor, which are capable of controlling a triac to vary a stroke of a piston of the linear compressor. 2. Description of the Related Art Generally, a linear compressor, whose piston is directly connected to a mover of a linear motor, reciprocates the piston as the motor performs linear motion. Since a linear compressor does not have a crankshaft, which transforms a rotational motion to a linear motion, frictional loss is relatively small. Therefore, compression efficiency of the linear compressor is greater than that of a general compressor. Such a linear compressor is operated such that its piston reciprocates based on a voltage, which is applied thereto based on a stroke command set by a user, and thus the stroke is varied to control freezing force. Namely, the stroke is calculated on the basis of the voltage and current applied to a motor of the linear compressor. Afterwards, if the calculated stroke is smaller than the stroke command, a triac, which applies alternating current (AC) to the linear compressor, is operated such that its ON duration is elongated, thereby increasing the voltage applied to the compressor. On the other hand, if the calculated stroke is greater than the stroke command, the triac is operated such that its ON duration is reduced, thereby decreasing the voltage applied to the compressor. Therefore, the stroke cycling distances of the linear compressor are varied by the above-mentioned processes, and thus a freezing force is controlled. However, the prior art technology has disadvantages in that, although the stroke cycling distance is reduced by a relatively small amount, since the freezing force is rapidly decreased, the frictional loss rate is enlarged when the freezing force is varied, and clearance volume is also increased, thereby decreasing its efficiency. In order to resolve the problems, a prior art technology has been proposed and is described in detail below. In Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0026918 (which was published on Apr. 1, 2004), as shown in FIG. 1 , the prior art embodiment includes two windings of a motor, which input direct current (DC) and alternating current (AC), respectively. Also, in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0101764 (which was published on Dec. 3, 2004), a method is adopted which selectively inputs DC and AC on the basis of load. Namely, as shown in (a) of FIG. 2 , when AC is applied to the linear compressor under normal conditions (in which load is preset when the linear compressor is designed), since a large force is applied to a piston, the maximum pressing volume is secured. Also, as shown in (b) of FIG. 2 , only AC is applied to the linear compressor under a specific load condition (the maximum load), since the shoved amount of the piston is relatively small, the maximum pressing volume cannot be secured. As such, when the maximum pressing volume is not secured, AC and DC are applied to the linear compressor such that the center of the piston cycling is moved to an opposite side of a delivery valve. Therefore, the shoved amount of the piston is increased and the maximum pressing volume can be secured, as show in (c) of FIG. 2 . In the method wherein AC and DC are applied to a linear compressor, pressing efficiency can be designed as the center of the piston cycling is moved, considering load. However, the prior art technology still has disadvantages in that, the efficiency of the motor windings is low and, since motor windings should be additionally installed, the number of assembly processes is increased. On the other hand, in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2004-0101768 (which was published on Dec. 3, 2004), a method for varying driving frequency of a linear compressor by using inverters to control a stroke is disclosed. As shown in FIG. 3 , in order to make the driving frequency coincide with a mechanical resonant frequency as each time load is varied, the driving frequency variable constant is detected as an average value which is obtained by multiplying a stroke by current for a period. Then a driving frequency in a state in which the average value is approximated to ‘0’ is detected, as a driving frequency command value, thereby improving the driving efficiency of the compressor. As such, in order to vary the driving frequency, inverters are used. However, since the controller which controls stroke using the inverters, is expensive, the prior art technology is not cost-effective. On the other hand, a method which varies stroke based on stroke voltage to control freezing force, has drawbacks in that the center of piston reciprocation is moved according to load conditions when the piston reciprocates. Since the movement distance is increased under overload, the piston and the delivery value collide with each other. In order to resolve this problem, there is a method disclosed in Korean Patent Application No. 10-2002-0041984 (which was published on Jun. 5, 2002). Namely, as shown in FIG. 4 , the method involves detecting loads, and controlling phases of triacs according to the loads, changing pressing cycles and expansion cycles. If overload is detected, as shown in FIG. 5 , ON durations of the triacs are increased more at the pressing cycle than at the absorption cycle, such that the piston cannot be excessively shoved back. Therefore, a collision between the piston and the delivery valve can be prevented. These technologies should be operated such that an operation unit 300 inputs current of a current detection unit 200 , integrates the current for a period, and outputs a work arithmetic signal Wi based on the integration, and a microcomputer 400 reads a pressing difference between absorption and delivery from an absorption/delivery pressing difference storage unit 500 and detects the difference as a load. In order to detect such loads, since current is integrated to operate the work arithmetic signal, the operation processing time is increased, and the pressing difference between absorption and delivery for each work arithmetic signal according to a load condition is experimentally obtained. Also, the obtained difference must be stored, and it is difficult to reflect all of the calculated work arithmetic signals thereto. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Therefore, it is an aspect of the invention to provide a system and method to control a linear compressor, which is capable of varying a freezing force, as trigger signals are applied to triacs based on a phase difference between displacement of a motor and current thereof, are controlled. In accordance with an aspect of the invention, there is provided a system to control a linear compressor to generate a freezing force as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives alternating current power through a triac. The system comprises a controller to move up or delay a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle, such that the center point of the piston reaches a resonant point when a current and a phase difference of the motor deviate from predetermined ranges. In one aspect, the system may further comprise a current crossing detection unit to detect crossing of the current applied to the motor; a position detection unit to detect motor displacement; a resonant determination unit to output the current crossing detected by the current crossing detection unit and phase difference information corresponding to a phase difference displacement magnitude detected by the position detection unit; and a load determination unit to output load information to determine load based on the phase difference information of the resonant determination unit. The controller moves up or delays the trigger signal based on the phase difference information of the resonant determination unit and the load information of the load determination unit, such that the center point of the piston reciprocation can be controlled to coincide with the resonant point. In another aspect, the system may further comprise a voltage detection unit to detect a motor voltage; and a position calculation unit to calculate displacement of the motor based on the motor voltage detected by the voltage detection unit and the motor current. The resonant determination unit outputs the motor displacement calculated by the position calculation unit and the phase difference information based on a phase difference magnitude of the current crossing. In another aspect, the load determination unit determines that the load is normal when the motor displacement leads by phase of the motor current plus 90°, that the load is a small load when the motor displacement leads by a phase of the motor current plus 90° and a predetermined value, and that the load is an overload when the motor displacement leads by a phase of the motor current minus 90° and a predetermined value. In another aspect, the resonant point is a point where the center point of the piston reciprocation is controlled to coincide with the center of teeth of a stator of the motor. In another aspect, the controller moves up a trigger signal of the length of the compression cycle to be applied to the triac or delays a trigger signal of the length of the absorption cycle to be applied to the triac, when the load is the overload. In still another aspect, the controller delays a trigger signal of the length of the compression cycle to be applied to the triac or moves up a trigger signal of the length of the absorption cycle to be applied to the triac, when the load is the small load. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a linear compressor for generating a freezing force as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives alternating current power through a triac, comprising detecting current and displacement of the motor when the linear compressor is driven; determining whether a center point of piston reciprocation is a resonant point based on the motor current and phase difference of the motor displacement; and moving up or delaying a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle to be applied to the triac, if the center point of the piston reciprocation is not the resonant point. In one aspect, the moving up or delaying comprises moving up a trigger signal of the length of the compression cycle to be applied to the triac, or delaying a trigger signal of the length of the absorption cycle to be applied to the triac, when the center point of the piston reciprocation is moved to the absorption cycle side from the resonant point. In another aspect, the moving up or delaying comprises delaying a trigger signal of the length of the compression cycle to be applied to the triac or moving up a trigger signal of the length of the absorption cycle to be applied to the triac, when the center point of the piston reciprocation is moved to the compression cycle side from the resonant point. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a method for controlling a linear compressor having a piston reciprocated by rotation of a motor, comprising controlling a center point of piston reciprocation to coincide with a center of teeth of a stator of the motor, and performing a resonant trace to maintain a resonant point. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system to control a linear compressor having a piston reciprocated by rotation of a motor, comprising a controller to control a center point of piston reciprocation to coincide with a center of teeth of a stator of the motor, and to perform a resonant trace to maintain a resonant point. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system to control a linear compressor to generate a freezing force as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives power through a switch, comprising means for detecting current and displacement of the motor when the linear compressor is driven, means for determining whether a center point of piston reciprocation is a resonant point based on the motor current and a phase difference of the motor displacement, and means for moving up or delaying a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle to be applied to the switch, if the center point of the piston reciprocation is not the resonant point. In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, there is provided a system to control a linear compressor as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives power through a switch, comprising means for determining phase difference information corresponding to a phase difference displacement magnitude, and load information, means for moving up or delaying a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle, such that the center point of the piston reaches a resonant point when a current and a phase difference of the motor deviate from predetermined ranges, wherein the moving up or delaying of the trigger signal is based on the phase difference information and the load information, such that the center point of the piston reciprocation can be controlled to coincide with the resonant point. Additional aspects and/or advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be clear from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and/or other aspects and advantages of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a prior art device for driving a linear compressor using AC and DC; FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a state wherein the center of piston cycling is moved as a shoved amount of a piston is varied based on load conditions; FIG. 3 is a block diagram of a controller of a linear compressor for varying driving frequency using prior art inverters; FIG. 4 is a bock diagram of a configuration wherein load is detected according to a work arithmetic signal which is obtained as current is integrated and turn on times of triacs based on the detected load, are controlled; FIG. 5 is a graph illustrating waveforms of stroke voltages applied to a linear compressor by a microcomputer of FIG. 4 , in which stroke voltage of a compression cycle is larger than that of a suction cycle; FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating a linear compressor according to the present invention; FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating the center of reciprocation of a piston based on load conditions of the linear compressor of FIG. 6 ; FIG. 8 is a block diagram of a linear compressor controller according to the present invention; FIG. 9 is a graph illustrating a relationship between motor current and motor displacement phase according to the present invention; FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operation wherein a suction cycle trigger signal leads to an increased suction cycle, according to the present invention; FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating an operation where a suction cycle trigger signal leads or delays in order to vary a compression cycle according to the present invention; FIG. 12 is a flow chart illustrating a method for controlling a linear compressor according to the present invention; and FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a controller of a linear compressor according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. The embodiments are described below to explain the present invention by referring to the figures. As shown in FIG. 6 , the linear compressor 710 according to the present invention includes a cylinder 712 , a piston 714 and a motor stator 718 . The piston 714 is directly connected to a motor mover 713 such that it can perform reciprocation in the cylinder 712 . When alternating current is applied to motor windings, based on operation of a permanent magnet 716 , the piston 714 reciprocates. The piston 714 performs a compression cycle and an absorption cycle alternatively. Here, when the center point of the reciprocation of the piston 714 is concurrent with the center point of teeth 718 a of the stator 718 , it is located at a resonant point. When the piston 714 reciprocates at the resonant point, maximum efficiency is secured. Therefore, the compressor 710 is assembled, such that the center point of the reciprocation of the piston 714 is concurrent with the teeth 718 a of the stator 718 . Although the center point of piston reciprocation is coincident with the resonant point when the compressor 710 is assembled, when the linear compressor 710 mounted on a refrigerator or air conditioner, is substantially driven, piston pushing appears based on loads. As a result, the center point of reciprocation moves. As shown in FIG. 7 , when operating under a normal load, the center point CC of piston reciprocation is located at the center of the teeth 718 a of the stator. When operating under overload, the center point CL of reciprocation is moved to an absorption cycle side of the center point CC of the reciprocation under normal load. When operating under a small load, the center point CR of reciprocation is moved to a compression cycle side. As such, in order to rule out the effects of piston pushing, resonant tracing is required such that the center point of reciprocation can reach the resonant point according to load change. Namely, when operating under overload, the center point CC of reciprocation is moved to the compression cycle side, such that it can reach the resonant point. On the other hand, when operating under a small load, the center point CR of reciprocation is moved to the absorption cycle side, such that it can reach the resonant point. As shown in FIG. 8 , a controller of the linear compressor according to the present invention includes an electric circuit to apply AC power 220V, 60Hz, to the linear compressor 710 through a triac Tr 1 . A controlling unit 750 outputs a trigger signal to turn on the triac Tr 1 . The triac Tr 1 applies AC power of 60Hz to the motor of the linear compressor 710 according to the trigger signal, such that the motor can be driven. When driving the motor, a current zero-crossing detection unit 720 detects crossing of the current applied to the linear compressor 710 , and a position detection unit 730 detects displacement of the motor of the linear compressor 710 . Here, the position detection unit 730 includes coils to detect displacement of the motor thereon, such that the displacement can be detected by using the change of magnetic fields which is induced to the coils based on the position of the piston. A resonant point determination unit 740 determines a resonant point based on a current crossing detected by the current zero-crossing detection unit 720 and the phase difference of motor displacement detected by the position detection unit 730 . After that, the resonant point determination unit 740 outputs information corresponding to phase difference to a controlling unit 750 and a load determination unit 760 . Here, the phase difference information refers to a phase difference magnitude. A load determination unit 760 determines whether a load is a normal load, an overload, or a small load (non-load), based on the phase difference information, and then provides the determination result to the controlling unit 750 . When the displacement of the motor leads by more than a phase of current to which 90° is added, it determines that the load is normal. On the other hand, when the displacement of the motor leads by more than a phase of current to which a value greater than 90° is added, it determines that the load is a small load (non-load). Also, when the displacement of the motor leads by more than a phase of current to which a value smaller than 90° is added, it determines that the load is an overload. The load determination unit provides load information to the controlling unit. The controlling unit 750 determines turn-on time of the triac, based on phase difference information from the resonant point determination unit and load information from the load determination unit, and then applies a trigger signal according to the determination result to the triac Tr 1 . Namely, when the controlling unit 750 determines that the load is an overload, it delays turn on time of the triac Tr 1 at an absorption cycle such that the center point of reciprocation can reach the resonant point or moves up turn on time of the triac Tr 1 at a compression cycle, such that the center point of reciprocation can reach the resonant point. When the controlling unit determines that the load is a small load, it moves up turn on time of the absorption cycle, such that the center point of reciprocation can reach the resonant point, or delays turn on time of the triac Tr 1 at the compression cycle such that the center point of reciprocation can reach the resonant point. The controller of the linear compressor 710 , which is constructed as above, will be described in detail below. First of all, the relationship between the motor current and the phase for displacement thereof is described as follows. As show in FIG. 9 , when a turn on period of a triac is 100%, the motor current phase lm is periodically changed between positive and negative. When zero crossing of the motor current is detected, a current zero crossing signal lmz is obtained by the current zero crossing detection unit 720 . When the linear compressor 710 is operated under a normal load, motor displacement is obtained by the position detection unit 730 . Namely, a first displacement lm+90°, which is lead by 90° with respect to the phase of the motor current lm, is detected. At this time, since the center point of piston reciprocation coincides with the teeth of the stator, it is located at the resonant point. When the linear compressor is operated at the overload, motor displacement is obtained by the position detection unit 730 . Namely, a second displacement lm+90°+P 1 , which is lead by 90° plus a phase P 1 with respect to the phase of the motor current lm, is detected. At this time, the center point of piston reciprocation is moved to the absorption cycle side from the resonant point. In this situation, in order to move the center point of reciprocation to the resonant point, the controller applies a trigger signal to reduce the length of the absorption cycle or increase the length of the compression cycle to the triac Tr 1 . On the other hand, when the linear compressor 710 is operated at the small load, motor displacement is obtained by the position detection unit 730 . Namely, a third displacement lm+90°−P 2 , which is lead by 90° minus a phase P 2 with respect to the phase of the motor current lm, is detected. At this time, the center point of piston reciprocation is moved to the compression cycle side from the resonant point. In this situation, in order to move the center point of reciprocation to the resonant point, the controller applies a trigger signal to reduce the length of the compression cycle or increase the length of the absorption cycle to the triac Tr 1 . Here, when the length of the absorption cycle is increased, as shown in FIG. 10 , the trigger signal is applied to the triac Tr 1 at time t 12 prior to time t 2 . Then, as the turn on period of the trigger signal is increased, when motor current is increased, since the piston cycle length increases, the center point of reciprocation is moved to the center of the teeth of the stator, thereby reaching the resonant point. As such, when the length of the compression cycle is varied, as shown in FIG. 11 , the trigger signal is move up in the + direction, such that the turn on period of the triac Tr 1 is increased (in the case of an overload), or the trigger signal is delayed in the − direction such that the turn on period of the triac Tr 1 is shortened (in the case of a small load). Referring to FIG. 12 , a method for controlling a linear compressor according to the present invention is described below. When the linear compressor 710 is driven at 801 , the resonant point determination unit 740 provides a current zero crossing signal, detected by the current zero crossing detection unit 720 , and information for the phase difference of motor displacement, detected by the position detection unit 730 , to the controller 750 and the load determination unit 760 at 803 . The load determination unit 760 determines whether the operation is an overload operation, a normal load operation or a small load operation, based the phase difference information, and then provides the load information to the controller 750 at 805 . The controller 750 determines whether the center point of piston reciprocation is the resonant point based on the phase difference information at 807 . If the center point is located at the resonant point, the compressor 710 keeps its drive. On the other hand, if the center point is not located at the resonant point, the controller determines whether it is operated under an overload based on the load information at 809 . When it is operated under the overload, in order to increase the length of the compression cycle, a trigger signal of the compression cycle is moved up to be applied to the triac Tr 1 , or in order to reduce the length of the absorption cycle, the trigger signal of the absorption is delayed to be applied to the triac Tr 1 at 811 . On the other hand, if the operation is not under the overload, the controller 750 determines whether it is operated at the small or low load based on the load information at 813 . When the operation is at the small operation, in order to reduce the compression cycle, the trigger signal of the compression cycle is delayed to be applied to the triac Tr 1 , or in order to increase the length of the absorption cycle, the trigger signal of the absorption cycle is moved up to be applied to the triac at 815 . Although the above-mentioned embodiment of the present invention is implemented such that the position detection unit 730 directly detects motor displacement, modification thereof is possible, as shown in FIG. 13 . Namely, as shown in FIG. 13 , another embodiment of the present invention is configured such that it can input motor current applied to a motor and motor voltage applied to both ends of the compressor 710 , and includes a position calculation unit 780 which calculates motor displacement based on the motor current and motor voltage. The motor displacement calculated in the position calculation unit is provided to the resonant point determination unit 740 , such that the resonant point determination unit 740 can provide the motor current and information corresponding to phase difference of the motor displacement to the controlling unit 750 and the load determination unit 760 , respectively. Although methods for obtaining the motor displacements are different between the embodiments of the present invention, since trigger signals to trace the resonant point are identically processed between the same embodiments, detailed description thereof will be omitted. As mentioned above, although load conditions are varied, since the center point of piston reciprocation is controlled to coincide with the center of the teeth of the stator, and then resonant trace to maintain the resonant point, is performed, the linear compressor according to the present invention can be operated at a relatively high compression ratio and with high efficiency. Also, since the resonant point and load can be determined based on the motor current and phase difference of motor displacement, and then turn on time of the triac is controlled, it is easy to trace resonance. Furthermore, since the present invention does not require a relatively expensive controller to control inverters, it is cost-effective. Although a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes may be made in these embodiments without departing from the principles and spirit of the invention, the scope of which is defined in the claims and their equivalents.
A system for controlling a linear compressor, generates freezing force as a piston reciprocates according to rotation of a motor which receives alternating current power through a triac. The system includes a controller which moves up or delays a trigger signal corresponding to an absorption cycle or a compression cycle, such that the center point of the piston reaches a resonant point when a current and a phase difference of the motor deviate from predetermined ranges.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] The subject matter disclosed herein relates to the art of wind turbines and, more particularly, to a method and system for replacing a wind turbine blade. [0002] Wind generators convert energy provided by air currents into electricity. The air currents rotate large rotor blades or propellers that are mounted in nacelles at the top of a tower. The blades spin a rotor relative to a stator to generate an electrical current. The rate of rotation is controlled by varying blade pitch as well as through the use of various braking systems. During high wind conditions, the blade pitch is adjusted to spill wind energy in order to limit rotational speed. Occasionally, the braking system is employed to further prevent the blades from achieving high rotational speeds. During low wind conditions, the blade pitch is adjusted in order to capture as much wind energy as possible. [0003] Over time, the wind generators require maintenance. Debris, hailstones and the like oftentimes impact the blades and cause damage. Replacing a worn or damaged blade generally requires the presence of one or more large ground or sea based cranes. The large cranes are used to retain and lower the blade to a surface such as the ground or a ships deck. In some cases, replacing a blade necessitates that others of the blades be moved to an off balance position. That is, a brake system is activated to position the blade being replaced in a position that is horizontal to ground. In such a case, the others of the blades are off-balance imparting forces to the braking system. In other cases, the blade is placed in a position perpendicular to ground and lowered. In such cases, multiple crews are required to rotate the blade to prevent contact between the surface and a tip portion of the blade that may result in damage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0004] According to one aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes suspending the wind turbine blade from support hub of a wind turbine, connecting one or more cable climbing members between the support hub and the wind turbine blade, and lowering the one or more cable climbing members and the wind turbine blade from the support hub. [0005] According to another aspect of an exemplary embodiment, a system for lowering a wind turbine blade mounted to a support hub includes one or more support members extending between the wind turbine blade and the support hub, one or more jacking members operatively coupled to corresponding ones of the one or more support members, and one or more cable climbing members operatively connected between the support hub and the wind turbine blade. The one or more jacking members are configured and disposed to transfer support of the wind turbine blade from the one or more support members to the one or more cable climbing members. [0006] These and other advantages and features will become more apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0007] 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: [0008] FIG. 1 is a partial perspective view of a wind turbine support hub having a system for effecting replacement of a single wind turbine blade in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [0009] FIG. 2 is a partial perspective view a wind turbine blade of FIG. 1 suspended a first distance from the wind turbine support hub by a plurality of support members; [0010] FIG. 3 depicts a support member and hydraulic jack cylinder in an extended configuration in accordance with an exemplary embodiment; [0011] FIG. 4 depicts the hydraulic jack cylinder of FIG. 3 in a retracted configuration; [0012] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of a plurality of bracket members secured to the wind turbine support hub and a plurality of bracket elements secured to the wind turbine blade; [0013] FIG. 6 depicts a plurality of cable climbing members and a plurality of support members supporting the wind turbine blade from the wind turbine support hub; [0014] FIG. 7 depicts one of the plurality of cable climbing members supporting the wind turbine blade from the wind turbine support hub; [0015] FIG. 8 depicts the wind turbine blade of FIG. 1 , supported from the wind turbine support hub through only the plurality of cable climbing members; and [0016] FIG. 9 depicts the wind turbine blade being lowered toward ground. [0017] The detailed description explains embodiments of the invention, together with advantages and features, by way of example with reference to the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0018] A wind turbine is indicated generally at 2 in FIG. 1 . Wind turbine 2 includes a support hub 4 having attached thereto a first wind turbine blade 7 , a second wind turbine blade 8 , and a third wind turbine blade 9 . Third wind turbine blade 9 includes an end or root portion 11 . Of course, first and second wind turbine blades 7 and 8 also include end or root portions (not separately labeled). End portion 11 includes an array of mechanical fasteners, indicated generally at 14 , that extend through a corresponding plurality of openings, one of which is shown at 16 ( FIG. 3 ) provided on a blade receiving portion 18 of support hub 4 . In accordance with an exemplary embodiment, a blade replacement system, a portion of which is indicated at 20 , is provided within support hub 4 . [0019] Blade replacement system 20 includes a first support member 25 , a second support member 26 , and a third support member 27 . Support members 25 - 27 take the form of threaded rods (not separately labeled) that extend through openings 16 in blade receiving portion 18 and engage with threaded openings (not separately labeled) previously provided with fasteners 14 as shown in FIG. 2 . Once installed, a hydraulic jacking cylinder 34 , illustrated in FIG. 3 , is guided over each support member 25 - 27 . Hydraulic jacking cylinder 34 includes a base section 36 that rests on an inner surface (not separately labeled) of blade receiving portion 18 and a plurality of telescoping sections 38 - 40 . Base section 36 and telescoping sections 38 - 40 include a central passage 42 that receives a corresponding one of support members 25 - 27 . [0020] In FIG. 3 , hydraulic jacking cylinder 34 is shown mounted over a free end (not separately labeled) of support member 25 . Once in position, telescoping sections 38 - 40 are extended and a retaining nut 49 is threaded onto first support member 25 . Once additional hydraulic jacking cylinders (not shown) are provided on first and second support members 26 and 27 , retaining nuts 49 are removed from fasteners 14 . At this point, telescoping sections 38 - 40 are shifted into base section 36 ( FIG. 4 ) separating third wind turbine blade 9 from support hub 4 a first distance. Once separated the first distance, one at a time, retaining nuts 49 are moved away from base section 36 and telescoping sections 38 - 40 are again extended in preparation for further separation of third wind turbine blade 9 from support hub 4 . [0021] Blade replacement system 20 also includes a plurality of bracket members, one of which is indicated at 54 and a plurality of bracket elements, one of which is indicated at 57 . When separated the first distance, bracket members 54 , are mounted to blade receiving portion 18 and bracket elements 57 are mounted to select ones of fasteners 14 on third wind turbine blade 9 , as shown in FIG. 5 . Each bracket member 54 and bracket element 57 includes mounting structure, shown in the form of openings (not separately labeled). A number of cables 64 , 65 , and 66 , are connected to corresponding ones of bracket members 54 . Specifically, one end (not separately labeled) of each cable 64 , 65 , and 66 is mounted to a corresponding bracket member 54 which another, free end of each cable 64 , 65 , and 66 is allowed to fall toward ground. By “ground” it should be understood that the free end of each cable 64 , 65 and 66 may fall towards ground, a ship's deck, or a body of water depending upon the location of wind turbine 2 . Once bracket members 54 and bracket elements 57 are installed, telescoping sections 38 - 40 of hydraulic jacking cylinders 34 are lowered creating further separation between third wind turbine blade 9 and support hub 4 . [0022] The additional separation allows for the mounting of cable climbing members. More specifically, blade replacement system 20 further includes a plurality of cable climbing members 80 , 81 , and 82 . Cable climbing members are connected to corresponding ones of cables 64 , 65 , and 66 . Cable climbing members 80 , 81 , and 82 are controlled so as to climb from the free ends of each cable 64 - 66 toward bracket members 54 , as shown in FIG. 6 . As each winch 80 , 81 , and 82 is similarly formed, a detailed description will follow to FIG. 7 in describing winch 80 with an understanding that cable climbing members 81 and 82 include corresponding structure. Winch 80 includes a housing 85 that supports a motor 88 , a cable climbing portion 90 and a shackle 93 . Shackle 93 is connected to bracket element 57 through a coupler 96 . Once all cable climbing members 80 - 82 are connected to corresponding bracket elements 57 , telescoping sections 38 - 40 of hydraulic jacking cylinders 34 are further lowered transferring support of third wind turbine blade 9 from support members 25 - 27 to cable climbing members 80 - 82 as shown in FIG. 8 . At this point, support members 25 - 27 may be removed, and cable climbing members 80 - 82 shifted or climbed down cables 64 - 66 to lower third wind turbine blade 9 from support hub 4 as shown in FIG. 9 . The above steps may be revised to raise and install a new wind turbine blade. [0023] At this point it should be understood that the exemplary embodiments describe a system for lowering and raising wind turbine blades without the need for ground-based cranes. The exemplary embodiments employ cable climbing members that are controlled to climb up cables suspended from the support hub and subsequently climb down the cables with the wind turbine blade. It should also be understood that while the support members are described as threaded rods, other structures may be employed. Further, while the wind turbine blade is described as being stepped down through the support members using multiple, successive operations, a single step down may also be employed. Further, it should be understood that a new blade can be raised and secured to the hub by reversing the process described above. [0024] While the invention has been described in detail in connection with only a limited number of embodiments, it should be readily understood that the invention is not limited to such disclosed embodiments. Rather, the invention can be modified to incorporate any number of variations, alterations, substitutions or equivalent arrangements not heretofore described, but which are commensurate with the spirit and scope of the invention. Additionally, while various embodiments of the invention have been described, it is to be understood that aspects of the invention may include only some of the described embodiments. Accordingly, the invention is not to be seen as limited by the foregoing description, but is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
A method of replacing a wind turbine blade includes suspending the wind turbine blade from support hub of a wind turbine, connecting one or more cable climbing members between the support hub and the wind turbine blade, and lowering the one or more cable climbing members and the wind turbine blade from the support hub.
8
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to laptop computers and other devices having a keyboard as an integral component and more particularly to devices wherein ease of removal of the keyboard is desirable. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] As shown in FIG. 7, a notebook PC has a configuration in which a monitor section 1 displaying an image and a main body 3 provided with a keyboard section 2 are linked so as to allow opening and closing. The main body 3 comprises a housing 4 called a clamshell that forms a shell with the monitor section 1 and main body 3 folded together, a bezel 5 fitted around the keyboard section 2 with the monitor section 1 and main body 3 open, and a keyboard section 2 , and is configured such that a motherboard, HDD, memory, and so forth, are incorporated in the internal space A enclosed by the housing 4 , bezel 5 , and keyboard section 2 . [0003] The keyboard section 2 is a unit formed by the attachment of a plurality of keys 6 and circuit boards (not shown) to a base panel 7 . Conventionally, in many cases this kind of keyboard section 2 is fixed as an entity to the bezel 5 by means of screws, etc. With this kind of construction, the keyboard section 2 is generally fixed with screws from the rear side (the internal space A side) of the bezel 5 . [0004] With this kind of conventional construction it is necessary to remove the bezel 5 from the housing 4 in order to remove the keyboard section 2 , and it is not anticipated that the keyboard section 2 will be removed after shipment. [0005] These days, however, PC customization is widely carried out, including memory expansion, HDD replacement, and incorporation of expansion devices. Consequently, PC manufacturers' customer service representatives and PC retail outlets may receive such requests from users, or users themselves may undertake such customization. There is thus a desire for a construction that allows even an inexperienced service representative or user to easily remove the keyboard section 2 . [0006] Some recent models allow easy removal of the keyboard section 2 from the housing 4 and bezel 5 . FIG. 7 shows an example of a PC that has a construction that allows the keyboard section 2 to be removed from the bezel 5 with a one-touch operation. This PC is configured so that the two mutually opposing sides of the keyboard section 2 are latched by latch sections 10 and 11 formed on the bezel 5 . Also, receiving sections 12 and 13 are provided at positions corresponding to latch sections 10 and 11 in order to support the keyboard section 2 . The keyboard section 2 is arranged so as to be held with its front part 2 a and rear part 2 b sandwiched above and below by receiving sections 12 and 13 and latch sections 10 and 11 . [0007] In the fitted state, the keyboard section 2 is positioned with, for example, the front part 2 a pressed against a stopper 14 formed on receiving section 12 . Therefore, a pin 15 projecting downward is formed on the keyboard section 2 , and a positioning claw is provided at a position corresponding to the pin 15 . By means of the force of the positioning claw 16 arising due to elastic deformation, pressure is applied to the pin 15 and the keyboard section 2 is pressed against the stopper 14 . [0008] When removing the keyboard section 2 , the user (or service representative: hereinafter referred to simply as “user”) inserts a finger in a hole (not shown) formed in the housing 4 from the underside of the main body 3 , and touches the vicinity of the front part 2 a from the rear side (internal space A side) of the keyboard section 2 . Then, by pressing this part toward the rear part 2 b , the user slides the keyboard section 2 toward the rear part 2 b (see an arrow ( 1 ) in FIG. 7). When the keyboard section 2 slides a predetermined distance, the front part 2 a of the keyboard section 2 is freed from the latch section 10 , and by rotation of the keyboard section 2 around the rear part 2 b still sandwiched between latch section 11 and receiving section 13 in this state, the front part 2 a is pushed up, and is freed from the bezel 5 (see an arrow ( 2 ) in FIG. 7). If the keyboard section 2 is then pulled toward the front part 2 a , the rear part 2 b is also pulled out from between latch section 11 and receiving section 13 , and as a result the keyboard section 2 is completely removed from the bezel 5 (see an arrow ( 3 ) in FIG. 7). The keyboard section 2 can be fitted into the bezel 5 by carrying out the reverse of the above described procedure. [0009] However, with the above described conventional configuration, several problems arise as described below. [0010] As described above, the following operations are necessary in order to remove the keyboard section 2 : [0011] (1) Slide toward the rear part 2 b [0012] (2) Push up toward the front part 2 a when freed from latch section 10 [0013] (3) Pull out from between latch section 11 and receiving section 13 of the rear part 2 b [0014] If operation (2) is performed before operation (1), for example, the front part 2 a of the keyboard section 2 is not freed from latch section 10 , and therefore the keyboard section 2 cannot be removed neatly. [0015] As a result, push-up operation (2) is performed forcibly before slide (1) has been completed—that is, before the front part 2 a of the keyboard section 2 has been freed from latch section 10 —and the bezel 5 or keyboard section 2 may be damaged. [0016] The present invention takes account of such technical problems, and has as its object the provision of a computer apparatus and keyboard that enable removal of the keyboard section to be carried out more easily and surely. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017] Based on this object, in a computer apparatus of the present invention the keyboard section is fitted to the housing in a removable manner, and this housing comprises a latch section that latches the keyboard section and a guide section that performs guidance so that the keyboard section is kept clear of the latch section when removed from the housing. More specifically, the latch section has a latch surface that is formed so as to project from the housing toward the inside of the aperture for accommodating the keyboard section, and latches the keyboard section. The guide section has a guide surface that is formed so as to project from the housing toward the inside of the aperture and, from base-end to tip-end, slopes from the inside (bottom surface side of the keyboard section) to the outside (surface side of the keyboard section) of the housing. This kind of computer apparatus can be a so-called notebook type in which the control unit is incorporated below the keyboard section inside the housing. [0018] For the keyboard of the present invention, a window that supports a base is formed in the bezel, in which window is formed a first supporting section that supports one side of the base and a second supporting section that supports the other side, and the second supporting section has a latch member whose bottom surface is a sloping surface that rises gradually from base-end to tip-end. [0019] This second supporting section can further have another latch member whose bottom surface is a flat surface. In this case, as regards the bottom surface of the latch member, it is desirable for the base-end to be positioned lower than the bottom surface of the other latch member. Also, it is desirable for the latch member to be formed more toward the center part of the keyboard than the other latch member. By this means, when the vicinity of the center part of the keyboard is raised in order to remove the keyboard, the base first hits the latch section that has a sloping surface. [0020] This kind of keyboard can be applied to a standalone keyboard and also to a computer apparatus or other device of such form as to have a control unit below the base. [0021] The present invention can be taken as a keyboard unit comprising a bezel fitted to its periphery, and as regards this keyboard unit, a supporting section that supports the keyboard section is formed on the bezel, and a guide section is formed that, when one side of the keyboard section is raised from below in an upward direction, slides it toward the other side of the keyboard section and moves the one side diagonally upward, thereby releasing support of that keyboard section by means of the supporting section. This guide section can be formed on the bezel side, or can be formed on the keyboard section side. [0022] It is desirable for this guide section to be formed so as to project toward the inside of the aperture formed in the bezel, and to gradually decrease in thickness from base-end to tip-end. [0023] Also, if the supporting section and guide section are formed consecutively on the surface of the bezel, a design is possible whereby the user is not made aware of the function of the supporting section and guide section. [0024] The present invention can be taken as a bezel fitted to the periphery of a keyboard unit, comprising, on one side of the aperture for accommodating the keyboard section, a first latch member whose bottom surface is a flat surface, and a second latch member whose bottom surface is a sloping section that rises gradually from base-end to tip-end. [0025] At this time, a third latch member that extends from the periphery of the aperture toward one side of the aperture can be further provided on the other side of the aperture. [0026] Also, a wall section that is virtually orthogonal to the surface of the bezel can be further provided on one side of the aperture, and on the lower part of this wall section, an extending section that extends toward the other side of the aperture can be provided, and the keyboard section can be received by this extending section. Moreover, if the keyboard section accommodated in the aperture is forced toward the wall section by a forcing section, the keyboard section can be positioned at this wall section. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0027] Hereafter, the present invention will be described in detail in accordance with the embodiment(s) shown in the accompanying drawings, in which: [0028] [0028]FIG. 1 is a drawing showing a configuration of a PC according to this embodiment; [0029] [0029]FIG. 2 is an oblique drawing showing a configuration of the bezel of a keyboard section of a PC; [0030] [0030]FIG. 3A is a drawing showing a positioning claw formed on the bezel, and FIG. 3B is a drawing showing the state in which the keyboard section is pressed to one side by a positioning claw; [0031] [0031]FIG. 4A is a drawing showing a latched state of a first latch section and the keyboard section, and FIG. 4B is a drawing showing a latched state of a second latch section and the keyboard section; [0032] [0032]FIG. 5 is an oblique drawing showing a first latch section and second latch section formed on the bezel; [0033] [0033]FIG. 6 is a drawing showing the state where the keyboard section is detached from the bezel; and [0034] [0034]FIG. 7 is a drawing showing movements when the keyboard section is detached from the bezel in the case of conventional construction. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0035] As shown in FIG. 1, a notebook PC (computer apparatus) 20 has a configuration in which a monitor section (display unit) 1 displaying an image and a main body 3 provided with a keyboard section 2 are linked so as to allow opening and closing. The main body 3 has an aperture in the top, and comprises a tray-shaped housing 4 that accommodates a motherboard, HDD, memory, and similar control units, a keyboard section 2 as input means, and a bezel 30 fitted to the top of the housing 4 and positioned around this keyboard section 2 . [0036] In this embodiment the direction from side 3 a on which the main body 3 is linked to the monitor section 1 to side 3 b opposite is called the “front-back direction” and the direction orthogonal to this is called the “lateral direction”. [0037] The keyboard section 2 has the same configuration as shown in FIG. 7, being a unit formed by the attachment of a plurality of keys 6 which are vertically movable and circuit boards (not shown) to a base panel (base) 7 . [0038] Here, the base panel 7 has an external shape corresponding to the arrangement of the plurality of keys 6 , and a peripheral wall section 7 a rising to a predetermined height is formed on virtually its entire periphery. [0039] As shown in FIG. 2, the bezel 30 has an aperture (window) 30 a following the external shape of the keyboard section 2 . On this aperture 30 a is formed, around almost the entire periphery of the aperture 30 a , a peripheral wall (stopper, wall section) 31 that faces the rear surface of the bezel 30 and extends in a virtually orthogonal direction with respect to the face surface 30 b of the bezel 30 that forms a surface that is exposed on the user side on the outer periphery of the keyboard section 2 . [0040] Also, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3A, there is fitted on the bezel 30 , in the center part in the lateral direction and in a position that is at the front in the front-back direction when the user is facing the PC 20 , a bridge 33 positioned so as to extend toward the inside of the aperture 30 a from the peripheral wall 31 in order to form an insertion hole 32 into which the user inserts a finger when removing the keyboard section 2 . Moreover, in this bridge 33 is formed a hole 34 for the passage of a pin 15 fitted to the rear surface of the keyboard section 2 , and a positioning claw (pressing member, forcing section) 16 is formed in this hole 34 so as to project downward. As shown in FIG. 3B, this positioning claw 16 is formed so as to slope in a predetermined direction toward the lower part 16 a (a direction such that the lower part 16 a extends into the hole 34 ), and when the pin 15 of the keyboard section 2 passes through the hole 34 , this pin 15 is pressed in a predetermined direction by the force generated by its own elastic deformation. [0041] As shown in FIG. 2, receiving sections (extending sections) 35 that receive the base panel 7 of the keyboard section 2 are formed on the lower part of the peripheral wall 31 , at a plurality of places around it, projecting toward the inside of the aperture 30 a . In this embodiment, the receiving sections 35 are configured so as to be provided at virtually predetermined intervals at a plurality of places around the peripheral wall 31 , but this is not a limitation, and continuous formation around the peripheral wall 31 is also possible. [0042] In the aperture 30 a of the bezel 30 , there is formed on the side opposite the side on which the bridge 33 is provided (on the side on which the main body 3 and monitor section 1 are linked in FIG. 1) latch sections (first supporting sections, supporting sections, third latch members) 36 that extend in a visor shape toward the side on which the bridge 33 is provided, consecutive to the upper part of the peripheral wall 31 —that is, the face surface 30 b of the bezel 30 . These latch sections 36 are provided on both sides in the lateral direction of the aperture 30 a. [0043] By this means, one side of the keyboard section 2 , in the same way as in the case in FIG. 7, is supported by being sandwiched above and below between the receiving sections 35 and latch sections 36 . [0044] Meanwhile, in the aperture 30 a , there are provided, on the side on which the bridge 33 is provided, first latch sections (latch sections, second supporting sections, supporting sections, first latch members) 37 and second latch sections (guide sections, second supporting sections, latch members, second latch members) 38 consecutive to the upper part of the peripheral wall 31 —that is, the face surface 30 b of the bezel 30 . [0045] The first latch sections 37 are formed on both sides of the aperture 30 a in the lateral direction. As shown in FIG. 4A and FIG. 5, first latch sections 37 are formed so that the tip-end 37 a is a predetermined distance T 1 from the peripheral wall 31 . Also, these first latch sections 37 are formed so that the bottom surface (latch surface) 37 b is virtually orthogonal to the peripheral wall 31 . [0046] As shown in FIG. 2, second latch sections 38 are formed in the lateral direction of the aperture 30 a at two places a predetermined distance further toward the center part than the first latch sections 37 on both sides. That is, the configuration is such that second latch sections 38 are provided on the nearer side on both sides of the insertion hole 32 formed in the bridge 33 , and first latch sections 37 are further provided on the outer side. [0047] As shown in FIG. 4B and FIG. 5, these second latch sections 38 are formed so that the tip-end 38 a is a predetermined distance T 2 from the peripheral wall 31 . Here, a relationship T 1 <T 2 is desirable between distance T 1 in the first latch sections 37 and distance T 2 in the second latch sections 38 , and it is further desirable for a difference of around 0.2 mm, for example, to be provided between distances T 1 and T 2 . [0048] The bottom surface (guide surface, sloping surface, sloping section) 38 b of a second latch section 38 is not virtually orthogonal to the peripheral wall 31 as with the bottom surface 37 b of a first latch section 37 , but is formed so as to slope at a predetermined angle with respect to the peripheral wall 31 . Here, the bottom surface 38 b is formed so as to gradually approach the face surface 30 b from the rear surface of the bezel 30 in the direction from the base (base-end) of the peripheral wall 31 side to the tip-end 38 a . More exactly, for the bottom surface 38 b , a sloping surface is formed so as to be positioned lower than the bottom surface 37 b of the first latch section 37 in the part touching the peripheral wall 31 at the base of the second latch section 38 , and to be virtually the same height as the bottom surface 37 b of the first latch section 37 on the tip-end 38 a side. [0049] Now, the effective aperture of the aperture 30 a of the bezel 30 is not formed by the peripheral wall 31 , but strictly speaking, as described above, is formed by the latch sections 36 , first latch sections 37 , and second latch sections 38 , projecting inward from this peripheral wall 31 . Thus, the aperture 30 a has a configuration with an aperture size that is a predetermined dimension smaller than the base panel 7 of the keyboard section 2 in the front-back direction according to the latch sections 36 , first latch sections 37 , and second latch sections 38 . On the other hand, no projections whatever are provided on either side in the lateral direction in the aperture 30 a , and the aperture size is virtually the same as (slightly larger than) the base panel 7 of the keyboard section 2 . [0050] The keyboard section 2 is fitted to the bezel 30 with this kind of configuration as described below. [0051] As shown in FIG. 7, the keyboard section 2 has its rear part 2 b supported by being sandwiched above and below between receiving sections 35 and latch sections 36 , and its front part 2 a supported by being sandwiched above and below between the receiving sections 35 and the first latch sections 37 and the second latch sections 38 . [0052] In this state, as shown in FIG. 3, with regard to the keyboard section 2 the pin 15 projecting downward is located within the hole 34 in the bridge 33 , the pin 15 is pressed upon by the positioning claw 16 sloping in a predetermined direction, and as a result the front part 2 a of the keyboard section 2 (front part of the base panel 7 ) is positioned by being pressed against the peripheral wall 31 . Also, the upper part of the peripheral wall section 7 a of the base panel 7 of the keyboard section 2 is positioned lower than the base of the bottom surface 38 b of the second latch sections 38 . [0053] Now, as shown in FIG. 6, to remove the keyboard section 2 from the bezel 30 , the user inserts a finger into a hole (not shown: formed in the battery pack installation section, etc.) formed in the housing 4 from the underside of the main body 3 . Then, when that finger is positioned in a part of the insertion hole 32 formed by means of the bridge 33 of the bezel 30 , it is possible to touch the rear side of the front part of the base panel 7 of the keyboard section 2 . [0054] Then, when the user pushes this part upward with that finger, the top of the peripheral wall section 7 a of the base panel 7 of the keyboard section 2 is pressed against the bottom surface 38 b of the second latch sections 38 located at either side of the part pushed upward. When this happens, since the bottom surface 38 b of each second latch section 38 is a sloping surface, the base panel 7 is pushed upward at an angle, guided by this bottom surface 38 b . Along with this, the base panel 7 also moves upward at an angle as a unit in the area of the first latch sections 37 corresponding to those two sides in the lateral direction. [0055] As a result, when the peripheral wall section 7 a of the base panel 7 has moved as far as the tip-end 38 a of each second latch section 38 , it is released from the latched state due to the second latch sections 38 . At virtually the same time as this, the peripheral wall section 7 a of the base panel 7 is released from the latched state due to the first latch sections 37 on either side. [0056] In the above described operations, the part of the base panel 7 pushed by the user's finger—that is, the vicinity of the center part in the lateral direction of the base panel 7 —actually bends into a state in which it is pushed upward further than both sides, and therefore is guided by first hitting the bottom surface 38 b of the second latch sections 38 from the center. By this means, sliding in a backward sloping direction of the base panel 7 —that is, the keyboard section 2 —is performed surely. [0057] Thus, as a result of the front part 2 a of the keyboard section 2 moving upward at a slope (backward at a slope) following the bottom surface 38 b of the second latch sections 38 , although the keyboard section 2 continues to turn centered on the rear part 2 b still sandwiched between the latch sections 36 and receiving sections 35 , sliding toward the rear occurs at the rear part 2 b . Then, if the keyboard section 2 is pulled toward the front part 2 a when the front part 2 a is freed from the first latch sections 37 and second latch sections 38 of the bezel 30 , the rear part 2 b also is pulled out from between the latch sections 36 and receiving sections 35 , and by this means the keyboard section 2 is completely removed from the bezel 30 . [0058] According to a configuration of the kind described above, the second latch sections 38 with the bottom surface 38 b that is a sloping surface are provided on a bezel 30 , so that it is possible for the keyboard section 2 to slide backward on a slope and latching of the front part 2 a of the keyboard section 2 by first latch sections 37 and second latch sections 38 to be released simply by pushing upward with a finger. By this means, it is possible for the user to release the keyboard section 2 by means of a one-touch operation instead of sliding the keyboard section 2 by a process of feeling around. As a result, it is possible for the user himself or herself to carry out various kinds of tasks such as memory expansion or the like easily and surely. [0059] In the above described embodiment, a configuration is used whereby second latch sections 38 whose bottom surface 38 b is a sloping surface are provided toward the center part of a keyboard section 2 , and the first latch sections 37 are provided on the outer side thereof, but this is determined based on the relationship to the place where force is applied at the time of removing the keyboard section 2 . Therefore, if both sides of the keyboard section 2 are pushed upward, for example, the second latch sections 38 whose bottom surface 38 b is a sloping surface may be provided nearer the location at which force is applied. [0060] Also, if a secure latched state can be maintained such that the keyboard section 2 does not become detached unnecessarily in the normal state with only the second latch sections 38 whose bottom surface 38 b is a sloping surface, the first latch sections 37 whose bottom surface 37 b is a flat surface can be omitted. [0061] In addition, in the above described embodiment, the first latch sections 37 and the second latch sections 38 are provided toward the front of the keyboard section 2 as seen by a user facing the PC 20 , but this is not necessarily a limitation, and these may be provided at the rear (monitor section 1 side) of the keyboard section 2 , or may be provided on both sides or one side with respect to the lateral direction of the keyboard section 2 . [0062] Moreover, in the above described embodiment, the example of a so-called notebook PC has been given for the PC 20 , but this is not a limitation, and the same kind of configuration can also be applied to a standalone keyboard, a keyboard used for a device other than a PC, and so forth. [0063] The above described embodiment is an example of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. However, the present invention is not limited to the above described embodiment, and various modifications are possible without departing from the object of the present invention.
In a personal computer, preferably a lap-top-type personal computer, first latch members (or sections) and second latch members (or sections) are provided on a bezel surrounding a periphery of a keyboard. The first and second latch members serve to support one side of the keyboard. By having a bottom surface of the second latch members made a sloping surface, when a user pushes the keyboard upward with a finger from below the keyboard slides backward at a slope without interfering with the first latch members. As such, the front part of the keyboard is released from the latching by the first latch members and the second latch members and can be easily and simply removed.
6
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application for utility patent claims priority from Provisional Patent Application 60/804,290 with a filing date of Jun. 9, 2006. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] n/a FIELD OF INVENTION [0003] The present invention lies in the field of mounting brackets useful for mounting such items as venetian blinds, headrails or similar structures. BACKGROUND [0004] Venetian blinds and other blinds systems have long been used to provide shade, privacy and decoration over doors and windows. Traditionally, these blinds include a head rail from which is hung opaque materials to accomplish these goals. Venetian blinds, for example, employ horizontal slats, which may be opened or closed, and which are hung from a head rail to accomplish these purposes. [0005] Venetian blinds have been traditionally manufactured using a wide variety of material including steel, aluminum, and wood. In recent years, however, manufacturers have begun producing slats and head rails from different materials capable of extrusion including plastics such as polyvinyl chloride or PVC. [0006] These materials are relatively inexpensive to fabricate, offer ease of maintenance and are capable of taking on different decorative appearances. They can be colored, textured, patterned or printed with patterns and from an aesthetic perspective present a substantial and solid appearance. [0007] Often, for example, the blinds are manufactured and processed to resemble wood with “fauxwood” blinds considered to be a staple product in the home improvement industry. Fauxwood is an industry catch phrase for vinyl products that are extruded in a typically hollow format and then injected with a blowing agent. The result is a low cost material that can take on the characteristics of wood without some of wood's disadvantages which include cost, yellowing, warping, chipping and similar problems. [0008] There are, however, certain disadvantages associated with use of materials such as vinyl or other plastics. A significant one is the increased weight of such blinds in comparison to blinds made of wood or metal and the relative flexibility of such head rails in comparison to those made of other more rigid materials. For example, a 72″ long blind can easily weigh up to twenty pounds. A common and pervasive problem with larger Venetian blinds made from such materials and related to their weight is the bending stress such weight applies to the head rail. As the size of a blind increases, its weight will cause the head rail to sag and visibly deform downward under the load of the blind assembly. Not only does this result compromise the aesthetic appearance of the blind, but such deformed blinds are insecure and may collapse. Thus, the increased weight of the blind and the deformation it causes may each present safety concerns as well. [0009] Various techniques and devices have been employed to attempt to resolve the deformation caused by the blind's weight. Typically, Venetian blinds are installed, for example, in a window frame by affixing side hanging brackets to the inside of the frame near its upper portion. The head rail is installed into the side hanging brackets, which are then closed to secure the blind in place. This technique is industry standard. Where wider blinds are installed, manufacturers and installers include additional center support brackets for mounting on the upper member of the window frame and into which the head rail rests. This also is industry standard. The theory is that these additional brackets will support the added weight and lessen deformation. [0010] In practice, however, such solutions produce unsatisfactory results. The brackets are often of insufficient strength or rigidity to fully support the additional weight which deforms the bracket itself. Or, the bracket may not fully support the weight of head rail and blind elements. In those cases, the downward bowing of the head rail remains visible. Indeed, when installing larger blinds, for example those spanning a length of 72″, a bowing of at least ¾″ has been observed even when two center support brackets are employed to help support the weight of the blind. [0011] Further, the center support brackets do not anchor the blinds and provide little added structural support. Thus, the head rail and entire unit may be easily pulled out of the mount by, for example, a child pulling on the blind. [0012] In an attempt to lessen the deformation caused by the weight of the blind and the relative flexibility of the head rail, some manufacturers have incorporated elongated supports running along the length of the head rail in an effort to strengthen and stiffen the softer vinyl head rail. U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,945 to Nien and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,615,895 and 6,880,607 B2 to Marocco, for example, attempt to lessen deformation by incorporating such supports. [0013] These solutions, however, have failed to produce satisfactory results. While the support may keep the head rail in a more taut position, the weight of the blind is still primarily carried by the screws or fasteners holding the side hanging brackets. Further, the supports themselves are often made of metal and add additional weight to the blind thus further contributing to the cause of the deformation of the head rail. Additionally, the supports are often not rigid enough to fully prevent deformation. Thus even where the head rail incorporates an elongated support, significant bowing nevertheless is present, visible and remains problematic. [0014] The fabrication of blinds from extruded materials presents a further difficulty resulting from the relative softness of the material. Virtually all vinyl blinds are manufactured utilizing a 3-sided U-shaped head rail incorporating rolled edges on the upper lip of the side walls. While mass produced blinds are manufactured and stocked in standard sizes, consumers install them into window frames and door frames of significantly differing dimensions. Accordingly, many retail stores stock standard size blinds that are then cut to the dimension the consumer needs. To do so, merchants utilize various in store cutting machines that cut the head rails and slats to the desired size. When cutting a Venetian blind to size, however, significant damage to the relatively flexible head rail may occur as the rail bends or splits when in contact with the cutting blade. This can lead to significant damage to the head rail and render it unusable. [0015] In order to prevent that damage to the head rail during the cutting process, various techniques have been devised to strengthen and stiffen the head rail in the area where it is being cut. U.S. Pat. No. 6,263,945 to Nien and U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,615,895 and 6,880,607 B2 to Marocco, mentioned above, for example, utilize wall stiffener plugs made of a material generally more rigid than the head rail and that are inserted in the ends to be cut when sizing the head rail. According to those patents and similar techniques, this added rigidity provides lateral support and increased structural integrity to the ends thereby allowing for a cleaner cut and preventing splitting or other damage to the head rail. Once the cut is made, however, the plugs are discarded and serve no other function in relation to the blinds. [0016] Finally, the use of elongated supports to mitigate the bowing issue described above presents difficulties in cutting the blinds to size. Either the cutting device used to size the blinds must be suitable to cut the elongated support as well as the softer vinyl head rail and wall stiffener plugs, or the elongated support may not extend the entire length of the head rail. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017] The present invention discloses a completely novel system of mounting brackets that support a head rail or similar structure at a plurality of anchor points from above the head rail or similar structure rather than from the sides as, for example, is the industry standard today in hanging Venetian blinds. The system presents numerous advantages and more effectively uses walls, ceilings and/or window and door frames or other anchor points to support the weight of the blind thereby eliminating the problem of sagging and more securely mounting the blind. Elongated supports are not needed as the weight of the blind is more evenly distributed across the length of the head rail. Further, in the invention, separate wall stiffener components are not needed as the novel mounting brackets themselves are used to stiffen the softer vinyl head rail during the cutting process. [0018] The bracket disclosed herein is composed of a material having sufficient stiffness, rigidity and strength to support the weight of the blind and allow the head rail to be clipped into place. The brackets may be made out of various plastics, metals or any material sufficient for the above purposes. The bracket is composed of two separate elements, an upper plate and a lower plate. The upper and lower plates are each more or less rectangular in shape. Further, the plates are flat except along the sides of the lower plate that define the rectangular shapes' width which are flanged. The upper and lower plate are also rotatably fixed together by means of a spindle having a threaded, distal end and protruding downwardly from the upper plate and into a receiving port on the lower plate. The use of a threaded spindle and nut, however, is not intended as a limitation on the device and other fastener may be used as long as they rotatably fix the two plates together. Furthermore, while a removable nut may be employed as part of the device to secure the lower plate to the upper plate, there is no requirement that the nut or similar structure be removable as in application, the user does not remove or tighten the nut or similar element. In one embodiment, a nut is used to secure the plates together. The flanges on the lower plate are of a size and shape that the rolled edges of the U-shaped vinyl head rail may rest in the flange. When the lower plate is rotated at a right angle to the upper plate the flanges are exposed and, in conjunction with the mounted upper plate, support the hanging blind. [0019] In an “inside mount”, the mounting brackets are mounted above the head rail into the upper jamb of a window or door frame. The head rail is hung from the brackets by clipping the head rail into place over the brackets. The brackets thereby directly support the weight of the blind from above. In smaller blinds, left and right brackets are affixed into the jamb or other anchor point and the head rail is clipped into place over the bracket. When mounting longer blinds, additional middle support brackets are also used. In an “outside mount”, the mounting brackets disclosed herein are affixed to L-shaped brackets which may be fastened to a wall and allow support from above the head rail as in the other application. The head rail is similarly attached to the bracket. [0020] In the present invention, the same mounting brackets are employed to act as wall stiffeners during the process of cutting the blinds to size. When used as a wall stiffener, however, the bracket is set in place in proximity to the area where the cut is to be made, with its plates configured parallel to each other. In that position, the bracket acts as a clamp and secures and stiffens the side walls sufficiently to facilitate cutting and prevent the bending and splitting of the vinyl side wall of the head rail. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0021] FIG. 1( a ) is a top left view of a typical headrail used for hanging a venetian blind or other window treatment. [0022] FIG. 1( b ) is a cross-section of a typical headrail. [0023] FIG. 2( a ) is a top left view of a prior art headrail wall stiffener. [0024] FIG. 2( b ) is a top left view of said prior art headrail wall stiffener in conjunction with a headrail. [0025] FIG. 2( c ) and FIG. 2( d ) are cross-sectional views of the prior art wall stiffener and headrail of FIGS. 2( a ) and 2 ( b ). [0026] FIGS. 3( a ), 3 ( b ) and 3 ( c ) are top left views of prior art mounting systems. [0027] FIG. 4( a ) is an exploded cross sectional view of one embodiment of a mounting bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction with a headrail. [0028] FIG. 4( b ) is a top view of one embodiment of a mounting bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction with a headrail. [0029] FIG. 4( c ) is an exploded view of a mounting bracket in accordance with the instant invention. [0030] FIG. 4( d ) is a cross sectional view of one embodiment of a mounting bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction with a headrail. [0031] FIG. 5( a ) is a top left view of a window with an installed venetian blind. [0032] FIG. 5( b ) is a top left exploded view of a window frame, a Venetian blind, and a mounting bracket according to the instant invention. [0033] FIG. 6( a ) is a top right view of a mounting bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction with a standard L bracket. [0034] FIG. 6( b ) is a top right view of a mounting bracket according to the instant invention in conjunction with a standard L bracket and a headrail. [0035] FIG. 6( c ) is a top right view of a headrail. [0036] FIG. 7( a ) is a top right exploded view of a window frame, an L bracket, a headrail and a mounting bracket according to the instant invention. [0037] FIG. 7( b ) is a top right view of a window frame, an L bracket, a headrail and a mounting bracket according to the instant invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0038] FIGS. 1( a )-( b ), 2 ( a )-( d ), and 3 ( a )-( c ) represent the current state of the art in the industry and depict a typical head rail, wall stiffener and mounting brackets. [0039] FIGS. 1( a ) and 1 ( b ) show a typical prior art Venetian blind head rail. The U-shaped head rail 11 is an industry standard. The arcuate, rolled upper edges 12 of the head rail are typical in vinyl head rails. When fabricated with plastics or other extruded materials, the head rails are relatively heavy and are somewhat flexible. When subjected to cutting even with machines designed specially for the purpose, the head rails are prone to damage as the force of the cutting implement causes the side walls 13 to flex and bend. Splitting at the cut end is also a problem known to occur as a result of the properties of the material. [0040] FIGS. 2( a )- 2 ( d ) depict one prior art attempt to resolve the problems associated with cutting the head rails to size. FIGS. 2( a ) and 2 ( d ) show a wall stiffener plug intended to prevent damage to the head rail during cutting. FIGS. 2( b ) and 2 ( c ) show the wall stiffener plugs inserted into a head rail. In these typical applications, the wall stiffener plug 21 is inserted into the U-shaped groove 22 of the head rail as shown in FIGS. 2( b ) and 2 ( c ). While the wall stiffener plug 21 is designed to add rigidity and strength to the head rail to allow for a cleaner cut, it serves only that one limited function, and is discarded after use, increasing manufacturing costs. [0041] FIGS. 3( a )- 3 ( c ) show standard mounting brackets 31 that are utilized throughout the industry. The brackets 31 are affixed to the sides of the interior of a window or door frame by fasteners driven through the screw holes 32 . For larger blinds, a center support bracket 33 is mounted to the upper jamb and, in theory, is intended to provide additional support. During installation, the gate 34 is opened and the head rail is inserted into the socket 35 and, if necessary, also into the center support bracket. The gates 34 are then closed securing the head rail into place. This system, however, has yielded less than satisfactory results, particularly when mounting larger blinds, as the whole weight of the blind is primarily borne by the screws affixing the side brackets into the frame through the screw holes 32 . Furthermore, heavier blinds mounted by this technique are easily pulled out of the mount by the exertion of downward and outward pressure, for example, by a child pulling on the blind. Such mounts therefore present a safety concern as well because they are inadequately anchored. [0042] FIGS. 4( a )- 4 ( d ) presents one embodiment of the mounting brackets disclosed in the present invention. While the mounting brackets are described herein as used in the field of blinds installation, it should be appreciated that the brackets may be used to mount any similar structure where the issue of weight or deformability is present. Further, while particularly useful in mounting heavier relatively flexible structures from above, the invention is not limited to above-mounted structures. FIG. 4( a ) shows a typical head rail 11 with rolled edges 12 in association with the bracket's upper plate 41 , lower plate 42 , flanges 43 , spindle 44 , spindle threads 45 and fastener nut 46 . FIG. 4( b ) presents an overhead view of the bracket when used to mount the head rail. In FIG. 4( b ), the upper plate 41 has been affixed to the upper jamb of, for example, a window frame through screw holes 47 in the upper plate. The lower plate 42 has been rotated at a right angle to the upper plate 41 thereby exposing the flanges 43 on the lower plate. The rolled edges of the head rail rest securely in the flanges 43 of the lower plate 42 thereby anchoring and supporting the blind. [0043] FIG. 4( c ) is an exploded view of the bracket showing screw holes in the lower plate 48 , screw holes in the upper plate 47 , and the port 49 into which the spindle 44 is inserted. FIG. 4( c ) also shows the nut 46 used to secure the upper plate 41 and lower plate 42 . In the configuration shown in FIG. 4( c ), the lower plate 42 is rotated at a right angle to the upper plate 41 as when the bracket is used to mount a head rail 11 . In that configuration, the screw holes in the lower plate 42 align with the screw holes in the upper plate 41 and allow the bracket to be anchored, for example, into a window or door jamb. The screws further secure the two plates 41 , 42 into their position by restricting further rotation. [0044] FIG. 4( d ) shows the bracket used as a wall stiffener during the cutting process. While it is shown here as used in conjunction with stiffening a Venetian blind head rail for cutting, the bracket may be used in any similar contexts. In FIG. 4( d ), the upper plate 41 and lower plate 42 are parallel and affixed by means of the threaded spindle 44 , 45 and fastener nut 46 . While the drawings herein depict a threaded spindle and nut used to secure the upper and lower plate, the depiction of the threading and nut are not intended as limitations. Other fasteners capable of rotatably fixing the two plates may be used. [0045] FIG. 4( d ) also depicts the rolled edges 12 of the head rail 11 resting in the flange of the lower plate 43 . In one embodiment depicted here, the flanges 43 are shown to be arcuate. The arc shape of the flange, however, is not intended as a limitation and the lip of the flanges may be disposed in a substantially parallel configuration as well as long as the flange is capable of supporting the rolled edges 12 of the head rail 11 . [0046] FIG. 5( a ) shows the brackets in conjunction with a Venetian blind employed for an “inside mount” into the upper jamb of a window frame 52 . Here, the mounting screws 53 are driven through the screw holes 47 , 48 of the bracket plates and into the frame 52 . FIG. 5( b ) depicts the head rail clipped into place over the bracket assembly. [0047] FIG. 6( a ) depicts the mounting bracket 61 in association with an L bracket 62 as used in an “outside mount”. In this configuration, the mounting bracket 61 is bolted into the upper face of the L bracket 63 through screw holes 47 , 48 by means of bolts 64 . Other fasteners or means of attaching the bracket to the upper face of the L bracket 63 may be used. The lower face of the L bracket 65 is fastened into the wall by means of screws. FIG. 5( b ) shows a typical head rail mounted on the bracket 61 with the rolled edges 12 resting in the bracket flanges 43 . [0048] FIGS. 7( a ) and 7 ( b ) show an “outside mount” and depict the bolts 64 affixing the mounting bracket 61 to the upper face of the L bracket 63 and the screws 71 fastening the lower face of the L bracket 65 to wall or other surface. Also shown is a screw assembly 72 that can be mounted on either or both sides of the blind assembly to prevent the head rail from shifting either right or left upon installation. [0049] It should be appreciated that while the brackets disclosed in this invention are particularly useful in installing and sizing Venetian blinds and other blinds or similar devices mounted using a U-shaped head rail or similar structure, the brackets may be useful for mounting and clamping any similar structure. Accordingly, the embodiments depicted above are not intended as limitations but rather as examples of the present invention as applied to one particular art.
A mounting bracket for mounting a headrail employing an upper plate and a lower plate wherein the two plates are rotatably connected.
4
This is a Divisional Application of application Ser. No. 07/271,306, filed Nov. 15, 1988, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,918,590 issued Aug. 17,1990. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates in general to a hybrid electrical circuit and, more particularly, to a hybrid electric circuit device for supplying electric power of a desirably controlled frequency to a load such as an electric motor, which is applicable, for example, to a frequency conversion circuit. The present invention also relates to a frequency conversion circuit, and is particularly concerned with an output circuit thereof. Generally, a prior art frequency conversion circuit is known as disclosed in Japanese Patent Publication No. 62-42472, published Sept. 8, 1987. The circuit described in the aforementioned publication includes circuit switching elements for changing the direction in which a pulsating current is carried, each constituting thyristor elements, whereby a desired frequency is obtained from controlling an ignition timing of the thyristors. Such prior art comprises a single thyristor module containing a plurality of thyristors for directly controlling power principally, a single diode module containing a plurality of diodes for rectification, a drive circuit for the thyristors, and an ignition timing control circuit of thyristors. Since an ON/OFF characteristic of the thyristor is utilized, the prior art has a characteristic that the circuit automatically becomes off at the zero cross time of an impressed pulsating current. Accordingly, the direction of an electrical current to the load is changed generally at the zero cross point, a frequency of the alternating current generated from the frequency conversion circuit becomes one of the integral number of a frequency of the utilized AC power, and thus a continuity at the time of frequency variation is not satisfactory, an abnormal vibration arises on a load, or the load gets locked otherwise. Meanwhile, in the case where the frequency conversion circuit is constituted of transistor elements, an arbitrary frequency can be generated, however, an ON/OFF control circuit and an independent power source for control will be necessary at every transistor element, and thus the circuit becomes inevitably large in size and complicated at the same time, and the thyristor module and the diode module are connected by a lead wire or wiring pattern. Accordingly, a pulsating current of large power flows to the lead wire or wiring pattern, and an significant electromagnetic noise is radiated from the lead wire or wiring pattern, thus causing a noise interruption in a TV, audio equipment and other such devices. Then, since the thyristor module and the diode module are separated from each other, the circuit size becomes large, and a troublefree a low cost operation is therefore not realized for the circuit. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of such problems, an object having a present invention to provide a frequency conversion circuit simple configuration and capable of providing an arbitrary frequency, and is to further provide a frequency conversion circuit which achieves realizing miniaturization and enhancement of reliability using a circuit comprising thyristors, transistors and rectifier diodes. Another object of the invention is to provide a hybrid electrical circuit device having a printed circuit base molded integrally with plastic material. The present invention provides an electric circuit for supplying controlled frequency electric power to a load comprising: thyristors, each having a gate terminal for supplying an electric current from its anode terminal to its cathode terminal; transistors each having a gate terminal for switching ON/OFF an electric current from its collector terminal to its emitter terminal; series circuit means connected between the cathode terminal of the thyristor and the collector terminal of the transistor; a bridge circuit having a plurality of arms between terminals of an electric power source so that one terminal and the other terminal are coupled to the anode terminal of the thyristor and the emitter of the transistor, respectively. A controlling circuit device is provided to supply an electric signal to the gate terminal of the thyristors and supplying an electric signal to the base terminal of the transistor to supply an electric current periodically to the load in accordance with the desired frequency. The transistor repeatedly provides an ON/OFF state while the thyristor is in an ON state. The present invention provides also an electric circuit for supplying a single-phase electric power which permits miniaturization and enhancement of the reliability by thyristors, transistors and rectifier diodes. Also, the present invention provides a hybrid circuit device for supplying electric power to a load comprising: printed circuit base means, molded integrally with plastic resin, for supplying electric power to the output terminals, a plurality of switching semiconductors forming a bridge circuit and adapted to provide ON/OFF switching operation to supply electric power of a desired frequency; and a plurality of rectifier diodes for rectifying the AC power and then feeding the rectified power to the switching semiconductors. The bridge circuit can have arms each of which has a thyristor and a transistor connected in series to the thyristor. Alternatively, the bridge circuit can be formed with arms each having two transistors that are connected together in series In an embodiment, the sensor is provided to sense temperature of the switching semi-conductors. In the molded structure described above, a radiation of electromagnetic noise will be prevented by shortening a lead wire or wiring pattern through which a large current flows, and the circuit can also be miniaturized as a whole. In the single-phase frequency conversion circuit constructed as above, a radiation of electromagnetic noise will be prevented by shortening a lead wire or wiring pattern through which a large power flows, and the circuit can also be miniaturized as a whole. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a frequency conversion circuit diagram embodying the present invention, FIGS. 2a to 2f diagrams illustrating the case where a 60 Hz output is obtained using the circuit shown in FIG. 1, FIGS. 3a to 3c are diagrams illustrating a zero cross output, FIG. 4 is an enlarged diagram showing an output waveform in one cycle, FIG. 5 is a diagram showing the ON/OFF state of a photo-coupler at each operation mode, FIGS. 6 and 7 are operational flow charts of the main operation of the controlling part shown in FIG. 11, FIG. 8 is a diagram showing constant data of the output frequency, FIGS. 9(d)-(n) are diagrams illustrating the case where another frequency output is obtained, FIG. 10 is an electric circuit diagram representing the circuit shown in FIG. 1 by means of the molded device shown in FIG. 11 or 13, FIG. 11 is a hybrid circuit diagram of a molded device to a conversion circuit according to the present invention, FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along XII--XII in FIG. 11 showing the molded device, and FIG. 13 is a frequency conversion circuit diagram according to another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings representing preferred embodiments thereof. The illustrated embodiments merely shows preferred embodiments of the invention and directed to a single-phase conversion circuit for the purpose of clarification only, but the present invention is not limited to the description of the preferred embodiments. Referring first to FIG. 1 showing an electronic circuit of a main part of a single-phase conversion circuit, a thyristor 1 has a cathode terminal connected to a collector terminal of a transistor 2. An ignition circuit having a photo-coupler 3 is provided on a gate terminal of the thyristor 1. The thyristor 1 and the photo-coupler 3 are connected to self-bias resistors 4 and 5, respectively. A bias circuit having a driving transistor 6 and a photo-coupler 7 is provided on a base terminal of the transistor 2. The transistors 2 and 6 are connected at their base terminals with base resistors 9 and 8, respectively. A thyristor 10, similar to the thyristor 1, has an ignition circuit having a photo-coupler 11 on a gate terminal of the thyristor 10. The thyristor 10 and the photo-coupler 11 are connected with self-bias resistors 13 and 12, respectively. A transistor 14, similar to the transistor 2, is connected at its base terminal with a bias circuit having a driving transistor 15 and a photo-coupler 16. The transistors 14 and 15 are connected at their base terminals with base resistors 18 and 17, respectively The thyristors 1, 10 and the transistors 2, 14 are maintained in an ON state when the photo-couplers are in an ON state. A single-phase load 19 or, for example, a single-phase electric motor and the like, has one end connected to a connection point between the cathode terminal of the thyristor 1 and the collector terminal of the transistor 2, and the other end connected to a connection point between a cathode terminal of the thyristor 10 and a collector terminal of the transistor 14. A constant voltage circuit 20 is provided to generate +Vcc voltage, which is supplied to the transistors 6, 15 and the photo-couplers 7, 16. The constant voltage circuit 20 has a rectifying part, a smoothing part and a stabilizing part, not shown. A rectifying circuit 21 has four rectifying diodes 202, 203, 204, 205 connected in the form of a full bridge A pulsating voltage rectified by the rectifying circuit 21 is impressed between anode terminals of the thyristors 1, 10 and emitter terminals of the transistors 2, 14. A two-way photo-coupler 22 is connected between the output terminals of a utilized AC power source 201. An output of the photo-coupler 22 is as illustrated by the item "(b)" when the operating voltage of a light emitting diode(LED) 206, 207 used on a photo transistor is taken into consideration, whereas the item (a) represents an output waveform of the utilized AC source. An output for which the output waveform is inverted by an inverter 23, that is, waveform shown in the item "(c)", is fed to a controlling part 24 (i.e., microcomputer or the like). The output corresponds to a zero cross output of the utilized AC power source. The controlling part 24 controls a frequency of the power fed to the load 19 according to a frequency signal incoming from a terminal F, lighting up the photo thyristors 209, 210, photo transistors 211, 212, and photo thyristors 213, 214 of the photo-couplers 3, 7, 11 and 16 through a buffer 25 to determine an output frequency. Reference numerals 217-220 denote reverse-blocking diodes, reference numerals and 221 and 222 denote capacitors. In FIG. 2 of the drawings (a) shows that pulsating current output of the rectifying circuit 21, (b) shows the zero cross output of the AC power source, (c) shows the ON outputs of the photo-couplers (A)3, (B)7, (C)11, (D)16 for obtaining the 60 Hz output, and (d) shows the voltage impressed on the load 19. The arrow shows in full line and that shown in dotted line in (d) depict the directions of the voltage impressed so as to carry an electric current in the directions indicated by the arrow shown in full line and that shown in dotted line of the load 19 shown in FIG. 1, respectively. That is, an electric current flows in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 1 when a voltage is impressed in the directions indicated by arrows in FIG. 2. Accordingly, when obtaining the 60 Hz output, the direction in which an electric current is carried may be changed according to the zero cross output shown in (d). In this case, a voltage which is the same as a rated voltage of the AC power source is impressed on the load. In FIG. 2, (e) and (f) show the changing of a mean voltage impressed at 60 Hz in output frequency, wherein an impression of the voltage is interrupted T Time after (t 1 ) a zero crossing time (t 0 ), and further impression of the voltage is recommenced T time thereafter (t 2 ). For impressing such a voltage waveform, an ON/OFF operation of the photo-coupler (B) (transistor 2) will be controlled to the times t 0 , t 1 , t 2 , t 3 with the photo-coupler (C) (thyristor 11), for example, kept on. The period of time T 1 +T 2 +T 3 covers a half cycle of 60 Hz, and T 1 =T 2 in this case. Accordingly, the time between T 1 and T 2 may be set on characteristics such as efficiency, output and the like of the load 19. Accordingly, the controlling part 24 comprises controlling ON states of the photo-couplers (A)3, (B)7, (C)11, (D)16 so as to obtain output waveforms shown in FIG. 2 (see also FIG. 1). In the conversion circuit constructed as above, the full-wave rectifying circuit 21, the thyristors 1, 10 and the transistors 2, 14 are contained within the device 27, and the length of the wiring pattern for connecting the rectifying circuit 21 and the thyristors 1, 10 or the transistors 2, 14 can be made shorter Accordingly, an effective length that the wiring pattern functions as an antenna becomes short, thus decreasing the radiation of electromagnetic noise. Further, a use of the device may realize a compaction of the circuit and thus a miniaturization of the conversion circuit. In the above-described embodiment of the invention, by molding the rectifier element and the plurality of switching elements integrally, an effective length in which the wiring or wiring pattern for connecting the rectifier element and the switching elements functions as an antenna can be shortened, a radiation of electromagnetic noise due to a carried pulsating current will be suppressed, and thus an influence to be exerted on other electronic equipment can be suppressed. Further, by using such a device, space utilized can be lessened, and the electric circuit can be miniaturized as a consequence. An example of the conversion according to the invention will be described specifically. The following description is subject to the frequency of a utilized AC power source being set into five stages at 60 Hz, 40 Hz, 30 Hz, 24 Hz and 20 Hz. FIGS. 6 and 7 are operational flow charts for obtaining the aforementioned outputs, namely operational flow charts of the controlling part 24 shown in FIG. 11. FIG. 8 represents data at each frequency, wherein a mean voltage impressed on the load is determined according to time T 0 , T 1 , a reference character "m" represents a count number of zero cross output indicating an end of one period, and "n" represents a count number of the mode in a half period. That is, the direction in which an electric current is carried to a load is transferred from the direction indicated by the arrow shown in full line to that of the arrow shown in dotted line when "n" reaches a predetermined count number, and the current carrying direction is transferred from the direction indicated by the arrow shown in dotted line to that of the arrow shown in full line when "m" reaches a predetermined count number. Thus, the end of one period is detected on the count number of zero cross output, therefore the frequency can be changed in accordance with the zero cross output at all times. First, starting and constant setting are carried out at step s 1 (F=1, M=1, N=0). A frequency signal applied to the terminal F is supplied at step S 2 , and data (m, n, T 0 , T 1 ) according to the frequency is read from the table of FIG. 8. Next, a presence of the zero cross output is detected at step S 3 so that a first mode output in the half cycle can be synchronized with the zero cross output at all times. When the zero cross output is present, "1" is added to M and N to shift the next mode, and a new half cycle starting is set at step S 4 . Next, whether "N≧n" is determined at step S 5 . That is, whether the output waveform is on the side of the arrow shown in full line (positive output) or on the side of the arrow shown in dotted line (negative output) is decided, and when "N≧n", the flag is rewritten to F=0 (indicating negative output) at step S 6 . Accordingly, I mode output (positive output) or III mode (negative output) is decided to a value of the flag and then so generated. The output is maintained for the time T 1 thereafter at step S 7 . Whenever the time is up, "1" is added as N=N+1 at step S 8 to the next mode output. Whether the next mode is II mode (positive output) or IV mode (negative output) is determined at step S 9 and so generated. The output is maintained for the time T 0 thereafter at step S 10 . After the time is up, "1" is added as N=N+1 at step S 11 to the next mode output. Whether or not "N≧n", that is, whether or not the output is changed to a negative output is determined at step S 12 in this case, and if "N≧n", then "F=0". Whether I mode output (positive output) or III mode (negative output) is decided thereafter at step S 13 and so generated. Next, "M≧m", that is, whether or not the output for one period ends at the last mode of half cycle is decided at step S 14 , and when the output for one period is finished, F,M and N are determined as F=1, M=0, and N=0 at step S15 to return to step S 2 , and when not yet finished, the mode output decided at S 13 is kept until the time is up on the zero cross output at S 3 . In the above-described embodiment, whether the output is positive or negative is decided at the first and last modes of half cycle, and whether or not the output for one period ends is decided at each last mode of the half cycle, however, the case where the output frequency is set to other frequency than the above-mentioned embodiment is not necessarily limited thereto. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a state when a 40 Hz output is obtained, wherein the 40 Hz output frequency (60/1.5=40 Hz) is obtainable from carrying the latter half pulsating current second from the left in the direction indicated by an arrow in dotted line, that is, making a half cycle of the output waveform 1.5 times. ON states of the photo-couplers (A), (B), (C), (D) in this case may be controlled as shown by the item (j) in FIG. 9. As in the case of item (i) in FIG. 2, a non-current carrying time T 0 will be provided and a mean voltage impressed on the load may be regulated to an efficiency of the load. Items (k), (1), (m), (n) in FIG. 9 indicate output waveforms when outputs of 40 Hz, 30 Hz, 24 Hz, 20 Hz are obtained, respectively. To obtain various frequency outputs shown in FIG. 9, a combination of waveforms in one cycle of the utilized AC power source may be changed. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of the one cycle (see item (i) in FIG. 2), wherein if a current carrying time to the load is T 1 and a non-current carrying time is T 0 (the aforementioned time), then the one cycle can be divided into T 1 →T 0 →T 1 →T 1 →T 0 →T 1 , and a combination of ON states of the photo-coupler at each time can be classified into I mode→II mode→III mode→IV mode→III mode (for each mode status refer to FIG. 5). The illustration is that for obtaining 60 Hz output, however, when compared with other frequency outputs shown in FIG. 9, the time is repeated all the time as T 1 →T 0 →T 1 notwithstanding that the output frequency varies. Accordingly, different frequency outputs will be obtainable by changing an output order of I mode to IV mode. For example, when obtaining 40 Hz output, the mode comes in I→II→I→I→II→III→III→IV.fwdarw.III (for one period), while the time is as T 1 →T 0 →T 1 →T 1 →T 0 →T 1 →T 1 →T 0 →T 1 (for one period). In the invention, since arms with a cathode terminal of the thyristor connected to a collector terminal of the transistor are connected in parallel into two circuits, and a single-phase load is connected between nodes of the cathode terminal and the collector terminal of each arm, a carried current controlled by the thyristor is chopped by the transistor and an output of the half cycle can be divided at every plural time. Accordingly, an operation similar to the case where the circuit is configured entirely by transistors is obtainable even from using thyristors, and thus the cost can be significantly reduced from using the thyristors, an independent power source for ignition circuit becomes unnecessary as compared with the transistors, thus simplifying the circuit. FIG. 10 shows an electronic circuit which has some change in layout from that of FIG. 2. In FIG. 10, the thyristors 1, 10, the transistors 2, 14, the full-wave rectifying circuit 21 and a temperature sensor 28 which are shown in FIG. 11 are molded and separated within a single module 27. A temperature protecting part 26 outputs a signal to the controlling part 24 to a current carrying to the load when the temperature detected by the temperature sensor 28 connected through terminals 3, 3' reaches a predetermined temperature. FIG. 11 is an internal circuit diagram of the molded device 27 connected to terminals 1 through 12 shown in FIG. 10. The thyristors 1 and 10 can be replaced by transistors 1', 10' as illustrated in FIG. 13. In FIGS. 11 and 13, reference numerals 101-104 represent rectifying diodes, numerals 105-108 represent reverse-blocking diodes, and numerals 109 and 110 represent transistors. FIG. 12 is a longitudinal sectional view of the molded device 27 shown in FIG. 11. In FIG. 12, the device 27 has an insulation layer 30 on an aluminum substrate 29, a wiring pattern 31 on the insulation layer 30, a chip 32 of the transistor, a lead wire 33 extending outwardly for connection with external electrical elements an outer frame 34 of a suitable synthetic resin, a terminal 301 and a filler 35 of a suitable synthetic resin filled in a space between the outer frame 34 and the aluminum substrate 29. While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to preferred embodiments of the single-phase frequency conversion circuit device, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof in accordance with applications and technical field to be applied 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 will not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by drawings contemplated for carrying out the present embodiments falling within the description of the appended claims.
An inverter circuit includes fast transistors for PWM and slow switching thyristors for a fundamental frequency. The inverter circuit further includes a rectifying circuit for rectifying an input AC power and a bridge circuit. The bridge circuit includes a plurality of bridge circuit arms, each of the bridge circuit arms constituted by connecting a collector terminal of a transistor to a cathode terminal of a thyristor. An emitter of the transistor is connected to a negative side of the rectified output of the rectifying circuit, and an anode of the thyristor is connected to a positive side of the rectified output of the rectifying circuit.
7
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a non-provisional application which claims benefit under 35 USC §119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/148,747, filed Jan. 30, 2009, entitled “In-Situ Zonal Isolation For Sand Controlled Wells,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT [0002] None. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0003] This invention relates to producing fluids from a gravel packed well. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0004] In oil wells, it is common for sand or other solid gritty materials to be carried from the producing formation along with the oil into the wellbore. Sand or other grit causes problems and wear for the production equipment and preventing the introduction of such solids into the wellbore is very much desired. A common solution to prevent the production of such sand and grit is called “gravel-packing” the well. Gravel packing is basically the installation or packing of coarse sand or gravel material into the annular space between the production tubing/liner and the casing or the formation in an open-hole production arrangement. This gravel packed space extends along the outside of the production tubing/liner, may be the length of hundreds of pipe sections or joints. While most of the production tubing is impervious to liquid, the sections or joints adjacent the production zone are provided with slots or other pre-perforated openings in the peripheral wall. These joints allow the produced liquids to pass from the outside of the production tubing into the interior of the production tubing. These slotted or pre-perforated joints are often screened and/or pre-packed with sand control media and known to those skilled in the art as sand control screens. The interior of the production tubing is where a pump may be disposed to carry or drive the liquids to the surface. Those that are skilled in the art understand that there are a lot of different production methods including free flowing and plunger lift as well as several variations of artificial lift such as gas lift, rod pumps, rotary PC pumps, jet pumps, electric submersible pumps and there are other less common methods of production methods. [0005] The slotted or pre-perforated joints are commonly referred to as base pipe and typically includes holes or openings with a wire mesh, screen, or pre-packed sand control media around the outside to prevent the sand or gravel from leaking into the production tubing. There are other gravel packing arrangements where the base pipe has many small slits that are sized to prevent the passage of sand, but the function is substantially the same. Gravel packing essentially forms a filter barrier for the fine formation sand or grit, but allow the liquids to pass freely through the interstices into the production tubing and be carried to the surface. However, the sand or gravel does not discriminate between different fluids and there are times when undesirable fluids enter the gravel packing. For example, as a well is produced, water, especially salt water, often encroaches into the hydrocarbon production zone as hydrocarbons are extracted. Typically, hydrocarbons and water are found together underground with water below oil. As the hydrocarbons are withdrawn, the hydrocarbon/water interface rises and it is not uncommon for water to begin to comprise a significant portion of the total fluids produced. However, water can enter virtually anywhere in the completion in the well depending on the geological conditions. Water may enter the mid to upper sections of a producing zone when the upper sections have higher permeability and when the permeability ratios (vertical vs. horizontal) or natural formation fractures favor a situation where water may over-run the tighter producing zones and show up first in mid to upper areas of the completion. [0006] While the hydrocarbon/water interface may initially be confined to a single production zone, it is also not uncommon for an oil well to be drilled such that several oil bearing zones are accessed by the single well. Each of the hydrocarbon bearing zones may be isolated from one another by impermeable rock formations and each may have and hydrocarbon/water interface. The gravel packing may be exposed to several of these formations and fluids from one may translate along the gravel packing media to enter the production tubing at a different location. This can be a concern as allowing different isolated zones to communicate with one another may create undesirable problems in that one zone may contaminate another. The separate zones may extend for miles so cross contamination may have broad consequences. [0007] There have been several efforts to stop the production of water in gravel packed wells. Typically, the formation pressure that drives the hydrocarbons toward the low pressure well comes from salt water that is denser than hydrocarbons and, therefore, below the hydrocarbons. As such, the efforts have been focused on closing the gravel packed bed from the water at the bottom of the production zone. What hasn't been developed is a suitable and effective technique to seal the well from undesirable fluids that are above or in the middle of the target zone while permitting continues production from the target zone. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE [0008] The invention generally includes a process for isolating and treating a first fluid producing zone of an underground formation in an earthen well where the well includes a second fluid producing zone further into the ground than the first zone and a sand or gravel filter element within an annular production space between a tubular production pipe and the underground formation or casing pipe where access from the surface through the production pipe to the second fluid producing zone is preserved for subsequent production following the isolating and treating procedure. The process more particularly includes installing a wireline or coiled tubing removable plug into the tubular production pipe at a level further into the ground than the first fluid producing zone. A settable, low viscosity permeability poison is injected into the tubular production pipe above the plug and out into the sand or gravel element in the annular production space outside of the tubular production pipe and extending laterally to the casing pipe or formation to fill a longitudinal segment of the sand or gravel element in the annular production space between the first and second fluid producing zones to eventually separate and substantially seal the first and second zones from one another against fluid flow in the sand or gravel element in the annular production space. The low viscosity permeability poison is converted into a fluid seal forming a longitudinal barrier against flow within the sand control screen in the annular production space and a treatment is injected into the tubular production pipe onto the fluid seal and laterally through the annular production space and into the formation at the first fluid producing zone. The interior of the tubular production pipe is then opened up to regain access to the second fluid producing zone by removing portions of the treatment material, the fluid seal and the isolation material within the tubular production pipe so that fluids may enter the production pipe from the second zone and be extracted to the surface past the now treated first fluid producing zone. [0009] A variation of the present invention is a process for isolating and treating first and second fluid producing zones of an underground formation in an earthen well that includes a third fluid producing zone generally intermediate of the first and second zones where the second zone is most distant from the surface and the first zone is closest to the surface and the well also includes a sand or gravel filter element with an annular production space between a tubular production pipe and the underground formation or casing pipe where access from the surface through the production pipe to the third zone is preserved for subsequent production following the isolating and treating procedures of the first and second zones. This variation includes installing a wireline or coiled tubing removable plug into the tubular production pipe at a level further into the ground than the second fluid producing zone and injecting a treatment into the tubular production pipe which is sealed by at least the plug and laterally through the annular production space and into the formation at the second fluid producing zone. A layer of isolation material is deposited into the tubular production pipe above the plug to form a first low permeability layer therein where at top of the layer is at a level below the first fluid producing zone. A first settable, low viscosity permeability poison is injected onto the isolation material in the production pipe and out into the sand or gravel element in the annular production space outside of the tubular production pipe and extending laterally to the casing pipe or formation to fill a longitudinal segment of the sand or gravel element in the annular production space between the first and second fluid producing zones to eventually separate and substantially seal the first and second zones from one another against fluid flow in the sand or gravel element in the annular production space. The low viscosity permeability poison is then converted into a fluid seal forming a longitudinal barrier against flow within the sand control screen in the annular production space. A treatment may then be injected into the tubular production pipe onto the fluid seal and laterally through the annular production space and into the formation at the first fluid producing zone and then the interior of the tubular production pipe is opened up to regain access to at least the third fluid producing zone by removing portions of the treatment material, the fluid seal and the isolation material within the tubular production pipe so that fluids may enter the production pipe from the third fluid producing zone and be extracted to the surface past the now treated first fluid producing zone. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] A more complete understanding of the present invention and benefits thereof may be acquired by referring to the follow description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is a vertical and fragmentary cross sectional view of a not to scale prior art production system in a borehole; [0012] FIG. 2 is a top and fragmentary cross sectional view of a not to scale prior art production system in a borehole; [0013] FIG. 3 is a vertical and fragmentary cross sectional view of a not to scale production system in a borehole showing the first steps in a process to isolate a non-preferred upper zone in the well [0014] FIG. 4 is a vertical and fragmentary cross sectional view of a not to scale production system in a borehole showing the completed process for isolating a non-preferred upper zone in the well where the preferred zone is below the isolated zone; [0015] FIG. 5 is a vertical and fragmentary cross sectional view of a not to scale production system in a borehole showing the first steps in a process to isolate a non-preferred upper zone and a non-preferred lower zone in the well; and [0016] FIG. 6 is a vertical and fragmentary cross sectional view of a not to scale production system in a borehole showing the completed process for isolating two non-preferred zones where the preferred zone is below at least one of the isolated zones. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] Turning now to the detailed description of the preferred arrangement or arrangements of the present invention, it should be understood that the inventive features and concepts may be manifested in other arrangements and that the scope of the invention is not limited to the embodiments described or illustrated. The scope of the invention is intended only to be limited by the scope of the claims that follow. [0018] Turning to FIG. 1 , a wellbore 10 is shown to be formed deep into the earth 11 . Within the earth 11 are layers of various materials. Some of the layers are porous and permeable and permit fluids such as oil and water and natural gas to transit through the pores and interstitial voids. These layers are sometimes described as reservoir rock as the oil or hydrocarbons tend to move through permeable formations. Other layers in the earth are either without pores or have closed pores and do not permit fluids to easily pass through. These layers tend to seal one permeable layer from another and certain geological structures may capture and hold oil and other hydrocarbons in areas called “traps”. Those deciding where to drill tend to target these hydrocarbon traps and produce oil where it is found in quantities that justify the investment to produce it. [0019] In FIG. 1 , a wellbore is generally indicated by the numeral 10 and is shown to have encountered three permeable zones, labeled A, B and C. Between zones A and B is shown an impermeable or substantially impermeable layer 12 . Between zones B and C is shown an impermeable or substantially impermeable layer 13 . The wellbore 10 was drilled with a diameter large enough to accommodate casing pipe 15 . As is well known in the oil business, casing pipe 15 is inserted into position in the wellbore 10 and sealed to the earth 11 and to all the various zones and layers that the wellbore 10 intersects by cement or other grout material that forms a layer 18 around the outside of the casing pipe 15 . The wellbore 15 is also shown to have been perforated by known perforating techniques that typically include shaped charges detonated to form a number of openings through the casing pipe 15 and through the cement layer 18 and also into the earth and into the various layers and zones therein. In the present illustration, the perforations are illustrated as conical shaped perforations 19 with the pointed ends extending into the earth in each of the permeable zones A, B and C. In actuality, perforations take various indescribable shapes with many fractures and fissures to allow and encourage fluids to drain from the formation into the wellbore 10 . With the perforations 19 extending through the wall of the casing pipe 15 and all the way into the formations of the earth 11 , oil and other fluids in the permeable zones A, B and C are able to move through from the permeable zones and into the wellbore 10 until the pressure of the fluid inside the wellbore equalizes with the pressure in the various permeable zones A, B and C. [0020] While there are situations where the formation pressure is sufficient to drive hydrocarbons to the surface, it is more typical for fluids in the wellbore 10 to be extracted through a production assembly that includes any of various forms of artificial lift including down hole pumps. The production assembly is generally indicated by the numeral 20 and the pump or other form of artificial lift is not shown. While conventional production systems can include a substantial number of elements and provide substantial capability at the bottom of a wellbore, the production assembly 20 is simplified to provide an explanation of the invention and the problems that the invention is intended to overcome. The simplified production assembly 20 includes a production pipe 21 having sand control screen base pipe 25 arranged to be in the vicinity of the producing zones of the wellbore 10 . The production pipe 21 and sand control screen base pipe 25 are connected end to end with an upper packer 22 and a lower packer 23 arranged to seal an annular production space 26 within the interior of the casing pipe 15 and around the sand control screen base pipe 25 possibly including part of the production pipe 21 . It should be noted that sand control base pipe is little more specialized than tubing in that sand control base pipe may include wrapping screens, sand, resin coated sand, sintered metal or other filter materials. A typical sand control screen's base pipe is perforated or slotted through the majority of the length of the pipe joint. While it is not clear from the drawings, a joint is typically thirty feet or so in length and the perforations and slots may extend the entire length but for several inches from each end so as not to interfere with the collars where the joints are connected. Filter media is applied over the pre-perforated or slotted base pipe and the ends of each joint of base pipe may be indistinguishable from regular tubing joints. In FIG. 1 , the sand control base pipe 25 has apertures, holes, perforations, slots or similar to allow fluids to pass from the outside to the inside while the production pipe 21 has an impervious wall. The packers 22 and 23 are arranged so that all of the openings in the sand control base pipe 25 and all of the perforations 19 are open to the production space 26 defined between the packers 22 and 23 and no openings in the sand control base pipe 25 nor any perforations 19 are outside of the production space 26 . [0021] It should be noted that while the well 10 in the illustrated example is provided with casing pipe 15 , the invention is also applicable for open-hole production systems where the production space 26 extends from the production pipe 21 to the formation or to the inner wall of the wellbore 10 . Open-hole production is well known and generally much less expensive than cased production. However, for simplicity in the explanation, the invention is described with casing pipe 15 with the expectation that those skilled in the art will readily understand that the inside of the casing pipe 15 is a substitute for the inner wall of the wellbore 10 and that without the casing pipe 15 , the invention could be directly undertaken with the production space 26 extending fully to the inner wall of the wellbore 10 . [0022] The sand control base pipe 25 as illustrated includes three production sections 30 which are best explained in conjunction with FIG. 2 . Turning to FIG. 2 , base pipe 25 includes a large number of openings 31 to allow fluids to pass from the production space 26 into the interior 36 of the base pipe 25 . Around the outside of the base pipe 25 are a number of spacers 32 which are generally welded to the exterior of the base pipe 25 . Surrounding the base pipe 25 and spaced from the periphery thereof is a wire wrapped screen 34 . In other configurations, it should be noted do not include spacers and a space 35 around the sand control base pipe 25 , but the invention will still generally work the same. The wire wrapped screen 34 creates a large number of small channels through which oil or other fluids may transit from the production space 26 on a path toward the interior 36 of the sand control base pipe 25 . Between the casing pipe 15 and the wire wrapped screen 34 is the production space 26 that is typically packed with sand or gravel. It is preferred that the sand and gravel also fill the perforation tunnels 19 and the space 35 . It should be noted that in certain circumstances, it is very difficult and expensive to fully pack the space around the wire wrapped screen. In these circumstances the formation is allowed to collapse around those portions of the screen over time relying on the screen to keep the sand and grit out of the production tubing. While this is not optimal because the particle sizes against the wire wrapped screen are preferably of a common and selected size to provide maximum porosity while filtering the sand and grit, oil may still be profitably produced and the invention may still be used in this circumstance to isolate portions of the well from other portions. The production space 26 when packed with sand or gravel is sometimes called “gravel packing” or a “packed bed”. The mesh size of the wire wrapped screen 34 is determined in conjunction with the mesh size of the sand or gravel so that the sand or gravel will not pass through the wire wrapped screen 34 , but oil and other fluids may. The gravel or sand basically forms a filter cake that effectively filters any sand or other grit that may be carried by the produced fluids to the perforations 19 . The fluids continue to travel toward the interior 36 of the base pipe 25 , but the formation sand and grit is held back by the sand or gravel in the production space 26 . [0023] The process of installing the casing pipe 15 , the production assembly 20 including the gravel bed in the production space is all well known. It is only illustrated to set forth what may be accomplished by the present invention. And the primary concern that the present invention addresses is the circumstance when one or more of the production zones A, B or C begins to deliver amounts of undesirable fluids that justify investments into the well to reduce the production of such undesirable fluids. Typically, when an oil or gas well produces a large percentage of water, the costs of lifting, separating and disposing of the produced water can justify the costs of re-working a well to reduce the percentage of produced water at the bottom of the wellbore 10 . By the present invention any portion of the earth formation may be isolated from the production assembly 20 whether the preferred production zone is above, below or between un-preferred production zones. Water production in either oil or gas wells negatively impacts the production rate of the preferred hydrocarbons. Water can take up a large percentage of the flow path reducing the amount of hydrocarbons produced in a given amount of time, and increasing frictional pressure drop and increasing density of the produced fluids thereby reducing the amount of production due to reduced pressure drop at the formation face. It should also be noted that isolating portions of wells is not limited to hydrocarbon production. In wells that are drilled for fresh water, it is possible to have salt water or contaminated fluid in adjacent formations that can be isolated from the desired zone by the present invention. [0024] To most clearly explain the invention, the illustrated wellbore 10 will be sealed off from zone A and will continue to produce only zones B and C after zone A has been fully closed off from the production assembly 20 . This would be appropriate if zone A had suffered a water breakthrough where very little hydrocarbons could be extracted. At the same time, the production from zones B and C would need to be deemed sufficiently profitable to continue producing from those zones through wellbore 10 . Issues of profitability for zones B and C include current and projected prices for hydrocarbons, the quality of the hydrocarbons, the contaminants that may make the hydrocarbons less valuable, the remaining water cut or percentage of water in the hydrocarbons, the depth of the well and the cost of isolating zone A, the cost of transporting the produced fluids to market and perhaps a dozen other issues. Regardless, human judgment would dictate which wells and which zones would have the inventive procedure implemented thereon. [0025] Turning to FIG. 3 , the process of isolating zone A would begin by installing a removable plug 41 . Preferably, removable plug 41 may comprise a material that can be washed away with a chemical treatment such as an acid wash. Alternatively, a plug that may be retrieved with a wireline device is suitable or the plug may be drilled/milled out. The plug 41 is positioned below the zone to be isolated. In FIG. 3 , the plug 41 is shown to be below the impermeable layer 12 and therefore below zone A. A layer 42 of isolation material such as fine grain sand, ground calcium carbonate, salt, or other materials including even dense fluids, is then deposited upon the plug 41 . The layer 42 of isolation material forms a very low permeability or density balanced barrier to prevent materials that are delivered into the wellbore subsequent to the installation of layer 42 from binding to the plug and complicating the subsequent removal of the plug. The isolation material may be washed out later by circulating fluid or jetting fluid to allow access to the plug as will be discussed later. [0026] A low viscosity permeability poison is injected into the production tubing 21 and delivered onto the layer 42 so as to flow out of the base pipe 25 and into the annular production space 26 all the way to the inside of the casing pipe 15 to form a fluid seal 44 . The fluid seal 44 is preferably formed by materials that flow through the gravel packing and preferably seal against the interior of the casing pipe 15 and fill the interstices of the sand or gravel. There are known materials that are able to serve the purpose that with the addition of small amounts of a setting compound, heat, or time will rapidly set from a low viscosity fluid to a very high viscosity or crystalline structure. Essentially, this poison converts permeable sand or gravel into impermeable sand or gravel. Preferred materials include sodium silicate or sodium metasilicate which is a stable and low viscosity liquid in neutral solutions, but in acidic or alkaline solutions converts to form a solid precipitate or high viscosity fluid that that kills or poisons the permeability of the gravel pack rendering it nearly impermeable to flow fluid. With fluid seal 44 set in place, the production space 26 is now divided. As such, the upper zone A is available for treatment independent of zone B. Some treatments, such as an acid wash or fracturing with additional proppant enhance fluid production. For example, asphalts build up in the formation and perforations slowing down production. In other circumstances, it is desired to slow or stop fluid production. Such production stopping may include the application of substantial forces that may be applied after the fluid seal is fully set. [0027] A permanent barrier to prevent the flow of fluids in zone A from entering production assembly 20 is shown in FIG. 3 . Rather than direct the low viscosity materials of the fluid seal 44 into the formation accessed by the perforations 19 into the earth at zone A, the fluid seal 44 is arranged below the lowest perforations in zone A. With the fluid seal 44 in place and set to have a very high viscosity or crystalline fluid seal 44 , the production blocker 45 may be squeezed at a very high pressure to overcome the inherent formation pressure within zone A and drive the formation blocker 45 through the interstices of the gravel packing and deep into the crevices and fractures within perforations 19 . The production blocker may comprise a micro cement, a resin and may also comprise sodium silicate. Under the higher pressure that may be applied with fluid seal 44 in place, the production blocker 45 is able to more fully fill the production spaces including the perforations 19 even if the materials are the same. It should be noted that it is preferred that the space 35 includes the sand and permeability poison to isolate the zones so that fluids are not able to bypass the seal and pass longitudinally along the sand control base pipe 25 in space 35 . [0028] The next steps of process relate to opening up fluid communication between the production pipe 21 and the sand control base pipe 25 . Referring now to FIG. 4 , the materials that form the production blocker 45 are removed from inside the base pipe 25 preferably by irrigation with a circulation of liquids. Chemical treatments such as by directing a stream of suitable acid or caustic through a coiled tubing string or other work string where the dissolved portions of the production blocker 45 and fluid seal 44 are washed up to the surface through the annulus of the production pipe formed outside the coiled tubing string. It should be noted that if water is a suitable material for removing the barrier or production blocker within the interior of the base pipe 25 , water would be preferred over other more expensive and harsher chemicals. Moreover, these elements may also be drilled out. The coiled tubing string or other work string is not shown, but rather the results of the removal of the portions of the production blocker 45 , the fluid seal 44 , the isolation layer 42 and the plug 41 within the production pipe are removed. At the same time, the perforations 19 in zone A are blocked from further production and the system for blocking does not allow fluids from zone A to bypass the fluid seal 44 and blocker 45 because of the cement 18 , the permeable layer 12 . Leaving the fluid seal 44 in place provide extra confidence that fluids in zone A are not allowed to move along a narrow interface of the blocker 45 and the lowest perforations 19 and then descend within the gravel pack to be then drawn into the base pipe 25 through a production section 30 . [0029] A similar procedure may be used to isolate zone A and C from zone B where zone B is producing desirable fluids but zones A and C are in need of treatment to enhance production or to be shut off. Referring now to FIG. 5 , a removable plug 51 is installed below the lowest perforation 19 in zone C. A low permeability isolation layer or high density fluid layer 52 may be installed on the plug 51 if there is further production lower in the wellbore. However, in the situation where zone C is the lowest producing formation and it is producing water in a hydrocarbon well, the need to protect the plug 51 with the low permeability isolation material is probably not necessary as the plug will unlikely ever be recovered. A treating string with a packer is positioned adjacent layer 13 and used to squeeze a treatment into zone C. In the drawings, the zone C is desired to be closed to further production and a production blocker 55 is formed by the high pressure insertion of material that extrudes through the gravel packing, the wire wrapped screen, the space between the wire wrapped screen and the periphery of the base pipe and preferably into the perforations 19 in zone C. Upon complete curing or reaction of the production blocker 55 , the wellhole 10 is completely isolated from any fluids in zone C. With the production blocker inside the base pipe 25 , and depending on the distance of the production blocker 55 from zone A, a second isolation layer 62 may be installed directly on the production blocker 55 . With the isolation layer 62 installed, a fluid seal 64 is installed as described previously with a production blocker 65 installed to seal zone A from the wellbore 10 . Again, with zone A sealed from zone B, zone A may alternatively be subjected to a treatment that enhances fluid production in zone A before fluid communication is re-established with zone B. As described in the first embodiment, the production blocker 65 and fluid seal 64 within the base pipe 25 are at least partially removed along with the isolation layer 62 to allow access to the base pipe adjacent zone B as shown in FIG. 6 . It should be noted that while it is preferred to open the interior of the base pipe 25 using wireline tools or coiled tubing to minimize rig costs and other expenses, drilling out the production blocker 65 within the base pipe 25 is certainly an option that may be used. Also, if no production is intended in zone C or below, the production blocker 55 is not removed from the inside of the base pipe 25 . [0030] It should be noted that the process has been described to stop production in certain zones within the well, but in many other circumstances, it is desirable to stimulate certain formations without subjecting other zones to such stimulation. The technique for stimulating and isolated section begin by isolating the target zone from the non-target zone. Referring again to FIG. 3 , if zone A were deemed to be in need of treatment for which it is desirable not to subject zones B and C to the same treatment, a removable plug 41 would be inserted into the base pipe 25 as described before. Layer 42 and fluid seal 44 would also be installed as described before. However, rather than install the production blocker 45 , a treatment such as fracturing materials and pressure may be applied or an acid treatment or various kinds of washing may be performed. The inventive technique of the present invention provides for isolation of zone A without forgoing subsequent production of zones B and C by removing the fluid seal within the base pipe 25 after the treatment of zone A has been completed. Production would then resume after removal of the fluid seal 44 , the layer 42 and the plug 41 as described before. As should be easily understood, the invention provides for isolating one zone from another and then being able to apply materials under pressure into isolated zones. The fluid seal 44 that remains outside of the base pipe 25 essentially operates as a packer within the casing 15 or to the formation when packers were not originally included in the completion. Once in place with the base pipe 25 opened to the desirable zones, production may be optimized. [0031] In closing, it should be noted that the discussion of any reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication date after the priority date of this application. At the same time, each and every claim below is hereby incorporated into this detailed description or specification as additional embodiments of the present invention. [0032] Although the systems and processes described herein have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Those skilled in the art may be able to study the preferred embodiments and identify other ways to practice the invention that are not exactly as described herein. It is the intent of the inventors that variations and equivalents of the invention are within the scope of the claims while the description, abstract and drawings are not to be used to limit the scope of the invention. The invention is specifically intended to be as broad as the claims below and their equivalents. REFERENCES [0033] All of the references cited herein are expressly incorporated by reference. The discussion of any reference is not an admission that it is prior art to the present invention, especially any reference that may have a publication data after the priority date of this application.
This invention relates to a process for isolating one or more segments of a gravel packed well from other segments to treat the isolated segments and easily re-establish flow from the other segments after the treatment. The treatment includes techniques for enhancing or permanently blocking production from the isolated segment. The process includes the installation of a removable plug and a permeability poison that forms a fluid seal to prevent longitudinal fluid flow along the annular production space outside the tubular production pipe. With wireline or other low-cost wellbore workover systems, access is re-engaged with the secluded formation including removal of plugs and fluid seals within the tubular production pipe. The inventive process allows enhanced recovery of fluids by focusing treatments on problem areas without harming productive segments of the well.
4
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the fabrication of integrated circuits and more particularly to a borderless contact structure and its method of manufacture. In memory device structures, decreased cell size is a goal in order to obtain better performance and to permit more cells per chip. One constraint in decreasing memory cell size relates to the formation of electrical contacts to the device areas where lithographic overlay tolerances must be allowed in order to avoid shorting between the contacts and adjacent structures, For example, in an FET memory cell the spacing between the gate electrodes of adjacent cells and the diffused region must allow for the inability to precisely align a contact mask with the device areas in order to open contact holes through an insulating layer. A border 10 is required around contact area 11, as illustrated in FIG. 1, to assure the separation of the contact from the edges 12 of gate electrodes or word lines 13 and the edges 14 of field oxide regions 15. The edges 17 of electrodes 16 are also illustrated which are vertically separated from lines 13 by a dielectric layer. Border 10, having a width of about 1.5 microns, for example, represents wasted chip surface area. Processes have been devised to permit smaller emitter base spacing in bipolar devices, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,160,991 in which a polysilicon layer is used to contact the base area. The polysilicon layer is separated from a metal emitter contact layer by an insulating layer. The polysilicon layer overlays the field oxide and a metal contact to the polysilicon layer is formed through the insulating layer. U.S. Pat. No. 4,157,269 also concerns a process to permit smaller emitter base spacing in which contact to a polysilicon layer is made which is remote from the device regions. We have now found a process which provides for borderless contacts for FET cells resulting in decreased cell size and performance advantages. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with this invention, there is provided a method for forming borderless electrical contacts to a semiconductor device which is formed on a monocrystalline silicon substrate comprising the steps of: providing, as part of the device, a gate structure which includes an insulating layer and a gate electrode of polycrystalline silicon; subjecting the device to a thermal oxidation which results in a thicker silicon dioxide layer on the gate electrode than on the surface of the substrate where the contact is to be made; etching the silicon dioxide layer from the surface of the substrate while etching only a portion of the thicker silicon dioxide layer; and forming an electrical contact layer of conductive material on the surface of the substrate and over the thicker silicon dioxide layer which remains on the gate electrode in a manner that the electrical contact layer is above at least a portion of the gate electrode. The electrical contact layer can be extended to connect similar diffused regions of a series of, for example, memory cells in a memory array on a semiconductor chip or an insulating layer can be formed over the contact layer and contacts formed through the layer to the gate electrode and to the source and/or drain regions of a field effect transistor. Where the electrical contact layer is doped polysilicon, it can be used as a diffusion source to form the source and/or drain regions. These regions can also be formed prior to applying the electrical contact layer by diffusion or ion implantation. Also provided by the invention is a borderless electrical contact structure for an FET device which is formed on a silicon semiconductor substrate. The device has a gate structure with an insulating layer on the substrate and a gate electrode of polycrystalline silicon on the insulating layer. A diffused region is formed in the substrate adjacent to the gate. A silicon dioxide layer covers the top and sides of the gate electrode. An electrical contact layer of conductive material is in contact with the surface of the silicon substrate. The contact area on the substrate is substantially coextensive with, but smaller than the diffused source region so that it does not extend over the junction. The contact layer also extends over the silicon dioxide layer such that it is above at least a portion of the gate electrode. The term diffused region as used herein includes regions formed by ion implantation. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a plan view illustrating the layout of a contact structure according to the prior art. FIGS. 2 to 8 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating the steps for forming a borderless contact structure in an FET device according to the process of the invention. FIG. 9 is a plan view illustrating the layout of a borderless contact structure according to the invention. FIGS. 10 and 11 are schematic cross-sectional views illustrating alternate embodiments of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Turning now to FIGS. 2 to 9, a FET inversion storage memory cell having a borderless contact is formed. Onto a P-type monocrystalline silicon semiconductor substrate 21 is formed a thermal silicon dioxide layer 23 of about 300 to 400 Å in thickness followed by a 1000 Å thick layer 25 of chemical vapor deposited (CVD) silicon nitride. Silicon nitride layer 25 is patterned by standard lithography and etching techniques, using resist layer 27, to provide the structure shown in FIG. 2. A channel stop implant 28 is performed during which the resist layer 27 masks the boron implant. Resist layer 27 is stripped and field oxide regions 29 of about 6,000 Å in thickness are grown in steam at a temperature of about 1,000° C. The remaining nitride layer 25 is stripped in hot phosphoric acid, oxide layer 23 is removed in buffered hydrofluoric acid and silicon dioxide layer 31 is grown in dry oxygen at a temperature of about 950° C. to a thickness of about 500 Å to produce the structure shown in FIG. 3. A CVD polysilicon layer 33 is then deposited over the structure to a thickness of about 4,000 Å and a layer of phosphosilicate glass (PSG) is formed at the surface of layer 33 by an oxidation in an atmosphere of POCl 3 . The structure is annealed at 950° C. in nitrogen to drive phosphorus into the polysilicon layer to provide conductive polysilicon electrode plates and the PSG layer is then stripped in buffered HF. A CVD silicon dioxide layer 35 is then deposited to a thickness of about 3,000 Å and patterned using a resist layer and etching with buffered HF. The exposed portions of polysilicon layer 33 are then etched through the opening in layer 35 by dry etching in a CF 4 +O 2 plasma atmosphere or by wet etching with pyrocatechol to produce the structure of FIG. 4. The exposed portion of silicon dioxide layer 31 is etched through the opening in layer 33 with buffered HF and a 500 Å thick gate silicon dioxide layer 37 is grown on the exposed surface of substrate 21 and also on the sidewalls 39 and top of polysilicon layer 33 (FIG. 5). A second layer of doped polysilicon, to provide gate electrodes 41, is formed and patterned by repeating the above steps with the polysilicon layer being etched by reactive ion etching through overlying oxide layer 43 to give straight sidewalls 45 as shown in FIG. 5. The portion of silicon dioxide layer 37 between gate electrodes 41 is then etched from the surface of substrate 21 and the resulting structure is reoxidized in steam at a temperature of 800° C. to grow 500 Å of silicon dioxide on substrate 21 and 2,000 Å of silicon dioxide on the sidewalls 45 of the gate electrodes 41. This result is achieved due to the more rapid oxidation rate of the phosphorus doped polysilicon compared to the oxidation rate of the silicon substrate. Without need for any masking, the thin portion of this silicon dioxide layer is then removed from the surface portion 49 of the substrate while leaving at least about 1,500 Å of sidewall oxide 47 (FIG. 6) by using buffered HF or preferably by directional reactive ion etching in an atmosphere containing a mixture of CF 4 and hydrogen. A third polysilicon layer 51 having a thickness of 4,000 to 8,000 Å is then blanket deposited by CVD and doped with phosphorus by oxidation in an atmosphere of POCl 3 followed by an anneal at a temperature of 950° C. for 45 minutes in nitrogen. The anneal also diffuses phosphorus into the surface of substrate 21 to form a self-aligned N+ diffused region 53 which is in electrical contact with polysilicon layer 51 with the junction 52 being under the oxide layer 47 due to lateral diffusion of the phosphorus (FIG. 7). The function of the diffused region 53 in a Dennard type memory cell is to operate as the bit line in a memory cell array as is well known in the art. Layer 51 is then patterned by standard lithographic techniques and dry or wet etching. Thermal silicon dioxide layer 55 is next grown in steam at a temperature of 800° C. Contact hole 57 is opened through layer 55 to polysilicon layer 51 using a resist mask. The resist is stripped and a layer 59 of metal, such as aluminum is deposited and patterned to form the electrical connection to layer 51. Because the edge 50 of layer 51 overlaps the edges 40 of layer 41 and the edges 30 of the field oxide 29, the contact hole 57 can be misaligned so that it also overlaps layer 41 and field oxide 29 as shown in FIG. 9 without causing shorting of the contact to either the substrate or to the gate electrode. This allows the spacing between the edges 40 of the gates 41 and the edges 30 of the field oxide 29 to be substantially the dimensions of the N+ contact region 54. Therefore, the contact structure of the invention is borderless in two dimensions. This results in a much more compact memory cell with the lithographic overlay tolerances being absorbed in the conductive polysilicon contact layer 51. For example, the spacing between the edges of the gate electrodes and similarly the edges of the field oxide regions need be only about 2 microns rather than the 6 microns required previously to account for overlay tolerances. FIGS. 10 and 11 illustrate alternate embodiments of the invention. As shown in FIG. 10, the polysilicon contact layer 51 can be used to connect adjacent bit diffusion N+ regions 53 thus providing a polysilicon bit line in a memory array of cells of the type described, for example, by Dennard in U.S. Pat. No. 3,387,286. Instead of using polysilicon as the diffusion source to provide N+ region 53, the region can be formed by the ion implantation of arsenic or phosphorus after the growth of silicon dioxide layer 47 (FIG. 6) and the removal of this thin oxide from the surface 49 of substrate 21. A polysilicon or a metal layer 61 (FIG. 11) metal such as aluminum is then deposited to provide electrical contact to region 53.
Electrical contacts to diffused regions in a semiconductor substrate are made by a process which reduces the space needed in memory or logic cell layouts. The contacts are made such that they overlap, but are insulated from, adjacent conductors. The contacts are formed in a manner which avoids shorting of the diffused junctions to adjacent structures without being limited by lithographic overlay tolerances.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the manufacture of parts such as complex geometry metals vanes and shrouds according to the technique known as lost wax casting. 2. Discussion of the Background For the manufacture of vanes and shrouds for turbojet engines, such as rotor or stator parts, or structural parts according to this technique, a master pattern is prepared first of all, using wax or any other similar material easily disposable at a later stage. If necessary, several master patterns are gathered into a cluster. A ceramic mould is prepared around this master pattern by dipping in a first slip to form a first layer of material in contact with the surface thereof. The surface of said layer is reinforced by sanding, for easier bonding of the following layer, and the whole is dried: composing respectively the stuccowork and drying operations. The dipping operation is then repeated in slips of possibly different compositions, an operation always associated with the successive stuccowork and drying operations. A ceramic shell formed of a plurality of layers is then provided. The slips are composed of particles of ceramic materials, notably flour, such as alumina, mullite, zircon or other, with a colloïdal mineral binder and admixtures, if necessary, according to the rheology requested. These admixtures enable to control and to stabilise the characteristics of the different types of layers, while breaking free from the different physical-chemical characteristics of the raw materials forming the slips. They may be a wetting agent, a liquefier or a texturing agent relative, for the latter, to the thickness requested for the deposit. The shell mould is then dewaxed, which is an operation thereby the material forming the original master pattern is disposed of. After disposing of the master pattern, a ceramic mould is obtained whereof the cavity reproduces all the details of the master pattern. The mould is then subjected to high temperature thermal treatment or “baked”, which confers the necessary mechanical properties thereto. The shell mould is thus ready for the manufacture of the metal part by casting. After checking the shell mould for internal and external integrity, the following stage consists in casting a molten metal into the cavity of the mould, then in solidifying said metal therein. In the field of lost wax casting, several solidification techniques are currently distinguished, hence several casting techniques, according to the nature of the alloy and to the expected properties of the part resulting from the casting operation. It may be a columnar structure oriented solidification (DS), a mono-crystalline structure oriented solidification (SX) or an equiaxed solidification (EX) respectively. Both first families of parts relate to superalloys for parts subjected to high loads, thermal as well as mechanical in the turbojet engine, such as HP turbine vanes. After casting the alloy, the shell is broken by a shaking-out operation, and the manufacture of the metal part is finished. During the moulding stage, several types of shells may be used via several methods. Each shell should possess specific properties enabling the type of solidification desired. For example, for equiaxed solidification, several different methods may be implemented the one using an ethyl silicate binder, another using a colloïdal silica binder. For oriented solidification, the shells may be realised out of different batches, silica-alumina, silica-zircon or silica based batches. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION For simplification and standardisation of the methods implemented, there is a need for a so-called ‘single’ structure shell, whereof the properties would enable usage in the different cases of solidification. On the other hand, to comply with environmental and cost standards, there is also a need to dispense with the use of alcohol-based binders such as ethyl silicate. By reasons of waste-associated costs, it is also desirable to develop a shell structure not comprising any zircon. Such material, even little radio-active, involves establishing waste handling procedures which are highly demanding, industrially as well as financially. The invention meets these objectives with the following method. The method of manufacture of a multilayer ceramic shell mould whereof at least one contact layer, one intermediate layer and several reinforcing layers, out of a wax master pattern or other similar material, consists in performing the following operations: dipping in a first slip containing ceramic particles and a binder, depositing sand particles on the layer and drying said layer, so as to form the contact layer, dipping in a second slip containing ceramic particles, a binder, depositing sand particles on the layer and drying said layer, so as to form the intermediate layer, dipping in at least a third slip containing ceramic particles, a binder, depositing sand particles on the layer and drying said layer, so as to form a reinforcing layer. The formation of reinforcing layers is repeated until obtaining a shell mould of set thickness. According to the invention, the method characterised in that the ceramic particles of the slips comprise a refractory oxide or a mixture of zircon-less refractory oxides, whereas no layer contains any zircon. Preferably, the slip for the formation of the reinforcing layers is much more fluid than the second slip. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS It has been noticed that a shell mould exhibiting such composition and such structure, with the difference of the contact layer, might be designed to be common to all the types of castings according to the techniques mentioned above. The mechanical properties of the mould may thus be advantageously adjusted, in particular, its sensitivity to thermal shocks, to comply with the casting conditions meeting the stresses of the various solidification methods (EX, DS or SX). Preferably and to comply with the economic and environmental requirements, the binder for the various slips is a mineral colloïdal solution such as colloïdal silica. Similarly, to comply with the economic requirements associated with waste, the stucco grains for the contact, intermediate and reinforcing layers are composed of mullite grains and not zircon. To control the porosity of the mould, and consequently to control the sensitivity of the shell to thermal shocks, the stuccowork operations are performed with stucco grains covering a granulometric range comprised between 80 and 1000 microns. Besides, the stucco is applied preferably by sprinkling for the first layers, and is applied preferably by fluidised bed, for the layers as of the fourth. The stucco is applied automatically, so that the movements of the robot enable to realise a shell mould exhibiting an after-baking porosity, ranging between 20 and 35%. The more porous the shell, the more its sensitivity to thermal shocks is reduced, such as those produced during the different types of casting operations. In particular, to be applicable to two distinct solidification modes, the baking cycle of the mould consists in heating up to a temperature ranging between 1000 and 1150° C., preferably between 1030 and 1070° C. It suffices to adapt the contact layer to the solidification mode. Thus, the first slip may be formed out of mullite flours and zircon-less alumina, with or without germinative. In a particular case, for DS or SX type solidifications, the contact layer is composed mostly of mullite flour in an amount ranging from 40 and 80% in weight, possibly alumina flour, a colloïdal silica-based binder, and organic admixtures. In the particular case of equiaxed solidification, the contact layer is composed of a mixture of alumina and mullite flours in amounts ranging respectively between 40 and 80% in weight for alumina and between 2 and 30% in weight for the mullite flour, the remainder comprising a colloïdal silica-based binder, a germinative, and organic admixtures. According to another characteristic, the second and third slips are common to any solidification method are common to any solidification method, and comprise a mixture of alumina and mullite flours in amounts ranging between 45 and 95% en weight, and mullite grains in amounts ranging between 0 and 25% en weight. The mould structure thus defined finds, indifferently, a usage for the manufacture of a part with columnar structure oriented solidification, the contact layer being formed mostly of a mullite flour, for the manufacture of a part with mono-crystalline structure oriented solidification, the contact layer being formed mostly out of a mullite flour or for the manufacture of a part with equiaxed solidification, the contact layer being formed out of a mixture of alumina and mullite flours. The invention also refers to a method of manufacture of parts by casting molten metal wherein, regardless of the solidification type, columnar structure oriented, monocrystalline structure oriented or equiaxed, the moulds used exhibit a common skeleton of shells: common intermediate layer and reinforcing layer. The invention also refers to an installation for the manufacture of parts by casting molten metal, in a shell mould comprising a mould manufacturing station and casting stations for different solidifications, said stations being supplied with moulds exhibiting identical reinforcing layers. The method is described more in detail thereunder. The method of manufacturing shell moulds enabling usage common to all types of parts comprises a first stage consisting in making the master pattern out of wax or another similar material known in the art. The most generally known is wax. According to the type of part, the master patterns may be grouped in clusters in order to manufacture several of them simultaneously. The master patterns are shaped to the sizes of the finished parts, allowing for the contraction of alloys. The manufacturing stages of the shell are preferably carried out by a robot whereof the movements are common to all types of parts, programmed for optimal action on the quality of the deposits realised, and for breaking free from the geometric aspect of the different vanes and shrouds. Slips are prepared in parallel wherein the master patterns or the cluster are dipped in succession to deposit the ceramic materials. A first slip is distinguished for EQX solidification. It comprises in weight percentage: a mixture of alumina (40-80%) and mullite (2-30%) flours; a germinative, cobalt aluminate (0-10%); a colloïdal silica binder (18-30%); water (0-5%); three admixtures: wetting agent, liquefier and texturing agent; For columnar or monocrystalline structure oriented solidification, the composition of the first slip in weight percentage is as follows: a mixture of alumina (2-30%) and mullite (40-80%) flours; a colloïdal silica binder (18-30%); water (0-5%); three admixtures: wetting agent, liquefier and texturing agent; The second intermediate slip, common to all types of solidification, comprises in weight percentage the following components: a mixture of alumina (50-75%) and mullite (5-20%) flours; a colloïdal silica binder (20-30%); water (0-5%); three admixtures: wetting agent, liquefier and texturing agent; The third reinforcing slip, common to all types of solidification, comprises in weight percentage: a mixture of alumina (30-45%) and mullite (15-30%) flours; mullite grains (14-24%); a colloïdal silica binder (10-20%); water (5-15%); four admixtures: wetting agent, liquefier, texturing agent and sintering agent; The first 3 admixtures fulfil the following functions, respectively: The liquefier enables to obtain more rapidly the rheology required during the manufacture of the layer. It acts as a dispersing agent. It may belong to the family of amino acids, to the range of ammonium polyacrylates, or to the family of carboxylic tri-acids with alcohol groups; The wetting agent facilitates the coating of the layer during the dipping process. It may belong to the family of poly-alkylene fat alcohols or alkoxylate alcohols; The texturing agent enables to optimise the layer for obtaining suitable deposits. It may belong to the family of ethylene oxide polymers, xanthan gums, or guar gums; For the contact layer no 1, once the master pattern withdrawn from the first slip after an immersion phase, the master pattern thus covered is subjected to dripping, then coating. Then, “stucco” grains are applied, by sprinkling so as not to disturb the thin contact layer. For the stuccowork operation, mullite is used whereof the size distribution in this first layer is thin. It ranges from 80 to 250 microns. The surface condition of the finished parts depends partially thereof. The layer no 1 is dried. A dipping phase is then performed in a second slip to form a so-called “intermediate” layer no 2. The composition is the same regardless of the solidification mode adopted. As previously, “stucco” is deposited by sprinkling, before drying. For the stuccowork operation, mullite is used, whereof the size distribution is medium. It may range from 120 to 1000 microns. The porosity surface of the finished shells depends partially thereof. The master pattern is then dipped in a third slip to form the layer 3 which is the first so-called reinforcing layer. The stucco identical to layer no 2 is then applied by sprinkling, before drying. The dipping, stucco application and drying operations are repeated in the third slip to form the so-called “reinforcing” layers. For said reinforcing layers, the stucco application is conducted by fluidised bed. For the last layer, a glazing operation is performed, not containing, the stucco application. The final shell may be composed of 5 to 12 layers. The dipping operations for the different layers are conducted differently and adapted for obtaining homogeneous distribution of the thicknesses and preventing the formation of bubbles, in particular in trapped zones. The dipping programs are optimised for every type of layer, in order to dispense with the geometric aspect of the different types of parts, and are therefore common to all references. The interlayer drying range is optimised for every type of layer, in order to dispense with the geometric aspect of the different types of parts. The range is therefore common. The range enables indeed for every type of layer, drying moulds with geometries as different as mobile vanes, distributors or structural parts. The last layer formed is finally dried common to all types of parts. The baking cycle of the moulds is the same for all the types of solidification, and dispenses with therefore the type of part, consequently. It comprises a temperature rise phase, a soak time at baking temperature and a cool-down phase. The baking cycle is selected to optimise the mechanical properties of the shells so as to enable cold handling without any risk of breakage and to minimise their sensitivities to thermal shocks which might be generated during the various casting phases. It is noticed that a single baking cycle may be realised instead of both baking types which were conducted in the past, to prepare the EQX, DS and SX shells, in different casting moulds.
A method of manufacture of a multilayer ceramic shell mould out of a master pattern includes the steps of dipping the master pattern in a first slip containing ceramic particles and a binder, depositing sand particles to form a contact layer, dipping the master pattern in a second slip containing ceramic particles and a binder, depositing sand particles to form an intermediate layer, dipping the master pattern in at least a third slip containing ceramic particles to form a reinforcing layer. The ceramic particles of the slips includes mullite, alumina, or a mixture of the two, whereas no layer contains any zircon.
1
The present invention relates to industrial sewing machines, and, more particularly, to an improved differential feed mechanism for an overedge sewing machine. A principal object of the invention is to provide a simple, compact, and sturdy sewing machine capable of operation at high speeds, e.g. 8,000 to 9,000 or more stitches per minute without objectionable noise or vibration and in which the work feed mechanism is of the differential type having an improved means for imparting horizontal feed motion to a main feed dog and auxiliary or differential feed dog carried on separate feed bars. Another object of the invention is to provide a differential feed mechanism for an overedge sewing machine having provision for adjusting the length of the horizontal or feed stroke of each feed bar individually and in a precise and controllable manner. Still another object of this invention is to provide a differential feed mechanism for a sewing machine in which the driving connections for each feed bar are from a common input shaft and separate from each other. Another object of the invention is the provision of an easier and thus cheaper means of manufacture. Still another object of the invention is to enable the mechanism to undergo higher loads since it is mostly in compression and tension rather than bending. Yet another object of the invention is to enable the mechanism to hold tighter tolerances, because of pin jointed holes replacing slotted link. Still a further object of the invention is to provide a quieter mechanism because heretofore known curved links opened up under high speeds and have been replaced by a superior linkage system. Another object of the invention is to provide easier obtainment of zero stitch length or reverse feeding. Still another provision of this invention is a unique manner and means for thrusting of the main and auxiliary feed bars. Yet another object of this invention is for the feed curve to grow outward to one direction. A feature of the present invention is the provision of a new and improved differential feed mechanism having a main feed dog and an auxiliary or differential feed dog carried on respective feed bars arranged in a side by side relationship. A common mechanism is provided for both feed bars to impart a vertical movement to the feed dogs. Similar but separate driving mechanisms are provided for each of the two feed bars for effecting horizontal movement of the feed dogs. Similarly, separate feed adjustment means for individually adjusting the feed or horizontal stroke length of each feed bar is also provided. Another feature of the invention is the provision of adjusting means and control means for quickly and intermittently varying the horizontal feed stroke of at least one of the two feed bars during operation of the sewing machine and providing a limit of the variation of the feed stroke to a preselected minimum and maximum which may be changed at the will of the operator at any time even during the operation of the sewing machine. Still another feature of the invention is the provision of a differential feed mechanism having a pair of feed bars, a feed dog carried on each of the feed bars and drive means for each of the feed bars which comprise separate connections, from a common drive shaft to each feed bar, in spaced relation to each other. The mechanism for separately adjusting the horizontal stroke length of the feed bars comprises a pair of crank means coaxially arranged on a control shaft with one of the two crank means being rigidly fixed and the other loosely supported thereon for carrying into effect the adjustment of each feed bar individually in response to a respective actuation of an operator controlled, micrometer type control means. Having in mind the above objects and other attendent advantages that would be evident from an understanding of this disclosure, the invention comprises the devices, combinations, and arrangement of parts as illustrated in the presently preferred embodiment of the invention which is hereinafter set forth in detail to enable those skilled in the art to readily understand the functions, operation, construction and advantages of it when read in conjunction of the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a front elevational view, partly in section of a machine incorporating the present invention; FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, partly in section, taken along Line 2--2 of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a vertical sectional view of the differential feed mechanism shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 and taken substantially along Line 3--3 of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a vertical sectional view of the differential feed mechanism and operating means therefore, taken along Line 4--4 of FIG. 1; FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view, taken along Line 5--5 of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view taken along substantially along Line 6--6 of FIG. 1 showing the driving connections for imparting horizontal movement to the feed mechanism of the present invention; FIG. 7 is an exploded perspective view of the entire feed and feed adjusting mechanism of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the operator controlled actuating means for adjusting the horizontal feed stroke of the auxiliary feed means; FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary view of a portion of the feed control mechanism, taken substantially along Line 9--9 of FIG. 8; FIG. 10 is a fragmentary elevational view of the operator controlled actuating means shown in FIG. 8; FIG. 11 is a schematic representation of the main feed mechanism; FIG. 12 is a schematic representation of the auxiliary feed mechanism. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate like parts throughout the several views, the improved feed mechanism herein under consideration is shown as applied to a sewing machine 10 having a frame or housing 12 comprising a head portion 14 and work support portion 16. On its underside, the machine is provided with a closure plate 18 which serves as a means for supporting the machine from a table or stand (not shown). A cloth plate 20 is rotatably positioned on top of the supporting frame portion in a conventional manner and carries a throat plate 22. During operation of the machine, the workpiece being sewn is moved across the cloth plate and is held against the throat plate by a presser foot assembly 24 carried on the distal end of an arm 26. The other end of arm 26 is mounted in a universal joint 28. The arm 26 is engaged by a spring biased member 30 whereby the presser foot is urged toward the cloth plate and throat plate. Conventional means (not shown) may be provided for raising the arm 26, in opposition to the spring biased means 30, to permit introduction or adjustment of the workpiece beneath the presser foot assembly. The stitch forming instrumentalities, as far as shown, include needle means 34 mounted at the free end of a carrier 36. The other end of carrier 36 is clampled to a rock shaft 38 which is arranged to be rocked upon each revolution of the main drive shaft 40 of the machine ultimately effecting endwise reciprocation of the needle means 34. Suitable stitch forming implements or looper means cooperate with the needle means to effect the formation of over seaming stitches. But as these loopers, including the manner of and means for their actuation, form no part of the present invention, their illustration and further detailed description are not deemed necessary. Other details of the actual machine, which are not shown for purposes of clarity, include a workpiece trimming means disposed in advance of the zone in which the stitch forming instrumentalities or devices serve to produce overedge stitches. For a more complete description and illustration of the machine of the present type, reference may be had to U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,611,817 issued Oct. 12, 1971 and 2,704,042 issued Mar. 15, 1955, the full disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. As may be best seen in FIGS. 2 and 7, the work feeding mechanism of the present invention is of the differential type including main feed dog means 42 and an auxiliary or differential feed dog means 44. It will be understood that both feed dog means intermittently rise above the level of the work supporting surface of the throat plate 22 through suitable openings provided therein so as to cooperate with the presser foot assembly 24 in advancing the workpiece in step by step translations over the work support means and past the needle means in the intervals when the latter is disengaged from the work. The main feed dog means 42 and the auxiliary or differential feed dog means 44 are mounted, respectively, on side-by-side main and auxiliary or differential feed dog carrier means 46 and 48. While the feed dog means are carried at the forward end of the feed bars, the rearward forked ends of each feed bar is slidably mated with a block 50 which, in turn, is carried on an eccentric portion 52 of an adjustable pin 54 rotatably received in a rear wall of the machine frame. As seen in FIG. 5, lateral or sidewise movement of the feed bars is prevented in one direction by a washer means 56 which sits against a collar 56a provided on the pin 54 and in the other direction by an adjustable thrusting surface 58 provided by a pin 60. The pin 60 being adjustably received in another portion of the rearward wall of the machine frame. The pin 54 may be rotated to vary the elevation of its eccentric portion 52 and locked in any desired position by fasteners 62. Suffice it to say, the bars or carriers 46 and 48 both oscillate and move longitudinally about and relative to the axis of the eccentric portion 52 of pin 54, which axis is common to both of the feed bars. By this construction, the location of the eccentric axis of pin 54 will determined, in part, the path of the feed bars 46 and 48. The feed bar means and feed dog means carried thereby are given the usual "rising" and "falling" movements by a feed lift eccentric 62 arranged on the main drive shaft 40. In the preferred embodiment, the eccentric portion of the main drive shaft is surrounded by a bearing block 64 which, in turn, is embraced by a yoke 66 depending from the main feed bar 46. A collar 65 and nut 67 prevent axial displacement of the bearing block along the eccentric portion of the main shaft. The auxiliary feed bar 48 is slideably interconnected to the main feed bar such that the vertical lift of the main feed bar is simultaneously imparted thereto. In the preferred form, the sliding interconnection of the feed bars is accomplished by providing the main feed bar with a laterally extending flat portion 68 which is adapted to engage the flat undersurface 70 of the auxiliary feed bar 48. A flat upper surface 72 on the auxiliary feed bar engages a slide block 71 fixedly carried by the main feed bar 46. Thus, the auxiliary feed bar is constrained to move in a vertical direction simultaneously with the vertical movements of the feed bar 46 but is free to independently move longitudinally of the feed bar 46. It will be understood that rotation of the main drive shaft will cause the block 64 to move in a circular path and impart rising and falling motion to the forward end of the feed bars. As the block 64 slides in the yoked portion 66 of the feed bar 46 it will impart no forward or reverse motion to either of the feed bars. Having now described the means for providing vertical motion to the main and auxiliary feed bars, the means for imparting independent horizontal motion to each of the feed bars will now be described. As best seen in FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, the feed and return movements are imparted to each of the feed bars from a feed eccentric 74 mounted on the main shaft 40. An eccentric strap connection 76 having a pitman extension 78 is pin connected, as at 80, to one end of a driving lever 82. The other end of the driving lever 82 is rigidly secured to a rock shaft 84. As seen in FIG. 3, the rock shaft 84 is journaled for rotatory movement in the frame of the machine in suitable bearings 86 provided at points adjacent the ends of the shaft 84. Thus, rotation of the main drive shaft 40 will place rock shaft 84 into an oscillatory motion. The pin connection between the pitman extension and the driving lever is maintained by a fastener 87 which constrains the pin against axial movement. Alteration of the amplitude of oscillatory movement imparted to the rock shaft 84 may be affected by changing the location of the pin connection 80 relative to the central axis of the rock shaft 84. For this purpose, the drive lever may be designed with two sets of bearing holes 88 and 90 to provide an adjustment in the degree of oscillation of the rock shaft 84. The motion of the rock shaft 84 is transferred or imparted to each of the two feed bars 46 and 48 by first and second independent linkage assemblies 94 and 96, respectively. For purposes of this disclosure, let it be said that the first linkage assembly 94 drives the main feed bar means 46. It follows therefore, that the second linkage assembly 96 would drive the auxiliary or differential feed bar 48. In its presently preferred construction, the first linkage assembly includes two substantially equal drive lengths 100 and 102. At one end, link 100 is pivotally connected to the main feed bar as at 104 via a shoulder screw. From its pivotally connection with the feed bar means 46, the link 100 extends rearwardly in the direction of feed, and is articulatly connected, as at point 106, to the other drive link means 102. The second link 102 extends from its pivotal connection 106 with the link 100 and is pivotally connected, as at 108, to one end of a rocker drive link 110. The other end of the rocker link 110 is fixedly secured to the rocker shaft 84. From this, it is to be understood that the oscillatory rocking motion of the rock shaft 84 will affect feed and return movements of the main feed dog means 42 through the medium of the rocker link 110, drive links 100 and 102, and feed dog carrier 46. Also, the construction of the rocker drive link 110 allows it to act as a means for thrusting the main feed bar 46 and its respective drive links in one lateral direction. As may be best viewed in FIG. 11, when considering the kinematics of the first linkage assembly 94, it is evident that the affect of oscillating the thrusting rock drive shaft 84 is that oscillatory movement will be created at point 108 on rocker link 110 which is constrained to move along the arc of a circle generally indicated as 112. The rocking motion of the drive link 110 is resolved into endwise movement of the feed bar 46 by the drive links 100 and 102. That is, the rocking motion of the drive link has a horizontal component of movement that is imparted to the drive link 102. The point 106 whereat the link 102 is connected to link 100 is constrained to move along a predetermined path generally in the arc of a circle indicated at 114, owing to a positive guiding by an anchor link 116. The function and operation of anchor link 116 will be discussed hereinafter. Because link 100 is pin connected to the drive link 102, the drive link 100 is obliged to move with the driven link 102 and imparts a transverse feed motion to the feed dog carrier 46 whereby moving the feed dog in a horizontal direction so as to impart an advancing motion to the work. The second or differential drive link assembly 96 is substantially similar in construction to the first drive assembly. That is, the second link assembly includes two substantially equal drive links 120 and 122. The drive link 120 is privotally secured to the auxiliary feed dog carrier 48 as at point 124. From its pivotal connection with the feed dog carrier 48, the link 120 extends rearwardly in the direction of feed and is articulated as at point 126 to the other drive link 122. The second drive link 122 extends from its pivotal connection with the drive link 120 and is privotally connected, as at 128, to one end of a thrusting rocker drive link 130. The other end of the rocker drive link 130 is fixedly secured to the rocker shaft 84. Thus, feed and return movement for the differential feed dog 44 are derived from the oscillatory rocking movement of the common rock shaft 84 and are imparted through the medium of rocker drive link 130, drive links 120 and 122 and differential feed dog carrier means 48. Furthermore, as with rocker drive link 110, the construction of the rocker drive link 130 allows it to act as a means for thrusting the auxiliary feed bar 48 and its respective drive links, in a direction opposite to that affected by the thrusting action of the rocker drive link 110. Turning now to the schematic illustration of the seconk linkage assembly shown in FIG. 12, it is evident that the affect of oscillating the rock shaft 84 is that oscillatory movement will be created at point 128 on rocker drive link 130, which point is constrained to move along the arc of a circle generally indicated as 134. The rocking motion of the drive link 130 is resolved into endwise movement of the auxiliary or differential feed bar 48 by the two drive links 120 and 122. That is, the rocking motion of the drive link 130 will impart a horizontal component of movement to the drive link 122. The point 126 whereat the drive link 122 is connected to drive link 120 is constrained to move along a predetermined path, generally sweeping out the arc of a circle generally indicated at 132, owing to the positive guiding by a anchor link 138. The function and operation of link 138 will be discussed in detail hereinafter. Because the link 122 is pin connected to drive link 120, the drive link 120 is obliged to move with the link 122. The movement of the link 120 imparts a transverse feed motion to the feed dog carrier 48 whereby moving the differential feed dog means in a horizontal direction so as to impart an advancing motion to the workpiece. Because the drive trains for the main and auxiliary feed mechanisms are substantially independent of one another, it should be appreciated that the amount of lengthwise movement transmitted to the particular feed bar from any given degree of oscillation of the rock shaft 84 is dependent upon the particular predetermined arcuate path of the respective drive lengths. We turn now to the control means for adjusting the horizontal feed stroke of the feed bars. Adjustment of the feed stroke of the main feed bar or carrier means 46 is accomplished by controlling the fulcrumed disposition of the drive links 100 and 102; that is, controlling the disposition of the pivot point 106. As is readily appreciated in the art of kinematics, the disposition of the pivot point 106 will determine the path of oscillation of the drive links, and hence, the magnitude of horizontal movement that is imparted to the feed bar 46. For affecting this adjustment of the drive link fulcrum, the present invention is provided with an operator controlled mechanism 140 for the main feed mechanism of the machine. The controlled mechanism 140 includes the anchor link 116 which is connected at one end to the fulcrum point 106 of links 100 and 102 and a bell crank lever means 142. In the preferred embodiment, the lever means 142 has a central sleeve portion 144 that is arranged for free rotation about the center axis of a control shaft 146. Suitable collar means 148 constrain the axial displacement of the lever means 142 along the axis of the control rock shaft 146. The rock shaft 146 extends below and parallel with rock shaft 84 and main shaft 40 and is journaled for rotary movement in the machine frame. One arm 150 of the bell crank lever means 142 is articulated to the depending end of the anchor link 116. The other arm 152 of lever means 142 communicates with an operator controlled member 154. Adjustment of the feed stroke of the main feed bar is accomplished by turning the adjustable member or rod 154 clockwise or counter clockwise as may be desired. As seen in FIG. 2, the adjustable member 154 is threaded into a suitable bore provided in the machine frame. The member 154 is situated such that it is directed at the arm 152 of lever means 142. As might be expected, clockwise rotation of the rod 154 will cause it to move inwardly and, in engaging the arm 152 of the bell crank lever, will cause the lever to be rotated about the central axis of the control shaft 146. In like manner, counter clockwise rotation of the adjustment rod 154 will result in the withdrawal of the adjustment member 154 whereby permitting the bell crank lever 142 to rotate in a counter clockwise direction. If preferred, the adjustment rod 154 may be provided with a knurled knob 156 for the convenience of the operator. The adjustment rod 154 is also provided with stops 158 and 160 for limiting the linear displacement of the rod 154. From the foregoing, it will be understood that the rotary movement of the bell crank lever about the control shaft ultimately affects the fulcrumed disposition of point 106, the predetermined oscillatory path of the drive links 100 and 102 and ultimately the magnitude of horizontal feed imparted to the main feed bar 46 by the first linkage assembly. As best seen in FIG. 3, the depending end of anchor link 116 and the arm 150 of the bell crank lever 142 are spaced apart yet joined by a fastener 162. Turning now to FIG. 2, a coiled spring 164 wrapped about the control shaft 146 has one free ended portion 166 anchored to the machine frame while the other end engages the fastener 162. By this construction, the bell crank lever 142 is normally urged in a counter clockwise direction with the arm 152 being maintained against the end of the adjustable member 154. Thus, a positive stop is provided for the bell crank lever 142. A similar type of control is provided for the auxiliary or differential feed bar 48. The adjustment in this case comprises two basic settings, a maximum and minimum setting. The minimum or normal setting provides for a minimum feed stroke of the differential feed bar while the maximum setting provides for a maximum feed stroke. As the minimum feed stroke of the auxiliary feed bar can be smaller than the feed stroke of the main feed bar a stretching of the material during the feeding action can be achieved while, on the other hand, the maximum setting of the auxiliary feed bar can be equal to the feed stroke length of the main feed bar in which case no differential feeding would be transacted during the activation of the maximum setting. If desired, however, the minimum feed stroke of the auxiliary feed bar could be made to match the feed stroke of the main feed bar while the maximum feed stroke could be increased to cause shirring or gathering of the material. Of course, many variations of the relationship between the two feed stroke lengths of the auxiliary feed bar and the one feed stroke of the main feed bar can be brought about by adjusting the feed stroke length of either one or the other of the two feed bars. An operator controlled adjustment mechanism 170 for the auxiliary or differential feed mechanism comprises a mechanism for setting the minimum feed stroke and a mechanism for setting the maximum feed stroke of the differential feed bar means 48. The adjustment means are best shown in FIGS. 7, 8, 9 and 10 and include a pair of concentric screw elements comprising an inner rod 174 and an outer sleeve 176 slideably received on the rod. Rod 174 is journaled for rotation in a pair of flanges 178 which extend laterally and at right angles to an indicia plate 180 secured, as seen in FIG. 1, to the left end of the machine frame. The bearing lobes 178 are so arranged that the rod 174 is carried in an oblique direction extending generally parallel with the adjustment member 154. The rear or lower end of the rod 174 carries a threaded sleeve 182. The rod may also be provided with a knurled knob 184 provided at the other end for the convenience of the operator in turning same. Both the knurled knob 184 and the sleeve 182 are secured to the rod and rotate therewith. A lower stop block 186 is threaded on the sleeve 182. The stop block 186 is provided with flat face closely spaced from the indicia plate 180 such that the stop block will not rotate with the rod 174 but is contrained to move linearly along the rod 174 when the latter is rotated. As best shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, the stop block 186 acts to limit the counter clockwise rotation of a differential feed adjustment lever 188 which is fastened to the protruding end of the control shaft 146. The adjustment arm 188 is in the form of a bell crank having an arm 190 extending generally upward from the control shaft 146 and an arm 192 extending forward from the control shaft. An elongated slot is provided in the arm 190 through which the rod 174 may extend. Adjustment of the feed stroke of the auxiliary or differential feed bar 48 is accomplished by controlling the fulcrum disposition of the drive links 120 and 122; that is, controlling the disposition of the pivot point 126. As is readily appreciated by one skilled in the art of kinematics, the disposition of the pivot point 126 will determine the oscillatory path of the drive links and, hence, the magnitude of horizontal movement that may be imparted to the auxiliary feed dog carrier 48. For effecting this adjustment, the present invention is provided with the differential feed control mechanism 170. In addition to those components of the control mechanism 170 mentioned above, the differential feed control mechanism also includes the anchor link 138. At one end, the anchor link is connected to the fulcrum point 126 of drive links 120 and 122. At its lower depending end, the anchor link is connected to a crank arm 196 which is fastened to the control shaft 146. As shown in FIG. 4, a coil spring 198 is wrapped about the control shaft 146 and has one end portion anchored to the machine frame while the other end engages the crank arm 196. By this construction, the crank arm 196 is normally urged in a clockwise direction, as seen in FIG. 4, such that the feed stroke adjusting means of the differential feed mechanism is normally urged into such a position that is causes the driving means to impart a minimum stroke to the feed bars. As seen in FIG. 8, the control shaft 146 is biased in a counter clockwise direction under the influence of spring 198. Thus, the arm 190 of the bell crank lever 188 is biased in a counter clockwise direction into engagement with the stop block 186. As the counter clockwise extreme position of the control shaft 146 determines the minimum horizontal feed of the auxiliary feed bar it will be apparent that the adjustment of the minimum feed of the auxiliary feed bar 48 is controlled by the setting of the stop block 186. For convenience of operation, the arm 190 also functions as a pointer which cooperates with the scale inscribed on the side of the indicia plate 180. Since the adjustment of the bell crank lever 188 is performed by a screw threaded means acting through the stop block 186, it is possible to have a micrometer type adjustment of the minimum feed of the auxiliary feed bar 48. It will now be apparent that as the bell crank lever 188 is rotated in a clockwise direction as seen in FIG. 8, against the force of the torsion coil spring 198 the horizontal feed of the differential feed bar will be increased corresponding to the angular movement of the bell crank 188 and the rotation of the control shaft 146. Rotation of the adjustment lever 188 about the axis of control shaft 146 may be accomplished by any suitable operator controlled means (not shown) such as a knee press or other suitable means connected with the arm 192 of the bell crank lever 188. The maximum length of the feed stroke of the auxiliary or differential feed bar is controlled by the extreme clockwise position of the bell crank lever 188. As best shown in FIGS. 8 and 9, clockwise motion of the bell crank 188 is limited by the position of a stop element 200 which forms a portion of the threaded outer sleeve member 176 which is concentric with the rotatable rod 174. Adjustment of the stop member 200 is provided through a knurled and threaded collar 202 which is loosely positioned in a slot 204 provided in the indicia plate 180. The knurled collar 202 is threaded onto the sleeve member 176 so that rotation of the collar 202 causes the sleeve member 176 to move linearly along the rod 174. The stop element 200 is formed with a flat surface adjacent the indicia plate 180 so that the stop member 200 and the sleeve member 176 are constrained against rotation. Since both adjustments of the auxiliary feed bar are screw actuated, adjustment micrometer type settings are provided for both extreme positions of the differential feed adjustment mechanism. A single fixed position of the bell crank lever 188 and thus the amount of disposition of the differential feed bar mean may be accomplished by securing the differential feed lever 188 in any desired position by means of a locking member 206. The provision of a double leaf spring 208 affixed to the indicia plate 180 prevents accidental movement of the adjustment rod by having the leaf spring engage the knurled surfaces of the knob 184 and collar 202. Means are also provided for indicating the adjusted feed setting of the main feed dog means. Such means include an indicating finger 212 which is secured to the bell crank lever means 142 for rotation therewith. As seen in FIGS. 1 and 7, such finger extends upwardly from the lever means 142 and, like the pointer on the bell crank lever 188, cooperates with the scale inscribed on the side of the indicia plate 180 to indicate the adjusted feed setting of the main feed dog means 42. Turning now to the operation of the differential feed mechanism according to the present invention. It will be understood that the operator may first adjust the adjustment member 154 in a clockwise or counter clockwise direction. Such turning of the adjustment member affects free turning movement of the bell crank lever 142 about the control shaft 146 and will affect the disposition of the fulcrum point 106 for drive links 100 and 102 and its predetermined oscillatory path. Upward or downward movement of the fulcrum point 106 will, respectively, increase or decrease the horizontal movement that is imparted to the drive links 100 and 102 and ultimately transmitted to the main feed dog carrier means 46. Sufficient modulation of the fulcrum point 106 may also affect reverse feeding. The operator continues to modulate the main feed length adjustment means until the indicia arm 212 indicates, with respect to the indicia on plate 180, that the correct and desired setting for the feed stroke for the main feed bar has been achieved. Next, the operator rotates adjustable member 170 to adjust the limit or stop means 186 until the desired minimum feed stroke length of the differential feed bar 48 is attained. The affect of rotating the adjustment member 170 is that the control shaft 146 is rotated. As a result of the rotation of control shaft 146, the crank arm 196 is moved in a manner affecting the disposition of the fulcrum point 126 for levers 120 and 122 and their predetermined oscillatory path. As with adjustment of the main feed drive, upward or downward movement of the fulcrum point 126 will, respectively, increase or decrease the horizontal movement that is imparted to the drive links 120 and 122 and is ultimately transmitted to the auxiliary or differential feed dog carrier means 48. As with the main feed adjustment, sufficient modulation of the fulcrum point 126 may affect reverse feeding. Alternatively, the minimum feed stroke may be less than, equal to, or more than the feed stroke length of the main feed bar depending on the desired end result. The operator then adjusts the maximum feed length attainable by the auxiliary feed bar by rotating the knurled collar 202. The maximum feed stroke will be determined by the adjustable position of member 200. If a fixed setting of the differential feed length is desired, the control shaft 146 may be present by adjusting the differential feed lever 188 and then locking same by use of locking member 206. Having once adjusted the main and differential feed control mechanisms, the machine is prepared for operation. Rotary motion of the main drive shaft 40 is converted into oscillatory motion by the eccentric 74, strap 79 and pitman 70. The rock shaft 84, through the drive lever 82, is thus always given an oscillatory movement. The oscillatory movement of the rock shaft 84 is imparted to the rocker drive links 110 and 130 of the first and second linkage assemblies, respectively. The oscillatory motion of each drive link has a horizontal component. The operative connections from the rocker drive links to the feed bar is thus given this component of motion which, in turn, horizontally oscillates the associated feed bar. The amplitude of oscillation transmitted to each feed bar and thus to each feed dog is independently controlled by the disposition of the fulcrum point of each drive assembly as separately established by the main and differential feed drive adjustment assemblies described in detail above. Thus there has been provided, in accordance with the invention, A Differential Feed Mechanism For Sewing Machines that fully satisfies the objects, aims, and advantages set forth above. While the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications, and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Accordingly, it is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations as fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claim.
A differential feed mechanism is provided for a high speed industrial sewing machine. The differential mechanism includes separate driving mechanisms for each of the two feed dogs mounted on separate feed bars, both mechanisms being driven from a common input shaft. Separate adjusting devices are provided for each of the feed dog driving mechanisms to adjust individually, rapidly and at will, the length of the horizontal feed stroke of each feed dog.
3
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 09/470,814 filed Dec. 22, 1999. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to digital image generation, storage and retrieval, and more particularly to a method for enabling a group of individuals to generate and share a collection of digital images. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Photographic services including image digitization, digital image storage and network access to digital image files and distribution of digital image files are currently provided by on-line photocenters such as the KODAK PhotoNet™ Online service available on the Internet at http://kodak.photonet.com. To use this system, the photographer checks a box on a photofinishing order envelope indicating she would like to receive this service. The photofinisher processes the film, scans the film to produce digital images, and uploads the digital images to the on-line photocenter via an FTP (file transfer protocol) site through an Internet server. The on-line photocenter receives the digital images and stores them as image files in a mass storage device such as a Sun ultra 250 mass storage hard drive connected to an Internet server. [0004] The on-line photocenter assigns the image file a roll ID number, and an OwnerKey which functions as a location indicator and password so that the photographer can access the image file over the Internet, and sends the roll ID number and OwnerKey back to the photofinisher. The photofinisher prints a receipt listing the roll ID number, and an OwnerKey and returns the receipt along with the printed photographs to the photographer. [0005] The photographer then access the on-line photocenter from an Internet capable personal computer, supplying the on-line photocenter with her e-mail address, personal password, roll ID number and OwnerKey. The on-line photocenter then allows her access to the stored images, from which she can download the images to the personal computer, authorize other people's access to the digital images by providing their e-mail addresses to the on-line photocenter, order reprints, specialty products, digitally manipulate images, and perform other functions. It will be readily appreciated that the entry of so many codes and addresses complicates the use of the services provided by the on-line photocenter. [0006] Special events such as family reunions weddings and amateur sporting events (e.g. little league) typically have multiple photographers with common interests capturing photographs at the event. Current methods of sharing the images captured at the event include making multiple prints from each roll of exposed film and using either personal contact or the postal system to share the pictures. If an on-line photocenter is used to share the images, individual users need to obtain each others e-mail addresses and then access the on-line photocenter and authorize each other's access to the image files. Each user at the event needs to perform this procedure and all the images taken at the event would be dispersed over multiple locations at the on-line photocenter. An additional problem occurs when a photographer does not wish to share all of the images captured on a roll of film, for example because some of the images are from another event, are personal, or are inappropriate for sharing. [0007] There is an additional need for photographers who use digital cameras to participate in the same system. Currently in the on-line photocenters, a user can purchase on-line storage space for the equivalent of a roll of film and then upload digital images from their own computer. However, these images are still dispersed and subject to the problems of connecting groups of users that have experienced a common event. [0008] Furthermore, consumer photographers who are not connected to the Internet can't participate within the existing on-line photocenter structure. There is a need to provide these unconnected users with a way to share and print the pictures of the event they participated in without causing them to sit with a connected user and manually keep track of products purchased and the expenses incurred. [0009] There is a need therefore for an improved method to conveniently enable a group of photographers to generate and share a file of digital images on the Internet. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] It is an object of the present invention to provide a method for coordinating the image capture by multiple photographers at an event so that all of the images are available at a single Internet location. It is a further object to provide individual users with a secure and simple method of accessing the Internet location that does not require sharing of e-mail addresses, thereby avoiding transcription errors and maintaining a certain amount of privacy. It is a still further object to enable individual photographers to edit and approve the access to the group to images captured at the event. It is a still further object to provide a simple automatic method for photofinishers to implement such a system. [0011] These and other objects are achieved according to the present invention by providing a method of storing and viewing a collection of digital images includes the steps of: providing a plurality of users with a unique user ID associated with a URL identifying a network photoservice provider; providing each one of the plurality of users with a separate password to the unique user ID; at least one of the plurality of users transferring a set of digital images to the unique user ID employing their separate passwords; and viewing the images located at the unique user ID using the separate password. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] [0012]FIG. 1 shows a transaction card according to the present invention; [0013] [0013]FIG. 2 shows the transaction card of FIG. 1 with the adhesive label removed to reveal the user ID number and password, the adhesive label shown applied to a film cartridge and a one time use camera; [0014] [0014]FIG. 3 shows a front and back view of an alternative embodiment of the transaction card of the present invention; [0015] [0015]FIG. 4 shows a display rack having sealed packs containing sets of preprinted transaction cards; [0016] [0016]FIG. 5 is a block diagram showing a network system useful in performing the method of the present invention; [0017] [0017]FIG. 6 a is a flow chart showing the steps in the method that an event host completes according to the present invention; [0018] [0018]FIG. 6 b is a flow chart showing the steps in the method that an event participant completes according to the present invention; [0019] [0019]FIG. 7 is flow chart showing the steps in the method that a photofinisher completes according to the present invention; [0020] [0020]FIG. 8 is a flow chart showing the steps of a method for providing professional images of an event for sale with a consumer photo database of the event according to the present invention; [0021] [0021]FIG. 9 is a flow chart showing the steps in an alternative method of connecting a professional image database containing images for sale of an event to a consumer database built according to the present invention; [0022] [0022]FIG. 10 is a block diagram showing the connection of an electronic camera user to a network photoservice provider for sharing images of event according to the present invention; [0023] [0023]FIG. 11 is a flow chart showing the steps in the method of uploading images from a digital camera to a network photo service provider hosting images from an event according to the present invention; [0024] [0024]FIG. 12 is a mail-in registration card according to the present invention; [0025] [0025]FIG. 13 a is an index print for selecting images from an event without a computer according to the present invention; [0026] [0026]FIG. 13 b is a mailing form of the index print of FIG. 13 a for mailing back to a fulfillment center for receiving printed images according to the present invention; [0027] [0027]FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing the steps in the method of the network photoservice provider 60 soliciting printed image sales from event participants that do not have access to Internet 50 ; [0028] [0028]FIG. 15 shows a package of one time use cameras preconfigured to a common address with a network photo service provider according to the present invention; [0029] [0029]FIG. 16 show a tear off section of packaging with a bar code from a one time use camera according to the present invention; [0030] [0030]FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a system for practicing an alternative embodiment of the present invention; and [0031] [0031]FIG. 18 shows a transaction card according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0032] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a transaction card 10 is shown. Printed on one side of transaction card 10 is a Universal Resource Locator (URL) 12 , a user ID 14 , and instructions 16 . Removably adhered to the transaction card 10 is an adhesive label 18 which includes a bar code 20 for encoding the URL 12 , user ID 14 , and a password 22 . Adhesive label 18 obscures a human readable version of password 22 until the adhesive label 18 is removed for attachment to a film cartridge 24 or a one time use camera 26 . It should be apparent to one skilled in the art that instructions 16 could be printed on a protective translucent plastic overwrap (not shown) for each card and will be considered within the scope of the invention. [0033] In FIG. 3, an alternative embodiment of transaction card 10 is shown with magnetic stripe 28 wherein URL 12 , user ID 14 and password 22 are encoded, for example on the back of the card. Instructions 16 , user ID 14 and URL 12 are printed on the front of transaction card 10 in human readable form. In this embodiment, the information on magnetic stripe 28 causes adhesive label 18 to be printed for application on the film cartridge 24 or one time use camera 26 . [0034] A further embodiment using the structure of FIG. 3 is also possible where the above-referenced information on magnetic stripe 28 is scanned at a retail terminal such as a Kodak Picture Center™ and the adhesive label 18 is printed by a printer 208 associated with the retail terminal 206 . The printed adhesive label 18 is then applied to photoprocessing envelope 210 which will be discussed further with respect to FIG. 17 below. [0035] According to a still further embodiment, the transaction card 10 may be provided by an event sponsor, such as a NASCAR or NBA event, and include printed advertising on the face of the transaction card 10 . The URL 12 may contain event specific digital images provided by the sponsor for viewing and use by event participants. It is anticipated that the event sponsors would provide the cards to event participants for free or as a premium for admission to the event. The URL 12 contains linkage to the sponsors web site. All of the images that are submitted for photoprocessing with the label 18 will be viewable by all of the participants. Alternatively, the sponsor may make all of the images available for viewing by the general public via the sponsors web site. [0036] Continuing on with FIG. 4, a package 30 of transaction cards 10 is shown as part of display rack 32 . Each package 30 of transaction cards 10 contains multiple transaction cards 10 each transaction card 10 within the package 30 of transaction cards 10 containing the same user ID 14 but distinct passwords 22 . After purchasing the package 30 of transaction cards 10 , the event host (purchaser of the package 30 ) distributes the transaction cards 10 to event participants. [0037] Referring to FIG. 5, a network system useful in performing the method of the present invention will be described. A film cartridge 24 or a one-time use camera 26 having an adhesive label 18 is delivered to a photofinisher 34 . The photofinisher includes a film preparation station 36 , a film processor 38 , a film scanner 40 , a label scanner 42 , a computer 44 for controlling the photofinishing operation, a memory 46 for storing digital images and user ID information and a web server 48 . [0038] The adhesive label 18 is scanned in the label scanner 42 , and the film is developed in the film processor 38 and scanned in film scanner 40 to produce digital images from the images recorded on the film. The digital images are stored in memory 46 along with the associated user ID 14 information. The contents of memory 46 are made available on the Internet 50 via web server 48 . [0039] The card manufacturer 52 that made the transaction cards 10 includes a database 54 connected to a web server 56 by a computer 58 . The database 54 contains a list of user ID numbers 14 and associated passwords 22 (see FIG. 2). [0040] A networked photoservice provider 60 includes a web server 62 , and a computer 64 , which contains a customer database 66 that points to images stored in an image database 68 . Digital images and associated customer ID information are downloaded from the memory 46 in the photofinisher 34 to the customer and image databases 66 and 68 respectively in the network photoservice provider 60 . [0041] When a user desires to access digital images that were stored by himself or others at the event, he employs user workstation 70 via a web server 72 at an Internet service provider 74 using the user ID 14 and password 22 to address the web server 62 and gain access through the customer database 66 using the password 22 to access the images stored on database 68 . [0042] A fulfillment center 76 includes a web server 78 , a job queue memory buffer 80 and a digital output device 82 , such as an ink jet printer, CD writer, floppy disc writer, digital photographic printer, etc. If the customer desires a print 84 , an article such as a CD 86 , prints, poster prints, t-shirts, CD's, floppy discs, album pages, greeting cards, digital file downloading, extended image storage, mugs, posting to a web page, postage stamps, masks, sticker prints, and trading cards, bearing the image (not shown), the customer can order the print or article via the Internet using a digital order form (not shown) provided by the network photoservice provider 60 . The network photoservice provider 60 receives the order and forwards it via the Internet 50 to the fulfillment center 76 . The fulfillment center 76 , retrieves the requested digital images from the network photoservice provider 60 , produces the ordered print or article and sends it to an address supplied by the customer. [0043] Optionally, a professional photo studio 88 having a studio digital image work station 90 connected to professional film scanner 92 , such as a Kodak RFS2035 Professional film scanner, a high resolution professional digital image database 94 is connected to the network photoservice provider 60 and image fulfillment center 76 . A photographer from the professional studio 88 may participate in the event and capture images using conventional or electronic cameras (not shown). The images captured by the professional are stored in database 94 . If the images are captured on conventional film, they are developed and scanned by scanner 92 . If they are captured on an electronic camera, they are downloaded to database 94 in a known manner. [0044] Referring to FIGS. 6 a - b , the operation of the system according to the present invention will now be described. As shown in FIG. 6 a , the event host purchases ( 96 ) a package 30 of transaction cards 10 . The host hands out the cards ( 98 ) to the photographers at the event. At some point before or after the event, the event host registers ( 100 ) over the Internet 50 with the network photo service provider 60 by filling out a registration form provided on-line by the network photoservice provider 60 . [0045] Turning to FIG. 6 b , a photographer who received a transaction card 10 at the event, applies ( 102 ) the adhesive label 18 to his film 24 or one time use camera 26 , and drops off ( 104 ) the film 24 or one time use camera 26 at the photofinisher 34 . The photofinisher 34 inputs the URL 12 and user ID 14 into the photofinishing system by scanning the bar code 20 from the adhesive label 18 . Alternatively, the URL 12 and user ID 14 can be carried on the transaction card 10 by a magnetic stripe 28 as shown in FIG. 3, which is scanned by a magnetic card reader 204 (See FIG. 17) located at a film drop off location. An example of a film drop off location which integrates a retail terminal 206 with a magnetic card reader 204 is the Kodak Picture center. A label is printed having the URL 12 and the user ID 14 and the label is attached to a photofinishing envelope 210 . [0046] After the film has been developed, the photographer picks up ( 106 ) the prints and processed film. By the time the prints are ready, the photographer can connect ( 108 ) to the network photoservice provider 60 using the user ID 14 and password 22 on the transaction card 10 to select the images that are to be shared with the other photographers at the event. The photographer reviews the images displayed on the monitor of user workstation 70 and indicates the images that he desires to share with the others, for example, by checking a box associated with each image. Alternatively, he could check a single box indicating that he wishes to share all of the images. [0047] After the images that will be shared have been selected by the participants, they can view each others selected digital images ( 110 ), (both his and others at the event), that were captured at the event, and select images for printing ( 112 ) and order reprints and other articles. In the event that a user fails to designate digital images for access to all cardholders within a predetermined period of time, access may be granted by the network photoservice provider 60 to all cardholders to all digital images stored by the user. Taking action after a predetermined time period is function that can be provided by computer 64 of the network photoservice provider 60 as is known the computer art. [0048] Alternatively, the photographer can contact the network photoservice provider 60 prior to receiving his prints to see if the images are available. The photographer can also employ his user ID 14 and password 22 to track the progress of his photofinishing order, since the link to the user ID 14 is established at the photofinisher 34 and can be made available to the network photo service provider 60 as soon as the adhesive label 18 is scanned. All other services, such as retrieving a low resolution digital image that are normally provided by network photoservice providers 60 are also available to the photographer with respect to all of the images taken at the event. [0049] Referring to FIG. 7, the steps in the method that a photofinisher 34 completes according to the present invention will be described. The photofinisher 34 associates a twin check number ( 114 ) with the user ID 14 that was scanned from the adhesive label 18 attached to film cartridge 24 or the magnetic stripe 28 on the transaction card 10 . The twin check, which is a sequential number, is attached ( 116 ) to the film strip and the photofinishing envelope 210 . The film is then processed ( 118 ), scanned ( 120 ), and the twin check code is read and the user ID 14 is associated ( 122 ) with the digital image files. The digital image files and associated user ID 14 are temporarily stored ( 124 ) in memory 46 and subsequently transferred ( 126 ) to the image database 68 at the network photoservice provider 60 . [0050] Referring to FIG. 8, the steps in the method of uploading images from a professional image database 94 containing images of an event to a consumer database built according to the present invention will be described. A professional photographer, who has attended the event and received a transaction card 10 or copied the URL 12 from a transaction card 10 , establishes a remote connection ( 128 ) to the network service provider 60 . The network photoservice provider 60 requests a professional identification (Pro ID) ( 130 ) indicating that the professional photographer has been previously associated with the network photoservice provider 60 . If the professional does not have a Pro ID, the network service provider 60 registers ( 132 ) the professional photographer. Otherwise, the professional enters his Pro ID ( 134 ), enters the event URL 12 ( 136 ) from the transaction card 10 , and uploads ( 138 ) low resolution image files from. professional image database 94 for display in the area of the URL 12 reserved for digital images selected to be shared. After completing the upload process ( 138 ), the professional photographer disconnects ( 140 ) from the network photoservice provider 60 . [0051] It should be noted that the effect of registration ( 132 ) permits the definition of the electronic funds transfer agreement for distribution of proceeds from the sale or use of images uploaded and originating from the professional image database 94 . In a manner well understood in the electronic commerce art, brokerage fees are a form of revenue sharing where the network photoservice provider 60 collects a percentage of the revenue associated with a user's selection of a professional image to print for example before distributing the balance of the incurred fee to the professional photographer who has registered with the network photoservice provider 60 . [0052] Furthermore, it will be understood that fulfillment center 76 will access the URL of the professional image database 94 to download the appropriate high resolution digital image necessary for order fulfillment correlating to the user selected low resolution image resident at the network photoservice provider 60 . It should be obvious to one skilled in the art that an event participant seeking fulfillment of an order including both consumer shared images and images from the professional image database 94 conducts only one distinct electronic transaction in the method of FIG. 8. [0053] Referring to FIG. 9, the steps in an alternative method of connecting a professional image database 94 containing images for sale of an event to a consumer database built according to the present invention will be described. A professional photographer who has attended the event and received a transaction card 10 or copied the URL 12 from a transaction card 10 , establishes a remote connection ( 142 ) to the network service provider 60 . The network service provider 60 requests a Pro ID ( 144 ) indicating that the professional photographer has been previously associated with the network photoservice provider 60 . If the professional does not have a Pro ID, the network service provider 60 registers ( 146 ) the professional photographer. Otherwise, the professional enters his Pro ID ( 148 ), enters the event URL 12 ( 150 ) from the transaction card, and enters ( 152 ) the URL for his professional image database 94 before disconnecting ( 154 ) from network photoservice provider 60 . [0054] It should be noted that the effect of registration permits sharing of revenue associated with the sale or use of professional images from the professional image database 94 . In operation, a user connecting with user workstation 70 to network photoservice provider 60 via Internet service provider 74 and Internet 50 will see an active link from the registered professional photographer which will transfer the user to the URL of the professional image database 94 . In a manner well understood in the electronic commerce art, sites (URLs) that transfer users who subsequently purchase items at URL of the professional image database 94 earn a commission on the revenue generated by the transferred user. In this case, the professional photographer incurs the responsibility to track the path of users purchasing images to reimburse the transferring site such as the network photoservice provider 60 . The user also completes a distinct electronic transaction with the professional photographer in addition to any electronic transaction conducted with the network photoservice provider. [0055] Referring to FIG. 10, a block diagram shows the connection of a user with an electronic camera 156 to a network photoservice provider 60 for sharing images of event captured electronically according to the present invention. It will be understood that electronic camera 156 will include those cameras that at least electronically capture an image of a scene without the use of chemical amplification of incident light as achieved by silver halide based films. [0056] The connection of the electronic camera 156 to user workstation 70 is well known in the art. For example, the DC210 camera manufactured by the Eastman Kodak Co. allows the user to extract a removable memory card (not shown) for insertion into user workstation 70 . Alternatively, cables for transferring serial data streams in an RS-232 fashion between electronic cameras 156 and user workstation 70 are also well known. This established protocol is also well know with wireless serial transmissions involving the use of infrared light or radio frequencies (RF). [0057] It will be understood that user workstation 70 can include a scanner (not shown) of the flatbed type and/or the film type where the user can provide digital image files without the need of photofinisher 34 . Furthermore, providing these digital images files from devices that readily convert analog images to digital image files are considered within the scope of this invention. [0058] Continuing on with FIG. 10, a user connects to the network photoservice provider 60 through ISP 74 and Internet 50 and after establishing a connection, enters the user ID 14 and password 22 from transaction card 10 . Following validation of the user ID 14 and password 22 , digital image files transferred to user workstation 70 are uploaded to the shared image area of URL 12 of network photoservice provider 60 . Network photoservice provider 60 must then create a low resolution file for viewing and selecting within the shared image area of URL 12 . Since uploading is a selection process, there is no need for further involvement of a user supplying digital image files directly from a user workstation 70 . Such a user begins creating an order from images available in the shared image area of URL 12 immediately after uploading his digital image files. [0059] Referring now to FIG. 11, a flow chart shows the steps in the method of uploading images from a user workstation 70 to a network photo service provider hosting images from an event according to the present invention. A user wishing to upload images begins by establishing a remote connection ( 158 ) to the network service provider 60 . The network photoservice provider 60 requests a user ID 14 and password 22 to validate the connection to the event which the user complies with ( 160 ). The user is then prompted ( 162 ) to see if the images to be uploaded are from a scanner or an electronic camera. If the images to be uploaded are from a scanner the user is prompted ( 166 ) to identify and upload the image. Upon completion of the upload, the user is again prompted ( 170 ) if there is another image to upload and the sequence begins again until all images have been uploaded successfully. When the image is not sourced from a scanner, the system prompts ( 164 ) the user to select the camera model used to capture the image with. This allows the system to anticipate the file format to be uploaded and make any adjustments to the image for presenting in the shared image area of URL 12 . Once the camera has been selected, the upload process begins ( 168 ) by identifying and uploading a specific image. Upon successful upload completion, the user is prompted ( 172 ) to see if there is another image to upload and the sequence repeats itself until all images are successfully uploaded. The user has the option to proceed to the shared image area to construct an order from the shared images or disconnect ( 174 ) from network photoservice provider 60 . [0060] Turning now to FIG. 12, an event registration card 176 is shown for permitting the sharing of images from the shared image area of URL 12 with users who do not have access to remote electronic connections or the Internet 50 . Event registration card 176 includes at least the address 180 of the network photoservice provider 60 , first class metered postage 178 , registrant address 182 to be filled out by the registrant, and barcode 20 which has encoded the URL 12 and user ID 14 . Event registration cards can be included in the pack 30 of transaction cards 10 to accommodate those event participants who don't have access to the Internet 50 . Once the event registration card 176 is received by the network photoservice provider 60 , the event participant will receive index prints 184 discussed further with respect to FIG. 13 using a method according to the description of FIG. 14. [0061] In FIG. 13 a , the front view of an index print 184 is shown for selecting images 214 with selection boxes 216 from an event associated with URL 12 and User ID 14 without the aid of a user workstation 70 connected to the network photoservice provider 60 . The index print 184 is received in the mail by an event participant who has registered with the network photoservice provider 60 by mailing in the event registration card 176 . Index print 184 includes an event title 186 that further includes any photographer information that is input at the time the specific event photographer connects to the URL 12 and makes his selections to share with the other event participants. A registered event participant receives index print 184 , marks the selection boxes 216 indicating those which are desirable to print, and provides information in payment field 220 . Furthermore, index print 184 has preprinted fold lines 212 which creates a mailing form shown in FIG. 13 b that includes prepaid return postage 188 , the address 218 of the fulfillment center 76 , the registrant address 182 , and the bar code 20 which can be automatically read and fulfilled when returned to the fulfillment center 76 . Automatic fulfillment is a scanning process that identifies the marked selection boxes 216 and the URL 12 and user ID 14 which connects the fulfillment center 76 to the network photoservice provider 60 . Form scanning processes are well known in the art of order fulfillment with an example of such a technique being used by the BMG Music service to fulfill orders for tapes or compact discs. Alternatively the indication of the images to be printed or other photoservices to be provided can be communicated by telephone to the photoservice provider or fulfillment center and indicating the photoservices desired via voice or touchtone response to a recorded program. The marked index print may also be faxed to the photoservice provider or fulfillment center. [0062] Turning to FIG. 14, a flow chart shows the steps of the method of the network photoservice provider 60 in coordination with fulfillment center 76 soliciting print sales from event participants that do not have access to Internet 50 . This is accomplished by the registration ( 190 ) of such event participants upon receiving the event registration card 176 at the network photoservice provider 60 . The event participant's registration information is entered into a database in a standard fashion with a relationship created to the event associated with URL 12 . As film cartridges 24 or one time use cameras 26 that were used at the event are dropped off with photofinisher 34 , they get scanned to URL 12 and user ID 14 as defined by the transaction card 10 of each participant. Once the participant has selected images to be shared, the system is triggered ( 192 ) to create a new index print 184 and mail it ( 194 ) to the registered event participants without Internet 50 access. The index print 184 is mailed back ( 196 ) to the fulfillment center 76 which in coordination with the network photoservice provider 60 fulfills the order ( 198 ) from the images stored in the shared image area of URL 12 . As shown in FIG. 15, a package 200 of one time use cameras 26 is shown which are preconfigured to a common URL 12 with a network photo service provider 60 according to the present invention. The bar code 20 which encodes the user ID 14 and URL 12 is printed on the outer package component of one time use camera 26 . This arrangement provides an alternative effective arrangement to affixing the bar code 20 as a label. [0063] Turning to FIG. 16, a tear off section 202 of the outer package component of the one time use camera 26 of FIG. 15 is shown. In this arrangement, the tear off section 202 is kept by the customer as a receipt with the instructions to access his images at URL 12 and user ID 14 with password 22 . [0064] [0064]FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram showing a system for practicing an alternative embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the magnetic stripe 28 discussed with reference to FIG. 3 is scanned by a magnetic card reader 204 . The URL 12 and user ID 14 are read from the magnetic stripe 28 and input into a retail terminal 206 . The retail terminal 206 drives printer 208 to print an adhesive label 18 with a bar code 20 containing the URL 12 and the user ID 14 . The label 18 is affixed to processing envelope 210 for receiving the film cartridge 24 . Alternatively, printer 208 can print directly onto the processing envelope 210 . [0065] [0065]FIG. 18 shows an alternative embodiment of a transaction card according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention having more than one removable adhesive label 18 on the card such that adhesive labels for more than one roll of film can be scanned to the same user ID 14 and password 22 at URL 12 . Such a transaction card 10 can be used by an individual user to store at a single location, images obtained from multiple rolls of film over a period of time. [0066] The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it will be understood that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. PARTS LIST [0067] [0067] 10 transaction card [0068] [0068] 12 universal resource locator (URL) [0069] [0069] 14 user ID [0070] [0070] 16 instructions [0071] [0071] 18 adhesive label [0072] [0072] 20 bar code [0073] [0073] 22 password [0074] [0074] 24 film cartridge [0075] [0075] 26 one time use camera [0076] [0076] 28 magnetic stripe [0077] [0077] 30 package [0078] [0078] 32 display rack [0079] [0079] 34 photofinisher [0080] [0080] 36 film preparation station [0081] [0081] 38 film processor [0082] [0082] 40 film scanner [0083] [0083] 42 label scanner [0084] [0084] 44 computer [0085] [0085] 46 memory [0086] [0086] 48 web server [0087] [0087] 50 Internet [0088] [0088] 52 card manufacturer [0089] [0089] 54 database [0090] [0090] 56 web server [0091] [0091] 58 computer [0092] [0092] 60 network photoservice provider [0093] [0093] 62 web server [0094] [0094] 64 computer [0095] [0095] 66 customer database [0096] [0096] 68 image database [0097] [0097] 70 user workstation [0098] [0098] 72 web server [0099] [0099] 74 Internet service provider [0100] [0100] 76 fulfillment center [0101] [0101] 78 web server [0102] [0102] 80 job queue [0103] [0103] 82 digital output producer [0104] [0104] 84 prints [0105] [0105] 86 compact discs (CDs) [0106] [0106] 88 professional photo studio [0107] [0107] 90 studio workstation [0108] [0108] 92 professional film scanner [0109] [0109] 94 pro image database [0110] [0110] 96 purchase cards step [0111] [0111] 98 hand out cards step [0112] [0112] 100 register event host step [0113] [0113] 102 application step [0114] [0114] 104 drop off film step [0115] [0115] 106 pick up prints step [0116] [0116] 108 connect to network step [0117] [0117] 110 view others pictures step [0118] [0118] 112 order reprints step [0119] [0119] 114 associate twin check number step [0120] [0120] 116 attach twin check step [0121] [0121] 118 process film step [0122] [0122] 120 scan film step [0123] [0123] 122 link twin check to image files step [0124] [0124] 124 store image files and user ID step [0125] [0125] 126 transfer image files step [0126] [0126] 128 establish remote connection step [0127] [0127] 130 request Pro ID step [0128] [0128] 132 register Pro ID step [0129] [0129] 134 enter Pro ID step [0130] [0130] 136 enter event URL step [0131] [0131] 138 upload images step [0132] [0132] 140 disconnect from network step [0133] [0133] 142 establish remote connection step [0134] [0134] 144 request Pro ID step [0135] [0135] 146 register Pro ID step [0136] [0136] 148 enter Pro ID step [0137] [0137] 150 enter event URL step [0138] [0138] 152 enter pro image data base URL step [0139] [0139] 154 disconnect step [0140] [0140] 156 electronic camera [0141] [0141] 158 establish remote connection step [0142] [0142] 160 enter user ID and password step [0143] [0143] 162 prompt to see if images are available step [0144] [0144] 164 select camera model step [0145] [0145] 166 upload images step [0146] [0146] 168 begin upload process step [0147] [0147] 170 check for additional image step [0148] [0148] 172 check for additional image step [0149] [0149] 174 disconnect step [0150] [0150] 176 event registration card [0151] [0151] 178 first class metered postage [0152] [0152] 180 address [0153] [0153] 182 registrant address [0154] [0154] 184 index print [0155] [0155] 186 title [0156] [0156] 188 first class return postage [0157] [0157] 190 registration step [0158] [0158] 192 create new index print step [0159] [0159] 194 mailing step [0160] [0160] 196 return mail step [0161] [0161] 198 fulfill order step [0162] [0162] 200 package [0163] [0163] 202 tear off section [0164] [0164] 204 magnetic card reader [0165] [0165] 206 retail terminal [0166] [0166] 208 printer [0167] [0167] 210 photoprocessing envelope [0168] [0168] 212 fold line [0169] [0169] 214 images [0170] [0170] 216 selection boxes [0171] [0171] 218 address [0172] [0172] 220 payment field
A method of storing and viewing a collection of digital images includes the steps of: providing a plurality of users with a unique user ID associated with a URL identifying a network photoservice provider; providing each one of the plurality of users with a separate password to the unique user ID; at least one of the plurality of users transferring a set of digital images to the unique user ID employing their separate passwords; and viewing the images located at the unique user ID using the separate password.
6
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION Related copending application Ser. No. 07/827,384 filed Jan. 29, 1992 for "IN-SITU SOIL STABILIZATION METHOD AND APPARATUS" provides useful background for the present application. FIELD OF INVENTION The invention relates to the treatment of residential and industrial waste as found in a landfill site. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Environmental consequences of the contemporary lifestyle in this country frequently result in dramatic problems in a number of areas of public concern. A major related concern is the need to increase the capacity for disposing of residential and industrial wastes. One of the political topics which tends to generate the most public response is the topic of finding a location for a new landfill facility. Everyone generates waste, and yet no one wants to have a waste disposal site or a waste incinerator nearby. The reasons for this range public dislike of waste disposal facilities . .ranges.!. .Iadd.range .Iaddend.from toxic hazards, to leaching of dangerous chemicals into the groundwater, to unpleasant odors and to reduction in real estate values. Despite this generally held dislike for landfills, the need for more waste disposal capacity keeps growing. We produce more waste each year and the existing landfills are rapidly approaching the point of being filed to capacity. The problem encompasses residential waste such as bio-degradable and non-biodegradable garbage and industrial waste including scrap, chemical residues, sludge, mill tailings, and other forms of waste, some of which may be industrial, hazardous, toxic or radioactive. Common municipal solid waste is being generated at the rate of over 200 million tons per year. Over ninety percent (90%) of this waste is deposited in landfills. At this rate, more than half the operating landfills in the country will reach their limit of capacity within the next few years. Efforts at recycling, while helpful, fall far short of coping with the problem. A typical landfill contains a great variety of materials, only a small number of which will decompose naturally. A weight analysis of landfill components by category indicates paper products (41%), glass and metal (16.9%), plastics (6.5%), rubber and textiles (4.3%), yard waste (17.9%), wood (3.7%) and food (7.9%). The process of incineration deals somewhat with the capacity problem, but it simultaneously creates other problems, such as pollution, odors, acid rain, depletion of fuels, etc. Incineration, by its nature, is a combustion process and, therefore, generates a number of gaseous products which range from unpleasant to dangerous. Pyrolysis is a chemical decomposition of materials due to the action of heat. Pyrolysis is distinct from combustion in that oxygen is not present and, therefore, the resulting chemical products are different. When pyrolysis or materials is accomplished under sufficiently hot conditions, some gases (potentially useful as fuel) are generated due to decomposition of the organic compounds, and the residue from the waste materials is melted and solidified (vitrified), thus greatly reducing its volume. The chemical composition of the gases generated by pyrolysis can be controlled by the introduction of specific additives, such as steam. The present invention recognizes that there exists a relatively new technology which may be employed in the pyrolysis and vitrification of waste materials by the application of quantities or very high temperature heat energy. The basic tool used in this technology is the plasma arc torch. Plasma arc torches can routinely operate at temperatures of 4000° C. to 7000° C. in the range of 85-93% electric to heat energy efficiency. The highest temperature attainable by fuel combustion sources is in the vicinity of 2700° C. A plasma arc torch operates by causing a high energy electric arc to form across a stream of plasma, or ionized gas, thus generating large amounts of heat energy. There are many types of plasma torches. ., but all torches.!..Iadd.. A plasma torch can operate on AC or DC power, use inert, reducing or oxidizing gas, and have metal or graphite electrodes which may be solid or hollow. All plasma torches .Iaddend.generally fall into one of two basic categories according to the arc configuration relative to the torch electrodes, i.e., transferred arc type and non-transferred arc type. The arc of a transferred arc torch is formed by and jumps from a single electrode on the torch, through the plasma gas, and to an external electrode which is connected to an opposite electrical pole. The arc of a non-transferred arc torch is formed by and jumps from one electrode on the torch across the plasma gas to another electrode on the torch. In a plasma arc torch, the heat energy produced is proportional to the length of the arc, assuming the type of plasma gas and flow of electrical current both remain constant. Since the present invention makes use of a plasma arc torch, reference is next made to U.S. Pat. No. 4,067,390 granted to the present inventors for "Apparatus And Method For The Recovery Of Fuel Products From Subterranean Deposits Of Carbonaceous Matter Using A Plasma Arc" which teaches the use of a plasma arc torch to gasify or to liquify underground deposits of coal, oil, oil shale and other carbonaceous materials. The teachings of the '390 patent are incorporated herein by reference. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a method and apparatus for reducing the volume of waste products, including those containing toxic or low-level radioactive materials, in a safe manner and for generating and collecting potentially useful gases at the same time. A plasma torch is inserted to the bottom of a drilled and cased hole in a landfill that is closed or approaching its capacity. The torch is energized in the non-transferred mode to generate heat in the 4,000°-7,000° C. range so as to pyrolyze and vitrify materials in its vicinity. Useful gases for cogenerataion or as an alternate fuel source are simultaneously generated, collected and cleaned; i.e., the effluent gases must be treated to ensure that no hazardous effluents are released to the atmosphere. Due to the natural low density of landfill wastes, the vitrified waste materials are considerably more compact than the original materials. As the waste becomes more melted, a molten pool forms, a void is created around the torch and additional waste falls into the molten pool, adding to the melt. As the level of the molten pool rises and approaches the plasma torch, the torch is raised in the borehole to a new operating level. This process is repeated in successive holes throughout the landfill until the entire landfill has been treated and the surface level of waste has subsided to near the bottom of the landfill basin. When the reduction of the waste volume has seen completed, the process of filling with added municipal or industrial waste is resumed. The entire procedure of pyrolysis and vitrification is repeated a number of times over a number of years until the level of vitrified material residue builds up to where it is at or near the original ground level. Thus, the landfill is fully remediated, the useful life of the landfill has been extended and a firm, inert foundation for construction has been established. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a schematic representation presented as a series of steps A-H of a landfill site portraying the method of the invention being practiced sequentially over time to minimize the volume of waste while maximizing landfill life and land utilization. FIG. 2 is a sectional elevational view of the method and apparatus of the invention illustrating a plasma torch installed in a drilled hole extending to the bottom of a landfill and a gas collecting hood assembled above the processing hole. FIG. 3 is a flow chart representation of the process of the invention indicating the input and output products. FIG. 4 is a plan view of the surface of a landfill site after treatment according to the invention, showing the original borehole locations in dashed lines. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Depicted in a series of process steps in section view in FIG. 1, basin 10 is a natural or manmade cavity in the surface of the earth which serves as the site of a typical landfill into which materials are dumped until no more space is available. At that time, the waste material.can be completely remediated and a volume reduction according to the present invention may be employed to increase the life and effective capacity of the site. In FIG. 1, step A, the landfill basin 10 is filled with waste materials 12 to approximately its capacity. According to the method and by utilizing the apparatus of the invention, as will be described in detail later, waste remediation and a significant reduction in the volume of the former waste material 12 may be accomplished. The result of the first phase of remediation and reduction in waste volume is illustrated in FIG. 1, step B, wherein the basin 10 still contains untreated waste materials 12 and treated, or vitrified residue 14. As it is shown, the pyrolysis and vitrification process to be described effectively reduces the volume of material in comparison to the untreated waste material 12. The treatment process is continued in successive locations throughout the landfill area until a condition approximating that portrayed in FIG. 1C is reached in which all the waste materials which had previously filled basin 10 are now remediated and reduced by pyrolysis and vitrification to a fraction of their original size in the form of a hard, glass-like, vitrified residue 14. Optionally, multiple locations of waste within a landfill site may be treated simultaneously so as to reduce the time required for the total process. Thereafter, for a period of time, additional waste material 12 may be deposited into basin 10 on top of vitrified residue 14 until the level of waste materials 12 again reaches the maximum volume capacity as shown in FIG. 1D. A process approximating that described above in regard to steps 1B and 1C is undertaken again to result in a volume of vitrified residue 14 as illustrated in FIG. 1E. The resultant volume of vitrified residue 14 as represented in FIG. 1E is the total amount from the first and second vitrification processes shown in FIGS. 1C and 1E. Subsequently, additional waste material 12 is dumped into the basin 10 to arrive at the condition shown in FIG. 1F, which, after several cycles of this process, will be followed by a further pyrolysis and vitrification process resulting in a vitrified residue 14 which, after several cycles of the inventive process, ultimately approximates the maximum capacity of basin 10 as shown in FIG. 1G. The actual number of steps required to complete this sequential vitrification process and result in a vitrified residue 14 which is substantially level with the top of basin 10 will vary according to a number of factors such as the waste composition and depth. FIG. 1 is therefore a somewhat simplified sequence for purposes of illustration. When the vitrified residue 14 is at or near the level of the earth surrounding basin 10, and due to the extremely hard, dense and inert nature of vitrified residue 14, it is possible and useful to construct upon vitrified residue 14, returning the land to a further useful purpose, as illustrated in FIG. 1H. The exposure of waste materials 12 to the extremely high temperatures of the invention process (discussed below), in addition to reducing volume of waste, effectively neutralizes, gasifies, or immobilizes the original contaminants and low level radioactive materials, thus making a safe and strong base for future construction. Whereas the typical filled landfill site is totally unsuited and hazardous as a building site because of subterranean toxic materials, settlement and potentially explosive gases, the method of the invention, by contrast, provides the mentioned strong and safe foundation for future construction. In addition to providing a societal useful purpose for the landfill site after it has filled all available space, the invention has, as described above, effectively remediated the waste materials, increased the useful life and effective capacity of the landfill site to a substantial extent, and reclaimed commercially useful gases. To accomplish the objectives of the invention as portrayed in the foregoing description of the method employed, a source of high heat energy is needed. A particularly controllable and efficient source of high temperature heat is the plasma arc torch. A typical plasma arc torch which is suitable for treating waste materials has a one megawatt electrical power rating and is of cylindrical shape, approximately 22 cm in diameter. It is preferred, in reference to FIG. 2, that the diameter of the formed hole be 5-10 cm larger than the diameter of the plasma torch. Therefore, as illustrated in FIG. 2, borehole 30 is formed, e.g. by drilling, to have about a 30 cm diameter for torch clearance. Plasma torches of higher power ratings are generally proportionally larger in diameter. Torches rated at from 300 kw to 10 Mw power rating can be employed according to the requirements of the landfill, provided the hole diameter is appropriate and adequate electrical power is available. A plasma torch applicable to the method and apparatus of the invention is produced by Plasma Energy Corporation, Raleigh, N.C. It is generally desirable to insert a substantially rigid tubular casing made of any heat destructible material, such as thin metal, into the drilled borehole 30. The casing acts to prevent sidewall collapse and to facilitate the movement of plasma torch 16 down and up borehole 30. So as to additionally facilitate insertion and movement of plasma torch 16, hole 30 is drilled vertically into the landfill waste mass 12. Plasma torch 16, preferably with arc forming means operative to form a non-transferred arc, is lowered into cased borehole 30 with plasma gas, electric supply and cooling water lines connected, which utility lines are carried by a common supply conduit 18. A protective heat resistant shroud 20 is provided and extends upwardly from the upper portion of plasma torch 16 to insulate the utility lines carried in supply conduit 18 from the damaging heat travelling convectively upward in hole 30. Plasma torch 16 is energized to generate heat in the range of 4000° C. to 7000° C., which is hot enough to readily melt the borehole casing and decompose and pyrolyze the waste materials 12 surrounding hole 30. Torch 16 transmits its heat energy by a combination of radiation and convection. The majority of the convection heat will travel upward along bore hole 30, and the radiation energy will begin to melt the waste materials 12 around bore hole 30 and will create a substantially spherical chamber 25 as the waste melts and collects in a pool of molten waste 24. Beyond the ability of a plasma arc to operate at exceedingly high temperatures, the energy generated is unusual in its frequency distribution. The energy generated by conventional combustion processes occurs mostly in the infrared section of the electromagnetic spectrum, largely in the visible light section and marginally in the ultra-violet section. By contrast, the energy generated by a plasma arc will be as much as 29% in the ultra-violet portion of the spectrum. Ultra-violet energy wavelengths are able to penetrate gasses without measurable heat loss and to penetrate solids more quickly and effectively than infra-red wavelengths. The operating plasma torch 16 utilizes an ionized gas flowing under pressure and forms an electric arc supported by that gas. Input electric power, plasma gas and coolant are each regulated by conventional means (not shown) located within a suitable control panel 34. As the heat of plasma arc flame 22 pyrolyzes waste materials 12, spherical chamber 25 develops and widens around torch 16. As the level of the molten pool rises and approaches the plasma torch, the torch 16 is raised in the borehole to a new operating level 25, thus providing additional material for plasma torch 16 to pyrolyze into molten waste material 24. Plasma torch 16 may be raised automatically or by manual controls. This process may encompass a volume of up to five (5) meters in diameter, according to the characteristics of the waste 12 and the power level of plasma torch 16. When a column of the diameter of chamber 25 and a height up to the top of basin 10 is pyrolyzed and the vitrified residue 14 sits at its bottom, plasma torch 16 is deenergized and removed. A torch lifting mechanism 26 and pulley 28 are employed to remove plasma torch 16. A new borehole is formed in another position in the landfill and the process is repeated until the entire volume of the landfill has been treated. The spacing of additional boreholes 30 for treating additional waste material 12 in the landfill will be determined according to the effective diameter of the column achieved at first borehole 30 so as to treat the entire landfill volume and ensure that successive vitrified columns coalesce into a solid mass. FIG. 4 illustrates a typical arrangement of boreholes 30 in a landfill basin 10. Boreholes 30, shown in dashed lines, are separated by a distance such that when the vitrified residue 14 has cooled, the individual vitrified columns will have coalesced together to a substantially solid, continuous mass on which future construction may be built. During the described process of melting waste materials 12, the heating occurs in an area accessed by a relatively small diameter borehole 30. In this situation, little if any atmospheric air reaches the site of the high heat application. The plasma gas used may be air, since it is economical and readily available, but the quantity of air supplied to support the plasma arc flame 22 is so much less than the amount needed to burn the quantity of waste being treated as to be negligible. Under conditions of high heat and little air, or oxygen, combustion is not possible. At the same time, pyrolytic chemical reactions, including decomposition of some of the waste materials and further reaction with added steam (see FIG. 3) will take place. These chemical reactions give off a variety of gases, some of which are commercially useful, particularly as fuel. These resultant gases include hydrogen, carbon monoxide, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrogen and others. An analysis of typical gases resulting from the process described indicates a total of 27,000 standard cubic feet of gas by-product generated from each ton of typical municipal waste materials pyrolyzed. Processing of industrial or other special waste materials may result in a different volume and different types of gases given off. A gas collecting hood 32, as shown in FIG. 2, is placed over the top of borehole 30 to trap and route the gases produced to a treatment station, such as a cleaning operation, prior to storage for recycling. Gases exit gas collecting hood 32 at arrow 36, representing output gases, and are conducted into a piping system (not shown) for chemical cleaning or scrubbing. The pyrolysis, remedation and vitrification of waste materials by the plasma torch and the subsequent handling of the gas by-product is depicted in the form of a process chart in FIG. 3. Plasma torch 16 is supplied with its three needed inputs, i.e. plasma gas, electric energy and cooling water. The water is not fed as a utility supply to the torch 16, but circulates around and within the body of torch 16 so as to prevent the plasma torch 16 from being destroyed by its own heat. The output from torch 16 is heat energy which is applied to operate on waste materials 12. In order to generate the desired gaseous by-products as described above, it may be necessary to introduce a quantity of water to the materials 12 being treated, in the form of steam which is approximately equal in weight to the quantity of waste material 12 being processed. The resultant output of the process described comprises vitrified residue 14, gas by-product 36 and water. The water output from the waste treatment process is recycled back into the water supply to make steam. A vitrified residue 14 remains in a column near the bottom of hole 30 (FIG. 2), which column will eventually be coalesced with other vitrified columns produced in the landfill. This layer will be the final form after the remediated, molten waste 24 has cooled and solidified. The gas by-product 36 is next transmitted through a cleaning chemical 38 which both filters the gaseous effluent and reacts with it chemically to improve the value of and commercial usefulness of the result. Plasma arc torches as are used in the present invention also are substantially unaffected by the presence of water in the operating environment. These torches, particularly as operated in the non-transferred mode, will operate under water, thus being effective even if the landfill basin is partially filled with water, liquid wastes or the like. By the process described above, the volume occupied by waste materials in a landfill is reduced to a small percentage of its original volume in each successive remediation and volume reduction procedure, depending on the nature of the materials treated. Whereas the description above related to landfill sites primarily used for residential municipal waste, the principles are applicable as well to deposits of industrial wastes, including hazardous or toxic wastes, whether enclosed in scaled containers or in loose form. Situations such as dumps for drums of undesirable petroleum by-products, highly active cleaning agents, low level radioactive materials or heavy metals are equally susceptible to the treatment herein described. Due to the efficiency and high energy output of the plasma arc torch, the organic materials are broken down by pyrolysis essentially into harmless basic elements and compounds to recombine into useful gases, and the inorganic remainders are vitrified and significantly reduced in volume. The nature of the vitrification is such as to effectively immobilize, encapsulate and make unleachable any residual dangerous materials. The particulars of which plasma gas to use, what degree of heat is appropriate, and whether to process the output gas by-product through a cleaning step for commercialization, as with the case of municipal landfill, depends upon the exact nature of the waste materials involved. The scope and principles of the invention disclosed are not to be considered limited by the particulars of the preferred embodiment described herein, but are defined by the claims which follow.
The process or the present invention serves to remediate and reduce the volume of waste materials in a landfill site and increases the useful life of the treated landfill. The process steps involve drilling a series of holes into the waste material mass at proper spacing, inserting and operating a plasma arc torch in each drilled hole to pyrolize, remediate and vitrify the waste materials and allowing the melted materials to cool and harden. During the process, a gaseous by-product is produced and collected in a hood which is attached to scrubbing and chemical cleaning apparatus. The resultant gases are commercially useful as fuel gas and the vitrified residue is significantly smaller in volume than the original waste material volume, thus substantially extending the useful life of the landfill site and ultimately providing a firm foundation for construction.
8
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) [0001] This application claims priority to and the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/303,602, filed in the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Feb. 11, 2010, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND [0002] 1. Field [0003] Aspects of embodiments according to the present invention relate to a battery pack. [0004] 2. Description of Related Art [0005] In general, a portable electronic apparatus, such as a portable notebook computer or a portable electrical device, includes a rechargeable battery pack. The battery pack may include a plurality of battery cells, a voltage sensing and balancing circuit for sensing voltages of the respective battery cells and for maintaining voltage balance, and a controller for controlling charging and discharging operations of the respective battery cells. [0006] In a battery pack mounted in a special device such as a handheld electrical device, some of battery cells constituting the battery pack are coupled to a voltage sensing and balancing circuit and measured. However, since the voltage sensing and balancing circuit has only a limited number of input ports, it may be that not all of the battery cells can be coupled to the voltage sensing and balancing circuit. Generally, the battery cells are directly coupled to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter provided within the controller to transfer voltages thereof. SUMMARY [0007] Aspects of embodiments according to the present invention are directed to a battery pack that can compensate for temperature dependence of voltages measured from a battery cell and applying the same to an analog-to-digital converter. [0008] An embodiment of the present invention provides for a battery pack including a first diode coupled in a backward direction from a flying capacitor, which is coupled to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter, to correspond to a second diode packaged therewith as a single set. The first diode is positioned in a battery cell voltage input path to store battery cell voltage values in the flying capacitor. The second diode thereby suppresses a difference between voltages measured from battery cells depending on temperature characteristics of the first and second diodes. [0009] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a battery pack including first and second diodes having the same temperature characteristics by packaging the first and second diodes as a single set. [0010] An embodiment of the present invention also provides a battery pack including a first diode coupled in a backward direction to correspond to a second diode packaged therewith as a single set, the first diode preventing surge current from a voltage supply in a voltage input path from a flying capacitor to an A/D converter. [0011] In the battery pack according to embodiments of the present invention, a first diode is coupled in a backward direction from a flying capacitor, which is coupled to an A/D converter, to correspond to a second diode packaged therewith as a single set. The first diode is positioned in a battery cell voltage input path to store battery cell voltage values in the flying capacitor, thereby suppressing a difference between voltages measured from battery cells depending on temperature characteristics of the first and second diodes. [0012] In addition, in an embodiment of the battery pack according to embodiments of the present invention, a first diode is coupled in a backward direction to correspond to a second diode packaged therewith as a single set, the first diode for preventing surge current from a voltage supply in a voltage input path from a flying capacitor to an A/D converter, thereby suppressing a difference between voltages measured from battery cells depending on temperature characteristics of the first and second diodes. [0013] According to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, an analog switch is provided. The analog switch includes first and second inputs, an output, a flying capacitor, and first and second diodes. The first input is configured to couple to a first terminal of a battery. The second input is configured to couple to a second terminal of the battery. The output is configured to couple to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. The flying capacitor has a first terminal coupled to the first input and a second terminal coupled to the second input. The first diode includes an anode coupled to the second input and a cathode coupled to the second terminal of the flying capacitor. The second diode includes an anode coupled to a first capacitor for storing a supply voltage, and a cathode coupled to the second terminal of the flying capacitor. [0014] The first diode and the second diode may have substantially the same temperature characteristics. [0015] The analog switch may further include third and fourth inputs. The third input is configured to receive a first control signal for controlling voltage sensing of the battery. The fourth input is configured to receive a second control signal for controlling voltage transfer to the A/D converter. [0016] The flying capacitor may be configured to store a voltage corresponding to a sum of a voltage between the first and second terminals of the battery and a forward voltage of the first diode in response to the first control signal. [0017] The flying capacitor may be configured to transfer a voltage corresponding to a sum of the voltage between the first and second terminals of the battery, the forward voltage of the first diode, and the supply voltage minus a reverse voltage of the second diode to the A/D converter in response to the second control signal. [0018] The forward voltage of the first diode may be substantially the same in magnitude as the reverse voltage of the second diode. [0019] The analog switch may further include first through third transistors. The first transistor includes a first electrode coupled to ground, a second electrode, and a control electrode coupled to the third input. The second transistor includes a first electrode coupled to the first input, a second electrode coupled to the first terminal of the flying capacitor, and a control electrode coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor. The third transistor includes a first electrode coupled to the cathode of the first diode, a second electrode coupled to the second terminal of the flying capacitor, and a control electrode coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor. [0020] The analog switch may further include a first voltage divider. The first voltage divider includes first and second resistors. The first resistor is coupled between the control electrode of the first transistor and the third input. The second resistor is coupled between the control electrode of the first transistor and the first electrode of the first transistor. [0021] The analog switch may further include fourth and fifth transistors. The fourth transistor includes a first electrode coupled to ground, a second electrode, and a control electrode coupled to the fourth input. The fifth transistor includes a first electrode coupled to the first terminal of the flying capacitor, a second electrode coupled to the output, and a control electrode coupled to the second electrode of the fourth transistor. [0022] The analog switch may further include a second voltage divider. The second voltage divider includes third and fourth resistors. The third resistor is coupled between the control electrode of the fourth transistor and the fourth input. The fourth resistor is coupled between the control electrode of the fourth transistor and the first electrode of the fourth transistor. [0023] The analog switch may further include a second capacitor coupled to the first input. [0024] The first and second diodes may be in a same package. [0025] According to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack is provided. The batter pack includes a plurality of first battery cells, a voltage sensing and balancing circuit, a second battery cell, a controller, and an analog switch. The plurality of first battery cells is coupled to each other. The voltage sensing and balancing circuit includes a plurality of input terminals, and is configured to sense voltages and to maintain voltage balance of the plurality of first battery cells. The second battery cell is coupled to the plurality of first battery cells. The controller includes an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter and is configured to control charging and discharging of the battery cells. The analog switch is configured to sense and store a voltage of the second battery cell and to transfer the voltage to the A/D converter of the controller. The analog switch includes a flying capacitor and first and second diodes. The flying capacitor has a first terminal coupled to a first terminal of the second battery cell and a second terminal coupled to a second terminal of the second battery cell. The first diode includes an anode coupled to the second terminal of the second battery cell and a cathode coupled to the second terminal of the flying capacitor. The second diode includes an anode coupled to a capacitor for storing a supply voltage, and a cathode coupled to the second terminal of the flying capacitor. [0026] The first and second diodes may have substantially the same temperature characteristics. [0027] The battery pack may further include discharging and charging terminals, a negative electrode terminal, and a communications terminal. The discharging terminal is configured to discharge the battery cells. The charging terminal is configured to charge the battery cells. The negative electrode terminal is coupled to a negative terminal of the battery cells. The communications terminal is configured for single wire communication with an external device. [0028] The battery pack may further include an overcharge preventing member between the battery cells and the charging terminal. [0029] The overcharge preventing member may include a fuse. [0030] The overcharge preventing member may include a heat resistor and a switch controlled by the controller. [0031] The first and second diodes may be in a same package. [0032] According to yet another exemplary embodiment of the present invention, a battery pack is provided. The battery pack includes a plurality of battery cells, a voltage sensing circuit, a flying capacitor, and a controller. The plurality of battery cells includes first through (N−1)th battery cells and an Nth battery cell. The voltage sensing circuit is configured to sense voltages of the first through (N−1)th battery cells. The flying capacitor is configured to sense a voltage of the Nth battery cell. The controller is configured to control storage of the Nth battery cell voltage in the flying capacitor and to control reading of the Nth battery cell voltage from the flying capacitor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0033] The accompanying drawings, together with the specification illustrate exemplary embodiments of the present invention, and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of aspects of the present invention. [0034] FIG. 1 a block diagram illustrating the structure of a battery pack according to an aspect of the present invention; [0035] FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating the structure of an analog switch of the battery pack illustrated in FIG. 1 ; and [0036] FIGS. 3 and 4 are circuit diagrams illustrating the operation of the analog switch of the battery pack illustrated in FIG. 1 . DESCRIPTION OF SOME OF THE REFERENCE CHARACTERS IN THE DRAWINGS [0037] [0000] 100: Battery pack 110: Battery cell 120: Voltage sensing and balancing circuit 130: Controller 141: Discharging terminal 142: Charging terminal 143: Communication terminal 144: Negative electrode terminal 151: Fuse 152: Heat resistor 153: Switch 160: Analog switch 161a, 161b: Voltage dividing resistor 164: Balancing resistor 165: Balancing switch 166: Current sensing resistor 167: Thermal sensor DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0038] Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings so that it can be practiced or carried out by one skilled in the art. In addition, when an element is referred to as being “connected to” or “coupled to” another element, it can be directly connected to the another element or be indirectly connected to the another element with one or more intervening elements interposed therebetween. Hereinafter, like reference numerals refer to like elements. [0039] Hereinafter, a structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described. [0040] FIG. 1 a block diagram illustrating a structure of a battery pack according to an embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 2 is a circuit diagram illustrating a structure of an analog switch of the battery pack illustrated in FIG. 1 . [0041] Referring to FIG. 1 , the battery pack 100 according to the illustrated embodiment includes a plurality of rechargeable battery cells 110 coupled in series to each other, a voltage sensing and balancing circuit 120 for performing voltage sensing and balancing operations of the battery cells 110 , and a controller 130 . [0042] Here, each of the respective battery cells 110 may be a lithium ion battery chargeable to a voltage of approximately 4.2 V, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. The voltage sensing and balancing circuit 120 may include various types of analog front ends manufactured for use with lithium ion batteries, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. In addition, the controller 130 may include various types of microcomputers manufactured for use with lithium ion batteries, but embodiments of the present invention are not limited thereto. [0043] Further, the voltage sensing and balancing circuit 120 supplies power to the controller 130 and provides an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter of the controller 130 with data in the form of voltages detected from, for example, four battery cells 110 . The controller 130 provides charge/discharge control signals and a balancing control signal corresponding to the data processed by a program (for example, a predetermined program) or algorithm (for example, data corresponding to the voltages detected from the battery cells 110 ) to the voltage sensing and balancing circuit 120 . [0044] The battery pack 100 includes a discharging terminal 141 for discharging the battery cells 110 , a charging terminal 142 for charging the battery cells 110 , a communication terminal 143 used for single wire communication with an external device, and a negative electrode terminal 144 for charging or discharging the battery cells 110 . [0045] Here, the discharging terminal 141 and the charging terminal 142 are electrically coupled to positive electrodes of the battery cells 110 , the negative electrode terminal 144 is electrically coupled to negative electrodes of the battery cells 110 , and the communication terminal 143 is electrically coupled to the controller 130 , respectively. [0046] In addition, the battery pack 100 may further include a fuse 151 coupled between the battery cells 110 and the charging terminal 142 to prevent overcharging the battery cells 110 . Referring to FIG. 1 , the fuse 151 further includes a heat resistor 152 and a switch 153 . The switch 153 may be turned on or off by the control signals of the controller 130 . In the illustrated embodiment, the fuse 151 is used as the overcharge preventing member, but embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto. In other embodiments, for example, the overcharge preventing member may include a plurality of field effect transistors. [0047] The battery pack 100 according to the illustrated embodiment includes five battery cells 110 coupled in series with each other. The voltage sensing and balancing circuit 120 in the illustrated embodiment of FIG. 1 , however, is designed to detect voltages of only four battery cells 110 . In other words, the voltage detected from the fifth battery cell 110 cannot be detected without changing circuits, such as currently developed voltage sensing and balancing circuits. [0048] To enable the voltage detection from the fifth battery cell 110 , the battery pack 100 according to the illustrated embodiment further includes an analog switch 160 . The analog switch 160 is coupled in parallel between positive and negative electrodes of the fifth battery cell 110 . The analog switch 160 stores a voltage of the fifth battery cell 110 and transfers the same to an A/D converter (not shown) of the controller 130 . [0049] Referring to FIG. 2 , the analog switch 160 includes a first transistor T 1 coupled to the controller 130 to perform a switching operation along with a second transistor T 2 , a third transistor T 3 , and a fourth transistor T 4 that are driven by the first transistor T 1 . In addition, the analog switch 160 includes a fifth transistor T 5 coupled to the controller 130 to perform a switching operation, and a sixth transistor T 6 that is driven by the fifth transistor T 5 . [0050] The first transistor T 1 receives a first switching signal SW 1 from the controller 130 . Here, a first resistor R 1 is coupled between a control electrode of the first transistor T 1 and the controller 130 , and a second resistor R 2 is coupled between the control electrode of the first transistor T 1 and a first electrode of the first transistor T 1 . In addition, the first electrode of the first transistor is coupled to ground. Accordingly, the first switching signal SW 1 is divided by the first resistor R 1 and the second resistor R 2 to then be applied to the control electrode of the first transistor T 1 . [0051] A control electrode of the second transistor T 2 is coupled to a second electrode of the first transistor T 1 through a third resistor R 3 . Therefore, the second transistor T 2 is turned on in response to a signal to the control electrode of the second transistor T 2 when the first transistor T 1 is turned on. Further, a fourth resistor R 4 is coupled between the control electrode of the second transistor T 2 and the first electrode of the second transistor T 2 . The first electrode of the second transistor T 2 is coupled to a positive terminal V 5 of the fifth battery cell 110 . In addition, a second electrode of the second transistor T 2 is coupled to a flying capacitor Cf, and applies a voltage of the positive terminal V 5 to the flying capacitor Cf when the second transistor T 2 is turned on. [0052] A control electrode of the third transistor T 3 is coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor T 1 through the third resistor R 3 . Therefore, the third transistor T 3 is also turned on when the first transistor T 1 is turned on. A first electrode of the third transistor T 3 is coupled to the positive terminal V 5 of the fifth battery cell 110 . Here, the voltage of the positive terminal V 5 is stored through a first capacitor C 1 , to then be applied to the third transistor T 3 . In addition, a second electrode of the third transistor T 3 is coupled to the fourth transistor T 4 via a fifth resistor R 5 and a first diode D 1 . Here, the first diode D 1 prevents a current from flowing from the flying capacitor Cf through the fourth transistor T 4 . [0053] A control electrode of the fourth transistor T 4 is coupled to the second electrode of the first transistor T 1 through a second diode D 2 . In addition, a first electrode of the fourth transistor T 4 is coupled to the control electrode of the fourth transistor T 4 through a sixth resistor R 6 . Therefore, if a current flows through the sixth resistor R 6 , the fourth transistor T 4 is turned on. In addition, a potential of a node coupled between the first diode D 1 and the sixth resistor R 6 is applied to the flying capacitor Cf through the fourth transistor T 4 . Meanwhile, the second diode D 2 cuts off a surge current applied through the ground. [0054] A first electrode of the flying capacitor Cf is coupled to the second electrode of the second transistor T 2 and a first electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 . In addition, a second electrode of the flying capacitor Cf is coupled to a second electrode of the fourth transistor T 4 . Accordingly, the second electrode of the flying capacitor is coupled to a negative terminal V 4 of the fifth battery cell 110 through the first diode D 1 and the fourth transistor T 4 . Therefore, a voltage corresponding to the sum of the voltage of the fifth battery cell 110 and a driving voltage of the first diode D 1 is applied to the flying capacitor Cf. [0055] In addition, the second electrode of the flying capacitor Cf is coupled to a third capacitor C 3 through a third diode D 3 . The third capacitor C 3 is coupled to a voltage supply Vd through an eleventh resistor R 11 and stores a voltage of the voltage supply Vd. An anode of the third diode D 3 is coupled to the third capacitor C 3 , and a cathode is coupled to the second electrode of the flying capacitor Cf. Accordingly, the voltage Vd stored in the third capacitor C 3 and a reverse driving voltage of the third diode D 3 are applied to the second electrode of the flying capacitor. [0056] Therefore, the forward driving voltage of the first diode D 1 coupled to the second electrode of the flying capacitor Cf is offset by the reverse driving voltage of the third diode D 3 . In this way, a driving voltage difference dependent on the temperature characteristic of the first diode D 1 can be eliminated. In addition, in order to make the third diode D 3 and the first diode D 1 demonstrate the same temperature characteristics, the first diode D 1 and the third diode D 3 may be packaged as a single set. For example, the first and third diodes D 1 and D 3 may be in the same package. [0057] A control electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 is coupled to the controller 130 through a seventh resistor R 7 . In addition, an eighth resistor R 8 is coupled between the control electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 and the first electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 . Further, a first electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 is coupled to ground. Accordingly, a second switching signal SW 2 is divided by the seventh resistor R 7 and a eighth resistor R 8 to then be applied to the control electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 . [0058] The control electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 is coupled to a second electrode of the fifth transistor T 5 through a ninth resistor R 9 . In addition, the control electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 is coupled to the first electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 through a tenth resistor R 10 and a second capacitor C 2 coupled in parallel to each other. The tenth resistor R 10 and the second capacitor C 2 increase a gate-source voltage of the sixth transistor T 6 with a transient time, thereby preventing the sixth transistor T 6 from being turned on at the same time with the second transistor T 2 and the fourth transistor T 4 . [0059] A second electrode of the sixth transistor T 6 is coupled to parallel branches of a thirteenth resistor R 13 and a fourth capacitor C 4 through a twelfth resistor R 12 . The fourth capacitor C 4 is coupled between the twelfth resistor R 12 and ground to store the voltage applied from the sixth transistor T 6 , and applies the same to an A/D converter (A/D) of the controller 130 . The thirteenth resistor R 13 and the fourth capacitor C 4 allow the voltage applied from the sixth transistor T 6 to be applied to the A/D converter (A/D) with a transient time. [0060] A fourth diode D 4 having an anode coupled to the thirteenth resistor R 13 and a cathode coupled to a voltage supply Vd cuts off a surge current applied from the voltage supply Vd. A fifth diode D 5 is coupled in parallel to both terminals of the thirteenth resistor R 13 . An anode of the fifth diode D 5 is coupled to ground, and a cathode thereof is coupled to the anode of the fourth diode D 4 , thereby compensating for a driving voltage of the fourth diode D 4 when the surge current is applied. In such a manner, temperature dependence of the driving voltage of the fourth diode D 4 can be offset. Further, in order to make the fifth diode D 5 and the fourth diode D 4 demonstrate the same temperature characteristics, the fourth diode D 4 and the fifth diode D 5 may be packaged as a single set. [0061] In addition, referring to FIG. 1 , voltage dividing resistors 161 a and 161 b are coupled between a discharging terminal 141 and a negative electrode terminal 144 , and the voltage dividing resistors 161 a and 161 b output the overall voltage of the battery pack 100 to the controller 130 . [0062] Hereinafter, the operation of the analog switch of the battery pack according to embodiments of the present invention will be described. [0063] FIGS. 3 and 4 are circuit diagrams illustrating the operation of the analog switch of the battery pack illustrated in FIG. 1 . [0064] Referring to FIG. 3 , a voltage of the fifth battery cell 110 is stored in the flying capacitor Cf of the analog switch 160 , as indicated by line {circle around ( 1 )}. First, when a first switching signal SW 1 is applied, a voltage of the second resistor R 2 is applied to the control electrode of the first transistor T 1 to turn on the first transistor T 1 . The current flowing through the first and second electrodes of the first transistor T 1 allows a voltage to be applied to control electrodes of the second transistor T 2 and the third transistor T 3 and turn on the second and third transistors T 2 and T 3 . [0065] As a result, a potential of the positive terminal V 5 of the fifth battery cell 110 is transferred to the first electrode of the flying capacitor Cf through the second transistor T 2 along the line {circle around ( 1 )}. In addition, a potential of the negative terminal V 4 of the fifth battery cell 110 reaches the second electrode of the flying capacitor Cf along the first diode D 1 and the fourth transistor T 4 . Therefore, a voltage corresponding to ((V 5 −V 4 )+Vd 1 ) is stored across the flying capacitor Cf. Here, the (V 5 −V 4 ) is a voltage of the fifth battery cell 110 , and Vd 1 is a forward driving voltage of the first diode D 1 . [0066] Referring to FIG. 4 , the voltage of the fifth battery cell 110 stored in the flying capacitor Cf of the analog switch 160 is transferred to the A/D converter, as indicated by line {circle around ( 2 )}. First, when a second switching signal SW 2 is applied, the fifth transistor T 5 is turned on. The current flowing through the first and second electrodes of the fifth transistor T 5 allows a voltage to be applied to the sixth transistor T 6 to turn on the sixth transistor T 6 . Here, the sixth transistor T 6 is turned on with a transition time according to the time constant of the tenth resistor R 10 and the second capacitor C 2 . [0067] As the sixth transistor T 6 is turned on, a potential of the first electrode of the flying capacitor Cf is transferred to the twelfth resistor R 12 to then become ((V 5 −V 4 )+Vd 1 )+(Vd−Vd 3 ). Here, Vd is a voltage of the voltage supply Vd, which is stored in the third capacitor C 3 , and Vd 3 is a reverse driving voltage of the third diode D 3 . If the reverse driving voltage of the third diode D 3 is equal to the forward driving voltage Vd 1 of the first diode D 1 , the potential of the first electrode of the flying capacitor Cf is ((V 5 −V 4 )+Vd). Thus, the term associated with the diode driving voltage is removed. In addition, the potential is divided by the twelfth resistor R 12 and the thirteenth resistor R 13 , and the voltage of the thirteenth resistor R 13 is finally transferred to the A/D converter. Here, the thirteenth resistor R 13 and the fourth capacitor C 4 apply the voltage to the A/D converter with a transient time. [0068] Meanwhile, the fourth diode D 4 prevents a surge current from being applied from the voltage supply Vd, and the fifth diode D 5 offsets a forward driving voltage of the fourth diode D 4 . Accordingly, temperature dependence of voltages measured from a battery cell can be compensated for and the voltages can be applied to the A/D converter in a stable manner. [0069] Although arrangements and actuation mechanisms in the battery pack according to the present invention have been illustrated through particular embodiments, it should be understood that many variations and modifications may be made in those embodiments within the scope of the present invention by selectively combining all or some of the illustrated embodiments herein described. [0070] While the present invention has been described in connection with certain exemplary embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, and equivalents thereof.
An analog switch and a battery pack using the same are provided. The analog switch can compensate for temperature dependence of voltages measured from a battery cell before applying the measured voltages to an analog-to-digital (A/D) converter. In an embodiment of the analog switch, a first diode is coupled in a backward direction from a flying capacitor, which is coupled to the A/D converter, to correspond to a second diode packaged therewith as a single set. The first diode is positioned in a battery cell voltage input path to store battery cell voltage values in the flying capacitor, while the second diode suppresses a temperature-related difference caused by the first diode to voltages measured from the battery cell.
7
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH This invention was made with government support under 0812138 awarded by the National Science Foundation. The government has certain rights in the invention. CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS N/A BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to systems and methods for correcting errors, such as bias, and error changes in field sensors. More particularly, the invention relates to systems and methods for determining errors or bias and changes in errors or bias of field sensors, such as magnetometers and accelerometers, using angular rate data. Magnetometers (or compasses), accelerometers, and gyroscopes are widely used in many applications including vehicle navigation systems and in electronics devices such as so-called smart-phones, mobile computing devices including tablets, and an ever-increasing range of systems. Magnetometers are used to measure Earth's local magnetic field vector with respect to the magnetometer device coordinate frame. Accelerometers are used to measure the device's total acceleration vector with respect to the device's coordinate frame, the total acceleration being the sum two components: a first component due to the local gravity field vector, and a second component due to the translational acceleration vector of the device with respect to an inertial coordinate frame. Often data from magnetometers and accelerometers are employed together to estimate the “full attitude” of the combined system or the aggregate device with which the sensors are associated, which typically includes determination of the heading, pitch, and roll of the device with respect to a frame defined jointly by the local gravity vector and the local magnetic field vector. Gyroscopes measure the angular rotation rate of the device with respect to the device coordinate frame. Many systems also incorporate gyroscopes combined with accelerometers and magnetometers to enable improved estimation of the “full attitude” of the system. However, all these sensors can be affected by biases, scale factors, and non-orthogonality of their measurements. Therefore, sensor calibration to offset biases is valuable for accurate performance of attitude estimation of the system. Traditional mechanisms for trying to measure and calibrating against sensor bias include calculating the mean of the maximum value, S max , and minimum value, S min , of the measurements to estimate the sensor bias using the following equation: bias=( S max +S min )*0.5  (1); where bias=[bias x , bias y , bias z ]. An alternative solution to calibrate sensor bias is based on a least squares method to fit the data to a sphere as follows: ( S x −bias x ) 2 +( S y −bias y ) 2 +( S z −bias z ) 2 =R 2 ,  (2); where S x , S y , and S z are the magnitudes of the X, Y, and Z sensor measurements and R 2 is the magnitude of the magnetic field vector squared. Conventionally, equation (2) is solved for bias=[bias x , bias y , bias z ] T . Unfortunately, these methods require large movements to measure a large angular range of outputs from the sensor. In general, 360 degree movement of the device/system is required in one or several degrees of freedom (e.g. a figure-eight pattern movement.) Furthermore, sensor bias may change over time. Such methods for determining sensor bias are precluded from addressing sensor bias that may vary over time or with changes in operating conditions. Furthermore, changes in sensor bias over time or in response to changes in operating conditions can only be addressed by such calibration methods by recalibrating the device upon recognizing a change in sensor bias. Unfortunately, such calibration methods do not easily provide a way to identify changes in sensor bias without performing a full recalibration of sensor bias. Accordingly, such methods are ill suited to address changes in sensor bias over time or in response to changes in operating conditions. Other traditional mechanisms for trying to calibrate against sensor bias, specifically compass bias, are accomplished by performing a series of small movements of the device/system and comparing the data from the compass/magnetometer with rotational data calculated by numerically integrating gyroscope data in three dimensions from a start position to an end position. This approach, however, requires numerical integration of the gyroscope data, which can be computationally intensive, particularly for systems without excess processing power. Furthermore, such approaches cannot continuously calculate sensor bias. This approach is often limited to compass bias calibration and, because the approach relies on numerical integration, it is inherently limited in the calibration process. Therefore, there is a need for systems and methods robust determination of sensor bias over a range of conditions and times and to compensate or correct for determined sensor bias across the range of conditions and times. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention overcomes the aforementioned drawbacks by providing systems and methods that can continuously determine and correct or compensate for sensor error of field sensors, such as magnetometers and accelerometers. In particular, the present invention can use angular rate data obtained, for example, from a gyroscope and relate it to the sensor measurement rates to continually or periodically estimate and correct sensor error. In accordance with one aspect of the invention, a system is disclosed for determining an error of a field sensor includes an input configured to receive angular rate data from a gyroscope and at least one of a first field vector relative to a first reference directional field and a second field vector relative to a second reference field from at least one field sensor. The system also includes a non-transitive computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions and a processor configured to receive the angular rate data and the at least one of the first field vector and the second field vector. The processor is configured to access the storage medium to execute the instructions to carry out steps of i) relating the at least one of the first field vector and the second field vector to the angular rate data to determine an error of the at least one field sensor providing the at least one of the first field vector and the second field vector. The processor is further configured to carry out the steps of ii) identifying a compensation for the error of the at least one field sensor needed to correct the at least one of the first field vector and the second field vector and iii) repeating steps i) and ii) to identify changes in the error over time and compensate for the changes in the error over time. In accordance with another aspect of the invention, a non-transitive computer-readable storage medium is disclosed having stored thereon instructions that when executed by a processor cause the processor to receive input data (x(t)) from a field sensor and angular rate data (w(t)) from a gyroscope. The processor is further caused to relate the input data to the angular rate data to determine a bias (b) of the field sensor providing inputs and estimate the sensor bias using the following equation {dot over (x)}(t)=−w(t)×(x(t)−b), where × is a standard cross product operator and {dot over (x)}(t) is the field sensor derivative term. In accordance with yet another aspect of the invention, a method is disclosed for determining bias of a field sensor in real-time. The steps of the method include a) acquiring gyroscopic data providing angular rate data and at least one of a first directional vector relative to a reference direction and a second directional vector and b) relating the at least one of the first directional vector and the second directional vector to the angular rate data. The method also includes the steps of c) determining, using the relating of step b), a bias of the field sensor, d) correcting the at least one of the first directional vector and the second directional vector based on the bias, and f) repeating steps a) through d) periodically to determine and correct changes in the bias between repetitions of steps a) through d). The foregoing and other aspects and advantages of the invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which form a part hereof, and in which there is shown by way of illustration a preferred embodiment of the invention. Such embodiment does not necessarily represent the full scope of the invention, however, and reference is made therefore to the claims and herein for interpreting the scope of the invention. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 illustrates an example of one device in which the present invention can be implemented. FIG. 2 is a diagram of an example of one architecture for implementing the present invention that forms part of the device of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a flow chart setting forth the steps of a method in accordance with the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As discussed, three-axis magnetometers, three-axis accelerometers, and other field sensors are widely used sensors for attitude estimation, yet suffer from limited accuracy because of sensor measurement errors. As will be described, a system and method for estimating the sensor errors of a multi-axis field sensors, such as magnetometers and accelerometers. Multi-axis angular velocity measurements, such as may be provided by an angular-rate gyroscope, can be used to estimate the multi-axis field sensor measurement error and, based thereon, correct for such errors. These systems and methods do not require knowledge of the direction of the field (e.g. the local magnetic field or the local gravitational field) or the attitude of the device associated with the sensor, but can ensure convergence for the estimated parameters. Referring particularly now to FIG. 1 , an exemplary device 100 is shown. The device 100 may be, for example, a mobile device, such as vehicle navigation system (which may or may not be integrated with the vehicle), a personal electronics device, such as a smart-phone or a tablet device, or other device that may benefit from an attitude sensor. The device 100 may include various user interfaces, such as buttons 102 that facilitate a user to manipulate the device 100 and a user communication device, such as a display 104 . As will be described, the display 104 may be designed to provide the user with data regarding estimated and corrected sensor errors, such as bias in the data provided by the sensor and/or errors created by scale factors due to system changes, and/or errors related to orthogonality. With respect to scale and orthogonality, the error terms may be formed as 3×3 matrix in addition to bias. Referring to FIG. 2 a processing architecture 200 is illustrated that, for example, may be integrated into the device 100 of FIG. 1 . The processing architecture 200 may include a processor 202 and a memory 204 that is accessible by the processor 202 and can store datasets, such as the estimated and corrected errors, and/or operational instructions for the processor. The architecture 200 also includes a display 206 , which if integrated into the device of FIG. 1 may be represented in FIG. 1 by the display 104 . The display 206 may be coupled to the processor 202 to communicate, for example, reports, images, or other information to the user. The architecture 200 may also include a plurality of sensors 208 that individually or together form a sensor system that provides data to the processor 202 . The plurality of sensors 208 may include a gyroscope 210 , a magnetometer 212 , and an accelerometer 214 . The gyroscope 210 may be an “angular-rate gyroscope” that measures the 3-Axis rate of rotation of the device 100 . The magnetometer 212 and the accelerometer 214 may be referred to as, for example, attitude sensors or field sensors. More generally, the present invention is useful with locally uniform field sensors, which may include magnetometers and accelerometers, as well as other sensors, such as electric field sensors and others. The gyroscope 210 may provide gyroscopic data, such as angular rate data, to an input 216 coupled to the processor 202 . The magnetometer 212 may provide inertial measurement data, such as a reference direction (e.g., the local magnetic field vector), and sensor measurement data in the device coordinate frame, such as a directional vector, to an input 218 coupled to the processor 202 . The accelerometer 214 may provide inertial measurement data, such as a gravitational reference (e.g. the local gravity field vector), and sensor measurement data in the device coordinate frame, such as a directional vector, to an input 220 coupled to the processor 202 . The data provided to inputs 216 , 218 , and 220 may be stored in the memory 204 so that the processor 202 can later access it. As described, three-axis magnetometers and accelerometers are widely used in navigation applications and consumer electronics devices. Measurements from these sensors are subject to systematic errors due to sensor bias, scale factor and (lack of) orthogonality. In a traditional model for sensing bias, the inertial measurement data and the sensor measurement data are related, for example, by a mathematical relationship, such as provided by the following equation: x 0 =R ( t )( x ( t )− b ),  (3); where x 0 is the inertial measurement data in the inertial reference frame, x(t) is the sensor measurement data in the device reference frame, b is the unknown feedback bias to be estimated, R(t) is a 3×3 rotation matrix relating the device reference frame to the inertial reference frame. In many practical cases, however, such as the case of the ubiquitous micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS) inertial measurement units (IMUs) that are widely used in vehicle navigation systems, R(t) is not directly instrumented. Thus, the calibration solution is not applicable for these devices. MEMS IMUs are typically equipped with a 3-axis magnetometer, a 3-axis accelerometer, a 3-axis angular-rate gyroscope, and a temperature sensor. Referring now to FIG. 3 , a flow chart setting forth exemplary steps 300 for determining the bias of an attitude sensor is provided. The process starts at process block 302 with the acquisition of angular rate data from, for example, an angular rate gyroscope. In parallel with or, in some instances, in serial with, process block 302 , field sensor measurement data is then acquired at process block 304 . As previously discussed, the field measurement data can be, for example, a reference direction or a gravitation reference, produced by a field sensor, such as an accelerometer, in the device reference frame. The sensor measurement data may also include, for example, a magnetic field vector, obtained from a field sensor, such as magnetometer, in the device reference frame. Both the field sensor data may be provided to the processor 202 of FIG. 2 through respective or a common input. At process block 306 , the angular rate data, such as from the gyroscopic data, is related to the sensor measurement data. For example, a relationship between the angular rate data and the field sensor measurement data can be expressed in the following equation: {dot over (x)} ( t )=− w ( t )×( x ( t )− b ),  (4); where w(t) is the angular rate data, × is a standard cross product operator, and {dot over (x)}(t) is the field sensor derivative term. Other relationships may also be used. For example: S b {dot over (x)} ( t )=− w ( t )×( S b x ( t )− b )  (5); where S b is a 3×3 sensor scale and orthogonality matrix. Using, for example, equation (4) or equation (5), the bias of the sensor can be determined at process block 308 . As described above, such a sensor may be integrated into a device including the architecture of FIG. 2 or other architecture for implementing the method of FIG. 3 . There are several methods that may be used to solve equation (4) for the unknown bias (b) and solve equation (5) for the unknown bias (b) and the sensor scale and orthogonality matrix (S b ). For example, one method includes, but is not limited to, applying a least square algorithm, as shown at process block 310 . The least squares algorithm is particularly useful for solving either equation (4) or equation (5). There are other methods that may also be used. For example, an adaptive identification approach, as shown at process block 312 , or a Kalman filter, as shown at process block 314 may also be used. If applying the least squares algorithm, as shown at process block 310 , the angular rate data, the inertial measurement data, and the sensor measurement data may be low-pass filtered prior to the least squares estimation. However, applying the Kalman filter or the adaptive identification approach, as shown at process block 312 or 314 , advantageously does not require numerically differentiation sensor measurement ({dot over (x)}(t)). Thus, the unknown sensor bias, b, can be estimated with linear least squares estimation. The sum of squared residuals cost function is: SSR ⁡ ( b ) = ∑ i = 1 n ⁢ 1 σ i 2 ⁢  x . i + ω i × ( x i - b )  2 ; ( 6 ) Where σ i is variance of the measurement, and each measurement is the discrete sample of the measurements (e.g., x i represents a discrete-time sampling of x(t)). The linear least squares estimate for b is given by: b ^ = ⁢ b ∈ ℝ 3 ⁢ SSR ⁡ ( b ) = ⁢ ( ∑ i = 1 n ⁢ 1 σ i 2 ⁢ W i 2 ) - 1 ⁢ ( ∑ i = 1 n ⁢ 1 σ i 2 ⁢ W i ⁢ y i ) ; ( 7 ) where W i ε 3×3 is the skew-symmetric matrix from the measurements ω i , W i =S(ω i ), and y i ε 3 is the calculated vector from the measurements, y i ={dot over (x)} i +ω i ×x i . The solution to equation (7) exists when the set of measured angular velocity vectors, [ω 1 , ω 2 , . . . ω n ] are not all collinear, in consequence, ( ∑ i = 1 n ⁢ W i 2 ) is invertible. The signal {dot over (x)}(t) may not directly instrumented in magnetometers and accelerometers, and thus this approach may use (possibly noisy) numerical differentiation of the sensor measurement x(t). As stated, a Kalman filter may also be used. For example, equation (4) can be rewritten as: [ x . b . ] Φ = [ - S ⁡ ( ω ) S ⁡ ( ω ) 0 0 ] A ⁡ ( t ) ⁢ [ x b ] Φ ; ( 8 ) with the measurement model: z = [ I 0 ] H ⁡ [ x b ] . ( 9 ) The following time-varying system can be defined as: Φ( t )= A ( t )Φ( t )+ v 1 ( t ), v 1 ( t )˜ N (0 ,Q ), z=HΦ+v 2 ( t ), v 2 ( t )˜ N (0 ,R ),  (10). After a discretization of the continuous-time system, the sensor bias estimation can be solved with a standard discrete time Kalman filtering implementation. Notably, there are Kalman filtering implementations that do not require differentiation. Also, with respect to the adaptive identification for sensor bias compensation, an advantage with the adaptive approach is that it does not require numerical differentiation of the sensor measurement x(t). There are a variety of similar, but distinctly different adaptive algorithms for solving for the unknowns b and S b . Consider the following adaptive observer for the plant of the form of equation (5), which is but one example of the variety of options that may be used with the present invention: {circumflex over ({dot over (x)})} ( t )=−ω( t )×( {circumflex over (x)} ( t )− b )− k 1 Δx,{circumflex over (x)} (0)= x 0 {circumflex over ({dot over (b)})} ( t )= k 2 (ω×Δ x ) {circumflex over (b)} (0)= {circumflex over (b)} 0   (11); where estimation errors are defined as: Δ x ( t )= {circumflex over (x)} ( t )− x ( t ),Δ b ( t )= {circumflex over (b)} ( t )− b   (12). Given the measured angular-rate signal, ω(t), and biased multi-axis field sensor measurement, x(t), our goal is to construct an estimate of {circumflex over (b)}(t) of the unknown sensor bias parameter b such that: 1) all signals remain bounded, and 2) {circumflex over (b)}(t) converge asymptotically to b. That is, lim t→∞ Δb(t)=0. Before deriving the adaptive identifier, some results required later are reviewed; notably, however, this is but one set of results that may be used to address deriving the adaptive identifier all of which are within the scope of the present disclosure: Definition 1 (Persistent Excitation (PE)). A matrix function W: + → m×m is persistently exciting (PE) if there exist T, α 1 , α 2 >0 such that for all t≧0: α 1 I m ≧∫ t t+T W ( t ) W T (τ) dr≧α 2 I m   (13); where I m ε m×m is the identity matrix. Lemma 1 (Barbalat's Lemma). Let φ: → be a uniformly continuous function on [0,∞). Suppose that lim t→∞ ∫ 0 t φ(τ)dτ exists and is finite. Then, φ(t)→0 as t→∞. We assume the following: Assumption 1. There exist two positive constants c 1 , c 2 , c 3 and c 4 such that ∀(t):|ω(t)|≦ c 1 ,|{dot over (ω)}(t)|≦ c 2 ,|x(t)|≦ c 3 , and |{dot over (x)}(t)|≦ c 4 . We can now state the main result for the adaptive identifier. Theorem 1 (Sensor Bias Observer). Consider the system represented by equation (5) with time-varying ω(t) and x(t). Let ({circumflex over (x)},{circumflex over (b)}) denote the solution to equation (11) with k 1 , k 2 >0 positive gains, and ω(t) satisfying the Assumption 1, and PE as defined in Definition 1. Then the equilibrium (Δx,Δb)=(0,0) of equation (11) is globally asymptotically stable. Proof: From equation (11) and the estimation errors definition of equation (12), the error system is: Δ {dot over (x)} ( t )=−ω( t )×(Δ x ( t )−Δ b )− k 1 Δx Δ {dot over (b)} ( t )=− k 2 (ω×Δ x )  (14); Consider the Lyapunov candidate function: L = 1 2 ⁢  Δ ⁢ ⁢ x  2 + 1 2 ⁢ k 2 ⁢  Δ ⁢ ⁢ b  2 ; ( 15 ) where L is a smooth positive definite, and radially unbounded function by construction. Taking the time derivative and recalling equation (14) yields: ⅆ ⅆ t ⁢ L = ⁢ Δ ⁢ ⁢ x T ⁡ [ - ω × ( Δ ⁢ ⁢ x - Δ ⁢ ⁢ b ) + k 1 ⁢ Δ ⁢ ⁢ x ] + Δ ⁢ ⁢ b T ⁡ ( ω × Δ ⁢ ⁢ x ) = ⁢ - k 1 ⁢  Δ ⁢ ⁢ x  2 ≤ 0 ; ( 16 ) The time derivative of this Lyapunov function is negative semi-definite and, thus, the system is globally stable. Given that the Lyapunov function of equation (15) is bounded below by 0 and, in consequence of equation (16) is bounded above by its initial value, L t0 , and since equation (15) is a radially unbounded function of Δx(t) and Δb, Δx(t) and Δb are bounded. For any t, we have ∫ 0 t ⁢ Δ ⁢ ⁢ x ⁡ ( τ ) ⁢ ❘ 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅆ τ ≤ 1 k 1 ⁢ L to , then Δx(t)εL 2 . Thus from Barbalat's lemma, we can prove globally asymptotically stability for Δx(t). If Δx(t)→0 then, Δb(t)→0 as t→∞, but extra results are needed to prove asymptotically stability for Δb(t). Since by assumption ω(t) is PE and using lemma A.1 from G. Besancon, Remarks on nonlinear adaptive observer design. Systems and Control Letters, 41(4):271-280, 2000, which is incorporated herein by reference, global asymptotically stability for Δb(t). Notably, the above several techniques, which are shown to solve for “b”, can also be generalized to solve for either or both of S b and b and are within the scope of the present disclosure. Referring again to FIG. 3 , using the bias determined using, for example, one of the methods described above, a check is performed at decision block 316 to determine if a correction for the bias is necessary or desired. If so, at process block 318 , a compensation or correction, such as a correction value, may be stored or applied. Unlike traditional systems and methods for determining sensor bias and allowing for system calibration to offset or overcome the bias, the present method can provide real-time or periodic correction for sensor bias. This stands in contrast to the one-time or, at best, user re-initiated calibration processes. Instead, the systems and methods of the present invention can periodically, continually, or upon request, reevaluate sensor bias, such as following a device state change, such as indicated at process block 320 . A device state change may include the passage of a predetermined or, for that matter, a de minimis amount of time, a conditional or damage or shock condition experienced by the system or the like. Regardless of the particulars of the device state change at process block 320 , the above-described process can be reiterated, without onerous user interaction or even user prompting or knowledge to identify potential or actual changes in sensor bias and apply updated corrections or compensations. Thus, the above-described system and method used allows angular rate data obtained from, for example, a gyroscope or other angular-rate sensor, to continually or periodically estimate and correct field sensor bias. The field sensor may be, for example, a magnetometer or and accelerometer, as previously discussed. The above-described system and method also does not require integration of the gyroscope data, is not limited to handheld devices and is not constrained to a specific set of movements required to operate. The present invention has been described in terms of one or more preferred embodiments, and it should be appreciated that many equivalents, alternatives, variations, and modifications, aside from those expressly stated, are possible and within the scope of the invention.
A system and method for determining errors and calibrating to correct errors associated with field sensors, including bias, scale, and orthogonality, includes receiving and providing to a processor angular rate data and a first field vector relative to a first reference directional field and a second field vector relative to a second reference field from at least one field sensor. The processor is configured to relate the first field vector and the second field vector to the angular rate data to determine an error of the at least one field sensor. The processor is also configured to identify a compensation for the error of the at lease one field sensor needed to correct the first field vector and the second field vector and repeat the preceding to identify changes in the error over time and compensate for the changes in the error over time.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In my U.S. Pat. No. 4,404,775, which issued on Sept. 20, 1983 I disclosed new and novel rain-water deflector devices. Such devices utilize surface tension to overcome other forces acting upon rain-water falling down the surface of a roof, to cause the rain-water to be deflected into the associated gutter while leaves, pine-needles, sticks, and other debris borne by the water are jettisoned away from the gutter. As a result, clogging of the rain gutters is avoided and it is unnecessary to clean them out manually. Devices embodying that patent, which are currently being marketed commercially under the trademark "Gutter Helmet", have proved successful. However, considerable effort has been expended on means for mounting such deflectors that will be efficacious, inexpensive, and easy and quick to install, but, at the same time, will not introduce other difficulties. For example, it was clear from the outset that such deflectors would have to be anchored securely against wind, rain and other forces. However, simply screwing the outermost end of the deflector bracket to the outer lip of an associated gutter presented several difficulties. Whether being so installed by one working from the roof (a usual situation) or by one working from beside the gutter, even if the lowest end of a bracket were pre-drilled to receive a screw extending through the gutter lip and into the bracket, the work had to be done essentially "blind" because visibility of the bracket end is blocked by the gutter edge. Such practices are not only tedious in requiring that the various alignments be made "blind" but are also dangerous, particularly to one working from the roof and having to reach out over the edge to set screws and to make drill holes through the gutter lip and the bracket end. Further, the rain-water deflector is in close proximity to virtually the entire gutter-roof edge area. This provides little space in which to work and severely restricts the available light and visibility of the worksites. Further, disturbance of existing structures is undesirable, as by dis-assembly to any extent of the existing gutter structures in order to get access to the existing gutter brackets. In addition, such procedures may be too intricate or extensive for home-owners or other non-skilled tradesmen who may be involved in rain-water deflectors as a "retro-fit" of existing gutter systems. In this connection, reference is made to my U.S. Pat. No. 4,497,146 which issued on 2/5/85 and the references cited therein. Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide means for the installation of rain-water deflectors. Another object of this invention is to provide such means in a form which will be easy to utilize with existing gutter systems. Yet another object of this invention is to provide means for achieving the foregoing objectives which will not require substantial reconstruction of existing gutter systems. Still another object of this invention is to provide means for achieving the foregoing objectives which will also accomodate the physical changes which may occur after installation, such as thermal expansion and construction. SUMMARY OF INVENTION Desired objectives may be achieved through practice of the present invention, embodiments of which include a rain-water gutter deflector bracket having a substantially straight upper section and a reverse-curved, downward oriented lower section, including upward facing tab means in the upper section to be received in corresponding apertures in an associated deflector, and downward facing tab means in the lower section to receive the upper edge of an associated rain gutter. Other embodiments include such bracket devices in combination with associated deflector devices wherein the deflector has apertures for receiving the tabs in the upper portion of the bracket that are separated from other holes at one or both sides by means of a thin web through which the associated bracket tab will break upon linear migration of the deflector due to temperature change. DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS This invention may be understood from the description which follows and from the accompanying drawings in which FIG. 1 depicts a perspective view of a bracket embodying this invention, FIG. 2 depicts a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of this invention shown in FIG. 1 in use on a rain gutter with an associated rain-water deflector, and FIGS. 3A and 3B depict rain-water tab hole configurations useful in the practice of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring first to FIG. #1, there is depicted a bracket 10 which embodies the present invention. As shown it is in the form of a flat continuum preferably made from metal which is strong, durable, weather-resistant, easily formed, and substantially rigid, yet susceptible to some bending without breakage. Heavy gauge aluminum has been found suitable for such use, but it is within the contemplation of this invention that other materials, such as galvanized steel, copper or cuprous alloys, or even plastic might also be utilized. It is also within the contemplation of this invention that even though a substantially parallel-sided flat continuum is shown and discussed, other cross-sectional shapes for the basic bracket stock might also be utilized, provided they accomodate substantially the physical displacements and affixation means herein disclosed or their effective equivalents. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the bracket 10 has an upper portion 12 which is substantially straight or at most slightly convexly curved. As shown in FIG. 2, it is designed for its upper end to be located in proximity to or even to rest on an associated roof 50, while it supports an associated rain-water deflector 40 and has its lower end supported by the upper edge 32 of an associated rain gutter 30. FIGS. 1 and 2 also illustrate the lower portion 14 of the bracket 10, which has a reverse-direction upper curve 16, and a second reverse direction lower curve 18, the lowest end 19 of which is adapted to rest on the upper edge 32 of the outside wall 31 of the gutter 32. The upper portion 12 of the bracket 10 includes tabs 20, 21, which are punched out of the bracket stock so that they are at substantially right angles to the upper surface of the upper portion 12. This facilitates insertion of the tabs 42, 43 through corresponding tab apertures in the rain-water deflector to be positioned atop the bracket. Following such insertion, the tabs may be bent over with a wrench or other tool to hold the deflector affixed to the bracket. The effects of this latter sequence may be seen by comparing, in FIG. #2, the position of tab 20 (which is shown before being bent) with that of tab 21 (which is shown after having been bent). The lower portion 14 of the bracket 10 has a tab 22 punched out of its basic stock, but the orientation of this tab with respect to the surface of the bracket is substantially V-shaped. Thereby, the free end of the tab 22 and the undersurface of the bracket gutter rest portion 19 form an open-ended receptacle into which the upper edge 32 of the associated gutter 30 may be received for positionally fixing the bracket with respect to the gutter. As shown in FIG. 2, this invention may be used in connection with standard, existing building construction wherein a gutter 30 is affixed to the fascia 54 next to a soffit 52, in the area where the roof 50 overhangs the fascia. The bracket is positioned with the top edge 32 of the gutter 30 inserted into the opening formed by the divergence of the tab 22 from the lowermost end region 19 of the bracket 10. When so positioned, the entire reverse curved lower portion 14 of the bracket 10 elevates the lower end of the straight portion 12 of the bracket 10, with the higher reverse curved portion 16 acting as a support for the underside of the "nose" of the deflector 40. In that position, the bracket and the deflector which it supports are positioned well above the edge of the roof 50, while the uppermost end of the straight portion 12 of the bracket extends some distance back from the edge of the roof. The effect of this is to cause a rain-water deflector of the type shown in my above-mentioned patent, when positioned atop the bracket, to present a more gentle or shallower slope to water coming off the roof. It also supplies a support base for the associated deflector 40 while providing sufficient spacing of the deflector above the gutter edge to permit the deflector to function as intended. Thus, the deflector is positioned to deflect water into the gutter while jettisoning any leaves and other debris that are carried along by the water off of its curved surface 16 and outside the front wall 31 of the gutter 30. Any such leaves and/or debris that are not so jettisoned by the water will merely accumulate on the deflector top surface, to be blown away by the wind after subsequent drying. By either process, the leaves and other debris will effectively have been kept from falling into the gutter. With several other brackets similarly installed and positioned at approximately five foot intervals along the length of the gutter at locations corresponding to the position of tab aperatures in the associated deflector, the deflector may then be positioned atop the brackets. Although the top ends of the brackets may be in contact with the roof (for example, where the panel has been cut back for aesthetic reasons, so as to extend less far up a steep roof), the deflector panels preferably extend above the upper ends of the support brackets, so that the under-side of the upper edge of the deflector panels come into contact with the upper surface of the associated roof. By this means, through use of an adhesive coated sealing strip 46 on the underside of the top edge of the deflector, that edge may be pressed against the roof surface following removal of a protective cover to produce an upper seal to inhibit water coming down the roof against passing under the deflector edge. The upper edge of the deflector panels may also include nail apertures 44 through which nails 48 may be loosely driven so as to anchor the upper edge of the strip against radical displacement while still permitting the deflector panels to move laterally as the deflectors expand or contract in response to temperature changes. Another aspect of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3A and 3B, showing unique structural features in the formation of receptacle holes to receive tabs and/or roof nails of the type and for such purposes as those described above. FIG. 3A shows one embodiment of such structures comprising a central tab aperture 60 that extends through the deflector sheet, corresponding to those shown as 42, 43 in FIG. 2. The central hole 60 preferably is oblong, with its longer axis oriented in the direction of the long dimension of the deflector 40. As such, it is particularly adapted to receive a tab 20A which is longer in cross-section in that same dimension when deflector panels and their associated support bracket are in situ. On either side of the central hole 60 in that same long dimension, and separated therefrom by thin webs of metal 64 that are left from the original sheet stock from which the deflector panels are formed, are smaller side holes 62. When a deflector panel is positioned atop brackets as herein disclosed with a bracket tab 66 positioned in central hole 60, as noted above, the tab may be bent over, using a wrench or simple slotted tool in order to hold the deflector panel in place atop the deflector against movement induced by wind, water, or other forces. Subsequently, if sunlight hitting the panel, or a raise in ambient temperature, or other change causes the temperature of a deflector panel to rise, consequent expansion of the panel may cause a net linear displacement of the deflector panel in the direction of its long dimension at any given bracket tab affixation location. In that event, this unique structural feature will permit the associated tab to break through the web on one side and utilize the additional space provided by the side hole without the deflector panel being blocked from migrating by the tab, thereby avoiding the buckling of the panel that might otherwise occur. Conversely, if the temperature of the panel drops and the panel therefore contracts, any consequent net migration of the panel in the opposite direction is accomodated by the tab breaking the web into the other side hole, thereby avoiding buckling, tearing, or other adverse affect on the deflector panel. An advantage of the "central hole - two ancillary hole" configuration shown in FIG. 3A is that by making an installation initially with the support tabs in the central hole when the panel is at or near a median of the range of temperatures to which it will be exposed in the normal course, the adverse effects of both temperature increase and decrease can be avoided. Even if such care as to temperature condition is not taken at the time of installation, a single sidehold-web combination will usually provide sufficient relief to accomodate most situations. Thus, FIG. 3B illustrates an alternative configuration to demonstrate that although an elongated central hole is preferred, other configurations, such as the round hole shown in FIG. 3B, will also work, and that a single ancillary side hole may also be utilized. Thus, embodiments of this invention include brackets of the type disclosed in combination with deflector panels having bracket tab holes which include structural features of the type disclosed herein. In practice, embodiments of this invention may be utilized in connection with the installation of rain gutter deflector panels in the foilowing manner. First, a mounting bracket of the type disclosed may be affixed to each end of a deflector panel by inserting the panel affixation tabs on the top of the bracket through the corresponding tab aperatures in the panel. Optionally, a seal strip may be adhesively fixed to the upper edge of the panel, to provide a means for securing the upper deflector panel edge to the shingles of the associated roof. The panel is then positioned in line with and over the gutter with which it is to be associated. The protective cover on the outside of the edge seal strip (if one has been used) may then be removed. Then, whether or not an edge seal strip has been used, the upper edge of the deflector may be laid on, or (preferably) slid under the edge of, a course of the roof shingles. The front end of each of the brackets may thus be positioned on the top edge or bead of the front wall of the associated gutter with the bead residing in the V-shaped slot formed by the lower end of each bracket and its lower tab. If more than one deflector panel is to be used (e.g., in order to extend the panels over a greater length along the edge of the roof), the next panel, but without a bracket affixed to its end that is next to the first panel, is positioned atop the end of the first panel to which it is to be join, with the upper tabs of the first panel bracket on that end extending through the tab apertures in the second panel. The upper tabs may then be bent over, using a wrench or other tool, and nails may be loosely driven into the roof through holes in the upper edge of the panels, thus affixing the panels in place. It will be apparent from the foregoing that through use of the present invention, it is possible to make effective and durable installations of rain-water gutter deflectors without having to utilize screws or other such fasteners. It will also be clear that by aligning the brackets with the pre-formed tab apertures, the possibility of faulty installations is substantially reduced. Although the present installation is shown and described in the context of its particular suitability to use with a gutter of the so-called "K" type which is herein illustrated, brackets according to this invention are also readily adaptable to use with gutters which are of other cross-sectional configurations, such as an upwardly opening half-round, and with wooden gutters. This may be accomplished by bending the tab 22 downward so that it is substantially at right angles to the lower portion 19 of the bracket, in which posture it may be held to the top of the outside wall of the associated gutter using, for example, a screw inserted through the gutter edge and the now bent-down tab 22. It is to be understood that the embodiments of this invention herein shown and discussed are by way of illustration and not of limitation, and that other embodiments may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.
This invention relates to rain gutter devices, and in one embodiment comprises a bracket for use in supporting a rain-water deflector. The bracket is in the form of a flat continuum having a straight upper section and a double-reverse lower section. The lowermost portion includes a tab adapted for receiving the top edge of an associated rain-gutter. The upper section includes tabs for insertion into corresponding apertures in associated rain-water deflectors. Other embodiments include such brackets in combination with rain-water deflectors having bracket tab apertures, each of which consists of a central opening and side-openings that are separated from their associated central opening by a narrow web. Thereby, upon movement of the rain-water shield in its long dimension as a result of thermal expansion and contraction, the associated bracket tabs will break through the webs, eliminating restraint on migration of the shields and avoiding buckling of the rain-water shield.
4
RELATED APPLICATION This application claims the priority of provisional patent application Ser. No. 61/452,344, filed Mar. 14, 2011, the contents of which is incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to earrings for pierced ears in which an earring is attached to a post, the post passing through a pierced ear and being secured on the ear with a nut slid onto the post bearing against the rear of the earlobe holding the earring in place. Prior art nuts are round and larger round nuts are provided for larger pierced earrings. Such round structure is conventionally utilized for pierced earrings. Pierced ears holding earrings provide structural support for the earrings. When earrings are larger, the conventional pin or post sliding through the pierced ear and being held by prior art small nuts places structural pressure at the intersection of the pin as it passes through the pierced ear. This is undesirable since it may place too much pressure on the ear and otherwise distort the wearing of the earring because the earring placing such pressure on the pierced ear with the prior art conventional nut may not hang as cleanly and be as properly supported as desirable. Additionally for larger earrings with larger round nuts, the nuts may not be hidden behind the ears. An object of this invention is to provide an improved nut as part of a pierced earring post assembly. Another object of this invention is to provide such an improved pierced ear post nut which provides improved support for the earring worn in a pierced ear. Yet another object of this invention is to provide an improved pierced earring post nut which enables large size earrings to be worn in a most attractive and comfortable fashion. Other objects, advantages and features of this invention will become more apparent from the following description. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In accordance with the features of this invention and to satisfy the above objects and others, this invention provides an inverted egg shaped elongated rounded shape planar surface for the earring nut, which planar surface will bear against the rear of the lobe of the pierced ear. The planar surface takes the general shape of the lobe of the ear. The larger surface bearing on and conforming to the shape of the rear surface of the lobe of the pierced ear provides improved structural support for the earring as worn. The size and round shape of the plate in prior art nuts serves little purpose other than to capture the pin and hold the earring. This invention provides the nut with a plate surface which substantially conforms to the shape of the ear lobe and bears on the rear surface thereof. The plate may be solid or have an opening or aperture therein, but the peripheral edge of the plate will substantially have a surface structure which conforms to the ear lobe shape. Ear lobe shapes are unique to each person but have a substantially standard silhouette. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a rear plan view of the prior art nut. FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the prior art nut of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a front plan view of the plate forming the nut of the invention herein. FIG. 4 is a rear plan view of the nut of FIG. 3 . FIG. 5 is a rear plan view similar to FIG. 4 with the wings forming the catch shown flat before being bent to form the catch. FIG. 6 is an edge plan view of the nut of FIG. 4 showing the wings bent to form the catch. FIG. 7 is an edge plan view showing the pin attached to an earring passing through the plate of the invention with the ear lobe between the nut and earring structure. FIGS. 7 a and 7 b are perspective views showing the nut of this invention in place behind the lobe of the ear. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIGS. 1 and 2 shows the prior art nut 10 in which there are butterfly wings 12 shown folded towards nut plate 14 for forming a catch 15 to capture a pin which is attached to an earring (not shown in this figure but shown in FIGS. 7 and 7 a ). The pin passes through aperture 16 . The pin is fixedly attached to an earring in a standard manner (see FIG. 7 ). As can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the surface of plate 14 of the prior art nut is relatively small and substantially circular. FIGS. 3-7 , 7 a and 7 b show the present invention in which the plate 30 for the nut 32 has a shape or silhouette approximating that of the lobe 72 of an ear. Plate 30 is substantially flat but need not be. Plate 30 is elongated and longer from top to bottom than the prior art round plates 14 . The plate 30 is rounded at its periphery and substantially is an inverted egg shape providing greater support for the ear lobe 72 . Such shape approximates standard ear lobe shapes. In order to save metal material, plate 30 for the nut 32 may have an aperture or opening 34 formed within the boundary or silhouette of plate 30 . Aperture 34 may be eliminated if desired. The nut 32 of this invention is formed similar to that of the prior art with arms 36 folded over to nearly touch to form catch 38 on the rear side of the plate 30 , so that a pin 70 (see FIG. 7 a ) is captured at catch 38 formed between folded or bent arms 36 . The larger rounded elongated substantially inverted egg shaped surface for the plate 30 of nut 32 generally conforms to the contour of the ear lobe to provide improved support for the rear of the lobe. The entirety of the plate 30 bears against the rear of the lobe to provide broader structural support for the earring, allowing less pressure on the ear and providing better performance when the earring is worn. The size of the lower portion of plate 30 may be approximately the size of the ear lobe below the pierced hole in the ear. As another feature of this invention, the nut 32 is formed of a one piece stamped metal piece having arms 36 extending outwardly. This manufacturing process stamps the metal as shown in FIG. 5 and then folds the arms 36 into facing position to form catch 38 to capture pin 70 . FIGS. 7 , 7 a and 7 b shows the nut 32 of this invention capturing pin 70 with pin 70 attached to the rear surface 74 of earring 76 in the conventional manner with the ear lobe 72 captured between the rear 74 of earring 76 and plate 30 . It should be understood that the preferred embodiment was described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly legally and equitably entitled.
A novel pierced earring for pierced ears which includes a rear plate attached to the pin, the rear plate forming the nut and having a peripheral shape approximating that of the rear portion of the lobe of the ear to provide substantial bearing surface against the rear of the lobe.
0
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to an improved method for estimating the camshaft phase angle in an engine with variable cam timing. [0002] The advent of variable cam timing in internal combustion engines has complicated the engine management task. Within the engine control unit, the electronic throttle valve position (alternatively, an idle bypass valve opening if not equipped with an electronically actuated throttle valve), fuel injection pulse width, spark timing, position of the exhaust gas recirculation valve, and the cam phase angle are engine variables commanded by the engine control unit to provide the power demanded by the operator of the vehicle while also delivering high fuel efficiency, low emissions, and acceptable drivability. These engine variables are strongly coupled and have a delay time constant associated with them. Thus, the task of changing among operating conditions in a smooth manner is enabled by the engine control unit containing models of the interdependencies among the variables, dynamic models of the various actuators, accurate information from sensors about the status of the various actuators. [0003] The inventors of the present invention have recognized that the accuracy of prior art methods for predicting the actual cam phase angle can be improved. As a result, the coupled parameters, i.e., spark timing, throttle position, etc. listed above, may be computed inaccurately due to being based on inaccurate input cam phase angle data. One prior method relies on the output of a sensor on the cam phaser. Because the signal from the sensor is noisy, the signal is filtered, thereby reducing the bandwidth of the signal and thus, causing a delay. Another prior method relies on a model within the engine control unit and bases the prediction on the commanded phase angle and the dynamic characteristics of the cam phaser. The cam phaser may fail or may change dynamic characteristics over its lifetime causing the prediction to be in error. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0004] The drawbacks of prior art approaches are overcome by a method for determining an estimated camshaft phase angle of increased accuracy by determining a desired camshaft phase angle, determining an observed raw camshaft phase angle, and basing the estimated camshaft phase angle on the desired camshaft phase angle and the observed raw camshaft phase angle. The raw observed camshaft phase angle may be based on the output of a camshaft phase angle sensor located proximately to the camshaft. [0005] A primary advantage of the invention disclosed herein is a prediction of cam angle of increased accuracy and with a lesser delay than prior art methods. [0006] A further advantage of the present invention is that it provides an accurate prediction of cam phase angle even as the cam phaser performance changes due to wear, failure, ambient conditions, or other anomaly. [0007] A further advantage of the present invention is that the prediction of the disclosed method provides a less noisy signal than prior art methods. [0008] The above advantages and other advantages, objects, and features of the present invention will be readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS [0009] The advantages described herein will be more fully understood by reading an example of an embodiment in which the invention is used to advantage, referred to herein as the Detailed Description, with reference to the drawings wherein: [0010] [0010]FIG. 1 is a schematic drawing of an engine indicating salient features for practicing invention; [0011] [0011]FIG. 2 is a schematic drawing of a single cylinder of an engine showing the camshaft phasing mechanism; [0012] [0012]FIG. 3 is a flowchart of the steps involved according to an aspect of the present invention; [0013] [0013]FIG. 4 is schematic drawing of the calculation steps in the engine control unit according to an aspect of the present invention; [0014] [0014]FIG. 5 is a plot of desired camshaft phase angle, raw observed camshaft phase angle, and estimated camshaft phase angle as functions of time for a disabled camshaft phaser; [0015] [0015]FIG. 6 is a plot of desired camshaft phase angle, raw observed camshaft phase angle, estimated camshaft phase angle, and filtered observed camshaft phase angle as functions of time for an operating camshaft phaser; and [0016] [0016]FIG. 7 displays a portion of FIG. 6 enlarged. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0017] An internal combustion engine 70 is shown in FIG. 1. Engine 70 shown is a spark-ignition engine with spark plugs 74 installed into engine 70 . The invention may also apply to a compression-ignition engine which does not rely on spark plugs for ignition. Engine 70 is supplied fuel directly into the combustion chamber through injectors 72 , as would be the case in a direct injection gasoline or diesel engine. Fuel injectors 72 could be situated, alternatively, near the intake ports to the combustion chamber. Engine 70 is provided with a cam phaser 34 , which can alter the time at which the valves open and close relative to engine crankshaft rotation. A more detailed description is provided below with reference to FIG. 2. Engine 70 is supplied fresh air through an inlet duct containing a throttle valve 78 . The engine discharges gases into an exhaust duct 88 . A portion of the exhaust gas stream may be routed back to the intake duct through exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) valve 90 . [0018] Continuing with FIG. 1, engine control unit (ECU) 18 has a microprocessor 50 , called a central processing unit (CPU), in communication with memory management unit (MMU) 60 . MMU 60 controls the movement of data among the various computer readable storage media and communicates data to and from CPU 50 . The computer readable storage media preferably include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM) 58 , random-access memory (RAM) 56 , and keep-alive memory (KAM) 54 , for example. KAM 54 may be used to store various operating variables while CPU 50 is powered down. The computer-readable storage media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by CPU 50 in controlling the engine or vehicle into which the engine is mounted. The computer-readable storage media may also include floppy disks, CD-ROMs, hard disks, and the like. CPU 50 communicates with various sensors and actuators via an input/output (I/O) interface 52 . Examples of items that are actuated under control of CPU 50 through I/O interface 52 , are fuel injection timing, fuel injection rate, fuel injection duration, EGR valve 90 position, throttle valve 78 position, and cam phaser 34 position. Sensors communicating input through I/O interface 52 may be indicating engine speed, vehicle speed, coolant temperature, manifold pressure, pedal position, camshaft phase sensor 36 , throttle valve 78 position, EGR valve 90 position, air temperature, exhaust temperature, mass air flow 82 , and others; some of which are shown explicitly in FIG. 1 and others are shown as other sensors 38 . Some ECU 18 architectures do not contain MMU 60 . If no MMU 60 is employed, CPU 50 manages data and connects directly to ROM 58 , RAM 56 , and KAM 54 . Of course, the present invention could utilize more than one CPU 50 to provide engine/vehicle control and ECU 18 may contain multiple ROM 58 , RAM 56 , and KAM 54 coupled to MMU 60 or CPU 50 depending upon the particular application. [0019] An electronically-controlled throttle, such as throttle valve 78 shown in FIG. 1, provides an example of a system delay. When ECU 18 receives a signal from a pedal position sensor indicating a driver demand for additional power, ECU 18 commands throttle valve 78 to open. The additional power to the driving wheels is delayed by: ECU 18 in interpreting the signal (due to filtering) from the pedal position as a demand for power, computational delays in ECU 18 due to computational traffic, the limitations imposed by the time step at which computations are performed within ECU 18 , mechanical delay in throttle valve 78 attaining the commanded position, and inertial delay in filling the intake manifold to the new, higher manifold pressure. It is known to those skilled in the art to model the air delivered to the engine accounting for system delays. The model relies on accurate information of many system variables, including valve timing, which is related to camshaft phasing. The ability of the model to provide the desired functionality depends on the accuracy of the models in capturing the phenomena and their interactions. The subject of the present invention is increasing the accuracy of cam phase angle data within the ECU 18 . [0020] [0020]FIG. 2 shows a single piston 68 disposed in engine 70 . Camshaft 84 of engine 70 is shown in FIG. 2 communicating with rocker arm 86 which is fixed at end 88 for actuating intake valve 64 . Exhaust valve 66 may be similarly equipped as intake valve 64 (cam phasing hardware not shown). Alternatively, camshaft 84 may be used to actuate both intake valve 64 and exhaust valve 66 , in which case a phase change in camshaft 84 affects both intake valve 64 and exhaust valve 66 timings. Camshaft 84 is directly coupled to cam phaser 34 . Cam phaser 34 forms a toothed wheel having a plurality of teeth 92 . Camshaft 84 is hydraulically coupled to an inner camshaft (not shown), which is in turn directly linked to camshaft 84 via a timing chain (not shown). Therefore, cam phaser 34 and camshaft 84 rotate at a speed substantially equivalent to the inner camshaft. The inner camshaft rotates at a constant speed ratio to crankshaft 100 . However, by manipulation of a hydraulic coupling (not shown), the relative phase of camshaft 84 to crankshaft 100 can be varied by applying a hydraulic pressure in advance chamber 96 or retard chamber 98 . By allowing high pressure hydraulic fluid to enter advance chamber 96 , intake valve 64 opens and closes at a time earlier relative to crankshaft 100 . Similarly, by allowing high pressure hydraulic fluid to enter retard chamber 98 , intake valve 64 opens and closes at a time later relative to crankshaft 100 . [0021] Teeth 92 , being coupled to cam phaser 34 and camshaft 84 , allow for measurement of cam phase angle via cam timing sensor 92 providing a signal to ECU 18 . Four equally spaced teeth on cam phaser 34 are preferably used for measurement of cam timing for a bank of four cylinders, eg., an inline four cylinder engine or one bank of a V-8 engine. ECU 18 sends control signals to conventional solenoid valves (not shown) to control the flow of hydraulic fluid either into advance chamber 96 , retard chamber 98 , or neither. [0022] Camshaft phase angle may be measured using the method described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,548,995, which is incorporated herein by reference. In general terms, the rotation angle between the rising edge of a signal from sensor 102 which senses a tooth (not shown) coupled to crankshaft 100 and a signal detected by camshaft phase sensor 36 from one of the plurality of teeth 92 on cam phaser 34 provides a measure of the relative cam timing. For the particular example of an inline four cylinder engine, with a four-toothed wheel on cam phaser 36 , a measure of cam timing for each bank is received four times per revolution. [0023] Referring now to FIG. 3, ECU 18 schedules cam phaser 34 , in block 10 , according to models within ECU 18 , one example of which is described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,725, which is incorporated herein by reference. This provides the desired phase of the camshaft, which is denoted as cam_ph_d herein. Within ECU 18 is a dynamic model 16 of cam phaser 34 . The dynamic model 16 may incorporate system inertias, compliances, compressibilities, actuator delays, material characteristics, and other factors to describe the behavior of camshaft 84 in response to a command to cam phaser 34 to make an angle change. Based on dynamic model 16 , a predicted cam phase can be computed, denoted as cam_ph_pred. In block 42 , cam_ph_pred and cam_ph_obs_corr are summed to yield cam_ph_est, which is the estimated cam phase angle with increased accuracy compared to prior art methods. The observer leg of the computation begins with a measurement of the cam phase angle, cam_ph_obs_raw, which is computed in block 29 based on signals from the camshaft phase sensor 34 and the crankshaft phase sensor 102 . In block 30 , the raw signal (cam_ph_obs_raw) is compared with cam_ph_est. An error signal, cam_ph_obs_err is the output of block 30 . In block 32 , cam_ph_obs_err is integrated, which filters the signal and provides a corrected signal, called cam_ph_obs_corr herein. As discussed above, cam_ph_obs_corr is used in block 42 as one of the inputs to provide the output, cam_ph_est. [0024] [0024]FIG. 3 is a simplified version of the invention to clearly indicate that two inputs are used to arrive at cam_ph_est. FIG. 4 shows the method in more detail and in context within ECU 18 . ECU 18 receives input from sensors 38 and camshaft sensor 36 and crankshaft sensor 102 ; from the latter two sensors, ECU 18 computes cam_ph_obs_raw in block 29 . ECU 18 computes cam_ph_d, the desired cam phase, based on a model such as taught in U.S. Pat. No. 6,006,725. Cam_ph_d and cam_ph_obs_raw are compared in operation 22 , which provides the value of cam_ph_err, that is the difference between the commanded signal and the measured signal. Cam_ph_err is used as feedback control to camshaft phaser 34 , as in prior art. Cam_ph_d, block 12 , is used in dynamic model 16 to determine cam_ph_pred. Cam_ph_pred is summed in block 42 with the output of blocks 30 and 32 , previously described in conjunction with FIG. 3. The output of summing operation 42 yields cam_ph_est, the subject of the present invention. Cam ph_est is used within ECU 18 in relevant actuator models. These may be models which compute desired throttle valve 78 position, desired EGR valve 90 position, spark timing, fuel injection timing, and fuel injection pulse width, as examples. Output of the actuator models 60 is fed to actuators 62 . [0025] The present invention is demonstrated in FIGS. 5 - 7 , in which experimental data are used to illustrate the present invention and compare it with prior art solutions. In FIG. 5, an inoperable camshaft phaser 34 is commanded a camshaft position, i.e., the desired camshaft phase angle, cam_ph_d, shown as curve 110 . Because the camshaft phaser 34 is inoperable, the camshaft does not respond. Curve 112 is the cam_ph_obs_raw, i.e., the measured cam phase angle. Curve 112 does not deviate from the initial value since the camshaft phase does not change. Curve 112 , however, does indicate a typical noise level on the signal. If cam_ph_obs_raw were used as the basis to compute other engine parameters, such as throttle position, these parameters would constantly vary. Eg., throttle plate 78 would flutter in response to the noise appearing on curve 112 . The estimate of cam phase, as provided by the present invention cam_ph_est, shown in curve 114 , is based on both cam_ph_obs_raw and cam_ph_d. As such, it does deviate from a steady value in response to the command to camshaft phaser 34 . However, it readily returns to the steady value. Also, curve 114 is not a noisy signal. [0026] In FIG. 6, a working camshaft phaser 34 is commanded to assume a new desired phase angle, cam_ph_d which is shown as curve 120 . Curve 122 shows the output of the measurement, cam_ph_obs_raw. Again, there is noise on the measured signal, curve 122 . Curve 124 shows the estimated camshaft phase angle, according to the present invention. Curve 126 shows a filtered version of curve 122 . As mentioned above, a problem with cam_ph_obs_raw is that due to its noise, control of other engine parameters is degraded. A common technique to remove noise from a signal is to filter the signal with the undesired consequence that the signal is time delayed. Curve 126 is a filtered version of curve 122 . It can be seen in FIG. 6 that curve 124 , the subject of the present invention lags behind the unfiltered measured signal, curve 122 , but precedes the filtered measured signal, curve 126 . FIG. 7 is an enlarged version of a portion of FIG. 6. The noise of curve 122 is even more evident in FIG. 7. The stepwise nature of curve 124 , cam_ph_est, is due to the computation time step, which is 100 msec. Similarly, the filtered version of the measured signal, curve 126 , changes on a 100 ms time scale; thus similar to curve 122 , curve 126 displays a stepwise character. Curve 126 lags curve 122 by about one computation step, or 100 msec. Thus, the present invention provides a clear advantage over filtering a measured signal. [0027] While a preferred mode for carrying out the invention has been described in detail, those familiar with the art to which this invention relates will recognize alternative designs and embodiments for practicing the invention. The above-described embodiment is intended to be illustrative of the invention, which may be modified within the scope of the following claims.
A system and method for determining an estimation of actual cam phase angle of increased accuracy are based on an observed cam phase angle derived from a cam phase sensor and a predicted cam phase angle derived from a desired or commanded cam phase angle. The estimated cam phase angle is used in the electronic control unit in computing desired settings for engine variables which depend on cam phase angle.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] (a) Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a synchronous system for a three-stage ball bearing slide, and more particularly, to a mobile track when pulled to extend drives a carrier track to slide synchronously and is temporarily positioned at its terminal without being retracted thus to permit the carrier track to be directly subject to the push thereon to once again be retracted into a fixed track. [0003] (b) Description of the Prior Art [0004] A conventional three-stage ball bearing slide usually contains a fixed track (outer track), a carrier track (middle track), and a mobile track (inner track). Taking the ball bearing slide adapted to a cabinet and its drawers for example, the fixed track (outer track) is fixed to the cabinet, the mobile track (the inner track) is each fixed to both sides of the drawer, and the carrier track (middle track) is inserted into the fixed track (outer track) by means of a slide aid, usually a ball bearing, to slide and carry the mobile track (inner track), thus to make the mobile track (inner track) and the carrier track (the middle track) engaging in reciprocal movement along the same axial direction in relation to the fixed track (outer track) for the drawer to be pulled out or in against the cabinet. The three-stage ball bearing slide of the prior as illustrated in FIG. 13 of the accompanying drawings defines the track according to its location. Slide aids D, E are respectively provided between the inner track (A) and the middle track (B) as well as between the middle track (B) and the outer track (C). A retainer (F) and a compressor (G) are respectively provided in the inner track (A) and the middle track (B) to allow one-way positioning when the inner track (A) is pulled out to its extreme and to pull the retainer (F) to release it from the compressor (G) for the inner track (A) to disengage from the middle track (B). [0005] So far the development of the design of those ball bearing slides adapted to cabinets and drawers has been focusing on two purposes, to hold the carrier track (middle track) in positioning when pulled to its fully extended location, and to be pulled for movement synchronously with the mobile track (inner track). Design of the linking mechanism associated with those two purposes may be referred to U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,551,775 and 5,757,109; U.S. Published application Nos. 2002/0057042, 2003/0080659, 2003/0107309, and 2003/0111942; and Taiwan Utility Model Patent Nos. 215789 and 197034 (No. 197034 same as that of U.S. Published application No. 2003/0178922 owned by this Applicant). SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The primary purpose of the present invention is to provide a synchronous system for a three-stage ball bearing slide, wherein, a mobile track when pulled to extend links a carrier track to slide synchronously and is temporarily positioned at its terminal without being retracted thus to permit the carrier track to be directly subject to the push thereon to once again retract into a fixed track. [0007] To achieve the purpose, a dancer is pivoted to an arch surface of the rear end of the carrier track. The dancer is adapted with a plate in proper length flushed with the arch surface of the carrier track. An indention is formed on the rear of the plate and a wall facing the inner side of the mobile track is formed in front of the indention. A resisting bit facing the fixed track is provided behind the indention. Both of the wall and the resisting bit are facing each other and expanding outwardly at a certain oblique. A notch is provided in the rear of the carrier track to permit the insertion of the resisting bit of the dancer; and a hook is provided to the carrier track. The dancer keeps constant swing by having provided an elastic member connected between the hook and one side of a pivoted end of the dancer. A protruding tongue is provided on the inner side of the mobile track in relation to a space defined by the indention of the dancer, and a compression bit is provided on the inner side of the fixed track in relation to the rear end of the carrier track when pulled out. A shallow slot is provided on the edge of the compression bit in relation to the resisting bit of the dancer; thereby, the mobile track by extending its protruding tongue into the indention to hold against the wall, thus to link to and pull out the carrier track. The carrier track when pulled to its extreme is secured in position when the resisting bit of the dancer holds against the shallow slow of the compression bit to link the carrier track to be pulled out. Accordingly the positioning of the carrier track is released when subject to an externally applied push. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0008] FIG. 1 is an exploded view showing a preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0009] FIG. 2 is a top view showing an assembly of the preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0010] FIG. 3 is a first schematic view showing that the preferred embodiment of the present invention is pulled outwardly. [0011] FIG. 4 is a second schematic view showing that the preferred embodiment of the present invention is pulled outwardly. [0012] FIG. 5 is a third schematic view showing that the preferred embodiment of the present invention is pulled outwardly. [0013] FIG. 6 is a fourth schematic view showing that the preferred embodiment of the present invention is pulled outwardly. [0014] FIG. 7 is a fifth schematic view showing that the preferred embodiment of the present invention is pulled outwardly. [0015] FIG. 8 is a schematic view showing the final state of the preferred embodiment of the present invention when fully extended. [0016] FIG. 9 is an exploded view showing another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 10 is a top view showing the layout of the assembly of another preferred embodiment of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 11 is an exploded view showing another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 12 is a top view showing the layout of the assembly of another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention. [0020] FIG. 13 is an exploded view of a prior art. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0021] Referring to FIG. 1 , the present invention relates to a synchronous system for a three-stage ball bearing slide. The ball bearing slide adapted to a preferred embodiment of the present invention is essentially having respectively disposed two slide aids ( 4 ) and ( 5 ) between a mobile track ( 1 ) and a carrier track ( 2 ) as well as the carrier track ( 2 ) and a fixed track ( 3 ) to facilitate sliding. A retainer ( 6 ) and a compressor ( 7 ) are respectively disposed on the inner side of the mobile track ( 1 ) and the front end of the carrier track ( 2 ). A protrusion ( 61 ) is adapted to the lower side of the retainer ( 6 ) and a retaining bit ( 71 ) is provided on either side of the compressor ( 7 ). Accordingly, when the mobile track ( 1 ) is pulled to its extreme, the retainer ( 6 ) has its protrusion ( 61 ) to uphold the retaining bit ( 71 ) of the compressor ( 7 ) to prevent the mobile track ( 1 ) from disengaging from the carrier track ( 2 ). A stopper ( 21 ) is each provided on two sides at the rear end of the carrier track ( 2 ) and a raised piece ( 31 ) is each disposed on the inner sides at the front end of the fixed track ( 3 ) so that the carrier track ( 2 ) is retained by the slide aid ( 5 ) by means of the stopper ( 21 ) and the slide aid ( 5 ) is further retained by the raised piece ( 31 ) to restrict the extension extreme of the carrier track ( 2 ) in relation to the fixed track ( 3 ) as illustrated in FIG. 8 . It is to be noted that the structures of preventing disengagement disposed for the mobile track ( 1 ) in relation to the carrier track ( 2 ), and for the carrier track ( 2 ) in relation to the fixed track ( 3 ) are not the primary claims to be claimed under this application, nor the adapted structures absolutely required in this application; therefore, shall not restrict the scope of the claims to be claimed hereunder. [0022] The carrier track ( 2 ) in the preferred embodiment has an arch center in cross-section, and a dancer ( 8 ) is pivoted to the rear of the arch center. The dancer ( 8 ) contains a plate in proper length that is flushed on the arch center of the carrier track ( 2 ). A hole ( 81 ) is disposed at the front end of the plate to be inserted with a bolt ( 91 ) and riveted to a through hole ( 22 ) on the carrier track ( 2 ). An indention ( 82 ) is formed to the rear of the dancer ( 8 ) and a wall ( 83 ) facing the inner side of the mobile track ( 1 ) is formed in front of the indention ( 82 ). A resisting bit ( 84 ) facing the fixed track ( 3 ) is formed in the rear of the indention ( 82 ). The rear end of the wall ( 83 ) and the front end of the resisting bit ( 84 ) are facing each other and expanding outwardly at a certain oblique. A notch ( 23 ) is provided in the rear of the carrier track ( 2 ) to receive the insertion of the resisting bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ). A hook ( 24 ) is provided on the carrier track ( 2 ) and a hanger ( 85 ) is formed on one side of a pivoted end of the dancer ( 8 ). An elastic member ( 92 ) is connected between the hook ( 24 ) and the hanger ( 85 ) to subject the dancer ( 8 ) to elastic pull for maintaining constant and automatic swing. [0023] A protruding tongue ( 11 ) is provided on the inner side of the mobile track ( 1 ) in relation to the space defined by the indention ( 82 ). [0024] A protruding compression bit ( 32 ) is disposed on the inner side of the fixed track ( 3 ) in relation to the rear end of the carrier track ( 2 ) when pulled out, and the edge of the compression bit ( 32 ) is provided with a shallow slot ( 321 ) in relation to the resisting bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ). [0025] When the three-stage ball bearing slide is retracted as illustrated in FIG. 2 , the mobile track ( 1 ) has its protruding tongue ( 11 ) extending into the indention ( 82 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) in the rear of the carrier track ( 2 ). Therefore, when the mobile track ( 1 ) is pulled and extended as illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the mobile track ( 1 ) links the carrier track ( 2 ) to be pulled out by having the protruding tongue ( 11 ) to uphold the rear end of the wall ( 83 ) of the dancer ( 8 ). Once both of the mobile track ( 1 ) and the carrier track ( 2 ) are synchronously pulled out to reach the compression bit ( 32 ) of the fixed track ( 3 ) as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 , the dancer ( 8 ) swings by having the retaining bit ( 84 ) to climb and slide along the compression bit ( 32 ). As illustrated in FIG. 6 , when the carrier track ( 2 ) extends to its extreme in relation to the fixed track ( 3 ), the retaining bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) falls into the shallow slot ( 321 ) at the edge of the compression bit ( 32 ) to provide a positioning function to prevent the carrier track ( 2 ) from being easily retracted in relation to the fixed track ( 3 ). The positioning strength is slightly greater than the slide resistance cast by the mobile track ( 1 ) in relation to the carrier track ( 2 ). Subsequently, the mobile track ( 1 ) is further pulled out as illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8 . The protruding tongue ( 11 ) of the mobile track ( 1 ) slightly pushes against the wall ( 83 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) before immediately disengaging from the indention ( 82 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) while the mobile track ( 1 ) is extended in relation to the carrier track ( 2 ) to finally complete the three-stage extension of the slide. According to the extension status with the mobile track ( 1 ) removed from the carrier track ( 2 ), even though the extended carrier track ( 2 ) is for the time being secured in the front end of the fixed track ( 3 ), the positioning status of having the retaining bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) secured in the shallow slot ( 321 ) of the compression bit ( 32 ) can be immediately released by slightly pushing in the carrier track ( 2 ), thus to retract the carrier track ( 2 ) to prevent it from becoming a sudden barrier without exercising too much efforts to pull the dancer ( 8 ). [0026] Whereas the strength exercised to secure the retaining bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) into the shallow slot ( 321 ) of the compression bit ( 32 ) is slightly greater than the slide resistance of the mobile track ( 1 ) in relation to the carrier track ( 2 ) in the process of retracting the mobile track ( 1 ) once again, the mobile track ( 1 ) is first retracted into the carrier track ( 2 ) and continues to move to force the retaining bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) to slide out of the shallow slot ( 321 ) of the compression bit ( 32 ) to automatically release the positioning of the carrier track ( 2 ) in relation to the fixed track ( 3 ) for both of the mobile track ( 1 ) and the carrier track ( 2 ) to be gradually retracted at the same time into the fixed track ( 3 ). [0027] Now referring to FIGS. 9 and 10 for another preferred embodiment of the present invention adapted with a dancer that automatically maintains constant elasticity from the swing, a torsion spring ( 94 ) has its coil end penetrated by an axial bolt ( 93 ) to connect the torsion spring ( 94 ) to the dancer ( 8 ), and two legs of the torsion spring ( 94 ) respectively uphold against the inner side of the wall ( 83 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) and a fixation bit ( 25 ) on the carrier track ( 2 ) to achieve the same elastic function in relation to the dancer ( 8 ). In another preferred embodiment yet of the present invention as illustrated in FIGS. 11 and 12 , an elastic rod ( 86 ) is forthwith extending from one side of the pivoted end of the dancer ( 8 ). The elastic rod ( 86 ) is pressurized to uphold against the fixation bit ( 25 ) on the carrier track ( 2 ). [0028] Furthermore, as illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 11 , the rear of the carrier track ( 2 ) is properly shortened; or alternatively, the location of the dancer ( 8 ) is moved backward so that the retaining bit ( 84 ) of the dancer ( 8 ) directly extends out of the rear end of the carrier track ( 2 ) to reach the inner side of the fixed track ( 3 ) for operation in relation to the compression bit ( 32 ). In the configuration, the design of the notch ( 23 ) is not required since the rear end of the carrier track ( 2 ) is cut off at where the notch ( 23 ) is otherwise provided, and the location of the stopper ( 21 ) is properly changed.
A synchronous system for a three-stage ball bearing slide includes a carrier track being inserted into a fixed track to carry a mobile track. Both of the mobile and the carrier tracks engage in reciprocal movement along the same axis direction in relation to the fixed track. A dancer is pivoted to the rear end of the carrier track. The carrier track synchronously slides with the mobile track by a protruding tongue on the mobile track upholding the dancer, and is held in position by having the dancer to uphold a compression bit on the fixed track. A direct push on the extreme where the carrier track is extended releases the dancer from the compression bit to retract once again the carrier track into the fixed track.
0
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This application claims priority to a provisional patent application which has been assigned U.S. Ser. No. 60/328,222, filed Oct. 9, 2001. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally pertains to illumination systems. In particular, the present invention pertains to an illumination system including a plurality of pods. More specifically, but without restriction to the particular embodiment and/or use which is shown and described for purposes of illustration, the present invention relates to an illumination system for a spa having a plurality of pods which incorporate a plurality of LEDs. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The common method for underwater lighting applications such as spas and hot tubs uses 12-volt incandescent light bulbs encased in molded plastic water-sealed housings. The housings are mounted below the spa water level. This provides an attractive coloured glow to the tubs when in operation. It also provides an added safety measure on tub entry and exit. For mood lighting, manufacturers include snap-on lenses in red and blue tints, for example, to alter the appearance and effect of the spa lighting. Conventional spa lighting applications such as that described above are associated with specific disadvantages. In this regard, there are some problems with the reliability of such systems. The incandescent bulbs frequently fail during the typical 3-year warrantee period of the tubs. The failure of the 12-volt incandescent light bulbs is primarily due to a couple of factors. These small bulbs are commonly rated for about 1000 hours of operational life. If the lights are in use for only two to three hours per day, the bulb would typically need replacement yearly as a regular spa maintenance procedure. Once initially lighted, the bulb filament is very fragile due to the high temperatures obtained during operation. Even slight jarring or knocking on the bulb housing may dislodge or break the filament, thereby requiring replacement. Also, since incandescent bulbs convert most of their energy to heat and as little as 10% to light, the temperature inside the plastic housing is considerably higher than the ambient air temperature, further reducing the durability of the bulb. Use of incandescent lighting can result in increased manufacturer expense through replacement and occasional on-site warrantee servicing of a failed system. Exterior, or perimeter lighting installed on hot tubs is increasing in popularity due to its intrinsic decorative appeal, as well as for safety and security illumination. In conjunction with residential exterior lighting and deck lighting systems, illumination of the exterior of a hot tub can add to the ambiance of an outdoor lighting strategy. Hot tubs and spas are commonly used in the evening hours, past sunset. Accessing the hot tub after dark without outdoor illumination in the area can be difficult. Illumination of the hot tub exterior is an additional benefit of a decorative exterior lighting system. Hazards such as obstacles and steps are diffusely illuminated and much more easily navigated with the addition of lighting to the outside of a hot tub. Adding illumination to the exterior of a spa can also add to security in a residential area. The typically dark area surrounding a hot tub can be illuminated by an act as a form of security lighting. Exterior spa lighting has previously been approached using incandescent and fibreoptic lighting systems, each of which has advantages and disadvantages. While quite fragile and prone to failure as previously described, incandescent perimeter lighting is an inexpensive and simple method for exterior illumination. Fibreoptic systems can be expensive, but provide adjustable colour variation and an attractive glow. Fibreoptic systems, though, typically use incandescent or halogen bulbs as source lighting, encased in a lighting source housing installed near the controlling spa pack of the hot tub. Fibreoptic wire bundles are grouped and concentrated into an opening in the light housing. The light source is lensed and concerted on the sheared ends of the fibreoptic bundles and the light transmitted to varying locations around the hot tub. However, fibreoptic systems are inefficient from a power consumption standpoint and also contain fragile bulb filaments operating at elevated temperatures. Mechanically these filaments are prone to failure from shock or jarring of the lighting supply housing, or through failure of the lighting supply cooling fan. Fibreoptic lighting systems contain mechanical filtering systems for color changes, typically involving a color wheel incorporating various tinted filters rotating between the light source and the fibreoptic bundle used to transmit the light. Color changes are gradual and non-uniform throughout the fibreoptic cable termination points, with the result that not all lighting outputs throughout the hot tub change color in unison. A time interval is required for a color transition to occur throughout the lighting array, with different termination points lighting at different stages of a color transition. A continuous need exists for advancement of the pertinent art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is one object of the present invention to provide a string of multicolour modulating pods containing printed circuit boards with semiconductor LEDs (light emitting diodes). It is another object of the present invention to provide a perimeter decorative and safety lighting assembly primarily for exterior spas, but which are also useful for outbuildings and decks when encased in a variety of molded plastic housings. In one form, the present invention provides a lighting assembly including a printed circuit board and a cover. The printed circuit board carries a plurality of groups of LEDs. The cover is unitarily formed and receives the printed circuit board. The cover defines a corresponding plurality of windows. Each of the windows is configured to direct a high intensity light generated by a corresponding one of the groups of LEDs in a distinct direction. Additional benefits and advantages of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which this invention relates from a reading of the subsequent description of the preferred embodiment and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 a is a simplified schematic view illustrating an exemplary spa incorporating a lighting assembly including a plurality of pods constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIG. 1 b is a simplified view illustrating the direction of light emission from one of the pods of FIG. 1 a. FIG. 1 c is a simplified view illustrating the interconnection between a master pod and a slave pod. FIG. 1 d is a simplified view illustrating the interconnection between adjacent slave pods. FIG. 2 is another simplified schematic view illustrating the exemplary spa of FIG. 1 a incorporating an alternate arrangement for a lighting assembly including a plurality of pods constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention. FIGS. 3 a - 3 c are various views of a top cover for a pod constructed in accordance with the teachings of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is an enlarged perspective view illustrating an underside of one of the pods shown in FIGS. 1 a and 2 . FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the pod of FIG. 4 . FIG. 6 is an enlarged perspective view of the pod of FIG. 4 . FIG. 7 is a master module circuit diagram for a LED 3 colour sequencer of exterior pod lights. FIG. 8 is a slave module circuit diagram for a LED 3 colour sequencer of exterior pod lights. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. With initial reference to FIG. 1 , a lighting arrangement for a spa constructed in accordance with the teachings of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated and generally identified at reference element 2 . The lighting arrangement 2 is shown in simplified form mounted to an exemplary spa 4 . In the exemplary arrangement illustrated, the spa 4 is an eight foot spa. Once such spa is commercially available from Beachcomber. However, it will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art that the particular spa 4 illustrated in the drawings merely illustrates only an exemplary application. The lighting arrangement 2 of the present invention is equally applicable with other types and sizes of spas. In the embodiment illustrated, the lighting arrangement 2 of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated to include a plurality of pods or lighting pods 10 . The plurality of pods is further shown to include one master pod 10 a and seven slave pods 10 b. Insofar as the present invention is concerned, the pods 10 a and 10 b are otherwise identical in construction and operation. In the embodiment illustrated, two pods 10 are mounted on each of the four sides of the spa 4 . Spacing between adjacent pods 10 on a common side of the spa 4 is approximately 60 horizontal inches. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the particular number of pods 10 and their specific location on the spa 4 is strictly a matter of design choice. In this regard, any number of pods 10 in various locations on the spa 4 can be incorporated within the scope of the present invention. However, in the application illustrated the installation of two pods 10 per each side of the spa 4 produces an attractive illumination pattern. This will become more apparent below. With reference to FIG. 2 , an alternate arrangement for the lighting assembly 2 of the present invention is illustrated operatively associated with the spa 4 . In this particular arrangement of the lighting assembly 2 , a string of four pods 10 (one per side) are provided. The string of four pods 10 includes a single master pod 10 a and three slave pods 10 b. This arrangement, in a manner similar to that of FIG. 1 , provides excellent ground area illumination and illumination of a step 14 (see FIG. 1 a ) for safety and security. With continued reference to FIGS. 1 a and 2 , and additional reference to FIGS. 1 b - 1 d and FIGS. 4-8 , the pods 10 of the present invention will be further described. As generally shown in FIG. 1 b, each of the pods 10 is configured to emit high intensity light in three directions. In a first direction X, the high intensity light is directed in a vertically downward direction. In second and third directions, Y and Z, the high intensity light is directed at angles to the first direction X of approximately 30°. It will be understood that the particular angles of the high intensity light directions X, Y and Z can be varied within the scope of the present invention. Installing two pods 10 per each side of the spa 4 (as shown in FIG. 1 a ) approximately 0.25 meters from either end produces an attractive illumination pattern as the angled LEDs directed away from the skirt center illuminate the spa skirt vertical edges and define the spa corners. As the LEDs are directed parallel to the skirt face, there is considerable illumination of the ground, or decking area, around the base of the spa 4 . This provides an added safety factor, defining the spa location in low ambient light situations, as well as illuminating any steps 14 or obstacles around the spa perimeter in a decorative manner. The arrangement of FIG. 2 also provides an attractive and effective illumination, lighting up a total width at the skirt base of approximately 2.5 meters, typically reaching the skirt edges at the point of intersection with the ground or deck. In the exemplary arrangements illustrated in FIGS. 1 a and 2 , a first pod of the pluralities of pods is the master pod 10 a. The master pod 10 a of each arrangement is connected to a conventional power source 15 . As shown in the circuit diagram of FIG. 7 , the master pod 10 a includes the necessary power conversion components and processor integrated circuitry. Adjacent pods 10 are interconnected by four C26 ga PVC jacketed cables 17 and 19 and are mounted to the spa 4 by mounting screws 20 (see FIG. 6 ) or in another suitable manner well known in the art. Each pod 10 of the plurality of pods includes a identically configured shell or cover 22 . Each cover 22 is integrally formed of plastic or other suitable material. In one particular application, the cover 22 is formed of an ABS plastic. The cover defines three windows 24 . Each of the windows 24 is associated with one of the directions X, Y and Z of high intensity light. As perhaps shown most clearly in FIGS. 4 and 5 , each pod 10 contains a printed circuit board (PCB) 26 having groupings 28 A, 28 B and 28 C of high intensity directional LEDs. Each of the groupings 28 A- 28 C is shown to include 3 LEDs. The LEDs of each grouping 28 A- 28 C have three distinct colours (for example, red, white and blue). The distinct colours are common between the groupings. One LED of each colour is mounted on each of the three frames through LED caps 30 . Each LED cap 30 is installed into a gap made by a window frame of the cover 22 and a pair of cap engaging ribs 32 of the cover 22 . Each LED cap 30 contains three apertures 34 to be used for a LED grouping 28 A-C, which is electrically and physically connected to a printed circuit board (PCB) 26 in a manner well known in the art. There can be only one defined master board containing the control circuitry and a number of slave boards, this number is dependant on the desired spacing of the pods and the desired length of the illumination area. Each pod 10 contains an integral input and output plug receptacle 38 molded into the pod to allow many slave pods 10 b to be connected in a string to a single master pod 10 a. The screw 20 cooperate with mounting holes 40 and countersinks 42 to allow for simple installation. The required wiring lengths can be run along walls, corners, or hidden above soffits, etc. The pods are intended to be mounted on a horizontal overhang approximately 2-3 cm off vertical walls or lattice work and illuminate the vertical section for a distance of 2-3 m. The LED pods 10 will also provide diffuse illumination of the ground area below the installation for safety and security lighting. When mounted as intended, one set of LEDs illuminates the face of the vertical structure straight downward in a diffuse cone formed by the LED dispersion angle. One set of LEDs illuminates the vertical structure at an angle 30 degrees from the vertical to one side, the third face illuminating the vertical structure 30 degrees to the other side of the center cone. In this manner, if a single LED colour is selected, this colour will illuminate the vertical surface with three distinct diffuse light cones, the center straight down, the other two at 30 degree angles to either side. The diffuse illumination cones produced by high intensity LEDs aligned parallel to the illumination surface and elevated by about 1 cm extend for approximately 2 to 3 m linearly in low ambient light conditions, with about a 15 degree conical spread depending on the LED specifications. When used for illumination on the exterior sides (or ‘skirt’) of an outdoor spa, the spa skirt height is approximately 0.9 m, so the entire height of the skirt is illuminated. The lighting pods 10 are fixed along the top edge of the spa skirt, aligned under the fiberglass tub edge overhang, LED arrays pointing down. On a spa skirt height of 0.9 m, the angled LED light cones traverse d=h/(cos 30), or 1.04 m, and fully illuminate the entire linear section as well, producing an appealing pattern. With particular regard to FIG. 7 , the details of a master module for an LED 3 colour sequencer will be addressed. A microprocessor is installed to control the light timing, modulation feature and colour switching. All pods contain three separate LED arrays, each array consisting of three LEDs and providing a different LED colour. Each LED array includes current limiting resistors R 8 , R 9 , and R 10 sized to prevent over-current damage to the LED array and to maximize LED luminosity. Resistor sizing is also determined by the power supply provided. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, DC and AC power supplies warrant different resistor values. Individual LED current limitations and the application ambient temperature, derating LED luminosity and performance, are also factors incorporated in determining the resistor value. The power, colour switching and processor activation are controlled from on/off switching of the main power supply P 1 . An LED arrangement is illustrated incorporating a tri-color LED arrays with a sequencing feature. A bridge rectifier D 1 and on-board circuitry converts the standard incoming 12 VAC supply to 18 VDC. This allows for the more flexible options for supplying power to the circuitry. In this configuration the board can be powered by either 12 VAC or 18 VDC. An on-board programmable processors allows independent color switching and color modulation of the LED arrays. The circuitry components allow the IC to retain a time-limited memory (a few seconds) during power off cycles of the main power control switch. In this manner the microprocessor can remember the last illumination colour and switch to the next programmed colour at the re-instatement of power. If the supplied power remains off for a longer period of time, the micro processor loses memory and reverts to its default programming colour for the next power application. The on-board processor can be used to individually, or simultaneously control any of the LED color arrays. Different LED intensities are controlled by the processor by sending a high or low level signal to the base of the switching transistors (Q 1 -Q 3 ). Using this control signal, the LEDs can be switched on and off at a frequency higher then eye can perceive. By varying the duty cycle of the waveform, meaning the amount of time the waveform is high (on), compared to the amount of time it is low (off) from the processor, any intensity of the LED can be achieved, from %0-%100. Using the switching transistors (Q 1 -Q 3 ) the low voltage control signal can be separated from the higher voltage LED power side of the circuit. Using a preprogrammed computer algorithm, programmed within the processor, an incremented or decremented duty cycle waveform can be achieved, thus resulting in allowing a smooth fade in led intensity. Since these can be controlled individually, one color can be faded up in intensity, and the others down in intensity, thus giving a consistent amount of light intensity at all times, but of differing color. This is essential to the safety aspect of the lights, as there will be no periods of darkness or bright intensities, just differing colors. Through processor programming differing LED colors and arrays can be operated simultaneously, allowing modulation of installed LED colors and the opportunity to blend installed LED colors in various ways to produce secondary and tertiary spectral colors. With careful processor control, essentially a spectral color emission can be achieved through the mixing of two or three base LED colors. These color variations can be achieved during the transition period of modulating from one LED color to another, or can be set as permanent ‘mixed’ colors with an independent mode programmed into the processor. Programming of the processor can simply be changed, or updated at a later time to allow for a different modulation effect, or differing set of mixed colors. Programming can also be added to change the overall intensities of the light output, depending upon the customer preference. The microprocessor is also programmed to operate in a sequencing or modulation mode. When activated, the IC flashes through all available LED colours to indicate it is in modulation mode. The IC then chooses an available LED colour at random and ramps its intensity from 0% to 100% over a predetermined period. The selected colour then remains at 100% intensity for a random period of time, from 3 to 8 seconds. Once this time period has expired, the IC then chooses randomly from the remaining available LED colours and ramps up the new chosen colour while simultaneously ramping down the intensity of the previous colour. It then runs through the cycle again, leaving the chosen colour at 100% intensity for a random period of time, choosing a new colour at random and fading into the new colour after the time period has expired. This serves to create a complete smooth random colour variation and serves as an example of the utility and versatility of the adaptation of LED arrays into exterior spa lighting. If a lighting string is composed of all master pods with individual control circuitry, the colour modulation and selection will be completely at random for each individual pod, resulting in a multicoloured modulating string when switched to this mode. All single colour selections will match between pods as the processor defaults and colour order progressions are fixed. Further details regarding the control circuitry are provided in common assigned U.S. Ser. No. 09/748,742, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. While the invention has been described in the specification and illustrated in the drawings with reference to a preferred embodiment, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims. 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. For example, while the teachings of the present invention are described primarily in connection with spa applications, other applications are anticipated. In this regard, by a simple modification of the shape and configuration of the printed circuit board (PCB) and the ABS housing shape, the LED board can be mounted under house or garden overhangs to provide decorative and safety lighting to the exterior of a building and the grounds area. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment illustrated by the drawings and described in the specification as the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include any embodiments falling within the description of the appended claims.
A lighting assembly includes a printed circuit board and a cover. The printed circuit board carries a plurality of groups of LEDs. The cover is unitarily formed and receives the printed circuit board. The cover defines a corresponding plurality of windows. Each of the windows is configured to direct a high intensity light generated by a corresponding one of the groups of LEDs in a distinct direction.
5
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2003-86119, filed on Nov. 29, 2003, which is hereby incorporated by reference for all purposes as if fully set forth herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the invention [0003] The present invention relates to an apparatus for use in a display device and a method for fabricating the same, more particularly, to an apparatus for use in a display device in which gray scale is easily displayed, and a method for fabricating the same. [0004] 2. Discussion of Related Art [0005] Generally, circuits with complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) thin film transistors (TFTs) are used for driving active matrix liquid crystal displays (AMLCD), active matrix organic electroluminescence display devices (AMOLED), and active matrix flat panel display devices, including image sensors. [0006] In an active matrix flat panel display device, N-type metal oxide semiconductor (NMOS) TFTs, which are typically used in circuits and as switching transistors, and P-type metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS) TFTs, which are typically used as driving transistors, have different required characteristics. [0007] Particularly in an AMOLED, TFTs used in circuits and as switching transistors must have a low threshold voltage and a low S-factor, which is the reciprocal of the slope of the curve of source/drain current according to a change of gate voltage, and driving TFTs must have a high S-factor for displaying gradation. [0008] Korean Patent Laid-open Publication No. 1995-33618 discloses a method for fabricating a TFT by varying the thickness of the polysilicon film depending upon whether the TFT is used in a circuit or as part of a pixel part, thereby varying the TFT characteristics. [0009] However, varying polysilicon film thickness per TFT positions is a complicated process, requiring control of many variables to lower the characteristics of driving transistors only. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0010] Accordingly, the present invention is directed to an apparatus for use in a display device and a method for fabricating the same that substantially obviates one or more of the problems due to limitations and disadvantages of the related art. [0011] This invention provides an apparatus for use in a display device in which gradation is displayed easily by optimizing heat treatment conditions of thin film transistors, and a method for fabricating the apparatus for use in a display device. [0012] Additional features of the invention will be set forth in the description which follows, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. [0013] The present invention discloses an organic electroluminescence display device comprising a thin film transistor comprising an active layer formed on an insulating substrate and equipped with source regions and drain regions, a gate electrode, and source electrodes and drain electrodes electrically coupled to the source regions and drain regions. A protection film is formed on a surface of an insulating substrate having the thin film transistor and equipped with a via hole for exposing a part of the source electrode or the drain electrode; and an organic emitting device electrically coupled to the thin film transistor through the via hole, wherein an S-factor of the thin film transistor is 0.35 V/dec or more. [0014] The present invention also discloses a method for fabricating an organic electroluminescence display device comprising the steps of forming a thin film transistor comprising an active layer having a source region and a drain on an insulating substrate, a gate electrode, and a source electrode and a drain electrode electrically coupled to the source region and the drain region. A protection film is formed on a surface of an insulating substrate having the thin film transistor, and heat treating the insulating substrate comprising the protection film, wherein an S-factor of the thin film transistor after heat treatment is 0.35 V/dec or more. [0015] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide further explanation of the invention as claimed. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and together with the description serve to explain the principles of the invention. [0017] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show an organic electroluminescence display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 2A , FIG. 2B , FIG. 2C , and FIG. 2D show source/drain currents according to a change of gate voltage for PMOS and NMOS TFTs fabricated according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0019] Reference will now be made in detail to an embodiment of the present invention, example of which is illustrated in the accompanying drawings. For reference, like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout several views. [0020] FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B show an organic electroluminescence display device according to exemplary embodiments of the present invention. [0021] Referring to FIG. 1A , a buffer layer (diffusion barrier) 110 that prevents impurities, such as metal ions diffused from the insulating substrate, from penetrating an active layer (polycrystalline silicon) is deposited on an insulating substrate 100 by PECVD, LPCVD and sputtering. The insulating substrate 100 comprises a PMOS region 100 a, on which a PMOS TFT is formed, and a NMOS region 100 b, on which a NMOS TFT is formed. [0022] An amorphous silicon film is deposited on the buffer layer 110 , by a PECVD, LPCVD or sputtering process, and a dehydrogenation process may be subsequently performed on the film in a vacuum furnace. The dehydrogenation process is not necessary when the LPCVD or sputtering process is used to deposit the amorphous silicon film on the buffer layer. [0023] A high energy is then irradiated onto the amorphous silicon film in order to produce polycrystalline silicon film. This crystallization may be performed using ELA, MIC, MILC, Sequential Lateral Solidification (SLS), SPC, or other similar process. [0024] Active layers 120 a, 120 b are formed on PMOS region 100 a and NMOS region 100 b by patterning the polycrystalline silicon film. [0025] A photoresist is then formed on the surface of the insulating substrate 100 , and a photoresist pattern for exposing the NMOS region 100 b and the active layer 120 b is formed by exposing the photoresist to light. [0026] After forming the photoresist pattern, N-type dopant is channel doped in the active layer 120 b, using the photoresist pattern as a mask, to give conductivity to the NMOS TFT. [0027] An organic electroluminescence display device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention is constructed in an ordinary NMOS TFT structure, lightly doped drain (LDD) structure or offset structure. A NMOS TFT comprising a LDD region is discussed below. [0028] After doping the active layer 120 b, the photoresist pattern is removed, and a gate insulating film 130 is formed on the buffer layer 110 and active layers 120 a, 120 b. [0029] A gate electrode material is deposited on the gate insulating film 130 and etched to form gate electrodes 140 a, 140 b. [0030] After forming the gate electrodes 140 a, 140 b, low concentration source/drain regions 121 b, 125 b are formed by forming a photoresist pattern on the gate electrodes 140 a, 140 b, for exposing the NMOS region 100 b, and doping N-type low concentration impurities to form a LDD region on the photoresist pattern. [0031] Next, a photoresist pattern for preventing contamination of the NMOS region, and for forming source/drain regions 121 a, 125 a of the PMOS TFT, is formed by coating a photoresist on the substrate and exposing the photoresist. [0032] P-type high concentration impurities are doped on the photoresist pattern to form source/drain regions 121 a, 125 a of the PMOS TFT. A region between the source/drain regions 121 a, 125 a of the PMOS TFT acts as a channel region 123 a of the PMOS TFT. [0033] The photoresist pattern for forming the source/drain regions 121 a, 125 a of the PMOS TFT is then removed, and a photoresist pattern for preventing contamination of the PMOS region and forming source/drain regions 121 b, 125 b of the NMOS TFT is formed again on the insulating substrate 100 . [0034] The source/drain regions 121 b, 125 b comprising the LDD region of the NMOS TFT are formed by doping N-type high concentration impurities on a mask of the photoresist pattern. A region between the source/drain regions 121 b, 125 b of the NMOS TFT acts as a channel region 123 b of the NMOS TFT. [0035] After removing the photoresist pattern for forming the source/drain regions 121 b, 125 b, an interlayer insulating film 150 is formed on the gate insulating film 130 and gate electrodes 140 a, 140 b. [0036] Contact holes 151 a, 151 b, 155 a and 155 b, which expose the source/drain regions 121 a, 121 b, 125 a and 125 b, are formed by patterning the interlayer insulating film 150 . [0037] Source/drain electrodes 161 a, 161 b, 165 a and 165 b are formed by depositing and patterning a certain conductive metallic material on the surface of the substrate, thereby forming the PMOS and NMOS TFTs. [0038] A protection film 170 is then formed on the surface of the substrate. The protection film 170 may be an inorganic film formed of an inorganic insulating material containing hydrogen, such as SiNx containing hydrogen. [0039] After forming the protection film 170 , the entire substrate is heat treated in a furnace, wherein charge mobility of the TFTs is increased and threshold voltage is lowered. This may improve electrical characteristics by relieving damage of a lower structure generated while forming the PMOS and NMOS TFTs as hydrogen contained in the protection film 170 is diffused. [0040] Referring to FIG. 1B , after the heat treatment process, the protection film 170 is patterned to form a via hole 175 to expose either source/drain electrode 161 a, 165 a. In the exemplary embodiment of the present invention illustrated in FIG. 1B , the via hole 175 exposes the drain electrode 165 a of the PMOS TFT. [0041] Formation of the light-emitting device 180 , which is electrically coupled to the drain electrode 165 a through the via hole 175 , completes the formation of an active matrix flat panel display device. [0042] The light-emitting device 180 may be an organic light-emitting device comprised of a lower electrode 181 electrically coupled to the drain electrode 165 a through the via hole 175 , a pixel defining film 182 with an opening for exposing a part of the lower electrode 181 , an organic light-emitting layer 183 formed on a portion of the lower electrode 181 in the opening of the pixel defining film 182 , and an upper electrode 184 . [0043] The organic light-emitting layer 183 may consist of various layers including at least one or more of the following layers: light-emitting layer, hole injection layer (HIL), hole transport layer (HTL), hole blocking layer (HBL), electron transport layer (ETL) and electron injection layer (EIL). [0044] Tables 1 and 2 below show charge mobility and S-factor of a PMOS TFT and a NMOS TFT fabricated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. FIGS. 2A, 2B , 2 C and 2 D show source/drain currents according to a change of gate voltage of a FT and a NMOS TFT fabricated in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the invention. TABLE 1 PMOS Charge mobility Drive-in (cm 2 /Vs) S-factor (V/dec) conditions Average Standard Average Standard 250° C. 3 h 77.30 1.44 0.65 0.02 250° C. 3 h 74.94 1.40 0.69 0.03 250° C. 3 h 78.43 0.66 0.64 0.03 300° C. 3 h 86.16 1.89 0.49 0.04 300° C. 3 h 86.48 1.83 0.47 0.03 300° C. 3 h 85.43 1.53 0.49 0.03 300° C. 3 h 86.23 1.50 0.48 0.02 300° C. 3 h 85.26 1.21 0.48 0.02 340° C. 3 h 91.78 1.21 0.40 0.02 340° C. 3 h 96.00 1.58 0.36 0.02 340° C. 3 h 90.82 2.23 0.37 0.03 380° C. 3 h 100.45 1.84 0.30 0.01 380° C. 3 h 101.25 2.26 0.29 0.01 380° C. 3 h 103.22 1.86 0.29 0.02 [0045] TABLE 2 NMOS Charge mobility Drive-in (cm 2 /Vs) S-factor (V/dec) conditions Average Standard Average Standard 250° C. 3 h 1.09 0.26 0.74 0.02 250° C. 3 h 1.03 0.29 0.73 0.02 250° C. 3 h 1.38 0.32 0.72 0.02 300° C. 3 h 30.66 1.85 0.53 0.02 300° C. 3 h 36.82 2.53 0.54 0.02 300° C. 3 h 31.18 3.5 0.58 0.03 300° C. 3 h 37.30 3.81 0.55 0.03 300° C. 3 h 30.55 5.30 0.57 0.02 340° C. 3 h 63.76 4.22 0.41 0.03 340° C. 3 h 66.76 4.49 0.39 0.02 340° C. 3 h 65.52 3.15 0.38 0.03 380° C. 3 h 90.32 2.36 0.28 0.02 380° C. 3 h 87.28 4.47 0.29 0.02 380° C. 3 h 85.73 9.49 0.30 0.02 [0046] Referring to Tables 1, 2 and FIG. 2A , a PMOS TFT heat treated at 250° C. for 3 hours has an S-factor of about 0.66 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 76.9 cm 2 /Vs. A NMOS TFT, under the same conditions, has an S-factor of about 0.73 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 1.17 cm 2 /Vs. While the PMOS TFT's S-factor is high enough to display gradation of an organic electroluminescence display device, the NMOS TFT's charge mobility is very small. Therefore, it would be difficult to drive circuits utilizing these TFTs because the ratio of the PMOS TFT charge mobility to the NMOS TFT charge mobility is too small. [0047] Referring to Tables 1, 2 and FIG. 2B , the PMOS TFT heat treated at 300° C. for 3 hours has an S-factor of about 0.48 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 85.91 cm 2 /Vs. The NMOS TFT has an S-factor of about 0.55 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 30.30 cm 2 /Vs. [0048] Referring to Tables 1, 2 and FIG. 2C , the PMOS TFT heat treated at 340° C. for 3 hours has an S-factor of about 0.38 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 92.9 cm 2 /Vs. The NMOS TFT has an S-factor of about 0.39 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 65.35 cm 2 /Vs. [0049] Referring to Tables 1, 2 and FIG. 2D , the PMOS TFT heat treated at 380° C. for 3 hours has an S-factor of about 0.29 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 101.6 cm 2 /Vs. The NMOS TFT has an S-factor of about 0.29 V/dec, and charge mobility of about 87.8 cm 2 /Vs. In this case, the PMOS TFT's S-factor value of 0.29 V/dec is insufficient for displaying gradation of an organic electroluminescence display device. [0050] In order to display gradation of an organic electroluminescence display device, PMOS TFT S-factor values should be 0.35 V/dec or more. Considering TFT characteristics from Tables 1, 2 and FIGS. 2A, 2B , 2 C and 2 D, the heat treatment process should be performed at 350° C. or less. So that circuits comprising NMOS TFTs operate normally, the heat treatment process should be performed at 300° C. or more. Consequently, the heat treatment process may be carried out in the temperature range of about 300 to about 350° C. [0051] The heat treatment process of the present invention may form an organic electroluminescence display device having superior gradation display. [0052] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variation can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
The present invention relates to a thin film transistor for easily displaying gradation of an organic electroluminescence display device and a fabrication method of the thin film transistor, and an organic electroluminescence display device using the thin film transistor. The present invention provides an organic electroluminescence display device comprising a thin film transistor; a protection film and an organic light-emitting device electrically connected to the thin film transistor, wherein an S-factor of the thin film transistor is 0.35 V/dec or more.
7
This is a continuation-in-part of the commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/250,352, filed Feb. 16, 1999 is now U.S. Pat. No. 6,012,403, which is a continuation-in-part of the commonly assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/070,948, filed May 1, 1998, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,873,315, both hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the quilting, and particularly to the quilting of patterns on multiple layer materials such as mattress covers, comforters, bedspreads and the like, especially composite patterns in which the overall appearance of the quilted product includes a combination of printed and quilted features. The invention is particularly useful where the quilting is performed on multi-needle quilting machines, where the quilting and printing are applied to roll fed or web material or where differing products are produced in small quantities and in batches. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Quilting is a special art in the general field of sewing in which patterns are stitched through a plurality of layers of material over a two dimensional area of the material. The multiple layers of material normally include at least three layers, one a woven primary or facing sheet that will have a decorative finished quality, one a usually woven backing sheet that may or may not be of a finished quality, and one or more internal layers of thick filler material, usually of randomly oriented fibers. The stitched patterns maintain the physical relationship of the layers of material to each other as well as provide ornamental qualities. In quilting, two different approaches are generally used. Single needle quilters of the type illustrated and described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/497,727, filed Jun. 30, 1995, U.S. Pat. No. 5,640,916 and entitled Quilting Method and Apparatus, hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein, and those patents cited and otherwise referred to therein are customarily used for the stitching of most comforters, some bedspreads and other products from preformed or pre-cut rectangular panels. Some single needle quilters are used to quilt patterns on fabric that carries a pre-woven or printed pattern, with the quilting adding to or enhancing the appearance of the pattern. Such quilters require that pre-patterned material be manually positioned in the quilting apparatus so that the quilting can be registered with the pre applied pattern or a complicated visual positioning system be used. With such systems, border quilting or coarse pattern quilting can be achieved but high quality outline quilting around the pre applied patterns or the quilting of pattern details of a fraction of an inch in scale are difficult to achieve. Single needle quilters are usually lock stitch machines. Multiple needle quilters of the type illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,130, hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein, are customarily used for the stitching of mattress covers, some bedspreads and other such products which are commonly formed from multi-layered web fed material. These multi-needle quilters include banks of mechanically ganged needles that sew multiple copies of a recurring pattern on the fabric. With such multi-needle machines, the combining of quilting with pre-applied printed or woven patterns in the fabric which would require registration of the quilting with the pre-applied patterns is usually not attempted. Multi-needle quilters are usually chain stitch machines. Other quilting machines and methods employing some of the characteristics of both single needle panel type quilters and web fed multi-needle quilters are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/831,060 of Jeff Kaetterhenry, et al. filed Apr. 1, 1997 and entitled Web-fed Chain-stitch Single-needle Mattress Cover Quilter with Needle Deflection Compensation, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,849 and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/189,656 of Bondanza et al., filed Nov. 10, 1998 and entitled Web-fed Chain-stitch Single-needle Mattress Cover Quilter with Needle Deflection Compensation, both hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. Such a machine uses one or more separately controllable single needle heads that apply chain stitches to panels or webs. The production of quilts by off-line processes involving both printing and quilting processes has involved the outlining or other coordinated stitching onto material on which patterns have been preprinted. Stitching is traditionally carried out with manually guided single needle quilting machines. Proposed automated systems using vision systems to follow a preprinted pattern or other schemes to automatically stitch on the preprinted material have been proposed but have not proven successful. Registration of pattern stitching with preprinted patterns has been a problem. While efforts to align printing and stitching longitudinally or transversely have been made, angular orientation of the patterns has been ignored. Correction for misalignment of quilted and printed patterns by repositioning of a quilting or printing head is inadequate if multi-needle quilters are to be used, particularly where angular mis-orientation is present. Application of registration techniques to roll fed materials, where printing and quilting are best performed on material webs, presents additional problems. When using web materials, registration errors that would result if conventional techniques were applied would produce cumulative errors. This would be particularly true where angular orientation errors result due to skewing of the web as it is fed into the subsequent pattern applying machine after removed from a machine in which the first pattern has been applied. With off-line processes for applying one pattern and then another in registration with the first, one by printing and one by quilting, production of quilts in small batches is particularly a problem. Each batch can include one or a few quilted products of a common design made up of a printed pattern and a quilted pattern, with the products of different batches, preferably to be consecutively made on the same machinery, being made up of a different printed pattern in combination with a different quilted pattern. As a result, the matching of the second pattern to be applied with the correct pre-applied pattern as the partially completed products are moved from a first machine or production line to a second is critical and a potential source of error as well as production delay. For example. the outer layer of material used for mattress covers, often referred to as ticking, is supplied in a variety of colors and preprinted or dyed patterns. Generally, mattress manufacturers who are the customers of the quilted mattress cover manufacturers or quilting machinery manufacturers require a wide variety of ticking material patterns to produce a variety of bedding products. Frequently, small quantities of each of the variety of products must be made to supply their customers' requirements, requiring the maintenance of inventories of a large number of different patterns of ticking material, which involves substantial cost. Further, the need to constantly match patterns as well as to change ticking supply rolls when manufacturing such a variety of products in small quantities can be a major factor in reducing the throughput of a mattress making process and delaying production. These and related problems continually exist in the manufacture of bedspreads, comforters and other quilted products where a variety of products in small quantities is desired. There exists a need in mattress cover manufacturing for a capability of efficiently producing small quantities of quilted fabric such as mattress covers, comforters, bedspreads and the like where different pre-applied patterns on the product are desired to be enhanced by combining the pre-applied and quilted patterns, particularly where combinations of quilted patterns and printed or other pre-applied patterns must vary with each or every few products. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An objective of the present invention is to provide quilt manufacturers, particularly mattress cover manufacturers, with the ability to produce quilted products having a wide variety of patterns that include both quilting and printed or other images or designs without the need to inventory material in a large number of different pre-applied designs. A further objective of the invention is to provide for the intricate outline or other coordinated quilting of designs or patterns on multi-layered materials in a highly efficient, economical, high speed and automated manner, particularly by both applying the printed design or pattern and quilting the outline or other coordinated quilted enhancement of the printed design or pattern in sequence on the same manufacturing line. Another objective of the present invention is to efficiently provide for customizable printed and quilted patterns on mattress covers, bedspreads and the like, which can be varied on an individual piece basis or with among items produced in small quantities. A further objective of the present invention is to reduce quilting downtime due to the need to make ticking or other material changes, pattern changes or machine adjustments. A more particular objective of the present invention is to provide a quilting method and apparatus with which quilted patterns and printed patterns may be applied in registration and varied on a quilting machine. A particular objective of the present invention is to aid the production of quilted material by combining both printed patterns and quilted patterns wherein multiple copies of the quilted patterns can be simultaneously applied using a multi-needle quilter. An additional particular objective of the present invention is to facilitate accurate coordinated application of patterns by printing and quilting to web or roll fed material. Another particular objective of the present invention is to assist in the automatic coordination of printed and quilted patterns of products produced successively in small batches of different products. These objectives are most particularly sought in systems in which a first pattern, such as a printed pattern, is applied off-line from the machine on which the second pattern, such as a quilted pattern, is to be applied in registration with the first pattern. According to principles of the present invention, a quilting method and apparatus are provided for the manufacture of a quilted product by a combination of printed pattern application and quilting. The process provided includes: the selecting of a print pattern to be printed on the material, the selecting of a quilt pattern to be quilted on the material, the application of the printed pattern by moving a printing head relative to the material and, the application of a quilted pattern by moving a quilting head relative to the material, with the pattern that is applied second being applied in registration with the first. Preferably the printed pattern is applied first. According to certain principles of the present invention, printed designs and coordinated quilted patterns are applied upon multilayered material in the same production line and under the control of a common machine and pattern controller. Multiple layers of the material for the forming a quilt are supported on a frame on which a printing head and a quilting head are also mounted. A mechanism is provided to impart relative movement of the supported material relative to the quilting and printing heads. Such a mechanism can include a material conveyor that moves the material with respect to the frame, and/or head transport mechanisms that move the heads to and from the material when it is fixed relative to the frame. Either the supported material or the heads or both are moved relative to each other under the control of a programmed computer control to apply printed designs and quilted patterns to the material in mutual registration. Preferably, the printed designs are applied first onto the top layer or facing material, then a pattern is quilted in registration with the printed designs. Alternatively, printed designs can be applied after the patterns are quilted. According to certain preferred embodiments of the present invention, a quilting apparatus is provided with a supply of multiple layers of material to be quilted and printed with a combination printed design and quilt pattern. An outer or top layer is fed, preferably as a continuous web, through a series of stations. At one station, a printed design is applied to the top or facing layer of material. At another station, preferably downstream of the printing station, a quilted pattern is applied to the multiple layered fabric of material including the facing material layer and filler and backing material layers. Whichever pattern or design is applied second, preferably the quilted pattern, it is applied in registration with the pattern or design that has been applied first to the fabric under the control of a programmed controller. A curing station or oven may be further provided downstream or as part of the printing station to cure the dye or ink applied at the printing station. In certain preferred machines, a printing station is provided on a frame and quilting station is located on the frame, preferably downstream from the printing apparatus. A material conveyer is provided that brings fabric printed at the printing station into the quilting station with the location of the printed pattern known so that one or more quilting heads at the quilting station can be registered with the printed pattern. According to one preferred embodiment of the invention, the printing station includes one or more ink-jet printing or dye transfer heads moveable under computer control over the outer or facing layer of material. Additional layers of material are combined with the outer layer, preferably downstream of the printing station and after a printed pattern is applied to the outer layer at the printing station. In this embodiment, the quilted pattern is then quilted onto the material in registration with the printed pattern. Registration may be achieved by maintaining information in a controller of the location of the printed pattern on a facing material and of the relative location of the heads with respect to the facing material. In certain preferred embodiments where the material is moved on a conveyor successively through the printing and quilting stations, information of the location of the design or pattern on the facing material and of the material on the conveyor is maintained by the controller. The material may be fed in separate precut panel sections, as continuous patterns and designs along a web, or in discrete panel sections along a continuous web. Where the printed design is applied before the quilting, which is preferred, information of the exact location of the design on the facing material is maintained as the material moves from the printing station, as the filler and backing layers of material are brought into contact with the outer layer or facing material, and as the material is fed to the quilting station. For example, outline quilting the pattern in computer controlled registration with the printed pattern can be carried out, or some other quilting pattern can be applied, based on the maintained registration information of the pattern on the web moving through the apparatus. In one preferred embodiment of the invention, exact registration between the design that is printed onto the material and the pattern that is quilted on the material is maintained by holding a panel section of the multi-layered material onto which the pattern is printed in some securing structure at and between the printing and quilting stations. The panel section can be a separate panel or a portion of a web of material, and may be secured in place on a conveyor. In such an embodiment, the registration may be maintained throughout the entire printing and quilting operation by side securements such as, for example, a pin-tentering material transport that keeps the material fixed relative to the conveyor or securing structure through the printing process and the quilting process. A programmed or process controller controls the relative movement of the fabric and printing and quilting heads, and coordinates the movement in synchronization with printing head control and quilting head control so that the printed and quilted patterns are applied in precise registration. In other embodiments of the invention, the pattern is applied off-line, preferably the printing process. The printed pattern may include a machine identifiable mark or other reference, such as may be achieved by the printing of selvage edge registration marks on the material that are uniquely positioned relative to the printed pattern. The printed material is then transferred to a quilting line at which a quilted pattern is applied in registration with the printed pattern. Preferably, machine readable registration information is produced on the material at more than one transversely spaced points on the material, such as on opposite selvages or side edges of the material. Separate determinations are made from the plural marks as to the relative alignment at two places on the material, such as at both of the opposite side edges. Thus, two such marks can be located when the second pattern is registered to the first, and determination can be made of the skewing or rotation of the material carrying the first or pre-applied pattern. Adjustment to eliminate skewing or rotation of the fabric, and thereby to achieve registration of the second pattern with the first at transversely spaced locations on the material, is provided by side-to-side material position adjustment. Preferably, adjustment is provided by a split feed roll, with separately rotatable right and left components that are separately controlled in response to separate determinations of the registration of the right and left sides of the material. Preferably, the patterns are applied to webs of material on which different products are to be quilted along the length of the material prior to the panels being separated from the web. Multi-needle quilting machines are also preferably used. Where the printing is applied to the web off-line, side-to-side registration that overcomes the effects of skewing or mis-orientation of the web achieves equally good registration of the different pattern copies being stitched simultaneously by the multiple needles and overcomes cumulative registration errors as the web is fed. In certain embodiments of the invention, vision systems may be employed to determine or verify the location of the printed pattern and to enhance or provide registration of the quilting with the printing. Such a vision system may be employed in addition or in the alternative to the computer control of the material transport. Printed patterns or designs and the quilted patterns may be programmed or stored in memory and, in a programmed or operator selected manner, printed designs and quilted patterns may be combined in different combinations to produce a wide variety of composite printed and quilted patterns. In alternative embodiments, the material may be held stationary, rather than moved relative to a fixed frame, and the printing and quilting heads of the respective printing and quilting stations may move relative to the frame and the material fixed on the frame, under the coordination of a controller, to bring a printing head or a quilting head into position over the portion of the material on which a pattern is to be applied. In most applications, quilting a pattern after applying a printed design is preferred. However, aspects of the invention can be utilized to print designs onto material after quilting the material. Preferably, a batch control automated system keeps track of the products moving through the process. Where one pattern applying process is off-line, such as where printing is carried out on a line separate from the quilting line on which the stitched pattern is applied, the control matches the quilted pattern and the printed patterns required by each product or batch of products. This can be carried out by maintaining information in a control system memory that will allow for the following of the product through the system or can be assisted by automatically identifying the product on the second line, such as by reading a code, such as a bar code, applied to the product previously and correlated with the pattern that was printed onto the panel or product. Batch control systems are described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,599 and in U.S. patent applications Ser. No. 09/301,653, filed Apr. 28, 1999, and Ser. No. 09/359,539, filed Jul. 22, 1999, all hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. In the manufacture of mattress covers, printed and quilted top and bottom panels can be produced along with strips of border fabric that are to cover the border, including the sides and the head and foot, of a mattress. Such border panels can be produced with coordinated printed designs and patterns that match or correspond to the top and bottom panels. This can be achieved according to one embodiment of the invention by printing and quilting a strip of fabric along a width of the same web material of which the top and bottom panels are being made. The border panel printing and quilting are carried out under the control of a programmed controller, preferably the same controller that coordinates the application of the printed designs and quilted patterns on the top and bottom panels. The border panels so made are then cut or slit from the web that carries the top and bottom panels. As an alternative to forming border panels out of the same web as the top and bottom panels, a separate but smaller machine having separate quilting and printing stations may be provided adjacent and linked to the main machine on which the mattress top and bottom panels can be applied. The separate machine is supplied with material for forming the border panels that is narrower than, but matches, the material supplied to the main machine for forming the top and bottom panels. Both machines are controlled by the same controller or a controllers that are in communication with each other to coordinate the making of the mattress cover units or batches of units with matching or coordinated top, bottom and border panels. Border panels are of different widths, corresponding to mattresses of different thicknesses, and are of a length equal to the periphery of the mattress rather than the length of the mattress. In addition, border panels have thinner fill layers, being in the range of from 1/4 to 1/2 inches thick, where the top and bottom panels are usually from 1/2 inch to 3 or 4 inches thick. For these reasons, the embodiment using the separate border panel machine is preferred in that it provides for more efficient use of different lengths of material and provides less process complexity. The present invention provides the ability to change printed patterns in the course of a quilting run, and to change both printed and quilted patterns to produce quilted products in a wide variety of composite patterns. With the invention, the number of base cloth supplies required to provide pattern variety is greatly reduced, saving substantial costs to the quilted product manufacturer. With the invention, the appearance of the outer layer can be embellished to provide variety and detail, and outline quilting can be carried out in high quality and in close proximity to the printed design. Further, with the invention, these advantages are available with both single needle and multiple needle quilters. These and other objects of the present invention will be more readily apparent from the following detailed description of the drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a one embodiment of a web-fed mattress cover quilting machine embodying principles of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic perspective view of a discrete panel quilting machine which is an alternative embodiment to the machine of FIG. 1 that is more suitable for the production of comforters. FIG. 3 is a top view of an alternative embodiment of the web-fed mattress cover quilting machine of FIG. 1 that includes structure for making coordinated top and bottom panels and border panels for mattress covers. FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an alternative embodiment to the machine of FIG. 3. FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic perspective view of an off-line alternative embodiment to the machine of FIG. 1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT FIG. 1 illustrates a quilting machine 10 having a stationary frame 11 with a longitudinal extent represented by arrow 12 and a transverse extent represented by arrow 13. The machine 10 has a front end 14 into which is advanced a web 15 of ticking or facing material from a supply roll 16 rotatably mounted to the frame 11. A roll of backing material 17 and one or more rolls of filler material 18 are also supplied in web form on rolls also rotatably mounted to the frame 11. The webs are directed around a plurality of rollers (not shown) onto a conveyor or conveyor system 20, each at various points along the conveyor 20. The conveyor system 20 preferably includes a pair of opposed pin tentering belt sets 21 which extend through the machine 10 and onto which the outer layer 15 is fed at the front end 14 of the machine 10. The belt sets 21 retain the web 15 in a precisely known longitudinal position thereon as the belt sets 21 carry the web 15 through the longitudinal extent of the machine 10, preferably with an accuracy of 0 to 1/4 inch. The longitudinal movement of the belt 20 is controlled by a conveyor drive 22. The conveyor 20 may take the alternative forms including but not limited to opposed cog belt side securements, longitudinally moveable positive side clamps that engage and tension the material of the web 15 or other securing structure for holding the facing material web 15 fixed relative to the conveyor 20. Along the conveyor 20 are provided three stations, including a printing station 25, a drying station 26, a quilting station 27 and a panel cutting station 28. The backing material 17 and filler material 18 are brought into contact with the top layer 15 between the drying station 26 and the quilting station 27 to form a multi-layered material 29 for quilting at the quilting station 27. Preferably, the layers 17 and 18 are not engaged by the belt sets 21 of the conveyor 20 but rather are brought into contact with the bottom of the web 15 upstream of the quilting station 27 to extend beneath the web 15 through the quilting station 27 and between a pair of pinch rollers 44 at the downstream end of the quilting station 27. The rollers 44 operate in synchronism with the belt sets 21 and pull the webs 17 and 18 through the machine 10 with the web 15. The printing station 25 includes one or more printing heads 30 that are transversely moveable across the frame 11 and may also be longitudinally moveable on the frame 11 under the power of a transverse drive 31 and an optional longitudinal drive 32. Alternatively, the head 30 may extend across the width of the web 15 and be configured to print an entire transverse line of points simultaneously onto the web 15. The head 30 is provided with controls that allow for the selective operation of the head 30 to selectively print two dimensional designs 34 of one or more colors onto the top layer web 15. The drive 22 for the conveyor 20, the drives 31 and 32 for the print heads 30 and the operation of the head 30 are program controlled to print patterns at known locations on the web 15 by a controller 35, which includes a memory 36 for storing programmed patterns, machine control programs and real time data regarding the nature and longitudinal and transverse location of printed designs on the web 15 and the relative longitudinal position of the web 15 in the machine 10. The drying station 26 is fixed to the frame 11. The drying station may be of whatever configuration is suitable to effectively dry the dye being applied at the printing station 25. It may operate continuously or be selectively controlled in accordance with the pattern, as is appropriate. While the print head 30 is preferably a digital dot printer in which the coordinates of each dot of the image printed is capable of being precisely located on the web 15 and relative to the conveyor 20, screen printed, roll printed or other types of printed images may be used while still realizing some of the advantages of the invention. The quilting station 27 is, in this illustrated embodiment, a single needle quilting station such as is described in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/831,060 to Jeff Kaetterhenry, et al. and entitled Web-fed Chain-stitch Single-needle Mattress Cover Quilter with Needle Deflection Compensation, which is expressly incorporated by reference herein, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,849. Other suitable single needle type quilting machines with which the present invention may be used are disclosed in U.S. patent applications Ser. Nos. 08/497,727 and 08/687,225 and both entitled Quilting Method and Apparatus, expressly incorporated by reference herein, now U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,640,916 and 5,685,250, respectively. The quilting station 27 may also include a multi-needle quilting structure such as that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,154,130, also expressly incorporated by reference herein. In FIG. 1, a single needle quilting head 38 is illustrated which is transversely moveable on a carriage 39 which is longitudinally moveable on the frame 11 so that the head 38 can stitch 360° patterns on the multi-layered material 29. The controller 35 controls the relative position of head 38 relative to the multi-layered material 29, which is maintained at a precisely known position by the operation of the drive 22 and conveyor 20 by the controller 35 and through the storage of positioning information in the memory 36 of the controller 35. In the quilting station 27, the quilting head 38 quilts a stitched pattern in registration with the printed pattern 34 to produce a combined or composite printed and quilted pattern 40 on the multi-layered web 29. This may be achieved, as in the illustrated embodiment by holding the assembled web 29 stationary in the quilting station 27 while the head 38 moves both transversely, under the power of a transverse linear servo drive 41, and longitudinally on the frame 11, under the power of a longitudinal servo drive 42, to stitch the 360° pattern by driving the servos 41 and 42 in relation to the known position of the pattern 34 by the controller 35 based on information in its memory 36. Alternatively, the needles of a single or multi-needle quilting head may be moved relative to the web 29 by moving the quilting head 38 only transversely relative to the frame 11 while moving the web 29 longitudinally relative to the quilting station 27, under the power of conveyor drive 22, which can be made to reversibly operate the conveyor 20 under the control of the controller 35. In certain applications, the order of the printing and quilting stations 25 and 27 can be reversed, with the printing station 25 located downstream of the quilting station 27, for example the station 50 as illustrated by phantom lines in FIG. 1. When at station 50, the printing is registered with the quilting previously applied at the quilting station 27. In such an arrangement, the function of the curing station 26 would also be relocated to a point downstream of both the quilting station 27 and printing station 50 or be included in the printing station 50, as illustrated. The cutoff station 28 is located downstream of the downstream end of the conveyor 20. The cutoff station 28 is also controlled by the controller 35 in synchronism with the quilting station 27 and the conveyor 20, and it may be controlled in a manner that will compensate for shrinkage of the multi-layered material web 29 during quilting at the quilting station 27, or in such other manner as described and illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 5,544,599 entitled Program Controlled Quilter and Panel Cutter System with Automatic Shrinkage Compensation, hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein. Information regarding the shrinkage of the fabric during quilting, which is due to the gathering of material that results when thick filled multi-layer material is quilted, can be taken into account by the controller 35 when quilting in registration with the printed pattern 34. The panel cutter 28 separates individual printed and quilted panels 45 from the web 38, each bearing a composite printed and quilted pattern 40. The cut panels 45 are removed from the output end of the machine by an outfeed conveyor 46, which also operates under the control of the controller 35. FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment 100 of the invention that which employs a single needle frame supported discrete panel quilting machine such as those described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,849. Other machines of that type are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,640,916 and 5,685,250. These single needle quilting machines apply patterns to precut panels and are useful for manufacturing comforters, for example. The machine 100 has an operator accessible stack 116 of preformed panels from which the panel 129 is taken and loaded into the machine 100. A conveyor or conveyor system 120 moves a set of panel supporting edge clamps or other edge securements 121 to bring the panel 129 into a fixed position for application of a combination pattern by printing onto the outer top layer 115 of the multilayered fabric 129 and by quilting the multilayered fabric 129. In the embodiment 100, a printing station 125, which includes a combined drying station 126 and a quilting station 127 are provided on moveable tracks 119 that are fixed relative to the machine frame 111. The printing station 125 includes one or more printing heads 130 that are transversely moveable across on the moveable station 125 across the frame 111 under the power of a transverse drive 131 and is longitudinally moveable under the power of a longitudinal drive 132. The head 130 is provided with controls that allow for the selective operation of the head 130 to selectively print two dimensional designs 134 of one or more colors onto the top layer 115. The drive 122 for the conveyor 120, the drives 131 and 132 for the print heads 130 and the operation of the head 130 are program controlled to print designs or patterns at known locations on the facing material 115 by a controller 135, which includes a memory 136 for storing programmed patterns, machine control programs and real time data regarding the nature and longitudinal and transverse location of printed designs on the material 115 and the relative position of the panel 129 in the machine 100. The drying station 126 may be moveable with the printing station 125, independently moveable on the frame 111, or fixed to the frame 111 in a position at which it can operate to cure the print medium applied by the printing head 130 without interfering with the printing station 125 or quilting station 127. The quilting station 127 is, in this embodiment 100, is preferably a single needle quilting station such as is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,832,849. The quilting station 127 has a single needle quilting head 138 which is transversely moveable on a carriage 139 which is longitudinally moveable on the frame 111 so that the head 138 can stitch 360° patterns on the multi-layered material 129. This is achieved, in the embodiment 100, by holding the panel 129 stationary while the quilting head 138 moves both transversely, under the power of a transverse linear servo drive 141, and the station 127 moves longitudinally on the frame 111, under the power of a longitudinal servo drive 142, to stitch the 360° pattern. The controller 135 coordinates the motion and operation of the printing station 125 and the quilting station 127 to that one applies a pattern or design panel 129 and then the other applies a coordinated pattern or design in registration. The machine 100 can apply either the printed design first and then register the quilted pattern to it, which is the preferred order, or can apply the quilted pattern first and then register the printed design to the quilted pattern. The controller 135 controls the operation of these stations. FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment 200 that is similar to the machine 10 of FIG. 1 but further includes the capability to apply combination patterns to different areas of a wide multilayered fabric 229 to produce top or bottom panels 251 with matching border panels 252 of a mattress cover. The machine is provided with supplies 218 and 219 of filler material of different thicknesses at different positions across the width of the facing material 215. The machine 200 is also provided with a slitting station 253 adjacent cutoff station 228, to slit the border panels 252 from the top and bottom panels 251. FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative and preferred embodiment 300 for producing matching top and bottom panels and border panels for mattress covers. The embodiment 300 includes a machine 10a of the type similar to the machine 10 described in connection with FIG. 1 above in combination with a similar narrower version of a machine 10a. The machine 10a produces the top and bottom panels from multilayered fabric 29a that is dimensioned according to the specification for such panels, including a relatively thicker filler layer 118a of mattress size width and length. The machine 10b produces the matching or coordinated border panels from multilayered 29b that is dimensioned according to the specification for border panels, including a relatively thin filler layer 118b and narrower width that corresponds to the thickness of a mattress but greater length that corresponds to the perimeter of the border of the mattress. The matching of the combination patterns applied to the fabric 29a,29b is controlled either by a single controller, by a master controller 335 (as illustrated) which controls separate similar machine controllers 35a,35b of respective machines 10a, 10b, with separate controllers of the machines 10a, 10b linked together such that they work in unison or such that the controller of one machine 10a,10b controls the other. The controller 35a controls the operation of the machine 10a to produce combination printed designs and quilted patterns on the top and bottom panels of a mattress with printing head 25a and quilting head 27a, respectively, as with the machine 10 described above. Controller 35a controls the operation of the machine 10b to produce matching combination printed designs and quilted patterns on border panels for the same mattress with printing head 25b and quilting head 27b, respectively. Master controller 335 coordinates the operation of the two controllers 35a and 35b. In the embodiment of FIG. 5, a quilt printing and quilting system 400 is provided, which includes separate print and quilting lines such as print line 401 and quilt line 402. Quilt line 402 is preferably a multi-needle quilting machine such as that described in U.S. Patent No. 5,154,130. The print line 401 includes a printing station 425, preferably of the jet printing type, and a curing station 426, usually an oven but which may be a UV light curing station or such other station as will cure the type of ink being used. Mattress ticking or some other facing sheet of material 416 is provided, preferably in web form, and fed successively through the printing station 425 and curing station 426. The printing station 425 applies patterns to the web of material 416 in accordance with pattern programs controlled by a print line controller 431 on one or more successive panel lengths 432 along the web. The patterns may be changed from panel to panel in accordance with a batch controller 435 which supplies product information to the printing controller 431. The print line 401 produces a plurality of printed panels preferably on a web 429 of the facing material from the supply 416. In the preferred embodiment, the printing performed at the printing line 401 prints, in addition to a series of panel patterns, a series of registration marks 450. The registration marks 450 are preferably printed on the opposite selvages or side edges of web and are configured, for example in a Z-shape, to provide information so that, when detected, both longitudinal and transverse positioning of the respective edge of the web 429 can be determined. The opposite marks 450 are preferably aligned with each other and include one opposed pair of marks for each panel, although more than one pair per panel may be used for added accuracy. After printing, the web of preprinted material 429 is preferably re-rolled and transported to the quilting machine 402 into which it is loaded and on which it is combined with a backing liner web 417 and one or more filler material webs 418. The combined webs 429, 417 and 418 are engaged by front feed rolls 460 from which they are advanced through a quilting station 427 of the multi-needle type at which a plurality of pattern components are quilted onto the previously printed web 429 in registration with the patterns printed thereon. In lieu of feed rolls 460, other types of separately controllable feed elements that can feed or otherwise move the material in a way that will rotate or redirect the material to adjust the skew of the material can be used. The quilting machine 402 has, immediately upstream of the quilting station 427, a pair of sensors 451, one over the right edge of the web 429 and one over the left edge of the web 429. The sensors 451 may be photo electric detectors that are capable of sensing the respective positions of the marks 450 so that a controller 437 of the quilting machine 402 can calculate the positions of the opposite edges of the web 429. The controller 437 is programmed to determine the longitudinal and transverse positions of the marks 450 and to derive therefrom the location of the printed patterns so that quilted patterns can be registered with the printed patterns. The program of the controller 437 also calculates any rotation of the panel or skewing of the web 429 relative to the coordinates of the machine 402. The machine is provided with a split feed roll 460 upstream of the quilting station 427. The split feed roll 460 includes a left half 460a and a right half 460b, each of which is separately driven by a servo motor 461a, 461b. The controller 437 differently drives the servo motors 461a, 461b in response to skewing of the web 429 that is calculated as a result of the analysis by the controller 437 of the outputs of the sensors 451 so as to adjust the transverse position of the web 429 to eliminate the skew. As a result, multiple needles of the quilting station can maintain equal alignments with their respectively corresponding printed patterns. The skew correction in combination with the longitudinal and transverse adjustment of the web 429 results in high accuracy registration of the quilting needles with the printed patterns. The above description is representative of certain preferred embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various changes and additions may be made to the embodiments described above without departing from the principles of the present invention. Therefore, the following is claimed:
A quilting machine is provided having a first station and a second station, one being a printing station and one being a quilting station. The printing station is located either in line and preferably upstream of the quilting station, with a conveyor extending through each of the stations to convey a web of quilting material through the machine, or is off of the quilting line such that the material with a pre-applied pattern thereon is transferred, preferably in web form, to the line of the second station for the application of a pattern in registration with the first applied pattern. At the second station, for example, registration of a plurality of transversely spaced points is detected to determine longitudinal and transverse registration as well as skewing or rotation of the material, and the opposite transverse sides of the material are differently adjusted to orient and register the material. Where the second station is a multi-needle quilting station, different parts of the quilted pattern are applied in precise registration with the preprinted pattern. A master batch controller assures that the proper combinations of printed and quilted patterns are combined to allow small quantities of different quilted products to be produced automatically along a material web.
3
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a §371 application from PCT/FR2010/052671 filed Dec. 10, 2010, which claims priority from French Patent Application No. 09 59547 filed Dec. 23, 2009, each of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FILED OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a method for encoding/decoding a digital stereo sound stream as well as a device made up of an encoder and an associated decoder. The purpose of the invention is in particular to improve a standard system of the type encoder/decoder (codec) making it possible to encode and decode a digital stereo/audio stream. The invention finds an application particularly advantageous in the field of codecs for the compression of stereo/audio signals such as for example codecs of the type MP3. However, the invention could also be used with any type of codec adapted to the encoding and the decoding of two digital sound signals. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Digital codecs of the type MP3 or other formed by a standard encoder makes it possible to encode, according to a known encoding protocol, digital stereo sound signals for example in WAVE format in order to transform said digital stereo sound signals into encoded stereo signals; a standard decoder is also known which makes it possible to decode, according to a known decoding protocol, encoded stereo signals in order to transform them into digital stereo signals for example in WAVE format. In general, encoding consists in compressing stereo signals, while decoding consists in decompressing compressed stereo signals. The problem is that the transmission channel available for encoding is generally limited to N kbits/s (N generally being equal to 64 or 128). However when a stereo signal formed of two audio channels: a right sound channel and a left sound channel, is encoded according to the characteristics of the codecs used, it can be necessary to encode approximately each audio channel of the signal at a transfer rate of N/2 kbits/s. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention makes it possible to increase the quality of the final stereo signal without increasing the transfer rate in the transmission channel; or to preserve the quality of the final stereo signal by reducing the transfer rate in the transmission channel. For this purpose, the device according to the invention comprises a so-called pre-processing module associated with the standard encoder acting before the encoding process, which combines the stereo signals in order to transform said stereo signals into a single combined signal. The invention also comprises a post-processing module associated with the decoder acting after decoding the compressed signal, which makes it possible to generate the two audio signals from the single combined signal generated by the pre-processing module. The function of this post-processing module is to generate two sound signals (right and left) decorrelated relative to one another from the decompressed combined signal. Thus, in the invention, there is only one signal to be encoded (the single combined signal) instead of the two right and left signals in the traditional methods. That makes it possible either to less compress the combined signal in order to increase the quality of the final signal, or to decrease the transfer rate in the transmission channel while having the same quality as with the existing encoding methods. Preferably, in order to enable the decoder to detect whether it is question of a stream encoded by the method according to the invention or a standard stream not encoded by the invention, a meta-datum is added into the data frame encoded by the encoder, which indicates whether the method according to the invention is activated or not. The site of this meta-datum in the frame encoded by the encoder can vary according to the standard encoding used. The invention thus relates to a method for encoding and decoding a digital audio signal composed of an original right sound signal and of an original left sound signal, wherein said method comprises the following steps: before encoding, the original right sound signal and the original left sound signal are combined in order to obtain a single combined signal, the combined signal is encoded by means of a standard encoder in order to obtain a compressed combined signal, the compressed combined signal is decoded by means of a standard decoder in order to obtain a decompressed combined signal, and after decoding, a restored right sound signal and a restored left sound signal decorrelated relative to one another corresponding respectively to the original right sound signal and the original left sound signal are generated from the decompressed combined signal. According to an implementation, in order to combine the right and left original sound signals into a single combined signal, a point-to-point weighted sum of the samples of the original right sound signal and the original left sound signal are carried out in the temporal field. According to an embodiment, in order to generate from the decompressed combined signal the restored right and left sound signals, the decompressed combined signal is applied to the input of a first and a second elementary block, the output signal for these blocks corresponding respectively to the restored right electric sound signal and to the restored left electric sound signal, the output signal for each block being the combination of the input signal for the block weighted by a first gain, and of the combination of the output signal for the block weighted by a second gain and of the input signals for the block delayed by a delay line. According to an embodiment: for the first elementary block, s 1 ( n )= e 1 ( n )· g 1 +s 1 ( n−D 1)· g 2 +e 1 ( n−D 1) e 1 being the input signal for the first block corresponding to the decompressed combined signal, s 1 being the output signal for the first block corresponding to one of the restored sound signals (right or left), g 1 , g 2 being respectively the values of the first gain and the second gain for the first block, n being the n th harmonic sample, D 1 being the value of the number of delay samples introduced by the delay line, and for the second elementary block: s 2 ( n )= e 2 ( n )· g 3 +s 2 ( n−D 2)· g 4 +e 2 ( n−D 2) e 2 being the input signal for the second block corresponding to the decompressed combined signal, s 2 being the output signal for the second block corresponding to the other restored sound signal (right if s 1 corresponds to the left one or left if s 1 corresponds to the right one), g 3 , g 4 being respectively the values of the first gain and the second gain for the second block, n being the n th harmonic sample, D 2 being the value of the number of delay samples introduced by the delay line. According to an embodiment, the gain values inside a block are opposite one another, the value of the first gain being opposite the value of the second gain. According to an embodiment, the gain values of the first block are opposite the gain values of the second block, the value of the first gain of the first block being opposite the value of the first gain of the second block; while the value of the second gain of the first block is opposite the value of the second gain of the second block. According to an embodiment, the gain values of the first and second elementary block have the same absolute value. According to an embodiment, the first gain of the first block and the second gain of the second block are equal to g; while the second gain of the first block and the first gain of the second block are equal to −g. According to an embodiment, the delay introduced by the line of the first block and the delay introduced by the line of the second block is equal to one another. According to an embodiment, the decompressed combined signal is first filtered by means of a high-pass filter and only the filtered high frequency part is applied to the input of the elementary blocks. According to an embodiment, the low frequency part of the decompressed combined signal is filtered, the thus-filtered low frequency part is delayed with a third delay by means of a third delay line, and the thus-delayed low frequency part is added to the output signals of the elementary blocks obtained from the high frequency part in order to obtain the restored right sound signal and the restored left sound signal. According to an embodiment, the output signals of each elementary block by means of parametric filtering cells is filtered in gain and in phase in order to modify the sound perception of these output signals. According to an embodiment, to enable the decoder to detect whether it is question of an encoded stream formed of a combined signal or a standard stream, a meta-datum is added into the data frame encoded by the encoder, which indicates whether the step of combining the original right and left signals into a single combined signal is activated or not. According to an embodiment, for each restored right and left sound signal primarily formed of a low frequency component lower than a cut-off frequency, the highest frequency part of the restored sound signal is isolated by means of a first filter of the band-pass type, the isolated part is duplicated with regard to the frequency by means of a nonlinear processor which generates the high frequency harmonics of the isolated signal in order to obtain a duplicated signal, a second band-pass filter is applied to the duplicated signal in order to obtain a high frequency component, the thus-generated high frequency component is combined with the restored sound signal beforehand delayed by a delay cell, and an increased restored signal comprising a low frequency component and a regenerated high frequency component is obtained, upper and lower limits of the band-pass filter depending on the compression ratio applied by the method. The invention moreover relates to a digital stream encoder used with the decoder according to the invention for the implementation of the method for encoding and decoding a digital audio signal composed of an original right sound signal and of an original left sound signal according to the invention, wherein said digital stream encoder comprises: a pre-processing means able to combine, before encoding, the original right sound signal and the original left sound signal in order to obtain a single combined signal, and a standard encoder able to encode the combined signal in order to obtain a compressed combined digital signal. The invention also relates to a digital stream decoder by means of the encoder according to the invention for the implementation of the method for encoding and decoding a digital audio signal composed of an original right sound signal and of an original left sound signal according to the invention, wherein said digital stream decoder comprises: a standard decoder able to decode a single compressed combined signal in order to obtain a decompressed combined signal, and a post-processing module able to generate, after decoding, from the decompressed combined signal, a restored right sound signal and a restored left sound signal decorrelated relative to one another corresponding respectively to the original right sound signal and the original left sound signal. According to an embodiment, said decoder moreover comprises a module for generating treble frequencies including: a first filter of the band-pass type for isolating the highest frequency part of the restored sound signal, a nonlinear processor which generates the high frequency harmonics of the isolated signal in order to duplicate the isolated part with regard to the frequency so as to obtain a duplicated signal, a second band-pass filter applied to the duplicated signal so as to obtain a high frequency component, means for combining the thus-generated high frequency component with the restored sound signal beforehand delayed by a delay cell, so as to obtain an increased restored signal comprising a low frequency component and a regenerated high frequency component. According to an embodiment, the upper and lower limits of the band-pass filter depend on the compression ratio applied by the method. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood when reading the following description and examining the annexed figures. These figures are given only as an illustration but by no means a restriction of the invention. They show: FIG. 1 : a schematic representation of an encoding/decoding device according to the invention; FIG. 2 : a graphical representation of the original stereo signals and the signal resulting from a nonrestrictive particular combination of these signals by the pre-processing module; FIG. 3 : a schematic representation of the blocks forming the post-processing module according to the invention; FIG. 4 : a schematic representation of the blocks forming the post-processing module in an improvement of the invention; FIG. 5 : a schematic representation of a frame encoded by a standard encoder showing a meta-datum introduced by the method according to the invention; FIG. 6 : a schematic representation of a module for generating high frequency components for the decoded stereo signals to be broadcast; FIGS. 7 a - 7 e : very schematic representations of the signals that can be observed when using the module for generating high frequency components in FIG. 6 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS Identical elements have the same reference throughout the figures. FIG. 1 shows an encoding/decoding device 1 according to the invention comprising an encoder 2 according to the invention formed by a pre-processing module 3 associated with a standard encoder 5 . The encoder 5 can be for example a digital audio encoder of the mp3 type such as for example the encoder LAME or an encoder for encoding sound streams for digital television. In addition, the device 1 according to the invention comprises a decoder 7 according to the invention formed by a standard decoder 8 and an associated post-processing module 9 . The decoder 8 could be for example a decoder of the MP3 type integrated into a digital music player or an audio decoder integrated into a digital television decoder (set top box). When operating, a stereo signal formed by an original right sound signal S DO and an original left sound signal S GO are applied to the input of the pre-processing module 3 . The original right S DO and left S GO sound signals are sampled and quantified signals. As shown in FIG. 2 , the module 3 carries out the combination of the signal S DO and the signal S GO , so as to output a single combined signal S c . In an example, the signals S DO and S GO are weighted with a coefficient of 0.5 and are then sample-to-sample added for generating S c . The combined signal S c is applied to the input of the encoder 5 which compresses the signal S c according to a known compression protocol so as to obtain a compressed combined signal S CC . This signal S CC could be for example transmitted on any type of wired media, radio, or other or even saved on a digital storage medium such as for example a CD-ROM or a memory of the USB type. Since it is enough to encode the combined signal S C whereas the two signals (right and left) of the stereo signal need to be encoded in the existing methods, it is clear that the method according to the invention makes it possible to limit the stream in the available encoding channel 10 , or then to reduce the compression ratio for improving the final sound rendering if the same transfer rate as in the existing methods is kept. The compressed combined signal S CC is applied to the input of the decoder 8 which decompresses it, according to a known decompression protocol, so as to obtain a decompressed combined signal S CD . The signal S CD is then applied to the input of the post-processing module 9 comprising, as shown in FIG. 3 , a decorrelating module 11 for the signal which makes it possible to generate, from the signal S CD , two signals decorrelated relative to one another: the restored right sound signal S DR and the restored left sound signal S GR corresponding to the original right and left sound signal S DO and S GO . For this purpose, the decorrelating module 11 is made of two elementary blocks 13 . 1 - 13 . 2 to the input of which the decompressed combined signal S CD is applied, the output of these blocks 13 . 1 , 13 . 2 corresponding respectively to the restored right sound signal S DR and to the restored left sound signal S GR . The output signal s 1 (resp. s 2 ) of each block 13 . 1 (resp. 13 . 2 ) depends on the combination of the input signal e 1 (resp. e 2 ) for the block weighted with a first gain g 1 (resp. g 3 ), and of the combination of the input signals e 1 (resp. e 2 ) and of the output signal s 1 (resp. s 2 ) for the block weighted with a second gain g 2 (resp. g 4 ), delayed by a delay line 14 . 1 (resp. 14 . 2 ). According to an embodiment, for each elementary block 13 . 1 , 13 . 2 , the input signal e 1 , e 2 is applied to the input of a first adder 16 . 1 , 16 . 2 and is applied to an input of a second adder 17 . 1 , 17 . 2 after being multiplied by the first gain g 1 , g 3 . The output signal s 1 , s 2 for the block is applied to another input of the first adder 16 . 1 , 16 . 2 after being multiplied by the second gain g 2 , g 4 , the output signal of the first adder 16 . 1 , 16 . 2 being applied to the input of the delay line 14 . 1 , 14 . 2 . The output signal for the delay line 14 . 1 , 14 . 2 is applied to another input of the second adder 17 . 1 , 17 . 2 , the output signal for this second adder 17 . 1 , 17 . 2 corresponding to the output signal s 1 , s 2 of for block and thus to the restored right S DR or left S GR sound signal. Thus, for the first elementary block 13 . 1 : s 1 ( n )= e 1 ( n )· g 1 +s 1 ( n−D 1)· g 2 +e 1 ( n−D 1) e 1 being the input signal for the first block 13 . 1 corresponding to the decompressed combined signal, s 1 being the output signal for the first block 13 . 1 corresponding to one of the restored sound signals (right or left), g 1 , g 2 being respectively the values of the first gain and the second gain of the first block 13 . 1 , n being the n th harmonic sample, D 1 being the value of the number of delay samples introduced by the delay line 14 . 1 . For the second elementary block 13 . 2 : s 2 ( n )= e 2 ( n )· g 3 +s 2 ( n−D 2)· g 4 +e 2 ( n−D 2) e 2 being the input signal for the second block 13 . 2 corresponding to the decompressed combined signal, s 2 being the output signal for the second block 13 . 2 corresponding to the other restored sound signal (right if s 1 corresponds to the left one or left if s 1 corresponds to the right one), g 3 , g 4 being respectively the values of the first gain and the second gain of the second block 13 . 2 , n being the n th harmonic sample, D 2 being the value of the number of delay samples introduced by the delay line 14 . 2 . Preferably, inside the same block 13 . 1 (resp. 13 . 2 ), the first gain g 1 (resp. g 3 ) and the second gain g 2 (resp. g 4 ) have values opposite one another. Each block 13 . 1 , 13 . 2 then behaves as a filter of the all-pass type which does not modify the gain of the input signal e 1 , e 2 but only the phase thereof. Moreover, the gains g 1 , g 2 of the first block 13 . 1 and the gains g 3 , g 4 of the second block 13 . 2 have preferably values opposite one another. Thus, the value of the first gain g 1 of the first block 13 . 1 is opposite the value of the first gain g 3 of the second block 13 . 2 ; while the value of the second gain g 2 of the first block 13 . 1 is opposite the value of the second gain g 4 of the second block 13 . 2 . Gains for the first 13 . 1 and the second 13 . 2 block which have an identical absolute value g will also preferably be chosen. Thus, preferably, the first gain g 1 of the first block 13 . 1 and the second gain g 4 of the second block 13 . 2 have a value g; while the second gain g 2 of the first block 13 . 1 and the first gain g 3 of the second block 13 . 2 have a value −g. Preferably, the delays D 1 , D 2 introduced by the delay line 14 . 1 of the first elementary block 13 . 1 and the delay line 14 . 2 of the second elementary block 13 . 2 are equal to one another. However, it would be possible to choose delays D 1 , D 2 with different durations In an embodiment example, g=0.4 and delays D 1 and D 2 of 176 samples each are chosen, such values allowing to obtain a good sound rendering. In an improvement of the invention represented in FIG. 4 , a stage 19 made up of two low-pass 20 and high-pass 21 filters allowing to separate the low frequency part from the high frequency part of the decompressed combined signal S CD is used. In this case, only the high frequency part of the signal S CD is applied to the input of the decorrelating module 11 . In an example, the cut-off frequencies of the low-pass filter 20 and high-pass filter 21 are about 350 Hz. The low frequency part of the signal S CD is applied to the input of a third delay line 23 and the thus-delayed low frequency part is added, if need be after weighting with a gain g 7 , to the output signals s 1 , s 2 of the elementary blocks, so as to obtain restored right S DR and left S GR sound signals with an improved sound rendering. For one realizes that statistically the low frequency signals are very correlated, it is not therefore advisable to decorrelate them by means of the decorrelating module 11 , otherwise the general audiophonic perception will not appear natural in the ear. In an example, the delay D 3 applied by the third delay line 23 is equal to 176 samples (at a sampling rate of 44.1 KHz). Moreover, parametric equalization cells 25 . 1 , 25 . 2 is connected to the output of each elementary block 13 . 1 , 13 . 2 before addition to the delayed low frequency part. These cells 25 . 1 , 25 . 2 cause the modification of the perception of the output signals s 1 , s 2 of these blocks 13 . 1 , 13 . 2 because, even if the signals s 1 , s 2 have substantially identical levels, there are differences in the perception thereof because of the decorrelation relative to one another. Consequently, it can be useful to modify these signals from a perceptive point of view so that the general sound impression is as best as possible. For this purpose, each equalization cell 25 . 1 , 25 . 2 comprises a filter 26 . 1 , 26 . 2 whose gain and phase can be adjusted according to various frequency bands of the signals s 1 , s 2 and a gain g 5 , g 6 which act on all the spectrum of the signals s 1 , s 2 . These gain and phase parameters are adapted by sound engineers in particular according to the application considered. Preferably, in order that the decoder 8 can detect whether it is question of a stream encoded by the method according to the invention or of a standard stream not encoded by the invention, a meta-datum M is added into the data frame encoded by the encoder 5 , which indicates whether the method according to the invention is activated or not. This meta-datum M is of the static type, i.e. it will be able for example to take only two different values so that, when the decoder 7 detects in the encoded frame the first value (for example 1) corresponding to the activation of the pre-processing module 3 , it activates the post-processing module 9 ; and when the decoder 7 detects in the encoded frame the second value corresponding to the deactivation of the pre-processing module 3 , it inhibits the post-processing module 9 and uses in a traditional way the standard decoder 8 for decoding the stereo signal in the two right and left channels. Indeed, in the case of the deactivation of the module 3 , the signals S DO and S GO are directly applied to the input of the standard encoder 5 for a traditional encoding, then transmitted to the decoder 8 , then decoded in a traditional way by the decoder 8 in order to obtain a restored left signal S GR and a restored right signal S DR . The site of this meta-datum M in the frame 30 encoded by the encoder 5 can vary according to the standard encoding used. FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of an encoded frame 30 comprising a heading 30 . 1 in particular indicating the type of encoding used and the length of the frame 30 as well as a data part 30 . 2 in which the encoded data are packed. The meta-datum M will be introduced into a site of the heading 30 . 1 left available by the standard encoding protocol. In an improvement of the invention, an analysis of the correlation between the original right S DO and left S GO sound signals are carried out in definite frequency bands so as to produce a coefficient representative of the correlation in each band. The calculated correlation coefficients are packed as meta-data into the heading 30 . 1 of the encoded signal. Then, the parameters g 1 , g 2 , g 3 , g 4 , D 1 , D 2 of the elementary blocks 13 . 1 and 13 . 2 are adapted according to the received correlation values, so as to decorrelate each range of frequencies differently. For this purpose, a table stored in a memory gives the correspondence between the parameters of each block 13 . 1 , 13 . 2 (first gain g 1 , g 3 and second gain g 2 , g 4 and delay D 1 , D 2 of the line 14 . 1 , 14 . 2 ) and the received correlation ratios. The decorrelation ratio of the decorrelating module 11 is then modified by selecting in the table the parameters (g 1 -g 4 , D 1 , D 2 ) corresponding to the correlation coefficient received. In addition, it is known that the upper cut-off frequency f C of the restored signals depends on the compression ratio T applied by the encoder 5 . Indeed, for compression ratios T corresponding to a transfer rate of 128 kbits/s there is a cut at 15 kHz for signals in MP3 encoders; while for compression ratios T corresponding to a transfer rate of 64 kbits/S, there is a cut at 10 kHz for signals. In other words, the higher the compression ratio T is, the more the high frequency component of the signals is reduced. The invention makes it possible to regenerate the high frequency component of the right S DR or left S GR sound signals which has been suppressed because of the compression. This aspect of the invention is independent of the principle of generation of the two stereo-decompressed sound signals S DR and S GR from only one compressed signal S C . For this purpose, the restored left S GR and right S DR sound signals, which are substantially formed of a low frequency component S BF lower than the cut-off frequency f C (see FIG. 7 a ), are each applied to the input of a module 35 for generating treble frequencies shown in details in FIG. 6 . This module 35 comprises a first band-pass filter 36 at the input of which the restored left S GR (resp. right S DR ) sound signal is applied. This first filters 36 makes it possible to isolate the highest frequency part of the input signal S GR (resp S DR ) ranging between a lower limit and an upper limit. In an example, the upper limit is equal to the cut-off frequency f C , and the lower limit is equal to f C /N, N preferably being equal to 2 or 4. The isolated part Si of the restored signal obtained at the output of the band-pass filter 36 is shown in FIG. 7 b. The isolated part Si is then applied to the input of the processor 38 of a nonlinear type which makes it possible to duplicate the isolated signal Si with regard to the frequency by generating the high frequencies harmonics at f 1 , f 2 , . . . fn of this signal Si, which makes it possible to fill the frequency spectrum in the zone of high frequencies. The duplicated signal S D thus obtained at the output of the nonlinear processor 38 is shown in FIG. 7 c . Preferably, as represented, the harmonics of the signal S D have an amplitude which decreases as the frequency increases. Then the high frequency part of the duplicated signal S D is isolated (without the isolated part Si from which it has been obtained) in order to obtain a high frequency component S HF of the sound signal shown in FIG. 7 d . For this purpose, a band-pass filter 39 having a lower limit and an upper limit is used. In an example, the lower limit is equal to f C while the upper limit is equal to 20 kHz. In addition, the restored left S GR (resp. right S DR ) sound signal is filtered by means of a low-pass filter 41 with a cut-off frequency substantially equal to f C to keep only the low frequency component S BF of the restored signal S GR , S DR . The low frequency part S BF is then delayed with a delay D 4 by means of a delay cell 42 . This delay D 4 is about some samples. Then, the low frequency component S BF is added to the high frequency component S HF by means of an adder 44 , in order to obtain an increased restored left S GRA (resp. right S DRA ) sound signal formed of the initial low frequency component S BF of the restored sound signal and the high frequency component S HF thus generated by the method according to the invention. Preferably, but that is not obligatory, a post-processing cell 45 modifies the form of the spectral response of the high frequency component S HF , and gains g 8 and g 9 are applied to the high frequency S HF and low frequency S BF components before addition by means of the adder 44 . The parameters of the filters 36 , 39 , 41 depend on the compression ratio T. Indeed, the filters 36 , 39 , 41 have limits which depend on the cut-off frequency f C . As this cut-off frequency f C depends on the compression ratio T, the limits also depend on the compression ratio T. There is thus a table 47 giving the correspondence between the compression ratio T and the associated filter parameters making it possible to generate the high frequency component of the left and right sound signals. The parameters of the post-processing cell 45 , of the nonlinear processor 38 , the delay cell 42 , and the gains g 8 and g 9 also depend on the compression ratio T. The parameters of the modules for generating treble frequencies 35 which process the left sound signal S GR and the right sound signal S DR are preferably symmetrical, i.e. the module 35 which processes the left sound signal S GR has parameters with the same value as the module 35 which processes the right sound signal S DR .
A method for encoding and decoding a digital audio signal composed of an original right-hand signal (S DO ) and an original left-hand signal (S GO ). The method combines the original right-hand signal (S DO ) and the original left-hand signal (S GO ) to obtain a single combined signal (S C ), encodes the combined signal (S C ) using a standard encoder to obtain a compressed combined signal (S CC ), and decodes the compressed combined signal (S CC ) using a standard decoder ( 8 ) to obtain a decompressed combined signal (S CD ). After decoding, the method generates a reconstructed right-hand signal (S DR ) and a reconstructed left-hand signal (S GR ) from the decompressed combined signal (S CD ), which are de-correlated from each other. Also, a treble-generating module enables the high-frequency component (S HF ) of the right-hand (S DR ) or left-hand (S GR ) signals to be recreated, which signals had been deleted as a result of the compression.
7
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims domestic priority on U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/676,084, filed Apr. 29, 2005, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates generally to a hand tool for finishing tubing materials and, more particularly, to a manually manipulated belt grinder or abrading tool that is operable to finish opposing sides of a tubing member simultaneously. Manually manipulated miniature belt grinders are used within small cavities or restricted openings in sheet metal, castings, forgings and the like for deburring and finishing operations. The miniature belt grinders are typically constructed with an endless belt having an outer abrasive surface trained about a drive pulley and a contact pulley. The endless belt corresponds to an outwardly extending arm so that the metallic material to be finished can be engaged with either side of the abrasive belt. A pneumatic motor typically provides the operative power for rotating the abrasive belt so that the tool can be driven through manipulation of a hand control while the rotated belt is pressed against the metallic surface to be finished. Conventionally, the pneumatic motors used to drive the belt grinders are suitably fixed to the casing of the grinder such that they provide a convenient grinder manipulating handle with the drive shaft thereof extending into the casing and serving to support and effect driven rotating of the drive pulley about which one end of the abrasive belt is entrained. One such miniature belt grinding tool can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,368,597, issued to Elwin H. Fleckenstein, et al on Jan. 18, 1983, and in U.S. Pat. No. 4,411,106, issued to Elwin H. Fleckenstein on Oct. 25, 1983. The Fleckenstein grinding tool is pneumatically driven and is formed with a single arm on which is mounted a drive pulley and a tensioning idler pulley with the abrasive belt being entrained around the pulleys to be engagable with the metallic surface to effect a finishing thereof. Similar tools are taught in U.S. Pat. No. 4,754,579, issued to Dennis M. Batt on Jul. 5, 1988, in which a dust collection apparatus is associated with the rotating abrasive belt to minimize the dispersal of dust during the operation of the portable hand-held implement. Such grinding devices are also constructed in a configuration that is adapted for attachment to a rotary power tool, as is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,858,390, issued to Nisan Kenig on Aug. 22, 1989, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,031,362, issued to Reinhold Reiling on Jul. 16, 1991. As with the pneumatically power miniature grinding tools, the abrasive belt is entrained around drive and tensioning pulleys mounted on a single outwardly extending arm. The abrasive belt can also be mounted in a triangular configuration to facilitate utilization thereof against a cylindrical tubing member by entraining the abrasive belt around three pulleys, one drive pulley and a pair of spaced apart idler pulleys between which the tubular object to be finished can be positioned so that the abrasive belt can form around the cylindrical surface of the tubing member for enhanced engagement thereof. As is depicted in U.S. Pat. No. 3,566,549, issued to James A. Britton on Mar. 2, 1971, and in U.S. Pat. No. 5,628,678, issued to Frank Tridico on May 13, 1997, the second idler pulley can be mounted on a second mounting arm that is spring-loaded away from the main housing of the tool. When the abrasive belt is placed into engagement with a tubular member to effect a finishing operation thereon, the second arm yields against the biasing apparatus to permit the abrasive belt to partially wrap around the surface of the tubing member. While up to about half of the cylindrical surface of the tubing member can be finished, the tool would have to be oriented in an opposing direction in order to finish the opposing half of the tubing member. Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a hand grinder apparatus that would be operable to finish opposing sides of a tubing member simultaneously so that the finishing operation for a tubing member can be accomplished more quickly than with the belt grinder devices known in the art. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of this invention to overcome the disadvantages of the prior art by providing a double-armed finishing tool for smoothing opposing sides of a tubular member simultaneously. It is a feature of this invention that the finishing tool is a belt grinding apparatus having a pair of outwardly extending mounting arms about which an abrasive belt is entrained to provide an abrading surface engagable with opposing sides of a tubular member placed between the mounting arms. It is an advantage of this invention that the tubular member can be finished quickly by smoothing opposing sides thereof simultaneously. It is another object of this invention to provide a belt grinding finishing apparatus that is operable to smooth opposing sides of a tubular member simultaneously. It is another feature of this invention that one of the mounting arms is pivotally supported on the drive housing for movement about a pivot pulley relative to the other mounting arm. It is another advantage of this invention that the pivoted mounting arm can be positioned to allow a tubular member to be positioned between the mounting arms. It is yet another feature of this invention that an actuation lever projects outwardly from the second mounting arm to permit the grasping of the actuation lever for opening the gap between the distal tips of the mounting arms. It is still another feature of this invention that the first mounting arm incorporates a belt tensioning mechanism that biases the idler pulley at the distal tip of the first mounting arm away from the drive pulley. It is still another advantage of this invention that the belt tensioning mechanism allows the second mounting arm to be pivoted away from the first mounting arm by drawing the idler pulley on the first mounting arm toward the drive pulley. It is yet another advantage of this invention that the belt tensioning mechanism is operable to pivot the second mounting arm toward the first mounting arm, minimizing the distance between the respective distal tips of the mounting arms. It is yet another feature of this invention that the second mounting is operably associated with a stop member to limit the pivotal movement of the second mounting arm toward the first mounting arm to prevent interference therebetween. It is a still another object of this invention to provide a drive housing for a belt grinding tool in which a single abrasive belt can be entrained between a pair of mounting arms so that opposing sides of a tubular member can be finished simultaneously with the same abrasive belt. It is a further feature of this invention that a pair of fixed pulleys rotatably mounted on the drive housing enables the entrainment of a single abrasive belt to be operable simultaneously along a pair of mounting arms. It is still a further feature of this invention that a support housing detachably mounted on the drive housing has a support handle connected thereto to facilitate the positioning of the finishing tool. It is a further advantage of this invention that the support handle is selectively connected to alternate attachment mounts to provide selectively alternative positioning of the support handle. It is yet another object of this invention to provide a double-armed belt grinding tool for use in finishing structural members in which the grinding tool is durable in construction, inexpensive of manufacture, carefree of maintenance, facile in assemblage, and simple and effective in use. These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished according to the instant invention by providing a belt grinding tool incorporating a pair of mounting arms projecting forwardly from a drive housing to support a single abrasive belt entrained around drive and idler pulleys. The first mounting arm is positionally fixed relative to the drive housing, but the second mounting arm is pivotally mounted to permit relative pivotal movement thereof. The dual mounting arm configuration enables a tubular member to be placed between the mounting arms to effect a finishing of opposing sides of the outer surface of the tubular member simultaneously. A support housing detachably mounted on the drive housing includes a support handle that can be selectively connected to alternative attachments mounts formed on the support housing. An actuation lever extending outwardly from the second mounting arm permits the operator to cause pivotal movement of the pivoted second mounting arm to accept the tubular member to be finished between the mounting arms. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The foregoing and other objects, features, and advantages of the invention will appear more fully hereinafter from a consideration of the detailed description that follows, in conjunction with the accompanying sheets of drawings. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as defining the limits of the invention. FIG. 1 is a top plan view of a belt grinder apparatus incorporating the principles of the instant invention, the support handle and associated housing being positioned for operation; FIG. 2 is a bottom, front perspective view of the belt grinder apparatus depicted in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the support housing depicted in FIG. 2 ; FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of the grinder apparatus with the forwardly extending arms removed for purposes of clarity; FIG. 5 is a side elevational view of the grinding apparatus with the support housing removed to depict the grinding belt; FIG. 6 is a bottom plan view of the belt grinder apparatus with the support housing removed to better view the entrainment of the abrasive belt and the orientation of the mounting arms relative to the drive housing of the belt grinder apparatus; FIG. 7 is a bottom plan view of the body and arm portions of the belt grinder apparatus as depicted in FIG. 6 with the support housing removed; and FIG. 8 is a rear elevational view of the body portion of the belt grinder apparatus with the support housing removed therefrom. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring to FIGS. 1-8 , a belt grinder apparatus 10 incorporating the principles of the instant invention can best be seen. The belt grinder apparatus 10 is constructed with a drive housing 12 , best seen in FIG. 3 , having a drive motor 15 affixed thereto. The drive motor 15 can be operatively driven in a number of different ways, such as hydraulically or electrically, or from a rotary tool, but is preferably driven by a pneumatic source of pressurized air. Accordingly, the drive housing 12 has a control handle 13 affixed thereto to serve as a connector via the attachment nipple 14 to a remote source of pressurized air. The control lever 16 is associated with a valve that controls the influx of pressurized air into the pneumatic motor 15 to effect a rotational driving operation thereof. As the control lever 16 is closed toward its outwardly extending position shown in FIGS. 1 and 3 against the control handle 13 , air is allowed to pass through the control handle 13 into the pneumatic motor 15 . Air is exhausted from the motor 15 in a conventional manner. Opposite the drive housing 12 is a detachable support housing 17 , shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , which has a support handle 18 mounted thereto. The support housing 17 covers the otherwise open drive housing 12 and allows the support handle 18 to be utilized to help support the weight of the tool 10 during operation, with the belt grinder tool 10 being supported through use of the control handle 13 and the support handle 17 . Preferably, the support housing 17 is formed with supplemental handle mount 19 that is positioned to one side of the support housing 17 and is adapted for the mounting of the support handle 18 . Accordingly, the support handle 17 can be selectively mounted at the convenience and comfort of the operator from a generally central position on the support housing 17 to an offset position corresponding to the alternative handle mount 19 . Referring now to FIGS. 1 , 2 and 5 - 7 , the belt grinder apparatus 10 is constructed with a pair of generally parallel oriented mounting arms 20 , 30 projecting outwardly from the drive housing 12 generally perpendicularly to the orientation of the support handle 18 . Each of the mounting arms 20 , 30 supports a run of the abrading belt 40 with an interior side 42 and an exterior side 43 . By positioning the double armed grinding tool 10 with a tubular member T to be finished between the mounting arms 20 , 30 , the respective interior runs 42 can engage and finish opposite sides of a tubing member simultaneously. Either of the exterior sides 43 corresponding to the mounting arms 20 , 30 can also be used to finish a metallic member in substantially the same manner as is known in the art, i.e. by engaging only one side of the member being finished. The abrasive belt 40 is preferably an endless member that is entrained and driven for rotational operation relative to the mounting arms 20 , 30 . The drive housing 12 supports a drive pulley 22 operatively associated with the pneumatic motor 15 to be rotatably driven when the control lever 16 is depressed to direct pressurized air into the motor 15 . The abrasive belt 40 extends from the drive pulley 22 around the tensioning pulley 25 mounted at the end of the first mounting arm 20 , then around a first fixed idler pulley 27 mounted on the drive housing 12 , then around the idler pulley 32 at the end of the second mounting arm 30 , then around a pivot pulley 35 connected to the inner end of the second mounting arm 30 , then around a second fixed idler pulley 37 mounted on the drive housing 12 and finally back around the drive pulley 22 . Thus, the abrasive belt 40 is entrained in serpentine path that wraps around the drive pulley 22 , the tensioning pulley 25 , the first fixed idler pulley 27 , the idler pulley 32 , the pivot pulley 35 , and the second fixed idler pulley 37 . Preferably, the drive pulley 22 is formed with a surface coating that enhances the frictional driving connection between the drive pulley 22 and the interior surface of the belt 40 . The first mounting arm 20 includes a spring-loaded tensioning mechanism 26 that is connected to the tensioning idler 25 at the end of the first mounting arm 20 . The tensioning idler 25 is movable along the longitudinal main axis of the first mounting arm 20 toward and away from the drive pulley 22 . The movement of the tensioning idler 25 keeps a desired level of tension in the abrasive belt 40 for proper engagement with the member T to be finished by the engagement thereof with the abrasive belt. The idler 32 at the distal end of the second mounting arm 30 can be fixed in relation to the corresponding pivot pulley 35 at the inner end of the second mounting arm 30 because any deflection of the abrasive belt 40 associated with the second mounting arm 30 can be accommodated by the movement of the tensioning idler 25 . The second mounting arm 30 is preferably pivotally mounted to the drive housing 12 concentric with the rotational axis of the pivot pulley 35 . Since the second mounting arm 30 pivots about the center of the pivot pulley 35 , the pivotal movement of the second mounting arm 30 relative to the first mounting arm 20 results in a corresponding tensioning movement of the tensioning idler 25 . Since the pivotal movement of the second mounting arm 30 covers only a few degrees, the amount of movement of the tensioning idler 25 is not substantial. The pivotal movement of the second mounting arm 30 allows the distal tips 29 , 39 of the mounting arms 20 , 30 to have an increased spacing to accept the passage of a tubular member T to be finished between the mounting arms 20 , 30 by the interior runs 42 of the abrasive belt 40 . An actuation lever 45 is affixed to the second mounting arm 30 and projects outwardly therefrom away from the rotating abrasive belt 40 to permit the operator to selectively pivot the second mounting arm 30 away from the first mounting arm 20 to increase the distance between the distal tips 29 , 39 of the mounting arms 20 , 30 . The tension in the abrasive belt 40 exerted by the tensioning mechanism 26 pulls the second mounting arm 30 toward the first mounting arm 20 , while a stop member (not shown) limits the inward pivoting of the second mounting arm 30 to prevent the distal tips 29 , 39 from engaging. One skilled in the art will recognize that both the first mounting arm 20 and the second mounting arm 30 could be pivotally mounted; however, the best operative results were found when the first mounting arm 20 was fixed in relationship to the drive housing 12 while the second mounting arm 30 was pivotally mounted. In operation, the double-armed belt grinder 10 is positioned at the tubular member T to be finished. By grasping the actuation lever 45 and pivoting the second mounting arm 30 outwardly away from the first mounting arm 20 , the distance between the distal tips 29 , 39 of the mounting arms 20 , 30 can be increased adequately to permit the passage of the tubular member T to pass between the tips 29 , 39 to be engaged by both of the interior runs 42 of the abrasive belt 40 . The tension exerted by the tensioning mechanism 26 into the abrasive belt 40 through the tensioning pulley 25 draws the second mounting arm 30 inwardly toward the first mounting arm 20 to effect engagement of the tubular member T on substantially opposite sides thereof. Thus, opposing sides of the tubular member T can be finished simultaneously. Depressing the control lever 16 on the control handle 13 , pressurized air is directed through the control handle 13 into the pneumatic motor 15 to power the rotation of the drive pulley 22 to drive the rotation of the endless abrasive belt 40 . The entire circumference of the tubular member T can be finished by simply rotating the belt grinder tool 10 about the tubular member T through a displacement of approximately ninety degrees. With conventional single arm miniature belt grinding tools, finishing the entire circumference of a tubular member T would require at least one hundred eighty degrees of movement of the belt grinder tool 10 relative to the tubular member T, assuming that both opposing sides of the abrasive belt would be utilized. Accordingly, the double-armed belt finishing tool 10 incorporating the principles of the instant invention reduces the operation time required to finish a tubular member T. Replacement of the abrasive belt 40 is accomplished by releasing the tension from the tensioning mechanism 26 to permit the tensioning pulley 25 to be retracted along the first mounting arm 20 toward the drive pulley 22 . The abrasive belt can then be removed easily from the mounting arms and pulleys. The entrainment of a replacement abrasive belt 40 and the re-engagement of the tensioning mechanism 26 readies the tool 10 for operation. Since the exterior runs 43 corresponding to the first and second mounting arms 20 , 30 proximate the opposing sides of a conventional single armed miniature belt grinder tool, the double armed belt grinder tool 10 incorporating the principles of the instant invention can also be utilized in a conventional manner by engaging the metallic member to be finished with one of the exterior runs 43 . Depending on the angle of deployment of the member to be finished and the discretionary comfort of the operator, the support handle 18 can be positioned at the central location on the support housing 17 , as is shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 4 , or disconnected and then re-mounted on the alternative mount 19 to locate the support handle 18 in an offset orientation with respect to the support housing 17 . As can be seen in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the alternative mount 19 can be provided with a threaded bore 19 a accessible from either side of the alternative mount 19 to permit a selective attachment of the support handle 18 in opposing orientations for the comfort of the operator. A third bore opening (not shown) formed in the side of the alternative mount 19 would enable the support handle 18 to be perpendicularly to that shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 . The invention of this application has been described above both generically and with regard to specific embodiments. Although the invention has been set forth in what is believed to be the preferred embodiments, a wide variety of alternatives known to those of skill in the art can be selected within the generic disclosure.
A belt grinding finishing tool incorporates a pair of mounting arms projecting forwardly from a drive housing to support a single abrasive belt entrained around drive and idler pulleys. The first mounting arm is positionally fixed relative to the drive housing, but the second mounting arm is pivotally mounted to permit relative pivotal movement thereof. The dual mounting arm configuration enables a tubular member to be placed between the mounting arms to effect a finishing of opposing sides of the outer surface of the tubular member simultaneously. A support housing detachably mounted on the drive housing includes a support handle that can be selectively connected to alternative attachments mounts formed on the support housing. An actuation lever extending outwardly from the second mounting arm permits the operator to cause pivotal movement of the pivoted second mounting arm to accept the tubular member to be finished between the mounting arms.
1
Applicant claims the benefit of United States provisional application No. 60/163,928, filed Nov. 8, 1999. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to an oil pipeline which is exposed to cold operating conditions, particular to a subsea pipeline which is subject to cold water temperature and also to a subsea pipeline exposed to elevated subsea pressure. Insulated oil pipeline is used in subsea transport of oil and in extraction of oil. In an oil field, when production initially starts and after production has halted for an interval, insulated subsea pipeline is at the cold water temperature. The reduced temperature of effluent in the pipe, such as residual oil and wax, will likely be reduced below the temperature of wax formation in the pipeline, which will lead to pipeline blockage, for example, between a subsea well and the receiving facility, such as a floating facility. There are several known solutions to the problem of a chilled pipeline. In subsea pipeline and riser systems, there is a requirement to keep the pipeline hot during normal operations and also during transient conditions, such as start up and cool down. This has traditionally been achieved by use of a passive insulation system around the pipe, typically using a low density material, such as polyurethane foam or a substance known under the trademark Rockwool. Passive insulation systems are limited in two main respects. The amount of insulation that can be applied to a pipeline has a practical limit because the effect of the applied material in reducing heat loss has a log normal distribution, providing diminishing return from simply adding more material. Secondly, passive insulation of a pipeline cannot assist during start up or restarting when the pipe is cool. The insulation can only keep the pipeline warm and it cannot input heat to a cold pipeline. For example, it is known that most pipeline blockages due to the presence of hydrates occur after an extended shut down. One usual solution to the blockages is to introduce chemicals in the pipeline during start up. To avoid wax formation during start up, operators inject methanol or glycol in the effluent to reduce its viscosity. Another possible solution is to heat the pipe before start up using an active heating system. This is particularly useful either for very long tie backs or for onerous thermodynamic conditions, particular experienced in riser systems. One type of active heating system uses electrical heating of the pipe, with obvious attendant expense. In another, more typically used system, the pipe has an annulus around it, and heating is achieved by transporting a heated fluid along the pipe annulus. More preferable in some current systems is the use of a small diameter tube(s) passing through the annulus around the oil carrying pipe, which is typically wound around the main pipe. The small tube(s) carries hot water which is pumped through it. Both the electrical power heating system and the heated fluid transport down the annulus are technically feasible, but require significant amounts of energy to be effective. Further, they are thermally inefficient since they try to heat the pipe from the outside in. Such inefficiencies limit the use of these systems, both commercially and technically. Current active heating systems that use small hot water carrying tubes require that the tubes be designed to resist being crushed. Hoses made of carbon steel or super duplex are used. When the tubes are comprised of thermoplastic material, reinforcing elements are added to protect these hot water tubes. The reinforcing elements either resist the crushing or are able to transmit the crushing force to the main pipeline. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,102,077 and references therein cited discloses a flexible pipe with thermoplastic hot water hose wound around the main pipe. Filler is added between each winding of the hot water hose to transmit the crushing force of the subsea environment to the main flexible pipe. Where rigid subsea pipes are used, the thermoplastic material hot water hoses are protected by an outer steel pipe called the carrier pipe. Alternatively, the hot water can be injected through the annulus between the inner pipe and the carrier pipe, avoiding need for use of a hot water tube. The above described conventional techniques for heating the pipe have the drawback that there are significant heat losses toward the exterior of the pipe, and the energy level required for heating the pipe is high. For example, for a start up with a system wherein hot water is passed through the annulus between the outer and inner pipes, it may take up to ten days to heat the pipe sufficiently for efficient transmission of oil. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The primary object of the present invention is to transmit oil or a comparable residue containing liquid through a pipeline that would usually be chilled, particularly a chilled subsea pipeline. Another object of the invention is to enable such transmission through an initially chilled pipeline with minimalized expenditure of energy. A further object is to provide such transmission by heating a pipeline efficiently and in a shorter priod of time than heretobefore. According to the invention, a heating element in the form of at least one small diameter tube is inserted inside the main pipeline and is used to transfer hot water or other heated liquid form one end of the pipeline to the other. The tube is disposed in the pipe, rather than being disposed in the annulus between the outside carrier pipe and the inner pipe. The tube in the main pipe is exposed to the liquid contents in the pipe. All of the heat losses of the hot water tube heat both the pipe and its contents passing through the pipeline. This has the additional benefit that the normal contents carried through the pipeline and the main pipeline itself through which the tube passes insulate the hot tube so that all heat losses from the tube are useful for heating the contents of the pipeline and the pipeline itself, and there is minimal heat loss to the surrounding chilled subsea environment. This arrangement enables very long lengths of pipe to be maintained at a suitable temperature, and start up conditions in the pipeline can be maintained when the pipeline is not operating, especially as the pipeline had been heated. Further, the time to initiate a start up in the pipeline is significantly reduced. A primary advantage of the proposed system is that is uses less energy to heat the pipeline and can also make use of the energy expended in heating the pipeline to extend over a greater distance along a pipeline than is true for traditional active heating systems. Compared to passive insulation systems, the invention can offer better performance, using less material and at lower cost. For example, this active heating system could cut the cost of heating the pipeline by avoiding the need for a surrounding carrier pipe (and the resulting annulus) and the need for expensive additional insulation for the heating system. Hot water injected through the hot water tube in the pipeline heats the pipeline to reach the start up condition. Sufficient heating may take up to two days, which is a significant benefit in comparison with the ten days that is required to heat a pipe to its start up conditions with hot water either injected in and traveling along the annulus or with hot water in pipes that pass through the annulus. During continuous operation of the pipeline after start up, and when the insulation of the pipe itself is sufficient to keep the effluent temperature above the wax formation temperature, it should no longer be necessary to inject hot water through the hot water tube or pipe passing through the main pipe. During continuous operation, that pipe can then be used alternatively as a service conduit for a number of services for the pipe, including riser gas lift, bulk dosing of chemicals and control functions. When the pipeline is shut down, the inner pipe can again be used as the active heating system. If the thermal insulation and/or the temperature of the oil being piped is insufficient to avoid wax formation and the temperature of the effluent is too low to avoid that formation, both passive thermal insulation of the pipeline and an active heating system may be combined to keep the effluent temperature above the wax formation temperature. There is a significant drawback in the system which results from the hot water tube being inside the main pipeline and typically sitting on the bottom of the flow line. That drawback related to pigging of the main pipeline carrying effluent which is used to clean the interior of the pipe to remove wax and hydrate deposits. Since the pipeline interior with a hot water tube on its interior is no longer completely round, traditional pigs cannot be used. Developments not herein disclosed are being created for the purpose of solving the problem of pigging. The installation of a smaller diameter auxiliary pipe in the bore of a larger diameter pipe for the small diameter pipe to supply heating to the larger pipe, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,924,245, although the system there illustrated suggests that the auxiliary pipe for hot fluid or steam might be centered in and rigidly connected to the main insulated pipe and the system is not concerned with oil pipeline. Other objects and features of the present invention will be described below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 shows a cross section through a schematically illustrated first prior art embodiment of a heated pipeline; FIG. 2 is a cross section schematically showing a second prior art embodiment of a heated pipeline; FIG. 3 schematically illustrates a perspective view of a pipeline embodiment according to the present invention; FIG. 4 is a cross section of the pipeline embodiment in FIG. 3 ; and FIG. 5 schematically shows an alternate embodiment of the invention with the tube in the pipeline in an alternate configuration. DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART In the prior art shown in FIG. 1 , a conventional pipe 10 includes an outer carrier pipe 12 with a conventional heat insulation layer 14 around it. Disposed within the carrier pipe 12 and substantially uniformly spaced in from the interior of the carrier pipe there is an inner pipe 16 which carries the oil or other material to be transmitted by the pipeline. An annulus 18 is developed between the outer pipeline 12 and the inner pipeline 16 . In order to heat the inner pipeline and particularly the contents thereof for the reasons discussed above, e.g., so as to prevent the formation of wax within the inner pipeline, there are a plurality of hot water hoses 22 that pass through the annulus 18 . They give up their heat to the inner pipe to elevate the temperature of the inner pipe sufficiently to prevent wax formation. But they lose a considerable amount of the inner heat outward. In this case, it is possible for the annulus 18 to be filled with insulation material 14 , to prevent heat loss from the hot water hoses 22 outwardly. Although several hot water hoses are illustrated in FIG. 1 , an alternate hose design including a helical single hose or several interlaced helical hoses may be provided. The second prior art pipeline embodiment 26 of FIG. 2 is substantially similar to the embodiment of FIG. 1 and corresponding elements in FIG. 2 are correspondingly numbered. That pipeline 26 in FIG. 2 has the outer carrier pipe 12 , the insulation layer 14 around the carrier pipe, the inner pipe 16 and the annulus 18 between the pipes. There are no hot water hoses for heating the inner pipe. Instead, hot water or other heating liquid is injected through and fills the annulus 18 , or at least fills the annulus sufficiently to heat the inner pipe 16 sufficiently to prevent wax formation therein. The radii of the inner and outer pipes and the position of the inner pipe 16 within the outer pipe 12 are selected to permit the hot water injected through the annulus to effect sufficient heating. Even more than it experiences with the embodiment of FIG. 1 , the pipeline 26 will experience heat losses outwardly from the carrier pipe 12 , so that a good part of the heat from the annulus is wasted, rather than heating the liquid passing through the inner pipe. In the above described prior art embodiments, the heating liquid and hot water hoses are in the annulus, are not inside the inner pipe and do not directly transmit heat from the heating supplying elements to the liquid passing through the inner pipe. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Turning to the embodiment of the invention disclosed in FIGS. 3 and 4 , the proposed pipeline 30 includes an outer main pipeline 32 which may be insulated, as at the layer 34 , or may not be insulated, and may be buried beneath the subsea surface, which could insulate it against heat loss outward. The pipeline may be rigid or flexible, as is known. An elongate tube 36 passes through and along the main pipeline. It may be inserted during the pipeline fabrication process. The tube 36 may be inserted loosely in the pipe 32 and not be attached to the internal surface of the main pipeline. Alternatively, the tube may be affixed to the pipeline 32 . It would be preferably attached at the ends of the pipeline. In interior surface 38 , the tube may extend straight through the pipeline, or may have another shape therein, e.g., in a helix 42 , as shown in FIG. 5 . The helix may be normally sprung outward to rest on the pipeline interior surface or not, as selected. In FIG. 3 , the tube 34 passes essentially in a straight line or in a nonspecific configuration through the external pipeline 32 . In FIG. 5 , in contrast, the tube 42 is formed into a helix, either before installation of the tube into the pipe 32 or as the tube is being inserted into the pipe, and the helical tube 42 is so shaped or is slightly sprung to be so shaped as to contact the inner surface 38 of the pipeline 32 . The helical pipe 42 provides more uniform distribution of heat around the pipe line 32 , for a particular cross section of tube. It would also tend to provide more heat to the fluid material along the pipeline, because the tube is in a helix rather than extending in a straight line. The materials of the tube 36 , 42 , the thickness of the walls of the tube, the diameter or cross section of the tube are selected for the desired heating purpose. The tube may be comprised of a plastic material, but is preferably of metal due to its heat conducting and radiating characteristics. The tube can be installed either during fabrication of the main pipeline or can be installed in situ after the pipeline has been installed. A fabrication technique that may be employed when the tube is installed during fabrication of the pipeline may comprise one of the following. The tube or inserted pipe can be installed in the main pipeline in the spool base, for the reeling method, and can be expanded using either pressure, or temperature, or both. The expanded inserted tube is then fixed to the main pipe at either end of the main pipeline stalk and is allowed to cool. Contraction of the pipeline induces a tensile load in the pipeline which is sufficient to ensure that the expansion of the tube during operation will not detrimentally affect the system performance. Ideally, the inserted tube will not move out of plane in any direction. This could be important for smooth passage of a pig system through the pipeline. The tension load induced in the pipe will have to be such that the pipe will not plastically deform during reeling or to ensure that any deformation is sufficiently recovered during subsequent straightening of the pipe. Alternatively, the fluid carrying heating tube can be simply inserted into the main pipeline without being fixed at all in place or being only fixed partially. The inserted tube will then be completely free or partially free to move in a different manner with respect to and inside the main pipe, particularly as the tube is heated by the hot liquid running through it and/or due to the pressure of the liquid which tends to straighten the pipe. In this case, the tube may be arranged to form or be applied in the form of a spiral or helix in the main pipe with a preset pitch for the spiral. Such a spiral arrangement will require a separate pigging system to be developed or require that the pipeline not have any pigging at all. In a further variant of this, a spiral design for the fluid tube may be induced to a designated pitch. In this case, the tube would be pulled into the main pipeline and then be released. When it is released, the tube would spring against the wall of the main pipe. This system would have the advantage of keeping the tube on the pipe wall and not having it provide any difficulties during reeling or during operation with differential expansion or excessive strain. For in situ installation, the tube is inserted into the main pipe either at the back of the pipe laying vessel, or from the host facility or subsea. Similar techniques to running a coil tubing could be employed. As noted above, the main pipe which carries the fluids that are to be kept hot and/or the tube within that pipe may or may not be insulated and may or may not be buried in the subsea surface. The insulation and burial may or may not be constant over the length of the pipeline. In addition to or as an alternative to the hot water tube carrying heating liquid, and especially when there is no need for the tube to carry the liquid, the tube may be used to carry various services, including electrical services that are used for servicing the pipeline installation or for heating purposes, for carrying chemical materials, such as methanol, hydraulic controls and various related or unrelated hydrocarbon materials. The present invention may be used for gas lifts in risers and/or pipelines and could also be configured to offer direct entry to a well from a host facility via the tube. Although the present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments thereof, many other variations and modifications and other uses will become apparent to those skilled in the art. It is preferred, therefore, that the present invention be limited to not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims.
A pipeline for transmitting oil or other substance which forms a solid residue such as wax when the substance is cooled, as in a subsea oil pipeline. Pass a tube through the interior of the pipeline, e.g., at the wall of the pipeline. Transmit heated liquid or water through the tube for heating the material being passed through the pipeline to a temperature which avoids or eliminates the solid residue and for heating the pipeline.
4
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation-in-part of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/379,291 filed Jul. 18, 1989, now abandoned which in turn is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/238,442 filed Aug. 30, 1988. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to flash-spinning polymeric film-fibril strands. More particularly, the invention concerns an improvement in such a process which permits flash-spinning of the strands from liquids which, if released to the atmosphere, would not detrimentally affect the earth's ozone. 2. Description of the Prior Art Blades and White, U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,519, describes a flash-spinning process for producing plexifilamentary film-fibril strands from fiber-forming polymers. A solution of the polymer in a liquid, which is a non-solvent for the polymer at or below its normal boiling point, is extruded at a temperature above the normal boiling point of the liquid and at autogenous or higher pressure into a medium of lower temperature and substantially lower pressure. This flash-spinning causes the liquid to vaporize and thereby cool the exudate which forms a plexifilamentary film-fibril strand of the polymer. Preferred polymers include crystalline polyhydrocarbons such as polyethylene and polypropylene. According to Blades and white, a suitable liquid for the flash spinning desirably (a) has a boiling point that is at least 25° C. below the melting point of the polymer; (b) is substantially unreactive with the polymer at the extrusion temperature; (c) should be a solvent for the polymer under the pressure and temperature set forth in the patent (i.e., these extrusion temperatures and pressures are respectively in the ranges of 165 to 225° C. and 545 to 1490 psia); (d) should dissolve less than 1% of the polymer at or below its normal boiling point; and should form a solution that will undergo rapid phase separation upon extrusion to form a polymer phase that contains insufficient solvent to plasticize the polymer. Depending on the particular polymer employed, the following liquids are useful in the flash-spinning process: aromatic hydrocarbons such as benzene, toluene, etc.; aliphatic hydrocarbons such as butane, pentane, hexane, heptane, octane, and their isomers and homologs; alicyclic hydrocarbons such as cyclohexane; unsaturated hydrocarbons; halogenated hydrocarbons such as methylene chloride, carbon tetrachloride, chloroform, ethyl chloride, methyl chloride; alcohols; esters; ethers; ketones; nitriles; amides; fluorocarbons; sulfur dioxide; carbon disulfide; nitromethane; water; and mixtures of the above liquids. The patent also diagrammatically illustrates certain principles helpful in establishing optimum spinning conditions to obtain plexifilamentary strands. Blades and White states that the flash-spinning solution additionally may contain a dissolved gas, such as nitrogen, carbon dioxide, helium, hydrogen, methane, propane, butane, ethylene, propylene, butene, etc. Preferred for improving plexifilament fibrillation are the less soluble gases, i.e., those that are dissolved to a less than 7% concentration in the polymer solution under the spinning conditions. Common additives, such as antioxidants, UV stabilizers, dyes, pigments and the like also can be added to the solution prior to extrusion. Anderson and Romano, U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,794, discloses a diagram similar to that of Blades and White for selecting conditions for spinning plexifilamentary strands. A graph is presented of spinning temperature versus spinning pressure for solutions of 10 to 16 weight percent of linear polyethylene in trichlorofluoromethane. This patent also describes in detail the preparation of a solution of 14 weight percent high density linear polyethylene in trichlorofluoromethane at a temperature of about 185° C. and a pressure of about 1640 psig which is then flash-spun from a let-down chamber at a temperature of 185° C. and a pressure of 1050 psig. Very similar temperatures, pressures and concentrations have been employed in commercial flash-spinning of polyethylene into plexifilamentary film-fibril strands, which were then converted into sheet structures. Although trichlorofluoromethane has been a very useful solvent for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of polyethylene, and has been the solvent used in commercial manufacture of polyethylene plexifilamentary strands, the escape of such a halocarbon into the atmosphere has been implicated as a source of depletion of the earth's ozone. A general discussion of the ozone-depletion problem is presented, for example, by P.S. Zurer, "Search Intensifies for Alternatives to Ozone-Depleting Halocarbons", Chemical & Engineering News, pages 17-20 (February 8, 1988). A convenient test to determine whether a given solvent would be suitable for flash-spinning a given polymer is disclosed by Woodell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,498. This test has been used extensively by the world's largest manufacturer of flash-spun polyethylene products to determine the suitability of alternatives to the trichlorofluoromethane solvent for preparing plexifilamentary strands. In the test, a mixture of the polymer plus the amount of solvent calculated to give about a 10 weight percent solution, is sealed in a thick-walled glass tube (the mixture occupies about one-third to one-half the tube volume) and the mixture is heated at autogenous pressure. Test temperatures usually range from about 100° C. to just below the critical temperature of the liquid being tested. Woodell states that if a single-phase, flowable solution is not formed in the tube at any temperature below the solvent critical temperature, T c , (or the polymer degradation temperature, whichever is lower) the solvent power is too low. At the other extreme, if a single phase solution is formed at some temperature below T c , but that solution cannot be converted to two liquid phases on being heated to a higher temperature (still below T c ), the solvent power is too high. Solvents whose inherent solvent power fails to fall within these extremes may be made suitable by dilution with either a non-solvent or a good-solvent additive, as appropriate. After choosing a suitable solvent or solvent mixture, the single-phase and two-liquid-phase boundary behavior of the solvent or mixture can be determined as a function of temperature and pressure at different polymer concentrations, as described by Anderson and Romano, mentioned above. An object of this invention is to provide an improved process for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of fiber-forming polyolefin, wherein the solvent should not be a depletion hazard to the earth's ozone. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one embodiment, the present invention provides an improved process for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands wherein polyethylene is dissolved in a halocarbon spin liquid to form a spin solution containing 10 to 20 percent of polyethylene by weight of the solution at a temperature in the range of 130 to 210° C. and a pressure that is greater than 2400 psi, preferably greater than 3000 psi, which solution is flash-spun into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure, the improvement comprising the halocarbon being selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane. In a preferred mode of the foregoing embodiment, the polyethylene has a melt index of at least 4 and a density of about 0.92-0.98 and it is dissolved in at least one isomer of dichlorotrifluoroethane, preferably 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, to form a spin solution containing 10 to 20 percent of the polyethylene by weight of the solution at a temperature in the range of 130 to 210° C. and a pressure that is greater than 2400 psi followed by flash-spinning the solution into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure. In another embodiment the present invention provides an improved process for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands wherein polyethylene is dissolved in a halocarbon spin liquid to form a spin solution containing 10 to 20 percent of polyethylene by weight of the solution at a temperature in the range of 130 to 210° C. and a pressure that is greater than 1,800 psi which solution is flash-spun into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure, the improvement comprising the halocarbon being selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane and 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane. In another embodiment, the present invention provides an improved process for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands wherein polyethylene is dissolved in a halocarbon spin liquid to form a spin solution containing 10 to 20 percent of polyethylene by weight of the solution at a temperature in the range of 130 to 210° C. and a pressure that is greater than 1,000 psi which solution is flash-spun into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure, the improvement comprising the halocarbon being 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane. In another embodiment the present invention provides an improved process for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands wherein polypropylene is dissolved in a halocarbon spin liquid to form a spin solution containing 8 to 20 percent of polypropylene by weight of the solution at a temperature in the range of 130 to 230° C., preferably 170 to 210° C., and a pressure that is greater than 1,000 psi which solution is flash-spun into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure, the improvement comprising the halocarbon being selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro-2-fluoroethane. In still another embodiment, the present invention provides an improved process for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands wherein a fiber-forming polyethylene is dissolved in a halocarbon spin liquid at a temperature in the range of 130° to 210° C. and a pressure that is greater than 1000 psia wherein the spin liquid further contains a co-solvent, either a hydrocarbon which amounts to 2 to 25 percent of the total weight of spin liquid or methylene chloride which amounts to 5 to 50 percent of the total weight of spin liquid, to form a spin solution containing 10 to 20 percent of fiber-forming polyethylene by weight of the solution and then is flash-spun into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure, the improvement comprising the halocarbon being selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro 2-fluoroethane. The present invention provides a novel solution consisting essentially of 8 to 20 weight percent of a fiber-forming polyolefin and 92 to 80 weight percent of a liquid containing a halocarbon selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane 1,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro-2-fluoroethane. The present invention provides a novel solution consisting essentially of 8 to 20 weight percent of a fiber-forming polyolefin and 92 to 80 weight percent of a halocarbon liquid selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane, 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane, 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane 1,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane and 1,1-dichloro-2-fluoroethane. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The term "polyolefin" as used herein, is intended to mean any of a series of largely saturated open chain polymeric hydrocarbons composed only of carbon and hydrogen. Typical polyolefins include, but are not limited to, polyethylene, polypropylene, and polymethylpentene. Conveniently, polyethylene and polypropylene are the preferred polyolefins for use in the process of the present invention. "Polyethylene" as used herein is intended to embrace not only homopolymers of ethylene, but also copolymers wherein at least 85% of the recurring units are ethylene units. One preferred polyethylene is a linear high density polyethylene which has an upper limit of melting range of about 130 to 135° C., a density in the range of 0.94 to 0.98 g/cm 3 and a melt index (as defined by ASTM D-1238-57T, Condition E) of greater than 0.1, and preferably below 100. Another preferred polyethylene is a linear low density polyethylene having a density of about 0.92-0.94 and a melt index of at least 4, preferably also below 100. The term "polypropylene" is intended to embrace not only homopolymers of propylene but also copolymers wherein at least 85% of the recurring units are propylene units. The term "plexifilamentary film-fibril strands" as used herein, means a strand which is characterized as a three-dimensional integral network of a multitude of thin, ribbon-like, film-fibril elements of random length and of less than about 4 microns average thickness, generally coextensively aligned with the longitudinal axis of the strand. The film-fibril elements intermittently unite and separate at irregular intervals in various places throughout the length, width and thickness of the strand to form the three-dimensional network. Such strands are described in further detail by Blades and White, U.S. Pat. No. 3,081,519 and by Anderson and Romano, U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,794. The present invention provides an improvement in the known process for producing plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of fiber-forming polyolefins from a halocarbon spin liquid that contains 8 to 20 weight percent of the fiber-forming polyolefin. In the known processes, which were described in the above-mentioned U.S. patents, a fiber-forming polyolefin, e.g. linear polyethylene, is dissolved in a spin liquid that includes a halocarbon to form a spin solution containing 10 to 20 percent of the linear polyethylene by weight of the solution and then is flash-spun at a temperature in the range of 130 to 230° C. and a pressure that is greater than the autogenous pressure of the spin liquid into a region of substantially lower temperature and pressure. The key improvement of the present invention requires the halocarbon to be selected from the group consisting of 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane ("HC-123"), 1,2-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane ("HC-123a"), 1,1-dichloro-1,2,2-trifluoroethane ("HC-123b"), 1,1-dichloro-2,2-difluoroethane ("HC-132a"), 1,2-dichloro-1,1-difluoroethane ("HC-132b"), 1,1-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane ("HC-132c"), 1,2-dichloro-1,2-difluoroethane ("HC-132") 1,1-dichloro-1-fluoroethane ("HC-141b") 1,2-dichloro-2-fluoroethane ("HC-141") and 1,1-dichloro-2-fluoroethane ("HC-141a"). The parenthetic designation is used herein as an abbreviation for the chemical formula of the halocarbon. The following table lists the known normal atmospheric boiling points (Tbp), critical temperatures (Tcr) and critical pressures (Pcr) for the selected halocarbons and for some prior art solvents. In the column labeled "Solubility", the Table also lists whether a 10% polyethylene solution can be formed as a single phase in the halocarbon or hydrocarbon at temperatures between 100 and about 225° C. under autogenous pressures. ______________________________________ Tbp, °C. Tcr, °C. Pcr, psia Solubility______________________________________HC-123 28.7 185 550 noHC-123a 28 noHC-123b 30.2HC-132a 60 238 noHC-132b 46.8 220 570 noHC-132c 48.4 noHC-132 59HC-141b 32 210 673 noHC-141 75.7HC-141aTrichloro- 23.8 198.0 639.5 yesfluoromethaneMethylene- 39.9 237.0 894.7 yeschlorideHexane 68.9 234.4 436.5 yesCyclohexane 80.7 280.4 590.2 yes______________________________________ Note that the suitable halocarbons listed above represent a very particular and small group of halocarbons that are suitable for use in the present invention. There are hundreds of halocarbons to select from. The conventional method of screening liquids (i.e., by means of the autogenous pressure polyethylene solubility test, described above) is inadequate as the halocarbons discovered to be useful for the present invention do not dissolve the polyethylene at autogenous pressures, in contrast to the prior art solvents shown above that would have been selected for further study because they do form solutions with the polyethylene at autogenous pressure. In contrast to the flash spinning fluids of the past, none of the halocarbons of the present invention form a single phase solution with polyethylene at the required concentrations and temperatures at the autogeneous pressure of the solvent. It has been found that in the case when a dichlorotrifluoroethane such as 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane ("HC-123") is the solvent it is entirely practical to produce a solution of 10 to 20 weight percent of polyethylene having a melt index of at least 4 and a density of about 0.92-0.98 and then to flash-spin the solution at temperatures of 130 to 210° C. and comparatively low pressures to produce high quality products. For this combination it is not necessary that the solution be formed into a single phase, it is sufficient that a homogeneous two phase solution be formed and spun as such. Indeed at pressures below about 5000-8000 psi such solutions will usually be of two-phases but high quality products can nonetheless be produced. This behavior is typical for most polyethylenes in HC-123 solvent and its isomers. These halocarbons do, of course, have certain characteristics that are also possessed by the known fiber-forming polyolefin flash-spinning liquids. For example, these halocarbons also are substantially unreactive with the polymer at the extrusion temperature. These halocarbons are solvents for the fiber-forming polyolefin under certain conditions, dissolve less than 1% of the polymer at or below their normal boiling points and form solutions that undergo rapid phase separation upon extrusion to form a polymer phase that contains insufficient solvent to plasticize the polymer. In addition to the above-stated characteristics, halocarbons suitable for use in the Process and solutions of the present invention (1) have boiling points in the range of 0 to 80° C., (2) are incompletely fluorinated and/or chlorinated, (3) have low flammability, (4) have adequate heat of vaporization to permit rapid cooling of the plexifilament when it is formed upon flash spinning, (5) have adequate thermal and hydrolytic stability for use in the flash spinning process, (6) have a sufficiently high electrostatic breakdown potential in the gaseous state so that they can be used in conventional spunbonded processes for forming sheets of the plexifilament (e.g., Steuber, U.S. Pat. No. 3,169,899) without exhibiting excessive decomposition of the halocarbon and (7) cannot form a single phase 10 weight percent solution of polyethylene in the liquid at temperatures in the range of 130 to 200° C. at the autogeneous pressure of the solvent. Specifically, with HC-123 and HC-123a, such solutions of polyethylene can be formed in the halocarbon liquid only at pressures greater than 2,400 psi; with HC-132a and HC-132b, such solutions of polyethylene can be formed in the halocarbon liquid only at pressures greater than 1,800 psi and with HC-141b, such solutions of polyethylene can be formed in the halocarbon liquid only at pressures greater than the autogeneous pressure of the solvent. Such solutions of polypropylene can be formed in the halocarbon spin liquids of this invention at pressures greater than the autogeneous pressure of the solvent. Satisfactory solutions of polyethylene and halocarbon can be formed at pressures as low as 1,000 psi when co-solvents of high solvent power are present in the halocarbon spin liquid. The combination of halocarbon characteristics have been discovered to be met substantially by only the ten halocarbons, listed above. To be an equivalent of any of the halocarbons of the invention, a newly developed or discovered halocarbon would also have to meet substantially all of these characteristics in order to be suitable for flash-spinning high quality, plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of fiber-forming polyolefin. Even among the halocarbons suitable for use in the process of the invention, care must be taken with these halocarbons to avoid certain disadvantageous characteristics which may be present. For example, excessive heating times are avoided with HC-123a, HC-132a, HC-132b and HC-141b to minimize decomposition that can arise from dehydrohalogenation or hydrolysis of the halocarbon. Care must also be taken with HC-132b, because there have been some indications that this chemical may be a male-animal-reproductive toxin. Because of its relative freedom from all of these stability and toxicity problems, HC-123 is the preferred halocarbon for use in the process of the invention. In forming a solution of fiber-forming polyolefin in the halocarbon liquids of the invention, a mixture of the fiber-forming polyolefin and halocarbon is raised to a temperature in the range of 130 to 230° C. If polyethylene is the polyolefin; the mixture is under a pressure of greater than 1,000 psi if the halocarbon is HC-141b, greater than 2,400 psi if the halocarbon is HC-123 or HC-123a and greater than 1,800 psi if the halocarbon is HC-132a or HC-132b. If polypropylene is used, the pressure is greater than 1,000 psi regardless of the halocarbon chosen. The mixtures described above are held under the required pressure until a solution of the fiber-forming polyolefin is formed in the liquid. Usually, maximum pressures of less than 10,000 psi are satisfactory. After the fiber-forming polyolefin has dissolved, the pressure may be reduced somewhat and the mixture is then flash spun to form the desired high quality plexifilamentary strand structure. The concentration of fiber-forming polyolefin in the spin liquid usually is in the range of 8-20 percent, preferably 10-20 percent, based on the total weight of the liquid and the fiber-forming polyolefin. The spin solution preferably consists of halocarbon liquid and fiber-forming polyolefin, but if lower pressures are desired for solution preparation and spinning, the spin solution can contain a second liquid, or co-solvent, for the fiber-forming polyolefin. When the co-solvent is a hydrocarbon solvent, such as cyclohexane, toluene, chlorobenzene, hexane, pentane, 3-methyl pentane and the like, the concentration of the co-solvent in the mixture of halocarbon and co-solvent generally amounts to 2 to 25 weight percent and preferably less than 15 weight percent to minimize potential flammability problems. However, when methylene chloride is employed as the co-solvent, concentrations of the methylene chloride in the halocarbon/co-solvent mixture (i.e., free of fiber-forming polyolefin) genera11y amount to 5 to 50 weight percent. Conventional flash-spinning additives can be incorporated into the spin mixtures by known techniques. These additives can function as ultraviolet-light stabilizers, antioxidants, fillers, dyes, and the like. The various characteristics and properties mentioned in the preceding discussion and in the examples below were determined by the following procedures. Test Methods Solubility of the polyethylene and polypropylene under autogenous conditions were measured by the convenient sealed-tube test of Woodell, U.S. Pat. No. 3,655,498, that was also described in the next to last paragraph of the "Description of the Prior Art" section of this document. The quality of the plexifilamentary film-fibril strands produced in the examples was rated subjectively. A rating of "5" indicates that the strand had better fibrillation than is usually achieved in the commercial production of spunbonded sheet made from such flash-spun polyethylene strands. A rating of "4" indicates that the product was as good as commercially flash-spun strands. A rating of "3" indicates that the strands were not quite as good as the commercially flash-spun strands. A "2" indicates a very poorly fibrillated, inadequate strand. A "1" indicates no strand formation. A rating of "3" is the minimum considered satisfactory for use in the process of the present invention. The commercial strand product is produced from solutions of about 12.5% linear polyethylene in trichlorofluoromethane substantially as set forth in Lee, United States patent 4,554,207, column 4, line 63, through column 5, line 10, which disclosure is hereby incorporated by reference. The surface area of the plexifilamentary film-fibril strand product is another measure of the degree and fineness of fibrillation of the flash-spun product. Surface area is measured by the BET nitrogen absorption method of S. Brunauer, P.H. Emmett and E. Teller, J. Am. Chem Soc., V. 60 p 309-319 (1938) and is reported as m 2 /g. Tenacity of the flash-spun strand is determined with an Instron tensile-testing machine. The strands are conditioned and tested at 70° F and 65% relative humidity. The denier of the strand is determined from the weight of a 15 cm sample length of strand. The sample is then twisted to 10 turns per inch and mounted in the jaws of the Instron Tester. A 1-inch gauge length and an elongation rate of 60% per minute are used. The tenacity at break is recorded in grams per denier (gpd). The invention is illustrated in the Examples which follow with a batch process in equipment of relatively small size. Such batch processes can be scaled-up and converted to continuous flash-spinning processes that can be performed, for example, in the type of equipment disclosed by Anderson and Romano, U.S. Pat. No. 3,227,794. In the Examples and Tables, processes of the invention are identified with Arabic numerals. Processes identified with uppercase letters are comparison processes that are outside the invention. Parts and percentages are by weight unless otherwise indicated. EXAMPLES For each of Examples 1-25 and Comparisons A and B, a high density linear polyethylene of 0.76 Melt Index and density of 0.96 g/cm 3 was flash-spun into satisfactory plexifilamentary film-fibril strand in accordance with the invention (except for Example 7, in which a low density linear polyethylene of 26 Melt Index and density of 0.94 g/cm 3 was used). For Example 26 polypropylene is used and for Examples 27 to 37 various types of polyethylenes are used. In these Examples LLDPE means linear low density polyethylene and HDPE means high density polyethylene. Two types of apparatus were used to prepare the mixture of halocarbon and fiber-forming polyolefin and perform the flash-spinning. The apparatus designated "I" was employed for Examples 1, 5 and 17. The apparatus designated "II" was utilized for all other Examples and for the Comparisons. Apparatus "I" is a high pressure apparatus comprising a cylindrical vessel of 50 cm 3 volume, fitted at one end with a cylindrical piston which is adapted to apply pressure to the contents of the vessel. The other end of the vessel is fitted with a spinneret assembly having an orifice of 0.030-inch diameter and 0.060-inch length and a quick-acting means for opening and closing the orifice. Means are included for measuring the pressure and temperature inside the vessel. In operation, the vessel is charged with fiber-forming polyolefin and halocarbon. A high pressure (e.g., 4,500 psi) is applied to the charge. The contents are heated at the desired temperature (e.g., 140° C.) for about an hour to effect the formation of a solution which is then "mixed" by cycling the pressure about ten times. The pressure is then reduced to that desired for spinning and the spinneret orifice valve opened. The resultant flash-spun product is then collected. Apparatus "II" comprises a pair of high pressure cylindrical vessels, each fitted with a piston for applying pressure. The vessels are each similar to the cylindrical vessel of apparatus "I", but rather than having an orifice assembly in each vessel, the two are connected to each other with a transfer line. The transfer line contains a series of fine mesh screens intended for mixing the contents of the apparatus by forcing the contents through the transfer line from one cylinder to the other. A spinneret assembly having an orifice of 0.030-inch diameter is connected to the transfer lines with quick acting means for opening and closing the orifice. Means are included for measuring the pressure and temperature inside the vessel. For experiments 26 and 27 the spinneret assembly consists of a pressure letdown orifice of 0.03375 inch (8.5×10 -4 m) diameter and a 0.030 inch length (7.62×10 -4 m), a letdown chamber of 0.25 inch (6.3×10 -3 m) diameter and 1.92 inch length, and a spinneret orifice of 0.30 inch (7.62×10 -4 m) diameter. In operation, the apparatus is charged with fiber-forming polyolefin and halocarbon and a high pressure is applied to the charge. The contents then are heated at the desired temperature for about an hour and a half during which time a differential pressure of about 50 psi is alternately established between the two cylinders to repeatedly force the contents through the transfer line from one cylinder to the other to provide mixing and effect formation of a solution. The pressure desired for spinning is then set and the spinneret orifice opened. The resultant flash-spun product is then collected. All Examples and Comparisons were performed in a similar fashion, depending on the apparatus used, under the specific conditions and with the particular ingredients shown in the following summary tables. The tables also record characteristics of the strands produced by the flash-spinning. In Table I, Examples 1-7 illustrate the use of different halocarbons suitable for the process and solutions of the invention. Comparisons A and B show the use of some of the same halocarbons but under conditions that do not permit production of satisfactory strand. TABLE I__________________________________________________________________________ Example No. 1 2 A 3 B 4 5 6a 6b 7__________________________________________________________________________Apparatus I II II II II II I II II IIPolyethylene 14.4 12 12 12 12 12 11.4 12 12 12Conc, wt %Solvent: HC 123 123 123 132b 132b 141b 123a 132a 132c 132bMixingTemp, °C. 140 140 170 140 140 140 140 140 140 140Press, psig 4500-3800 5700 2900 2000 1500 2500 4200 2500 2500 2500SpinningTemp, °C. 170 140 170 180 200 170 170 200 180 180Press, psig 2500 3200-4200 2900 2000 1500 2500 2500 2500 2500 2500Strand ProductDenier 776 1003 ns* 476 ns 598 nm** nm 535 nmTenacity, gpd 3.25 2.91 ns 3.03 ns 2.8 nm nm 1.85 nmQuality 4 4 1 4.5 1 4 3 4 4 3__________________________________________________________________________ In Table II, Examples 8-25 illustrate the use of various co-solvents with the halocarbons. TABLE II__________________________________________________________________________ Example No. 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17__________________________________________________________________________Apparatus II II II II II II II II I IIPolyethylene 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 12 11.4 12Conc, wt %Solvent: HC 123 123 123 132b 123 123 123 123 123 123Co-solvent CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 3-methyl C.sub.6 H.sub.12 C.sub.6 H.sub.12 toluene toluene pentane hexane pentanewt %*** 25 33 50 7 13.3 16.7 6.7 13.3 13.1 20MixingTemp, °C. 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140Press, psig 2500 1800 2500 2500 2800 2500 2600 2000 4200-3700 2700SpinningTemp, °C. 170 160 170 200 170 170 170 160 170 170Press, psig 2500 1800 2500 2500 2900 2500 2900 2000 3000 2900Strand ProductDenier 577 566 686 nm 564 612 642 877Tenacity, gpd 2.74 2.58 2.43 nm 2.3 1.96 2.41 1.70Surface Area, m.sup.2 /g 37.8 49.6 63.1 nm 34.9 28.0 15.9 25.6Quality 4.5 4.5 4 4.5 5 5 4.5 4.5 4 5__________________________________________________________________________ Example No. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25__________________________________________________________________________Apparatus II II II II II II II IIPolyethylene 12 12 12 15 12 12 12 12Conc, wt %Solvent: HC 123 123 123 123 123 123 123 123Co-solvent chloro- CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 CH.sub.2 Cl.sub.2 C.sub.6 H.sub.12 toluene benzenewt %*** 6.7 5 10 10 32.5 40 5 5MixingTemp, °C. 140 140 140 140 140 140 140 140Press, psig 2600 5500 5500 4000 1800 1800 ˜5500 4000SpinningTemp, °C. 170 170 160 170 170 200 170 170Press, psig 2800 ˜4700 ˜4700 ˜3500 1575 1575 ˜5000 ˜3650Strand ProductDenier 527 374 596 486.8 399.2 707 549Tenacity, gpd 4.61 2.93 4.22 2.67 2.43 1.79 2.94Surface Area, m.sup.2 /g 34.2 36.4 52.9 29.7 36.2 34.9 30.5Quality 4 4 5 4 5 4.5 4 4__________________________________________________________________________ *"ns" means no strand formed **"nm" means no measurement was made + C.sub.6 H.sub.12 is cyclohexane ***means based on solvent only In Table III, Example 26 shows that well fibrillated plexifilaments can be obtained from other types of polyolefins using this invention. The apparatus and methodology used in this example were the same as the examples in Table II except polyethylene was substituted with isotactic polypropylene with a Melt Flow Rate of 0.4, available commercially under the tradename "Profax 6823" by Hercules, Inc. Wilmington, De. In addition, higher mixing temperature was used to compensate for the higher melting point of the polymer. The conditions used and the properties of the resultant fiber are summarized in Table III. The polymer mix contained 3.6 wt% based on polymer of Irganox® 1010 (Trademark of Ciba-Geigy Corp. for a high-molecular weight hindered polyphenol) as an antioxidant. TABLE III______________________________________ Example No. 26______________________________________Apparatus IIPolypropylene 16Conc, wt %Solvent: HC 123MixingTemp, °C. 180Press, psi 1800SpinningTemp, °C. 180Press, psi 1300 (estimated)Strand ProductDenier 483Tenacity, gpd 1.23Quality 4______________________________________ TABLE IV__________________________________________________________________________ Example No. 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37__________________________________________________________________________Apparatus II II II II II II II II II II IIPolyethylene LLDPE LLDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPE HDPEMelt Index 12 12 55 33 17.5 6 6 6 6 6 6Density, g/cm.sup.3 0.933 0.933 0.955 0.955 0.948 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96 0.96Conc, wt % 15.4 15 15 15 15 15 16 12 16 16 16Solvent: HC 123 123 123 123 123 123 123 123 123 123 123MixingTemp, °C. 140 180 180 180 180 180 160 180 140 180 140Press, psig 2400-2550 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3000 3500 3500 3500 2500SpinningTemp, °C. 160 180 180 180 180 180 160 180 140 180 140Press, psig ˜1950 3500 3500 3500 3500 3500 3000 3500 3500 3500 2500Strand ProductDenier 554 570 457 525 561 624 853 686 852 607 968Tenacity, gpd 1.15 1.3 1.05 1.6 1.8 2.5 2.3 2.3 2.1 2.5 2.2Quality 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4 4__________________________________________________________________________
An improved process is provided for flash-spinning plexifilamentary film-fibril strands of fiber-forming polyolefin from a small group halocarbon liquids that, if released to the atmosphere, present a greatly reduced ozone depletion hazard, as compared to the halocarbon currently-used commercially for making the strands. The preferred halocarbon for this purpose is 1,1-dichloro-2,2,2-trifluoroethane.
3
FIELD OF THE INVENTION AND RELATED ART STATEMENT The present invention relates to apparatus for reading commodity data forming a checkout system for use in retail stores and the like. So far, an apparatus for reading commodity data as shown in FIG. 13 has been in use which includes a stationary reader 15 formed of a reader body 13 and a reading window 14 provided on the front face thereof installed on a laterally elongated counter 16 and is adapted such that commodity data in the form of bar code or the like are read by the reader 15 while each commodity is moved past the front face of the reading window 14 from one side of the counter 16 to the other side. In handling a commodity to read its data, it is preferable that the commodity data is held in confronted relation with the reading window 14. However, since the reader 15 is fixed and hence the height and orientation of the reading window 14 is fixed, the operator has to change, according to the stature of the operator, the angle of the arm holding the commodity to bring the commodity data face to face with the reading window 14. Besides, since the face of the commodity data in confrontation with the reading window 14 is turned forward held in vertical direction, the position on the reading window 14 toward which the commodity data is directed is difficult to observe. If the angle of the bent arm is large, it means that the operator is lifting the commodity up and hence being required to expend correspondingly heavy labor. Further, since the position of the display is fixed, the operator in handling the commodities must turn the eyes hither and thither causing the eyes to be easily strained. Besides, since the bar code reader, the display, and the like are attached to a frame, when it is transported to the position of use, it is possible that the bar code reader or the display is injured by interfering with other furniture or the like. OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A first object of the present invention is to provide a commodity data reading apparatus which an operator can operate in an easy posture according to the stature of the operator. A second object of the present invention is to provide a commodity data reading apparatus in which the position of the display can be adjusted according to the stature of the operator so that it imposed less strain on the eyes. A third object of the present invention is to provide a mechanism in a simple structure for changing the orientation of the reading surface of the bar code reader. A fourth object of the present invention is to provide a commodity data reading apparatus in which the orientation of the bar code reader and the inclination of the keyboard can be adjusted separately. A fifth object of the present invention is to provide a commodity data reading apparatus provided with means for protecting the bar code reader and the display. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a first embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a partly sectional side view of the first embodiment; FIG. 3 is a reduced perspective view showing an overall arrangement of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 4 is a left-hand side view with a left pillar removed for showing a support structure of the bar code reader and the keyboard; FIG. 5 is a left-hand side view in section of the same portion; FIG. 6 is a partially cutaway plan view showing an operating mechanism on a mount; FIG. 7 is a left-hand side view in vertical section showing in an enlarged scale a rotating and supporting mechanism for the base of the keyboard; FIG. 8 is a partially cutaway plan view showing a coupling mechanism between a stop lever and sliding bars; FIG. 9 is a left-hand side view in vertical section for showing a rotating and supporting mechanism of the display; FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing a coupling mechanism between a frame and an oil cylinder; FIG. 11 is a left-hand side view; FIG. 12 is a left-hand side view showing a third embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 13 is a perspective view showing a prior art example. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 1 and FIG. 2. Reference numeral 1 denotes a counter, and a support member 3 having rectangular pipings 2 opposing each other is fixed to the lower portion of the counter 1. There are a pair of elevating members 4, on the left and right, fitted in the rectangular pipings 2 for sliding in the vertical direction. Reference numeral 5 denotes a bar code reader, and its reader body 6 is provided with a reading window 7 formed on the front face thereof. On the outer surface of the reader body 6 and on the inner surface of the elevating member 4, there are formed bosses (not shown) which are fitted to each other for rotation around an axis running from side to side. There is a fastening screw 8 serving to fix the reader in place passed through the elevating member 4 in alignment with the axis of the bosses and the end of the fastening screw 8 is threaded in the reader body 6. There also is a fastening screw 9 serving to fix the elevating member in place threaded in the rectangular piping 2, and there are a plurality of recesses (not shown) with which the end of the fastening screw 9 engages made in the side face of the elevating member 4 at regular intervals in the vertical direction. To the tops of the elevating members 4, a keyboard 11 having a display portion 10 is attached. In the described arrangement, a basket (not shown) containing commodities 12 is mounted on the counter 1 at its right-hand side, whereas an empty basket is placed at the left-hand side. The commodity data of the commodities 12 in the form of bar code or the like are read by the bar code reader 5 while each commodity 12 is picked out from the basket on the right and put into the basket on the left past the front surface of the reading window 7. Prior to the reading operation, the fastening screws 9 are unscrewed to allow the elevating members 4 to slide up or down together with the bar code reader 5 and thereafter the fastening screws 9 are tightened to fix the elevating members 4, whereby the bar code reader 5 is adjusted to the stature of the operator. Also, the fastening screws 8 are unscrewed to allow the reader body 6 to turn backward or forward and thereafter the fastening screws 8 are tightened to fix the reader body 6, whereby the orientation of the bar code reader 5 is adjusted so that, when the commodity data is held somewhat to look up, the surface having this commodity data thereon comes face to face, in parallel, with the reading window 7. Hence, even when operators are changed, the apparatus can be adjusted so that, when a commodity 12 is held to face the reading window 7, the angle of the bent arms of the new operator may be suitable to the operator and the facing condition of the commodity data with the reading window 7 may be easily observed. Thus, the labor required for the reading operation can be lessened and reading errors reduced. When a commodity 12 has no commodity data provided thereon, the keyboard 11 is used for inputting the pertinent data. A second embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to FIG. 3 to FIG. 11. As shown in FIG. 3, a frame 22 is provided in the center of a sacker table 21, and a bar code reader 24 with a reading window 23 formed on the front surface thereof, a keyboard 26 for inputting commodity data, and a display for cashier 27 are mounted to the frame 22. On the body case 25 of the keyboard 26, there is provided a card inserting portion 25a for inserting a magnetic card therein integrally formed with the body case, and a magnetic card reading portion (not shown) for reading magnetic data from the magnetic card is disposed below the card inserting portion 25a incorporated in the body case. The frame 22 is formed, as shown in FIG. 10, of a pair of pillars 28 on the left and the right, pillar covers 29 covering outer sides of these pillars from the center to the top, and a U-formed connecting frame 30 for connecting lower portions of the pillars 28, for expansion. That is, each of the pillars 28 is provided with a longitudinally slotted hole 32 and a plurality of set holes 33 made therein arranged in the vertical direction for inserting set screws 31 therein to be threaded into screw holes (not shown) made in the inner side of the connecting frame 30. Thus, by selecting one of the set holes 33 for inserting the set screw 31, the length of the frame 22 can be adjusted. Further, to each of the outer sides of the connecting frames 30, a vertically extending strip of projection 34 is fixed. To each strip of projection 34 is fixed a rectangular piping 35, which is guided for vertical movement by each of guide members 36 fixedly erected on the floor. The inner side of each of the guide members 36 is provided with a vertically extending groove made therein for allowing the strip of projection 34 to escape. The lower portion of the frame 22 is fixed to a piston 39 of an oil cylinder 38 fixed to the floor and the oil cylinder 38 and an oil jack 40 is connected by a pipe 41. A supporting mechanism of the bar code reader 24 and the keyboard 26 will now be described with reference to FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 11. FIG. 11 is a left-hand side view, FIG. 4 is a left-hand side view with one pillar 28 of the frame 22 cut away, and FIG. 5 is a left-hand side view in vertical section, wherein the pillar 28 supports the bar code reader 24 with its lower portion held by a support shaft 42 for rotation around it. Thereby, the bar code reader 24 can be rotated from the upright position in parallel with the pillar 28 to the right (toward the cashier). On the top of the housing 43 of the bar code reader 24, there is provided a metallic mount 44, fixed to the housing by screws, with a cross section in the shape of the letter U being erect. On both outer sides of the mount 44, there are provided stop levers 46 with their base portions held by each of support shafts 47 for rotation around it. Each stop lever 46 has a pin 45 projecting outwardly from the outer side of its swinging free end. The pin 45 is guided in the rotating direction of the bar code reader 24 by a guide member 48 fixed to the inner side of the pillar 28. The guide member 48 is provided with a plurality of engagement holes 49 for engagement with the pin 45 arranged along its length. Here, the stop lever 46 is formed of a resilient material and it can therefore be resiliently bent in the direction of its thickness. The keyboard 26 has a metallic base on its underside. This base 50 has a cross section in the shape of the letter U being inverted. Both sides of the base 50 are coupled with both sides of the mount 44 by means of support shafts 51 for rotation up and down around the same. These support shafts 51 are located closer to the cashier (to the right in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 11). Both sides of the base 50 are provided with engagement portions 52 in a sawtooth form along an arc of a circle with the center of the support shaft 51 taken as the center of the circle, and engagement members 53 in a pin form to be engaged with any of the engagement portions 52 are retained in slotted holes 54a made in both sides of the mount 44. The slotted hole 54a, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, is formed in the direction to allow the engagement member 53 to retreat from and advance to the engagement portion 52. The engagement member 53 is urged by a spring 54 one end thereof being fixed to the outer side of the mount 44, whereby the same is resiliently engaged with one of the engagement portions 52. Now, structure of an operating mechanism to cause the engagement member 53 to retreat from the engagement portion 52 and an operating mechanism to cause the pin 45 of the stop lever 46 to retreat from the engagement hole 49 will be described with reference to FIG. 4 to FIG. 6. FIG. 6 is a plan view with upper side of the base 50 cut away, wherein reference numeral 55 denotes the operating mechanism to cause the engagement member 53 to retreat from the engagement portion 52 and reference numeral 56 denotes the operating mechanism to cause the pin 45 of the stop lever 46 to retreat from the engagement hole 49. One operating mechanism 55 is formed of a lever 59 having a grip 57 projecting toward the cashier and being held to the bottom side of the mount 44 for rotation around a support shaft 58 and wires 60 one ends thereof being fixed to positions separated from the support shaft 58 and the other ends being fixed to the pin-formed engagement members 53. The path along which each wire 60 runs is defined by pulleys 61, 62, 63 rotatably fitted to the bottom side and the outer side of the mount 44. While the lever 59 is biased in an clockwise direction by tension of the wire 60 resulting from the pull of the spring 54, its range of rotation in the clockwise direction is limited by a stopper pin 64 vertically embedded in the bottom plate of the mount 44. The other operating mechanism 56 is formed of a lever 67 having a grip 65 projecting toward the cashier and being held to the bottom side of the mount 44 for rotation around a support shaft 66 and sliding bars 68, 69 one ends thereof being fixed to positions separated from the support shaft 66 for rotation around these and the other ends being coupled with the stop levers 46. A stopper pin 70 for limiting the range of rotation of the lever 67 in a clockwise direction and guide pins 71 for guiding movements of the sliding bars 68, 69 are vertically embedded in the bottom plate of the mount 44. The ends of the sliding bars 68, 69 are sticking out of both the outer sides of the mount 44. At each of the ends, there is provided, attached thereto and along the stop lever 46, a flexible piece 72 with a vertically slotted hole 73 made therein as shown in FIG. 4 and FIG. 5. Into the slotted hole 73 is inserted a screwed pipe 74 vertically embedded in the middle portion of the stop lever 46. By screwing a screw 75 from inner side of the flexible piece 72 into the screw pipe 74 as shown in FIG. 8, the flexible piece 72 of the sliding bar 68, 69 and the stop lever 46 are coupled. Between the flexible piece 72 and the stop lever 46, there is provided a compression spring 76 fitted on the screw pipe 74. Incidentally, while the range of rotation of the lever 59 is limited by the stopper pin 64 as described above, this range of rotation of the lever 59 is so designed that, even if the lever 59 is moved in a counterclockwise direction to the limit of the range of rotation to thereby pull the wire 60, the engagement member 53 is still caught slightly by the opening of the engagment portion 52. In this case, however, the slotted hole 54a has a margin in its length so that the engagement member 53 may separate further from the engagement portion 52. The mechanism for holding the display 27 in the pillars 28 is shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional view showing lower portion of the frame 22, wherein an outer case 77 of the display 27 is formed by coupling a case 78 and a light-transmitting cover 79 with the faces of their openings joined together. Through the outer case 77 is passed a special form shaft 80 fixedly attached to both the pillars 28. Both ends of the special form shaft 80 are provided with plate cams 82 fixedly fitted thereon, each cam having a plurality of engagement portions 81 in a saw tooth form provided along an arc of a circle with the center of the special form shaft 80 taken as its center. And, engagement pieces 83 resiliently engaging with any of the engagement portions 81 are fixed by screws to bosses 84 vertically embedded in the case 78. On both sides of the case 78, there are provided engagement portions 85 in a slit form to engage with the cam 82. Inner walls of both sides of these engagement portions 85 are adapted to come in abutment with both sides of the cam 82, whereby the movement of the outer case 77 along the axis of the special form shaft 80 is restricted. And, the edge of the cam 82 in the direction around the special form shaft 80 is confronting the inner wall of the engagement portion 85 with a predetermined amount of play, and thereby, the range of rotation of the outer case 77 with respect to the special form shaft 80 is virtually set to 15 degrees. Further, the bottom side of the case 78 is hollowed for passing the special form shaft 80 and the cam 82 therethrough, but there is provided a bottom cover 86 on the bottom side fixed by screws. The above described display 27 is that for the cashier. The display 87 for customers is provided mounted on the tops of the pillars 28 as shown in FIG. 4, FIG. 5, and FIG. 11. The depth of the frame 22 at its upper portion is made to be larger than the depth of the bar code reader 24 when it is held upright. That is, on both sides of the upper portions of the frames 22, there are provided, as shown in FIG. 11, covering portions 88 which when viewed sideways will cover the side faces of the bar code reader 24 in an upright position. Further, the depth of the frame 22 at the intermediate height is arranged to be larger than the diagonal length of the side face of the display 27 for cashier. That is, at both sides of the frame 22 at the intermediate height, there are provided covering portions 89 which when viewed sideways will cover the display 27 in its any rotated position. With described arrangement, by means of the engagement member 53 urged by the spring 54 put in engagement with certain engagement portions 52 on the base 50 of the keyboard 26, the rotational movement of the keyboard 26 around the support shaft 51 is stopped, whereby the keyboard 26 is maintained in a stabilized state at a specific position. Then, by turning the lever 59 counterclockwise with the use of the grip 57 projecting toward the cashier from below the front edge of the keyboard 26, the wires 60 are pulled, whereby the engagement members 53 retreat from the engagement portions 52 against the force of the springs 54. Thus, it becomes possible to incline the keyboard 26 around the support shaft 51 at a desired angle. During the adjustment of the angle of inclination of the keyboard 26, the range of rotation of the lever 59 is limited by the stopper pin 64, and thereby, the engagement members 53 are held to be still engaged slightly with the engagement portions 52. Hence, the keyboard 26 is prevented from falling by its own weight through an oversight. Under such conditions, by rotating the base 50 together with the keyboard 26, the component force of the rotating force acting on the keyboard 26 causes the engagement members 53 to retreat from the engagement portions 52 thereby allowing the rotation of the base 50. Further, by providing, as shown in FIG. 7, each side of the base 50 with a stopper 50a positioned above the topmost engagement portion 52 and a stopper 50b positioned below the bottommost engagement portion 52 so that the engagement member 53 is stopped by these stoppers 50a, 50b, the range of rotation of the keyboard 26 with respect to the mount 44 is limited. Further, since the pins 45 of the stop levers 46 at both sides of the mount 44 are engaged with certain engagement holes 49 of the guide members 48, the bar code reader 24 is prevented from rotational movement around the support shaft 42 and maintained in a stabilized state at a specific position. Then, by turning the lever 67 counterclockwise with the use of the grip 65, the sliding bars 68, 69 are pulled inward and these sliding bars 68, 69 pull the stop levers 46 inward, whereby the stop lever 46 is bent inward causing the pins 45 to be disengaged from the engagement holes 49. Thus, the bar code reader 24 can be turned around the support shaft 42 from the state held upright in parallel with the pillar 28 to a state facing downward obliquely. If then the hand is taken off the lever 67, the stop levers 46 return outward to original positions by their own elasticity pulling the sliding bars 68, 69 and thereby cause each of the pins 45 to engage with certain engagement holes 49 of the guide member 48. And, since the front end of each of the engagement pieces 83 resiliently engages with one of the engagement portions 81 of the cam 82, the display 27 is maintained in a stabilized state facing upward at a specific angle. By turning the outer case 77 around the special form shaft 80 fixed in place together with the cam 82, its angle of elevation can be adjusted. At this time the engagement piece 83 is changed to another engagement portion 81 to engage therewith. Further, if a pedal 40a of the oil jack 40 is pressed with the foot appropriately, pressure oil is supplied to the oil cylinder 38 whereby the frame 22 is pushed up by the piston 39, and if the foot is taken off the pedal 40 when the frame 22 has reached a level, it stably remains there. And, if the pedal 40a is pressed to the very end, pressure oil in the oil cylinder 38 is returned to the jack 40 and thereby the frame 22 is lowered. Thus, the bar code reader 24, the keyboard 26, and the displays 27, 87 can be adjusted in height. Besides, since the oil jack 40 is used as the power source for lifting them, the work for adjusting them to the stature of the cashier can be done with lessened labor and great ease. In registering the commodity data, the cashier can have the bar code attached to a commodity read by the bar code reader 24 during the course the cashier takes out the commodity from a basket placed on the sacker table 21 at one end and puts the commodity into another basket placed at the other end. If no bar code is attached or a bar code is stained, the cashier can input the commodity data by the keyboard 26 looking at the surface of the commodity on which its quality and the like are indicated and then at the keyboard 26. Further, in transporting the apparatus, the bar code reader 24 is held upright in parallel with the pillars 28 of the frame 22. In this state, the bar code reader 24 does not project from the front edge and the back edge of the covering portions 88 of the frame 22, and hence it does not interfere with other furniture or the like. And, since the display does not project from the front edge and the back edge of the covering portions 89 of the frame 22 regardless of its rotated position, it does not interfere with other furniture or the like. A third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIG. 12, wherein corresponding parts to those in the above described embodiments are denoted by corresponding reference numerals and explanation thereof will be omitted. The present embodiment is arranged such that, when the bar code reader 24 is returned to its upright position and the keyboard 26 is held in the position the angle of elevation thereof is brought to a minimum, covering portions 90 which will cover both sides of the keyboard 26 when viewed sideways are provided at the upper end portions of the frames 22. Therefore, in transporting the apparatus, while interference of the bar code reader 24 and the display 27 with other furniture or the like can be prevented by the covering portions 88, 89, interference of the keyboard 26 with other furniture or the like can also be prevented by the provision of the aforesaid covering portions 90.
An apparatus for reading commodity data is disclosed which comprises a support member, a reader formed of a reader body and a reading window provided on one face of the reader body, in which the reader is attached to the support member for rotation. The attitude of the reaading window can thus be adjusted according to the stature of the operator enabling the operator to perform a tireless reading operation. The attitude of a display has also been made adjustable.
0
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to the field of silica crucibles and more particularly to a silica crucible having a doped layer formed in the wall. 2. Background of the Invention The Czochralski (CZ) process is well-known in the art for production of ingots of single crystalline silicon, from which silicon wafers are made for use in the semiconductor industry. In the CZ process, metallic silicon is charged in a silica glass crucible housed within a susceptor. The charge is then heated by a heater surrounding the susceptor to melt the charged silicon. A single silicon crystal is pulled from the silicon melt at or near the melting temperature of silicon. In addition to the CZ process, fused silica crucibles are used to melt metallic silicon, which is then poured—from a nozzle formed into the crucible—into a mold to create a polycrystalline silicon ingot, which is used to make solar cells. As with the CZ crucible, a heater surrounds a susceptor, which holds the crucible. When fused glass crucibles are so used, metallic silicon in the crucible melts—at least in part—as a result of radiant heat transmitted by the heater through the susceptor and crucible. The radiant heat melts the silicon in the crucible, which has a melting point of about 1410 degrees C., but not the crucible. Once the silicon in the crucible is melted, however, the inner surface of the crucible beneath the surface of the molten silicon is heated to the same temperature as the molten silicon by thermal conduction. This is hot enough to deform the crucible wall, which is pressed by the weight of the melt into the susceptor. The melt line is the intersection of the surface of the molten silicon and the crucible wall. Because the wall above the melt line is not pressed into the susceptor by the weight of the melt, i.e., it is standing free, it may deform. It is difficult to control the heat to melt the silicon, and keep it molten, while preventing the wall above the melt line from sagging, buckling or otherwise deforming. Maintaining precise control over the heat slows down the CZ process and thus throughput of silicon ingots. It is known in the art to form a fused crucible with doped silica in the outer layer. The element used to dope the silica is one that promotes crystallization, such as aluminum, when the crucible is heated. Crystallized silica is much stronger than fused glass and will not deform as a result of heat in furnaces of the type used in the CZ and similar processes. One such known approach dopes the outer layer of a crucible with aluminum in the range of 50-120 ppm. Relatively early in the course of a long CZ process, the outer wall crystallizes as a result of the aluminum doping. The crystallized portion is more rigid than the remainder of the crucible and therefore supports the upper wall above the melt line. This prior art approach produces at least two kinds of problems, depending on the level of doping. First, the doping level must be high enough to create a rigid outer wall that supports the upper wall above the melt line. If the doping level is too low, the wall is subject to deformation in a manner similar to an undoped crucible. But when the doping level is high enough to support the upper wall, that portion of the wall beneath the melt line is subject to very high heat during the CZ process. This forms a very thick crystalline layer below the melt line. As a result of the prolonged heat and thick crystalline layer, the wall beneath the melt line may crack. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIGS. 1-3 are cross-sectional, highly schematic, side views of a mold showing sequential stages for forming a crucible of the type having a funnel at the lower end thereof. FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a crucible so formed. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative crucible formed according to the present invention in use during a CZ process. FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the crucible of FIG. 4 in use during a process for making solar cells. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Indicated generally at 10 in FIG. 1 is a system for making a fused glass crucible. The system includes a crucible mold 12 that is rotatable on a vertical axel 14 . Mold 12 includes a generally horizontal surface 14 on which a bottom portion of a crucible is formed, as well be seen. The mold also includes a generally upright surface 16 against which a wall portion of the crucible is formed. In FIG. 1 , system 10 is configured to form a crucible of the type having a nozzle at a lower end thereof. To this end, a graphite plug 18 is positioned in a lower end of the mold to form a passageway that communicates with a nozzle (not shown) that is attached to the crucible after it is fused. For the details of manufacturing a crucible having such a nozzle, reference is made to U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/271,491 for a Silica Vessel with Nozzle and Method of Making, filed Nov. 9, 2005, which is hereby incorporated herein by reference for all purposes. System 10 includes a bulk grain hopper 20 and a doped grain hopper 22 . The flow of grain from each hopper is controlled by regulating valves 24 , 26 , respectively. A feed tube 28 introduces flow of silica grain into mold 12 from either one of or both of the hoppers depending upon how valves 24 , 26 are set. Feed tube 28 is vertically movable into and out of mold 12 . This facilitates selectively depositing grain on upright surface 16 and on generally horizontal surface 14 , as well be further explained. A spatula 30 is also vertically movable and in addition is horizontally movable to shape grain in mold 12 as it rotates. Consideration will now be given to how system 12 is used to make a crucible. First, hopper 20 is loaded with bulk silica grain 32 . And hopper 22 is loaded with aluminum-doped silica grain 34 . Silica grain 34 may be doped with aluminum in the range of about 85-500 ppm. Next, mold 12 is rotated at a rate of about 100 rpm, feed tube 28 is positioned as shown in FIG. 1 , and valve 26 is opened to begin depositing doped grain 34 in a band or collar 36 about the perimeter of mold 12 . The feed tube is moved vertically to deposit doped grain as shown. The rotation rate is high to keep the doped grain in collar 36 above a predetermined level on generally upright surface 16 . If the rotation rate is too low, doped grain falls into lower portions of the mold, which is undesirable. In the present embodiment, the radially outer surface of collar 36 comprises the outermost portion of the uppermost part of the crucible wall. The doped grain that forms the collar is deposited in a layer that has a thickness (measured along a radial axis of mold 12 ) that is defined by the position of spatula 30 . This thickness may have a range of about 0.7-2.0 mm in the fully formed crucible. As will be seen, there is an outermost layer of silica grain that is not fused. This prevents burning of the mold and makes it easier to remove the crucible from the mold. The thickness of this unfused grain must be taken into account to provide the 0.7-2.0 mm thickness in the finished product. After collar 36 is laid down as described above, valve 26 is closed, and valve 24 as opened, as shown in FIG. 2 . In addition, the rate of rotation of mold 12 is reduced to 75 rpm. This permits some of the bulk grain 32 to fall to the lower portion of mold 12 . As bulk silica grain feeds from hopper 20 out of feed tube 28 , the feed tube moves vertically to coat the side and bottom of the mold with a layer 38 of bulk grain silica as shown. Spatula 30 shapes the bulk grain layer into the form of a crucible. As can be seen, layer 38 covers substantially all of collar 36 . Graphite plug 18 defines an opening through layer 38 in the shape of the plug. With reference to FIG. 3 , after the silica grain crucible is defined in mold 12 as shown in FIG. 2 , spatula 30 and feed tube 28 are withdrawn. Electrodes 40 , 42 are vertically movable into and out of the interior of mold 12 . The electrodes are attached to a DC power supply 46 that can apply power to the electrodes in a selectable range between about 300 KVA and 1200 KVA. When sufficient power is supplied to the electrodes, an extremely hot plasma ball forms around the electrodes. The heat so generated creates a fusion front that fuses the silica grain beginning at the inner surface of the formed crucible and proceeding to the outer surface. This fusion front fuses most of layer 38 and the collar 36 of doped silica grain but stops—as a result of stopping the application of power to electrodes 40 , 42 —before it fuses an outermost unfused layer 49 of grain that includes both bulk silica grain 38 and doped silica grain 36 . As previously mentioned, the depth of the grain deposited into mold 12 must take into account this unfused layer 49 so that a depth of the fused doped grain 36 , as shown in FIG. 4 , is in the range of 0.7-2.0 mm. A unitary fused glass crucible 50 is shown in FIG. 4 after it is removed from mold 12 and graphite plug 18 has been removed. It can be seen that an upper portion of crucible 50 has been cut off to produce a flat upper rim 52 . This provides a crucible of a predetermined height and also provides a flat upper rim. As can be seen, in FIG. 4 , collar 36 provides an outermost and uppermost portion of crucible 50 . After the upper portion of the cut is made, collar 36 —in the present embodiment—extends about 50 mm downwardly from rim 52 . It should be appreciated, however, that collar 36 could be formed to extend much further down the crucible—as much as ⅔ or ⅓ of the way down thus providing a much taller collar. As will be described shortly, a shorter caller is preferred. Turning now to FIG. 5 , indicated generally at 54 is a crucible in use in a CZ process. Crucible 54 is made in substantially the same manner as crucible 50 except that it does not have an opening in a lower portion thereof. This is accomplished simply by using a mold having a continuous smooth lower surface and omitting use of a graphite plug, like plug 18 . Crucible 54 includes an aluminum doped collar 56 , which is formed as described above in connection with crucible 50 . Like crucible 50 , crucible 56 has been cut along a plane at right angles to its longitudinal axis. This produces a substantially flat rim 58 . Crucible 54 is supported in a susceptor 60 that is inside a furnace (not shown). The susceptor is surrounded by a heater 62 . Crucible 54 has been charged with metallic silicon that has melted, which is now referred to as the melt 64 , in response to heat produced by heater 62 inside the furnace. A single silicon seed crystal 61 is held by a holder 63 , which slowly draws seed crystal 61 from the molten silicon in accordance with the CZ process. A crystalline ingot 65 forms, also in accordance with the CZ process, on the lower end of seed crystal 61 . Melt line 66 is defined about the perimeter of crucible 54 . The melt line progressively lowers as ingot 65 forms and is pulled from melt 64 . The melt 64 is at a temperature of about 1400 degrees C. As a result, the surface of crucible 54 beneath the melt line is also at that temperature. Even though the heat from the melt makes the crucible below melt line 66 very soft, the weight of the melt presses the crucible into susceptor 60 thus preventing any deformation of crucible 54 below melt line 66 . As the metallic silicon melts, the heat begins to crystallize crucible 54 in collar 56 as a result of the aluminum doped silicon within the collar. The portion of the crucible that is crystallized is hardened. This creates a relatively rigid crystalline ring or collar around the crucible, which stabilizes the portion of the crucible wall that is not crystallized. In other words, the rigid collar prevents the softer uncrystallized wall above the melt line from collapsing or otherwise deforming even as melt line 66 lowers to the bottom of the crucible. Finally, crucible 50 is shown in use in FIG. 5 . It also is held in a susceptor 68 . Likewise a heater 70 surrounds the susceptor 68 with all of the structure shown in FIG. 6 being contained within a furnace (not shown). Silicon melt 72 was formed by melting metallic silicon in crucible 50 by heating it with heater 70 in the furnace. A nozzle 74 , which was formed with graphite plug 18 , on the lower portion of crucible 50 is plugged during while the silicon is melted. Once fully molten, the plug is removed, and melt 72 pours through nozzle 74 —as shown in the drawing—into molds (not shown) that are used to make solar cells. As with the crucible of FIG. 5 , the FIG. 6 crucible walls are supported as a result of the crystalline ring formed when collar 36 begins to crystallize early in the CZ process. As a result, the walls of the crucible are supported above the melt line. It should be appreciated that the aluminum-doped collars, like collars 36 , 58 , can be formed so that the lower portion thereof is substantially at or slightly above the melt line when the crucibles are used. Or they may be slightly below the melt line—at least at the beginning of the CZ process. A good position for the lower end of the collar is less than about 5% of the crucible height below the melt line. The following examples demonstrate the advantages of the invention. EXAMPLE A A crucible like crucible 50 was formed that has a height of 400 mm, 270 mm inner diameter, and 10 mm wall thickness. In this example the crucible was doped with 100 ppm aluminum to form a collar, like collar 36 that extends 150 mm down from rim 52 . The collar is 1.4 mm thick and defines an outermost and uppermost surface of the crucible as shown in the drawing. A charge of 120 kg metallic silicon was charged and kept in the crucible for 120 hours without problems. EXAMPLE B A crucible like crucible 50 was formed that has a height of 400 mm, 270 mm inner diameter, and 10 mm wall thickness. In Example B the crucible was doped with 500 ppm aluminum to form a collar, like collar 36 that extends 50 mm down from rim 52 . The collar is 1.6 mm thick and defines an outermost and uppermost surface of the crucible as shown in the drawing. A charge of 120 kg metallic silicon was charged and kept in the crucible for 120 hours without problems. EXAMPLE C A crucible like crucible 50 was formed that has a height of 400 mm, 270 mm inner diameter, and 10 mm wall thickness. In this example the crucible was doped with 100 ppm aluminum to form a collar, like collar 36 that extends 310 mm down from rim 52 , which is substantially all of the generally upright outer wall of the crucible. The collar defines an outermost and uppermost surface of the crucible as shown in the drawing. A charge of 120 kg metallic silicon was charged and in the crucible. In this example, the melt overlaps substantially with the collar. Put differently, the melt line was substantially above the lower edge of the collar. After 50 hours of holding the melt, the crucible showed cracking between the substantially upright wall portion and the substantially horizontal bottom portion. This cracking results from the melt being in close proximity to the doped, and therefore crystallized, collar. Although the examples each use aluminum as a dopant, it should be appreciated that the invention could be implemented with any dopant that promotes crystallization, e.g., Barium. As can be seen, when the doped portion and the melt do not overlap, or overlap only slightly, the problems associated with the prior art fully doped outer crucible wall can be avoided. In addition, when the process use is known, i.e., how much silicon will be charged in the crucible and how quickly the melt will be drawn down, a crucible can be designed in which there is overlap between the collar and the melt, but only for a few hours, not enough to damage the crucible, during the early stages of the process. As a result, the problems associated with the prior art can be avoided even where there is overlap of the melt and the doped collar in the early stages of the process. While the invention has been disclosed in its preferred form, the specific embodiments thereof as disclosed and illustrated herein are not to be considered in a limiting sense. Indeed, it should be readily apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the present description that the invention can be modified in numerous ways. The inventor regards the subject matter of the invention to include all combinations and subcombinations of the various elements, features, functions and/or properties disclosed herein.
A fused glass crucible includes a collar of doped aluminum silica that defines uppermost and outermost surfaces of the crucible. The melt line that defines the surface of molten silicon in the crucible may be substantially at the lower end of the collar or slightly above it. Crystallization of the collar makes it hard and therefore supports the remaining uncrystallized portion of the crucible above the melt line. The melt line may also be below the lower end of the collar, especially if the melt is drawn down or poured early in the process. Because there is little or no overlap or because the overlap does not last long, the doped aluminum collar is not damaged by the heat of from the melt.
8
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention generally relates to hand trowels and more particularly to a hand trowel having a novel design to create a base depth during the installation of marble, granite and onyx flooring. 2. Description of the Prior Art Marble, granite and onyx flooring tiles are typically laid on a substrate in side-by-side relation, leaving uniform spaces between tiles for grout lines. The flooring pieces are affixed to the substrate with an adhesive material commonly referred to as “thinset,” which is spread onto the substrate or sub floor. Then a layer of mortar mix is dispersed in a certain thickness to allow leveling of the floor. The mortar mix is prepared to a consistency that is workable but capable of standing in shape, supporting the different marble size and thickness throughout. In order to install a run of marble, granite or onyx flooring, the mud bed, or mortar mix, is dispersed over the adhesive that was previously spread onto the sub floor, in a layer having variable thickness for leveling or pitching the floor. When the flooring material is pressed onto the layer of mortar bed material, the material evenly supports the flooring material, which has also been spread with the adhesive, forming a strong bond with the sub floor to allow the mud to disperse. This allows the excess mortar mix to spread without compromising the flooring material. Additionally, the raised level of mortar allows the installer to place a flooring piece in contact with the mortar bed and then mallet the flooring piece down to the degree necessary to achieve a level installation relative to the other previously installed flooring pieces, or pitched to the correct degree for patio or shower flooring. Various techniques are used to spread the surface of the mortar prior to pressing the flooring pieces into place. The conventional technique for preparing the surface of the mortar bed is performed by hoeing the mortar toward the installer with a conventional margin trowel, so as to form air pockets resembling an egg carton within the thickness, of the mortar mix. This technique also enables the raising and lowering of the height of the layer of adhesive, and allows the flooring material to be installed in contact with the mud bed and tapped into place with the mallet. This technique is frequently used during the installation of marble, granite and onyx flooring and is typically performed with a conventional margin trowel. The mortar spreads by exploding into the air pockets, filling the space as the flooring is pounded down with a mallet. This technique is frequently used during the installation of marble, granite and onyx flooring, and is typically performed with the use of a conventional prior art margin trowel, as shown in FIG. 1 . Conventionally, the trowel has a handle and a rectangular blade, which is typically 2 inches wide and 5+ inches in length. The installer uses the margin trowel to work the mortar bed in order to form air pockets. Each draw stroke of the trowel pulls a single furrow in the layer of the mortar bed to form egg carton shaped pockets. There is a need for a new type of trowel that can hoe multiple furrows with each stroke, to increase the efficiency of the process for creating an ideal height/depth of mortar during the installation of marble flooring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention is directed to an improved trowel designed for increasing the efficiency of hand working a mortar mix thickness, to produce air pockets in an egg carton style layer of mortar conforming to a certain height of the sub floor. The trowel includes a handle and an elongated slotted blade, securely joined together by a shank with a wooden or rubber handle. The blade has a gradually narrowing shape defined by edges extending to a distal end. The distal end is provided with a plurality of tips, which are spaced apart and separated by V-shaped notches. The tips are intended for raking through the mortar mix, toward the installer, to prepare the surface in multiple furrows instead of a single furrow. Preferably, the blade is constructed having two, three or four tips. The tips may be defined by a pair of edges converging at a point, wherein the edges converge at an acute angle. Alternatively, the tips may be defined by a pair of edges terminating at a flat, in which case the flat preferably has a length in the range of about 0.5 inches (1.27 cm) to 1.0 inch. (2.54 cm), and preferably about 0.875 inches (2.2 cm). Furthermore, combinations of tips of varying shapes and widths may be combined in the same trowel, depending on the consistency of the mortar mix to be worked. In addition, the V-shaped notches may be provided in varying sizes to accommodate the characteristics of differing adhesive materials or the installer's preferences. The V-shaped notches preferably vary from a depth of approximately 1.5 to 7.0 inches (3.8 to 17.75 cm) or a depth of from approximately 2% to 90% of the length of the blade. It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved trowel that increases the efficiency of each stroke, when the trowel is manually worked in a layer of adhesive, so as to increase the production of air pockets with each stroke of the trowel. It is a further object of the invention to provide an improved trowel that increases the efficiency of each stroke, when the trowel is manually worked in a layer of mortar mix, by presenting a plurality of tips having varied shapes specifically suited to the consistency of the mortar bed. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an improved trowel that increases the efficiency of each stroke, when the trowel is manually worked in a layer of adhesive, by providing V-shaped notches of varying depths specifically suited to the consistency of the mortar bed. These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be further understood, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of a representative conventional trowel of the prior art. FIG. 2 is a plan view of a trowel of the present invention having three pointed tips and V-shaped notches having a depth of approximately fifty percent of the blade length. FIG. 3 is a plan view of a trowel of the present invention having two pointed tips and V-shaped notches having a depth of approximately fifty percent of the blade length. FIG. 4 is a plan view of a trowel of the present invention having one pointed tip, two flat tips and V-shaped notches having a depth of approximately thirty percent of the blade length. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Shown throughout the drawings, the present invention is generally directed to an improved trowel for improving the efficiency of the process of manually working mortar mix in preparation for the installation of marble, granite and onyx flooring. The trowel of the present invention, as shown in various embodiments in FIGS. 2-4 , is particularly suited for the work of preparing the surface of a layer of mortar to produce air pockets in the mortar mix material. The trowel of the present invention includes a handle 15 and a blade 20 a - 20 c , joined by a shank 25 . It is preferred that the handle 15 be formed of rigid material and have a generally cylindrical shape suitable for grasping, as shown in FIGS. 2-4 . Wood is the preferred material for the handle 15 , but other materials, such as metal surrounded by high strength rubber, may be used. The shank 25 is preferably formed of metal and has a tang (not shown) extending into a bore provided in the handle 15 . The tang is securely fixed in the bore, preferably by being wedged into position and glued. It is preferred that the shank 25 have an end opposite the tang, which is securely fixed to the blade 20 a - 20 c by fastening means, such as by welding or screwing, such that the fastening means lie flush with the blade 20 a - 20 c on the surface opposite the shank 25 . It is preferred that the shank 25 be provided with a curved portion between the handle 15 and the blade 20 a - 20 c to displace the handle 15 from the plane of the blade 20 a - 20 c , so that a user may conveniently introduce the blade 20 a - 20 c to a layer of mortar without contacting the mortar with the handle 15 . The blade 20 a - 20 c is preferably of elongated shape, formed of metal selected to have resilient flexibility with some stiffness and a thickness of approximately 1/64 inch (0.04 cm). Metal used for a conventional trowel, of the prior art, as shown in FIG. 1 , is suitable for the trowel of the present invention. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that a trowel blade having a thickness of approximately 1/64 inch provides an appropriate spacer for gauging the correct spacing for marble flooring tiles. The blade 20 a - 20 c has a gradually narrowing shape, defined by edges 30 , as shown in FIGS. 2-4 , extending to a distal end. The distal end is provided with a plurality of tips 35 a - b adapted for working a layer of mortar mix material. The tips 35 a - b are spaced apart and separated by V-shaped notches 40 . The present invention contemplates a number of versions having different designs of blades 20 a - 20 c . A version of the invention is depicted in FIG. 2 having a blade 20 a with three tips 35 a , each narrowing, at an acute angle, to a point. A version of the invention is depicted in FIG. 3 having a blade 20 b with two tips 35 a , each narrowing, at an acute angle, to a point. A version of the invention is depicted in FIG. 4 having a blade 20 c with three tips 35 a - b , two of which tips 35 b narrow to a flat, and a central tip 35 a , which narrows to a point. In use, a flooring installer must apply a layer of thinset adhesive to a substrate, followed by a mortar mix, followed by thinset adhesive spread onto flooring material, such as marble, granite or onyx, to be laid in side-by-side relation. The flooring pieces must be aligned in a uniform pattern, leveled relative to each other, and spaced apart evenly to provide uniform grout lines. After laying the flooring pieces, the adhesive is allowed to cure, leaving the flooring pieces firmly affixed to the substrate. When laying marble pieces, it is conventional practice to space the flooring pieces 1/64 inch (0.04 cm) apart. It is also conventional to increase or decrease the height of the layer of mortar mix by disrupting the surface of the mortar bed to form air pockets. The installer works the mortar material in a continuous hoeing motion known to those skilled in the art. With the hoeing motion, each of the plurality of tips 35 a - b , of the trowel of the present invention, rakes a furrow in the mortar mix material, turning the mix to trap air and form the desired light air pockets. The installer may manipulate the trowel to control the movement of mortar mix along the edges 30 and along the V-shaped notches 40 , to simultaneously plow multiple furrows and produce egg carton like pockets in the layer of mortar mix. Mortar mix materials vary in their workability and it is contemplated that the present invention may be provided in different versions to best accommodate varying consistencies of mortar mix. The V-shaped notches 40 preferably have a depth ranging from approximately 1.5 to 7.0 inches (3.8 to 17.75 cm). With regard to the length of the blade 20 a - 20 c , it is preferred that the V-shaped notches extend approximately in the range of 2% to 90% of the length of the blade 20 a - 20 c . Generally, increasing the number of tips 35 a - b increases the efficiency of the trowel by allowing a corresponding number of furrows to be hoed by each of the tips 35 a - b . However, for a given consistency of mortar mix material, a sufficient depth of V-shaped notches 40 is required to successfully turn the mortar mix and produce the air pockets. The number of tips 35 a - b is limited by the overall width of the blade 20 a - c . A blade 20 a having three tips 35 a is shown in FIG. 2 , and a blade 20 b having two tips 35 a is shown in FIG. 3 . For a less viscous mortar mix material, the trowel may have V-shaped notches 40 of less depth, as shown in FIG. 4 , which depicts a trowel with a shorter blade 20 c and three tips 35 a - b. Furthermore, varying consistencies of mortar mix material may be worked with trowels having tips 35 a - b of different shape. FIGS. 2 and 3 depict tips 35 a that narrow to a point. FIG. 4 depicts three tips 35 a - b , two of which tips 35 b narrow to a flat, and one of which tips 35 a narrows to a point. Other combinations of number and type of tips 35 a - b and depth of V-shaped notches 40 not specifically shown in the drawings are also considered to be within the scope of the invention. While the preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it will be recognized and understood that various modifications can be made in the invention and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications which may fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
An improved trowel for facilitating the production of air pockets in a layer of mortar mix applied to a substrate for receiving marble-flooring pieces thereon. The trowel comprises a handle and an elongated blade joined together by a shank. The shape of the blade gradually narrows to a distal end that includes a plurality of tips separated by one or more V-shaped notch or notches. In various versions of the invention, the number of tips may vary and the tips may be flat or pointed. The V-shaped notch or notches may vary in depth.
4
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates generally to modular devices, such as drives, that are mounted in a variety of electronic devices, e.g. computers and servers. The invention is particularly related to a latch and ejector system for facilitating selective retention and ejection of the component from the chassis of the electronic device. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A variety of electronic devices, such as computers and servers, comprise various components that may be replaced or interchanged with other components. For example, a computer or server typically has one or more drives. Such drives usually are mounted in a chassis via screws. To service, replace or switch drives, the computer is placed out of service while a technician removes screws and manually disconnects cables to exchange or service the drive, e.g. CD drive or floppy drive. [0003] It would be advantageous to have a technique that facilitates the exchange of drives or a variety of other components used in electronic devices. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0004] The present invention relates generally to a technique for tool-less exchange of components in an electronic device. An exemplary component is a drive that might be found in a computer or server. The technique utilizes a latch system that secures the component in a chassis. However, upon activation of the latch system, the component is both released and forced outwardly to an ejected position. When the component is moved to this ejected position, a user is readily able to grasp the component for servicing or for exchange with another component. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0005] The invention will hereafter be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements, and: [0006] [0006]FIG. 1 is a perspective view an exemplary electronic device incorporating aspects of the present invention; [0007] [0007]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary drive and latch system mounted within a chassis; [0008] [0008]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the exemplary latch system illustrated in FIG. 2; [0009] [0009]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a lever portion of the system illustrated in FIG. 3; [0010] [0010]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a latch and base portion of the system illustrated in FIG. 3; and [0011] [0011]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plunger component utilized in the system illustrated in FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS [0012] Referring generally to FIG. 1, an exemplary electronic device 10 is illustrated according to one embodiment of the present invention. Electronic device 10 may comprise, for example, a computer or a server having one or more removable components 12 and 14 . A typical example of a removable component 12 or 14 is a drive, such as a CD drive, floppy drive, hard drive or DVD drive. The removable components or drives 12 , 14 are accessible through a panel 16 , such as a front panel of electronic device 10 . [0013] Device 10 also comprises at least one latch system 18 associated with at least one of the drives 12 or 14 . In the embodiment illustrated, both drives 12 and 14 have a corresponding latch system 18 . By actuating latch system 18 , the corresponding drive or other removable component is released and moved to an ejected position. For example, in FIG. 1, drive 14 is illustrated in a latched or operating position, and drive 12 is illustrated in an ejected position that permits a user to easily grasp the drive and remove it from device 10 . The latch system 18 is designed to electrically and mechanically disconnect the associated drive as it is forced outwardly to the ejected position. This facilitates easy exchange or servicing of a desired drive. [0014] In the embodiment illustrated, the exemplary latch system 18 is actuated by pressing an actuator 19 . One example of actuator 19 is a pair of push buttons 20 and 22 . Push button 22 extends through the front of push button 20 such that a user initially presses push button 22 inwardly until contacting push button 20 which is then moved inwardly an additional distance. Depression of push button 22 mechanically releases the associated drive, and continued depression of push button 20 physically moves the drive to the ejected position. [0015] Referring generally to FIGS. 2 and 3, one specific embodiment of latch system 18 is illustrated. As illustrated best in FIG. 2, latch system 18 is mounted to a chassis 24 of a desired electronic device, such as the computer or server discussed above. Mounted in chassis 24 is a movable component, e.g. movable component 14 . In this particular embodiment, component 14 comprises a drive that is electrically coupled into electronic device 10 via a connector 26 that plugs into a corresponding connector 28 (shown in dashed lines) of device 10 when installed. [0016] Movable component 14 comprises an outer housing 30 having a front 32 , a back 34 and a pair of sides 36 . Latch system 18 is positioned along one of the sides 36 . This side 36 comprises a recessed or cutout portion 38 that interacts with latch system 18 to securely latch or hold component 14 when installed in electronic device 10 . [0017] Latch system 18 generally comprises a throw or lever 40 , a base portion 42 , a latch 44 and a release plunger 46 (see also FIG. 3). When component 14 is installed, latch 44 engages recessed portion 38 to securely hold the component within chassis 24 . When latch system 18 is actuated, however, latch 44 is moved away from recessed portion 38 to release component 14 . Subsequently, lever 40 is actuated against back 34 of component 14 to force the component outwardly to its ejected position. The lever acts against back 34 with sufficient force to disconnect connector 26 and to slide component 14 outwardly for servicing, replacement or exchange with another type of drive or other component. [0018] It should be noted that a variety of levers, buttons, and other actuators can be used to release component 14 and to move the component to an ejected position. As illustrated, though, release plunger 46 comprises push button 22 that extends through an opening 48 formed through the front of push button 22 . Push button 22 forms a part of base portion 42 . To release and move component 14 to its ejected position, an individual presses push button 22 to move release plunger 46 against latch 44 . This movement causes latch 44 to disengage from recessed portion 38 , as indicated by arrow 50 of FIG. 1. As the user continues to depress push button 22 , push button 20 is eventually engaged causing movement of base portion 42 . [0019] For example, base portion 42 may be slidably mounted to chassis 24 via one or more pins 52 extending from chassis 24 and engaged within a slot 54 formed in base portion 42 . As base portion 42 is slid along pin 52 , it acts against lever 40 and pivots lever 40 about a pivot 56 . Pivot 56 may be formed by an appropriate boss or screw extending through lever 40 into engagement with chassis 24 . [0020] Lever 40 is positioned such that it is pivoted into back 34 of component 14 to force a disconnection of connector 26 and to move component 14 to its ejected position. Thus, a user is able to actuate latch system 18 with a single linear motion, e.g. by applying pressure with a thumb or forefinger, to both release and eject a given component. [0021] As illustrated best in FIG. 4, an exemplary lever 40 comprises a pivot arm 58 having an opening 60 therethrough for receiving pivot 56 . An abutment portion 62 is attached or formed at one end of pivot arm 58 . Abutment portion 62 is designed to abuttingly engage base portion 42 when latch system 18 is actuated. At an end of pivot arm 58 generally opposite abutment portion 62 , a press plate 64 is positioned to engage back 34 of component 14 . Thus, as force is applied to abutment portion 62 by base portion 42 , pivot arm 58 pivots about pivot 56 and drives press plate 64 against the back 34 of component 14 . When sufficient force is applied, connector 26 is disconnected and component 14 is moved to its ejected position. [0022] Referring generally to FIG. 5, one exemplary embodiment of both base portion 42 and latch 44 is illustrated. Base portion 42 is designed generally as a plunger having a framework 66 extending between a press plate member 68 and push button 20 . Framework 66 comprises a bottom plate 70 through which slot 54 is formed. Bottom plate 70 also comprises a slotted region 72 for slidably receiving release plunger 46 . [0023] Press plate member 68 is positioned to engage abutment portion 62 of lever 40 when push button 20 is pressed during actuation of latch system 18 . Push button 20 , on the other hand, is a generally hollow structure having a plurality of side walls 74 and a lead wall 76 through which opening 48 is formed. Push button 20 generally has a hollow interior 78 to receive release plunger 46 . [0024] Latch 44 is mounted to framework 66 by a spring member 80 to permit flexible motion of latch 44 as represented generally by arrow 82 . Latch member 44 further comprises a catch 84 designed for insertion into recessed portion 38 of component 14 . Spring member 80 biases catch 84 towards this engaged position. Thus, spring member 80 must be flexed against this bias to remove catch 84 when releasing and ejecting component 14 . [0025] To accomplish release of catch 84 , latch 44 further comprises a spur 86 that extends across the sliding path of travel of release plunger 46 . Spur 86 also is coupled to spring member 80 and disposed at an appropriate angle or arc such that movement of release plunger 46 against a slide surface 88 of spur 86 causes sufficient flex of spring member 80 to withdraw catch 84 from recessed portion 38 . In the embodiment illustrated, spur 86 is positioned such that catch 84 is moved approximately twice the distance of the movement of release plunger 46 during release of component 14 . However, the desired angle and/or arc of spur 86 and the resultant movement of catch 84 may vary from one application of latch system 18 to another. [0026] Referring generally to FIG. 6, one exemplary embodiment of release plunger 46 is illustrated. In this embodiment, push button 22 is mounted to a framework 90 that includes a slide member 92 . Slide member 92 is sized and positioned to extend upwardly through slotted region 72 of base portion 42 . Additionally, the width of framework 90 may be selected for sliding receipt in a lower groove 94 of base portion 42 , as illustrated in FIG. 5. [0027] An engagement plate 96 extends from slide member 92 such that the engagement plate also protrudes upwardly through slotted region 72 of base portion 42 . Engagement plate 96 is positioned to engage slide surface 88 of spur 86 during actuation of latch 44 and release of catch 84 . Engagement plate 96 may comprise an angled lead surface 98 angled to engage slide surface 88 . Additionally, engagement plate 96 may include a notched region 100 sized to slidably receive spur 86 therein. Notched region 100 maintains spur 86 in a desired orientation during actuation. [0028] The various components are combined to provide an easy, tool-less release and ejection of component 14 . Actuation of both the release mechanism and the ejection mechanism only requires that a user provide a force and motion in one direction. However, it should be noted that other designs may deviate from this single motion depending on the particular design of electronic device 10 and tool-less latch system 18 . [0029] It will be understood that the foregoing description is of exemplary embodiments of this invention, and that the invention is not limited to the specific forms shown. For example, the latch system may be incorporated into a variety of electronic devices for the removal of different types of components; the latch system may be formed of various materials, including plastics and metals; and the size, shape, location and orientation of various features and components of the latch system may be changed for a given application. These and other modifications may be made in the design and arrangement of the elements without departing from the scope of the invention as expressed in the appended claims.
A latch and ejector system utilized in an electronic device. The latch and ejector system allows for the tool-less release and removal of various components, such as drives, from various electronic devices. The latch system secures the component within the electronic device during use but provides for the ready release and movement of the component to an ejected position. Once the component is at the ejected position, a user may readily remove the component.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] Downhole tools such as actuators, for example, often use downhole hydrostatic pressures to create forces necessary to actuate the actuator. The actuator has a chamber that stores atmospheric pressure. The chamber includes an adjustable volume cavity that when exposed to downhole hydrostatic pressure is compressible to a smaller volume. Actuation is prevented from initiating until the chamber is positioned in a desired downhole location at which point the actuation is triggered. During compression, the actuator causes relative motion between portions thereof that is utilized in the actuation. [0002] Downhole hydrostatic pressures, however, can be so great that the walls that define the pressure cavity of the chamber can fail due to crushing or bursting depending upon the direction in which the hydrostatic pressure is applied. As such, the art may be receptive of pressure chambers with improved resistance to over pressure failures. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0003] Disclosed herein is a downhole pressure chamber. The pressure chamber includes, a first tubular having teeth extending from a surface thereof, a second tubular positioned coaxially with the first tubular having teeth extending from a surface thereof, the longitudinal teeth of the second tubular is axially slidably engaged with the surface of the first tubular, and the teeth of the first tubular is axially sidably engaged with the surface of the second tubular. The pressure chamber further includes, a first seal fixedly sealed to the first tubular and slidably sealed to the surface of the second tubular, and a second seal fixedly sealed to the second tubular and slidably sealed to the surface of the first tubular thereby defining a pressure cavity by the first seal, the second seal and an annular space between the two surfaces. [0004] Further disclosed herein is a downhole pressure chamber. The downhole pressure chamber includes, a first tubular having a first end and a second end, a second tubular positioned coaxially with the first tubular having a third end and a fourth end, at least one first seal fixedly sealed to the first tubular at the first end and slidably sealed to an inner perimetrical surface of the second tubular, at least one second seal fixedly sealed to the second tubular at the third end and slidably sealed to an outer perimetrical surface of the first tubular thereby defining a pressure cavity by the at least one first seal, the at least one second seal and an annular space between the inner perimetrical surface and the outer perimetrical surface, and at least one support member positioned within the annular space is slidably engaged with at least one of the inner perimetrical surface and the outer perimetrical surface, the at least one support member is radially supportive of the first tubular and the second tubular. [0005] Further disclosed herein is a method of making a downhole pressure chamber. The method includes, positioning a first tubular having a first end and a second end coaxially with a second tubular having a third end and a fourth end, slidably sealing the first end of the first tubular to an inner surface of the second tubular, slidably sealing the third end of the second tubular to an outer surface of the first tubular thereby defining a pressure cavity in an space between the inner surface, the outer surface and the two seals. The method further includes structurally supporting the first tubular with the second tubular while structurally supporting the second tubular with the first tubular with at least one support member slidably engaged with at least one of the first tubular and the second tubular in the annular space. [0006] Further disclosed herein is an atmospheric chamber. The atmospheric chamber includes, a first opposing wall of the chamber and a second opposing wall of the chamber, end members sealingly joining the first and second opposing walls of the chamber to create a fluid tight volumetric space, and at least one support substantially bridging between the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall positioned between respective end members. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] The following descriptions should not be considered limiting in any way. With reference to the accompanying drawings, like elements are numbered alike: [0008] FIG. 1 depicts a partially sectioned perspective view of the downhole pressure chamber disclosed herein; [0009] FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the downhole pressure chamber of FIG. 1 ; [0010] FIG. 3 depicts a cross sectional view of the downhole pressure chamber of FIG. 2 taken at arrows 3 - 3 ; [0011] FIG. 4 depicts a partial cross sectional view of an alternate embodiment of the downhole pressure chamber disclosed herein shown in an expanded pressure cavity configuration; and [0012] FIG. 5 depicts a partial cross sectional view of the downhole pressure chamber of FIG. 4 shown in a compressed pressure cavity configuration. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0013] A detailed description of several embodiments of the disclosed apparatus and method are presented herein by way of exemplification and not limitation with reference to the Figures. [0014] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the downhole pressure chamber 10 disclosed herein is illustrated. The downhole pressure chamber 10 includes a first tubular, disclosed herein as mandrel 14 , a second tubular, disclosed herein as housing 18 , a first seal 22 and a second seal 26 . The mandrel 14 and the housing 18 are made of a rigid material such as metal, for example. The mandrel 14 has a first end 30 , a second end 34 , an outer perimetrical surface 38 , with a plurality of longitudinal teeth 42 extending therefrom, and a pair of perimetrical grooves 46 receptive of the first seal 22 , disclosed herein as a pair of o-rings (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The housing 18 has a third end 50 , a fourth end 54 , an inner perimetrical surface 58 , with a plurality of longitudinal teeth 62 extending therefrom, and a pair of perimetrical grooves 66 receptive of the second seal 26 , disclosed herein as a pair of O-rings (not shown in FIG. 1 ). The first seal 22 slidably seals to the inner perimetrical surface 58 while the second seal 26 slidably seals to the outer perimetrical surface 38 , thereby defining a pressure chamber 70 by the inner perimetrical surface 58 , the outer perimetrical surface 38 , the first seal 22 and the second seal 26 . A volume of the pressure cavity 70 changes as the mandrel 14 and housing 18 move axially toward or away from one another. The volume of the pressure cavity 70 is greatest when the first end 30 is as far from the third end 50 as is possible from the sliding engagement of the mandrel 14 with the housing 18 . Similarly, the volume of the pressure cavity 70 is smallest when the first end 30 is as near to the third end 50 as is possible from the sliding engagement of the mandrel 14 with the housing 18 . As such, the downhole pressure chamber 10 can be used as an actuator by causing the mandrel 14 and the housing 18 to move axially relative to one another in response to pressure differentials between the pressure cavity 70 and a downhole environment external to the pressure cavity 70 . For example, if the pressure chamber 10 is positioned downhole with atmospheric pressure within the pressure cavity 70 and downhole hydrostatic pressure is exposed externally to the pressure cavity 70 pressure forces will act to compress the volume of the pressure cavity 70 thereby causing the mandrel 14 to move axially relative to the housing 18 . Actuation of the relative motion of the mandrel 14 and the housing 18 is prevented until a triggering event or after release of a release member that may occur based upon a selected pressure differential or simply a particular downhole pressure level. [0015] In an alternate embodiment, not shown, the longitudinal teeth 42 and 62 may be configured in a spiral pattern along the mandrel 14 and the housing 18 respectively. As such, during compression of the pressure cavity 70 the mandrel 14 , in addition to moving axially relative to the housing 18 would also move rotationally. Such rotational motion could be utilized to rotationally actuate a tool, for example. [0016] Hydrostatic pressures downhole can reach pressures in the range of about 3,000 to about 20,000 pounds per square-inch (psi). At such extreme pressures the housing 18 and the mandrel 14 are susceptible to crushing or bursting. Embodiments disclosed herein provide support to the housing 18 and mandrel 14 to minimize the possibility of such failures. The housing 18 and the mandrel 14 mutually support one another as will be described below. [0017] Referring to FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 3 the longitudinal teeth 42 of the mandrel 14 extend from the outer perimetrical surface 38 a dimension to substantially bridge an annular space 74 that exists between the inner perimetrical surface 58 and the outer perimetrical surface 38 . Thus, the longitudinal teeth 42 are in slidable engagement with the inner perimetrical surface 58 . Similarly, the longitudinal teeth 62 of the housing 18 extend from the inner perimetrical surface 58 a dimension to substantially bridge the annular space 74 that exists between the inner perimetrical surface 58 and the outer perimetrical surface 38 . Thus, the longitudinal teeth 62 are in slidable engagement with the outer perimetrical surface 38 . As such, both sets of longitudinal teeth 42 , 62 support both the mandrel 14 and the housing 18 . Specifically, radially inward movement of the inner perimetrical surface 58 that precedes crushing of the housing 18 by the hydrostatic pressure is counteracted by support of the housing 18 by the mandrel 14 through the teeth 42 , 62 . Similarly, radially outward movement of the outer perimetrical surface 38 that precedes bursting of the mandrel 14 by the hydrostatic pressure is counteracted by support of the mandrel 14 by the housing 18 through the teeth 42 , 62 . To assure that an axial portion of the mandrel 14 and housing 18 are not unsupported by the teeth 42 , 62 the teeth 42 extend from the first end 30 to beyond midway between the first end 30 and the second end 34 , and the teeth 62 extend from the third end 50 to beyond midway between the third end 50 and the fourth end 54 . By extending beyond midway between the ends 30 , 34 , 50 , 54 the teeth 42 , 62 are assured to overlap axially thereby assuring axial support to the mandrel 14 and the housing 18 . Alternate embodiments may, however, have teeth that do not axially overlap as long as the axial gap between the teeth does not exceed specific dimensions as will be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 . In order to overlap axially the teeth 42 , 62 must be arranged so as not perimetrically interfere with one another. This is accomplished by orienting the teeth 42 to aligned with gaps 76 between the teeth 62 , and similarly, to align the teeth 62 with the gaps 76 between the teeth 42 . [0018] Perimetrical spacing of the teeth 42 , 62 is also important to assure that the teeth 42 , 62 are not too far apart to adequately support the mandrel 14 and housing 18 . Structural calculations are known in the industry to assure that the housing 18 does not crush under the differential pressure across its tubular structure. Similar structural calculations are known in the industry to assure that the mandrel 14 does not burst under the differential pressure across its tubular structure. These structural calculations among other things include material properties, structural geometry and pressure differentials. With such calculations a safety factor can be determined. Low safety factors such as those less than one, for example, are susceptible to failure if additional support is not provided. In such cases, embodiments disclosed through the teeth 42 , 62 or through support rings (to be described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 below) can be utilized to provide the additional support needed. For embodiments using the teeth 42 , 62 a maximum gap 78 between adjacent teeth 42 , 62 should be maintained. One method of calculating the maximum gap 78 is: [((safety factor−1) divided by 0.167)+3] times 5% of the circumference of the tooth outer diameter (OD). This equates to a range of 15% of the circumference of the tooth OD for safety factors of 1 to 0.03% of the circumference of the tooth OD for safety factors of 0.5. Through other calculations the maximum axial unsupported gap is found to be 2 to 4 times the radial thickness of the wall of the housing 18 , depending upon the safety factor. [0019] Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5 , an embodiment of the downhole pressure chamber 110 disclosed herein is illustrated. The downhole pressure chamber 110 includes a first tubular, disclosed herein as mandrel 114 , a second tubular, disclosed herein as housing 118 , a first seal 122 and a second seal 126 . The mandrel 114 and the housing 118 are made of a rigid material such as metal, for example. The mandrel 114 has a first end 130 , a second end 134 , an outer perimetrical surface 138 and a pair of perimetrical grooves 146 receptive of the first seal 122 , disclosed herein as a pair of o-rings. The housing 118 has a third end 150 , a fourth end 154 , an inner perimetrical surface 158 and a pair of perimetrical grooves 166 receptive of the second seal 126 , disclosed herein as a pair of o-rings. The first seal 122 slidably seals to the inner perimetrical surface 158 while the second seal 126 slidably seals to the outer perimetrical surface 138 , thereby defining a pressure chamber 170 by the inner perimetrical surface 138 , the outer perimetrical surface 138 , the first seal 122 and the second seal 126 . A volume of the pressure cavity 170 changes as the mandrel 114 and housing 118 move axially toward or away from one another. The volume of the pressure cavity 170 is greatest when the first end 130 is as far from the third end 150 as is possible from the sliding engagement of the mandrel 114 with the housing 118 . Similarly, the volume of the pressure cavity 170 is smallest when the first end 130 is as near to the third end 150 as is possible from the sliding engagement of the mandrel 114 with the housing 118 . As such, the downhole pressure chamber 110 can be used as an actuator by causing the mandrel 114 and the housing 118 to move axially relative to one another in response to pressure differentials between the pressure cavity 170 and a downhole environment external to the pressure cavity 170 . For example, if the pressure chamber 110 is positioned downhole with atmospheric pressure within the pressure cavity 170 and downhole hydrostatic pressure is exposed externally to the pressure cavity 170 pressure forces will act to compress the volume of the pressure cavity 170 thereby causing the mandrel 114 to move axially relative to the housing 118 . [0020] Wherein radial support for the mandrel 14 and housing 18 of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-3 was through a plurality of teeth 42 , 62 , the embodiments of FIGS. 4 and 5 support the mandrel 114 and housing 118 through at least one support ring 174 . The support rings 172 are positioned in an annular space 174 defined by the perimetrical surfaces 138 and 158 . The support rings 172 are dimensioned to substantially bridge the annular space 174 and are in slidable engagement with the perimetrical surface 138 and 158 . As such the support rings 172 radially support both the mandrel 114 and the housing 118 . Specifically, radially inward movement of the inner perimetrical surface 158 that precedes crushing of the housing 118 , by the hydrostatic pressure, is counteracted by support of the housing 118 by the mandrel 114 through the support rings 172 . Similarly, radially outward movement of the outer perimetrical surface 138 that precedes bursting of the mandrel 114 , by the hydrostatic pressure, is counter acted by support of the mandrel 114 by the housing 118 through the support rings 172 . To assure that the mandrel 114 and housing 118 are adequately supported by the support rings 172 the support rings 172 are positioned along the annular space 174 with an axial gap 178 of no more than about 2 to about 4 times the radial thickness of the housing 118 as described above. [0021] Since the support rings 172 are slidably engaged with both the mandrel 114 and the housing 118 , the support rings 172 are free to move axially within the annular space 174 . A plurality of biasing members 182 , disclosed herein as coil springs, are positioned on both sides of each of the support rings 172 . The plurality of biasing members 182 provide substantially equal forces to the support rings 172 such that each of the biasing members 182 maintain substantially equal length with one another. The equal lengths of the biasing members 182 centers the support rings 172 such that an equal distance is maintained on each axial side of the support rings 172 . Maintaining substantially equal lengths of the biasing members 182 allows a designer of the system to design in the axial gap 178 such that it does not exceed a desired maximum dimension. [0022] Additionally, the support rings 172 have one or more recesses (not shown) in at least an inner radial surface or an outer radial surface thereof or other openings facilitative of pressure communication to the next adjacent pocket of fluid to prevent sealing of the support rings 172 to the perimetrical surfaces 138 , 158 that could create undesirable pressure pockets between adjacent support rings 172 , for example. [0023] In an alternate embodiment of the pressure chamber, not shown, support members could be fixedly attached to both a mandrel and a housing such that they bridge an annular space therebetween. Such support members may be raised surfaces that slidably engage with one another at a radial interface therebetween, for example. In so doing the support members provide radial support to both the mandrel and the housing. In such an embodiment, however, the relative movement of actuation of the mandrel with the housing would be limited to the dimension of the maximum axial gap as described in reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 . This limitation will assure that neither the mandrel nor the housing have an excessive non-supported portion. [0024] While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment or 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 claims.
Disclosed herein is an atmospheric chamber. The atmospheric chamber includes, a first opposing wall of the chamber and a second opposing wall of the chamber, end members sealingly joining the first and second opposing walls of the chamber to create a fluid tight volumetric space, and at least one support substantially bridging between the first opposing wall and the second opposing wall positioned between respective end members.
4
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates in general to brakes provided by automotive internal combustion engines, and more particularly to engine brakes of a compression release type, that is, usually called exhaust brakes. 2. Description of the Prior Art The compression release type exhaust brake is a brake wherein each exhaust valve of the engine is crack opened at the end of each compression stroke when the brake is in operation. That is, when the exhaust valve is crack opened at the end of the compression stroke, part of compressed gas in the combustion chamber is exhausted. Thus, in the subsequent expansion stroke, repulsion applied to the piston is lowered due to reduction of the gas in the combustion chamber. Furthermore, since, after effecting the crack opening, the exhaust valve is kept closed during the expansion stroke, the combustion chamber produces a resistance against the movement of the piston toward a lower dead center. Thus, in the expansion stroke, the force for rotating the crankshaft in a normal direction is reduced resulting in that the engine rotation is lowered or braked. In order to appropriately operate each exhaust valve in the above-mentioned manner, Japanese Patent First Provisional Publication 9-184407 proposes a mechanism including an exhaust rocker arm which is swingably actuated by an exhaust cam for operating the exhaust valve, a brake rocker arm which is swingably actuated by a brake cam and a coupling structure through which the two rocker arms are operatively coupled. That is, under normal operation of the engine, the exhaust valve is actuated by only the exhaust rocker arm, and upon need of the exhaust braking, the coupling structure couples the two rocker arms causing the exhaust valve to be actuated by the brake rocker arm as well as the exhaust rocker arm. However, due to its inherent construction, the above-mentioned conventional exhaust brake fails to exhibit a satisfied function. That is, in this conventional exhaust brake, during the operation, the associated engine is subjected to a marked change in inertia mass of a valve actuating mechanism between two cases, one being a brake case wherein the brake rocker arm is in operation for effecting the exhaust braking and the other being a normal case wherein the brake rocker arm is not in operation. Such marked change tends to induce a non-smoothed movement of the exhaust valve. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an exhaust brake which is free of the above-mentioned drawback. According to the present invention, there is provided an exhaust brake incorporated with an internal combustion engine. The exhaust brake comprises an exhaust rocker arm actuated by an exhaust cam for operating an exhaust valve; a brake rocker arm actuated by a brake cam; a first contacting unit held by either one of the exhaust and brake rocker arms; a second contacting unit held by the other of the exhaust and brake rocker arms, the second contacting unit being contactable with the first contacting unit when an exhaust braking is needed; and a coupling structure which, only when the brake rocker arm is actuated by the brake cam upon need of the exhaust braking, induces the contact between the second and first contacting units to provide an integral action of the exhaust and brake rocker arms thereby to actuate the exhaust valve for establishing the exhaust braking. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a plan view of an exhaust brake according to the present invention, showing a condition wherein a second contacting unit is in operation; FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along the line “A—A” of FIG. 1; FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 2, but showing a condition wherein the second contacting unit is not in operation; FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the exhaust brake practically incorporated with a brake cam and a brake rocker arm, showing a condition wherein with the second contacting unit being in operation, an exhaust valve is slightly opened for effecting the exhaust braking; FIG. 5 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a condition wherein with the second contacting unit being in operation, the brake cam pivots the brake rocker arm; and FIG. 6 is a view similar to FIG. 4, but showing a condition wherein with the second contacting unit being in operation, an exhaust cam pivots an exhaust rocker arm. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION In the following, the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. For ease of understanding, directional terms, such as, right, left, up, down, rightward, leftward and the like are used in the description. However, these terms are to be understood with respect to the drawings on which corresponding parts or structures are illustrated. Referring to the drawings, particularly FIG. 4, there is shown an exhaust brake of the present invention practically incorporated with parts of an internal combustion engine. In the drawing, designated by numeral 1 is an exhaust rocker arm, and 2 is a brake rocker arm. These two arms 1 and 2 are incorporated with each combustion cylinder of an internal combustion engine. These two rocker arms 1 and 2 are pivotally supported by a rocker shaft 3 . As is seen from FIG. 6, a right end la of the exhaust rocker arm 1 is formed with a cam follower 5 which contacts an exhaust cam 4 . While, a left end 1 b of the exhaust rocker arm 1 is formed with a screw supporting portion 8 equipped with an adjusting screw 9 which contacts a valve stem 7 (see FIG. 4) of an exhaust valve 6 incorporated with an exhaust passage 36 formed in a cylinder head 35 . A nut 10 is engaged with the adjusting screw 9 for adjusting a space between the adjusting screw 9 and the valve stem 7 . As is understood from FIGS. 1 and 6, the brake rocker arm 2 is identical in shape to a right portion 1 a of the exhaust rocker arm 1 . More specifically, the brake rocker arm 2 and the right portion 1 a of the exhaust rocker arm 1 are the same in shape. A right end 2 a of the brake rocker arm 2 is formed with a cam follower 12 which contacts a brake cam 11 . Referring back to FIG. 4, the rocker shaft 3 is formed with an axially extending oil gallery 13 and a radially extending bore 14 which extends from the oil gallery 13 . The exhaust cam 4 and the brake cam 11 are formed on axially spaced portions of a common cam shaft 15 and arranged to operatively contact the respective cam followers 5 and 12 of the exhaust rocker arm 1 and the brake rocker arm 2 , as is seen from FIG. 5 . In FIG. 4, designated by numeral 16 is a first contacting unit supported by the brake rocker arm 2 . As shown, the first contacting unit 16 is provided on an upwardly projected portion (no numeral) of the brake rocker arm 2 . The first contacting unit 16 comprises an adjusting screw 17 axially movably held by the projected portion and a nut 18 engaged with the adjusting screw 17 . Thus, by rotating the screw 17 about its axis, an effective length of the same can be adjusted. As shown, the adjusting screw 17 extends in a direction perpendicular to the axis of the s rocker shaft 3 . Designated by numeral 19 is a second contacting unit provided on the exhaust rocker arm 1 . The second contacting unit 19 comprises a lever 20 which can contact a head of the adjusting screw 17 of the first contacting unit 16 . A hydraulic plunger 21 is operatively held in the exhaust rocker arm 1 , which actuates the lever 20 . As shown, the lever 20 is pivotally connected at its generally middle portion to the exhaust rocker arm 1 by means of a pin 22 . The hydraulic plunger 21 is axially movably received in a cylindrical bore 23 formed in the exhaust rocker arm 1 . A small spherical left end 20 a of the lever 20 is in contact with an upper end or head of the hydraulic plunger 21 , so that up-and-down movement of the plunger 21 in the cylindrical bore 23 induces a pivotal movement of the lever 20 about the pin 22 . The spherical shape of the left end 20 a reduces or minimizes a frictional force inevitably produced when contacting the hydraulic plunger 21 . A right end 20 b of the lever 20 is contactable with the head of the adjusting screw 17 . As shown, the right end 20 b of the lever 20 is shaped convexly. Due to this convex shape, slipping movement of the right end 20 b relative to the head of the adjusting screw 17 is smoothly carried out. Into the cylindrical bore 23 , there is led an operation oil from the oil gallery 13 through the bore 14 formed in the rocker shaft 3 and an oil passage 24 formed in the exhaust rocker arm 1 . In an upper portion of the cylindrical bore 23 , there is slidably disposed a hollow plunger 26 whose bottom is in contact with the small spherical left end 20 a of the lever 20 . A return spring 25 is put in the recess of the plunger 26 to press the plunger 26 against the spherical left end 20 a , so that the spherical left end 20 a of the lever 20 is biased toward the hydraulic plunger 21 . As shown, the bottom of the plunger 26 that is in contact with the spherical left end 20 a of the lever 20 is shaped convexly. Due to this convex shape, relative slipping movement between the plunger 26 and the left end 20 a is smoothly achieved. In FIG. 4, designated by numeral 29 is a coil spring which is disposed between the exhaust rocker arm 1 and the brake rocker arm 2 for biasing these two rocker arms 1 and 2 in opposite directions. The coil spring 29 is put in a blind bore 30 formed in the right end portion 2 a of the brake rocker arm 2 . The blind bore 30 is communicated with the atmosphere through a small passage 33 formed in the brake rocker arm 2 . A hollow plunger 31 is put on the coil spring 29 having an upper portion of the spring 29 received in the hollow thereof. A convex head portion of the plunger 31 is in contact with a flat lower surface of an arm 32 extending from the exhaust rocker arm 1 . Due to the force of the coil spring 29 , the exhaust and brake rocker arms 1 and 2 are biased to pivot about the rocker shaft 3 in counterclockwise and clockwise directions respectively, so that the second contacting unit 19 on the exhaust rocker arm 1 and the first contacting unit 16 of the brake rocker arm 2 are biased away in opposite directions, that is, in the directions to be separated from each other. Designated by numeral 37 is an oil feeding passage through which the oil is fed to the oil gallery 13 from an oil pan 38 . An oil pump 39 and a control valve 40 are arranged in the oil feeding passage 37 . The control valve 40 is controlled by a control unit 41 for adjusting the amount of oil fed to the oil gallery 13 . In the following, operation will be described with reference to the drawings. Under normal operation of the engine wherein the exhaust braking is not needed, the second contacting unit 19 does not operate. That is, under this condition, the second contacting unit 19 assumes a rest position as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. Thus, even when the brake rocker arm 2 is pivoted by the brake cam 11 (see FIG. 5 ), the pivoting movement of the brake rocker arm 2 is not transmitted to the exhaust rocker arm 1 . That is, under such normal condition, the exhaust valve 6 is actuated by only the exhaust rocker arm 1 pivoted by the exhaust cam 4 . In other words, in this normal condition of the engine, the exhaust rocker arm 1 and the brake rocker arm 2 are not coupled. More specifically, as is seen from FIG. 5, in such normal condition, the hydraulic plunger 21 assumes its lowermost position due to shortage of oil fed to the cylindrical bore 23 . Thus, the lever 20 is forced to assume an inclined inoperative position by the force of the return spring 25 . Thus, even if the adjusting screw 17 is moved leftward due to counterclockwise pivoting of the brake rocker arm 2 , the head of the screw 17 does not contact the right end 20 b of the lever 20 . While, under a brake condition of the engine wherein the exhaust braking is needed, the second contacting unit 19 operates. That is, under this condition, the second contacting unit 19 assumes a work position as shown in FIG. 2, 4 and 6 . Thus, when the brake rocker arm 2 is pivoted by the brake arm 11 (see FIG. 4 ), the pivoting movement of the brake rocker arm 2 is transmitted to the exhaust rocker arm 1 through the operated second contacting unit 19 . That is, under such brake condition, the exhaust valve 6 is actuated by both the exhaust rocker arm 1 and the brake rocker arm 2 . More specifically, as is understood from FIG. 4, when, upon receiving an instruction signal from the control unit 41 , the control valve 40 works to increase the amount of oil fed to the oil gallery 13 , the pressure in the cylindrical bore 23 is increased and thus the hydraulic plunger 21 is moved up together with the spherical left end 20 a of the lever 20 against the force of the return spring 25 . Thus, the lever 20 is pivoted clockwise and finally assumes the operative position as shown. In this operative condition of the second contacting unit 19 , the head of the adjusting screw 17 can abut against the right end 20 b of the lever 20 when the brake rocker arm 2 is pivoted counterclockwise by the lobe of the brake cam 11 . However, as is seen from FIG. 6, while the cam follower 12 of the brake rocker arm 2 is contacting a portion other than the lobe of the brake cam 11 , the head of the adjusting screw 17 is away from the right end 20 b of the lever 20 keeping a predetermined space therebetween. It is to be noted that the space can be adjusted by turning the adjusting screw 17 . It is further to be noted that, as has been mentioned hereinabove, due to the force of the coil spring 29 , the adjusting screw 17 on the brake rocker arm 2 is biased away from the lever 20 on the exhaust rocker arm 1 . Accordingly, as is seen from FIG. 6, for a time when with the second contacting unit 19 being in operation, the head of the adjusting screw 17 is away from the right end 20 b of the lever 20 , the exhaust rocker arm 1 is actuated by only the exhaust cam 4 . That is, for that limited time, the exhaust valve 6 is controlled by only the exhaust cam 4 . In other words, during this time, the movement of the exhaust valve 6 is the same as that achieved under normal operation of the engine wherein the exhaust braking is not needed. That is, for the time when with the second contacting unit 19 being in operation for inducing the exhaust braking, the head of the adjusting screw 17 is away from the right end 20 b of the lever 20 , the exhaust rocker arm 1 and the brake rocker arm 2 are independent from each other and thus the inertia mass of the valve actuating mechanism is substantially equal to that provided under the normal operation of the engine. While, when with the second contacting unit 19 being in operation, the lobe of the brake cam 11 is brought into abutment with the cam follower 12 of brake rocker arm 2 , the head of the adjusting screw 17 abuts against the right end 20 b of the lever 20 as is seen from FIGS. 1 and 2. Upon this, the brake rocker arm 2 and the exhaust rocker arm 1 become coupled, so that the counterclockwise pivoting of the brake rocker arm 2 by the lobe of the brake cam 11 is transmitted to the exhaust rocker arm 1 . Thus, as is seen from FIG. 4, the exhaust valve 6 is forced to open slightly or instantly for effecting the exhaust braking. Of course, also in the present invention, suitable measures are employed for inducing a crack or instant opening of the exhaust valve 6 at the end of the compression stroke. In the following, advantages of the present invention will be briefly described. First, the inertia mass of the valve actuating mechanism at a normal exhaust period when the exhaust cam 4 swings the exhaust rocker arm 1 to open the exhaust valve 6 shows substantially no change between the two cases, one being a case wherein the exhaust braking is needed and the other being a case wherein the exhaust braking is not needed. In other words, the exhaust brake of the present invention has substantially no influence on the movement of the exhaust valve 6 at the normal exhaust period. Second, since the coupling of the brake rocker arm 2 and the exhaust rocker arm 1 is achieved by only contacting the adjusting screw 17 to the lever 20 , there is no need of using a complicated coupling structure. Thus, the exhaust brake of the present invention is readily and economically manufactured. Third, due to usage of the adjusting screw 17 , the effective distance between the adjusting screw 17 and the lever 20 is adjustable, which can control the operation timing of the exhaust braking. Fourth, due to nature of the hydraulic plunger 21 , the second contacting unit 19 can exhibit a responsive operation. Fifth, due to provision of the coil spring 29 which biases the two rocker arms 1 and 2 in opposite directions, undesired play of the brake rocker arm 2 , which would occur when the coupled connection therebetween is not established, is assuredly suppressed. In the following, modifications of the present invention will be described. If desired, contrary to the above-mentioned arrangement, the adjusting screw 17 and the second contacting unit 19 may be mounted to the exhaust and brake rocker arms 1 and 2 , respectively. Furthermore, if desired, the screw supporting portion 8 of the exhaust rocker arm 1 may be equipped with a lash controlling device for adjusting contact between the adjusting screw 9 and the valve step 7 . The entire contents of Japanese Patent Application P10-367334 (filed Dec. 24, 1998) are incorporated herein by reference. Although the invention has been described above with reference to a certain embodiment of the invention, the invention is not limited to the embodiment. Various modifications and variations of the embodiment will occur to those skilled in the art, in light of the above teachings.
An exhaust brake is incorporated with an internal combustion engine. The brake comprises an exhaust rocker arm actuated by an exhaust cam for operating an exhaust valve; a brake rocker arm actuated by a brake cam; a first contacting unit held by either one of the exhaust and brake rocker arms; a second contacting unit held by the other of the exhaust and brake rocker arms. The second contacting unit is contactable with the first contacting unit when an exhaust braking is needed. Only when the brake rocker arm is actuated by the brake cam upon need of the exhaust braking, there induces the contact between the second and first contacting units, which provides an integral action of the exhaust and brake rocker arms thereby to actuate the exhaust valve for establishing the exhaust braking.
5
The invention herein described was made in the course of or under a contract with the Department of the Army. The present invention is directed to a device suitable for use as a radio frequency source for low power, lightweight radars such as that disclosed in application Ser. No. 504,571 filed Sept. 9, 1974, abandoned and refiled as application Ser. No. 659,883 on Feb. 20, 1976, and assigned to a common assignee. This type of monocycle pulse generator has extremely low range, or time domain, sidelobes, smaller than -40 db of the main pulse, and has a low power consumption thereby making it an attractive device for battery powered systems. It is an object of this invention to provide a monocycle pulse generator having extremely low range, or time domain, sidelobes. It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable, battery powered, monocycle pulse generator. It is an additional object of this invention to provide a monocycle pulse generator operable at 1 GHz. It is a still further object of this invention to provide a monocycle radio frequency pulse generator employing a solid state source and coaxial construction. These objects, and others as will become apparent hereinafter, are accomplished by the present invention. According to the present invention, a transistor is employed in the avalanche mode, with an essentially open delay line as the collector load and a shorted delay line in shunt with the output line as the emitter load. The base of the transistor is biased below cutoff, even though the transistor is slightly conducting because it is operating beyond collector-emitter breakdown voltage. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the present invention, reference should now be had to the following detailed description thereof taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of the short pulse generator; FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the short pulse generator; and FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the short pulse generator. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT In FIGS. 1 and 2, the numeral 20 generally designates a transistor having a base 21, a collector 22 and an emitter 23. Transistor 20 is connected to a DC power source 11 via line 12 containing dropping resistor 14. Connected to line 12 intermediate dropping resistor 14 and collector 22 is open circuit delay line 16 which is the collector load and which physically comprises an inner conductor 17 separated from a coaxial outer conductor 19 by a dielectric spool 18. Base 21 is connected to a trigger pulse generator 30 via coaxial input line 31. Load 40, which may be the radar system of the above-identified application, is connected to emitter 23 via line 41. Connected to line 41 intermediate emitter 23 and load 40 is shorted delay line in shunt 50 which is the emitter load and which physically consists of a conductive wire located coaxially within a surrounding conductive tube and having a soldered interconnection at one end of the tube. Referring to FIG. 2 which shows the assembly of the monocycle generator, end cap 100 is inserted, with a press fit, into one end of coaxial outer conductor 19 to provide a controlled electrical circuit and to shield the interior from environmental effects. Dielectric spool 18 supports inner conductor 17 of open circuit delay line 16 while also controlling the characteristic impedance and propagation velocity of delay line 16. Inner conductor 17 provides pulse timing by the proper selection of its length. As best shown in FIG. 3, dielectric support member 104 provides support for transistor 20 and dropping resistor 14. End cap 106 provides support and location for coaxial input line 31, line 41 and line 50. The outer conductors of coaxial lines 31, 41 and 50 are soldered to end cap 106 at holes suitably provided. End cap 106 is press fit into coaxial outer conductor 19 to coact together with end cap 100 to shield the members located within the interior of conductor 19 from the external environment. OPERATION Base 21 of the transistor 20 is biased below cutoff by power source 11, even though transistor 20 is slightly conducting because it is operating beyond collector-emitter breakdown voltage. Dropping resistor 14 is located between power source 11 and transistor 20 and is employed to limit the collector-emitter current during the off condition of transistor 20. The transistor collector-emitter voltage exceeds the collector-emitter breakdown voltage so without current limiting, transistor 20 would destroy itself. As a result, a trigger pulse supplied to base 21 by trigger pulse generator 30 causes the transistor 20 to avalanche, with a large surge of current flowing from open delay line 16 (and arising from the charge standing on the delay line 16) to the emitter output which is supplied to output line 41. Collector 22 and emitter 23 are then essentially short circuited. Current flow from open delay line 16 causes the collector voltage to drop by an amount controlled by the impedance of the delay line 16. That is, V.sub.D = I.sub.CE Z.sub.C where V D is the voltage drop on delay line 16, I CE is the collector-emitter current, and Z C is the characteristic impedance of delay line 16 This voltage drop proceeds down the delay line 16 until it hits the end where it is reflected with an essentially unity reflection coefficient. As a consequence, after a time corresponding to twice the length of delay line 16, the total distance the voltage drop must travel, the collector voltage drops to twice V D and cuts off current flow through the transistor 20. In the meantime, initial current out of the emitter 23 feeds the output line 41 and the shorted delay line 50. The voltage generated at the junction of lines 41 and 50 proceeds to the load 40 and down shorted delay line 50. In the case of shorted delay line 50, after the voltage reaches the short, it is reversed in polarity and proceeds back toward transistor 20. However, by the time the reflected signal reaches the junction of lines 41 and 50, transistor 20 has been turned off by the collector pulse. As a consequence, the emitter 23 is essentially "open" (infinite impedance) and the negative pulse proceeds down output line 41. Since the output line 41 and the shorted delay line 50 are of the same characteristic impedance, no reflection takes place and the negative going pulse therefore is transmitted without range sidelobes. Although a preferred embodiment of the present invention has been illustrated and described, other changes will occur to those skilled in the art. It is therefore intended that the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the scope of the appended claims.
The radio frequency source for a low power, lightweight radar is provided by operating a transistor in the avalanche mode. An open delay line is in the collector circuit and a shorted delay line in shunt with the output line is part of the emitter load. The resulting device can be employed as a low power, nanosecond, monocycle pulse generator with low range, or time domain, sidelobes.
7
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/540,240 filed Sep. 28, 2011, the disclosure of which is expressly incorporated herein by reference. STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH [0002] Not applicable. BACKGROUND This disclosure relates generally to powdered drinks and more particularly to a scoop for quickly transferring the powder into a drink or water bottle. [0003] A variety of drinks come in powdered form and must be mixed with a liquid, usually water, in order for the drink to be consumed. Examples include, inter alia, fitness supplements, baby formulas, weight loss products, soups, and a variety of food and nutritional products. [0004] Often the powder comes in a large container from which the user needs to withdraw a proper amount for the amount of liquid to be used. For example, infant formula comes in large containers and must be measured out, poured into a baby bottle, and warm water added (the water also may be in the bottle before the powder is poured in). Using the measuring device supplied by the formula manufacturer leads to much spilled powder and difficulty in transferring the powder formula into the bottle. [0005] Users of fitness supplements often use a scoop specifically designed to measure the amount of powder required and transfer the powder into the user's drink bottle using a narrow spout that is a size to fit inside the drink bottle. Unfortunately, many (if not most) users just rest the spout against the drink bottle when transferred the powered. Since a tight seal has been created, a vacuum in the bottle often forms that prevents any powder from flowing into the bottle. [0006] Users of fitness supplements often use a scoop specifically designed to measure the amount of powder required and transfer the powder into the user's drink bottle using a narrow spout that is a size to fit inside the drink bottle. Unfortunately, many (if not most) users just rest the spout against the drink bottle when transferring the powered. Since a tight seal has been created, a pressure in the bottle often forms and cannot escape, which prevents any powder from flowing into the bottle. The user, then, must lift off the scoop, let the air back in, to be able to finish transferring the powder into the bottle. [0007] The disclosed power scoop eliminates the aforementioned problem and others. BRIEF SUMMARY [0008] Disclosed is a scoop for retaining and dispensing a powder into a bottle. The scoop is formed from a housing having generally slanted sides downwardly to a spout having a slanted opening. A handle is affixed to the housing. An actuating mechanism covers the spout-slanted opening and is formed from a generally flat slide, a hand graspable element, optionally for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state, and a switch, also for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state. A pair of elongate ears is carried by the spout and housing and disposed adjacent to the slanted opening for retaining the slide and permitting movement of slide. [0009] Also disclosed is a method for dispensing powder. Such method commences with placing a powder into a scoop having (i) a housing having generally slanted sides downwardly to a spout having a slanted opening; (ii) a handle affixed to the housing; (iii) an actuating mechanism covering the spout slanted opening and formed from a generally flat slide, a hand graspable element, and a switch; (iv) a pair of elongate ears carried by the spout and housing and located adjacent to the slanted opening for retaining said actuating mechanism and permitting movement of the actuating mechanism. The next step is actuating the actuating mechanism to uncover said spout slanted opening and release said powder. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0010] For a fuller understanding of the nature and advantages of the present media and process, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which: [0011] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of one embodiment of the disclosed power scoop; [0012] FIG. 2 is a top view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 in a closed position for retaining powder therein; [0013] FIG. 3 is a side view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 ; [0014] FIG. 4 is a rear view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 ; [0015] FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along line 5 - 5 of FIG. 2 ; [0016] FIG. 6 is a top view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 in an open position for dispensing power housed therein; [0017] FIG. 7 is a side view of the power scoop of FIG. 6 ; [0018] FIG. 8 is a sectional view taken along line 8 - 8 of FIG. 6 ; [0019] FIG. 9 is an isometric view of rear side of the power scoop of FIG. 6 showing the actuating mechanism; [0020] FIG. 10 is top view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 sitting atop a bottle containing water with the actuating mechanism is a closed or powder retaining state; [0021] FIG. 11 is a side view of the power scoop and bottle combination of FIG. 10 ; [0022] FIG. 12 is a sectional view taken along line 12 - 12 of FIG. 10 ; [0023] FIG. 13 is top view of the power scoop of FIG. 10 sitting atop a bottle containing water with the actuating mechanism is an open or powder dispensing state; [0024] FIG. 14 is a side view of the power scoop and bottle combination of FIG. 13 ; [0025] FIG. 15 is a sectional view taken along line 15 - 15 of FIG. 14 ; [0026] FIG. 16 is an isometric view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 with the actuating slide removed from the scoop; [0027] FIG. 17 is an isometric view of an alternative embodiment of the power scoop with the actuating slide removed from the scoop; [0028] FIG. 18 is yet another power scoop embodiment; [0029] FIG. 19 is yet a further power scoop embodiment; [0030] FIG. 20 is a side view of an alternative embodiment of the disclosed power scoop having a differently shaped actuating mechanism slide; [0031] FIG. 21 is a side view of an alternative use of the disclosed power scoop for filling a reusable K-cup with coffee; [0032] FIG. 22 is a side view of yet another use of the disclosed power scoop for filling a baby bottle with dry formula mix; and [0033] FIG. 23 is a further use of the disclosed power scoop for placing candy sprinkles atop a cake. The drawings will be described in greater detail below. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0034] Referring initially to the first disclosed embodiment, a power scoop or funnel, 10 , is shown to include a handle, 12 , an upper curvilinear annular housing, 14 , and a lower spout, 16 . The housing is gradated in US or metric units, or both, so that the user knows the amount of powder added to the scoop for incorporation into a bottle having a known, or relatively known, amount of liquid already in the bottle or to be added later. In order to dispense the powder from scoop 10 into a container or bottle, scoop 10 is fitted with an actuating mechanism, 18 , formed from an elongate slidable member, 20 , (see FIGS. 4 , 5 , and 16 , for example) a finger graspable element, 21 , and a trigger, 19 . In the down or closed position depicted in FIG. 1 , powder added to housing 14 stays there and does not flow out. This may be referred to a closed state of actuating mechanism 18 . The top lip, 22 , of housing 14 has a series of ejector pins, 24 a - 24 g used to assist in removing housing 14 from a mold when housing 14 is being formed of plastic injection molding techniques. [0035] FIG. 2 shows a top view of the power scoop of FIG. 1 . In the side view presented in FIG. 3 , slide 20 is clearly seen to be in a down or closed state over the opening in spout 16 . The rear view presented in FIG. 4 again shows the same closed state of slide 20 as seen in FIG. 3 . Ears, 37 and 39 , retain slide 20 to hold mechanism 18 in position (see FIG. 16 also). An upstanding nib, 23 , is centrally located on the inside of slide 20 ( FIG. 2 ) and keeps slide 20 from coming back out of scoop 10 . Nib 23 can be seen contacting the wall of scoop 10 in FIG. 8 not allowing slide 20 to come all the way out. The cross-sectional view in FIG. 5 again shows the components that form power scoop 10 . [0036] The top view presented in FIG. 6 and side view presented in FIG. 7 of scoop 10 show slide 20 in an up or open position (open state), thus, uncovering an angular opening, 26 , formed in spout 16 so that any powder or other contents in housing 14 can be dispensed or released from scoop 10 . The sectional view of power scoop 10 in FIG. 8 likewise shows it in an active state. The isometric view in FIG. 9 shows slanted opening 26 somewhat more clearly. [0037] Power scoop 10 has been place atop a water bottle, 28 , in FIGS. 10-12 . While a water bottle is shown, it just as easily could be a baby bottle or other kind of bottle, often filled with water. The cap has been removed from bottle 28 so that spout 16 fits down inside bottle 28 until trigger 19 rests on the bottle opening rim. [0038] In FIG. 12 , housing 14 is seen filled with a powder, 30 , while bottle 28 is seen filled with water or a similar, most often aqueous, fluid. Spout 16 is seen to rest within neck, 34 , of bottle 28 and switch 19 on the rim, 36 , of neck 34 . Due to the curvilinear shape of switch 19 , a slight air gap is seen. Such air gap is deliberate and prevents a pressure from being formed within bottle 28 that retards powder from flowing freely thereinto. Additionally, a grove can be formed downward along the inside (or outside) of the housing and into the spout terminating at the spout opening for permitting pressure equalization inside a bottle atop which the power scoop is placed. [0039] FIGS. 13-15 are like FIGS. 10-12 , except that actuating mechanism 18 has been moved upwardly to uncover opening 26 ; thus, permitting powder 30 to be released and freely flow into bottle 28 to mix with water or fluid 32 . While the user need only place a finger in an arcuate finger graspable element 21 and gently pull in a upward motion to urge slide 20 to move in an angular upward direction to uncover slanted opening 26 that is formed in spout 16 , switch 19 can automatically move actuating mechanism 18 for slide 20 to uncover opening 26 . That is, by the user merely pushing power scoop 10 into bottle 28 , bottle rim 36 pushes against switch 19 to cause actuating mechanism 18 for slide 20 to uncover opening 26 . The user can rest power scoop 10 on rim 36 and the push, or the user can combine such motions into a single motion to release powder 30 into water 32 . [0040] Using either actuating technique, powder 30 flows freely and very rapidly from housing 14 into bottle 28 . The slanted sides of housing 14 form an efficient funnel. By making opening 26 slanted, it has a greater area for enhancing the rapid and complete release of powder 30 into water 32 . [0041] Slide 20 with attached finger element 21 is revealed in greater detail in FIG. 16 with its removal from housing 14 . Slide 20 is held in place by a pair of projecting ears, 37 and 39 (not seen in FIG. 16 ). These slightly elongate ears project slightly outwardly from opening 26 to retain slide 20 in place. FIG. 4 shows the ears also. Slide 20 has a generally planar inner surface for facilitating its movement. [0042] An alternative embodiment of a power scoop, 38 , is seen in FIG. 17 . It has a larger capacity housing, 42 , to accommodate larger sized bottles that require a greater volume of powder. Power scoop 38 has a handle, 40 , spout, 44 , actuating mechanism, 46 , formed of a slide, 48 , and finger graspable element, 50 . Elongate ears, 52 and 54 , are more completely seen. They retain slide 48 in place and permit it to move upwardly and downwardly to cover and uncover the slanted opening in spout 44 . The injector pins, representative pin 56 only being numbered are seen to be located inside housing 42 and to extend downwardly. [0043] FIG. 18 shows yet a larger capacity power scoop, 58 . Its handle, 60 , is located midwardly of its housing, 62 . A much larger spout, 64 , is required to retain the rapid and efficient dispensing of powder. A larger actuating mechanism, 66 , is retained in position by extending ears, representative ear 68 only seen. [0044] FIG. 19 shows yet another power scoop embodiment, 70 , having a handle, 72 , a housing, 74 , a spout, 76 , and a slide, 78 . In this embodiment, an interior opening has been formed in 76 requiring a slanted opening to be formed in spout 76 to permit slide 78 to be inserted into such slanted opening. A corresponding lower slated opening at 80 permits the end of slide 78 to extend outside of spout 76 a slight distance. Movement of slide 78 uncovers the spout opening to release the contents of housing 74 . [0045] FIG. 20 shows yet a further power scoop embodiment, 82 , having a handle, 84 , a housing, 86 , a spout, 88 , and a actuating mechanism, 90 . Housing 86 in this embodiment is a vertical side opposite handle 84 . Also, finger graspable element, 92 , is a closed loop rather than an open loop as been illustrated for the other power scoop embodiments disclosed herein; otherwise, operation of power scoop 82 is similar to that described above. [0046] FIG. 21 shows power scoop 10 being used to transfer coffee into a reusable K-cup, 94 . FIG. 22 shows power scoop 10 being used to transfer infant formula powder into a baby bottle, 96 . FIG. 23 shows power scoop 10 being used to spread sprinkles, 98 , onto the top of a cake, 100 . The rate at which sprinkles 98 are dispensed can be controlled by how far slide 20 is moved upward to uncover the spout opening. Thus, the user can dispense the product at a controlled rate determined by the user. [0047] It will be appreciated, then, that the disclosed power scoop can be used to dispense virtually any powder, granule, or like particulate into a variety of containers or onto a variety of surfaces. While the dispensed product most often will be comestible, such dispensed product can be grass seed or other non-comestible product. [0048] Materials of construction most often will be plastics (polymers). For dispensing of comestibles, the plastic must be classified as food grade. For dispensing of other materials, the plastic must be suitable for use with such materials. Most often, the disclosed scoop should be formed from materials giving it a very smooth surface to assist the material in being dispensed quickly and completely. Of course, the disclosed scoop could be made from metal, ceramics, or other materials for special uses. [0049] While the device has been described with reference to various embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope and essence of the disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. In this application all units are in the metric system and all amounts and percentages are by weight, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Also, all citations referred herein are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Disclosed is a scoop for retaining and dispensing a powder into a bottle. The scoop is formed from a housing having generally slanted sides downwardly to a spout having a slanted opening. A handle is affixed to the housing. An actuating mechanism covers the spout-slanted opening and is formed from a generally flat slide, a hand graspable element, optionally for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state, and a switch, also for movement of the slide from a closed state to an open state. A pair of elongate ears is carried by the spout and housing and disposed adjacent to the slanted opening for retaining the slide and permitting movement of slide.
6
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to chairs, and more particularly to chairs having detachably interfitting slotted parts or components that may be normal to each other. 2. Background Information A chair is generally viewed as a seat for one person with a support for the back. Knockdown chairs include those chairs having interfitting parts that easily detach so as to be able to transport or store the chair more efficiently. Examples of such chairs include U.S. Pat. No. 5,275,467 entitled "Knockdown Chair," U.S. Pat. No. 5,387,027 entitled "Take Apart Furniture," U.S. Pat. No. 5,605,378 entitled "Take-Apart Chair," U.S. Pat. No. 5,765,922 entitled "Portable Combination Chair," U.S. Pat. No. 5,803,548 entitled "Collapsible Chair Apparatus," and U.S. Pat. No. 5,921,631 entitled "Demountable chair construction" Although no hardware is needed to assembly the above inventions, the assembly of each of the above chairs is not intuitive and thus require instructions. Moreover, the above inventions only present the user with one position by which to support their back and upper legs and lack give in the seat and/or back that is necessary for comfort. Thus, what is needed is a comfortable, knockdown chair that may be assembled intuitively into a multitude of seating positions. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention relates to a chair assembly having detachably interfitting parts. A right hand side support includes slots extending from the exterior profile of the first side support towards the center of the side support. A left hand side support similar to the right hand side support is also provided. A seat pan having extensions is fitted into two complementary slots of the right and left side supports. A back support having extensions is also fitted into two complementary slots of the right and left side supports. The seat pan and the back support may be independently adjusted so as to present various sitting positions. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an assembled chair; FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of an assembled chair; FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of an assembled chair; FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of an assembled chair showing the different orientations of the back and the seat; FIG. 5 is an isometric section view of an embodiment of the assembly of a chair taken generally off of line 5--5 of FIG. 2 and FIG. 6 illustrates a ready to assemble chair within box 100. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION For purposes of explanation, specific embodiments are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be understood by one skilled in the art from reading this disclosure that the invention may be practiced without these details. Moreover, well-known elements, devices, process steps and the like are not set forth in detail in order to avoid obscuring the invention. Reference is now made to FIG. 1 through FIG. 5 to illustrate the embodiments of the invention. FIG. 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of assembled chair 10. FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of assembled chair 10. Included with assembled chair 10 is seat pan 20, side support 30, side support 50, and back support 70. Seat pan 20 may be any support on which a person places their behind so as to remove the bulk of their weight from their feet. Surface 22 of seat pan 20 preferably is flat, as shown in FIG. 1. However, surface 22 of seat pan 20 may be contoured to better fit the shape of a human behind or be any shape that is consistent with providing support for a human behind. The front of seat pan 20 may be straight or contoured. In one embodiment of the invention, seat pan 20 includes slot 24, slot 26, and rear portion 28. Each of slot 24 and slot 26 may be formed in an extension and be viewed as a narrow depression, perforation, or aperture especially used for the reception of a piece fitting within the slot. Rear portion 28 may be thin enough so as to provide some flexible give. Alternatively or additionally, rear portion 28 may be slotted so as to provide some flexible give. Side support 30 and side support 50 preferably are of identical pattern so as to minimize the design parts necessary to form chair assembly 10. Side support 30 may be of a half oval construction so as to include annular ring 32 having front leg 34 and back leg 36 extending from annular ring 32 as best seen in FIG. 2. Side support 30 may be of a solid half oval construction so that front leg 34 and back leg 36 are connected by a continuous piece of material. Back leg 36 and front leg 34 of side support 30 may extend to the surface of a plane or may include a curvature piece such as seen in a rocking chair. Annular ring 32 preferably includes external circular profile 38. Along the exterior profile of side support 30 may be a series of slots extending from the exterior profile of side support 30 towards the center line of the half oval construction of side support 30. These slots provide the support and adjustment features for seat pan 20 and back support 70. Preferably the series of slots are separate and divided into slot group 40 and slot group 42. Slot group 40 and slot group 42 may include one or more slots extending radially inward to the center of circular profile 38 from the exterior of circular profile 38. The slots may have stress reliefs at the ends such as in the form of circular cutouts. Although only a few slots are shown in FIG. 2 for slot group 40 and slot group 42, many more slots may be included. Similar to side support 30, side support 50 includes slot group 52 and slot group 54 as companion slots to slot group 40 and slot group 42, respectively. Included within side support 30 may be one or more holes 44. Hole 44 provides relief for stresses that may build up in side support 30 during use. Moreover, holes 44 lightens the overall weight of chair assembly 10 as well as provides locations by which a user may grab side support 30. Back support 70 may be any support on which a person places their back so as to remove some of their torso weight from their pelvis. Surface 71 of back support 70 preferably is flat, as shown in FIG. 2. However, surface 71 of back support 70 may be contoured to better fit the shape of a human back or be any shape that is consistent with providing support for a human back. The top of back support 70 preferably is curved and includes hole 78. In one embodiment of the invention, back support 70 includes slot 72, slot 74, and lower portion 76. Each of slot 72 and slot 74 may be viewed as a narrow depression, perforation, or aperture especially used for the reception of a piece fitting within the slot. Lower portion 76 may be thin enough so as to provide some flexible give. As seen in FIG. 5, seat pan 20 and back support 70 are of lengths where rear portion 28 and lower portion 76 do not interfere with one another. To assemble chair assembly 10, slot 26 and slot 24 of seat pan 20 is fitted within a slot from slot group 40 and slot group 52, respectively. Similarly, slot 74 and slot 72 are fitted within a slot from slot group 42 and slot group 54, respectively. FIG. 3 is a top view of an embodiment of assembled chair 10. FIG. 4 is a side view of an embodiment of assembled chair 10 showing the different orientations of back support 70 and seat pan 20. FIG. 5 is an isometric section view of an embodiment of the assembly of a chair taken generally off of line 5--5 of FIG. 2. As shown in FIG. 5, slot 24 of seat pan 20 may be fitted into slot 52 of side support 50 in the direction of arrow 90. By varying which slots are used within slot group 52 and slot group 54, a multitude of seating positions may be obtained for seat pan 20 and back support 70. Preferably, chair assembly 10 is adjustable to six different positions where back support 70 accommodates angles of 105, 120, and 130 degrees and seat pan 20 accommodate angles of 5.5 and 15 degrees. Preferably, the pieces of chair assembly 10 are made of a high grade plywood, such as medium density fireboard (MDF) or eighteen ply plywood, where each ply is three fourths of an inch thick. Use of MDF minimizes the need for finishing processes. The ready to assembly chair can be rapidly produced by the use of templates with minimum waste so as to be environmentally friendly. The yield of the material is approximately 94%, making the chair environmentally friendly and providing low manufacturing costs. The finished product can be packaged in box 100 as shown in FIG. 6. Box 100, which may be a recycled cardboard box, may have a height that is less than one fifth of at least one of the width and the length. For example, the dimensions of box 100 may be 25×30×5 inches or 25×30×3.5 inches. The sleek (3.5 inch), almost square size (25×30 inches) of the packaging box permits several chair assemblies 20 to be stacked during shipping. With more units shipped in a given cargo space, the cost of shipping as well as the pollution created by additional deliveries is reduced. While the present invention has been particularly described with reference to the various figures, it should be understood that the figures and detailed description, and the identification of certain preferred and alternate materials, are for illustration only and should not be taken as limiting the scope of the invention or excluding still other alternatives. Many changes and modifications may be made to the invention, by one having ordinary skill in the art, without departing from the matter and scope of the invention.
A chair assembly having detachably interfitting parts. A right hand side support of the chair assembly includes slots extending from the exterior profile of the first side support towards the center of the side support. A left hand side support similar to the right hand side support is also provided. A seat pan having extensions is fitted into two complementary slots of the right and left side supports. A back support having extensions is also fitted into two complementary slots of the right and left side supports. The seat pan and the back support may be independently adjusted so as to present various sitting positions.
0
The present invention relates to secure digital data communication stems and, in particular, to a method for ensuring a particular random cryptographic private key value has adequate randomness properties (considered by itself) and a method for validating cryptographic private keys in such systems. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Secure data communication systems are used to transfer information between a pair of correspondents. At least part of the information that is exchanged is encoded (enciphered) by a predetermined mathematical operation by the sender. The recipient may then perform a complimentary mathematical operation to unencode (decipher) the information. The enciphering and deciphering of information is normally performed utilizing a cryptographic key determined by the particular graphic scheme implemented between the correspondents. Consequently, there are certain parameters that must be known beforehand between the correspondents. For example, in public key or symmetric key systems, various schemes and protocols have been devised to validate the sender's public key, the identity of the sender and such like. In all of these schemes, it is assumed that the cryptographic keys, be it the private key, the public key or the symmetric key, is derived and valid as specified in the protocol scheme. Problems, however, will arise if these parameters are either bogus or defective in some way. Digital signature methods have been derived to prove to a id part that a message was signed by the actual originator. Practical public key signature schemes are based on the difficulty of solving certain mathematical problems to make alteration or forgery by unauthorized parties difficult. Most of the proposed schemes have been based either on the problem of factoring large integers or in the difficulty of computing discrete logarithms over finite fields (or over finite grog in general). For example, the RSA system depends on the difficulty of factoring large integers. A digital signature of a message is a number which is dependent on some secret known only to the signor, and additionally, on the content of the message being signed. Signatures must be verifiable. If a dispute arises as to whether a party signed (caused by either a signor trying to repudiate a signature it did ate or a fraudulent claimant), an unbiased third party should be able to resolve the matter equitably without requiring access to the signor's secret information, i.e., private key. The ElGamal signature scheme is a randomized signatures mechanism. In order to generate keys for the ElGamal signature scheme, each entity creates a public key and corresponding private key. Thus, each entity generates a large random prime p and a generator α of the multiplicative group Z* p . Next, the entities select a random integer a such that 1≦α≦p−2 and computes the value y=α 3 modp. Thus, for example, entity A's public key is (y) along with the system parameters p and α, while A's private key is α. The security of the above system is generally based on the difficulty of the discrete log problem. The RSA cryptosystem uses a modulus of the form n=pq where p and q are distinct odd primes. The primes p and q must be of sufficient size that factorization of the product is beyond computational reach. Moreover, there should be random primes in the sense that they are chosen as a function of a random input through a process defining a pool of candidates of sufficient cardinality that an exhaustive attack is infeasible. In practice, the resulting primes must also be of a predetermined bit length to meet systems specifications. Without these constraints on the selection of the primes p and q, the RSA system is vulnerable to a so-called “first person attack”. In elliptic curve cryptosystems, the elliptic curve private key is a statistically unique and unpredictable value selected between 1 and n−1 where n is the prime order of G, the generating point of the large subgroup specified by the associated EC domain parameters. In a possible “first person attack”, entity A the attacker, creates a private key that is weak and uses it to obtain services and such like. Later, the dishonest entity repudiates or disavows its private key as being weak and then claims that it did not request these services. That is, party A alleges it inadvertently used a weak private key resulting in a public key that was easily attacked, allowing a third party to derive its private key and thus, was able to impersonate the original entity A For example, where the key is generated using a seeded hash to produce a 161 bit private EC key by generating 2 64 , party A may select the one (expected) key with a high order 64 bits of 0s. The first party goes to a judge with a repudiation request and points out that an adversary could attack remaining 97 bits in feasible time. He therefore repudiates his key as it has already been shown that 97 bit keys can be broken. Clearly, in high security applications, it is desirable to avoid the fit person attack. One way to address this possible concern about first party repudiation is simply to deny all fat party repudiation requests. However, this may result in a problem if a key is generated that actually is weak. What is needed is the ability of the owner to be assured that his particular private key is not weak. In some applications it may not be sufficient to claim that generation of weak key pairs is statistically improbable. The owner wants to be assured that his specific key has no properties that might make it weak, as no matter what value it might be, he is not able to later repudiate it. The cryptographic strength of the key depends to a large extent on the random distribution of bits in the binary representation used as the key. Thus, although the key may be generated by a pseudorandom number generator and is therefore random, it may be weak if the digits are distributed in a recognizable pattern or grouped to provide a shorter key. Thus, it is desirable to implement an ECC ElGamal type scheme in which the probability of private key repudiation is minimized. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In general terms, the present invention provides a method of generating a private key for use in a public key data communication system implemented between a pair of correspondents, said method comprising the steps of generating a random number for use as a private key, testing said number against a predetermined set of criteria to determine the statistical randomness of said numbers and utilizing said random number upon satisfying said criteria. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS These and other features of the preferred embodiments of the invention will become more apparent in the following detailed description in which reference is made to the appended drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a digital communication system; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of an encryption unit of FIG. 1; and FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a canonical private key generation scheme. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a digital data communication system 10 includes a pair of correspondents designated as a sender 12 and recipient 14 who are connected by a communication channel 16 Each of the correspondents 12 and 14 includes an encryption unit 18 , 20 , respectively that may p( digital information and prepare it for transmission through the channel 16 as will be described below. In the following description, embodiments of the invention will be exemplified with reference to an elliptic curve ElGamal type scheme understood that the other cryptosystems or Diffie Hellman key exchanges may equally be utilized. An elliptic curve private key is a statistically unique and unpredictable value selected between 1 and n−1, where n is the prime order of G, the generating point of the large subgroup specified by the associated elliptic curve (EC) domain parameters. In high security applications, one may wish to be able to be assured and subsequently demonstrate that strict key generation criteria was met. To facilitate this, a key test processor 28 is included in the key generation an to validate the keys subsequently an EC private key validate processor 30 is incorporated into the encryption units 18 , 20 : As shown in FIG. 2, a private key k is generated in a canonical private key generation function 32 as shown in FIG. 2 . The random numbers presented as possible private keys from function 32 are selected to be of a size which is approximately the same size as n, the prime order of the generating point G. The numbers can be generated by either a true noise hardware randomizer or via a seeded pseudorandom function as shown in FIG. 3 . Either a (true) random number generator (RNG) 36 or a pseudo random number generator (PRNG) 38 produces a SEED 34 . To utilize the PRNG 38 a random seed is input into the PRNG to generate the SEED 34 at the output whereas the RNG generate the SEED 34 directly. The SEED 34 is hashed in a one way function at 40 and the output from the hash is shaped so that it is the correct size for a private key. The resulting value is a bit string that may be used as the private key, denoted as k. The hash function used is SHA-1. A counter value X‘01’, X‘02’, etc. is concatenated to the SEED to produce different 160 bit values, which are concatenated on the night until the resulting value is larger than n. The shape function used is modulo n. Key test processor 28 receives the value generated by the key generation function 32 and applies to it a predetermined, selectable set of tests that confirm that the key k meets the set of criteria considered acceptable to the user. Typically, the processor may apply standard statistical tests to ensure that the bit distribution in the key appears random and unpredictable. Among the tests that can be used to check for apparent randomness are: 1. Frequency test (monobit test) 2. Poker test 3. Runs test 4. Long run test The output from the generator function 32 is subjected to each of the following tests and if any of the tests fail, then the candidate private key k is rejected. By way of example, The Monobit Test require the counting of the number of ones in the 20,000 bit stream. Denote this quantity by X. The test is passed if 65<X<135 for an error probability of 1 in 1,000,000, i.e., a very high confidence level. Similarly, the Poker Test divides the 200 bit stream into 66 contiguous 3 bit segments. Count and store the number of occurrences of each of the 8 possible 3 bit values is counted and store Denote f(i) as the number of each 3 bit value i where 0<=i<=8. Evaluate the following: X= ({fraction (8/66)})*SUM from i= 0 to 8 [( f ( i ))**2]−66 The test is considered passed if the value A of x falls within the predetermined range determined by the required confidence level. The Runs Test utilizes a run defined as a maximal sequence of consecutive bits of either all ones or all zeros, which is part of the 200 bit sample strewn. The incidences of runs (for both consecutive zeros and consecutive ones) of all lengths (>=1) in the sample stream are counted and stored. The distribution of the lengths is monitored by the frequency of the run length in each range compared with an acceptable criteria determined by the required confidence level. In addition, a long run test may be included the Long Run Test defined to be a run of length 16 or more (of either zeros or ones). On the sample of 200 bits, the test is passed if there are NO long runs. By including a long run test to the above, one can be assured that any specific private key appears random and is therefore difficult to attack. By selecting an appropriate value for each statistical test that is related to the confidence level desired by the user for a particular claimed random sequence to be used for a private key, the only keys selected will be those that are acceptable to the criteria set by the user. Thereafter, repudiation is not possible, provided the criteria are met. If the confidence level is zero, then no statistical tests are run. If the confidence level is 80% or 90%, then the appropriate acceptable range of values is determined for each test and the tests run to see if the actual value is in the acceptable range. Note that as the statistic approaches 100%, more candidate private key values will be discarded and therefore key pair generation would be expected to take longer. Naturally, additional tests may be substituted or included as considered appropriate. Referring again to FIG. 2, after the key k has been accepted, it is associated within encryption unit 18 with a set of EC domain parameters 24 . The domain parameters include a EC public key kG derived from the key k. The parameters also include plaintext (opened) EC private key data structure that is claimed to be associated with the above set of EC domain parameters and EC public key. The plaintext EC private key data structure contains (at least) the following information: 1. An indication of the EC domain parameters associated with this private key. 2. The SEED that produced the value of the private key k. 3. The value of the private key k. 4. An indication of the level of confidence that the value of the private key k “appears” random. This is a value between 0 and 99 applied during the statistical tests and represents a percentage. The output of this process is either pass or fail. Pass indicates the EC Private Key passed all validation tests. Fail indicates the EC Private Key k did not pass all validation tests. The private and public keys may then be used to sign a message or authenticate a key using established protocols between the correspondents 12 , 14 . The EC private key data structure is maintained secure in the domain and opened by implementation dependent means so that the plaintext of the private key is recovered and its integrity verified as part of the process of opening the key. If a signature is repudiated, the validity of the key may be verified using the private key data structure 24 . The parameters are forwarded to a processor 30 , which tests the validity of the private key against a predetermined set of criteria. The process performed in the processor 30 is described as follows: 1. Compare the (claimed) EC domain parameters with the indication in the private key data structure of the associated EC domain parameters to ensure that all respective components are identical in value. 2. Validate the length of the SEED to ensure it is larger than n, the prime order of the generating point G. 3. Validate the SEED by passing it as input to the canonical seeded hash function to ensure that the private key k is the result. 4. Validate the private key k by comparing kG with the value of the (claimed) associated public key to ensure they are identical in value. 5. Validate the value of the private key k to ensure it meets the level of confidence specified in the statistical tests run by the test function 28 . 6. If all tests succeed, then output “pass”; otherwise output “fail”. A pass indicates that the private key met all criteria specified by the correspondent 12 and therefore, cannot be repudiated. Applications with very high security requirements may also wish to validate that the per-message secret k value was generated by use of an approved pseudorandom number generator from a KSEED value. When this option is desired, a particular KSEED value is associated with a particular private key and the KSEED value shall not be used for any other purpose. The KSEED value shall be stored securely with the other components of the private key along with an indication regarding which pseudorandom number generator is used The range of possible values for k is the same as the range of possible values for a private key associated with a particular set of domain parameters. The only difference is that multiple k values are generated from KSEED, while one private key is generated from SEED. Knowing this information, the validation routine outputs a caller-specified number of k values and the associated r values (which would normally be a part of the digital signature). The caller then compares the output r values with a stored list of r values from previous signatures, to ensure that they are consistent While the invention has been described in connection with the specific embodiment thereof, and in a specific use, various modifications thereof will occur to those skilled in the an without departing from the spirit of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The terms and expressions which have been employed in this specification are used as terms of description and not of limitations, there is no intention in the use of such terms and expressions to exclude any equivalence of the features shown and described or portions thereof, but it is recognized that various modifications are possible within the scope of the claims to the invention.
A method of generating a private key for use in a public key data communication system implemented between a pair of correspondents is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of generating a random number for use as a private key and testing the number against a predetermined set of criteria The criteria are chosen to determine the statistical randomness of the number. The random number is utilized as a key upon satisfying the criteria.
7
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 09/908,713, filed Jul. 20, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,614,022, the subject matter of which is incorporated by reference herein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a substrate manufacturing apparatus including circuit patterns such as semiconductor devices and liquid crystal and particularly to the technique for inspecting the patterns of substrate in the course of the manufacture using SEM. A pattern inspecting apparatus using the electron beam of the related art is described, for example, in the official gazette of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. 258703/1993. An example of the pattern inspection apparatus using electron beam described in the above cited reference is illustrated in FIG. 1 . An electron beam 2 emitted from an electron beam source 1 is deflected with a deflector 3 in the X direction, this electron beam irradiates an object substrate 5 via an objective lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 (including the secondary electron and reflected electron generated from a sample through irradiation of the primary electron beam) emitted from the object substrate 5 is simultaneously deflected with an E×B deflector (hereinafter referred to as only E×B) 13 while a stage 6 is continuously moved in the Y direction, this secondary electron beam 7 is detected with a detector 8 as an electric signal and it is then amplified with a pre-amplifier 14 , thereafter the detected signal is A/D-converted with an A/D converter 9 to obtain a digital image, this image is then compared with a digital image at the area which may be expected as to be identical in an image processing circuit 10 , thereby an area generating a difference is detected as a pattern defect 11 to identify the defective area. The object substrate 5 is kept at a negative potential with the retarding voltage and therefore an acceleration voltage can easily be changed on the object substrate 5 by changing the retarding voltage 12 . In the apparatus of the related art as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the secondary electron 7 has been detected with convergence to one detector 8 . However, a degree of convergence of the secondary electron is restricted with various conditions. As the restricting conditions, it is possible to consider (1) degree of freedom of the electro-optical system (retarding voltage, current of primary beam, electric field of the area near the sample, etc. for controlling the acceleration voltage of the primary electron incident to the sample), (2) deflection of the electron beam 2 with the deflector 3 for scanning the sample, (3) allowance of setting, (4) contamination of surface of the detector 7 generated with collision of electron beam and (5) various aberrations in the electro-optical system, or the like. Although depending on the practical design of the electro-optical system, the conditions (4) and (5) contribute to the degree of convergence of secondary electron and the minimum degree may be estimated as about 1 mm under the condition of the electro-optical system, that is, under the condition that the retarding voltage, current of primary beam and field at the area near the sample which control the acceleration voltage of the primary electron incident to the sample is fixed to only one condition. Moreover, the influence on the degree (2) of convergence of the secondary electron due to the scanning of the deflector 3 with the electron beam 2 appears as the movement of the converging position of about 0.5 mm, although depending on the scanning width and magnifying factor for the secondary electron. Moreover, in regard to the degree of freedom (1) of the optical system, a degree of convergence is changed for about 1 mm by the defocusing, although depending on the other conditions, when the retarding voltage 12 , for example, is changed. Moreover, in actual, since the optical axis of the secondary electron optical system is deviated, it can be estimated that the converging position is shifted by about 0.5 mm. When these factors are added, the diameter of about 3 mm is required for the effective light receiving surface of the detector to detect the secondary electron and when the allowance of setting (3) is considered, the diameter of 4 mm will be required for the effective light receiving surface of the photosensor. Meanwhile, the frequency characteristic of detector is inversely proportional to the area of the detector. For example, in the case of the detector having the diameter of 4 mm, the cut-off frequency is only 75 MHz even when the design condition and operating condition are improved. On the other hand, when the diameter of detector is set to 2 mm, the cut-off frequency becomes about 150 MHz. However, as explained above, since the detector of the related art requires a diameter of 4 mm, response is possible only for 15 Msps (sps: sample per second) of the sampling frequency corresponding to the cut-off frequency of 75 MHz and it has been impossible to respond to the higher frequency. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention can provide an inspection apparatus using SEM which can sufficient detect the secondary electron even at the sampling frequency higher than 150 Msps which has been difficult in the structure of the related art to sufficiently cover the detection of secondary electron. The first means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 2 . Here, the structure for solving the problems will be explained, for easier understanding, for detection at the 400 Msps rate under the assumption that a size of detector is 4 mm square (in above example, the diameter is set to 4 mm, but here the detector has the size of 4 mm square), cut-off frequency is 75 MHz and the cut-off frequency is inversely proportional to only the area. Of course, the numerical values also change depending on the internal structure and material of sensor, but these are not explained here. The contents explained above is the essential factors for the case where the target of speed is set to 400 Msps or more. Moreover, the number of detectors is set, for example, to four, but it is selected as the typical value of a plurality of detectors and the present invention is never limited only to the numerical value 4. The first means is composed of an electron source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for the scanning and positioning, E×B 13 for deflecting the secondary electron 7 emitted from the object substrate 5 , a 4-split detector 20 of 2 mm square each for detecting the secondary electron 7 deflected with the E×B 13 , preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d having the bandwidth of 200 MHz or higher connected to each detector, an A/D converter 22 of 400 Msps for adding and A/D-converts outputs of the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d to obtain the digital image and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, an area generating difference as a defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for the matching of images. In above structure, the electron beam 2 from the electron source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 , this electron beam 2 irradiates the object substrate 5 via the object lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is bent with E×B 13 for detection with the 4-split detector 20 while the stage 6 is continuously moved in the Y direction, the signal is A/D-converted to obtain the digital image after the signal of each split detector into voltage with the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d and the signals are added with the A/D converter and the image processing circuit 10 detects the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for the matching of images. In this case, the secondary electron 7 can be expanded only to the maximum area of 4 mm square even when change of retarding voltage 12 and deflection with the deflector 3 are considered. Since the 4-split detector 20 is completed in 4 mm square with four detectors, while one detector is completed in 2 mm square, the secondary electron 7 enters any one of the sensors. The signal of any detector is received with the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d and these signals are added in the A/D converter 22 to A/D-convert all secondary electrons 7 . Since each detector is completed in the 2 mm square, the cut-off frequency is set to 300 MHz, bandwidth of the preamplifier is set to 200 MHz and A/D converter is set to 400 Msps, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter are designed to cover 400 Msps and sufficient consideration is taken for 400 Msps. When a 6-split or 8-split and moreover 12-split detector is used in place of the 4-split detector to provide the structure to detect the secondary electron, area of each detector can further be reduced and moreover it is now possible to further quickly detect the secondary electron than 400 Msps explained above. Next, the second means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 3 and is composed of an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for scanning or positioning, E×B 13 for bending the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , a secondary electron deflector 30 for deflecting the secondary electron 7 bent with E×B 13 , 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d each of which has the 4 mm square size for detecting the secondary electron or the like deflected with the secondary electron deflector 30 , preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d of 50 MHz bandwidth connected to each detector, A/D converters 33 a to 33 d of 100 Msps for converting the outputs of preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d to the digital image and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, an area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area providing expectation for the matching of images. With introduction of such structure, the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 to irradiate the object substrate 5 via the objective lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is bent with E×B 13 while the stage 6 is simultaneously moved continuously in the Y direction, thereafter the secondary electron deflector 30 is driven with 100 MHz to sequentially scan each detector of the 4-split detector 20 for detection with the 4-split detector 31 , the signal obtained is then amplified with the preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d and the signal of each split detector is converted to the voltage, the signal is then A/D-converted to the digital image signal with the A/D converters 33 a to 33 d and the image processing circuit 10 compares the digital image with that of the area intrinsically providing the expectation for matching of the image and detects the area generating difference as the defect 11 . In this case, the secondary electron 7 can be spread in maximum to the area of 4 mm square even when considering, for example, the change of retarding voltage 12 and deflection by the deflector 3 . Since each 4-split sensor has the size of 4 mm square, the secondary electron 7 is all incident to the detector selected with the secondary electron deflector 30 . The signal of any detector is received with the pre-amplifiers 32 a to 32 d and these signals are then A/D-converted with the A/D converters 33 a to 33 d . The detector has a size of 4 mm square, cut-off frequency is 75 MHz, bandwidth of preamplifier is 50 MHz and the A/D converter has 100 Msps. Therefore, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter is responsible to 100 Msps and moreover the sampling is conducted once for four pixels at 100 Msps. Accordingly, sufficient consideration for 400 Msps can be made with the total function of pairing of four detectors, preamplifiers and A/D converters. Operations of the secondary electron deflector 30 will be explained in detail with reference to FIG. 10 . The secondary electron deflector 30 is switched, in units of 2.5 ns, in the sequence of a, b, c, d with the period of 100 MHz. The A/D converter 33 samples the signal in the 10 ns period and 100 Msps and obtains in total 400 Msps by sequentially arranging the outputs of the four A/D converters. Operating method of the secondary electron deflector 30 will be explained with reference to FIG. 11 . The circle scanning 92 for continuously moving the secondary electron 7 on the detecting surfaces of the 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d can be realized by defining respectively the X/Y deflection signals as sin/cos signals. Moreover, the switching scanning 93 for discretely scanning the secondary electron 7 on the detecting surfaces of the 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d can also be realized by defining the X/Y deflection signals as the square waves of 10 ns period resulting in the deviation of phase of 90 degrees. In addition, although not illustrated, the similar signals can also be obtained by defining the X/Y deflection signal as the square waves of 10 ns and 5 ns periods. The third means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 4 and is composed of an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for scanning or positioning, an E×B 13 for bending the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , a 4-split smart detector 40 each of which has a size of 2 mm square integrating a preamplifier and an adder for detecting the secondary electron 7 bent with the E×B 13 , an A/D converter 41 of 400 Msps for converting an output of the 4-split smart detector 40 into a digital image and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. With introduction of this structure, the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 to irradiate the object substrate 5 via the objective lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is bent with the E×B 13 while simultaneously moving the stage 6 in the Y direction continuously, thereafter the electron beam 7 is then detected with the smart detector 40 and A/D-converted into the digital image with the A/D converter 41 and the image processing circuit 10 detects, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing the expectation for matching of images. In this case, the secondary electron 7 can be spread in maximum up to the area in size of 4 mm square even when considering the change of retarding voltage 12 and deflection with the deflector 3 . Since one 4-split sensor as the size of 2 mm square and the four sensors also have the size of 2 mm square, the electron beam is incident to any one of the four sensors. The signal of any detector is received with a preamplifier provided to each sensor built in the smart detector 40 and the signal of all secondary electrons 7 can be obtained as the output of the smart detector 40 by adding such signals from the detector. When the bandwidth of the preamplifier built in the smart detector 40 is set to 200 MHz, since the detector has the size of 2 mm square, the cut-off frequency is 300 MHz and A/D converter has 400 Msps, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter are responsible to 400 Msps because of sufficient consideration for 400 Msps. The fourth means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 5 and is composed of an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for scanning or position, a E×B 13 for bending the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , a converging optical system 51 for converging the secondary electron 7 bent with the E×B 13 , a detector 8 of 2 mm square for detecting the secondary electron 7 converged with the converging optical system 51 , a preamplifier 52 having the bandwidth of 200 MHz or more connected to the detector, an A/D converter 9 of 400 Msps for converting an output of the preamplifier 52 to the digital image through the A/D conversion and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. With introduction of the structure explained above, the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 to irradiate the object substrate 5 via the objective lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is bent with the E×B 13 having optimized the bending angle for each retarding voltage while simultaneously moving continuously the stage 6 in the Y direction, thereafter the secondary electron 7 converged to the position depending on the retarding voltage with the converging optical system 51 is detected with the detector 8 of 2 mm square, the signal is then amplified with the preamplifier 52 and A/D-converted to the digital image with the A/D converter 9 and the image processing circuit 10 detects the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. In this case, the spreading by defocusing and movement of converging position when the retarding voltage 12 is changed are respectively adjusted with the converging optical system 51 and E×B 13 . Therefore, even when deflection by the deflector 3 is considered, the secondary electron 7 is spread in maximum up to the area of 1.5 mm square+design allowance. Here, the detector 8 is rather small in size because one detector has the size of 2 mm square but since the electron beam is incident to the detector, the signal of almost all secondary electrons 7 can be obtained as an output of the detector 8 . When the bandwidth of preamplifier is set to 200 MHz, since the detector has the size of 2 mm square, cut-off frequency is 300 MHz, A/D converter has 400 Msps, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter are responsible to 400 Msps with sufficient consideration for 400 Msps. The fifth means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 6 and is composed of an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for scanning or positioning, an E×B 13 for bending the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , detectors 61 a to 61 b in size of 2 mm square provided in a plurality of positions for detecting the secondary electron 7 bent with the E×B 13 , preamplifiers 62 a to 62 b having the bandwidth of 200 MHz or higher connected to each detector, a signal combining circuit 63 for adding or switching outputs of the preamplifiers 62 a to 62 b , an A/D converter 9 of 400 Msps for converting the signal combined with the signal combining circuit 63 into the digital image and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. With introduction of such structure, the sharing range of the retarding voltage 12 of the detector 61 a is defined as Vamin to Vamax and the sharing range of the retarding voltage 12 of the detector 61 b is defined as Vbmin to Vbmax, the detectors 61 a to 61 b are provided at the converging distance of the secondary electron 7 corresponding to the retarding voltage 12 of the sharing range with the setting for covering the range of all retarding voltages 12 when these are added. When the retarding voltage 12 is in the range of Vamin to Vamax, the detector 61 a is selected with the signal combining circuit 63 and E×B 13 is set to apply the electron beam to the detector 61 a. The electron beam 2 emitted from the electron beam source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 to irradiate the object substrate 5 via the objective lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is then bent with the E×B 13 having optimized the bending angle while simultaneously moving continuously the stage 6 in the Y direction, thereafter the secondary electron 7 is then detected with the detector 61 a in the size of 2 mm square and is then amplified with the preamplifier 62 a , thereafter the signal is A/D-converted to the digital image in the A/D converter 9 because the detector 61 a is selected in the signal combining circuit and the image processing circuit 10 detects, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. In this case, since the spread by defocusing and movement of converging position when the regarding voltage 12 is changed are adjusted with selection of the detectors 61 a to 61 b and adjustment with E×B 13 , the secondary electron 7 can be spread in maximum to the area of 1.5 mm square+design allowance even when considering the deflection with the deflector 3 . Since one detector of 61 a to 6 b has the size of 2 mm square with smaller allowance and the electron beam enters the detector, the signal of almost all secondary electrons 7 can be obtained as an output of the detectors 61 a to 61 b . When the bandwidth of the preamplifier is set to 200 MHz, since the sensor has the size of 2 mm square, cut-off frequency is 300 MHz and A/D converter has 400 Msps, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter are responsible to 400 Msps with sufficient consideration for 400 Msps. The sixth means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 7 and is composed of an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for scanning or positioning, a E×B 13 for bending the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , a secondary electron returning deflector 71 for deflecting the secondary electron 7 bent with the E×B 13 , a detector 72 in size of 2 mm square for detecting the secondary electron 7 returned with the returning deflector 71 , a preamplifier 73 having the bandwidth of 200 MHz or more connected to the detector 72 , an A/D converter 9 of 400 Msps for A/D-converting the output of preamplifier 73 to the digital image and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. With introduction of the structure explained above, the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 to irradiate the object substrate 5 via the objective lens 4 , the second electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is bent with the E×B 13 having optimized the bending angle for each retarding voltage while simultaneously moving the stage 6 continuously in the Y direction, thereafter the secondary electron 7 is detected with the detector 72 in the size of 2 mm square by returning amount of movement on the detector 72 at the deflector 3 with the secondary electron returning deflector 71 in order to eliminate movement of secondary electron 7 and this secondary electron 7 is then amplified with the preamplifier 73 , thereafter the signal is A/D-converted to the digital image with the A/D converter 9 and the image processing circuit 10 detects the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. In this case, movement of converging position when the retarding voltage 12 is changed is adjusted with the E×B 13 . Moreover, since the secondary electron returning deflector 71 is used for movement of the secondary electron 7 resulting from the scanning of the deflector 3 , the secondary electron 7 is spread in maximum only up to the area of 2 mm square+design allowance. The detector 72 does not have allowance because it has the size of 2 mm square, but since the electron beam is incident to the detector, the signal of the secondary electron 7 can be defined as the output of the detector 72 . When the bandwidth of preamplifier is set to 200 MHz, since the detector has the size of 2 mm square, cut-off frequency is 300 MHz and A/D converter has 400 Msps, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter are responsive for 400 Msps with sufficient consideration for 400 Msps. This structure cannot achieve the target with itself but it is possible to use this structure to attain the design allowance through combination, for example, with the structure of the fifth means. The seventh means for embodying the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 8 and is composed of an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , a deflector 3 for deflecting the electron beam 2 , an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a stage 6 for holding the object substrate 5 to apply the retarding voltage 12 for scanning or positioning, a E×B 13 for bending the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , a reflector 81 for collision with the secondary electron 7 bent with the E×B 13 , a converting optical system 83 for converging the secondary electron 82 generated with the secondary electron 7 collided with the reflector 81 , a detector 84 of 2 mm square for detecting the secondary electron 82 converged with the converging optical system 83 , a preamplifier 85 having the bandwidth of 200 MHz or higher connected to the detector 84 , an A/D converter 9 of 400 Msps for A/D-converting output of the preamplifier 85 to the digital image and an image processing circuit 10 for detecting, from the digital image, the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. In the structure of the detector using a plurality of detectors, those having reduced, as much as possible, the non-effective area in the periphery of the detector is provided adjacently. At least non-effective area of 0.2 mm is required when it is reduced as much as possible. When these are allocated without any interval, the detectors may be allocated by providing the non-effective area of 0.4 mm. In this method, a plurality of detectors may be integrated at the time of manufacturing the detector. Although depending on the process, it is possible to provide the non-effective area of 0.02 mm or less. FIG. 9 illustrates an example where five detectors 91 a to 91 e are used as the detector. With introduction of the structure explained above, the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 is deflected in the X direction with the deflector 3 to irradiate the object substrate 5 via the objective lens 4 , the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 is bent with the E×B 13 having optimized the bending angle for each retarding voltage, thereafter the secondary electron 7 is collided with the reflector 81 and the secondary electron 82 generated at the reflector 81 is then detected with the detector 84 of 2 mm square via the converging optical system 83 , the signal is amplifier with the preamplifier 85 and is then A/D-converted to the digital image of the A/D converter 9 and the image processing circuit 10 detects the area generating difference as the defect 11 through comparison with the digital image of the area intrinsically providing expectation for matching of images. In this case, since the electron beam 7 is once collided with the reflector 81 , the secondary electron 82 almost having no energy is generated not depending on the retarding voltage 12 and scanning by the deflector 3 and this secondary electron 82 is inputted to the detector 84 with the converging optical system 83 . Accordingly, the secondary electron 82 is spread in maximum to the area of 2 mm square. Since the detector 84 has the size of 2 mm square, the signal of all secondary electron 7 can be obtained as the output of detector 84 . When the bandwidth of a preamplifier is set to 200 MHz, since the detector is in the size of 2 mm square, cut-off frequency is 300 MHz and A/D converter has 400 Msps, the detector, preamplifier and A/D converter are responsible for 400 Msps with sufficient consideration for 400 Msps. In the means and operation to solve the problems explained above, the converging position to the detector is adjusted with E×B, but it is also possible to realize the function to adjust the position of secondary electron or the like to the detector by inserting the secondary electron deflector in the optical path of only the secondary electron, in place of allowing both the electron beam and secondary electron to pass the circuits other than E×B. Moreover, since a large aberration is generated if the electron beam is deflected to a large extent with the E×B, it can be thought to cancel the aberration by adding a dummy E×B for operating in the inverse direction. These and other objects, features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of preferred embodiments of the invention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the pattern inspection apparatus using the electron beam of the related art. FIG. 2 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the first means of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the second means of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the third means of the present invention. FIG. 5 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the fourth means of the present invention. FIG. 6 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the fifth means of the present invention. FIG. 7 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the sixth means of the present invention. FIG. 8 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the seventh means of the present invention. FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating an example of structure of the detector in the present invention. FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating an operating method of the second means of the present invention. FIG. 11 is a plan view of the detector indicating the operation on the detector of the secondary electron by the secondary electron deflector. FIG. 12 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the apparatus in relation to the first embodiment. FIG. 13 is a plan view of a wafer for explaining the sequence of inspection. FIG. 14 is a plan view of a wafer for explaining the scanning method on the wafer. FIG. 15 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure in relation to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 16 is a front elevation illustrating the schematic structure of the apparatus in relation to the third embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The preferred embodiments of the present invention will be explained below. [Embodiment 1] The first embodiment of the present invention will be explained. FIG. 12 illustrates a structure of the first embodiment. The first embodiment comprises an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , an electro-optical system 106 consisting of a condenser lens 103 for converging the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 to the constant area, a blanking plate 104 installed near the converging position of the condenser lens 103 , a deflector 105 for deflecting the electron beam 2 in the XY directions and an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate, a sample chamber 107 for holding a wafer 100 as the object substrate in the evacuated condition, a stage 6 for mounting the wafer 100 to apply the retarding voltage 108 to enable detection of an image at the desired position, a E×B 13 for deflecting the secondary electron 7 from the wafer 100 in the direction to the detector 20 , a 4-split detector 20 using four detecting elements of 2 mm square having the bandwidth of 200 MHz to detect the deflected secondary electron 7 , preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d having the bandwidth of 200 MHz allocated within the sample chamber held in the evacuated condition, an A/D converter 22 for obtaining the digital image by adding outputs of the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d and A/D-conducting the added outputs at 400 Msps, a memory 109 for storing the digital image, an image processing circuit 10 for detecting the area generating difference as the pattern defect 11 through comparison of the digital image stored in the memory 109 with the A/D converted digital image, a complete control unit 110 (the control line from the complete control unit 110 is omitted), a Z-sensor 113 for keeping constant the focal position of the digital image detected by adjusting the focal position of the electron beam 2 converged on the object substrate 5 by measuring the height of wafer 100 and controlling a current value of the objective lens 4 with addition of offset 112 , a loader (not illustrated) for loading and unloading the wafer 100 in the cassette 114 to and from the sample chamber 107 , an orientation flat detector (not illustrated) for positioning the wafer 100 with reference to the external shape of the wafer 100 , an optical microscope 118 for observing the pattern on the wafer 100 and a standard sample piece 119 provided on the stage 6 . The detector 20 described in this embodiment has the same structure as that described in FIG. 2 . Operations of the first embodiment will be explained. The complete control unit 110 instructs the operation of each unit in the following procedures. An instruction is issued to a loader (not illustrated) and the loader picks up the wafer 100 from the cassette 114 , positions the wafer with reference to the external shape with the orientation flat detector (not illustrated), loads the wafer 100 to the stage 6 and evacuates the inside of sample chamber 107 . Upon completion of loading, the conditions of the electro-optical system 106 and retarding voltage 108 are set and a voltage is applied to the blanking plate 104 to turn off the electron beam 2 . Next, the stage is moved to the standard sample piece 119 to validate the Z-sensor 113 in order to keep the focal point to the constant area of the detection value+offset 112 of the Z-sensor, the deflector 105 is caused to conduct raster-scanning, the voltage of the blanking plate 104 is turned off in synchronization with the scanning, the wafer 100 is irradiated with the electron beam 2 when it is required, the secondary electron 7 generated from the wafer 100 is detected with the 4-split detector 20 and is then amplified with the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d , thereafter the secondary electrons 7 are added and are then A/D-converted to the digital image with the AD converter 22 . Here, the offset 112 is changed to detect a plurality of digital images and the optimum offset to provide the maximum total sum in the image of the differential values of the images in the complete control unit 110 for each detection is set as the current offset value. Next, the stage 6 is moved to the scanning start position of the area to be inspected of the loaded wafer 100 . The intrinsic offset of the wafer which has been measured previously is added to the offset 112 for the setting to validate the Z-sensor 113 , the stage 6 is then scanned in the Y direction along the scanning line 153 illustrated in FIG. 13 , the deflector 105 scans in the X direction in synchronization with the scanning of stage and the voltage of the blanking plate 104 is turned off at the time of effective scanning so that the electron beam 2 irradiates the wafer 100 for the scanning purpose. A die 152 on the wafer 100 has the identical wiring patterns in the unit for producing products which are finally divided. The secondary electron 7 generated from the wafer 100 is detected with the 4-split detector 20 , amplified with the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d , added and A/D-converted with the A/D converter to obtain the digital image of the stripe area 154 . The obtained digital image is stored in the memory 109 . Here, after completion of scanning of the stage 6 , the Z-sensor 113 is invalidated. With repetition of the scanning of stage, the entire part of area required is inspected completely. On the occasion of inspecting the entire part of wafer 100 , inspection is performed in the sequence illustrated in FIG. 14 . Here, the 4-split detector 20 has the structure and function identical to that of FIG. 2 . In the case where the A detecting position 155 is detected with the image processing circuit 10 , the detecting position is compared with the image of the B detecting position 156 stored in the memory 109 and the area generating the difference is extracted as a defect 11 , a list of the pattern defect 11 is generated and is then transmitted to the complete control unit 110 . According to this embodiment, the entire part of the wafer is inspected using the SEM image to detect only the pattern defect 11 and these defects can be presented to users. According to this embodiment, since the 4-split detector 20 of 200 MHz is used, the total and sufficient area and high-speed characteristic can be obtained, high-speed characteristic can be assured through amplification in which the respective bandwidths are maintained in the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d . Moreover, the signals are added and A/D-converted and thereby the S/N ratio can be doubled in comparison with that of only one detector. Next, the first modification example of the present embodiment will be explained. In this first modification example, a smart detector which integrates the 4-split sensor 20 , preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d and the circuit for adding outputs of the preamplifiers are integrated as illustrated in FIG. 4 . According to this modification example, since the sensor and preamplifiers are integrated and only one output can be obtained on the occasion of realizing high-speed operation of 400 Msps or more, it is possible to easily increase the number of divisions. Next, the second modification example of the present embodiment will be explained. In this modification example, a smart detector integrating the 4-split sensor 20 and preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d is used (not illustrated). Namely, in this modification example, a circuit for addition is separated from the smart detector of the first modification example as illustrated in FIG. 4 and the 4-split detector 20 and the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d are integrated in the structures illustrated in FIG. 2 and FIG. 12 . According to this modification example, since the sensor and preamplifiers are integrated to realize the high-speed operation of 400 Msps or more, the number of divisions can easily be increased. Moreover, since outputs of the preamplifiers are individually provided, it can easily be realized to provide the arithmetic functions in addition to the addition. Next, the third modification example of the present embodiment will be explained. In the structure illustrated in FIG. 12 , this modification example uses a smart detector integrating the 4-split sensor 20 , preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d , an arithmetic circuit having one or a plurality of outputs and an A/D converter for A/D-converting the output of one or a plurality of arithmetic circuits. According to this modification example, since the sensor and preamplifier are integrated for high-speed operation of 400 Msps or more, the number of divisions may be increased easily. Next, the fourth modification example of the present embodiment will be explained. In this modification example, the sequence of addition and A/D conversion are replaced with each other for the first modification example. Namely, outputs of the preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d are once A/D-converted and these outputs are added or arithmetically operated after the A/D conversion. According to this modification example, the characteristics of the 4-split detector 20 and preamplifiers 21 a to 21 d can be compensated with the arithmetic operations. The first embodiment and its modification examples have been explained above but in this embodiment and its modification examples, not only the outputs of the 4-split detector 20 are simply added but also the linear or non-linear arithmetic processes may be executed for the outputs of respective detection elements. Moreover, the light detecting surface of each element has different angles for observing the objects because the 4-split detector 20 which has been explained in the embodiment and its modification example is used. Therefore, the shape information including the projection and recess information of the object can be obtained at high speed by conducting the arithmetic operations for these outputs. In addition, in the embodiment and its modification examples, the 4-split detector 20 is used as an example but the detector providing the other light detecting surface at the center area as illustrated in FIG. 9 can also be used. According to this embodiment and its modification examples, it is also possible, without requesting remarkable modification in comparison with that in the related art, to detect the SEM image in the sampling frequency which is higher by two times or more than that of the apparatus of related art in the rather simplified structure of the optical system. Moreover, according to the present embodiment and its modification examples, since the beam diameter of secondary electron can be detected in the same diameter as that of the apparatus of related art, a degree of contamination of the detector surface is same as that in the related art and therefore there is no disadvantage that the operating life of the detector can be shortened due to the high-speed detection. In addition, according to the present embodiment and its modification examples, since the signals are processed by simultaneously receiving the outputs from the respective divided detectors, if there is fluctuation of sensitivity in the respective divided detectors, the outputs depending on such fluctuation can be obtained stably and such output signals can be processed rather easily. [Embodiment 2] The second embodiment of the present invention will be explained. FIG. 15 illustrates a structure of the second embodiment, comprising an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , an electro-optical system 106 consisting of a condenser lens 103 for converging the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 to the constant area, a blanking plate 104 provided at the area near the converging position of the condenser lens 103 to control the on/off condition of the electron beam 2 , a deflector 105 for deflecting the electron beam 2 in the XY directions and an objective lens 4 for converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a sample chamber 107 for holding the wafer 100 as the object substrate under the evacuated condition, a stage 6 to load the wafer 100 for applying the retarding voltage 108 which enables the detection of an image of the desired position, a secondary electron deflector 30 for deflecting the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 , 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d using four detection elements in the size of 2 mm square having the bandwidth of 50 MHz for detecting the secondary electron 7 deflected with the secondary electron deflector 30 from the object substrate 5 , preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d having the bandwidth of 50 MHz, A/D converters 33 a to 33 d for obtaining the digital image by the A/D conversion of the outputs from the preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d , a bit compensation table 130 for compensating the characteristics of the detectors and preamplifiers provided for the A/D converters 33 a to 33 d , a memory 109 for storing the compensated digital images, an image processing circuit 10 for comparing the image stored in the memory 109 and the digital image after the A/D conversion and detecting the area generating difference as the pattern defect 11 , a complete control unit 110 (the control line from the complete control unit 110 is omitted in the figure), a Z-sensor 113 for keeping constant the focal position of the digital image detected by measuring the height of wafer 100 and controlling the current value of objective lens 4 with addition of the offset 112 , a loader (not illustrated) for loading and unloading the wafer 100 in the cassette 114 into and from the sample chamber 107 , an orientation flat detector (not illustrated) for positioning the wafer 100 with reference to the external shape of the wafer 100 , an optical microscope 118 for observing the patterns on the wafer 100 and a standard sample piece 119 provided on the stage 6 . Operations of the second embodiment will be explained. First, the bit compensation table is preset with the system explained later. The complete control unit 110 instructs the operations to each unit in the following sequence. When an instruction is issued to the loader (not illustrated), the loader picks up the wafer 100 from the cassette 114 , positions the wafer 100 with reference to the external shape with the orientation flat detector (not illustrated), loads the wafer 100 to the stage 6 and evacuates the inside of sample chamber 107 . Upon completion of the loading, of wafer, the conditions of electro-optical system 106 and retarding voltage 108 are set and a voltage is applied to the blanking plate 104 to turn off the electron beam 2 . Next, the stage is moved to the standard sample piece 119 , the Z-sensor 113 is validated to keep the focal point to the constant value of the detection value of the Z-sensor+offset 112 , the deflector 105 is caused to conduct the raster scanning and the voltage of the blanking plate 104 is turned OFF in synchronization with the scanning, the wafer 100 is irradiated only when it is required with the electron beam 2 and the secondary electron 7 generated from the wafer 100 in the secondary electron deflector 30 is inputted to the 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d through the sequential switching in the form of a ring. The detected signal is converted to the digital image with the respective preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d and A/D converters 33 a to 33 d . Here, the offset 112 is changed to detect a plurality of digital images and the optimum offset which provides the maximum total sum of the images of differentiation value in the complete control unit 110 is set as the current offset value for each detection. Next, the stage 6 is moved to the scanning start position of the area to be inspected of the loaded wafer 100 . The intrinsic offset of wafer previously measured is added to the offset 112 and the added offset value is set to validate the Z-sensor 113 , the stage 6 is scanned in the Y direction along the scanning line 153 in FIG. 13 , the deflector 105 is scanned in the X direction in synchronization of scanning of stage, the voltage of the blanking plate 104 is turned off during the valid scanning and thereby the wafer 100 is irradiated and scanned with the electron beam 2 . In regard to the secondary electron 7 generated from the wafer 100 , the reflected electron or secondary electron generated from the wafer 100 with the secondary electron deflector 30 is inputted to the 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d through the sequential switching with the circle scanning 92 shown in FIG. 11 . The detected signal is respectively converted to the digital images of the stripe area 154 with the preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d and A/D converters 33 a to 33 d and these digital images are stored in the memory 109 . After the completion of scanning of the stage 6 , the Z-sensor 113 is invalidated. With repetition of the stage scanning, the entire surface of necessary area is inspected. In the case of inspecting the entire surface of wafer 100 , inspection is performed in the sequence illustrated in FIG. 14 . When the A detecting position 155 is detected with the image processing circuit 10 , the area generating difference through comparison with the image of the B detecting position 156 stored in the memory 109 is detected as a pattern defect 11 , a list of the pattern defect 11 is generated and it is then transmitted to the complete control unit 110 . Operations of the secondary electron deflector 30 , 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d , preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d and A/D converters 33 a to 33 d will be explained in detail. FIG. 10 illustrates the timing chart. In the secondary detectors 31 a to 31 d , preamplifiers 32 a to 32 d and A/D converters 33 a to 33 d , the sampling is conducted at 100 Msps to obtain the digital image. The digital image data corresponding to 400 Msps can be attained by arranging sequentially the digital images obtained. The 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d explained here have the same structure as that of detectors explained in FIG. 3 . The bit compensation table 130 outputs, for each A/D converter 33 a to 33 d , the value after compensation fa(x) to fd(x) for the output value x of the A/D conversion. The reference A/D converter is defined as 33 a and fa(x) is defined as x (fa(x)=x). Next, the shape of functions of fb(x) to fd(x) is adjusted so that the value after detection and compensation of the blank wafer composed of various materials become identical. According to this embodiment, the entire surface of wafer is inspected using the SEM image and only the pattern defect 11 is detected and these defects are presented to users. A modification example of this embodiment will be explained. In the first modification example, as the scanning method of the secondary electron deflector 30 , the switching scanning 93 is used in place of the circle scanning 92 among the scanning method illustrated in FIG. 11 . This modification example as a characteristic that since the scanning of secondary electron on the 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d is not the analogous scanning, the scanning is resistive to fluctuation factor such as drift of position on the 4-split detectors 31 a to 31 d of the secondary electron 7 . In the second modification example, a circuit for linear arithmetic operation is provided in place of the bit compensation table 130 to compensate for the characteristics of the detector and preamplifier. According to this modification example, there is provided the characteristic that high-speed processing can be realized with a more simplified circuit. According to the second embodiment and its modification example, since the detection rate of N times the operation rate of individual detectors can be realized, the higher-speed detection can also be realized. [Embodiment 3] The third embodiment of the present invention is explained. FIG. 16 illustrates a structure of the third embodiment, comprising an electron beam source 1 for generating the electron beam 2 , an electro-optical system 106 consisting of a condenser lens 103 for converging the electron beam 2 from the electron beam source 1 to the constant area, a blanking plate 104 provided at the area near the converging position of the condenser lens 103 for controlling the on/off condition of the electron beam 2 , a deflector 105 for deflecting the electron beam 2 in the XY direction and an objective lens 4 converging the electron beam 2 on the object substrate 5 , a sample chamber 107 for holding a wafer 100 as the object substrate in the evacuated condition, a stage 6 for loading the wafer 100 to apply the retarding voltage 108 to enable detection of the image at the desired position, E×B 13 for deflecting the secondary electron 7 from the object substrate 5 toward the detector 8 , a converging optical system 51 for converging the deflected secondary electron 7 , a detector 8 having the bandwidth of 200 MHz for detecting the secondary electron 7 converted with the converging optical system, a preamplifier 52 having the bandwidth of 200 MHz allocated in the sample chamber held in the evacuated condition, an A/D converter 22 for obtaining the digital image from the output of the preamplifier 52 through the A/D conversion at 400 Msps, a memory 109 for storing the digital images, an image processing circuit 10 for comparing the image stored in the memory 109 and the digital image obtained through the A/D conversion to detect the area generating difference as the pattern defect 11 , a complete control unit 110 (the control line from the complete control unit 110 is omitted in the figure), a Z-sensor 113 for keeping constant the focal position of digital image by measuring the height of the wafer 100 and controlling a current value of the objective lens 4 with addition of offset 112 , a loader (not illustrated) for loading and unloading the wafer 100 in the cassette 114 to and from the sample chamber 107 , an orientation flat detector (not illustrated) for positioning the wafer 100 with reference to the external shape of the wafer 100 , an optical microscope 118 for observing the patterns on the wafer 100 and a standard sample piece 119 provided on the stage 6 . Here, the detector 8 has the structure identical to that illustrated in FIG. 5 . Operations of the third embodiment will be explained. The complete control unit 110 instructs the operation of each unit in the following procedures. When the instruction is issued to the loader (not illustrated), the loader picks up the wafer 100 from the cassette 114 , positions the wafer with reference to the external shape with the orientation flat detector (not illustrated), loads the wafer 100 to the stage 6 and evacuates the sample chamber 107 . Upon loading of the wafer 100 , the electro-optical system 106 , retarding voltage 108 and conditions depending on the retarding voltage 108 are set to the converging optical system 51 and a voltage is applied to the blanking plate 104 to cut off the electron beam 2 . Next, the stage is moved to the standard sample piece 119 and makes valid the Z-sensor 113 to keep the focal point to the constant value of the detection value of Z-sensor 113 +offset 112 , the deflector 105 is caused to execute the raster scanning, the voltage of the blanking plate 104 is cut off in synchronization with the scanning, the wafer 100 is irradiated with the electron beam 2 only when it is required, the secondary electron 7 generated from the wafer 100 at this time is detected with the detector 8 via the converging optical system 51 and this secondary electron 7 is converted to the digital image with the A/D converter 22 . The offset 112 is changed to detect a plurality of digital images and the optimum offset which provides the maximum sum of images of the differentiation value of the image in the complete control unit 110 for each detection is set as the current offset value. Next, the stage 6 is moved to the scanning start position of the area to be inspected of the wafer 100 loaded. The intrinsic offset of wafer previously measured is added to the offset 112 for the setting, the Z-sensor 113 is validated, the stage 6 is scanned in the Y direction along the scanning line 153 of FIG. 13 , the deflector 105 is scanned in the X direction in synchronization of the scanning of stage, the voltage of the blanking plate 104 is cut out during effective scanning and the wafer 100 is irradiated and scanned with the electron beam 2 . The die 152 on the wafer 100 is finally separated and has the identical wiring patterns in the units of products. The secondary electron 7 generated from the wafer 100 is detected with the detector 8 and amplified with the preamplifier 52 . Thereafter, the digital image of the stripe area 154 is obtained with the A/D converter 22 and is then stored in the memory 109 . After the scanning of the stage 6 , the Z-sensor 113 is invalidated. With repetition of the scanning of stage, the necessary inspection for the entire part of area is conducted. In the case of inspecting the entire part of the wafer 100 , inspection is conducted in the sequence illustrated in FIG. 14 . When the image processing circuit 10 detects the A detecting position 155 , this image is compared with the image of the B detecting position 156 stored in the memory 109 and the area generating difference is extracted as the defect 11 , a list of the pattern defects 11 is generated and it is then transmitted to the complete control unit 110 . According to this embodiment, the entire part of wafer is inspected using the SEM image, only the pattern defect 11 is detected and it is then presented to a user. Moreover, according to this embodiment, the converging position of the secondary electron 7 depending on the retarding voltage 108 is adjusted with the converging optical system 51 and the detector 8 of 200 Msps is used, high speed operation can be assured and all secondary electron or the like can be converged to the detector 8 . Moreover, according to this embodiment, since detection is conducted with only one detector, fluctuation of detection signal is small and the signal can be detected stably. Thereby, the signal processing circuit can be formed in the rather simplified structure. Next, a modification example of the present embodiment will be explained. In the first modification example, a plurality of detectors 61 a , 61 b are allocated at the positions depending on the retarding voltage 108 as illustrated in FIG. 6 and these are used through the switching in place of that change of the converging position of the secondary electron 7 depending on t he retarding voltage 108 is adjusted using the converging optical system 51 of FIG. 5 or FIG. 16 and it is then incident to the detector 8 . This modification example is characterized in that appropriate measure can be assured even in the case where the detectors 61 a , 61 b must be allocated at the distant area because of the spatial limitation. Next, in the second modification example, the converging optical system 51 of FIG. 5 or FIG. 16 is replaced with a returning deflector 71 as illustrated in FIG. 7 . This modification example is characterized in that more stable secondary electron 7 can be converged to the detector 8 because displacement of secondary electron 7 due to the influence of deflector 105 can be compensated. Next, in the third modification example, the reflector 81 is added as illustrated in FIG. 8 , the secondary electron 7 is collided with this reflector 81 and the secondary electron 82 generated in this case is then converged to the detector 8 with the converging optical system 51 . According to this modification example, the secondary electron 7 can be detected effectively by stably converging it to the detector 8 . As explained above, according to the present invention, it is possible that the digital images can be detected with the sampling frequency of 200 Msps or higher and the SEM image can be processed at the high-speed. In addition, in the case where the entire part of the wafer in diameter of 200 mm is inspected at the speed of 100 Msps in the pixel unit of 0.1 μm using the technique of the related art, about 15 hours have been required. However, when the wafer is detected in the rate of 400 Msps in the system of the present invention, such detection can be done with only about five hours even if the moving time of stage and scanning time of electron beam are included. Moreover, when the wafer is detected at the rate of 200 Msps in the system of the present invention, such inspection can be made with only about 8 hours. Thereby, the result of inspection can be reflected quickly on the manufacturing process. Moreover, the apparatus of the present invention realizes that the wafers of three times can be inspected with the same inspection time in comparison with the existing apparatus. The invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefor to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims rather than by the foregoing description and all changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein.
A pattern inspection method which irradiates a charged particle beam onto a surface of a specimen on which a pattern is formed, simultaneously detecting with plural sensors secondary particles emanated from the surface of the specimen by the irradiation, adding signals outputted from each sensor of the plural sensors which simultaneously detected the secondary particles, obtaining an image of the surface of the specimen on which the pattern is formed from the added signals and processing the image to detect a defect of the pattern.
7
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to a β-amylase with an improved thermostability as well as an improved enzyme stability in the alkaline pH region, a gene coding the enzyme and an expression vector containing the gene. 2. Description of the Related Art Barley β-Amylase Barley β-amylase is a β-amylase (1,4-α-D-glucan maltohydrolase EC 3.2.1.2!) obtained from barley seeds and is well known along with soybean β-amylase, as a useful enzyme for the industrial maltose production used for transfusional solutions and foodstuffs. However, since barley is one of the principal agricultural products for the production of livestock feeds and beverages (such as beer and whisky), from the viewpoint of the global food situation in the future it is not advisable to consume the harvested barley as a source of β-amylase. Therefore, the method for producing β-amylase in microorganisms using genetic engineering techniques has been given attention as an other source of this enzyme than the barley. If the efficient expression of the barley β-amylase gene in a microorganism is accomplished, the steady supply of inexpensive β-amylase will become possible, obviously contributing a great deal to the maltose production. Gene of Barley β-Amylase As to the barley β-amylase gene, the cDNA consisted of 1754 base pairs of cultivar Hiproly has been reported, and also the amino acid sequence consisted of 535 residues has been deduced (Eur. J. Biochem., 169, 517 (1987)). In addition, the cDNA consisted of 1775 base pairs of cultivar Haruna Nijo has been reported, and also the amino acid sequence consisted of 535 residues has been established (J. Biochem., 115, 47 (1994)). In studies on β-amylase of cultivar Haruna Nijo, the expression vector (pBETA92) was already constructed by inserting a DNA fragment, which was prepared by deleting 55 base pairs of a full-length cDNA from its 5'-terminus and linking a SmaI linker, into the SmaI site of plasmid pKK223-3 (Pharmacia Biotech). Also the production of recombinant β-amylase has been accomplished by transforming Escherichia coli JM109 (Toyobo) with said expression vector and expressing the recombinant β-amylase gene therein. Furthermore, it was reported that the recombinant β-amylase comprising 531 amino acids showed almost the same properties as barley β-amylase (JP Hei6-58119; JP Hei6-303988). However, a production of recombinant β-amylase in microorganisms which shows almost the same properties to those of β-amylase from barley seeds is not sufficient for the purpose. It is because of the fact that, since soybean β-amylase is somewhat superior to barley β-amylase in thermostability, soybean β-amylase is more widely used in practice. Therefore, in order to improve the utility value of the barley β-amylase, it is necessary to provide it at least with the similar function (thermostability) to that of soybean β-amylase. As to the barley recombinant β-amylases with improved thermostability by protein engineering, it has been proved that a double-mutant β-amylase wherein Ser 291 of the enzyme is replaced with Ala, and Ser 346 is replaced with Pro, by site-directed mutagenesis, is superior to the original recombinant β-amylase (JP Hei6-126151). To further improve the utility value of recombinant β-amylase, it is necessary to construct β-amylase with a further improved thermostability by protein engineering. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention aims to construct a gene encoding a recombinant β-amylase with a further improved thermostability site-directed mutagenesis, provide a recombinant vector containing the gene, transform microorganisms with the vector and eventually provide recombinant β-amylase with a further improved thermostability. As a result of studies to further improve the thermostability of β-amylase without changing the enzymatic function thereof, the inventors of the present invention have found that a sevenfold-mutant enzyme comprising the substitutions of Met 181 by Leu, Ile 293 by Val, Ser 347 by Pro, Gln 348 by Asp and Ala 372 by Ser in addition to those of Ser 291 by Ala and Ser 346 by Pro (JP Hei6-126151) was much superior to the double-mutant enzyme in thermostability accomplishing the present invention. That is, the recombinant β-amylase according to the present invention is that comprising the amino acid sequence denoted by SEQ ID NO: 1. β-Amylase according to the present invention is a recombinant β-amylase which acts on polysaccharides having α-1,4-glucoside linkages such as soluble starch, amylose and amylopectin in addition to maltooligosaccharides with a degree of polymerization higher than 3 liberating successively a β-maltose unit from the non-reducing ends thereof, shows more than 80% of the maximum enzymatic activity at pH 3.5-7.0 (37° C.), retains more than 80% remaining activity after the treatment for 1 h at pH 3.5-12.5 (37° C.), shows the maximum activity toward soluble starch at 65° C. and 87% of the maximum activity at 70° C. (pH 7.0), and is stable after treatment for 30 min at up to 62.5° C. in the absence of a substrate at pH 7.0. Furthermore, the gene of the present invention is the gene encoding recombinant β-amylase comprising the amino acid sequence of SEQ ID NO: 1. The gene according to the present invention is the gene encoding recombinant β-amylase of Claim 1 having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 2. The expression vector according to the present invention is the expression vector for β-amylase comprising any one of the genes described above. An Expression vector of this sort is exemplified by that having the nucleotide sequence of SEQ ID NO: 3. Host cells according to the present invention are those containing the expression vectors. In the following, there will be described the practical method for preparing recombinant β-amylase according to the present invention, a gene encoding the enzyme and an expression vector containing the gene. 1. Base Substitution of β-Amylase Expression Vector pBETA92 By Site-Directed Mutagenesis The base substitution at the specific site of the gene sequence of β-amylase expression vector pBETA92 can be achieved by site-directed mutagenesis (Anal. Biochem., 200, 81 (1992)). 2. Transformation Host Microorganism With β-Amylase Expression Vector Any microorganisms can be used as the host cell so far as the expression vector for β-amylase with the improved thermostability can proliferate stably and autonomously therein. As to the method to transform the host microorganism with the expression vector for recombinant β-amylase, any published method, for example, the competent cell method (J. Mol. Biol., 58, 159 (1970)) may be used in the case where the host microorganism is Escherichia coli. 3. Confirmation of DNA Sequence DNA sequence can be performed by the chemical modification method according to Maxam-Gilbert (Methods in Enzymology, 65, 499 (1980)) or the dideoxynucleotide chain termination method (Gene, 19, 269 (1982)) or the like. Furthermore, the amino acid sequence of β-amylase according to the present invention can be deduced from the DNA sequence. 4. Production and Purification of Recombinant β-Amylase After growing the host microorganism harboring the β-amylase expression vector for a certain period, the pure preparation of recombinant β-amylase can be obtained by cell lysis, if necessary, followed by a combination of ammonium sulfate fractionation and various chromatographies such as gel filtration or ion exchange. β-Amylase activity may be assayed using 2.4-dichlorophenyl β-maltopentaoside (Ono Pharmaceutical) as the substrate. In this case, one unit of enzyme is defined as the amount of enzyme which produces 1 μmol of dichlorophenol per min at 37° C. 5. Estimation of Thermostability An aliquot of enzyme preparation (30 μl each) in 1.5-ml Eppendorf tubes was incubated at temperatures ranging from 50°-72.5° C. (at 2.5° C.-intervals) in a water bath for 30 min. The remaining activity was assayed using 20 μl aliquot withdrawn from the tube. The remaining activity versus temperature curves were used to determine the temperature curves of enzyme relative at which 50% of the initial activity was lost during 30-min heating period and half-inactivation temperature values provided a parameter for the ranking of thermal stabilities of the enzyme. Soybean β-amylase used as a control is one purchased from Amano Pharmaceutical (trade name, Biozyme M-5). The enzyme preparation was diluted using a solution of 50 mM Good's buffer (pH 7.0)/1% bovine serum albumin. Studies of effects of temperature and pH on β-amylase activity were done by reacting the enzyme with soluble starch at pH 7.0. The amount of the reducing sugar produced was measured by the dinitrosalicylic acid method (Denpun Kagaku Handbook, Asakurashoten, p. 188-189 (1977)), and 1 unit of the enzyme was defined as the amount which liberates 1 μmol of maltose per min. 6. Determination of Optimum pH The reaction mixture, 0.4 ml of 1% soluble starch solution, 0.2 ml of various buffers (described below) and 0.2 ml of enzyme preparation, was incubated at 37° C. The amount of reducing sugars produced was measured by the dinitrosalicylic acid method, and results were expressed as the value relative to the maximum activity (100%). As a result of measuring the optimum pH in this manner, the optimum pH at which the enzyme shows more than 80% of the maximum activity was found to be in the range of 3.5-7.0. Buffers used were as follows: ______________________________________pH 2.5 ≃ 3.0 Citrate bufferpH 3.5 ≃ 5.5 Acetate bufferpH 6.0 ≃ 8.0 Good's bufferpH 8.5 Tris-maleate bufferpH 9.0 ≃ 11.0 Glycine buffer______________________________________ 7. Determination of pH Stability To the enzyme preparation (50 μl) was added 100 mM various buffers (50 μl) and the mixture was incubated at 37° C. for 1 h. Then 0.9 ml of 500 mM Good's buffer (pH 7.0)/1% bovine serum albumin solution was added. To 0.4 ml aliquot withdrawn was added 0.4 ml of 1% soluble starch solution (pH 7.0), and the mixture was incubated at 37° C. and the remaining enzymatic activity was measured. As a result of measuring pH stability in this manner, the pH range where more than 80% of the original activity was stably retained was found to be 3.5-12.5. Buffers used were as follows: ______________________________________pH 3.0 Citrate bufferpH 3.5 ≃ 5.5 Acetate bufferpH 6.0 ≃ 8.0 Good's bufferpH 8.5 Tris-maleate bufferpH 9.0 ≃ 11.5 Glycine bufferpH 12.0 ≃ 13.0 KCl--NaOH buffer______________________________________ BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the optimum temperature of each preparation. In the figure, (□ . . . □) indicates sevenfold-mutant β-amylase according to the present invention, (-) barley β-amylase, (◯-◯) original recombinant β-amylase and (▪ . . . ▪) soybean β-amylase. FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the thermostability of each preparation. In the figure, (□ . . . □) indicates sevenfold-mutant β-amylase according to the present invention, (-) barley β-amylase, (◯-◯) original recombinant β-amylase and (▪ . . . ▪) soybean β-amylase. FIG. 3 is a drawing showing the pH stability of each preparation. In the figure, (□ . . . □) indicates sevenfold-mutant β-amylase according to the present invention, (-) barley β-amylase and (◯-◯) original recombinant β-amylase. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The invention will now be described in further detail with reference to specific examples, however, it is understood that the scope of the present invention is not to be construed as being limited to them in any way. EXAMPLE 1 Base Substitution of the Recombinant Wild-Type β-Amylase Expression Vector By Site-Directed Mutagenesis. The site-directed mutagenesis was done using a Transfer Site-directed Mutagenesis kit (Clontech Laboratories). Using the following four mutagenesis primers 5'-AGCTGGAGAGTTGAGGTACCC-3' (for Met 181 to Leu; SEQ ID NO: 4), 5'-AATCAAGATCGCTGGCGTTCACTGGTG-3' (for Ser 291 to Ala and Ile 293 to Val; SEQ ID NO: 5), 5'-TTCGGAGCAACCCCCGGACGCGATGAGCGCA-3' (for Ser 346 to Pro, Ser 347 to Pro and Gln 348 to Asp; SEQ ID NO: 6) and 5'-CCTAAATGTGTCATGCGAAAA-3' (for Ala 372 to Ser; SEQ ID NO: 7) and the selection primer 5'-GGTTGAGTATTCACCAGTC-3' (SEQ ID NO: 8), the site-directed mutagenesis was done according to the manual provided with the kit to obtain the recombinant β-amylase (sevenfold-mutant β-amylase) expression vector (pBETA92/sevenfold-mutant) as shown in SEQ ID NO: 3. EXAMPLE 2 Determination of DNA Sequence DNA sequence confirmed that, as shown in SEQ ID NO: 2 in the sequence list, A 541 was substituted with T, T 871 with G, A 877 with G, AG 1036-1037 with CC, T 1039 with C, C 1042 with G, G 1044 with C and G 1114 with T. Consequently, it was confirmed that the expression vector pBETA92/sevenfold-mutant is encoding the recombinant β-amylase as shown in SEQ ID NO: 1 of the sequence list. EXAMPLE 3 Production and Purification of Recombinant β-Amylase Escherichia coli JM109 harboring the expression vector pBETA92/sevenfold-mutant was grown in a liquid medium (containing 1% Tryptone, 0.5% yeast extract, 1% NaCl, 0.005% Ampicillin Na and 0.1 mM isopropyl β-D-thiogalactopyranoside in 400 ml of water, pH 7.0) at 37° C. for 24 h. After centrifugation to remove the culture medium, packed cells were suspended in a lysozyme solution (0.025% lysozyme, 20 mM Tris-HCl and 30 mM NaCl, pH 7.5) for 30 min on ice, and disrupted by sonication (50 W, 30 sec) followed by centrifugation. To the above crude extract was added solid ammonium sulfate to 30% saturation. After the precipitate was removed by centrifugation, the supernatant was loaded onto a Butyl Toyopearl 650S (Toso) column (2.5×18.5 cm). The active fractions which were eluted with 50 mM acetate buffer (pH 5.5) were collected and dialyzed against 15 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0). The dialyzed solution was centrifuged to remove insoluble materials and then loaded onto a DEAE-Toyopearl 650S (Toso) column (2.5×18.5 cm). The active fractions which were eluted with 15 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0)/50 mM NaCl were collected, and added solid ammonium sulfate to 70% saturation. The precipitate formed were collected by centrifugation, dissolved in 50 mM acetate buffer (pH 5.5) and then dialyzed against the same buffer. Then the dialyzed solution was loaded onto a Toyopearl HW-50S (Toso) column (1.5×48.5 cm). The active fractions which were eluted with 50 mM acetate buffer (pH 5.5) were combined as the purified preparation of the recombinant β-amylase. On SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis the purified preparation showed a single protein band at an apparent molecular weight of 56,000 which migrated to almost the same position as the original recombinant β-amylase. EXAMPLE 4 Enzymatic Properties of Sevenfold-Mutant β-Amylase Comparison of the enzymatic properties of the sevenfold-mutant β-amylase with those of the original recombinant β-amylase revealed that both enzymes were similar except for the optimum temperature, thermostability and pH stability. Results of studies on the optimum temperature are shown in FIG. 1. In contrast to the barley β-amylase and the original recombinant β-amylase which showed the maximum activity at 55° C. and almost no activity at 65°-70° C. the sevenfold-mutant β-amylase was found to show the maximum activity at 65° C. and a significant activity even at 70° C. It was also confirmed that the sevenfold-mutant β-amylase was significantly improved in thermostability as compared with the soybean β-amylase which showed the maximum activity at 60° C. From heat-inactivation curves shown in FIG. 2, temperatures at which 50% of the initial activity was lost during a 30 min heating time were found as follows: ______________________________________barley β-amylase → 56.8° C.original recombinant β-amylase → 57.4° C.sevenfold-mutant β-amylase → 69.0° C.soybean β-amylase → 63.2° C.______________________________________ The results indicate that the thermostability of the sevenfold-β-amylase was improved by 11.6° C. than that of the original recombinant β-amylase, and furthermore by 5.8° C. than that of the soybean β-amylase. A great deal improvement of the sevenfold-mutant β-amylase in the thermostability was confirmed by the fact that, while the original recombinant β-amylase was almost completely inactivated by treatment at 62.5° C. for 30 min, the sevenfold-mutant β-amylase was not inactivated at all by the same treatment. As to the pH stability, as shown in FIG. 3, while the barley B-amylase and the original recombinant B-amylase were stable in the pH range of 3.5-9.5, the sevenfold-mutant β-amylase was stable in the pH range of 3.5-12.5, indicating a significant improvement in the stability of the latter β-amylase in the alkaline pH range. The present invention has made it possible to produce a recombinant β-amylase with improved thermostability as well as improved enzyme stability in the alkaline pH range. __________________________________________________________________________SEQUENCE LISTING(1) GENERAL INFORMATION:(iii) NUMBER OF SEQUENCES: 8(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:1:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 531 amino acids(B) TYPE: amino acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: protein(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:1:MetLysGlyAsnTyrValGlnValTyrValMetLeuProLeuAspAla151015ValSerValAsnAsnArgPheGluLysGlyAspGluLeuArgAlaGln202530LeuArgLysLeuValGluAlaGlyValAspGlyValMetValAspVal354045TrpTrpGlyLeuValGluGlyLysGlyProLysAlaTyrAspTrpSer505560AlaTyrLysGlnLeuPheGluLeuValGlnLysAlaGlyLeuLysLeu65707580GlnAlaIleMetSerPheHisGlnCysGlyGlyAsnValGlyAspAla859095ValAsnIleProIleProGlnTrpValArgAspValGlyThrArgAsp100105110ProAspIlePheTyrThrAspGlyHisGlyThrArgAsnIleGluTyr115120125LeuThrLeuGlyValAspAsnGlnProLeuPheHisGlyArgSerAla130135140ValGlnMetTyrAlaAspTyrMetThrSerPheArgGluAsnMetLys145150155160AspPheLeuAspAlaGlyValIleValAspIleGluValGlyLeuGly165170175ProAlaGlyGluLeuArgTyrProSerTyrProGlnSerHisGlyTrp180185190SerPheProGlyIleGlyGluPheIleCysTyrAspLysTyrLeuGln195200205AlaAspPheLysAlaAlaAlaAlaAlaValGlyHisProGluTrpGlu210215220PheProAsnAspAlaGlyGlnTyrAsnAspThrProGluArgThrGln225230235240PhePheArgAspAsnGlyThrTyrLeuSerGluLysGlyArgPhePhe245250255LeuAlaTrpTyrSerAsnAsnLeuIleLysHisGlyAspArgIleLeu260265270AspGluAlaAsnLysValPheLeuGlyTyrLysValGlnLeuAlaIle275280285LysIleAlaGlyValHisTrpTrpTyrLysValProSerHisAlaAla290295300GluLeuThrAlaGlyTyrTyrAsnLeuHisAspArgAspGlyTyrArg305310315320ThrIleAlaArgMetLeuLysArgHisArgAlaSerIleAsnPheThr325330335CysAlaGluMetArgAspSerGluGlnProProAspAlaMetSerAla340345350ProGluGluLeuValGlnGlnValLeuSerAlaGlyTrpArgGluGly355360365LeuAsnValSerCysGluAsnAlaLeuProArgTyrAspProThrAla370375380TyrAsnThrIleLeuArgAsnAlaArgProHisGlyIleAsnGlnSer385390395400GlyProProGluHisLysLeuPheGlyPheThrTyrLeuArgLeuSer405410415AsnGlnLeuValGluGlyGlnAsnTyrValAsnPheLysThrPheVal420425430AspArgMetHisAlaAsnLeuProArgAspProTyrValAspProMet435440445AlaProLeuProArgSerGlyProGluIleSerIleGluMetIleLeu450455460GlnAlaAlaGlnProLysLeuGlnProPheProPheGlnGluHisThr465470475480AspLeuProValGlyProThrGlyGlyMetGlyGlyGlnAlaGluGly485490495ProThrCysGlyMetGlyGlyGlnValLysGlyProThrGlyGlyMet500505510GlyGlyGlnAlaGluAspProThrSerGlyMetGlyGlyGluLeuPro515520525AlaThrMet530(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:2:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 1596 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: double(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:2:GTGAAAGGCAACTATGTCCAAGTCTACGTCATGCTCCCTCTGGACGCCGTGAGCGTGAAC60AACAGGTTCGAGAAGGGCGACGAGCTGAGGGCGCAATTGAGGAAGCTGGTAGAGGCCGGT120GTGGATGGTGTCATGGTAGACGTCTGGTGGGGCTTGGTGGAGGGCAAGGGCCCCAAGGCG180TATGACTGGTCCGCCTACAAGCAGTTGTTTGAGCTGGTGCAGAAGGCTGGGCTGAAGCTA240CAGGCCATCATGTCGTTCCACCAGTGTGGTGGCAACGTCGGCGACGCCGTCAACATCCCA300ATCCCACAGTGGGTGCGGGACGTCGGCACGCGTGATCCCGACATTTTCTACACCGACGGT360CACGGGACTAGGAACATTGAGTACCTCACTCTTGGAGTTGATAACCAGCCTCTCTTCCAT420GGAAGATCTGCCGTCCAGATGTATGCCGATTACATGACAAGCTTCAGGGAGAACATGAAA480GACTTCTTGGATGCTGGTGTTATCGTCGACATTGAAGTGGGACTTGGCCCAGCTGGAGAG540TTGAGGTACCCATCATATCCTCAGAGCCACGGATGGTCGTTCCCAGGCATCGGAGAATTC600ATCTGCTATGATAAATACCTACAAGCAGACTTCAAAGCAGCAGCAGCGGCGGTCGGCCAT660CCTGAGTGGGAATTTCCTAACGATGCCGGACAGTACAATGACACTCCCGAGAGAACTCAA720TTCTTCAGGGACAACGGGACATACCTAAGTGAGAAGGGGAGGTTTTTCCTTGCATGGTAC780TCCAACAATCTGATCAAGCACGGTGACAGGATCTTGGATGAAGCAAACAAGGTCTTCTTG840GGATACAAGGTGCAATTGGCAATCAAGATCGCTGGCGTTCACTGGTGGTACAAGGTTCCA900AGCCATGCAGCCGAGCTCACAGCTGGGTACTATAACTTACATGATAGAGACGGCTACAGA960ACCATAGCACGCATGCTCAAAAGGCACCGTGCTAGCATTAACTTCACTTGCGCGGAGATG1020AGGGATTCGGAGCAACCCCCGGACGCGATGAGCGCACCAGAAGAACTAGTCCAACAGGTG1080TTGAGTGCTGGATGGAGAGAGGGCCTAAATGTGTCATGCGAAAACGCGCTTCCACGATAT1140GATCCAACTGCTTACAACACCATACTCAGGAATGCGAGGCCTCATGGAATCAACCAGAGC1200GGCCCTCCTGAGCACAAGCTGTTTGGATTCACCTACCTTCGGCTGTCGAATCAGCTGGTG1260GAGGGACAAAACTATGTCAACTTCAAGACCTTTGTCGACAGAATGCATGCCAACCTGCCT1320CGTGACCCATATGTTGATCCAATGGCGCCCTTGCCAAGATCAGGGCCAGAAATATCGATT1380GAGATGATCCTACAAGCAGCACAGCCAAAACTGCAGCCATTCCCCTTCCAGGAGCACACC1440GACCTGCCAGTAGGCCCTACTGGTGGCATGGGTGGGCAGGCTGAAGGCCCCACCTGTGGC1500ATGGGTGGGCAAGTTAAAGGCCCTACTGGTGGCATGGGTGGGCAGGCTGAAGACCCTACT1560AGTGGCATGGGTGGGGAGCTCCCTGCCACCATGTAA1596(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:3:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 6312 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: double(D) TOPOLOGY: circular(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: DNA (genomic)(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:3:TTCCGGGATGGAGGTGAACGTGAAAGGCAACTATGTCCAAGTCTACGTCATGCTCCCTCT60GGACGCCGTGAGCGTGAACAACAGGTTCGAGAAGGGCGACGAGCTGAGGGCGCAATTGAG120GAAGCTGGTAGAGGCCGGTGTGGATGGTGTCATGGTAGACGTCTGGTGGGGCTTGGTGGA180GGGCAAGGGCCCCAAGGCGTATGACTGGTCCGCCTACAAGCAGTTGTTTGAGCTGGTGCA240GAAGGCTGGGCTGAAGCTACAGGCCATCATGTCGTTCCACCAGTGTGGTGGCAACGTCGG300CGACGCCGTCAACATCCCAATCCCACAGTGGGTGCGGGACGTCGGCACGCGTGATCCCGA360CATTTTCTACACCGACGGTCACGGGACTAGGAACATTGAGTACCTCACTCTTGGAGTTGA420TAACCAGCCTCTCTTCCATGGAAGATCTGCCGTCCAGATGTATGCCGATTACATGACAAG480CTTCAGGGAGAACATGAAAGACTTCTTGGATGCTGGTGTTATCGTCGACATTGAAGTGGG540ACTTGGCCCAGCTGGAGAGTTGAGGTACCCATCATATCCTCAGAGCCACGGATGGTCGTT600CCCAGGCATCGGAGAATTCATCTGCTATGATAAATACCTACAAGCAGACTTCAAAGCAGC660AGCAGCGGCGGTCGGCCATCCTGAGTGGGAATTTCCTAACGATGCCGGACAGTACAATGA720CACTCCCGAGAGAACTCAATTCTTCAGGGACAACGGGACATACCTAAGTGAGAAGGGGAG780GTTTTTCCTTGCATGGTACTCCAACAATCTGATCAAGCACGGTGACAGGATCTTGGATGA840AGCAAACAAGGTCTTCTTGGGATACAAGGTGCAATTGGCAATCAAGATCGCTGGCGTTCA900CTGGTGGTACAAGGTTCCAAGCCATGCAGCCGAGCTCACAGCTGGGTACTATAACTTACA960TGATAGAGACGGCTACAGAACCATAGCACGCATGCTCAAAAGGCACCGTGCTAGCATTAA1020CTTCACTTGCGCGGAGATGAGGGATTCGGAGCAACCCCCGGACGCGATGAGCGCACCAGA1080AGAACTAGTCCAACAGGTGTTGAGTGCTGGATGGAGAGAGGGCCTAAATGTGTCATGCGA1140AAACGCGCTTCCACGATATGATCCAACTGCTTACAACACCATACTCAGGAATGCGAGGCC1200TCATGGAATCAACCAGAGCGGCCCTCCTGAGCACAAGCTGTTTGGATTCACCTACCTTCG1260GCTGTCGAATCAGCTGGTGGAGGGACAAAACTATGTCAACTTCAAGACCTTTGTCGACAG1320AATGCATGCCAACCTGCCTCGTGACCCATATGTTGATCCAATGGCGCCCTTGCCAAGATC1380AGGGCCAGAAATATCGATTGAGATGATCCTACAAGCAGCACAGCCAAAACTGCAGCCATT1440CCCCTTCCAGGAGCACACCGACCTGCCAGTAGGCCCTACTGGTGGCATGGGTGGGCAGGC1500TGAAGGCCCCACCTGTGGCATGGGTGGGCAAGTTAAAGGCCCTACTGGTGGCATGGGTGG1560GCAGGCTGAAGACCCTACTAGTGGCATGGGTGGGGAGCTCCCTGCCACCATGTAATGGAA1620CCTTTATGATTTACTACCCTTTATGTTGTGTGTGAGTGTGACAGAGAAACCTTTCTCTGC1680CTTATTAATAATAAATAAAGCACATCACTTGTGTGTGTTCTGAAAAGCCCGGGGATCCGT1740CGACCTGCAGCCAAGCTTGGCTGTTTTGGCGGATGAGAGAAGATTTTCAGCCTGATACAG1800ATTAAATCAGAACGCAGAAGCGGTCTGATAAAACAGAATTTGCCTGGCGGCAGTAGCGCG1860GTGGTCCCACCTGACCCCATGCCGAACTCAGAAGTGAAACGCCGTAGCGCCGATGGTAGT1920GTGGGGTCTCCCCATGCGAGAGTAGGGAACTGCCAGGCATCAAATAAAACGAAAGGCTCA1980GTCGAAAGACTGGGCCTTTCGTTTTATCTGTTGTTTGTCGGTGAACGCTCTCCTGAGTAG2040GACAAATCCGCCGGGAGCGGATTTGAACGTTGCGAAGCAACGGCCCGGAGGGTGGCGGGC2100AGGACGCCCGCCATAAACTGCCAGGCATCAAATTAAGCAGAAGGCCATCCTGACGGATGG2160CCTTTTTGCGTTTCTACAAACTCTTTTGTTTATTTTTCTAAATACATTCAAATATGTATC2220CGCTCATGAGACAATAACCCTGATAAATGCTTCAATAATATTGAAAAAGGAAGAGTATGA2280GTATTCAACATTTCCGTGTCGCCCTTATTCCCTTTTTTGCGGCATTTTGCCTTCCTGTTT2340TTGCTCACCCAGAAACGCTGGTGAAAGTAAAAGATGCTGAAGATCAGTTGGGTGCACGAG2400TGGGTTACATCGAACTGGATCTCAACAGCGGTAAGATCCTTGAGAGTTTTCGCCCCGAAG2460AACGTTTTCCAATGATGAGCACTTTTAAAGTTCTGCTATGTGGCGCGGTATTATCCCGTG2520TTGACGCCGGGCAAGAGCAACTCGGTCGCCGCATACACTATTCTCAGAATGACTTGGTTG2580AGTATTCACCAGTCACAGAAAAGCATCTTACGGATGGCATGACAGTAAGAGAATTATGCA2640GTGCTGCCATAACCATGAGTGATAACACTGCGGCCAACTTACTTCTGACAACGATCGGAG2700GACCGAAGGAGCTAACCGCTTTTTTGCACAACATGGGGGATCATGTAACTCGCCTTGATC2760GTTGGGAACCGGAGCTGAATGAAGCCATACCAAACGACGAGCGTGACACCACGATGCCTG2820TAGCAATGGCAACAACGTTGCGCAAACTATTAACTGGCGAACTACTTACTCTAGCTTCCC2880GGCAACAATTAATAGACTGGATGGAGGCGGATAAAGTTGCAGGACCACTTCTGCGCTCGG2940CCCTTCCGGCTGGCTGGTTTATTGCTGATAAATCTGGAGCCGGTGAGCGTGGGTCTCGCG3000GTATCATTGCAGCACTGGGGCCAGATGGTAAGCCCTCCCGTATCGTAGTTATCTACACGA3060CGGGGAGTCAGGCAACTATGGATGAACGAAATAGACAGATCGCTGAGATAGGTGCCTCAC3120TGATTAAGCATTGGTAACTGTCAGACCAAGTTTACTCATATATACTTTAGATTGATTTAA3180AACTTCATTTTTAATTTAAAAGGATCTAGGTGAAGATCCTTTTTGATAATCTCATGACCA3240AAATCCCTTAACGTGAGTTTTCGTTCCACTGAGCGTCAGACCCCGTAGAAAAGATCAAAG3300GATCTTCTTGAGATCCTTTTTTTCTGCGCGTAATCTGCTGCTTGCAAACAAAAAAACCAC3360CGCTACCAGCGGTGGTTTGTTTGCCGGATCAAGAGCTACCAACTCTTTTTCCGAAGGTAA3420CTGGCTTCAGCAGAGCGCAGATACCAAATACTGTCCTTCTAGTGTAGCCGTAGTTAGGCC3480ACCACTTCAAGAACTCTGTAGCACCGCCTACATACCTCGCTCTGCTAATCCTGTTACCAG3540TGGCTGCTGCCAGTGGCGATAAGTCGTGTCTTACCGGGTTGGACTCAAGACGATAGTTAC3600CGGATAAGGCGCAGCGGTCGGGCTGAACGGGGGGTTCGTGCACACAGCCCAGCTTGGAGC3660GAACGACCTACACCGAACTGAGATACCTACAGCGTGAGCATTGAGAAAGCGCCACGCTTC3720CCGAAGGGAGAAAGGCGGACAGGTATCCGGTAAGCGGCAGGGTCGGAACAGGAGAGCGCA3780CGAGGGAGCTTCCAGGGGGAAACGCCTGGTATCTTTATAGTCCTGTCGGGTTTCGCCACC3840TCTGACTTGAGCGTCGATTTTTGTGATGCTCGTCAGGGGGGCGGAGCCTATGGAAAAACG3900CCAGCAACGCGGCCTTTTTACGGTTCCTGGCCTTTTGCTGGCCTTTTGCTCACATGTTCT3960TTCCTGCGTTATCCCCTGATTCTGTGGATAACCGTATTACCGCCTTTGAGTGAGCTGATA4020CCGCTCGCCGCAGCCGAACGACCGAGCGCAGCGAGTCAGTGAGCGAGGAAGCGGAAGAGC4080GCCTGATGCGGTATTTTCTCCTTACGCATCTGTGCGGTATTTCACACCGCATATGGTGCA4140CTCTCAGTACAATCTGCTCTGATGCCGCATAGTTAAGCCAGTATACACTCCGCTATCGCT4200ACGTGACTGGGTCATGGCTGCGCCCCGACACCCGCCAACACCCGCTGACGCGCCCTGACG4260GGCTTGTCTGCTCCCGGCATCCGCTTACAGACAAGCTGTGACCGTCTCCGGGAGCTGCAT4320GTGTCAGAGGTTTTCACCGTCATCACCGAAACGCGCGAGGCAGCTGCGGTAAAGCTCATC4380AGCGTGGTCGTGAAGCGATTCACAGATGTCTGCCTGTTCATCCGCGTCCAGCTCGTTGAG4440TTTCTCCAGAAGCGTTAATGTCTGGCTTCTGATAAAGCGGGCCATGTTAAGGGCGGTTTT4500TTCCTGTTTGGTCACTTGATGCCTCCGTGTAAGGGGGAATTTCTGTTCATGGGGGTAATG4560ATACCGATGAAACGAGAGAGGATGCTCACGATACGGGTTACTGATGATGAACATGCCCGG4620TTACTGGAACGTTGTGAGGGTAAACAACTGGCGGTATGGATGCGGCGGGACCAGAGAAAA4680ATCACTCAGGGTCAATGCCAGCGCTTCGTTAATACAGATGTAGGTGTTCCACAGGGTAGC4740CAGCAGCATCCTGCGATGCAGATCCGGAACATAATGGTGCAGGGCGCTGACTTCCGCGTT4800TCCAGACTTTACGAAACACGGAAACCGAAGACCATTCATGTTGTTGCTCAGGTCGCAGAC4860GTTTTGCAGCAGCAGTCGCTTCACGTTCGCTCGCGTATCGGTGATTCATTCTGCTAACCA4920GTAAGGCAACCCCGCCAGCCTAGCCGGGTCCTCAACGACAGGAGCACGATCATGCGCACC4980CGTGGCCAGGACCCAACGCTGCCCGAGATGCGCCGCGTGCGGCTGCTGGAGATGGCGGAC5040GCGATGGATATGTTCTGCCAAGGGTTGGTTTGCGCATTCACAGTTCTCCGCAAGAATTGA5100TTGGCTCCAATTCTTGGAGTGGTGAATCCGTTAGCGAGGTGCCGCCGGCTTCCATTCAGG5160TCGAGGTGGCCCGGCTCCATGCACCGCGACGCAACGCGGGGAGGCAGACAAGGTATAGGG5220CGGCGCCTACAATCCATGCCAACCCGTTCCATGTGCTCGCCGAGGCGGCATAAATCGCCG5280TGACGATCAGCGGTCCAGTGATCGAAGTTAGGCTGGTAAGAGCCGCGAGCGATCCTTGAA5340GCTGTCCCTGATGGTCGTCATCTACCTGCCTGGACAGCATGGCCTGCAACGCGGGCATCC5400CGATGCCGCCGGAAGCGAGAAGAATCATAATGGGGAAGGCCATCCAGCCTCGCGTCGCGA5460ACGCCAGCAAGACGTAGCCCAGCGCGTCGGCCGCCATGCCGGCGATAATGGCCTGCTTCT5520CGCCGAAACGTTTGGTGGCGGGACCAGTGACGAAGGCTTGAGCGAGGGCGTGCAAGATTC5580CGAATACCGCAAGCGACAGGCCGATCATCGTCGCGCTCCAGCGAAAGCGGTCCTCGCCGA5640AAATGACCCAGAGCGCTGCCGGCACCTGTCCTACGAGTTGCATGATAAAGAAGACAGTCA5700TAAGTGCGGCGACGATAGTCATGCCCCGCGCCCACCGGAAGGAGCTGACTGGGTTGAAGG5760CTCTCAAGGGCATCGGTCGACGCTCTCCCTTATGCGACTCCTGCATTAGGAAGCAGCCCA5820GTAGTAGGTTGAGGCCGTTGAGCACCGCCGCCGCAAGGAATGGTGCATGCAAGGAGATGG5880CGCCCAACAGTCCCCCGGCCACGGGGCCTGCCACCATACCCACGCCGAAACAAGCGCTCA5940TGAGCCCGAAGTGGCGAGCCCGATCTTCCCCATCGGTGATGTCGGCGATATAGGCGCCAG6000CAACCGCACCTGTGGCGCCGGTGATGCCGGCCACGATGCGTCCGGCGTAGAGGATCCGGG6060CTTATCGACTGCACGGTGCACCAATGCTTCTGGCGTCAGGCAGCCATCGGAAGCTGTGGT6120ATGGCTGTGCAGGTCGTAAATCACTGCATAATTCGTGTCGCTCAAGGCGCACTCCCGTTC6180TGGATAATGTTTTTTGCGCCGACATCATAACGGTTCTGGCAAATATTCTGAAATGAGCTG6240TTGACAATTAATCATCGGCTCGTATAATGTGTGGAATTGTGAGCGGATAACAATTTCACA6300CAGGAAACAGAA6312(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:4:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: other nucleic acid(A) DESCRIPTION: /desc ="SYNTHETIC DNA"(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:4:AGCTGGAGAGTTGAGGTACCC21(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:5:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 27 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: other nucleic acid(A) DESCRIPTION: /desc ="SYNTHETIC DNA"(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:5:AATCAAGATCGCTGGCGTTCACTGGTG27(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:6:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 31 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: other nucleic acid(A) DESCRIPTION: /desc ="SYNTHETIC DNA"(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:6:TTCGGAGCAACCCCCGGACGCGATGAGCGCA31(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:7:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 21 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: other nucleic acid(A) DESCRIPTION: /desc ="SYNTHETIC DNA"(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:7:CCTAAATGTGTCATGCGAAAA21(2) INFORMATION FOR SEQ ID NO:8:(i) SEQUENCE CHARACTERISTICS:(A) LENGTH: 19 base pairs(B) TYPE: nucleic acid(C) STRANDEDNESS: single(D) TOPOLOGY: linear(ii) MOLECULE TYPE: other nucleic acid(A) DESCRIPTION: /desc ="SYNTHETIC DNA"(xi) SEQUENCE DESCRIPTION: SEQ ID NO:8:GGTTGAGTATTCACCAGTC19__________________________________________________________________________
A recombinant β-amylase which is superior to the original recombinant β-amylase in thermostability has been obtained by a site-directed mutagenesis with the recombinant β-amylase gene coding 531 amino acid residues. Substitutions were MET 181 of said enzyme with Leu, Ser 291 with Ala, Ile 293 with Val, Ser 346 with Pro, Ser 347 with Pro, Gln 348 with Asp and Ala 372 with Ser.
2
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application claims priority to Korean Patent Application No. 2001-0044782, filed on Jul. 25, 2001. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a piling apparatus and a process for the purpose of improvement of soft-ground earth in which buildings and marine structures are built thereon. DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART In the prior art, there has been provided injection holes having a desired diameter and depth for constructing a reinforced bar concrete pile in the earth. The purpose of which is to improve the existing soft-ground. In this case, reinforced bars are charged into concrete injection holes, and concrete is injected, filled, and stamped. Finally, through curing, the reinforced bar concrete pile is constructed. Until now, Pedestal pile, Franki pile, Beneto pile, Calweld, Reverse circulation method, etc., have been used for forming injection holes for concrete. However, there have been problems such as unevenness of an inner peripheral surface of the concrete injection holes, which causes a position of the reinforced bars that are inserted or arranged therein to become irregular and uneven resulting in very low reliability of strength of the concrete pile deposited therein. For this reason, secure and reliable methods and devices for piling construction have been requested. Therefore, there is a need in the art to provide a method and an apparatus for reinforcing concrete pile structures in which the reinforced bar is evenly sunk in the soft-ground earth. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION AND ADVANTAGES The pile apparatus of the present invention basically comprises a tube rod having duplicated tubes of concentric circles of large and small diameters, and a conical bit on which diamond shaped projections are formed. The above bit is vertically penetrated in the earth with vibration which is exerted during the concerned piling works. Reinforced concrete bars bundled into a desired shape, is charged into the earth through the space of the smaller diameter inner tube and kneaded concrete is supplied through an injection hose in the desired spot of the earth by vibration. Then, the above pile apparatus is drawn up slowly with vibration, and concrete, injected through the injection hose, fills up spaces and clearances between the projections and inner wall of the pile apparatus. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a concrete pile apparatus in accordance with the invention. FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of the concrete pile constructed in the earth, after solidification of concrete injected through a concrete injection hose of the invention. FIG. 3 is a partial view of an opened state of triangle segments each having a triangular shape in the lowest end of the concrete pile apparatus in accordance with the invention. FIG. 4 illustrates conically closing the bit and an end part of each segment which is engaged in the groove formed in the metallic weight at the lowest position of the bit. FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the inside of the bit of the present invention for illustrating that each segment can be pivotally jointed and moved in the directions shown, and the reinforced bar is descended to the earth, and thereafter, concrete is injected through the injection hose into the soft-ground earth. FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section view of the concrete pile apparatus of the present invention, sunk by vibration of vibrators provided in the projections of the bit, which exerts vibrations successively during the work. This shows that the bit of the pile apparatus is in a closed state in the lowest position. FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section view prior to injection of the concrete through the injection hose. In this case, reinforced bars are inserted in the inner tube fixed in the inner wall of the outer tube of the tube rod, and also are penetrated in the soft-ground earth with vibration. FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view which shows injecting and filling the concrete to spaces formed in the earth. Then, the apparatus is drawn up slowly soon after the injection of the concrete. FIG. 9 is a longitudinal section view which shows that the pile apparatus is completely drawn up, and the reinforced bar remains in the solidified pile of the concrete formed in the earth. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT The present invention is described in detail hereunder, referring to the embodiments illustrated in the attached drawings. The present invention provides a reinforced bar concrete pile construction apparatus 1 that includes a tube rod 10 and a bit 30 as in FIG. 1, for forming a reinforced bar concrete pile CP. The apparatus will be herein referred to as simply the pile apparatus 1 . The bit 30 includes projections 32 that are radially protruding therefrom. The pile apparatus 1 includes a hollow spaced tube rod 10 on which a grooved channel 12 is inwardly and longitudinally formed along the outer wall surface thereof. An inner tube 17 is concentrically fixed to an outer tube 11 of the same length, having lattices 18 connected and welded thereto. The outer tube 11 is part of the tube rod 10 such that the outer wall surface of the tube rod 10 is an outer wall surface of the outer tube 11 . A concrete injection hose 13 is inserted in the grooved channel 12 and is movable upward and downward in the grooved channel 12 . A door plate 14 is pivotally hinge-jointed 15 for covering the grooved channel 12 and for retaining the injection hose 13 . Latches 16 are attached at the left side of the tip portion of the grooved channel 12 for opening and closing the door plate 14 over the channel 12 . The pile apparatus includes a hanger retaining channel tube 22 disposed between said tube rod 10 and said inner tube 17 inside which a hanger chain 2 a is connected to a coil spring 23 and a hook 24 . The hanger chain 2 a is moved like a rope up and down therein. The pile apparatus includes flanges 19 , 19 a having a plurality of through-holes (not shown) therein for bolting or securing the tube rod 10 and the bit 30 . An upper metal sheet cover 21 having pitted grooves 20 , and an inclined surface extends from the outer wall of the tube rod 10 . A lower metal sheet cover 21 a having pitted grooves 20 a and inclined surfaces extends from the outer wall 31 of the bit 30 . The bit 30 defines a hollow space 30 a . The bit 30 on which the projections 32 are formed is to be assembled to the tube rod 10 by the flange fixing means previously described. The projections 32 have inclined surfaces that create a symmetrically formed diamond-shape. The projections are positioned on the bit 30 and are symmetrically formed about the bit 30 . Vibrators 33 are included in an inner space of the projections 32 . Triangle segments 34 have a triangular shape and are pivotally mounted to the outer wall 31 of the bit 30 by being hinge-jointed to the outer wall 31 of the bit 30 . The triangle segments 34 are attached adjacent to a lower peripheral portion 31 a of the bit 30 . A metal weight 36 includes grooves 37 that are formed in the outer peripheral surface thereof. The metal weight 36 is connected to the hanger chain 2 a extending to the spring 23 of the hook 24 , for engaging and moving the above said triangle segments 34 at lower end portions of the triangle segments 34 . As described above, the concrete pile apparatus 1 includes the hollow tube rod 10 as an upper part and the bit 30 as a lower part, and these parts are fastened and assembled by fastening means such as bolts 3 fastening the flanges 19 , 19 a of the tube rod 10 and the bit 30 . This grooved channel 12 securely embraces the concrete injection hose 13 as in FIG. 1 and FIG. 8 . As in FIG. 1, the door plates 14 are placed on the outer peripheral wall of the tube rod 10 at left and right sides of a tip portion of the grooved channel 12 for covering the grooved channel 12 . The door plates 14 include hinge-joints 15 and latches 16 attached at right and left sides of the tip portion respectively and the door plates 14 are opened or closed by the latches 16 thereon. Inside the tube rod 10 , the inner tube 17 having a smaller diameter than that of the outer tube 11 , and having both ends open, is concentrically fixed by the lattices 18 welded to an inner wall of the outer tube 11 of the tube rod 10 . On the outer peripheral wall of the lowest portion of the tube rod, the flange 19 having through-holes for fastening the bolts 3 therein, is provided with the pitted grooves 20 in which a spanner for fastening the bolts, can be used. The upper steel cover 21 is attached with some gradient, to the tube rod 10 , and an end portion of the flange 19 a secured to flange 19 is fixed and engaged with that of the bit 30 . On the outer peripheral wall 31 of the bit 30 , the projections 32 (there are four projections as an example in FIG. 1) having four inclined surfaces, like diamond-shapes, on the outer wall of the bit, are formed. Each projection 32 thereon is radially protruded for forming a homogeneous structure of the concrete pile in the earth 41 . This pile apparatus in which the bit 30 is installed in the lower end of the tube rod 19 , is descended and piled in the earth, by vibration generated by the vibrators 33 . A reinforced concrete bar structure 40 is descended through the inner tube 17 of the pile apparatus 1 , settled in the earth and then, concrete is injected through the injection hose 13 accompanied by continuous vibration, so that concrete is homogeneously mixed and filled in the space of the soft-ground earth created by exertion of the projections 32 having the vibrators 33 therein, then the pile apparatus 1 is drawn up from the earth. At a lower tip portion of the bit 30 , the triangle segments 34 are positioned in a closed state as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 when the lower end portions of the triangle segments 34 are engaged in the grooves 37 of the metallic weight 36 thereby forming a conical shaped lower tip portion. The triangle segments 34 can also be positioned in an opened state as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 8 when released from the grooves 37 of the metallic weight 36 . Each triangle segment 34 that is hinge-jointed to the outer wall 31 of the bit 30 and engaged in the grooves 37 of the metallic weight 36 in the closed state, pivotally moves when opened to the opened state. The triangle segments 34 are released from the metallic weight 36 and swing toward a side wall of the bit 30 when the reinforced bar structure 40 descends downward and engages the triangle segments 34 and the hanging hook 24 is removed from the tube rod 10 . This action releases the tension from the hanging chain 2 a. The triangle segments 34 can be released from the grooves 37 of the metallic weight 36 in a number of ways. The hanger chain 2 a is connected to the metallic weight 36 . Therefore, it is important to release the tension in the hanger chain 2 a or force the triangle segments 34 from the grooves 37 to release the triangle segments 34 from the metallic weight 36 . In another manner, the reinforced bar structure 40 could be lowered and load the triangle segments 34 thereby pulling the hanger chain 2 a downward until the triangle segments 34 are released without removing the hanging hook 24 . The reinforced bar structure 40 could also be in place and the triangle segments 34 released as the pile apparatus 1 is ascended upward in much the same manner as previously described. Furthermore, the hanging hook 24 can be removed from the tube rod 10 and slack provided in the hanger chain 2 a such that when the pile apparatus 1 ascends, the triangle segments 34 are released by gravity and pivot toward the side. In addition, it should be appreciated that any combination or variation of these methods could be used and the manner in which the metallic weight 36 is not intended to limit the present invention. Here, after release of the triangle segments 34 , each segment 34 moves to the side wall in the direction shown in FIG. 5 and the hanging hook 24 is moved upward again for its hanging in the upper end of the tube rod 10 , and the metallic weight 36 is engaged upward in the end of the channel tube 22 , by restored elastic power of the coil spring connected to the hanger chain 2 a . Thus, the overall structure of the preferred embodiment of the concrete pile apparatus for movement of the soft-ground earth is described. Before practicing concrete pile construction work by the pile apparatus 1 of the present invention, the bit 30 is selected for its diameter and assembled to the tube rod 10 which is suspended by a hanger 2 connected crane, which is done by matching the lower flange 19 a of the bit 30 and the upper flange 19 of the tube rod 10 by bolting in the pitted grooves 20 , 20 a. The above pile apparatus 1 is to be fully penetrated in the soft-ground earth by driving or descending the pile apparatus 1 to a target level. When it penetrates down to the target level, then the reinforced bar structure 40 of which the bars are bundled with the same length to that of the concrete pile, is charged into the inner tube 17 . Then, it is to be positioned at the bottom of the soft-ground earth from the inner peripheral surface of the inner tube 17 . After settlement of the reinforced concrete bar, then concrete is injected with vibration of vibrator 33 and successive vibration is offered on the tube rod 10 and on the bit 30 , and continues when drawing up the apparatus. In this case, the triangle segments 34 are rotatably moved sideward prior to the above operation, and the hanger chain 2 a is drawn upward through the hanger retaining tube 22 and also the metallic weight 36 is drawn up, as shown in FIG. 8 . After drawing up the pile apparatus, the hanging hook 24 is manually released from the upper end of the tube rod 10 and the hanger chain 2 a is drawn downward and the triangle segments 34 are again engaged in the grooves 37 of the metallic weight 36 to be ready to start piling work. When the triangle segments 34 are moved from the closed state to the opened state, concrete is discharged through the injection hose 13 and filled in spaces of the soft-ground created by the diamond-shaped projections 32 formed on the outer peripheral surface of the bit 30 and connected to an inner space of the earth created by the remaining portions of the piling apparatus 1 . The tube rod 10 of the pile apparatus 1 , inner tube 17 and the bit 30 , is then ascended or drawn upward, and the reinforced bar structure 40 in the inner tube 17 , remains in the inner space of the earth. The concrete C is then discharged from the bit, filled and stamped with vibration in the spaces in the soft-ground earth. In this manner, as illustrated in FIG. 9, the pile apparatus 1 which slowly ascends upward creates a homogeneous concrete pile in which the reinforced bar remains. After the pile apparatus 1 is removed, the reinforced bar concrete pile CP thus formed includes a circular column 40 , and multiple columns of radial protrusions which have smooth and homogeneous load distribution in the pile structure. According to the present invention, very homogeneous, secure and strong concrete pile structures, may be obtained and constructed with secured reinforced bars, and stamping of the concrete effected by vibration, may minimize gap and offer fineness and finally enable a strong pile structure.
A concrete pile construction method and an apparatus used for improving soft earth ground by constructing reinforced bar concrete pile structures in the earth. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a process for securing firm concrete piles having a reinforced bar core with uniform concrete by a pile apparatus in which projections are radially formed and a conical-shaped bit is formed pointedly on the pile apparatus.
4
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/346,745 filed on May 20, 2010. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of wastewater management. More particularly, the present invention relates to a low cost and effective hood for controlling and reducing the flow of pollutants and solids into an outlet of a catch basin that allows a person to easily install the hood and more easily remove any obstacles that may be trapped by the hood during maintenance of the catch basin and the outlet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Stormwater runoff is characterized by the United States Environmental Protection Agency as one of the greatest remaining sources of water pollution in America. Thus, efforts to implement stormwater quality improvement regulations are accelerating across the United States, compelling municipalities and land developers to maximize the usefulness and effectiveness of stormwater infrastructure as never before. In urban, suburban, and commercial settings, polluted stormwater, also referred to as wastewater, is often collected in a catch basin, also referred to as a wastewater basin. In its simplest form, a catch basin functions to intercept surface water flows in order to prevent the accumulation of stormwater in an area where flooding could impede traffic or pedestrians, cause property damage, or otherwise present a nuisance. Stormwater collects in the catch basins, and flows through a network of pipes, sewers, and additional catch basins to an outlet point such as a lake, stream, river, ocean, unpopulated area, or similar location where the wastewater may be dispersed without the threat of flood or property damage. However, catch basins are also often the entry point of pollutants from diffuse sources found in stormwater runoff. For example stormwater runoff may contain pollutants such as hydrocarbons (also referred to as “oil”), bacteria, sediment, trash, organic material such as leaves, grass clippings, particulate, soil, detergents, coolants, grease, fertilizer, paint, and feces. As a result, polluted wastewater is often discharged, untreated, directly into lakes, streams, and oceans. Prior art hoods include cast iron hoods sealably mounted to the walls of catch basins. These systems are based on the principle of differential specific gravity separation. The liquid mixture, which usually is wastewater, flows slowly through an elongated path in a liquid-retaining structure, such as, for example, a catch basin. The matter to be collected is usually oil and floatable debris and other types of surface debris which accumulate on the surface of the wastewater because they have a specific gravity lower than that of water. Alternatively, as the wastewater flows through the catch basin solids carried by the wastewater accumulate on the bottom of the basin. These solids sink to the bottom of the catch basin because they have a specific gravity greater than water. The problem with these catch basins is that debris and trash may collect inside of the outlet pipe and in the interior of the hood. To remove any debris, or to perform maintenance on the outlet pipe, the hood has to be completely removed, unsealing the hood from the wall, to gain access to the interior of the hood and the outlet pipe. To overcome this problem, and to gain access to the interior of the hood and the outlet pipe, a cast iron hatch was hingedly attached to the wall of the catch basin. The hood could be lifted up to allow access to the interior of the hood. These hoods had many disadvantages. First, the hoods were not sealably mounted to the wall of the catch basin, allowing a significant amount of debris to flow beyond the hood. Second, the hoods were very heavy to lift up as they had to be made of cast iron. To overcome the problems with previous hoods, hoods composed of a material other than cast iron were designed with a port hole-like opening at the top. In reference to FIG. 1 , a known outlet hood 10 with this design is shown. The hood 10 is installed to the wall 20 of a catch basin over an outlet pipe 30 in the wall 20 of the catch basin. The outlet pipe 30 is shown with hidden lines and its distal end appears to protrude slightly from the wall 20 of the catch basin. The hood 10 further includes a porthole 40 to allow access to the interior of the hood. A maintenance worker must climb down into the catch basin and open the porthole by manually unscrewing a cover, revealing an opening into the hood 10 . The maintenance worker then, either manually or with a suction mechanism, can remove any debris that may have collected inside of the hood or perform maintenance and service on the outlet pipe. A disadvantage of this hood is that a maintenance worker needs to enter the catch basin in order to remove the cover of the porthole and remove any debris that may have entered the hood. This requires the maintenance worker to wear protective gear to protect the worker from the water-born toxins and other pollutants in the catch basin. Having to wear protective gear, and the need to enter the catch basin, increases the amount of time needed to access the inside of the hood, which adds a significant amount of time to perform maintenance or service on multiple catch basins. Additionally, having to enter the catch basin exposes the maintenance worker to harmful gases, material, and debris. This can affect the health of the worker, and increase the health care costs associated with this profession. Another disadvantage is the hood requires a mechanical mechanism to seal the porthole. Mechanisms such as threads and cam-locks, which are used in this type of hood, are more susceptible to failure in that they may be difficult to open and close even if the person is in the catch basin. In order to have an effective seal to prevent surface debris, such as oil, from passing through the port hole, the prior art covers needed screwed thread connections that need manual tightening to be effective. This requires substantial time and effort by the maintenance worker. Water, sediment, and harsh materials may impact the performance of a traditional mechanism used to seal the porthole, which may prevent access the porthole as the cover may be stuck. Another disadvantage of this hood is that it can only be installed in catch basins with enough room for a maintenance worker to enter the catch basin. The catch basin must be sufficiently large for the hood plus a maintenance worker, and requires enough height clearance for the cover of the porthole to be completely removed. The confined space entry in these smaller catch basins can create dangerous conditions for maintenance workers who need to enter the basin to perform maintenance activity. These catch basins cannot be installed in small catch basins, such as basins sized at 18 inches. What is desired therefore is an apparatus for reducing the flow of pollutants such as hydrocarbons, sediment, soil, trash, and floatables into the outlet of a catch basin. Another desire is for an apparatus that does not require a person to enter the catch basin in order to clean out any debris that may have entered the hood or access the opening. Another desire of this apparatus is to limit the number of components to prevent the failure of the apparatus. Another desire is an apparatus that is modular to allow the hood to be easily installed in catch basins that may only have a small opening in the ground from which water flows into. Another desire is an apparatus that can be used in small catch basins that are not large enough for a person to enter. It is also desirable to have a partially liftable and flexible hatch that would permit access to the outlet pipe to perform things such as pipeline surveillance and root scouring. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention is directed to a hood covering in a catch basin having an easy access hatch. The easy access hatch allows easy access to the interior of the hood without requiring the maintenance worker to don protective gear or enter the confined area of a catch basin. These and other objects of the present invention are achieved by provision of an apparatus for mounting around an outlet of a catch basin comprising a hood having an upper portion and a lower portion, the upper portion of the hood having an access port or opening. The cover has a proximal end and distal end, the proximal end is pivotally attached to the upper portion of the hood and the cover is pivotal between a closed substantially sealed position that prevents surface debris and other water-born contaminants from passing through the access opening and an open position that allows access to the access opening. The cover is made of a flexible material to allow the distal end of the cover to be lifted from the closed sealed position in a substantially vertical path by a substantially vertically lifting force. Typically this can be done using a pole or handle extended down into a catch basin to pull up on the hood. In some embodiments, a handles extends from the cover. In some embodiments, the cover is substantially an elastomer material. In some embodiments, the cover, in a closed position, creates a sealing area around the access port where the cover is in contact with the hood around the periphery of the access port. In some embodiments, the upper portion of the hood is substantially flat. In some embodiments, the cover is in a substantially parallel plane with the upper portion. In some embodiments, the access port has a downwardly facing molding around its perimeter. In another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for mounting around an outlet of a catch basin comprising a hood adapted to be partially sealingly fitted around the outlet of a wall of the catch basin so as to define at least a partially sealable compartment therewith that is open to the outlet and extends below the outlet. A hatch made from an elastomeric material is attached at a first end to a top portion of the hood and covers an access opening in the top portion, the hatch releasably seals the access opening in the top portion. A handle with a hook is attached to a second end of the hatch, the second end being opposite the first end. In some embodiments, the hood comprises two pieces that are sealed together during installation of the hood. In some embodiments, in a closed position, the hood and the hatch are sealingly fitted together. In some embodiments, the hatch is weighted and releasably seals the access opening using the weight of the hatch. In some embodiments, the hatch is substantially triangularly shaped. In some embodiments, the second end is an apex of the triangle. In another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for mounting around an outlet of a catch basin comprising a hood having a top portion and a bottom portion, the hood adapted to be partially sealingly fitted around the outlet of a wall of the catch basin so as to define at least a partially sealable compartment therewith that is open to the outlet and extends below the outlet and an elastomeric hatch attached to the top portion of the hood. In some embodiments, the hatch is weighted and releasably seals an access opening in the top portion using the weight of the hatch. In some embodiments, the hatch has a weighted handle. In some embodiments, the hood comprises a bottom portion having a first flange and a top portion having a second flange adapted to be sealingly fitted with the first flange. In some embodiments, the bottom portion is sealed to the top portion using a gasket. In some embodiments, an adhesive is applied to the gasket. In another embodiment of the present invention is an apparatus for mounting around an outlet of a catch basin comprising a hood wall adapted to be partially sealingly fitted around the outlet of a wall of the catch basin so as to define at least a partially sealable compartment therewith that is open to the outlet and extends below the outlet. The hood wall comprises a bottom portion having a first flange and a top portion having a second flange adapted to be sealingly fitted with the first flange. A substantially triangularly shaped weighted hatch made from an elastomeric material is attached to the top portion and covers an access port in the top portion. The weighted hatch releasably seals the access port. In some embodiments, a weighted handle extends from the hatch and has a hook. In some embodiments, the top portion of the hood is substantially flat. In some embodiments, the hatch is in a substantially parallel plane with the access port. In some embodiments, the access opening has a downwardly facing molding around its perimeter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a catch basin wall, wherein a known hood design having a front wall in the horizontal plane with a constant radius having a circular access point sealed with a screwed cover. FIG. 2 is a side view of a hood according to one embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the hood shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 4 is a front view of the hood shown in FIG. 3 . FIG. 5 is a side view of the hood shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 6 is a top view of the hood shown in FIG. 2 . FIG. 7 is a side view of a hood according to another embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an exploded side view of a hood according to FIG. 7 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The exemplary embodiments of the present invention may be further understood with reference to the following description and the related appended drawings, wherein like elements are provided with the same reference numerals. The exemplary embodiments of the present invention are related to an apparatus for controlling and reducing the flow of pollutants and solids into an outlet of a catch basin that allows a person to easily install the device and remove any debris within the hood during maintenance. Specifically, the apparatus uses a hood sealably attached to the wall of a catch basin, and a novel hatch or cover system, allow easy access to the access port in the hood. As best seen in FIG. 2 , a vertical cross section of the circular catch basin 200 is shown. In this catch basin 200 , the first inlet pipe 205 enters catch basin 200 at the same vertical level as the outlet pipe 210 . In some embodiments the first inlet pipe 205 may be above the outlet pipe 210 thereby preventing wastewater from backing up in the inlet pipe 205 . The prow 215 extends toward the middle of the catch basin in the horizontal plane. In some embodiments the prow extends to a center point of the catch basin in a cross section plane defined by the static waterline. This provides sufficient room inside the hood compartment to allow the hood to accommodate different size outlets, while also providing sufficient room outside the hood compartment for pollutants to collect on the surface of the wastewater. As best seen in FIGS. 3-6 , perspective, front, and side views of the hood from FIG. 2 are shown. Hood wall 240 comprises a left side 345 and right side 350 . A flange 325 extends along a least a portion of the perimeter of the left side 345 and right side 350 . The flange 325 provides a surface to sealably mount the hood 295 to the wall of the catch basin 200 . The flange 325 may include one or more holes 310 for sealably mounting the hood 295 to the wall. It should be understood that any system may be used to sealably mount the hood 295 to the wall of a catch basin 200 . For example, cement, sealant, external fixtures, or bolts may be used to sealably mount the hood 295 to the wall of the catch basin 200 . Hood wall 240 may form a prow 215 in the horizontal plane defined by the static water level 230 ( FIG. 2 ) in the catch basin 200 . Again, the static water level 230 is the lowest point of the outlet pipe. In other words, the hood wall 240 forms a wedge in the horizontal plane, when the hood 295 is mounted to the wall. In some embodiments the prow 215 extends along a vertical axis. The prow 215 extends between the hood wall bottom 225 and a hood wall top 220 . In the disclosed embodiment the bottom of the prow 215 is below the static water level 230 , and the top of the prow 215 is above the static waterline 230 . In the embodiment shown the bottom of the prow 215 extends to the bottom 225 of the hood wall 240 , and the top of the prow 215 extends to the top 220 of the hood wall 240 . In a preferred embodiment, the top of hood 295 is substantially flat. A substantially flat top portion, including the access port. Because the access port and upper portion of the hood is flat it allows for a superior seal in conjunction with the hatch design which creates a sealing surface area adjacent to the perimeter of the access port. Hood 295 has an access opening or port 290 that allows access into the interior of hood 295 . Through access opening 290 a maintenance worker can perform maintenance and service on the outlet pipe, or remove any debris that may have collected inside of hood 295 or in the outlet pipe. Hood 295 has a hatch or cover 340 . Hatch 340 is preferably shaped similar to the shape of the top of hood 295 . For example, if the top of the hood 295 is triangular in shape, hatch 295 would also be triangular in shape. It should be noted, that the shape of hatch 340 does not need to be the same shape as the top of hood 295 . Hatch 340 includes a cover portion 405 and a handle 410 . Cover portion 405 is preferably sized larger than access opening 290 being covered by hatch 340 to increase the durability of the seal created by the hatch. Having a cover portion sized larger than the access opening 290 allows water that falls on hatch 340 to be deflected into the catch basin and helps prevent any leakage in the access opening 290 of hood 295 . In a preferred embodiment, the cover extends beyond the access opening 290 by at least 1 inch. Access opening 290 can be of any size depending on the size of hood 295 and size of catch basin 200 . Access opening 290 preferably has a downwardly facing molding around it to increase the support in the top of hood 295 . This additional support of the molding reduces the overall number of components necessary to bear the weight of hatch 340 . Hatch 340 is pivotally secured directly to hood 295 at a top portion and extends over access opening 290 . Hatch 340 may include a hinge or other mechanical connection with rotational abilities, however, it is preferable that a hatch 340 is connected directly to hood 295 , without any intermediate mechanical means, and hatch 340 allows access to the interior of hood 295 by bending in an upward direction. As shown in one embodiment in FIG. 4 , the hatch is fastened to the hood with fasteners 415 . In a preferred embodiment (As shown in FIG. 5 ), hatch 340 is capable is bending in an upward direction with a decreasing radius, allowing access to the interior of hood 295 without having to completely open hatch 340 . In contrast, when opening a rigid hatch the outer edge would be required to follow a constant radius the length of the hatch, and would require a catch basin with a larger height and width to open sufficiently to gain access to the interior of the hood. Preferably, Hatch 340 is made from an elastomeric material such as rubber. An elastomeric material, such as rubber, allows hatch 340 to be bent upward to allow access to the interior of hood 295 while still maintaining it shape when in a resting position. Hatch 340 is of a sufficiently heavy material to sit flat against the top surface of the upper hood in the closed position. The weight of hatch 340 , in addition to the weight of handle 410 (as described below) creates a seal between hatch 340 and hood 295 . It is preferable that the seal is watertight, however, a watertight seal is not necessary and any seal that protects against oil, contaminates, and other debris, may be sufficient. In a preferred embodiment, hatch 340 is flat, and is planar or in a substantially parallel plane with the top of hood 295 . A flat hatch allows for a better seal against the top of hood 295 . As shown in the embodiment of FIG. 2 , the hatch (or cover), when in a closed position, lies in a plane parallel to the flat surface of the upper hood. Hatch 340 has a handle 410 sized particularly large to generate a larger force around the connection between hatch 340 and hood 295 without requiring great strength to open hatch 340 . Handle 410 may also have a hook to allow an extension device, such as a grab hook or a boat hook, to be inserted into the catch basin, grabbing the hook of handle 410 , and lifting hatch 340 . This negates the need for a person to reach into the catch basin to open hatch 340 . Handle 410 is preferably made from a weighted material, such as 10 gauge steel. The weight of handle 410 creates a superior seal as a large amount of weight is placed at the tip of hatch 340 . This generates a large downward force on hood 295 by hatch 340 , enhancing the seal between hatch 340 and hood 295 in the sealing area. Hood 295 is not limited to hoods with an extending hook or handle, but would include hatches that incorporate lifting elements into the hatch that would permit a grab hook to grab onto to lift the hatch. In another embodiment, hatch 340 may have a plurality of magnets embedded around the perimeter of the hatch. Hood 295 may have magnets on the top of the hood, corresponding to the magnets in hatch 340 . The addition of magnets creates an additional sealing force between hatch 340 and hood 295 without requiring any additional mechanical components. This increases the effectiveness of the seal without decreasing the durability of hatch 340 . To gain access to hatch 340 , a maintenance worker reaches down into catch basin 200 and grabs handle 410 , or a device is inserted into the catch basin to grab the hook. The maintenance worker lifts up handle 410 , which can be lifted in a substantially vertical direction, revealing access opening 290 in hood 295 . In contrast, a rigid hatch structure would require the maintenance worker to lift the hatch following the fixed radius path followed by the outer edge of the rigid hatch. This makes a rigid hatch more difficult to open, and requires more space. This can be problematic especially in smaller catch basins. Once the hatch is lifted, the maintenance worker can then remove any debris that may be inside of hood 295 either by hand or using a vacuum. The invention also allows for partial lifting of the hatch too. The new design of hatch 340 , compared to FIG. 1 , allows access to the interior of hatch 295 without requiring a person to don protective gear and enter catch basin 200 . This saves a significant amount of time in the cleaning of each catch basin and also significantly reduces any health risks associated with the cleaning of catch basins as a person is no longer directly exposed to the waste in the catch basin. In the exemplary embodiments, hatch 340 is shown to be triangular in shape, shaped similar to hood 295 . However, hood 295 need not be shaped triangularly with a prow as a point. Hood 295 may be rounded in shape, or of any other shape that may facilitate the protection of stormwater in a catch basin. Hatch 340 may be redesigned to be shaped similar to hood 295 . And may be rounded or of any other known type of shape. As best seen in FIGS. 7 and 8 , side views of a second embodiment of hood 295 are shown. Hood 295 has a top portion 330 and a bottom portion 335 . Hood 295 may be of a unibody construction ( FIGS. 2-5 ), being made from a single piece of plastic, metal, or any other known material. In another embodiment, hood 295 may be modular. Hood 295 may be composed of two separate pieces, top portion 330 and bottom portion 335 . Top portion 330 and bottom portion 335 may be constructed separately but designed to sealingly fit together such that no water can penetrate the side of hood 295 . Top portion 330 and bottom portion 335 may be sealed together using a gasket to provide a water tight seal, and an adhesive that adheres top portion 330 to bottom portion 335 . Top portion 330 may not be adhered directly to bottom portion 335 ; and only a gasket may be used. Top portion 330 and bottom portion 335 may be separately sealed to the wall of the catch basin. Each portion may have a flange with a gasket that allows for an overlapping portion between top portion 330 and bottom portion 335 . The sealing of both portions to the wall creates a sealing force in the gasket, creating a water tight seal. The bottom of top portion 330 may be sized slightly larger than the top of bottom portion 335 . This allows top portion 330 to fit around bottom portion 335 to create the seal. In a further embodiment, the top of bottom portion 335 may be sized slightly larger than the bottom of top portion 330 to create the seal. This apparatus has the advantage in that it can be installed in many locations due to its modularity. The apparatus is small and can be installed in catch basins as small as 18 inches, or catch basins that are traditionally difficult for a person to enter. The apparatus doesn't require a hinge or a traditional mechanism to allow access to the interior of the hood; this increases the lifespan of the hood and prevents many defects. Additionally, the hatch does not need to be opened all of the way to allow access to the interior. This limits the necessary clearance in height required to open a traditional hood. The apparatus also protects a person from having to enter the catch basin in order to remove any debris that may have entered the outlet pipe, to inspect the outlet pipe, or to perform maintenance on the outlet pipe or the interior of the hood. This protects the person from potential diseases, contaminants, or sharp or hard objects that may be lurking inside of the murky water of the catch basin. This provides a large cost savings as specialty protection gear is not required, health care costs can be reduced as the person cleaning the catch basin does not need to be exposed to the contaminated water, and the amount of time necessary to clean each catch basin is reduced. It would be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modification can be made to the illustrated embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention. All such modification and changes are intended to be covered hereby.
A hood that mounts around an outlet of a catch basin with a cover having a proximal end and distal end; the proximal end being pivotally attached to the hood. The cover pivots between a closed sealed position that substantially prevents water born contaminants from passing through the access opening and an open position that allows access to the access opening. The cover is made from a flexible material to allow the cover to be lifted from the closed sealed position in a substantially vertical path that allows access to the outlet of a catch basin.
4
RELATED APPLICATION DATA [0001] This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/765,043 filed on Feb. 3, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for determining a femur head center location without using a femur marker array. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] When surgical procedures at the knee are conducted, a femur marker array and a tibia marker array typically are used to determine a position of the femur, particularly the femur head center and the tibia. [0004] WO 2005/053559 A1 discloses an apparatus for providing a navigational array that can be used to track particular locations associated with various body parts such as a tibia and femur to which reference arrays are implanted. A position sensor can sense data relating to the position and orientation of the reference arrays in a prosthetic installation procedure, a surgeon can designate a center of rotation of a patient's femoral head for purposes of establishing the mechanical axis and other relevant constructs relating to the patient's femur according to which prosthetic components can ultimately be positioned. Such center of rotation can be established by articulating the femur within the acetabulum or a prosthesis to capture a number of samples of position and orientation information and thus in turn to allow the computer to calculate the average center of rotation. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0005] A location of the femur head center can be determined using only a tibia marker array (i.e., an array of markers), which also can be used for subsequent navigation purposes on the tibia or femur. A three-step approach including calibration, attachment and reproduction can be used to determine the femur head center. [0000] Calibration [0006] A kinematical model of a leg is shown in FIG. 1 a , wherein femur center of rotation is determined using a tibia marker array TM. The tibia marker array TM is attached to the patient's leg L, and then, during the calibration procedure, the leg L is moved to different positions. The marker array TM can be either fixed directly to the tibia or can be fixed to the leg using other means, such as Velcro®, for example, without performing surgical steps to attach the marker array TM. [0000] Attachment [0007] The femur center of rotation position is virtually connected to the tibia marker array TM to describe its position for a specific user-defined position of the patient's leg, e.g., for a specific flexion as shown in FIG. 1 b . This can be sufficient for navigated surgical steps on the tibia alone, as such surgical steps typically rely on the femur head position in a specific knee position or orientation, described below as “tibia-only workflow”. For example, a proximal tibia cut could be aligned to the femur mechanical axis established in 90 degree flexion of the knee joint. [0000] Reproduction [0008] After the patient has been moved, the previously determined center position can be transformed to camera space by reproducing the initial user-defined leg position and capturing corresponding tibia marker positions with the camera system (e.g., a tracking system), as shown in FIG. 2 c. [0009] Knee joint kinematics are simplified to a mechanical model with few (e.g., two or in a specific defined position of the tibia relative to the knee or the femur only one) fixed rotational degree of freedom. One possible concept is a model with two rotational degrees of freedom, as shown in FIG. 3 a . A first hinge can be used to describe knee flexion and a second hinge can be used to describe tibia rotation within the knee joint KJ. The femur head center FHC sits at the end of a link attached to the flexion axis, while the tibia marker array TM sits at the end of a link attached to the rotation axis. These rotational axes form a simplified mechanical model of the knee joint KJ. Their positions and orientations with respect to each other and the marker array TM are the mechanical parameters of the model. In a simple example configuration, both rotational axes are orthogonal to one another and the femoral head center FHC moves on a regular sphere with respect to the tibia T, as shown in FIGS. 3 a and 3 b. [0010] For a specific patient with a marker array TM attached to the tibia T in a specific position, the model parameters are unknown before calibration. After calibration they can be calculated. [0000] Calibration [0011] Calibration can be carried out with rotational and translational movements of the tibia T and the femur F around the femur head center FHC located in the pelvis, as shown in FIG. 1 a . The center point itself is maintained in space while the leg is moved and the knee is bent during the calibration run. [0012] The orientations and the locations of the two rotational axes of the knee joint hinges can be derived from a data set of positions of the tibia array acquired with the camera system. Furthermore, the location of the femur head center can be calculated with respect to the flexion hinge. With these parameters, the mechanical model is defined and can describe the possible locations of the femoral head center FHC in dependency to the current flexion and internal rotation angles applied to the hinges. [0013] The calibration procedure utilizes the fact that the parameters of the model, except for the flexion and rotation angles, are the same for all acquired tibia positions during the calibration run. Furthermore, the femur head center position with respect to the camera coordinate system is constant during the tibia movements. If the mechanical model is applied to describe the possible femur head center points for all of the recorded tibia array positions, there is a common point in camera space contained by all of the models. This common point in camera space is the femur head center point FHC, as shown in FIG. 3 d . The calibration algorithm varies the mechanical parameters to establish this common point with minimum error. Thus, a distance di (or “a” according to the Denavit-Hartenberg notation) of the femur head center FHC from the simplified knee joint KJ can be calculated so that a single point of intersection may be found. For distances larger or smaller than d i there could be more points of intersection. [0014] In general, the knee or one or more joint elements of a body can be modelled as a kinematical chain. This kinematical chain can be moved to determine parameters describing the model and to obtain the location of the center of rotation of one end element of the chain, e.g., an element of the kinematical chain that is fixed while using and tracking the movements of only a single marker or reference array connected to an opposite end element of the kinematical chain. [0015] Biomechanical literature describing the behavior of the physiological knee joint support the idea of a hinge kinematic under certain circumstances. Hassenpflug J: “Gekoppelte Knieendoprothesen” describes in Der Orthopäde 6 (2003) 32, S. 484-489 that under external rotation, the orientation of the flexion axis remains fixed over a certain flexion range (mono-centric behavior). Thus, the knee joint degenerates to a single flexion hinge (external rotation stays fixed to a constant value), as shown in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b . Wetz H. et al.: “Die Bedeutung des dreidimensionalen Bewegungsablaufes des Femurotibialgelenks für die Ausrichtung von Knieführungsorthesen” in Der Orthopäde 4 (2001) 30, S. 196-207 supports the idea of simplifying knee kinematics to a flexion hinge in the flexion range of about 25 degrees to 90 degrees with his own findings on the location of the knee axes. [0016] The reported physiological behavior can be used to further simplify the mechanical model by skipping the second hinge that is used for internal and external rotation, respectively (see, e.g., FIG. 3 c ). To achieve this, the tibia can be rotated to a specific location or position, such that further rotation of the tibia T is restricted or limited. Then, during further movement of the leg, the tibia is held in this location or position relative to the femur or knee. For maximum computing stability, it is preferred that calibration be conducted in the range of 30 degrees to 90 degrees flexion and concomitant maximum external respective internal rotation by the surgeon. [0000] Attachment [0017] After calibration, the femur head center location is defined within the kinematical model. Its position and orientation with respect to the tibia marker array TM is then computed for the user-defined current stance and virtually attached by means of a calculated transformation matrix to the tibia marker array TM (see, e.g., FIGS. 1 b and 2 b ). This transformation is valid for the current stance. It can now be exploited for alignment purposes on the tibia, as described below in Example 1. [0018] To enable later reproduction, the initial stance preferably is one with a mechanically reproducible femur center position with respect to the tibia (e.g., as full extension paired with high external rotation), as described below. Thus, it remains valid with respect to the tibia array despite any camera or patient movement. [0019] Hassenpflug I. c. shows that the knee joint has a certain freedom for internal and external rotation, respectively, dependent on the current flexion angle (see FIGS. 4 a and 4 b ). This freedom is minimized in full extension to a range of +/−8 degrees. Attachment, for example, can thus be carried out in full extension and maximum external rotation (8 degrees) to exploit this point of limit-stop as a reproducible stance. Given that no intermediate surgical steps have changed the kinematics of the joint, this stance can be reapplied at any time. [0000] Reproduction [0020] Surgical steps on the femur rely on the current femur head center position with respect to camera space. Before such a surgical step is navigated, the femur head center is reproduced in camera space (see FIG. 2 c ). After having positioned the leg in the reproducible stance, the position of the tibia marker array TM can be read by the camera system C and the known transformation matrix can be applied to calculate a current center position in camera space. As long as the patient's hip is not moved, the femoral head center FHC can be used for navigation. Since typical navigation steps, such as, for example, aligning a drill guide, can be carried out rather quickly, the hip center can be kept still for such short periods. [0021] Thus, a femur marker array can be omitted to minimize trauma on the femur and to improve accessibility of the limited space within the knee joint during surgery, which is particularly useful for minimal invasive or time-critical surgical procedures. Avoiding a femur marker is highly valuable for minimal invasive surgical procedures such as uni-compartmental knee procedures, where a marker array on the femur cannot be attached because of limited space or time. [0022] Although the precision of the described approach can be limited, e.g., by the quality of the mechanical knee model used for calibration, it is beneficial for procedures where less precision for the femur head is sufficient, and at the same time the application of a femoral marker array is not possible or desired. Such conditions apply to specific surgical procedures, e.g., for the Oxford uni-compartmental implant family due to its spherical constructions and the minimally invasive nature of the procedure. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] The forgoing and other features of the invention are hereinafter discussed with reference to the drawings. [0024] FIGS. 1 a to 1 c illustrate calibration, attachment and tibia navigation in an exemplary tibia-only procedure in accordance with the invention. [0025] FIGS. 2 a to 2 d illustrate calibration, attachment, and reproduction after movement and femur navigation of an exemplary femur and tibia procedure in accordance with the invention. [0026] FIGS. 3 a to 3 b illustrate an exemplary calculation of the femur head center in accordance with the invention. [0027] FIGS. 4 a and 4 b illustrate exemplary rotational behavior of the knee joint according to Hassenpflug. [0028] FIGS. 5 a and 5 b illustrate exemplary models of the knee having one and two degrees of freedom, respectively. [0029] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of an exemplary computer system that can be used to carry out the method in accordance with invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Example I [0030] A tibia-only workflow for unicompartmental surgery is described with reference to FIGS. 1 a - 1 c . Two tibial cuts can be applied without navigating any femur surgical steps, wherein the alignment of these tibial cuts depends on the position of the femur head center in 90 degree knee flexion. As described herein, this alignment can be achieved without using a femoral marker array and without time consuming femoral registration. [0031] After moving the knee during the calibration step described herein, the calculated femur head center is “attached” to the tibia maker array in a fixed position, e.g., as a 90 degree flexion position, and relaxed external rotation state of the knee. [0032] The flexion angle can be adjusted to 90 degrees before attaching the femur head center point. This can be supported by navigation without using a femoral marker array by simply connecting a line from the known femur head center point to the femoral notch. This point can be acquired with a pointer with the knee flexed in approximately 90 degree flexion, and is virtually attached to the tibia array, which is tracked on further movements. When the knee is brought in such a position (e.g., that the line from the femur head is orthogonal to the known tibia mechanical axis, the amount of flexion is nearly 90 degrees. In this state, the position of the femur head center defined in camera space is virtually attached to the tibia marker array, and tibia cuts are subsequently navigated. [0033] This 90 degree flexion position is well suited for the subsequent vertical tibia cut, because it has to point to the femur head in 90 degree flexion of the knee. The cut can be subsequently navigated despite any simultaneous camera or patient movement, because the relevant femur center point is virtually attached to the tibia marker array. Example II [0034] A femur and tibia workflow in Oxford unicompartmental surgery is described with reference to FIGS. 2 a - 2 d . Besides tibia cuts, femur cuts also are performed in this example. A femoral drill guide can be navigated to geometrically define the location of the femur implant. [0035] The rotational alignment of the drill guide can be defined in Varus-Valgus and in Flexion-Extension with respect to the femoral mechanical axis, which is defined by the femur head center point and a notch point on the proximal femur. As described herein, the drill guide alignment can be achieved without using a femoral marker array and without femoral registration. [0036] The calculated femur head center is attached to the tibia marker array after calibration in full extension and maximum external rotation. This leg position is reproducible, because any rotational freedom of the knee is locked. From this point on, surgical steps causing movements of the patient or the leg may occur. Just before the drill guide is navigated, the full extension stance is re-applied to the knee by the surgeon and the tibia marker array is captured by the camera system. Then the femur head center position defined with respect to the tibia array can be transformed into camera space. Subsequent navigation of the drill guide can be done in camera space with respect to the known femur head center and the tracked tibia marker array. The leg can be brought into any convenient position for the drill guide navigation step as long as the femur head is kept in a fixed position relative to the tibia. Note, that unlike to the tibia-only-workflow described in Example I, any camera movement should be impeded during drill guide navigation. [0037] FIG. 5 a shows a model of a knee joint having one degree of freedom. A single or primitive joint element is a basic or elementary joint and can be described according to the notation of Denavit-Hartenberg by the parameters s, a, α and d, wherein s and a represent translations and α and d represent a rotation. [0038] The reference array attached to the tibia T is represented by a coordinate system 0 with the axes x 0 , y 0 and z 0 . The parameters s 0 , d 0 , a 0 , α 0 , s 1 , d 1 , a 1 and α 1 describe the geometric model, wherein parameter d 1 represents the flexion of the knee joint. [0039] The translation of the coordinate system 0 along its z-axis z 0 by the amount of s 0 , the subsequent rotation around z 0 by d 0 , the subsequent translation by a 0 along the now rotated x-axis and the subsequent rotation around the rotated x-axis by α 0 yields coordinate system 1 with the coordinate axes x 1 , y 1 and z 1 . [0040] Translation of coordinate system 1 along z 1 by amount s 1 , subsequent rotation around z 1 by d 1 , subsequent translation by a, along the now rotated x-axis, subsequent rotation around the rotated x-axis by a 1 yields coordinate system 2 with the axes x 2 , y 2 , z 2 . The origin of coordinate system 2 sits in the center of rotation inside the femur head. [0041] The acquisition of marker positions is a prerequisite of determining the model parameters and can be performed as follows: 1. Extend the knee fully and apply maximum internal or external rotation so as to lock rotation of the knee. With the tibia reference array attached, circular movements around the femur center of rotation can be conducted. 2. Allow flexion in the knee joint up to 30 degrees to 40 degrees and repeat step 1 several times with changed flexion. 3. Vary adduction relative to abduction in the hip joint and repeat step 2 several times with changed adduction respectively abduction. Always keep the rotation of the knee joint locked. [0045] FIG. 5 b shows a model of the knee having two degrees of freedom. As for FIG. 5 a , the reference array attached to the tibia is represented by a coordinate system 0 with the axes x 0 , y 0 and z 0 . [0046] The translation of coordinate system 0 along its z-axis z 0 by amount s 0 , subsequent rotation around z 0 , by d 0 , subsequent translation by a 0 along the now rotated x-axis and subsequent rotation around the rotated x-axis by α 0 yields coordinate system 1 with the axes x 1 , y 1 and z 1 . [0047] The translation of coordinate system 1 along z 1 by amount s 1 , subsequent rotation around z 1 by d 1 , subsequent translation by a 1 along the now rotated x-axis, and subsequent rotation around the rotated x-axis by α 1 yields coordinate system 2 with the axes x 2 , y 2 , and z 2 . [0048] The translation of coordinate system 2 along z 2 by amount s 2 , subsequent rotation around z 2 by d 2 , subsequent translation by a 2 along the now rotated x-axis, subsequent rotation around the rotated x-axis by α 2 yields coordinate system 3 with the axes x 3 , y 3 and z 3 . [0049] The origin of coordinate system 3 sits in the center of rotation inside the femur head. The parameters s 0 , d 0 , a 0 , a 0 , s 1 , d 1 , a 1 , α 1 , s 2 , d 2 , a 2 and α 2 describe the geometric model. Parameter d 1 represents the internal respectively external rotation and parameter d 2 the flexion of the knee joint. [0050] To model the complex behavior of the knee joint more adequately and in order to gain precision, further sets of s, d, a and α parameters may be introduced for further degrees of freedom. [0051] The acquisition of marker positions as prerequisite to determining the model parameters can be performed as follows: 1. Extend the knee fully and apply maximum internal or external rotation so as to lock rotation of the knee. With the tibia reference array attached, circular movements around the femur center of rotation can be conducted. 2. Allow flexion in the knee joint up to 30 degrees to 40 degrees and repeat step 1 several times with changed flexion. Release the locked rotation and constantly change the rotation within its physiological range. 3. Vary adduction relative to abduction in the hip joint and repeat step 2 several times with changed adduction relative to abduction. [0055] FIG. 6 illustrates the computer 10 , which may be used to implement the method described herein, in further detail. The computer 10 may include a display 12 for viewing system information, and a keyboard 14 and pointing device 16 for data entry, screen navigation, etc. A computer mouse or other device that points to or otherwise identifies a location, action, etc., e.g., by a point and click method or some other method, are examples of a pointing device 16 . The display 12 , keyboard 14 and mouse 16 communicate with a processor via an input/output device 18 , such as a video card and/or serial port (e.g., a USB port or the like). [0056] A processor 20 , such as an AMD Athlon 64® processor or an Intel Pentium IV® processor, combined with a memory 22 execute programs to perform various functions, such as data entry, numerical calculations, screen display, system setup, etc. The memory 22 may comprise several devices, including volatile and non-volatile memory components. Accordingly, the memory 22 may include, for example, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard disks, floppy disks, optical disks (e.g., CDs and DVDs), tapes, flash devices and/or other memory components, plus associated drives, players and/or readers for the memory devices. The processor 20 and the memory 22 are coupled using a local interface (not shown). The local interface may be, for example, a data bus with accompanying control bus, a network, or other subsystem. [0057] The memory may form part of a storage medium for storing information, such as application data, screen information, programs, etc., part of which may be in the form of a database 24 . The storage medium may be a hard drive, for example, or any other storage means that can retain data, including other magnetic and/or optical storage devices. A network interface card (NIC) 26 allows the computer 10 to communicate with other devices, such as the camera system C. [0058] A person having ordinary skill in the art of computer programming and applications of programming for computer systems would be able in view of the description provided herein to program a computer system 6 to operate and to carry out the functions described herein. Accordingly, details as to the specific programming code have been omitted for the sake of brevity. Also, while software in the memory 22 or in some other memory of the computer and/or server may be used to allow the system to carry out the functions and features described herein in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, such functions and features also could be carried out via dedicated hardware, firmware, software, or combinations thereof, without departing from the scope of the invention. [0059] Computer program elements of the invention may be embodied in hardware and/or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). The invention may take the form of a computer program product, which can be embodied by a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program instructions, “code” or a “computer program” embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system. In the context of this document, a computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium may be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium such as the Internet. Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, via, for instance, optical scanning of the paper or other medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner. The computer program product and any software and hardware described herein form the various means for carrying out the functions of the invention in the example embodiments. [0060] Although the invention has been shown and described with respect to a certain preferred embodiment or embodiments, it is obvious that equivalent alterations and modifications will occur to others skilled in the art upon the reading and understanding of this specification and the annexed drawings. In particular regard to the various functions performed by the above described elements (components, assemblies, devices, compositions, etc.), the terms (including a reference to a “means”) used to describe such elements are intended to correspond, unless otherwise indicated, to any element which performs the specified function of the described element (i.e., that is functionally equivalent), even though not structurally equivalent to the disclosed structure which performs the function in the herein illustrated exemplary embodiment or embodiments of the invention. In addition, while a particular feature of the invention may have been described above with respect to only one or more of several illustrated embodiments, such feature may be combined with one or more other features of the other embodiments, as may be desired and advantageous for any given or particular application.
A method for localizing a femur head center of a knee using only a marker array attached to a tibia, wherein the knee is modeled as a joint having at least one degree of freedom includes: using a geometrical model to describe kinematical behavior of the joint, said geometrical model including joint elements and a geometrical description of a position and orientation of the joint elements; acquiring a range of motion of the tibia with a tracking system, wherein the femur head center is fixed relative to the tibia; calculating positions and orientations of the geometrical model to fit the acquired range of motion; and calculating a location of the femur head center from the calculated positions and/or orientations.
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CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS Benefit of U.S. Provisional Application for Patent Ser. No. 61/282,176 filed on Dec. 24, 2009, which is incorporated herein by reference, is hereby claimed. FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to in-ear devices, such as intra-aural hearing protectors (earplugs), earphones, or hearing-aide devices, and more specifically to an in-ear device which has a selectable frequency response with pre-determined values, the selection being made with the device being properly positioned inside the wearer's ear. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION High-level sounds, and particularly the recurrence thereof, are known to cause hearing impairment, and in extreme cases, the loss of hearing. In order to avoid the hearing impairments, numerous types of hearing protectors for noise reduction has been proposed to be used in different fields and uses such as military, industrial applications and music. One of the most common hearing protectors is a foam earplug. Foam earplugs are rolled-down and inserted into the ear canal. When the rolling pressure is interrupted, the plug expands to fit the inner morphology of the ear. One of the limitations of foam earplugs is that they are intended to filter a broad range of sound frequencies. If the wearer needs protection for a specific range of sound frequencies—or when the user needs a less attenuating product in order to hear voice or warning signals—he will have to completely remove the earplugs and take a new pair of plugs made of different material, or filter with passive or active acoustical means. This procedure represents a disadvantage, since it renders the user unprotected during the transition. There is in the market an ear protective device that can be adjusted according to two different frequency response operating modes. This device has the possibility to switch between two different levels of sound attenuation. However, the device requires that it be removed from the ear before changing from one operating mode to the other because of the rotating knob that rotates within a plane substantially parallel to the axis of the entrance of the ear canal (or about an axis substantially perpendicular to a plane of the outer ear). Again, this procedure renders the user unprotected during the transition. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved in-ear device that enables the wearer to switch between different levels of attenuation protection, without compromising his auditory protection. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the limitations and problems discussed above, the main objective of the present invention is to provide for an improved in-ear device that enables the wearer to switch between different levels of sound protection, without compromising his auditory protection. An advantage of the present invention is to provide an in-ear device that can be selectively adjusted for filtering a specific range or level of sound frequencies. A further advantage of the present invention is to provide an in-ear device that will allow the wearer to select the degree of attenuation or frequency range protection according to the acoustic conditions of the environment, via a rotating button, a push toggle button or the like, or even a combination thereof. Another advantage of the invention is to provide an in-ear device that can easily be adjusted without removing the same from the wearer's ear. Yet another advantage of the invention is to provide an in-ear device that can be adjusted in such a way that it helps to keep the device in the wearer's ear, by applying positive pressure thereon, and optionally with a rotational motion towards natural insertion of the device inside the wearer's ear, especially when the protrusion is pre-shaped to fit the ear canal. According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided an in-ear device for selectively adjusting the range or level of sound frequencies reaching the inner ear of a wearer's ear, therefore having a selectable frequency response, said device comprising a main body having an innermost face and an outermost face, a canal inside the main body and extending from an inner end of the innermost face to an outer end of the outermost face of the main body and splitting into at least two derivative canals adjacent the outermost face within a generally annular zone defined thereon, each said canals being at least partially filled with a respective filling material, a knob, preferably rotatably attached to the outermost face of the main body and defining a peripheral edge thereof extending beyond the inner zone so as to cover the inner zone, said knob having a channel formed within an inner surface thereof, said channel extending generally radially from the knob periphery to an inner end thereof adjacent the annular zone whereby the channel being selectively in fluid communication with a respective said derivative canal upon rotation thereof. Conveniently, the knob rotates about a knob axis generally coaxial with an axis of the annular zone. Additionally, the knob is mounted in the main body in such a way that it can be easily rotated from one of the positions to the other without compromising the filtering capabilities of the device. In general, the device of the invention has three different positions, each position representing a filtering mode for a specific range or level of sound frequencies, or type of sound. The knob can be easily rotated from one position to the other, without the need to remove the device from the ear. Additionally, the knob of the invention comprises means that will indicate to the wearer the appropriate position of the knob in one of the positions. Typically, the main body has at least three sides, a first side of said at least three sides being shaped to fit the tragus of a wearer's ear, and a second side of said at least three sides being shaped to fit an antitragus of a wearer's ear. In one embodiment, the knob is a push toggle button movably mounted on the outermost face of the main body. These and other advantages and objects will be apparent in view of the following detailed description in connection with the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the description in association with the following figures, in which similar references used in different figures denote similar components, wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one embodiment for the main body according to the present invention; FIG. 2 is a perspective view of another embodiment for the main body according to the present invention; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a device in accordance with one of the embodiments of the present invention; FIG. 4 a is a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 where the knob has been omitted to facilitate visualising the elements inside the main body; FIG. 4 b is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 4 a; FIG. 5 is a side sectional view on the line 5 - 5 in FIG. 3 depicting the surroundings of the knob when operating on filtering mode I; FIG. 6 a is a perspective view of an embodiment wherein the main body has only two derivative canals; FIG. 6 b is a front view of the embodiment of FIG. 6 a; FIG. 7 is a front view of the device of FIG. 1 in the final position inside the left-hand-side ear of a wearer; and FIG. 8 is a side view similar to FIG. 5 of another embodiment for the main body according to the present invention, showing a push toggle button. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In FIGS. 1 and 2 there is depicted the device 1 of the invention comprising a main body 2 . In general, the main body 2 can be designed and shaped so as to be safely placed in the outer ear of a specific wearer's ear. In FIGS. 1 and 2 are depicted two possible embodiments for the main body 2 according to the present invention. FIG. 1 represents the more general shape of main body 2 ; FIG. 2 represents an embodiment including a protrusion 20 ′ intended to be inserted inside of a wearer's ear canal. Referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown a specific embodiment of the invention comprising a main body 2 having three sides 4 , 6 and 8 . The sides of the main body 2 are generally equal to one another, forming a main body 2 quasi-triangular in shape. By way of example, and not a limitation, the three sides 4 , 6 and 8 of the main body 2 are convex; however, they might be shaped to resemble other geometrical forms. The device 1 might have at least three sides provided that at least two of the sides are designed and shaped in a way that a first side 6 fits the tragus A of a wearer's ear, and the second side 4 fits the antitragus B of a wearer's ear (see FIG. 7 ). The main body 2 also includes at least three tips. As shown in FIG. 3 , two adjacent sides are united by one of the tips 10 , 12 or 14 . Tips 10 , 12 and 14 might have any geometrical form; preferably tips 10 , 12 and 14 are rounded. As viewed in FIG. 3 the main body 2 includes an outermost face 16 and an innermost face 18 . The outermost face 16 might include markings representing the applicable filtering modes on the device 1 . The main body 2 might have at least two filtering modes; as reference, in FIG. 3 the device 1 includes the filtering modes I, II and III. Referring to FIG. 4 a , it shows the canal 24 inside the main body 2 . The canal 24 extends from an inner end of the innermost face 18 to an outer end of the outermost face 16 . Before reaching the outer end of the outermost face 16 , the canal 24 splits into at least two derivative canals adjacent to the outermost face within a generally annular zone 50 defined thereon. In general, the number of derivative canals depends on the number of filtering modes applicable on the device 1 ; in FIGS. 4 a and 4 b there is shown a device 1 including three filtering modes I, II and, III and, consequently, three derivative canals 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″ associated to the filtering modes I, II and III, respectively. The interior of each derivative canals 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″ is at least partially filled with a respective filtering material 25 ′, 25 ″ and 25 ′″ specially manufactured to filter a specific range or level of sound frequencies, such as a foam plug of a predetermined density for a corresponding desired frequency response; the material composition is such as to let through only a specific range or level of sound frequencies. The derivative canals 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″might be entirely filled with the filtering materials; more preferably the derivative canals 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″ are partially filled. In general, each derivative canal 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″ is filled with a different material. The filtering capability associated to the modes I, II and III depends on the respective filling material 25 ′, 25 ″ and 25 ′″. By way of example, and not a limitation, the filling material 25 ′, 25 ″ and 25 ′″ can be selected as to filter all the frequencies, but the frequencies of the human voice, or to filter the frequencies associated with impulse noises. The filling material 25 ′, 25 ″ and 25 ′″ can be selected from various materials such as, but not limited to, solids or porous solids (metal or plastic foams), layers of plastic or metallic meshes (Knowles electronics dampers), and properly designed filters (as custom ISL filters designed by Institut Saint-Louis from France—expansion chamber or the like), and any combination thereof. The extreme positioning of the derivative canals 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″ on the outermost face 16 is so that they are equidistant to the center of the generally annular zone 50 . The annular zone 50 defines an inner zone for the rotation of the knob 22 as explained below. The device 1 also comprises a knob 22 . In FIG. 3 , the knob 22 is shown on the outermost face 16 of the main body 2 . The knob 22 is rotatably attached to the outermost face of the main body 2 so as to easily allow a wearer to turn the knob 22 towards the desired filtering mode I, II or III. The direction of rotation of the knob 22 depends on the ear in which the device 1 is intended to be used. If the device 1 is inside the wearer's right ear, the rotation will be allowed in counterclockwise direction; conversely, if the device 1 is inside the wearer's left ear, the rotation will be allowed in clockwise direction. By limiting the rotational movement as just disclosed, the knob 22 helps to keep the device 1 in proper position inside a wearer's ear by applying positive pressure thereon, towards natural insertion of the device inside the wearer's ear, especially when the protrusion 20 ′ is pre-shaped to fit the ear canal. In order to switch from filtering position I towards filtering mode II, and from filtering mode II towards filtering mode III, the knob 22 could have an indexing system (not shown) based on a releasable spring, or another releasable friction device (not shown). When the wearer wants to change the filtering mode, he just has to exert some pressure on the knob 22 against the body 2 and the inward movement of the knob 22 leads it to the released position; the wearer is able to rotate the knob 22 to the desired filtering mode as described above. Once the knob is in the proper position, the user stops exerting pressure on the knob 22 , to allow it to return to the operational position. The knob 22 rotates about a knob axis 40 generally coaxial with an axis of the annular zone 50 (or rotates within a plane substantially perpendicular to the axis of the entrance of the ear canal, or about an axis substantially parallel to a plane of the outer ear). The knob 22 defines a peripheral edge extending beyond the outer zone of the annular zone 50 so as to cover the outer zone. By way of example, and not of limitation, the knob 22 of FIG. 3 includes three recesses 22 a , 22 b and 22 c ; however, the recesses 22 a , 22 b and 22 c might be replaced by a protrusion or any other geometrical form without affecting the functionality of the device 1 . The device 1 might have at least two recesses. Each recess faces a corresponding one of the filtering modes when the device 1 is filtering the sound according to the wearer's needs. The recess 22 a might include a marking 26 intended to indicate on what filtering mode the device 1 is operating. In FIG. 3 the marking 26 is shaped to resemble an arrow's tip indicating the device 1 is filtering sound according to the properties of the filtering material 25 ′ inside canal 24 ′. More preferably, the marking 26 is a protrusion that will allow the wearer to determine, just by sensing with the tip of his fingers, on what filtering mode the device 1 is operating. The thickness of the surroundings of the recesses 22 a —the one indicating the operating filtering mode—is always smaller than the rest of the body of the knob 22 , thus defining an open end 28 . In FIG. 5 the knob 22 is depicted in the filtering mode I, and the open end 28 at the knob periphery is formed due to the differences in thickness in the surroundings of the recess 22 a . In order to let the sound enter inside the open end 28 and, consequently, inside the inner ear of the wearer, there is a channel 30 between the knob 22 and the outermost face 16 of the main body 2 . The channel 30 is formed within an inner surface of the knob 22 , and extends generally radially from the knob periphery at the open end 28 thereof to an inner end thereof adjacent to the annular zone 50 whereby the channel 30 is selectively in fluid communication with a respective said derivative canal upon rotation of the knob 22 . The thickness or depth of the channel 30 is from about 0.5 mm to about 2 mm while the width of the channel is typically about twice the thickness. The channel 30 is in direct communication with one of the derivative canals 24 ′, 24 ″ and 24 ′″, and their respective filtering materials 25 ′, 25 ″, 25 ′″, depending on the filtering mode I, II and III selected by the wearer. In FIG. 5 , the channel 30 is in fluid communication with derivative canal 24 ′. As the sound travels from the open end 28 to the inner ear of the wearer—first through the corresponding derivative canal 24 ′ and then through the canal 24 —it passes through the filtering material 25 ′ wherein only a specific range or level of sound frequencies is allowed to continue. The device 1 might include appropriate means to indicate the wearer that he has reached the desired position—filtering mode. The device 1 might have an indentation associated to each recess 22 a , and three correspondent counterparts in the main body 2 , in the surrounding of the marks indicating the filtering modes I, II or III. When the recess 22 a is about to reach the desired position, the indentation and its counterpart will make a sound indicating the proximity of the right position. Referring to FIGS. 6 a and 6 b , there is an additional embodiment of the invention depicting the device 100 wherein one of the filtering positions is designed to substantially block all sound frequencies. The result will be a device 100 with a filtering position substantially hindering the entrance of sound into the inner ear of the wearer according to the inherent attenuation characteristics of the in-ear device 100 . In this embodiment, the device 100 only has two derivative canals, 24 ″ and 24 ′″. The derivative canals 24 ′ is omitted and its corresponding space is occupied by the material of the main body 2 , creating a barrier to the entrance of the sound from open end 28 with the knob 22 in the corresponding position. Referring now to FIG. 8 , there is shown another embodiment 1 ′ in accordance with the present invention, in which the knob 22 ′ is a push toggle button movably mounted on the outermost face 16 of the main body 2 , to switch between the available filtering modes, under the positive pressure applied by an external force as represented by a wearer's finger F in stippled lines. Although the present invention has been described with a certain degree of particularity, it is to be understood that the disclosure has been made by way of example only and that the present invention is not limited to the features of the embodiments described and illustrated herein, but includes all variations and modifications within the scope and spirit of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
An in-ear device comprises a main body for placement in the outer ear of a wearer and has at least two derivative canals each containing a filtering medium differing from one another in terms of their frequency suppression capabilities, and a preferably rotatable knob enabling selection of the respective filtering canal without the need for removal of the device from the ear.
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This application is a Continuation-in-Part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/285,109 filed Oct. 31, 2011 which claims priority to U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 61/408,780 filed on Nov. 1, 2010. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to apparatus and methods for oil and gas wells to enhance the production of subterranean wells, either open hole, cased hole, or cemented in place and more particularly to improved multizone stimulation systems. 2. Description of Related Art Wells are drilled to a depth in order to intersect a series of formations or zones in order to produce hydrocarbons from beneath the earth. Some wells are drilled horizontally through a formation and it is desired to section the wellbore in order to achieve a better stimulation along the length of the horizontal wellbore. The drilled wells are cased and cemented to a planned depth or a portion of the well is left open hole. Producing formations intersect with the well bore in order to create a flow path to the surface. Stimulation processes, such as fracing or acidizing are used to increase the flow of hydrocarbons through the formations. The formations may have reduced permeability due to mud and drilling damage or other formation characteristics. In order to increase the flow of hydrocarbons through the formations, it is desirable to treat the formations to increase flow area and permeability. This is done most effectively by setting either open-hole packers or cased-hole packers at intervals along the length of the wellbore. These packers isolate sections of the formations so that each section can be better treated for productivity. Between the packers is a frac port and in some cases a sliding sleeve or a casing that communicates with the formation or sometimes open hole. In order to direct a treatment fluid through a frac port and into the formation, a seat or valve may be placed above a sliding sleeve or below a frac port. A ball or plug may be dropped to land on the seat in order to direct fluid through the frac port and into the formation. One method, furnished by PackersPlus, places a series of ball seats below the frac ports with each seat size accepting a different ball size. Smaller diameter seats are at the bottom of the completion and the seat size increases for each zone as you go up the well. For each seat size there is a ball size so the smallest ball is dropped first to clear all the larger seats until it reaches the appropriate seat. In cases where many zones are being treated, maybe as many as 20 zones, the seat diameters have to be very close. The balls that are dropped have less surface area to land on as the number of zones increase. With less seat surface to land on, the amount of pressure you can put on the ball, especially at elevated temperature, becomes less and less. This means you can't get adequate pressure to frac the zone because the ball is so wreak, so the ball blows through the seat. Furthermore, the small ball seats reduce the I.D. of the production flow path which creates other problems. The small I.D. prevents re-entry of other downhole devices, i.e., plugs, miming and pulling tools, shifting tools for sliding sleeves, perforating gun size (smaller guns, less penetration), and of course production rates. In order to remove the seats, a milling ran is needed to mill out ail the seats and any balls that remain in the well. The size of the ball seats and related balls limits the number of zones that can be treated in a single trip. Furthermore, the balls have to be dropped from the surface for each zone and gravitated or pumped to the seats. Another method, used by PackersPlus, U.S. Pat. No. 7,543,634 B2, places sleeves in the I.D. of the tubing string. These sleeves cover the frac ports and packers are placed above and below the frac ports. Varying sizes of balls or plugs are dropped on top of the sleeves and when pressuring down the tubing, the pressure acts on the ball and the ball forces the sleeve downward. Once again you have the restriction of the ball seats and theoretically, and most likely in practice, when the ball shifts the sleeve downward, the frac port opens and allows the force due to pressure diminish off before the sleeve is fully opened. If the ball and sleeve remain in the flow path, the flow path is restricted for the frac operation. It would be advantageous to have a system that had no ball seats that restrict the I.D. of the tubing and to eliminate the need to spend the time and expense of milling out the ball seats, not to mention the debris created by the milling operation. Also, it would be beneficial to have a system that automatically fully opens each sliding sleeve and isolates the zone below, progressively up the well bore, before each zone is stimulated. Such a system allows stimulation of one zone at a time to achieve the maximum frac efficiency for each zone. In addition, it would be advantageous to be able to, in the future, isolate any zones by closing a sliding sleeve. For example, a single zone could be shut off if it began producing water or became a theft zone. Furthermore, it would be greatly advantageous to eliminate the time and logistics required for dropping numerous balls into the well, one at a time, for each zone in the well to be treated. It would also be advantageous to have a multizone frac system that functioned automatically while all zones were being stimulated in order to minimize the time surface pumping equipment is setting idol between pumping zones. Many wells are being stimulated at multiple zones through the well bore by use of composite plugs such as the “Halliburton Obsidian Frac Plug” or the “Owen Type ‘A’ Frac Plug”. A composite plug is set near, or below, a zone and then the zone is treated. Another composite plug is set in the next upper zone and that zone is treated, and so on up the well bore until multiple plugs remain in the well. The composite plugs are then drilled out which can be time consuming and expensive. The shavings from the mill operation leave trash in the well and can also plug off flow chokes at the surface. It would be advantageous to have a system that eliminated the use and drilling out of composite or millable plugs. Of course, this approach would apply to new well completions where equipment, of the present invention, could be placed into the well prior to treating. Other well completions, such as intelligent wells, are designed to operate downhole devices by use of control lines running from the surface to various downhole devices such as packers, sleeves, valves, etc. An example of this type of system can be found in Schlumberger Patent U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,410 B2. This patent describes use of control lines and the various devices they operate. It is obvious the use of control lines can make the completion very complicated and expensive. The present invention allows operation of some types of downhole devices possible without the use of control lines. For example, the present invention describes a timer/pressure device that could be placed both above and below a sliding sleeve, and days, months, or even years later, a sliding sleeve, or series of sliding sleeves, could be programmed to open or close. There are other wells that sometimes require well intervention. A product called a Well Tractor, supplied by Welltec, is used to aid in shifting sliding sleeves opened or closed in long horizontal wells or highly deviated wells, sometimes in conjunction with wireline or coiled tubing operations. The present invention oilers an alternate and more economical solution to functioning downhole devices in wells without well intervention. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention provides an improved multizone stimulation system to improve the conductivity of the well formations with reduced rig time, no milling, and no control lines from the surface and, for some other applications, reduce well intervention. The equipment for all zones can be conveyed in single work string trip and frac units can stay on location one time to treat all zones. This invention relates to an automatic progressive stimulation system where no control line or ball drop apparatus are needed. This system can also eliminate the need to set and mill out composite plugs in newly planned well completions. When single zone or multiple zone wells are to be completed with plans of stimulation and then producing, the equipment in the present invention can be utilized. This invention is comprised of three major components; a packer, a timer/pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/valve assembly. Although, in some cases, a packer may not be needed, for example, if the system is cemented in place. The combination of these three components, or two components without the packer, has been given the name “Frac Module”. I. The packer can be several types, such as those that set hydraulically by applying tubing pressure, those that are Swellable, or those that are Inflatable, to mention a few. II. The timer/pressure device is a device that can be actuated by application of well pressure such as tubing pressure or annulus pressure. This pressure can act on a pressure sensitive device, which in turn triggers a timing device where the timing device, or a plurality of timing devices, can be set to any desired time, before it triggers a pressure generating device which is turn applies pressure to a downhole tool in order to activate the tool. III. The sliding sleeve is a typical type sleeve that can open or close a port, or series of ports, that allow fluids or slurries to travel down the well conduit, through the ports, and communicate with the formation. For the present invention, the sliding sleeve would be of the piston type where pressure acts on a piston and in turn shifts the sleeve. A frangible flapper valve, or other type of valve, is positioned above the sliding sleeve and closes when the sliding sleeve shifts downward. The valve directs flow through the ports in the sliding sleeve and isolates the zone below. A series of frac modules placed in the well act in unison, where all packers are set at once and all timers/pressure devices are triggered at once, with a single application of tubing pressure. Each timer in each zone can be set to a desired time so that, for example, the lowermost timer actuates a pressure generating device after one hour from the time when tubing pressure was initially applied. The pressure generating device creates pressure that communicates with a piston on the sliding sleeve to open the sliding sleeve and close the flapper valve. This first zone is treated through the sliding sleeve ports before the next upper sliding sleeve opens. The next upper Frac Module timer is set for 2 hours, for example, from the time when initial tubing pressure was applied. At the end of the two hour time period, the timer actuates a pressure generating device to open its sliding sleeve so the zone can be treated. Timers in each zone can be set to the desired time to allow stimulating as many zones as required. The timing devices can be set so that all zones can be nearly continuously treated in order to optimize the use of surface stimulation equipment. The timers are versatile enough where all the timers can be triggered at once. A portion of timers can be triggered at one selected pressure while others are triggered at different selected pressures, or sequences of applied pressures. A further option includes a pressure sensitive device that is attached to or built into each timing device, which monitors well pressure so that when well pressure reaches a predetermined level, the timers go into a “Stand-Down-Mode”. Surface applied well pressure can be in the form of a series of pressure increase or decreases in conjunction with pressure holds or simply a decrease in pressure to a pre-selected level. For example, if frac pumping is in process and all of the timers are running, if the frac operation stops for some reason and frac pressure drops below a selected point, all of the timers go into a “Stand-Down-Mode” where the timers stop temporarily. The timers remember the time used up to that point and when pump pressure resumes, all of the timers begin running once again for the balance of the time remaining in each timer. All of the timers remain in their preprogrammed sliding sleeve activation sequence. To those familiar with the art of well completions, it is obvious that the scope of this invention is not limited to just timer/pressure generating devices shifting sliding sleeves open or closed but can also be used to actuate any type or combination of a downhole tool device, or devices, in any timing sequence, such as perforating guns, valves, packers, etc. More than one timing/pressure device can be used to function a single type multiple times by setting the timers at different time spans. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 placed end-to-end make up a schematic view of an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 4 is a schematic view of three Frac Modules assembled in tandem in a well completion. FIG. 5 is a schematic showing a second embodiment of a timer/pressure device that can be used in the Frac Module. FIG. 6 is a schematic showing a third embodiment of a timer/pressure device that includes a “Stand-Down-Mode” device that can be used in the Frac Module. FIG. 7 is a schematic showing a fourth embodiment of a timer/pressure device that is a modification of the device in FIG. 5 where a “Stand-Down-Mode” device has been added. FIG. 8 is a well schematic showing an embodiment of a Frac Module without any packers where the entire system is cemented in place. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS With reference to FIG. 1 , a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention shows a 90 degree lengthwise cross-section of the apparatus. This portion of the apparatus is a simplified view of a tubing pressure hydraulically set packer 2 , although packers such as swell and inflatable packers may be used. A packer maybe used that has a slip system added and a packer may be used that has a release device added. Tubing string 1 has a connecting thread 3 that connects to top sub 4 . Top sub 4 threadably connects to packer mandrel 7 . Packing element 5 and gage ring 6 are positioned over mandrel 7 . Ratchet ring 8 is located and threadably locked inside housing 9 . Piston 10 is threadably connected to gage ring 6 and ratchet ring 8 engages piston thread 96 as piston 10 strokes upward (left end of drawing). Seals 11 and 12 form a seal in bores 97 and 98 and between piston 10 . Tubing pressure 52 enters port 14 and acts across seals 11 and 12 to move piston 10 upward compressing packing element 5 . Fluid is displaced through port 16 . Ratchet ring 8 locks piston 10 so the packing element 5 stays compressed and sealed inside outer casing 99 . Housing 9 has pin thread 13 facing downward. Referring to FIG. 2 , the timer/pressure assembly 18 is shown in a schematic. This schematic illustrates a totally mechanical timing/pressure device although other types of devices can be substituted such as a pressure sensitive pressure transducer interconnected to an electronic timer that initiates a pyrotechnics gas pressure generating device, for example. Such a device is shown in FIG. 5 . Referring to the schematic, thread 17 of pin 13 connects to outer chamber 19 . Inner chamber 20 is trapped inside outer chamber 19 to form an annular space between the two chambers. Piston 25 has seals 23 and 24 that seal inside of inner and outer chambers 19 and 20 . Tubing pressure 52 enters port 21 and chamber 22 to act on piston 25 . The top end of compression spring 29 is shown in a near solid height condition where spring 29 makes solid contact with piston 25 at location 28 . The bottom end of compression spring 29 makes solid contact with orifice piston 33 at location 30 . Shear screws 31 shearably connect orifice piston 33 to inner chamber groove 100 . Piston 25 is allowed to stroke downward until face 26 contacts shoulder 27 . A flow control device, such as a LEE Visco Jet 32 is located inside of orifice piston 33 so that fluid, such as silicone oil, located in chamber 39 can only pass thru Visco Jet 32 and into chamber 40 . Seals 34 and 35 seal orifice piston 33 on the inside walls of chamber 39 . orifice piston 33 has face 36 that travels through chamber 39 to make contact with face 37 of pressure release rod 38 . Pressure chamber 48 is threadably connected to outer chamber 19 at thread 50 . Seals 42 and 49 isolate chamber 45 where chamber 45 is charged with a pressurized gas, such as nitrogen. Seals 41 on both ends of pressure release rod 38 also isolate chamber 45 to hold pressurized gas within the chamber. Chamber 39 communicates with chamber 44 through gap 47 . Bores 46 inside of pressure chamber 48 are of near equal, or equal, diameter and seals 41 are of near, or equal, diameter so that pressure release rod 38 is in the pressure balanced condition when exposed to pressure from either chambers 39 or 45 . Pressure release rod 38 is held relative to chamber 48 by a low force spring loaded detent ball 101 to prevent pressure release rod 38 from moving until contacted by orifice piston face 36 . Chamber 45 is charged with high pressure nitrogen gas through nitrogen charge valve 58 and longitudinal hole 53 . Hole 53 is sealed off at one end with plug 56 but is open to chamber 45 at the opposing end. Seals 59 and 60 seal the nitrogen charge valve 58 in order to prevent passage of gas out of chamber 45 and past the valve 58 . A doughnut sleeve with internal o-rings and a sealed allen wrench, not shown, slides over nitrogen charge valve 58 to allow unscrewing Valve 58 to allow passage of gas through the doughnut and into chamber 45 . Once chamber 45 is at the desired pressure, the valve 58 is closed with the Allen wrench to seal the chamber 45 . Upper sleeve housing 68 is threadably attached to chamber 48 with thread 61 and sealed with seals 62 . Longitudinal hole 54 communicates with chamber 44 , not exposed to charged gas pressure at this time, and chamber 55 and hole 57 . Seals 63 isolate chamber 55 from pressure 52 . Seals 51 isolate pressure 52 from chambers 39 and 44 . Pressure release rod 38 has recesses 43 and 102 so when shifted downward by spring force in spring 29 and face 36 , seal 41 leave seal bore 46 and pressurized gas can move from inside chamber 45 to chamber 55 and into hole 57 . Frangible flapper valve 65 is mounted by axle 66 and is spring biased with spring 67 to rotate from the open position, shown, to the closed position. Finger 64 temporarily holds the Flapper 65 in the open position. Axle 66 is positioned on the upstream portion of sleeve 71 and is carried by it. Referring to FIG. 3 , this schematic shows ported sliding sleeve 95 . Upper sleeve housing 68 shows the continuation of hole 57 that communicates with chamber 72 . Sleeve piston 76 has seal 74 and 75 that isolate chambers 72 from 77 . Screw 73 connects piston 76 to sleeve 71 . Seal 69 isolates chamber 72 from pressure 52 and seal 80 isolates chamber 77 from pressure 52 . Seals 69 and 80 are of the same diameter so that sleeve 71 is pressure balanced, or near pressure balanced from pressure 52 so pressure 52 does tend to move sliding sleeve 71 up or down. Gas pressure in chamber 72 acts on piston 76 to move sliding sleeve 71 downward or to the open position. Single or multiple ports 70 go through the wall of upper sleeve housing 68 and sleeve 71 and seals 69 and 80 prevent pressure or fluid from traveling from location 103 , through ports 70 and to location 104 , or vice versa. If pressure in chamber 72 is greater than pressure in chamber 77 and pressure acts on piston 76 , the piston 76 and sliding sleeve 71 will move downward toward chamber 77 . During this movement, fluid exits ports 78 and 79 to area 104 . When seal 74 passes port 78 , gas pressure above piston 76 and in chamber 72 passes through port 78 allowing the gas pressure to equalize. Downward movement of sleeve 71 allows seal 69 to move past port 70 so that flow passage can occur from area 103 to area 104 . Also, when the sliding sleeve 71 moves downward, flapper 65 moves away from finger 64 and rotates around axle 66 allowing spring 67 to rotate flapper 65 to the closed position. Collets 88 and 89 are common to sliding sleeves and come in different geometries. The collets lock the sliding sleeve 71 either in the up or down position in recesses 87 and 90 . Shifting tool profiles are added to the inside of the sliding sleeve 71 to use mechanical shifting tools run on wireline or tubing, to shift the sliding sleeve 71 closed or back open at some future time. Sleeve housing 83 is threadably connected to upper sleeve housing 68 with thread 81 . A stop key 85 may be employed to engage shoulder 86 to stop the downward movement of sliding sleeve 72 as to not load collets 88 and 89 in compression. Stop key 85 sets in pocket 82 and can move downward in slot 84 . Bottom sub 93 is threadably attached to sleeve housing 83 with thread 91 and is sealed with seals 92 . Pin thread 94 connects to a tubing spacer which in turn connects to another Frac Module or possibly a bottom locator seal assembly that stings into a sump packer. Referencing FIG. 4 , this schematic shows a possible completion hookup 105 using three Frac Modules 106 , 107 , and 108 although many Frac Modules may be used. The well has casing 116 and below location 127 the well casing 116 can continue or the well can be open hole passing through zones 111 , 112 , and 113 . Packers 117 , 118 , and 119 can be tubing pressure hydraulic set packers for cased hole or swellable or tubing pressure set inflatable packers for either cased hole or open hole. Each zone can have a timer/pressure device 122 , 121 , and 120 and a ported sliding sleeve valve assembly 125 , 124 , and 123 . Each zone can be separated by tubing spacers 114 and tubing 115 runs to the surface or a hydraulic set production packer (not shown). A sump packer 109 can be set prior to running the completion string of frac modules. The bottom of the completion string can have a typical locator seal assembly 110 that stings into sump packer 109 . If it is desired not to ran a sump packer 109 , the sump packer can be replaced with an additional tubing pressure set hydraulic packer that is set by dropping a ball on a seat below the packer. In either case, all tubing pressure set packers will set at the same time, if desired. Each zone is isolated with packers set above and below each zone and the sliding sleeves in the closed position. Referring to FIG. 5 , this is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention showing a second method of producing pressure to shift a sliding sleeve or other downhole device. Referencing FIG. 2 , this device can be put in the place of the device described in FIG. 2 . Once again, there is an outer chamber 19 , an Inner chamber 20 , a port 21 , a chamber 22 , seals 23 and 24 , a chamber 44 , and a hole 57 . Pressure from area 52 enters port 21 into chamber 22 and into hole 129 . Pressure in hole 129 acts on a pressure sensitive device, such as a pressure transducer 130 . The pressure transducer triggers a switch 131 that starts an adjustable timer 132 that is set for a time frame, say 4 hours. The timer can be pre-set at the surface prior to running the tools into the well. The timer can be set for any time increment desired, for example from 1 minute to 100 hours, or longer. At the end of 4 hours it triggers a switch 133 to supply battery power 134 to an igniter 135 , or initiator. The battery power can also run the timer or the timer can be purely mechanical. Power supplied to the igniter 135 triggers the igniter 135 , or initiator, to cause the material in the gas generator 136 to burn, react, or mix, and produce high pressure gas. The high pressure gas pressure increases in chamber 44 , travels through hole 57 to act on the piston 76 , shown in FIG. 3 . Pressure on the piston 76 , shifts the sliding sleeve 71 to the open, or down, position. Components 130 , 131 , 132 , 133 , 134 , 135 , and 136 can be moved, or substituted with other mechanisms, to different relative positions to achieve the same goal of producing gas pressure. These components can be in a single cartridge modular form, say one assembly, and can be miniaturized or improved by use of microelectronics. Also, more than one timer/pressure device can be used for redundancy and reliability purposes. The device in FIG. 5 , and the device in FIG. 2 , illustrate that more than one technique can be used to create a timer/pressure device, and the present invention is not limited to one technique. Furthermore, it is important to recognize that the timer/pressure device described in FIGS. 2 and 5 can be positioned relative to the sliding sleeve, FIG. 3 , either above or below the sliding sleeve, although if the timer/pressure device were positioned below the sliding sleeve, the hole 57 arrangement would be slightly more complicated when shifting the sleeve upward. A first timer/pressure device can be used to open the sleeve and a second timer/pressure device can be positioned below the sliding sleeve to close the sliding sleeve at a specified time in the future. Referring to FIG. 6 , this is a schematic of an embodiment of the present invention showing a third method of producing pressure to shift a sliding sleeve or activate other downhole devices. Tubular section 9 has thread 17 that connects to top sub 137 . Piston housing 146 threadably connects to top sub 137 at thread 138 . Piston 143 is positioned inside of piston housing 146 and top sub 137 and seals 141 , 142 and 144 form pressure seals at bores 169 , 170 , and 171 around piston 143 . Chamber 177 is either an atmospheric chamber if port 140 is plugged or is exposed to pressure external to the tool through port 140 if port 140 is not plugged. Shear screws 145 shearably lock piston 143 to a groove 168 in top sub 137 . Seals 141 and 142 prevent pressure at 52 from traveling thru hole 139 and to pressure in port 140 . Seals 142 and 144 prevent pressure at 52 from traveling thru hole 139 and into hole 178 and on into chamber 151 . Inner housing 155 is threadably connected to piston housing 146 with thread 148 and sealed with seal 149 . Outer housing 172 is threadably connected to piston housing 146 with thread 147 and sealed with seal 150 . Positioned inside housings 172 and 155 is a pressure sensitive device 152 , which may be a pressure transducer, a switch 154 , a timer 156 , a switch 157 , a battery pack 158 all of which control a metal piercing device 159 . The metal piercing device forms a hole in membrane 162 and may be a drill, punch, or an explosive squib that is designed to perforate metal. The Figure shows an electric powered motor 159 with a drill 161 with a spring 160 that forces the drill 161 against membrane 162 as to create communication with pressurized gas chamber 45 . Of course the motor 159 , can be replaced with an electrical detonated explosive squib that is designed to form small hole in metal. The squib would be similar to a DuPont Electronic Detonator Type “S”. Pressure transducer 152 has seals 173 and 153 that seal near chamber 151 to prevent pressure or fluids in chamber 151 from traveling through gap 47 and into chamber 44 and hole 57 . Components 152 , 154 , 156 , 157 , 158 and 159 can be rearranged, simplified, or compacted so that when the pressure transducer is activated by pressure 52 , the timer begins running and turns the piercing device on after a programmed period of time. Also, a plurality of these components can be used to create redundancy in the system. A second pressure sensitive device 164 is also in communication with hole 143 . Programmable controller 165 has the logic to turn switch 166 on or off based on the status of the pressure at 52 . Wires 163 attach to timer circuitry 156 so that switch 166 can stop timer 156 , where timer remembers time already spent, and restarts timer for the remaining un-spent time, commonly called the “Stand-Down-Mode”. This “Stand-Down-Mode” device can also be powered by battery 158 , if desired, or have its own battery. The “Stand-Down-Mode” device can also be built as part of the components 152 , 154 , 156 , 157 , 158 , and 159 . Controller 165 has programmable logic that senses the status of pressure 52 where controller 165 can be set to sense a threshold pressure at 52 where the threshold pressure is the pressure that would exist if all pressure pumping from the surface ceased. The threshold pressure could be calculated based on the static bottom-hole-pressure plus a minimal applied pressure, say 500 PSI or 1000 PSI. If bottom-hole-pressure is 5000 PSI then the threshold pressure, pre-programmed into all of the timers, could be 6,000 PSI at the timer pressure transducers. When pressure dropped equal to or less than the threshold pressure, all of the timers in the system would go into the “Stand-Down-Mode” until pressure pumping was resumed to increase pressure above the threshold pressure. The logic in controller 165 could also be set to respond to a series or plurality of pressure pulses of varying magnitudes and durations in order to put the timers into the “Stand-Down-Mode” and a second series of pressure pulses to remove the timers from the “Stand-Down-Mode”. All timers 156 would go to and from the “Stand-Down-Mode” in unison as to preserve the overall zone-by-zone timing sequence that is preprogrammed into the system for sequential tracing of all zones. The remaining components in FIG. 6 are the same ones shown in FIG. 2 except that the chamber 45 is now a sealed chamber in order to reduce potential leak paths, i.e., no rod 38 with seals 41 . Rather than shifting rod 38 to release pressurized gas in chamber 45 , the membrane 162 is ruptured to release the pressurized gas into hole 57 that in turn acts on the sliding sleeve piston 76 , of FIG. 3 , to activate the sliding sleeve 71 . Referring to FIG. 7 , this is a schematic identical to FIG. 5 except that the controller 167 has been added in the circuitry to provide a “Stand-Down-Mode”, if desired. Referring to FIG. 8 , this is a well schematic similar to FIG. 4 except that the packers 117 , 118 , and 119 have been removed from the Frac Modules and also the tools are placed in an open hole section of the well where the open hole 175 is filled with cement 176 . Also, in a cemented completion, there is no need for the sump packer 109 or locator 110 . DESCRIPTION OF OPERATION With reference to the example in FIG. 4 , a typical completion is shown but many variations of this occur as known by those who are familiar with the variations that occur in configuring well completions. A well has been drilled, cased, cemented, and perforated, although this system may be used in open hole completions with selection of the appropriate packers. Casing 116 is shown in this example with zones and perforations 111 , 112 , and 113 in the casing. The objective is to stimulate all of the zones 111 , 112 , and 113 in a single trip without well intervention. A sump packer 109 is properly located and set below the lowermost zone 113 although this packer may be substituted with a packer similar to packer 119 by landing a ball against a seat below where packer 109 is shown. A “completion string” is run into the well consisting of a locator snap latch seal assembly 110 , tubing spacer 114 , frac module 108 , tubing spacer 114 , frac module 107 , tubing spacer 114 , frac module 106 , tubing spacer 114 , a service/production packer (not shown), and work string or production 115 . The length of tubing spacers 114 are made to position the frac modules 106 , 107 , and 108 between the producing zones 111 , 112 , and 113 . The single trip completion string is landed in sump packer 109 . The location of sump Packer 109 is based on logs of the zones so that all equipment could be spaced out properly. Therefore, by locating the completion assembly on the sump packer 109 , all Frac Modules 106 , 107 and 108 will be properly positioned in the well. Snap latch seal assembly 110 can be used to verify position of the system before setting any of the packers 117 , 118 , and 119 . The locator snap latch seal assembly 110 seals in the sump packer 109 and will locate on the sump packer. The locator snap latch seal assembly 110 is designed to allow pulling of the work string 115 to get a load indication on the sump packer 109 and then snap back in and put set-down weight on the sump packer 109 . The above steps are common in the art of completing wells. At this point in time the completion hardware, shown in FIG. 4 , is properly positioned around all the zones to be stimulated. All stimulation equipment has been positioned around the well at the surface and all frac lines have been assembled and pressure tested. A pumping company has done stimulation pre-planning for each zone and has all the necessary materials ready to pump, along with backup surface units. The Frac Module Timers were all set prior to running the system into the well but at this point in time, none of the timers have been actuated. The pumping company knows how long it will take to pump each zone and the timers were pre-set based on how long it will take to frac each zone. The timers were pre-set to allow extra time for any required surface operations during the overall process. Now that the completion system is in the proper position in the well and all surface equipment has been nippled-up, the zones are ready to stimulate. At this point all the sliding sleeves in each Frac Module are in the closed position. The operator may decide to do a low pressure system pressure test at this time before actuating any downhole devices. The entire system is pressured up, for example, to 500 psi and held for a period of time until there is proof of no leaks in the system. At this point all surface equipment is miming and the well is ready to stimulate. The first step is to set all of the packers, assuming that they are hydraulic tubing pressure set packers. If they are swellable packers, the operator will wait to begin operations until all of the Swellable packers have had time to swell. Continuing and assuming the packers are tubing pressure set, the surface pump units begin applying tubing pressure 126 inside of work string 115 to packer setting ports 14 . All of the packers may be designed to begin setting at 1,500 psi and may not fully set until the tubing pressure reaches 3,500 psi, for example. This pressuring operation will take several minutes. The same pressure 52 used to set the packers 117 , 118 , and 119 , also reaches the Frac Module timer pressure devices 122 , 121 , and 120 . In this case, all of the timers have been set to actuate close to the exact same time so when the tubing pressure reaches 1,500 psi, for example, all the devices 122 , 121 , and 120 start counting time. If the lowermost zone 113 is to be stimulated first, the timer in device 120 may have been set at 30 minutes, i.e., the amount of time before the first sliding sleeve 123 is opened and the flapper in the closed position. The timer is zone 112 may be been set for 2 hours and the timer in zone 111 , may have been set for 3 hours. At this point in time, possibly 15 minutes after initial setting pressure was applied, all of the packers are set and all of the timers are running. It is now critical to begin pumping the job since the timer clocks are ticking, unless the stand-down mode is to be utilized. The first zone 113 will need to be traced but the sliding sleeve 123 in Frac Module 108 must first open. The following paragraphs will explain how the sliding sleeve 123 opens. Referring to FIGS. 2 and 3 , pressure in area 52 enters port 21 and chamber 22 and acts on piston 25 . Piston 25 and solid height compressed spring 29 pushes on orifice piston 33 . As piston 25 face 26 moves to shoulder 27 , shear screws 31 shear against groove 100 . The shear screws 31 may be set to shear at 1,500 psi applied to piston 25 . The force in spring 29 has sufficient force to move orifice piston 33 downward against the fluid in chamber 39 . The fluid in chamber 39 must be forced through Lee Visco Jet 32 . The Visco Jet has a Lohm rating that allows fluid to travel through the jet at a specified rate with a specified fluid, such as silicone oil, 200 cs. The specified flow rate of the fluid, the load of spring 29 , and the total volume of fluid in chamber 39 , controls the velocity and time in which the orifice piston moves toward rod 38 . The variables of spring load, Jet Lohm rating, fluid type, and total fluid volume can be adjusted ahead of time to achieve a 30 minute time dwell until face 36 , of orifice piston 33 contacts face 37 of the rod 38 . The spring 29 has sufficient load and stroke to move rod 38 downward through charged nitrogen chamber 45 . When the rod undercuts 102 of rod 38 move downward and seals 41 move out of seal bores 46 , nitrogen gas is allowed to exit chamber 45 and enter chamber 44 , hole 54 , and hole 57 . The gas pressure is of sufficient magnitude so when it acts on sliding sleeve piston 76 , the sliding sleeve 71 is shifted downward to open up frac port 70 . Frac port 70 then allows fluid communication form area 103 to area 104 . Simultaneously, flapper 65 is pulled downward away from finger 64 , and flapper 65 rotates around axle 66 , and is biased to the closed position by spring 67 to form a seal on top of sliding sleeve 71 . Once the sliding sleeve 71 is fully shifted downward, excess nitrogen gas is allowed to escape through port 78 in order to equalize pressure around the sliding sleeve 71 . This is important in case the sliding sleeve 71 needs to be shifted closed by mechanical shifting tools, at a later point in time after the well has been treated. The seals 23 and 24 on piston 25 provide a seal to prevent communication of fluid backward from port 78 to port 21 or vice versa. In this case, once the sliding sleeve 71 is fully shifted down, the collets 89 lock in groove 90 to hold the sliding sleeve in the open position. Likewise, when the sliding sleeve 71 is closed, collets 88 lock in groove 87 to hold the sliding sleeve 71 in the closed position. At this point in time, the sliding sleeve 123 is shifted open and the flapper 65 is sealing the top of the sliding sleeve 71 so when pumping fluid from the surface of the well, fluid will not pass through the inside of sliding sleeve 71 , but will be blocked by the flapper 65 and directed through frac Port 70 and into formation 113 . Formation 113 is treated by pumping fluid, or slurry, down work string 115 , through the upper Frac Modules 106 and 107 and out of ports 70 located in Frac Module 108 , and thru perforations 113 and into formation 113 . This operation has been planned by the pumping company to be complete before the 2 hour time period programmed in Frac Module 107 . Of course the 2 hour time period could have been reduced to minimize the time between treating zones. After 2 hours from the original initiation point of setting the packers and starting the timers, the sliding sleeve 71 in Frac Module 107 opens and flapper 65 closes per the above described process, so zone 112 can now be treated. This process continues for all zones that are in the completion and stimulation program for the well. As each zone is treated up the well, each Frac Module operates independently from the others, so failure of one to operate does not affect the operation of the others. Once all zones are treated, the surface stimulation equipment can move off location. Flow from the formations can be used to attempt to clean up the well. The flow will open the flappers and allow fluid to move up hole. It is also common practice to go back in the well, wash out excess proppant, if proppant was used, break the frangible flapper disc's, and close sliding sleeve 71 for zone isolation, if desired. The sliding sleeves have profiles machined in the inside of the sleeves so that standard type mechanical shifting tools can be used to either open or close the ports 70 . Referring to FIG. 6 , where the “Stand-Down-Mode” feature has been added to the timing/pressure device along with an actuation piston, and a different means to provide energy to shift the sliding sleeve. In operation, before running the system into the well, all Frac Module timers have been preprogrammed to run a selected period of time. Typically the lowermost timer will be set to open a sleeve first, the second sleeve 30 minutes later, and the third sleeve 60 minutes later and so on up the tool string. Also, based on planned well pressure at the tools the “Stand-Down-Mode” Controllers are set to either the threshold pressure or the pressure pulse sequence. When all of the frac Modules are positioned in the well and it is time to begin the frac operation, tubing pressure 52 is applied from the surface of the well. All of the Frac Modules see the same tubing pressure 52 at the same time. Pressure 52 enters at port 139 . All Frac Module pistons 143 have been set to shear screws 145 at the same pressure. This pressure is calculated based on the area of piston 143 , i.e., area at seal 144 minus the area of seal 141 and the total shear value of the screws 145 . For example, all the pistons 143 will be set to open when 1500 PSI is applied to port 139 from the surface. 2000 PSI may be applied to be certain that all pistons have shifted. The pistons 143 will shift upward when pressure 52 acts on seals 141 and 144 and since pressure at location 140 is less, a resulting force upward will shear the screws 145 as the pistons move upward. Well pressure from location 140 or 52 has not entered into holes 178 since seals 142 and 144 have isolated holes 178 . Although, as pistons 143 move upward, seals 144 move up bores 171 until holes 178 are exposed to well pressure 52 . At this time well pressure 52 enters holes 178 and enters chambers 151 and into pressure transducers 152 . The pressure simultaneously enters all Frac Module Pressure Transducers at once, therefore, activating switch 154 which in turn starts all timers 156 . Simultaneously, pressure is acting on pressure transducer 164 and controllers 165 will tell switches 166 to allow the timers 156 to keep running as long as tubing pressure 52 is maintained from the surface at a pre-selected level. The timers 156 will typically activate the lower-most Frac Module first. In this module, the timer 156 will turn on switch 157 to connect battery power 158 to piercing device 159 . Piercing device 159 / 161 will produce a hole in membrane 162 . Pre-charged gas pressure in chamber 45 will escape into chamber 174 , through gap 47 , into chamber 44 , into hole 54 , into chamber 55 , into hole 57 and act on piston 76 ( FIG. 3 ) to shift sliding sleeve 71 to open frac port 70 and release the flapper 65 from the open position to the closed position. With the first Flapper closed and the first sleeve open, the first zone can be Fraced. During the Fracing operation, if surface pumping ever stops for any reason and the pressure 52 drops to a pre-programs threshold pressure, the controllers 165 , will cause all Frac Module switches 166 to open the battery power circuits in wires 163 to stop all timers 156 . The timers 156 are the type that if power is lost, the timer will remember the time it ran before power was lost. When surface pumping resumes, pressure 52 increases above the pre-programmed threshold and controller 165 then closes the circuit in wires 163 , and all timers resume operating where they left off. Once the first zone is Fraced, the timer in the next zone up the well will open the next sliding sleeve. As long as pumping continues, the zones up the well can be continuously Fraced until all zones are treated. If there are pumping delays, the timers will go into the “Stand-Down-Mode” until pumping resumes. Referring to FIG. 7 , the “Stand-Down-Mode” feature has been added to the timing/pressure device described in FIG. 5 . This figure shows the controller 167 integrated into the pressure transducer 130 and switch 131 devices. The system will work similar to the FIG. 4 operation but will include the “Stand-Down-Mode” as described in the FIG. 6 operation described above. Overall, this option can provide a more compact timing unit. Referring to FIG. 8 , the completion hook-up has been simplified by eliminating isolation packers 117 , 118 , and 119 from the Frac Modules. Also, the Sump packer 109 and locator 110 are not shown. The Packers are not needed since the completion is cemented in open hole 175 . The cement 176 seals completely around the Frac Modules. Sliding sleeve 123 is opened first and surface pump pressure is used to break through the cement and initiate a fracture in the producing formation. As the timers progressively open each sliding sleeve closes a flapper and each respective zone is broken down and traced. Although the present invention has been described with respect to specific details, it is not intended that such details should be regarded as limitations on the scope of the invention, except to the extent that they are included in the accompanying claims.
A single trip multizone time progressive well treating method and apparatus that provides a means to progressively stimulate individual zones through a cased or open hole well bore. The operator can use pre-set timing devices to progressively treat each zone up the hole. At each zone the system automatically opens a sliding sleeve and closes a frangible flapper, at a preselected point in time. An adjustable preset timing device is installed in each zone to allow preplanned continual frac operations for all zones. An optional “Stand-Down-Mode” can be integrated into the timing system so that if pumping stops the timers go into a sleep mode until the pumping resumes. The apparatus can consist of three major components: a packer, a timing pressure device, and a sliding sleeve/isolation device. The packer may be removed.
4
FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to the use in personal care products of a series of novel silicone polymers These polymers are referred to as “Silicone polyester resins” and are covered by U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,708 issued Mar. 18, 2008 to LaVay et al. These products have very unique film forming properties that make the compounds very useful in a variety of personal care applications including personal care. Silicone Polyesters and solvent blends offer a unique spread and texture for topical applications to skin hair resulting in matte, moderate gloss and high gloss properties for oil in water, water in oil. In addition, these polyester silicone resin blends also offer a unique spread and texture for cosmetic applications of face, eye and lips also resulting in Matte, gloss and high gloss properties this is due in part to the ability to alter the refractive index range for the polyester silicone resins alone and in mixture with solvents. The invention is in the field of compositions for application to keratinous surfaces such as eyebrows, eyelashes, eyelids, facial or body skin, lips, or hair for the purpose of coloring, conditioning, or beautifying the keratinous surface. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] Manufacturers of cosmetic products are on an eternal quest to formulate cosmetic compositions that provide better films on keratinous surfaces. The ideal cosmetic film lasts until the consumer wants to remove it by washing with water or using remover compositions. At the same time the film provides a very natural, aesthetic appearance on the keratinous surface without looking fake or “made up”. A suitable cosmetic film should permit the underlying keratinous surface to breathe, retain moisture, and exhibit a superficially attractive appearance that is not too artificial in appearance. [0003] Most often, polymers are incorporated into cosmetic compositions to form the cosmetic film. Generally, such polymers contain many repeating units, or monomers, that give the polymer substantive, film forming properties. Such polymers may be natural or synthetic. Natural polymers such as cellulosics, gums, and resins, have been used as film formers in cosmetics for many years. In more recent years, as polymer chemistry has advanced, polymer manufacturers have been able to manufacture a wide variety of synthetic polymers for use in cosmetics. In general, synthetic polymers fall into one of two classes: silicone polymers (based upon silicon and oxygen), or organic polymers comprised of repeating organic moieties, for example, polymers obtained by polymerizing ethylenically unsaturated monomers such as acrylates or alkylenes, optionally with organic moieties such as amides, urethanes, and the like. Certain synthetic polymers that contain both siloxane monomers and organic moieties are also known. [0004] While synthetic polymers comprised of organic moieties such as ethylenically unsaturated monomers are excellent film formers, they sometimes do not exhibit optimal properties on keratinous surfaces such as skin. Skin is a very dynamic substrate that is in constant movement so cosmetic films that are affixed to skin or lips must exhibit some degree of plasticity. Synthetic organic polymers do not always exhibit the necessary plasticity, and will sometimes crack on dynamic keratinous surfaces such as skin. For this reason, synthetic organic polymers are not as widely used in cosmetic compositions that are applied to skin. [0005] On the other hand, silicone polymers are excellent film formers and have been used to form cosmetic films in many successful commercial products. While silicones provide excellent wear and adhesion in general, organic synthetic polymers often provide desired surface properties that are lacking in silicones. It has been found that a certain silicone polymer, referred to as polyester silicone resin, when used in cosmetic compositions, provides excellent substantivity to the composition, promotes formation of a suitable cosmetic film, and provides a light, pleasant feel to the composition. [0006] The term silicone resin has been applied both to and misapplied to a variety of materials over time. Silicone resins as used herein refer to a series of products which include at least two silicone backbones that are joined by a “crosslinking group”. The number of crosslinking groups that are present as a percentage of the total molecular weight will determine the properties of the resulting polymer. Quite to the contrary, our compounds, although the reaction of polyester SiH and polyester vinyl siloxanes, form elastomeric films when the solvent is removed. We have no vinyl groups, no silanic hydrogen groups and consequently are quite surprised that the compounds are film formers. [0007] Our compounds surprisingly and in an unexpected manner are polyesters that form oil loving films. [0008] The literature contains many patents that deal with silicone resins. Many patents deal with improvements of the resins. However, there are only a number of classes of resin compounds differing in the nature of the crosslinker. One class is the so called “Q resins”. [0000] [0009] The oxygen that needs another bond connects to another polymer as shown: [0000] [0010] The crosslinking group is —O—. This type of resin is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,823, incorporated herein by reference. This type of material has a tetrafunctional “Q” group in which the Si has four oxygen atoms attached. This type of resin is very powdery and is rarely used without a plasticizer. This class of compounds can also dry the skin. [0011] The next class of resin contain alkyl connecting groups. [0000] [0012] In the case where n=1 a multi functional SiH fluid is hydrosilated with a multifunctional vinyl siloxane. As n is increased the reactant is an alpha omega divinyl compound reacted with a multifunctional SiH fluid. [0000] [0013] The SiH polymer is crosslinked with the organic divinyl molecule by reacting the vinyl with the SiH groups using the hydrosilation reaction. The reaction is generally run in solvent such as cyclomethicone (D4 or D5 or hexamethyl disiloxane) or in volatile organic like isododecane. A catalyst, generally a platinum based one, is used to effect the reaction. Chloroplatinic acid or platinum divinyl (commonly referred to as Karstedt) catalyst are preferred. The resulting material is a viscous liquid that when the solvent evaporates provides a film. The commonality here is that until the compounds of the present invention it was felt that all film forming resins had to be crosslinked. Our products refute that long held position. [0014] United States Patent Application 20040180020 entitled Cosmetic compositions published Sep. 16, 2004 to Manelski, Jean Marie; et al., incorporated herein by reference discloses Compositions of the invention containing at least one cyclized dimethicone. The term “cyclized dimethicone” means an organosiloxane comprised of repeating —[Si—O 2 ]—, or “D” units, which form one or more cyclized portions in the final polymer. The cyclized portions, or rings, are formed by cross linking certain portions along the organosiloxane chain to form rings that may be structurally aligned along the polymeric chain. The claimed polymers are known compounds and are stated to have the INCI name dimethicone crosspolymer-3) and isododecane; or JEECHEM HPIB which is a mixture of cyclized dimethicone (dimethicone crosspolymer-3) and hydrogenated polyisobutene and cyclomethicone. Unlike the compounds of the present invention these polymers are cross linked internally with a carbon based cross linking agent. The materials are made by the reaction of an internal silanic hydrogen compound and a divinyl organic. Typical of the reaction is below: [0000] [0000] R is —(CH 2 ) 2 —(CH 2 ) n (CH 2 ) 2 — [0015] The above compounds are referred to as cyclized dimethicone by the referenced patent application. The cyclization results by the “boxing out” of the silanic hydrogen moiety with the organo functionality introduced with the alpha omega divinyl compound. It will be clearly noted that the compounds so described are not truly dimethicone since there are sections of the molecule that are organofunctional. Also please additionally note the branching pattern is internal, that is the organic functional ring can only occur using non-terminal silanic hydrogen compounds. [0016] The compositions of the present invention contain are made by esterification of dimer acid and silicone copolyols. Hydrosilylation reactions are not required. [0017] The fatty nature of the dimer acid and its substantivity to the skin and pigments makes the compounds of the present invention unique in their properties. [0018] Our compounds surprisingly and in an unexpected manner are skin substantive, soluble in oils and are form films. As previously stated we believe this is because of interlocking of the cyclic structures. The size of the cyclic is controlled by the choice of raw materials. We have surprisingly found that this pattern results in properties heretofore unknown in resin technology. None of the compounds of the prior art anticipate or make obvious the film forming properties coupled with the oil solubility seen in the compounds of the present invention. OBJECT OF THE INVENTION [0019] It is an object of the invention to provide a cosmetic composition with excellent wear and adhesion to keratinous surfaces. [0020] It is another object of the invention to provide a cosmetic composition that provides a composition that exhibits excellent film forming properties. [0021] It is another object of the invention to provide a mascara that lengthens, colors, and curls lashes, and exhibits long wearing properties. [0022] It is another object of the invention to provide a lipstick composition that is long wearing and provides a glossy finish. [0023] It is another object of the invention to provide cosmetic compositions for application to keratinous surfaces that look natural, provide a rich color, and exhibit reduced smudging. [0024] Another object of the invention is to provide commercially acceptable, stable, cosmetic products for making up keratinous surfaces. [0025] It is the object of the present invention to apply to the hair and skin a series of silicone film forming polymers that have no crosslinking groups. The compounds are made by reacting polyester divinyl silicone and polyester silanic hydrogen compounds. [0026] Another object of the present invention is to provide a series of products suitable for formulation into personal care products including but not limited to lipsticks, mascara, hair and skin care compositions. [0027] Other objects of the invention will become clear as one reads the specification attached hereto. [0028] All charges given herein are % by weight, all temperatures are ° C., all patents and publications referred to herein are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety as appropriate. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0029] Disclosed herein is a process for treating hair and skin which comprises contacting the hair and skin with an effective film forming concentration of a specific polyester resin. These films are used in cosmetic makeup or care composition for the skin, including the scalp, of both the human face and body, the lips or the epidermal derivatives of humans, such as hair, eyelashes, eyebrows and nails, which comprises, in a cosmetically acceptable medium, at least one specific polyester. [0030] The present invention relates to a process for providing a film to the hair and skin which comprises contacting the hair and skin with an effective film forming concentration of a silicone resins that provide films that are cosmetically acceptable and are free of crosslinking groups. [0031] The compositions of the present invention containing between 0.1 and 50% by weight of the compounds made by reacting specific alpha omega di-vinyl siloxane compounds with a specific alpha omega di-silanic hydrogen containing silicone compounds. The reaction is conducted in a suitable solvent selected from the group consisting of cyclomethicone (D-4 and D-5 and mixtures thereof) and isoalkanes (iso-dodecane). [0032] The invention comprises a cosmetic composition comprising specific silicone resin solvated or dispersed in a cosmetically acceptable carrier. [0033] The invention further comprises a cosmetic composition comprising at least one polyester silicone resin and at least one non-silicone polymer in a cosmetically acceptable carrier. [0034] The invention further comprises a cosmetic composition comprising at least one polyester silicone resin in combination with at least one silicone polymer in a cosmetically acceptable carrier. [0035] The invention further comprises a cosmetic composition comprising at least one polyester silicone resin in combination with at least one polymer comprised of silicone monomers and organic monomers. [0036] The invention further comprises a cosmetic composition comprising at least one polyester silicone resin in a cosmetically acceptable water and oil emulsion carrier. [0037] The invention further comprises a cosmetic composition comprising at least one polyester silicone resin in an anhydrous cosmetically acceptable carrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0038] The cosmetically acceptable carrier may generally be anhydrous, or in the form of a water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsion, the latter containing a water phase and an oil phase. [0039] I. The Polyester Silicone Resin [0040] Resins of the present invention are a class of silicone compounds which are prepared according to the teachings of U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,708 incorporated herein by reference. [0041] A polyester made by esterification reaction consisting of reacting: (a) dimer acid conforming to the following structure: [0000] [0000] or hydrogenated dimer acid conforming to the following structure: [0000] [0000] or mixtures thereof; with (b) a dimethicone copolyol conforming to the following structure: [0000] [0000] wherein; a is an integer ranging from 0 to 100; b is an integer ranging from 4 to 20, with the proviso that b is greater than a times 0.75; x is an integer ranging from 6 to 20; with the proviso that the ratio of hydroxyl group to acid group be between 0.7 and 1.4. [0048] The products can be diluted in a solvent, either volatile silicone (cyclomethicone (D4 or D5 or mixtures thereof) or hydrocarbon solvent like isododecane. [0049] One type of cosmetic composition of the present invention is color cosmetics designed to provide improved transfer resistance comprising: a) 1-70% of a volatile solvent having a viscosity of about 0.5 to 20 centipoise at 25° C. and selected from the group consisting of volatile silicones, C. 8-20 isoparaffins, and mixtures thereof, b) 0.1-15% of the silicone polyester resins of U.S. Pat. No. 7,344,708. c) 10-45% of a wax selected from the group consisting of synthetic wax, ceresin, paraffin, ozokerite, illipe butter, beeswax, carnauba, microcrystalline, lanolin, candelilla, cocoa butter, shellac wax, spermaceti, bran wax, capok wax, sugar cane wax, montan wax, whale wax, bayberry wax, and mixtures thereof, d) 5-50% of a powder component which is a dry, particulate matter comprised of pigments and powders having a particle size of 0.02 to 50 microns wherein the pigment to powder weight ratio ranges from 1:20 to 20:1, and e) 1-30% oil, [0055] The cosmetic composition in accordance with the invention may contain a variety of other ingredients including film forming polymers, pigments, waxes, oils, vitamins, and so on. Examples of such other ingredients include those described below. [0056] A. Pigments [0057] The composition of the invention may comprise about 0.05-30%, preferably about 0.1-25%, more preferably about 0.5-20% by weight of the total composition of one or more pigments which may be organic or inorganic. Examples of organic pigment families that may be used herein include azo, (including monoazo and diazo), fluoran, xanthene, indigoid, triphenylmethane, anthroquinone, pyrene, pyrazole, quinoline, quinoline, or metallic salts thereof. Preferred are D&C colors, FD&C colors, or Lakes of D&C or FD&C colors. The term “D&C” means drug and cosmetic colors that are approved for use in drugs and cosmetics by the FDA. The term “FD&C” means food, drug, and cosmetic colors which are approved for use in foods, drugs, and cosmetics by the FDA. Certified D&C and FD&C colors are listed in 21 CFR 74.101 et seq. and include the FD&C colors Blue 1, Blue 2, Green 3, Orange B, Citrus Red 2, Red 3, Red 4, Red 40, Yellow 5, Yellow 6, Blue 1, Blue 2; Orange B, Citrus Red 2; and the D&C colors Blue 4, Blue 9, Green 5, Green 6, Green 8, Orange 4, Orange 5, Orange 10, Orange 11, Red 6, Red 7, Red 17, Red 21, Red 22, Red 27, Red 28, Red 30, Red 31, Red 33, Red 34, Red 36, Red 39, Violet 2, Yellow 7, Yellow 8, Yellow 10, Yellow 11, Blue 4, Blue 6, Green 5, Green 6, Green 8, Orange 4, Orange 5, Orange 10, Orange 11, and so on. Suitable Lakes of D&C and FD&C colors are defined in 21 CFR 82.51. Particularly preferred are Lakes formed by the reaction of the organic pigment with a metallic salt such as aluminum, calcium, zirconium, barium, and the like. Suitable reds include pigments from the monoazo, disazo, fluoran, xanthene, or indigoid families or Lakes thereof, such as Red 4, 6, 7, 17, 21, 22, 27, 28, 30, 31, 33, 34, 36, and Red 40. Also suitable are Lakes of such red pigments. Typically the metal salts are aluminum, barium, and the like. [0058] Suitable yellows include those where the yellow pigment is a pyrazole, monoazo, fluoran, xanthene, quinoline, or salt thereof, such as Yellow 5, 6, 7, 8, 10, and 11, as well as Lakes of such yellow pigments. [0059] Suitable violets include those from the anthroquinone family, such as Violet 2 and Lakes thereof. Examples of orange pigments are Orange 4, 5, 10, 11, or Lakes thereof. [0060] Suitable inorganic pigments include iron oxides such as red, blue, black, green, and yellow; titanium dioxide, bismuth oxychloride, and the like. Preferred are iron oxides. The iron oxides may be treated with hydrophobic agents such as silicone, lecithin, mineral oil, or similar materials, will cause the pigment to be hydrophobic or lipophilic in nature, exhibiting an affinity for oily phase ingredients. [0061] B. Particulate Fillers [0062] The composition may contain one or more particulate fillers, which are generally non-pigmentitious powdery materials. If so, suggested ranges are about 0.001-40%, preferably about 0.05-35%, more preferably about 0.1-30% by weight of the total composition. Preferably, the particulate fillers have particle sizes ranging from about 0.02 to 100, preferably 0.5 to 100, microns. Suitable particle fillers include titanated mica, fumed silica, spherical silica, polymethylmethacrylate, micronized teflon, boron nitride, acrylate copolymers, aluminum silicate, aluminum starch octenylsuccinate, bentonite, calcium silicate, cellulose, chalk, corn starch, diatomaceous earth, fuller's earth, glyceryl starch, hectorite, hydrated silica, kaolin, magnesium aluminum silicate, magnesium trisilicate, maltodextrin, montmorillonite, microcrystalline cellulose, rice starch, silk powder, silica, talc, mica, zinc laurate, zinc myristate, zinc rosinate, alumina, attapulgite, calcium carbonate, calcium silicate, dextran, kaolin, nylon, silica silylate, sericite, soy flour, tin oxide, titanium hydroxide, trimagnesium phosphate, walnut shell powder, or mixtures thereof. The above mentioned powders may be surface treated with lecithin, amino acids, mineral oil, silicone oil or various other agents either alone or in combination, which coat the powder surface and render the particles more lipophilic in nature. [0063] C. Oils [0064] The composition may contain one or more oils, and if so in ranges from about 0.1-95%, preferably about 5-80%, more preferably about 10-75% by weight of the total composition. The term “oil” means a material that is a pourable liquid at room temperature. A variety of such oils are suitable including volatile oils, nonvolatile oils, and mixtures thereof. [0065] 1. Volatile Oils [0066] The term “volatile” means that the oil has a measurable vapor pressure, or a vapor pressure of at least about 2 mm. of mercury at 20° C. The term “nonvolatile” means that the oil has a vapor pressure of less than about 2 mm. of mercury at 20° C. Suitable volatile oils generally have a viscosity of about 0.5 to 10 centipoise at 25° C. and include polyester silicones, cyclic silicones, paraffinic hydrocarbons, or mixtures thereof. [0067] (a). Volatile Silicones [0068] Cyclic silicones (or cyclomethicones) are compounds of commerce. [0000] [0069] where n=3-6. [0070] Polyester volatile silicones in accordance with the invention have the general formula: [0000] (CH 3 ). 3 —Si—O—[Si(CH. 3 ) 2 —O] n —Si(CH 3 ) 3 [0071] where n=0-7, preferably 0-5. [0072] Polyester and cyclic volatile silicones are available from various commercial sources including Siltech LLC, Dow Corning Corporation and General Electric. The Dow Corning volatile silicones are sold under the tradenames Dow Corning 244, 245, 344, and 200 fluids. These fluids comprise octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane, decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, hexamethyldisiloxane, and mixtures thereof. [0073] (b). Paraffinic Hydrocarbons [0074] Also suitable as the volatile oil are various straight or branched chain paraffinic hydrocarbons having 5 to 40 carbon atoms, more preferably 8-20 carbon atoms. Suitable hydrocarbons include pentane, hexane, heptane, decane, dodecane, tetradecane, tridecane, and C 8-20 isoparaffins as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,439,088 and 3,818,105, both of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred volatile paraffinic hydrocarbons have a molecular weight of 70-225, preferably 160 to 190 and a boiling point range of 30 to 320, preferably 60-260° C., and a viscosity of less than 10 cs. at 25° C. Such paraffinic hydrocarbons are available from EXXON under the ISOPARS trademark, and from the Permethyl Corporation. Suitable C 12 isoparaffins are manufactured by Permethyl Corporation under the tradename Permethyl 99A. Another C 12 isoparaffin (isododecane) is distributed by Presperse under the tradename Permethyl 99A. Various C 16 isoparaffins commercially available, such as isohexadecane (having the tradename Permethyl R), are also suitable. [0075] 2. Nonvolatile Oils [0076] The composition may also comprise one or more non-volatile liquid oils such as silicones, esters, and the like. In the case where it is desired to make long wearing cosmetic products, if the nonvolatile oils are too heavy or greasy it may hamper the long wearing characteristics of the invention. In such a case, the viscosity of the nonvolatile oils, if present, should range from about 11-1000, preferably less than 100 centipoise, most preferably less than about 50 centipoise at 25° C. Examples of such oils include polyalkylsiloxanes, polyarylsiloxanes, and polyethersiloxanes. Examples of such nonvolatile silicones are disclosed in Cosmetics, Science and Technology 27-104 (Balsam and Sagarin ed. 1972); and U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,202,879 and 5,069,897, both of which are hereby incorporated by references. Further nonlimiting examples of such silicones include dimethicone, phenyl trimethicone, dimethicone copolyol, and so on. [0077] Also suitable are lower viscosity organic liquids including saturated or unsaturated, substituted or unsubstituted branched or polyester or cyclic organic compounds that are liquid under ambient conditions. Preferred organic liquids include those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,505,937; 5,725,845; 5,019,375; and 6,214,329, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. [0078] If desired, the claimed composition may contain one or more nonvolatile oils. Such oils generally have a viscosity of greater than 10 centipoise at 25° C., and may range in viscosity up to 1,000,000 centipoise at 25° C. Such nonvolatile oils are preferably liquid at room temperature (e.g. 25° C.), and include those set forth below. In the event long-wearing or transfer resistant compositions are desired, if non-volatile oils are present, they are preferably of lower viscosity, e.g. ranging from about 10 to 100,000, preferably 10-50,000, more preferably 10-1000 centipoise at room temperature. Further examples of non volatile oils include those set forth below. [0079] (a). Esters [0080] Suitable esters are mono-, di-, and triesters. The composition may comprise one or more esters selected from the group, or mixtures thereof. [0081] (i). Monoesters [0082] Monoesters are defined as esters formed by the reaction of a monocarboxylic acid having the formula R—COOH, wherein R is a straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2 to 30 carbon atoms, or phenyl; and an alcohol having the formula R—OH wherein R is a straight or branched chain saturated or unsaturated alkyl having 2-30 carbon atoms, or phenyl. Both the alcohol and the acid may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups, and in one preferred embodiment of the invention the acid is an alpha hydroxy acid. Either one or both of the acid or alcohol may be a “fatty” acid or alcohol, ie. may have from about 6 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of monoester oils that may be used in the compositions of the invention include hexyldecyl benzoate, hexyl laurate, hexadecyl isostearate, hexydecyl laurate, hexyldecyl octanoate, hexyldecyl oleate, hexyldecyl palmitate, hexyldecyl stearate, hexyldodecyl salicylate, hexyl isostearate, butyl acetate, butyl isostearate, butyl oleate, butyl octyl oleate, cetyl palmitate, ceyl octanoate, cetyl laurate, cetyl lactate, isostearyl isononanoate, cetyl isononanoate, cetyl stearate, stearyl lactate, stearyl octanoate, stearyl heptanoate, stearyl stearate, and so on. It is understood that in the above nomenclature, the first term indicates the alcohol and the second term indicates the acid in the reaction, i.e. stearyl octanoate is the reaction product of stearyl alcohol and octanoic acid. [0083] (ii). Diesters [0084] Suitable diesters that may be used in the compositions of the invention are the reaction product of a dicarboxylic acid and an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol. The dicarboxylic acid may contain from 2 to 30 carbon atoms, and may be in the straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated form. The dicarboxylic acid may be subsituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. The aliphatic or aromatic alcohol may also contain 2 to 30 carbon atoms, and may be in the straight or branched chain, saturated, or unsaturated form. The aliphatic or aromatic alcohol may be substituted with one or more substitutents such as hydroxyl. Preferably, one or more of the acid or alcohol is a fatty acid or alcohol, i.e. contains 14-22 carbon atoms. The dicarboxylic acid may also be an alpha hydroxy acid. Examples of diester oils that may be used in the compositions of the invention include diisostearyl malate, neopentyl glycol dioctanoate, dibutyl sebacate, di-C 12-13 alkyl malate, dicetearyl dimer dilinoleate, dicetyl adipate, diusocetyl adipate, diisononyl adipate, diisostearyl dimer dilinoleate, disostearyl fumarate, diisostearyl malate, and so on. [0085] (iii). Triesters [0086] Suitable triesters comprise the reaction product of a tricarboxylic acid and an aliphatic or aromatic alcohol. As with the mono- and diesters mentioned above, the acid and alcohol contain 2 to 30 carbon atoms, and may be saturated or unsatured, straight or branched chain, and, may be substituted with one or more hydroxyl groups. Preferably, one or more of the acid or alcohol is a fatty acid or alcohol containing 14 to 22 carbon atoms. Examples of triesters include triarachidin, tributyl citrate, triisostearyl citrate, tri C12-13 alkyl citrate, tricaprylin, tricaprylyl citrate, tridecyl behenate, trioctyldodecyl citrate, tridecyl behenate, tridecyl cocoate, tridecyl isononanoate, and so on. [0087] (b). Hydrocarbon Oils. [0088] It may be desirable to incorporate one or more non-volatile hydrocarbon oils into the claimed composition. The term “nonvolatile” means that the oil has a vapor pressure of less than about 2 mm. of mercury at 20° C. [0089] Suitable nonvolatile hydrocarbon oils include isoparaffins and olefins having greater than 20 carbon atoms. Examples of such hydrocarbon oils include C 24-28 olefins, C 30-45 olefins, C 20-40 isoparaffins, hydrogenated polyisobutene, mineral oil, pentahydrosqualene, squalene, squalane, and mixtures thereof. [0090] (c). Lanolin Oil [0091] Also suitable for use in the composition is lanolin oil or derivatives thereof containing hydroxyl, alkyl, or acetyl groups, such as hydroxylated lanolin, isobutylated lanolin oil, acetylated lanolin, acetylated lanolin alcohol, and so on. [0092] (d). Glyceryl Esters of Fatty Acids [0093] The nonvolatile oil may also comprise naturally occurring glyceryl esters of fatty acids, or triglycerides. Both vegetable and animal sources may be used. Examples of such oils include castor oil, lanolin oil, C 10-18 triglycerides, caprylic/capric/triglycerides, coconut oil, corn oil, cottonseed oil, linseed oil, mink oil, olive oil, palm oil, illipe butter, rapeseed oil, soybean oil, sunflower seed oil, walnut oil, and the like. [0094] Also suitable as the oil are synthetic or semi-synthetic glyceryl esters, e.g. fatty acid mono-, di-, and triglycerides which are natural fats or oils that have been modified, for example, acetylated castor oil, or mono-, di- or triesters of polyols such as glyceryl stearate, diglyceryl diiosostearate, polyglyceryl-4 isostearate, polyglyceryl-6 ricinoleate, glyceryl dioleate, glyceryl diisotearate, glyceryl trioctanoate, diglyceryl distearate, glyceryl linoleate, glyceryl myristate, glyceryl isostearate, PEG castor oils, PEG glyceryl oleates, PEG glyceryl stearates, PEG glyceryl tallowates, and so on. [0095] (e). Nonvolatile Silicones [0096] Nonvolatile silicone oils, both water soluble and water insoluble, are also suitable for use as the non-volatile oil. Such silicones preferably have a viscosity ranging from about 10 to 600,000 centistokes, preferably 20 to 100,000 centistokes at 25° C. Suitable water insoluble silicones include amine functional silicones such as amodimethicone; phenyl substituted silicones such as bisphenylhexamethicone, phenyl trimethicone, or polyphenylmethylsiloxane; dimethicone, alkyl substituted dimethicones, and mixtures thereof. [0097] Water soluble, non-film forming silicones such as dimethicone copolyol, dimethiconol, and the like may be used. Such silicones are available from Dow Corning as the 3225C formulation aid, Dow 190 and 193 fluids, or similar products marketed by Goldschmidt under the ABIL tradename and Siltech LLC under the Silube tradename. [0098] Also suitable as the oil are various fluorinated oils such as fluorinated silicones, fluorinated esters, or perfluropolyethers. Particularly suitable are fluorosilicones such as trimethylsilyl endcapped fluorosilicone oil, polytrifluoropropylmethylsiloxanes, and similar silicones such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,496 which is hereby incorporated by reference. Perfluoropolyethers like those disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,183,589, 4,803,067, 5,183,588 all of which are hereby incorporated by reference, which are commercially available from Montefluos under the trademark Fomblin, are also suitable shine enhancers. [0099] (f). Fluoroguerbet Esters [0100] Fluoroguerbet esters are also suitable oils. The term “guerbet ester” means an ester which is formed by the reaction of a guerbet alcohol. Guerbet alcohols are well known in the art. One specific type is as follows: [0000] [0101] and a fluoroalcohol having the following general formula: [0000] CF 3 —(CF 2 ) n —CH 2 —CH 2 —OH [0102] wherein n is from 3 to 40. [0103] with a carboxylic acid having the general formula: [0000] R′COOH, [0000] or [0000] HOOC—R′—COOH [0104] wherein R′ is a straight or branched chain alkyl. [0105] Preferably, the guerbet ester is a fluoro-guerbet ester which is formed by the reaction of a guerbet alcohol and carboxylic acid (as defined above), and a fluoroalcohol having the following general formula: [0000] CF 3 —(CF2). n —CH. 2 —CH 2 —OH [0106] wherein n is from 3 to 40. [0107] Examples of suitable fluoro guerbet esters are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,488,121 to O'Lenick, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Suitable fluoro-guerbet esters are also set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,312,968 which is hereby incorporated by reference. One type of such an ester is fluorooctyldodecyl meadowfoamate, sold under the tradename Silube GME-F by Siltech LLC, Dacula Ga. [0108] D. Additional Film Forming Polymers [0109] The composition may contain one or more film forming polymers in addition to the polyester silicone resin, and if so, ranges of about 0.1-35%, preferably 0.5-30%, more preferably 1-25% by weight of the total composition of one or more film forming polymers. The film forming polymer (or film former) may be water soluble or water insoluble. Suitable film forming polymers are those that, when the composition is applied to the desired surface, form a film on the surface to which the composition is applied when the liquid in the composition evaporates. This causes the film forming polymer to form a film which holds the other active ingredients in place with the network created by the hardened polymer. The term “soluble” means that the film forming polymer is soluble in the phase in question, and will form a single homogeneous phase when incorporated therein. For example, if the film forming polymer is oil soluble it will generally be soluble in the oil phase of the composition and when incorporated therein the oil and the polymer will form a single homogeneous phase with the oily phase ingredients. Similarly, if the film forming polymer is water soluble, if incorporated in the water phase the polymer and the water will form a single homogeneous phase. In the case where the compositions of the invention are in the emulsion form, it may also be possible for the emulsion to contain a film forming polymer that is soluble in one phase but is found dispersed in the other phase. For example, water soluble film forming polymer may be dispersed in the oil phase of the emulsion or an oil soluble polymer may be dispersed in the water phase of the emulsion. In short, any combination of film forming polymer and phase is suitable so long as the compositions are stable. The term “dispersible” means that the film forming polymer is readily dispersed in the liquid vehicle and forms a stable, heterogeneous composition where the dispersed polymer remains stable and suspended in the liquid vehicle and is compatible therewith (without settling out, for example). [0110] A variety of film forming polymers may be suitable. Such polymers may be natural or synthetic and are further described below. [0111] 1. Synthetic Polymers [0112] (a). Copolymers of Silicone and Organic Moieties [0113] One type of film forming polymer that may be used in the compositions of the invention is obtained by reacting silicone moieties with ethylenically unsaturated monomers. These copolymers may be water soluble or oil soluble depending on the substituents that are found on the polymer. The resulting copolymers may be graft or block copolymers. The term “graft copolymer” is familiar to one of ordinary skill in polymer science and is used herein to describe the copolymers which result by adding or “grafting” polymeric side chain moieties (i.e. “grafts”) onto another polymeric moiety referred to as the “backbone”. The backbone may have a higher molecular weight than the grafts. Thus, graft copolymers can be described as polymers having pendant polymeric side chains, and which are formed from the “grafting” or incorporation of polymeric side chains onto or into a polymer backbone. The polymer backbone can be a homopolymer or a copolymer. The graft copolymers are derived from a variety of monomer units. [0114] One type of polymer that may be used as the film forming polymer is a vinyl-silicone graft or block copolymer. Such material is outlines in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0180020A1 published Sep. 16, 2004 paragraph [0082] to [0094] incorporated herein by reference. [0115] Another type of such a polymer comprises a vinyl, methacrylic, or acrylic backbone with pendant siloxane groups and pendant fluorochemical groups. Such polymers preferably comprise comprise repeating A, C, D and optionally B monomers. Such material is outlines in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0180020A1 published Sep. 16, 2004 paragraph [0095] to [0107] incorporated herein by reference. [0116] Such polymers and their manufacture are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,209,924 and 4,972,037, which are hereby incorporated by reference. These polymers maybe water soluble or oil soluble depending on the polymeric substituents. [0117] Another suitable silicone acrylate copolymer is a polymer having a vinyl, methacrylic, or acrylic polymeric backbone with pendant siloxane groups. Such polymers as disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,693,935, 4,981,903, 4,981,902, and which are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferably, these polymers are comprised of A, C, and optionally B monomers are outlined in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0180020A1 published Sep. 16, 2004 paragraph [0109] to [0122] incorporated herein by reference. [0118] Examples of other suitable copolymers that may be used herein, and their method of manufacture, are described in detail in U.S. Pat. No. 4,693,935, Mazurek, U.S. Pat. No. 4,728,571, and Clemens et al., both of which are incorporated herein by reference. Additional grafted polymers are also disclosed in EPO Application 90307528.1, published as EPO Application 0 408 311, U.S. Pat. No. 5,061,481, Suzuki et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,106,609, Bolich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,658, Bolich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,100,657, Ansher-Jackson, et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,104,646, Bolich et al., U.S. Pat. No. 5,618,524, issued Apr. 8, 1997, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. [0119] (b). Polymers from Ethylenically Unsaturated Monomers [0120] Also suitable for use as film forming polymers are polymers made by polymerizing one or more ethylenically unsaturated monomers either alone or in combination with various types of organic groups, including but not limited to urethane, amides, polypropylene glycols, etc. The final polymer may be a homopolymer, copolymer, terpolymer, or graft or block copolymer, and may contain monomeric units such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid or their simple esters, styrene, ethylenically unsaturated monomer units such as ethylene, propylene, butylene, etc., vinyl monomers such as vinyl chloride, styrene, and so on. Such polymers may be water soluble or dispersible, or oil soluble or dispersible in oil. [0121] One type of suitable polymer includes those which contain monomers which are esters of acrylic acid or methacrylic acid, including aliphatic esters of methacrylic acid like those obtained with the esterification of methacrylic acid or acrylic acid with an aliphatic alcohol of 1 to 30, preferably 2 to 20, more preferably 2 to 8 carbon atoms. If desired, the aliphatic alcohol may have one or more hydroxy groups. Also suitable are methacrylic acid or acrylic acid esters esterified with moieties containing alicyclic or bicyclic rings such as cyclohexyl or isobornyl, for example. [0122] The ethylenically unsaturated monomer may be mono-, di-, tri-, or polyfunctional as regards the addition-polymerizable ethylenic bonds. A variety of ethylenically unsaturated monomers are suitable. [0123] Examples of suitable monofunctional ethylenically unsaturated monomers are material outlined in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0180020A1 published Sep. 16, 2004 paragraph [0129] to [0144] incorporated herein by reference. [0124] The polymers used in the compositions of the invention can be prepared by conventional free radical polymerization techniques in which the monomer, solvent, and polymerization initiator are charged over a 1-24 hour period of time, preferably 2-8 hours, into a conventional polymerization reactor in which the constituents are heated to about 60-175° C., preferably 80-100° C. The polymers may also be made by emulsion polymerization or suspension polymerization using conventional techniques. Also anionic polymerization or Group Transfer Polymerization (GTP) is another method by which the copolymers used in the invention may be made. GTP is well known in the art and disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,414,372; 4,417,034; 4,508,880; 4,524,196; 4,581,428; 4,588,795; 4,598,161; 4,605,716; 4,605,716; 4,622,372; 4,656,233; 4,711,942; 4,681,918; and 4,822,859; all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. [0125] (c). Silicone Polymers [0126] Also suitable are various types of water soluble or water insoluble (oil soluble) high molecular weight silicone polymers such as silicone gums, resins, and the like. [0127] Suitable silicone resins include siloxy silicate polymers having the following general formula: [0000] [(RR′R″) 3 SiO 1/2 ]. x [SiO. 2 ]. y [0128] wherein R, R′ and R″ are each independently a C 1-10 straight or branched chain alkyl or phenyl, and x and y are such that the ratio of (RR′R″) 3 SiO 1/2 units to SiO. 2 units is 0.5 to 1 to 1.5 to 1. [0129] Preferably R, R′ and R″ are a C 1-6 alkyl, and more preferably are methyl and x and y are such that the ratio of (CH 3 ). 3 SiO 1/2 units to SiO 2 units is 0.75 to 1. Most preferred is this trimethylsiloxy silicate containing 2.4 to 2.9 weight percent hydroxyl groups which is formed by the reaction of the sodium salt of silicic acid, chlorotrimethylsilane, and isopropyl alcohol. The manufacture of triethylsiloxy silicate is set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,676,182; 3,541,205; and 3,836,437, all of which are hereby incorporated by reference. Trimethylsiloxy silicate as described is available from Dow Corning Corporation under the tradename 749 FLuid, which is a blend of about 40-60% volatile silicone and 40-60% trimethylsiloxy silicate. Dow Corning 749 fluid in particular, is a fluid containing about 50% trimethylsiloxy silicate and about 50% cyclomethicone. The fluid has a viscosity of 200-700 centipoise at 25° C., a specific gravity of 1.00 to 1.10 at 25° C., and a refractive index of 1.40-1.41. A similar siloxysilicate resin is available from GE Silicones under the tradename SR1000 and is a fine particulate solid material. [0130] Another type of silicone resin is referred to as a T or MT resin, and has the general formula: [0000] (R 1 SiO 3/2 ). x [0131] where x ranges from about 1 to 100,000, preferably about 1-50,000, more preferably about 1-10,000, and wherein R 1 is independently C 1-30 , preferably C. 1-10 , more preferably C 1-4 straight or branched chain alkyl, which may be substituted with phenyl or one or more hydroxyl groups; phenyl; alkoxy (preferably C 1-22 , more preferably C. 1-6 ); or hydrogen. Typically T or MT silicones are referred to as silsesquioxanes, and in the case where M units are present methylsilsesquioxanes. One type of such resin is manufactured by Wacker Chemie under the Resin MK designation. This polysilsesquioxane is a polymer comprise of T units and, optionally one or more D (preferably dimethylsiloxy) units. This particularly polymer may have ends capped with ethoxy groups, and/or hydroxyl groups, which may be due to how the polymers are made, e.g. condensation in aqueous or alcoholic media. Other suitable polysilsesquioxanes that may be used as the film forming polymer include those manufactured by Shin-Etsu Silicones and include the “KR” series, e.g. KR-220L, 242A, and so on. These particular silicone resins may contain endcap units that are hydroxyl or alkoxy groups which may be present due to the manner in which such resins are manufactured. [0132] Another type of silicone resin suitable for use in the invention comprises the silicone esters set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,845 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Other polymers that can enhance adhesion to skin include silicone esters comprising units of the general formula disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0180020A1 published Sep. 16, 2004 paragraph [0152] to [0153] incorporated herein by reference. [0133] Preferably the silicone ester will have a melting point of no higher than about 90° C. It can be a liquid or solid at room temperature. Preferably it will have a waxy feel and a molecular weight of no more than about 100,000 Daltons. [0134] Silicone esters having the above formula are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,725,658 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,737, which are hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred silicone esters are the liquid siloxy silicates disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,334,737, e.g. diisostearoyl trimethylolpropane siloxysilicate (prepared in Examples 9 and 14 of this patent), and dilauroyl trimethylolpropane siloxy silicate (prepared in Example 5 of the patent), which are commercially available from General Electric under the tradenames SF 1318 and SF 1312, respectively. [0135] Silicone gums or other types of silicone solids may be used provided they are soluble in the liquid vehicle. Examples of silicone gums include those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,139,823, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Preferred gums have a 600,000 to 1,000,000 centipoise at 25° C. [0136] 2. Natural Polymers [0137] Also suitable for use are one or more naturally occurring water soluble or oil soluble polymeric materials such as resinous plant extracts including such as rosin, shellac, and the like. [0138] E. Plasticizers [0139] It may be desirable to incorporate one more plasticizers into the composition. Plasticizers may improve the spreadability and application of the composition to the surface to which it is applied and in some cases will interact with the film forming polymer to make it more flexible. If present, the plasticizer may be found in the oil or water phase if the composition of the invention is in the form of an emulsion, and in the oil or lipophilic phase if the composition is in the anhydrous °form. Suggested ranges of plasticizers range from about 0.01-20%, preferably about 0.05-15%, more preferably about 0.1-10% by weight of the total composition. A variety of plasticizers are suitable including Suitable plasticizers include glyceryl, glycol, and citrate esters as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,066,484, which is hereby incorporated by reference. Examples of such esters include glyceryl tribenzoate, glyceryl triacetate, acetyl tributyl citrate, dipropylene glycol dibenzoate, and the like. [0140] F. Viscosity Modifiers [0141] It may also be desirable to include one or more viscosity modifiers or thickeners in the composition. Suggested ranges of such viscosity modifiers are about 0.01-60%, preferably about 0.05-50%, more preferably about 0.1-45% by weight of the total composition. [0142] One type of viscosity modifier includes natural or synthetic montmorillonite minerals such as hectorite, bentonite, and quaternized derivatives thereof which are obtained by reacting the minerals with a quaternary ammonium compound, such as stearalkonium bentonite, hectorites, quaternized hectorites such as Quaternium-18 hectorite, attapulgite, carbonates such as propylene carbonate, bentones, and the like. Particularly preferred is Quaternium-18 hectorite. [0143] Also suitable as the viscosity modifier are various polymeric compounds known in the art as associative thickeners. Suitable associative thickeners generally contain a hydrophilic backbone and hydrophobic side groups. Examples of such thickeners include polyacrylates with hydrophobic side groups, cellulose ethers with hydrophobic side groups, polyurethane thickeners. Examples of hydrophobic side groups are long chain alkyl groups such as dodecyl, hexadecyl, or octadecyl; alkylaryl groups such as octylphenyl or nonyphenyl [0144] Another type of viscosity modifier that may be used in the compositions are silicas, silicates, silica silylate, and derivatives thereof. These silicas and silicates are generally found in the particulate form. Particularly preferred is silica. [0145] The viscosity modifers may also be water soluble or water insoluble (e.g. oil soluble) and form part of the oil phase or the water phase. [0146] Also suitable as viscosity modifiers are one or more waxes. A variety of waxes are suitable including animal, vegetable, mineral, or silicone waxes. Generally such waxes have a melting point ranging from about 28 to 125° C., preferably about 30 to 100° C. Examples of waxes include acacia, beeswax, ceresin, cetyl esters, flower wax, citrus wax, carnauba wax, jojoba wax, japan wax, polyethylene, microcrystalline, rice bran, lanolin wax, mink, montan, bayberry, ouricury, ozokerite, palm kernel wax, paraffin, avocado wax, apple wax, shellac wax, clary wax, spent grain wax, candelilla, grape wax, and polyalkylene glycol derivatives thereof such as PEG6-20 beeswax, or PEG-12 carnauba wax. [0147] Also suitable are various types of silicone waxes, referred to as alkyl silicones, which are polymers that comprise repeating dimethylsiloxy units in combination with one or more methyl-long chain alkyl siloxy units wherein the long chain alkyl is generally a fatty chain that provides a wax-like characteristic to the silicone. Such silicones include, but are not limited to stearoxydimethicone, behenoxy dimethicone, stearyl dimethicone, cetearyl dimethicone, and so on. Suitable waxes are set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 5,725,845, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Preferred ranges of wax are from about 0.01-75%, preferably about 1-65% by weight of the total composition. [0148] G. Surfactants [0149] The compositions of the invention may comprise about 0.01-20%, preferably about 0.1-15%, more preferably about 0.5-10% by weight of the total composition of a surfactant. Surfactants may be used in both anhydrous and emulsion based compositions. The surfactant may be nonionic, although if the composition is in the form of a shampoo or conditioner it will preferably contain anionic or cationic surfactants, respectively. [0150] Suitable nonionic surfactants or emulsifiers include alkoxylated alcohols, or ethers, formed by the reaction of an alcohol with an alkylene oxide, usually ethylene or propylene oxide. Preferably the alcohol is a fatty alcohol having 6 to 30 carbon atoms. Examples of such ingredients include Beheneth 5-30, which is formed by the reaction of behenyl alcohol and ethylene oxide where the number of repeated ethylene oxide units is 5 to 30; Ceteareth 2-100, formed by the reaction of a mixture of cetyl and stearyl alcohol with ethylene oxide, where the number of repeating ethylene oxide units in the molecule is 2 to 100; Ceteth 1-45 which is formed by the reaction of cetyl alcohol and ethylene oxide, and the number of repeating ethylene oxide units is 1 to 45, and so on. Other alkoxylated alcohols are formed by the reaction of fatty acids and mono-, di- or polyhydric alcohols with an alkylene oxide. For example, the reaction products of C. 6-30 fatty carboxylic acids and polyhydric alcohols which are monosaccharides such as glucose, galactose, methyl glucose, and the like, with an alkoxylated alcohol. Preferred are alkoxylated alcohols which are formed by the reaction of stearic acid, methyl glucose, and and ethoxylated alcohol, otherwise known as PEG-20 methyl glucose sesquiisostearate. [0151] Also suitable as the nonionic surfactant are alkyoxylated carboxylic acids, which are formed by the reaction of a carboxylic acid with an alkylene oxide or with a polymeric ether. The resulting products have the general formula disclosed in U.S. Patent Publication 2004/0180020A1 published Sep. 16, 2004 paragraph [0172] incorporated herein by reference. [0152] Other suitable nonionic surfactants include alkoxylated sorbitan and alkoxylated sorbitan derivatives. For example, alkoxylation, in particular, ethoxylation, of sorbitan provides polyalkoxylated sorbitan derivatives. Esterification of polyalkoxylated sorbitan provides sorbitan esters such as the polysorbates. Examples of such ingredients include Polysorbates 20-85, sorbitan oleate, sorbitan palmitate, sorbitan sesquiisostearate, sorbitan stearate, and so on. [0153] Also suitable as nonionic surfactants are silicone surfactants, which are defined as silicone polymers, which have at least one hydrophilic radical and at least one lipophilic radical. The silicone surfactant used in the compositions of the invention are organosiloxane polymers that may be a liquid or solid at room temperature. The organosiloxane surfactant is generally a water-in-oil or oil-in-water type surfactant which is, and has an Hydrophile/Lipophile Balance (HLB) of 2 to 18. Preferably the organosiloxane is a nonionic surfactant having an HLB of 2 to 12, preferably 2 to 10, most preferably 4 to 6. The HLB of a nonionic surfactant is the balance between the hydrophilic and lipophilic portions of the surfactant. [0154] Examples of silicone surfactants are those sold by Siltech LLC under the Silsurf tradename, Dow Corning under the tradename Dow Corning 3225C Formulation Aid, Dow Corning 190 Surfactant, Dow Corning 193 Surfactant, Dow Corning Q2-5200, and the like are also suitable. In addition, surfactants sold under the tradename Silwet by Union Carbide, and surfactants sold by Troy Corporation under the Troysol tradename, those sold by Taiwan Surfactant Co. under the tradename Ablusoft, those sold by Hoechst under the tradename Arkophob, are also suitable for use in the invention. Such types of silicone surfactants are generally referred to as dimethicone copolyols or alkyl dimethicone copolyols. [0155] Suitable cationic, anionic, zwitterionic, and amphoteric surfactants are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,534,265, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0156] H. Sunscreens [0157] If desired, the compositions of the invention may contain 0.001-20%, preferably 0.01-10%, more preferably 0.05-8% of one or more sunscreens. A sunscreen is defined as an ingredient that absorbs at least 85 percent of the light in the UV range at wavelengths from 290 to 320 nanometers, but transmits UV light at wavelengths longer than 320 nanometers. Sunscreens generally work in one of two ways. Particulate materials, such as zinc oxide or titanium dioxide, as mentioned above, physically block ultraviolet radiation. Chemical sunscreens, on the other hand, operate by chemically reacting upon exposure to UV radiation. Suitable sunscreens that may be included in the compositions of the invention are set forth on page 582 of the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992, as well as U.S. Pat. No. 5,620,965, both of which are hereby incorpated by reference. Further examples of chemical and physical sunscreens include those set forth below. [0158] 1. UVA Chemical Sunscreens [0159] The term “UVA sunscreen” means a chemical compound that blocks UV radiation in the wavelength range of about 320 to 400 nm. [0160] Examples of suitable UVA sunscreen compounds of this general formula include 4-methyldibenzoylmethane, 2-methyldibenzoylmethane, 4-isopropyldibenzoylmethane, 4-tert-butyldibenzoylmethane, 2,4-dimethyldibenzoylmethane, 2,5-dimethyldibenzoylmethane, 4,4′diisopropylbenzoylmethane, 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane, 4,4′-diisopropylbenzoylmethane, 2-methyl-5-isorpoyl-4′-methoxydibenzoymethane, 2-metyl-5-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane, and so on. Particularly preferred is 4-tert-butyl-4′-methoxydibenzoylmethane, also referred to as Avobenzone. Avobenzone is commercial available from Givaudan-Roure under the trademark Parsol 1789, and Merck & Co. under the tradename Eusolex 9020. [0161] The claimed compositions may contain from about 0.001-20%, preferably 0.005-5%, more preferably about 0.005-3% by weight of the composition of UVA sunscreen. In one preferred embodiment of the invention the UVA sunscreen is Avobenzone, and it is present at not greater than about 3% by weight of the total composition. [0162] 2. UVB Chemical Sunscreens [0163] The term “UVB sunscreen” means a compound that blocks UV radiation in the wavelength range of from about 290 to 320 nm. A variety of UVB chemical sunscreens exist including .alpha.-cyano-.beta.,.beta.-diphenyl acrylic acid esters as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,215,724, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. Particularly preferred is Octocrylene, which is 2-ethylhexyl 2-cyano-3,3-diphenylacrylate. Preferred is where the composition contains no more than about 10% by weight of the total composition of octocrylene. Suitable amounts range from about 0.001-10% by weight. Octocrylene may be purchased from BASF under the tradename Uvinul N-539. [0164] Other suitable sunscreens include benzylidene camphor derivatives as set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 3,781,417, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0165] Also suitable are cinnamate derivatives. [0166] 3. Physical Sunscreens [0167] The composition may also contain one or more physical sunscreens. The term “physical sunscreen” means a material that is generally particulate in form that is able to block UV rays by forming an actual physical block on the skin. Examples of particulates that serve as solid physical sunblocks include titanium dioxide, zinc oxide and the like in particle sizes ranging from about 0.001-50 microns, preferably less than 1 micron. [0168] J. Vitamins and Antioxidants [0169] The compositions of the invention may contain vitamins and/or coenzymes, as well as antioxidants. If so, 0.001-10%, preferably 0.01-8%, more preferably 0.05-5% by weight of the total composition are suggested. Suitable vitamins include ascorbic acid and derivatives thereof, the B vitamins such as thiamine, riboflavin, pyridoxin, and so on, as well as coenzymes such as thiamine pyrophoshate, flavin adenin dinucleotide, folic acid, pyridoxal phosphate, tetrahydrofolic acid, and so on. Also Vitamin A and derivatives thereof are suitable. Examples are Vitamin A palmitate, acetate, or other esters thereof, as well as Vitamin A in the form of beta carotene. Also suitable is Vitamin E and derivatives thereof such as Vitamin E acetate, nicotinate, or other esters thereof. In addition, Vitamins D and K are suitable. [0170] Suitable antioxidants are ingredients which assist in preventing or retarding spoilage. Examples of antioxidants suitable for use in the compositions of the invention are potassium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium erythrobate, sodium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, propyl gallate, cysteine hydrochloride, butylated hydroxytoluene, butylated hydroxyanisole, and so on. [0171] K. Humectants [0172] If desired, the compositions of the invention comprise about 0.01-30%, preferably about 0.5-25%, more preferably about 1-20% by weight of the total composition of one or more humectants. Suitable humectants include di- or polyhydric alcohols such as glycols, sugars, and similar materials. Suitable glycols include alkylene glycols such as propylene, ethylene, or butylene glycol; or polymeric alkylene glycols such as polyethylene and polypropylene glycols, including PEG 4-240, which are polyethylene glycols having from 4 to 240 repeating ethylene oxide units. Suitable sugars, some of which are also polyhydric alcohols, are also suitable humectants. Examples of such sugars include glucose, fructose, honey, hydrogenated honey, inositol, maltose, mannitol, maltitol, sorbitol, sucrose, xylitol, xylose, and so on. [0173] L. Other Botanical Extracts [0174] It may be desirable to include one or more additional botanical extracts in the compositions. If so, suggested ranges are from about 0.0001 to 10%, preferably about 0.0005 to 8%, more preferably about 0.001 to 5% by weight of the total composition. Suitable botanical extracts include extracts from plants (herbs, roots, flowers, fruits, seeds) such as flowers, fruits, vegetables, and so on, including acacia (dealbata, farnesiana, senegal), acer saccharinum (sugar maple), acidopholus, acorus, aesculus, agaricus, agave, agrimonia, algae, aloe, citrus, brassica, cinnamon, orange, apple, blueberry, cranberry, peach, pear, lemon, lime, pea, seaweed, green tea, chamomile, willowbark, mulberry, poppy, and those set forth on pages 1646 through 1660 of the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Eighth Edition, Volume 2. [0175] M. Water Soluble Gellants [0176] If the composition is in the emulsion form, it may be desirable to include other water soluble gellants in the water phase of the composition to provide thickening. Such gellants may be included a range of about 0.1-20%, preferably about 1-18%, more preferably about 2-10% by weight of the total composition is suggested, if present. Suitable gellants include soaps, i.e. salts of water insoluble fatty acids with various bases. Examples of soaps include the aluminum, calcium, magnesium, potassium, sodium, or zinc salts of C 6-30 , preferably C 10-22 fatty acids. [0177] Also suitable are hydrocolloids such as gellan gum, gum arabic, carrageenan, and those set forth in U.S. Pat. No. 6,197,319 which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0178] N. Preservatives [0179] The composition may contain 0.001-8%, preferably 0.01-6%, more preferably 0.05-5% by weight of the total composition of preservatives. A variety of preservatives are suitable, including such as benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, benzylhemiformal, benzylparaben, 5-bromo-5-nitro-1,3-diox-ane, 2-bromo-2-nitropropane-1,3-diol, butyl paraben, phenoxyethanol, methyl paraben, propyl paraben, diazolidinyl urea, calcium benzoate, calcium propionate, captan, chlorhexidine diacetate, chlorhexidine digluconate, chlorhexidine dihydrochloride, chloroacetamide, chlorobutanol, p-chloro-m-cresol, chlorophene, chlorothymol, chloroxylenol, m-cresol, o-cresol, DEDM Hydantoin, DEDM Hydantoin dilaurate, dehydroacetic acid, diazolidinyl urea, dibromopropamidine diisethionate, DMDM Hydantoin, and all of those disclosed on pages 570 to 571 of the CTFA Cosmetic Ingredient Handbook, Second Edition, 1992, which is hereby incorporated by reference. [0180] O. Emulsion Stabilizers [0181] If the composition of the invention is in the emulsion form, it may be desirable to incorporate one or more emulsion stabilizers in the composition. If so, suggested ranges are about 0.0001-5%, preferably about 0.0005-3%, more preferably about 0.001-2% by weight of the total composition. Suitable emulsion stabilizers include salts of alkali or alkaline earth metal chlorides or hydroxides, such as sodium chloride, potassium chloride, and the like. [0182] III. Forms of the Cosmetic Compositions [0183] The cosmetic compositions in accordance with the invention may be in a variety of forms include any type of cosmetic composition applied to keratinous surfaces for the purpose of coloring, conditioning, or otherwise beautifying the keratinous surface. [0184] A. Foundation Makeup Color Cosmetics [0185] Foundation makeup or color cosmetics such as eyeshadow, blush, concealer, or eyeliner compositions in the liquid, cream, solid, or stick form. Suitable foundation makeup compositions may be water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions. Such compositions generally comprise about: 0.001-90% polyester silicone resin, 0.5-95% water, 0.5-25% particulate matter, 0.01-20% surfactant, and 0.1-95% nonvolatile or volatile oil. [0191] In addition, these composition may further contain ingredients selected from the group of humectants, preservatives, gellants, and all of the ingredients as set forth above in the ranges set forth herein. [0192] Various anhydrous color cosmetic products may also be suitable, such as blush, powder, lipsticks, eyeshadows, and the like. Such anhydrous color cosmetic compositions may generally comprise about: 0.001-80% polyester silicone resin, 0.1-99% oil, 0.1-80% particulate matter; and optionally 0.001-50% thickening agent. [0197] The compositions may additionally contain the various other ingredients set forth above and in the ranges taught. [0198] Preferably, the compositions are in the form of a lipcolor or lipstick which may be a composition for coloring the lips that is in liquid, semi-solid, or solid form. [0199] Alternatively, the composition may be in the form of a base lip color, which is a lip color applied to the lips as a basecoat to provide color, followed by application of a separate gloss coat which comprises one or more oils or waxes that provide shine, moisturization, or similar benefits to the layers applied to the lips. Examples of such lip compositions and topcoats are disclosed in U.S. patent application Ser. No. 2002/0159960, entitled “Method for Improving the Properties of Transfer Resistant Lip Compositions and Related Compositions and Articles”, claiming priority from provisional application No. 60/271,849, filed Feb. 27, 2001; which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. [0200] B. Lotions, Creams, Gels, and Sunscreens [0201] The cosmetic compositions of the invention may be in the form of lotions, gels or sunscreens. Suitable skin care lotions and creams are in the emulsion form, and may be water-in-oil or oil-in-water emulsions, preferably oil-in-water emulsions. Creams, lotions, and/or may contain the following ranges of ingredients: [0202] about 0.001-80% of the polyester silicone resin, [0203] about 0.1-90% oil, and [0204] about 0.01-20% surfactant. [0205] C. Skin and Hair Cleansing and Conditioning Compositions [0206] Skin and hair cleansing and conditioning compositions such as facial cleansers, shampoos, hair conditioners and the like are also suitable cosmetic compositions in accordance with the invention. [0207] Generally skin and hair cleansing compositions comprise about: 0.001-90% of the polyester silicone resin, 1-95% water, and 0.1-40% surfactant, preferably an anionic, amphoteric, or zwitterionic surfactant. 0 . 01 -40% oil. [0212] Suitable hair conditioner compositions comprise: [0213] 0.001-80% of the polyester silicone resin, [0214] 0.1-20% cationic surfactant, [0215] 0.1-30% fatty alcohol, [0216] 0.001-10% nonionic surfactant, and [0217] 5-95% water. [0218] Suitable cationic and nonionic surfactants are as mentioned herein. Examples of suitable fatty alcohols include those having the general formula R—OH, wherein R is a C 6-30 straight or branched chain, saturated or unsaturated alkyl. [0219] D. Nail Enamel Compositions [0220] The cosmetically acceptable carrier for use may also comprise nail enamel compositions. Such compositions generally comprise: [0221] 0.001-90% of the polyester silicone resin, [0222] 0.01-80% solvent, [0223] 0.001-40% particulate matter, and [0224] optionally 0.01-40% of one or more polymers such as cellulosic polymers, acrylate polymers, and the like. [0225] Suitable solvents include acetone, alkyl acetates such as ethyl acetate butyl acetate and the like, alkyl ethers such as propylene glycol monomethyl ether, and the like. [0226] The invention will be further described in connection with the following examples which are set forth for the purposes of illustration only. EXAMPLES [0227] [0000] Raw Materials Example Example 1 11 2 12 3 13 4 14 5 15 6 16 7 17 8 18 9 19 10 20 11 21 12 22 13 23 14 24 15 25 16 26 APPLICATIONS EXAMPLES [0228] Non-limiting examples of the use in the resins of the present invention in cosmetic lip care applications includes: [0000] Cosmetic Applications-Lip % W/T Ingredient A B C D E F G H Phase A Example 1 99.30 Example 2 99.30 Example 3 99.30 Example 5 99.30 Example 10 99.30 Example 16 99.30 Example 11 99.30 Example 8 99.30 Mica, Titanium Dioxide 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 0.30 Mica, Titanium Dioxide and Iron 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 0.15 Oxides Calcium Aluminum Borosilicate 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 0.25 Titanium Dioxide Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 PROCEDURE Mix all ingredients at room temperature with proper blending [0229] Additional non-limiting examples of the use in the resins of the present invention in cosmetic lip care applications includes: [0000] Cosmetic Applications-Eyes % W/T Ingredient A B C D E F G H Phase A Calcium Aluminium Borosilicate 25.00 25.00 25.00 25.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 23.00 Iron Oxide 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Manganese Violet 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35 Phase B Mica, Titanium Dioxide 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 12.00 Phase C Carnauba wax, beeswax 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Dipentaerythrityl Hexacapryllate/Hexacaprate 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 1.00 Isododecane, Quaternium- 18, Hectorite Propylene Carbonate, 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 4.00 Example 2 52.65 37.65 42.65 37.65 44.65 39.65 44.65 39.65 Example 4 15.00 Example 6 10.00 Example 8 15.00 Example 10 10.00 Example 12 15.00 Example 14 10.00 Example 16 15.00 Total 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 100.00 1. Pre-mix Phase A in an osterizer. 2. Check the pigment dispersion 3. Repeat the process if needed. 4. Combine Phase C and heat to 80°-85° C. 5. Add Phase B to Phase C. 6. Add premixed Phase A to Phase B & C mixtures. Mix well. 7. Maintain the temperature while mixing. 8. Add Phase D to the batch and continue mixing. 9. Pour at 80°-75° C. in a mold. [0230] In addition to their film forming properties, the resins of the present invention when applied to the skin have additional notable cosmetic properties and can endow the makeup or care product with at least one property chosen from properties of, for example, gloss, lubricity on application, comfort, color retention over time and after challenge, gloss retention over time, non-migration, outline definition and color intensity. [0231] The composition disclosed herein may, for example, constitute a makeup product for the body, lips or epidermal derivatives of humans which can have properties of, for example, non-therapeutic treatment and/or care. In one embodiment, the composition disclosed herein constitutes a lipstick or lip-gloss, a blusher or eye shadow, a tattooing product, a mascara, an eyeliner, a nail varnish, an artificial tanning product for the skin or a hair care or hair coloring product. [0232] The present inventors have obtained, surprisingly, a composition comprising at least one resin described resulting in a film which is glossy, comfortable and does not migrate. Moreover, the composition's color intensity can be much better than that of the prior art compositions. [0233] The resins further exhibit effective dispersion of the pigments and/or fillers present in the composition; it does not exude when in stick form; it can have good properties of spreading and lubricity; and, moreover, it can endow the deposited film with sharply defined outlines and with properties of effective gloss retention and color retention over time (no color fading for at least three hours, uniform disappearance of the makeup). It can be, furthermore, stable, for example, for a number of months at ambient temperature (25° C. for more than a year) and can also be stable to heat (47° C. for 2 months) and to ultraviolet light without breakdown or odor over time. FORMULATION EXAMPLES Formulation Example 1 [0234] An emulsion mascara composition was prepared as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 1.75 Acacia Senegal gum 2.25 Triethanolamine 0.20 Lecithin/polysorbate 20/sorbitan laurate/propylene 0.20 Glycol stearate/propylene glycol laurate Simethicone 0.20 Hydroxyethylcellulose 0.50 Panthenol 1.50 Nylon-12 0.30 Methylparaben 0.80 Polyethylene 9.00 Iron oxides 3.00 Polysilicone 6 3.00 Isododecane 2.00 Nylon 611/dimethicone copolymer/PPG-3 5.60 myristyl ether Stearic acid 10.80  Paraffin 2.80 Beeswax 2.30 Glyceryl stearate 1.00 Phenoxyethanol 0.10 Propyl paraben 3.50 Carnauba wax 2.70 Cyclomethicone/dimethiconol 0.30 Example 16 0.40 Hydrogenated polyisobutene/cyclomethicone Phytantriol 0.60 Polyglycery-3 distearate/polysorbate 60/myristic acid/ {almitic acid/guar hydroxypropyltrimonium chloride/ tritcum vulgare (wheat) flour lipids/avocado oil QS100 Water [0235] The composition was prepared by combining the water soluble pigments and water phase and mixing well. The remaining oil phase ingredients were separately mixed. Both phases were combined and emulsified to form the final composition, which was a eyelash color in a rich black shade. Formulation Example 2 [0236] A lipstick composition was prepared according to the following formula: [0000] w/w % Materal 15.20 Example 15 18.40 Isostearyl alcohol 44.70 Isododecane 13.70 Trioctyldodecyl citrate 8.00 Pigments and mica [0237] The composition was prepared by combining the ingredients with heat and mixing well. Formulation Example 3 [0238] A long wearing foundation makeup composition in the emulsion form was prepared as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 19.50  Cyclomethicone/dimethicone copolyol 0.50 Sorbitan sesquioleate 0.10 Propyl paraben 8.00 Titanium dioxide/methicone 0.10 Silk powder 1.21 Mica/methicone 1.00 Iron oxides/methicone/boron nitride 1.29 Iron oxides/methicone 2.00 Nylon-12 3.50 Boron nitride 1.00 Dimethicone 5.00 Trimethylsiloxysilicate 9.00 Cyclomethicone 0.25 lauryl dimethicone copolyol 0.05 Bisabolol 1.50 Tribehenin 0.50 Nylon-611/dimethicone copolymer/PPG-3 myristyl ether Glyceryl rosinate in isododecane (44:56) 4.50 Example 14 1.00 Sodium chloride 0.01 Tetrasodium EDTA 4.50 Butylene glycol 0.20 Methylparaben 3.00 SD-alcohol 40B 0.35 Ethylene brassylate 0.10 Tocopheryl acetate 0.05 Retinyl palmitate Qs to 100 Water [0239] The composition was prepared by combining the water phase ingredients. Separately the oil phase ingredients were combined. The two phases were combined and mixed well to emulsify. The resulting foundation makeup was poured into bottles. Formulation Example 4 [0240] A lip gloss composition is made as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 4.00 Triisostearyl citrate 22.20  Diiosostearyl malate 7.40 Octyldodecanol 8.10 Trioctyldodecyl citrate 1.50 Phenyl trimethicone 6.20 Polysilicone-6 12.30  Example 12 2.50 cyclomethicone 0.40 Methylparaben 0.20 Propyl paraben 0.10 BHT 0.20 Benzoic acid 6 20 Isododecane 12.30  Polybutene 7.10 Mica/titanium dioxide 1.40 Mica/iron oxides/titanium dioxide 4.80 Mica 4.30 Pigments [0241] The composition is prepared by combining the ingredients with heat and mixing well. The resulting composition is a colored semi-solid. Formulation Example 5 [0242] A face cream in the water and oil emulsion form is prepared as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 5.00 Glycerin 5.00 Xanthan gum 0.30 Trisodium EDTA 0.05 Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice 0.50 Methylparaben 0.25 Butylene glycol 1.00 Magnesium aluminum silicate 1.00 Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate 0.20 Phenyl trimethicone 3.00 Tocopheryl acetate 1.00 Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate 9.00 Dimethicone 350 cst viscosisty 1.00 C12-15 alkyl benzoate 5.00 Propylparaben 0.10 Phenoxyethanol 1.00 Cetyl alcohol 4.00 Example 16 2.00 polyisobutene cyclomethicone Tetrahexyldecyl ascorbate 1.00 Glyceryl stearate/stearic acid/cetearyl 5.00 alcohol/palmitoyl hydrolyzed wheat protein Qs to 100 Water [0243] The composition is prepared by combining the oil phase and water phase ingredients separately, then mixing well to emulsify. The composition is of a creamy consistency. Formulation Example 6 [0244] A sunscreen composition is prepared as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 6.00 Glycerin 5.00 Xanthan gum 0.30 Trisodium EDTA 0.05 Aloe Barbadensis leaf juice 0.50 Methylparaben 0.25 Butylene glycol 1.00 Magnesium aluminum silicate 1.00 Magnesium ascorbyl phosphate 0.20 Phenyl trimethicone 3.00 Tocopheryl acetate 1.00 Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate 9.00 Dimethicone 350 cps visxosity 1.00 C12-15 alkyl benzoate 0.50 Propylparaben 0.10 Phenoxyethanol 1.00 Cetyl alcohol 4.00 Example 11 2.00 polyisobutene cyclomethicone 2.00 Oxybenzone 7.50 Octinoxate 1.00 Tetrahexyldecyl palmitate 5.00 Glyceryl stearate/stearic acid/cetearyl QS 100 Water [0245] The sunscreen composition is prepared by combining the oil phase and water phase ingredients separately, then combining and mixing well to emulsify. Formulation Example 7 [0246] A liquid composition suitable for use as eyeliner was made as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 7.00 Isododecane 19.60 Nylon 611/dimethicone copolymer/ 5.00 PPG-3 myristyl ether Polysilicone-6 25.00 Blue 1 lake 4.00 Red 40 lake 3.60 Yellow 5 lake 0.80 Green 5 0.05 Silica 7.00 Isododecane/quaternium-18 hectorite 25.80 propylene carbonate Dibutyl adipate 2.95 Methylparaben 0.35 Dehydroacetic acid 0.20 Propyl paraben 0.10 Sorbic acid 0.06 Example 16 5.50 isododecane Formulation Example 8 [0247] A makeup remover composition was prepared as follows: [0000] w/w % Materal 8.00 Butylene glycol dicaprylate/dicaprate 10.00  Example 12 5.00 Phenoxyethanol 1.00 Propylparaben 0.10 Isododecane/quaternium-18 hectorite/ 20.00  propylene carbonate Cetyl dimethicone copolyol 2.50 Cyclomethicone 5.00 Butylene glycol 0.01 Trisodium EDTA 0.25 Methylparaben QS 100 Water [0248] The composition is prepared by separately combining the oil phase ingredients and the water phase ingredients, then mixing well to emulsify. [0249] While the invention has been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to limit the scope of the invention to the particular form set forth but, on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents as may be included within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
The present invention relates to the use in personal care products of a series of novel silicone polymers (referred to as polyester silicone resin) that are very useful in a variety of personal care applications including personal care.
0
RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a non-provisional application based on a provisional application, Ser. No. 60/200,295, filed Apr. 28, 2000. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Internet server systems are now a critical component to many successful businesses. Many Internet server systems are configured to function as e-commerce web sites where computer users can purchase goods and services. The efficient and reliable operation of the e-commerce web site is vital to many businesses. In response to the need for efficient and reliable e-commerce web sites, test systems have been developed to ensure that the web site is operating within tolerable thresholds. These test systems perform automated tests using transactions that were previously recorded. To the web site, the test transaction appears like another customer. These test user transactions are able to determine how long a typical transaction takes and whether or not the e-commerce web site is responding at all. Unfortunately, current test systems treat the Internet server system that provides the e-commerce web site as a black box—meaning that the test system sends in stimulus and measures response. Test systems do not effectively correlate user test results with internal performance measurements from the Internet server system. If there is a problem, the test system does not effectively isolate the responsible component within the Internet server system. Current test systems also fail to correlate system testing and performance data with business performance data. Business performance data may only be produced in weekly or monthly reports. If the web site operator receives an alarm from a test system, another system must be used to assess the financial damage due to the system error. The use of multiple systems is complex and time consuming. For effective testing, the test transactions must be properly configured. As the web site changes, new features and equipment need new test transactions for testing. In a typical sequence to configure a transaction, the user operates a web browser to interact with the web site, and the web browser activity is recorded by a system in between the web browser and the web site. The recorded activity forms the test transaction that is saved for subsequent automated testing. To put up a web site, the business often uses another entity to provide the web site infrastructure, such as an Internet Service provider (ISP), that owns and operates Internet server systems. The business must interact with the ISP to generate and implement new test transactions. Often, the business receives some client software that it operates with a web browser to generate and implement test transactions through the ISP. Different versions of the client software must be developed for the different web browsers, and possibly for the different versions of the same web browser. Unfortunately, the client software also requires the use of cookies or Java applets that can be too complex for some business users—especially since the ISP is supposed to handle the technical aspects of the web site. Cookies are files that are transferred to the web browser for local storage and use by a web server. Many people dislike storing cookies on their machines. The cookies and Java applets are required when configuring a transaction to maintain the proper configuration sequence or state. Without proper management, a non-technical user may be easily lost in a transaction configuration sequence. The problem becomes acute when the non-technical user begins to use forward and backward browser commands during a recording session. Another problem during transaction recording occurs when secure Internet connections are invoked. Secure connections are often used for Internet commerce and need to be tested—especially their effects on transaction time. Configuration tools between the web browser and the web site that record web browser activity must decrypt the web browser activity to record a secure transaction. Thus, the recording component must either have access to the security keys or must be integrated with the web browser. Both of these techniques add too much complexity to the configuration tool. SUMMARY The invention solves the above problems with a software product for testing and monitoring an Internet server system. Advantageously, the software product communicates with a web browser without the need for other client software to configure transactions. The user of the web browser is guided through web pages to record, edit, and playback transactions. Recording may occur over a secure connection. The software product performs automated tests using the transactions in addition to measuring both system performance data and business performance data. The software product generates alarms when thresholds are exceeded. The test data, performance data, and alarms are correlated in time and presented graphically to the user. In one aspect of the invention, a user is guided through a series of steps required to configure a complex transaction. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates Internet server system testing and monitoring in an example of the invention. FIG. 2 is a chart diagram that illustrates Internet server system testing and monitoring in an example of the invention. FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates test instructions in an example of the invention. FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates a web browser login page in an example of the invention. FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates a web browser select transaction page in an example of the invention. FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates a web browser record transaction page in an example of the invention. FIG. 7 is a block diagram that illustrates a web browser edit transaction page in an example of the invention. FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates a web browser play transaction page in an example of the invention. FIG. 9 is a state diagram that illustrates transition state rules for web browser pages in an example of the invention. FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates recording a transaction in an example of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Internet Server System Testing and Monitoring— FIGS. 1–2 FIGS. 1–2 depict a specific example of Internet server system testing and monitoring in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described below could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of FIGS. 1–2 have been simplified or omitted for clarity. FIG. 1 is a block diagram that illustrates Internet server system testing and monitoring in an example of the invention. FIG. 1 includes Internet server system 100 and computer system 110 that have access to software product 115 . Internet server system 110 is coupled to Internet connections 105 and includes web servers 101 , session servers 102 , transaction servers 103 , and database servers 104 . Web servers 101 use web pages to interact with users over Internet connections 105 . Session servers 102 track and respond to individual user activity by selecting web pages with appropriate transaction data. Transaction servers support session servers 102 by exchanging transaction data. Database servers 104 store transaction data. Computer system 110 includes processor 111 that communicates with each of web servers 101 , session servers 102 , transaction servers 103 , and database servers 104 over link 106 . Link 106 could be implemented within Internet connections 105 . Computer system 110 tests and monitors Internet server system 100 in response to processor 111 executing the instructions of software product 115 . Software product 115 comprises software storage media 120 and software storage media 130 , and if desired, the two storage media could be integrated together. Software storage media 120 includes test instructions 121 , system performance instructions 122 , and business performance instructions 123 . Software storage media 130 includes agent instructions 131 . Some examples of software storage media 120 and 130 are memory devices, tape, disks, integrated circuits, and servers. Processor 111 retrieves and executes test instructions 121 , system performance instructions 122 , and business performance instructions 123 using software access link 112 . Internet server system 100 retrieves and executes agent instructions 131 using software access link 132 . Those skilled in the art appreciate that software access links 112 and 132 are logical entities that represent various structures for providing software access. For example, software product 115 could be downloaded from a server or transferred from a disk to a local memory device in computer system 110 for subsequent retrieval and execution by processor 111 . The instructions 131 are operational when executed by Internet server system 100 to direct Internet server system 100 to operate in accord with the invention. Instructions 121 – 123 are operational when executed by processor 111 to direct processor 111 to operate in accord with the invention. The term “processor” refers to a single processing device or a group of inter-operational processing devices. Some examples of processor 111 include computers, integrated circuits, and logic circuitry. Those skilled in the art are familiar with instructions, processors, and storage media. Test instructions 121 direct processor 111 to configure and execute user transaction tests and report user transaction test results. User transaction tests emulate user activity to generate test results such as transaction times and data transfer rates. System performance instructions 122 direct processor 111 to measure system performance data for each of web servers 101 , session servers 102 , transaction servers 103 , and database servers 104 . Examples of system performance data include processing capacity and data retrieval time. Business performance instructions 123 direct processor 111 to measure business performance data. Examples of business performance data include: 1) monetary volume transacted by Internet server system 100 during a time period, 2) new orders transacted by Internet server system 100 during a time period, 3) sales volume for an item transacted by Internet server system 100 during a time period, 4) lost sales due to system errors during a time period, and 5) abandoned shopping carts during a time period. Agent instructions 131 direct Internet server system 100 to read its log files to collect and transfer the system performance data and the business performance data to processor 111 . FIG. 2 is a chart diagram that illustrates Internet server system testing and monitoring in an example of the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates a chart that is generated by processor 111 and that could be included in a graphical display or report. The horizontal axis represents time of day and day of week. The vertical axis represents both dollars per hour transacted at Internet server system 100 and the performance of session servers 102 performance. Both are correlated in time along the horizontal axis. Performance could be processing load or some other system performance metric. The solid lines represent actual system performance data and actual dollars per hour performance data. The lines for the actual performance data are bounded by upper and lower thresholds that can be set by the user to trigger alarms. The lines for the actual performance data have corresponding baselines which represent averages for the time of day and day of week that have been previously calculated. From the chart, one can readily deduce that poor session server performance caused a serious loss in dollars per hour on Tuesday morning. Alarms were generated when the actual performance data fell below the lower thresholds. Alarms could trigger phone calls, e-mails and pages to significant personnel who can quickly pull up the chart using a remote terminal. System performance instructions 122 and business performance instructions 123 direct processor 111 to correlate the system performance data and the business performance data in time. System performance instructions 122 direct processor 111 to process the system performance data to generate system performance averages associated with time of day and day of week. System performance instructions 122 direct processor 111 to process the system performance data to generate system alarms when a system performance threshold associated with time of day and day of week is exceeded. System performance instructions 122 direct processor 111 to process the system performance data to generate system graphics illustrating system performance measured against baselines and thresholds Business performance instructions 123 direct processor 111 to process the business performance data to generate business performance averages associated with time of day and day of week. Business performance instructions 123 direct processor 111 to process the business performance data to generate business alarms when a business performance threshold associated with time of day and day of week is exceeded. Business performance instructions 123 direct processor 111 to process the business performance data to generate business graphics illustrating business performance measured against baselines and thresholds. Test Instructions and Computer System Operation— FIGS. 3–10 FIGS. 3–10 depict a specific example of test instructions and computer system operation in accord with the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate numerous variations from this example that do not depart from the scope of the invention. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that various features described below could be combined with other embodiments to form multiple variations of the invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that some conventional aspects of FIGS. 3–10 have been simplified or omitted for clarity. FIG. 3 is a block diagram that illustrates test instructions 121 in an example of the invention. FIG. 3 also shows user device 140 that allows a user to operate web browser 141 to display web pages and input data. Web browser communicates with processor 111 over link 142 . Typically, links 106 and 142 include a firewall to protect computer system 110 . In response to processor 111 executing test instructions 121 , computer system 110 operates to configure a transaction for the user operating web browser 141 . The transaction is used for automated testing of Internet server system 100 . One example of a transaction is a purchase from Internet server system 100 . Test instructions 121 include transaction configuration instructions 150 , page transition instructions 151 , proxy instructions 152 , request instructions 153 , and response instructions 154 . Test instructions 121 direct processor 111 to: 1) interact with web browser 141 and Internet server system 100 to record web browser activity to generate the transaction, 2) edit the transaction, 3) perform an automated test of Internet server system 100 using the transaction to validate the transaction for subsequent automated testing, 4) display test results from the automated test to the user, 5) save the transaction for subsequent automated testing of Internet server system, and 6) periodically perform automated tests of Internet server system 100 using the transaction and report test results. Transaction save operations should not require system restart. Test instructions 121 may direct processor 111 to interact with web browser 141 and Internet server system 100 through a firewall. Test instructions 121 direct processor 111 to record the web browser activity to generate test measurements, such as the sequence of web pages. Test instructions 121 direct processor 111 to add test measurements, such as transaction time and transaction data transfer rate, to the transaction. Test instructions 121 can also direct processor 111 to record the browser activity as a series of steps and to edit the transaction to specify test measurements for each step. Examples of test measurements for a step include elapsed time, a required string in an Internet server system response, and a prohibited string in an Internet server system response. Test instructions 141 may also direct processor 111 to record pauses for the steps and edit the transaction to redefine the pauses. Test instructions 121 have the following test configuration and performance features. They can handle HTTP frames, cookies, and secure connections. They can parse pages for content and provide notification if content changes are discovered. They can support nested transactions. They can specify ports for use by test performance systems. They can emulate user data input, such as data fills, check boxes, and button clicks. They can handle dynamic transaction updates, and they may be written in Java. Transaction configuration instructions 150 direct processor 111 to generate and transfer Hypertext Markup Language (HTML) pages without cookies to web browser 141 . Advantageously, a standard web browser can be used to remotely configure a complex test transaction without storing cookies or Java applets on user device 140 . Transaction configuration instructions 150 direct processor 111 to configure the transaction for automated testing of Internet server system 100 in response to user inputs to the HTML pages. The HTML pages include a user login page, a transaction selection page, a transaction record page, a transaction edit page, and a transaction play page. The pages can be set-up using different languages. FIG. 4 is a block diagram that illustrates web browser login page 460 in an example of the invention. Page 460 includes data entry boxes for user name and password that is verified by computer system 110 to authorize the user. Page 460 includes logout and help buttons. Address checks may be used to provide additional security. FIG. 5 is a block diagram that illustrates web browser select transaction page 560 in an example of the invention. Page 560 allows the user to use web browser 141 to select a transaction. Page 560 includes new transaction data entry boxes for transaction name, first transaction step name, and a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the first transaction step. A record button corresponds to the new transaction data. An existing transaction drop-down selection box corresponds to buttons for edit, play, delete, rename, monitor, and un-monitor. Monitor initiates periodic testing with the transaction, and un-monitor stops periodic testing with the transaction. Page 560 also includes logout and help buttons. FIG. 6 is a block diagram that illustrates web browser record transaction page 660 in an example of the invention. Page 660 allows the user to use web browser 141 to initiate a recording of web browser activity to generate the transaction. Page 660 identifies the transaction, the transaction step, the URL for the transaction step, and a pause for the URL. Page 660 displays the web page of the URL. Page 660 has buttons for refresh, stop, insert step, and help. FIG. 7 is a block diagram that illustrates web browser transaction edit page 760 in an example of the invention. Transaction edit page 760 allows the user to use web browser 141 to edit the transaction generated using transaction record page 660 . Transaction edit page 760 identifies the transaction and includes data entry boxes for the transaction steps, page titles for each step, URLs for each step, a pause for each URL, and test conditions for each URL. Test conditions include must have strings and fails with strings for each page. Test edit page 760 includes buttons for record, play, stop, save, insert step, delete, and help. A check box for play with pauses is included. If desired, page 760 could allow recorded user data inputs for each step to be viewed and edited. FIG. 8 is a block diagram that illustrates web browser play transaction page 860 in an example of the invention. Transaction play page 860 allows the user to use web browser 141 to view results of an automated test using the transaction generated using transaction record page 660 and edited using transaction edit page 760 . Page 860 has buttons for refresh, stop, and help. Transaction play page 860 identifies the transaction, the transaction steps, and test results for each of the transaction steps. Test results include valid page content, test complete, and error messages. Valid page content is determined by searching each page to find must have strings and determining an absence of fails with strings. FIG. 9 is a state diagram that illustrates transition state rules 961 for web browser page transitions in an example of the invention. Page transition instructions 151 direct processor 111 to transition between the pages in response to the user inputs and to constrain the transition between the pages based on transition state rules 961 . Transition state rules 961 constrain the transition between the pages to: 1) transition from transaction selection page 560 to transaction record page 660 in response to a selection page record request, 2) transition from transaction record page 660 to transaction edit page 760 in response to a record page stop request, 3) transition from transaction edit page 760 to transaction play page 860 in response to an edit page play request, 4) transition from transaction play page 860 to transaction edit page 760 in response to a play page stop request. Transition state rules 961 may also constrain the transition between the pages 460 – 860 to: 1) start at user login page 460 and transition to transaction selection page 560 in response to an authorized login, 2) transition from transaction selection page 560 to transaction edit page 760 in response to a selection page edit request, 3) transition from transaction selection page 560 to transaction play page 860 in response to a selection page play request, 4) transition from transaction edit page 760 to transaction record page 660 in response to an edit page record request, 5) transition from transaction edit page 760 to transaction selection page 560 in response to an edit page stop request, 6) transition from transaction selection page 560 to user login page 460 in response to a selection page stop request, and 7) transition from transaction play page 860 to transaction selection page 560 in response to a play page stop request and the transition from transaction selection page 560 to transaction play page 860 . FIG. 10 is a flow diagram that illustrates computer system 110 operation when recording a transaction. Proxy instructions 152 direct processor 111 to receive a first request from web browser 141 , transfer the first request to the Internet, and receive a response to the first request from the Internet. Response instructions 154 direct processor 111 to search the response for a secure address, and if the response includes the secure address, then to replace the secure address with a non-secure address and identifying characters. Response instructions 154 direct processor 111 to search the first response for embedded objects, and if the response includes any embedded objects, then to add corresponding embedded object addresses to a list. Proxy instructions 152 direct processor 111 to transfer the response to web browser 141 and receive a second request from web browser 141 . Request instructions 153 direct processor 111 to record the second request as a new page if the second request is not for any of the embedded object addresses on the list. Request instructions 153 direct processor 111 to clear the list if the second request is not for any of the embedded object addresses on the list. Request instructions 153 direct processor 111 to replace the non-secure address and the identifying characters with the secure address if the second request is for the non-secure address and the identifying characters. Proxy instructions 152 direct processor 111 to transfer the second request to the Internet. Typically, the requests comprise Hypertext Transfer Protocol requests, the secure address and the non-secure address comprise URLs, and the response comprises a Hypertext Markup Language page. Typically, request instructions 153 direct processor 111 to record: 1) URLs for new page requests, 2) the sequence of the new page requests, 3) elapsed time between new page requests, 4) user input within the new page requests. In some examples of the invention, response instructions 153 direct processor 111 to search a header in the first response for a special instruction, and if the header includes the special instructions, then to record the special instruction. Those skilled in the art will appreciate variations of the above-described embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. As a result, the invention is not limited to the specific examples and illustrations discussed above, but only by the following claims and their equivalents.
A software product tests and monitors an Internet server system. Advantageously, the software product communicates with a web browser without the need for other client software to configure transactions. The user of the web browser is guided through web pages to record, edit, and playback transactions. Recording may occur over a secure connection. The software product performs automated tests using the transactions in addition to measuring both system performance data and business performance data. The software product generates alarms when thresholds are exceeded. The test data, performance data, and alarms are correlated in time and presented graphically to the user.
6
FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention is based on a polymer compound and on a process for preparing a polymer compound. The polymer compound contains a polymer matrix, in which electrically conducting particles, such as conductive carbon black, and/or metal powder and/or electrically semiconducting particles, such as SiC or ZnO for instance, are embedded as a filler. This polymer compound has a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic, which is influenced by the filler content and the dispersion of the filler. The resistivity determined by the current-voltage characteristic and other electrical properties can generally be influenced on the basis of the strength of an electric field applied to the polymer compound only by means of the filler content and the degree of dispersion. The polymer compound can be used with advantage as a base material in voltage-limiting resistors (varistors) or as a field-controlling material in power engineering installations and apparatuses, such as in particular in cable potheads or in cable-jointing sleeves. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A polymer compound of the type stated at the beginning and a process of the type stated at the beginning are described in an article by R. Strümpler et al. “Smart Varistor Composites” Proc. of the 8th CIMTEC Ceramic Congress, June 1994 and in EP 875 087 B1 and WO 99/56290 A1. Doped and sintered particles of zinc oxide are provided as the filler in this polymer compound. Typical dopants are metals, as are used in the production of metal oxide varistors and typically comprise Bi, Cr, Co, Mn and Sb. Doped ZnO powder is sintered at 800 to 1300° C. Desired electrical properties of the filler are achieved by suitable sintering temperatures and times. After the sintering, each particle has an electrical conductivity which changes as a nonlinear function on the basis of the applied electric field. Each particle therefore acts as a small varistor. The nonlinear behavior of the filler can be set within certain limits by the suitable sintering conditions. The nonlinear electrical properties of the polymer compound can therefore be set during the preparation of the compound not only by means of the filler content and the degree of dispersion but also by means of the sintering conditions of the filler. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The invention, as it is specified in the patent claims, is based on the object of providing a polymer compound of the type stated at the beginning, of which the nonlinear electrical properties can be set in an easy way during the preparation process, and a process for preparing such a polymer compound with which polymer compounds with prescribed nonlinear electrical properties can be produced in a cost-effective way. In the case of the polymer compound according to the invention, the filler contains at least two filler components with nonlinear current-voltage characteristics deviating from one another. By selecting suitable amounts of these filler components, a polymer compound with a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic deviating from these two characteristics can consequently be achieved. The polymer compound according to the invention is therefore distinguished by the fact that, in spite of precisely defined nonlinear electrical properties, it can be prepared with little expenditure. A small basic set of filler components, each with a defined nonlinear current-voltage characteristic, can be used to produce polymer compounds with virtually any desired current-voltage characteristics. By combining the two filler components, the polymer compound can not only be imparted predetermined electrical properties, but its thermal conductivity can also be influenced decisively in this way. When using polymer compounds as a field-control material, for instance in cable harnesses, this is particularly important, since the cable harness is strongly heated because of dielectric losses in the polymer compound and because of electrical losses in the metallic conductor. The generally low thermal conductivity of the polymer is neutralized by suitably selected filler components, which, along with the good electrical behavior, also give the polymer compound adequately good thermal conductivity. In applications of the polymer compound in which, as in the case of surge arresters or field-control material, nonlinear electrical behavior is of primary importance, it is particularly advantageous if the two filler components are formed in each case by a doped, sintered metal oxide with particles containing grain boundaries and differ from one another by deviating stoichiometry of the dopants and/or by having grain boundary structures which deviate from one another, have different grain sizes and are caused by different sintering conditions. The metal oxide is generally zinc oxide, but may also advantageously be tin dioxide or titanium dioxide. The current-voltage characteristics deviating from one another can be achieved by different proportions by weight of the dopants, i.e. by different formulations of the two filler components, or by different conditions during the sintering of the filler components. The sintering conditions comprise, in particular, the sintering temperature, the residence time, the gas composition of the sintering atmosphere and the heating-up and cooling-down rates. Generally speaking, with a given electric field strength, the conductivity of powdered zinc oxide doped with a number of metals can be increased by increasing the sintering temperature. To change the current-voltage characteristic, the polymer compound may contain electrically conducting or electrically semiconducting material, such as conductive carbon black or metal powder for instance. However, this material achieves in particular the effect of better contacting of the individual particles of the filler components having nonlinear electrical behavior. In this way, the energy absorption of the polymer compound is increased significantly. A surge arrester containing a polymer compound according to the invention is then distinguished by a high surge resistance. To achieve an adequate effect, the proportion of the additional component should amount to 0.01 to 15 percent by volume of the polymer compound. To perform field-controlling tasks, it is of particular advantage if the additional component contains particles with a large length-to-diameter ratio, such as in particular nanotubes. If the polymer matrix is aligned in a preferential direction during the preparation of the polymer compound, for instance by injection molding, these particles can be oriented in the preferential direction because of the large length-to-diameter ratio, and consequently a polymer compound with anisotropic electrical properties can be achieved in an easy way. Such a material can be used with advantage for performing field-controlling tasks in cable-jointing sleeves or in cable potheads. If doped metal oxide, such as doped zinc oxide for instance, is used as the filler, the polymer compound has a high relative permittivity. The polymer compound according to the invention can then control an electric field in an easy way. Such field control may concern, for example, the homogenization of the distribution of electric fields of power engineering installations or apparatuses during normal operation. The field-controlling function of the polymer according to the invention can be improved by the filler having an additional component of a material with a high relative permittivity. Such additional components are, for example, BaTiO 3 or TiO 2 . The polymer matrix typically contains a single polymer or a mixture of polymers. The dielectric behavior of the polymer compound can be further improved as a result, if the single polymer or at least one of the polymers of the mixture contains polar groups and/or is an intrinsically electrically conductive polymer. A typical polymer with polar groups is, for example, a polyamide. The proportion of polymer containing polar groups and/or intrinsically electrically conductive polymer advantageously amounts to 0.01 to 50 percent by volume of the polymer matrix. An additive which contains at least one stabilizer, one flame retardant and/or one processing aid may be additionally provided in the polymer compound. The proportion of this additive may amount to between 0.01 and 5 percent by volume of the polymer compound. A flameproofed polymer compound can be produced particularly cost-effectively if it contains aluminum hydroxide and/or magnesium hydroxide, acting as the flame retardant. Since, for flameproofing reasons, in many cases the polymer matrix must not go below a prescribed LOI (Limited Oxygen Index) value (the smaller the LOI value, the easier the polymer compound can burn), the LOI value can be increased in an extremely low-cost way by using the inexpensively available hydroxides. The polymer compound has good mechanical strength if a coupling agent, increasing the adhesion between the polymer and the filler, is additionally provided. The proportion of coupling agent should amount to between 0.01 and 5 percent by volume of the polymer compound. The coupling agent, which preferably takes the form of silane, couples the polymer matrix firmly to the filler. Cracking in the polymer compound on account of inadequate adhesion of the polymer matrix to the filler, and ensuing material rupture, is consequently avoided with great certainty. At the same time, the coupling agent improves the electrical properties of the polymer compound according to the invention quite significantly. This is, in particular, because the formation of small voids in the polymer compound is avoided by the improved adhesion, and consequently the risk of undesired partial discharges occurring during the action of a strong electric field is reduced quite significantly. This effect is particularly advantageous in the case of a polymer compound based on an elastomeric polymer, as is used for instance as a field-control element for cable potheads or cable-jointing sleeves, since the compound can then be greatly deformed without undesired cavity formation or cracking occurring. In the case of the process according to the invention for preparing a polymer compound, the filler is mixed from a basic set of at least two filler components with nonlinear current-voltage characteristics deviating from one another. In this case, the mixing ratio of the components is selected such that the polymer compound has the predetermined characteristic. The polymer compound can then be produced in an easy and cost-effective way without extensive preliminary investigations. For particularly easy production, it is recommendable for the mixing ratio to be selected from a predetermined family of characteristics of polymer compounds, of which two in each case contain at most one of the at least two filler components and at least one further one contains the at least two filler components mixed with a prescribed ratio. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Exemplary embodiments of the invention are explained with reference to drawings. In these, FIGS. 1 and 2 show DC current-voltage characteristics of polymer compounds according to the prior art and according to the invention (families of characteristic curves). DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION According to known processes, described for example in the prior art cited at the beginning, varistor powders R 1 , R 2 , S 1 and S 2 were prepared. The powders contained as the main constituent (more than 90 mole percent) sintered zinc oxide, which was doped with additives, predominantly Sb, Bi, Co, Mn and Cr (altogether less than 10 mole percent). The varistor powder R 1 had a smaller proportion of bismuth than the varistor powder R 2 . The powders R 1 and R 2 were prepared under the same sintering conditions, that is by sintering at approximately 1100° C. in a ceramic tube of a rotary kiln. The powders S 1 and S 2 had the same composition, but were prepared under different sintering conditions. The powder S 1 was prepared by a continuous sintering process in a rotary kiln at a maximum sintering temperature of approximately 1070° C.; the powder S 2 was prepared in a batch furnace at a maximum sintering temperature of approximately 1200° C. and for a residence time of the batches in the furnace of approximately 18 hours. By screening, possibly preceded by grinding, the particle sizes of the powders were restricted to values which typically lay between 32 and 125 mm. The varistor powders were used to prepare mixtures, the compositions of which can be seen from the following table: Filler component in % by weight Filler R1 R2 S1 S2 R1 100  — — — R82 80 20 R55 50 50 — — R28 20 80 — — R2 — 100  — — S1 — — 100  — S73 — — 70 30 S37 — — 30 70 S2 — — — 100  A mold made of plastic, formed as an electrically insulating tube, with an inside diameter of 1 to 2 centimeters, was filled with filler to a height of 2 to 5 millimeters. To have a basis for comparison, the same amounts of filler, for example 50% by volume of the compound to be prepared, were always introduced. The filler was impregnated with oil, for example a silicone oil or ester oil, under vacuum conditions and specimens comparable with a polymer compound were formed in this way. These specimens were electrically connected up to electrodes at the top and bottom in the vertically held tube and sealed liquid-tight. Oil was used as the matrix material, since it allowed specimens to be produced in a particularly easy way. Instead of oil, however, a thermoset, an elastomer, a thermoplastic, a copolymer, a thermoplastic elastomer or a gel or a mixture of at least two of these substances can also be used. A variable DC voltage source was applied to the two electrodes. By changing the level of the DC voltage, the electric field E [V/mm] acting in the assigned specimen was set and the current flowing in the specimen was measured. The DC current-voltage characteristics which can be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2 were thus obtained from the current density J [A/cm 2 ] ascertained from this. It can be seen from FIG. 1 that the fillers R 82 , R 55 and R 28 formed by mixing the two filler components R 1 and R 2 having different stoichiometry lead to specimens whose DC current-voltage characteristics belong to a family of characteristics which is bounded by the characteristics of the specimens filled with R 1 and R 2 . By changing the mixing ratio of the two filler components, specimens with characteristics which lie between the two limiting characteristics were consequently obtained in an easy way. It can correspondingly be seen from FIG. 2 that the fillers S 73 and S 37 formed by mixing the two filler components S 1 and S 2 produced under different sintering conditions lead to specimens whose DC current-voltage characteristics belong to a family of characteristics which is bounded by the two characteristics of the specimens filled with S 1 and S 2 . By changing the mixing ratio of the two filler components, specimens with characteristics which lie between the two limiting characteristics were also obtained with these fillers in an easy way. So, if a polymer compound with a prescribed characteristic is to be prepared, the mixing ratio can be determined from a family of characteristics ascertained in a corresponding way for polymer compounds. By mixing the filler components according to this mixing ratio, the filler is created and the desired polymer compound produced by mixing the filler with polymer, for example silicone. The same also applies correspondingly to polymer compounds with fillers which are achieved by mixing the filler components R 1 or R 2 and S 1 or S 2 or by mixing three or four of these filler components. The filler components do not necessarily have to be formed from ZnO powder. They may also contain a different powdered material with a nonlinear current-voltage characteristic, such as doped silicon carbide, tin dioxide or titanium dioxide for instance. By suitable addition of electrically conducting or electrically semiconducting material, for example Si, the electrical conductivity of the polymer compound in the range of small electric field strengths can be increased by several orders of magnitude, and consequently a polymer with a flat DC current-voltage characteristic can be achieved.
The polymer compound contains a polymer matrix and a filler embedded in the matrix. The filler comprises two filler components with nonlinear current-voltage characteristics deviating from one another. By selection of suitable amounts of these filler components, a polymer compound with a predetermined nonlinear current-voltage characteristic deviating from these two characteristics can be formed in this way.
7
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The compound 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole is a known compound having been disclosed in the Indian Journal of Chemistry, Section B, 21B (11), pp. 1006-21. The compound was published only with respect to spectral studies thereof and no mention was made of its biological activities or relative mutagenicity. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION This invention is concerned with 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole as an antiprotozoal and bactericidal agent with unique safety due to an undetectable level of mutagenic activity in standard mutagenicity tests. Thus it is an object of this invention to describe such a compound and its preparation. A further object is to describe the biological activity and the mutagenicity tests for such compounds. A still further object is to describe compositions containing such compound as the active component thereof. Further objects will become apparent from a reading of the following description. DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The compound 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole has the following structure: ##STR1## The compound may conveniently be prepared from the corresponding 5-nitroimidazole in a rearrangement reaction using, for example, potassium iodide in a solvent such as N,N-dimethylformamide. The reaction is heated at a temperature up to the reflux temperature of the reaction mixture, or temperatures in excess of its reflux temperature in a pressure vessel. The heating is conveniently carried out for from 1 to 4 hours and upon cooling, the product is isolated using standard techniques. Nitroimidazoles are known generally to be mutagenic compounds and are usable only in those instances where the disease being treated is of such a level of seriousness that the negative effects of the mutagenicity of the compound are balanced against the conditions resulting from the disease. Thus, the discovery of a non-mutagenic drug which could be used to treat protozoal diseases has been long sought. One very well accepted measure of the mutagenicity of chemicals, which has generally also been closely correlated with the carcinogenicity of such compounds, is the Ames Mutagenicity Test. This test involves the addition to a fermentation medium in which is growing a particular organism identified as Ames Salmonella TA100, and measuring the number of mutant organisms formed. Greater numbers of mutants over the background number of spontaneous mutants is an indication of greater mutagenicity of the compound. Generally a series of varying concentrations of the test compound is employed to determine threshold levels if possible. In one such Ames mutagenicity test 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole was compared to two commercially available nitroimidazoles, ronidazole (1-methyl-2-[(carbamoyloxy)methyl]-5-nitroimidazole) and metronidazole (1-(2-hydroxyethyl-2-methyl-5-nitroimidazole). At 3 μg per plate ronidazole had 358 mutants per plate while metronidazole and the instant compound were indistinguishable from background. At 30 μg per plate, ronidazole had 2682 mutants per plate and metronidazole had 142 mutants per plate while the instant compound was still indistinguishable from background. At 100 and 300 μg per plate metronidazole had 443 and 1374 mutants per plate respectively, while the instant compound was still at barely a threshold level of 30 and 65 mutants per plate respectively. The instant compound continued to show no more than a threshold level at 400, 500 and 600 μg per plate by recording 0, 54 and 0 mutants per plate respectively. Such levels of mutagenicity are not statistically significantly different from background and as such, the instant compound would be considered non-mutagenic. Thus, considering the rapidly increasing mutagenic activity of ronidazole and metronidazole and the continuing statistically insignificant levels of mutagenic activity with the instant compound, it is apparent that the instant compound represents a considerable breakthrough in treating protozoal and bacterial diseases with a new level of safety, unachieved and unachievable with prior therapies. The instant compound has antiprotozoal and antibacterial activity, and is particularly active against the causative organisms of the protozoal parasitic diseases trichomoniasis and enterohepatitis. It is also effective against amoebiasis and trypanosomiasis, as well as against the PPLO (Pleuropneumonia-like organisms) and schistosomes. Trichomoniasis is a protozoan disease caused by parasites of the genus Trichomonas. The compound of the invention is effective against the particularly troublesome form of trichomoniasis known as T. vaginalis vaginitis, caused by infestation of the vagina with T. vaginalis. In treating this disease, the compound may be administered either orally or topically. For oral administration unit dosage, forms such as tablets or capsules are normally employed which may contain from about 50 to about 500 mg of active ingredient. These are prepared by techniques known in the art, and contain the usual diluents, granulating agents, extenders and/or lubricating agents known to be satisfactory for the compounding of tablets and capsules. It is preferred to administer the compound of the invention orally at a dose level of from about 25-1000 mg/day, in either single or divided doses with divided doses being used more frequently than a single dose. An example of a suitable compressed tablet is the following: ______________________________________Component: Mg per tablet______________________________________1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitro- 250imidazoleDicalcium phosphate 100Lactose 75Starch 50Guar gum 12Magnesium stearate 2-3______________________________________ If desired, tablets may be sugar coated or enteric coated by standard techniques. Alternatively, the antitrichomonal agent may be formulated in capsule form using fillers such as lactose, starch or kaolin. A typical capsule would contain 250 mg of, for instance, 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole, 2-3 mg of magnesium stearate and about 75 mg of lactose in a No. 0 size capsule. Tablets and capsules containing smaller quantities of active ingredient may be made by reducing proportionately the amounts of excipients and diluents illustrated above. Alternatively, the compound may be administered orally in liquid pharmaceutical vehicles such as solutions, emulsions, syrups or suspensions containing the diluents, flavoring agents and preservatives customarily employed in the pharmaceutical art. For topical application, creams or suppositories containing the active ingredient may be used. To illustrate, a cream is prepared by mixing sufficient quantities of hydrophilic ointment and water, containing from about 5-10% by weight of the compound, in sufficient quantities to produce a cream having the desired consistency. Enterohepatitis is a disease occurring primarily in turkeys and is caused by the protozoan parasite Histomonas meleagridis. It is also known as turkey blackhead disease. The compound of this invention is useful in the prevention and treatment of this disease and for this purpose is administered to turkeys mixed with an element of turkey sustenance, i.e. in the feed or drinking water. Although the optimum dose level will depend on the severity of the infection, good control of enterohepatitis is obtained by orally administering to the turkeys a feed containing from about 0.003% to about 0.1% by weight of the instant compound. When the material is administered via the drinking water, somewhat higher levels may be employed, especially for therapeutic use. For instance, the drinking water may contain up to about 0.2% by weight of the active ingredient with good results. As previously stated, the compound described herein may also be employed against trypanosomiasis, amoebiasis and the pleuro-pneumonia like organisms which have come to be known as PPLO. The compound is effective against PPLO when the compound is administered to fowl or swine in feed containing from about 0.003% to about 0.1% by weight of the compound. The preferred dosage level, however, is between from about 0.003% to 0.08% by weight. When used as antibacterial agents, the instant compound may be formulated in oral and topical dosage forms, at the dosage levels discussed above with respect to trichomoniasis. The following example is provided in order that the invention might be more fully understood. It should not be construed as being limitative. Potassium iodide (4.8 g) and 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-5-nitroimidazole (5.0 g) were combined in N,N-dimethylformamide (30 ml) and the reaction mixture heated to 160° C. for 2 hours. Upon cooling, the reaction mixture was added to 150 ml of a water and ice mixture. The product precipitated and was filtered and dried affording 4.4 g of 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole.
There is disclosed a substituted nitroimidazole compound, 1-methyl-2-methylsulfonyl-4-nitroimidazole which is an antiprotozoal and bactericidal compound with the unique and surprising property of being totally non-mutagenic and thus of a much higher degree of safety than is found with other nitroimidazoles. Compositions and methods for the antiprotozoal and bactericidal uses of such compounds are also disclosed.
0
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS: [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/268,630, filed Feb. 14, 2001. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] 1. Field of the Invention. [0003] This invention relates to inlet geometry for introducing working fluid into a turbine whose rotor is comprised of spaced apart discs. The inlet geometry directs the fluid in a manner which allows the turbine to accelerate to operating speed from standstill or from very low initial velocities. [0004] 2. Description of the Related Art. [0005] Turbines comprised of spaced-apart rotor discs were first described by Nikola Tesla in U.S. Pat. No. 1,061,142 and 1,061,206. For this reason, these turbines are sometimes referred to as Tesla Turbines, but are alternatively known as Prandtl layer turbines, boundary layer turbines, cohesion-type turbines, and bladeless turbines. [0006] The turbine rotor consists of a stack of discs spaced apart and fixed to a rotatable shaft. The rotor assembly is contained in a housing closely fitted to the perimeter of the discs. The discs have vents near the center, and the housing includes at least one outlet near the center. In operation, an energetic working fluid at pressure and temperature is introduced at the periphery of the disc stack and contained in a housing which closely follows the perimeter of the discs. The working fluid passes between the discs and exits the stack assembly through vents near the center, leaving the housing through its outlets. [0007] As the fluid enters the spaces between the discs, it exchanges a portion of its momentum to them through viscous adhesion of the fluid to the surfaces of the disc. Since the discs are constrained to rotate about the axis of the shaft, the motion attained by extraction of momentum of the fluid is axial rotation. The axial rotation of the discs in turn drags the fluid in a tangential direction, effecting a spiral flow of the working fluid. [0008] The tangential component of the flow creates centripetal force within the working fluid, which must be overcome by additional fluid entering the housing. Therefore, in the steady state, great back pressure is developed at the inlet of the machine, along with a significant drop in pressure between the inlet and the outlet of the machine. This drop in pressure, with its concomitant drop in temperature and expansion of the working fluid, efficiently extracts much of the available thermodynamic energy of the working fluid. [0009] The prior art devices introduce the working fluid at the rim of the discs in a tangential direction. Two examples of this design are given in FIGS. 1A and 2A and their enlargements in FIGS. 1B and 2B. It fact, the ability of working fluid to accelerate stationary or slow moving discs depends on the injection angle, which is the angle formed between the direction of the entering working fluid and a tangent to the disc periphery at a point intersected by the direction of the entering fluid. [0010] Prior art inlets also include deleterious features such as sharp transitions along the internal passage, and features which abruptly alter the direction of fluid flow immediately prior to its entry into the disc rotor housing. Such sharp transitions create undesired turbulence in the working fluid and frictional losses which reduce the overall efficiency of the turbine. Enlargement FIG. 1B especially illustrates an inlet design inhering both abrupt sectional changes and an abrupt directional change of the internal passage through which working fluid is admitted. [0011] A further limitation of the prior art is that the devices are not reliably self-starting; typically the shaft and the discs coupled to it must be in motion before the working fluid is able to accelerate the turbine to its steady-state operation. Typically the initial rotational speed of the turbine must be significant, for example on the order of at least one-tenth of the steady-state operating speed. The prior art devices therefore rely on external energy sources and motive means to provide initial rotation of the discs. These external means detrimentally add expense, size, weight, and mechanical complexity to a disc turbine system. [0012] The benefit secured by a self-starting design is the elimination of the auxiliary components required in a system dependent on initial rotational speed for acceleration to operating speed. The benefit gained by a nearly self-starting design is the significant reduction of power output demanded or service hours required of these auxiliary components, and a concomitant reduction in expense, size, and weight of this auxiliary system. [0013] It is therefore advantageous to provide a means of directing the influx of working fluid so that the passage of the fluid between stationary or nearly stationary discs of the rotor assembly is sufficient to accelerate the rotor assembly to operating speed. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] According to the present invention, an inlet for a disc turbine is optimally placed on a housing for a disc turbine, and the direction of entering fluid as imparted by the geometry of the inlet is optimally aimed at a predetermined injection angle, so as to afford self-starting of a stationary set of rotor discs and swift acceleration of a disc rotor assembly already in motion. [0015] Accordingly, several objects of the invention exist: [0016] An object of the invention is to provide the design parameters by which an inlet component of a spaced-disc turbine may be formed, so that working fluid directed through this inlet will accelerate a stationary or nearly stationary rotor assembly up to operating speed. [0017] Another object of the invention is to precisely locate the inlet and its nozzle onto the rotor housing so that the ingress direction of the working fluid conforms to a desired injection angle as defined and explained further. [0018] In this regard, a further object of the invention is to effect a seal of the inlet onto the housing so as to eliminate the escape of working fluids, which would otherwise present an operating hazard or a loss of inlet pressure. [0019] A yet further object of this invention is to collect and concentrate the working fluid in a manner which reduces turbulent or frictional losses, by eliminating abrupt or sharp sectional changes of the inner surfaces of the turbine inlet, and to provide smooth sectional changes instead. [0020] Yet another object of this invention is to reduce turbulent or frictional losses by eliminating abrupt changes in direction of the working fluid, and to provide smooth and especially arcuate directional changes instead. [0021] An additional object of this invention is to impart stability and robustness to the reducing section of the inlet body so as to robustly resist torques and bending moments applied during connection of the assembled inlet to a fluid supply pipe. [0022] The inlet may be an integral portion of a housing, such as a cast housing which includes an inlet section, or the inlet may be a discrete component which is affixed to the housing by attachment means. In this latter case, registration of the inlet to the housing is required during assembly, so that said assembly process located, aligns, and positions the nozzle orifice at its desired injection angle relative to the rotary motion of the discs. [0023] For an inlet which is a discrete component from the housing, leakage of working fluid from between the inlet and housing must be eliminated, and therefore it is advantageous for the inlet to provide one or more contoured or planar surfaces which closely match accepting surfaces on the housing, so as to effect a fluid seal at their faces. [0024] This seal may be effected by means of caulking or gasket material deposed between the sealing faces, or simply by sufficient mechanical compression of the inlet faces against the housing faces. More specifically, the sealing faces of the inlet may be in the form of a flange which mates against a complimentary surface on the housing. DRAWINGS [0025] [0025]FIG. 1A is a sectional view through a prior art inlet and associated disc turbine; [0026] [0026]FIG. 1B is an enlarged view of the inlet of FIG. 1A; [0027] [0027]FIG. 2A is a sectional view of an alternative prior art inlet and associated disc turbine; [0028] [0028]FIG. 2B is an enlarged view of the right inlet of FIG. 2A; [0029] [0029]FIG. 3 is a graphical representation of inlet location, range and direction in accordance with the present invention; [0030] [0030]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view through an inlet body and associated disc turbine in accordance with the present invention; [0031] [0031]FIGS. 5A through 5D are a series of transition sectional views taken along the inlet of FIG. 4; [0032] [0032]FIG. 6 is an exterior perspective view of one embodiment of an inlet in accordance with the present invention; [0033] [0033]FIG. 7 is an exterior perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an inlet incorporating an attachment flange in accordance with the present invention; and [0034] [0034]FIG. 8 is a partial perspective view of the inlet and housing of FIG. 4 prior to assembly. DESCRIPTION [0035] In this application, the injection angle is the angle formed between the direction of the entering working fluid and a tangent to the disc periphery at a point intersected by the direction of the entering fluid. This injection angle has an optimum range within which stationary discs of the turbine rotor may be entrained into motion, and discs in motion at speeds below operational speed may be accelerated to operational speed. [0036] Referring to FIG. 3, the preferred inlet location and the range of an inlet injection angle may be defined by the geometry of the rotor design. Beginning with arbitrarily located ordinate and abscissa as axes intersecting the center of a rotor disc, the parameters used to arrive at the optimum location and injection angle are as follows: Reference Item: Description of Reference Item: P: Point on disc rim intersecting a line R/3 distant from and parallel to the ordinate P′: Point on disc rim intersecting a line 2R/3 distant from and parallel to the ordinate Q: Point on disc rim intersecting a line R/2 distant from and parallel to the ordinate r: Radius of disc vent opening r′: Midpoint value (mean) of r and R R: Radius of disc rim s: Point on the abscissa a distance r′ from the ordinate t: tangent point on radius r through point P′ X: Intersection of lines Ps and P′t α: injection angle between line Ps and rim tangent at P β: injection angle between line P′t and rim tangent at P′ χ: injection angle between line QX and rim tangent at Q [0037] The minimum injection angle for an inlet of the self-starting design described by this invention is α, because introducing fluid in any more of a tangential direction would fail to introduce the entire stream into the active surfaces of the discs. In such a situation, at least some of the fluid would be disadvantageously introduced into the gap between the periphery of the disks and the inner surface of the housing. Momentum of this fluid would not substantially transfer to the rotor discs. [0038] The maximum injection angle for an inlet of the self-starting design described by this invention is β, which is a line of introduction tangent to the rims of the disc vents at a point t. It is seen that introducing a working fluid stream at an greater than β disadvantageously aims the working fluid to escape directly out the vents without substantially transferring momentum to the discs. Also, an excessively large injection angle aims the force of the working fluid more directly at the rotor shaft, applying a non-productive bending load to the rotor assembly rather than a tangential force useful in accelerating stationary or slow-moving discs up to operating speed. [0039] An intermediate embodiment within the scope of this invention includes an inlet injection angle χ, which is defined by a line through two intermediate points: the first point being the intersection at point X of the lines of direction of fluid flow of the minimum and maximum injection angles as described above, and a point Q defined as one-half of the outer radius of the disc. [0040] One may now proceed to address a further design objective of the preferred embodiment: the smooth sectional transitions and arcuate directional changes which minimize frictional losses within the inlet. [0041] [0041]FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view through an inlet of this invention. The section plane is coplanar to a disc surface and normal to the rotor axis. The turbine rotor housing [ 1 ] surrounds a stacked series of rotor discs [ 2 ]. The inlet body [ 18 ] transects a flange [ 6 ] whose contour matches the exterior contour of the turbine rotor housing [ 1 ]. The housing includes a receiving aperture [ 4 ] which accepts the nozzle portion of the inlet [ 5 ]. Furthermore, the receiving aperture [ 4 ] of the housing and the nozzle portion of the inlet [ 5 ] are closely matched to afford precise location of the nozzle and to minimize leakage of the working fluid. [0042] This embodiment of the inlet is fastened to the turbine rotor housing by a plurality of bolts [ 7 ]. However, any other sort of fasteners may be used as well. Additionally, the inlet may be permanently fastened by welding or by an adhesive process. Point X, as determined by the geometry and derived as explained above, is identified by item [ 3 ] and point Q is identified by item [ 9 ]. In this figure the line QX appears nearly vertical. However, this is not a necessary outcome of the geometrical procedure used to establish line QX. [0043] Where the inlet provides a sealing flange, the portion of the inlet body extending away from the flange [ 6 ] would be a fragile feature, especially if the inlet is made by injection molding or casting; so at least one rib [ 8 ] is provided to stabilize this feature with respect to the flange and provide strength during assembly and connection of the turbine to its supply. [0044] [0044]FIG. 4 also illustrates the smooth transition of the inner passage of the inlet between four section shapes, and also illustrates that the inner walls throughout these transition sections accelerate and concentrate the flow of the working fluid. Three sections A-A, B-B, and C-C, and one end view D-D of this inner passage are identified in FIG. 4 and individually illustrated in FIGS. 5A through 5D. [0045] [0045]FIG. 5A shows a circular section. FIG. 5B shows a lozenge section. FIG. 5C shows a rectangular section with round filleted corners. FIG. 5D is an end view showing the inlet nozzle orifice [ 17 ] as a rectangular opening where the working fluid is admitted into the turbine housing. [0046] The salient features of these transition sections eliminate loss-inducing features such re-entrant angles and sharp edges. The progression of transitions described above eliminates said loss-inducing features by interposing concave or convex features between any planar surface within the inlet passage. Most important, the shapes and sequence of the transition sections join all internal edges of planar surfaces to concave or convex surfaces at tangency, which eliminates aforementioned loss-inducing edges and abrupt changes in fluid direction. [0047] [0047]FIG. 6 shows an oblique view of the inlet body, with at least one strengthening rib [ 8 ] visible. The upstream portion of the inlet body [ 18 ] affords an internal surface [ 10 ] and an external surface [ 11 ] into which standardized mating surfaces, such as pipe threads or bores for compression fittings, are machined. [0048] It is understood that any number of strengthening [ 8 ] ribs may originate from the periphery of the inlet body [ 18 ], extending to the flange [ 6 ], including the number zero in the case of an especially short inlet and sufficiently thick and sufficiently strong material. [0049] [0049]FIG. 7 shows an alternative embodiment in which the attachment affordance is a flange fitting [ 12 ] of a known industrial standard, such as an ANSI standard pipe flange. In this embodiment, at least one strengthening rib [ 8 ] may extend to bolster the flange fitting [ 12 ] as well. [0050] One may now examine the features which properly and precisely locate the inlet body into a receiving aperture of the turbine inlet housing. FIG. 8 illustrates a section of the turbine rotor housing [ 1 ] with a receiving aperture [ 4 ]. In this invention the aperture is rectangular, with its major axis parallel to the rotary axis of the disc rotor, affording a nearly equal axial distribution of the working fluid among the series of spaces between the discs. However, it is understood that other inlet aperture shapes may be applied in cases where it is desired to direct more fluid into at least one designated zone consisting of at least one inter-disc space, and less fluid in the remaining inter-disc spaces. [0051] The rectangular opening of the preferred embodiment of the rotor housing is described by two longer, longitudinal walls [ 13 ] and two shorter, transverse walls [ 14 ] athwart the rotary axis of the disc rotor. Continuing with the preferred embodiment, the mating surface of the inlet flange [ 6 ] presents a rectangular nozzle section [ 5 ] consisting of two shorter, transverse walls [ 15 ] and two longer, longitudinal walls [ 16 ]. [0052] Although it is possible to maintain the facing pairs of wall openings [ 13 , 13 ] and [ 14 , 14 ] parallel with each other, it is preferred that these walls describe an included angle which facilitates assembly and enforces precise and centralizing alignment of the nozzle section [ 5 ] as received by the rotor housing aperture [ 4 ]. [0053] Although it is possible to maintain the opposite pairs of nozzle walls [ 15 , 15 ] and [ 16 , 16 ] parallel with to other, it is preferred that these walls converge at an included angle which facilitates assembly and enforces precise and centralizing alignment of the nozzle section [ 5 ] as received by the rotor housing aperture [ 4 ]. [0054] In the assembly of the preferred embodiment, the longitudinal walls [ 13 ] of the turbine rotor housing receiving aperture [ 4 ] receive, centralize and align longitudinal walls [ 16 ] of the inlet nozzle [ 5 ], while transverse walls [ 14 ] of said opening receive, centralize and align transverse walls [ 15 ] of said nozzle section [ 5 ]. [0055] Simultaneously effected thereby are: precise location and alignment of the inlet nozzle to the disc rotor housing, controlled ingress of the working fluid at a determined injection angle relative to the tangential motion of the disc surfaces upon which said fluid imparts momentum, and effective sealing of the nozzle to the housing so as to eliminate leakage or power loss. [0056] Said sealing may occur at the interface of the aforementioned locating features of the inlet and housing, and may also be effected between the mating face of a flange on the inlet against a mating surface of the rotor housing. [0057] Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention, but as merely illustrative of the most preferred embodiments. For example, a turbine housing may have one or more inlet openings, and these may be shaped other than rectangularly, such as a lozenge, an ellipse, a circle, or an escutcheon as well. Furthermore, the sequence of transition sections along the inlet interior may consist of more or fewer sections, and include other shapes besides circles, lozenges, and round-cornered rectangles consistent with the design goal of interposing convex sections at tangency between any interior planar sections. For example, sections including elliptical, parabolic, and hyperbolic geometry may be utilized as well. [0058] In addition, although the illustrations depict an integrally formed part such as a casting or injection molding, a fabricated assembly inhering the features described is also within the scope of this invention. Thus the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given. [0059] Reference Numerals: [0060] 1. Turbine rotor housing [0061] 2. Turbine rotor disc [0062] 3. Geometrically determined point ‘X’ [0063] 4. Inlet nozzle receiving aperture in turbine housing [0064] 5. Nozzle section of inlet [0065] 6. Flange [0066] 7. Fastening bolts [0067] 8. Strengthening rib [0068] 9. Geometrically determined point ‘Q’ [0069] 10. Inlet inner surface [0070] 11. Inlet outer surface [0071] 12. Standard pipe flange attachment [0072] 13. Turbine rotor housing opening, longitudinal wall [0073] 14. Turbine rotor housing opening, transverse wall [0074] 15. Inlet nozzle, transverse wall [0075] 16. Inlet nozzle, longitudinal wall [0076] 17. Inlet nozzle orifice [0077] 18. Inlet body
A disc turbine inlet collects working fluid, introduces it into the rotor housing at a defined location and imparted at a defined injection angle with respect to the tangential motion of the discs in rotary motion. An injection angle within the optimum range delineated by this invention enables the working fluid to entrain stationary or slowly rotating discs into motion. The inlet design combines smooth sectional transitions and arcuate directional changes to minimize frictional losses. The inlet has a nozzle section which locates precisely into a receiving aperture of the turbine rotor housing.
5
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Various conveyor arrangements have been provided for the purpose of placing granular or plastic materials, and concrete or the like, such as disclosed in prior Oury U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,151,732, 3,171,534 and 3,203,538. Another conveyor arrangement is shown in my copending application, Ser. No. 735,004, filed June 6, 1968. The presently disclosed conveyor system is particularly adapted for mounting on a wheeled vehicle having an extensible boom which can also be elevated and swung from side to side, and the boom carries part of the conveyor system so that the discharge end of the system can be adjusted by the operator of the vehicle to follow a wall form or the like, and elevated as the materials accumulate without interrupting the continuous flow of concrete from a delivery vehicle to the conveyor system and from the conveyor system to various positions of deposit. One object of the invention therefore is to provide a design of conveyor system in which a lower conveyor is telescopically related to an upper conveyor and manipulated by the extensible boom, both conveyors being mounted on the boom and a supply conveyor being related to the upper conveyor so as to supply materials thereto continuously without interruption while the lower conveyor is being extended or retracted, and while the boom is being raised or lowered. Another object is to provide a lower conveyor so mounted on an extensible boom that it can be extended and retracted with the boom, and additionally extended and retracted relative to the boom for maximum range of discharge end positioning. Still another object is to provide a supply conveyor which is mounted on castered wheels and discharges into a swivel hopper, which in turn discharges onto the upper conveyor of the system, the caster wheels permitting positioning of the wheeled vehicle and thereafter swinging of the supply hopper to a suitable position for receiving materials from a supply vehicle. A further object is to provide means for locking the caster wheels against castering so that the wheeled vehicle can be driven from one place to another with the supply hopper trailing behind it, the caster wheels being then unlocked for swinging the supply hopper to any suitable position for receiving materials. Still a further object is to provide a swivel hopper mounted in alignment with the vertical axis on which the extensible boom swings, and an arrangement for readjusting the swivel hopper to align with that axis following a change in inclination of the extensible boom and the conveyors carried thereby. An additional object is to provide supporting means for the upper and lower conveyors on the extensible boom so arranged as to permit various adjustments of the upper and lower conveyors in relation to each other and counteract cantilever action of the lower conveyor by properly adjusting the supporting means by extension or retraction of the extensible boom. Another additional object is to provide track and roller connections between the upper and lower conveyors and between the extensible portions of the boom and the conveyors to permit the various desired extensible and retractable adjustments of the upper and lower conveyors in relation to each other. Still another additional object is to provide quickly disconnectable connections between the conveyor system and the extensible boom of the wheeled vehicle so that the conveyor system can be removed by another crane or the like, and the wheeled vehicle and its extensible boom thereupon used in its normal capacity as a crane. A further additional object is to provide automatic release means for a tremie at the outer discharge end of the lower conveyor so that upon the tremie becoming overloaded such release can occur. Still a further additional object is to provide signal means and a circuit for stopping the conveyor system operable prior to automatic release of the tremie. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Upper and lower conveyors are mounted on an extensible boom of a wheeled vehicle, and a supply conveyor is associated with the upper conveyor in such manner as to receive concrete or the like from a delivery vehicle and deliver it through a swivel hopper to the upper conveyor. The extensible boom and the system of upper and lower conveyors can be extended, and/or elevated, and/or rotated for adjusting the discharge end of the lower conveyor to a wall form or the like wherein the concrete is placed, all without interference with the continuous supply of concrete to the supply conveyor. A warning and automatic release system is provided for a tremie at the discharge end of the lower conveyor. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of my boom mounted conveying means showing it mounted on an extensible boom of a wheeled vehicle, and illustrating a dump truck delivering materials thereto, such materials being conveyed to a column form; FIG. 2 is an enlarged side elevation of the central portion of FIG. 1; FIG. 2A is an enlarged vertical sectional view on the line 2A--2A of FIG. 2; FIG. 3 is a plan view of a portion of FIG. 2; FIG. 4 is a plan view of the central portion of my conveyor arrangement, being the outer end of the upper conveyor and the inner end of the lower conveyor, and being a continuation of the right-hand end of FIG. 3; FIG. 5 is a side elevation of FIG. 4 and is a continuation of the right-hand end of FIG. 2; FIG. 6 is an enlarged vertical cross-sectional view on the line 6--6 of FIG. 5; FIG. 6A is a detail vertical sectional view on the line 6A--6A of FIG. 5; FIG. 7 is a plan view of the outer end of the lower conveyor, and is a continuation of the right-hand end of FIG. 4; FIG. 8 is a side elevation of FIG. 7 and is a continuation of the right-hand end of FIG. 5; FIG. 8A is an enlarged vertical cross section on the line 8A--8A of FIG. 8; FIG. 9 is an enlarged vertical cross section on the line 9--9 of FIG. 7; FIG. 10 is a vertical sectional view on the line 10--10 of FIG. 9 and includes an electric circuit diagram for an overload condition and automatic stopping means for my conveyor system; FIG. 11 is a further enlarged horizontal cross section on the line 11--11 of FIG. 10; FIG. 12 (on Sheet 1) is an elevational detail of a portion of FIG. 1 within the circle 12 thereof; FIG. 13 is a diagrammatic view of my upper and lower conveyors and the swivel hopper associated with the upper conveyor, all mounted on an extensible boom of a wheeled vehicle, and illustrates full extension of the conveyor arrangement; FIG. 14 is a similar diagrammatic view showing intermediate extension; FIG. 15 is a similar diagrammatic view showing minimum extension thereof; and FIG. 16 is a diagrammatic view similar to the left-hand end of FIG. 13 showing an angular position of the boom and a readjusted position of a swivel hopper of any conveying means. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT On the accompanying drawings I have used the following reference characters to indicate the major elements of my invention, reserving reference numerals for the description of details of those elements: B1--a First Boom Section of a Wheeled Vehicle B2 and B3--Second and Third Boom Sections Hc--hydraulic Cylinder Lc--lower Conveyor Ls--limit Switch for M1, M2, M3 and Siren 146 M1--motor for Supply Conveyor SC (omitted from FIG. 3) M2--motor for Upper Conveyor UC M3--motor for Lower Conveyor LC M4--motor for telescoping the Lower Conveyor LC M5--motor for traversing the Swivel Hopper SH along Upper Conveyor UC M6--motor for driving Pump P P--pump to actuate Hydraulic Cylinder HC Qd1--quick Disconnect means for Support S1 Qd2--quick Disconnect means for Supporting means S2 Qd3--quick Disconnect Means for Support S3 S1--support (on inner end of Boom B1) for inner end of Upper Conveyor UC S2--supporting means (on outer end of Boom B2) for outer end of Upper Conveyor UC and for Lower Conveyor LC S3--support (on outer end of boom B3) for Lower Conveyor LC Sc--supply Conveyor Sh--swivel Hopper Uc--upper Conveyor Wv--wheeled Vehicle Describing now the details of the foregoing elements, and starting with the wheeled vehicle WV shown in FIG. 1, this may be one of the present-day types of hydraulically powered telescopic boom cranes comprising a body 14 provided with the usual four wheels 16 and with outriggers 18 for stability. A boom supporting column 20 is rotatable on a vertical axis 22 (see FIGS. 1, 2 and 13-16) and the boom section B1 is pivoted thereto at 24 for change of angle as from the horizontal position shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 to any desired elevated angular position. Such angular elevation is effected by the hydraulic cylinder HC. A driver's cab 28 is mounted on the frame 14 in which there are suitable controls (including a control panel 152--see FIG. 10) for rotation of the boom supporting column 20 and telescoping of the boom B1, B2, B3, as well as elevation of the boom and other driving controls of well known nature and which accordingly I neither disclose nor describe. I provide conveying means for concrete or the like comprising the conveyors SC, UC and LC mounted on the boom B1, B2, B3 in a manner which will now be described. Referring to FIG. 2, the support S1 comprises a yoke 30 secured by a quick disconnect means QD1 to the column 20 as shown in FIG. 2A. By way of example, a platform 31 is secured to the column 20 and is perforated to receive studs 33 welded to the horizontal crossmember of the yoke 30, removable pins 35 being provided and secured by chains 39 to the platform 31 to prevent their loss. The upper ends of the arms of the yoke 30 are attached to the inner end of a frame 34 of the upper conveyor UC. The upper conveyor frame 34 is actually a pair of side frames (see FIG. 6), preferably of the extrusion type shown in FIGS. 7 and 11 of my copending application hereinbefore referred to. A conveyor belt 36 is trained around rollers 38 and 40 as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 respectively, and FIG. 2 shows the motor M2 for driving the roller 38 by means of a chain connection 41, this type of drive being also shown in my copending application. The conveyor belts 36 and 36a (see FIG. 6) are suitably troughed by means of idler rollers 37 and 37a (as also shown in my copending application). A transfer hood 49 of rubber or the like mounted on a bracket 47 directs conveyed materials from the discharge end of the upper conveyor UC to the lower conveyor LC (see also FIGS. 4 and 5). The support S2 is of special three-part design comprising three brackets 42, 44 and 46 for each side of the upper and lower conveyors UC and LC as shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. The brackets 42 are the arms of a yoke secured to the outer end of the boom section B2 and terminate at their upper ends in wheels 48. The quick disconnect means QD2 for the bracket 42 as illustrated in FIG. 6 for connecting the bracket in quick disconnect manner to the boom B2. The quick disconnect means QD2 is similar to QD1 shown in FIG. 2A and is illustrated in FIG. 6, certain parts being substantially the same as in FIG. 2 and bearing the same reference numerals with the addition of the distinguishing characteristic a(31a, 33a, 35a and 39a). The brackets 44 are secured at their upper ends to the outer end of the upper conveyor UC and terminate at their lower ends in wheels 50. Conversely the brackets 46 are secured, as by welding at their lower ends, to the inner end of the lower conveyor LC and terminate at their upper ends in wheels 52. The wheels 52 travel in tracks of the frame 34 of the upper conveyor UC, which are identified (upper and lower surfaces thereof) as 54 and 56 in FIG. 6. Similarly, as shown in FIG. 6, the lower conveyor is provided with side frames 34a which have tracks 54a, 56a in which the wheels 48 and 50 travel. The triple bracket arrangement 42, 44, 46 of the support S2 is provided to accommodate the three-section telescoping boom B1, B2, B3 of the wheeled vehicle WV and stabilize the inner end of the lower conveyor LC by counteracting cantilever action thereof as will hereinafter appear. The lower conveyor LC is similar, as far as conveyor belt, roller and drive motor are concerned, to the upper conveyor UC, having a belt 36a, rollers 38a and 40a and a drive chain 41a actuated in this case by the motor M3. The support S3 as shown in FIGS. 7, 8 and 8A comprises a yoke 58 secured to the outer end of the boom section B3 and includes the quick disconnect means QD3. The quick disconnect means QD3 is similar to those already described and comprises comparable elements identified 31b, 33b, 35b and 39b. The upper ends of the yoke 58 terminate in wheels 60 also coacting with the tracks 54a, 56a of a side frame 34a of the lower conveyor LC. FIG. 8 also shows the usual crane cable 60 while FIG. 1 shows it and the hook 62 on the lower end thereof for use of the crane in its normal capacity when used alone, as when my boom mounted conveying means has been demounted therefrom. The cable and hook can also be used while the conveyors are mounted on the boom. The swivel hopper SH shown in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 is mounted on a frame comprising a pair of side members 64 and a cross-member 65 and provided with four wheels 66, tow for travel in each of the tracks 54, 56 of the side frames 34 of the upper conveyor UC. The swivel hopper includes a chute 68 having an annular or cylindrical upper portion 68a and a lower discharge portion 68b as clearly shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 for receiving materials from the supply conveyor SC and discharging them onto the upper conveyor UC. The cylindrical portion 68b is supported by a pair of links 70 having lower pivots 72 to the side frames 64 and upper pivots 74 to the cylindrical portion. Means is provided for adjusting the relative positions of the frame 64, 65 and the chute 68 longitudinally of the upper conveyor UC comprising two of the hydraulic cylinders HC (one for each of the two links 70) which are pivoted at 76 to the frame 64 and have piston rods 78 extending therefrom and pivoted at their upper ends at 80 to the links 70. By reference to the vertical axis 22 of the column 20 in FIG. 2 hereinbefore referred to, it will be noted that the center of the cylindrical portion of the chute 68 is coincident with this axis. Both the position of the frame 64, 65 along the tracks 54, 56, and the angularity of the links 70 for movement to the right or the left of the axis 22 can be adjusted. Accordingly, when the angle of elevation of the boom B1, B2, B3 is changed and throws the axis of the swivel hopper SH off with relation to the vertical axis 22 from the position illustrated in FIG. 2, adjustments can be made to bring the axis of the swivel hopper back into coincidence with the axis 22 as in FIG. 16 so that the boom B1, B2, B3 may be swung about the axis 22 without disturbing the position of the swivel hopper and the supply conveyor SC connected therewith. This permits uninterrupted delivery of materials from the supply conveyor SC onto the upper conveyor UC even though the outer end of the boom is pivoted from side to side for distributing concrete along a dam site or along a wall form or the like, and at the same time the extensible boom can be extended for following any straight line (or any curved line) of discharge required. All of these features contribute to a high rate of material delivery without interruption due to required stopping and repositioning of conveyors as in prior conveyor systems. Controllable means to traverse the frame 64, 65 of the swivel hopper SH along the upper conveyor UC comprises the motor M4 (FIG. 2) on the frame, and suitable stepdown gearing terminating in a sprocket 82 meshing with a chain 84 and located in a channel 86 of the right side frame 34 shown in FIG. 6. Similarly the motor M4 for traversing the lower conveyor LC relative to the upper conveyor UC drives a sprocket 88 through suitable stepdown gearing meshing with a chain 90 contained in a channel 92 of the right side frame 34a. The ends of the chains 84 and 90 are secured to the upper and lower conveyors respectively adjacent their ends whereby rotation of the sprockets 82 and 88 result in their travel along the chains in either desired direction, the motors M5 and M4 being of reversible type for this purpose. The supply conveyor SC has a lower and upper portions 94 and 96 which are jointed together in any suitable manner as indicated at 98 in FIG. 1 so that the upper portion 96 may be levelized or adjusted to a position at right angles to the axis 22 as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. The outriggers 18 can of course be operated to attain true vertical for the axis 22. The terminal end of the conveyor SC is provided with a discharge head 100 to which it is secured, and the head has an annular lower portion 101 to fit inside the cylindrical upper portion 68a of the chute 68 for relative rotation about the axis of the annular and cylindrical portions just mentioned. On the lower end of the lower portion 94 of the supply conveyor SC caster wheels 102 are mounted as shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, the caster yokes therefor being shown at 104 pivoted as at 106 to a cross frame member 108. Normally the wheels 102 are free to caster, but may be locked as by lockpins 110 for transport as will hereinafter be described. The outer end of the lower conveyor LC carries a discharge boot 112 discharging into a funnel 114 to which a tremie 116 is secured. The manner of securement is releasable, and may comprise by way of example a clamp band formed of two halves 118 and 120 normally held together by release links 122 which may be in the form of threaded rods pivoted at 124 to the clamp band half 118 and extending other type slots U-shaped ears 126 and 128 on the band halves 118 and 120 respectively as shown in FIG. 11. Connecting links 132 are loosely pivoted to the outer ends of the release links 122 and are pivoted to bellcranks 134 connected by chains 136 to the frame of the lower conveyor LC. The tremie 116 may be formed of a plastic tube for material delivery purposes and used as shown, for instance in FIG. 1 to fill a column form 140, a floor form as at 142, a wall form (not illustrated), or a dam wall form or the like. FIG. 1 also illustrates a dump truck 144 delivering materials to the supply conveyor SC. The funnel 114 is suspended by a pair of springs 138 from the lower conveyor LC and together with the chains 136, bellcranks 134, links 132 and release links 122, an automatic release means for the tremie 116 is provided in response to excessive loading thereof as will hereinafter appear. Before the tremie 116 releases however, a limit switch LS shown diagrammatically in FIG. 10 is actuated for the purpose of closing a circuit through an adjacently located waring siren 146 and opening the circuit of all three conveyor motors M1, M2 and M3. Thus the siren (or other type of warning device) alerts the men below the conveyor and guiding the tremie for distributing the concrete, that an overload condition is imminent and the tremie may release. At the same time the entire conveyor is automatically shut down, quite often before actual release of the tremie occurs. Accordingly the men can relieve the overload condition and recondition the tremie release for proper automatic operation again. FIG. 10 also shows, in simplified diagrammatic form, part of the control panel 152 in the cab of the vehicle WV to show two terminals at the left for current supply to the siren 146 and the motors M1, M2 and M3, and three terminals to the right for the individual controls for the motors M1, M2 and M3 by the operator in the cab. Since electric circuitry is well known in the art but forms no part of my present invention, I have not illustrated the details of a type of circuit suitable for the signal devices and motors such as disclosed in FIG. 10. PRACTICAL OPERATION In the operation of my boom mounted conveying means, the extensible boom of the wheeled vehicle WV and the lower conveyor LC may be retracted to the position shown in FIG. 15 for transport of the vehicle, and the lockpins 110 may be inserted for locking the castered wheels 102 against castering whereupon the vehicle may be used to transport the entire conveyor system from one location to another, the wheels 102 trailing behind the vehicle wheels 16 in an obvious manner. At the new job location the outriggers 18 can be extended and adjusted for verticalizing the column centerline 22 whereupon the boom and lower conveyor can be extended as desired, the lockpins 110 removed and the lower end of the supply conveyor SC swung around to any convenient location for receiving materials from the dump truck 144. The joint at 98 between the lower and upper portions 94 and 96 of the supply conveyor can be adjusted for levelizing the upper portion 96 to permit positioning the lower reception end of the supply conveyor without binding action during the swiveling of the connection between the supply conveyor and the swivel hopper SH. The motors M5 and M6 are actuated for aligning the axis of the conveyor and hopper parts 101 and 68a with the axis 22. Materials may now flow from the dump truck 144 onto the supply conveyor SC and will be delivered to the upper conveyor UC and it will deliver the materials to the lower conveyor LC for discharge through the tremie 116 as into the column form 140 shown in FIG. 1. As the materials accumulate in the form the extensible boom B1, B2, B3 may be elevated and the motors M5 and M6 suitably actuated to retain the axis of the swivelly related parts 101 and 68a aligned with the axis 22. When a horizontally elongated form is to be filled with concrete such as a wall form or the like, the boom can be swung from side to side, and the boom and lower conveyor retracted or extended as required to properly discharge into the form from one end thereof to the other, then elevated for discharge along the form in the opposite direction, all while the concrete is being continuously supplied and discharged at the high speeds disclosed in the above mentioned Oury patents. Accordingly, my boom mounted conveyor system makes possible the placement of a complete load from the supply truck without interruption, thus saving valuable time in the operation of form filling or comparable operations such as the placement of granular material and the like. By the use of a novel supporting system such as I disclose for the conveyors with respect to the extensible boom, a maximum range of adjustment is had, together with proper distribution of supporting means to counteract cantilever action. By the use of the three quick disconnect means disclosed, a minimum of time is involved in removing the conveyor system from the wheeled vehicle whereupon it can than be used between conveyor operations as a crane in its normal capacity.
Conveying means is mounted on an extensible boom of a wheeled vehicle in such manner that one end of the conveyor system is adapted to receive materials such as concrete or the like from a delivery truck and the other end is adapted to discharge the materials, as through a tremie, into a wall form or the like. The arrangement is such that the boom of the wheeled vehicle can be extended and retracted, inclined and swung from side to side during a continuous materials delivery operation so that the tremie can follow the outline of the wall form for evenly distributing the materials therein. The extension, elevation and wing of the boom can be effected by the operator without interrupting the flow of materials, and the form filling job can therefore be completed in a minimum of time.
1
This application is claiming priority of the continuation of PCT/US97/07546 filed Apr. 16, 1997, Provisional applications 60/016334 filed Apr. 24, 1996, and 60/036888 filed Feb. 5, 1997. BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to the physical attachment of parking meters to the ground. A basic challenge with parking meters is that they are necessarily located in very exposed locations, where they may be damaged by vandalism, theft, and impacts from automobile bumpers. A firm physical connection is therefore necessary. However, it is also necessary to be able to remove the post for replacement (e.g., after it is struck by a car). At the same time, changes in public policy may necessitate removal of parking meters from previous positions and reinstallation in a new location. Traditionally, the posts used for mounting parking meters are hollow, round, made of galvanized steel or other heavy duty metal, and are set in concrete. Removal of such a post requires considerable labor to break down the concrete base and remove the post. To replace the post, the hole must then be cleared and refilled with concrete, and the post set and leveled. The inventive anchoring system and method for installation provides a quick and easy method for removing and reinstalling posts without destroying the foundation for the post. The system includes a generally cylindrical anchor receptacle which is installed in the ground so that its top surface is approximately flush with the surrounding surface. In the presently preferred embodiment, the anchor receptacle includes a groove cut into its inner circumference. A post fits inside the anchor receptacle and has a slot going through the post that may be aligned with the groove in the anchor receptacle. A locking bar that may be inserted through the slot in the post and into the groove of the anchor receptacle completes the system. The locking bar is inserted into the post slot in a bent form, with the bend up; once the end of the post has been inserted into the anchor receptacle, an installation tool flattens the bent locking bar inside the post, so that it engages the groove in the anchor receptacle, and completes installation. Pressure from the insertion of a removal tool re-bends the locking bar in the other direction, allowing quick removal of the post. The advantages of the inventive system and method include at least the following: the installation is both sturdy, for long-term use, and removable, for ease of replacement; the cost of replacing posts is greatly reduced; the time needed to replace posts is reduced; all parts are easily and cheaply made; the locking mechanism is not easily reachable by vandals. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING The disclosed inventions will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show important sample embodiments of the invention and which are incorporated in the specification hereof by reference, wherein: FIGS. 1A through 1G show installation and subsequent removal of an in-ground parking meter anchor and post. FIGS. 2A-2C show the post anchor receptacle, giving external, cross-sectional and top views. FIGS. 3A-3C show the post, giving external, cross-sectional and top views. FIGS. 4A-4C show the locking bar giving top, side (before bending) and side (after bending) views. FIG. 5 shows a cross-section of the post, complete with an installed parking meter. FIG. 6 shows a top view through the post once the locking bar has been installed. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS The numerous innovative teachings of the present application will be described with particular reference to the presently preferred embodiment. However, it should be understood that this class of embodiments provides only a few examples of the many advantageous uses of the innovative teachings herein. In general, statements made in the specification of the present application do not necessarily delimit any of the various claimed inventions. Moreover, some statements may apply to some inventive features but not to others. FIGS. 2A-2C show the presently preferred embodiment of the anchor receptacle of the inventive system showing respectively an external, cross-sectional, and top view of the post. The anchor receptacle socket 20 has a preferably cylindrical body 22 made of 5/32" thick galvanized steel cylindrical tubing having an outside diameter of 2.75-. A positioning bar 24, having a 3/4" diameter, crosses a diameter of the anchor receptacle, approximately 11/4" above the bottom. Two cone-shaped collars 25 encircle the anchor receptacle, at the top of the body and near the bottom, to prevent the receptacle from being pulled out of the concrete. In the presently preferred embodiment, three fins 26 project outward from the body of the anchor receptacle to each collar. These prevent the anchor receptacle from turning in the hardened concrete and to provide support to the collar. On the inner surface of the anchor receptacle, a groove 28 approximately 0.015" deep and 7/16" wide extends around the inner circumference of the body in the presently preferred embodiment. FIGS. 3A-3C show the post of the presently preferred embodiment, giving an external, cross-sectional and top view. The post 30 is preferably a 2-inch schedule 40 steel pipe, although it may be heavier, such as schedule 80 pipe. When the post is inserted into the anchor receptacle, a roughly semi-circular cutout 32 on the bottommost edge of the post fits over the positioning bar 24 to correctly align the post to the anchor receptacle. At the same time slots 34 through the walls of the post are aligned with groove 28 of the anchor receptacle. FIGS. 4A-4C show the locking bar 40. This piece is machined or stamped from a piece of flat metal, preferably 3/16" cold rolled galvanized steel. In the preferred embodiment, this piece is 1" wide, with rounded ends that match the inside diameter of the body of the anchor receptacle. The locking bar is bent, as shown in 4C, to allow insertion of the post and locking bar into the anchor receptacle. As shown in FIG. 1A, the anchor receptacle 20 is first set in a hole that has loose, coarse gravel 16 in the bottom, then quick setting concrete 18 is poured around the anchor to fill the hole. A temporary post may be installed at this time to level the anchor receptacle in the concrete. Excess concrete is cleaned from around the top hole of the anchor receptacle so that it is flush with the surrounding ground surface. FIGS. 1B-1D show the installation of a post. A bent locking bar 40 is placed inside the post 30. This can easily be done in the field, by inserting the locking bar through one side of the slot in the post until both ends are engaged. A piece of tape will hold the locking bar in place while the post is inserted in the receptacle. Cutout 32 fits snugly over the positioning bar 24 and automatically aligns slot 34 and groove 28. Tool 12, having a substantially flat lower surface, is then inserted into the post to flatten locking bar 10, so that it reaches through slot 34 in the post to engage groove 28 in the anchor receptacle. The tool (12) will typically weigh 10-15 pounds, and acts simply as a hammer on a stick. This secures the post and anchor receptacle together in a semi-permanent attachment. Removal of the post from the anchor receptacle is shown in FIGS. 1E-1G. First, instrument 14, which has an extension which is self-aligned to the center of the post, is inserted into the post as shown in 1E. Downward pressure on instrument 14 causes locking bar 10 to bend in the opposite direction as it was previously bent. This will cause the locking bar to disengage from groove 28, and optionally from slot 34, leaving the post and anchor receptacle once again easily separable. FIG. 5 shows the post (30) and anchor receptacle (20), complete with an installed parking meter (500), with the post and anchor receptacle being shown in cross-section. FIG. 6 shows a top view through the post once the locking bar has been installed. According to a disclosed class of innovative embodiments, there is provided: A mounting system for a parking meter, comprising: an anchor receptacle designed to be permanently attached to the ground; a post, one end of which fits inside said anchor receptacle; a locking bar which is designed to be inserted into said post to lock said post and said anchor receptacle together in a fixed position; a first tool which straightens said locking bar from a bent position to attach said anchor receptacle to said post; a second tool which bends said locking bar to disconnect said anchor receptacle from said post. According to a disclosed class of innovative embodiments, there is provided: A parking meter, comprising: an anchor receptacle which is permanently attached to the ground; a post, a first end of which is inserted into said anchor receptacle; a meter, attached to a second end of said post, for the receipt of payment of parking fees; a locking bar which extends through one or more apertures in said post to engage an inner surface of said anchor receptacle. According to a disclosed class of innovative embodiments, there is provided: A mounting structure, comprising: an anchor receptacle comprising a first hollow tube; a post comprising a second hollow tube, a first end of which is inserted into said second end of said anchor receptacle, said post having an aperture in a surface thereof; a locking bar of a deformable material; wherein a portion of said locking bar is forced through said aperture to engage an inner surface of said anchor receptacle and thereby removeably hold said anchor receptacle and said post in a fixed relationship. According to a disclosed class of innovative embodiments, there is provided: A method for providing support for a parking meter, comprising the steps of: a) permanently mounting an anchor receptacle to the ground; b) aligning a bent locking bar with apertures in a post; c) inserting a first end of said post containing said locking bar into said anchor receptacle; d) using a first tool to straighten said locking bar, thereby engaging said anchor receptacle to lock said post to said anchor receptacle in a fixed relationship; e) attaching a parking meter to said post; e) when it becomes desirable to remove or replace said post, using a second tool to bend said locking bar and at least partially disengage from said anchor receptacle, thereby allowing said post to be removed from said anchor receptacle. According to a disclosed class of innovative embodiments, there is provided: A method of installing a mounting post, comprising the steps of: a) permanently mounting an anchor receptacle to the ground; b) inserting a bent locking bar into said post to engage an aperture in said post; c) inserting a first end of said post containing said locking bar into said anchor receptacle; d) using a tool to straighten said locking bar, thereby locking said post to said anchor receptacle in a fixed relationship. Modifications and Variations As will be recognized by those skilled in the art, the innovative concepts described in the present application can be modified and varied over a tremendous range of applications, and accordingly the scope of patented subject matter is not limited by any of the specific exemplary teachings given. This method is equally applicable to mounting signs and other utility items. It would also be useful for fencing where various perimeter locations are required for multi-purpose activities. Other styles of anchor receptacle could be used. The body, for example, could have a square or rectangular cross-section, or it could be made from different materials. The parts are generally made of galvanized steel, but could also be made of stainless steel. The groove on the--inside of the anchor receptacle is not strictly necessary. It could be reduced to several dimples on the inside of the receptacle or even left entirely off to that the locking bar is simply jammed against the inside of the anchor receptacle. A different configuration than the positioning cross-bar/cutout could be used to provide vertical and rotational positioning of the post within the anchor receptacle, i.e., a special tool could hold the post in the proper relationship while the locking bar is locked into position.
A post attachment including an anchor receptacle (20) mounted in the ground. A post (30) is attached to the anchor receptacle by a removable locking bar (40) which engages a slot (34) in the post and a groove (28) in the anchor receptacle. A first tool (12) is utilized which straightens the locking bar for attachment of the post to the anchor receptacle. A second tool (14) is utilized which bends the locking bar for disengagement from the post slot and anchor receptacle groove so that the post may be removed from the anchor receptacle.
4
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/578,986 filed on Dec. 27, 1995, now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to a flexible laminated liner having a non-slip side and a decorative side opposite the non-slip side. In the past, various liners have been made for covering surfaces to protect the surfaces and improve their appearance. One such liner is commonly referred to as shelf paper even though it may be used on surfaces other than shelves and may be made of thin materials other than paper. For example, the shelf paper may be used to line drawers and may be made of vinyl sheet rather than paper. Frequently, the shelf paper is decorated on one side with a solid color or a design, and an adhesive is applied to the other side of the paper so that the paper may be adhered to the surface it covers. Although the shelf paper usually improves the appearance of the surface to which it is applied, it sometimes leaves a permanent residue or a mark on the surface when it is removed because of the adhesives used and their interaction with the surface and the surrounding environment. For instance, sunlight or grease may chemically change the adhesive and cause a mark. Further, because the shelf paper is made from thin sheet material, it offers very limited protection for preventing damage to the surface to which it is applied. Thus, sharp objects may penetrate the paper and scratch the surface. In addition, falling objects may dent the surface because the thin sheet material used in making the shelf paper does not provide significant cushion. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Among the several objects of this invention may be noted the provision of a liner having a non-slip side and a decorative side; the provision of such a liner which is padded; the provision of such a liner which will stay in place, but which will not leave residue on surfaces to which it is applied; the provision of such a liner which is easily removed from a surface to which it is applied; the provision of such a liner which is reusable; and the provision of such a liner which may be temporarily removed from a surface, cleaned with liquid cleaners and reapplied to the surface. Briefly, the laminated liner of this invention comprises a non-slip pad and a sheet covering. The non-slip pad has opposite first and second sides and a plurality of open cells extending through the pad from the first side to the second side. The sheet covering also has opposite first and second sides. The sheet covering second side is permanently bonded to the non-slip pad first side. Other objects and features of this invention will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a fragmentary bottom plan of a preferred embodiment of a liner of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a fragmentary top plan of the liner; FIG. 3 is a cross section of the liner taken in the plane of line 3--3 of FIG. 1; FIG. 4 is a fragmentary bottom plan of a non-slip pad of the preferred embodiment; FIG. 5 is a fragmentary bottom plan of the non-slip pad of a second embodiment of the liner; FIG. 6 is a fragmentary bottom plan of the non-slip pad of a third embodiment of the liner; and FIG. 7 is a fragmentary bottom plan of the non-slip pad of a fourth embodiment of the liner. Corresponding parts are designated by corresponding reference characters throughout the several views of the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and first more particularly to FIG. 1, a flexible, laminated liner incorporating the present invention is generally indicated by the reference numeral 10. As best seen in FIG. 3, the liner 10 is comprised of a non-slip pad 12 having a decorative sheet covering 14 bonded to the pad by a layer of adhesive 16 or the like. In the preferred embodiment, the non-slip pad 12 is of the type formed from a scrim 20 coated with a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam 22. The scrims 20 are made of natural or synthetic fibers which are either knitted or woven into a network having intermittent openings spaced along the surface of the scrim. The openings are uniformly spaced along the scrim 20 in a repeating pattern. In a second embodiment (FIG. 5), the openings may be randomly spaced. Further, the scrim network openings may be rectangular as shown or they may be other shapes, including diamonds, triangles, octagons or combinations of the these shapes. The pad 12 is formed by dipping the scrim 20 in liquid PVC and curing the dipped scrim in an oven. While being cured, a chemical reaction causes gas to be entrained in the PVC as it solidifies thereby causing voids in the PVC. When the PVC solidifies entirely, the voids remain in the PVC to produce a soft, resilient, elastomeric, foam material. The resulting flexible pad 12 has generally uniform open cells 26 corresponding to the openings in the scrim 20. However, because the PVC increases in volume as it cures, the open cells 26 of the pad 12 are smaller than the openings in the scrim 20 and the thickness of the pad is greater than the scrim. The sheet-like pad 12 has opposite faces 30, 32, and the open cells 26 extend entirely through the pad from the face 30 which is bonded to the sheet covering 14 to the face 32 opposite the sheet covering. Different colors of PVC (including black and white) may be used to make different colored pads 12. Pads 12 of this type are well-known in the art and will not be described in further detail. Although similar pads 12 are sold under many different trademarks, pads used in the preferred embodiments are sold by Griptex, Industries Inc. of Calhoun, Ga., under the trademarks, OMNI-GRIP, MAXI-GRIP, ULTRAGRIP, AIRE-GRIP and LOC-GRIP. An OMNI-GRIP pad 12 is shown in FIG. 4. MAXI-GRIP, ULTRA-GRIP and AIRE-GRIP pads 12 are shown as second through fourth embodiments in FIGS. 5-7, respectively. Each of these pads 12 is made with differently shaped scrims 20 using the process described above. Foam pads 12 produced by the process described above have several advantageous properties. The foam pads are light weight and low in cost. Further, the foamed PVC is a high friction material which resists sliding across adjacent surfaces even where the adjacent surfaces are very smooth. Thus, adhesives are not required to prevent the pads from sliding when used on smooth surfaces. In addition, the scrim used in the pads increases the tensile strength of the pads so that they are stronger than foamed PVC sheets without scrim. The decorative covering 14 may be made of any sheet material such as paper, cloth, polyethylene or PVC sheet, or it may be made of a combination of these materials. Regardless of the composition of the covering, it is a generally continuous sheet material having opposite sides 40, 42. Although the sheet material is flexible in the preferred embodiment, rigid material may be used in other embodiments. The material may incorporate a decorative marking or design 44 (FIG. 2) on the side 40 opposite the non-slip pad 12. The design 44 may include a paisley print as shown or it may include stripes, plaids, floral prints or other designs. Alternatively, the sheet material may be solidly colored (including white and black) throughout from the side 42 adjacent the pad 12 to the side 40 opposite it. In the solidly colored embodiment, the decoration comprises the solid color. Numerous types of adhesives may used in the adhesive layer 16 depending upon the materials employed in the non-slip pad 12 and sheet covering 14, the anticipated environment of the liner 10, and the desired characteristics of the product. These types of adhesives include water-based, latex-based, solvent-based and acrylic-based adhesives. Further, portions of the non-slip pad 12 or the sheet covering 14 may be melted or otherwise treated to generate the adhesive layer 16. To manufacture the liner 10, the adhesive 16 is applied to either the non-slip pad 12, the sheet covering 14 or both before the pad and covering are brought into contact. Once assembled, the adhesive 16 may require time to cure before the liner 10 is ready for use. If desired, the liner 10 temperature may be elevated during the curing step to shorten the adhesive curing time. Although the decorative features of the sheet covering 14 are applied prior to assembly in the preferred embodiment, the features may be applied to the covering after assembly in another embodiment. It will be appreciated that the method of manufacture described above may be mechanized and performed as a continuous, automated process. The finished liner 10 may be rolled on a tube for shipment or it may be shipped as standard size flat sheets. Either shipment configuration allows the consumer to cut the liner 10 to any size for use. One such use is instead of adhesively backed shelf paper for covering shelves and drawers. In this use, the non-slip pad 12 of the liner 10 is placed against the surface of the shelf so that the foamed PVC grips the shelf surface to resist movement of the liner across the shelf surface. Thus, in contrast to most prior art shelf papers, no adhesive is required to apply the liner 10 to the shelf to hold it in place. Further, the foamed PVC provides cushioning to prevent damage to articles stored on the shelves and to prevent damage to the shelves from articles falling on them. The liner 10 is also thicker than prior art shelf papers so that the articles are less likely to penetrate the product and damage the shelf. In addition, the foam dampens vibration so that articles having uneven bases are less likely to vibrate and rattle against the shelf and against one another with the liner 10 than with prior art shelf papers. Another advantage of the liner 10 is its ability to be removed for thorough cleaning. Prior art shelf papers (not shown) generally could not be removed and cleaned without damaging their adhesive ability. Therefore, the prior art papers could not be cleaned and reused, but were removed and replaced when soiled. However, the liner 10 of the present invention does not have an adhesive surface and the non-slip properties of the pad 12 are not permanently affected by moisture. Thus, the liner 10 may be removed when soiled, thoroughly cleaned with liquid cleaners and returned to service. Because the liner is cleanable and reusable, the long-term cost of the product can be less than prior art papers. Further, these advantages of the liner 10 over prior art shelf paper are achieved without sacrificing the aesthetic qualities of the shelf paper because the sheet covering 14 incorporates decorative markings. The liner 10 also has advantages over non-slip pads without sheet covering 14. The open cells of non-slip pads without covering allow debris and small objects to fall through the cells and become lodged in the pads. However, because the liner 10 includes the sheet covering 14 which covers the open cells of the pads 12, the opportunity for debris and small objects to fall into the cells is eliminated. Thus, the liner 10 is less likely to become soiled than are non-slip pads without sheet covering. Further, the liner 10 presents a substantially flat upper side 42 as opposed to the uneven surface presented by non-slip pads without covering. Therefore, the stability of objects placed on the upper surface of the liner 10 is improved over that of objects placed on the non-slip pad without covering. While the present invention has been described by reference to a specific embodiment, it should be understood that modifications and variations of the invention may be constructed without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the following claims.
A laminated liner comprising a non-slip pad and a sheet covering. The non-slip pad has opposite first and second faces and a plurality of open cells extending through the pad from the first face to the second face. The pad is formed of a frictionalizing material to grip the surface for resisting movement in the plane of the surface when the second face contacts the surface. The sheet covering also has opposite first and second faces. The sheet covering second face is permanently bonded to the non-slip pad first face.
1
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application is a National Stage of International Application No. PCT/EP2005/010930, filed Oct. 11, 2005, and which claims the benefit of German Patent Application No. 10 2004 051 614.6, filed Oct. 22, 2004. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD [0002] The invention relates to industrial scaffolding comprising vertical supports which can be connected to one another by means of horizontally extending bars, with decking units extending in a horizontal plane being able to be hung into the bars to create a working surface which can be walked on. BACKGROUND [0003] The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. [0004] Industrial scaffolding of this type is used in many cases in practice to service or erect industrial plant, in particular chemical plant. Industrial scaffolding is also used in ship building or in the servicing of ships. In a number of these applications, the problem occurs that complex contours have to be scaffolded which only have a few straight surfaces. It is in particular often also necessary to build around pipes or piping plant, which is particularly difficult when—as is generally desired—the working surface of the scaffolding should be guided as close as possible to the surfaces to be built around. [0005] Industrial scaffolding known from the prior art only satisfies these demands in that a plurality of different scaffold parts are kept in stock which are adapted to the most varied shapes, which means a disadvantageously high cost and/or effort. [0006] Furthermore, there is the requirement in industrial scaffolding erection to create working surfaces which are at least largely free of gaps so that, e.g. small parts which are dropped on the carrying out of work, cannot fall through the working surface. Since, however, there are often gaps between decking units adjacent to one another in known industrial scaffolding, it is necessary to cover them with separate additional elements, which in turn induces a disadvantageous effort and/or cost. [0007] GB-A-2362422 discloses a scaffolding system in which decking units can be hung into bars or carriers. Projecting marginal regions provided only at the end faces at the decking unit elements cover a part region of the bar. [0008] GB 945 822 A shows a scaffolding system in which bars are provided which have grooves configured as multiple folds and into which decking units likewise provided with folds can be hung. SUMMARY [0009] It is an object of the invention to provide industrial scaffolding of the initially named kind by means of which work surfaces free of gaps to the largest extent possible can be provided while stocking the lowest possible number of different parts. [0010] It is the surprisingly simple idea underlying the invention to modify specific marginal regions of the decking units such that they cover a bar, optionally extending parallel to such a marginal region, at least regionally, which has the result that no problematic gap can arise between the decking unit and the bar. If, furthermore, decking units are arranged at both sides of a bar which extend in parallel to one another and whose marginal regions facing the bar are configured in accordance with the invention, it is achieved that these marginal regions almost mutually contact one another or only form a very small gap between them. In this manner, a practically throughgoing working surface is also provided in the region of the bar without any gap or step, with the bar covered by the marginal regions configured in accordance with the invention being practically no longer visible when viewed from above. A correspondingly throughgoing working surface without any gap is also ensured in accordance with the invention when no bar is located between the adjacent decking units since the projecting marginal regions of the decking units are almost adjacent to one another independently of the presence of a bar. [0011] The base member of the decking units in accordance with the invention extend as a rule in the same plane as the bars, with the projecting marginal regions being arranged just above this plane so that no collisions can occur between these marginal regions and the bars. The base members of the decking units are measured such that they can be introduced between the bars without them abutting the bars. [0012] All this is achieved in accordance with the invention without any additional elements having to be provided which would be suitable to cover gaps between decking units. Gaps of this type are namely completely avoided by the invention only by the specific configuration of the decking units or their marginal regions. [0013] Since no additional cover elements are required, the number of the different parts required for the industrial scaffolding is greatly reduced, which minimizes the stock effort and the logistics associated therewith, which simplifies the planning of industrial scaffolding and which facilitates the assembly or disassembly. [0014] The decking units in accordance with the invention can have a rectangular shape and have hook members at their end faces for hanging in a bar so that these hook members and any further support elements provided at the end faces at the decking units are substantially responsible for the force transmission from the decking units to the bars. The end faces of the decking units in this case, unlike their longitudinal sides, have no projecting marginal regions or have marginal regions which only project very slightly since the decking units must always adjoin a bar at the end face due to their construction so that no gaps can occur between decking units adjacent to one another at the end faces. Gaps of this type are rather filled by the necessarily present bars. [0015] The longitudinal sides of the decking units, in contrast, are provided with marginal regions projecting in accordance with the invention. This advantageously has the result that decking units adjacent to one another at the longitudinal sides do not form any real gaps between them and indeed independently of whether a bar is present between the decking units or not. The projecting marginal regions are rather largely directly adjacent to one another and thus form a throughgoing surface, with them either covering a bar present between the decking units or—if such a bar is lacking—covering the hollow space provided for such a bar. [0016] Base bars extending between two vertical supports and additional bars extending between base bars and/or vertical supports are preferably provided. Furthermore, additional bars can also be provided which extend in turn between additional bars, base bars and/or vertical supports. Base bars are thus always arranged between two vertical supports, whereas end-face coupling regions of additional bars can be coupled in any desired manner to vertical supports, base bars or further additional bars. The additional bars extend perpendicular to those bars to which they are fastened, with all bars of a working level being located in one and the same plane. [0017] It is made possible by the provision of the mentioned additional bars to adapt the industrial scaffolding in accordance with the invention very variably to the most varied contours and in particular also to provide comparatively small cut-outs in the working surfaces to be created without a plurality of different parts being necessary for this. The provision of the mentioned additional bars in particular makes it possible in this connection that a plurality of first decking units can be present in a working surface which can be walked on, said decking units being aligned parallel to one another, with furthermore two decking units being present which extend perpendicular to the first decking units. Corresponding examples will be explained in the following within the framework of the description of the Figures. [0018] It is particularly advantageous for the base bars and the additional bars to have identical cross-sections and also to have identical end-face coupling sections. The production effort is thereby minimized and it additionally becomes possible to use the present bars in a versatile manner both as base bars and as additional bars since there are practically no differences between the base bars and the additional bars. The only relevant differences are present in the length of the bars, with individual cases, however, actually being conceivable in which the base bars and the additional bars have the same lengths among one another. [0019] Since the bars in accordance with the invention, which can be used either as base bars or as additional bars, must be able to be coupled either as base bars to vertical supports or also as additional bars to further bars, it is sensible to form the end-face coupling sections of the bars such that they are, for example, suitable for fastening to rosettes connected to the vertical supports, with separate coupling elements then having to be provided for the fastening of an additional bar to a further bar which are suitable to connect a bar to an end-face coupling section of an additional bar. Coupling elements of this type can then be attached to any desired points along a bar. [0020] The decking units in accordance with the invention are preferably available in different sizes adapted to a grid dimension, with the spacing of the longitudinal axes of adjacent vertical supports amounting to a whole-number multiple of the grid dimension. The grid dimension can, for example, have a length of 25 cm or any other desired lengths. Accordingly, in this case, the bars which can be used as base bars and as additional bars are also present in sizes matched to the grid dimension so that the total system can be used with the highest possible degree of versatility with a minimal number of parts having to be stocked. [0021] The longitudinal extent of the decking units, including the end-face hook members for the hanging into a bar, can amount to a little more than a whole-figure multiple of the grid dimension so that the hook members can engage completely over the bars. Such a gripping over effectively prevents a relative movement of the decking units perpendicular to those bars at which the decking units are hung in. If the longitudinal extent of the decking units, including the end-face hook members, were only to amount to a whole-number multiple of the grid dimension, only a placing on of the bars would be possible, but not a hanging in, so that then the mentioned relative movement would not be prevented in a disadvantageous manner. [0022] If a multiple of the grid dimension is spoken of within the framework of the invention, this multiple also includes the simple grid dimension. [0023] The longitudinal extent of the decking units without the end-face hook members preferably amounts to somewhat less than a whole-number multiple of the grid dimension so that a hanging in of two decking units adjacent at the end faces is possible in a common bar without an already hung in decking unit preventing the hanging in of a further decking unit. [0024] The width of the decking units in accordance with the invention including the projecting marginal regions can be equal to once, twice or three times the grid dimension. It is achieved by these dimensions that decking units adjoining one another at the longitudinal sides practically do not form any gap between them. In this case, cut-outs for wedges with which the bars can be fastened to the vertical supports can preferably be present in the projecting marginal regions. Cut-outs of this type are sensibly only provided in those sections of the marginal regions which are located in direct proximity to the vertical supports and thus to the wedges. [0025] Alternatively, the width of the decking units, including the projecting marginal regions, can also amount to less than once, twice or three times the grid dimension so that the said wedges find room between two decking units adjacent to one another at the longitudinal sides. In this case, a slight gap between mutually adjacent decking units is accepted. [0026] Finally, it is sensible to equip the decking units at the end faces with a security against lifting such as is already known from the prior art. [0027] Further preferred embodiments of the invention are recited in the dependent claims. [0028] Further areas of applicability will become apparent from the description provided herein. It should be understood that the description and specific examples are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure. DRAWINGS [0029] The drawings described herein are for illustration purposes only and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure in any way. [0030] FIG. 1 is a three-dimensional representation of industrial scaffolding in accordance with the invention matched to a specific application; [0031] FIG. 2 is a section through two decking units in accordance with the invention with a bar arranged between them; [0032] FIG. 3 is a section through two decking units in accordance with the invention without a bar arranged between them; [0033] FIG. 4 is a plan view of the working surface of the scaffold in accordance with FIG. 1 ; [0034] FIG. 5 is a plan view of a further working surface designed in accordance with the invention; [0035] FIG. 6 is a three-dimensional view of the end region of a decking unit in accordance with the invention; [0036] FIG. 7 is a three-dimensional view of a plurality of decking units in accordance with FIG. 6 which extend parallel to one another and which are hung into a bar; [0037] FIG. 8 is a plan view of two decking units in accordance with the invention in accordance with FIG. 6 which are mutually adjacent and which are hung into a common bar; and [0038] FIG. 9 is a three-dimensional view of the end region of a decking unit in accordance with the invention in accordance with FIG. 6 which is hung into an additional bar. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0039] The following description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present disclosure, application, or uses. It should be understood that throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. [0040] FIG. 1 shows an industrial plant which has pipes 2 , 4 and walls 6 and which is scaffolded by industrial scaffolding in accordance with the invention to be able to carry out service work in the region of the pipes 2 , 4 and of the walls 6 in a plane which is spaced approximately 4 m from the floor 8 . The scaffolding comprises a plurality of vertical supports 10 a to k which comprise, in the application shown, a plurality of parts plugged into one another such as are known from the prior art. The vertical supports 10 a to k are provided with rosettes 12 which are spaced apart from one another equidistantly and into which bars 14 can be hung, among other things, which connect adjacent vertical supports 10 a to k with one another. [0041] Furthermore, diagonal supports 16 are provided in a known manner for the stabilization of the scaffolding which can likewise be hung into the rosettes 12 . Furthermore, railing members 18 can also be hung into the rosettes 12 to secure working levels. [0042] In the embodiment shown, a comparatively small lower working level 20 , which is only made in rectangular form, and a larger upper working level 22 of more complex design is provided. Both working levels are each formed by a plurality of decking units 24 , with the lower working level 20 only comprising six decking units 24 extending next to one another in parallel. The upper working level 22 , in contrast, comprises a larger number of decking units 24 which have three different lengths, but mutually the same widths, with some of these decking units 24 being oriented parallel to one another and others of these decking units 24 being oriented perpendicular to one another. [0043] All the decking units 24 of the two working levels 20 , 22 are hung into the bars 14 , which will be explained in even more detail in the following in connection with FIG. 4 . [0044] FIG. 1 illustrates that industrial scaffolding in accordance with the invention can be matched very individually and precisely to the respective shapes of the pipes 2 , 4 and of the walls 6 to be built around without real gaps occurring here, for example, between the decking units 24 and the pipes 2 . Furthermore, the decking units 24 are configured such that likewise no gaps can occur between them, which will be explained in the following in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 . [0045] FIG. 2 shows two decking units 24 in section which extend in parallel to one another and between which a bar 14 is arranged whose longitudinal extent extends parallel to the longitudinal sides of the decking units 24 . The decking units 24 each comprise a base body 26 which has a comparatively thin, horizontally extending level which can be walked on and from where stiffening elements stable in the outer regions extend substantially perpendicularly downwardly. These stiffening elements are arranged only at the longitudinal sides of the decking units 24 and not at their end faces. When the scaffolding is erect, the stiffening elements are substantially in the same plane as the bars 14 , which means that the scaffold parts have to be dimensioned such that the stiffening elements and the bars 14 do not collide with one another on the assembly or disassembly of the scaffolding. [0046] The horizontally extending plane of the base body 26 has openings 28 for reasons of material and weight savings which simultaneously serve as anti-slip members and whose shape can be seen better from FIG. 6 , for example. [0047] The longitudinal sides of the decking units 24 are each provided with projecting marginal regions 30 which project laterally beyond the base body 26 and are located above that plane in which the bars 14 extend when the scaffolding is erected. It is achieved in this manner that two mutually facing, projecting marginal regions 30 of two adjacent bars 24 largely cover a bar 14 so that only a slight gap is formed between the two projecting marginal regions 30 . [0048] To prevent small parts which have been dropped from being able to fall through the working level of a scaffold in accordance with the invention, it would basically be sufficient for the marginal regions of the decking units 24 to be guided sufficiently close to the bar 14 in accordance with FIG. 2 . It must, however, be taken into account that, in a specific scaffolding application, it occurs more frequently that no bar 14 is present between decking units 24 extending parallel to one another, which would then result in problematic gaps between the decking units 24 . [0049] The provision in accordance with the invention of projecting marginal regions 30 , however, makes it possible in accordance with FIG. 3 , also in the case of no bar being present, to form working surfaces without problematic gaps between mutually adjacent decking units since the projecting marginal regions 30 of adjacent decking units are guided sufficiently closely to one another. The gap 32 visible from FIG. 3 between the projecting marginal regions 30 is so small in practice that it ultimately does not form any problematic gap. [0050] FIG. 4 shows a plan view of the upper working level 22 in accordance with FIG. 1 . [0051] A bar 14 a, b is fastened in each case between the vertical supports 10 a and 10 d as well as between the vertical supports 10 b and 10 f so that decking units 24 a which fill the space between the bars 14 a and 14 b can be hung into the bars 14 a, b . The bars 14 a and 14 b thus form base bars in the sense of the invention connecting vertical supports 10 a and 10 d as well as 10 b and 10 f. [0052] The following further base bars are formed between the following further vertical supports: [0000] Base bar 14 c between vertical supports 10 d and 10 e Base bar 14 d between vertical supports 10 e and 10 g Base bar 14 e between vertical supports 10 g and 10 f Base bar 14 f between vertical supports 10 d and 10 f Base bar 14 g between vertical supports 10 g and 10 h Base bar 14 h between vertical supports 10 f and 10 i [0053] The vertical supports 10 h and 10 i are not shown in FIG. 4 , but can be seen from FIG. 1 . [0054] In addition to the decking units 24 a , only the decking unit 24 b is still hung in between two base bars, namely between the base bars 14 g and 14 h , all other decking units are located between a base bar and an additional bar, which will still be explained in the following. [0055] An additional bar 14 i is arranged between the vertical support 10 c and the base bar 14 h such that it extends parallel to the base bar 14 b . Boards 24 c can thus be hung in between the base bar 14 b and the additional bar 14 i which have the same dimensions as the decking units 24 a and 24 b. [0056] To permit an optimum building around of the pipes 2 , two additional bars 14 k and 14 l are furthermore provided which extend parallel to one another between the additional bar 14 i and the base bar 14 b . These additional bars 14 k , 14 l are provided as close as possible to the pipes 2 and are spaced apart from one another such that smaller decking units 24 d can be hung into the additional bars 14 k , 14 l . Two decking units 24 d are arranged on the side of the pipes 2 facing the additional bar 14 i ; three further decking units 24 d on the side of the pipes 2 remote from the additional bar 14 i. [0057] A further additional bar 14 m extends parallel to the base bar 14 c between the two base bars 14 f and 14 d , with the additional bar 14 m being located centrally between the two base bars 14 e and 14 c . Boards 24 e can thus be hung between base bar 14 e and additional bar 14 e , on the one hand, and between additional bar 14 m and base bar 14 c , on the other hand, such that both the pipe 4 and a passage 34 can be built around ideally in an L shape. [0058] A further additional bar 14 n extends parallel to that longitudinal side of the decking unit 24 b remote from the base bar 14 e . Boards 24 f whose lengths amount to approximately twice that of the decking units 24 c can thus be hung in this manner between this additional bar 14 n and a base bar formed between the vertical supports 10 h and 10 i visible from FIG. 1 . [0059] FIG. 4 thus illustrates that a grid can be provided by a skilful combination of base bars 14 a to h and additional bars 14 i to n which can be adapted to individual circumstances and into which decking units 24 a to f of different sizes can then be hung such that the working level 22 can be guided as closely as possible to the contours to be built around. In the example in accordance with FIG. 4 , an additional bar 14 i is used which extends between a vertical support 10 c and a base bar 14 h . Furthermore, additional bars 14 k, m and n are shown which extend between two base bars. Finally, an additional bar 14 l is also used which extends between a base bar and an additional bar. [0060] FIG. 5 now illustrates that additional bars are also possible which in turn extend only between additional bars: [0061] Base bars 14 o to 14 r are arranged between four vertical supports 10 k to 10 m spanning a square such that they together likewise describe the shape of a square. A total of four long decking units 24 g are hung between the base bars 14 p and 14 r . The region covered by the decking units 24 g is bounded by an additional bar 14 s which has the same length as the decking units 24 g and which is located between the base bars 14 p and 14 r . Boards of medium length 24 h are hung between this additional bar 14 s and the base bar 14 q. [0062] The two regions covered by the decking units 24 h are each in turn bounded by an additional bar 14 t or 14 u respectively which are each located between the base bar 14 q and the additional bar 14 s . A further additional bar 14 v is hung between the two additional bars 14 t and 14 u and extends perpendicular to the two additional bars 14 t and 14 u . A further additional bar 14 w , which extends parallel to the additional bar 14 u , is hung between the additional bars 14 v and 14 s . Finally, a last additional bar 14 x is located between the additional bars 14 u and 14 w . This additional bar 14 x extends parallel to the base bar 14 q. [0063] In this manner, a grid is created by the additional bars 14 t to x in which small decking units 24 i can be hung which together cover an L-shaped area. [0064] FIG. 6 shows the end region of a cover 24 with the already mentioned openings 28 as well as with two end-face hook members 34 which are suitable to engage over a bar 14 . Furthermore, a total of four support elements 36 are provided at the end face at the decking unit 24 and are arranged such that they can ultimately be supported on that bar 14 which is engaged over by the hook members 34 . [0065] Finally, the decking unit 24 is also equipped with a security against lifting 38 which is displaceable in cut-outs provided therefor and which is formed by a steel hoop which can be moved beneath a bar 14 such that the bar 14 is ultimately fixed between the hook members 34 and the security against lifting 38 . [0066] The projecting marginal regions 30 provided in accordance with the invention which were already explained in connection with FIGS. 2 and 3 can also be recognized easily in FIG. 6 . [0067] FIG. 7 shows how decking units 24 in accordance with FIG. 6 can be hung into a bar 14 . In accordance with FIG. 7 , two decking units 24 extend parallel to one another so that their hook members 34 engage over a common bar 14 from the same side, with the support elements 36 of both decking units 24 also being supported on this bar 14 . [0068] Due to the projecting marginal regions 30 , the two decking units 24 are located in direct proximity to one another without a problematic gap being formed between them. This would apply in the same manner if a further bar 14 were present beneath the region at which the two marginal regions 30 are adjacent to one another. [0069] FIG. 8 shows two decking units in accordance with FIG. 6 which are adjacent to one another and which are hung into a common bar 14 from opposite sides. Since the hook members 34 are not arranged centrally to the end faces of the decking units 24 , but somewhat offset to the center, the two decking units can be aligned in a longitudinal direction with one another without their hook members 34 engaging over the common bar 14 abutting one another. The intermediate spaces formed between the decking unit elements 24 and the bar 14 have approximately the same magnitude as the openings 28 of the decking unit elements so that these intermediate spaces are ultimately not disturbing. The support elements 36 of the decking units 24 are dimensioned to be so short that they do not collide with one another with decking units 24 adjoining one another at the end faces, but rather leave space between them for any fastening elements 40 which may be required, by means of which bars 14 can be fastened to further bars 14 or to rosettes 12 . [0070] FIG. 9 shows in a perspective representation a short additional bar 14 y which is fastened between two bars 14 and which is engaged over by hook members 34 of a decking unit 24 . [0071] Special coupling members 42 are provided for the fastening of the additional bolt 14 y which engage in clamping fashion around the bars 14 extending in parallel to one another and can be displaced along the bar 14 to any desired position required in each case. The coupling elements 42 then have suitable fastening positions for the additional bar 14 y to which it can be fixed and secured. [0072] The description is merely exemplary in nature and, thus, variations that do not depart from the gist of the present disclosure are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the present disclosure. REFERENCE NUMBER LIST [0000] 2 pipes 4 pipe 6 walls 8 base 10 a - 10 n vertical supports 12 rosettes 14 a - 14 y bars 16 diagonal supports 18 railing elements 20 working level 22 working level 24 a - 24 i decking units 26 base body 28 opening 30 projecting marginal region 32 gap 34 hook members 36 support elements 38 security against lifting 40 fastening elements 42 coupling element
The invention relates to industrial scaffolding comprising vertical supports, which can be interconnected by means of horizontal bars. Plates, which extend on a horizontal plane, can be hooked onto the bars to create an accessible working surface. When the plates are fitted, edge areas of the latter overhang the base body of the plates in such a way that a bar running parallel to an edge area is partially covered by said edge area.
4
CROSS REFERENCE TO A RELATED APPLICATION [0001] Applicants hereby claim priority based on U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/330,061, filed Oct. 17, 2001 entitled “Suppression of Human Activity in an Enclosed Space” which is incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] This invention relates to the field of anesthetics and the suppression of human activity in enclosed spaces. More particularly, this invention provides method and system for the delivery of anesthetics for suppression of human activity in enclosed spaces. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] In certain situations, it is advantageous to render certain human individuals in an enclosed space unconscious so that these individuals can be physically restrained. This invention describes a method for meeting this need using inhalation anesthetic agents introduced into the enclosed space. [0004] In emergency situations, it is extremely difficult to selectively immobilize the desired individuals when they are within a group of other individuals. However, this invention makes it possible to render all individuals in the enclosed space unconscious, allow time for physical restraints to be applied to the desired individuals and allow the full recovery of consciousness in the all individuals with minimal side effects. [0005] Inhalation anesthetic agents are commonly used in surgical procedures to render a patient unconscious and tolerant of pain. These same anesthetic agents can be used, under properly controlled conditions, to cause humans to lose consciousness (induction), limit the depth of anesthetic effect so that they do not suffer respiratory collapse, and be able to regain consciousness with minimal side effects once the anesthetic agent is reduced/removed from the ambient “air” (“air” in this instance means the gaseous mixture the human is breathing). These commercially available inhalation anesthetic agents have already been approved for use by FDA, thus their safety and efficacy are well established. [0006] Inhalant anesthetic agents are attractive for this purpose since they are expelled from the body by exhaling the anesthetic agent and therefore do not require long recovery times. [0007] An inhalation anesthetic agent for this use may have the following properties. The anesthetic should: be tasteless, odorless and colorless; not cause involuntary respiratory tract reactions such as laryngospasms or swelling of the airways into the lungs; have a MAC (the Minimum Alveolar Concentration, the volume based percent at which 50% of humans lose consciousness) of 2% of less (this property is directly related to the time, at MAC, required for the individual to lose consciousness. MAC is different for each anesthetic agent); be not sensed at high concentrations, 3 to 5 times MAC, due to changes in the density of “air” being inhaled; and, have a low blood gas solubility such that the normal release of Carbon Dioxide from the blood stream during respiration will tend to purge the anesthetic agent from the lungs. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention provides a method for suppressing human activity in enclosed spaces. More particularly, the invention provides a method and system for the introduction of anesthesia into an enclosed space for the purpose of rendering occupants of the enclosed space temporarily unconscious. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0009] [0009]FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing an embodiment of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0010] [0010]FIG. 1 shows the introduction of an anesthetic agent from a suitable source 14 into an enclosed space 10 either by direct release of the anesthetic agent into the space 10 as indicated by the dotted line flow path in FIG. 1, or by introduction of the anesthetic agent into an air exchange inlet stream 18 with fresh air 12 . The introduction of the anesthetic is performed at a rate sufficient to cause the concentration of anesthetic agent in the enclosed space 10 to rapidly exceed 2 times MAC (this concentration is sufficient to induce 100% of the general population). The concentration needed for rapid induction (3 minutes or less) may be in the range of 4 to 6 times MAC. Both the rate and the duration of the flow are controlled by a suitable control means 19 . The air from the enclosed space 10 may be shunted through an outlet stream 22 and then through a recycle route 20 or an exhaust 24 . The enclosed space is occupied by individuals, typically humans, susceptible to the effect of anesthetic. [0011] When the concentration of anesthetic agent reaches the desired multiple of MAC, the flow of the anesthetic agent may be reduced or shut off. The anesthetic agent concentration then drops, by the normal air exchange function, to levels such that it maintains the unconscious state but the concentration is such that it will not induce unconsciousness. At this time, other people can enter the space and apply appropriate physical restraints to the certain target individuals before they regain consciousness. Recovery times of individuals subjected to the anesthetic agent will be on the order of 15 to 25 minutes after the anesthetic agent concentration in the enclosed space falls below 0.3 times MAC. EXAMPLE I [0012] Use in a Passenger Aircraft Cabin [0013] While the anesthetic agent used in this example is Sevoflurane, the example is not meant to be limiting in any way. Sevoflurane is stable over a wide range of temperature. It can be stored in under pressure in cylinders for long periods (5-7 years) without measurable degradation. [0014] Cylinders of the liquid anesthetic agent may be positioned in a secure area in the cargo hold of the airliner. Sevoflurane boils at 58.6° C. at 1 atmosphere and is stable at higher temperatures. The cylinders may be heated, such that the pressure generated by the liquid in the cylinder is sufficient to introduce the desired volume of vapor into the aircraft air handling system. Alternatively, pressurized liquid agent may be introduced into the cabin system using an atomization system, several of which are well known. [0015] The enclosed space 10 of FIG. 1 is analogous to the passenger cabin in a commercial aircraft. The aircraft cockpit may be equipped with oxygen systems separate from the system that is available in the passenger cabin. [0016] The pressurized anesthetic agent may be released into the passenger cabin under control of the aircraft commander (First Pilot) after the cockpit crew are on their oxygen supply. [0017] The anesthetic agent may also be mixed with pure oxygen prior to introduction into the passenger cabin to avoid hypoxia during the period that the passengers are unconscious. [0018] Control valves (or fixed orifice flow controls) in the anesthetic agent release system, i.e., in the control means 19 , may be used to allow the desired amount of anesthetic agent to enter the cabin air make-up stream and continue to add anesthetic agent to the cabin air so that the desired concentration of anesthetic agent, sufficient to induce unconsciousness, is present in the cabin airspace. At the end of a timed introduction, based on the total volume of the passenger cabin, the anesthetic agent introduction system may reduce or shut off the introduction of the anesthetic agent into the cabin air system. [0019] Since current aircraft ventilation systems have air entering at the cabin ceiling, exhausting at the cabin floor, and the anesthetic agent is heavier than air, the concentration of anesthetic agent will be higher at floor level. The result is that the passengers, who would be seated, would receive an average dose of anesthetic agent. Anyone that was standing when they lost consciousness, and fell to the floor, would receive a higher dosage of anesthetic agent which may be a desirable outcome because a hijacker is more likely to be standing. [0020] The normal aircraft ventilation system might then reduce the concentration of anesthetic agent to a level such that the cockpit crew could enter the passenger cabin, without the need for either a gas mask or separate breathing apparatus, and physically restrain the desired individuals. [0021] Based on the published properties and anesthetic performance of Sevoflurane, it is believed that the cockpit crew would have 15-20 minutes to apply physical restraints to the desired individuals. [0022] In the same time period, it is believed the passengers would regain consciousness with minimal side effects. They would be slightly disoriented for several seconds but would, typically, fully recover without life threatening side effects. [0023] While the invention has been illustrated for use in aircraft in the event of hijacking, the invention has potential use in other environments, including for example prisons, and wherein individuals, typically humans but possibly also animals, occupy and enclosed space into which the anesthetic can be introduced and wherein it is desired to render the occupants temporarily unconscious, typically for the purpose of restraining selected ones of the occupants. [0024] Although embodiments of the invention have been described herein, the invention is not limited to such embodiments. The claims which follow are directed to the invention, and are intended to further describe the invention, but their literal language is not intended to limit the scope of the invention.
The present invention provides a method for suppressing human activity in enclosed spaces. More particularly, the invention provides a method for the introduction of anesthesia into an enclosed space for the purpose of rendering occupants of the enclosed space unconscious.
0
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/755,926, filed Jan. 3, 2006, which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to converged cellular and wireless broadband networks, and particularly relates to routing emergency calls in converged networks. [0003] The convergence of cellular and wireless broadband networks allows subscribers to move between the networks with seamless voice and data session continuity, just as subscribers move between cells within a cellular network. Wireless network convergence effectively creates a dual radio access network. When it is efficient to route information such as data or voice over a cellular network, a mobile device utilizes the cellular network for communication. Conversely, when it is more efficient to route information over a wireless broadband network, the mobile device utilizes the wireless broadband network for communication. [0004] One issue relating to the convergence of cellular and wireless broadband networks is the routing of emergency calls to the appropriate local emergency personnel. Various governments require communication service providers to support emergency calls made from cellular handsets, e.g., the E-911 mandate issued by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) in the United States. Additionally, the FCC will require Voice-over-IP (VoIP) service providers to comply with the E-911 mandate in the near future. For example, VoIP providers will be required to deliver all 911 calls to the customer's local emergency operator and provide emergency operators with the call back number and location information of their customers. [0005] Location-based services are widely used in cellular networks for identifying caller location when handling emergency calls placed by cellular handsets. For example, device-centric technologies such as the Global Positioning System (GPS) can pinpoint the location of a mobile device to an accuracy of ten meters or less. Network-assisted technologies such as assisted-GPS (AGPS) for Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) cellular networks and Enhanced Observed Time Difference (EOTD) for Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) networks can pinpoint the location of a mobile device to an accuracy of one hundred meters or less. [0006] However, location identification technology for mobile devices that access wireless broadband networks is less mature. Further, the nature of broadband communication, e.g., the use of Internet Protocol (IP) bearers for communicating between remote devices, removes all information associated with the location of a caller. As such, the convergence of cellular and wireless broadband networks presents a new challenge for identifying the location of mobile wireless devices when the devices communicate over a wireless broadband network. For example, as a mobile wireless device seamlessly transitions from a cellular network to a wireless broadband network, the device may no longer be capable of determining and/or communicating its position when connected to the wireless broadband network. VoIP service providers face a particularly daunting task if mandated to support E-911 for mobile devices placing VoIP calls using wireless broadband access technology. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The methods and apparatuses taught herein provide a method of routing emergency calls originated from mobile wireless devices in a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system. In one example, the method comprises receiving incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through wireless access points (WAPs), determining locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirecting callers to a cellular network. Corresponding to the above emergency call routing method, a complementary VoIP system comprises a call processing server configured to receive incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through WAPs. The call processing server is further configured to determine locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirect callers to a cellular network. [0008] Several embodiments described herein enable VoIP systems to acquire location information associated with mobile wireless devices accessing VoIP systems and to use the acquired location information to route emergency calls to appropriate emergency answering points (EAPs). In one example, WAP identifiers are mapped to EAPs. As such, when an incoming emergency call is received from an originating WAP, an EAP relating to the originating WAP is identified and the emergency call is directed to the identified EAP. [0009] In another example, an incoming emergency call originated from a mobile wireless device connected to a VoIP system through a WAP is received by the VoIP system. Location information associated with the mobile wireless device is acquired from the mobile wireless device and the emergency call is directed to an EAP that services a geographic area corresponding to the location information acquired from the mobile wireless device. [0010] In yet another example, an incoming emergency call originated from a mobile wireless device connected to a VoIP system through a WAP is received by the VoIP system. Location information derived by a device in-range of the mobile wireless device is acquired. The emergency call is directed to an EAP that services a geographic area corresponding to the location information acquired from the in-range device. [0011] Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. Those skilled in the art will recognize additional features and advantages upon reading the following detailed description, and upon viewing the accompanying drawings. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0012] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system. [0013] FIG. 2 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for identifying wireless access points to a VoIP system. [0014] FIG. 3 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for relating wireless access points to emergency answering points. [0015] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a database included in or associated with the VoIP system of FIG. 1 . [0016] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an embodiment of a VoIP system that acquires location information from a device in-range of a mobile wireless device. [0017] FIG. 6 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for providing a wireless access point identifier to a VoIP system during an emergency call. [0018] FIG. 7 is a logic flow diagram of one embodiment of processing logic for routing emergency calls in a VoIP system. [0019] FIG. 8 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for providing mobile wireless device location information to a VoIP system during an emergency call. [0020] FIG. 9 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for providing location information associated with a mobile wireless device to a VoIP system during an emergency call. [0021] FIG. 10 is a logic flow diagram of another embodiment of processing logic for routing emergency calls in a VoIP system. [0022] FIG. 11 is a logic flow diagram of yet another embodiment of processing logic for routing emergency calls in a VoIP system. [0023] FIG. 12 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for redirecting emergency calls received by a VoIP system over a cellular network. [0024] FIG. 13 is a logic flow diagram of an embodiment of processing logic for redirecting an emergency call by a dual-mode mobile device over a cellular network. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION [0025] FIG. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system 10 that provides packet-based voice and data services to mobile wireless devices such as a dual-mode mobile communication device 12 . The dual-mode mobile device 12 gains access to the VoIP system 10 via a Wireless Access Point (WAP) 14 , e.g., an IEEE 802.11 (WiFi), IEEE 802.16 (WiMax), or IEEE 802.20 (Mobile Broadband Wireless Access) compatible WAP. The dual-mode mobile device 12 is directly or indirectly coupled to the VoIP system 10 , e.g., through a Packet-Switched Data Network (PSDN) 16 such as the Internet. The VoIP system 10 comprises a call processing server 18 for managing VoIP connections traversing the VoIP system 10 , including emergency calls. [0026] The dual-mode mobile device 12 and the VoIP system 10 communicate both control information and packet-based communication data. To establish and control packet-based calls, the dual-mode mobile device 12 and the VoIP system 10 use a signaling protocol, e.g., Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) or H.323. For example, the call processing server 18 of the VoIP system 10 and a communication processor 20 of the dual-mode mobile device 12 use SIP in conjunction with client code such as Java to control handling of emergency calls initiated by the device 12 . [0027] The communication processor 20 manages network communication for the dual-mode mobile device 12 , including establishing and maintaining communication channels, initiating and managing calls, and acquiring the location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 . The communication processor 20 may comprise one or more general or special purpose microprocessors, digital signal processors, application specific integrated circuits, field programmable gate arrays, and/or other types of digital processing circuits, configured according to computer program instructions implemented in software (or firmware). [0028] Likewise, the call processing server 18 manages packet-based communication for the VoIP system 10 . The call processing server 18 comprises hardware and/or software and can be deployed as a single server, cluster of servers, or a server farm having distributed functionality. The call processing server 18 manages device communication, maintains various mappings and translations, and opens and closes communication channels between devices. For example, the call processing server 18 includes a call agent 22 for providing VoIP call signaling and control functions. The call agent 22 manages signaling and control flows associated with devices that access the VoIP system 10 , e.g., by originating, terminating or forwarding calls. In a non-limiting example, the call agent 22 may include a SIP server (not shown) for providing SIP call signaling and control functions, e.g., by routing and forwarding SIP requests. [0029] Further, the call processing server 18 includes an application server 24 for executing one or more applications or services not managed by the call agent 22 , e.g. voice mail, conference calling, and emergency call handling. The call processing server 18 interfaces with a media gateway controller/media gateway (MGC/MG) 26 . The MGC/MG 26 contains call control logic and hardware for interfacing with the Public-Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) 28 . As such, the call processing server 18 gains access to the PSTN 28 via the MGC/MG 26 . [0030] As part of managing packet-based connections in the VoIP system 10 , the call processing server 18 processes emergency calls received from various devices connected to the system 10 , including mobile wireless devices such as the dual-mode mobile device 12 . Emergency calls received by the VoIP system 10 may include proprietary emergency voice calls, 911 emergency voice calls, emergency text messages, emergency instant messages or the like. The call processing server 18 routes received emergency calls to Emergency Answering Point (EAPs) 30 , i.e., designated statewide default answering points such as Public Service Answering Points (PSAPs), appropriate local emergency authorities or other emergency answering points or proprietary emergency answering points such as Onstar. To route an emergency call to an appropriate EAP, the call processing server 18 acquires information associated the location of the packet-based call, e.g., geospacial or civic location information such as latitude, longitude, altitude, street address, phone number, building name, etc. The call processing server 18 uses such location information to identify an appropriate EAP for receiving a particular emergency call. [0031] The VoIP system 10 routes emergency calls to the EAPs 30 via either the PSTN 28 or an emergency services network 32 such as the wireline E911 network or a proprietary emergency call handling network capable of routing emergency calls and related information to the EAPs 30 . To route an emergency call via the PSTN 28 , the call processing server 18 uses location information associated with the call to identify an address of an appropriate EAP and then forwards the call to the EAP address over the PSTN 28 via the MGC/MG 26 . When routing calls via the emergency services network 32 , the call processing server 18 forwards the emergency call along with acquired location information to the emergency services network 32 directly via a gateway (not shown) or indirectly via the PSDN 16 or the PSTN 28 . The emergency services network 32 uses the location information to identify an address of an appropriate EAP for responding to the emergency call. [0032] Several embodiments are described herein that enable the VoIP system 10 to acquire location information associated with mobile wireless devices accessing the system 10 and to use the acquired location information to route emergency calls to an appropriate EAP. In one embodiment, the call processing server 18 populates and manages a database 34 that relates WAPs to the EAPs 30 using location information associated with mobile wireless devices. Particularly, the call processing server 18 uses location information associated with mobile wireless devices as an approximation of WAP location and relates one or more of the EAPs 30 to particular WAPs using the location information. Thus, when the VoIP system 10 receives an emergency call from a known WAP, i.e., a WAP having an entry in the database, the call processing server 18 identifies an EAP associated with the WAP and routes the emergency call to the identified EAP. [0033] FIG. 2 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for identifying WAPs and providing location information associated with identified WAPs to the VoIP system 10 . Prior to connecting to the VoIP system 10 , a mobile wireless device gains wireless broadband access, e.g. to a wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) (Step 100 ). For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 gains wireless broadband access via the WAP 14 using a WLAN radio 36 included in the device 12 . The WAP 14 implements a network access authentication procedure for determining whether the dual-mode mobile device 12 is an authorized device. [0034] After gaining access to a wireless broadband network, the mobile wireless device logs into or is otherwise authenticated by the VoIP system 10 (Step 102 ). After authentication is completed, or alternatively, as part of the authentication process, the mobile wireless device sends to the VoIP system 10 an identifier associated with the originating WAP, i.e., the WAP through which the device gains access to the VoIP system 10 (Step 104 ). For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 provides an identifier associated with the originating WAP 14 . Each identifier uniquely identifies a particular WAP to the VoIP system 10 , e.g., a media access control (MAC) address, a service set identifier (SSID), or an internet protocol (IP) address. Upon request from the VoIP system 10 or automatically, the mobile wireless device sends location information associated with the mobile device to the VoIP system 10 (Step 106 ). [0035] FIG. 3 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for populating the database 34 with WAP information provided by mobile wireless devices. When a mobile wireless device accesses the VoIP system 10 via a wireless broadband connection, e.g., during non-emergency calls, the device logs into or otherwise authenticates itself to the VoIP system 10 (Step 108 ). As part of the login process, the mobile wireless device sends to the VoIP system 10 an identifier associated with a WAP through which the device communicates with the VoIP system 10 . For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 provides an identifier associated with the originating WAP 14 to the VoIP system 10 . [0036] The call processing server 18 verifies whether the originating WAP 14 is known to the VoIP system 10 (Step 110 ). If the originating WAP 14 is known, the call processing server 18 processes the incoming call (Step 112 ). Conversely, if the originating WAP 14 is unknown, the VoIP system 10 acquires location information from the dual-mode mobile device 12 (Step 114 ). The acquired location information serves as an approximation of the location of the originating WAP 14 . The database 34 is then updated with the acquired location information (Step 116 ). Particularly, the database 34 maps the new WAP identifier with one or more of the EAPs 30 that service a geographic area corresponding to location information associated with the newly identified WAP, as illustrated by FIG. 4 . Further, the VoIP system 10 may acquire location information from multiple mobile wireless devices that access the system 10 through the same WAP. The call processing server 18 may use the plurality of acquired location information to refine or pinpoint the location of a particular WAP. [0037] The dual-mode mobile device 12 can acquire its location in various ways. For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 may include a GPS device (not shown) for determining its location. Alternatively, the dual-mode mobile device 12 may communicate with a cellular network 38 to acquire its location. For example, a cellular radio 40 included in the dual-mode mobile device 12 can establish a radio connection to the cellular network 38 . Once connected, the dual-mode mobile device 12 acquires its location by cellular network-derived techniques such as Enhanced Observed Time Difference (EOTD), assisted GPS, or Time Difference of Observed Arrival (TDOA). In yet another example, a user of the dual-mode mobile device 12 inputs location information into the device, e.g., by inputting alphanumeric characters into a keypad of the device 12 or by voice command. [0038] FIG. 5 illustrates an embodiment where a mobile wireless device such as the dual-mode mobile device 12 or the VoIP system 10 acquires location information from an in-range device 42 , i.e., a device in sufficient proximity with the mobile wireless device such that a wireless connection can be established between the devices. The location information acquired from the in-range device 42 can be used to approximate the location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 when the device 12 is unable to ascertain its own location. The dual-mode mobile device 12 either obtains location information from the in-range device 42 and provides the location information to the VoIP system 10 or initiates a connection between the VoIP system 10 and the in-range device 42 . [0039] In one example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 acquires location information from the in-range device 42 and provides it to the VoIP system 10 . As such, the in-range device 42 is unknown to the VoIP system 10 . During an emergency call, a SIP signaling connection is established between the communication processor 20 of the dual-mode mobile device 12 and the call processing server 18 of the VoIP system 10 . In addition, a media connection is also established between the VoIP system 10 and the dual-mode mobile device 12 for exchanging information between the communication processor 20 and the call processing server 18 . Upon determining that the location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 is not known or cannot be approximated, the dual-mode mobile device 12 establishes a SIP connection with a communication processor 44 of the in-range device 42 . As part of the SIP connection with the in-range device 42 , a media connection is also established. The dual-mode mobile device 12 then requests location information from the in-range device 42 . The dual-mode mobile device 12 acquires the location information from the in-range device 42 via the media connection between the two devices. The dual-mode mobile device 12 then provides the location information to the VoIP system 10 via the media connection between the dual-mode device 12 and the VoIP system 10 . [0040] In another non-limiting example, the call processing server 18 establishes new SIP and media connections with the communication processor 44 of the in-range device 42 . Using the preexisting media connection with the in-range device 42 , the dual-mode mobile device 12 may acquire a device identifier from the in-range device 42 , e.g., a MAC address, SSID, IP address, or phone number. The dual-mode mobile device 12 then forwards the device identifier acquired from the in-range device 42 to the VoIP system 10 via the preexisting media connection between the system 10 and the dual-mode device 12 . The call processing server 18 uses the device identifier to establish new SIP and media connections between the VoIP system 10 and the in-range device 42 . As such, the call processing server 18 can then acquire location information from the in-range device 42 over the newly established media channel. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the call processing server 18 can contact one or more in-range devices while maintaining an emergency call connection with the dual-mode mobile device 12 . [0041] In yet another non-limiting example, the call processing server 18 communicates with the in-range device 42 through the dual-mode device 12 . Particularly, the dual-mode device 12 routes or passes information between the VoIP system 10 and the in-range device 42 using the SIP and media connections established between the dual-mode device 12 and the VoIP system 10 and between the dual-mode device 12 and the in-range device 42 . That is, the dual-mode mobile device 12 can function as a relay to establish communication between the in-range device 42 and the VoIP system 10 . As such, the dual-mode mobile device 12 functions as a router or pass-through device, enabling the call processing server 18 to use the preexisting connections with the dual-mode mobile device 12 to acquire location information from the in-range device 42 . [0042] FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for placing an emergency call to the VoIP system 10 by a mobile wireless device via a WAP. The mobile wireless initiates an emergency call with the VoIP system 10 via a wireless broadband connection (Step 200 ). For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 initiates an emergency call via a wireless broadband connection established by the WAP 14 . The mobile wireless device sends to the VoIP system 10 an identifier associated with a WAP through which the device communicates with the VoIP system 10 (Step 202 ). For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 provides an identifier associated with the originating WAP 14 . [0043] FIG. 7 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for routing an emergency call received by the VoIP system 10 to an appropriate EAP using the WAP/EAP relationships provided by the database 34 . For example, after the dual-mode mobile device 12 is authenticated by the originating WAP 14 , the device 12 initiates an emergency call via the wireless broadband connection established by the WAP 14 (Step 204 ). The VoIP system 10 receives from the dual-mode mobile device 12 an identifier associated with the originating WAP 14 (Step 206 ). The call processing server 18 then queries or mines the database 34 using the WAP identifier received from the dual-mode mobile device 12 to identify an EAP associated with the originating WAP 14 (Step 208 ). The call processing server 18 directs the emergency call to the identified EAP (Step 210 ), e.g., via the PSTN 28 or the emergency services network 32 . [0044] FIG. 8 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for placing an emergency call to the VoIP system 10 by a mobile wireless device that provides its location to the system 10 as part of the emergency call. The mobile wireless initiates an emergency call with the VoIP system 10 via a wireless broadband connection (Step 300 ). For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 initiates an emergency call via a wireless broadband connection established by the WAP 14 . The mobile wireless device provides to the VoIP system 10 location information associated with the mobile wireless device (Step 302 ). For example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 provides to the VoIP system 10 GPS-derived, cellular network-derived, or user-derived location information each as previously described. [0045] Alternatively, FIG. 9 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for placing an emergency call to the VoIP system 10 by a mobile wireless device that provides the location of an in-range device to the system 10 as an approximation of the mobile wireless device's location. The mobile wireless initiates an emergency call with the VoIP system 10 via a wireless broadband connection (Step 304 ). If the mobile wireless device cannot identify its own location, the mobile wireless device establishes a connection with an in-range device (Step 306 ). For example, the communication processor 20 of the dual-mode mobile device 12 establishes SIP and media connections with the communication processor 44 of the in-range device 42 . The mobile wireless device then acquires location information from the in-range device via the connection between the two devices (Step 308 ). The mobile wireless device provides the acquired in-range device location information to the VoIP system 10 via the connection established between the system 10 and the mobile wireless device resulting from the emergency call (Step 310 ). [0046] FIG. 10 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for routing an emergency call received by the VoIP system 10 to an appropriate EAP using location information received from a mobile wireless device placing the emergency call. For example, after the dual-mode mobile device 12 is authenticated by the originating WAP 14 , the device 12 places an emergency call via the wireless broadband connection established by the WAP 14 (Step 312 ). [0047] In addition to receiving the emergency call, the VoIP system 10 also receives from the dual-mode mobile device 12 solicited or unsolicited location information acquired by the device 12 (Step 314 ). In one example, the device 12 acquires the location information after a user initiates an emergency call via the device 12 , but before the device 12 places the call to the VoIP system 10 . In another example, the device 12 provides location information previously acquired and stored by the device 12 . Regardless of when the device 12 acquires its location, the location information may be automatically provided to the VoIP system 10 as part of the emergency call or may be provided by the device 12 upon request by the VoIP system 10 . The call processing server 18 then directs the emergency call to an EAP that services the geographic area corresponding to the unsolicited location information (Step 316 ), e.g., via the PSTN 28 or the emergency services network 32 . [0048] FIG. 11 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for routing an emergency call received by the VoIP system 10 to an appropriate EAP using location information received from a device in-range of a mobile wireless device placing the emergency call. According to this particular embodiment, a mobile wireless device is unable to acquire its location, but is in-range of a device that has or can obtain location information. During an emergency call, the call processing server 18 uses location information acquired from an in-range device as an approximation of the location of the mobile wireless device that placed the emergency call. For example, the processing logic “begins” with the dual-mode mobile device 12 placing an emergency call to the VoIP system 10 via a wireless broadband connection established by the originating WAP 14 (Step 400 ). In addition to receiving the emergency call, the VoIP system 10 also receives from the dual-mode mobile device 12 address information associated with the in-range device 42 and uses the address information to establish a connection with the in-range device 42 (Step 402 ). The VoIP system 10 then acquires location information from the in-range device 42 via the newly established connection between the system 10 and the in-range device 42 (Step 404 ). The call processing server 18 directs the emergency call to an EAP that services the geographic area corresponding to the in-range device location information (Step 406 ), e.g., via the PSTN 28 or the emergency services network 32 . [0049] FIG. 12 illustrates an embodiment of processing logic for re-directing an incoming emergency call received by the VoIP system 10 when the system 10 is unable to acquire location information associated with the emergency call. The processing logic “begins” with the VoIP system 10 receiving an emergency call placed by a mobile device capable of both cellular and wireless communication such as the dual-mode mobile device 12 (Step 500 ). Upon receiving the emergency call, the call processing server 18 determines whether a location associated with the emergency call is identifiable (Step 502 ), e.g., by one or more of the embodiments described herein. If a location is identifiable, the call processing server 18 routes the emergency call to an appropriate EAP (Step 504 ). [0050] If the location is unidentifiable, i.e., the call processing server 18 is not able to determine the location or an approximate location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 , the emergency call is re-directed to an alternate carrier such as a cellular carrier associated with the cellular network 38 (Step 506 ). In one example, the call processing server 18 provides a call redirection instruction to the dual-mode mobile device 12 after the server 18 determines that the location of the device 12 is unidentifiable, thus instructing the dual-mode device 12 to re-direct the emergency call. In another example, the dual-mode mobile device 12 recognizes that it cannot acquire its location, and in doing so, re-directs the call to the cellular network 38 without instruction from the call processing server 18 . [0051] The communication processor 20 manages emergency call redirection in the dual-mode mobile device 12 . When the location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 is unidentifiable, the communication processor 20 establishes a cellular communication channel with the cellular network 38 , as illustrated by Step 508 of FIG. 13 . In one example, the call processing server 18 of the VoIP system 10 provides a call redirection instruction to the dual-mode mobile device 12 , causing the communication processor 20 to “re-direct” the emergency call by placing a subsequent emergency call over the cellular network 38 . In another example, the communication processor 20 recognizes that it cannot acquire the location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 , and in doing so, generates an internal call redirection instruction causing the dual-mode device 12 to “re-direct” the call without instruction from the call processing server 18 . Regardless of how a call redirection instruction is generated, the communication processor 20 “re-directs” the emergency call by placing a subsequent emergency call over the cellular network 38 in response to a call redirection instruction, as illustrated by Step 510 of FIG. 13 . As such, the emergency call is serviced by a cellular-based system (not shown) when the location of the dual-mode mobile device 12 is unidentifiable. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the communication processor 20 can establish a cellular communication channel while maintaining a call connection with the VoIP system 10 if the WLAN and cellular radios 36 , 40 do not substantially interfere with each other. [0052] With the above embodiments in mind, it should be understood that emergency call routing in VoIP systems as taught herein provides for a VoIP system, e.g., the system 10 that is configured to route an emergency call placed by a mobile wireless device to an EAP that services a geographic area corresponding to an approximate location of the mobile wireless device. The VoIP system is also configured to re-direct emergency calls received from dual-mode mobile devices over a cellular network when the calls lack location information sufficient for the VoIP system to route the calls to appropriate EAPs. [0053] Thus, while the invention has been described in terms of specific embodiments, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited by the foregoing description, nor is it limited by the accompanying drawings. Instead, the present invention is limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.
Methods and apparatuses for routing emergency calls originated from mobile wireless devices in a Voice-over-IP (VoIP) system are described herein. In one or more embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by receiving incoming emergency calls originated from dual-mode mobile devices connected to the VoIP system through wireless access points (WAPs), determining locations associated with the incoming emergency calls, and redirecting callers to a cellular network. In other embodiments, emergency calls are routed in a VoIP system by mapping WAP identifiers to emergency answering points (EAPs), receiving an incoming emergency call from an originating WAP, identifying an EAP relating to the originating WAP, and directing the emergency call to the identified EAP.
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FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] This invention relates to methods and systems for channel estimation for demodulating an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (“OFDM”) signal, and, in particular, to methods and systems for timing synchronization for an OFDM signal. BACKGROUND [0002] Orthogonal frequency division multiplexing system is a multi-carrier transmission technique that uses orthogonal subcarriers to transmit information within an available spectrum. Since the subcarriers are orthogonal to one another, the subcarriers can be spaced much more closely together within an available spectrum than, for example, the individual channels in a conventional frequency division multiplexing (“FDM”) system. Many modern digital communications systems are turning to the OFDM system as a modulation scheme for signals that need to survive in environments having multipath-propagation or strong interference, including the IEEE 802.11a standard, the Digital Video Broadcasting Terrestrial (“DVB-T”) standard, the Digital Video Broadcasting Handheld (“DVB-H”) standard, the Digital Audio Broadcast (“DAB”) standard, and the Digital Television Broadcast (“T-DMB”) standard. [0003] In an OFDM system, the subcarriers may be modulated with a low-rate data stream before transmission. It is advantageous to transmit a number of low-rate data streams in parallel instead of a single high-rate stream since low symbol-rate schemes suffer less inter-symbol interference (“ISI”) caused by multipath. [0004] OFDM modulated signals can be transmitted in transmission frames, where each transmission frame consists of a number of symbols. The reception of these signals depends on successful acquisition of symbol timing and frame timing. Symbol timing acquisition can be accomplished by finding the boundary of each symbol; whereas frame timing acquisition can be accomplished by finding the starting symbol of each transmission frame. [0005] In particular, with respect to OFDM modulated signals, timing synchronization and frequency synchronization are difficult. It is difficult to exactly synchronize symbols between the transmitter and the receiver. Timing synchronization requires that the beginning of each OFDM symbol be determined within each frame. Unless the correct timing is known, the receiver cannot remove cyclic prefixes at the correct timing instance. Thus, individual symbols cannot be correctly separated before a Fast Fourier Transform (“FFT”) is applied to demodulate the signal. [0006] In a wireless environment with multipath reception, finding the optimal FFT window timing can result in the lowest inter-symbol-interference (“ISI”), and therefore the best receiver performance. Fine timing synchronization serves this purpose. To find the timing window, i.e., the start of an FFT window, a conventional method is to locate the strongest path via a time domain correlation or inverse FFT and then place the FFT window a few samples shift from the strongest path. In an additive white Gaussian noise (“AWGN”) environment, this scheme works just fine since the delay is very limited. However, in a dynamic environment with various multipath delays and multipath profiles, such methods are not adequate. Therefore, it is desirable to provide methods for timing synchronization for OFDM modulated signals. SUMMARY OF INVENTION [0007] An object of this invention is to provide methods and systems for fine timing synchronization to aid in processing a received signal that can account for multipath delays. [0008] Another object of this invention is to provide methods and systems for fine timing synchronization to aid in processing a received signal that can account for various signal profiles. [0009] Yet another object of this invention is to provide methods and systems for fine timing synchronization for a signal having improved performance. [0010] Briefly, the present invention discloses methods for determining timing synchronization for demodulating a signal by a receiver, comprising the steps of: generating a channel response for the signal; transforming the signal into the time domain using an inverse fast fourier transform (“IFFT”); determining a signal power for the transformed signal as a function of the generated channel response; and calculating the timing synchronization by the receiver as a function of the determined signal power. [0011] An advantage of this invention is that methods and systems for fine timing synchronization are provided to aid in processing a received signal that can account for multipath delays. [0012] Another advantage of this invention is that methods and systems for fine timing synchronization are provided to aid in processing a received signal that can account for various signal profiles. [0013] Yet another advantage of this invention is that methods and systems for fine timing synchronization for a signal having improved performance are provided. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0014] The foregoing and other objects, aspects, and advantages of the invention can be better understood from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which: [0015] FIG. 1 illustrates an OFDM frame having a cyclic prefix and a body. [0016] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a communications system of the present invention. [0017] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a fine timing synchronization block of the present invention. [0018] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a channel response block of the present invention. [0019] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram in which optimal timing for a FFT window is found for a frame of a signal. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0020] In the following detailed description of the embodiments, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration of specific embodiments in which the present invention may be practiced. [0021] FIG. 1 illustrates an OFDM frame having a cyclic prefix (“CP”) and a body. A symbol 10 can have a CP 12 having a length of Ncp points and a body 14 having a length of N points. The CP 12 is a copy of a latter portion 16 of the body 14 of the symbol 10 that is appended to the beginning of the symbol body 14 . The CP 12 can serve as a buffer to avoid inter-symbol interference. Typically, the CP 12 is discarded when decoding the symbol 10 . For instance, the CP 12 should be removed before applying FFT demodulation during the decoding of the symbol 10 . [0022] FIG. 2 illustrates a block diagram of a communications system of the present invention. A signal is inputted to a transmitter 20 for transmission over a channel 22 , e.g., over-the-air wireless channel. The transmission can be received by a receiver 24 for processing and decoding. [0023] The transmitter 24 comprises a serial-to-parallel converter 26 , an inverse fast Fourier transform (“IFFT”) block 28 , a parallel-to-serial converter 30 , and a CP adder block 32 . The transmitter 24 may also comprise other blocks for transmitting the signal over the channel 22 . However, to aid in the understanding of the invention, the above listed blocks are used to illustrate several key blocks of the transmitter 24 . It is understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art that a transmitter (or receiver) of the present invention can have other blocks for transmitting or receiving the signal. [0024] The receiver 24 can comprise a digital front end block 42 , a CP removal block 40 , a Fast Fourier Transform (“FFT”) block 38 , a channel estimator 36 , a decoder 34 , a fine timing synchronization block 44 , and a coarse timing synchronization block 46 . The received signal from the channel 22 can be processed by the receiver 24 by first being processed by the digital front end block 42 . The digital front end block 42 processes the received signal from an analog signal to a digital signal yy having a predefined sampling rate. The digital signal yy can be outputted to the CP removal block 40 and the coarse timing synchronization block 46 . The coarse timing synchronization block 46 can estimate various errors of the digital signal yy and make any corrections as necessary. In particular, the coarse timing synchronization block 46 can estimate the coarse timing for the receiver 24 . The coarse timing can provide the receiver 24 with useful timing information for applying a first FFT on the received signal. [0025] The CP removal block 40 receives the digital signal yy, a coarse timing synchronization, and a fine timing synchronization to accurately remove the CP from the digital signal yy. The CP removal block 40 outputs the signal y (that is the digital signal without the CP) to the FFT block 38 . The FFT block 38 performs a FFT operation on the signal y to covert the signal y from the time domain signal to a frequency domain signal Y. The frequency domain signal is outputted to the channel estimator 36 . The channel estimator 36 performs channel estimation on the signal Y to generate a channel frequency response H to generate the estimated symbols X est . The estimated symbols X est are outputted to the decoder 34 for further processing. [0026] The frequency domain signal Y and the estimated symbol X est are inputted to the fine timing synchronization block 44 for generating a fine timing value. The fine timing value provides the correct starting position of the FFT window for the signal to remove the CP. Thus, the CP removal block 40 can use the fine timing value to accurately delete the CP from the signal y. [0027] FIG. 3 illustrates a block diagram of a fine timing synchronization block of the present invention. The fine timing synchronization block 44 of the present invention comprises a channel estimator 62 , an IFFT block 64 , a signal power calculation block 66 , a path threshold setter 70 , and a fine timing synchronization block 68 . The channel estimator 62 receives the signal Y(k) in the frequency domain and the estimated symbols X est (k) for the signal to generate an estimated channel response H est (k) in the frequency domain, where k is the frequency carrier number. The estimated channel response H est (k) can be found by the following equation: [0000] H est ( k )= Y ( k )/ X est ( k ),  Equation [1] [0000] where k is the frequency carrier number. [0028] The IFFT block 64 receives the estimated channel response H est (k) and applies an IFFT on the received channel response H est (k) to convert the channel response to the time domain, h est (n), wherein n is the index number. The channel response, h est (n), in the time domain is then inputted to the signal power calculation block 66 to calculate the power of the signal P h (n), also referred to as the signal power. The signal power P h (n) can be calculated by the following equation: [0000] P h  ( n ) = [ abs ( h  ( mod  ( n - N 2 , N ) ) ] 2 , Equation  [ 2 ] [0000] where mod(a,b) is the modulo operator and N is a FFT length. The signal power P h (n) is inputted to the path threshold setter 70 and the fine timing synchronization block 68 . [0029] The path threshold setter 70 sets values of the signal power P h (n) below a predefined threshold to zero. This is done to eliminate possible noise from being introduced into the calculation for fine timing synchronization. Thereby, only the signal power values above a certain threshold are used for the fine timing synchronization block 68 . The filtered signal power can be denoted by the following equation: [0000]  ( n ) = { P h  ( n ) , for   P h  ( n ) ≥ path   threshold 0 , for   P h  ( n ) < path   threshold Equation  [ 3 ] [0000] The fine timing synchronization block 68 uses the signal power (n) to calculate a fine timing value to indicate the start of the FFT window for demodulating of the signal. [0030] The fine timing for the FFT window can equal the following: [0000] fine timing=argmin idx abs((Σ r=0 idx-1 ( r ))−(Σ r=idx+Ncp N-1 ( r ))  Equation [4] [0000] where min is the minimum function, abs is an absolute value function, idx is an index, N is a body length of a frame of a signal, and Ncp is a cyclic prefix length of the frame of a signal, and (n) is the filtered signal power. The index idx can start from a maximum index, in which a maximum power value for the determined signal power is located at the maximum index. Also, the index idx may start at other values until a minimum is found for the minimum function in Equation [4]. [0031] FIG. 4 illustrates a block diagram of a channel response block of the present invention. The channel response block 62 of the present invention comprises a divider unit 72 and a slicer 74 . The signal Y(k) and a hard decision symbol X dec are inputted to the channel estimator 62 . The slicer 74 receives an estimated symbol X est , which is demapped to generate the hard decision symbol X dec . The signal Y(k) and the hard decision symbol X dec are inputted to the divider unit 72 . The divider unit 72 divides the signal Y(k) by the hard decision symbol X dec to determine an estimated channel response H est (k). [0032] FIG. 5 illustrates a diagram in which optimal timing for a FFT window is shown for a frame of a signal. A frame 80 of the signal can start at an index labeled n=0 and end at the index n=N−1, where N is the FFT length. The minimum value of the absolute difference of the following two items: [0033] (1) the sum of the signal powers P h (n) for n=0, 1, 2, . . . optimal_timing, in a pre-path 82 ; and [0034] (2) the sum of the signal powers P h (n) for n= . . . N−2, N−1, in a post-path 84 , can be used to determine an optimal timing index for the FFT window. The optimal timing index is when n=optimal_timing. The index of the post-path can start at the optimal timing plus the cyclic prefix length Ncp. Furthermore, the optimal timing minus N/2 can signify the start of the FFT window since there is an N/2 shift from Equation [2]. [0035] While the present invention has been described with reference to certain preferred embodiments or methods, it is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to such specific embodiments or methods. Rather, it is the inventor's contention that the invention be understood and construed in its broadest meaning as reflected by the following claims. Thus, these claims are to be understood as incorporating not only the preferred apparatuses, methods, and systems described herein, but all those other and further alterations and modifications as would be apparent to those of ordinary skilled in the art.
A method for determining timing synchronization for demodulating a signal by a receiver, comprises the steps of: generating a channel response for the signal; transforming the signal into the time domain using an inverse fast fourier transform (“IFFT”); determining a signal power for the transformed signal as a function of the generated channel response; and calculating the timing synchronization by the receiver as a function of the determined signal power.
7
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention concerns in general lithography methods. It receives as a favoured application the lithography methods used by the microelectronics industry for manufacturing semiconductor devices, in particular integrated circuits. It concerns more particularly an improved nanometric imprint lithography method. PRIOR ART The industrial manufacture of new generations of integrated circuits involves being able to etch patterns of ever smaller sizes, which are now measured in nanometers (nm=10 −9 meters) only. The photolithography used from the start, based on the insolation of photosensitive resists through optical masks reproducing the patterns to be etched, does however come up against physical barriers which require having recourse to more and more sophisticated techniques in order to be able to accompany the growth of the required integration density. In particular, in order to limit the diffraction of light through the masks, it is necessary to have recourse to shorter wavelengths (ultraviolet, or even X-rays) and complex techniques (for example immersion lithography), which require considerable investments for development and industrial implementation thereof. In the middle of the 1990s a very different technique, which makes it possible in particular to completely overcome the diffraction problems mentioned above, was invented by Professor Stephen Y. Chou in the Nanometric Structures Laboratory of the University of Minnesota in the United States. The initial principle of this technique, known as “nanometric imprint lithography”, was disclosed by him in several publications, including in particular the one entitled “Nanoimprint Lithography”, published with his colleagues Peter R. Krauss and Preston J. Renstrom in the Journal of Vacuum Science and Technology, reference B 14(6), November/December. A technique which immediately aroused a great deal of interest and gave rise to numerous research and development works. Nanometric imprint lithography now forms part of the International Technology Roadmap for Semiconductors (ITRS) and more particularly for integrated circuit technologies in the course of development or in the production phase, the basic functional element of which, the node, was defined by the roadmap successively at 32 nm and 22 nm. Nanometric imprint lithography comprises two main variants. The first, the one proposed originally by Professor Chou, thermal nanometric imprint lithography, normally referred to by its English acronym T-NIL, standing for thermal nanoimprint lithography, consists of imprinting, with an opaque mould, heated thermoplastic polymers or monomers. After cooling, the mould can be removed and the imprinted patterns remain in place. The second technique, nanoimprint with photosensitive resist, normally referred to by its English acronym P-NIL, standing for photocurable nanoimprint, consists of imprinting a photosensitive resist with a transparent mould and effecting an optical insolation of the resist film through it. The insolation causes the hardening of the resist. As above, the mould can then be removed. In both cases there does however remain a residue at the bottom of the nanoimprinted patterns that it is necessary to remove to enable them to be transferred onto the substrate that it is wished to etch. The use of nanometric imprint lithography therefore currently requires also needing to carry out reactive ion etching, normally referred to by the acronym RIE, in the presence of oxygen in order to remove the remaining residues present at the bottom of the nanoimprinted trenches. Another method consists of performing a post-etching step during which a controlled thickness of material is removed chemically. This step is normally referred to by the term etch-back. These known techniques of removing the residue present in the bottom of the nanoimprinted patterns are relatively complicated, lengthy and expensive to implement. The object of the invention is to propose an improved nanometric imprint lithography method that solves at least one of these problems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The subject matter of the invention is thus a nanometric imprint lithography method comprising a preparation step during which a photosensitive resist is disposed on a substrate, and a step of pressing a mould in the resist in order to form at least one imprint pattern in the resist. The imprint pattern is at least partly delimited by two areas, including a pressed area and an area adjacent to said pressed area, said adjacent area being less or not at all pressed and having a thickness greater than that of the pressed area. The method also comprises a step of exposing at least said two areas to an insolation dose. In other words, the two areas receive the insolation dose during this exposure step. Characteristically, the respective thicknesses of said two areas are defined so that said two areas have a differential in absorption of the insolation dose and the insolation dose afforded by the exposure step is determined so as to be sufficiently great to activate the resist at whichever of said two areas has the highest absorption and so as not to be sufficiently great to activate the resist at whichever of said two areas has the lowest absorption. In other words, the thicknesses of said two areas are defined so that, to be activated, the resist at one of said two areas requires an insolation dose different from the insolation dose necessary for activating the resist at the other one of said two areas and the insolation dose afforded by the exposure step is determined so as to be sufficiently great to activate the resist at only one of said two areas. Thus the thicknesses of resist and the insolation dose afforded by the exposure step are determined so that the insolation dose afforded is between the dose necessary for activation of the area having the highest absorption and the dose necessary for activation of the area having the lowest absorption. Thus the invention takes advantage of the variation in the absorption of the film of resist according to the thickness of this film. This variation in absorption, normally considered to be a serious drawback, is used in the context of the invention to selectively activate the resist at the pattern or the area that surrounds it. By using a positive resist, it is then for example possible to activate the resist only at the pattern in order to eliminate the residue after development of the resist. Likewise, by using a negative resist it is then possible to activate the resist only outside the pattern in order to eliminate the residue after development of the resist. The invention thus makes it possible to eliminate the resist in the bottom of the patterns in a particularly precise and simple manner. It is possible in fact to dispense with the normally used steps of RIE or post-etching mentioned previously. In addition, the method for removing the residue according to the invention makes it possible to obtain very good resolution of the patterns obtained by nanoimprint. This is because the steps of insolation and development of the resist preserve the slope of the nanoimprinted patterns unlike the steps normally used for removing the residue, which may alter the sides of the nanoimprinted patterns. In addition, these techniques tend to degrade the resist. In a particularly advantageous manner, the invention also makes it possible to obtain, after development of the resist, a final pattern that is the reverse of that obtained by pressing of the mould in the resist. This final pattern corresponds to the protrusion of the mould. This is because, with a positive resist, by choosing thicknesses of resist such that the adjacent area has an absorption greater than that of the highly-pressed area constituting the bottom of a pattern, the exposure makes it possible to activate only the adjacent area by making it soluble during development. After development, the adjacent area is therefore removed and the resist at the bottom of the pattern, which for its part has not absorbed a sufficient dose, for its part remains in place. A photograph that is the reverse of the patterns obtained by imprinting is then obtained. Likewise, with a negative resist, by choosing thicknesses of resist such that the adjacent area has an absorption less than that of the highly-pressed area constituting the bottom of the pattern, the exposure crosslinks the resist at the bottom of the pattern only. During development, the adjacent area is therefore removed and the resist at the bottom of the pattern, which for its part has not absorbed a sufficient dose, remains in place. As will be detailed hereinafter, it is thus possible to easily obtain projecting final patterns corresponding to projecting protrusions of the mould. Advantageously, these projecting patterns may be narrow and may for example form lines. In general terms in the context of the present invention, the patterns in the resist are hollow or projecting. Preferably, they are obtained by nanoimprint. The protrusions on the mould may also be hollow or projecting. Optionally, the method according to the invention also comprises at least any one of the following features: The thicknesses of resist are determined so that the difference between the dose necessary for activating the area having the lowest absorption and the dose necessary for activating the area having the highest absorption is at least 5 mJ/cm 2 , for example 10 mJ/cm 2 . Thus, if for a given resist the thickness of resist in an area requires a dose of 15 mJ/cm 2 , a thickness would be chosen for the adjacent area such that, for this thickness, the minimum dose necessary for activation of the resist is approximately 20 mJ/cm 2 . The insolation dose afforded by the exposure step will therefore have to be greater than or equal to 15 mJ/cm 2 and less than 20 mJ/cm 2 . Preferably, contrast curves are defined to determine these thicknesses. Preferably, the adjacent areas delimiting the same pattern formed during the step of pressing the mould receive the same insolation dose. Advantageously, the absorption of the resist according to its thickness defines a substantially sinusoidal curve in which the thickness of the resist at one from said pressed zone and said adjacent zone corresponds to a maximum of said sinusoidal curve and the thickness of the resist at one from said pressed zone or said adjacent zone corresponds to a minimum of said sinusoidal curve. According to a first embodiment, a final pattern corresponding to the protrusion of the mould is obtained. This final pattern is therefore the reverse of the pattern obtained by the imprint step. According to an alternative of this first embodiment, the resist is a positive photosensitive resist, the thicknesses of the resist at the pressed area and at said adjacent area are determined so that the resist at the pressed area has an absorption lower than that of the resist at said adjacent area and in which the insolation dose afforded by the exposure step is defined so as to activate the resist at said adjacent area and to not activate the resist at the pressed area, so as to obtain a final pattern that is the reverse of the imprint pattern. Preferably, the adjustment of the thickness of highly-pressed resist corresponds to a minimum on the light energy absorption curve, the adjustment of the thickness of resist that is little or not at all pressed corresponds to a maximum on the light energy absorption curve. According to another alternative of this first embodiment, the resist is a negative photosensitive resist, the thicknesses of the resist at the pressed area and at said adjacent area are determined so that the resist at the pressed area has absorption greater than that of the resist at said adjacent area and wherein the insolation afforded by the exposure step is defined so as to activate the resist at the pressed area and to not activate the resist at said adjacent area, so as to obtain a final pattern that is the reverse of the imprint pattern. This final pattern also corresponds to the protrusion of the mould. Preferably, the adjustment of the thickness of the highly-pressed resist corresponds to the maximum on the light energy absorption curve, the adjustment of the resist that is only slightly or not at all pressed corresponds to a minimum on the light energy absorption curve. Thus, by virtue of the reversal, the invention makes it possible to easily obtain a final projecting pattern, such as a narrow line for example. In addition, the dimensions of this projecting final pattern may be very small and precisely controlled. However, with the known nanoimprint methods, obtaining the projecting patterns is particularly tricky. This is because obtaining them requires the presence of a hollow protrusion in the mould and it is very difficult to make the resist follow the form of a hollow protrusion in the mould. The presence of air in the hollow protrusion in the mould makes it even more tricky to obtain narrow projecting patterns. Optionally, after development of the resist, an additional etching step is performed in order to remove any residue of resist remaining on the substrate at the adjacent area after the development step. Typically, these post-etching steps are steps of the RIE or etchback type. According to a second embodiment, the residue of resist present in the bottom of the pattern obtained by the imprint step is eliminated. According to an alternative of this second embodiment, the resist is a positive photosensitive resist, the thicknesses of the resist at the pressed area and at said adjacent area are determined so that the resist at the pressed area has an absorption greater than that of the resist at said adjacent area and wherein the insolation dose afforded by the exposure step is defined so as to activate the resist at the pressed area and to not activate the resist at said adjacent area, so as to eliminate the residue of resist at the pressed area, that is to say typically in the bottom of the imprint pattern. Preferably, the adjustment of the thickness of the highly-pressed resist corresponds to a maximum on the light energy absorption curve, the adjustment of the thickness of resist that is only slightly or not at all pressed corresponds to a minimum on the light energy absorption curve. According to an alternative of this second embodiment, the resist is a negative photosensitive resist, the thicknesses of the resist at the pressed area and at said adjacent area are determined so that the resist at the pressed area has an absorption lower than that of the resist at said adjacent area and wherein the insolation dose afforded by the exposure step is defined so as to activate the resist at said adjacent area and to not activate the resist at the pressed area, so as to eliminate the residue of resist at the pressed area, that is to say typically in the bottom of the imprint pattern. Preferably, the adjustment of the thickness of the highly-pressed resist corresponds to a minimum on the light energy absorption curve, the adjustment of the thickness of resist that is only slightly or not at all pressed corresponds to a maximum on the light energy absorption curve. Opposite or significantly different degrees of opening for two areas of the same wafer are obtained. In a first embodiment, after the pressing step, a plurality of imprint patterns are obtained having different thicknesses, at least one of these thicknesses corresponding to a maximum absorption, and at least one other of these thicknesses corresponding to a minimum absorption. In more general terms, these thicknesses correspond to different absorption levels. Thus, by exposing the whole of the resist, it is possible to make the residues of resist situated in the bottom of the imprint patterns disappear and at the same time to obtain an image that is the reverse of other imprint patterns. Advantageously, a full-wafer exposure is carried out. In order to obtain, after the pressing step, imprint patterns having variable thickness, it is possible to provide for the mould to have projecting protrusions of different heights. The invention is not limited to a single pressing step for obtaining areas of resist of different thickness on the same substrate. Advantageously, the method also comprises a step of removing the mould after the pressing step. Preferably, the exposure is carried out after removal of the mould. In a variant embodiment of the invention, it can be carried out before the removal of the mould, the latter then being configured so as to allow the insolation dose to pass, at least partially. In this variant, the mould is preferably substantially transparent. In another embodiment, alternative or combined with the first embodiment, portions of resist are insolated with different insolation doses. The exposure is thus effected unevenly over the whole wafer. These differences in exposure can be obtained by means of a mask partly blocking the exposure. Preferably, at least a first pattern having a first dimension is insolated with a first insolation dose. Said dimension is taken in a direction normal to the thickness of the resist and corresponds typically to the width of a trench or a step formed in the resist. At least a second pattern having a second dimension smaller than said first dimension is insolated with a second insolation dose greater than said first insolation dose. More precisely, the exposure step is performed so that the first insolation dose is sufficient to activate only one from the pressed area or the area of the first pattern that is less or not pressed so that the second insolation dose is insufficient to activate the second pattern but is sufficient to activate the area bordering the second pattern. The second pattern may be a trench, in which case the areas bordering the pattern are areas having a greater thickness of resist. The second pattern may also be a projection, in which the areas bordering the pattern are areas having a lower thickness of resist. According to an alternative to this embodiment, during the exposure step all the resist is exposed to the insolation dose. The invention thus allows a full-wafer exposure, which is particularly advantageous in terms of cost and speed. The insolation dose is provided by a coherent light source that generates interference phenomena in the film of resist. This generates the absorption differential that the invention takes advantage of. Preferably, the exposure step involves successively several light sources having different wavelengths so as to increase the absorption differential. Preferably, during the preparation step, a step is provided during which the photosensitive resist is deposited on a layer or substrate for amplifying the variations in absorption of the resist according to its thickness. Typically, said layer or said substrate are taken from the following materials: SiC, Ge, Ag, W, ALSi. Alternatively, to achieve this same objective of amplification of the variations in absorption, a silicon substrate can be provided. Another subject matter of the invention is a multilayer assembly comprising a substrate covered with a layer of photosensitive resist, the resist having at least one pattern, delimited at least partly by two areas, namely a pressed area and an area adjacent to said pressed area. The thickness of each of the two areas corresponds to a maximum or a minimum of the absorption curve of said resist according to its thickness. In more general terms, the thickness of each of the two areas corresponds to activation thresholds distant by at least 5 mJ/cm 2 . Thus the minimum dose for activating one of the areas is at least 5 mJ/cm 2 less than the minimum dose for activating the other one of the areas, for example 10 mJ/cm 2 less. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Other features, details and advantages of the invention will emerge more clearly from the detailed description given below by way of indication, in relation to drawings, in which: FIG. 1 illustrates the steps of an example of a nanometric imprint lithography method according to the invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the dependency of the insolation parameters vis-à-vis the thickness of the layer of deposited resist. FIG. 3 illustrates, with examples, the behaviour of the photosensitive resists according to parameters including the insolation dose received and the size of the insolated patterns. FIG. 4 describes four variants for implementing the invention, with a positive and negative resist, and making the two thicknesses of resists obtained after imprint correspond to different levels of absorption of the insolation energy, typically either to a maximum or to a minimum absorption. FIG. 5 illustrates the influence of the substrate or material situated under the layer of resist for implementing the invention. FIG. 6 illustrates different lithography areas, those where narrow trenches must be opened in the resist, and others where on the contrary only narrow lines must remain. FIG. 7 describes an example of application of the invention wherein a mould with variable topography is used, that is to say one having protrusions of variable heights. FIG. 8 describes another example of application of the invention where the dose is varied according to the type of pattern in the area to be insolated. FIG. 9 illustrates an example of the stacking of layers modelled so as to determine the absorption curves of the resist according to its thickness. FIG. 10 illustrates an absorption curve of a layer of resist according to its thickness. FIGS. 11 a to 11 e illustrate an example of a method according to the invention for effecting a reversal of patterns. FIGS. 12 a and 12 b are examples of curves for determining the contrast of a respectively negative and positive resist. The accompanying drawings are given by way of examples and are not limitative of the invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION FIG. 1 , which comprises FIGS. 1 a to 1 e ′, illustrates the steps of the improved nanometric imprint lithography method of the invention. On the substrate 110 where, on the surface, it is wished to reproduce and etch patterns that will contribute to the production of a device being manufactured, a layer of a photosensitive resist 120 is deposited, for example, of the type used in a standard manner by the microelectronics industry for optical lithography. The invention makes no assumption on the type of substrate by which the method of the invention is implemented. In particular, the substrate may for example already comprise numerous layers (not shown) on the surface, in which patterns may already have been previously defined, with the method of the invention, or by other means in particular using conventional optical lithography or electronic lithography. As shown in FIG. 1 a , the first step 101 therefore consists of depositing on the surface a layer of resist preferably controlled for thickness. The deposition can be done by any standard means used by the microelectronics industry. Usually, in this case, by centrifugation, a method often referred to as spin-coating. The thickness of the deposited layer is controlled by adjusting the speed of rotation according to the viscosity of the resist. After spreading, the resist in general undergoes heat treatment to discharge the solvent residues and to stabilise the resist mechanically. This treatment may for example be of the type normally referred to as soft bake. As shown in FIG. 1 b , the following step 102 consists of pressing in the resist a mould 130 having protrusions 132 . The pressing of the mould 130 makes the protrusions 132 penetrate the resist 120 , which transfers these protrusions 132 in order to form nanoimprinted patterns in the resist. Advantageously, the mould can be applied over the entire surface of the substrate and can therefore reproduce all the patterns of all the devices produced simultaneously on a wafer made for example from a semiconductor material. Typically, the wafer is made from silicon. It may be very large, for example several tens of centimeters, compared with the patterns of nanometric sizes to be reproduced. For simplicity, without this in any way interfering with the understanding of the method of the invention, only one of these projecting protrusions 132 is shown whereas a very large number, typically hundreds of thousands, may in reality have been fashioned on the bottom surface of the mould. The mould may be produced from an opaque, transparent or partially transparent material. As will be seen subsequently, the height 131 of the protrusions 132 projecting on the mould and/or the thickness 121 of the layer of resist deposited are important parameters for controlling the implementation of the method of the invention. In the present application, the height of the protrusions or the thickness e r , e f , e 0 , e 1 , e 2 , e 3 of resist 120 means dimensions taken in directions substantially perpendicular to the principal plane of the substrate and/or substantially parallel to the direction of penetration of the mould 130 in the resist 120 . Preferably, while the mould 130 is pressed in the resist 120 and remains in place, the substrate 110 , which rests on a support (not shown), is heated to facilitate the imprinting by making the resist more malleable: for this purpose a temperature around the glass transition temperature of the resist is used. The heating temperature must be such that it no way impairs the photosensitive qualities of the resist used. In particular, in the case of so-called positive resist, the heating temperature must remain below the so-called deprotection temperature thereof. In the case of a so-called negative resist the heating temperature must remain below the cross-linking temperature. According to circumstances, positive and negative resists are in fact normally used in lithography so that the parts exposed to light become respectively soluble or insoluble after insolation, making it possible to reproduce the patterns of the masks or their negatives. At the following step 103 , as shown in FIG. 1 c , it is then possible to proceed with the removal of the mould 130 . The printed patterns 127 remain in place in the layer of resist 120 . The following step 104 is illustrated by FIG. 1 d . Insolation of the imprinted resist 120 is then carried out. Preferably, this insolation is effected over the whole of the surface of the resist. This full-wafer insolation simplifies and accelerates the method of obtaining the patterns. According to a variant, only a portion of the resist is insolated. This localised exposure can be obtained by means of a mask partly obscuring the insolation of the resist. The insolation given to the resist, at least at some of the patterns, is referenced 140 in FIG. 1 d . It is clear in this figure that the adjacent areas 128 , 129 delimit a pattern 127 receiving the same insolation dose during the exposure step. The invention is based on the observation that the behaviour of the resist may be very different at the end of the insolation phase according to its thickness. The behaviour after insolation depends on the insolation dose absorbed. However, the dose absorbed depends on the absorption ability of the resist, which itself depends on the thickness of the resist. For a given pattern, two thicknesses are to be considered. That of the resist that has been significantly pressed by the mould. This area 129 corresponds to the projecting protrusions 132 of the mould 130 , that is to say: e r 124 ; and the greater thickness of the resist, where it has been only slightly or not at all pressed by the reliefs 132 of the mould 130 . This area 128 corresponds to the hollows generated by the protrusion 132 on the mould 130 . This area 128 is designated hereinafter as the area 128 adjacent to the pattern. Its thickness is referenced: e f 122 in FIG. 1 d. Thus, if a mould has stepped protrusions, a first area adjacent to a pressed area may itself constitute a pressed area delimited by a second adjacent area not pressed or less pressed than the first one. Such is the case with the protrusions 52 and 54 illustrated in FIG. 5 and described hereinafter. In the present invention, pressed, deformed, packed or compressed area and less or not pressed, deformed, packed or compressed area will be spoken of in order to characterise the difference or differences in thickness caused by the penetration of the mould in the resist. This penetration of the mould in the resist generates at least two adjacent areas, one having a thickness greater than that of the other area. Thus the present invention covers both elastic and inelastic deformations of the resist, that is to say deformations with or without significant compression of the resist. In the case where the adjacent area is not pressed by the mould, its thickness corresponds substantially to the thickness of resist deposited during the first step 101 . If the total surface of the protrusions is great there may be a significant reflux of the resist in the only slightly pressed areas and therefore an increase in the thickness of resist initially deposited. The thicknesses must be chosen accordingly, depending on the density and size of the patterns. Preliminary tests will advantageously be carried out in order to determine the effective thicknesses after pressing, which are those that are important for the choice of doses. As will be seen in detail in the description and the figures that follow, the insolation dose provided during the insolation phase may be such, by adjusting the thicknesses e f and e r , that the thicker parts remain or become effectively soluble during the development phase whereas, respectively, the compressed parts become or remain insoluble according to the type of resist used, that is to say negative or positive. This makes it possible to obtain, with the method of the invention, for example the result illustrated in FIG. 1 e or 1 e ′ at the end of the step 105 of development of the resist after insolation. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1 e , the residue of resist situated in the bottom of the pattern 127 absorbs an insolation dose that causes its shrinkage after development whereas the resist 128 adjacent to the pattern 127 remains in place. In the case illustrated in FIG. 1 e ′, there is obtained a transfer into the resist of the patterns 126 that correspond to the protrusions 132 on the mould whereas it is the reverse result that is obtained with the standard method where the RIE etching step mentioned in the chapter on the prior art on the contrary makes the resist that has been pressed disappear, in the place where it is therefore the thinner 124 . Thus, by effecting a reversal, it is easily possible to obtain a projecting final pattern. In addition, the dimensions of this projecting final pattern may be very small and precisely controlled. However, with the known methods of nanoimprinting, obtaining projecting patterns is particularly tricky. FIG. 2 , which is composed of FIGS. 2 a and 2 b , illustrates the above-mentioned dependency of the insolation parameters vis-à-vis the thickness of the layer of deposited resist. The layer of resist 120 deposited constitutes, with the underlying substrate 110 , a semi-transparent and semi-reflective optical system of the Fabry-Pérot interferometer type. The behaviour of the layer for the insolation operation is then dependent on its thickness. This is because the interference phenomena that appear in the film of resist give rise to a variation in the energy absorbed thereby. Because of this, the optimum insolation dose, which transforms the chemical structure of the resist so that it becomes soluble or insoluble for the following development phase, varies according to its thickness. The diagram 210 is an example of characteristic data determined experimentally that shows this dependency. It is the case in this example of a negative resist the commercial reference of which is indicated 212 . On the Y axis is the insolation dose necessary for the chemical transformation of the exposed resist. In the case of a negative resist, this energy dose, expressed here in millijoules per square centimeter, causes its cross-linking so that it becomes insoluble. The optimum dose for obtaining this result is usually designated by the term “dose-to-size” 214 , that is to say the optimum dose that makes it possible to obtain, after development, the nominal size of the exposed patterns. The curve 218 shows the dependency of the optimum dose as a function of the thickness 216 of the resist. This curve, which is cyclic, typically sinusoidal, has a series of minima and maxima the repetition period of which depends on the wavelength of the coherent light source used, 248 nm in this case. The insolated patterns are squares with sides of 9 mm. This phenomena of variation in the absorption of a film of resist may also be calculated using the model of the Fabry-Pérot interferometer already mentioned above. The diagram 220 shows the result of a simulation of the absorption 222 , standardised in a range 0-1, of a film of resist as a function of its thickness 224 from the optical data of the resist supplied by the manufacturer. This simulation is carried out under conditions similar to those of the diagram 210 , which makes it possible to compare the experimental curve 218 and the calculated curve 226 and to find, for example for a thickness of 200 nm, that the absorption minimum of the curve 226 does indeed correspond on the curve 218 to a maximum cross-linking dose to be given to the resist in order to obtain activation thereof. This is because the lower the absorption the more it is necessary to increase the insolation dose in order to obtain the same result. It is therefore expected that a minimum absorption corresponds to a maximum of the “dose-to-size” to be applied. This large variation in the optimum dose to be applied as a function of the thickness of the resist deposited is unanimously considered to be a serious drawback by persons skilled in the art. To overcome this problem, recourse is often had to the deposition of supplementary layers (such as those referred to as BARC (“bottom anti-reflective coating”) in order to prevent or minimise any reflection from the substrate by depositing thereon, prior to the layer of resist; this layer will not reflect the incident light and attenuates the amplitude of the sinusoids 218 . A number of techniques such as the deposition of a non-reflective surface coating, usually referred to as “top anti-reflective coating”, have been developed to reduce the undesirable consequences of the variation in absorption. The invention on the contrary takes advantage of this phenomenon to propose the method described in FIG. 1 , a method that can be implemented in four different ways as explained in FIG. 4 below. Prior to this description, FIGS. 3 a and 3 b give additional information on the behaviour of the photosensitive resists according to parameters such as the thickness of the deposited resist, the insolation dose received and the size of the insolated patterns, and which are useful to an understanding of the method of the invention. The diagram 230 shows an example of experimental determination of a dose window 232 that produces opposite results after insolation according to the thickness of resist in question. It is found for example on its curves, referred to as contrast curves, that a dose of 15 mJ/cm 2 , situated at the middle of the window 232 , will be suitable for selectively activating the negative resist in question (NEB22A2), if it has a thickness of 172 nm or 235 nm 234 , thicknesses for which the absorption is high. On the other hand it will not activate thicknesses of 208 nm or 270 nm 236 , thicknesses for which the absorption is low. The entire range of doses included in the window 232 is able to suit. In this example the curves are established for square patterns with sides of 9 mm. Another very important parameter that determines the choice of doses to be applied concerns the size of the patterns. The diagram 240 shows on the Y axis the change in the dose necessary for activating the resist, normally referred to by the term “dose-to-size”, expressed in millijoules per cm 2 as a function of the dimension of the insolated patterns expressed in microns, that is to say 10 −6 meters. The two curves correspond to two thicknesses of resist, one where the absorption is high 244 , the other one where the absorption is low 242 . Naturally the dose-to-size to be applied is greater for thicknesses of resist where the absorption is lower. FIG. 4 , which comprises FIGS. 4 a to 4 e , describes four variants for implementing the invention, with a positive and negative resist, and making the two thicknesses of resist obtained after imprinting correspond either to a maximum or to a minimum of the sinusoidal curve of absorption of the insolation light energy by the layer of resist. In order to facilitate the disclosure of the invention, in all the examples that follow the thicknesses of resist correspond either to a maximum or to a minimum absorption. The invention is however not limited to thicknesses of resist corresponding to extrema. It encompasses all methods involving thicknesses of resist having differences in absorption sufficient to selectively activate the resist at the compressed area or at the adjacent area that is less or not compressed. FIG. 4 a shows the layer of resist imprinted at the end of the step 103 of the method as described in FIG. 1 . At this stage four variant embodiments are possible, which are described below in FIGS. 4 b to 4 e. FIG. 4 b illustrates a first variant in which the resist used is positive and where a reversal of the nanoimprinted patterns 127 is obtained, that is to say a transfer into the resist of the projecting protrusions 132 of the mould 130 , as described in FIG. 1 e ′. To obtain this result, that is to say to obtain the patterns 126 , it is necessary for the thickness of the pressed resist e r to be adjusted to a minimum absorption 420 on the sinusoidal curve described in FIG. 2 b . Conjointly, it is necessary for the thickness of the resist e f that is not or only a little pressed by the protrusions on the mould to be adjusted to a maximum absorption 410 of the sinusoidal curve. In more general terms, it is necessary for the thickness of resist in the bottom of the pattern to correspond to a significantly lower absorption than that in the area 128 adjacent to the pattern. Thus, by adjusting the optimum insolation dose or “dose-to-size” to this maximum absorption 410 a sufficient dose is not given to the most pressed parts of the resist to transform them chemically. In the case of a positive resist the dose is then insufficient to make it soluble to development and the patterns 126 remain in place for the operation of etching the substrate that follows. As already noted in FIG. 1 , this first way of operating makes it possible to obtain a transfer of the protrusions 132 projecting on the mould 130 , unlike a standard nanometric imprint lithography operation where it is the compressed parts of the resist, those which in this case are generally referred to residues, that are removed by a following RIE etching operation. This first implementation of the invention on the contrary advantageously uses these most pressed parts or residues for effecting a pattern reversal. FIG. 4 c describes a second variant embodiment that makes it possible to obtain, still with a positive resist, the opposite result. In this case, as with a standard nanometric imprint lithography operation, it is the non-pressed parts 128 of the resist, those that correspond to the protrusions 132 forming a hole in the mould, that remain in place. This result is obtained by adjusting the thickness of the pressed resist e r to a maximum absorption 410 on the sinusoidal curve. Conjointly, it is necessary for the thickness of the resist e f not pressed by the protrusions on the mould to be adjusted to a minimum absorption 420 . In more general terms, it is necessary for the thickness of resist in the bottom of the pattern to correspond to an absorption significantly greater than that in the area 128 adjacent to the pattern. Thus, as above, by adjusting the optimum insolation dose or “dose-to-size” to this maximum absorption 410 , it is to the non-pressed resist parts that this time a sufficient dose to transform them chemically is not given. The resist being positive, it is initially insoluble, and the less absorbent adjacent areas 128 will therefore remain in place during development. It will be noted that this second embodiment makes it possible to eliminate the pressed parts or residues without having recourse to an RIE etching as is necessary in a standard nanometric imprint lithography operation. Particularly advantageously, the invention makes it possible to keep the slope of the patterns and thus offers improved resolution compared with existing methods involving a subsequent etching step during which the sides of the patterns 127 may be significantly degraded during the etching. FIGS. 4 d and 4 e are dual figures of the previous two figures. They respectively describe the third and fourth variant embodiments of the invention using this time a negative resist. What was stated for FIGS. 4 b and 4 c applies. Only the result obtained is reversed because of the use of a negative resist, which is therefore initially soluble, and some parts of which are made insoluble by exposing them to an optimum dose of light determined by a maximum 410 of the sinusoidal absorption curve 226 . Thus, with a negative resist for FIG. 4 d , the resist situated in the bottom of the patterns 127 , that is to say here the resist of the pressed area 129 , has a height such that its absorption is weaker than the absorption of the area 128 adjacent to the pattern 127 . The exposure is therefore carried out so that: the resist situated on said adjacent area 128 absorbs a dose sufficient for its activation. It therefore remains in place after development. the resist situated in the bottom of the pattern 127 absorbs a dose insufficient for its activation. It will therefore be removed at the time of development. The invention thus makes it possible, with a negative resist, to remove the residues at the bottom of the patterns without having recourse to the existing RIE or post-etching (etch-back) steps. Conversely, with a negative resist for FIG. 4 e , the resist situated in the bottom of the patterns 127 has an absorption such that its absorption is greater than the absorption of the area 128 adjacent to the pattern 127 . The exposure is therefore carried out so that: the resist situated in the bottom of the patterns 127 absorbs a dose sufficient for its activation. It therefore remains in place after development. the resist situated in said area 128 adjacent to the pattern 127 absorbs a dose not sufficient for its activation. It is therefore removed at the time of development. The invention thus makes it possible, with a negative resist, to easily reverse the patterns 127 obtained by nanoimprinting. It then makes it possible to obtain patterns similar to the protrusions 132 on the mould 130 . Concerning the general implementation of the invention, the following remarks apply: The optical properties of the resist, of the substrate and more particularly of the resist/substrate interface will advantageously be adapted to adjust the method of implementation to a particular application and/or to broaden its window of application. The conditions of the optical insolation, in particular the wavelength of the optical source but also, to a lesser extent, the optical opening, the illumination, the depth of field and the angle of incidence, are to be considered. The substrate, or the material placed under the resist, has a very great influence on the absorption of the film of resist according to its thickness. In the light of the simulation results shown in FIG. 5 , it can be seen that some materials are more favourable than others, for example SiC, Si, Ge, Ag, AlSi and W offer the possibility of having a high difference in absorption between two thicknesses of resist. As in the diagrams of the previous figure, it is the standardised absorption that appears on the Y axis as a function of the thickness of resist expressed in nm. In order to obtain particularly advantageous application conditions, it is preferable to adjust the thickness of the highly-pressed resist parts and those that are less so or not at all. To this end, as shown in FIGS. 1 a and 1 b , it is possible to act first on the thickness 121 of the layer of resist initially deposited, and secondly on the height 131 of the projecting protrusions on the mould. This so that the thickness of the pressed resist parts and those that are less so or not at all correspond as exactly as possible to the minima and maxima chosen on the sinusoidal absorption curve 226 . The resists used are photosensitive resists, for example chemical-amplification resists conventionally used in microelectronics, for example the resist normally referenced CAP 112 and marketed by the Japanese company TOK, which must also be able to preserve without deformation the imprint of the mould and without the heating undergone during this operation impairing their photosensitive properties. If a chemical-amplification resist is used, it is necessary to pay attention to the temperatures and pressures applied during pressing. The pressing temperature must remain lower than the thermal cross-linking temperature of the resist, which is dependent on the pressure applied to the film of resist. In order to generate interference phenomena in the film of resist, a coherent light source can be used, that is to say one having a given wavelength, such as a laser or a UV lamp provided with a suitable filter. It is also possible to use filtered polychromatic sources or ones having a restricted spectrum width, typically less than 200 nm. It is also possible to use sources with several clearly distinct wavelengths, or to involve several light sources successively for effecting the insolation of the resist if these various wavelengths make it possible to increase the absorption differential. All the sources normally used for optical lithography may suit. It is possible for example to use a mercury lamp, normally referred to as a Mercury Arc Lamp, filtered to obtain an intensity peak for a specific wavelength. Typically, it is possible to use a mercury lamp configured to have an intensity peak situated at a wavelength of 436 nm or 405 nm or 365 nm. Then G-line lithography refers to a wavelength of 436 nm, H-line lithography to a wavelength of 405 nm and I-line lithography to a wavelength of 365 nm. It is also possible to use an excimer or exciplex laser (KrF, ArF, F 2 , etc.). The source and its wavelength must be chosen according to the sensitivity of the resist used. If, as has been seen, the optimum insolation dose or “dose-to-size” that makes it possible to obtain a pattern of nominal size varies according to the thickness of the film of resist, this optimum insolation dose must also be adapted according to the dimensions and/or configuration of the patterns to be produced. In general terms the optimum dose increases when the dimensions of the patterns, lines and spaces decrease. Consequently, it is easier to effect a lithography that is the reverse of that which is obtained by performing a standard nanometric imprint lithography operation, by using a positive resist, as is shown in FIG. 4 b . In the same way, it is easier to eliminate the highly-pressed parts of a resist, the residues, by using a negative resist as illustrated in FIG. 4 d. This is because the bottom of the pattern has a very small size, which increases the optimum dose to be given to this pattern in order to be activated. The difference in optimum dose between the bottom of the pattern and the area adjacent to the pattern is therefore large. This facilitates the activation of the adjacent area without activating the bottom of the pattern. In the case of a positive resist, the bottom of the pattern, the resist of which is not activated, then remains in place. Then a pattern reversal is obtained, which forms for example a line as illustrated in FIG. 4 b. In the case of a negative resist, the bottom of the pattern is not activated and disappears during development. The residue is therefore removed, which forms a trench as illustrated in FIG. 4 d. Depending on the conditions used (resist, substrate, patterns to be produced, etc.), it is possible that a residue of resist may be present on the reverse image of the nanoimprint lithography (the case where the resist thicknesses are reversed). In this case, it suffices to remove the residue using the techniques normally employed for nanoimprint lithography and indicated previously. Thus, in summary, applying the method according to the invention corresponding to the first and fourth variant, as illustrated respectively by FIGS. 4 b and 4 e , makes it possible to reverse the image produced by a nanometric imprint mould, that is to say makes it possible to transfer the protrusions projecting from the mould directly into the resist. Moreover, applying the method corresponding to the second and third variant, as illustrated respectively by FIGS. 4 c and 4 d , makes it possible on the other hand to eliminate the parts of the resist situated in the bottom of the patterns 127 obtained by nanoimprint, that is to say the resist parts being greatly pressed by the reliefs 132 projecting from the mould. These two variants thus offer an alternative to the standard nanometric imprint lithography operation where the pressed parts, usually designated as being residues, are removed during a subsequent etching operation. The method of the invention thus offers the advantage of preserving the dimensions of the resist patterns very well. Finally, it should be noted that the method of the invention makes it possible to carry out, simultaneously, lithographies with opposite or significantly different degrees of opening on the same layer of resist. The degree of opening of a given area of a wafer means the ratio between the surface of the resist left in place in this area and respectively the resist surface in which the hollow patterns are produced during imprinting in this same area. As shown in FIG. 6 , lithographies comprising both areas where a narrow trench must be opened in the resist 610 , and others where on the contrary only narrow lines 620 of resist should remain. As indicated previously, obtaining narrow final projecting patterns, such as lines, are particularly tricky with the known nanoimprint methods. In general terms, in lithography, holes and narrow trenches are produced with a positive resist. This is for example the case with vertical interconnections or vias between different metallisation levels. As for the lines and networks of lines, which comprise for example the active areas and gates of transistors, these are produced with a negative resist. This involves two different resists and therefore two successive series of steps of spreading the resist, insolation and development. In addition, this means that different masks must then be used, considerably increasing the cost. This is not the case with the method of the invention, which makes it possible to treat the two types of area simultaneously as in the two examples of application of the invention described below. This possibility offered by the invention of being able to obtain opposite or significantly different degrees of opening for two areas of the same wafer is particularly advantageous in applications such as the manufacture of micro or nano electromechanical systems (NEMS) or optical devices. FIGS. 7 and 8 illustrate examples and embodiments of the invention for obtaining opposite degrees of opening on the same wafer, that is to say projecting narrow final patterns at certain points and hollow narrow final patterns at other points. FIG. 7 , which comprises FIGS. 7 a to 7 c , describes an example of application of the invention where a variable-topography mould 50 is used, that is to say one comprising projecting protrusions 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 of different heights. Pressing the mould 50 in the resist 120 transfers the imprint of the protrusions 51 , 52 , 53 , 54 , 55 in order to form the patterns 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 . The patterns 61 , 62 , 63 , 64 , 65 have the thicknesses er 1 , er 2 , er 3 , er 2 and er 1 , respectively as illustrated in FIG. 7 b. The area adjacent to these patterns, that is to say where the resist has been pressed less or has not been pressed, has a height er 0 . The resist 120 is then exposed. This figure illustrates that the adjacent areas delimiting a pattern receive the insolation dose. The result after development of the resist is illustrated in FIG. 7 c. The final result shows trenches 71 , 72 at the bottom of which the residue of resist has been removed during the development. These trenches correspond to the reliefs 51 , 55 of the mould 50 . This same final result shows final patterns 73 reversed with respect to the patterns obtained by nanoimprint. The pattern 73 thus forms a line in accordance with the protrusion 53 on the mould 50 . With the same mould, there are thus obtained both at some points a reversal of patterns obtained by imprint and at other points a disappearance of the residues at the pattern bottom. This result can be achieved with a single exposure step. The invention thus considerably simplifies the known methods for integrated circuits. This final result may be obtained with a positive resist. In this case, the thicknesses er 0 , er 1 , er 2 , er 3 will be chosen so that er 0 and er 3 correspond to a minimum absorption and er 1 and er 2 correspond to a maximum absorption. More generally, it is necessary for the absorptions corresponding to the thicknesses er 0 and er 3 to be significantly lower than those of the thicknesses er 1 and er 2 . An absorption difference of 5 mJ/cm 2 is sufficient. This difference offers in fact a sufficiently wide method window. A greater difference, greater than 10 mJ/cm 2 , will make it possible to significantly increase this window. This final result can be obtained with a negative resist. The thicknesses er 0 , er 1 , er 2 , er 3 will then be chosen so that er 1 and er 2 correspond to a minimum absorption and er 0 and er 3 correspond to a maximum absorption. More generally, it is necessary for the absorptions corresponding to the thicknesses er 1 and er 2 to be significantly lower than those of the thicknesses er 0 and er 3 . FIG. 8 , which comprises FIGS. 8 a to 8 d , describes another example of application of the invention where the dose is varied according to the type of patterns of the area to be insolated. In this case, as illustrated in FIG. 8 a , the height 131 of the projecting protrusions 132 may be identical over the entire surface of the mould 130 . The imprinting of the resist is done as described previously. Non-limitatively, the resist is of the negative type in this example. The result of the imprinting is shown in FIG. 8 b . As in FIG. 1 , two thicknesses of resist are to be considered: the thickness e r 124 of the areas of resist pressed by the protrusions 132 projecting from the mould, and the thickness e f 122 of the areas of resist that are less or not pressed. In this example of application of the invention the thickness e r is adjusted so as to have high absorption, and for example to correspond to a maximum of 410 of the sinusoidal absorption curve 226 . The thickness of the non-pressed parts e f is for its part adjusted so as to have low absorption and for example to correspond to a minimum 420 of this curve. This application of the invention is characterised in that two successive insolations will be carried out. The first insolation 142 , corresponding to a dose D 1 , is limited to the areas containing relatively wide open patterns, for example 123 . As seen above, the thickest area of insolated resist corresponds to an area of low absorption and that of the compressed parts to high absorption. The dose D 1 is therefore adjusted to allow cross-linking of the compressed insulated areas but is not sufficient to cause the cross-linking of the thick insulated areas where the energy absorption is lower. As will be seen in FIG. 8 d , it is the pressed parts 126 that will therefore remain in place after development of the resist. Negative resist in this example, which is initially soluble, and which remains where an insufficient dose is applied. By way of practical example, if the diagram 240 in FIG. 3 b is referred to again, the thickness e f 122 can be chosen so as to be equal to 208 nm and to correspond to the low-absorption curve 242 . The pressed parts are then of thickness e r 124 equal to 172 nm. They correspond to the high-absorption curve 244 . For the parts where the patterns to be etched are wide, for example around or greater than 500 microns, like the pattern 123 in FIG. 8 b , it can be seen on the diagram 240 in FIG. 3 b for this size of pattern 248 that a dose D 1 of 20 mJ/cm 2 is sufficient to activate the resist in the highly-pressed area 123 but is not sufficient to activate the resist in the less pressed areas. This is suitable for obtaining, in this first insolation area, the result shown in FIG. 8 d. The invention does not make any assumption on the way in which the areas containing such and such a type of pattern are selected nor on the means used to insolate them selectively. A mask obscuring the exposure at certain points can for example be used. As already noted previously, and as can be seen precisely on the diagram 240 in FIG. 3 b , the optimum dose that it is necessary to apply increases when the dimensions of the patterns to be produced, lines or spaces, decrease. The dose 144 that will be applied to the areas of narrow patterns 125 , that is to say D 2 , is therefore higher than D 1 . Which will this time allow the cross-linking of the thick resist parts 128 . It will however remain insufficient for cross-linking the bottom of the narrow trenches 125 despite the fact that the thickness of the pressed parts is adjusted for a maximum absorption. To continue the above practical example, still referring to the diagram 240 in FIG. 3 b , the doses that it is necessary to apply for patterns of 5 microns, such as for example the pattern 125 in FIG. 8 c , are appreciably higher, as can be seen at 246 . In this example, a dose D 2 of 40 mJ/cm 2 is however sufficient to insolate and activate the wide patterns of this second area without however sufficiently insolating the pressed areas at the bottom of the patterns such as 125 . The latter, which will not remain after development of this negative resist since the dose applied will have been insufficient. In accordance with the curve 244 , for this dimension 246 , it would in fact have been necessary to apply a minimum dose of approximately 70 mJ/cm 2 . The dose of 40 mJ/cm 2 is however sufficient to activate the wide patterns, in this example the patterns having a width greater than 500 microns, having a thickness of 208 nm, which corresponds to a low absorption and to the curve 242 for the lowest absorption. The final result after development is the one shown in FIG. 8 d where it has been possible to transfer into the resist, during the same operation, both wide patterns 126 and narrow trenches 125 . To execute the present invention, a person skilled in the art would without difficulty establish absorption curves for the resist used according to the thickness of this resist. By way of example, a method for determining the absorption curve for a layer of resist as a function of the thickness of this layer of resist is given below. This method can be applied to determine the curves illustrated in FIGS. 2 b , 4 and 5 . The multilayer set or stack of layers comprising the photosensitive resist to be imprinted is illustrated in FIG. 9 and can be assimilated to a Fabry-Perot interferometer. In this model the amplitude of the electrical field of the incident plane electromagnetic wave is termed E0 and the resulting amplitude of the waves reflected by the resist/substrate stack is termed Er. The coefficients of reflection rij and transmission tij corresponding to the complex amplitudes of the waves (Fresnel coefficients) are: r ij = n ~ i - n ~ j n ~ i + n ~ j and t ij = 2 ⁢ n ~ i n ~ i + n ~ j (in normal incidence i=0) with: r ij : coefficient of reflection at the interface between the media i and j t ij : coefficient of transmission at the interface between the media i and j ñi: complex index of the resist (ñ=n−ik) ni: refractive index of the medium i. ni is the real part of the complex index ñ. ki: coefficient of extinction of the medium i. ki is the imaginary part of the complex index ñ. Let φ be the phase shift of a wave passing through the film of resist: ϕ = 2 ⁢ π λ ⁢ δ = 2 ⁢ π λ ⁢ n ~ 2 ⁢ d ⁢ ⁢ cos ⁡ ( θ ) ñ 2 : complex index of the resist (ñ=n−ik) d: thickness of the film of resist δ: optical path travelled by the wave in the resist θ: angle of refraction In our case, we are in normal incidence and therefore: θ=0 and ϕ = 2 ⁢ π λ ⁢ n ~ 2 ⁢ d . Referring to FIG. 9 , it can be seen that the phase shift between two consecutive reflected or transmitted waves is equal to 2φ. The resulting amplitude Er of the waves reflected by the film of resist is therefore equal to the sum: E r =r 12 E 0 +t 12 r 23 t 21 e −2iφ E 0 −t 12 r 23 2 r 12 t 21 e −4iφ E 0 +t 12 r 23 3 r 12 2 t 21 e −6iφ E 0 −t 12 r 23 4 r 12 3 t 21 e −8iφ E 0 + . . . The reflection amplitude “r” is then equal to: r = E r E 0 = r 12 + t 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ t 21 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ⁡ ( 1 - r 23 ⁢ r 12 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ + ( r 23 ⁢ r 12 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈϕ ) 2 - ( r 23 ⁢ r 12 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ) 3 + … ) = r 12 + t 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ t 21 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ 1 + r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ⁢ however ⁢ t 21 = 1 - r 12 2 t 12 ⇒ r = r 12 + r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈϕ 1 + r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ By proceeding in the same way, the transmission amplitude “t” is obtained: E t = t 12 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ ⅇ - ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ⁢ E 0 - t 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ r 12 ⁢ ⅇ - 3 ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ⁢ E 0 + t 12 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 5 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ⁢ E 0 - t 12 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ r 12 2 ⁢ r 23 2 ⁢ ⅇ - 7 ⁢ ⅈϕ ⁢ E 0 + … t = E t E 0 = t 12 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ ⅇ - ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ ( 1 - r 23 ⁢ r 12 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈ ⁢ ⁢ ϕ + ( r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈϕ ) 2 - ( r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⁢ ⅈϕ ) 3 + … = t 12 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ ⅇ - ⅈϕ 1 + r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⅈϕ ⇒ t = t 12 ⁢ t 23 ⁢ ⅇ - ⅈϕ 1 + r 12 ⁢ r 23 ⁢ ⅇ - 2 ⁢ ⅈϕ The coefficients of reflection and transmission corresponding to the intensities of the waves, referred to as reflectivity R and transmission T, are equal to the squares of the respective moduli of the coefficients of amplitude: R=|r| 2 =rr * and T=|t| 2 =tt* From the reflectivity and transmission it is possible to determine the absorption of the film of resist by means of the following equation: R+T+A= 1 With: R: the reflectivity T: the transmission A: the absorption An example embodiment of a reversal of patterns, a non-limitative example, will now be described with reference to FIGS. 10, 11 a to 11 e. FIG. 10 illustrates the absorption of the resist used as a function of its thickness. This resist is a positive resist of the CAP112 type. In this example, the layer of resist 120 initially has a thickness of 375 nm (e f ). The resist 120 is disposed on a silicon substrate 110 . The mould 50 used has projecting patterns 100 nm thick. Thus this is indeed the configuration where the initial thickness of resist (e f ) is close to an absorption peak 410 and the residual thickness of resist (e r ) after nanoimprinting (that is to say approximately 275 nm) is close to a minimum absorption 420 . The thicknesses e f and e r corresponding to the adjacent areas delimiting each pattern are indicated in FIG. 10 . The protrusions on the mould have dense lines that make it possible, through the imprint step as illustrated in FIG. 11 b , to imprint in the resist 120 patterns forming trenches approximately 250 nm wide separated by spaces also of 250 nm. In this way parallel lines with a width of approximately 250 nm are obtained, a pattern 127 forming a hollow line (thickness of e r ) being adjacent to the two patterns each forming a projecting line of thickness e f . The patterns obtained are illustrated in FIG. 11 a with two different scales. Following the imprint step, an exposure step is performed, for example at a wavelength λ=248 nm. During this step, only a half wafer is exposed. The bottom part 111 , situated below the broken line in FIG. 11 c , is not exposed. The top part 112 situated above the broken line in FIG. 11 c is exposed. In this top part 112 , the areas delimiting a pattern receive the same insolation dose. Thus the areas of resist having a thickness of resist e f and the areas of resist having a thickness of resist e r receive the same insolation dose in this part 112 of the wafer. This insolation dose is chosen so as to be sufficient to activate the resist in the areas of high absorption (areas having a thickness e f in this example) and so as not to be sufficient to activate the resist in the areas of low absorption (areas having a thickness e r ). The resist being positive, the areas having a thickness e f are activated and disappear during development. The areas having a thickness e r are not activated and do not disappear during development. Thus only the pressed resist parts are preserved. The patterns shown schematically in FIG. 11 d are then obtained, for the part 112 of the wafer subjected to exposure. FIG. 11 d also illustrates the patterns shown diagrammatically, which can be observed for the wafer part 111 not subjected to the exposure step. FIGS. 11 c and 11 d thus clearly reveal that, following the same step of pressing a mould 50 into the resist 120 , it is possible to obtain, by virtue of the method according to the invention, patterns that are the reverse of those obtained without the insolation step. In the case of an insolated wafer, the patterns projecting following the pressing step have disappeared. Following the exposure and development step, projecting patterns 126 have been formed from the residue of resist situated in the bottom of the hollow patterns 127 resulting from the pressing step. In a particularly advantageous manner, the projecting patterns 126 obtained do not have residues and are therefore directly usable. FIG. 11 e is a photograph showing the difference in patterns at the junction between the exposed 112 and non-exposed 111 parts of the resist. This figure clearly shows that, in place of the patterns 127 formed recessed by the pressing of the mould 50 , the resist 120 that has been exposed has projecting patterns 126 . In the context of the present invention, it is particularly advantageous to use so-called “threshold” resists. A threshold resist is spoken of when the chemical structure of the resist changes under a relatively quite precise insolation dose. In the case of a negative resist, this modification of the chemical structure of the resist can be assimilated to a cross-linking. In the case of a positive resist, this modification of the chemical structure of the resist can be assimilated to deprotection. Threshold resists are often characterised by a high contrast. This contrast is preferably greater than 1. It should be noted that a high contrast of the resist facilitates the implementation of the present invention. The present invention may nevertheless be executed with resists having low contrast. It should also be noted that the contrast of a resist is dependent on many parameters. Among the most important are: the type of substrate, the method used, and in particular the conditions for development of the resist. Among these conditions for development of the resist are the following parameters: annealing temperature and time after insolation; nature and concentration of the developer as well as temperature; development method and time. The thickness of resist after insolation and development varies according to the patterns and the insolation dose. In order to approximate the value of the contrast, a curve representing the residual thickness of resist as a function of the insolation dose can be traced. FIGS. 12 a and 12 b illustrate such curves for negative and positive resists respectively. The contrast γ can then be determined by the following equation: γ = [ log 10 ⁡ ( D 2 D 1 ) ] - 1 These curves can for example be obtained by insolating identical patterns, on the same wafer, with an increasing insolation dose. It is then necessary to measure the residual thickness of resist after development for each insolation dose. In the example illustrated, squares with sides of 9 mm were insolated in order to ignore the phenomena of lateral diffusion of the photogenerated acid, since in these examples chemical-amplification resists of the NEB22 and CAP112 type were used. In conclusion, it will be remarked that the method of the invention takes advantage of two phenomena: one is the absorption differential of the resist as a function of its thickness and the other that is related to the dimension of the patterns and the high doses that it is necessary to apply to insolate smaller patterns. Depending on whether a positive resist or a negative resist is used, advantage can be taken of the two phenomena or of the single phenomena related to absorption in accordance with the following table: Positive Resist Negative Resist Reversal of the image Dimension of the Absorption differential patterns and absorption only Removal of the residue Absorption differential Dimension of the only patterns and absorption The embodiments in FIGS. 7 and 8 can be combined. In particular, for the same wafer it is possible to use a variable-topography mould and different exposure doses. The invention is not limited to the embodiments described above but extends to any embodiment in accordance with its spirit.
A nanoimprint lithography method, including: pressing a mold in a photosensitive resin to form at least one imprint pattern defined by a stamped area and an adjacent area, the adjacent area being less stamped or not stamped at all, and being thicker than the stamped area; and exposure to a certain amount of sunlight. Respective thicknesses of the two areas are defined such that the two areas absorb a different amount of the sunlight and the amount of sunlight provided by the exposure is predetermined so as to be great enough to activate the resin in whichever of the two areas has the greater absorption, and so as not to be great enough to activate the other of the two areas.
1
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0001] 1. Field of the Invention [0002] The present invention relates to a storage apparatus, such as cup holders and ashtrays. More specifically, it relates to a mechanism for opening and closing storage apparatuses. [0003] 2. Description of the Related Art [0004] FIG. 6 illustrates a top schematic diagram of a conventional cup holder. Moreover, FIG. 7 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken along the arrows “7”-“7” of FIG. 6 . As shown in the drawings, a cup holder 100 is buried in an assembly frame 105 which is demarcated in a center console 104 . The cup holder 100 comprises a box 101 and a cover 102 . The cover 102 is disposed rotatably in the box 101 so that it can open and close the box 101 . Paired positioning tags 103 protrude from the major-direction opposite ends of the box 101 . A positioning hole 106 is bored through the paired positioning tags 103 . On the other hand, positioning projections 107 protrude from the rear surface of the center console 104 so as to face the positioning holes 106 , respectively. The positioning projections 107 are deformed at the bottom end by thermal crimping so as to fasten them to the positioning holes 106 . Thus, the box 101 is assembled with the center console 104 . [0005] However, in the conventional cup holder 100 , the cover 102 might rattle at an open position where the cover 102 opens the storage opening 108 of the box 101 , or at a close position where the cover 102 closes the storage opening 108 of the box 101 . [0006] Hence, Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (KOKAI) No. 2003-25,893 discloses a cup holder which inhibits a cover from rattling with buffer members which are fitted around the bosses of a cover. However, in the cup holder disclosed in the publication, the number of the component parts increases comparatively by a quantity of the disposed buffer members. Moreover, the buffer members always contact with the cover and box elastically. Accordingly, the buffer members enlarge the resistance when opening and closing the cover. Moreover, Japanese Unexamined Utility Model Publication (KOKAI) Nos. 5-37,592 and 7-26,253 disclose glove boxes in which an elastic force of elastic members is utilized to inhibit the cover from rattling at the close position. However, in the glove boxes disclosed in the publications, the space between the cover and an assembly frame of the instrument panel is localized when the assembly position of the cover is misaligned with respect to the assembly frame. Consequently, it is not possible to completely inhibit the cover from rattling by the elastic force of the elastic members alone. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0007] The present invention has been developed and completed in view of such circumstances. It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus which can inhibit its cover from rattling at the open position and/or the close position. It is a further object of the present invention to provide an opening/closing mechanism for storage apparatuses which can inhibit their covers from rattling at the open position and/or the close position. [0008] A storage apparatus according to the present invention can solve the aforementioned problems, and comprises: a base in which an assembly frame is demarcated; a box buried in the assembly frame, and having a surface in which a storage opening is opened; a cover covering the storage opening openably and closably; and means for opening and closing the cover, the means comprising: a guide portion disposed on at least one of the assembly frame and the box; a guided portion disposed on the cover, and being guided by the guide portion; and an interval disposed between the guide portion and the guided portion, and being minimized at at least one of an open position, at which the cover opens the storage opening, and a close position, at which the cover closes the storage opening. [0016] The cover opening/closing means of the present storage apparatus controls the space between the guide portion and the guided portion as described above. As a result, the present storage apparatus can inhibit the cover from rattling at the open position and/or the close position. Note that the term, “being minimized, herein includes the instance that the interval between the guide portion and the guided portion is zero. [0017] It is preferable to arrange the present storage apparatus so that the guide portion can be a guide rib extending in an opening/closing direction of the cover; the guided portion can be a guided dent in which the guide rib is accommodated; the guide rib can have a rib width L 1 at the open position and/or the close position, and a rib width L 2 at an intermediate position between the open position and the close position; the guided dent can have a dent width S; and the rib width L 1 , the rib width L 2 and the dent width S can establish a relationship, L 2 <S≦L 1 . [0018] The rib width L 2 and the dent width S are controlled so as to be L 2 <S in order to inhibit the guide rib from interfering with the guided portion in the middle of opening and closing the cover. The dent width S and the rib width L 1 are controlled so as to be S≦L 1 in order to more firmly inhibit the cover from rattling at the open position and/or close position. [0019] It is preferable to arrange the present storage apparatus so that the guide portion and the guided portion can be disposed at a substantially middle in the major direction of the cover. This arrangement enables a datum position, which inhibits the cover from rattling, to be placed at a substantially middle in the major direction of the cover. Accordingly, it is possible to inhibit the space between the assembly frame and the cover from localizing. In this instance, the guide portion and the guided portion can preferably be disposed at a position present in a range of +50 mm, further ±20 mm, from the absolute middle in the major direction of the cover, or alternatively in a range of ±10% from the absolute middle with respect to an overall length of the cover in the major direction. [0020] It is preferable to arrange the present storage apparatus so that the guided portion can travel on a predetermined track when the cover opens and closes the storage opening; and the guide portion can be disposed over the entire track of the guided portion. This arrangement can not only provide the cover with certain play between itself and the box, but also inhibit the cover from rattling even when it is placed at all locations in the middle of opening and closing. [0021] It is preferable to arrange the present storage apparatus so that the guide can be disposed on the assembly frame at least; the cover can be assembled with the box; and the box can be assembled with the base. Note that, in the conventional cup holder 100 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , the space D between the cover 102 and the assembly frame 105 has enlarged relatively when the cover 102 is at the close position. Otherwise, the space D between the cover 102 and the assembly frame 105 has localized when the cover 102 is at the close position. The disadvantages result from the fact that the cover 102 is assembled with the center console 104 indirectly by way of the box 101 . That is, the cover 102 is assembled with the box 101 , and the box 101 is assembled with the center console 104 . Therefore, the space D is adversely affected by the assembly error of the box 101 with respect to the center console 104 as well as the assembly error of the cover 102 with respect to the box 101 . The enlarged space D has degraded the decorativeness of the conventional cup holder 100 . Likewise, the localized space D has degraded the decorativeness. [0022] In view of the disadvantage of the conventional cup holder 100 , the above-described preferable arrangement of the present storage apparatus comprises the guided portion disposed on the cover, and the guided portion disposed on the assembly frame. Accordingly, the guided portion and guide portion can absorb the assembly error of the cover when assembling the present storage apparatus. In other words, it is possible to carry out positioning the cover with respect to the assembly frame. Therefore, the preferable arrangement can minimize the space between the cover and the assembly frame when the cover is at the close position, though the cover is assembled with the base by way of the box similarly to the conventional cup holder 100 illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7 . [0023] It is preferable to arrange the present storage apparatus so that it can further comprise a space in which the cover is accommodated at the open position, wherein: the cover comprises a plurality of comb-shaped teeth for inhibiting small articles from coming into the space; and the guided dent is demarcated between a pair of neighboring comb-shaped teeth of the comb-shaped teeth. With such an arrangement, it is possible to provide the present storage container with the guided dent by utilizing the comb-shaped teeth. Consequently, the present storage apparatus can comprise a reduced number of component parts. [0024] In accordance with the present invention, it is possible to provide a storage container whose cover is inhibited from rattling at the open position and/or the close position, or to provide an opening/closing mechanism for storage apparatuses which inhibits their cover from rattling at the open position and/or the close position. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0025] A more complete appreciation of the present invention and many of its advantages will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings and detailed specification, all of which forms a part of the disclosure. [0026] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a storage apparatus according to Example No. 1 of the present invention. [0027] FIG. 2 is a minor-direction see-through cross-sectional view of the storage apparatus according to Example No. 1 at the close position. [0028] FIG. 3 is a minor-direction see-through cross-sectional view of the storage apparatus according to Example No. 1 at the open position. [0029] FIG. 4 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a positional relationship between a frame-side guide rib, a box-side guide rib and a guided dent in the opening/closing mechanism of the storage apparatus according to Example No. 1. [0030] FIG. 5 is a conceptual diagram for illustrating a positional relationship between a frame-side guide rib, a box-side guide rib and a guided dent in an opening/closing mechanism of a storage apparatus according to Example No. 2 of the present invention. [0031] FIG. 6 is a top schematic view for illustrating the conventional cup holder. [0032] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of the conventional cup holder taken along the arrows “7”-“7” of FIG. 6 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS [0033] Having generally described the present invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to the specific preferred embodiments which are provided herein for the purpose of illustration only and not intended to limit the scope of the appended claims. Hereinafter, the present invention will be described with reference to forms of embodying the present storage apparatus as an in-vehicle cup holder. EXAMPLES Example No. 1 [0034] First, the arrangement of a storage apparatus according to Example No. 1 of the present invention will be hereinafter described in detail. FIG. 1 illustrates an exploded view of the storage apparatus according to Example No. 1. As shown in the drawing, a storage apparatus 1 comprises a center console 2 , a box 3 , a cover 4 , and arms 5 . Note that the present base includes the center console 2 . The center console 2 is made of resin, and is formed as a plate shape. The center console 2 is disposed between a driver's seat and a navigator's seat. In the center console 2 , an assembly frame 20 is opened, and is formed as a long rectangular shape in the front/rear direction. On the left peripheral wall of the assembly frame 20 , the frame-side guide ribs 21 are formed. The frame-side guide ribs 21 extend downward. The frame-side guide ribs 21 are disposed in a quantity of 11 pieces in the front/rear direction. Note that present guide rib includes a middle frame-side guide rib 21 a of the frame-side guide ribs 21 . [0035] The box 3 comprises a body 30 and a cover accommodating portion 31 . The body 30 is made of resin, and is formed as box shape. In the top surface of the body 30 , a storage opening 300 is opened. An arm swinging boss 301 protrudes from the right end in the outer rear wall of the body 30 . Further, a spring fastening boss 304 protrudes from the outer rear wall above the arm swinging boss 301 . Furthermore, an arc-shaped box-side gear 302 is disposed on the left of the arm swinging boss 301 . Moreover, a damper fastening cylinder 303 is disposed under the box-side gear 302 . In addition, an oil damper 61 is fastened to the damper fastening cylinder 303 . On the other hand, another arm swinging boss and box-side gear (not shown) are disposed on the outer front wall of the body 30 in the same positional relationship as that of the arm swinging boss 301 and box-side gear 302 . [0036] The cover accommodating portion 31 is disposed on the left side of the body 30 integrally therewith. The cover accommodating portion 31 comprises an arc-shaped guide wall 310 which extends in the up/down direction. On the arc-shaped guide wall 310 , box-side guide ribs 311 are formed which extend in the up/down direction. The box-side guide ribs 311 are disposed in a quantity of 11 pieces in the front/rear direction. Note that present guide rib includes a middle box-side guide rib 311 a of the box-side guide ribs 311 . The box-side guide ribs 311 are made continuous integrally when being assembled with the frame-side guide ribs 21 . The arc-shaped guide wall 310 and the left wall of the body 30 demarcate a cover accommodating space 312 . [0037] The cover 4 is made of resin, and is formed as a rectangular plate shape. Comb-shaped teeth 40 protrude from the left periphery of the cover 4 . The comb-shaped teeth 40 are disposed in a quantity of 12 pieces in the front/rear direction. A guided dent 400 is demarcated between the middle paired comb-shaped teeth 40 a and 40 b . The comb-shaped teeth 40 , the frame-side guide ribs 21 and the box-side guide ribs 311 are disposed in an alternate manner. The frame-side guide rib 21 a and box-side guide rib 311 a are fitted into the guided dent 400 . A heart-shaped cam 41 is disposed at the rear end of the cover 4 . Further, a cover-side gear 42 is disposed on the right side of the heart-shaped cam 41 parallelly therewith. Furthermore, a swing hole 420 is bored through on the inner peripheral side of the cover-side gear 42 . The cover-side gear 42 meshes with the box-side gear 302 . On the other hand, another cover-side gear (not shown) is disposed on the front end of the cover 4 . Likewise, the another cover-side gear meshes with the another box-side gear (not shown) disposed at the front end of the box 3 . [0038] The arms 5 are made of resin, and are formed as a fine plate shape. The arms 5 are disposed in a quantity of two, one at the front end of the box 3 and another at the rear end thereof, so as to hold the box 3 . A swing hole 50 is bored through at the right end of the arm 5 . The arm swinging bosses 301 are fitted into the swing holes 50 . Therefore, the arms 5 can swing about the arm swinging bosses 301 . On the other hand, a cover swinging boss 51 protrudes from the left end of each arm 5 . One of the arm swinging bosses 51 is fitted into the swing hole 420 of the cover-side gear 42 , and the other swinging boss 51 is fitted into the swing hole of the other cover-side gear. Therefore, the cover 4 can swing about the cover swinging bosses 51 . A spring 60 is fitted around the arm swinging boss 301 which is fitted into the swing hole 50 of the rear arm 5 , one of the paired arms 5 . One of the opposite ends of the spring 60 is fastened to the spring fastening boss 304 . The other one of the opposite ends of the spring 60 is fastened to the rear arm 5 . Moreover, an arc-shaped damper gear 52 is disposed on the rear arm 5 . The damper gear 52 meshes with the oil damper 61 . [0039] The operations of the storage apparatus 1 according to Example No. 1 will be hereinafter described, operations which are demonstrated when actuating the storage apparatus 1 from the open position to the close position or vice versa. FIG. 2 illustrates a minor-direction see-through cross-sectional view of the storage apparatus 1 at the close position. FIG. 3 illustrates a minor-direction see-through cross-sectional view of the storage apparatus 1 at the open position. [0040] When an operator applies an actuation force to the cover 4 , which is at the close position shown in FIG. 2 , in the direction of the arrow “a” of the drawing, a pin 7 , which is held rotatably to the rear periphery of the assembly frame 20 , comes off the heart-shaped cam 41 . Note that the spring 5 always urges the rear arm 5 in the opening direction. Accordingly, when the pin 7 comes off the heart-shaped cam 41 , the urging force of the spring 60 swings the arms 5 about the arm swinging bosses 301 in the direction of the arrow “b” of the drawing. Note that the box-side gear 302 meshes with the cover-side gear 42 . Consequently, the cover 4 swings about the arm swinging bosses 301 . Moreover, when the cover 4 swings, the cover 4 swings about the cover swinging bosses 51 . That is, the cover 4 moves in the direction of the arrow “c” of the drawing to come into the cover accommodating space 312 . Note that the damper gear 52 of the rear arm 5 meshes with the oil damper 61 . Accordingly, the swinging speed of the arms 5 and cover 4 is regulated. When the cover 4 is accommodated in the cover accommodating space 312 substantially vertically, the cover 4 is placed at the open position shown in FIG. 3 . Thus, the storage apparatus 1 is switched from the close position to the open position. [0041] Next, the operations of the guided dent 400 , the present guided dent, with respect to the frame-side guide rib 21 a and box-side guide rib 311 a , the present guide ribs, will be hereinafter described. Note that the operations are demonstrated when switching the storage apparatus 1 from the open position to the close position. FIG. 4 illustrates a positional relationship between the frame-side guide rib 21 a , the box-side guide rib 311 a and the guided dent 400 conceptually. The rib width L 1 at the top end of the frame-side guide rib 21 a is equal to the dent width S of the guided dent 400 substantially. Accordingly, the frame-side guide rib 21 a comes between the comb-shaped tooth 40 a and the comb-shaped tooth 40 b without producing any space at the close position. Consequently, no rattling occurs between the cover 4 and the assembly frame 20 at the close position. [0042] The box-side guide rib 311 a is constricted at the middle in the up/down direction. Accordingly, the rib width L 2 at the middle of the box-side guide rib 311 a is smaller than the dent width S of the guided dent 400 . Consequently, the comb-shaped tooth 40 a and comb-shaped tooth 40 b do not interfere with the box-side guide rib 311 a at the open/close intermediate position. That is, the cover 4 does not interfere with the box 3 . [0043] The rib width L 1 at the bottom end of the box-side guide rib 311 a is equal to the dent width S of the guided dent 400 substantially. Accordingly, the box-side guide rib 311 a comes between the comb-shaped tooth 40 a and the comb-shaped tooth 40 b without producing any space at the open position, in the same manner at the close position. Consequently, no rattling occurs between the cover 4 and the assembly frame 20 . [0044] Then, the advantages effected by the storage apparatus 1 according to Example No. 1 will be hereinafter described. In the storage apparatus 1 , the rib width L 1 at the open position and close position, the rib width L 2 at the open/close intermediate position and the dent width S establish a relationship, L 2 <S=L 1 . As a result, it is possible to inhibit the cover 4 from rattling at the open position and close position. On the other hand, it is possible to reduce the open/close resistance exerted to the cover 4 at the open/close intermediate position. [0045] Further, the frame-side guide rib 21 a , the box-side guide rib 311 a and the guided dent 400 are disposed in a substantially middle in the major direction (or front/rear direction) of the cover 4 . Thus, a rattling-inhibition datum position is set at a substantially middle in the major direction of the cover 4 . Therefore, it is possible to inhibit the space between the assembly frame 20 and the cover 4 from localizing. [0046] Furthermore, the frame-side guide rib 21 a and the box-side guide rib 311 a are disposed over the entire track of the guided dent 400 when opening and closing the cover 4 . As a result, it is possible to inhibit the cover 4 from rattling even at the open/close intermediate position while securing predetermined play resulting from the relationship, L 2 <S, at the open/close intermediate position. [0047] Furthermore, the guided dent 400 and frame-side guide rib 21 a can absorb the assembly error of the cover 4 which arises when assembling the cover 4 with the center console 2 . That is, the cover 4 can be positioned with respect to the frame assembly 20 . Therefore, the space between the cover 4 and the assembly frame 20 can be reduced at the close position. Moreover, the space between the cover 4 and the assembly frame 20 c an be inhibited from localizing. In addition, the comb-shaped tooth 40 a and comb-shaped tooth 40 b are utilized for disposing the guided dent 400 . Hence, the storage apparatus 1 according to Example No. 1 can be made up of a reduced number of component parts. Example No. 2 [0048] A storage apparatus according to Example No. 2 of the present invention differs from the storage apparatus 1 according to Example No. 1 in that the box-side guide ribs are not made continuous in the up/down direction. Therefore, only the difference will be hereinafter described. FIG. 5 illustrates a positional relationship between a frame-side guide rib, a box-side guide rib and a guided dent in the storage apparatus according to Example No. 2 conceptually. In FIG. 5 , note that parts like those of FIG. 4 are designated at the same reference numerals. As shown in the drawing, a box-side guide rib 311 a is divided in the up/down direction. Even when the storage apparatus according to Example No. 2 comprises the box-side guide rib 311 a which is made discontinuous, it can inhibit the cover from rattling at the open position and the close position. Modified Versions [0049] Heretofore, a few of the embodiment modes of the present storage apparatus are described. However, the embodiment modes are not limited to the above-described embodiment modes particularly. It is possible to perform the present storage apparatus in various modified embodiment modes or improved embodiment modes which one of ordinary skill in the art can carry out. [0050] For example, in the above-described examples, the ribs (i.e., the frame-side guide rib 21 a and the box-side guide rib 311 a ) are disposed on a stationary members (i.e., the center console 2 and the box 3 ), and the dent (i.e., the guided dent 400 ) is disposed on a movable member (i.e., the cover 4 ), respectively. However, the ribs and dent can be disposed in a reversed manner. [0051] Further, the frame-side guide rib 21 a , the box-side guide rib 311 a and the guided dent 400 can be disposed whatever positions in the major direction of the cover 4 . Furthermore, the frame-side guide rib 21 a , the box-side guide rib 311 a and the guided dent 400 can be disposed in any quantity. Moreover, the up/down, front/rear and right/left directions referred to in the above-described examples do not necessarily limit the disposition directions of the component parts. In other words, the component parts can be disposed in any direction as far as they satisfy the above-described positional relationships relatively. [0052] In addition, the present storage apparatus can be applied not only to those in which the cover swings but also those in which the cover slides, for example. In this instance, such a sliding-type storage apparatus can comprise a guided protrusion disposed on a side periphery of the cover; a guide groove disposed on the rear side of the base, in guide groove which the guided protrusion slides; and the guided protrusion and guide groove regulating the track of the cover. Moreover, in such a sliding-type storage apparatus, the interval between the guide groove and the guided protrusion can be controlled by narrowing the groove widths at the parts which correspond to the opposite open and close positions in the major direction of the guide groove. Thus, the guide groove can be utilized as the present guide portion, and the guided protrusion can be utilized as the present guided portion. Consequently, such a sliding-type storage apparatus can be made up of a reduced number of component parts. [0053] Having now fully described the present invention, it will be apparent 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 present invention as set forth herein including the appended claims.
A storage apparatus includes a base, an assembly frame, a box, a cover, and an open/close mechanism. The assembly frame is demarcated in the base. The box is buried in the assembly frame, and has a surface in which a storage opening is opened. The cover covers the storage opening openably and closably. The open/close mechanism includes a guide portion, a guided portion, and an interval disposed between the guide portion and the guided portion. The guide portion is disposed on the assembly frame and/or the box. The guided portion is disposed on the cover, and is guided by the guide portion. The interval is minimized at one of an open position, at which the cover opens the storage opening, and/or a close position, at which the cover closes the storage opening.
4
REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 12/505,705 filed Jul. 20, 2009, which is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/165,115, filed Jun. 23, 2005, now U.S. Pat. No. 7,582,258, which is a continuation of International Patent Application No. PCT/EP2003/014708 filed Dec. 22, 2003, which claims foreign priority to European Patent Application No. 02 028 894.0 filed Dec. 23, 2002, which are hereby incorporated by reference in their entirety. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] The present invention relates to body fluid testing devices and more specifically, but not exclusively, concerns a body fluid testing device that incorporates a test media cassette which contains test media used to test body fluid. General Fluid Testing [0003] The acquisition and testing of body fluids is useful for many purposes and continues to grow in importance for use in medical diagnosis and treatment and in other diverse applications. In the medical field, it is desirable for lay operators to perform tests routinely, quickly and reproducibly outside of a laboratory setting, with rapid results and a readout of the resulting test information. Testing can be performed on various body fluids, and for certain applications is particularly related to the testing of blood and/or interstitial fluid. Such fluids can be tested for a variety of characteristics of the fluid, or analytes contained in the fluid, in order to identify a medical condition, determine therapeutic responses, assess the progress of treatment, and the like. General Test Steps [0004] The testing of body fluids basically involves the steps of obtaining the fluid sample, transferring the sample to a test device, conducting a test on the fluid sample, and displaying the results. These steps are generally performed by a plurality of separate instruments or devices. Acquiring—Vascular [0005] One method of acquiring the fluid sample involves inserting a hollow needle or syringe into a vein or artery in order to withdraw a blood sample. However, such direct vascular blood sampling can have several limitations, including pain, infection, and hematoma and other bleeding complications. In addition, direct vascular blood sampling is not suitable for repeating on a routine basis, can be extremely difficult, and is not advised for patients to perform on themselves. Acquiring—Incising [0006] The other common technique for collecting a body fluid sample is to form an incision in the skin to bring the fluid to the skin surface. A lancet, knife, or other cutting instrument is used to form the incision in the skin. The resulting blood or interstitial fluid specimen is then collected in a small tube or other container, or is placed directly in contact with a test strip. The fingertip is frequently used as the fluid source because it is highly vascularized and therefore produces a good quantity of blood. However, the fingertip also has a large concentration of nerve endings, and lancing the fingertip can therefore be painful. Alternate sampling sites, such as the palm of the hand, forearm, earlobe, and the like, may be useful for sampling and are less painful. However, they also produce lesser amounts of blood. These alternate sites therefore are generally appropriate for use only for test systems requiring relatively small amounts of fluid, or if steps are taken to facilitate the expression of the body fluid from the incision site. [0007] Various methods and systems for incising the skin are known in the art. Exemplary lancing devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. Re 35,803, issued to Lange, et al. on May 19, 1998; 4,924,879, issued to O'Brien on May 15, 1990; 5,879,311, issued to Duchon et al. on Feb. 16, 1999; 5,857,983, issued to Douglas on Jan. 12, 1999; 6,183,489, issued to Douglas et al. on Feb. 6, 2001; 6,332,871, issued to Douglas et al. on Dec. 25, 2001; and 5,964,718, issued to Duchon et al. on Oct. 12, 1999. A representative commercial lancing device is the Accu-Chek® Softclix lancet. Expressing [0008] Patients are frequently advised to urge fluid to the incision site, such as by applying pressure to the area surrounding the incision to milk or pump the fluid from the incision. Mechanical devices are also known to facilitate the expression of body fluid from an incision. Such devices are shown, for example, in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,879,311, issued to Duchon et al. on Feb. 16, 1999; 5,857,983, issued to Douglas on Jan. 12, 1999; 6,183,489, issued to Douglas et al. on Feb. 6, 2001; 5,951,492, issued to Douglas et al. on Sep. 14, 1999; 5,951,493, issued to Douglas et al. on Sep. 14, 1999; 5,964,718, issued to Duchon et al. on Oct. 12, 1999; and 6,086,545, issued to Roe et al. on Jul. 11, 2000. A representative commercial product that promotes the expression of body fluid from an incision is the Amira AtLast blood glucose system. Sampling [0009] The acquisition of the produced body fluid, hereafter referred to as the “sampling” of the fluid, can take various forms. Once the fluid specimen comes to the skin surface at the incision, a sampling device is placed into contact with the fluid. Such devices may include, for example, systems in which a tube or test strip is either located adjacent the incision site prior to forming the incision, or is moved to the incision site shortly after the incision has been formed. A sampling tube may acquire the fluid by suction or by capillary action. Such sampling systems may include, for example, the systems shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,048,352, issued to Douglas et al. on Apr. 11, 2000; 6,099,484, issued to Douglas et al. on Aug. 8, 2000; and 6,332,871, issued to Douglas et al. on Dec. 25, 2001. Examples of commercial sampling devices include the Roche Compact, Amira AtLast, Glucometer Elite, and Therasense FreeStyle test strips. Testing General [0010] The body fluid sample may be analyzed for a variety of properties or components, as is well known in the art. For example, such analysis may be directed to hematocrit, blood glucose, coagulation, lead, iron, etc. Testing systems include such means as optical (e.g., reflectance, absorption, fluorescence, Raman, etc.), electrochemical, and magnetic means for analyzing the sampled fluid. Examples of such test systems include those in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,824,491, issued to Priest et al. on Oct. 20, 1998; 5,962,215, issued to Douglas et al. on Oct. 5, 1999; and 5,776,719, issued to Douglas et al. on Jul. 7, 1998. [0011] Typically, a test system takes advantage of a reaction between the body fluid to be tested and a reagent present in the test system. For example, an optical test strip will generally rely upon a color change, i.e., a change in the wavelength absorbed or reflected by dye formed by the reagent system used. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,802,842; 4,061,468; and 4,490,465. Blood Glucose [0012] A common medical test is the measurement of blood glucose level. The glucose level can be determined directly by analysis of the blood, or indirectly by analysis of other fluids such as interstitial fluid. Diabetics are generally instructed to measure their blood glucose level several times a day, depending on the nature and severity of their diabetes. Based upon the observed pattern in the measured glucose levels, the patient and physician determine the appropriate level of insulin to be administered, also taking into account such issues as diet, exercise, and other factors. A proper control of the blood glucose level avoids hypoglycemia which may lead to insomnia and even sudden death as well as hyperglycemia resulting in long term disorders as blindness and amputations. Blood glucose is therefore a very important analyte to be monitored. [0013] In testing for the presence of an analyte such as glucose in a body fluid, test systems are commonly used which take advantage of an oxidation/reduction reaction which occurs using an oxidase/peroxidase detection chemistry. The test reagent is exposed to a sample of the body fluid for a suitable period of time, and there is a color change if the analyte (glucose) is present. Typically, the intensity of this change is proportional to the concentration of analyte in the sample. The color of the reagent is then compared to a known standard which enables one to determine the amount of analyte present in the sample. This determination can be made, for example, by a visual check or by an instrument, such as a reflectance spectrophotometer at a selected wavelength, or a blood glucose meter. Electrochemical and other systems are also well known for testing body fluids for properties on constituents. Testing Media [0014] As mentioned above, diabetics typically have to monitor their blood glucose levels throughout the day so as to ensure that their blood glucose remains within an acceptable range. Some types of sampling devices require the use of testing strips that contain media for absorbing and/or testing the body fluid, such as blood. After testing, the testing media contaminated with blood can be considered a biohazard and needs to be readily disposed in order to avoid other individuals from being exposed to the contaminated test strip. This can be especially inconvenient when the person is away from home, such as at a restaurant. Moreover, individual test elements can become easily mixed with other test strips having different expiration dates. The use of expired test elements may create false readings, which can result in improper treatment of the patient, such as improper insulin dosages for diabetics. Test Media Cassettes [0015] Analytical systems with test media cassettes which allow multiple testing have been described in the prior art. There are available dispensers which contain a limited number of test elements; as for example, 1 to 2 dozen strips which are individually sealed. Blood glucose meter using such a test strip dispenser are in the market under the names AccuChek Compact (Roche Diagnostics GmbH) and DEX (Bayer Corporation). Consumers, however, demand systems that contain even more strips to reduce loading actions to be performed by the user. A suitable way to package a higher number of test elements are test films as e.g., described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,218,421 and U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,010. These test systems are, however, designed to be used in the environment of automated laboratory systems and are therefore not suited for patient self testing. DE 198 19 407 describes a test element cassette employing a test media tape for use in the patient self testing environment. A number of practical problems are, however, still unsolved when relying on the device described in DE 198 19 407. Test media used for blood glucose testing as well as for other analytes are prone to deterioration by humidity from the environmental air. It is therefore a serious problem to keep unused test media free from humidity to avoid deterioration which would lead to incorrect analytical results. U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,010 discloses containers for test media tape which have an outlet for the tape which is sealed by a blocking member or a resilient member (see in particular FIGS. 21 to 33 and corresponding disclosure). This way of sealing is comparable to the type of sealing known from photographic film boxes. The automated analytical instruments of U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,010 have a high throughput and therefore the required onboard stability is short (typically one or two days only). Contrary to that, the required onboard stability in the home diagnostic market is much longer. Considering a patient doing two testings a day and a test media capacity of a cassette in the range of 100, stability of the test media cassette after insertion into a meter (i.e. the onboard stability) needs to be in the range of 50 days. The situation, however, may be even worse considering that the patient may have a second meter and uses the present meter only from time to time. In the field of blood glucose testing, onboard stability therefore has to be shown for at least three months. It has been shown that the type of sealing as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,077,010 is insufficient to achieve the onboard stability as required in the home monitoring environment. [0016] It is an aim of the present invention to propose body fluid testing devices and test media cassettes which contain a larger number of test media than the body fluid testing systems currently on the market and which guarantee long onboard stability of the test media. Further, it is an aim to propose meters for multiple testing which are easy to operate and which have a handheld size. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0017] According to the present invention, it was found that the concept of test tape meters can be highly improved. A test media tape is employed on which the individual test media are spaced one from the other so that free tape portions are located between successive test media. Such a test media tape is contained in a supply container which shelters the test media tape against humidity. Test media can be taken out of the container via an opening by using the tape as a transporting means. The test media which are still located within the supply container are protected against humidity by using a sealing means for sealing the opening of the container while a free tape portion is located between the sealing means and a surface of the supply container. This type of sealing enables very practical testing devices which can provide numerous test media without the need for the user to load the testing device with separate individual test elements. [0018] Due to the spacing of the test media, the material of the free tape portion can be chosen mostly independent from the test media material to achieve a proper sealing with the described sealing means. It has been shown that tape materials as e.g., plastics for audio cassettes are well suited for this purpose. Suitable tape materials are plastic foils from polyester, polycarbonate, cellulose derivatives, and polystyrene. It is, however, preferred to choose non-hygroscopic materials which do not transport water or water vapour to a high degree. According to this, tapes without free tape sections between successive test media cannot be sealed properly since the test media material is porous and thus would allow humidity to flow into the supply container even when the tape is sealed according to the present invention. Further, the thickness of the tape in the free tape portion is an important parameter to control proper sealing. It has been shown by the inventors of the present invention that leakage of humidity into the storage housing decreases with decreasing tape thickness. While there are a number of interacting parameters, the particular effect of the tape thickness can be seen from FIG. 1 . The tape (T) is located between a sealing means (S) having a deformable gasket (G) and a surface of the container housing (H). The sealing means applies pressure in the direction of the housing, thus pressing the gasket onto the tape and housing surface. The gasket is stronger compressed in the region of the tape as it is right and left from the tape. The leakage regions (L) which are not filled by tape or gasket material allow influx of humid air. Decreasing the tape thickness hence reduces the cross section of the leakage regions. It has been shown that a tape having a thickness below 100 micrometers is well suited to limit humidity influx into the housing even if the gasket is relatively rigid. Even more preferred are tape thicknesses below 50 micrometers. [0019] The sealing means is a means that closes the opening of the housing (container) in which uncontaminated test media tape is stored. The sealing means preferably is a body from a gasket material or a body of a material to which a gasket is fixed. Alternatively, the gasket may be fixed to the surface onto which the sealing means presses to close the container opening. Also embodiments are possible where gasket material is present on the surface as well on the body of the sealing means. [0020] Further, it can be understood with view to FIG. 1 that an increasing flexibility of the gasket reduces humidity influx. It has shown that gaskets with a shore hardness (A) of less than 70, preferably in a range of 30 to 50 are well suited. The shore hardness (A) is defined by DIN 53505 (June 1987). Gasket materials which are well suited to practice the present invention are thermoplastic elastomers. Especially suited are such elastomeres which comprise polystyrene as the hard component and polymerisates of butadiene or isoprene as the soft component. Suitable gasket materials can be obtained under the tradenames Kraton D, Kraton G and Cariflex TR from Shell and Solprene from Philips. [0021] Gaskets are referred which have an annular shape such that they annularly surround the container opening. It has been found that with such annular gaskets, proper sealing can be achieved, while sealing with non-annular gaskets (e.g., straight-line shaped gaskets), proper sealing is much harder to achieve since it is harder to close the leakage at the ends of such gaskets. [0022] The body of the sealing means as well as the body of the storage container should be made from materials which are mostly impermeable to humidity. This can be achieved by numerous materials. Due to production aspects, plastics such as polypropylene, polyethylene, and polystyrene are, however, preferred. The materials, however, do not need to be totally impermeable to humidity since it is possible to capture humidity which has diffused in by drying agents. [0023] The sealing means further comprises a pressure means that serves to apply pressure to the sealing means body so as to achieve the sealing. Such pressure means are e.g., coil springs, pneumatic actuators, motors, electromagnets, compressed materials, or stressed materials. From the preferred embodiments, it will become clear that in particular elastic sealing means which in their rest position press onto the sealing means body are easy and cheap to manufacture. [0024] The pressure necessary for proper sealing largely depends on the shore hardness of the employed gasket as well as the area to be sealed. The required pressure, however, typically is in the range of a few Newton or below. [0025] Further optional measures to increase onboard stability of the test media will be described later on in connection with the specific embodiments. [0026] A first general concept of the present invention concerns a body fluid testing device that incorporates a test media tape. The test media tape holds test media that are used to collect body fluid samples which are analyzed with a sensor. Advantageously the test media tape is housed in a cassette so that after the test media of a cassette are used up, a fresh test media cassette can be inserted into the testing device. The test media tape is indexed before or after each test so that successive tests can be performed without requiring disposal of the used test media. The test media can be indexed manually or automatically. [0027] The test medium is a medium which contains a test chemistry that with analyte from a sample leads to detectable results. For further details of test chemistry and testing, see section “Testing General”. Preferably, the test media are designed to soak up the test fluid sample. This prevents the testing device from becoming contaminated by the body fluid sample. As will be described in more detail later on, it is preferred to employ a test media tape which comprises a tape on which test media are arranged with free tape regions between successive test media. The preferred arrangement therefore has a structure with regions as follows: tape with test medium—tape without test medium—tape with test medium—and so on. The tape can be made e.g., from conventional plastic tape as used for audio cassettes. The test media are attached to the tape, e.g., by gluing, welding, or by use of an adhesive tape. [0028] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid. The testing device includes a test media cassette that includes a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The cassette includes a supply portion that stores an uncontaminated section of the test media tape. A storage portion for storing a contaminated section of the test media tape may be further employed. Contrary to the supply portion which is designed to shelter the test media tape from humidity from the surrounding environment, it is preferred to design the storage section for contaminated tape to be open to some extent so that the test media which are soaked with sample can dry out. Such an open design may be realized by a plastic container having slits or recesses for gas exchange with the surrounding environment. [0029] An important measure which advantageously can be used with embodiments of the present invention is a drying material within the test media tape supply container. Humidity which has entered the container by diffusion through wall materials or during an opening cycle is absorbed and cannot deteriorate test media. The sealing concepts of the present invention are, however, not obsolete due to the use of drying material since the amount of humidity entering without sealing means during the onboard time would be much too high to be cared for by rational amounts of drying material. Suitable drying materials are well known in this field of art, these are e.g., molecular sieves, silica gel, etc. [0030] The present invention further proposes one-way devices where the test media tape belongs to the testing device so that the whole device is discarded when the test media tape is used up. Alternatively the test media tape may be arranged in a disposable cassette which is removably received in the testing device. [0031] The term “body fluid testing device” will be used for both embodiments (e.g., with and without cassette) within this patent application. However, when embodiments employing a test media cassette are concerned the term will also be used to designate the device into which the cassette is inserted. [0032] As described in European Patent Application No. 02026242.4 (European Publication No. EP 1 424 040 A1), which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety, the test media tape onto which body fluid will be applied advantageously can be exposed in a tip-like shape to simplify body fluid application to a test medium. For this purpose the test media tape can be guided over a convex tip portion which may belong to the testing device or to the test media cassette. [0033] The testing device further may comprise a pricking unit for pricking a body portion. The lancing opening of that pricking unit advantageously can be arranged in or close to the convex portion so that the tip portion (if present) can be used for convenient pricking as well. The pricking unit may be arranged below the test media tape and a lancing device can either penetrate the test media tape or can extend through a recess in the test media tape. [0034] The testing device further may employ visual user guidance for application of body fluid samples. According to this embodiment, the testing device comprises an illumination unit which indicates by illumination a portion of a test element where body fluid has to be applied. The illumination serves for a timely and/or spatial guidance of the user to apply body fluid. Further the illumination may serve to indicate the location where to position a body portion for pricking. An illuminated area on the test medium may further indicate the amount (or the droplet size) of body fluid which is required by the testing device. [0035] Another aspect of the present invention concerns a test cassette for collecting a body fluid sample. The cassette includes a housing that has a supply portion in which uncontaminated test media tape is enclosed. The housing further includes a storage portion in which a contaminated section of the test media tape is enclosed after contamination. For sealing unused test media against humidity, a tape is employed which has free tape portions between successive test media as already described above such that the sealing concept of the present invention can be employed. The sealing means of the present invention may belong to the test media cassette or to the testing device. Further embodiments are possible where parts of the sealing means, as e.g., a pressure application plate, belong to the testing device while other parts, as e.g., a gasket, belong to the cassette. Advantageously the container which houses the uncontaminated test media tape is closed against humidity with the exception of the opening which can be closed by the sealing means. [0036] The cassette further may include a convex tip portion over which the test media tape runs and at which the test media tape is exposed to the body fluid. [0037] In a particular embodiment, a supply reel is disposed in the supply portion of the housing around which the uncontaminated section of the test media tape is wrapped, and a storage reel is disposed in the storage portion of the housing around which the contaminated section of the test media tape can be wrapped. In embodiments which employ a reel for storing uncontaminated test media tape, it is preferred that the axis of this supply reel does not penetrate the supply container housing to avoid the leakage of humid air into the container. [0038] Most test media are destroyed or altered by humidity, sunlight, etc. Therefore measures have to be taken to shelter the test media before they are used onboard of a testing device. A first measure is to package the whole test media cassette before use such that contact with humidity from the surrounding is prevented. This can be achieved by e.g., a blister package. Alternatively the cassette housing can be made being closed against humidity with the exception of the region where test media are exposed for body fluid application. Embodiments can be contemplated which employ a humidity proof cover over the exposure region which can be removed prior to use of the cassette. [0039] Further this invention concerns a method of using a testing device comprising the steps of: providing a supply portion comprising a container in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained, said container further having an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the container, providing a sealing means which can close said opening against the surrounding, actuating the sealing means to open said opening of the container, and removing a portion of test media tape from the container to expose an unused test medium. [0044] The method further may include the steps of: actuating the sealing means to close said opening of the container, and testing. Actuation preferably means pressing the sealing means onto a surface of the supply portion container. [0047] A further step may be included in the above method which concerns a pricking for generating a body opening prior to testing. [0048] It is preferred when the closing means can assume two distinct positions. [0049] In a first, closed position the sealing means sealingly engages a surface of the supply container so as to close it and to shelter test media within it against humidity. [0050] In a second, open position the sealing means is opened to allow test media tape to leave the supply container. The opening has to be wide enough to allow test media tape portions with test media (which are normally thicker than the tape alone) to pass through. [0051] A method for providing test media therefore may comprise the steps of: providing a supply container in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained, said container further having an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the container, providing a sealing means which closes said opening against the surrounding, moving the sealing means from a first, closed position into a second, open position to open said opening of the container, removing a portion of test media tape from the container to expose an unused test medium, and moving the sealing means from said second, open position to said first, closed position to close said opening of the container. [0057] Again it has to be understood that, when the sealing means is closed, a free tape portion is located between the sealing means and a surface on which the tape is resting. Said surface is typically a surface of the supply container. [0058] The closing via the sealing means preferably means that the sealing means is pressed onto another surface (typically a container surface) to generate a sealing of the uncontaminated test media tape against humidity. [0059] Other forms, embodiments, objects, features, advantages, benefits, and aspects of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and description contained herein. SHORT DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES [0060] FIG. 1 : Schematic drawing showing leakage regions. [0061] FIG. 2 : Perspective view of a testing device. [0062] FIG. 3 : Perspective view of a sealing concept. [0063] FIG. 4 : A cross-sectional view along line A-A of FIG. 3 . [0064] FIG. 5 : Test media cassette with trapezoidal sealing means. [0065] FIG. 6 : Test media cassette with form fitting sealing means. [0066] FIG. 7 : Test media cassette having a lever for opening the supply container by tensioning test media tape. [0067] FIG. 8 : Test media cassette having a lever for opening the supply container by tensioning test media tape. [0068] FIGS. 9A , 9 B, 9 C, and 9 D: Testing device during various stages of operation. [0069] FIG. 10 : Testing magazine with self-sealing sealing means. [0070] FIG. 11 : Hydraulic sealing means. DETAILED DESCRIPTION [0071] For the purposes of promoting and understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments 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. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that some of the features which are not relevant to the invention may not be shown for the sake of clarity. [0072] The humidity sealing principle is shown in FIG. 1 . On the housing surface (H) which preferably has a low roughness the test-carrier-tape (T) is pressed by the sealing material (G). The sealing force (F) presses the flexible gasket around the test media tape. The remaining leakage channels (L) are minimized by selection of Gasket material, tape thickness, sealing force and the time pattern in which the sealing means is being moved. [0073] A body fluid testing device ( 10 ) is shown in FIG. 2 . The drawing of the device shows a housing ( 11 ) and a display ( 12 ) for displaying test results as well as instructions of use. At the front end of the device there can be seen a tip portion ( 20 ) over which the test media tape ( 30 ) runs. A test medium at the front end of the testing device is exposed by the tip portion in a tip like manner which facilitates the application of body fluid. The tip portion for this reason at least partially projects out of the contour of the housing ( 11 ) of the testing device to be accessible for a body portion (e.g., finger or arm). At the tip portion there can be seen an illuminated area ( 30 ′) which indicates the position for sample application. [0074] FIG. 3 shows an improved embodiment of the sealing concept of the present invention. A portion of the test media tape ( 30 ) is located outside the housing ( 50 ) of the supply portion. The housing has an opening ( 51 ) via which tape can be taken out. The squares ( 52 , 53 ) depicted on the housing show the locations on the housing surface onto which gaskets of the sealing means (not shown) press during sealing of the opening. Using two (or more) gaskets for sealing improves leakage protection. It is preferred to employ annular gaskets as shown, which annularly presses onto a region around the opening ( 51 ) to include the opening within the cross-sectional area of the annular gaskets. When two or more annular gaskets are employed, it is preferred when an annulary gasket fully includes the next smaller annular gasket. [0075] In FIG. 4 there is depicted a cross-sectional view of FIG. 3 taken along line A-A. FIG. 4 only shows the portion of FIG. 3 which is left to the container opening as well as the opening. It can be seen that the gaskets are not aligned vertical to the surface of the housing ( 50 ) but that they are inclined or angled relative to vertical. The exterior gasket ( 53 ) in direction from its base portion ( 53 b ) to its free end ( 53 e ) is inclined away from the opening ( 51 ). The interior gasket ( 52 ) is inclined in direction from its base portion ( 52 b ) to its end portion ( 52 e ) towards the opening. Inclination of the exterior gasket serves to block incoming air more efficiently as a gasket without such inclination would achieve. Due to the inclination the sealing is strengthened when air tries to enter the housing (this is the case when the pressure inside the housing is lower than the outside pressure) since the air pressure increases the pressure of the end portion ( 53 e ) of the gasket onto the surface ( 54 ) of the container ( 50 ). The same principle applies to the interior gasket for the inverse case when the pressure inside the housing is higher than the outside pressure. [0076] As can be further seen in FIG. 4 it is advantageous when the gaskets taper from their base portion towards their free end portion. The smaller the gasket at the end portion, the more flexible it is to match with the shape of the tape thus reducing the cross section of the leakage areas. The smaller the area covered by the annular gasket around said opening ( 51 ), the lower the required force to achieve a small leakage channel (L). [0077] In this embodiment the pressure means ( 55 ) has the shape of a plate to whose underside the gaskets are fixed. It is particularly preferred to fix the gaskets to the plate by two component molding of plate and gasket. A spring means (not shown) for applying pressure to the pressure plate ( 55 ) belongs to the testing device. [0078] Further in FIG. 4 there can be seen that the test media tape does not necessarily need to be wrapped on a reel. The arrangement of the tape within the storage container is more or less arbitrary but needs to avoid jams or blockage. [0079] FIG. 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment having a trapezoidal sealing means ( 60 ) which presses onto an inclined surface ( 62 ) of the supply container ( 50 ). The sealing means itself can be made from a sealing material (e.g., rubber gum) or a sealing material (gasket) can be present on the surface of the sealing means which presses onto the surface of the supply container. Sealing in this embodiment again is made when a free tape portion is located in the region where the sealing means presses against the test media tape. The angle shown in FIG. 5 preferably is in the range from 0 to 45 degree. [0080] FIG. 6 is a similar embodiment as shown in FIG. 5 . Instead of a trapezoid sealing means, a form fitting sealing means ( 61 ) is employed. The surface of the housing ( 50 ) has a contour ( 62 ) at the opening which fits to a contour ( 63 ) of the sealing means ( 61 ). The contours of the sealing means can be made from a material functioning as a gasket itself (e.g., rubber gum) or a gasket can be present on the surface of the sealing means. However, even the inverse sealing principle with a gasket fixed on the surface of the housing can be employed. [0081] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view of a test media tape container ( 50 ) having a sealing means. The test media tape ( 30 ) is wrapped on a reel ( 57 ). From the reel the tape is guided through a diffusion channel ( 70 ) and leaves the container via the opening of the container. In rest the opening is sealed by an annular gasket ( 53 ) which is fixed to a first arm of a lever ( 80 ). Such levers are also known as a “dancer” in the art. The lever has a center of rotation ( 81 ). A spring element ( 82 ) keeps the gasket pressed onto the container surface. The test media tape ( 30 ) is located between gasket and container surface in the way already described (i.e. a free tape portion is located between gasket and container surface). The tape located outside the container is guided over a wheel at the other arm of the lever. When tape is drawn in the direction as shown in FIG. 7 the tape tension rotates the lever ( 80 ) against the spring force ( 82 ) around (81). This movement reduces the contact pressure of the gasket ( 53 ). The tape starts slipping through the gasket. Thus the tape section inside the housing gets tensioned. On further movement the friction of the reel increases the tape tension and thus causes a larger lift of the gasket. The opening created is large enough to leave through a test medium without touching the gasket. The tape now can be drawn out of the container. When a sufficient tape portion has been taken out of the container, the testing device (or a user) stops tearing the tape and the sealing is closed due to a movement of the lever caused by the spring element. In this embodiment it is advantageous when the reel ( 57 ) is friction loaded since the force acting on the lever is created by retention of the tape. In other embodiments a friction loading of the supply reel is also advantageous since it may avoid uncontrolled winding-up of the tape which can lead to jamming. Furthermore a tape properly wound on a reel has the advantage that test media underneath the outermost tape layer are shielded against humidity which already may have entered the housing. [0082] A further important (but optional) measure to keep humidity away from unused test media is the diffusion channel ( 70 ) of FIG. 7 . This channel serves to decrease the convectional exchange of air between the interior of the container and the surrounding environment during opening of the sealing. The channel limits the air exchange at the opening and thus the amount of humidity intake during the time of taking out a new test medium from the container. The humidity in the channel decreases along the way from the opening to the reel. The prevention of convection by the channel limits the intake of humidity into the container to diffusion which is a much slower material transport than convection. [0083] FIG. 8 shows a further embodiment of a self sealing test media cassette. Self sealing in this context means that the cassette itself closes its opening without the need for forces from the outside acting on it to close its sealing. The cassette further opens the sealing on tensioning of the test media tape which is a preferred embodiment. The lever ( 80 ′) of this embodiment has a first lever arm mostly inside the test media supply container ( 50 ). As in the foregoing figure the test media tape ( 30 ) is guided over a roller at one arm of the lever while the other arm of the lever holds an annular sealing gasket for sealing the container opening. When the test media tape is tensioned the lever is actuated and opens the sealing to free the tape so that a fresh portion of test media tape with an unused test medium can be taken out. After this the tension force applied to the tape can be reduced and the lever rotates driven by the spring means ( 82 ′) of the cassette to close the container opening. [0084] FIGS. 9A , 9 B, 9 C, and 9 D shows a testing device ( 10 ) with a test media cassette ( 50 ) inserted into it as well as steps of using this device. [0085] As can be seen from FIG. 9A , the testing device comprises a housing ( 100 ) in which the cassette is received. The cassette has a supply portion ( 50 a ) containing a supply reel ( 57 ) onto which uncontaminated test media tape ( 30 ) is wrapped. FIG. 9 depicts the test media portions ( 31 ) as pads which are fixed to a tape. The test pads are fixed to the tape via a double sided adhesive tape. Production of the test media tape therefore can easily be achieved by first removing a protection foil from a first side of an double side adhesive, applying a test medium pad to it and then removing a protection foil from a second side of the double sided adhesive and applying the compound structure of test medium pad and adhesive to the tape. This process can be easily automated. Alternatively, a double sided adhesive can first be applied to the tape and then applying a test medium pad to the adhesive. Other production methods, such as gluing test media to the tape, are possible as well. [0086] Used (contaminated) test media tape is wrapped onto a storage reel ( 58 ) in the storage section of the test media cassette. Transport of the test media tape is made by a motor ( 110 ) of the testing device ( 10 ) which has a gear wheel for engaging with the gears of the storage reel and to rotate the storage reel. It is normally sufficient to employ only a single motor for winding the storage reel in a direction to move tape from the supply reel to the storage reel. For proper positioning of test media for sampling and/or testing it may be advantageous to move the tape in inverse direction as described before. This may be achieved by a separate motor winding the supply reel or a mechanics allowing a movement of the supply reel with the motor for rotating the storage reel. Further it is possible to employ a spring mechanically coupled to a friction loading means which is coupled to the supply reel. When tape is withdrawn from the supply reel by winding tape onto the storage reel the spring is loaded and the spring tension may be used to move back the tape a bit. This can be achieved by rotating back the motor and the supply reel will also rotate back caused by the spring tension so that the tape is still held under a sufficient stress to press it onto the tip for proper detection as well as to avoid jams caused by loose tape. By such a mechanism it is possible to properly position a test medium e.g., on the tip ( 20 ) when it has been moved too far at first. [0087] However, it is preferred to avoid such a process by positioning of the test media by proper movement in one direction (the transport direction) only. Positioning of the test media on the tip may be achieved by the same optics as employed for reading the test media. It is, however, also possible to employ a separate position detection means which preferably operates optically. Detection of proper positioning can be achieved by employing test media and tape of different reflectance so that a reflectance monitoring during tape transport indicates by a change in reflectance when a test medium comes into reading position. However, it may also be advantageous to employ indication marks—as e.g., black bars—to the tape which are detected optically when they are detected by the positioning detection means. [0088] The testing device further comprises a control unit which controls the steps of tape transport, opening and closing of the sealing, and reading of test media. The control unit or a separate calculation unit is further employed for calculation of analytical results from the obtained readings. The position detection means may also be controlled by the control unit. [0089] The cassette further comprises a tip ( 20 ) over which the tape is guided. This (optional) tip serves for a convenient sample application by e.g., the finger tip. For more details of the tip and how the tape is prevented from falling off the tip reference is made to the copending European Patent Application No. 02026242.4, which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. The cassette further has a recess for receiving a metering optics ( 102 ) belonging to the testing device. The part of the optics visible in FIG. 9A is a light coupling element for coupling light into the tip ( 20 ) to illuminate a test medium located on the tip. When sample is applied to this test medium the intensity of light reflected back from the underside of the test medium changes and the reflection intensity (preferably at a particular wavelength) can be read by a detector (not shown) and the intensity can be converted by the control unit or a calculation unit into an analytical concentration. With the aim to get optical readings from the test medium, it is either preferred to employ a tape material which is mostly transparent for the light to be detected or to employ a tape with a recess below the test medium as known from optical test elements as e.g., sold under the brand name Glucotrend. [0090] (Departing from the embodiment shown in FIG. 9A it is, however, also possible to employ test media which operate as known from electrochemical test elements. In such embodiments the testing device contacts the test medium in use with electrodes and employs a test device controlling the application and measurement of current or power to obtain readings which can be converted into analyte concentrations.) Optical as well as electrochemical concentration measurement with disposable test elements is, however, well known in the art and therefore will not be described in more detail. [0091] FIG. 9A shows the testing device (could also be called a testing system since the testing device houses a test media cassette) in its storage position with the sealing ( 52 , 55 ) closed. The testing device comprises a pressure actuator (e.g., a coil spring) which presses the sealing plate ( 55 ) having an annular gasket ( 52 ) at the side facing away from the actuator onto an opening of the cassette ( 50 ). It can be seen that a free tape portion is located between the opening of the cassette and the gasket when the sealing is closed. This embodiment has a diffusion channel ( 70 ) connecting the opening with the supply section in which the uncontaminated test media tape is contained. It can be further seen that the supply section ( 50 a ) is closed against the surrounding when the sealing is closed, while the storage section ( 50 b ) is partially open to the surrounding. The test media cassette further has rollers or pins ( 59 ) over which the tape is guided. [0092] FIG. 9B shows the testing device with the sealing opened. Opening can be achieved by moving the pressure plate ( 55 ) away from the opening against the force of the pressure actuator. This can be done by a reverse attractor which withdraws the pressure plate from the opening (e.g., an electromagnet which attracts the pressure plate). FIG. 9B also shows that the test medium ( 31 a ) has been moved from a position on the supply reel (see FIG. 9A ) into a position within the diffusion channel but still located within the supply section. It has to be understood that FIG. 9B is a snapshot of in between a test medium transport phase. The depicted position of the test medium is no typical waiting position but a position to last only shortly to keep the time period of opening the sealing as short as possible. The arrow shows the direction of tape transport. [0093] In FIG. 9C the sampling position for sampling body fluid can be seen. The test medium ( 31 a ) is located on the tip and the sealing is again closed. After body fluid application to the test medium on the tip, the testing device reads light reflected from the underside of the test medium to obtain a reading which can be converted into analyte concentration. It has to be understood that it is preferred if the body fluid application and reading are conducted in the same tape position so that no additional tape transport requiring opening of the sealing is necessary. However, it may also be advantageous to employ a reading position which is apart from the sampling position since this enables a reading optic or electrochemical analysis unit within the testing device at a different place. The closed sealing of FIG. 9C can be obtained by deactivating the reverse actuator so that the pressure actuator again presses the pressure plate onto the opening of the supply section. [0094] FIG. 9D again is a snapshot taken during the transport of the used test medium into the storage section ( 50 b ). When the used test medium is located inside the storage section, the sealing again is closed. As shown in FIG. 9 D it is preferred when the distance between two successive test media is so large that a succeeding test medium is still located within the supply section when the preceding test medium is already within the storage section. It is even more preferred when the succeeding test medium is still on the reel, covered by a layer of tape so that it is protected against humidity. [0095] FIG. 10 shows a test media cassette ( 50 ) with a supply section ( 50 a ) in which a supply reel ( 57 ) is being located. The test media tape leaves the supply section via a diffusion channel ( 70 ). At the opening of the supply section which is located at the outer end of the diffusion channel a sealing means ( 80 ′) is located. This sealing means has an axis ( 81 ′) by which it is rotationally fixed to the housing of the cassette. The sealing means has a sealing section to which an annular gasket (not shown) is fixed. When the cassette is in rest (i.e. no tearing force applied to the tape) the sealing section presses onto a surface surrounding the opening of the cassette (i.e. at the outer end of the diffusion channel in this embodiment). The force to achieve this pressing action is applied to the sealing means ( 80 ′) via a spring means ( 59 ) which integrally belongs to the cassette (non-integral or even spring means not belonging to the cassette may also be contemplated). The integral spring means in the shown case is a nose of plastic material which can be produced in the same production step as the cassette housing (e.g., by injection molding). When the sealing means ( 80 ′) is assembled, the nose ( 59 ) is deformed and spring tension acting onto the sealing means is created by the nose which attempts to get back into unstressed condition. When tape ( 30 ) is withdrawn from the supply section the tape needs to be tensioned to overcome the holding forced of the sealing means and/or the friction of the supply reel. As can be seen the sealing means has a rounded section which together with the cassette housing creates a wound channel in which the tape runs. When the tape is stressed it tries to assume a straight direction and therefore it acts on the rounded section of the sealing means so as to move the sealing means against the force of the spring means ( 59 ). This movement opens the sealing and lets the test media tape pass through. FIG. 10 further shows a chamber connected to the supply section which is filled with a drying agent ( 71 ), which is a molecular sieve in the depicted case. [0096] FIG. 11 shows the hydraulic sealing concept. The housing has an upper section 100 a and one lower section ( 100 b ) which form a channel at the outlet of the storage section through which the test media tape runs. Within this channel region, there is located a pouch 105 filled with fluid. The pouch is made of a flexible material (e.g., polyethylene) which in its rest position has the shape as depicted in FIG. 11 . In this position, the channel is opened so that test media tape can be withdrawn from the supply section and test media ( 31 ) can pass through. When pressure is applied to a portion of the pouch located outside the channel, the portion of the pouch located in the channel region expands and form fittingly engages the tape within the channel. Pressure application can e.g. be made by a stamp ( 110 ). For obtaining a tight sealing of the supply section against humidity, the channel is closed by the pouch when no unused test media are to be withdrawn. In this closed position, a free tape region between two successive test media is located in the channel and is form fittingly sealed by the hydraulic sealing means. [0097] While the invention has been illustrated and described in detail in the drawings and foregoing description, the same is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character, it being understood that only the preferred embodiment has been shown and described and that all changes, equivalents, and modifications that come within the spirit of the inventions defined by following claims are desired to be protected. All publications, patents, and patent applications cited in this specification are herein incorporated by reference as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application were specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference and set forth in its entirety herein.
Body fluid testing device for analyzing a body fluid comprises a test media tape adapted to collect the body fluid. The test media tape comprises a tape and test media portions. A free tape portion without test medium is located between successive test media portions. The testing device further comprises a supply portion. The supply portion comprises a housing in which uncontaminated test media tape is contained. The housing further has an opening for withdrawing test media tape from the housing. The testing device further has a sealing means for closing the opening against the surrounding. A free tape portion of the test media tape is located between a wall of the housing and the sealing means when the sealing means closes the opening. Further aspects concern a test media cassette with sealing means and a method for providing test media while holding them sealed against humidity during onboard storage.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to tetrahydroquinoxaline urea derivatives, preparation thereof, and therapeutic use thereof. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The compounds according to the invention modulate the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and are useful for treating pathologies in which such modulation is beneficial, as in the case of metabolic syndrome or of noninsulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART 11βHSD1 locally catalyzes the conversion of inactive glucocorticoids (cortisone in humans) to active glucocorticoids (cortisol in humans) in various tissues and organs, principally the liver and adipose tissue, but also in muscles, bone, pancreas, endothelium, ocular tissue and in certain parts of the central nervous system. 11βHSD1 acts as a regulator of the action of glucocorticoids in the tissues and organs where it is expressed (Tomlinson et al., Endocrine Reviews 25(5), 831-866 (2004), Davani et al., J. Biol. Chem. 275, 34841 (2000); Moisan et al., Endocrinology, 127, 1450 (1990)). The principal pathologies in which glucocorticoids and inhibition of 11βHSD1 are involved are stated below. A. Obesity, Type 2 Diabetes and Metabolic Syndrome The role of 11βHSD1 in obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome (also known as syndrome X or insulin resistance syndrome) where the symptoms include visceral obesity, glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, hypertension, type 2 diabetes and hyperlipidemia ( Reaven Ann. Rev. Med. 44, 121 (1993)) is described in many works. In humans, treatment with carbenoxolone (a nonspecific inhibitor of 11βHSD1) improves insulin sensitivity in slender volunteer patients and in patients with type 2 diabetes (Andrews et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metab. 88, 285 (2003)). Moreover, mice whose gene for 11βHSD1 has been turned off are resistant to hyperglycemia induced by stress and obesity, show attenuation of the induction of liver enzymes of neoglucogenesis (PEPCK and G6P) and display an increase in insulin sensitivity in adipose tissue (Kotelevstev et al., Proc. Nat. Acad. Sci. 94, 14924 (1997); Morton et al., J. Biol. Chem. 276, 41293 (2001)). Moreover, transgenic mice in which the gene for 11βHSD1 has been overexpressed in adipose tissues have a phenotype similar to that of human metabolic syndrome (Masuzaki et al., Science 294, 2166 (2001)). It should be noted that the phenotype observed exists without an increase in total circulating glucocorticoids, but is induced by specific increase in active glucocorticoids in the adipose deposits. Furthermore, new classes of specific inhibitors of 11βHSD1 have appeared recently: arylsulfonamidothiazoles have been shown to improve insulin sensitivity and reduce the level of glucose in the blood of mice with hyperglycemia (Barf et al., J. Med. Chem. 45, 3813 (2002)). Moreover, it was shown in a recent study that compounds of this type reduced food intake as well as weight gain in obese mice (Wang et al. Diabetologia 49, 1333 (2006)); triazoles have been shown to improve metabolic syndrome and slow the progression of atherosclerosis in mice (Hermanowski-Vosatka et al., J. Exp. Med. 202, 517 (2005)). A2. Microvascular Complications of Diabetes The presence of chronic complications in patients with type 2 diabetes is often linked to the severity and duration of diabetes. Functional and structural microvascular disorders largely explain the development of certain pathologies observed in diabetic patients such as neuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy (Rayman, Diabetes Review 7:261-274, 1999; Gärtner and Eigentler, Clin Nephrol 70:1-9, 2008; Zent and Pozzi, Sem Nephrol 27:161-171, 2007; Malecki et al., EJCI38:925-930, 2008). Chronic increase in glycemia, or glucose intolerance, represent major risk factors of these microvascular complications (Robinson Singleton et al. Diabetes 52:2867-2873, 2003; Lachin et al. Diabetes 57: 995-1001, 2008). By providing better control of glycemia, through a decrease in hepatic neoglucogenesis and an increase in the body's insulin sensitivity (see chapter “obesity, type 2 diabetes and metabolic syndrome”), inhibitors of 11βHSD1 can prevent progression to the microvascular complications observed in diabetic patients. However, strict control of glycemia cannot completely prevent the development of microvascular complications, and it is therefore necessary to discover new treatments for more general treatment of diabetic and dyslipidemic patients (Girach et al. Int J Clin Pract 60(11): 1471-1483, 2006; Taylor. Curr Diab Rep 8 (5): 345-352; 2008). Interestingly, a study by Chiodini et al. (Diabetes Care 30: 83-88, 2007) showed that cortisol secretion in diabetic patients was linked directly to the presence of chronic macrovascular or microvascular complications. Moreover, microvascular reactivity and endothelial function are altered in patients with Cushing syndrome who have hypercortisolism (Prazny et al. Physiol Rev 57:13-22, 2008). More particularly, Bhatia et al. (Ann Ophthalmol 15:128-130; 1983) demonstrated a link between raised plasma cortisol levels and retinopathy in diabetic patients. Koh et al. showed that treatment of patients with Cushing syndrome by adrenalectomy, making it possible to reverse hypercortisolism, improves renal function. The clinical parameters of polyneuropathies (sensory perception, cardiac autonomic neuropathy) are associated with an increase in cortisol secretion in diabetic patients (Tsigos et al. J Clin Endocrinol Metab 76:554-558, 1993). All these elements show that a decrease in the impact of cortisol by local inhibition of its regeneration, via inhibitors of 11βHSD1, could have a favorable role in microcirculatory disorders associated with diabetes (polyneuropathy, retinopathy, and nephropathy). B. Cognition and Dementia Mild cognitive disorders are phenomena that are common to the elderly and to type 1 and 2 diabetics, and can gradually lead to depression or dementia (Messier et al., Neurobiol. aging 26, 26; Greenwood et al. (2005), Neurobiol. aging 26, 45 (2005)). Both in older animals and older humans, inter-individual differences for general cognitive functions have been linked to differences in long-term exposure to glucocorticoids (Lupien et al., Nat. Neurosci. 1, 69, (1998)). Moreover, deregulation of the HPA (hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal) axis, resulting in chronic exposure of certain sub-regions of the brain to glucocorticoids has been suggested as contributing to the decline of cognitive functions (McEwen et al., Curr. Opin. Neurobiol. 5, 205, 1995). 11βHSD1 is abundant in the brain and is expressed in many sub-regions including the hypothalamus, the frontal cortex and the cerebellum (Sandeep et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 101, 6734 (2004)). Mice deficient in 11βHSD1 are protected against the dysfunctions of the hypothalamus associated with glucocorticoids that are linked to old age (Yau et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 98, 4716, (2001)). Moreover, in studies in humans, it has been shown that administration of carbenoxolone improves verbal fluency and verbal memory in the elderly (Yau et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 98, 4716 (2001), Sandeep et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 101, 6734 (2004)). Finally, the use of selective inhibitors of 11βHSD1 of the triazole type has shown that they prolong memory retention in older mice (Rocha et al., Abstract 231 ACS meeting , Atlanta, 26-30 Mar. 2006). Moreover, it was shown in diabetic rodent models that the corticosterone level contributed to the development of cognitive pathologies induced by diabetes (Stranhan et al., Nature neurosc. 11, 309 (2008)). Thus, inhibitors of 11βHSD1, by allowing a reduction in cortisol regeneration in the hippocampus, could have a beneficial effect on cognitive functions in elderly diabetic patients (Sandeep et al., Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 101, 6734 (2004)). C. Intraocular Pressure Glucocorticoids can be used topically or systemically for a wide range of pathologies of clinical ophthalmology. A particular complication of these treatments is glaucoma induced by the use of corticosteroids. This pathology is characterized by increase in intraocular pressure (IOP). In the most severe cases and for untreated forms, IOP can lead to a partial loss of visual field and possibly to complete loss of sight. IOP is the result of an imbalance between production of aqueous humor and drainage thereof. The aqueous humor is produced in nonpigmented epithelial cells and drainage is performed by the cells of the trabecular network. 11βHSD1 is localized in the nonpigmented epithelial cells and its function is clearly amplification of the activity of glucocorticoids in these cells (Stokes et al., Invest. Ophthalmol. Vis. Sci. 41, 1629 (2000)). This concept is confirmed by the observation that the concentration of free cortisol is greatly in excess relative to cortisone in the aqueous humor (ratio 14/1). The functional activity of 11βHSD1 in the eyes was evaluated by studying the effects of carbenoxolone in healthy volunteers. After seven days of treatment with carbenoxolone, IOP is reduced by 18% (Rauz et al., Invest. Ophtamol. Vis. Sci. 42, 2037 (2001)). The inhibition of 11βHSD1 in the eyes is therefore predicted as reducing the local concentration of glucocorticoids and the IOP, producing a beneficial effect in the treatment of glaucoma and other disorders of vision. D. Hypertension Hypertensive substances from the adipocytes such as leptin and angiotensinogen have been suggested as being key elements in obesity-related hypertension pathologies (Wajchenberg et al., Endocr. Rev. 21, 697 (2000)). Leptin, which is secreted in excess in aP2-11βHSD1 transgenic mice (Masuzaki et al., J. Clinical Invest. 112, 83 (2003)), can activate various networks of sympathetic neuronal systems, including those that regulate arterial pressure (Matsuzawa et al., Acad. Sci. 892, 146 (1999)). Moreover, the renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been identified as being a determining pathway in the variation of arterial pressure. Angiotensinogen, which is produced in the liver and in adipose tissue, is a key substrate for renin and is at the origin of activation of the RAS. The plasma angiotensinogen level is significantly raised in aP2-11βHSD1 transgenic mice, as are those of angiotensin II and of aldosterone (Masuzaki et al., J. Clinical Invest. 112, 83 (2003)); these elements lead to the increase in arterial pressure. Treating these mice with low doses of an angiotensin II receptor antagonist eliminates this hypertension (Masuzaki et al., J. Clinical Invest. 112, 83 (2003)). These data illustrate the importance of local activation of glucocorticoids in adipose tissue and in the liver, and suggests that this hypertension may be caused or exacerbated by the activity of 11βHSD1 in these tissues. Inhibition of 11βHSD1 and reduction of the level of glucocorticoids in adipose tissue and/or in the liver is therefore predicted as having a beneficial role for the treatment of hypertension and of related cardiovascular disorders. D2. Salt-Sensitive Arterial Hypertension It is estimated that about 30 to 50% of the general population are particularly sensitive to salt. There is a wealth of evidence suggesting a link between sensitivity to salt and arterial hypertension and cardiovascular risks (Weinberger M H, Curr Opin Cardiol 2004; 19:353-356). It has been shown that salt-sensitive subjects have a decreased variability of heart rate, as well as increased arterial pressure and cortisol production during mental stress, compared with subjects who are not sensitive (Weber C S et al., Journal of Human Hypertension 2008; 22:423-431). Moreover, a recent study by Liu Y et al. (Physiol Genomics 2008 Sep. 30) demonstrated in the Dahl salt-sensitive rat that specific inhibition of expression of renal medulla 11βHSD1, by the use of shRNA, can greatly reduce, in animals, the increase in mean arterial pressure induced by a salty diet. These elements suggest that an inhibitor of the enzyme 11βHSD1 would very probably have a beneficial effect on this form of arterial hypertension. E. Osteoporosis The development of the skeleton and the osseous functions are also regulated by the action of glucocorticoids. 11βHSD1 is present in osteoclasts and osteoblasts. Treatment of healthy volunteers with carbenoxolone showed a decrease in markers of bone resorption without a change in the markers of bone formation (Cooper et al., Bone, 27, 375 (2000)). Inhibition of 11βHSD1 and reduction of the level of glucocorticoids in the bones could therefore be used as a protective mechanism in the treatment of osteoporosis. F. Lipodystrophy Associated with Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), or HAL Syndrome The use of intensive antiretroviral treatment for AIDS patients often induces a lipodystrophy syndrome (HAL) resembling Cushing syndrome, and associating increase in abdominal fat mass, hypertriglyceridemia and insulin resistance. It has been shown (Sutinen et al., Diabetologia, 47, 1668 (2004)) that this lipodystrophy (HAL) is associated with an increase in expression of 11βHSD1 in patients' adipose tissue. Inhibitors of 11βHSD1, allowing a reduction of cortisol regeneration in the adipose tissue, could therefore have a beneficial role in patients with lipodystrophy associated with intensive treatment of AIDS with antiretrovirals (HAL syndrome). G. Infectious Diseases Certain infections, such as tuberculosis, are associated with disorders of the immune response (Ellner J J, J. Lab. Clin. Med, 130, 469, (1997)). This feature, which is most often accompanied by an increase in secretion of certain cytokines (IL-10, INFα) and/or response to certain cytokines, seems to be caused, at least partly, by local tissue exposure of the immune cells to glucocorticoids. Moreover, the administration of synthetic glucocorticoids in humans or animals causes reactivation of tuberculosis in humans and in animals (Haanas O C et al. Eur. J. Respir. Dis. 64, 294 (1998), Brown et al. Infect. Immun. 63, 2243, (1995)). Moreover, various stresses that are activators of the HPA axis lead to reactivation of said infection. Apart from these particular cases, circulating glucocorticoid levels as well as activation of the HPA axis seem to be normal in patients with tuberculosis (Baker et al. Am. J. Resp. Crit. Care. Med., 162, 1641 (2000)). In contrast, the levels of cortisol versus cortisone in the bronchioalveolar fluid seem to be raised, reflecting a modulation of glucocorticoid metabolism to the active form (notably dependent on the activity of 11βHSD1). Inhibition of 11βHSD1 in the peripheral tissues and notably the lungs might consequently produce a beneficial effect on stabilization and then reversion of infection. H. Cardiac Hypertrophy and Heart Failure Cardiovascular diseases represent the primary cause of morbidity and mortality in the industrialized countries, and left ventricular hypertrophy (LVH) is an independent risk factor of cardiovascular mortality (Havranek E P, Am J Med 121:870-875, 2008). Aside from genetic causes, pathological conditions such as arterial hypertension, myocardial infarction, or renal insufficiency can lead to a compensatory hypertrophy, subsequently progressing to chronic heart failure. 11βHSD1 activity, permitting conversion of 11-dehydrocorticosterone to corticosterone, is expressed in the cardiomyocytes of newborn rats, and contributes to the modulating activity of glucocorticoids and aldosterone in the heart (Sheppard and Autelitano, Endocrinology 143:198-204, 2002). Using these cells, Lister et al. (Cardiovascular Research 70: 555-565, 2006) showed that drug-induced hypertrophy of the cardiomyocytes is accompanied by an increase in activity of the enzyme 11βHSD1. In this same study, the use of RU-486, a specific antagonist of the glucocorticoid receptors, made it possible to reduce the hypertrophy of the cells. Inhibitors of 11βHSD1 activity might therefore limit cardiac hypertrophy and thus prevent progression to heart failure. I. Liver Diseases: I1. Hepatic Steatosis: Studies in severely obese patients (BMI>35 kg/m2) report a prevalence of 91% for steatosis and of 37% for steatohepatitis (Neuschwander-Tetri & Caldwell, Hepatology, 37, 1202-1219, 2003). Type 2 diabetes is another major factor associated with steatosis with a prevalence of 70% reported for a sample of 3000 Italian diabetics (Targher et al., Diabetes Care, 30, 1212-1218, 2007). Moreover, a link has been observed between insulin resistance and hepatic steatosis independently of obesity in patients with nonalcoholic hepatic steatosis (Manchesini et al., Diabetes, 50, 1844-1850, 2001). In obese patients, 11βHSD1 activity appears to be modified, as indicated by the activation of orally administered cortisone, urinary excretion of cortisol metabolites or hepatic tissue expression of 11βHSD1. (Tomlinson et al., Endocrine Rev, 25, 831-866, 2004; Rask et al., J. Clin. Endocrin. Metab., 86, 1418-1421, 2001; Stewart et al., J. Clin. Endocrin. Metabol. 84, 1022-1027, 1999; Valsamakis et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metabol., 89, 4755-4761, 2004). Transgenic mice overexpressing 11βHSD1 in the adipose tissue or in the liver develop hepatic steatosis and dyslipidemia (Masuzaki et al., Sciences 294, 2166-2170, 2001; Paterson et al., PNAS, 101, 7088-7093, 2004). Inhibition of 11βHSD1 in the rat reduces fasting triglyceridemia following a decrease in secretion of hepatic triglycerides and an increase in capture and tissue oxidation of fatty acids, which is also reflected in the liver by a significant decrease in triglycerides (Berthiaume et al., Am. J. Physiol. Endocrinol. Metab., 293, 1045-1052, 2007). Local reduction of active glucocorticoid by inhibition of 11βHSD1 activity is therefore envisaged for reducing the insulin-resistant and lipid effects of glucocorticoids and thus reducing hepatic steatosis. I2. Metabolic Steatohepatitis: Metabolic steatohepatitis represents a stage of development of metabolic hepatic steatosis in some people. A correlation has been described between urinary cortisol, post-dexamethasone cortisol concentration and the grade of necroinflammation and hepatic fibrosis in subjects with metabolic steatohepatitis suggesting the existence of subclinical or local hypercorticolism (Targher et al., Clin. Endocrinol., 64, 337-341, 2006). A general and local correction (at centrilobular level) of insulin resistance, and an improvement in oxidation of hepatic fatty acids by inhibition of 11βHSD1 activity, as well as reduction of the pro-fibrotic effects of cortisol, are therefore predictive of an improvement of the pathological evolution. I3. Hepatic Regeneration: The liver has a considerable capacity for regeneration, completely necessary in the case of injuries whether or not of infectious origin, in particular arising from the digestive tract. For example, hepatic apoptosis or necrosis can result from drug-induced, viral, alcoholic, metabolic, cholestatic or vascular ischemic toxicity. The glucocorticoids inhibit hepatocyte proliferation and hepatic tissue regeneration (Tsukamoto & Kojo, Gut, 30, 387-390, 1989; Nagy et al., Hepatology, 28, 423-429, 1998; Tannuri et al., Pediatr. Transplantation, 12, 73-79, 2008). Inhibition of 11βHSD1 reductase activity could in this context lessen the negative local effects of cortisol on hepatic regeneration and are to be aligned with the pro-angiogenic effects of these inhibitors and with their positive action on certain growth factors. J. Healing of Chronic Skin Wounds: The healing of chronic wounds depends on the underlying pathological context which modifies and desynchronizes the physiological stages of healing. In chronic diabetic ulcer, the potential benefit of inhibitors of 11βHSD1 is to be seen both in correction of the manifestations of diabetes, taking into account the local pathological role of endogenous corticoids at the level of the wound and the state of pathological progression. There is some evidence showing that endogenous corticoids are directly involved in the alteration of wound healing in humans and in rodent animal models (Goforth et al., J. Foot Surgery, 19, 199-2002, 1980; Dostal et al., Arch. Surg, 125, 636-640, 1990; Bitard, Am. J. Pathology, 152, 547-554, 1998). Local production of cortisol is predicted by the presence of 11βHSD1 reductase activity at endothelial, fibroblastic, and cutaneous level in humans and in rodents (Gong et al., Steroids 73, 1187-1196, 2008; Hammami et al., J. Clin. Endocrinol. Metabol., 73, 326-334, 1991; Cooper et al., ENDO 2003; Teelucksingh et al., Lancet, 335, 1060-1063, 1990). Cortisol and other glucocorticoids inhibit skin ulcer healing by many mechanisms and at different stages: alteration of microcirculatory vasomotor activity, inhibition of the inflammatory phase in particular on the synthesis of prostaglandins, of leukotrienes, of cytokines, such as TNFalpha and production of IL-1beta, IL-4, etc. and signalling of IFNgamma, increase of infection, reduction of cellular motility and proliferation of keratinocytes, reduction of expression of pro-angiogenic factors such as VEGF, suppression of expression of TGFbeta 1 and 2 that are essential in the production of collagen by the fibroblasts and their transformation into myofibroblasts, suppression of expression of MMP1, 2, 9 and 10 and induction of TIMP thus blocking remodelling, promotion of terminal epidermal differentiation but inhibition of the first stages of differentiation, causing fragility of the epidermis (Bitard, Am. J. Pathology, 152, 547-554, 1998, Beer et al., Vitam. Horm., 59, 217-239, 2000; Rosen & Miner, Endocrine Review, 26, 452-464, 2005, Stojadinovic et al., J. Biol. Chem, 282, 4021-4034, 2007). Conversely, and as expected, inhibition of 11βHSD1 reductase activity is described as inducing vasodilatation, a pro-angiogenic and anti-infectious effect (see the corresponding chapters) and in certain inflammatory situations, producing exacerbation and growth factor overexpression such as TGF-beta (Zhang et al., J. Immunology, 179, 6325-6335, 2007). Inhibitors of 11βHSD1 should therefore, based on this action, improve the healing of chronic skin wounds. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Tetrahydroquinoxaline urea derivatives have now been found, which have an adamantane nucleus, and which modulate the activity of 11βHSD1. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to compounds corresponding to formula (I): in which: A represents a bond, an oxygen atom or an —O—CH 2 — group, Ar 1 represents a phenyl or heteroaryl group, Ar 2 represents a phenyl group, a heteroaryl group or a heterocycloalkyl group, R 1a,b,c and R 2a,b,c , which may be identical or different, each represent a hydrogen or halogen atom or an alkyl group; cycloalkyl optionally substituted with an alkyl, haloalkyl, alkoxy-alkyl, alkoxy-haloalkyl or —COOR 5 group; -alkyl-cycloalkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms; —OR 5 (hydroxy or alkoxy); hydroxy-alkyl; alkoxy-alkyl; alkoxy-alkoxy; haloalkyl; —O-haloalkyl; oxo; —CO-alkyl; —CO-alkyl-NR 6 R 7 ; —CO-haloalkyl; —COOR 5 ; alkyl-COOR S ; —O-alkyl-COOR 5 ; —SO 2 -alkyl; —SO 2 -cycloalkyl; —SO 2 -alkyl-cycloalkyl; —SO 2 -alkyl-OR 5 ; —SO 2 -alkyl-COOR S ; —SO 2 -alkyl-NR 6 R 7 ; —SO 2 -haloalkyl; alkyl-SO 2 -alkyl; —SO 2 —NR 6 R 7 ; —SO 2 -alkyl-alkoxy-alkoxy; —CONR 6 R 7 ; -alkyl-CONR 6 R 7 or —O-alkyl-NR 6 R 7 , or R 1a , R 1b , R 1c are bound respectively to R 2a , R 2b , R 2c and to the carbon atom that bears them and represent —O-alkyl-O—; R 3 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group, R 4 represents a hydrogen or halogen atom or a cyano, —OR 5 , hydroxy-alkyl, —COOR 5 , —NR 6 R 7 , —CONR 6 R 7 , —SO 2 -alkyl or —SO 2 —NR 6 R 7 , —NR 6 —COOR S , —NR 6 —COR 5 , —CO—NR 6 -alkyl-OR 5 group; R 5 , R 6 and R 7 , which may be identical or different, each represent a hydrogen atom, an alkyl group or an -alkyl-phenyl group, and R 8 represents an alkyl, alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; —SO 2 -alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; phenyl; alkoxy-imino group; alkyl-cycloalkyl optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms; heterocycloalkyl substituted with one or more halogen atoms, one or more hydroxyl or hydroxy-alkyl groups; or else R 8 and R 9 , together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, form a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or one or more carboxyl groups; R 9 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; provided that when R 8 is an alkyl group, it is attached to the silicon atom of a group Ar 2 . The compounds of formula (I) can have one or more asymmetric carbon atoms. They can therefore exist in the form of enantiomers or of diastereoisomers. These enantiomers, diastereoisomers, and mixtures thereof, including the racemic mixtures, form part of the invention. The compounds of formula (I) can be in the form of bases or of acids or can be salified by acids or bases, notably pharmaceutically acceptable acids or bases. These salts of addition form part of the invention. These salts are advantageously prepared with pharmaceutically acceptable acids or bases, but salts of other acids or bases that can be used, for example, for purifying or isolating the compounds of formula (I), also form part of the invention. The compounds of formula (I) can also exist in the form of hydrates or solvates, namely in the form of associations or combinations with one or more solvent molecules. These solvates also form part of the invention. In the context of the present invention, and unless stated otherwise in the text, the terms used have the following meanings: a halogen atom: a fluorine, a chlorine, a bromine or an iodine; an alkyl group: a saturated, linear or branched aliphatic group having from 1 to 5 carbon atoms. As examples, we may mention the methyl, ethyl, propyl, methylpropyl, isopropyl, butyl, isobutyl, tertbutyl or pentyl groups; a cycloalkyl group: a cyclic alkyl group having from 3 to 6 carbon atoms. As examples, we may mention the cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl groups; an alkoxy group: a radical of formula —O-alkyl, where the alkyl group is as defined above; a hydroxy-alkyl group: a radical of formula alkyl-OH, where the alkyl group is as defined above; an alkoxy-alkyl group: a radical of formula alkyl-O-alkyl, where the alkyl groups, which may be identical or different, are as defined above. As examples, we may mention —(CH 2 ) 2 —O—CH 3 , —(CH 2 ) 3 —O—CH 3 , —CH—(CH 2 —O—CH 3 ) 2 ; an alkoxy-alkoxy group: a radical of formula —O-alkyl-O-alkyl, where the alkyl groups, which may be identical or different, are as defined above; a haloalkyl group: an alkyl group as defined above substituted with 1 to 5 halogen atoms, as defined above. We may mention for example the trifluoromethyl group; a heteroaryl group: an aromatic group comprising 5 to 9 atoms, including 1 to 3 heteroatoms, such as nitrogen, oxygen or sulfur. We may notably mention the pyridinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl or thiazolyl groups; and a heterocycloalkyl: a mono-, bi-cyclic alkyl group, optionally bridged, having from 4 to 9 atoms or optionally partially unsaturated and of which 1 or 2 atoms are heteroatoms, such as oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur or silicon. We may notably mention the pyrrolidinyl, piperidinyl, piperazinyl, tetrahydropyranyl, morpholinyl, homopiperazinyl, 3,8-diazabicyclo[3.2.1]octane, thiomorpholinyl and thiomorpholinyl-1,1-dioxide, octahydro-pyrrolo[3,4-c]pyrrole, 1,2,3,6-tetrahydro-pyridine, 2,5-diaza-bicyclo[2.2.1]heptane, azasilinane groups; a carbonyl function is represented by CO. In the context of the present invention, R 1a,b,c denotes the groups R 1a , R 1b and R 1c and R 2a,b,c denotes the groups R 2a , R 2b and R 2c . When Ar 2 represents a heterocycloalkyl group, the groups R 1c , R 2c , R 8 and R 9 can be carried by any atom of said heterocycle, whether it is a carbon atom or a heteroatom (for example a nitrogen atom), including by the same atom of said heterocycloalkyl (for example when it is a sulfur atom). In the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention, the group R 4 and the urea group can be in trans position or in cis position. The compounds of formula (I) in which R 4 and the urea group are in trans position are particularly preferred. Among the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention, we may mention a subgroup of compounds in which A represents a bond. Another subgroup of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention is such that Ar 1 represents a heteroaryl group. Advantageously, Ar 1 represents a pyridinyl group. Another subgroup of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention is such that Ar 2 represents a heterocycloalkyl group. Advantageously, Ar 2 represents a piperidinyl, piperazinyl or azasilinanyl group. Among the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which Ar 1 represents a phenyl group or a heteroaryl with 6 ring members, we may mention those in which the bond between the nuclei A-Ar 2 and Ar 1 is in para position relative to the bond between Ar 1 and the nitrogen atom of the tetrahydroquinoxaline nucleus to which it is bound. Among the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention in which Ar 2 represents a heteroaryl or heterocycloalkyl group, we may mention those which are bound to group A by a heteroatom. Another subgroup of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention is such that R 1a,b,c and R 2a,b,c each represent a hydrogen atom. Another subgroup of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention is such that R 3 represents a hydrogen atom. Another subgroup of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention is such that R 4 represents a hydroxy-alkyl or —CONH 2 group. Another subgroup of the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention is such that R 8 represents an alkyl group, alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; —SO 2 -alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; phenyl; alkoxy-imino; heterocycloalkyl substituted with one or more halogen atoms, one or more hydroxyl or hydroxy-alkyl groups; or else R 8 and R 9 , together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, form a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or one or more carboxyl groups; R 9 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; provided that when R 8 is an alkyl group, it is attached to the silicon atom of Ar 2 . The subgroups defined above taken separately or in combination also form part of the invention. A group of compounds of formula (I) particularly preferred in the sense of the invention consists of the compounds of formula (I) in which: A is a direct bond; Ar 1 is a heteroaryl; Ar 2 is a heterocycloalkyl; R 3 represents a hydrogen atom, R 4 represents an OH or —CONH 2 group, R 8 represents an alkyl group, alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; —SO 2 -alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; phenyl; alkoxy-imino; heterocycloalkyl substituted with one or more halogen atoms, one or more hydroxyl or hydroxy-alkyl groups; or else R 8 and R 9 , together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, form a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or one or more carboxyl groups; R 9 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group; provided that when R 8 is an alkyl group, it is attached to the silicon atom of Ar 2 . Advantageously, R 8 represents an alkyl group, alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; —SO 2 -alkyl-Si(alkyl) 3 ; phenyl; alkoxy-imino; pyrrolidinyl substituted with one or more halogen atoms, a hydroxyl or hydroxy-alkyl group; thiomorpholinyl; or else R 8 and R 9 , together with the carbon atom to which they are bound, form a cycloalkyl group optionally substituted with one or more halogen atoms or one or more carboxyl groups; R 9 represents a hydrogen atom or an alkyl group provided that when R 8 is an alkyl group, it is attached to the silicon atom of Ar 2 . Among the compounds of formula (I) according to the invention, we may notably mention the following compounds: Trans 4-[5-(4-trimethylsilanylmethyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-{5-[4-(2-trimethylsilanyl-ethanesulfonyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans-6-{6-[4-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid; Trans 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[4-((R)-2-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[4-((S)-2-hydroxymethyl-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[4-((S)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[4-(3,3-difluoro-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; Trans 4-[5-(4,4-dimethyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide. It should be noted that the above compounds have been named using IUPAC nomenclature by means of the AutoNom software (Beilstein Information Systems). Protective group (GP) means, hereinafter, a group that is able, on the one hand, to protect a reactive function such as a hydroxyl or an amine during a synthesis and, on the other hand, to regenerate the reactive function intact at the end of synthesis. Examples of protective groups as well as methods of protection and deprotection are given in “Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis”, Greene et al., 3rd Edition (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., New York). Leaving group (Lg, E, V, X, Z) means, hereinafter, a group that can be easily cleaved from a molecule by rupture of a heterolytic bond, with departure of an electron pair. This group can thus be replaced easily with another group during a substitution reaction, for example. Said leaving groups are, for example, halogens or an activated hydroxyl group such as a mesyl, tosyl, triflate, acetyl, paranitrophenyl, etc. Examples of leaving groups as well as methods of preparation thereof are given in “Advanced Organic Chemistry”, J. March, 3rd Edition, Wiley Interscience, p. 310-316. According to the invention, the compounds of general formula (I) can be prepared according to the methods presented below. In scheme 1, the compounds of formula (IV) can be prepared by reaction between the intermediates of formula (II) and a carbonyl of formula (III) having two leaving groups Lg (for example a chlorine atom, a trichloromethoxy group, a para-nitrophenyl group, an imidazole group or methyl-imidazolium) in the presence of a base such as triethylamine or diisopropylamine, in a solvent such as dichlomethane or tetrahydrofuran and at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 80° C. The compounds of formula (I) are then obtained by coupling between the activated derivatives (IV) and the amines (V) in the presence or absence of a base such as triethylamine or potassium carbonate, in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, dichloromethane, acetonitrile, dimethylformamide or water, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. In certain cases, when R 1 or R 2 is an alcohol, or R 1 , R 2 or R 4 is a primary or secondary amine or an acid or a bioisostere of an acid function (tetrazole, etc.) or if Ar 1 or Ar 2 has in compound (I) a secondary amine function, it is then necessary to carry out Method No. 1 with a derivative (II) or (V) where the aforementioned functions are made unreactive by the presence of a protective group (for example, for an amine: a Boc, Bn or CBz group; for an alcohol: a Bn group; for an acid: an ester group; for a tetrazole: a benzyl group). Finally, to obtain the desired functionality, it is then necessary to carry out a reaction of deprotection in conditions known by person skilled in the art. The heterocycles of general formula (V) are available commercially or can be prepared by methods described in the literature (for example WO 2007/077949, US 2005/0215784 A1, US 2005/0245745 A1, Journal of Organic Chemistry (2005), 70(20), 7919-7924). Scheme 2 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (II). In scheme 2, the compounds of formula (VIII) can be prepared by coupling between a monoprotected tetrahydroquinoxaline of formula (VI) and a derivative (VII) having a leaving group X (for example a halogen, a tosylate, triflate or nanoflate group) in the presence of an organometallic catalyst such as a palladium derivative, in the presence or absence of a phosphine such as tritertbutylphosphine or triphenylphosphine, in the presence of a base such as potassium carbonate, potassium fluoride, potassium tertbutylate or potassium phosphate in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dioxane, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, toluene, tetrahydrofuran or water, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. The amines (II) are obtained by deprotection of the amine function of the compounds of formula (VIII), by methods selected from those known by a person skilled in the art; they comprise among others the use of trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid in dichloromethane, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether in the case of protection by a Boc group, and piperidine for an Fmoc group, at temperatures in the range from −10 to 100° C. The heterocycles of general formula (VI) are available commercially or can be prepared by methods described in the literature (for example “Comprehensive heterocyclic chemistry”, Katritzky et al., 2nd Edition (Pergamon Press); Krchnak, V. et al., Tet. Lett (2001), 42, 2443-2446; Eary, C. T. et al., Tet. Lett. (2006), 47, 6899-6902; Savrides, E-M. et al., J. Het. Chem. (2005), 42, 1031-1034. De Selms, R. C. et al., J. Het. Chem. (1974), 11(4), 595-7. The compounds of general formula (VII) are available commercially or can be prepared by methods described in the literature (for example Z. Sui et al., Bioorg. Med. Chem. Lett. (2003), 13, 761-765; Chopa, A. B. et al., J. Organomet. Chem. (2005), 690(17), 3865-3877; Düggeli, M. et al., Org. Biomol. Chem. (2003), 1(11), 1894-1899; Gros, P. et al., J. Org. Chem (2003), 68(5), 2028-2029; Bouillon, A. et al., Tet. (2002), 58(14), 2885-2890; Balle, T. et al., J. Med. Chem. (2006), 49(11), 3159-3171; M. A. Ismail et al., J. Med. Chem. (2006), 49(17), 5324-5332, Gu, Y. G. et al., J. Med. Chem. (2006), 49(13), 3770-3773; Serafin, B. et al., Eur. J. Med. Chem. (1977), 12(4), 325-31; Schmidt, H-W. et al., J. Het. Chem. (1987), 24(5), 1305-7; Walsh, D. A. et al., J. Med. Chem. (1990), 33(7), 2028-32; WO 2005/042521; EP 0 277 725). Scheme 3 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (VIII) in which Ar 1 represents a pyridine nucleus (Y═C) or pyrimidine nucleus (Y═N); these compounds will be called compounds of formula (IX) hereinafter. In scheme 3, the compounds of formula (IX) can be prepared by a reaction of nucleophilic aromatic substitution between a monoprotected tetrahydroquinoxaline of formula (VI) and a derivative (X) having a leaving group Z (for example a halogen or an alkylsulfonyl group) in the presence of a base such as the lithium salt of hexamethyldisilazane or sodium hydride in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran, N-methylpyrrolidinone, dimethylsulfoxide or dimethylformamide, at a temperature from room temperature to 100° C. Scheme 4 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (VIII) in which Ar 1 represents a phenyl nucleus and A represents a bond; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XI) hereinafter. In scheme 4, the compounds of formula (XIII) can be prepared by a coupling reaction between a monoprotected tetrahydroquinoxaline of formula (VI) and a derivative (XII) having a leaving group E (for example a halogen, triflate or nanoflate) in the presence of an organometallic catalyst such as a palladium derivative, in the presence or absence of a phosphine such as tritertbutylphosphine or triphenylphosphine, in the presence of a base such as potassium or cesium carbonate, potassium fluoride, potassium tertbutylate or potassium phosphate in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dioxane, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, toluene, tetrahydrofuran or water, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. The phenol function is then converted to a sulfonic ester to form the compounds (XV) by the action of a sulfonic derivative (XIV), where SO 2 W represents for example a mesylate, tosylate, triflate or nanoflate group, such as a sulfonic anhydride (Lg=OSO 2 W), a sulfonic acid fluoride (Lg=F) or a sulfonic acid chloride (Lg=Cl), in the presence of a base or of a mixture of bases such as triethylamine, pyridine, dimethylaminopyridine, diisopropylethylamine or potassium carbonate in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide or acetonitrile, at a temperature in the range from −78° C. to 100° C. Finally, the derivatives (XI) can be obtained by a coupling reaction between a derivative (XV) and a compound (XVI) in which D represents an organometallic group (for example a derivative of boron, a derivative of tin or an organozinc compound) in the presence of an organometallic species such as a palladium derivative, in the presence or absence of a phosphine such as tricyclohexylphosphine or triphenylphosphine, in the presence of a base such as potassium carbonate or potassium fluoride in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dioxane, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or water, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. Scheme 5 presents an alternative synthesis of the compounds of formula (XI). In scheme 5, the compounds of formula (XVII) can be prepared by transformation of the sulfonic ester function of the compounds (XV) to a boronic ester function to obtain the compounds (XVII) by a reaction with bispinacolatodiborane in the presence of a palladium complex such as 1,1′-bis(diphenylphosphino)ferrocedichloropalladium (II) in the presence of a base such as potassium acetate and lithium chloride in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dichloromethane, dioxane or dimethylsulfoxide, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. In a second step, the derivatives (XI) can be obtained by a coupling reaction between the derivative (XVII) and a compound (XVIII) having a leaving group V (for example a halogen, a triflate, a nonaflate) in the presence of an organometallic catalyst such as a palladium derivative, in the presence or absence of a phosphine such as tricyclohexylphosphine or triphenylphosphine, in the presence of a base such as sodium or potassium carbonate or potassium fluoride, in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dioxane, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or water, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. Scheme 6 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (VIII) in which Ar 1 represents a pyridine nucleus (just one of the two atoms Y is a nitrogen, the other is a carbon) and A represents a bond; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XIX) hereinafter. In scheme 6, the compounds of formula (XXI) can be prepared by a reaction of aliphatic or aromatic nucleophilic substitution between a monoprotected tetrahydroquinoxaline of formula (VI) and a derivative (XX) having a leaving group X (for example a fluorine atom) and a leaving group J (for example a bromine atom) in the presence of a base such as potassium tertbutylate or sodium hydride in a solvent such as N-methylpyrrolidinone or dimethylformamide, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. Finally, the derivatives (XIX) can be obtained by a coupling reaction between a derivative (XXI) and a compound (XVI) in which D is either an organometallic group (for example a derivative of boron, a derivative of tin or an organozinc compound) or a hydrogen atom when it is joined directly to the nitrogen atom of an amine of a heterocycloalkyl, in the presence of an organometallic catalyst such as a palladium derivative, in the presence or absence of a phosphine such as tricyclohexylphosphine or triphenylphosphine, in the presence of a base such as potassium or cesium carbonate, potassium triphosphate, sodium or potassium tert-butylate, or potassium fluoride, in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as toluene, dioxane, dimethylformamide, ethylene glycol dimethyl ether, tetrahydrofuran or water, at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C. Scheme 7 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (VIII) in which Ar 2 is a piperazine group, A is a single bond joined directly to one of the two nitrogen atoms of the piperazine, R 1c is joined to the other nitrogen atom of the piperazine; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XXII) hereinafter. The compounds (XXII) can be obtained following various reactions: A derivative (LI) of the sulfonyl chloride, acid chloride or carbamoyl chloride type (Lg is then a chlorine atom) can be reacted with the compound (XXIII), in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine or pyridine, with or without solvent such as dichloromethane, chloroform, tetrahydrofuran or dioxane at a temperature in the range from 0 to 40° C. An alkylation reaction is also possible between the compound (XXIII) and a derivative (LI) in which Lg is for example a chlorine, bromine or iodine atom, a tosylate or triflate group, in the presence of a base such as triethylamine, diisopropylethylamine, in a solvent such as tetrahydrofuran or dioxane at a temperature in the range from 0 to 80° C. A reductive amination reaction can also be carried out between the compound (XXIII) and a derivative (LII) of the aldehyde or ketone type, using a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride, in the presence or absence of a BrØnsted acid (such as hydrochloric acid) or a Lewis acid (such as titanium tetraisopropoxide) in a solvent such as dichloroethane, dichloromethane, acetic acid or methanol, at temperatures between −10° C. and 30° C. Scheme 8 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (I) in which Ar 2 is a piperidine group, A is a single bond joined directly to the nitrogen of the piperidine, R 8 is a heterocycloalkyl which is joined in position 4 of the nitrogen atom of the piperidine; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XXXVI) hereinafter. In scheme 8, the derivatives (XXXIX) are obtained by hydrolysis of the cyclic acetal function of the compound (XXXVII) by means of an acid such as hydrochloric acid in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as water, an alcohol, dioxane at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 100° C., leading to the ketones (XXXIX). The last step consists of a reaction of reductive amination which can be performed between the compound (XIX) and a heterocycle having an amine function, using a reducing agent such as sodium borohydride, sodium triacetoxyborohydride or sodium cyanoborohydride, in the presence or absence of a BrØnsted acid (such as hydrochloric acid) or a Lewis acid (such as titanium tetraisopropoxide) in a solvent such as dichloroethane, dichloromethane, acetic acid or methanol, at temperatures between −10° C. and 30° C. Scheme 9 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (XVI) in which Ar 2 is a piperidine group, R 8 and R 9 are joined in position 4 of the nitrogen atom of the piperidine and forms a halocyclopropyl spiro group; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XXXX) hereinafter. In scheme 9, the difluorocyclopropane derivatives (XXXXII) are obtained by cyclopropanation of the double bond of the compounds (XXXXI) by means of trimethylsilyl 2-(fluorosulfonyl)difluoroacetate in the presence of a source of fluoride ions such as NaF optionally in a solvent such as xylene at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 150° C. The amines (XXXX) are obtained by deprotection of the amine function of the compounds of formula (XXXXII), by methods selected from those known by a person skilled in the art; they comprise among others the use of trifluoroacetic acid or of hydrochloric acid in dichloromethane, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether in the case of protection by a Boc group, and of piperidine for an Fmoc group, at temperatures in the range from −10 to 100° C. Scheme 10 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (XVI) in which Ar 2 is a piperidine group, R 8 is joined in position 4 of the nitrogen atom of the piperidine and represents an alkoxy-imino function; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XXIII) hereinafter. In scheme 10, the oximes (XXV) are obtained by transformation of the ketone of the compounds (XXIV) by means of O-alkylhydroxyamine in the form of base or of hydrochloride in the presence or absence of a base such as sodium acetate or triethylamine in a solvent such as methanol or ethanol at a temperature from 0° C. to room temperature. The amines (XXIII) are obtained by deprotection of the amine function of the compounds of formula (XXV), by methods selected from those known by a person skilled in the art; they comprise among others the use of trifluoroacetic acid or hydrochloric acid in dichloromethane, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran or diethyl ether in the case of protection by a Boc group, and of piperidine for an Fmoc group, at temperatures in the range from −10 to 100° C. Scheme 11 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (VIII) in which Ar 2 represents a piperidine nucleus bound to Ar 1 by the nitrogen atom and in which R 8 and R 9 are joined in position 4 of the nitrogen atom of the piperidine and forms together a cyclopropyl spiro group substituted with an alkyl ester function and A represents a bond; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XXVI) hereinafter. In scheme 11, the derivatives (XXVIII) are obtained by transformation of the ketone of the compounds (XXVII) by means of a Wittig-Horner reaction using for example a phosphonate ylide such as diethyl((ethoxycarbonyl)methyl)phosphonate in the presence of a base such as NaH or tBuOK in a solvent such as THF or DMSO at a temperature in the range from 0° C. to room temperature. Finally, the compounds (XXVI) are obtained by cyclopropanation of the ethylene derivatives (XXVIII) by means of a reaction of cyclopropanation of the Corey-Chaykovsky type using for example trimethylsulfoxonium iodide in the presence of a base such as NaH or tBuOK in a solvent such as DMSO. Scheme 12 gives the details of a synthesis of the compounds of formula (XVI) in which Ar 2 is a [1,4]azasilinane group, R 1c and R 2c are hydrogen atoms, R 8 and R 9 are joined to the silicon atom; these compounds will be called compounds of formula (XXIX) hereinafter. In scheme 12, the derivatives (XXXI) are obtained by addition of an organometallic derivative such as vinylmagnesium to the compounds (XXX) in a solvent such as THF or ether at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 80° C. The following reaction is a hydroboration of the double bonds of the derivatives (XXXI) to form the alcohols (XXXII) by means of a boron derivative such as 9-BBN or BH 3 , then oxidation in an alkaline medium for example with a mixture of H 2 O 2 and soda. Then the two hydroxyl functions of the compounds (XXXII) are converted to a sulfonic ester function to form the compounds (XXXIII) by the action of a sulfonic derivative (XIV) where SO 2 W represents for example a mesylate, tosylate, triflate or nanoflate group, such as a sulfonic anhydride (Lg=OSO 2 W), a sulfonic acid fluoride (Lg=F) or a sulfonic acid chloride (Lg=Cl), in the presence of a base or of a mixture of bases such as triethylamine, pyridine, dimethylaminopyridine, diisopropylethylamine or potassium carbonate in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as dichloromethane, chloroform, toluene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethylformamide or acetonitrile, at a temperature in the range from −78° C. to 100° C. The following reaction, which can be carried out at the same time as the preceding step, is nucleophilic substitution of the two sulfonic ester functions of the compounds (XXXIII) by benzylamine, leading to the heterocycles (XXXIV). The derivatives (XXIX) are finally obtained by elimination of the benzyl group borne by the amino group of the compounds (XXXIV). The possible methods of deprotection comprise, among others, the use of hydrogen in the presence of a catalyst derived from palladium for performing a reaction of hydrogenolysis, in a solvent or mixture of solvents such as methanol, ethanol, ethyl acetate, tetrahydrofuran, under a hydrogen pressure between 1 and 10 bar at a temperature in the range from room temperature to 80° C. An alternative method for performing the elimination of the benzyl group from a secondary amine consists of applying the Olofson reaction (as described in Tett. Lett. 1977, page 1570, and J. Org. Chem. 1990, 55, page 1) in which a chloroformate is used, such as vinyl or chloroethyl chloroformate, which can lead to the heterocycles (XXIX) in the form of hydrochloride, with or without treatment with an aqueous solution of HCl. In the schemes presented above, the starting compounds and the reagents, when their manner of preparation is not described, are commercially available or are described in the literature, or else can be prepared according to methods that are described in the literature or that are known by a person skilled in the art. The invention, according to another of its aspects, also relates to the compounds of formulas (II), (IV), (VIII), (X), (XI), (XIII), (XV), (XVI), (XVII), (XXI), (XIX), (XXII), (XXVIII), (XXXVII), (XXXVI), etc. defined above. These compounds are useful as intermediates for synthesis of the compounds of formula (I). The following abbreviations and empirical formulas are used: 9-BBN 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonane ° C. degree Celsius DME dimethoxyethane DMF dimethylformamide DMSO dimethyl sulfoxide h hour(s) H 2 dihydrogen H 2 O water HCl hydrochloric acid K 2 CO 3 potassium carbonate LC/MS liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry ml or mL milliliter(s) mmol millimole(s) MHz MegaHertz MgSO 4 magnesium sulfate N normal NMP N-methylmorpholine NaHCO 3 sodium hydrogen carbonate Pd/C palladium on charcoal P 2 O 5 phosphorus pentoxide ppm parts per million psi pounds per square inch SO 2 sulfur dioxide Example 1 Trans 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide (Trans (5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid) (compound No. 2) 1.1: tert-Butyl Ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 30 g of tert-butyl ester of 3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 430 ml of N-methyl pyrrolidinone at 0° C. under nitrogen. 30 g of potassium tert-butylate is added a little at a time, keeping the temperature below 10° C. It is stirred for 1.5 h at room temperature, then 850 ml of water and 800 ml of ethyl ether are added at 0° C. The aqueous phase is extracted with 800 ml of ethyl ether, then with 400 ml of ethyl ether. The organic phases are combined and then dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated to dryness. Then 300 ml of pentane is added to the raw reaction product and the heterogeneous mixture obtained is sonicated with ultrasound for 5 min. The mixture is then held at 5° C. for 48 h, then the solid is filtered, washed three times with pentane and then dried at 40° C. for 5 h. 35 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=392.0 1.2: tert-Butyl ester of 4-tert-butoxyimino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 0.662 g of O-tert-butylhydroxylamine hydrochloride is put in a flask of suitable size and 12 ml of ethanol is added, and then 0.432 g of sodium acetate. The reaction mixture is then refluxed for 15 minutes, then 1 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-oxo-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid, previously dissolved in 13 ml of ethanol, is added. After heating for 1.5 h, the reaction mixture is cooled to room temperature and the ethanol is evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in dichloromethane, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered, concentrated to dryness and dried under vacuum. 1.32 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-tert-butoxyimino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid (97%) is obtained in the form of a white solid. (M+H + )=271 1.3: Piperidin-4-one O-tert-butyl-oxime A solution of 34 ml of dichloromethane containing 0.9 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-tert-butoxyimino-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid is cooled to 0° C. 25 ml of a 4M solution of hydrochloric acid in dioxane (30 eq) is added. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 3 hours and then diluted by adding dichloromethane. A saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is then added until pH=8 is obtained. The aqueous phase is extracted three times with dichloromethane. The organic phases are then combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. 0.49 g of piperidin-4-one O-tert-butyl-oxime is obtained. (M+H + )=171 1.4: tert-Butyl ester of 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.229 g of piperidin-4-one O-tert-butyl-oxime, 0.172 g of sodium tert-butylate, 0.084 g of dicyclohexyl-(2′,6′-dimethoxy-biphenyl-2-yl)-phosphane and 0.047 g of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) are added to a solution of 8 mL of anhydrous toluene containing 0.5 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 1.1). The reaction mixture is heated to 115° C. After heating for 2 h, the solution is cooled to room temperature and then filtered on Celite. The solvents are evaporated under reduced pressure. The residue is taken up in ethyl acetate. The organic phase is then washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by silica column chromatography, eluting with a gradient of a dichloromethane/methanol mixture (95/5 to 60/40), and 0.526 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. (M+H + )=480 1.5. 6′-(3,4-Dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-one O-tert-butyl-oxime A solution of 11 mL of dichloromethane containing 0.526 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is cooled to 0° C. 3.6 ml of a 4M solution of hydrochloric acid in dioxane is added. The reaction mixture is stirred while cold for 3 hours and then is diluted with dichloromethane. Then water is added, and then sodium carbonate until pH=12 is obtained. The aqueous phase is extracted three times with dichloromethane. The organic phases are then combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. 0.485 g of 6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-one O-tert-butyl-oxime is obtained. (M+H + )=380 1.6: trans-(5-Hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid A solution under nitrogen of 13 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane containing 0.485 g of 6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-one O-tert-butyl-oxime and 0.35 mL of triethylamine is cooled to 0° C. 0.151 g of triphosgene is then added. After stirring for 2 hours at room temperature, 1 g of trans-4-amino-adamantan-1-ol alcohol, 0.36 ml of triethylamine (2 eq) and 1 ml of anhydrous dimethylformamide are added. Stirring is maintained for 18 hours. The solvents are evaporated under reduced pressure and the residue is taken up in water, then a solution of sodium carbonate is added until basic pH is obtained. The aqueous phase is extracted three times with dichloromethane. The organic phases are then combined, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness under reduced pressure. The residue obtained is purified by silica column chromatography, eluting with a gradient of a dichloromethane/methanol mixture (95/5 to 0/100). 0.428 g of trans-(5-hydroxy-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-(4-tert-butoxyimino-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. (M+H + )=573, MP=110-113° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=8.07 (d, J=3 Hz, 1H), 7.44 (dd, J=7.9 Hz and 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (dd, J=9 Hz and 3 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 6.94 (m, 1H), 6.86 (m, 1H), 6.00 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H), 4.38 (s, 1H), 3.79 (m, 4H), 3.70 (m, 1H), 3.33 (m, 2H), 3.27 (m, 2H), 2.61 (m, 2H), 2.41 (m, 2H), 2.04 (m, 2H), 1.99 (m, 1H), 1.73 to 1.57 (m, 8H), 1.36 (m, 2H), 1.25 (s, 9H). Example 2 Trans 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; (trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid) (compound No. 4) 2.1: tert-Butyl ester of 4-[5-(4-benzyloxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 10.12 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 1.1) and 5.7 g of 4-carboxybenzyl piperazine are mixed in 118 ml of toluene, then 0.95 g of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0), 1.7 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl and 3.5 g of sodium tert-butylate are added. The reaction mixture is heated at 110° C. for 3 h. Then ethyl acetate is added and the mixture is washed once with water and once with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride. The organic phase is dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of a mixture of heptane/ethyl acetate (90/10 to 0/100). 10.16 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(4-benzyloxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=530.5 2.2: tert-Butyl ester of 4-(5-piperazin-1-yl-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 5.08 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(4-benzyloxycarbonyl-piperazin-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid in 240 ml of ethanol is put in a Parr bottle, then 2 g of Pd/C 10% (50% in water) is added. The resultant reaction mixture is stirred at 35° C. under 45 psi of hydrogen for 3.5 h. Then it is filtered under inert atmosphere on a Whatman filter and then rinsed several times with methanol, which is then evaporated under reduced pressure. 3.57 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-piperazin-1-yl-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=396.6 2.3: tert-Butyl ester of 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.3 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-piperazin-1-yl-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is added to 10 mL of acetonitrile, to which 0.189 g of K 2 CO 3 and then 10.143 g of 2-bromomethyl-1,1-difluoro-cyclopropane are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 h at room temperature under nitrogen, then for 18 h under reflux under nitrogen. The reaction mixture is then cooled to room temperature, poured into 100 mL of H 2 O and extracted 3 times with 50 ml of EtOAc. The resultant organic phases are combined, washed with 100 ml of H 2 O, 100 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 , filtered and concentrated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 8%. 0.3 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=486 2.4: 1-{5-[4-(2,2-Difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline 0.3 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 5 mL of dioxane, to which 2.32 ml of 4N HCl in dioxane is added. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature in a closed environment for 18 h. Once again, 2.32 mL of 4N HCl in dioxane is added, and the reaction mixture is stirred for a further 18 h at room temperature. 2.32 ml of 4N HCl in dioxane is added once again, and the reaction mixture is stirred for a further 18 h at room temperature. After concentration to dryness, the reaction mixture is diluted with a solution of 50 ml of 1N HCl in water and extracted with 100 ml of diethyl ether. The organic phase is washed again with 50 ml of 1N HCl in water. The aqueous phases are then combined, basified with K 2 CO 3 in powder form to pH 10, and extracted 3 times with 50 ml of dichloromethane. The resultant organic phases are combined, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. 0.24 g of 1-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is obtained. [M+H + ]=386 2.5: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.24 g of 1-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is put in 5 mL of dichloromethane at 0° C. 0.17 mL of triethylamine is added, then 0.073 g of triphosgene. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 min under nitrogen at 0° C., then for 3 hours at room temperature. Then 0.16 g of amide hydrochloride of trans-4-amino-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid, 0.22 mL of triethylamine and 5 mL of DMF are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 18 h at room temperature under nitrogen. After hydrolysis with 100 ml of H 2 O, the mixture is extracted twice with 50 ml of dichloromethane. The organic phases are combined, washed twice with 100 ml of H 2 O, then with 100 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. After trituration in diethyl ether, filtration and drying, 0.25 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-{5-[4-(2,2-difluoro-cyclopropylmethyl)-piperazin-1-yl]-pyridin-2-yl}-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=606; MP=206° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=8.05 (d, J=3 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (dd, J=7.9 Hz and 1.5 Hz, 1H), 7.39 (dd, J=9 Hz and 3 Hz, 1H), 7.11 (m, 2H), 6.97 (s.broad, 1H), 6.86 (m, 1H), 6.69 (s.broad, 1H), 6.06 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (m, 4H), 3.75 (m, 1H), 3.15 (m, 4H), 2.70 to 2.53 (m, 5H), 2.39 (m, 1H), 2.04 to 1.69 (m, 11H), 1.62 (m, 1H), 1.45 (m, 2H), 1.19 (m, 2H). Example 3 Trans 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; (trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid) (compound No. 5) 3.1: tert-Butyl ester of 4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid 1.473 g of boc-4-piperidone is put in 45 ml of methanol. 1 g of thiomorpholine-1,1-dioxide and 0.47 ml of acetic acid are added at room temperature. A weight increase is observed. Therefore methanol is added until stirring is correct. 0.511 g of sodium cyanoborohydride is then added. It is stirred at room temperature for 18 h and then the solution is heated under reflux for 3 h. The solution is then evaporated to dryness and the raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate in heptane ranging from 20 to 100%. 0.786 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M−56+H +=263 3.2: 4-Piperidin-4-yl-thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide 0.786 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-piperidine-1-carboxylic acid is put in 5 ml of dichloromethane. 12.3 ml of 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxane is added at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 18 h and evaporated to dryness. The product thus obtained is returned to the basic state by means of tetraalkylammonium carbonate resin at a rate of 2 g per mmol. 0.555 g of 4-piperidin-4-yl-thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide is obtained. 3.3: tert-Butyl ester of 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.993 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 1.1) is put in 12 mL of toluene. 0.555 g of 4-piperidin-4-yl-thiomorpholine 1,1-dioxide, 0.342 g of sodium tert-butylate, 0.167 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl and 0.093 g of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) are added at room temperature and the reaction mixture is heated for 3 h at 110° C. Then ethyl acetate is added and the mixture is decanted. The aqueous phase is extracted a second time with ethyl acetate and the organic phases are washed with water. They are then dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. 0.86 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=528 3.4: 1-[4-(1,1-Dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline hydrochloride 0.4 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro=2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 4 ml of dichloromethane. 3.79 mL of 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxane is added at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 2 days. It is evaporated to dryness. 0.38 g of 1-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline hydrochloride is obtained. M+H +=428 3.5: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.379 g of 1-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline hydrochloride in 13 mL of a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate is put in a 100-ml flask. 13 ml of dichloromethane is added. The solution is cooled in an ice bath. 0.6 ml of a solution of phosgene at 20% in toluene is added at +5° C. After 30 minutes, a fresh 0.6 ml of phosgene at 20% in toluene is added, then 30 minutes later, again 0.6 ml of phosgene at 20% in toluene is added. The reaction mixture is decanted 30 minutes later. Dichloromethane is added to the aqueous phase and it is decanted again. The organic phases are then combined, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. This raw reaction product is taken up in 13 mL of dimethylformamide. 0.66 mL of diisopropylethylamine is added. 0.175 g of amide of trans-4-amino-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid is added. The solution is then stirred for 18 h and the reaction mixture is poured into water and extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The organic phase is washed twice with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. 0.115 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[4-(1,1-dioxo-1lambda6-thiomorpholin-4-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained after trituration in ethyl ether with a few drops of ethyl acetate. M+H +=648 , MP=160-200° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=8.04 (m, 1H), 7.42 (m, 2H), 7.10 (m, 2H), 6.95 (m, 2H), 6.86 (m, 1H), 6.68 (s.broad, 1H), 6.05 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H), 3.87 to 3.63 (m, 7H), 3.04 (m, 8H), 2.68 (m, 3H), 2.12 to 1.34 (m, 17H). Example 4 Trans 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; (trans (5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide hydrochloride of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid) (compound No. 11) 4.1: tert-Butyl ester of 1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-6-carboxylic acid 5.07 g of trimethylsilyl-2,2-difluoro-2-(fluorosulfonyl)acetate and 0.025 g of sodium fluoride are put in a 50-ml flask. The reaction mixture is cooled with an ice bath and 2 g of 1-N-boc-4-methylenepiperidine is added dropwise. The reaction mixture is then heated to 105° C. Once this temperature is reached, strong evolution of gas is observed and the solution turns very dark orange. The heating is then stopped and, once cooled, the reaction mixture is poured into a solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate. It is extracted twice with dichloromethane and the organic phase is washed twice with water. It is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and concentrated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate in heptane ranging from 0 to 30%. 1.2 g of tert-butyl ester of 1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-6-carboxylic acid is obtained. M−56+ACN+H +=233 4.2: 1,1-Difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane hydrochloride 1.2 g of tert-butyl ester of 1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-6-carboxylic acid is put in 24 mL of dichloromethane. 24 mL of 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxane is added at room temperature. The solution is stirred for 4 h and is evaporated to dryness. 1 g of 1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane hydrochloride is obtained. 4.3: tert-Butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.894 g of 1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane hydrochloride is put in 22 ml of toluene. 1.12 g of sodium tert-butylate, 1.9 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 1.1), 0.32 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl and 0.178 g of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) are added at room temperature. It is heated for 3 h at 105° C. Then ethyl acetate is added and the mixture is decanted. It is extracted twice more with ethyl acetate and the organic phases are washed with water twice. They are then dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate in heptane ranging from 10% to 70%. 1.48 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=457 4.4 1-[5-(1.1-Difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline 1.48 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 16 mL of dichloromethane. 24 mL of 4M hydrochloric acid in dioxane is added at +4° C. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 4 h and evaporated to dryness. The residue is taken up in a saturated solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate to basic pH. The solution is extracted twice with dichloromethane, washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. 1.4 g of 1-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is obtained. M+H +=357 4.5 trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide hydrochloride of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 1.17 g of 1-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is added to 9 mL of dichloromethane in a 50-ml three-necked flask under inert atmosphere of nitrogen. 1.1 ml of triethylamine is added at 0° C. Then 0.304 g of triphosgene is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. and then at room temperature for 3 h. 0.89 mL of triethylamine is added again and 0.65 g of amide of trans-4-amino-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid is then added. For better solubility, 23 mL of dimethylformamide is added. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 18 h and is then poured into water and extracted twice with dichloromethane. The organic phases are combined and washed twice with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. Therefore 0.428 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained, which is then dissolved in 4 mL of dichloromethane, to which 3.5 mL of a solution 0.2N of hydrochloric acid in ethyl ether is added, with stirring. It is evaporated to dryness and is taken up in ethyl acetate. A precipitate is obtained, which is drained and then dried under vacuum at 40° C. 0.37 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide hydrochloride of 4-[5-(1,1-difluoro-6-aza-spiro[2.5]oct-6-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=577 ; MP=134-170° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=8.09 (broad singlet, 1H), 7.77 (m, 1H), 7.53 (m, 1H), 7.26 (m, 1H), 7.19 (m, 1H), 6.99 (m, 3H), 6.69 (broad singlet, 1H), 6.16 (d, J=5.8 Hz, 1H), 3.86 (m, 4H), 3.74 (m, 1H), 3.30 (m, 4H), 2.00 (m, 3H), 1.94 to 1.64 (m, 12H), 1.45 (m, 2H), 1.38 (m, 2H). Example 5 trans-6-{6-[4-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid (compound No. 12) 5.1: 6′-(3,4-Dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]-bipyridinyl-4-one In a 150-ml flask, 5.51 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 7.1) is put in 21 ml of tetrahydrofuran, 21 ml of water and 20 ml of acetone. It is cooled on an ice bath and 8.24 ml of 95% sulfuric acid is added gently. It is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The solution is then poured into water. 5N sodium hydroxide is added to basic pH and it is extracted twice with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are washed with water, dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ternary solvents, on the one hand heptane and on the other hand heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol 4/5/1 varying from 10% to 100%. 2.39 g of 6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-one is obtained. M+H +=309 5.2: Ethyl ester of [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid 1.91 g of triethylphosphonoacetate and 19 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran are put in a 100-ml flask. It is cooled on an ice bath. At +5° C., 0.205 g of 95% sodium hydride is added a little at a time with a spatula. After addition, it is returned to room temperature and the reaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes. Then the flask is immersed in an ice bath and 0.205 g of 95% sodium hydride is added at +5° C. It is stirred for 30 minutes at room temperature. 2.39 g of 6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-one and 19 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran are put in another 100-ml flask. Again at +5° C., the solution of ylide is added to the solution of 6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-one. It is allowed to return to room temperature and it is stirred for 18 h. The reaction mixture is poured into water and it is extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The organic phases are washed with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is first chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ternary solvents, on the one hand heptane and on the other hand heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol 4/5/1 varying from 10% to 100%. The product obtained is chromatographed again on silica gel with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. 0.468 g of ethyl ester of [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid is obtained. As for the aqueous phase, it contains [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid, which is recovered by adding a saturated solution of sulfurous acid in water and extracting with dichloromethane and ethyl acetate. The organic phase thus obtained is dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. 1.08 g of [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid is obtained. This 1.08 g of acid is then reesterified with 0.90 ml of sulfuric acid in 15 ml of ethanol under reflux for 3 h. The reaction mixture is then poured into water+ice. Sodium hydrogen carbonate is added to pH 8. It is extracted twice with ethyl acetate, and washed with water and with water saturated with sodium chloride. It is dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. 0.736 g of ethyl ester of [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid is obtained. The total amount obtained is therefore 1.2 g of ethyl ester of [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid. M+H +=379 5.3: Ethyl ester of 6-[6-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid 1.04 g of trimethylsulfoxonium iodide in 15 mL of dimethylsulfoxide is put in a 150-ml flask. 0.533 g of potassium tertbutylate is added at room temperature. It is stirred at room temperature for 3 h. A solution of 1.2 g of ethyl ester of [6′-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-2,3,5,6-tetrahydro-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-4-ylidene]-acetic acid dissolved in 15 ml of dimethylsulfoxide is added. It is stirred at room temperature for 3 h and is left to stand for 2 days. Trimethylsulfoxonium iodide (0.78 g) in 8 mL of dimethylsulfoxide is prepared again, and 0.4 g of potassium tertbutylate is added to the solution. It is stirred for 3 h. Then this solution is added to the reaction mixture and it is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. The solution is then poured into water and extracted three times with ethyl acetate. The combined organic phases are dried over sodium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 0.5% to 5%. The product is chromatographed on silica gel again, eluting with a gradient of ternary solvents, on the one hand dichloromethane and on the other hand dichloromethane/ethyl acetate/methanol 70/25/5 varying from 10% to 100%. 0.338 g of ethyl ester of 6-[6-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=393 5.4: Ethyl ester of trans-6-{6-[4-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid 0.338 g of ethyl ester of 6-[6-(3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl]-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid in 8 mL of dichloromethane is put in a 50-ml three-necked flask under inert atmosphere of nitrogen. 0.36 mL of triethylamine is added at 0° C. Then 0.102 g of triphosgene is added at 0° C. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 minutes at 0° C. and then at room temperature for 3 h. 0.30 mL of triethylamine is added again and 0.22 g of amide of trans-4-amino-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid is then added. For better solubility, 8 mL of dimethylformamide is added. The solution is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. It is then poured into water and extracted twice with dichloromethane. The organic phases are combined and washed three times with water, dried over magnesium sulfate, filtered and evaporated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ternary solvents, on the one hand heptane and on the other hand heptane/ethyl acetate/methanol 4/5/1 varying from 10% to 100%. 0.343 g of ethyl ester of trans-6-{6-[4-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=613 5.5: trans-6-{6-[4-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid 0.343 g of ethyl ester of trans-6-{6-[4-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl]-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid in 6 ml of a 1/1/1 mixture of tetrahydrofuran/methanol/water is put in a 50-ml flask. 0.090 g of lithium hydroxide monohydrate is added at room temperature. It is stirred at room temperature for 18 h. It is evaporated to dryness. It is taken up in water and a saturated solution of sulfurous acid in water is added until the pH is acid. A precipitate forms. It is drained and dried under vacuum at 40° C. 0.214 g of trans-6-{6-[4-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-ylcarbamoyl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxalin-1-yl)-pyridin-3-yl}-6-aza-spiro[2.5]octane-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=585 ; MP=145-160° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=12.09 (m, 1H), 8.04 (d, J=3 Hz, 1H), 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.09 (m, 2H), 7.00 to 6.80 (m, 3H), 6.68 (m, 1H), 6.05 (d, J=6 Hz, 1H), 3.94 to 3.68 (m, 5H), 3.42 to 2.92 (m, 4H), 2.05 to 1.37 (m, 18H), 0.96 (m, 2H). Example 6 Trans 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; (trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid) (compound No. 13) 6.1: Methyl-phenyl-divinyl-silane 158 ml of a solution of vinylmagnesium chloride in THF is added dropwise using a dropping funnel in 1 h at room temperature under nitrogen to 13.1 ml of a solution of dimethoxymethylphenyldivinylsilane in 36 ml of anhydrous THF. The temperature is controlled with a water bath. After addition, the mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h and then refluxed for 2 h. 40 ml of H 2 O is then added and the mixture is stirred for 30 min. The white precipitate that forms is filtered and is then rinsed with ethyl acetate. The filtrate is extracted with ethyl acetate twice. The organic phases are combined, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum. 12.56 g of methyl-phenyl-divinyl-silane is obtained in the form of a clear yellow oil, which is then used without further purification. 1 H NMR (CDCl 2 , 200 MHz), δ(ppm)=0.45 (s, 3H); 5.80 (dd, J=19.6 and 4.5 Hz, 2H); 6.14 (dd, J=14.6 and 4.5 Hz, 2H); 6.34 (dd, J=19.6 and 14.6 Hz, 2H); 7.40-7.27 (m, 3H); 7.58-7.53 (m, 2H). 6.2: 2-[(2-Hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-phenyl-silanyl]-ethyl alcohol 16.1 g of methyl-phenyl-divinyl-silane is put in 65 ml of anhydrous THF under nitrogen at room temperature. 24.6 g of 9-BBN dimer is added and the mixture is refluxed for 4 h. On return to room temperature, 40 ml of H 2 O is added, followed by 90 ml of a 3N soda solution. The mixture is cooled to 0° C. and 90 ml of a 30% solution of hydrogen peroxide is added cautiously. The mixture is then refluxed for 2 h. The two-phase mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate three times. The organic phases are combined, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ethanol and of dichloromethane in heptane ranging from 0.4/3.6/6 to 0.4/4.4/5. 15.1 g of 2-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-phenyl-silanyl]-ethyl alcohol is obtained in the form of a white solid. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz), δ(ppm)=0.36 (s, 3H); 1.27 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 4H); 2.11 (s broad, 2H); 3.80 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 4H); 7.40-7.36 (m, 3H); 7.55-7.50 (m, 2H). 6.3: 1-Benzyl-4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinane 8.5 g of 2-[(2-hydroxy-ethyl)-methyl-phenyl-silanyl]-ethyl alcohol is put in 80 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane under nitrogen. 14.2 ml of triethylamine is added, and then, at 0° C., 6.9 ml of mesyl chloride is added dropwise using a dropping funnel. The mixture is stirred for 2 h at 0° C. and gradually turns orange with appearance of a precipitate. Once conversion is complete, 14.2 ml of triethylamine is added and then 4.7 ml of benzylamine at 0° C. The reaction mixture is brought back to room temperature and then refluxed for 6 h. After hydrolysis with H 2 O at room temperature, the reaction mixture is extracted with ethyl acetate three times. The organic phases are combined, washed with a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over magnesium sulfate and concentrated under vacuum. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate and heptane containing 3% of triethylamine varying from 0/10 to 3/7. 3.6 g of 1-benzyl-4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinane is obtained in the form of a clear yellow oil. 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 200 MHz), δ(ppm): 0.32 (s, 3H); 1.00-0.86 (m, 2H); 1.35-1.15 (m, 2H); 2.82 (s broad, 4H); 3.62 (s broad, 2H); 7.40-7.27 (m, 8H); 7.59-7.54 (m, 2H). 6.4: 4-Methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinane hydrochloride 3.6 g of 1-benzyl-4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinane is put in 32 ml of anhydrous dichloromethane under nitrogen. At 0° C., 2.5 ml of 1-chloroethyl chloroformate is added dropwise to the reaction mixture. The reaction mixture is gradually brought back to room temperature and then stirred for 2 h under reflux. After complete conversion, the reaction mixture is concentrated under vacuum and dried, then the residue is dissolved in 50 ml of methanol at room temperature. The mixture is stirred under reflux for 2 h. After evaporation of the solvent under vacuum, the yellow solid obtained is then suspended in ethyl acetate. The suspension is refluxed for some minutes and then gradually cooled to room temperature. The crystals thus formed are filtered, washed with ethyl acetate and dried under vacuum. 2.13 g of 4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinane hydrochloride is obtained in the form of white crystals. MP=245° C.; M+H +=191; 1 H NMR (DMSO, 200 MHz), δ(ppm)=0.40 (s, 3H); 1.11 (dt, J=15.1 and 5.4 Hz, 2H); 1.33 (dd, J=15.1 and 6.7 Hz, 2H); 3.31-3.23 (m, 4H); 7.46-7.38 (m, 3H); 7.62-7.57 (m, 2H); 8.79 (s broad, 2H). 6.5: tert-Butyl ester of 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.5 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 1.1) is put in 6.5 ml of toluene and then 0.21 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl, 0.117 g of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0), 0.307 g of sodium tert-butylate and 0.321 g of 4-methyl-4-phenyl[1,4]azasilinane hydrochloride are added. The reaction mixture is heated at 105-110° C. for 19 h. After concentration, ethyl acetate is added and the mixture is washed with an aqueous solution of sodium chloride and then with water. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and concentrated under reduced pressure. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of heptane/ethyl acetate solvents (100/0 to 70/30). 0.43 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=501.1 6.6: 1-[5-(4-Methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline 0.43 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 50 mL of dichloromethane and after cooling on an ice bath, 3.5 mL of a 4N solution of hydrochloric acid in dioxane is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 16 h. After concentration, the mixture is taken up in dichloromethane, and neutralized by adding a saturated solution of sodium bicarbonate. After decanting, the aqueous phase is extracted with dichloromethane. The dichloromethane phases are combined and dried over sodium sulfate. After concentration under vacuum, 0.338 g of 1-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is obtained. M+H +=401.1 6.7: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.338 g of 1-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline and 15 ml of dichloromethane are put in a three-necked flask under nitrogen atmosphere. 0.35 mL of triethylamine is added. The mixture is cooled with an ice/acetone mixture to −8° C. and then 0.133 g of triphosgene is added. The reaction mixture is then stirred at room temperature for 3 h. 10 ml of dimethylformamide, 0.193 g of amide hydrochloride of trans-4-amino-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid and 0.35 ml of triethylamine are put in a flask. The mixture is placed in an ultrasonic cell and then heated to obtain an almost clear mixture. This mixture is added a little at a time to previously prepared carbamoyl chloride, which is cooled with a water bath. The reaction mixture is stirred at room temperature for 16 h. After evaporation of the dichloromethane, the reaction mixture is taken up in 300 ml of ethyl acetate and washed with a saturated solution of sodium chloride. The organic phase is dried over sodium sulfate and then concentrated under vacuum. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of dichloromethane/methanol solvents (100/0 to 90/10). 0.28 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(4-methyl-4-phenyl-[1,4]azasilinan-1-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. M+H +=621 ; MP=106-108° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=8.05 (d, J=3.1 Hz, 1H), 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.43 to 7.31 (m, 5H), 7.11 (d, J=9 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (dd, J=8.1 Hz and 1.5 Hz, 1H), 6.98 (m, 1H), 6.92 (m, 1H), 6.81 (m, 1H), 6.69 (m, 1H), 6.03 (d, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 3.83 to 3.61 (m, 9H), 2.02 to 1.69 (m, 11H), 1.46 (m, 2H), 1.12 (m, 2H), 0.94 (m, 2H), 0.35 (s, 3H). Example 7 Trans 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6,-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide; trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide hydrochloride of 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (compound No. 9) 7.1: tert-Butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 2 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-(5-bromo-pyridin-2-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (intermediate 1.1) is put in 25 ml of toluene. 0.81 g of 1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]decane, 0.69 g of sodium tert-butoxide, 0.34 g of 2-dicyclohexylphosphino-2′,6′-dimethoxybiphenyl and 0.19 g of tris(dibenzylideneacetone)dipalladium (0) are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 2 h under nitrogen at 110° C. The reaction mixture is poured into 200 ml of H 2 O, and extracted twice with 150 ml of ethyl acetate. The organic phases are combined, washed twice with 100 ml of H 2 O, then with 100 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of ethyl acetate in heptane, varying from 5% to 50%. 2.4 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=453 7.2: 1-[5-(1,4-Dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline 2.7 g of tert-butyl ester of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 30 ml of dioxane, then 22.37 ml of 4N HCl in dioxane is added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 48 h in a closed environment at room temperature. After concentration to dryness, the reaction mixture is diluted with 200 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate and extracted twice with 200 ml of dichloromethane. The resultant organic phases are combined, washed with 100 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, and with 100 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. 2.1 g of 1-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is obtained. [M+H + ]=353 7.3: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 2.25 g of 1-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-1,2,3,4-tetrahydroquinoxaline is put in 30 mL of dichloromethane at 0° C. 1.78 mL of triethylamine is added, and then 0.76 g of triphosgene. The reaction mixture is stirred for 30 min under nitrogen at 0° C., then for 3 hours at room temperature. Then 1.47 g of amide hydrochloride of trans-4-amino-adamantane-1-carboxylic acid, 2.22 ml of triethylamine and 30 ml of DMF are added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 18 h at room temperature under nitrogen. After hydrolysis with 250 ml of H 2 O, the mixture is extracted twice with 350 mL of dichloromethane. The resultant organic phases are combined, washed twice with 200 ml of H 2 O, then with 200 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed twice on silica gel, eluting with a gradient of methanol in dichloromethane ranging from 1% to 10%. 2.3 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=573; MP=177° C. 7.4: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-(4-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 2.1 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[5-(1,4-dioxa-8-aza-spiro[4.5]dec-8-yl)-pyridin-2-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 40 ml of a 1/1 acetone/water mixture. 1.17 ml of concentrated sulfuric acid is slowly added. The reaction mixture is stirred for 48 h under nitrogen at room temperature. The reaction mixture is concentrated (evaporation of acetone), basified at 0° C. with an aqueous solution of 1M sodium hydroxide to pH 10 and then extracted 3 times with 200 ml of dichloromethane. The resultant organic phases are combined, washed with 200 mL of H 2 O, then with 200 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. 1.6 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-(4-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=529 7.5: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid 0.2 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-(4-oxo-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl)-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is put in 2 ml of dichloromethane. 0.034 g of (R)-pyrrolidin-3-ol alcohol is added, and then 0.096 g of sodium triacetoxyborohydride. The reaction mixture is stirred for 18 h under nitrogen at room temperature. The reaction mixture is diluted with 75 ml of dichloromethane, and washed with 75 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate. The aqueous phase is extracted with 75 ml of dichloromethane and the resultant organic phases are combined, washed with 50 mL of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium hydrogen carbonate, 50 ml of a saturated aqueous solution of sodium chloride, dried over MgSO 4 and concentrated to dryness. The raw product obtained is chromatographed on silica gel, eluting with a mixture of 10% of methanol in dichloromethane and then with a mixture of 2% of ammonia and 20% of methanol in dichloromethane. 0.19 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=600 7.6: trans-(5-Carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide hydrochloride of 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid The trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide of 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid (0.19 g, 0.32 mmol) is put in 5 mL of dichloromethane. 1.6 mL of a 0.2 M solution of hydrochloric acid in diethyl ether is added. The reaction mixture is concentrated to dryness, taken up in 5 mL of ethyl acetate, triturated and then filtered and dried under vacuum at 40° C. for 18 h. 0.18 g of trans-(5-carbamoyl-adamantan-2-yl)-amide hydrochloride of 4-[4-((R)-3-hydroxy-pyrrolidin-1-yl)-3,4,5,6-tetrahydro-2H-[1,3′]bipyridinyl-6′-yl]-3,4-dihydro-2H-quinoxaline-1-carboxylic acid is obtained. [M+H + ]=600; MP=191° C.; 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d6) δ(ppm)=11.12 (m, 0.5H), 10.38 (m, 0.5H), 8.05 (m, 1H), 7.54 (m, 1H), 7.48 (m, 1H), 7.18 (m, 2H), 6.96 (m, 3H), 6.69 (s; broad, 1H), 6.11 (m, 1H), 4.44 (m, 1H), 3.91 to 3.00 (m, 13H), 2.74 (m, 2H), 2.32 to 1.68 (m, 17H), 1.45 (m, 2H). The table given below illustrates the chemical structures and the physical properties of some compounds according to the invention, corresponding to formula (I), and being in the form of free bases or of salified compounds: in column “A”, “—” represents a single bond; base corresponds to the nonsalified molecule dec. corresponds to a decomposition temperature; HCl represents a hydrochloride; Me represents a methyl group; MP denotes the melting point of the compound, expressed in degrees Celsius; Salt corresponds to the form of the compound that can be in the form of the base or in salified form, for example a hydrochloride; M+H + represents the mass of the compound, obtained by LC-MS (Liquid Chromatography—Mass Spectroscopy). TABLE MP Syn- No A R 1a R 2a R 1b R 1c R 2c R 3 R 4 R 3 R 2 Ar 1 Ar 2 Salt (° C.) M + H + thesis 1 — H H H H H H OH (trans) —CH 2 Si(Me) 3 H Base — 575 Meth- od 1 2 — H H H H H H OH (trans) ═N—O—C(Me) 3 H Base 110-113 573 Meth- od 1 3 — H H H H H H OH (trans) —SO 2 (CH 2 ) 2 Si(Me) 3 H Base 107-120 653 Meth- od 1 4 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H Base 206 606 Meth- od 1 5 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H Base 160-200 648 Meth- od 1 6 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H HCl 224 614 Meth -od 2 7 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H HCl 244 614 Meth- od 2 8 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H HCl 235 600 Meth- od 2 9 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H HCl 191 600 Meth- od 2 10 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) H HCl 196 620 Meth- od 2 11 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) HCl 134-170 577 Meth- od 1 12 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) Base 145-160 585 Meth- od 1 13 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) Me Base 106-108 621 Meth- od 1 14 — H H H H H H —CONH 2 (trans) Me Me Base 213-216 559 Meth- od 1 The compounds according to the invention have undergone pharmacological tests for determining their inhibitory effect on the enzyme 11βHSD1, which is involved in lipid metabolism and in glucose metabolism. These tests consisted of measuring the inhibitory activity in vitro of compounds of the invention on the enzyme 11βHSD1 using a Scintillation Proximity Assay (SPA) in 384-well format. The recombinant 1βHSD1 protein was produced in S. cerevisiae yeast. The reaction was carried out by incubating the enzyme in the presence of 3 H-cortisone and NADPH, in the absence or in the presence of increasing concentration of inhibitor. SPA beads coupled to an antimouse antibody, preincubated with an anticortisol antibody, made it possible to measure the amount of cortisol formed during the reaction. The inhibitory activity with respect to the enzyme 11βHSD1 is given by the concentration that inhibits 50% of the activity of 11βHSD1 (IC 50 ). The IC 50 values of the compounds of the invention are presented in the following table: 11βHSD1-HR IC 50 Compound No. nM 1 7 2 23 3 10 4 3 5 4 6 4 7 3 8 6 9 2 10 2 11 3 12 6 13 25 14 12 It therefore appears that the compounds according to the invention have an inhibitory activity on the enzyme 11βHSD1. The compounds according to the invention can therefore be used for preparing medicinal products, in particular medicinal products that are inhibitors of the enzyme 11βHSD1. Thus, according to another of its aspects, the invention relates to medicinal products that comprise a compound of formula (I), or a salt of addition of the latter with a pharmaceutically acceptable acid or base, or a hydrate or a solvate of the compound of formula (I). These medicinal products find application in therapeutics, notably in the treatment and prevention of obesity, diabetes, microcirculatory disorders, insulin resistance, metabolic syndrome, Cushing syndrome, hypertension, atherosclerosis, cognition and dementia, glaucomas, osteoporosis, lipodystrophy, cardiac hypertrophy, heart failure, liver diseases, and certain infectious diseases by increasing the effectiveness of the immune system or for promoting wound healing. According to another of its aspects, the present invention relates to pharmaceutical compositions comprising, as active principle, a compound according to the invention. These pharmaceutical compositions contain an effective dose of at least one compound according to the invention or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt, a hydrate or solvate of said compound, as well as at least one pharmaceutically acceptable excipient. Said excipients are selected, depending on the pharmaceutical form and the desired method of administration, from the usual excipients that are known by a person skilled in the art. In the pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention for oral, sublingual, subcutaneous, intramuscular, intravenous, topical, local, intratracheal, intranasal, transdermal or rectal administration, the active principle of formula (I) above, or optionally a salt, solvate or hydrate thereof, can be administered as a unit dosage form, mixed with conventional pharmaceutical excipients, to animals and to human beings for preventing or treating the aforementioned disorders or diseases. The appropriate unit dosage forms comprise forms for administration by the oral route, such as tablets, soft or hard capsules, powders, granules and oral solutions or suspensions, forms for sublingual, buccal, intratracheal, intraocular, intranasal administration, administration by inhalation, forms for topical, transdermal, subcutaneous, intramuscular or intravenous administration, forms for rectal administration and implants. For topical application, the compounds according to the invention can be used in creams, gels, ointments or lotions. As an example, a unit dosage form of a compound according to the invention in tablet form can comprise the following components: Compound according to the invention 50.0 mg Mannitol 223.75 mg  Croscarmellose sodium  6.0 mg Maize starch 15.0 mg Hydroxypropylmethylcellulose 2.25 mg Magnesium stearate  3.0 mg According to another of its aspects, the present invention also relates to a method of treatment of the pathologies stated above, comprising the administration, to a patient, of an effective dose of a compound according to the invention, or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt or hydrate or solvate thereof.
The invention relates to a compound of the general formula (I), as defined herein which is useful in modulating the activity of 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase type 1 (11βHSD1) and are useful for treating pathologies in which such modulation is beneficial, as in the case of metabolic syndrome or of noninsulin-dependent type 2 diabetes. The invention also relates to pharmaceutical preparations containing such a compound, processes for preparing and intermediates useful in the preparation of a such a compound.
2
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a national stage application of PCT/US2011/061146, filed on Nov. 17, 2011, which in turn claims the benefit provisional application 61415167, filed on Nov. 18, 2010, both of which are incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention generally relates to hand tools and more particularly to systems for hanging picture frames. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In the past, many people wishing to securely hang a picture at a precise location on a wall so as to hang level with the ground and to resist being perturbed have had difficulty completing the task. While many prior art approaches of picture hanging have been employed in the past, they do have some drawbacks. First of all, hanging a picture frame with a single nail or screw often results in it being accidentally perturbed from a level position when someone walks by and brushed up next to the picture, or if the wall holding the picture shakes, when a nearby door is slammed. Secondly, using two or more precisely measured nail locations have often proved difficult for many people. Consequently, there exists a need for improved methods and systems for hanging picture frames without some of the drawbacks of the prior art systems. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a system and method for hanging picture frames in an efficient manner. It is a feature of the present invention to utilize a dual purpose hanging and wall marking structure on a picture frame. It is an advantage of the present invention to reduce the time required to properly mark nail hole locations. It is another advantage of the present invention to reduce errors in marking the location of nail holes. It is another feature of the present invention to include a level which is sized and constructed so as to sit on a top horizontal portion of a picture frame in a stable manner. It is an advantage of the present invention to allow a picture to be leveled by grasping the picture frame while the level remains positioned atop the picture frame to be hung. It is a feature of the present invention to include a method which allows the person hanging the picture frame to visually locate the picture and hang it without the need for any distance measuring. It is an advantage of the present invention to reduce the errors which often occur with picture hanging. The present invention is a system and method for securely hanging pictures, designed to satisfy the aforementioned needs, provide the previously stated objects, include the above-listed features, and achieve the already articulated advantages. The present invention is carried out in a “distance measuring-less” manner, in a sense that the need to measure distances of nail holes in relation to other nail holes or structure on the picture frame, has been eliminated. Accordingly, the present invention is a system and method including a dual purpose hanging and marking structure on a picture frame. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention may be more fully understood by reading the following description of the preferred embodiments of the invention, in conjunction with the appended drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a wall side of a dual purpose hanging and marking structure of the present invention. FIG. 2 is an opposing frame side of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure of FIG. 1 . FIG. 3 is a top view of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure of FIG. 1 . FIG. 4 is wall side view of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure of FIG. 1 . FIG. 5 is a view of two dual purpose hanging and marking structures mounted on a wall side of a picture frame. FIG. 6 is an exploded front view of an alternate embodiment of the present invention with a reusable marking structure. FIG. 7 is a front view of a standing and tapeable level of the present invention. FIG. 8 is an end view of the level of claim 7 . FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the wall auger of the present invention. FIG. 10 is a side view of the wall auger of FIG. 9 . DETAILED DESCRIPTION Now referring to the drawing wherein like numerals refer to like matter throughout, and more specifically referring to FIG. 1 , there is shown a dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 which may be a unified molded plastic piece or it may be a metal piece or assembly. Cost, weight requirements and other application specifics may dictate material choices and manufacturing methodologies. Injection molded plastic may be a preferred embodiment for some residential applications. Dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 has a dual purpose hanging and marking structure top side 110 , dual purpose hanging and marking structure bottom side 120 , dual purpose hanging and marking structure left side 130 and dual purpose hanging and marking structure right side 140 . Dual purpose hanging and marking structure central protruding section 150 is disposed between dual purpose hanging and marking structure left side 130 and dual purpose hanging and marking structure right side 140 . Disposed within dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 may be at least one dual purpose hanging and marking structure frame attachment screw receiving hole 131 . The terms screw and nail are used interchangeably herein and both are intended to refer to the other. Other ways of attaching one object to another could be utilized instead of screws or nails, such as wall augers, adhesives, welding, bolts, clamps and any other suitable attachment scheme. It should also be understood that the present invention may include the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 which has been formed integrally as part of a picture frame or a component thereof. It also should be understood that the present invention is not intended to be restricted to picture frames, which terms are used throughout as a mere example of the many types of things that might be hung on a wall, such as signs, rugs or any object. Dual purpose hanging and marking structure top side 110 has a dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 disposed therein which is used during the early stages of the process and then removed before the actual final placement of the picture frame is made. Dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 is shown to include a dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure 162 which may mark a wall by leaving a substance (e.g. chalk, pencil lead, ink, paint, etc.) on the wall or by causing a dent, whole or other surface marking to occur. Dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section attachment portions 163 are included to provide for temporary attachment of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 to the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central protruding section 150 so that it can be easily removed once the wall has been marked. Dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section removal assisting hole 161 may be included to allow a pencil or other object to be inserted therein to assist in twisting the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 enough to break the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section attachment portions 163 in order to accomplish detachment and removal. Note, the present invention discusses hanging something on a wall, this is intended a an example and the system and method of the present invention could be used to hang objects on to things other than walls, such as furniture or any suitable place where something might be hung. The dual purpose hanging and marking structure central protruding section 150 is indented so as to allow for space to accommodate screw, nail or bolt heads or any other structure to help secure the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 to the wall. Now referring to FIG. 2 , there is shown a wall side of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 of FIG. 1 . There is shown a dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure back support structure 164 which is provided to give support to the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central protruding section 150 when the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure 162 is pressed against the wall. Dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure back support structure 164 helps reduce unwanted and undesirable deflection or twisting of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 when the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure 162 is pressed against the wall to make a mark. Now referring to FIG. 3 , there is shown a top view of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 of FIG. 1 . Now referring to FIG. 4 , there is shown a front view of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 of FIG. 1 . Now referring to FIG. 5 , there is shown two dual purpose hanging and marking structures mounted on a wall side of a top portion of a picture frame. In operation, the system and method of the present invention can operate as follows: Step 1. Attach a first dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 to a picture frame; Step 2. Attach a second dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 to the picture frame. Note, the location on the picture frame is not limited to a particular single spot on the picture frame. It is preferred to place the dual purpose hanging and marking structures 100 being located on the wall side of the picture frame near its top and separate the first and a second dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 by some distance. Step 3. The picture frame is placed against the wall and leveled or oriented to some desired non-level orientation and pressed against the wall to leave a mark. When the leveling is accomplished it can be done with a standing and tapeable level of FIGS. 7 and 8 . For example, the level can be positioned on the wall and oriented in a level arrangement. Tape is then applied to the wings holding the level to the wall. The picture frame then can rest on the top lip or ledge of the level and can be translated back and forth to the desired lateral position, alternately the level can be stood on top of the frame on the bottom lip of the level and the combination of the frame and level are moved to a level arrangement. When the pressing occurs the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure 162 leaves some sort of visual indication of the location of each of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structures 162 . Step 4. The dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 is removed from the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central protruding section 150 . Step 5. A screw is placed into the wall at the location of the marks made by the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section marking structure 162 . Step 6. The picture then is hung on the screws so that the screw into the wall engages the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central protruding section 150 at the former location of the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 . The above procedure assumes that the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 has a dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 included therein which is a single use dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 . In alternate embodiments of the present invention, the dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section 160 is not attached to the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 by dual purpose hanging and marking structure central removable section attachment portions 163 . Now referring to FIG. 6 , there is shown, a reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure central detachable section 660 which is inserted into a reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure 600 which is configured to detachably receive therein the reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure central detachable section 660 which may be a snap in module that can be readily inserted and removed from the reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure 600 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure 600 could be formed by the frame manufacturer into the picture frame itself. This could be done so that reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure central detachable section 660 can mate with this integral structure or the reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure 600 . In yet another alternate, the reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure central detachable section 660 could be simplified to just being removable marking plugs and the reusable dual purpose hanging and marking structure 600 is simplified into just being holes drilled or formed in the picture frame to receive the removable marking plugs. Now referring to FIG. 7 , there is shown a specialized level of the present invention generally designated 700 having a left side taping wing 702 and a right side taping wing 704 which are preferably quite thin, so as to facilitate being taped to a wall. Level 700 has a plurality of weight reducing holes 706 and has a flat standing lip 710 which can sit atop a picture frame. Note, the side taping wings 702 and 704 are preferably so thin that the level could not stand atop a frame while it is being leveled, if there were no flat standing lip 710 . Also shown, is a left lip buttress 712 and a right lip buttress 714 . There is shown a top lip 720 which may be omitted from a preferred embodiment to reduce weight. Also, if top lip 720 is omitted, the buttresses 712 and 714 could be made to terminate on an intermediate section of the planar body 701 of the level 700 . FIG. 8 shows an end view with the full length buttresses and top lip 720 . If top lip 720 were omitted, buttresses could be a triangle extending about half way up the planar back 701 . Now referring to FIG. 9 , there is shown a perspective view of a length adjustable wall auger 900 having a head 902 and spacer disk 904 which would preferably be at or near the level of the drywall when the wall auger 900 is screwed in. The space between spacer disk 904 and head 902 is to allow the drywall-wall auger to engage the dual purpose hanging and marking structure 100 . A flighting 906 is disposed on a tapered central core 908 which are sized and configured to grasp drywall. Disposed at the end of tapered central core 908 is a thin detachment region 910 which is preferably sized and configured to be cut with a wire cutter or similar tool or broken by bending the cutting tip 912 back and forth to fatigue the detachment region 910 . FIG. 10 shows a side view of the same drywall wall auger 900 . Cutting tip 912 can be removed to reduce the overall all length of the wall auger so that it is not thicker than the drywall itself, so as to not risk encountering any other matter such as wiring, plumbing, heating ducts or structural members or the like. It is thought that the method and apparatus of the present invention will be understood from the foregoing description and that it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construct steps, and arrangement of the parts and steps thereof, without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of their material advantages. The form herein described is merely a preferred exemplary embodiment thereof.
A system and method for hanging a picture frame on a wall, comprising the steps of providing a picture frame with a hanger, for receiving a nail therein and a marking device temporarily secured to the picture frame and disposed near the void for receiving the nail; pressing the picture frame with the marking device protruding out from the picture frame, so that the marking device makes a perceivable mark on the wall, then removing the marking device; inserting a nail, screw or a length adjustable wall auger into the wall at the mark; and hanging the picture with the hanger so that the nail, screw or a length adjustable wall auger occupies some of the space earlier occupied by the marking device.
1
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED CASE This is a continuation application of our commonly assigned U.S. application Ser. No. 38,625, filed May 14, 1979 now abandoned. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a new and improved construction of a pulp feed for a papermaking machine. The pulp feed or headbox of the present invention is of the type comprising a guide device for the stock suspension or the like and which possesses an elongate slot-shaped guide channel. This guide channel is bounded in its lengthwise direction by side surfaces, wherein one of the side surfaces possesses at least two step-like widened portions, the other counter side surface is flat or planar at the region of the widened portions and therebetween. Forwardly of each widened portion and after the same there is arranged a respective surface section or portion merging therewith, which is likewise flat and parallel to the flat or planar counter surface. A pulp feed of this type is known to the art for instance from FIG. 6 of the German Pat. No. 1,220,247. With this state-of-the-art equipment the step-like widened portions serve for the formation of micro-turbulence in the stock suspension, producing a uniform distribution of the fibers within the suspension. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is a primary object of the present invention to provide a new and improved construction of a pulp feed affording an extremely uniform distribution of the fibers within the suspension. Another and more specific object of the invention is to improve upon the above-mentioned prior art equipment, with the view of enhancing the strived for micro-turbulence in a manner such that there can be also processed stock suspensions of higher consistency, i.e., containing a smaller amount of water. Yet a further significant object of the invention is to provide a new and improved construction of pulp feed which is relatively insensitive to clogging and enables processing unsorted waste paper into paperboard or cardboard and so forth. Now in order to implement these and still further objects of the invention, which will become more readily apparent as the description proceeds, the invention contemplates having a tapered channel section merging with the flat section or portion following the first step-shaped widened portion, as viewed with respect to the direction of flow of the stock suspension. The boundary surface of the channel section encloses an angle with respect to the counter surface which does not exceed 90°, preferably is less than 45°. Moreover, the length of the flat section or portion, which merges with the first step-like or step-shaped widened portion, can preferably amount to at least six-fold of its height. In this way there is rendered possible a uniform spreading or propagation of the micro-turbulence formed at the step-like widened portion over the entire cross-section. The length of the flat section, at which merges the second step-shaped widened portion, can amount to at least two-fold the gap width of the guide channel at this location. Also in this case there is obtained a spreading or propagation of the micro-turbulence which is formed at the transition beween the inclined surface section and the parallel section over the entire flow cross-section. Moreover, the flat surface sections located in front of both widened portions preferably can be disposed in the same plane in such a manner that together with the counter surface they form essentially the same gap widths. Due to these measures there is achieved the same flow velocity at the narrowest locations of the guide channel, namely forwardly of the widened portions. This affords the advantage that the ratio between the largest and smallest flow velocity in the guide channel is smaller, so that if, for instance, a certain velocity should not be exceeded at the outlet in order to prevent flocculation, the flow velocity at the inlet does not become too large. Preferably, one of the surfaces bounding the guide channel can be translatorily adjusted in relation to the other and essentially perpendicular thereto, e.g. the flat counter surface. In this way there can be achieved an accommodation of the flow velocities in the guide device to a given throughput of the stock suspension, and thus, there can be obtained an optimum mode of operation of the pulp feed. Furthermore, the slot-like guide channel can have arranged forwardly thereof a perforated plate possessing cylindrical distributor bores and a mixing chamber merging thereat, the mixing chamber having a cross-section which is enlarged in relation to the inlet of the guide channel. In known manner, the perforated plate allows for a uniform distribution of the stock suspension which is infed from a distributor tube or pipe, over the width of the papermaking machine, i.e., the length of the slot-shaped guide channel. The mixing chamber, in turn, produces a uniform distribution of the stock suspension flowong out of the bores of the perforated plate over the width of the sections of the guide channel between the individual bores. With such type constructed equipment the openings or bores of the perforated plate can be arranged at a spacing amounting to at least 100 mm from one another. In this way there is beneficially avoided any clogging of the distributor bores by coarser constituents of the stock suspension, such as typically for instance cords or the like. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above, will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein: FIG. 1 is a plan view, partially in section, of a pulp feed or headbox according to the invention; FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the arrangement of FIG. 1, taken essentially along the line II--II thereof; FIG. 3 is a detailed sectional view, again on an enlarged scale, of the arrangement of FIG. 2, illustrating the guide channel; FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 2, taken substantially along the line IV--IV thereof; and FIG. 5 is a detailed showing of the step-shaped widened portion of the arrangement of FIG. 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Describing now the drawings, the exemplary embodiment of pulp feed or headbox arrangement illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, will be seen to comprise a distributor tube or pipe 1 having a conical section or portion 1' at which laterally merges a perforated plate 2 containing essentially cylindrical bores or openings 3. Viewed in the direction of flow of the stock suspension there is arranged a mixing chamber or compartment 4 after the perforated plate 2. This mixing chamber 4 extends over the entire width of the apparatus. The stock suspension or the like arrives from the mixing chamber 4 at a guide channel 5, the principal portion of which essentially extends over the length F as shown in FIG. 2. According to such FIG. 2, there will be further seen that a pulp feed channel 6 merges with the guide channel 5, this pulp feed channel 6 opening at a perforated element, here shown in the form of a sieve or screen 7 guided over a perforated sieve cylinder 8. The pulp feed channel 6 is provided with an adjustable lip arrangement 10, 11 for adjusting its cross-section, this lip arrangement or lip means consisting of the adjustable lip elements 10 and 11. These lip elements 10 and 11 are pivotably arranged, in known manner, about essentially cylindrical portions 12 and 13 and can be adjusted with the aid of the rods 14 and 15 or equivalent structure, leading to not particularly illustrated, but conventional adjustment mechanisms. While different types of adjustment mechanisms for the lip elements 10 and 11 can be provided, one suitable construction has been disclosed in the commonly assigned U.S. Pat. No. 3,909,349, granted Sept. 30, 1975 to which reference may be readily had, and the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. As best seen by referring to FIGS. 2 and 3, the pulp feed contains a preferably displaceable element or wall 30 having a side surface 16 which bounds the slot-shaped guide channel 5 and this side surface 16 is provided with two step-shaped widened portions 17 located opposite a flat or planar side surface 18. Forwardly or upstream of the first widened portion 17 there is located a flat section or portion 20 of the upper side surface 16, and following such a section or portion 21. This first step-shaped widened portion 17 has a height H. Between the surfaces 18 and 20 there is formed a gap 50 having the gap width S. The surface section 21 extends in the direction of flow of the stock suspension or the like along a length L 1 , amounting to at least six times the height H. Merging with the flat section or portion 21 is a tapered surface portion 22, forming a constriction or tapering of the guide channel 5, and whose angle αwith respect to the surface 18 and the surface 21 at most amounts to 90°, preferably is less than 45°. Merging with the surface 22 is a flat section or surface 23 which is likewise essentially parallel to the surface 18 and forms therewith the same gap width S as the surface section or portion 20. After the widened portion 17 there is finally arranged a flat section or portion 24 which is parallel to the surface 18 and which extends up to the end of the guide channel 5, i.e., up to the lip element or part 10. The section 23 has a length L 2 amounting to at least twice the gap width S. The length of the section or portion 24 amounts to at least six times the step height H'. FIG. 4 illustrates in section the perforated plate 2 according to the section line IV--IV of FIG. 2. It will be seen that the bores or openings 3 of this perforated plate 2 are spaced at a distance A from one another. This spacing A between each two neighboring bores 3 can amount to at least 50 mm, preferably amounts to more than 80 mm. FIG. 5 illustrates in cross-section a step-shaped widened portion 17, there being shown in broken lines the boundaries of the inclination angle of such widened portion. In accordance with FIG. 5 this angle can be in a range of about 45° to 135°. As also seen by referring to FIG. 2, the step-shaped widened portions 17 of the guide channel 5 are formed at the wall element 30 which, as indicated by the double-headed arrow X, can be translatorily adjusted perpendicular to the surface 18. This is possible, for instance, by affixing the element 30 to an adjustment plate 60 having the elongate opening 62 with which engage the fixing bolts 64 or equivalent structure. Hence, it should be evident it is possible to selectively adjust the size of both of the gaps 50 and 52 (FIG. 3) of the width S. Obviously, other constructions of adjustment mechanisms for the element 30 are possible. As equally evident by referring to FIG. 2, the pulp feed channel 6 is also equipped with step-shaped widened portions, such as the widened portions 31, 32 and 34 to be discussed shortly hereinafter, these widened portions being arranged at suitable locations and ensuring for maintenance of the micro-turbulence of the flow of the stock suspension. More specifically, with the arrangement of FIG. 2 the bearing or support means 70 for the substantially cylindrical hinge portion or element 12 is provided with such type widened portion 31. A further widened portion 32 is formed by a plate 72 serving for attachment of an elastic sealing lip 33. Finally, also the end of the lip 33 can be structured so as to form a widened portion 34. During operation, stock suspension or the like is delivered by the tube or pipe 1 to the pulp feed or headbox arrangement. The bores or openings 3 of the perforated plate 2 ensure for an essentially uniform distribution of the stock suspension over the width of the papermaking machine, i.e., throughout the length of the guide channel 5. The spacing A of these bores or openings 3 is chosen such that also parts contained in unsorted waste paper, such as for instance cords of a certain length, do not clog these bores or openings 3. The danger of clogging always then exists when a cord or an elongate contaminant has its ends inserted into two neighboring bores or openings 3. For the same reason also the guide channel 5, in the form of an elongate or lengthwise extending gap, is extensively insensitive to clogging. The mixing chamber 4 is assigned the task of combining with one another the jets of stock suspension emanating from the relatively widely spaced bores or openings 3 in a manner such that the stock suspension is essentially uniformly distributed at the guide channel 5. The tapered structure of the guide channel 5 which is provided by the tapered surface 22 likewise is favorable in this regard, since also this surface 22 causes uniform distribution of the flow throughout the cross-section of the papermaking machine. Between the widened portions 17 there is likewise formed by the tapered surface 22 a not particularly referenced chamber which functions similar to the mixing chamber or compartment 4. As will be apparent from the disclosure, by virtue of the individual features of the described pulp feed there are afforded particular advantages, such as for instance improved micro-turbulence of the stock suspension, adjustability of the flow velocity at the narrowest location of the guide channel, so that it is possible to use stock suspensions having a greater consistency than was heretofore possible. By virtue of the aggregate of the features there is additionally obtained, on the other hand a pulp feed which is extensively insensitive to clogging phenomenon and is extremely suitable for the fabrication of paper, especially cardboard or paperboard from unsorted waste paper. 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 pulp feed for a papermaking machine, comprising a substantially slot-like guide channel having at least two step-like widened portions. Before and after each widened portion there is provided a linear channel section, and between the widened portions there is arranged a tapered section or portion. The slot widths before both of the widened portions can be of the same magnitude and conjointly adjustable by means of a translationally movable element. The slot-like guide channel has arranged forwardly thereof a perforated plate and a mixing chamber merging thereat. Also a pulp feed channel having an adjustable lip and merging at the guide channel can possess step-shaped widened portions.
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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to valve control arrangements for internal combustion engines having a valve capable of deactivation. PCT International Application No. WO 93/18284 discloses a valve control arrangement in which a cup tappet constitutes a coupling element between a camshaft and an intake or exhaust valve in a cylinder head which is capable of deactivation. In that arrangement, pistons which are radially displaceable by hydraulic pressure act as locking elements. The pistons are arranged so that, in a first position which causes the valve to be activated, they connect the valve in locked relation to the tappet and, in a second position in which the valve is deactivated, they permit relative displacement of the tappet with respect to the valve to provide an idle tappet stroke. To assure that the tappet remains in contact with the camshaft when the valve is deactivated, a spring is provided between the spring plate and the tappet in addition to the conventional valve-closing spring which acts on a spring plate affixed to the end of the valve stem. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a valve control arrangement for a deactivated valve which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art. Another object of the invention is to provide a valve control arrangement for a deactivatable valve in which the number of structural parts is reduced. These and other objects of the invention are attained by providing a deactivatable valve control arrangement including a coupling element between a valve and a camshaft in which the valve-closing spring retains the coupling element in contact with the camshaft when the valve is deactivated. In a preferred embodiment of a deactivatable valve control arrangement, the valve-closing spring engages a spring plate which is displaceable with respect to the valve and bears on the coupling element so that the coupling element remains in constant contact with the camshaft, thereby avoiding the necessity for the separate second spring used in the conventional arrangement. The invention takes advantage of the fact that the valve has relatively great inertial mass. In the deactivated state, the coupling element moves along the valve stem end at full cam lift, the valve-closing spring being compressed in accordance with the cam lift, while the valve remains in its closed position because of its inertia. Retention of the valve in the closed position is assisted by friction between the valve stem guide and the valve stem seal. In an advantageous embodiment, the coupling element includes a chamber having an opening which receives the end of the valve stem in which a locking element is displaceable by a pressure medium between a first position activating the valve, and a second position deactivating the valve. To assure that the spring plate is movable on the valve stem, the valve stem includes a longitudinal section having reduced diameter on which the spring plate is received with little radial play. The axial length of the reduced diameter section is at least as great as the sum of the maximum valve lift and the axial dimension of the portion of the spring plate surrounding the reduced diameter section, so that the valve, when deactivated, does not open at maximum cam lift. Alternatively, in order to avoid an accumulation of fuel in the intake duct leading to a deactivated intake valve, the axial length of the reduced diameter valve stem section may be selected so that, at maximum cam lift, the spring plate engages a shoulder on the valve stem to open the valve slightly. In order to assure immediate closure following such slight valve opening, this arrangement requires a second small-sized spring, which engages another spring plate affixed to the valve stem. Displacement of the locking element may be effected advantageously by application of pneumatic or hydraulic pressure to the chamber from a pressure medium line within the coupling element. The pressure medium is supplied to the coupling element through a pressure medium supply line in the cylinder head in a region where there is very little relative movement between cylinder head and coupling element. The coupling element may be designed as a rocker arm, a rocker lever, or, alternatively, as a cup tappet. In each instance, the locking element may be designed, for example, as a ball or as a piston. When the locking element is a piston, it may be preloaded in one of the two positions by a spring, for example, displacement of the locking element in the opposite direction being effected by, for example, pneumatic negative pressure. If the coupling element is in the form of a rocker arm, one end of the lever may be supported in the cylinder head by a ball socket mounted on a hydraulic play-compensating element, while the other end of the rocker arm has a chamber with an opening which encloses at least the uppermost end of the valve stem in each position of the camshaft and thus prevents lateral displacement of the drag lever. The valve control arrangement according to the invention advantageously may be used either in internal combustion engines with two or more intake valves per cylinder where the coupling element is capable of activating all of the intake valves, at least one of which is capable of deactivation as described above, or in internal combustion engines with only one intake valve for the purpose of cylinder disconnection. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Further objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: FIG. 1 is a sectional view illustrating a representative embodiment of a valve control arrangement according to the invention utilizing a roller rocker arm and showing an activated valve; FIG. 2 is a sectional view illustrating another representative embodiment of a valve control arrangement according to the invention having a modified locking element and showing a deactivated valve; and FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along the line III--III of FIG. 1 and looking in the direction of the arrows. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS In the typical embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 1, a cylinder head 1 of an internal combustion engine has a valve control arrangement including a cam 2 carried by a camshaft 3, a roller rocker arm 4 and an intake valve 5. The roller rocker arm 4, acting as coupling element between the camshaft 3 and the valve 5, is supported at one end 6 in the cylinder head 1 by a ball cup 7 on a hydraulic play-compensating element 8. A valve stem 9 of the valve 5 is received in the opposite end 10 of the rocker arm 4. The valve stem 9 is formed with a section 11 having a reduced diameter which is located inwardly in the longitudinal direction of the valve 5 from the end 9' of the valve stem. A spring plate assembly, consisting of a spring plate 12 carrying two conical pieces 13 and 14, is supported for axial motion with little radial play on the reduced diameter section 11. The pieces 13 and 14 have a semicircular shape and abut along a common parting plane T, shown in FIG. 3, which extends perpendicular to the camshaft 3. A valve-closing spring 16, which engages a collar 15 of the spring plate 12 at one end, is supported at the other end in the cylinder head 1. The end 10 of the coupling lever 4 has a hollow cylindrical chamber accommodating a locking element 20 which is displaceable between first and second positions 18 and 19. A wall 21 of the chamber 17 adjacent to the spring plate 12 has an opening 22 with a diameter which is greater than the diameter of the valve stem end 9'. The cylinder head 1 has a pressure medium inlet 24 connected to a bore 23 which leads to a pressure medium line 25 formed in the rocker arm 4 at the end 6 engaging the ball cup 7 where there is little relative movement between cylinder head 1 and roller rocker arm 4. The pressure medium line 25 opens into one end of the chamber 17 and the opposite end of the chamber is closed by a cover 27 which has an opening 28 to the atmosphere. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the locking element 20 is in the form of a ball 29 which is shiftable in the chamber 17 by positive or negative pneumatic pressure applied through the line 25. When the ball 29 is in the first position 18 adjacent to the cover 27 the valve 5 is activated since it is lockingly connected with the rocker arm 4. In this condition, the maximum cam lift 30 is transmitted by the cam 2 through a roller 31 to the rocker arm 4 which, supported at one end on the play-compensating element 8, moves at the opposite end 26 in the direction to open the valve. By applying a negative pressure through the lines 23 and 25 to the chamber 17, for example from a suction pipe of the internal combustion engine, during the base circle phase of the cam 2, the ball 29 is shifted into the second position 19 at the inner end of the chamber 17. Upon subsequent further rotation of the cam 2, the end 10 of the rocker arm 4 moves downwardly with respect to the valve stem 9 during the lift 30 of the cam. Because of its inertia, the valve 5 then remains in the closed position due to the opening formed by the pieces 13 and 14 while the wall. 21 displaces the spring plate downwardly along the reduced diameter section 11 against the force of the valve-closing spring 16. In this arrangement, the axial length of the reduced diameter section 11 is selected to be slightly greater than the sum of the valve lift produced by the cam lift 30 and the axial height 32 of the spring plate assembly. In the modified embodiment of the invention shown in FIG. 2, the locking element 20 constitutes a piston 34 having an axial recess 33. This recess 33 receives a spring 35 which urges the piston 34 toward the first position 18 so as to activate the valve 5. In a manner similar to FIG. 1, the piston 34 can be shifted into the second position 19 by application of a negative pressure to the chamber 17 during the base circle of the cam 2 so that the valve 5 is deactivated. In both of the embodiments of the invention described above, the axial length of the reduced diameter valve stem section 11 may be made shorter than the sum of the maximum valve lift and the axial height 32 of the spring plate assembly. As a result, when the locking element 20 is in the second position 19 deactivating the valve, there is a slight opening of the valve 5 at the maximum cam lift 30 to prevent accumulation of fuel in the intake duct. To ensure the subsequently required closing motion, an additional spring plate 36 is affixed to the valve stem 9, and an additional spring 37 urges the valve to the closed position. At the maximum cam lift 30 the conical pieces 13 and 14 engage a shoulder at the inner end of the reduced diameter section 11. Lateral guidance of the roller rocker arm 4 in the cylinder head 1 is obtained by side walls 39 and 40, which laterally engage the spring plate assembly at opposite sides of the opening 22. Corresponding bearing surfaces on the conical pieces 13 and 14 provide lateral guidance of the roller rocker arm 4 as well as preventing rotation of the conical pieces 13 and 14. Although the invention has been described herein with reference to specific embodiments, many modifications and variations therein will readily occur to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, all such variations and modifications are included within the intended scope of the invention.
An arrangement for controlling a deactivatable valve in an internal combustion engine includes a locking member which is displaceable between valve-locking and valve-release positions in a coupling element consisting of a rocker arm connecting the camshaft with the valve. In the deactivated state, the rocker arm is movable with respect to the valve and the valve return spring acts as a restoring spring acting through a spring plate which is displaceable relative to the valve.
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