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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The system of the present invention relates to the field of telephone test systems.
2. Art Background
Telephone communication has been around for over 100 years. During the evolution of telecommunication technology, a basic Call Progress Protocol (CPP) has been defined. This protocol allows manufacturers of telephone switches to design equipment that can communicate both with the end user equipment and other vendors' switching equipment. Unlike later protocols, CPP was not defined and agreed to by national and international committees. By default, AT&T had defined CPP based on their network switching requirements. These requirements exist as separate documents for each individual network element. The protocol used by a telephone is defined in one Technical Requirement (TR) whereas the complementary Line Circuit protocol is defined in a different TR.
As a result, switch and equipment manufacturers designed equipment based on their understanding of the protocol. This situation has caused many compatibility problems over the years. Subscriber telephone equipment that worked at one location did not always work the same when they moved it to another location served by a different vendor's switch. Testing these troubles became difficult requiring complicated test equipment such as oscilloscopes and strip chart recorders. To complicate matters, the same vendor will often change its original implementation of CPP in newer switches because new technologies are available that provide faster or more efficient use of switch resources. On occasion, Public Branch Exchanges (PBX) equipment will not work at all when a new switch is installed. Special protocol converters are sometimes required to enable embedded terminal equipment to function properly. These compatibility problems have resulted in excessive down time and cost subscribers and switch manufacturers considerable money to correct.
The evolution of network switches and terminal equipment has created an additional problem. Network switches and terminal equipment have evolved into computer controlled devices. The computers are capable of providing new kinds of services that were impossible to implement in the older electromechanical switches. Services, such as Call Forwarding, 3-Way Calling, Caller ID, Call Waiting and Voice Mail have added new processes to the CPP. These new processes are considerably more complicated than the original CPP implementation. More than ever, users can experience problems depending on how they use their phone. The new Advanced Intelligent Network (AIN) services provided by AT&T will complicate this problem. AIN adds functionality by incorporating a separate computer to provide new service offerings. The network switch only handles part of the call; the AIN computer handles the rest. AIN is an evolving service platform that will only get more complicated as time goes on.
Lastly, telephone companies, network switch manufacturers and terminal equipment vendors are all downsizing their work force. Experienced maintenance personnel are leaving these companies causing a considerable knowledge gap. Companies are looking to automated test systems and expert systems to fill this knowledge gap. Unfortunately, these systems are not able to keep up with the rapid development of new services and switching technologies.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An innovative test system for determining and monitoring the status of a call is provided. The test system detects the protocol which occurs between two or more network elements of the circuit. The test system includes at least one sensor connected to telecommunication circuits to sense raw call progress signaling information indicative of an event relative to the call on the monitored line. The sensor is connected to a call processing system that includes a processor wrapper and a call progress state machine. The raw call progress signaling information is forwarded to a call processor wrapper which includes a call progress event processor that converts the raw call progress signaling information into standardized call progress event indicators for subsequent processing by the system. The call processor wrapper further calls a timer processor which calculates the elapsed time from the previous call progress event, and determines if any other timer(s) previously set by the call progress state machine has expired. These timers are used to determine the wait for an expected call progress event (e.g., dial tone should be detected within 4 seconds after an off hook event is detected) or validate the duration of a call progress event (e.g., DTMF digits should remain on for at least 50 ms to be valid).
The timer processor selects the most recent event in time, e.g., expired timer or call progress event, and clocks the call progress state machine. When clocked, the call progress state machine analyzes the event and current call status indicators, provided by a call status handler located in the call processor wrapper. The call status handler is used to track the current status of the call, e.g., dial tone received, the call is an originating call, circuit is off hook, etc. The call progress state machine either transitions to a new state or remains in the current state. If it transitions to a new state, the call progress state machine updates the call status handler with the new status information, updates a state tracker processor of the wrapper with the new state and informs the timer processor that the state machine has completed the current cycle. If the call progress state machine did not transition to a new state, it informs the timer process that it has completed the current cycle without altering the contents of the call status handler state tracker. This process is performed for the call progress event and each expired timer identified by the timer processor.
The call processor wrapper and the call progress state machine then waits for the next event to occur. If the call progress state machine determines the latest event is the termination of the call, it informs the call processor wrapper of the end of the call events. The call processor wrapper then informs external devices that a completed call scenario has been detected and passes all appropriate information to it for subsequent processing or analysis. This enables all call progress events associated with a call to be available to external devices and network maintenance personnel.
This system therefore can monitor status of calls originating from a variety of lines and devices such as a public branch exchange (PBX), trunk line or simple loop lines. Furthermore, as the call progress state machine enables efficient use of computer resources, supplemented by the call progress wrapper that provides the state machine with memory access and data manipulation capabilities, programmable timer(s) access and event decoding, real time call progress analysis can be achieved using relatively low cost personal computers. In addition, as the call progress wrapper provides the state machine the functionality that would typically be performed using expensive hardware (e.g., random access memory, status registers, timer circuits, etc.) and affords flexibility by enabling timers and memory to be created or allocated dynamically through software control functions.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be apparent to one skilled in the art from the following detailed description in which:
FIG. 1 illustrates the use of the test system of the present invention in a variety of telephony environments.
FIG. 2 is a simplified block diagram illustrating one configuration of the test system of the present invention coupled to sensors and remote devices.
FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c illustrate the the type of information processed.
FIG. 4 illustrates one embodiment of the call progress wrapper and call progress state machine.
FIG. 5 is a simplified state diagram illustrating the function of the call progress state machine of FIG. 4.
FIGS. 6a, 6b, 6c, 6d, 6e, 6f, 6g, 6h, 6i, 6j, and 6k are state diagrams illustrating the function of the call progress state machine for a loop start circuit.
______________________________________DEFINITIONS______________________________________Notable StatesNs3WCall Three way callNsAbandon No user actionNsAudRing Audible RingingNsAudRngOff Audible Ringing OffNsAudRngOn Audible Ringing OnNsBsyCall Busy CallNsCallAbandon Call AbandonNsCallAns Call AnsweredNsCallingPtyHld Calling Party HoldNsCircuitOpen Open LineNsCoOfh Central Office Off HookNsCoOnh Central Office On HookNsCW Call WaitingNsDialing DialingNsDrop3W Drop Three way callNsDT Dial ToneNsDTdly Dial Tone delayNsDThit Dial Tone hitNsEndFlash End FlashNsFastDialDT Fast Dial No Dial ToneNsFeaCall Feature type CallNsFlsh Flash on lineNsIdle Idle lineNsIncompleteCall Inncomplete CallNsLineTest Central Office Line TestNsLodi Process ManuallyNsNoDialTone No Dial ToneNsNoDigits No DigitsNsMsgDT Message waiting Dial ToneNsOfh Off HookNsOnh On HookNsOpn OpenNspermSignal Permanent SignalNsPSoffHook Perrnanent Signal Off HookNsRclDT Recall Dial ToneNsReOrder ReorderNsRngOff Ringing OffNsRngOn Ringing OnNsRngOSI Ringing Open Switch IntervalNsShrtAns Short AnswerNsShortCall Short CallNsSpeech False Call progress Tone IdentifiedNsStb Stable CallNsStbDig Stable DigitTransition ReasonsA.sub.-- B.sub.-- C.sub.-- Talking Feature three way call connected2DTMFoffs Second DTMF OffAbandon AbandonBptyOnHold "B" Party On Hold Feature Call StateCallAbandoned Call AbandonedCallingPtyHld Calling Party HoldDialingO Dialing overDiaiTone DialToneDigOffnoOn Digit Off Without Digit OnDigLT50ms Digit less than 50 msDtdetected Dial Tone detectedDtoff Dial Tone OffLineNormal Line NormalLineOffHook Line Off HookLineOnHook Line On HookLineOpen2secs Line Open for 2 SecondsLineTest Central Office Line TestNoDT4secs No Dial Tone for 4 SecondsOpenfor500ms Open line for 500 millisecondsOpenfor10secs Open line for 10 SecondsPreTripped Line trips Ringing before answerRingNoAnswer Ringing without answerRingStopped Ringing trippedCall Count BlockCcbAudRng Audible Ring(s)CcbBsyDig Digit(s) During BusyCcbCW Call Waiting TonesCcbDig Digit(s)CcbDPpls Dial Pulse(s)CcbFlsh Flash(es)CcbRng Machine Ring(s)CcbROdig Digit(s) During ReorderCcbStbDig Digit(s) During Talk IntervalCall DispositionsCd3W Three Way CallCdAnsCall Call AnsweredCdBsy BusyCdCW Call WaitingCdDPdig Dial Pulse DigitCdDT2 Second Dial TonedLodi Process ManuallyCdMsgWtDT Message WaitingCdOrg Originating CallCdOrgCallAbdn Originating Call AbandonCdOSI Open Switch Interval (OSI)CdRingNoAns Unanswered Mach. RingingCdTalk Completed CallCdTerm TerminatingCallCdTermCall TerninatingCallAbandonCdTermCallAbdn TerminatingCall Network TroubleCntDTdly Dial Tone DelayCntNoDialTone No Dial ToneCntNoSync Circuit OpenCntRO ReorderCall Network UnusualCnuCktOpen Circuit OpenCnuCWosi Call Waiting OSICnuDThit Dial Tone HitCnuHit HitCnuPreTrp Pre Trip (Answer)CnuTmDisc imed DisconnectCall Station TroubleCstErrBsyDig Error Digit during BusyCstErrDropOff Error Drop OffCstLnPS Line Permanent SignalCstLongDig Long DigitCstPreTrp Pre Trip. (Answer)CstROdig Digit over ReorderCstShrtDig Short DigitCall Station UnusualCsuBsyDig Digit during BusyCsuDTtimeout Dial Tone TimeoutCsuEndFlsh End FlashCsuFastDial Fast DialCsuOrgCallAbdn Originating Call AbandonCsuRclDT Recall Dial ToneCsuShrtAns Short AnswerCsuStaDisc Station DisconnectLine Count Blocklcb3W (3) Three Way CalllcbAnsCall Call AnsweredlcbCallNum Call CountlcbDTdly Dial Tone DelaylcbErrDig Digit ErrorlcbLodi Analyze ManuallylcbNoDT No Dial TonelcbOrgAbdn Origination AbandonlcbOrgCall Originating CalllcbOrgCallAbdn Originating Call AbandonlcbSeize SeizelcbShrtAns Short AnswerlcbTerm TerminatinglcbTermCall Terninating CallslcbTermCallAbdn Terminating Call AbandonStates3W Three way call3WstbCall Three way Call Stable CallAbdn AbandonAddOnCall Add OnCallAns AnswerAudRngOff Audible Ringing OffAudRngOn Audible Ringing OnBadDPdig Bad Dial Pulse DigitBptyHld "B" Party HoldBsy BusyBsyDig Digit over busy signaiBsyROoff Busy/Reorder offBsyROon Busy/Reorder onBsyROon2 Busy/Reorder on second cycleBsyUnk Busy UnknownCallAbdn Call AbandonCallHold Call HoldCallOnHld Call on HoldCallOver Call CompleteChkBnchMrk Check Bench MarkChkDP Check Dial PulseChkDTa Check Dial Tone aChkDTb Check Dial Tone bChkFlsh Check FlashCoOfh Central Office Off HookCoOnh Central OfficeOn HookCptyHld "C" Party HoldCW Call WaitingCwabdn Call Waiting AbandonDetRngOff Detect Ringing OffDetRngOn Detect Ringing OnDigErr Digit ErrorDisc3W Disconnect three WayDpdig Dial Pulse DigitDPplsBrk Dial Pulse BreakDPplsMk Dial PulseMakeDrop3W Drop three wayDT Dial ToneDTbkA Dial Tone back ADTbkB Dial Tone back BDTbkC Dial Tone back CDtoff Dial Tone offDToffDP Dial Tone on Dial PulseDtdly Dial Tone DelayDTMFdig Dual Tone Multiple Frequency digitDTMFoff Dual Tone Multiple Frequency offEndFlsh End FlashErrBsyOff Error Busy OffErrorSz Error SeizureFastDial Fast DialFloat Float voltageHitOrFlshTmr Hit or Flash timerHitTmr Hit TimerIdle IdleIdle2 idle 2IsFlsh Is FlashLnClose Line CloseLnTest Central Office Line testLodl Undefined state Process ManuallyLongDig Long DigitMissDt Missing DigitMoreDig More DigitMsgWaitDT Message waiting dial toneNetHld Network HoldNo3W No three wayNoDig No digitNoDT No dial ToneNoSync No SynchronizationOkFlsh OK FlashOnHook On HookOpn OpenOSI Open Switch IntervalPermSigRing Permanent Signal RingingPsofh Permanent Signal off hookPsopen Permanent Signal openPSUopen Phone Service Unit openRclDT Recall Dial ToneRclOff Recall OffRclOn Recall OnRealHit Real HitRngOSI Ringing Open Switch IntervalRO ReOrderRodig ReOrder digit detectionSamePSU Same Phone Service UnitShrtAns Short AnswerShrtDig Short DigitStbCall Stable CallStbDig Stable DigitSz SeizureTalkOn Talk OnToneOn Tone OnValidDig Valid DigitUnknown UnknownStatus2DTMFoffs Dual Tone Multiple Frequency3W Three Way call5E 5ESS SwitchBptyHld "B" Party HoldBptyHld3W "B" Party Hold three way callCallHold Call HoldCptyHld "C" Party HoldCurEqOfh Current Equal off hookCurEqOnh Current Equal On hookCurAvailable Current AvailableCurRelayClosed Current Relay ClosedCW Call WaitingCwabdn Call Waiting AbandonDigOn Digit OnDpdig Dial Pulse digitDPOff Dial Pulse OffDtbk Dial Tone break (Stutter)ErrDigOff Error Digit OffErrDigOn Error Digit OnErrLodi Error Undefined state Process ManuallyErrSz Error SeizureFarEndAns Far End AnswerFeaCall Feature CallFloat Float voltageLnOpen Line OpenLodi Undefined state Process ManuallyLongOpen Long OpenOffflook Off HookOnHook On HookOrg OriginatingPDdigOff Dial Pulse digit OffRngEqOfh Ring Equals Off HookRngEqOnh Ring Equals On HookRngGtOfh Ring Equals Greater than Off HookRngGtOnh Ring Equals Greater than On HookRngLtOfh Ring Equals Less Than Off HookRngLtOnh Ring Equals Less Than On HookSzOSI SeizureTerm TerminatingTermCall Terminating CallTest Central Office testTipEqOfh Tip Equals Off HookTipEqOnh Tip Equals On HookTipGtOfh Tip Equals Greater than Off HookTipGtOnh Tip Equals Greater thanTipLtOfh Tip Equals Less Than Off HookTipLtOnh Tip Equals LessVcUnchanged Voltage UnchangedVoltEqOfh Voltage Equals Off HookVoltEqOnh Voltage Equals On HookNon-Voltage Event StatusbStsTimeHrt heartbeat time conditionbStsTimeTmr timer conditionbStsTimeFilt flltered time conditionbStsCPTa CPT tone(s) has just finishedbStsCPTb CPT tone 350 HzbStsCPTc CPT tones 350 + 440 HzbStsCPTd CPT tones 440 + 480 HzbStsCPTe CPT tone 480 HzbStsCPTf CPT tones 350 + 480 HzbStsCPTg CPT tones 440 + 480 HzbStsCPTh CPT tones 350 + 440 + 480 HzbStsCPTi CPT tone 620 HzbStsCPTj CPT tones 350 + 620 HzbStsCPTk CPT tones 440 + 620 HzbStsCPTl CPT tones 350 + 440 + 620 HzbStsCPTm CPT tones 480 + 620 HzbStsCPTn CPT tones 350 + 480 + 620 HzbStsCPTo CPT tones 440 + 480 + 620 HzbStsCPTp CPT tones 350 + 440 + 480 + 620 HzevDTMF - Dual Tone Multiple Frequency event conditionsbStsDTMFone DTMF digit one 697 + 1209 HzbStsDTMFfour DTMF digit four 770 + 1209 HzbStsDTMFseven DTMF digit seven 852 + 1209 HzbStsDTMFstar DTMF symbol * 941 + 1209 HzbStsDTMFtwo DTMF digit two 697 + 1336 HzbStsDTMFfive DTMF digit five 770 + 1336 HzbStsDTMFeight DTMF digit eight 852 + 1336 HzbStsDTMFzero DTMF digit zero 941 + 1336 HzbStsDTMFthree DTMF digit three 697 + 1477 HzbStsDTMFsix DTMF digit six 770 + 1477 HzbStsDTMFnine DTMF digit nine 852 + 1477 HzbStsDTMFpound DTMF symbol # 941 + 1477 HzbStsDTMFa DTMF character A 697 + 1633 HzbStsDTMFb DTMF character B 770 + 1633 HzbStsDTMFc DTMF character C 852 + 1633 HzbStsDTMFd DTMF character D 941 + 1633 HzbStsDTMFoff DTMF tone(s) has just finishedevMF - Multiple Frequency event conditionsbStsMFoff MF tone(s) just finishedbStsMFone MF digit one 700 + 900 HzbStsMFtwo MF digit two 700 + 1100 HzbStsMFfour MF symbol four 700 + 1300 HzbStsMFseven MF digit seven 700 + 1500 HzbStsMFst3p MF idicator ST3P 700 + 1700 HzbStsMFthree MF digit three 900 + 1100 HzbStsMFfive MF digit five 900 + 1300 HzbStsMFeight MF digit eight 900 + 1500 HzbStsMFstp MF indicator STP 900 + 1700 HzbStsMFsix MF digit six 1100 + 1300 HzbStsMFnine MF digit nine 1100 + 1500 HzbStsMFkp MF indicator KP 1100 + 1700 HzbStsMFzero MF digit 0 1100 + 1500 HzbStsMFst2p MF indicator ST2P 1300 + 1700 HzbStsMFst MF indicator ST 1500 + 1700 HzevRng Ringing event conditionsbStsRngOff Ringing has just finishedbStsRngOn Ringing is in progressevSIT - Special Information Tone event conditionsbStsSIToff SIT tone has just finishedbStsSITs1lS SIT tone segment 1 low short duration (s1 lS)bStsSITs1hS SIT tone segment 1 high short duration (s1 hS)bStsSITs2lS SIT tone segment 2 low short duration (s2 lS)bStsSITs2hS SIT tone segment 2 high short duration (s2 hS)bStsSITs3lS SIT tone segment 3 low short duration (s3 lS)bStsSITs3hS SIT tone segment high short duration (s3 hS)bStsSITnst1 no SIT tone 1bStsSITnst2 no SIT tone 2bStsSITs1hL SIT tone segment 1 low long duration (s1 hL)bStsSITs1lL SIT tone segment 1 high long duration (s1 lL)bStsSITs2lL SIT tone segment 2 low long duration (s2 lL)bStsSITs2hL SIT tone segment 2 high long duration (s2 hL)bStsSITs3lL SIT tone segment 3 low long duration (s3 lL)bStsSITs3hL SIT tone segment 3 high long duration (s3 hL)bStsSITnst3 no SIT tone 3evLnCktSnsrOfl line circuit sensor offline conditionsbStsLnCktSnsrOfl the line circuit sensor has gone offlineevLnCktSnsrTrblBtn line circuit sensor trouble button conditionsbStsSuTrblBtnOn line circuit sensor trouble button is being pressedbStsSuTrblOff line circuit sensor trouble button just releasedbStsCPTon Call Progress Tone onbStsDTMFon Dual Tone Multiple Frequency onbStsMFon Multiple Frequency onbstsMFdigitOn Multiple Frequency digit OnbStsMFstOn Multiple Frequency OnbStsSITon Special Information Tone onState Dependent TimersSdAns100 Answer 100msSdAns4k Answer 4000msSdAns12k Answer 12000msSdAud5200 Audible 5200msSdBkA200 Break a 200ms (Stutter)SdBkB200 Break B 200ms(Stutter)SdChkDT75 Check Dial Tone 75msSdChkDT200 Check Dial Tone 200msSdDigOff10k Digit Off 10000msSdDP75 Dial Pulse 75msSdDP500 Dial Pulse 500ms500msSdDPbrk300 Dial Pulse break 300msSdDPbrk500 Dial Pulse break500msSdDPdig10k Dial Pulse Digit 10000msSdDPmk300 Dial Pulse Make 300msSdDT200 Dial Tone 200msSdDTdly4k Dial Tone Delay 4000msSdDTMFon4k Dual Tone Multiple Frequency 4000msSdDTMFon50 Dual Tone Multiple Frequency 50msSdDToff200 Dial Tone off 200msSdEndFlsh4k End Flash 4000msSdFlsh1k Flash 1000msSdGoIdle1k Go Idle 1000msSdHit400 Hit 400msSdLnClose2k Line Closed 2000msSdLodi2k Undefined state 2000ms Process ManuallySdLodi7k Undefined state 7000ms Process ManuallySdLodi15k Undefined state 15000ms Process ManuallySdLodi20k Undefined state 20000ms Process ManuallySdNull0 Null 10msSdOnHk200 On Hook 200msSdOpen1k Open 1000msSdOpen30k Open 30000msSdOpen400 Open 400msSdOpen500 Open 500msSdPS2k Permanent Signal 2000msSdPSring100 Permanent Signal Ring 100msSdRclDT125 Recal Dial Tone 125msSdRclOff200 Recal Dial Tone 200msSdRclOn160 Recal Dial Tone 160msSdRng300 Ringing 300msSdRng5500 Ringing 5500msSdSUOpen10k Service Unit Open 10000msSdTermHLd2k Term Hold 2000msSdWait250 Wait 250msSdWait500 Wait 500msState Independent TimersSiBsyRO300 Busy/Reorder 300msSiCW12k Call Waiting 12000msSiOffHk4k Off Hook 4000msSiOnHk12k On Hook 12000msSiOnHk1500 On Hook 1500msEvent FilterEvCPTall Call Progress Tone allEvDTMFall Dual Tone Multiple Frequency allEvMFall Multiple FrequencyEvent PassCPTc100 Call Progress ToneCPTd Call Progress Tone Dial ToneCPTd100 Call Progress Tone Dial Tone 100msCPTd2k Call Progress Tone Dial Tone 2000msCPTg Call Progress Tone Audible RingCPTg500 Call Progress Tone Audible Ring 500msCPTm Call Progress Tone Busy/Reorder Low ToneDTMFall100 Dual Tone Multiple Frequency all 100msDTMFall200 Dual Tone Multiple Frequency all 200msNon-Voltage EventsHeartbeat Time heartbeat time conditionTimer Time mer timeout time conditionFilter Time flltered time conditionCPT Off CPTa CPT tone(s) has just finishedCPT 350 Hz CPTb CPT tone 350 HzCPT Call Waiting CPTc CPT tone 440 HzCPT Dial Tone CPTd CPT tones 350 + 440 HzCPT Perm Signal CPTe CPT tone 480 HzCPT Recall Tone CPTf CPT tones 350 + 480 HzCPT Aud Ring On CPTg CPT tones 440 + 480 HzCPT 350/440/480 Hz CPTh CPT tones 350 + 440 + 480 HzCPT 620 Hz CPTi CPT tone 620 HzCPT 350/620 Hz CPTj CPT tones 350 + 620 HzCPT Intercept CPTk CPT tones 440 + 620 HzCPT 350/440/620 Hz CPTl CPT tones 350 + 440 + 620 HzCPT Busy/Reorder CPTm CPT tones 480 + 620 HzCPT 350/480/620 CPTn CPT tones 350 + 480 + 620 HzCPT 440/480/620 Hz CPTo CPT tones 440 + 480 + 620 HzCPT 350/440/480/620 Hz CPTp CPT tones 350 + 440 + 480 + 620 HzevDTMF Dual Tone Multiple Frequency event conditionsDTMF 1 DTMF digit one 697 + 1209 HzDTMF 4 DTMF digit four 770 + 1209 HzDTMF 7 DTMF digit seven 852 + 1209 HzDTMF * DTMF symbol * 941 + 1209 HzDTMF 2 DTMF digit two 697 + 1336 HzDTMF 5 DTMF digit five 770 + 1336 HzDTMF 8 DTMF digit eight 852 + 1336 HzDTMF 0 DTMF digit zero 941 + 1336 HzDTMF 3 DTMF digit three 697 + 1477 HzDTMF 6 DTMF digit six 770 + 1477 HzDTMF 9 DTMF digit nine 852 + 1477 HzDTMF # DTMF symbol # 941 + 1477 HzDTMF A DTMF character A 697 + 1633 HzDTMF B DTMF character B 770 + 1633 HzDTMF C DTMF character C 852 + 1633 HzDTMF D DTMF character D 941 + 1633 HzDTMF Off DTMF tone(s) has just finishedevMF Multiple Frequency event conditionsMF off MF tone(s) just finishedMF 1 MF digit one 700 + 900 HzMF 2 MF digit two 700 + 1100 HzMF 4 MF symbol four 700 + 1300 HzMF 7 MF digit seven 700 + 1500 HzMF st3p MF indicator ST3P 700 + 1700 HzMF 3 MF digit three 900 + 1100 HzMF 5 MF digit five 900 + 1300 HzMF 8 MF digit eight 900 + 1500 HzMF stp MF indicator STP 900 + 1700 HzMF 6 MF digit six 1100 + 1300 HzMF 9 MF digit nine 1100 + 1500 HzMF kp MF indicator KP 1100 + 1700 HzMF 0 MF digit 0 1100 + 1500 HzMF st2p MF indicator ST2P 1300 + 1700 HzMF st MF indicator ST 1500 + 1700 HzevRng Ringing event conditionsMachine Ring Off Ringing has just finishedMachine Ring On Ringing is in progressecSIT Special Information Tone event conditionsSIT off SIT tone has just finishedSIT s1lS SIT tone segment 1 low short duration (s1 lS)SIT s1hS SIT tone segment 1 high short duration (s1 hS)SIT s2lS SIT tone segment 2 low short duration (s2 lS)SIT s2hS SIT tone segment 2 high short duration (s2 hS)SIT s3lS SIT tone segment 3 low short duration (s3 lS)SIT s3hS SIT tone segment high short duration (s3 hS)SIT nst1 no SIT tone 1SIT nst2 no SIT tone 2SIT s1hL SIT tone segment 1 low long duration (s1 hL)SIT s1lL SIT tone segment 1 high long duration (s1 lL)SIT s2lL SIT tone segment 2 low long duration (s2 lL)SIT s2hL SIT tone segment 2 high long duration (s2 hL)SIT s3lL SIT tone segment 3 low long duration (s3 lL)SIT s3hL SIT tone segment 3 high long duration (s3 hL)SIT nst3 no SIT tone 3evSUOfl line circuit sensor offline conditionsSU Offline the line circuit sensor has gone offlineevSUTrblBtn line circuit sensor trouble button conditionsSU Mark Event In SU trouble button is being pressedSU Mark Event Out SU trouble button just released______________________________________
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The system of the present invention provides an effective method for monitoring calls and determining the status of calls for a variety of telephony environments. In the following description, for purposes of explanation, numerous details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that these specific details are not required in order to practice the present invention. In other instances, well known electrical structures and circuits are shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention unnecessarily.
FIG. 1 illustrates the test system of the present invention connected to a number of different environments. Referring to FIG. 1, the test system can monitor that status of calls originating and terminating at a variety of devices. For example, the test system, referred to herein as a communication signal processor (CSP) can be connected to monitor a simple telephony environment such as a call which exists between the central office (CO) 100 and a residence 102. The CSP can also be connected to a more complex environment such as a business having a private branch exchange (PBX) 104.
The system passively monitors the protocol between two or more network elements in a circuit. This is different from prior art devices that are active elements of the circuit and therefore requiring that a portion of the protocol created relates to the functioning of the network element performing the monitoring. The system of the present invention provides detailed analysis of the progress of the call by monitoring signals originating from more than one network element.
In the present embodiment, the CSP is connected to network switched circuits that contain raw call progress signaling information indicative of the progress of a call. The type of raw call progress signaling information is dependent upon the environment monitored. For example, the sensors may provide physical events (DC/AC voltage and current changes, tones, etc.), call setup messages (ISDN D-Channel messages, CCS7-ISUP messages, etc.) or digital carrier signaling bits (T1/E1 A&B signaling bits). Thus, for example, if the sensor provides physical event information, it may provide a voltage transition from 48 volts (ring conductor to ground) to 36 volts (ring conductor to ground) which is indicative of an off hook event, or a voltage transition from 36 volts (ring conductor to ground) to 48 volts (ring conductor to ground) which is indicative of an on hook event, or a dual frequency detection of 770 Hz and 1336 Hz which is indicative of a DTMF (dual tone multiple frequency) Digit 5 On event.
The CSP tracks the number of calls generated over the monitored circuit and captures all raw call progress signaling information that occurs between the origination and termination of each call. This device can be placed in the serving Central Office (CO) 100 and/or subscriber locations such as residence 102 and factory 105.
As is illustrated in FIG. 1, the CSP can be connected to wide variety of circuits including a local subscriber cable pair 110, Subscriber Line Carrier (SLC) 115, T1/E1 Digital Carrier (CXR) 120, Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN)/Asynchronous Digital Subscriber Line (ADSL) cable pair 125, CO Trunks 130, Private Communication Service (PCS) Trunks 135, Cellular Telephone 140, or any facility that carriers telephone or telephone like calls. Each sensor of the CSP can be connected intrusively or non intrusively to the circuit. When the sensor is connected non-intrusively, the sensor is half tapped on the circuit via a high resistance. This permits the sensor to be connected while the circuit is in use without affecting the circuit. It is preferable to use this type of connection for data circuits, 911 circuits, and other sensitive type circuits. When the sensor is connected intrusively, the circuit is opened up and taken out of service for a short time in order to connect the sensor. The circuit is connected through the sensor. This connection permits current detection, making it more accurate since current can be used as an additional parameter for analysis. Non intrusive connects cannot detect current. Using either type of connection, the test system can generate accurate determination as to the current value that is present at any time because the states are monitored so closely.
As will be explained in more detail below, using the raw call progress signaling information, the system processes the detected events and preferably outputs call count and call event information, for example, to an external display system 145.
For example, a CSP 150 is connected to the local cable pairs 155 that feed an Internet Service Provider (ISP) 160. When a call is placed to the ISP on one of the lines, the sensor of the CSP captures the raw call progress signaling information indicative of the occurrence of physical events (130 Volts AC on for 2 seconds, Line Voltage change to 35 Volts DC on the Ring Conductor and 20 Volts DC on the Tip Conductor, Line Voltage Change to 60 Volts DC on the Ring conductor and 0 Volts on the Tip conductor, Line Voltage Change to 48 Volts DC on the Ring conductor). The sensor identifies the voltage change and passes the raw call progress signaling information to the call processor wrapper, where each raw call progress signaling event detected is time stamped and converted to standardized call progress events for subsequent processing by the system. In the present embodiment, examples of call progress events include Machine Ring On, Machine Ring Off, Off Hook, Float and On Hook. The call processor wrapper further calls a timer processor which calculates the elapsed time from the previous call progress event, determines if any other timer(s) previously set by the call progress state machine has expired. These timers are used to determine the wait for an expected call progress event (e.g., dial tone should be detected within 4 seconds after an off hook event is detected) or validate the duration of a call progress event (e.g., DTMF digits should remain on for at least 50 ms to be valid).
The timer processor selects the most recent event in time, e.g., expired timer or call progress event, and clocks the call progress state machine. When clocked, the call progress state machine analyzes the event and current call status indicators, provided by a call status handler located in the call processor wrapper. The call status handler is used to track the current status of the call, e.g., dial tone received, the call is an originating call, circuit is off hook, etc. The call progress state machine either transitions to a new state or remains in the current state. If it transitions to a new state, the call progress state machine updates the call status handler with the new status information, updates a state tracker processor of the wrapper with the new state and informs the timer processor that state machine has completed the current cycle. If the call progress state machine did not transition to a new state, it informs the timer processor that it has completed the current cycle without altering the contents of the call status handler of state tracker. This process is performed for the call progress event and each expired timer identified by the timer processor. The call processor wrapper and the call progress state machine then wait for the next event to occur.
The states indicative of progression of the call are maintained for further analysis and reference. The information maintained is useful to test/maintenance personnel for analysis of the sensed circuit. For example, when the call progress state machine determines that the call has terminated, the information maintained may be, for example, one Terminating Call having no unusual events and having corresponding call progress events circuit Idle, Machine Ring On, Machine Ring Off, Machine Ring On, Machine Ring Off, Station Off Hook, Stable Call, Station On Hook, CO On Hook.
The state machine also determines unusual call events. For example, if a caller on the monitored line abandons the call before it is answered, the output of the state machine will be: One Terminating Call; One Unusual Event--Caller Abandon, and the following events: Idle, Machine Ring On, Machine Ring Off, CO On Hook.
Features such as described above allow maintenance personnel responsible for call processing to identify potentially bad switched network circuits and correct them before subscriber trouble reports are generated.
FIG. 2 illustrates one embodiment of the system of the present invention. Device 200 captures raw call progress signaling information, indicative of progress of a call, detected on the monitored line. The sensors 210 are connected to switched network circuits coupled to the line to be monitored. The raw call progress signaling information is encoded into a data message and sent to a data communication device such as local area network (LAN) 215 where it is decoded and passed to an appropriate Call Processor Wrapper 201 via a Process Controller 220. Preferably a Call Processor Wrapper 201 and associated Call Progress State Machine 205 is created for each switched network circuit connected to the system 200. The Call Processor Wrapper 201 receives the physical event data located in the decoded message and generates call progress event information and expired timer information and clocks for input to the call progress state machine 205. The call progress state machine 205 determines the state the call has transitioned to based on the new event information and timer information and reports the state change, if any, back to the call processor wrapper. The call processor wrapper 201 updates call status, for example, either updates a local display 235 or a remote display 265, via a communication device 245 and 250, with the new call status. The state information can be output a variety of ways including displaying the results locally or on a remote display. In addition, the state information can be output to a database for archive purposes. Preferably, once a completed call is detected by the call progress state machine 205, the call progress wrapper 201 creates a call record containing event information and corresponding call states. The call record is passed to a database engine device 225 via the process controller device 220 which archives the call record in a database 230.
The archive of calls may be later accessed for a variety of analysis. For example, if a user wishes to retrieve archived call records, a remote terminal 270 could access the system via a communication device 250 and 245 and down load the call record database to a remote database engine 255 which saves the call records to a local database 260. The user can then browse the call record data base as needed. This permits the user to review the switched network circuit(s) usage patterns and call processing performance. If an anomaly is detected, corrective action can taken to eliminate any potential service problems.
An example of information transferred is illustrated in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c. FIG. 3a illustrates the raw call processing signal information sent by the sensor to the wrapper. This information includes an identification of the type of message (e.g., voltage message), a time stamp, detailed portion of the message (in the present example, voltage information, e.g., tip to ground, ring to ground, tip to ring and current), and circuit ID. The wrapper determines the corresponding event and forwards it to the call processor state machine. FIG. 3b illustrates the corresponding events for the received raw call processing signal information. Preferably, the wrapper forwards each event to the state machine, along with the type of message and date-time stamp. The state machine determines the corresponding state. FIG. 3c illustrates the states determined from the corresponding events. The system preferably provides some analysis regarding the call. With respect to the above illustration, for example, the following analysis are provided by the system and stored in the call status module for subsequent output:
Call=terminating (since the machine ringing was detected--if the call was an originating call, a dial tone would have been detected)
No Unusual Events (the state machine did not detect any anomalous events)
Physical Events=Idle, Machine Ring On=2, Machine Ring Off=2, Station Off Hook (answer), Stable Call, Station On Hook, CO On Hook.
FIG. 4 illustrates the operation of the Call Processor Wrapper and Call Progress State Machine. The call processor wrapper 301 includes a call progress event processor module 305,, call status handler module 325, state tracker module 330, timer processor module 315 and call processor executive module 302. During the progress of a call, the call status handler module 325 maintains a record status of the call, including the state of the call and all raw call progress signals, for each physical event received.
When raw call progress signal information is passed from the sensor 300 to the call processor wrapper 301, the call progress event processor 305 translates the raw call progress signal information into physical event information (e.g., On Hook, Off Hook, Audible Ringing On, Dial Tone On, Dial Tone Off, etc.) and passes the delta time (the elapsed time between physical events) elapsed timing events and physical event information to the call progress state machine 310. Preferably, the call progress event processor sends events (timing events received from the timer processor module 315 and physical events received from the sensor 300) one at a time for processing by the call progress state machine 310. Preferably, the timing events are sent first, the last event sent being the physical event. It should be realized that during the processing of an event additional events can be generated that require processing by the call progress state machine. For example, a time-out could occur, causing a timing event to be generated. Alternately, the processing of timing or physical events by the call progress state machine can cause the initiation of additional timers which may time-out causing additional timing events to be generated and processed by the call progress state machine 310.
The call progress state machine 310 retrieves the previous call state information from the state tracker 330 module and determines if the new physical event and current call status information (call status information includes the number or digits, type of call, any abnormalities or troubles in the call, call dispositions, busy, how many rings, how many calls there has been, on hook/off hook, etc.) obtained from the call status handler module 325 and/or any expired timer information obtained from the timer processor module 315 indicates a transition to a new call state. If the call progress state machine 310 does not receive enough information to cause a transition to a new state, it will stay in its current state until a new event is presented to it.
If a new state is identified, the call progress state machine clocks itself to move to the new state. Once transitioned to the new state, the call progress state machine 310 updates the state tracker module 330 with the new state information and the call status handler 325 with new call status information. If new timers are to be enabled as a result of transitioning to the new state, the call progress state machine updates the wrapper's timer processor 315 with the timer information to enable specified timers. Preferably two types of timers are used: dependent and independent. Dependent timers are dependent upon the state and disabled when the state is exited. Independent timers are independent of state and remain enabled through state transitions.
Preferably the call processor executive module receives call information which can include the new call state information and call status information. This information is translated and transmitted to an external display system 335 for display of the new call state and status.
If the call progress state machine 310 determines that the new state indicates that the call has been terminated or abandoned, the state machine inform the call processor executive 302 and call status handler 325 that the current call has terminated. The call status handler 325 forwards call status information to the call processor executive 302 will then creates a call record for output to the call record database 340.
The structure of the system permits determination of the final status of the call, e.g., abandoned, dial tone delay, improper digits, etc. Table 1 illustrates the events that occurred during a call that was subsequently abandoned.
__________________________________________________________________________Message Physical Event Call Progress Event State Machine__________________________________________________________________________Voltage Msg 1 0000.000 ,0,48,48,0,1,<CR> = On Hook IdleVoltage Msg 2 0320.000 ,0,48,105,0,1,>CR> = Machine Ring On Ring OnVoltage Msg 3 0322.000,0,48,48,0,1 <CR> = Machine Ring Off Ring OffVoltage Msg 4 0326.000 ,0,48,105a,0,1 <CR> = Machine Ring On Ring OnVoltage Msg 5 0328.000,0,48,48,0,1 <CR> = Machine Ring Off Ring OffVoltage Msg 6 1565.100 ,0,60,60,0,1 <CR> = Float Station on HookVoltage Msg 7 1573.,235 ,0,48,48,0,1 <CR> = On Hook CO On Hook__________________________________________________________________________
In this example, as the station never went off-hook, the call was not answered. Since the ringing stopped after only two rings were detected, the state machine assumes the caller hung up. Therefore, the state machine sets call status bits indicative of the following;
Call=terminating
Unusual Events=1 abandoned call
Physical Events=Idle, Machine Ring On=2, Machine Ring Off=2, Station On Hook, CO On Hook.
The call progress event processor and timer processor can filter out events from reaching the call progress state machine. The state machine has the capability to initiate filter functions. Preferably these filter functions are maintained through the states unless disabled or changed by the state machine. For example, the state machine can issue a signal to filter out a certain event unless it is on for a predetermined amount of time. Thus, when the raw signal is detected by the sensor, the corresponding physical event is not passed to the state machine unless the signal is on for the predetermined amount of time as timed by the timer processor. Similarly, the signal can be filtered if not of a short enough duration. The filter functions can filter out a wide variety of events based upon a variety of criteria. For example, certain types of events (e.g., DTMF signals) can be filtered out altogether. The type of filter functions described above are exemplary; it is readily apparent to one skilled in the art that other filter functions can be implemented. In addition, the filter function may function by filtering out the raw call progress signaling information at the call progress event processor 305; alternately, the filter function can operate by disabling the sensing of particular raw progress signals at the sensor 300.
FIG. 5 illustrate an exemplary section of a typical call progress state machine. As is readily apparent to one skilled in the art, this is exemplary and can be extended to a variety of states for a variety of telephony configurations. In this example, the call progress state machine is in the StIdle State (i.e., circuit idle state) 415. A new physical event--bStsOffHook 401 (off hook) is detected by the sensors and passed to the call progress state machine. This causes a transition from the StIdle State 415 to a StSz State 405 (Circuit Seized). The call progress state machine then performs the following functions:
1. Sends a signal to the timer processor module to initiate a timer bTmrsSdDTdly4k (Timer for the receipt of Dial Tone);
2. Sets a status variable in the call status handler, bStssOrg, indicating the call is an originating call;
3. Sets a call disposition variable in the call status handler, bCdOrg, indicating the call disposition at this time is originating call;
4. Sets a notable state variable in the call status handler, bNsOfh, indicating the state of the call is Off Hook;
5. Sets an event filter variable in the call progress event processor, bEvpCPTall, indicating that all Call Progress Tones (CPT) detection should be active;
6. Sets a second event filter variable in the call progress event processor, bEvpDTMFall, indicating that all Dual Tone Multi-Frequency (DTMF) tone detection should be active
7. Passes an identification (ID) of the new state to the wrapper's state tracker module indicating that the new state of the call (Progress Call State) is stSz, making the previous call state equal to StIdle.
The transition to a new state can cause the initiation of timers in the timer processor. Continuing with the present example, if the next physical event is bStsCPTd 450 (Dial Tone on), the call progress state machine calls the timer Processor, bTmrsSdDTdly4k, to initiate a dial tone timer to track the time for detection of dial tones and provide time out information if a dial tone is not initiated within a specified period of time.
At completion of determining the new state based upon a singular event information received, The call progress state machine sleeps until the next event is presented to it by the call progress event processor.
Continuing reference to FIG. 5, the function of the timer processor will be discussed. In this example, the time delta is calculated between the receipt of the bStsOffHook (event 460 FIG. 5) and the time of the current event bStsCPTd (event 465 FIG. 5). When the off-hook event 460 occurs, the StSz state 405 is entered. At this state, the delay timer, bTmrsSdDTdly4k, is initiated. When a new event is identified (e.g., dial tone, bStsCPTd 465)the call progress event processor notifies the timer processor of the time delta. The timer processor compares the time delta to the initiated timers to determine if any timers have expired. In the present example, the dial tone delay timer, bTmrsSdDTdly4k, expired. The timer processor therefore issues a message to the call progress event processor which clocks the call progress state machine, passing the expired timer variable, bTmdSdDTdly4k. The call progress state machine transitions 430 to a new state, StDTdly 435. Control is then passed back to the call progress event processor which then asks the timer processor if any other expired timers have occurred. If other expired timers have not been processed by the call progress state machine, these are forwarded one at a time, preferably the shortest timer first, to the call progress state machine for processing. Once all expired timers have been processed, the call progress event processor forwards the physical eventbStsCPTd 465 to the call progress state machine (transition 450).
If, upon entering state StSz 405 no timers have expired, the call progress event processor forwards the physical event bStsCPTd 465 to the call progress state machine (transistions 440). Another event causing a transition from at StSz state 405 is bStsDTMFon (non voltage event DTMF on) 420. This event causes a transition to stFastDial (fast dial state) 425. In this state, the bNsFastDialNDT (notable state, fast dial, no dial tone) variable and the bCsuFastDial (call status unusual, fast dial) are set.
FIG. 5 provides a simplified example of one portion of the call progress state machine. FIGS. 6a-6k provides more detailed state diagrams of the operation of the call progress state machine for a loop start line. As is readily apparent, FIGS. 6a-6k provides the logic for one type of circuit; it is obvious to one skilled in the art, that the logic could be modified to provide accurate protocol analysis for different types of circuits.
Though a state machine can be developed to define the call progress protocol used by switch network elements, it does not provide the ability to save status information in memory nor is it capable of tracking and processing timers. Typically these functions would be performed by external hardware that is not available to normal processors or would be very cumbersome and expensive to add to normal processor mother boards. Hardware timers would also be difficult to modify as additional call progress protocol procedures are introduced by network switch vendors. Therefore, it is preferable that the call processor wrapper performs these functions using C++ Objects which can be easily updated and maintained. Thus each module would be an object instantiated for each circuit monitored. Alternately, the system can be embodied as different processes executed by one or more processors.
Though an embodiment of the call progress state machine and its associated call processor wrapper is discussed in detail above, other methods such as data flow diagramming tools, expert system tools such as CLIPS tools, LISP programming language, Siefuzzy fuzzy logic tools, etc. | A device capable of analyzing call progress event information from sensors connected to switched network circuits for the purpose of identifying the beginning and end of a telephone call. The invention also collects and analyzes all events occurring between the origination and termination of the call, providing a detailed description of both telephone user and network element actions. Abnormal events are identified during this analysis so that call quality can be determined. The invention can use information supplied by sensors that are intrusive or non intrusive to the switched network circuit. | 7 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
I have previously disclosed a filter assembly in the shape of a cylinder in which the filter element is a cloth mounted in a circular rim which can be rotated continuously. The filter element divides the cylinder into two chambers, each of which contains a small sector which is essentially sealed off from the chamber so far as transfers of liquids therebetween is concerned. However, the solids collected on the filter are carried by the filter element during its rotation into the sector through which a backwash fluid is transferred in a direction opposite to that of the flow of the mother liquor through the two chambers and the filter element. The backwash fluid removes the solid from the filter element, thereby cleaning it so that when the cleaned portion leaves the sector it is ready for removal of further solid from further mother liquor.
A major problem with this prior device is that fluid from the chamber tends to enter the sector with the solid, if the pressure in the chamber is greater than that in the sector. Conversely, if the pressure is greater in the sector than in the chamber, fluid tends to flow from the sector into the chamber, carrying with it solid matter which should be leaving the sector through a port connecting the sector with a sump.
A second problem experienced has been the fact that where there is a mixture of solids of various particle sizes, the use of a filter element of fine enough pore size to remove the smallest particles results in an extremely low rate of filtration. Conversely, if the filter element is of larger pore size, then the low end of the range of particles will penetrate the filter and enter the filtrate.
As is evident, it would be desirable that the system be modified so that the problem of fluid flow between the sector and the chamber be minimized and so that fine particle sizes could be removed from the mother liquor at a relatively high rate of filtration.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A filter assembly includes a cylindrical housing divided into an input chamber and an output chamber by a rotating filter element. The input chamber has therein a collector pocket which is essentially sectorial in shape said sector being formed of a front and a rear wall, each making contact with an end face of the cylinder and the filter element, and each wall being approximately radial. The front wall is serrated into grooves and lands at one edge thereof, the lands making contact with the filter element. The grooves permit solids connected on the filter element to enter the sector as the filter element rotates. Moreover, the grooves are small enough in size so that the rate of fluid flow between the sector and the input chamber is negligible. The leading edges of the lands are tapered to guide the solids on the rotating filter element into the adjacent grooves.
The apparatus is suitable for continuous operation, the apparatus including a storage tank into which mother liquor can be fed, a particulate pump for receiving the solids washed from the filter element and a filtrate sump to receive filtrate from the exit side of the filter assembly. A pump is provided for returning filtrate as backwash fluid to a narrow slot in a sector in the exit chamber of the assembly, the narrow slot providing for a high velocity jet to effectively remove solid cake from the filter element. The sectors in the two chambers are in registry with each other, so that backwash fluid from the slot, on penetrating the filter element enters the collector. The rate of return of filtrate to be used as backwash is lower than the rate of feed of the mother liquor. As filtrate and particulate collect during operation of the system, they may be intermittently or continuously removed.
The apparatus can be modified by providing a plurality of such filter assemblies to be operated in series. In such operation, the filtrate from a filter assembly is supplied as mother liquor to a succeeding or "downstream" filter assembly. Further, the backwash fluid from a filter assembly is supplied to the next filter assembly upstream. Each succeeding filter assembly in the downstream direction has therein a filter element of finer pore size than the next filter assembly upstream. As a result, large particles never encounter a screen of unnecessarily fine porosity so that the rate of filtration of the apparatus operating as a whole is high. Moreover, the filter cake removed from a filter assembly by backwash fluid which then enters the next filter assembly upstream will pass readily through the filter element of the next upstream filter assembly because of the fact that the particle size is small relative to the pore size of the next upstream and succeeding upstream filter elements.
It is recognized that the apparatus of the present invention when operated in accordance with the method of the present invention separates a mother liquor into a particulate fraction with a high concentration of particulate matter therein and a filtrate fraction free of particles larger than correspond to the pore size of the finest filter used.
An object of the present invention is an apparatus in which the serrated edge of a wall is used to facilitate passage of filtered solid between said wall edge and a filter element while blocking the flow of fluid through the grooves in the edge of said wall.
Another object of the present invention is an apparatus in which a rotating filter element is cleaned by means of a jet of backwash fluid emanating from a narrow slot at high velocity.
A further object of the present invention is a filter assembly which can be replicated in a plurality of stages operable in sequence to provide for removal of fine particles from a mother liquor at high rate.
An important object of the present invention is an apparatus for continuous filtration of a mother liquor and separation thereof into a filtrate and a concentrate containing suspended particulate matter.
A significant object of the present invention is a method of operating a single filter assembly containing a rotating filter element or a plurality of such filter assemblies either on a continuous or on a batch basis to separate a mother liquor into a filtrate and a highly concentrated suspension of particulate matter.
Still other objects and advantages of the invention will in part be obvious and will in part be apparent from the specification.
The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
For a fuller understanding of the invention, reference is had to the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a filter assembly in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a view taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3a is a view of a portion of FIG. 3;
FIG. 4 is a view taken along line 4--4 of FIG. 2;
FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a filter assembly in accordance with the present invention in combination with associated elements for supplying mother liquor and removal of filtrate and particulate concentrate;
FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram showing flow paths through a multistage apparatus in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram showing a multistage apparatus in accordance with the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a filter assembly indicated generally by the reference numeral 11, the filter assembly itself including an upper end wall 12, a lower end wall 13, a cylindrical side wall 14 (FIG. 2) and a rotatable filter element 16 dividing the assembly into an upper chamber 17 and a lower chamber 18. Rotatable filter element 16 is driven by a motor, not shown, connected to shaft 19 supporting pully 21 which is connected to filter element 16 for rotating said element by drive belts 22.
Mother liquor to be filtered enters the upper chamber 17 through conduit 23. The major portion of filter element 16 is available for filtration of mother liquor. The mother liquor minus particulate matter which deposits on filter element 16 enters the lower chamber 18 as filtrate and leaves lower chamber 18 through conduit 24.
A minor portion of lower chamber 18 is occupied by a slotted injector for projecting a knife-like jet of backwash fluid against the filter element to free it of collected deposit, i.e., filter cake. The injector 26 is shown in plan view of FIG. 4. Backwash fluid entry port 27 brings backwash fluid under pressure into cavity 28 which narrows down to slot 29. Slot 29 is conveniently about 0.003 inches in width. The purpose of the restricted slot is to project backwash fluid at high velocity against filter element 16 so as to remove therefrom solid deposit.
Upper chamber 17 has therein a collector pocket 31 in registry with injector 26. This pocket is shown as viewed from below in FIG. 3. It should be noted that although the assembly is shown with a vertical axis and with the chamber 17 above the chamber 18, the assembly can be successfully operated when mounted with its axis in any orientation, and even with chamber 17 below filter element 16.
Collector pocket 31 is sectorial in shape as is injector 26. Collector pocket 31 has a front wall 32 and a rear wall 33, the designations front wall and rear wall being relative to the direction of movement of the filter element as indicated by arrow 34. Front wall 32 is serrated into lands 36 and grooves 37. As aforenoted, collector pocket 31 lies immediately opposite injector 26 and is in registry therewith so that the backwash fluid issuing from slot 29 and passing through filter element 16 enters cavity 38, and leaves the cylindrical housing through backwash fluid exit port 39, departing the assembly through conduit 41.
The operation of the filter assembly as well as further constructional details are given in my dissertation entitled "Active Blood Filtration," published in 1974, the work having been done at the School of Education of New York University, New York, New York.
The purpose of the serrations is, first of all, to provide grooves through which collected particulate matter can enter cavity 38 and encounter the backwash fluid jet produced by slot 29. As aforenoted, the relatively narrow grooves restrict the quantity of fluid which can pass therethrough in the event that the pressure on one side of front wall 32 is greater than on the other. In general, passage of a minor quantity of fluid across the wall does not present a serious problem since filtrate is preferably used as the backwash fluid and since the mother liquor is recirculated to concentrate the particulate matter. However, as is obvious, if major quantities of fluid cross the wall, the length of time required for filtration of a given quantity of mother liquor will be increased.
The lands 36 provide a further advantage in that they support the filter element against the force of the jet emitted from slot 29. In the version described in my dissertation, the lands have blunt forward ends. This caused difficulty in that particulate matter deposited on the screen piled up against these ends, interfering with the operation of the assembly. According to the present invention, ends 39 of lands 36 are brought to a point, and the taper guides the deposited particulate matter into grooves 37, thereby avoiding the pile-up.
It has been found desirable to match the collector pocket 31 with respect to the size of the lands and grooves to the quantity of deposit and the rate of rotation of the filter element. Consequently, it is preferable that the collector pocket 31 be so constructed that it can be removed and replaced. Precise positioning is obtained through the use of pins 41, and effective seals are provided by suitably-located gaskets 42.
Using a 3-inch diameter disc, a convenient length for the slot is about 11/4-inch long. In the removal of aggregates from blood, a cloth filter element is convenient. In a test on an aqueous mother liquor containing 8.1 grams of solid particulate matter per 100 milliliters of water, where the average diameter of the particulate matter was 0.45 μ, the rate of feed of mother liquor was 2 liters per minute and the backwash flow rate was 400 milliliters per minute. In a single pass it was found that a filter element having pores with an average diameter between 4 and 6 microns removed 4.9 grams of the particulate matter. In a similar test on the effluent from a paper mill, 80% of the fibrous material was removed in a single pass. A filter of this type has also been found useful in the removal of cane pulp from the effluent from a sugar refinery.
An embodiment of the invention which allows recirculation of both the mother liquor and the filtrate where the filtrate is used as the backwash fluid, and which can be operated on either a continuous or a batch basis is shown in FIG. 5. Where the system is to be operated on a batch basis, the batch may be introduced into particulate sump 44 from which it is removed by pump 46 and introduced into chamber 47 of filter assembly 48. Rotatable filter element 49 may be of cloth, of metal screen, of sintered powdered metal or of any other convenient material which provides openings of the desired size. A deposit (not shown) forms on the upstream side of filter element 49 and the filtrate passes into chamber 51, leaving through filtrate exit port 52 and thence to filtrate sump 53. Filtrate from the sump is then transferred by pump 54 to slot injector 56 to dislodge filter cake from filter element 49 and form a concentrated suspension which passes out through collector 57, backwash fluid exit port 58 and thence to particulate sump 44.
When run on a batch basis, two products are obtained, namely a filtrate freed of particulate matter to an extent commensurate with the pore size of filter element 49 and a particulate concentrate containing virtually all of the particulate matter originally present in the mother liquor. As is evident, filtrate will not accumulate in the sump 53 unless the rate of backwash supplied by pump 54 is lower than the rate at which filtrate enters said sump, this latter rate being essentially equal to the rate at which pump 46 sends the mother liquor to chamber 47. Pump 54 should be sized so that its displacement per unit of time is lower than that of pump 46, or, alternatively, pump 54 should be adjustable to insure that its displacement is less than that of pump 46.
When the apparatus of FIG. 5 is operated continuously, it is convenient to insert a storage tank 59 between pump 46 and chamber 47. Mother liquor can be introduced continuously through conduit 61 which conveniently is fitted with a shut-off valve 62. Provision can then be made for removal of filtrate continuously from filtrate sump 53 and for removal of particulate concentrate continously from particulate sump 44.
The apparatus of FIG. 5 is readily modified to operate in cascade. Advantageously, a plurality of filter assemblies are stacked in sequence, the filter element in each succeeding filter assembly being of finer pore size. In the flow diagram of FIG. 6, filter assembly 63 provides filtrate as mother liquor to succeeding filter assembly 64 which, in turn, provides filtrate as mother liquor to succeeding filter assembly 66. Viewing mother liquor as the principal stream, filter assembly 66 is downstream from filter assembly 64 which is downstream from filter assembly 63. Further, part of the filtrate from filter assembly 66 is recycled as backwash fluid through the injector slot and collector of filter assembly 66 and then successively through filter assembly 64 and 63 where the stream merges with untreated mother liquor entering the system. Simultaneously, particulate concentrate and filtrate streams are removed continuously from the system. Although only three stages of filtration and backwash are shown in FIG. 6, a convenient number of stages is 6, where the pore sizes of the successive filter elements as measured in the maximum sized particles which each will pass is 200, 120, 80, 50, 30 and 20 microns. It is essential to note that the backwash in each case, approaching an upstream filter assembly, carries with it particles which are finer than the filter element which it is approaching, so that there is no tendency for such particles in the backwash fluid to be trapped by the next succeeding filter element.
The multistage apparatus is particularly suitable for removing gummy products which have admixed fine particles. The gummy product lodges on the first stage and is scraped off by the collector. This makes it possible for the particles to pass through the filter of the first stage and to be picked off by filters downstream. Moreover, concentrates of particulate matter of different sizes may be removed from intermediate sumps. Such an arrangement is shown in FIG. 7. Again, a three-stage apparatus is depicted. Pumps 63', 64' and 66' transfer mother liquor in succession through filter assemblies 67, 68 and 69. Pumps 71, 72 and 73 transfer backwash fluid through filter assemblies 69, 68 and 67 in succession. Sumps 74 through 79 are positioned as shown for feeding each successive pump. Storage tanks 81 and 82 can be used for receiving filtrate and concentrated particulate. When operated on a batch basis, filtrate and concentrated particulate are removed from these two tanks. When operated on a continuous basis, mother liquor can be fed through line 83 continuously, and filtrate and concentrated particulate suspension removed continuously from the appropriate storage tanks 81 and 82. Also, one or more filter stages can be by-passed by the use of appropriate valves and conduits as shown in FIG. 5.
As aforenoted, in the single stage filter assembly of FIG. 2, there may be some transfer of fluid between the collector pocket 31 and the mother liquor chamber 17. Similarly, there may be some transfer of pressurized backwash fluid into filtrate chamber 18. However, such transfer, though undesirable from the standpoint of overall throughput is nevertheless unimportant with respect to purity of the product since each stream is recycled as shown in FIG. 2 and as also occurs in the multistage apparatus of FIGS. 6 and 7. This latter leakage is indicated in FIG. 6 by the arrows 65.
With respect to FIG. 7, in order for the system shown to operate continuously, the various sumps should not be allowed either to run dry or to overflow. Accordingly, conventional level control devices can be used to hold the levels constant by controlling the speeds of the various pumps. Obviously, the flow rate of mother liquor through successive filters must be essentially equal and the same holds for the backwash fluid.
The invention accordingly comprises the several steps and the relation of one or more of such steps with respect to each of the others, and the apparatus embodying features of construction, combinations of elements and arrangement of parts which are adapted to effect such steps, all as exemplified in the following detailed disclosure, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention, which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween. | An apparatus provides for continuous filtration of a mother liquor and continuous removal of solids from the filter element so that the apparatus need not be shut down for cleaning or replacement of the filter element. The solids are separated from the mother liquor as a concentrated suspension and the apparatus can be replicated in stages using successively finer filters so that a filtrate free of particles above any specified particle size can be obtained. | 1 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention generally relates to methods and apparatus for treating tissue with electromagnetic energy and, more particularly, relates to methods and apparatus for predictively controlling the temperature of a coolant delivered to a treatment device and used to cool the tissue during tissue treatment with electromagnetic energy delivered from the treatment device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Certain types of energy delivery devices are capable of non-ablatively and non-invasively treating a patient's tissue with electromagnetic energy. These energy delivery devices, which emit electromagnetic energy in different regions of the electromagnetic spectrum for tissue treatment, are extensively used to treat a multitude of diverse skin conditions. Among other uses, non-invasive energy delivery devices may be used to tighten loose skin so that a patient appears younger, to remove skin spots or hair, or to kill bacteria.
One variety of these energy delivery devices emit high frequency electromagnetic energy in the radio-frequency (RF) band of the electromagnetic spectrum. The high frequency energy may be used to treat skin tissue non-ablatively and non-invasively by passing high frequency energy through a surface of the skin, while actively cooling the skin to prevent damage to the skin's epidermal layer closer to the skin surface. The high frequency energy heats tissue beneath the epidermis to a temperature sufficient to denature collagen, which causes the collagen to contract and shrink and, thereby, tighten the tissue. Treatment with high frequency energy also causes a mild inflammation. The inflammatory response of the tissue causes new collagen to be generated over time (between three days and six months following treatment), which results in further tissue contraction.
Typically, energy delivery devices include a treatment tip that is placed in contact with, or proximate to, the patient's skin surface and that emits electromagnetic energy that penetrates through the skin surface and into the tissue beneath the skin surface. The non-patient side of the energy delivery device, such as an electrode for high frequency energy, in the treatment tip may be sprayed with a coolant or cryogen spray under feedback control of temperature sensors for cooling tissue at shallow depths beneath the skin surface. A controller triggers the coolant spray based upon an evaluation of the temperature readings from temperature sensors in the treatment tip.
The cryogen spray may be used to pre-cool superficial tissue before delivering the electromagnetic energy. When the electromagnetic energy is delivered, the superficial tissue that has been cooled is protected from thermal effects. The target tissue that has not been cooled or that has received nominal cooling will warm up to therapeutic temperatures resulting in the desired therapeutic effect. The amount or duration of pre-cooling can be used to select the depth of the protected zone of untreated superficial tissue. After the delivery of electromagnetic energy has concluded, the cryogen spray may also be employed to prevent or reduce heat originating from treated tissue from conducting upward and heating the more superficial tissue that was cooled before treatment with the electromagnetic energy.
Although conventional methods apparatus and for delivering cryogen sprays have proved adequate for their intended purpose, what is needed are improved methods and apparatus for cooling superficial tissue in conjunction with non-ablative and non-invasive treatment of deeper regions of tissue beneath the skin surface with amounts of electromagnetic energy.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one embodiment, a method is provided for treating tissue beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy. The method comprises pumping a fluid from a reservoir to an energy delivery device, circulating the fluid through the energy delivery device, and returning the fluid from the energy delivery device to the reservoir. The method further includes measuring a value of a room air temperature proximate to at least one of the energy delivery device or the reservoir, and adjusting a control temperature of the fluid in the reservoir based upon the measured value of the room air temperature. The electromagnetic energy is delivered from the energy delivery device to the tissue.
In another embodiment, an apparatus is provided for treating tissue beneath a skin surface with electromagnetic energy. The apparatus comprises an energy delivery device configured to deliver the electromagnetic energy to the tissue, a closed-loop cooling system including a reservoir configured to hold a coolant and a coldplate configured to regulate a temperature of the coolant held in the reservoir at a control temperature, and a temperature sensor configured to sense a room air temperature proximate to at least one of the reservoir or the energy delivery device. The closed-loop cooing system is configured to circulate the coolant between the energy delivery device and the reservoir. The apparatus further includes a temperature controller communicatively coupled to the coldplate, and a system controller communicatively coupled to the temperature sensor and to the temperature controller. The temperature controller is configured to operate the coldplate to maintain the coolant at the control temperature. The system controller is programmed to determine the control temperature based upon the room air temperature and communicate the control temperature to the temperature controller.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with a general description of the invention given above and the detailed description of the embodiments given below, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic view of a treatment system with a handpiece, a treatment tip, and a console in accordance with an embodiment of the invention
FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic view of the handpiece, treatment tip, and console of FIG. 1 showing a closed-loop cooling system of the treatment system.
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the assembled treatment tip taken generally along line 3 - 3 in FIG. 2 showing the electrode and temperature sensors.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the handpiece partially shown in phantom in which certain internal components, such as electrical wiring, are omitted for clarity.
FIG. 5 is an exploded view of the treatment tip of FIG. 2 in which the treatment electrode is shown in an unfolded condition.
FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a manifold body located inside the treatment tip of FIG. 5 .
FIG. 7 is a rear perspective view of the manifold body of FIG. 6 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
With reference to FIGS. 1-5 , a treatment apparatus 10 includes a handpiece 12 , a treatment tip 14 coupled in a removable and releasable manner with the handpiece 12 , a console generally indicated by reference numeral 16 , and a system controller 18 . The system controller 18 , which is incorporated into the console 16 , controls the global operation of the different individual components of the treatment apparatus 10 . Under the control of the system controller 18 and an operator's interaction with the system controller 18 at the console 16 , the treatment apparatus 10 is adapted to selectively deliver electromagnetic energy in a high frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum, such as the radiofrequency (RF) band to non-invasively heat a region of a patient's tissue to a targeted temperature range. The elevation in temperature may produce a desired treatment, such as removing or reducing wrinkles and otherwise tightening the skin to thereby improve the appearance of a patient 20 receiving the treatment. In alternative embodiments, the treatment apparatus 10 may be configured to deliver energy in the infrared band, microwave band, or another high frequency band of the electromagnetic spectrum, rather than energy in the RF band, to the patient's tissue.
The treatment tip 14 carries an energy delivery member in the representative form of a treatment electrode 22 . The treatment electrode 22 is electrically coupled by conductors inside a cable 27 with a generator 38 configured to generate the electromagnetic energy used in the patient's treatment. In a representative embodiment, the treatment electrode 22 may have the form of a region 26 of an electrical conductor carried on an electrically-insulating substrate 28 composed of a dielectric material. In one embodiment, the substrate 28 may comprise a thin flexible base polymer film carrying the conductor region 26 and thin conductive (e.g., copper) traces or leads 24 on the substrate 28 that electrically couple the conductor region 26 with contact pads 25 . The base polymer film may be, for example, polyimide or another material with a relatively high electrical resistivity and a relatively high thermal conductivity. The conductive leads 24 may contain copper or another material with a relatively high electrical conductivity. Instead of the representative solid conductor region 26 , the conductor region 26 of treatment electrode 22 may include voids or holes unfilled by the conductor to provide a perforated appearance or, alternatively, may be segmented into plural individual electrodes that can be individually powered by the generator 38 .
In one specific embodiment, the treatment electrode 22 may comprise a flex circuit in which the substrate 28 consists of a base polymer film and the conductor region 26 consists of a patterned conductive (i.e., copper) foil laminated to the base polymer film. In another specific embodiment, the treatment electrode 22 may comprise a flex circuit in which the conductor region 26 consists of patterned conductive (i.e., copper) metallization layers directly deposited the base polymer film by, for example, a vacuum deposition technique, such as sputter deposition. In each instance, the base polymer film constituting substrate 28 may be replaced by another non-conductive dielectric material and the conductive metallization layers or foil constituting the conductor region 26 may contain copper. Flex circuits, which are commonly used for flexible and high-density electronic interconnection applications, have a conventional construction understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art.
The substrate 28 includes a contact side 32 that is placed into contact with the skin surface of the patient 20 during treatment and a non-contact side 34 that is opposite to the contact side 32 . The conductor region 26 of the treatment electrode 22 is physically carried on non-contact side 34 of the substrate 28 . In the representative arrangement, the substrate 28 is interposed between the conductor region 26 and the treated tissue such that, during the non-invasive tissue treatment, electromagnetic energy is transmitted from the conductor region 26 through the thickness of the substrate 28 by capacitively coupling with the tissue of the patient 20 .
When the treatment tip 14 is physically engaged with the handpiece 12 , the contact pads 25 face toward the handpiece 12 and are electrically coupled with electrical contacts 36 , such as pogo pin contacts, inside the handpiece 12 . Electrical contacts 36 are electrically coupled with insulated and shielded conductors (not shown) of the electrical wiring 24 also located inside the handpiece 12 . The insulated and shielded wires extend exteriorly of the handpiece 12 inside cable 27 to a generator 38 at the console 16 . The generator 38 , which has the form of a high frequency power supply, is equipped with an electrical circuit (not shown) operative to generate high frequency electrical current, typically in the radio-frequency (RF) region of the electromagnetic spectrum. The operating frequency of generator 38 may advantageously be in the range of several hundred kHz to about twenty (20) MHz to impart a therapeutic effect to treat target tissue beneath a patient's skin surface. The circuit in the generator 38 converts a line voltage into drive signals having an energy content and duty cycle appropriate for the amount of power and the mode of operation that have been selected by the clinician, as understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, the generator 38 is a 400-watt, 6.78 MHz high frequency generator.
A non-therapeutic passive or return electrode 40 , which is electrically coupled with the generator 38 , is physically attached to a site on the body surface of the patient 20 , such as the patient's lower back. During treatment, high frequency current flows from the treatment electrode 22 through the treated tissue and the intervening bulk of the patient 20 to the return electrode 40 and then through conductors inside a return cable 41 to define a closed circuit or current path 42 . Because of the relatively large surface area of the return electrode 40 in contact with the patient 20 , the current density flowing from the patient 20 to the return electrode 40 is relatively low in comparison with the current density flowing from the treatment electrode 22 to the patient 20 . As a result, the return electrode 40 is non-therapeutic because negligible heating is produced at its attachment site to the patient 20 . High frequency electrical current flowing between the treatment electrode 22 and the patient 20 is maximized at the skin surface and underlying tissue region adjacent to the treatment electrode 22 and, therefore, delivers a therapeutic effect to the tissue region near the treatment site.
As best shown in FIG. 3 , the treatment tip 14 includes temperature sensors 44 , such as thermistors or thermocouples, that are located on the non-contact side 34 of the substrate 28 that is not in contact with the patient's skin surface. Typically, the temperature sensors 44 are arranged about the perimeter of the conductor region 26 of the treatment electrode 22 . Temperature sensors 44 are constructed to detect the temperature of the treatment electrode 22 and/or treatment tip 14 , which may be representative of the temperature of the treated tissue. Each of the temperature sensors 44 is electrically coupled by conductive leads 46 with one or more of the contact pads 25 , which are used to supply direct current (DC) voltages from the system controller 18 through the electrical wiring 26 to the temperature sensors 44 .
With continued reference to FIGS. 1-5 , the system controller 18 regulates the power delivered from the generator 38 to the treatment electrode 22 and otherwise controls and supervises the operational parameters of the treatment apparatus 10 . The system controller 18 may include user input devices to, for example, adjust the applied voltage level of generator 38 . The system controller 18 includes a processor, which may be any suitable conventional microprocessor, microcontroller or digital signal processor, executing software to implement control algorithms for the operation of the generator 38 . System controller 18 , which may also include a nonvolatile memory (not shown) containing programmed instructions for the processor, may be optionally integrated into the generator 38 . System controller 18 may also communicate, for example, with a nonvolatile memory carried by the handpiece 12 or by the treatment tip 14 . The system controller 18 also includes circuitry for supplying the DC voltages and circuitry that relates changes in the DC voltages to the temperature detected by the temperature sensors 44 , as well as temperature sensors 90 and 88 .
With specific reference to FIG. 4 , the handpiece 12 is constructed from a body 48 and a cover 50 that is assembled with conventional fasteners with the body 48 . The assembled handpiece 12 has a smoothly contoured shape suitable for manipulation by a clinician to maneuver the treatment tip 14 and treatment electrode 22 to a location proximate to the skin surface and, typically, in a contacting relationship with the skin surface. An activation button (not shown), which is accessible to the clinician from the exterior of the handpiece 12 , is depressed for closing a switch that energizes the treatment electrode 22 and, thereby, delivers high frequency energy over a short delivery cycle to treat the target tissue. Releasing the activation button opens the switch to discontinue the delivery of high frequency energy to the patient's skin surface and underlying tissue. After the treatment of one site is concluded, the handpiece 12 is manipulated to position the treatment tip 14 near a different site on the skin surface for another delivery cycle of high frequency energy delivery to the patient's tissue.
With reference to FIGS. 5-7 , the treatment tip 14 includes a rigid outer shell 52 , a rear cover 54 that is coupled with an open rearward end of the outer shell 52 , a manifold body 55 disposed inside an enclosure or housing inside the outer shell 52 , and a flange 53 for the rear cover 54 . The flange 53 may be a portion of the manifold body 55 . A portion of the substrate 28 overlying the conductor region 26 of the treatment electrode 22 is exposed through a window 56 defined in a forward open end of the outer shell 52 . The substrate 28 is wrapped or folded about the manifold body 55 . The flange 53 provides a flat support surface over which the contact pads 25 are placed, such that the electrical contacts 36 press firmly against the contact pads 25 .
As best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , the manifold body 55 , which may be formed from an injection molded polymer resin, includes a front section 60 , a stem 62 projecting rearwardly from the front section 60 , and ribs 64 on the stem 62 used to position the manifold body 55 inside the outer shell 52 . The front section 60 of the manifold body 55 includes a channel 66 that, in the assembly constituting treatment tip 14 , underlines the conductor region 26 of the treatment electrode 22 . The shape of the front section 60 corresponds with the shape of the window 56 in the outer shell 52 . The substrate 28 of the treatment electrode 22 is bonded with a rim 68 of the manifold body 55 to provide a fluid seal that confines coolant flowing in the channel 66 . The area inside the rim 68 is approximately equal to the area of the conductor region 26 of treatment electrode 22 . Channel 66 includes convolutions that are configured to optimize the residence time of the coolant in channel 66 , which may in turn optimize the heat transfer between the coolant and the treatment electrode 22 .
As best shown in FIGS. 5-7 , an inlet bore or passage 70 and an outlet bore or passage 72 extend through the stem 62 of the manifold body 55 . The inlet passage 70 and outlet passage 72 are rearwardly accessible through an oval-shaped slot 74 defined in the rear cover 54 . The inlet passage 70 intersects the channel 66 at an inlet 76 to the channel 66 and the outlet passage 72 intersects the channel 66 at an outlet 78 from the channel 66 . The channel 66 is split into two channel sections 80 , 82 so that fluid flow in the channel 66 diverges away in two separate streams from the inlet 76 and converges together to flow into the outlet 78 . Fluid pressure causes the coolant to flow from the inlet 76 through the two channel sections 80 , 82 to the outlet 78 and into the outlet passage 72 .
With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5 - 7 , fluid connections are established with the inlet passage 70 and the outlet passage 72 to establish the closed circulation loop and permit coolant flow to the channel 66 in the manifold body 55 when the treatment tip 14 is mated with the handpiece 12 . Specifically, the outlet passage 72 is coupled with a return line 84 in the form of a fluid conduit or tube. The inlet passage 70 is coupled with a supply line 86 in the form of an inlet conduit or tube. The return line 84 and the supply lines 86 extend out of the handpiece 12 and are routed to the console 16 . The inlet passage 70 and the outlet passage 72 may include fittings (not shown) that facilitate the establishment of fluid-tight connections.
With reference to FIG. 2 , the treatment apparatus 10 is equipped with a closed loop cooling system that includes the manifold body 55 located inside the treatment tip 14 . The closed loop cooling system further includes a reservoir 96 holding a volume of a coolant 94 and a pump 98 , which may be a diaphragm pump, that continuously pumps a stream of the coolant from an outlet of the reservoir 96 through the supply line 86 to the manifold body 55 in the treatment tip 14 . The manifold body 55 is coupled in fluid communication with the reservoir 96 by the return line 84 . The return line 84 conveys the coolant 94 from the treatment tip 14 back to the reservoir 96 to complete the circulation loop.
Heat generated in the treatment tip 14 by energy delivery from the treatment electrode 22 and heat transferred from the patient's skin and an underlying depth of heated tissue is conducted through the substrate 28 and treatment electrode 22 . The heat is absorbed by the circulating coolant 94 in the channel 66 of the manifold body 55 , which lowers the temperature of the treatment electrode 22 and substrate 28 and, thereby, cools the patient's skin and the underlying depth of heated tissue. The contact cooling, at the least, assists in regulating the depth over which the tissue is heated to a therapeutic temperature by the delivered electromagnetic energy.
The coolant 94 stored in the reservoir 96 is chilled by a separate circulation loop 101 that pumps coolant 94 from the reservoir 96 through separate supply and return lines to a coldplate 102 . A pump 100 , which may be a centrifugal pump, pumps the coolant 94 under pressure from the reservoir 96 to the coldplate 102 . In an alternative embodiment, the coldplate 102 may be placed directly in the return line 84 if permitted by the capacity of the coldplate 102 and system flow constrictions.
In a representative embodiment, the coldplate 102 may be a liquid-to-air heat exchanger that includes a liquid heat sink with a channel (not shown) for circulating the coolant 94 , a thermoelectric module (not shown), and an air-cooled heat sink (not shown). A cold side of the thermoelectric module in coldplate 102 is thermally coupled with the liquid heat sink and a hot side of the thermoelectric module in coldplate 102 is thermally coupled with the air-cooled heat sink. The cold side is cooled for extracting heat from the coolant 94 flowing through the liquid heat sink. As understood by a person having ordinary skill in the art, an array of semiconductor couples in the thermoelectric module operate, when biased, by the Peltier effect to convert electrical energy into heat pumping energy. Heat flows from the liquid heat sink through the thermoelectric elements to the air-cooled heat sink. The air-cooled heat sink of the liquid-to-air heat exchanger dissipates the heat extracted from the coolant 94 circulating in the liquid heat sink to the surrounding environment. The air-cooled heat sink may be any conventional structure, such as a fin stack with a fan promoting convective cooling.
A temperature controller 104 inside the console 16 is electrically coupled with the coldplate 102 and is also electrically coupled with the system controller 18 . The system controller 18 , which is electrically coupled with a temperature sensor 88 used to measure the coolant temperature in the reservoir 96 , supplies temperature control signals to the temperature controller 104 in response to the measured coolant temperature. Under the feedback control, the temperature controller 104 reacts to the control temperature communicated from the temperature controller to control the operation of the coldplate 102 and, thereby, regulate the temperature of the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 .
Because the coolant 94 is at a temperature below room air temperature, the coolant 94 inevitably warms as it flows through supply line 86 from the console 16 through the ambient environment to the handpiece 12 . As a result, the coolant temperature at the manifold body 55 is higher than the coolant temperature at the reservoir 96 . Although the warming can be minimized by insulating the exterior of the supply line 86 to limit heat gain from the environment, the heat gain cannot be eliminated. Further complicating the problem, the amount of heat transferred to the coolant 94 will vary based on the room air temperature and fluid flow rate. Typically, the coolant temperature in the manifold body 55 determines the temperature gradient with depth into the patient's tissue, which may impact the depth profile of the tissue treatment.
To compensate for the heat gain, the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 is maintained at a lower temperature than required at the treatment tip 14 . Generally, the amount of the over-cooling compensation for the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 will scale upwardly with as the room air temperature increases. Coolant 94 originating from the reservoir 96 with a given initial temperature will experience a greater heat gain if the apparatus 10 is located in a comparatively warmer room. In other words, the heat gained by the coolant 94 flowing in the supply line 92 increases with increasing difference between the coolant temperature and the room air temperature.
The heat gain can be compensated by adjusting the coolant temperature at the reservoir 96 . The value of the coolant temperature inside the reservoir 96 may be set based upon the temperature of the room air in which the treatment apparatus 10 is immersed. To that end, the room air temperature may be detected by a temperature sensor 90 , such as a thermocouple, or a thermistor located at the console 16 . In one embodiment, the temperature sensor 90 may be associated with the generator 38 . Alternatively, the temperature sensor 90 may be located at other locations proximate to the components of the treatment apparatus 10 , such as attached to the handpiece 12 . The room air temperature measured by the temperature sensor 90 is communicated to the system controller 18 and may be used by the system controller 18 for other purposes, such as controlling cooling fans used to dissipate heat generated inside the console 16 .
A reference is established to guide the selection of coolant temperature at the reservoir 96 . Specifically, empirical data may be accumulated to assess the heat gain of the coolant 94 , while flowing in the supply line 92 from the console 16 to the manifold body 55 , as a function of room air temperature. In one embodiment, the temperature sensors 44 in the treatment tip 14 may be used to sense the coolant temperature at the manifold body 55 and a temperature sensor 88 may be used to sense the coolant temperature in the reservoir 96 . These temperatures are communicated to the system controller 18 , which determines a temperature change at each value of the room air temperature at which the empirical data is acquired. For example, the temperatures of the coolant 94 at the manifold body 55 and at the reservoir 96 can be measured and the temperature change assessed as the room air temperature is varied from over a range, such as from 60° F. to 85° F.
The empirical data may be acquired at a single reservoir coolant temperature if temperature change due to heat gain is relatively insensitive to reservoir coolant temperature over the normal range of values used during treatment. Otherwise, the empirical date is acquired at a series of reservoir coolant temperatures. The empirical data may be acquired at a single flow rate if temperature change is relatively insensitive to flow rate over the normal range of values used during treatment. Otherwise, the empirical date is acquired at a series of flow rates for the coolant 94 , as pumped by pump 98 , in the supply line 92 .
Armed with knowledge of the temperature change due to heat gain by the coolant flowing in the supply line 92 as a function of room air temperature, a control technique for measuring the room air temperature and adjusting the coolant temperature at the reservoir 96 based upon the measured room air temperature is implemented in the system controller 18 . The temperature change is used to adjust the degree of undercooling of the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 , which effectively makes the coolant temperature at the treatment tip 14 independent of air temperature or, at the least, reduces the dependence of the coolant temperature at the treatment tip 14 on air temperature. Several approaches are available for determining the targeted temperature for the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 during system operation that compensates for the heat gain experienced by the coolant 94 while flowing in the supply line 92 .
In one embodiment, the data relating the temperature change as a function of room air temperature is stored as entries in a lookup table and the system controller 18 may include logic that controls the lookup table in the address space of the controller's random access memory. The lookup table represents a data structure, usually an array or an associative array, that contains multiple entries. Within each individual entry in the database, a temperature change is specified for a given room air temperature, as well as potentially other variables like coolant flow rate. In the latter instance, the data structure of the lookup table is a two-dimensional array or associative array that associates a temperature change with each measured room air temperature. The lookup table, which may be also be stored in a non-volatile memory of the system controller 18 , may be used to replace a runtime computation with a simpler lookup operation that merely requires the software executing on the system controller 18 to access numerical values stored in memory.
The control temperature for the coolant 94 stored in the reservoir 96 may be established with the assistance of the lookup table. As required, the system controller 18 accesses the lookup table to retrieve a value of temperature change from memory that is correlated in the data structure with the corresponding room air temperature. If the measured room air temperature fails to coincide exactly with one of the values in the lookup table, a temperature change can be interpolated from the numerical values in the table. The system controller 18 may specify an adjustment as an offset to the reservoir coolant temperature when a treatment is initiated and maintain that reservoir coolant temperature at that adjusted reservoir coolant temperature over the duration of the patient treatment. The system controller 18 implements the mathematical relationship in software executing on its processor to determine a control temperature that is communicated to the temperature controller 104 for use in regulating the operation of the coldplate 102 to establish and maintain the coolant in the reservoir 96 at the control temperature.
In an alternative version of the look-up table embodiment, the system controller 18 may monitor the room air temperature for deviations of significance and perform real-time adjustments during the course of patient treatment. If a significant deviation is detected, the system controller 18 may retrieve a different numerical value of temperature change from the lookup table and implement a revised reservoir coolant temperature by supplying an updated control temperature to the temperature controller 104 for use in adjusting the operation of the coldplate 102 .
In another embodiment of the invention, the correlation between the measured ambient temperature and the temperature change for use in over-cooling the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 may be determined by a run-time computation using a mathematical equation or relationship. The mathematical relationship is established from the empirically measured data array associating temperature change as a function of room air temperature. For example, the empirically measured data array may be statistically analyzed by a linear regression to establish a mathematical relationship that is linear such that the temperature change that is used to adjust the reservoir coolant temperature scales linearly with the room air temperature. The system controller 18 implements the mathematical relationship in software executing on its processor to determine a control temperature that is communicated to the temperature controller 104 for use in regulating the operation of the coldplate 102 to establish and maintain the coolant in the reservoir 96 at the control temperature.
In an alternative version of the equation-based embodiment, the system controller 18 may monitor the room air temperature communicated from the temperature sensor 90 to detect deviations of significance and perform real-time adjustments during the course of patient treatment. If a significant deviation is detected, the system controller 18 may recalculate a different numerical value of temperature change using the mathematical relationship and implement a revised reservoir coolant temperature by supplying an updated control temperature to the temperature controller 104 for use in adjusting the operation of the coldplate 102 .
In use and with reference to FIGS. 1-7 , the coolant 94 is circulated by pump 100 between the coldplate 102 and the reservoir 96 . The system controller 18 monitors the temperature of the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 using temperature information received from temperature sensor 88 and communicates control signals to the temperature controller 104 to establish a control temperature for the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 . The system controller 18 samples the room air temperature communicated from the temperature sensor 90 and adjusts the coolant temperature in the reservoir 96 to reflect the room air temperature measured with the aid of temperature sensor 90 . Specifically, the system controller 18 communicates the control temperature to the temperature controller 104 , which adjusting the operation of the coldplate 102 to establish the coolant temperature in the reservoir 96 .
The coolant temperature is established by the temperature controller 104 in the reservoir 96 at a calculated temperature setting that is less than the minimum desired temperature at the treatment tip 14 . In other words, the coolant temperature in the reservoir 96 is set at a value that is colder than the coolant temperature required at the treatment tip 14 . The specific temperature is set based upon the room air temperature measured by temperature sensor 90 . As described above, an offset to the reservoir coolant temperature is either retrieved by the system controller 18 from a lookup table or calculated by the system controller 18 using a mathematical relationship. The calculated or retrieved offset is used by the system controller 18 to adjust the control temperature for the coolant 94 in the reservoir 96 . By cooling the coolant 94 to a temperature less than desired based upon the measured room air temperature, coolant 94 can be delivered to the treatment tip 14 at the desired temperature at much greater accuracy than without this process.
The treatment electrode 22 is energized by generator 38 to deliver doses of high frequency energy to the target tissue. During patient treatment, coolant 94 is continuously pumped by pump 98 through the supply line 86 from the reservoir 96 to the handpiece 12 . The coolant 94 is delivered to the manifold body 55 and circulated through the channel 66 in contact with the conductor region 26 of treatment electrode 22 on the non-contact side 34 of substrate 28 . This cools the treatment electrode 22 , which in turn cools the tissue immediately beneath the patient's skin surface in the contacting relationship with the contact side 32 of the substrate 28 . Spent coolant 94 is directed from the channel 66 into the return line 84 and returned to the reservoir 96 .
The continuous stream of coolant 94 flowing through the channel 66 in the manifold body 55 continuously cools the adjacent tissue contacted by the treatment electrode 22 . The contact cooling prevents superficial tissue from being heated to a temperature sufficient to cause a significant and possibly damaging thermal effect. Depths of tissue that are not significantly cooled by thermal energy transfer to the continuous stream of coolant 94 flowing through the channel 66 in manifold body 55 will be warmed by the high frequency energy to therapeutic temperatures resulting in the desired therapeutic effect. The amount or duration of pre-cooling, after the treatment electrode 22 is contacted with the skin surface and before electromagnetic energy is delivered, may be used to select the protected depth of untreated tissue. Longer durations of pre-cooling and lower coolant temperatures produce a deeper protected zone and, hence, a deeper level in tissue for the onset of the treatment zone.
Using the same mechanism, the tissue is also cooled by the continuous stream of coolant 94 flowing through the manifold body 55 during energy delivery and after heating by the transferred high frequency energy. Post-cooling may prevent or reduce heat delivered deeper into the tissue from conducting upward and heating shallower depths to therapeutic temperatures even though external energy delivery from the treatment electrode 22 to the targeted tissue has ceased.
If the system controller 18 detects a significant deviation in room air temperature during treatment, the system controller 18 may optionally determine and communicate an updated control temperature to the temperature controller 104 .
While the invention has been illustrated by a description of various embodiments and while these embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Thus, the invention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative example shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant's general inventive concept. | Apparatus and methods for predictively controlling the temperature of a coolant delivered to a treatment apparatus configured to non-invasively treat a patient's tissue with doses of electromagnetic energy. The treatment apparatus includes a closed-loop cooling system connected with an energy delivery device used to deliver the electromagnetic energy to the patient's tissue. Coolant is pumped from a reservoir to the energy delivery device in the closed-loop cooling system. The control temperature of the coolant in the reservoir is adjusted based upon the specific room air temperature. This predictive adjustment promotes better control over the coolant temperature at the energy delivery device by lessening the effects of heat gain in transit from the reservoir to the energy delivery device. | 0 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of controlling an elevator installation with multiple cars, by means of which several floors can be served with one stop, wherein the travel requests are allocated to the elevator car.
There has become known from the European patent specification EP 0 459 169 a destination call control for a elevator installation with multiple cars, wherein a call is allocated directly after input and the allocated elevator and the position of the elevator car are displayed on a display field of the actuated call registration device. Associated with each car deck is the call store in which are stored the calls that are input at the main stopping point and characterize the destination floors. A switching circuit is connected at the input side with the call stores in such a manner that in dependence on an allocated call the relevant multiple car is established as stopping at even-numbered/uneven-numbered or uneven-numbered/even-numbered floor pairs. At the output side, the switching circuit is connected by way of a switching device with a comparison device, so that, in dependence on a further call still to be allocated, neither the multiple cars stopping at even-numbered/uneven-numbered floor pairs or the multiple cars stopping at uneven-numbered/even-numbered floor pairs can participate in the comparison and allocation method.
A disadvantage of the known device is that the route of the multiple car is already limited to the main stopping point by the allocation of the even-numbered/uneven-numbered or the uneven-numbered/even-numbered floor, which in turn adversely influences the carrying capacity of the elevator installation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention concerns a method for the operation of an elevator installation meets the objective of avoiding the disadvantages of the known device and of providing for control of a elevator installation with multiple cars in which the allocation of the car decks improves the performance of the elevator installation.
The destination call control offers, with the call input at the floor and with the knowledge of the destination floor for each passenger, very important information which is of primary significance for the selection of the optimum elevator. Experiences with elevator installations with multiple cars and simulations show that it is very important in the case of elevator installations with multiple cars to minimize the number of stops of the multiple cars. This can only be achieved if the allocation of the car decks can be changed up to the last possible moment. It is of no significance to the user which deck brings him to the destination. The method according to the present invention has the purpose of a dynamic deck allocation to the individual destination calls. With the method, the allocation of each car deck is optimized on the basis of analysis of the allocations of other calls not only at the starting-point floor and the environment thereof, but also at the destination floor and the environment thereof.
The advantages achieved by the method according to the invention are essentially to be seen in that the number of necessary stops of the elevator car is automatically minimized. Moreover, there is prevention of unnecessary overlapping stops. An overlapping stop arises in the case of an elevator car with, for example, two car decks when only three instead of four floors are served with two stops. The allocation of the floors to several elevators of an elevator group can be optimized. In the case of between-floor traffic each of the elevators can be used; a division in even-numbered/uneven-numbered groups or uneven-numbered/even-numbered groups is not necessary. The users can be served in an optimum manner by matching the loading of the car decks or with full load of one car deck. The elevators can also be better utilized for special journeys, for example VIP operation.
An elevator group consists of, for example, a group of six elevators A, B, C, D, E, F each with a respective multiple car. It will be assumed that for a new destination call from the starting point floor S to the destination floor Z the allocation algorithm determines, in accordance with a known costs calculation principle for destination call controls, the elevator B as the most favorable elevator in terms of cost. Directly thereafter the car deck executing the travel request for the starting-point floor S to the destination floor Z is determined in accordance with the method according to the present invention. The method for dynamic allocation of the car decks is explained in more detail in the following description. The deck allocation is carried out internally of the control without communication to the user.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above, as well as other advantages of the present invention, will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment when considered in the light of the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a flow diagram showing an overview of the deck allocation method according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a flow diagram showing Part 1 of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of general criteria;
FIG. 3 is a flow diagram showing Part 1 A of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of predetermined stops at the starting-point floor;
FIG. 4 is a flow diagram showing Part 1 B of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of predetermined stops at the destination floor;
FIG. 5 is a flow diagram showing Part 2 A of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of possible stops at the starting-point floor;
FIG. 6 is a flow diagram showing Part 2 B of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of possible stops at the destination floor;
FIG. 7 is a flow diagram showing Part 3 A of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of predetermined position overlaps, caused by booked alighting passengers, in the region of the starting-point floor;
FIG. 8 is a flow diagram showing Part 3 B of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of predetermined position overlaps, caused by booked alighting passengers, in the region of the destination floor;
FIG. 9 is a flow diagram showing Part 4 A of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of possible position overlaps, caused by booked boarding passengers, in the region of the starting-point floor; and
FIG. 10 is a flow diagram showing Part 4 B of the method of FIG. 1 in more detail in which the deck allocation is performed on the basis of possible position overlaps, caused by booked boarding passengers, in the region of the destination floor.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The method of the present invention, which is shown in one embodiment illustrated in the drawings, for deck allocation relates to a elevator car with a lower and an upper deck (double-decker), wherein a load measuring device is provided for each deck. The method is also feasible for use on elevator cars with three or more decks. A typical double-decker car (also known as a double car elevator) with an associated group control is shown in the U.S. Pat. No. 5,086,883 which is incorporated herein by reference.
The abbreviations and references employed in the description of the method according to the present invention are defined as follows:
OD—Upper deck of the elevator car.
UD—Lower deck of the elevator car.
S—Starting-point floor (the travel request begins here with the input of the destination floor Z).
Region of the starting-point floor—Region comprising the adjacent floors S+1, S−1 or S+1, S+2, S−1, S−2 of the starting-point floor S.
Z—Destination floor (the travel request ends here).
Region of the destination floor—Region comprising the adjacent floors Z+1, Z−1 or Z+1, Z+2, Z−1, Z−2 of the destination floor Z.
LOD—Load of upper deck (load is measured each time before the start and stored).
LUD—Load of lower deck (load is measured each time before the start and stored).
OGLOD—Upper load limit of upper deck (selectable as a parameter).
OGLUD—Upper load limit of lower deck (selectable as a parameter).
UGLOD—Lower load limit of upper deck (selectable as a parameter).
UGLUD—Lower load limit of lower deck (selectable as a parameter).
PHBR—Braking phase of the elevator car (travel of the elevator car in coming to a stop before a floor stop).
PHH—Stop of the elevator car at a floor.
SP—Selector position (the selector leads during travel of the elevator car and scans the approaching floor).
SPOD—Selector position of upper deck.
SPUD—Selector position of lower deck.
Service OD—Use of the elevator car as a single-deck car (only the upper car deck serves as a transport deck).
Service UD—Use of the elevator car as a single-deck car (only the lower car deck serves as a transport deck).
Load balancing—Attempt towards loads of equal size in the two decks. The load balancing is selectable by means of parameters.
Predetermined stop VH—Required stop determined by boarding passengers or passengers located in the car (boarding stop or alighting stop). The elevator car must stop at this floor by the determined deck, because by virtue of the call allocation and deck allocation at least one passenger boards or alights.
Possible stop MH—A stop, which is planned by already booked passengers, with a planned deck at a floor. At least one boarding passenger or alighting passenger can still be served by one of the two car decks at this floor.
Reversal point—The lowest floor which the elevator reaches by the lower deck during a downward travel before the elevator changes the travel direction or the highest floor which the elevator reaches by the upper deck during an upward travel before the elevator changes the travel direction.
Position overlap—A position overlap arises with an elevator car with, for example, two car decks when only three, instead of four, floors are served by two stops.
Predetermined position overlap—Three adjacent floors are served by two stops, due to a Predetermined stop. Additional position overlaps are avoided by the method according to the invention.
Possible position overlap—Three adjacent floors are served by two stops, due to a Possible stop. Additional position overlaps are avoided by the method according to the invention.
Possible alighting passenger—It is provided for a specific floor that at least one already booked passenger, who has not yet boarded one of the decks, will alight. The previous deck allocation for this passenger could accordingly still be changed. Such a deck allocation change would, however, have a consequence of retrogressive action in the direction of the travel planning. Also, the previously applicable deck allocation would have to be changed for the boarding floor of this passenger, wherein this could cause further retrospective changes on other allocations. Accordingly, in this case a deck allocation change for the possible alighting passenger is renounced and, instead, a position overlap is accepted.
Possible boarding passenger—It is provided for a specific floor that at least one already booked passenger will board. The previous deck allocation for this passenger could accordingly still be changed. Such a deck allocation change would have an effect on the destination floor of this passenger. Such a deck allocation change for the a destination floor could have the consequence of further changes in the deck allocations for other passengers in the region of this destination floor. These possible deck allocation changes lie in the direction of the travel planning after the floor in question. Thus, the probability is higher (as with retrospective changes) that less deck allocation changes for other booked passengers are meant. Accordingly, a rebooking of the deck allocation for the possible boarding passenger is accepted if a position overlap is thereby prevented.
In the flow charts of the drawings, usual symbols are used, which together with the above legends are self-explanatory.
FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a deck allocation method 20 according to the present invention that begins allocation on the basis of general criteria in a step 21 . The method 20 continues allocation based upon travel requests in the region of the starting-point floor in a step 22 and completes allocation based upon travel requests in the region of the destination floor in a step 23 .
FIG. 2 shows a group of steps 30 undertaken at the start of the method according to the present invention, according to which the servicing of the destination call has been allocated to the most favorable elevator with a multiple car. The selection begins at a step 31 and further steps lead to a deck allocation on the basis of general criteria (Part 1 step 32 ).
In case only one of the two car decks UD, OD is to execute travel requests (steps 33 and 35 ), the destination call or the travel request is immediately allocated to one of the two car decks UD, OD (steps 34 and 36 ). It is thereafter checked whether the selector position SPUD (step 37 ) or SPOD (step 38 ) of the one or other car decks UD, OD is the same as the starting-point floor S and whether the elevator car is disposed in the braking phase PHBR or is engaged at a stop PHH at the floor (steps 39 and 40 ). If the elevator car is disposed in the braking phase PHBR or is engaged at a stop PHH at the floor, the travel request is allocated to one of the two car decks UD, OD (steps 41 and 42 ).
Parameter load balancing is detected (step 43 ) and if it is activated, it is checked whether the load LOD, LUD (steps 44 through 47 ) of the car decks OD, UD is greater or smaller than preselectable load limits OGLOD, OGLUD, UGLOD, UGLUD in order to allocate the passenger to the car deck UD, OD (steps 48 and 49 ) with less loading. The method then exits the group of steps 30 and proceeds to Part 1 A (step 50 ).
FIG. 3 shows the deck allocation on the basis of predetermined stops in a group of steps 51 . The method enters the group 51 at the step 50 and initially it is checked whether the desired travel from the starting-point floor S to the destination floor Z is in upward direction (step 52 S<Z). If the check yields “N” (no, S>Z), the method is processed analogously to the solution illustrated in FIGS. 2 through 10 (step 53 ). In terms of content, the same interrogations are carried out, wherein the interrogations are adapted to the starting point floor or destination floor in accordance with the respective travel direction of the elevator.
The method of the following description applies to the case wherein travel from the starting-point floor S to the destination floor Z is in an upward direction and the elevator car travels to the starting-point floor S in an upward direction (step 54 SP<S) or in a downward direction (SP>S).
If the travel direction check (step 52 S<Z) yields “Y” (yes), it is checked on the basis of the selector position SP whether the elevator travels to the starting-point floor S in the upward direction (step 54 SP<S). If the step 54 check yields “Y”, the further steps relate to predetermined stops which are caused by boarding passengers or passengers already located in the elevator car for the floor S−1 (step 55 ) or the starting-point floor S (step 56 ) on the one hand, or the starting-point floor S (step 57 or the floor S+1 (step 58 ) on the other hand. If the check step 54 (SP<S) yields “N” (starting-point floor S traveled to in the downward direction), the further steps relate to the checking of the reversal point (steps 59 and 60 ). According to the respective checking output in the individual checking steps, the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 62 ) or the lower car deck UD (steps 61 and 63 ). The method then exits the group of steps 51 and proceeds to Part 1 B (step 64 ).
FIG. 4 shows the deck allocation on the basis of predetermined stops in a group of steps 65 . The stops (step 66 ) are caused by boarding passengers or passengers already located in the elevator car for the floor Z−1 (step 67 ) or the destination floor Z (step 68 ) on the one hand, or the destination floor Z (step 69 ) or the floor Z+1 (step 70 ) on the other hand. According to the respective checking output in the individual checking steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 71 ) or the lower car deck UD (step 72 ). The method then exits the group of steps 65 and proceeds to Part 2 A (step 73 ).
FIG. 5 shows the deck allocation on the basis of possible stops in a group of steps 74 . The stops (step 75 ) are caused by booked, but not yet boarded, passengers for the floor S−1 (step 76 ) or the starting-point floor S (step 77 ) on the one hand, or the starting-point floor S ( 78 ) or the floor S+1 ( 79 ) on the other hand. These passengers can still be served by each car deck OD, UD. If the check (SP<S) yields “N” (starting-point floor S traveled to in downward direction), the further steps relate to checking of the reversal point. According to the respective checking output in the individual checking steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 80 ) or the lower car deck UD (step 81 ). The method then exits the group of steps 74 and proceeds to Part 2 B (step 82 ).
FIG. 6 shows the deck allocation on the basis of possible stops in a group of steps 83 . The stops (step 84 ) are caused by booked, but not yet alighted, passengers for the floor Z−1 (step 85 ) or the destination floor Z (step 86 ) on the one hand, or the destination floor Z ( 87 ) or the floor Z+1 ( 88 ) on the other hand. These passengers can still be served by each car deck OD, UD. According to the respective checking output in the individual steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 89 ) or the lower car deck UD (step 90 ). The method then exits the group of steps 83 and proceeds to Part 3 A (step 91 ).
If in the preceding Parts 1 A, 1 B, 2 A and 2 B no predetermined stops and no possible stops could be found, the attempt is continued by seeking position overlaps.
FIG. 7 shows the deck allocation on the basis of predetermined position overlaps in a group of steps 92 . The overlaps (step 93 ) are caused by predetermined stops for the floor S−2 (step 94 ), the floor S−1 (step 95 ), the floor S+1 (step 96 ) or the floor S+2 (step 97 ). In accordance with the respective checking output in the individual checking steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 99 ) or the lower car deck UD (step 98 ). The method then exits the group of steps 92 and proceeds to Part 3 B (step 100 ).
FIG. 8 shows the deck allocation on the basis of predetermined position overlaps in a group of steps 101 . The overlaps (step 102 ) are caused by predetermined stops for the floor Z−2 (step 103 ), the floor Z−1 (step 104 ), the floor Z+1 (step 105 ) or the floor Z+2 (step 106 ). In accordance with the respective checking output in the individual checking steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 108 ) or the lower car deck UD (step 107 ). The method then exits the group of steps 101 and proceeds to Part 4 A (step 109 ).
FIG. 9 shows the deck allocation on the basis of possible position overlaps in a group of steps 110 . The overlaps (step 111 ) are caused by possible stops for the floor S−2 (step 112 ) or the floor S+2 (step 119 ). For the floors S−1 and S+1 distinction is still made between “possible alighting passengers” (steps 113 and 116 ) and “possible boarding passengers” (steps 114 and 117 ) in order to decide about a possible deck allocation change (steps 115 and 118 ). According to the respective checking output in the individual checking steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (steps 121 and 123 ) or the lower car deck UD (steps 120 and 122 ). The method then exits the group of steps 110 and proceeds to Part 4 B (step 124 ).
FIG. 10 shows the deck allocation on the basis of possible position overlaps in a group 125 . The overlaps (step 126 ) are caused by possible stops for the floor Z−2 (step 127 ) or the floor Z+2 (step 134 ). For the floors Z−1 and Z+1 distinction is still made between “possible alighting passengers” (steps 128 and 131 ) and “possible boarding passengers” (steps 129 and 132 ) in order to decide about a possible deck allocation change (steps 130 and 133 ). According to the respective checking output in the individual checking steps the desired travel is allocated to the upper car deck OD (steps 137 , 138 and 140 ) or the lower car deck UD (steps 136 and 139 ).
If in the preceding parts 1 A, 1 B, 2 A, 2 B, 3 A, 3 B, 4 A and 4 B no predetermined stops, no possible stops, no predetermined position overlaps or no possible position overlaps could be found (step 135 ), the boarding passenger at the even-numbered starting-point floor is allocated to the upper car deck OD (step 140 ) and the boarding passenger at the uneven-numbered starting-point floor is allocated to the lower car deck UD (step 141 ).
The selection of the suitable car deck and thus the allocation of the travel request from the starting-point floor S to the destination floor Z takes place dynamically. The above-mentioned steps are performed continuously and the selection of the appropriate car decks optimized. The allocation takes place definitively, for example, only in the case of onset of braking for reaching the starting-point floor S.
In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes, the present invention has been described in what is considered to represent its preferred embodiment. However, it should be noted that the invention can be practiced otherwise than as specifically illustrated and described without departing from its spirit or scope. | An elevator installation with multiple deck cars serves several floors simultaneously with one stop is controlled such that the travel requests are allocated to the most suitable elevator car of the elevator group and the allocation of a travel request from a starting-point floor to a destination floor to a car deck of the elevator car takes place shortly before reaching the starting-point floor. A travel request can also be redistributed or allocated to another deck at any time up to shortly before reaching the starting-point floor. The allocation of the travel request is carried out in dependence on general criteria and/or in dependence on allocated travel requests for the region of the starting-point floor and/or in dependence on allocated travel requests for the region of the destination floor. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to separation of very large particles from a fluid borne stream of relatively fine particles by screening, and more particularly to coarse screening devices for washing and draining fine fiber/liquid suspension away from coarse nodules and/or other large particles.
For example in the digestion of wood for pulpmaking, a small fraction of chips become masked by other chips or are sufficiently digestion resistant to survive the digestion process and are commonly called knots. These and other undigested particles must be removed from the fluid borne pulp stream to prevent clogging of processing equipment and, ultimately, degradation of paper quality.
Removal of knots is normally accomplished in a knotter which screens the process slurry to remove them. A significant quantity of acceptable pulp is discharged along with the knots being rejected. This pulp must be separated from the knots before the knots are reprocessed or otherwise disposed of. In most cases, separation is accomplished in a knot drainer, which is a coarse screen which separates knots from pulp fibers and discharges the knots in a relatively dry and fiber free condition.
"Secondary" knot drainers, commonly consist of either high speed vibratory screens or generally vertical screw drainers. These may permit air entrainment with consequent foam generation which can adversely affect the process and require excessive defoamer consumption. In the screw type knot drainers, relative motion by the conveying screw and the screen plate can cause size reduction of the suspended particles. This "comminution" of knots can result in fibrous and resinous debris which is difficult to remove in downstream processing and which can degrade paper quality. Another consequence of using either type of secondary knot drainer may be discharge of an excessive amount of fiber with the knots. This fiber must either be recovered in further processing or be lost to production. Because of vibration and wear, maintenance costs for repair and replacement of screens and other components as well as lost production due to downtime for repairs can be unacceptably high. These and other disadvantages can reduce the efficiency of the knot removal and knot draining operation and hence increase the cost of producing clean pulp.
The foregoing illustrates limitations known to exist in present screening devices for removing coarse particles from a liquid borne fine particle slurry such as the various pulp types used in papermaking. Thus, it is apparent that it would be advantageous to provide an alternative directed to overcoming one or more of the limitations set forth above. Accordingly, a suitable alternative is provided including features more fully disclosed hereinafter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In one aspect of the present invention, this is accomplished by providing a screening apparatus for separating coarse solid particles from a fluid borne slurry, including a substantially vertical housing having a feed chamber located near the bottom of the housing for receiving a fluid borne suspension of very fine and very coarse solid particles. A screening chamber is provided within the housing above and communicating with the feed chamber and bounded by a rotatable cylindrical screen. A fine particle accepts chamber is located within the housing radially outboard of the screen and has a fine particle accepts outlet. A fluid free coarse particle discharge outlet is located at the top of the housing in communication with the screening chamber below A conveyor device is operatively associated with the screen for transporting the coarse particles upward through the screening chamber to the fluid free coarse particle chamber and outlet.
The foregoing and other aspects will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIGURES
FIG. 1 is a schematic partially sectional elevation view of the knot drainer of the present invention;
FIG. 1a shows the tramp particle accumulator and discharge arrangement;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary elevation view taken in circled area 2 of FIG. 1 showing the knot/fiber wash nozzle;
FIG. 3 is a plan view from line 3--3 of FIG. 2 showing more detail of the wash nozzle;
FIG. 4 is a plan view from line 4--4 of FIG. 1 showing the knot discharger;
FIG. 5 is a plan view from line 5--5 of FIG. 1 showing the grit separator;
FIG. 6 is a fragmentary elevation view of a knot drainer showing the level control device of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a fragmentary elevation view showing an optional hydrodynamic backwash pulse generator;
FIG. 8 is a plan view from line 8--8 of FIG. 7;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of an alternative form of the pulse generator of the present invention; and
FIG. 10 is an elevation view from line 10--10 of FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows several features of the knot drainer 20 of the present invention. Its housing is made up of a lower cylindrical section 14, an upper extension 13 formed in this instance as a truncated cone, and a fluid free coarse particle chamber 34 at the top.
A fluid borne slurry of fine particles together with very coarse particles is tangentially fed through inlet connection 22 and passes through feed chamber 24 in a circular path. Feed chamber 24 is bounded by inner wall 19, outer housing 14, and roof 23 which spirals downward from inlet 22 until it approaches the bottom of the inner wall 19 where it ends. The tangential feed path of the slurry imparts centrifugal force to the slurry and causes grit, stones, and other heavy tramp materials to be carried along at the housing wall 14 and finally to be deposited, for example, into a combined grit accumulator and discharge nozzle 26.
Since inner walls 19 end above the bottom of housing 14, the slurry enters the processing portion of the knot drainer by flowing under inner wall 19. Rotor shaft 15, which extends vertically at the center of the knot drainer, is supported on rotor base 11 which contains the standard bearings and seals required for pulp processing equipment. The rotor is driven through sheave wheels or other drive member 12 beneath the housing 14. A screw flight 17 begins near the bottom of inner wall 19 but more normally begins near the bottom of screen cylinder 30 and spirals to the top of housing extension 13. In the preferred embodiment, three flights 17 are provided, but for the sake of clarity, only one is illustrated here. Flights 17 are connected to rotor shaft 15 through brackets 16. A substantially cylindrical screen 30, which extends axially from about the top of inner wall 19 to slightly above the top of cylindrical housing 14, is firmly attached to the outer edge of the spiral flights 17. The upper portions of spiral flights 17 turn freely relative to the truncated conic section which forms the wall of housing extension 13. Screen 30 is sized to fit very closely to inner wall 19 and the upper flange of cylindrical housing 14 so that, although it is free to rotate relative to the walls, it is close enough to effectively prevent passage of undesirably large particles from screening chamber 62 into accepts chamber 27. Accepts chamber 27 is bounded on the outside by cylindrical housing 14, on top by the upper flange of cylindrical housing 14, on the bottom by roof 23 of inlet chamber 24, and on the inside partly by a portion of inner wall 19 and partly by cylindrical screen 30.
During operation, the vortex fluid surface 65 in the knot drainer is essentially concave as illustrated. Accept pressure of the slurry is adjusted to maintain the fluid level substantially as shown above screening chamber 62. This keeps the screen and the accepts chamber completely flooded so that foam formation will be minimized. The accepts slurry passes through screen 30 into accepts chamber 27 and is returned to the pulp processing stream through accepts outlet 28. Slightly above the top of screen 30 a nozzle 32 for introducing fiber free wash liquor is provided. A more detailed view of the area within circle 2 of FIG. 1 is shown in FIG. 2 while a plan view from line 3--3 of FIG. 2 is presented in FIG. 3. From these it can be seen that nozzle 32 introduces the fiber free wash liquor in the direction of travel of spiral flight 17, which is connected through bracket 16 with rotor shaft 15. Flights 17 describe helices of progressively decreasing diameters within housing extension 13. This allows them to rotate freely while maintaining a very close proximity to housing extension 13.
Housing extension 13 is preferably provided in the truncated cone shape illustrated although a straight cylindrical form is also possible. This provides the advantages of a steep contact angle between the fluid surface 65 and extension wall 13 which prevents liquid spillage into knot discharger 34, reduces turbulence and foam formation, and improves drainage of knots on the flights 17 above fluid surface 65. This improves elutriation performance of nozzle 32 and thus provides higher knot draining efficiency.
Knot discharger 34 is shown at the top of knot drainer 20. It consists of a flat annular surface 38 attached at the top of housing extension 13. Rotor shaft 15 and flights 17 extend into the discharger where knots, as they arrive from the flights, are swept around surface 38 and outward to discharge outlet 36 by sweeper bars 35. This can be seen by observing FIG. 1 and FIG. 4 which is a plan view from line 4--4 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 5 is a plan view from line 5--5 of FIG. 1 to show the opening of the discharge nozzle 26 for grit, stones, metal and other heavy tramp material. The lower extremity of inner wall 19 is shown. As seen in FIG. 1, this member ends some distance above the bottom of housing 14 to permit entry of the feed slurry into screening chamber 62. The shadow of inlet 22 is shown to indicate the relative location of discharge nozzle 26 with respect thereto. The area outside inner wall 19 is the extension of feed chamber 24 which would be seen once the spiral roof of feed chamber 24 has reached the bottom of inner wall 19. Because of the higher density of the tramp metal, stones, and grit particles, they are vigorously thrust outward by the centrifugal force imparted by the downward spiralling inlet flow. This causes them to pass into and accumulate in discharge nozzle 26 above normally closed valve 91, as shown in FIG. 1a. Periodically, valve 92 is closed and valve 91 is opened to release the particles from nozzle 26 allowing accumulated tramp particles to fall into tramp particle accumulator 90. Then valve 91 is returned to closed position and the contents of accumulator 90 may be dumped by opening valve 92. Also shown in FIG. 5 is rotor base 11, rotor shaft 15, a support bracket 16, and the beginning of a spiral flight 17 which may be coextensive with the bottom extremity of inner wall 19. Employment of tramp particle accumulator 90 of FIG. 1a is an optional embodiment, as there may be preferable discharge means other than the two valve trap shown.
FIG. 6 shows an optional level control system for use with the present invention. It includes a downward extension of the stationary truncated conic housing extension 13. This downward extension is a vortex breaker 40 and is approximately axially coextensive with screen 30. It is shown in the figure as a perforated plate, but it may also be provided with vertical slots. With either holes or slots, vortex breaker 40 substantially eliminates the tangential flow of the accepts slurry and leaves only the radial component of flow. Level control weir 45 separates accepts chamber 27 from vortex chamber 42a and radial flow chamber 42b. As the slurry flows over weir 45 from radial flow chamber 42b, it pours over and through anti-splash baffle 47 into accepts chamber 27. Baffle 47 reduces air entrainment by further reducing the turbulence of the slurry flow. Vent 50 is provided at the top of level control chamber 49 to permit escape of any air released from the slurry.
FIGS. 7, 8, 9, and 10 illustrate two embodiments of a backwash device of the present invention which is provided to prevent occlusion of the apertures of screen 30 by knots and other coarse particles.
The embodiment shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 consists of a hydrodynamic foil 80 which is axially coextensive with and positioned outboard of screen 30 and in close radial proximity thereto. As the rotating screen 30 passes foil 80 the fluid borne slurry between them receives a pressure pulse which backwashes the screen apertures to expel knots which may otherwise plug the apertures.
An alternative embodiment of the hydrodynamic foil 82 is shown in FIGS. 9 and 10. In this case, foil 82 consists of an overhang 83 and two "heels" 84. Between heels 84 is a passage 85 through which the accepts slurry together with small coarse particles can escape. The geometry of foil 82 causes it to act like a flat fluid collection funnel with its inlet bounded by overhang 83 and screen 30 and its outlet 85 defined by heels 84 and screen 30. The standoff distance of overhang 83 from screen 30 is approximately the same dimension as the diameter or width of the screen apertures. This assures that small coarse particles which pass through the screen will not collect and jamb between foil 82 and screen 30.
Operation of a knot drainer, including all features described and illustrated in the figures, begins with introduction of the knot containing pulp slurry at inlet connection 22. From there it passes through inlet chamber 24 bounded by inner wall 19, cylindrical housing 14, and spiral roof 23. Centrifugal force generated by the tangential inlet and the confined circular flow path of the slurry causes heavy tramp particles to be segregated at the outer boundary of feed chamber 24 and to pass into nozzle 26 and thence through valve 91 when open into tramp particle accumulator 90 or other tramp particle accumulation system. The knot bearing pulp slurry, meanwhile, flows beneath inner wall 19 and upward into screening chamber 62. At the bottom of inner wall 19, the fluid borne slurry encounters spiral flights 17 which act as a screw conveyor to carry knots and pulp upward into screening chamber 62. Screening chamber 62 is that volume bounded by rotating cylindrical screen 30. Accepts chamber 27 is radially outboard of screen 30 and is drained through accepts discharge nozzle 28. Spiral flight 17 and rotating cylindrical screen 30 are firmly attached so that they rotate together. Rotary motion is transmitted from rotor shaft 15 to spiral flights 17 through support brackets 16. The knot bearing pulp slurry is screened by the apertures in screen 30 so that most of the accepts slurry is separated from the knots which are transported on rotating flights 17 through the screening chamber 62.
To prevent plugging of the apertures of screen 30, at least one backwash pulse inducer 80 or 82 is provided in accepts chamber 27. The pressure pulsations induced in the screen apertures as they pass the pulse inducer 80 or 82 expel fiber plugs to maintain flow through the apertures and also expel knots so that they continue their transport along rotating flights 17. The fluid surface 65 is concave due to the centrifugal forces imparted by the rotor. Slightly above screening chamber 62 but below liquid surface 65, a nozzle 32, tangentially fixed in stationary housing extension wall 13, introduces substantially fiber free liquor to release fibers from the reject knots. This liquor is introduced in the same direction as the rotation of spiral flights 17 in order to minimize turbulence and energy consumption and to prevent air entrainment. The fibers thus released are carried downward through the screening chamber 62 and pass into accepts chamber 27. The knots are transported upward on rotating flights 17 by the drag of the knots on the inclined stationary wall 13. Once above liquid surface 65, the knots quickly drain to a relatively dry condition as they are carried upward to discharge chamber 34. In one embodiment, knots are deposited on the flat annular surface 38 of the discharger and are impelled by discharger sweeper arms 35 and carried around and outward to knot discharger nozzle 36 where they are expelled in a substantially fiber free and relatively dry condition.
In cases where the level control feature is included, the fluid level in the knot drainer will be determined by the height of level control weir 45. Acceptable pulp slurry passes through rotating cylindrical screen 30, into vortex chamber 42a, through vortex breaker plate 40, which has a thickness greater than the width of its apertures such that substantially all of the tangential component of flow is suppressed and only the radial component remains, and into radial flow chamber 42b. The slurry thus flows smoothly over weir 45 and into accepts chamber 27 by passing over and through anti-splash baffle 47. The combination of the weir and the anti-splash baffle reduces air entrainment by limiting turbulence so that foaming is minimized and the pulp slurry discharge through accepts discharge nozzle 28 requires little if any defoamer. At the top of level control chamber 49 is vent 50 which is provided to permit the exit of any air released from the pulp slurry within the chamber.
The screen backwash function described herein could be performed by one or more slotted nozzle through which fiber free liquor is introduced, but that can cause unacceptable dilution. Hence, the hydrodynamic pulse inducers are preferable for that purpose.
Provision of a rotating radially symmetrical screen, whether conic or cylindrical, integrally connected to the spiral flight conveyor eliminates a source of often severe damage in knotters and knot drainers of standard configuration. Stones or other hard tramp particles which enter the screening chamber of a standard knotter or knot drainer are very likely to lodge between the stationary screen and the moving rotor or hydrofoil causing severe wear and damage to both members. In the present invention, stones or hard tramp particles that may escape the grit and tramp particle discharge provision will be carried upward on the spiral flight, but, since there is no relative motion between the spiral flights and the screen, the particles will merely roll or slide along the screen surface without any grinding or jamming behavior. Continuation of the spiral flight above the liquid level of the knot drainer permits discharge of substantially dry fibre free knots and a consequent reduction in the amount of reprocessing necessary. | A screening apparatus removes a fluid borne pulp fiber slurry from knots which have been concentrated from a pulp processing stream. A rotating radially symmetrical screen provides centrifugal screening to accept a pulp fiber slurry while an integrally connected spiral flight conveyor transports knots from the inner surface of the screen to a knot discharge chamber located axially above the screening chamber. Above the screening chamber but below the liquid level in the housing, a fiber free wash liquor is provided through a tangentially oriented nozzle in the direction of rotation of the spiral flight conveyor to release fibers from the knot surfaces thereby enabling them to pass through the screen. The screening apparatus also provides for removal of heavy tramp materials, for maintaining liquid level control, for minimizing air entrainment and foam formation, and for preventing clogging of the screen apertures and knot discharge outlet. | 3 |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
Reference is made to commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/961,056 filed Oct. 30, 1997, entitled “Single Sheet Display Having Patternable Conductive Traces” by Stanley W. Stephenson; commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/990,891 filed Dec. 15, 1997, entitled “Method of Producing a Display Having Patternable Conductive Traces” by Stanley W. Stephenson; commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/990,853 filed Dec. 15, 1997, entitled “A Sheet Having Patternable Conductive Traces for Use in a Display” by Stanley W. Stephenson; and commonly-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/027,321 filed Feb. 20, 1998, now issued as U.S. Pat. No. 5,912,716 entitled “Selectively Presenting Viewable and Conductive Images” by Stanley W. Stephenson, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to image displays which can selectively transmit or reflect light.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Currently, information is displayed using assembled sheets of paper carrying permanent inks or displayed on electronically modulated surfaces such as cathode ray displays or liquid crystal displays. Other sheet materials can carry magnetically writable areas to carry ticketing or financial information, however magnetically written data is not visible.
A structure is disclosed in PCT/WO 97/04398, entitled “Electronic Book With Multiple Display Pages” which is a thorough recitation of the art of thin, electronically written display technologies. Disclosed is the assembling of multiple display sheets that are bound into a “book”, each sheet provided with means to individually address each page. The patent recites prior art in forming thin, electronically written pages, including flexible sheets, image modulating material formed from a bistable liquid crystal system, and thin metallic conductor lines on each page. Various ways are disclosed to produce said conductor lines including photolithography, but not selective exposure and photographic development of traces from a photosensitive emulsion. One disadvantage of this structure is that individual pages are bound together and that many multi-layer conductors must pass across the pages to interconnect at the spine of the book.
Fabrication of flexible, electronically written display sheets are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,435,047. A first sheet has transparent ITO conductive areas and a second sheet has electrically conductive inks printed on display areas. The sheets can be glass, but in practice have been formed of Mylar polyester. A dispersion of liquid crystal material in a binder is coated on the first sheet, and the second sheet is bonded to the liquid crystal material. Electrical potential applied to opposing conductive areas operate on the liquid crystal material to expose display areas. The display ceases to present an image when de-energized. Kaychem Industries form electrical flexible displays interconnection by offsetting the two sheets and contacting trace conductors from each of the two sheets.
The prior art typically requires multiple, separate layers to build up the display. The electrical traces and transparent conductive layers are typically formed through repeated vacuum deposition and photolithography of materials on the substrate. These processes are expensive and require long processing times on capital intensive equipment. Because most display structures are formed of glass, two sheets are used and are offset to permit connection to two separate and exposed sets of traces that are disposed on separate sheets
In the case of electronic display means, power must be provided to view images. Printed sheets receive ink and cannot be rewritten. In the case of magnetically written media such as magnetic areas on the back of credit cards, the information is not readable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a display apparatus which uses a minimum number of layers for changing the transmissivity of image forming light.
Another object is to provide a display that can be re-written using electronic means.
These objects are achieved by a display for presenting image forming light to a viewer, comprising:
(a) a transparent substrate;
(b) a transparent, electrically conductive layer formed over the transparent substrate;
(c) a light modulating layer formed over a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive layer being effective in a first stable state to reflect light and in a second stable state to transmit light;
(d) a layer formed over the light modulating layer which includes separate conductive portions; and
(e) electrical conduction means being adapted to be selectively connected to separate conductive portions and being effective in a first condition to apply a first field across selected portions of the light modulating layer which correspond to separate conductive portions to be in the first stable state to reflect light and to apply a second field across selected separate conductive portions of the light modulating layer which correspond to separate conductive portions to be in the second stable state to transmit light.
Displays made in accordance with the present invention can be used to provide a rewritable image display sheet. The sheet can be formed using inexpensive, fast photographic means to expose and develop a display. A single large volume of sheet material can be coated and formed into various types of sheets and cards.
Advantageously, sheets which form displays can be made from simple coatings, and they receive and retain a viewable image with a simple writer and retain the image data without a power source. Displays in the form of sheets in accordance with the present invention are inexpensive, simple and fabricated using low-cost processes
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a display sheet in before it has been completed in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a sectional view of the sheet of FIG. 1 in a completed condition;
FIG. 3 a is a partial top view of the completed display sheet of FIG. 2;
FIG. 3 b is a magnified view of a portion of the display sheet of FIG. 3 a;
FIGS. 4 a - 4 c show various steps in the formation of the conductive pixels of the display sheet of FIG. 2 in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 a is a front sectional view showing a writer writing to a processed sheet;
FIG. 5 b is a side sectional view showing of the printer of FIG. 5 a;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the optical effect of a sheet on light; and
FIG. 7 is a schematic view of circuitry for writing on displays in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 depicts a sectional view of an incomplete display sheet 10 used in the invention. The display sheet 10 includes a substrate 12 . Substrate 12 can be made of a transparent polymeric material, such as Kodak Estar film base formed of polyester plastic, and have a thickness of between 20 and 200 microns. For example, substrate 12 can be a 80 micron thick sheet of polyester. Other polymers, such as transparent polycarbonate, can also be used. An optically transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 is formed over the substrate 12 . The transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 can be formed of tin-oxide or Indium-Tin-Oxide (ITO), with ITO being the preferred material. Typically, the transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 is sputtered onto the substrate 12 to a resistance of less than 250 ohms per square.
A light modulating layer 30 is formed over the transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 . Light modulating layer 30 is formed from a chiral doped nematic liquid crystal such as those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,695,682. A chiral doped nematic liquid crystal material is supported in a binder of hardened gelatin. The nematic liquid crystal has a chiral dopant that reflects light in a first. homeotropically aligned state. For an example of a imager which uses liquid crystals see U.S. Pat. No. 4,603,945.
The liquid crystal molecules start in a pitched formation across the light modulating layer 30 , and the twist (or chirality) of the molecules is set to reflect a wavelength of visible light. A first, low voltage electric field can disrupt the orderly pitch of the material and the material switches to a focal-conic texture that is a hazy and light diffusing. If the field strength increased, the material becomes optically clear, In this transparent state, incident light passes through light modulating layer 30 and onto a light absorbing layer, which creates “black”. See, for example, the '682 patent cited above. If the voltage is switched off in this state, the material snaps to the original, light reflecting condition. If the voltage is removed at a slower rate, the display will return to a light transmitting, black state. The transition to the light transmitting state is progressive, and varying the time that the voltage is removed permits a variable level of-reflection. These variable levels can be mapped out to corresponding gray levels, and when the field is removed, light modulating level 30 maintains a given optical state indefinitely.
For another approach, for creating gray levels in Hashimoto et al, “Reflective Color Display Using Cholesteric Liquid Crystals”, SID 98 Digest, Article 31.1, 1998, pp. 897-900. A first, high voltage pulse clears all pixels, and a second, lower voltage pulse puts the liquid crystal molecules in the focal-conic scattering mode. The pulse time of a third, intermediate voltage pulse returns the liquid crystal material to different degrees of reflectivity based on the time of the third voltage pulse.
The light modulating layer 30 preferably includes liquid crystal material from a polymeric a binder such as a UV curable polymer, an epoxy, and in this invention de-ionized gelatin or polyvinyl alcohol (PVA). The binder content can be between 0.5% and 20.0% of the material in the modulating material and permits such materials to have a “memory” for either a reflective or transitive state. Compounds such as gelatin and PVA are machine coatable on equipment associated with photographic films.
It is important that the binder have a low ionic content. The presence of ions in such a binder hinders the development of an electrical field across the dispersed liquid crystal material. Additionally, ions in the binder can migrate in the presence of an electrical field, chemically damaging the light modulating layer 30
The layer thickness, the structure of the polymer network within the liquid crystal material designed to optimize the reflection and transmission of light through light modulating layer 30 . Other bi-stable materials can also-be used for light modulating layer 30 , such as electro-chromic or micro-spherical particles. The light modulating layer 30 is effective in two conditions, which will be described in more detail below. Light modulating layer 30 will have low strength at low polymer concentrations, and photosensitive layer 14 can serve as a protective, stabilizing cover over a weak light modulating layer 30 .
A barrier layer 20 is coated over light modulating layer 30 . Barrier layer 20 protects light modulating layer 30 from processing chemicals used on display sheet 10 . Barrier layer 20 can be a layer of de-ionized gelatin or PVA that has been polymerized to resist ionic diffusion into light modulating layer 30 . A photosensitive layer 14 is coated over barrier layer 20 . The photosensitive layer 14 must form metal deposits of conductivity sufficient to carry a field to operate on the light modulating layer 30 , and is preferably an emulsion of silver halide grains. Alternatively, other photosensitive materials can be used, such as gold or copper salts. In the case of silver halide emulsions, high concentrations of crystalline silver halide in a binder, such as gelatin or PVA, are used to improve conductivity over conventional imaging emulsions. Conductive additives such as fine Indium-Tin-Oxide or fine silver with particle sizes between 0.5 and 2 microns can be added to the emulsion to improve the electrical conductivity of photographically produced metallic silver.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view through the display sheet 10 after processing. The photosensitive layer 14 has been exposed and processed to create conductive areas 16 and non-conductive areas 18 , as shown in FIG. 2 . Conductive areas 16 should have sheet resistance equal to or greater than the sheet resistance of the transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 . Sheet resistivity of less than 200 ohms per square have been formed and will operate on light modulation layers 30 . When silver halide grains in gelatin are used for the photosensitive layer 14 , conductive areas 16 are metallic silver formed from exposed silver halide grains in the unprocessed display sheet 10 . Conductive areas 16 appear black, having an optical density of greater than 2.0 D. The light absorbing characteristic of conductive areas 16 provide the “black” level for the display. Unexposed silver halide in non-conductive areas 18 has been removed by conventional photographic development processes to define the extent of conductive areas 16 . Non-conductive areas 18 are typically gaps in developed silver approximately 5-50 microns wide that electrically isolate electrically conductive areas 16 . Non-conductive areas 18 should be fine enough that photosensitive layer 14 appears to be uniformly black.
The transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 provides a continuous electrode across light modulating layer 30 . An electrical field across conductive areas 16 and transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 will operate on light modulating layer 30 to selectively permit either reflection or absorption of light in conductive areas 16 .
FIG. 3 a is a partial top view of the completed sheet. Conductive areas 16 and non-conductive areas 18 cover the majority of the sheet, and power areas 35 have been formed on two sides of display sheet 10 . Power areas 35 are areas on display sheet 10 with all coatings removed with the exception of transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 . Layers above the transparent electrically conductive layer 13 are removed to form power areas 35 . Such removal can be accomplished by chemical etching. Power areas 35 are areas that permit electrical connection to transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 .
FIG. 3 b is a magnified rear view of a portion of the surface of display sheet 10 . Conductive areas 16 are small pads of conductive silver that define pixel elements on display sheet 10 . Non-conductive area 18 define a fine silver-free mesh that limits each conductive area 16 . Preferably, nonconductive areas 18 can be 25 micron across, and non-conductive area 18 can be 10 microns apart. Typical display resolutions require 150 dots per inch (75 micron pitch) for readability. The size of the pixels permits 4 to 9 conductive areas 16 per a 300 dpi pixel. Nonconductive areas 18 are required to limit an electrical field operating between transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 and conductive areas 16 . When the light modulating layer 30 is employed in a display sheet 10 which is effective in only two states, in the first state light modulating layer 30 transmits light, which is absorbed by conducting areas 16 , and in the second state the light modulating layer 30 reflects light over conductive areas 16 . Defined areas of light absorption and light reflectance create “black” and “white” areas respectively, permitting the recording of text or image data.
FIGS. 4 a - 4 c are schematic representations of various steps in showing how conductive areas 16 are formed in the photosensitive layer 14 . Unexposed silver halide 42 is the light sensitive material of the photosensitive layer 14 . In FIG. 4 a, photo-mask 40 selectively blocks a source of light that strikes and exposes exposed silver halide 44 while unexposed silver halide 42 remains inactivated.
In FIG. 4 b, display sheet 10 has been photographically developed to convert exposed silver halide 44 to metallic silver 46 . Barrier layer 20 prevents developing chemicals from contaminating light modulating layer 30 . Metallic silver 46 forms conductive areas 16 in display sheet 10 . In FIG. 4 c, a conventional photographic fixing step has removed the unexposed silver halide 42 . Removal of unexposed silver halide 42 forms non-conductive areas 18 in display sheet 10 . Additionally, the conductive areas 16 of silver halide can be chemically plated with harder materials such as nickel to provide further abrasive strength and improve conductivity in conductive areas 16 .
FIG. 5 a is a front sectional view of a writer 66 used to write information on display sheet 10 . FIG 5 b is a side sectional view of writer 66 . A pressure roller 80 is used to advance display sheet 10 (in arrow direction) through the writer 66 . Power rollers 65 disposed to the sides of display sheet 10 contact power areas 35 to form an electrical connection to transparent, electrically conductive layer 13 . A write head 67 supports a series of contact pads 70 which have a 300 dots per inch (dpi) pitch (82.5 micron) with 10 micron gaps between each contact pad 70 . Contact pads 70 can be copper traces with a nickel overcoat. Each contact pad 70 contacts a plurality of conductive areas 16 . Nonconductive areas 18 define a set of conductive areas 16 that record a pixel of image information.
Display sheet 10 is advanced under power roller 65 and sequential elements of image data are written to display sheet 10 . A first electrical potential is applied across light modulating layer 30 to reset all pixels. A second electrical potential is then selectively applied to write gray levels onto display sheet 10 . In the case of light modulating layer 30 being a polymer stabilized chiral nematic material, light modulating layer 30 will be transparent after the high voltage reset.
If the applied voltage is removed rapidly, the pixel returns to a reflective state. If the applied voltage is removed slowly, light modulating layer 30 will relax into a transparent state. Display sheet 10 is sequentially advanced to each line of pixels at approximately 3 milliseconds for each line of pixels. When the light modulating layer 30 includes an electrophoretic material, write head 67 applies fields of different polarities and in response thereto particles move to one of two states.
FIG. 6 is a sectional view showing the optical effect of a display sheet 10 on light. In FIG. 6 the center of light modulating layer 30 over conductive areas 16 has been written into a transmissive, black state. Absorbed light 94 strikes the black silver material in conductive area 16 and is not reflected from display sheet 10 . Conductive area 16 traps absorbed light 94 , causing the pixel area to appear black in a normally white sheet. On the sides of sheet 10 , light modulating layer 30 has been written into the reflective state and reflected light 90 forms a “white” pixel.
FIG. 7 shows schematic circuitry for writing to the display sheet 10 . Digital image data 100 is applied to a writer controller 102 and is stored in memory (not shown). These digital image data 100 are converted to electrical signals that are applied to drivers 104 which provide voltages to contact pads 70 . Writer controller 102 controls power supply 106 to provide various voltage levels to power roller 65 that are required to initialize and write to display sheet 10 . Display sheet 10 is advanced to a first line of pixels. A first low voltage is applied to the row of pixels on display sheet 10 which is then raised to drive all pixels to the clear state. The field for each individual pixel is dropped at different rates, corresponding to the degree of reflection required for each pixel that corresponds a given gray level of light reflectance. Display sheet 10 is then advanced a distance corresponding to the next row of pixels. The process is repeated until display sheet 10 contains a representation of digital image data 100 .
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
10 sheet
12 substrate
13 transparent, electrically conductive layer
14 photosensitive layer
16 conductive areas
18 non-conductive areas
20 barrier layer
30 light modulating layer
35 power areas
40 photo mask
42 unexposed silver halide
44 exposed silver halide
46 metallic silver
60 reflected light
64 absorbed light
65 power roller
66 writer
67 write head
70 contact pad
80 pressure roller
90 reflected light
94 absorbed light
100 image data
102 writer controller
104 driver
106 power supply | A display for presenting image forming light to a viewer, includes a transparent substrate; a transparent, electrically conductive layer formed over the transparent substrate; a light modulating layer formed over a portion of the transparent, electrically conductive layer being effective in a first stable state to reflect light and in a second stable state to transmit light; and a layer formed over the light modulating layer which includes separate conductive portions. Electrical connections are provided which are selectively connected to separate conductive portions and being effective in a first condition to apply a first field across selected portions of the light modulating layer which correspond to separate conductive portions to be in the first stable state to reflect light and to apply a second field across selected separate conductive portions of the light modulating layer which correspond to separate conductive portions to be in the second stable state to transmit light. | 6 |
This application claims the benefit and filing date of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/177,317, filed Jan. 21, 2000, titled, “Crash Energy Absorbing Glareshield and Method of Protecting Against Head Injury in Aircraft Crashes.”
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates in general to glareshields for use in vehicles, particularly in fixed and rotor wing aircraft. More particularly, in particular to glareshields that enhance safety during aircraft crashes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
While significant progress has been made to increase the safety of fixed wing and rotor wing aircraft, a significant number of crashes still occur. However, the survivability of aircraft crashes has increased with incremental advances in the engineering of the aircraft and of the aircraft components. Head injuries, in particular, must be avoided in order to further increase the overall survivability.
This has been demonstrated in automobile safety advances, such as the implementation of air bag safety equipment, which protect the head and upper body of the driver and passenger in the front seats. A comparable situation arises in aircraft. The pilot and copilot are restrained by safety belts and safety harnesses. In longitudinal crashes, the restrained crew member experiences significant forward head motion which sometimes causes the head to strike the glareshield and/or instrument panel. This can cause severe injury or death in a crash which would have been otherwise survivable.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to an improved glareshield for use in vehicles, particularly in fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft, or in combination or hybrid aircraft, such as an aircraft with tilting rotor assemblies which allow both a fixed wing mode of flight and a rotor wing mode of flight, i.e., a tiltrotor aircraft.
More particularly, the present invention is directed to an improved glareshield which includes multiple portions of varying strength which allow the glareshield to fold or collapse in a controlled manner when it is struck by the head or helmet of a crew member during a crash, thus reducing the deceleration force experienced by the head, and thereby enhancing safety and increasing survivability.
Still more particularly, the present invention is directed to an improved glareshield which includes an array of high strength segments oriented within the glareshield in a predetermined pattern which defines a plurality of portions of the glareshield which, in effect, act as “hinges” to allow the controlled folding or collapsing of the glareshield when struck. This folding process absorbs kinetic energy from the occupant's head and helmet at controlled levels below the injury threshold.
During impact, the improved glareshield of the present invention folds down over the instrument panel, which is underneath it, allowing the energy-absorbing padded top surface of the glareshield to protect the head from a high force impact with the hard portion of the instrument panel.
In accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the glareshield includes a layer of foam pad which has a nonlinear stiffness and a low coefficient of restitution to maximize the amount of energy absorbed by the head.
The improved glareshield of the present invention functions somewhat like a pre-deployed air bag to protect the from head injury during a crash. However, it is entirely a passive device, which does not need to be instantaneously deployed at the moment of impact. It is a relatively low-cost and fail-safe means for reducing head injury that requires no moving parts and no deployment mechanisms.
The above as well as additional objectives, features, and advantages will become apparent in the following description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The novel features believed characteristic of the invention are set forth in the appended claims. The invention itself however, as well as a preferred mode of use, further objectives, and advantages thereof, will best be understood by reference to the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary pictorial representation of one preferred embodiment of the improved glareshield of the present invention in a top or plan view;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the improved glareshield of FIG. 1 as seen along section line III—III;
FIG. 3 is a view of the improved glareshield of the present invention in an exemplary installed position; and
FIG. 4 is a view of the glareshield of the present invention from III—III in FIG. 3 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary view of the preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the improved glareshield of the present invention. The view is “fragmentary” since a number of internal components, which would not ordinarily be visible, are depicted. Glareshield 11 is preferably symmetrical about center line 13 , defining a left side portion 15 and a right side portion 17 . A plurality of generally longitudinal stiffening beads 19 and lateral stiffening beads 21 are depicted in this view. These components would not be visible during use. They are depicted in this view to define the orientation of the longitudinal and lateral stiffening beads 19 , 21 relative to the glareshield 11 . The stiffening beads 19 , 21 represent regions having a greater bending strength in one axis and weaker in the transverse axis relative to the remaining and surrounding portions of the glareshield 11 .
The stiffening beads 19 , 21 and the weaker surrounding material which forms the glareshield 11 function as multiple and alternating portions of varying strength which allow the glareshield 11 to fold or collapse in a controlled manner when it is struck by the head of a crew member during a crash, thus reducing below injury levels the deceleration force experienced by the head, and thereby enhancing safety and increasing survivability.
Characterized another way, glareshield 11 includes an array of high strength segments oriented within the glareshield 11 in a predetermined pattern which defines a plurality of portions of the glareshield 11 which, in effect, act as “hinges” to allow the controlled folding or collapsing of the glareshield when struck. During impact, the improved glareshield of the present invention folds down over the instrument panel (not visible in this view) which is underneath it allowing the padded top surface of the instrument panel to protect the head from a high force impact with the hard portion of the instrument panel.
Referring once again to FIG. 1, a number of longitudinal stiffening beads 19 are present within glareshield assembly 11 including stiffening beads 23 , 25 , 27 , 29 , 31 , 33 , 35 , 37 , and 39 . Additionally, there are a number of individual stiffening beads 21 which are oriented generally orthogonal to the longitudinal stiffening beads 19 . In the view of FIG. 1, lateral stiffening beads 41 , 43 , and 45 are depicted. Together the lateral and longitudinal stiffening beads 19 , 21 define a sort of skeletal structure within glareshield assembly 11 which provide controlled strength in particular portions of glareshield assembly 11 . A number of fasteners 47 are utilized to secure glareshield assembly 11 to instrument panel 49 .
FIG. 2 depicts a longitudinal section view as taken through glareshield assembly 11 of FIG. 1 . As is shown, the glareshield assembly 11 is composed of a number of overlapping materials which are secured and bonded together. The top layer is a cover 51 which is preferably a layer of artificial leather material. Underneath cover 51 , there are two layers of energy-absorbing foam padding 53 , 55 . Adhesive layers 57 , 59 , 61 are applied between the cover 51 and foam padding 53 , 55 to secure these layered components together. In the preferred embodiment, glareshield assembly 11 further includes a stiffening rod 65 that provides additional stiffness primarily to maintain the shape of the glareshield. This stiffening rod is covered by the foam padding layer 55 and provides a small degree of assistance in absorbing kinetic energy from the head during deformation. The lateral stiffening beads 41 , 43 , 45 are embedded in and surrounded by the foam padding layer 55 . They are spaced apart in a predetermined geometric configuration within foam padding 55 and define effective hinge lines within glareshield assembly 11 . The view of FIG. 2 also depicts fastener 47 securing glareshield assembly 11 to instrument panel 63 .
FIG. 3 is a pictorial representation of the installation of glareshield 11 of the present invention in a helicopter or tiltrotor cockpit mounted above instrument panel 63 in a position which is convenient to the pilot and other crew members.
FIG. 4 is a view of the glareshield of the present invention from III—III in FIG. 3 . Some typical dimensions are shown.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the stiffening beads are formed from polycarbonate plastic material sold under the trade name “LEXAN” which is manufactured by GE Plastics.
Although the invention has been described with reference to a particular embodiment, this description is not meant to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the disclosed embodiments as well as alternative embodiments of the invention will become apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to the description of the invention. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments that fall within the scope of the invention. | An improved vehicle glareshield having a structural body having a predetermined size and shape adapted to protect an instrument panel in a vehicle from glare; and a plurality of controlled strength members carried in said structural body which collapse in a controlled manner upon high force impact by an occupant in order to reduce a deceleration force experienced by an occupant upon impact with said instrument panel. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to apparatus for sizing a yarn sheet, more particularly relates to method and apparatus for sizing a yarn sheet such as warp sheet in an automatically controlled manner without direct immersion of same into a size bath.
In most of the conventional sizing systems, it is quite customary to force the running sheet to be immersed in and travel through a size bath in order to coat the yarn sheet fully with the size. This full immersion of the yarns in the size bath inevitably causes excessive adsorption of watery component of the bath by the yarns composing the sheet. This excessive adsorption of water in the sizing process, which is especially outstanding especially when low concentrated size is used, is very inadvantageous in the later staged drying process of the yarn sheet. Increased adsorption of water in the sizing process naturally connects to lowered efficiency in the drying process, the low drying efficiency forming a fatal bar to high speed running of the machine, i.e. escalation of the total process efficiency. In order to overcome this difficulty, it may be employable either to raise the effective temperature in the drying chamber and/or to elongate the travelling distance of the yarn sheet through the drying chamber.
However, in accordance with the kind of the yarn composing the sheet, there may be some definite limit to the temperature of the yarn during the drying process. One must be very careful in control of the yarn temperature during the drying process especially when any synthetic material or materials are used for the yarns composing the sheet. Thus, in some situations, it is quite difficult or almost impossible to adopt the first measure in order to overcome the above-mentioned difficulty.
The second measure inevitably requires enlargement of the equipment construction and/or the floor space for the equipment. This causes undesirable increase in the plant and equipment investment.
It is the primary object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sizing a yarn sheet which is quite free of the ill influence on the drying process to be caused by excessive water adsorption in the sizing process.
The direct immersion of the yarn sheet in the size bath brings about a further drawback. When the yarn sheet runs through the size bath especially at a high speed, the size bath is stirred by the running yarn sheet itself in addition to the stirring by the rotation of the immersion roller and such stirring develops numerous bubbles in and on the size bath. As is well known, bubbles so developed tend to give ill influence upon the quality of the yarn sheet processed. This also sets a limit to the running speed of the yarn sheet and, accordingly, to the total efficiency in the yarn processing.
It is another object of the present invention to provide method and apparatus for sizing a yarn sheet which is free of ill influence by develop must of bubbles in and on the size bath.
In order to carry out sizing process smoothly, it is preferable that the yarn sheet starts to run through the equipment after all the related work element has been registered at their operative positions and the elements are kept at their registered operative position even during the running of the yarn sheet by inertia after the drive for the yarn sheet is turned off. In addition, it is preferable that the yarn sheet is kept free of contact with the size and free of pressure nip for squeezing purpose. Otherwise, unevenness in the sizing effect on the yarn sheet along the length shall be caused and, an is well known, such uneven sizing effect often cause troubles in the subsequent processes such as the weaving process.
It is the other object of the present invention to provide apparatus for sizing a yarn sheet in a well organized fully automatic fashion in which operations of the work elements taking part in the sizing are controlled in regular sequence.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The above-described objects are attained by the sizing system in accordance with the present invention, in which a yarn sheet is delivered from a given supply source by, for example, a rotary feed roller and placed, firstly, in pressure contact with a running curved surface at a prescribed angle of contact, the curved surface being typically given in the form of the peripheral surface of a rotary sizing roller whose lower part is placed under the size bath level. The angle of contact is set by a contact roller coacting with the sizing roller. After the sizing is over, squeezing is applied to the yarn sheet by a pair of coacting surfaces typically given by an upper squeezing and a bottom roller in pressure surface contact to each other.
In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention, operations of the work elements involved in the sizing in collectively and electrically controlled by an automatic control device in regular sequence in such a manner that, at starting of the sizing operation, registration of the work elements at their operative positions precedes starting of the drive for running of the yarn sheet whereas, at the stopping of the sizing operation, release of the elements from their registered positions succeeds cancellation of the drive for running of the yarn sheet.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Further features and advantages of the present invention will be made clearer from the ensuing description, reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which;
FIG. 1 is an explanatory schematic side plan view of an embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention in the disposition during sizing,
FIG. 2 is an explanatory perspective plan view of the driving system used for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 3 is a circuit diagram of the control system used for the apparatus shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 4 is a graphical drawing for explaining time sequential operation of the control system shown in FIG. 3,
FIG. 5 is an explanatory schematic side plan view, partly omitted, of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 in the inoperative disposition,
FIG. 6 is an explanatory schematic side plan view of the main part of another embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention and
FIG. 7 is a schematic side plan view for explaining the angle of contact of the yarn sheet with the sizing roller.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
An embodiment of the apparatus in accordance with the present invention is shown in FIG. 1, in which the apparatus is provided, from the upstream side along the running couse of the yarn sheet Y, with a number of rotary guide rollers 1 through 4, a rotary feed roller 6 in pressure surface contact with the last two guide rollers 3 and 4, a rotary contact roller 7, a rotary sizing roller 8 arranged partly in a size box 9, a top rotary sgueezing roller 11, a bottom roller 12 cooperating with the squeezing roller 11 when they are in pressure surface contact with each other and known drying and taking up machanisms (not shown) for the yarn sheet Y.
The contact roller 7 is rotatably carried by one end of a lever 13 which is pivoted, at about the midway of its length, at a fixed support 14 on the machine framework. The other end of the lever 13 is pin joined to one end of a piston rod 16, the other end of which is linked to a piston 17 in a fluid apirating cylinder 18 such as a pneumatic cylinder.
In a similar manner, the squeezing roller 11 is rotatably carried by one end of a lever 19 which is pivoted, at about the midway of its length, at a fixed support 21 on the machine framework. The other end of the lever 19 is pin joined to one end of a piston rod 22, the other end of which is linked to a piston 23 in a fluid operating cylinder 24 of a type similar to the cylinder 18 for the contact roller 7.
The both cylinders 18 and 24 are connected to an electromagnetic check valve 26 via pipings 27 and 28 in such a manner that one piping 27 communicates with chambers 18a and 24a of the respective cylinders on the upper sides of the pistons 17 and 23 whereas the other piping communicates with chambers 18b and 24b of the respective cylinders on the lower sides of the pistons 17 and 23. The check valve 26 is coupled to a supply source 29 of the pressured fluid such as an air compressor.
Thus, when the one piping 27 is joined to the supply source 29 by switching action of the check valve 26, the pressured fluid is supplied into the upper chambers 18a and 24a of the cylinders 18 and 24, the pistons 17 and 23 are pushed down and, via the respective piston rods 16 and 22, the levers 13 and 19 are so turned about the associated supports 14 and 21 as to lift the rollers 7 and 11 as shown in FIG. 5. Concurrently with this procedure, the check valve 26 so operates as to join the other piping 28 to a suitable drain (not shown). Thus, the pressured fluid in the lower chambers 18b and 24b of the cylinders 18 and 24 is duly discharged in order to assist the lowering of the pistons 17 and 23.
On the contrary, when the other piping 28 is joined to the supply source 29 and the one piping 27 is joined to the given drain by switching action of the check valve 26, the pressured fluid is supplied into the lower chambers 18b and 24b of the cylinders 18 and 24, the pistons 17 and 23 are pushed up and, via the respective piston rods 16 and 22, the levers 13 and 19 are so turned about the associated supports 14 and 21 as to lower the rollers 7 and 11 as shown in FIG. 1.
As shown with dashed lines, the feed roller 6 is connected to a drive motor 31 via a change gear box 32, the sizing roller 8 to the motor 31 via a gear train 33 and the bottom roller 12 to the motor 31 via a power transmission 34. This mechanical driving system for rotation of the roller 6, 8 and 12 is shown further in detail in FIG. 2. As is clear in the drawing, rotation of the drive motor 31 is transmitted to a main drive shaft 36 via a belt or chain transmission 37 and the corresponding rotation of the main drive shaft 36 is transmitted to the bottom roller 12 via bevel gears 38 and the power transmission 34, to the sizing roller 8 via bevel gears 39 and the gear train 33 and to the feed roller 6 via the bevel gears 39 and the change gear box 32.
Time sequential control of the switching of the check valve 26 and the drive motor 31 is carried out by an automatic control device 40 electrically connected to these elements. The detail construction of the control device 40 and its related elements is shown in FIG. 3, in which a machine starting and stopping circuit 50, a rollers lowering circuit 60, a rollers lowering circuit 70 and a drive motor actuating circuit 80 are inserted, in parallel to each other, between a pair of output lines 41 and 42 of a given electric source (not shown).
The machine starting and stopping circuit 50 includes a stopping switch 51 given in the form of a self-return contact coupled to the one input line 41 at one terminal thereof, the first sub-circuit coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the other terminal of the stopping switch 51 and including, in parallel to each other, a machine starting switch 52 given in the form of a self-return contact and a relay a-contact 53, and the second sub-circuit coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the other terminal of the first sub-circuit and, at the other terminal thereof, to the other output line 42 of the electric source. This second sub-circuit includes three sets of relays 54, 55 and 56 in parallel to each other. The term a-contact denotes a normally open contact while b-contact denotes a normally closed contact.
The rollers lowering circuit 60 includes a relay a-contact 61 of a time-limit-return type connected, at one terminal thereof, to the output line 41 and the first solenoid 62 for the electro-magnetic check valve 26 in FIG. 1, which is coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the other terminal of the relay a-contact 61 and, at the other terminal thereof, to the output line 42 of the electric source.
The rollers lifting circuit 70 includes a relay b-contact 71 of a time-limit-return type coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the output line 41 and the second solenoid 72 for the electro-magnetic check valve 26 in FIG. 1, which is coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the other terminal of the relay b-contact 71 and, at the other terminal thereof, to the output line 42.
The drive motor actuating circuit 80 includes a relay a-contact 81 of a time-limit-acting type coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the output line 41 and an electro-magnetic contact 82 for the drive motor 31 in FIG. 1, which is coupled, at one terminal thereof, to the other terminal of the relay a-contact 81 and, at the other terminal thereof, to the output line 42.
In the above-described construction of the automatic control device 40, relationship between the circuit elements is summerized as follows;
The relay a-contact 53 in the circuit 50 is the relay a-contact of the relay 54 in the same circuit.
The relay a-contact 61 (time-limit-return type) in the circuit 60 is the relay a-contact of the relay 55 in the circuit 50.
The relay b-contact 71 (time-limit-return type) in the circuit 70 is the relay b-contact of the relay 55 in the circuit 50.
The relay a-contact 81 (time-limit-acting type) in the circuit 80 is the relay a-contact of the relay 56 in the circuit 50.
When the first solenoid 62 in the circuit 60 is energized, it switches the check valve 26 so that the pressured fluid is supplied, via the piping 28, into the lower chambers 18b and 24b of the cylinders 18 and 24, the pressured fluid in the upper chambers 18a and 24a is discharged via the piping 27, the pistons 17 and 23 are pushed up and the rollers 7 and 11 lower towards their associated rollers 8 and 12, respectively.
When the second solenoid 72 in the circuit 70 is energized, it switches the check valve 26 so that the pressured fluid is supplied, via the piping 27, into the upper chambers 18a and 24a of the cylinders 18 and 24, the pressured fluid in the lower chambers 18b and 24b is discharged via the piping 28, the pistons 17 and 23 are pushed down and the rollers 7 and 11 are lifted away from their associated rollers 8 and 12, respectively.
The apparatus of the present invention having the abovedescribed construction operates in the following manner.
1. Starting of the machine
When the operator depresses the starting switch 52 at time t = 0, the machine starting and stopping circuit 50 is closed and the relay 54 so operates as to close the relay a-contact 53 in order to hold the closed state of the circuit 50. (see FIGS. 3 and 4) Concurrently with this, the relays 55 and 56 come into operation to close the relay a-contact 61 in the circuit 60 and open the relay b-contact 71 in the circuit 70. The relay a-contact 81 of the circuit 80 is closed at a prescribed time t = t 1 . Therefore, the roller lowering circuit 60 is put into a closed state and the rollers lifting circuit 70 into an open state at the time t = 0.
Upon energization of the first solenoid 62 in the circuit 60 in the closed state, it switches the check valve 26 in FIG. 1 so that the pressured fluid is supplied into the lower chambers 18b and 24b and the pistons 17 and 23 are pushed up. By this upward movement of the pistons 17 and 23, the rollers 7 and 11 start to lower towards their associated rollers 8 and 12. As the contact roller 7 approaches the sizing roller 8, the yarn sheet Y is urged to move downwardly and comes into contact with the periphery of the sizing roller 8. Concurrently, the lowering squeezing roller 11 forces the yarn sheet Y to move downwardly towards the periphery of the bottom roller 12.
In FIG. 4, a curve C54 is for the relay 54 in the circuit 50, a curve C61(62) is for the relay a-contact 61 and the first solenoid 62 in the circuit 60, a curve C71(72) is for the relay b-contact 71 and the second solenoid 72 in the circuit 70 and a curve C81(82) is for the relay a-contact 81 and the electro-magnetic contact 82 in the circuit 80.
At the prescribed time t = t 1 , lowering of the rollers 7 and 11 ceases. In this disposition, the yarn sheet Y is in contact with the periphery of the sizing roller at a prescribed angle of contact θ. As shown in FIG. 7, the angle of contact θ refers to the center angle of a sector defined by a point A whereat the yarn sheet Y comes into contact with the periphery of the sizing roller 8, a point B whereat the yarn sheet Y leaves the periphery of the sizing roller 8 and the axis of the roller 8. It will be well understood that the more is the lowering of the contact roller 7, the larger is the value of the angle of contact θ.
The lower part of the sizing roller 8 is partly immersed in the size S and, as the sizing roller 8 rotates in the direction of an arrow in the drawing, some amount of the size S is brought upwards towards the yarn sheet Y while sticking to the periphery of the roller 8. The part of the size S so brought up comes in contact with the yarn sheet Y at the point A and partly passed to the yarn sheet Y during the travel thereof over the distance between the points A and B. The part of the size S not passed to the yarn sheet Y is returned to the bath in the size box 9.
It should be noted also that the larger is the value of the angle of contact θ, the larger and the evener is the sizing effect of the yarn sheet provided that the normal running speed of the yarn sheet be kept unchanged. On the downstream side, the yarn sheet Y is nipped between the squeezing roller 11 and the bottom roller 12.
At this prescribed time t = t 1 , the relay a-contact 81 is closed, the electro-magnetic contact 82 is closed and the drive motor 31 in FIG. 1 starts its rotation. This rotation is transmitted to the rollers 6, 8 and 12 as already described and the rollers 6, 8 11 and 12 start to rotate as shown with arrows in FIG. 1. Thus, the yarn sheet Y is delivered from a given supply source (not shown) by the feed roller 6, sized by the sizing roller 8, squeezed by the squeezing and bottom rollers 11 and 12 and passed to the downstream drying mechanism (not shown).
2. Stopping of the machine
When the machine is to be stopped at a time t = X, the stopping switch 51 is depressed by the operator. By this depression of the switch 51, the machine starting and stopping circuit 50 is made open momentarily and the relay a-contact 53 in is made open so that the open state of the circuit 50 is held. Therefore, the relay a-contact 81 in the drive motor actuating circuit 80 is made open, too. After a prescribed time delay, the relay a-contact 61 of the rollers lowering circuit 60 is made open and the relay b-contact 71 is again closed at a time t = t 2 .
Thus, as a result of opening of the relay a-contact 81, the electro-magnetic contact 80 for the drive motor 31 is made open and the drive motor 31 carries on inertia rotation until a time before the time t = t 2 . As the inertia rotation of the drive motor 31 is completed, running of the yarn sheet Y ends completely.
At the time t = t 2 , the relay a-contact 61 in the roller lowering circuit 60 is made open so that the circuit 60 is made inoperative whereas the relay b-contact 71 in the roller lifting circuit 70 is closed so that the circuit 70 is made operative. Thus, the second solenoid 72 in the circuit 70 so switches the check valve 26 in FIG. 1 that the pressured fluid is supplied into the upper chambers 18a and 24a and the pistons 17 and 23 are pushed down. By this downward movement of the pistons 17 and 23, the levers 13 and 19 are so turned about their supports 14 and 21 as to make the rollers 7 and 11 start to move upwardly away from their associated rollers 8 and 12, respectively.
As the contact roller 7 arrives at its normal stand-by position shown in FIG. 5, the yarn sheet Y is released from its contact with the periphery of the sizing roller 8. Similarly, as the squeezing roller 11 assumes its normal stand-by position shown in FIG. 5, the yarn sheet Y is released from the nip by the two rollers 11 and 12.
A modified embodiment of the apparatus of the present invention is shown in FIG. 6, in which the lever 13 for the contact roller 7 is accompanied with a branch 5 formed in one body therewith. This branch 5 carries at its free end a freely rotatable roller 10 which positions somewhat under the contact roller 7. When the contact roller 7 is lifted away from the sizing roller 8 as shown in the drawing, this roller 10 moves upwardly also and urges the yarn sheet Y from the downside to move upwardly. In other words, the roller 10 assists the separation of the yarn sheet Y from the periphery of the sizing roller 8. By the presence of this additional roller 10, the yarn sheet Y can always be separated from the sizing roller 8 without any failure.
As is well understood from the foregoing description, the following advantages are resulted from employment of the present invention.
a. As the sizing of the yarn sheet Y is carried out by the running contact of same with the rotary sizing roller 8 and the yarn sheet 8 itself is not immersed in the size bath, no unnecessarily excessive adsorption of watery component by the yarns is caused. This is very advantageous in the later staged drying process of the yarn sheet especially when low concentrated size is used. Reduced adsorption of water in the sizing process connects to enhanced efficiency in the drying process.
b. As the yarn sheet Y is not immersed in the size bath, stirring of the size bath and development of bubbles in and on the size, which are often the case when the machine running speed is high, have substantially no ill influence upon the quality of the yarn sheet processed.
c. Reduced adsorption of water in the sizing process makes the next staged squeezing operation very easier.
d. At starting of the sizing operation, by a simple switching action by the operator only, the rollers 7 and 11 quite automatically assume the prescribed postures necessary for successful sizing and squeezing and running of the yarn sheet Y starts after this preparation is completed. In other words, running of the yarn sheet Y is initiated always after the related machine parts have assumed correct dispositions suited for successful sizing operation. This sequential operation control is practiced quite automatically.
e. At stopping of the sizing operation, by a simple switching action by the operator only, electric power supply to the drive motor is stopped but the rollers 7 and 11 carry on their normal operative disposition as far as inertia rotation of the motor goes on. After the inertia rotation of the motor is completed, the rollers 7 and 11 are made to assume their stand-by postures. Thus, correct sizing and squeezing operations can be applied to the part of the processed yarn sheet which is driven for running by the inertia rotation of the drive motor. This sequential operation is practiced quite automatically, also. | Sizing of a yarn sheet is practiced without direct immersion into a size bath through running pressure contact of same with a rotary sizing roller while the process is so automatically controlled that, at starting of the sizing operation, the drive for running of the yarn sheet starts after all the related working elements are registered at their operative positions and, at stopping of the operation, the elements are released from the registered operative positions after the yarn sheet has come to a complete stop. | 3 |
RELATED CASES
This is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No. 07/849,847, filed Mar. 12, 1992, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to fed-batch fermentation, and more particularly to computer automated feed-back control of the nutrient level of a broth in fed-batch fermentation.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During fermentation processes, the bacteria or yeasts growing in a fermentation broth consume nutrient at a variable rate related to, among other things, the microorganism density and rate of growth. In the case of fed-batch fermentation of bacteria, for example, the rate of consumption of nutrient, typically, glucose, can increase exponentially with time until affected by the limitations of the environment or alteration of the conditions, such as varying the rate of agitation and aeration. Another process interference results from the introduction of chemical agents for inducing the bacteria to produce recombinant DNA products. Accordingly, the yield or productivity of a fermentation process is increased when nutrient is added during the fermentation to compensate for that depleted through consumption by the bacteria.
It is desirable to maintain a constant nutrient concentration throughout the fermentation process despite the variable rate at which the nutrient is depleted. When nutrient concentration, usually glucose, is very high, undesirable waste by-products, usually acetic acid, lactic acid or ethanol are produced. The economic implications of inefficient nutrient utilization are very important because of the high cost of glucose. When the nutrient concentration is too low, or absent, the growth of the microorganisms is restricted usually resulting in reduced productivity of the process. Thus, significant efforts have been expended in attempting to develop methods for maintaining the nutrient concentration relatively constant during the fermentation process. Nevertheless, completely satisfactory techniques have not been found to maintain the concentration within a sufficiently desirable narrow range, especially in the situations in which the standard exponential consumption rate is disrupted.
Generally, manual techniques have been employed for controlling the nutrient concentration by measuring the nutrient level of the medium and replenishing the nutrient to compensate for depletion. Recent reports have described the development of at least partially automated techniques. For example, in G. Luli et al., "An Automatic, On-Line Glucose Analyzer for Feed-Back Control of Fed-Batch Growth of Escherichia coli", Biotechnology Techniques, Vol. 1, No. 4, pp. 225-230 (1987), a process control technique for maintenance of glucose concentration is described in which the glucose level is monitored periodically and matched against archived profiles of glucose consumption rate versus time as determined by earlier experimentation. The amount of glucose to be introduced during the next interval is then determined according to the archived curve. This process also required the separation of cells from the broth by membrane filtration prior to analysis of the cell-free medium for nutrient concentration. Glucose concentrations were maintained between 1.0 and 2.0 grams per liter with this method.
In a later paper, G. Lull et al., "Comparison of Growth, Acetate Production and Acetate Inhibition of Escherichia coli Strains in Batch and Fed-Batch Fermentations", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, April 1990, pp. 1004-1011, a similar technique with a higher sampling rate is discussed. The article reports that archived data for glucose consumption rates were required for computer-controlled glucose addition. The glucose concentration is reported to have been maintained at about 1.0+/-0.2 g/l.
G. Kleman et al., "A Predictive and Feedback Control Algorithm Maintains a Constant Glucose Concentration in Fed-Batch Fermentations", Applied and Environmental Microbiology, April 1991, pp. 910-917, describes a method which requires linear regression analysis of nutrient concentrations to feed-forward control the addition of nutrient to match consumption rate (glucose demand, GD). The method assumes that the theoretical glucose demand is based on a constant yield of biomass from glucose. The method requires cell-free broth for analysis of nutrient concentration requiring frequent broth sampling at two minute intervals and has a response time between sample analysis and nutrient pump response.
However, such techniques suffer from several drawbacks. The technique of Luli et al. requires that numerous trials of the particular strain of microorganism under various conditions and desired nutrients and nutrient concentrations be conducted to prepare an archive of nutrient consumption rate curves for comparison purposes. In addition, because the nutrient feed rate is dependent on the archived curve, a curve for the same strain being cultivated under the same conditions must be located in order to predict the rate of consumption of the nutrient during the next time interval. Further, if the fermentation conditions change, for example, if the agitation rate is varied or if a chemical agent is introduced to induce the microorganism to produce recombinant DNA products, archived curves cannot be relied on. The requirement for cell-free broth for nutrient analysis adds another level of complexity to the method. Although the second Luli et al., article makes reference to control of glucose concentration at 1.0 gram per liter +/-0.2 grams per liter, it appears that such control is maintained only for undisturbed fermentation conditions with standardized strains of Escherichia coli. Again the major limitations of this method is that this system does not adapt to variances from the conditions under which the archived consumption rate curves were derived, and cell-free broth is required for nutrient analysis. Kleman et al., requires a linear regression analysis in the algorithm and is therefore a major limitation to the method. When glucose consumption rates are very high the method significantly underpredicts glucose demand. Further, linear regression analysis for determining glucose demand during metabolic shifts creates errors in response to matching glucose demands and feed rates.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Briefly, therefore, the present invention is directed to a novel method for controlling nutrient concentration at a desired level in a broth undergoing fermentation by microorganisms in the broth. A method for controlling nutrient concentration levels in a broth under the control of a computer, comprising the steps of:
a. fermenting a broth containing microorganisms and a nutrient;
b. withdrawing a series of samples of the broth, the samples being withdrawn at periodic intervals;
c. measuring the nutrient concentrations of samples in the series;
d. comparing the nutrient concentration of a designated sample with the nutrient concentration of a preceding sample withdrawn before the designated sample;
e. determining the nutrient utilization rate in real-time by comparing the nutrient concentration of the designated sample with that of the preceding sample, the calculated rate at which the nutrient concentration of the broth decreased during a designated interval extending from the time which the preceding sample was withdrawn to the time at which the designated sample was withdrawn;
f. comparing the calculated rate at which the nutrient concentration of the broth decreased during the designated interval to the rate at which the nutrient concentration of the broth decreased during at least one interval preceding the designated interval;
g. predicting from comparing such rates an estimated rate at which the nutrient concentration of the broth is expected to decrease in an interval succeeding the designated interval; and
h. adding fresh nutrient to the broth at a rate and quantity based on the estimated rate.
The present invention is also directed to a method for culturing microorganisms in a medium containing glucose, wherein the glucose concentration is regulated at a selected level in the range of from about 0.2 g/l to about 1 g/l.
It is an objective of the present invention to provide an improved method for controlling nutrient concentration at a desired level in a broth undergoing fermentation by microorganisms in a broth.
It is an advantage of the present invention to provide control of the nutrient concentration of a broth at a desired level without the need for comparative test runs and despite disturbances to the fermentation processes.
It is another advantage of the present invention to better predict nutrient demand of a broth undergoing fermentation, when consumption rates are elevated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a single control system for glucose control.
FIG. 2 is a schematic representation of a multiple control broth glucose control.
FIG. 3a, 3b are terms and equations used in the invention.
FIG. 4a, 4b, 4c is a program flow chart for the method of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a typical glucose control profile.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In accordance with the present invention, it has been discovered that improved control of nutrient concentration in a fermentation broth may be achieved by periodically sampling a fermentation broth for nutrient concentration, calculating the nutrient consumption rate by comparing the nutrient concentration of the sample to a concentration determined from an earlier sample, and then comparing that consumption rate to those calculated from earlier samples to predict the consumption rate over the next time period and introducing fresh nutrient accordingly. It is intended that the present invention is capable of controlling the concentration of any nutrient which can be measured. It is envisioned that a computer is the optimal device for this method. This process, which may be conducted automatically, has been found to provide many advantages over conventional techniques. For example, it obviates the necessity for creating an archive of nutrient consumption rate profiles. In addition, it permits maintenance of nutrient level within a narrow range. Not only that, but good control of nutrient level has been found to be possible even for nonstandard fermentation broths (even involving recombinant strains), for fermentations under varying conditions and for fermentation processes that are disturbed by the introduction of agents for inducing protein production.
Moreover, because of the great precision afforded by this method, nutrient concentration has been regulated at lower levels than previously employed and it has been found that such lower levels surprisingly result in improved expression of recombinant protein. In other words, a method has been discovered by which yield of recombinant protein can be increased. And because the improved yield is achieved with a lower glucose concentration, it can be achieved at lower cost. Preferable E. Coli is fermented at a nutrient setpoint of 0.20 grams per liter for optimum glucose conversion and for optimum production of rDNA proteins. All prepared proteins in this method is bovine prolactin (BPRL) and bovine placental lactogen (BPL).
The method of the present invention is shown schematically in FIG. 1. In short, samples of a fermentation broth (2) are periodically withdrawn from a fermentor (4) in which agitation means (6) maintains a generally consistent concentration throughout the broth, by a sampling device (8) by the periodically opening of a pinch or solenoid valve (10) via a solenoid swithching box (12) and are submitted to a nutrient concentration analyzer (14) to determine the nutrient concentration of the sample. The concentration data are fed to a computer(16) preferably an "IBM XT, AT®" or compatible with "DOS version 2.0"® or higher, with at least one RS 232 port and a minimum of 350K RAM memory, via a multiplexor (18) preferably being an "Omega"® multiplexor which compares the concentration to that measured of an earlier sample, preferably the immediately preceding sample, to calculate the rate at which the nutrient was consumed over the period of time from the earlier sample to the most recent sample. This consumption rate is compared to earlier consumption rates determined in the same way. From this comparison, a consumption rate over the next time period (extending from the most recent sampling to the next sampling) is predicted by the computer (16) and a signal is sent from the computer (16) to a pump (20) preferably a "Masterflex"® computerized drive pump capable of communicating to the computer via the multiplexor (18) and to deliver the determined volume of nutrient stock (22) to the fermentation broth (2) to compensate for the predicted nutrient consumption and maintain the nutrient concentration at the desired level. The sampling frequency may also be controlled by the computer (16), which may further be programmed to catch errors by directing solenoid valve (10) to resample the fermentation broth (2) if the nutrient concentration of the sample differs too significantly from that expected or that of an earlier sample. The error ranges may be arbitrarily set depending upon the microorganism and the nutrient setpoint to be used during the fermentation.
Generally, the fermentation broth (whole broth) comprises microorganisms and a nutrient medium. The microorganisms typically are bacteria or yeast. Preferably the bacteria are Escherichia coli, Bacillus subtilis or Serratia marcescens. The yeast is preferably Saccharomyces cerevisiae.
The fermentation broth is agitated by means (6) to maintain access to the nutrient by the microorganisms. Sufficient agitation is also particularly important in the present invention to maintain generally uniform concentrations through the broth so that samples withdrawn therefrom fairly represent the entire broth.
It has been found that a superior technique for withdrawing broth (2) from the fermentor (4) is through a sampling valve (8), preferably being a "VANASYL SAMPLING VALVE"®, Vanasyl Valves, Ltd., Sheffield England. This sampling valve is an in-place sterilizable, aseptic spindle valve which is attached, through a small orifice to thin silicone tubing (24) preferably being "Masterflex"® to withdraw a small sample (about 1-3 ml) of the broth for analysis. The sample may be withdrawn by opening a solenoid valve (10) set on the thin tubing (24) of the sampling device. Because back-pressure is maintained on the fermentation broth in the sparged fermentor (4), when the solenoid valve (10) is opened, broth (2) is forced through the orifice, into the tubing (24) and to a nutrient concentration analyzer (14) to which the sampling device is also attached. Alternatively or additionally, the nutrient concentration analyzer (14) can apply a vacuum to pull broth to the analyzer.
Upon opening of the valve (10) of the sampling device, flow from the thin tubing (24) is first directed away from or outwardly from the analyzer (14), thus flushing the tubing of the stagnant broth remaining in the tubing to a waste container located in the analyzer (14). Then, flow is redirected to introduce a sample of fresh broth (2) to the analyzer after which the solenoid valve (10) is dosed. The intervals between samples may be selected as desired, with shorted intervals generally being associated with greater precision in maintaining the nutrient concentration level. All of these functions may be controlled by computer.
This on and off sampling technique has been found to permit the withdrawal and sampling of such minor volumes of broth (1-3 ml samples have been found to be possible and sufficient), that frequent sampling can be achieved without depleting the broth. For example, samples may be taken two minutes or five minutes apart, as desired, without the volume withdrawn exceeding the volume of nutrient being added.
When the nutrient is glucose, it has been found that a "YSI Model 2000 Glucose and L-Lactate Analyzers"® is particularly well suited for use as the nutrient concentration analyzer (14) for a number of reasons: 1) "The YSI Model 2000 analyzer"® is a microprocessor based analyzer which is computer compatible with an RS-232 interface; 2) it is capable of sample aspiration and it can accurately measure glucose concentrations in a small volume (0.5 mls ) of whole broth without the need for separating cells from the broth; 3) glucose measurements can be made over a wide range of glucose concentrations (0 to 20 grams per liter); 4) it is self-calibrating which improves the precision of measurements to within +/-2.0% or 0.04 grams per liter; 5) the sample response time required for the measurement is 60 seconds, an advantage for fast control response; 6) it is capable of using two glucose oxidase membranes to enzymatically determine glucose concentration, but one membrane is sufficient for control purposes.
There are several methods for calculating the glucose consumption rate which known in the art but the preferred method and formulas are shown in FIG. 3a and 3b. The computer performs these functions as shown in FIG. 4a, 4b, and 4c.: 1) it compares the glucose concentration of the sample (Y2) to that of an earlier sample, preferably the next previous sample (Y1), 2) it calculates the amount of glucose added over the time interval and 3) calculates the rate at which the nutrient was consumed over that time interval.
A further error-check method requires the computer to compare that rate to rates determined in like fashion for preceding intervals, preferably the rate is compared to the average of the four immediately preceding intervals to develop a profile of the change in consumption rate over time.
From this comparison, the consumption rate over that next interval is predicted and glucose setpoint control is achieved with the formulas shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b. First, setpoint correction is calculated by comparing the measured concentration (Y2) to the predetermined setpoint. Second, the amount of glucose required to adjust the glucose concentration (Y2) to the predetermined setpoint is calculated and the desired amount of glucose is delivered via the new pump rate. Further, an error compensation factor, calculated by using a gain constant (K), modifies the newly corrected flow rate either positively or negatively, depending upon whether the measured glucose concentration is higher or lower than the setpoint.
The computer may further be programmed to recognize sampling or measurement errors. If the measured nutrient concentration falls outside a preselected range from the predicted nutrient concentration or the nutrient concentration measured for the previous sample, the computer discounts that sample and directs a new sample to be withdrawn. The error ranges will probably differ depending on the organism being grown in the fermentor and by the vessel size since the mixing characteristics of the fermentors vary with size. The computer (16) may also be programmed to maintain high analyzer precision by instructing the analyzer to recalibrates periodically, such as after every fifth sample or every fifteen minutes. The program may further enable the computer to recognize inappropriate shutdowns of the analyzer, at which point it would instruct the analyzer to restart.
The method of the present invention also includes the ability to control more than one fermentation process simultaneously, shown schematically in FIG. 2. When two or more fermentation processes are controlled by the invention, one additional hardware modification is made. The nutrient pumps (20, 21) which contain RS232 ports are serially connected, allowing the computer (16) to communicate with nutrient pump (21) and nutrient pump (20) via the multiplexor (18). Upon completion of a control action from the current process, additional processes are accommodated and prioritized on a timed, sequential basis. While additional processes are waiting for updated control actions by the computer (16), nutrient feed rates continue at the previously calculated
The control process of this invention has been found to allow greater control sensitivity than has been achieved with conventional manual control techniques, and this superior sensitivity has been accomplished with much faster response to deviations of nutrient concentration from desired levels. Moreover, because of the automated nature of the process of the present invention, substantial labor savings are provided over the manual methods.
Highly sensitive control is afforded without the need for comparative tests or an archive of nutrient consumption rate profiles. Accordingly, as compared to other techniques known in the art, the method of the present invention provides a highly flexible control system applicable to fermentations even of untested strains of microorganisms, regardless of the fermentation conditions or disturbances or changes in conditions. When the broth is disturbed, causing a discontinuity in the consumption rate profile, a sudden change in nutrient concentration or some other nonstandard consumption rate profile, the control technique of this invention quickly adapts and reins in or controls the nutrient concentration to yield desired level.
The method of the present invention is far more flexible than that known in the art and is applicable even to unusual bacterial strains (including recombinant strains) or other microorganisms under unusual or varying conditions, and is particularly suitable for production of proteins--a prime reason for carrying out fermentation. In protein production, two fermentations are effectively carried out. The first fermentation increases bacterial density. Then, when protein production is induced, a discontinuity in nutrient consumption results, followed by commencement of what is effectively a second fermentation. The present invention can adapt to this nonstandard consumption rate profile--it is not limited to the comparison to standard profiles.
The following examples describe preferred embodiments of the invention. Other embodiments within the scope of the claims herein will be apparent to one skilled in the art from consideration of the specification or practice of the invention as disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification, together with the examples, be considered exemplary only, with the scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow the examples. In the examples all percentages are given on a weight basis unless otherwise indicated.
EXAMPLE 1
A typical glucose control profile resulting from the invention is shown in FIG. 5. The example shown was a profile generated from an E. coli fermentation producing the rDNA protein Porcine Somatotropin (PST). Glucose was initially batched in the fermentation at 3.4 g/l and allowed to be depleted until it reached the glucose control setpoint of 0.5 g/l. Glucose concentration was maintained at 0.5 g/l+/-0.20 g/l throughout the fermentation. Glucose uptake rate (mls of 50% glucose feed solution/min) is also plotted in this profile. It can be seen that even when glucose utilization changed dramatically during induction (age=10 hrs.) glucose control was unaffected. Final Dry Cell Weight was 31.5 g/l.
EXAMPLE 2
E. coli strains containing plasmids for the production of three rDNA proteins were run under identical fermentation conditions except for glucose setpoint control as shown in Table 1. The rDNA proteins were porcine somatotropin (PST), bovine placental lactogen (BPL) and bovine prolactin (BPRL). Glucose setpoints were controlled at 0.2 grams/liter (g/l), 1.0 g/l, 2.5 g/l, 5.0 g/l and 10.0 g/l. Samplings were made at 5 minute intervals, and the pans were carried out for 18 hours. The concentration of glucose in the feed stream was 0.50 g/l and the starting concentration of bacteria in each culture was 0.3-0.5 g/l. At the end of the runs, the glucose conversion efficiency, i.e., grams of biomass produced per gram of glucose consumed (g. DCW/g. Glucose) were measured by reference. The experimental results (Table 1) show that glucose conversion efficiency is 1) highest when glucose concentration is controlled at very low concentrations, and 2) is independent of the heterologous protein being produced.
TABLE 1______________________________________ Glucose ConversionGlucose Efficiency (g. DCW/g.Glucose)Setpoint(g/l) PST BPL BPRL______________________________________0.2 0.321 0.43 0.651.0 0.277 0.32 0.552.5 0.252 0.31 0.525.0 0.250 0.29 0.5010.0 0.247 0.26 0.48______________________________________
EXAMPLE 3
In the case of the BPL and BPRL fermentations it was discovered that the glucose setpoint was a critical parameter in optimizing production of these rDNA proteins. The yield of BPL is expressed as the percentage of total cellular protein made as BPL (%TCP) and was determined by spectrophotometric scanning of an SDS-PAGE gel. The yield of BPRL is expressed in grams per liter (g/l) and was determined by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2______________________________________Glucose Setpoint % TCP g/l(g/l) BPL BPRL______________________________________0.0 (starvation) 4.5 1.140.2 20.0 1.461.0 9.0 1.542.5 8.0 1.275.0 8.0 1.1010.0 7.0 0.65______________________________________
EXAMPLE 4
To further demonstrate generic capability of the method to perform equally well with other industrially important microorganisms, fermentations were run with the bacteria Bacillus subtilis and Serratia marcescens, and the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. The Bacillus subtilis fermentation media or nutrient was Luria Broth, a complex medium which generated high glucose conversion efficiencies because of its high nitrogen source content. The Serratia marcescens fermentation media consisted of M9 and 2% casamino acids, and the Saccharomyces cerevisiae fermentation media consisted of yeast extract-peptone-dextrose (YEPD). All three microorganisms were grown in fermentations where the glucose setpoints were 0.5 g/l, 5.0 g/l and 10.0 g/l. These results shown in Table 3 demonstrate that the invention can be used to optimize glucose conversion efficiency for a variety of microorganisms.
TABLE 3______________________________________ Glucose ConversionGlucose Efficiency (g. DCW/g.Glucose)Setpoint(g/l) Bacillus s. Serratia m. Saccharomyces c.______________________________________0.5 1.250 0.220 0.0745.0 0.898 0.217 0.06010.0 0.437 0.271 0.069______________________________________
In view of the above, it will be seen that the several advantages of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above methods and compositions without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawing shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. | A method for controlling nutrient concentration levels in a fermentation broth containing bacteria or a yeast and a nutrient is disclosed. A computer calculates the nutrient consumption rate of the broth for selected intervals of time between successive samples in real time by comparing the nutrient concentrations of the samples. Thus, the computer having the capability to predict an estimated rate at which the nutrient concentration is expected to decrease at selected sample intervals. Further, adding fresh nutrient to the fermentation broth at a rate and quantity based on the estimated rate to control nutrient concentration levels. Furthermore, a means for obtaining a series of samples and measuring nutrient concentrations is also disclosed. | 2 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The ensuing detailed description and claims relate to improvements in my earlier U.S. Pat. No. 4,084,341 issued Apr. 18, 1978.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an attempt to decrease the likelihood that the hammer portion of the gun can be used to actuate the weapon, additional constraints are seen to be desirable.
Accordingly, an object of this invention is to provide constraints on the hammer as well as other portions of a gun so that the gun can not be actuated by means of the hammer exclusively, nor can the gun be rotated relative to a gun lock disposed upon the trigger guard.
A further object contemplates providing a cut-away portion on the backing plate proximate to the chamber area of the pistol that stores the bullets so that the gun may be allowed to come closer to the backing plate than if the cut-away portion were not present.
These and other objects will be made manifest when considering the following detailed specification and drawing figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a front plan view of a preferred embodiment for constraining the gun from relative rotation and actuation of the hammer;
FIG. 2 is an end view thereof;
FIG. 3 shows details of the trigger guard area;
FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines 4--4 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines 5--5 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 1;
FIG. 7 is a front plan view of a second form of the apparatus according to the present invention showing the pin elements to constrain the gun from relative rotation;
FIG. 8 is an end view thereof;
FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along lines 9--9 of FIG. 8;
FIG. 10 is an alternative structure to that which is shown in FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 details an alternative configuration for the backing plate shown in FIG. 7; and
FIG. 12 is an end view of that shown in FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings now, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several drawings, reference numeral 10 is directed to the gun lock according to the present invention. Operations of those components which share structural similarities with my earlier patent will not be detailed herein but said structure is incorporated by reference.
Briefly, the apparatus according to the present invention comprises a backing plate 3 which serves to support a lock L which pivots a post 18 through a connecting link or bolt 17 having a source of illumination I which is limited to reside near the trigger guard area of a gun.
FIGS. 1,2, and 5 detail a preferred form of the invention in which the constraining elements are formed with hook type retention clips 14 having an arcuate top portion, a planar stem portion 19 which is fastened to register with the base 3, a slot 15 disposed on the stem portion and a screw element 16 which fastens the arcuate hook clip to the base 3. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the hook elements are disposed one nearest the barrel to constrain said barrel, and one directly behind the hammer so as to prevent the hammer from being pulled backwards. This last hook covers the cylinder lock 70 so that the bullets cannot be removed. The cutaway portion 5 is shown in FIG. 1, and allows the gun cylinder to nest therein.
FIG. 4 shows details of the illumination device and the latch 17 which extend over the trigger guard. The illumination device I has a push button 7 which coacts against the bulb 11 having a stem portion 12 which is normally biased upwardly through spring 8 in the rest position. By depressing the button 7, the stem portion 12 extends below to a battery 9 having a contact on the top surface thereof which is surrounded by a nylon washer 21 in a preferred form so as to insure that the battery is isolated from the spring 8. The illumination device I is screwed to the base of the bolt 17 by screws 13 as shown in FIG. 4. An opening 22 is provided to allow the light bulb to shine on the combination lock L.
FIG. 3 specifies the details of post 18 which prevents the trigger T from being manipulated. The post 18 is supported on a circumferentially beveled disc 30 which is fastened to the base 3 via a central screw 31. The screw 31 can be loosened to allow post 18 to rotate so as to provide adjustment, allowing different trigger configurations to be similarly blocked.
FIG. 5 teaches the lock structure wherein bolt 17 has depending therefrom a cylinder 34 provided with an opening 36 for reception of the lock pin 32 disposed on lock shroud 40 into latch 33. The latch 33 is biased downwardly through spring 35 and the latch 33 being substantially of inverted L shaped configuration having a rounded lower tip outer portion which terminates in a point, cannot rotate due to the pin 37 which communicates with a groove 39 on the inner face of cylinder 34. Pin 37 is substantially "L" shaped and extends from the groove 39 through to the top of the bolt 17 via an opening 38. The cylinder 34 may be threaded into the bolt, pressed in or fastened thereto by screws. To release the lock, the pin 32 retracts (FIG. 5) or rotates away (FIG. 2) by virtue of the slot on shroud 40.
FIG. 6 teaches that all screws 26 which fasten the backing plate to a wall W are hidden when the gun is in place so as to make its removal impossible. Further, the screws 16 which fasten the hooks 14 are similarly hidden when the gun G is in place (FIG. 1).
In a second form of the invention, as shown in FIGS. 7 through 12, the improvement comprises providing a backing plate 3 with a plurality of holes therein which can be used to threadedly insert pin elements 1 as by a screw head 2 and threaded section extending therebetween. As shown in FIG. 9 an alternative embodiment may be used to use an allen screw 4 with pin 1 to fasten same into the backing plate 3 through threaded bore 51. The disposition of these pins as shown in the drawing figures includes providing one on either side of the pistol barrel as well as directly behind the hammer of the pistol and near the hand grip between the trigger guard and the handle so that the pistol cannot be rotated relative to the lock and trigger guard, and also prevent the hammer from being cocked while on the plate.
In a preferred form, there is a cut-away portion 5 on the backing plate so that the cylinder 6 of the pistol which receives the bullets will nest therein so as to allow the pistol to rest more closely to the backing plate 3.
FIG. 11 makes it evident that the disposition of these pins can be varied by the purchaser of the lock and backing plate so as to accommodate guns of different geometrical configurations and that the configuration of the backing plate can be varible in accordance with the type of weapon to be constrained. Further, it should be apparent that while only pistols have been illustrated in the instant application, backing plates of suitable configuration and pins suitably disposed could be utilized to constrain a rifle in a similar manner.
Having thus described the invention, it should be apparent that numerous structural modifications are contemplated as being a part of this invention as set forth hereinabove and as defined hereinbelow by the claims. Also numeral 50 indicates holes for mounting and are spaced to accommodate different size guns and is provided to reposition clip 14 or pin 1 as desired. | Disclosed herein is an improvement on a backplate which is used to hold and lock a gun. The improvements include providing stop elements on various parts of the backplate so as to not only constrain the gun from rotation around the trigger guard, but also to provide an additional structure which will prevent the hammer of a gun from being cocked and fired. | 5 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a composite sheet comprising a sheet of polymerial material having at least one of piezoelectric and pyroelectric types of stimulated current producing properties sandwiched between blocks of conductive (usually metallic) material. The composite sheets, preferably manufactured in large sizes, are adapted to detect stimulation, and are particularly suited for covering large areas such as a wall or walls enclosing a room, such as a "safe room", for securing it against certain intrusion. The sheet act as a transducer to intercept mechanical or thermal stimulation and produce an electrical voltage.
By way of background, the properties of crystalline substances having either piezoelectric or pyroelectric characteristics are well known. Piezoelectric materials have a low efficiency in mechanical to electrical conversion in response to applied forces. Pyroelectric material has a heat to electrical conversion. It is known how to produce these material in sheet form to have the desired properties. Some sheets will exhibit both piezoelectric and pyroelectric characteristics.
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a polymer with excellent piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. In sheet form, it may be manufactured into a transducer by coating opposite sides with a thin flexible metallic surfacing and polarizing. Wire leads are attached to each of the metallic surfaces from which an output voltage is obtained whenever the sheet form transducer is stimulated. The larger the sheet, the larger the capacitance between the two metallic surfaces. This higher capacitance, unfortunately, decreases the output of the transducer at high frequencies. The reason for this will be explained later in the specification. This characteristic presents a substantial problem which is minimized in the present invention. Also, if a sheet is damaged in such a way as to short-circuit the two large opposing metallic surfaces, the transducer will produce no electrical output, and is, therefore, rendered totally ineffective.
Such a condition for a large sheet of the size indicated herein for wallpapering a room, or other area, is not practically acceptable The sborting condition is also a substantial shortcoming for the arrangements disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,461 wherein a puncture or tear of the coating or film would cause a short circuit which would render the device inoperative. Accordingly, the invention disclosed herein represents a substantial improvement to overcome shorting and improve frequency response. It limits the effect of electrical shorting to the immediate area of the film covered by the immediate overlying blocks and also limits the loss of frequency response as the sheet grows in size.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is summarized as a composite sheet of polyvinylidene fluoride, which is a polymer having excellent piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties, sandwiched between numerous capacitive electrode elements in the form of thin film electrically conducting blocks which are conductively separated one from another on the same side of the sheet. Each block overlies or overlaps portions of similar blocks located on the other side of the polymeric sheet means. There is thereby established between the overlapping blocks a network of sensors arranged in parallel and series throughout the composite sheet, whereby complete shorting between any overlying blocks leaves intact the remainder of the sensor network for defining paths for electrical charges produced by the polymeric sheet means in response to mechanical or thermal stimulation.
Since, in previous designs, large size sheets of polymeric material having piezoelectric and/or pyroelectric characteristics produce only low frequency output, and electrically shorted metallic surfaces rendered ineffective the entire sheet, the present invention, which overcomes these shortcomings, discloses a substantial improvement.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an improved composite sheet including a polymeric sheet having both piezoelectric and pyroelectric characteristics for producing a voltage in response to at least one of mechanical and thermal stimulation.
Another object of the invention is to provide a composite sheet, which, in large size, limits the loss in transducer output frequency range.
Still another object of the invention is to provide a composite sheet in large size which is adapted for covering a large area such as walls surrounding a safe room for producing voltage in response to entry type mechanical or thermal stimulation.
Yet another object of the invention is to provide a composite sheet including a sheet having piezoelectric and pyroelectric characteristics sandwiched between blocks of conductive metallic film for transducer output which is capable of remaining operative after localized electrical shorting.
These objects and features of the invention will be more fully understood from the detailed description to follow taken in conjunction with the drawing, the figures of which are now briefly described.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an illustration of electrical voltage produced by a polymeric film having piezoelectric characteristics acted on by mechanical stimuli.
FIG. 2 an illustration of electrical voltage produced by a polymeric film having pyroelectric characteristics subjected to thermal stimuli.
FIGS. 3-6 are electrical diagrams illustrating capacitance, impedance and frequency response.
FIG. 7 is a face view of a section of composite sheet wherein a polymeric film is sandwiched between a pattern of conductive plates.
FIG. 7a is an alternate pattern arrangement similar to that of FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 illustrates schematically the network of sensors in the form of capacitances established by the arrangement of FIG. 7 and 7a.
FIG. 9 is another face view of a more complete composite sheet illustrating the invention.
FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration (similar to but more complete than that of FIG. 8) of the network of sensors in the form of capacitances established throughout composite sheet illustrated in FIG. 9.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
By way of background, FIGS. 1 and 2 illustrate, respectively, piezoelectric and pyroelectric thin film materials sandwiched between conducting thin metallic plates which collect charges produced by the materials. The structure of the piezoelectric film in FIG. 1 is such that mechanical stimulation causes electrical charges to be produced on its opposite faces. These charges are collected from the metallic conductors and identified as voltage output. The structure of the pyroelectric film in FIG. 2 is such that, when thermally stimulated, electrical charges are produced on its opposite faces. These charges are likewise collected from the metallic conductors and identified as voltage output. There are several materials which exhibit these charge-producing characteristics that can be produced in thin film form. Some materials exhibit both piezoelectric and pyroelectric characteristics.
Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) is a polymer with excellent piezoelectric and pyroelectric properties. Manufacturing and polarization practices are well known in the art and need not be discussed herein. Normally, the polymer is sandwiched between opposing conducting films running over substantially the entire face dimensions as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2. This arrangement has shortcomings, one of which is that physical damage even to a minute part of the composite thin film, which would electrically short circuit the outer conducting films, renders the entire sheet inoperative. This problem is recognized in U.S. Pat. No. 4,283,461, which employes a piezoelectric film as a marine antifouling coating, where it suggests that it is advantageous to subdivide into tracts the coating on a ships hull and connect each in parallel with its own potential so that a short circuit would not disrupt large areas. Another shortcoming of large sandwiched sheet sizes is that the larger the sheets the larger the capacitance between them. This higher capacitance decreases the output of the transducer (i.e., the film) at higher frequencies. This characteristic, referred to under Background, is now explained with reference to the diagrams shown in FIGS. 1-6 of the drawings. The metal coating on both sides of the material (FIGS. 1 and 2) are the plates of the capacitor and the material itself is the dielectric. As the size of the sensor is increased (larger sheet), the capacitance also increases. This increase in capacitance causes a loss of the high frequency content of a signal produced by the PVDF sensor.
The reason for this is illustrated in the electrical diagrams (FIGS. 3-6). The excited area of the sheet (such as PVDF) is modeled by a signal source in series with a high impedance (Zs) (FIG. 3). In parallel with this source and impedance is the input impedance to a buffer amplifier (Zb) (FIG. 4) and the capacitance of the unexcited area of the PVDF sheet (FIG. 5). This capacitance can be modeled as an impedance that varies with frequency (Zc) in FIG. 6. Any signal leaving the source is divided between the buffer impedance and the capacitance impedance - whichever impedance is smaller gets more of the signal. Zc can be represented by the formula ##EQU1## where f =frequency and C =capacitance. To keep Zc the same as capacitance goes up (so the same amount of signal gets to the amplifier), the frequency must go down. Therefore, less of the higher frequencies get to the amplifier as the capacitance goes up.
The present invention provides an arrangement whereby the sandwiching means, comprising a plurality of plates arranged in inventive patterns, cures the short circuiting and limits the higher frequency problem. With this background in mind, description will now be directed to structure of the present invention.
To limit the increase in capacitances for larger sensors and to provide greater reliability in case of physical damage, different metallization patterns have been developed. There is illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 7a face views of a metallization pattern consisting of a plurality, of small electrically conductive block covering closed surface areas in the form of squares or rectangles on opposite sides of the film. A section of composite sheet 10 formed of polymeric film 12, having at least one of piezoelectric and pyroelectric properies, is sandwiched between electrically conductive thin film blocks T 1 , T 2 , T 3 , etc., on one side and B 1 , B 2 , B 3 , B 4 , etc., on the other side. All blocks on the same side. of film 12 are non-conductively separated one from another along their entire peripheries so as to prevent electrical conductivity therebetween. This gives effectively, many small and independent sensors.
As can be seen in FIGS. 7 and 7a, each bock on the top of the film 12 overlies portions of four blocks on the back (a corner of four back blocks in FIG. 7), in effect establishing four sensor areas. Each block, for example, forms a sensor with each of the four different back blocks. Likewise, each back block forms a sensor with each of four different top blocks. Each top and back block therefore effectively acts as a connecting point for four different capacitive sensors forming cirlcuit segments interconnected in a series-parallel pattern. This pattern of circuit segments can be modeled by a network of connected capacitors as illustrated in FIG. 8. Note for example that there are four capacitances established between T 1 and B 1 , and B 4 and T 3 and B 1 , B 4 to form a closed circuit segment. Further capacitances between T 1 , B g , and T 2 , B 1 are established on and on throughout the composite sheet as shown in FIG. 8 in a continuing network.
FIG. 9 illustrates a composite sheet 100 formed of a polymeric sheet 112 (such as PVDF) sandwiched between numerous conductive thin film blocks, some of which on the top are numered 1, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, and 13, while others on the back are numered 2, 3, 4, and 5. Strips 120 and 122 of conductive film similar to that of the blocks are provided on the top and back, respectively, of sheet 112 to define electrodes or collectors for voltage produced on opposite faces of sheet 112. The blocks are preferably of a thin conductive coating (film) arranged in patterns. They may be square or rectangular, as illustrated, or any other configuration. Their number may vary considerably, depending upon size and sheet area.
FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the entire network of sensors arranged as capacitances throughout composite sheet 100 in FIG. 9. Opposed blocks, as illustrated in FIG. 9, act as numerous sensors, all of which add and substract to a composite signal (voltage) which is collected by leads 124 and 126, respectively, from strips or output electrodes 120 and 122 preferably located on opposite sides of film 112. The series -parallel network of sensors reduces loss of high frequency content of signal produced by the sheet.
When any sensor of a network circuit segment is stimulated (mechanically or thermally), the signal it produces passes through the capacitors and out to the edges of the sheet to strips 120 and 122. A major advantage of this design is in the many paths a signal can follow. I parts of composite sheet 100 are damaged or even removed, such damage is limited to isolated circuit segments leaving many paths through other circuit segments for the signal to follow to reach the edges of the sheet.
The pattern of FIG. 9 also illustrates resilience to damage by penetration. If a sensor should be pierced in a manner illustrated by hole 128, to connect (short-circuit) a top and back corner together the two sensors of that small area would cease working as shown in FIG. 10. The remaining undamaged pattern would, however, still pass all signals produced by adjoining sensors (corners), leaving PVDF sheet 112 essentially fully functional.
The numerous conductive blocks and electrodes or collector strips 120 and 122 may be metallized deposits on opposite faces (top and back) of the voltage producing PVDF film.
The sensors presented by the composite sheet are sensitive to mechanical stimulation such as drilling, filing, and impacting, and they show fairly unique signatures associated with such stimulation or excitation. The sensors are also sensitive to thermal stimulation. Amplifiers and necessary electronics are known in the art for processing signals produced on the film by either form of stimulation.
Composite sheets as described herein may be produced in large sizes, thus allowing their application as "wallpaper" to a surface such as a wall facing a room or other area to be secured against intrusion exhibiting mechanical or thermal stimulation.
While description and illustration has been made to conventional square and rectangular conductive thin film in block patterns, other shapes and pattern arrangements may also be used. It is important that the block shapes and pattern allow for one area of each block to overly areas of a plurality of opposing blocks to form the circuit segments afore-mentioned. The blocks, which must be conductively separated, may be deposited on the polymeric film by means known in the art such as metallization, sputtering, and printing. Experimentation has shown that the most consistent output signal from stimulation of a large sheet containing numerous sensors occurs when the blocks along one edge of a surface are connected together in a strip, while on the other surface the blocks are connected together along the edge furthermost from the first strip. The blocks may actually be connected together, however, as illustrated in FIG. 9, electrode strips 120 and 122 may be connected directly to polymeric film 112, on opposite sides, preferably at spaced apart locations. Voltage of different potential collect on spaced apart locations on the surfaces of film 112, even on the same side. But, collection is preferably made from opposite sides of film 112 at locations that are linearly separated. Sheets manufactured with voltage collection to be made at the edges facilitates wallpapering of large areas.
There has been disclosed an improved composite sheet adapted for converting mechanical and thermal stimulation into a voltage output differential. Sheets according to the invention may be manufactured and used in large sizes with only minimal high frequency degradation for the reasons disclosed herein. Furthermore, the block arrangement is such that damage, including shorting, to the sheet will not incapacitate the whole sheet.
The composite sheet acts as a transducer. It converts mechanical and thermal stimulation into electrical energy. Thus, it finds particular use in security applications for detecting physical and thermal intrusion, but is not so limited. The invention has been described generally with certain specifics. It will be expected, however, that changes or variation may be made to the construction thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the claims herein.
EXAMPLE OF SHEET DIMENSIONS AND APPLICATION
A composite sheet constructed according to the invention may be made in various sizes sufficient to cover the inside of walls enclosing a room. Preferably, the composite sheet sizes approximate those of wallpaper available in commercial markets. One side of the sheet may be provided with an adhesive, preferably of a type which will permit the sheet to be removed from a wall.
The PVDF sheet may range in thickness from about 5 to 750 microns. However, the preferred thickness is usually 9-30 microns. The blocks range in sizes from around 1/2 to 1" across. They may square or rectangular, as illustrated, or of any other configuration which allows overlap, whereby one overies a portion of a plurality of opposed blocks. The blocks must be conductive. They may be adhered or otherwise secured to the PVDF sheet. The material defining the blocks may be deposited directly as a film on opposite sides of the PVDF sheet. Block thicknesses range from 150 to 1000 angstroms. The blocks are separated from one another on the same side of the PVDF sheet just sufficient to prevent conductivity from one to another. | A composite sheet transducer for producing voltage in response to stimuli d having a polymeric sheet sandwiched between a plurality of thin film conductive blocks arranged in non-conductively isolated block patterns of opposed electrode assemblies to establish a network of closed circuit segments of sensors. Electric shorting between opposed overlapping blocks is thereby limited to circuit segment areas of the composite sheet to avoid interference with voltage production in other areas of the composite sheet. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a cast explosive primer adapted to be initiated instantaneously by low-energy detonating cord (LEDC), and to an assembly of an LEDC downline with the primer for initiating a cap-insensitive explosive in a borehole.
2. Description of the Prior Art
Low-energy detonating cord (LEDC), which may have an explosive core loading of only about 0.2 to 2 grams per linear meter of cord length, is widely used in non-electric explosive initiation systems in cases in which the noise and high brisance of heavier cords must be avoided. When used heretofore in conjunction with high-energy primers to initiate cap-insensitive explosives in boreholes, LEDC downlines have been used with primer or booster units containing a percussion-actuated detonator, e.g., in the delay booster assembly described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,709,149, issued Jan. 9, 1973, to H. E. Driscoll. U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,345 describes a primer assembly which includes a percussion-actuated detonator seated in a cavity in a high-energy primer, and an explosive coupler for explosively coupling the detonator to LEDC which is to be threaded through a perforation in the primer. This assembly, when incorporating a delay detonator, can be used in an in-hole delay system for the delayed initiation of deck-loaded explosive charges with high-energy delay primers strung on a single LEDC downline.
For the instantaneous initiation of a primer by an LEDC downline, co-pending, co-assigned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 035,004, filed Apr. 6, 1987, describes a primer unit requiring no detonator while relying only on an external arming element to achieve reliable initiation of the primer explosive by the low-energy cord. The arming element, i.e., an explosive coupler containing a charge of granular detonating explosive, is attached to a preferably recessed end surface of the primer and is manually disengageable therefrom. The explosive charge is linearly arrayed perpendicular to the cord and, at least at the end adjacent to the cord, is sufficiently shock-sensitive as to pick up the detonation from the low-energy cord, while boosting the energy level of the detonation to initiate the explosive compound in the adjacent primer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an explosive primer unit in which the degree of energy coupling between a low-energy detonating cord and an explosive coupling element in a cast explosive primer is maximized. The explosive primer unit of the invention comprises: (a) a substantially cylindrical charge of cast explosive having a perforation therein aligned substantially parallel to, and preferably substantially on, the charge's cylindrical axis, and sized to slidably receive a length of LEDC, e.g., an LEDC downline to be threaded therethrough; and (b) embedded in the cast explosive charge along the LEDC-receiving perforation, an explosive coupling element containing a shock-sensitive high-velocity detonating explosive, e.g., pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN), and comprising an essentially tubular body having a wall that surrounds, and a bore that forms, the LEDC-receiving perforation over at least a portion, e.g, at least about 5%, of the perforation's length, the size of the bore of the coupling element's tubular body that forms the LEDC-receiving perforation in the cylindrical charge of cast explosive closely matching the outer diameter of a length of LEDC to be received therein. The coupling element may be a tubular extruded or pressed explosive, or a packaged powdered explosive arrayed so as to form a tube, e.g., a powder-enclosing elastomeric package such as a balloon spirally wrapped around the outer surface of a thin-walled tubular support body, or a powderenclosing pouch wrapped around all or a portion of the outer surface of a tubular support body. When an LEDC downline is threaded through the perforation in the primer unit, the cord is in contact with the coupling element, i.e., with the wall of the tubular element, by virtue of the fact that the coupling element is embedded in the primer along the LEDC-receiving perforation and also because the cord/coupler contact is assured by the tailoring of the coupling element's bore size to the LEDC size. This contact assures good energy coupling.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
In the accompanying drawing, which illustrates specific embodiments of the primer unit and cord/primer assembly of the invention,
FIGS. 1 and 3 are cross-sectional views of the two primer units of the invention wherein the tubular coupling element is embedded in the cast explosive charge along an axial LEDC-receiving perforation;
FIGS. 2 and 4 are cross-sectional views of two primer units of the invention wherein the tubular coupling element is embedded in a cast explosive charge adapted for initiation by a detonating cord or, alternatively, a detonator, the coupling element in this primer being embedded along a perforation that extends an off-axis cavity (for the seating of a detonator when desired) to the opposite end of the primer, a length of LEDC being threaded through the off-axis cavity and extension when the primer is to be initiated by LEDC via the coupling element; and
FIGS. 1A, 2A, and 3A are cross-sectional views of the explosive coupling elements employed in the primer units shown in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The primer unit of the invention contains a high-energy explosive primer, i.e., a substantially cylindrical charge of cast explosive, e.g., a cast mixture of PETN and TNT, generally lightly wrapped with paper or cardboard, optionally end-capped, or held in a plastic container. The primer contains a cord tunnel, usually an axial perforation extending from one end of the primer to the other, and an explosive coupling element in the form of a tube or perforated cylinder or disk is embedded in the cast explosive along at least a portion of the cord tunnel. Accordingly, the wall of the tubular coupling element surrounds the cord tunnel, and the bore of the tubular coupling element itself forms the cord tunnel, in the portion of the cord tunnel's length along which the explosive coupling element lies.
In the primer unit shown in FIG. 1, 1 is a cast primer, i.e., a substantially cylindrical charge of cast explosive 1a, having a light peripheral wrap 2, e.g., a cardboard tube into which explosive 1a has been cast. Primer 1 has an axial bore or perforation 3 therethrough. Coupling element 4 (FIG. 1A) is embedded in cast charge 1a along a portion of perforation 3. Element 4 is a tubular body whose wall 5 is made, for example, of a shock-sensitive extruded mixture of a high-velocity detonating explosive and an elastomeric binder. A typical extruded mixture is one which contains at least about 60 percent superfine PETN. When element 4 is in place in primer 1, wall 5 of coupling element 4 surrounds perforation 3, and bore 6 becomes a portion of perforation 3 itself. Bore 6 is sized to allow a low-energy detonating cord 13 to be threaded through while remaining in contact with the adjacent wall.
The FIGS. 2 and 4 primer units are also provided with an off-axis cavity 7, which allows the units to be initiated by a detonator as an alternative to initiation by LEDC. The FIG. 2 unit also has a block-like recess 8 adjacent perforation 3' and cavity 7 for accommodating an explosive coupler as described in the aforementioned U.S. Pat. No. 4,718,345. Coupling element 4 is embedded in cast charge 1a along perforations 3a which is a coaxial extension of cavity 7, allowing a length of LEDC 13 to be threaded through cavity 7 and bore 6' of element 4'. Perforation 3a and bore 6' are sized to match the outer diameter of LEDC 13, while cavity 7 is larger in diameter as required to accommodate a detonator. When the units are to be used for instantaneous initiation by LEDC, the latter is threaded through bore 6' and cavity 7. In the alternative embodiment wherein the primer is to be initiated by a delay detonator seated in cavity 7, perforation 3' is used for threading the wires or cord supplying the actuation impulse to the detonator.
If perforation 3' and 3'" in the FIGS. 2 and 4 unit is to be threaded with an LEDC for the delay initiation of the primer by a detonator in cavity 7, the portion 14 of cast charge 1a between coupling elements 4' and 4'" the and LEDC in perforations 3' and 3'" needs to be sufficiently wide that accidental initiation of coupling elements 4' and 4'" by the LEDC and accidental instantaneous initiation of the primer (thus by-passing the intended functioning of the delay detonator) does not occur. Portion 14 may be of the same composition as charge 1a. A liner 17 in perforation 3'" and/or a thick wall 17a on coupling element 4'" may be used to assure the delay functioning also.
In the primer unit shown in FIG. 2, coupling element 4' (FIG. 2A) is a double-walled shell 9 made, for example, of metal or plastic, and having a bore 6'. A shock-sensitive high-velocity detonating explosive powder, e.g., PETN or RDX, 10, is loaded into the annular space between the walls of shell 9, and an annular plug 11 seals the end of shell 9 closed. Wall 17b is thin enough to allow initiation of explosive powder 10 by LEDC 13. Double walled shell 9 may also be of molded plastic.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, coupling element 4" (FIG. 3A) comprises a shock-sensitive high-velocity detonating explosive powder, e.g., PETN, RDX, and nitromannite 10", enclosed within an elongatable elastomeric package, such as a balloon, 16. The balloon is wrapped spirally around a thin-walled tubular support body, e.g., a plastic straw, 12, which has an inner diameter chosen to closely match the outer diameter of an LEDC 13 to be threaded through the primer. Straw 12 serves to confer the tubular configuration on coupling element 4" and is needed to be at least as long as the axial length of the spiral to prevent collapsing of the spiral and closing of bore 3".
For convenience of manufacture, it may be desirable to have straw 12 longer than the axial length of the balloon spiral, e.g., so that the straw lines the entire length of perforation 3". Balloon 16 may be a preformed plastic pouch which is heat-sealed after filling with explosive 10 and then wrapped around straw 12. For the case of a flexible balloon or pouch, total wrapping around the straw may be difficult, therefore spiral wrapping is desirable as shown in FIG. 3. Although full enclosure of the cord tunnels 6, 6', 6", and 6'" by any of the couplers 4, 4', 4", and 4'" described above is desirable, this may not be necessary when cord output is sufficiently high with respect to the sensitivity of the coupler explosive and a half circumferential wrap around bore 6, 6', 6", or 6'" or cord 13 is sufficient in many cases.
A source of water leak into balloon 16 may be knot 18, or in the case of a heat-sealed pouch, the line of seal of the pouch itself. Once water enters such structures, explosive 10" may be desensitized depending on the amount of water, and the level of energy of the LEDC. Such seepage may be stopped if knot 18 is dipped in a sealing binder or compound or in molten wax or tar, or such sealants are coated over the inner walls of the balloon before knotting or repellents are added to the explosive powder 10" before filling in the balloon.
It is to be understood that any of the above-described coupling elements may be used with any primer as long as bore 6' 6", 6'" is closely matched with the LEDC outer diameter and the coupling element surrounds at least a portion of the LEDC and occupies a portion 3, 3', 3" or 3'".
By way of example, a primer unit was made from a 50/50 PETN/TNT (Pentolite) mixture and an explosive coupling element 4" shown in FIG. 3A of a balloon filled with about 5 g of PETN. The balloon was spirally wound around a plastic straw, 3.3 mm O.D. and 2.9 mm I.D. The Pentolite was cast around the balloon set coaxially in a cardboard sleeve about 5 cm high and 7.5 cm in diameter. A 0.5 g/m PETN basis LEDC cord was threaded in the cord tunnel made by the straw, and the LEDC was detonated. The LEDC detonated the booster at a velocity of 6600 meters/sec via the coupling balloon.
Coupling elements made with 70 to 99% PETN and the balance a binder, a plasticizer or a water repellent were initiated reliably with LEDC of 2 g/m and lower, and primer units made with such elements are useful products of this invention.
The present primer unit is used in those situations wherein a cast primer explosive is insufficiently sensitive as to be initiated by a low energy or mild detonating cord of a selected explosive core loading. In most instances the explosive core loading will be up to about 2 g/m. However, with less sensitive cast primers, the embedded explosive coupling element may be advantageously used even with cord of slightly higher loading, for example, up to about 4 g/m; and it is to be understood that such cords fall within the meaning of the term LEDC where it is used herein to define the cord in the example of the invention. On this basis the diameter of the cord receiving perforation in the coupler of the present primer unit will be up to about 6 mm.
A preferred cord for initiating the primer unit is one described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,232,606, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. This cord has a solid core of a deformable bonded detonating explosive composition comprising a crystalline high explosive compound, preferably superfine PETN, admixed with a binding agent. The cord described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,125,024 also can be used, e.g., in a granular PETN core loading of about 0.8 to 3.0 g/m.
The cast primer units of the invention can be made by casting the primer explosive into a cardboard tube 2 which is seated on a base plate to which a metal pin is affixed (to produce perforation 3). Tubular coupling element 4 is positioned on the pin, and remains embedded in the cast explosive after the solidified primer is removed from the pin. | An explosive primer unit in which the degree of energy coupling between a low-energy detonating cord (LEDC) and an explosive coupling element in a cast explosive primer is maximized; the unit contains (a) a substantially cylindrical charge of cast explosive having a perforation therein aligned substantially parallel to the charge's cylindrical axis, and sized to slidably receive a length of LEDC and (b) embedded in the cast explosive charge along the LEDC-receiving perforation, an explosive coupling element containing a shock-sensitive high-velocity detonating explosive having a tubular body having a wall that surrounds, and a bore that forms, the LEDC-receiving perforation over at least a portion of the perforation's length, the size of the bore of the coupling element's tubular body that forms the LEDC-receiving perforation in the cylindrical charge of cast explosive closely matching the outer diameter of a length of LEDC to be received therein. | 5 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a device for handling magnetic tape cassettes.
As the electronic industry has developed greater and greater markets in consumer devices, standardization of the packaging for magnetic tape has resulted. Of the standardized tape holders, 8 track cartridges, audio cassettes and 3/4" and 1" video cassettes have become most accepted. With the great magnitude of such devices, mechanisms for rapidly loading either pre-recorded or unrecorded magnetic tape into these holders has become economically required. One such device for splicing and loading electromagnetic tape onto a cassette is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,825. This patent is incorporated herein by reference to illustrate the sequence of operation of such a splicing and loading mechanism. The threading of the mechanism disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,825 was accomplished by hand. To further expedite the loading of such cassettes, another device was developed for the automatic threading of cassettes once placed on the spindles of the cassette loading devices. This threading mechanism is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,052. The disclosure of this patent is also incorporated herein by reference to particularly illustrate a threading mechanism. Thus, devices have been developed heretofore which, when used in combination, require an operator to simply place an empty magnetic tape cassette onto the spindles of the device, initiate operation of the mechanism and package the resulting loaded cassettes ejected from the mechanism.
It has been long understood in the industry that great advantage would be realized in terms of time and expense if such empty magnetic tape holders could be loaded directly from the box into a mechanism which automatically placed each holder on a threading and loading mechanism from a stack of holders and later restacked the loaded holders for shipment or further inspection. However, a difficulty has been that with at least certain of the cassettes, the tape access ports are wider than the overall package. Consequently, the unloaded holders come stacked with the tape access ports facing in opposite directions in an alternating pattern. Thus, the holders can be stacked. This increases the technical difficulties associated with automatic feeding of packages for loading. This difficulty is further complicated by the fact that it is often desirable to place the loaded cassettes either back in the same alternating pattern or in alternating series of six for stacking prior to tape inspection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to a handling system and elements thereof the complete mechanism of which is capable of receiving a stack of unloaded magnetic tape holders with the tape access ports of these packages facing in either or both of two directions in the stack, loading these packages onto a mechanism for loading magnetic tape in each of the holders and restacking the loaded holders in either the same or another pattern. For loading such holders, it is only necessary for an operator, using the present mechanism, to take the holders from the carton and stack them as is into a magazine. Loaded holders are then removed from the opposite end of the device.
The preferred use of the present invention is for the loading of such holders and preferably cassettes with magnetic tape. This magnetic tape could either be prerecorded or blank depending on the intended purpose. It is also true that the mechanism of the present invention could be employed and is anticipated to be employed in combination with a tape recorder much as records are stacked for playing on the phonograph today. The present invention is further contemplated specifically for use with standard audio cassettes. However, variations in dimension of the elements would make the device equally suitable for other magnetic tape holders. The term "cassette" as used henceforth is intended to refer to all such categories of memory tape holders.
To accomplish the handling functions of the present invention, a device has been designed which includes a first magazine into which empty cassettes are positioned. A gate beneath the magazine accepts cassettes one at a time and orients each individual cassette. The cassette then moves onto a track where it is conveyed to a section of the track that is pivotally mounted to lift the cassette to a work station. Once the required work is performed on the cassette, it returns to the main track sections and is moved to a second gate. The tape is then forced upwardly through the gate and is oriented into a predetermined arrangement in an output magazine. The cassettes may be then periodically removed from the output magazine for further inspection or for packaging. A mechanism is also provided for disabling the operation of the output gate mechanism such that cassettes not properly loaded can be ejected rather than stacked in the output magazines.
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a cassette handling device.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a cassette handling device for individually handling cassettes stacked with the tape access ports thereof facing in either one or both of two directions.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a cassette handling device for conveying aligned cassettes to a remote work station.
Other and further objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of the device of the present invention with a cassette positioned for loading on a tape loading mechanism.
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional plan taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional plan as in FIG. 2 with the magazines and fixed plates broken away for clarity.
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional plan as in FIG. 2 with the magazines, fixed plates and pivotally mounted plates broken away for clarity. The opposed channels and arm of the third section of track is shown in the lowered position.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional plan as in FIG. 2 illustrating the plate indexing mechanisms.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional plan as in FIG. 4 with the system at a different operative position.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 1 illustrating a different operative position of the system.
FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along line 7--7 of FIG. 1 illustrating yet another operational position of the system.
FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 1 illustrating a different operational position of the system.
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional elevation taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 1 illustrating yet another operational position of the system.
FIG. 13 is a detailed elevation of the work station associated with a cassette handling device of the present invention.
FIG. 14 is a cross-sectional side view taken along line 14--14 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 15 is a detailed plan of a plate indexing means of the present invention.
FIG. 16 is a detailed elevation taken along lines 16--16 of FIG. 15.
FIG. 17 is a detailed plan of a control mechanism for selective orientation of loaded cassettes for placement in the output magazine.
FIG. 18 is a cross-sectional elevation of the device of FIG. 17 taken along line 18--18.
FIG. 19 is a plan of a cam and follower of the device of FIG. 18 taken along line 19--19.
FIG. 20 is a control schematic for the device of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning in detail to the drawings, the illustrated preferred embodiment includes a cassette handling device associated with a cassette loader having an automatic threading mechanism. The handling device of the present invention is equally useful with recorders and playback equipment and is not to be limited by the association of the preferred embodiment with a cassette loader. The present invention is also adaptable for use with other than the standard audio cassettes illustrated, albeit major advantages are realized with the standard audio cassette.
FIG. 1 provides an overview of the present mechanism and illustrates the cassette handling device of the present invention in association with a cassette loader, generally designated 10. The cassette loader 10 includes a front mounting plate 12. A tape splicing guide 14 is fixed to the front mounting plate 12 to receive magnetic tape 16 as well as leader from a cassette for splicing and loading. The cassette loader also includes a spindle 18 to drive one of the cassette reels. The front mounting plate 12 has been modified for purposes of the present invention to include a guide pin 20 designed to mate with a reference hole on standard audio cassettes to insure proper indexing of the cassette on the face of the cassette loader. As the present invention may be employed with other than a cassette loader, e.g., a recorder or playback equipment, the loader itself is only of peripheral interest here and the operation of such loaders is best understood by reference to U.S. Pat. No. 3,848,825 and the references cited therein, the disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference.
Also of peripheral interest here is the automatic threading mechanism illustrated. The mechanism illustrated is found in the disclosure of U.S. Pat. No. 4,216,052, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. Illustrated in FIG. 1 is a leader pickup assembly 22 which acts to pluck a loop of leader from a cassette mounted at the work station on the front of the cassette loader 10. A leader placement assembly 24 acts to grab the loop of leader formed by the leader pickup assembly 22 and to place that leader on the tape splicing guide 14 such that the cassette loader may then begin operation.
Turning then specifically to the cassette handling mechanism of the present invention, the overall function of the preferred embodiment is to take cassettes stacked in a predetermined arrangement in an input magazine, sequentially present individual cassettes from the stack at the work station of the cassette loader for loading and then restack the cassettes in a predetermined arrangement in an output magazine. As shown, empty cassettes are typically packed with the tape access ports thereof oriented in a predetermined pattern such that the tape access ports alternately face in opposite directions. This predetermined pattern is employed because the cassettes are thicker at the tape access port than they are at what may be termed the back end thereof. Thus, such a nesting arrangement is advantageous. The input magazine 26 is designed to receive such a vertical stack of cassettes. The magazine 26 is formed by two channels 28 and 30 as can best be seen in FIG. 2. A stack of cassettes 32 is illustrated in this input magazine 26 as being oriented such that the channels 28 and 30 loosely extend around either end of the cassettes in the stack 32 to support the stack 32 and keep the cassettes oriented as shown.
The channels 28 and 30 conveniently do not extend to meet one another in order that manual access to the stack of cassettes 32 is provided. To further aid in the manual loading of the input magazine 26, the channels 28 and 30 include flared tabs 34, 36 and 38 which help to guide the operator in placing cassettes into the input magazine 26. The height of the channels 28 and 30 are determined solely by the convenience to the operator. The more cassettes which can be loaded into the input magazine 26, the less often the operator must return to load the machine. However, as exessively high magazine would make it more difficult for the operator to load the cassettes.
The channels 28 and 30 of the input magazine 26 are fixed to and supported by a guide plate 40. Mounting flanges 42, 44 and 46 are formed from the bottom of each of the channels 28 and 30 and are fastened to the upper side of the guide plate 40. The guide plate 40 includes a port 48 sized to freely pass the stack of cassettes 32 therethrough. This port 48 is tapered as can best be seen in FIG. 7 to operate to center cassettes as they pass therethrough.
Support for the guide plate 40 and in turn the input magazine 26 is accomplished by means of a frame for substantially the entire handling mechanism. The frame includes a main frame member in the form of a mounting plate 50. The mounting plate 50 is conveniently positioned horizontally in front of the front mounting plate 12 of the cassette motor 10. This mounting plate 50 is fastened to the front mounting plate 12 of the cassette loader 10 by means of angle brackets 52 and 54. Other support of course may be provided where necessary to prevent the mounting plate 50 from becoming misaligned with the cassette loader 10. Fixed to the mounting plate 50 for support of the guide plate 40 and in turn the input magazine 26 are input hopper mounting blocks 56 and 58. These input hopper mounting blocks 56 and 58 extend parallel to a track described below. Four frame posts 60 are fixed to the mounting blocks 56 and 58 at the outer ends thereof as can best be seen in FIG. 4. These posts 60 extend upwardly as seen in FIG. 1 to support the guide plate 40 and in turn the input magazine 26. Fasteners 62 hold the guide plate 40, the input magazine 26 and the frame posts 60 in position on the hopper mounting blocks 56 and 58.
Located beneath the guide plate 40 is a first gate means for controlled release of cassettes from the input magazine 26 with alignment of the cassettes onto a track discussed in greater detail below. The first gate means includes two plates. The first plate 64 is pivotally mounted to the hopper mounting blocks 56 and 58. The first plate 64 is best seen in FIGS. 3, 7, 8 and 9. The periphery of the first plate 64 is divided into a cylindrical portion 66 and a flange portion 68. A thrust bearing 70 is positioned about the cylindrical portion 66 beneath the flanged portion 68. The lower race of the thrust bearing 70 is fixed to the hopper mounting blocks 56 and 58. A first gate 72 extends through the first plate 64. This first gate 72 is rectangular such that a cassette aligned with the gate 72 can freely pass therethrough. Because the width of the first gate 72 is less than the major dimension of a standard cassette, a cassette will be retained on the top of the first plate 64 when it is not aligned with the first gate 72. As the input magazine 26 and the guide plate 40 define the orientation of cassettes contained therein, control of the angular orientation of the pivotally mounted first plate 64 allows selective control of the passage of cassettes through the first gate 72.
The angular orientation of the first plate 64 relative to the remaining components of the first gate means is controlled by a first plate indexing means. This indexing means pivotally drives and positions the first plate to control passage of cassettes through the first gate 72. This indexing means includes a ring gear 74 fixed to the top surface of the flange portion 68 of the first plate 64. Fasteners 76 are provided to fix the ring gear 74 to the plate 64 as can best be seen in FIGS. 3 and 7. The ring gear 74 is coupled to and driven by a spur gear 78. A shaft 80 is coupled to the spur gear 78 at a first end of the shaft 80 and has a pinion 82 at the other end. The shaft 80 is rotatably mounted relative to the mounting plate 50 in bearing assembly 84. Beneath the mounting plate 50 and coupled to the pinion 82 a rack 86 is slidably contained within rack guide 88. Tracing back through the gear train of the indexing means, longitudinal movement of the rack 86 in the rack guide 88 results in pivotal movement of the first plate 64.
A drive mechanism is provided for the rack 86 to provide three rest positions for the rack 86 and consequently the first plate 64. This drive includes a first pneumatic cylinder 90 which is coupled at a first end to the mounting plate 50. The second or piston end of the first pneumatic cylinder 90 is coupled to a first end of a second pneumatic cylinder 92. The second or piston end of the second pneumatic cylinder 92 is then directly coupled to the rack 86. By selecting the several combinations of piston positions within both of the pneumatic cylinders 90 and 92, three rest positions for the rack 86 can be achieved. As stated above, these three positions have corresponding positions for the first plate 64. The rack drive also includes a slotted guide plate 94 which constrains a hose fitting on each of the pneumatic cylinders 90 and 92 to prevent rotation of the cylinders. The bracket 94 is fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 50 for this purpose.
The drive for the first plate 64 is designed so that the three angular positions associated with the plate 64 include a first position with the major dimension of the first gate 72 at right angles to the major dimension of the port 48 in the guide plate 40. The second position of the first plate 64 is 90 degrees in a first angular direction from the first position while the third position is 90 degrees in the opposite angular direction from the first position. These positions have been selected so that the first gate 72 may be pivoted to receive the lower most cassette positioned in the port 48 such that the tape access port of that cassette is adjacent a first side of the first gate 72. By having each tape access port of the cassettes received in the same orientation relative to the first gate 72, the cassettes will be properly oriented for further handling when the first plate 64 rotates back to the middle or first position.
Below the first plate 64, there is a second plate 96 which is fixed by means of fasteners 98 to the hopper mounting block 56 and 58. This second plate 96 includes a second gate 100. This plate can best be seen in FIG. 4. The second gate 100 is generally rectangular with arc shaped portions cut into the two long sides of the rectangle. The generally rectangular shape is sized to accommodate a cassette for easy passage through the second plate 96 when the cassette is angularly aligned with the rectangular opening. When the cassette is not so aligned, the opening is too small to allow passage thereof. The arc portions of the second gate 100 are included to prevent the protruding portion of the tape access ports to hang up on the second plate 96 at the edge of the second gate 100. As can be seen in FIG. 4, the portion of the rectangular opening which has been cut away in the form of an arc is wider than the tape access port. Rotation of the cassette as it rests upon the second plate 96 is thus facilitated. The second gate 100 is also slightly tapered as can be seen in FIGS. 7, 8 or 9 to aid in guiding and centering cassettes passing therethrough.
The spacing between the top surface of the first plate 64 at the entrance to the first gate 72 and the top surface of the second plate 96 is approximately one cassette thickness so that the first plate 64 is able to receive only one cassette at a time. The stack of cassettes rests on the top of the first plate 64 until the first plate 64 is pivoted for alignnment of the stack of cassettes with the first gate 72. The condition before such alignment is illustrated in FIG. 7. The condition illustrating angular alignment of the first gate 72 with the stack of cassettes is illustrated in FIG. 8 where the stack of cassettes has dropped down into the first gate 72 and has come to rest on the top surface of the second plate 96. The major dimension of the second gate 100 is perpendicular in the present embodiment to the major dimension of the cassettes located in the magazine 26. Thus, when the first plate 64 is angularly aligned with the stack of cassettes 32, the second gate 100 is misaligned with the stack and prevents the stack of cassettes from passing through the second gate 100.
Once the stack of cassettes comes to rest on the top of the second plate 96, the first plate 64 may be rotated to bring the first gate 72 into angular alignment with the second gate 100. As the first plate 64 rotates, the cassette contained within the first gate 72 is forced to rotate also. The cassettes above the first gate 72, however, are constrained to remain in alignment with the magazine 26 and the guide plate 40. Thus, as the first plate 64 rotates, all but one of the cassettes in the cassette stack 32 become misaligned with the first gate 72 and are thereby prevented from passing through that first gate. Once rotation of the first plate 64 is complete, the first gate 72 and the second gate 100 are aligned and the cassette contained within the first gate 72 can pass through the second gate 100. This condition is illustrated in FIG. 9.
To facilitate the rotation of the first plate 64 the upper surface of that plate includes a plurality of concave surfaces. These surfaces are best illustrated in FIG. 3 with reference also to FIGS. 7, 8 and 9. Adjacent the long sides of the rectangular first gate 72 are concave surfaces 102 and 104. These surfaces extend downwardly from the plane of the first plate 64 toward the first gate 72. The surfaces 106 and 108 adjacent the ends of the rectangular first gate 72 are also concaved toward the gate. These concaved surfaces 102 through 108 help to avoid interference with the cassette in the stack of cassettes 32 immediately above the cassette positioned within the first gate 72 as seen in FIG. 8. As the first plate 64 rotates, the concaved surfaces engage the second cassette in the stack of cassettes 32 and raise the stack away from the cassette positioned within the first gate 72. Two arcuate cut outs 110 and 112 are also included adjacent the long sides of the rectangular first gate 72. These arcuate cut outs 110 and 112 are designed to prevent the tape access ports from hanging up on the side of the gate as it was it also used in the second gate 100.
A track is provided for carrying cassettes from beneath the first gate means as the first gate means drops individual cassettes through the second gate 100. The track may be conveniently described in terms of a number of sections of track based on their function. As can be seen from FIGS. 6 and 7, the first section of track underlying the first gate means is aligned with the second gate 100 such that cassettes passing through the gate 100 will drop directly down onto the track. The track includes two rails 114 and 116 which are fixed to the top of the mounting plate 50 by means of fasteners 118. The cross-section of the rails 114 and 116 can be best seen in FIG. 7 where each rail includes an upper rail surface 120, and upstanding flange 122 and a guide slot 124. The upstanding flanges 122 of the two rails 114 and 116 cooperate to retain the alignment of the cassettes moving along the rails. The guide slots 124 slidably retain a pusher discussed below.
A second section of the track is positioned beneath an output magazine and is defined by brackets rather than the rails 114 and 116. Between the first section beneath the input magazine 26 and the second section beneath the output magazine, there is a third section. The third section of track employs the same rails 114 and 116 but these rails are modified to accept opposed channels 126 and 128. The opposed channels 126 and 128 form a part of the third section of track and when positioned on the rails 114 and 116 form a continuous upper rail surface. To accomplish this, cut outs 130 and 132 exist in the rails 114 and 116. A fourth seciton of track which is simply a continuation of the rails 114 and 116 between the third section having cut outs 130 and 132 and the second section beneath the output magazine provides a means for conveying cassettes from the third section to the second section.
Looking in more detail to the opposed channels 126 and 128, two channel members 134 and 136 make up the channel 126. These channel members 134 and 136 are mounted to a frame plate 138. The frame plate which can best be seen in FIG. 4 is generally rectangular with one corner removed for clearance purposes. Furthermore, a circular opening 140 is provided for access to the spool of a cassette located in the opposed channels. The frame plate 138 itself provides one side of the opposed channels 126 and 128 as they grip a cassette. FIG. 14 illustrates a cassette positioned within the opposed channel assembly. Small flanges 142 and 144 associated with the channel members 134 and 136 retain the cassette from movement transverse to the direction of the track. The channel 128 is also associated with the frame plate 138. This association is spring loaded as seen in FIGS. 13 and 14. Pins 146 and 148 retain the orientation of the channel 128 while a retaining screw 150 is associated with a spring 152 to bias the channel 128 toward the opposed channel 126. The channel surface receiving the cassette is arcuate to allow facile movement of the cassette into a position between the opposed channels and under compression.
The opposed channel assembly including the channels 126 and 128 and the frame plate 138 is pivotally mounted to an arm 154 about a pivot 156. The arm 154 is also pivotally mounted at a distance from the pivot 156. This pivotal mounting of the arm 154 is about an axis which is roughly perpendicular to and spaced from the axis of the pivot 156. The arm 154 is fixed to a block 158 associated with a shaft 160. This shaft 160 is mounted in bearing blocks 162 and 164. The shaft 160 extends beyond the bearing blocks 162 and 164. Past the bearing block 162 the shaft 160 is fixed to a lever arm 166. The lever arm 166 is pinned to one end of an extensible cylinder 168. Clearance is provided for the cylinder and the lever arm by means of a slot 170 in the mounting plate 50 as can be seen in FIG. 4. The other end of the extensible cylinder 168 is pinned to the frame of the mechanism by clevis 172. As can be seen in FIG. 14, extension of the cylinder 168 causes the arm 154 to pivot upwardly to the work station on the cassette loader 10. When the cylinder 168 retracts, the arm 154 is positioned back in alignment with the other sections of the track. The other end of the shaft 160 extending beyond the bearing block 164 is fixed to another arm 174 which swings with the arm 154 to encounter and be stopped against stops 176 and 178.
The pivot 156 on the arm 154 allows the opposed channels 126 and 128 to pivot into alignment with the cassette loading mechanism of the loader 10 when the arm 154 moves a cassette up from the track to the work station. This relative position is illustrated in FIG. 1. To control the pivotal movement of the opposed channels 126 and 128, a link 180 is coupled to the channel member 134 at a first end and to the mounting plate 50 at the other end. The first end of the link 180 is mounted to the channel member 134 by means of a swivel 182. The other end of the link 180 is fixed to a pivot 184 fastened to the mounting plate 50. The pivot 184 has an axis parallel to the bearing blocks 162 and 164 but is displaced toward the track. Consequently, as the arm 154 pivots to the work position, the shorter link 180 draws the near end of the opposed channels 126 and 128 downwardly for alignment with the cassette loader 10. This position is best illustrated in FIG. 13. Careful alignment is achieved by employment of the link 180 and is further aided by the guide pin 20 and the spindle 18.
To move cassettes along the track from beneath the input magazine 26, an advancement means is employed. The advancement means includes a first pusher 186 and a second pusher 188. The first and second pushers 186 and 188 are fixed together by means of a bar 190 constrained to slide in the guide slots 124. The pusher assembly is controlled by an extensible cylinder 192 which is fixed beneath the mounting plate 50 on an angle bracket 194 and 196. The piston end of the cylinder 192 is fixed to a member 198 depending from the bar 190. A slot 200 in the mounting plate 50 provides access to the pusher assembly from under the mounting plate 50.
The stroke of the cylinder 192 has been selected to move a cassette from a position beneath the input magazine 26 along the track to between the opposed channels 126 and 128. As a cassette positioned in the opposed channels is held there by compression, proper placement by the first pusher 186 will be maintained while the third section of track is rotated to the work position.
The distance between the input magazine to the opposed channels 126 and 128 is roughly the same as the distance between the opposed channels 126 and 128 and the output magazine. Because of this, the second pusher 188 is able to move a cassette along the track from the third section of track to a position beneath the output magazine. During full operation, the two pushers each are pushing cassettes simultaneously, one from beneath the input magazine 26 and one to a position beneath the output magazine. Because of the interference which would occur between a cassette positioned by the first pusher 186 and a return of the second pusher 188, the pushers are not returned to their initial position until the third section of track is rotated to the work station. Once that occurs, the pushers return, a new cassette is released from magazine 26 onto the track and the cassette being loaded at the work station is eventually returned to between the first and second sections of the track. The pushers can then be energized again to force cassettes along the track. To aid the second pusher and the fourth section of track, a guide plate 202 insures that passing cassettes are held down on the track.
At the far left of the embodiment as disclosed in FIG. 1, an output magazine 204 is positioned to reseive cassettes which have been operated on at the work station. As with the input magazine 26, the output magazine is formed from two channels 206 and 208 which enclose the ends of cassettes positioned therein. Channels 206 and 208 are spaced so that an operator can gain manual access to cassettes held within the magazine. Flared tabs 210, 212 and 214 help ease introduction of cassettes into the magazine from above if that becomes desired. The channels 206 and 208 include mounting flanges 216, 218 and 220 as employed with the input magazine 26. The mounting flanges of the output magazine 204 are mounted to a guide plate 222 which includes a port 224 that is tapered to have a larger entrance from below as cassettes move upwardly through the port. The port 224 is roughly rectangular to approximate the shape of a cassette and yet to allow a cassette to pass therethrough when properly aligned. The output magazine 204 and the guide plate 222 are supported in a similar manner to the input magazine 26. Hopper mounting blocks 226 and 228 are fixed to the mounting plate 50 be means of fasteners 230. Mounted at the ends of these blocks 226 and 228 are frame posts 232. The frame posts 232, the guide plate 222 and the mounting blocks 226 and 228 are all held together by means of fasteners 234. Guides 236 and 238 having arcuate inner surfaces are also positioned on the mounting blocks 226 and 228.
A second gate means is associated with the output magazine 204 to control orientation and retention of cassettes in the output magazine. This second gate means includes a third plate 240. This plate is pivotally mounted to the mounting blocks 226 and 228 and the guides 236 and 238 by means of a thrust bearing 242. The construction of the third plate 242 is identical to that of the first plate 64 in its mounting of the thrust bearing 242, its cylindrical portion 244 and its flanged portion 246. The upper surface of the third plate 240 also includes concaved surfaces and arcuate cutouts identical to and for the same purposes as those features numbered 102 through 112 of the first plate 64.
As graphically illustrated in FIG. 5, the third plate indexing means for pivotally driving and positioning the third plate 240 is also substantially identical to the first plate indexing means discussed above. A ring gear 248 is fixed to the top surface of the flange portion 246 of the third plate 240. Fasteners 250 fix the ring gear 248 to the plate 240. The ring gear 248 is coupled to a spur gear 252 associated with a shaft 254 rotatably mounted in a bearing assembly 256. At the second end of the shaft 254, a pinion 260 engages a rack 262. The rack is constrained to move in a linear path by a rack guide 264 fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 50. As with the first plate indexing means, longitudinal movement of the rack 262 results in pivotal movement of the third plate 240.
A drive mechanism for the second rack 262 is also like that associated with the first rack 86. Two pneumatic cylinders 266 and 268 are mounted in tandem with one end of one cylinder driving the rack and the other end of the other cylinder being fixed to the mounting palte 50. Selection of the several combinations of piston positions results in three rest positions for the rack 262 which cause the third plate 240 to be positioned in three positions each 90 degrees apart.
The third plate 240 includes a third gate 270 therethrough. The third gate is sized to approximate the shape of a cassette for easy passage therethrough when the cassette is aligned with the gate 270. Below and aligned with the third gate 270 are two guide rails 272 and 274. The guide rails 272 and 274 each include a mounting flange 276 and a rail flange 278. In this way, the guide rails 272 and 274 are fixed to the underside of the third plate 240 to define a track for receipt of cassettes. The guide rails 272 and 274 thus form the second section of the track which is aligned with the remaining portion of the track in a first position but is rotated 90 degres in either direction with the third plate 240 at selected times.
The center position of the third gate 270 is aligned with the track so that cassettes entering into the second section of track are aligned for passage through the gate. The port 224 located in the guide plate 222 is arranged with the major dimension of the port perpendicular to that of the third gate 270 when the third gate is in that central position. Thus, the third gate 270 holds all of the cassettes positioned within the output magazine 204 in place while receiving an additional cassette from below. The third plate 240 may then be rotated in either direction to align the third gate 270 and the port 224 for passage of additional cassettes up into the output magazine 204.
To force the incoming cassettes up into the output magazine 204, a piston 280 extends from beneath the mounting plate 50. The orientation and action of the piston 280 may best be seen in a sequential FIGS. 10, 11 and 12. The rotation of the third plate 240 selects which direction the tape access ports of the cassettes will be facing in the output magazine 204.
The preferred embodiment illustrates a mechanism for providing either a pattern of stacking for the cassettes in the output magazine 204 where each cassette faces in the opposite direction in an alternating pattern or where six cassettes face in the same direction with each succeeding set of six facing in an alternating pattern in opposite directions. A mechanical system for controlling the fluid control system for selecting the orientation of each succeeding cassette placed in the output magazine 204 is employed in the preferred embodiment. This device is shown in FIGS. 17, 18 and 19 and is shown in position on the overall cassette handling device in FIG. 5. The mechanism includes a housing 282 fixed to the underside of the mounting plate 50. Located within the housing is a shaft 284. The shaft 284 is mounted in bearings 2886 and 288 and has fixed thereto a ratchet wheel 290. Also located in the housing 282 is a rod 292 which extends from the housing 282 in the path of the pusher assembly. The rod 292 is sprung loaded by means of spring 294 and carries a bracket 296. A pawl arm 298 is pivotally mounted to the shaft 284 and is held by the bracket 296. Thus, when the rod 292 is driven against the spring 294 by the pusher assembly, the pawl arm 298 is pivoted. A pawl 300 is positioned on the pawl arm 298 and is spring loaded to engage the ratchet wheel 290. Interlocking engagement of the pawl 300 and the ratchet wheel 290 occurs when the rod 292 is forced against the spring 294 by means of the pusher assembly. A second pawl 302 mouned to the housing 282 prevents rotation of the ratchet wheel 290 in the opposite direction during return of the first pawl 300 to its rest position. Thus, each stroke of the pusher assembly advances the ratchet wheel 290 and the attached shaft 284 a fixed amount.
Also fixed to the shaft 284 are two cams. The first cam 304 is seen in FIG. 17 as having six lobes 306 alternating with six low portions 308. A follower 310 is pivotally mounted to the housing 282 to follow the first cam 304 and to actuate a switch through cable 312. The second cam 314 is best seen in FIG. 19 in association with its follower 316 also pivotally mounted to the housing 282 to actuate a second switch by means of cable 318. Because of the discrete steps of the pawl and ratchet mechanism, the lobe on the second cam affects the positioning of six cassettes while the valley also affects the positioning of six cassettes.
A reject feature is provided by means of spring mounted stop 320 and 322. These stops are thus illustrated in FIG. 4 in their receiving and reject positions. The stops are actuated by simply forcing the cassette against the spring loading thereof. When a cassette has not been properly loaded in a manner which can be sensed by the cassette loader, the piston 280 is disabled which leaves the rejected cassette in the second section of the track in the guide rails 272 and 274. The next cassette which passes across the fourth section of the track then pushes the rejected cassette through the stops 320 and 322. The next properly loaded cassette is then capable of moving up upon activation of the piston 280 in the normal manner.
FIG. 20 illustrates a control system which, in the preferred embodiment, is pneumatic. The control system elements relevant to the present invention are illustrated in FIG. 20 as including an air inlet 324, a main air on and off switch 326 and a left hopper enabling valve 328 as the main power source control for the system. Switch 330 determines the stacking0arrangement in the output magazine 204. Valve 332 controls the right hopper index function and valves 334 and 336 control the left hopper index function. Valves 338 and 340 are driven by cams 304 and 314 to actuate indexing of the output hopper system. Valves 342 and 346 provide logic for alternating the indexing of the input hopper and indicator 348 is controlled by valve position 342. The indicator 348 shows the operator which way to load the cassettes into the input hopper 26, that is whether the bottom cassette of the stack 32 is to have its access port facing left or right. An alternate embodiment which may be employed where the initial stacking of the cassettes cannot be predicted may include a proximity sensor or series of same which distinguishes the orientation of the bottom most cassette of the stack in the input magazine and controls automatically the valve 332.
Valve 350 actuates the pusher in respone to position of a cam 352. The cam 352 is associated with the tape loading device. Valve 354 controls the cylinder 280 to actuate the arm 154. The remaining valves to the left of valve 354 are associated with the threading mechanism and are not of relevance here. A take up motor 356 is also associated with the threading mechanism; however, it has been found that a brake 358 associated with the cylinders 168 and 280 is advantageous. This prevents breaking of the tape during the loading process. The cylinders 360 and 362 are employed as shock absorbers and energy storage devices during operation of the equipment. Valves 364 and 366 operate as limit switches is by interfering with the travel of the member 198 to control the cylinder 192 of the tape advancement system. The pneumatics of FIG. 20 are shown with the cam 352 in the start of the cycle and the solinoid for ejecting a defective cassette in the eject mode.
By means of the equipment described above and the pneumatic system shown in FIG. 20, the first gate means is actuated to rotate in a manner predicted by the indicator 348 to accept a cassette from the input magazine 26. This first cassette falls into the gate 72 and is retained there until the first plate 64 rotates back into alignment with the gate 100 in the second plate 96. At this time, the cassette brought into the first gate 72 falls onto the track having rails 114 and 116. With the opposed channels 126 and 128 in alignment with the main portion of the track, the first pusher 186 forces the cassette released from the input hopper assembly to the third section between the opposed channels 126 and 128. The arm 154 is then rotated up and the loading function is carried out. During the loading operation, the pushers 186 and 188 return to their far right position as seen in FIG. 1. Once the cassette has been loaded, the arm 154 returns to its down position and the pusher 188 forces the cassette contained within the opposed channels 126 and 128 to the output hopper system. The piston 280 then moves to force the cassette contained in the guide rails 272 and 274 upwardly. At this time, the third plate 240 rotates to arrange the cassette in proper angular alignment for entry into the output magazine 204. While the piston 280 is extended to hold the nested cassettes above the third plate 240, the third plate 240 returns to its aligned position with the track in preparation for the acceptance of further cassettes.
While embodiments and applications of this invention have been shown and described, it would be apparent to those skilled in the art that many more modifications are possible without departing from the inventive concepts herein. The invention, therefore, is not to be restricted except by the spirit of the appended claims. | A system for the handling of cassettes which are nested in a predetermined pattern to individually remove, orient and deliver each cassette to a work station and then nest in another predetermined pattern the cassettes having passed through the work station. The disclosed system includes an input hopper mechanism including a magazine and a gate, a track system for conveying cassettes from the hopper, a system for removing cassettes to a work station and returning the cassettes to a track, and an output hopper mechanism including an output magazine and a gate means for controlling the input and orientation of cassettes into the output hopper. | 8 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a communication system which supports communication of data and which comprises a first core network with a plurality of core network functional server nodes for circuit switched communication, also called CS core nodes, and a second core network with a number of core network functional server nodes for packet switched communication, also called PS core nodes. At least the CS core nodes are arranged in a pool in order to in common control a number of control nodes and an interface between CS core nodes and PS core nodes is used e.g. for providing information to CS core nodes from the PS core nodes relating to mobility related events for mobile stations. The invention also relates to a PS core node in such a system, to a CS core node in such a system, to a home location node in such a system and to a method for transfer of information messages in a system as referred to above.
STATE OF THE ART
[0002] In known communication systems supporting communication of both circuit switched data and packet switched data, as also very schematically illustrated in the prior art FIG. 1 , circuit switched core nodes, here MSC 1 and MSC 2 and packet switched core nodes, here SGSN 1 and SGSN 2 serve, or control, radio access network control means, here base station controllers BSC 1 , BSC 2 , BSC 3 , BSC 4 , each responsible for routing areas or location areas RA/LA etc. It should be clear that the figure is most simplified and shown for illustrative purposes. Before the pooling concept was introduced, i.e. without pooling, each BSC communicated with but one CS core node and one PS core node, here each BSC communicates with one MSC and one SGSN. If a mobile station MS changes routing area or location area, for example between BSC 2 and BSC 3 , the MSC has to be changed from the MSC 1 to MSC 2 since BSC 2 communicates with MSC 1 and BSC 3 only with MSC 2 . The MS then sends a location area updates (LAU) to the MSC (corresponding to a routing area update (RAU) for packet switched communication). But it also means that it has to change SGSN, e.g. from SGSN 1 to SGSN 2 in this case. This means that quite lot of signalling is required, and there has to be sent one message to an MSC, one message to an SGSN and a response or accept has to be awaited from both. The procedure is similar upon attach, for example if a mobile station within a routing area or a service area is not moving but is activated in the area. In order to, among others, reduce the required signalling a feature denoted combined procedures has been standardized, it is also called Network Operation Mode 1 . In short this includes the introduction of an interface, the Gs interface, between the SGSN and the MSC. An advantage with this feature is that only one message is required from the MS. The MS then instead sends a RAU of type combined to the SGSN. (For example via broadcast the MS is able to note whether the network supports RAU of type combined to an SGSN. The SGSN then “converts” the RAU to a LAU which is sent over the Gs interface to the concerned MSC (of course on condition that the concerned MSC and SGSN respectively cover the same routing/location area or service area. A benefit of using the Gs interface is that CS paging can be coordinated in the BSC and that mobility procedures such as attach and routing/location area updates can be handled with a minimum amount of signalling over the air. All mobility related signalling passes between MS and the SGSN and, as referred to above, the SGSN then uses the Gs interface to notify the MSC of the current mobility events. It should here be pointed out that, when the Gs interface is active, selection of an MSC is done by the SGSN and not by the BSC as it is otherwise the case. The Gs interface and combined procedures are described in 3GPP (Third Generation Partnership Project) TS 29.018 and 29.016 which herewith are incorporated herein by reference thereto.
[0003] If however an MSC has been taken down e.g. because it was malfunctioning for regular maintenance reasons or similar, and then it is activated or put into traffic again, it will not be aware of which MSs it should control. Therefore implementation of the pooling concept is a precondition for a good functioning. Pooling of core nodes, e.g. MSCs and SGSNs has been standardized in 3GPP TS 23.236 Release 5 , which also is incorporated herein by reference thereto. The pooling concept consists in that several MSCs or SGSNs serve one and the same area, i.e. serve the control nodes and the respective areas in common. This means that any core node, in a pool is able to control any control node, e.g. BSC or RNC, in the pool area. This makes it possible, for example, to remove an MSC or an SGSN for service or maintenance purposes and still retain the service availability. It is also easier to add core nodes, MSCs or SGSNs, to the pool with a minimum impact on the pool and on control nodes since the responsibility is taken over by another core node within the pool. Pooling is also attractive from load sharing and redundancy point of views. When an MS is attached to a pooled MSC/SGSN, it is allocated a temporary identity, TMSI (Temporary Mobile Station Identity) or P-TMSI (Packet-TMSI). (P-)TMSI) includes an NRI (Network Resource ID) that uniquely defines the node in the pool, which is used by the radio access network control node, i.e. BSC or RNC, to route the MS to the correct MSC/SGSN. When the feature combined procedures, or the Gs interface, is used together with pooled MSCs, the responsibility for selection of MSC is transferred to the SGSN. According to the current standards, the SGSN shall select MSC based on IMSI. If for example a BSC, e.g. BSC 3 , is served by SGSN 2 , a RAU of type combined is sent from BSC 3 to SGSN 2 which then sends a LAU to an MSC. The selection of MSC is based on IMSI when SGSN selects MSC. If, however, the MS has changed MSC, for example due to maintenance or malfunctioning of an MSC, to another MSC, allocation depending on IMSI will not function. All SGSNs have to use the same algorithm or allocation algorithm in order to assure that a MS does not have to change MSC when it changes SGSN. Thus, if there has been a change in MSC, with the present solution, it will not function. It is however disadvantageous to change MSC selection just because an MSC has been taken down, e.g. for algorithm due to maintenance etc. This is particularly problematic when the MSCs are pooled and the SGSNs are not pooled, or the SGSN pool area differs from that of the MSC pool area, since the MSC selection or selection algorithm has to be the same in all SGSNs to avoid change of MSCs SGSN change as referred to above, i.e. all SGSNs have to choose the same MSC for a mobile station.
[0004] In many cases, e.g. at MSC restart after a planned maintenance, there is a need to have a more dynamic load sharing of MSs on MSCs. If the SGSNs are aware that a certain MSC has been restarted, or if there is a new MSC in the MSC pool, an active load balancing can be performed in order to quickly redistribute the load also on the new MSC. With the current solution this would have to be performed using a coordinated change of the IMSI based MSC selection algorithm, which means that the consequences of even a planned operation will result in extensive changes and signalling.
[0005] In another situation MSCs apparently can move MSs to other MSCs on their own initiatives before a maintenance situation. In that case the SGSN to which the MS is attached is not notified. When the MS notices the situation, a re-attach will occur, and the SGSN will use its IMSI based algorithm to select an MSC, which in most cases will lead to a change of MSC, which is disadvantageous.
[0006] Thus, with the current solutions there will be unnecessary changes of core nodes as a mobile station moves, as well as there is required a lot of signalling in a network. Another situation that is problematic is when an MS has changed MSC, and then moves from one SGSN to another. The “new” SGSN then has to select an MSC and accordingly uses the IMSI algorithm, e.g. an IMSI table, and for example selects MSC 1 . However, if the MS had moved from the MSC 1 to another MSC, e.g. MSC 2 , or if MSC 1 is out of operation or even if it has been taken into operation after maintenance or similar, the MS will be controlled by another MSC but this is not known to the new SGSN, i.e. the IMSI algorithm will point at the wrong MSC, which is clearly disadvantageous.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] What is needed is therefore a communications system as initially referred to in which signalling can be reduced. Still further a communications system is needed through which unnecessary changes of the attachment of a mobile station to core nodes can be avoided in general. Moreover a system is needed through which pooling of core nodes can be taken advantage of to a better extent than hitherto, particularly pooling of CS core nodes. Still further a system is needed through which the disadvantages referred to above when pooling is used in combination with the feature combined procedures or network operation mode 1 can be overcome. Further yet a system is needed through which maintenance of pooled CS core nodes, particularly MSCs, is facilitated when the Gs interface is active, or when combined procedures or Network Operation Mode I is implemented. Still further a system is needed through which changes of core nodes can be avoided when for example a CS core node in a pool crashes, or when a new CS core node, particularly an MSC, is introduced in a network or when an MSC is down for maintenance reasons etc. Still further a system is needed through which the rigidity and inflexibility of using MSC algorithms for selection of an MSC via an SGSN can be avoided and through which a coordinated change of IMSI based MSCs selections can be avoided when an MSC for some reason has been changed for one, or particularly a plurality, of mobile stations. Still further a system is needed through which, even if a mobile station moves and changes SGSN attachment from one SGSN to another, it is not necessary to change MSC. Still further a system is needed through which, when there is a change in SGSN for a mobile station already having changed MSC, the SGSN shall have the option to be aware of which is the current MSC. Still further a PS core node is needed through which one or more of the above mentioned objects can be achieved. Moreover a CS core node as initially referred to is needed through the implementation of which one or more of the above mentioned objects can be achieved, as well as a home location node which can assist in achieving one or more of the above mentioned objects. Further yet a method is needed through which one or more of the above mentioned objects can be achieved.
[0008] Therefore a communication system as initially referred to is provided in which means are provided for, when there is a change from a first CS core node to which one or more MS(s) is/are attached to second core node, providing, from either of said first or second CS core nodes involved in the change, information to the PS core node to which the MS is attached, with information that a transfer is to be done or has been done. Particularly said means comprises means for providing and sending a message from said first or second CS core node to said PS core node. Particularly said message comprises a message (here denoted a first information message) from said first CS core node indicating the address of said second CS core node. Said message may particularly comprise information about when the PS core node should perform a location update towards said second CS core node for each MS having moved or is going to move from said first to said second CS core node.
[0009] In another implementation the first information message comprises a message from said second CS core node, which message comprises the address of said second CS core node itself. Particularly that message is sent after the move (change) from said first CS core node has been effected, and the second CS core node has received information about the address of said PS core node from said first CS core node.
[0010] In an advantageous embodiment, when a plurality of mobile stations attached to a first CS core node are moved to, or to be moved to, a second CS core node, information thereon is provided to the PS core node substantially simultaneously, or for a given number or for a particular group of such MSs simultaneously, or consecutively, or according to some algorithm. This is particularly relevant when for example an MSC or a CS core node crashes, is taken down for maintenance or similar, and there may be a large number of MSs being moved to fall under the responsibility of another CS core node.
[0011] In a particular embodiment the CS core nodes are MSCs whereas the PS core nodes are SGSNs and/or CGSNs. In one implementation the PS core nodes or particularly the SGSNs/CGSNs are not pooled. In that case the inventive concept is extremely advantageous. However, in another implementation also the PS core nodes are pooled.
[0012] The first information message is particularly sent over the Gs interface and it should be followed by an acknowledgement from the PS core node to the CS core node having sent said first information message. In order to solve the problem when a mobile station has moved/changed from a first CS core node to a second CS core node, and then subsequently changes PS core node from a first PS core node to a second PS core node due to change of routing area, in which case, unless the inventive concept is implemented, the new PS core node having the IMSI algorithm, e.g. an IMSI table, at hands, and which is fixed for all SGSNs, would select the first CS core node and, in which case, since the MS has changed CS core node, it will no longer be there. In order to solve this problem, second information means are provided for providing a new second PS core node, when an MS (or more) moves from an old first, PS core node to a new, second PS core node, with information about to which CS core node the MS currently is attached or connected. Particularly said second information means comprises a second information message provided and sent from the first, old, PS core node to the second, new, PS core node and it contains information about current CS core node. Said second information message particularly comprises an existing message that already is used in the messaging between PS core nodes, which however is extended with information relating to the current CS core node. As referred to above, the CS core nodes and the PS core nodes may be MSCs and SGSNs/CGSNs respectively. It may comprise an extended message (SGSN Context Response) during an Inter SGSN Routing Area Update. Particularly the current MSC forms part of a pooled group/list of MSC serving the current routing area/service area or location area of the new SGSN. Particularly the new, second, SGSN (or more generally the PS core node) selects the current CS core node or particularly MSC, and sends the message relating to Location Update (Location Update Request) to said current CS core node, or MSC, to avoid changing MSC for the mobile station.
[0013] In an alternative implementation said second information means comprises a second information message provided from a home location node, particularly an HLR, to the second, new, PS core node, which information message-comprises information about the current CS core node. Said message particularly comprises an existing message extended with information relating to current CS node. Even more particularly, the CS core node comprises an MSC and the PS core nodes comprise SGSNs/CGSNs, and the existing message comprises an Insert Subscriber Data message in the MAP (Mobile Application Part Protocol). Particularly the second or new PS core node (SGSN) uses information about current MSC to send a Location Update Request to said current MSC (or CS core node) to avoid changing CS core node/MSC for the moving MS. Thus the feature that an HLR holds information about current CS core node is taken advantage of.
[0014] In order to achieve one or more of the objects initially referred to the invention also suggests a CS core node which is arranged in a pool of CS core nodes and which is used in a communication system supporting communication of data, further comprising a number of PS core nodes, and wherein an interface (Gs) is used for communication between CS core nodes and PS core nodes, wherein the CS core node comprises means for providing information to a PS core node to which an MS is attached, when said MS changes to/from said CS core node to another CS core node. Said means particularly comprises means for generating and sending a message to said PS core node, and said message contains the address of the other CS core node involved in the CS core node change, i.e. a CS core node to which a change is (to be) performed. Particularly said first information message is sent when an MS is attached to the core node. Alternatively said second information message is sent when an MS has been detached/disconnected from said CS core node or when it is about to detach/disconnect from said CS core node. Said first information message particularly comprises information about when the PS core node should perform a Location Update towards the other CS core node. Particularly the CS core node comprises means for sending a message/messages relating to a plurality or group of MSs changing/having changed PS core node substantially simultaneously. Particularly the CS core node comprises an MSC and said first information message is sent to an SGSN/CGSN comprising a PS core node, wherein said information message is sent over the Gs interface requiring an accept message from the SGSN/CGSN.
[0015] The invention also provides for a PS core node used in a communication system supporting communication of data and comprising a number of PS core nodes and further comprising a pool of CS core nodes and wherein an interface (Gs) is used for communication between PS core nodes and CS core nodes. The PS core node comprises means for receiving and responding to an information message from a CS core node when one or more MSs have changed/or are changing CS core nodes and contains the address of the CS core node to which the MS or the MSs are changing/have changed. Particularly said information message is sent/responded to over the Gs interface and comprises information about when the PS core node should perform a Location Update relating to the MS(s) towards the other/new PS core node. The PS core node particularly comprises an SGSN/CGSN receiving an information message from/responding to a CS core node comprising an MSC. The PS core node particularly comprises second information means for sending/receiving a second information message to/from another PS core node to which an MSC moves/attaches or has moved/attached or from which an MS has moved, wherein said second information message contains information about the current CS core node to which the MS is connected/attached. Said second information message even more particularly comprises an existing message extended with information relating to current CS core node, particularly MSC. The extended existing message particularly comprises an extended SGSN context response used during an Inter SGSN Routing Area Update. Particularly, after having received (taken over) an MS from another PS core node, the PS core node selects the current CS core node and sends a location update message to said current CS core node, thus avoiding a CS core node change due to a PS core node change for the mobile station in question.
[0016] In order to solve particularly the problem relating to the situation when a mobile station changes from one PS core node to another PS core node and where said other PS core node has to select a CS core node as an alternative, the invention provides for a home location node, e.g. a HLR used in a communication system supporting communication of data and comprising a number of PS core nodes and a number of PS core nodes. The CS core nodes are arranged in a pool and an interface is used for providing information from a PS core node to a CS core node, e.g. the Gs interface and at least the CS core nodes are arranged in a pool. The home location node comprises means for providing and sending an information message (denoted second information message) to a PS core node when an MS has changed attachment from another PS core node to said PS core node, about current attachment/connection of the MS to a CS core node, a current CS core node. Particularly said information message comprises an existing message extended with second information about current CS core node, wherein the existing message particularly comprises an insert subscriber data message as used in existing and standardized systems.
[0017] The invention also suggests a method for transfer of information messages in a communication system as initially referred to. The method comprises the steps of, when one or more MSs being attached/connected to a first pooled CS core node are (to be) moved to a second pooled CS core node; providing information in a (first information) message from said first or second CS core node about the address of the second CS core node to the PS core node to which the MS or the MSs is/are connected. Particularly the method comprises the step of using the Gs interface for the message to the PS core node. Still further the method may comprise the steps of, when an MS having changed CS core and the PS core node is aware of the address of the current CS core node, and when the MS subsequently changes PS core node from a first PS core node to a second PS core node, extending an existing message intended for the second PS core node with information about the current CS core node; in a second PS core node, using the information about the current CS core node; selecting said current CS core node to avoid changing CS core nodes for the mobile station(s). Particularly the extended existing message is provided and sent from the old, first, PS core node or alternatively from the home location node holding subscriber data for the mobile station, e.g. a HLR.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The invention will in the following be further described, in a non-limiting manner, and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
[0019] FIG. 2 schematically illustrates a system according the invention and indicating one example of a possible scenario,
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sequence diagram in which a CS core node (an MSC) from which an MS is moved sends a first information message to a PS core node (SGSN),
[0021] FIG. 4 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure when an MSC to which an MS moves informs an SGSN via a first information message,
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram illustrating the procedure when an “old” SGSN provides information to a “new” SGSN via an extended information message in a combined Inter SGSN RA/LA Update message, and
[0023] FIG. 6 is a sequence diagram similar to that of FIG. 5 for an embodiment in which the second information message is provided from an HLR.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a system according to the present invention in which a number of MSCs, MSC 1 , MSC 2 and MSC 3 are arranged in a pool, whereas a number of SGSNs, SGSN 1 , SGSN 2 and SGSN 3 are provided in a conventional manner, i.e. not in a pool (of course also the SGSNs could have been arranged in a pool). The system implements the standardized feature combined procedures or Network Operation Mode I as referred to above including the Gs interface between the SGSNs and the MSCs. This means that all mobility related signalling passes between the MSs within the pool area (of which only one is illustrated for reasons of clarity) and an SGSN, i.e. SGSN 1 , SGSN 2 or SGSN 3 , whereas the respective concerned SGSN uses the Gs interface to notify the MSCs or an MSC of the pool of mobility related events of the mobile stations. As referred to above, a selection of an MSC for an MS is performed by the SGSN in such a system instead of by the BSC.
[0025] The pool of MSCs in common control BSC 1 , BSC 2 , BSC 3 , i.e. any of the MSCs, MSC 1 , MSC 2 , MSC 3 , is able to control or serve any one of BSC 1 , BSC 2 and BSC 3 . Of course, in a realistic system there are far more BSCs, and mostly a pool includes more than three MSCs. Since the pooling concept is not (in this implementation) implemented on the SGSN side or on the packet switched side, each SGSN communicates with one BSC or each. BSC only communicates with one SGSN. In this particular embodiment BSC 1 communicates with SGSN 1 , BSC 2 with SGSN 2 and BSC 3 with SGSN 3 .
[0026] FIG. 2 illustrates one scenario in which the problem is solved when an MS is attached to an MSC and changes MSC, e.g. because the MSC is taken down in a planned manner or crashes. SGSN attachment is however not changed. As referred to earlier in the application, an SGSN is here responsible for selection of MSC based on the IMSI of the mobile station. If the SGSN is not pooled or if the SGSN pool area differs from that of the MSC pool, and since for a mobile station the same MSC has to be selected by all the SGSNs in order to avoid an MSC change when there is a SGSN change, with the current solution using the same IMSI algorithm in each SGSN, the same MSC will always be selected. If however an MSC is (taken) down, the SGSN will not be aware of that fact, which means the IMSI algorithm will no more select the appropriate MSC, or an MSC which is in operation. Thus, according to the present invention, means are provided through which the SGSN is notified about the change of MSC for one or more MSs.
[0027] In FIG. 2 it is for example supposed that MS is attached to MSC 1 , but MSC 1 will be taken down e.g. due to a planned maintenance operation. It is here supposed that MS is transferred to MSC 2 . In a first embodiment is supposed that the old MSC, i.e. MSC 1 , notifies the SGSN, here SGSN 2 , that for MS a change from MSC 1 to MSC 2 will occur. MSC 1 in this implementation thus sends a first information message “MS Move” ( 1 ) including the address of MCS 2 to SGSN 2 over the Gs interface. SGSN 2 then responds with an acknowledgment ( 2 ) to MSC 1 . Subsequently, when a location update is due according to the first message ( 1 ), SGSN 2 sends a location update “MS Move” ( 3 ) to MSC 2 using the information it received in the first “MS move” message, i.e. the “new” MSC address and information about when the location update was to be performed towards the new MSC 2 . MSC 2 then acknowledges ( 4 ) this to SGSN 2 also over the Gs interface. It should be clear that the inventive concept is not limited to the use of the Gs interface, the important thing being that the messages are provided and not how.
[0028] Generally, when an MS enters or switches on in a pool area, it sends an attach request of type combined to e.g. BSC 2 or a Routing Area Update (RAU) of type combined to BSC 2 , which sends a LAU of type combined to SGSN 2 which uses the IMSI algorithm to select an SGSN. However, if not the message “MS Move” according to the present invention is used, and if the MS has changed MSC e.g. due to a maintenance operation or similar, the IMSI based allocation will not work any more since SGSN 2 (in this case) does not know where the MS is attached/connected or which MSC that should be selected; it would still use for example MSC 1 although it is taken down. All SGSNs, according to current state of the art, do have the same IMSI algorithm among others in order to prevent that an MS changes MSC when it changes SGSN. Thus, according to the present invention it can be said that the IMSI based allocation is overridden, and due to the fact that the SGSN has got information about the current MSC, the location update can be sent to the appropriate MSC. This is extremely advantageous since otherwise the algorithms would have to be changed in every SGSN for example at MSC maintenance operations etc.
[0029] The scenario of FIG. 2 is schematically illustrated in the sequence diagram of FIG. 3 . Thus, it is here supposed that MSC 1 sends a first message Move MS ? ( 1 ) to MSC 2 to establish if MSC 2 is capable of accepting the MS. If MSC 2 accepts to receive MS, it sends an acknowledgement MS Move Ack ( 2 ) to MSC 1 . MSC 1 then sends a first information message according to the present invention, MSC Move, with information about the address of MSC 2 and information about when a location update towards MSC 2 is due, to SGSN 2 ( 3 ). This is acknowledged by SGSN 2 to MSC 1 in MSC Move Ack ( 4 ). Subsequently, when the location update is due, SGSN 2 sends an MS Move Location Update message ( 5 ) to MSC 2 , which acknowledges this, MS Move Ack ( 6 ), to SGSN 2 .
[0030] It should be clear that generally an MSC handles a large number of mobile stations and in such a case MSC 1 may send a message relating to a plurality of mobile stations, groups of mobile stations or all mobile stations to for example MSC 2 in one and the same message (on condition they are all moved to MSC 2 ; otherwise there might be a message to MSC 2 , a message to MSC 3 etc. depending on to which MSC a group of MSs are moved). It may also according to any appropriate algorithm send a group within a list to MSC 2 , another group to MSC 3 etc. to handle the situation in the most flexible manner with an amount of signalling which is as much reduced as possible. Any variation is in principle possible.
[0031] FIG. 4 shows an alternative implementation of the present invention for informing an SGSN that an MS changes MSC (Of course it is also applicable for a group moved from an MSC etc.) In this case it is supposed that the new MSC, here MSC 2 , notifies the SGSN, here SGSN 2 , after the MSC change actually has taken place. The only information needed in the information message in this case is the address of the new MSC. However another requirement is that the old MSC, MSC 1 , informs the new MSC, here MSC 2 , about the address of the relevant SGSN. Thus, in the sequence diagram of FIG. 4 , it is supposed that MSC 1 first sends a message move MS ? ( 1 ) to MSC 2 to establish if MSC 2 can accept to handle MS (or a group of MSs or all MSs handled by MSC 1 ). If MSC 2 accepts, it sends a MS move acknowledgement ( 2 ) to MSC 1 . MSC 1 then sends a message with the address to the relevant SGSN to MSC 2 ( 3 ). Of course this information about the SGSN address could have been included already in the first message move MS ? ( 1 ) to MSC 2 . Subsequently it is supposed that the MS is actually moved indicated through a dashed line ( 4 ) in the figure. When the MS has been transferred to MSC 2 , MSC 2 sends an MSC move with its address to SGSN 2 ( 5 ). SGSN 2 then acknowledges the MS move ( 6 ) to MSC 2 . Preferably all messages and acknowledgments are sent over the Gs interface. The fact that the old MSC sends the SGSN address to the new MSC actually comprises an addition to the MSC change procedure.
[0032] FIG. 5 is a sequence diagram relating to a first embodiment according to which the problem is solved when there has been a change of MSCs for an MS (cf. FIGS. 2-4 ) and when the MS subsequently changes SGSN which then has to select an MSC. It is here supposed that the MSC has notified the SGSN about MSC change e.g. according to the implementation described in FIG. 3 . or according to the implementation described in FIG. 4 . The implementation illustrated in FIG. 5 is based on an embodiment in which, at Inter SGSN Routing Area Update, the old SGSN includes the MSC address in the SGSN context response message (together with all other MS subscriber data). Preferably the new information elements are optional in order to assure that no interoperability problems occur. If the information is not included, an MSC change will occur, but the service will still be available. This means that an SGSN is free to select any algorithm to select an MSC, since the current MSC is communicated to the new SGSN. FIG. 5 is based on the combined Inter SGSN RA/LA Update in the implementation of the feature combined procedures as described in 3GPP TS 23.060 version 5.2.0, release 5 , section 6 . 9 . 1 . 3 . 2 ., incorporated herein by reference.
[0033] The MS first sends a Routing Area Update Request as is known per se to the new SGSN ( 1 ). Update Type preferably indicates combined RA/LA update or if the MS wants to perform an IMSI attach, combined RA/LA update with IMSI attach requested. Subsequently the new SGSN sends an SGSN Context Request ( 2 ) to the old SGSN, among others to get the PDP contexts for the mobile station. The old SGSN thereupon sends an SGSN Context Response which however, according to the present invention, is extended with information about the current MSC to which the MS is connected ( 3 ). This information is new. The new SGSN subsequently sends an SGSN Context Ack ( 4 ) to the old SGSN. Later the new SGSN sends an Update PDP Context Request ( 5 ) with the new SGSN Address TEID, QoS Negotiated to the concerned GGSN (Gateway GPRS Support Node) and the GGSN update their PDP context fields and return an Update PDP context Response (TEID) ( 6 ).
[0034] The new SGSN sends an Update Location to HLR to inform the HLR of the change of SGSN by sending Update Location with SGSN Number, SGSN Address, IMSI ( 7 ). The HLR then sends a Cancel Location with IMSI, Cancellation Type, to the old SGSN ( 8 ). The old SGSN acknowledges this with Cancel Location Ack (IMSI) ( 9 ). HLR sends Insert Subscriber Data (IMSI, GPRS Subsription Data) ( 10 ) to the new SGSN which validates the presence of the MS in the (new) RA. It is here supposed that the MS is allowed to be attached in the RA in question and the new SGSN returns an Insert Subscriber Data Ack (IMSI) message to HLR ( 11 ). The HLR acknowledges the Update Location by sending Update Location Ack (IMSI) to the new SGSN ( 12 ). Since the new SGSN has been provided with information about current MSC, it directly sends a Location Update Request to current MSC ( 13 ), which, if it accepts, returns a Location Update Accept ( 14 ), to the new SGSN. As can be seen here a lot of messaging and signalling is avoided due to the fact that new SGSN already in message ( 3 ) was informed about current MSC. Finally the new SGSN validates the presence of the MS in the new RA. It is supposed that the MS is allowed to be attached in the RA and subscription requirements are met and thus the new SGSN establishes MM and PDP context for the MS and a logical link is established between the new SGSN and the MS.
[0035] The new SGSN responds to the MS with a Routing Area Update Accept with P-TMSI, VLR TMSI, P-TMSI Signature etc. ( 15 ). The MS then confirms the reallocation of the TMSIs by returning a Routing Area Update Complete to the new SGSN ( 16 ). The new SGSN then sends a TMSI Reallocation Complete message to the new VLR if the MS confirms the VLR TMSI. This is however not shown in the figures since it is of no relevance for the present invention.
[0036] Thus, FIG. 5 describes one way of providing an extended, existing message with information such as to achieve the object of the invention and to reduce signalling and prevent unnecessary MSC changes (upon an SGSN change).
[0037] FIG. 6 shows another implementation of the invention which is an alternative to the implementation described in FIG. 5 . In this case it is the HLR that provides the information about current MSC. During attach and Inter SGSN Routing Area Update, when the SGSN receives insert subscriber data from the HLR, the HLR includes the address of the MSC where the MS currently is attached (if one is available). If this MSC is one of the MSCs which are pooled as known to the SGSN, this MSC will be used for the combined procedures and an MSC change is avoided for the MS. Actually both these implementations have as a consequence that an SGSN is free to chose any algorithm to select MSC, since the current MSC is communicated to the new SGSN. In FIG. 6 signals 1 - 9 correspond to those of FIG. 5 with the exception that in message 3 ′ current MSC information is not included. However, instead in the insert subscriber data message 10 ′ from HLR to the new SGSN, this message is extended with the information about the current MSC, with subsequently is acknowledged in a message 11 ′ from the new SGSN to HLR.
[0038] Thus, the HLR notifies the SGSN of the MSC where the MS is attached. This actually comprises an update to the Insert
[0039] Subscriber Data message in MAP (Mobile Application Part), 3GPP TS 29.002 which herewith is incorporated herein by reference. Upon receiving the MSC address the SGSN can send the Location Update Request message to the MSC where the MS already is attached. One requirement for the SGSN to use this MSC is that the MSC belongs to the list of MSCs (pooled) that served the current RA/LA. The other messages than the one particularly discussed above correspond to those in FIG. 5 . Thus, messages 1 ′, 2 ′, 4 ′- 9 ′ and 11 ′- 16 ′ corresponds to messages with the same references in FIG. 5 ).
[0040] In still another advantageous implementation of the invention the SGSN is provided with a monitoring function of all configured MSCs of the pool in order to detect an MSC failure. Then the SGSN can send all new MSs or redistribute MSs to the restarted, or another, MSC when it is available. In order to make the monitoring function work, either of the suggestions provided in FIGS. 3,4 or 5 , 6 has to be implemented, or a combination thereof. When an MS has been redistributed, it will be attached to a new MSC, which means that when the MS changes SGSN, e.g. at an Inter SGSN Routing Area Update, the new SGSN is able to find the MSC to which the MS is connected.
[0041] It should be clear that the invention of course not is limited to the specifically illustrated embodiments, but that it can be varied in a number ways without departing from the scope of the appended claims. | The present invention relates to a communication system supporting data communication and comprising at least a first core network with a plurality of circuit switched (CS) core network functional server nodes and a second core network with a number of packet switched (PS) core network functional sever nodes for packet switched communication. The CS core nodes are arranged in a pool and an interface (Gs) between CS core nodes and PS core nodes is used for providing information to CS core nodes from PS core nodes relating to mobility related events provided from an MS to a PS core node. When a mobile station moves from a first CS core node to a second CS core node the PS core node to which the MS is connected is provided with information relating to the change from said first to said second CS core node. | 7 |
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH
[0001] This invention was made with Government support under contract number NO0167-01-D-0063 awarded by Naval Surface Warfare Center Carderock Division.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] This invention relates to a cabinet for reducing the G-loading on sensitive instruments stored in the cabinet that are produced by shock or vibratory forces.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A shock and vibration isolation system is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,530,563 B1. The disclosed system includes a cabinet having an inner frame for supporting sensitive instruments that is mounted within an outer frame. Each frame is rectangularly shaped with the side walls of the inner frame being adjacent to and parallel with the side walls of the outer frame. Two opposed side walls of the inner frame are connected to the adjacent side walls of the outer frame by a series of wire rope isolators. The wire rope isolators are mounted so that each can slide freely in a vertical direction. A pair of double acting shock absorbers are also connected between each of the adjacent side walls of the inner and outer frames so that the shock absorbers can deflect in a vertical direction. The shock absorbers and the wire rope isolators combine to effectively attenuate shock and vibration forces moving along the vertical, horizontal and longitudinal axes of the system.
[0004] As will become apparent from the disclosure below, the present invention represents a further improvement in the isolation cabinet disclosed in the above noted '563 patent. The improvement is realized by relocating the wire rope or other horizontal isolators into positions where they can more effectively attenuate shock and vibratory forces moving in both the horizontal and longitudinal directions. This is accomplished by locating these horizontal isolators so that they will deflect in the same mode, whether the input is from the horizontal, longitudinal, or any combination of the two directions. This is an improvement over prior art systems because it allows the system to be mounted with no restrictions on orientation with respect to these directions. The isolator assemblies for attenuating shock and vibration in the vertical direction can be any double acting shock absorber, such as those referenced in the above noted '563 patent, that is capable of supporting the inner cabinet weight and can include both mechanical and liquid spring units that work together to more effectively attenuate shock and vibratory forces acting in a vertical direction. The isolator assemblies are arranged to attenuate shock and vibratory forces to lower G-load levels acting upon the inner frame of the cabinet.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] It is therefore an object of the present invention to improve cabinets for protecting sensitive instruments against the harmful effects of shock and vibratory input forces.
[0006] It is a further object of the present invention to lower the G-loads on sensitive instruments produced by relatively high shock and vibratory input forces.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are attained by an isolation cabinet that includes an inner frame that is supported within an outer frame by a series of horizontal isolators and double acting shock absorber or isolator assemblies. The frames are generally rectangular shaped with the vertical corners of the inner frame being located adjacent to and parallel with the vertical corners of the outer frame. Each corner has a plate that extends vertically along the length of the frame and which is placed at a 45° angle with respect to the sides of the frame that form the corner. The horizontal isolators are mounted between the corner plates on slides so that they can move freely in a vertical direction. In one embodiment of the invention, double acting isolator assemblies each include a mechanical spring that acts in parallel with a liquid spring. The assemblies are mounted in pairs between adjacent sides of the frames so that the assemblies can deflect in a vertical direction.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a further understanding of these and objects of the present invention, reference will be made to the following Detailed Description which is to be read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an isolator cabinet that embodies the teachings of the present invention for protecting sensitive instruments from high G-load produced by shock and vibratory forces;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the cabinet of FIG. 1 with some components removed for the sake of clarity;
[0011] FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along lines 3 - 3 in FIG. 2 ;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a enlarged view further illustrating the corer mounting arrangement of an isolator;
[0013] FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of an exemplary isolator unit utilized in the practice of the present invention;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a side elevation illustrating an exemplary double acting isolator assembly utilized in the practice of the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 6A is an enlarged partial view in section showing an end section of the spring assembly;
[0016] FIG. 6B is an enlarged partial view showing the center section of the spring assembly;
[0017] FIG. 6C is an enlarged partial view showing a flanged cylinder for separating springs in the mechanical spring array;
[0018] FIG. 7 is an enlarged partial top view illustrating the bottom portion of the isolator assembly;
[0019] FIG. 8 is a section taken along lines 8 - 8 of FIG. 7 ;
[0020] FIG. 9 is a partial sectional view illustrating the mounting of a piston within the liquid spring used in the isolator assembly; and
[0021] FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram showing the liquid springs control circuitry.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0022] With initial reference to FIGS. 1-5 , the present invention will be described with reference to a cabinet generally depicted 10 , for protecting sensitive instruments, such as computers and the like, from high G-loads caused by shock or vibratory input forces. The cabinet 10 contains an outer frame 12 that is affixed to a main structure or ground and is thus exposed to seismic events. The cabinet 10 further includes an inner frame 13 that is suspended within the outer frame 12 by a plurality of wire rope isolators 15 and a series of isolator assemblies 17 that act in concert to reduce the G-loads acting upon the cabinet to levels such that a sensitive instrument 18 ( FIG. 1 ) that is stored in the inner frame 13 will not be harmed and will continue to operate in the event of a high cyclic input force.
[0023] The inner and outer frames 12 , 13 of the cabinet 10 are generally rectangular structures that share a common vertical axis so that the vertical comers of the inner frame are situated adjacent to those of the outer frame. As best illustrated in FIG. 4 , a vertical plate 19 is located at each vertical corner of the inner frame 13 with the plate forming an angle of about 45° with the adjacent sides of the frame. Similarly, the adjacent vertically disposed corners of the outer frame 12 each contain a plate 20 that also forms an angle of about 45° with the adjacent sides of the outer frame. The adjacent plates 19 , 20 are in parallel alignment with a gap separating the plates.
[0024] With further reference to FIG. 5 , each wire rope isolator 15 includes a pair of opposed blocks 21 and 22 with a wire rope 23 being threaded through the blocks and locked in place by crimping the block securely against each of the rope loops. Other means for locking the rope 23 to the blocks 21 , 22 , such as set screws or the like, may also be employed. One of the blocks 22 is secured to a slide member 24 that is slidably contained within a guideway 25 . The opposite block 21 is secured to one of the corner plates which in this case is plate 19 , while the guideway 25 is affixed to an adjacent plate 20 so that the wire rope isolator 15 can move freely in a vertical direction within the gap separating the adjacent plates between the frames. In the assembly, the wire rope isolators 15 are mounted between the adjacent corners of the frames at the bottom and the top sections of the plates 19 , 20 . However, the number of wire rope isolators in each gap may vary depending upon the specific application. A wire rope isolator suitable for use in the present embodiment of the invention is described in greater detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,549,285, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. It should be noted herein that other horizontal isolators in lieu of the wire rope isolators, such as, for example elastomeric isolators, may also be employed in a similar manner and are intended to fall within the scope of the present invention.
[0025] Four isolator assemblies 17 are also arranged to act between the inner and outer frames 12 , 13 of the instrument cabinet 10 . Each assembly 17 includes a mechanical spring unit 31 and a fluid spring unit generally referenced 32 ( FIG. 6 ) that are vertically mounted in a side by side relationship between the two frames. The mechanical spring unit 31 is contained within a cylindrical sleeve 35 while the fluid spring unit 32 is contained within a cylindrical fluid tight housing 36 . The lower section of each housing is secured to a base 37 which in turn, is affixed to the lower part of one of the frames of the cabinet 10 by a first connector 38 . A piston rod 39 extends upwardly from the upper end of the fluid spring unit 32 in parallel alignment with an elongated linear arm 40 that passes upwardly from the upper end of the mechanical spring unit 31 . The piston rod of the fluid spring unit 32 and the linear arm of the mechanical spring unit 31 are tied together by a common yoke 42 . The yoke 42 , in turn, is attached to the other frame by a second connector 45 . As will be explained in greater detail below, the piston rod 39 and the linear arm 40 are forced to move together in unison as the shock and vibration isolator unit is stroked in a vertical direction.
[0026] As noted above, the double acting mechanical spring unit 31 is contained within a tubular shell 35 . The linear arm 40 is slidably mounted in the central bore of the sleeve 65 to establish a close sliding fit between the sleeve and the arm. An array 67 of four compression springs are wound in series about the arm 40 . The spring array 67 resides within a recess 68 that is shared equally between the inner wall of the shell and the outer wall of the arm 40 when the assembly is not moved in either compression or tension. The array 67 includes a pair of outer ends comprising a compression side end spring 70 and a tension side end spring 71 which are spaced apart by two inner springs 72 and 73 . When in the neutral position, the compression side end spring 70 rests against one end shoulder 74 of the recess 68 and the tension side end spring 71 rests against the opposite shoulder 75 of the recess 68 . The springs are arranged to provide a range of preloads based on the dynamics of the system when the assembly is in the neutral or unstressed position.
[0027] In this embodiment of the invention, the two side end springs 70 and 71 of the spring array 67 have the same spring rate as do the two inner springs 72 and 73 . The spring rate of the side end springs 70 , 71 is typically higher than that of the inner springs 72 , 73 . The preload of the inner springs 72 and 73 is much higher than the preload of the side end springs 70 and 71 . Each side end spring 70 , 71 is separated from the adjacent inner springs 72 , 73 by a flanged cylinder 76 that extends inwardly into a recess formed in the shell 35 . The flanged part of each cylinder 76 is arrested on a shoulder formed in the shell 35 which permits the cylinder 76 to move only toward the inner spring. The depth of penetration of each cylinder 76 is slightly less than the depth of the upper half of the recess which is formed by the shell, thus allowing the shell to move freely over the linear arm 40 . The two inner springs 72 and 73 are similarly separated by a center ring 77 ( FIG. 6B ).
[0028] When the outer frame 12 of the cabinet 10 is exposed to a shock or vibratory load that is greater than the spring preload, the shell is initially driven upwardly over the linear arm 40 toward the inner frame 13 . As a result, the tension side end spring 71 is compressed between the flanged cylinder 76 and the shoulder of the recess 106 formed in the shell on the tension side of the recess. In this case, the tension side of the spring array 67 is on the right side of the isolator illustrated in FIG. 6 and the compression side is on the left side of the isolator. At this time, the compression side end spring 70 remains in its initial preload position captured between the shoulder 106 formed in the upper half of the recess on the compression side of the system and the adjacent compression side flanged cylinder 76 .
[0029] The tension side end spring 71 , having a higher spring rate than the inner springs 72 and 73 , is arranged so that it will resist the initial compressive load until the shell has been displaced a first distance toward the tension side of the assembly, whereupon the tension side spring is completely depressed. At this time, the inner springs 72 and 73 , which have a lower spring rate, take over the compressive load thereby storing addition energy toward the end of the compression stroke, but at the lower spring rate to considerably reduce the G forces transmitted to the inner frame 12 of the cabinet 10 .
[0030] At the end of the compression cycle, the mechanical spring unit 31 will go into a tension mode of operation as the frames return to their original preloaded condition positions. As noted above, the mechanical spring unit 31 is a double acting unit and because the springs in the array 67 are arranged symmetrically about the center of the array, the assembly will respond in the same manner in both the compression and tension modes of operation. Accordingly at the beginning of the tension mode, the compression side end spring 70 will initially provide a stiff resistance to the rebound forces until such time as the end spring is fully compressed whereupon, the softer inner spring 72 and 73 stores the load energy to reduce the G forces acting upon the inner frame. Although the end springs in this example have a higher spring rate than the inner springs, the spring rate of the end springs may be made lower than that of the inner springs without departing from the teachings of the invention.
[0031] The liquid spring unit 32 includes a cylindrical housing 36 that contains a central bore having three chambers of varying diameters. The larger diameter chamber 100 is located at the compression side of the housing 36 and is connected to the small diameter chamber 77 by an intermediate diameter chamber 78 . A piston 80 is slidably contained within the smaller diameter chamber 77 and is attached to piston rod 39 . The length of the small diameter chamber 77 is slightly greater than the stroke of the mechanical spring unit 31 , thus enabling the two spring assemblies to move together in unison to attenuate the vibratory G forces acting in both directions upon the system. The three chambers 77 , 78 , 100 are arranged so as to tune the natural frequency of the liquid spring far enough away from that of the inner frame 13 and equipment mass so that the two frequencies cannot combine to produce a deleterious effect upon the system.
[0032] The function of the liquid spring unit 32 will be explained in greater detail with further reference to the diagram illustrated in FIG. 10 and FIGS. 7-9 . The large diameter chamber 100 on the compression side of the liquid spring housing is connected to an accumulator 82 by means of a manifold 83 that contains a compression side flow control circuit generally referenced 84 (see FIG. 10 ). The control circuit 84 contains an orifice 85 that is adapted to orifice fluid from chamber 100 back to the accumulator 82 in the event the pressure in the chamber 100 exceeds a predetermined level during the compression cycle. A refill check valve 86 is placed in parallel over the control orifice 85 and is arranged to open when the fluid pressure in the accumulator 82 exceeds that in the large diameter chamber 100 which occurs when the liquid spring unit 32 changes from the compression mode of operation over to the tension mode of operation, the latter keeping the compression side of the bore filled with fluid during the tension cycle. A relief check valve 87 is also mounted in parallel with the control orifice 85 and the refill check valve 86 and is arranged to open in the event the isolator experiences an exceedingly high input force. Opening the relief valve releases the liquid spring unit 32 from the system and thus helps to reduce the adverse effect of the exceedingly high input load on the inner frame structure.
[0033] The accumulator 82 is also connected to the smaller diameter chamber 77 by a second flow control circuit 88 that includes a flow control orifice 89 , a refill check valve 91 and a relief check valve 90 . During the tension cycle, the flow orifice 89 conveys fluid back from the small diameter chamber 77 to the accumulator 82 when the pressure behind the piston is greater than that in the accumulator. The refill check valve 91 , in turn, is arranged to open when the fluid pressure in the accumulator 82 exceeds the fluid pressure behind the piston so that fluid flow into the smaller chamber during the compression mode continues to fill the area behind the piston. The relief check valve 90 again is arranged to open in the event the G loading on the isolator exceeds a given limit, thereby completely releasing the liquid spring from the system.
[0034] The valve components of the second flow control circuit 88 are mounted in a cartridge 92 that is located in a cavity 93 behind the smaller diameter chamber 77 . The cavity 93 is placed in fluid flow communication with the accumulator 82 by a flow line 95 and with the smaller chamber 77 of the liquid spring unit 32 by means of a conduit 96 ( FIG. 9 ). The piston rod 39 is arranged to move axially in the cartridge 92 and suitable seals are provided to prevent fluid flow passing between the cartridge and the piston rod.
[0035] A pressure transducer 99 is mounted in the large diameter chamber 100 of the liquid spring unit 32 on the compression side of the piston 80 which measures the pressure in the chamber and transmits a signal indicative of the pressure to a signal conditioner 105 . A conditioned output signal is sent from the conditioner to a microprocessor 101 that contains a switching algorithm for controlling a control valve 102 through a control valve driver 104 . In response to the algorithm, the valve 102 is cycled to maintain a desired pressure on the compression side of the liquid spring unit 32 and thus limit the G loading on the inner frame 12 during the compression cycle.
[0036] While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawings, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims. | A cabinet for reducing the G-loading upon a delicate instrument produced by shock and vibratory forces. The cabinet includes an inner frame and an outer frame that are co-joined by a series of horizontal isolators and double acting isolator or shock absorber assemblies. | 5 |
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/518,485, entitled “Intercalator FRET Donors or Acceptors,” filed on Nov. 7, 2003, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to FRET based methods and related compositions for nucleic acid analysis.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The study of molecular and cellular biology is focused on the microscopic structure of cells. It is known that cells have a complex microstructure that determines the functionality of the cell. Much of the diversity associated with cellular structure and function is due to the ability of a cell to assemble various building blocks into diverse chemical compounds. The cell accomplishes this task by assembling nucleic acids from a limited set of building blocks referred to as monomers. One key to the diverse functionality of nucleic acids is based in the primary sequence of the monomers within the nucleic acid. This sequence is integral to understanding the basis for cellular function, such as why a cell differentiates in a particular manner or how a cell will respond to treatment with a particular drug.
[0004] The ability to identify the structure of nucleic acids by identifying the sequence of monomers is integral to the understanding of each active component and the role that component plays within a cell. By determining the sequences of nucleic acids it is possible to generate expression maps, to determine what proteins are expressed, to understand where mutations occur in a disease state, and to determine whether a nucleic acid has better function or loses function when a particular monomer is absent or mutated.
[0005] Many technologies relating to genomic sequencing and analysis require site-specific labeling of nucleic acids. Most site-specific labeling is carried out using nucleic acid based probes that hybridize to their complementary sequences within a nucleic acid target. The specificity of these probes will vary however depending upon their length, their sequence, the hybridization conditions, and the like. The ability to increase the specificity of these probes and, at the same time, use less of them would make labeling reactions more efficient and less expensive to run.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention relates to methods and related compositions for nucleic acid analysis using an improved fluorescence resonance energy transfer (FRET) based analysis. In one aspect the invention is a method for analyzing a nucleic acid by contacting a nucleic acid with an intercalator fluorophore and a sequence specific probe capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid, wherein the probe is labeled with a probe fluorophore, and detecting fluorescence or quenching arising from FRET between the intercalator fluorophore and the probe fluorophore to analyze the nucleic acid.
[0007] Optionally, the intercalator fluorophore is tethered to the same probe or to a second preferably sequence-specific probe which is capable of hybridizing to an adjacent section of the nucleic acid to the probe labeled with the probe fluorophore.
[0008] In another aspect the invention is a composition comprising a probe tethered to an intercalator fluorophore and a probe fluorophore, wherein the intercalator fluorophore and the probe fluorophore comprise a fluorophore pair.
[0009] Various embodiments appear equally to the different aspects of the invention. These are recited below.
[0010] In one embodiment the intercalator fluorophore is tethered to one end of the probe and the probe fluorophore is tethered to the other end of the probe.
[0011] In one embodiment the intercalator fluorophore is tethered to the probe. In another embodiment the intercalator fluorophore is separate from the probe. The intercalator fluorophore may be a donor or acceptor fluorophore. The probe fluorophore may be an acceptor or donor fluorophore.
[0012] The probe and/or intercalator fluorophore may be tethered directly to the probe. In other embodiments the probe fluorophore and/or the intercalator fluorophore is tethered to the probe through a linker. In yet other embodiments the probe fluorophore and/or the intercalator fluorophore is tethered to a terminal or an internal nucleotide of the probe.
[0013] The nucleic acid may be single stranded or double stranded.
[0014] Each of the limitations of the invention can encompass various embodiments of the invention. It is therefore anticipated that each of the limitations of the invention involving any one element or combinations of elements can be included in each aspect of the invention. This 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 drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in various ways.
[0015] The phraseology and terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. The use of “including”, “comprising”, or “having”, “containing”, “involving”, and variations thereof herein, is meant to encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as well as additional items.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The figures are illustrative only and are not required for enablement of the invention disclosed herein.
[0017] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram depicting some embodiments of the invention. Several nucleic acid strands are depicted schematically and labeled as random strand, target strand and probe strand with acceptor. D refers to an intercalator that functions as a donor. A refers to an acceptor. When the target strand hybridizes with the probe, the donor intercalator is incorporated into the double stranded region and is capable of FRET with the acceptor.
[0018] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram depicting other embodiments of the invention. Several nucleic acid strands are depicted schematically and labeled as random strand, target strand and probe strand with acceptor and donor attached. D refers to an intercalator that functions as a donor. A refers to an acceptor. When the target strand hybridizes with the probe, the donor intercalator is incorporated into the double stranded region and is capable of FRET with the acceptor.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0019] Methods and related compositions for identifying information about a nucleic acid, such as the nucleotide sequence are described. In one aspect, the methods involve contacting a nucleic acid with an intercalator fluorophore and a sequence specific probe capable of hybridizing to the nucleic acid. The probe is labeled with a probe fluorophore. Fluorescence or quenching arising from FRET between the intercalator fluorophore and the probe fluorophore is detected to analyze the nucleic acid.
[0020] The intercalator fluorophore and the probe fluorophore are a fluorophore pair. When the members of the fluorophore pair are positioned in proximity to one another by hybridization of the probe to the nucleic acid, a signal is generated by FRET. This may be accomplished in several ways. Two exemplary methods for accomplishing this are depicted in FIGS. 1 and 2 .
[0021] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of some examples of the methods of the invention. The exemplary method depicted in FIG. 1 involves a probe labeled with an acceptor fluorophore. When the probe specifically interacts with a target strand, thus producing a double stranded region of DNA, the free donor intercalator intercalates. Some of the non-sequence specific intercalated donor fluorophore is positioned in proximity to the acceptor. It has been discovered according to the invention that the FRET signal increases many fold (for example 10 3 ) after the donor is intercalated (over that of the interaction between free donor intercalator and acceptor in the solution). Thus, when the probe is bound, the energy transferred between the donor and acceptor fluorophores is greater. It will be apparent that binding of the probe can be detected either by the reduction (or elimination) of emission signal from the intercalator fluorophore or the production of emission signal from the probe fluorophore, assuming that the intercalator fluorophore is the donor and the probe fluorophore is the acceptor. D refers to an intercalator that functions as a donor and A refers to an acceptor.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another example of the methods of the invention. In FIG. 2 the intercalator fluorophore and the probe fluorophore are both tethered to the probe. In the example the intercalator fluorophore is tethered via a flexible linker, such that the intercalator fluorophore is capable of intercalating into the double stranded DNA once the probe binds to the target.
[0023] Another example of the methods of the invention which is not depicted specifically in the Figures involves the use of two probes, one tethered to the intercalator fluorophore and the other tethered to the probe fluorophore. In this embodiment of the invention the two probes are capable of hybridizing to adjacent sections of the nucleic acid. Preferably both probes are sequence-specific, but one or both may be non-sequence-specific. The term “adjacent sections of the nucleic acid” as used herein refers to two sections along the length of a nucleic acid which are in close proximity to one another in the primary structure of the nucleic acid. Two probes may hybridize to adjacent sections of the nucleic acid by hybridizing to immediately adjacent sections or to spaced adjacent sections. The term “immediately adjacent sections” refers to two sections of a nucleic acid which have no intervening units, i.e., two sections of a nucleic acid that are directly connected to one another without any intervening nucleotides. The term “spaced adjacent sections” refers to two sections of a nucleic acid that are separated from one another by one or more units, i.e., two sections of a nucleic acid that are connected to one another by one or more intervening nucleotides.
[0024] It is to be understood that sequence information is derived from the hybridization of the sequence specific probe(s) to the nucleic acid target. Hybridization of the sequence specific probe and its location along the length of the nucleic acid target is indicated by FRET. FRET can be detected in at least one of two ways: fluorescence or quenching. In fluorescence, a detector is set to the emission spectra of the acceptor fluorophore and binding of the sequence specific probe is indicated by energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor and fluorescence from the acceptor. In quenching, the detector is set to the emission spectra of the donor fluorophore and binding of the sequence specific probe is indicated by energy transfer from the donor to the acceptor and quenching of emission from the donor. In either mode, fluorescence from the intercalator fluorophore is increased upon actual intercalation. In addition, intercalators prefer binding to double stranded nucleic acids rather than single stranded nucleic acids. Therefore, once the sequence specific probe is bound, emission and/or energy transfer from the donor fluorophore will increase. It will be understood that minor variations of the foregoing will apply in the various aspects of the invention.
[0025] The fluorophores may be directly or indirectly tethered to an internal unit, a terminal unit, or a combination of internal and terminal units on the probe. The fluorophores may both be directly linked to the nucleic acid or indirectly linked to the nucleic acid through the use of one or more linkers. The fluorophores may be both tethered to individual internal or terminal nucleotides or one may be tethered to an internal nucleotide and one may be tethered to a terminal nucleotide. The term “terminal unit” or “terminal nucleotide” refers to an end unit or nucleotide on the probe, i.e., a 5′ or 3 ′ end. The term “internal unit” or “internal nucleotide” refers to a unit or nucleotide that is positioned between the end units or nucleotides of the probe.
[0026] It may be desirable, in some instances, to tether either of the fluorophores to the probe via a spacer or linker molecule. Preferably, the linker is a length within an optimal range to allow the fluorophore to interact with its complementary fluorophore.
[0027] These spacers can be any of a variety of molecules, preferably non-active, such as nucleotides or multiple nucleotides, straight or branched saturated or unsaturated carbon chains of carbon, phospholipids, and the like, whether naturally occurring or synthetic. Additional spacers include alkyl and alkenyl carbonates, carbamates, and carbamides.
[0028] A wide variety of spacers can be used, many of which are commercially available, for example, from sources such as Boston Probes, Inc. (now Applied Biosystems, Inc.). Spacers are not limited to organic spacers, and rather can be inorganic also (e.g., —O—Si—O—, or O—P—O—). Additionally, they can be heterogeneous in nature (e.g., composed of organic and inorganic elements). Essentially any molecule having the appropriate size restrictions and capable of being linked to a fluorophore and probe can be used as a spacer.
[0029] In some embodiments the linker is one or more nucleotides. The use of nucleotide(s) as a linker is particularly useful when the probes are nucleic acid, PNA or LNA probes, because of the ease of producing the probe-linker construct. In some embodiments the linker comprises or consists solely of thymidine (T) nucleotides.
[0030] The methods of the invention can be used to generate unit specific information about a nucleic acid by capturing signals arising from the labeled nucleic acid using the devices described herein and elsewhere to manipulate the nucleic acid. As used herein the term “unit specific information” refers to any structural information about one, some, or all of the units of the nucleic acid. The structural information obtained by analyzing a nucleic acid may include the identification of characteristic properties of the nucleic acid which (in turn) allows, for example, for the identification of the presence of a nucleic acid in a sample, determination of the relatedness of nucleic acids, identification of the size of the nucleic acid, identification of the proximity or distance between two or more individual units or unit specific markers of a nucleic acid, identification of the order of two or more individual units or unit specific markers within a nucleic acid, and/or identification of the general composition of the units or unit specific markers of the nucleic acid. Since the structure and function of biological molecules are interdependent, the structural information can reveal important information about the function of the nucleic acid.
[0031] Thus, the term “analyzing a nucleic acid” as used herein means obtaining some information about the structure of the nucleic acid such as its size, the order of its units, its relatedness to other nucleic acids, the identity of its units, or its presence or absence in a sample.
[0032] The term “nucleic acid” refers to multiple linked nucleotides (i.e., molecules comprising a sugar (e.g., ribose or deoxyribose) linked to an exchangeable organic base, which is either a pyrimidine (e.g., cytosine (C), thymidine (T) or uracil (U)) or a purine (e.g., adenine (A) or guanine (G)). “Nucleic acid” and “nucleic acid molecule” are used interchangeably and refer to oligoribonucleotides as well as oligodeoxyribonucleotides. The terms shall also include polynucleosides (i.e., a polynucleotide minus a phosphate) and any other organic base containing nucleic acid. The nucleic acid being analyzed and/or labeled is referred to as the nucleic acid target.
[0033] Nucleic acid targets and nucleic acid probes may be DNA or RNA, although they are not so limited. DNA may be genomic DNA such as nuclear DNA or mitochondrial DNA. RNA may be mRNA, mRNA, rRNA and the like. Nucleic acids may be naturally occurring such as those recited above, or may be synthetic such as cDNA.
[0034] Harvest and isolation of nucleic acids are routinely performed in the art and suitable methods can be found in standard molecular biology textbooks. The nucleic acid may be harvested from a biological sample such as a tissue or a biological fluid. The term “tissue” as used herein refers to both localized and disseminated cell populations including. but not limited, to brain, heart, breast, colon, bladder, uterus, prostate, stomach, testis, ovary, pancreas, pituitary gland, adrenal gland, thyroid gland, salivary gland, mammary gland, kidney, liver, intestine, spleen, thymus, bone marrow, trachea, and lung. Biological fluids include saliva, sperm, serum, plasma, blood and urine, but are not so limited. Both invasive and non-invasive techniques can be used to obtain such samples and are well documented in the art.
[0035] The methods of the invention may be performed in the absence of prior nucleic acid amplification in vitro. In some preferred embodiments, the nucleic acid is directly harvested and isolated from a biological sample (such as a tissue or a cell culture), without its amplification. Accordingly, some embodiments of the invention involve analysis of “non in vitro amplified nucleic acids”. As used herein, a “non in vitro amplified nucleic acid” refers to a nucleic acid that has not been amplified in vitro using techniques such as polymerase chain reaction or recombinant DNA methods.
[0036] A non in vitro amplified nucleic acid may, however, be a nucleic acid that is amplified in vivo (e.g., in the biological sample from which it was harvested) as a natural consequence of the development of the cells in the biological sample. This means that the non in vitro nucleic acid may be one which is amplified in vivo as part of gene amplification, which is commonly observed in some cell types as a result of mutation or cancer development.
[0037] In some embodiments, the invention embraces nucleic acid derivatives as targets and/or probes. As used herein, a “nucleic acid derivative” is a non-naturally occurring nucleic acid. Nucleic acid derivatives may contain non-naturally occurring elements such as non-naturally occurring nucleotides and non-naturally occurring backbone linkages. These include substituted purines and pyrimidines such as C-5 propyne modified bases, 5-methylcytosine, 2-aminopurine, 2-amino-6-chloropurine, 2,6-diaminopurine, hypoxanthine, 2-thiouracil and pseudoisocytosine. Other such modifications are well known to those of skill in the art.
[0038] The nucleic acids may also encompass substitutions or modifications, such as in the bases and/or sugars. For example, they include nucleic acids having backbone sugars which are covalently attached to low molecular weight organic groups other than a hydroxyl group at the 3′ position and other than a phosphate group at the 5′ position. Thus, modified nucleic acids may include a 2′-O-alkylated ribose group. In addition, modified nucleic acids may include sugars such as arabinose instead of ribose.
[0039] The nucleic acids may be heterogeneous in backbone composition thereby containing any possible combination of nucleic acid units linked together such as peptide nucleic acids (which have amino acid linkages with nucleic acid bases, and which are discussed in greater detail herein). In some embodiments, the nucleic acids are homogeneous in backbone composition.
[0040] As used herein with respect to linked units of a nucleic acid, “linked” or “linkage” means two entities bound to one another by any physicochemical means. Any linkage known to those of ordinary skill in the art, covalent or non-covalent, is embraced. Natural linkages, which are those ordinarily found in nature connecting the individual units of a particular nucleic acid, are most common. Natural linkages include, for instance, amide, ester and thioester linkages. The individual units of a nucleic acid analyzed by the methods of the invention may be linked, however, by synthetic or modified linkages. Nucleic acids where the units are linked by covalent bonds will be most common but those that include hydrogen bonded units are also embraced by the invention. It is to be understood that all possibilities regarding nucleic acids appear equally to nucleic acid targets and nucleic acid probes.
[0041] The nucleic acids are analyzed with fluorophore pairs. A fluorophore or fluorescent label is a substance which is capable of exhibiting fluorescence within a detectable range. Fluorophores include, but are not limited to, fluorescein, isothiocyanate, fluorescein amine, eosin, rhodamine, dansyl, umbelliferone, 5-carboxyfluorescein (FAM), 2‘7’-dimethoxy-4‘5’-dichloro-6-carboxyfluorescein (JOE), rhodamine, 6 carboxyrhodamine (R6G), N,N,N′,N′-tetramethyl-6-carboxyrhodamine (TAMRA), 6-carboxy-X-rhodamine (ROX), 4-(4′-dimethylaminophenylazo) benzoic acid (DABCYL), 5-(2′-aminoethyl) aminonaphthalene-1-sulfonic acid (EDANS), 4-acetamido-4′-isothiocyanatostilbene-2, 2′disulfonic acid, acridine, acridine isothiocyanate, r-amino-N->3-vinylsulfonyl)phenyl!naphthalimide-3,5, disulfonate (Lucifer Yellow VS), N-(4-anilino-1-naphthyl)maleimide, anthranilamide, Brilliant Yellow, coumarin, 7-amino-4-methylcoumarin, 7-amino-4-trifluoromethylcouluarin (Coumaran 151 ), cyanosine, 4′,6-diaminidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), 5′,5″-diaminidino-2-phenylindole (DAPI), 5′,5″-dibromopyrogallol-sulfonephthalein (Bromopyrogallol Red), 7-diethylamino-3-(4′-isothiocyanatophenyl)-4-methylcoumarin diethylenetriamine pentaacetate, 4,4′-diisothiocyanatodihydro-stilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, 4,4′-diisothiocyanatostilbene-2,2′-disulfonic acid, 4-dimethylaminophenylazophenyl-4′-isothiocyanate (DABITC), eosin isothiocyanate, erythrosin B, erythrosin isothiocyanate, ethidium, 5-(4,6-dichlorotriazin-2-yl) aminofluorescein (DTAF), QFITC (XRITC), fluorescamine, IR144, IR1446, Malachite Green isothiocyanate, 4-methylumbelliferone, ortho cresolphthalein, nitrotyrosine, pararosaniline, Phenol Red, B-phycoerythrin, o-phthaldialdehyde, pyrene, pyrene butyrate, succinimidyl 1-pyrene butyrate, Reactive Red 4 (Cibacron. RTM. Brilliant Red 3B-A), lissamine rhodamine B sulfonyl chloride, rhodamine B, rhodamine 123, rhodamine X isothiocyanate, sulforhodamine B, sulforhodamine 101, sulfonyl chloride derivative of sulforhodamine 101, (Texas Red), tetramethyl rhodamine, tetramethyl rhodamine isothiocyanate (TRITC), riboflavin, rosolic acid, and terbium chelate derivatives.
[0042] Fluorophore pairs are two fluorophores that are capable of undergoing FRET to produce or eliminate a detectable signal when positioned in proximity to one another. Examples of donors include Ha10TAlexa488, Ha10TAlexa546, Ha10TBODIPY493, Ha10TOyster556, Hal OTFluor (FAM), Ha10TCy3, and HA10TTR (Tamra). Examples of acceptors include HACy5, HaAlexa594, HAAlexa647, and HaOyster656.
[0043] An intercalator fluorophore is a fluorophore that is capable of non-sequence specific binding to preferably double stranded nucleic acids. The intercalators include compounds such as phenanthridines and acridines (e.g., ethidium bromide, propidium iodide, hexidium iodide, dihydroethidium, ethidium homodimer-1 and -2, ethidium monoazide, and ACMA) and acridine orange. All of the aforementioned intercalators are commercially available from suppliers such as Molecular Probes, Inc. The invention can also be practiced using other non-sequence specific binding agents such as minor groove binding agents. Minor groove binding agents are compounds that bind to the minor groove of preferably a double stranded nucleic acid helix in a relatively non-sequence specific manner. Examples include indoles and imidazoles (e.g., Hoechst 33258, Hoechst 33342, Hoechst 34580 and DAPI). Minor groove binding agents can be used in place of intercalator or probe fluorophores, for example.
[0044] Fluorescence may be measured using a fluorometer. The optical emission from the fluorescence molecule, whether the acceptor or the donor, can be detected by the fluorometer and processed as a signal. When fluorescence is being measured in a sample fixed to various portions of a surface (e.g., when the nucleic acid is fixed), the surface can be moved using a multi-access translation stage in order to position the different areas of the surface, such that the signal can be collected. When the fluorescence is measured in solution other methods can be used for detecting the signal including the linear analysis methods described herein. Many types of fluorometers have been developed. For instance, an example of an instrument for measuring FRET is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,911,952.
[0045] The nucleic acid is labeled with one or more sequence specific probes. “Sequence specific” when used in the context of a nucleic acid probe means that the probe recognizes a particular linear arrangement of nucleotides or derivatives thereof. In preferred embodiments, the linear arrangement includes contiguous nucleotides or derivatives thereof that each bind to a corresponding complementary nucleotide on the nucleic acid target. In some embodiments, however, the sequence may not be contiguous as there may be one, two, or more nucleotides that do not have corresponding complementary residues on the target.
[0046] It is to be understood that any nucleic acid analog that is capable of recognizing a nucleic acid molecule with structural or sequence specificity can be used as a nucleic acid probe. In most instances, the nucleic acid probes will form at least a Watson-Crick bond with the nucleic acid target. In other instances, the nucleic acid probe can form a Hoogsteen bond with the nucleic acid target, thereby forming a triplex. A nucleic acid sequence that binds by Hoogsteen binding enters the major groove of a nucleic acid target and hybridizes with the bases located there. Examples of these latter probes include molecules that recognize and bind to the minor and major grooves of nucleic acids (e.g., some forms of antibiotics). In some embodiments, the nucleic acid probes can form both Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen bonds with the nucleic acid target. Bis PNA probes, for instance, are capable of both Watson-Crick and Hoogsteen binding to a nucleic acid.
[0047] In some embodiments, the nucleic acid probe is a peptide nucleic acid (PNA), a bis PNA clamp, a pseudocomplementary PNA, a locked nucleic acid (LNA), DNA, RNA, or co-nucleic acids of the above such as DNA-LNA co-nucleic acids. In some instances, the nucleic acid target can also be comprised of any of these elements.
[0048] PNAs are DNA analogs having their phosphate backbone replaced with 2-aminoethyl glycine residues linked to nucleotide bases through glycine amino nitrogen and methylenecarbonyl linkers. PNAs can bind to both DNA and RNA targets by Watson-Crick base pairing, and in so doing form stronger hybrids than would be possible with DNA or RNA based probes.
[0049] PNAs are synthesized from monomers connected by a peptide bond (Nielsen, P. E. et al. Peptide Nucleic Acids Protocols and Applications , Norfolk: Horizon Scientific Press, p. 1-19 (1999)). They can be built with standard solid phase peptide synthesis technology. PNA chemistry and synthesis allows for inclusion of amino acids and polypeptide sequences in the PNA design. For example, lysine residues can be used to introduce positive charges in the PNA backbone. All chemical approaches available for the modifications of amino acid side chains are directly applicable to PNAs.
[0050] PNA has a charge-neutral backbone, and this attribute leads to fast hybridization rates of PNA to DNA (Nielsen, P. E. et al. Peptide Nucleic Acids, Protocols and Applications , Norfolk: Horizon Scientific Press, p. 1-19 (1999)). The hybridization rate can be further increased by introducing positive charges in the PNA structure, such as in the PNA backbone or by addition of amino acids with positively charged side chains (e.g., lysines). PNA can form a stable hybrid with DNA molecule. The stability of such a hybrid is essentially independent of the ionic strength of its environment (Orum, H. et al., BioTechniques 19 (3): 472-480 (1995)), most probably due to the uncharged nature of PNAs. This provides PNAs with the versatility of being used in vivo or in vitro. However, the rate of hybridization of PNAs that include positive charges is dependent on ionic strength, and thus is lower in the presence of salt.
[0051] Several types of PNA designs exist, and these include single strand PNA (ssPNA), bis PNA and pseudocomplementary PNA (pcPNA).
[0052] The structure of PNA/DNA complex depends on the particular PNA and its sequence. Single stranded PNA (ssPNA) binds to single stranded DNA (ssDNA) preferably in antiparallel orientation (i.e., with the N-terminus of the ssPNA aligned with the 3′ terminus of the ssDNA) and with a Watson-Crick pairing. PNA also can bind to DNA with a Hoogsteen base pairing, and thereby forms triplexes with double stranded DNA (dsDNA) (Wittung, P. et al., Biochemistry 36: 7973 (1997)).
[0053] Single strand PNA is the simplest of the PNA molecules. This PNA form interacts with nucleic acids to form a hybrid duplex via Watson-Crick base pairing. The duplex has different spatial structure and higher stability than dsDNA (Nielsen, P. E. et al. Peptide Nucleic Acids Protocols and Applications , Norfolk: Horizon Scientific Press, p. 1-19 (1999)). However, when different concentration ratios are used and/or in presence of complimentary DNA strand, PNA/DNA/PNA or PNA/DNA/DNA triplexes can also be formed (Wittung, P. et al., Biochemistry 36: 7973 (1997)). The formation of duplexes or triplexes additionally depends upon the sequence of the PNA. Thymine-rich homopyrimidine ssPNA forms PNA/DNA/PNA triplexes with dsDNA targets where one PNA strand is involved in Watson-Crick antiparallel pairing and the other is involved in parallel Hoogsteen pairing. Cytosine-rich homopyrimidine ssPNA preferably binds through Hoogsteen pairing to dsDNA forming a PNA/DNA/DNA triplex. If the ssPNA sequence is mixed, it invades the dsDNA target, displaces the DNA strand, and forms a Watson-Crick duplex. Polypurine ssPNA also forms triplex PNA/DNA/PNA with reversed Hoogsteen pairing.
[0054] BisPNA includes two strands connected with a flexible linker. One strand is designed to hybridize with DNA by a classic Watson-Crick pairing, and the second is designed to hybridize with a Hoogsteen pairing. The target sequence can be short (e.g., 8 bp), but the bis PNA/DNA complex is still stable as it forms a hybrid with twice as many (e.g., a 16 bp) base pairings overall. The bis PNA structure further increases specificity of their binding. As an example, binding to an 8 bp site with a probe having a single base mismatch results in a total of 14 bp rather than 16 bp.
[0055] Preferably, bis PNAs have homopyrimidine sequences, and even more preferably, cytosines are protonated to form a Hoogsteen pair to a guanosine. Therefore, bis PNA with thymines and cytosines is capable of hybridization to DNA only at pH below 6.5. The first restriction—homopyrimidine sequence only—is inherent to the mode of bis PNA binding. Pseudoisocytosine (J) can be used in the Hoogsteen strand instead of cytosine to allow its hybridization through a broad pH range (Kuhn, H., J. Mol. Biol. 286: 1337-1345 1999)).
[0056] Bis PNAs have multiple modes of binding to nucleic acids (Hansen, G. I. et al., J. Mol. Biol. 307 (1): 67-74 (2001)). One isomer includes two bis PNA molecules instead of one. It is formed at higher bis PNA concentration and has a tendency to rearrange into the complex with a single bis PNA molecule. Other isomers differ in positioning of the linker around the target DNA strands. All the identified isomers still bind to the same binding site/target.
[0057] Pseudocomplementary PNA (pcPNA) (Izvolsky, K. I. et al., Biochemistry 10908-10913 (2000)) involves two single stranded PNAs added to dsDNA. One pcPNA strand is complementary to the target sequence, while the other is complementary to the displaced DNA strand. As the PNA/DNA duplex is more stable, the displaced DNA generally does not restore the dsDNA structure. The PNA/PNA duplex is more stable than the DNA/PNA duplex and the PNA components are self-complementary because they are designed against complementary DNA sequences. Hence, the added PNAs would rather hybridize to each other. To prevent the self-hybridization of pcPNA units, modified bases are used for their synthesis including 2,6-diamiopurine (D) instead of adenine and 2-thiouracil ( S U) instead of thymine. While D and S U are still capable of hybridization with T and A respectively, their self-hybridization is sterically prohibited.
[0058] Locked nucleic acid (LNA) molecules form hybrids with DNA, which are at least as stable as PNA/DNA hybrids (Braasch, D. A. et al., Chem & Biol. 8 (1): 1-7 (2001)). Therefore, LNA can be used just as PNA molecules would be. LNA binding efficiency can be increased in some embodiments by adding positive charges to it. LNAs have been reported to have increased binding affinity inherently.
[0059] Commercial nucleic acid synthesizers and standard phosphoramidite chemistry are used to make LNAs. Therefore, production of mixed LNA/DNA sequences is as simple as that of mixed PNA/peptide sequences. The stabilization effect of LNA monomers is not an additive effect. The monomer influences conformation of sugar rings of neighboring deoxynucleotides shifting them to more stable configurations (Nielsen, P. E. et al. Peptide Nucleic Acids, Protocols and Applications , Norfolk: Horizon Scientific Press, p. 1-19 (1999)). Also, lesser number of LNA residues in the sequence dramatically improves accuracy of the synthesis. Naturally, most of biochemical approaches for nucleic acid conjugations are applicable to LNA/DNA constructs.
[0060] The probes can also be stabilized in part by the use of other backbone modifications. The invention intends to embrace, in addition to the peptide and locked nucleic acids discussed herein, the use of the other backbone modifications such as but not limited to phosphorothioate linkages, phosphodiester modified nucleic acids, combinations of phosphodiester and phosphorothioate nucleic acid, methylphosphonate, alkylphosphonates, phosphate esters, alkylphosphonothioates, phosphoramidates, carbamates, carbonates, phosphate triesters, acetamidates, carboxymethyl esters, methylphosphorothioate, phosphorodithioate, p-ethoxy, and combinations thereof.
[0061] Other backbone modifications, particularly those relating to PNAs, include peptide and amino acid variations and modifications. Thus, the backbone constituents of PNAs may be peptide linkages, or alternatively, they may be non-peptide linkages. Examples include acetyl caps, amino spacers such as O-linkers, amino acids such as lysine (particularly useful if positive charges are desired in the PNA), and the like. Various PNA modifications are known and probes incorporating such modifications are commercially available from sources such as Boston Probes, Inc.
[0062] One limitation of the stability of nucleic acid hybrids is the length of the probe, with longer probes leading to greater stability than shorter probes. Notwithstanding this proviso, the probes of the invention can be any length ranging from at least 4 nucleotides long to in excess of 1000 nucleotides long. In preferred embodiments, the probes are 5-100 nucleotides in length, more preferably between 5-25 nucleotides in length, and even more preferably 5-12 nucleotides in length. The length of the probe can be any length of nucleotides between and including the ranges listed herein, as if each and every length was explicitly recited herein. It should be understood that not all residues of the probe need hybridize to complementary residues in the nucleic acid target. For example, the probe may be 50 residues in length, yet only 25 of those residues hybridize to the nucleic acid target. Preferably, the residues that hybridize are contiguous with each other.
[0063] The probes are preferably single stranded, but they are not so limited. For example, when the probe is a bis PNA it can adopt a secondary structure with the nucleic acid target resulting in a triple helix conformation, with one region of the bis PNA clamp forming Hoogsteen bonds with the backbone of the target and another region of the bis PNA clamp forming Watson-Crick bonds with the nucleotide bases of the target.
[0064] The nucleic acid probe hybridizes to a complementary sequence within the nucleic acid target. The specificity of binding can be manipulated based on the hybridization conditions. For example, salt concentration and temperature can be modulated in order to vary the range of sequences recognized by the nucleic acid probes.
[0065] The polymers may be analyzed using a single molecule analysis system (e.g., a single polymer analysis system). A single molecule detection system is capable of analyzing single molecules separately from other molecules. Such a system may be capable of analyzing single molecules either in a linear manner (i.e., starting at a point and then moving progressively in one direction or another) and/or, as may be more appropriate in the present invention, in their totality. In certain embodiments in which detection is based predominately on the presence or absence of a signal, linear analysis may not be required. However, there are other embodiments embraced by the invention which would benefit from the ability to linearly analyze molecules (preferably nucleic acids) in a sample. These include applications in which the sequence of the nucleic acid is desired.
[0066] A linear polymer analysis system is a system that analyzes polymers in a linear manner (i.e., starting at one location on the polymer and then proceeding linearly in either direction therefrom). As a polymer is analyzed, the detectable labels attached to it are detected in either a sequential or simultaneous manner. When detected simultaneously, the signals usually form an image of the polymer, from which distances between labels can be determined. When detected sequentially, the signals are viewed in histogram (signal intensity vs. time), that can then be translated into a map, with knowledge of the velocity of the polymer. It is to be understood that in some embodiments, the polymer is attached to a solid support, while in others it is free flowing. In either case, the velocity of the polymer as it moves past, for example, an interaction station or a detector, will aid in determining the position of the labels, relative to each other and relative to other detectable markers that may be present on the polymer.
[0067] Accordingly, the analysis systems useful in the invention may deduce the total amount of label on a polymer, and in some instances, the location of such labels. The ability to locate and position the labels allows these patterns to be superimposed on other genetic maps, in order to orient and/or identify the regions of the genome being analyzed.
[0068] An example of a suitable system is the GeneEngine™ (U.S. Genomics, Inc., Woburn, Mass.). The Gene Engine™ system is described in PCT patent applications WO98/35012 and WO00/0975, published on Aug. 13, 1998, and Feb. 24, 2000, respectively, and in issued U.S. Pat. No. 6,355,420 B1, issued Mar. 12, 2002. The contents of these applications and patent, as well as those of other applications and patents, and references cited herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety. This system is both a single molecule analysis system and a linear polymer analysis system. It allows single nucleic acid molecules to be passed through an interaction station in a linear manner, whereby the nucleotides in the nucleic acid molecules are interrogated individually in order to determine whether there is a detectable label conjugated to the nucleic acid molecule. Interrogation involves exposing the nucleic acid molecule to an energy source such as optical radiation of a set wavelength. In response to the energy source exposure, the detectable label on the nucleotide emits a signal which is exposed to the second fluorophore of the fluorophore pair (if present in the vicinity) to produce a detectable signal. The mechanism for signal emission and detection will depend on the type of label sought to be detected.
[0069] Other single molecule nucleic acid analytical methods which involve elongation of DNA molecules can also be used in the methods of the invention. These include fiber-fluorescence in situ hybridization (fiber-FISH) (Bensimon, A. et al., Science 265 (5181): 2096-2098 (1997)). In fiber-FISH, nucleic acid molecules are elongated and fixed on a surface by molecular combing. Hybridization with fluorescently labeled probe sequences allows determination of sequence landmarks on the nucleic acid molecules. The method requires fixation of elongated molecules so that molecular lengths and/or distances between markers can be measured. Pulse field gel electrophoresis can also be used to analyze the labeled nucleic acid molecules. Pulse field gel electrophoresis is described by Schwartz, D. C. et al., Cell 37 (1): 67-75 (1984). Other nucleic acid analysis systems are described by Otobe, K. et al., Nucleic Acids Res. 29 (22): E109 (2001), Bensimon, A. et al. in U.S. Pat. No. 6,248,537, issued Jun. 19, 2001, Herrick, J. et al., Chromosome Res. 7 (6): 409: 423 (1999), Schwartz in U.S. Pat. No. 6,150,089 issued Nov. 21, 2000 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,294,136, issued Sep. 25, 2001. Other linear polymer analysis systems can also be used, and the invention is not intended to be limited to solely those listed herein.
[0070] Optical detectable signals are generated, detected and stored in a database. The signals can be analyzed to determine structural information about the nucleic acid. The signals can be analyzed by assessing the intensity of the signal to determine structural information about the nucleic acid. The computer may be the same computer used to collect data about the nucleic acids, or may be a separate computer dedicated to data analysis. A suitable computer system to implement embodiments of the present invention typically includes an output device which displays information to a user, a main unit connected to the output device and an input device which receives input from a user. The main unit generally includes a processor connected to a memory system via an interconnection mechanism. The input device and output device also are connected to the processor and memory system via the interconnection mechanism. Computer programs for data analysis of the detected signals are readily available from CCD (charge coupled device) manufacturers.
Equivalents
[0071] The foregoing written specification is considered to be sufficient to enable one skilled in the art to practice the invention. The present invention is not to be limited in scope by examples provided, since the examples are intended as a single illustration of one aspect of the invention and other functionally equivalent embodiments are within the scope of the invention. Various modifications of the invention in addition to those shown and described herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the foregoing description and fall within the scope of the appended claims. The advantages and objects of the invention are not necessarily encompassed by each embodiment of the invention.
[0072] The entire contents of all of the references (including literature references, issued patents, published patent applications, and co-pending patent applications) cited throughout this application are expressly incorporated by reference herein. | The invention relates to methods and products for analyzing nucleic acids using FRET. In particular the methods involve improvements in FRET signaling and in some instances utilize intercalators as part of a fluorophore pair. | 2 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to a method and apparatus for splicing the ends of tape together and more specifically to such a method and apparatus which finds utility in an automated method of splicing the ends of audio and video type tapes.
2. Description of the Prior Art
FIGS. 7 to 10 show previously proposed techniques for connecting the ends of audio or video tapes. When it is desired to connect first and second tapes 1, 2 at a predetermined position, firstly it is necessary, as shown in FIG. 7, to press the ends of the tapes 1, 2 down on a suitable connection block 3 so that they overlap at a position wherein they are to be cut. Next the tapes are severed using a cutter 4. This, as shown in FIG. 9, produces waste cut-offs 1a and 2a. The upper cut-off portion 2a is removed and a short strip of adhesive tape 5 is the applied to the upper surfaces of the tapes 1 and 2.
However, this technique encounters the following drawbacks. As the tapes 1 and 2 are at different levels, the adhesive tape assumes a step-like configuration. Accordingly, if force is applied to the tape in the direction indicated by the arrow 6 in FIG. 11, during the tape application, as the adhesive tape is applied with heat, the join is sufficiently plastic that ends of the tape can slide together and result in the configuration shown in FIG. 12. In this event when the tape is wound onto a reel, the projection which results with the above type of connection, creates a localized thickness in the tape which tends to distort the tape on the reel.
On the other hand, if force is applied in the direction indicated by arrow 7 in FIG. 13, then the ends of the tape 1 and 2 tend to slide apart and an abnormally large gap of the nature shown in FIG. 14, result.
In this event the tape tends to be readily twisted during use and tends to reduce the strength of the splice.
The above defects tend to be particularly noticeable in the case of endless tapes wherein the splice tends to pass over the reproduction heads and the like with a much higher frequency than which open tape configurations.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a method and apparatus for connecting or splicing the ends of tapes together in a manner which prevents the above mentioned type tape end slippage problem which results from the stepped configuration which inherently results when one strip of tape is laid on top of an other strip.
In brief, the above object is achieved by a technique wherein a cutting/connection device includes a fixed base member and a vertically displaceable member. The end portions of tapes to be spliced are overlaid one on top of the other on the device. A cutter severes the tapes so that the movable member can be vertically displaced in a manner which brings the free ends of the two tapes to the same level. Under these conditions a strip of adhesive tape is applied to splice the tapes together.
More specifically, a first aspect of the present invention comes in a method of splicing two tapes together, which features the steps of: overlaying the end portions of first and second tapes one on top of the other; cutting the tapes at a predetermined position, and vertically displacing one of the first and second tapes so that it assumes the same level as the other of the first and second tapes.
A further aspect of the invention comes in that the above method further includes the step of applying a strip of adhesive tape to the upper surfaces of the first and second tapes while they are at the same level.
Another aspect of the present invention comes in a device for splicing two tapes together which features: a base member having an upper surface on which the tapes can be supported, and a vertically displaceable movable member operatively mounted on said base member, said movable member having an upper surface on which the tapes can be supported, said movable member being adapted to be vertically displaceable by a predetermined distance which is essentially equal to the thickness of a tape which is supported thereon.
Yet another aspect of the present invention comes in a tape splicing device which features: a stationary base member having a step portion; a movable member which seats on a horizontal surface of the step portion, said movable member being spaced from a vertical surface of the step portion by a predetermined small distance, guide means operatively connecting the movable member with the base member in a manner which renders the movable member displaceable in a direction which is parallel to the vertical surface of the step portion, said guide means including means for limiting the amount of vertical displacement the movable member can undergo.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing showing an embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 2 to 6 show the operations which characterizes the present invention; and
FIGS. 7 to 14 show the prior art connection technique discussed in the opening paragraphs of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of the apparatus used in connection with the present invention, in perspective form. As shown, this arrangement includes a cutting/connection section 3 which comprises a fixed base member 3a and a vertically movable member 3b. Rods 8 and 9 are rigidly connected at their upper ends to the vertically movable member 3b, and slidably disposed through bearings 10 and 11 disposed in the base member 3a. The bearing 10, 11 are provided to smooth the reciprocal movement of the rods 8 and 9 therethrough. A stopper 12 is attached to the lower end of rod 8 in a manner which limits the amount of upward displacement the movable member 3b can undergo. By adjusting the position of the stopper 12 the amount of vertical displacement can be accordingly adjusted. A step 14 formed on the base member 3a is arranged to engage the lower side of the movable member 3b in a manner which limits the downward movement of the movable member 3b. In this embodiment the step 14 is arranged so that when the movable member 3 b seats thereon, the upper surfaces of the fixed and movable members 3a, 3b assume the same level. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper surfaces of the base and movable members 3a, 3b are formed with tape guides in the form of channel-like recesses.
The lower end of the rod 9 is formed with a control point 15.
Although not shown in the drawings, when the illustrated arrangement is put into actual use it is combined in splicing device which further includes a cutter which is arranged to extend down into the vertically extending space defined above the step 14 between the juxtaposed side walls of the base and movable member 3a, 3b. The splicing device further includes tape clamps which are operatively connected with a source of vacuum and which utilize pressure differential to pick up and hold a strip or strips of tape so that they can be moved onto the top of the apparatus shown in FIG. 1 ready for cutting and/or subsequent connection via the application of a strip of adhesive tape or the like.
FIGS. 2 to 6 show the manner in which the apparatus which characterizes the present invention is used in connection with the cutting and connecting of of strips of tape. As will be noted the same numerals as used in connection with disclosure of the prior art are used to denote the similar elements in FIGS. 1 to 6.
In operation, first and second strips of tape 1, 2 which are to be spliced together are arranged to that the ends portions thereof, are placed one on top of the other in an overlapping relationship on top of the cutting/connecting section 3, as shown in FIG. 2. Although not shown, tape clamps are applied to hold the tapes in place and prevent slippage and/or unwanted movement. A cutter is then used to severe the strips and produce the arrangement shown in FIG. 3. As mentioned above, the cutter can pass into the vertically extending space between the base and movable members 3a, 3b during the cutting of the two tapes 1, 2.
Following the cutting operation, the movable member 3b is displace upwardly by a non-illustrated servo device until the stopper 12 engages the lower surface of the base member 3a and the apparatus assumes the condition shown in FIG. 4. Although not shown, the cut-off 2a is removed such as by the use of one of the above mentioned tape clamps, which can suck the cut-off against the lower side of the same and carry it to a position wherein disposal is facilitated.
As will be appreciated from FIG. 4, the amount of vertical displacement that the movable member 3b can undergo is set to be essentially the same as the thickness of a strip of tape. Accordingly, as a result of the vertical movement of the movable member 3a the upper surfaces of the tapes 1 and 2 are induced to assume the same level. Under such conditions, when a non-illustrated applicator presses a strip of adhesive tape 5 down onto the upper surface of the tapes 1 and 2 (FIG. 5), the likelihood of the slippage problem disclosed in connection with FIGS. 7 to 14 is eliminated and a highly suitable splicing of the two tapes is achieved.
Following the application of the adhesive tape 5 a downwardly acting force is applied in a manner wherein the movable member 3b is lowered until it rests on the step 14 and the situation illustrated in FIG. 6 is achieved.
With the above technique, two strips of tape can be spliced together in a manner which prevents the formation of abnormally thick and lumpy joints and thus obviates the problem encountered with the prior art wherein tape distortion is caused when the tape is wound onto a reel. The inventive technique also prevents the formation of abnormally large gaps between the ends of the spliced tapes and thus prevents the loss of joint strength which tends to accompany joints of the nature illustrated in FIG. 14.
Further, the invention permits the above type of joining to be carried out with a highly compact arrangement. For example, if two tape passes are provided it is possible to achieve tape splicing with the highly compact device which also ensures that the accuracy of the joining is maintained. | A cutting/connection device of a tape splicer includes a fixed base member and a vertically displaceable member. The end portions of tapes to be spliced are overlaid one on top of the other on the device. A cutter severes the tapes so that the movable member can be vertically displaced in a manner which brings the free ends of the two tapes to the same level. Under these conditions a strip of adhesive tape is applied to splice the tapes together. | 8 |
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 08/713,526 filed on Sep. 13, 1996 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,769,822 and entitled "Non-Reusable Retractable Safety Syringe".
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
(1) Field of the Invention
This invention relates to a syringe device and, more particularly, to a non-reusable retractable syringe having an automatically retracting hypodermic needle to prevent reuse of the syringe. A method for delivering fluid to a patient and retracting the needle within the syringe after the fluid is delivered is disclosed.
(2) Description of Problems and the Prior Art
Many communicable diseases are commonly spread by contacting bodily and/or medicinal fluids of an infected person, reuse of hypodermic syringes is one of the most common causes of such contact.
Various mechanisms are provided in medical facilities for the disposal or destruction of syringes and hypodermic needles after usage. However, it is not uncommon for a medical worker to be scratched or punctured by a needle after usage and before disposal, resulting in injury and exposure to disease. Accordingly, there exists a need to protect personnel from accidental skin injuries from such contaminated needles, as well as the need to provide a safe and efficient means for disposing of the needles themselves.
There has been increased emphasis in designing hypodermic syringes with extendible shields which protect and project over the needle area after injections are completed. Such devices often involve manual manipulation of the shield over the needle after the injection is completed. It follows that when the shield is manually extended over the needle, the operator's hands or fingers may come into contact with the tip of the needle, thus causing risk of infection. To correct this problem, many devices have built-in biasing means which provide a shield over the needle after the injection is completed.
In U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,010, entitled "Safety Syringe with Retractable Needle", issued Oct. 1, 1991, there is shown and disclosed an improved safety syringe with retractable needle which allows retraction of the needle into a hollow plunger by additional forward pressure on the plunger after fluid is driven from the syringe into the patient. The syringe includes a hollow plunger which is inserted into one end of a cylindrical barrel and a hollow needle attached to the other end of the barrel. Biasing means are attached to the barrel for biasing the needle towards the hollow plunger, and means are provided for releasing the needle into the hollow plunger by applying additional forward pressure upon the plunger after the plunger is telescopically contracted relative to the barrel. This design, as well as others which are commercially available, provide a plunger which is made of a plastic material, such as polypropylene, which is manufactured by known techniques. Typically carried thereon is a sealing element which is made of a comparatively soft elastomeric material, which forms the seal between the housing and the moving plunger, to prevent leakage therebetween of the fluid to be injected.
The design disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,010 incorporates a sliding elastomeric seal which displaces from its forward position to a retracted position, thereby allowing additional forward travel of the plunger to actuate the retraction mechanism. However, with this configuration, the soft nature of the seal depicted could allow it to slide prematurely during an injection. Increasing the stiffness of the sealing member would reduce the tendency to slide prematurely, but at the expense of the seal integrity.
There is need for an improved design of syringe in which an elastomer or other relatively soft seal can be used to provide maximum sealing integrity while also permitting sufficient pressure to be applied through the device to complete the injection, and thereafter to permit a cutter operatively associated with the plunger to continue to travel to cut the seal and, in turn, initiate retraction of the needle into the device after completion of the injection.
Moreover, it has been found desirable to prevent telescopic expansion of the plunger relative to the barrel of the device after activation of the retraction mechanism to assure that the needle tip cannot easily be re-exposed through withdrawal of the plunger.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a non-reusable retractable safety syringe. A cylindrical barrel is provided which has first and second barrel ends and an inside diameter wall there between. A chamber is provided for receipt of fluid within the barrel and between the first and second barrel end. A plastic hollow plunger is fully extendible into the barrel and is inserted into the first end of the barrel. The plunger is selectively movable from expanded position toward and placeable into an expended position. Thereafter, the plunger may be moved to a fully collapsed position relative to the second end of the barrel.
A hollow needle is secured relative to the second end of the barrel. Biasing means are provided in an initially secured relationship relative to the second end of the barrel for biasing the needle toward the hollow plunger. Means are provided for directing forward pressure upon the plunger, and sealing means include an elastomeric sealing member which is engaged to one end of the plunger for slidable sealing engagement with the inside diameter wall of the barrel. A cutting tip is provided and is carried by the plunger for cutting through the sealing member such that the biasing means releases the needle into the plunger when the plunger is at the fully collapsed position relative to the second end of the barrel.
The plunger may also include the sealing means which is engaged to one end of the plunger when the plunger is in the expanded and expended positions, as well as when the plunger is moving toward the collapsed position, with the sealing means being disengageable from one end of the plunger during movement of the plunger toward, but prior to, the plunger being placed at the collapsed position.
The syringe may comprise one of a number of engaging means for securing the plunger relative to the sealing means.
Fluid is drawn into the syringe through the needle. The needle is then implanted into the patient and the medication delivered via one-handed force applied to one end of the plunger--moving the plunger and sealing means to the expended position.
While or after removing the needle from the patient, additional one-hand force is applied to the plunger to move the plunger into the collapsed position. As the plunger collapses, the cutting tip extends through the sealing means and then through the needle retaining element to thereby release the biased needle into the plunger element of the device.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a horizontal, sectional view of the device of the present invention prior to usage and, further, prior to introduction of medication therein.
FIG. 2 is a view similar to that of FIG. 1 showing the device with the plunger expanded and medication filling the interior portion of the chamber.
FIG. 3 is a view similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the plunger collapsed within the barrel after medication has been injected into the patient, with the needle being retracted into the interior of the plunger, and the plunger being moved to the locked position.
FIG. 4 is a partial sectional view of a preferred means for securing the plunger relative to the sealing means.
FIG. 5 is a partial horizontal sectional view of the device in FIG. 1, illustrating an alternate preferred embodiment means for securing the sealing means to the plunger.
FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the device of FIG. 5 taken along lines 6--6 of FIG. 5.
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 5 showing movement of the cutter through the sealing means.
FIG. 8 is a partial horizontal view of another preferred means of moving the plunger relative to the seal means, illustrating a series of support struts defined on the plunger in initial expanded position.
FIG. 9 is a view similar to that of FIG. 8 illustrating the operation and position of the support struts during movement of the plunger toward the collapsed position after reaching the expended position.
FIG. 10 is a view similar to that of FIGS. 8 and 9, illustrating the final collapsed position of the plunger resulting in the movement of the plunger and cutting of the seal element.
FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view of an alternate preferred embodiment of securing the plunger relative to the seal means.
FIG. 12 is a detailed horizontal sectional view of the area highlighted in FIG. 11.
FIG. 13 is a view similar to that shown in FIG. 11 showing yet another alternative preferred means for securing the plunger relative to the seal means.
FIG. 14 is a horizontal sectional view of still another alternative preferred embodiment for securing the plunger to the sealing means.
FIG. 15 is a view of still another alternative preferred embodiment shown in the initial expanded position.
FIG. 16 is a horizontal section view of the device depicted in FIG. 15, illustrating the sealing means in the fully collapsed position.
FIG. 17 is another illustration of still another preferred embodiment, showing the cutter element being defined at the distal end of the plunger.
FIG. 18 is a view similar to that of FIG. 15, but showing yet another alternative embodiment of providing the sealing means 600 in a single element, thereby eliminating the need for the housing member 602.
FIG. 19 is a view similar to that of FIG. 18 but showing the embodiment of FIG. 18 moved to the collapsed position.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Now, with first reference to FIG. 1, the syringe 10 of the present invention is shown with an outer elongated barrel element 100 interiorally receiving a plastic hollow plunger 200. The plastic hollow plunger is manufactured by known techniques for making such plastic components, but will be typically made through injection molding techniques of a plastic such as polypropylene.
Also, as shown in FIG. 1, the syringe device 10 of the present invention includes a hollow needle 300 having a pointed open end 301. An unextended portion of the needle 300 is securely engaged within a spring housing 30 with the needle 300 extending out of an open end 31 of the spring housing 30.
A cover 20 is slidably, but securely engaged around the spring housing 30 and has an inwardly circumferentially conically defined shoulder 21 which snugly engages a companion conically shaped shoulder 32C on the spring housing 30. As the cover 20 is moved toward the housing 100, it freely moves dorsally along the spring housing 30 until the portions 21 and 32C interface. Prior to interface, a circular groove 32B, which is indented around the exterior dorsal end of the spring housing 30, receives a companion abatement 32A around the interior diameter of the body 25 of the cover 20 to snap-secure the case 20 in place. This snap engagement may be overcome by hand manipulation of the guide 20 distally away from the housing 100.
The cover 20 has a closed end 22, extended radially around the exterior of the pointed open end 301 of the hollow needle 300. The cover, as shown, has a series of circumferentially extending wing member 23, 24 protruding outwardly from the body 25 of the cover 20 and formed as an integral unit or portion of body 25. Additionally, the body 25 has a radially outwardly extending ring 26 including a shoulder 27 for assisting in one-handed removal of the cover 20. The human operator may remove the cover 20 by hand or finger application to either the ring 26 or one or more of the wings 23, 24, or both the ring 26 and one or more of the wings 23, 24 to unsnap the engagement 32A/32B.
Continuing with reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, there is shown an opening 101a in the barrel through which the plunger 200 is introduced through the first end 101 to the expended position 202. If medication or other fluid 105 is pre-introduced into the syringe 10 and into a chamber 104 within the inside diameter wall 103 of the barrel 100, it will be appreciated that the plunger 200 will be in the expanded position 201 as shown in FIG. 2. In other words, the syringe 10 is designed such that a medicinal fluid 105 may be placed into the syringe 10 and the cap or cover 20 snugly secured around a second or distal end 102 of the barrel or housing 101 and the cover 20 thereafter removed for injection of the fluid 105 into the patient.
Alternatively, the syringe 10 may be provided and positioned, such as in FIG. 1, the cover 20 thereafter removed at or about the application site and just before injection of the fluid 105 is needed. Thereafter, the cover 20 is removed and the pointed open end 301 of the needle 300 may be introduced into an exterior container for the fluid 105 and the plunger moved to the expanded position 201 (FIG. 2) to draw the fluid 105 through the pointed open end 301 into the chamber 104 by vacuum caused by the movement of the plunger 200 from the expended position 202 as shown in FIG. 1 to the expanded position 201, as shown in FIG. 2.
The barrel-100 has immediate its second or distal end 102 a series of radially and circumferentially extending thread-like elements 106 which are inter-engaged with companion thread-like elements 33 disposed around the exterior of the spring housing 30. Accordingly, the spring housing 30, during manufacture of the syringe 10, may be merely hand or mechanically threaded to the barrel 100 to secure the barrel 100 and the spring housing 30 together.
A spring lock device 34 is also initially contained within the spring housing 30, but is disengageable therefrom to the position shown in FIG. 3.
As stated above, the plunger 200 is manufactured of a plastic material which enables a considerable amount of force to be hand-applied to the plunger 200 through the finger or thumb of a human operator upon the means for directing forward pressure upon the plunger, such as ring or plate-like surface 500 (FIGS. 1, 2, and 3). This force is transmitted through the plunger 200 for movement of the fluid 105 through the pointed open end 301 of the needle 300 and introduction into the patient, thereby fully expending fluid within the chamber 104, and, thereafter, enabling a cutting tip 700 to further advance.
When the sealing means 600 has been fully cut and the spring lock 34 has been disengageably secured in relationship with the spring housing 30 and the barrel 100, the plunger 200 is moved to the collapsed position shown in FIG. 3. This technique is described in somewhat more detail in U.S. Pat. No. 5,053,010 entitled "Safety Syringe With Retractable Needle" issued Oct. 1, 1991.
Also, as stated above, it has been found that the sealing means 600 does not provide as effective sealing between the exterior thereof and the inside diameter wall 103 of the barrel 100 if the sealing means 600 includes a sealing member 601 (as in FIGS. 5-19) which is made of a material having the same given hardness as that of the plastic hollow plunger 200. A softer and more elastomeric material can be utilized to provide such an effective sealing means 600.
To assure that the barrel 100 and the plunger 200 do not telescopically expand relative to one another after the syringe 10 has been moved from the position as shown in FIG. 2 to the position as shown in FIG. 3, and, further, to avoid the possible loss of the needle 300 and/or exposure of the pointed open end 301 resulting in inadvertent contact with the patient or other human, the syringe 10 is provided with a radially interiorally extending lock ring 106 (FIG. 2) or other locking means, such as a series of inwardly projecting fingers, extensions, or the like, which are emplaced and defined on the barrel 100 immediate the first or dorsal end 101 thereof. Cooperative locking doughnut, or tabs, 207 are placed radially around the exterior of the plunger 200 just below or away from the plate or surface 500.
As the syringe 10 is moved from the position as shown in FIG. 2 to the collapsed position 203 shown in FIG. 3, the locking tabs or ring will be placed into contact with a beveled lock ring surface 106a (FIG. 2), and when such contact is made between surface 106a of the ring 106 and tabs 207, slight resistance to further telescopically retracting movements between the barrel 100 and the plunger 200 will be felt by the human operator through his/her finger upon plate 500. Continued application of slightly increased pressure on plate 500 will cause the locking tabs 207 to slide over and below the lock ring 106, with the lock ring 106 expanding, just slightly, immediate to the first end of 101. When the locking tabs 207 pass inwardly below the lock ring 106, the lock ring 106 will flexibly move back into its initial position and, in fact, will radially inwardly retract, just slightly, due to contact upon a profile surface 207a defined on the plunger 200. Since the lock ring 106 now has its outer surface in contact with the surface 207a of the plunger 200, the barrel 100 and the plunger 200 are inter-engageably locked by the position of the lock ring 106 relative to outwardly extending locking tabs 207.
As shown in FIG. 4, the plunger 200 is positioned to the fully expended position 202 and the distal end of the plunger 204 is about to move to the collapsed position, allowing the cutter 700 to continue through the sealing means 600. This permits the spring lock 34 to become disengaged such that the biasing or spring means 400 now may be released, causing the force contained within the spring 400 when it is in its retracted position as shown in FIG. 1, to urge the spring lock 34 away from the spring lock housing 35. The spring 400 has an end 401 which is snuggly contained within the spring housing 30 by means of an arresting shoulder 32 which extends internally, with an open end 31 permitting the hollow needle 300 to extend thereout.
Now with reference to FIGS. 5 through 19, there are shown a number of alternate preferred means 800 for engaging the plunger 200 to the sealing means 600. For example, with first reference to FIGS. 5, 6 and 7, there is shown an engaging means 800 which is provided on the distal end of plunger 204. As shown, the engaging means 800 is defined by a series of radially extending support struts 802 which are members extending between the plunger 200 and the sealing means 600. The struts 802 can be made of the same material utilized to make the plunger 200 and/or the housing 602 for the sealing member 601. Each of the support struts 802 will have an external diameter 803 which is slightly less than the internal diameter 602a of the companion housing 602 of the sealing means 600. As pressure is applied to the plunger 600, the support struts 802.. will be caused to be sheared, thus permitting the plunger 200 to provide means 801 for telescopically engaging the plunger 200 to the distal end 204 relative to the sealing means 600, and the plunger 200 will continue to move interiorally of the sealing means 600 to the collapsed position shown in FIG. 7. The number and size of the struts can be varied to achieve different levels of shear forces required to collapse the sealing means. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, this may be simply a very thin connecting ring 610 of plastic material between the housing 602 and the end of the plunger 200.
Now referring to FIG. 8, 9, 10, another alternative means for securing the end of the plunger 200 to the sealing means 600 is shown. With first reference to FIG. 8, the device is shown in expended position 201, with the distal end 204 of the plunger 200 providing either one or a series of vertically collapsible support pleats 206 having a series of vertically positioned horizontal pleat elements 205. As pressure is applied to the plate 500 of the plunger 200, the plunger will telescope relative to the barrel 100 and the pleats 206 will first be caused not to be able to sustain resistance to such amount of pressure and will,; in turn, cause the collapsible pleat 205 members to collapse as the pleats 206 are flexed, as shown in FIG. 9, to the collapsed position 202 as shown in FIG. 10.
Of course, the horizontal pleats 206 can sustain the amount of pressure necessary to cause the plunger 200 to telescope retractedly relative to the barrel 100 to eject the medication or fluid 105 from the chamber 104 and, thus, close the chamber 104, i.e., the expended position, without deflecting the collapsible members 205. When all medication is ejected through the pointed open end 301 of the needle, and when the seal means 600 is moved to the abutting position as shown in FIG. 1, the resistance to further movement caused thereby will result in the struts 205 moving from the position as shown in FIG. 8 to the position as shown in 9 as increased pressure is applied to the plate 500 and transmitted through the plunger 200. This increased mechanical pressure will move the plunger 200 to the collapsed position 202 as shown in FIG. 10 when the plunger 200 has moved relative to the barrel 100 to cut through the seal means 600.
Now with respect to FIGS. 11 and 12, there is shown still another alternate preferred means 800 for engaging the plunger 200 to the sealing means 600 which uses a snap-fitting detent assembly comprising a ring 820 and a ring recess 810. As shown in the blow-up FIG. 12, the plunger 200 is secured to the housing element 602 of the seal means 600 by means of a ring 820 received within a beveled shoulder 650 of the seal means 600. The bevel-shaped shoulIder 650 snugly secures the ring 820 for affixation purposes. However, when sufficient pressure is applied through the plunger 200, the ring 820 will move along the shoulder 650 such that the ring 820 is caused to be flexed inwardly just slightly until it reaches the profile 902 carried on the member 602, at which time the ring 820 will be caused to radially expand, just slightly, into snug securing engagement relative to the profile 902 and thus permits continued movement of the plunger 200 from the expended position to the collapsed position to be accomplished.
Housing 602 is molded as a separate component and snapped onto the end of plunger. 200. The distal end of plunger 200 has the annular ring 820 molded onto it. The interior of the housing 602 has a mating recess 810 whose shoulder 650 resists expansion and compression. However, the shoulder 650 resists compression of the ring component 820 and allows it to be overcome with a predetermined amount of force, thereby allowing the cutter 700 to advance.
Now with respect to FIG. 13, there is shown still another alternate preferred means 800 for engaging the plunger 200 to the sealing means 600, using either one or a series of adhesive spots 606. When the plunger reaches the expended position, hand pressure for continued forward movement of the plunger 200 will be resisted and further applied pressure will shear or break the spots 606 so that the plunger may thereafter move to the collapsed position. There are, of course, a number of adhesives which can be utilized, such as cyanoacrylate, Super-Glue™, Durabond™ or UV-15™, made by Masterbond.
Also, as shown in FIG. 13, the housing 602 has an internal diameter 603 which, at the dorsal end 605, is contourly beveled to provide a smooth radially and outwardly extending shoulder 606 for application of the adhesive and also to the outer surface of the plunger distal end 204. The distal end 204 of the plunger is first flexed somewhat inwardly to permit the shoulder configuration of the dorsal end 605 to come over, just slightly, the end 204, such that, in some circumstances, the use of the adhesive means 900 may be combined with slight mechanical inward bias between the sealing member housing 602 and the end 204 such that the sealing means 600 and the plunger 200 are engaged together by a combination of mechanical and chemical means. The amount of adhesive used, the extent to which it completely surrounds the housing 602, and the shape of the bead provided through application of the adhesive, all act to effect the amount of force required to move the plunger 200 relative to the sealing means 600. Of course, as the adhesive engagement between the members is broken, the plunger 204 will continue inwardly within the housing 602 to effect operation of the device 10, as shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 3.
Now with respect to FIG. 14, there is shown yet another alternative embodiment, somewhat similar to FIG. 13. FIG. 14 shows housing 602 firmly attached to the distal end of plunger 200 by means of ultrasonic, heat staking, friction welding or any other means resulting in a similar weld, as is well known to those skilled in such arts. Each of these techniques can be used to create one or more rigid connections 902a and 902b between parts 602 and 200.
With respect to FIG. 15 and 16, another alternative preferred means 800 for engaging the plunger 200 to the sealing means 600 is shown. As shown in FIG. 15, a projection 842 which may be continuous or collet-like outwardly extends from the tip of the end of the plunger 200 and into the sealing means 600 at receptacle 843. The shape of this projection resists pulling out of the sealing means 600. Further, under forward pressure the shape tends to expand the sealing means tighter against the barrel 100 to prevent leakage. Under sufficient pressure, however, the projection 842 can no longer resist movement of the sealing means 600, allowing it to collapse to the position shown in FIG. 16 and the profile 844 now receives the projection(s) 842 which are flexed outwardly after passage across the internal housing wall 640. It will be appreciated that a shoulder 620 is provided on the housing 602 and is substantially vertical (in the views of FIGS. 15 and 16) to the horizontally disposed plunger 200. this assists in enabling the plunger 200, securing means 800 and the sending means 600 to travel as a unit from the position shown in FIG. 1 to that shown in FIG. 2, during introduction of fluid 105.
Now, with reference to FIG. 17, yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in which the cutter 700 is an integral component of the plunger 200 and, in fact, is formed near the distal end of the plunger member 200.
The distance 850 defines the travel of the plunger 200 to the no-go end 651 of the housing 602 of the seal means 600. Travel of the plunger 200 this distance 850 is the distance from the expended position to the collapsed position in all embodiments shown in the Figs.
FIGS. 18 and 19 show yet another embodiment of the invention where the sealing means 600 is provided with the seal 601 extended and used without a separate housing 602. The seal element 601 still provides the groove 843 with the shoulder 620 for receipt of the protrusion 842. Some economical savings might be enjoyed if it is desired to use the construction as shown in FIGS. 18 and 19.
The invention also contemplates usage of a needle 700 with the cutting end as contoured such as 760 (FIG. 17). Alternatively, the cutting configuration 760 may provide that the end of the cutter 700 is dome-like or pyramid-like or any other variant to the form 760.
The invention includes the method of delivering fluid to a patient utilizing the device 10 of the present invention. When in the "ready" or expanded position of FIG. 2, after removal of the cover means 20 (FIG. 1), the method contemplates the use of the apparatus 10 which will include inter-engagement of the plunger 200 relative to the seal means 600 in one of the preferred embodiments. The needle is implanted into the patient by the operator either by application of hand or fingers around the exterior of the barrel 100 and/or application of forward pressure to the plate 500 by the operator. Force is applied one handedly to one end of the plunger 200 to coerce the fluid 105 from within the chamber 104 within the barrel 100 and into the patient through an arm, leg, or otherwise. The plunger is moved to the expended position shown in FIG. 2 and, thereafter, additional one handed force is applied to the plate or surface 500 at one end of the plunger 200 to further drive the plunger to the collapsed position (FIG. 3) so that the cutting tip 700 extends through the spring lock housing 30 to thereby release the biased needle 300 into the plunger 200. The plunger 200 then is locked relative to the barrel 100 by the inter-engagement of the locking tabs 207 relative to the lock ring 106 (FIG. 3).
Although the invention has been described in terms of specified embodiments which are set forth in detail, it should be understood that it is by illustration only and that the invention is not necessarily limited thereto, since other alternative embodiments and operating techniques will become apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the disclosure. Accordingly, modifications are contemplated which can be made without departing from the spirit of the described invention. | A non-reusable retractable safety syringe is provided which has a hollow plunger and a seal member carried thereon. The provision of the plunger and the seal relative to the barrel permits the plunger, with sufficient strength, to carry applied pressure through the device during injection of a medicinal or other fluid into a patient, and yet permit the seal disposed at one end of the plunger to have maximum sealing integrity between the plunger and a cylindrical barrel disposed around the exterior of the plunger, to abate leakage of the liquid in a chamber within the barrel, as the plunger is manipulated from an expanded position to an expended position and thereafter to a third, or collapsed position. Designs for securing the seal relative to the plunger are disclosed. The syringe may be used to insert and/or withdraw fluid relative to the patient. | 0 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates to the field of power electronics. It is based on a converter module and a converter as claimed in the preamble of claims 1 and 10.
2. Discussion of Background
The invention relates to converter modules for high-capacity converters. The converter modules are constructed from a plurality of power semiconductor switches, by means of a busbar system. Such busbar systems have been described, for example, in the article "GTO-Hochleistungsstromrichter fur Triebfahrzeuge mit Drehstromantrieb" GTO high-capacity converters for traction vehicles using three-phase drives!, ABB Technology 4/1995, pages 4-13. Power is supplied to electrically propelled locomotives via a DC intermediate circuit which is coupled on the input side to a DC network or via a mains converter to an AC network and, on the output side, supplies electrical power of variable amplitude and frequency to the three-phase asynchronous traction motors via an in general multiphase drive converter. The busbar system forms the electrical connection between the output of the mains converter--or the overhead wire for a DC network--and the power semiconductor switches or modules of the drive converter. This may be highly complex, may limit the performance of the electrical switching system, and may result in considerable costs.
In the course of development of power semiconductor switches, a change has been made from conventional thyristors or gate turn off thyristors (GTOs) to IGBTs (bipolar transistors with an insulated gate) The IGBTs are in general integrated in a module.
For relatively high currents and ratings, a plurality of modules are connected in parallel. With respect to converter families of various ratings, busbar systems are sought which allow a multiphase converter which can be designed to be modular, can be scaled easily and has low inductance.
It has been proposed in two earlier German Patent Applications (file references 196 00 367.9 and 196 12 839.0), which do not have priority, that this problem be solved by a two-dimensional arrangement of power semiconductor modules over flat DC plates and parallel phase busbars. The flat modules have plug-in contacts extending longitudinally along a narrow, long edge and are pushed into two rows per busbar of lugs, which act as mating connections, parallel to the phase busbars. The closest neighbors are in each case rotated through 180° and are connected to one another in a bridge circuit. They thus form half-bridges or bridge arm pairs, that is to say they make contact with opposite DC plates and feed current half-cycles of opposite polarity into a common phase busbar. The next-but-one neighbors are, in contrast, oriented in the same direction and form parallel-connected modules for power scaling.
This configuration still has disadvantages, such as unsatisfactory symmetry, non-ideal inductance and, in particular, structural complexity. The long, different current paths to and between the modules result in current asymmetries and uneven loads on the modules. The resultant suboptimum utilization increases as the power level or the number of modules per phase increases, which necessitates power derating. Other problems with this arrangement relate to the design aspects. A large number of different parts are required for a type range, and assembly is complex. Compliance with the minimum insulation separations and creepage distances requires particular care since the positive and negative connections are very close to one another and penetrate one another. In addition, tailor-made metal sheet sizes and individually matched components are required for each application and rating level.
According to DE 44 02 425 A1 it is, furthermore, prior art for an invertor arrangement to connect a plurality of bridge arm pairs of semiconductor switching elements in parallel along one phase busbar. The elements in each bridge arm are oriented front to back or facing away from one another or the same, and are made contact with and screwed together via longitudinal profiles. One special feature is that the phase busbar is folded up at the end and is passed back parallel, in order to reduce the inductance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, one object of the invention is to provide a novel busbar system for converters, which is distinguished by simplified, space-saving design and reduced assembly complexity, as well as having improved symmetry with low inductances and a high current capacity. This object is achieved according to the invention by the features of the first claim.
Specifically, the essence of the invention is that preferably plug-in power semiconductor switches are coupled in pairs, with their front or rear sides oriented to face one another and very close together, to a positive connection and a negative connection of a DC intermediate circuit and to a phase busbar. In consequence, the current paths are made symmetrical for both the load and commutation currents, and are designed to have low inductance. At the same time, various converter module versions are provided which are easy to assemble and, owing to their modular design, can easily be matched to any desired rating requirement.
A first exemplary embodiment is represented by a first single-phase converter module comprising two power semiconductor switches, whose front or rear sides face one another and which are connected in a bridge circuit.
A further exemplary embodiment is represented by a second single-phase converter module comprising four power semiconductor switches, two switching elements in each case being opposite one another and being connected in parallel in one bridge arm, and both arms being laterally adjacent, that is to say offset in the direction of the phase busbar.
A final exemplary embodiment is represented by a two-phase converter module comprising four power semiconductor switches, two switching elements in each case forming a bridge arm pair in a lateral, parallel position, and both pairs being arranged in mirror-image form with respect to the center plane, and supplying different phases.
One advantage of the busbar system according to the invention is the high level of symmetry of the arrangement of power semiconductor switching elements, which makes it possible for the current loading of the elements to be uniform, and thus allows high total current level.
It is especially advantageous that parallel-connected power semiconductor switching elements can be controlled largely without any interference, owing to the short distances from a common gate drive electronics device.
A further advantage is that a very simple, compact and modular design of a converter module can be achieved using a small number of standard components and plug-in power semiconductor switching elements.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A more complete appreciation of the invention and many of the attendant advantages thereof 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, wherein:
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a power semiconductor switch or power semiconductor module having elongated plug-in contacts (prior art);
FIG. 2 shows a schematic plan view from above of a first converter module according to the invention;
FIG. 3 shows a section through a first converter module according to FIG. 2, along the line A--A, with the power semiconductor modules plugged on;
FIG. 4 shows a schematic plan view from above of a second converter module according to the invention;
FIG. 5 shows a section through a second converter module according to FIG. 4, along the line B--B, with the power semiconductor modules plugged on;
FIG. 6 shows a schematic plan view from above of a third converter module according to the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals designate identical or corresponding parts through several views, FIG. 1 shows a power semiconductor switch or a power semiconductor module 1, in particular an "Intelligent Power Module" or IPM, as used in converters, voltage converters or invertors. The power semiconductor switch is accommodated, typically together with circuitry components, in a module housing 2. It makes contact with the phase via a visible, elongated plug contact 3 (DC input) with a DC pole, and via a plug contact 3 (phase output), which is concealed by the insulating plate 4. The top and bottom of the module will be referred to as the front and rear side, respectively, or as frontal sides. The power semiconductor is driven via a gate electronics device, or a gate drive, which is not illustrated here. The modules may be fitted with power semiconductors of different technologies, preferably with IGBTs. For traction purposes, a plurality of modules have to be interconnected via a busbar system in order to switch large currents and power levels. The further development of IGBTs is aimed at further increasing the switching capacities, so that the number of modules that have to be connected in parallel can be reduced in the future.
FIG. 2 now discloses a first exemplary embodiment of a busbar system according to the invention, which is designed for the minimum number of two power semiconductor modules per phase and is optimized in terms of switching characteristics, space saving and design simplicity. On the left-hand side, the plan view shows a positive connection 6 and a negative connection 7, in the form of busbars, for connection to the DC intermediate circuit, in the center and on both longitudinal sides, first lugs 9 and 10 for the positive connection and negative connection respectively as well as second lugs 11 for a phase connection 8 and, on the right hand side, the phase connection or the phase outgoer busbar 8, which is routed to the exterior on the right. A first and a second lug in each case interact in order to hold and make contact with a power semiconductor switch. The lugs 9, 10, 11 preferably point up at right angles and are oriented parallel to the longitudinal sides, so that the switches are opposite one another, close together, with their front or rear sides facing one another.
The section along A--A (FIG. 3) illustrates the arrangement according to the invention. The illustration shows the essentially "L"-shaped cross-section profiles of the positive connection 6 and negative connection 7, and the essentially "W"-shaped cross-sectional profile of the phase busbar 8, as well as its interaction with two power semiconductor modules 1. With regard to the phase busbar 8, the center ridge may be more or less pronounced or may even be absent, to create a "U"-shaped profile. All the profiles are mounted on a baseplate 5, together with holders 12, via insulation elements which are not illustrated, and form a compact component. The holders and insulation elements may, in particular, also be directly integrated in the baseplate. Air, gas, solid insulators or a combination of them may be used as insulation media between the live parts 6, 7 and 8, the minimum separations being governed by the appropriate insulation distance and creepage distance conditions. The surfaces may be, but need not be, coated to be insulating. Finally, the insertion of two power semiconductor modules 1 from above creates an extremely compact and mechanically robust converter module.
This arrangement is highly advantageous from many points of view. The current paths are very wide, short, and of virtually the same dimensions for both power semiconductor switching elements. They do not enclose any areas to create inductance, and opposite current directions are close together. In addition to a very high current capacity, these measures achieve, in particular, a very low inductance of about 25 nH in the commutation circuit. Commutation in this case refers to the switching processes, which in some cases are in the order of microseconds, by means of which the power semiconductors exchange high-frequency currents for mutual relief.
A second exemplary embodiment is shown in FIG. 4 and the associated sectional view along B--B in FIG. 5. In this case, the positive connection 6 and negative connection 7 have an essentially "U"-shaped cross-sectional profile with first lugs 9, 10 on both longitudinal sides, and the phase connection 8 once again has an essentially "W"-shaped or "U"-shaped cross-sectional profile with two lugs 11 on both longitudinal sides. This converter module has four mounting spaces for power semiconductor switches. Two power semiconductor switches are in each case positioned opposite one another, with their front or rear sides facing one another, and are connected in parallel. They are connected to the adjacent pair at the side, in a half-bridge circuit.
In this arrangement, the symmetry is reduced in that the positive connection 6 has to supply the power semiconductor switch pair located further to the rear, via the lugs 9. It is thus made contact with from underneath via a flat feed plate. However, the resultant inductance of the commutation circuit is typically about 50 nH, and thus always achieves very low values. A further advantage is that the parallel-connected power semiconductor switching elements can in each case be driven by a common gate drive, since the problem of dangerous induced voltage spikes is largely suppressed owing to the very short cable run 13.
FIG. 6 shows an extremely compact arrangement for supplying two phases. This arrangement is based on FIGS. 4 and 5 by separating the phase busbar 8 along its center line and the gate feed line 13. The resultant phase busbars 14 and 15 have half the width, and have a half-"W"-shaped or a "U"-shaped profile in the region of the lugs 16 and 17, respectively. The two phase busbars run parallel in the longitudinal direction, and lie close to one another. The power semiconductor switches, which are arranged laterally offset on the same longitudinal side and make contact with different "U" profiles 6, 7, each form a half-bridge and make contact with phase connection 14, 15. In a similar way to that in the second exemplary embodiment, but separately for each half bridge, the commutation currents flow through the busbars in the longitudinal direction.
In all the examples referred to, the busbar system according to the invention is distinguished by economically significant design advantages. A small number of components are used which can be produced, for example, from aluminum extrusions or bent brass parts with minimal production effort. Very good compliance with mechanical tolerances is equally possible, and the busbar system is also suitable for high currents in the kA range. For power scaling, the compact converter modules can be packed very closely alongside one another (FIGS. 2-6) and can be interconnected for larger units, without components having to be adapted.
The converter modules according to the invention are distinguished by very low inductances. In consequence, very steep switching flanks and very high switching frequencies can be achieved, and the loads on the power semiconductors, as well as the reactions on the network, can be kept low. Furthermore, all the embodiments allow the amount of derating of the power semiconductor switches to be very low. This is achieved by the high level of symmetry of the bridge arms. In addition, derating is avoided if the power semiconductor modules are connected in parallel, since potential differences between the gates of parallel modules are minimized owing to the fact that the busbar system between the parallel-connected modules has very low inductance, and the gate drive connecting lines are designed to be very short.
A particularly advantageous feature of all the exemplary embodiments is the use of plug-in power semiconductor switches or power semiconductor modules. The first and second lugs then act as plug-in spaces for the power semiconductor switches.
In the examples, the roles of the positive connection 6 and negative connection 7 may be reversed. It is also feasible for the arrangement of the DC connections 6, 7 and the phase connection 8 to be interchanged (see, for example, FIG. 3). The first and second lugs then change places, the power semiconductor modules are mounted rotated through 180° C., and a broadened phase connection 8 is passed out underneath the DC connections.
Further versions of the invention also result, for example, by arranging a plurality of power semiconductor switches, instead of just one, connected in parallel in the longitudinal direction. This can easily be achieved by using longer lugs or a plurality of lugs, made contact with in the same way, laterally alongside one another. This allows power scaling in all three embodiments (FIGS. 2-6). In the same way, a plurality of converter modules, including different modules, can be interconnected via their phase connections 8, 14, 15, for power scaling.
Overall, the invention provides a busbar system by means of which converter modules having optimum switching characteristics and a space-saving, modular design can be achieved.
Obviously, numerous modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings. It is therefore to be understood that, within the scope of the appended claims, the invention may be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein.
LIST OF DESIGNATIONS
1 Power semiconductor switch or power semiconductor module
2 Module housing
3 Plug-in contact
4 Insulating plate
5 Baseplate
6 Positive connection
7 Negative connection
8 Phase connection
9 First lugs (positive pole)
10 First lugs (negative pole)
11 Second lugs (phase)
12 Holder
13 Gate feed line
14 Phase connection 1
15 Phase connection 2
16 Second lugs (phase 1)
17 Second lugs (phase 2) | Converter modules have a busbar system for a plurality of power semiconductor switches or, preferably, IGBT power semiconductor modules (IPMs). The power semiconductor switches are arranged in pairs, facing one another or facing away from one another, close together and parallel. In accordance with exemplary embodiments, alternating current is fed in one or two phases via bridge circuits composed of two or four power semiconductor switches. | 7 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a blend of a polyester and a polycarbonate and, more particularly, to such a blend wherein the polyester and the polycarbonate are very compatible; i.e., the polyester and the polycarbonate can form a solid solution with each other.
BACKGROUND
Polycarbonates are well known and widely used engineering thermoplastics having utility for producing molded articles and protective plastic overcoats. They are known to exhibit good hardness, good impact resistance, and, in their amorphous higher molecular weight forms, good transparency. However, polycarbonates have drawbacks for some applications, namely, poor resistance to stress cracking caused by contact with solvents such as gasoline or other chemicals, and, in their lower molecular weight forms, a tendency to crystallize and thereby become hazy rather than transparent.
In contrast, some thermoplastic polyesters, while not having as high impact resistance as polycarbonates, have excellent resistance to stress cracking caused by contact with solvents or other chemicals, and good amorphousness and transparency over a wider range of molecular weights.
It would be desirable to be able to provide a polymeric composition, for example by blending a polyester with a polycarbonate, that would provide a combination of the beneficial properties of both the polyester and the polycarbonate, e.g., good hardness, high impact resistance, high transparency, good resistance to chemical-caused stress cracking, and relatively reasonable cost. Unfortunately, these goals have been thwarted in the past by the inherent incompatibilities of many polyesters and polycarbonates. By "incompatibility", we mean the inability of the two polymers to form and/or maintain a solid solution with each other over a wide range of proportions and external conditions. Incompatibility of a blend of two or more polymers is evidenced by the blend's having more than one glass transition temperature (Tg), which is a reliable indicator that the polymers in the blend exist in separate phases, each exhibiting properties different from each other, rather than the single set of properties exhibited by a blend of compatible polymers that form a solid solution with each other, i.e., form a single phase in the blend. Inherent drawbacks of phase separations between the polymers in a blend include: inability to provide a single Tg, poorer structural integrity, poorer resistance to impact and other stress, poorer resistance to cracking caused by chemical attack, and poorer transparency due to light scattering, all of which are contrary to the purposes intended in creating the blend.
Thus, a need exists for a blend of a polyester and a polycarbonate, wherein the blended polymers are compatible with each other over a wide range of proportions, and wherein the blend exhibits good amorphousness and transparency, good impact resistance, a single Tg, better resistance to chemically caused stress cracking than that of the polycarbonate itself, and reasonable cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies the above-noted need by providing a polymeric blend comprising a polyester and a polycarbonate, wherein the polyester contains recurring units having the structure ##STR3## and the polycarbonate contains recurring units having the structure ##STR4##
The polyester and polycarbonate in the blend of this invention are very compatible with each other; they form a solid solution with each other when combined in any proportions. The blend exhibits a single Tg, good amorphousness and transparency over a wide range of molecular weights of both polymers in the blend, good impact resistance, and better resistance to chemically caused stress cracking than that of the polycarbonate itself. The blend can be obtained at reasonable cost, and has utility for producing molded or cast articles and protective overcoats.
DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The polymers having recurring units of structure (II) employed in the blends of this invention are known polycarbonates and can be prepared by any of the methods well known in the art for synthesizing such polycarbonates, e.g., by condensation of appropriate bisphenols with phosgene. For example, an appropriate bisphenol is 4,4'-(octahydro-4,7-methano-5H-inden-5-ylidene)-bisphenol, which is commercially available from the Eastman Kodak Co., USA. Further details of preparation of a Structure (II) polycarbonate are presented in Preparation 1, below. Structure (II) polycarbonates having weight average molecular weights within the range of from 10,000 to 250,000 are useful in accordance with the invention.
Structure (I), illustrated above to describe recurring units contained in the polyester employed in a blend in accordance with the invention, is intended to encompass the following alternative isomeric Structures (I-A) and (I-B): ##STR5##
The polyester in a blend of the invention can contain recurring units having Structure (I-A), recurring units having Structure (I-B), or recurring units having Structure (I-A) and recurring units having Structure (I-B). All three alternatives serve the purposes of the invention well. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the polyester contains recurring units having Structure (I-A).
The polyesters having recurring units of structure (I) employed in blends of this invention can be prepared by methods generally known to be useful for polyester syntheses, e.g., by condensation of appropriate diacids (or their esters or salts) with appropriate diols. For example, appropriate diacid salts are terephthaloyl chloride and isophthaloyl chloride, which are readily commercially available, e.g., from the Eastman Kodak Co., USA. An appropriate diol is tetramethylbisphenol A, which can be prepared by condensation of 2,6-dimethylphenol with acetone. Further details of preparations of the diol and appropriate polyesters are presented in Preparations 2-7, below. Polyesters having recurring units of Structure (I), that are useful in accordance with the invention, have weight average molecular weights within the range of from 10,000 to 200,000.
Blends in accordance with the invention contain the polyester and the polycarbonate in any desired proportions, so long as each is present in greater than zero amount. The particular proportions chosen will depend upon the particular balance of properties desired. However, whatever proportions are chosen, it has been unexpectedly found that the polycarbonate having recurring units of structure (II) is fully compatible with the polyester having recurring units of structure (I); i.e., the polyester and polycarbonate can be blended in any proportions to form a solid solution having a single phase and a single Tg.
Blends of this invention can be formed by any means well known in the art for preparing a solid solution of different polymers. For example, the polymers can be dissolved and well-mixed in any solvent in which both polymers are fully soluble (e.g., dichloromethane) followed by drying off the solvent (to produce the blend in bulk), or mixing the solution with a liquid in which the polymers are not soluble (to precipitate the blend in particulate form), or followed by solvent-coating a layer of the solution onto a substrate and then drying off the solvent to form an overcoat film of the blend on the substrate, which can remain on the substrate as a permanent overcoat or be peeled off the substrate to form a free-standing film. Alternatively, for example, the polymers can be physically melt-blended in any suitable device (e.g., an extruder) at a temperature high enough to allow easy flow and thorough mixing of both polymers, followed by cooling in bulk or chopped pellet form or melt-coating a layer or molding into a desired shape and then cooling. The method of blending is not critical, so long as it enables thorough mixing and the formation of a solid solution.
The following preparations and examples are presented to further illustrate some blends in accordance with the invention and to compare their properties to those of blends or single polymers outside the scope of the invention.
A polycarbonate containing recurring units having Structure (II) was synthesized as described in Preparation 1, below.
Polyesters containing recurring units having Structure (I) were synthesized as described in Preparations 2-7, below.
Preparation 1: 4,4'-(octahydro-4,7-methano-5H-inden-5-ylidene)bisphenol polycarbonate, Structure (II)
A 500 ml three-necked flask equipped with a stirrer, a thermometer, a wide-bore gas inlet tube, and a gas outlet was charged with 4,4'-(octahydro-4,7-methano-5H-inden-5-ylidene)bisphenol (32.02 g, 0.1 mole), pyridine (32 g), and methylene chloride (250 ml). Gaseous phosgene was passed into the rapidly stirred reaction mixture, which was maintained at 25°-30° C. with a water bath. Pyridine hydrochloride began to separate from the reaction mixture after about 25 minutes. Approximately 15 minutes later a marked increase in visosity was noted over a period of 2-3 minutes; the polymerization was the essentially completed. The flask was then vented with nitrogen to a phosgene trap, and 100 ml of water and 100 ml of methylene chloride were added immediately. The mixture was stirred 1 hour then neutralized with dilute hydrochloric acid, 2% (200 ml), followed by water (5×200 ml). The polymer solution was vigorously stirred and precipitated as soft particles by adding acetone (500 ml). The particles were hardened with 1 liter of methanol, filtered, washed with methanol, then water, and vacuum dried at 70° C. The polymer yield was 67% of the desired product. Weight average molecular weight (by gel permeation chromatography based on polystyrene equivalents)=221,000. Glass transition temperature (by differential scanning calorimetry)=257° C.
Preparation 2: Tetramethylbisphenol A
In a 1-liter 3-necked round-bottom flask equipped with a condenser, stirrer and HCl gas inlet tube, were placed 244 g (2.0 mol) of 2,6-dimethylphenol and 116 g (2.0 mol) of reagent grade acetone. HCl gas was then bubbled into the reaction mixture for approximately 5 hours (i.e., until the mixture was saturated with HCl). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 24 hours, and the solids were filtered and washed twice with 1 liter of hexanes, followed by 1 liter of distilled water, then again with hexanes. The crude product was recrystallized from 1.5 liters of 80% aqueous methanol, collected, and dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. for 24 hours to give 185 g (65%) of the desired product as white crystals.
Melting point=164° C.
Elemental Analysis: calculated for C 19 H 24 O 2 : 80.2% C, 8.5% H; found: 80.2% C, 8.5% H.
Preparation 3: Poly(tetramethylbisphenol A terephthalate), Structure (I-A)
To a stirred mixture of tetramethylbisphenol A (28.44 g, 0.10 mol) and triethylamine (22.3 g, 0.22 mol) in methylene chloride (200 ml) at 10° C. was added a solution of terephthaloyl chloride (20.3 g, 0.10 mol) in methylene chloride (100 ml). After addition, the temperature was allowed to rise to room temperature, and the solution was stirred under nitrogen for 4 hours, during which triethylamine hydrochloride precipitated in a gelatinous form and the solution became viscous. The solution was then filtered and washed with dilute hydrochloric acid, 2% (100 ml) followed by water (3×200 ml). The solution was then poured into methanol with vigorous stirring, and a white fibrous polymer, the desired product, precipitated. The isolated polymer was dried in a vacuum oven at 40° C. for 24 hours.
Weight average molecular weight=34,800.
Number average molecular weight=14,200.
(Molecular weights were determined by gel permeation chromatography based on polystyrene equivalents.) Glass transition temperature (by differential scanning calorimetry)=210° C.
Preparation 4: Poly(tetramethylbisphenol A isophthalate), Structure (I-B)
The title polyester was prepared in the same manner as described in Preparation 3, except that isophthaloyl chloride was employed, instead of terephthaloyl chloride.
Weight average molecular weight=14,900.
Number average molecular weight=3,200.
Glass transition temperature=154° C.
Preparation 5: Poly(tetramethylbisphenol A terephthalate-co-isophthalate), Structures (I-A) and (I-B) (75:25 molar ratio)
The title polyester was prepared in the same manner as described in Preparation 3, except that instead of the 20.3 g (0.10 mole) of terephthaloyl chloride, there were employed 15.225 g (0.075 mole) of terephthaloyl chloride and 5.075 g (0.025 mole) of isophthaloyl chloride. The yield was 89% (37 g) of the title polyester.
Weight average molecular weight=43,400.
Number average molecular weight=18,200.
Glass transition temperature=211° C.
Preparation 6: Poly(tetramethylbisphenol A terephthalate-co-isophthalate), Structures (I-A) and (I-B) (50:50 molar ratio)
The title polyester was prepared in the same manner as described in Preparation 3, except that instead of the 20.3 g (0.10 mole) of terephthaloyl chloride, there were employed 10.15 g (0.05 mole) of terephthaloyl chloride and 10.15 g (0.05 mole) of isophthaloyl chloride. The yield was 94% (39 g) of the title polyester.
Weight average molecular weight=29,000.
Number average molecular weight=10,300.
Glass transition temperature=197° C.
Preparation 7: Poly(tetramethylbisphenol A terephthalate-co-isophthalate). Structures (I-A) and (I-B) (25:75 molar ratio)
The title polyester was prepared in the same manner as described in Preparation 3, except that instead of the 20.3 g (0.10 mole) of terephthaloyl chloride, there were employed 5.075 g (0.025 mole) of terephthaloyl chloride and 15.225 g (0.075 mole) of isophthaloyl chloride. The yield was 80% (33 g) of the title polyester.
Weight average molecular weight=35,300.
Number average molecular weight=13,000.
Glass transition temperature=187° C.
Examples 1-3
Blends in accordance with the invention were prepared by thoroughly dissolving and mixing in dichloromethane various proportions of Structure (II) polycarbonate (preparad in accordance with Preparation 1, above) and the polyester of Structure (I-A) (prepared in accordance with Preparations 2 and 3, above), solvent casting the various solutions, and then drying off the solvent to yield free-standing films of the blend.
Each of the blends of Examples 1-3 exhibited good amorphousness and transparency, good impact resistance, better resistance to chemically caused stress cracking than that of the Structure II polycarbonate itself, and a single Tg (determined by differential scanning calorimetry).
For purposes of comparison, control films outside the scope of the invention were prepared as in Examples 1-3, except that Control A was composed of 100% of the Structure (II) polycarbonate, Control B was composed of 100% of the Structure (I) polyester employed in Examples 1-3, and Control C was composed of a 50:50 weight ratio blend of the Structure (II) polycarbonate and a polyester formed from 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and terephthalic:isophthalic acids (55:45 molar ratio) (a polyester sold under the trademark, Ardel D-100, by Amoco, Inc., USA). The Control C film had a hazy visual appearance (i.e., poor transparency) and exhibited two separate Tg's (determined by differential scanning calorimetry), which indicates that the polymers in the blend were incompatible and formed separate phases.
Relevant data is presented in Table I, below.
TABLE I______________________________________ Weight Ratio Tg('s)Example (polyester:polycarbonate) (°C.)______________________________________Control A 0:100 2571 25:75 2422 50:50 2363 75:25 226Control B 100:0 210Control C 50:50 198 and 242______________________________________
Examples 4-6
Blends in accordance with the invention were prepared by thoroughly dissolving and mixing in dichloromethane various proportions of Structure (II) polycarbonate (prepared in accordance with Preparation 1, above) and the polyester of Structure (I-B) (prepared in accordance with Preparations 2 and 4, above), solvent casting the various solutions, and then drying off the solvent to yield free-standing films of the blend.
Each of the blends of Examples 4-6 exhibited good amorphousness and transparency, good impact resistance, better resistance to chemically caused stress cracking than that of the Structure II polycarbonate itself, and a single Tg (determined by differential scanning calorimetry).
For purposes of comparison, control films outside the scope of the invention were prepared as in Examples 4-6, except that Control A was composed of 100% of the Structure (II) polycarbonate, Control D was composed of 100% of the Structure (I) polyester employed in Examples 4-6, and Control C was composed of a 50:50 weight ratio blend of the Structure (II) polycarbonate and a polyester formed from 2,2-bis(4-hydroxyphenyl)propane and terephthalic:isophthalic acids (55:45 molar ratio) (a polyester sold under the trademark, Ardel D-100, by Amoco, Inc., USA). The Control C film had a hazy visual appearance (i.e., poor transparency) and exhibited two separate Tg's (determined by differential scanning calorimetry), which indicates that the polymers in the blend were incompatible and formed separate phases.
Relevant data is presented in Table II, below.
TABLE II______________________________________ Weight Ratio Tg('s)Example (polyester:polycarbonate) (°C.)______________________________________Control A 0:100 2574 25:75 2165 50:50 1956 75:25 170Control D 100:0 154Control C 50:50 198 and 242______________________________________
EXAMPLES 7-9
Blends in accordance with the invention were prepared by thoroughly dissolving and mixing in dichloromethane 50 parts by weight of Structure (II) polycarbonate (prepared in accordance with Preparation 1, above) and 50 parts by weight of a polyester containing recurring units having Structure (I-A) and recurring units having Structure (I-B) (in Example 7 the polyester was that prepared in Preparation 5; in Example 8 the polyester was that prepared in Preparation 6; and in Example 9 the polyester was that prepared in Preparation 7, above), solvent casting the various solutions, and then drying off the solvent to yield free-standing films of the blends.
Each of the blends of Examples 7-9 exhibited good amorphousness and transparency, good impact resistance, better resistance to chemically caused stress cracking than that of the Structure II polycarbonate itself, and a single Tg (determined by differential scanning calorimetry).
Relevant data is presented in Table III, below.
TABLE III______________________________________ Weight Ratio Tg('s)Example (polyester:polycarbonate) (°C.)______________________________________7 50:50 2448 50:50 2259 50:50 216______________________________________
The invention has been described in detail with particular reference to certain preferred embodiments thereof, but it should be appreciated that variations and modifications can be effected within the spirit and scope of the invention. | A polymeric blend comprising a polyester and a polycarbonate, wherein: the polyester contains recurring units having the structure ##STR1## and the polycarbonate contains recurring units having the structure ##STR2## | 2 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a support for photographic printing paper which has excellent water resistance, and more particularly to a support for photographic printing paper which has excellent writing properties on the back surface thereof.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Raw paper is usually used as a substrate of photographic printing paper. In order to impart water resistance to the raw paper, a polyolefin resin, such as polyethylene, is coated on both surfaces of the raw paper. In a support for photographic printing paper, using raw paper coated with such a polyolefin resin, the surface on which a photographic emulsion layer is coated is called a "top surface", and the surface on which no photographic emulsion layer is coated is called a "back surface".
It is desirable that the back surface can be written on with a ball point pen, a fountain pen, or a pencil, for example.
For the purpose of automatically cutting by clearly indicating the boundary between a picture cut and a picture cut of a silver halide photographic material in a roll-form, or for the purpose of writing information concerning a picture cut, type writing is sometimes applied onto a back coat layer on the back surface of the silver halide photographic material in a printer.
A problem arises in that when the ink flows in a processing bath and the color becomes faded, the photographic printing paper does not sufficiently perform properly. Thus, a support for photographic printing paper which is freed from the above problem is desired.
However, since the polyolefin resin layer covering the surface of the raw paper usually does not have ink absorbility, when an ink is applied thereon, drying of the ink is slow, and moreover the ink after drying readily disappears by friction (by rubbing with a hand, for example) and is easily scratched in writing. Moreover, when a printing paper is superposed, the information written or typed is easily transferred to the surface of another printing paper. Thus there is a disadvantage that it is difficult to write characters or figures with a pencil or fountain pen on the surface of the polyolefin resin layer.
Although the above defect is improved by roughening the surface of the polyolefin resin layer by sand blast or embossing, or by a method of etching the surface with an acid, for example, it cannot be said that writing properties are sufficiently satisfactory.
Thus, heretofore, in order to overcome the above problems, for example, a method of incorporating an inorganic pigment of 1 to 40 μm into the polyolefin resin layer on the back surface (JP-A-55-43528 (the term "JP-A" as used herein means an "unexamined published Japanese patent application)), a method of providing a layer comprising a water-soluble polymer, such as polyvinyl alcohol or carboxymethyl cellulose, and water-soluble silica sol (JP-B-44-14884 (the term "JP-B" as used herein means an "examined published Japanese patent application"), corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,520,242), a method of providing a layer comprising a water-insoluble polymer emulsion, such as a polyethylene emulsion, and water-soluble silica sol (JP-B-50-36565, corresponding to U.S. Pat. No. 3,676,189), and a method of providing a coated layer containing a pigment, such as clay, and having moisture absorbing properties (JP-A-52-169426) have been proposed.
These methods, however, have the following problems. For example, when an inorganic pigment of 1 to 40 μm is incorporated into the polyolefin resin layer on the back surface, a problem arises in that the resin layer is cracked, or contamination with the pigment occurs. Moreover, in the coated layer of the conventionally used composition, to obtain sufficiently satisfactory writing properties with a pencil, the coating amount should be controlled to about 5 g/m 2 and in some cases, to more than 10 g/m 2 . Thus, there are many limitations in the process of production, such as a drying step of the coated layer.
In the photographic developing step, the coated layer is removed or dissolved, or after development, the pigment is removed only by slight friction. Thus, problems occur concerning the quality, such as contamination of the photographic printing paper.
Moreover, for the purpose of decreasing the cost of the product, the treatment solution is continuously recycled in the developing treatment system of the silver halide photographic material. In this case, the oxidized product of an organic compound dissolved from the photographic material into the treatment solution tends to accumulate therein as a contamination substance, which disadvantageously adheres to the support, in particular, on the back surface thereof.
The above disadvantages results in the unsatisfactory writing properties of the polyolefin resin layer on the back surface of the photographic printing paper. Also, written information is transferred to the top surface of another printing paper, contamination is caused by a contaminating substance and the coated layer provided to overcome the above disadvantages is subject to elution or removal during the developing processing. These problems have been addressed by providing a print-storing layer in which an inorganic pigment having a number average particle diameter of 0.1 to 3.0 μm and an oil absorption amount of not more than 100 ml/100 g is dispersed in a binder including a styrene-acrylate copolymer, on the back surface of the support (see JP-A-62-6256). However, further improvements in ink printing properties, controlling contamination during the developing processing, and so forth are desired.
As a result of investigations to overcome the above problems, it has been found in the present invention that ink printing properties and contamination are markedly improved by using colloidal silica as an inorganic pigment and, at the same time, by using an aqueous dispersion of styrene-acrylate obtained by polymerizing in the presence of a water-soluble polymer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the present invention is to provide a support for photographic printing paper, which is improved in ink writing properties, printing properties, and contamination during the developing processing.
This and other objects of the present invention, which will be readily apparent from the detailed description of the invention provided hereinafter, have been met by a support for photographic printing paper, comprising a water resistant support with a polyolefin resin coated on both surfaces of a raw paper, and a back layer provided on the back surface of the support, wherein the back layer comprises:
(a) colloidal silica;
(b) an aqueous dispersion of a styrene-acrylate copolymer polymerized in the presence of a water-soluble polymer; and
(c) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble polymer compound containing a carboxylic group or a sulfone group, or its salt, and a hydrophilic organic polymer colloid.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The raw paper to be used in the present invention is chosen from materials generally employed in supports for photographic printing paper. Examples of such materials are natural pulp obtained from needleleef trees or boradleef trees, synthetic pulp obtained using polyethylene or polypropylene in a fibrous form, and a mixture of natural pulp and synthetic pulp.
The raw paper may contain additives generally used in paper making, such as a fluorescent brightener, a sizing agent, a paper reinforcing agent, a fixing agent, a preservative, a filler, and an antistatic agent, and a surface sizing agent, and so forth.
The raw paper usually has a thickness of 50 to 300 μm.
As the polyolefin resin to be coated on both surfaces of the raw paper, α-olefin homopolymers such as polyethylene and polypropylene, or α-olefin copolymers, and mixtures thereof can be used. Particularly preferred polyolefins are high density polyethylene, low density polyethylene, and mixtures thereof. These polyolefins are not limited in molecular weight as long as they can be used for extrusion coating. Usually polyolefin having a molecular weight of 20,000 to 200,000 are used.
The polyolefin resin layer is not limited in thickness. The thickness of the polyolefin resin layer can be determined depending on the thickness of the polyolefin resin layer of conventional supports for photographic printing paper. The thickness is usually 15 to 50 μm.
Into the polyolefin resin layer, known additives such as a white pigment, a color pigment or a fluorescent brightener, and an antioxidant can be incorporated. In particular, into the polyolefin resin layer on the surface at which the photographic emulsion is to be coated, a white pigment or a color pigment is preferably incorporated.
Colloidal silica as the component (a) to be used in the back layer of the present invention can be appropriately chosen from those known silicas having an average particle diameter of about 5 to 100 μm, preferably 10 to 50 μm (measured, e.g., by Bett method). Examples of such colloidal silicas are commercially available silica sol suspensions, such as Ludox HS, Ludox AS, etc. (trade names, manufactured by Dupont Corp.), and Snowtex 20, Snowtex 30, Snowtex C (colloidal silica coated with alumina on the surface thereof), etc. (trade names, manufactured by Nissan Kagaku Co., Ltd.). The amount of the colloical silica used is preferably 0.01 to 1.0 g /m 2 and more preferably 0.05 to 0.5 g/m 2 .
In the present invention, the colloidal silica can be used in combination with conventionally known inorganic pigments in the amount of 0.05 to 1.0 g/m 2 . In particular, those having an oil absorption amount of not more than 100 ml/100 g and a number average particle size of 0.1 to 3.0 μm are preferably used in combination.
The water-soluble polymer to be used in preparation of the aqueous dispersion of the styrene-acrylate copolymer as the component (b) is appropriately selected from known water-soluble polymers, such as PVA, carboxy-modified PVA, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer or its salt, polyacrylic acid, polystyrenesulfonic acid, and a water-soluble acryl compound. Of these, a styrene-maleic acid copolymer is particularly preferred.
The amount of the water-soluble polymer used may be 10 to 60% by weight based on the sum of the weights of styrene monomer and acrylate monomer.
The molar ratio of styrene to acrylate to be radical polymerized in a system containing the above water-soluble polymer is preferably in a range of 90/10 to 10/90, more preferably 50/50 to 80/20.
If the styrene content is more than about 90%, the glass transition temperature of the copolymer is too high. Thus, the coating is not sufficiently formed under usual drying conditions, and its adhesive force to the polyolefin layer tends to be decreased.
On the other hand, if the styrene content is less than about 10 mol %, the glass transition temperature is too low. Thus, at the time of winding in the course of production of the polyolefin-coated paper, it is easily bonded to the surface of the raw paper, or at the time of winding after coating of the emulsion, it is easily bonded to the emulsion layer.
The molecular weight of the styrene-acrylate copolymer is preferably in the range of 100,000 to 1,000,000, more preferably 200,000 to 500,000.
Examples of the acrylate to be used in the above styrene-acrylate include esters of acrylic acid and aliphatic alcohols having 1 to 8 carbon atoms, such as methyl acrylate, ethyl acrylate, n-propyl acrylate, isopropyl acrylate, n-butyl acrylate, sec-butyl acrylate, tert-butyl acrylate, hydroxypropyl acrylate, 2-hydroxyethyl acrylate, and 2-ethylhexyl acrylate. Among them, 2-ethylhexyl acrylate is preferred.
In order to increase the adhesive force to the polyolefin, to increase the stability of the solution, or to increase water resistance, chemical resistance, and thermal resistance, the styrene-acrylate copolymer may be copolymerized with a cross-linkable divinyl compound, such as ethyleneglycol diacrylate, polyethyleneglycol diacrylate, ethyleneglycol methacrylate, polyethyleneglycol dimethacrylate, and divinylbenzene, or may be copolymerized with an N-containing monomer such as N-methylolacrylamide, acrylamide, and diacetone-acrylamide, or may be copolymerized with a carboxyl group-containing component, such as acrylic acid, methacrylic acid, itaconic acid, crotonic acid, sorbic acid, sinnamic acid, citraconic acid, mesaconic acid, maleic acid, fumalic acid, etacrylic acid, maleic anhydride, and itaconic anhydride, or may be copolymerized with a glycidyl group-containing component such as glycidyl methacrylate, or may be copolymerized with a hydroxyl group-containing monomer such as hydroxyethyl methacrylate and hydroxypropyl acrylate, in the amount of about 0.05 to 30% by weight based on the weight of the solids of the emulsion.
Into the above emulsion, if desired, a wetting agent, an emulsifying agent, an antioxidant, an aging agent, a stabilizer, a cross-linking agent, an antistatic agent, and the like can be incorporated.
In particular, use in combination with a cross-linking agent containing at least two ethyleneimino groups or glycidyl ether groups in the molecule thereof is effective in improving the hardness of the coated film, and at the same time, is effective in preventing ink-staining. Thus, it is preferred that the above cross-linking agent be used in a suitable amount taking into consideration photographic properties and so on.
The amount of the cross-linking agent used is preferably 0.05 to 50% by weight based on the weight of the solids of the emulsion.
In addition, an antistatic agent, a defoaming agent, a pH controlling agent, or an activating agent to prevent formation of coated domains, and the like can be added, if desired.
The weight ratio of the colloidal silica as the component (a) to the aqueous dispersion of the styreneacrylate copolymer as the component (b) is preferably 1/5 to 2/1.
Examples of the carboxyl group or sulfone group-containing water-soluble polymer compound or its salt to be used as the component (c) include sodium polyacrylate, and sodium polystyrenesulfonate. Hydrophilic organic polymer colloids include carboxyl-modified polyethylene and its salts.
The component (c) is used as an antistatic agent. The amount of the component (c) coated is preferably 0.005 to 1.0 g/m 2 and particularly preferably 0.01 to 0.5 g/m 2 .
In accordance with the present invention, a coating solution containing at least the components (a) to (c) is prepared and coated on the back surface of the raw paper with polyolefin coated thereon. This coating solution may further contain a suitable amount of a surfactant in order to improve the levelling of the solution and thus to facilitate coating. In addition, for the purpose of increasing water resistance or alkali resistance of the back coat layer, a compound having at least two ethyleneimino groups or glycidyl ether groups in the molecule thereof is added as a cross-linking agent. Details of these cross-linking agents are described in JP-A-59-214849. Particularly preferred cross-linking agents are shown below. ##STR1##
These cross-linking agents can be added to the component (b) and/or the coating solution containing at least the components (a) to (c) after preparation.
As a solvent for the preparation of the coating solution for the back coat layer, water or a mixture of water and alcohol is used.
As the alcohol, various alcohols such as methanol, ethanol, propyl alcohol, isopropyl alcohol, and butyl alcohol can be used.
In the present invention, the coating solution can be coated by generally well known techniques such as a dip coating method, an air knife coating method, a curtain coating method, a roller coating method, a doctor coating method, a wire bar coating method, a slide coating method, and a gravure coating method. Prior to coating, it is desirable that activation treatment be applied to the surface of the polyolefin layer by known methods.
For this activation treatment, etching treatment using an acid, flame treatment using a gas burner, corona discharging treatment, or glow discharging treatment, for example, can be employed.
The amount of the back layer coated is, as solid, preferably 0.05 to 1.0 g/m 2 and more preferably 0.1 to 0.5 g/m 2 .
For production of a printing paper by coating the support of the present invention with a photographic emulsion, techniques commonly utilized for production of printing paper can be applied.
With regard to processing such as development and fixation of the printing paper thus obtained, commonly utilized techniques can be employed.
Printing paper produced using the support of the present invention is markedly decreased in contamination with oxidized products, such as organic compounds as eluted during the developing processing, and its ink writing properties are excellent.
The present invention is described in greater detail with reference to the following examples, although it is not intended to be limited thereto.
All parts are by weight.
EXAMPLES 1 TO 8, AND COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES 1 TO 7
A raw paper having a base weight of 150 g/m 2 and thickness of 160 μm was run at a speed of 10 m per minute, and its back surface was coated with high density polyethylene (density 0.960 g/cm 3 , MI=13 g/10 minutes) in a resin thickness of 30 μm by melt extrusion by the use of a melt extruder to thereby form a matted resin layer.
Then, the top surface of the raw paper was coated with low density polyethylene (density 0.923 g/cm 3 , MI=7 g/10 min.) containing 10% by weight of titanium dioxide in a resin thickness of 30 μm by melt extrusion by the use of a melt extruder to form a resin layer having a gloss surface.
To 50 parts of water was added 10 parts (as solid) of an aqueous dispersion of a styrene-acrylate copolymer (molar ratio of 70/30) obtained by polymerization in the presence of 3 parts of water-soluble polymer as shown in Table 1. Then, 10 parts of colloidal silica (trade name, Snowtex-C) having a particle diameter of 10 to 20 mμ and 5 parts of polyacrylic acid sodium salt were added, and further 25 parts of ethyl alcohol was added thereto to form an aqueous coating solution for the back layer, containing 10% by weight of styrene-acrylate copolymer.
After application of corona discharging treatment onto the polyethylene resin coated surface on the back side of the raw paper, the above coating solution was coated in an amount of 3.5 g/m 2 by a bar coating method, and then dried to produce a photographic support.
Then, after application of corona discharging processing onto the polyethylene resin coated surface at the top surface of the original, a blue-sensitive silver chlorobromide gelatin emulsion layer containing a yellow coupler, an intermediate layer, a green-sensitive silver chlorobromide gelatin emulsion layer containing a magenta coupler, an ultraviolet ray absorbing layer containing an ultraviolet ray absorbing agent, a red-sensitive silver chlorobromide gelatin emulsion layer containing a cyan coupler, and its protective layer were successively coated, and dried to produce a multi-layer silver halide color photographic printing paper.
TABLE 1__________________________________________________________________________ Styrene-Acrylate Water-Soluble Polymer Cross-Linking Agent*__________________________________________________________________________Example 1 Styrene-2-Ethylhexylacrylate Styrene-Maleic acid --2 Styrene-2-Ethylhexylacrylate PVA --3 Styrene-2-Ethylhexylacrylate Carboxy-modified PVA --4 Styrene-Butyl acrylate Styrene-Maleic acid --5 Styrene-Butyl acrylate PVA --6 Styrene-Butyl acrylate Carboxy-modified PVA --7 Styrene-2-Ethylhexyl acrylate Styrene-Maleic acid 0.58 Styrene-Butyl acrylate Styrene-Maleic acid 0.5Comparative Butadiene-Styrene Rubber -- --Example 12 Carboxy-modified Butadiene- -- -- Styrene Rubber3 Nitrile Rubber -- --4 Styrene-2-Ethylhexylacrylate -- --5 Styrene-Butyl acrylate -- --6 Styrene-2-Ethylhexyl acrylate -- 0.57 Styrene-Butyl acrylate -- 0.5__________________________________________________________________________ *Glycerol polyglycidyl ether was used as a crosslinking agent. The unit o addition amount is % by weight based on a coating solution.
Evaluation of Printing Paper
Each photographic printing paper as obtained above was stored for one day in a vessel maintained at 50° C. and relative humidity 60%, and then evaluated for ink printing properties, antistatic properties, and contamination of the back surface of the printing paper with contaminating substances.
Evaluation of Ink Printing Properties
The back coat layer was printed by the use of an impact printer placed in an automatic printer, and the state of disappearance of the print, when processed with a roll processor, was observed for evaluation. The rating was as follows: (A) the density of the print after the processing was nearly equal to that before the processing; and (B) the density of the print after the processing was much smaller than that before the processing.
Evaluation of Antistatic Properties
The back surface of the printing paper before color development was measured for surface inherent resistance when conditioned at 20° C. and 35% RH.
Contamination of Print Storing Layer with Contaminating Substances
By the use of a roll convey type of processor which was contaminated with black brown stains formed in the color developer with a lapse of time, the printing paper was developed through a color developing step (30° C., 3.5 min.), a bleach-fixing step (39° C., 1.5 min.), water rinsing step (30° C., 3 min.), and drying step (80° C., 20 sec.). Contamination formed by transfer of the black brown stains attached to the roll when the back surface of the printing paper was pressed by the roll in the color developer, to the back surface of the printing paper was examined with the naked eye.
The rating was as follows:
A: almost not stained;
B: stained slightly; and
C: badly stained.
The results are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2______________________________________ Charging Preventing Properties Attachment (Surface Inherent Ink Printing of Resistance: Ω) Properties Stains______________________________________Example 1 1.2 × 10.sup.9 A A2 1.3 × 10.sup.9 A A3 1.5 × 10.sup.9 A A4 1.1 × 10.sup.9 A A5 1.4 × 10.sup.9 A A6 1.1 × 10.sup.9 A A7 2.8 × 10.sup.9 A A8 3.3 × 10.sup.9 A AComparative 1.1 × 10.sup.9 B BExample 12 1.4 × 10.sup.9 B B3 1.2 × 10.sup.9 B B4 1.5 × 10.sup.9 B B5 1.6 × 10.sup.9 B B6 2.9 × 10.sup.9 A C7 3.5 × 10.sup.9 A C______________________________________
From the results of Table 2, it can be seen that the back surface of the photographic printing paper of the present invention (Examples 1 to 8) is good in ink printing properties, and further is free from contamination with staining substances and is sufficiently high in charging preventing ability.
While the invention has been described in detail and with reference to specific examples thereof, it will be apparatus to one skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope thereof. | A support for photographic printing paper comprising a water resistant support comprising a raw paper with a polyethylene resin coated on both sides thereof, and a back layer provided on the support, wherein the back layer comprises:
(a) colloidal silica;
(b) an aqueous dispersion of a styrene-acrylate copolymer as obtained by polymerizing in the presence of a water-soluble polymer; and
(c) at least one member selected from the group consisting of a water-soluble polymer compound containing a carboxylic group or a sulfone group, or its salt, and a hydrophilic organic polymer colloid. | 8 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to electronic medical records, more specifically, a computer software process for documenting the appearance/change in appearance of a patient's optic nerve.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The optic nerve is the part of the eye that carries visual information from the eye to the brain. The optic nerve is located at the very back of the eye just to the nose side of center. The optic nerve is the part of the eye that gets damaged when someone has glaucoma and many other ocular diseases.
The optic nerve comprising of approximately 1 million small individual thread-like nerve fibers which originates from the retina. The fibers bend about 90 degrees as they leave the retina and enter the front of the optic nerve (referred to as the optic nerve head). Normally, there is a small crater-like depression (referred to as the cup) seen at the front of the optic nerve head. In healthy eyes, the diameter of the cup is smaller than the diameter of the optic nerve. Many years ago, it was common practice for a doctor to look at the nerve using a monocular magnification device. The image of the nerve head would resemble a cup on a saucer (or disc), hence deriving a number of terms for describing the optic nerve. Such terms or descriptors include: cup to disc ratio (CDR); cupping; cupped; full rim; rim thinning; saucerization; notching, etc.).
It is critical to monitor the shape and health of the optic nerve. This is accomplished by maintaining records that describe the appearance and shape of the optic nerve. The normal cup to disc ratio (the diameter of the cup divided by the diameter of the whole nerve head or disc) is about ⅓ or 0.3. There is some normal variation here, with some patients having almost no cup (thus having 1/10 or 0.1), whereas others have as high as ⅗ths or 0.6 as a cup to disc ratio. If a patient has a cup/disc ratio larger than ⅓, then doctors get suspicious that the cup could be getting larger than it used to be, implying the progression of a disease process.
Glaucoma can cause the cup to enlarge (actually little nerve fibers are being wiped out along the rim of the optic nerve in glaucoma). Some doctors refer to an enlarged cup/disc ratio as cupping or a cupped nerve. Glaucoma typically causes the cup to get bigger in a vertical oval type pattern, initially. However, any change in the optic nerve can be an early sign of glaucoma.
To differentiate whether a large cup is normal or glaucomatous requires the doctor to pay close attention to the rim of the nerve. Photos and other analysis of the optic nerve are extremely valuable for documentation of the nerve shape and for future comparisons. If the temporal rim of the optic nerve is very thin sloped or notched, then glaucoma is more likely and may be diagnosed.
The doctor also pays close attention to the color of the optic nerve because some other diseases of the optic nerve can cause enlarged cups but also cause the nerve to look pale (multiple sclerosis, brain tumors, strokes, etc.).
One can take and record an image (i.e. photo) and store such image. Providing such image is limiting in that a photo does not clearly describe and identify information. A photo requires greater memory for storage.
What is desirable is a method that provides Doctors with the ability to maintain illustrated documentation and history of a patient's optic nerve.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly the present invention teaches a method and apparatus for providing, storing, and maintaining electronic medical records, wherein said electronic medical records are electronic images or representations of a patient's optic nerves.
A first aspect to the present invention is defining and presenting the terminology respective to the various features used when describing a specific optic nerve.
In accordance with a first aspect, the following terminology is used to define the features of the optic nerve:
Ocular Dexter (OD): The patient's right eye.
Ocular Sinister (OS): The patient's left eye.
Optic Nerve/Optic Disc/Disc: The entire nerve utilized for vision. The optic nerve is the outer circle that will be illustrated throughout the specification.
Cup: The cup is the internal portion that represents lost optic nerve fibers that will be illustrated throughout the specification.
Cup to Disc Ratio (CDR): The cup to disc ratio can be described by a number (or several numbers) that refers to the ratio of the area of the cup to the area of the disc. The CDR is an industry standard for documenting the health of a patient's optic nerve. Details will be presented within the specification.
Full Rim (FR): Full rim is defined wherein the perimeter of the cup is completely within the perimeter of the optic nerve, and typically having a CDR of 0.5-0.6.
Saucerization: Saucerization is defined as the sloping excavation of the optic nerve. Saucerization is presented in conjunction with a grading or amount of saucerization. Generally, the saucerization is graded between 1+ and 4+, respective to the level of severity. The grading scale is 1+ being the least or mild and 4+ being an advanced or severe condition. Details will be presented within the specification.
Temporal Saucerization (TS): Temporal saucerization is defined as the sloping excavation of the outer or temporal (towards the ear) side of the optic nerve.
Nasal Saucerization (NS): Nasal saucerization is defined as the sloping excavation of the inner or nasal (towards the nose) side of the optic nerve.
Mild Temporal Saucerization (MTS): Mild temporal saucerization is defined as saucerization that is very minor sloping excavation of the outer or temporal (towards the ear) side of the optic nerve.
Mild Nasal Saucerization (MNS): Mild nasal saucerization is defined as saucerization that is very minor sloping excavation of the inner or nasal (towards the nose) side of the optic nerve.
Superior Rim Thinning (SRT): Superior rim thinning is defined as thinning, an apparent or possible change in the optic nerve that indicates loss of optic nerve tissue on the superior (towards the eyebrow) aspect of the nerve.
Inferior Rim Thinning (IRT): Inferior rim thinning is defined as thinning, an apparent or possible change in the optic nerve that indicates loss of optic nerve tissue on the inferior (towards the chin) aspect of the nerve.
Temporal Rim Thinning (TRT): Temporal rim thinning is defined as thinning, an apparent or possible change in the optic nerve that indicates loss of optic nerve tissue on the temporal (towards the ear) aspect of the nerve.
Nasal Rim Thinning (NRT): Nasal rim thinning is defined as thinning, an apparent or possible change in the optic nerve that indicates loss of optic nerve tissue on the nasal (towards the nose) aspect of the nerve.
Diffuse Rim Thinning (DRT): Diffuse rim thinning is defined as thinning, an apparent or possible change in the optic nerve that indicates loss of optic nerve tissue 360 degrees about the optic nerve.
A second aspect of the present invention is to provide electronic medical record software.
A third aspect of the present invention is to provide an electronic medical record software, more specifically said electronic medical record software is to record illustrations representative of a patient's optic nerve.
A fourth aspect of the present invention is to provide an electronic medical record software, more specifically said electronic medical record software is to record illustrations representative of a patient's optic nerve for each of patient's two eyes.
A fifth aspect of the present invention is to provide a graphical user interface (GUI); wherein said GUI provides a simplistic means for entering information.
A sixth aspect of the present invention is to provide a graphical user interface (GUI); wherein said GUI provides entry to specific key features.
A seventh aspect of the present invention is to provide a graphical user interface (GUI); wherein said GUI provides entry to specific key features, wherein said features comprise those of an optic nerve.
An eighth aspect of the present invention provides a graphical user interface (GUI), wherein said GUI provides entry to specific key features, wherein said features comprise those of an optic nerve, including:
a. Cup to Disc ratio (CDR) b. Cup Position relative to Disc
i. Full Rim & Variations of Full Rim Conditions
1. Cup Shape
a. Inferior Rim Thinning b. Superior Rim Thinning c. Temporal Thinning
ii. Saucerization (Enter grading)
1. Temporal Saucerization 2. Nasal Saucerization 3. Superior Notch 4. Inferior Notch
A ninth aspect of the present invention provides a graphical user interface (GUI); wherein said GUI provides entry to specific key features, wherein said GUI entry is accomplished my entering data.
A tenth aspect of the present invention provides a graphical user interface (GUI); wherein said GUI provides entry to specific key features, wherein said GUI entry is accomplished by selecting from examples.
An eleventh aspect of the present invention provides a graphical user interface (GUI); wherein said GUI provides entry to specific key features, wherein said GUI entry is accomplished by selecting from examples respective to each feature.
A twelfth aspect of the present invention selects a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve from an index of pre-established graphical images, wherein said pre-established graphical images are categorized by key feature types.
A thirteenth aspect of the present invention selects a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve from an index of pre-established graphical images based upon the user's input(s).
A fourteenth aspect of the present invention selects a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve from an index of pre-established graphical images based upon the users input(s), wherein the user selects from a presentation of a series of representative images, each series representative of a specific classification of key features, and ultimately narrowing down to a final, single representative image.
A fifteenth aspect of the present invention generates a graphical representation of the patients optic nerve based upon the user's input(s).
A sixteenth aspect of the present invention generates a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve based upon the user's input(s), presenting said graphical representation (as it is generated) as the user proceeds through the various input steps.
A seventeenth aspect of the present invention generates a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve based upon the user's input(s), wherein the user's inputs can comprise drawing a representation of the optic nerve.
An eighteenth aspect of the present invention provides the user the ability to view a history of graphical images respective to the patient.
A nineteenth aspect of the present invention provides the user the ability to view a history of graphical images respective to the patient, wherein the user can further view the images in an animated manner further presenting the recorded changes to the patient's optic nerve over time.
A twentieth aspect of the present invention comprising a computer, a user interface, a storage media, and software respective to the present invention disclosed herein.
A twenty-first aspect of the present invention comprising uploading an actual image of said optic nerve into the patient's file.
A twenty-second aspect of the present invention comprising uploading an actual image of said optic nerve into the patient's file, wherein then utilizing the uploaded image to create an illustration of said optic nerve.
A twenty-third aspect of the present invention comprising a presentation that is representative of the optic nerve and further comprising specific respective information.
A twenty-fourth aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to utilize an uploaded image of a patient's optic nerve to generate a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve.
A twenty-fifth aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to generate a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve using an animated illustration and allowing the user to make adjustments using a user interface. Such user interfaces can comprise a mouse, a tablet, a pointer, a touch screen, and the like.
A twenty-sixth aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to aid in determining the health of a patient's optic nerve.
A twenty-seventh aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to aid in determining the health of a patient's optic nerve, wherein such means comprising recognition of changing trends of the patient's optic nerve.
A twenty-eighth aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to aid in determining the health of a patient's optic nerve, wherein such means comprising recognition of distinguishing features of the patient's optic nerve, said distinguishing features are known concerns for degeneration of said optic nerve.
A twenty-ninth aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to animate the history of a patient's optic nerve and optionally anticipate the potential progression of degeneration of the optic nerve based upon recorded history and time.
A thirtieth aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to generate a graphical representation of the patient's optic nerve via entry of respective feature information.
A thirty-first aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to generate a graphical representation of the patients optic nerve via viewing and selection from an index of various features of an optic nerve.
A thirty-second aspect of the present invention comprising the ability to store back up data files at a remote location to avoid catastrophic loss of vital patient information.
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 preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention/where like designations denote like elements, and in which:
FIG. 1 is an illustration representing an optic nerve introducing Ocular Dexter (OD) (Right eye);
FIG. 2 is an illustration representing an optic nerve introducing Ocular Sinister (OS) (Left eye);
The following FIGS. ( 3 - 100 ) comprise an A and a B version for clarity and distinction, wherein said A is representative of a patient's Ocular Dexter (OD) (Right eye) and said B is representative of a patient's Ocular Sinister (OS) (Left eye). The orientation is shown as would be charted; as the Doctor is looking into a Patient's eyes;
FIG. 3 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as having total rim loss (TRL);
FIG. 4 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.10 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing a full rim;
FIG. 5 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.20 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing a full rim;
FIG. 6 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.25 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing a full rim;
FIG. 7 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.30 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing a full rim;
FIG. 8 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.35 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and said full rim;
FIG. 9 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and said full rim;
FIG. 10 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.45 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said full rim;
FIG. 11 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.50 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said full rim;
FIG. 12 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.55 cup to disc ratio (CDR) introducing temporal rim thinning (TRT). Having a CDR of 0.55 to 0.60 places the optic nerve into a condition between having a full rim and a condition with at least some rim thinning. This illustration introduces temporal rim thinning, whereby other rim thinning could alternately be diagnosed in other conditions where the optic nerve disc is ofuset in another quadrant of the optic nerve disc;
FIG. 13 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.60 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said temporal rim thinning (TR. It is noted that any optic nerve comprising a CDR greater than 0.60 would further comprise some form of thinning, and should be documented as such.
FIG. 14 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.65 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said temporal rim thinning (TRT);
FIG. 15 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.70 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said temporal rim thinning (TRT);
FIG. 16 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.75 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said temporal rim thinning (TRT);
FIG. 17 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said diffuse rim thinning (DRT);
FIG. 18 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.85 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said diffuse rim thinning (DRT);
FIG. 19 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.90 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said diffuse rim thinning (DRT);
FIG. 20 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.95 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said diffuse rim thinning (DRT);
FIG. 21 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.98 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said diffuse rim thinning (DRT);
FIG. 22 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.20 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing mild temporal saucerization (MTS);
FIG. 23 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.20 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing mild nasal saucerization (MNS);
FIG. 24 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.20 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing inferior notching (IN);
FIG. 25 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.20 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing superior notching (SN);
FIG. 26 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.25 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said mild temporal saucerization (MTS);
FIG. 27 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.30 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and introducing temporal saucerization (TS), further introducing a method of grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 28 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.35 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said temporal saucerization (TS), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 29 is an illustration representing an alternate optic nerve described as 0.35 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 30 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 31 is an illustration representing an alternate optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 32 is an illustration representing an alternate optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said superior notch (SN) and said inferior notch (IN);
FIG. 33 is an illustration representing an alternate optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN) and introducing a nasal notch (NN);
FIG. 34 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN) and said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 35 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said superior notch (SN) and said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 36 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said nasal notch (NN) and said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 37 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior rim thinning (IRT) and said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 38 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) introducing superior rim thinning (SRT) and said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 39 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) introducing nasal rim thinning (NRT) and said temporal saucerization (TS), presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 40 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.45 cup to disc ratio (CDR) said temporal saucerization (TS), and Superior Notch (SN), presenting a grade of 2+;
FIG. 41 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.45 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 2+;
FIG. 42 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.50 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 43 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.55 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 44 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.60 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 45 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.30 cup to disc ratio (CDR) and said superior notch (SN);
FIG. 46 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.35 up to disc ratio (CDR) and said superior notch (SN);
FIG. 47 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.45 cup to disc ratio (CDR), said superior notch (SN), and said temporal saucerization (TS), comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 48 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.65 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), and superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 49 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.70 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 50 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 51 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.30 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN);
FIG. 52 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.35 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN);
FIG. 53 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN);
FIG. 54 is an illustration representing an alternate optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN);
FIG. 55 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.50 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said inferior notch (IN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 56 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.30 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 57 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 1+;
FIG. 58 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 2+;
FIG. 59 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.45 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 2+;
FIG. 60 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.50 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 2+;
FIG. 61 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.55 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further illustrating the grading saucerization, presenting a grade of 2+;
FIG. 62 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.60 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 63 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.65 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior notch (IN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 64 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.55 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), inferior notch (IN), and superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 65 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.60 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 66 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.65 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 67 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.70 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 68 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.75 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 69 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 70 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.65 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2-3+;
FIG. 71 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.70 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said superior rim thinning (SRT), said inferior rim thinning (IRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 72 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.70 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 73 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.75 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 74 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 75 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.65 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS) and said inferior rim thinning (IRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2-3+;
FIG. 76 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.75 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior rim thinning (IRT), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 3+;
FIG. 77 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior rim thinning (IRT), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 78 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said superior notch (SN), and said inferior rim thinning (IRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 79 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), and said superior notch (SN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 80 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said nasal notch (NN), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 81 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said superior notch (SN), and said nasal notch (NN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 82 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said nasal notch (NN), said inferior rim thinning (IRT), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 83 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.80 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), and said diffuse rim thinning DRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 84 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.85 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior rim thinning (IRT), said superior rim thinning (SRT), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 85 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.85 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said superior notch (SN), inferior rim thinning (IRT), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 86 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.85 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said superior notch (SN), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 87 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.85 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said superior rim thinning (SRT), and nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 88 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.90 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said superior notch (SN), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 89 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.90 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior rim thinning (IRT), said superior rim thinning (SRT), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 90 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.95 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said superior notch (SN), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 91 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.95 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said superior rim thinning (SRT), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 92 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.95 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), nasal notch (NN), and said superior rim thinning (SRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 93 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.95 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said nasal notch (NN), said superior rim thinning (SRT), and, further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 94 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.98 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said superior notch (SN), said nasal notch (NN), and said inferior rim thinning (IRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 95 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.98 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with temporal saucerization (TS), said inferior notch (IN), said superior notch (SN), and said nasal rim thinning (NRT), further comprising said saucerization grade of 4+;
FIG. 96 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.40 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said nasal notch (NN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 97 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.50 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said nasal notch (NN), further comprising said temporal saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 98 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.60 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said nasal notch (NN), further comprising said temporal saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 99 is an illustration representing an optic nerve described as 0.70 cup to disc ratio (CDR) with said nasal notch (NN), further comprising said saucerization grade of 2+;
FIG. 100 is an illustration representing a graphical representation and respective features of how the software would present said image in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 101 is a flow diagram representing the overall method respective to the present invention;
FIG. 102 is a flow diagram representing details of a first method for obtaining an illustrative representation of a patient's optic nerve;
FIG. 103 is a flow diagram representing details of a second method for obtaining an illustrative representation of a patient's optic nerve; and
FIG. 104 is a flow diagram representing details of a third method for obtaining an illustrative representation of a patient's optic nerve
Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various illustrations.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Shown throughout the figures/the present invention is directed towards an electronic medical record method, more specifically, one that generates and stores illustrations representative of a patient's optic nerve. To simplify a potentially complex and repetitive disclosure, like elements are described in detail upon the first introduction and further presented where appropriate. The disclosed terminology is commonly known in the industry and by those skilled in the art. The features presented are respective to which eye is being diagnosed.
FIG. 1 is an illustration representing a right optic nerve representation 3 introducing Ocular Dexter (OD) (Right eye). Said left optic nerve representation 5 introduces an optic nerve disc 10 and a respective optic nerve cup 12 . Said optic nerve cup 12 is illustrated as a shaded area throughout the figures and specification. The present invention focuses on the shape, size, and positioning of said optic nerve cup 12 within said optic nerve disc 10 . The orientation of the eye is referenced in accordance with the respective eye. There are four (4) referenced sections used for describing features of the optic nerve:
a. Temporal 6 : Oriented horizontally, towards the patient's ear b. Nasal 7 : Oriented horizontally, towards the patients nose c. Inferior 8 : Oriented vertically, towards the patient's chin Superior 9 : Oriented vertically, towards the patient's eyebrow.
FIG. 2 is an illustration representing a left optic nerve representation 5 introducing Ocular Sinister (OS) (left eye). The illustration presents the difference in the location of each of the four (4) referenced sections between said Ocular Sinister (OS) (left eye) 5 and Ocular Dexter (OD) (right eye) 3 . The primary difference places the temporal 6 and nasal 7 on opposing sides. The chart should be recorded as shown wherein the patient's Ocular Sinister (OS) (left eye) 5 is illustrated on the right, and the patients Ocular Dexter (OD) (right eye) 3 is illustrated on the left; as if one were looking directly at the patient. In the figures below, illustration A is representative of said Ocular Dexter (OD) (right eye) 3 and illustration B is representative if said Ocular Sinister (OS) (left eye) 5 . Although the drawings illustrate both said Ocular Dexter (OD) (right eye) 3 and said Ocular Sinister (OS) (left eye) 5 being equal, it is more common that each one is diagnosed and recorded individually.
FIG. 3 illustrates a representation of a patient's optic nerve. FIG. 3 is an illustration representing an optic nerve introducing a condition of total rim loss (TRL). A primary feature when describing a patient's optic nerve is the ratio between the area of said optic nerve cup 12 and the area of said optic nerve disc 10 . This ratio of areas is referred to as a “cup to disc ratio” or CDR. Said CDR is recorded in decimal format. Said CDR can vary between 0.10 and 1.00; wherein 1.00 is better referred to as total rim loss (TRL) as illustrated herein. Said area of said optic nerve disc 10 is determined using the respective diameter “D” and determining said area of said optic nerve cup 12 represented in the illustration by dimension “d”, or as the shaded area. The resulting CDR is then said area of said optic nerve cup 12 divided by said area of said optic nerve disc 10 . Different CDR's will be presented throughout the detailed descriptions of the drawings. Although the diameter “D” and dimension “d” are removed from a portion of the figures for clarity, they should be understood throughout all drawings.
FIGS. 4 through 21 illustrate a second representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising various CDR's. The illustrations further illustrate said optic nerve cup 12 introducing a placement referred to as a full rim 16 . Said full rim 16 is a condition where said optic nerve cup 12 is positioned such that said optic nerve cup 12 is contained entirely within a perimeter of said optic nerve disc 10 . Said optic nerve cup 12 can be presented either centered or off-center when referenced to the center of said optic nerve disc 10 . The present invention can further comprise a step allowing the user to direct for an offset from center. One skilled in the art can provide respective steps for accommodating such an offset. It is recognized that conditions represented as said full rim 16 are the least complicated for creating an electronic representation, thus requiring less steps, as will be presented later herein.
A full rim condition is commonly understood with a CDR between 0.10 and 0.55. A CDR of between 0.55 and 0.80, said optic nerve cup 12 would encroach towards at least one quadrant edge of said optic nerve disc 10 . FIGS. 12-16 introduce a condition referred to as temporal rim thinning (TRT). Said optic nerve cup 12 can be offset in varying positions respective to said optic nerve disc 10 , thus presenting conditions referred to as “x” rim thinning, wherein “x” will be taught later herein. Said temporal rim thinning (TRT) has been described in the background section above. A CDR above 0.80 is generally referred to as diffuse rim thinning (DRT), as illustrated by FIGS. 17-21 . Said diffuse rim thinning (DRT) has been described in the background section above.
FIGS. 4 through 21 illustrate additional full rim (FR) 16 conditions, each with a different CDR or orientation. The various figures illustrating a full rim (FR) 16 condition or similar are defined in Table 1.
TABLE 1
Figures illustrating a Full Rim or similar condition
Cup to
Temporal
Diffuse
Total
Disc
Full
Rim
Rim
Rim
FIGURE
Ratio
Rim
Thinning
Thinning
Loss
4
0.10
FR
5
0.20
FR
6
0.25
FR
7
0.30
FR
8
0.35
FR
9
0.40
FR
10
0.45
FR
11
0.50
FR
12
0.55
TRT
13
0.60
TRT
14
0.65
TRT
15
0.70
TRT
16
0.75
TRT
17
0.80
DRT
18
0.85
DRT
19
0.90
DRT
20
0.95
DRT
21
0.98
DRT
3
1.00
TRL
FIGS. 22 and 26 illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising various CDR's and introducing a mild temporal saucerization (MTS) 28 condition. Mild temporal saucerization (MTS) 28 is defined as saucerization that is very minor sloping excavation of the outer or temporal (towards the ear) side of the optic nerve.
FIG. 23 illustrates yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a representative CDR and introducing a mild nasal saucerization (MNS) 29 condition. Mild nasal saucerization (MNS) 29 is defined as saucerization that is very minor sloping excavation of the inner or nasal (towards the nose) side of the optic nerve.
The following table presents examples of said mild temporal saucerization 28 and mild nasal saucerization (MNS) 29 conditions:
TABLE 2
Figures illustrating Optic Nerves exhibiting mild saucerization
Cup to Disc
Mild Temporal
Mild Nasal
FIGURE
Ratio
Saucerization
Saucerization
22
0.20
MTS
23
0.10
MNS
26
0.25
MTS
FIG. 24 illustrates yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The figure introduces a condition referred to as inferior notch (IN) 26 . Notching is indicated by a solid lined arrow. Said inferior notch (IN) 26 is characterized wherein said optic nerve cup 12 contacts said optic nerve disc 10 along said inferior 8 section (shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ) of said optic nerve disc 10 .
The following table presents examples of said inferior notch (IN) 26 :
TABLE 3
Figures illustrating examples of Inferior Notch
FIG.
CDR
IN
TS
SN
NN
SRT
NRT
24
0.20
IN
32
0.40
IN
SN
33
0.40
IN
NN
34
0.40
IN
1 + TS
51
0.30
IN
52
0.35
IN
53 & 54
0.40
IN
55
0.50
IN
1 + TS
56
0.30
IN
1 + TS
57
0.40
IN
1 + TS
58
0.40
IN
2 + TS
59
0.45
IN
2 + TS
60
0.50
IN
2 + TS
61
0.55
IN
2 + TS
62
0.60
IN
2 + TS
63
0.65
IN
2 + TS
64
0.55
IN
2 + TS
SN
65
0.60
IN
2 + TS
SN
66
0.65
IN
2 + TS
SN
67
0.70
IN
3 + TS
SN
68
0.75
IN
3 + TS
SN
69
0.80
IN
4 + TS
SN
72
0.70
IN
3 + TS
SRT
73
0.75
IN
3 + TS
SRT
74
0.80
IN
3 + TS
SRT
79
0.80
IN
4 + TS
SN
80
0.80
IN
4 + TS
NN
SRT
86
0.85
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
87
0.85
IN
4 + TS
SRT
NRT
88
0.90
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
90
0.95
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
91
0.95
IN
4 + TS
SRT
NRT
92
0.95
IN
4 + TS
NN
SRT
93
0.98
IN
4 + TS
NN
SRT
95
0.98
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
FIGS. 25 , 32 , 45 , and 46 illustrate yet another representation of a patients optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising varying CDR's. The illustration further introduces said optic nerve cup 12 with an orientation referred to as having a superior notch (SN) 22 . Said superior notch (SN) 22 is a condition wherein said optic nerve cup 12 encompasses at least a portion of an upper edge of said optic nerve disc 10 or said superior section 9 of the optic disc 10 . In a preferred embodiment, notch conditions such as said superior notch (SN) 22 would be identified by a solid lined arrow as shown. Said saucerization grading 30 normally does not apply to instances exhibiting only said superior notch (SN) 22 ; alternatively said saucerization grading 30 does normally apply when other features are present. In addition to said superior notch (SN) 22 being illustrated as described, said superior notch (SN) 22 is also presented in combination with additional features in other figures presented herein.
The following table presents examples of various said superior notch (SN) 22 , both individually and combined with other features:
TABLE 4
Figures illustrating examples of Superior Notch
FIG.
CDR
SN
TS
IN
NN
IRT
NRT
25
0.20
SN
32
0.40
SN
IN
35
0.40
SN
1 + TS
40
0.45
SN
2 + TS
45
0.30
SN
46
0.35
SN
47
0.45
SN
2 + TS
48
0.65
SN
3 + TS
49
0.70
SN
3 + TS
50
0.80
SN
4 + TS
64
0.55
SN
2 + TS
IN
65
0.60
SN
2 + TS
IN
66
0.65
SN
2 + TS
IN
67
0.70
SN
3 + TS
IN
68
0.75
SN
3 + TS
69
0.80
SN
4 + TS
IN
78
0.80
SN
4 + TS
IRT
79
0.80
SN
4 + TS
IN
81
0.80
SN
4 + TS
NN
85
0.85
SN
4 + TS
IRT
NRT
86
0.85
SN
4 + TS
IN
NRT
88
0.90
SN
4 + TS
IN
NRT
90
0.95
SN
4 + TS
IN
NRT
94
0.98
SN
4 + TS
NN
IRT
95
0.98
SN
4 + TS
IN
NRT
FIGS. 27 through 31 and 41 through 44 illustrate yet another representation of a patients optic nerve. The illustrations present an optic nerve comprising various CDR's and introduce a temporal saucerization (TS) 24 condition. Additional figures further illustrate said temporal saucerization (TS) 24 , while including additional features; such will be described later herein. Said temporal side 6 is defined as the side of said optic nerve disc 10 closest to the patient's ear as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 herein. As the descriptions are respective to each of the right eyes 3 and left eye 5 and independent of actual right and left as illustrated, it is critical to correctly identify and record which eye is being recorded. It should be recognized where the opposing geometry is identified, that opposing geometry is described as nasal saucerization (mild nasal saucerization (MNS) is illustrated in FIG. 23 ).
Temporal saucerization (TS) 24 can be characterized by a saucerization grading 30 . Said saucerization grading 30 is a quantitative definition of said temporal saucerization (TS) 24 is the numeric representation between 1 and 4. Various grades are illustrated throughout the illustrations presented as better defined by table 5 herein. The following provides a guideline for saucerization and the respective grading process:
Saucerization in general, can be defined as the thinning, or loss of thickness of these optic nerve fibers in tan anterior-posterior dimension.
a. 1+ equals ¼ thickness loss b. 2+ equals ½ thickness loss c. 3+ equals ¾ thickness loss d. 4+ equals full or complete thickness loss
The following table presents examples of various said temporal and nasal saucerization (TS) grading 30 :
TABLE 5
Figures illustrating various grades of Saucerization
FIG.
CDR
MTS, MNS, TS
IN
SN
NN
IRT
SRT
NRT
22
0.20
MTS
23
0.20
MNS
26
0.26
MTS
27
0.30
1 + TS
28 & 29
0.35
1 + TS
30 & 31
0.40
1 + TS
34
0.40
1 + TS
IN
35
0.40
1 + TS
SN
36
0.40
1 + TS
NN
37
0.40
1 + TS
IRT
38
0.40
1 + TS
SRT
39
0.40
1 + TS
NRT
55
0.50
1 + TS
IN
56
0.30
1 + TS
IN
57
0.40
1 + TS
IN
96
0.40
1 + TS
NN
40
0.45
2 + TS
SN
41
0.45
2 + TS
42
0.50
2 + TS
43
0.55
2 + TS
44
0.60
2 + TS
47
0.45
2 + TS
SN
58
0.40
2 + TS
IN
59
0.45
2 + TS
IN
60
0.50
2 + TS
IN
61
0.55
2 + TS
IN
62
0.60
2 + TS
IN
63
0.65
2 + TS
IN
64
0.55
2 + TS
IN
SN
65
0.60
2 + TS
IN
SN
66
0.65
2 + TS
IN
SN
70
0.65
2 + TS
SRT
75
0.65
2 + TS
IRT
97
0.50
2 + TS
NN
98
0.60
2 + TS
NN
48
0.65
3 + TS
SN
49
0.70
3 + TS
SN
67
0.70
3 + TS
IN
SN
68
0.75
3 + TS
IN
SN
71
0.70
3 + TS
IRT
SRT
72
0.70
3 + TS
IN
SRT
73
0.75
3 + TS
IN
SRT
74
0.80
3 + TS
IN
SRT
76
0.75
3 + TS
IRT
SRT
99
0.70
3 + TS
NN
50
0.80
4 + TS
SN
69
0.80
4 + TS
IN
SN
77
0.80
4 + TS
IRT
SRT
78
0.80
4 + TS
SN
IRT
79
0.80
4 + TS
IN
SN
80
0.80
4 + TS
IN
NN
SRT
81
0.80
4 + TS
SN
NN
82
0.80
4 + TS
NN
IRT
SRT
83
0.80
4 + TS
84
0.85
4 + TS
IRT
SRT
NRT
85
0.85
4 + TS
SN
IRT
NRT
86
0.85
4 + TS
IN
SN
NRT
87
0.85
4 + TS
IN
SRT
NRT
88
0.90
4 + TS
IN
SN
NRT
89
0.90
4 + TS
IRT
SRT
NRT
90
0.95
4 + TS
IN
SN
NRT
91
0.95
4 + TS
IN
SRT
NRT
92
0.95
4 + TS
IN
NN
SRT
93
0.98
4 + TS
IN
NN
SRT
94
0.98
4 + TS
SN
NN
IRT
95
0.98
4 + TS
IN
SN
NRT
FIGS. 45 through 50 illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's. The illustrations present said optic nerve cup 12 with an orientation combining features described as superior notch (SN) 22 and temporal saucerization (TS) 24 . Such combined conditions are also presented in Table 4 above.
FIGS. 51 through 63 illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's and said temporal saucerization (TS) grading 30 . The illustrations present said optic nerve cup 12 with an orientation combining features described as temporal saucerization (TS) 24 and inferior notch (IN) 26 . Such combined conditions are also presented in Table 5 above.
FIGS. 64 through 69 illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's and said temporal saucerization (TS) grading 30 . The illustrations present said optic nerve cup 12 with an orientation combining features described as said superior notch (SN) 22 , said temporal saucerization (TS) 24 and said inferior notch (IN) 26 . Such combined conditions are also presented in Tables 4 and 5 above.
FIGS. 70 through 74 , and others as indicated in the table below, illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's and said saucerization grading 30 . The illustration further introduces said optic nerve cup 12 with said temporal saucerization (TS) 24 having a geometry referred to as having superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 . Said superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 is a condition wherein said optic nerve cup 12 encroaches upon, but does not contact at least a portion of an upper edge of said optic nerve disc 10 or said superior section 7 of said optic disc 10 . In a preferred embodiment, rim thinning conditions such as said superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 would be identified by a broken lined arrow as shown. A portion of the figures additionally comprises other features as identified in the table below.
The following table presents examples of various said superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 , both individually and combined with other features:
TABLE 6
Figures illustrating a Superior Rim Thinning (SRT) condition
FIG.
CDR
TS
SRT
IN
NN
IRT
NRT
38
0.40
1 + TS
SRT
70
0.65
2 + TS
SRT
71
0.70
3 + TS
SRT
IRT
72
0.70
3 + TS
SRT
IN
73
0.75
3 + TS
SRT
IN
74
0.80
3 + TS
SRT
IN
76
0.75
3 + TS
SRT
IRT
77
0.80
4 + TS
SRT
IRT
80
0.80
4 + TS
SRT
IN
NN
82
0.80
4 + TS
SRT
NN
IRT
84
0.85
4 + TS
SRT
IRT
NRT
87
0.85
4 + TS
SRT
IN
NRT
89
0.90
4 + TS
SRT
IRT
NRT
91
0.95
4 + TS
SRT
IN
NRT
92
0.95
4 + TS
SRT
IN
NN
93
0.98
4 + TS
SRT
IN
NN
FIGS. 71 , 75 through 78 , and others as indicated in the table below, illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's and said saucerization grading 30 . The illustration further introduces said optic nerve cup 12 with said temporal saucerization (TS) 24 having a geometry referred to as having inferior rim thinning (IRT) 32 . Said inferior rim thinning (IRT) 32 is a condition wherein said optic nerve cup 12 encroaches upon, but does not contact at least a portion of an lower edge of said optic nerve disc 10 or said inferior section 8 of said optic disc 10 . In a preferred embodiment, rim thinning conditions such as said inferior rim thinning (IRT) 32 would be identified by a broken lined arrow as shown. A portion of the figures additionally comprises other features such as inferior notch (IN) 26 and superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 .
The following table presents examples of various said inferior rim thinning (IRT) 32 , both individually and combined with other features:
TABLE 7
Figures illustrating a Inferior Rim Thinning (IRT) condition
FIG.
CDR
IN
TS
SN
NN
SRT
NRT
24
0.20
IN
32
0.40
IN
SN
33
0.40
IN
NN
34
0.40
IN
1 + TS
51
0.30
IN
52
0.35
IN
53 & 54
0.40
IN
55
0.50
IN
1 + TS
56
0.30
IN
1 + TS
57
0.40
IN
1 + TS
58
0.40
IN
2 + TS
59
0.45
IN
2 + TS
60
0.50
IN
2 + TS
61
0.55
IN
2 + TS
62
0.60
IN
2 + TS
63
0.65
IN
2 + TS
64
0.55
IN
2 + TS
SN
65
0.60
IN
2 + TS
SN
66
0.65
IN
2 + TS
SN
67
0.70
IN
3 + TS
SN
68
0.75
IN
3 + TS
SN
69
0.80
IN
4 + TS
SN
72
0.70
IN
3 + TS
SRT
73
0.75
IN
3 + TS
SRT
74
0.80
IN
3 + TS
SRT
79
0.80
IN
4 + TS
SN
80
0.80
IN
4 + TS
NN
SRT
86
0.85
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
87
0.85
IN
4 + TS
SRT
NRT
88
0.90
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
90
0.95
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
91
0.95
IN
4 + TS
SRT
NRT
92
0.95
IN
4 + TS
NN
SRT
93
0.98
IN
4 + TS
NN
SRT
95
0.98
IN
4 + TS
SN
NRT
FIGS. 77 through 83 illustrate yet additional representations of a patient's optic nerve. Each of these illustrations present a CDR of 0.80. Conditions with a CDR of 0.80 can be considered a transition range for said optic nerve. The various conditions presented with these illustrations have been previously introduced and are defined within other sections herein, further illustrating unique combinations of conditions herein.
FIGS. 84 through 91 illustrate yet another representation of a patient's optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's and said saucerization grading 30 . The illustration further introduces said optic nerve cup 12 with said temporal saucerization (TS) 24 having a geometry referred to as having nasal rim thinning (NRT) 36 . Said nasal rim thinning (NRT) 36 is a condition wherein said optic nerve cup 12 encroaches upon, but does not contact at least a portion of said nasal edge of said optic nerve disc 10 or said nasal section 7 of said optic disc 10 . In a preferred embodiment, rim thinning conditions such as said nasal rim thinning (NRT) 36 would be identified by a broken lined arrow as shown. A portion of the figures additionally comprise other features such as said superior notch (SN) 22 , said inferior notch (IN) 26 , said inferior rim thinning (IRT) 32 , and said superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 .
The following table presents examples of various said nasal rim thinning (NRT) 36 , both individually and combined with other features:
TABLE 8
Figures illustrating a Nasal Rim Thinning (NRT) condition
FIG.
CDR
TS
NRT
IN
SN
IRT
SRT
39
0.40
1 + TS
NRT
84
0.85
4 + TS
NRT
IRT
SRT
85
0.85
4 + TS
NRT
SN
IRT
88
0.85
4 + TS
NRT
IN
SN
87
0.85
4 + TS
NRT
IN
SRT
88
0.90
4 + TS
NRT
IN
SN
89
0.90
4 + TS
NRT
IRT
SRT
90
0.95
4 + TS
NRT
IN
SN
91
0.95
4 + TS
NRT
IN
SRT
95
0.98
4 + TS
NRT
IN
SN
FIGS. 84 through 95 illustrate yet additional representations of a patient's optic nerve. Each of these illustrations present a CDR of 0.85 through 0.98. Conditions with CDR's in this range generally impact at least three of the four quadrants of said optic nerve disc 10 . The various conditions presented with these illustrations have been previously introduced and are defined within other sections herein, further illustrating unique combinations of conditions herein.
FIGS. 96 through 99 illustrate yet another representation of a patients optic nerve. The illustrations present optic nerves comprising a variety of CDR's and said saucerization grading 30 . The illustration further introduces a geometry referred to as having nasal notch (NN) 40 . Said nasal notch (NN) 40 is a condition wherein said optic nerve cup 12 encroaches upon, but does not contact at least a portion of said nasal edge of said optic nerve disc 10 or said nasal section 7 of said optic disc 10 . In a preferred embodiment, notch conditions such as said nasal notch (NN) 40 would be identified by a solid lined arrow as shown. A portion of the figures additionally comprises other features such as said inferior notch (IN) 26 and said superior rim thinning (SRT) 34 .
The following table presents examples of said nasal notch (NN) 40 conditions, both individually and combined with other features:
TABLE 9
Figures illustrating a Nasal Notch (NN) condition
FIG.
CDR
TS
NN
IN
SN
IRT
SRT
33
0.40
NN
IN
36
0.40
1 + TS
NN
80
0.80
4 + TS
NN
IN
SRT
81
0.80
4 + TS
NN
SN
82
0.80
4 + TS
NN
IRT
SRT
92
0.95
4 + TS
NN
IN
SRT
93
0.98
4 + TS
NN
IN
SRT
94
0.98
4 + TS
NN
SN
IRT
98
0.40
1 + TS
NN
97
0.50
2 + TS
NN
98
0.60
2 + TS
NN
99
0.70
3 + TS
NN
FIG. 100 is an illustration representing features of a display from the present invention. It is understood that the actual presentation would comprise at least a portion of the elements presented, wherein the actual appearance and manner may differ while maintaining the spirit and intent of the present invention. Said display would comprise a graphical optic nerve representation 50 . Said graphical optic nerve representation 50 would be supported with two key elements presented, said key elements being a CDR record 52 and a eye reference 54 . Said graphical optic nerve representation 50 comprises said optic nerve disc 10 , said optic nerve cup 12 in any geometry and location respective to the patients evaluation. Additionally, said graphical optic nerve representation 50 can further comprise solid and broken arrows to quickly identify specific features. The preferred embodiment utilizes solid arrows to identify notch locations and broken arrows to identify rim thinning areas. Patient visit information is recorded in patient visit log, said patient visit log comprising:
TABLE 10
Patient Visit Log Elements
Reference
Actual
patient identifier 56
actual patient name 58
visit identifier 60
actual visit date 62
doctor identifier 64
actual doctor name 66
technician identifier 68
actual technician name 70
Optionally, optic nerve features can be presented in a text format as well as via said graphical optic nerve representation 50 . Said optional information can comprise, but not limited to the following:
TABLE 11
Optic Nerve Supporting Text
Reference
Actual
grading identifier 72
actual grade 72
saucerization location identifier 76
actual saucerization location 78
notch location identifier 80
actual notch location 82
FIG. 101 is a representative flow diagram presenting the steps respective to an optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 . Said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 initiates with a software initiation step 102 , wherein said software initiation step 102 starts the respective software program. A first step would comprise a patient file decision step 104 , wherein said patient file decision step 104 determines if the subject patient file already exists within a database utilized by the software. One such means would be wherein the user enters at least a portion of the Patients name or other patient identifier. Said patient file decision step 104 would search said database for records related to the subject patient. Should the patient file decision step 104 present a result of nothing found (NO), said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 would then direct the user to a patient file creation step 106 . Said patient file creation step 106 would guide the user through the steps for entering the required and optional patient information. Should the patient file decision step 104 present a result of subject patient file found (YES), said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 would present the identified subject patient file(s) in accordance with a patient file location step 108 for verification. The user would review the found patient file and verify that the found file is the respective to the subject patient. If the found file is not correct, the user can either: return to said patient file decision step 104 or proceed with said patient file creation step 106 . Once the subject patient information is identified and the software has established such accordingly, said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 continues with a patient visit information entry step 110 . Said patient visit information entry step 110 guides the user through the method for entering the patient visit information. Such information can include: date of visit, time of visit, Doctor, technician, reason for visit, and any other respective visit information. The entered information can be presented for validation, and upon validation, said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 would proceed to an optic nerve information entry step 112 . Said optic nerve information entry step 112 comprising the method of entering information to create a graphical representation of the optic nerve. Options of said optic nerve information entry step 112 are expanded upon later herein. Optionally, one can complete an optic nerve image entry step 114 , wherein said optic nerve image entry step 114 provides the user the ability to upload an actual electronic image of the optic nerve. It is desirable that said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 comprise a means for validating the graphical representation prior to saving said graphical representation. The validation can be accomplished by incorporating a graphical representation display step 116 and a respective graphical image verification decision step 118 . Said graphical representation display step 116 displays the computer generated graphical optic nerve representation 50 and requests the user to verify that said graphical optic nerve representation 50 is accurate in accordance with said graphical image verification decision step 118 . Should the user select “NO” during said graphical image verification decision step 118 , said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 directs the user back to said optic nerve information entry step 112 . Should the user select “YES” during said graphical image verification decision step 118 , said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 considers entry of the optic nerve for that respective eye complete. Said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 determines if the information entered was the first or second eye. If the information was only respective to a first eye, said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 directs the user to said optic nerve information entry step 112 ; repeating the process for a second eye. If the information was respective to said second eye, said optic nerve electronic method flow diagram 100 is considered as patent entry completed 122 .
FIG. 102 is a representative flow diagram presenting the steps respective to an expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 , wherein said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 directs the user through a series of data entries to generate said graphical optic nerve representation 50 . Said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 is a first expanded representation of said optic nerve information entry step 112 . Said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 initiates via a CDR entry step 202 , wherein said CDR entry step 202 directs the user to enter said cup to disc ratio (CDR). The software optionally comprising a presentation of a series of images of optic nerves with various CDR's to aid the user in determining the correct CDR. Upon entry of said CDR, the software proceeds to an optional total rim loss decision step 204 , wherein said optional total rim loss decision step 204 determines if the user entered 1.00 or 100%. Should said optional total rim loss decision step 204 determine “YES” (most simplistic representation) said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 proceeds to said graphical representation display step 116 , presenting an image representative of a total rim loss condition (see FIG. 3 herein). Should said optional total rim loss decision step 204 determine “NO” said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 proceeds to a full rim decision step 208 . Said full rim decision step 208 questions the user if the image is considered a full rim or not. Should said full rim decision step 208 determine “YES” expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 proceeds to said graphical representation display step 116 , presenting an image representative of a full rim loss condition having a CDR of the value previously entered in accordance with said CDR entry step 202 (See table 1 herein). Optionally, said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 can proceed to an optic disc shaping entry step 220 to provide an off-center positioning of said optic disc 12 . Should said full rim decision step 208 determine “NO” expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 proceeds to said saucerization entry step 210 , wherein said saucerization entry step 210 directs the user to enter the specific type(s) of saucerization. Said saucerization entry step 210 can comprise the elements of selecting a temporal saucerization selection 212 , a mild temporal saucerization selection 214 , a nasal saucerization selection 216 , and a mild nasal saucerization selection 218 . The user can enter one or more of the selections within said saucerization entry step 210 .
Upon completion of said saucerization entry step 210 , the user would be directed to an optic disc shaping entry step 220 . Said optic disc shaping entry step 220 can comprise the elements of selecting an inferior rim thinning selection 222 , a superior rim thinning selection 224 , a temporal rim thinning selection 226 , a nasal rim thinning selection 228 , an other shapes selection 230 , an inferior notch selection 232 , and a superior notch selection 234 . Each of said selections are presented in detail within the specification. Should the user select said other shapes selection 230 , said expanded optic nerve information data entry step 200 proceeds to a unique shape entry step 236 allowing the user to enter any unique shapes, comments, and the like. Upon completion of the entry process, the software generates an electronic, graphical optic nerve representation 50 in accordance with an electronic representation generation step 238 . Said graphical optic nerve representation 50 is then presented to the user in accordance with said graphical representation display step 116 .
FIG. 103 is a representative flow diagram presenting the steps respective to an expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 , wherein said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 directs the user through a series of data entries to generate said graphical optic nerve representation 50 . Said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 is a second expanded representation of said optic nerve information entry step 112 . Said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 initiates via a CDR example presentation/selection step 302 , wherein said CDR example presentation/selection step 302 directs the user to enter said cup to disc ratio (CDR). The software presents a series of images of optic nerves with various CDR's to aid the user in determining the correct CDR. One of the presented images is of total rim loss (See FIG. 3 herein). Upon selection of said CDR, the software proceeds to an optional total rim loss image decision step 304 , wherein said optional total rim loss image decision step 304 determines if the user selected an image representative of total rim loss. Should said optional total rim loss image decision step 304 determine “YES” said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 proceeds to said graphical representation display step 116 , presenting an image representative of a total rim loss condition (see FIG. 3 herein). Should said optional total rim loss image decision step 304 determine “NO” said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 proceeds to a full rim image selection step 308 . Said full rim image selection step 308 presents the user with at least one image representative of a full rim 16 condition and directs the user to determine whether the presented full rim image is representative of the patients optic nerve or not. Should said full rim image selection step 308 select “YES” (match) said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 proceeds to said graphical representation display step 116 , presenting an image representative of a full rim loss condition having a CDR of the value previously selected via the various images presented in accordance with said CDR example presentation/selection step 302 (See table 1 herein). Optionally, said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 can proceed to an optic disc shaping image selection step 320 to select an off-center positioning of said optic disc 12 . Should said full rim image selection step 308 determine “NO” expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 proceeds to a saucerization image selection step 310 , wherein said saucerization image selection step 310 directs the user to enter the specific type(s) of saucerization. Said saucerization image selection step 310 can comprise presenting images, one or more images representing each of the following features: a temporal saucerization image selection 312 , a mild temporal saucerization image selection 314 , a nasal saucerization image selection 316 , and a mild nasal saucerization image selection 318 . The user can enter one or more of the selections within said saucerization image selection step 310 .
Upon completion of said saucerization image selection step 310 , the user would be directed to an optic disc shaping image selection step 320 . Said optic disc shaping image selection step 320 is accomplished by presenting various images representative of the following features: an inferior rim thinning image 322 , a superior rim thinning image 324 , a temporal rim thinning image 326 , a nasal rim thinning image 328 , an other shapes image 330 , an inferior notch image 332 , and a superior notch image 334 . Each of said selections are presented in detail within the specification. Should the user select said optic disc shaping image selection step 320 , said expanded optic nerve information image selection step 300 proceeds to unique shape image adjustment step 336 allowing the user to adjust the image(s), enter comments, and the like. Upon completion of the entry process, the software generates an electronic, graphical optic nerve representation 50 in accordance with an electronic representation generation step 338 . Said graphical optic nerve representation 50 is then presented to the user in accordance with said graphical representation display step 116 .
FIG. 104 is a representative flow diagram presenting the steps respective to an expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 , wherein said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 directs the user through a series of drawing or image modification steps to generate said graphical optic nerve representation 50 . Said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 is a third expanded representation of said optic nerve information entry step 112 . Said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 initiates via a drawing cup within disc step 402 , wherein said drawing cup within disc step 402 directs the user to draw or size a pre-drawn shape of said optic nerve cup 12 within said optic nerve disc 10 to create a cup to disc ratio (CDR). The software can present said optic nerve cup 12 within said optic nerve disc 10 and the user would expand or contract said optic nerve cup 12 using any entry manner to place said optic nerve cup 12 to the correct size. Should the entry user draw said CDR to 100% (Total Rim Loss), said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 can optionally comprise a said optional total rim loss decision step 204 . Should said optional total rim loss decision step 204 determine “YES” said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 proceeds to said graphical representation display step 116 , presenting an image representative of a total rim loss condition (see FIG. 3 herein). Should said optional total rim loss decision step 204 determine “NO” said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 proceeds to an optional full rim decision step 208 . Said optional full rim decision step 208 allows the user to enter whether said optic nerve disc 12 can be considered a full rim condition. Should said full rim decision step 208 select “YES” (match) said expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 proceeds to said graphical representation display step 116 , presenting an image representative of a full rim loss condition having a CDR drawn in accordance with said drawing cup within disc step 402 . Should said full rim decision step 208 determine “NO” expanded optic nerve information image drawing step 400 proceeds to a manually adjust cup position step 410 , wherein said manually adjust cup position step 410 directs the user to adjust to position of said optic nerve cup 12 respective to said optic nerve disc 10 . Said manually adjust cup position step 410 can be accomplished via many known user entry methods including selecting and dragging said optic nerve cup 12 . Normally, this results in one or of the following conditions: a temporal saucerization image selection 212 , a mild temporal saucerization image selection 214 , a nasal saucerization image selection 216 , and a mild nasal saucerization image selection 218 .
Upon completion of said manually adjust cup position step 410 , the user would be directed to an manually adjust cup shape step 420 . Said manually adjust cup shape step 420 is accomplished by further adjusting the shape, position, and the like of said optic nerve cup 12 respective to any of the applicable following conditions: an inferior rim thinning 222 , a superior rim thinning 224 , a temporal rim thinning 226 , a nasal rim thinning 228 , an other shapes image 230 , an inferior notch image 232 , and a superior notch image 234 . Each of said conditions are presented in detail within the specification. Additional notes, features, and the like can be entered via an optional manually adjust unique shape features step 436 . Upon completion of the entry process, the software generates an electronic, graphical optic nerve representation 50 in accordance with an electronic representation generation step 238 . Said graphical optic nerve representation 50 is then presented to the user in accordance with said graphical representation display step 116 .
Since many modifications, variations, and changes in detail can be made to the described preferred embodiments of the invention, it is intended that all matters in the foregoing description and shown in the accompanying drawings be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. Thus, the scope of the invention should be determined by the appended claims and their legal equivalents. | A method of documenting a patient's optic nerve utilizing solid and dashed line arrows as well as other references to clearly describe the diagnosis of each visit. An electronic medical record software product that provides a method for entering, documenting, and recording the appearance and diagnosed status of a patient's optic nerve. The software can provide the user the ability to enter the information in a variety of ways, including selection of various features from images presented as examples, entry data via text or selection from a table, drawing the optic nerve, or from an image. The software can store and present an animated history to help provide prognosis. | 0 |
TECHNICAL BACKGROUND
[0001] The present invention relates to a planar support with two faces for graphic design (writing or drawing) done by hand, as well as a sheet cut from said support, optionally proposed in the form of reams, pads, notebooks or books of sheets. The invention also pertains to the method for manufacturing the planar support.
[0002] The planar support according to the invention is particularly suited for graphic design with felt markers, for example graphic illustration (drawing) with felt markers, or writing with felt markers. The marker may be a solvent-based marker (permanent) or a water-based marker.
[0003] Drawing with markers is done by illustrators for boards developed in one copy by hand. Such boards may next be sold or kept in the form of single copies, or may also next be scanned to undergo mass production.
[0004] Traditionally, the planar supports for graphic design done by hand are paper or paper-based supports. Paper is a material whereof the majority is made up of fibers, cellulose or synthetic, mixed with various additives making it possible to contribute certain properties to the material or to reinforce them, depending on the anticipated ultimate use of the product. The available products are relatively thin, with grammages for example of approximately 60 to 260 g/m 2 .
[0005] Users appreciate when the planar support of the paper type is usable on both sides. Nevertheless, in the case of the use of such a support for graphic design using markers, whether the latter are solvent- or water-based, the problem arises of the pigments leaking through the sheet, the material of which is porous.
[0006] Furthermore, even when the pigments do not cross through, the shadow from the graphic marks made on one face may be visible on the other face. This visibility is made possible by the low thickness of the support, which, depending on its grammage, may not be completely opaque. It will nevertheless be noted that the outlines of the shadow may appear imprecisely.
[0007] To make a paper-based support opaque with an additional barrier effect relative to the solvents (including water), it is known to use mineral fillers in the paper pulp and to add a fluorinated resin therein. This solution is not fully effective to obtain good opaqueness and a barrier effect against the solvents, even using large quantities of fluorinated resin. The use of the latter is generally reserved for papers specifically dedicated to wrapping oily products for the agri-food industry.
[0008] It is also possible to insert a layer of stratified adhesive between two paper plies, the adhesive optionally being able to contain opacifying agents. This principle is used by US 20130307257, which uses an intermediate joint made up of an adhesive and a grey dye. However, this solution has the drawback of modifying the color of the surface paper: the level of opaqueness of the latter not being sufficient to conceal the gray adhesive joint, the shade of the paper will therefore be darkened, and the latter will therefore be deemed less bright during the application of marker to that surface. Furthermore, when a light-colored marker is used, the solvent contained in the latter will locally make the sheet of paper transparent or translucent, and when the pigments reach the dark adhesive barrier, the marker line will take on a darker tint, which may be deemed unsightly by the user of the product. It is only when the solvent has dried that the marker line regains its original color, since the paper again becomes opaque enough to lighten the shade of the adhesive joint.
[0009] It is sometimes proposed to form a paper/solvent-tight film assembly, the assembly being formed using adhesive or using an intermediate extruded polymer connecting the two layers. The film is chosen for its opaqueness, and may be a film of polyethylene terephthalate or polypropylene for example containing chalk for opaqueness, or printed with an opacifying color on one face, or even an aluminum film But such an assembly is not usable as a double-sided support for graphic arts, since one of the faces is made up of a tight film
[0010] Thus, a double-sided support is lacking for graphic artists that is indeed opaque, with a high whiteness, resistant to solvent and pigments from a marker, including permanent marker, crossing through it, and retaining a moderate price.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] To resolve the aforementioned problems, proposed is a planar support with two faces for writing or drawing by hand consisting of an assembly of two fibrous thicknesses for affixing graphic marks on each of said two faces of the support, and a film inside said support, dark to make said support opaque, the film being adhered to each of the fibrous thicknesses by a respective joint for preparing thermoplastic material comprising light-colored fillers, for example but not necessarily mineral fillers, suitable, due to their concentration and the intensity of the shade that they give the thermoplastic material preparation, to conceal the inner film
[0012] In particular, the inner film is concealed from a viewer looking at the support using reflected light (diffuse reflection), even if the fiber thickness looked at by the viewer is made translucent by an imbibing liquid.
[0013] The product thus defined provides writing comfort for the user, is opaque and provides a barrier effect against the crossing of pigments or solids from one face to the other. The use of white fillers in the thermoplastic material ply also makes it possible not to darken a light-colored marker line, which will retain substantially the same color when wet during its application, and once dried on the surface of the paper.
[0014] For example, the film is a polyolefin film, such as a polyethylene or polypropylene, or polyester such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), but may also have a base of polymers from renewable materials (biopolymers), such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, one example of which is polylactic acid (PLA).
[0015] In one embodiment, the film is opacified on the surface with an aluminum-based metallization.
[0016] Alternatively, the film bears ink printing to make it opaque, or the film comprises a pigment in its volume.
[0017] The film may have a thickness from 10 to 14 μm.
[0018] The film may have a grammage of the film between 15 and 19 g/m 2 .
[0019] The film may also be an aluminum film with a thickness comprised between 2 and 12 μm, and preferably between 5 and 9 μm, with grammage between 5 and 30 g/m 2 , for example between 12 and 25 g/m 2 .
[0020] The preparation of the plastic material may comprise from 10 to 18 wt % of titanium dioxide.
[0021] The thermoplastic material preparation may have a base of polyolefin, or biopolymer.
[0022] The grammage of each of the thermoplastic material preparation joints may be comprised between 10 and 40 g/m 2 .
[0023] The total grammage may be comprised between 180 and 250 g/m 2 .
[0024] The film may have a thickness comprised between 5 and 50 μm.
[0025] At least one of the two fibrous thicknesses may be made from a fibrous material treated with a hydrophobic agent such as alkyl ketene dimer to adjust the level of hydrophobia of the surface of the paper.
[0026] Other alternatives are possible.
[0027] It is also proposed, in the context of the invention, to have a sheet cut to a format for manual graphic illustration, in a support as defined above, as well as a ream, a spiral notebook, a glued notebook, a notepad, a book or a book of such sheets.
[0028] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a planar support for writing or drawing by hand comprising extrusion of a thermoplastic polymer preparation in a fluid flow form between the first fibrous layer and a film to form a first assembly, then the cooling of the first assembly, and an extrusion of a thermoplastic polymer preparation in the form of a fluid flow between the film of the first assembly and a second fibrous layer to form a second assembly, the film being dark to make said support opaque, and the preparation of the plastic material comprising fillers, for example mineral fillers, that are white and that are suitable for concealing the inner film
[0029] Advantageously, the fibrous layers are each obtained by unwinding a paper spool.
[0030] The invention will now be described in relation to the figures.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES
[0031] FIG. 1 is a diagram of one step of a manufacturing method according to the invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a view of an intermediate product, in section, obtained at the end of the step of FIG. 1 .
[0033] FIG. 3 is a diagram of a second step of the manufacturing method according to the invention, beginning with the step of FIG. 1 .
[0034] FIG. 4 is a view of a planar support according to one embodiment of the invention, obtained at the end of the step of FIG. 3 .
[0035] FIG. 5 is a view of one usage mode of the support according to the invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 pertains to a presentation of the product, in one embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0037] In reference to FIG. 1 , which is a sectional view, an extruding machine 100 is used to deposit, through a channel, a molten polymer 110 , in the form of a fluid flow, between a layer 120 of fibrous material that is for example unwound from an unwinder 130 bearing a paper spool and a layer 121 of polyethylene or other polyolefin film, for example unwound from an unwinder 131 . The film can also be made with a base of polymers from renewable materials, or biopolymers, optionally bioplastics, such as polyhydroxyalkanoates, one example of which is polylactic acid (PLA). The film may also be an aluminum film, for example 7 μm thick.
[0038] The assembly made up of three layers is applied between two rollers 140 and 145 , using pressure applied uniformly. A rolling of the three layers is then done.
[0039] The set of three layers, once assembled, is next driven on the surface of one of the rollers, here the roller 145 , which is for example cooled on the surface, and which has a sufficient diameter for the time spent on that roller to allow the material to cool, so that the three layers are frozen together.
[0040] The assembly next optionally goes to an intermediate roller 150 , before being wound on a winder to form a spool of intermediate product 160 . Other equivalent assemblies are of course possible.
[0041] The flow rate of the extruding machine 100 and the speed of the unwinders 130 and 131 make it possible to adjust the quantities of material used.
[0042] In one embodiment, a single-ply paper at 75 g/m 2 , or any other value between 50 and 100 g/m 2 , and an aluminum-based metalized polyolefin film, 12 μm thick, or any value between 5 and 50 μm, and with a grammage of approximately 17 g/m 2 , or between 12 and 22 g/m 2 , are respectively provided on the unwinders 130 and 131 . The film may also be a polyester film, such as polyethylene terephthalate (PET), or a film of another material such as a polyvinyl alcohol PVOH, an ethylene vinyl alcohol EVOH, or a biopolymer, such as a polyhydroxyalkanic acid or polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA), for example a polylactic acid (PLA), or a poly-β-hydroxybutyrate (PHB). The film may be an aluminum film, for example 7 μm thick or with any thickness between 2 and 12 μm, for example, and with a grammage comprised between 5 and 30 g/m 2 , or between 12 and 25 g/m 2 , with a particular value of 19 g/m 2 in one example.
[0043] The spool of the unwinder 130 may also be a multi-ply paper spool, for example with two plies.
[0044] For the molten polymer 110 , molten polyethylene is used, for example a low-density polyethylene melted at a temperature of approximately 300° C. obtained by extrusion, the deposition of which is comprised between 10 and 40 g/m 2 . It is also possible to use molten polymers originating from renewable raw materials, such as PLA or polylactic acid, for example, or any polyhydroxyalkanic acid (PHA) appropriate for that purpose. The raw material is made up of 70 wt % of polyethylene granules filled with titanium dioxide of the anatase type, and 30 wt % of pure polyethylene, for a final titanium oxide content level of approximately 40 wt %, and more generally between 9 and 20% or between 12 and 18%. Other fillers or mixtures of fillers, mineral or non-mineral organic, may be used alternatively, or additionally.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows the intermediate product obtained on the spool 160 . It is made up of a layer 1100 of fibrous material allowing the affixing of graphic marks, and a layer 1200 of the opacified polymer film connected by a bleached extruded polymer joint 1150 . The layer 1150 serves as adhesive between the paper and the film
[0046] In reference to FIG. 3 , which is a sectional view similar to FIG. 1 , an extruding machine 100 , which may be the same as that used in FIG. 1 or another machine, is used to deposit, through a channel, a molten polymer 210 , in the form of a fluid flow, between a layer 220 of fibrous material that is for example unwound from an unwinder 230 bearing a paper coil and a layer 221 of the intermediate product 1000 of FIG. 2 , unwound from an unwinder 161 that may bear the coil 160 shown in FIG. 1 . The molten polymer may be identical to that used in FIG. 1 , or different.
[0047] The assembly is applied between two rollers 140 and 145 , using a pressure applied uniformly. One thus performs a rolling of the layers, of which there are five in the case at hand, three of which have been rolled together beforehand
[0048] The set of five layers, once thus assembled, is next driven on the surface of one of the rollers, here the roller 145 , which is for example cooled on the surface, and which again has a sufficient diameter for the time spent on this roller to allow the material to cool, so that the five layers are frozen together.
[0049] The assembly next optionally goes onto an intermediate roller 150 , before being wound on a winder to form a spool of final product 260 .
[0050] Other equivalent assemblies are of course possible.
[0051] The flow rate of the extruding machine 100 and the speed of the unwinders 230 and 161 make it possible, as before, to adjust the quantities of materials used.
[0052] In one example embodiment, a single-ply paper at 75 g/m 2 , or any value between 50 and 100 g/m 2 , and the intermediate product 1000 , respectively, are provided on the unwinders 230 and 161 . The spool of the unwinder 230 may thus be a multi-ply paper spool, for example with two plies.
[0053] As an example, for the molten polymer 210 , molten polyethylene is again used obtained by extrusion, deposited at a rate having a value comprised between 10 and 40 g/m 2 . The raw material is again made up of 70 wt % of polyethylene granules filled with titanium dioxide of the anatase type, and 30 wt % of pure polyethylene, for a final content level of titanium dioxide of approximately 14 wt %, and more generally between 9 and 20% or between 12 and 18%. As before, other fillers or mixtures of fillers, mineral or non-mineral, may be used alternatively or additionally.
[0054] Ultimately, a product is obtained that may be symmetrical, advantageously.
[0055] FIG. 4 shows the final product 1000 ′ obtained on the spool 260 . It is made up of a layer 1100 of fibrous material allowing the affixing of graphic marks, a layer 1200 of opacified polymer film and a layer 1300 of fibrous material allowing the affixing of graphic marks, connected by extruded polymer joints 1150 and 1250 that are bleached, acting as adhesive.
[0056] The layers of fibrous material may be layers of paper treated with a hydrophobic material, to receive the solvent-based marker pigments. Preferably, a paper with a small thickness (50 to 100 g/m 2 ) is chosen, allowing easy use for writing, in particular with solvent-based markers of the comic strip or manga type. The paper is chosen to have a smooth surface with good whiteness. The hydrophobia (or adhesion) is chosen to allow the artist to deposit lines, the absorption and any color mixing of which may be controlled. The adhesion level is provided by the prior addition, in the paper pulp, of hydrophobic products such as alkyl ketene dimer (AKP) in a maximum dose of 0.4%, pure, relative to the fibrous mass.
[0057] The product may have a grammage of 250 g/m 2 . Its rigidity may be adapted based on the quality of extruded polymer used as well as the thickness of the metalized film.
[0058] FIG. 5 shows the use of the support. It may be used for graphic art on its first face 1100 , using a marker 2000 , which may be a water- or solvent-based marker. It is also possible to use paint, Indian ink, pen, pencil, charcoal or pastels, as well as watercolors or poster paint. The graphic marks are fixed by the fibrous material, in a solid and persistent manner Upon turning over the sheet, the graphic marks borne by the face 1100 remain invisible on the face 1200 . Indeed, the light with indirect transmission is blocked by the film 1200 ( FIG. 4 ), and there is also no light diffusion by this film 1200 . The shadow of the graphic marks does not appear on the face 1300 .
[0059] Furthermore, owing to the presence of light-colored fillers in the extruded polymer joints 1150 and 1250 ( FIG. 4 ), the dark appearance of the metalized film 1200 is prevented from being visible when, by application of a solvent-based marker, the paper is temporarily made translucent by the presence, in its volume, of the solvent, making the lower layer visible to the viewer looking at the light globally reflected (diffuse reflection) by the support, until evaporation of the solvent. The extruded polymer joint 1150 or 1250 thus conceals the film 1200 .
[0060] It will be noted that the metalized film may have, in addition to its dark color, also a low brilliance, since it cannot re-emit the reflected light below the molten polymer joint. It is therefore particularly useful to conceal it using fillers introduced in the molten polymer.
[0061] It is also specified that the whiteness of the background of the paper guarantees the performance and contrast of the lines applied to the surface of the paper. In the aforementioned example, the composition of the different elements of the complex makes it possible to achieve a CIE (International Commission on Illumination) whiteness of approximately 145, which allows a good contrast with the graphic elements deposited on the surface of the paper during the artistic application.
[0062] FIG. 6 shows a ream 5000 of paper comprising sheets separated from one another, stacked. Each sheet is made up of a planar support 1000 as shown in FIG. 2 .
[0063] A notebook 6000 of sheets is also shown connected by a spiral notebook making up the binding, the sheets for example being individually detachable from the binding. In place of the spiral, straight turns parallel to one another (integral binding or Wire-O) can be used.
[0064] A book is also shown with a hard cover, here a book with a padded cover and sewn sheets 7000 , the pages of which are made up of the planar support according to the invention.
[0065] The invention is not limited to the described embodiment, but extends to all alternatives within the scope of the claims. | A planar support with two faces for drawing on the two faces of a graphic design, by hand, consists of two fibrous layers having the two faces, a film inside the support making the support opaque, and thermoplastic material layers adhering each of the fibrous sheets, wherein the thermoplastic material layers include light-colored fillers concealing the film | 3 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims benefit from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/470,196 filed May 14, 2003 which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a process and apparatus for removing catalyst from a catalyst bed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Catalysts are used in large acid or fertilizer plant vessels to remove products or impurities during the manufacturing process. At a certain point in the life of the catalyst, the catalyst granules have attracted all the materials they can and must be cleaned of these material. In order to clean materials from a catalyst, a process known as screening is required. Screening is the mechanical shaking or vibrating of the catalyst granules to remove the material which may be in the form of dust or chips. After screening, the dust and chips go to disposal and the cleaned regenerated catalyst is returned to the vessel to be reused.
The vessels in which such catalysts are used such as those used in acid plant vessels are relatively large vertically oriented vessels having a diameter of 15 feet or more. The catalyst may be arranged in horizontal layers and a vessel may have several beds and there may be several different layers within the catalyst beds. In order to conduct the screening process, the catalyst is manually removed from the bed within the vessel and remotely screened. The screened catalyst is then replaced within the vessel. These vessels are operated at relatively high temperature, sufficiently hot that an unprotected person cannot enter the vessel immediately following shut down. As the vessels are operated at high temperature, normally, work crews cannot enter the vessel until the vessel has cooled.
In many cases, the vessels have relatively restricted access to the area of the vessel between adjacent beds. Often the access hatch or opening to a vessel may be of the order of 2 to 3 feet square. In unusual cases, the access opening may be as large as 4 feet by 3 feet. The size of such openings will permit a person to pass through the opening but makes it inconvenient to use any type of existing powered equipment within the vessel.
When the vessel is operated at high temperature, the vessel must be allowed to cool to a temperature at which human beings may enter the vessel. If the human beings are protected by a fully enclosing protective suit which is provided with cooling means, the persons may enter the vessel at warmer temperatures. However, once in the vessel, the worker must commence the job of removing the catalyst using hand held tools. This is difficult while wearing such a protective suit and maneuvering through restricted spaces.
In other cases, the vessel is operated at cooler temperatures. However, even when cooler temperatures are used in the process, the restrictions on access remain and the vessel is none-the-less full of gases which are hazardous to health. Thus, even with a vessel operating a cooler process, a person entering the vessel must be in a protective suit and provided with a breathing air supply to protect against the hazardous conditions found within the vessel.
Accordingly, it would be advantageous, if equipment were to be developed which can gain entry into a vessel and work within such a vessel on a catalyst bed to remove the catalyst from the reactor vessel while not damaging the catalyst during removal.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an apparatus and method for removing catalyst from a catalyst bed. Briefly, the apparatus comprises a frame, the device includes drive means supported on the frame for propelling the frame over a granular catalyst bed. The device has traction means for contacting the bed which are activated by the drive means. The device includes a turret mounted on the frame for relative rotation of the turret relative to the frame. The device includes a boom mounted on the turret for rotation of the turret and an actuator mounted on the turret for adjusting the angle of elevation of the boom relative to the turret.
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, the invention involves a construction implement for use in reconstruction of a granular bed. The construction implement has a frame, drive means supported on the frame for propelling the frame over the granular bed, traction means for contacting the bed and actuated by the drive means, a turret mounted on the frame for rotation relative to the frame, boom means mounted on the turret for rotation about the turret and an actuator which is mounted on the turret for adjusting the angle of elevation of the boom means relative to the turret.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, the invention involves a process for removing a crushable catalyst from a granular bed contained within a reaction vessel without the use of human personnel within that reaction vessel. The process involves providing a construction implement as outlined above, connecting the boom means to an industrial vacuum source, placing the implement on the catalyst bed, controlling the implement from a position remote from the bed, maneuvering the implement over the bed and vacuuming the granules from the bed through the boom means.
In accordance with a preferred aspect of the invention, the implement comprises mechanical operators to control the movement of the various parts of the implement without the use of hydraulic fluids or other substances which might be susceptable to combustion at elevated temperatures so that the unit can be used in a catalyst bed which is to be regenerated before the bed has cooled to room temperature. In a particularly preferred embodiment of the invention, the operating structure of the implement is such that the implement can be used at elevated temperatures preferably in excess of 200° F. and more preferably in excess of 300° F.
In accordance with another aspect of the invention, the invention involves a construction implement for use in reconstruction of a granular bed which includes catalyst granules which are susceptible to crushing. The implement includes a frame, drive means supported on the frame for propelling the frame over the granular bed, traction means for contacting the bed and actuated by the drive means, a turret mounted on the frame for rotation relative to the frame, boom means mounted on the turret for rotation about the turret, an actuator mounted on the turret for adjusting the angle of elevation of the boom means relative to the turret, and in which the traction means have sufficient surface area to support the implement on said catalyst bed without crushing said granules.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a construction implement manufactured in accordance with a first embodiment of this invention;
FIG. 2 is a view similar to FIG. 1 of the embodiment of FIG. 1 but with a protective cover in place;
FIG. 3 is a side view of the implement shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4 is a side view similar to FIG. 3 but showing angular adjustment of one of the components;
FIG. 5 is a top view of the implement shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 6 is a top view similar to FIG. 5 but showing an angular adjustment of one of the components;
FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 but showing adjustment in an opposite direction;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 but with one of the components shown angularly adjusted in both the horizontal and vertical planes, and
FIG. 9 is a rear view of the implement shown in FIG. 2 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The device 10 is illustrated in FIG. 1 in a perspective view with a protective cover moved. The device 10 includes a frame 12 , a drive means indicated generally at 14 , traction means 16 , a turret 18 , a boom means 20 and an actuator 22 .
The drive means 14 , include a pair of electric motors 30 and a pair of gear boxes 32 . Each gear box has an output shaft on which is positioned a drive sprocket 34 , one of which is illustrated in FIG. 1 . In each case, the drive sprocket drives a chain 36 . The chain in turn drives a driven sprocket 40 attached to a drive shaft 42 (see FIG. 9 ). The drive shaft 42 transmits power to a drive wheel 44 . The drive wheel is mounted on a carrier frame 50 . The carrier frame 50 also mounts a forward idler wheel 52 (see FIG. 4 ). The device 10 is provided with traction means for contacting a granular bed for reconstruction purposes. The traction means 16 includes a pair of tracks 60 .
The device 10 is thus supported on the granular bed which is to be reconstructed by the force of the tracks 60 against the bed. The device is kept suitably small for access purposes as discussed more fully below and is also sufficiently lightweight that with the contact area provided by the two tracks 60 , there is no damage to the constituent elements of the granular bed as the device propels itself across the bed. The device is powered in the fore and aft direction by use of the two electric motors 30 . Conveniently, the electric motors may be fractional horsepower DC motors. A particularly useful motor is a one-sixth horsepower DC motor operating at 90 volts. In order to provide sufficient torque, the gear boxes 32 may include a significant reduction. In a particular embodiment, there is a reduction of 377 to 1 to accommodate the higher revs of the motor referred to above and to provide suitable torque for driving the drive wheels 44 and the tracks 60 . Steering is obtained by skid steer. That is, the two motors 30 are independently controllable such as by a joy stick control. The differential speed of the two motors then provides differential movement of the tracks so that the device can be steered. One motor may be operated in reverse while the other is operated forward to provide for turning of the device potentially within its own length. In order to ensure that damage does not occur to the material of the granular bed during such a skid steer, the tracks are of sufficient width and length to provide a sufficiently low contact pressure so that damage does not occur. In order to further support each track 60 on the drive wheel 44 and the idler wheel 52 , both drive wheel 44 and idler wheel 52 may be provided with horizontally projecting supports. The supports help to maintain the track 60 in place and help to spread out the weight carried by the drive wheel 44 and idler wheel 52 respectively, over the surface of the track 60 . The track 60 may be provided with a series of apertures 64 . The apertures 64 are driven by lugs 66 on the driven wheels 44 . Similar lugs 68 are provided on the idler wheels 52 .
The frame 12 of the device 10 includes a turret 18 which is supported on the frame 12 by a bearing. The bearing is arranged in a direction perpendicular to the general plane of the frame 12 so that the turret may rotate about an axis which is perpendicular to the general plane of the frame 12 . In use, this plane of rotation will be substantially parallel to the surface of the granular bed on which the device is working. For controlling the movement of the turret, the device 10 includes a turret motor 70 (see FIG. 9 ) mounted on the frame 12 . The turret motor 70 has an axle which is affixed to a turret drive sprocket 72 . The turret drive sprocket 72 drives a chain 74 . The chain 74 , in turn, is attached to a turret sprocket which is not illustrated, attached to the underside of the turret 72 . Operation of the turret motor 70 thus results in rotation of the turret 18 relative to the frame.
The reconstruction device 10 includes a boom means 20 . The boom means 20 comprises a hollow tubular member and has an inlet end 80 and an outlet end 82 . The boom member 20 creates a vacuum suction path from the inlet end 80 to the outlet end 82 . Advantageously, the boom member 20 is sized to meet available vacuum equipment and may have a diameter of four to six inches. The diameter of the boom member, must also be sized to accommodate the materials of the granular bed. In use, the bed materials will be drawn into the inlet end 80 , pass along the boom 20 and exit through the outlet end 82 . In use, the outlet end 82 is attached to a vacuum line. The vacuum line is not illustrated in the drawings. The vacuum line will be attached to a commercial vacuum source such as a large horse power vacuum truck which may be parked adjacent to the facility containing the granular bed to be reconstructed.
The length of the boom member 20 is selected so that the inlet end 80 may be lowered at least as low as the bottom plane of the tracks 60 so that the granular material of the bed may be drawn into the inlet end 80 . In order to move the boom means 20 from a lowered position in which it may engage the granular material of the bed to an upper position for transport or for working at a higher level, the boom means is supported on a boom support member 86 . The boom support member 86 may be a U-shaped bracket or a pair of brackets. In either case, the boom support member 86 is pinned at pin 84 to a plate 88 which is fixed to the turret 18 . The pin 84 provides a pivotal axis which is parallel to the plane of the turret 18 . In order to pivot the boom member 20 about the pivotal axis of the pin 84 , the device 10 is provided with the actuator 22 . The actuator 22 includes a ram 24 which is driven by an electric motor 26 . The ram 24 is pinned to the boom support member 86 at one end and to a turret bracket 90 mounted on the turret 18 . Operation of the motor 26 causes extension of the ram 24 thereby pivoting the boom support member 86 and the boom means 20 about the pin 84 .
As shown in FIG. 5 , the boom means 20 is oriented in a forwardly direction during initial transport onto the granular bed from an access opening. As shown in the overhead views of FIGS. 6 and 7 , by operation of the turret motor 70 , the boom means 20 can be moved to extend either right or left of the position shown in FIG. 5 . The amount of rotation may be selected so that the boom has a working sector as broadly as desired. The sector may be as large as 180°. As shown in FIG. 8 , when the boom has been rotated in the plane of the turret to the desired angle, the boom may then be raised or lowered using the actuator 22 to bring the inlet aperture 80 of the boom 20 into contact with the material to be drawn into the boom means 20 .
Typically, the device may be used in relatively confined areas such as in the catalyst beds of acid plants. Acid plants are relatively large facilities which are used to reduce sulphur emissions from exhaust gases of large metallurgical refining industries. The exhaust gas is passed through the acid bed to help remove certain constituents from the gas. The removal process in part is a chemical reaction taking place involving catalysts set out in beds within the device. A typical catalyst is vanadium oxide. The catalyst is in the form of a pellet or ring which may be of the order of about 1 inch in diameter. Often such beds have under layers which contact the support structure for the bed and may have an over layer over the active catalyst and these may be in the form of rocks or lumps of about 1 to 2 inches in diameter. All such beds may be as large as 40 or 50 feet in diameter or more, and there is usually relatively limited access to the bed. When the bed is operating, because it is dealing with flue gases from a metallurgical process, the bed may be operated at very high temperatures in the order of 400°, 500° or 600° C. When the bed requires regeneration, the catalyst is removed from the bed and passed through a screening process. The cleaned catalyst is then reinstalled in the bed and used again. In order to withdraw the catalyst from the bed and subject it to the screening process, the catalyst is withdrawn from the bed. This is accomplished by vacuuming the catalyst into the boom means and passing the catalyst along a suction hose, through a suitable vacuum, to capture the catalyst, which may then be screened.
The device 10 is used when the temperature within the bed has dropped to a level to permit use of the machine. For various metallurgical and other reasons, it is generally unacceptable to use any type of combustion motor which would emit exhaust fumes, or to introduce any kind of fuel into such a reactor, which may still be quite hot, during use of this device. Similarly, in order to provide higher temperature operation, it is typically unacceptable to the owners and operators of such catalyst bed facilities to introduce hydraulic fluid into the bed. Thus, the preferred power means is electrical motors. While the preferred power means involves use of electrical motors, some or all of the devices may involve pneumatic equipment. By way of particular example, the ram 24 may be a pneumatic ram if desired. In such a case the implement is provided with a source of compressed air to actuate such components.
As electrical motors are used for drive control of the vehicle as well as for adjustment of the angular relation of the components discussed above, it would be possible to provide on-board battery power for the vehicle. However, in order not to introduce batteries into a high temperature atmosphere, and to minimize the weight of the vehicle, the preferred source of power to the vehicle is an umbilical chord 100 (see FIG. 1 ). The umbilical chord 100 thus provides appropriate current to power each of the motors discussed above. In addition, the umbilical chord includes a control cable for controlling the operation of the motors. All of the motors may be controlled by suitable control means such as joy sticks and the like, so that the device can be operated remotely.
Further, to facilitate remote operation of the device 10 , the device 10 includes camera means 110 . The camera means 110 are oriented to view the desired work sector in front of the device so that the operator can control the location of the device and the location of the boom means 20 to draw catalyst into the inlet end 80 . Further, to facilitate vision, the device 10 includes illumination means 112 . The illumination means can include one or more high temperature lights arranged to suitably light the work sector.
In FIG. 1 , the device is shown without a cover over various components mounted on the frame 12 . As shown in FIG. 2 , the drive motors, the gear boxes and drive sprockets 34 are all enclosed within a protective cover 120 . As the device moves about a bed of granular material, it is possible that some of the constituent elements of the granular bed may become deposited on the inner or driven surface of the track 60 . Therefore, preferably, the track 60 may include one or more deflection means 130 for reducing the likelihood of granular material being deposited on the inside surface of the track.
Many large metallurgical refining processes create a significant amount of dust. In many such facilities there are large vehicle mounted industrial vacuum cleaners. The preferred mode of operation of the present device is to station such a vacuum truck as close as conveniently possible to an access hole or door to a granular bed to be regenerated. A hose is directed from the vacuum truck to the outlet end 82 . After shut down of the facility, and when the facility reaches a temperature suitable for operation of the device 10 , the device 10 is passed through an access door. Many such access doors are not larger than two feet, although some may be as large as four feet by six feet. In FIG. 9 , the circle “R” is a circle showing a scale diameter of 24 inches. As shown, the device 10 represented at the same scale fits substantially within the circle “R” illustrating that the device may be passed through the rectangular opening having dimensions 2 feet by 2 feet, or larger. The operator will then stand adjacent the access hole. The operator will hold the control console for the machine and direct the machine as it enters into the bed and begins the catalyst removal process. Because of the heat and hazardous nature of the material, the operator will, in most circumstances, be required to be in a protective suit and to have breathing oxygen supplied. However, the operator can remain outside the tank and can operate the device by a combination of view through the access opening as well as monitoring the camera picture which would be reproduced on the console. Catalyst removal can then be accomplished by vacuuming up the catalyst and/or its protective or supporting layers as desired.
Thus, in accordance with this device, there is provided a device which is capable of operating in a relatively confined area while having sufficient support area to not damage the catalyst upon which it is working. The catalyst is withdrawn through the boom means. Because the device can work at higher temperatures than a worker without the need of a cooling suit and can operate in confined spaces, the device effectively reduces or may totally eliminate the need for any worker entrance into the vessel during the removal phase of the bed reconstruction process.
While the device as discussed herein has been discussed primarily in connection with the removal of catalyst from a catalyst bed, the device is also useful in other catalyst bed operations. From time to time, maintenance is required of such catalyst beds. That maintenance may involve certain attention to the bed while not necessitating catalyst removal from the bed. Thus, there are circumstances in which the maintenance may involve raking the bed. The device as described herein is particularly suited for carrying out such a raking operation. When used in a raking operation, a suitable device having tines may be fitted to the inlet end 80 of the device. Then by using the various motors on the device, the bed may be raked so as to perform this interim bed maintenance program. Ordinarily such interim maintenance programs on the bed would be performed while the bed is at an elevated temperature. If the raking of the bed were to be performed by humans, then the bed operator is faced either with the prospect of waiting until the bed has cooled to permit ordinary human work inside the bed, or alternatively, the workers must be fitted with particularly expensive and cumbersome high temperature operating suits. The construction implement as explained herein may be utilized when the bed has cooled to such temperatures as will not be harmful to the construction implement but which may be well above the temperatures that could be tolerated by humans without such extensive protection. Again, because of the remote operating capabilities of the machine, such interim maintenance would be carried out by an operator from the remote operating console using the camera and lighting equipment mounted on the device and/or such other visual opportunities as may be available through the access portal.
Another use of the construction implement described herein involves the reconstruction of the bed after the catalyst has been regenerated. Typically, at the stage of reconstruction of the bed, the facility containing the catalyst bed may well have cooled to a relatively cool temperature approaching that of room temperature. However, rather than necessitating worker entrance into the area containing the bed and possible damage to the bed, the device in accordance with the present invention may also be used to reload the granular material into the bed. Because the granular material is relatively susceptible to damage, the material has to be reloaded relatively slowly. This can be usefully accomplished by using the boom now as a delivery conduit rather than as a suction conduit. In such circumstances, a hose capable of delivering catalyst and like granules under slight pressure may be connected to the outlet end 82 of the conduit. The catalyst may then be supplied to the boom 20 and will exit the boom at the inlet end 80 described above. By manipulating the construction implement, the catalyst may be laid down in the bed over the full extent of the bed. If additional raking is then required to reconstitute the bed, an implement may be attached to the inlet end 80 as explained above in connection with interim maintenance to help reconstitute the bed after catalyst regeneration.
Thus, it will be seen that the device discussed above has many utilitarian functions. The device is supported on tracks which have a sufficiently broad support area that the device may move about the bed without damaging the granules. Additionally, as the device may be constructed of materials which are capable of use under conditions which would otherwise be unfit for human habitation, it can be used at elevated temperatures thereby providing access to a commercial facility before cool down to room temperature has been completed. This helps speed up the beginning of catalyst regeneration thereby helping to minimize down time that would otherwise be required if the facility were to be cooled to room temperature before catalyst bed regeneration were to be commenced.
Various other modifications and changes may be made to the construction implement described herein. All such amendments and modifications are to be considered within the scope of the current invention which is defined in the following claims. | A device for assisting in granular bed reconstruction projects such as catalyst bed construction, includes a frame, a tracked drive, a turret and a boom with an actuator to move the boom relative to the turret. The boom includes a tube for fixing to a vacuum source at one end and an opening for sucking catalyst granules out of the bed on the other end. The device can be operated remotely from a controller. The device is small enough and light weight enough to be able to gain access to the bed and to work on the catalyst without destroying the catalyst. Use of the device eliminates or considerably reduces the need to put persons within the reactor vessel for this stage of reconstruction. | 1 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention concerns an arrangement for the withdrawal of samples from a flow of harvested crop flowing in a conveying channel in a harvesting machine.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] In agriculture, there is an interest in obtaining information about quality parameters of harvested crop. Several parameters of the harvested crop can already be detected during the harvesting process, such as moisture, as is described, for example, by EP 0 908 086 A on the basis of a combine. For the determination of some other parameters of the harvested crop, such as the percentage of amylum, the withdrawal of samples for later analysis in a laboratory is useful. Here an automation is desirable.
[0003] FR 2 801 380 A describes an automatic sample withdrawal arrangement for a combine. In the grain elevator, an opening is provided that can be repositioned and closed through which grain trickles to a conveyor that fills it into a hose. By clamping off sections of the hose, individual samples are generated, the location of whose origin can be detected by a satellite-supported position detection system. Information regarding the position and the number of the sample is stored in a data bank for later identification.
[0004] According to the disclosures of EP 0 908 086 A and FR 2 801 380 A, one part of a flow of crop trickles through an opening and is then collected until a sufficient amount is available as a sample. Since the sample is taken out of the crop flow on the basis of its gravity, problems can occur when the crop contains a high degree of moisture. For example, the withdrawal of silage from the flow of the crop of a forage harvester can not successfully be accomplished using these solutions.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The problem underlying the invention is seen in the need for an improved sample withdrawal arrangement.
[0006] An object of the invention is to provide an arrangement for withdrawing a sample from a stream of harvested crop by selectively inserting a guide or deflector into the stream so as to cause a sample of the crop to move to a collection station.
[0007] In this way a region of the guide element is inserted into the flow of the crop with the result that the harvested crop is forced to deflect. The resulting jam provides the assurance that harvested crop is actually withdrawn from the conveying channel. An appropriate selection of the size of the guide element can provide the assurance that a representative sample of the entire cross section of the flow of the harvested crop can be withdrawn.
[0008] One solution is to attach the guide element so that it can pivot freely. Thereby, it can be moved between a sample withdrawal position and a non-operating position. In the non-operating position, it preferably closes an opening in a wall of the conveying channel, so that an undisturbed flow of the harvested crop is possible. In the sample withdrawal position, it frees the opening, and a region of the guide element extends into the flow of the harvested crop. The deflected flow of the harvested crop as a rule then flows through the opening. The pivot axis of the guide element extends appropriately at least approximately transverse to the direction of the flow of the crop. Embodiments are also conceivable with a (exclusively or additionally) movable guide element that can be slid into the conveying channel and slid out of it again.
[0009] Fundamentally, it would be conceivable to attach the guide element to the wall of the conveying channel, pivoted at one end. However, the arrangement of the pivot axis approximately at the center of the guide element (relative to the direction of flow of the crop in the conveying channel) is particularly appropriate. Thereby, the guide element can be used from two sides. If one side is worn after prolonged use, the guide element can be turned, or both sides are used alternately and thereby wear-life is extended. Furthermore, there is the possibility of using a rotary drive with a single direction of rotation.
[0010] There are various possibilities regarding the positioning of the region of the guide element that can be inserted into the conveying channel. In a first embodiment, this region is arranged at an angle of less than 90° to the direction of flow of the crop. With a guide element that can be pivoted, it is then arranged upstream of the pivot axis of the guide element. Thereby the crop maintains its direction of flow, at least approximately, even when the guide element is in the sample withdrawal position. It is, however, deflected through a certain angle. In another embodiment, the region of the guide element extending into the conveying channel in the sample withdrawal position is oriented transverse to the direction of flow of the harvested crop, or the angle between the guide element and the direction of flow is even greater than 90°. In the case of a guide element that can be pivoted, the aforementioned region is then located downstream of the pivot axis of the guide element. A jam of the harvested crop then develops that leads to the crop reaching out of the conveying channel for the withdrawal of the sample.
[0011] In order to withdraw a greater number of samples on larger fields, an automation of the sample withdrawal process is a solution. For this purpose, a drive for the pivoting of the guide element about its pivot axis driven by outside force and an appropriate means for inserting the sample of the harvested crop withdrawn from the flow of the crop into a sample container are appropriate. An appropriate control arrangement controls the drive that brings about the insertion of the guide element into the conveying channel on the basis of a manual input or when pre-determined points in time and/or locality are passed, at which the guide element is pivoted. The harvested crop that, was withdrawn reaches a sample container by means of a conveyor or its own kinetic energy. The actual position of the guide element can be monitored by appropriate sensors. These provide assurance that the sample was actually taken and that the guide element is subsequently returned to its non-operating position.
[0012] Preferably, information is stored, for example, in a data bank on the basis of which the particular sample container can later be identified. For example, a printing of the sample container with corresponding information is conceivable, such as, for example, a bar code or the storing of the information in a transponder connected to the container. It would also be conceivable to store a sample container number or information about the position at which the sample container is located in a data bank. Also, the origin of the location at which the sample was taken may be determined by a position detection system—preferably satellite supported—(or another magnitude on the basis of which the sample can later be identified, such as the time of its generation) can be stored in memory or imprinted on the sample container. Instead of storing the sample in a sample container and to analyze it later in a laboratory, an on-the-spot analysis by means of appropriate implements would also be possible.
[0013] The invention is appropriate for any harvesting machine in which the harvested crop flows through a conveying channel, for example, balers, self-loading forage boxes, combines or forage harvesters. In the case of the latter, the guide arrangement is preferably arranged in the discharge duct.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] The drawing shows two embodiments of the invention that shall be described in greater detail in the following.
[0015] [0015]FIG. 1 shows a schematic left side view of a harvesting machine of the type with which the invention is useful.
[0016] [0016]FIG. 2 shows the discharge duct of the harvesting machine incorporating a first embodiment of a guide element for the withdrawal of a sample from the duct.
[0017] [0017]FIG. 3 shows the discharge duct of the harvesting machine incorporating a second embodiment of a guide element attached to it for the withdrawal of a sample.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0018] Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a harvesting machine 10 , in the form of a self-propelled forage harvester, supported on a frame 12 that is carried by front and rear wheels 14 and 16 . The harvesting machine 10 is controlled from an operator's cab 18 from which a crop take-up arrangement 20 can be controlled while being within view of the operator. Crop, for example, corn, grass, or the like, taken up from the ground by means of the crop take-up arrangement 20 is conducted to a chopper drum 22 that chops it into small pieces and delivers it to a conveyor arrangement 24 . The crop leaves the harvesting machine 10 to an accompanying trailer through a discharge duct 26 that is mounted for swinging about an upright pivot axis. A post-chopper reduction arrangement or kernel processor 28 is located between the chopper drum 22 and the conveyor arrangement 24 through which the crop to be conveyed is conducted tangentially to the conveyor arrangement 24 .
[0019] [0019]FIG. 2 shows a vertical section along the discharge duct 26 . An opening 30 is provided in the upper wall of the discharge duct 26 . Within the opening 30 , a guide element 32 is located that takes the form of a flat sheet metal plate that is supported in bearings so as to pivot about a pivot axis 34 extending horizontally and transverse to the plane of the drawing. In plan view, the guide element 32 may be circular or rectangular in shape. Relative to the direction of the flow of the crop, that is indicated by the arrow 36 , the pivot axis extends through the center of the guide element 32 . A drive 38 , actuated by outside force, in the form of an electric or hydraulic motor using transmission elements, not shown, selectively causes a rotation of the guide element 32 about the pivot axis 34 . FIG. 2 shows the guide element 32 in its sample withdrawal position in which the harvested crop flowing through the discharge duct 26 impinges upon the region of the guide element 32 at an angle of approximately 45°, which region is located (relative to the flow of the crop) upstream of the pivot axis 34 . Crop which impinges on this region of the guide element 32 is deflected upward by the guide element 32 , so that it reaches a sample container 40 . The guide element 32 can be brought into a non-operating position, by the drive 38 , in which it extends parallel to the adjoining wall of the discharge duct 26 and closes the opening 30 . The sample container 40 may be, for example, a bottle, a paper bag or a box. The sample container 40 is extracted from a magazine by an arrangement, not shown, for example, a gripping arm, and is returned to the magazine after being filled with the sample of the harvested crop. An electronic control assigns a place for the sample container 40 in the magazine, for correspondence to that location at which the sample was taken, for later evaluation. The use of a hose as suggested in FR 2 801 380 A would also be conceivable for the retention of the sample.
[0020] [0020]FIG. 3 shows a second embodiment of a guide element 32 . Elements corresponding to those of the first embodiment are given the same number call-outs. However, FIG. 3 shows a horizontal section along the discharge duct 26 . The discharge duct includes the two side walls shown in FIG. 1. In one of these, the opening 30 is provided for the guide element 32 , that can pivot about the pivot axis 34 extending vertically. In the sample withdrawal position shown, the region of the guide element 32 , extending into the interior of the discharge duct 26 , is arranged downstream of the pivot axis 34 relative to the flow of the harvested crop. The harvested crop impinges upon the guide element 32 at an angle of approximately 135°. Here, a back-draft develops that results in the harvested crop reaching the sample container 40 . In this embodiment, the drive 38 is also arranged to bring the guide element 32 into a non-operating position, in which it extends parallel to an adjoining wall of the discharge duct 26 and closes the opening 30 .
[0021] The arrangement, according to the invention shown here, makes it possible to withdraw samples automatically from the discharge duct 26 of the harvesting machine 10 that takes the form of a forage harvester. These samples are fundamentally important for the development of calibrations of NIR measurement systems. Furthermore a GEO-referenced sample withdrawal of test strips is possible during the harvest. In addition, the owner is offered the possibility of checking the accuracy of a moisture content measuring system or a control system for quality parameters of the harvested crop and, if necessary, to calibrate these anew.
[0022] Having described the preferred embodiment, it will become apparent that various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims. | The invention concerns an arrangement for the withdrawal of samples from a flow of harvested crop flowing in a conveying channel in a harvesting machine. A guide element is proposed that includes a region that can be inserted into the conveying channel. Thereby, the harvested crop is forcibly deflected for the withdrawal of a sample. | 6 |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/878,571 filed May 5, 1992, now abandoned, of application Ser. No. 08/040,978 filed Mar. 31, 1993 now abandoned, of copending application Ser. No. 08/247,760 filed May 23, 1994 and of application Ser. No. 08/239,978 filed May 9, 1994 now abandoned, the last three of which are included herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Prior Art On Out Of Position Occupants And Rear Facing Child Seats
Whereas thousands of lives have been saved by airbags, a large number of people have also been injured, some seriously, by the deploying airbag, and thus significant improvements need to be made in this regard. As discussed in detail in copending patent applications Ser. Nos. 08/040,978 and 08/239,978 cross-referenced above, for a variety of reasons vehicle occupants may be too close to the airbag before it deploys and can be seriously injured or killed as a result of the deployment thereof. Also, a child in a rear facing child seat which is placed on the right front passenger seat is in danger of being seriously injured if the passenger airbag deploys. For these reasons and, as first publicly disclosed in Breed, D. S. "How Airbags Work" presented at the International Conference on Seatbelts and Airbags in 1993, in Canada, occupant position sensing and rear facing child seat detection is required.
Initially these systems will solve the out-of-position occupant and the rear facing child seat problems related to current airbag systems and prevent unneeded airbag deployments when a front seat is unoccupied. However, airbags are now under development to protect rear seat occupants in vehicle crashes and all occupants in side impacts. A system will therefore be needed to detect the presence of occupants, determine if they are out-of-position and to identify the presence of a rear facing child seat in the rear seat. Future automobiles are expected to have eight or more airbags as protection is sought for rear seat occupants and from side impacts. In addition to eliminating the disturbance and possible harm of unnecessary airbag deployments, the cost of replacing these airbags will be excessive if they all deploy in an accident needlessly.
Inflators now exist which will adjust the amount of gas flowing to the airbag to account for the size and position of the occupant and for the severity of the accident. The vehicle identification and monitoring system (VIMS) discussed in patent application Ser. No. 08/239,978 will control such inflators based on the presence and position of vehicle occupants or of a rear facing child seat. The instant invention is an improvement on that VIMS system and uses an advanced optical system comprising one or more CCD (charge coupled device) arrays and a source of illumination combined with a trained neural network pattern recognition system.
The need for an occupant out-of-position sensor has been observed by others and several methods have been disclosed in U.S. patents for determining the position of an occupant of a motor vehicle. Each of these systems, however, have significant limitations. In White et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,071,160), for example, a single acoustic sensor and detector is disclosed and, as illustrated, is mounted lower than the steering wheel. White et al. correctly perceive that such a sensor could be defeated, and the airbag falsely deployed, by an occupant adjusting the control knobs on the radio and thus they suggest the use of a plurality of such sensors.
Mattes et al. (U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,134) disclose a variety of methods of measuring the change in position of an occupant including ultrasonic, active or passive infrared and microwave radar sensors, and an electric eye. Their use of these sensors is to measure the change in position of an occupant during a crash and use that information to access the severity of the crash and thereby decide whether or not to deploy the airbag. They are thus using the occupant motion as a crash sensor. No mention is made of determining the out-of-position status of the occupant or of any of the other features of occupant monitoring as disclosed in the above cross-referenced patent applications. It is interesting to note that nowhere does Mattes et al. discuss how to use active or passive infrared to determine the position of the occupant. As pointed out in the above cross-referenced patent applications, direct occupant position measurement based on passive infrared is probably not possible and, until very recently, was very difficult and expensive with active infrared requiring the modulation of an expensive GaAs infrared laser. Since there is no mention of these problems, the method of use contemplated by Mattes et al. must be similar to the electric eye concept where position is measured indirectly as the occupant passes by a plurality of longitudinally spaced-apart sensors.
The object of an occupant out-of-position sensor is to determine the location of the head and/or chest of the vehicle occupant relative to the airbag since it is the impact of either the head or chest with the deploying airbag which can result in serious injuries. Both White et al. and Mattes et al. disclose only lower mounting locations of their sensors which are mounted in front of the occupant such as on the dashboard or below the steering wheel. Both such mounting locations are particularly prone to detection errors due to positioning of the occupant's hands, arms and legs. This would require at least three, and preferably more, such sensors and detectors and an appropriate logic circuitry which ignores readings from some sensors if such readings are inconsistent with others, for the case, for example, where the driver's arms are the closest objects to two of the sensors.
White et al. also disclose the use of error correction circuitry, without defining or illustrating the circuitry, to differentiate between the velocity of one of the occupant's hands as in the case where he/she is adjusting the knob on the radio and the remainder of the occupant. Three ultrasonic sensors of the type disclosed by White et al. might, in some cases, accomplish this differentiation if two of them indicated that the occupant was not moving while the third was indicating that he or she was. Such a combination, however, would not differentiate between an occupant with both hands and arms in the path of the ultrasonic transmitter at such a location that they were blocking a substantial view of the occupant's head or chest. Since the sizes and driving positions of occupants are extremely varied, trained pattern recognition systems, such as neural networks, are required when a clear view of the occupant, unimpeded by his/her extremities, cannot be guaranteed.
Fujita et al., in U.S. Pat. No. 5,074,583, illustrate another method of determining the position of the occupant but do not use this information to suppress deployment if the occupant is out-of-position. In fact, the closer that the occupant gets to the airbag the faster the inflation rate of the airbag is according to the Fujita patent, which thereby increases the possibility of injuring the occupant. Fujita et al. do not measure the occupant directly but instead determine his or her position indirectly from measurements of the seat position and the vertical size of the occupant relative to the seat. This occupant height is determined using an ultrasonic displacement sensor mounted directly above the occupant's head.
As discussed above, the optical systems described herein are also applicable for many other sensing applications both inside and outside of the vehicle compartment such as for sensing crashes before they occur as described in copending patent application Ser. No. 08/239,978 cross-referenced above, for a smart headlight adjustment system and for a blind spot monitor.
2. Definitions
The use of pattern recognition is central to the instant invention as well as those cross-referenced patent applications above. Nowhere in the prior art is pattern recognition which is based on training, as exemplified through the use of neural networks, mentioned for use in monitoring the interior or exterior environments of the vehicle. "Pattern recognition" as used herein will mean any system which processes a signal that is generated by an object, or is modified by interacting with an object, in order to determine which one of a set of classes that the object belongs to. Such a system might determine only that the object is or is not a member of one specified class, or it might attempt to assign the object to one of a larger set of specified classes, or find that it is not a member of any of the classes in the set. The signals processed are generally electrical signals coming from transducers which are sensitive to either acoustic or electromagnetic radiation and, if electromagnetic, they can be either visible light, infrared, ultraviolet or radar. A trainable or a trained pattern recognition system as used herein means a pattern recognition system which is taught various patterns by subjecting the system to a variety of examples. The most successful such system is the neural network.
To "identify" as used herein will mean to determine that the object belongs to a particular set or class. The class may be one containing, for example, all rear facing child seats, one containing all human occupants, or all human occupants not sitting in a rear facing child seat depending on the purpose of the system. In the case where a particular person is to be recognized, the set or class will contain only a single element, i.e., the person to be recognized.
An "occupying item" of a seat may be a living occupant such as a human being or a dog, another living organism such as a plant, or an inanimate object such as a box or bag of groceries.
In the description herein on anticipatory sensing, the term "approaching" when used in connection with the mention of an object or vehicle approaching another will mean the relative motion of the object toward the vehicle having the anticipatory sensor system. Thus, in a side impact with a tree, the tree will be considered as approaching the side of the vehicle and impacting the vehicle. In other words, the coordinate system used in general will be a coordinate system residing in the target vehicle. The "target" vehicle is the vehicle which is being impacted. This convention permits a general description to cover all of the cases such as where (i) a moving vehicle impacts into the side of a stationary vehicle, (ii) where both vehicles are moving when they impact, or (iii) where a vehicle is moving sideways into a stationary vehicle, tree or wall.
3. Pattern Recognition Prior Art
Japanese patent 3-42337 (A) to Ueno discloses a device for detecting the driving condition of a vehicle driver comprising a light emitter for irradiating the face of the driver and a means for picking up the image of the driver and storing it for later analysis. Means are provided for locating the eyes of the driver and then the irises of the eyes and then determining if the driver is looking to the side or sleeping. Ueno determines the state of the eyes of the occupant rather than determining the location of the eyes relative to the other parts of the vehicle passenger compartment. Such a system can be defeated if the driver is wearing glasses, particularly sunglasses, or another optical device which obstructs a clear view of his/her eyes. Pattern recognition technologies such as neural networks are not used.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,008,946 to Ando uses a complicated set of rules to isolate the eyes and mouth of a driver and uses this information to permit the driver to control the radio, for example, or other systems within the vehicle by moving his eyes and/or mouth. Ando uses natural light and illuminates only the head of the driver. He also makes no use of trainable pattern recognition systems such as neural networks, nor is there any attempt to identify the contents of the vehicle nor of their location relative to the vehicle passenger compartment. Rather, Ando is limited to control of vehicle devices by responding to motion of the driver's mouth and eyes.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,298,732 to Chen also concentrates in locating the eyes of the driver so as to position a light filter between a light source such as the sun or the lights of an oncoming vehicle, and the driver's eyes. Chen does not explain in detail how the eyes are located but does supply a calibration system whereby the driver can adjust the filter so that it is at the proper position relative to his or her eyes. Chen references the use of an automatic equipment for determining the location of the eyes but does not describe how this equipment works. In any event, there is no mention of monitoring the position of the occupant, other that the eyes, of determining the position of the eyes relative to the passenger compartment, or of identifying any other object in the vehicle other than the driver's eyes. Also, there is no mention of the use of a trainable pattern recognition system.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,305,012 to Faris also describes a system for reducing the glare from the headlights of an oncoming vehicle. Faris locates the eyes of the occupant by the use of two spaced apart infrared cameras using passive infrared radiation from the eyes of the driver. Again, Faris is only interested in locating the driver's eyes relative to the sun or oncoming headlights and does not identify or monitor the occupant or locate the occupant relative to the passenger compartment or the airbag. Also, Faris does not use trainable pattern recognition techniques such as neural networks. Faris, in fact, does not even say how the eyes of the occupant are located but refers the reader to a book entitled Robot Vision (1991) by Berthold Horn, published by MIT Press, Cambridge, Mass. Also, Faris uses the passive infrared radiation rather than illuminating the occupant with active infrared radiation or in general electromagnetic radiation as in the instant invention.
The use of neural networks as the pattern recognition technology is central to this invention since it makes the monitoring system robust, reliable and practical. The resulting algorithm created by the neural network program is usually only a few lines of code written in the C computer language as opposed to typically hundreds of lines when the techniques of the above patents to Ando, Chen and Faris are implemented. As a result, the resulting systems are easy to implement at a low cost making them practical for automotive applications. The cost of the CCD arrays, for example, have been prohibitively expensive until very recently rendering their use for VIMS impractical. Similarly, the implementation of the techniques of the above referenced patents requires expensive microprocessors while the implementation with neural networks and similar trainable pattern recognition technologies permits the use of low cost microprocessors typically costing less than $5.
The present invention uses sophisticated trainable pattern recognition capabilities such as neural networks. Usually the data is preprocessed, as discussed below, using various feature extraction. An example of such a pattern recognition system using neural networks on sonar signals is discussed in two papers by Gorman, R. P. and Sejnowski, T. J. "Analysis of Hidden Units in a Layered Network Trained to Classify Sonar Targets", Neural Networks, Vol. 1. pp. 75-89, 1988, and "Learned Classification of Sonar Targets Using a Massively Parallel Network", IEEE Transactions on Acoustics, Speech, and Signal Processing, Vol. 36, No. 7, July 1988. Examples of feature extraction techniques can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,906,940 entitled "Process and Apparatus for the Automatic Detection and Extraction of Features in Images and Displays" to Green et al. Examples of other more advanced and efficient pattern recognition techniques can be found in U.S. Pat. No. 5,390,136 entitled "Artificial Neuron and Method of Using Same and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/076,601 entitled "Neural Network and Method of Using Same" to Wang, S. T. Other examples include U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,235,339 (Morrison et al.), 5,214,744 (Schweizer et al), 5,181,254 (Schweizer et al), and 4,881,270 (Knecht et al). All of the above references are included herein by reference.
4. Optics
Optics can be used in several configurations for monitoring the interior of a passenger compartment of an automobile. In one known method, a laser optical system uses a GaAs infrared laser beam to momentarily illuminate an object, occupant or child seat, in the manner as described and illustrated in FIG. 8 of the copending patent application Ser. No. 08/040,978 cross-referenced above. The receiver can be a charge coupled device or CCD, (a type of TV camera) to receive the reflected light. The laser can either be used in a scanning mode, or, through the use of a lens, a cone of light can be created which covers a large portion of the object. In these configurations, the light can be accurately controlled to only illuminate particular positions of interest within the vehicle. In the scanning mode, the receiver need only comprise a single or a few active elements while in the case of the cone of light, an array of active elements is needed. The laser system has one additional significant advantage in that the distance to the illuminated object can be determined as disclosed in the 08/040,978 patent application.
In a simpler case, light generated by a non-coherent light emitting diode device is used to illuminate the desired area. In this case, the area covered is not as accurately controlled and a larger CCD array is required. Recently, however, the cost of CCD arrays has dropped substantially with the result that this configuration is now the most cost effective system for monitoring the passenger compartment as long as the distance from the transmitter to the objects is not needed. If this distance is required, then either the laser system, a stereographic system, a focusing system, or a combined ultrasonic and optic system is required. A mechanical focusing system, such as used on some camera systems can determine the initial position of an occupant but is too slow to monitor his/her position during a crash. A distance measuring system based of focusing is described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,193,124 (Subbarao) which can either be used with a mechanical focusing system or with two cameras, the latter of which would be fast enough. Although the Subbarao patent provides a good discussion of the camera focusing art and is therefore included herein by reference, it is a more complicated system than is needed for the practicing the instant invention. In fact, a neural network can also be trained to perform the distance determination based on the two images taken with different camera settings or from two adjacent CCD's and lens having different properties as the cameras disclosed in Subbarao making this technique practical for the purposes of this instant invention. Distance can also be determined by the system disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,003,166 (Girod) by the spreading or defocusing of a pattern of structured light projected onto the object of interest.
In each of these cases, regardless of the distance measurement system used, a trained pattern recognition system, as defined above, is used in the instant invention to identify and classify, and in some cases to locate, the illuminated object and its constituent parts.
5. Optics And Acoustics
The laser systems described above are expensive due to the requirement that they be modulated at a high frequency if the distance from the airbag to the occupant, for example, needs to be measured. Both laser and non-laser optical systems in general are good at determining the location of objects within the two dimensional plane of the image and the modulated laser system in the scanning mode can determine the distance of each part of the image from the receiver. It is also possible to determine distance with the non-laser system by focusing as discussed above, or stereographically if two spaced apart receivers are used and, in some cases the mere location in the field of view can be used to estimate the position relative to the airbag, for example. Finally, a recently developed pulsed quantum well diode laser does provide inexpensive distance measurements as discussed below.
Acoustic systems are also quite effective at distance measurements since the relatively low speed of sound permits simple electronic circuits to be designed and minimal microprocessor capability is required. If a coordinate system is used where the z axis is from the transducer to the occupant, acoustics are good at measuring z dimensions while simple optical systems using a single CCD are good at measuring x and y dimensions. The combination of acoustics and optics, therefore, permits all three measurements to be made with low cost components.
One example of a system using these ideas is an optical system which floods the passenger seat with infrared light coupled with a lens and CCD array which receives and displays the reflected light and an analog to digital converter (ADC) which digitizes the output of the CCD and feeds it to an Artificial Neural Network (ANN) or other pattern recognition system , for analysis. This system uses an ultrasonic transmitter and receiver for measuring the distances to the objects located in the passenger seat. The receiving transducer feeds its data into an ADC and from there into the ANN. The same ANN can be used for both systems thereby providing full three dimensional data for the ANN to analyze. This system, using low cost components, will permit accurate identification and distance measurements not possible by either system acting alone. If a phased array system is added to the acoustic part of the system as disclosed in copending patent application (ATI-102), the optical part can determine the location of the driver's ears, for example, and the phased array can direct a narrow beam to the location and determine the distance to the occupant's ears.
6. Applications
The applications for this technology are numerous as described in the copending patent applications listed above. They include: (i) the monitoring of the occupant for safety purposes to prevent airbag deployment induced injuries, (ii) the locating of the eyes of the occupant to permit automatic adjustment of the rear view mirror(s), (iii) the location of the seat to place the eyes at the proper position to eliminate the parallax in a heads-up display in night vision systems, (iv) the location of the ears of the occupant for optimum adjustment of the entertainment system, (v) the identification of the occupant for security reasons, (vi) the determination of obstructions in the path of a closing door or window, (vii) the determination of the position of the occupant's shoulder so that the seat belt anchorage point can be adjusted for the best protection of the occupant, (viii) the determination of the position of the rear of the occupants head so that the headrest can be adjusted to minimize whiplash injuries in rear impacts, (ix) anticipatory crash sensing, (x) blind spot detection, (xi) smart headlight dimmers, and many others. In fact, over forty products alone have been identified based on the ability to identify and monitor objects and parts thereof in the passenger compartment of an automobile or truck.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention is a system to identify, locate and monitor occupants, including their parts, and other objects in the passenger compartment and objects outside of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, by illuminating the contents of the vehicle and objects outside of the vehicle with electromagnetic, and specifically infrared, radiation and using one or more lenses to focus images of the contents onto one or more arrays of charge coupled devices (CCD arrays). Outputs from the CCD arrays, are analyzed by appropriate computational means employing trained pattern recognition technologies, to classify, identify or locate the contents or external objects. In general, the information obtained by the identification and monitoring system is used to affect the operation of some other system in the vehicle.
When the vehicle interior monitoring system of this invention is installed in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle equipped with a passenger protective device, such as an inflatable airbag, and the vehicle is subjected to a crash of sufficient severity that the crash sensor has determined that the protective device is to be deployed, the system in accordance with the invention determines the position of the vehicle occupant relative to the airbag and disables deployment of the airbag if the occupant is positioned so that he/she is likely to be injured by the deployment of the airbag.
In some implementations of the invention, one or more ultrasonic transmitters and receivers are added to the system to provide a measurement of the distance from the transmitter/receiver to the objects of interest. In some of these implementations, a phased array system is used to permit the ultrasonic waves from the ultrasonic transmitters to be narrowly focused onto a particular location of an object. In other implementations, the source of infrared light is a modulated laser which permits an accurate measurement of the distance to the point of reflection. In still other cases, a focusing system is used to determine the distance to the object. Finally, in yet other cases a GaAs pulsed quantum well laser system is used to measure distance directly to a point of interest.
Principle objects and advantages of the optical sensing system in accordance with the invention are:
1. To recognize the presence of a human on a particular seat of a motor vehicle and to use this information to affect the operation of another vehicle system such as the airbag, heating and air conditioning, or entertainment systems, among others.
2. To recognize the presence of a human on a particular seat of a motor vehicle and then to determine his/her position and to use this position information to affect the operation of another vehicle system.
3. To determine the position, velocity or size of an occupant in a motor vehicle and to utilize this information to control the rate of gas generation, or the amount of gas generated by an airbag inflator system.
4. To determine the presence or position of rear seated occupants in the vehicle and to use this information to affect the operation of a rear seat protection airbag for frontal impacts.
5. To recognize the presence of a rear facing child seat on a particular seat of a motor vehicle and to use this information to affect the operation of another vehicle system such as the airbag system.
6. To determine the approximate location of the eyes of a driver and to use that information to control the position of the rear view mirrors of the vehicle.
7. To monitor the position of the head of the vehicle driver and determine whether the driver is falling asleep or otherwise impaired and likely to lose control of the vehicle and to use that information to affect another vehicle system.
8. To provide an occupant position sensor which reliably permits, and in a timely manner, a determination to be made that the occupant is out of position, or will become out of position, and likely to be injured by a deploying airbag and to then output a signal to suppress the deployment of the airbag.
9. To provide an anticipatory sensor which permits accurate identification of the about-to-impact object in the presence of snow and/or fog whereby the sensor is located within the vehicle.
10. To provide a smart headlight dimmer system which senses the headlights from an oncoming vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle in front of the subject vehicle and identifies these lights differentiating them from reflections from signs or the road surface and then sends a signal to dim the headlights.
11. To provide a blind spot detector which detects and categorizes an object in the driver's blind spot and warns the driver in the event the driver begins to change lanes, for example, or continuously informs the driver of the state of occupancy of the blind spot.
These and other objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments of the vehicle identification and monitoring system of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A is a side planar view, with certain portions removed or cut away, of a portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle showing several preferred mounting locations of interior vehicle monitoring sensors shown particularly for sensing the vehicle driver illustrating the wave pattern from an ultrasonic mirror mounted position sensor.
FIG. 1B is a view as in FIG. 1A illustrating the wave pattern from an optical system using an infrared light source and a CCD array receiver using the windshield as a reflection surface and showing schematically the interface between the vehicle interior monitoring system of this invention and an instrument panel mounted inattentiveness warning light or buzzer and reset button.
FIG. 1C is a view as in FIG. 1A illustrating the wave pattern from a set of ultrasonic transmitters/receivers where the spacing of the transducers and the phase of the signals permits an accurate focusing of the ultrasonic beam and thus the accurate measurement of a particular point on the surface of the driver.
FIG. 1D is a view as in FIG. 1A illustrating the wave pattern from an optical system using an infrared light source and a CCD array receiver where the CCD array receiver is covered by a fisheye lens permitting a wide angle view of the contents of the passenger compartment.
FIG. 1E is a view as in FIG. 1A illustrating the wave pattern from a pair of small CCD array receivers and one infrared transmitter where the spacing of the CCD arrays permits an accurate measurement of the distance to features on the occupant.
FIG. 2 is a side view, with certain portions removed or cut away, of a portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle showing preferred mounting locations of optical interior vehicle monitoring sensors.
FIG. 3 is a circuit schematic illustrating the use of the vehicle interior monitoring sensor used as an occupant position sensor in conjunction with the remainder of the inflatable restraint system.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustrating the circuit of an occupant position sensing device using a modulated infrared signal, beat frequency and phase detector system.
FIG. 5 is a side planer view with parts cutaway and removed of a vehicle showing the passenger compartment containing a driver and a preferred mounting location for an occupant position sensor for use in side impacts and also of a rear of occupant's head locator for use with a headrest adjustment system to reduce whiplash injuries in rear impact crashes.
FIG. 6 is a side plan view of the interior of an automobile, with portions cut away and removed, with two occupant height measuring sensors, one mounted into the headliner above the occupant's head and the other mounted onto the A-pillar and also showing a seatbelt associated with the seat where the seatbelt has an adjustable upper anchorage point which is automatically adjusted corresponding to the height of the occupant.
FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a vehicle about to impact the side of another vehicle showing the location of the various parts of the anticipatory sensor system of this invention.
FIG. 7A is a view of the section designated 7A in FIG. 7.
FIG. 8 is a side planar view, with certain portions removed or cut away, of a portion of the passenger compartment illustrating a sensor for sensing the headlights of an oncoming vehicle and/or the taillights of a leading vehicle used in conjunction with an automatic headlight dimming system.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring now to the drawings, a section of the passenger compartment of an automobile is shown generally as 100 in FIGS. 1A through 1E. A driver 101 of a vehicle sits on a seat 102 behind a steering wheel 103 which contains an airbag assembly 104. Five transmitter and/or receiver assemblies 110, 111, 112, 113 and 114 are positioned at various places in the passenger compartment to determine the location of the head, chest and torso of the driver relative to the airbag and to otherwise monitor the interior of the passenger compartment. Control circuitry 120 is connected to the transmitter/receivers 110-114 and controls the transmission from the transmitters and captures the return signals from the receivers. Control circuitry 120 usually contains analog to digital converters (ADCs), a microprocessor containing sufficient memory and appropriate software including pattern recognition algorithms, and other appropriate drivers, signal conditioners, signal generators, etc. Usually, in any given implementation, only one or two of the transmitters and receivers would be used depending on their mounting locations as described below.
FIG. 1A illustrates a typical wave pattern of ultrasonic waves from transmitter/receiver 114. In this embodiment, the transmitter/receiver 114 comprises an ultrasonic transducer which will generally be used in conjunction with an optical transmitter and CCD array such as shown at 110, 112 and 113. The optical systems, i.e., the optical transmitter and CCD array, map the location of the occupant(s), objects and features thereof, in a two dimensional image by the CCD array and ultrasonic transmitter/receiver 114 determines the distance from the sensor to the occupant. When used for monitoring the passenger seat, the optical system 110 determines that the seat is occupied and identifies the occupying item and then the ultrasonic system such as 114 determines the location of the occupant relative to the airbag. The optical system identifies what it is that the ultrasonic system is measuring and determines which echo is from the occupant's head or chest as opposed to some other object. The transmitter/receiver 114 may be mounted to a rear view mirror 105.
In the case of FIG. 1A, transmitter/receiver 114 emits ultrasonic acoustical waves which bounce off the head and chest of the driver and return thereto. Periodically, the device, as commanded by control circuit 120, transmits a burst of ultrasonic waves at about 50 kilohertz, for example, and the reflected signal is detected by the same or a different device. An associated electronic circuit or algorithm in control circuit 120 measures the time between the transmission and the reception of the ultrasonic waves and thereby determines the distance from the transmitter/receiver to the driver, passenger or other occupying item based on the velocity of sound. This information is then sent to the crash sensor and diagnostic circuitry, which may also be resident in 120, which determines if the occupant is close enough to the airbag that a deployment might, by itself, cause injury which exceeds that which might be caused by the accident itself In such a case, the circuit disables the airbag system and thereby prevents its deployment. In an alternate case, the sensor algorithm assesses the probability that a crash requiring an airbag is in process and waits until that probability exceeds an amount that is dependent on the position of the occupant. Thus, for example, the sensor might decide to deploy the airbag based on a need probability assessment of 50%, if the decision must be made immediately for an occupant approaching the airbag, but might wait until the probability rises to 95% for a more distant occupant. Although a driver system has been illustrated, the front and rear seat passenger systems would be similar.
In another implementation, the sensor algorithm may determine the rate that gas is generated to affect the rate that the airbag is inflated. In all of these cases, the position of the occupant is used to affect the deployment of the airbag either as to whether or not it should be deployed at all, the time of deployment or the rate of inflation.
An optical infrared transmitter and receiver assembly is shown generally at 112 in FIG. 1B and is mounted onto the instrument panel facing the windshield. Device 112, shown enlarged, comprises a source of infrared radiation, or another form of electromagnetic radiation, and a charge coupled device array (CCD array) of typically 160 pixels by 160 pixels. In this embodiment, the windshield is used to reflect the illumination light provided by the infrared radiation and also the light reflected back by the objects in the passenger compartment, in a manner similar to the "heads-up" display which is now being offered on several automobile models. The "heads-up" display, of course, is currently used only to display information to the driver and is not used to reflect light from the driver to a receiver. Once again, unless one of the distance measuring systems as described below is used, this system alone cannot be used to determine distances from the objects to the sensor. Its main purpose is object identification and monitoring.
Device 112 is actually about two cm. in diameter and is shown greatly enlarged in FIG. 1B. Also, the reflection area on the windshield is considerably smaller than illustrated and special provisions are made to assure that this area of the windshield is flat and reflective as is done generally when heads-up displays are used.
The system illustrated in FIG. 1B uses a single CCD array and thus, since this device is small, it cannot in general be used to achieve a stereographic image and thus some other method is necessary to determine the distance to the object. If two spaced apart CCD arrays are used, however, then the distance to the various objects within the passenger compartment can be found by using a simple algorithm which locates similar features on both images and determines their relative location on the images. An alternate method is to use a lens with a short focal length. In this case, the lens is mechanically focused to determine the clearest image and thereby obtain the distance to the object. This is similar to certain camera auto-focusing systems such as one manufactured by Fuji of Japan. Naturally, other methods can be used as described in the patents referenced above.
Once a vehicle interior monitoring system employing a sophisticated pattern recognition system, such as a neural network is in place, it is possible to monitor the motions of the driver over time, and his/her response to various stimuli, and determine if he is falling asleep or has otherwise become incapacitated. In such an event, the vehicle can be caused to respond in a number of different ways. One such system is illustrated in FIG. 1B and consists of a monitoring system having transducer device 112 plus a microprocessor in control circuit 120 programmed to compare the motions of the driver over time and trained to recognize changes in behavior representative of becoming incapacitated. If the system determines that there is a reasonable probability that the driver has fallen asleep, for example, then it can turn on a warning light shown here as 124 or send a warning sound. If the driver fails to respond to the warning by pushing a button 122, for example, then the horn and lights can be operated in a manner to warn other vehicles and the vehicle brought to a stop. Naturally other responses can also be programmed and other tests of driver attentiveness can be used without resorting to attempting to monitor the motions of the driver's eyes.
An even more sophisticated system of monitoring the behavior of the driver is to track the driver's eye motions using such techniques as are described in: Freidman et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,648,052 entitled "Eye Tracker Communication System"; Heyner et al., U.S. Pat. No. 4,720,189 entitled "Eye Position Sensor"; Hutchinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,836,670 entitled "Eye Movement Detector"; and Hutchinson, U.S. Pat. No. 4,950,069 entitled "Eye Movement Detector With Improved Calibration and Speed", all of which are included herein by reference as well as U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,008,946 and 5,305,012 referenced above. The detection of the impaired driver in particular can be best determined by these techniques. These systems make use of sophisticated pattern recognition techniques plus, in many cases, the transmitter and CCD receivers must be appropriately located so that the reflection off of the cornea of the driver's eyes can be detected as discussed in the above referenced patents. The size of the CCD arrays used herein permits their location, sometimes in conjunction with a reflective windshield, where this corneal reflection can be detected with some difficulty. Naturally sunglasses can interfere with this process.
The eye tracker systems discussed above are facilitated by the instant invention since one of the main purposes of determining the location of the driver's eyes either by directly locating them with trained pattern recognition technology or by inferring their location from the location of the driver's head, is so that the seat can be automatically positioned to place the driver's eyes into the "eye-ellipse". The eye-ellipse is the proper location for the driver's eyes to permit optimal operation of the vehicle and for the location of the mirrors etc. Thus, if we know where the driver's eyes are, then the driver can be positioned so that his or her eyes are precisely situated in the eye ellipse and the reflection off of the eye can be monitored with a small eye tracker system. Also, by ascertaining the location of the driver's eyes, a rear view mirror positioning device can be controlled to adjust the same to an optimal position.
A more accurate acoustic system for determining the distance to a particular object, or a part thereof, in the passenger compartment is exemplified by transducers 111 in FIG. 1C. In this case, three ultrasonic transmitter/receivers are shown spaced apart mounted onto the A-pillar of the vehicle. The A-pillar is the forward most roof support pillar and also supports the windshield. Due to the wavelength, it is difficult to get a narrow beam using ultrasonics without either using high frequencies which have limited range or a large transducer. A commonly available 40 kHz transducer, for example, is about 1 cm. in diameter and emits a sonic wave which spreads at about a sixty degree angle. To reduce this angle requires making the transducer larger in diameter. An alternate solution is to use several transducers and to phase the transmissions so that they arrive at the intended part of the target in phase. Reflections from the selected part of the target are then reinforced whereas reflections from adjacent parts encounter interference with the result that the distance to the brightest portion within the vicinity of interest can be determined. By varying the phase of transmission from the three transducers 111, the location of a reflection source on a curved line can be determined. In order to locate the reflection source in space, at least one additional transmitter/receiver is required which is not co-linear with the others. The accuracy of the measurement can be determined by those skilled in the art of phased array radar as the relevant equations are applicable here. The waves shown in FIG. 1C coming from the three transducers 111 are actually only the portions of the waves which arrive at the desired point in space together in phase. The effective direction of these wave streams can be varied by changing the transmission phase between the three transmitters. A determination of the approximate location of a point of interest on the occupant is accomplished by the CCD array and appropriate analysis and the phasing of the ultrasonic transmitters is determined so that the distance to the desired point can be determined.
FIG. 1D illustrates two optical systems each having a source of infrared radiation and a CCD array receiver. The price of CCD arrays has dropped dramatically in the last year making them practical for interior monitoring. Transducers 110 and 113 are CCD arrays having 160 by 160 pixels which is covered by an approximate spherical lens. This creates a "fisheye" effect whereby light from a wide variety of directions can be captured. One such sensor placed by the dome light or other central position in the vehicle roof such as 113, can monitor the entire vehicle interior with sufficient resolution to determine the occupancy of the vehicle, for example. CCD's such as those used herein are available from Marshall Electronics Inc. of Culver City, Calif. A fisheye lens is ". . . a wide-angle photographic lens that covers an angle of about 180°, producing a circular image with exaggerated foreshortening in the center and increasing distortion toward the periphery". (The American Heritage Dictionary of the English Language, Third Edition ,1992 by Houghton Mifflin Company). This distortion of a fisheye lens can be substantially changed by modifying the shape of the lens to permit particular portions of the interior passenger compartment to be observed. Also, in many cases the full 180° is not desirable and a lens which captures a smaller angle may be used. Although primarily spherical lenses are illustrated herein, it is understood that the particular lens design will depend on the location in the vehicle and the purpose of the particular receiver.
CCD arrays are in common use in television cameras, for example, to convert an image into an electrical signal. For the purposes herein, a CCD will be defined to include all devices which are capable of converting light frequencies, including infrared and ultraviolet, into electrical signals. The particular CCD array used for many of the applications disclosed herein is implemented on a single chip which is less than two cm. in diameter. Data from the CCD array is digitized and sent serially to an electronic circuit 120 containing a microprocessor for analysis of the digitized data. In order to minimize the amount of data which needs to be stored, initial processing of the image data takes place as it is being received from the CCD array.
One method of determining distance to an object directly without resorting to range finders is to used a mechanical focusing system. However, the use of such an apparatus is cumbersome, expensive, slow and has questionable reliability. An alternative is to use the focusing systems described in the above referenced U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,193,124 and 5,003,166 however such systems require expensive hardware and/or elaborate algorithms. Another alternative is illustrated in FIG. 1E where transducer 116 is an infrared source having a wide transmission angle such that the entire contents of the front driver's seat is illuminated. Receiving CCD transducers 117 and 118 are shown spaced apart so that a stereographic analysis can be made by the control circuitry 120. This circuitry 120 contains a microprocessor with appropriate pattern recognition algorithms along with other circuitry as described above. In this case, the desired feature to be located is first selected from one of the two returned images from either CCD transducer 117 or 118. The software then determines the location of the same feature on the other image and thereby, through analysis familiar to those skilled in the art, determines the distance of the feature from the transducers.
Transducers 116-118 are illustrated mounted onto the A-pillar of the vehicle, however, since these transducers are quite small, typically approximately 2 cm. or less in diameter, they could alternately be mounted onto the windshield itself, or other convenient location which provides a clear view of the portion of the passenger compartment being monitored.
A new class of laser range finders has particular application here. This product, as manufactured by Power Spectra, Inc. of Sunnyvale, Calif., is a GaAs pulsed laser device which can measure up to 30 meters with an accuracy of <2 cm. and a resolution of <1 cm. This system is implemented in combination with transducer 116 and one of the receiving transducers 117 or 118 may thereby be eliminated. Once a particular feature of an occupying item of the passenger compartment has been located, this device is used in conjunction with an appropriate aiming mechanism to direct the laser beam to that particular feature. The distance to that feature is then known to within 2 cm, and with calibration even more accurately. Note that in addition to measurements within the passenger compartment, this device has particular applicability in anticipatory sensing and blind spot monitoring applications exterior to the vehicle.
In FIG. 2 a side view, with certain portions removed or cut away, of a portion of the passenger compartment of a vehicle showing preferred mounting locations of optical interior vehicle monitoring sensors 110, 113, 210-214. Each of these devices is illustrated as having a fisheye lens and is shown enlarged in size for clarity. In a typical actual device, the diameter of the lens is approximately 2 cm. and it protrudes from the mounting surface by approximately 1 cm. This small size renders these devices almost unnoticeable by vehicle occupants. Note that since these devices are optical it is important that the lens surface remains relatively clean. Control circuitry 120 contains a self-diagnostic feature where the image returned by one of the transducers is compared with a stored image and the existence of certain key features is verified. If a receiver fails this test, a warning is displayed to the driver which indicates that cleaning of the lens surface is required. The technology illustrated in FIG. 2 can be used for numerous purposes including: (i) the determination of the presence of a rear facing child seat 230, (ii) the monitoring of the rear of an occupant's head 242, (iii) the monitoring of the position of occupant 240, (iv) the monitoring of the position of the occupants knees 241, (v) the measurement of the occupant's height using transducer 113, as well as other monitoring functions as described elsewhere in this specification.
The occupant position sensor in any of its various forms is integrated into the airbag system circuitry as shown schematically in FIG. 3. In this example, the occupant position sensors are used as an input to a smart electronic sensor and diagnostic system. The electronic sensor determines whether the airbag should be deployed based on the vehicle acceleration crash pulse, or crush zone mounted crash sensors, and the occupant position sensor determines whether the occupant is too close to the airbag and therefore that the deployment should not take place. In FIG. 3 the electronic crash sensor located within the sensor and diagnostic unit determines whether the crash is of such severity as to require deployment of the airbag. The occupant position sensors determine the location of the vehicle occupants relative to the airbags and provide this information to the sensor and diagnostic unit which then determines whether it is safe to deploy the airbag. The arming sensor also determines whether there is a vehicle crash occurring. If the sensor and diagnostic unit and the arming sensor both determine that the vehicle is undergoing a crash requiring an airbag and the position sensors determine that the occupants are safely away from the airbags, the airbag, or inflatable restraint system, is deployed.
A particular implementation of an occupant position sensor having a range of from 0 to 2 meters (corresponding to an occupant position of from 0 to 1 meter since the signal must travel both to and from the occupant) using infrared is illustrated in the block diagram schematic of FIG. 4. The operation is as follows. A 48 MHz signal, f1, is generated by a crystal oscillator 401 and fed into a frequency tripler 402 which produces an output signal at 144 MHz. The 144 MHz signal is then fed into an infrared diode driver 403 which drives the infrared diode 404 causing it to emit infrared light modulated at 144 MHz and a reference phase angle of zero degrees. The infrared diode 404 is directed at the vehicle occupant. A second signal f2 having a frequency of 48.05 MHz, which is slightly greater than f1, is similarly fed into a frequency tripler 406 to create a frequency of 144.15 MHz. This signal is then fed into a mixer 407 which combines it with the 144 MHz signal from frequency tripler 402. The combined signal from the mixer 407 is then fed to filter 408 which removes all signals except for the difference, or beat frequency, between 3 times f1 and 3 times f2, of 150 kHz. The infrared signal which is reflected from the occupant is received by receiver 409 and fed into pre-amplifier 411, a resistor 410 to bias being coupled to the connection between the receiver 409 and the pre-amplifier 411. This signal has the same modulation frequency, 144 MHz, as the transmitted signal but now is out of phase with the transmitted signal by an angle x due to the path that the signal took from the transmitter to the occupant and back to the receiver. The output from pre-amplifier 411 is fed to a second mixer 412 along with the 144.15 MHz signal from the frequency tripler 406. The output from mixer 412 is then amplified by an automatic gain amplifier 413 and fed into filter 414. The filter 414 eliminates all frequencies except for the 150 kHz difference, or beat, frequency, in a similar manner as was done by filter 408. The resulting 150 kHz frequency, however, now has a phase angle x relative to the signal from filter 408. Both 150 kHz signals are now fed into a phase detector 415 which determines the magnitude of the phase angle x. It can be shown mathematically that, with the above values, the distance from the transmitting diode to the occupant is x/345.6 where x is measured in degrees and the distance in meters.
The applications described herein have been illustrated using the driver of the vehicle. Naturally the same systems of determining the position of the occupant relative to the airbag apply to front and rear seated passengers, sometimes requiring minor modifications. It is likely that the sensor required triggering time based on the position of the occupant will be different for the driver than for the passenger. Current systems are based primarily on the driver with the result that the probability of injury to the passenger is necessarily increased either by deploying the airbag too late or by failing to deploy the airbag when the position of the driver would not warrant it but the passenger's position would. With the use of occupant position sensors for both the passenger and driver, the airbag system can be individually optimized for each occupant and result in further significant injury reduction. In particular, either the driver or passenger system can be disabled if either the driver or passenger is out of position.
There is almost always a driver present in vehicles that are involved in accidents where an airbag is needed. Only about 30% of these vehicles, however, have a passenger. If the passenger is not present, there is usually no need to deploy the passenger side airbag. The occupant monitoring system, when used for the passenger side with proper pattern recognition circuitry, can also ascertain whether or not the seat is occupied, and if not, can disable the deployment of the passenger side airbag and thereby save the cost of its replacement. The same strategy applies also for monitoring the rear seat of the vehicle. Also, a trainable pattern recognition system, as used herein, can distinguish between an occupant and a bag of groceries, for example. Finally, there has been much written about the out of position child who is standing or otherwise positioned adjacent to the airbag, perhaps due to pre-crash braking. Naturally, the occupant position sensor described herein can prevent the deployment of the airbag in this situation as well as in the situation of a rear facing child seat as described above.
The use of trainable pattern recognition technologies such as neural networks is an important part of the instant invention. These technologies are implemented using sophisticated computer programs to analyze the patterns of examples to determine the differences between different categories of objects. These computer programs are trained using a set of representative data collected during the training phase, called the training set. After training, the computer programs output a computer algorithm containing the rules permitting classification of the objects of interest based on the data obtained after installation in the vehicle. These rules, in the form of an algorithm, are implemented in the system which is mounted onto the vehicle. The determination of these rules is central to the pattern recognition techniques used in this invention. Artificial neural networks are thus far the most successful of the rule determination approaches however research is underway to develop newer systems with many of the advantages of neural networks, such as learning by training, without the disadvantages, such as the inability to understand the network and the possibility of not converging to the best solution.
In some implementations of this invention, such as the determination that there is an object in the path of a closing window as described below, the rules are sufficiently obvious that a trained researcher can look at the returned optical or acoustic signals and devise an algorithm to make the required determinations. In others, such as the determination of the presence of a rear facing child seat or of an occupant, artificial neural networks are used to determine the rules. One such set of neural network software for determining the pattern recognition rules, is available from the NeuralWare Corporation of Pittsburgh, Pa. Another network pattern recognition technology is disclosed in the above referenced Motorola patents. Numerous articles, including more that 500 U.S. patents, describe neural networks in great detail and thus the theory and application of this technology is well known and will not be repeated here. Except in a few isolated situations where neural networks have been used to solve particular problems, they have not heretofore been applied to automobiles and trucks.
The system used in the instant invention, therefore, for the determination of the presence of a rear facing child seat, of an occupant, or of an empty seat is the artificial neural network. In this case, the network operates on the returned signals from the CCD array as sensed by transducers 521 and 522 in FIG. 5, for example. For the case of the front passenger seat, for example, through a training session, the system is taught to differentiate between the three cases. This is done by conducting a large number of experiments where available child seats are placed in numerous positions and orientations on the front passenger seat of the vehicle. Similarly, a sufficiently large number of experiments are run with human occupants and with boxes, bags of groceries and other objects. As many as 1000 such experiments are run before the neural network is sufficiently trained so that it can differentiate among the three cases and output the correct decision with a very high probability.
Once the network is determined, it is possible to examine the result using tools supplied by NeuralWare, for example, to determine the rules which were finally arrived at by the trial and error techniques. In that case, the rules can then be programmed into a microprocessor. Alternately, a neural computer can be used to implement the net directly. In either case, the implementation can be carried out by those skilled in the art of pattern recognition using neural networks. If a microprocessor is used, a memory device is also required to store the data from the analog to digital converters which digitize the data from the receiving transducers. On the other hand, if a neural network computer is used, the analog signal can be fed directly from the transducers to the neural network input nodes and an intermediate memory is not required. Memory of some type is needed to store the computer programs in the case of the microprocessor system and if the neural computer is used for more than one task, a memory is needed to store the network specific values associated with each task.
There are several methods measuring the height of the driver for use in automatically adjusting the seat or for adjusting the seatbelt anchorage point. Some alternatives are shown in FIG. 5 which is a side plan view where two height measuring sensors, one 521 mounted into the headliner above the occupant's head and the other 520 mounted onto the A-pillar are shown. These transducers may already be present because of other implementations of the vehicle interior identification and monitoring system described herein.
In the above cross-referenced patent applications, ultrasonics was the main technology for determining occupant height. This generally required at least two transducers since by using transducer 521 alone, for example, the exact position of the head is ambiguous since the transducer measures the distance to the head regardless of what direction the head is. By knowing the distance from the head to transducer 520, the ambiguity is substantially reduced.
Optical transducers using CCD arrays are now becoming price competitive and, as mentioned above, will soon be the technology of choice for interior vehicle monitoring. A single CCD array of 160 by 160 pixels, for example, coupled with the appropriate trained pattern recognition software, can be used to form an image of the head of an occupant and accurately locate the head for the purposes of this invention.
A rear-of-head detector 534 is also illustrated in FIG. 5. This detector is used to determine the distance from the headrest to the rear most position of the occupant's head and to control the position of the headrest so that it is properly positioned behind the occupant's head to offer optimum support in the event of a rear impact. Although the headrest of most vehicles is adjustable, it is rare for an occupant to position it properly, if at all. Each year there are in excess of 400,000 whiplash injuries in vehicle impacts approximately 90,000 of which are from rear impacts (source: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, (NHTSA)). A properly positioned head rest could substantially reduce the frequency of such injuries which can be accomplished by the head detector of this invention. The head detector 534 is shown connected schematically to the headrest control mechanism and circuitry 540. This mechanism is capable of moving the headrest up and down and, in some cases, rotating it fore and aft. An occupant position sensor for side impacts used with a door mounted airbag system is illustrated at 530 in FIG. 5.
Seatbelts are most effective when the upper attachment point to the vehicle is positioned vertically close to the shoulder of the occupant being restrained. If the attachment point is too low, the occupant experiences discomfort from the rubbing of the belt on his or her shoulder. If it is too high the occupant may experience discomfort due to the rubbing of the belt against his or her neck and the occupant will move forward by a greater amount during a crash which may result in his or her head striking the steering wheel. For these reasons, it is desirable to have the upper seatbelt attachment point located slightly above the occupant's shoulder. To accomplish this for various sized occupants, the location of the occupant's shoulder must be known which can be accomplished by the vehicle interior monitoring system described herein.
Such a system is illustrated in FIG. 6 which is a side planer view of a seatbelt anchorage adjustment system. In this system, an infrared transmitter and CCD array receiver 620 is positioned in a convenient location such as the headliner located above and to the outside of the occupant's shoulder. An appropriate pattern recognition system as described above is then used to determine the location and position of the shoulder. This information is fed to the seatbelt anchorage height adjustment system 632, shown schematically, which moves the attachment point 631 to the optimum vertical location for the proper placement of the seatbelt 630.
FIG. 7 is an angular perspective overhead view of a vehicle 710 about to be impacted in the side by an approaching vehicle 720, where vehicle 710 is equipped with an anticipatory sensor system showing a transmitter 730 transmitting infrared waves toward vehicle 720. The transmitter 730 is connected to an electronic module 740. Module 740 contains circuitry 742 to drive transmitter 730 and circuitry 744 to process the returned signals from receivers 734 and 736 (FIG. 7A). Circuitry 744 contains a neural computer 745 which performs the pattern recognition determination based on signals from receivers 734 and 736. Receivers 734 and 736 are mounted onto the B-Pillar of the vehicle and are covered with a protective transparent cover. An alternate mounting location is shown as 738 which is in the door window trim panel where the rear view mirror (not shown) is frequently attached. One additional advantage of this system is the ability of infrared to penetrate fog and snow which makes this technology particularly applicable for anticipatory sensing applications.
The same system can also be used for the detection of objects in the blind spot of the vehicle and the image displayed for the operator to see, or a warning system activated, if the operator attempts to change lanes, for example. In this case, the mounting location must be chosen to provide a good view along the side of the vehicle in order to pickup vehicles which are about to pass vehicle 710. Each of the locations 734, 736 and 730 provide sufficient field of view for this application although the space immediately adjacent to the vehicle could be missed. Alternate locations include mounting onto the outside rear view mirror or the addition of a unit in the rear window or C-Pillar. The mirror location, however, does leave the device vulnerable to being covered with ice, snow and dirt.
In both cases of the anticipatory sensor and blind spot detector, the infrared transmitter and CCD array system provides mainly image information to permit recognition of the object in the vicinity of vehicle 710. To complete the process, distance information is also require as well as velocity information, which can in general be obtained by differentiating the position data. This can be accomplished by any one of the several methods discussed above as well as with a radar system. Radar systems, which would not be acceptable for use in the interior of the vehicle, are now commonly used in sensing applications exterior to the vehicle, police radar being one well known example. Miniature radar systems are now available which are inexpensive and fit within the available space. Another advantage of radar in this application is that it is easy to get a transmitter with a desirable divergence angle so that the device does not have to be aimed. The best mode of practicing the invention for these cases is to use radar and the second best is the pulsed GaAs laser system, along with a CCD array, although the use of two CCD arrays or the acoustical systems are also good choices. Both the acoustical and the stenographic system using the two CCD arrays have the disadvantage of being slower than the GaAs device and the acoustical system in addition must be mounted outside of the vehicle where it may be affected by the accumulation of deposits onto the active surface.
In a preferred implementation, transmitter 730 is an infrared transmitter and receivers 734, 736 and 738 are CCD transducers which receive the reflected infrared waves from vehicle 720. In the implementation shown in FIG. 7, an exterior airbag 790 is shown which deploys in the event that a side impact is about to occur as described in copending application Ser. No. 08/247,760 cross referenced above.
FIG. 8 illustrates the exterior monitoring system for use in detecting the headlights of an oncoming vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle in front of vehicle 810. In this embodiment, the CCD array is designed to be sensitive to visible light and a separate source of illumination is not used. Once again, the key to this technology is the use of trained pattern recognition algorithms and particularly of the artificial neural network. Here as in the other cases above and in the co-pending patent applications referenced above, the pattern recognition system is trained to recognize the pattern of the headlights of an oncoming vehicle or the tail lights of a vehicle in front of vehicle 810 and to then dim the headlights when either of these conditions is sensed. It is also trained to not dim the lights from other reflections such as off of a sign post or the roadway. One problem is to differentiate taillights where dimming is desired from distant headlights where dimming is not desired. Three techniques are used: (i) measurement of the spacing of the light sources, (ii) determination of the location of the light sources relative to the vehicle, and (iii) use of a red filter where the brightness of the light source through the filter is compared with the brightness of the unfiltered light. In the case of the taillight, the brightness of the red filtered and unfiltered light is nearly the same while there is a significant difference for the headlight case. In this situation, either two CCD arrays are used, one with a filter, or a filter which can be removed either electrically, such as with a liquid crystal, or mechanically.
There has thus been shown and described a monitoring system for monitoring both the interior and the exterior of the vehicle using an optical system with one or more CCD arrays and other associated equipment which fulfills all the objects and advantages sought after. Many changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications of the subject invention will, however, become apparent to those skilled in the art after considering this specification and the accompanying drawings which disclose the preferred embodiments thereof All such changes, modifications, variations and other uses and applications which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention are deemed to be covered by the invention which is limited only by the following claims. | A vehicle interior monitoring system to identify, locate and monitor occupants, including their parts, and other objects in the passenger compartment and objects outside of a motor vehicle, such as an automobile or truck, by illuminating the contents of the vehicle and objects outside of the vehicle with electromagnetic, and specifically infrared, radiation and using one or more lenses to focus images of the contents onto one or more arrays of charge coupled devices (CCD arrays). Outputs from the CCD arrays, are analyzed by appropriate computational means employing trained pattern recognition technologies, to classify, identify or locate the contents or external objects. In general, the information obtained by the identification and monitoring system is used to affect the operation of some other system in the vehicle. When system is installed in the passenger compartment of an automotive vehicle equipped with an airbag, the system determines the position of the vehicle occupant relative to the airbag and disables deployment of the airbag if the occupant is positioned so that he/she is likely to be injured by the deployment of the airbag. | 6 |
This is a continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/547,889 filed on Jul. 3, 1990.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for treating RNA viral infections by utilizing the type of specified RNA chain terminating agents disclosed herein. The class of compounds useful in treating those viral infections are 3'-substituted ribonucleosides. In contrast to the extensive literature treatment wherein the effects of 2'-deoxy, 3'-substituted nucleosides were studied, the agents disclosed herein useful in the method of the present invention relate to agents acting as RNA chain terminators, particularly as potent inhibitors of RNA virus replication. Although not wanting to be limited by theory, it is believed that these compounds interfere with messenger RNA synthesis and also block viral genome replication.
In the past, numerous alpha and beta-D-ribofuranosyl nucleosides had been used to study antiviral activity against Herpes simplex virus-1, Herpes simplex virus-2, Vaccinia virus, Vesicular stomatitius virus, Poliovirus-1, Coxsackie virus B4, Parainfluenza virus-3, Reovirus, Sindbis virus, Semliki forest virus, Rhinovirus 1A, Rhinovirus-9. Of the various compounds studied in relation to these viruses, three compounds in particular showed marked biological activity. However, the compounds of the present invention have not been studied specifically for RNA viral activity.
More recently, 3'-O-methyl nucleosides have been shown to inhibit Vaccinia virus RNA synthesis in infected cells and 3'-fluoroguanosine has been shown to be an antiviral agent. The viruses reviewed with the fluoroguanosine are Reovirus 1, Sindbis virus, Coxsackie virus and Semliki forest virus.
An object of the present invention relates to providing a mechanism by which to correlate in vitro RNA chain terminator studies with in vivo such studies leading to the use of RNA chain terminators in controlling and/or treating RNA viral infections. Further, it is an object of the present invention to provide a method for treating RNA viral infections. These and/or other objects of the invention will become clearer with the more detailed description of the invention provided hereinbelow.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method of controlling and/or treating RNA viral infections by utilizing RNA chain terminators. Viral infections resulting from the following types of viruses are prevented and/or controlled by administering the RNA chain terminators disclosed herein as well as other such analogues to an (warm-blooded) animal or plant. The viruses include positive, negative and/or double-strand RNA viruses such as picornaviruses (included but not limited to poliovirus, rhinoviruses, hepatitis A), togaviruses, orthomyxoviridae, Bunyavididae and Arevavirdae), rhabdoviridae and paramyxoviridae which infect animals and human beings, are included. An RNA chain terminating agent is administered to said animal or plant. Further, the present invention relates to the use of specific 3'-substituted ribonucleosides useful in antiviral therapy. More specifically, 3'-deoxyribouracil (d-U), or (d-UTP), 3'-deoxyribocytosine (d-C) or (d-CTP) and 3'-deoxyriboguanine (dG) or (d-GTP) are useful RNA chain terminating agents. Although, 3'-deoxyriboadenine (dA) or (dATP) is also an RNA chain terminating agent, it may have toxicities associated with its use in vivo.
All plants and animals infected by RNA replicating viruses can be treated by the method of the present invention. For instance, in the plant area, viral infections caused by plant Comoviruses are RNA replicating viruses which can be controlled and/or treated by the method of the present invention. More specifically, tymoviruses, sobemoviruses, tombusviruses, tobacco necrosis virus, luteoviruses, tobamovinuses, potexviruses, potyviruses and closteroviruses are monopartite genomic viruses controlled and/or treated by the methods of the present invention. Bipartite genomic RNA-replicating viruses which are included in the present methods are comoviruses, nepoviruses, tobraviruses, dianthoviruses, pea enation mosaic virus and furoviruses. Tripartite genomic RNA-replicating viral infections controlled and/or treated by the methods of the present invention include diseases caused by the following viruses: alfafa mosaic virus, flarviruses, bromoviruses, cucumoviruses, hordeiviruses and tomato spotted wilt virus.
In the animal health and nutrition area, all animals infected by RNA replicating viruses can be treated with the present method. For instance, picornavirus is responsible for avian encephalomyelitis, duck hepatitis and calicivirus (cat) infections. Orthomyxovirus is responsible for fowl plague and avian influenza. Coronavirus causes infectious bronchitis and coronaviral enteritis in poultry and canine corona virus in dogs. Togavirus is responsible for pheasant encephalitis; paramyxovirus causes Newcastle's Disease in poultry and canine distemper and parainfluenza in dogs. Rhabdovirus is responsible for rabies and viral hemorrhagic disease in fish (cold-blooded animal RNA replicating viruses are also included herein). Finally reovirus is responsible for poultry infectious bursal disease.
In the human disease area such diseases as polio, respiratory tract influenza and Hepatitis A and other very serious diseases such as measles, mumps, rabies and vesicular stomatis virus are controlled and/or treated by the present invention. Reovirues include Colorado tick fever.
Drug dosages useful in treating human beings or animals range from 0.01 mg/kg to 10,000 mg/kg. With regard to plants treatment, drug concentrations of 0.001 mM to 100 mM are useful.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
EXAMPLE 1
In Vitro Viral RNA-Dependent RNA Polymerase Assays
Recombinant poliovirus RNA polymerase is purified from bacterial strain BL21(DE3)LysS harboring plasmid PT7-POL following induction with isopropyl-β-thiogalactopyranodie(9). This bacterial strain was obtained from Dr. W. Studier, Brookhaven National Laboratories, Long Island, N.Y. The enzyme is assayed by determining its poly(A)-dependent oligo(U)-primed poly(U) polymerase activity. Assays are performed at 30° C. for 1 hr in 25μ reaction mixtures containing 1.0μ of purified enzyme, 50 mM herpes buffer PH 8.0, 10-100 μM UTP, 5 mM DTT, 3.5 mM magnesium acetate, 0.06 mM zinc sulfate, 20 ug rifampin per ml, 1.0 ug of oligo( U 15-30) 2.5 ug of poly(A), and 2.5 uCI of [α- 32 P]UTP. When included, 3'-deoxy UTP is added over a concentration range indicated in the tables hereinbelow. Reactions are stopped with 10 mM EDTA, and the labeled product collected by precipitation on GN-6 membrane filters with ice-cold 10% trichloroacetic acid in the presence of 100 μg carrier RNA. The filter radioactivity is measured by liquid scintillation counter techniques. The enzymes are also assayed for RNA-dependent RNA polymerase activity. Transcription reactions are performed using the conditions described above for transcription of poly(A) homopolymer, except that 400 μM adenosinetriphosphate (ATP), cytosinetriphosphate (CTP), guaninetriphasphate (GTP), 15 uM uraciltriphasphate (UTP), 20 ng oligo(UH15-30), and 12.5 uCI of [α- 32 P]UTP, 0.5 mM ATP, 0.05 mM UTP are used. When included, 3'-deoxynucleoside triphosphate is added at either 0.1 or 0.25 mM final concentration. The concentrations of CTP and GTP vary depending on the 3'-deoxynucleoside triphosphate present in the reaction. When 3'-deoxy-UTP is added, CTP and GTP are present at 0.5 MM. When 3'-deoxy-CTP is added, CTP is present at 0.05 mM and GTP at 0.5 mM. Controls containing the variable amounts of CTP or GTP but without added 3'-deoxynucleoside triphosphates are included in all assays. Reaction aliquots are stopped and the labeled products collected and counted as described above for the poliovirus poly(U) polymerase assay except that the filter radioactivity is measured in the presence of scintillation fluid (Aquasol).
Vesicular stomatitus virus (VSV) is a gift from Dr. Richard Peluso (Mt. Sinai Medical Center). RNA polymerase activity is measured using detergent disrupted virus (12). Assays are performed at 30° C. and aliquots are removed fro analysis after 30 and 60 min. Reaction mixtures (in 100 μl total volume) containing ul of pelleted virus resuspended in saline, 50 MM Tris-acetate-pH 7.8, 8 mM magnesium acetate, 0.3M potassium acetate, 0.2% NP-40, 5 MM DTT, 5-10 uCi [α- 32 P]UTP, 5 MM ATP, 0.05 mM UTP are used. The concentrations of CTP and GTP and the 3'-deoxynucleoside triphosphates vary exactly as described above for the influenza virus assays.
EXAMPLE 2
In Vivio Assays
Mammalian cell lines, MDCK CCL34 and HeLa cells CCL2 (both obtained under those accession numbers from ATCC culture) are plated in 96 well microtiter dishes at a density of 3.5×10 4 cells per well and infected with virus at low multiplicity followed by treatment with drug 24 hours after plating of cells; drug concentrations range from 0.025-12.5 mM. MDCK cells are infected with influenza virus (strain A/NWS) and HeLA cells are infected with HRV 14-14VR-284 (obtained from ATCC) (human rhinovirus 14) or CVB 3 VR30 (coxsackie virus B 3 strain Nancy obtained from ATCC); replicate uninfected cell cultures are treated with drug as toxicity control. At 48 hours after infection the extent of virus growth is determined by ELISA in the case of influenza virus or by the MTT (tetrazolium dye) cell viability assay in the cases of HRV 14 and CVB 3 . The influenza A (A/NWS)VR-129 (ATCC) virus ELISA assay utilizes a primary monoclonal antibody to the virus hemagglutinin protein and a secondary antibody conjugated to B-galactosidase. Cytotoxicity of drugs in uninfected cell cultures is determined by MTT cell viability assay at 48 hours after drug treatment
Mice: Female DBA/2 mice in the weight range 10-12 grams are used to assess the antiviral activity of 3'deoxynucleosides against influenza A virus. Mice are lightly anesthetized by inhalation of CO 2 and then infected with influenza A virus (strain A/NWS) by instillation of 10 ul of virus suspension into the nostrils. Virus inoculum containing 5×10 5 PFU/ml of mouse passaged virus suspended in PBS containing 2% fetal bovine serum is used. The test compounds are dissolved in PBS at various concentrations and administered to animals by intraperitioneal injection of 0.2 ml of drug solution; doses are either 200 or 600 mg/kg.
EXAMPLE 3
In Vitro Acitvity
It is known (13) that in the presence of an oligo(U) primer, any poly(A)-tailed RNA can serve as a template for poliovirus RNA polymerase with an efficiency similar to that of authentic poliovirus RNA to study inhibition with 3'-substituted analogues. Globin RNA, poly-A-tailed 7.5 Kb RNA (obtained from BRL), and poly(A) homopolymer are used as templates for the RNA transcription reaction. Results with six 3'-substituted nucleotides for the two RNA templates and poly(A) are represented in TABLES I, II and III hereinbelow.
TABLE I______________________________________% Inhibition Molar Ratio of 3 'deoxy With 0.6 Kb With 7.5 Kb 3'-deoxy NTP to NTP Globin RNA RNA NTP______________________________________1:1 8 56 3'-d ATP 1:1 40 74 3'-d CTP 1:1 39 72 3'-d UTP 1:1 37 82 3'-d GTP 1:1 0 7 3'-ome ATP 1:1 3 4 3'-ome GTP 5:1 45 3'-d ATP 5:1 73 3'-d CTP 5:1 72 3'-d UTP 5:1 68 3'-d GTP 5:1 25 3'-ome ATP 5:1 0 3'-ome GTP______________________________________
TABLE II______________________________________With PolyA-homopolymer and OligoU-primer:* Molar ratio of 3'-dUTP to UTP % Inhibition______________________________________1:50 15 1:25 33 1:5 58 1:1 83______________________________________ *The transcription reactions are performed at 100 uM concentration of UTP Ten fold reduction of concentration of both 3dUTP and UTP does not change the % inhibition.
TABLE III______________________________________Detergent-disrupted virus RNA transcription assays: 3'-deoxy- Molar ratio of nucleoside 3'-deoxy NTP % Inhibition triphosphate______________________________________Influenza virus: 2:1 10 3' deoxy-UTP 5:1 34 2:1 4 3'-deoxy-CTP 5:1 28 2:1 55 3'-deoxy-GTP VSV: 2:1 0 3'-deoxy-UTP 5:1 15 2:1 0 3'-deoxy-CTP 5:1 0 2:1 13 3'-deoxy-GTP 5:1 7______________________________________
EXAMPLE 4
In Vivo Assays: The Results of the In Vivo Experiments are Provided in Tables IV and V Hereinbelow
TABLE IV______________________________________IC.sub.50 Value (mM) Flu A/NWS Tox HRV 14 Tox CVB3 Tox______________________________________3'-dA 0.8 1.4 0.048 0.13 ND ND 3'-dC 0.9 5 0.025 1.8 0.09 1.8 3'-dG 0.27 2.1 0.28 3.4 ND ND 3'-dU 0.085 12.5 0.027 2.4 0.09 2.4 3'-OMeA NA >50 NA >50 ND ND 3'-OMeC NA >50 NA >50 ND ND 3'-OMeG NA >50 NA >50 ND ND 3'-OMeU NA >50 NA >50 ND ND 3'-AzdU NA >12.5 ND ND NA >12.5 3'-AzdC NA >12.5 ND ND NA >12.5______________________________________
TABLE V______________________________________MOUSE MODEL % Survival Dose (mg/kg) MST (Days) % ILS* (14 Days)______________________________________Control 10 0 3'dC 200 mg/kg 11 10 0 600 mg/kg 12 20 10 3'dU 200 mg/kg >14 >40 60 600 mg/kg 10 0 10______________________________________ Note: 5 mice were used in each experimental group *% ILSincrease in life span
As can be seen by the results provided hereinabove, several 3'-deoxy and 3'-substituted ribonucleosides are examined for antiviral activity and cytotoxicity in cell culture and as inhibitors of viral RNA polymerases in vitro. The rationale for conducting these studies is that 3'-modified nucleosides are known to act as chain terminators and inhibit the elongation of polynucleotides; however, most of the work to date has been directed toward inhibition of DNA synthesis by use of 2'-deoxy analogues which have been further modified at the 3' position. By retaining the 2'-hydroxyl group, these 3'-modified analogues have specificity for RNA synthesis. Depending on the binding affinities of these analogues for viral RNA polymerases relative to cellular RNA polymerases, specific inhibitors of viral replication exist.
3'-dCTP, 3'-dUTP and 3'-dGTP are effective inhibitors of transcription with the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase of poliovirus (a picornavirus ). All three inhibit transcription very similarly except that 3'dATP is a less active inhibitor at a molar ratio 1:1 with the low molecular weight template.
The degree of inhibition dramatically depends on the molecular weight of the RNA-template. Such dependence is explained only if the analogues work as terminators of growing RNA chains. This experimental result is in agreement with theoretical considerations of the probability of incorporation of the terminators into synthesized RNA.
A correct comparison of efficiency of the analogues as inhibitors can be done for different RNA-polymerases if templates with similar molecular weight are used. This conclusion must also be taken into account when results of experiments in vivo are considered.
3'-deoxy-UTP is moderately active against the influenza virus RNA polymerase and has little or no effect on VSV RNA polymerase. 3'-deoxy-CTP has low to moderately inhibitory activity against influenza RNA polymerase, It does not inhibit VSV RNA polymerase. 3'-deoxy-GTP is a fairly good inhibitor of influenza virus RNA polymerase but is only weakly inhibitory towards the VSV polymerase.
None of the analogues tested have any significant activity against the DNA viruses Herpes Simplex types 1 and 2. On the other hand, the 3'-deoxyribonucleosides exhibit some activity against all of the RNA viruses tested in tissue culture. While the activity against influenza A virus is modest, much more potent antiviral activity is seen with members of the picornavirus group (HRV 14 and CVB 3 ). Of the analogues tested, 3'-dU has the best activity. Substitutions on the 3'-dU (3'-azido or 3'methyl ester) result in no antiviral activity.
There are no suitable animal models of HRV or CVB infection in which to assess the antiviral activity of these compounds. Therefore the compounds are only tested against a murine model of influenza A virus infection. In this model, 3'-deoxyribocystosine has minimal antiviral activity at the doses tested but 3'-dU shows significant protection of animals at a dose of 200 mg/kg given daily, as evidenced by the increase in life span of treated animals. The drug 3'-deoxyribouracil (3'0dU) appears to have toxicity at the higher dose level.
These data indicate that the results from the in vitro and in vivo studies are for the most part compatible-compounds that are potent inhibitors of picornaviral (poliovirus) RNA transcription in vitro are effective inhibitors of picornaviral replication in vivo, and compounds that are weak to moderate inhibitors of influenza viral RNA transcription in vitro are likewise moderately effective against viral replication in vivo.
BIBLIOGRAPHY
1. Walker, R. T., De Clercq, E., Eckstein, F. Nucleoside Analogue; Chemistry, Bilogy and Medical Application. Eds.; Nato Advances Study Institutes Series: Serie A, Life Sciences Vol. 26; Plenum Press: New York, 1979.
2. Gosselin, G., Bergogne, M-C. Rudder, J., Clercq, E., Imbach, J-L. Systematic Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of α- and β-D-Xylofuranosyl Nucleosides of the five naturally occurring bases in nucleic acids and related analogues. J. Med. Chem. 1986,29,203-214.
3. Axelrod, V. D., Vartikyan, R. M., Aivazashvilli, V. A., Bebelashvilly, R. S. Specific termination of RNA polymerase synthesis as a method of RNA and DNA sequencing. Nucleic Acids Res. 1978,5, 549-3553.
4. Axelrod, V. D., Kramer, F. R. Transcription from bacteriophage T7 and SP6 RNA polymerase promoters in the presence of 3'-deoxyribonucleoside 5'-triphosphate chain terminators. Biochemistry, 1985,24,5716-5723.
5. Kramer, F. R., and Mills, D. R. RNA sequencing with radioactive chain-terminating ribonucleotides. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A., 1978,75,5334-5338.
6. Kutateladse, T. V., Bebelashvill, R. Sh., Alexandrova, L. A., Obukhov, A. G., Kraevsky, A. A. Analogs of nucleoside triphosphates with modified sugar residues as substrates for RNA polymerase. Molekularnaya Biologia, 1986,20,267-276.
7. Goswami, B B. and Sharma, S. K. Inhibition of vaccinia virus growth and virus-specific RNA synthesis by 3'-O-methyl adenosine and 3'-O-methyl guanosine. J. Virology. 1983,45,1164-1167.
8. Puech, F., Gosselin, G., Imbach, J-L. Synthesis of 9-(3-Deoxy-3-fluor-D-ribofuranosyl)guanine, a new potent antiviral agent. J. Chem. Socl, chem. Commun., 1989,955-957.
9. Plotch, S. J. Palant, O., and Gluzman, Y. Purification and propterties of poliovirus RNA polymerase expressed in Escherichia coli. J. Virology, 1989, 63,216-225.
10. Plotch, S. J. and Krug, R. M. Influenza virion transcriptase: Synthesis in vitro of large, polyadenylic acid-containing complementary RNA. J. Virology, 1977,21,24-24.
11. Plotch, S. J., Tomasz, J., and Krug, R. M. Absence of detectable capping and methylating enzymes in influenza virions. J. Virology, 1978,28,75-83.
12. Beckes, J. D., Haller, A. A., and Perrault, J. Differential effect of ATP concentration on synthesis of vesicular stomatitus virus leader RNAs and mRNAs. J. Virology, 1987,61,3470-3478.
13. Tuschall, M., Hiebert, E., and Flanegan, J. B. Poliovirus RNA-dependent RNA polymerase synthesizes full-length copies of poliovirion RNA, cellular mRNA, and several plant virus RNAs in vitro. J. Virology. 1982,44,209-216. | The present invention relates to methods for controlling and/or treating RNA-replicating viral infections which afflict human beings, animals and/or plants. Specifically, the RNA chain terminating agents, 3'-deoxyribouracil, 3'-deoxyriboguanine and 3'-deoxyribocytosine are useful in treating RNA-replicating viral infections. | 0 |
This is a continuation of application Ser. No. 08/654,597, filed May 29, 1996, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,669,180.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to the field of windows and specifically to a brake shoe and pivot assembly for a window counterbalance.
2. Description of the Related Art
Double hung windows are provided with counterbalances for maintaining a sash in an elevated position. Springs or weights connected to the sash to act as the counterbalance. Many window sashes are adapted for tilting inwardly for cleaning. The sash tilts on a pivot assembly at the bottom of the sash. Spring operated tilt latches at the top of the sash retain the sash in the vertical position and are released for pivoting of the sash.
The pivot assembly commonly is associated with a brake that firmly maintains the sash in place when the sash is tilted. Examples of such pivots and brakes are shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,610,108 to Marshik, 5,069,001 to Makarowski, 5,139,291 to Schultz, 5,237,775 to Hardy and 5,243,783 to Schmidt et al, all incorporated herein by reference. The pivot assembly is typically fastened to the sash with screws or otherwise, as shown in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,251,401 and 5,371,971 to Prete.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a pivot assembly for a window assembly having a window sash with a notch defining a pair of opposed tracks and having a brake assembly slidably disposed in a frame of the window assembly. The pivot assembly includes a rigid body and a pivot bar projecting from the body. The pivot bar has an end adapted for being received in the brake assembly. A flange extends from the body and has walls spaced from walls of the body so as to define a pair of opposed channels. The assembly is slidable into the window sash and the channels are adapted for receiving the opposed tracks of the window sash therein.
The flange and body define a generally I-shaped cross section. The flange walls are flexible for accommodating deformations and thickness variations of edges of the track received in the channels. The walls of the body are sloped for accommodating deformations and thickness variations of edges of the track received in the channels. The body is generally parallelepipedic and includes a longitudinal bore receiving the pivot bar therein, wherein the bore is stepped so as to define a lip and a stop, the pivot bar is provided with a detent engaging the lip, and an end of the pivot bar engages against the stop to limit longitudinal movement of the pivot bar and retain the pivot bar in the body.
A detent projects from the body and is adapted for engaging a wall of the window sash for retaining the pivot assembly therein. The body is generally parallelepipedic and further comprises a longitudinal bore receiving the pivot bar therein. The bore is stepped so as to define a lip and the pivot bar is provided with a detent engaging the lip to limit longitudinal movement of the pivot bar and retain the pivot bar in the body. The bore is stepped so as to define a stop and an end of the pivot bar engages against the stop to limit longitudinal movement of the pivot bar and retain the pivot bar in the body. A flange projects from the pivot bar and is adapted for engaging in the brake assembly. The flange is spaced from an end of the pivot bar to define a nose.
The invention also provides a pivot and brake assembly for a window assembly. The invention includes a brake assembly having a housing slidably disposed in a frame of the window assembly; a brake movable to engage the frame so as to resist movement of the housing in the frame; a cam disposed in the housing and rotatable for moving the brake.
The pivot and brake assembly also includes a pivot assembly having a rigid body; a pivot bar projecting from the body and having an end received in the cam so that pivoting of the pivot bar rotates the cam; and a flange extending from the body and having walls spaced from walls of the body for defining a pair of opposed channels, the assembly being slidable into a notched window sash of the window assembly and the channels being adapted for receiving opposed tracks of the window sash therein.
The cam includes a central passage in which the pivot bar is received, the bore having a lip therein, and the pivot bar includes a flange projecting from the pivot bar and engaging the lip to limit longitudinal movement of the pivot bar and retain the pivot bar in the cam. The flange is spaced from an end of the pivot bar to define a nose and the cam is provided with a back wall for engaging the nose to limit longitudinal movement of the pivot bar and retain the pivot bar in the cam. The pivot bar is eccentric and the cam includes an eccentric passage in which the pivot bar is received, the bar and passage mating so as to limit rotation of the bar relative to the cam.
The invention also provides a window assembly including a frame having two spaced, opposing, generally parallel slide channels. A sash has two spaced, generally parallel stiles and spaced, generally parallel header and footer rails assembled to form a generally rectangular shape. Each of said stiles is adapted for sliding along a corresponding one of the slide channels, and said footer rail has a hollow construction and a notch at each end thereof, each notch defining a pair of opposed, generally parallel tracks. A pair of brake assemblies as described above are slidably disposed in the respective slide channels. The brake is movable to engage the slide channel so as to resist movement of the housing in the slide channel. A pair of pivot assemblies as described above are slidable into the notch of the sash and the channels receiving opposed tracks of the respective window sash notch therein. A counterbalance is disposed in each of the slide channels and attached to the corresponding brake assembly.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a double hung window assembly;
FIG. 2 shows an exploded perspective view of a lower corner of a sash and a pivot assembly;
FIG. 3 shows an end view of the pivot assembly;
FIG. 4 shows a side view of the pivot assembly;
FIG. 5 shows a sectional side view of the pivot assembly taken from line 5--5 of FIG. 3;
FIG. 6 shows a side view of a pivot bar;
FIG. 7 shows an end view of the pivot bar;
FIG. 8 shows a top view of the pivot bar;
FIG. 9 shows an exploded perspective view of a brake assembly;
FIG. 10 shows a sectional view of a cam taken from line 10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 shows an elevational view of brake assembly installed in a window frame;
FIG. 12 shows the elevational view of FIG. 11 in a locked position; and
FIG. 13 shows a top sectional view of the window frame taken from line 13--13 of FIG. 11.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Referring to FIG. 1, a double hung window assembly 10 includes an upper sash 11 and a lower sash 12 that are slidable in a window frame 14. The lower sash 12, for example, includes vertically disposed stiles 16 and horizontally disposed rails 18 including an upper header rail and a lower footer rail. The window frame includes vertical jambs 20 defining opposed vertical slide channels 22 or tracks. Brake assemblies 24 are slidable in respective slide channels 22. Lower corners of the sash 12 are provided with pivot assemblies 26 that are associated with respective brake assemblies 24 to define pivot and brake assemblies. The brake assemblies 24 are supported by respective counterbalances, such as balance springs 28 disposed in the slide channels 22. Tilt latches 30 are disposed in upper corners of the sash 12 for releasably retaining the upper end of the sash in the slide channels 22.
Referring to FIGS. 2 through 5, the pivot assembly 26 includes a housing 32 and a pivot bar 34 located therein. The housing 32 includes a body 36 having a longitudinal bore 38. The bore 38 shown is generally rectangular, but other shapes are suitable as is apparent from the following description of the pivot bar 34. The bore 38 is stepped, that is, different parts of the bore have different cross-sectional dimensions and shapes. One end of the bore defines a mouth 40 slightly wider than the pivot bar 34 to facilitate installation and allow slight flexing thereof. A main part 42 of the bore is sized to snugly retain the pivot bar 34 therein. Another end of the bore is circular in cross section and defines a stop 44 against which the pivot bar 34 abuts. Adjacent the stop, a bottom wall is recessed to define a lip 46.
The bottom of the housing 32 is provided with a flange 48 or pair of flanges spaced above the body 36 and defining a pair of walls 50. The flange 48 and body 36 define a generally I-shaped cross section. The bottom of the body 36 has sloped walls 52. The walls 50, 52 define channels 54 that are wider toward the center of the body. A retaining detent 56 projects from the top of the body near one end.
Referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, the pivot bar 34 has a U-shaped cross section of formed metal. One end of the pivot bar is provided with laterally extending flanges 60. A detent 62 projects from a bottom wall of the pivot bar near another end. The pivot bar 34 is located within the bore 38 of the housing 32 so that the pivot bar detent 62 engages behind the lip 46 to prevent longitudinal movement of the pivot bar in one direction, as shown in FIG. 5. An end of the pivot bar 34 engages the stop 44 to prevent longitudinal movement of the pivot bar in another direction. The pivot bar projects from the housing 32 so that the flanges are spaced from the housing.
Other configurations of the pivot bar are also suitable. For example, referring to FIGS. 6-8, the pivot bar 34a can be cast as a bar having a rectangular cross section with rounded corners. The Flanges 60a extend from long edges of the bar and have ends 64 defining segments of a single circle. The flanges 60a can be set back from the end of the bar to define a longitudinally projecting nose 63. The detent 62a projects from one of the long edges near an end of the pivot bar 34a. The pivot bar 34a fits in the bore 38 similarly to the pivot bar 34 previously discussed. For other configurations of the pivot bar, the bore of the housing is correspondingly sized and shaped to accommodate the pivot bar.
Referring to FIG. 2, the lower end of the sash stile 16 is provided with a notch 66 or slot to allow passage of the pivot housing 32 therethrough. A second notch 67 or slot is cut in a lower wall of the lower rail 18 to define a pair of opposed tracks 68 or rails. The second notch 67 is as long as the housing 32. The pivot housing 32 is installed in the notch 66 so that the tracks 68 are received in the channels 54. The detent 56 (FIG. 4) engages behind an outer wall of the stile 16 immediately above the notch 66 to retain the housing 32 in place.
As a result of forming and welding the sash 12 and cutting the notches 66, 67, the tracks 68 have inconsistent thickness along their length and are deformed somewhat at their edges. The width of the channels 54 at their openings is such that the tracks snugly fit therein. The sloped walls 52 provide a larger space to accommodate the deformations and inconsistent thickness of the track edges. The channels 54 are deep enough that the walls 50 of the flange 48 are somewhat flexible for accommodating the deformations and inconsistent thickness of the track edges.
Referring to FIGS. 9-12, the brake assembly 24 includes a housing 70, a cam 72, and a movable or deformable brake 74, such as a shoe or spring. The cam 72 has a central passage 76 provided with a lip 78 (FIG. 10) and a lateral opening 80. The passage 76 has a height slightly greater than the thickness of the pivot bar 34a permitting insertion of the pivot bar therein, as shown in FIG. 10. The pivot bar 34, 34a and central passage 76 are eccentric so that they mate, thereby limiting rotation of the pivot bar relative to the cam. The lip 78 is spaced from an internal back wall 82 such that one of the flanges 60a is received behind the lip. The back wall 82 limits longitudinal travel of the pivot bar 34a in one direction by engaging the nose 63 and the lip 78 limits longitudinal travel of the pivot bar 34a in another direction by engaging the flange 60a. A flange 84 is provided on the cam 72 for retaining the cam in the housing 70.
Referring to FIGS. 11-13, the cam 72 and brake 74 are installed in the housing. The housing is slidably disposed in the slide channel 22. Rotation of the cam 72 with the pivot assembly causes outward movement or expansion of the brake 74, as shown in FIG. 12. The brake engages walls of the slide channel 22 to prevent movement of the brake assembly 24. Thus, when the window sash 12 is tilted as shown in FIG. 1, the pivot and brake assembly 24, 26 locks the sash in place. When the sash is in the vertical position, as shown for the upper sash 11, the brake is in the nonlocking retracted position of FIG. 11 and the sash is vertically slidable. Numerous variations of such brake assemblies are suitable, examples of which have been previously cited above.
The present disclosure describes several embodiments of the invention, however, the invention is not limited to these embodiments. Other variations are contemplated to be within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. | A brake is disposed in a window frame. The brake includes a cam that causes the brake to engage the frame to resist movement of the brake. The cam is operated by a pivot assembly mounted in a sash of the window. A body of the pivot assembly slides into a notch in the sash and is retained by a detent. The pivot assembly includes an eccentric pivot bar that is received in an eccentric passage of the cam. The pivot bar engages a stop in the body and has a detent that engages a lip in the body. | 4 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/614,541 filed on Jul. 7, 2003, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/748,482 filed on Dec. 27, 2000 (now U.S. Pat. No. 6,655,741). The disclosure of the above application is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to linear recliner assemblies and more particularly to a linear recliner assembly having a fixed pawl.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Occupant safety and comfort are paramount concerns for automobile manufacturers. In particular, vehicle seating systems are a significant focus for improved comfort and safety. Conventional vehicle seating systems include reclining seats that enable comfort adjustment by a vehicle occupant.
[0004] In reclining seats, a recliner assembly is mounted to a long lever arm, namely the seat back, against which various forces are applied. The recliner assembly in a vehicle seat is quite small when compared with the length of a seatback, and vehicle vibration or movement of an occupant may impose various forces upon that lever arm during use. Because these forces are applied along such a lengthy lever arm, they can impose a large moment about the recliner assembly's pivot point potentially overcoming the capability of the assembly to anchor the seatback.
[0005] In addition, any imperfections in the components of the recliner assembly, such as play or backlash between the engaging teeth or tolerances in the assembly components, may allow the seatback to move a miniscule amount even when the assembly is locked. These small excursions are magnified by the length of the lever arm and become noticeable at the upper end of the seatback. For example, the seatback of an unoccupied seat may tend to oscillate when the vehicle encounters rough road conditions. This magnified play in a recliner assembly has been termed “chucking” and refers to any imperfection or play in the assembly components that allows movement of the lever arm or seatback while the assembly is in a locked condition.
[0006] Therefore, it is desirable in the industry to provide a recliner assembly that significantly reduces or eliminates chucking of a seat assembly. It is further desirable that such a recliner assembly be sufficiently strong, providing adequate occupant protection in the event of an accident.
[0007] It is also desirable in the industry to reduce the overall complexity of traditional reclining assemblies while maintaining operation and safety standards. In this manner, overall cost is reduced through implementation of fewer components and improved manufacturability. Additionally, a weight savings can be achieved through the utilization of fewer components in the reclining assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, a simplified linear recliner assembly according to the present invention overcomes the above described deficiencies of present linear recliner assemblies. Specifically, the linear recliner assembly of the present invention includes fewer components and a less complex overall design than previous linear recliner assemblies.
[0009] The linear recliner assembly of the present invention includes a housing, a recliner rod slidably supported within the housing, a pawl supported by the housing, and a cam rotatably supported by the housing. The cam has a cam surface that slidably interfaces the recliner rod. The cam is rotatable for selectively engaging the recliner rod with the pawl such that the recliner rod is prohibited from linear movement when engaged with the pawl. Preferably, the cam is biased in a first direction of rotation to force the recliner rod into engagement with the pawl. The cam is rotatable against the biasing force to disengage the recliner rod from the pawl for linear adjustment of the recliner rod relative to the housing.
[0010] Some advantages of the linear recliner assembly of the present invention include improvements in cost, weight and manufacturability of the linear recliner assembly.
[0011] A further advantage of the present invention is a simple, compact construction that reduces tolerance stack-up that would otherwise result in significant seat back chucking.
[0012] Additionally, packaging and trim of the overall seat assembly is more easily achieved because the recliner assembly's moving parts are internal to the compact housing.
[0013] Additional advantages and features of the present invention will become apparent from the subsequent description and the appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0014] FIG. 1 is a side view detailing components of a linear recliner assembly according to the present invention;
[0015] FIG. 2 is a top view of the linear recliner assembly of FIG. 1 ;
[0016] FIG. 3 is a side view of the linear recliner assembly of FIG. 1 , showing the linear recliner assembly is a disengaged state;
[0017] FIG. 4 is a side view detailing components of a second preferred embodiment of the linear recliner assembly; and
[0018] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of a seat assembly implementing the linear recliner assembly of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] With reference to FIGS. 1 through 3 , a preferred embodiment of a linear recliner assembly 10 will be described in detail. The linear recliner assembly 10 includes a housing 12 that includes a first support plate 14 and a second support plate 16 . A recliner rod 18 is slidably supported within the housing 12 and includes a toothed rack 20 formed in a top face 22 . A pawl 24 is supported within the housing 12 and has a tooth portion 26 on a surface 28 facing the toothed rack 20 of the reclining rod 18 . The pawl 24 is fixed between the first and second support plates 14 , 16 to prohibit pivoting or other movement relative to the housing 12 . A cam 30 is rotatably supported between the first and second support plates 14 , 16 and has a cammed surface 32 that contacts a bottom face 34 of the recliner rod 18 . The cam 30 is fixed for rotation with a spindle 36 , which is rotatably supported by the first and second support plates 14 , 16 through respective openings 38 , 40 . The spindle 36 includes a splined portion 42 at a distal end, to which a handle or lever 44 may be attached (see FIG. 5 ).
[0020] The cam 30 is rotatable between a first and second position. In a first position, the cam 30 forces the recliner rod 18 into engagement with the pawl 24 . Specifically, the cam 30 pushes against the bottom surface 34 of the recliner rod 18 to force the toothed rack 20 of the recliner rod 18 and the tooth portion 26 of the pawl 24 to engage. In this position, the recliner rod 18 is prohibited from linear movement relative to the housing 12 . The cam 30 is rotatable to a second position wherein the recliner rod 18 disengages the pawl 24 . In this position, the recliner rod is free to move linearly relative to the housing 12 .
[0021] Preferably the recliner rod 18 remains in the engaged position until an operator disengages the recliner rod 18 in order to adjust a respective seat assembly (see FIG. 5 ). Accordingly, the cam 30 is preferably biased in the first position by a biasing mechanism 46 . In a first preferred embodiment, the biasing mechanism 46 includes a biasing rod 48 that includes a cylindrical portion 50 , a collar 52 disposed intermediately along the cylindrical portion 50 , and a ball 54 formed at distal end of the cylindrical portion 50 . The biasing rod 48 is slidably supported within a guide bracket 56 , which is supported by the housing 12 . The guide bracket 56 includes a seat area 58 and an opening 60 through which the cylindrical portion 50 of the biasing rod 48 is disposed. A biasing spring 62 is disposed about the cylindrical portion 50 between the collar 52 and the seat area 58 of the guide bracket 56 . The biasing spring 62 biases the biasing rod 48 away from the guide bracket 56 . The ball 54 of the biasing rod 48 seats within a socket 64 of the cam 30 . The relationship between the ball 54 and socket 64 interface of the biasing rod 48 and cam 30 is similar to that of a conventional ball and socket joint. As best seen if FIG. 1 , the biasing mechanism 46 holds the cam 30 in the first position wherein the recliner rod 18 is engaged with the pawl 24 .
[0022] To disengage the recliner rod 18 from the pawl 24 , an operator rotates the spindle 36 , and thus the cam 30 , against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 46 . The rotation of the cam 30 causes the biasing rod 48 to be pushed toward and/or through the guide bracket 56 , thereby compressing the biasing spring 62 , which is seated between the collar 52 and the seat area 58 of the guide bracket 56 . Additionally, as the cam 30 rotates to the second position, the ball 54 of the biasing rod rotates within the socket 64 of the cam 30 . As best seen in FIG. 2 , when the cam 30 is sufficiently rotated against the biasing force of the biasing mechanism 46 , the recliner rod 18 is free to fall out of engagement with the pawl 24 and the recliner rod 18 may move linearly with respect to the housing 12 . In this manner, the recliner rod 18 can be linearly adjusted with respect to the housing 12 .
[0023] With particular reference to FIG. 4 , a second preferred embodiment of the linear recliner assembly 10 will be described in detail. It should be noted that the second preferred embodiment includes essentially the same components as the first preferred embodiment and, therefore, like reference numerals will be used to identify identical components.
[0024] In the second preferred embodiment, the linear recliner assembly 10 includes a coil spring 70 for biasing the spindle 36 in a first rotational direction, such that the cam 30 acts upon the recliner rod 18 to engage the recliner rod 18 with the pawl 24 . The coil spring 70 includes a first end 72 that is received in a slot 74 of the spindle 36 ′. The coil spring 70 is disposed about the spindle 36 ′ and further includes a second end 76 that is held by a bracket 78 formed within the housing 12 .
[0025] To disengage the recliner rod 18 from the pawl 24 , the cam 30 is rotated in a second rotational direction, against the biasing force of the coil spring 70 . When the cam 30 is sufficiently rotated, the recliner rod 18 disengages the pawl 24 , whereby the recliner rod 18 may move linearly with respect to the housing 12 . In this manner, the recliner rod 18 can be linearly adjusted with respect to the housing 12 .
[0026] With particular reference to FIG. 5 a seat assembly 100 implementing the linear recliner assembly 10 will be described in detail. It should be noted that either the first or second preferred embodiment of the linear recliner assembly 10 can be implemented in the seat assembly 100 . The seat assembly 100 generally includes a seat 102 and a seat back 104 that is pivotal relative to the seat 102 . A support arm 106 is disposed within the seat back for supporting the seat back 104 relative to the seat 102 . The support arm 106 is pivotally attached to a support bracket 108 about an axis Q. A coil spring 110 is disposed about axis Q for biasing the support arm 106 in a first rotational direction relative to the support bracket 108 . The recliner rod 18 includes an attachment point 112 for pivotally attaching the recliner rod 18 to an end of the support arm 106 . As the recliner rod 18 is caused to move linearly with respect to the housing 12 , the linear motion of the recliner rod 18 translates into pivotal motion of the support arm 106 about the axis Q. In this manner, an operator is able to select a desired recline position of the seat back 104 relative to the seat 102 . Further, the coil 110 preferably biases the support arm 106 , and thus the seat back 104 , toward the seat 102 . Thus, when the recliner rod 18 is disengaged from the pawl 24 , the seat back 104 rotates toward the seat 102 , absent any opposing force such as a seated occupant.
[0027] 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. 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 linear recliner assembly is provided having a recliner rod slidably supported within a housing. The recliner rod is selectively engageable with a pawl which is fixed within the housing. The recliner rod is in contact with a cam which is operable to force the recliner rod into engagement with the pawl or enable the recliner rod to fall out of engagement with he pawl. The cam is biased in a first position by a biasing mechanism, such that the recliner rod is engaged with the pawl. The linear recliner assembly is implemented into a seat assembly for enabling an operator to select a plurality of recline positions of a seat back relative to a seat. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates to elongated frame members and more particularly to a four sided frame structure which includes a central member which permits the structure to be divided into multiple display panes, and is a continuation-in-part application of co-pending application serial number 12/(Rose-39) and of design application Ser. No. 29/349,668, filed 20 th of April 2010 each of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Slide in sign frames generally come in two types. One type may be a double-sided sign or graphic arrangement by which the sign may be displayed on both sides thereof and suspended from a ceiling or held up by a post or other rigid support. The other type of sign would be a one-sided sign which would be placed against a flat surface such as a wall, a fixture, a cabinet or other surface for single sided viewing. Such single sided frame arrangements typically utilize the same frame as two-sided viewing, which usually has a symmetrical shape and is not ideal for permanent mounting. Changing the signs in these frames is difficult because they are designed for changing signs with access to both sides of the frame. Further, multiple graphics may be desired the use of which takes advantage of the ease of display change capabilities.
[0003] It is an object of the present invention to provide a frame arrangement which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art.
[0004] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame arrangement which may readily mate against a flat surface while still readily permitting a graphic exchange.
[0005] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a frame arrangement which may display multiple graphics within a common outer frame.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present invention comprises a unique frame assembly for presenting a plurality of graphic display panels therewithin. The frame assembly comprises an elongated outer support rail on at least two sides thereof, and at least one loading rail. In one embodiment, a pair of elongated support rails is connected linearly to one another at a third edge thereof. Each support rail is also connected at their respective other end to its neighboring side rail by an L-shaped bracket inserted therebetween. The fourth side of the frame assembly comprises a pair of linearly connected elongated loading rails. The pair of loading rails are connected at their adjacent ends to the side branches of a T-shaped connector bracket. The opposing outer support rails of the frame assembly are similarly joined at their adjacent ends to the side branches of a similar T-shaped connector bracket.
[0007] The frame assembly is divided into multiple panes by an internal rail, each end of which is connected to the stem of the respective T-shaped brackets which mate the loading rails and the outer support rails together.
[0008] Each elongated outer support rail comprises an elongated front face of generally C shaped configuration in cross section. The front face has a linear front leg. The front face has a rear edge which extends into a generally L-shaped rear leg. A front wall and a rear wall extend inwardly from the front face, and is co-formed with an inside bridge connecting the front wall and the rear wall therewithin. An elongated central connector web extends from a lower side of the inside bridge and is coextruded with an elongated extended flange. The extended flange is generally parallel to the plane of the inside bridge. The elongated central connector web which connects the inside bridge to be extended flange is preferably parallel to the L shaped rear edge of the front face. The extended flange has an elongated first edge which extends distally beyond the front edge or leg of the front face of the support bracket or rail. An elongated central passageway is disposed on the inside edge of the front face and the inside bridge, and the front wall and the rear wall, so as to form a corner bracket receiving channel.
[0009] Each of the loading rails which extend across the uppermost edge of the four sided frame assembly comprises an elongated front face of, for example, generally “C” shape in cross section. A front wall and a rear wall extend inwardly away from the curved front face and are connected to one another by an inside bridge, generally similar to the outer support bracket or rail described herein above. The elongated front face has an elongated front edge and elongated rear edge which define the outer side parameters thereof. The inside bridge and the front wall and the rear wall and the inner side of the front face defines a receiving channel for the side branches of a “T”-shaped connector bracket.
[0010] The four sided frame assembly is divided into multiple panes by the four sided frame assembly having at least one elongated extruded central bracket extending thereacross. The elongated central bracket is comprised of a curvilinear outer face of generally “C” shape in cross-section, having an elongated first edge and an elongated second edge. The front face has a first wall and a second wall which are connected by an inside bridge generally similar to the loading rail or bracket described hereinabove. An elongated central connector is formed with the inside bridge at a mid-point thereof.
[0011] The central connector has a lower edge which is formed with a first extensive flange and a second extensive flange formed therewith. The first extensive flange has a first edge which extends distally beyond the first edge of the front face of the central bracket. The second extensive flange of the central bracket has a second edge which extends distally beyond the second edge of the front face of the central bracket. The first and second walls and the inside bridge arranged on the inner side of the front face of the connector bracket form a connector bracket receiving channel. The connector bracket receiving channel of the elongated central bracket is arranged to receive the inwardly directed stem components of the “T”-shaped connector brackets connecting the upper loading rails or brackets and the elongated lower support rails.
[0012] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges of the side support rails end of the lower edge support rails may have an adhesive coating to their lowermost surfaces, so that the four sided frame assembly may be adhesively joined in a more or less permanent manner, to a wall or display arrangement as needed. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges of the side and lower support rails or brackets may have holes for threaded attachment members into a wall or display support, as needed.
[0013] The invention thus comprises in one aspect thereof, a four sided graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein. The frame assembly comprises a rectilinear arrangement of multiple graphic display receiving support rails connected to a horizontally disposed loading rail arrangement, the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at corners thereof.
[0014] A central bracket arrangement is connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly, the support rails and the central bracket arrangement each having extensive flanges for guided receipt of a graphic display panel. Each support rail has a front face and has a first edge thereon wherein the extensive flanges extended distally beyond the first edge of the front face.
[0015] The invention also comprises a graphic receiving this frame assembly wherein the support rails have a frame enhancing outer edge. The frame enhancing outer edge is of “L” shape in cross shape. The at least one internal rail preferably has a pair of graphic display restraining outer edges. The at least one internal rail has an outer face of, for example, generally “C” shape. The support rails and the at least one internal rail have a connector bracket receiving channel extending longitudinally therethrough. The loading rail comprises a curvilinearly-shaped in cross-section front face and a connector bracket receiving channel defined by an elongated front wall and an elongated rear wall joined by an elongated bridge member.
[0016] A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein, the frame assembly comprising: a plurality of graphic display receiving outer support rails connected to at least one loading rail, the rails joined by an “L” shaped connector at outer corners thereof, the outer support rails having an inwardly directed graphic display support flange; at least one internal rail connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly, the at least one internal rail having a pair of parallel, oppositely extending graphic display support flanges for supportive guided receipt of at least a pair of graphic display panels received between the outer support rails and the at least one internal rail.
[0017] A graphic display disposed in a particular pane within the frame assembly, is hence supported on its rear or back side by flanges extending beyond the distal outer edge of its respective front face, on three sides of that graphic display, and is open to a wall space on its pane loading side.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] The objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent, when viewed in conjunction with the following drawings, in which:
[0019] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the four sided frame assembly constructed according to the principles of the present invention;
[0020] FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view of an elongated side or lower edge support rail or bracket;
[0021] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of the elongated support rail used for the sides and lower portions of the frame assembly of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the elongated extruded loading rail or bracket;
[0023] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the elongated central bracket which divides the four sided frame assembly into multiple panes therewithin;
[0024] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the elongated central bracket displayed in FIG. 4 ;
[0025] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a corner connector for connecting adjacent rails together in a corner of the frame assembly;
[0026] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a “T” shaped connector for connecting three rails together; and
[0027] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an “X” shaped connector for connecting at least four rails together at a common point.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0028] Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to FIG. 1 , there is shown the present invention, which comprises a unique frame assembly 10 for presenting a plurality of peripherally supported graphic display panels “G” therewithin. The display panels “G” are represented as being manually displacable/replacable by the arrows “M” shown thereadjacent. The frame assembly 10 , of four sided configuration shown here, comprises at least one elongated outer (side) support rail 12 at opposite parallel sides thereof, and a pair of elongated (lower) outer support rails 14 connected linearly to one another at a third edge thereof, as represented in FIG. 1 , by a “T” shaped connector bracket 22 , as shown in FIG. 7 . Each bottom support rail 14 is also connected at their respective other end to its neighboring side rail 12 by an “L” shaped bracket 16 connectively inserted therebetween, as shown in FIG. 6 . The fourth or upper side of the frame assembly 10 shown in FIG. 1 , is comprised of a pair of linearly connected elongated loading rails 18 , in one aspect of the present invention, arranged along the upper or top edge as represented in the figures. Such loading rails 18 , may in other embodiments, (not shown for clarity of the figures), be arranged as side rails or an inner rail. In one preferred embodiment, the loading rails 18 are connected to their respective outer support rails 12 , by those “L” shaped connector brackets 16 , as well. The linear pair of loading rails 18 are connected at their adjacent ends to the side branches 20 of a “T”-shaped connector bracket 22 . The outer support rails or brackets 14 of the frame assembly 10 are similarly joined at their adjacent ends to the side branches 20 of a similar T-shaped connector bracket 22 .
[0029] The frame assembly 10 is divided into multiple (at least two) panes “A” and “B”, by one or more internal rails 26 , each end of which is connected to the stem 28 of the respective T-shaped brackets 22 which mate the loading rails 18 and the lower support rails 14 together. In a further embodiment of the present invention, the frame assembly 10 may be divided into four or more panes, not shown for clarity, with the rails intersecting being connecting together by an “X” shaped bracket 25 , as shown in FIG. 8 .
[0030] Each elongated outer rail 12 and outer rail 14 comprise an extruded elongated “outwardly facing” front face 30 of generally “C” shaped configuration in cross section, as commonly represented in FIG. 2 . The front face 30 has a linearly extending display restraining front edge 32 as shown best in FIG. 2A . The front face 30 has a frame enhancing rear edge 34 which extends into a generally L-shaped rear leg 36 , as shown in FIGS. 2 and 2A . The front face 30 is represented as “C” shaped, but in other aspects of this invention, could be of rectilinear or any other desired configuration, (not shown for clarity of viewing). A front wall 38 and a rear wall 40 extend inwardly from the front face 30 , and is/are co-formed with an inside bridge 42 connecting the front 38 wall and the rear wall 40 therewithin. An elongated central connector web 44 extends from a lower side of the inside bridge 42 and is coextruded with an elongated extended support flange 46 . The extended support flange 46 is generally parallel to the plane of the inside bridge 42 . The elongated central connector web 44 which connects the inside bridge 42 to be extended support flange 46 is preferably parallel to the “L” shaped rear edge 36 of the front face 30 . The extended support flange 46 has an elongated first edge 48 which extends distally beyond the front edge 32 of the front face 30 of the support bracket or rail 12 / 14 .
[0031] An elongated central passageway 50 is disposed between the inside portion of the front face 30 and the inside bridge 42 , and the front wall 38 and the rear wall 40 , so that passageway 50 forms a corner bracket receiving channel for engagingly receiving the legs 16 A of the connector bracket 16 shown in FIG. 6 .
[0032] The loading rails 18 which extend across the uppermost edge of the four sided frame assembly 10 , comprises an elongated front face 60 of generally “C” shape in cross section, as shown in FIG. 3 . A front wall 62 and a rear wall 64 extend inwardly away from the curved front face 60 and are connected to one another by an inside bridge 66 , generally similar to the outer support bracket or rail 12 / 14 described hereinabove. The inside bridge 66 is, (when the rails are fully assembled into the frame assembly 10 ), displaced from or spaced apart from the wall “W”, as represented in FIG. 3 , so as to permit a graphic “G” to be inserted/removed between the bridge 66 of the loading rail 18 and the wall “W”.
[0033] The elongated front face 60 has an elongated front edge 68 and elongated rear edge 70 which define the outer side parameters thereof. The inside bridge 66 and the front wall 62 and the rear wall 64 and the inner side of the front face 60 defines a receiving channel 72 for connectively receiving the linearly aligned side branches 20 of the T-shaped connector bracket 22 , which is shown in FIG. 7 . The graphic display “G” being inserted/remover between the loading rail 18 and the wall “W”, as represented in FIG. 3 . The loading rail 18 may be disposed at an upper portion of the assembly 10 as represented in FIG. 1 , or the loading rail(s) 18 may be at a right or left side of the frame assembly 10 , or alternatively, along an internal portion of the assembly 10 .
[0034] The four sided frame assembly 10 is divided into multiple panes (A&B) by the four sided frame assembly 10 having at least one elongated internal rail 26 extending thereacross, as shown in FIG. 1 . The elongated internal rail 26 , shown in cross-section in FIG. 5 and shown in perspective in FIG. 4 , is comprised of a curvilinear outer front face 80 of generally “C” shape in cross-section, having an elongated graphic-display-restraining first edge 82 and an elongated graphic-display-restraining second edge 84 . The front face 80 has a first wall 86 and a second wall 88 which are connected by an inside bridge 90 generally similar to the loading rail or bracket 18 described hereinabove. An elongated central connector web 92 is formed with the inside bridge 90 at a mid-point thereof. The central connector web 92 has a lower edge 94 which is commonly formed into an inverted “T” shape, as shown in FIG. 5 , with a first extensive flange 96 and a second extensive flange 98 formed therewith. The first extensive flange 96 has a first edge 100 which extends graphic display supportively distally beyond the first edge 82 of the front face 80 of the central bracket 26 as shown in FIG. 5 . The second extensive flange 98 of the internal rail 26 has a second edge 102 which extends graphic display supportively distally beyond the second edge 84 of the front face 80 of the internal rail 26 .
[0035] The first and second walls 86 and 88 and the inside bridge 90 arranged on the inner side of the front face 80 of the internal rail 26 form a connector bracket receiving channel 106 . The connector bracket receiving channel 106 of the elongated internal rail 26 is arranged to receive the inwardly directed stem components 28 of the T-shaped connector brackets 22 , as shown in FIG. 7 , or for receiving a leg 25 A of an X shaped connector brackets, as shown in FIG. 8 in other configurations, not shown for clarity, connecting the upper loading rails or brackets 18 and the elongated lower support rails 14 .
[0036] In one embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges of the side support rails end of the lower edge support rails may have an adhesive coating “S” to their lowermost surfaces, as represented in FIG. 2 , so that the four sided frame assembly may be adhesively joined in a more or less permanent manner, to a wall or display arrangement “W” as needed, and as represented in FIG. 1 .
[0037] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the extended flanges 46 of the side and lower support rails and or brackets 12 and 14 may have holes 110 for threaded attachment members into a wall or display support “W”, as needed. | A graphic receiving frame assembly for permitting the display of that frame assembly on a front flat surface with multiple display panels individually received therein. The frame assembly comprises an arrangement of multiple graphic display receiving support rails connected to at least one loading rail. The rails are joined by an “L” shaped connector at the outer corners thereof, wherein at least one internal rail is connected between the support rails so as to define a plurality of rails to peripherally support a plurality of display panels within the frame assembly. The support rails and the internal rail each have extensive support flanges for supportive guided receipt of a graphic display panel. | 6 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a wireless keyboard and computer system, and more particularly, to a wireless keyboard and computer system having the flexibility of keystroke allocation to enhance convenience of usage.
[0003] 2. Description of the Prior Art
[0004] In a computer system, a keyboard is one of the most essential input devices, and is composed of a plurality of keystrokes. Each of the keystrokes generates a key value or a key code when pressed, such that a keyboard controller of the computer system can determine input signals of a user. For example, FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laptop 10 according to the prior art. The laptop 10 includes a keyboard 100 , which has a plurality of keystrokes related to different key codes.
[0005] In the keyboard 100 , relative positions of the keystrokes are fixed, and a key value (or definition) of a keystroke is also fixed; therefore, a user cannot arbitrarily adjust the positions of the keystrokes, add more keystrokes, and needless to say, define the key value of each keystroke. In other words, the conventional keyboard is not allowed for the user to adjust the position or key value of each keystroke, and to add or remove keystrokes.
[0006] Moreover, a conventional wired keyboard requires operating power supplied by a computer system, and if wirelessly transmitting the key values is requested, a wireless transmitting module and a power storage device, such as battery, are required to ensure normal operation. Under such a condition, if the battery runs out of electricity, the wireless keyboard suspends, affecting convenience of usage.
[0007] As can be seen, the prior art keyboard lacks of flexibility of keystroke allocation and cannot meet a user's demand for adjusting the positions or key values of the keystrokes, and adding or removing keystrokes. In addition to the above drawbacks, the prior art wireless keyboard further requires a power storage device, which may be out of use due to battery power insufficiency, affecting convenience of usage.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is therefore a primary objective of the claimed invention to provide a wireless keyboard and a computer system.
[0009] The present invention discloses a wireless keyboard for a computer system, which comprises at least a keystroke and a reader. Each of the at least a keystroke comprises a first resonating circuit for responsing a first wireless signal to generate an induced electromotive force and provide a power source, a chip for storing a key data, and a switch coupled between the first resonating circuit and the chip for conducting a connection between the first resonating circuit and the chip when receiving an external force, to transmit the power source provided by the first resonating circuit to the chip, such that the chip outputs the key data as a second wireless signal via the first resonating circuit. The reader is coupled to the a computer system, and utilized for emitting the first wireless signal to the each keystroke and responsing the second wireless signal outputted by the each keystroke, so as to determine commands inputted to the computer system.
[0010] The present invention further discloses a computer system, comprises a host and a wireless keyboard. The wireless keyboard comprises at least a keystroke and a reader. Each of the at least a keystroke comprises a first resonating circuit for responsing a first wireless signal to generate an induced electromotive force and provide a power source, a chip for storing a key data, and a switch coupled between the first resonating circuit and the chip for conducting a connection between the first resonating circuit and the chip when receiving an external force, to transmit the power source provided by the first resonating circuit to the chip, such that the chip outputs the key data as a second wireless signal via the first resonating circuit. The reader is coupled to the a computer system, and utilized for emitting the first wireless signal to the each keystroke and responsing the second wireless signal outputted by the each keystroke, so as to determine commands inputted to the computer system.
[0011] These and other objectives of the present invention will no doubt become obvious to those of ordinary skill in the art after reading the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment that is illustrated in the various figures and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a laptop according to the prior art.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a wireless keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C are schematic diagrams of explosion, combination, and cutaway view of the keystroke shown in FIG. 2 .
[0015] FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a wireless keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a wireless keyboard according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] To improve the drawbacks of the prior art keyboard, the present invention utilizes a radio frequency identification (RFID) technique to realize a wireless keyboard, which is allowed to change positions or key values of keystrokes, or to add or remove keystrokes. Firstly, the RFID technique is a non-contact automatic recognition technique, and mainly composed of an electric tag, a reader and a related application system. The electric tag works as a transponder, and is composed of a chip including analog, digital and memory functionalities, and an antenna designed for various frequencies and application environments. The reader is mainly composed of an analog control unit, a digital control unit, a micro-processing unit and a set of reading antennas. The application system is a middleware, for retrieving or receiving internal digital information of the electric tag through a wired or a wireless method, and utilizing the information coordinated with various application requirements to perform further processes. The RFID system has the advantages of non-contact reading, data renewable, high data storage capacity, reusable, high data security, and small volume of the RFID chip, so that the present invention applies the RFID technique to a wireless keyboard, for improving the drawbacks of the prior art.
[0018] Please refer to FIG. 2 , which is a schematic diagram of a wireless keyboard 20 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless keyboard 20 is used in a computer system 200 , and includes a reader 202 and keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n. The reader 202 is coupled to the computer system 200 , and composed of a signal transceiving circuit 204 and a resonating circuit 206 . The signal transceiving circuit 204 emits wireless signals through the resonating circuit 206 to the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n, or inducts the wireless signals output from the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n, to determine the contents of commands inputted to the computer system 200 . The keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n are composed of the resonating circuits RNC_ 1 -RNC_n, chips CHIP_ 1 -CHIP_n and switches SW_ 1 -SW_n respectively. Operating principles of the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n are substantially the same. Therefore, for sake of clarity, the following description takes the keystroke PAD_ 1 as an example. The resonating circuit RNC_ 1 can induct wireless signals output from the resonating circuit 206 , so that the resonating circuit RNC_ 1 and the frequency resonating circuit 206 are coupled to each other via an alternating current (AC) magnetic field, and such coupling triggers the resonating circuit RNC_ 1 to generate an induced electromotive force, providing adequate power source for the chip CHIP_ 1 to work, and making the reader 202 and the keystroke PAD_ 1 capable of performing bi-directional communication. The chip CHIP_ 1 stores a key data or key value, and can read and output the key data when power is supplied for the chip CHIP_ 1 . The switch SW_ 1 is coupled between the resonating circuits RNC_ 1 and the chip CHIP_ 1 , and can conduct an electric connection between the resonating circuit RNC_ 1 and the chip CHIP_ 1 when the switch SW_ 1 is pressed by an external force, so as to conduct power source provided by the resonating circuit RNC_ 1 to the chip CHIP_ 1 , so that the chip CHIP_ 1 can output the stored key data as wireless signals through the resonating circuit RNC_ 1 , and send the wireless signals out to the reader 202 .
[0019] In brief, the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n are similar to a variety of electric tags in an RFID system, while the difference is that the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n induct the wireless signals from the reader 202 only when the switches SW_ 1 -SW_n are pressed, and reply the stored key data in the chips CHIP_ 1 -CHIP_n accordingly. In other words, when a user presses a keystroke, the reader 202 will receive the key data or key value stored in the keystroke, and will not receive key data or key values stored in other keystrokes.
[0020] In addition, in the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n, the key data stored in the chips CHIP_ 1 -CHIP_n can be preset in the system or defined by a user. If “defined by the user” is required, the chips CHIP_ 1 -CHIP_n can respectively include a key data updating unit or a corresponding firmware, for receiving control signals output from the user for updating the stored key data. However, the updating method is not limited to specific processes. For example, in an embodiment, the computer system 200 includes a key value configuration software, which can be executed by the user to send a key value configuration command through the signal transceiving circuit 204 to a specific keystroke, so that the key data updating unit of the specific keystroke can update the stored key value accordingly. Under such a condition, the user can arbitrary set the key value of each keystroke; for example, the user can store his/her name, phone number and address in various chips, and when the user needs to input some of these data, the user can quickly finish the inputting process; thus, efficiency is improved.
[0021] Moreover, since the wireless keyboard 20 adopts the RFID technique, the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n are powered by the reader 202 using the method of AC magnetic field coupling. In other words, the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n are not required to include physical wires or connect to power supplies. Under such a condition, the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n can be designed as independent pieces respectively, namely mechanically independent elements, such that flexibility of keystroke allocation is greatly improved accordingly.
[0022] For example, please refer to FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C , which are schematic diagrams of explosion, combination, and cutaway view of a keystroke PAD_x of the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n. As illustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C , a resonating circuit RNC_x of the keystroke PAD_x and a chip CHIP_x are disposed on a base plate BRD_x; a switch SW_x includes a flexible structure, and is covered by a key cap KH_x with a specific symbol painted to represent key data of the keystroke PAD_x. As a result, when a user presses the key cap KH_x, the switch SW_x is triggered to conduct the resonating circuit RNC_x and the chip CHIP_x.
[0023] As illustrated in FIG. 3A to FIG. 3C , the keystroke PAD_x does not need to connect with the other keystrokes or the reader 202 in view of either the structure or the electric circuitry, and therefore, the keystroke PAD_x can be independently allocated. Certainly, for convenience of usage, fastening structures such as hooks or tenons, or binding structures such as backing adhesive or magnetic materials can be added, in order to fix the keystroke PAD_x to the other keystrokes or an object. For example, the four sides of the base plate BRD_x can include fastening structures that can hook other base plates, such that the base plate BRD_x and the base plates of the other keystrokes can be fixed together. Or, the button of the base plate BRD_x can coated with backing adhesive or magnetic materials, such that the base plate BRD_x can stick on a plane surface or a metal surface. As a result, a user can easily allocate the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n.
[0024] On the other hand, the main concept of the present invention is to use the RFID technique, such that the wireless keyboard 20 can meet the user's demand for adjusting positions or key values of the keystrokes, and adding or removing keystrokes; meanwhile, the wireless keyboard 20 does not require power storage devices such as batteries, so as to enhance convenience of usage. Besides, those skilled in the art can make modifications accordingly. For example, because a inductive distance of a passive RFID technique is restricted, if the inductive distance is required to be extended, independent power sources can be further settled for the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n, and the passive RFID technique becomes a semi-passive or an active radio RFID technique, in order to extend the distance for use. Shapes of the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n are not restricted to squares, and can be long straps, circles, etc. Or, the keystrokes PAD_ 1 -PAD_n can be classified into various blocks according to the functionalities, e.g. number blocks or character blocks.
[0025] Moreover, the computer system 200 represents all types of computer systems that can receive data inputted by a user, such as a laptop, a tablet, a smart phone or a PDA. According to various applications, a designer can properly adjust appearance or manufacturing of the wireless keyboard 20 according to system requirements. For example, FIG. 4 is a schematic diagram of a wireless keyboard 40 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless keyboard 40 is derived from the wireless keyboard 20 , and basic structures of the wireless keyboard 40 and the wireless keyboard 20 are identical. The wireless keyboard 40 is used for a PC system; therefore, a reader 400 thereof connects with the host through physical wires, while keystrokes are allocated in an area 402 according to user's demand.
[0026] Furthermore, FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a wireless keyboard 50 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless keyboard 50 is derived from the wireless keyboard 20 , and the basic structures of the wireless keyboard 50 and the wireless keyboard 20 are identical. The wireless keyboard 50 is used for a laptop system; therefore, a reader 500 thereof is disposed in a host (i.e., a chassis of the laptop system), and keystrokes are allocated in an area 502 on the chassis or an area 504 surrounding the area 502 according to user's demand.
[0027] The prior art keyboard lacks of flexibility of keystroke allocation and cannot meet the user's demand for adjusting the positions or key values of the keystrokes, and adding or removing keystrokes. In addition to the above drawbacks, the prior art wireless keyboard requires a power storage device, which may be out of use due to battery power insufficiency, affecting convenience of usage. In comparison, the wireless keyboard of the present invention can meet the user's demand for adjusting keystroke allocation or key values, and adding or removing keystrokes; and meanwhile, the wireless keyboard of the present invention does not require a power storage device such as battery, which further enhance convenience of usage.
[0028] In conclusion, the wireless keyboard of the present invention has the flexibility of keystroke allocation, to enhance convenience of usage.
[0029] Those skilled in the art will readily observe that numerous modifications and alterations of the device and method may be made while retaining the teachings of the invention. Accordingly, the above disclosure should be construed as limited only by the metes and bounds of the appended claims. | A wireless keyboard comprises at least a keystroke each comprising a first resonating circuit for responsing a first wireless signal to provide a power source, a chip storing a key data, and a switch coupled between the first resonating circuit and the chip for conducting a connection between the first resonating circuit and the chip when receiving an external force, to transmit the power source provided by the first resonating circuit to the chip, such that the chip outputs the key data as a second wireless signal via the first resonating circuit, and a reader coupled to a computer system for emitting the first wireless signal to the each keystroke and responsing the second wireless signal outputted by the each keystroke, so as to determine commands inputted to the computer system. | 6 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention generally relates to dual polarized panel base-station antennae for use in mobile communication systems. More specifically, the invention relates to the structure of dipoles used with dual polarized panel base-station antennae.
2. Description of Related Art
Dipole antennae are common in the communications industry, and conventional structures, including half-wavelength dipoles with “bow tie” structures and “butterfly” structures, are described in several books, including Banalis, Constantine A., “Antenna Theory Analysis and Design ”, Wiley, 1997.
In particular, panel base-station antennae, such as those used in mobile communication systems, rely heavily on dual polarization antennae. In many cases, these antennae are constructed using single linear polarized elements, grouped in such a way that creates dual polarization. In this case, two separate arrays of radiating elements are required to radiate on both polarizations.
Building antenna using this approach is undesirable, however, because creating the dual polarization effect with single linear polarized elements increases the labor cost and the number of parts involved in the antenna's manufacture, while reducing its overall performance. To overcome this, most dual polarization antennae are made with directly dual polarized elements, either by including a single patch element fed in such a manner as to create a dual polarized structure, or by combining two single linear polarized dipoles into one, thereby making a single, dual polarization element.
Feeding signals to and from these dual polarization structures is usually accomplished by conventional coupling structures such as coaxial cables, microstrip or stripline transmission lines, or slits. The drawback to using these conventional coupling structures with the antennae and dipoles described above is that they increase the number of parts needed to construct the antenna, thereby generating undesired intermodulation distortions.
In addition, manufacturing these panel antennae with dipoles that include numerous radiating elements often requires numerous solder joints and screw connections. The total number of parts required in such panel antennae, in addition to the cost of their assembly, makes them unsuitable for mass-production. In addition, solder, screws, and similar types of attachments between parts not only add to the manufacturing time and labor cost, but also generate undesired intermodulation distortions as well.
In addition to avoiding these intermodulation distortions, it is necessary to achieve good port-to-port isolation between the two inputs of the radiating elements in the antenna in order to achieve an efficient communication system. This isolation is the measure of the ratio of power leaving one port and entering the other port. But using the air dielectric transmission lines that are common in conventional coupling structures creates distortions in the signal fed to and from the reflector. In these circumstances, it is prohibitively expensive and difficult to achieve the desired isolation, meaning that the antenna cannot be configured such that one port is used for transmission and the other port for reception.
Finally, in addition to having good port-to-port isolation characteristics and a minimum of intermodulation distortions, it is also important for the dipoles in the antenna array to have a good impedance so that all of the dipoles in the array can be properly matched.
In the view of the above, there is a need in the art for low-cost panel base-station antennae that are easy to assemble, that include a simple arrangement of radiating elements, and require a reduced number of parts and connections. In addition, such antennae must have good port-to-port isolation, good pattern purity, good impedance, and low intermodulation distortion.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a new and useful single or dual polarized antenna for use in mobile communication systems.
A first embodiment of the invention provides a polarized antenna for use in a mobile communication system comprising at least one dipole having a base portion and a plurality of radiating arms extending therefrom, wherein said dipole is formed as a single structure; and a reflector plate to which the base portion is attached, said reflector plate being a ground plane and reflecting polarized radio frequency signals. The dipole may include two sets of arms, including a first set and a second set respectively having a first polarization and a second polarization corresponding to two polarizations of said dipole. Each set of arms preferably includes two pairs of arms arranged in a V-shape and having a vertex portion. A first pair of arms in each set has a first slot at said vertex portion and a second pair of arms has a second slot at said vertex portion for receiving a feed cable, said first slot receiving a cable center conductor and said second slot receiving an insulating jacket. The dipole can also include a cavity for feeding the cable located at the vertex portion of the arms.
The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a dipole for use in a polarized antenna, comprising forming an entire dipole body as a single piece, including a base portion and a plurality of radiating arms. The dipole body is optimally molded from a conventional material such as plastic, aluminum or the like. In this case, the method of the present invention further comprises plating the molded dipole body with a metallic material that can be soldered.
Accordingly, the invention comprises the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The objects and advantages of the present invention will be made more clear with reference to the following drawings, in which like elements have been given like reference characters. In particular:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an antenna using an array of dipoles.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the dual polarization dipole (all parts assembled).
FIG. 3 is a top view of the dual polarization dipole shown in FIG. 2 .
FIG. 4 is a view of an embodiment of an antenna using an array of dipoles having a variety of RF isolation devices.
FIG. 5 is a plot of three radiation patterns of the first polarization having beamwidths of 65.4 degrees at 1.71 GHz, 62.2 degrees at 1.8 GHz and 60.5 degrees at 1.88 GHz respectively for a 1*9 antenna array using the subject matter of the invention shown in FIG. 4 .
FIG. 6 is a plot of three radiation patterns for the second polarization of a 1*9 arrayed antenna using the subject matter of the invention shown in FIG. 4 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The invention will now be taught using a preferred exemplary embodiment. Although the embodiment is described in detail, it will be appreciated that the invention is not limited to just this embodiment, but has a scope that is significantly broader. The appended claims should be consulted to determine the true scope of the invention.
A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1-6. FIG. 1 shows a dual polarization antenna 14 of the present invention with a 1×9 array of dipoles 16 according to the present invention. The antenna 14 comprises the array of dipoles 16 and a reflector plate 12 to which the dipoles 16 are attached. Of course, it is understood that the invention is not limited to a particular array.
FIG. 2 shows a dipole 16 of the present invention in greater detail. The dipole 16 is formed as a unitary structure including the base portion, arms, and feeding structures discussed below. The forming of the dipole can be accomplished by conventional methods, such as molding, casting, or carving. In addition, the dipole can be formed using conventional materials such as copper, bronze, plastic, aluminum, or zamak. If the material used is a type that cannot be soldered, such as plastic or aluminum, then the dipole, once formed, can be covered or plated, in part or in whole, with a metallic material that can be soldered, such as copper, silver, or gold.
The dipole 16 includes four pairs of arms 18 , 20 , 22 , and 24 attached to a base portion 26 . The arms are arranged in pairs 18 , 20 , 22 , and 24 each having a V- or U-shape, with the arms radiating outward from the vertex portion 21 of the V or U. The base portion 26 of the dipole attaches to the reflector plate 12 shown in FIG. 1 .
The pairs of arms are arranged such that pair 18 is opposite pair 20 , and pair 22 is opposite pair 24 . The opposing pairs are wired and positioned with respect to the reflector plate 14 so as to transmit and/or receive RF energy at two polarizations: a first polarization of +45 degrees and a second polarization of −45 degrees. Opposing pairs 20 and 18 correspond to the first polarization of the antenna 14 . Likewise, opposing pairs 24 and 22 correspond to the second polarization. The dipole of the present invention is not limited to these polarizations, and it is understood that changing the number, arrangement and position of the arm pairs can change both the number of polarizations and the polarization angles of the antenna.
Each set of opposing pairs of arms includes a feeding structure 28 which is located at the vertex portion 21 of one of the arm pairs. This feeding structure 28 is a longitudinal cavity 23 running the length of the dipole body, allowing a cable 30 to be fed into the base portion 26 of the dipole, through the feeding structure, and out to the top of the dipole. A slot, discussed below, is placed in the vertex of the opposite arm pair. The conductor of the cable is soldered to this vertex via this slot.
FIG. 2 and FIG. 3 show the relationship of these pairs of arms in greater detail. Focusing on a single arm set, including arm pairs 22 and 24 , the feeding structure 28 is defined by the cavity 23 that is provided in the vertex portion of one of the arms 22 of the pair. The cable 30 passes through the cavity 23 . This feeding structure 28 also includes a slotted aperture 32 that extends along the cavity and has a width m. The slotted aperture 32 exposes the insulating jacket 34 of the cable 30 running through the cavity 23 .
Each arm set also includes first and second slots 31 and 38 , respectively, through which the cable is further fed. The first slot 31 is located at the vertex portion of a first pair of arms 22 and the second slot 38 is formed at the vertex portion of the second set of arms 24 . The cable is run such that the first slot 31 retains the entire cable (i.e., unstripped) and the second slot 38 retains the conductor portion 36 of the cable. The conductor 36 is then soldered to the vertex portion 21 of the second set of arms 24 proximate the second slot 38 .
The arm set including arm pairs 18 and 20 is arranged in a similar fashion. The vertex portion 21 of the pair of arms 18 includes a feeding structure 28 through which is defined by the cavity 23 , through which a second cable 42 is passed. This feeding structure 28 also includes a slotted aperture 44 that extends along the cavity 23 and has a width m. The slotted aperture 44 exposes the insulating jacket 46 of the cable 42 running through the cavity 23 .
Arm sets 18 and 20 also include first and second slots 47 and 50 , respectively, through which the cable is further fed. The first slot 47 is located at the vertex portion 21 of the first pair of arms 18 and the second slot 50 is formed at the vertex portion 21 of the second set of arms 20 . The cable is run such that the first slot 47 retains the entire cable (i.e., unstripped) and the second slot 50 retains the conductor portion 48 of the cable 42 . The conductor 48 is then soldered to the vertex portion 21 of the second set of arms 20 proximate the second slot 50 .
An advantage of this dipole structure is that it allows the use of simple coaxial cables to serve as feed cables 30 and 42 , as discussed above. These coaxial cables typically include an inner conductor surrounded by an insulator of PTFE or similar material.
Furthermore, the dipole and its internal feeding structure allows these cables 42 and 30 to directly pass through the body of the dipole 16 to the top and connect to the arm pairs 20 , 18 and 24 , 22 at slots 50 and 38 , respectively, without needing any grommets to insulate the conductors 36 and 48 from the conductive base portion 26 to which the arms 20 or 24 are attached. This reduces the overall number of parts needed to build the dipole, thereby lowering the manufacturing cost and improving the RF performance of the antenna.
The signal performance of the dipole 16 can be further improved by placing conventional insulating separators 37 between adjacent arm pairs. These separators can be made of conventional insulating materials such as plastic or PTFE.
Because the impedance of the dipole is determined by the sizes of the apertures, the center conductor of the cable, and the holes in the base portion 26 extending into the cavities 28 , these sizes can be chosen to provide the dipole with a desired impedance as well as to facilitate the forming and plating of the dipole. In particular, the size of these apertures can be made wide enough to ensure proper plating of the molded piece, but narrow enough to allow the dipole to provide good port-to-port isolation, good impedance, and good pattern purity. The scope of the invention is not intended to be limited to any particular shape of these apertures.
Specifically, depending on the size m of the apertures in the feeding structure, the characteristic impedance Zo can be readily estimated as follows.
First, in the case where apertures 32 and 44 are closed (where their width m is zero), the impedance, Zo, can be calculated by the following equation: Zo = 60 ɛ r · ln [ D d ] ,
where D is the diameter of the holes in the base portion 26 and the longitudinal cavities 28 , d is the diameter of the cable's center conductor, and ∈r is the dielectric constant of the cable insulator used.
In the second case, where the width m of apertures 32 and 44 is very small, the impact of the width on the impedance is negligible. However, if the aperture is slanted at an angle along the length of the feeding structure, then characteristic impedance Zo can be more precisely approximated by the equation: Zo = 60 ɛ r · ln [ D d ] + ( 0.03 θ 2 ) ,
where D is the diameter of the holes in the base portion 26 and the longitudinal cavities 28 , d is the diameter of the cable's center conductor, θ is the angle at which the aperture is slanted, and ∈r is the dielectric constant of the cable insulator used.
In the third case, where the width m of apertures 32 and 44 is larger, thereby exposing the surface of the cable, then the characteristic impedance Zo can be approximated by the equation: Zo = 60 ɛ r · ln [ 4 h d ] ,
where h is the radius of the longitudinal cavities, d is the diameter of the cable's center conductor, and ∈r is the dielectric constant of the cable insulator used.
It is understood that the molded dipole of the present invention can be used in a variety of antenna configurations. Furthermore, the base portion 26 of the molded dipole can be designed and shaped to match a complimentary form on the reflector plate 12 so as to further facilitate the assembly of the antenna array. It would be obvious to one skilled in the art that the size and shape of the base portion can vary from antenna to antenna and still be within the scope of the invention.
The present invention also provides for the isolation of inputs of a dipole 16 in antenna arrays that include a plurality of dipoles of the present invention. Dipoles 16 in the dual polarization antenna 14 can be isolated from each other using conventional radio frequency isolation devices, such as walls, H structures and I structures. For example, FIG. 4 shows a dual polarization antenna 70 in which the dipoles 16 are isolated using a number of different isolation devices including walls 60 , H isolators 62 , and I isolators 64 . It is understood that the dipole of the present invention can be used in conjunction with ordinary isolation devices and structures.
FIGS. 5-6 show the performance characteristics of the antenna array shown in FIG. 4 . FIGS. 5 and 6 show a plot of three radiation patterns of the first and second polarizations of the antenna array of FIG. 4 using dipoles 16 of the present invention. As shown, the antenna exhibits good port-to-port isolation of less than 30 dB at a variety of beamwidths and at high frequencies.
The foregoing description is merely exemplary and is not to be construed in a limiting sense. Modifications will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art, and are considered to be within the scope of the invention, which is to be limited only by the following claims. For example, although reference is made to arm pairs being V-shaped, it is understood that these arm pairs could also be U-shaped without departing from the spirit of the invention. Indeed, reference to “V-shaped” is intended to include a U-shaped arrangement. | A polarized antenna for sending and receiving polarized radio frequency signals is disclosed which includes a dipole and a reflector plate. The dipole is formed as a single part including the radiating arms and feeding structures, thereby requiring minimum assembly. This dipole can be formed by molding conventional materials, such as copper, aluminum, and plastic, which can then be plated. The feeding structure through which the cable passes features a slotted aperture. The impedance of the dipole is based on the width of these apertures and the size of the cable conductor. By having a single-body construction, the dipole of the present invention provides, good impedance, low intermodulation distortion, good port-to-port isolation, and good pattern purity. | 7 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. §119, of U.S. provisional patent application No. 61/856,924, filed Jul. 22, 2013; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to LED lighting control. More particularly, it relates to control of Kelvin temperature and light intensity of LED lighting in order to adapt to human lighting needs in a way to overcome deficiencies of lighting spectrum exposure commonly found with traditional artificial lighting, and applications thereof, with sensor feedback through intelligent control mechanisms.
[0003] Lighting and devices to control lighting are vital to modern society and profoundly affect normal brain function through effecting or preventing secretion of chemicals by the pineal gland in the brain, as well as cortisol secreted by the adrenal gland, and several other hormones including dopamine. Widespread use of artificial lighting has been shown to disrupt sleep patterns especially among the young and old, as well as shift workers. Lighting control has been primarily focused on delivering the desired quantity of light with little consideration as to optimal levels of Kelvin temperature of the lighting through normal daily cycles. This trend has resulted in record numbers of people requiring pharmaceutical sleep aids and other interventions.
[0004] The advent of artificial lighting during the late 19 th century and widespread deployment during the 20 th century has resulted in disruption of normal light exposure patterns, e.g. exposure to bright-white sunlight in the morning (high Kelvin temperature), and diminished Kelvin temperature at sundown that is essential to trigger normal sleep cycles among other behaviors. What is needed is a Kelvin variable light, similar in capability to a dimmable light whereby the quantity of light is adjusted to suit the activity, whereby individuals and groups can be subjected to desirable Kelvin temperatures of light for specific activities. On a broader scale, e.g. an old age facility, hospital, or school, it would be particularly useful if the Kelvin variable LED light fixtures could be controlled through an integrated wireless control system. Furthermore, it would be even more advantageous if data gathering sensors could be used to provide feedback regarding light exposure to an intelligent control module whereby the Kelvin temperature and intensity of light could be automatically controlled to adapt and optimize light levels sensitive to human behavior goals.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The present adaptive lighting invention provides an LED flat panel luminaire or other LED lighting format that includes the abilities to both be controlled through dimming and Kelvin variability, and to provide programmable scheduling of dimming and Kelvin temperature control among other control features. A large number of such lights can be controlled through wired or wireless radio frequency (RF) control systems whereby individual lights, groups of lights, or all the lights can be programmatically controlled. Furthermore, the lighting controller can accept input from sensors, including but not limited to ambient lighting conditions by space, group, and individual; can process that input along with certain control orders or policies established in the control system, and effect intelligent control of the lighting devices consistent with defined human needs including but not limited to requirements of circadian rhythm. While it has been shown that through active light therapy involving exposure to defined levels of Kelvin temperature human behavior can be modified, our invention involving widespread deployment of Kelvin variable lighting integrated with intelligent controls can passively achieve desired Kelvin temperatures and intensity to create a healthier lighting environment for individuals and groups, while automating the adaptive lighting controls.
[0006] It is a feature of our system that lighting environments can be automatically controlled for Kelvin temperature in pre-programmed manners such as scheduling specific control actions, as well as through feedback from integrated data gathering sensors whose output is automatically processed and used as input to the controller. An important capability of the control system is its ability to resolve control conflicts that may occur by different manual and automated control commands. The control module provides the ability to schedule future lighting control actions, certain control settings for emergency situations, and individual control commands. To assure conflict resolution between control commands the control module has a functionality composer that evaluates the user class and task for manual or scheduled control, and certain automated controls in relation to each other in a hierarchical manner to determine which control actions may override other control actions.
[0007] Furthermore certain emergency situations are definable that may override most if not all other control commands. For example when the invention is deployed in a K-12 school environment a policy could be established that would use the lighting system to provide visual warning of dangerous situations such as a gunman being loose on the campus. The processing of this lighting control command would override other commands such as dimming the lights to facilitate display of video media in class. Likewise a “code blue” condition of a patient in a hospital patient room would alert the lighting command module of the status and a lighting control command would be issued to provide a predefined level of bright light, e.g. 100 foot candles, immediately over the patient bed. Other lighting commands would not be processed until the code blue is cleared unless approved by an authorized individual such as a doctor.
[0008] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a method for controlling light exposure of an individual. The method includes providing a control unit controlling individual and groups of lights controlled by a power switch, the control unit having a memory unit. A first sensor is worn by the individual for gathering individual light data including lighting intensity data and Kelvin temperature data experienced by the individual. The first sensor transmits the individual light data to the control unit. Second sensors are disposed at various locations in a building used by the individual for collecting building light data including light intensity building data and Kelvin temperature building data emitted in the building. The building light data is also transmitted to the control unit. The memory unit of the control unit stores the individual light data and the building light data, along with desired data including desired light intensity and desired Kelvin temperature. An optimal light exposure for the individual or the individual within a group based on at least one of the individual light data, the building light data or the desired data is determined. At least one output signal based on the optimal light exposure is generated. The at least one output signal is sent to the control unit. At least one of the power switch, a light dimming switch or a Kelvin temperature changing switch controls the lights based on the output signal to produce an overall light intensity and Kelvin temperature pattern for the individual. In this manner, one combines the known exposed light already received by the individual with a desired amount of light exposure and determines how much more light the individual must receive for being exposed for the desired amount.
[0009] In accordance with an added mode of the invention, a fuzzy neural network processing unit is used for determining the optimal light exposure for the individual based on at least one of the individual light data, the building light data or the desired data.
[0010] In accordance with another mode of the invention, the method weights the inputs to the fuzzy neural network processing unit for optimizing the light exposure needs of an individual within a group such that the individual in the group most in need of light intensity and Kelvin temperature optimization is given a greater weighting within the group in determining an optimal light intensity and the Kelvin temperature for the group.
[0011] In this manner, the individual who has a light exposure pattern farthest from the desired light exposure is given the greatest weighting for determine the light exposure a group is to receive. This is only possible because of the electronic tracking of each individual within the group.
[0012] In accordance with a further mode of the invention, activity data stored in the memory unit relating to planned activities in advance of a particular activity are used by the control unit to optimize the light intensity and the Kelvin temperature for the individual in such a way as to deliver light consistent with scientific studies that indicate that behavior is influenced in a desired manner when the individual is exposed to specific levels of light intensity and the Kelvin temperature. The planned activity can be sleep patterns, testing taking periods, activities performed in mornings and activities performed in evening hours which all required customized lighting needs.
[0013] In accordance with an additional mode of the invention, the quantity of the light delivered to the individual on a daily basis is based on a 24 hour circadian rhythm and the light based on the circadian rhythm is adjusted or reviewed at least once per hour.
[0014] Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0015] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in an LED light controller and a method of controlling the LED lights, it is nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0016] The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0017] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic illustration of a WalaLight LED lighting system including data gathering sensors, telecommunications, control systems, and LED lighting according to the invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a WalaLight light intensity and Kelvin temperature data gathering pin with radio frequency telecommunications capability;
[0019] FIG. 3 is an illustration of building and area lighting sensors;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a block diagram of main components of a central control unit depicting data gathering, data analysis, prediction, and control components;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a central control unit prediction module fuzzy neural network;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the training element of the WalaLight prediction module;
[0023] FIG. 7 is an illustration of a WalaLight programmable controller interface;
[0024] FIG. 8 is an illustration of a wireless radio frequency WalaLight hand held controller with light intensity and Kelvin temperature display and programmable buttons;
[0025] FIG. 9 is an illustration of a wired/wireless radio frequency WalaLight wall controller;
[0026] FIG. 10 is an illustration of programmable WalaLight controller for use in a senior care facility;
[0027] FIG. 11 is an illustration of programmable WalaLight configurations in an educational facility;
[0028] FIG. 12 is an illustration of a WalaLight integrated with intelligent building control systems;
[0029] FIG. 13 is an illustration of a programmable WalaLight home kitchen fixture;
[0030] FIG. 14 is an illustration of programmable WalaLight home bathroom fixture;
[0031] FIG. 15 is an illustration of a WalaLight LED flat panel; and
[0032] FIG. 16 is an illustration of a control module.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION
[0033] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown an integrated system containing a dimmable and Kelvin temperature changeable LED light unit or panel 1 , a variety of light sensors 2 , and a lighting control system 3 that can be pre-programmed, e.g. by schedule; and can also change lighting intensity and/or Kelvin temperature from sensor feedback that is automatically processed in the lighting control system 3 and issues control commands to the LED light unit 1 that is configured to optimize exposure to light for individuals and groups so as to brighten or dim the lights 1 , and/or change the Kelvin temperature from warm white (2,700 Kelvin) to cool white (6,500 Kelvin). The LED light unit 1 is directly controlled by a luminaire control module 4 having an on/off switch 5 , a Kelvin temperature control switch 6 and a dimming switch 7 . The luminaire control modules 4 throughout a facility are controlled by the master lighting control system 3 . The luminaire control modules 4 may be in the form of a wall controller 42 or a handheld controller 41 .
[0034] As further shown in FIG. 1 , the light sensors 2 can be individual light sensors physically carried by an individual 8 or stationed throughout a building 9 at various locations.
[0035] The intensity and Kelvin temperature of light exposure an individual or group experiences may vary from day-to-day, and especially under artificial light conditions may be far from optimal light intensity and Kelvin temperature that humans experience under natural lighting conditions. Scientific studies have shown that individual light therapy whereby an individual must look for hours into a light box with designed light intensity and Kelvin temperature have resulted in benefits to the individual including restoration of normal Circadian rhythm and sleep patterns, among others. The invention is configured to optimize the lighting environment for individuals and groups in terms of light intensity and Kelvin temperature through automated passive methods that do not require conscious participation by the individual such as staring into a light box for two or more hours. Furthermore, beneficial lighting can be delivered passively to large groups of people such as students, elderly residents, prison inmates, and mining camp residents in the far north. The present invention provides an LED light panel 1 or other LED light 1 that is dimmable and Kelvin changeable, various lighting intensity and Kelvin temperature sensors 2 as further shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , and the control system 3 that acquires and processes various sensor and other programmable data to optimally control the LED light intensity and Kelvin temperature in a manner consistent with certain health and human behavior objectives. In other words, the invention does not just provide lighting but provides lighting which changes throughout the day to mimic the changing intensity of natural lighting.
[0036] An important aspect of the control system 3 is the ability to define user classes and tasks that can be processed by the control system 3 to determine what control commands should be issued to the light fixtures. User classes in a hospital setting may be such categories as doctor, nurse, therapist, maintenance staff, patient, visitor, etc. whereas each user class could perform a certain number of predefined tasks which in turn would have defined light brightness and Kelvin temperature requirements. For example, in an elder care facility there would be various classes of staff and residents with each class having a subset of task level lighting requirements defined. It is sometimes the case different classes of residents may exist in the same facility including independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Degrees of control of lighting can be defined by user class, for example, with independent living residents enjoying the greatest degree of control and where residents in memory care might have the least degree of control. Automated controls including scheduling might be more widely deployed in the memory care unit relieving the memory care resident from the burden of lighting control and facilitate execution of desirable lighting levels as determined by healthcare professionals.
[0037] Desirable lighting levels as determined by healthcare professionals can be automatically achieved by the control system through processing current and anticipated light exposure relative to the desired light exposure profile for individuals and groups and issuing lighting commands to reach the desired profiles.
[0038] As shown in FIG. 1 , the control system 3 has a central control unit 10 for processing the sensor data and a memory unit 11 for storing results and the sensor data. FIGS. 4-6 show further details of the control system 3 . More specifically the central control unit 10 may function as a fuzzy neural network processing unit or may be connected to a separate fuzzy neural network processing unit.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 15 , the dimmable and Kelvin variable lights of the invention are flat LED panels 60 approximately ⅜ of inch thick in various sizes and shapes, with various LED bulbs, and various LED light fixtures. The LED panel 60 is formed of a diffused lens panel 61 , a light guide plate 62 , a reflective sheeting 63 , a silicon pad 64 with edge-lighting LED 65 on MCPCB. The thin LED panels 60 also offer the benefit of being very low glare devices which allows individuals and groups to be exposed to bright white light of 6,500 Kelvin without being irritated by high glare levels commonly found in other types of bright white light. The LED panels 60 are controlled by a set of wireless sender and receiver units that execute manual commands to change light settings. Furthermore there is the control module 3 residing on a Linux server that includes a scheduling function and can receive and store data from a variety of light sensors as well as external data including weather reports and other sources relevant to probable light conditions. The Linux server also stores lighting profiles for individuals and groups that in combination with the sensor and other input is processed to derive desirable light settings. Generally the desirable light profiles mimic normal sunrise and sunset light conditions helping to assure bright white light is delivered in the morning and through the day, and warm light with less blue light spectrum in the evening. The 6,500 Kelvin light temperature is found in nature and approximates the Kelvin temperature of bright mid-day sunlight. Prior to the deployment of artificial lighting most people were exposed to bright white sunlight of 6,500 Kelvin on a regular basis as they went about their normal daily activities outdoors unless they lived in the far north or south during winter months where the sun may only shine low in the sky for a few hours. As sundown came the Kelvin temperature of the natural light became warmer and this triggered secretion of melatonin by the pineal gland, and suppresses secretion of other chemicals, e.g. cortisol by the adrenal gland in the brain. Melatonin and other secretions help establish normal patterns of alertness and sleep, and also serve to regulate many body functions such as heart rate, blood pressure, and the processing of sugar by the body. Most artificial lighting is at a lower Kelvin temperature than natural sunlight, indeed most interior lighting may only be 3,000 Kelvin. To put the warmness of 3,000 Kelvin lighting into perspective it is important to note that moon light is 4,100 Kelvin, with 3,000 Kelvin being closer to light emitted from a fire. The initial Kelvin variable lights utilized in this invention were fabricated to our specifications of Kelvin variability between 2,700 and 6,500 Kelvin, along with dimming capability in an extremely low glare LED lighting fixture.
[0040] The sensors utilized in the invention include a variety of lighting sensors (see FIG. 3 ) deployed throughout building structures and campuses that are configured to detect ambient light levels and Kelvin temperatures as they change through the day, as well as light sensors 2 that are attached to an individual in the form of a lapel-type pin ( FIG. 2 ) that records the cumulative light intensity and Kelvin temperature exposure the individual experiences through the course of the day. The typical sensor has a data acquisition sensor or layer 21 , a data processor and memory layer 22 , and a wireless transmitter or layer 23 .
[0041] The building-level sensor data is useful in determining the lighting exposure of groups of people, e.g. a group of students in a school, a group of workers in a mining camp in the far north, or a group of elderly in an old age facility. The building-level data can be transmitted to a building lighting control system 50 (see FIG. 16 ) to make adjustments in the LED light intensity and Kelvin temperature, and the individual lighting exposure data also provides input and can be balanced by the intelligent control system to optimize lighting levels for the group as well as individuals in the group.
[0042] The individual-level light sensor 2 can precisely record the light intensity and Kelvin temperature the individual 8 has experienced over a period of time. By itself this type of individual light exposure data has been analyzed by scientists to prescribe light-box and other similar dedicated light therapy, e.g. specialized goggles, and has been described in peer-reviewed literature. Therefore the cumulative light exposure of an individual is recorded and lighting is adjusted throughout the day in dependence on the time and previous light exposure.
[0043] One embodiment of the invention can utilize light data gathered by individual-level light sensors 2 in the form of a pin, wrist band, identity card or other wearable device to provide real-time input into the LED lighting control system 3 , 50 that will then make real-time changes to light intensity and Kelvin temperature in order to optimize the individual's light exposure in an effort to meet certain light exposure objectives consistent with other medical or work objectives (see FIGS. 2 , 4 , 5 , 6 ). The individual-level light data can be received and processed by the control system 3 , 50 in a real-time manner along with the building-level data to be processed by the control system 3 , 50 to optimize lighting intensity and Kelvin temperature for the individual, group, or the individual within a group. The lapel-type light intensity and Kelvin temperature data gathering pin 2 can be easily worn by the individual and is configured to both gather data and through wireless radio frequency telecommunication supply that data to the control system 3 . A data gathering pin currently exists, however the invention additionally transmits data gathered by the wearable device to the control system 3 for real-time processing.
[0044] FIG. 4 shows one embodiment of the control system 3 . The control system 3 is formed of various software derived modules. Input data is received by a utility module 53 and a present time critical module 54 . The data from modules 53 and 54 is forwarded to an action module 52 and/or a prediction module 51 which predicts current lighting needs and forwards this data to a future time critical module 55 . Summing units 56 and 57 are provided for combining data. In essence the control system 3 receives the sensor data from the individual and building sensors and combines this data with known individual needs and situational needs of events to occur in the near term for the individuals.
[0045] The control system 3 , 50 of the invention exists at several hierarchical levels that can operate individually and a semi-autonomous mode, or collectively through the application of fuzzy neural networks (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ) that are part of the control system 3 and specifically part of the invention to optimize light intensity and Kelvin temperature exposure for the individual, group, or individual within a group. The first two manners of control: the individual and the group are relatively intuitive and are described below. It is the third level of control, the individual in the group that may be less intuitive and is uniquely part of the invention.
[0046] Another embodiment of this invention optimizes light intensity and Kelvin temperature for an individual by including in the automatic analysis performed by the control system health objectives entered into a programmable controller 30 ( FIG. 7 ) as determined by medical professionals in terms of optimal light exposure, the data gathered by building-level and/or individual-level light sensors 2 , an automated prediction of likely lighting exposure in the near-term (i.e. that “day”), and issues control commands to the LED light fixture to adjust its brightness and Kelvin temperature in order to optimize light exposure for the individual on a daily cyclical basis (see FIG. 4 ). The lighting control can also be performed manually by the individual via a hand held controller 31 or other supervisory individual via a wall controller 32 (see FIGS. 8 and 9 ). It is important to note that the invention processes historical lighting data and from real-time sensor devices 2 , and also projects lighting exposure in the near-term along with likely duration of exposure to determine what light intensity and Kelvin temperature settings would best achieve daily light exposure objectives taking into account near future ambient light predictions that may be generated by weather reports and the like.
[0047] In another embodiment, in a far north mining camp during the winter, natural light exposure to high Kelvin temperature light, that is greater than 4,000 Kelvin, is extremely limited and the control system would project very little light exposure for the balance of the day, and might provide bright white exposure for the period of time the individual is exposed to the LED light. Conversely, at the same mining camp in summer, the control system would project that the individual would likely be exposed to high levels of natural sunlight throughout the day (if working outdoors) and would not expose the individual to high Kelvin light. Similarly, shift workers at the mining camp may not be exposed to natural light any time of the year that promotes normal circadian rhythm sleep patterns. Through effective control of light intensity and Kelvin temperature afforded by this invention the normal circadian rhythms of shift workers can be promoted through achievement of lighting goals established by medical professionals.
[0048] In another embodiment, residents in old age facilities ( FIG. 10 ) often do not receive a medically established desirable level of bright high-Kelvin light normally obtained through exposure to natural sunlight. Many elderly patients have disrupted sleep patterns and are prescribed medications or active light therapy in an attempt to promote normal healthy sleep. The invention can deliver the bright high-Kelvin temperature light recommended by healthcare professionals in a passive manner that does not require the patient to perform any tasks or take any medications to promote sleep. Currently, light therapy consisting of exposure to bright high-Kelvin light is achieved through requiring the patient to stare into a light box or other device for some two hours. Furthermore, such light therapy does not take into account the amount of light the patient has been, and likely will be, exposed to during the day. For example, if it is a bright sunny day and a comfortable temperature, the patient may have an opportunity to be exposed to desirable natural light, and the data gathering pin or sensor 2 would record that data and communicate it to the lighting control system 3 . When the patient returns to their room on a sunny day when they were exposed to natural light the control system would include in its analysis that light exposure and not seek to over-expose the patient to high-Kelvin light. More likely the patient on a normal day has not been exposed to desirable levels of natural light, e.g. on a rainy day or a day the elder has not been exposed to enough natural light the control system would compensate for the anticipated lack of exposure by providing high Kelvin temperature lighting indoors.
[0049] In another embodiment, lighting control for groups of people would be accomplished similarly through processing light exposure data acquired from a variety of sensors placed in key areas indoors and outdoors ( FIG. 3 ), analyzing this data along with other inputs such as upcoming activities, and issuing control commands to the LED lighting designed to optimize light intensity and Kelvin temperature exposure. For example, a group of third grade students ( FIG. 11 ) might be scheduled to take a standardized test after lunch so the control system would cause the LED lighting to emit high intensity and high Kelvin temperature light consistent with peer-reviewed scientific studies (Mott) that indicate elevated test scores when students have been exposed to high intensity high Kelvin temperature immediately before and during standardized tests. Conversely, if the same third grade class was to have nap/rest time, the control system would dim the lights and change the Kelvin temperature to 2,500 Kelvin so as to promote a restful environment.
[0050] In another embodiment of this invention, group lighting control in an elder care facility where most patients receive little or no bright sunlight can be implemented through the control system by programming it to be aware of the daily schedule ( FIG. 7 ). In this example the control system would cause the LED lighting in the resident's and common rooms to provide bright 6,500 Kelvin light during the day, and 2,700 Kelvin light during the evening, thus promoting lighting intensity and Kelvin temperature that has been determined by medical experts to be optimal with respect to melatonin release by the pineal gland in the brain which is essential to a normal circadian rhythm and sleep cycle. Experiments conducted at the Rennselaer Polytechnic Institute's Lighting Research Center Light and Health Institute have determined the levels of light intensity and Kelvin temperature required to entrain circadian rhythm and we have designed our LED light and control systems to achieve the required levels of light. In both the school and the elderly care facility, the lighting can be controlled by authorized individuals as well as through automated control.
[0051] In another embodiment, lighting control that balances the individual's needs along with the groups needs is accomplished through advanced artificial intelligence control that has the ability to balance individual and group lighting exposure objectives ( FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The basis for the artificial intelligence control mechanism is fuzzy neural networks 60 that seek to identify optimal behavioral control across a number of weighted variables. Fuzzy sets mathematically differ greatly from Boolean sets in that with Boolean sets membership in a set is absolute and can be represented in a control sense as a zero or a one. Fuzzy sets allow for a membership value in a set. A simple example is the set of tall people that we can arbitrarily define as anyone six feet tall or taller. The “tall” people would be assigned a one and all others a zero. This implies that someone 5 feet 11.999 inches would receive a zero and someone 0.001 of an inch taller a one when there is virtually no difference in their height. From a control perspective Boolean sets can be blunt tools. When the same group of people is treated with fuzzy sets the individual only 0.001 of an inch shorter than the six foot individual would have nearly the same membership value in the set of tall people. Fuzzy sets offer a far sharper tool from a control perspective, and when combined with a pattern detecting neural network are used to optimize light settings for an individual in a group. There is currently no other LED lighting control system with the capability to optimize Kelvin temperature and intensity light settings for an individual within a group.
[0052] For example, an individual that has been diagnosed with a sleeping disorder might be given a higher weight in a group than an individual in the same group who has no sleep disorder. When the artificial intelligent processor of the invention analyzes the various building and individual sensor data, it will take into account the membership values ( FIG. 5 “other input”) of the individuals in the group in terms of their sensitivity to lighting conditions, and when optimizing lighting for the group will weight those lighting-sensitive individuals in the group higher, the optimization algorithm will result in controlling the lighting in a way that optimizes both the individual and group lighting exposure. If the individuals in the group are equipped with our light gathering data pin 2 ( FIG. 2 ), the lighting exposure during group activities will be recorded and used as input to control lighting intensity and Kelvin temperature exposure in personal spaces. Thus the lighting needs of both the group and the individual can be optimized through multi-level intelligent control that is a central part of this invention.
[0053] This invention will utilize a number of different types of pre-existing lighting sensors that are commonly available that measure ambient light conditions in a variety of facilities ( FIG. 3 ). They are currently used to provide data to control systems to raise or lower lighting levels, raise or lower window blinds, and other similar tasks ( FIG. 12 ). These systems do not take into account real-time light exposure of individuals, nor do the control systems seek to optimize lighting conditions at multiple levels of individual or group requirements. Light data gathering sensors and basic control systems are currently available from Crestron, Lutron, EuControls, and other notable vendors. Additionally, a light intensity and Kelvin temperature data gathering pin has been developed by Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI). The invention includes utilizing the data gathering aspects of this or similar light data gathering pin and adding wireless radio frequency communication capability to it so real-time data can be transmitted to our control system module. It is the unique data gathering, processing, and analysis aspects of our invention that extend the field of lighting control into new capabilities that can optimize lighting intensity and Kelvin temperature across individuals and groups based on real-time data acquisition, transmission, processing, and prediction through our fuzzy neural network module ( FIGS. 4-6 ).
[0054] An embodiment of the present system provides an LED light panel that has preprogrammed light settings typically required by different groups or individuals ( FIG. 7 ). This lower cost approach can avail lighting Kelvin temperature control for budget-constrained situations or in environments where regularly scheduled activities are predictable and able to be addressed through less sophisticated lighting control than described above. These pre-programmed light intensity and Kelvin temperature control settings are based on scientific research and can be effectively deployed in both institutional and consumer products to provide desirable levels of light intensity and Kelvin temperature for specific activities.
[0055] Another embodiment of the lower cost LED light intensity and Kelvin temperature controlled light is a consumer product for use in a kitchen 33 , FIG. 13 , that has preprogrammed light settings for specific activities ( FIGS. 8 and 9 ). For example, in food preparation and cleaning activities high intensity and high-Kelvin temperature light is desired for safety and cleanliness reasons, and lower intensity and warmer Kelvin temperature light is desirable for dining activities. Our kitchen light is pre-programmed to deliver various desirable light settings with minimal action required on the part of the consumer ( FIG. 13 ). Similarly, our bathroom light ( FIG. 14 ) is preprogrammed for makeup application settings utilizing optimal high light intensity levels and Kelvin temperature settings that promote optimal light conditions for different skin tones while also providing lower intensity warmer light for normal bathing activities. | A method controls the light exposure of an individual during a given time period. A control unit is provided for controlling lights. A first sensor is worn by the individual and gathers light exposure data including lighting intensity data and Kelvin temperature data experienced by the individual. Second sensors are disposed in a building for collecting emitted light data emitted in the building. The emitted light data and the light exposure data are transmitted to the control unit. The light data, along with desired data including desired light intensity and desired Kelvin temperature are stored. The optimal light exposure for the individual is determined based on the light data or the desired data, and an output signal is generated based on the optimal light exposure. The lights are controlled based on the output signal to produce an overall light intensity and Kelvin temperature pattern per day for the individual. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to seats for use by children in motor vehicles and, particularly, to seats having child-restraining harnesses. More particularly, the present invention relates to children's vehicle seats with harness adjustment mechanisms.
[0003] 2. Description of the related art
[0004] Child seats are widely used by operators of motor vehicles. Child seats generally include a plastic shell with a cushioned seat formed over the shell. A harness is generally provided on the seat to restrain the child and retain the child in the seat. Harness systems typically include a shoulder harness with straps designed to extend over the shoulders of the child, a lower belt, and a buckle. The belts and straps included with the harness system can typically be adjusted in length to accommodate children of different sizes.
[0005] Additionally, some child seats allow adjustment of the height of the shoulder harness retainers to permit the seat to accommodate children of various heights and to allow the seat to be adjusted as a child grows. In some prior art child seats, adjustment of the height of the shoulder harness retainers requires rethreading the shoulder straps. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,543,847 and 6,189,970. In other prior art seats, operation of a mechanical locking or latching mechanism is necessary to adjust the height of the shoulder straps. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,626,493 and 6,779,843. Many conventional seats also require access to the rear portion of the child seat for adjustments. See, e.g., U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,626,493 and 6,491,348.
[0006] In sum, the prior art devices do not provide the important advantages of allowing easy adjustment of the position of the shoulder strap harness retainers without the need to rethread the straps, access the rear side of the seat, or operate a locking or latching mechanism.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an aspect of the present invention to provide a child restraint seat that includes: (a) a seat shell having a bottom seat portion and a back support portion, the back support portion having a front surface, a rear surface, and one or more slots, each slot extending through the back support portion from the front surface to the rear surface, (b) a harness connected to the seat shell including one or more shoulder straps; and (c) a shoulder strap mounting mechanism. The shoulder strap mounting mechanism may include (a) one or more harness mounts, each harness mount connecting to one shoulder strap adjacent to the front surface of the back support portion of the seat shell and extending through one slot, and (b) a height adjustment mechanism connected to the rear surface of the back support portion of the seat shell, the height adjustment mechanism including a trolley connected to the harness mounts and a support apparatus.
[0008] More specifically, the support apparatus may include a cord, the cord being affixed to the back support portion and the trolley being slidingly connected to the cord. The cord is fixed to the back support portion above the highest point of travel of the trolley. Preferably in this embodiment, the cord may extend longitudinally to one end of the trolley, laterally adjacent to or within the trolley, and longitudinally to and is connected to the back support portion at a point below the lowest point of travel of the trolley.
[0009] In an embodiment, the cord may pass through a portion of the trolley, or, alternately, the cord may be connected to the trolley bar externally.
[0010] In an embodiment, the support apparatus additionally may include a second cord, the second cord being fixed to the back support portion in the same way, but at an opposite side of the back support portion, as the first.
[0011] In a further embodiment, the cord passes through a portion of the trolley. In another further embodiment, the cord is connected to the trolley externally.
[0012] It is also an aspect of the present invention to provide child restraint seat including: (a) a seat shell having a bottom seat portion and a back support portion, the back support portion having a front surface, a rear surface, and one or more slots, each slot extending through the back support portion from the front surface to the rear surface, and having an upper end away from the bottom seat portion and a lower end nearest the bottom seat portion; (b) a harness connected to the seat shell including one or more shoulder straps; and (c) a shoulder strap mounting mechanism. The shoulder strap mounting mechanism includes one or more shoulder strap mounts, each shoulder strap mount having a first end connecting to one shoulder strap adjacent to the front surface of the back support portion of the seat shell and a second end extending through one slot, a detent assembly positioned on the rear surface of the back support portion of the seat shell including detents, and a strap mount retainer for holding the strap mount in the detents. The detent assembly preferably comprise depressions and the retainer preferably comprises a cord.
[0013] In one embodiment, the detent assembly comprises a plurality of depressions on the rear surface of the back support portion adjacent to the one or more slots, each depression being adapted to couple with engagement portions on one or more of the shoulder strap mounts.
[0014] In another embodiment, the detent assembly comprises a plurality of protuberances on the rear surface of the back support portion adjacent to one or more slots, each protuberance being adapted to couple with the engagement portion on one or more of the shoulder strap mounts.
[0015] In one embodiment, the cord is an elastic cord. In another embodiment, the cord is substantially inelastic.
[0016] In another embodiment, the shoulder strap mount is slidingly connected to the cord.
[0017] In another embodiment, the detent assembly comprises a plurality of depressions on the rear surface of the back support portion adjacent to the slots, each depression is adapted to couple with an engagement portion of the shoulder strap mount; the cord is an elastic cord; and the shoulder strap mount is slidingly connected to the cord.
[0018] These and other aspects and objects, along with advantages and features of the invention disclosed herein, will be made more apparent from the description, drawings, and claims that follow.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] The foregoing and other aspects, objects, features, and advantages of the present invention, as well as the invention itself, will be more fully understood from the following description of preferred embodiments, when read together with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0020] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a child restraint vehicle seat in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view of an embodiment of a trolley mechanism for use in connection with the restraint of FIG. 1 ;
[0022] FIG. 3A is a rear elevation view of an alternate embodiment of a trolley mechanism for use in connection with the child restraint of FIG. 1 ;
[0023] FIG. 3B is a rear perspective view of the trolley mechanism of FIG. 3A .
[0024] FIG. 4 is a detail perspective view of an embodiment of a shoulder strap mount and detent assembly for use in connection with the child restraint vehicle seat of FIG. 1 ;
[0025] FIG. 5 is a rear elevation view of an alternate embodiment of the child restraint of FIG. 1 ;
[0026] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the shoulder strap mount of FIG. 4 ; and
[0027] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternate embodiment of the shoulder strap mount of FIG. 6 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0028] Referring to FIG. 1 , an embodiment of a child restraint seat 10 includes a seat shell 12 with a bottom seat portion 14 adapted to support a child's bottom and upper legs and a back support portion 16 positioned to lie at an angle to bottom seat portion 14 . The back support portion has a front surface 18 , a rear surface 20 , and two slots 22 . Harness 30 is provided to restrain a child's movement relative to the seat shell 10 and may include two shoulder straps 32 , a lower belt assembly 34 , and a buckle unit 36 .
[0029] Although seat shell 12 may be a one-piece molded body, it is within the scope of the present invention to use a multiple-piece body. In preferred embodiments, seat shell 12 may include one or more cushions or padding layers (not shown) that cover bottom seat portion 14 and back support portion 16 to enhance the comfort of the child (not shown) sitting in the seat 10 .
[0030] Turning now to FIG. 2 , slots 22 may be aligned in spaced-apart diverging relation (lowest end to highest end). Preferably, a first distance 24 separates the lowest end of slots 22 and a longer second distance 26 separates the highest end of slots 22 . The slots 22 may be arranged in a V-shaped pattern to provide for variable lateral spacing of the shoulder straps 32 as described below.
[0031] In an embodiment of the present invention, as shown in FIG. 2 , shoulder strap mounting mechanism 100 includes strap mounts 102 to which the shoulder straps 32 are coupled and a height adjustment mechanism 104 which supports the strap mounts 102 and allows their positions within the slots 22 to be adjusted. The height of the strap mounts 102 determines the nominal height of the shoulder straps 32 above bottom seat portion 14 . In general, a taller child requires the strap mounts 102 to be higher than required for a shorter child.
[0032] The height adjustment mechanism 104 includes a trolley 106 and a cord assembly 108 . Each strap mount 102 extends through the slots 22 in the back support portion 16 of the seat shell 12 and is slidably connected to the trolley 106 . The connection between the strap mounts 102 and the trolley 106 is such that the strap mounts 102 can slide laterally along the trolley within the range of motion allowed by the slots 22 . This slidable connection between the strap mounts 102 and the trolley 106 allows the distance between the slots 22 to be narrower near the bottom seat portion 14 of the seat shell 12 . As the trolley 106 is moved away from the bottom seat portion 14 to accommodate a taller child, the lateral distance between the strap mounts 102 increases, thereby accommodating the taller child's wider shoulders.
[0033] The trolley 106 is supported by a cord assembly 108 which maintains the trolley 106 in a substantially horizontal position adjacent, but not affixed, to the rear surface 20 of the back support portion 16 of the seat shell 12 . The cord assembly 108 includes a first cord 110 and a second cord 112 . Cords 110 / 112 are attached to rear surface 20 of the seat shell 12 in a generally H-shaped fashion. Cord 110 forms the upper left, horizontal, and lower right segments and cord 112 forms the upper right, horizontal, and lower left segments. Cords 110 / 112 are affixed to the rear surface of the back support portion 16 at the four endpoints 114 of the vertical segments of the H-shape arrangement. Trolley 106 is slidably connected to the horizontal segments of cords 110 / 112 . Because the total length of each cord 110 / 112 remains constant, trolley 106 is maintained in a substantially horizontal orientation as it is moved throughout its range of motion permitted by the slots 22 . Thus, strap mounts 102 are held at substantially equivalent heights above the bottom seat portion 14 as they are moved throughout the range of motion.
[0034] The embodiment shown in FIG. 2 incorporates a trolley 106 with an internal cavity extending throughout its length through which the cords 110 / 112 are placed. An alternative embodiment is shown in FIGS. 3A-3B in which the cords 110 / 112 are slidably connected to the trolley 106 by cord guides 116 / 117 / 118 . The operation of the embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3B is otherwise identical to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 2 . In each of the embodiments shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A-3B , the friction between the cords 110 / 112 and either the trolley bar 106 or the cord guides 116 / 117 / 118 is sufficient to hold the trolley bar 106 in place until the caregiver desires to adjust the position of the shoulder straps 32 .
[0035] The embodiment shown in FIGS. 3A-3B may include a trolley carriage 105 . The trolley carriage 105 provides a housing for several components including the trolley 106 and cord guides 116 / 117 / 118 as well as providing a greater surface area for the trolley carriage 105 to contact and frictionally engage the child restraint seat 10 . Cord guides 116 are provided to change the direction of the cords 110 / 112 from generally vertical to generally horizontal within the trolley carriage 105 . Cord guides 117 maintain proper alignment of cords 110 / 112 with the cord guides 116 . Cord guide 118 is provided proximate to the center of the trolley carriage 105 to ensure separation between cord 110 and cord 112 . Trolley 106 may be comprised of two segments held on the trolley carriage 105 by trolley retainer 107 to facilitate easier assembly.
[0036] In an embodiment, channels 23 surround slots 22 on the rear surface 20 . Channels 23 are thicker at their upper and lower ends, corresponding to the curvature of the rear surface 20 , such that their edges are substantially coplanar. Thus the trolley carriage 105 is movable up and down in a generally linear range of motion. The trolley carriage 105 is movable within frame 119 on the rear surface 20 . Frame 119 may be integrally molded into the rear surface 20 or may be an attached piece. Cord endpoints 114 may be mounted on frame 119 . It is within the scope of the invention to include either or both of the channels 23 and the frames 119 in an embodiment of the invention as depicted in FIG. 2 .
[0037] As shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A-3B , a single length of cord may be used to comprise both cords 110 / 112 . This may be accomplished by running the continuous length of cord between either the upper endpoints 114 or, as shown in FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A-3B , the lower endpoints 114 . It is also within the scope of the invention to attach the free ends of cords 110 / 112 using a single boss secured by a fastener such as a screw.
[0038] A caregiver can raise and lower strap mounts 102 to change the height and lateral spacing of the shoulder straps 32 to fit the child who is to be restrained in the seat 10 . To do so, the caregiver simply grasps the strap mounts 102 and exerts an upward or downward force sufficient to overcome the frictional forces holding the trolley 106 in place. When the desired position is reached, the caregiver releases the strap mounts 102 .
[0039] In another embodiment of the present invention, shoulder strap 32 is connected to a shoulder strap mount 202 . As shown in FIG. 4 , shoulder strap mount 202 extends through slot 22 and releasably couples with a shoulder strap mount detent assembly 200 . Each detent assembly 200 may be located on the rear surface 20 of the back support portion 16 of the seat shell 12 adjacent to slot 22 . Alternately, the detent assembly 200 may be formed as part of a separate member which is affixed to the rear surface 20 of the back support portion 16 adjacent to slot 22 .
[0040] As shown in FIG. 5 , a plurality of detent assemblies 200 are associated with each slot 22 . Each shoulder strap mount 202 is facilitated to be held in a detent assembly 200 by a retainer, such retainer can comprise an elastic cord 212 . Each shoulder strap mount 202 is slidably attached to its associated elastic cord 212 at the hole formed by the generally toroidal protuberance 204 as shown in FIG. 6 and FIG. 7 .
[0041] As shown in FIG. 5 , cords 212 are affixed to the rear surface 20 of the back support portion 16 of the seat shell 12 both above and below slots 22 at points 214 . Sufficient tension is present in the cords 212 to maintain the shoulder strap mounts 202 coupled with the detent assembly 200 until the caregiver desires to adjust the position of the shoulder strap mounts 202 as described below.
[0042] In one exemplary embodiment, each shoulder strap mount 202 is generally H-shaped, as shown in FIG. 6 . The shoulder strap 32 passes through one side of the H which defines a slot 208 . The opposite vertical portion of the H is adapted to releasably couple with a shoulder strap mount height locator 200 . This portion of the shoulder strap mount also includes a protuberance 204 of a generally toroidal shape through which cord 212 is run. The horizontal portion 206 of the H is adapted to slide easily within slot 22 in the seat shell 12 .
[0043] To adjust the height of shoulder strap mount 202 , the caregiver grasps the strap attachment portion of the mount 202 and pushes it generally horizontally towards the rear of the seat shell 12 , overcoming the elastic tension on the cord 212 , thus disengaging the shoulder strap mount 202 from the detent assembly 200 . The caregiver then slides the shoulder strap mount 202 generally vertically within the slot 22 to the desired detent assembly 200 while maintaining the horizontal force. With the shoulder strap mount 202 adjacent to the desired detent assembly 200 , the caregiver removes the rearward force on the shoulder strap mount 202 and the tension in the cord 212 causes the shoulder strap mount 202 to releasably couple with the detent assembly 200 . The process is repeated for the other shoulder strap 32 and mount 202 . Normally the shoulder strap mounts 202 are placed in corresponding detent assembly 200 such that they are at substantially the same height above the bottom seat portion 14 .
[0044] An alternate embodiment of the shoulder strap mount 202 is shown in FIG. 7 . In this embodiment, the portion of the shoulder strap mount 202 that couples with the detent assembly 200 includes curved ends. The associated detent assembly 200 is adapted to releasably engage the curved ends. It is within the scope of the present invention to utilize other alternative shapes of shoulder strap mounts and detent assembly.
[0045] It is within the scope of the present invention to substitute for elastic cords 212 substantially non-elastic cords coupled with one or more tensioning devices which, permit strap mounts 202 to be moved from one detent assembly 200 to another detent assembly 200 in the manner described above. Additionally, it is within the scope of the present invention that a strap, cable, webbing, rope, or other elongate flexible member can be substituted for the elastic cords 212 .
[0046] It is also within the scope of the present invention to utilize shoulder strap mounts 202 that include one or more recessed portions which are adapted to releasably couple with corresponding protuberances which comprise the detent assemblies 200 on the rear surface 20 of the back support portion 16 of the seat shell 12 .
[0047] Following from the above description and invention summaries it should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that, while the systems and processes herein described constitute exemplary embodiments of the present invention, it is understood that the invention is not limited to these precise systems and processes and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the following claims. Additionally, it is to be understood that the invention is defined by the claims and it is not intended that any limitations or elements describing the exemplary embodiments set forth herein are to be incorporated into the meanings of the claims unless such limitations or elements are explicitly listed in the claims. Likewise, it is to be understood that it is not necessary to meet any or all of the identified advantages or objects of the invention disclosed herein in order to fall within the scope of any claim, as the invention is defined by the claims and because inherent and/or unforeseen advantages of the present invention may exist even though they may not have been explicitly discussed herein. | A child restraint seat is provided including a seat shell adapted to be coupled to a vehicle seat, a child restraint harness coupled to the seat shell, and a harness adjustment mechanism. A shoulder strap mounting mechanism permits the height of the shoulder strap mounts to be varied to adapt the seat to accommodate children of different sizes. The mounting mechanism is easily operable from the front of the seat without requiring operation of latching mechanism or the rethreading of straps. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a camera, particularly to a camera including an optical system for condensing picture rays onto a light-receiving surface of a solid state image pickup device (CCD) to thereby perform imaging.
[0002] CCD cameras using solid state image pickup devices, for example, those disclosed in Japanese Patent Nos. 3277974 and 3297946 have been widely used. Generally, a CCD type solid state image pickup device has a configuration in which light receiving devices for constituting pixels are arranged in a matrix, signals obtained by photo-electric conversion at each light receiving device are read out to a vertical register provided in correspondence with each vertical column of the light receiving devices, the signals are transferred in the vertical direction by the vertical register, the signals are transferred in the horizontal direction by a horizontal transfer register, the signals are converted into voltages by an output unit such as an FDA, and the voltages are outputted to the exterior of the camera.
[0003] The cameras using the CCD as above are used not only as still cameras and video cameras but also as cameras which are mounted, for example, to an outside portion of a vehicle body of an automobile or in a compartment of an automobile.
[0004] FIG. 13 shows one example of such an automotive camera, in which a CCD 3 is mounted on a substrate 2 disposed in a casing 1 , a lens-barrel 5 is disposed on the front side of the CCD 3 , and picture rays are condensed onto a light receiving surface of the CCD 3 by lenses 6 , 7 , 8 and 9 held in the inside of the lens-barrel 5 , to form an image. In addition, an opening on the front side of the lens 6 and on the front side of the casing 1 is covered with a protective plate 10 .
[0005] Such an automotive camera according to the related art has the defect of generation of dewing on the inside surface of the protective plate. Specifically, as shown in FIG. 13 , the lenses 6 to 9 are provided in the inside of the camera, and the protective plate 10 composed of a glass or plastic transparent plate is disposed on the front side thereof, so that a plurality of air layers are not present between the outside air and the air layer inside the camera, the temperature difference or temperature gradient between the outside air and the inside of the protective plate 10 is therefore enlarged, and, since the capacity of air inside the camera which makes contact with the protective plate 10 is large, dewing is liable to occur on the inside surface of the protective plate 10 .
[0006] In view of this problem, as shown in FIG. 14 , a glass heater 13 formed by vapor deposition of a metal, for example, is provided on the outer peripheral side of the protective plate 10 , and an electric current is supplied to the glass heater 13 from a substrate 2 through lead wires 14 , to thereby warm up the protective plate 10 through the glass heater 13 . This configuration makes it possible to prevent the surface temperature of the protective plate 10 from being lowered and to prevent the dewing from occurring. However, this leads to an increase in cost due to the glass heater 13 , or an increase in electric power consumption due to the power consumption by the glass heater 13 , and the rise in the temperature inside the camera produces bad influences on the electric component parts, particularly semiconductor devices inclusive of the CCD 3 , which are present inside the camera.
[0007] FIG. 15 shows another measure for preventing the dewing. Here, a moisture absorbent 15 such as silica gel is disposed at a predetermined position inside a casing 1 , whereby the humidity inside the camera is lowered so as to prevent the generation of dewing. In this case, however, there is the problem that the moisture absorbed into the moisture absorbent as time passes is discharged as water vapor upon a temperature rise due to a camera operation, with the result of dewing, or that the moisture absorbent generates dust or debris. Furthermore, the moisture absorbent 15 leads to an increase in cost and to the need to secure a space for arranging the moisture absorbent 15 .
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide a camera in which dewing does not occur on transparent members in an optical path for introducing picture rays.
[0009] It is another object of the invention to provide a camera in which a protective plate leading to dewing thereon is absent.
[0010] It is a further object of the invention to provide a camera in which prevention of dewing by electric heating is not needed.
[0011] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a camera which does not need a moisture absorbent for absorbing moisture inside the camera.
[0012] The above objects of the present invention will become clear from the technical thought and embodiments of the present invention which will be described below.
[0013] In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including an optical system for condensing picture rays onto a light receiving surface of a solid state image pickup device to thereby perform imaging, wherein the optical system is comprised of a plurality of lenses, the lenses are held on a lens-barrel in the state of being aligned in an optical axis direction, and gaps between the lenses and the lens-barrel are eliminated so as to form spaces shield from the exterior by the lens-barrel and the plurality of lenses.
[0014] Here, n lenses may be aligned inside the lens-barrel along the optical axis direction so as to form n−1 spaces along the front-rear direction in the optical axis direction. In addition, seal members may be interposed between the lenses and the lens-barrel so as to form spaces shielded from the exterior by the seal members.
[0015] In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a camera including an optical system for condensing picture rays onto a light receiving surface of a solid state image pickup device to thereby perform imaging, wherein the optical system is comprised of a lens-barrel having a plurality of lenses, spaces shielded from the exterior are formed between the plurality of lenses, and the lens-barrel is disposed on the outside of a casing.
[0016] Here, a female screw hole may be provided on the front side of the casing and on the front side of the solid state image pickup device, and a male screw formed at an outer peripheral portion of the lens-barrel may be set in screw engagement with the female screw hole. In addition, the lens-barrel may be mounted to the casing so that the lens on the frontmost side in the optical system is located on the front side of a front surface plate of the lens-barrel.
[0017] Besides, the camera may be a camera mounted to the outside of an automobile. Alternatively, the camera may be a camera mounted in a compartment of an automobile. In addition, the camera may be connected to a display unit disposed at such a position as to be seen from a driver's seat of an automobile, and a picture picked up may be displayed by the display unit.
[0018] A preferred embodiment of the present invention is so configured as to make it difficult for dewing from occurring on the lens surfaces in the camera or the inside surface of the camera, in which a plurality of air layers are provided by a lens frame and the lenses, there is little distribution of air between the air layers, and it is difficult for the temperature inside the casing to be transmitted to the lens surfaces. This configuration is not limited to the one composed of the plurality of lenses and the lens frame, and may be a structure in which a protective transparent cover or transparent plate, an outer frame for holding the transparent cover or transparent plate, and a lens block are collected on the front side relative to the lens located on the frontmost side.
[0019] According to the embodiment as above, it is possible to produce a camera in which it is difficult for dewing to occur, particularly on the inside of the lenses. In addition, since the lens block can be so structured as to be separable from the camera main body, a camera having a different angle of view from the original camera can be easily configured by simply replacing the original lens block by another lens block having the different angle of view.
[0020] Besides, since there is no need for a glass heater or a moisture absorbent for preventing dewing, the cost for such a dewing-preventive unit is precluded, there is no need for space for laying out such a glass heater or moisture absorbent or a peripheral equipment thereof, and the camera can therefore be made small in size. In addition, since a glass heater is not needed, electric power consumption is reduced, the rise in the temperature inside the camera is suppressed, and bad influences on semiconductor component parts are restrained. Further, generation of water vapor from a moisture absorbent due to a rise in the inside temperature, and the resultant dewing, can be obviated. Furthermore, there is no fear that scum or dust might be generated from a moisture absorbent to produce bad effects on the image.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The above objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description and appended claims, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the overall configuration of an automobile fitted with a camera;
[0023] FIG. 2 is a partly broken perspective view on the back side of a door mirror fitted with the camera;
[0024] FIGS. 3A and 3B show a front view and a side view showing the condition where a side view camera is mounted on a front bumper;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a block diagram showing the connection of the camera with a control unit;
[0026] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the camera;
[0027] FIG. 6 is a vertical sectional view of the camera;
[0028] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a camera according to a modified embodiment;
[0029] FIG. 8 is a vertical sectional view of the camera;
[0030] FIG. 9 is a dew-point temperature table;
[0031] FIG. 10 is a graph illustrating the mechanism of generation of dewing;
[0032] FIG. 11 is a graph showing the relationship between dew point and dewing;
[0033] FIG. 12 is a graph showing the relationship between absolute temperature and relative humidity;
[0034] FIG. 13 is a vertical sectional view of a camera according to the related art;
[0035] FIG. 14 is a vertical sectional view of another camera according to the related art; and
[0036] FIG. 15 is a vertical sectional view of a further camera according to the related art.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0037] Now, the present invention will be described below referring to an embodiment shown in the figures. FIG. 1 shows the overall configuration of an automobile fitted with a camera according to this embodiment, in which a display system 22 is disposed on a substantially central portion of an instrument panel 21 on the skew front side of a driver's seat 20 of the automobile. The display system 22 is composed, for example, of a liquid crystal display panel, functions to display an image picked up by the camera, and functions also as a car navigation display system.
[0038] Cameras to be connected to the display system 22 include a front view camera 25 , a side view camera 26 , a night eye camera 27 , a left side view camera 28 , a rear view camera 29 , a driver's seat monitor camera 30 , an assistant driver's seat camera 32 , a security camera 33 and the like. All the cameras 25 to 33 may not necessarily be provided, and some of them may be provided.
[0039] The front view camera 25 is a camera for visually checking the area directly below and on the front side of the vehicle. The left side view camera 28 is disposed inside a case 37 of the left-side door mirror 36 and on the back side of the mirror as shown in FIG. 2 , for obtaining a field of view of the left side, particularly the left lower side which constitutes a dead angle from the driver's seat 20 . Incidentally, an auxiliary illumination 38 is provided at a side portion of the left side view camera 28 . In addition, the side view camera 26 is for visually checking the vehicle from both the left and right sides on a T road or the like, and is mounted to an upper portion of the front bumper 39 through, for example, a bracket 40 , as shown in FIG. 3 .
[0040] The night eye camera 27 is an infrared camera, for obtaining a front field of view in the night, particularly that which is not seen with a visible-ray headlight. The rear view camera 29 is provided at a rear portion of the vehicle, for visually checking the rear field of view at the time of moving rearwards.
[0041] The driver's seat monitor camera 30 is a monitor camera for detecting the driver's sleeping through detecting a wink or the like of the driver seated in the driver's seat 20 . The assistant driver's seat monitor camera 31 is for monitoring a child, for example, in the case where the child is seated on the assistant driver's seat. The security camera 33 is a camera attached to the lower side of the ceiling of the compartment which, in the case of a mischief or the like during parking, obtain the image of the mischief or the like to be transmitted to a cellular phone of another driver being remote from this vehicle.
[0042] These cameras are connected to a camera control unit 42 , as shown in FIG. 4 . In addition, the auxiliary illumination 38 coupled with the left side view camera 28 is connected to the camera control unit 42 . The pictures picked up by the cameras 25 , 28 , 29 , etc. are transferred to and displayed on the display system 22 through the camera control unit 42 .
[0043] Now, an example of an automotive camera which is as above-mentioned and is mounted to the outside of the vehicle will be described below, referring to FIGS. 5 and 6 . The camera includes a roughly rectangular parallelopiped casing which is composed of a polyamide-made front casing 47 and an aluminum die-cast rear casing 48 . A mounting substrate 49 is disposed inside the casing 48 , and a CCD 50 is mounted on the mounting substrate 49 . Specifically, leads 50 extended on both sides of the CCD 50 are soldered in the state of making contact with a wiring pattern of the mounting substrate 49 , whereby the CCD 50 is mounted on the mounting substrate 49 . Incidentally, the mounting substrate 49 with the CCD 50 mounted thereon is connected to the exterior through a cord 52 .
[0044] The front casing 47 is provided with a projected portion 54 projected to the front side, and the inner peripheral surface of the projected portion 54 is provided with a female screw hole 55 . A lens-barrel 56 is put in screw engagement with the female screw hole 55 .
[0045] In the lens-barrel 56 , four lenses 61 , 62 , 63 and 64 are arranged from the front side toward the rear side in an optical axis direction, with a plurality of spacers 57 , 58 therebetween. A holder nut 60 is set in screw engagement with a male screw 59 provided in the outer peripheral surface on the tip end side of the lens-barrel 56 , whereby an outer peripheral portion of the lens 61 on the frontmost side is held. An O-ring 65 is interposed between the lens 61 and the lens-barrel 56 , and an O-ring 66 is interposed between the lens 64 and the lens-barrel 56 . Besides, an O-ring 67 is interposed between the lens-barrel 56 and the inner peripheral surface of the projected portion 54 of the front casing 47 .
[0046] With this configuration, a space 68 is formed between the lenses 61 and 62 , a space 69 is formed between the lenses 62 and 63 and on the inner peripheral side of the spacer 57 , and a space 70 is formed between the lenses 63 and 64 and on the inner peripheral side of the spacer 58 .
[0047] FIGS. 7 and 8 show a camera obtained by slightly modifying the camera shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 . Here, an annular seal ring 71 is disposed on the back side of the lens 64 , in place of the provision of the O-ring 66 on the outer peripheral side of the lens 64 . Incidentally, the seal ring 71 is formed, for example, of an acrylic resin, and is attached to the lens-barrel 56 by adhesion. In addition, in this camera, a mount flange 72 projecting outwards is provided at a joint portion, for joining to the rear casing 48 , of the casing 47 . The other configurations are substantially the same as in FIGS. 5 and 6 .
[0048] In the cameras shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , picture rays passing through the lenses 61 , 62 , 63 and 64 are condensed onto a light receiving surface of the CCD 50 mounted on the mounting substrate 49 , to form an image. Therefore, the CCD 50 generates an electrical signal according to the picture, and the electrical signal is supplied through the cord 52 to the camera control unit 42 shown in FIG. 4 . The camera control unit 42 processes the signal, and transmits the processed signal to the display system 22 , which regenerates the picked-up picture.
[0049] Here, particularly at the time of image pickup, electric currents flow in the semiconductor devices including the CCD 50 , so that heat is generated in the CCD 50 and the mounting substrate 49 , whereby the temperature inside the casings 47 and 48 is raised. However, due to the presence of the O-ring 66 or the seal ring 71 disposed on the outer peripheral side of the lens 64 at a rearmost portion in the lens-barrel 56 , distribution of air between the space inside the lens-barrel 56 and the space inside the casings 47 and 48 is perfectly prevented. Therefore, heated air inside the casings 47 and 48 would not flow into the lens-barrel 56 , and the lenses 63 , 62 and 61 on the front side relative to the lens 64 are little influenced by the temperature.
[0050] In other words, the space between the lenses 63 and 64 is shielded from the other spaces by the spacer 58 . In addition, the space between the lenses 62 and 63 is shielded from the other spaces by the spacer 57 . The space 68 between the lenses 61 and 62 is shielded from the other spaces due to the direct contact of the lenses 61 and 62 on both sides thereof with each other. Further, the space 68 between the lenses 61 and 62 is shielded from the outside air by the O-ring 65 . Therefore, the air layers in these spaces 68 , 69 and 70 ensure that the temperature of particularly the lens 61 on the frontmost side is little raised. This means that no temperature difference is generated between the outside surface and the inside surface of the lens 61 . Accordingly, dewing does not occur on the inside surface of the lens 61 , particularly the surface fronting on the space 68 .
[0051] Generally, in the camera as shown in FIG. 6 or 8 , the generation of heat at the substrate 49 or the like inside the camera produces a difference between the temperature inside the casings 47 and 48 and the outside air temperature. When the inside temperature becomes higher than the outside air temperature, the surface temperature of the lens 61 on the frontmost side is lowered, and, when the temperature in the vicinity of the inside surface of the lens 61 reaches the dew-point temperature, water droplets are deposited on the surface or the inside of the lens 61 . This is dewing.
[0052] Specifically, the maximum amount of water vapor containable in air at a certain temperature is generally called saturated water vapor amount, and the air in this instance is called saturated air. The amount of water vapor containable in air varies depending on temperature, and more water vapor is containable as the temperature is higher. When the temperature of saturated air is lowered, the water vapor in the air condenses into dew. The saturation temperature of air which contains the water vapor in this manner is referred to as dew-point temperature. The dew-point temperature is determined by absolute humidity.
[0053] For example, in the dew-point temperature table shown in FIG. 9 , the dew-point temperature in the case where the air temperature is 20° C. and the relative humidity is 60% is 12° C. Therefore, when the air temperature is lowered to 12° C., dew is generated (see FIGS. 10 and 11 ).
[0054] In addition, the amount (absolute amount) of water vapor contained in air is called absolute humidity (g/kg) (see FIG. 12 ). On the other hand, the ratio of the amount of water vapor (absolute humidity) to the limit amount of water vapor containable in air, i.e., to the specific humidity at saturation, is represented by relative humidity as shown in FIG. 12 . The humidity in general use is the relative humidity, and dewing occurs when the relative humidity exceeds 100%.
[0055] Therefore, from this theory, it can be said that for obtaining a camera free of the possibility of dewing, it suffices to reduce the amount of water vapor (absolute humidity) inside the casings 47 and 48 of the camera; in this case, it suffices to reduce the inside volume. Besides, it is necessary to reduce the temperature difference between the inside of the camera and the outside air.
[0056] In this embodiment, as shown in FIG. 6 or 8 , air is partitioned by the plurality of lenses 61 to 64 and the lens-barrel or lens frame 56 , so as to form the plurality of air layers 68 , 69 and 70 , whereby the amount of water vapor in air is reduced. The clearances between the lenses 61 to 64 and the lens frame 56 are reduced, whereby flow of air between the air layers is substantially precluded, to prevent dewing. This is the same principle as that of the heat-insulating double sash.
[0057] In addition, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , the lens block composed of the lens-barrel 56 holding the lenses 61 to 64 is provided in the exterior of the casings 47 and 48 of the camera, whereby the temperature gradient between the outside air and the inside of the camera is moderated, and it is made difficult for the raised temperature inside the camera to be transmitted to the surface or inside surface of the lens 61 . Namely, the temperature difference between the outside air and the inside surface of the outermost lens 61 is reduced to thereby enhance the heat-insulating effect.
[0058] As to the cameras shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 , actual verification experiments were carried out, to obtain the following results. For acceleration of dewing, the condition where high-temperature high-humidity air is contained in the inside of the camera is prepared. In the condition where the casings 47 and 48 of the camera are open, the camera is left to stand for 12 hours in a high-temperature high-humidity atmosphere (temperature 40° C., humidity 95%) which is considered to be the condition of the maximum humidity on a practical-use basis, and, in this atmosphere, the casings 47 and 48 are closed. Then, for cooling the camera, the camera is left to stand in a 20° C. atmosphere. Thereafter, an electric current is passed in the mounting substrate 49 of the camera, for producing a difference between the outside air temperature and the temperature inside the camera.
[0059] The experiments as above showed that the cameras shown in FIGS. 6 and 8 make it more difficult for dewing to occur, as compared with cameras according to the related art. In addition, it was revealed that the cameras according to the present invention make it more difficult for dewing to occur, as compared with a camera in which a partition wall is provided for bisecting the inside of a casing, a lens-barrel is held by the partition wall, and a circuit substrate provided with a CCD is disposed on the back side of the partition wall.
[0060] While the present invention has been described above referring to the embodiments shown in the drawings, the invention is not limited to the above-described embodiments, and various modifications are possible within the scope of the technical thought of the invention described herein. For example, while the above-described embodiments are related to the automotive cameras which are mounted onto outer plates of an automobile, the present invention is applicable to other various types of cameras, particularly various cameras which are required to have a drip-proof structure or water-proof structure. | First to fourth lenses are aligned in an optical axis direction by a lens-barrel of a camera, an O-ring is disposed between the first lens and the lens-barrel, an O-ring is disposed between the fourth lens and the lens-barrel, a space is formed between the first and second lenses, a space is formed between the second and fourth lenses, a space is formed between the third and fourth lenses, and flow of air between the spaces is precluded. The camera thus configured is free of dewing on the lens or a protective plate exposed to the exterior, even when the inside temperature is raised due to heat generation in a CCD or a mounting substrate on which the CCD is mounted. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to rotary machines, and more particularly to a seal assembly for a rotary machine such as steam and gas turbines.
Rotary machines include, without limitation, turbines for steam turbines and compressors and turbines for gas turbines. A steam turbine has a steam path that typically includes, in serial-flow relationship, a steam inlet, a turbine, and a steam outlet. A gas turbine has a gas path which typically includes, in serial-flow relationship, an air intake (or inlet), a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and a gas outlet (or exhaust nozzle). Gas or steam leakage, either out of the gas or steam path or into the gas or steam path, from an area of higher pressure to an area of lower pressure, is generally undesirable. For example, a gas path leakage in the turbine or compressor area of a gas turbine, between the rotor of the turbine or compressor and the circumferentially surrounding turbine or compressor casing, will lower the efficiency of the gas turbine leading to increased fuel costs. Also, steam-path leakage in the turbine area of a steam turbine, between the rotor of the turbine and the circumferentially surrounding casing, will lower the efficiency of the steam turbine leading to increased fuel costs.
It is known in the art of steam turbines to position, singly or a combination, variable clearance labyrinth-seal segments and brush seals in a circumferential array between the rotor of the turbine and the circumferentially surrounding casing to minimize steam-path leakage. Springs hold the segments radially inward against surfaces on the casing that establish radial clearance between seal and rotor but allow segments to move radially outward in the event of rotor contact. While labyrinth seals, singly or in combination with brush seals, have proved to be quite reliable, their performance degrades over time as a result of transient events in which the stationary and rotating components interfere, rubbing the labyrinth teeth into a “mushroom” profile and opening the seal clearance.
Accordingly, there is a need in the art for a rotary machine having good leakage control between stationary and rotating components.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The present invention provides, in one embodiment, an annular turbine seal for disposition in a turbine between a rotatable component having an axis of rotation and a turbine housing about the same axis of rotation. The turbine seal has a plurality of arcuate seal carrier segments that have an abradable portion secured to the seal carrier segments. In addition, at least one spring is disposed on the seal carrier segment to exert a force and maintain the seal carrier segment adjacent to the rotatable component.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
These and other features, aspects, and advantages of the present invention will become better understood when the following detailed description is read with reference to the accompanying drawings in which like characters represent like parts throughout the drawings, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a schematic, cross-sectional exploded view of one embodiment of the instant invention.
FIG. 2 is a schematic, cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the instant invention.
FIG. 3 is a schematic, cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the instant invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic, cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the instant invention.
FIG. 5 is a schematic, cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of the instant invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A rotary machine 100 , for example, a steam turbine, typically comprises a rotating turbine bucket 110 disposed in a stationary turbine housing 120 and which turbine bucket 110 is supported by conventional means, not shown, within turbine housing 120 (as shown in FIG. 1 ). An abradable seal 130 , generally designated 130 , disposed between rotating turbine bucket 110 and stationary turbine housing 120 , comprises an arcuate seal carrier segment 140 disposed adjacent to turbine bucket 110 separating pressure regions on axially opposite sides of arcuate seal carrier segment 140 . Arcuate seal carrier segment 140 includes an abradable portion 150 radially disposed on seal carrier segment first surface 190 . As used herein, “on”, “over”, “above”, “under” and the like are used to refer to the relative location of elements of rotary machine 100 as illustrated in the Figures and is not meant to be a limitation in any manner with respect to the orientation or operation of rotary machine 100 . It will be appreciated that while only one arcuate seal carrier segment 140 and one abradable portion 150 are illustrated, typically a plurality of abradable seals 130 having at least one abradable portion 150 and at least one arcuate seal carrier segment 140 are provided about turbine bucket 110 . Abradable portion 150 is of a design for obtaining close clearances with the radial projections or ribs 160 and the grooves 170 of the bucket cover 180 . For example, during operation, ribs 160 and grooves 170 wear away part of abradable portion 150 leaving a profile matching that of ribs 160 and grooves 170 on abradable portion 150 resulting in a close clearance between the components. The clearance is typically in the range between about 0.02 mm and about 0.7 mm. It will also be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the location, number and height of ribs 160 and grooves 170 located on bucket cover 180 may be varied. In addition, turbine bucket 110 components (e.g. bucket cover 180 ) facing abradable portion 150 may be varied as well, for example, there may not be a bucket cover 180 and therefore the turbine bucket 110 surface may be flat.
Abradable seal 130 segments are typically spring-backed and are thus free to move radially when subjected to movement during normal conditions of startup. For example, abradable seal 130 segments are free to move radially when there is a variance from the normal rotational profile between abradable seal 130 and turbine bucket 110 . In one embodiment, springs 185 exert a force to keep abradable seal 130 disposed adjacent to bucket cover 180 and allow some radially outward movement of arcuate seal carrier segment 140 during transient events, for example, during startup and shutdown. Springs 185 typically comprise, but are not limited to, leaf springs or coil springs. Springs 185 apply a radial force, when assembled in the rotary machine, that is typically in the range of about 2 to about 5 times the weight of the arcuate seal carrier segment 140 that it is supporting. In operation, springs 185 only need to provide enough force to seat arcuate seal carrier segment 140 radially toward turbine housing 120 and keep arcuate seal carrier segment 140 disposed adjacent to turbine bucket 110 , bucket cover 180 or blades (see FIG. 2 ). As a result of “seating” arcuate seal carrier segment 140 radially toward turbine housing 120 , the gap “G” (see FIG. 1) between seal carrier segment 140 and turbine housing 120 is minimized thus reducing gas or steam leakage in the turbine area of a gas or steam turbine (see FIG. 2 ). For example, steam turbine applications, the weight of an individual arcuate seal carrier segment 140 is typically in the range of about 10 pounds to about 25 pounds. Thus, springs 185 must provide at least this level of force in order to provide enough force to seat arcuate seal carrier segments 140 radially toward turbine housing 120 . In another embodiment, spring 185 is disposed on a plurality of arcuate seal carrier segments 140 . In another embodiment, a single spring is disposed on the entire annular array of arcuate seal carrier segments 140 .
In another embodiment, the spring system of the present invention is adapted to be used in conjunction with other means to apply pressure to arcuate seal carrier segments 140 . For example, springs work in conjunction with gas pressures (illustrated in phantom in FIG. 2) for providing a force to keep abradable seal 130 disposed adjacent to bucket cover 180 or turbine buckets 110 . In this embodiment, arcuate seal carrier segment 140 is initially pushed axially toward turbine housing 120 by the upstream pressure which is caused by the expansion of the gas through the turbine and dictated by the design of the gas or steam path geometry and flow (see FIG. 1 ). This upstream pressure eventually fills the cavity between turbine housing 120 and arcuate seal carrier segment 140 and further forces arcuate seal carrier segment 140 radially inward to reduce the clearance with turbine buckets 110 , for example, after the turbine has been brought up to speed. In one embodiment, at least one spring 185 is disposed on each of the arcuate seal carrier segments 140 .
In one embodiment, abradable portion 150 composition typically comprises a first component comprising cobalt, nickel, chromium, aluminum, yttrium (hereinafter referred to as CoNiCrAlY) and a second component selected from the group consisting of hexagonal boron nitride (hexagonal BN) and a polymer. Typical polymers used are thermosets, such as polyesters and polyimides. In another embodiment, abradable portion 150 composition typically comprises a component comprising nickel, chromium and aluminum, and another component comprising clay (e.g. bentonite) (hereinafter referred to as “NiCrAl+clay”). Another embodiment is a composition typically comprising a first component consisting nickel and graphite (hereinafter referred to as “Ni+Graphite”) or a second component comprising of stainless steel. Another embodiment is a composition typically comprising nickel, chromium, iron, aluminum, boron and nitrogen (hereinafter referred to as “NiCrFeAlBN”). Another embodiment comprises a first component comprising chromium, aluminum and yttrium (hereinafter referred to as “CrAlY”) and a second component selected from the group consisting of iron, nickel and cobalt. Furthermore, abradable portion 150 may consist of a composition typically comprising a first component comprising chromium and aluminum (hereinafter referred to as “CrAl”) and a second component selected the group consisting of iron, nickel and cobalt. Other embodiments of abradable portion 150 composition may include a material composed of metal fibers that are pressed or sintered together or infiltrated with resin or other material, for example, Feltmetal™ (offered for sale by Technectics Corp., DeLand, Fla.) and a nickel based alloy with high resistance to oxidation, for example, Hastelloy™ (offered for sale by Technectics Corp., DeLand, Fla.). It will be appreciated that abradable portion 150 is disposed on seal carrier segment first surface 190 by brazing or thermal spraying, for example. In addition, it will be appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art that the thermal spray may be adjusted to introduce porosity into the abradable portion. Operating conditions for abradable portion 150 composition is typically in the range between about 20° C. and about 700° C.
Referring to FIG. 1, abradable portion 150 nominally projects from arcuate seal carrier segment 140 a distance “t” which corresponds to the maximum expected radial incursion of the turbine buckets 110 or blades into the abradable portion 150 of abradable seal carrier 130 in a radial direction. Consequently, the distance “t” corresponds to the radial deflection of the turbine buckets 110 and its calculation is dependent on the predicted deflection of rotary machine 100 and the radial deflection of arcuate seal carrier segments 140 during transient or steady-state operation. Abradable portion 150 radial distance “t” is typically in the range between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm. In one embodiment, abradable portion 150 arcuate length “l” and width “w” is equal to the arcuate length and width of the arcuate seal carrier segment 140 (see FIG. 5 ). It will be appreciated that arcuate length and width of abradable portion 150 may vary depending upon the application.
In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention (see FIG. 2 ), there is provided a springbacked abradable seal 130 formed by the combination of an abradable portion 150 and at least one labyrinth tooth 200 . It will be appreciated that the location and number of labyrinth teeth 200 on arcuate seal carrier segment 140 may be varied. In one embodiment, labyrinth teeth 200 are typically located at the periphery of each arcuate seal carrier segment 140 as shown in FIG. 2 . Here, at least one labyrinth tooth 200 profile extends 360° about the edge annular array of seal carrier segments (not shown).
In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention (see FIG. 3 ), there is provided a springbacked abradable seal 130 formed by the combination of an abradable portion 150 and at least one brush seal 210 . It will be appreciated that the location and number of at least one brush seal 210 may be varied depending upon desired application. In operation, it will be appreciated that the combined abradable portion 150 and at least one brush seal 210 may move radially inwardly and outwardly with the tips of the bristles 220 engaging the turbine bucket covers 180 substantially throughout the full 360° circumference of the rotor.
In accordance with another embodiment of the instant invention (see FIG. 4 ), there is provided a springbacked abradable seal 130 formed by the combination of an abradable portion 150 , at least one brush seal 210 and at least one labyrinth tooth 200 . It will be appreciated that the location and number of at least one brush seal 210 and at least one labyrinth tooth 200 may be varied depending upon desired application. For example, in steam or gas turbines, solid particles are typically centrifuged outward at the blade tips. The labyrinth tooth 200 and brush seal 210 serve as auxiliary seals in case of excessive erosion of the abradable portion. Depending upon at least one brush seal 210 bristle angle, there may be a lack of bristles 220 at the ends of arcuate seal carrier segment 140 . The lack of bristles 220 at the ends of arcuate seal carrier segment 140 does seriously compromise or degrade the sealing capability because of the structural combination with abradable portion 150 , at least one labyrinth tooth 200 or both.
It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, while the invention has been illustrated and described herein in accordance with the patent statutes, modification and changes may be made in the disclosed embodiments without departing from the true spirit and scope of the invention. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall within the true spirit of the invention. | The present invention provides, in one embodiment, an annular turbine seal for disposition in a turbine between a rotatable component having an axis of rotation and a turbine housing about the same axis of rotation. The turbine seal has a plurality of arcuate seal carrier segments that have an abradable portion secured to the seal carrier segments. In addition, at least one spring is disposed on the seal carrier segment to exert a force and maintain the seal carrier segment adjacent to the rotatable component. | 5 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention generally relates to a process for making color filters on the basis of laser printing, and particularly to a process applying digital systems or logic processor to the production of color filters.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] For conventional processes of making color filters, the cost of requisite equipment and components, as well as the cost of operation (such as labor, material, and consumption/loss) can be hardly reduced. Furthermore, the conventional processes of making color filters are always subject to significant defects resulting from the particles inherent therein, and leave scarce room for shortening its production time period, time for switching between product lines, and time for transition from off to regular full load operation, leading to the fact that the quality and price of color filters constitute a bottle-neck of generalizing the application of related products (Liquid Crystal Display, for example).
[0003] A typical conventional process using pigment-dispersion scheme to make color filters is described as follows with reference to FIG. 1. As shown in FIG. 1, the typical conventional process comprises the steps of: cleaning (represented by 61 in FIG. 1) glass substrate 81 ; deposing (represented by 62 in FIG. 1) film 82 such as Cr/CrOx on a surface of glass substrate 81 to form (represented by 63 in FIG. 1) black matrix layer 83 ; forming (represented by 64 in FIG. 1) preset layer 84 requisite for disposing photo-resistant layer, exposing (represented by 65 in FIG. 1) by means of mask 86 and light beam 85 ; developing (represented by 66 in FIG. 1); successively forming (represented by 67 , 68 , and 69 in FIG. 1) red photo-resistant layer 87 , green photo-resistant layer 88 , and blue photo-resistant layer 89 ; forming (represented by 70 in FIG. 1) flat cover layer 90 ; and then deposing (represented by 71 in FIG. 1) ITO layer 91 if required. It can thus be seen that a typical conventional process of making color filters includes a variety of petty steps, and has to critically rely on skilled technicians, cautious operation, accuracy of production apparatus, quality of components/material, and production environment, resulting in extreme difficulty in lowering cost, also resulting in the fact it has to suffer from a variety of factors which are critical to product quality while being hardly controllable. Furthermore, its production time period, time for switching between product lines, and time for transition from off to regular full load operation can hardly be shortened.
[0004] To improve the conventional processes of making color filters, although some schemes on the basis of inkjet printing have been used for making color filters, the inkjet printing based processes are still subject to bottle-necks in solving reliability problems of ink-jet head, and in lowering cost (particularly the bottle-neck resulting from difficulty in lowering operational cost and component/material cost) as well as shortening production time period to meet a variety of market demand. Consequently not only are the related industries currently looking forward to solutions to these problems, but also the market oriented supply-demand coordination in the future will force suppliers to significantly curtail production time period, particularly when the flexibility, mobility, and variety of supplying color filters become important as a result of related applications getting varied and popularized. It can thus be understood that the inkjet printing based processes will still unable to meet market oriented supply-demand coordination, and the competitive capability of supplying color filters must be further promoted. The present invention is therefore developed on one hand to overcome the bottle-necks in lowering cost and shortening production time period reduction, and on the other hand to meet the trend of supply-demand coordination in the market related to color filter applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] A first object of the present invention is to lower the cost of making color filters.
[0006] A second object of the present invention is to shorten the production time period of making color filters.
[0007] A third object of the present invention is to shorten the time for switching between product lines of making color filters of various specifications.
[0008] A fourth object of the present invention is to shorten the time for transition from off to regular full load operation in the processes of making color filters of various specifications.
[0009] A fifth object of the present invention is to prepare for the trend of supply-demand coordination in the market related to color filter applications.
[0010] A sixth object of the present invention is to release color filter production processes from its critical reliance on skilled workers, cautious operation, accuracy of production apparatus, quality of components/material, and production environment.
[0011] A typical aspect of the present invention is a process for making a color filter on the basis of a transparent plate according to demanded specifications, wherein the transparent plate includes a surface. The process comprises the steps of:
[0012] defining a dot matrix according to the demanded specifications in such a way that the area between any adjacent dots of the dot matrix is in black color, and any adjacent dots of the dot matrix are respectively in different primary colors such as red, green, and blue colors;
[0013] converting the dot matrix into an image signal; and
[0014] executing a laser printing process to print, according to the image signal, an image of the dot matrix on the transparent plate, with light absorbing material and photo resistant material in primary colors as pigments.
[0015] In the above process, a laser printer may be used to execute the laser printing process according to the image signal inputted thereto. The laser printer may include a toner container containing light absorbing material, and include another toner containers respectively containing photo resistant material of different types each in a different one of primary colors. For example, the laser printer may include a first toner container containing light absorbing material, a second toner container containing photo resistant material in red color, a third toner container containing photo resistant material in green color, and a fourth toner container containing photo resistant material in blue color.
[0016] In the above process, the dot matrix may be defined by configuring a dot matrix pattern in a display via an input means, the dot matrix pattern convertible into an image signal representing the dot matrix, the image signal may be sent to the laser printer or be stored in a memory, or be sent to the laser printer and be stored in a memory at the same time. The dot matrix may also be defined by scanning an image of a sample of the color filter and providing, according to the scanned image, an image signal representing the dot matrix.
[0017] It can be seen now the process for making color filters according to the present invention features: application of computer or logic processor to dynamically adapt production to various demanded specifications; and application of laser printing to make color filters simply, economically, and swiftly, leading to achieving the objects of the present invention.
[0018] The present invention may best be understood through the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] [0019]FIG. 1 is a diagram for describing a typical conventional process of making color filters according to a pigment-distribution scheme.
[0020] [0020]FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing one preferred embodiment of a process of making color filters according to the present invention.
[0021] [0021]FIG. 3 shows an example of a dot matrix in a process of making color filters according to the present invention.
[0022] FIGS. 4 A- 4 E are schematic diagrams for describing a laser printing process according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] A typical process for making a color filter according to the present invention is described hereinafter with reference to FIG. 2 (block diagram), FIG. 3 (an example of dot matrix), and FIG. 4A. In the process, a transparent plate 1 as shown in FIG. 4A is used as the main material for making a color filter according to demanded specifications, wherein the transparent plate 1 includes a surface 9 (FIG. 4A). The process comprises: a step (denoted by numeral reference 31 in FIG. 2) of defining a dot matrix, and a step (denoted by numeral reference 32 in FIG. 2) of executing a laser printing process.
[0024] Step 31 defines a dot matrix (such as the one denoted by 50 shown in FIG. 3) according to the demanded specifications in such a way that the area 2 (in FIG. 3) between any adjacent dots (such as 53 and 54 , 53 and 55 in FIG. 3) of the dot matrix 50 is in black color, and any adjacent dots (such as 53 and 54 , 53 and 55 in FIG. 3) of the dot matrix 50 are respectively in different primary colors. For example, if dot 53 is in red color, then dots 54 and 55 are respectively in green and blue colors. The dot matrix may be defined by configuring a dot matrix pattern in a display (not shown in figure) via input means (not shown in figure), wherein the dot matrix pattern is represented by a digital signal that may be an image signal 23 or may be converted into the image signal 23 , may be stored in a memory 24 , or may be transmitted to a laser printer 25 , or may be stored in memory 24 and transmitted to laser printer 25 at the same time.
[0025] Step 32 of executing a laser printing process prints, according to the image signal 23 , an image of the dot matrix 50 on surface 9 of the transparent plate 1 (in FIG. 4A), with light absorbing material and photo resistant material in primary colors used as pigments. An embodiment of step 32 is that a laser printer 25 is used to print an image of dot matrix 50 on surface 9 of the transparent plate 1 , wherein laser printer 25 includes a toner container containing light absorbing material, and includes another toner containers respectively containing photo resistant material of different types each in a different one of primary colors. For example, the laser printer 25 may include a first toner container (not shown in figure) containing light absorbing material, a second toner container (not shown in figure) containing photo resistant material in red color, a third toner container (not shown in figure) containing photo resistant material in green color, and a fourth toner container (not shown in figure) containing photo resistant material in blue color.
[0026] In the above process according to the present invention, the image signal 23 stored in memory 24 may be transmitted to laser printer 25 at any time for executing the laser printing process (step 32 ). The image signal 23 stored in memory 24 may even be modified any time to adapt to new demanded specifications of color filters.
[0027] The above process according to the present invention may further comprise a step (denoted by arrow 33 in FIG. 2) of providing transparent plate 1 to the input entrance 251 of laser printer 25 , wherein the specifications of transparent plate 1 correspond to the shape and size of the dot matrix 50 . The above process according to the present invention may also further comprise a step (denoted by arrow 34 in FIG. 2) of outputting transparent plate 1 from laser printer 25 after the image of dot matrix 50 is printed on the surface of transparent plate 1 .
[0028] In the above process according to the present invention, dot matrix 50 may be defined by scanning an image of a sample of a color filter matching demanded specifications, and providing, according to the scanned image, the image signal 23 representing the dot matrix (or the image of the sample), followed by transmitting image signal 23 to laser printer 25 , or storing image signal 23 in memory 24 , or transmitting image signal 23 to laser printer 25 and storing image signal 23 in memory 24 at the same time.
[0029] In the above process according to the present invention, step 31 of defining dot matrix 50 is not always necessary for providing image signal 23 , image signal 23 may be read from memory 24 and then transmitted to laser printer 25 . Image signal 23 may also be modified any time via a system (not shown in figure) including input means (such as a keypad) and display means (such as a monitor or LCD), and then transmitted to laser printer 25 , or stored in any memory unit (inside or outside printer 25 ) to be accessed any time later for executing the laser printing process.
[0030] The distribution of primary colors over dot matrix 50 is such that the evener it is the better the product will be. For example, the dots 53 , 54 , and 55 (FIG. 3) are respectively in different primary colors such as red, green, and blue colors, i.e., any adjacent two dots (such as 53 and 54 , 53 and 55 ) are in different primary colors.
[0031] An embodiment of the laser printing process according to the present invention is described as follows with reference to FIGS. 4A, 4B, 4 C, 4 D, and 4 E. As shown in FIG. 4E, laser beam generator 6 provides, according to image signal 23 , a laser beam 7 (or laser light) to the surface of an object (such as the cylindrical roller 8 in FIG. 4F) which includes photosensitive material and/or electrically inductive material, resulting in forming a latent image (not shown in figure) of the dot matrix 50 on the surface of object 8 . An example of the latent image is a latent electrostatic image. Due to an attraction force resulting from the latent image, if the object 8 and/or material containers (not shown in figure) are/is moved in such a way (not shown in figure) that the light absorbing material and photo resistant material are approximate enough to the surface of object 8 , the light absorbing material and the photo resistant material in different primary colors are respectively attached to (according to the latent image of the dot matrix 50 ) their corresponding parts of the surface of object 8 . For example, the light absorbing material is attached to the part which corresponds to the area 2 (in FIGS. 3 , and 4 B- 4 E) between adjacent dots of dot matrix 50 , the photo resistant material 3 in red color is attached to the part which corresponds to red dot 53 (in FIG. 3) of dot matrix 50 , the photo resistant material 4 in green color is attached to the part which corresponds to green dot 54 (in FIG. 3) of dot matrix 50 , and the photo resistant material 5 in blue color is attached to the part which corresponds to blue dot 55 (in FIG. 3) of dot matrix 50 . After the light absorbing material and the photo resistant material in different primary colors are respectively attached to their corresponding parts of the surface of object 8 , the object 8 and/or material containers are/is moved away from each other.
[0032] After the light absorbing material and the photo resistant material are attached to their corresponding parts of the surface of object 8 , and the object 8 and/or material containers are/is moved away from each other, object 8 and/or transparent plate 1 are/is moved in such a way that the surface of object 8 and the surface 9 of the transparent plate are close enough to each other for at least part of the light absorbing material and the photo resistant material to be respectively transferred from the surface of object 8 to the surface 9 of transparent plate 1 , thereby an image of dot matrix 50 appears on surface 9 of transparent plate 1 as a result of the attachment of the absorbing material and the photo resistant material (three types in different primary colors) to surface 9 of transparent plate 1 . For example, at least part of the light absorbing material and at least part of the photo resistant material of each primary color are respectively transferred from the surface of the object 8 to their corresponding parts of surface 9 of the transparent plate 1 , and the transparent plate 1 which has had light absorbing material and the photo resistant material on the surface 9 thereof is then moved away (e.g., in a direction denoted by 99 in FIG. 4E) from object 8 , to be a product of color filter.
[0033] What is shown in FIG. 4E represents a laser printing process in which the light absorbing material 2 and the photo resistant material 3 (red color), 4 (green color), and 5 (blue color) are all synchronously printed onto surface 9 of transparent plate 1 .
[0034] Another embodiment of the laser printing process according to the present invention may comprise different steps respectively printing the light absorbing material and the photo resistant material (in each primary color) on the transparent plate, as shown in FIGS. 4 B- 4 D. For example, a step prints light absorbing material 2 on surface 9 of the transparent plate 1 as shown in FIG. 4B, another step prints photo resistant material 3 (in red color) on surface 9 of the transparent plate 1 as shown in FIG. 4C, a further step prints photo resistant material 4 (in green color) on surface 9 of the transparent plate 1 as shown in FIG. 4D, and another further step prints photo resistant material 5 (in blue color) on a surface of a transparent plate which finally appears the same as the transparent plate 1 shown in FIG. 4E. A complete image of dot matrix 50 is thus formed on a surface of a transparent plate which is to be used as a color filter.
[0035] The process for making a color filter according to the present invention may further comprise a step of covering the light absorbing material (such as material 2 in FIGS. 4 B- 4 E) and the photo resistant material (such as material 3 , 4 , and 5 shown in FIGS. 4 C- 4 E) by a protection layer (not shown in figure), following the step of forming a complete image of dot matrix 50 (as shown in FIG. 3). The protection layer may further cover the part of surface 9 which has not been covered by light absorbing material 2 and photo resistant material 3 , 4 , and 5 , after forming a complete image of dot matrix 50 on the surface 9 of transparent plate 1 . Depending on demanded specifications, a film of ITO (not shown in figure) may be formed on the protection layer, or directly on light absorbing material 2 and photo resistant material 3 , 4 , and 5 .
[0036] The light absorbing material 2 according to the present invention may be in black color with capability of blocking light, or may be material with capability of anti-reflection. The photo resistant material such as those represented by 3 , 4 , and 5 in FIGS. 4 B- 4 E are material allowing only the light of a specific color to propagate therethrough. For example, the photo resistant material respectively in three primary colors such as red, green, and blue, respectively allow only the light of red, green, and blue colors to propagate therethrough.
[0037] The dot matrix 50 according to the above process embodiment may be configured with main reference to the resolution of demanded color filters. The dots of dot matrix 50 according to the present invention are not necessarily located in straight lines, all the dots adjacent to an arbitrary dot are not necessarily symmetrically located relative to the arbitrary dot, the shape and size of all dots are not necessarily consistent, and the dot may be in any shape. What is important is that the more evenly the black color and each of the primary colors are distributed over the dot matrix 50 , the more evenly the photo resistant material and the light absorbing material will be printed on transparent plate 1 , and the better the product may be.
[0038] While the invention has been described in terms of what are presently considered to be the most practical or preferred embodiments, it shall be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. The spirit and scope of the invention shall cover any modifications or similar arrangements. | The present invention generally relates to a scheme for making color filters on the basis of laser printing, and particularly to a scheme exploiting digital systems (or logic processor) and laser printer to make color filters in a simple, economical, and swift way, and being capable of dynamically adapting to various demanded specifications. The scheme for making color filters according to the present invention mainly comprises the steps: defining a dot matrix according to the demanded specifications; converting the dot matrix into an image signal; and executing a laser printing process to print, according to the image signal, an image of the dot matrix on a transparent plate. | 6 |
This case is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 07/431,642, filed on Nov. 3, 1989, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to embodiments of a new portable fence construction, particularly one useful in sporting events, crowd control and in situations when a fence is needed for a purpose that does not require, or permit permanent fencing.
Fences enhance the playing of various games in many ways, and also promote safety to participants and spectators. For example, the presence of a fence produces a boundary for a baseball or softball playing field. Properly distanced from home plate, a fence will allow well hit balls to be counted as home runs. The sight of a long fly ball sailing over the outfield fence for a home run adds tremendous thrill and excitement to such games, both for players and spectators. Likewise, on sharply hit balls which do not have the distance to carry over the fence, a fence will prevent them from rolling out and becoming "cheap" home runs. For example, when playing softball or baseball an outfield fence will keep sharply hit ground balls in the playing field and will prevent a ball sharply hit through the gap between outfielders from turning into a "cheap" home run. A fence also defines the playing field boundaries, and prevents a well hit fly ball that should be a home run from being caught by an outfielder. The sight of a long fly ball sailing over the outfield fence for a home run adds tremendous thrill and excitement to such games, both for players and for spectators.
The presence of a fence in other sporting uses can provide a significant reduction of serious injury to the participants and spectators. For example, a fence placed around discus and shot put landing areas at a track and field competition reduces the risk of serious injury, even death, to anyone who might inadvertently wander into those areas.
Fences are commonly employed in situations requiring crowd control. The presence of a fence to keep people confined to, or away from, a specific area is frequently required by coaches, athletic administrators, park directors, nursery school operators, and many others.
For most of these applications, and more, the use of a fence permanently attached to the ground is not appropriate. Existing portable fence products on the market, include those such as: (1) "portable" metal chain link fence panels, which are very heavy, dangerous and require a great deal of time to set-up and take down, or (2) a type of fence which requires that stakes or posts be driven into the ground and then a mesh fabric hung to them, and cannot be used on hard surfaces, and can be dangerous.
Most athletic and recreation administrators will choose not to use such types of fencing because of the great deal of time they take to set up and take down, as well as the unsightly appearance of the metal fences. If the fence is not dismantled after each event or activity, they cannot utilize that field for most other activities. Also, the stakes or posts, when inserted into the ground can cause damage to underground sprinkler pipes and, when removed, leave holes in the playing field on which players can trip and injure themselves.
In many cases, there is a need for portable fencing on a hard surface such as a sidewalk or street, or a gymnasium or field house floor. The only fence hereto available has been the "portable" metal chain link panels, saw horses, ropes and flags, roll fencing, snow fencing and the like. Further, the above mentioned fences which are used for marking a playing field and which may only be as sturdy as necessary for this task, make a poor crowd control fence. Likewise, a good crowd control fence might prove hazardous for a playing field where it was so sturdy that a player collision with the fence could cause player injury. This is especially the case where the fence is heavy, where the player might become caught along the top edge, and be forced to ride the top of the fence to the ground. Crowd control fences are not designed to yield, and are typically made of metal, which can further cause injury.
Both crowd control fences and sports fences also often suffer from not being closely associated to adjacent sections. In crowd control, it is advantageous to connect adjacent fence sections so that each panel may gain the strength from its immediate and next several most adjacent panels. In crowd control, only a small relative movement between two fence sections is sufficient to allow significant numbers of the crowd to pour through to the protected area.
In sports applications, when a player collides with one or two separated sections, a grounds keeper attendant is usually required to re-align the fence sections. If the player takes time to re-align the sections, the game lengthens and play cannot resume until the player finishes his task. When a player collides with a fixed fence section, or fence section which is rigidly interconnected with other fence sections, the result is generally injury to the player.
An additional use for a fence, one well recognized by professional stadiums, is the availability of advertising space. Businesses or corporations wishing to attract the attention of, and send a message to, players and fans of the game or activity can easily attach their messages to the outfield fence. Owners of the fence can derive significant revenue from such advertising space, too. The ability to affix permanently an advertising logo can also be used to attract sponsorship which will permanently defray or reduce the cost of the fence for the sports director in exchange for a fence system which will permanently display their logo or message, even months and years into the future.
Therefore in many sports, for example, there is a need for a fence which is safe for the players, portable, durable, easily erected and taken down, compact, affordable and attractive. The needed fence should perhaps have the ability to interconnect fence sections, assume a first configuration more conducive to sports play and a second configuration more conducive to crowd control. The dimensions should be such that the clearance below and between adjacent fence sections is sufficient to prevent passage of a baseball.
The needed fence should have a loose connection between adjacent sections sufficient to resist wind forces, yet be able to release from adjacent fence sections, "break away" from a vertical orientation, and fall flat in order to minimize injuries. The needed fence should be able to break away, and fall flat even when connected to adjacent fence sections, to provide for re-erecting the fence in a stable configuration, without the need for measurement in the fence's re-alignment.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The first embodiment of the portable fence of the present invention consists of a frame holding a fencing net, the frame having at least a bottom side. A base element engages the bottom side of the fence and supports the fence frame in a vertical position relative to a field or other surface. A collapsible mechanism attaches the base element to the frame, and permits the base to disengage from the frame on application of a predetermined force to the frame, such as when a player collides with the fence, thereby permitting the fence to collapse flat on the field.
The fence section of the present permits the rapid and easy configuration and re-configuration of a playing surface. There currently may be upwards of 200,000 unfenced playing fields in the United States which can benefit from the use of a portable fence. Existing fields can benefit from re-configuration using the fence 101 of the present invention by enabling, and by its ease of use encouraging the multiple uses of existing fields. A regulation sized baseball field can be configured for softball, little league, or T ball, each by configuring the portable fence sections of the present invention into the proper configuration. A four hundred foot section of the fence of the present invention can be constructed in about thirty minutes by just two people. The fence section of the present invention contains no sharp edges and weighs about 25 pounds per fence section, and may vary only slightly depending upon the size of the section. Further the fence sections of the present invention save money by having both a sports use and a crowd control use, particularly important where budgets are tight, and organizations do not have the luxury of investing in two fixed use fence systems.
Preferably the mechanism attaching the base to the frame holds the frame and base together when the fence is being collapsed, and upon the fence being repositioned in a generally vertical orientation, urge the base back into engagement with the frame such that it will again hold the frame upright relative to the playing field.
In addition, preferably the frame may be releasably connected to adjacent frames to form an elongated fence, this releasable engagement including, in the first embodiment, compressible plugs received in opposed sockets in adjacent fence sections, the plugs being compressed and frictionally holding the fence sections together, but permitting the fence sections to release from one another on application of the predetermined force to a section of the fence.
Further, in the first embodiment, the preferred construction the portable fence frame is formed of marginal elements consisting of hollow tubes bearing inwardly facing flanges, the fence netting being received in the flange, these structures preferably consisting of elements which interlock the fence netting margin with the flange.
The portable fence of the present invention provides the user with the benefits of: (1) being able to use it on all types of hard surfaces, as well as on turf or dirt, indoors or outdoors, (2) quick and easy set up and dismantling, since it is lightweight and does not require stakes or posts, (3) convenient and compact storage when not in use and convenient transport for use, and (4) reduced risk of injury to players, spectators and maintenance personnel.
The second embodiment of the present invention includes a section which breaks away in the vertical plane, to fall flat, and which can be configured in (1) a break away position, including a chamfered button lock to ensure this position, and (2) a non-break away, or crowd control position. The second embodiment also possesses affirmative structure to interlock adjacent sections of fence in a first loosely connected state for quick release on player impact for use while the fence is in breakaway position, and in a securely locked position for a strong hold while in crowd control position. Three interlock mechanisms are shown, two which provide a minimum opportunity for locking and unlocking of the fence sections without the use of an instrument to perform interlock actuation, and another which involves the simple turning of a knob to lock and unlock adjacent fence sections.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be further described in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a portable fence constructed in accordance with the teachings of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is an exploded view of the preferred construction of fence;
FIG. 3 is a broken view, a portion of the rail and netting of the preferred fence;
FIG. 4 is a view in cross-section of a portion of the foot and side frame members of the portable fence taken on line IV--IV of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the upper corner portion of the fence taken on lines V--V of FIG. 1, and illustrating one possible way in which an elastic member may be supported;
FIG. 5A is a cross-sectional view of the upper corner portion of the fence taken on lines V--V of FIG. 1 and illustrating a second possible way in which an elastic member may be supported;
FIG. 6 is a view taken on lines VI--VI of FIG. 2 showing the preferred intermediate support member and its engagement with the upper rail element of the fence; and
FIG. 7 is a view of a portion of the upper rail of the fence with a portion broken away to illustrate the interconnection of the rail with the margin of the fencing;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the fence of the present invention;
FIG. 9 is a plan view of a second embodiment of the fence of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a cross sectional area of the upper portion of the second embodiment of the fence of the present invention taken along line 10--10 of FIG. 9;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a retainer member to more securely fit the netting of the fence of the second embodiment into one of the fence's support rails;
FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the use of a short retainer member to more securely fit the netting of the fence of the second embodiment into one of the fence's support rails;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the fence of the second embodiment in a position to break away and fall flat upon receiving a force originating from the right side of the FIG. 13;
FIG. 14 is a side view of the fence of the second embodiment in a balanced position in which the break away feature is disabled;
FIG. 15 is a side sectional of the footing shown from the perspective of FIG. 13;
FIG. 16 is a side view of the footing shown in FIG. 15, but shown in the position of breaking away;
FIG. 17 is a perspective of the lower portion of the footing shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, but in a fully assembled, non-broken away form;
FIG. 18 is a sectional view taken along line 18--18 of FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a sectional view taken along line 19--19 of FIG. 17;
FIG. 20 is an exploded view of the lower portion of the footing shown in FIGS. 16 and 17;
FIG. 21 is a plan view of two adjacent sections of fencing connected by a male and female duckbill connector and showing an additional position for an additional connector;
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors which are tamper resistant, in position to achieve interconnection;
FIG. 23 is a top sectional view of the two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors shown in FIG. 22;
FIG. 24 is a side view of the two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors as shown in FIG. 22, having been moved into position to be locked together;
FIG. 25 is a perspective view of two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors which are easily operated by anyone, in position to achieve interconnection;
FIG. 26 is a top sectional view of the two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors shown in FIG. 25;
FIG. 27 is a side view of the two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors as shown in FIG. 25, having been moved into position to be locked together;
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors which are tamper resistant, in position to achieve interconnection;
FIG. 29 is a top sectional view of the two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors shown in FIG. 28; and
FIG. 30 is a side view of the two adjacent sections of fencing and their associated male and female duckbill connectors as shown in FIG. 28, having been moved into position to be locked together;
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
The first embodiment of the portable fence of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1-7 and is intended to be assembled, with similar sections, into a fence of any desired length, such as a length sufficient to define the outfield boundary of a baseball or softball field. In this embodiment, the portable fence is designed as a sectional element. It is also designed to be easily transported to and from any location; it is lightweight and can be easily carried onto and off of a playing field. The fence includes foot elements that are connected to the frame members in such a fashion that they can be turned out, usually to a 90° approximate angular extent, to support the fence on a field, but turned back into the plane of the section of portable fence to permit the section to be conveniently carried, transported and stored.
A typical use for the preferred portable fence is to define boundaries of a-playing field during a game such as baseball or softball. It is, of course, quite important that any athletic fence be safe. Those playing a game in an area defined by a fence will understandably have their attention on the game, and may unexpectedly encounter the fence while running away from the center of the playing field but looking back onto the playing field and away from the fence. Some present fences do not protect players in such situations (1) they readily cause the player to cartwheel over the fence, (2) cause severe impact resistance to the player (3) have sharp edges, etc., which in turn may cause the player serious injury. Once a fence with permanently and rigidly affixed feet is overturned, subsequent players may fall upon them and become even more severely injured.
The first embodiment of the portable fence of the present invention addresses each and all of these significant concerns.
The preferred construction of the portable fence of the first embodiment of the present invention is shown in the drawings. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a plan and exploded view illustrate the structures making up the first embodiment of the present invention, referred to as fence 1. Each section consists of a frame 2 defined by a series of tubular elements, to be discussed in detail, and which contain and hold netting 4. Preferably each section of fence is approximately 31/2 feet high and 10 feet wide. (Of course, various uses of the portable fence will require or necessitate fence sections of different sizes.)
The frame 2 consists of a horizontal upper rail 6, a horizontal lower rail 8 and two vertical side rails 12. An off-set section 13 represents a break in the horizontal continuity of the bottom rail 8. The off-set sections 13 are to receive and enable 360° rotation of a pair of foot elements 14 which are rotatable in a horizontal plane, into alignment with a plane defined by the fence 1.
In another preferred construction of the first embodiment (not shown) the lower rail 8 does not include an off-set section, but instead extends from one vertical side rail 12 straight to the other vertical side rail 12, the foot elements 14 being rotatable to lie beneath the lower rail 8.
In the first embodiment construction, the vertical side rails 12, foot elements 14, and the various connectors (to be shown) are all made of a polyvinyl chloride (PVC) material, preferably #7164 White 94, manufactured by Georgia Gulf Corporation, PVC Division, Plaquemine, La. This material is specially formulated for use in the outdoors, where ultraviolet radiation is present. It possesses very good physical properties, especially impact strength.
Each of the vertical side rails 12, foot elements 14, and the various connectors (to be shown) are preferably hollow, interfit with the other members, and the fence 1 be constructed from materials which may be about 11/2" to 2" in outside diameter depending on the size desired. In each assembled fence 1, the dimensions are ideally close such that the sizes within each fence 1 are uniform. Since the horizontal upper and lower rails 6 and 8 will be somewhat flexible, preferably the fence 1 may also include intermediate vertical supports 16 that extend between the upper and lower rails 6 and 8, respectively, to increase the structural integrity of the fence, to maintain the spaced relationship of the upper and lower rails 6 and 8, and to hold netting 4 relatively taut between the rails.
Also shown in FIG. 1 is a banner or sign 17 which may be affixed to the upper and lower rails 6 and 8, or to the netting 4. Also shown is an end cap 18 which may be utilized to seal portions of a fence 1 which occur at the end of a row of sections. Cap 18 may be made of metal, plastic, or a foam material.
An exploded view of the preferred construction of portable fence is presented in FIG. 2. FIGS. 3 through 7 show in cross-section or broken section certain portions of the fence.
Upper and lower rails 6, 8 and vertical side rails 12 are all preferably formed as extruded tubing having an outer diameter of approximately 12/3", and include flange elements 20 (see FIG. 6 for a closeup) projecting outward relative to the center of the tubing. The vertical intermediate supports 16 lie over one side of the netting 4 and thus typically will not include flange elements 20.
The fence netting material 4 preferably is a plastic chain link style of fencing manufactured by DuPont Canada. In general, this fencing material consists of plastic strands which cross and are welded to one another and which define a mesh having squares that are approximately 13/4" along each side dimension. The material of choice is a high density polyethylene and is stabilized (or protected) against ultraviolet radiation.
The periphery of this netting 4 is received between flanges 20, and preferably is held within flanges 20 by wedge elements 22 (see FIG. 7 for detail). These wedge elements 22 (which may be made in various sizes to fill more or less of the open squares defined by the netting 4) each have a groove to receive the strands 24 of netting 4, the strands 24 thereby nesting or interfitting with the wedge elements 22. Referring to FIG. 7 for clarity, each wedge element 22 includes a flat bottomed base portion 26 that is received between the opposed flanges 20 and which bears upon inner ledges 28 of the flange (shown in closeup in FIG. 6), the wedge elements 22 thereby interlocking with the flanges 20 to hold the netting 4 to its associated rail. The upper surface of the wedge elements 22 may be of any shape which can trap and support a strand of the netting 4.
Of course, various other connections could be employed to attach the netting 4 to any of the rails 6, 8, or 12. For example, the netting 4 could be tied to the rails, or the netting 4 could be riveted to separate flange elements (not shown) which are in turn riveted to a rail. Also such connectors may be employed in addition to the wedge elements 22, if desired.
Referring back to FIG. 3, the various rails are connected to one another by t-shaped connectors 32. To achieve such connections, flange 20 is either removed from, or does not extend to the end portions of the rails, and the remaining cylindrical end portion of the rail then is inserted in the appropriate socket of the t-shaped connector 32, and preferably solvent welded to that T-shaped connector 32 in a customary fashion. In such a manner, the frames which define the portable fence 1 can be easily assembled and the netting 4 attached to the frame, preferably in a positive, interlocking manner as described.
Each frame includes two foot elements 14. These foot elements consist of a t-shaped member 36 that slidably receives a projecting tubular foot 38, which may, for some uses, be approximately 31" long. A set of caps 42 cover the outer ends of foot 38 to provide a finished appearance and to prevent dirt and other foreign matter from becoming lodged in the foot element 14.
The T-shaped member 36 of each foot element is releasably connected to the adjacent t-shaped member 32. In a preferred construction, as shown in FIG. 4, this connection is provided using a plug member 44 which is partially, but mostly received in the upstanding portion of T-shaped member 36, and received to a lesser extent in the downwardly opening portion of T-shaped member 32. In particular, this plug member 44 includes a base portion 46 that is fixed to the upstanding portion of T-shaped member 36, such as by being solvent welded thereto and/or by being riveted or mechanically attached thereto. Above the base portion of the plug member 44 is a reduced diameter portion 48 and, at the top of plug member 44, is a rim portion 50. The diameter of this rim portion 50 is slightly smaller than the inside diameter of the downwardly extending portion of T-shaped member 32. The outer edge of rim portion 50 has an axial length of approximately 1/8". The spacing of rim portion 50 above the top portion of T-shaped member 36 is such (e.g. about 1") that the rim portion will be received in and snugly interfit with the downwardly projecting portion of T-shaped member 32 but, upon application of a predetermined force to the fence 1 and the vertical side rails 12 will, with respect to pivot foot 14, the rim portion 50 will permit the plug member 44 to be dislodged from T-shaped member 32. In other words, the rim portion 50 of plug member 44 is sized and shaped to fit within the T-shaped member 32, but on application of a predetermined force, such as a player running into the fence, T-shaped member 32 will pivot upwardly an away from plug member 44. A resilient elastic cord 52 passes through an opening 53 in plug member 44 and is fixed to the plug member as, for example, by including a loop in the end of the elastic cord 52 and receiving a pin 54 through that loop, which pin 54 is also received at the end of the plug member. Any means can be used to anchor the cord 52 through the plug 44, including having them formed as an integral unit, or forming means at the upper surface of the plug to which the cord 52 may be attached.
Foot 14 may be rotated relative to side rail 12 to position the foot 14 either in the plane defined by the frame of the fence or to extend the foot outwardly, especially at a 90° with respect to the fence 1. The foot 14 is shown at an angle to the fence 1 in FIG. 1, the foot in this position thereby supporting the fence on the ground.
Preferably foot 38 is slidably received within T-shaped member 36 such that it may be moved relative to T-shaped member 36 to position foot 38 such that it projects away from the plane defined by the fence completely in one direction to maximize tipping force resistance moment from the opposite direction from the one in which foot 38 is moved, or it may be moved for example, to be centered under vertical side rail 12 to provide equal tipping force resistance moment in both directions perpendicular to netting 4.
The plug member 44, and the interconnection of plug member and cord 52, is such that it does not interfere with passage of foot 38 through T-shaped member 36 to permit such adjustment.
The elastic cord member 52 extends up through the vertical side rail 12. It has a length of extension necessary to enable it to develop the necessary tensive force. Most elastic cords and springs produce a tensive force which is roughly proportional to their extension. In this case, the amount of extension, and amount of force necessary dictates, for an elastic cord, that a given length be made available for linear displacement with a resulting evenly changing force. It is understood that a spring can be used, the only requirement is that there be enough room for longitudinal stretching that the force profile does not increase rapidly over the range of stretch, as would be the case of a cord or string whose "give", or reserve displacement had already been utilized.
It is further understood that any means can be used to anchor the other end of the elastic cord 52. For example, a small hook could be mounted at the inside surface of the vertical rail 12. Further, the end of the cord may be cemented, attached as by bolting, or even looped to the outside of the vertical rail 12 through an aperture in vertical rail 12.
Referring to FIG. 5, one possible method of securing the upper elastic cord 52 is shown. Here the elastic cord 50 exists at its upper end in the form of a loop. Into the upper end of the vertical side rail 12 is cut a slot 54A resulting in slot surfaces 55 and 56 which support an enlarged pin 57. Enlarged pin 57 fits through the looped upper end of the elastic cord 52 and supports elastic cord 52. Note that for the extruded material making up the vertical side rail 12 that the pin 57 is supported wholly along a section of its radial underside at one of its ends and only partially supported along a section of its radial underside at its other end.
In this configuration, the pin 57 needs to be large enough that it will rest within its slots and not fall completely through the open side of vertical side rail 12. Thus the width of the slot surfaces 55 and 56 must be wider than the open side of vertical side rail 12. Referring to FIG. 6 for explanation, the cross sectional view of the top rail 6 is the same as the cross sectional view of the vertical side rail 12 in FIG. 5. Note that in FIG. 5 that a portion of the flange elements 20 have been removed to accommodate the rounded outer portion of a T-shaped element 32. In FIG. 6, a dashed dividing line 58 is shown to illustrate the plane through which the flange elements 20 are severed.
Once severed, the structure remaining will consist of a tube having an elongate slot. The pin 57 must be large enough not to fall through the resulting slot. The slot 54A must, therefore be larger than the separation resulting from removal of the flange elements 20. In fact, pin 57 can be quite large, and can be made of any shape. In accord with FIG. 5, the pin 57 is of sufficient length to nestle itself within the slot surfaces 55 and 56 but without overlapping the outer diameter surfaces of the vertical rail 12, so that the T-shaped member 32 can be fitted over the upper end of vertical rail 12. Ideally, pin 57 will be long enough that the inner surfaces of the T-shaped member will prevent any significant axial motion of the pin 57 from causing disengagement from its slot surfaces 55 and 56.
It is also understood that the pin 57 may be an oversized pin which may extend beyond the outer surface of vertical rail 12 and that a slot might instead be formed in the lower portion of T-shaped member to accommodate the protruding sections of the pin 57. In all of the aforementioned situations, the T-shaped member atop vertical rail 12 may be removed without disturbing the upper end of the elastic cord 52.
A second configuration is shown in FIG. 5A in which the elastic cord 52 bears downwardly against the T-shaped member 32, and in which the T-shaped member atop vertical rail 12 may not be removed without disturbing the upper end of the elastic cord 52.
Referring to FIG. 5A, the elastic cord 52 is shown extending upwardly into the T-shaped member 32. In this configuration, no slots need be cut into the vertical side rail 12, nor into the lower portion of T-shaped member 32. The upper end of the loop of the elastic cord 52 can be drawn upwardly through the vertical side rail 12 and outwardly through the outside opening of T-shaped member 32, which is shown in FIG. 5A as being covered by an end cap 18. Here, pin 57 resides within the upper T-shaped member, even though it is shown as being somewhat abbreviated in length. Actually, pin 57 can be much larger in diameter and longer in order to lessen the probability that it will move axially and fall from its resting place, and through the vertical side rail 12. Note that the portion of the end cap 18 which enters the T-shaped member 32 is abbreviated to accommodate the length of the pin 57. The central idea in FIGS. 5 and 5A is that the elastic cord 52 may be supported within the vertical side rail 12 by any means.
Of course, various other resilient connectors may be employed if desired. For example, resilient cord 52 may be replaced by a spring centrally located within side rail 12 and connected to the top and bottom plugs by cables.
The T-shaped members 32 connecting top rail 6 with side rail 12 each incorporate an outwardly projecting opening 62 into which end cap 18 was placed. Instead of making end cap 18 of a hard material, it may be made of a foam plug material. This foam plug end cap 18 may be squeezed somewhat and inserted into this opening 62, then squeezed and inserted into a similar opening at top of an adjacent section of the portable fence 1, joining two fence 1 sections as was shown in FIG. 1. Such a collapsible foam plug thereby releasably interlocks adjacent sections of the fence 1, since a significant shear force or an axial force would cause the sections to lose interlock.
In certain applications, it may be preferred to interconnect adjacent fence sections in a positive, non-slidable fashion, such as by using threaded elements that screw into the opposed openings 62 of adjacent fence sections.
In use, should a player run into a section of the fence 1, the interconnection of foot 14 with side rail 12, and the foam plug members interconnecting the top rails of adjacent sections of the fence 1 (such as in FIG. 1, where the foam plug portions are not shown) is such that the force applied by the player will cause plug members 44 to pop out of t-shaped members 32 which receive them, and foam plug end caps 18 to pull from adjacent sections of the fence 1, thereby permitting only the section with which the player has collided to collapse to the ground, the player's momentum carrying the player past the collapsed fence 1 section to the field beyond. Accordingly, the players need not be concerned about colliding with the fence 1, for they will not cartwheel over it but can instead cause it to readily collapse to the ground, permitting the player to pass through the area over a horizontally flat fence.
Yet the fence clearly defines the boundaries of the playing field for both the players and the spectators. Thus, a ball hit over the fence 1 will be a home run. Moreover, a ground ball which gets past outfielders which does not clear the fence 1 will not continue rolling, permitting the batter to circle the bases, but instead will strike the fence and be deflected back into the playing field, permitting the outfielders to field it and limit the passage of the batter around the bases.
When a player has collided with, and collapsed, a section of the portable fence, the fence panel 1 may be easily restored to its original, upright position. All the player or grounds keeper need do is lift the fence into a position which will enable the resilient cords 52 (or springs) to cause the foot 14 to snap back into place, and the fence 1 panel then becomes repositioned. The foam plugs can then be reinserted to enable re-connection of adjacent sections of the fence, all in a few moments time. Thus, the first embodiment of the portable fence 1 is safe, and is easily positioned and interconnected.
The vertical intermediate supports 16 preferably are formed each as a tubular elongated element (see FIGS. 3 and 6) that includes, at each end, a fitting 72. This fitting 72 is shaped as a tubular cup, the top rim or margin of which is fitted, as with an indentation, to merge with the upper and lower rails 6 and 8. The sides and middle portion of the fitting 72 have notches 73 to fit about, and receive, flanges 20 of the rail, in this case upper rail 6. Projecting away from the cup is a cylindrical stub 74 that fits within the end portion of the intermediate support 16. Preferably the upper cup portion of the fitting 72 is solvent welded to the rail 6 and the end of support 16 is also solvent welded to stub 74, thereby positively connecting these members to one another (although any other appropriate type of connection may be employed if desired). The netting 4 stretches about and passes over one side of the vertical intermediate supports 16.
For example, one configuration which requires a greater number of panels is a setup of a men's slow pitch softball game. The outfield fence for a standard men's slow pitch softball field is approximately 300 feet from home plate. Accordingly, the fence itself will be about 480 feet long. By using fencing sections made in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention, in ten foot lengths, 48 of the sections will constitute a complete outfield fence. These sections may be stored and transported on a single trailer, and may be easily set up on the playing field, either by a grounds keeper or by the players themselves.
The portable fence of the present invention is designed to permit advertising signs or banners placards to be attached to the fencing between the top and bottom rails, as generally indicated in FIG. 1. As a result, teams may induce sponsors to purchase space on sections of the fence by permitting them to place advertising on these sections, yet the advertising will not interfere with the operation of the fence, nor with its storage or transport.
A second embodiment of the fence of the present invention is illustrated beginning with FIG. 8 which illustrates a perspective view of the second embodiment, and FIG. 9 which illustrates a plan view of the second embodiment. This fence section 101 includes a horizontal upper rail 103, a horizontal lower rail 105, a vertical side rail 107 shown in the left portion of the FIG. 8, and a vertical side rail 109 shown in the right portion of the FIG. 8. The upper rail 103 is attached to the vertical side rails 107 and 109 by a pair of right angle elbows 111 and 113 respectively. These elbows 111 and 113 are standard tubular fittings which may be solvent welded in a manner previously mentioned.
On the vertical side rail 107, about 2/3 the way up the rail is a male duckbill connector 115. On the vertical side rail 109, about 2/3 the way up the rail is a female duckbill connector 117. These will be discussed in great detail in subsequent Figures. Between the vertical side rails 107 and 109, and the upper and lower rails 103 and 105 is the netting 119.
Netting 119 has cells which have several notable characteristics. The structural members making up the cells are not linear, but tend to narrow along the extension between adjacent nodes. This forms cell space resembling a rounded surfaced rectangle having rounded corners, or somewhat of an older television screen shape. Further, the netting 119 can consist entirely of identical cells, or it can be interrupted with a flat area 121, as shown in FIG. 8, which is especially useful for accommodating graphics and advertising.
It is understood that netting 119 can exist entirely of identical cells, or it may have flat areas 121 of different shapes. Individual cells can be filled in to form flat areas where needed to permanently form a design, logo, or to spell out a word. Just behind the netting 119 can be seen a vertical support 123. It is further understood that the fence section 101 can be made of different heights and lengths. Illustrated in FIG. 8 is a shorter section requiring a single vertical support 123. A longer version of the fence section 101 may require 2 or 3 vertical supports 123 in order to provide appropriate structural stability.
Note the base of the fence section 101. A reinforced collar 127 is coaxial with the vertical side rail 107, while a reinforced collar 129 is coaxial with the vertical side rail 109. Beneath the reinforced collar 127 is a T-shaped connector 131 where the arms of the "T" are so abbreviated as to be virtually non-existent. It is a "T" shape because it defines a pair of flow channels, one of which has an axis terminating in the wall of the other, while the other flow channel passes straight through. The straight through portion of the T-shaped connector 131 is co-axial with the vertical portion of the vertical side rail 107. The terminated flow channel portion of the T-shaped connector 131 is co-axial with the lower rail 105. Likewise beneath the reinforced collar 127 is a T-shaped connector 133 having a mirror orientation with T-shaped connector 131.
Beneath the T-shaped connector 131 is a T-shaped connector 135, which may be identical to T-shaped connectors 131 and 133. T-shaped connector 135, however has its flow terminating axis co-axial with the axis of vertical side rail 107. Likewise, a T-shaped connector 137 lies beneath T-shaped connector 133, and is co-axial with vertical side rail 109. The through channels of the T-shaped connectors 137 and 139 each accommodate foot elements 141, and 143, respectively.
The foot elements 141 and 143 may be angularly and linearly displacable as was the case for foot elements 14 with respect to the first embodiment of FIG. 1-7. That is, the foot element 141 is slidable within the T-shaped connector 135 in order to maximize the resistance to the tipping moment to one side of the fence section 101, or the foot element 141 can be axially displaced to the center of the T-shaped connector in order to balance the standing forces of the fence section 101. The same is true for foot element 143 with respect to the T-shaped connector 137. Foot elements 143 and 141 each have an enlarged diameter portion 151 at their ends to limit the end of travel of the foot elements 143 and 141. The right most portion of FIG. 9 illustrates foot element 143 in dashed line format when folded in the same plane as the fence section 101, and in solid line format when rotated perpendicular to the plane of the fence section 101. Further details of the fence section will be discussed as the Figures permit.
Referring to FIG. 10, a sectional view of the fence 101 along line 10--10 of FIG. 9 shows the double circle cross section extruded nature of upper rail 103 interface with the netting 119. Although upper rail 103 is illustrated, any of the other structures, namely lower rail 105, or vertical side rails 107 and 109, could be used to show the interface between the netting 119 and rail structures.
In FIG. 10, the upper rail 103 has a round outer surface 151 which is visible in FIGS. 8 and 9, and an inner surface 153. Within the area defined by the inner surface 153 is a second structure 155 having an outer round surface 157 and an inner surface 159. These structures do not share a common radial center, but do share a common gap in their cross sectional circular extent. A slot 161 has an axis parallel to the axes of upper rail 103 and second structure 155.
Upper rail 103 and second structure 155 are illustrated as having cross sectional areas in the form of two circles, one inside the other, and which would tangentially touch each other at a common point were they continuous. However, both upper rail 103 and second structure 155 have cross sections which define a gap, the gap being in common to both circular cross sectional areas. The portions of their structure which are adjacent the gap, or a slot 161 as would be seen in a perspective view, are continuous. Thus, atmosphere outside the upper rail is in communication with the atmosphere inside structure 155. The space between inside structure 155 and upper rail 103 is sealed off along the length of upper rail 103, and indeed the lower rail 105, and vertical side rails 107 and 109.
Also shown in FIG. 10 is a side sectional view of the netting 119. The netting 119 shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 comprises a series of vertical and horizontal members which have common areas, called nodes, at places where the vertically extending members and horizontally extending members of netting 119 cross. With regard to the orientation in which section 10--10 was taken, FIG. 10 illustrates a node 165 supported by a vertical netting member 167. A horizontal netting member 169 is shown in section between the width of the node 165. Further, the nodes 165 in the netting 119 themselves are not flat. Each node has a rectangular raised area, which in FIG. 10 only shows two dimensions of each side.
The netting 119 is either cut or manufactured in a way that the edge of the netting contains a series of the nodes 165. In this way, a series of nodes can be slidably inserted into the round structure 155 in order that the edge of the netting 119 be held with respect to the appropriate rail. Note that the width of the slot 161 is sufficient to permit entry of the vertical netting member 167, but not of such width to allow node 165 to pass through. In this manner, an extruded rail, such as upper rail 103 can slidably accept an entire row of nodes 165. When the rails are Joined, either by the right angle elbows 111 and 113 or the T-shaped connectors 131 and 133, the netting 119 will be trapped, and only axial movement of the rails will free the netting 119.
Netting 119 may be manufactured in a variety of thicknesses and configurations to accommodate a wide range of advantages. It has been found that the sections of netting 119 which include the flat area 121 often made of thinner sheeting which results in thinner nodes 165. In the event that a choice of materials results in a node thickness thinner than necessary for a positive engagement of the netting 119 with the rails 103, 105, 107, and 109, an additional structure can be employed. A series of nodes 165 of lesser thickness can be dealt with in a slightly different manner, using a small, more closely dimensioned retaining member to be slipped over the outside nodes 165 as will be subsequently discussed.
The netting 119 may be made of a heat-shrink material which is available in a pre-stretched configuration. This pre-stretched material is installed in the various rails and then heated in order to eliminate the slack in the netting 119. This is typically accomplished with a heat gun, blow dryer, or oven. Alternatively, the netting 119 may be constructed so that it will stretchably yield as the various rails are fitted together.
The use of a retaining member for further strength of fit between the rails and the netting 119 can also be accomplished. Referring to FIG. 11, a retainer member 181 has been slipped over a row of nodes 165. Because the retainer member is a single circular layer, preferably of metal, such as aluminum, it can be slid over a row of nodes 165 before insertion into vertical side rails 107 and 109, or horizontal upper and lower rails 103 and 105. The retainer member is especially useful for areas the edges of the netting 119 adjacent flat areas 121 which may bear nodes 165 which are not as thick in dimension as nodes occurring along the outer edge of a the non-flat portion of the netting 119. Yet when the retainer member 181, and its associated captured nodes 165 are slid into the round structure 155, the slot 161 is not wide enough to permit the retainer member to pass through.
Referring to FIG. 12, the retainer member 181 is replaced by a series of short retainer members 185, which may be made of plastic and are able to fit over the horizontal netting members 169 between the nodes 165. Here, instead of providing a retainer member 181, the abbreviated length of the short retainer members 185, they can be positioned such that the solid portion of their length opposes the slot 161. In this configuration, the horizontal netting members 169 will be held as tightly in place by the rails as the short retainer members are more securely held by the round structure 155.
The manner in which the second embodiment of the fence 101 operates is different than that of the first embodiment. In the first embodiment, the plug member 44 had an axis in the vertical direction. Here, the plug member will have an axis in the horizontal direction, and actually reside within the foot elements 141 and 143.
Referring to FIG. 13, a side view of the fence 101 illustrates a closer look at foot element 143. The majority of the foot element 143 is a long tube to the left of a break line 201. Break line 201 is the plane about which the break away action occurs. In the position shown in FIG. 13, the fence 101 is configured to break away and fall flat on impact occurring from right to left with respect to of the FIG. 13. If the foot element 143 were moved axially approximately one half of its length to the right to displace break line 201 near the outer extended tip of the foot element 143, the fence would be in a permanent standing configuration.
In a permanent standing configuration changed from that shown in FIG. 13 and of the type just described, a force coming from the right of the FIG. 13 would cause the fence 101 to tip to the left. A force coming from the left of the FIG. 13, in the configuration changed from that shown in FIG. 13, a large bending moment would have to be over come before the fence 101 would tip upward and back onto its foot element s 141 and 143. In this manner the fence 101 can be put into a crowd control position having maximum resistance to force in one direction. Of course, if the foot element 143 and foot element 141 were to be moved to their middle position, the fence 101 would oppose tipping with equal amounts of force on both sides. This configuration is shown in FIG. 14.
Referring to FIG. 15, a side sectional view of footing 143 from the same but expanded perspective of FIG. 13 shows the internals of the breakaway mechanism. Beginning at the far left, the enlarged diameter portion 151 can be seen to be, in this instance, a cap covering an elongate tube 203 which forms the majority of the length of the footing 14. At the end of the tube, just inside the enlarged diameter portion, is a steel washer 205 having a diameter larger than the inside diameter of the tube 203, but less than or equal to the outer diameter of the tube 203.
The washer 205 has a central aperture 207 through which the loop end of a metal spring 209 extends. The spring 209 is under tension, however, it is held fast by the washer 205 by means of a retainer pin 211. Retainer pin 211 should be significantly longer than the diameter of the central aperture 207 to reduce the chance of disengagement of the retainer pin 211 from the end of the spring 209. Ideally, if the pin has a greater length than the length from one edge of the aperture to the opposite side of the inner wall of the enlarged diameter portion 151, the pin cannot release the spring unless the enlarged diameter portion 151 is removed.
The other end of the spring 209 is attached to a cable 213 which extends through the tube 203 near its center. At the other end of the tube 203 is a plug 215. Plug 215 has a main body diameter less than that of the internal diameter of the tube 203 and raised land 217 larger than the internal diameter of the tube 203 in order to fit within tube 203 up to the extent of the land 217. Plug 215 includes a hollowed out portion 219 in order to accommodate cable 213. Plug 215 also includes a central aperture 221 to allow cable 213 to pass entirely therethrough.
The outside surfaces of the plug 215 are stepped in order to provide a measured disengagement with an abutting break member 223. Break member 223 may be formed integrally with the enlarged diameter portion 151, or enlarged diameter portion 151 may be added like the cap shaped enlarged diameter portion 151 shown in FIG. 15.
From the land 217, the external surfaces of plug member 215 abutting break member 223 include a first cylindrical surface 225, adjacent an angled stepped surface 227, adjacent a second cylindrical surface 229, adjacent a beveled end surface 231, adjacent an end surface 233 perpendicular to the axis of the tube 203. The inside surfaces of break member 223 are only partially complementary to the surfaces of the plug member 215.
Break member 223 includes a first internal surface 241 having an internal diameter sufficient to accommodate first cylindrical surface 225, and a second internal surface 243 having an internal diameter sufficient to accommodate second cylindrical surface 241. However, land 217 bears upon the outer rim of the plug member 215 limiting the distance in which plug member 215 may be axially displaced within break member 223. As a result, the majority of the second internal surface 243 of plug 215, and a portion of the first and second internal surfaces 241 and 243 of the break member 223 are adjacent an open space rather than the opposite member. The end of the cable 213 is held in place due to the presence of a crimp member 245 which is crimped about the end of the cable 213, and has a diameter too large to enable it to pass through an aperture 247 in the break member 223. In addition, and as shown in FIGS. 15 and 16, the T-shaped member 137 may have a spring 249 urged chamfered button 251 through a slot (not shown) to insure that the foot element 141 remains locked in a position with respect to T-shaped member 137 enabling the fence 101 to be stabilized to operate exclusively in a break away fashion.
Thus from FIG. 15, it can be seen that the spring 209 and cable 213 urge the break member 223 over the end of the plug 215, and, along with the shapes of the break member 223 and plug 215, enable enough of the surfaces of break member 223 and plug 215 to interact to give a sturdy fit, separable only upon sufficient force from player contact.
Referring to FIG. 16, the foot element 143 is shown in a broken away position. Note that the break member 223 has become dislodged from the plug 215, but that these two members are still connected by the cable 213 which is under tension due to its being urged due to the resistance of axial stretching of spring 209. In this configuration, much like that of the first embodiment, the fence 101 need only be lifted to an approximate vertical position for the spring 209 to urge the break member 223 back into a engaged position with respect to the plug 215.
Referring to FIG. 17, a perspective of the corner of the fence section 101 illustrates in greater detail the relationship of the foot element 143 with respect to the T-shaped connector 137. In particular, a slot 253 can be seen engaging chamfered button 251 operated by spring 249 shown in FIG. 15. In this configuration, the fence section 101 is locked into a position where the breakaway mode will operate. This locking configuration insures that, especially where the fence section 101 is to be used more consistently for sports play, the break away and fall flat function will not be inadvertently disabled by personnel handling the fence sections 101.
Referring to FIG. 18, a downwardly looking sectional view taken along line 18--18 of FIG. 17 is illustrated. The relationships between the plug 215 and the tube 203 are clearly shown. The spring 249 is bisected and shown extending along the walls of the break member 223 and across its diameter. The chamfered buttons 251 operate by flexing inwardly against the spring 249 to enable the outer edges of the chamfered buttons 251 to clear the slots 253 sufficiently for the foot element 143 to slide axially within the T-shaped connector 137.
Referring to FIG. 19, a sectional view taken along line 19--19 of FIG. 17 is illustrated. From the right, the lower rail 105 is received within the terminated channel of T-shaped connector 133, and is preferably affixed by solvent welding or mechanical attachment. The lower non-terminated channel of the T-shaped connector 133 receives the end of the terminated channel of T-shaped connector 137.
As can be seen in FIG. 19, the upper end of the terminated channel of T-shaped connector 137 has a first concentrically inward stepped surface 261 which accommodates the internal surface of T-shaped connector 133, and a second concentrically inward stepped surface 263 which accommodates the internal surface of reinforced collar 129. The upper end of the terminated channel of T-shaped connector 137 also carries a pair of oppositely disposed apertures 265 having collinear axes which are perpendicular to the axis of the upper end of the terminated channel of the T-shaped connector 137. Likewise, reinforced collar 129 also carries a pair of oppositely disposed apertures 267 having collinear axes which are perpendicular to the axis of the reinforced collar 129, and which are in alignment with apertures 265.
A pair of lock buttons 269 are Joined by a spring 271 and fit within both the apertures 265 and 267. Within the upper portion of reinforced collar 129, the vertical side rail 109 is received and affixed as by solvent welding or mechanical attachment. In the configuration shown in FIG. 19, the lock buttons 269 can be depressed with a thin object, such as a pencil to cause the reinforced collar 129 to become axially disengaged from the upper portion of the T-shaped member 137. This releasing mechanism is especially advantageous where the fence section 101 is needed to be disassembled for repair of the structures over the foot elements 141 and 143.
Note that the internal diameter of the reinforced collar has a first internal diameter 273 to accommodate the outside diameter of the vertical side rail 109. As second internal diameter 275 accommodates the outside surface 263 of the upper portion of the T-shaped member 137. The stepped transition between the first and second internal diameters 273 and 275 is engaged by the springingly outwardly urged lock buttons 269 to keep reinforced collar from being axially upwardly displaced with respect to T-shaped member 137.
T-shaped member 137 also contains a series of lower slots 277 to facilitate the gravitational dropping away of any particulates which may collect between the T-shaped member 137 and the tube 203 of the foot element 143. Referring to FIG. 21, an exploded view of the detail shown in FIG. 19 is illustrated. Also shown are a pair of rivets 279 which may be used in lieu of or in addition to the solvent welding necessary to hold vertical side rail 109 within the upper portion of reinforced collar 129.
Referring to FIG. 21, a pair of fence sections 101 are shown in a joined position. The male duckbill connector 115 is shown in connected fashon with the female duckbill connector 117. An alternative position for these connectors which may be used either instead of or along with the male and female duckbill connectors 115 and 117 is shown with the numerals 281 and 283. Having a pair of the duckbill connectors 115 and 117 on one end of the fence section 101 is advantageous when relative angular displacement of two adjacent sections of the fence section 101 is undesirable (while in crowd control position). One such use would be in the case of a day care center which could use the fence sections 101 to create an isolated play section. A minimum of three fence sections 101 could provide such an isolated play section by themselves. In a day care use, it is important that one section not pivot with respect to an adjacent section since a child could slip through the resulting wedge-shaped opening. Since the spacing at the bottom of the fence sections 101 and between adjacent sections 101 is less than that required to admit a baseball therebetween, the fence sections 101 will perform well in a day care situation. The details of the duckbill connectors will be shown in the subsequent Figures.
Referring to FIGS. 22-24, a detailed view of the male and female duckbill connectors 115 and 117 is shown. The female duckbill connector 117 has an upper lip 291 and a lower lip 293 both of which have a width of separation and both of which have a spherical depression, the spherical depression 295 which is visible in lower lip 293 in FIG. 22. In FIG. 23, the upper spherical depression 297 is shown in dashed line format in the upper lip 297.
Male duckbill connector 115 includes a rotatable shaft 301 having a spherical head 303 having a flattened upper section 305 and a flattened lower section 307. The flattened upper and lower sections 305 and 307 are parallel planar and have a distance of separation slightly greater than the distance of separation between the upper and lower lips 291 and 293, in order to form a loose snap fit. In this configuration, there will be some resistance, as to wind resistance, etc., and this configuration, when the shaft 301 is rotated to place the flattened upper and lower sections 305 and 307 in a horizontal attitude, the head 303 of the male duckbill connector 115 is admitted between the upper and lower lips 291 and 293 of the female duckbill connector 117.
When the spherical head 303 is positioned within the upper and lower spherical depressions 297 and 295, the shaft 301 and the spherical head 303 may be rotated to place the spherical portions of the spherical head 303 within the upper and lower spherical depressions 297 and 295 to form a "locked" position. Once this is accomplished, the spherical head 303 of the male duckbill connector 115 is locked between the upper and lower lips 291 and 293 of the female duckbill connector 117, although the connection is still enabled to pivot in order to place one fence section 101 at an angle with respect to an adjacent fence section 101. Typically, the locked position is utilized in conjunction with the crowd control position while the unlocked position is used when the fence 101 is used for sports play.
The mechanism controlling the rotation of the shaft 301 is of some interest, depending upon the amount of access desired for others to have in operating the fence 101 of the present invention. In the configuration of FIGS. 22-24, the higher amount of security is achieved, since the surface which may be engaged to turn the shaft 301 is somewhat inaccessible. Referring to the side of the male duckbill connector 115 opposite the shaft 301, an arrow shaped opening 311 reveals a small exposed surface 313 defining a small bore 315. The bore 315 is engageable with an object such as a screwdriver or large nail (not shown) to facilitates the rotation of the shaft 301.
Referring to FIG. 24, a top sectional view of the male and female duckbill connectors 115 and 117 are shown. Beginning with the female duckbill connector 117, we can see a screw 317 which enters the main body of the female duckbill connector 117 and bears against the surface 159 of the round structure 155 in order to fix the position of the female duckbill connector 117 with respect to the vertical side rail 109. This feature is especially important where two fence sections 101 which sit on uneven ground or other surface sought to be joined. In such a case, the axial position of the female duckbill connector 117 along the vertical side rail 109 can be relaxed sufficient to let the enlarged portions 151 of adjacent foot elements 141 and 143 and the T-shaped members 131 and 137 to all touch the ground as solidly as possible.
Inside the body of the male duckbill connector 115, the surface 313 is part of a cam head 319. The cam head 319 has two pairs of cam surfaces, namely a first pair of oppositely configured surfaces 321, and a second pair of oppositely configured surfaces 323. In FIG. 24, the surfaces 321 are un-engaged with the outer surface 151 of vertical side rail 107, while the surfaces 323 (one of which has an edge visible in FIG. 24) are engaged with the outer surface 151 of vertical side rail 107.
Inside the vertical side rail 107 is a spring 325 which engages the outer surface 157 of round structure 155 of vertical side rail 107 at one end, while engaging a raised land 327 on the shaft 301 at the springs other end. The shaft is urged axially in the direction of the head 303, and therefore urges the cam surfaces 321 and 323 against the round outer surface 151 of vertical side rail 107.
Thus, the cam head 319 and shaft 301, in order to turn, must cam between the contact of either the cam surface 321 or the cam surface 323 with outer surface 151 of vertical side rail 107. As this cam action occurs the shaft 301 is momentarily axially urged toward the cam head 319 and back again. In the configuration of FIGS. 22-24, a spectator would not be readily able to operate the shaft 301 to lock and unlock adjacent sections of the fence sections 101. The cam head 319 has a flat surface 329, and sides which are significantly covered by the outside housing of the male duckbill connector 115 which further reduces the accessibility of the cam head 319 to being turned by unauthorized persons. Someone not having a nail or other rigid structure to insert into bore 315 would be practically unable to operate the male duckbill connector, particularly against the relative strong force of the spring 325.
Referring to FIGS. 25-27, a series of views similar to those shown in FIGS. 22-24 illustrate the use of an external knob 341 to facilitate manual release and locking by anyone. The arrow shaped opening 311 and the aperture 315 is not needed and is not present. The details of the female duckbill connector 117 remain the Same.
Referring to FIGS. 28-30, a series of views similar to those shown in FIGS. 22-24 illustrate the use of an external cam structure to facilitate somewhat controlled access to the locking and unlocking of the fence section 101. In this configuration, the details of the female duckbill connector 117 again remain the same.
The male duckbill connector 115 includes a cam block 351 having a first opposing set of notches 353 (one of which is shown in FIG. 28) and a second set of notches 355 (covered by cam pin structures to be discussed). The shaft 301 extends through the central portion of cam block 351 and supports a pair of oppositely disposed campins 357 and 359 which are shown as fitting within second set of notches 355.
Shaft 301 has an aperture 361 for engagement with a nail or other sturdy object to facilitate turning of the shaft 301. The end of the portion of the shaft 301 supporting the cam pins 357 and 359 has a rounded head 363.
In operation, the fence sections 101 of the second embodiment are joined together using the male and female duckbill connectors 115 and 117 which are snapped together in the loose, or unlocked configuration, while the foot elements 141 and 143 are positioned in the break away, or player contact position. In this configuration, when a player strikes one or two of the fence sections 101, two actions occur. First the male and female duckbill connectors 115 and 117 immediately release such that only the immediately contacted fence section 101 will be affected. Secondly, the foot elements 141 and 143 will begin to break away as previously described, and the fence section 101 falls flat.
The player or grounds keeper, after impact only needs to raise the center broken away section back to the vertical position to cause the fence section 101 which was broken away to snap back into place, and only a few additional moments are required to snap the re-uprighted fence section 101 into alignment with its adjacent fence sections 101 by use of the male and female duckbill connectors 115 and 117.
To achieve crowd control configuration, the foot elements 141 and 143 are adjusted to place the fence section 101 in crowd control configuration which disables the break away potential of the foot elements 141 and 143. Once the duckbill connectors 115 and 117 of adjacent fence sections 101 are attached, they are adjusted to the locked position by rotation of the spherical head 303 on shaft 301. When the fence sections 101 are locked together, each fence section 101 combines its own resistance to tilting with the resistance to tilting of its adjacent fence sections 101, to form a stronger crowd control fence. This is especially when the fence sections 101 are in an other than a linear alignment. Note that the duckbill connectors 115 and 117 are ideally suited for pivoting about the spherical depressions 295 and 297 of the female duckbill connector member 117 by the spherical portion 303 of the male duckbill connector. This can be done to form a corner at the intersection of two sections 101 having an angle ranging from a very acute angle to a straight, parallel relationship.
Although the invention has been derived with reference to particular illustrative embodiments thereof, many changes and modifications of the invention may become apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Therefore, included within the patent warranted hereon are all such changes and modifications as may reasonably and properly be included within the scope of this contribution to the art. | The present portable fence is durable, lightweight and easily transported, erected and dismantled. In use, it will collapse upon impact, due to a break away, in the first embodiment, a joint between the fence post and its supporting leg, and in the second embodiment a joint in the supporting leg, yet in both embodiments the fence may be quickly and easily re-erected. | 4 |
DESCRIPTION
1. Technical Field
This invention relates generally to compositions for inhibiting fertility in mammals and more particularly to an orally administered composition for substantially inhibiting sperm production in males without inhibiting any other sexual activity.
2. Background Art
An acceptable male contraceptive composition should satisfy the following criteria. Primarily, it should provide complete antifertility activity during treatment and be completely reversible after discontinuation of treatment. At the same time, it should not affect the secondary sex organs thereby permitting normal sexual performance such as erection, ejaculation, libido, etc. Also, the composition should be easily administered, such as orally, for convenience in use, and should cause no uncomfortable, bioligically significant or harmful long-term side effect.
To date, there are no oral male contraceptive treatments which are safe, reliable, and clinically or commercially available for males, i.e., approved by the United States Federal Drug Administration. Many compounds or medicines have been shown to cause the inhibition of sperm production (azoospermia) in experimental animals but many of these have either mutagenic or carcinogenic side effects. Others such as Danocrine must be given by injection, and will induce impotency along with the reduced sperm count.
A material that has been investigated as a contraceptive is gossypol, a phenolic binaphtalene compound. For example, published reports by the Chinese of gossypol activity indicated that the primary effect was an spermatogenesis in the seminiferous epithelium of the testes with no effect detectable on circulating hormone levels. However, recent research in the United States has demonstrated that gossypol in vivo (subcutaneously administered) will cause inhibition of the secondary sex organs in mice. In addition, it has been demonstrated that gossypol in vitro is capable of inhibiting the synthesis of testosterone in testes tissue and may be acting on specific dehydrogenase enzymes which are required for steroidogenesis. Other recent studies have shown that in the rat after 5 weeks of oral gossypol administration, serum testosterone and luteinizing hormone (LH) levels, but not follicle stimulating hormone (FSH) levels, are significantly decreased.
In still another study, an analogue of the luteinizing hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) was tested in males at concentrations two hundred times normal LHRH. This analogue may be administrated via injections and nose drops, but not in pill form. Although significant decreases in sperm production were observed, a high incidence of impotency occurred due to the lowered blood levels of testosterone.
Accordingly, it is a principal object of the present invention to provide a contraceptive composition for complete antifertility activity during treatment with a complete return to fertility after discontinuation of treatment.
It is another object to provide a contaceptive composition to substantially inhibit the production of sperm but not inhibit any other sexual performance of the male.
It is also an object of the invention to provide a contraceptive composition that may be easily administrated as in pill form.
Another object of this invention is to provide a composition containing replacement support for any decrease in circulating or local testosterone hormone levels precipitated by the sperm-inhibiting component's effect on steroidogenesis or feedback regulation of the hypothalamic/pituitary axis.
It is a further object of the invention to allow utilization of the minimum effective dose of the components to insure infertility but provide potency.
Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent upon reading the detailed description with regard to the best mode for carrying out the invention.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the invention gossypol or a derivative thereof, in the form of a pure substance or a biologically-acceptable acid or salt, is administered together with an orally active replacement androgen. The gossypol or its derivative substantially inhibits the production of sperm, and the androgen counters the gossypol-produced reduction in testosterone and thereby substantially prevents any change in the activity of the secondary sex glands. As used herein, the term "substantially inhibits" is to mean the reduction of the sperm production level to below that required for the fertilization of a female. This level is termed azoospermia. A quantity of 3-30 milligrams gossypol per kilogram body weight per day substantially inhibits sperm production, and a quantity of 1-5 milligrams per kilogram body weight per day of the replacement androgen maintains adequate sexual potency. A suitable orally active androgen is, for example, fluoxymesterone or medroxyprogesterone.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a drawing showing the basic binaphthalamine ring structure for gossypol, one of the phenolic binaphthalene compounds useful in the present invention.
FIG. 2 is a drawing showing the chemical structures for dihydrotestosterone, testosterone and androstenedione, three of the most effective male androgen steroids found in the circulation and tissues.
FIG. 3 is a drawing illustrating the chemical structure for fluoxymesterone, an androgen replacement compound useful in the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a graph of the test data showing results of treatment for the present invention as compared with controls and with only one component of the composition of the present invention.
BEST MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Gossypol is a phenolic binaphthalene compound (1,1', 6,6', 7,7'-hexahydroxy-5,5'-diiso-prophyl-3,3' dimethyl (2,2'binaphthalene)-8,8'dicarboxy-aldehyde): it has the emperical formula C 30 H 30 O 8 , F.W.=518.54. The basic binaphthalamine ring structure for gossypol is shown in FIG. 1. This represents the predominent form of a family of binaphthalene compounds found in plants such as cotton. It was originally isolated from oil extracts of the seeds, stems, or roots of the cottom plant (genus Gossypium). Gossypol is only one compound in a family or series of closely related binaphthalamine structures. Derivatives of gossypol may have varying degrees of antifertility properties and be equally effective in this invention. The isolated form or complex of this compund for administration can be free gossypol, gossypol aidehyde, gossypol hemicetal or gossypol guinoid. Free gossypol, gossypol acetate, gossypol acetic acid or gossypol formic acid are typical gossypol forms since all of these are active anti-fertility agents when taken orally. Other orally active gossypol acids and salts may be useful in the invention.
The three most effective male androgen steriods found normally in the circulation and tissues in the human are dihydrotestosterone, testosterone, and androstenedione. The ring structures of these steroids are shown in FIG. 2. These are essential for the normal functioning of the male reproductive tract and interact specifically with the intracellular androgen receptor in the reproductive target tissues to control certain of the sexual activities, including potency. Of these, at least the testosterone production is adversely affected by the action of the gossypol. However, these particular compounds are not biologically active when taken orally in reasonable dose levels because of inactivation and poor absorption by the digestive tract. Thus, their replacement is not easily administered.
There are clinically proven androgen replacement compounds, however, which may be administered orally. One such compound, which is rather inexpensive to synthesize, is fluoxymesterone. The chemical structure of this compound is shown in FIG. 3. Other orally active androgenic compounds, such as medroxyprogesterone, are capable of interacting with the target reproductive accessory glands and their subcellular androgen receptors and may be equally as effective in this invention.
Experiments were performed to evaluate sperm levels and accessory reproductive glands in proven male BALB-C breeder mice (mean body weights of 31.3±5 S.E.M., N=30) following 10 days of treatment with gossypol (subcutaneous injections of 10, 1, 0.1 or 0.01 mg/kg body weight) or with a combination of gossypol (1.0 mg/kg body weight) plus an androgen (medroxyprogesterone acetate; 1 mg/kg b.w.) compared to control animals injected with vehicle only. Details of the method of analysis are given in International J. of Andrology, No. 3, p. 507-518 (1980) which is hereby incorporated by reference. The results of these studies are plotted in FIG. 4.
As shown in FIG. 4, all groups of gossypol treated mice (G) had mean sperm counts reduced to less than 45% of control values, and the combination treatment mice receiving gossypol+androgen (G+A) showed a mean sperm count of 43% (±3 S.E.M.) which was not significantly different from the gossypol treated groups. The ventral prostate wet weights were reduced to 55-75% of the control wet weights in all the gossypol treated mice (G), while the combination gossypol plus androgen treated mice (G+A) showed ventral prostate wet weights equivalent to or greater than those of control animals. The loss of ventral prostate wet weights from the gossypol treatment is and indication of the loss of activity of secondary sex organs leading to impotency, etc. Longer term treatments with combinations of gossypol and replacement androgens are needed to confirm that the sperm counts will continue to decrease while secondary sex gland activities are maintained.
In order to increase the effectivenss of the use of the composition of this invention, and to decrease the possibility of any occurrence of side effects or complications, it is advisable that the animal to receive contraceptive aide be given a thorough examination. It would be appropriate to obtain an ejaculation specimen, perform a sperm count, do a morphology study of the sperm and determine the ejaculation volume. Also a serum blood sample should be obtained in order to evaluate normal circulating levels of total testosterone, free testosterone, luteinizing hormone (=interstitial cell stimulating hormone) and follicle stimulating hormone. Following initial treatment with gossypol in the dosage range of 15-30 mg/kg/day plus a minimum level (e.g. 1 mg/kg/day) of an orally active androgen for 2 months, the patient animal be reexamined. This should include a sperm count, evaluation of the ejaculate, and an analysis of circulating testosterone hormone levels. If sufficiently low sperm levels have not been reached, a higher dose of gossypol in relation to body weight can be selected. When the sperm count is below the azzospermic level, the gossypol dosage may be reduced to a "maintenance" level, i.e., the minimum that will maintain the azoospermia condition. The level of the circulating testosterone will determine a needed increase or decrease to maintain other sexual performance for the animal. Periodic checks will ascertain the need for other adjustment of the dosage. Accordingly, a quantity of each of the constituents of the composition for a given animal are selected to substantially inhibit sperm generation as well as maintain effective performance of secondary sex organs.
The components of the contraceptive composition are easily prepared as powders, and thus the composition may be formulated into pills. Although they are generally insoluable in water, conventional methods can be used to formulate a suspension; thus, the composition may be administered as a liquid. Initial studies indicate that, while both components are required because of their mutual effect, they react with different sites. Accordingly, they may be administered separately to achieve the necessary dosage for a particular individual.
From the foregoing discussion, it will be recognized that an orally administered male contraceptive composition is provided that, in proper concentrations, substantially inhibits sperm production while substantially maintaining the circulating testosterone hormone levels required for proper performance of secondary sex organs. | A male contraceptive composition is described that may be administered orally. This permits adjusting the dose of the constituents to provide for sperm production inhibition and for normal functioning of secondary sex glands to permit normal sexual activity without fertility. The constituents of the composition are gossypol or derivatives thereof for controlling the sperm production combined with an orally active replacement androgen for counteracting the effect of the gossypol or its derivatives upon secondary sex glands. Ranges of composition and discussions of test results are described together with the method of determining the dose levels needed to achieve the desired result. The composition may be preferably administered as a pill. A maintenance dose level may be utilized after azoospermia sperm levels are achieved. | 8 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to a reusable thermal insulation for use with a thermal protection system of a reusable launch vehicle. More particularly, the invention relates to flexible thermal insulation which may be applied to the surface of a reusable launch vehicle.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The Shuttle Orbiter, the only operational Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV), is protected during ascent and reentry by lightweight, low thermal conductivity rigid and flexible thermal protection systems (TPS). The Shuttle Orbiter currently uses various thermal protection systems to mitigate aerothermal heating encountered during ascent/reentry. At high temperatures (up to 1500° F.) quilted ceramic blankets are used for thermal protection. At extreme temperatures, (up to 3000° F.) rigid ceramic materials such as porous silica tile and carbon-carbon materials provide protection against thermal bum-through. For low temperature uses (up to 750° F.) felt batting systems such as the Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (FRSI) system are used. The FRSI system consists of Nomex™ batting needled into a large felt-type pad/sheet and coated with a protective silicone topcoat. The coated pad is used on the Shuttle Orbiter in areas that have limited thermal requirements, i.e., areas that have relatively low aerothermal heating (up to 750° F.). The advantage of the FRSI system is that it can be easily installed in large part sizes onto the vehicle because of its flexible needled-felt construction.
The robust nature, simple design, and conformability of the current FRSI system make it well suited for extensive use since it can easily withstand acoustic loading and provide a smooth continuous aerodynamic surface. However, the inherent material properties of the Nomex™ batting and silicone coating that compose FRSI limit the temperature capability of this product to areas that remain below 750° F. such as the top surface of the fuselage and the upper surfaces of the wings. This limitation in thermal stability is unfortunate since its simplicity in design, low cost, low maintenance, and ease in installation make FRSI an excellent candidate for more extensive use if the upper temperature limit were raised.
While other non-FRSI thermal protection systems are used at present to manage the thermal requirements over the higher temperature areas of the Orbiter vehicle during ascent and reentry, these other systems are more expensive relative to FRSI in terms of installation, maintenance, and replacement. Furthermore, the simplicity in design of FRSI allows it to be easily cut to accommodate any size or shape, whereas other thermal protection systems must be custom fabricated, which results in higher manufacturing costs. What is needed is an insulating material exhibiting the ease of manufacture and ease of installation associated with FRSI while exhibiting improved thermal insulating characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is a layered insulation composed of glass or ceramic fabric covered with a ceramic coating overlying an insulating felt made from needled polybenzazole (PBZ) material which is preferably polybenzoxazole (PBO), and which optionally contains a poly(1,3-phenylene isophtalamide) felt material, commercially known as Nomex™ fiber, either combined with the PBZ felt or layered beneath the PBZ felt as a separate layer.
The outer mold line (OML) of the insulation is composed of protective ceramic fabric covered with a ceramic coating material designed to withstand elevated temperatures. The ceramic protective layer of high-temperature glass or ceramic fabric and the ceramic coating provide exceptional thermal protection and efficiently reduce the back-face or transmitted temperature to the underlying PBZ felt.
The PBZ felt is made up of PBZ fibers that are entangled in a needling process to form a cohesive felt. The needling process provides structural support via entanglements of the PBZ batting fibers for mechanical peel strength. The PBZ felt itself can withstand higher temperatures than the Nomex™ felt used in previous launch vehicle insulation, while maintaining similar mechanical and thermal properties. Heating is reduced through the PBZ felt as heat migrates from the OML toward the (inner mold line) IML. If a Nomex™ felt layer underlies the PBZ layer, then the insulation is designed such that heat transmitted through the PBZ layer will have been reduced to correspond with the thermal capacity of the Nomex™ layer. If only a PBZ felt layer is used, the insulation is designed such that the heat is reduced to correspond with the thermal capacity of the structure of the vehicle.
The separate layers of the insulation are needle stitched together to form a cohesive structure. The needling process uses barbed needles that are pushed through the fibrous batting, forcing fibers to entangle within and between the layers of material, thus “stitching” through the entire construction. The outer ceramic or glass fabric is needle-stitched to the PBZ batting, thus entangling PBZ felt fibers within the woven fabric yams. For increased durability, the ceramic coating may be used as a bonding agent to mechanically lock the glass fabric and the PBZ batting fibers together. Furthermore, the ceramic coating acts as an effective thermal barrier to thermally insulate the PBZ batting against hot gas penetration, and provide added protection from other penetrating environmental conditions.
The insulation provides improved thermal protection over previous lightweight flexible insulations, such as FRSI. Thus, the insulation is capable of providing thermal protection at temperatures exceeding the 750° F. limit of FRSI. The insulation provides improved insulating characteristics, yet the insulation may be installed on reusable launch vehicles according to currently established methods for FRSI installation, thereby being simpler to install than the other thermal protection systems.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a side cutaway view of an embodiment of the invented insulation,
FIG. 2 is a side cutaway view of insulating felt according to an embodiment of the invention,
FIG. 3 is a side cutaway view of insulating felt according to an alternative embodiment of the invention, and
FIG. 4 is a side/top/bottom view of a Space Shuttle Orbiter indicating proposed regions for use of the invented insulation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which preferred embodiments of the invention are shown. This invention may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will filly convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Referring now to FIG. 1 , the invented insulation 10 comprises a felt pad 12 of polybenzazole fiber or a combination of polybenzazole and Nomex™ fibers, which is laminated to a coated ceramic fabric layer 13 along the outer mold line surface of the felt 12 . The insulation 10 may be attached to the surface of a vehicle 20 , such as the Space Shuttle, via a layer of adhesive 11 between the inner mold line surface of the felt and the surface of the vehicle.
The polybenzazole or combination of polybenzazole and Nomex™ fibers are temperature resistant, flexible filaments randomly oriented and closely arranged with respect to each other and are needled to form a needled felt configuration similar to previous FRSI insulation materials. The felt pad 12 is between 0.14 inch and 0.40 inch in thickness, depending on the insulative capacity needed for a particular application. The unit weights for felt ranging from 0.144 inch to 0.176 inch in thickness are from 14.5 oz/yd 2 to 22.5 oz/yd 2 , and for felt ranging from 0.30 inch to 0.34 in thickness are from 27.5 oz/yd 2 to 37.5 oz/yd 2 .
The term “polybenzazole fiber” as used herein refers to various fibers made of polybenzazole (PBZ) polymers. Examples of the polybenzazole (PBZ) polymer include polybenzoxazole (PBO) and polybenzothiazole (PBT) homopolymers, as well as random, sequential or block copolymers of their monomer components.
The polybenzoxazole and polybenzothiazole, as well as random, sequential or block copolymers of their monomer components, are disclosed in, for example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,703,103; 4,533,692; 4,533,724; 4,533,693; 4,359,567; and 4,578,432. The PBZ polymers are lyotropic liquid crystal polymers which are composed of homopolymers or copolymers containing, as the main base unit, at least one selected from the units depicted by the structural formulas (a) to (h):
The PBZ polymers and copolymers can be produced by any of the known methods, such as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,089,591. The PBZ polymers and copolymers may be made into polybenzazole fibers with high temperature resistance, high tensile strength, and high tensile modulus by known methods such as that shown in U.S. Pat. No. 5,294,390.
A preferred PBZ fiber for use in the felt 12 is PBO, and a particularly preferred fiber for use in the felt 12 is a PBO fiber cut to a length of 25 to 100 mm. Because PBO is a particularly preferred fiber for use in the insulation, PBO is used throughout the specification for exemplary purposes, though it is noted that the described process and compositions are equally applicable to PBZ fibers, in general.
In addition to PBZ fibers, the felt layer 12 may comprise Nomex™ fiber, a poly(1,3-phenylene iso phthalamide) commercially available from the DuPont Company. The Nomex™ fiber is needled into a felt material as in Flexible Reusable Surface Insulation (FRSI) as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,151,800. Referring to FIG. 2 , the PBO 30 and Nomex™ fiber 32 may be combined such that the different fibers form a gradient from Nomex™ 32 at the inner mold line face of the felt 12 to PBO 30 at the outer mold line face of the felt 12 . Referring to FIG. 3 , the PBO 30 and Nomex™ fiber 32 may be combined such that the different fibers form layers, with the Nomex™ 32 positioned adjacent the inner mold line surface of the felt and the PBO 30 positioned adjacent the outer mold line surface of the felt. If the PBO 30 and Nomex™ 32 layers of the felt are produced separately, the PBO and Nomex™ may be combined by needling the two layers together.
As used herein, “needling” is meant as the process of repeatedly projecting one or more barbed needles through a material such that fibers of the material, or multiple materials being needled together, are forced to entangle, thus creating a unitary felt type body from single component materials and thus effectively stitching together multiple component materials.
The felt 12 is pre-heat treated prior to installation upon a vehicle by first exposing the felt to incremental heat treatments which are gradually increased to about 750° F. This eliminates subsequent adverse shrinkage and allows any volatile materials to be driven off.
A layer 13 of coated ceramic fabric is laminated to the outer mold line surface of the felt 12 . The coated fabric 13 reradiates heat away from the felt material and provides a smooth aerodynamic surface.
The coated fabric layer 13 is constructed of a base fabric 14 of woven ceramic fibers. The layer 13 preferably has a thickness of between about 0.01 and about 0.06 inches, and most preferably about 0.03 inches. The fibers of the fabric are ceramic and remain physically stable when exposed to extreme temperatures, such as those experienced by a spacecraft upon re-entry into the atmosphere. The fibers are continuous, meaning that most of the fibers span a substantial portion of either the length or width of the woven fabric. Exemplary fabrics are quartz woven fabrics and Nextel™ fabrics. Of the Nextel™ fabrics, Nextel™ 610, Nextel™ 720, and Nextel™ 440 fabrics are preferred, with Nextel™ 440 being particularly preferred due to its lower cost. Quartz woven fabrics are preferably provided with an aluminosilane binder finish. The fiber dimensions of the fabric 14 are not particularly limited, although a fiber diameter of from 3 to 15 μm can generally be employed.
A protective ceramic coating 15 is applied to the fabric layer 14 . The coating is preferably applied to the fabric layer 14 in accordance with U.S. Pat. No. 5,296,288, incorporated herein by reference, which describes the application of an admixture of powder SiO 2 , colloidal SiO 2 , and an emittance agent.
The method of coating the fiber includes the use of an SiO 2 powder component which is commercially available, such as 99.9% SiO 2 , 325 mesh, from Cerac Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis. The colloidal SiO 2 component of the protective coating is a suspension of colloidal SiO 2 particles in water, such as that commercially available as Ludox AS, from du Pont Company, Wilmington, Del. Alumina powder and colloidal alumina may also be used. The emittance agent for use in this invention is selected from the group consisting of silicon tetraboride, silicon hexaboride, silicon carbide, molybdenum disilicide, tungsten disilicide and zirconium diboride. The emittance agent for use in this invention preferably is in the form of a powder having a particle size of from 4 to 7 μm. Silicon hexaboride is preferred and an exemplary silicon hexaboride is 98% silicon hexaboride, SiB 6 , 200 mesh, from Cerac Corporation, Milwaukee, Wis.
An exemplary fiber coating contains SiO 2 powder in an amount of from 23.0 to 44.0 wt %, and preferably from 29.0 to 39.0 wt %, colloidal SiO 2 in an amount of from 25.0 to 45.0 wt %, and preferably from 29.0 to 40.0 wt %, silicon hexaboride in an amount of from 0.5 to 4.5 wt %, and preferably from 1.5 to 3.5 wt %, water in an amount of from 19.0 to 39.0 wt %, and preferably from 23.0 to 35.0 wt %. The content of each component is given in terms of the total weight of the protective coating.
The protective coating 15 is prepared by first forming a slurry of the components of the protective coating, and then ball milling the slurry to provide a uniform solid dispersion. The slurry is then placed in an appropriate storage container (e.g., pint or quart plastic bottle) and rotated on a Kendall or equivalent mixer until just prior to application onto the fabric 14 .
The protective ceramic coating 15 is applied to the ceramic fabric 14 , preferably by use of a spray gun. The coated ceramic material is preferably uniformly coated such that all filaments, yams and threads of the ceramic material are completely covered. A dry coating weight of about 0.02 g/cm 2 is especially preferred. The surface thickness of the dry coating is preferably from 0.08 to 0.012 mm, and preferably has a uniformity (standard deviation/average thickness) of +/−10%.
The coated fabric layer 13 is needle-stitched to the PBO felt, thus entangling the PBO felt fibers within the woven fabric yarns. For increased durability, the ceramic coating is used as a bonding agent to mechanically lock the ceramic fabric and the PBO felt together. If the ceramic coating is to be used as an adhesive, then ceramic fabric 14 is needled to the PBO felt prior to application of the ceramic coating 15 or after application of the ceramic coating to the ceramic fabric but prior to drying of the coating material. The ceramic coating is typically cured at room temperature for about 4 hours. If multiple coats are used, then the lower layer is typically cured for 4 hours and the top coat is cured for 8 hours or longer at room temperature.
Referring again to FIG. 1 , the finished insulation 10 is bonded to the frame of a vehicle 20 with adhesive 11 and cured. The adhesive bonding agent is one such as RTV-560™, which is a silicone rubber compound made by the General Electric Company and has heat resistant characteristics up to 600° F. The thickness of the adhesive 11 is approximately 0.019 cm. The curing is preferably in a vacuum bag for not less than 16 hours at 1.5 to 2.5 pounds per square inch and room temperature.
The invented insulation is flexible and is easily applied to a vehicle. Referring to FIG. 4 , the insulation is designed for installation upon the surfaces 40 of a vehicle which experience relatively low temperatures, up to about 925° F. The insulation may be manufactured in various size and thickness, resulting in an insulation which is economical to produce and to install. Since the PBO felt material is heat resistant to a temperature of 925° F., it acts to reduce the temperature through the thickness of the insulation either to an additional Nomex™ layer, which is heat resistant to a temperature of 731° F., or to the vehicle structure, which is heat resistant to a temperature of less than 400° F. The exterior coated ceramic fabric layer of the insulation provides a protective shield for the felt. The spaces between individual fibers of the ceramic fabric allow venting of the insulation.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which this invention pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. | A lightweight, flexible, layered insulation composed of glass or ceramic fabric covered with a ceramic coating and overlying an insulating felt made from needled polybenzazole (PBZ) material which is preferably polybenzoxazole (PBO), and which optionally contains a poly(1,3-phenylene isophtalamide) felt material, commercially known as Nomex™, either combined with the PBZ felt or layered beneath the PBZ felt as a separate layer. The insulation is readily applied to a reusable launch vehicle via a silicone adhesive. | 3 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the priority of Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0129206 filed on Dec. 22, 2009, 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 method for analyzing a gait pattern and, more particularly, to a gait pattern analyzing method for calculating a center of pressure (COP) by using a local area having a maximum force sensing resistor (FSR) sum by reflecting (or considering) the characteristics of an insole type FSR sensor and the characteristics of the skeletal structure of a foot.
2. Description of the Related Art
In “Movement, Posture, and Gait Measuring Method and Treatment System” (Korean Patent Registration No. 10-0894895), a center of gravity (COG) and a center of pressure (COP) are calculated by using signals from FSR sensors in relation to gait measurement. In this case, a plurality of FSR sensors are used, and a maximum FSR output value is detected from among the values measured by using the plurality of FSR sensors, which is estimated as the COP.
However, the algorithm estimating the maximum FSR output value as the COP is problematic when applied to a general FSR sensor manufactured in the shape of a shoe insole. Namely, the FSR sensor generates a high value when the pressure is applied to an accurate point due to its characteristics; however, when the skeletal structure of a foot is taken into consideration, an FSR sensor to which a maximum pressure is not applied may have a higher value in actuality. For example, if the FSR sensor is exactly placed at the bottom of the bone of the toe, even when the strongest pressure is applied to the bottom of the front portion of a first metatarsus in actuality, an FSR sensor of the corresponding toe may have the highest FSR output value.
Thus, in the related art, the COP calculation is inaccurately performed due to the failure of properly reflecting (or considering) the skeletal structure of a foot and the characteristics of the FSR sensors. Also, when the COP is calculated by simply averaging the entire FSR pressure values, an unnecessary pressure value generated as a user wears shoes is reflected (or included) in the COP calculation.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An aspect of the present invention provides a gait pattern analyzing method for calculating a center of pressure (COP) by using a local area having a maximum force sensing resistor (FSR) sum by reflecting (or considering) the characteristics of an insole type FSR sensor and the characteristics of a skeletal structure of a foot.
According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for analyzing a gait pattern including: measuring, by a plurality of force sensing resistor (FSR) sensors, foot pressure values, and outputting the measured foot pressure values, respectively; searching for a maximum pressure local area at which the sum of the output values from the FSR sensors included in each of a plurality of pressure local areas is maximized; calculating a center of pressure (COP) with respect to the detected maximum pressure local area; and analyzing a gait pattern by adding the calculated COP to the trajectory of COPs.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other aspects, features and other advantages of the present invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of insole type FSR sensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a photograph showing a skeletal structure of a foot; and
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the process of a method for analyzing a gait pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Exemplary embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. The invention may however be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will fully convey the scope of the invention to those skilled in the art. In the drawings, the shapes and dimensions may be exaggerated for clarity, and the same reference numerals will be used throughout to designate the same or like components.
FIG. 1 is a plan view showing the structure of insole type FSR sensors according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
As shown in FIG. 1 , in the present exemplary embodiment, 58 FSR sensors 100 are used to analyze a gait pattern. However, more FSR sensors or less FSR sensors may be used than are depicted therein. Also, FSR sensors having a larger or smaller size may be used.
FIG. 2 is a photograph showing a skeletal structure of a foot.
As shown in FIG. 2 , portions of the bones of the foot above the sole are protruded. Thus, when the user wears the shoes including the insole type FSR sensors, the protruded portions may directly press the FSR sensors. Thus, even if a larger force is applied to a different portion in actuality, when force is exactly applied to the FSR sensor of the protruded portion, a high FSR output value may be caused even by the smaller force.
Meanwhile, a using a trajectory of the center of pressures (COPs) is one of general methods for analyzing gait. The calculation of the COP trajectory is made while the foot is in contact with the ground. In detail, the calculation of the COP trajectory is made starting from a heel strike (HS) in which the foot is first brought into contact with the ground to a toe-off (TO) in which the toe is separated from the ground.
The HS and the TO may be detected by using a change in the pressure value detected by the FSR sensors. The method of detecting the HS and the TO is out of the technical coverage of the present invention and a known art, so a detailed description thereof will be omitted.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating the process of a method for analyzing a gait pattern according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In the present exemplary embodiment, the COP trajectory from the point in time the heel comes into contact with the ground and to the point in time the toe is separated from the ground is calculated. When the heel's contact with the ground is detected, calculation is performed in a state of an initialized COP trajectory.
With reference to FIG. 3 , a foot pressure value is measured by using the plurality of FSR sensors 100 (step S 310 ). In this case, output values from the FSR sensors 100 are values obtained by sampling foot input values by more than a total number of rows of left and right FSR sensors (e.g., two lines when one side has L line). For example, when the left and right FSR sensors have a total of 15 rows, fifteen or more times of sampling per second is performed on the foot input value.
Subsequently, the output values of the FSR sensors 100 are preprocessed (step S 320 ). In this preprocessing, an output values of the FSR sensors 100 which is lower than a pre-set reference value is initialized to be 0. Also, an island, namely, an error, of the FSR sensors 100 is removed. Here, the island refers to an FSR sensor which solely has a high output value while the other neighboring FSR sensors have a low output values. This problem is caused as the FSR sensor wrinkles.
After the preprocessing, a maximum pressure local area, at which the sum of the output values of the FSR sensors included in each of the plurality of pressure local areas is maximized, is searched (step S 330 ). Here, the pressure local area refers to an aggregate of the FSR sensors 100 connected to each other, and in this case, ‘connected’ refers to the relationship of the corresponding FSR sensors when neighboring FSR sensors have output values higher than the pre-set reference value.
The method of detecting the maximum pressure local area among the plurality of pressure local areas in step S 330 will now be described.
The sum of output values of the FSR sensors 100 included in each of the pressure local areas is obtained. The sum of the output values is the pressure, which has been applied to the foot, distributed to the FSR sensors 100 . The sum of the output values has a value proportional to the actually applied force.
Thus, the sum of the output values is determined as a total pressure value ((F total (i), a total pressure value of the ith pressure local area).
Subsequently, an area having the maximum (F total (i) value, among the plurality of pressure local areas, is determined as a maximum pressure local area.
Finally, a COP, with respect to the detected maximum pressure local area, is calculated (step S 340 ), and the calculated COP is added to the COP trajectory, thereby analyzing a gait pattern (step S 350 ).
As set forth above, in the gait pattern analyzing method according to exemplary embodiments of the invention, a COP trajectory is calculated by reflecting the characteristics of the FSR sensors and the skeletal structure of a foot. Thus, an error in a COP calculation which may be caused due to a failure of properly reflecting or considering the characteristics of the skeletal structure of the foot and the characteristics of the FSR sensors can be solved, and thus, a gait pattern can be accurately analyzed.
While the present invention has been shown and described in connection with the exemplary embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. | A method for analyzing a gait pattern includes: measuring, by a plurality of force sensing resistor (FSR) sensors, foot pressure values, and outputting the measured foot pressure values, respectively; searching for a maximum pressure local area in which the sum of the output values from the FSR sensors included in each of a plurality of pressure local areas is maximized; calculating a center of pressure (COP) with respect to the detected maximum pressure local area; and analyzing a gait pattern by adding the calculated COP to the trajectory of COPs. | 0 |
This is a
continuation of co-pending application Ser. No. 07/073,797 filed on 7/13/87, now abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to food packages, and more particularly to anti-stick laminated films for packaging hygroscopic foods.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
When hygroscopic foods, e.g., dried fruits, dried fruit candies, are packaged, undesirable adhesion occurs between the food and the inner surface of the package due to moisture absorption by the food. Where the package is transparent, the resulting adhesion may be render the product unsightly and/or will make removal of the food product difficult. Additionally, the absorption of moisture will result in a change in the character (or appearance) of normally dried foodstuffs, e.g., by wilting, and consequently, the product loses its appeal to the consumer.
A search of the prior art was undertaken to ascertain whether this problem has heretofore been addressed, with the following results:
U.S. Pat. No. 3,922,362 discloses the use of expanded polystyrene as a shipping container for food material, such as produce comprising fresh fruits and vegetables.
U.S. Pat. No. 3,645,757 discloses a method for treating the surface of packaging material to provide a hydrocolloidal release coating for foods such as cheese, margarine and some types of candy.
U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,306,755 and 3,415,661 disclose the use of polystyrene film for packaging moisture-containing foods and particularly the use of an anti-fogging coating on the film.
There are many uses suggested for polystyrene foamed products. In the article "Extruding Thermoplastic Foams" by F.R. Nissel, MODERN PLASTICS ENCYCLOPEDIA 1985-1986, pages 236-237, the author states: "Thin polystyrene foam film has an attractive satin-like sheen. It usually is extruded on conventional tubular film equipment using impregnated beads as raw material. It is widely used for coaster, food tray liners, and wrapping material because of its non-slip characteristics and appearance."
Frm the foregoing, it is clear that none of the references uncovered offers a satisfactory solution to the problem addressed herein.
Thus, it will be apparent that there exists a need in the art for a flexible laminated film for packaging hygroscopic articles, in particular, dried fruit and dried fruit candy, such film being moisture resistant and possessing anti-stick characteristics.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore a primary object of the present invention to provide a flexible laminated package having an inner surface which will not adhere to hygroscopic products, particularly, dried fruit and dried fruit candies.
A further object of the present invention is to provide a laminated package which will inhibit moisture loss or absorption by the product contained therein.
A still further object of the present invention is to provide a laminated food package which is capable of being made at relatively low cost using conventional packaging equipment.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a multilayered film for making the packages described above.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent from the description which follows.
Broadly stated, the flexible laminated film (and package) of the present invention comprises a plurality of layers wherein the inner film layer is polystyrene foam. It has been unexpectedly found that a polystyrene foam film layer in contact with hygroscopic food will not adhere to the food. While not wishing to be bound by any theory, one possible explanation for the unexpected anti-stick properties of the polystyrene foam is the fact that, when viewed under a miscroscope, the foam surface is not flat but is somewhat dimply so that there is less contact between the surface and the material placed adjacent thereto.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a food package according to the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the package of FIG. 1 taken along line 2--2; and
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary detail showing the structure of the flexible laminate film of the invention taken along line 3--3 of FIG. 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The polystyrene foam films or foils useful in the present invention are commercially available from a number of different suppliers. One such supplier is Amoco Foam Products Company, of Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin. The thickness of the foam layer is not important except that if the foam is too thick, the laminate will lose its flexibility; whereas, if the foam layer is too thin, it cannot be machined properly to provide a multilayer laminate. With this in mind, the layer can range anywhere from a few mils thick up to greater than 25 mils thick. Preferably, the foam layer being used has a thickness of about 7 mils. Suitable films can be obtained from Velcour, Inc. of Glen Falls, N.Y.
Polystyrene foam sheets are conventionally produced using resin, nucleator, and blowing agent. The resin is normally a high heat general-purpose polystyrene. Nucleators, such as talc or a citric acid-sodium bicarbonate mixture, are added to provide foaming sites to obtain the desired cell size and uniformity. The blowing agent, usually a fluorocarbon or light aliphatic hydrocarbon, is injected as a liquid into the primary extruder. A positive-displacement volumetric pump is generally used, and the addition port is usually approximately 2/3 of the way up the barrel of the primary extruder. The amount and type of blowing agent control the density of the foam produced.
The physical characteristics of the polystyrene foam film layer include: a high compressive stress, a very low or no water absorption, and a non-planar surface. While not wishing to be bound by theory, these characteristics are believed to provide the non-stick surface. The high compressive stress is believed to provide a recoil like property in the foam sheet. Thus, when pressure is appled to the packaged food which would tend to make a food stick to the surface of the film, an internal force is believed to be built up within the foam layers such that when the pressure is removed, the foam surface tends to push itself away from the surface of the food. Thus, the film can be suitably machined for lamination to other film layers. The lack of water absorption in the film also prevents sticking.
To the polystyrene foam film layer substrate one or more additional layers are preferably added to provide desirable functional characteristics, such as barrier properties. The additional layers should not be so thick as to render the resultant laminate non-flexible. Such layers include one or more films of paper, polyolefins, vinyls, ionomers, styrene polymers and copolymers, polyamides, polyesters, metallized films, metallized papers, or combinations of such films. The thickness of the additional films is not critical and can typically range from about 0.25 mils up to 25 mils (0.00025 inches to 0.025 inches).
Although any number of layers may be added to the polystyrene substrate, it is preferred that two layers be used for economic reasons. One layer is the polystyrene foam film layer. The other layer is preferably a barrier layer, such as foil, oriented nylon, metallized films or the like. Where it is desirable to have printing on the exterior surface of the laminate, a third, printable, exterior layer can be included. All of the structures will typically include adhesive layers between the film layers. Thus, one preferred flexible laminate comprises the combination of polystyrene foam/polyethylene/foil/paper. The intermediate foil serves as a moisture barrier and the outer paper layer is adapted to receive printing or the like.
In order to laminate the various layers employed, a suitable conventional adhesive known to those skilled in the art may be used. In laminating polystyrene foam to another film, care must be taken because the polystyrene is very solvent sensitive. Preferred adhesives are thus water based adhesives, the chemical composition of which will depend upon the film to be bonded to the polystyrene foam film. Alternatively, solventless adhesives can be used and the choice of solventless adhesive to be selected is within the skill in the art. Finally, if it is desired to use a solvent based adhesive, the dry bonding process is preferred wherein the film to be bonded to the polystyrene foam is coated with the solvent based adhesive. Then, the coated film is passed through an oven to remove the solvent and the two films are then joined together by pressure.
Packages made from the flexible polystyrene foam laminate of the present invention may be readily and economically produced using conventional equipment.
Since polystyrene foam is difficult to bond to itself by thermo-sealing, the inner layer of the package is modified by applying a hot seal coating or a cold seal adhesive along the portions to be bonded. Most heat seal coatings are solvent based and they will generally produce less successful results than cold seal adhesives which are water based. Water based systems are preferred because of the susceptibility of polystyrene foam to various solvents. These sealable coatings are generally known to those skilled in the art and typically consist of a water based dispersion of a rubber or modified rubber. Various properties of the coating may be desirable. For example, an abrasion-resistant of "harder" coating is preferred when the coating is likely to come into contact with machine surfaces. One preferred heat seal coating is a copolymer based, water based dispersion commercially available from Pearson and Stevens Industrial Group, Buffalo, N.Y., under the tradename LATTISEAL A7734A.
Having described the present invention in general terms, the following examples will more particularly illustrate the package aspects of the present invention with reference to the drawing.
EXAMPLE
(Present Invention)
As shown in FIGS. 1-3 of the drawings, a laminated package 10 was prepared having an outer layer 12 of 15 lb./R paper, which was joined by an adhesive 14 to a 0.00285" thick foil intermediate layer 16, which in turn was joined by an adhesive 18 to a polystyrene foam inner layer 20. The polystyrene foamed film layer employed has a density of 6.87 lbs. per 1000 sq. ft. of 0.007 in. thick film, or 11.8 lbs. per cubic foot. A cold seal was applied to the polystyrene layer along its outer edges 22 so as to form the package 10. The package was formed and filled with a hygroscopic food, e.g., 0.9 ounces of a dried fruit product known as FRUIT WRINKLES®. The filled package of the present invention was then tested to ascertain whether product adhesion with the inner layer of the package occurred. The package was closed, then subjected to a pressure of 9.63 pounds per square inch. When the package was opened at the top and inspected, there was no evidence of adhesion between the food and the inner layer of the package.
COMPARATIVE EXAMPLES
A. In contrast to the non-adhering characteristics of the package of the present invention, conventional packages for hygroscopic foods comprising polyethylene/ foil/Surlyl® (treated with adhesion inhibitor) were reported to have food adhering to the inner walls of the packages. Additionally, other substrates which have tested unsatisfactorily for anti-stick properties for hygroscopic foods include biaxially oriented polypropylene, foamed polypropylene, embossed polyethylene, various biaxially oriented polypropylene release film (which include release coatings); DuPont 50XM-831 C-PET (Release coated crystallized polyethylene terephthalate); paper which has been coated with a lethicin solution (which is used as a release coating in the baking industry); paper having a glassine interior surface; and papers having various waxed interior surfaces.
B. One commercial package comprises multiple layers according to the following specification: 20 lb./R paper/10 lb./R LLDPE/0.000285" foil/15 lb./R Surlyn® (slip coated). The internal Surlyn® layer was treated with a slip additive to inhibit product adhesion; however, the product adhered to the internal layer.
Although only preferred embodiments are specifically illustrated and described herein, it will be appreciated that many modifications and variations of the present invention are possible in light of the above teachings and within the purview of the appended claims without departing from the spirit and intended scope of the invention. | A flexible laminate film for packaging hygroscopic products, including foods, is disclosed in which the packaged contents do not adhere or stick to the inner surface of the package. The inner layer of the package laminate provides the anti-stick characteristic of the package and comprises a polystyrene foam. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates generally to atomic particle physics and specifically to a process and apparatus for the preparation of a stable antimatter element, and to the element itself. In particular, this invention relates to a process and apparatus for the preparation of antihydrogen.
2. Brief Description of the Prior Art
Antihydrogen is the simplest of the antimatter elements. It consists of a nucleus including a single antiproton nucleus enveloped by a single orbital positron. In contrast to exotic atomic species such as positronium and muonium, in the absence of reaction with normal matter, antihydrogen is a stable species having an indefinite half life.
It has been previously proposed that antihydrogen be formed at high laboratory energies by reaction of antiprotons and positrons at low relative center of mass energies, in analogy to the reaction of protons and electrons to form hydrogen. However, previously proposed processes are not expected to easily produce antihydrogen in sufficient densities that can be detected to permit measurement of its physical and chemical characteristics, or use as a probe in the analysis of the properties of other materials.
For example, it has been noted that the recombination of two charged particles, such as an antiproton and a positron, requires either a coupling to an electromagnetic radiation field, or the presence of a third massive particle to which energy and momentum can be transferred. However, at present anti-particle beams are only available at such low densities that the probability of antihydrogen formation through three-body interactions is negligible.
Alternatively, antihydrogen may be produced by recombination of antiprotons and positrons with simultaneous radiative emission. The cross-section for spontaneous radiative recapture can be enhanced by stimulating the emission, thus the use of a laser to stimulate recombination in overlapping beams of antiprotons and positrons has been proposed. However, under the proposed experimental conditions no more than 0.004 antihydrogen atoms per second are expected to be produced and at very high velocities. This makes detection of the antihydrogen problematic.
A number of measures have been proposed to increase the antihydrogen formation rate. For example it has been suggested that the positron beam be bunched and the phase of the beam be matched with applied laser pulses to maximize stimulated radiative recombination. Other measures proposed include increasing the positron beam intensity by recirculation of the positrons and improved positron moderation techniques.
An alternative to the cross-beam experiment is storing positrons and antiprotons simultaneously in an ion trap such as a quadrupole trap operated with an RF potential, and inducing reaction within the trap. At cryogenic temperatures (around 1° Kelvin) the spontaneous radiative recombination rate is high. On the other hand, at these low temperatures space-charge effects limit the stored particle density and consequently appear to limit the antihydrogen formation rate to about 10 per second. The particle trap makes antihydrogen atoms available at relatively low kinetic energies in the laboratory frame so that experiments relating to precise measurements of antihydrogen properties can be easily performed. But antihydrogen is expected to leave the quadrupole trap in arbitrary directions, unless the temperature can be reduced sufficiently so that the antihydrogen atoms can be trapped in magnetic field gradients acting on the positron magnetic moment. In contrast, the overlapping beam experiment is expected to produce a well-directed highly collimated antihydrogen atom beam. However, the antihydrogen atoms of the beam would have relatively high kinetic energy making precise measurements of the atomic properties of antihydrogen difficult.
Antihydrogen, the simplest antimatter element, is an extremely potent energy storage medium. Presently, the collision of antimatter particles with their corresponding normal matter particles (antiproton-proton) in cross-beam accelerators yield the highest levels of interaction energy obtainable (around 1.8 trillion electron volts, Tevatron accelerator, Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory). The interaction of hydrogen and antihydrogen is an important annihilation reaction of matter and antimatter at temperatures below 10 5 ° Kelvin.
Once the physical properties of antihydrogen itself have been measured and compared with those predicted by theory, it can be expected that antihydrogen will find significant use as a probe in the analysis of the properties of normal matter.
There is a need for a process for producing antihydrogen in detectable quantities at low energies, to permit study of the fundamental physical properties of antihydrogen itself, and to provide the antihydrogen as an analytical probe for the study of the properties of normal matter and for use as an energy storage medium.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is directed to providing a process and apparatus for the preparation of detectable amounts of antihydrogen. The process employs antiproton-positronium collisions to produce antihydrogen via Auger capture. The process comprises providing antiprotons and positronium within an interaction volume. Preferably, the positronium is provided by the interaction of a low-energy positron beam with a positronium converter positioned proximate or within the interaction volume. In one embodiment the positronium is generated proximate or within a storage ring containing a circulating antiproton beam. The storage ring can be a miniature version of CERN's LEAR facility.
In a presently preferred embodiment of the invention, circulating low-energy antiprotons are confined within an ion trap. A positronium converter, positioned within the ion trap, is bombarded by a low energy positron beam. The ion trap encloses the interaction volume for the positronium and the antiprotons. The ion trap can be a high-vacuum Penning or radiofrequency quadrupole ("REQ") trap, preferably an RFQ trap of racetrack design. Antiprotons obtained from a storage ring, such as the LEAR, are transferred to the ion trap. The average energy of antiprotons obtained from the storage ring, and the breadth of the momentum and energy distributions of the antiprotons, are reduced before the ion trap receives the antiprotons. It is preferred that the average energy of the antiprotons contained within the ion trap be less than about 50 KeV, preferably about 2.5 KeV. A well-collimated antihydrogen beam, having advantageously narrow energy and momentum distributions, is produced.
The low-energy positrons are preferably moderated from high-energy positrons and are directed as a beam to the converter electrostatically. In one embodiment of the present invention, it is preferred that the low energy positrons be generated in a field-assisted moderator.
Antihydrogen can be produced by the present process at substantially greater rates than by processes previously proposed. The antihydrogen so produced is available for use in analytical experiments, such as for the production of polarized antiprotons utilizing the hyperfine interaction in the antihydrogen atom. Both the polarized antiprotons and the antihydrogen itself can serve as important probes of material structure. Further, antihydrogen, by virtue of the annihilation reaction with hydrogen and other forms of normal matter, can be used as an energy storage medium.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent to those skilled in the art from the following brief description of the drawings, the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, and the appended claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the calculated cross-section from the production of antihydrogen by the present process as a function of energy.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus for use in the process of the present invention for the production of antihydrogen.
FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration of another apparatus for use in the process of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A key characteristic of any elementary particle-scattering process is the process cross-section. While cross-sections often can be measured experimentally for processes involving well-known and easily generated particles, cross-sections calculated from first principles are often very helpful in identifying appropriate experimental reaction conditions when novel processes and particles are involved.
The ground-state cross-section for the formation of antihydrogen in antiproton collisions with positronium has been calculated. The cross-section is given in FIG. 1 and at its maximum is about five orders of magnitude greater than that calculated for radiative capture to antihydrogen in antiproton-positron collisions, and about 1,000 times higher than the case in which a laser is used to stimulate the capture. While antihydrogen can in theory be produced by reaction of equal velocitybeams of antiprotons and positrons circulating at high energy and velocity (such as within the LEAR), the antihydrogen produced would possess high average energy and low density, making use of the antihydrogen difficult.
The cross-section for the formation of antihydrogen in antiproton-positronium collisions is simply related to the cross-section for positronium formation in positron-hydrogen collisions. Reliable valuesfor the cross-section for the formation of positronium in positron-hydrogencollisions have been calculated fo the Ore gap (6.8-10.2 e.V.) as well as at higher positron energies. The cross-section for antihydrogen formation from the collision of positronium and antiprotons is obtained by rescalingthe cross-section calculated for positronium formation from positron-hydrogen collisions given that, by the principles of time reversal and invariance, the product of the positron wave number and the cross-section for positronium formation is equal to the product of the positronium wave number and the antihydrogen cross-section, and by the fact that energy conservation requires that the ratio of the square of thepositron wave number minus one and the square of the positronium wave number minus one must be equal to one-half.
FIG. 1 indicates that the antihydrogen formation cross-section has a broad maximum of about 3.2×10 -16 cm 2 at an antiproton energy of about 2.5 KeV (assuming a stationary positronium target in the lab frame of reference). In comparison, the cross-section for antiproton radiative capture, which is equal to those for the corresponding electron-proton process, has been indicated to be approximately 5×10 -20 cm 2 at a relative positron energy of only 0.1 eV. The antiproton energy corresponding to the cross-section maximum is significant because high intensity antiproton beams are readily available only at relatively high energies, and energy moderation necessarily attenuates the beam intensity. Thus, moderation of the antiproton beam to about 0.1 eV would require substantially greater attenuation than moderation to about 2 KeV. Further, the cross-section for radiative capture falls approximately linearly with increases in the positron energy. This necessitates the acceleration of the positron beam to the same velocity as the antiproton beam for maximum radiative capture cross-section with a small relative velocity spread (reducing the breadth of the velocity distribution is often referred to in the art as "cooling").
The relatively large calculated cross-section for antihydrogen formation from antiproton-positronium collisions indicates that antihydrogen can be produced experimentally by this process.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration of an apparatus 10 employed to produce antihydrogen according to a presently preferred embodiment of the process of the present invention. A positron source 12 supplies high energy positrons. The high energy positrons can be delivered in the form of a high intensity focused positron beam, such as that generated by a LINAC, or they may be generated by the radioactive decay of a source such as 22 Na, 81 Rb, 64 Cu, 58 Co, or 59 Fe. As is conventional, the high energy poistrons generated by the source 12 impingeupon a low energy moderator 14, e.g., a thin foil of a suitable metal such as copper or tungsten. Ultra-high vacuum conditions (less than 10 -10 torr) are maintained within the apparatus 10 by such methods as are conventional in particle physics experiments in order to minimize collisions between residual gas molecules and the various particles and particle beams generated. Preferably, the source 12 is located far from the storage ring or ion trap containing antiprotons to minimize undesired interaction between particles generated by the source 12 and their progeny, and the antiprotons.
The low energy moderator 14 serves to lower and narrow the energy range of the positrons which are derived from the high energy positron source 12. Radioactive positron sources typically emit positrons over a broad energy range. The low energy moderator 14 serves to thermalize the positrons received from the high energy positron source 12 yielding positrons havinga relatively narrow energy distribution on the order of thermal energies. Preferably, the low energy moderator 14 operates in a transition mode withhigh energy positrons impinging on a first surface and the thermalized positrons being ejected from an opposed parallel surface. Alternatively, the low energy moderator 14 can be of the backscattering type such as thatdisclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,341,731. If desired, the brightness of luminosity of the low energy positron beam can be enhanced by the technique disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,365,160.
Another example of a slow positron moderator is a single crystal copper coated with a monolayer of sulphur which releases a slightly focused beam of 2.5×10 6 slow positrons per second at about one electron voltwhen bombarded with high energy positrons from a 58 Co source. Higher fluxes of slow positrons can be produced by cascade positrons produced at the beam dump of an electronic accelerator or in pulse form.
Typically, after thermalization in the low energy moderator 14 positrons diffuse through the bulk and a fraction (about 10 -3 ) of them reach the surface within their lifetime (100-200 picoseconds). The exit surface 15 of the low energy moderator 14 abuts a vacuum (not shown in FIG. 2) andthe thermalized positrons are ejected into the vacuum with an energy of about one electron volt. Approximately 2×10 7 slow positrons persecond can be produced using a 500 millicurie 22 Na source and a tungsten moderator.
Preferably, an insulator is employed as a moderator and an electric field is applied thereto whereby the number of positrons which reach the surfaceis enhanced by several orders of magnitude because a net drift velocity is superposed onto their random thermal motion. It has been estimated that for a high purity silicon moderator as many as 10% of the fast positrons may be reemitted at low energies. This suggests that high intensity low energy positron beams can be produced using a radioactive source such as 22 Na.
The low energy positrons emerging from the low energy moderator 14 are focused into a low energy positron beam 16 by electrostatic guide field lenses 18. The guide field lenses 18 include a transport lens (Enzel lens,no net acceleration or deceleration) followed by an acceleration lens (not shown). The guide field lenses 18 also serve to accelerate and deflect thelow energy positron beam 16 as desired so that the positron beam 16 is directed to impinge upon the positronium converter 20. In the present embodiment, the positronium converter 20 is placed within a device 26 containing a low energy antiproton beam, such as a low energy storage ring, in which a beam of antiprotons circulates.
The low energy antiproton beam 23 is obtained from the LEAR or a similar device 19. The LEAR ("Low Energy Antiproton Ring"), located at CERN in Switzerland, stores a beam having an average momentum of about 0.1-1.7 GeV/c. The LEAR can supply bursts of about 10 7 antiprotons at low energies (down to about 2 MeV). The LEAR stores antiprotons at high energies (relative to the KeV range) and low energy spread using bending magnets and electron cooling. The LEAR is not designed to operate at momenta below about 0.1 GeV/c at substantial beam currents. Design parameters such as the size of the beam bending magnets create this limit.The antiproton beam which typically circulates within the LEAR has substantially greater energy and momenta than that which are preferred foruse in the present process. The average energy of the antiproton beam confined within the LEAR must be reduced before the antiprotons are supplied to an interaction volume for interaction with positronium. The antiproton beam containing device 26 can be a miniature version of the LEAR storage ring facility at CERN, or the like, provided the storage ringis designed to confine an antiproton beam having an appropriate energy and momentum range.
Deceleration and cooling of an antiproton beam 23 supplied, for example, bythe LEAR or similar device 19, can be accomplished in several stages. The antiproton beam 23 can be decelerated to an average momentum on the order of 20 KeV employing a radiofrequency quadrople ("RFQ") 25. The beam 23 canbe further conditioned to reduce the momentum spread of the beam by use of a debuncher 27, such as a double harmonic debuncher, or the like. The antiproton beam 23 can be further decelerated electrostatically (not shown). Subsequent to or concurrently with the electrostatic deceleration,the beam 23 is confined within an initial ion trap 29, such as a Penning trap. The initial ion trap 29 can employ electric and magnetic fields to confine the antiprotons. For example, a beam 23 originating from the LEAR 19 can be trapped within a Penning trap which is elongated in the beam direction and which has a strong (about 6 Telsa) magnetic field, such as can be produced by a superconducting solenoid (not shown), adapted to trapthe antiprotons. A particle burst, or beam pulse 23, can be captured withinthe initial ion trap 29 by rapidly varying the potential of the electrodes (not shown) of the initial ion trap 29. After trapping the particles within the initial ion trap 29, the antiprotons' energy can be further reduced and the beam can be cooled. The antiproton energy can be reduced within the initial ion trap 29 to as low as about 50 eV, if desired. The initial ion trap 29 itself, or a portion thereof, can serve as an interaction volume for the antiprotons and positronium. However, the confined antiprotons are preferably transferred to an antiproton storage ring 26.
Alternatively, the average energy of an antiproton beam 23 delivered from the LEAR, or a similar device, can be reduced by momentum transfer throughcollision with the constituent atoms of a normal matter degrader (not shown), such as a beryllium foil window. While beam momentum can be substantially reduced using this approach, the attenuation of the beam is severe, with most collisions resulting in annihilation of the incident antiprotons. Preferably the momentum of the antiprotons in the antiproton beam is selected so that antihydrogen production is maximized. Preferably,the antiproton momentum is on the order of 0.014 GeVc -1 and an energy of less than about 50 KeV.
The antiprotons are preferably stored in a storage ring 26, which is preferably an additional ion trap (FIG. 2), such as a racetrack trap in which a low energy antiproton beam 24 is confined in a transverse plane byradiofrequency focusing and the longitudinal motion of the antiprotons is confined to a closed path such as a circle or ellipse by quadrupole electrodes. A radiofrequency quadrople ion trap of racetrack design adapted to store protons is disclosed in D. A. Church, J. App. Phys. 40 (1969) 3127. The racetrack trap can be filled with antiprotons from a source such as the LEAR 19 at CERN through a RFQ decelerator 25 and an initial ion trap 29 adapted to serve as a cooled for the antiproton beam 23, such as discussed above. A single pulse of the LEAR can supply about 10 8 antiprotons to this form of storage. As shown schematically in FIG. 3, the ion trap 26 can enclose the interaction volume for the low energy antiproton beam 24 and positronium.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates antihydrogen production occurring proximate the positronium converter 20. The positronium converter 20 is preferbly a small cylinder of single crystal Al(111) having an exterior surface 40, a diameter of about one centimeter and a length of a few centimeters, and oriented with the (111) crystallographic plane of the aluminum perpendicular to the incident positron beam 16. A small aperture 42 is bored or formed in the surface 40 of the cylinder to give a bore 44 with a wall 46 having a generally planar interior surface 48 which parallels the longitudinal axis of the cylindrical converter 20. The interior surface 48 is oxidized to give a thin coating of aluminum oxide. The positronium converter 20 is placed into the antiproton beam storage device 26 with the long axis of the positronium converter 20 coincident with that of the circulating low energy antiproton beam 24. The low energypositron beam 16 enters the storage device 26 through an aperture 32. Subsequently, the low energy positron beam 16 enters the cylindrical positronium converter 20 through the aperture 42 and impinges on the interior surface 48 of the wall 46. The coincidence of the antiproton beam24 and the bore 44 defines an interaction volume or zone 50.
The positron energy is selected to be about 25 eV so that between 50 and 100% (depending on the temperature of the positronium converter 20) of thepositrons diffuse back to the interior surface 48, where they are ejected into the vacuum in a positronium state with energies ranging from a few meV to about 2.6 eV, with the energy distribution peaked toward the lower end of this range. A. P. Mills et al., Phys. Rev. B 32 (1985) 53-57.
The positronium 34 ejected from the surface 48 is either para-positronium (intrinsic lifetime 0.125 nanoseconds) or ortho-positronium (mean vacuum lifetime 142 nanoseconds). Spin statistics require that ortho- and para-positronium be produced in a three-to-one ratio. Thus, ortho-positronium atoms are produced under these conditions at an average density of about 100 cm -2 as seen by the low energy antiproton beam 24.
A radiofrequency quadrupole ion trap of racetrack design, a type of antiproton storage ring 26, can capture and store at least about 10 8 antiprotons with an energy ≦2-5 KeV, decelerated from the LEAR 19 through an RFQ decelerator 25 and cooled in the initial ion trap 29. The antiproton beam 24 stored within such an RFQ ion trap can have a beam cross-section 0.2 cm square, traversing a path length of about 25 cm, witha ratio of transverse to longitudinal momenta of less than about 1/100. Momentum conservation requires that the emission of antihydrogen from the interaction zone 50 will be as highly collimated antihydrogen beam 28 parallelling the incident low energy antiproton beam 24. The antihydrogen beam 28 is composed of a neutral species, and can escape the storage ring 26 through an exit port (not shown). The antihydrogen beam 28 can be directed to impinge upon an appropriate target 30 (FIG. 2) for experimentation, or the antihydrogen beam 28 can be directed to an appropriate storage device for antihydrogen (not illustrated). A laser beam (not shown) collinear with the antihydrogen beam 28 can be applied for spectroscopic characterization of antihydrogen. Emission from excited atomic states of antihydrogen is also expected, and the excited state emission can also be used for characterization.
In the present embodiment of the process of the invention, a radiofrequencyquadrople ion trap of racetrack design is substituted for a miniaturized LEAR-type storage ring or similar device. It is estimated that with (i) 50% efficient positronium conversion, (ii) a 0.4 cm diameter positronium converter positioned within a 5 cm diameter racetrack ion trap filled with10 8 antiprotons, (iii) tungsten single crystal posistron moderation ofa one Curie 22 Na source, a collimated antihydrogen beam 28 of four antihydrogen atoms per second is produced.
In another embodiment, circulating antiprotons are confined within a volumein another type of storage device 60 (FIG. 4) which is not a storage ring. The antiproton storage device 60 can be a Penning trap or the like which confined charged particles by application of both electric and magnetic fields by means of electrodes 64 and magnets (not shown) positioned proximate the storage device 60. Preferably, the storage device 60 has a volume of about one cubic centimeter.
In this additional embodiment, the antiprotons are confined to circulate ina generally circular beam 51 defining a relatively small area on the same order of magnitude as the dimensions of the positronium beam 34. As in thepreviously described embodiments, antihydrogen 28 is formed by the interaction of a positronium beam 34, generated from interaction of a low energy positron beam 16 with a converter 20, with the antiproton beam 51. The antiprotons 51 are supplied by means of a LEAR or similar device (not shown). The antihydrogen produced in this embodiment is not collimated andcolinear with the incident antiproton beam, as is the case in the previously described embodiment employing an antiproton beam circulating in a storage ring 26 (FIG. 2) such as a miniature LEAR or a racetrap ion trap.
Preferably, the antiproton densities in the storage device 60 are in the range of 10 4 -10 8 cm -3 and residual gas pressures less thanabout 10 -12 torr are maintained by conventional high vacuum techniquesand apparatus (not shown). It is also preferable that the electrodes 64 be meshed so that the storage device 60 is transparent to annihilation radiation and antihydrogen emission which are no longer colinear. The source 12, moderator 14, and positronium convertor 20 are positioned as inthe embodiment described above which employs an antiproton storage ring, with the source 12 being placed far enough away from the trap 60 so that there is no deterioration of the necessary vacuum conditions which are maintained within the storage device 60. The geomertry of the storage device 60 and the target 30 or the detection equipment (not shown) for measurement is determined by the velocity of the antihydrogen produced as well as by the velocities and lifetimes of the beams necessary for production of the antihydrogen. Although antiproton motion is no longer confined within a well-collimated beam, and the emitted antiydrogen atoms are no longer colinear, antihydrogen may be emitted at an enhanced rate.
Numerous modifications and variations of the present process will be understood to be within the purview of the present invention as defined bythe appended claims by those skilled in the art. For example, those skilledin the art will understand that more intense antihydrogen beams can be produced by the present process when crossed beams of positronium and antiprotons having sufficiently great intensities and densities are employed through enhanced moderator efficiencies, and enhanced positron and antiproton sources. | A process for producing antihydrogen includes providing low energy antiprotons and positronium atoms within an interaction volume. Thermalized positrons are derived by moderating high energy positrons obtained from a high energy source, such as 22 Na. The thermalized positrons are directed by electrostatic lenses to a positronium converter, positioned adjacent a low energy (less than about 50 KeV) circulating antiproton beam confined within an ion trap. Collisions between antiprotons and ortho-positronium atoms generate antihydrogen, a stable antimatter species, with substantial probability. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to circuit breaker, and, more particularly, to a circuit breaker rotary contact arm arrangement.
Circuit breakers having a current interrupting module within a rotary contact arm arrangement whereby the circuit breaker movable contact arms are arranged at the opposite ends of the movable contact carrier are able to interrupt circuit current at a faster rate than circuit breakers having a movable contact carrier with a contact arranged at one end. U.S. Pat. No. 5,310,971 entitled Rotary Contact System for Circuit Breakers, describes a rotary contact arm that employs rollers between the contact springs and the contact arm to provide a uniform force distribution between the fixed contacts attached to the circuit breaker line and load straps and the movable contacts arranged at the opposite ends of the movable contact arm. One problem associated with a non-uniform force distribution between the fixed and movable contacts is the possibility of excessive contact erosion on the pair of contacts at the lower force points along the fixed contact surface.
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/384,908 filed Aug. 27, 1999 entitled Rotary Contact Assembly For High Ampere-Rated Circuit Breakers describes connecting the circuit breaker contact springs with the movable contact arm by means of pivotally-arranged links to compensate for contact wear and erosion over long periods of extensive circuit interruption.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, a rotary contact arrangement for circuit breakers of the type including a pair of contact springs arranged on each side of the rotary contact arm, has the contact springs interconnected between the rotors and the contact arm via a pair of U-shaped levers. The U-shaped lever sidearms interact with the perimeter surfaces of the rotors whereas the bights of the U-shaped levers interact with the shaped surfaces of the contact arm to insure uniform spring force between the fixed and movable contacts.
Uniform contact pressure between both pairs of fixed and movable contacts in a rotary type circuit breaker is provided without having to interpose rollers between the contact springs and the movable contact arm, especially when used in multi-pole circuit breakers that require a separate movable contact arm in each of the separate poles
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a rotary contact circuit breaker interior employing the rotary contact assembly according to one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is an enlarged front perspective view of the rotor assembly contained within the circuit breaker interior of FIG. 1; and
FIG. 3 is an enlarged front perspective view of the rotor assembly contained within the circuit breaker interior of FIG. 2 with the rotor plate removed to depict the U-shaped levers in greater detail.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to FIG. 1, a rotor assembly 20 in a circuit breaker interior assembly is generally shown intermediate a line strap 11 and a load strap 12 and associated arc chutes 16 A, 16 B. Although a single rotor assembly is shown, it is to be understood that a seperate rotor assembly is employed within each pole of a multi-pole circuit breaker and that each operates in a similar manner. The arc chutes 16 A, 16 B are similar to that described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,375,021 entitled Rapid Electric Arc Extinguishing Assembly in Circuit Breaking Devices Such as Electric Circuit Breakers, which is incorporated by reference. Electrical transport through the circuit breaker interior proceeds from the line strap 11 to an associated fixed contact 13 B to a movable contact 14 B connected to one end of a movable contact arm 15 . The current transfers then to the opposite end of movable and fixed contacts 14 A, 13 A to the associated load strap 12 . The movable contact arm 15 moves a pivot 18 (pin) in unison with a rotor 17 upon articulation of the circuit breaker operating mechanism (not shown) by links 19 A, 19 B to move the movable contacts 14 A, 14 B between, CLOSED and OPEN positions. The rotor 17 responds to the rotational movement of the pivot 18 to effect the contact closing and opening function. An extended pin 25 provides attachment of the rotor 17 with the circuit breaker operating mechanism through links 19 A, 19 B to allow manual intervention for opening and closing the circuit breaker contacts in the manner described within the aforementioned U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/384,908 filed Aug. 27, 2000.
Referring to FIG. 2, a rotor assembly 20 a first embodiment of the invention is generally shown as a single unitary assembly comprising a pair of opposing rotor plates 17 A, 17 B joined by a pair of extended cylinders 21 A, 21 B each having a passageway as shown at 22 . The rotor plates and cylinders are preferably fabricated from a glass-filled thermoset resin having good structural and electrical insulative properties and the central operating pivot 18 extends through both of the rotor plates as well as the movable contact arm 15 . The rotor plates 17 A, 17 B each include, on their opposing perimeters, a U-shaped retainer slot 28 and a sloping carrier slot 29 which includes a raised radial stop as shown at 30 . An opposing pair of contact springs 23 A, 23 B are guided along shaped carrier slots 29 at one end by spring pins 26 A, to which one end of the springs is attached and are retained at an opposite end by means of spring pins 27 B that are captured within U-shaped retainer slots 28 . An opposing pair of contact springs 24 A, 24 B are guided along shaped carrier slots 29 at one end by spring pins 26 B to which one end of the springs is attached and are retained at an opposite end by spring pins 27 A that are captured within U-shaped retainer slots 28 . The spring pins 26 A, 26 B and 27 A, 27 B cooperate with a pair of U-shaped levers 31 A, 31 B in the manner best seen by now referring to the rotor assembly 20 shown in FIG. 3 with the rotor plate 17 A removed and the cylinders 21 A, 21 B sectioned to depict the U-shaped levers 31 A, 31 B in greater detail.
Referring now to FIG. 3, the U-shaped levers 31 A, 31 B connect with the central pivot 18 through apertures 41 , 42 and each define a pair of opposing sidearms 32 A, 32 B and 34 A, 34 B joined by bights 33 , 35 respectively. The spring pins 26 A, 27 A at the ends of the contact springs 23 A, 23 B extend through openings 36 at the ends of the sidearms 32 A, 32 B and terminate on the surface of the carrier slot 29 , as indicated at 39 . The bight 33 joining the sidearms 32 A, 32 B rides along the surface 1 SB of one end of the movable contact arm 15 . The bight 35 joining the sidearms 34 A, 34 B rides along the surface 15 A of the opposite end of the movable contact arm. It is to be understood that the spring pins 26 B, 27 B are arranged in as similar manner on the rotor plate 17 A, shown earlier in FIG. 2 .
The provision of the U-shaped levers 31 A, 31 B intermediate the rotor plates 17 A, 17 B and the surfaces 15 A, 15 B on the opposing ends of the movable contact arm 15 thereby allows the forces of the contact springs 23 A, 23 B and 24 A, 24 B to interact in feed-back relation, whereby a generally constant force is applied between the fixed and movable contacts 13 A, 14 A and 13 B, 14 B of FIG. 1 . The forces exhibited by the contact springs at one end of the movable contact arm are transmitted via interaction with the bight associated with the one end to the bight associated with the other end of the movable contact arm to adjust the position of the bight associated with the other end thereof. An increase in force between one pair of fixed and movable contacts at one end of the movable contact arms is accordingly reflected in a corresponding increase in force between the other pair of fixed and movable contacts resulting in a constant force between both pair of fixed and movable contacts through-out the operational life of the associated circuit breaker | A rotary contact arrangement for circuit breakers of the type including a pair of contact springs arranged on each side of a rotary contact arm, as the contact springs interconnect between the rotors and the contact arm via a pair of U-shaped levers. The provision of the U-shaped levers provides uniform contact pressure between both pairs of fixed and moveable contacts to prevent contact erosion. | 7 |
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/749,596, filed Dec. 13, 2005, the entire content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present invention relates, in general, to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and, in particular, to methods of effecting local and systemic immunization against HIV while protecting cells (e.g., mucosal dendritic and epithelial cells) from viral challenge. The invention further relates to compounds (e.g., nucleic acids encoding polypeptides that can elicit an immune response and/or protect cells against viral challenge) and compositions suitable for use in such methods.
BACKGROUND
[0003] The first antibodies that are made in acute HIV-1 infection are against the CD4 binding site (Moore et al, J. Virol. 68(8) 5142 (1994)), the CCR5 co-receptor binding site (Choe et al, Cell 114(2):161-170 (2003)), and the V3 loop (Moore et al, J. Acquir. Immun. Def. Syn. 7(4):332 (1994)). However, these antibodies do not control HIV-1 and are easily escaped (Burton et al, Nature Immun. 5:233-236 (2004), Wei et al, Nature 422(6929):307-312 (2003)). Neutralizing antibodies against autologous virus develop fifty to sixty days after infection, but antibodies capable of neutralizing heterologous HIV-1 strains do not arise until after the first year of infection (Richman et al, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. USA 100(7):4144-4149 (2003), Wei et al, Nature 422(6929):307-312 (2003)).
[0004] Egelhofer et al (J. Virol. 78:568 (2004)) have developed a gene therapy approach to inhibiting entry into cells of a broad spectrum of HIV-1 variants. The method involves introduction into cells of a retroviral vector expressing a membrane-anchored fusion inhibitory peptide derived from the C-terminal heptad repeat of the HIV-1 gp41 transmembrane glycoprotein. Entry into cells expressing the gp41-derived peptide is inhibited at the level of membrane fusion.
[0005] The present invention provides a method of effecting local and systemic immunization against HIV while protecting mucosal cells (e.g., rectal or vaginal mucosal cells), or other cells, from viral challenge during the time required for development of an immune response. The invention also provides nucleic acids, and vectors comprising same, that encode polypeptides that can elicit an immune response and/or protect viral-challenged cells.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The invention relates to methods of effecting local and systemic immunization against HIV while protecting certain cell types, for example, vaginal and rectal cells, from viral challenge. In accordance with the invention, cell protection can be effected using a gene therapy approach. The invention further relates to compounds and compositions suitable for use in such methods.
[0007] Objects and advantages of the present invention will be clear from the description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] FIGS. 1A-1E : To utilize gene (nucleic acid) inserts including those listed below as HIV-1 vaccine immunogens, these genes (nucleic acids) can be codon optimized, cloned into plasmids for generating DNA vaccines, recombinant adenoviruses, recombinant mycobacteria and recombinant vaccinia viruses and as well as for production of recombinant proteins. For expressing these inserts, except the full-length gp160 constructs, a leader sequence can be included:
[0000] “TCTAGAGCCGCCATGCGCGTGCGCGGCATCCAGCGCAACTGCCAGCACCTGTGGCG CTGGGGCACCCTGATCCTGGGCATGCTGATGATCTGCTCCGCCGCC” , derived from the sequence that encodes for the N-terminus of CON-S Env (MRVRGIQRNCQHLWRWGTLILGMLMICSAA), as protein synthesis initiation and maturation signal. FIG. 1A . CON-S env01 gp41. FIG. 1B . A.con.env03 gp41. FIG. 1C . B.con.env03 gp41. FIG. 1D . C.con.env03 gp41. FIG. 1 E.JRFL.env gp41.
[0009] FIGS. 2A-2E . FIG. 2A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔF. FIG. 2B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔF. FIG. 2C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔF. FIG. 2D . C.con.env03 gp41ΔF. FIG. 2E . JRFL.env gp41ΔF.
[0010] FIGS. 3A-3E . FIG. 3 A—CON-S env01 gp41ΔFHR-1. FIG. 3B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-1. FIG. 3C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-1. FIG. 3D . C.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-1. FIG. 3E . JRFL.env gp41ΔFHR-1.
[0011] FIGS. 4A-4E . FIG. 4A . CON-S env01 HR-2TMCyt. FIG. 4B . A.con.env03 HR-2TMCyt. FIG. 4C . B.con.env03 HR-2TMCyt. FIG. 4D C.con.env03 HR-2TMCyt. FIG. 4E . JRFL.env HR-2TMCyt.
[0012] FIGS. 5A-5E . FIG. 5A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFHR-2ID. FIG. 5B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2ID. FIG. 5C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2ID. FIG. 5D C.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2ID. FIG. 5E . JRFL.env gp41ΔFHR-2ID.
[0013] FIGS. 6A-6E . FIG. 6A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 6B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 6C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 6D . C.con.env03 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 6 E—JRFL.env gp41ΔFCyt.
[0014] FIG. 7A-7E . FIG. 7A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 7B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 7C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 7D . C.con.env03 gp41ΔFCyt. FIG. 7 E-—JRFL.env gp41ΔFCyt.
[0015] FIGS. 8A-8E . FIG. 8A . CON-S env01 HR-2TM. FIG. 8B . A.con.env03 HR-2TM. FIG. 8C . B.con.env03 HR-2TM. FIG. 8D C.con.env03 HR-2TM. FIG. 8E . JRFL.env HR-2TM.
[0016] FIGS. 9A-9E . FIG. 9A . CON-S env01 HR-1TM. FIG. 9B . A.con.env03 HR-1TM. FIG. 9C . B.con.env03 HR-1TM. FIG. 9D C.con.env03 HR-1TM. FIG. 9E . JRFL.env HR-1TM.
[0017] FIGS. 10A-10E . FIG. 10A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFHR-2Cyt. FIG. 10B . A.con.env03 gpΔ41FHR-2Cyt. FIG. 10C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2Cyt. FIG. 10D . C.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2Cyt. FIG. 10E . JRFL.env gp41ΔFHR-2Cyt.
[0018] FIGS. 11A-11E . FIG. 11A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔTMCyt. FIG. 11B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔTMCyt. FIG. 11C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔTMCyt: FIG. 11D C.con.env03 gp41ΔTMCyt. FIG. 11E . JRFL.env gp41ΔTMCyt.
[0019] FIGS. 12A-12E . FIG. 12A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFTMCyt. FIG. 12B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFTMCyt. FIG. 12C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFTMCyt. FIG. 12D C.con.env03 gp41ΔFTMCyt. FIG. 12E . JRFL.env gp41ΔFTMCyt.
[0020] FIGS. 13A-13E . FIG. 13A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFHR-1TMCyt. FIG. 13B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-1TMCyt. FIG. 13C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-1TMCyt. FIG. 13D C.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-1TMCyt. FIG. 13E . JRFL.env gp41ΔFHR-1TMCyt.
[0021] FIGS. 14A-14E . FIG. 14A . CON-S env01 HR-2. FIG. 14B . A.con.env03 HR-2. FIG. 14C . B.con.env03 HR-2. FIG. 14D C.con.env03 HR-2. FIG. 14E . JRFL.env HR-2.
[0022] FIGS. 15A-15E . FIG. 15A . CON-S env01 HR-1. FIG. 15B . A.con.env03 HR-1. FIG. 15C . B.con.env03 HR-1. FIG. 15D C.con.env03 HR-1. FIG. 15E . JRFL.env HR-1.
[0023] FIGS. 16A-16E . FIG. 16A . CON-S env01 p41ΔFTMCy. FIG. 16B . A.con.env03 p41ΔFTMCy. FIG. 16C . B.con.env03 p41ΔFTMCy. FIG. 16D C.con.env03 p41ΔFTMCy. FIG. 16E . JRFL.env p41ΔFTMCy.
[0024] FIGS. 17A-17E . FIG. 17A . CON-S env01 gp41ΔFHR-2TMCyt. FIG. 17B . A.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2TMCyt. FIG. 17C . B.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2TMCyt. FIG. 17D C.con.env03 gp41ΔFHR-2TMCyt. FIG. 17E . JRFL.env gp41ΔFHR-2TMCyt.
[0025] FIGS. 18A-18K . FIG. 18A . CON-S env160. FIG. 18B . CON-T Env 160. FIG. 18C . A.con.Env03. FIG. 18D B.con.Env03. FIG. 18E . C.con.Env03. FIG. 18F . JRFL Env 160. FIG. 18G 00KE-MSA4076-A (Subtype A). FIG. 18H . QH0515.1g gp160 (Subtype B). FIG. 18I . DU123.6 gp160 (Subtype C). FIG. 18J . 97CNGX2F_AE (Subtype AE — 01). FIG. 18K . DRCBL-F (Subtype G).
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0026] The present invention combines vaccination using, for example, one or more immunogens set forth in FIGS. 1-18 (or chimeras (e.g., HIV-2 envelop sequences containing HIV-1 MPER sequences) such as those described by Bibollet-Ruche and by Shaw at the AIDS Vaccine meeting in Montreal Sep. 8, 2005, (www.aidsvaccine05.org)), or nucleic acids encoding same, with a gene therapy approach that protects cells (e.g., rectal or vaginal mucosal cells) from viral challenge.
[0027] In the gene therapy aspect of the present invention, a nucleic acid sequence encoding a membrane-anchored peptide that inhibits HIV-1 entry into the cells at the level of membrane fusion can be introduced into the cells to be protected. The nucleic acid can be present in a vector, e.g., a viral vector. Administration of the vector is effected under conditions such that, upon introduction into the cells, the nucleic acid is expressed so that the cells display on their surface the fusion inhibitor. An administration regimen can be selected that ensures maintenance of the protective effect until such time as an effective immune response has been developed.
[0028] Examples of suitable membrane-anchored peptides include those set forth in the attached figures that comprise a transmembrane domain and a fusion inhibitory peptide. When nucleic acids encoding such peptides are administered, the nucleic acids are advantageously codon optimized. Appropriate vectors include those described below.
[0029] The vaccination aspect of the invention can be effected using one or more immunogens set forth in FIGS. 1-18 , or nucleic acids (advantageously codon optimized) encoding same. Appropriate immunization strategies can be established by one skilled in the art (see, for example, strategies described in PCT/US04/30397).
[0030] The immunogen of the invention can be formulated with a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier and/or adjuvant (such as alum) using techniques well known in the art. Suitable routes of administration to effect immunization include systemic (e.g. intramuscular, subcutaneous, or intranasal). Suitable routes of administration to effect cell protection can vary with the cell type targeted for protection (for example, when mucosal cells are targeted for protection, administration can be, for example, vaginal or rectal).
[0031] The immunogens of the invention (peptide or nucleic acid) can be chemically synthesized and purified using methods which are well known to the ordinarily skilled artisan. The immunogens can also be synthesized by well-known recombinant DNA techniques. Nucleic acids encoding the immunogens of the invention can be used as components of, for example, a DNA vaccine wherein the encoding sequence is administered as naked DNA or, for example, a minigene encoding the immunogen can be present in a viral vector. The encoding sequence can be present, for example, in a replicating or non-replicating adenoviral vector, an adeno-associated virus vector, an attenuated mycobacterium tuberculosis vector, a Bacillus Calmette Guerin (BCG) vector, a vaccinia or Modified Vaccinia Ankara (MVA) vector, another pox virus vector, recombinant polio and other enteric virus vector, Salmonella species bacterial vector, Shigella species bacterial vector, Venezuelean Equine Encephalitis Virus (VEE) vector, a Semliki Forest Virus vector, a VSV vector or a Tobacco Mosaic Virus vector. The encoding sequence, can also be expressed as a DNA plasmid with, for example, an active promoter such as a CMV promoter. Other live vectors can also be used to express the sequences of the invention. Expression of the immunogen of the invention can be induced in a patient's own cells, by introduction into those cells of nucleic acids that encode the immunogen, preferably using codons and promoters that optimize expression in human cells. Examples of methods of making and using DNA vaccines are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,580,859, 5,589,466, and 5,703,055.
[0032] The composition of the invention comprises an immunologically effective amount of the immunogen of this invention, or nucleic acid sequence encoding same, in a pharmaceutically acceptable delivery system. The compositions can be used for prevention and/or treatment of immunodeficiency virus infection. The compositions of the invention can be formulated using adjuvants, emulsifiers, pharmaceutically-acceptable carriers or other ingredients routinely provided in vaccine compositions. Optimum formulations can be readily designed by one of ordinary skill in the art and can include formulations for immediate release and/or for sustained release, and for induction of systemic immunity and/or induction of localized mucosal immunity (e.g, the formulation can be designed for vaginal or rectal administration, e.g. as a suppository). The present compositions can be administered by any convenient route including subcutaneous, intranasal, oral, intramuscular, or other parenteral or enteral route, depending on the effect sought. The immunogens (or encoding nucleic acids) can be administered as a single dose or multiple doses. Optimum immunization schedules can be readily determined by the ordinarily skilled artisan and can vary with the patient, the composition and the effect sought. Adjuvants suitable for use in the present invention include those described in PCT/US05/37384.
[0033] The invention contemplates the direct use of both the immunogen of the invention and/or nucleic acids encoding same and/or the immunogen expressed as minigenes in the vectors indicated above. For example, a minigene encoding the immunogen can be used as a prime and/or boost.
[0034] The invention includes any and all amino acid sequences disclosed herein and, where applicable, CF and CFI forms thereof, as well as nucleic acid sequences encoding same (and nucleic acids complementary to such encoding sequences).
[0035] All documents and other information sources cited above are hereby incorporated herein by reference. | The present invention relates, in general, to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) and, in particular, to methods of effecting local and systemic immunization against HIV while protecting cells (e.g., mucosal dendritic and epithelial cells) from viral challenge. The invention further relates to compounds (e.g., nucleic acids encoding polypeptides that can elicit an immune response and/or protect cells against viral challenge) and compositions suitable for use in such methods. | 0 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to display devices, and more particularly to a display device with one or more heat conducting members involved in dissipating heat generated in the display device out from the display device.
GENERAL BACKGROUND
[0002] Referring to FIG. 7 , a typical display device 7 includes a chassis 72 , a circuit board 74 , a heat sink 76 , and a rectangular heat conductor 78 . The chassis 72 covers the circuit board 74 , the heat sink 76 , and the heat conductor 78 . The circuit board 74 includes an associated power socket 742 . The heat sink 76 connects with the circuit board 74 . The heat conductor 78 connects with the heat sink 76 and the chassis 72 .
[0003] In operation, most of heat generated by electronic components (not shown) on the circuit board 74 can be conducted to the heat conductor 78 through the heat sink 76 , whereupon the heat is conducted to the chassis 72 . With this configuration, the circuit board 74 and other electronic elements (not shown) of the display device 7 can operate without overheating. However, during the process of heat conduction from the circuit board 74 to the chassis 72 , heat must pass through the heat conductor 78 . The heat conductor 78 itself has an amount of heat resistance. Therefore the heat dissipating efficiency of the system may still be unsatisfactory. Moreover, a tool and an associated manufacturing process are needed for localizing the heat conductor 78 during mass production of the display device 7 . That is, assembly of the display device 7 is unduly complicated, and the overall cost of the display device 7 is increased.
[0004] What is needed, therefore, is a display device that can overcome the above-described deficiencies.
SUMMARY
[0005] An exemplary display device includes a chassis, a circuit board and a heat sink. The heat sink connects with the circuit board and the chassis. The chassis covers the circuit board and includes at least one heat conducting member connecting with the heat sink.
[0006] Other advantages and novel features will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, all the views are schematic.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is an exploded, isometric view of a display device according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
[0008] FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a circled portion II of FIG. 1 .
[0009] FIG. 3 is an assembled view of the display device of FIG. 1 .
[0010] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 3 .
[0011] FIG. 5 is similar to FIG. 4 , but showing a corresponding view in the case of a display device according to a second embodiment of the present invention.
[0012] FIG. 6 is an isometric view of a display device according to a third embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a side cross-sectional view of a conventional display device.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Reference will now be made to the drawings to describe the preferred embodiments in detail.
[0015] Referring to FIG. 1 , a display device 1 according to a first embodiment of the present invention includes a display panel 10 , a chassis 12 , a circuit board 14 , and a heat sink 16 . The circuit board 14 is disposed on a back surface 102 of the display panel 10 . The chassis 12 covers the display panel 10 and the circuit board 14 . The heat sink 16 connects with the circuit board 14 and the chassis 12 .
[0016] The circuit board 14 includes a power socket 142 , a video graphics array (VGA) socket 144 , and a plurality of studs 146 arranged thereon. The power socket 142 and the VGA socket 144 are arranged along a same edge (not labeled) of the circuit board 14 . The circuit board 14 , in general, is a printed circuit board (PCB).
[0017] The chassis 12 is generally rectangular, and includes a central jutting back wall 122 , two opposite first side walls 124 , and two opposite second side walls 126 . The first side walls 124 are integrally formed with the back wall 122 , and extend from two opposite lateral edges (not labeled) of the back wall 122 respectively. The second side walls 126 extend from two opposite top and bottom edges of the back wall 122 respectively. The first side walls 124 and the second side walls 126 cooperatively define a first housing (not labeled) for accommodating the display panel 10 . The back wall 122 defines a second housing (not labeled) for accommodating the circuit board 14 and associated components thereof. The back wall 122 includes four heat conducting fingers 120 , a plurality of fixing holes 128 , a first hatch 127 , and a second hatch 129 . The heat conducting fingers 120 are positioned to correspond to the heat sink 16 . The heat conducting fingers 120 are generally rectangular, and are arranged parallel to each other. The fixing holes 128 are positioned at a back panel (not labeled) of the back wall 122 . The first hatch 127 is positioned at a bottom panel (not labeled) of the back wall 122 , corresponding to the VGA socket 144 on the circuit board 14 . The second hatch 129 is also positioned at the bottom panel (not labeled) of the back wall 122 , corresponding to the power socket 142 on the circuit board 14 .
[0018] Referring to FIG. 2 , each heat conducting finger 120 includes a base portion 121 integrally connecting with the back panel of the back wall 122 , and a spring contact portion 123 integrally extending from the base portion 121 . Consecutive heat conducting fingers 120 are alternately arranged, in that any one heat conducting finger 120 has its base portion 121 located nearest a first one of the first side walls 124 , and an adjacent heat conducting finger 120 has its base portion 121 located nearest an opposite second one of the first side walls 124 . That is, the spring contact portions 123 of any two adjacent heat conducting fingers 120 point in opposite directions. Also referring to FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 , each spring contact portion 123 elastically deformably connects with a top surface 162 of the heat sink 16 . Preferably, an area of contact is maximal, with a major part of the spring contact portion 123 spanning an entire corresponding width of the top surface 162 and fully contacting a corresponding portion of the top surface 162 . Thus, the heat sink 16 directly connects with the circuit board 14 , and directly connects with the chassis 12 through the spring contact portions 123 of the heat conducting fingers 120 . A position of the heat conducting fingers 120 can be configured according to a position of the heat sink 16 . The chassis 12 is typically a metal back shell of the display device 1 . The chassis 12 with the heat conducting fingers 120 can be manufactured by a stamping method. The chassis 12 can be made from iron, aluminum, magnesium, or another suitable metal or alloy.
[0019] In operation, most of heat generated by the circuit board 14 and the associated components thereof can be directly conducted from the heat sink 16 to the heat conducting fingers 120 of the chassis 12 . The chassis 12 has a great heat dissipating area. Therefore the above-described configuration can help to increase a heat dissipating efficiency of the display device 1 . Moreover, the heat conducting fingers 120 are integrally formed with the chassis 12 . This makes mass production of the display device 1 including the heat conducting fingers 120 simple and inexpensive. It also makes disassembly of the display device 1 convenient.
[0020] FIG. 5 is an enlarged, cross-sectional view showing key features of a display device 2 according to a second embodiment of the present invention. The display device 2 is similar to the display device 1 of the first embodiment. However, the display device 2 includes a display panel 20 and a plurality of heat conducting fingers 220 . Each heat conducting finger 220 includes a base portion 221 , and a spring contact portion 223 integrally extending from the base portion 221 . The spring contact portion 223 has a curved end, therefore only a substantially linear portion of the curved end can contact a top surface 262 of a heat sink 26 . That is, the heat conducting finger 220 connects with the top surface 262 of the heat sink 26 with a minimal contact area, which is preferably a substantially linear contact or a substantially single point contact. With this minimal contact between the spring contact portions 223 of the heat conducting fingers 220 and the top surface 262 of the heat sink 26 , the top surface 262 can avoid damage due to scraping by the heat conducting fingers 220 .
[0021] Referring to FIG. 6 , a display device 3 according to a third embodiment of the present invention is similar to the display device 1 of the first embodiment. However, a chassis 32 of the display device 3 further includes a plurality of vent holes 329 on a back wall 322 thereof. The distribution of the vent holes 329 can be configured according to positions of sources of heat in the display device 3 , such sources typically including a circuit board (not visible) and a display panel (not visible). The vent holes 329 of the chassis 32 can help to greatly increase a heat dissipating efficiency of the display device 3 .
[0022] Further and/or alternative embodiments may include the following. The spring arms of the heat conducting fingers can connect with one or more side surfaces of the heat sink. Each heat conducting finger can include one or more spring arms each directly integrally connecting with the chassis without any base portion. The chassis can include only a single spring arm, which has a contact area approximately equal to that of the top surface or a side surface of the heat sink. The heat conducting fingers can connect with the heat sink with any other suitable contact areas as required.
[0023] It is believed that the present embodiments and their advantages will be understood from the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the examples hereinbefore described merely being preferred or exemplary embodiments of the invention. | An exemplary display device ( 1 ) includes a chassis ( 12 ), a circuit board ( 14 ) and a heat sink ( 16 ). The heat sink connects with the circuit board and the chassis. The chassis covers the circuit board and includes at least one heat conducting member ( 120 ) connecting with the heat sink. The display device performs an increased heat dissipating efficiency, and can be conveniently assembled or disassembled. | 7 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to apparatus that are attachable to other items, especially ladders, and may be used to attach further items to them.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Ladders are frequently used when users have to access areas at a height. They may be widely used in such disparate fields from interior painting to maintenance of external telecommunications apparatus.
[0003] They consist, in the main, of two vertical spars connected by a set of cross-members called rungs. The rungs may be of a variety of cross sections, but are typically circular, triangular or largely cuboidal. They may be constructed from many materials, but are frequently made of metal or wood. To save on weight and material, some or all of the rungs may be hollow with a central bore.
[0004] They are not without their drawbacks however, and are the source of a multitude of accidents every year. Users may injure themselves by falling or the ladder slipping. Often this is caused by the user having to ascend the ladder with some form of hand-tool, paint-brush or the like in their hand, cutting down on the points of firm contact they have with the ladder. Further, this drawback may be exacerbated if the user is foolish enough to ascend or stand on the ladder with both hands occupied by such tools, for example, holding a paint-brush and a paint-pot, reducing their points of contact with the ladder to two: their feet. This can be extremely hazardous for the user, and the root cause of a great deal of injuries every year.
[0005] Prior art solutions include attachments that fit over the top of a set of ladders or step ladders, which have attachment sockets to receive the top of the vertical spars. These may not be possible if, as is often the case, the top of the vertical spars are resting against a wall for example. The user may wear a tool belt, but this may not be practical if they must employ some other form of harness around their waist, or is simply not a practical solution for the paint-brush and paint-pot example described above.
[0006] Further solutions include deploying an elongate bar within the hollow bore of the rung, and physically attaching it to the rung by way of a pin or a bolt arrangement. The elongate bar may be provided at one end with a shelf, allowing the user to rest, for example, a paint pot on it whilst painting.
[0007] This has several drawbacks. First, further holes must be drilled on each or all of the ladder rungs that the device will be attached to. This either has to be done as a later modification, or has to be built into ladders increasing manufacturing time and cost. Second, the holes would act as stress raisers in the rung, reducing the working capacity of the ladder and substantially increasing possible failure. Lastly, the user has to climb the ladder and will generally have to use two hands to properly fit the attachment, mitigating any benefit it may have.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] According to the present invention there is provided an attachment apparatus suitable for use with ladders comprising a wedging section enabling it to be wedged into a central bore of a rung of a ladder for attachment thereto. By “wedged” the addressee skilled in the art will appreciate that the wedging section will be of a suitable form as to enable it to be placed, secured and held within an appropriate central bore, merely by the central bore compressing at least a portion of it. An interference fit of the two will then be formed, albeit that manual force should be sufficient to disengage the resultant interference fit.
[0009] The wedging section may be formed from a resilient material. The resilient material may be rubber, a suitable plastics material, or some other suitable resilient material. The resilient material may be confined to the construction of the wedging section, or may be used to form other parts of the attachment apparatus.
[0010] The attachment apparatus may further include an elongate engaging section whose cross-sectional dimension is less than that of a largest dimension of a central bore of a rung of a ladder for attachment thereto.
[0011] The wedging section may be of a generally frustum shape. The wedging section may be of a generally conical frustum shape. The elongate engaging section may extend from the face having the smaller cross-sectional area of the frustum or conical frustum.
[0012] Alternatively, the wedging section may comprise one or more lips surrounding a central wedge member. The lips may be toroids if the central wedge member is of a circular cross-section, the toroids themselves having a suitable cross-section, ranging from circular, through elliptical or rectangular or square cross section.
[0013] Such an arrangement may comprise a plurality of such lips, decreasing in diameter along a central axis of the attachment apparatus in the direction of its attachment.
[0014] As a further alternative, the wedging section may include a simple lug arrangement, projecting from a side of a central wedge member. There may be a plurality of such lugs, and it may be that their subsequent projecting distances decreasing along a central axis of the attachment apparatus in the direction of its attachment. Thus, a frustum like overall shape may be attained, without a fully formed frustum being required. The lugs may be arranged in ring-like sets at common distances along the attachment apparatus, or may be placed in any suitable arrangement pattern.
[0015] The attachment apparatus may include further connection means, such connection means including a hook, or even a karabiner. Alternatively, the further connection means may include a snap-hook, clip, shelf or other suitable form of connection means for the application.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Embodiments of the present invention will be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0017] FIG. 1 is a side view of a first embodiment of an attachment apparatus according to the present invention;
[0018] FIG. 2 is a part isometric view of a ladder suitable for use with the attachment apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
[0019] FIG. 3 is a part sectional isometric view of the attachment apparatus of FIG. 1 attached to the ladder of FIG. 2 ;
[0020] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of an attachment apparatus according to the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 5 is a plan view of the attachment apparatus of FIG. 4 ;
[0022] FIG. 6 is a side elevation of the attachment apparatus of FIG. 4 ;
[0023] FIG. 7 is a first end view of the attachment apparatus of FIG. 4 ; and
[0024] FIG. 8 is a second end view of the attachment apparatus of FIG. 4 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0025] An attachment apparatus 10 according to the present invention is depicted in FIG. 1 . It includes a wedge section 12 , extending from which is elongate engaging section 14 . In this particular embodiment, a flange 16 extends around the distal end of the wedge section 12 . The flange 16 in this embodiment prevents over insertion of the attachment member 10 into a ladder.
[0026] The wedge section 12 and elongate engaging section 14 in this embodiment form a continuous conical frustum shape, although it will be appreciated that the form may be more discontinuous, for example the elongate engaging section 14 may be generally cylindrical, attaching to a conical frustum wedge section 12 , or indeed the elongate section 14 may be generally cylindrical, and the wedge section 12 may comprise a plurality of lips extending around it. Numerous modifications and alternatives exist to this arrangement, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.
[0027] The wedge section 12 is formed on its outer surface from rubber, to provide suitable resilience. In this embodiment, the rubber is a layer over a metal body, but may be, for example, a fully rubber attachment, or may be based on a polycarbonate material.
[0028] Extending from the flange 16 on the distal end of the wedge section 12 is further connection means 18 . The further connection means 18 includes a snap-hook or karabiner 20 . The snap-hook/karabiner 18 is attached to an end cap 22 , which itself is attached onto a connection member 24 .
[0029] On this embodiment, a paint-pot 26 it shown attached to the attachment apparatus 10 via the further connection means 18 .
[0030] FIG. 2 shows a detail view of a ladder 100 suitable for use with the attachment apparatus 10 . The ladder 100 is of a known type and includes two vertical spars 102 (only one shown in FIG. 2 ), both being attached by a plurality of rungs 104 (only one shown in FIG. 2 ). A central bore 106 is provided through each rung 104 .
[0031] In use, the user will ascend the ladder 100 using the rungs 104 with the attachment apparatus 10 to the appropriate height. The user will insert the attachment apparatus into the ladder 100 via the central bore 106 of rung 104 . The attachment apparatus 10 will be fed into the central bore 106 engaging section 14 first. Eventually the side walls of the wedge section 12 will begin to contact the interior wall of central bore 106 . The user will feel a resistance to further insertion, as the rubber of the wedge section 12 is compressed by the action of insertion.
[0032] Eventually the user will reach the point where further insertion is impeded beyond the manual force that can be exerted by the user. However, by this point, the wedge section 12 will have formed an interference fit inside the central bore 106 .
[0033] This situation is shown in FIG. 3 , with the attachment apparatus 10 engaged with the ladder 100 . In this configuration, the engaging section 14 is positioned within the central bore 106 . The wedge section 12 forms an interference fit with the interior wall of central bore 106 at the end of the rung 104 nearest vertical spar 102 . The flange 16 abuts the vertical spar 102 .
[0034] The user may then attach any tool or further attachment suitable for their specific requirements. This may be a bag containing a host of suitable tools or equipment.
[0035] A second embodiment attachment apparatus 200 is shown in FIGS. 4 to 8 . The apparatus 200 comprises a frusto-conical wedge section 212 from the narrowest diameter end 212 a of which extends a cylindrical elongate portion 214 . The frusto-conical wedge section 212 comprises a plurality of axially extending ribs 212 b . These ribs 212 b form the frusto-conical section by projecting outwardly from the attachment apparatus 200 in a substantially linearly increasing fashion from the narrowest diameter end 212 a , to the greatest diameter end 212 c of the frusto-conical wedge section 212 . In between each ribs 212 b are formed spacings 212 d . The ribs 212 b may be formed from a resilient material such as a rubber to provide suitable resilience.
[0036] Extending from the greatest diameter end 212 c of the frusto-conical wedge section 212 is a short cylindrical section 215 . It can be seen from FIGS. 4-8 that in the present embodiment there are formed small semi-circular recesses 215 b on the short cylindrical section 215 that are adjacent and equal in number to the spacings 212 d , forming a contiguous spacing.
[0037] Adjacent the short cylindrical section 215 opposite the frusto-conical wedge section 212 , is a flange 216 . The flange 216 comprises a frusto-conical flange section 216 a , and a cylindrical flange section 216 b.
[0038] A handle 217 is attached to the flange 216 opposite the frusto-conical wedge section 212 . The handle 217 is formed from a rubber grip 217 a , allowing the apparatus 200 to be manually manipulated by a user.
[0039] Extending from the handle 217 is further connection means 218 . The further connection means 218 includes a snap-hook or karabiner 220 . The snap-hook/karabiner 220 is attached to an end cap 222 , from which two lugs 222 a project. The snap-hook/karabiner 220 attaches between the two lugs 222 a by way of a simple pin arrangement 223 .
[0040] It will be obvious to the skilled addressee that the apparatus may be inserted on either side to suit a left or right-handed user. Moreover, the use of the karabiner means that a paint-pot, for example, is locked in placed and it becoming disconnected is impeded.
[0041] Moreover, once in place, the use of the present invention allows the user to maintain three points of contact with the ladder at all times. For example, the user may maintain a firm grip with one hand on the ladder, use a paint-brush with the other hand, with the paint-pot being held securely in the attachment apparatus.
[0042] The invention is not limited to the embodiment described herein, and further modifications and improvements may be made to the present invention without departing from its scope.
[0043] For example, although described here as being a conical frustum shape, the wedging section may comprise one or more lips surrounding a central wedge member. The lips may be toroids if the central wedge member is of a circular cross-section, the toroids themselves having a suitable cross-section, ranging from circular, through elliptical or rectangular or square cross section.
[0044] Such an arrangement may comprise a plurality of such lips, decreasing in diameter along a central axis of the attachment apparatus in the direction of its attachment.
[0045] As a further possible alternative, the wedging section may include a simple lug arrangement, projecting from a side of a central wedge member. There would preferably be provided a plurality of such lugs, more preferably their subsequent projecting distances would decrease along a central axis of the attachment apparatus in the direction of its attachment. Thus, a frustum like overall shape may be attained, without a fully formed frustum being required. The lugs may be arranged in ring-like sets at common distances along the attachment apparatus, or may be placed in any suitable arrangement pattern.
[0046] Furthermore, although described here as a karabiner, the attachment means may include a normal hook, a cord, as shelf, or other suitable form of connection means for the application.
[0047] Although described herein with a smooth leading edge, the elongate engaging section 14 may be provided with a suitable mechanism for varying its effective diameter once deployed. For example, three spring-loaded fingers may be provided on the leading edge which are initially flush with the elongate member. Once the attachment apparatus is suitably engaged with a ladder, the fingers may be deployed to increases the effective diameter of the elongate engaging section 14 and biasing against the inner wall of the central bore 106 . | An attachment apparatus is disclosed suitable for use with ladders comprising a wedging section enabling it to be wedged into a central bore of a rung of a ladder for attachment thereto. The attachment apparatus may have a wedging section formed from a resilient material. It may further include elongate engaging section whose cross-sectional dimension is less than that of a largest dimension of a central bore of a rung of a ladder for attachment thereto. It allows a user of the such apparatus to safely suspend items such as paint pots or tools from a ladder for easy reach. | 4 |
FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to hole saws and more particularly to hole saws having a central pilot bit and an outer cutting element, such as a saw, for cutting a hole.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Hole saws with a central pilot bit and an outer concentric cutting element, such as a cylindrical saw or a plurality of cutting blades or gouges are known. In using such hole saws, the pilot bit drills into the material into which a hole is to be cut prior to the engagement of the outer cutting element, e.g., a cylindrical saw, with the material. When the pilot bit drills into the material making a drilled hole, the interaction between the pilot bit and the drilled hole establishes a center of rotation for the cutting element, assisting in holding the cutting element on this center of rotation as the cutting element is turned by a drill and cuts through the material to make a larger hole. This type of saw is typically used for cutting holes in a material which is without pre-existing holes.
SUMMARY
[0003] The disclosed subject matter relates to a guide for a hole saw having a pilot member and a cutting member for cutting a second hole in an object having a pre-existing hole, the second hole at least partially overlapping the pre-existing hole. The guide has a guide member with a bore therein, the guide member capable of being positioned in the pre-existing hole and held in the pre-existing hole by at least a first support member attached to the guide member, the bore adapted to slideably receive the pilot member to guide the hole saw to rotate coaxially relative to the bore when cutting the second hole.
[0004] In an another approach, the first support member has a component of extension perpendicular to the axis of the bore of the guide member.
[0005] In another approach, the guide has a second support member having a component of extension perpendicular to the axis of the bore of the guide member, removably attachable to the guide member.
[0006] In another approach, the first and second support members are capable of at least partially bridging the pre-existing hole when the guide member is positioned in the pre-existing hole with the first and second support members attached.
[0007] In another approach, the second support member has a plurality of radial arms extending from a hub and the guide member is attached to the second support member proximate the hub.
[0008] In another approach, the hub has a first side and a second side, the first side disposed towards one end of the guide member and the second side disposed toward the other end of the guide member when attached thereto, a diameter of the hub being less than a diameter of the pre-existing hole, the radial arms tapering in thickness in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the hub from the first side to the second side and having a greater thickness proximate the hub and a lesser thickness distal to the hub.
[0009] In another approach, at least one of the first support member and the second support member is held in association with the guide member by an adjustable fastener that is adapted to selectively move one of the first and second support members to within a selected proximity of the other.
[0010] In another approach, the tapering radial arms are capable of guiding the hub of the second support member toward a position proximate an axis of the pre-existing hole when the adjustable fastener moves the first and second support members closer together and the tapering radial arms contact the object proximate the pre-existing hole.
[0011] In another approach, the tapering radial arms define sloped surfaces which cumulatively approximate a portion of a cone adapted to be selectively pointed toward the first support member, the cone progressively wedging into the pre-existing hole as the adjustable fastener urges the first and second support members closer together.
[0012] In another approach, the tapering radial arms each have a plurality of steps on the sloped surfaces thereof defining a set of steps on each of the plurality of tapering radial arms.
[0013] In another approach, the plurality of tapering radial arms are symmetrical about an axis through the hub, the set of steps on each of the plurality of tapering arms being approximately identical.
[0014] In another approach, the steps approximate a plurality of concentric ledges of different radii.
[0015] In another approach, the steps function as gripping teeth that bite into the object when the adjustable fastener is tightened.
[0016] In another approach, the guide member has a threaded end, the threaded end extending through an aperture in the hub, the fastener being a nut that engages the threaded end and the first and second support members adapted to clamp the object there between when the fastener is tightened.
[0017] In another approach, a resilient member is positioned adjacent to the first support member and between the first and second support members.
[0018] In another approach, the first support is a disk attached to the guide member proximate one end and the guide member is tubular.
[0019] In another approach, the second support member has four radial arms symmetrically disposed about an axis through the hub, the set of steps on each of the plurality of tapering arms being approximately identical.
[0020] The present disclosure also relates to a hole cutting assembly for cutting a second hole in an object having a pre-existing hole, the second hole at least partially overlapping the pre-existing hole, the assembly including a hole saw having a pilot member and a cutting member, a guide tube with a bore therein and being threaded at at least one end. A first support member in the form of a disk is attached to the guide tube proximate one end at an approximately perpendicular relative orientation. A second support member having a hub and a plurality of radial arms extending from the hub is attached to the guide tube proximate the hub. The hub has a first side and a second side and an axial aperture running from the first side to the second side, with the axial aperture receiving the guide tube. The first side of the hub is disposed towards one end of the guide tube and the second side is disposed toward the other end of the guide tube when the guide tube is extended there through, the radial arms tapering in thickness in a direction parallel to the direction of extension of the hub from the first side to the second side and having a greater thickness proximate the hub and a lesser thickness distal to the hub. A threaded fastener is receivable on the threaded end of the guide tube to retain the second support member on the guide tube and to control the position of the second support member on the guide tube relative to the first support member. The first support member is positionable on one side of the object with the guide tube attached and extending through the pre-existing hole, with the second support member being attached to the guide tube by the threaded fastener on the other side of the object. The tapering radial arms define sloped surfaces which cumulatively approximate a portion of a virtual cone. such that when the guide tube is positioned in the pre-existing hole with the virtual cone pointed toward the first support member, the virtual cone progressively wedges into the pre-existing hole as the adjustable fastener urges the first and second support members closer together, moving the guide tube toward the axis of the pre-existing hole and holding the guide tube at a given position relative to the axis of the pre-existing hole. The bore of the guide tube is adapted to slideably receive the pilot member to guide the hole saw to rotate coaxially relative to the bore when cutting the second hole.
[0021] In another approach, tapering radial arms of the guide each have a plurality of steps on the sloped surfaces thereof capable of functioning as gripping teeth that bite into the object when the adjustable fastener is tightened.
[0022] In another approach, the second support member has four radial arms symmetrically disposed about an axis through the hub.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0023] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is made to the following detailed description of exemplary embodiments considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a power hub installed in a solid surface, such as a desk top in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.
[0025] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a hole saw and guide assembly.
[0026] FIG. 3 is a side view of the hole saw and guide assembly of FIG. 2 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0027] FIG. 1 shows an electrical power and connector hub 10 which is receivable in a hole 12 formed in surface S, e.g., of a desk or table. The hub 10 is provided with one or more sockets, e.g., three prong electrical outlets 14 , USB sockets 16 , phone jack(s) 18 , etc. The hub 10 may also be provided with LEDS 20 to indicate power is present at the hub, circuit breaker reset button(s) 22 and other electrical power and data connectors, controls and status indicators. The hub 10 inserts into the hole 12 such that the hub 10 is approximately flush with the surface S, a peripheral lip 24 covering the outer edge of the hole 12 . Electric cords 26 extend from the hub 10 beneath the surface S. It is known to provide holes in desks and tables to allow the passage of cords and to position electric devices within the holes. Frequently, desks and tables are predrilled and blocked with a removable grommet and or a sleeve to selectively accommodate various devices. The predrilled holes do not, however, necessarily match the size of a given electrical fitting, such as hub 10 , which may be, e.g., 3.5 or 4.0 inches in diameter, whereas the predrilled hole may be, e.g., 2.0 or 2.5 inches in diameter. Stated more generally, it is possible for there to be a size mismatch between the electrical apparatus installed into the desk or table and the predrilled hole. In the event that it is desirable to enlarge a pre-existing hole with a larger sized hole saw, it is sometimes difficult to maintain the position of the hole saw relative to the existing hole if the guide bit is significantly smaller than the pre-existing hole and therefore does not provide a guiding function to hold the cutting element on a center of rotation coaxial with the existing pre-drilled hole. While this situation exists when enlarging a pre-existing hole in a desk or a table to accommodate an electrical fitting, the situation exists in any case wherein a pre-existing hole needs to be enlarged by a larger hole saw, e.g., in enlarging a hole for a lock set in a door, or enlarging a passageway through a floor for water pipes or electrical conduit.
[0028] FIGS. 2 and 3 show a hole cutting assembly 30 having a hole saw 32 and a guide 34 . The hole saw 32 has a saw cup 36 with a cylindrical side wall 38 extending from a central portion 40 . The side wall 38 has a plurality of cutting teeth 42 disposed at the free end thereof. A guide drill bit 44 extends through the central portion 40 of the saw cup 36 with the shank portion 46 extending upwardly for attachment to a drill chuck (not shown) and the drill tip 48 extending downwardly for drilling into the material into which a sawn hole is to be made. The drill bit 44 may be secured to the central portion 40 by welding or may be conjoined to the saw cup 36 via an arbor and threaded clamp nuts, as is conventional for hole saws. In general, an existing conventional hole saw may be utilized for the hole saw 32 , in accordance with the present disclosure, so long as the dimensions thereof are compatible with the guide 34 , as described further below. The side wall 38 may have reliefs 50 (shown by a dotted line) to promote cutting efficiency and the teeth 42 can have various shapes and patterns for cutting different types of materials, as is known in the art. Further, other known types of hole saws can be utilized, e.g., hole saws having a saw blade held in a place in a circular groove or one having one or more cutting blades or gouges radially spaced from the guide drill bit.
[0029] The guide 34 has a guide member, such as shaft 52 that has an internal bore 54 extending through at least a portion of the shaft 52 . The shaft 52 may be externally threaded at one end 55 to receive nuts 56 , 58 to retain a support member, such as plate 60 on the shaft 52 approximately perpendicular thereto. Alternatively, plate 60 may be retained on the shaft 52 by welding or by swaging the shaft 52 and/or the plate 60 . An elastomeric layer or gasket 62 may be positioned against or adhered to one side of plate 60 to provide a slip resistant interface between the plate 60 and the object O, which will not scratch the finish of the object O as the guide 34 is positioned. A second support member, such as spanning web 64 may be retained on the shaft 52 at the end thereof 66 opposite to the plate 60 . The shaft 52 may be externally threaded at the end 66 , which extends through an aperture 68 in the spanning web 64 . A wing nut 70 retains the spanning web 64 on the threaded shaft 52 and may be used to adjust the position of the spanning web 64 relative to the plate 60 . The spanning web 64 has a plurality of radially extending arms 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 , i.e., at least two in number, but preferably three or more, extending from a central hub 80 for spanning a given pre-drilled hole. Each arm 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 has a sloping stepped upper surface 72 S , 74 S , ( 74 S not visible in FIGS. 2 and 3 ), 76 S , 78 S with a plurality of small teeth/steps 73 that step down toward the distal tips 72 T , 74 T , 76 T , 78 T of the arms 72 , 74 , 76 , 78 . As a result, the sloping upper surfaces 72 S , 74 S , 76 S , 78 S cumulatively define an approximate cone shape.
[0030] In use, the shaft 52 with the plate 60 attached at one end is inserted into a pre-existing hole H in an object O that needs to be enlarged, with the plate 60 spanning the hole H in the object O on one side and the shaft 52 depending from the plate 60 and extending into and through the existing hole H. The threaded end 66 of the shaft 52 is then inserted through the aperture 68 in the spanning web 64 and wing nut 70 is screwed onto the threaded end 66 , capturing the object O between the plate 60 /elastomeric coating/gasket 62 and the spanning web 64 . As the wing nut 70 is tightened, the spanning web 64 is urged towards the plate 60 and into contact with the peripheral edge of the pre-existing hole H in the object. As the spanning web 64 approaches the plate 60 , the engagement of the cone shape of the sloping upper surfaces 72 S - 78 S of the arms 72 - 78 with the periphery of the hole H draws the spanning web 64 and the threaded end 66 of the shaft 52 captured in aperture 68 towards the center of the hole H in the object O.
[0031] Upon feeling resistance to further tightening of the wing nut 70 , the plate 60 may be repositioned interactively by the installer, who can sense if repositioning results in the loosening of the wing nut 70 , such that it can be further tightened, which is then done. More particularly, positioning the shaft 52 coaxially in the pre-existing hole H results in the distance between the plate 60 and the spanning web 64 being minimized when the wing nut 70 is tightened. If the shaft 52 is cocked relative to the axis of the hole H, then the shaft is disposed at a hypotenuse relative to the coaxial path and is therefore of greater length. The guide 34 may be used to find the approximate coaxial position for the shaft by the foregoing process of tightening of the wing nut 70 , attempted repositioning of the plate 60 , retightening of the wing nut 70 if loosened, etc.
[0032] Alternatively, the spanning web 64 may be visually placed in the approximate coaxial position relative to the pre-existing hole H with the wing nut 70 simultaneously held against the spanning web 64 concentric with the aperture 68 . The shaft 52 with attached plate 60 may then be inserted into the hole H through the aperture 68 and threaded into the wing nut 70 , all the while preserving the approximately coaxial position of the spanning web 64 relative to the hole H until the plate 60 is tightened down against the object O. Final tightening can then be accomplished by further tightening of the wing nut 70 .
[0033] The steps 73 on the arms 72 - 78 can perform two functions, viz., they can act as teeth that bite into the object O when the spanning web 64 is tightened down on the object O, preventing the spanning web 64 from moving relative to the object O when the hole saw is used. In addition, if the steps 73 are dimensioned at a large enough scale and each arm 72 - 78 has a substantially identical set of steps 73 of the same size and position, each set of similar steps corresponds to a virtual hole size into which that particular set of steps will insert. For example, the sixth step 73 up from the distal tips 72 T - 78 T of each of the respective arms 72 - 78 may define a given hole size H 1 , e.g., 2.5 inches. The set of steps 73 on arms 72 - 78 that are three up from the distal tips 72 T - 78 T may represent a larger hole size H 2 , e.g., 3.0 inches, etc. Assuming an object O with parallel upper and lower surfaces and a round, pre-existing hole extending through the object O in a direction perpendicular to the upper and lower surfaces, when the spanning web 64 is positioned coaxially in the hole H, the peripheral edge of the hole H will contact the same step 73 (e.g., the 3 rd or the 6 th step, etc.) on each of the arms 72 - 78 , resulting in a shaft 52 position that is approximately coaxial with the hole H. This is due in part to the symmetry of the spanning web 64 and to the fact that the aperture 68 extends perpendicularly to the radial extent of the spanning web 64 and preferably approximates the outside diameter of shaft 52 , such that positioning the spanning web 64 in an orientation parallel to the upper or lower surface of the object O results in the aperture 68 holding the shaft 52 perpendicular thereto when the shaft 52 is inserted into the aperture 68 .
[0034] Given that the foregoing process of positioning the guide 34 in a pre-existing hole H has been accomplished, resulting in the shaft 52 being approximately coaxially positioned in the hole H, with the wing nut 70 tight and the spanning web 64 and the plate 60 tightly clamping the object O on either side, the guide drill bit 44 of the hole saw 32 may be introduced into the internal bore 54 of the shaft 52 . Given this mechanical cooperation, it is preferred that the bore 54 and the guide bit 44 are sized to establish a slip fit. Preferably, the material composition of the guide bit 44 and the shaft 52 are selected such that there is a workable degree of frictional interaction, with less being better than more. While a guide bit 44 in the form of a conventional twist drill is shown (that would be used on a conventional hole saw), a plain shaft without cutting edges could also be used in place of the drill guide bit 44 , because the guide bit 44 is not used to drill through the object O, but is instead used simply to insert into and rotate within the bore 54 of the shaft 52 . Once the guide bit 44 is positioned in the bore 54 , the drill (not shown) may be activated to turn the hole saw 32 . As the hole saw 32 rotates and engages the object O to cut an enlarged hole, the guide bit 44 is held on a rotational center by its engagement with the bore 54 of the shaft 52 . Given a suitably sized guide bit 44 , a conventional hole saw may be used in conjunction with the guide 34 as described herein.
[0035] As noted above, the teeth 73 either insert within the pre-existing hole H establishing a mechanical registration and/or grip/bite into the peripheral edge of the hole H to provide a rigid mounting of the guide 34 within the pre-existing hole H. This rigidity resists the forces applied to the shaft 52 by the guide bit 44 as the hole saw 32 encounters (digs into) the object O, the teeth 42 having a varying bite depending upon small variations of force on the hole saw 32 that push the hole saw 32 into the object O and upon variations in the angular orientation of the saw 32 due to the operator twisting the drill from side to side. The resilient layer/gasket 62 on the plate 60 also aids in retaining the shaft 52 in a single orientation in that it deforms and grips the surface of the object O.
[0036] In the event that a pre-existing hole H requires enlargement, but it is preferred that the enlarged hole be eccentric relative to the pre-existing hole (rather than coaxial), the hole cutting assembly 30 can be used in the same manner as described above, but with the spanning web 64 inverted, such that the flat surfaces 72 F - 78 F of the arms 72 - 78 is positioned upwardly to contact the object O. The position of the desired enlarged hole may be determined by placing the plate 60 in the desired position (which may have been previously marked with a pencil) with the shaft 52 depending there from and extending into the hole H. The spanning web 64 is then slipped on the shaft 52 and the wing nut 70 threaded on and tightened, all the while holding the plate 60 to prevent movement of the plate 60 while tightening. Since the surfaces 72 F- 78 F are flat, the spanning web 64 does not pull the shaft 52 towards the center of the hole H, but leaves the shaft 52 in the position in which it was originally placed. Once the guide 34 is positioned within the pre-existing hole H at the desired position, hole cutting can be conducted as before.
[0037] It will be understood that the embodiments described herein are merely exemplary and that a person skilled in the art may make many variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and scope of the claimed subject matter. All such variations and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. | An apparatus for enlarging an existing hole in an object includes a separate hole saw with a center pilot shaft. A guide tube with a disk attached at one end inserts into the preexisting hole in the object and receives a bridging web with a plurality of tapered radial arms cumulatively forming a cone shape on the other end. The space between the bridging web and the disk is reduced by a threaded fitting to clamp the guide tube on the object within the existing hole. When the cone-shaped web wedges into the pre-existing hole, the guide tube is moved toward the axis of the pre-existing hole. The bore of the guide tube slideably receives the pilot member to guide the hole saw to rotate coaxially relative to the bore when cutting the second hole. A flat web may be used for non-coaxial cutting. | 1 |
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to educational devices, specifically to an educational device that employs the use of color to clarify and solidify information being taught.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Several educational devices which employ the concept of color-coding a problem with a related answer have been proposed, however these educational aids are handicapped by a number of disadvantages that prevent them from being entirely successful or readily acceptable to students and educators.
U.S. Pat. No. 1,244,000 issued Oct. 23, 1917 to H. Soltoft and U.S. Pat. No. 4,176,472 issued Dec. 4, 1979 to M. T. Devanney use color-coding to reinforce the concept of number valuation. Both of these educational devices, however, are directed only to teaching the value and use of numbers and can be conveniently employed by only one user at any one time. Also, no independent answer verification is provided to the user to confirm a correct response; only the matching of colors provides this confirmation. Additionally, the former provides that a combination of colors be used for a single response in some instances (i.e. for the response of "10", the integer "1" and the integer "0" are lined in different colors), thus leading to additional printing costs for the elements containing these responses and confusion on the part of the user. The latter requires that a bulky frame be used to support and display the educational device and is only designed to incorporate the integers 0 through 10.
A second group of patents, typified by U.S. Pat. No. 1,450,395 issued Apr. 3, 1923 and U.S. Pat. No. 1,696,988 issued Jan. 1, 1929, both to N. Y. Troidl, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,850 issued Feb. 11, 1975 to A. P. Helmecke, employ color-coding of arithmetical problems and related answers. With these educational devices, however, problem and answer components must be physically placed side by side in order for the user to verify that his or her response is correct and even then, only the matching of colors provides this confirmation (again, no independent answer verification is provided to the user). Also, because bulky frames or similar supports limit the capacity of these teaching devices, they are unable to conveniently contain a sufficient number of integers to display all possible problem and answer combinations. The nature of these educational devices also renders them suitable for only one user at a time. Also, with these devices, it is necessary for every answer to occupy a separate component of the apparatus; with the first two patents, this consists of a single answer affixed to one face of a cube or card and with the latter, this consists of a single answer per card. Having every individual answer occupy a separate component of the apparatus reduces the device's ability to conveniently accommodate an expanded array of answers. Also, two of these patents, U.S. Pat. No. 1,450,395 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,864,850 use more than one color for different components of a single equation, thus leading to additional printing costs for the elements bearing the equation components and generally reducing the effectiveness of the use of color as a mnemonic device. The latter also employs a combination of two colors for a single response, i.e. each integer of a two digit response is lined in a different color.
Educational devices which are limited to the teaching of multiplication through the use of color-coded problems and related answers are typically illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 239,385 issued Mar. 29, 1881 to J. E. Irwin and U.S. Pat. No. 1,466,501 issued Aug. 28, 1923 to A. A. Gamble. Both of these devices share several of the disadvantages cited above, namely the absence of an independent answer verification, the requirement that problem and answer components by physically placed side by side to verify response, and the convenient use of the apparatus by only one user at a time. Also, with these patents, every answer must be contained on a separate component of the apparatus and neither of these devices provide for the inclusion of the singular integer 0. An additional disadvantage not previously mentioned, for both of these devices, is that equations must be broken into three components consisting of the multiplier, the multiplicand and the product, rather than two components consisting of the multiplier and the multiplicand combined and the product. Having three separate components requires that the educational device employ more elements than is necessary to effectively convey its concept. In addition, U.S. Pat. No. 1,466,501 is contained in a framework that limits its physical capacity and renders it unable to provide for all possible combinations of multiplier and multiplicand. This patent also employs more than one color for different components of any single equation and also uses a combination of two colors, in some instances, for multiple integers of a single response, both of which can lead to confusion on the part of the user.
Other educational devices, believed to be more closely related to my invention are typically illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 1,836,851 issued Dec. 15, 1931 to G. W. Kidd, U.S. Pat. No. 2,901,839 issued Sept. 1, 1959 to D. E. Huff, and U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,947 issued Nov. 6, 1962 to D. W. Faudree. All of these devices, however, suffer from the disadvantage of using more than one color for different parts of a single equation. U.S. Pat. No. 2,901,839, in fact, even color codes the same specific answer with different colors in different instances, i.e. when multiplying 7 times 8, the response of "56" is coded in black and when multiplying 8 times 7, the response of "56" is coded in orange, thus causing confusion for the user and reducing the effectiveness of the use of color as a mnemonic device. This patent also displays solutions on the face of the apparatus where the problem appears, thus eliminating the device's ability to solicit an answer from the user. U.S. Pat. No. 3,061,947 uses a combination of colors for multiple integers in certain single responses, this also providing confusion to the user and reducing the effectiveness of the teaching device. U.S. Pat. No. 1,836,851 also has a number of disadvantages mentioned for patents previously discussed, that is the requirement that problem and answer components be physically placed side by side to confirm a user's response, the absence of independent answer verification, and the convenient use of the apparatus by only one user at a time. Also, in U.S. Pat. No. 1,836,851, equations must be broken into three components, rather than two, and only the integers 1 through 5 are incorporated as possible problem components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a teaching system that enhances the learning of sets of facts. The system includes a plurality of problem cards each of which has a problem on one face. The problem cards are grouped by common problem answer characteristics into a plurality of sets. The cards of each set have a unique visually discernible characteristic, such as a visibly distinguishable color. The system also includes a key card which has a plurality of answer areas. Each answer area contains problem answer information for one of the sets of problem cards. Each answer area is displayed with the unique visually discernible characteristic for its respective set of problem cards.
Accordingly, several objects and advantages of the present invention are:
(a) To provide an educational device that offers assistance in teaching and learning the mathematical operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division, and other educational subjects, wherein problems presented and their related answers are associated with a particular color, whereby matching the color of a problem with the color of its answer will prompt a user of the device to choose the correct response to a particular problem situation.
(b) To provide an educational device wherein associative relationships between problems and their answers enhance the probability that information will be easily remembered.
(c) To provide an educational device which may be utilized simultaneously by a group of users, as well as by a single user.
(d) To provide an educational device whose capacity can conveniently expand to include all possible problem combinations pertaining to information being taught.
(e) To provide an educational device that eliminates the need for individual answers to occupy separate components of the apparatus.
(f) To provide an educational device which does not require bulky frames or similar supports to display the apparatus.
(g) To provide an educational device wherein a problem and its related answer components need not be physically placed side by side in order to utilize the apparatus.
(h) To provide an educational device with a color-coding system wherein an entire problem and its entire solution will be consistently coded in a single color so as to reduce confusion on the part of the user and maximize the use of color-coding as a mnemonic device.
(i) To provide a teaching device with a color-coding system wherein the same color will be consistently used to indicate a range of answers, a group of answers or a specific answer in all situations.
(j) To provide an educational device that, when used in the instruction of arithmetic, divides a mathematical equation into only two components consisting of the two elements of the problem as one component and the solution as a second component.
Further objects and advantages are to provide an educational device which is simple to manipulate, economical to produce, and convenient to use, which will provide educators with an improved approach to teaching facts requiring memorization, which will enable students to learn facts requiring memorization more quickly, which will minimize the role of rote memorization in learning such facts, and which will employ a reasonable mnemonic device in order to enhance the learning process. Still further objects and advantages will become apparent from a consideration of the ensuing description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings, closely related figures have the same number but different alphabetic suffixes.
FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are front views of the preferred embodiment of information-bearing elements in accordance with the present invention.
FIGS. 2A, 2B, and 2C are back views of the preferred embodiment of information-bearing elements shown in FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C.
FIG. 3 is the front view of the preferred embodiment of a master information-bearing element in accordance with the present invention.
FIG. 4 is the front view of an alternative embodiment of a master information-bearing element of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is the front view of a third embodiment of a master information-bearing element of the present invention.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the educational device of the present invention.
FIG. 7 is a front view of an information-bearing element of the educational device shown in FIG. 6.
The drawings are lined for color, and similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiment of the teaching device of the present invention is illustrated in FIG. 1A (front view), FIG. 2A (back view) and FIG. 3. FIG. 1A illustrates the front view of a flat, planar information-bearing element or problem card 10 having a corner that differs in shape from the remaining three corners 11 and having indicia representing components of an arithmetical problem 12 and a functional sign of operation 13 adjacent thereto. In the preferred embodiment, this information-bearing element 10 is constructed of a stiff, heavy paper such as cardboard. However, this information-bearing element 10 can be constructed of any other similar suitable material. The arithmetical problem 12 in FIG. 1A, illustratively 4×6, and its functional sign of operation 13 are lined in a specific color, illustratively green. FIG. 2A illustrates the back view of the flat, planar information-bearing element or key card 10 shown in FIG. 1A and contains indicia representing the arithmetical problem 12, its functional sign of operation 13, and its answer 14, in this illustration "24", to the arithmetical problem 12 presented on the front of the information-bearing element or key card 10 of FIG. 1A. FIG. 3 illustrates the front view of a flat, planar master information-bearing element 20 having a corner that differs in shape from the remaining three corners 11 and having indicia representing a series of ranges of answers 21 containing answers to all arithmetical problems 12 displayed on the front faces of all information-bearing elements 10. In the preferred embodiment, this master information-bearing element 20 is constructed of a stiff, heavy paper such as cardboard. However, this master information-bearing element 20 can be constructed of any other similar suitable material. The ranges of answers 21 containing all answers to arithmetical problems 12 on the front faces of the information-bearing elements 10 are lined in various colors which correspond in color to the arithmetical problems 12. The specific range of answers 21 which includes the answer 14 to the problem 12 presented on the front face of the information-bearing element 10 in FIG. 1A, that is "20-29" which includes the answer 14 of "24", is lined in green, thus corresponding in color to the arithmetical problem 12 on the front face of the information-bearing element 10 in FIG. 1A.
FIGS. 1B and 1C illustrate front views of additional examples of flat, planar information-bearing elements 10 having a corner that differs from the remaining three corners 11 and having indicia representing components of an arithmetical problem 12 and a functional sign of operation 13 adjacent thereto. The indicia on the front faces of these information-bearing elements 10 corresponds in color to ranges of answers 21 containing the solution to their stated problems 12 on the master information-bearing element 20 in FIG. 3. FIGS. 2B and 2C illustrate the back views of the information-bearing elements 10 in FIGS. 1B and 1C and bear the arithmetical problems 12 shown on their front faces, their functional signs of operation 13, and their answers 14.
FIG. 4 illustrates the front view of an alternative embodiment of a flat, planar master information-bearing element 20 having a corner that differs from the remaining three corners 11 and having indicia on the front face representing the integer "0" as an individual answer 23 and also ranges of answers 21, the combination of which include all answers to all arithmetical problems 12 displayed on all information-bearing elements 10. The individual integer "0" 23 and the additional ranges of answers 21 are lined in various colors which correspond in color to the indicia representing the arithmetical problems 12 on the front faces of the information-bearing elements 10. In the illustrative example above, the specific range of answers 21 which includes the answer 14 to the problem 12 presented on the front of the information-bearing element 10 in FIG. 1A, that is "20-29", which includes the answer 14 of "24", is lined in green, thus corresponding in color to the indicia representing the arithmetical problem 12.
FIG. 5 illustrates the front view of a third alternative embodiment of a flat, planar master information-bearing element 20 having a corner that differs from the remaining three corners 11 and having indicia on the front face representing individual answers 23 and also a series of groups of individual answers 22, the combination of which include the answers to all arithmetical problems 12 displayed on all information-bearing elements 10. The individual answers 23 and the additional groups of series of individual answers 22 are lined in various colors which correspond in color to the indicia representing the arithmetical problems 12 on the front faces of the information-bearing elements 10. In the illustrative example above, the specific series of individual answers 22 which includes the answer to the problem 12 presented on the front of the information-bearing element 10 in FIG. 1A, that is "20, 21, 24, 25, 27, 28", which includes the answer 14 of "24", is lined in green, thus corresponding in color to the indicia representing the arithmetical problem 12. While, for convenience, the information-bearing elements 10 shown in the drawings contain information about mathematics, the information displayed thereon could relate to musical notes, phonetics, or virtually any subject. The "problem" could be, for example, a drawing of a musical staff with a note placed on a specific line or space and the "answer" could be the alphabetic letter associated with this note.
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a modified embodiment of the present invention and provides for the information-bearing element 10 to be constructed of a transparent material suitable for use with a conventional overhead projector. In FIG. 6, there is shown a conventional projector 30 having a main housing 31 with a light source therein projecting upwardly through surface 32 into reflector 33. Positioned atop surface 32 is an information-bearing element 10 constructed of a transparent material containing indicia representing components of an arithmetical problem 12, in this illustration one of multiplication, and having indicia representing a functional sign of operation 13 adjacent thereto. Thus, the images formed by the information-bearing element 10 are reflected upwardly along light beams 34 through the reflector 33 and via light beams traveling to screen 35 onto screen 36. The arithmetical problem 12, illustratively 7×1, and its functional sign of operation 13 are lined in a specific color, illustratively blue, which corresponds in color to the specific range of answers 21 containing the answer 14 on the master information-bearing element 20 in FIG. 3, that is "0-9" which includes the answer of "7".
The arithmetical problem 12, illustratively 7×1, and its functional sign of operation 13, both illustratively lined in blue, also corresponds in color to the specific range of answers 21 containing the answer 14 on the alternative master information-bearing element 20 in FIG. 4, that is "1-9", which includes the answer of "7". The arithmetical problem 12, illustratively 7×1, and its functional sign of operation 13, both illustratively lined in blue, also corresponds in color to the specific series of individual answers 22 containing the answer on the alternative master information-bearing element 20 in FIG. 5, that is "0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9", which includes the answer of "7".
FIG. 7 illustrates the front view of the information-bearing element 10 constructed of a transparent material suitable for use with a conventional overhead projector.
It is noted that the selection of colors in the present invention is arbitrary, and may be varied at will, so long as the same color is consistently used throughout the set of information-bearing elements 10 for components of arithmetical problems 12 and their functional signs of operation 13 and related ranges of answers 21, series of individual answers 22, and individual answers 23 contained on master information-bearing elements 20.
Also, in FIGS. 1, 2, and 7, color-coding is accomplished by lining the problem 12 and its functional sign of operation 13 for color, but it will be understood that color-coding may also be accomplished by printing the problem 12 and its functional sign of operation 13 in an arbitrary color upon an information-bearing element 10 whose front face is lined in a specific color. For example, in this situation, problems 12 and their functional signs of operation 13 could be printed in black upon information-bearing elements 10 having front faces of various colors which correspond in color to the specific range of answers 21 containing the answer 14 to the problem 12 they bear, the specific series of individual answers 22 containing the answer 14 to the problem 12 they bear, or the specific individual answer 23 to the problem 14 they bear on the master information-bearing element 20.
Operation
To use the teaching device of the present invention, the information-bearing elements 10 are arranged in a uniform manner, i.e. a manner having the problem face side of all the elements 10 facing in the same direction and with printed matter thereon oriented for easy reading, by employing the corner of the elements differing from the other three 11. This feature is also useful to a manipulator when he or she wishes to mix the elements 10 for indiscriminate location. The front faces of the information-bearing elements 10 are then displayed, one at a time and in any order, to a single student or group of students having in their prossession, or in their view, a master information-bearing element 20. The master information-bearing element 20 is employed by each student to reduce response possibilities to a specific individual answer 23, to a specific range of answers 21, or to a specific series or group of individual answers 22, through the process of matching the color of the problem 12 on the information-bearing element 10 being displayed with the corresponding color of the specific individual answer 23, the specific range of answers 21, or the specific series of individual answers 22 on the master information-bearing element 20. Students are prompted by the master information-bearing element 20 to make correct answer choices and may call out answers which may then be verified by the manipulator, or in the case of self-study, may turn over the information-bearing element 10 to reveal the arithmetical problem 12, its functional sign of operation 13, and the actual answer 14 to the problem 12.
For example, the information-bearing element having the arithmetical problem 12 of 9×9, as illustrated in FIG. 1B, lined in orange for illustrative purposes, may be displayed. The student or students, using the master information-bearing element illustrated in FIG. 3, would immediately realize that the response to this problem would be contained in the range of answers 21 lined in orange on the master information-bearing element 20, that is "80-89" which contains the answer of "81". Following this process, each student could limit their response selection, and thereby reduce the possibility of error and increase the likelihood of correctness. Students could provide correct responses quickly, thus allowing the manipulator to provide positive reinforcement to the student much earlier than would be possible with other teaching methods. In situations where the manipulator is unfamiliar with the arithmetical facts contained on the information-bearing elements 10, the answer 14 on the back face of the information-bearing element 10 will provide a means for verifying a correct response or disputing an incorrect response.
To use the present invention in an alternative embodiment as illustrated in FIG. 6, the information-bearing elements 10, as illustrated by the example in FIG. 7, are constructed of a transparent material suitable for use with a conventional overhead projector 30, and are displayed, one at a time and in any order, with a conventional projector 30 onto a screen 36 which is visible to all students participating in the learning exercise. All students participating have in their possession an individual master information-bearing element 20 or have in their view, a large master information-bearing element 20 which can be seen by all participants. The master information-bearing element 20 is employed by each student to reduce response possibilities by matching the color of the problem 12 on the displayed information-bearing element 10 with the corresponding color of the specific range of answers 21, the specific series of individual answers 22, or the specific individual answer 23 on the master information-bearing element 20. Students may call out answers which may then be verified by the manipulator.
It should be noted that FIG. 3 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the master information-bearing element 20, while FIGS. 4 and 5 illustrate alternate forms of master information-bearing elements 20. A choice among the three forms should be made by a student or instructor and only one of the three forms should be used at any one time. In FIGS. 1-7, multiplication tables consisting of 0×0 through 9×9 inclusive, are utilized, but it will be understood that these tables may be reduced or expanded. In FIGS. 1-7, problems 12 are illustrated in a vertical manner, but it will be understood that these problems 12 may be shown in a horizontal manner as well. Also, in FIGS. 1-7, one master information-bearing element 20 is shown, however it may be useful to employ additional identical master information-bearing elements 20 in actual practice, thereby increasing the number of students that may utilize a single set of information-bearing elements 10 at any one time. When a plurality of master information-bearing elements 20 are utilized, the corner of the master information-bearing elements differing from the other three 11 may be used to assemble the master information-bearing elements 20 in a manner having all printed face sides facing in the same direction. In FIG. 3, nine ranges of answers 21 are illustrated but it will be understood that fewer or more ranges of answers 21 may be employed. In FIG. 4, the integer "0" is illustrated as a separate individual answer 23 but it will be understood that any or all integers may be shown as individual answers 23 on master information-bearing elements 20. In FIG. 5, seven series of individual answers 22 and two separate individual answers 23 are illustrated, but it will be understood that fewer or more series of individual answers 22 or separate individual answers 23 may be employed. In some instances, where information pertaining to subjects other than mathematics is displayed, a master information-bearing element 20 containing ranges of answers 21 may not be appropriate and the master information-bearing element 20 may contain only individual answers 23. For example, if the educational device is utilized for the instruction of musical note names, wherein a problem 12 consists of a symbol showing a musical staff with a note placed on a specific line or space, the master information-bearing element 20 may contain only the individual answers 23 consisting of symbol descriptions "A", "B", "C", "D", "E", "F" , and "G", each lined in a specific color which corresponds to the color of the problem 12 on individual information-bearing elements 10.
Any arithmetical process including addition, subtraction, multiplication and division may be utilized. Also, the concept of the teaching device of the present invention is eminently suitable for incorporating other educational concepts to assist students in learning commonly experienced relationships. Such relationships include phonetics whereby a problem 12 could consist of a symbol representing a phonetic sound and an answer 14 could consist of a symbol description representing letters of the alphabet, musical notes whereby a problem 12 could consist of a symbol representing a musical note placed on a musical staff and an answer 14 could consist of a symbol description representing letters of the musical scale, and state descriptions whereby a problem 12 could consist of a pictorial symbol of a state and an answer 14 could consist of a symbol description consisting of a state name. The teaching device of the present invention is also very versatile as to size. Large versions suitable for classroom demonstrations are contemplated wherein information-bearing elements 10 large enough to be easily viewed by an entire classroom and a poster-size master information-bearing element 20 are employed, as are small versions suitable for use by a child studying alone.
SUMMARY OF CERTAIN ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, the reader will see that the educational device of this invention can be used to teach and learn information in a simple and expedient manner and can be manufactured economically. In addition, the educational device of this invention will minimize the role of rote memorization in learning information by utilizing a reasonable mnemonic device of color to enhance the learning process.
Although the description above contains many specificities, these should not be construed as limiting the scope of the invention but as merely providing illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments 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. | A flash card type of teaching system includes problem cards that are divided into sets by color coding. A key card that is in view of the student(s) contains answer information that is also color coded to assist the student(s) in choosing the correct response to a particular problem. | 6 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application is a continuation of copending International Application No. PCT/DE01/03673, filed Sep. 24, 2001, which designated the United States and was not published in English.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Field of the Invention
[0003] The invention relates to a steam turbine plant having a vacuum pumping configuration that has a jet pump and a liquid ring pump disposed in series one after the other. The invention also relates to a method of operating a steam turbine plant, in which a plant component is deaerated by use of a vacuum pumping configuration which has a jet pump and a liquid ring pump disposed in series one after the other.
[0004] In a steam turbine plant, for example in the field of power generation, a main turbine plant having a plurality of turbine stages is provided as a rule in order to utilize as effectively as possible the energy content of the steam provided. As a rule, high-capacity steam turbine plants have a high-pressure stage, an intermediate-pressure stage and a low-pressure stage, steam heated in a boiler is fed to the high-pressure stage and expands in the direction of the low-pressure stage. At the end, the low-pressure stage has a vacuum in the order of magnitude of between 18 mbar and 80 mbar. The steam discharging from the low-pressure stage is fed to a condenser and is condensed there.
[0005] The gas quantity collecting during the condensing in the condenser must be drawn off from the latter. Provided for this purpose is a vacuum pumping configuration, which, on account of the low final pressure at the low-pressure stage, must reach a vacuum of, for example, ≦18 mbar on the suction side. On account of the steam quantity which collects in the steam turbine plant and which is large as a rule, the vacuum pumping configuration must be configured for drawing off a large gas quantity of a delivery gas from the condenser in order to deaerate the latter.
[0006] Furthermore, in a steam turbine plant for a large power plant, an auxiliary turbine for a feed water supply to the boiler is normally provided, the auxiliary turbine having, for example, an output of 20 MW, compared with an output of the main turbine plant of about 1 GW. A condenser, which must be deaerated, is likewise assigned to the auxiliary turbine.
[0007] As a rule, the respective condenser contains a tube system, to which the steam to be condensed is admitted from the turbine. The steam is cooled by water, which is fed to the condenser via a “water chamber”. In order to maintain the operability of the condenser, the water chamber must also be deaerated. On account of the different requirements for the deaerating capacity with regard to the condenser for the low-pressure stage, for the auxiliary turbine, and with regard to the water chamber of the condenser, a separate vacuum pumping configuration is currently provided for each of the three subsystems.
[0008] For deaerating a condenser of a steam turbine, British Patent GB 1 542 483 discloses a vacuum pumping configuration in which a jet pump and a liquid ring pump are provided in series one after the other. The motive fluid provided for the jet pump is air. The vacuum to be achieved is improved by connecting the jet pump upstream of the liquid ring pump. A vacuum of about 50 mbar can typically be achieved with a liquid ring pump. A vacuum of up to <15 mbar can be achieved with the entire system by connecting a jet pump upstream.
[0009] In the system formed of the jet pump and the liquid ring pump there is generally the problem that the liquid ring pump has to be configured for both the quantity of the actual delivery gas to be drawn off plus the quantity of the motive fluid for the jet pump. In this case, the requisite quantity of motive air for an air-operated jet pump is many times higher than the quantity of delivery gas to be drawn off from the condenser. For example, in order to compress a delivery-gas mass flow from a condenser, formed of a mixture of about 15 kg/h of air and 35 kg/h of steam, from about 40 mbar to 125 mbar by the jet pump, a working-air mass flow of about 200 kg/h is required. On account of this high air proportion, the liquid ring pump is to be configured for dry air as the delivery gas. This reduces the capacity of the liquid ring pump, compared with moist air as the delivery gas.
[0010] A liquid ring pump and its operating principle can be seen, for example, from the Siemens brochure titled “ELMO-L2BL1-luftgekühlt, õlfrei: die neue Generation von Vakuumpumpen” [ELMO-L2BL1—Air-Cooled, Oil-Free: The New Generation Of Vacuum Pumps], Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Germany, 12/98, Order No.: E20001-P782-A208, or from the Internet at http:\\www.ad.siemens.de/elmo (status August 2000). The liquid ring pump described has an impeller sitting eccentrically in a housing. By the impeller rotation, an operating medium, as a rule water, forms a water ring revolving with the impeller in the housing. On account of the eccentric configuration of the impeller, sectional spaces of different size form between the impeller hub and the water ring revolving with the impeller, and the medium to be pumped is compressed in the sectional spaces.
[0011] Furthermore, the combination of a jet pump with a downstream liquid ring pump has been disclosed, for example, by Published, European Patent Application EP 0 088 226 A2, U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,457 A and Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent Application DE 29 13 960 A1. According to EP 0 088 226 A2, the liquid ring pump is operated with oil as the operating medium, which is heated up to a temperature of about 130° C. In order to utilize the energy stored in the oil, provision is made to evaporate water via a heat exchanger and to feed the steam as the motive fluid to the jet pump. A separate supply of motive fluid is therefore not necessary in the system. However, the system is restricted to oil-operated liquid ring pumps, in which the oil can be heated to temperatures above 100° C. As a rule, the liquid ring pumps are operated with water, which is normally heated up to about 35° C. at most, as can be seen from the above-mentioned Siemens brochure.
[0012] The interaction of a liquid ring pump with a turbine has also been disclosed by U.S. Pat. No. 4,484,457, which claims the same priority as EP 0 088 226 A2.
[0013] According to Published, Non-Prosecuted German Patent Application DE 29 13 960 A1, air is fed as motive fluid to the jet pump from a separator assigned to the liquid ring pump. In this case, the air extracted from the separator is dehydrated so that air that is as dry as possible is fed to the jet pump.
[0014] A jet pump to which steam is fed as the motive fluid has been disclosed, for example, by U.S. Pat. No. 3,481,529. A liquid ring pump is connected directly downstream of the jet pump.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0015] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a steam turbine plant, and a method of operating the steam turbine plant that overcome the above-mentioned disadvantages of the prior art devices and methods of this general type, which permits a cost-effective operation of a steam turbine plant in a simple installation.
[0016] With the foregoing and other objects in view there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a steam turbine plant. The plant contains a vacuum pumping configuration having a jet pump and a liquid ring pump disposed in series one after another, a sealing steam circuit for a turbine seal, and a steam line connected to the sealing-steam circuit and provided for feeding steam, collecting in the steam turbine plant, as a motive fluid for the jet pump. The steam line connected to the jet pump.
[0017] The object is achieved according to the invention by a steam turbine plant having a vacuum pumping configuration which has a jet pump and a liquid ring pump disposed in series one after the other, a steam line for feeding steam, collecting in the plant, as the motive fluid for the jet pump being connected to the jet pump.
[0018] The steam used in this case is in particular excess steam in order not to impair the efficiency of the steam turbine plant. The use of steam as the motive fluid has the decisive advantage that, as a result, the quantity of noncondensable motive fluid required is markedly reduced compared with the motive air normally used. As a result, it is possible to configure the liquid ring pump disposed downstream of the jet pump for markedly smaller mass flows, so that considerable cost savings can thereby be achieved. This is because, through the use of steam or of steam/air mixture under atmospheric pressure as the motive fluid, the power requirement with regard to the mass flow to be delivered by the liquid ring pump decreases by about 40-50%, since the vaporous mass proportion in the liquid ring pump condenses and does not have to be compressed to atmospheric pressure.
[0019] The steam line via which steam is fed as the motive fluid to the jet pump is expediently connected to a sealing-steam circuit for a turbine-shaft sealing system.
[0020] To seal the rotating turbine shaft, a labyrinth seal, through which “sealing steam” is directed, is provided as a rule. After leaving the turbine seal, the sealing steam is also referred to as low-tension steam. The low-tension steam is a “waste product” collecting in the steam turbine plant and is therefore especially suitable for use as motive fluid under atmospheric pressure without impairing the efficiency of the steam turbine plant.
[0021] In addition, the feeding of the low-tension steam to the vacuum pumping configuration also has the decisive advantage that the low-tension steam—due to the principle of the liquid ring pump—condenses. The condensing system, normally provided in a steam turbine plant, for the low-tension steam is therefore not necessary. As a result, investment costs can be saved, and in addition the requisite installation requirement is reduced compared with conventional steam turbine plants.
[0022] A gas line for admixing air for forming a steam/air mixture as motive fluid for the jet pump is expediently connected to the steam line. This results in especially efficient operation for the jet pump. In particular, an approximately uniform mass flow distribution between air and steam is set for the mixture. In addition, the admixing of air has the advantage that the requisite quantity of motive fluid can be set in a simple manner, in particular when the quantity of low-tension steam is limited, so that the steam quantity alone is not sufficient as the motive fluid.
[0023] In this case, the gas line, with its further end, is expediently connected on the pressure side to the liquid ring pump and in particular to a separator assigned to the liquid ring pump. The air compressed to atmospheric pressure by the liquid ring pump is therefore also used as the motive fluid. This has the advantage that a separate compressor for feeding the jet pump is not required.
[0024] According to an expedient configuration, the vacuum pumping configuration is connected to a condenser via a first deaerating line for deaerating the condenser, which is provided for condensing process steam discharging from a steam turbine, in particular from a low-pressure part of a steam turbine.
[0025] The vacuum pumping configuration is at the same time preferably connected via a second deaerating line to a second condenser, which is assigned to an auxiliary turbine. Thus preferably both the condenser of the main turbine and that of the auxiliary turbine are deaerated via the same vacuum pumping configuration. A plurality of vacuum pumping configurations assigned to the individual condensers are therefore not necessary.
[0026] As a rule, the condenser, for a cooling liquid, has a water chamber, which, in order to deaerate it, is preferably connected to the vacuum pumping configuration via a third deaerating line.
[0027] A uniform, central vacuum pumping system in the form of the vacuum pumping configuration is therefore provided, and the vacuum pumping system provides a vacuum for a multiplicity of components in the steam turbine plant. As a result, the installation cost and also the maintenance cost with regard to the vacuum pumping system are markedly reduced compared with a multiplicity of decentral vacuum pumping systems.
[0028] To deaerate the water chamber, the third deaerating line is preferably connected to an additional port of the liquid ring pump. Via the additional port, saturated water-chamber air being emitted from the cooling water is drawn off from the water chamber. This has the essential advantage that the quantity of saturated air drawn off from the water chamber is fed separately to the liquid ring pump and is not added to the delivery-gas quantity drawn off from the two condensers.
[0029] In this case, the additional port is expediently disposed between a suction connection and a pressure connection of the liquid ring pump and is connected to a working or compression space forming during operation. The third deaerating line therefore feeds the saturated air from the water chamber to the liquid ring pump in an intermediate region between the suction connection and the pressure connection. In this region, a sufficient vacuum for deaerating the water chamber is still provided by the liquid ring pump. At the same time, however, the feeding at this point does not lead to an increase, or only leads to an imperceptible increase, in the power requirement of the liquid ring pump. Delivery capacity is provided by the liquid ring pump via the cavitation protection port virtually “for nothing”. When the third deaerating line is disposed at the additional port, the liquid ring pump therefore does not need to be of larger dimensions.
[0030] The use of such an additional port as an additional suction connection is a basic principle here and is generally suitable for all liquid ring pumps and is not restricted to application in a steam turbine plant. A liquid ring pump having such an additional port is also suitable, for example, for deaerating a screen part on papermaking machines in the paper industry.
[0031] In general, such a liquid ring pump is suitable for use in the field of papermaking. By suitable placing of the additional port between the suction connection and the pressure connection, and by the selection of the diameter of the additional port, the suction capacity can at the same time be varied within certain limits both with regard to the volumetric quantity and with regard to the vacuum to be achieved.
[0032] Furthermore, the object is achieved according to the invention by a method of operating a steam turbine plant, in which a plant component is deaerated by a vacuum pumping configuration which has a jet pump and a liquid ring pump disposed in series one after the other, steam collecting in the steam turbine plant, in particular excess steam, being fed as motive fluid to the jet pump.
[0033] The advantages and preferred configurations recited with regard to the steam turbine plant can accordingly be applied to the method.
[0034] Other features which are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0035] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a steam turbine plant, and a method of operating a steam turbine plant, it is nevertheless not intended to be limited to the details shown, since various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0036] The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] [0037]FIG. 1 is an illustration of a steam turbine plant according to the invention; and
[0038] [0038]FIG. 2 is a diagrammatic, sectional view through a liquid ring pump.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0039] Referring now to the figures of the drawing in detail and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a steam turbine plant 2 that has a steam turbine 4 which in particular is a low-pressure stage of a, for example, 3-stage main turbine plant. Such a multistage main turbine plant is used, for example, in power plants for the generation of power with an output within the gigawatt range. On an output side, the steam turbine 4 has a vacuum, which in a low-pressure stage is typically within a range of between 18 mbar and 80 mbar. Process steam P fed to the steam turbine 4 leaves the latter via output lines 6 and is fed to a first condenser 8 . The process steam P is condensed in the condenser 8 , the condensate being discharged via a discharge line 10 and fed again as feed water to a boiler (not shown in any more detail).
[0040] During the condensing, a gas/steam mixture designated as delivery gas F collects in the first condenser 8 and is drawn off via a first deaerating line 12 by a vacuum pumping configuration 14 .
[0041] Furthermore, the steam turbine plant 2 has an auxiliary turbine 16 that is configured in a similar manner to the steam turbine 4 but for a markedly lower output. The auxiliary turbine 16 is used in particular for driving a feed water pump and typically has an output of about 20 MW. In a similar manner to the steam turbine 4 , a second condenser 18 is assigned to the auxiliary turbine 16 , the process steam P fed to the auxiliary turbine 16 being condensed in the second condenser 18 . In a similar manner to the first condenser 8 , the condensate is discharged via a discharge line 10 . To deaerate the second condenser 18 , a second deaerating line 20 is provided, which is likewise connected to the vacuum pumping configuration 14 . Via the second deaerating line 20 , a gas/steam mixture is likewise pumped out of the second condenser 18 as the delivery gas F. In this case, the first deaerating line 12 opens into the second deaerating line 20 .
[0042] The two condensers 8 , 18 preferably have water as a cooling medium, which is stored in a water chamber 22 of the respective condenser 8 , 18 . During operation of the condensers 8 , 18 , an air cushion forms in the respective water chamber 22 . To deaerate at least the water chamber 22 of the first condenser 8 , a third deaerating line 24 is provided, which likewise leads to the vacuum pumping configuration 14 . In this case, the saturated air being emitted from the cooling water is drawn off from the water chamber 22 and is designated as water-chamber air WL.
[0043] The vacuum pumping configuration 14 contains a jet pump 26 and a liquid ring pump 28 disposed downstream of the jet pump 26 in the direction of flow. To this end, the second deaerating line 20 is connected to a suction region 27 of the jet pump 26 , and the latter is connected on the output side to a suction connection 30 of the liquid ring pump 28 . The delivery gas F from the two condensers 8 , 18 is thus first of all precompressed by the jet pump 26 . To this end, the jet pump 26 is operated with a motive fluid T that is fed externally and mixes with the delivery gas F. The pressure in the first condenser 8 and in the second condenser 18 is typically within a range which corresponds approximately to the output pressure of the steam turbine 4 and of the auxiliary turbine 16 , respectively. There is therefore a vacuum within a range of between 18 and 80 mbar in both condensers 8 , 18 . Consequently the delivery gas F likewise has this vacuum. It is compressed approximately by the factor 3 in the jet pump 26 and then further up to ambient pressure in the liquid ring pump and is expelled via a pressure connection 34 .
[0044] Furthermore, the liquid ring pump 28 , between the suction connection 30 and the pressure connection 34 , has an additional port 35 , to which the third deaerating line 24 is connected. In this case, the additional port 35 is disposed between an intake slot 70 and a pressure slot 72 (see FIG. 2) in non-illustrated “control disks” of the liquid ring pump 28 . Due to the operating principle of the liquid ring pump 28 , the pump mixture of the delivery gas F and the motive fluid T fed via the suction connection 30 mixes with the operating medium of the liquid ring pump 28 . In this case, the operating medium is water W. The latter together with condensate possibly collecting from the pump mixture is separated from air L in a separator 38 . The water W is fed again to the liquid ring pump 28 via a heat exchanger 40 . The air L is fed as the motive fluid T to the jet pump 26 via a gas line 42 , in which a valve 44 is connected. Excess air L is given off to the environment from the vacuum pumping configuration 14 via an exhaust-air line 46 .
[0045] It is essential that, in addition to the air L, steam D is also fed as the motive fluid T to the jet pump 26 via a steam line 48 . A further valve 44 is connected in the steam line 48 . In this case, the steam line 48 is connected to a sealing-steam circuit 50 in which sealing steam S is directed through a number of turbine seals 52 . The turbine seals 52 in this case are assigned to the steam turbine 4 and to the auxiliary turbine 16 and are configured as labyrinth seals in order to seal off a rotating shaft of the turbines 4 , 16 from the environment. After flowing through the turbine seals 52 , the sealing steam is also referred to as low-tension steam. The steam D is fed as the motive fluid T to the jet pump 26 . The motive fluid T is therefore a steam/air mixture, it being possible for the respective proportions of the steam D and of the air L to be set via the two valves 44 . An equal distribution between steam D and air L is preferably set. If an adequate steam quantity is available, steam D may also be used exclusively as the motive fluid T. Since the low-tension steam is excess steam collecting in the steam turbine plant 2 , the overall efficiency of the steam turbine plant 2 is not impaired by use of the low-tension steam as the motive fluid T. In addition to the use of the low-tension steam, other types of steam collecting in the steam turbine plant are also suitable. For example, the steam collecting in the sealing-steam system for control purposes and normally discarded in one of the condensers 8 , 18 is suitable.
[0046] The operating principle of the liquid ring pump 28 , which has an impeller 64 mounted eccentrically in the housing 62 of the liquid ring pump 28 , can be seen with reference to the schematic representation of a cross section through the liquid ring pump 28 according to FIG. 2. During operation, the water W forms a liquid ring 66 which revolves with the impeller 64 , so that sectional spaces 68 of different volume form between the individual spokes of the impeller 64 and the liquid ring 66 . An intake slot via which the medium to be drawn in is drawn in via the suction connection 30 is provided in the housing 62 at the end face at the position identified by reference numeral 70 . Due to the eccentric configuration, the medium to be pumped is compressed in the course of the revolution of the impeller 64 and is expelled via a pressure slot to the pressure connection 34 at the position identified by reference numeral 72 .
[0047] The additional port 35 is disposed between the intake slot 70 and the pressure slot 72 in the housing 62 and is connected to the working space, which is formed by the individual sectional spaces 68 . Depending on the position of the additional port 35 , the suction capacity, prevailing at this position, of the liquid ring pump 28 varies with regard to both the prevailing vacuum and the delivery quantity. In addition, the suction capacity can be varied by selection of the diameter of the additional port 35 .
[0048] Although the vacuum at the additional port 35 is above the vacuum applied at the suction connection 30 , it is sufficiently low in order to permit deaeration of the water chamber 22 . The volumetric suction capacity for deaerating the water chamber 22 is also sufficiently high. Since the third deaerating line 24 is not connected to the suction connection 30 , the liquid ring pump 28 is not additionally loaded by the additionally fed gas mixture G or is only barely subjected to additional loading by the latter. Slightly greater dimensioning, possibly necessary due to the connection of the third deaerating line 24 , of the liquid ring pump 28 is in any case more favorable compared with a separate pumping system for the deaeration of the water chamber 22 .
[0049] A steam turbine plant of such a configuration with a uniform, central vacuum pumping configuration 14 has essentially the following advantages:
[0050] a. On account of the use of steam D and air L as the motive fluid T for the jet pump 26 —compared with the use exclusively of air L as the motive fluid T—the liquid ring pump 28 can be configured to be markedly smaller, since the steam D condenses in the liquid ring pump, and only the air proportion has to be compressed to atmospheric pressure.
[0051] b. The low-tension steam collecting in the sealing-steam circuit 50 is preferably completely directed via the vacuum pumping configuration 14 . In this case, it is not absolutely necessary for the entire quantity of the low-tension steam to be used as the motive fluid T for the jet pump 26 . By the feeding of the low-tension steam to the liquid ring pump 28 having the associated separator 38 , the low-tension steam is condensed, so that a separate condensing system is not required for the low-tension steam.
[0052] c. For all the plant components that have to be connected to a vacuum system, the vacuum pumping configuration 14 is provided as a central vacuum system. This makes possible a simple and cost-effective installation. In particular, it is not necessary to install a plurality of decentral vacuum pumping systems.
[0053] d. Due to the connection of the third deaerating line 24 to the additional port 35 , a suction capacity provided virtually “for nothing” by the liquid ring pump 28 is utilized without the liquid ring pump 28 having to be of larger dimensions due to the connection of this third deaerating line 24 . | In a steam turbine plant having a vacuum pumping configuration which has a jet pump and a liquid ring pump disposed in series one after the other, steam collecting in the plant, preferably mixed with air, is used as a motive fluid for the jet pump. As a result, the downstream liquid ring pump can be dimensioned so as to be comparatively small. The vacuum pumping configuration is preferably configured as a central vacuum pumping system for the steam turbine plant and serves to deaerate a multiplicity of plant components. | 5 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention relates to a holder for busbars. European Patent EP 0 751 585 B discloses an example of a busbar holder for side-by-side terminal blocks, additional busbars, described therein as conductor rails, can also be used. Such busbars serve to make contact with a plurality of contacts. In particular, screw contacts are used to make the contact. An example of a frequent application is the selective bridging of selected side-by-side terminals of a side-by-side terminal block composed of a plurality of side-by-side terminals. In such a case, it is undesirable for the busbar to change its position, in other words, to be displaced, for example, when screw contacts are tightened. What is needed is an improvement for the mechanical retention or mounting of the busbar.
[0002] The prior art mountings for busbars have complex structures. In particular, it is frequently necessary to secure the busbar with the aid of a screw securing device or, as in the case of European Patent EP 0 751 585 B, by a mechanical retention device affixed or applied subsequently.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0003] It is accordingly an object of the invention to provide a busbar holder that overcomes the hereinafore-mentioned disadvantages of the heretofore-known devices of this general type and that forms a holder for a busbar as simply as possible with the busbar holder serving for the mechanical retention or mounting of the busbar.
[0004] With the foregoing and other objects in view, there is provided, in accordance with the invention, a busbar holder including a body having a receiving slot for receiving a busbar with a busbar axis, the receiving slot having an interior, and at least one spring-loaded jaw connected to the body and projecting into the interior of the receiving slot, the at least one spring-loaded jaw forming a stop fixing the busbar with respect to the busbar axis when the busbar is inserted in the receiving slot.
[0005] In accordance with another feature of the invention, the at least one spring-loaded jaw has a spring part for projecting the at least one spring-loaded jaw into the interior of the receiving slot under pressure.
[0006] The invention is based on the idea of providing, on the busbar holder, a receiving slot formed to complement the geometry of the busbar. At least one spring-loaded jaw abutting against a spring member projects into the slot cross-section of the receiving slot. Such a configuration has the advantage that the busbar holder according to the invention can, for its part, be used as a busbar holder positioned at the edge. In such a configuration, the spring-loaded jaw projects into the cross-section of the receiving slot and forms a stop for the busbar, thus canceling the axial displaceability of the busbar. Secondly, however, it is also possible to use the busbar holder according to the invention as an intermediate holder for relatively long busbars. In such a case, the receiving slot encloses the busbar with positive fitting. However, the spring-loaded jaw is simply pressed out of the cross-section of the receiving slot against the spring pressure, so that the spring-loaded jaw no longer projects disruptively into the receiving slot. The receiving slot is, thus, entirely exposed for the busbar to be passed through.
[0007] In accordance with an added feature of the invention, the at least one spring-loaded jaw is two spring-loaded jaws, the receiving slot has two edges or sides, and one spring-loaded jaw is disposed at each of the two edges or sides of the receiving slot.
[0008] Advantageously, the busbar holder is embodied with one spring-loaded jaw at each of the two ends of the receiving slot. As a result, it is possible to use one and the same busbar holder, in one case, as an edge limiting holder on the right-hand side of the busbar and, in another case, as an edge limiting holder on the left-hand side of the busbar. The spring-loaded jaw that is not needed in each case, and is therefore disruptive, is simply pressed out of the receiving slot, while the other spring-loaded jaw that is needed in the particular case acts as a right-hand or left-hand end stop for the busbar. It is, thus, possible, with a single type of busbar holder, to provide both a right-hand edge-limiting stop and a left-hand edge-limiting stop, and also an intermediate holder interposed between the edge limiting stops. The configuration is simple in terms of production engineering and additionally minimizes the necessary stock keeping in an advantageous manner.
[0009] In accordance with a further feature of the invention, the receiving slot has a U-shaped cross-section including two legs and a bottom, the bottom and at least one of the two legs form a constriction, and the at least one spring-loaded jaw is disposed in a region of the constriction.
[0010] In accordance with an additional feature of the invention, the receiving slot is disposed lying on one of the legs and horizontally pivoted on the busbar holder.
[0011] In accordance with yet another feature of the invention, the receiving slot is horizontally disposed along one of the legs.
[0012] Particularly advantageous is the use of the U-shaped cross-section for a receiving slot where the receiving slot is formed in the manner of a receiving mouth. The receiving mouth encloses the busbar, customarily of rectangular cross-section, from three sides, which advantageously favors the guiding and mounting properties of the holder. It is advantageous, moreover, to configure the spring-loaded jaws in the region of the constriction formed by the bottom of the U-shape with each one of the two legs of the U-shape. In such a case, the busbar is already guided in the receiver, with positive fitting and in a flat position, before it enters into engagement with the spring-loaded jaws. Then, it is very easily possible, with the aid of the busbar, to move a spring-loaded jaw standing in the way out of the cross-section of the receiving aperture into its inactive position. Moreover, such spring-loaded jaws are provided with good protection on the busbar holder and are well safeguarded against destruction.
[0013] In accordance with yet a further feature of the invention, the at least one spring-loaded jaw projects into the receiving slot from one of the two legs.
[0014] In accordance with yet an added feature of the invention, the receiving slot has an end, and the at least one spring-loaded jaw is disposed at the end of the receiving slot.
[0015] In accordance with yet an additional feature of the invention, the receiving slot has a bottom, and the at least one spring-loaded jaw projects into the receiving slot from the bottom.
[0016] In accordance with again another feature of the invention, the receiving slot has a top, and the at least one spring-loaded jaw projects into the receiving slot from the top.
[0017] A configuration of the receiving slot is frequently needed in practice for the fitting of the busbar holder from the front side of the holder. Such a configuration is further developed by having the spring-loaded jaws both project from below into the receiving slot and hang down from above into the receiving slot. Similarly, it is possible to provide a hanging spring-loaded jaw at one end and a projecting spring-loaded jaw at the other end. In a further embodiment, of course, it is also conceivable to provide one projecting and one hanging spring-loaded jaw in pairs at each end of the receiving slot.
[0018] To enable the spring-loaded jaws to be moved more easily out of their active position, where they project into the receiving slot, and into their inactive position, where they expose the receiving slot, in accordance with again a further feature of the invention, the spring-loaded jaw has narrow sides with run-up ramps or they are simply chamfered to form run-up ramps. Thus, the surfaces of the run-up ramps form track guides for the edges of the busbars as they run up thereon, so that the busbar edge simply moves whichever spring-loaded jaw or jaws is/are not needed at the time into a respective inactive position as a result of the continued pressing of the busbar into the receiving slot.
[0019] It is particularly advantageous for the busbar holder to be injection molded from plastic. In terms of plastic injection molding technology, in accordance with again an added feature of the invention, it is easy simply to mold the spring-loaded jaws on spring arms, which, in turn, are connected to the housing.
[0020] To secure the busbar in its final installed position in the busbar holder, in accordance with again an additional feature of the invention, a pivotable retaining projection is mounted in front of the receiving slot for fixing the busbar therein. Advantageously, a pocket is molded into the receiving projection to receive a screwdriver blade. With the aid of the screwdriver blade, it is easily possible to manipulate the retaining projection, in particular to open the receiving slot for the busbar to be pushed in or out.
[0021] In accordance with a concomitant feature of the invention, the body has a mounting arm, and the retaining projection is moveably connected to the body through the mounting arm acting as a pivot spring such that the retaining projection can be moved to fully expose the slot aperture.
[0022] Other features that are considered as characteristic for the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0023] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein as embodied in a busbar holder, it is, nevertheless, not intended to be limited to the details shown because various modifications and structural changes may be made therein without departing from the spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims.
[0024] The construction and method of operation of the invention, however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, will be best understood from the following description of specific embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0025] [0025]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a busbar holder according to the invention disposed on the left-hand side relative to the busbar;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the busbar holder of FIG. 1;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 3 is a fragmentary perspective view of the busbar holder of FIG. 1 viewed from the right-hand side relative to the busbar; and
[0028] [0028]FIG. 4 is a fragmentary, side elevational view of the busbar holder of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0029] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a busbar holder 1 having latching elements 3 on an underside 2 for fixing the holder 1 upon a non-illustrated carrier rail. The U-shaped receiving slot 5 is molded into the front side 4 of the busbar holder 1 . The busbar 6 lies in the receiving slot 5 . The receiving slot 5 has a recognizable U-shaped form. The receiving slot 5 is disposed to lie such that one leg 7 of its U-shape forms the bottom of the receiving slot while the other leg 8 of the U-shape forms the top of the slot. The legs 7 , 8 of the U-shape are connected by the bottom of the U-shape, forming the back 9 of the slot. The slot aperture 11 (see FIG. 2) lies opposite the back 9 of the U-shape along a busbar 6 insertion axis 10 . The direction defined from the slot aperture 11 to the back 9 of the U-shape is referred to as the insertion direction 31 . It is particularly apparent from the FIG. 2 that the receiving slot 5 is molded into the front 4 of the busbar holder 1 in the manner of a receiving mouth for the busbar.
[0030] Also recognizable in FIG. 2 is the retaining projection 12 mounted in front of the receiving slot 5 , or upstream of the slot 5 with respect to the insertion direction 31 . The retaining projection 12 projects into the receiving slot 5 along a locking axis 13 in what is referred to as a locking direction 32 . The axis 13 extends perpendicular to the insertion axis 10 . The front 4 of the busbar holder 1 also extends in the locking direction 32 from the bottom 2 toward the top 14 .
[0031] In order to introduce the busbar 6 into the receiving slot 5 , the screwdriver blade 15 illustrated in FIG. 2 is introduced into the receiving pocket 16 molded into the retaining projection 12 . With the aid of the screwdriver blade 15 , the retaining projection 12 is pressed downward or opposite the locking direction 32 toward the underside 2 of the busbar holder 1 , until the projection mounting arm 17 comes into contact with the travel limiting projection 18 . The busbar 6 is, then, pushed in the insertion direction 31 into the receiving slot 5 , which is now exposed. The spring-loaded jaw 20 is biased into the receiving slot 5 in the locking direction 32 to fix the busbar 6 with respect to a busbar axis 19 , which extends perpendicular to both to the locking axis 13 and to the insertion axis 10 .
[0032] The run-up ramp 21 is formed on the spring-loaded jaw 20 . The run-up ramp 21 takes effect when the busbar 6 engages over the receiving slot 5 when moving in the insertion direction 31 , in other words, when it is guided through the receiving slot 5 . In such a case, the rear lower edge of the busbar 6 in the busbar's final installed state slides up on the run-up ramp 21 and moves the spring-loaded jaw 20 into its inactive (lowered) position. An escape space 22 is molded into the busbar holder 1 below the spring-loaded jaw 20 for permitting the spring-loaded jaw 20 to move into its inactive position.
[0033] It is apparent from FIG. 1 that the spring-loaded jaw 20 eliminates the displaceability of the busbar 6 in the locking direction 19 . Based on the illustration of FIG. 1, the busbar 6 is, consequently, secured against axial displacement on its left-hand side by the busbar holder 1 .
[0034] [0034]FIG. 3 illustrates a busbar holder 1 ′ formed analogously to the busbar holder 1 in FIG. 1. The busbar holder 1 ′, in turn, has latching elements 3 on its underside 2 for latching onto a non-illustrated carrier rail. The other parts described in connection with FIGS. 1 and 2 are identical in form to those in the case of the busbar holder 1 ′ illustrated in FIG. 3, which is indicated by the allocation of the same reference numerals.
[0035] In the case of the left-hand busbar holder 1 in the example embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the spring-loaded jaw 20 is disposed in the constriction formed by the lower leg 7 of the U-shape closer to the underside 2 of the busbar holder 1 and the back 9 of the U-shape so that the spring-loaded jaw 20 projects from below into the receiving slot 5 .
[0036] In comparison, the spring-loaded jaw 20 ′ in the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is disposed in the constriction formed by the upper leg 8 of the U-shape and the back 9 of the U-shape. Consequently, in the example of the busbar holder 1 ′ disposed on the right (FIGS. 3 and 4), the spring-loaded jaw 20 ′ hangs down from above into the receiving slot 5 of the busbar holder 1 ′. It is also possible on such a busbar holder 1 , 1 ′ to couple a spring-loaded jaw 20 projecting into the receiving slot 5 from the underside, on one hand, and a spring-loaded jaw 20 ′ projecting into the receiving slot 5 from above, on the other hand. The embodiment has the advantage that the spring-loaded arms for mounting the spring-loaded jaws 20 , 20 ′ have an especially long shape so that they produce a particularly good lever effect.
[0037] In the illustration of FIG. 4, it can be seen that the busbar 6 (illustrated by broken lines) can be pushed into the receiving slot 5 in the insertion direction 31 after the retaining projection 12 has been depressed (i.e., opposite the locking direction 32 ) by the screwdriver blade 15 . In such a case, the spring-loaded jaw 20 ′ projecting from above, in other words, disposed on the right in the final state of installation, will project into the receiving slot 5 against the locking direction 32 to be able to exert its locking effect along the locking axis 13 and busbar axis 19 . With its rear under edge, however, the busbar 6 will impact the run-up ramp 21 of the spring-loaded jaw 20 and press the latter downward into its escape space 22 and into its inactive position. Thus, in the case of the busbar holder 1 ′ shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, in the final installed state, the right-hand spring-loaded jaw 20 ′ hanging down from above prevents, in its active position, the axial displaceability of the busbar 6 . Precisely the reverse is the case in the example of the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2, where the spring-loaded jaw 20 projecting into the receiving slot 5 from below is in its active position, while the spring-loaded jaw 20 ′ projecting from above into the receiving slot 5 has been moved into its inactive position. | A holder for a busbar includes a receiving slot for receiving the busbar and at least one spring-loaded jaw projecting under spring pressure into the receiving slot as a stop for fixing the busbar in the axial direction. | 7 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to the field of replacing portions of the human structural anatomy with medical implants, and more particularly relates to an expandable implant and method for replacing bone structures such as one or more vertebrae or long bones.
BACKGROUND
[0002] It is sometimes necessary to remove one or more vertebrae, or a portion of the vertebrae, from the human spine in response to various pathologies. For example, one or more of the vertebrae may become damaged as a result of tumor growth, or may become damaged by a traumatic or other event. Excision of at least a generally anterior portion, or vertebral body, of the vertebra may be referred to as a corpectomy. An implant is usually placed between the remaining vertebrae to provide structural support for the spine as a part of a corpectomy. FIG. 1 illustrates four vertebrae, V 1 -V 4 of a typical lumbar spine and three spinal discs, D 1 -D 3 . As illustrated, V 3 is a damaged vertebra and all or a part of V 3 could be removed to help stabilize the spine. If removed along with spinal discs D 2 and D 3 , an implant may be placed between vertebrae V 2 and V 4 . Most commonly, the implant inserted between the vertebrae is designed to facilitate fusion between remaining vertebrae. Sometimes the implant is designed to replace the function of the excised vertebra and discs. All or part of more than one vertebrae may be damaged and require removal and replacement in some circumstances.
[0003] Many implants are known in the art for use in a corpectomy procedure. One class of implants is sized to directly replace the vertebra or vertebrae that are being replaced. Another class of implants is inserted into the body in a collapsed state and then expanded once properly positioned. Expandable implants may be advantageous because they allow for a smaller incision when properly positioning an implant. Additionally, expandable implants may assist with restoring proper loading to the anatomy and achieving more secure fixation of the implant. Implants that include insertion and expansion members that are narrowly configured may also provide clinical advantages. In some circumstances, it is desirable to have vertebral endplate contacting surfaces that effectively spread loading across the vertebral endplates. Effective implants should also include a member for maintaining the desired positions, and in some situations, being capable of collapsing. Fusion implants with an opening may also be advantageous because they allow for vascularization and bone growth through all or a portion of the entire implant.
[0004] Expandable implants may also be useful in replacing long bones or portions of appendages such as the legs and arms, or a rib or other bone that is generally longer than it is wide. Examples include, but are not limited to, a femur, tibia, fibula, humerus, radius, ulna, phalanges, clavicle, and any of the ribs.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one exemplary aspect, an expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures is disclosed. The implant has an overall implant height adjustable along a longitudinal axis. The implant may include an outer member configured to cooperatively engage a first bone structure and an inner member receivable in the outer member. The inner member may be movable relative to the outer member to increase and decrease the overall implant height. The inner member may be configured to cooperatively engage a second bone structure. One of the outer and inner members includes a tapered surface and the other of the outer and inner members includes a scalloped surface. The implant may also include a locking element disposed between the tapered surface and the scalloped surface. The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.
[0006] In another exemplary aspect, a locker member may be disposed between the inner and outer member. The locker member may include a receiving aperture containing the locking element, and may be configured to act on the locking element to affect the position of the locking element relative to the outer member. The tapered surface of the outer member may be configured to affect the position of the locking element relative to the scalloped surface of the inner member.
[0007] In another exemplary aspect, an expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures may include an outer member having an inner surface configured to cooperatively engage a first bone structure. The implant also may include an inner member receivable in the outer member and movable relative to the outer member to increase and decrease the overall implant height. The inner member may have a scalloped surface and may be configured to cooperatively engage a second bone structure. A locking element may be disposed between the inner surface of the outer member and the scalloped surface of the inner member. The locking element may be movable between a locked condition and an unlocked condition and may be biased toward the locked condition. The locking element may be disposed to selectively engage the scalloped surfaces to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.
[0008] In another exemplary aspect, the implant may include a locker member disposed between the inner and outer member, the locker member including a receiving aperture containing the locking element.
[0009] In yet another exemplary aspect, an expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures may include an outer member having a tapered inner surface and being configured to cooperatively engage a first bone structure. The implant also may include a locker member receivable in the outer member and movable relative to the outer member. The locker member may include a receiving aperture. An inner member may be receivable in the locker member and movable relative to the locker member and the outer member to increase and decrease the overall implant height. The inner member may have a scalloped surface and may be configured to cooperatively engage a second bone structure. A locking element may be disposed within the receiving aperture of the locker member. The locking element may be associated with the tapered inner surface of the outer member and the scalloped surface of the inner member. The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.
[0010] In yet another exemplary aspect, a method of supporting bone structures with an expandable medical implant is disclosed. The implant may have an overall implant height adjustable along a longitudinal axis. The method may include placing the implant between bone structures to be supported and displacing an inner member having a scalloped surface relative to an outer member having a tapered inner surface in order to increase the overall implant height. The outer member may be configured to cooperatively engage a first bone structure and the inner member may be configured to cooperatively engage a second bone structure. Displacing the inner member may allow a locking element to disengage the scalloped surface. A compressive load may be supported from the bone structures on the inner and outer members, and the compressive load may cause the tapered surface to shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface and to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height.
[0011] In yet another exemplary aspect, an expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures includes an outer member being configured to cooperatively engage a first bone structure and an inner member receivable in the outer member. The inner member may be movable relative to the outer member to increase and decrease the overall implant height and may be configured to cooperatively engage a second bone structure. At least one of the inner and outer members includes vascularization openings formed on first and second opposing sides of the implant. The vascularization openings on the first opposing side may be larger than the vascularization openings on the second opposing side.
[0012] Further aspects, forms, embodiments, objects, features, benefits, and advantages of the present invention shall become apparent from the detailed drawings and descriptions provided herein.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] FIG. 1 is an elevation view of a segment of a lumbar spine.
[0014] FIG. 2 is a pictorial illustration of an exemplary expandable implant according to one embodiment of the present invention.
[0015] FIGS. 3 a - 3 c are pictorial illustrations of exploded views of the implant of FIG. 2 .
[0016] FIG. 4 is an isometric pictorial illustration of a base component of the implant of FIG. 2 .
[0017] FIG. 5 is a top pictorial illustration of the base component of FIG. 4 .
[0018] FIG. 6 is a sectional pictorial illustration of the base component of FIG. 5 , taken along line 6 - 6 .
[0019] FIG. 7 is an isometric pictorial illustration of a locker component of the implant of FIG. 2 .
[0020] FIG. 8 is an isometric pictorial illustration of a post component of the implant of FIG. 2 .
[0021] FIG. 9 is a side pictorial illustration of the implant of FIG. 2 .
[0022] FIG. 10 is a sectional pictorial illustration taken along line 10 - 10 in FIG. 9 .
[0023] FIG. 11 is a sectional pictorial illustration taken along line 11 - 11 in FIG. 9 .
[0024] FIG. 12 is a sectional pictorial illustration of an exemplary locking arrangement usable with the implant of FIG. 2 .
[0025] FIG. 13 is an elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0026] FIG. 14 is another elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 13 .
[0027] FIG. 15 is an elevation view of another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
[0028] FIG. 16 is another elevation view of the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 15 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] For the purposes of promoting an understanding of the principles of the invention, reference will now be made to the embodiments, or examples, 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. Any alterations and further modifications in the described embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the invention as described herein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the invention relates.
[0030] FIGS. 2 and 3 a - 3 c show an exemplary expandable implant 100 usable to secure and space adjacent bone structures. In FIG. 2 , the implant 100 is shown fully assembled, while FIGS. 3 a - 3 c show the implant 100 in an exploded condition, along a longitudinal axis L. Referring to these figures, the implant 100 includes three main components, including a base 102 , a locker 104 , and a post 106 . These main components operate together to provide the support and spacing between the adjacent bone structures. In addition to these components, the exemplary implant 100 includes locking elements 108 , pegs 110 , and biasing elements 112 .
[0031] In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 a - 3 c , the base 102 is configured and shaped to receive and house the locker 104 , which, in turn, is configured and shaped to receive and house the post 106 . The locking elements 108 cooperate with the locker 104 to control displacement of the post 106 relative to the base 102 , thereby controlling the overall height of the implant 100 . In this embodiment, the pegs 110 connect the base 102 , the locker 104 , and the post 106 into a unitary mechanism. The biasing elements 112 cooperate with the base 102 and the locker 104 to bias the locker 104 , and likewise the locking element 108 , into a position that selectively locks or secures the post 106 relative to the base 102 , thereby hindering the ability of the implant 100 to collapse after implantation. In the embodiments shown, the biasing element 112 is a leaf spring. However, the biasing element could be any type of spring, including a coil spring, or a material, such as a silicone or elastomeric bumper, or an elastic member, such as a stretchable band that may act in compression or tension.
[0032] The components of the exemplary implant 100 will be described in further detail with reference to FIGS. 4-12 . The base 102 will be described first, with reference to FIGS. 4-6 , as well as FIGS. 3 a - 3 c . FIG. 4 shows an isometric view of the base 102 ; FIG. 5 shows a top view; and FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view.
[0033] The base 102 includes a top surface 114 , a bottom surface 116 , an outer wall 118 , and an inner wall 120 , defining a bore 122 . The top and bottom surfaces 114 , 116 may be relatively flat surfaces having the bore 122 formed therein. The top surface 114 may be configured to cooperate with locker 104 , and the bottom surface 116 may be configured to cooperatively engage a bone structure, either directly or through additional components, such as endplates. The bottom surface 116 may include features for attachment to endplates or other components. Some exemplary features are described below with respect to the post 106 .
[0034] In the exemplary embodiment shown, the outer wall 118 may include instrument receiving features 124 that cooperate with surgical instruments for placement of the implant 100 between desired bone structures. In the embodiment shown, the instrument receiving features 124 are indentations on opposite sides of the base outer wall 118 , however, it is contemplated that many other features could be used to cooperate with instruments that would allow the instruments to grip, support, or otherwise place the implant 100 in a desired location. Further, some embodiments lack any instrument receiving features.
[0035] In the exemplary embodiment shown, in addition to the instrument receiving features 124 , the outer wall 118 includes additional cut outs and features that function to reduce the mass of the implant 100 while maintaining sufficient strength to properly support the bone structures and weight of a patient. In addition, these additional cutouts and features may simplify additional processing, such as, for example, when using a wire EDM to cut features at the bottom surface 116 .
[0036] Referring now to FIGS. 5 and 6 , the base 102 includes the inner wall 120 , forming the bore 122 . In this exemplary embodiment, the bore 122 extends longitudinally from the top surface 114 through the base 102 , to the bottom surface 116 , as best seen in FIG. 6 . As best seen in FIG. 5 , the bore 122 in this exemplary embodiment is substantially rectangular. Accordingly, the inner wall 120 may be formed of substantially planar surfaces that form the rectangular shape. It should be noted that in other embodiments, the bore 122 is formed of other polygon shapes, such as, for example, triangular, square, or pentagon. Still other embodiments have bores that are oval or circular shaped. As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the bore 122 is configured to receive the locker 104 of the implant 100 .
[0037] The inner wall 120 has a tapered section 128 and a non-tapered section 130 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the tapered section 128 is adjacent the top surface 114 of the base 102 , while the non-tapered section 130 is adjacent the bottom surface 116 of the base 102 . However, the tapered section 128 may be otherwise arranged or placed. As discussed further below, the tapered section 128 cooperates with the locking element 108 to secure the height of the implant 100 at a desired level. Also, in the exemplary embodiment shown, the inner wall 120 includes two tapered sections 128 , disposed on opposite sides of the bore 122 . Other embodiments include one or more than two tapered sections, and for the reasons described below, symmetry may provide advantages when expanding the implant 100 .
[0038] In addition to the elements described, the base 102 also includes a peg aperture 132 , a biasing member aperture 134 , and a vascularization aperture 136 . During assembly, the peg 110 may be inserted into the peg aperture 132 , and the biasing element 112 may be inserted through the biasing member aperture 134 . The vascularization aperture 136 provides access to the bore 122 and may be used to introduce bone graft, tissue, or other material into the bore 122 after implantation. In addition, it allows fluid into the interior of the base 102 thereby, encouraging bone growth. Because of the cutouts, the outer wall 118 of the base 102 also forms a flange 138 , as best seen in FIGS. 2 , 3 a , and 4 .
[0039] As shown in FIG. 2 , the base 102 receives the locker 104 , which is described with reference to FIGS. 2 , 3 a - 3 c , and FIG. 7 . The locker 104 includes an upper end 150 , a lower end 152 , an inner surface 154 , an outer surface 156 , and a flange 157 .
[0040] In this exemplary embodiment and as shown in FIG. 2 in an assembled condition, the upper end 150 is disposed outside the base 102 , and the lower end 152 is disposed within the bore 122 of the base 102 . At the upper end 150 , the flange 157 radially extends to have an outer perimeter substantially matching that of the base 102 . As described below, the flange 157 may be used to displace the locker 104 relative to the base 102 in order to change the overall height of the implant 100 .
[0041] In the embodiment shown, the outer surface 156 of the locker 104 is sized and formed to be received within the bore 122 of the base 102 . In this embodiment, like the bore 122 of the base 102 , the outer surface 156 is substantially rectangular. However, the outer surface may be in the form of other shapes, as described above with reference to the base 102 .
[0042] The outer surface 156 includes a locking element receiver 158 , which in this embodiment is an aperture from the outer surface 156 to the inner surface 154 . In addition, the outer surface includes a biasing member support 160 , a vascularization aperture 162 , and a peg slot 164 .
[0043] As described further below, the locking element 108 fits within and extends through the locking element receiver 158 to engage and disengage the base 102 and the post 106 , restricting movement of the post 106 relative to the base 102 . The biasing member support 160 cooperates with the biasing member 112 to provide a biasing force on the locker 104 to maintain it within the base 102 . The peg slot 164 receives the peg 110 , which also extends through the base 102 . This allows the locker 104 to move relative to the peg 110 , but the peg 110 blocks removal of the locker 104 from the base 102 . Accordingly, the peg slot 164 cooperates with the peg 110 to slidably maintain the locker 104 within the base 102 .
[0044] The inner surface 154 of the locker 104 forms a locker bore 166 . The locker bore 166 in this exemplary embodiment is rectangular, as is the outer surface 156 . However, the locker bore 166 need not be rectangular but could be formed into some other shape. As will be described below, the locker bore 166 is configured and sized to receive the post 106 .
[0045] The post 106 will be described with reference to FIGS. 8 and 3 a - 3 c . The post 106 includes a top end 180 , a bottom end 182 , and a main body 184 extending therebetween. The top end 180 includes a top surface 181 having end plate connectors 186 formed therein. In the embodiment shown, the end plate connectors 186 are configured for attachment to an end plate (not shown). In the embodiment shown, the end plate connectors 186 are a series of holes configured to attach to endplates. In some embodiments, instead of attaching to separate endplates, the post 106 is configured to cooperatively attach directly to bone structure. In this exemplary embodiment, one end plate connector 186 may include an attachment aid 188 that cooperates with an end plate to secure the end plate onto the top surface 180 of the post 106 . In this embodiment, the attachment aid 188 is a spring feature that is deformable to receive an endplate post and frictionally grip it to hold the endplate in place during implantation. In addition, the bottom surface 116 of the base 102 may include similar features, including the end plate connectors and the attachment aid, such as the spring feature. In some embodiments, the end plate connectors are cylindrical posts that extend from an endplate and are configured to be received by the end plate connectors 186 . The end plates could be at any angle or of various types. Alternatively, the end plate connectors may be used with an intermediate spacer to connect and stack two implants.
[0046] The bottom end 182 of the post 106 includes a bottom surface 183 having a vascularization aperture 190 formed therein. The bottom end 182 fits within the locker bore 166 , and is slidable relative to the locker 104 and the base 102 to increase and decrease the overall height of the implant 100 . In the embodiment shown, the bottom end 182 of the post 106 is sized and formed to be received within the locker bore 166 . In this embodiment, like the locker bore 166 , the bottom end 182 is substantially rectangular. However, the bottom end may be in the form of other shapes, as described above with reference to the base 102 .
[0047] The main body 184 includes a peg slot 192 , additional vascularization holes 194 , and a locking surface 196 . The peg slot 192 is configured to receive the peg 110 , which also extends through the base 102 and locker 104 . Because of the length of the peg slot 192 , the post 106 may be raised or lowered relative to the peg 110 to increase or decrease the overall height of the implant 100 . The vascularization holes 194 and the vascularization aperture 190 provides access for placement of bone graft or other material and allows fluid flow to promote bone growth and attachment to the bone structures.
[0048] The locking surface 196 is the area configured to contact the locking element 108 , and in this exemplary embodiment, may include roughened features, such as, for example, a series of roughening scallops aligned transverse to a longitudinal axis of the implant 100 , as shown in the figures. As will be described below, the roughened features, such as the scallops cooperate with the locking element 108 to secure the post at a desired height relative to the locker 104 and the base 102 . In this embodiment, the scallops of the locking surface 196 are spaced less than 1 mm apart and enable an incremental increase and decrease in the height of the implant 100 . A scallop radius may substantially correspond with a radius of the locking element 108 , providing a relatively tight fit when the locking element is engaged with the locking surface 196 . In some embodiments, the locking surface 196 is not scalloped, but includes other roughening features. For example, in some embodiments the roughened features of the locking surface includes protruding triangular features or block-like features forming teeth. Still other surface features may be simply rough surfaces, such as those formed by shot peening, blasting, etching, or machining to increase the frictional properties of the locking surface 196 . Still other roughened surface features are contemplated. In yet other embodiments, the locking surface 196 is relatively smooth, thereby allowing for an infinite number of expansion increments.
[0049] In addition to the features described above, the post 106 includes a flange 198 . In the exemplary embodiment shown, the flange 198 includes instrument receiving grips 200 along its outer edges, formed to fit instruments during implantation or expansion.
[0050] Operability of the implant 100 will be described with reference to FIGS. 9 through 12 . FIG. 9 shows the implant 100 in an assembled condition. FIGS. 10 and 11 show cross-sectional views of the implant 100 . FIG. 12 shows one model of components used to illustrate the functionality of the locking mechanism of the implant 100 .
[0051] Referring now to the cross-sectional view in FIG. 10 , the peg 110 is shown extending through the base 102 , the locker 104 , and into the post 106 . As can be seen, the peg slot 164 in the locker 104 allows the locker 104 to move along the longitudinal axis L of the implant 100 relative to the base 102 . Likewise, the peg slot 192 in the post 106 allows additional movement of the post 106 relative to the base 102 . In this manner, the peg 110 may maintain the components of the implant 100 together, while at the same time allowing them to expand longitudinally to increase and decrease the overall implant height.
[0052] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view through the biasing element 112 and through the locking element 108 . The locking element 108 is maintained in its location by the locking element receiver 158 of the locker 104 . As shown in FIG. 11 , the biasing element 112 cooperates with the base 102 and the biasing member support 160 of the locker 104 to limit the axial movement of the locker 104 relative to the base 102 . The biasing element 112 provides a continuous biasing force against the locker 104 to maintain the locker 104 in a position that locks the height of the implant.
[0053] FIG. 12 shows the relationship of the locking element 108 with the base 102 , the locker 104 , and the post 106 , according to one embodiment of the implant. The locking element 108 is disposed in the locking element receiver 158 , and protrudes through the receiver 158 such that the locking element 108 is selectively in contact with both the base 102 and the post 106 .
[0054] In use, when the locker 104 is raised relative to the base 102 , the locking element 108 also raised relative to the base 102 . Because the base 102 has a tapered section 128 , upward movement of the locking element 108 relative to the base may provide free space for the locking element 108 to move away from the post 214 . This may be referred to as an unlocked condition, allowing the post 214 to slide freely to either increase or decrease the overall height of the implant 100 . Once the desired height is achieved, the locker 104 may be moved downward relative to the base 102 , wedging the locking element 108 between the tapered surface 128 of the base 102 and the post 106 . So doing locks the overall height of the implant at its desired height. This may be referred to as a locked condition. The roughened surface features, such as the scallops, of the post 106 may provide a locking location for the locking element 108 and may reduce slippage between the locking element 108 and the post 106 .
[0055] In the embodiment shown, the overall height of the implant 100 can be increased simply by raising the post 106 relative to the base 104 . So doing may force the locking element 108 to move upwardly along the tapered section 128 to the unlocked condition, thereby allowing the implant height to be increased without requiring any separate attention to the locker 104 . This also allows the locking element 108 to freely engage and disengage the roughened features of the locking surface 196 . Accordingly, in some embodiments such as those shown having the scalloped surface features, during expansion, an audible clicking may be generated as the locking element 108 moves past and falls into each scalloped feature of the locking surface 196 . In some embodiments, the locker 104 and the locking element 108 are configured to require manual or separate displacement of the locker 104 and the locking element 108 to reduce the overall height of the implant 100 .
[0056] In the embodiment shown, the locking element 108 is a cylindrical rod that distributes its locking force over a wide surface area and in the embodiment shown over the entire width of the post 106 . Accordingly, the locking element 108 contacts the post 106 along a contact line transverse to the longitudinal axis L of the implant 100 , rather than at a single point. Because of this, the implant is less conducive to undesired slipping. It should be noted that the scalloped surface on the post 106 is optional and the post 106 may include other roughened features, indentations or elements that increase the friction between the locking element and the post.
[0057] In the embodiment shown, the implant 100 includes symmetrically locking features, including opposed tapered surfaces on the base 102 , two locking elements 108 in two opposed receiving apertures 158 , and two opposite locking surfaces 196 . This symmetry may aid expansion and collapse of the implant by substantially equalizing the forces required at each side of the implant to expand or collapse it, providing a better level of control to the physician placing or removing the implant.
[0058] During implantation, the implant 100 may be gripped with a surgical instrument at instrument receiving features of the base 102 and at the instrument receiving grips 200 of the post 106 . In its smallest condition, the implant may be introduced to a patient through the smallest possible incision. In one exemplary embodiment, the implant 100 may be introduced between two bone structures, such as adjacent vertebral bodies, such as the vertebral bodies V 2 and V 4 in FIG. 1 , replacing the vertebral body V 3 along with the discs D 2 and D 3 . Once positioned between the adjacent bone structures, the implant 100 may be distracted to increase the overall implant height. Using the instruments, the post 106 is longitudinally displaced relative to the base 102 . In so doing, the post 106 frictionally acts on the locking element 108 to raise it relative to the base 102 , along the tapered section 128 . Once a desired height is achieved, the base 102 and post 106 are released. The continuous biasing force of the biasing member 112 acting on the locker 104 draws the locker 104 and the locking element 108 into a locking condition, where the locking element is wedged between the tapered section 128 and the locking surface 196 of the post 106 . This compressive force locks the implant 100 against further decreases in the overall height. Once expanded, an implanting physician may introduce optional bone growth promoters into the base 102 or post 106 through the vascularization aperture 136 and the vascularization holes 194 , respectively.
[0059] If it later becomes necessary to remove the implant, the locker flange 157 may be raised relative to the base 102 to remove the locking element 108 from its wedged position. Once the locking element 108 is free to disengage the locking surface 196 of the post 106 , the post 106 may collapse into the locker 104 , and the implant 100 may be removed from the patient. Again, although described with reference to one locking element, it is understood that two or more locking elements may be includes to provide symmetry.
[0060] In the implantation method described above, some amount of the distraction force is used to overcome the biasing force of the biasing member 112 . In some embodiments, the biasing member may be adjusted to provide a stronger biasing force to resist undesirable actuation of the implant once released. The stronger the biasing member, the greater the force required to deploy the device. However, in other implantation methods, the locker 104 may be separately raised relative to the base 102 to release the locking element prior to distracting the post 106 from the base 102 . In this way, the complete distraction force may be used for distraction, rather than a portion being used to overcome the biasing force acting on the locker 104 .
[0061] In yet other implantation methods, the implant may also be deployed by raising the center post 106 relative to the base 102 from the bottom end 182 . In these embodiments, deploying instruments may attach to the post bottom end 182 , such as at the bottom surface 183 , or to features on the post 106 such as the vascularization apertures 194 , and in addition, attach to the instrument receiving features 124 on the base 102 . By moving the post 106 from the bottom end 182 (or the vascularization apertures 194 ) relative to the instrument receiving features 124 , the distance between the bottom end 182 (or the vascularization apertures 194 ) and the instrument receiving features 124 decreases, while the overall height of the implant increases. Accordingly, during deployment, the gripping portions of the instrument move closer together (decreasing the instrument size), while the height of the implant increases. Because in this embodiment, the instrument does not grip at the ends of the implant, the implant can be deployed into a space or cavity where both ends of the implant are not directly accessible at the same time.
[0062] Although the implant 100 is described as being somewhat porous with vascularization apertures 136 , 162 , 190 , 194 , other embodiments include either more or less vascularization apertures. In some embodiments, the post is substantially solid such that while it is telescopically received within the locker and base, no material may be received within the post, or alternatively, with in the base.
[0063] FIGS. 13 and 14 show an embodiment of another exemplary expandable implant 300 having additional vascularization openings. FIG. 13 shows a back side and FIG. 14 shows a front side. The implant 300 is similar to the implant 100 described above, including a base 302 , a locker 304 , and a post 306 . In this embodiment, the heights of the base 302 and the post 306 are greater than those of the base 102 and post 106 described above. To accommodate grafting, tissue, or other material, the implant 300 includes rear vascularization openings 308 , side vascularization openings 310 , and at least one front access window 312 . The rear and side openings 308 , 310 , as well as the access window 312 , increase the porosity of the implant, promoting breathability and bone growth. The access window 312 is larger than the rear and side openings 308 , 310 and provides access to the interior of the base 302 . Accordingly, during implantation, a physician may introduce grafting material through the access window 312 to pack grafting material, tissue, or other material into the base 302 . The larger size of the access window 312 simplifies the packing process, while the smaller size of the rear and side openings 308 , 310 help reduce the opportunity for the material being packed to extrude from the rear or side openings. This may become important when the implant 300 is placed in a spine and the rear of the implant 100 is facing or located adjacent the spinal cord. Similarly, the larger size of the access window 312 may allow placement of large segments of grafting, tissue, or other material, while the smaller rear and side openings 308 , 310 help contain the large segments within the base 302 . The post 306 of the implant 300 also includes vascularization holes 314 similar to the vascularization holes 194 described above.
[0064] FIGS. 15 and 16 show another embodiment of an exemplary expandable implant 400 . FIG. 15 shows a back side and FIG. 16 shows a front side. Again, the implant 400 is similar to the implant 100 described above, including a base 402 , a locker 404 , and a post 406 . To accommodate grafting, tissue, or other material, the implant 400 includes rear vascularization openings 408 , side vascularization openings 410 , and front access windows 412 that increase the porosity of the implant, promoting breathability and bone growth. As described above, the access window 412 is larger than the rear and side openings 408 , 410 and provides access to the interior of the base 402 . In this embodiment, the rear openings 408 are larger than the side openings 410 . Nevertheless, in this embodiment, the rear openings 408 are smaller than the access window 412 . As can be seen, in this embodiment, the base 402 includes three rear openings 408 .
[0065] The post 406 of the implant 400 also includes vascularization holes 414 similar to the vascularization holes 194 described above. In addition, the post 406 includes post openings 416 in a locking surface 418 . The locking surface 418 may be similar to the locking surface 196 described above. The post openings 416 provide additional vascularization to the implant 400 .
[0066] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 13-16 , the implants include only one access window. However, in other embodiments, the implants include more than one access window on the front side, while the rear and side openings are still maintained smaller than the front access windows. In other embodiments, the rear openings are smaller than the side openings. It also should be noted that the implant may include more or less than three rear openings, and the size of the openings may be determined in part based upon the size of the implant and based upon the size or amount of packing material anticipated.
[0067] While the post has been shown as telescopically received within the locker and the base, it will be appreciated that in a further embodiment the respective configuration is inverted such that a portion of the base is received within the post. Moreover, while a substantially cylindrical structure having rectangular bores has been shown for the purposes of illustration, in alternative embodiments the tubular and rectangular shapes may take the form of a rectangle, square, ellipse, diamond, oval, D-shape or any shape desired to conform and substantially match the adjacent bone or the bone structure that is being replaced. As a result, the definition of tubular is not intended to be limited to cylindrical but is instead intended to cover all components that may be utilized to reduce the present invention.
[0068] While the present device has been described with respect to insertion between two vertebrae after removal of the intervening vertebrae and intervertebral disc, it is contemplated that the length of the device may be sized appropriate to span multiple vertebrae. Additionally, the device may find application in other orthopedic areas and the size and shape of the device may be made to substantially match the implantation site. For example, while the present embodiment has been illustrated as a substantially cylindrical device, it is contemplated that in certain spinal applications it is desirable that the device have a substantially D shaped cross-section as viewed from top to bottom such that the anterior portion of the device has an exterior convexly curved surface matching the anterior of the vertebral body while the posterior portion of the device is substantially flat or concave allowing it to be positioned closer to the spinal canal without protruding into the spinal canal.
[0069] Embodiments of the implant in whole or in part may be constructed of biocompatible materials of various types. Examples of implant materials include, but are not limited to, non-reinforced polymers, carbon-reinforced polymer composites, PEEK and PEEK composites, shape-memory alloys, titanium, titanium alloys, cobalt chrome alloys, stainless steel, ceramics and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the locking elements 108 are formed or cobalt chrome and the base 102 , locker 104 , and post 106 are formed of titanium.
[0070] If the implant is made from radiolucent material, radiographic markers can be located on the implant to provide the ability to monitor and determine radiographically or fluoroscopically the location of the implant in the spinal disc space. In some embodiments, radiographic markers are placed to show the location of the locking elements relative to the post and base.
[0071] In some embodiments, the implant or individual components of the implant are constructed of solid sections of bone or other tissues. In other embodiments, the implant is constructed of planks of bone that are assembled into a final configuration. The implant may be constructed of planks of bone that are assembled along horizontal or vertical planes through one or more longitudinal axes of the implant. In some embodiments, a cavity is cut or constructed through the implant. The cavity may be useful to contain grafting materials. Tissue materials include, but are not limited to, synthetic or natural autograft, allograft or xenograft, and may be resorbable or non-resorbable in nature. Examples of other tissue materials include, but are not limited to, hard tissues, connective tissues, demineralized bone matrix and combinations thereof. Examples of resorbable materials that may be used include, but are not limited to, polylactide, polyglycolide, tyrosine-derived polycarbonate, polyanhydride, polyorthoester, polyphosphazene, calcium phosphate, hydroxyapatite, bioactive glass, and combinations thereof. Implant may be solid, porous, spongy, perforated, drilled, and/or open.
[0072] In some circumstances, it is advantageous to pack all or a portion of the interior and/or periphery of the implant with a suitable osteogenetic material or therapeutic composition. Osteogenic materials include, without limitation, autograft, allograft, xenograft, demineralized bone, synthetic and natural bone graft substitutes, such as bioceramics and polymers, and osteoinductive factors. A separate carrier to hold materials within the device can also be used. These carriers can include collagen-based carriers, bioceramic materials, such as BIOGLASS®, hydroxyapatite and calcium phosphate compositions. The carrier material may be provided in the form of a sponge, a block, folded sheet, putty, paste, graft material or other suitable form. The osteogenetic compositions may include an effective amount of a bone morphogenetic protein, transforming growth factor β1, insulin-like growth factor 1, platelet-derived growth factor, fibroblast growth factor, LIM mineralization protein (LMP), and combinations thereof or other therapeutic or infection resistant agents, separately or held within a suitable carrier material. A technique of an embodiment of the invention is to first pack the interior of an unexpanded implant with material and then place one or both end members if desired.
[0073] Access to the surgical site may be through any surgical approach that will allow adequate visualization and/or manipulation of the bone structures. Example surgical approaches include, but are not limited to, any one or combination of anterior, antero-lateral, posterior, postero-lateral, transforaminal, and/or far lateral approaches. Implant insertion can occur through a single pathway or through multiple pathways, or through multiple pathways to multiple levels of the spinal column. Minimally invasive techniques employing instruments and implants are also contemplated.
[0074] It is understood that all spatial references, such as “top,” “inner,” “outer,” “bottom,” “left,” “right,” “anterior,” “posterior,” “superior,” “inferior,” “medial,” “lateral,” “upper,” and “lower” are for illustrative purposes only and can be varied within the scope of the disclosure.
[0075] FIG. 1 illustrates four vertebrae, V 1 -V 4 , of a typical lumbar spine and three spinal discs, D 1 -D 3 . While embodiments of the invention may be applied to the lumbar spinal region, embodiments may also be applied to the cervical or thoracic spine or between other bone structures.
[0076] While embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described in detail in the disclosure, the disclosure is to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive in character. All changes and modifications that come within the spirit of the invention are to be considered within the scope of the disclosure. | An expandable medical implant for supporting bone structures is disclosed. The implant may include an outer member and an inner member receivable in the outer member. One of the outer and inner members includes a tapered surface and the other of the outer and inner members includes a scalloped surface. The implant may also include a locking element disposed between the tapered surface and the scalloped surface. The tapered surface may be movable relative to the locking element to transversely shift the locking element into engagement with the scalloped surface to inhibit a decrease in the overall implant height. | 0 |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an electric vehicle having a battery unit and a motor.
BACKGROUND ART
According to an electric vehicle disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 09-309343 (hereinafter referred to as “JP 09-309343 A”), a battery cluster 20 is disposed below a driver seat 6 (FIG. 2).
A vehicle 1000 disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006/0096797 (hereinafter referred to as “US 2006/0096797 A1”) has a first battery pack 1900 that is a 12-volt lead storage battery, and a second battery pack 2000 that is a lithium ion battery ([0032], [0033]). The first battery pack 1900 is disposed in an engine compartment ([0033]). The second battery pack 2000 is provided beneath the base of a front passenger seat 1120 of the vehicle 1000 ([0034]).
According to an electric vehicle disclosed in Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 08-002405 (hereinafter referred to as “JP 08-002405 A”), a lead battery 25 is disposed above a fuel tank 24, and a sodium-sulfur battery 28 is disposed behind a partition 27 (FIG. 4, FIG. 5, [0011], [0012]).
According to U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2007/0089442 (hereinafter referred to as “US 2007/0089442 A1”), a rear air-conditioning unit 2000 and a battery pack 3000 are provided on a floor panel 4000 and below an upper back panel 5000 (FIG. 1, [0052]). The battery pack 3000 is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped (FIGS. 1 and 2).
According to a vehicle 1 disclosed in U. S. Patent Application Publication No. 2011/0132676 (hereinafter referred to as “US 2011/0132676 A1”), the front side of a battery 12 that supplies electric power to a motor 11 is disposed forwardly of a dash panel 18, and the rear side of the battery 12 is disposed in a tunnel 22 that extends in a longitudinal direction of the vehicle (Abstract, FIGS. 1 and 2).
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
The above documents propose various layouts with respect to battery units such as batteries, etc. However, there is still room for improvement in the proposed layouts. For example, according to JP 09-309343 A, since the battery cluster 20 is disposed below (immediately below) the driver seat 6 (FIG. 2), a limitation is imposed on efforts to lower the position of the driver seat 6 itself. Therefore, it is difficult to lower the center of gravity of the overall vehicle while the vehicle is being driven, thus leading to roll-axis moments or the like that impede efforts to enhance driving performance.
According to the vehicle 1000 disclosed in US 2006/0096797 A1, the second battery pack 2000 is provided beneath the base of the front passenger seat 1120 of the vehicle 1000 (FIG. 2, FIG. 3, [0034]). Consequently, the vehicle 1000 has the same limitations or restrictions as the vehicle disclosed in JP 09-309343 A.
According to JP 08-002405 A, the lead battery 25 and the sodium-sulfur battery 28 are disposed in the positions shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 of the reference. For example, the lead battery 25 and the sodium-sulfur battery 28 are located in relatively higher positions compared to the seated position of the passenger. Therefore, it is difficult to lower the center of gravity of the overall vehicle while the vehicle is being driven, leading to roll-axis moments or the like that impede efforts to enhance driving performance.
According to US 2007/0089442 A1, the battery pack 3000, which is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, is disposed on the floor panel 4000 and below the upper back panel 5000 and the rear air-conditioning unit 2000 (FIG. 1). In particular, FIG. 1 of US 2007/0089442 A1 shows that the front part (left side of FIG. 1) of the upper back panel 5000 is inclined along a rear seat back 1010, whereas the battery pack 3000 is disposed in an uninclined position. Therefore, a dead space is created on a front side (left side in FIG. 1) of the battery pack 3000 between the battery pack 3000 and the upper back panel 5000.
According to US 2011/0132676 A1, the front side of the battery 12 is disposed forwardly of the dash panel 18, and the rear side of the battery 12 is disposed in a tunnel 22 that extends in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle (see Abstract, and FIGS. 1 and 2). Consequently, there is a tendency for the battery 12 to impair occupant comfort in the vehicle, or to present obstacles to efforts to make the vehicle compact.
The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned problems. An object of the present invention is to provide an electric vehicle, which enables at least one of driving performance, compactness, and occupant comfort to be improved.
According to the present invention, there is provided an electric vehicle having two seats, including a battery unit, a motor configured to drive a rear wheel, and motor mounts disposed behind the battery unit and supporting the motor securely in place. The electric vehicle further comprises a rear partition defining a passenger compartment behind a rear surface of an occupant seat, wherein the rear partition includes a slanted portion, which is inclined progressively rearward of the electric vehicle in an upward direction, the battery unit has at least a portion disposed along the slanted portion of the rear partition, the battery unit has a lower end disposed below a hip point of an occupant, and the motor mounts are disposed such that an upper portion of the battery unit and a portion of the motor mounts overlap each other in a vertical direction of the electric vehicle as viewed transversely across the electric vehicle.
According to the present invention, the lower end of the battery unit is disposed below the hip point, thereby making the center of gravity of the electric vehicle lower, as compared with a situation in which the lower end of the battery box is disposed above the hip point. Consequently, it is possible for the center of gravity of the electric vehicle to be positioned close to the hip point in the vertical direction. Thus, the occupant of the vehicle is given a feeling of oneness with the electric vehicle and a nimble sense of maneuverability when driving the electric vehicle. Further, assuming that the hip point can be lowered, the height of the electric vehicle can also be lowered, resulting in a reduction in air resistance and thereby minimizing fuel consumption or electric power consumption.
According to the present invention, in addition, the rear partition includes the slanted portion, which is inclined progressively rearward of the electric vehicle in an upward direction, and at least a portion of the battery unit is disposed along the slanted portion of the rear partition. Consequently, it is possible to locate the battery unit close to an occupant seat in the longitudinal direction of the electric vehicle. In addition, the motor mounts are disposed such that an upper portion of the battery unit and a portion of the motor mounts overlap each other in a vertical direction of the electric vehicle as viewed transversely across the electric vehicle (e.g., the upper portion of the battery unit and the portion of the motor mounts overlap each other as viewed in plan). Thus, the motor mounts and the motor fixed to the motor mounts can be located close to the occupant seat in the longitudinal direction of the electric vehicle. Stated otherwise, the amount of dead space behind the rear partition can be reduced. Consequently, the electric vehicle can be made compact, or the space in the passenger compartment can be increased by the reduced dead space, thereby enhancing occupant comfort.
The battery unit may be disposed outside of the passenger compartment, and the battery unit may have a portion fixed to the rear partition. In this manner, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the rear partition (as well as the vehicle body) by taking advantage of the rigidity of the battery unit itself.
The battery unit may supply electric power to the motor. In addition, the battery unit, the motor, and an inverter configured to control supply of electric power from the battery unit to the motor may be disposed in one space. Normally, the motor, the battery unit, and the inverter are high-voltage devices, respectively. By disposing such high-voltage devices close to each other, electric power efficiency can be increased.
The inverter may be disposed behind the battery unit and above the motor. When disposed in this manner, the motor, the battery unit, and the inverter are housed in a compact fashion.
The battery unit may be constructed integrally with the inverter. In accordance with this feature, it is possible to dispense with electric power cables that interconnect the battery unit and the inverter.
The battery unit may include a cover, and the cover may be installed in a direction that is the same as a direction in which the inverter is installed. In accordance with this feature, the process of installing the inverter and operations to connect electric wires thereto can be facilitated.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially omitted from illustration, of an electric vehicle according to an embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle;
FIG. 3 is a bottom view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle;
FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a motor and portions around the periphery thereof;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partially omitted from illustration (including a battery box), of the electric vehicle;
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle;
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating a supporting structure for the battery box;
FIG. 10 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing a modified rear partition;
FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing a first modification of the battery box according to the embodiment; and
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing a second modification of the battery box according to the embodiment.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
A. Embodiment
1. Description of Overall Arrangement
[1-1. Overall Arrangement]
FIG. 1 is a side elevational view, partially omitted from illustration, of an electric vehicle 10 (hereinafter also referred to as a “vehicle 10 ”) according to an embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 2 is a plan view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle 10 . FIG. 3 is a bottom view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle 10 . FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle 10 . FIG. 5 is a rear elevational view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle 10 . The vehicle 10 , which is an electric car (battery car) in a narrow sense, includes a motor 12 and an electric power system 14 having a battery box 16 (battery unit). As described later, the vehicle 10 may be another type of electric vehicle apart from an electric car, insofar as the motor 12 is included therein.
The vehicle 10 is a two-seater vehicle in which a driver seat 20 and a front passenger seat 22 , each functioning as an occupant seat, are disposed adjacent to each other in a transverse direction of the vehicle, i.e., in the direction of arrows Y 1 and Y 2 in FIG. 2 , etc. As described later, aside from a two-seater vehicle, the vehicle 10 may be another type of vehicle (as to the number of seats thereof). Although the vehicle 10 is a right-hand drive vehicle, the vehicle 10 may be a left-hand drive vehicle.
[1-2. Motor 12 ]
(1-2-1. Overview of Motor 12 )
The motor 12 serves as a drive source for generating a driving force F for the vehicle 10 , and in the present embodiment, the motor 12 drives the rear wheels 24 r . The motor 12 , which comprises a three-phase AC brushless motor, generates a driving force F for the vehicle 10 on the basis of electric power supplied from the battery box 16 . In addition, the motor 12 regenerates electric power (regenerative electric power Preg) [W] in a regenerative mode, and outputs the regenerative electric power Preg to the battery box 16 in order to charge the battery box 16 . The motor 12 may also output the regenerative electric power Preg to a 12-volt system or to various accessories, not shown. The motor 12 is combined integrally with a gearbox and is disposed coaxially with shafts 26 for the rear wheels 24 r.
(1-2-2. Layout of Motor 12 )
FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the motor 12 and portions around the periphery thereof. FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view, partially omitted from illustration (including the battery box 16 ), of the electric vehicle 10 . As shown in FIGS. 1 through 7 , the motor 12 is fixed to a subframe 32 by motor mounts 30 a through 30 c (hereinafter referred to collectively as “motor mounts 30 ”).
The motor mounts 30 a through 30 c according to the present embodiment include three motor mounts, i.e., a left front mount 30 a , a right front mount 30 b , and a rear mount 30 c . However, the motor mounts 30 a through 30 c are not limited to this description, insofar as the motor mounts 30 a through 30 c are capable of supporting the motor 12 . As shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 , and 6 , etc., the left front mount 30 a and the right front mount 30 b as well as a portion of the battery box 16 overlap each other as viewed in plan, i.e., along the direction of arrows Z 1 and Z 2 .
[1-3. Electric Power System 14 ]
(1-3-1. Overview of Electric Power System 14 )
The electric power system 14 supplies electric power the motor 12 and is charged with regenerative electric power Preg from the motor 12 . In addition to the battery box 16 , the electric power system 14 includes a motor controller 40 and a battery controller 42 .
(1-3-1-1. Battery Box 16 )
(1-3-1-1-1. Overview of Battery Box 16 )
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view, partially omitted from illustration, of the electric vehicle 10 . The battery box 16 includes a plurality of battery modules 50 , a battery tray 52 , a first battery cover 54 , and a second battery cover 56 . Although the battery box 16 basically is in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, as shown in FIG. 4 , etc., the battery box 16 has a recess in which the motor controller 40 is disposed. The battery box 16 is disposed in the same space as the motor 12 and the motor controller 40 (including an inverter 90 , to be described later). The battery box 16 is constructed integrally with the motor controller 40 (see FIG. 4 , etc.).
(1-3-1-1-2. Battery Modules 50 )
Each of the battery modules 50 , which serve as battery units, is an electric energy storage device (energy storage) including a plurality of battery cells, which may comprise lithium ion secondary cells, nickel hydrogen secondary cells, or capacitors. According to the present embodiment, each of the battery modules 50 comprises lithium ion secondary cells. Further, in the present embodiment, each of the battery modules 50 is substantially in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. A non-illustrated DC/DC converter may be connected between the battery modules 50 and the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) for stepping up or stepping down the output voltage of the battery modules 50 or the output voltage of the motor 12 .
(1-3-1-1-3. Battery Tray 52 )
The battery tray 52 is a plate-like support member made of metal or plastic that supports the battery modules 50 . As shown in FIG. 8 , each of the battery modules 50 is fixed to the battery tray 52 by bolts 58 .
(1-3-1-1-4. First Battery Cover 54 , Second Battery Cover 56 )
The first battery cover 54 and the second battery cover 56 are members made of plastic or metal that cover the battery modules 50 and the battery tray 52 . The first battery cover 54 is fixed to the battery tray 52 on a front side of the battery tray 52 and is oriented in the X2 direction, and the second battery cover 56 is fixed to the battery tray 52 on a rear side of the battery tray 52 and is oriented in the X1 direction. The first battery cover 54 and the second battery cover 56 are fixed to the battery tray 52 by non-illustrated bolts.
(1-3-1-1-5. Layout of Battery Box 16 )
FIG. 9 is an enlarged fragmentary plan view illustrating a supporting structure for the battery box 16 . As shown in FIG. 1 , etc., the battery box 16 has a lower end E 1 , which is disposed in a position below a hip point P 1 of a driver 60 as an occupant. The hip point P 1 is represented by a center (design value) of the hip of an occupant (including the driver 60 ).
According to the present embodiment, the lower end E 1 of the battery box 16 is disposed in a position, which lies below not only the hip point P 1 , but also a lower end E 2 (design value) of the hip of the driver 60 .
As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , etc., the battery box 16 is inclined along a rear partition 72 of a metallic main frame 70 of the vehicle 10 , such that an upper portion of the battery box 16 is positioned more rearwardly (rightwardly in FIG. 1 ) than a lower portion of the battery box 16 .
The rear partition 72 is a partition (a so-called bulkhead) that defines a passenger compartment 74 , and is disposed at a position behind rearward sides of the driver seat 20 and the front passenger seat 22 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4 , etc., the rear partition 72 includes a slanted portion 76 , which is inclined progressively rearward in an upward direction.
As shown in FIG. 4 , etc., the battery box 16 is fixed to the rear partition 72 and along the slanted portion 76 by a left side bracket 80 a and a right side bracket 80 b . Thus, the battery box 16 is disposed on an outer side of the passenger compartment 74 .
The battery box 16 is fixed to areas of the rear partition 72 , which comprise stiffened members 78 a , 78 b that are increased in rigidity due to having a substantially rectangular cross-sectional shape. The lower stiffened member 78 a is disposed on the slanted portion 76 , whereas the upper stiffened member 78 b is not disposed on the slanted portion 76 . The upper stiffened member 78 b may also be disposed on the slanted portion 76 .
The phrase “along the slanted portion 76 ” does not necessarily imply that the front surface of the battery box 16 lies parallel to the slanted portion 76 , but rather, implies that the front surface of the battery box 16 is of a shape more likely to protrude forwardly toward a lower part of the slanted portion 76 than if the front surface of the battery box 16 were to extend in a strictly vertical direction.
As shown in FIG. 9 , the battery box 16 is fixed in position by a left upper bracket 82 a , a right upper bracket 82 b , and a stiffener bracket 84 . More specifically, as shown in FIG. 9 , the left upper bracket 82 a and the right upper bracket 82 b , which are of a bent shape, have respective ends that are fixed to front portions (around central pillars 87 ) of an upper back panel 86 , respective other ends that are fixed to suspension damper housings 88 , and respective centers that are fixed to the battery tray 52 .
As shown in FIG. 9 , the stiffener bracket 84 is of a straight shape, one end of which is fixed to the left upper bracket 82 a , and another end of which is fixed to the right upper bracket 82 b . The stiffener bracket 84 increases the stiffness of a linkage that is provided between the suspension damper housings 88 , thereby preventing the battery box 16 from wobbling.
The battery box 16 can be installed from below the main frame 70 . To permit the battery box 16 to be installed in this manner, the main frame 70 has an opening 89 defined in a bottom surface thereof for allowing the battery box 16 pass therethrough. A lower cover, not shown, is disposed below the battery box 16 in order to protect the battery box 16 , etc., from mud and water splashing up from the road.
The left upper bracket 82 a , the right upper bracket 82 b , and the stiffener bracket 84 are illustrated only in FIG. 9 , and have been omitted from illustration in the other figures.
(1-3-1-2. Motor Controller 40 )
(1-3-1-2-1. Overview of Motor Controller 40 )
The motor controller 40 serves to control electric power that is exchanged between the motor 12 and the battery box 16 , and includes an inverter 90 (see FIG. 5 ) and a non-illustrated electronic control unit. An electric power cable (a so-called three-phase cable) is connected between the motor 12 and the motor controller 40 .
(1-3-1-2-2. Layout of Motor Controller 40 )
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , etc., the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) is fixed to a left side of the second battery cover 56 behind the second battery cover 56 . The motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) is combined integrally with the battery box 16 (see FIG. 4 , etc.). The motor controller 40 is fixed to the second battery cover 56 by non-illustrated bolts or the like, for example. As shown in FIG. 4 , etc., the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) is disposed in the same space as the motor 12 and the battery box 16 .
(1-3-1-3. Battery Controller 42 )
(1-3-1-3-1. Overview of Battery Controller 42 )
The battery controller 42 serves to control electric power that is exchanged between the battery box 16 and a non-illustrated external power supply. The battery controller 42 includes a charger and an electronic control unit, neither of which are shown.
(1-3-1-3-2. Layout of Battery Controller 42 )
As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4 , etc., the battery controller 42 is fixed to a right side of the second battery cover 56 behind the second battery cover 56 . The battery controller 42 is constructed integrally with the battery box 16 , and is disposed adjacent to the motor controller 40 (see FIG. 4 , etc.). The battery controller 42 fixed to the second battery cover 56 by non-illustrated bolts or the like, for example. As shown in FIG. 4 , etc., the battery controller 42 is disposed in the same space as the motor 12 , the battery box 16 , and the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ).
2. Advantages of the Present Embodiment
In the foregoing manner, according to the present embodiment, as described above, the lower end E 1 of the battery box 16 (battery unit or cell cluster) is disposed below the hip point P 1 , thereby making the center of gravity of the vehicle 10 lower compared with the lower end E 1 of the battery box 16 , which is disposed above the hip point P 1 . Consequently, it is possible to position the center of gravity of the vehicle 10 close to the hip point P 1 . Hence, the occupant of the vehicle 10 is given a feeling of oneness with the vehicle 10 and a nimble sense of maneuverability when driving the vehicle 10 . Further, assuming that the hip point P 1 can be lowered, the height of the vehicle 10 can also be lowered, resulting in a reduction in air resistance and thereby minimizing electric power consumption.
According to the present embodiment, in addition, the rear partition 72 includes the slanted portion 76 , which is inclined progressively rearward in an upward direction, and the battery box 16 is disposed along the slanted portion 76 . Therefore, it is possible to locate the battery box 16 close to the driver seat 20 and the front passenger seat 22 (occupant seats) in the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10 . In addition, the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b are disposed such that an upper portion of the battery box 16 and the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b overlap each other in the vertical direction of the vehicle 10 as viewed transversely across the vehicle 10 (more specifically, the upper portion of the battery box 16 and a portion of the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b overlap each other as viewed in plan). Therefore, it is possible to position the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b as well as the motor 12 that is supported thereon close to the driver seat 20 and the front passenger seat 22 (occupant seat) along the longitudinal direction of the vehicle 10 . Stated otherwise, the amount of dead space behind the rear partition 72 can be reduced. Consequently, the vehicle 10 can be made compact, or the space in the passenger compartment 74 can be increased by the reduced dead space, thereby enhancing occupant comfort.
According to the present embodiment, the battery box 16 is disposed outside of the passenger compartment 74 , and includes a portion that is fixed to the rear partition 72 (see FIGS. 4 , 9 , etc.). In this manner, it is possible to increase the rigidity of the rear partition 72 (as well as the vehicle body) by taking advantage of the rigidity of the battery box 16 itself.
According to the present embodiment, the battery box 16 supplies electric power to the motor 12 , and the motor 12 , the battery box 16 , and the inverter 90 are disposed in the same space (see FIG. 4 , etc.). Normally, the motor 12 , the battery box 16 , and the inverter 90 are high-voltage devices, respectively. By disposing such high-voltage devices close to each other, electric power efficiency can be increased.
According to the present embodiment, the inverter 90 disposed behind the battery box 16 and above the motor 12 (see FIGS. 2 , 4 , etc.). When disposed in this manner, the motor 12 , the battery box 16 , and the inverter 90 are housed in a compact fashion.
According to the present embodiment, the battery box 16 is constructed integrally with the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) (see FIG. 4 , etc.). In accordance with this feature, it is possible to dispense with electric power cables that interconnect the battery box 16 and the inverter 90 .
According to the present embodiment, the second battery cover 56 is installed in a direction that is the same as the direction in which the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) is installed (see FIG. 4 , etc.). In accordance with this feature, the process of installing the inverter 90 and operations to connect electric wires (not shown) thereto can be facilitated.
B. Modifications
The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment, but may employ various arrangements on the basis of the disclosure of the present description. For example, the following arrangements may be employed in the present invention.
1. Electric Vehicle 10 (Object to which the Present Invention is Applied)
In the above embodiment, the vehicle 10 is a two-seater type of vehicle. However, the vehicle 10 may be of any type (as to the number of seats), insofar as attention focused on the positional relationship between the motor 12 (motor mounts 30 a through 30 c ) and the battery box 16 , or the positional relationship between the rear partition 72 and the battery box 16 . For example, the vehicle 10 may be a one-seater, a three-seater, or a four-seater type of vehicle or the like. Stated otherwise, the number of seats on the vehicle 10 may be one or three or more.
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 (battery unit) is mounted on the electric vehicle 10 , which is a battery car in a narrow sense. However, from the standpoint of the layout of the motor 12 and the battery box 16 , the present invention is applicable to other uses. For example, the present invention may be applied to other types of electric vehicles 10 (e.g., a hybrid vehicle having a non-illustrated engine as a drive source in addition to the motor 12 , or a fuel cell vehicle).
2. Motor 12
In the above embodiment, the motor 12 comprises a three-phase AC brushless motor. However, the motor 12 is not limited to such a motor. Although the motor 12 is a brushless motor in the above-described embodiment, the motor 12 may be a brush motor.
In the above embodiment, the motor 12 is used to drive the rear wheels 24 r . However, the motor 12 may be used to drive front wheels 24 f , insofar as the battery box 16 (battery unit) can be inclined and the motor mounts 30 a through 30 c can be placed in a space below the inclined battery box 16 . From the same standpoint, the motor 12 need not necessarily be a motor that is used to drive wheels, but may be a motor for use in any of other devices (e.g., an air compressor or an air conditioner that is mounted in the vehicle 10 ). Alternatively, the motor 12 may be a motor that is used in various apparatus such as industrial machines (e.g., manufacturing apparatus, machine tools, or elevators), home electric appliances (e.g., washing machines, cleaners, air conditioners, or refrigerators), or the like.
3. Motor Mounts 30
In the above embodiment, the motor 12 is supported on three motor mounts 30 a through 30 c . However, insofar as the motor 12 can be supported, the number of motor mounts 30 is not limited to three.
In the above embodiment, the front motor mounts 30 a , 30 b and an upper portion of the battery box 16 overlap each other as viewed in plan (see FIGS. 1 , 2 , 7 , etc.). However, from the standpoint of effectively utilizing the space below the slanted portion 76 of the rear partition 72 and around the lower portion of the battery box 16 , the front motor mounts 30 a , 30 b and the upper portion of the battery box 16 need not necessarily be superposed, insofar as the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b can be disposed such that the upper portion of the battery box 16 (battery unit) and the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b overlap each other in the vertical direction (the direction of arrows Z 1 and Z 2 ) of the vehicle 10 , as viewed transversely (in the direction of arrows Y 1 and Y 2 ) across the vehicle 10 . Stated otherwise, the front motor mounts 30 a , 30 b may be positioned laterally of the battery box 16 (along a transverse direction across the vehicle 10 ) as viewed in plan.
4. Electric Power System 14
[4-1. Battery Box 16 (Battery Unit, Cell Cluster)]
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 is used as a battery unit or a cell cluster. However, other battery units may be used insofar as the battery units function as an electric power supply source. For example, a fuel cell stack may be used as a battery unit. If a fuel cell stack used, the fuel cell stack may be inclined in the same manner as with the battery box 16 .
In the above embodiment, the lower end E 1 of the battery box 16 is disposed below the hip point P 1 and the lower end E 2 of the hip of the driver 60 . However, insofar as the lower end E 1 of the battery box 16 is disposed below the hip point P 1 , the lower end E 1 of the battery box 16 may be disposed above the lower end E 2 of the hip.
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 is disposed outwardly of the rear partition 72 (see FIGS. 1 , 4 , etc.). However, insofar as the battery box 16 (battery unit or cell cluster) is disposed along the slanted portion 76 of the rear partition 72 , the battery box 16 may be disposed inwardly of a rear partition 72 a , as shown in FIG. 10 .
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 includes the battery modules 50 , which are disposed on both sides (front and rear sides, in terms of the orientation of the vehicle 10 ) of a principal plane of the battery tray 52 (see FIG. 8 , etc.). However, the battery modules 50 are not limited to such a layout, insofar as the battery box 16 or the battery modules 50 can be disposed along the slanted portion 76 of the rear partition 72 .
FIG. 11 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing a battery box 16 a according to a first modification of the battery box 16 (battery unit or cell cluster) of the above-described embodiment. The battery box 16 a comprises a plurality of battery modules 50 , which are inclined and stacked in a plurality of layers. The battery box 16 a is disposed along the rear partition 72 , thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of dead space behind the rear partition 72 .
In the above embodiment and the modification shown in FIG. 11 , the battery box 16 , which is basically in the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped, is inclined (see FIG. 1 , etc.). However, the battery box 16 is not limited such an inclined layout, insofar as the battery unit can be disposed along the slanted portion 76 of the rear partition 72 . For example, the battery modules 50 may be stacked in a plurality of layers, with the front ends of the battery modules shifted more rearwardly in higher layers.
FIG. 12 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view showing a battery cluster 130 according to a second modification of the battery box 16 (battery unit or cell cluster) of the above-described embodiment. The battery cluster 130 comprises a plurality of battery modules 50 disposed in a stepped pattern. The battery cluster 130 is disposed along the rear partition 72 , thereby making it possible to reduce the amount of dead space behind the rear partition 72 .
In FIG. 12 , each of the battery modules 50 is shifted in a stepped pattern. However, only a portion of the battery modules 50 may be shifted in this manner. For example, two lower battery modules 50 in FIG. 12 may be kept in the same position along the longitudinal direction (the direction of arrows X 1 and X 2 ).
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 is supported at upper and side regions thereof. More specifically, the battery box 16 is supported by the left side bracket 80 a , the right side bracket 80 b , the left upper bracket 82 a , the right upper bracket 82 b , and the stiffener bracket 84 (see FIGS. 4 , 9 , etc.). However, insofar as the battery box 16 can be supported in place, the present invention is not limited to such a supporting structure. For example, the battery box 16 may be supported only at an upper region or on side regions thereof. Alternatively, in addition to or in place of the regions referred to above, the battery box 16 may be supported at other regions (e.g., a lower region) thereof.
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 supplies electric power to the motor 12 . However, insofar as attention is focused on the positional relationship between the motor 12 (motor mounts 30 a , 30 b ) and the battery box 16 , in addition to the motor 12 , the battery box 16 may be used to supply electric power to other components apart from the motor 12 . Alternatively, the battery box 16 may be configured so as not to supply electric power to the motor 12 , but only to supply electric power to other components apart from the motor 12 .
[4-2. Motor Controller 40 and Battery Controller 42 ]
In the above embodiment, the motor controller 40 including the inverter 90 and the battery controller 42 are disposed on an outer side of the second battery cover 56 . However, concerning the layout of the battery box 16 , the motor controller 40 and the battery controller 42 are not limited to the above layout. For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the battery controller 42 (and the motor controller 40 ) may be disposed above the battery box 16 a.
In the above embodiment, the inverter 90 is disposed behind the battery box 16 and above the motor 12 (see FIGS. 2 , 4 , etc.). However, insofar as attention is focused on the positional relationship between the motor 12 (motor mounts 30 a , 30 b ) and the battery box 16 , the inverter 90 need not necessarily be disposed in the aforementioned layout. For example, the inverter 90 may be disposed above the battery box 16 a.
In the above embodiment, the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) is constructed integrally with the battery box 16 (battery unit), without any cables being interposed between the motor controller 40 and the battery box 16 . However, insofar as attention is focused on the positional relationship between the motor 12 (motor mounts 30 a , 30 b ) and the battery box 16 , cables may be provided if desired. Similarly, in the above embodiment, the battery controller 42 is constructed integrally with the battery box 16 (battery unit), without any cables being interposed between the battery controller 42 and the battery box 16 . However, cables may be provided if desired.
In the above embodiment, the motor 12 , the battery box 16 (battery unit), the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ), and the battery controller 42 are disposed in the same space (see FIG. 4 , etc.). However, such a layout is not necessarily required, insofar as attention is focused on the positional relationship between the motor 12 (motor mounts 30 a , 30 b ) and the battery box 16 . For example, the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) and the battery controller 42 may be disposed in a space that differs from the space in which the motor 12 and the battery box 16 (battery unit) are installed.
In the above embodiment, the second battery cover 56 installed in a direction that is the same as the direction in which the motor controller 40 (inverter 90 ) and the battery controller 42 are installed. However, such an arrangement is not necessarily required, insofar as attention is focused on the positional relationship between the motor 12 (motor mounts 30 a , 30 b ) and the battery box 16 .
5. Other Features
In the above embodiment, the battery box 16 is disposed along the slanted portion 76 of the rear partition 72 , and the motor mounts 30 a , 30 b are disposed in the space behind the battery box 16 . In addition, the motor 12 for driving the rear wheels 24 r is supported on the motor mounts 30 a through 30 c . However, insofar as the battery box 16 (battery unit) is inclined, and any one of the motor mounts 30 a through 30 c is disposed in a space beneath the battery box 16 , the same layout may be employed on the front side of the vehicle 10 .
In the above embodiment, the rear partition 72 serves as part of the main frame 70 . However, the rear partition 72 may be provided separately from the main frame 70 , insofar as the rear partition 72 can function as a partition that defines the passenger compartment 74 . | An electric vehicle wherein at least part of a cell unit is provided along an inclined part of a rear dividing wall. A bottom end of the cell unit is positioned lower than the hip point of a passenger. As seen from the vehicle-width direction, motor mounts are positioned so that the top part of the cell unit and part of the motor mounts overlap in the vertical direction of the electric vehicle. | 8 |
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention pertains to a device for securing a connector in an insulating module housing of a modular connector.
[0002] A device according to the invention is required for automatically interlocking a connector with a module housing or a mating connector.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] Conventional connector locking mechanisms utilize, among other things, screws, hooks, clamping devices or holding clips and always require corresponding manual activities. In the field of office communication interfaces, there is an increasing demand for a simple connecting mechanism that can be operated by any layman.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] Consequently, the invention is based on the objective of developing a device of the initially cited type for securing a connector in such a way that the connector and a corresponding module are automatically interlocked when the connection is produced.
[0005] This objective is attained in that the module housing contains a connecting region with at least one locating spring arranged therein, wherein the end of said locating spring is aligned in the connecting direction and protrudes into the connecting region.
[0006] An advantageous embodiment of the invention is disclosed in Claims 2 - 5 .
[0007] The advantage attained with the invention can be seen, in particular, in that the connector to be inserted into a module is automatically interlocked therewith when this connection is produced, namely without requiring any additional activities to be performed by the person producing the connection.
[0008] There are no exact specifications or requirements with respect to the dimensions of the connectors that are usually delivered in the form of ready-made goods with extrusion-coated cables connected thereto, e.g., analogous to so-called USB connectors.
[0009] Symmetrically arranged locating elements are advantageously provided in the module housing for receiving such a connector housing, wherein said locating elements comprise locating springs that are directed into the connecting region of the module housing at a flat angle and secure the connector housing on both sides.
[0010] The module housing, in turn, can be engaged with or screwed to the frame of a modular connector that accommodates several modules.
[0011] When the connection is produced, the locating spring aligned in the connecting direction initially slides along the narrow sides in the connecting region of the connector housing, but immediately interlocks in the relatively soft housing wall of the connecting region when attempting to pull out the connector.
[0012] It is also advantageous that connector housings with largely non-standardized outside dimensions can be secured in the module housing even if they have a certain bandwidth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] One embodiment of the invention is illustrated in the figures and described in greater detail below. The figures show:
[0014] FIG. 1 , a perspective representation of a sectioned module housing;
[0015] FIG. 2 , a connector that is partially inserted into the module housing, and
[0016] FIG. 3 , an individual spring element.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] FIG. 1 shows a perspective representation of a sectioned module housing 10 . Locating hooks 6 are integrally formed onto the respective outer edges in order to engage the module housing with the frame of a (not-shown) modular connector that also accommodates other module housings arranged in a row.
[0018] The module housing 10 contains a connecting region 11 , as well as an opening 12 , through which an inserted connector 1 protrudes in order to be contacted with a mating connector.
[0019] The connector 1 used is delivered in the form of a ready-made cable connection together with an electric cable 8 . The cable connection is formed by the connector 1 consisting of a connector housing 2 with a connecting region 3 , as well as a cable 4 connected thereto.
[0020] The connecting region 3 is delivered by the various connector manufacturers with a certain bandwidth, but with different dimensions. Consequently, one variably designed interlocking device can be advantageously utilized for securing a connector.
[0021] Such an interlocking device is provided in the connecting region 11 of the module housing, wherein at least one locating spring 16 ′—that extends into a depression 14 in the bottom of the module housing—is integrally formed onto the respective narrow sides of the module housing.
[0022] In this case, two successively arranged locating springs 16 ′ are integrally formed in a graduated fashion onto both sides of the connecting region, wherein the ends 17 ′ of said locating springs are directed into the connecting region 11 and aligned in the connecting direction at an angle of approximately 45° relative to the wall.
[0023] When the connector housing 2 is inserted into the module housing 10 , the spring ends 17 ′ initially slide along the narrow housing sides in the connecting region 5 , but generate a wedge effect when attempting to pull out the connector.
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of a connector 1 that already is partially inserted into a module housing 10 illustrated in the form of a section. A variation of the interlocking device shown in FIG. 1 is provided on this module, wherein two opposing spring elements 15 are arranged in the connecting region 11 such that they respectively point into the connecting region 11 with a locating spring 16 or with their end 17 .
[0025] The spring elements 15 are secured in slots 13 with their ends 19 and captively inserted into the module housing through an installation opening 14 provided on one side.
[0026] When the connector 1 is additionally inserted into the module housing 10 until the connecting region 3 of the connector housing protrudes into the opening 12 in the module housing, the narrow sides of the connector housing slide along the locating springs 16 , wherein the connector is prevented from sliding back out due to the alignment of the locating springs in the connecting direction.
[0027] FIG. 3 shows a spring element 15 that has a slightly U-shaped curvature, wherein a locating spring 16 that is cut out on three sides protrudes from the center of said spring element. The locating spring is initially bent in accordance with the curvature of the spring element, but protrudes from the opening 18 opposite to the curvature with the spring ends 17 .
[0028] The curvature is required in order to hold the locating element within the slots 13 in the module 10 with a certain tension.
[0029] In order to separate the connector, the locating springs 16 need to be bent back from outside. This is achieved by inserting a flat tool for bending back the locating springs into the bottom opening 14 in the module housing 10 .
[0030] However, this effort is quite justifiable in light of the fact that these connectors are incorporated into a system interface equipped with several modular connectors and, as a rule, only manipulated when a new system is installed. In other respects, the connectors held in the modular connector are also disengaged when the two halves of the modular connector are separated from one another. | In order to secure connectors, particularly USB connectors, in a module housing of a modular connector, the invention proposes to arrange locating springs in the connecting region of the module housing, wherein said locating springs are aligned in the connecting direction and secure the connector inserted therebetween. | 7 |
BACKGROUND AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to door locks, particularly to night security latching arrangements for doors. The invention specifically relates to a night security latching arrangement that is portable and can be carried easily during travel. This does not preclude the use of the device during daytime needs to secure a door against entry, and the use of the device in the home as well as during travel. It should be understood that the use during night or day, use in the home, and use during travel are all within the scope and intent of this invention.
For a long time there has been a need for a very simple, inexpensive, convenient, and easily applied locking device for securing doors. This invention answers that need and goes further, it is portable so that it can be carried easily during travel. It can be carried in the pocket, on a key-chain, or in a small compartment in a suitcase.
Dead bolt type security locks are the major deterrent to burglary by entry through doors. Doors without such securit-type devices, having only the usual type lock, are easily entered by experienced thieves. Such locks are "picked" by thieves using a variety of devices. In the case of hotels and motels, master keys, lost keys, and stolen keys offer easy access to breaking and entering by criminals. The present invention prevents this.
In addition to the "picking" of the lock or the use of unauthorized keys, various uses of flexible knives, plastics cards, and the like have been used to "slip" the latch open. This invention eliminates those possibilities.
Many homes, apartments, hotels, and motels do not have the hereinbefore mentioned dead bolt type locks (in addition to the regular door latching arrangement at the knob). Thus, illegal entry is much more convenient and easier for the criminal. Even the dead bolt type lock can be opened with master keys, lost keys, stolen keys, and by other such means. With the present invention security against illegal entry is assured.
The present invention gives privacy and protection to the user while in the home or while in the bedroom during travel. The device may be used on doors even though the usual knob latching arrangement or dead bolt type locks are in use.
The device of this invention is used in combination with strike plate and keeper pocket or recess in the door jamb and the neck at the base of the door knob on the inside of the door. No permanent or damaging fastening is made to the door or door jamb. The device is a simple portable attachment, one end of which the user places into the keeper pocket or recess, closes the door, and loops the other end around the neck of the doorknob or the inside of the door, thus acting as a connecting unit. It can be installed with the door closed.
The device of this invention can be used on left or right hand opening doors. For doors opening in either direction (in or out), the end can be made into a "T" shape, instead of hook. The "T" shape is not shown on the drawing, but operates the same as the hook-type for application, and is within the scope and intent of this invention.
Accordingly, it is an object of this invention to provide a portable lock device for securing doors against illegal entry.
It is another object of this invention to provide a portable lock device that can be used on doors that open to the left or to the right.
It is a further object of this invention to provide a portable lock device that can be used on doors that open inwardly or open outwardly.
It is still another object of this invention to provide a portable lock device that is simple, small, economical, and convenient to carry on the person or with the person when travelling.
It is yet another object of this invention to provide a portable lock device that can be used in the home as well as during travel.
It is also an object of this invention to provide a portable lock device that can be used on doors that have other permanently installed locking devices.
Further objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparatent in light of the following description of the preferred embodiments.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a complete portable door lock assembly;
FIG. 2 is a partial view of a typical door with the portable door lock being inserted;
FIG. 3 is a partial view of a typical door with the portable door lock secured into position;
FIG. 4 is a cross sectional view 4--4 of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
Turning now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1, the complete portable door lock is shown at 10. The portable door lock 10 comprises two major parts, a rod-like latching bar 26 and a chain assembly 32.
The chain assembly 32 has a catch assembly 34 at the free end, and at the other end the end of the chain assembly 32 is attached to the latching bar 26 by a loop or eye 30 that is formed at the end of the latching bar 26.
The latching bar 26 is formed into a configuration as shown in FIG. 1. As noted previously, at one end is a formed loop or eye 30 to attach the chain assembly 32 to the latching bar 26. The bar is then bent in a radius 28 that approximates a fit for the average neck 18 of a door knob 16 as shown in FIG. 4.
The operation and use of the portable door lock 10 will be explained later hereinafter, at which time the aforementioned parts of the chain assembly 32 and the latching bar 26 and other parts of the latching bar 26 are hereinafter described.
The aforementioned radial bend 28 lies in the same plane as the plane of the loop or eye 30. After the radial bend 28 the latching bar 26 continues as a straight shank 27. At the distal end of the shank 27 from the radial bend 28, the straight shank 27 is bent at 90° in a plane perpendicular to the aforementioned plane of the eye 30 and the radial bend 28 to form a short straight section 38. Thereafter, the end of latching bar 26 is bent at an angle greater than 90°, but less than 135° to form a hook 36. The plane of the 90° bend of the shank 27 to form the short straight section 38 in preparation for the hook bend 36, and the plane of the hook 36 are identical planes.
In making the 90° bend for the short straight section 38, the length of the short straight section 38 is such that it clears the inside surface of the door when the hook 36 is in place in the keeper pocket or recess. This can be seen clearly in FIG. 4 wherein the hook 36 is shown in the keeper pocket or recess 22 and the short straight section 38 can be seen clearing the inside face of the door 12 as it bends into the straight shank 27 of the latching bar 26.
In FIG. 4 it can be seen how the straight shank 27 continues toward the door knob 16 and the aforementioned radial bend 28 curves around the neck 18 of the door knob 16. It should be noted that the flexibility of the rod of the long straight shank 27 permits the latching bar 26 to flex and bend outward at the 90° radius bend between the short straight section 38 and the straight shank 27 as the portable door lock 10 is put in place on door 12.
To install the portable door lock 10, refer to FIG. 2. First, as the door is closed the hook 36 and the short straight section 38, being in the same plane as each other and also being in a plane with the 90° bend leading to the straight shank 27 as well as the straight shank 27 being in that same plane, the said hook 36 and the short straight section 38 are inserted between the door 12 and the door jamb 14 at the keeper strike plate 20. This is clearly shown in FIG. 2 wherein the latching bar 26 is shown in solid lines and the hook end 36 can be seen at the bottom or distal end of the latching bar 26.
Continuing now the installation of the portable door lock 10, as shown in FIG. 2, the keeper 24 of the permanently installed door lock system is held in the withdrawn position by turning the knob 16 to withdraw the keeper 24 and hold the keeper 24 in the withdrawn position. As this is done the aforementioned parts of the latching bar 26 are inserted between the door 12 and the door jamb 14 at the keeper plate 20 as previously described. The latching bar 26 is then turned in an arc toward the door knob 16 as shown by dashed lines for the latching bar 26 and the directional arrow.
As the latching bar 26 is turned toward the door knob 16 the hook end 36 swings into the empty keeper pocket or recess 22 as shown by the dotted lines in FIG. 2.
When the latching bar 26 is down to the door knob 16 and the radial bend 28 is around the neck 18 of the door knob 16, as shown in FIG. 3, the door knob 16 is released so that the keeper 24 can move forward into its "keeper" position inside the keeper pocket or recess 22.
As can be seen in FIG. 3, the hook end 36 is now in a horizontal position inside of the keeper pocket or recess 22 and clear of the keeper 24. The portable door lock 10 is seen in its securing position in FIG. 3 with the radial bend 28 around the neck 18 of the door knob 16, and the chain assembly 32 completing the securing position by its attachment to the loop or eye 30 of the latching bar 26 and then having the catch assembly 34, at the end of the chain assembly 32, secured around the straight shank 27 of the latching bar 26.
The final securing position can also be seen in FIG. 4 with the catch assembly 34 secured around the straight shank 27.
With the portable door lock 10 in this securing position, the door cannot be opened, even when the keeper 24 is withdrawn from the keeper pocket or recess 22 and thus criminal entry is prevented.
To release the portable door lock 10 from its securing position on door 12, the catch assembly 34 is removed from the straight shank 27, the keeper 25 is then withdrawn from the keeper pocket or recess 22 by turning the knob 16, thereafter, the latching bar 26 is lifted through the radius in reverse, as previously indicated on FIG. 2, until the hook end 36 is withdrawn from the keeper pocket or recess 22. When the hook end 36 is returned to the position between the door jamb 14 and the door 12 at the keeper striker plate 20, the door can be pulled open as the latching bar 26 of the portable door lock 10 comes out free at the same time. The latching bar 26 can also be removed without opening the door 12.
It should be noted that the aforementioned installation of the device was described by inserting the portable door lock 10 as the door was opened, it can also be installed with the door closed. With the door closed, and the door knob 16 turned so as to withdraw the keeper 24 from the keeper pocket or recess 22, the aforementioned hook 36 and the short straight section 38, being in the same plane as each other and also being in a plane with the 90° bend leading to the straight shank 27, as well as the straight shank 27 being in the same plane, said hook 36 and said straight section 38 are inserted between the closed door 12 and the door jamb 14 at the keeper strike plate 20. This can be seen clearly in FIG. 2 wherein the latching bar 26 can be seen in solid lines with the straight shank 27 standing vertically at the space between the closed soor 12 and the door jamb 14. Thereafter the latching bar 26 is then turned in an arc as previously described for the installation as the door is being closed.
As disclosed previously hereinbefore, for doors that open outwardly the hook end 36 is in the form of "T" (not shown) so as to secure it against movement of the door outwardly.
It is to be understood that various uses of the terms "spring latch" and "dead bolt" and other associated words in place of words used herein, such as "keeper", "keeper pocket" or "recess" are merely variations of term usage and are to be considered as within the same meaning and intent as the terms and words used herein.
It is to be understood that variations in the configuration of the latching bar 26, the chain assembly 36 configuration, the cross sectional shape of the material in the latching bar 26, a variation of materials, and other such modifications are within the scope and intent of this invention.
Accordingly, modifications and variations to which the invention is susceptible may be practiced without departing from the scope of the appended claims. | This invention is an improved security door lock, particularly to night security latching arrangements, and specifically to a portable door lock that can be carried during travel for use in securing hotel and motel doors against entry. The portable door lock of this invention can also be used in the home or permanent residence for security against the entry of unauthorized persons. The convenient small size and configuration of this device makes it possible to carry it in the pocket, on a key-chain, or in a suitcase compartment while travelling. | 8 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The field of this invention relates to vascular stents that can be delivered to a predetermined position and allowed to spring outwardly or, in the alternative, which can be expanded in place.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Vascular stents are structures that are designed to maintain the patency of a vessel in the body. The stent provides internal support to allow the circulation to proceed therethrough. Stents can be used in the vascular system in ureters, bile ducts, esophagus, and in many other tubular structures in the human body.
Stents can be tubular or can be made from wire. Stents are typically made from a metal or polymeric substance or a metal coated with polymers which are biocompatible or contain heparin to reduce blood clotting or other tissue reactions. Many prior designs have used a coil approach where a wire is helically wound on a mandrel. Yet other designs have evolved--braided wire mesh and angulated wire forms wrapped on a spindle to form a coil.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,292,331 by Boneau and U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,341 describe such wire forms. These devices have very poor radial support to withstand the hoop strengths of the artery or vein and further are not suitable for arteries that are bent or curved or for long lesions; multiple stents are required. These designs do not provide any support to hold the wall of the artery, other than the memory of the metal.
Wall Stent, produced by Pfizer Inc., is a braided wire tube. Although this stent is flexible so as to be placed in curved arteries or veins and other body cavities, it does not have any radial strength imparted to it by design.
Wiktor, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,649,922; 4,886,062; 4,969,458; and 5,133,732 describe a wire form stent. He describes stents made of wire helix made of a preformed wire which is in the sinusoidal form, in which either all or some of the adjacent strands are connected.
Arthus Fontaine, U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,683, also describes a similar device where a flat wire form of sinusoidal shape is wound on a mandrel to form a helical coil. the wire bends are "U" shaped and are connected to alternate "U"-shaped bands.
Allen Tower, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,217,483 and 5,389,106 describes a similar device where the wire is preformed to a sinusoidal shape and subsequently wound on a mandrel to form a helical coil.
All of the above-described art fails to provide radial support. The preshaped wire form (sinusoidal in most of the prior art) is wrapped on a mandrel to form a coil. However, the forces imported by the vessel wall's hoop strength are radially inward. In other words, the force is acting perpendicular to the plane of the U-shaped wire form. This means that the bends that are in the wire add no structural strength to the wire form to support the force produced by the wall, which is radially inward.
When we examine the simple coils, such as taught in Scott U.S. Pat. No. 5,383,928 or Gene Samson U.S. Pat. No. 5,370,691 or Rolando Gills U.S. Pat. No. 5,222,969, it is apparent that the spring coil will withstand substantial radial forces due to the vessel wall; however, all these stents are bulky in their pre-expanded form and are hard to place in small and curved arteries or veins of the body. Also, a major disadvantage of this design is that when the coil stent is placed in a curved artery or vein, it forms an "accordion" shape whereby some strands in the outer radius are spread and those of the inner radius are gathered. Spring coils can also "flip" to form a flat structure when a longitudinal force is applied on one side of the stent.
The other types of stents that have been developed are tube stents. Palmer, U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,733,665; 4,739,762; 7,776,337; and 4,793,348 describe such a tube stent of slotted metal tube. The slotted metal tube is expanded by a high-pressure balloon to implant the stent into the inside wall of the artery or vein.
Joseph Weinstein, U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,561 describes a similar stent made of tubular materials with slots cut into it. On expansion using a balloon, it forms a structure with diamond-shaped slots.
Henry Wall, U.S. Pat. No. 5,266,073 also describes a stent, tubular, that has slots machined into it. When expanded, the edges of the stent lock to form a cylinder. Not only is this device stiff and can only be used for short lesions, but also the diameter cannot be adjusted to meet the exact needs of the particular vessel but it is fixed to the predetermined sizes.
Lau and Hastigan, U.S. Pat. No. 5,344,426 describes a slotted tubular stent that has a structure similar to Henry Wall's but has provided prongs that will lock in as the stent is expanded.
Michael Marin, U.S. Pat. No. 5,397,355 also describes a tubular slotted stent with locking prongs.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,443,500 illustrates the use of square openings with rectangular prongs that stick therethrough to lock the stent. This design, as well as other locking mechanisms, generally have resulted in very stiff stents because of the use of a tubular-type grid construction. Further, the locking devices have resulted in sharp outwardly oriented tabs which are used for the locking, which could cause vascular damage.
All the above-described tube stents, although typically providing substantial radial support when expanded, are not flexible enough to be placed in curved vessels. Arteries and veins in the human body are mostly curved and are tapered. As such, these tube stents suffer from this main disadvantage.
European patent document 042172982 employs wires that are doubled up and whose ends are snipped off to make a given joint. Such doubling up at the junction of two elements with snipped off free ends creates a potential puncture problem upon radial expansion. The sheer bulk of the doubled up wires makes them rotate radially outwardly away from the longitudinal centerline of the stent, while the plain ends on such an arrangement which are snipped off offer the potential of sharp points which can puncture or damage the intima. On the other hand, the apparatus of the present invention, employing sharp angles, as defined, avoids this problem in an embodiment which illustrates a continuous wire or wire-like member bent into a sharp angle. This type of structure alleviates the concerns of sharp edges, as well as the tendency of a doubled up heavy joint to rotate outwardly toward the intima upon radial expansion of the stem, as would be expected in the EPO reference 042172982.
Often these stents are layered with polymeric sheaths that are impregnated with biocompatible substances or can be coated with heparin or hydrogel. Most sheath-type coatings reduce endothelial cell growth through the stent, which is a major requirement in successful stenting of body cavities such as arteries and veins.
Several parameters in design of stents are important. Of the more important parameters is the issue of recoil. Recoil deals with the memory of the stent material which, generally speaking, upon expansion in the blood vessel will want to recoil back to its original shape. This can be problematic because it is desirable for the stent, once expanded, to remain in good contact with the vessel wall to avoid longitudinal shifting. Furthermore, any recoil constricts the flow passage and presents a greater portion of the stent in the blood flowpath, thus creating additional complications due to the turbulence which ensues.
Related to the concern regarding recoil is another concern regarding component twist. This phenomenon generally occurs when the cross-sectional area of the components is rectangular, such as when the stent is manufactured from a cylindrical piece which is then cut by lasers or other means to form the particular pattern. Particularly in the honeycombed designs involving the use of square or rectangular element cross-sections, radial expansion of such stents generally results in a twist of the component segments such that they extend into the flowpath in the artery or vein. Again, this causes turbulence which is undesirable.
Related to the problem of recoil or constriction after expansion is the ability of the stent to anchor itself in the vascular wall. An anchoring system that does not cause trauma is a desirable feature not found in the prior art.
Yet other considerations which are desirable in a stent not found in the prior art is the flexibility to be maneuvered around bends in the vascular system, coupled with the ability to conform to a bend without kinking or leaving large open areas. The stents of the present invention have the objective of addressing the issue of recoil, as well as providing an anchoring mechanism to fixate the stent once set. Several of the designs incorporate flexibility to allow the stent to follow a bend or curve in a vascular flowpath while a the same time providing sufficient radial deformation to ensure proper fixation while minimizing angular twisting movements of the stent components to minimize turbulence through the stent.
In a recent article appearing in late 1995, by Dr. Donald S. Baim, entitled "New Stent Designs," a description is given of the ideal endovascular prosthesis. There, Dr. Baim indicates that the ideal stent should have low implantation profile with enhanced flexibility to facilitate delivery. He goes on to say that the stent should be constructed from a noncorrosive, nonthrombogenic radiopaque alloy and have expanded geometry which maximizes radial strength to resist vascular recoil. The ideal stent described by Baim is further described as having a wide range of diameters and lengths. Dr. Baim concludes that it is unlikely that any current designs satisfy all these requirements. Thus, one of the objectives of the present invention is to go further than the prior designs in satisfying the criteria for the ideal designs as set forth by Dr. Baim in his recent article.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention discloses a stent which has a locking feature to prevent recoil. The stent is composed of a plurality of rings which are joined by crossties of various construction. The locking feature of each ring can be in alignment or staggered. The crossties may be straight or angled or they may have curvature to them to further promote longitudinal flexibility. The locking mechanism includes features which minimize sharp ends exposed to the vascular wall.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a flattened view of the plurality of rings which, when rolled into a cylinder, represent one version of the stent.
FIG. 2 is a view seen along lines 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is the view of FIG. 2, after rolling the flattened stent into a cylindrical shape.
FIG. 4 is an alternative embodiment of FIG. 1 and illustrates the use of staggered locking mechanisms such that when rolled, the locking mechanisms are not in alignment. FIGS. 5-8 illustrate various techniques for locking the individual rings when rolled.
FIG. 8a is similar to FIG. 8 with the locking feature extending in a different direction than FIG. 8.
FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the stent, showing broad members as the crossties, with the locking features in alignment as well as the crossties in alignment.
FIG. 10 is an alternative design of the locking feature, using staggered crossties.
FIG. 11 uses broad crossties with the locking feature illustrated in FIG. 10.
FIG. 12 is the stent of FIG. 11, using a combination of broad and narrow crossties, with the narrow crossties staggered.
FIG. 13 shows an alternating design of broad crossties followed by narrow crossties, with the narrow crossties in alignment.
FIG. 14 is yet another variation using narrow and straight crossties that are misaligned, with the locking feature as illustrated in FIG. 10.
FIG. 15 illustrates the locking feature of FIG. 10 with an offset arrangement so the locking feature, when the stent is rolled, is misaligned from one ring to the next and using further crossties which represent alternating broad bands and narrow bands.
FIGS. 16 and 16A illustrates the use of flexible crossties and yet another variation of the locking feature.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, the stent is shown in an unrolled form prior to rolling it on a mandrel. The stent is made up of a plurality of component ring members 10. The rings can be made from stainless steel/titanium, copper/nickel, or nickel/titanium alloys, among others. The wire shape of ring members 10 can be formed of wire having various cross-sections such as round, rectangular or oval, to name a few. Each of the ring members 10 comprises a tab segment 12. In the view of FIG. 1, each ring member 10 has a pair of opposed segments 14 and 16 connected by a transverse segment 18. The tab segment 12 also connects the parallel segments 14 and 16 on the opposite end from transverse segment 18. The details of the transverse segment 18 and the tab segment 12 are more clearly illustrated in FIGS. 5-8 as well as FIG. 16. Between each ring member 10 are one or more crossties 20, 24 or 26. The crossties can be at any angle between the rings 10. While 45° is shown in FIG. 1, the angle can vary between 0°-90°. In FIG. 1, the crossties 24 are shown as thin, straight members. However, the crosstie arrangement can be offered in a number of different varieties. For example, the crossties 24 can be staggered as shown in FIG. 10. That is to say, between one ring 10 and the next, the crossties are not in longitudinal alignment. This gives the completed stent additional flexibility because it does not have a rigid spine which is created by the alignment of crossties. The crossties themselves may have some flexibility as illustrated by the wavy shape of the crossties 26 in FIG. 16. Here, the crossties 26 adopt a generally S-shape, giving them further additional flexibility to stretch longitudinally and transverse to the longitudinal axis, thus giving the stent formed by the design of FIG. 16, which is preferred, additional flexibility in flexing about its longitudinal axis. The crossties 20 can be a perforated banded material, as illustrated in FIGS. 11, 12, 13, or 15. The crossties can be made from stainless steel, plastics such as polyethylene, nylon, polyimide or polyester, etc. Here, the crossties 20, such as in FIG. 11, are in alignment from ring to ring but have a hinge-type or twisting flexibility as between one ring 10 and another. The ties 20 may be of a short width as shown in FIG. 11 or longer as shown in FIG. 13. The crossties 20 in FIG. 13 are of a unitary construction with a series of perforations 22. These types of crossties using the banding that is provided with perforations 22 can be used exclusively as shown in FIG. 11 or in conjunction with thin, straight crossties, such as 24 shown in FIG. 13. Alternatively, the flexible version of the crossties 20 shown in FIG. 16, which are wavy or S-shaped, can be used in lieu of the crossties 24, such as illustrated in FIG. 13. The embodiment of FIG. 14 illustrates the crossties 24 used exclusively without the wide banded crossties reflected in FIGS. 11-13. The crossties 20 in FIG. 15 are presented in an alternating pattern with crossties 24. Again, the crossties 26, shown in FIG. 16, can be interspersed with the crossties 20 illustrated in FIG. 15. In each case, the banded-type crossties 20 can be used in combination with crossties 24 or 26 and can be used in segmented form as shown in FIG. 12, where they cover substantially less than 90° of the stent that is produced from rolling such structures and locking them, or where substantially greater than 270° of the stent periphery is covered by the bands 20 (see FIG. 15).
The operation of several different embodiments of the locking feature is illustrated in FIGS. 5-8. There, the tab segment 12 generally has a U-shaped end portion 28 and a series of undulations 30, any one of which is capable of trapping the transverse segment 18. It is clear to see by looking at FIGS. 1 and 5 in conjunction that the individual rings 10, when rolled around a mandrel, are preferably rolled to an initial diameter which places the transverse segment 18 in the position shown toward the dotted lines in FIG. 5. When a balloon catheter is placed at the desired location, the balloon can then be expanded, which expands the stent in a known manner, or alternatively the stent can be held compressed in a small-diameter state with various types of retention mechanisms, such as sleeves which keep it from expanding. When the desired location is reached, the stent can be expanded using a balloon or allowed to expand by removing any constraints against expansion. When this occurs, the transverse segment 18', shown in dashed lines in FIG. 5, begins to move toward the undulations 30. Eventually, the rings 10 are expanded sufficiently so that the transverse segment 18 jumps over at least one of the undulations 30. The undulations 30, as shown in FIG. 5, are slanted in such a manner so as to trap the transverse member 18. The operation is similar to a ratchet where advancement in one direction is possible but is blocked in the opposite direction. With this design, the undulations 30 provide the ratchet in combination with the U- or V-shaped segment 28 which is bent over backwards over the undulations 30, leaving a sufficient gap for the transverse member 18 to move in between. Upon expansion of the stent comprising of rings 10, the ratchet mechanism of the undulations 30 allows the expansion to continue as the transverse segment 18 jumps over the undulations 30. When the stent made up of rings 10 has been sufficiently expanded in the vascular system at the desired location, the expanded state is retained and recoil is thus eliminated using this ratchet-type undulation system.
The differences between the embodiment in FIGS. 5 and 6 are readily apparent from examining the drawings. The basic difference is that the U-shaped segment 28, rather than being bent over the undulations 30, is itself in the same plane, prior too rolling, as segments 32 and 34, which comprise the tab portion 12 as shown in FIG. 1.
In a variation of the undulation ratchet-type locking mechanism shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, FIG. 7 illustrates a plurality of bent tabs 36 which are bent downwardly and oriented into the inside of the stent, rather than towards the wall of the artery. Once again, the initial position of the transverse member 18' is illustrated in FIG. 7 in dotted lines. As the stent expands or is expanded, the transverse member 18', which is literally below the tab portion 12, rides over the tabs 36. When the stent is fully expanded or been allowed to fully expand, the transverse member or segment 18 has skipped over at least one of the tabs 36 and, therefore, cannot collapse inwardly. The locking feature is thus illustrated which, again, is for the purpose of preventing recoil.
FIGS. 8 and 8a illustrate yet other embodiments of the locking feature. This time the tab portion 12 has a series of rungs 38, while the transverse segment 18 has an inwardly oriented tab 40. This time the transverse segment 18 rides over the tab 40 so that the ratchet function is again achieved when the inwardly (FIG. 8) or laterally (FIG. 8a) oriented tab 40 jumps over the rungs 38 and traps itself between any two of such rungs 38. The segments 14 and 16, which in this embodiment overlay the tab 12, hold down to tab 12 by a series of tabs 39, which are secured to segments 14 and 16 and help the tab portion 12 slide over segments 14 and 16.
FIG. 9 shows in perspective the ring assembly, using the rings 10 with crossties 20 which are of the segmented band type shown in longitudinal alignment. Again, the wide varieties of different crosstie arrangements shown in FIGS. 10-16 could also be employed in the design shown in FIG. 9. FIG. 3 illustrates a single ring 10, which is illustrated in FIG. 1 after it is rolled around a mandrel and secured, using the locking technique of the undulations 30, such as shown in FIG. 5. FIG. 2 simply gives a side view of the plurality of rings when still arranged flat prior to rolling them around a mandrel. The ring 10 is illustrated with the undulations 30, followed by the U-shaped segment 28.
As shown in FIGS. 10-15, different arrangements of crossties 20-26 are illustrated. The locking arrangement consists of an inwardly oriented tab 42 and a ladder arrangement consisting of rungs 44 at the opposite end of each of the ring segments 10. It can be appreciated that the design of FIGS. 11 and 12 are somewhat stiffer since the individual rings cannot easily translate parallel to each other in view of the design of the crossties 20. In the design of FIG. 10, there is more flexibility than the design of FIGS. 11 and 12 in that the crossties 24 have some limited amount of give. It is clear that the design of FIG. 16 has the most longitudinal flexibility in that the locking mechanisms L are offset from each other and the crossties 26 have transverse and longitudinal flexibility due to their wavy or S-shape.
Referring now specifically to the design of FIG. 16, the rings are as previously described in FIG. 1. Rings 10 have a plurality of rungs 46, while a tab 48 (shown in FIG. 16 in flattened form) and illustrated in FIG. 16A to have guides 50 oriented inwardly into opening 51 when the rings 10 are rolled to make the stent in a compressed state. As the stent expands, or is expanded, the guides 50 ride in opening 51 until the inwardly oriented projections 50, shown in FIG. 16A, ride in opening 51 and then over the rungs 46, which allows the rings 10 to expand and to lock the expanded position as the tab 52 traps one of the rungs 46 (see dashed lines in FIG. 16A). The operation is akin to a ratchet in this design, the lock mechanisms L are circumferentially offset from one ring 10 to another. Each of the rings 10 has flexibility to move parallel to the adjacent ring 10 due to the design of the crossties 26. Each ring 10 also has the flexibility to move closer to or away from its adjacent ring 10, again giving this stent design additional flexibility, both longitudinally and in a transverse plane to the longitudinal axis.
The designs in FIGS. 10-15 illustrate a similar type of locking mechanism using the ladder with inwardly oriented tab approach, either aligning the locking mechanisms L or offsetting them as shown in FIGS. 14 and 15. Different combinations of crossties are illustrated, using crossties 20 or 24. Crossties 20 can be individually less than 180°, or if a single band is used, it is preferably more than 270°. The crossties 24 when used are represented in longitudinally aligned format, such as in FIG. 13, or in misaligned formats, such as FIGS. 10 and 14. The crosstie designs can be mixed or matched as illustrated in FIGS. 10-16A. As shown in FIG. 15, the offsetting of the crossties, whether type 20 or 24 are illustrated, gives the stent longitudinal flexibility to move through a tortuous path and to adapt to that shape. Depending on the application, different combinations of crossties can be employed, and different placements of the locking mechanism L can be used to obtain greater or lesser degrees of rigidity in the stent. When using the band-type crosstie 20, the openings 22 provide needed circulations to the cells in the vascular wall to prevent damage thereto. The locking mechanism L as illustrated in the various permutations avoids the use of singular sharp ends of wires or flaps outwardly pointing which could cause vascular damage. In a departure from prior stent designs, the locking mechanism L, which is illustrated in the figures, accomplishes the locking objectives without sharp ends oriented toward the vascular wall. Locking mechanisms that operate sideways rather than radially inward do not depart from the spirit of the invention. The locking mechanisms have also been staggered to provide additional flexibility as compared to a design where all the locks are aligned, which tends to be stiffer than offsetting them. By providing designs of crossties such that will allow additional flexibility between the ring members 10, the assembled stent is more amenable to adopt a tortuous shape in the passages where it will be set. Any of the crossties illustrated can be made of a radiopaque material to facilitate the installation of the stent and subsequent diagnoses.
The use of crossties, whether staggered or aligned, presents an improvement over prior designs which use the grid system. The grid system resulted in extremely stiff stents which were difficult to place in tortuous portions of the vascular system.
Various biocompatible materials can be used to make the rings 10 and the locking components L thereof. The invention encompasses stents which are delivered by balloon catheters or by other means which retain the assembled stent in a compressed condition, only to allow it to spring outwardly when placed at the desired location.
The foregoing disclosure and description of the invention are illustrative and explanatory thereof, and various changes in the size, shape and materials, as well as in the details of the illustrated construction, may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention. | The invention discloses a stent which has a locking feature to prevent recoil. The stent is composed of a plurality of rings which are joined by crossties of various construction. The locking feature of each ring can be in alignment or staggered. The crossties may be straight or angled or they may have curvature to them to further promote longitudinal flexibility. The locking mechanism includes features which minimize sharp ends exposed to the vascular wall. | 0 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a novel injection molding machine for molding microparts containing a plastic shot volume of between about 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters. Specifically, the micro injection molding machine utilizes pneumatic cylinder or cylinders for the plasticization and delivery of the resin material to the injection portion of the molding machine. A linear motor drives the injection portion to inject the resin material through the nozzle into the mold cavity to complete the injection molding of the micropart.
Injection molding processes are well known and have been developed for molding plastic parts. These processes generally involve melting plastic or resin pellets by feeding the pellets through a heated screw barrel utilizing a rotating screw. The heated barrel together with the heat supplied by the shear of the plastic pellets heats the resin pellets above their melting point. The screw is supported axially with a load and as the molten plastic moves to the front of the screw, the buildup in pressure forces the screw backwards until a desired volume of plastic has been developed in front of the screw. At this point, the rotating screw is stopped and the molten plastic is injected by moving the screw forward to force plastic through the nozzle into the cooled mold cavity to provide the desired molded part. The mold cavity is cooled and the injected plastic is fixed to the desired shape of the part. Such known technology and operations require that the forward motion of the screw must fill the mold cavity to obtain a good quality, dense molded part.
The prior art processes for injection molding are adequate for molding normal size parts utilizing shot sizes in excess of 3.5 to 5.0 cubic centimeters; however, when the microparts require very small shot volumes of less than 3.5 cubic centimeters there are significant problems with existing processes and technology. For example, the screw or auger means used to transport the plastic or resin pellets must be miniaturized in diameter to accept the resin pellets. If the screw is too large, it will contain many volumes of plastic relative to the part being molded. In such a situation, the plastic remaining heated in the barrel after each molding cycle degrades over time when held at this melting temperature. However, if the screw or auger is miniaturized and the screw flight depths are smaller than the pellet size, problems exist concerning accepting the pellets and feeding the resin plastic or pellets into the auger to allow compression and melting of the plastic. Although resin pellet diameter sizes are normally in the range of 2.5 mm or greater, miniature pellets of about 1.25 mm exist. However, the screw injection processes are limited to injection moldings of shot sizes larger than 3.5 cubic centimeters, even when the plastic pellet size is about 1.25 mm.
Furthermore, it should be pointed out that the smallest available screw or auger today is 14 mm in diameter and such auger devices are unable to precisely meter and maintain the accuracy of the molded plastic below the resolution limit of the screw stroke injection machine.
Additionally, existing injection molding processes for molding microparts are unsatisfactory because the microparts often require a thin wall thickness ranging from about 0.025 to 0.30 mm. To force and inject the plastic into these thin walled microparts without freezing, very high pressures and short injection times are required. Existing conventional molding machines generate approximately 25,000 psi pressure and require a 0.5 second injection time for molding shot sizes greater than 3.5 cubic centimeters.
However, if it is desired to injection mold shot sizes or volumes containing less than about 3.5 cubic centimeters, the necessary force required approaches 100,000 psi and a 0.01 second injection time when the wall thicknesses of the micropart is approximately 0.05 mm. Thus, existing prior art molding machines and processes are incapable of molding plastic shot sizes or volumes approaching 3.5 cubic centimeters or less to provide uniform molded microparts without large variations in part dimensions from shot to shot.
Accordingly, to injection mold microparts the injection molding machine must create a high injection pressure and possess controlled injection speed profiles substantially less than 0.5 seconds. Also, existing technology and processes utilize hydraulic pressures to create the injection pressures and injection speed profiles. However, hydraulic fluids are not readily compatible with clean room facilities. Thus, the injection molding of medical grade devices and related microparts is severally limited with existing technology.
One attempt to overcome the problems of these known injection molding machines and processes, has suggested that the injection machine include a system wherein the heated plastic is plasticized and then introduced into the front of an injection plunger. However, such machines have poor quality control over the filling of the plastic into the mold cavity because they utilize or require air cylinders to drive the injection plunger, a structure and mechanism which cannot accurately control the speed of injection. More importantly, such injection molding machines cannot stop the injection process as the mold cavity is filled except by the increase in pressure buildup during the molding process. The control of the molding process by measuring the increase in pressure yields a high variability in the molded parts, a result which is unsatisfactory for most molded operations. U.S. Pat. No. 5,380,187 describes a molding machine comprised of a combination of a screw or auger to mix, heat and plasticize the plastic or resin material for deposit before an injection plunger to accomplish the filling process. However, such devices are limited to molding shot volumes of substantially greater than 3.5 cubic centimeters and are unsatisfactory for molding thin-walled microparts.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is one object of the present invention to provide a novel injection molding machine for molding microparts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide an injection molding machine for use in molding microparts which overcomes the deficiencies of prior art injection molding machines.
It is still another object of the present invention to provide a novel injection molding machine for molding microparts which utilize plastic shot volumes of between about 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a micropart injection molding machine which is capable of high pressure at a very high speed during the injection phase while preventing back flow into and past the injection cylinder portion of the micropart injection molding machine.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a novel injection molding machine for microparts which is comprised of a plasticizing portion and an injection portion which permits the utilization of plastic shot volumes of between about 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters.
Also, it is an object of the present invention to provide a novel micro injection molding machine which includes an injection portion driven by a linear motor for precise positioning and control of the flow of molten plastic into the mold cavity to mold the micropart.
Still, another object of the present invention is to provide a novel micro injection molding machine having precise centerline control of the injection plunger, nozzle and mold to maintain precise alignment of the resin flow channel resulting therefrom to the precise dimension of about less than 0.1 mm without complex realignment with each mold change.
Yet another object of the present invention is the design of a micro injection molding machine which utilizes a support ledge on the heated cylinder block that is on the centerline of the mold, injection nozzle, resin flow channel and injection cylinder which accommodates temperature changes of the heating block while maintaining the centerline of the molding machine constant.
Lastly, another object of the present invention is to provide an injection portion of a molding machine which is adapted to readily receive and accommodate various sized injection cylinders and injection pins to provide various plastic shot volumes of between about 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters to mold the desired sized micropart.
The present invention is directed to an injection molding machine for molding microparts. The injection molding machine is comprised of a plasticizing portion, an injector plunger portion and a mold portion. The plasticizing portion softens and delivers the molten plastic or resin to the injection portion of the molding machine. The plasticizing portion includes a heated cylinder block surrounding or enclosing a plasticizing chamber and a screw member which meters the plastic or resin pellets into the plasticization chamber. A plasticizing plunger engages the molten plastic within the chamber. As the plastic melts, the plunger is sized to permit trapped air to exhaust between the plunger and the cylinder chamber wall. When the plastic or resin material is completely melted, the plastic is forced by the plasticizing air cylinder plunger past an opened valve member which separates the plasticizing portion from the injection portion into the resin flow channel of the injection portion.
The injection portion of the molding machine includes an injection cylinder which is positioned and secured within the cylinder block in axial alignment with the resin flow channel which cooperates with the nozzle to permit plastic to be injected into the mold. The injection portion is maintained on the centerline of the mold. A precision fitted injection pin member is fitted within the bore of the injection cylinder and is maintained in very close tolerance with respect to the bore, within the range of about 0.012 mm or less. This precision fitting of the injection pin within the bore of the injection cylinder as well as the utilization of a linear motor engaging the injection pin permits the application of high pressures at very high speeds during the injection phase of the molten resin through the resin flow channel and nozzle into the mold portion. Also, the precision fitting prevents back flow between the injection pin and the cylinder bore during the molding process. The valve member, positioned between the injection portion and the plasticizing portion is closed during the injection process to prevent back flow of the resin material into the lower pressure capacity plasticizing cylinder. The valve member is a tapered valve which is, preferably, powered by an air cylinder. The valve member is positioned inside the plasticizing cylinder block and is maintained at the proper uniform plastic melt temperature.
When the heated plastic or resin material is forced by the plasticizing cylinder into the resin flow channel and the injection cylinder, the valve member is closed and the injection pin is driven forwardly to pressure the flow of heated plastic through the nozzle and sprue into the closed mold cavity.
The injection pin is driven by an electric motor means. The term electric motor means may be used to describe a rotary motor coupled to a ball screw device which converts the rotary motion to a linear motion. However, it is a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the electric motor means is a linear motor which directly provides linear motion to the injection pin. The term “linear motor” is used to describe a motor that is electrically driven in a linear motion rather than in a rotary motion. One type of linear motor useful in the present invention is a linear servo or stepper motor manufactured and sold by Trilogy Linear Motor, Webster, Tex. The linear motor provides a linear motion which engages and controls the speed and pressure engaging the injection pin.
The electronic control of the linear motor provides for the very high speed movement of the injection pin while maintaining precision control and location of the injection pin. The position of the injection pin is continuously monitored and fed to the electronic control system by a linear measuring device, such as an LVDT. The injection pin is engaged and pushed by the linear motor, but is not necessarily directly coupled to the linear motor. If desired, the elimination of direct coupling between the injection pin and linear motor avoids the necessity of precise alignment with respect to the injection pin and the linear motor. The forward axial movement of the injection pin within the resin flow channel injects between about 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters of plastic shot volume into the mold, as desired.
After completion of the mold cycle, the injection pin is axially moved rearwardly under load as the valve member is opened and molten plastic from the plasticizing cylinder enters the resin flow channel to force the injection pin rearwardly from the mold portion. The flow of plastic into the resin flow channel returns the injection pin during the reloading cycle of a predetermined shot volume of molten plastic from the plasticizing portion into the injection portion.
After the flow of molten resin into the resin channel, known as the preparation of a predetermined shot volume of molten plastic, the mold portion is moved axially away from the nozzle and the mold is opened to permit ejection of the molded micropart from the molding cavity. Thereafter, the valve member is closed and the mold portion is moved axially to engage the nozzle to repeat the molding cycle for the predetermined shot volume.
As set forth above, the injection nozzle cooperates with the injection pin to facilitate injection of the heated resin or plastic material through the sprue opening into the mold cavity. The mold cavity is designed such that the molded micropart may be readily removed from the mold cavity by ejection pins or suction after each cycle of operation. By utilizing plastic or resin flow channels of about 0.5 to 6.0 mm in diameter, plastic shot volumes of between about 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters may readily be achieved. Moreover, because of the reduced size of the plastic flow channel, the number of parts that can be molded, utilizing the molten plastic or resin contained within the plasticizing chamber, is reduced thereby insuring maximum molding efficiency without degradation of the plastic or resin material between loadings of the pellets.
Other and additional objects of the present invention will be apparent from the following description and claims that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings which, by way of their illustration, show a preferred embodiment of the present invention and the principles thereof and what is now considered to be the best mode contemplating in applying those principles. Other embodiments of the present invention employing the same or equivalent principles may be used and structural changes may be made as desired by those skilled in the art without departing from the present invention and the scope of the appended claims.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing description or other characteristics, objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent upon consideration of the following detailed description, having reference to the accompanying drawings wherein;
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine illustrating the loading of plastic or resin pellets into the plasticizing portion of the injection molding machine in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine illustrating the melting of the plastic or resin pellets in the plasticizing portion and the filling of the injection portion with a predetermined shot volume of molten plastic in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine illustrating the injection of plastic or resin material through the resin flow channel and nozzle into the mold by movement of the linear electric motor in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the injection molding machine illustrating axial movement of the mold portion from the injection portion and the opening of the mold to eject the molded micropart in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the valve member closed between the plasticizing portion and the injection portion of the injection molding machine in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the valve member opened between the plasticizing portion and the injection portion to permit the flow of a predetermined shot volume of melted plastic resin material into the injection portion in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the position of the injection pin during filling of the resin flow channel with molten plastic or resin material from the plasticizing portion in accordance with the present invention; and
FIG. 8 is an enlarged fragmentary view illustrating the positioning of a valve member between the plasticizing portion and the injection portion in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Referring now to the drawings wherein like numerals have been used throughout the several views to designate the same or similar parts, the present invention is directed to an injection molding machine for molding microparts. The microparts generally possess wall thickness ranging between about 0.025 to 0.3 mm. As shown in FIGS. 1-4 of the drawings, the micro injection molding machine 10 is comprised of a plasticizing portion 12 , an injection portion 14 and a mold portion 11 . The plasticizing portion 12 is adapted to soften and control feed molten plastic or resin into the injection portion of the molding machine. The injection molding machine 10 includes a heated cylinder block 16 comprised of an upper portion 17 and a lower portion 18 which are integral to one another. The upper and lower portions of the cylinder block 16 preferably include heater holes 20 therein, best shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The heating holes are positioned throughout the block 16 and are adapted to receive electrical cartridge heaters 21 therein to provide uniform heating of the cylindrical block.
The plasticizing portion 12 includes a spiral screw or auger feeder member 22 which is driven for clockwise rotation by a stepper motor (not shown). The upper end 23 of the spiral screw member is adapted to receive the plastic or resin pellets 24 from a hopper 25 containing a supply of plastic pellets. The plasticizing portion 12 further includes a plasticizing air cylinder 26 which drives a plasticizing plunger 27 within the plasticizing chamber or bore 13 , positioned within the heated cylinder block 16 and containing the heated plastic pellets. The bore 13 is adapted to receive the plastic or resin pellets 24 from the spiral screw member 22 , the position as shown in FIG. 1 . The plasticizing plunger 27 cooperates with the bore 13 in the heated cylinder block 16 to compress and heat the plastic or resin pellets to a liquid state, the position as shown in FIG. 2 . The plasticizing plunger 27 is sized with respect to the bore 13 to permit trapped air to escape past the plunger and bore wall during the compression and heating of the plastic pellets.
Also, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 7, a conduit 29 exits the bore 13 and communicates with the resin flow channel 32 of the injection portion 14 of the injection molding machine 10 . Located within the conduit 29 is a high pressure valve member 31 which is operable between an open and closed position, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. The conduit 29 is adapted to intersect the resin flow channel 32 to deliver and fill the injection channel with melted plastic or resin material, as will hereinafter be described.
The injection portion 14 of the molding machine 10 is comprised of a resin flow channel 32 , an injection cylinder 33 and an injection pin 34 which is engageable with a push pin 35 coupled to a linear drive means or motor means 36 , best shown in FIGS. 1-4 and 7 . The injection cylinder 33 is removably mounted to a bore 37 positioned between the upper portion 17 and lower portion 18 of the cylinder block 16 . The injection cylinder 33 includes a bore 38 extending the length thereof (FIG. 7) which defines the resin flow channel 32 therein and which is adapted to receive injection pin 34 for back and forth movement therein. The resin flow channel 32 is axially aligned with a nozzle 40 which engages a sprue 41 in mold member 44 to permit injection of the molten plastic or resin material through the sprue into the mold defined by mold members 44 and 45 , best shown in FIG. 4 . If necessary, coil heaters 42 may be provided about the cylinder block where the resin flow channel engages the nozzle 40 to facilitate and maintain the plastic or resin material in a molten state. The coil heater is shown in FIGS. 1-4.
The injection pin member 34 is adapted to be received within the bore 38 of the injection cylinder 33 and to maintain a very close tolerance with respect to the bore within the range of about 0.012 mm or less. This precision fitting of the injection pin within the injection cylinder permits for the application of high pressures at very high speeds during the injection phase while preventing backflow of molten resin between the injection pin and the injection cylinder 33 during the injection operation. As shown in FIG. 5, the valve member 31 , positioned in the conduit 29 of the plasticizing portion 12 , is closed during the injection step (FIG. 3) to prevent backflow of the resin material into the lower pressure capacity plasticizing cylinder. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, the valve member 31 is a tapered valve which is powered by an air cylinder 39 . The valve member 31 is positioned inside the heated cylinder block and is maintained at a proper uniform plastic melt temperature.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the valve member 31 is positioned concentrically with the plasticizing cylinder 26 and plunger 27 to predeterminely control the flow of molten plastic through conduit 29 from the plasticizing portion to the injection portion. In FIG. 8, the tapered end 30 of the valve member 31 is structurally arranged to engage the entrance to conduit 29 to block the flow of molten plastic into the injection portion during the injection step (FIG. 3) and to prevent backflow of the resin material into the pressure capacity plasticizing cylinder.
The process of melting the plastic and filling the injection portion is shown in FIG. 2 . The melted plastic resin pellets 13 are compressed by the plasticizing plunger 27 and valve member 31 is opened, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the plasticizing plunger 27 forces the heated plastic or resin material to flow into the resin flow channel 32 and the injection cylinder 33 of the injection portion 14 . This fills the resin flow channel, the position as shown in FIG. 2 and illustrated in FIG. 7 .
The plasticizing plunger 27 is moved into the chamber or bore 13 in the upper portion 17 by an air cylinder 26 . The cylinder block 16 , surrounding the plasticizing plunger and chamber, is heated to the proper melting and injection processing temperature for the particular plastic or resin being molded. Generally, this temperature is between about 350° to 650° F. This heating is accomplished by the electrical cartridge heaters 21 which are inserted into the heating holes 20 . The heaters are preferred to be positioned within the cylinder block at an orientation which is positioned axially with respect to the injection cylinder and resin flow channel. The force acting upon the plasticizing plunger 27 by the plasticizing air cylinder 26 and the heating resulting from the electrical cartridge heaters, facilitates melting of the plastic or resin pellets within the chamber or bore 13 .
The valve member 31 , positioned either in conduit 29 (FIGS. 1-6) or associated with conduit 29 (FIG. 8 ), and which is located between the resin flow channel and injection cylinder and the plasticizing chamber bore 13 , is opened while the nozzle is maintained against the mold member 44 and sprue 41 . The valve member 31 is moved between the open and closed position by air cylinder 39 or by a concentric mounted cylinder, not shown in FIG. 8 . During the period of time valve member 31 is open, the injection portion is receiving and filled with melted plastic and the nozzle 44 is positioned against the mold while the plastic part previously molded is cooling. This prevents melted plastic from exiting the nozzle 40 into the mold during the filling step.
A linear motor 36 controls the motion of the injection pin 34 . During filling of the injection portion with plastic, a small load or pressure against the injection pin is maintained by the linear motor 36 . Because a greater pressure is applied to the melted plastic in the plasticizing chamber by the plasticizing plunger during filling, the molten plastic entering the injection portion 14 pushes back the injector pin 34 away from the nozzle 40 , the position of the flow channel arrow in FIG. 7 . This forcing of the injector pin and linear motor away from the nozzle aids in preventing voids from forming in the molten plastic contained in the plasticizing chamber or bore 13 . Also, the engagement of the injection pin with the linear motor provides for the predetermined control of the required shot volume for the part to be molded. As the injection pin is forced axially rearwardly within the injection cylinder, a linear position encoder sensor feed back to the linear motor controller stops the injection pin at a predetermined location. Because the plastic is held under pressure as the injection pin moves axially rearwardly from the nozzle, the consistency of the plastic shot volume within the resin flow channel for subsequent molding of the next micropart is properly and predeterminely controlled. When the linear motor 36 reaches the proper position for the desired shot volume to be injected through the resin flow channel, nozzle and sprue into the mold, the linear motor is stopped and the load on the plasticizing cylinder is removed. Then, the valve member 31 is closed (FIG. 5) to remove the load on the plasticizing cylinder. Thereafter, the linear motor 36 moves axially rearwardly from the injection cylinder approximately 1 mm to relieve pressure on the melt in front of the injection pin.
As shown in FIG. 4, after the filling of the shot volume into the injection portion and the completion of the injection of plastic into the mold (FIG. 3 ), the mold members 44 and 45 are moved axially from the nozzle 40 and opened with respect to one another. During opening of the mold cavity, an ejector or lifter pin 43 or a suction hose (not shown) is applied to remove the molded micropart 50 from the molded cavity. The nozzle 40 is maintained during this period of time a distance from the cold mold to prevent cooling of the nozzle and the subsequent hardening of the molten plastic or resin material contained in the nozzle. The mold members are coupled together in axially aligned relationship and are axially moved relative to the nozzle by mold air cylinder 47 .
When the mold is closed and axially moved to engage the nozzle, the injection pin is in the rearward position. The engagement of the mold against the nozzle by air cylinder 47 prevents leakage of plastic between the nozzle 40 and sprue 41 . Plastic is then injected into the cavity of the mold by actuating the electric motor means 30 to drive the ejector pin forward.
The term “electric motor means” may be used to describe a rotary motor coupled to a ball screw device which converts the rotary motion to a linear motion. However, it is a preferred embodiment of the present invention that the electric motor means is a linear motor 36 which directly provides linear motion to the injection pin 34 . The term “linear motor” is used to describe a motor that is electrically driven in a linearly motion rather than in a rotary motion. One type of linear motor useful in the present invention is a linear servo or stepper motor manufactured and sold by Trilogy Linear Motor, Webster, Tex. The linear motor provides a linear motion which engages and controls the speed and pressure engaging the injection pin.
In order to achieve a high quality molded micropart, the control of the filling of the mold and the pressure maintained as the plastic freezes is very important. Typically, during the first portion of the filling the mold cavity with plastic, the linear motor 36 moves the piston forward at a preset speed independent of the pressure developed in the plastic. This needs to be at a very high speed (up to 125 cm/second velocity) for small, thin-walled microparts. At high injection speeds, the shear in the plastic material causes the viscosity of the plastic to decrease. This reduction in viscosity permits the machine to fill thin-wall thicknesses before the plastic freezes. Wall thickness between 0.025 and 0.30 mm is achieved in the molded micropart. The linear motor speed can be controlled with a servo drive to change the velocity of the motor at predetermined steps during the filling stage. This is required when complex geometry microparts are molded because it is desirable to have a constant flow front of plastic as the mold is filled.
When the mold cavity is nearly filled, on the order of 95 percent filled, the injection motion is switched from a velocity control to a load or plastic pressure control. This is accomplished by sensing the position of the injection pin 34 with a linear encoder and when the predetermined position where the mold cavity is nearly filled is reached, the control system switches to a pressure control. Then, the pressure applied to the injected plastic is controlled by time steps correlated to different values. Typically, initially a higher pressure and then a lower pressure is desired. This permits plastic from the injection cylinder to flow into the thin-walled micropart as it cools and shrinks.
The linear motor or rotary motor coupled to a ball screw device are ideally suited for molding microparts because of their control of velocity, position and load from a single servo controller. These types of motors are capable of applying upwards of 100,000 psi and achieving an injection time of 0.01 second when a molded micropart having a wall thickness of about 0.05 mm is desired. Also, these type of motors provide the ability to start and stop very quickly as required for the small shot size volume of plastic in accordance with the present invention. After the plastic is injected into the mold and the holding pressure time completed, the mold cools to freeze the molten plastic. While this cooling is being accomplished, the molding process repeats the step of filling the injection portion with molten plastic and ejecting the molded part, as previously described.
The present injection molding machine 10 utilizes air cylinders to drive the movement of the plasticizing plunger and to drive the axial movement of the mold portion with respect to the injection portion. The injection pin movement is accomplished utilizing a linear motor to provide high speed and high pressure during injection. Such use of air cylinders and electric motor means facilitates a clean room atmosphere to permit molding of all types of microparts, for medical and the electric motor means facilitates a clean room atmosphere to permit molding of all types of microparts, for medical and the electronic fields.
Additionally, the positioning of the injection cylinder, injection pin, resin flow channel, the nozzle and mold at the centerline 52 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of the heated cylinder block 16 , prevents misalignment of the various parts as the temperature of the components change. This centerline positioning reduces the dimensional differences between the various parts to less than 0.1 mm. This enhanced position is facilitated by mounting the heated cylinder block 16 , containing the injection cylinder, injection pin, resin flow channel and nozzle as one centerline position on the molding machine frame 52 , (FIGS. 5-6) and ensuring the axial alignment and cooperation with the mold portion 11 . | A molding machine for molding microparts containing between 0.001 to 3.5 cubic centimeters of plastic shot volume includes a plasticizing portion operatively connected to an injection portion and a mold portion. A valve member is provided to open and close the connection between the plasticizing portion and the injection portion. A linear motor member is associated with the injection portion to permit molding times of 0.01 seconds at pressures up to about 100,000 psi during injection of the molten plastic into the mold portion. | 1 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
This application claims priority of U.S. Provisional Application 61/410,647, filed Nov. 5, 2010, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD
The present invention generally relates to life preservers, and in particular to an electronic fluid activated release device.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Life preservers or life vests save lives by preventing individuals from drowning. To accomplish that task, a life preserver should be available for proper use at the time of an accident and should be designed to perform well enough to keep a person's head above of the water. For an inflatable type of life preservers, it needs to inflate when needed. On occasions, however, a person might be an accident such that the individual is rendered unconscious and unable to initiate the inflation of the life vest. There is a critical need for a reliable inflator system for an inflatable life preserver/bladder to save lives.
BRIEF SUMMARY
Aspects of the present invention pertain to a fluid activated automatic release apparatus for releasing a pressurized gas from a cylinder bottle and/or activating various mechanical release mechanisms.
According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a piercing pin configured to engage a fluid container, responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member.
According to one aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a barrel device biased to move linearly responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member.
According to another aspect, there is provided an apparatus including a linear actuator configured to moveably engage the cam member responsive to a liquid being sensed by the liquid sensor component. According to another aspect, the apparatus may include a coil spring surrounding the piercing pin.
According to another aspect, the apparatus may include a lever rotatably coupled to the cam member. This configuration enables by manual activation by pulling of a knob and cord assembly.
According to another aspect, the apparatus may include a multiple positionable insert adapted to receive a fill valve of the life preserver.
According to another aspect, there is provided a method includes steps of sensing water, firing an actuator, rotating a cam member and linearly moving a releasing slide.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing summary of the invention as well as the following detailed description of the invention, considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, provides a better understanding of the invention, in which like reference numbers refer to like elements, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cutaway view of an inflator system according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary cutaway view of a water sensing module of the inflator system of FIG. 1 ;
FIGS. 3A and 3B are cutaway views of illustrating a firing action method of operation of the inflator system of FIG. 1 using sensing module shown in FIG. 2 ;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary cutaway view of a mechanical module of the inflator system of FIG. 1 ;
FIGS. 5A and 5B are cutaway views of illustrating a firing action method of operation of the inflator system of FIG. 1 using a mechanical module shown in FIG. 4 ;
FIG. 6 is schematic diagram of a water sensing circuit according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of an alternative release system of an inflator system according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8 is a schematic view of an alternative release system shown in FIG. 7 ;
FIG. 9 is a schematic view of an alternative release system shown in FIG. 7 ;
FIG. 10 is a schematic view of an alternative release system shown in FIG. 7 ;
FIGS. 11-14 are fragmentary schematic views of D port insert positions;
FIG. 15 is a perspective schematic view of a D port insert member according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged exploded schematic view of inflator system and portion of the life preserver/bladder construction;
FIGS. 17A and 17B are schematic views of a vent release system according to an embodiment of the invention;
FIGS. 18A and 18B are schematic views of the mechanical release device of FIG. 7 and method of operation; and
FIGS. 19A and 19B are schematic views of mechanical release device of FIG. 7 and method of operation.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIGS. 1-19B illustrate an embodiment of an inflator system 100 and methods for providing a compressed gas to fill an inflatable flotation device, such as a life preserver. The Inflator system 100 when fluidly coupled to an inflatable life preserver is configured to inflate the life preserver manually or automatically by sensing contact with a fluid, such as water.
To provide a better understanding of the inflator system 100 , one construction is described in more detail below. Referring to FIG. 1 , inflator system 100 is broadly constructed of a sensing module 200 and/or a mechanical module 300 for performing various functions. Modules 200 , 300 can be provided in a common housing or inflator body 102 . The inflator system 100 is configured to be used either manually as provided by the mechanical module 300 or automatically as provided by the sensing module 200 to inflate life preserver/bladder 702 (shown in FIG. 16 ).
In one construction of the inflator system 100 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 A- 3 B, the sensing module 200 includes a sensor cap 202 , a power source 204 (e.g. batteries), an electrical circuit system 206 , a linear actuator 208 , and electromagnetic radiation (EMI) gasket 210 . The sensor cap 202 has an opening 203 to enable water to enter into water sensor 205 . During automatic water activated operation, water completes a firing circuit 207 including water sensing probes P 1 , P 2 of sensor 205 and the inflator components (See FIG. 6 ). Electrical completion of the circuit triggers, firing circuit 207 that fires the linear actuator 208 with an electrical current discharge from a capacitor C 1 (See FIG. 6 ). The firing of the linear actuator 208 produces ballistic gas that reliably propels a piston in the actuator 208 forwardly and towards cam member 304 The actuator 208 has includes gas seal 215 to increase the ballistic gas for improved operation. The actuator 208 abuts the cam member 304 and impacts it to rotate the cam member 304 counter-clockwise so that it strokes the piercing pin 306 forward through a flexible diaphragm in the end of a metal bottle/tank 400 filled with a pressurized gas, such as carbon dioxide. In same operation as with the mechanical module 300 , the pressurized carbon dioxide gas is vented along the piercing pin 306 into gas channel 310 to the “D” port where it is fluidly coupled to an air bladder fill valve to release the gas into the bladder of the life preserver. The bottle 400 is threadly fastened into an inlet port 115 of housing 102 . The EMI gasket 210 is provided to protect the circuit system 206 from electromagnetic radiation so that the circuit can operate in adverse EM environments.
In one construction of the inflator system 100 shown in FIGS. 4 and 5 A- 5 B, the mechanical module 300 may include of a lever 302 , a cam member 304 , a bottle piercing pin 306 , and a helical spring 308 . Optionally, the mechanical module 300 can support the addition of either a packing loop case release, or zipper closed case release (not shown). Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , lever 302 is pivotally mounted about a pivot pin 314 . The pivot pin 314 extends into a common opening 316 in the level 302 and cam member 304 . This construction retains the lever 302 and the cam member 304 on the same pin 314 and enables simultaneous rotation the cam 304 with the movement of lever 302 . Referring to FIGS. 5A and 5B , the distal end 318 of the lever 302 is mattingly abutted to the cam member 304 that so rotation of the level 302 about pivot pin 314 causes the cam member 304 to simultaneously rotate.
Under manually activation, the pulling of the lever 302 counter-clockwise will rotate the cam member 304 in the counter-clockwise direction. For example, the pull cord and knob 301 may be used for ease of manual activation. The bull nose end 307 of the piercing pin 306 slides along the peripheral surfaces of the cam member 304 . An arcuate peripheral surface 305 of cam member 304 engages the bull nose end 307 and pushes the piercing pin 306 forward towards and through a flexible diaphragm in the end of the metal bottle/tank 400 filled with a pressurized gas, such as carbon dioxide. After the diaphragm is punctured by the piercing pin 306 , the carbon dioxide gas is released into gas chamber 108 and vented along the piercing pin 306 into fluid channel 324 to a “D” port 500 where the gas enters into an air bladder of the life preserver via a fill valve. As shown in FIG. 4 , the gas chamber 108 is disposed forward of the piercing pin 306 and in front of the cylinder inlet 115 . Furthermore, fluid channel 324 is a gas pathway where the inlet is connected to the gas chamber 108 and the outlet is connected to the D port 500 . It is noted that the piercing pin 306 includes a gas seal 309 to prevent the pressurized gas from escaping the housing 102 other than the gas chamber 108 . It should be noted that the piercing pin 306 is cylindrically shaped and provided in an tubular chamber 103 of housing 102 .
In one construction, after automatic or manual operation, the piercing pin 306 is held at the end of cam member 304 stroke so that a replacement pressurized gas bottle 400 cannot be installed into cylinder inlet port 115 . This feature prevents fired/spent inflator systems 100 from being mistaken for an unfired inflator system 100 . Nevertheless, the fired inflator system 100 can be reset and reused, by for example, the coil spring 308 can return to the pin 306 to the starting position after the cam member 304 is rotated clockwise back to the initial position. As shown in FIG. 4 , the coil spring 308 encloses or surrounds a portion of the piercing pin 306 .
Activiation Circuit
Referring to FIG. 6 , the water activated circuitry 206 is an improved circuit exhibiting increased Electrostatic discharge (ESD) and Radio Frequency (RF) circuit protection. The circuitry disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,857,246 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,099,136 is incorporated by reference. The water activated circuit 206 is dormant type with no battery current draw until totally submerged in water. The circuitry is a capacitor discharge type with bleed resistor to afford inadvertent firing protection from splashing. The circuit draws zero current statically, since with no water across the probes there is no path for current to flow from the battery, this ensures maximum battery life. Once submerged, the water across the probes P 1 and P 2 provides a path for current flow.
With continued reference to FIG. 6 , in operation when current between P 1 and P 2 flows, capacitor C 1 begins charging through resistor R 1 , and continues to charge until it reaches the knee voltage of Zener Diode Z 1 . At this point, Z 1 begins passing current into the gate of Silicone Controlled Rectifier SCR 1 , causing it to fire. Once SCR 1 fires, C 1 rapidly discharges through the piston actuator R 2 -EED (item 208 in FIG. 2 ). This causes the piston actuator R 2 -EED to fire, thereby activating the inflator system 100 . The rate of charge on C 1 (and thus the circuit firing time) is largely determined by the RC time constant of R 1 *C 1 . Generally, the circuit firing time equals one time constant. Should C 1 receive a partial charge due to water splashing, etc. resistor R 3 provides a discharge path for C 1 . R 3 also inhibits inadvertent charging of C 1 in foggy, high humidity, and rainy environments. Capacitor C 2 provides increased RF shunt protection for the piston actuator. The Metal Oxide Varistor MOV 1 supplies increased Electro Static Discharge (ESD) protection to the circuit 206 and piston actuator 208 shown in FIG. 2 .
Alternative Release System
Referring to FIG. 7 , an alternative release system 600 comprises of a release slide 602 , a release barrel 604 , a release spring 606 , and retention cover plate 608 . The release system 600 components are disposed within a slotted guide 110 and housing bore 106 machined into the lower portion of the mechanical module 200 housing. In one construction, when an additional release mechanism is not used, the area is protected with a plastic cover held in place by the same three attachment screws used to attach the various release mechanisms. The release spring 606 is retained in a central bore of the release barrel 604 . The closed position, the lip 314 of the release barrel 604 is abutted at the top of the housing bore 106 . The release spring 606 is provided in a compressed state when one end is abutted against the top of housing bore 106 and the opposing end is engaged against the bottom of the bore of the release barrel 604 . The release spring 606 can be provided in a helical spring or coil spring construction.
Turning to FIGS. 7-10 , the release system 600 is activated by the rotation of the cam member 304 during manual or automatic operation as explained previously. In operation, as the cam member 304 rotates during activation (either by the lever 302 or linear piston actuator 208 ), a forward protrusion 322 on the cam member 304 abuttingly engages the release slide 602 . While at the same time moving the puncture pin 306 to an abutting relationship with the gas bottle seal 402 . As the cam member 304 continues to rotate, the release slide 602 is linearly displaced so that it moves along the slotted guide pathway 110 in the mechanical module housing. As the slide 602 continues to move forward, it disengages from the retention slot 610 in the release barrel 604 thereby enabling the release spring 606 to freely expand/decompress to move the release barrel 604 downwardly to the open position. As the cam 304 continues its rotation, the puncture pin 306 is enabled to retract from the pierced bottle seal so as to not limit gas release and inhibit gas flow to the life preserver bladder. The puncture pin 306 is held in an extended position and locked to inhibit the inflator system 100 from a used bottle removed and replaced with a new bottle once the system 100 has activated.
This release system 600 construction enables other devices attached thereto to be physically released from the inflator system 100 as will be discussed below.
Altitude Vent Release System
Now referring to FIGS. 17A and 17B , the inflator system 100 may include an optional altitude vent release feature which enables air trapped within the life preserver to be expelled to the ambient atmosphere, rather than expand at near space altitudes environments. This vent release feature operates immediately prior to activation of releasing pressurized gas from the bottle 400 . Referring to FIG. 17A , a vent port 104 is incorporated in the release barrel bore 106 into the area housing the puncture pin 306 tip. An O-ring seal 612 is provided underneath the release barrel lip 614 .
When the inflator system 100 is activated, the O-ring 612 travels downwardly against the lip 614 so as to positively seal the vent 104 to prevent the pressurized gas from leaking from the life preserver and inflator system 100 . In operation, trapped air in the life preserver bladder and the gas chamber 108 is enabled to freely escape into the atmosphere, rather than expand within the life preserver bladder. As in previous disclosed when the inflator system 100 is activated (manually or electronically), the release slide 602 displaces towards the bottle 400 and enables the release barrel 604 to displace downwardly to transition to the closed position. Thus, this action seals the vent 104 and does not enable the pressurized gas in the life preserver to leak into the atmosphere.
Alternative D Port Insert
In one construction shown in FIGS. 1 and 11 - 16 , the inflator system 100 incorporates a hex keyed “D” port insert member 502 which allows the device embodying the inflator system 100 to be fluidly adapted or coupled for installation on a wide variety of life preservers 702 regardless of which position the life preserver fill valve 700 (e.g. an elongated stem or shaft) is attached to the life preserver bladder 702 (See FIG. 16 ). Various bladder manufacturers position the life preserver fill valve 700 in multiple positions. The fill valve 700 fluidly receives the pressurized gas released from the gas bottle 400 . Referring to FIG. 16 , when installed on a life preserver bladder 702 , the fill valve 700 is mattingly received in the “D” Port 500 .
The distal end 706 of the fill valve 700 is sealed with a sealing cap 708 and upper attachment seal 710 . The fill valve 700 has a lower attachment seal 704 disposed between to the life preserver bladder 702 and inflator housing 102 . The inflator “D” port 500 has an insert member 502 that capable of being removed and reinserted to position the inflator on the bladder 702 . FIGS. 11-14 illustrates the different positioning of the “D” insert to match bladder manufacturers valve installation. The “D” insert can be in a vertical up position as shown in FIG. 11 . Alternatively, the “D” insert can be in a horizontal down left position as shown in FIG. 12 . In an alternative arrangement, the “D” insert can be in a vertical down left position as shown in FIG. 13 . Alternatively, the “D” insert can be in a horizontal right position as shown in FIG. 14 .
Alternative Mechanical Release Devices
Now turning to FIGS. 18A-18A and 19 A- 19 B, the inflator system 100 may be configured to support a number of secondary mechanical release functions that activate prior to pressurized gas being released from the bottle 400 , such as release system 600 . In this way, other devices coupled to the inflator system 100 can be physical released or decoupled. Current mechanical releases include but are not be limited to a mechanism to release a life preserver which is packed within a fabric container secured closed by a zipper. Release mechanism 600 may release a life preserver which is packed or retained in a container which is held closed over lapping flaps that are secured closed by a loop and pin where the release of the opposite end of the looped cord will release the pack and allow the life preserver to open and the cell to fill with CO2 gas from the cylinder. A cord release module 900 facilitates the release of the pack closure cord used on the style LPU-23/P Life Preserver Assembly. Referring to FIGS. 18A and 18B , upon activation of the inflator system 100 , the mechanism 600 releases a loop end 903 of the locking cord 900 allowing the life preserver pack to open.
A Zipper Release Module facilitates the release of the pack closure zipper used on the LPU-9/P style Life Preserver Assembly commercially available. Upon activation of the inflator 100 , the mechanism 600 releases the zipper allowing the life preserver pack to open.
System 100 has a modular configuration in which the components can be configured operate together. All U.S. patents referred to in this application are fully incorporated by reference for all purposes. While the present invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill 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 scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. | A fluid activated automatic release apparatus is configured to release a pressurized gas from a cylinder bottle and/or activating various mechanical release mechanisms. The apparatus may include a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a piercing pin configured to engage a fluid container, responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member. The apparatus may include a liquid sensor component moveably coupled to a cam member; and a barrel device biased to move linearly responsive to rotatable movement of the cam member. | 5 |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 08/455,220, filed May 31, 1995, abandoned.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a telecommunications network and, in particular, a telecommunications system for dynamically allocating data links between a switching office and a processing node in the telecommunications network of a long distance carrier.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Originally in a telecommunications network, the switching office (hereinafter switch) made all decisions on call processing features, without any need for external information, such as a database. Data, associated with a telephone call, was common to many locations, and the storage capacity of disks or random access memory (RAM) in the switch was sufficient to handle the data. Eventually, however, technological advances, information expansion, and network complexity necessitated access to external resources for assisting the switch in the call processing decisions. Intelligent Platforms (IP), such as a remotely located database, evolved and began assisting in the decisions on call processing features on a significant amount of the network traffic.
Currently, data links connect the switch and the remote database via the well-known X.25 packet-switched communications protocol, as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,095,505 and 5,335,268 which are of common assignee with the present invention. The disclosures of these patents are incorporated herein by reference. The data links, for example, permit data transfer in call routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. The current architectural configuration consists of a set of 19.2Kbits/sec point-to-point links between each switch and each database. Typically, several databases, holding identical information, are attached to a single switch for creating a robust network. In this multi-database configuration, failure of a database or a data link of the database will not prevent the switch from completing the calls, as the switch will request one of the remaining databases for assistance in call processing.
To balance the volume of data transactions among the databases, a round-robin link selection algorithm is currently used by the switch. This algorithm sequentially accesses each database connected to the switch, balancing traffic among them, as well as between the links to each database, to ensure that no single link is overloaded while other links are carrying little or no data traffic.
While the round-robin link selection algorithm has an advantage of distributing the data transactions among the databases equally, it fails to consider the cost of data routing to various databases. For example, if the call, requiring special processing by the database, is originating on the East Coast of the United States, it would be more cost efficient for the long distance carrier to access the database also located on the East Coast. If, however, the round-robin link selection algorithm is used by the switch, the call-related information might have to be routed to the database on the West Coast, if according to the algorithm, it is its turn to process the call. The response from the database would have to be returned to the East Coast for completing the call. This cross-country round trip results in inefficient and expensive call processing by the long distance carrier.
The benefit of balancing the traffic by the round-robin link selection algorithm might have outweighed the routing cost while the data traffic between the switch and the database was light. As the long distance carriers constantly strive to provide more enhanced intelligent networking technologies and services, projections show that the throughput requirements will grow much faster than the processing capabilities of the network. This growth is due to the increase in traffic volume, the types of calls requiring special processing, and the number of transactions per call. In view of this significant growth, the cumulative effect of cost effectively routing data transactions becomes an important factor in the business decisions of the long distance carriers.
Intensified by the increased number and volume of data transactions between the switch and the database, a need therefore exists for cost effectively allocating traffic, associated with a telephone call, among various databases that share information resources for the switch.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the invention to cost effectively allocate data transactions among multiple databases in a telecommunications network of the long distance carrier.
It is another object of the invention to cost effectively allocate data transactions without affecting the existing architecture of a telecommunications network.
It is yet another object of the invention to provide the capability to select the routing of data transactions on the basis of either cost efficiency or equal loading in a telecommunications network.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
These and other objects, features and advantages are accomplished by the disclosed system.
In a telecommunications network of a long distance carrier, the disclosed system selects a routing for a data transaction associated with a telephone call. At least two databases provide call processing information, such as routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. for the telephone call. Each database includes an identical information necessary for the call processing.
In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a remotely located switch is connected to each database via a pair of data links. After receiving the call processing information from either of the databases, the switch routes the telephone call to a destination as well known in the art.
Further in accordance with the invention, the processing means in the switch provides for Flexible Link Selection Algorithm (FLSA). According to the FLSA, the data links between the switch and the databases are used sequentially to carry the call processing information between the switch and the two databases. Alternatively, the FLSA provides for the least cost routing of the data transaction associated with the telephone call between the switch and either of the two databases based on a priority assigned to each database. The priority is based on the cost of routing between the switch and the databases which supply the information for the telephone call.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram for a basic configuration of a switch connected to multiple databases using two data links per database.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for Flexible Link Selection Algorithm in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is increased.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for Flexible Link Selection Algorithm in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is decreased.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows the architectural configuration of a single switch 100 having two data links, 101 and 103, to each of three databases 102, 102" and 102.increment., for a total of six point-to-point links supported by the switch 100. Each database 102, 102" or 102.increment. stores the same information as the other two and provides call processing information, such as routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. for the telephone call. The data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. may be fiber optic, coaxial, T-1 transmission lines, or of other type known in the art.
The processor in the switch 100 includes processing means for implementing a Flexible Link Selection Algorithm (FLSA) for data transactions associated with a telephone call requiring special processing. The FLSA provides for the selection of two link selection algorithms via a system level parameter. The first algorithm is a round-robin selection, currently used by the switch 100 and previously described herein. As stated above, the round-robin selection distributes workload across the data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment., and 103.increment. evenly.
The other algorithm provided by the FLSA is a preferred hunt selection which enables the switch 100 to select a preferred database 102, 102", or 102.increment.. Traffic will be balanced across two links serving the preferred database. Data traffic, however, will not be sent to any other database until the workload reaches predetermined, operator-selectable trigger points. The trigger points are system level parameters which represent the percentage of the volume of the unprocessed data messages, i.e., outstanding, and are based upon the available queue sizes.
Three system level parameters provide flexibility in the selection of links to transport transactions between the switch 100 and any of the databases 102, 102", or 102.increment.. The FLSA is initiated by the first system level parameter. The second system level parameter determines when the next least-cost database must be chosen to share the traffic load with the first database. The third system level parameter is used to determine when it is necessary to override the flexible link selection and enforce round-robin link selection across all of the links to secure efficient real-time processing of the data transactions under heavy traffic. If the override feature is activated, traffic will be distributed equally, in the round-robin selection fashion, across all selected databases and links.
The first system level parameter is NCS -- LINK -- SELECTION -- ALGORITHM which can take on the two values ROUND -- ROBIN and DAP -- HUNT, as shown in Table 1.
TABLE 1______________________________________Parameter Name Parameter Field______________________________________NCS.sub.-- LINK.sub.-- SELECTION.sub.-- ALGORITHM ROUND.sub.-- ROBIN DAP.sub.-- HUNT______________________________________
Selecting ROUND -- ROBIN permits the same functionality as currently exists. Links are selected sequentially, and traffic is distributed evenly among all available links. If DAP -- HUNT is activated, the switch 100 selects a preferred database 102, for example, to process the data transactions associated with the telephone calls. Thus, all data transactions associated with the telephone calls served by the switch 100 initially go to the preferred database 102. If the preferred database 102 is unavailable, for reasons of outage or congestion, the database having the next highest priority, for example, 102" is selected. The priority is assigned to each database connected to the switch 100 in accordance with the database table, which is explained below.
In the DAP -- HUNT mode, traffic is distributed equally between the data links 101 and 103 for the preferred database 102. If the switch 100 uses additional databases 102" and 102.increment. due to traffic levels, data links 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. from these databases, which actively transport transactions, are included into an available link pool. The links in that pool are accessed sequentially as explained below.
The second system level parameter NCS -- LINK -- LOADING -- THRESHOLD has two fields LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD and LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD, as shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2__________________________________________________________________________Parameter Name Parameter Field__________________________________________________________________________NCS.sub.-- LINK.sub.-- LOADING.sub.-- THRESHOLD LINK.sub.-- UPPER.sub.-- THRESHOLD LINK.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD__________________________________________________________________________
Each field, for example, can range from 1 to 100 shown in Table 3.
TABLE 3______________________________________Parameter Field Field Value______________________________________LINK.sub.-- UPPER THRESHOLD 1-100LINK.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD 1-100______________________________________
These parameter fields, measured in percentage points, represent the loading capacity of a queue associated with each data link 101, 103, etc. Thus, the value of the field LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD governs the maximum loading of the data links on the active databases. Once the percentage of queue members, i.e., data transactions, on all the active links exceeds the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value, then the available links to the database with the next highest priority are added to the selection. If the percentage of queue members on one of the active links falls below the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value, then the data links associated with the most "expensive" database in the routing scheme will be eliminated from the round-robin selection by the switch 100. The most "expensive" database is the active database with the lowest priority in the routing scheme.
Generally, the processor in the switch 100 will monitor the values of the two fields and recommend via a message on a display that the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD be set, for example, 10-20 percentage points lower than the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD. Additionally, the processor ensures that the minimum difference between the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value and the LINK-LOWER -- THRESHOLD value is, for example, at least 10.
When a transaction needs to be sent to the database 102, the next sequential data link 101, for example, is selected. The percentage of queue members for the data link 101 is queried and compared to the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value. If the percentage of queue members is below the threshold value, the transaction is sent via the selected link 101. If, however, the percentage of queue members exceeds the threshold value, the next link 103, for example, from the pool of available links is selected sequentially. If all available links within the current cost level have been queried and found to exceed the threshold value, then the available links to the next least-cost database 102.increment., for example, are added to the selection. The first available link 101.increment. or 103.increment. in the new set is then chosen to transmit the current data transaction.
After the requested data is returned to the switch 100 by the database 102 via the data link 101 or 103, the percentage of queue members is queried for the data link which was used for returning the data from the database. The percentage of queue members is then compared to the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value. If the percentage of queue members is above the threshold value, the pool of available links remains the same, and the received transaction is processed normally. If the percentage of queue members on that link is below the minimum threshold value, then the links associated with the most "expensive" or highest-cost database route are removed from the selection algorithm, unless only a single database is being used.
NCS -- SELECTION -- OVERRIDE -- THRESHOLD is the third system level parameter having two fields, as shown in Table 4.
TABLE 4__________________________________________________________________________Parameter Name Parameter Field__________________________________________________________________________NCS.sub.-- SELECTION.sub.-- OVERRIDE.sub.-- THRESHOLD OVERRIDE.sub.-- UPPER.sub.-- THRESHOLD OVERRIDE.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD__________________________________________________________________________
Each field can range from 1 to 98, as shown in Table 5.
TABLE 5______________________________________Field Name Field Value______________________________________OVERRIDE.sub.-- UPPER.sub.-- THRESHOLD 1-98OVERRIDE.sub.-- LOWER.sub.-- THRESHOLD 1-98______________________________________
These parameter fields, measured in percentage points, represent the loading of a queue associated with each data link 101, 103, etc. If the percentage of queue members, i.e., data transactions, in the queue exceeds the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value while the NCS -- LINK -- SELECTION -- ALGORITHM parameter is set to DAP -- HUNT, then all available links revert to the round-robin selection method regardless of the route cost or priority. This override remains in effect until the volume in the queue falls below the value in the OVERRIDE -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD variable.
During the override, a MINOR alarm will be posted and a log printed indicating that this threshold has been violated. The processor in the switch 100 recommends via a message on a display that the OVERRIDE -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD be set, for example, 10-20 percentage points lower than the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value. The processor also ensures that the minimum difference between the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value and the OVERRIDE -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value is, for example, at least 10.
Additionally, the processor recommends via a message on a display that the value of OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD be set, for example, 2-5 percentage points lower than the value of LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD to prevent the volume of data transactions in the data link from approaching the maximum capacity of the link. The processor also ensures that the minimum difference between the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value and the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value is at least 2.
Currently, each link 101 or 103, for example, is associated with the database 102, and when the link 101 or 103 is used for transmitting requests, the corresponding database 102 is easily determined.
After determining the identity of the database 102, the processor in the switch 100 accesses the database table NCSCOST. In the database table the cost, i.e., priority of routing, is assigned to each database. This database table is used to select the next database for the data traffic when the percentage of queue members in the links of the "preferred" database exceeds a specified value. One example of the priority table is shown below in Table 6.
TABLE 6______________________________________ DAP.sub.-- ID COST______________________________________ 0 0 1 1 2 2 3 2 . . . . . . 255 255______________________________________
The first field DAP -- ID includes the identification number for each supported database and can range from 0 to 255. The second field COST can range from 0-255 for a total of 256 priorities. The lowest value, zero (0) is the most preferred or least-cost database choice. The next preferred or least-cost database has the value of one (1), and so on. The COST field allows entry of the same value for more than one DAP -- ID key field. When two or more databases have the same cost value, they are treated equally, and all links associated with the database are treated as one cost level.
For example, the database 102 has a cost of zero (0), and the database 102" and the database 102.increment. have identical cost values of one (1). If the threshold for the loading of the database 102 has been exceeded, then all links associated with the database 102" and database 102.increment. are added to the selection pool to be used in a sequential order. The two databases 102" and 102.increment. are treated equally because of the identical cost value.
FIG. 2 is a flowchart for the FLSA in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is incremented. In step 200, the switch 100 receives a telephone call requesting call processing information from the database 102. In step 202, the processor in the switch 100 increments a link pointer in the active link pool of the least-cost database. As stated above, the least-cost database may, for example, have two data links 101 and 103. The two data links 101 and 103 may, for example, comprise the active link pool, while the data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. comprise an available link pool. After incrementing, the link pointer points to the next link in the active pool, and that link is selected for transmitting the data transaction, as shown in step 204.
In step 206, the processor determines whether the value of OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD has been exceeded for the selected data link. As stated above, if the percentage of queue members, i.e., data transactions, in the queue exceeds the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value, then all available links revert to the round-robin selection method regardless of the route cost or priority as shown in step 208. The switch 100 then waits for the next data transaction request in step 210.
If the OVERRIDE -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value is not exceeded, the percentage of queue members for that data link is queried in step 212 and compared to the LINK -- UPPER -- THRESHOLD value in step 214. If the percentage of queue members is below the threshold value, the transaction is sent via the selected link in step 208. If, however, the percentage of queue members exceeds the threshold value, a determination is made whether all available links within the current cost level have been queried and found to exceed the threshold value in step 216. If not all available links have been queried, then the link pointer in the active link pool of the least-cost database is incremented in step 218, and the next data link is selected in step 220. The steps 212, 214 and 216 are repeated for the current and subsequent data links until all data links in the active link pool have been queried.
If all available links within the current cost level have been queried and found to exceed the threshold value in step 216, the link pointer is incremented in step 222. The database table is accessed for the next "least-cost" database (step 224). One example of the database table was shown above in Table 6. A determination is made whether all databases 102, 102" and 102.increment. connected to the switch 100 are currently active. If all databases 102, 102" and 102.increment. are active, it means that the active link pool comprises all available data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment. and is equal to the available link pool. If the link pool comprises all data links 101, 103, 101", 103", 101.increment. and 103.increment., then the request is transmitted over the selected link in step 208.
If, however, not all databases are active, the next "least-cost" database, such as 102" or 102.increment. is added according to the assigned priority for the databases as shown in step 228. The data links, 101" and 103", for example, associated with the newly added database 102" are queried in the available link pool in step 230. If the links are found in step 232, the data links 101" and 103" are added to the active link pool in step 234, and the link pointer is set to the first link of the newly activated data link in step 236. The data transaction is then transmitted via the newly activated data link in step 208. If the links are not found in the available link pool in step 232, the next "least-cost" database is selected from the database table, such as Table 6, in step 224, and the steps 226 through 232 are repeated if necessary.
FIG. 3 is a flowchart for the FLSA in the DAP -- HUNT mode, when the active link pool is decremented. In step 300, the switch 100 receives a response from the database 102 after processing the call-related data. In step 302, the percentage of queue members is queried for the data link 101 which was used for returning the data from the database 102. The percentage of queue members is then compared to the LINK -- LOWER -- THRESHOLD value in step 304. If the percentage of queue members is above the threshold value, the pool of active links remains the same, and the received transaction is processed normally in step 306. In step 308, the switch 100 waits for the next response from the database 102.
If the percentage of queue members on the link 101 is below the minimum threshold value in step 304, then the query is made for the highest cost or the most "expensive" database in step 310. After determining that the least-cost database 102 is the only one active in step 312, the active link pool is unchanged, and the received transaction is processed in step 306. If, however, the active database is not the least-cost database, it is removed from the list of active databases in step 314, and the data links associated with this database are removed from the active link pool in step 316. The transaction is then processed in step 306 as previously stated.
Although the specific embodiments were described with reference to a single data transfer rate between the switch 100 and the databases 102, 102" and 102.increment., other data transfer rates may be equally employed by the disclosed invention. In addition, even though the description of the preferred embodiment of the FLSA included an initial selection between the round-robin mode and the least cost database hunt mode, it is understood that another embodiment of the disclosed invention may eliminate the selection and provide only the least cost database hunt mode.
In another embodiment of the invention, one or several databases 102, 102" or 102.increment. may not be remotely located from the switch 100. Instead, the database 102, for example, may be co-located with the switch 100, while other databases 102" and 102.increment. are remotely located.
Since those skilled in the art can modify the disclosed specific embodiment without departing from the spirit of the invention, it is, therefore, intended that the claims be interpreted to cover such modifications and equivalents. | A system allocates data links between a switch and a database for data transactions in a telecommunications network. The data links between the switch and the database carry the transaction data for providing routing, card verification, address translation information, etc. by the database. The Flexible Link Selection Algorithm provides for accessing the data links using the round-robin method, wherein each data link is accessed sequentially to transport the data to and from the database. Alternatively, the Flexible Link Selection Algorithm provides for accessing the data links using dynamic allocation based on the least cost routing between the switch and the database. In the latter mode, the switch uses the least "expensive" database, i.e., database having the least cost routing between the switch and the database, until the volume of data transactions in the data links associated with that database exceeds a predetermined threshold level. If the threshold level is exceeded, the next least "expensive" database is selected, and its data links are utilized used to carry the data transactions between the database and the switch. | 7 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to mobile shredders for shredding documents and other materials at customer sites.
With the increasing incidence of identity theft and other misuse of private or proprietary information, the desirability and necessity of protecting such information is becoming increasingly important. In recent years, laws have been passed in various jurisdictions regulating the use and protection by businesses, health care providers, and other entities, of sensitive or private information on customers, patients, and the like. At the federal level in the United States, the HIPAA and Gramm-Leach-Bliley laws require specific measures, such as document shredding, in order to comply with the laws' provisions for protecting certain designated types of information.
Discarding of sensitive documents in an unshredded state is risky because identity thieves, investigative journalists, and other unscrupulous individuals often engage in “dumpster diving” to retrieve documents from trash dumpsters or garbage cans. Accordingly, the demand for document shredding has surged. For entities having a small amount of documents requiring shredding, personal-sized shredders that are purchased or leased may be adequate. However, for many businesses and other organizations, the large volume of documents and other materials to be shredded makes such an approach impractical. Accordingly, document-shredding service providers have arisen to meet the increasing demand for large-volume shredding.
In the early history of document-shredding services, typically the documents to be shredded were picked up by the service provider and transported to a central facility for shredding. This form of shredding service still represents the prevalent one today. Central document shredding certainly can accomplish its intended purpose, if carried out properly. The drawbacks to central shredding include the necessity of strictly safeguarding the documents against theft or unauthorized access throughout the entire chain of custody from the time the documents are picked up from the customer to the time they are shredded, the necessity of properly documenting the chain of custody and the measures taken to safeguard the documents, and the fact that the users cannot independently verify that the documents were in fact shredded. This latter factor can give rise to a general sense of unease among some users of central shredding services.
Consequently, there is now a trend toward on-site document shredding using mobile shredders. A mobile shredder generally consists of a truck having a shredder mounted therein, and a storage volume for storing the shredded material. Typically, the users place the materials to be shredded in bins or “toters” that usually have wheels for rolling the bins to a location for pickup, such as a curbside location on a street. Mobile shredders typically have some type of bin lift and dump mechanism, such as those commonly employed on garbage collection trucks, for lifting the bins and emptying them into the shredder.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is aimed at improving upon various aspects of mobile shredders. In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, a mobile shredder for shredding documents and other materials comprises a truck having a truck body defining an enclosure and including a partition in the enclosure that divides a storage volume from the remainder of the enclosure for storage of shredded material in the storage volume, a single-shaft rotary shredder mounted in the enclosure outside the storage volume, the rotary shredder comprising a rotor having cutters rigidly mounted thereon, a bin lift and dump mechanism operable to transport material to be shredded from outside to inside the enclosure so as to deliver material to the rotary shredder, and a discharge conveyor operable to transport shredded material from the rotary shredder through the partition to the storage volume. In a preferred embodiment, the floor of the storage volume comprises a walking floor, and the enclosure has rear doors that are openable to allow shredded material to be discharged from the storage volume through the open rear doors when the walking floor is operated.
In another preferred embodiment, a controller is operatively coupled to the walking floor and to the discharge conveyor, and is operable to control compaction of the shredded material in the storage volume by alternately operating in a first mode wherein the discharge conveyor is operated and the walking floor is stationary, and a second mode wherein the discharge conveyor is operated and the walking floor is operated to carry shredded material away from the discharge conveyor.
The bin lift and dump mechanism in one embodiment of the invention includes a bin-engaging member structured and arranged to grasp a bin that contains material to be shredded, and a powered lift device coupled with the bin-engaging member and operable to lift the bin-engaging member from a first position generally vertically upward to a second position that places the bin in a generally upright orientation adjacent the rotary shredder, and operable then to move the bin-engaging member to a third position that tips the bin so as to dump the material to be shredded from the bin into the rotary shredder. Advantageously, the mobile shredder includes a load sensor associated with the rotary shredder and operable to provide a signal indicative of a load level of the shredder, and the bin lift and dump mechanism further comprises a controller operatively coupled with the load sensor and with the lift device of the lift and dump mechanism. The controller is operable to automatically operate the lift device through a cycle from the second position to the third position and then back to the second position, and is further operable to suspend the cycle to prevent the bin from being emptied into the rotary shredder when the load level indicated by the load sensor exceeds a predetermined limit and to resume the cycle to empty the bin into the rotary shredder when the load level falls below the limit.
In one preferred embodiment, the rotary shredder has a single rotor having an outer surface formed generally as a surface of revolution about an axis, the shredder further including a counter knife arranged in opposition to the outer surface of the rotor, a space being defined between the counter knife and the outer surface of the rotor for passage of material being shredded, and a plurality of cutters rigidly affixed to the outer surface of the rotor, the cutters and counter knife cooperating to shred material. The rotary shredder also advantageously includes an infeed hopper disposed for receiving material to be shredded, and a hydraulic ram positioned beneath the hopper and operable to advance material to be shredded into the space between the rotor and counter knife.
The rotary shredder can be driven in various ways. In one embodiment, a hydraulic drive is coupled to the rotor of the shredder and is operable to receive pressurized hydraulic fluid and drive the rotor, and the mobile shredder includes a hydraulic pump that supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic ram and to the hydraulic drive of the shredder. The truck comprises an engine including a drive train, and a power takeoff unit is coupled between the drive train and the hydraulic pump for driving the hydraulic pump. The mobile shredder includes a programmed controller operable to control operation of the hydraulic pump and associated valves, and a sensor system in communication with the controller and operable to monitor a plurality of operating parameters of the rotary shredder and truck, the controller being programmed to provide an alarm indication when one or more of the operating parameters is outside a predetermined normal range. Preferably, the controller is operable to provide a relatively low level of alarm when the sensor system indicates an abnormal condition of the rotary shredder or associated components, and to provide a relatively higher level of alarm when the sensor system indicates an abnormal condition of the truck.
The sensor system can monitor a level of fuel remaining in a fuel tank for the engine, and the controller can provide a first type of alarm indication when the level of fuel falls below a predetermined first value (e.g., one-eighth of a tank). For example, the first type of alarm indication can be effected by causing the vehicle horn to sound intermittently with a relatively low frequency (e.g., the horn can sound for half a second, once every five seconds). The controller can provide a second type of alarm indication (e.g., the horn can sound for half a second, once every second) when the level of fuel falls below a predetermined second value (e.g., one-sixteenth of a tank). Alternatively or additionally, the controller can be operable to shut down the engine when the level of fuel falls below a predetermined level so as to avoid running out of fuel; this is particularly advantageous for diesel trucks wherein running out of fuel is a major event.
The power takeoff unit preferably is selectively engageable with and disengageable from the drive train, and the mobile shredder preferably includes a programmed controller operable to control operation of the hydraulic pump and to control engagement and disengagement of the power takeoff unit with the drive train. The mobile shredder can include various sensors for monitoring conditions and detecting when it is safe or unsafe to engage or disengage the power takeoff unit or to shut down the hydraulic pump. For example, in one embodiment, an engine RPM sensor can measure engine RPMs, and the controller can prevent the power takeoff unit from being engaged with or disengaged from the drive train when the engine RPMs are above a predetermined limit. It is also possible to employ a transmission sensor to detect whether or not a transmission of the drive train is in a neutral gear, and the controller can prevent the power takeoff unit from being engaged with the drive train unless the transmission is in a neutral gear.
In another embodiment, the mobile shredder includes a pump sensor operable to measure a load level of the hydraulic pump, and the controller is operable to prevent the hydraulic pump from being shut down when the load level measured by the pump sensor is above a predetermined limit.
In accordance with a further aspect of the invention, a mobile shredder includes a bin lift and dump mechanism operable to lift a bin that contains material to be shredded and to tip the bin to dump the material into the rotary shredder, the bin lift and dump mechanism comprising a lift device traversable upwardly and downwardly within a channel defined in one side of the truck body, the channel being open along an outer surface of the one side of the truck body. A movable door is connected to the truck body and is movable between a closed position closing the channel and an open position permitting access to the channel so that a bin can be lifted by the bin lift and dump mechanism. The mobile shredder includes an actuator coupled with the door for opening and closing the door.
Preferably, a door sensor system is operable to detect whether the door is in the open position or in the closed position, and a programmed controller in communication with the door sensor system is operable to control operation of the rotary shredder and to control operation of the actuator for the door.
In another embodiment, a programmed controller is operable to control operation of the rotary shredder, and an operator control panel is coupled with the controller and includes a plurality of operator controls manipulable by an operator, the operator controls including at least a start control for initiating operation of the bin lift and dump mechanism. Preferably, the controller is operable to operate the bin lift and dump mechanism in either an automatic mode wherein the bin lift and dump mechanism goes through a complete cycle of lifting a bin, dumping the material from the bin into the rotary shredder, and lowering the bin back down without continuous operator intervention, or a manual mode allowing an operator to control operation of the bin lift and dump mechanism. The controller preferably is programmed to operate in the automatic mode upon an operator continuously depressing the start control for at least a predetermined minimum amount of time.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a mobile shredder includes a sensor system comprising sensors for measuring a plurality of operating parameters associated with the mobile shredder, a programmed controller coupled with the sensor system and operable to control operation of the rotary shredder and the bin lift and dump mechanism, an operator interface coupled with the controller and including operator controls manipulable by an operator to cause the controller to execute routines programmed in the controller, and a visual display for displaying information for an operator. The controller includes a memory storing an event history file and is operable to record significant events in the history of operation of the mobile shredder in the event history file, and the operator interface is operable to display the event history file on the visual display.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)
Having thus described the invention in general terms, reference will now be made to the accompanying drawings, which are not necessarily drawn to scale, and wherein:
FIG. 1 is a top elevation of a mobile shredder in accordance with one embodiment of the invention, partially broken away to show internal features of the mobile shredder;
FIG. 2 is a road-side elevation of the mobile shredder, along line 2 — 2 in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 3 is a curb-side elevation of the mobile shredder, along line 3 — 3 in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the mobile shredder, generally from curb-side;
FIG. 5 is a view along line 5 — 5 in FIG. 3 , showing the bin lift and dump mechanism being operated through a lift and dump cycle;
FIG. 6 is a detailed perspective view of the bin-engaging part of the bin lift and dump mechanism;
FIG. 7A is a perspective view of the bin lift and dump mechanism, showing a bin being lifted from ground level to a raised level;
FIG. 7B is a perspective view showing the bin being tipped to dump its contents into the shredder;
FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view along line 8 — 8 in FIG. 5 , showing the infeed hopper, ram, shredder, and discharge auger in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 9 is a perspective view showing details of the movable door for closing the channel of the bin lift and dump mechanism;
FIG. 10 is a rear perspective view of the mobile shredder, showing the rear doors open in preparation for discharging shredded material from the storage volume;
FIG. 11 is a top elevation of the walking floor, with the slats partially broken away to show the hydraulic drive arrangement;
FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view along line 12 — 12 in FIG. 11 ;
FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a clamp member for one group of slats of the walking floor;
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of the mobile shredder;
FIG. 15A depicts the controls panel for the mobile shredder;
FIG. 15B shows a portion of a touch screen of the controls panel;
FIG. 16 depicts a main maintenance manual menu displayed on the touch screen;
FIG. 17 depicts a main troubleshooting menu displayed on the touch screen when selected from the main menu of FIG. 15 A/B;
FIG. 18 depicts a mobile shredder inputs and outputs page displayed on the touch screen when selected from the main troubleshooting menu of FIG. 17 ;
FIG. 19 shows a job setup page displayed on the touch screen when selected from the main menu of FIG. 15 A/B;
FIG. 20 depicts an event history page displayed on the touch screen when selected from the main troubleshooting menu of FIG. 17 ; and
FIG. 21 shows a machine operation page displayed on the touch screen when selected from the main menu of FIG. 15 A/B.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present inventions now will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which some, but not all embodiments of the invention are shown. Indeed, these inventions may be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy applicable legal requirements. Like numbers refer to like elements throughout.
Overall System Description
A mobile shredder 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the invention is depicted in FIGS. 1–4 . The mobile shredder 100 comprises a truck having a cab 102 for accommodating a driver and passenger, and a truck body 104 of generally box-shaped construction. The truck body has a floor 106 , a road-side wall 108 , a curb-side wall 110 , a ceiling 112 , a front wall 114 , and a pair of rear doors 116 . The walls 108 , 110 , 114 and ceiling 112 and rear doors 116 can comprise various materials, but advantageously comprise a fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) material such as fiber glass or the like, for high strength-to-weight ratio.
The truck body defines an interior space that is subdivided into two portions by a partition 118 that extends between the two side walls 108 , 110 at a location axially spaced behind the front wall 114 . As further described below, the space between the partition 118 and the rear doors 116 defines a storage volume 120 for storage of shredded material. The space forward of the partition defines a location for the primary working components of the mobile shredder.
Thus, in the forward space of the truck body, a single-shaft rotary shredder 130 is mounted on the floor 106 . The structure and operation of the rotary shredder 130 are described in detail below in connection with FIG. 8 , but for present purposes it is sufficient to note that the rotary shredder receives material to be shredded, shreds the material into small flake-like pieces, and passes the shredded material to a discharge conveyor 140 , which advantageously can comprise an auger as shown. The discharge conveyor is located forward of the partition 118 and is arranged to convey the shredded material through an opening in the partition into the storage volume 120 as shown in FIG. 2 .
Also located forward of the partition 118 is a bin lift and dump mechanism 150 operable to lift a bin B containing material to be shredded and to tip the bin to dump the contents of the bin into the rotary shredder 130 . The structure and operation of the bin lift and dump mechanism 150 are described below in connection with FIGS. 5 , 6 , 7 A, and 7 B.
The floor of the storage volume 120 , in one embodiment of the invention, comprises a “live” or “walking” floor 180 as further described below in connection with FIGS. 11 through 13 . The walking floor 180 is operable to discharge the shredded material out the rear end of the storage volume 120 when the rear doors 116 are opened.
Single-Shaft Rotary Shredder
The single-shaft rotary shredder 130 is generally of the type described in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. US2004/0118958A1 and in European Patent EP 419 919 B1, the entire disclosures of which are incorporated herein by reference. With primary reference to FIGS. 1 and 8 , the single-shaft shredder comprises a rotor 131 that carries cutters as further described below, and a counter knife 132 that works in conjunction with the rotor to grind up or shred material fed into the space where the rotor and counter knife converge. The counter knife is generally stationary, although it can be flexibly supported so that it can “give” to some extent when a very hard object (e.g., a piece of metal or a rock) is inadvertently fed into the space between the rotor and counter knife, the flexibility thereby tending to prevent damage to the machine. The ground up or shredded material exits through a screen 133 having apertures suitably sized to regulate the size of the pieces of shredded material. The shredder 130 also includes a hopper 134 for receiving material to be shredded, and a hydraulic ram 135 or the like for feeding the material into the space between the rotor and counter knife.
The rotor 131 is generally cylindrical in form, but the outer surface of the rotor defines a series of circumferential ridges or ribs (not shown) that project radially outwardly. Each rib can have opposite side faces that are conical and oppositely inclined to the rotor axis, and a radially outermost surface that is parallel to the rotor axis. Thus, in the axial direction along the rotor, the outer surface defines a series of alternating peaks (where the ribs are) and valleys between the peaks. The counter knife 132 has a series of teeth (not shown) that are axially aligned with the valleys between the ribs of the rotor, there being one such tooth for every valley in the rotor surface. Correspondingly, there are V-shaped recesses between the teeth of the counter knife that are axially aligned with the ribs of the rotor; thus, the rotor surface and the counter knife are complementary in configuration.
Rigidly mounted to the outer surface of the rotor 131 are a plurality of cutters 136 that are axially aligned with the ribs and with the V-shaped recesses in the counter knife. Material that is fed into the space between the rotor 131 and counter knife 132 is cut by the cutters 136 as they mesh with the counter knife. Various configurations can be used for the rotor surface, the cutters, and the counter knife, depending on the nature of the materials to be shredded. Where plastic film may constitute some of the materials to be shredded, the shredder design described in the aforementioned U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2004/0118958A1, having both V-shaped cutters and flat cutters, is particularly advantageous. Where the materials to be shredded constitute substantially entirely paper documents and the like, alternative designs such as that described in the aforementioned EP 419 919B1 can be used.
In operation, materials to be shredded are dumped into the infeed hopper 134 of the rotary shredder. The hydraulic ram 135 is operated to push the materials into the space between the rotor 131 and counter knife 132 . The materials are shredded and pass through the screen 133 into the discharge conveyor 140 .
The rotary shredder 130 is hydraulically driven. A hydraulic drive 137 receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from a hydraulic pump 190 ( FIG. 14 ) and drives the rotor 131 . The hydraulic ram 135 also is driven by pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump 190 . The supply of hydraulic fluid to the hydraulic drive 137 and hydraulic ram 135 is controlled by suitable electrically controlled valves 202 ( FIG. 14 ) or the like, the operation of which is controlled by a computer controller as further described below.
Discharge Conveyor
The discharge conveyor 140 is best seen in FIG. 8 . It comprises an auger 142 having helical flights 144 mounted on a central shaft 146 . The auger 142 is disposed within a cylindrical casing 147 that defines an opening therein for receiving shredded material from the rotary shredder. The auger is driven by a hydraulic drive 148 that receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from the pump 190 ; suitable valves 202 ( FIG. 14 ) are employed for controlling the supply of hydraulic fluid to the drive 148 . The cylindrical casing 147 communicates with an opening through the partition 118 so that shredded material is fed by the auger 142 through the opening into the storage volume 120 of the truck.
Bin Lift and Dump Mechanism
The bin lift and dump mechanism 150 is now described with primary reference to FIGS. 5 , 6 , 7 A, and 7 B. The bin lift and dump mechanism comprises a bin-engaging member 151 structured and arranged to grasp a bin B that contains material to be shredded, and a powered lift device coupled with the bin-engaging member 151 and operable to lift the bin-engaging member from a first position (e.g., ground level as shown in solid lines in FIGS. 5 and 7A ) generally vertically upward to a second position (the middle position shown in phantom lines in FIG. 5 ) that places the bin in a generally upright orientation adjacent the rotary shredder 130 , and operable then to move the bin-engaging member 151 to a third position (the top position in FIG. 5 ) that tips the bin so as to dump the material to be shredded from the bin into the rotary shredder.
As best seen in FIG. 6 , the powered lift device includes a pair of spaced chains 152 arranged in vertically extending loops about drive sprockets 153 and idler sprockets 154 ( FIG. 7A ). A drive shaft 155 connects the two drive sprockets 153 of the respective chains 152 , and the drive shaft is coupled to a hydraulic drive 156 that receives pressurized hydraulic fluid from the hydraulic pump 190 ( FIG. 14 ) for driving the shaft and hence the drive sprockets so that the chains rotate. A transverse rod 157 is attached at its opposite ends to the chains 152 . Adjacent each end of the rod 157 , the lower end of a link arm 158 is pivotally mounted to the rod; the upper end of each link arm 158 is pivotally connected to the lower end of a generally L-shaped link arm 159 . The upper ends of the L-shaped link arms 159 have rollers 160 mounted thereon, and the rollers are arranged to roll along respective vertical track members 161 each located adjacent one of the chains 152 . Rollers 160 are also affixed to the L-shaped link arms 159 at positions proximate the lower ends of the arms, for rolling along the track members 161 . The vertex of each L-shaped link arm 159 is non-pivotally attached to a respective end of a transversely extending mounting portion 162 of the bin-engaging member 151 at an upper end of the bin-engaging member.
The track members 161 define upper stops (not shown) that limit how far the upper rollers 160 of the L-shaped link arms can travel vertically upward. When the hydraulic drive 156 is operated to drive the chains 152 so as to lift the transverse rod 157 vertically upward, the link arms 158 push the L-shaped link arms 159 upward, and both pairs of rollers 160 roll along the track members until the upper pair of rollers are stopped from further upward travel by the stops. However, the transverse rod 157 can continue to travel upwardly; this further upward travel is accommodated by rotation of the L-shaped link arms 159 about the upper pair of rollers 160 , which causes the lower pair of rollers 160 to leave contact with the track members 161 . This rotation of the L-shaped link arms 159 about the upper rollers 160 causes the bin-engaging member 151 to be pivoted to tip the bin B and dump its contents into the rotary shredder as shown in the top position in FIG. 5 .
The lift and dump mechanism 150 is located in an opening or channel 163 in the curb-side wall 110 of the truck body. A movable door 164 is provided for covering the channel 163 when the lift and dump mechanism is not being used, such as when the mobile shredder is traveling on the road. The door 164 is shown in its closed position in solid lines in FIGS. 1 , 3 , and 5 , and is shown in its open position in phantom lines in FIGS. 1 , 3 , and 5 , and in solid lines in FIGS. 4 , 7 A, 7 B, and 9 . The door 164 is supported by arms 165 that are mounted on a rotatable vertical shaft 166 coupled to a rotary pneumatic actuator 167 ( FIG. 9 ) or the like. The shaft 166 and actuator 167 are mounted to the truck body, recessed within the channel 163 . Rotation of the actuator 167 in one direction opens the door 164 , and rotation in the other direction closes the door. Advantageously, a sensor associated with the actuator 167 detects when the door is open or closed, and the computer controller is operable to prevent operation of the rotary shredder unless the door is open.
The operation of the lift and dump mechanism 150 is also controlled by the computer controller, which regulates operation of the hydraulic drive 156 by controlling suitable electrically controlled valves 202 ( FIG. 14 ) so as to control the supply of hydraulic fluid to the drive. Advantageously, the controller is programmed to control the lift and dump mechanism in such a way as to avoid overloading the rotary shredder 130 . More particularly, the controller is programmed to prevent the lift and dump mechanism from tipping a bin to dump its contents into the rotary shredder whenever a load level of the shredder, as detected by a suitable sensor 138 ( FIG. 14 ), is above a predetermined limit.
In one embodiment, an operator control panel 170 ( FIG. 15A ) is coupled with the controller and includes a plurality of operator controls manipulable by an operator, the operator controls including a start button 171 a for initiating operation of the bin lift and dump mechanism. Preferably, the controller is operable to operate the bin lift and dump mechanism in either an automatic mode wherein the bin lift and dump mechanism goes through a complete cycle of lifting a bin, dumping the material from the bin into the rotary shredder, and lowering the bin back down without continuous operator intervention, or a manual mode allowing an operator to control operation of the bin lift and dump mechanism. The controller preferably is programmed to operate in the automatic mode upon an operator continuously depressing the start button 171 a for at least a predetermined minimum amount of time.
In an automatic mode cycle, once the start button 171 a has been depressed for at least the predetermined minimum amount of time, the controller takes over control of the lift and dump mechanism. With reference to FIG. 5 , the controller then operates the lift and dump mechanism to lift the bin B from ground level up to a raised holding level (middle position in FIG. 5 ). If the load level of the rotary shredder is above the predetermined limit, the bin is held at this holding level until the load level falls below the limit; the bin is then lifted farther up and tipped to dump its contents into the rotary shredder. The controller then turns the control of the lift and dump mechanism back over to the operator for manual control.
In the manual or operator-controlled mode of operation, with the bin at the holding level, the start button 171 a can be depressed to cause the bin to be tilted once again to empty the bin into the shredder. This can be necessary, for example, if some of the contents remain in the bin after the automatic dumping cycle. Alternatively, with the bin at the holding level, the operator can press the stop button 171 b to cause the bin to be lowered back to the ground.
The operator control panel 170 preferably is arranged behind a door 172 that can be closed to prevent access to the panel. The door 172 can comprise a flexible material that is foldable and slides in tracks 173 similar to an automobile sun roof. The door can be opened and closed by an electric motor (not shown). In one embodiment, the computer controller is operable to prevent operation of the rotary shredder when the controls door 172 is in the closed position.
Walking Floor
The walking floor 180 is now described with primary reference to FIGS. 11 through 13 . The walking floor comprises a plurality of axially extending, parallel slats arranged in three groups 182 a , 182 b , 182 c that alternate in “a, b, c, a, b, c . . . ” fashion.
The slats advantageously are generally I-shaped in cross-section, having depending dovetails 183 that are clamped in clamp members 184 a , 184 b , 184 c , respectively, for the three groups of slats. All of the first clamp members 184 a are affixed to a transversely extending support plate 185 a so they move together as a unit, and likewise the second group of clamp members 184 b are affixed to support plate 185 b , and the third group of clamp members 184 c are affixed to support plate 185 c . Thus, each group of slats is independently movable, as a unit. Each group of slats is driven by its own hydraulic cylinder 186 a , 186 b , 186 c , respectively, that form a drive unit 187 . Thus, the hydraulic cylinder 186 a is coupled with the support plate 185 a for the first group of slats 182 a , and likewise the other two hydraulic cylinders 186 b and 186 c are respectively coupled with the support plates 185 b and 185 c . The hydraulic cylinders are operated in unison so that all of the slats 182 a, b, c are advanced rearwardly at the same time so as to move the shredded material resting on the walking floor toward the rear of the truck. Then one hydraulic cylinder is operated at a time to slide each group of slats forward; thus, all of the first slats 182 a are slid forward as shown by the arrows in FIG. 11 , then all slats 182 b are slid forward, and finally all slats 182 c are slid forward. When one group at a time is moved, the pile of shredded material atop the walking floor tends to stay in place because of the friction between the material and the two stationary groups of slats. Thus, the material is “walked” rearwardly to gradually move the shredded material out the open rear doors 116 of the truck.
Power Takeoff and Hydraulics
FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the hydraulic system of the mobile shredder in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As noted, a hydraulic pump 190 supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to various hydraulically driven components of the mobile shredder. A pump sensor 191 monitors a load level of the pump; advantageously, the computer controller is programmed to prevent the pump from being shut down when the load is above a predetermined level. The hydraulic pump is driven by a power takeoff unit 192 that is selectively engageable and disengageable. The power takeoff unit's engagement with and disengagement from the transmission 194 is controlled by the mobile shredder's computer controller. A transmission sensor 195 can detect whether or not the transmission is in a neutral gear; advantageously, the controller is programmed to prevent engagement of the power takeoff unit with the transmission if the transmission is not in neutral.
Hydraulic fluid is contained in a reservoir 198 ; temperature of the hydraulic fluid in the reservoir is monitored by a temperature sensor 199 . The reservoir also includes a breather cap 200 and a fluid level sensor 201 . The hydraulic pump 190 supplies pressurized hydraulic fluid to the rotary shredder drive 137 , to the walking floor drive 187 , to the bin lift and dump drive 156 , to the hydraulic ram 135 , and to the discharge auger drive 148 . The pressurized hydraulic fluid is supplied to these components via a plurality of electrically controllable valves (e.g., spool valves controlled by solenoids or the like), collectively designated by reference number 202 . The valves 202 are coupled with the computer controller, which controls the valves to supply hydraulic fluid or discontinue supply of hydraulic fluid to each of the various components as needed. Hydraulic fluid is returned to the reservoir 198 via an oil filter 204 and a thermal transfer cooler 206 .
Operator Controls
The operator controls for the mobile shredder are now described with primary reference to FIGS. 15A , 15 B, and 16 – 21 . As already noted, the mobile shredder includes a controls panel 170 , as depicted in FIGS. 15A and 15B . The controls panel includes control buttons for controlling the various components of the mobile shredder. The control buttons include: the previously described lift and dump start button 171 a , and a lift and dump stop button 171 b for interrupting operation of the lift and dump mechanism during an automatic cycle; a walking floor start button 174 a and a walking floor stop button 174 b ; a total system start button 175 a and a total system stop button 175 b ; a system reset button 176 a and an emergency stop button 176 b ; and a rotary shredder start button 177 a and a rotary shredder stop button 177 b . There are no separate start and stop controls for the discharge auger, as the auger starts and stops with the system, and thus is effectively controlled by the system start and stop buttons 175 a,b . The controls panel also includes a number of gauges for monitoring hydraulic pressure in the various hydraulically driven components, including: a lift and dump pressure gauge 171 c ; a walking floor pressure gauge 174 c ; a total system pressure gauge 175 c , which monitors the hydraulic pressure delivered by the hydraulic pump; a discharge auger pressure gauge 176 c ; a rotary shredder pressure gauge 177 c ; and a hydraulic ram pressure gauge 178 c.
The controls panel 170 also includes a touch screen 210 operable to display various types of information to an operator and further operable to allow the operator to interact with the computer controller in various ways. The touch screen includes a number of regions 212 , 214 , 216 , 218 that constitute interactive touch control buttons which, when touched, cause the computer controller to execute various tasks. The computer controller is programmed to display text and/or graphics in registration with one or more of the buttons to signify to the operator what operation will be carried out when each button is touched. For example, the touch screen can display a main menu ( FIG. 15B ) on which the button 212 displays the text “Maintenance Manual” (or alternatively displays a graphical icon); when the button 212 is touched on the main menu, the computer controller is caused to display on the touch screen a maintenance manual menu ( FIG. 16 ) allowing the operator to bring up any of various maintenance manuals for the various systems of the mobile shredder; the maintenance manual is stored in a memory device (e.g., a hard disk drive or the like) connected with the computer controller. The maintenance manuals can include digital video clips illustrating various maintenance procedures, in addition to text (in searchable or non-searchable form). The maintenance manual menu can include various buttons or icons for different mobile shredder systems manuals, such as a truck manual icon, a shredder manual icon, a truck body manual icon, and the like.
The main menu of the touch screen can also display the text “Troubleshooting” or the like in registration with the button 214 such that when the button 214 is touched, the computer controller causes the touch screen to display a troubleshooting menu ( FIG. 17 ) that draws on a knowledge base stored in the memory device connected to the controller so as to provide the operator with information to assist in determining possible causes for various malfunctions of the mobile shredder. The troubleshooting menu can include buttons or icons allowing the operator to display other pages such as an input/output (I/O) page ( FIG. 18 ), an event history page ( FIG. 20 ), a troubleshooting guide (not shown), and the like.
When the event history icon on the troubleshooting menu of FIG. 17 is selected, an event history page as shown in FIG. 20 is displayed on the touch screen 210 . The event history page displays a list of all significant events in the history of the operation of the mobile shredder, as detected by various sensors and as recorded in a memory device connected with the computer controller, along with the date and time of each event. If any alarm was triggered, it is also recorded in the event history file stored in the memory device.
The main menu can further display the text “Job Setup” or the like in registration with the button 216 such that when the button 216 is touched, the computer controller causes the touch screen to display a job setup menu ( FIG. 19 ) that allows the operator to select, add, delete, and edit various information regarding customers.
The main menu can also display the text “Machine Operation” or the like in registration with the button 218 so that when the button 218 is touched, the computer controller causes the touch screen to display a machine operation page ( FIG. 21 ) that allows the operator to selectively view text and/or graphics and/or digital video of various aspects of operating the mobile shredder. The machine operation page also displays certain key operating parameters such as hydraulic fluid temperature, system hydraulic fluid pressure, shredder hydraulic fluid pressure, auger hydraulic fluid pressure, machine run hours, shredder or cutter hours, and the like. The machine operation page also includes icons allowing the operator to perform certain operations such as manual ram reversal, manual shredder rotor reversal, reset the cutter hours (e.g., after an overhaul), and printing of a certificate for a customer indicating how much material was shredded, the date and time of shredding, and other information.
System Alarms
The computer controller advantageously is programmed to detect, via suitable sensors connected to the controller, various abnormal conditions of the mobile shredder and to initiate different levels of alarm depending on the abnormal condition that is detected. The alarm system advantageously includes relatively low-level alarms for certain conditions and higher-lever alarms for other more-serious conditions. For example, in one embodiment of the invention, the controller is operable to provide a relatively low level of alarm when the sensor system indicates an abnormal condition of the rotary shredder 130 or associated components (shredder drive 137 , hydraulic ram 135 ), and to provide a relatively higher level of alarm when the sensor system indicates an abnormal condition of the truck.
One type of abnormal truck condition that can generate an alarm is low fuel level. Thus, based on a fuel level sensor, the computer controller can cause a relatively low-level alarm to be given (e.g., by causing the truck's horn to sound intermittently at a relatively low frequency, such as once every 5 seconds) if the fuel level falls below a certain value (e.g., one-eighth of a tank). A higher level alarm (e.g., causing the horn to sound once every second) can be initiated if the fuel level falls to a dangerously low level (e.g., one-sixteenth of a tank). Alternatively or additionally, the controller can be operable to shut down the engine when the level of fuel falls below a predetermined level (e.g., one-sixteenth of a tank) so as to avoid running out of fuel; this is particularly advantageous for diesel engines wherein running out of fuel is a major event requiring re-priming of the engine to restart it. Other alarms can also be generated for other types of malfunctions, and any alarm states can be stored in the event history file, as previously noted, which can assist the operator or maintenance personnel in diagnosing and repairing the mobile shredder as needed.
Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventions are not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation. | A mobile shredder comprises a truck having a truck body defining an enclosure and including a partition in the enclosure that divides a storage volume from the remainder of the enclosure for storage of shredded material in the storage volume, a single-shaft rotary shredder mounted in the enclosure outside the storage volume, the rotary shredder comprising a rotor having cutters rigidly mounted thereon, a bin lift and dump mechanism operable to transport material to be shredded from outside to inside the enclosure so as to deliver material to the rotary shredder, and a discharge conveyor operable to transport shredded material from the rotary shredder through the partition to the storage volume. The floor of the storage volume can comprise a walking floor, and the enclosure can have rear doors that are openable to allow shredded material to be discharged through the open rear doors when the walking floor is operated. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a communication system and, more particularly, to a tuning device for an equalization system applicable to data signalling.
In the data signalling art, tuning systems, or adaptive control systems, associated with modulated signals heretofore proposed include a decision reference system. A decision reference is more advantageously applicable to a system with relatively small intersymbol interference than an absolute reference and makes the mutual interference insignificant. In that case, a relatively short tuning and a small hardware scale suffice. An output signal of an equalizer which is adapted to equalize a signal received over a circuit may be developed in various eye patterns depending upon the phase and amplitude distortions which the received signal have suffers due to circuit. The situation concerning the decision of symbols of received signals is most delicate when the signals are significantly distorted in phase through the circuit. The fluctuation in the phase of a carrier is indefinite so that in the case of symbol decision which uses two levels, for example, the phase sometimes vary over the two discrete decision ranges. Then, those symbols which accidentally lie in an unexpected one of the decision ranges commands the equalizer to erroneously correct equalization parameters.
One approach for solving the above problem is disclosed in Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication (Kokai or Kaku), No. 57-111135, for example. In accordance with the disclosed tuning system, an insensitive area, for symbol decision is set up in a phase plane and, when a received signal lies in the insensitive area, correction on the equalizer which is based on an error of the received signal relative to a reference signal is not performed.
As well known in the art, in a demodulator system which includes an equalizer, a equalizer section of the demodulator is trained before the reception of desired data signals over a circuit. During a training sequence, the symbol usually changes from a two-phase symbol to a multi-phase symbol as the sequence proceeds. As prescribed by CCITT Recommendation V.27ter, for example, two-phase symbols may be used to segment 4 and, then, four- or eight-phase symbols in segment 5. Such is effective to efficiently converge various parameters of the equalization system.
In the prior art system which sets up an insensitive area as described, the insensitive area is unchangeable, or fixed. Because the training sequence is of the two-phase type, the decision of an insensitive area can be made with ease. However, if convergence is not attained within the conditioning pattern of the equalizer (segment 4 in CCITT V27ter), it will not be attained thereafter. That is, even after the equalization system has begun to converge, the error correcting function is limited to in turn limit the attainable degree of equalization.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is therefore an object of the present invention to eliminate the drawback particular to the prior art technique as discussed above and to provide a tuning device for an equalization system which realizes desirable tuning, or adaptive control, with a minimum of symbol decision error.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a generally improved tuning device for an equalization system.
In accordance with the present invention, there is provided an equalization system wherein a signal received over a line is equalized and the quantity of equalization is compensated based on a difference, or error, between the equalized received signal and a signal which is estimated from the received signal, including a tuning device which compensates the amount of equalization by training, which precedes reception of communication data. A difference or error range which is usable for the compensation of the quantity of equalization is set up during the training. The error range sequentially increases as the training proceeds. Thus, decision feedback updating during the training sequence only occurs so long as the difference between the equalized received signal and a signal which is estimated from the received signal is within the error range, which is sequentially increased during a training sequence. After completion of the training sequence decision feedback updating is always allowed.
The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a tuning device for an equalization system embodying the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a block diagram showing a specific construction of an insensitive area decision circuit which is included in the device of FIG. 1; and
FIGS. 3A-3C, 4A, 4B, 5A, 5B and 6A-6C are signal space diagrams representative of the operation of the device shown in FIGS. 1 and 2.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
While the tuning device for an equalization system of the present invention is susceptible of numerous physical embodiments, depending upon the environment and requirements of use, a substantial number of the herein shown and described embodiments have been made, tested and used, and all have performed in an eminently satisfactory manner.
Referring to FIG. 1 of the drawings, a tuning device in accordance with the present invention is shown. The tuning device includes an equalizer 12 which is interconnected to an input terminal 10 which in turn is connected to a circuit or transmission channel for receiving a signal over the circuit. An output 14 of the equalizer 12 is interconnected to a multiplier 16. The equalizer 12 serves to equalize the received signal responsive to the characteristics of the circuit network to which the input terminal 10 is connected. In practice, an output signal of the equalizer 12 is made up of an in-phase component R and an orthogonal component I. An output of the multiplier 16 is interconnected to a signal decision circuit 20, a subtractor 22 and an insensitive area decision circuit 24. Connected to a control input 48 of the decision circuit 24 is a timer 44 which is a timing circit adapted to set up a timing for varying decision lines of the insensitive area of the decision circuit 24.
The signal decision circuit 20 functions to determine a phase of a received signal on the basis of a reference signal which is applied to its terminal 26. The result of decision is routed from an output 28 of the decision circuit 20 to the subtractor 22 which then provides a difference between the result of decision and the received signal. The difference, or error, 30 is fed via a switch 32 to a carrier phase compensation circuit 34 and a multiplier 36. The other terminal 40 of the switch 32 is connected to ground. An output 38 of the carrier phase compensation circuit 34 is coupled to the multiplier 16 to complete a feedback integration loop. An output 42 of the multiplier 36 is interconnected to the equalizer 12.
The circuit elements described so far may advantageously be implemented by a digital signal processing device together with a construction which will be described with reference to FIG. 2 and a control system for a demodulator in which the device of the present invention is included. FIGS. 1 and 2 schematically illustrate functions which are attainable with the processing device.
As generally accepted, signals received over a circuit characteristics of which have been deteriorated belong to anyone of three different kinds of patterns which developed in a phase plane; typically, as shown in FIGS. 3A-3C, patterns 100 and 102 in which the phase and the amplitude are distorted substantially to the same degree, pattern 104 and 106 in which the phase is more distorted than the amplitude, and patterns 108 and 110 in which the amplitude is more distorted than the phase.
As previously stated, it is the pattern in which the phase distortion is greater than the amplitude distortion, i.e., patterns 104 and 106, that is most critical even when the decision reference is used. Insofar as the phase distortions are confined in the respective decision ranges, as shown in FIG. 4B, no decision error develops. However, as shown in FIG. 4B, where each of the distribution patterns 104 and 106 of received signal points with respect to ideal symbol points 114 and 116 intrudes into the other's decision range, decision errors occur in hatched areas 124 and 126.
In order to eliminate such decision errors, the insensitive area decision circuit 24 sets up an insensitive area as represented by a hatched region 130 in FIG. 5A by way of example. When the received signal lies in this particular area 130, correction of equalization parameters assigned to the equalizer 12 which is based on phase errors does not occur.
More particularly, where the signal on the output 18 of the multiplier 16 lies in a sensitive area 132, the insensitive area decision circuit 24 actuates the switch 32 to the illustrated position by its output 46 so as to apply an output of the subtractor 22 to the carrier phase compensation circuit 34 and multiplier 36. On the other hand, where the signal on the output 18 lies in the insensitive area 130, the circuit 24 inverts the position of the switch 32 from the illustrated position by its output 46 to connect ground potential to the compensation circuit 34 and multiplier 36.
In this particular embodiment, the insensitive area decision circuit 24 is constructed as shown in FIG. 2. The signal routed from the output 18 of the multiplier 16 to the decision circuit 24 is provided as a vector R+jI which is represented by an inphase component R and an orthogonal component I. Hence, if signs (positive or negative) of the components R and I are known, it is possible to identify the positions of four phases in the phase plane. The role of so identifying the signs is played by sign discrimination circuits 200 and 202 to which the in-phase component R and the orthogonal component I respectively are applied. Outputs 204 and 206 of these circuits 200 and 202 are fed to a mixer 208.
The in-phase component R and the orthogonal component I of the input signal are also routed to absolute value circuits 210 and 212, respectively. An output 214 of the absolute value circuit 210 associated with the in-phase component R is applied to a multiplier 218 to be multiplied by a constant K. In this particular embodiment, the constant K is selected from K1-K4 by a switch 230 which is operated by a timer 44. The resulting output of the multiplier 218 K |R|, is fed to a subtractor 222 which provides a difference between the multiplier output and the orthogonal component |I| which is applied thereto from the absolute value circuit 212.
In the illustrative embodiment, the insensitive area 130 is defined by two lines 134 and 136 which pass through the origin in the phase plane. The insenstive area decision circuit 24 is constructed so that the gradient K of the lines 134 and 136 is variable as shown in FIGS. 6A-6C by way of example, responsive to a control signal which comes in through the control input 48.
In this particular embodiment, the control for allowing the insensitive area 130 to vary is performed such that the insensitive area 130 becomes narrower with time during a training sequence of the demodulator in which the device of the present invention is included. Therefore, the timer 44 is triggered by a signal which is applied from the control system associated with the demodulator to a control input 50 of the timer 44 upon the start of the training sequence. Such a timer 44 may advantageously be implemented by a counter.
For example, before the timer 44 reaches a predetermined value, or count, C1, lines which are provided by |R|=|I| are used as decision lines. After the time 22 has incremented beyond the count C1 and before it reaches another predetermined count C2, lines provided by K1·|R|=|I| are used as decision lines, where the constant K1 is greater than 1. In this manner, as the training sequence proceeds, the insensitive area 130 is narrowed sequentially and stepwisely.
The results of sign discrimination provided by the sign discrimination circuits 200 and 202 and the error 224 provided by the subtractor 222 are applied to the mixer 208. The mixer 208 produces a signal 226 indicative of whether or not the received signal lies in the insensitive area 130 referencing the signs of the inputs and the four phases defined by the four decision lines. A sensitive/insensitive flag 228 is set responsive to the signal 226. An output 46 of the flag 228 is applied to the switch 32 for controlling it.
As the training sequence proceeds to complete a two-phase mode, the insensitive area decision circuit 24 stops discriminating the insensitive area responsive to a signal which is then applied from the control system to a control input 52. As a result, in a multi-phase mode of the training, the error signal output 30 of the subtractor 22 is directly applied to the carrier wave compensation circuit 34 and multiplier 36.
The compensation circuit 34 subjects the error signal 30 to integration for removing frequency offsets and integration for removing phase jitters, a sum of the results being adapted to compensate the phase of the output of the equalizer 12. This effects a control for equalizing the phase of the received signal to that of the reference signal.
The decision line data |R|=|I| is also applied to the signal decision circuit 20 as a reference signal 26. The decision circuit 20 is allowed to identify eight signal phases using the reference signal 26 and the signs of the in-phase component R and orthogonal component I. Regarding a two-phase mode, the phases will be identified using only the signs of the in-phase component R and orthogonal component I.
In summary, it will be seen that the present invention provides a tuning device for an equalization system which sequentially narrows an insensitive area for correction of equalization parameters with the lapse of time so as to complete a sufficient degree of equalization before a multi-mode of a training sequence is reached and, thereby, minimizes decision error even if the equalization system is tuned by use of a decision reference on a signal which has been received over a significantly deteriorated circuit.
Various modifications will become possible for those skilled in the art after receiving the teachings of the present disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. For example, the sensitive area 132 may have a circular, oblong or any other suitable shape, in which case the control during the training sequence will occur such that the radius of the circular area 132, for example, is variable with time. | An equalization system wherein a signal received over a line is equalized and the quantity of equalization is compensated based on a difference, or error, between the equalized received signal and a signal which is estimated from the received signal, including a tuning device which compensates the amount of equalization by training, which precedes reception of communication data. A difference or error range which is usable for the compensation of the quantity of equalization is set up during a training sequence. The error range sequentially increases as the training sequence proceeds. Thus, decision feedback updating during the training sequence only occurs so long as the difference between the equalized received signal and a signal which is estimated from the received signal is within the error range, which is sequentially increased during a training sequence. After completion of the training sequence decision feedback updating is always allowed. | 7 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT DOCUMENTS
[0001] The present document contains subject matter related to that disclosed in commonly owned, co-pending application Ser. No. 09/209,460 filed Dec. 11, 1998, entitled ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH SPREAD-SPECTRUM COMMUNICATIONS SYSTEM (Attorney Docket No. 10188-0001-8); Ser. No. 09/633,815 filed Aug. 7, 2000, entitled ELECTRICALLY SMALL PLANAR UWB ANTENNA (Attorney Docket No. 10188-0005-8); application Ser. No. 09/563,292 filed May 3, 2000, entitled PLANAR ULTRA WIDE BAND ANTENNA WITH INTEGRATED ELECTRONICS (Attorney Docket No. 10188-0006-8); Application Serial No. 60/207,225 filed May 26, 2000, entitled ULTRAWIDEBAND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM AND METHOD (Attorney Docket No. 192408US8PROV); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ANALOG SIGNAL SEPARATOR FOR UWB VERSUS NARROWBAND SIGNALS (Attorney Docket No. 192504US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH NOISE CANCELLATION MECHANISM AND METHOD (Attorney Docket No.193517US8); Application Serial No. 60/217,099 filed Jul. 10, 2000, entitled MULTIMEDIA WIRELESS PERSONAL AREA NETWORK (WPAN) PHYSICAL LAYER SYSTEM AND METHOD (Attorney Docket No.194308US8PROV); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR BASEBAND REMOVAL OF NARROWBAND INTERFERENCE IN ULTRA WIDEBAND SIGNALS (Attorney Docket No.194381US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled MODE CONTROLLER FOR SIGNAL ACQUISITION AND TRACKING IN AN ULTRA WIDEBAND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (Attorney Docket No. 194588US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ULTRA WIDEBAND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, METHOD, AND DEVICE WITH LOW NOISE PULSE FORMATION (Attorney Docket No. 195268US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAST SYNCHRONIZATION (Attorney Docket No. 195269US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAST SYNCHRONIZATION USING SUB CODE SPINS (Attorney Docket No. 195272US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR FAST SYNCHRONIZATION USING MULTIPLE DETECTION ARMS (Attorney Docket No. 195273US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled A LOW POWER, HIGH RESOLUTION TIMING GENERATOR FOR ULTRA-WIDE BANDWIDTH COMMUNICATION SYSTEMS (Attorney Docket No. 195670US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled METHOD AND SYSTEM FOR ENABLING DEVICE FUNCTIONS BASED ON DISTANCE INFORMATION (Attorney Docket No. 195671US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled CARRIERLESS ULTRA WIDEBAND WIRELESS SIGNALS FOR CONVEYING APPLICATION DATA (Attorney Docket No. 196108US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled SYSTEM AND METHOD FOR GENERATING ULTRA WIDEBAND PULSES (Attorney Docket No. 197023US8); application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled ULTRA WIDEBAND COMMUNICATION SYSTEM, METHOD, AND DEVICE WITH LOW NOISE RECEPTION (Attorney Docket No.197024US8); and application Ser. No. ______ filed Oct. 10, 2000, entitled LEAKAGE NULLING RECEIVER CORRELATOR STRUCTURE AND METHOD FOR ULTRA WIDE BANDWIDTH COMMUNICATION SYSTEM (Attorney Docket No. 1541.1001/GMG), the entire contents of each of which being incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] The present invention is directed to methods and signals for ultra wideband communications, and more particularly to methods and signals for conveying application data via carrierless ultra wideband wireless signals.
[0004] 2. Discussion of the Background:
[0005] Digital information typically takes the form of a stream of binary pulses of a square wave, each pulse representing a bit (i.e., 1 or 0) of data. To transmit a digital stream of data, it is well known to use the digital data stream to modulate a carrier waveform and to transmit the modulated carrier waveform rather than the digital waveform. By using modulation, a carrier waveform can be used that is most compatible with the transmission channel. Typically, these waveforms are high-frequency sinusoids for transmitting signals through space.
[0006] A discussion of the reasons data signals are modulated onto carriers is included in Sklar, B., “Digital Communications: Fundamentals and Applications,” Prentice Hall, 1988, p. 118, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Signals are launched into space via antennas. The design of an antenna is dependent on the wavelength, λ, of the signal being transmitted. A practical example illustrates one reason why signals are modulated onto high-frequency carrier waves. The wavelength, λ, of a signal is equal to c/f, where c is the speed of light, or 3×10 8 m/s, and f is the frequency of the frequency of the signal being transmitted in Hz. It is well known by those of ordinary skill in the digital communication art that the aperture of an antenna should be at least as large as the wavelength being transmitted (see Sklar, at p. 118). Given this design constraint, it can be shown that a signal with a frequency, f, of 3000 Hz has a wavelength, λ, of c/f, or 10 5 m, which is approximately 60 miles. Of course, it is not realistic to build an antenna with a 60 mile aperture. However, if that same signal is modulated onto a 30 GHz carrier prior to transmitting it, the antenna can have an aperture of less than ½ inch (see Sklar, at p. 118).
[0007] Another consideration is the bandwidth required to transmit an ideal square wave. An unmodulated, unshaped ideal square wave requires an infinite amount of bandwidth in the frequency domain. For this reason, it is well known to shape the digital pulses using a filter that will round the edges of the square wave, thereby narrowing the bandwidth of the transmitted signal. Pulse shaping and modulation are discussed in Webb, W., “The Complete Wireless Communications Professional: A Guide for Engineers and Managers,” Artech House Publishers, 1999, pp. 55-64, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
[0008] When digital information is modulated onto a carrier and transmitted through space, the power spectral density of that signal tends to be concentrated about the frequency of the carrier itself. These signals are normally generated with large antennas and at high power so that the signal is not interfered with by noise. The frequency spectrum is, of course, regulated in the United States by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). Regulation of the frequency spectrum ensures that there will not be interference within the various allocated frequency ranges. Since all frequency bands contain noise, there is no practical reason to regulate transmissions that are lower than the noise.
[0009] With the popularization of the Internet, laptop personal computers, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and cellular telephones, society has become more and more dependent on the availability of information and the ability to share information. With the miniaturization of computing power, many users of information are now demanding mobile access to their information. Using conventional methods, exchanging, and sharing information requires access to network via a telephone connection, or through a direct connection to the network itself. The need for a network limits access to and sharing of information to those that can access the network.
[0010] The challenge, then, as presently recognized, is to develop an approach for transmitting and receiving information using, for example, mobile devices such as PDAs, cellular telephones, and laptop personal computers. It would be advantageous if the approach was wireless, eliminating the need for direct connection between the sharing devices. It would be advantageous if the approach were to employ communications techniques that would not fall under the jurisdiction of regulatory agencies, thereby allowing for global use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a method for communicating information using carrierless wireless signals.
[0012] The inventors of the present invention have recognized that low power carrierless transmissions can be effectively used to communicate at high data rates without interfering with narrowband or spread spectrum signals, and if the power is kept sufficiently low, the transmissions do not need to be as broadcast devices. Accordingly, another object of the present invention is to encode digital data into multi-phase wavelets that can be transmitted without a carrier at low power and at high data rates over short distances.
[0013] In one embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a method for conveying application data with carrierless ultra wideband wireless signals. The application data is encoded into wavelets that are transmitted without modulating them onto a carrier waveform. In another embodiment, the present invention is implemented as a computer data signal that is embodied in a carrierless ultra wideband waveform.
[0014] Consistent with the title of this section, the above summary is not intended to be an exhaustive discussion of all the features or embodiments of the present invention. A more complete, although not necessarily exhaustive, description of the features and embodiments of the invention is found in the section entitled “DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS.”
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] A more complete appreciation of the present invention, and many of the attendant advantages thereof, 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, wherein:
[0016] [0016]FIG. 1 a is a block diagram of an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver, according to the present invention;
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1 b is a diagram for illustrating the operation of the transceiver of FIG. 1 a , according to the present invention;
[0018] [0018]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the transceiver of FIG. 1 a , that manipulates a shape of UWB pulses, according to the present invention; and
[0019] [0019]FIG. 3 is a schematic illustration of a general-purpose microprocessor-based or digital signal processor-based system, which can be programmed according to the teachings of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0020] [0020]FIG. 1 a is a block diagram of an ultra-wide band (UWB) transceiver. In FIG. 1 a , the transceiver includes three major components, namely, receiver 11 , radio controller and interface 9 , and transmitter 13 . Alternatively, the system may be implemented as a separate receiver 11 and radio controller and interface 9 , and a separate transmitter 13 and radio controller and interface 9 . The radio controller and interface 9 serves as a media access control (MAC) interface between the UWB wireless communication functions implemented by the receiver 11 and transmitter 13 and applications that use the UWB communications channel for exchanging data with remote devices.
[0021] The receiver 11 includes an antenna 1 that converts a UWB electromagnetic waveform into an electrical signal (or optical signal) for subsequent processing. The UWB signal is generated with a sequence of shape-modulated wavelets, where the occurrence times of the shape-modulated wavelets may also be modulated. For analog modulation, at least one of the shape control parameters is modulated with the analog signal. More typically, the wavelets take on M possible shapes. Digital information is encoded to use one or a combination of the M wavelet shapes and occurrence times to communicate information.
[0022] In one embodiment of the present invention, each wavelet communicates one bit, for example, using two shapes such as bi-phase. In other embodiments of the present invention, each wavelet may be configured to communicate nn bits, where M≧2 nn . For example, four shapes may be configured to communicate two bits, such as with quadrature phase or four-level amplitude modulation. In another embodiment of the present invention, each wavelet is a “chip” in a code sequence, where the sequence, as a group, communicates one or more bits. The code can be M-ary at the chip level, choosing from M possible shapes for each chip.
[0023] At the chip, or wavelet level, embodiments of the present invention produce UWB waveforms. The UWB waveforms are modulated by a variety of techniques including but not limited to: (i) bi-phase modulated signals (+1, −1), (ii) multilevel bi-phase signals (+1, −1, +a1, −a1, +a2, −a2, . . . , +aN, −aN), (iii) quadrature phase signals (+1, −1, +j, −j), (iv) multi-phase signals (1, −1, exp(+jλ/N), exp(−jπ/N), exp(+jπ2/N), exp(−jπ2/N), . . . , exp(+j(N−1)/N), exp(−jπ(N−1)/N)), (v) multilevel multi-phase signals (a 1 exp(j2πβ/N)|a i ε{1, a1, a2, . . . , aK}, βε{0, 1, . . . , N−1}), (vi) frequency modulated pulses, (vii) pulse position modulation (PPM) signals (possibly same shape pulse transmitted in different candidate time slots), (viii) M-ary modulated waveforms g B i (t) with B i ε{1, . . . , M}, and (ix) any combination of the above waveforms, such as multi-phase channel symbols transmitted according to a chirping signaling scheme. The present invention, however, is applicable to variations of the above modulation schemes and other modulation schemes (e.g., as described in Lathi , “Modern Digital and Analog Communications Systems,” Holt, Rinehart and Winston, 1998, the entire contents of which is incorporated by reference herein), as will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art(s).
[0024] Some exemplary waveforms and characteristic equations thereof will now be described. The time modulation component, for example, can be defined as follows. Let ti be the time spacing between the (i−1) th pulse and the i th pulse. Accordingly, the total time to the i th pulse is
T i = ∑ j = 0 i t j ·
[0025] The signal T i could be encoded for data, part of a spreading code or user code, or some combination thereof. For example, the signal T i could be equally spaced, or part of a spreading code, where T i corresponds to the zero-crossings of a chirp, i.e., the sequence of T i 's, and where
T i = i - a k
[0026] for a predetermined set of α and k. Here, α and k may also be chosen from a finite set based on the user code or encoded data.
[0027] An embodiment of the present invention can be described using M-ary modulation. Equation 1 below can be used to represent a sequence of exemplary transmitted or received pulses, where each pulse is a shape modulated UWB wavelet, g B i (t−T i ).
x ( t ) = ∑ i = 0 ∞ g B i ( t - T i ) ( 1 )
[0028] In the above equation, the subscript i refers to the i th pulse in the sequence of UWB pulses transmitted or received. The wavelet function g has M possible shapes, and therefore B i represents a mapping from the data, to one of the M-ary modulation shapes at the i th pulse in the sequence. The wavelet generator hardware (e.g., the UWB waveform generator 17 ) has several control lines (e.g., coming from the radio controller and interface 9 ) that govern the shape of the wavelet. Therefore, B i can be thought of as including a lookup-table for the M combinations of control signals that produce the M desired wavelet shapes. The encoder 21 combines the data stream and codes to generate the M-ary states. Demodulation occurs in the waveform correlator 5 and the radio controller and interface 9 to recover to the original data stream. Time position and wavelet shape are combined into the pulse sequence to convey information, implement user codes, etc.
[0029] In the above case, the signal is comprised of wavelets from i=1 to infinity. As i is incremented, a wavelet is produced. Equation 2 below can be used to represent a generic wavelet pulse function, whose shape can be changed from pulse to pulse to convey information or implement user codes, etc.
g B i ( t )= Re ( B i,1 )·f B i,2 , B i,3 , . . . ( t )+ Im ( B i,1 )· h B i,2 , B i,3 , . . . ( t ) (2)
[0030] In the above equation, function f defines a basic wavelet shape, and function h is simply the Hilbert transform of the function f. The parameter B i,1 is a complex number allowing the magnitude and phase of each wavelet pulse to be adjusted, i.e., B i,1 =α i <θ i , where α 1 is selected from a finite set of amplitudes and θ i is selected from a finite set of phases. The parameters {B i,2 , B i,3 , . . . } represent a generic group of parameters that control the wavelet shape.
[0031] An exemplary waveform sequence x(t) can be based on a family of wavelet pulse shapes f that are derivatives of a Guassian waveform as defined by Equation 3 below.
f B i ( t ) = Ψ ( B i , 2 , B 1 , 3 ) ( B 1 , 3 t B 1 , 3 e - ( [ B 1 , 2 t ] ) 2 ) ( 3 )
[0032] In the above equation, the function Ψ( ) normalizes the peak absolute value of f B i (t) to 1. The parameter B i,2 controls the pulse duration and center frequency. The parameter B i,3 is the number of derivatives and controls the bandwidth and center frequency.
[0033] Another exemplary waveform sequence x(t) can be based on a family of wavelet pulse shapes f that are Gaussian weighted sinusoidal functions, as described by Equation 4 below.
f B i,2 ,B i,3 ,B i,4 =f ω i ,k i ,b i ( t )= e −[b i t] 2 sin(ω i t+k i t 2 ). (4)
[0034] In the above equation, b i controls the pulse duration, ω i controls the center frequency, and k i controls a chirp rate. Other exemplary weighting functions, beside Gaussian, that are also applicable to the present invention include, for example, Rectangular, Hanning, Hamming, Blackman-Harris, Nutall, Taylor, Kaiser, Chebychev, etc.
[0035] Another exemplary waveform sequence x(t) can be based on a family of wavelet pulse shapes f that are inverse-exponentially weighted sinusoidal functions, as described by Equation 5 below.
g B i ( t ) = ( 1 e - ( t - i1 i ) .3 * t f i + 1 - 1 e - ( t - i1 i ) .3 * t f i + 1 ) · sin ( θ i + ω i t + k i t 2 ) ( 5 )
[0036] where {B i,2 ,B i,3 ,B i,4 ,B i,5 ,B i,6 ,B i,7 ,B i,8 }={t 1 i ,t 2 i ,t r i ,t f i ,θ i ,ω i ,k i }
[0037] In the above equation, the leading edge turn on time is controlled by t 1 , and the turn-on rate is controlled by t r . The trailing edge turn-off time is controlled by t 2 , and the turn-off rate is controlled by t f . Assuming the chirp starts at t=0 and T D is the pulse duration, the starting phase is controlled by θ, the starting frequency is controlled by ω, the chirp rate is controlled by k, and the stopping frequency is controlled by ω+kT D . An example assignment of parameter values is ω=1, t r =t f =0.25, t 1 =t r /0.51, and t 2 =T D −t r /9.
[0038] A feature of the present invention is that the M-ary parameter set used to control the wavelet shape is chosen so as to make a UWB signal, wherein the center frequency f c and the bandwidth B of the power spectrum of g(t) satisfies 2f c >B>0.25f c . It should be noted that conventional equations define in-phase and quadrature signals (e.g., often referred to as I and Q) as sine and cosine terms. An important observation, however, is that this conventional definition is inadequate for UWB signals. The present invention recognizes that use of such conventional definition may lead to DC offset problems and inferior performance.
[0039] Furthermore, such inadequacies get progressively worse as the bandwidth moves away from 0.25f c and toward 2f c . A key attribute of the exemplary wavelets (or e.g., those described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/209,460) is that the parameters are chosen such that neither f nor h in Equation 2 above has a DC component, yet f and h exhibit the required wide relative bandwidth for UWB systems.
[0040] Similarly, as a result of B>0.25f c , it should be noted that the matched filter output of the UWB signal is typically only a few cycles, or even a single cycle. For example, the parameter n in Equation 3 above may only take on low values (e.g., such as those described in co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/209,460).
[0041] The compressed (i.e., coherent matched filtered) pulse width of a UWB wavelet will now be defined with reference to FIG. 1 b . In FIG. 1 b , the time domain version of the wavelet thus represents g(t) and the Fourier transform (FT) version is represented by G(ω). Accordingly, the matched filter is represented as G*(ω), the complex conjugate, so that the output of the matched filter is P(ω)=G(ω)·G*(ω). The output of the matched filter in the time domain is seen by performing an inverse Fourier transform (IFT) on P(ω) so as to obtain p(t), the compressed or matched filtered pulse. The width of the compressed pulse p(t) is defined by T C , which is the time between the points on the envelope of the compressed pulse E(t) that are 6 dB below the peak thereof, as shown in FIG. 1 b . The envelope waveform E(t) may be determined by Equation 6 below.
E ( t )={square root}{square root over (( p ( t )) 2 +( p H ( t )) 2 )} (6)
[0042] where p H (t) is the Hilbert transform of p(t).
[0043] Accordingly, the above-noted parameterized waveforms are examples of UWB wavelet functions that can be controlled to communicate information with a large parameter space for making codes with good resulting autocorrelation and cross-correlation functions. For digital modulation, each of the parameters is chosen from a predetermined list according to an encoder that receives the digital data to be communicated. For analog modulation, at least one parameter is changed dynamically according to some function (e.g., proportionally) of the analog signal that is to be communicated.
[0044] Referring back to FIG. 1 a , the electrical signals coupled in through the antenna 1 are passed to a radio front end 3 . Depending on the type of waveform, the radio front end 3 processes the electric signals so that the level of the signal and spectral components of the signal are suitable for processing in the UWB waveform correlator 5 . The UWB waveform correlator 5 correlates the incoming signal (e.g., as modified by any spectral shaping, such as a matched filtering, partially matched filtering, simply roll-off, etc., accomplished in front end 3 ) with different candidate signals generated by the receiver 11 , so as to determine when the receiver 11 is synchronized with the received signal and to determine the data that was transmitted.
[0045] The timing generator 7 of the receiver 11 operates under control of the radio controller and interface 9 to provide a clock signal that is used in the correlation process performed in the UWB waveform correlator 5 . Moreover, in the receiver 11 , the UWB waveform correlator 5 correlates in time a particular pulse sequence produced at the receiver 11 with the receive pulse sequence that was coupled in through antenna 1 and modified by front end 3 . When the two such sequences are aligned with one another, the UWB waveform correlator 5 provides high signal to noise ratio (SNR) data to the radio controller and interface 9 for subsequent processing. In some circumstances, the output of the UWB waveform correlator 5 is the data itself. In other circumstances, the UWB waveform correlator 5 simply provides an intermediate correlation result, which the radio controller and interface 9 uses to determine the data and determine when the receiver 11 is synchronized with the incoming signal.
[0046] In some embodiments of the present invention, when synchronization is not achieved (e.g., during a signal acquisition mode of operation), the radio controller and interface 9 provides a control signal to the receiver 11 to acquire synchronization. In this way, a sliding of a correlation window within the UWB waveform correlator 5 is possible by adjustment of the phase and frequency of the output of the timing generator 7 of the receiver 11 via a control signal from the radio controller and interface 9 . The control signal causes the correlation window to slide until lock is achieved. The radio controller and interface 9 is a processor-based unit that is implemented either with hard wired logic, such as in one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs) or in one or more programmable processors.
[0047] Once synchronized, the receiver 11 provides data to an input port (“RX Data In”) of the radio controller and interface 9 . An external process, via an output port (“RX Data Out”) of the radio controller and interface 9 , may then use this data. The external process may be any one of a number of processes performed with data that is either received via the receiver 11 or is to be transmitted via the transmitter 13 to a remote receiver.
[0048] During a transmit mode of operation, the radio controller and interface 9 receives source data at an input port (“TX Data In”) from an external source. The radio controller and interface 9 then applies the data to an encoder 21 of the transmitter 13 via an output port (“TX Data Out”). In addition, the radio controller and interface 9 provides control signals to the transmitter 13 for use in identifying the signaling sequence of UWB pulses. In some embodiments of the present invention, the receiver 11 and the transmitter 13 functions may use joint resources, such as a common timing generator and/or a common antenna, for example. The encoder 21 receives user coding information and data from the radio controller and interface 9 and preprocesses the data and coding so as to provide a timing input for the UWB waveform generator 17 , which produces UWB pulses encoded in shape and/or time to convey the data to a remote location.
[0049] The encoder 21 produces the control signals necessary to generate the required modulation. For example, the encoder 21 may take a serial bit stream and encode it with a forward error correction (FEC) algorithm (e.g., such as a Reed Solomon code, a Golay code, a Hamming code, a Convolutional code, etc.). The encoder 21 may also interleave the data to guard against burst errors. The encoder 21 may also apply a whitening function to prevent long strings of “ones” or “zeros.” The encoder 21 may also apply a user specific spectrum spreading function, such as generating a predetermined length chipping code that is sent as a group to represent a bit (e.g., inverted for a “one” bit and non-inverted for a “zero” bit, etc.). The encoder 21 may divide the serial bit stream into subsets in order to send multiple bits per wavelet or per chipping code, and generate a plurality of control signals in order to affect any combination of the modulation schemes as described above (and/or as described in Lathi).
[0050] The radio controller and interface 9 may provide some identification, such as user ID, etc., of the source from which the data on the input port (“TX Data In”) is received. In one embodiment of the present invention, this user ID may be inserted in the transmission sequence, as if it were a header of an information packet. In other embodiments of the present invention, the user ID itself may be employed to encode the data, such that a receiver receiving the transmission would need to postulate or have a priori knowledge of the user ID in order to make sense of the data. For example, the ID may be used to apply a different amplitude signal (e.g., of amplitude “f”) to a fast modulation control signal to be discussed with respect to FIG. 2, as a way of impressing the encoding onto the signal.
[0051] The output from the encoder 21 is applied to a UWB waveform generator 17 . The UWB waveform generator 17 produces a UWB pulse sequence of pulse shapes at pulse times according to the command signals it receives, which may be one of any number of different schemes. The output from the UWB generator 17 is then provided to an antenna 15 , which then transmits the UWB energy to a receiver.
[0052] In one UWB modulation scheme, the data may be encoded by using the relative spacing of transmission pulses (e.g., PPM, chirp, etc.). In other UWB modulation schemes, the data may be encoded by exploiting the shape of the pulses as described above (and/or as described in Lathi). It should be noted that the present invention is able to combine time modulation (e.g., such as pulse position modulation, chirp, etc.) with other modulation schemes that manipulate the shape of the pulses.
[0053] There are numerous advantages to the above capability, such as communicating more than one data bit per symbol transmitted from the transmitter 13 , etc. An often even more important quality, however, is the application of such technique to implement spread-spectrum, multi-user systems, which require multiple spreading codes (e.g., such as each with spike autocorrelation functions, and jointly with low peak cross-correlation functions, etc.).
[0054] In addition, combining timing, phase, frequency, and amplitude modulation adds extra degrees of freedom to the spreading code functions, allowing greater optimization of the cross-correlation and autocorrelation characteristics. As a result of the improved autocorrelation and cross-correlation characteristics, the system according to the present invention has improved capability, allowing many transceiver units to operate in close proximity without suffering from interference from one another.
[0055] [0055]FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a transceiver embodiment of the present invention in which the modulation scheme employed is able to manipulate the shape and time of the UWB pulses. In FIG. 2, when receiving energy through the antenna 1 , 15 (e.g., corresponding antennas 1 and 15 of FIG. 1 a ) the energy is coupled in to a transmit/receive (T/R) switch 27 , which passes the energy to a radio front end 3 . The radio front end 3 filters, extracts noise, and adjusts the amplitude of the signal before providing the same to a splitter 29 . The splitter 29 divides the signal up into one of N different signals and applies the N different signals to different tracking correlators 31 1 - 31 N . Each of the tracking correlators 31 1 - 31 N receives a clock input signal from a respective timing generator 7 1 - 7 N of a timing generator module 7 , 19 , as shown in FIG. 2.
[0056] The timing generators 7 1 - 7 N , for example, receive a phase and frequency adjustment signal, as shown in FIG. 2, but may also receive a fast modulation signal or other control signal(s) as well. The radio controller and interface 9 provides the control signals, such as phase, frequency and fast modulation signals, etc., to the timing generator module 7 , 19 , for time synchronization and modulation control. The fast modulation control signal may be used to implement, for example, chirp waveforms, PPM waveforms, such as fast time scale PPM waveforms, etc.
[0057] The radio controller and interface 9 also provides control signals to, for example, the encoder 21 , the waveform generator 17 , the filters 23 , the amplifier 25 , the T/R switch 27 , the front end 3 , the tracking correlators 31 1 - 31 N (corresponding to the UWB waveform correlator 5 of FIG. 1 a ), etc., for controlling, for example, amplifier gains, signal waveforms, filter passbands and notch functions, alternative demodulation and detecting processes, user codes, spreading codes, cover codes, etc.
[0058] During signal acquisition, the radio controller and interface 9 adjusts the phase input of, for example, the timing generator 7 1 , in an attempt for the tracking correlator 31 1 to identify and the match the timing of the signal produced at the receiver with the timing of the arriving signal. When the received signal and the locally generated signal coincide in time with one another, the radio controller and interface 9 senses the high signal strength or high SNR and begins to track, so that the receiver is synchronized with the received signal.
[0059] Once synchronized, the receiver will operate in a tracking mode, where the timing generator 7 1 is adjusted by way of a continuing series of phase adjustments to counteract any differences in timing of the timing generator 7 1 and the incoming signal. However, a feature of the present invention is that by sensing the mean of the phase adjustments over a known period of time, the radio controller and interface 9 adjusts the frequency of the timing generator 7 1 so that the mean of the phase adjustments becomes zero. The frequency is adjusted in this instance because it is clear from the pattern of phase adjustments that there is a frequency offset between the timing generator 7 1 and the clocking of the received signal. Similar operations may be performed on timing generators 7 2 - 7 N , so that each receiver can recover the signal delayed by different amounts, such as the delays caused by multipath (i.e., scattering along different paths via reflecting off of local objects).
[0060] A feature of the transceiver in FIG. 2 is that it includes a plurality of tracking correlators 31 1 - 31 N . By providing a plurality of tracking correlators, several advantages are obtained. First, it is possible to achieve synchronization more quickly (i.e., by operating parallel sets of correlation arms to find strong SNR points over different code-wheel segments). Second, during a receive mode of operation, the multiple arms can resolve and lock onto different multipath components of a signal. Through coherent addition, the UWB communication system uses the energy from the different multipath signal components to reinforce the received signal, thereby improving signal to noise ratio. Third, by providing a plurality of tracking correlator arms, it is also possible to use one arm to continuously scan the channel for a better signal than is being received on other arms.
[0061] In one embodiment of the present invention, if and when the scanning arm finds a multipath term with higher SNR than another arm that is being used to demodulate data, the role of the arms is switched (i.e., the arm with the higher SNR is used to demodulate data, while the arm with the lower SNR begins searching). In this way, the communications system dynamically adapts to changing channel conditions.
[0062] The radio controller and interface 9 receives the information from the different tracking correlators 31 1 - 31 N and decodes the data. The radio controller and interface 9 also provides control signals for controlling the front end 3 , e.g., such as gain, filter selection, filter adaptation, etc., and adjusting the synchronization and tracking operations by way of the timing generator module 7 , 19 .
[0063] In addition, the radio controller and interface 9 serves as an interface between the communication link feature of the present invention and other higher level applications that will use the wireless UWB communication link for performing other functions. Some of these functions would include, for example, performing range-finding operations, wireless telephony, file sharing, personal digital assistant (PDA) functions, embedded control functions, location-finding operations, etc.
[0064] On the transmit portion of the transceiver shown in FIG. 2, a timing generator 7 0 also receives phase, frequency and/or fast modulation adjustment signals for use in encoding a UWB waveform from the radio controller and interface 9 . Data and user codes (via a control signal) are provided to the encoder 21 , which in the case of an embodiment of the present invention utilizing time-modulation, passes command signals (e.g., Δt) to the timing generator 7 0 for providing the time at which to send a pulse. In this way, encoding of the data into the transmitted waveform may be performed.
[0065] When the shape of the different pulses are modulated according to the data and/or codes, the encoder 21 produces the command signals as a way to select different shapes for generating particular waveforms in the waveform generator 17 . For example, the data may be grouped in multiple data bits per channel symbol. The waveform generator 17 then produces the requested waveform at a particular time as indicated by the timing generator 7 0 . The output of the waveform generator is then filtered in filter 23 and amplified in amplifier 25 before being transmitted via antenna 1 , 15 by way of the T/R switch 27 .
[0066] In another embodiment of the present invention, the transmit power is set low enough that the transmitter and receiver are simply alternately powered down without need for the T/R switch 27 . Also, in some embodiments of the present invention, neither the filter 23 nor the amplifier 25 is needed, because the desired power level and spectrum is directly useable from the waveform generator 17 . In addition, the filters 23 and the amplifier 25 may be included in the waveform generator 17 depending on the implementation of the present invention.
[0067] A feature of the UWB communications system disclosed, is that the transmitted waveform x(t) can be made to have a nearly continuous power flow, for example, by using a high chipping rate, where the wavelets g(t) are placed nearly back-to-back. This configuration allows the system to operate at low peak voltages, yet produce ample average transmit power to operate effectively. As a result, sub-micron geometry CMOS switches, for example, running at one-volt levels, can be used to directly drive antenna 1 , 15 , such that the amplifier 25 is not required. In this way, the entire radio can be integrated on a single monolithic integrated circuit.
[0068] Under certain operating conditions, the system can be operated without the filters 23 . If, however, the system is to be operated, for example, with another radio system, the filters 23 can be used to provide a notch function to limit interference with other radio systems. In this way, the system can operate simultaneously with other radio systems, providing advantages over conventional devices that use avalanching type devices connected straight to an antenna, such that it is difficult to include filters therein.
[0069] The UWB transceiver of FIG. 1 a or 2 may be used to perform a radio transport function for interfacing with different applications as part of a stacked protocol architecture. In such a configuration, the UWB transceiver performs signal creation, transmission and reception functions as a communications service to applications that send data to the transceiver and receive data from the transceiver much like a wired I/O port. Moreover, the UWB transceiver may be used to provide a wireless communications function to any one of a variety of devices that may include interconnection to other devices either by way of wired technology or wireless technology Thus, the UWB transceiver of FIG. 1 a or 2 may be used as part of a local area network (LAN) connecting fixed structures or as part of a wireless personal area network (WPAN) connecting mobile devices, for example. In any such implementation, all or a portion of the present invention may be conveniently implemented in a microprocessor system using conventional general purpose microprocessors programmed according to the teachings of the present invention, as will be apparent to those skilled in the microprocessor systems art. Appropriate software can be readily prepared by programmers of ordinary skill based on the teachings of the present disclosure, as will be apparent to those skilled in the software art.
[0070] [0070]FIG. 3 illustrates a processor system 301 upon which an embodiment according to the present invention may be implemented. The system 301 includes a bus 303 or other communication mechanism for communicating information, and a processor 305 coupled with the bus 303 for processing the information. The processor system 301 also includes a main memory 307 , such as a random access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage device (e.g., dynamic RAM (DRAM), static RAM (SRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), flash RAM), coupled to the bus 303 for storing information and instructions to be executed by the processor 305 . In addition, a main memory 307 may be used for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during execution of instructions to be executed by the processor 305 . The system 301 further includes a read only memory (ROM) 309 or other static storage device (e.g., programmable ROM (PROM), erasable PROM (EPROM), and electrically erasable PROM (EEPROM)) coupled to the bus 303 for storing static information and instructions for the processor 305 . A storage device 311 , such as a magnetic disk or optical disc, is provided and coupled to the bus 303 for storing information and instructions.
[0071] The processor system 301 may also include special purpose logic devices (e.g., application specific integrated circuits (ASICs)) or configurable logic devices (e.g, simple programmable logic devices (SPLDs), complex programmable logic devices (CPLDs), or re-programmable field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs)). Other removable media devices (e.g., a compact disc, a tape, and a removable magneto-optical media) or fixed, high density media drives, may be added to the system 301 using an appropriate device bus (e.g., a small system interface (SCSI) bus, an enhanced integrated device electronics (IDE) bus, or an ultra-direct memory access (DMA) bus). The system 301 may additionally include a compact disc reader, a compact disc reader-writer unit, or a compact disc juke box, each of which may be connected to the same device bus or another device bus.
[0072] The processor system 301 may be coupled via the bus 303 to a display 313 , such as a cathode ray tube (CRT) or liquid crystal display (LCD) or the like, for displaying information to a system user. The display 313 may be controlled by a display or graphics card. The processor system 301 includes input devices, such as a keyboard or keypad 315 and a cursor control 317 , for communicating information and command selections to the processor 305 . The cursor control 317 , for example, is a mouse, a trackball, or cursor direction keys for communicating direction information and command selections to the processor 305 and for controlling cursor movement on the display 313 . In addition, a printer may provide printed listings of the data structures or any other data stored and/or generated by the processor system 301 .
[0073] The processor system 301 performs a portion or all of the processing steps of the invention in response to the processor 305 executing one or more sequences of one or more instructions contained in a memory, such as the main memory 307 . Such instructions may be read into the main memory 307 from another computer-readable medium, such as a storage device 311 . One or more processors in a multi-processing arrangement may also be employed to execute the sequences of instructions contained in the main memory 307 . In alternative embodiments, hard-wired circuitry may be used in place of or in combination with software instructions. Thus, embodiments are not limited to any specific combination of hardware circuitry and software.
[0074] As stated above, the processor system 301 includes at least one computer readable medium or memory programmed according to the teachings of the invention and for containing data structures, tables, records, or other data described herein. Stored on any one or on a combination of computer readable media, the present invention includes software for controlling the system 301 , for driving a device or devices for implementing the invention, and for enabling the system 301 to interact with a human user. Such software may include, but is not limited to, device drivers, operating systems, development tools, and applications software. Such computer readable media further includes the computer program product of the present invention for performing all or a portion (if processing is distributed) of the processing performed in implementing the invention.
[0075] The computer code devices of the present invention may be any interpreted or executable code mechanism, including but not limited to scripts, interpretable programs, dynamic link libraries, Java or other object oriented classes, and complete executable programs. Moreover, parts of the processing of the present invention may be distributed for better performance, reliability, and/or cost.
[0076] The term “computer readable medium” as used herein refers to any medium that participates in providing instructions to the processor 305 for execution. A computer readable medium may take many forms, including but not limited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media. Non-volatile media includes, for example, optical, magnetic disks, and magneto-optical disks, such as the storage device 311 . Volatile media includes dynamic memory, such as the main memory 307 . Transmission media includes coaxial cables, copper wire and fiber optics, including the wires that comprise the bus 303 . Transmission media may also take the form of acoustic or light waves, such as those generated during radio wave and infrared data communications.
[0077] Common forms of computer readable media include, for example, hard disks, floppy disks, tape, magneto-optical disks, PROMs (EPROM, EEPROM, Flash EPROM), DRAM, SRAM, SDRAM, or any other magnetic medium, compact disks (e.g., CD-ROM), or any other optical medium, punch cards, paper tape, or other physical medium with patterns of holes, a carrier wave, carrierless transmissions, or any other medium from which a system can read.
[0078] Various forms of computer readable media may be involved in providing one or more sequences of one or more instructions to the processor 305 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially be carried on a magnetic disk of a remote computer. The remote computer can load the instructions for implementing all or a portion of the present invention remotely into a dynamic memory and send the instructions over a telephone line using a modem. A modem local to system 301 may receive the data on the telephone line and use an infrared transmitter to convert the data to an infrared signal. An infrared detector coupled to the bus 303 can receive the data carried in the infrared signal and place the data on the bus 303 . The bus 303 carries the data to the main memory 307 , from which the processor 305 retrieves and executes the instructions. The instructions received by the main memory 307 may optionally be stored on a storage device 311 either before or after execution by the processor 305 .
[0079] The processor system 301 also includes a communication interface 319 coupled to the bus 303 . The communications interface 319 provides a two-way UWB data communication coupling to a network link 321 that is connected to a communications network 323 such as a local network (LAN) or personal area network (PAN) 323 . For example, the communication interface 319 may be a network interface card to attach to any packet switched UWB-enabled personal area network (PAN) 323 . As another example, the communication interface 319 may be a UWB accessible asymmetrical digital subscriber line (ADSL) card, an integrated services digital network (ISDN) card, or a modem to provide a data communication connection to a corresponding type of communications line. The communications interface 319 may also include the hardware to provide a two-way wireless communications coupling other than a UWB coupling, or a hardwired coupling to the network link 321 . Thus, the communications interface 319 may incorporate the UWB transceiver of FIG. 2 as part of a universal interface that includes hardwired and non-UWB wireless communications coupling to the network link 321 .
[0080] The network link 321 typically provides data communication through one or more networks to other data devices. For example, the network link 321 may provide a connection through a LAN to a host computer 325 or to data equipment operated by a service provider, which provides data communication services through an IP (Internet Protocol) network 327 . Moreover, the network link 321 may provide a connection through a PAN 323 to a mobile device 329 such as a personal digital assistant (PDA) laptop computer, or cellular telephone. The LAN/PAN communications network 323 and IP network 327 both use electrical, electromagnetic or optical signals that carry digital data streams. The signals through the various networks and the signals on the network link 321 and through the communication interface 319 , which carry the digital data to and from the system 301 , are exemplary forms of carrier waves transporting the information. The processor system 301 can transmit notifications and receive data, including program code, through the network(s), the network link 321 and the communication interface 319 . | A method for conveying application data via carrierless ultra wideband wireless signals, and signals embodied in a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. Application data is encoded into wavelets that are transmitted as a carrierless ultra wideband waveform. The carrierless ultra wideband waveform is received by an antenna, and the application data is decoded from the wavelets included in the waveform. The waveforms of the signals include wavelets that have a predetermined shape that is used to modulate the data. The signals may convey, for example, Web pages and executable programs between mobile devices. The signals are low power and can penetrate obstructions making them favorable for use with a wireless node of a network. | 7 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a spring, and more particularly to a conical spring.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
There are various springs, such as wire springs, flat springs, special springs, etc. The wire springs comprise the compression straight springs, the tension straight spring, the torsion spiral spring, the conical spring, and so forth.
The wire springs are generally the straight spring and the conical spring, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Under the circumstance that the greatest stress of the straight spring does not exceed the elastic limit of the straight spring, the elasticity of the straight spring is eventually undermined after the prolonged use of the straight spring, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the conical spring is defective in design in that the base portion of the spring is caused to deform first when the conical spring is exerted on by a load, and that the midsegment and the top portion of the conical spring are subsequently caused to deform. As a result, the use of the conical spring can not be easily controlled.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary objective of the present invention is to provide a conical spring capable of overcoming the shortcomings of the prior art springs described above.
The foregoing objective of the present invention is attained by a conical spring, which is formed by a wire which is coiled into a series of rings in opposite directions. The wire is first coiled from the base thereof in one direction and in accordance with a predetermined rotating angle and is then coiled in a reverse direction according to a predetermined rotating angle.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 shows a schematic view of a prior art straight spring at work.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a prior art conical spring at work.
FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of a conical spring of a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of the conical spring of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention at work.
FIG. 5 shows a top view of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 6 shows a sectional view of a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 7 shows a sectional view of a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 8 shows a sectional view of a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 9 shows a sectional view of a fifth preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As shown in FIGS. 3-5, a conical spring of the first preferred embodiment of the present invention is formed by a wire 10 of a steel material, which is first coiled into a series of rings from a first level 111 of a base 11 thereof such that a predetermined vertex angle α1 is formed, and that a first conical body 12 is formed. The first coiling of the wire 10 is terminated at a predetermined second level 13 before the wire 10 is coiled into a series of rings in reverse direction such that a second conical body 14 is formed by a vertex 15 having a third level 151 which is almost at the same level as the first level 111. The second conical body 14 has a predetermined vertex angle α2.
When the conical spring is exerted on by a load, the first conical body 12 and the second conical body 14 of the conical spring are caused to deform uniformly in view of the fact that the first conical body 12 and the second conical body 14 are arranged in an inverted manner. The working mechanism of the conical spring of the present invention can be expressed by an equation as follows:
W=πd.sup.3 τ/16r.sub.1 +πd.sup.3 τ/16r.sub.2,
in which W stands for the maximum load; d, the diameter of the wire; τ, the maximum shearing stress; r 1 , the radius of the first base 11 of the first conical body 12; r 2 , the radius of the second level 13 of the second conical body 14.
It is therefore readily apparent that the conical spring of the present invention has an excellent elasticity and a large compression space, and that the series of rings of the first conical body 12 and the second conical body 14 are prevented from obstruction one another, and further that the conical spring of the present invention has a uniform elasticity, which is made possible by the first conical body 12 having a natural length equal to the natural length of the second conical body 14, and still further that the conical spring of the present invention may be formed of a plurality of conical bodies.
The embodiment of the present invention described above is to be regarded in all respects as being merely illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, the present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without deviating from the spirit thereof. For example, the conical spring of the present invention may be formed of a second conical body 141 having a third level 151 which may be located at a level which is either higher or lower than the first level 111 of the first conical body 12, as shown in FIGS. 6 and 7. In addition, the first conical body 12 and the second conical body 14 may have different natural lengths so as to enable the conical spring of the present invention to have an optimum loading effect. The present invention may be further embodied in other forms, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 9. The conical spring of the present invention may be formed of three conical bodies, with the third conical body being formed by a series of rings which are formed by the coiling of the wire 10 from the third level 151 of the second conical body 14. The wire 10 of the conical spring of the present invention may be round, square, or oval in its cross section. Moreover, the wire 10 may be replaced with an elongated strip of a steel material. The present invention is therefore to be limited only by the scopes of the following appended claims. | A conical spring is formed by a steel wire, which is coiled into a series of rings in opposite directions. The wire is first coiled from the base thereof in one direction and in accordance with a predetermined rotating angle and is then coiled in a reverse direction according to a predetermined rotating angle. | 5 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to exterior coverings for buildings. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved siding system that prevents the collection of moisture between the vinyl siding and the wall of the building.
[0002] The primary purpose of applying aluminum or vinyl siding is to the exterior of a building is to protect the structure from the elements. Most importantly, the exterior of the building is protected from moisture, wind and UV. In addition, siding performs an aesthetic function.
[0003] However, existing siding systems suffer from significant drawbacks. Conventional siding consists of panels, which are nailed directly to the wall of the structure thereby creating a barrier to the movement of air behind the panels. Furthermore, the panels interlock with one another, creating a seal therebetween and effectively trapping air and moisture in a pocket behind each panel. Although prior art siding systems do protect the structure of a building from rain, rainwater, especially when driven by the wind, is often able to penetrate behind the siding panels at corners, around windows and doors, and at other points where adjacent siding panels come together. Water may also collect behind the siding by condensation.
[0004] Once water penetrates behind the siding or collects behind the siding by condensation, the barriers formed between the panels and the wall, and the seals formed between adjacent panels, prevent the water from escaping. Water trapped behind the siding results in damage to the structure of the building.
[0005] U.S. Pat. No. 6,223,488 B1 issued to Pelfrey et al. discloses vented siding, having recessed vents that allow moisture to escape from behind the siding. Unfortunately, the siding of Pelfrey et al. is only applicable in drier climates. In wetter climates the vented siding of Pelfrey et al. actually allows water to penetrate behind the siding, thereby damaging the building structure. This is clearly undesirable.
[0006] Another drawback of prior art siding systems is that, when exposed to strong sunlight and high outdoor temperatures, vinyl siding can become so heated as to become warped and buckled. Warped vinyl siding may no longer form an effective barrier against rain and moisture and has diminished aesthetic qualities.
[0007] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a siding system that prevents water from penetrating to the wall behind the siding.
[0008] It is a further object of the present invention to provide a siding system that allows moisture behind the siding to escape.
[0009] It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a siding system that is resistant to warping and buckling due to high ambient temperatures and sunlight.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0010] The present invention comprises a siding system for attachment to an exterior wall of a building. The siding panel of the present system comprises an elongated flange along the top edge of the panel. The elongated flange comprises a spacing element perpendicular to the body of the panel and a wall engaging element parallel to the body of the panel. The spacing element comprises a plurality of air holes operative to allow air move behind the panels. The spacing element is additionally operative to maintain the siding panel spaced away from the wall. The siding panel additionally comprises a siding engaging flange along the lower edge, operative to stabilize the siding panel by engaging an adjacent siding panel.
[0011] The spacing elements may form an integral part of the siding panels or may form separate components to which the siding panels are connected. In the preferred embodiment described herein the spacing elements form an integral part of the siding panels.
[0012] The present siding system additionally comprises starter strips and double J-trim elements operative to maintain the siding panels spaced apart from the supporting wall and to allow air to enter and exit the space between the siding panels and the supporting wall.
[0013] The starter strips and double J-trim elements of the present siding system allow air to move through the space between the siding panels and the supporting wall, thereby permitting accumulated moisture to evaporate.
[0014] In addition, the movement of air behind the panels of the present siding system acts to cool the panels when exposed to high temperatures. The present siding system is therefore resistant to heat-induced warping and buckling which may take place in hot climates.
[0015] The present siding system additionally comprises J-trim, gable line trim, inside corner elements, outside corner elements and similar components incorporating a raised bead or ridge on the surface directly behind the siding panels. By channeling water that penetrates behind the siding panels, the bead prevents the supporting wall from coming into contact with water thereby protecting the supporting wall from water damage.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] Further features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description, given by way of example, of a preferred embodiment taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
[0017] [0017]FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a panel of prior art siding;
[0018] [0018]FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a panel of siding of the present invention;
[0019] [0019]FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a prior art starter strip;
[0020] [0020]FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a starter strip of the present invention;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 5 is a perspective view of prior art J-trim;
[0022] [0022]FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a J-trim element of the present invention for use along the gable line;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a J-trim element of the present invention for use, for example, along the side of windows and doors;
[0024] [0024]FIG. 8 is a perspective view of a prior art inside corner element;
[0025] [0025]FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a inside corner element of the present invention;
[0026] [0026]FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a prior art outside corner element;
[0027] [0027]FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an outside corner element of the present invention;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of a panel of prior art siding and soffit trim;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 13 is a perspective view of a double J-trim element of the present invention; and
[0030] [0030]FIG. 14 is a perspective view of a panel of siding panel and a double J-trim element of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0031] Referring to FIG. 1, a prior art panel of vinyl siding 10 is shown mounted on the wall 12 . The panel 10 is supported by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . The panel 10 has a fold 20 and a bottom flange 22 . The bottom flange 22 of a first panel 10 is received by the fold 20 of an adjacent panel 10 so as to secure the bottom of the first panel 10 . The body 18 of the panel 10 is in contact with the wall at points 24 . The fact that the panel 10 contacts the wall 12 means that air and moisture are trapped in pockets behind the panel 10 and are therefore prevented from escaping.
[0032] Referring to FIG. 2, a panel of vinyl siding 30 of the present invention is shown mounted on the wall 12 . The panel has a top flange 32 with a first vertical portion 34 , a horizontal portion 36 and a second vertical portion 38 . The first vertical portion 34 and second vertical portion 38 have nail holes 16 operative to pass nails 14 to support the panel 30 on the wall 12 . The horizontal portion 36 has a plurality of air holes 42 . The panel 30 has a fold 46 and a bottom flange 48 . The bottom flange 48 of a first panel 30 is received by the fold 46 of an adjacent panel 30 so as to secure the bottom of the first panel 30 . The separation between the wall 12 and the body 50 of the panel 30 is the smallest at points 44 . However, in contrast to the panel 10 of FIG. 1, the body 50 of the panel 30 does not come into contact with the wall 12 . This feature, in conjunction with the air holes 42 , allows air to move behind the panel 30 thereby allowing moisture trapped between the panel 30 and the wall 12 to evaporate. In a preferred embodiment the horizontal portion 36 of the top flange 32 is of a width such that points 44 of the body 50 of the panel 30 are separated from the wall 12 by ⅜″ to ¾″.
[0033] In an alternative embodiment, in place of a single elongated top flange 32 containing air holes 42 and extending the length of the panel 30 , the panel 30 may incorporate a plurality of spaced-apart flanges. The spaced apart flanges would not require air holes as such. Rather than moving through the air holes 42 , air would move between the spaced apart flanges.
[0034] Referring to FIG. 2, in a preferred embodiment the method of the present invention the nails 14 that support the panels 30 of the present siding system are nailed into the wall 12 so that the head of the nail is lower than the point. Water condensing on or contacting nails oriented in this way is caused to move down and away from the wall 12 by gravity. Damage to the wall 12 is thereby minimized. More specifically, it has been found that nails 12 are optimally oriented at an angle of 10-15 degrees.
[0035] In an alternate embodiment of the present siding system, a prior art panel 10 may be used in combination with a spacer element. The spacer element is similar to the top flange 32 of panel 30 in that it comprises a first vertical portion, a horizontal portion and a second vertical portion. The horizontal portion of the spacer element additionally comprises air holes to allow the passage of air. The spacer element is nailed to the wall 12 and then the panel 10 is attached to the spacer element by nails or otherwise. In this way the panel 10 is spaced from the wall 12 and air is permitted to move behind the panel ten, in a manner similar to that of the embodiment described in FIG. 2.
[0036] Referring to FIG. 3, a prior art starter strip 60 is shown. Starter strips 60 are secured at the bottom edge of a wall area that is to be covered by vinyl or aluminum siding. The starter strip 60 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . The starter strip 60 has a folded flange 64 which is operative to receive the bottom flange 22 of a panel 10 (see FIG. 1). The folded flange 64 performs a similar function to that of the fold 20 of panel 10 .
[0037] Referring to FIG. 4, a starter strip 70 of the present siding system is shown. The starter strip 70 is attached to wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . The folded flange 72 of the starter strip 70 comprises a horizontal portion 74 and a folded portion 76 . The horizontal portion 74 is perforated by air holes 78 . The starter strip 70 forms the bottom edge of the siding system of the present invention and therefore the air holes 78 allow air to enter the space between the panels 30 and the wall 12 . The bottom flange 48 of a first panel 30 is received by the folded portion 76 so as to secure the bottom of the first panel 30 (see FIG. 2). In the preferred embodiment, the horizontal portion 74 of the folded flange 72 is of a width such that points 44 of panel 30 are ⅜″ to ¾″ from the wall 12 .
[0038] Referring to FIG. 5, a prior art J-trim element 80 is shown. The J-trim 80 is used to form a border and to seal and protect the edge of siding panels around windows, doors, and gable lines. The J-trim 80 is connected to the wall 12 by nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16 . The J-trim 80 has a flange 82 comprising a horizontal portion 84 and a vertical portion 86 . The U-shaped channel 90 formed by the flange 82 and the body 88 of the J-trim 80 is operative to receive the edge of a panel 10 (see FIG. 1).
[0039] Referring to FIG. 6, a J-trim element 100 of the present invention for use along the gable line is shown. The J-trim 100 is attached to the wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . The J-trim 100 has a flange 104 comprising a horizontal portion 106 and a vertical portion 108 . The U-shaped channel 112 formed by the flange 104 and the body 102 of the J-trim 100 is operative to receive the edge of a panel 30 (see FIG. 3). The J-trim 100 is distinguished from the prior art J-trim 80 in that the horizontal portion 106 is perforated by a plurality of air holes 110 . The J-trim 100 forms the bottom edge of the siding system along the gable line and therefore, in a manner similar to that of the starter strip 70 of FIG. 4, the air holes 110 allow air to enter the space between the panels 30 and the wall 12 .
[0040] Referring to FIG. 7, a J-trim element 120 of the present invention for use along windows, doors, etc., is shown. The J-trim 120 is attached to the wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . The J-trim 120 has a flange 122 comprising a horizontal portion 124 and a vertical portion 126 . The U-shaped channel 132 formed by the body 128 of the J-trim and the flange 122 is operative to receive the edge of a panel 30 .
[0041] Referring again to FIGS. 1 and 5, in prior art siding systems, rain water can penetrate around the edge of the panel 10 that is situated within the U-shaped channel 90 . In this manner water is able to reach the wall 12 behind the panel 10 , thereby damaging it.
[0042] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2, 5 and 7 , the body 128 includes a bead 130 , which is operative to prevent water from reaching the wall 12 behind the panel 30 . Water is able to penetrate around the edge of the panel 30 that is situated within the U-shaped channel 132 in the same manner as with the prior art J-trim 80 , however, it is prevented from reaching the wall 12 by bead 130 . Water is effectively channeled between the bead 130 and the horizontal portion 124 of the flange 122 , and is drained down and away by gravity.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 7, the siding system of the present invention additionally contemplates a J-trim element for use, for example, along gable lines and above and below doors and windows, which combines the air holes 110 of FIG. 6 and the bead 130 of FIG. 7. Such a J-trim element would allow air to enter the space behind the siding panels and prevent water from penetrating behind the siding panel.
[0044] Referring to FIG. 8, a prior art inside corner element 200 is shown. The inside corner element 200 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 202 , each comprising an inner face 204 , an intermediate face 206 , and an outer face 208 . Two cavities 210 are formed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 204 , 206 , 208 . Each of the cavities 210 is operative to receive the edge of a siding panel 10 (see FIG. 1). The inside corner element 200 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 .
[0045] Referring to FIGS. 1, 5 and 8 , in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the prior art J-trim 80 , water is able to penetrate around the edge of panel 10 that is situated in the U-shaped channel 210 , thereby contacting the wall 12 and causing damage thereto.
[0046] Referring to FIG. 9, an inside corner element 220 of the present invention is shown. The inside corner element 220 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 222 , each comprising an inner face 224 , an intermediate face 226 , and an outer face 228 . Two cavities 230 are formed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 224 , 226 , 228 . Each of the cavities 230 is operative to receive the edge of a siding panel 30 (see FIG. 2). The inside corner element 220 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . The inside corner element 220 is distinguished from the inside corner element 200 of FIG. 8, in that each of the outer faces 228 of terminal flanges 222 comprises a bead 232 . The bead 232 prevents water that penetrates around the edge of panel 30 that is situated in the U-shaped channel 230 (see FIG. 2) from coming into contact with the wall 12 . The water to be channeled between bead 232 and intermediate face 226 and is drained downward by gravity.
[0047] Referring to FIGS. 2, 8 and 9 , if used in conjunction with the panels 30 of the present invention, inside corner element 220 must have intermediate faces 226 wider than the intermediate faces 206 of the prior art inside corner elements 200 in order to allow the body 50 of the panel 30 to be spaced from the wall 12 .
[0048] Referring to FIG. 10, a prior art outside corner element 240 is shown. The outside corner element 240 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 242 , each comprising an inner face 244 , an intermediate face 246 , and an outer face 248 . Two cavities 250 are formed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 244 , 246 , 248 . The cavities 250 are operative to receive the edge of a siding panel 10 (see FIG. 1). The outside corner element 240 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 .
[0049] Referring to FIGS. 5, 8 and 10 , in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the prior art J-trim 80 and inside corner element 200 , water is able to penetrate around the edge of the panel 10 (see FIG. 1) that is situated in the U-shaped channel 250 , thereby contacting the wall 12 and causing damage thereto.
[0050] Referring to FIG. 11, an outside corner element 260 of the present invention is shown. The outside corner element 260 is symmetrical, comprising two terminal flanges 262 , each comprising an inner face 264 , an intermediate face 266 , and an outer face 268 . Two cavities 270 are formed between the inner, intermediate and outer faces 264 , 266 , 268 . Each of the cavities 270 is operative to receive the edge of a siding panel 30 (see FIG. 2). The outside corner element 260 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 which pass through nail holes 16 . Each of the outer faces 268 of terminal flanges 262 comprises a bead 272 . The bead 272 prevents water that penetrates around the edge of panel 30 from coming into contact with the wall 12 . The bead 272 causes the water to be channeled downward such that it is drained away.
[0051] Referring to FIGS. 2, 10 and 11 , if used in conjunction with the panels 30 of the present invention, outside corner element 260 must have intermediate faces 266 wider than the intermediate faces 246 of the prior art outside corner elements 240 in order to allow the body 50 of the panel 30 to be spaced from the wall 12 .
[0052] Referring to FIGS. 7, 9 and 11 , beads 130 , 232 , 272 may be of any profile, however, a bead 130 , 232 , 272 of square profile, as is shown in FIG. 7, has been found to be most effective in preventing water from penetrating to the wall 12 .
[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 and 12, a prior art siding system is shown where the top of the siding meets meets the soffit. Soffit trim 280 is supported on the wall 12 by nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16 . Nails 14 additionally pass through siding panel 10 . Rarely is the size of the area to be covered with siding equal to an integer multiple of the size of the siding panels 10 . In other words, panels 10 must often be cut in order to conform them to the area being covered. For example in FIG. 12 the siding panel 10 has been cut along its length below the fold 20 (see FIG. 1) in order to reduce its height to conform to the size of the area being covered with siding. Soffit 282 is shown in in dashed lines and is supported by soffit trim 280 . The soffit 282 has air holes that allow air to move to and from the attic of the building. However, as is obvious from FIG. 12, since soffit trim 280 is nailed directly over panel 10 , panel 10 comes into direct contact with the wall 12 , thereby trapping air between the panel 10 and the wall 12 . Therefore any moisture that penetrates behind panel 10 is unable to escape, resulting in damage to the wall 12 .
[0054] Referring to FIG. 13, a novel trim element of the present invention, comprising a double J-trim element 290 is shown. The double J-trim element 290 comprises a lower portion 292 and an upper portion 294 . The double J-trim element 290 is supported on wall 12 by nails 14 that pass through nail holes 16 in the lower portion 292 . The upper portion 294 has a plurality of air holes 296 , a flange 298 , and a J-flange 300 .
[0055] Referring to FIG. 14, an installed double J-trim element 290 , siding panel 30 , and soffit 282 are shown. The panel 30 is supported between flange 298 , and J-flange 300 . Panel 30 may, for example, fixed between flange 298 and J-flange 300 by glue or sealant. Flange 298 also acts to maintain the panel 30 spaced away from the wall 12 so that air can escape from behind the panel 30 through the air holes 296 , thus preventing the buildup of moisture between the wall 12 and the panel 30 . Air escaping through the air holes 296 can reach the outside of the building through the air holes 284 in the soffit 282 .
[0056] Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, 6 , 13 and 14 , the air holes 42 , 78 , 110 , 296 may be of any shape.
[0057] Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 13 and 14 , air is permitted to enter the space between the wall 12 and the panels 30 through the airholes 110 in the starter strip 100 . Alternatively, air can enter the space between the wall 12 and the panels 30 through air holes in the gable line J-trim as described above with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7. The air is able to move past successive panels 30 through the air holes 42 of the panels 30 and out through the air holes 296 of the double J-trim element 290 , thereby allowing moisture accumulated between the panels 30 and the wall 12 to evaporate.
[0058] Referring to FIGS. 2, 6, 13 and 14 , the movement of air between the panels 30 and the wall 12 that is made possible by this invention additionally performs a cooling function when the siding system is exposed to strong sunlight and high ambient temperatures. This renders the siding system of the present invention resistant to heat induced buckling and warping.
[0059] Accordingly, while this invention has been described with reference to illustrative embodiments, this description is not intended to be construed in a limiting sense. Various modifications of the illustrative embodiments, as well as other embodiments of the invention, will be apparent to persons skilled in the art upon reference to this description. It is therefore contemplated that the appended claims will cover any such modifications or embodiments as fall within the true scope of the invention. | The present invention relates to a siding system for buildings and other structures. Specifically, this invention relates to an improved siding system that prevents the collection of moisture between the vinyl siding and the wall of the building. | 4 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a signal forming apparatus, a distance measuring device and an optical apparatus, and more particularly to a signal forming apparatus adapted for a distance measuring device for measuring a distance to a distance measuring object, a focusing device arranged to detect a state of focusing through an amount of defocus indicated by an auxiliary light reflected from a photo-taking object or the like.
2. Description of Related Art
Among distance measuring devices arranged to perform trigonometrical distance measurement by projecting a spot light onto a distance measuring object and receiving a reflected light from the distance measuring object, a device shown in FIG. 4 is popularly known. The device shown in FIG. 4 is arranged to project a spot light onto a distance measuring object 43 from an infrared light emitting diode 41 (hereinafter referred to as IRED) through a light projecting lens 42 and to receive at a position detecting element 45 (hereinafter referred to as PSD) a reflected light from the distance measuring object 43 through a light receiving lens 44. The PSD 45 is arranged to output, from its two terminals, signals A and B according to the position at which the reflected light is received. Therefore, the light receiving position of the PSD 45 can be detected by measuring these signals A and B, and then a distance to the distance measuring object 43 can be found through the light receiving position. The IRED 41 is set within the dome of a cover member which is formed in a dome-like shape.
However, the conventional distance measuring device shown in FIG. 4 has the following problems. In respect of S/N, for a feeble signal, noises generated by an amplifier of a signal processing circuit and by the resistance of the PSD 45 are added to every synchronous integral signal. Therefore, in order to obtain a signal component in a larger amount, it is necessary to increase the size of a distance measuring block which is composed of the light projecting lens 42, the light receiving lens 44, etc., and also to increase the light projecting power of the IRED 41 at the expense of possibility of reduction in size of the distance measuring device.
Further, it is necessary to increase the length of the PSD 45 for a wider distance measuring range. With the PSD 45 arranged to be longer for a wider distance measuring range, however, the varying rate of the signals A and B in relation to distances becomes smaller to deteriorate the accuracy of position detection.
Among the known distance measuring devices of the kind making trigonometrical distance measurement by projecting a spot light onto a distance measuring object and receiving a reflected light from the object, some of them are arranged to use a pair of sensor arrays as a light receiving element, to form an image of light reflected by the distance measuring object on each of the sensor arrays and to compute a distance to the distance measuring object by carrying out a correlative arithmetic operation to obtain a phase difference between the pair of images of reflected light received. Such an arrangement was disclosed, for example, in Japanese Patent Publication No. HEI 5-22843 and Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. HEI 9-42955. In the case of such a phase-difference detecting type distance measuring device, the so-called active AF (automatic focusing) method can be carried out to detect the light receiving position at a higher rate of resolution by virtue of the use of the multi-divided sensor array than in the case of carrying out the active AF method using the PSD. Besides, the active AF method using the multi-divided sensor array, such as a CCD or the like, has a better S/N than the active AF method using the PSD, because the active AF method using the multi-divided sensor array is almost completely unaffected by thermal noise caused by the resistance of an output part which becomes a dominant source of noise in the case of the active AF method using the PSD.
In the active AF method using the PSD, the AF action is performed with a distance computed by detecting the barycenter of the received light image. Therefore, the IRED used by this method can be arranged to have only one light emitting part at each light projecting element for one distance measuring point. FIG. 5 shows by way of example the pattern of light emission of an IRED adapted for multi-point distance measurement to be used by the active AF method using the PSD.
Referring to FIG. 5, the IRED having the light emitting pattern has three light projecting elements which respectively correspond to distance measuring points in three directions. One light emitting part is provided for each of the three light projecting elements which are arranged for distance measuring points in three directions.
According to the phase-difference detecting type active AF method, on the other hand, a plurality of light emitting parts are arranged for each of the light projecting elements of the IRED and the sensor arrays are arranged to output signals with many edges in a direction perpendicular to the pixel columns of the sensor arrays. It is known that the accuracy of the distance measurement increases accordingly as the number of these edges increases. FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) and FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) show the details of this method.
FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) show patterns of light emission of the IRED arranged for distance measuring points in five directions. FIG. 6(a) shows a case where one light emitting part of the vertically extending bar-like shape (shown in black) is provided for each light projecting element corresponding to one distance measuring point. FIG. 7(a) shows another case where two light emitting parts of the vertically extending bar-like shape (shown in black) are provided for each light projecting element corresponding to one distance measuring point.
FIGS. 6(b) and 7(b) show images respectively formed by the light emission patterns of FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) on each sensor array which corresponds to one distance measuring point. FIGS. 6(c) and 7(c) respectively show output signals of the sensor arrays to be used for correlative arithmetic operations by aligning the output values of the pixels of the sensor arrays. A difference between the output values of adjacent pixels increases at two parts, i.e., at the rise and fall of the output signal, as shown in FIG. 6(c). In the case of the output signal shown in FIG. 7(c), on the other hand, the difference between the output values of adjacent pixels increases at four parts. In carrying out the correlative arithmetic operation for detecting a phase difference, the larger the number of parts where the difference between the output values of adjacent pixel becomes large, the lesser the adverse effect of the state of reflected light or external noises on the distance measuring accuracy. Therefore, assuming that the light emission patterns shown in FIGS. 6(a) and 7(a) are obtained under the same conditions, such as the area of light emission, an IRED driving current, etc., distance measuring accuracy of a distance measuring device using the IRED of the light emission pattern of FIG. 7(a) is better than that of a distance measuring device using the IRED of the light emission pattern of FIG. 6(a). In view of this, many of the distance measuring devices of the above-stated phase-difference detecting type active AF method are arranged either to use an IRED having a plurality of light emitting parts at each light projecting element corresponding one distance measuring point or to use an IRED of the light emission pattern in which many edges are generated in the output signals of sensor arrays in the direction perpendicular to the column of pixels.
However, the conventional distance measuring devices of the phase-difference detecting type active AF method described above have the following problem.
As mentioned above, the larger the number of the bar-shaped light emitting parts of each light projecting element of the IRED, the better the accuracy of distance measurement. In actuality, however, the number of the bar-shaped light emitting parts is determined under various restrictions, as follows.
For example, since the size of the distance measuring device would increase if each light projecting element for one distance measuring point is arranged in one package (within a dome) separately from other light projecting elements, it is generally practiced to arrange the light projecting elements for all distance measuring points in one package. However, the total width of a chip forming the IRED is limited by the allowable size of the IRED package.
Further, in forming the light emitting parts for each light projecting element of the IRED, the rate of machining precision also imposes a limit on the extent to which the width of each bar-shaped light emitting part can be reduced. The feasible number of the bar-shaped light emitting parts is thus limited also by this limitation in addition to the limitation imposed on the total width of the chip.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the invention, there is provided a signal forming apparatus which forms signals related to distances by projecting light patterns in a plurality of target directions and receiving reflected light resulting from the projected light patterns, the signal forming apparatus comprising a first light emitting part which projects a light pattern in a first target direction, and a second light emitting part which projects a light pattern which differs in shape from the light pattern of the first light emitting part in a second target direction different from the first target direction, so that the signals related to the distances in the plurality of target directions can be accurately obtained with a compact arrangement.
The above and other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof taken in connection with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
FIGS. 1(a) to 1(d) show an embodiment of the invention, with FIG. 1(a) showing the shape of light emitting parts of light projecting elements of a distance measuring device, FIG. 1(b) showing images of light received on the surface of a sensor array of the distance measuring device, FIG. 1(c) showing a signal outputted from the sensor array, and FIG. 1(d) being a sectional view showing the light emitting parts of the light projecting elements.
FIG. 2 is a schematic illustration showing the arrangement of the distance measuring device according to the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 3 is a flow chart showing an operation of the embodiment of the invention.
FIG. 4 is a schematic illustration showing the principle of measurement made by a conventional distance measuring device using a PSD.
FIG. 5 shows the shape of light emitting parts of light projecting elements of an IRED shown in FIG. 4.
FIGS. 6(a) to 6(c) show an example of a conventional distance measuring arrangement, with FIG. 6(a) showing the shape of light emitting parts of light projecting elements, FIG. 6(b) showing an image of light received on the surface of a sensor array, and FIG. 6(c) showing a signal outputted from the sensor array.
FIGS. 7(a) to 7(c) show another example of conventional distance measuring arrangement, with FIG. 7(a) showing the shape of light emitting parts of light projecting elements, FIG. 6(b) showing images of light received on the surface of a sensor array, and FIG. 6(c) showing a signal outputted from the sensor array.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Hereinafter, a preferred embodiment of the invention will be described in detail with reference to the drawings.
FIGS. 1(a) to 1(d) through FIG. 3 show the embodiment of the invention. The basic arrangement of the embodiment is first described with reference to FIG. 2.
Referring to FIG. 2, a control circuit 29 outputs a transfer clock signal IRCLK to light up an IRED 21 which has five light projecting elements disposed within a dome as a light projecting package. Then, light is projected from the IRED 21 onto a distance measuring object 23 through a light projection lens 22. The projected light is reflected by the distance measuring object 23. The reflected light is imaged through light receiving lenses 24R and 24L on light receiving parts 25R and 25L.
Thus, with the IRED 21 lighted up, the images of received light are formed on the light receiving parts 25R and 25L. Then, the images of the received light and external light are converted into electric charge by means of a photo-electric conversion element. When the IRED 21 is not lighted up, external light alone impinges on the light receiving parts 25R and 25L to be converted into electric charge by the photo-electric conversion element. The electric charge is accumulated by coming round the parts where CCDs are connected in a ring-like shape at the light receiving parts 25R and 25L. When the amount of electric charge is found through a comparator (not shown) to have reached a level sufficient for distance measuring computation, the electric charge accumulated is discharged from floating gates 26R and 26L of an output amplifying part to a CPU 28 through output amplifiers 27R and 27L.
The CPU 28 is arranged to find an amount of electric charge resulting from the reflected light of the light projected from the IRED 21 by computing a difference between the amounts of electric charge of an electric charge signal transferred when the IRED 21 is lighted up and an electric charge signal transferred when the IRED 21 is not lighted up. In other words, a difference between a sum quantity of the reflected light and the external light and the quantity of the external light alone is obtained. A correlative arithmetic operation is performed on image data of the electric charge amount thus obtained to find a relation between positions of the two received light images to find how much distance one received light image must be moved with respect to the other received light image, in terms of a number of pixels, in order to make these images coincide with each other. Then, by using the principle of the trigonometric distance measurement, a distance to the distance measuring object 23 can be obtained from the result of the above-stated correlative arithmetic operation. A focusing lens is driven on the basis of the distance computed.
The shape of light emitting parts of the light projecting elements in the IRED of the distance measuring device, the received light images formed on sensor arrays and the output values of pixels of the sensor array of the distance measuring device are as described below with reference to FIGS. 1(a) to 1(d).
FIG. 1(a) shows the light emitting parts of light projecting elements used in the IRED of the distance measuring device. FIG. 1(d) is a sectional view of these parts of the IRED. The IRED (LED) is a crystal body having a PN junction. When a voltage is applied to the IRED as shown in FIG. 1(d), holes move from a P area to the PN junction to be recombined with electrons. Then, liberated energy becomes light. The light is projected through gaps between electrode parts. These gaps of the electrode parts then appear as if it is emitting light. These gap parts of the electrode parts present a vertically extending bar-like shape as shown in black in FIG. 1(a). The chip size is about the same as that of the conventional arrangement in which each of five distance measuring points has two bars as shown in FIG. 7(a). In the case of the embodiment, three bar-shaped light emitting parts are arranged at the light projecting element which corresponds to a central distance measuring point C. Each of distance measuring points R1 and L1 which are located adjacent to the central distance measuring point C and which is used when the focal length of the photo-taking lens is long is provided with two bar-shaped light emitting parts. Each of distance measuring points R2 and L2 which are located at two ends and which is used when the focal length of the photo-taking lens is short is provided with one bar-shaped light emitting part.
A driving current for driving the IRED is set in such a way as to have the luminance of light emission at each distance measuring point becomes equal to another distance measuring point by arranging the central light projecting element to have a larger current than the end light projecting elements. FIG. 1(b) shows the images of received light on the surface of the sensor array of the central distance measuring point C of the distance measuring device in the embodiment in which the light projecting elements have their light emitting parts arranged as shown in FIG. 1(a). The received light images are photo-electrically converted by the sensor array to form an output signal shown in FIG. 1(c).
In the output signal corresponding to the central distance measuring point C, the difference between output values of adjacent pixels becomes large at six parts. The distance measuring capability of the central distance measuring point C which has the six large-difference-having parts is higher than those of the distance measuring points R1 and L1 which respectively have four large-difference-having parts.
The output signal for each of the distance measuring points R2 and L2 has only two parts at which a difference between adjacent pixels becomes large. The distance measuring capability of the distance measuring points R2 and L2 is thus lower than that of distance measuring points R1 and L1. However, the distance measuring points R2 and L2 are provided for a shorter focal length of the photo-taking lens at which a hyper-focal distance is near and thus do not require the distance measuring capability as high as that of other distance measuring points. In view of this, the distance measuring points R2 and L2 are respectively arranged to have only one bar-shaped light emitting part to prevent the chip size from increasing by offsetting the larger number of bar-shaped light emitting parts arranged for the central distance measuring point C which is arranged to have three bar-shaped light emitting parts.
The operation of the distance measuring device arranged according to the embodiment as described above for a camera having a zoom function is next described in outline below with reference to FIG. 3 which is a flow chart showing a flow of operation of the CPU 28.
At a step S1, a distance measuring action is first performed for the central distance measuring point C. At a step S2, a check is made for a zoom position. If the zoom position is found to be on a telephoto side, the flow of operation proceeds to steps S3 and S4 to measure distances at the distance measuring points R1 and L1 one after another. If the zoom position is found to be on a wide-angle side, the flow proceeds to steps S5 and S6 to measure distances at the distance measuring points R2 and L2.
At a step S7, results of distance measurement for the last three distance measuring points are examined according to predetermined procedures to decide which of them is most reliable among others. Since the deciding processes are not directly related to the invention, the description of these processes is omitted here. It is decided to employ most reliable result.
In the case of the flow chart of FIG. 3, the distance measuring device is arranged to always perform the distance measuring action for the three points. This arrangement, however, may be changed to adopt the result of distance measurement for the central distance measuring point without measuring distances for other points, if the result of distance measurement first made for the central distance measuring point is found to be reliable. As for the sequence of distance measurement, the distance measurement for the central distance measuring point does not have to be first performed before other points.
According to the arrangement of the embodiment, as described above, the distance measuring capability for the central distance measuring point is increased by arranging the central light projecting element to have three bar-shaped light emitting parts, and each of the light projecting elements for the distance measuring points of the widest visual field which are allowed to have a relatively low distance measuring capability is arranged to have only one bar-shaped light emitting part, so that the overall distance measuring capability of the distance measuring device can be enhanced without increasing the total chip size of the light projecting elements.
The individual components shown in schematic or block form in the drawings are all well known in the camera arts and their specific construction and operation are not critical to the operation or best mode for carrying out the invention.
While the invention has been described with respect to what is presently considered to be the preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiment. To the contrary, the invention is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The scope of the following claims is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures and functions.
For example, the invention is applicable also to the following various cases.
(i) In an applicable case, the central light projecting element is arranged to have two bar-shaped light emitting parts, each of the light projecting elements on both sides of the central light emitting element to have two bar-shaped light emitting parts, and each of the light projecting elements on the outer sides to have one bar-shaped light emitting part. In another case, three light projecting elements are used, in which the central light projecting element is arranged to have two bar-shaped light emitting parts while each of the other light projecting elements located adjacent to the central light projecting element is arranged to have one bar-shaped light emitting part.
(ii) The embodiment is arranged to have three bar-shaped light emitting parts for the central distance measuring point for the purpose of enhancing the accuracy of distance measurement with importance attached to the central distance measuring point. However importance may be attached to a point other than the central distance measuring point.
(iii) The shape of the light emitting parts is not limited to the bar-like shape but may be in some other suitable shape. Such a modification may be made to give more latitude to the shape of light emitting parts by using a two-dimensional line sensor arrangement instead of the one-dimensional line sensor arrangement formed by parallel aligning a plurality of pixels in the direction of base length.
(iv) The invention is applicable not only to a camera but also to some other optical apparatus such as a binocular or the like.
(v) The invention is applicable also to an arrangement using auxiliary light for the passive type AF.
(vi) In the embodiment disclosed, the gaps of electrode parts of the IRED are used as light projecting parts. However, the invention is not limited to that arrangement, which may be replaced with some other suitable arrangement. For example, a mask or the like having slits formed therein is arranged as a light projecting part on the upper side of each light projecting element.
The invention may be carried out by combining, as necessary, technological elements of the embodiment described in the foregoing.
The invention applies to cases where either the whole or a part of the claims or the arrangement of each embodiment described forms one apparatus or is used in combination with some other apparatus or as a component element of an apparatus. | A signal forming apparatus forms signals related to distances by projecting light patterns in a plurality of target directions and receiving reflected light resulting from the projected light patterns. The device includes a first light emitting part which projects a light pattern in a first target direction, and a second light emitting part which projects a light pattern which differs in shape from the light pattern of the first light emitting part in a second target direction different from the first target direction. | 6 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to the technical field of power transmission and distribution, and more specifically to a connection and combination apparatus between line-in and line-out (not including a circuit breaker) of a switch cabinet and a method of manufacturing the same.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
At present, a small-volume medium-voltage switch cabinet in a 3.6˜40.5 kV power system is a gas-filled cabinet filled with SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) gas as an insulating medium. However, under conditions of high power electric arc, spark discharge and corona discharge, the SF6 gas will decompose and dissociate various substances, and the decomposed and dissociated substances will react with oxygen, water, metal and insulating materials to generate some toxic matters. For a long time, since the gas-filled cabinet filled with SF6 gas as an insulating medium cannot be absolutely sealed, a phenomenon that the gas leaks necessarily exists. The following problems accordingly occur:
day by day, leakage of the toxic gas generated from the decomposition of SF6 gas will harm operators and the ambient environment;
there are six greenhouse gases that are discharged from human activities, and SF6 gas is one of them, with a lifespan of 3400 years and thus has a potential threat to the “greenhouse effect”;
when the SF6 gas leaks to a certain ratio without charging in time and thus results in inadequacy of the insulating intensity, it will damage devices and cause safety accidents;
a recycling apparatus for the SF6 gas is so expensive and it's popularity is limited. In addition, it's utilization is poor and is usually used in device mounting and repairing only. Some of middle or small enterprises are not equipped with the SF6 gas recycling apparatus at all, leading to environment and safety risks.
Presently, there is no SF6 gas recycling apparatus that can regenerate the SF6 gas, so recycling of SF6 gas is very poor. Exhaust gas is let out to air directly or only through simply filtering and adsorbing.
So, in the future medium-voltage electrical industry, it appears that an electrical appliance with less or no SF6 gas is a developing trend of the medium-voltage electrical manufacturing industry.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In view of the above, the present invention provides a switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus and a method of manufacturing the same, such that the switch cabinet apparatus can be made with high reliability, small volume, and without pollution.
The medium-voltage switch cabinet solid state insulating functional combination apparatus proposed by the invention is a switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus, wherein upper line-in/line-out terminals of a medium-voltage switch cabinet are connected to upper contact boxes via a conductor, and lower line-in/line-out terminals thereof are connected to lower contact boxes via the conductor, and remaining gaps to be insulated are filled with a solid insulating material.
In the apparatus, respective upper line-in/line-out terminals, upper contact boxes, lower line-in/line-out terminals, lower contact boxes of three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus respectively form three independent functional units in each of which gaps to be insulated are filled with the solid insulating material.
In the apparatus, respective upper line-in/line-out terminals and upper contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus form one independent functional unit; respective lower line-in/line-out terminals and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the apparatus form one independent functional unit; gaps to be insulated in each functional unit are filled with the solid insulating material.
In the apparatus, respective upper line-in/line-out terminals and upper contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus respectively form three independent functional units; respective lower line-in/line-out terminals and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the apparatus respectively form three independent functional units; gaps to be insulated in each functional unit are filled with the solid insulating material.
In the apparatus, part of the gaps to be insulated is located in a bus chamber and a cable chamber.
In the apparatus, a pressure delivery path for determining a path is provided in an inner surface of the casing of the apparatus to deliver the pressure to a relief point.
In the apparatus, all the conductors, connection terminals and insulating resin in the apparatus are sealed-isolated from each other with a foam elastic material.
In the apparatus, the solid insulating material is insulating resin, insulating silastic, insulating plastic, insulating nylon, or insulating asphalt.
In the apparatus, the switch cabinet is a medium-voltage switch cabinet.
The present invention further provides a method of manufacturing a switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus comprising the steps of: connecting upper line-in/line-out terminals of a medium-voltage switch cabinet via a conductor to upper contact boxes; connecting lower line-in/line-out terminals thereof via the conductor to lower contact boxes, and pouring a solid insulating material for molding.
In the method, the pouring step is done once.
In the method, the pouring step comprises respectively pouring individual independent functional units of the connection and combination apparatus and then combining them.
In the method, the independent functional units are formed by connecting respective upper line-in/line-out terminals, upper contact boxes, lower line-in/line-out terminals, lower contact boxes of three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus.
In the method, the independent functional unit is one of the following: an independent functional unit formed by upper line-in/line-out terminals and upper contact boxes of three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus, and an independent functional unit formed by lower line-in/line-out terminals and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus.
In the method, the independent functional unit is one of the following: three independent functional units formed respectively by respective upper line-in/line-out terminals and upper contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus, and three independent functional units formed respectively by respective lower line-in/line-out terminals and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C in the connection and combination apparatus.
In the method, part of the gaps to be insulated is located in a bus chamber and a cable chamber.
In the method, the solid insulating material is insulating resin, insulating silastic, insulating plastic, insulating nylon, or insulating asphalt.
It can be seen from above that, the switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus and the method of manufacturing the same, proposed by the present invention have the following advantages:
increasing reliability of the switch cabinet;
a high insulating intensity of the insulating layer made of the solid insulating material guarantees that short-circuits between phase and phase and between phase and ground do not occur, which avoids the problem that the insulating intensity of the gas-filling cabinet filled with SF6 gas as an insulating medium is reduced due to gas leakage, thereby avoiding the occurrence of accidents;
on-line monitoring in time by a temperature sensor and a PD sensor operating situations of the solid state insulating functional combination apparatus; if there is an abnormity, an alarm is issued by sound or light, and intelligence is realized by a United Security Management;
once modeling of the solid state insulating functional combination apparatus guarantees the accuracy of the mounting size of the apparatus and avoids accumulative errors when mounting the units separately;
the conductors in the functional units are absolutely isolated from air, are not influenced by dirt and thus improve environmental tolerance.
improving security;
the insulating layer of high insulating intensity made of the solid insulating material between phase and phase and between phase and ground realizes mutual isolation, eliminates the occurrence of arc discharge between phase and phase and between phase and ground, and guarantees security of normal operation of the medium-voltage switch cabinet. In addition, the insulating layer will not produce toxic matters and thus improves security of operators.
reducing electrified bare portions with respect to the situation where respective functional units are connected separately, directly reducing the possibility of contact with the electrified bare portions when accidently entering electrified intervals, and thus indirectly improving security;
removing the conservation of SF6 compression gas cylinders and eliminating a security risk due to the conservation of the SF6 compression gas cylinders;
economizing on energy and environmental protection;
saving land resources: since the functional units are combined together by the solid insulating material, the size thereof is reduced with respect to the situation where they are mounted separately, which correspondingly reduces the outline size of the medium-voltage switch cabinet, thus, an area needed for mounting is reduced to thereby save land resources;
saving copper bars: after the line-in/line-out terminals are combined by the solid insulating material, the use of copper bars is reduced by 50%, thereby reducing energy consumption;
saving steel sheets: after the line-in/line-out terminals are combined by the solid insulating material, the height of the switch cabinet is reduced by 30%, the width thereof is reduced by 40%, such that the use of the steel sheet is saved 20% to thereby reduce energy consumption;
reducing pollution: the insulating layer made of the solid insulating material will not produce toxic matters and thus will not destroy the environment.
The present invention in some embodiments may use some new techniques, such as ballistic protection flameproof technique, electromagnetic shielding technique, heat emission technique, overall encapsulation crazing-proof technique.
The present invention in some embodiments is implemented in a switch cabinet of a 3.6˜40.5 kV system to enable the switch cabinet apparatus to be a small volume switch cabinet apparatus as compared to SF6.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a main view of a structure of a first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2 is a left view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 3 is a rear view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a top view of the first embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 5 is a cutaway view along a line A-A of FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 6A is a main view after splitting the structure of a second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 6B is a main view after assembling the structure of the second embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7A is a main view after splitting the structure of a third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 7B is a main view after assembling the structure of the third embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8A is a main view after splitting the structure of a fourth embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 8B is a main view after assembling the structure of the fourth embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 9 is a view of a use state of the embodiments of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
A more comprehensive description of the invention is given below by referring to the accompanying drawings, in which exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated.
The technical solution of the invention is as follows: connecting upper line-in/line-out terminals of a medium-voltage switch cabinet via a conductor to upper contact boxes, connecting lower line-in/line-out terminals thereof via the conductor to lower contact boxes (not including a circuit breaker), and pouring molding once after combining them reasonably or assembling molding after separate pouring several times. The use of a solid insulating material insulation causes an insulating distance between various electrified bodies to be greatly reduced, generally only 20 mm is enough.
Referring to FIGS. 1-5 , a preferred embodiment of the invention is shown: a connection and combination solid state insulating functional apparatus between line-in and line-out (not including a circuit breaker) of a switch cabinet in a system of 3.6˜40.5 kV with a rated current up to 3150 A, comprising: a solid state insulating layer 1 , upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 , a conductor 3 , lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 , lower contact boxes 5 , upper contact boxes 6 , a casing 7 , fixing nuts 8 , and a mounting plate 9 .
FIG. 1 is a main view of the connection and combination apparatus in the first embodiment of the invention, through which 3 lower contact boxes 5 , 3 upper contact boxes 6 and the mounting plate 9 which are exposed out of the casing 7 can be seen from this view. The left view thereof is shown in FIG. 2 , through which the upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 , the solid state insulating layer 1 and the casing 7 can be seen from this view. FIG. 3 is a rear view thereof including the solid state insulating layer 1 and lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 . FIG. 4 is a top view including upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 and the mounting plate 9 .
As shown in FIG. 5 , in the cutaway view along the A-A direction of FIG. 5 , the upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 of the three phases of A, B, C are connected via the conductor 3 to the upper contact box 6 connected to the casing 7 , and thus are upper line-in/line-out terminals; the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 of the three phases of A, B, C are connected via the conductor 3 to the lower contact box 5 connected to the casing 7 , and thus are lower line-in/line-out terminals, wherein the casing 7 may adopt an insulating material or metal material. Then, a solid insulating material is added for pouring molding once, and after pouring, the insulating material forms the solid insulating layer 1 , and all the shaded portions in FIG. 5 represent the solid insulating layer 1 , wherein, the solid insulating layer 1 may adopt a solid insulating material such as insulating resin, insulating silastic, insulating plastic, insulating nylon, insulating asphalt, insulating resin such as silica gel, epoxy.
In the above embodiments, by connecting the upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 of the medium-voltage switch cabinet to the upper contact boxes 6 and connecting the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 thereof to the lower contact boxes 5 (not including the circuit breaker) with a solid insulating material, the connections are combined reasonably for pouring molding once. In addition, assembling and molding after separate pouring several times can also be used.
In the second embodiment as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B , the connection and combination apparatus of the invention are divided into three independent functional units A, B, and C according to different functions of the three phases of A, B and C, as shown in FIG. 6A . The upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 in each functional unit are connected to the upper contact boxes 6 via the conductor 3 as the upper line-in/line-out terminals; the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 are connected to the lower contact boxes 5 via the conductor 3 as the lower line-in/line-out terminals; then, the solid insulating material 1 is added for pouring once as individual independent functional units for embedded poles. The three independent functional units A, B, and C, together with the mounting plate 9 , are fixed at the nuts 8 via bolts 15 , as shown in FIG. 6B .
In the third embodiment as shown in FIGS. 7A and 7B , the connection and combination apparatus of the invention is divided into two functional units D, E, as shown in FIG. 7A . D represents that the upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 are connected to the upper contact box 6 via the conductor 3 as the upper line-in/line-out terminals, and then the solid insulating material 1 is added for pouring molding once as an upper independent functional unit. E represents that the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 are connected to the lower contact boxes 5 via the conductor 3 as the lower line-in/line-out terminals, and then the solid insulating material 1 is added for pouring molding once as a lower independent functional unit. The two independent functional units D, E, together with the mounting plate 9 are fixed at the nuts 8 via the bolts 15 , as shown in FIG. 7B .
In the fourth embodiment as shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B , the connection and combination apparatus of the invention is divided into six functional units F, G, H, I, J and K, as shown in FIG. 8A . F, G, H represent that the upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 are connected to the upper contact boxes 6 via the conductor 3 as upper line-in/line-out terminals, and then the solid insulating material 1 is added for pouring molding once as individual independent functional units. I, J, K represent that the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 are connected to the lower contact boxes 5 via the conductor 3 as lower line-in/line-out terminals, and then the solid insulating material 1 is added for pouring molding once as individual independent functional units. The six functional units F, G, H, I, J, K, together with the mounting plate 9 , are fixed at the nuts 8 via the bolts 15 , as shown in FIG. 8B .
FIG. 9 is a diagram view showing the use state position of the connection and combination apparatus mounted in the switch cabinet. The switch cabinet can be divided generally into two parts: a fore-cabinet and a back-cabinet, the fore-cabinet includes a breaker chamber and a low-voltage chamber, and the back-cabinet includes a bus chamber and a cable chamber. The connection and combination apparatus in the embodiment of the invention is located in the bus chamber and the cable chamber of the back-cabinet. As shown in FIG. 9 , cables 10 are connected to the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 via bolts, the lower line-in/line-out terminals 4 are connected to the lower contact boxes 5 via the conductor 3 , and then to the upper contact boxes 6 via a switching-on-function of a circuit breaker 13 , the upper contact boxes 6 are connected to the upper line-in/line-out terminals 2 via the conductor 3 , such that the individual functional units of the connection and combination apparatus of the invention form a passageway through the switching-on-function of the circuit breaker 13 to deliver electric energy.
The functional units are switched on by a connection mother-rack 14 between the cabinets and, after a corresponding combination, they can achieve the capability of receiving and distributing electric energy through on and off of the circuit breaker 13 . Meanwhile, for the purpose of people and apparatus safeguarding, a bus 11 is led out to provide protection through on and off of a grounding switch 12 .
The invention provides also a method of manufacturing the aforesaid switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus comprising: connecting upper line-in/line-out terminals of a medium-voltage switch cabinet via a conductor to upper contact boxes, connecting lower line-in/line-out terminals thereof via the conductor to lower contact boxes and pouring the solid insulating material for molding.
The outline of the connection and combination apparatus can be determined by a mold during the pouring process, then do pouring and remove the mold after cooling and drying it. The pouring process may be done once or several times, for example, separately pouring the independent functional units of the connection and combination apparatus and then combining them.
The independent functional units can be formed by connecting respective upper line-in/line-out terminals, upper contact boxes, lower line-in/line-out terminals, and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C of the connection and combination apparatus.
The independent functional units can be a single independent functional unit formed by respective upper line-in/line-out terminals and upper contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C of the connection and combination apparatus; or be a single independent functional unit formed by respective lower line-in/line-out terminals and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C of the connection and combination apparatus.
The independent functional units can be three independent functional units formed by respective upper line-in/line-out terminals and upper contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C of the connection and combination apparatus; or be three independent functional units formed by respective lower line-in/line-out terminals and lower contact boxes of the three phases of A, B, C of the connection and combination apparatus.
The size of the functional units in the invention may be reduced to save 50% of the conductive copper bar; after the line-in/line-out terminals are combined with the solid insulating material, the height of the switch cabinet is reduced by 30% than originally and the width thereof can be reduced by 40%.
The technical solution of the invention obtains a better effect by adding thereto the following technical means:
Ballistic protection flameproof technique: when a short-circuit occurs to make electric arc burn due to unpredictable reasons, high voltage gas will be generated, which will possibly render the cured insulating material to be cracked, and the pressure generated by the high pressure gas will be delivered to the casing along a crack to be safely relieved through a relief point, to thereby guarantee that the ambient environment is not harmed when a serious failure occurs.
Heat emission technique: the heat generated by the conductors (including individual upper and lower line-in/line-out terminals) inside the apparatus of the invention is directly conducted to the casing through the conductive solid state insulating material and then emitted out though the casing.
Overall encapsulation crazing-proof technique: since the cured insulating material and the conductors (including individual upper and lower line-in/line-out terminals) have different coefficients of thermal expansion, when the temperature of the overall encapsulation changes, the insulating material will be cracked to influence the insulating property. The apparatus of the invention uses overall encapsulation crazing-proof technique by using a foam elastic material to sealed-isolate the conductors from the insulating material, such that a strain generated by the conductors and the insulating material due to thermal expansion and cold contraction is absorbed by the elastic material to guarantee that the apparatus of the invention is not cracked upon overall encapsulation.
In the above embodiments, besides the solid state insulating functions, the apparatus of the invention can be added with some online detecting devices such as a current inductor, temperature sensor, PD sensor, and the online detecting devices can be poured within the solid state insulating functional combination apparatus.
The present invention is described for the sake of illustration and explanation, the disclosure of which is not intended to limit the invention only to the embodiments described herein. Many modifications and variations may be obvious to those skilled in the art. The embodiments are selected and described for better explaining principles and actual applications of the invention, such that those skilled in the art could understand the invention to thereby design various embodiments with various modifications adapted to specific uses. | The present invention discloses a switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus, wherein upper line-in/line-out terminals of a medium-voltage switch cabinet are connected to upper contact boxes via a conductor, and lower line-in/line-out terminals thereof are connected to lower contact boxes via the conductor, and remaining gaps to be insulated are filled with a solid insulating material. The present invention further discloses a method of manufacturing a switch cabinet connection and combination apparatus including the steps of: connecting upper line-in/line-out terminals of a medium-voltage switch cabinet via a conductor to upper contact boxes; connecting lower line-in/line-out terminals thereof via the conductor to lower contact boxes; and pouring a solid insulating material for molding. The present invention realizes high reliability, small volume, and no pollution of the medium-voltage switch cabinet. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to methods of and apparatus for the evaluation of corrosion protection afforded to a metallic surface by a protective surface coating thereon.
The present invention relates more specifically to a method of and apparatus for the measurement of the extent of cathodic disbondment of an anti-corrosion protective surface layer overlaying a metallic surface, such as in a metal pipeline, or the like.
There exists at the present time a need for a method of and an apparatus for the non-destructive measurement of the extent of cathodic disbondment of an adherent anti-corrosion protective coating from its associated pipeline outer surface.
Metallic surfaces are adversely affected by numerous corrosive electrolytic fluids that contact these surfaces. In the natural gas and petroleum industries, e.g., corrosion occurs extensively on the outer surface of both implanted and above-ground pipelines.
In order to reduce, or entirely eliminate this undesirable metallic surface corrosion, anti-corrosion protective coatings are extensively used in the pipeline industry. These ubiquitous anti-corrosion protective coatings frequently take the form of a helically-applied tape-like protective outerwrapping. The tape-like protective component may be applied directly over an unprepared pipeline outer surface, or may, in fact, be overlaid onto a primer-coated, pretreated pipeline outer surface.
An important measurable parameter directly relating to the performance of anti-corrosion pipeline protective coatings is that of cathodic disbondment. This property is defined as the extent to which an anti-corrosion protective coating overlaying a metallic surface will disbond as a result of a cathodic reaction, around an unintentionally-induced holiday, or discontinuity, in the protective coating, in a case where the pipe has been subjected to cathodic protection potentials in the soil environment.
Cathodic protection as it is used here, refers to the phenomenon of applying a small potential to a metallic pipeline that is buried in the ground. This imparted cathodic status of the buried pipeline will tend to limit or protect against corrosion attacking the metal surface.
The prior art methods that have been used heretofore by the industry to measure the property of cathodic disbondment is the ASTM/G-8 ("Cathodic Disbonding of Pipeline Coatings") in the United States, and DIN 30-670, a similar method employed throughout Europe.
The prior art methods describe accelerated procedures for the determination of the cathodically disbonded area by means of exposure of the test pipe segment with its adherent anti-corrosion protective coating to a salt electrolyte solution, for a period of from 30 to 90 days, following the cutting of the protective coating in the form of an intentionally-induced holiday, and with a potential being applied to the system.
Following the testing period, the anti-corrosion protective coating is then cut at the intentionally-induced holiday, carefully peeled back from the induced holiday, until resistance is felt, and the extent of the disbonded area is then physically measured.
Some of the major disadvantages of the existing prior art cathodic disbondment measuring methods are the following:
The methods are physically destructive.
They are subjective in interpretion of results, due to subjectively determining the point at which resistance is met.
They are quite time-consuming, requiring longer time periods to complete each test.
The present invention has elegantly circumvented the above-described disadvantages of the prior art methods, and some of its important features are the following:
The present method is non-destructive, the electrical measurements being performed in situ.
The instant method utilizes recordable electrical measurements, and therefore, is not biased by the subjective interpretations of the operator that are required in the prior art methods.
Information relating to the extent of the cathodically disbonded area, may be obtained on a daily basis, rather than at the conclusion of the prior art's 30 to 90 day testing periods.
The electrical measurements of the present invention are readily amenable to computer storage, manipulation and retrieval of test data.
Finally, the present invention method requires the use of considerably smaller amounts of pipe material than in the prior art method.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for the evaluation of corrosion protection afforded to a metallic surface by an anti-corrosion protective coating thereon.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method of and an apparatus for the measurement of the extent of cathodic disbondment of an anti-corrosion protective layer overlaying a metallic surface, such as in a metal pipeline, or the like.
These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished in accordance with the illustrated exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, by a method of and an apparatus for the non-destructive cathodic disbondment testing of pipewrap coatings.
The method here consists of (a) establishing and equilibrating a circuit path through a working test pipe electrode and a counter electrode in said electrolyte fluid in which said test pipe electrode achieves a state of cathodic protection; (b) disconnecting said cathodically protected working test pipe electrode from said counter electrode; (c) re-establishing a circuit path through said working test pipe electrode, said counter electrode, and a reference electrode, in said electrolyte fluid along with an electronic control and measuring means; (d) causing a measured known voltage step to be applied to said working test pipe electrode; (e) measuring the current flowing after application of said measured applied voltage step; and then analyzing said current flow data and thereby determining the double layer capacitance at the interface between said working test pipe electrode and said electrolyte fluid.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In order that the present invention may be more fully and readily understood, and so that further features thereof may be appreciated, the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which like reference characters are used throughout to designate like parts, and in which:
FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, also including a block diagram of the electronic control and measuring system employed therewith.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a test pipe specimen showing a discontinuity or holiday in the protective coating, and an associated area of cathodic disbondment.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the test pipe specimen of FIG. 2, showing a holiday and an associated area of cathodic disbondment in the protective coating, taken along line A--A of FIG. 2.
FIG. 4 is a computer program flow chart depicting the steps of the program stored in the computer controller of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a graph chart depicting specific capacitance as a function of various potential values.
FIG. 6 is a graph chart depicting double layer capacitance as a function of time.
FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the equivalent electrical circuit formed when a metal electrode is immersed in an electrolyte solution.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIG. 1, which is a cross-sectional view of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, also showing a block diagram of the electronic control and measuring systems employed therewith.
The apparatus for carrying out the measurement of the extent of cathodic disbondment is depicted here generally as 10. The apparatus housing 12 is also shown as being essentially a vessel-like structure.
A test pipe working electrode 14, is oriented vertically, and suspended within the housing 12.
An electrolyte solution 16, fills the housing 12, and surrounds the suspended test pipe working electrode 14, as well as a vertically-oriented, and suspended, counter electrode, being a magnesium positive anode 18. A counter electrode of steel composition, with the use of a rectifier, may also be employed.
A reference electrode 20, being a standard calomel reference electrode, is also similarly oriented and suspended in the electrolyte solution 16.
FIG. 2 is a fragmentary perspective view of a test pipe specimen showing a discontinuity or holiday, in the protective coating, and an associated area of cathodic disbondment.
A fragment of the test pipe specimen 14, is depicted here generally as 32. Covering the metallic tubular hollow pipe 34, is an anti-corrosion protective coating 36.
A discontinuity, or holiday, here intentionally-induced for testing purposes, in the protective coating 36, is shown here as 38.
The area of cathodic disbondment, being the region of separation, or disbondment, of the protective coating 36 from the adjacent outer pipe surface 42, is depicted here as 40.
The inner pipe surface is shown here as 44.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged, partial, cross-sectional view of the test pipe specimen of FIG. 2, showing the holiday and the associated area of cathodic disbondment in the protective coating, taken along line A--A of FIG. 2.
The extent of the cathodic disbonded region 40, is more clearly visualized in this view. The electrolyte solution 16 in the apparatus housing 12, infiltrates through the induced holiday 38 and by means of a reaction with the adhesive 46, a separation or disbondment of the anti-corrosion protective coating 36 from the outer pipe surface 42 will occur, resulting in the discrete, well-defined region of cathodic disbondment 40.
The chemical cathodic reaction occurring at the holiday may be characterized as:
2H.sup.+ +2e=H.sub.2
The basic chemical cathodic reaction occurring at the region of cathodic disbondment 40, may be characterized as:
H.sub.2 O+1/4O.sub.2 +2e=2OH.sup.-
What now follows is a discussion of the electrical theory and background, as well as a discussion of the electrical principles and techniques as employed in the instant invention.
The capacitor formed when a metal electrode is immersed in an electrolyte solution has been studied since its discovery by Helmholtz in the last century. The electrode in contact with the electrolyte can be represented in its transient electrical behavior by the equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 7 where R F is the faradaic resistance, R E is the electrolyte resistance, and C D .L. is the capacitance of the double layer. The electrolyte resistance, R E , which includes all resistances between the reference electrode 20 and the test pipe working electrode specimen 14, must be kept to a minimum in order to assure accurate voltage measurement and to eliminate a time lag before the charging current becomes constant. The faradaic resistance, R F , should be high, since this indicates that the faradaic current is low. A correction is made for the faradaic current, however, as described below.
The surface of the metal test pipe electrode 14, acts as one plate of a capacitor, and the electrolyte 16, acts as the other plate. The amount of charge that can be stored by this capacitor, is proportional to the total area of the electrode that is wetted by the electrolyte. This principle has been used to determine the surface areas of porus electrodes.
The single pulse, square wave technique first developed by Hackerman, et al, was used in the instant invention.
The double layer capacitance, C D .L., or DLC, is determined from measurements of the charging current after a potential step is applied, i.e., since by definition the capacitance is:
C.sub.D.L. =i.sub.C /(dV/dt) OR C.sub.D.L. =1/ΔV i.sub.C dt (1)
where t is time in seconds, and V is the potential.
The integration of this equation yields,
1n i.sub.C =1n i.sub.0 -i.sub.0 t/ΔVC.sub.D.L. (2)
where i o is the initial current. A plot of the log of the current vs. time results in a straight line. The slope of this line, m, is used to calculate the capacitance.
C.sub.D.L. =-i.sub.O /ΔVm (3)
The single square wave pulse is imposed on the test pipe working electrode specimen 14 long enough to assure decay of the charging current to zero or some steady value.
The test pipe working electrode specimen 14 is temporarily disconnected from the magnesium anode 18, and the double layer capacitance, C D .L., is then measured by the potential step technique. The test pipe working electrode specimen 14 is then subjected to a voltage step (rise time 0.1 usec) of optimally 100 mv, after which the current decay is monitored with time. Note that a voltage step in the range of from about 30 to 300 mv may be applied to the test pipe electrode. If it is concluded by statistical curve fitting, that the current measured is indeed the double-layer capacitor charging current, then the double-layer capacitance, C D .L., is calculated from the decay curve.
A previously established calibration curve is then used in order to determine the total area of the test pipe specimen electrode 14 that is wetted by the electrolyte. This area has been shown to correspond closely with the region of cathodic disbondment, by the further comparison with the area of cathodic disbondment as measured when using the destructive prior art techniques, such as in ASTM G-8.
All particulars of ASTM G-8 were followed in regard to set-up of the test pipe specimen 14. However, in addition to these, each test pipe specimen 14, was connected electrically to an electronic control and measuring system 21, according to the schematic block diagram shown in FIG. 1.
The electronic control and measuring system 21 of the present invention, consists of a micro-computer controller 22, a scanner 24, a potentiostat 26, a voltmeter 28, and a plotter 30. The scanner 24 is used to allow all test pipe working electrode specimens 14 to be connected to the electronic control and measuring system 21, in succession and automatically, on a daily basis. The microcomputer controller 22, may also be programmed to connect any particular test pipe working electrode specimen 14 to the electronic control and measuring system 21. The potentiostat 26, fixes the voltage between the test pipe specimen working electrode 14, and a reference electrode 20, (standard Calomel reference electrode), allowing a sufficient current to flow between the test pipe working electrode 14, and the counter electrode 18 (magnesium anode).
The voltage applied by the potentiostat 26 is controlled by computer software, since the potentiostat 26, contains an analog to digital converter, and a compatible interface.
The plotter 30 may be used to obtain paper records of the current and voltage output of the test pipe working electrode specimens 14. The voltmeter 28 samples the current to voltage converter of the potentiostat 26 at a rate of 77 readings/sec, and transmits the obtained data to the computer controller 22. The voltmeter 28, scanner 24, plotter 30, and computer controller 22, are all connected with a parallel interface.
FIG. 4 is a computer program flow chart depicting the steps of the program stored in the computer controller of an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
In the exemplary embodiment of this instant invention, a computer program was developed which was used to direct the electronic measuring and control system 21, shown in FIG. 1. This program allows the user to input the test pipe working electrode specimen 14 desired to be measured, along with the potential step parameters. The current output of the test pipe electrode specimen 14, is also sent to the computer controller 22, for manipulation and statistical testing and curve fitting. The various steps in the present method are indicated in FIG. 4 which shows a flow chart for the program used here and stored in the computer controller 22.
The computer controller 22 prompts the user for input data for the initial and final voltages required for the potential step, as well as the test pipe electrode specimen 14 to be connected through the scanner 24. The test pipe electrode specimens 14 are disconnected from the magnesium anode 18, and allowed to equilibrate for at least 15 minutes prior to their connection to the electronic measuring and control system 21.
In the present method, current measurements are sent to the computer controller 22 from the voltmeter 28 every 14 milliseconds. The regression values for an exponential fit for these data points are calculated by the computer controller 22, and the functional equation is generated. The calculation includes the coefficient of determination, R 2 , which indicates the quality of fit achieved by the regression, and the F-Ratio. If the F-Ratio indicates a significant exponential relationship at the 95% confidence level, then the data indicate that distributive capacitance effects, and significant faradaic currents are absent. In this case, the data are listed and the program continues into the next step.
The computer-generated current decay curve is of the form:
i.sub.C =i.sub.O EXP(-mt)
where the coefficient m is the slope discussed earlier, i c , is the charging current in amperes, i o is the peak current at t=o, and t is the time in seconds. The capacitance in Farads is given by equation 3. The list of capacitances for all test specimens is then printed out.
The following is a discussion of the technique for calculating the cathodically disbonded area. The double layer capacitance (DLC), per unit area of test pipe electrode 14 surface, was measured for uncoated pipe as a function of pipe potential vs. the standard reference calomel electrode.
FIG. 5 is a graph chart depicting specific capacitance as a function of various potential values.
The data shown in FIG. 5 were used to prepare a calibration curve, in order to calculate the wetted cathodic disbonded area for the test specimens under various potentials. A 100 mv excursion between -0.8 volts and -0.7 volts was adopted for the potential step, in order to utilize a portion of the curve that has a nearly constant specific capacitance.
At these potentials, Faradaic currents are approximately 10% of the charging current for small cathodically disbonded areas. Therefore, the current flowing 0.3 seconds after the voltage pulse was subtracted from the current values. The basic computer program used in this method and depicted in FIG. 4, calculates the regression curve fit, and rejects any data that fails to fit an exponential curve at the 95% confidence level. These precautions assure that only the charging current for the double layer capacitance (DLC) is being measured. The specific capacitance used for the calculations of the cathodic disbonded area was 200 microfarads/cm 2 .
Table I below lists five representative test pipe samples, with the cathodically disbonded area being determined by both the double layer capacitance (DLC) of the present method, as well as physically by the ASTM G-8 test. The areas of cathodic disbondment given below are for the total of three intentionally-induced holidays per test sample.
TABLE I______________________________________Test Pipe Sample Data Disbonded DisbondedTest Days AREA AREAPipe in ASTM DLC CapacitanceSample # Test G-8 (cm.sup.2) (cm.sup.2) Microfarads______________________________________1 30 6.2 6.3 12602 60 7.4 14.7 29343 60 8.1 8.8 17654 30 11.4 11.7 23295 30 16.2 16.2 3245______________________________________
FIG. 6 is a graph chart depicting double layer capacitance (DLC) as a function of time.
The change in the double layer capacitance (DLC) of the five test pipe samples shown above with time is shown graphically in FIG. 6.
It is also important to note that these test data can be used to determine the long term behavior of an anti-corrosion protective coating to cathodic potentials. For example, sample curves 2 and 3 in FIG. 6, show an initial increase in double layer capacitance (DLC) within the first 20 days, and then virtually no change. On the other hand, sample curves 4 and 5 in FIG. 6, show steadily increasing double layer capacitance (DLC), for at least up to 30 days.
Table I indicates a very good correlation between the electronically measured cathodically disbonded area, and the disbonded area as determined by the prior art destructive method. In sample #2 in Table I, a larger disbonded area is indicated by the electronic method, which is likely accounted for by an unintentional holiday in the test pipe specimen. In a few other samples, a smaller disbonded area was indicated by the double layer capacitance (DLC) method. This discrepancy is most likely due to the inability to distinguish, when using the prior art destructive method, between poor interface adhesive bonding, (which may not allow entrance of the electrolyte) and cathodic disbonding.
The instant invention technique of double layer capacitance (DLC) measurements for the determination of the extent of in-situ cathodic disbondment areas on wrapped pipe samples, provides a test method that is at once useful as a non-destructive test, that will provide precise information of the extent of the area of cathodic disbondment vs. time, and provides less subjective results, than the destructive method currently in use.
The previous detailed description of the preferred embodiment of the present invention is given for purposes of clarity of understanding only, and no unnecessary limitations should be understood or implied therefrom, as such functions and equivalents may be obvious to those skilled in the art pertaining thereto. | A method and apparatus herein is disclosed that consists of establishing and equilibrating a circuit path through a working test pipe electrode and a counter electrode in an electrolyte fluid in which said test pipe electrode achieves a state of cathodic protection. Disconnecting said cathodically protected working test pipe electrode from said counter electrode. Then re-establishing a circuit path through said working test pipe electrode, said counter electrode, and a reference electrode, in said electrolyte fluid along with an electronic control and measuring means. Subsequently causing a measured known voltage step to be applied to said working test pipe electrode. Then measuring the current flowing after application of said measured applied voltage step. Finally, then analyzing said current flow data and thereby determining the double layer capacitance at the interface between said working test pipe electrode and said electrolyte fluid as a measure of disbonded area thereon. | 2 |
This is a divisional of application Ser. No. 029,654, filed Apr. 13, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,253,778.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
This invention relates to lightweight, portable, vibrating concrete screeds and more specifically to screeds of this type having a winching mechanism.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A lightweight, portable, vibrating concrete screed of a type to which the present invention is applicable is fully described in applicant's prior U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873. The general state of the art with respect to the type of screeds to which the present invention relates is believed to be fully set forth in such patent and therefore will not be repeated. Reference is also made to applicant's copending application, Ser. No. 883,955 filed Mar. 6, 1978 entitled "Portable Vibrating Concrete Screed" in which there is shown a winching means driven by a gasoline engine on the screed such that the screed may be winched automatically, at varying angles and at different speeds at each end of the screed. However, the winching mechanism referred to in such copending application does not provide a detachable winching unit driven by the shaft through a fluid motor and with all of the advantages of the winching unit of the present invention as later described.
Another type of self-propelled screed having a winch mechanism is manufactured by the Racine Construction Tool Company, 2200 South Broad Street, Racine, Wis. 53404. Unlike the detachable winching unit of the present invention, the winch mechanism of this reference does not utilize a vibrating screed shaft as the drive mechanism for the winching unit. Further, the winching mechanism described in this reference does not provide a detachable winching unit which can be mounted at each end of a screed frame or at each end of a plurality of interconnected screed frames.
Other types of winching mechanisms for screeds are found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,412,658 and 4,132,492.
With the foregoing prior art and all other prior art in mind of which applicant has knowledge, it seems evident that the prior art has not provided a lightweight, portable, vibrating concrete screed of the open frame and vibrating shaft type as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873 with a detachable winching mechanism that can be driven from the vibrating shaft and that can be quickly adapted to any length of screed made up of interconnected screeding units. From a practical viewpoint, the prior art has not provided such a detachable winching mechanism which itself is designed as a unitary screeding unit for imparting uniform vibrations throughout its length to complement the uniform vibrations imparted throughout the length of the screeding unit to which the screeding mechanism unit is attached.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a portable, lightweight, vibrating concrete screed such as described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873 is provided with detachable winching units which may be attached to the ends of a base frame unit or to the ends of interconnected frame units.
The base frame unit mounts a drive engine which in turn drives a vibrating shaft in loose bearing arrangements as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873. The winching mechanism units of the invention are provided with screed blades which mate with the screed blades of the base frame unit or with the screed blades of any sub-frame unit to which the winching mechanism unit of the invention is attached. A turnbuckle arrangement enables the winching mechanism unit to be easily and quickly adjusted with respect to the base frame unit or individual sub-frame unit to which the winching mechanism unit is attached. Thus, the winching mechanism units of the invention in combination with the base frame unit or the base frame unit interconnected with other individual sub-frame units may screed in various configurations, such as flat, crowned or with a valley and the invention winching mechanism units may be adjusted accordingly.
A fluid motor is provided on each winching mechanism unit with means for varying the speed of the motor which in turn enables the overall screed to be winched automatically by anchoring the ends of the winching cables to suitable deadman structure. Also, the winching mechanism units may be easily and quickly adjusted to cause the screed to operate at some fixed angle with respect to the concrete work or one end of the screed may operate at a different winching speed as compared to the winching speed of the other end of the screed. Suitable deadman anchors are employed to secure the ends of the winching cables so that once the winching units are properly adjusted, the screed may be automatically winched without attention of the operator.
DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a vibrating concrete screed equipped with a pair of winching mechanism units at its ends according to the invention and being used in a typical concrete pouring and finishing operation.
FIG. 2 is a side view looking towards the rear of an individual winching mechanism unit with a typical base frame unit or sub-frame unit being indicated in dashed lines.
FIG. 3 is similar to FIG. 2 and looking at the side of the winching mechanism from the front.
FIG. 4 is a section view taken generally along lines 4--4 of FIG. 3.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As previously mentioned, the general, elongated open frame construction of the present invention generally follows the construction previously disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873. Therefore, the teaching of that patent is deemed incorporated herein by reference and those details which are fully set forth in that patent and which are applicable to the present invention may be understood by making reference to the patent and are not repeated here to simplify the description.
As illustrated in FIG. 1, a screed 10 is illustrated as being formed of a base frame unit 11 constructed as previously described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873 (hereinafter referred to simply as "the patent"), a detachable winching frame unit 12 and a detachable winching frame unit 13 according to the invention. The base frame unit 11 and winching frame units 12, 13 can be of various lengths and can be easily and quickly connected together, in a manner to be presently described, so as to provide different lengths of screeds for spanning forms of different widths. While it is to be understood that the individual frame units can vary in length, the base frame unit 11 is illustrated as being ten feet long and the winching frame units 12, 13 are each illustrated as being two and one-half feet in length. The individual frame units may be formed of any suitable material but are preferably formed of aluminum to reduce the weight.
Since the construction of the base frame unit 11 is fully described in the patent, the description will next turn to describing the construction of the left winching frame unit 12 as representing the construction used in both of the winching frame units 12, 13. Each winching frame unit comprises an elongate, open structure frame such as illustrated in FIGS. 2-4 including a pair of spaced apart screed plates 15, 16 which are illustrated as right angular members having vertical and horizontal legs each of which in the described example are one and three-quarter inches in width. The screed plates 15, 16 extend throughout the length of the winching frame unit and are adapted to engage and finish the concrete as the screed 10 is moved over the concrete in the direction of the arrow in FIG. 1. Thus, the screen plates 15, 16 on each of the winching frame units 12, 13 act as continuations of mating screed plates on the base unit 11.
Here it should be noted that according to the teachings of the patent, U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873, the length of the base frame unit 11 was previously extended by attaching detachable screed frame units of the desired additional length. However, the extension frame units of the prior patent only performed a screen function and did not include the winching mechanism driven from the vibrating shaft as with the present invention. Thus, with the present invention, the winching frame units can serve both the screen function of the extension frame units of the prior patent and in addition provide detachable winching mechanisms for each end of the base frame unit 11.
While the open structure frame of the winching frame units of the invention may take various configurations in cross section, the cross section of the winching frame units 12, 13 should of course be compatible with the cross section of the base frame unit 11 and is illustrated and is preferably in the form of an isosceles triangle with the screed plates 15, 16 forming the lower corners of the triangle and with a ridge tube 18 forming the apex of the triangle.
The ridge tube 18 extends throughout the length of the winching frame unit and is connected to the screen plates 15, 16 by suitable cross and vertical braces. A bridging transverse bearing support 25 is fixed at opposite ends to the screed plates 15, 16 and mounts a bearing 26 which receives in a loose fitting arrangement the vibrating shaft 30 driven by the engine unit 35 which may be mounted and connected as fully described in the patent. Also as described in the patent, the semi-flexible shaft 45 also has a loose fit bearing arrangement in the base frame unit 11 so as to impart substantially uniform vibrations throughout the entire length of the base unit 11. The ends of the base frame unit 11 and the respective winching frame units 12, 13 are provided with means for quickly and easily connecting the left and right winching frame units on the ends of the base frame unit 11, or if base frame unit 11 has been previously extended in length to the ends of the extended base frame unit. This arrangement enables the respective screed plates, e.g. screed plates 15, 16, of the winching frame units to act as extensions of the screed plates of the base frame unit 11.
The coupling arrangement is similar to that previously described in the patent, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873, in that the ends of the screed plates 15,16 which are to be joined to the screed plates on the base unit 11 are provided with angle extensions 35, 36 fixed at their inner ends to the respective screed plates 16, 17 with the outer ends thereof provided with enlarged bolt holes 39, 40 for receiving connecting bolts or the like so that the screed plates of the respective winching frame unit may be readily connected to the screed plates of the base frame unit 11. Also, the section of vibrating shaft 30 contained in the respective winching frame unit is connected to the drive shaft 45 of the base frame unit 11 which is driven by the engine 35 through a coupling 46. Another adjustable connecting sleeve 48 joins the ridge tube 18 of the respective winching frame unit to the ridge tube 19 of the base frame unit 11. Since the connection arrangement illustrated in FIG. 2 can be generally similar to the connection arrangement illustrated in the patent, i.e. U.S. Pat. No. 4,030,873, it is believed that the expansion given will suffice for those skilled in the art.
Referring more specifically to FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, it will be seen that the short length of drive shaft 30 contained in the winching frame unit 12 mounts a pulley 50 which through a belt 51 drives another pulley 52. Pulley 52 is mounted on a shaft 53 which is connected to drive an oil pump 60 to circulate fluid under pressure between a reservoir 65 and a fluid motor 66 which is arranged to drive a winching drum 70 through a belt 71 and drive pulley 72 driven by motor 66. Thus the winching cable 75 which is tracked through appropriate guide 76 and is secured to appropriate anchors such as deadman 78 and deadman 79 can be used to pull the screed as depicted in FIG. 1. An appropriate flow valve 80 allows the speed of fluid motor 66 to be adjusted and the piping system includes a fluid pressure gauge 81 and a preset pressure overload valve 82. Since the general operation of fluid motors in this type of arrangement is well understood in the art, it appears sufficient to note simply that when the segmental shaft 30 is driven by the main vibrating shaft 45 of the base frame unit 11 pump 60 will be caused to circulate fluid, e.g. oil, between the reservoir 65 and the fluid motor 66 so as to operate the cable drum 70 and reel the cable 75. During operation, it will also be understood that each of the winching frame units 12, 13 will have its own respective control valve 80 to control the speed of operation of the respective cable drum 70. Thus the overall screed 10, as depicted in FIG. 1, can be either operated in a somewhat perpendicular relation as shown in FIG. 1 or can be angled with one or the other ends leading, or some difference in speed of cable drum operation can be set between the two cable drums for the respective winching frame units 12, 13.
Of unique importance, it can be seen that each of the respective winching frame units 12, 13 provide respective pairs of screed plates, e.g. screed plates 15, 16, which operate as extensions of the screed plates of the base unit 11 or of any extension of the base unit 11. Thus, the winching frame units of the invention perform a screeding operation as well as provide a mechanism by which the entire screed can be drawn over the concrete at some predetermined rate and angle. Also, because of the loose bearing arrangement provided in the bearing mount 25, the short segmental drive shaft 30 tends to vibrate and impart substantially uniform vibrations of the length of the screed plates on the respective winching frame unit. Sufficient vibration of shaft 25 to achieve the desired screeding operation does not impair the drive operation required for driving the fluid pump 60. Thus, all of the objects of the invention are achieved. Because the same type of open lightweight frame construction as has been previously employed in the base frame unit 11 is carried over into the respective winching frame units 12, 13, the winching frame units are also lightweight and portable and can be handled by means of a conveniently located handle 90 when necessary for transport, storage, etc. Also, it will be understood that whenever the cable 75 is fully wound on the respective cable drums that it can be unwound as required by simply relieving the pressure in the piping system utilizing the respective valve controls 80 as required. | A vibrating concrete screed having a motor driven vibrating shaft in an elongated frame mounts at each end of a single or interconnected plural frames a detachable winching unit driven by the shaft through a fluid motor. The screed may be winched automatically, at varying angles, at different speeds at each end and with the winching units performing a screeding function. | 4 |
FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention is generally directed toward to the dispensing of product for a user. In particular, the present invention relates to the dispensing of medication for a patient using reminder and overdose safeguard incorporated into a medicine container.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0002] The advances in medicine are enhancing the quality of patients' lives. Ailments, for which only a few years ago, there were no effective treatments are now taken care of by one or more drugs. In many cases, the patient only has to remember to take a pill over prescribed intervals, for example three times daily. However, a number of ailments required treatment with one or more combinations of (oral) medication.
[0003] With most medication (e.g., pills, syrups), doses have to be taken at specific intervals (Every four-six hours) or times of day (Before meals). A person may have difficulty remembering to take medication, sometimes people have difficulty remembering that they have already taken a dose. The result may be either that the amount of medicine taken is too low to affect the course of the ailment or that the amount is too high and causes overdose reactions. In a multiple drug regimen, such a scenario is even more convoluted and may pose grave consequences to the patient.
[0004] There exists a need to prevent the improper dosing of medication and to help the patient follow his/her drug regimen.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] The compliance with a drug regimen to treat a particular ailment is significant in achieving a successful outcome. Maintaining an efficacious level of the drug rests with taking a proper dose at the appropriate intervals. The present invention is exemplified in a number of implementations, a number of which are summarized below.
[0006] In one embodiment according to the present invention, a container comprises an interface part for enabling a user to be reminded of taking a dose of a substance in the container. The interface part comprises a timer and a user-alert generator coupled to the timer for generating an alert upon a predetermined time interval. An additional feature of the embodiment is that it further comprises a sensor to detect whether a closure has been removed from the container. A dose-indication informs the user of the time since a last substance dose. The dose indication further informs the user as to whether to take a next substance dose, the time of the last dose determined by the timer receiving a signal from the sensor. Yet, another additional feature the embodiment is that the container further comprises a communications interface enabling programming of a parameter associated with the alert to administer the substance.
[0007] In another embodiment according to the present invention, there is a method of reminding to administer a dose of medication. The method comprises sending a reminder via a portable electronic device; and enabling the device to receive the reminder.
[0008] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, a service is on a communication network for sending a control message to an electronic device for causing the device to generate a reminder. The device confirms to the service receipt of the control message. Then the service sets a time for a next control message upon receipt of the confirmation.
[0009] The above summaries of the present invention are not intended to represent each disclosed embodiment, or every aspect, of the present invention. Other aspects and example embodiments are provided in the figures and the detailed description that follows.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] The invention may be more completely understood in consideration of the following detailed description of various embodiments of the invention, giving by way of example, in connection with the accompanying drawing, in which:
[0011] [0011]FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the operation of the medicine bottle closure according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0012] [0012]FIG. 2A depicts a medicine bottle closure of FIG. 1 with a graphical display of the daily dosage of a medication, pill indicator green, okay to take pill but early;
[0013] [0013]FIG. 2B depicts the graphical display of FIG. 2A but pill indicator red with audible alert, take pill immediately.
[0014] [0014]FIG. 3 depicts the Pharmacist programming of the medicine bottle according to an embodiment of the present invention; and
[0015] [0015]FIG. 4 depicts the reminding of the patient to take medication via an Internet-based service.
[0016] While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the drawing and will herein be described in detail.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] The present invention has been found to be useful in the dispensing of pharmaceuticals to patients or other users. A user is not necessarily a patient (i.e, someone suffering from an ailment). One may prescribe a drug as a prophylaxis. For example, when one is travelling to a part of the world in which malaria is endemic, it is prudent to take anti-malarial compounds to prevent the onset of disease.
[0018] In many drug regimens, it is necessary to maintain a steady level of a particular drug to assure efficacy. For example, if pills are prescribed and one pill must be taken at an interval of every four hours, the benefits of the medication is assured if the user takes it as close to the interval as practicable. A reminder apparatus integrated with the medicine's container provides a visual status of pills taken or not taken during the day.
[0019] In an example embodiment according to the present invention, a pill bottle cap has built in the following:
[0020] Real-time clock
[0021] One or more timers
[0022] Audible alert
[0023] Display (for example, a 2 or 3 color LCD)
[0024] Sensor to detect presence of bottle
[0025] Button or buttons
[0026] Electrical communications interface (for programming)
[0027] Battery
[0028] Refer to FIG. 1. The block diagram 100 provides an overview of the components of an embodiment of the present invention. A real-time clock 105 provides a time base reference for the interval timers 110 . One timer represents an interval at which a dose must be taken. For example, a medication requiring four daily doses would have a timer corresponding to each dose, therefore four timers. However, the invention is not so limited. An alert 120 to inform the user of a dose may be audible tome or be a visual display, or be a tactile signal. A graphical user interface (GUI) 115 provides the user a graphical display of the status of each dose of medication. The GUI 115 typically is a liquid crystal display (LCD). To detect cap removal there is a sensor 125 . One or more buttons 140 enable the user to check the status of the dosages taken or available, or may be used to program the device via a programming interface 135 . The programming interface 135 enables the pharmacist to download the dosage intervals and other pertinent information from a computing device such as computer 145 . The programming interface 135 may be a plugged-in connection, a wireless transmitter with the receiver integral to the present invention, or an infrared interface. Such information may include, but not be limited to, the dosage, the number of pills, the interval, etc. Information relevant to the prescription is retrieved from a local database 150 or a database residing on the Internet 145 . An embedded controller 130 within the bottle cap coordinates the activities of the afore-mentioned components. A battery (not illustrated) provides power.
[0029] To prevent a user missing a dose, multiple timers 110 are set, one for each time that medication must be taken. Timers 110 activate the audible alert 120 when the dose is due. The audible alert 120 is only cancelled by removal of cap from bottle, however, a snooze feature may be implemented using a button, to allow the patient to temporarily silence alert (for 15 minutes), for convenience. Removal of cap is signaled by bottle presence sensor 125 . Such a sensor may be mechanical, for example, a switch that is actuated upon opening and closing of the bottle. In another embodiment, in that many medications are packaged in tinted containers, usually brown, to protect them from light degradation, an optical sensor in the cap may detect the change in the intensity of the light it receives. The cap on the bottle may receive little light and while the cap off the bottle may receive more light. The optical sensor then provides an “cap on” or “cap off” indication.
[0030] Refer to FIGS. 2A and 2B. To prevent overdose, the liquid crystal display (LCD) of the pill indicator 200 is used to show a graphical representation of the number of pills that should be taken in a day, along with an indication of the number already taken. Color may be used to show whether it is safe to take the next dose now, i.e., early. For instance, if the usage states “Doses to be taken every 4-6 hours,” then the color of the next indicator might change according to the following table.
TABLE 1 Indication of Safety to Take Next Dose Time Since Indicator Color Last Dose Next Pill Meaning 0-4 hours Black (210, 220) Do not take (too early) 4-5.5 hours Green (240) Safe to take, but early 5.5-6 hours Red (250) Good time to take 6 hours Red (260) + audible alert Take immediately 6+ hours Clear (230) Do not take (missed dose)
[0031] The cap would use the time it was last removed (as detected by the sensor) as the datum for the Time since last dose.
[0032] If the pill indicator 200 displays black ( 210 , 220 ) it shows that two pills remain in today's dose. It is not the time to take these. If pill indicator 200 displays green 240 , it is safe to take a pill, but it is early (FIG. 2A). A red display 250 indicates it is a good time to take the pill. The red display 250 , with an audible alert 260 means the patient should take the pill immediately (FIG. 2B). A clear display 230 means that the dose has been taken or missed and must not be taken now. To compensate for color-blindness in some individuals, the pill indicator 200 display, sections ( 210 , 220 , 230 , 240 , or 250 ) may employ hatch patterns or large numerals that change in appearance.
[0033] In another embodiment according to the present invention, information relevant to the patient's prescription may be downloaded into the bottle-cap medication reminder via a portable digital assistant, a personal computer, or wireless phone equipped with an infrared port. These devices in turn are connected to a network so that they have access to the prescription information.
[0034] [0034]FIG. 3 illustrates a process 300 of programming the bottle cap 330 . Pharmacist 320 at his laptop computer 310 downloads the prescription information into the bottle cap 330 . The bottle cap 330 is in communication with the laptop 310 . The laptop computer 310 is in communication with a prescription database 350 either local or on a remote server on the Internet 340 . The bottle cap 330 contains the prescription information programmed therein. Such programmed information also appears as a printed conventional label that is applied to the bottle. In another embodiment, the functionality of the bottle cap 330 may also be embedded in a semiconductor chip that is integral to the prescription label.
[0035] The prescription information shown on the display of the medication reminder may be mimicked on the PDA, PC, or wireless phone. The user receives the reminder through these devices, as these devices are personal and trusted. The hospital or pharmacy may implement the reminder as a service to enhance follow-up care and ensure compliance with the drug regimen. Additionally, the personal electronic devices may assure that the bottle-cap reminder is up-to-date and synchronized-not unlike the data stored in a PDA being synchronized with the backup data stored in the user's PC.
[0036] Refer to FIG. 4. The user in his connection to the Internet realm 400 may have several devices in communication with the Internet 420 . For example, the pharmacy or doctor 420 may send a reminder to the user as a phone call 430 . The patient may receive an E-mail at his computer workstation 440 or his PDA 460 . The bottle cap 450 itself may receive the reminder directly. Again, this functionality may exist as a “smart label” on the medicine's packaging as well.
[0037] While the present invention has been described with reference to several particular example embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that many changes may be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, which is set forth in the following claims. | A medicine-dispensing system has a medication reminder to assist the patient in following a drug regimen. In an example embodiment, a medication reminder comprises a timer programmable to a predetermined interval. A user-alert is responsive to the timer, reminding the user to take a dose of medicine at the predetermined interval. A sensor detects whether a dose of medicine has been taken and a dose-indication informs the user of the time since a last medication. The dose indication further informs the user as to whether to take a next medication dose. Time of the last dose is determined by the timer receiving a signal from the sensor. A communications interface enables programming of a parameter associated with administering a medication. | 8 |
This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 526,641 filed Aug. 26, 1983, now abandoned.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to heat pumps and ventilation systems and, more particularly, to the recovery of energy when the compressor is not operating. The present invention includes a cycling damper to direct the flow of air in such a fashion to maximize recovery of sensible and latent heat during ventilation.
Similar geometric configurations are disclosed in the U.S. Pat. No. 4,049,404; U.S. Pat. No. 3,995,446; U.S. Pat. No. 2,718,119; and U.S. Pat. No. 2,481,348. Moveable dampers to accomplish heating and cooling with the compressor operating are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,216,427. A combination ventilating and cooling unit is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,969,652. And finally, auxillary heating means or the transfer of heat for other uses are disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,969,652 and U.S. Pat. No. 3,176,760.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is the general object of the present invention to provide an energy efficient means for the recovery of energy from warm or cool inside air when expelled and provide heat or cold to the incoming fresh air. In other words, the conditions of the expelled air are transferred to the incoming fresh air.
Another object of this invention is to provide heat transfer surfaces of sufficient area for the use of lower specific heat materials.
A further object is to allow the condenser to always operate as a condenser and the evaporator to always operate as an evaporator.
Another further object is to eliminate switching of refrigerant paths as is now done in heat pumps.
Another final object is to decrease the amount of time the compressor is operating.
In accordance with these aims and objectives, there is provided a condenser, a condenser plenum, evaporator, and evaporator plenum, and compressor enclosed within the present invention. The air flow in and out of the apparatus and through the two plenums is controlled by means of three dampers. Each damper is moveable with the primary cycling damper most readily controlled. Two fans are provided to move the air through the present invention. Turning vanes are provided for better air flow. The fins relating to the condenser and evaporator have a proportionally large surface area. Air filter means are provided.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view in partial section showing the present invention in its cooling mode.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view in partial section of the present invention showing the heating mode in operation.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view in partial section of one mode of energy recovery ventilation.
FIG. 4 is a perspective view in partial section of the present invention showing the other mode of energy recovery ventilation.
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the cycling damper motor controls.
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the cycling damper motor controls.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Turning now to FIG. 1, the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 is shown with several cut away sections. The compressor 2 is shown next to the condenser 4 within the condenser plenum 30. The evaporator 3 is within the evaporator plenum 31. Four sets of turning vanes are provided: the cycling damper/evaporator turning vanes 5a, the evaporator/outside damper turning vanes 5b, the outside damper/condenser turning vanes 5c, and the condenser/cycling damper turning vanes 5d. Two fans are provided, the supply fan 6 and the return fan 7. Heat exchange means are provided. Enlarged condenser fins 8 surround the condenser 4. Similarly, enlarged evaporator fins 9 surround the evaporator 3. The heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 communicates with the outside air by means of an outside air port or inlet 10 and an outside air port or outlet 11 which may contain an outside air inlet filter 12 and an outside air outlet filter 13, respectively. An inside air inlet filter 14 is held within the inside air inlet 15. Inside air outlet 16 is located near the supply fan 6. The air flow is controlled by three dampers: namely, the cycling damper 17, the return damper 18, and the outside damper 19. Each damper is controlled by a damper motor; namely, cycling damper motor 20, return damper motor 21, and outside damper motor 22. Each damper is provided with damper skids 23 to seal the damper against the inside of the heating/ cooling/ventilation unit 1. FIG. 1 shows the air flow during cooling by means of inside cooling air flow 24 and outside air flow (cooling) 25.
Turning now to FIG. 2, the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 is as described FIG. 1 except that the outside damper 19 and the cycling damper 17 are repositioned. The air flow during heating is shown by inside heating air flow 26 and outside air flow (heating) 27.
FIGS. 3 and 4 show the energy recovery ventilation modes of the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1. The return damper 18 and the outside damper 19 retain a fixed position in both FIGS. 3 and 4. The cycling damper 17 changes position as shown in FIG. 3 when compared with FIG. 4. Ventilation exhaust air 28 is shown in both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Ventilation supply air 29 is shown in both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Each air flow through the condenser plenum 30 and the evaporator plenum 31 changes in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. The outside air inlet 10 and the outside air outlet 11 are names applied to the specific portion of the invention so designated. The name does not of itself imply the direction of the air flow. For example, the ventilation supply air 29 in FIG. 3 enters the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 through the outside air outlet 11. Similarly in FIG. 3, the ventilation exhaust air 28 exits the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 by means of the outside air inlet 10.
In FIG. 5, the cycling damper motor 20 is connected by the cycling damper motor shaft 33 to the optical control disk 32 and to coupling 34. The cycling damper shaft 35 connects the cycling damper 17 to the coupling 34. Bracket 50 holds the counterclockwise light source 36 and the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37 in the appropriate geometric relationship. Likewise bracket 50 holds the clockwise light source 38 and the clockwise stop phototransistor 39 in appropriate geometric relationship. The disk cutout 44 is shown in its two stop positions in FIG. 5.
In the block diagram of FIG. 6, the power source 47 provides alternating current to the cycling damper motor 20 which is an AC synchronous/stepper motor. The power source 47 is also connected to the control DC power source 46 which supplies direct current to the cycling damper motor 20. The cycling damper motor 20, by means of a phase-shift network 45, is connected to the clockwise solid-state relay 41 and the counterclockwise solid-state relay 40. The power source 47 is also directly connected to the clockwise solid-state relay 41 and the counterclockwise solid-state relay 40. The clockwise solid-state relay 41 is connected to the clockwise stop phototransistor 39 which is placed in appropriate geometrical relationship to the clockwise light source 38. The counterclockwise solid-state relay 40 is connected to the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37 which is also in appropriate geometrical relationship to the counterclockwise light source 36. A flip-flop 42 is connected to both the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37 and the clockwise stop phototransistor 39. Furthermore, the flip-flop 42 is directly connected to a square wave symmetrical generator 43. The square wave symmetrical generator 43 receives temperature readings from the inside air temperature sensor 48 and the outside air temperature sensor 49. The control DC power source 46 is directly connected to the flip-flop 42.
Turning now to the cooling operation and refering to FIG. 1, inside cooling air flow 24 enters the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 through the inside air inlet 15 and passes through the inside air inlet filter 14. Inside cooling air flow 24 is deflected by the return damper 18 until the inside cooling air flow 24 strikes the outside damper 19. In the evaporator plenum 31 the inside cooling air flow 24 then is turned by the evaporator/outside damper turning vanes 5b and passes through the evaporator 3 and evaporator fins 9. Inside cooling air flow 24 is next passed through cycling damper/evaporator turning vanes 5a exiting evaporator plenum 31, and striking cycling damper 17 where it is drawn through supply fan 6 and exits the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 through the inside air outlet 16. Outside air flow (cooling) 25 enters through outside air inlet 10 and passes through outside air inlet filter 12, strikes return damper 18, is drawn through return fan 7 and strikes cycling damper 17. In the condenser plenum 30 outside air flow (cooling) 25 passes through condenser/cycling damper turning vanes 5d and passes through the condenser 4 and condenser fins 8. Outside air flow (cooling) 25 then strikes outside damper/condenser turning vanes 5c exiting condenser plenum 30 until the outside damper 19 directs the outside air flow (cooling) 25 through the outside air outlet filter 13 and the outside air outlet 11 to the outside. While in operation, the compressor 2 is running, and heat is removed from inside cooling air flow 24 and transferred to outside air flow (cooling) 25 as is usual in a heat pump operating in the cooling mode.
The operation of the heating mode is shown in FIG. 2. The inside heating air flow 26 passes through the inside air inlet 15 until it strikes the return damper 18 and is deflected until it strikes the outside damper 19. In the condenser plenum 30 inside heating air flow 26 passes through the outside damper/condenser turning vanes 5c and then passes through the condenser 4 and condenser fins 8. The condenser/cycling damper turning vanes 5d turn the inside heating air flow 26 out of the condenser plenum 30 and against the cycling damper 17 from which it is drawn by the supply fan 6 and forced out inside air outlet 16 and returns to the inside. Outside air flow (heating) 27 enters through the outside air inlet 10 and the outside air inlet filter 12 until it strikes return damper 18 and is carried through the return fan 7 until it strikes the cycling damper 17. In the evaporator plenum 31 the cycling damper/evaporator turning vanes 5a deflect the outside air flow (heating) 27 through the evaporator 3 and evaporator fins 9. The evaporator/outside damper turning vanes 5b deflect the outside air flow (heating) 27 out of evaporator plenum 31 and into the outside damper 19 which in turn deflects the outside air flow (heating) 27 through the outside air outlet filter 13 and out the outside air outlet 11. The compressor 2 is operating during the heating mode and heat is transferred from the outside air flow (heating) 27 to the inside heating air flow 26 in the usual manner of a heat pump operating during the heating mode.
In FIGS. 3 and 4 the energy recovery ventilation is shown. The compressor 2 is not operating during energy recovery ventilation. It should also be noted that the cycling damper 17 is the only damper which changes position during energy recovery ventilation. The cycling damper 17 changes position approximately every 5 to 20 seconds as is described below. Referring now to FIG. 3 the ventilation exhaust air 28 enters heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 through the inside air inlet 15 and inside air inlet filter 14 until it is deflected by the return damper 18 and is carried through the return fan 7 until the ventilation exhaust air 28 strikes the cycling damper 17. In the condenser plenum 30 the condenser /cycling damper turning vanes 5d then direct the ventilation exhaust air 28 over the condenser fins 8 and subsequently through outside damper/condenser turning vanes 5c before exiting the condenser plenum 30. The outside damper 19 deflects ventilation exhaust air 28 to return damper 18 and then to the outside air through the outside air inlet 10. Ventilation supply air 29 enters the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 by means of outside air outlet 11 and strikes the outside damper 19 entering evaporator plenum 31. Evaporator/outside damper turning vanes 5b deflect the ventilation supply air 29 through the evaporator fins 9 and through cycling damper/evaporator turning vanes 5a exiting evaporator plenum 31. Cycling damper 17 deflects the ventilation supply air 29 which is drawn by the supply fan 6 and forced out the inside air outlet 16. Again, please note that in FIG. 3 the ventilation supply air 29 enters the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 through the outside air outlet 11. Similarly, the ventilation exhaust air 28 exits the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 through the outside air inlet 10.
In FIG. 4, ventilation exhaust air 28 enters through the inside air inlet 15 and the inside air inlet filter 14 until it strikes the return damper 18 from whence it flows through the return fan 7, again strikes the cycling damper 17, but now enters evaporator plenum 31. The cycling damper/evaporator turning vanes 5a direct the ventilation exhaust air 28 through the evaporator fins 9 and through the evaporator/outside damper turning vanes 5b before exiting the evaporator plenum 31. Ventilation exhaust air 29 strikes outside damper 19 and communicates to the outside through outside air outlet 11. Ventilation supply air 29 enters through outside air inlet 10, strikes the return damper 18, strikes the outside damper 19, and enters the condenser plenum 30. Ventilation supply air 29 is directed by outside damper/condenser turning vanes 5c through the condenser fins 8 and turned subsequently by condenser/ cycling turning vanes 5d exiting the condenser plenum 30. The cycling damper 17 deflects ventilation supply air 29 which is drawn by supply fan 6 and forced through inside air outlet 16 to the inside.
In the previously described operation in both FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, the compressor 2 is not operating. The evaporator fins 9 and condenser fins 8 give up heat or absorb heat as required by the relative temperatures of the ventilation exhaust air 28 and the ventilation supply air 29. For example, if we assume the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 is operating during the winter, the temperature in the building will be warm and the outside temperature will be cool. Under these conditions as shown in FIG. 3, the evaporator fins 9 are transferring heat and moisture to the ventilation supply air 29 which is passing through the evaporator plenum 31 prior to entering the building. At the same time, heat and moisture are transferred to the condenser fins 8 by the ventilation exhaust air 28 while passing through condenser plenum 31 prior to exiting the building. After 5 to 20 seconds, the condenser fins 8 hold heat and moisture and the evaporator fins 9 are depleted of heat and moisture. Now the cycling damper 17 will change positions to that shown in FIG. 4. Then, the ventilation supply air 29 will receive this heat and moisture from the condenser fins 8 while passing through the condenser plenum 31 prior to entering the building. At the same time, ventilation exhaust air 28 will transfer its heat and mositure to the evaporator fins 9 while passing through the evaporator plenum 31 prior to exiting the building. Thus, the ventilation supply air 29 is heated prior to entering the building without the compressor 2 running.
If the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 is operating during the summer, the building air temperature will be cool and the outside air temperature will be warm. Under these conditions, in FIG. 3, the evaporator fins 9 are absorbing heat from the ventilation supply air 29 while passing through the evaporator plenum 31 prior to entering the building. Heat is transferred by the condenser fins 8 to the ventilation exhaust air 28 while passing through condenser plenum 31 prior to exiting the building. After 5 to 20 seconds the cycling damper 17 will change it position to that shown in FIG. 4. Then, the evaporator fins 9 are transferring heat to the ventilation exhaust air 28 while passing through the evaporator plenum 31 prior to exiting the building. Heat is absorbed by the condenser fins 8 from the ventilation supply air 29 while passing through condenser plenum 31 prior to entering the building. Thus, the ventilation supply air 29 is cooled prior to entering the building.
FIG. 5, the physical operation of the cycling damper motor 20 is shown. The cycling damper 17 must be controlled so that it can stop at two defined positions shown in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Thus, it is necessary to control the movement of the cycling damper 17. This is accomplished by means of a optical control disk 32 with a disk cutout 44. As shown in FIG. 5, the disk can interrupt the light which flows from the counterclockwise light source 36 to the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37. By appropriate movement of the optical control disk 32, the light from clockwise light source 38 can be prevented from reaching the clockwise stop phototransistor 39. In operation, we assume the counterclockwise source 36 strikes the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37. If the flip-flop 42 has been appropriately set by the square wave symmetrical generator 43 then control circuit current will flow from the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37 to the counterclockwise solid-state relay 40. The AC drive current from power source 47 will then flow from the counterclockwise solid-state relay 40 to the phase-shift network 45 through the cycling damper motor 20 which will activate it in a counterclockwise direction turning the cycling damper 17 and the optical control disk 32. Once the optical control disk 32 prevents the light emitting from the counterclockwise light source 36 from striking the counterclockwise stop phototransistor 37, the control circuit current will no longer flow through flip-flop 42. This causes the directly connected control DC power source 46 to send DC hold current to cycling damper motor 20 and hold it in its defined counterclockwise stop position. As can be readily seen, when control circuit current is flowing through either of the two sides of flip-flop 42, AC drive current from power source 47 is driving the cycling damper motor 20. Whenever control circuit current is not flowing through flip-flop 42, the DC drive current from control DC power source 46 will hold cycling damper motor 20 in a fixed stop position. As can be readily seen, light from the clockwise light source 38 is now passing through disk cutout 44 and stiking the clockwise phototransistor 39. The cycling damper 17 defined will stay in its defined counterclockwise stop position because the cycling damper motor 20 is held stationery by the DC hold current from control DC power source 46. After a certain time period as determined by comparison of the different signals received from the inside air temperature sensor 48 and the outside air temperature sensor 49, the square wave symmetrical generator 43 changes states. This time period will vary between 5 and 20 seconds with the greater the temperature difference, the longer the period. When this symmetrical square wave generator 43 changes states the flip-flop 42 switches and allows control circuit current to flow through clockwise phototransistor 39 and through clockwise solid-state relay 41. This control circuit current also stops the DC cold current from the control DC power source 46. With the clockwise solid-state relay 41 activated, the AC drive current from power source 47 goes through phase-shift network 45 and activates the cycling damper motor 20 in a clockwise direction until the optical control disc 32 blocks the light from clockwise light source 38 to clockwise stop phototransistor 39 which will stop the control circuit and activate DC holding current from control DC power source 46.
Under some conditions, fresh outside air may be required but cross-contamination of the air flows within the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 is not acceptable. This condition may be required in the production of certain high technology products which require a clean environment, hospital systems, and industries where certain noxious odors must be removed. To satisfy this condition, the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 can be operated with the compressor 2 operating in the heating mode with the dampers as shown in FIG. 4. Heat is then removed from the ventilation exhaust air 28 by the evaporator fins 9 and evaporator 3 in the evaporator plenum 31 before exhausting it out outside air outlet 11. Ventilation supply air 29 is brought in outside inlet 10 and is heated when passing the condenser 4 and condenser fins 8 before entering the building through inside air outlet 16.
Using the same conditions of no cross-contamination and operating the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 in the cooling mode, the compressor 2 is operated with dampers as shown in FIG. 3. The ventilation supply air 29 has heat removed by the evaporator 3 and evaporator fins 9 in the evaporator plenum 31. The ventilation supply air 29 exits the evaporator plenum 31 and enters the building through inside air outlet 16. The refrigerant transfers this heat from the evaporator 3 to the condenser 4. The ventilation exhaust air 28 is heated by the condenser 4 and condenser fins 8 in the condenser plenum 30 before exiting the building through outside air inlet 10.
The outside air inlet filter 12 and the outside air outlet filter 13 are optional filters to be used only where necessary. Each must operate with air flow through the filters in both directions. Thus, outside air inlet filter 12 and outside air outlet filter 13 must be two way filters when used.
While the compressor 2 has been shown within the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, and 4, some building codes may require that the compressor be outside the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1. This can of course be accomplished simply by the use of appropriate refrigerant plumbing. A review of our previous discussion involving the use of the heating/cooling/ventilation unit 1 reveals that the evaporator 3 always acts as an evaporator and the condenser 4 always acts as an condenser. In many modern heat pumps the refrigerant flow is reversed by appropriate valving so that the evaporator sometimes acts as a condenser and a condenser sometimes acts as an evaporator. Eliminating the switching of refrigerant paths allows optimal design of both the evaporator 3 and condenser 4.
In the preferred embodiment, the evaporator fins 9 and condenser fins 8 are optimally designed to fill the evaporator plenum 31 and the condenser plenum 30 from top to bottom. The condenser fins 8 and evaporator fins 9 are elongated and restricted only by the turning vanes. Thus, materials used for heat exchange means in the condenser fins 8 and evaporator fins 9 can be of lower specific heat, for example, plastic. | An apparatus for heating and cooling which features a unique energy recovery ventilation apparatus and method. During energy recovery ventilation, a cycling damper controls the flow of warm and cool air to maintain the inside air temperature when inside air is cycled to the outside. The outside air is then warmed or cooled when drawn to the inside. | 8 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Nos. 61/832,503, filed Jun. 7, 2013, and 61/983,733, filed Apr. 24, 2014, each of which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY-SPONSORED RESEARCH
This invention was made with government support from the National Institutes of Health under Grant No.s R01HL114358 and R01EB014496. The government has certain rights in the invention.
BACKGROUND
Certain systems and techniques for treatment monitoring utilize separate acquisition and processing units, for example to perform certain processes, such as displacement estimation, offline in a separare hardware unit. To implement such techniques in a clinical setting, it can be desirable to implement a clinically-oriented, fully-integrated high frame rate platform suitable to analyze and stream real-time feedback of treatment assessment to a user.
High frame-rate imaging can be considered in relation to parallel beamforming, which, alone or in combination with fast analog multiplexing, can reconstruct an entire image following a single acoustic transmission with frame rates up to 1000 frames per second. Parallel processing techniques can be implemented and performed in vivo using a phased array configuration, for example “Explososcan”, where data acquisition rates can be quadrupled with simultaneously reconstructing four receiving beams per a wide single transmit beam. Certain Graphical Processing Unit (GPU)-based beamforming approaches can further increase the imaging framerate and resolution. Such GPU-based approaches can also achieve high frame rate imaging, including, for example, Synthetic Aperture (SA) imaging and Short-lag Spatial Coherence Imaging (SLSC).
In certain imaging techniques, including ultrasound elasticity imaging, software beamforming techniques utilizing various transmit sequences can achieve high imaging rates and resolution, such as composite imaging, plane-wave or divergent transmit beam. High frame rate elasticity imaging can provide suitable quantitative imaging of tissue properties, for example with estimation of motion generated by external compression or acoustic radiation force such as Transient Elastography, Shear Wave Imaging (SSI), Elastography, ARFI imaging, and Harmonic Motion Imaging.
Certain imaging techniques, including ultrasound elasticity imaging, can utilize previously beamformed RF signals, which can be obtained from the beam reconstruction of the entire field of view through the entire imaging depth. Harmonic Motion Imaging for Focused Ultrasound (HMIFU) is a treatment monitoring technique for High-Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU). HMIFU utilizes an Amplitude-Modulated HIFU beam to induce a localized focal oscillatory motion, which can be simultaneously estimated and imaged by HMI. In localized elasticity imaging for HMIFU, generally only the focal spot is considered as the region of interest. As such, suitable beamforming strategies for HIFU treatment monitoring can be configured to reconstruct only the focal region, which can reduce computational cost and allows real-time streaming of elasticity maps throughout the entire treatment window.
However, there remains an opportunity for improved treatment monitoring systems and techniques, for example to provide improved frame rate, improved spatial resolution, and real-time feedback over an extended monitoring period.
SUMMARY
Systems and techniques for treatment monitoring are disclosed herein.
In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, methods are provided for treatment monitoring using acquired channel data from each of a plurality of channels of a signal array over a plurality of frames. An example method includes, determining a reconstruction matrix based on a reconstruction operation to be performed on the channel data, applying the reconstruction matrix to the channel data to obtain reconstructed channel data, estimating displacement data representing displacement of an object over the frames from the reconstructed channel data, determining a conversion matrix based on a conversion operation to be performed on the reconstructed channel data, applying the conversion matrix to the reconstructed channel data to obtain a displacement map; and outputting the displacement map to a display.
In some embodiments, the signal array can include an imaging array. The signal array can include an HIFU transducer.
In some embodiments, the reconstruction operation can include an RF reconstruction operation. Additionally or alternatively, the reconstruction operation can include a GPU-based reconstruction operation. The method can include applying a low pass filter to the reconstructed channel data.
In some embodiments, the estimating the displacement data can be performed using a cross correlation technique. The method can further include applying a temporal low pass filter to the estimated displacement data. The conversion operation can include a scan conversion operation. Additionally or alternatively, the conversion operation can include a GPU-based conversion operation. At least one of the reconstruction matrix and the conversion matrix can include a sparse matrix.
In some embodiments, the method can include outputting the displacement map to a display in communication with the processor.
In another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, systems are provided for treatment monitoring using acquired channel data from each of a plurality of channels of a signal array over a plurality of frames. An example system includes one or more memories and one or more processors coupled to the one or more memories. The one or more processors are configured to determine a reconstruction matrix based on a reconstruction operation to be performed on the channel data, apply the reconstruction matrix to the channel data to obtain reconstructed channel data, estimate displacement data representing displacement of an object over the frames from the reconstructed channel data, determine a conversion matrix based on a conversion operation to be performed on the reconstructed channel data, and apply the conversion matrix to the reconstructed channel data to obtain a displacement map.
In some embodiments, the system can include a display in communication with the processor configured to output the displacement map.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1( a ) is an image of an exemplary treatment monitoring system according to the disclosed subject matter.
FIG. 1( b ) is a diagram illustrating exemplary signal acquisition system for use with the treatment monitoring system of FIG. 1( a ).
FIG. 1( c ) is an image illustrating an exemplary imaging array for use with the treatment monitoring system of FIG. 1( a ).
FIG. 2( a ) is a diagram illustrating an exemplary reconstruction sparse matrix A.
FIG. 2( b ) is a diagram illustrating an exemplary channel data matrix
FIG. 2( c ) diagram illustrating an exemplary reconstructed RF data matrix
FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary technique for displacement image reconstruction according to the disclosed subject matter.
FIGS. 4( a )- 4 ( h ) together illustrate exemplary displacement imaging using the treatment monitoring system of FIG. 1 a . Three locations, peak negative (a,b), zero (c,d), and peak positive (e,f) displacement during a 50 Hz-cycle across two independent periods are shown, for purpose of illustration. FIG. 4( g ) is a B-mode image of a representative sample. FIG. 4( h ) illustrates focal oscillatory displacement produced by the system.
FIGS. 5( a )- 5 ( d ) illustrate exemplary B-mode images with peak-to-peak HMI displacement overlay before treatment (a), after treatment (b), the corresponding gross pathology image (c), respectively, along with the focal monitoring displacement across the treatment window (d).
FIGS. 6( a )- 6 ( d ) illustrate further exemplary B-mode images with peak-to-peak HMI displacement overlay before treatment (a), after treatment (b), the corresponding gross pathology image (c), respectively, along with the focal monitoring displacement across the treatment window (d).
FIG. 7( a )- 7 ( d ) illustrate exemplary in vitro peak-to-peak displacement imaging and monitoring of treatment using the system of FIG. 1 a . The peak-to-peak displacement frames during a 50 Hz-cycle at representative time points of (a) 4 seconds, (b) 50 seconds, (c) 87 seconds, and (d) 117 seconds are shown.
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating statistical analysis of exemplary treatment monitoring using the system of FIG. 1( a ).
Throughout the figures and specification the same reference numerals are used to indicate similar features and/or structures.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
According to aspects of the disclosed subject matter, systems and methods for treatment monitoring include utilizing a sparse-matrix technique for parallel beamforming and scan conversion to achieve real-time treatment monitoring. It is recognized that the sparse matrix beamforming and reconstruction techniques can be applied to a wide range of imaging and monitoring techniques, including, for example and without limitation, reconstructing data in 3D, trading off the frame rate and motion estimation rates, monitoring treatment in real time and displaying 2D and/or 3D images in real time as well as electronic beam steering and focusing. For purpose of illustration and confirmation of the disclosed subject matter, and without limitation, reference is made to implementing the systems and techniques herein in a fully-integrated, clinically suitable ultrasound scanner with high frame rate real time imaging using HIFU by incorporating a GPU-based algorithm. Such a platform can provide a quantitative real time 2D monitoring feedback during the HIFU treatment directly back to the user.
Harmonic Motion Imaging for Focused Ultrasound (HMIFU) can utilize a single HIFU transducer emitting an amplitude-modulated (AM) beam for inducing both thermal therapy while inducing a stable oscillatory tissue displacement at its focal zone. The oscillatory response, also referred to as HMI displacement, can be estimated using the radio-frequency (RF) signals recorded during the HIFU treatment, as embodied herein, through a confocally-aligned pulse-echo imaging transducer. The localized tissue response can be monitored continuously from the onset of HIFU treatment and can provide the onset of treatment termination to the surgeon based on the change in local tissue stiffness in order to prevent any overtreatment.
With reference to FIGS. 1( a )- 1 ( c ), in an exemplary embodiment of a treatment monitoring system, a 93-element, PZT-4 ceramic HIFU Array (H-178, Sonic Concept Inc., Bothell Wash., U.S.A, Diameter individual element =10 mm, Diameter overall outer =110 mm, Diameter overall inner =41 mm, ƒ center =4.5 MHz, Focal depth=70 mm) can be utilized. The geometric and acoustic parameters of the HIFU transducer can be chosen based on the desired application, embodied herein, for purpose of illustration, as a clinical application of localized HIFU treatment on superficial organ applications. The transducer surface can be covered with a polyurethane based membrane, which can be coupled with a sterilization and degassing system (WDS-104, Sonic Concept, Bothell, Wash., U.S.A.) with control of both volume and circulation flow of degassed cooling water within the transducer-tissue interface during HIFU treatment. All channels for the 93 elements can be synchronously excited by an AM-HIFU signal (ƒ carrier =4.5 MHz, ƒ AM =25 Hz) generated through a dual-channel arbitrary waveform generator (AT33522A, Agilent Technologies Inc., Santa Clara, Calif., U.S.A.). The emitted HIFU beam can be capable of inducing an oscillatory motion at the focal zone in addition to inducing the conventional thermal ablation. The oscillatory motion can be estimated based on the RF signals acquired by a confocally aligned diagnostic transducer in order to achieve real-time HMIFU monitoring during HIFU application.
As embodied herein, the extrapolated in situ focal acoustic pressure and intensity (I sptp ) can be extrapolated to be 6.5 MPa and 9067 W/cm 2 , respectively, based on a hydrophone (HGN-0200; Onda Corporation, Sunnyvale, Calif., U.S.A.) calibration procedure. The diagnostic transducer, as embodied herein, can be a 64-element phased array (ATL., Bothell, Wash., U.S.A., ƒ center =2.5 MHz) and can be confocally fitted through a circular void or the HIFU transducer aperture through a water-proof mechanical gasket with rotational degree of freedoms. In this manner, the confocally-aligned imaging probe can be adjusted rotationally for adaptive targeting and monitoring at 10 steps with individual step of 36°.
Furthermore, and as embodied herein, the phased array transducer can be operated through a 4-board VDAS system (e.g., Verasonics, Bothell, Wash., U.S.A.) and a 260-pin header connector. The coupled transducer pair can be mounted and stabilized on a 3D translational system (e.g., Velmex Inc., Bloomfield, N.Y., U.S.A.) during both imaging and treatment protocols. The transducer pair can be mechanically translated using the translational system between the imaging or therapy protocols for positioning and alignment adjustment purpose, and can be maintained stationary during the imaging and treatment protocols. With reference to FIGS. 1( a ) and 1 ( b ), to synchronize the acquisition of the monitoring signals (i.e., the pulse-echo imaging sequence) with the onset of HIFU treatment, the therapeutic transducer can be triggered with the VDAS imaging system, as embodied herein through a MATLAB-based (Mathworks, Natick, Mass., U.S.A.) algorithm on a host PC (embodied herein as Precision T7500, Dell Inc., Austin, Tex., U.S.A.). Upon the initialization of each imaging or therapy monitoring sequence, the VDAS system can send a trigger signal to the waveform generator, which can activate the emission of the focused ultrasound wave emission from the therapeutic transducer. In this manner, for each imaging or therapy monitoring sequence, the initiation of the emission of focused ultrasound wave (e.g., for inducing both motion and therapy effect) and the emission of diagnostic ultrasound wave (e.g., for detecting the induced motion) can be synchronized through the usage of the VDAS unit controlled through a host PC.
The channel data signals can be individually acquired through a 64-element phased array and the Verasonics system, embodied herein using a single-transmit based divergent wavefront imaging sequence. For example and without limitation, and as embodied herein, the acquisition frame rate can be set at 1000 frames/sec, the analog-to-digital (A/D) sampling can be 10 MHz, which can be suitable for use with a 2.5 MHz diagnostic probe. The acquisition sequence can be repeated continuously, and the acquired frames can be transferred in a stacked set of 10 frames through an external function operated within the host computer, where additional reconstruction algorithms can be applied. Beam-formed radio frequency (RF) frames can also be stored, as described further herein, with reference to FIG. 2( c ).
GPU-based algorithms can be utilized to improve processing speeds compared to MATLAB implementations. However, translating MATLAB codes, including codes that can rely on pre-compiled proprietary functions to the Compute Unified Device Architecture (CUDA) language, can be a challenge. The systems and techniques described herein can execute linear operations on the GPU with MATLAB integration. As embodied herein, a sparse matrix option of JACKET package (e.g., from AccelerEyes, Atlanta, Ga. U.S.A.) can be utilized to perform sparse matrix-vector products on the GPU in a MATLAB environment. Linear operations can be represented as a matrix (referred to herein as a “function matrix”). As such, as embodied herein, the function matrix can be utilized to obtain a high performance GPU function of the linear operation using the JACKET package. For purpose of illustration, and not limitation, as embodied herein, interpreted MATLAB algorithms to perform the techniques, which can provide increased flexibility and ease-of-use.
For example, a function ƒ can have input x and output y, which can be a combination of any number of linear operations, including compiled functions such as interp2 in MATLAB. In the following equation, the x and y can be represented as vectors (or matrices) containing a total of N and M elements, respectively. As such,
y =ƒ( x ) (1)
ƒ can be linear, and thus a matrix A can be determined such that
y=Ax, (2)
where y and x can be represented as vectors in R M and R N , respectively, without loss of generality. To find A, ƒ can be applied to the k th standard basis vector e k, embodied herein as a vector with zeros everywhere except in the k th position, and can obtain:
y = f ( e k ) , ( 3 ) y = ∑ j A ij e k , 1 ≤ i ≤ M , ( 4 ) y = A ik , 1 ≤ i ≤ M , ( 5 )
or, in other words, f(ek) can represent the kth column of the function matrix. This operation can be repeated for all k to obtain the matrix A. The reconstruction matrix can be used for beamforming a set of any amount of frames, and can host data with varying depth and sampling resolution. An exemplary technique for treatment monitoring, embodied herein using a sparse matrix-based beamforming and reconstruction technique is illustrated in FIG. 3 . In some applications, for example when utilizing with images, the function matrix A can be very large. For example and without limitation, as embodied herein, the function matrix A can include from 6×109 to 48×109 elements, and can depend at least in part on the up-sampling rate and spatial size of displacement map reconstruction. As such, sparse matrix formats can be utilized to allocate non-zero elements. For example, to perform 2D linear interpolation, vector x can include N elements corresponding to N pixels of a given image, and y can include M>N elements corresponding to M pixels of the interpolated image. For a 4-neighbor interpolation scheme, an interpolated pixel y i can be represented as a linear combination of 4 pixels of vector x. The i th line of A ij can thus be used to compute pixel y i, and as embodied herein, can include 4 non-zero values and N-4 zeros, with N typically larger than 10,000. As such, it can be beneficial, both in terms of memory requirements and computational speeds, to represent the matrix A in its sparse form.
Generating the function matrix can be computationally-complex, both in terms of time and memory; however, the function matrix can be computed once, which can expedite the process of generating the function matrix to code compilation. Additionally, in some embodiments, smaller matrices can be obtained from larger matrices by removing appropriate lines of the function matrix, due at least in part to each column of the function matrix corresponding to one pixel of x, and each line of the function matrix corresponding to one pixel in y. As such, the angle field-of-view and the depth in real-time can be adjusted without re-computing the function matrix.
Furthermore, and as embodied herein, linear operations, such as delay-and-sum beamforming and scan conversion, can be represented as matrix-vector products. To obtain each beamformed RF frame, as embodied herein, two sparse matrices can be generated for reconstruction and scan conversion, respectively. For example, each frame of RF data can be reconstructed by multiplying the channel data matrix with the reconstruction sparse matrix, and multiplying the product matrix by another sparse matrix for scan conversion, as illustrated for example in FIG. 3 . As embodied herein, each calculation can be performed as a single operation. Furthermore, and as embodied herein, the RF signals can be up-sampled to 80 MHz and reconstructed on a 90 degrees field of view with 128 beam lines, for example for gelatin phantom imaging studies, and can be reduced to 30 degrees with 32 beam lines, for example for purpose of transfer and storage efficiency in HIFU treatment monitoring studies, as described herein. The reconstruction field of view can be chosen larger than the focal excitation zone as the excitation zone can increase with the formation and growth of the thermal lesion. In addition, a larger field of view can provide additional information, such as the propagation of shear waves in the lateral direction. As embodied herein, constructing the sparse matrix function matrix can be performed on the GPU using MATLAB GPU-compatible operations to reduce processing times.
HMIFU systems can incorporate a low-pass filter or band-pass filter to filter out the HIFU frequency in the received echo from diagnostic transducer, and the configuration can depend on the center frequency of the diagnostic probe with respect to the center frequency of the therapeutic probe. For example, and as embodied herein, a 6 th order low pass filter with a cutoff frequency at 4 MHz can be applied to the beamformed RF signals to remove the interference HIFU frequency component without affecting the receiving bandwidth of the diagnostic transducer (2-4 MHz).
Additionally, and as embodied herein, a 1-D normalized cross-correlation technique can be used to estimate the axial displacement along each lateral beam lines between two pre-selected frames within the acquired frames (embodied herein having window size of 3.85 mm and 90% overlap). Another 6 th order low pass filter at 100 Hz cutoff frequency can also be applied along the temporal space before construction of the 2D HMI displacement images using the sparse-matrix based scan conversion as described herein, for example with reference to FIG. 3 . For purpose of comparison to and confirmation of the disclosed subject matter, another acquisition technique can be utilized to acquire and transfer a separate set of 200 frames and beamformed the frames before being stored in the host computer.
EXAMPLE 1
In one example, for purpose of illustration and confirmation of the disclosed subject matter, a gelatin phantom (n=1, location=3, measurement=3) using gelatin bloom 50 powders (MP Biomedicals LLC., Santa Ana, Calif., U.S.A.) and scatterers using 10% agar powders were provided. As embodied herein, the acoustic attenuation was 0.5 dB/MHz/cm and speed of sound was 1551.7 m/s while the gelatin concentration was 4.9 g/L. The constructed phantom was configured to cure with a cylindrical shape (diameter 120 mm, height 60 mm) with a Young's Modulus of 10 kPa. The phantom was placed on an acoustic absorber to reduce or minimize any interface reflection interference, and degassed echo gel (AQUASONIC®100, Parker Laboratories, Inc., Fairfield, N.J., U.S.A.) was placed above the phantom between the transducer membrane for impedance matching, as shown for example in FIG. 1( a ). The imaging sequence included a continuous 1.2 seconds excitation, and data was transferred back to the host PC for a set of 400 ms, equivalent to 20 cycles of HMI excitation. The water in the coupling membrane of the HIFU transducer was degassed for 2 hours prior to treatment monitoring using the circulation system, and acoustic gel was also degassed for one hour prior to treatment monitoring.
Five displacement maps were obtained at three separate locations inside the gelatin phantom. B-mode imaging was performed before each imaging to improve the field of view. For each displacement image, a 1.2 second continuous HMIFU excitation was applied, and the RF signals were recorded at sets of 20-cycles (400 ms). The focal excitation zone was imaged for each location investigated and also centered at the focusing depth of HIFU transducer, embodied herein at 70 mm with −6 dB boundaries encompassing an ellipsoidal shape with diameters of 10 mm (axial) by 5 mm (lateral), as illustrated in FIGS. 4( a )- 4 ( h ). The distribution and magnitude range of the displacement profile at maximum excitation ( FIG. 4( a ), 4 ( b )), relaxation ( FIG. 4( e ), 4 ( f )), and zero ( FIG. 4( c ), 4 ( d )) force phase all remained reproducible for each cycle across the entire imaging sequence. Along with the axial displacement from the focal excitation, the estimated displacement within the boundary edge of the phantom includes displacement from the resulted propagation of shear wave associated with each focal excitation. Estimated motion outside the boundary edges of the phantom can be considered to be artifact. The average peak-to-peak HMI displacement at each location was estimated to be 21.9±7.98 μm, 23.9±8.7 μm, and 21.6±2.4 μm, respectively (mean±standard deviation). A full set of displacement frames shown during a 200 ms excitation period allowed vizualization of both focal displacement as well as propagation of shear waves generated from the focal excitation.
EXAMPLE 2
In another example, for purpose of illustration and confirmation of the disclosed subject matter, initial studies (subject=2, lobes=2, treatment location=3) and reproducibility studies (subject=6, lobe=6, treatment location=19) were performed using canine livers excised and immersed into degassed Phosphate buffered saline (PBS) solution bath maintained at temperature of 25° C. The specimens were degassed for two hours prior to treatment monitoring to reduce or prevent any air trapped inside. Each specimen was secured using metallic needles onto an acoustic absorber submerged in a de-ionized and degassed PBS tank, for example as depicted in FIG. 1( a ). The HIFU treatment sequence included a continuous 120-seconds excitation, and beamformed RF data frames were transferred back to the host PC at a rate of 100 frames per second, equivalent to 20 cycles of HMI excitation.
For each HIFU treatment, conventional B-mode imaging was used to target the focal zone within the region of interest inside the tissue. In the initial study, three HIFU treatments were performed across two liver lobes with HMIFU monitoring. B-mode images were acquired before and after the HIFU treatment, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 , respectively, and used for overlay with peak-to-peak HMI displacement images. The peak-to-peak HMI displacements within the focal excitation region, as illustrated in FIG. 7 , were monitored and processed using the technique discussed in Example 1 throughout the entire 2-minutes HIFU treatment period. A full set of displacement frames were shown during a 120-s HIFU treatment period.
For each of the three initial case studied, a decrease in peak-to-peak HMI displacement of 40%, 30%, and 33% was observed, respectively, as shown in FIGS. 5( f ) and 6 ( f ). For the reproducibility cases studied, 18 of the 19 reproducibility study HIFU treatment cases exhibited average displacement decrease of 45.2±20.8%, as illustrated in FIG. 8 . The difference between monitoring of displacement at the end of the HIFU treatment was found to be lower than that of the beginning of HIFU treatment (P-value=0.0003). The same decrease trends were also imaged in 2D, where individual single-cycle frame sets including maximum and minimum displacement profiles were shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , representing each of the representative treated locations, respectively. In the initial cases, the detected thermal lesion sizes were also imaged as 251, 254, and 226 mm 2 from gross pathology with an expected consistency from the HIFU treatment parameters remaining the same for all cases. In addition, the estimated diameter of HMI focal region from the displacement images across the three treatment cases increased both in axial and lateral direction from before (9.8 mm×8.2 mm, 9.3 mm×7.6 mm, 9.2 mm×6.6 mm, respectively) to after (13.0 mm×11.3 mm, 10.9 mm×8.4 mm, and 10.0 mm×10.5 mm, respectively) HIFU treatment, and thus an estimation of the confirmed thermal lesion diameter from gross pathology (9.0 mm×8.0 mm, 9.0×8.5 mm, 7.5×6.5 mm, respectively) was obtained, as provided in Table 1. The average size of all of the treated thermal lesion sizes in the reproducibility study cases was 236.6±140.2 mm 2 .
TABLE 1
Comparison table of HMI focal excitation region and the
diameter of thermal lesion size from gross pathology
analysis following in vitro experiment.
Thermal lesion
Focal excitation
Focal excitation
diameter from
Treat-
diameter at T = 5 s
diameter at T = 120 s
gross pathology
ment
(Axial vs. Lateral)
(Axial vs. Lateral)
(Axial vs.
Case
(T = 5 s)
(T = 120 s)
Lateral)
1
9.8 mm × 8.2 mm
13.0 mm vs. 11.3 mm
9.0 mm vs.
8.0 mm
2
9.3 mm × 7.6 mm
10.9 mm vs. 8.4 mm
9.0 mm vs.
8.5 mm
3
9.2 mm vs. 6.6 mm
10.0 mm vs. 10.5 mm
7.5 mm vs.
6.5 mm
For purpose of configuration of the disclosed subject matter, in Example 1 and 2, the processing speed of each technique was compared to that of a conventional reconstruction algorithm. In Example 1, the motion display (i.e., processing time from data acquisition to displacement estimation) frame rate was 1 Hz using the GPU-based sparse matrix algorithm, 0.4 Hz using the CPU-based sparse matrix algorithm, and 0.01 Hz using the conventional reconstruction algorithm when reconstructing on a 90° field of view (128 lines) image from 50 to 90 mm deep (9.6 μm axial grid size). In Example 2, the motion display (i.e., processing time from data acquisition to displacement estimation) frame rate was 15 Hz and 5 Hz with reconstructing 32 and 64 RF lines, respectively, using the GPU-based sparse matrix, 2.6 and 1 Hz using the CPU-based sparse matrix algorithm, respectively, and 0.09 and 0.05 Hz using the conventional algorithm for a 40 mm range (9.6 μm axial grid size) and 30 degrees angle field of view image. The results of these comparisons are shown in Table 2.
TABLE 2
Online streaming frame rate using CPU-based conventional
reconstruction algorithm, CPU and GPU-based sparse
matrix reconstruction algorithm under HMIFU imaging
settings for a 40 mm range image with 9.6 μm axial grid size.
CPU
GPU
Conventional
based sparse
based sparse
CPU
matrix
matrix
Field of view
reconstruction
reconstruction
reconstruction
30°, 32 Beams
0.09 Hz
2.6 Hz
15 Hz
30°, 64 Beams
0.05 Hz
1 Hz
5 Hz
90°, 128 Beams
0.01 Hz
0.4 Hz
1 Hz
The systems and techniques described herein can provide treatment monitoring which can be localized, performed in real time, and does not further delay the treatment procedure. For purpose of illustration and not limitation, referring now to an application of the treatment monitoring systems and techniques disclosed herein to monitoring HIFU treatment, HMIFU is an acoustic radiation force based dynamic elasticity imaging technique using a HIFU transducer for transmitting an AM-HIFU beam to induce a stable focal oscillatory motion, which can be related to the local tissue mechanical property, tracked by 1D cross correlation of RF signal acquired using a confocally-aligned diagnostic transducer. In this application, HMIFU can be utilized to perform localized HIFU monitoring without interrupting the treatment. Real-time HMIFU with capability to stream displacement during the treatment window can thus be performed using a fast beamforming and reconstruction algorithm, as discussed herein. GPU-based beamforming techniques can be utilized for applications of Synthetic Aperture (SA) imaging, real-time small displacement estimation, and Short-lag Spatial Coherence Imaging (SLSC). For purpose of illustration, and as embodied herein, a 2D HMIFU system equipped with a real-time feedback capable of streaming the displacement image during the ablation procedure utilizes a sparse matrix beamforming algorithm implemented on GPU. Additional exemplary applications of HMI are described, for example and without limitation, in International Patent Application No. PCT/US2014/011631, which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Challenges to real-time treatment monitoring, for example of HIFU treatment, include detecting the onset of lesion formation, providing quantitative mapping of the treated region (i.e., thermal lesion), and performing efficient monitoring without delaying the treatment procedure. Real-time monitoring and quantitatively mapping thermal lesion formation can be performed at a frame rate of 5 to 15 Hz. This approach can facilitates an enhancing temporal resolution to monitor and detect the onset of thermal lesioning indicating effective point of termination. HMIFU can stream the focal displacement map quantitatively delineating the region of thermal lesion based on the stiffness contrast. ARFI and SSI methodologies can implement a cost-effective, all-ultrasound-based HIFU with a monitoring system receiving beamformed RF signals between 11 to 17 kHz. ARFI can utilize a single transducer excited at a low duty cycle (6%) to reduce or prevent transducer damage with the ARFI image displayed interspersed between HIFU treatments at 0.2-Hz frame rate following a single mechanical excitation. SSI also interrupts the treatment for the HIFU beam during the its plane shear wave excitation, allowing a frame rate up to 0.333 Hz. By comparison, HMIFU can continuously streaming focal displacement maps at up to 15 Hz throughout the entire HIFU treatment duration. The HMIFU system utilizes the same HIFU beam for both treatment and elasticity monitoring, and thus can operate in a more efficient monitoring manner by not stopping HIFU treatment to perform the monitoring/imaging sequence. Even in a CPU implementation without the GPU, the sparse matrix based beamforming technique according to the disclosed subject matter can improved the frame rate by 20 to 40 times from that of a conventional delay-and-sum beamforming algorithm between field of view of 30° to 90°.
With reference to Example 1 described herein, the HMI displacement images across the gelatin phantom were reproducible, with the largest variance across locations being under 9.6%. In addition, the focal excitation region was clearly imaged across all cases, where ellipsoidal shaped displaced regions were centered around 70 mm, in agreement with the expected geometrical focal depth of the HIFU transducer. The displacement profile maps measured across different locations showed a strong consistency, thus confirming the reproducibility of beamforming and motion estimation described herein and confirming performance reliability of the disclosed subject matter. While the HMIFU excitation was continuous for 1.2 seconds, tissue heating and the associated changes such as in speed of sound were negligible within the time window and the associated low temperature changes.
For monitoring of HIFU treatment studies, the focal excitation region was also clearly imaged across all the cases, where focal displacement decreased by 40%, 30%, and 33% for each initial feasibility study cases as well as decreased by 45.2±20.8% amongst the reproducibility study cases upon lesion formation with statistical significance (P=0.0003). The displacement decrease began around 60 to 80 seconds upon treatment initiation and progressively continued until the end. The average size of the treated thermal lesions estimated from gross pathology was 236.6±140.2 mm 2 under the same treatment parameters, which also confirmed the consistency of the disclosed subject matter.
The examples illustrate real-time, continuous monitoring and lesion imaging of HIFU treatment, which can allow physicians to identify the onset of lesion formation and provide the ability to either terminate the treatment or continue to monitor lesion growth. Steady decrease in the HMI focal displacement, which can indicate the onset of thermal lesion formation due to stiffening of the treated region, was observed throughout HIFU monitoring window in all of the completed treatment cases. In addition, the overlay of a peak-to-peak HMI displacement map onto the B-mode image can depict the quantitative mapping of mechanical property change of the tissue in addition to the anatomical information provided by the B-mode, as illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6 . Compared to the B-mode assessment, shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 , of the same regions before and after HIFU ablation, the peak-to-peak HMI displacement images provided improved contrast and mapping of the thermal lesion. The growth of the focal displacement region can be associated with the growing and stiffer thermal lesion. In addition, the displacement images can reproducibly map the changes in mechanical property upon lesion formation.
The single variable sparse matrices described herein can be constructed offline using a separate algorithm prior to treatment monitoring, and the matrix computational cost can vary between few minutes to several hours, and can depend at least in part on the up-sampling rate, beam density, as well as well as field of view. However, the computational cost can be reduced by generating a single matrix at a highest sampling rate and larger fields of view, and adapting the reconstruction matrices with reshaping and down-sampling in respective to the specific imaging parameter. The reconstruction speed can also influence the streaming speed, where a larger field of investigation with higher sampling rate can have a lower streaming frame rate. The data transfer rate from the VDAS to the host computer can also affect speed. For example, as embodied herein, all 200 frames acquired at 1 kHz frame rate were transferred in 930 ms. In some embodiments, frame rates of at least 10-15 Hz can be considered suitable for HIFU guidance.
The systems and techniques according to the disclosed subject matter can be utilized for rapid-prototyping and implementing on any conventional imaging system, including conventional ultrasound systems. The matrix-based algorithms can allow for flexible adaptation of other types of linear functions. The frame rate of 1 kHz, as embodied herein, can be selected to provide suitable displacement quality (i.e., correlation coefficient) and streaming framerate. In addition, at 1 kHz, both monitoring of focal displacement and capturing the propagation of shear waves generated through focal excitation can be performed. The ability to track shear waves can provide additional applications potentials for the disclosed subject matter, including but not limited to simultaneous focal and peripheral-focal region shear-wave based elasticity imaging of lesion formation, as well as assessment of 2D viscoelasticity change during HIFU treatment. Additional applications can include implementation of a raster-ablation sequence for treatment of large tissue volume through electronic beam steering of the 93-element HIFU array, as well as a composite imaging with real time overlaying displacement image onto B-mode to perform simultaneous beam guidance and lesion assessment. Clinical translation of the disclosed subject matter can be applied to breast and pancreatic tumor ablation.
The foregoing merely illustrates the principles of the disclosed subject matter. Various modifications and alterations to the described embodiments will be apparent to those skilled in the art in view of the teachings herein. It will thus be appreciated that those skilled in the art will be able to devise numerous techniques which, although not explicitly described herein, embody the principles of the disclosed subject matter and are thus within its spirit and scope. | Systems and techniques of treatment monitoring include acquiring channel data from each of a plurality of channels of a signal array over a plurality of frames, determining a reconstruction matrix based on a reconstruction operation to be performed on the channel data, applying the reconstruction matrix to the channel data to obtain reconstructed channel data, estimating displacement data representing displacement of an object over the frames from the reconstructed channel data; determining a conversion matrix based on a conversion operation to be performed on the reconstructed channel data, and applying the conversion matrix to the reconstructed channel data to obtain a displacement map. | 0 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] The present application claims priority to Provisional Application No. 60/965,673 filed on Aug. 21, 2007 entitled Reciprocating Saw Blade, the entire contents of which is incorporated herein by reference.
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] (Not Applicable)
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] 1. Field of the Invention
[0004] The present invention relates generally to saw blades and more particularly, to a saw blade for use with a reciprocating saw for cutting drywall.
[0005] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0006] Drywall is widely used in the construction industry for both residential and commercial construction. Sheets of drywall may be pre-fabricated at an off-site location and delivered to the construction site. The drywall sheets may be quickly and easily attached to the structural frame to form a wall, ceiling, or other surface.
[0007] After the drywall is attached to the structural frame, it may be necessary to cut the drywall. For instance, an electrician may cut through the drywall to install recessed lighting in a ceiling. In addition, a plumber may cut through the drywall to access plumbing located behind the drywall. Various demolition projects may also require cutting or removal of certain sections of drywall.
[0008] Conventional drywall cutting tools may be used to cut through the drywall. A typical drywall cutter includes a blade that is 4″-9″ in length. A common problem associated with usage of such drywall cutting tools is that when the blade is inserted into the drywall, the blade may cut or damage utilities located behind the drywall. For instance, the blade may cut or damage electrical lines, plumbing, or other utilities disposed behind the drywall. Contact between the blade and the utilities may also place the individual cutting the drywall at risk of injury (e.g. electrical lines, gas lines). In addition, such contact may also create considerable damage, which may be very costly to fix. In the case of a hired contractor, the cost of repair may be greater than the profit expected for the original project.
[0009] Another problem associated with conventional drywall cutters relates to the dust generated when cutting the drywall. In particular, conventional drywall cutters tend to generate significant amounts of dust or debris when cutting the drywall. A standard sheet of drywall includes an inner chalky layer disposed between a pair of opposing outer paper-like layers. When the blade travels through the inner chalky layer, it has a propensity to pull chunks of the inner chalky layer out of the drywall sheet, which causes dust to settle in the areas surrounding the drywall. As such, the dusted areas typically require cleaning once the drywall is cut. The cleanup adds unwanted time and expense to the construction project.
[0010] As is apparent from the foregoing, there exists a need in the art for a drywall cutting blade configured to mitigate contact with utilities disposed behind the drywall as well as to reduce the dust generated with cutting the drywall. The present invention addresses this particular need, as will be discussed in more detail below.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0011] According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a replaceable drywall saw blade capable of reciprocating in-line when mounted to a hand held reciprocating power saw. The blade includes a generally planar body member having a generally linear top edge and a generally parallel opposed bottom edge. The blade further includes a generally linear upper piercing edge angularly offset downwardly from the top edge. The blade additionally includes a generally linear lower piercing edge angularly offset upwardly from the bottom edge. The upper piercing edge and lower piercing edge intersect to form a forward point on said blade. The blade also includes a mounting aperture connected to the body member for releasably securing the blade to the hand held reciprocating power saw.
[0012] The blade may be sized and configured to mitigate contact between the blade and utilities which may be disposed behind the drywall. In this manner, the blade may be configured to be inserted into the drywall, with a minimal amount of the blade being completely advanced therethrough. In addition, the blade may minimize the amount of dust generated during insertion and removal of the blade into and out of the drywall. In this regard, the at least one tooth may be configured to cut through an outer layer of the drywall to mitigate the amount of dust produced when cutting the drywall.
[0013] The blade may include at least one saw tooth is formed in the bottom edge. The blade may further include an upper piercing edge and a lower piercing edge that intersect at a right angle. Furthermore, the blade may include a plurality of saw teeth. In addition, the thickness of the blade may be substantially uniform along its length.
[0014] The present invention is best understood by reference to the following detailed description when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features and advantages of the various embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect to the following description and drawings in which like numbers refer to like parts throughout and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is an upper perspective view of a blade for use with a reciprocating saw to cut drywall, the blade having a blade body, a blade tip, a pair of teeth, and an engagement element;
[0017] FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the blade illustrated in FIG. 1 ;
[0018] FIG. 3 is a side elevation view of the blade connected to a reciprocating saw to define a saw-blade assembly, with the blade positioned for insertion into a section of drywall, the drywall having a first outer layer and an opposing second outer layer with an inner layer disposed therebetween;
[0019] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the saw-blade assembly illustrated in FIG. 3 , with the blade advanced into the drywall; and
[0020] FIG. 5 is a side elevation view of the saw-blade assembly illustrated in FIG. 4 , with the blade removed from the drywall.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0021] Referring now to the drawings wherein the showings are for purposes of illustrating a preferred embodiment of the present invention only, and not for purposes of limiting the same, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate a drywall cutting blade 10 constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. Various aspects of the invention are directed toward a blade 10 configured to reduce the amount of dust produced when cutting the drywall 40 . Furthermore, other aspects of the invention are directed toward mitigating contact between the blade 10 and utilities which may be disposed behind the drywall 40 , such as plumbing and electrical lines.
[0022] The blade 10 is configured for use with a reciprocating saw 12 for cutting drywall 40 . As used herein, a reciprocating saw 12 is a tool that is engageable with a cutting instrument (such as a blade 10 ) to drive the cutting instrument through a cutting cycle. In most cases, the reciprocating saw repeatedly pushes and pulls the blade 10 through a cutting material. It is understood that reciprocating saws 12 are commonly employed in construction and demolition projects. The size and shape of the reciprocating saw 12 may vary. Reciprocating saw 12 are readily available in handheld and cordless models, as well as high-speed, high-power corded models. An exemplary reciprocating saw 12 is the DeWalt Heavy-Duty 10.0 Amp Reciprocating Saw manufactured by DeWalt, headquartered in Baltimore, Md.
[0023] Referring now specifically to FIGS. 1 and 2 , the blade 10 includes a blade body member 14 defining a body leading portion 24 and a body engagement portion 26 . As used herein, the body engagement portion 26 refers to that portion of the blade body 14 that is disposed closest to the reciprocating saw 12 when the blade 10 is connected thereto. Furthermore, the leading portion 24 refers to that portion of the blade body 14 that is farthest from the saw 12 when the blade 10 is connected thereto. The body leading portion 24 is also that portion of the body member 14 that is initially inserted into the drywall 40 .
[0024] The blade body 14 includes a body top edge 18 and an opposing body bottom edge 16 . The body top and bottom edges 18 , 16 extend along the blade body 14 between the blade engagement portion 26 and the blade leading portion 24 . It may be desirable for the body top and bottom edges 18 , 16 to be substantially planar to facilitate insertion and removal of the blade 10 from the drywall 40 . Furthermore, in one embodiment, the top and bottom edges 18 , 16 are substantially parallel (as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 ). However, it is understood that the body top and bottom edges 18 , 16 may also define a non-parallel configuration. Furthermore, it is understood that insertion and removal of blade 10 into and out of the drywall 40 may further be facilitated by smooth, planar body top and bottom edges 18 , 26 .
[0025] The blade 10 further includes a pair of opposing lateral surfaces 20 extending along the length of the blade 10 . The lateral surfaces 20 extend between the body top edge 18 and the body bottom edge 16 . The distance between the opposing lateral surfaces 20 defines a blade thickness “T.” In one embodiment, the blade thickness T is substantially uniform. For instance, in one particular embodiment, the blade thickness T is approximately 0.05 inches. However, the thickness T may vary without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0026] Given that the blade 10 is configured to cut drywall 40 through repeated insertion and removal of the blade 10 through the drywall 40 , it is desirable to form the blade body 14 out of a strong, durable material. In one particular embodiment, the blade body 14 is formed of steel. However, other materials known by those skilled in the art may also be used.
[0027] The blade 10 includes a blade tip 28 for piercing through the drywall 40 upon insertion of the blade 10 into the drywall 40 . The blade tip 28 is connected to the body leading portion 24 . In one embodiment, the blade tip 28 is integrally formed with the blade body 14 . The blade tip 28 includes an upper piercing edge 30 connected to the body top edge 18 to define an upper tip angle α therebetween. The blade tip 28 further includes a lower piercing edge 32 connected to the body bottom edge 16 to define a lower tip angle φ therebetween. The upper piercing edge 30 and the lower piercing edge 32 intersect at a forward point 29 to define a primary tip angle θ. In one embodiment, and as depicted in the figures, the primary tip angle is 90 degrees. In other words, the upper piercing edge 30 is substantially orthogonal to the lower piercing edge 32 . Accordingly, the upper and lower tip angles α, φ are obtuse in nature. In this regard, the upper and lower tip angles α, φ are greater than 90 degrees but less than 180 degrees.
[0028] The upper piercing edge 30 defines an upper piercing length “U,” defined as the distance between the forward point 29 and the intersection between the upper piercing edge 30 and the body top edge 18 . The lower piercing edge 32 defines a lower piercing length “P,” defined as the distance between the forward point 29 and the intersection between the lower piercing edge 32 and the body bottom edge 16 . According to various embodiments, the upper piercing length U and the lower piercing length P may vary. For instance, in one embodiment, the upper piercing length U is greater than the lower piercing length P. However, in another embodiment, the upper piercing length U is less than the lower piercing length P. Furthermore, in an additional embodiment, the upper piercing length U and the lower piercing length P are substantially identical.
[0029] The blade tip 28 may be formed of strong durable material capable of penetrating through the drywall 40 . In one embodiment, at least a portion of the blade tip 28 is formed of a carbide material (e.g. tungsten carbide, titanium carbide). Carbide may be desirable because of its tendency to remain sharp after repeated use. In another embodiment, the blade tip 28 may be formed of steel or other materials known by those skilled in the art. In this manner, the blade tip 28 may be formed of the same or different material used to form the blade body 14 .
[0030] According to one aspect of the invention, the blade 10 also includes one or more teeth 34 for cutting a portion of the drywall 40 . The teeth 34 are connected to the engagement portion 26 of the blade body member 14 . As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2 , the blade 10 includes a pair of teeth 34 connected to the engagement portion 26 at the body bottom edge 16 . However, it is understood that the size, shape, and number of teeth 34 may vary. For instance, when cutting thicker pieces of drywall 40 , larger teeth 34 may be desirable. The interaction between the teeth 34 and the drywall 40 will be described in more detail below.
[0031] The distance between the forward point 29 and the most rearward tooth 34 defines an operative blade length “L,” as depicted in FIG. 2 . It is understood that utilities, including but not limited to, electrical wiring and plumbing may be disposed behind a sheet of drywall 40 . When the blade 10 is advanced through the drywall 40 for purposes of cutting the drywall 40 , there is a risk of contacting the utilities. Contact between the blade 10 and the utilities may damage the utilities as well as create a safety hazard. For instance, if the blade 10 contacts a live electrical wire, the user may be electrocuted. In addition, if a blade 10 punctures a plumbing line, the surrounding areas may become flooded. Consequently, considerable time and money may be expended to repair damage caused by inadvertent contact between the blade 10 and the utilities. Therefore, by minimizing the operative blade length L, contact between the blade 10 and utilities disposed behind the drywall 40 may be mitigated. It is understood that various embodiments of the present invention include a blade length L that is considerably less than conventional saw blades. In this manner, it is less likely that the blade 10 will contact utilities disposed behind the drywall 40 . It is also understood that the blade length L may vary according to the thickness of the drywall 40 . For instance, for thicker pieces of drywall 40 , a larger blade length L may be desired.
[0032] The blade 10 additionally includes an engagement element 36 connected to the engagement portion 26 of the blade body member 14 . The engagement element 36 is sized and configured to be engageable with the reciprocating saw 12 . Many conventional reciprocating saws 12 engage with a blade 10 by way of a through-hole formed in the blade 10 . Accordingly, the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 includes a mounting aperture 38 for engagement with a reciprocating saw 12 . The mounting aperture 38 extends between the opposing lateral surfaces 20 of the blade 10 . It is understood that the engagement element 36 may take on other configurations without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
[0033] Referring now to FIGS. 3-5 , there is illustrated a sequence of blade positions relative to a section of drywall 40 during operation of the blade 10 . The blade 10 is operable to cut drywall 40 upon repeated blade 10 insertion and removal into and out of the drywall 40 . Conventional drywall 40 includes a first outer layer 42 and an opposing second outer layer 44 . The first and second outer layers 42 , 44 are generally formed from a paper-like material. The drywall 40 includes a drywall inner layer 46 disposed between the opposing first and second outer layers 42 , 44 . The inner layer 46 typically includes a chalky material that tends to generate a substantial amount of dust as the blade 10 is advanced and removed therethrough. Conventional drywall 40 is typically manufactured in a number of standard thicknesses. The drywall thickness “D” is defined by the distance between the first outer layer 42 and the second outer layer 44 . Drywall 40 having a thickness of ¼ inch, ½ inch, or ⅝ inch, is commonly used in the construction industry.
[0034] FIG. 3 depicts a blade-saw assembly 50 including a blade 10 connected to a reciprocating saw 12 having a saw guard 55 . The blade-saw assembly 50 is positioned to cut the drywall 40 . In this regard, the blade 10 is positioned to enter the drywall 40 through the first outer layer 42 . The blade 10 is inserted into the drywall 40 along an insertion axis 52 . According to one embodiment, the insertion axis 52 is substantially orthogonal to a drywall axis 54 defined by the first outer layer 42 . In this manner, the blade-saw assembly 50 is held substantially orthogonal to the plane of the drywall 40 when cutting the drywall 40 .
[0035] Referring now to FIG. 4 , the saw 12 is pressed toward the drywall 40 to cause the saw guard 55 to be disposed adjacent the first outer layer 42 . Furthermore, the blade 10 is advanced through the drywall 40 to cause the blade tip 28 to pass through the first outer layer 42 and the drywall inner layer 46 . The blade tip 28 also comes in contact with the second outer layer 44 . In one embodiment, the blade tip 28 may be configured to completely pass through the second outer layer 44 . This may be desirable to make a cleaner and more efficient cut of the drywall 40 . However, in another embodiment, the blade tip 28 may not pass completely through the second outer layer 44 . It may be desirable to mitigate complete blade tip 28 penetration through the second outer layer 44 to protect against inadvertent contact with utilities. For instance, if a user knows, or has good reason to believe that utilities are disposed adjacent the second outer layer 44 , then full penetration of the second outer layer 44 by the blade tip 28 may be undesirable.
[0036] Once the blade 10 reaches its fully advanced position, it retracts through the drywall 40 . Upon retraction, the teeth 34 may cut through the first outer layer 42 to facilitate removal of the blade 10 from the drywall 40 . The cutting of the first outer layer 42 by the teeth 34 mitigates bunching of the first outer layer 42 . In other words, if the first outer layer 42 is not cut by the teeth 34 , the first outer layer 42 has a tendency to gather and disrupt cutting of the drywall 40 . The smooth and planar body upper and lower edges 18 , 16 enable the blade 10 to glide through the drywall inner layer 46 , which mitigates the amount of dust generated by cutting the drywall 40 .
[0037] It is contemplated that one particular embodiment of the blade 10 does not include blade teeth 34 . Alternatively, the blade 10 may include blade teeth 34 that are not advanced into the drywall 34 . In this manner, the blade 10 does not have to be inserted to a point where the teeth 34 at least pass through the first outer layer 42 . Rather, the blade 10 may be inserted until the blade tip 28 contacts the second outer layer 44 . Once the blade tip 28 achieves penetration through the second outer layer 44 , further insertion is not required. This may be desirable when it is known that utilities are disposed in close proximity to the second outer layer 44 . By minimizing the penetration depth, the chance of puncture or other damage to the utilities is reduced. Another benefit to the blade 10 not having teeth 34 is that the blade 10 may cut the drywall 40 in two directions. More specifically, the blade 10 may cut the drywall 40 along the body upper edge 18 , or alternatively along the body lower edge 16 .
[0038] When making the cut through the drywall 40 , the user presses the saw 12 against the drywall 40 to keep the saw guard 55 adjacent the first outer layer 42 . The user may also direct the saw 12 to in a direction to perform the desired cut. In this manner, the blade 10 reciprocates through the drywall 40 to make the cut. Once the user completes the desired cut, the blade 10 is removed from the drywall 40 , as illustrated in FIG. 5 .
[0039] The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation. Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devise variations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention disclosed herein. Further, the various features of the embodiments disclosed herein can be used alone, or in varying combinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to the specific combinations described herein. Thus, the scope of the claims is not to be limited by the illustrated embodiments. | There is provided a replaceable drywall saw blade capable of reciprocating in-line when mounted to a hand held reciprocating power saw. The blade includes a generally planar body member having a generally linear top edge and a generally parallel opposed bottom edge. The blade further includes a generally linear upper piercing edge angularly offset downwardly from the top edge. The blade additionally includes a generally linear lower piercing edge angularly offset upwardly from the bottom edge. The upper piercing edge and lower piercing edge intersect to form a forward point on said blade. A mounting aperture is also formed on the blade for releasably securing the blade to the hand held reciprocating power saw. | 8 |
CROSS-REFERENCE
[0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 61/370,363, filed Aug. 3, 2010, by Yanda entitled Fluid Filter for High Volume Industrial Applications, and 61/412,854 filed Nov. 12, 2010, by Yanda entitled Systems, Devices and Methods for High Volume Fluid Filtering which applications are incorporated herein by reference.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Technical Field
[0003] The disclosure relates to the removal of solids from industrial, municipal, agricultural, or other wastewater or fluids.
[0004] 2. Background
[0005] There is currently a severe shortage of usable water in many geographic locations. Moreover, the system for delivering, reclaiming or processing water for use is expensive and inefficient and achieved by a crumbling infrastructure. Current systems of industrial water filtration employ settling tanks or ponds that rely on large tracts of land and are only partially effective at particulate removal or dead end filtration which are very high cost and low volume.
[0006] It has been said that “water is the oil of the 21 st century” because of huge demand and finite supply. Although it is estimated that greater than 75% of the earth's surface is covered by water, over 96% of water is ocean. Nearly 70% of freshwater is trapped in ice caps, glaciers and permanent snow. That leaves only a few percent as fresh water for human use (See, www.earthobservatory.nasa.gov.) Salt water, which represents the vast majority of water, requires expensive and energy intensive desalination processes before it is can be used for drinking.
[0007] The U.S. alone has more than 97,000 water treatment facilities. The projected annual growth rate for water treatment is 5%-8% over the next decade. Furthermore, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has projected that this increase will come primarily from population growth and urban expansion. Because of increased demand, there is recognized a need to upgrade equipment and infrastructure used in the water treatment industry, particularly the wastewater treatment industry. Equipment installed under the Clean Water Act of 1972 is currently approaching the end of its projected lifecycle. In addition, the water treatment standards mandated by the EPA do, from time to time, become more stringent.
[0008] To make matters more complex, the issues pertaining to water as a resource and energy reserves are intertwined on many levels. An April 2005 Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Study estimated the electricity potential from methane produced by the anaerobic digestion of wastewater biosolids, from Industrial, Agriculture, and Municipal facilities. See E O. Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory Study, April 2005, LBNL-57451. The results of the study demonstrated that, notwithstanding energy requirements to process water, the processing of water can itself be a source of energy
[0009] Traditionally, conventional waste water treatment facilities 10 are constructed to take in wastewater as influent and process it through a variety of screenings and treatments, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , prior to the releasing the effluent to the ocean, bay, river or lake. Wastewater 12 that passes through the bar screen and the grit screen 14 is subjected to primary treatment in a large sedimentation lagoon or tank 20 . The sedimentation tank 20 enables particle settling or sedimentation 22 . The sedimentation tank has an influent which travels in at a very slow flow rate to an opposing end where it exits as effluent 24 . During the process of traveling from the inlet (as influent) to the outlet (as effluent), particles settle out in a settling zone to form a sludge or sedimentation 22 at the bottom of the sedimentation tank 20 . A variety of techniques can be employed to remove the particles from the sedimentation tank 20 that would be known to those skilled in the art.
[0010] The effluent 24 flows from the sedimentation tank 20 to a second sedimentation lagoon 30 where bubblers 32 aerate the influent and flocculants are added as part of a secondary treatment process. After secondary treatment the effluent 34 is often treated with a final disinfectant step by placing into a chlorination basin 40 prior to emitting the final effluent 42 into the ocean, bay, river or lake 50 .
[0011] Conventional treatment technologies include, for example, a pumped diffusion flash mixer for chemical addition, flocculation basin, sedimentation basin and granular medium filter. The residuals from the wastewater treatment plant are returned to the source or stored in ponds. For example in arid locations, drying ponds are sometimes used. More often, mechanical processing is employed in conjunction with the residuals to reduce the volume of the residuals. Yet another treatment mechanism that can be used after primary treatment is provided by G.E. Water & Processing Technologies and includes ZeeWeed based membrane bioreactor (MBR). The ZeeWeed MBR is a basic production train that consists of a biological reactor, membrane basin, permeate pump, air blowers and automated control equipment. The production trains are simply expanded to meet capacity requirements as needed. Membrane bioreactor systems offer a significantly smaller footprint and simplified operation than the comparable conventional activated sludge systems shown in FIG. 1 . However, the bioreactor systems are still quite large.
[0012] Currently there are several important issues facing the design of wastewater treatment facilities for which there has been an insufficient solution. First, most wastewater treatment facilities consume a significant amount of energy during operation. Second, wastewater treatment facilities typically require a substantial amount of land. Third, wastewater treatment facilities often emit an unpleasant odor which can make them undesirable to place strategically in an urban setting, notwithstanding the space requirements. Fourth, as much as 40% of the treated water is lost to evaporation during processing.
[0013] Industrial wastewater processes parallel the municipal systems outlined above but usually incorporate only one or two processes of those outlined above. For example, food processors need to recover and reuse fruit and vegetable pre-wash water but must satisfy strict EPA regulations to do so. Most food processors do not have an economical choice for recovering water for reuse and suffer higher costs to buy more water as well as local regulatory limitations on the amount of water that might be available from their local municipal water source. The effluent from these plants must also conform to EPA rules and the settling pond is a common solution. However, little or no water reclamation is possible.
[0014] Dead-end filter systems for large scale processing are large, consume significant amounts of energy and are expensive to build and maintain.
[0015] Systems previously developed include, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,249 to Eger et al. for Sanitary Waste Treatment Plant, U.S. Pat. No. 7,243,912 to Petit et al. for Aeration Diffuser Membrane Slitting Pattern, U.S. Pat. No. 7,309,427 to Kruse et al. for System for Treating Liquids. U.S. Pat. No. 7,314,564 to Kruse et al. for Method for Treating Liquids, U.S. Pat. No. 7,329,358 to Wilkins et al. for Water Treatment Process, and U.S. Pat. No. 7,563,351 to Wilkins et al. for Water Treatment System and Method; U.S. Patent Pubs. US 2002/0148779 A1 to Shieh et al. for Methods and Apparatus for Biological Treatment of Aqueous Waste, US 2003/0015469 A1 to Hedenland et al. for Modified Intermittent Cycle, Extended Aeration System (MICEAS), US 2005/0252855 A1 to Shieh et al. for Methods and Apparatus for Biological Treatment of Aqueous Waste, and US 2006/0254979 A1 to Koopmans et al. for Mixer and Process Controller for Use in Wastewater Treatment Processes.
[0016] What is needed, therefore, are systems, devices and methods for processing water which have a smaller footprint, reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation, provide for odor control, which have a reduced energy consumption and which are affordable and scaleable for non-municipal applications.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0017] An aspect of the disclosure is directed to fluid processing systems. Suitable fluid processing systems comprise: first bowl, with a bottom surface and a side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface defining an enclosure wherein the side wall extends from the bottom surface at an angle from 10-20° from the vertical, having at least one filter element positioned in the side wall of the first bowl in fluid communication between an interior of the first bowl and an exterior of the first bowl; an input manifold adapted and configured to receive an influent fluid and to deliver the influent to an area adjacent the bottom surface of the first bowl; a partition adapted and configured to isolate an influent filtrate from an influent solid; and a drive system adapted and configured to control a rotational movement of the first bowl. In at least some configurations, at least one pump vane is positioned in a bottom surface of the first bowl. The pump vane is adapted and configured to propel the influent outward from a central axis when the first bowl is rotating during operation. Additionally, a back-flush system having a spray nozzle and pump assembly to spray fluid through the filter from an exterior of the first bowl to the interior of the first bowl. The back-flush system can be configured to operate continuously or intermittently, as desired. In some configurations of the system, one or more secondary bowls are provided which are nested around the first bowl and a common axis of rotation. The use of multiple bowls which are nested facilitates processing the influent in stages. In some configurations, the one or more nested secondary bowls have an angle from a bottom surface to an upper edge of the side surface that is the same as the first (inner) bowl. However, in other configurations, the one or more nested secondary bowls can be configured to have an angle from a bottom surface to an upper edge of the side surface that is different than the first (inner) bowl. An enclosure can also be provided that is adapted and configured to house or isolate the system from an environment wherein the enclosure further comprises one or more input/output interfaces. The filter elements can be configured to provide a filtering capacity of from several hundred micrometers to sub-micrometer. Where nested bowls are used each nested bowl can be provided with different filtering capacity to provide a changing filtering granularity as influent to the system passes from the first filtering stage to later filtering stages. Additionally, in some configurations, the at least one filter elements is adapted and configured to filter in a single stage or multiple stages. The one or more filters can be formed from one or more of plastic screen, metal screen, microfiber material, woven fibers, sintered metal, and compressed paper.
[0018] Another aspect of the disclosure is directed to methods of filtering fluid. The methods of filtering comprise: introducing an influent into a fluid processing system comprising a first bowl, with a bottom surface and a side wall having an inner surface and an outer surface wherein the side wall extends from the bottom surface at an angle from 10-20° from the vertical, having at least one filter element positioned in the side wall of the first bowl in fluid communication between an interior of the first bowl and an exterior of the first bowl, an input manifold adapted and configured to receive an influent fluid and to deliver the influent to an area adjacent the bottom surface of the first bowl, a partition adapted and configured to isolate an influent filtrate from an influent solid, and a drive system adapted and configured to control a rotational movement of the first bowl; rotating the first bowl; and creating a pressure to force a fluid component of the influent through filter elements while pushing a solid component of the influent over a top rim of the bowl. Additionally, the methods can further comprise one or more of each of the steps of propelling the influent outward by a pump vane located on the bottom surface of the bowl, spraying a fluid other than the fluid component of the influent through the filter, filtering a fluid component of the influent through one or more nested bowls, and isolating the system from the environment.
[0019] Still another aspect of the disclosure is directed to fluid processing devices. The fluid processing devices comprise: a first bowl having at least one filter element positioned in the side wall of the first bowl in fluid communication between an interior of the first bowl and an exterior of the first bowl; an input manifold adapted and configured to receive an influent fluid and to deliver the influent to an area adjacent the bottom surface of the first bowl; at least one pump vane positioned in a bottom surface of the first bowl wherein the pump vane is adapted and configured to propel the influent outward from a central axis when the first bowl is rotating; and a drive system adapted and configured to control a rotational movement of the first bowl. A bottom surface of the bowl and a side wall of the bowl have an inner surface and an outer surface and further are configurable such that the side wall extends from the bottom surface at an angle from 10-20° from the vertical. A back-flush system can also be provided wherein the back-flush system has at least one spray nozzle and pump assembly to spray fluid through the filter from an exterior of the first bowl to the interior of the first bowl. One or more secondary bowls can also be provided which are nested around the first bowl and a common axis of rotation adapted and configured to cause the influent to be processed in stages. In some aspects, the one or more nested secondary bowls have an angle from a bottom surface to an upper edge of the side surface that is the same or different from the angle of the first bowl. Additionally, some aspects can be configured to include an enclosure adapted and configured to isolate the system from an environment wherein the enclosure further comprises one or more input/output interfaces. Suitable filter elements for use in the devices typically have a filtering capacity of from several hundred micrometers to sub-micrometer. In at least some configurations, the at least one filter elements is adapted and configured to filter in a single stage or multiple stages. The one or more filters can be formed from one or more of plastic screen, metal screen, microfiber material, woven fibers, sintered metal, and compressed paper. A refrigeration system adapted and configured to change a temperature of at least one of the influent or the one or more filters can also be provided in at least some configurations of the devices.
INCORPORATION BY REFERENCE
[0020] All publications, patents, and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication, patent, or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0021] The novel features of the invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. A better understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description that sets forth illustrative embodiments, in which the principles of the invention are utilized, and the accompanying drawings of which:
[0022] FIG. 1 is an overview of a system for water treatment according to current practices;
[0023] FIG. 2 is perspective view of a system of the disclosure;
[0024] FIG. 3 is a side view and cross-section of a system of the disclosure;
[0025] FIG. 4 is a top view of a system of the disclosure; and
[0026] FIG. 5 is a bottom view of a system of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0027] The systems, devices and methods disclosed herein are adapted and configured to remove suspended solids from large volumes of water at high rates of flow by providing a cross-flow membrane filtration system that allows for continuous operation with no back-flush downtime. Additionally the systems and devices can achieve the methods disclosed using a device having a two-dimensional footprint of, for example, 50 square feet (e.g., 7.1 ft×7.1 ft) or less instead of the roughly ⅓ acre (14520 square feet or 120.5 ft×120.5 ft) currently used for the process outlined in FIG. 1 and discussed above. Typical machines will be approximately 5 feet in height. As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the systems can be combined modularly to accommodate larger systems processing volumes greater than 250,000 GPD. Scaled-up versions, processing several millions of gallons per day in a single machine, will be proportionately larger. In addition to having a footprint that is less than 1% of the footprint of the municipal systems shown in FIG. 1 , the systems, devices and methods for processing water reduce the amount of water lost to evaporation, provide for odor control, and have an overall reduced energy consumption.
[0028] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, a filter can be provided with the systems and devices that will achieve better functionality for removing suspended solids than settling ponds and/or pools. Thus, there is approximately a 60% increase in the amount of recovered water, greater than a 50% reduction in energy consumption for the process, and greater than a 70% reduction in the amount of land needed to perform the process. Water consumption is reduced by 80% or more for some applications such as food processors. Recovery of bio-digestible material for many applications formerly using settling tanks will be increased by over 50% because of elimination of losses to environmental bacteria. Capital cost savings are 30% or more and operating costs savings can exceed 50%.
[0029] The disclosure enables a method of creating pressure to drive high volumes of liquid through fine filtration screen openings while removing rejected solids in a fashion that allows adjustment of a state of dryness of the solids so the solids are easily and inexpensively disposed. The result is achieved by combining the elements of a pump and a filter into a hybrid device in such a way that energy consumption is minimized and effluent is easily removed. The processing is continuous with no interruptions for separate cleaning or back flushing of filters found in virtually all dead-end filter systems and is well suited for an industrial environment. Periodic maintenance schedules only require infrequent replacement of consumables.
I. SYSTEMS
[0030] Fluid filtering devices and systems adapted and configured to achieve high volume industrial applications which filters liquids while extracting solids or high viscosity fluids is provided. Rotational motion is used to produce a target pressure of about 2.5 psi that facilitates the movement of water through one or more filter elements associated with the devices and systems. Effluent is ejected and carried over a top edge of a bowl-like rotator(s) that can comprise the filter assemblies. Filtrate and effluent can be separately channeled out of the machine.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a system or device 200 according to the disclosure. An outer tank or enclosure (not shown) is configured to house or contain an inner tank. The outer tank or enclosure isolates the system from the surrounding environment and can be connected to, a variety of input/output systems. The outer tank or enclosure has one or more side walls and a bottom surface. The one or more side walls and bottom surface form a receptacle into which additional system components can be placed. The configuration of the outer tank or enclosure, can be cylindrical, rectangular, square, or any other suitable shape or geometry for a particular installation A cover (not shown) may also be provided, if desired. Additionally, the outer tank can be formed from a plurality of pieces which are assembled into the desired configuration, or can be formed from a single piece which is, for example, molded into a shape suitable to house the remaining system components.
[0032] Positionable within the outer tank is an inner tank or bowl 220 . The inner tank or bowl 220 has a side wall 222 , a bottom surface 224 , and an inner surface 221 and outer surface 221 ′ The inner tank or bowl 220 is configurable to fit within the outer tank such that the inner tank 220 can rotate about an axis x when in use. The side wall 222 of the inner tank or bowl 210 is configurable such that it flares from a first diameter d1 at its lower edge 223 to a second diameter d2, larger that the first diameter, at its upper edge 223 ′. Geometrically, the inner tank or bowl 220 has a trapezoid profile in cross-section (as illustrated in FIG. 3 ). In some configurations, the inner tank or bowl is configurable such that the profile is a truncated cone, parabola, or spherical bowl. Additionally, one or more apertures 226 can be provided in the side wall 222 which are configurable to provide a filter 228 . The one or more filters 228 provided in the one or more apertures can be formed integrally with the side wall 222 such that the one or more filters 228 is a constituent part of the side wall 222 or is incorporatable in such a manner that the one or more filters 228 act in a unified manner with the side wall 222 when the inner tank 220 is rotating about axis x. The one or more apertures 226 can be configured to provide a flange and lip configuration which is adaptable to receive a filter that slides in to cover the aperture.
[0033] One or more impeller vanes or pump vanes 229 can be formed on the bottom surface 224 of the inner tank 220 . The one or more impeller vanes 229 can be formed from the bottom surface 224 of the inner tank such that the impeller vane 229 is a portion of the bottom surface that is raised away from the bottom surface. Moreover, the impeller vanes 229 can be formed such that one end 229 ′ is positioned near a central axis of the inner tank 220 while the second end 229 ″ is near the side wall 222 of the tank 220 . The shape of the impeller vane 229 can be straight, curved, s-shaped, or any other suitable shape. The input manifold is positionable partially extending downward into the inner tank 220 which features an attachment point for the impeller shaft from the drive motor at its bottom surface.
[0034] Turning now to FIG. 3 , a cross-sectional side view of the system illustrated in FIG. 2 is depicted. The system 300 has an outer system container tank 310 having an inner surface and an outer surface and an inner tank 320 having an inner surface and an outer surface. As described above, the inner tank 320 has a side wall 322 and a bottom surface. The inner tank 320 is configurable to fit within the outer tank 310 such that the inner tank 320 is rotatable about an axis x when in use. The side wall 322 of the inner tank 310 is further configurable such that it flares from a first diameter d1 at its lower edge to a second diameter, larger that the first diameter, at its upper edge (as shown in FIG. 2 ). An angle 0 between the lower edge and the upper surface ranges from 10-20° from the vertical (x) axis.
[0035] Additionally, one or more apertures 326 can be provided in the side wall 322 which are configurable to provide a filter. The one or more filters provided in the one or more apertures 326 can be formed integrally with the side wall 322 such that the one or more filters is a constituent part of the side wall 322 or is incorporatable in such a manner that the one or more filters act in a unified manner with the side wall 322 when the inner tank 320 is rotating about axis x. One or more impeller vanes can be formed on the bottom surface of the inner tank 320 . The impeller vanes 329 are adaptable and configurable to propel influent received in the inner tank 320 outward when the bowl is rotating.
[0036] Fluid is delivered to the inner tank 320 via an input manifold 316 . The inner tank 320 is positioned on a bearing 318 which can be one or more supports that are provided to locate or revolve around a reciprocating shaft which has is controlled by a drive system which can include motor, a controller and a linkage assembly connected to a drive shaft of the rotator assembly.
[0037] The inner tank 320 is positionable in communication with a motor contained within a motor housing. Features and components of motors would be known to those skilled in the art and are not described herein to avoid obscuring the disclosure.
[0038] As depicted in FIG. 3 the motor 330 is positioned adjacent an outer surface of the inner tank 320 while being housed within the outer tank 310 . However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, other positions of the motor are possible provided power from the motor is communicated to the inner tank 320 to achieve rotation of the inner tank 320 about axis x when the motor is activated. The motor 330 can be any suitable motor or machine that transforms power from some other form into mechanical energy. Moreover, motors can be powered by any suitable source, including direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC). In at least some configurations, the motor is a variable speed motor wherein the speed is manually or semi-automatically variable. Where the speed is automatically controllable, an on-off switch is provided which, when activated, provides instructions to the motor to operate for one or more times at one or more speeds. Thus, the system is configurable such that a user can turn the device on (e.g., turn on power) and then select a speed at which the inner tank 320 rotates or the user turns on the device wherein the system determines a protocol for inner tank 320 rotation. In some configurations, one or more of solar power, wind power, or battery power sources may be used to facilitate use of the device and system in areas where access to an electrical grid is not available.
[0039] As shown in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 3 , the inner tank 320 is positioned on an upper surface of the motor 330 . A seal 334 and/or spacers are provided between the inner tank 320 and the motor 330 which is configurable to prevent flow of one or more of fluid and gases into the motor housing. A flange 336 can be provided on the upper surface of the motor housing to facilitate coupling the motor 330 to the inner tank 320 . For example, a mounting plate can be positioned between the upper surface of the motor housing the bottom exterior surface of the inner tank. In at least some configurations, a side barrier 340 is positionable between the exterior surface of the inner tank 320 and within the outer tank 310 .
[0040] As depicted, the motor 330 is positioned within a side barrier 340 . One or more seals can be provided which allow the motor to be anchored to the outer tank 310 with one or more bolts 344 which pass through apertures (not shown) in the bottom surface of the motor housing, the side barrier 340 and the outer tank 310 . A suitable fastener (not shown), such as a nut, can be used to secure the one or more bolts from a position exterior to the outer tank 310 . Additionally, one or more spacer seals can be provided which are positioned between an external surface of the side barrier 340 and an inner surface of the outer tank 310 . In at least some configurations, the entire assembly is provided with a movement mechanism such as one or more wheels 350 .
[0041] A sprayer assembly or spray nozzle 360 forms part of a back-flush system and is longitudinally positioned adjacent at least a portion of the inner tank 320 within the side barrier 340 . The sprayer assembly 360 has one or more apertures (not shown) positioned to face the exterior surface of the inner tank 320 to provide high pressure fluid therethrough. The spray nozzle is adapted and configured to spray fluid backward through the one or more filters of the inner tank which clears or substantially clears the filter holes or apertures. The sprayer assembly 360 is configurable such at a lower end it bends at an angle substantially perpendicular to longitudinal position within the side barrier 340 . The sprayer assembly 360 is in fluid communication with one or more pass-throughs positioned along a substantially perpendicular section that passes through the side barrier 340 wall and then the exterior tank 310 wall. A back flush assembly 364 is provided in communication with the sprayer assembly 360 , along with a back flush pump 366 and back flush plumbing. Additionally, an outlet port 370 is provided in a lower surface of the outer tank 310 that facilitates removal of materials. Additionally, a standpipe 372 can be provided which provides fluid communication via an outlet port 373 from the interior of the side bather 340 and the exterior of the outer tank 310 . The entire assembly can also be configured to include a cover 380 or lid which is adapted and configured to fit over the opening of the exterior tank 310 .
[0042] As shown in FIG. 4 the system 400 has an outer tank 410 which is positioned on a plurality of wheels contained within a wheel housing 452 . The outer tank 410 has a pass through 462 and back flush assembly 464 which is external to the outer tank 410 . Back flush plumbing 467 and back flush pump 466 is also provided. An input manifold 416 is in fluid communication with an interior of the system 400 and is positionable on one side of the outer tank 410 with an outlet port 470 in fluid communication with an exterior of the system 400 on an opposing side of the outer tank 410 as depicted. Although the input manifold 416 and outlet port 470 are illustrated on a single axis, they need not be positioned on the same axis. Additionally, an electrical interface 490 . Flanges 436 can also be provided for attachment of the input manifold 416 and the outlet port 470 . As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the system can be configured such that an input is provided on one side of the device and an output is provided in another location on the device (illustrated here as the opposing end). However, the system is also configurable to provide feeds at more than one location
[0043] Turning now to FIG. 5 , which is a bottom view of a configuration of the system 500 shown in FIG. 2 from the perspective of the exterior of the outer tank 510 . From this illustration, additional details of connection of output ports can be appreciated. The outer tank 510 houses, for example, the side bather 540 (which surrounds the inner tank, not shown) and the motor 530 . An input manifold 516 delivers fluid into the system. Two outputs 570 , 566 are provided to facilitate processing a volume of filtrate and rejected sludge through the sludge exit plumbing 568 . Both sets of exit apertures can be tied together and routed to a single output pipe. Additional details of suitable mechanisms for connecting the back flush pump 566 and the back flush plumbing 567 into the output system 500 is shown. Note that the back flush pump 566 is not tied to the sludge exit plumbing 568 that is underneath it. FIG. 5 also illustrates shows the four bolts shown in other figures secured by female threaded bolts 545 . A central access aperture 548 is surrounded by the one or more bolts. Electrical interface 590 can be provided exteriorly to the device and in electrical communication with the motor 530 . A pipe feeding the back flush nozzle 560 is also provided. Optional wheels 550 can be provided to facilitate movement of the device.
[0044] A system as illustrated in FIGS. 2-5 and described above can, according to this disclosure have parameters outlined in Table 1:
[0000] TABLE 1 Feature Ranges Flow Rate 2,500 GPH 4000 GPH 83,300 GPH 60,000 GPD 100k GPD 2 MGD Diameter (top of 50 cm 55.6 cm 200 cm filter assembly) 20 in 21⅞ in 80 in Sidewall height 20 cm 20 cm 60 cm 8 in 8 in 24 in Sidewall Slope 10° 15° 20° (from the vertical) Filter Area (one 2000 cm 2 2335 cm 2 4.6 m 2 or more filters) 350 in 2 362 in 2 6,000 in 2 Rate of Rotation 75 RPM 150 RPM 300 RPM
One or more quick-change filter elements can also be designed for easy replacement; such quick change filter elements can be provided in a kit form to purchasers. Filters can, for example, be 11 micron nominal nylon filters. Each of the filter components can have the same filtering capabilities (e.g., size of apertures) or different filtering capabilities, such that at each stage increased filtering is achieved. Moreover the sidewalls of each of the bowls can have the same angle or different angles. Filter elements for any of the bowls, nested bowls, device or system can be sized from several hundred microns down to sub-micron openings and can be provided in single stage or multiple stage configurations. Filters can be made from plastic screen (such as nylon or polypropylene), metal (such as stainless steel) or sintered metal, microfiber material (such as fine polyester fibers or fine polyamide fibers (e.g., nylon, Kevlar®, Nomex®), weighing less than one denier per filament, available from, for example, DuPont), woven fibers, High-Efficiency Particulate Air “HEPA” filters (e.g. filters comprising a mat of randomly arranged fibers, such as fiberglass, which is configured to remove 99.97% of particles greater than 0.3 microns from the air that passes through it), and compressed paper.
[0045] The side wall slope of the inner tank can range from zero to forty-five degrees from the vertical, with a preferred side wall slope of approximately 10-20°, and more preferably, 14-16°, and even more preferably 15°. Side wall configurations utilizing the parabolic or circular cross section are used in other embodiments of the invention. When in use, the input manifold helps disperse the influent and reduce splashing. The benefit of the side wall slope is the cross-flow filtration method that helps keep the filters from clogging. As the effluent climbs the sides and is rejected over the top, the filtrate passes through the filters. Additional continuous or near continuous back flushing is included to further facilitate filtering capabilities so the system can operate with minimal interruption.
[0046] Filter screen material can be used in a variety of sizes. For example, nylon filter screen material can be obtained in the sizes shown in Table 2:
[0000] TABLE 2 nominal % open area thread diameter 210 μm 33% 155 μm 165 44 83 64 44.5 33 48 31 38 37 24 39 36 27.5 33 20 14 34 11 6 36 10 2 28 5 1 37 1 1 37
Similar measurements are available in stainless steel, polyester and other polymer screens, as well as membranes and sintered metals.
[0047] Single stage models are used for special applications, as discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2-5 . These prototypes proved the concept and are a testing vehicle for product improvement and up-scaling.
[0048] As will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, the system is configurable to provide one or more nested filter bowl or assemblies which can further be configurable to rotate in the same direction or opposite direction of the inner tank 320 . The nested bowl assemblies are configured around a common axis and are further configurable to allow the filtrate to be processed in stages. Each nested bowl can further be adapted and configured to have filter components similar to inner tank 310 described above.
[0049] Typically, the multi-stage versions gradually reduce the size of the openings in the filters in successive stages, moving outward from the axis of rotation, to help prevent clogging. Removal of the largest particles by the inner-rotator filters (with larger openings) rejects the bulk of the solids. This technique reduces the clogging tendency of filters with very small openings found in the outer-most rotator (farthest from the axis). However, as will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, staged processing is not limited to the description provided.
[0050] Where significant concentrations of suspended solids (especially colloidal material) are present in the influent, an electrical potential can be applied to the rotator bowl and metallic filter elements to assist in suspended solids removal. In many cases, a negative charge can be used to repel the suspended solids, keeping them away from the filter elements and sides of the rotator in order to force them to stay mixed with the wet solids. Removal of suspended solids is an aid to purifying the filtrate and reducing the BOD. Additionally, a refrigerant unit can be provided to control the temperature of, for example, the influent.
[0051] The fluid filter can accommodate very large quantities of influent. Applications for this tool require processing quantities ranging from a few tens of thousands of gallons per day (GPD) up to many millions of GPD. Machines are sized for the application and are modularized to accommodate periodic maintenance (PM) schedules, planned variations in capacity such as gradually increasing demand, and unplanned surges of influent.
[0052] The fluid filter can be used in many different applications where wet solids must be removed from water or other liquid filtrate. The municipal wastewater treatment industry, the agricultural manufacturing, processing or farming sectors and industrial applications such as paper manufacturing or oil drilling can all benefit from the use of this technology.
II. METHODS
[0053] Methods of the disclosure are readily apparent from reviewing the description of devices, systems and examples. Methods include, for example, rotating one or more bowls with at least one filter element, propelling influent outward during the rotation process. Propelling can be enhanced by, for example, use of pump vanes located within the inner most bowl. Rotational motion creates a pressure sufficient to force fluid through the filter elements and pushes solids over the top of the rim of the bowl. One or more nested filtration elements can be used to achieve increasing filtration quality. Filter holes can be kept clean using a back-flush system, such as a spray nozzle and pump assembly. A turbulent and laminar flow of liquid can be achieved across the face of the filter elements to afford a continuous cleaning effect on the face of the filters. The laminar flow generally allows a series of liquid cylinders to flow in a direction where a center portion flows at a faster rate than an outer portion. In contrast the turbulent flow vortices, eddies and wakes make flow unpredictable. Some applications benefit from laminar flow while others are aided by introducing some small turbulence as defined by the composition of the influent, the desired viscosity of the sludge and other characteristics of the particulates that tend to clog the filters. Only filtrate water is utilized to feed the back flush assembly. The system is adapted and configured to produce an engineered turbulent and laminar flow of liquid across the face of the filter elements. The engineered turbulent and laminar flow facilitates cleaning of the filter components of the device.
[0054] As shown in FIG. 3 influent 302 is introduced to the system 300 through an input manifold 316 . The incoming fluid 302 is routed by the input manifold 316 to a location close to the bottom surface 324 of the inner tank 320 to reduce splashing. During operation the rotator assembly, which consists of the inner tank 320 (which has inner tank side walls 322 , an inner tank bottom surface 324 , and the impeller vanes 328 ) rotates at a moderate rate, approximately 100 RPM in this embodiment. Influent 302 is accelerated in a circular path by the inner tank 320 of the rotator assembly and the impellers that are a part of bottom surface 324 of the inner tank 320 . During the rotation process, the fluid/particulate mix climbs the sides of the rotator assembly. As the fluid is traveling up the side of the rotator assembly, fluid is forced through the filters 306 that form the sidewalls by the pressure created in the rotational motion.
[0055] The filtrate that passes through the filters 306 is captured by the clean-side barrier 340 . In the meantime, wet solids continue up the sidewalls and are ejected 308 over an upper lip of the rotator sidewall and trapped by the barrier formed by the system outer tank 310 . The rotator can be configured such that the rim has an extended lip to prevent backsplash or other contamination of the filtrate.
[0056] Filtrate and wet solid sludge are removed 309 from the system through outlet ports 370 and 373 . Gravity feeds the fluid and wet solids to the outlet ports.
[0057] Continuous back flushing is carried out by the back flush pump 366 and sprayer assembly 360 . Water is taken from the processed filtrate sector of the machine. A fine spray is incident on the outside of the filters as they pass the assembly, dislodging any trapped particles that would clog the filter holes. The standpipe 372 above the clean side outlet serves to keep the back flush pump 366 primed by allowing a measured level of filtrate to be retained in the machine during operation raising the fluid level above that of the pump impeller, maintaining priming. Plumbing for the fluid feed to the back flush assembly 364 and 367 and the pass-through's 362 are shown.
[0058] The rotator assembly is driven by, for example, a variable speed DC motor 630 . The rotator assembly rides on a bearing 318 .
[0059] Pressure is created by using relatively low RPM spinning of the filter assembly which forces water through the filters (see, Table 1). Pump impellers aid the upward movement of the influent (when required) to push the water up the sides of the filter assembly where the water moves through the filters. Rejected effluent is pushed over the top of the assembly as described above and shown in FIG. 3 . Filters are typically made of, for example, screen material. Screen material having nominal opening dimensions of five microns up to two hundred ten microns have been tested as discussed below. In at least some configurations, staged filter assemblies are used when it is advantageous to sequentially remove particulates by size. Filter elements are nested to remove large particles first, feeding filtrate to successively finer screen filters. A cross-flow membrane filtration technique can be employed to create a complex motion of influent past the face of the filters which aids in keeping the filters from clogging. Continuous back-flushing of filters maintains high throughput with no need to interrupt processing for clearing the filters.
[0060] Sample Processing Rates include, for example:
[0061] 60,000 gallons per day (gpd)
[0062] 250,000 gallons per day (gpd)
[0063] 2 million gallons per day (mgd)
[0064] The goal for recovery of reusable wastewater is a quantity of 80% or more of the volume of influent water.
[0065] A filtrate turbidity measurement goal is a measurement of 5 to 10 Nephelometric Turbidity Units (NTU). It should be noted that effluent may be left wet enough to pump away from the system with inexpensive pumps or, alternatively, dried to a larger degree. Customer requirements are as low as 6% solids by weight. Moreover, the device can be designed for industrial or light industrial use. Preventive maintenance (PM) operations, replacement of consumables and the like will be minimized. Downtime is intended to be zero excluding PM's. The modularity of the tool makes it possible to have a backup unit always on hand so the line from the source of effluent will not need to be shut gown for PM's.
III. EXAMPLES
[0066] Static tests of nylon screen indicated that screening with nominal openings larger than 20 microns showed little or no resistance to clean water flow with no significant degradation of throughput when filtering moderately turbid water. Static tests of 10 micron nylon screen with 2% open area strongly restricted clean water flow. More interest existed in the results from the 5 micron screen tests at this time so it was given precedence. The 5 μm screen, 1% open area, allowed virtually no clean water flow under gravity alone. The maximum throughput for the beta machine that is reported here is the highest processing rate that allows clear viewing of the machine's operation through a transparent viewing enclosure during processing. Demonstrations will commonly be run at rates as small as one-half of those cited below. Tests indicated that it is possible to process about 20% more influent than the calculated optimum rate without apparent harm to the process or machine. Designed overcapacity of the aforementioned magnitude will accommodate normal variations in influent flow found in many applications.
Example 1
Filter Opening: 20 microns (μm)
[0067] Throughput: 4,000 gph (100,000 gpd)
[0068] Flow Rate through Filter: >3,200 gph
[0069] Percent Water Recovered: >80%
[0070] Filtrate Turbidity Estimate: approx. 500 NTU
Example 2
Filter Opening: 11 μm
[0071] Throughput: 4,000 gph (100,000 gpd)
[0072] Flow Rate through Filter: >3,200 gph
[0073] Percent Water Recovered: >80%
[0074] Filtrate Turbidity Estimate: <500 NTU
Example 3
Filter Opening: 5 μm
[0075] Throughput: Target 4,000 gph
[0076] Flow Rate through Filter. To be determined
[0077] Percent Water Recovered: To be determined
[0078] Filtrate Turbidity Estimate: approx. 50 NTU
[0079] The spillover rate for the five micron test was too high to allow determination of optimum operating parameters. The turbidity result is very promising and more testing will be done soon. Two sets of raw customer wastewater were obtained. Excavation material; wet soil, clay, mud, gravel mix, carwash wastewater. The weight of solids found in the raw samples are compared to the weight of solids in the filtrate produced by processing the wastewater through an 11 micron (nominal) nylon filter screen.
[0080] The mounting plate rides on a bearing and is driven by a motor. The nested filter assemblies found in the multi-stage configuration are coaxial and all are attached to the mounting plate. The filter opening sizes, sidewall slope of the rotators holding the filter assemblies, the diameter of each rotator, the height of each rotator and all other dimensions are determined by the application. In addition, the drive motor, drive mechanism and RPM are all matched to each application.
[0081] Incoming fluid enters the machine at the top through an intake manifold as discussed above with respect to FIG. 6 . Often this manifold can contain a turbine that wholly or partially powers the rotation of the machine. Mixing of the influent is actively encouraged by creating some turbulence as the fluid enters the machine. This mixing improves the separation of wet solids and filtrate when the influent flows across the filter elements in a laminar fashion.
[0082] The unique design moves fluid across the face of the filter elements at an angle to help prevent clogging. The laminar fluid motion tends to push the particles across the face of the filter and not embed the particles within the filter. Back-flushing of the filter elements is used as needed to keep the filters in continuous operation.
[0083] The fluid filter can adjust the degree of wetness of the effluent through a wide range of choices. The wetness is typically expressed in units of “percent solids by weight”.
[0084] The rotator assembly employs pump vanes that are sized to push the liquid mixture across the filters and over the top at the rate appropriate for the application. A critical design element is the “dwell time” or the time that the water spends over the face of the filter element. Adjusting this time is done by carefully sizing the pump vanes and the rotational speed (RPM) used to drive the assembly.
[0085] As stated above, all of the components of the fluid filter are matched to the application. Clearly the size of the pump vanes and the size of the filter openings must also be carefully chosen.
[0086] The entire unit can be housed in an enclosure that is matched to the size of the machine. The exiting air is routed to a scrubber to remove unpleasant odors (as applicable).
[0087] Overall dimensions of modular units can vary, for example, from approximately three feet in diameter to approximately eight feet in diameter across a first axis and a second axis. The shape of the machine enclosure is typically cylindrical. The height can range from approximately two feet to approximately eight feet across a third axis. External connections and plumbing are not typically included in the dimensions and can be unique to each installation.
[0088] The filter elements are matched to each application. Considerations include abrasive content of the influent, pH of the influent, maximum size desired for particles remaining in filtrate, required level of BOD (Biological Oxygen Demand) in filtrate, turbidity of filtrate (NTU) and throughput. Filter elements are often screens made of plastic or metal material but almost any modern filtration product such as micro fiber, mesh, paper or sintered metals can be used.
[0089] In each module, the surface area needed for filter materials on each rotator ranges from a minimum of approximately four square feet up to approximately two hundred square feet. These surface areas are heavily dependent on application and the size of the openings in the filter material.
[0090] While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes, and substitutions will now occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the invention. It should be understood that various alternatives to the embodiments of the invention described herein may be employed in practicing the invention. It is intended that the following claims define the scope of the invention and that methods and structures within the scope of these claims and their equivalents be covered thereby. | Fluid filtration devices, systems and methods are disclosed. The device comprises a pump-filter hybrid system that uses rotational motion to produce pressure to drive liquid through filter elements, capturing filtrate in an isolated chamber of the device and rejecting separated solids into a second isolated chamber. The fluid filtration device, which can be configured to filter a wide variety of fluids, comprises: an influent input manifold; an impeller bowl and filter assembly configured to rotate about an axis; a barrier and muting configuration to catch and distribute filtrate; a barrier and routing configuration to catch and distribute rejected solids. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to an electrical connector, more particularly to an electrical connector with grounding element to reduce electromagnetic interference (EMI).
[0003] 2. Description of Related Art
[0004] China patent issue No. CN202797485U, issued on Mar. 13, 2013, discloses a conventional electrical connector including an insulative housing, a plurality of contacts retained in the insulative housing, and a shell attached to the insulative housing. The shell surrounds the insulative housing to form a mating cavity. The shell has a contact portion extending into the mating cavity forwardly from a top wall thereof The contact portion contacts with a grounding contact. However such arrangement can not well improve the anti-EMI effect of the electrical connector or reduce cross talking between the signal terminals.
[0005] Hence, an improved electrical connector with improved structure is needed to solve the problem above.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] According to one aspect of the present invention, an electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a metal shell covering the insulative housing, a plurality of electrical terminals and a auxiliary terminal received in the insulative housing. The electrical terminals includes a number of first contacts. The first contacts include a grounding contact in the middle and some signal contacts on both sides of the grounding contact. The auxiliary terminals includes the retaining portion received in insulative housing and the connecting portion downwardly bent from an end of the retaining portion. The retaining portion has a first spring tab and the connecting has a second spring tab. The first spring tab contacts with the metal shell and the second spring tab contacts with the grounding contact.
[0007] The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0008] For a more complete understanding of the present invention, and the advantages thereof, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an electrical connector in a first embodiment according to the present invention;
[0010] FIG. 2 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the electrical connector;
[0011] FIG. 3 is another partially exploded, perspective view of the electrical connector without a shell;
[0012] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector taken along line 4 - 4 of FIG. 1 ;
[0013] FIG. 5 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the electrical connector;
[0014] FIG. 6 is a similar view to FIG. 5 , but taken from another aspect;
[0015] FIG. 7 is an assembled, perspective view of another electrical connector in alternative embodiment according to the present invention;
[0016] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded, perspective view of the electrical connector in FIG. 7 ;
[0017] FIG. 9 is a similar view to FIG. 8 , but taken from another aspect; and
[0018] FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional view of the electrical connector taken along line 10 - 10 of FIG. 7 .
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0019] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention. However, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that the present invention may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known circuits have been shown in block diagram form in order not to obscure the present invention in unnecessary detail. For the most part, details concerning timing considerations and the like have been omitted inasmuch as such details are not necessary to obtain a complete understanding of the present invention and are within the skills of persons of ordinary skill in the relevant art.
[0020] Please referring to FIGS. 1-3 , an electrical connector 100 includes an insulative housing 1 , a plurality of contacts 3 retained in the insulative housing 1 , a shell 2 enclosing the insulative housing 1 and a auxiliary contact 4 assembled to the insulative housing 1 .
[0021] Please reference to FIGS. 5-6 , the insulative housing 1 includes a base portion 11 , a tongue portion 12 extending forwardly from the base portion 11 and a spacer 13 retained in a rear of the base portion 11 . The base portion 11 includes a top portion 111 , a bottom portion 112 opposite to the top portion 111 and two side portions 113 connecting with the top portion 111 and the bottom portion 112 . The base portion 11 defines a recess 1111 recessed from a middle of the top portion 111 and two slots 1112 recessed from two sidewalls of the recesses 1111 along a transverse direction of the recess 1111 . The base portion 11 also defines two raises 1121 extending downwardly from the bottom portion 112 . The two side portions 113 have a plurality of ribs 1131 protruding outwardly. The tongue portion 12 includes a top surface 121 , a bottom surface 122 opposite to the top surface 121 , and the bottom surface 122 defines four receiving passageways 1222 in a row and five retaining passageways 1221 in another row and in front of the receiving passageways 1222 .
[0022] The spacer 13 comprises a body portion 131 and a supporting portion 132 extending forwardly from a bottom of the body portion 131 . The body portion 131 includes a front end face 1311 , two side end faces 1312 , a top end face 1313 and a bottom end face 1314 opposite to the top end face 1313 . The body portion 131 further has a plurality of first contact receiving slots 13131 passing therethrough along an upper to bottom direction. The middle one of the first contact receiving slots 13131 is wider than the other first contact receiving slots 13131 . The body portion 131 has a plurality of retaining blocks 13111 extending downwardly from the top end face 1313 of the body portion 131 to the upper supporting portion 132 . The supporting portion 132 defines a pair of through holes 1321 used for receiving the raises 1121 of the base portion 11 so that the support portion 132 can be firmly assembled to the base portion 11 . The supporting portion 132 also has a plurality of second contact receiving slots 1322 behind the through holes 1321 and in front of the retaining blocks 13111 .
[0023] Please referring to FIGS. 1 , 5 - 6 , the shell 2 is stamped from a metal piece and bent to surround the tongue portion 12 to form a receiving room 10 . The shell 2 includes a top wall 21 , a bottom wall 22 opposite to the top wall 21 , two side walls 23 and a rear wall 24 . The rear wall 24 is bent from the side walls 23 . Each of the top wall 21 , the bottom wall 22 and the side walls 23 has one or one pair elastic pieces 211 , 221 , 231 protruding into the receiving room 10 , and the top wall 21 further has a resisting arm 212 between the pair of the elastic pieces 211 to strengthen an insertion force with the mating plug (not shown). The two side walls 23 have front retaining legs 232 extending downwardly beyond the bottom wall 22 , and the rear wall 24 has back retaining legs 241 extending downwardly beyond the bottom wall 22 to be mounted on a printed circuit board (not shown). The two side walls 23 further have retaining slots 233 closed to the rear wall 24 and used to cooperate with the ribs 1131 of the base portion 11 so as to strengthen the housing 1 and the shell 2 .
[0024] Please referring to FIGS. 4-6 , the contacts 3 comprises a plurality of first contacts 31 insert molded in the insulative housing 1 and a plurality of second contacts 32 assembled to the insulative housing 1 forwardly. Each of the first contacts 31 has a first retaining portion (not shown) retained to the tongue portion 12 , a planar first contacting portion 312 extending forwardly from the first retaining portion (not shown) into the retaining passageways 1221 , and a first connecting portion 313 extending from the first retaining portion (not shown) and downwardly received in the first contact receiving slot 13131 of the spacer 13 and a first soldering portion 314 extending beyond the spacer 13 . The second contact 32 includes a retaining portion 321 , a second contacting portion 322 extending forwardly from the second retaining portion 321 , a second connecting portion 323 extending from the second retaining portion 321 and downwardly received in the second contact receiving slots 1322 and a second soldering portion 324 extending beyond the spacer 13 .
[0025] The contacts 3 have five first contacts 31 including two pairs of differential signal contacts 34 and a grounding contact 33 between the two pairs. The first connecting portion 313 of the grounding contact 33 is wider than the first connecting portion 313 of the differential signal contacts 34 . The first connecting portion 313 of one of the differential signal contacts 34 closed to the grounding contact 33 is offset along a direction far away from the grounding contact 33 relative to the corresponding first soldering portion 314 to increase a distance between the differential signal contacts 34 with the grounding contact 33 to reduce the signal cross talking between the contacts 3 .
[0026] Please reference to FIGS. 2-5 , the auxiliary contact 4 with roughly reverse L-shaped is stamped from a metal piece. The auxiliary contact 4 include a retaining portion 41 horizontally received in the recess 1111 of the base portion 11 and a connecting portion 42 extending downwardly from a rear edge of the retaining portion 41 and received in the spacer 13 . The connecting portion 41 is located behind the first and second connecting portions 313 , 323 of the contacts 3 , the retaining portion 41 is located at a top of the first and second retaining portion 311 , 321 . The connecting portion 42 of the auxiliary contact 4 and the first connecting portion 313 of the grounding contact 33 are received in a same first contact receiving slot 13131 . The retaining portion 41 is torn to form a first shrapnel 411 elastically contacting against the top wall 21 of the shell 2 . And the connecting portion 42 is torn to form a second shrapnel 421 elastically contacting against the first connecting portion 313 of the grounding contact 33 . The retaining portion 41 further has two latches 412 protruding outwardly and being received in the slots 1112 so as to limit the auxiliary contact 4 to move back and forth. When the shell 2 is assembled to the insulative housing 1 , the first shrapnel 411 elastically contacts against the top wall 21 of the shell 2 so that the shell 2 provides a reactive force to the retaining portion 41 so as to limit the retaining portion 41 and prevent the auxiliary contact 4 from falling off The auxiliary contact 4 electrically connects with the grounding contact 33 to the shell 2 which is reliably grounded, so that electromagnetic interference (EMI) of the electrical connector 100 can be reduced.
[0027] FIGS. 7-10 discloses another electrical connector 200 in alternative embodiment according to present invention. The electrical connector 200 has a plurality of contacts (not labeled), a shell (not labeled), a spacer 14 , an insulative housing (not labeled) and an auxiliary contact 5 . The electrical connector 200 is substantially same as the connector 100 , but the auxiliary 5 is only attached to the spacer 14 , so the insulative housing does not need to dispose recess or slot for receiving the auxiliary contact 5 , and the spacer 14 is modified relative to the spacer 13 for the auxiliary contact 5 , the detail description will be give in blow.
[0028] The spacer 14 has a body portion 141 and a supporting portion 142 extending forwardly from a bottom of the body portion 141 . The body portion 141 includes a front end face 1411 , two side end faces 1412 , a top end face 1413 , and a rear end face 1415 opposite to the front end face 1411 . The spacer 14 further has a plurality of first contact retaining slots 14131 passing therethrough along an upper to bottom direction. The auxiliary contact 5 and a grounding contact 33 ′ are both received in the middle one of the first contact receiving slots 14131 . The spacer 14 is substantially same as the spacer 13 in the electrical connector 100 , except that the rear end face 1415 , different from the rear end face 1415 , defines an opening 1418 . The opening 1418 is throughout the body portion 141 and communicates with the middle one of the first contact receiving slots 14131 . The auxiliary contact 5 is located between the grounding contact 33 ′ and a rear wall 24 ′ of shell 2 .
[0029] The auxiliary contact 5 includes a flat portion 51 received in the middle one of the first contact receiving slots 14131 , a first spring tab 511 extending upwardly and rearward from an upper part of the flat portion 51 and a second spring tab 512 extending upwardly and forwardly from a lower part of the flat portion 51 . The first spring tab 511 and the second spring tab 512 are torn from the flat portion 51 and located respectively at a front and a rear of the flat portion 51 . The auxiliary contact 5 is assembled to the spacer 14 along an upper to bottom direction, and the first spring tab 511 passes through the opening 1418 backwardly and elastically contacts against the rear wall 24 ′ of the shell 2 ′. The second spring tab 512 elastically contacts against the first connecting 313 ′ of the grounding contact 33 ′.
[0030] Referring to FIGS. 1-10 , the auxiliary contact 4 of the electrical connector 100 at least has one first shrapnel 411 contacting against the shell 2 and one second shrapnel 421 contacting against the grounding contact 33 so as to increase the contact points with the grounding contact 33 and the grounding paths to avoid electromagnetic interference (EMI) and reduce the signal cross talking.
[0031] It is to be understood, however, that even though numerous characteristics and advantages of the present invention have been set forth in the foregoing description, together with details of the structure and function of the invention, the disclosure is illustrative only, and changes may be made in detail, especially in matters of shape, size, and arrangement of parts within the principles of the invention to the full extent indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. For example, the tongue portion is extended in its length or is arranged on a reverse side thereof opposite to the supporting side with other contacts but still holding the contacts with an arrangement indicated by the broad general meaning of the terms in which the appended claims are expressed. | An electrical connector includes an insulative housing, a metal shell covering the insulative housing, electrical terminals and auxiliary terminals received in the insulative housing. The electrical terminals includes a number of first contacts. The first contacts include a grounding contact in the middle and some signal contacts on both sides of the grounding contact. The auxiliary terminals includes the retaining portion received in insulative housing and the connecting portion downwardly bent from an end of the retaining portion. The retaining portion has a first spring tab and the connecting has a second spring tab. The first spring tab contacts with the metal shell and the second spring tab contacts with the grounding contact. Such arrangment can improve the anti EMI effect of the electrical connector and reduce the signal interference between the signal terminals. | 7 |
TECHNICAL FIELD
This invention relates to computer networks and, more particularly, to the management of computer networks.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Because of the explosion in the complexity of computer networks, computer network management has become critical. Network management is required to perform fault diagnosis, performance management, predict loads, plan for future traffic and the like. Indeed, automated tools for computer network management on such large-scale complex and heterogeneous networks are crucial to ensure that the networks remain healthy and available.
Known network management tools and methodologies are presently not capable of filtering information intelligently at the individual network elements. Furthermore, there is little support for event notification, which results in excessive network management traffic.
The present dominant standard for network management is the “Simple Network Management Protocol” (SNMP). SNMP and other known network management methodologies suffer from a number of deficiencies including the following:
Generate a High Volume of Management Traffic: The SNMP protocol supports retrieval of single objects stored at network elements but does not allow any sort of computation to be performed at the individual network elements. As a result, large volumes of data may need to be transferred to a network manager (station at which network management is being performed) and the network manager may filter most of the retrieved data.
No Support for Event Notification: Although there is primitive support for event notification in the form of traps in SNMP, it is not sufficiently expressive. Therefore, network management using SNMP is predominantly polling based, which results in the familiar problems of either missing an event (if the polling interval is long) or incurring a large overhead (if the polling interval is short). To perform effective and efficient network management, support for complex event detection and notification is required. For example, a network manager may want to be notified when the average error rate on all the interfaces of a switch exceeds ten percent.
Centralized processing: Network management has traditionally been performed in a centralized fashion primarily to ensure that the impact of adding network management to managed nodes is minimal. However, the central network manager could become a bottleneck as the network complexity increases.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems and limitations of prior known computer network management arrangements are addressed by incorporating database technology into individual network elements of the computer network. This, in turn, allows such enhanced network elements to filter management information intelligently and also to notify an associated network manager of the occurrence of complex events of interest. More specifically, the network elements are enhanced through use of database technology to process declarative queries and to support triggers.
Additionally, one or more auxiliary network managers, that perform as proxies for network elements that have not been enhanced with database technology, are employed to collect and integrate management information from one or more non-enhanced network elements. Consequently, the management information supplied to a network manager from the auxiliary network mangers could be significantly less than that collected from the network elements. Thus, the auxiliary network managers further reduce the network management traffic.
In a specific embodiment of the invention, support is embedded into the individual network elements for a declarative query language, one example being the structured query language (SQL). Support is also added for event notification to the individual network elements. One or more auxiliary network managers are employed that can answer declarative inquiries. Moreover, the management information base information stored in the individual network elements is modeled as relational tables that are queried.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
FIG. 1 shows, in simplified block diagram for, details of a network in which an embodiment may be advantageously employed;
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram showing steps in the query process employed in the network manager of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram showing steps in the query process employed in an auxiliary network manager used in the network of FIG. 1;
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram showing steps in the query process employed in an enhanced network element utilized in the network of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 graphically illustrates a base table useful in describing an embodiment of the invention; and
FIG. 6 graphically illustrates another base table also useful in describing an embodiment of the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
FIG. 1 shows, in simplified block diagram for, details of a network in which an embodiment may be advantageously employed. Specifically, shown is network manager (NM) 101 that is a computer station at which network management is performed. NM 101 communicates via a communications medium 102 to, for example, auxiliary network manager (ANM) 103 , ANM 104 , sub-network 105 and sub-network 106 . Communications medium 102 may be a local area network (LAN), wide area network (WAN), wireless link, telephone link, or the like. ANM 103 communicates, in this example, via sub-network 107 with network elements 109 , 110 and 111 . In this example, network element 109 is an enhanced network element that is described below. Network elements 110 and 111 are ordinary network elements including typical network element modules. Similarly, ANM 104 communicates via sub-network 108 with ordinary network elements 112 and 113 . Sub-network 105 communicates with enhanced network element (ENE) 114 and sub-network 106 communicates with ordinary network element 115 . It is noted that in this example, queries are supplied in a Structured Query Language (SQL).
It should be noted that a simple network management protocol (SNMP) has emerged as the current standard for network management in the internet. SNMP has two important components:
The notion of a Management Information Base (MIB) that is essentially a schema for storing data objects related to the activity of a network element. The schema is essentially a hierarchical database in that the entire data is organized as a tree.
A standard protocol for retrieving information stored in the MIBs. This standard allows network management processes to retrieve specific objects (using snmpget) in the MIB or to retrieve an entire subtree (using snmpwalk) rooted at a node.
FIG. 2 illustrates a flow diagram showing steps in the query process employed in the network manager 101 of FIG. 1 . Typically, network manager 101 includes the following modules: a query receiver, a query parser, a query optimizer, a query execution plan (QEP) generator and a query execution engine (called evaluator in the implementation). In this example, in step 201 a user inputs a Structured Query Language (SGL) query that is received by the query receiver. Usually the SQL query will be parsed by the parser. That is, the query parser is typically a process that analyzes a statement, e.g., the query, and resolves it into a form that can be understood by network manager 101 . In this example, the query parser is a SQL parser. Such parsers are known in the art. It is further noted that the query parser does not have schema meta-data, so it infers the schema of involved tables from the query itself. Another option (which is not employed in this example) is to make the parser MIB-knowledgeable, so that it can identify schema problems early, before query execution is actually carried out.
Then, step 202 causes NM 101 to determine the enhanced network elements (ENEs) and/or auxiliary network managers (ANMs) required to answer the supplied SQL query. It is noted that there may be a set on such ENEs including zero, one or more enhanced network elements and/or a set of ANMs including zero, one or more auxiliary network manager units. Thereafter, step 203 causes a query execution plan (QEP) to be computed, i.e., determined, for each of the determined ENEs and ANMs and, thereafter, sends, i.e., transmits, the QEPs to the determined associated ENEs and ANMs. Usually, this is realized by a query optimizer that takes in the supplied SQL query and outputs the needed Query Execution Plans (QEPs). One such example follows: public class QueryOptimize
{
public static RAE optimize(SQLQuery query) throws
CannotOptimizeException ...
}
A QEP is basically a relational algebraic tree (RAE), with the addition of two types of nodes: snmp_union and snmp_singleton. They both can have only one child. An snmp_union signals that its child should be sent to all ANMS, and the union of the returning results taken; while an snmp_agent means that its child needs only be sent to a single ANM.
Since the optimizer doesn't have statistical information about base tables (which are virtual and not materialized), it basically just pushes selection and projections down the algebraic tree, while bringing snmp_union and snmp_singleton nodes up the algebraic tree. It can also identify common subtrees. This optimization not only reduces computing strength of the query, but also reduces network traffic used to ship partial results back and forth between NM 101 and ANMs 103 and 104 , and between ANMs 103 and 104 .
A query execution engine, i.e., evaluator, is typically employed to execute the QEP and one example is as follows:
public class RAEEvaluator
{
private ANMService creator;
// for NM: null
// for ANM: the ANM itself
private MultiHashtable anmTable;
// Key - ANMService
// Value - snmp_agent
private Hashtable snmpAgentTable;
// Key - snmp_agent;
// Value - ANMService for the
snmp_agent
public Relation evaluate(RAE rae, Vector warningMsgVec, Statlnfo
stinfo) throws EvaluationException
}
The evaluator is actually composed of two parts, i.e., a relational algebra engine (RAE) and SNMP wrapper. Since accessing SNMP data is potentially much more slower than accessing a true relational database on a local disk, the relational algebra engine should be made as parallel as possible. For example, relations involved in a multi-way join should be evaluated simultaneously, unless the result of evaluating one particular relation limits the number of ANMs to use to evaluate other relations (i.e. there is a join on snmp_agent attribute which shall impose a constraint on the possible values of that attribute-semi-join).
Then, step 204 causes the results to be obtained, i.e., transmitted, from the determined ENEs and ANMs and causes those results to be combined to yield the query result. Step 205 causes NM 101 to display the obtained query result to the user.
FIG. 3 illustrates a flow diagram showing steps in the query process employed in an auxiliary network manager (ANM) 103 , 104 employed in the network 100 of FIG. 1 .
An ANM 103 , 104 typically includes a query execution engine (virtually the same as contained in NM), a SNMP wrapper (embedded in evaluator in the implementation) and a Java remote method invocation (RMI) interface. Specifically, step 301 obtains, i.e., receives, an associate QEP for the ANM 103 , 104 from NM 101 . Then, step 302 causes the translation of the QEP into a sequence SNMP calls to one or more associated network elements (NEs). In this example, a SNMP wrapper converts SQL queries or relational algebraic expressions into the series of SNMP calls. As is known, relational algebra is a simple language to express queries, such as, SQL queries, to a database. A relational algebra engine accepts relational algebra queries and executes them and returns the result.
The Java RMI interface of an ANM 103 , 104 is as follows:
public interface ANMService extends java.rmi.Remote
{
public EvaluationResult evaluateRAE(RAE rae, String[ ]snmp_ agents)
throws RemoteException, EvaluationException;
}
/**
*EvaluatiouResult contains the resulting Relation and warning messages.
/*
public class EvaluationResult implements java.io.Serializable
{
public final Relation result;
public final Vector warningMsgVec;
// Statistical information.
public final Statlnfo stinfo;
}
/**
*Abstract class to represent a Relational Algebraic Expression.
*/
public abstract class RAE implements java.io.Serializable { }
Relational algebraic expression (RAE) is the QEP.
Step 303 obtains results of the SNMP calls to the NEs and combines the obtained results to generate the result of the QEP. Then, step 304 returns the result of the QEP to NM 101 .
FIG. 4 illustrates a flow diagram showing the steps in the query process employed in an enhanced network element (ENE) employed in the network 100 of FIG. 1 . As is known, SNMP provides a simple “get” and “set” mechanism to get values of variables and to set them. The variables are defined in a MIB and every network element has an associated MIB. Thus, to retrieve information from a network element a sequence of SNMP calls may be used and, then correlate the results of the calls. It is noted that use of SQL queries makes it significantly easier to realize this for the user. Again, this requires that the SQL query be internally converted to the sequence of SNMP calls. Consequently, the user does not have to write any software code to realize this conversion from SQL to the SNMP calls. An enhanced network element (ENE) 108 , 114 typically includes a query execution engine (virtually the same as contained in NM 101 and ANM 103 , a SNMP wrapper (embedded in evaluator in the implementation) and a Java remote method invocation (RMI) interface. Specifically, step 401 obtains, i.e., receives, an associated QEP for the NE 108 or 114 from NM 101 . Then, step 402 causes the translation of the received QEP into a sequence of SNMP calls for this enhanced network element (ENE). In this example, the SNMP wrapper converts SQL queries or relational algebraic expressions into a series of SNMP requests. The Java RMI interface is essentially identical as that employed in ANM 103 , 104 and described above. Step 403 evaluates the SNMP calls and collates the results of the. SNMP calls to obtain the QEP result. Then, in step 404 the QEP result is returned, i.e. supplied or otherwise transmitted, to NM 101 .
The following is a relational data model for network management data.
All network management data as viewed by a network management (NM) station 101 (FIG. 1) over a specific network management domain—the set of SNMP agents manageable by the NM 101 —are conceptually viewed as a relational database. The schema of the (conceptual) management database is described below.
First, it is felt best to explicitly distinguish four different types of identifiers used in SNMP. An SNMP identifier can be one of the following:
(a) a non-leaf ASN. 1 object identifier (i.e., not denoting any type or instance), e.g., interfaces;
(b) an identifier denoting the single instance of a certain non-aggregate object type, e.g., interfaces.ifNumber. 0 and interfaces.ifTable.ifEntry.ifType. 1 ;
(c) a leaf ASN. 1 object identifier denoting a non-aggregate data type, e.g., interfaces.ifNumber
(d) an identifier denoting an aggregate type, e.g. interfaces.ifTable, interfaces.ifEntry.
Identifiers of types (a) and (b) do not appear in our schema. Identifiers of type (d) denoting an entry of a table (e.g., interfaces.ifEntry) also does not appear in our schema.
(For simplicity, 0 attributes are of type string in the network 100 . Any leaf node in ASN. 1 object identifier tree defines a new data type, however it may be just a stereotyped ASN. 1 syntax as defined in SMI or a subtype of such a stereotyped syntax.) Single-instance variables are:
For each type-c SNMP identifier <c>, we have the following base table (Table A, FIG. 5 ):
<c>(snmp_agent, value).
It is a collection of values of <c>. 0 on different SNMP agents, tagged with the IP address of those SNMP agents (snmp_agent attribute). For example, we can have: [interfaces. ifNumber](snmp_agent, value) and we can raise a query at a network management station such as:
SELECT
ifn.value
FROM
[interfaces.ifnumber1 AS ifn
WHERE
ifn.snmp_ agent = ‘135.104.46.11’;
SNMP tables are:
For each type-d SNMP identifier denoting a table <t>, we have the following base table:
<t>(snmp_agent, <cl>, <c 2 >, . . . ).
It is the union of individual SNMP tables of the SNMP agents in the domain, with the added attribute snmp_agent.
For example, we can have (Table B, FIG. 6 ): [interfaces.ifTable](snmp_agent, ifIndex, ifDescr, ifType, . . . , ifSpecific), and we can raise a query at a network management station such as:
SELECT
ift.ifIndex, ift.ifDescr
FROM
[interfaces.ifTable] AS ift
WHERE
ift.snmp_agent = ‘135.104.46.1’;
Example queries are:
Systems information about all agents in the domain.
SELECT
sysDescr.snmp_agent AS agent,
sysDescr.value AS descr,
sysName.value AS name,
sysLocation.value AS location,
sysUpTime.value AS up_time
FROM
[system.sysDescr] AS sysDescr,
[system-sysName] AS sysName,
[system.sysLocation] AS sysLocation,
[system.sysUpTime] AS sysUpTime
WHERE
sysDescr.snmp_agent = sysUpTime.snmp_agent AND
sysDescr.snmp_agent = sysName.snmp_agent AND
sysDescr.snmp_agent = sysLocation.snmp_agent;
Number of interfaces of all agents in the domain.
SELECT
t.snmp_agent AS agent,
s2.value AS name,
s1.value AS descr,
t_value AS if_num
FROM
[interfaces.ifNumber] AS t,
[system.sysDescr] AS s1,
[system.sysName1 AS s2
WHERE
t.snmp_agent = s1.snmp_agent AND
t.snmp_agent = s2.snmp_agent;
All 100 Mbps interfaces.
SELECT
ift.snmp_agent AS agent,
sysName.value AS sys_name,
sysLocation.value AS sys_loc,
ift_ifIndex AS if_no,
ift.ifDescr AS descr,
ift.ifType AS type,
ift.ifMtu AS mtu,
ift.ifPhysAddress AS mac_addr
FROM
[interfaces.ifTable] AS ift,
[system.sysName] AS sysName,
[system.sysLocation] AS sysLocation
WHERE
ift.ifSpeed = ‘100000000’, AND
Ift_snmp_agent = sysName.snmp_agent AND
ift.snmp_agent = sysLocation.snmp_agent;
Find the immediate NEXT HOPS of a given agent.
SELECT
iprt.snmp_agent AS [from],
iprt.ipRouteNextHop AS to
FROM
[ip.ipRouteTable] AS iprt
WHERE
iprt.snmp_agent = ‘135.104.46.1’);
SELECT
iprt-snmp_agent AS [from],
sn_from.value AS [name-from],
iprt.ipRouteNextHop AS to,
sn_to.value AS [name_to]
FROM
[ip.ipRouteTable] AS iprt,
[system.sysName] AS sn_from,
[system.sysName] AS sn_to
WHERE
sn_from.value = ‘tribe.research.bell-labs.com’ AND
iprt.snmp_agent = sn_from.snmp_agent AND
iprt.ipRouteNextHop = sn_to.snmp_agent;
Find the immediate PREVIOUS HOPS of a given agent
SELECT
iprt.snmp_agent AS [from],
ipat.snmp_agent AS to
FROM
[ip.ipAddrTable] AS ipat,
[ip.ipRouteTable] AS iprt
WHERE
ipat.snmp_agent = ‘135.104.46.1’ AND
ipat.ipAdEntAddr = iprt.ipRouteNextHop;
SELECT
iprt.snmp_agent AS [from],
sn_from.value AS [name_from],
ipat.snmp_agent AS to,
sn_to.value AS [name_to]
FROM
[ip.ipAddrTable] AS ipat,
[ip.ipRouteTable] AS iprt,
[system.sysName] AS sn_from,
[system.sysName] AS sn_to
WHERE
sn_to.value = ‘tribe.research.bell-labs.com’ AND
ipat.ipAdEntAddr = iprt.ipRouteNextHop AND
sn_to.snmp_agent = ipat.snmp_agent AND
sn_from.snmp_agent = iprt.snmp_agent;
When a user submits a query at a NM 101 , the NM 101 receives the query, determine ENEs and ANMs required to answer the SQL query, usually parses the query, optimizes the query and generates a distributed query execution plan (QEP). The distributed QEP is then carried out on a distributed query execution engine. The distributed query execution engine involves the NM 101 and ANMs 103 , 104 or network-enabled SNMP agents (which exposes an ANM interface). Basically, the execution engine at the NM 101 sends subqueries to involved ANMs 103 , 104 , gets back subqueries results, and recomposes the final query result. Note that multiple rounds between a NM 101 and ANMs 103 , 104 , and between ANMs 103 and 104 may be necessary to get a complex query answered.
Further, note that network 100 base tables are essentially horizontally partitioned among ANMs 103 and 104 . Each ANM 103 , 104 is responsible for a set of SNMP agents. Ideally, each SNMP agent becomes network 100 enabled, and works as an ANM for itself. Such SNMP agents are intelligent agents with the capability of carrying out relational queries. However, with legacy systems, network 100 will most likely still run on a many-snmp-agents-per-ANM basis.
The user interface of an ANM 103 , 104 should enable administrators to configure the set of SNMP agents that ANM 103 , 104 is responsible for. This function should preferably be able to be done dynamically. However, since there is no way to automatically locate SNMP agents, this configuration function has to be done manually.
In assigning SNMP agents to ANMs 103 , 104 , an administrator should be very careful to cover all SNMP agents of interest. Overlapping is allowed, and the network 100 will automatically pick one ANM among several ANMs representing a same SNMP agent. In addition, the administrator should assign an SNMP agent to the closest ANM to reduce total network traffic (and benefit from the network 100 ).
The configuration of a NM 101 could also be done manually, e.g., let the administrator compile a list of IP addresses of ANMs. A better option is to use a network plug-and-play system such as Jini to make the process both automatic and dynamic, i.e., when new ANMs 103 , 104 come and go, the NM 101 automatically discovers them, and updates its list of ANMs.
The limitation of an automatic and dynamic configuration of ANMs 103 , 104 is that the it is not easy for an administrator to control the set of SNMP agents in a network management domain. With Jini, it's possible to do lookup (for ANM services) using a certain policy, such as based on location. However, there are too many possible policies, and it is extremely difficult or impossible to implement all of them.
The current network 100 uses the following policy: an ANM will multicast lookup discovery requests to the standard Jini-specified IP address (224.0.1.85) and port (4160); the TTL can be set to limit the area of discovery: a value of one (1) will limit discovery to the local LAN segment, and a value below 64 (in the United States) will usually limit discovery in a company site. An ANM 103 , 104 will register itself with all Jini lookup services it discovers. When a NM 101 starts up, a Jini lookup service discovery wizard will guide the user through the process of finding an available Jini lookup service. Generally a multicast discovery is sufficient. The NM 101 will form a network 100 management domain from all ANMs 103 , 104 registered to that Jini lookup service (chosen by the user).
The arguments for such a policy are: a) it's simple and easy to understand; b) it's very automatic and (potentially) dynamic; c) most importantly, since it's easy to filter SNMP agents using SQL's WHERE clause, we want to include as many SNMP agents as possible in a network 100 . However, under such a policy a user presently has less control over the forming of a network 100 management domain.
Another possibility is that the user specifies a list of SNMP agents in a network 100 management domain, and the NM 101 attempts to locate one ANM 103 , 104 for each SNMP agent by matching the SNMP agents information in an ANM 103 , 104 registers with the Jini lookup service.
The above-described embodiments are, of course, merely illustrative of the principles of the invention. Indeed, numerous other methods or apparatus may be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. | A computer network management arrangement employs enhanced network elements that include database technology. This, in turn, allows such enhanced network elements to filter management information intelligently and also to notify an associated network manager of the occurrence of complex events of interest. More specifically, the network elements are enhanced through use of database technology to process declarative queries and to support triggers. Additionally, auxiliary network managers, that perform as proxies for network elements that have not been enhance with database technology, are employed to collect and integrate management information from one or more non-enhanced network elements. Consequently, the management information supplied to a network manager from the auxiliary network mangers could be significantly less than that collected from the network elements. Thus, the auxiliary network managers further reduce the network management traffic. In a specific embodiment of the invention, support is embedded into the individual network elements for a declarative query language, one example being the structured query language (SQL). Support is also added for event notification to the individual network elements. One or more auxiliary network managers are employed that can answer declarative inquiries. Moreover, the management information base information stored in the individual network elements is modeled as relational tables that are queried. | 8 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a machine for producing a fiber web, particularly a paper web, and particularly relates to the dry end of the machine. The machine has a press section followed in the web path by a dryer section. The dryer section comprises a plurality of separated dryer groups, each operable at a respective different speed. Each dryer group includes a plurality of dryers, a plurality of web path reversal and suction rolls, one between each two dryers, and an endless loop web support belt, which is sometimes a dryer felt, passing around the dryer group in a meander path past the dryer cylinders and the reversal rolls and past guide means which guide the support belt in the endless loop. After the web to be produced from a fiber suspension is formed and partly dewatered in a wire end or forming end or wet end of the machine, the web is dewatered mechanically as far as possible in a press. Then the web is dried in a dry end comprised of heatable drying cylinders. A dry end suitable for this purpose forms the object of German Patent Application P 41 42 524.3, which is equivalent to U.S. application No. 07/844,145, filed Mar. 21, 1992 now U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,761 and several U.S. Patents.
One performance requirement for such a paper manufacturing machine is its suitability for extremely high operating speeds, on an order of magnitude of 1000 to 2000 m/min. Despite this high operating speed, the web should travel through the machine with the greatest possible safety, i.e. so that as few web tears as possible result. In other words, the travel efficiency or runability should be as high as possible.
In many cases, there is another requirement, namely drying the paper web to have an extremely low residual moisture content, e.g. of about 2 %. In these cases, drying is substantially more intense than for other types or uses of paper webs in which it is sufficient to obtain a higher residual moisture content in the web, of about 4 to 8 %. The extremely small residual moisture content of about 2% is necessary for producing certain types of paper, such as for the further processing of papers in a coating plant or in a calender. However, the decreased moisture content increases the danger that the paper web will tear, since the paper becomes brittle due to its extreme dryness and/or because the paper shrinks to a great extent, particularly in its longitudinal direction. Such shrinkage produces a quite high longitudinal tension in the web of paper.
When it is herein described that reversing suction rolls lie above or below neighboring dryer cylinders, that means that possibly the entire roll or only part of the roll is above or below the cylinder. However, at least the axes or centers of the rolls are above or below the axes of the dryer cylinders, as described. Some suction rolls can be so small and their axes can be so placed that the entire body of the roller is not beyond the radius of the adjacent dryer cylinders even though the center of the roller is above or below the centers of the adjacent dryer cylinders.
In order to increase the runability in known dryer sections, like that in U.S. Pat. No. 5,241,761, one proposal is now described. In as many dryer groups as possible, at least in the initial, or upstream or wetter region of the dry end, only the lower side of the web comes into contact with the drying cylinders. In other words, in the largest possible number of dryer groups, the drying cylinders all lie above the neighboring reversing suction rolls with which the dryer cylinders alternate along the web path. Only the next to the last dryer group, for instance, has a reverse arrangement in which the drying cylinders lie below the reversing suction rolls so that the top side of the paper web comes into direct contact with the drying cylinders of that group. Accordingly, within the initial region of the dry end, for instance between each two of the first four dryer groups, there are only so called "simple" places of separation between the adjacent dryer groups. This means that the web support belt of the next following succeeding dryer group contacts the last drying cylinder of the preceding dryer group at a place where the web of paper is no longer covered by the web support belt of the preceding dryer group. Such a known development of the place of separation is advantageous in two respects. The threading of the web of paper, for instance upon the starting of the paper machine operation or after a tear of the paper web, takes place completely automatically, without rope guidance being necessary, as is required in older arrangements. The web of paper travels just as reliably during the normal operation of the dry end from each preceding dryer group to the following dryer group. In an exceptional case and despite the favorable manner of construction described above, if a tear should take place in the web of paper, then the reject paper or broke moves readily downward from all drying cylinders of the dryer groups into the basement provided below the dry end.
In order to increase the runability, it is known to keep the web as reliably as possible on the web support belt at the place where the web runs off from each individual drying cylinder, and on the straight travel path from the drying cylinder to the following reversing suction roll. In this respect, the initial region of the dry end presents a particular problem because the paper web is still relatively wet there and it has a tendency to adhere to the wall of the drying cylinder and to detach itself temporarily from the support belt as the web leaves each dryer cylinder. In other words, a so called bubble is formed here between the web of paper and the support belt. In order to reduce the danger of the web of paper tearing, it is attempted to keep said bubble as small as possible. For this purpose, it is known to form a vacuum zone at the run-off place, shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,359,828, FIG. 3. Another known measure consists of reducing the distance between the drying cylinder and the following reversing suction roll as much as possible, shown in International Application WO 83/00514, FIG. 2, or U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,379, FIG. 1.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to provide a dry end which substantially satisfies both of the requirements mentioned above. Despite an extremely high operating speed, the danger of tearing of the paper web should be reduced as much as possible. At the same time, it should be possible if necessary, to dry the paper web to obtain an extremely low residual moisture content.
These objects are achieved in accordance with the invention. The paper web is provided with a certain initial stress in the direction of web travel upon entrance of the web into the dry end. This is accomplished by having a separation place between the press and the first dryer group, by having independently adjustable drives for the press and the first dryer group, and by adjusting those drives so that there is a positive web speed differential between the press and the first dryer group, where the web speed through the first dryer group is higher. As a result, the bubbles are made small. In addition in the terminal end region of the dry end, a respective separation place between two of the adjacent downstream dryer groups is developed as an open separation by having respective individually adjustable drives for those two dryer groups and by adjusting those drives so that there is a negative web speed differential between the two dryer groups, where the web speed through the later or succeeding dryer group is slower.
These measures reduce the longitudinal stresses in the paper web resulting from the high extent drying which produces a low moisture content in the web.
The above features of the invention are that a positive difference in operating speed can be adjusted between the drive of the press and the drive of the first dryer group while at the same time, a negative difference of speed can be adjusted between at least two adjacent dryer groups in the end region of the dry end.
Another feature of the dry end of the invention is that, at least in the terminal end region of the dry end and at least at that place of separation where the negative difference in web speed is established, an open unsupported paper path or open draw is present. In other words, at least the aforementioned place of separation is developed as an open place of separation or open draw. Preferably, at least in the second half of the dry end, all places of separation between adjacent dryer groups are developed as open places of separation. This not only favors the removal of longitudinal stresses, it takes into account that slight rotary oscillations can occur from time to time in the drive elements. These oscillations cause a danger of producing a sudden, abrupt increase in the longitudinal stress in the web of paper which may cause a tear of the web. However, this danger is avoided with the invention by providing the open separation places, since a sudden increase in the longitudinal stress within a free path, and especially a relatively long free path of travel of the web of paper, is less dangerous than at a closed place of separation.
The invention can be used in connection with various different types of dry ends. However, all of them share the feature that they have exclusively or at least predominantly single tier dryer groups between the press and the place where the final solids content is reached. In a single tier drying group, all of the drying cylinders dry the same side of the web.
A first known drying section design with which the invention can be used has exclusively or at least predominantly web turn over or web reversal separation places. In the dryer group at one side of such a separation place, one side, e.g. the bottom side, of the web is in direct contact with the drying cylinders. In the dryer group at the other side of that separation place, the opposite side of the web, e.g. the top side, is in direct contact with the drying cylinders. Such a construction is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,934,067. Its use is preferred when both sides of the web are to come into contact at various intervals and several times with the outer surfaces of drying cylinders. In this known dry end, the turn over separation places or web reversal transfer zones are closed, i.e. at each separation place, the two web support belts travel a certain distance on a common, straight, joint run travel path together with the web sandwiched between them. If the present invention is applied to this known dry end, it is advantageous to modify all of the turn over separation places, or at least the largest number of them, so that they are no longer closed but rather open, i.e. that they have open draws. Various advantages are obtained:
1. At the turn-over separation places of the dry end, the danger of the support belts rubbing against each other and causing wear to each other if there is a difference in speed between them is avoided. This danger is present when the support belts contact each other at the turn over separation places when such a machine is temporarily operating without a paper web. This danger is present continuously and in normal operation at the edges of the support belts since the width of the support belts is greater than the width of the web of paper between the belts.
2. Between the first and the second dryer groups along the web path, a positive difference in speed can be established, exactly in the same way as a speed difference can be established between the press and the first dryer group. This makes it possible to pre-stress the web a second time at this turn over separation place.
3. Also, at the separation places in the dry end at which there is no difference in speed between successive dryer groups, it is advantageous to provide relatively long free web travel so as to prevent the above described danger of tears resulting from occasional oscillations in the rotation of the drive elements.
Another dry end with which the present invention can be used was described above, in German Application P 41 42 524.3 or U.S. application No. 07/844,145. That dry end design has been improved by developing all of the turn over separation places in accordance with the invention as open separation places for the reasons explained above. Whether the so-called "simple" separation spaces should also be developed open depends on the type of paper being dried or on the moisture content still present in the web at the place of separation, and furthermore on the magnitude of the speed difference to be adjusted. In many cases, it is entirely possible to keep a simple separation place closed despite a required difference in speed between two dryer groups. One can imagine that following the place of run off of the preceding web support belt from the last cylinder of the preceding dryer group, up to contact with the succeeding web support belt of the following dryer group, the web detaches itself slightly from the last drying cylinder since a thin layer of vapor forms between the last drying cylinder and the web. Furthermore, the web initially only has loose contact with the support belt of the following dryer group. This contact only becomes more secure at the place where the support belt and the supported web reach the suction zone of the first reversal guide roll of the following dryer group. It is possible that the speed of the support belt of the following dryer group may differ by a small amount from the speed of the last cylinder of the preceding dryer group. This means that the web moves at different speeds in the preceding and following dryer groups. However, because small and sudden changes in speed must be expected from time to time, the resulting danger of a tear can be reduced if the "simple" separation places are also developed as open separation places.
In certain cases, it may be advantageous to operate a so-called "simple" separation place at times open and at times closed. For this purpose, one of the rolls over which the support belt of the following dryer group travels can be movably supported.
In another type of construction of the dry end to which the invention can be applied, the drying cylinders of all of the dryer groups are arranged above the respective reversal suction rolls between adjacent drying cylinders, as defined above, so that only so called "simple" separation places are present. It depends on the individual dry end and the nature of the paper web to be produced whether it is better to operate the separation places open or closed. As a rule, however, it will be advantageous to provide open separation places between the dryer groups at least in the final end region of the dry end where the residual moisture content is already very slight. Stated more precisely, at least the last separation place, or the last two or three separation places, are developed as open separation places. On the other hand, in the upstream region of the dry end, it is usually more advantageous to develop the simple separation places as closed separation places. Again it is advisable, at least in connection with some of the separation places, to provide for the possibility of changing from open separation place to closed separation place, or vice versa.
At a separation place which is developed as an open separation place according to the invention, the web of paper travels across the separation place over a free travel path from the last drying cylinder of the preceding dryer group to the support belt of the following dryer group. The advantages of this measure are identical or similar to those in the case of the dry end constructions described further above. Better handling of paper web shrinkage during progressive drying can be done by driving the following dryer group with a slightly lower speed than the preceding dryer group. If both dryer groups were driven continuously at the same speed, then longitudinal stress wwould be built up in the web of paper due to its shrinkage upon drying. In the extreme case, together with other disturbing factors, this might cause a tear in the web of paper. Driving the two dryer groups in question with a slightly different speed can be attempted even if the place of separation between them is closed. However, at the place where the paper web contacts the last drying cylinder of the preceding dryer group and the support belt of the following dryer group, there is a danger that the surface of the web will be damaged due to the difference in support belt speeds. There is the further factor that in the respective drives for each of the dryer groups of the dry end, as already mentioned, oscillations in drying cylinder rotation sometimes occur. These are more likely to cause a tear of the paper web at a closed separation place than at an open separation place.
Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention which refers to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 diagrammatically shows a press and the following dry end of a paper manufacturing machine in which all of the separation places between the dryer groups are developed as turn over or web surface reversal separation places.
FIG. 2 shows a few details of FIG. 1 on a larger scale.
FIG. 3 shows a press and the dry end of a paper manufacturing machine in which all separation places between the dryer groups are developed as simple separation places.
FIGS. 4 and 5 show first and second modified separation places for the paper manufacturing machine shown in FIG. 3.
FIG. 6 shows a press and the dry end of a paper manufacturing machine in which only the last two separation places are developed as turn over, web reversal separation places.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
FIG. 1 shows a press P which has two press rolls 18 and 19 which together form a paper web dewatering press nip. The web of paper 9 to be dried travels through the press nip together with a dewatering felt 17. The press P is the last press of a press section of a paper making machine. The other parts of such a known press section are not shown. The press46XP has a drive 30 which has been merely diagrammatically shown.
The dry end following the press section comprises seven dryer groups I to VII. Each dryer group has its own respective web support belt 1 to 7, and has a plurality of drying cylinders 10 which alternate with a respective plurality of reversal suction rolls 11. Furthermore, there are guide means comprising customary additional guide rolls 13 for guiding, tensioning and regulating each endless loop support belt. Horizontal rows of drying cylinders are shown. However, vertical or inclined rows of cylinders can also be provided. Each of the dryer groups I to VII has its own respective drive 31-37.
In the dryer groups I, III, V and VII, the drying cylinders 10 are above the adjacent, alternate in the web path, reversal suction rolls 11 so that within these dryer groups, only the bottom side of the paper web 9 comes into direct contact with the drying cylinders. The top side of the web rides on the outside of the support belt 1, 3, 5 or 7 around the rolls 11. In the other, here alternate, dryer groups II, IV and VI, the drying cylinders lie below the reversal suction rolls so that the opposite top side of the web comes into contact with the drying cylinders. In this case, all separation places 22-27 between two adjacent dryer groups are developed as turn over or web side reversal separation places. At all of these turn over separation places, the web of paper travels over a free path of travel or open draw from the web support belt of the preceding dryer group to the web support belt of the following dryer group. In the same way, the web of paper 9 travels from the press roll 18 over a free path of travel to a paper guide roll 16 and, from the guide roll, over another free path of travel to the support belt 1 of the first dryer group I. Here, all separation places 21 to 27 are developed as open separation places.
The respective motor M of each of the drive units 30-37 is connected, via a system of lines 38, with a common speed control device 39. This enables the speed of each individual drive unit to be individually controlled in a known manner. A drive unit rotates the drying cylinders and they, in turn, move the respective endless support belt. The web is moved by the driven support belts and the speed of the drive units determines the speeds of the drying cylinders, of the support belts and therefore of the web. The open separation places 21-27 make it possible for a certain difference in speed dv to be adjusted, at least on some of the separation places between the adjacent drive units. In this connection, it is essential that the difference in speed at the first separation place 21 have a positive value a, that is, the succeeding dryer group operates slightly more rapidly than the preceding dryer group. The speed of the dryer group refers to the speed of the web moving through the dryer group. On the other hand, at least in the outlet end region of the dry end, a negative difference in speed b is established, that is, the succeeding drying group operates slightly slower. The diagram alongside FIG. 1 shows that a positive difference in speed can be provided also between the first two dryer groups I and II at the separation place 22. In other words, the web in the second dryer group II travels slightly faster than the web in the first dryer group I. Two adjacent dryer groups, for instance, groups II and III, can, if necessary, also be driven at the same speed, that is, the web travels at the same speed in both groups. In FIG. 1, the vertical distance between the characteristic line K and the base line G indicates the amount by which the speed of the web in each individual dryer group differs from the speed of the web in the press P. It can be noted from that diagram that the speed of the web in the last dryer group VII is less even than the speed of the web in the press P.
FIG. 2 shows, on a larger scale than FIG. 1, the first separation place 21 between the press P and the first dryer group I and the second separation place 22 between the first and second dryer groups I and II. It is schematically indicated that the paper guide roll 16 is provided with its own drive, which drive is omitted in FIG. 1, and that the first guide roll 13A of the first dryer group I is developed as a suction roll.
FIG. 2 further shows in an exaggerated manner that the web of paper has a tendency to adhere to the wall of each drying cylinder at the runoff point A from the individual drying cylinder 10 and therefore to temporarily detach itself from the respective support belt 1 of the dryer group. In order that the so called bubble B produced at the run off place remain as small as possible, the drive 31 for the first dryer group I is adjusted to a somewhat higher speed than the drive 30 for the press P. Consequently, the web arrives at the runoff point A with a certain longitudinal pre-tension. For the same reason, the drive for the second dryer group II is driven with a somewhat greater speed than the drive for the first dryer group I. In order to make this possible, the first reversal suction roll 11b of the second dryer group II is arranged at a distance from the support belt 1 of the first dryer group I, as shown in FIG. 2. Accordingly, the paper web 9 travels in a free travel path or open draw from the support belt 1 to the support belt 2.
As a whole, the travel path of the web of paper from the last drying cylinder of the first dryer group to the first drying cylinder of the second dryer group has a meander like course. This enables a relatively large zone of contact with the paper web on each of the drying cylinders. However, it is also possible to provide a substantially linear travel path, tangential to the drying cylinder, for the web of paper. In this case, the support belts do not travel over suction rolls at the place of separation but over normal guide rolls 13. As shown in FIG. 6, at separation place 25, a normal guide roll 13", on which the web separates from the support belt 4, can also be combined with a suction roll 14 at which the web travels onto the following support belt 5.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the drying cylinders 10 are arranged above the reversal suction rolls 11 in all of the dryer groups I-V. Accordingly, only the bottom side of the web 9 comes into contact with the drying cylinders within that entire dry end. The separation places 22'-25' present within the dry end are therefore developed as so called "simple" separation places. This means, for instance, that at the separation place 22', the support belt 2 of the following dryer group II contacts the last drying cylinder of the first dryer group I. That support belt wraps around that cylinder to a greater or less extent. This contact takes place at the point where the web of paper is no longer covered by the first support belt 1. This, therefore, is a "closed simple" separation place. For the above indicated reasons, an "open simple" separation place can also instead be provided as shown at 24' in FIG. 3. Here, a guide roll 13a and the first reversal suction roll 11a for the support belt 4 of the fourth dryer group IV are so arranged behind the last drying cylinder 10a of the third dryer group III that the support belt 4 passes at a slight distance away from the drying cylinder 10a.Finally, it is possible to operate a simple separation place optionally either open or closed by displacing a guide roll 13'. The roll 13' is supported to be moveable. This is diagrammatically shown at 25' in FIG. 3.
Other possible embodiments for open separation places are shown in FIGS. 4 and 5. In each case, the contact zones of the paper web 9 are of different size on the drying cylinders. FIG. 4 also shows a removal or reversal element 40 for the air boundary layer arriving with the support belt.
In FIG. 6, six dryer groups I-VI are shown. Between the dryer groups I-IV, there are simple separation places 22'-24' which can be operated either open or closed, as desired, by displacing a movable guide roll 13' . Only the next to the last dryer group V has bottom drying cylinders 10b and upper reversal suction rolls 12a. Thus, the separation places 25 and 26 between the dryer groups IV, V and VI are developed as turn over separation places. The dry end shown in FIG. 6 has different reversal suction rolls 11 and 12, 12a. In the first two dryer groups I and II, reversal suction rolls 11 of relatively small diameter and having stationary suction boxes within them are provided. One such reversal roll 11a is also arranged at the beginning of the third dryer group III. Behind it there are provided in the dryer groups III-VI on the other hand box-less suction rolls 12 or 12a of larger diameter, in connection with which the air is drawn off directly through the rotating hollow journals. See U.S. application No. 07/844,145, filed Mar. 21, 1992.
In both FIGS. 3 and 6, the control of the drives, for instance 30-36, takes place in the same manner as in FIG. 1. In the diagrams included with the Figures, the characteristic line K again shows that a positive difference in speed a is adjusted at least between the press P and the first dryer group I, and preferably also between the first two dryer groups I and II, while a negative difference in speed is adjusted between the terminal end dryer groups.
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 not by the specific disclosure herein, but only by the appended claims. | A paper making machine comprises a press followed by an adjoining dry end having a plurality of dryer groups I to VI. Each dryer group comprises only one row of dryer cylinders and one row of reversal suction rolls which alternate with the dryer cylinders, and a respective endless support belt passing around the cylinders and rolls of each group along a guided meander path. The press and each of the dryer groups has a respective variable web speed drive. A speed control device controls the drives such that a positive difference in speed is present between the first dryer group and the press and a negative difference in speed is present between the last two dryer groups. Separation places may be defined between at least some of the dryer groups. Some of the separation places are closed providing support for the web passing between groups, and others are open providing an unsupported open draw for the web. | 3 |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This receives priority from U.S. No. 61/345,958 entitled “Gypsum Fertilizer with Useful Solubility Characteristics” filed May 18, 2010 by Cisneros et al., the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The invention relates to fertilizers, and more particularly to fertilizers that supply calcium.
BACKGROUND
[0003] Fertilizer technology is as old as human civilization and often utilizes fecal matter from animal husbandry. However, due to greater understanding of plant physiology, empirical results leading to improved practices, and better equipment, this field continuously advances.
[0004] A very interesting discovery has been that calcium added as a plant nutrient benefits postharvest storage, via a change in physiology of many plants such as pome fruit, potatoes and some green vegetables. See for example “The Role of Calcium and Nitrogen in Postharvest Quality and Disease Resistance of Apples” (Fallahi et al, HortScience, Vol. 32(5), August 1997). As a result, some basic science has focused on direct calcium feeding by adding a readily absorbable source such as calcium chloride and calcium nitrate as exemplified by Cihacek et al from North Dakota State University “Effects of Calcium and Nitrogen Fertilizer Application on Carrot Root Yield and Storage Quality” (www.ag.ndsu.nodak.edu/oakes/1999Report/crfrt99.htm).
[0005] Companies involved in mineral extraction, use and recycling have discovered that minerals such as lime and gypsum can be used as soil supplements, primarily to improve the physical characteristics of the soil.
[0006] For example, USA Gypsum exhorts the advantages of Gypsum added and directly mixed into soil to prevent soil compaction (www.usagypsum.conm/agricultural-gypsum.aspx).
[0007] One problem of fertilizer application is how to apply (high energy to mixing into the soil vs. lower energy scatter on top of soil, spray onto leaves, etc. Another is the occasional need for slow, long term release, to prevent wastage via quick runoff of high soluble plant nutrients. Accordingly, any form of fertilizer that provides a more convenient application method, or control of dissolution, would be an important tool in the farmer's arsenal for controllable delivery of plant nutrients such as calcium and sulfur, where and when needed. In some cases, application of a mineral such as gypsum requires an expensive screening step and use of a non-nutritive or expensive binder such as clay, lignin or starch as, for example, described by Steele et al in U.S. No. 2001/0029762A1 “Soil Amendment Product and Process.” In contrast, it would be most desirable to both control dissolution of soluble minerals via packaging of the mineral with a desirable fertilizer component. Such low cost, controlled solution also would benefit the farmer.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Embodiments address the limitations cited above by providing high calcium fertilizers and methods for their construction and use for controllable application in agriculture. In one embodiment, a slow release calcium containing-fertilizer is provided that comprises calcium mineral particles coated with organic material wherein the calcium mineral to organic material ratio is between 20:80 and 80:20, and the calcium is released slowly upon exposure to water.
[0009] Another embodiment provides a treatment for prolonging storage time of a harvested plant crop, comprising providing a calcium enhanced biotic fertilizer that comprises calcium mineral particles coated with organic material, wherein the calcium mineral to organic material ratio is between 20:80 and 80:20, and the calcium is released slowly upon exposure to water, and fertilizing the plant crop with at least 40, more preferably at least 200 pounds per acre of the calcium-enhanced biotic fertilizer at least 40 days prior to harvest. Preferably at least 40 pounds per acre are repeatedly applied up to 300 days before harvest.
[0010] Another embodiment provides a method of preparing a slow release calcium biotic fertilizer, comprising combining rock gypsum and manure in a mixer in the absence of an added chemical or heat to form rock gypsum particles coated with manure, adding water and acid to the coated gypsum particles to substantially convert carboxylate anions on the particle surfaces into their protonated form, and drying the coated gypsum particles at a temperature below the boiling point of water.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic overview of a process described herein.
[0012] FIG. 2 is a nutrient composition of a fertilizer from Example 1.
[0013] FIGS. 3 a - 3 c show calcium dissolution rate results. S-4Gyp is sample taken before acid treatment. S-5Gyp is taken after acid treatment. Dryer Gyp is taken after dryer, and Cooler Gyp is taken after the cooling step.
[0014] FIGS. 4 a and 4 b graphically show dissolution rates.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0015] In studies using a kinetic mixer, it was discovered that forming gypsum particles and manure particles simultaneously at low temperatures led to an improved product of desirable calcium release and other properties.
[0016] This process was quick, lower cost and yielded greater quality product compared to other processes. In particular, it was unexpectedly found that gypsum calcium treated this way formed fertilizer of unusually long release times, which can benefit control of calcium application in agriculture.
[0017] Embodiments of this surprising discovery cover new calcium and sulfur release fertilizer methods, new fertilizing techniques for supply of elevated calcium, and new, highly desirable fertilizer compositions.
Methods of Making High Calcium, Slow Release Fertilizer
[0018] FIG. 1 depicts an overall outline for making fertilizer according to a desirable embodiment. Overall, a calcium mineral is supplied as or formed into a powder and mixed with organic humus containing manure in the absence of high temperature or an added reactive chemical such as acid or base. Mixing preferably occurs for less than 5 minutes and more preferably less than one minute. After forming of manure coated or manure bound particles, an acid is used to help break up or prevent formation of clumps. Acid addition typically heats the product by about 20 to 55 and more preferably between 30 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. Mixing at this temperature for 1 to 15 minutes and more preferably 4-8 minutes is followed by a drying step, preferably at a temperature between 120 to 210 degree Fahrenheit, mroe preferably between 150 to 200 degrees and yet more preferably between 175 and 195 degrees. After this drying step, the material is cooled and packed or further processed into fertilizer. Trace elements can be added anytime and typically the product is pelletized after heating and then packaged for use.
[0019] “Rock gypsum” can be of any type as is well known, but also can be replaced, in some embodiments with other mineral forms of calcium such as lime, calcium carbonate, or even a solid chemical form such as calcium chloride crystals or calcium nitride crystals. Manure is added to this calcium material before, during or after formation of particles of the “rock gypsum” as shown here. The manure is any animal product with a high concentration of humic substances such as carboxylated polymers such as protein, nucleic acid and carbohydrate. In a desirable embodiment chicken manure having 10 to 35% water is mixed with rock gypsum in a kinetic processor in near equal amounts (wgt/wgt between 20:80 and 80:20 ratio, preferably between 40:60 ratio and 50:50 ratio). The kinetic processor forms particles at low temperature of typically less than 150 degrees Fahrenheit, particularly less than 110 degrees Fahrenheit, and more desirably less than 100 degrees Fahrenheit. Preferably a kinetic processor such as that described by U.S.
[0020] 20090188290 (Inventor John Marler) is used. The procedures and materials and definitions of terms described in that patent application are particularly incorporated by reference.
[0021] Most desirably, the calcium mineral or salt, in solid form, is coated by relatively denatured manure wherein humic substances, including macromolecules that have not been degraded or precipitated by excessive heat or chemical denaturants bind to the surfaces. In an embodiment, it is important that the mineral (or solid salt) and the manure or other humic material does not exceed a temperature that produces coagulation, precipitation or denaturation of the manure or other humic material, to ensure good binding with the mineral (or salt). In an embodiment, the temperature does not exceed 200 , 175, 150, 100 or even 75 degrees Fahrenheit before the two materials have had a chance to bind each other. This low temperature bind step in an embodiment is followed by a fixing step such as high temperature, acid treatment, or both to denature organic material after the organic material binds to the inorganic particle.
[0000] High Calcium, Slow Release Fertilizers: Inorganic Calcium bound to Organic Humus
[0022] Advantageous fertilizers prepared by methods contemplated and described herein combine a high concentration of a calcium complex with a humic material. The calcium complex typically is selected from the group consisting of gypsum, lime, calcium carbonate, calcium chloride, calcium nitrate and other calcium minerals and salts. Preferably this inorganic material is in the form of a solid that becomes processed into particles before or during binding reaction with the organic material.
[0023] Desirably, the calcium mineral (or salt) is combined between 35% to 60% (wgt/wgt) with the organic material and more desirably is at least 40% by weight of the final fertilizer weight (excluding contribution of water to weight).
[0024] Desirably the calcium mineral is at a small average diameter of less than 250 microns, less than 150 microns and even less than 75 microns, for greater surface area contact with the organic material. Desirably, the material is not made by crushing followed by sieving, but instead by a kinetic mixer, without a subsequent sieving step.
[0025] The organic component may be a raw or partially purified (and preferably polyanionic) polymer such as alginate, crude seaweed extract, sulphonated algin, pectin, mucopolysaccharide, plant cell wall extract, or the like. In an embodiment, the organic material has been treated to contain more negatively carboxylic acid or sulfonic acid groups, for enhanced is binding to the mineral. Most desirably the organic “component” is really a very complex and rich mixture of compounds, many of which are high molecular weight and polyanionic. A manure such as swine waste, chicken waste, bovine waste, or even human waste may be used.
[0026] An intermediate in the manufacture of fertilizer as described herein may be a wet (30-90 percent water) mixture of mineral and organic materials. At some point the mixture is dried to below 40% moisture, preferably below 35% moisture and more preferably below 30% moisture. During or after moisture reduction, a drying or chemical step changes (improves) the attachment of organic material to the inorganic material. This change can be measured using the procedures described in FIG. 2 , which describes analytical test results for dissolution rates for gypsum products versus gypsum-manure co-products prepared as described herein.
[0027] A preferred ratio of inorganic material to organic material in the final product is 50:50 plus or minus a 10% deviation from this (40:60 to 60:40 wgt/wgt ratio of inorganic calcium mineral or salt to organic material). Of course, a variety of other nutrients can be added to the inorganic—organic complex and can for example constitute up to 1%, 2% 5% or even more of the dry weight of the final product. Preferably less than 1% of added micronutrients or macronutrients are added, however.
Fish Material
[0028] Formulations as described herein optionally are further improved by addition of fish material. “Fish material” may consist of whole fish (undesirable leftover or spoiled fish for example), or fish parts such as scales, heads, tails, eviscerated innards, etc. By weight, desirable fish formulation ratios in this context may be for example, 2-10% fish to 20-40% gypsum with the balance manure and balancing nutrients. More desirably fish formulation ratios are 5% fish to 25-30% gypsum with the balance manure and balancing nutrients. In an embodiment, a desirable ratio is 2-10% fish to 20-40% phosphorus with the balance manure and balancing nutrients. Yet more preferably is a ratio of 5% fish waste to 25-35% phosphorus with the balance manure and balancing nutrients. Such novel phosphorus fertilizers, like the biotic gypsum formulations, offer enhanced biological nutrient integration due to the chelated values of the integrated products. The addition of chelated and reacted fish nutrients act to accelerate integration speeds, in an embodiment.
[0029] Yet another embodiment is a “Biotic Phosphate Formulation” consisting of 50% Perfect Blend™ 442 and 50% rock phosphate reacted entirely. The combination of a biotic fertilizer and rock phosphate into a uniform reacted product renders phosphate much more available than just the organic rock phosphate in its raw form. Rock Phosphate or phosphorite has a mineral phosphorous content of 15-20%, however, due to the nature of this form of phosphorous its content as a plant nutrient generally is unavailable at 3%. Processing of this mineral into our modern day phosphate products is done throughout the chemical industry. However, applicants unique processing enables an organic form of phosphorous to become usable and available.
[0030] The creation of a biotic fertilizer that contains a high level of chelated phosphate increases bio-availability of the phosphorus due to increased focused nutrition for soil microorganisms provided by the biotic fertilizer.
[0031] This increased level of bio-reactivity acts to accelerate populations of soil microorganisms and results in an increase in natural soil fertility, according to embodiments.
EXAMPLE 1
[0032] A high calcium fertilizer was prepared as described in FIG. 1 . Large pieces (typically 1 to 12 inch diameter) of rock gypsum were added with chicken manure at a 50 to 50 ratio to a kinetic mixer, where, in the absence of an added chemical, both were kinetically smashed down to particle sizes within one minute and without denaturative heating. The mixture was then introduced to a paddle mixer reactor where water was added to make up 34% water content and then 95% sulfuric acid added at a rate of 63 pounds per 4000 lbas of the chicken/gypsum mixture. The subsequent heat increased the mixture temperature by 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit for 6 minutes. Then the mixture was introduced into a drum heater and heated to 185 degrees F. for 25 minutes to dry. The material then was brought down to within 4 degrees of room temperature by a 25 minute cooling step. Material was sampled as “S-4 Gyp” (product from kinetic mixer before acid treatment), “S-5 Gyp” (product from acid reactor), “Dryer Gyp” (after drum heater) and “Cooler Gyp” (product obtained after cooling). These samples were later compared with ACS grade calcium sulfate and also with GA gypsum material.
[0033] FIGS. 3 a - 3 c and 4 a - 4 b show much higher and rapid solubility of calcium from “GA Gyp” (a standard calcium sulfate product from Green Acres used in agriculture), of which 32% dissolved within 1.3 hours, 50% dissolved within 7.5 hours and 59% dissolved within 92.5 hours. In contrast, the percent dissolved calcium values for the material (half gypsum, half chicken manure) prepared for example 1 before acid treatment was 6%, 13%, and 17 percent, respectively. The percent dissolved calcium values for the material prepared for example 1 after acid treatment was 11%, 15% and 20% respectively. Coating with manure unexpectedly decreased (slowed) calcium dissolution dramatically, and this surprising effect persisted throughout all stages of fertilizer manufacture. FIGS. 3 a - 3 c and 4 a - 4 b show more details for fertilizer samples obtained during manufacture as described in Example 1.
[0034] Although not reported here, in an embodiment, sulfur solubility similarly is inhibited by the manure to mineral ratio mixing. In an embodiment sulfur in the gypsum dissolves less than half as fast over 1.3 hour period compared to ACS grade calcium sulfate. In another embodiment, the sulfur dissolves 25% less over the 1.3 hour period in water.
[0035] In yet another embodiment, complexation of manure with gypsum slows the release of phosphate by at least 25%, at least 35%, at least 50% and even in some cases, at least twice (100%) compared to plain manure suspended in water. An unexpected result, particularly with chicken waste, was the protection of agricultural land from rapid phosphate leaching into run off water from chicken waste fertilizers by complexing with gypsum. For this purpose, a high gypsum to chicken waste ratio (wgt/wgt assuming 25% moisture in the waste) of at least 20%, 25%, 35%, 40% or even 50% is particularly helpful and contemplated.
[0036] Other embodiments and combinations of embodiments will be appreciated by a skilled artisan upon reading the specification and are intended to be within the scope of the claims. All cited documents are incorporated by reference in their entireties. | Slow calcium release fertilizers and methods for their synthesis are described. Organic materials, particularly from manure are used for coating to achieve slow release forms of the fertilizer. Desirably, low temperature kinetic treatments are used to prepare pulverized forms having small size yet well coated with natural (non-denatured) molecular material to achieve the slow release. A desired embodiment is made from kinetic processing of rock gypsum and manure at low temperatures with added acid. Use of the fertilizers leads to acceleration of microbial viability. | 2 |
This application is a U.S. national stage of International Application No. PCT/US2009/006461 filed Dec. 9, 2009, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 61/193,636 filed Dec. 11, 2008.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention comprises modifications of known processes for synthesizing compounds having HIV integrase inhibitory activity.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
WO 2006/116764 published 2 Nov. 2006, incorporated by reference in its entirety, describes various compounds and detailed synthetic schemes for their preparation. In particular, the 16 th , 27 th and 32 nd steps involve the creation of a —CHO group from a double bond using a reagent which may include osmium tetroxide.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Processes are provided which create an aldehyde methylene, or hydrated or hemiacetal methylene attached to a heteroatom of a 6 membered ring without going through an olefinic group and without the necessity of using an osmium reagent.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The present invention includes processes for preparing a compound of formula (I):
wherein
R is —CHO, —CH(OH) 2 or —CH(OH)(OR 4 ); P 1 is H or a hydroxyl protecting group; P 3 is H or a carboxy protecting group; R 3 is H, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkenyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclic group, optionally substituted heterocycleoxy and optionally substituted amino; R 4 is lower alkyl; R x is H, halo or R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—; R 2 is optionally substituted aryl; X is a single bond, a heteroatom group selected from O, S, SO, SO 2 , and NH or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene wherein each may be intervened by the heteroatom; and R 1 is H or lower alkyl;
comprising the steps of:
i) reacting a compound of formula (II):
with an amine of formula (III) or (IV):
wherein R 5 and R 6 are independently lower alkyl or R 5 and R 6 can be alkyl and joined to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring,
to produce an intermediate of formula (V) or (VI), respectively:
and
ii) refunctionalizing (V) or (VI) to produce (I).
The term “lower alkyl”, alone or in combination with any other term, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain saturated aliphatic hydrocarbon radical containing 1 to 6 carbon atoms. Examples of alkyl radicals include, but are not limited to, methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, isobutyl, sec-butyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, isoamyl, n-hexyl and the like.
The term “lower cycloalkyl” refers to a saturated or partially saturated carbocyclic ring composed of 3-6 carbons in any chemically stable configuration. Examples of suitable carbocyclic groups include cyclopropyl, cyclobutyl, cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, and cyclohexenyl.
The term “lower alkenyl,” alone or in combination with any other term, refers to a straight-chain or branched-chain alkyl group with one or two carbon-carbon double bonds. Examples of alkenyl radicals include, but are not limited to, ethenyl, propenyl, isopropenyl, butenyl, isobutenyl, pentenyl, hexenyl, hexadienyl and the like.
The term “lower alkylene” refers to a straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical, preferably having from one to six carbon atoms, unless otherwise defined. Examples of “alkylene” as used herein include, but are not limited to, methylene, ethylene, propylene, butylene, isobutylene and the like.
The term “lower alkenylene” refers to a straight or branched chain divalent hydrocarbon radical, one or two carbon-carbon double bonds.
The term “lower alkoxy” refers to an alkyl ether radical, wherein the term “alkyl” is defined above. Examples of suitable alkyl ether radicals include, but are not limited to, methoxy, ethoxy, n-propoxy, isopropoxy, n-butoxy, isobutoxy, sec-butoxy, tert-butoxy and the like.
The term “halogen” refers fluorine (F), chlorine (Cl), bromine (Br), or iodine (I).
The term “aryl” alone or in combination with any other term, refers to a carbocyclic aromatic moiety (such as phenyl or naphthyl) containing 6 carbon atoms, and more preferably from 6-10 carbon atoms. Examples of aryl radicals include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, azulenyl, fluorenyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, phenanthridinyl and the like. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “aryl” also includes each possible positional isomer of an aromatic hydrocarbon radical, such as in 1-naphthyl, 2-naphthyl, 5-tetrahydronaphthyl, 6-tetrahydronaphthyl, 1-phenanthridinyl, 2-phenanthridinyl, 3-phenanthridinyl, 4-phenanthridinyl, 7-phenanthridinyl, 8-phenanthridinyl, 9-phenanthridinyl and 10-phenanthridinyl. Examples of aryl radicals include, but are not limited to, phenyl, naphthyl, indenyl, azulenyl, fluorenyl, anthracenyl, phenanthrenyl, tetrahydronaphthyl, indanyl, phenanthridinyl and the like. The term “aralkyl” refers to an alkyl group substituted by an aryl. Examples of aralkyl groups include, but are not limited to, benzyl and phenethyl.
The term “heterocyclic group,” and “heterocycle” as used herein, refer to a 3- to 7-membered monocyclic heterocyclic ring or 8- to 11-membered bicyclic heterocyclic ring system any ring of which is either saturated, partially saturated or unsaturated, and which may be optionally benzofused if monocyclic. Each heterocycle consists of one or more carbon atoms and from one to four heteroatoms selected from the group consisting of N, O and S, and wherein the nitrogen and sulfur heteroatoms may optionally be oxidized, and the nitrogen atom may optionally be quaternized, and including any bicyclic group in which any of the above-defined heterocyclic rings is fused to a benzene ring. The heterocyclic ring may be attached at any carbon or heteroatom, provided that the attachment results in the creation of a stable structure. Preferred heterocycles include 5-7 membered monocyclic heterocycles and 8-10 membered bicyclic heterocycles. When the heterocyclic ring has substituents, it is understood that the substituents may be attached to any atom in the ring, whether a heteroatom or a carbon atom, provided that a stable chemical structure results. “Heteroaromatics” or “heteroaryl” are included within the heterocycles as defined above and generally refers to a heterocycle in which the ring system is an aromatic monocyclic or polycyclic ring radical containing five to twenty carbon atoms, preferably five to ten carbon atoms, in which one or more ring carbons, preferably one to four, are each replaced by a heteroatom such as N, O, S and P. Preferred heteroaryl groups include 5-6 membered monocyclic heteroaryls and 8-10 membered bicyclic heteroaryls. Also included within the scope of the term “heterocycle, “heterocyclic” or “heterocyclyl” is a group in which a non-aromatic heteroatom-containing ring is fused to one or more aromatic rings, such as in an indolinyl, chromanyl, phenanthridinyl or tetrahydro-quinolinyl, where the radical or point of attachment is on the non-aromatic heteroatom-containing ring. Unless otherwise indicated, the term “heterocycle, “heterocyclic” or “heterocyclyl” also included each possible positional isomer of a heterocyclic radical, such as in 1-indolinyl, 2-indolinyl, 3-indolinyl. Examples of heterocycles include imidazolyl, imidazolinoyl, imidazolidinyl, quinolyl, isoquinolyl, indolyl, indazolyl, indazolinolyl, perhydropyridazyl, pyridazyl, pyridyl, pyrrolyl, pyrrolinyl, pyrrolidinyl, pyrazolyl, pyrazinyl, quinoxolyl, piperidinyl, pyranyl, pyrazolinyl, piperazinyl, pyrimidinyl, pyridazinyl, morpholinyl, thiamorpholinyl, furyl, thienyl, triazolyl, thiazolyl, carbolinyl, tetrazolyl, thiazolidinyl, benzofuranoyl, thiamorpholinyl sulfone, oxazolyl, oxadiazolyl, benzoxazolyl, oxopiperidinyl, oxopyrrolidinyl, oxoazepinyl, azepinyl, isoxozolyl, isothiazolyl, furazanyl, tetrahydropyranyl, tetrahydrofuranyl, thiazolyl, thiadiazoyl, dioxolyl, dioxinyl, oxathiolyl, benzodioxolyl, dithiolyl, thiophenyl, tetrahydrothiophenyl, sulfolanyl, dioxanyl, dioxolanyl, tetahydrofurodihydrofuranyl, tetrahydropyranodihydrofuranyl, dihydropyranyl, tetrahydrofurofuranyl and tetrahydropyranofuranyl.
Optional substituents are hydroxy, halogen, amino and lower alkyl.
Protecting groups may be selected from groups known to those skilled in the art, including protecting groups disclosed in Greene, Theodora W.; Wuts, Peter G. M. Protective Groups in Organic Synthesis. 2nd Ed. (1991), 473 pp. or Kocienski, Philip J. Protecting Groups. 3rd Ed. 2005, (2005), 679 pp.
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I), R 3 is H.
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I), R is —CHO.
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I), R is —CH(OH) 2 .
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I), R is —CH(OH)(OR 4 ).
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I), R 3 is H, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy.
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I) is of the formula (VII):
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I) is of the formula (Ia):
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I) is of the formula (VIII):
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (I) is of the formula (IX):
The present invention features a process as described above wherein in said compound of formula (II) is of the formula (IIa):
The present invention includes processes for preparing a compound of formula (I):
wherein
R is —CH(OH)(OR 4 ); P 1 is a hydroxyl protecting group; P 3 is H; R 3 is H; R 4 is lower alkyl; R x is R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—; R 2 is optionally substituted aryl; X is lower alkylene; and R 1 is H;
comprising the steps of:
iii) reacting a compound of formula (II):
with an amine of formula (III):
wherein R 5 and R 6 are independently lower alkyl,
to produce an intermediate of formula (V)
and
iv) refunctionalizing (V) to produce (I).
Specific compounds used in the processes of the present invention include those of the following formulae (IIa), (VIa), (VIb) and (Ia) utilized in Examples which follow:
The product (Ia) of a synthetic sequence of the present invention can be condensed with an amine, eg of the formula H 2 NCH 2 CH 2 CH 2 OH, brominated if R x is H, carbonylated and amidated and finally, debenzylated to yield a compound of WO 2006/116764 designated (I-7) at page 240 wherein (R) m is 4-F and R a is H. Alternatively, such a compound may be synthesized according to the invention by starting with (I) where R x is p-F-phenyl-CH 2 —NH—C(O)—, R 3 is H, P 1 is benzyl (Bn) and P 3 is a carboxy protecting group.
In addition, compounds of formula (I) which may be produced by processes of the invention include those of the following formulae (VII), (VIII) and (IX):
In more detail, step i) can be carried out in a protic or aprotic solvent such as EtOH, THF or DMF at a temperature of about 50-150° C. for about 1-10 hours.
In more detail, step ii) can be carried out for the diol starting material (VI) with an oxidizing agent such as NaIO 4 , RuO 4 or Pb(OAc) 4 in a solvent such as H 2 O, MeOH or CH 3 CN at ambient temperature for one or more hours. For the acetal type starting material such as (V), reaction may be in an acid such as HCl, CF 3 COOH or HCO 2 H optionally with heating.
Step ii) can also involve refunctionalization at the R x position, eg R x ═H to R x ═Br optionally with further refunctionalization to R x ═R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—. Step ii) can also involve refunctionalization of P 3 , eg P 3 ═H to P 3 =Me.
The present invention features a process as described above, wherein said refunctionalizing step ii) comprises demethylating the intermediate of formula (V) to produce the compound of formula (I).
The present invention features a process as described above wherein said refunctionalizing step ii) comprises reacting the intermediate of formula (VI) with NaIO 4 to produce the compound of formula (I).
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (V):
wherein
P 1 is H or a hydroxyl protecting group; P 3 is H or a carboxy protecting group; R 3 is H, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkenyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclic group, optionally substituted heterocycleoxy and optionally substituted amino; R x is H, halo or R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—; R 2 is optionally substituted aryl; X is a single bond, a heteroatom group selected from O, S, SO, SO 2 , and NH or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene wherein each may be intervened by the heteroatom; R 1 is H or lower alkyl; and R 5 and R 6 are independently lower alkyl or R 5 and R 6 can be alkyl and joined to form a 5-, 6-, or 7-membered ring.
The present invention features a compound of the formula (V) above wherein R 3 is H.
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (Va):
wherein
P 1 is H or a hydroxyl protecting group; P 3 is H or a carboxy protecting group; R 3 is H, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkenyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclic group, optionally substituted heterocycleoxy and optionally substituted amino; R x is H, halo or R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—; R 2 is optionally substituted aryl; X is a single bond, a heteroatom group selected from O, S, SO, SO 2 , and NH or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene wherein each may be intervened by the heteroatom; and
R 1 is H or lower alkyl.
The present invention features a compound of the formula (V) above wherein R 3 is H.
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (VI):
wherein
P 1 is H or a hydroxyl protecting group; P 3 is H or a carboxy protecting group; R 3 is H, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkenyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclic group, optionally substituted heterocycleoxy and optionally substituted amino; R x is H, halo or R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—; R 2 is optionally substituted aryl; X is a single bond, a heteroatom group selected from O, S, SO, SO 2 , and NH or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene wherein each may be intervened by the heteroatom; and R 1 is H or lower alkyl.
The present invention features a compound of the formula (V) above wherein R 3 is H.
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (I):
wherein
R is —CH(OH)(OCH 3 ); P 1 is -Bn; P 3 is —CH 3 ; R 3 is —H; and R x is Br.
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (14):
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (15):
The present invention features a compound of the following formula (I):
wherein
R is —CH(OH) 2 ; P 1 is H or a hydroxyl protecting group; P 3 is H or a carboxy protecting group; R 3 is H, halogen, hydroxy, optionally substituted lower alkyl, optionally substituted cycloalkyl, optionally substituted lower alkenyl, optionally substituted lower alkoxy, optionally substituted lower alkenyloxy, optionally substituted aryl, optionally substituted aryloxy, optionally substituted heterocyclic group, optionally substituted heterocycleoxy and optionally substituted amino; R 1 is H or lower alkyl; R x is H, halo or R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)—; R 2 is optionally substituted aryl; and X is a single bond, a heteroatom group selected from O, S, SO, SO 2 , and NH or lower alkylene or lower alkenylene wherein each may be intervened by the heteroatom.
In the following examples and throughout this specification, the following abbreviations may be used: Me (methyl), Bn (benzyl), Aq (aqueous), Et (ethyl), C (centrigrade).
The following examples are intended for illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way.
EXAMPLES
Example 1
The starting material of Example 1e is the compound of formula (IIa) of the invention process which is also shown as compound 5 below and compound #101 at page 113 of WO 2006/116764. The product of the invention process is depicted below as compound 8, which is of the formula (I) of the invention process. The final product shown below as compound 13 is a compound of formula (I-7) at page 240 of WO 2006/116764 wherein (R) m is 2,4-di-F and R a is H, provided, however, that there is an alpha methyl at the position designated R 16 in formula (XXVI) at page 65.
Thus, in the above sequence for Example 1, compound 5 is identical to compound 101 at page 113 of WO 2006/116764 and to formula (IIa) of the process of the present invention; compound 6 above is identical to formula (VIa) of the process of the present invention; compound 7 above is identical to formula (VIb) of the process of the present invention; and compound 8 is identical to formula (Ia) of the process of the present invention. Step i) of the invention process is 5 to 6 above while step ii) is 6 to 8.
Example 1a
To a slurry of 2000 g of compound 1 (1.0 eq.) in 14.0 L of MeCN were added 2848 g of benzyl bromide (1.05 eq.) and 2630 g of K 2 CO 3 (1.2 eq.). The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 5 h and cooled to 13° C. Precipitate was filtered and washed with 5.0 L of MeCN. The filtrate was concentrated and 3.0 L of THF was added to the residue. The THF solution was concentrated to give 3585 g of crude compound 2 as oil. Without further purification, compound 2 was used in the next step.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.60 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.4-7.3 (m, 5H), 6.37 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.17 (s, 2H), 2.09 (s, 3H).
Example 1b
To 904 g of the crude compound 2 was added 5.88 L of THF and the solution was cooled to −60° C. 5.00 L of 1.0 M of Lithium bis(trimethylsilylamide) in THF (1.25 eq.) was added dropwise for 2 h to the solution of compound 2 at −60° C. Then, a solution of 509 g of benzaldehyde (1.2 eq.) in 800 mL of THF was added at −60° C. and the reaction mixture was aged at −60° C. for 1 h. The THF solution was poured into a mixture of 1.21 L of conc.HCl, 8.14 L of ice water and 4.52 L of EtOAc at less than 2° C. The organic layer was washed with 2.71 L of brine (twice) and the aqueous layer was extracted with 3.98 L of EtOAc. The combined organic layers were concentrated. To the mixture, 1.63 L of toluene was added and concentrated (twice) to provide toluene slurry of compound 3. Filtration, washing with 0.90 L of cold toluene and drying afforded 955 g of compound 3 (74% yield from compound 1) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.62 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.5-7.2 (m, 10H), 6.38 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.16 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 5.09 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 4.95 (dd, J=4.8, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.01 (dd, J=9.0, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 2.84 (dd, J=4.8, 14.1 Hz, 1H).
Example 1c
To a solution of 882 g of compound 3 (1.0 eq.) in 8.82 L of THF were added 416 g of Et 3 N (1.5 eq.) and 408 g of methanesulfonyl chloride (1.3 eq.) at less than 30° C. After confirmation of disappearance of compound 3, 440 mL of NMP and 1167 g of DBU (2.8 eq.) were added to the reaction mixture at less than 30° C. and the reaction mixture was aged for 30 min. The mixture was neutralized with 1.76 L of 16% sulfuric acid and the organic layer was washed with 1.76 L of 2% Na 2 SO 3 aq. After concentration of the organic layer, 4.41 L of toluene was added and the mixture was concentrated (tree times). After addition of 4.67 L of hexane, the mixture was cooled with ice bath. Filtration, washing with 1.77 L of hexane and drying provided 780 g of compound 4 (94% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.69 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.50-7.25 (m, 10H), 7.22 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (s, 2H).
Example 1d
To a mixture of 822 g of compound 4 (1.0 eq.) and 11.2 g of RuCl 3 .nH 2 O (0.02 eq.) in 2.47 L of MeCN, 2.47 L of EtOAc and 2.47 L of H 2 O was added 2310 g of NaIO 4 (4.0 eq.) at less than 25° C. After aging for 1 h, 733 g of NaClO 2 (3.0 eq.) was added to the mixture at less than 25° C. After aging for 1 h, precipitate was filtered and washed with 8.22 L of EtOAc. To the filtrate, 1.64 L of 50% Na 2 S 2 O 3 aq, 822 mL of H 2 O and 630 mL of coc.HCl were added. The aqueous layer was extracted with 4.11 L of EtOAc and the organic layers were combined and concentrated. To the residue, 4 L of toluene was added and the mixture was concentrated and cooled with ice bath. Filtration, washing with 1 L of toluene and drying provided 372 g of compound 5 (56% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.78 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.26 (m, 3H), 6.48 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.6 (brs, 1H), 5.31 (s, 2H).
Example 1e
A mixture of 509 g of compound 5 (1.0 eq.) and 407 g of 3-amino-propane-1,2-diol (2.5 eq.) in 1.53 L of EtOH was stirred at 65° C. for 1 h and at 80° C. for 6 h. After addition of 18.8 g of 3-Amino-propane-1,2-diol (0.1 eq.) in 200 mL of EtOH, the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 1 h. After addition of 18.8 g of 3-amino-propane-1,2-diol (0.1 eq.) in 200 mL of EtOH, the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 30 min. After cooling and addition of 509 mL of H 2 O, the mixture was concentrated. To the residue, 2.54 L of H 2 O and 2.54 L of AcOEt were added. After separation, the aqueous layer was washed with 1.02 L of EtOAc. To the aqueous layer, 2.03 L of 12% sulfuric acid was added at less than 12° C. to give crystal of compound 6. Filtration, washing with 1.53 L of cold H 2 O and drying provided 576 g of compound 6 (83% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.67 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.5-7.2 (m, 5H), 6.40 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (s, 2H), 4.2-4.0 (m, 1H), 3.9-3.6 (m, 2H), 3.38 (dd, J=4.2, 10.8 Hz, 1H), 3.27 (dd, J=6.0, 10.8 Hz, 1H).
Example 1f
To a slurry of 576 g of compound 6 (1.0 eq.: 5.8% of H 2 O was contained) in 2.88 L of NMP were added 431 g of NaHCO 3 (3.0 eq.) and 160 mL of methyl iodide (1.5 eq.) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. After cooling to 5° C., 1.71 L of 2N HCl and 1.15 L of 20% NaClaq were added to the mixture at less than 10° C. to give crystal of compound 7. Filtration, washing with 1.73 L of H 2 O and drying provided 507 g of compound 7 (89% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.59 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40-7.28 (m, 5H), 6.28 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.21 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 4.83 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 3.97 (dd, J=2.4, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.70 (dd, J=9.0, 14.4 Hz, 1H), 3.65-3.50 (m, 1H), 3.40-3.28 (m, 1H), 3.26-3.14 (m, 1H).
Example 1g
To a mixture of 507 g of compound 7 (1.0 eq.) in 5.07 L of MeCN, 5.07 L of H 2 O and 9.13 g of AcOH (0.1 eq.) was added 390 g of NaIO 4 (1.2 eq.) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. After addition of 1.52 L of 10% Na 2 S 2 O 3 aq., the mixture was concentrated and cooled to 10° C. Filtration, washing with H 2 O and drying provided 386 g of compound 8 (80% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.62 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.30 (m, 5H), 6.33 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 6.29 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 4.95-4.85 (m, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.74 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 2H).
Example 1h
After dissolution of a mixture of 378 g of compound 8 (1.0 eq.) in 3.78 L of MeOH by heating, the solution was concentrated. To the residue, 1.51 L of toluene was added and the mixture was concentrated. To the residue, 1.89 L of toluene, 378 mL of AcOH and 137 g of (R)-3-Amino-butan-1-ol (1.3 eq.) were added and the mixture was heated to 90° C., stirred at 90° C. for 2.5 h and concentrated. To the residue, 1.89 L of toluene was added and the mixture was concentrated. The residue was extracted with 3.78 L and 1.89 L of CHCl 3 and washed with 2×1.89 L of H 2 O. The organic layers were combined and concentrated. To the residue, 1.89 L of EtOAc was added and the mixture was concentrated. After addition of 1.89 L of EtOAc, filtration, washing with 1.13 L of EtOAc and drying provided 335 g of compound 9 (83% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.70-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.14 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 6.47 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.28 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (dd, J=3.9, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 5.05-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.07 (dd, J=3.9, 13.5 Hz, 1H), 4.00-3.86 (m, 3H), 2.23-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.48 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.5, 13.8 Hz, 1H), 1.30 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 1i
To a slurry of 332 g of compound 9 (1.0 eq.) in 1.66 L of NMP was added 191 g of NBS (1.1 eq.) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 h. After addition of 1.26 L of H 2 O, the mixture was stirred for 30 min. After addition of 5.38 L of H 2 O and aging of the mixture at 10° C. for 30 min and at 5° C. for 1 h, filtration, washing with 1.33 L of cold H 2 O and drying provided 362 g of compound 10 (89% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.69-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.38-7.24 (m, 3H), 5.33 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (dd, J=3.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.05-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.11 (dd, J=3.9, 13.2 Hz, 1H), 4.02-3.88 (m, 3H), 2.21-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.49 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.5, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.31 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 1j
Under carbon mono-oxide atmosphere, a mixture of 33.5 g of compound 10 (1.0 eq.), 34.8 mL of i-Pr 2 NEt (2.5 eq.), 14.3 mL of 2,4-difluorobenzylamine (1.5 eq.) and 4.62 g of Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (0.05 eq.) in 335 mL of DMSO was stirred at 90° C. for 5.5 h. After cooling, precipitate was filtered and washed with 50 mL of 2-propanol. After addition of 502 mL of H 2 O and 670 mL of AcOEt to the filtrate, the organic layer was washed with 335 mL of 0.5N HClaq. and 335 mL of H 2 O and the aqueous layer was extracted with 335 mL of AcOEt. The organic layers were combined and concentrated. To the residue, 150 mL of 2-propanol was added and the mixture was concentrated. After addition of 150 mL of 2-propanol, concentration, cooling to 20° C. and filtration, crude crystal of compound 11 was obtained. After dissolution of the crude crystal in 380 mL of acetone by heating, precipitate was filtered and the filtrate was concentrated. After addition of 200 mL of EtOH, concentration, addition of 150 mL of EtOH, concentration, cooling and filtration, crude crystal of compound 11 was obtained. After dissolution of the crude crystal in 450 mL of acetone by heating, the solution was concentrated. To the residue, 150 mL of 2-propanol was added and the mixture was concentrated (twice). After cooling of the residue, filtration, washing with 2-propanol and drying provided 34.3 g of compound 11 (84% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 10.40 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 7.66-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.24 (m, 5H), 6.78-6.74 (m, 2H), 5.30 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.15 (dd, J=3.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.05-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.64 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (dd, J=3.9, 13.5, 1H), 4.09 (dd, J=6.0, 13.2 Hz, 1H), 4.02-3.88 (m, 2H), 2.24-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.50 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.5, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.33 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 3H).
Example 1k
Under hydrogen atmosphere, a mixture of 28.0 g of compound 11 (1.0 eq.) and 5.6 g of 10% Pd—C in 252 mL of THF and 28 mL of MeOH was stirred for 1 h. After precipitate (Pd—C) was filtered and washed with 45 mL of THF, 5.6 g of 10% Pd—C was added and the mixture was stirred for 1.5 h under hydrogen atmosphere. After Pd—C was filtered and washed with 150 mL of CHCl 3 /MeOH (9/1), the filtrate was concentrated. After dissolution of the residue in 1.38 L of EtOH by heating, the solution was gradually cooled to room temperature. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated and cooled. Filtration, washing with EtOH and drying provided 21.2 g of compound 12 (92% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 12.51 (s, 1H), 10.36 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 8.50 (s, 1H), 7.39 (td, J=8.7, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (ddd, J=2.6, 9.5, 10.8 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.00 (m, 1H), 5.44 (dd, J=3.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 4.90-4.70 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.54 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 2H), 4.35 (dd, J=6.0, 13.8 Hz, 1H), 4.10-3.98 (m, 1H), 3.96-3.86 (m, 1H), 2.10-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.60-1.48 (m, 1H), 1.33 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 1l
After dissolution of 18.0 g of compound 12 (1.0 eq.) in 54 mL of EtOH by heating, followed by filtration, 21.5 mL of 2N NaOHaq. (1.0 eq.) was added to the solution at 80° C. The solution was gradually cooled to room temperature. Filtration, washing with 80 mL of EtOH and drying provided 18.8 g of compound 13 (99% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 10.70 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.40-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.25-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.06-6.98 (m, 1H), 5.22-5.12 (m, 1H), 4.87-4.74 (m, 1H), 4.51 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 4.35-4.25 (m, 1H), 4.16 (dd, J=1.8, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 4.05-3.90 (m, 1H), 3.86-3.74 (m, 1H), 2.00-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.44-1.32 (m, 1H), 1.24 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 1m
Example 1m shows a process for preparation of the crystalline compound 13b which is monohydrate form of compound 13.
After dissolution of 30.0 g of compound 13 (1.0 eq.) in 600 mL of THF-water solution (8:2) by 30° C., 36.0 mL of 2N NaOHaq (1.0 eq.) was added to the solution. The mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours. The precipitation was filtered, washing with 150 mL of THF-water solution (8:2), 150 mL of THF. Drying at 85° C. and humidity conditioning provided 30.4 g of compound 13b (monohydrate form of compound 13, 93% yield) as a crystal.
Example 3
Example 3a
To a slurry of 2000 g of compound 1 (1.0 eq.) in 14.0 L of MeCN were added 2848 g of benzyl bromide (1.05 eq.) and 2630 g of K 2 CO 3 (1.2 eq.). The mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 5 h and cooled to 13° C. Precipitate was filtered and washed with 5.0 L of MeCN. The filtrate was concentrated and 3.0 L of THF was added to the residue. The THF solution was concentrated to give 3585 g of crude compound 2 as oil. Without further purification, compound 2 was used in the next step.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.60 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.4-7.3 (m, 5H), 6.37 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.17 (s, 2H), 2.09 (s, 3H).
Example 3b
To 904 g of the crude compound 2 was added 5.88 L of THF and the solution was cooled to −60° C. 5.00 L of 1.0 M of Lithium bis(trimethylsilylamide) in THF (1.25 eq.) was added dropwise for 2 h to the solution of compound 2 at −60° C. Then, a solution of 509 g of benzaldehyde (1.2 eq.) in 800 mL of THF was added at −60° C. and the reaction mixture was aged at −60° C. for 1 h. The THF solution was poured into a mixture of 1.21 L of conc.HCl, 8.14 L of ice water and 4.52 L of EtOAc at less than 2° C. The organic layer was washed with 2.71 L of brine (twice) and the aqueous layer was extracted with 3.98 L of EtOAc. The combined organic layers were concentrated. To the mixture, 1.63 L of toluene was added and concentrated (twice) to provide toluene slurry of compound 3. Filtration, washing with 0.90 L of cold toluene and drying afforded 955 g of compound 3 (74% yield from compound 1) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.62 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.5-7.2 (m, 10H), 6.38 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.16 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 5.09 (d, J=11.4 Hz, 1H), 4.95 (dd, J=4.8, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.01 (dd, J=9.0, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 2.84 (dd, J=4.8, 14.1 Hz, 1H).
Example 3c
To a solution of 882 g of compound 3 (1.0 eq.) in 8.82 L of THF were added 416 g of Et 3 N (1.5 eq.) and 408 g of methanesulfonyl chloride (1.3 eq.) at less than 30° C. After confirmation of disappearance of compound 3, 440 mL of NMP and 1167 g of DBU (2.8 eq.) were added to the reaction mixture at less than 30° C. and the reaction mixture was aged for 30 min. The mixture was neutralized with 1.76 L of 16% sulfuric acid and the organic layer was washed with 1.76 L of 2% Na 2 SO 3 aq. After concentration of the organic layer, 4.41 L of toluene was added and the mixture was concentrated (tree times). After addition of 4.67 L of hexane, the mixture was cooled with ice bath. Filtration, washing with 1.77 L of hexane and drying provided 780 g of compound 4 (94% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.69 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.50-7.25 (m, 10H), 7.22 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H), 7.03 (d, J=16.2 Hz, 1H), 6.41 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.27 (s, 2H).
Example 3d
To a mixture of 10.0 g of compound 4 and 13.6 mg of RuCl 3 .nH 2 O in 95 mL of MeCN and 10 mL of water, mixture of 155 mL of water, 7.2 g of hydrosulfuric acid, and 15.5 g of NaIO 4 was added for 2.5 h at 20° C. After aging for 1 h, organic and aqueous layers were separated and aqueous layer was extracted by 30 mL of ethyl acetate. Aqueous layer was extracted again by 30 mL of ethyl acetate and organic layers were combined. 6 mL of 5% NaHSO3 solution was added to the combined organic layer and the layers were separated. The organic layer was adjusted to pH 6.0 by adding 4.0 g of 2M NaOH solution and the aqueous layer was separated. After 60 mL of 5% NaHCO 3 solution and 257 mg of TEMPO was added, 25.9 g of NaClO solution was added to the reaction mixture at 25° C. for 1 h and stirred for 30 min to check the reaction was finished. After the layers were separated, 42.5 mL of 5% Na2SO3 solution and 30 mL of AcOEt were added and separated. The aqueous layer was extracted by 30 mL of AcOEt and separated. 12% H 2 SO 4 was added to the reaction mixture at 20° C. for 1 h and the mixture was cooled to 5° C. After the mixture was stirred for 30 min, the mixture was filtered, washed with 30 mL of water twice and dried to provide 5.7 g of compound 5 (70% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.78 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 7.54-7.46 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.26 (m, 3H), 6.48 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.6 (brs, 1H), 5.31 (s, 2H).
Example 3e
A mixture of 509 g of compound 5 (1.0 eq.) and 407 g of 3-amino-propane-1,2-diol (2.5 eq.) in 1.53 L of EtOH was stirred at 65° C. for 1 h and at 80° C. for 6 h. After addition of 18.8 g of 3-Amino-propane-1,2-diol (0.1 eq.) in 200 mL of EtOH, the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 1 h. After addition of 18.8 g of 3-amino-propane-1,2-diol (0.1 eq.) in 200 mL of EtOH, the mixture was stirred at 80° C. for 30 min. After cooling and addition of 509 mL of H 2 O, the mixture was concentrated. To the residue, 2.54 L of H 2 O and 2.54 L of AcOEt were added. After separation, the aqueous layer was washed with 1.02 L of EtOAc. To the aqueous layer, 2.03 L of 12% sulfuric acid was added at less than 12° C. to give crystal of compound 6. Filtration, washing with 1.53 L of cold H 2 O and drying provided 576 g of compound 6 (83% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.67 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.5-7.2 (m, 5H), 6.40 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (s, 2H), 4.2-4.0 (m, 1H), 3.9-3.6 (m, 2H), 3.38 (dd, J=4.2, 10.8 Hz, 1H), 3.27 (dd, J=6.0, 10.8 Hz, 1H).
Example 3f
To a slurry of 576 g of compound 6 (1.0 eq.: 5.8% of H 2 O was contained) in 2.88 L of NMP were added 431 g of NaHCO 3 (3.0 eq.) and 160 mL of methyl iodide (1.5 eq.) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 4 h. After cooling to 5° C., 1.71 L of 2N HCl and 1.15 L of 20% NaClaq were added to the mixture at less than 10° C. to give crystal of compound 7. Filtration, washing with 1.73 L of H 2 O and drying provided 507 g of compound 7 (89% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.59 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.40-7.28 (m, 5H), 6.28 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.21 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 5.07 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 4.83 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 3.97 (dd, J=2.4, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.70 (dd, J=9.0, 14.4 Hz, 1H), 3.65-3.50 (m, 1H), 3.40-3.28 (m, 1H), 3.26-3.14 (m, 1H).
Example 3g
To a mixture of 15.0 g of compound 7 (1.0 eq.) in 70.9 g of MeCN, a mixture of 60 mL of H 2 O, 2.6 g of H 2 SO 4 and 11.5 g of NaIO 4 was added in the range between 17° C. to 14° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 hour, precipitate was filtered. The filterate was added to the solution of 11.8 g of ascorbic acid sodium salt, 64 g of water and 60 mg of H 2 SO 4 . After the mixture was concentrated, cooling to 5° C., filtration, washing with H 2 O and drying provided 12.9 g of compound 8 (90% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.62 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.42-7.30 (m, 5H), 6.33 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 6.29 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.08 (s, 2H), 4.95-4.85 (m, 1H), 3.80 (s, 3H), 3.74 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 2H).
Example 3h
A mixture of 10.0 g of compound 8 and 33.3 g of diglyme were added the solution of 3.3 g of (R)-3-Amino-butan-1-ol in 4.7 g of diglyme and 1.0 g of acetic acid at 60° C. After the reaction mixture was stirred at 95° C. for 9 hours, the reaction mixture was cooled to −5° C. and filtered. The wet crystal was washed and dried to give 8.3 g of compound 9 (78%). XRD data:
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.70-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.24 (m, 3H), 7.14 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 2H), 6.47 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.35 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.28 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (dd, J=3.9, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 5.05-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.07 (dd, J=3.9, 13.5 Hz, 1H), 4.00-3.86 (m, 3H), 2.23-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.48 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.5, 13.8 Hz, 1H), 1.30 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 3i
To slurry of 5.7 g of NBS in 26.5 g of dichloromethane was added 10 g of compound 9 in 92.8 g of dichloromethane at room temperature. After the reaction mixture was stirred for 6.5 h, the reaction mixture was added to the solution of 2.0 g Na2SO3 and 40.3 g of water. The organic layer was washed with diluted NaOH solution and water, dichloromethane was concentrated and was displaced by methanol. The mixture was cooled to −5° C. and filtered and the wet crystal was washed and dried to give 10.3 g of compound 10 (84%).
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.69-7.63 (m, 2H), 7.59 (s, 1H), 7.38-7.24 (m, 3H), 5.33 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.25 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.12 (dd, J=3.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.05-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.11 (dd, J=3.9, 13.2 Hz, 1H), 4.02-3.88 (m, 3H), 2.21-2.06 (m, 1H), 1.49 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.5, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.31 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 3j
Under carbon mono-oxide atmosphere, a mixture of 25.0 g of compound 10, 11.6 g of i-Pr 2 NEt, 12.8 g of 2,4-difluorobenzylamine, 335 mg of Pd(OAc) 2 and 1.9 g of 1,4-bis(diphenylphosphino)butane in 188 mL of DMA was stirred at 85° C. for 4 h. After cooling, the reaction mixture was divided and 10/25 of mixture was used for next step. 6.6 g of AcOEt, 29.9 g of water and 3 mg of seed crystal were added to the reaction mixture at 40° C. After stirring for 7 min, 29.9 g of water was added and cooled to room temperature. The crystal was filtered at room temperature and washed by 47.2 g of ethanol to give 10.1 g of compound 11 (83% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 10.40 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.35 (s, 1H), 7.66-7.58 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.24 (m, 5H), 6.78-6.74 (m, 2H), 5.30 (d, J=9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.26 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.15 (dd, J=3.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 5.05-4.90 (m, 1H), 4.64 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 4.22 (dd, J=3.9, 13.5, 1H), 4.09 (dd, J=6.0, 13.2 Hz, 1H), 4.02-3.88 (m, 2H), 2.24-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.50 (ddd, J=2.4, 4.5, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 1.33 (d, J=7.2 Hz, 3H).
Example 3k
Under hydrogen atmosphere, a mixture of 4.0 g of compound 11 and 0.8 g of 50% wet 5% Pd—C in 67.6 mL of THF and 1.6 mL of H 2 O was stirred for 1.5 h at 50° C. After mixture of 80 mg of NaHSO 3 and 2.0 mL of purified water was added to the reaction mixture and the reaction mixture was stirred for 1 h, precipitate was filtered, washed with 20 mL of THF, and the filtrate was concentrated to 11.97 g. After adding 6.7 mL of ethanol and 33.6 mL of purified water over 1 h, reaction mixture was cooled to 25° C. Filtration, washing with 26.9 mL of EtOH and drying provided 2.33 g of compound 12 (82% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 12.51 (s, 1H), 10.36 (t, J=5.7 Hz, 1H), 8.50 (s, 1H), 7.39 (td, J=8.7, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (ddd, J=2.6, 9.5, 10.8 Hz, 1H), 7.12-7.00 (m, 1H), 5.44 (dd, J=3.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 4.90-4.70 (m, 1H), 4.65-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.54 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 2H), 4.35 (dd, J=6.0, 13.8 Hz, 1H), 4.10-3.98 (m, 1H), 3.96-3.86 (m, 1H), 2.10-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.60-1.48 (m, 1H), 1.33 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example 3l
After dissolution of 18.0 g of compound 12 (1.0 eq.) in 54 mL of EtOH by heating, followed by filtration, 21.5 mL of 2N NaOHaq. (1.0 eq.) was added to the solution at 80° C. The solution was gradually cooled to room temperature. Filtration, washing with 80 mL of EtOH and drying provided 18.8 g of compound 13 (99% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 10.70 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.40-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.25-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.06-6.98 (m, 1H), 5.22-5.12 (m, 1H), 4.87-4.74 (m, 1H), 4.51 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 4.35-4.25 (m, 1H), 4.16 (dd, J=1.8, 14.1 Hz, 1H), 4.05-3.90 (m, 1H), 3.86-3.74 (m, 1H), 2.00-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.44-1.32 (m, 1H), 1.24 (d, J=6.9 Hz, 3H).
Example A
The starting material of Example A is compound 8, which is identical to formula (Ia) of the process of the present invention. Thus, Example A depicts a utility for the invention process in providing an intermediate for the compound of formula 17 below which is isomeric to the compound ZZ-2 at page 237 of WO 2006/116764 to Brian Johns et al.
Example Aa
After dissolution of mixture of 320 g of compound 8 (1.0 eq.) in 3.20 L of MeOH by heating, the solution was concentrated. To the residue, 1.66 L of MeCN, 5.72 mL of AcOH (0.1 eq.) and 82.6 g of (S)-2-Amino-propan-1-ol (1.1 eq.) were added and the mixture was heated to 70° C., stirred at 70° C. for 4 h and concentrated. To the residue, 1.67 L of 2-propanol was added and the mixture was concentrated (twice). After cooling of the residue, filtration, washing with 500 mL of cold 2-propanol and drying provided 167 g of compound 14 (52% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 7.61-7.55 (m, 2H), 7.40-7.20 (m, 4H), 6.53 (d, J=7.2, 1H), 5.46 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 1H), 5.23 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.20 (dd, J=3.9, 9.6 Hz, 1H), 4.46-4.34 (m, 1H), 4.31 (dd, J=6.6, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 4.14 (dd, J=3.9, 12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (dd, J=9.9, 12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.62 (dd, J=6.9, 8.7 Hz, 1H), 1.38 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H).
Example Ab
To slurry of 156 g of compound 14 (1.0 eq.) in 780 mL of NMP was added 93.6 g of NBS (1.1 eq.) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2.5 h. The reaction mixture was added to 3.12 L of H 2 O. Filtration, washing with 8.0 L of H 2 O and drying provided 163 g of compound 15 (84% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 8.37 (s, 1H), 7.55-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.42-7.25 (m, 3H), 5.34 (dd, J=3.6, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 5.18 (d, J=10.8 Hz, 1H), 5.03 (d, J=10.5 Hz, 1H), 4.53 (dd, J=3.6, 12.0 Hz, 1H), 4.40-4.20 (m, 2H), 3.99 (dd, J=9.9, 11.7 Hz, 1H), 3.64 (dd, J=5.7, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 1.27 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H).
Example Ac
Under carbon mono-oxide atmosphere, a mixture of 163 g of compound 15 (1.0 eq.), 163 mL of i-Pr 2 NEt (2.5 eq.), 68.4 mL of 2,4-difluorobenzylamine (1.5 eq.) and 22.5 g of Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (0.05 eq.) in 816 mL of DMSO was stirred at 90° C. for 7 h. After cooling, removal of precipitate, washing with 50 mL of DMSO and addition of 11.3 g of Pd(PPh 3 ) 4 (0.025 eq.), the reaction mixture was stirred at 90° C. for 2 h under carbon mono-oxide atmosphere again. After cooling, removal of precipitate and addition of 2.0 L of AcOEt and 2.0 L of H 2 O, the organic layer was washed with 1.0 L of 1N HClaq. and 1.0 L of H 2 O (twice) and the aqueous layer was extracted with 1.0 L of AcOEt. The organic layers were combined and concentrated. Silica gel column chromatography of the residue provided 184 g of compound 16 (96% yield) as foam.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, CDCl 3 ) δ 10.38 (t, J=6.3 Hz, 1H), 8.39 (s, 1H), 7.75-7.25 (m, 7H), 6.90-6.70 (m, 2H), 5.43 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.24 (d, J=10.2 Hz, 1H), 5.19 (dd, J=3.9, 9.9 Hz, 1H), 4.63 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 4.50-4.25 (m, 3H), 3.86 (dd, J=9.9, 12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.66 (dd, J=6.9, 8.4 Hz, 1H), 1.39 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 3H).
Example Ad
Under hydrogen atmosphere, a mixture of 184 g of compound 16 (1.0 eq.) and 36.8 g of 10% Pd—C in 3.31 L of THF and 0.37 L of MeOH was stirred for 3 h. After filtration of precipitate (Pd—C), washing with THF/MeOH (9/1) and addition of 36.8 g of 10% Pd—C, the mixture was stirred for 20 min under hydrogen atmosphere. After filtration of precipitate (Pd—C) and washing with THF/MeOH (9/1), the filtrate was concentrated. After 200 mL of AcOEt was added to the residue, filtration afforded crude solid of compound 17. The precipitates were combined and extracted with 4.0 L of CHCl 3 /MeOH (5/1). After concentration of the CHCl 3 /MeOH solution and addition of 250 mL of AcOEt to the residue, filtration afforded crude solid of compound 17. The crude solids were combined and dissolved in 8.2 L of MeCN/H 2 O (9/1) by heating. After filtration, the filtrate was concentrated. To the residue, 1.5 L of EtOH was added and the mixture was concentrated (three times). After cooling of the residue, filtration and drying provided 132 g of compound 17 (88% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 11.47 (brs, 1H), 10.31 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 8.46 (s, 1H), 7.40 (td, J=8.6, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 7.24 (ddd, J=2.6, 9.4, 10.6, 1H), 7.11-7.01 (m, 1H), 5.39 (dd, J=4.1, 10.4 Hz, 1H), 4.89 (dd, J=4.2, 12.3 Hz, 1H), 4.55 (d, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 4.40 (dd, J=6.8, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 4.36-4.22 (m, 1H), 4.00 (dd, J=10.2, 12.3 Hz, 1H), 3.67 (dd, J=6.7, 8.6 Hz, 1H), 1.34 (d, J=6.3 Hz, 3H).
Example Ae
After dissolution of 16.0 g of compound 17 (1.0 eq.) in 2.56 L of EtOH and 0.64 L of H 2 O by heating, followed by filtration, 39 mL of 1N NaOHaq. (1.0 eq.) was added to the solution at 75° C. The solution was gradually cooled to room temperature. Filtration, washing with 80 mL of EtOH and drying provided 13.5 g of compound 18 (80% yield) as a crystal.
1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 10.73 (t, J=6.0 Hz, 1H), 7.89 (s, 1H), 7.40-7.30 (m, 1H), 7.25-7.16 (m, 1H), 7.07-6.98 (m, 1H), 5.21 (dd, J=3.8, 10.0 Hz, 1H), 4.58 (dd, J=3.8, 12.1 Hz, 1H), 4.51 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 2H), 4.30-4.20 (m, 2H), 3.75 (dd, J=10.0, 12.1 Hz, 1H), 3.65-3.55 (m, 1H), 1.27 (d, J=6.1 Hz, 3H).
Example B
This Example B utilizes a process to insert a ring nitrogen in place of oxygen in a pyrone ring and create an aldehyde equivalent by an osmium oxidation of a double bond. Thus, this example is not within the scope of this invention and is provided to demonstrate the utility of the intermediates produced according to the process of the invention. In particular, the compound F below is a final product (VIII) of the invention process and is here taken on to a product I below which is within the structure (I-7) where (R) m is 4-F and R a is H at page 240 of WO 2006/116764.
Example Ba
To a bromobenzene (238 ml) solution of compound A (23.8 g, 110 mmol), selene dioxide (24.4 g, 220 mmol) was added. The reaction mixture was stirred for 13 hours at 140° C. with removing water by Dean-Stark trap. Insoluble particles were removed by filtration after cooling, and solvent was evaporated. Toluene was added to the residue and precipitates were filtered off. After concentration in vaccuo, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (hexane/ethyl acetate). Compound B (16.5 g, 65%) was obtained as yellow oil.
1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ: 5.51 (2H, s), 6.50 (1H, d, J=5.4 Hz), 7.36 (5H, s), 7.75 (1H, d, J=5.4 Hz), 9.88 (1H, s).
Example Bb
To an ice cooled aqueous (465 ml) solution of sodium chlorite (38.4 g, 424 mmol) and sulfamic acid (54.9 g, 566 mmol), acetone (465 ml) solution of compound B (46.5 g, 202 mmol) was added and the mixture was stirred for 40 minutes at room temperature. After removing acetone in vaccuo, precipitates were collected by filtration and washed with cold water. Compound C (42.8 g, 86%) was obtained as colorless crystal.
1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 5.12 (2H, s), 6.54 (1H, d, J=5.6 Hz), 7.33-7.46 (5H, m), 8.20 (1H, d, J=5.6 Hz).
Example Bc
An ethanol (17 ml) solution of allylamine (13.2 g 231 mmol) was added to an ethanol (69 ml) suspension of compound C (17.2 g, 70 mmol), then the mixture was stirred for 4.5 hours at 50° C. and for 3 hours at 75° C. To the cooled reaction mixture, 2N hydrochloric acid and ice were added and precipitates were collected by filtration. Compound D was obtained as colorless crystal.
1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ: 4.37 (2H, brs), 4.95 (2H, s), 5.26-5.39 (2H, m), 5.81-5.94 (1H, m), 6.32 (1H, dd, J=0.8, 7.2 Hz), 7.29-7.37 (3H, m), 7.48-7.51 (2H, m), 7.99 (1H, dd, J=0.8, 7.6 Hz), 8.11 (1H, brs).
Example Bd
To an acetonitrile (146 ml) suspension of compound D (14.6 g, 51 mmol), 1,8-diazabicyclo[5.4.0]undec-7-ene (15.5 g, 102 mmol) and methyl iodide (18.2 g, 128 mmol) were added and the mixture was stirred for 15 hours at room temperature. After evaporating solvent, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (chloroform/methanol). Compound E (14.2 g, 93%) was obtained as colorless solid.
1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ: 3.75 (3H, s), 4.40 (2H, d, J=5.7 Hz), 5.16-5.35 (2H, m), 5.29 (2H, s), 5.81-5.94 (1H, m), 6.62 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz), 7.27-7.42 (6H, m).
Example Be
To a diethyl ether (390 ml) solution of compound E (13.3 g, 44 mmol), potassium osmate (VI) dihydrate (1.62 g, 4.4 mmol) and sodium metaperiodate (28.1 g, 132 mmol) were added. The mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours at room temperature and precipitates were collected by filtration. Collected solid was dissolved in chloroform-methanol and insoluble particles were filtered off. Concentration in vaccuo gave crude product of compound F (14.3 g).
1H NMR (DMSO-d6) δ: 3.23 (3H, s), 3.82 (3H, s), 3.87 (2H, t, J=4.4 Hz), 4.62 (1H, dd, J=11.7, 4.8 Hz), 5.11 (2H, s), 6.31 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz), 6.78 (1H, d, J=6.6 Hz), 7.33-7.40 (5H, m), 7.64 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz).
Example Bf
To chloroform (108 ml) and methanol (12 ml) solution of compound F (11.7 g, crude product), 3-aminopropanol (2.77 g, 36.9 mmol), and acetic acid (1.2 ml) were added and the mixture was stirred for 90 minutes at 70° C. After concentrating in vaccuo, the residue was purified by silica gel column chromatography (chloroform/methanol). Compound G (8.48 g, 72% for 2 steps) was obtained as colorless crystal.
1 H-NMR (CDCl 3 ) δ: 1.54-1.64 (1H, m), 1.85-2.01 (1H, m), 3.00 (1H, dt, J=3.6, 12.9 Hz), 3.74 (1H, dt, J=2.7, 12.3 Hz), 3.93 (1H, dd, J=5.1, 13.5 Hz), 4.07-4.21 (2H, m), 4.63-4.69 (1H, m), 4.94 (1H, t, J=4.8 Hz), 5.25 (2H, dd, J=10.2, 24.6 Hz), 6.56 (1H, d, J=7.5 Hz), 7.22-7.38 (5H, m), 7.63-7.66 (2H, m).
Example Bg
To acetic acid (93 ml) solution of compound G (6.1 g, 18.7 mmol), acetic acid (31 ml) solution of bromine (1.44 ml, 28.0 mmol) was added dropwisely during 15 minutes. The mixture was stirred for 3 hours at room temperature. After addition of 5% aqueous sodium hydrogen sulfite (8 ml), 2N sodium hydroxide (500 ml) was added dropwisely during 20 minutes. Precipitates were collected by filtration and washed with mixture of dichloromethane and diisopropyl ether. Compound H (6.02 g, 79%) was obtained as colorless crystal.
1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.55-1.74 (2H, m), 3.12 (1H, dt, J=3.0, 12.3 Hz), 3.84 (1H, dt, J=2.7, 11.7 Hz), 4.00-4.05 (1H, m), 4.20-4.26 (1H, m), 4.40-4.46 (2H, m), 5.03 (2H, s), 5.15-5.17 (1H, m), 7.31-7.40 (3H, m), 7.56-7.58 (2H, m), 8.39 (1H, s).
Example Bh
To dimethyl sulfoxide (1.42 ml) solution of compound H (71 mg, 0.175 mmol) and tetrakis(triphenylphosphine)palladium(0) (25 mg, 0.035 mmol), 4-fluorobenzyl amine (0.06 ml, 0.525 mmol) and diisopropyl amine (0.15 ml, 0.875 mmol) were added, then the mixture was stirred under carbon monoxide atmosphere for 5 hours at 80° C. After cooling, saturated aqueous ammonium chloride was added and the mixture was extracted with ethyl acetate. The extract was washed with water and dried with anhydrous sodium sulfate. Solvent was removed in vaccuo and the residue was purified with silica gel column chromatography (ethyl acetate/methanol). Compound I (74.5 mg, 89%) was obtained as colorless crystal.
1 H-NMR (DMSO-d 6 ) δ: 1.58-1.74 (2H, m), 3.10-3.18 (1H, m), 3.80-3.88 (1H, m), 4.02-4.07 (1H, m), 4.43-4.59 (5H, m), 5.05 (2H, s), 5.20 (1H, t, J=3.9 Hz), 7.13-7.19 (2H, m), 7.32-7.40 (5H, m), 7.56-7.59 (2H, m), 8.61 (1H, s).
Example C
Synthesis of methyl 5-bromo-1-[2-hydroxy-2-(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate (in Equilibrium with the Corresponding Aldehyde)
This Example C shows a refunctionalization of a compound 6 as shown above in Example 1 (of formula (VI)), including a bromination at the R x position, to yield final products 20 and 21 (of formula (I)) of the invention. Such compounds with Br at the R x position can be reacted as in Examples 1 and 2 to add the R 2 —X—NR 1 —C(O)— sidechain.
Example Ca
Methyl 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate
A reactor was charged with 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid 6 (4.302 kg, 13.47 mol) followed by charging with NaHCO 3 (1.69 kg, 20.09 mol) and 242 g of deionized water. To this was added 21.4 kg of NMP and the mixture was stirred and temperature brought to 28-35° C. Dimethyl sulfate (2.34 kg, 18.30 mol) was added dropwise via an addition funnel to the reaction mixture over 1-3 hours keeping the temperature at 28-33° C. The slurry was agitated at this temperature for 14 h. When deemed complete, the reaction mixture was cooled to 5° C. or below and the mixture was neutralized to pH 6 by the addition of HCl (561 mL of conc HCl in 2806 g of deionized water). The reaction vessel was slowly charged with cold 20% brine solution composed of 8.7 kg NaCl, 20 kg of deionized water and 14.8 kg of ice at a maximum temperature of 10° C. The mixture was agitated at 0-10° C. for 2.5 h. The slurry was filtered under vacuum and the cake washed with 15 kg of deionized water two times. The wet solid product was dried at 45-55° C. under vacuum until constant weight was obtained. The desired product methyl 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 7 was obtained as a light yellow solid (3.77 kg, 99.42% purity by HPLC, 84%). 1 H NMR (300 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ 7.60 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 7.36 (m, 5H), 6.28 (d, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 5.23 (d, J=5.4 Hz, 1H), 5.10 (Abq, J=10.8 Hz, 2H), 4.85 (m, 1H), 3.98 (dd, J=14.3, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.79 (s, 3H), 3.70 (dd, J=14.3, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.58 (m, 1H), 3.23 (m, 1H).
Example Cb
Methyl 5-bromo-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate
A reactor was charged with (3.759 kg, 11.27 mol) of methyl 1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 7 and 18.8 L of DMF. To this agitated mixture at 18-20° C. was added N-bromosuccinimide (2.220 kg, 12.47 mol) over 20 minutes via a powder funnel. The resultant mixture was stirred at rt for 16 h. At this time less than 1% of starting material was present by HPLC. The mixture was worked up in half batches by cooling to 10° C. and added an ice/water mixture (12 kg ice in 35 kg deionized water) and the mixture was agitated, then filtered. This was repeated for the second half of the batch. The combined filter cake was washed with 14 L of water and dried in a vacuum oven to provide 4.033 kg of methyl 5-bromo-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 19 (91.6%) as an off-white powder of 99.2% HPLC purity. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, Methanol-d 4 ) δ 8.21 (s, 1H), 7.41-7.33 (m, 5H), 5.16 (s, 2H), 4.17 (dd, J=14.3, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 3.90 (dd, J=14.3, 9.0 Hz, 1H), 3.81 (s, 3H), 3.78 (m, 1), 3.52 (dd, J=11.3, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 3.41 (dd, J=11.3, 6.3 Hz, 1H).
Example Cc
Methyl 5-bromo-1-[2-hydroxy-2-(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate (in Equilibrium with the Corresponding Aldehyde)
A reactor was charged with sodium periodate (1.67 kg, 7.8 mol) and 44 L of deionized water. To the agitated mixture was added 8.5 kg of ice. This was stirred until all the ice melted and the mixture temperature was 1.4° C. To this was added methyl 5-bromo-1-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 19 (2.73 kg, 6.62 mol) via a powder addition funnel. The mixture was allowed to warm to rt and the slurry was stirred for 16 h. A sample was monitored by 1 H NMR and showed the disappearance of starting material. The mixture was filtered and the cake washed with 20 kg of deionized water. This was repeated until a negative starch/iodide paper result was obtained (4×20 L washes). The solids were dried in a vacuum oven at 45-55° C. to provide methyl 5-bromo-1-(2,2-dihydroxyethyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 20 (2.176 kg, 88%) as a mixture with the corresponding aldehyde form 21. Purity was determined to be 99.5% by HPLC. 1 H NMR (300 MHz, acetone-d 6 ) δ 8.12 (s, 1H), 7.49-7.30 (m, 5H), 5.56 (dd, J=6.0, 2.4 Hz, 1H), 5.23 (m, 1H), 5.20 (s, 2H), 3.97 (d, J=5.1 Hz, 2H), 3.87 (s, 3H).
Example 2
Methyl 5-({[(2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]amino}carbonyl)-1-[2-hydroxy-2-(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate (in Equilibrium with the Corresponding Aldehyde)
This Example shows a reaction of a compound 5 of formula (II) with one of (III) in step i) and a refunctionalization step ii) of compounds of formula (V) (compounds 22, 23, 24 and 25) in producing compounds of formula (I) according to the process of the invention.
Example 2a
1-[2,2-Bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid
To a flask (1 L) charged with 500 mL of anhydrous ethanol was added 49.2 g (0.2 mol) of 4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-4H-pyran-2-carboxylic acid 5. The suspension was slowly heated to 55-60° C. before addition of 2-amino-acetaldehyde-dimethylacetal (84.1 g, 0.8 mole). The reaction was then brought up to 65° C. and further stirred for 18 hours. The solvent was removed under reduced pressure to produce 1-[2,2-Bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid 22 (crude) as brown oil, which was used for the next step directly.
Example 2b
Methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate
Crude 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylic acid 22 obtained as above was dissolved in DMF (500 mL). To this solution was added NaHCO 3 (50.5 g, 0.6 mole). The suspension was stirred vigorously with a mechanic stirrer while CH 3 I in TBME (2.0 M, 300 mL) was introduced by addition funnel over 30 minutes. After addition, the reaction was stirred overnight at room temperature. The reaction mixture was then diluted with EtOAc (˜1.5 L) and washed with water and brine. The organic layer was dried over anhydrous Na 2 SO 4 . Evaporation of solvents gave methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 23 as brown oil, which was used directly for the next step.
Example 2c
Methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-5-bromo-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate
A 2 L flask equipped with a mechanic stirrer were charged with methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 23 as obtained above and 500 mL of dichloromethane. To this flask was added NBS (30 g, 0.17 mole) portion-wise. The reaction was stirred at room temperature until its completion (monitored by TLC, ˜6 hours). The mixture was then diluted with dichloromethane and washed with NaHCO 3 (ss). The organic phase was dried over Na 2 SO 4 before evaporation of the solvents. The crude product was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, EtOH/DCM: 0-40%) to afford methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-5-bromo-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 24 as a light brown solid (50 g, 60% over three steps). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ ppm 7.7 (s, 1H), 7.4 (m, 2H), 7.3 (d, J=7.9 Hz, 3H), 5.3 (s, 2H), 4.4 (s, 1H), 3.8 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.4 (s, 6H). LC-MS (M+H + ): calcd 426, obsd 426.
Example 2d
Methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-5-({[(2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]amino}carbonyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate
A pressure vessel was charged with methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-5-bromo-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 24 (6.4 g, 15 mmol), 2,4-difluorobenzylamine (3.2 g, 22.5 mmol), K 3 PO 4 (9.45 g, 45 mmol), Pd(OCOCF 3 ) 2 (398 mg, 1.2 mmol), Xantophos (694 mg, 1.2 mmol) and toluene (200 mL). The mixture was purged by CO (4×) before being heated to 100° C. for 22 hours under CO atmosphere (60 psi). After cooled down to the room temperature, the solids were filtered off through celite and washed with EtOAc. The filtrate was concentrated and the residual was purified by column chromatography (silica gel, EtOAc/hexane 0˜80%) to afford methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-5-({[(2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]amino}carbonyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 25 as a light brown oil (4.7 g, 61%).
1H NMR (400 MHz, CHLOROFORM-d) δ ppm 10.4 (m, 1H), 8.4 (s, 1H), 7.4 (m, 6H), 6.8 (d, J=9.3 Hz, 2H), 5.3 (s, 2H), 4.6 (d, J=5.7 Hz, 2H), 4.5 (s, 1H), 4.0 (d, J=4.8 Hz, 2H), 3.8 (s, 3H), 3.4 (s, 6H). LC-MS (M+H + ): calcd 517, obsd 517.
Example 2e
Methyl 5-({[(2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]amino}carbonyl)-1-[2-hydroxy-2-(methyloxy)ethyl]-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate (in Equilibrium with the Corresponding Aldehyde)
Methyl 1-[2,2-bis(methyloxy)ethyl]-5-({[(2,4-difluorophenyl)methyl]amino}carbonyl)-4-oxo-3-[(phenylmethyl)oxy]-1,4-dihydro-2-pyridinecarboxylate 25 (11.6 g) was treated with 90% formic acid (250 mL) at 40° C. for ˜12 hours (monitored by LC-MS). After the solvents were evaporated at <40° C., the residue was re-dissolved in EtOAc (˜1 L) and the resulting solution was washed with NaHCO 3 and brine. The organic phase was then dried over Na 2 SO 4 . After evaporation of solvents, the titled compounds 26 and 27 were obtained as an approximate 80/20 equilibrium mixture (10.57 g). 1 H NMR (400 MHz, DMSO-d 6 ) δ ppm 10.3 (m, 1H), 9.47 (s, aldehyde-H. ˜0.2H)), 8.4 (m, 1H), 7.3 (s, 6H), 7.2 (m, 1H), 7.0 (m, 1H), 6.3 (m, 2H), 5.1 (s, 3H), 4.9 (m, 1H), 4.5 (m, 3H), 3.9 (m, 2H), 3.8 (s, 3H). LC-MS, for 26 (M+H + ), calcd 503, obsd 503; for 27 (M+H 2 O+H + ), cald 489, obsd 489. | Processes are provided which create an aldehyde methylene, or hydrated or hemiacetal methylene attached to a heteroatom of a 6 membered ring without going through an olefinic group and without the necessity of using an osmium reagent. In particular, a compound of formula (I) can be produced from (II) and avoid the use of an allyl amine: (formulae I and II) where R, P 1 P 3 , R 3 and R x are as described herein. | 2 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to broadband amplifiers for use in, e.g., television tuners.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] FIG. 11 shows a broadband amplifier of the related art (see Japanese Unexamined Patent Application Publication No. 08-274548, FIG. 1). An input terminal RFin is coupled to a ground via a coupling capacitor Cin and an input resistor r 1 . A node a between the coupling capacitor Cin and the input resistor r 1 is connected to a gate of a field-effect transistor (FET) Q 1 . The source of the FET Q 1 is coupled to the ground via a resistor r 2 or a capacitor C 1 . The drain of the FET Q 1 is connected to an output terminal RFout via an output capacitor Cout. The drain of the FET Q 1 is also connected to a drain power supply VDD via a bias choke coil L 1 .
[0005] A feedback resistor section 11 is connected between the node a and a node b between the drain of the FET Q 1 and the bias choke coil L 1 . The feedback resistor section 11 includes a DC (direct current) cut capacitor C 2 , a PIN diode D 1 , a variable resistor r 3 , and a DC cut capacitor C 3 , which are connected in series from the node b. A node between the PIN diode D 1 and the DC cut capacitor C 2 is connected to a gain control power supply VC via a bias choke coil L 2 . A node between the PIN diode D 1 and the variable resistor r 3 is coupled to the ground via a choke coil L 3 .
[0006] In this structure, the resistance of the PIN diode D 1 is changed by controlling the voltage of the gain control power supply VC, thereby changing the amount of feedback and therefore changing the gain. Specifically, when the voltage of the gain control power supply VC increases, the resistance of the PIN diode D 1 decreases and the amount of feedback becomes large, resulting in a reduction in the gain. When the voltage of the gain control power supply VC decreases, the resistance of the PIN diode D 1 increases and the amount of feedback becomes small, resulting in an increase in the gain.
[0007] The broadband amplifier shown in FIG. 11 changes only the amount of feedback to change the gain, and does not control the noise figure (NF) characteristic and the distortion characteristic depending upon the application of use.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to change the gain and the NF and distortion characteristics by changing the amount of feedback and an operating point of an amplifier transistor.
[0009] A broadband amplifier according to the present invention includes an amplifier transistor, and a negative feedback circuit connected to the amplifier transistor, wherein a collector bias current in the amplifier transistor is switched to high and low within a range larger than a range of a current exhibiting the minimum NF, and the amount of feedback performed by the negative feedback circuit is changed in association with the switching of the collector bias current, the amount of feedback being large when the collector bias current is switched to high, the amount of feedback being small when the collector bias current is switched to low.
[0010] Therefore, when the collector bias current increases, the distortion is reduced and the amount of feedback becomes large, resulting in a reduction in the gain, which is suitable for amplification of strong-field television signals. When the collector bias current decreases, the NF is improved and the amount of feedback becomes small, resulting in an increase in the gain, which is suitable for amplification of weak-field television signals.
[0011] The negative feedback circuit may include an emitter bias resistor connected between an emitter of the amplifier transistor and a ground, and a first capacitor having an end connected to a node in the middle of the emitter bias resistor. The other end of the first capacitor may be coupled to the ground only when the collector bias current is switched to low.
[0012] Therefore, the amount of feedback becomes large.
[0013] A first base bias resistor connected between a base of the amplifier transistor and the ground, and a first switch transistor having a collector connected to a node in the middle of the first base bias resistor and an emitter coupled to the ground may be provided. The other end of the first capacitor may be connected to the collector of the first switch transistor.
[0014] Therefore, control of the collector bias current and the amount of feedback can be switched by turning on and off the first switch transistor.
[0015] A second base bias resistor may be connected between the collector and base of the amplifier transistor, and a second capacitor may be connected between a node in the middle of the second base bias resistor and the base of the amplifier transistor.
[0016] Therefore, the amount of feedback becomes larger.
[0017] The negative feedback circuit may include a second base bias resistor connected between a collector and base of the amplifier transistor, and a second capacitor connected between a node in the middle of the second base bias resistor and the base of the amplifier transistor. The second capacitor may have a high capacitance when the collector bias current is switched to high and may have a low capacitance when the collector bias current is switched to low.
[0018] Therefore, the amount of feedback can be changed by switching the collector bias current to high and low.
[0019] The second capacitor may be formed of a varactor diode and two capacitors connected to both ends of the varactor diode. A second switch transistor having an emitter coupled to the ground and a collector pulled up to a power supply may be provided. The varactor diode may have an anode connected to a node in the middle of the first base bias resistor via a first resistor, and a cathode connected to the collector of the second switch transistor via a second resistor. The second switch transistor may be turned on when the collector bias current is switched to high and may be turned off when the collector bias current is switched to low.
[0020] Therefore, when the second switch transistor is turned on, the capacitance of the second capacitor increases and the amount of feedback becomes large. When the second switch transistor is turned off, the capacitance of the second capacitor decreases and the amount of feedback becomes small.
[0021] The negative feedback circuit may include a second base bias resistor connected between a collector and base of the amplifier transistor, and a second capacitor connected between a node in the middle of the second base bias resistor and the base of the amplifier transistor. The second base bias resistor may have a low resistance when the collector bias current is switched to high and may have a high resistance when the collector bias current is switched to low.
[0022] Therefore, the amount of feedback can be changed by switching the collector bias current to high and low.
[0023] The second base bias resistor may include a third resistor and a fourth resistor connected to the collector and base of the amplifier transistor, the third resistor and the fourth resistor being connected in series, and a fifth resistor having an end connected to the collector of the amplifier transistor. A second switch transistor having an emitter coupled to the ground, and a switch diode having an anode connected to a node between the third resistor and the fourth resistor and a cathode connected to the second capacitor may be provided. The other end of the fifth resistor may be connected to the cathode of the switch diode, and the cathode may be connected to the collector of the second switch transistor. The second switch transistor may be turned on when the collector bias current is switched to high and may be turned off when the collector bias current is switched to low.
[0024] Therefore, when the second switch transistor is turned on, the switch diode is turned on and the resistance of the second base bias resistor becomes low, thereby increasing the amount of feedback. When the second switch transistor is turned off, the switch diode is turned off and the resistance of the second base bias resistor becomes high, thereby decreasing the amount of feedback.
[0025] A first base bias resistor connected between the base of the amplifier transistor and the ground, and a first switch transistor having a collector connected to a node in the middle of the first base bias resistor and an emitter coupled to the ground may be provided. The other end of the first capacitor may be connected to the collector of the first switch transistor, and a base of the second switch transistor may be connected to the collector of the first switch transistor.
[0026] Therefore, control of the collector bias current of the amplifier transistor and the amount of feedback performed by the two negative feedback circuits can be switched at the same time by turning on and off the first switch transistor.
[0027] A third capacitor may be connected in parallel to the emitter bias resistor.
[0028] Therefore, the frequency characteristic of the gain can be corrected for.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0029] FIG. 1 is a circuit diagram of a broadband amplifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
[0030] FIG. 2 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the broadband amplifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0031] FIG. 3 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the broadband amplifier according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
[0032] FIG. 4 is a circuit diagram of a broadband amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
[0033] FIG. 5 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the broadband amplifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0034] FIG. 6 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the broadband amplifier according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
[0035] FIG. 7 is a circuit diagram of a broadband amplifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention;
[0036] FIG. 8 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the broadband amplifier according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0037] FIG. 9 is an equivalent circuit diagram of the broadband amplifier according to the third embodiment of the present invention;
[0038] FIG. 10 is a characteristic chart of the noise figure of an amplifier transistor used in a broadband amplifier according to the present invention; and
[0039] FIG. 11 is a circuit diagram of a broadband amplifier of the related art.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0040] A broadband amplifier according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 10 . FIG. 1 shows a broadband amplifier according to a first embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 2 and 3 show equivalent circuits thereof. FIG. 4 shows a broadband amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 5 and 6 show equivalent circuits thereof. FIG. 7 shows a broadband amplifier according to a third embodiment of the present invention, and FIGS. 8 and 9 show equivalent circuits thereof. FIG. 10 is a characteristic chart of a noise figure (NF) with respect to a collector current of an amplifier transistor used in a broadband amplifier according to the present invention.
[0041] In FIG. 1 , an amplifier transistor 1 has a base connected to an input terminal RFin, and a collector connected to an output terminal RFout. The collector of the amplifier transistor 1 is pulled up to a power supply B by a load resistor 2 . A second base bias resistor 3 (including a first resistor 3 a and a second resistor 3 b, which are connected in series) is connected between the collector and base of the amplifier transistor 1 . A node in the middle of the second base bias resistor 3 (or a node between the first resistor 3 a and the second resistor 3 b ) is connected to the base of the amplifier transistor 1 via a second capacitor 4 . Thus, the second base bias resistor 3 and the second capacitor 4 form a second negative feedback circuit 22 .
[0042] An emitter of the amplifier transistor 1 is coupled to a ground via an emitter bias resistor 5 (including resistors 5 a and 5 b connected in series). The emitter of the amplifier transistor 1 is also coupled to the ground via a third capacitor 6 . Since the third capacitor 6 does not function as a bypass capacitor, the emitter bias resistor 5 and the third capacitor 6 form a first negative feedback circuit 21 .
[0043] The base of the amplifier transistor 1 is coupled to the ground via a first base bias resistor 7 (including resistors 7 a and 7 b connected in series). A node in the middle of the first base bias resistor 7 (or a node between the resistors 7 a and 7 b ) is connected to a collector of a first switch transistor 8 whose emitter is coupled to the ground. A first capacitor 9 is connected between a node in the middle of the emitter bias resistor 5 (or a node between the resistors 5 a and 5 b ) and the collector of the first switch transistor 8 . The first capacitor 9 also forms a portion of the first feedback circuit 21 . A switching voltage is input to a base of the first switch transistor 8 to turn on and off the first switch transistor 8 .
[0044] FIG. 10 is a characteristic chart of the noise figure (NF) with respect to a collector current in the amplifier transistor 1 . In this characteristic chart, the optimum (or minimum) NF is exhibited at a collector current of about 5 mA. The NF becomes worse at a collector current higher or lower than 5 mA. In view of the gain and the distortion, the collector current is generally biased so as to be 10 mA or higher.
[0045] FIG. 2 shows an equivalent circuit of the broadband amplifier shown in FIG. 1 when the first switch transistor 8 is turned off. In this state, a collector bias current equal to the collector bias current at the node a shown in FIG. 11 (e.g., 20 mA or higher) flows in the amplifier transistor 1 . The second base bias resistor 3 and the second capacitor 4 between the collector and the base of the amplifier transistor 1 provide negative feedback, and the emitter bias resistor 5 and the third capacitor 6 provide negative feedback.
[0046] FIG. 3 shows an equivalent circuit of the broadband amplifier shown in FIG. 1 when the first switch transistor 8 is turned on. In this state, the base is coupled to the ground via a portion of the first base bias resistor 7 (i.e., the resistor 7 a ), and a collector bias current equal to the collector bias current at the node b shown in FIG. 11 (e.g., 20 mA or lower, higher than 5 mA) flows in the amplifier transistor 1 (the collector bias current in this state is lower than the state shown in FIG. 2 ). The second base bias resistor 3 and the second capacitor 4 between the collector and the base of the amplifier transistor 1 provide negative feedback, and the emitter bias resistor 5 , the first capacitor 9 , and the third capacitor 6 provide negative feedback.
[0047] Comparing the circuits shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 , the circuit shown in FIG. 2 allows lower distortion because a high collector bias current flows. In the circuit shown in FIG. 2 , the impedance between the emitter of the amplifier transistor 1 and the ground becomes low because of a parallel connection between the first capacitor 9 and a portion of the emitter bias resistor 5 (i.e., the resistor 5 b ). Therefore, the amount of feedback becomes large and the gain is low.
[0048] On the other hand, the circuit shown in FIG. 3 improves the NF because a low collector bias current flows. The amount of feedback at the emitter of the amplifier transistor 1 becomes small and the gain is high.
[0049] Therefore, the circuit shown in FIG. 2 is suitable for amplification of strong-field television signals, and the circuit shown in FIG. 3 is suitable for amplification of television signals in a weak or medium electric field.
[0050] FIG. 4 shows a broadband amplifier according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In this broadband amplifier, the second capacitor 4 is formed of two capacitors 4 a and 4 b and a varactor diode 4 c connected therebetween. The broadband amplifier shown in FIG. 4 further includes a second switch transistor 10 that is controlled by the first switch transistor 8 . The second switch transistor 10 has an emitter coupled to the ground, a base connected to the collector of the first switch transistor 8 , and a collector pulled up to the power supply B by a resistor 12 . The collector of the second switch transistor 10 is connected to the cathode of the varactor diode 4 c by a second resistor 13 . The anode of the varactor diode 4 c is connected to the node in the middle of the second base bias resistor 3 via a first resistor 14 .
[0051] In this structure, the second switch transistor 10 is turned on when the first switch transistor 8 is turned off, and, conversely, the second switch transistor 10 is turned off when the first switch transistor 8 is turned on. FIG. 5 shows an equivalent circuit of the broadband amplifier shown in FIG. 4 when the first switch transistor 8 is turned off and the second switch transistor 10 is turned on. In this state, the varactor diode 4 c is forward biased and is turned on. Thus, the second capacitor 4 is formed of only the two capacitors 4 a and 4 b . FIG. 6 shows an equivalent circuit of the broadband amplifier shown in FIG. 4 when the first switch transistor 8 is turned on and the second switch transistor 10 is turned off. In this state, the varactor diode 4 c is reverse biased. Thus, the second capacitor 4 is formed of a series circuit of the two capacitors 4 a and 4 b and the varactor diode 4 c . Therefore, the circuit shown in FIG. 6 provides a smaller amount of feedback than the circuit shown in FIG. 5 , resulting in higher gain, which is suitable for amplification of weak- or medium-field television signals.
[0052] In the broadband amplifier according to the third embodiment of the present invention shown in FIG. 7 , the structure of the second feedback circuit 22 is different from that shown in FIG. 4 . The second base bias resistor 3 includes a third resistor 3 a connected to the collector of the amplifier transistor 1 , a fourth resistor 3 b connected to the third resistor 3 a in series and connected to the base of the amplifier transistor 1 , and a fifth resistor 3 c having an end connected to the collector of the amplifier transistor 1 . A switch diode 15 has an anode connected to a node between the third resistor 3 a and the fourth resistor 3 b , and a cathode connected to the second capacitor 4 .
[0053] The other end of the fifth resistor 3 c is connected to a node between the cathode of the switch diode 15 and the second capacitor 4 . This node is connected to a collector of the second switch transistor 10 via a sixth resistor 16 . The second switch transistor 10 has an emitter coupled to the ground, and a base connected to the collector of the first switch transistor 8 . Other structure is the same as that shown in FIG. 4 .
[0054] In the circuit shown in FIG. 7 , the on/off operations of the first switch transistor 8 and the second switch transistor 10 are also opposite to each other. When the first switch transistor 8 is turned off and the second switch transistor 10 is turned on, the switch diode 15 is turned on to form an equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 8 , in which the second feedback circuit 22 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 2 and 5 . Therefore, the gain is low.
[0055] The collector bias current in the amplifier transistor 1 is high and the distortion characteristic is improved. In the second feedback circuit 22 , the third resistor 3 a and the fifth resistor 3 c are connected in parallel, and the second capacitor 4 is connected between the base of the amplifier transistor 1 and nodes between the fourth resistor 3 b and the third and fifth resistors 3 a and 3 c. Thus, the amount of feedback becomes large and the gain is low, which is suitable for amplification of television signals in a strong electric field.
[0056] When the first switch transistor 8 is turned on and the second switch transistor 10 is turned off, the switch diode 15 is turned off to form an equivalent circuit shown in FIG. 9 , in which the second feedback circuit 22 is the same as that shown in FIGS. 3 and 6 . Therefore, the gain is high. The collector bias current in the amplifier transistor 1 is low and the NF is improved. Moreover, the amount of feedback performed by the second feedback circuit 22 becomes small and the gain is high. This circuit is therefore suitable for amplification of television signals in a weak electric field. | A broadcast transistor includes an amplifier transistor, and a negative feedback circuit connected to the amplifier transistor. A collector bias current in the amplifier transistor is switched to high and low within a range larger than a range of a current exhibiting the minimum noise figure, and the amount of feedback performed by the negative feedback circuit is changed in association with the switching of the collector bias current. When the collector bias current is switched to high, the amount of feedback becomes large; when the collector bias current is switched to low, the amount of feedback becomes small. | 7 |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/102,145 filed on Dec. 10, 2013, which is a divisional of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/658,523 filed on Oct. 23, 2012, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 8,658,803 B2 on Feb. 25, 2014, which claims the benefit of priority to U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/551,772 filed on Oct. 26, 2011, each of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates to novel amide derivatives of N-urea substituted amino acids, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor. The invention relates specifically to the use of these compounds and their pharmaceutical compositions to treat disorders associated with the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor modulation.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] The N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor is a G protein-coupled receptor that is expressed on inflammatory cells such as monocytes and neutrophils, as well as T cells and has been shown to play a critical role in leukocyte trafficking during inflammation and human pathology. FPRL-1 is an exceptionally promiscuous receptor that responds to a large array of exogenous and endogenous ligands, including Serum amyloid A (SAA), chemokine variant sCKβ8-1, the neuroprotective peptide human, anti-inflammatory eicosanoid lipoxin A4 (LXA4) and glucocorticoid-modulated protein annexin A1. FPRL-1 transduces anti-inflammatory effects of LXA4 in many systems, but it also can mediate the pro-inflammatory signaling cascade of peptides such as SAA. The ability of the receptor to mediate two opposite effects is proposed to be a result of different receptor domains used by different agonists (Parmentier, Marc et al. Cytokine & Growth Factor Reviews 17 (2006) 501-519).
[0004] Activation of FPRL-1 by LXA4 or its analogs and by Annexin I protein has been shown to result in anti-inflammatory activity by promoting active resolution of inflammation which involves inhibition of polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) and eosinophil migration and also stimulate monocyte migration enabling clearance of apoptotic cells from the site of inflammation in a nonphlogistic manner. In addition, FPRL-1 has been shown to inhibit natural killer (NK) cell cytotoxicity and promote activation of T cells which further contributes to down regulation of tissue damaging inflammatory signals. FPRL-1/LXA4 interaction has been shown to be beneficial in experimental models of ischemia reperfusion, angiogenesis, dermal inflammation, chemotherapy-induced alopecia, ocular inflammation such as endotoxin-induced uveitis, corneal wound healing, re-epithelialization etc. FPRL-1 thus represents an important novel pro-resolutionary molecular target for the development of new therapeutic agents in diseases with excessive inflammatory responses.
[0005] JP 06172288 discloses the preparation of phenylalanine derivatives of general formula:
[0000]
[0000] as inhibitors of acyl-coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase derivatives useful for the treatment of arteriosclerosis-related various diseases such as angina pectoris, cardiac infarction, temporary ischemic spasm, peripheral thrombosis or obstruction.
[0006] Journal of Combinatorial Chemistry (2007), 9(3), 370-385 teaches a thymidinyl dipeptide urea library with structural similarity to the nucleoside peptide class of antibiotics:
[0000]
[0007] WO 9965932 discloses tetrapeptides or analogs or peptidomimetics that selectively bind mammalian opioid receptors:
[0000]
[0008] Helvetica Chimica Acta (1998), 81(7), 1254-1263 teaches the synthesis and spectroscopic characterization of 4-chlorophenyl isocyanate (1-chloro-4-isocyanatobenzene) adducts with amino acids as potential dosimeters for the biomonitoring of isocyanate exposure:
[0000]
[0009] EP 457195 discloses the preparation of peptides having endothelin antagonist activity and pharmaceutical compositions comprising them:
[0000]
[0010] Yingyong Huaxue (1990), 7(1), 1-9 teaches the structure-activity relations of di- and tripeptide sweeteners and of L-phenyl analine derivatives:
[0000]
[0011] FR 2533210 discloses L-phenyl analine derivatives as synthetic sweeteners:
[0000]
[0012] WO2005047899 discloses compounds which selectively activate the FPRL-1 receptor represented by the following scaffolds:
[0000]
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] A group of amide derivatives of N-urea substituted amino acids, which are potent and selective FPRL-1 modulators, has been discovered. As such, the compounds described herein are useful in treating a wide variety of disorders associated with modulation of FPRL-1 receptor. The term “modulator” as used herein, includes but is not limited to: receptor agonist, antagonist, inverse agonist, inverse antagonist, partial agonist, and partial antagonist.
[0014] This invention describes compounds of Formula I, which have FPRL-1 receptor biological activity. The compounds in accordance with the present invention are thus of use in medicine, for example in the treatment of humans with diseases and conditions that are alleviated by FPRL-1 modulation.
[0015] In one aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula I or the individual geometrical isomers, individual enantiomers, individual diastereoisomers, individual tautomers, individual zwitterions or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
[0000]
[0000] wherein:
a is 0 or 1;
b is 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NH 2 , —OH, —O(C 1-8 alkyl),
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl,
R 3 is H, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOH, —OH, —NH 2 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is H, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOH, —OH, —NH 2 , —NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOH, —OH, —NH 2 , —NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 6 is H, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOH, —OH, —NH 2 , —NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is H, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOH, —OH, —NH 2 , —NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
and compounds:
[0000]
[0016] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II or the geometrical isomers, enantiomers, diastereoisomers, tautomers, zwitterions, hydrates, cryslat forms, solvates or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof:
[0000]
[0000] wherein:
a is 1 and b is 0;
a is 0 and b is 1;
a is 1 and b is 1;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen, CF 3 or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; with the provisos:
a). when a=1 and b=0 then:
[0017] R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl; and
[0018] R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0019] the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] and
b). when a=0 and b=1 then:
[0020] R 1 is OR 13 ; and
[0021] the compound of Formula II is not of structure:
[0000]
[0000] and
c). when a=1 and b=1 then:
[0022] R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II, wherein:
a is 1 and b is 0;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen, CF 3 or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the provisos:
[0023] R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl; and
[0024] R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0025] the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein:
a is 1 and b is 0;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is —S(O) n R 14 ;
[0026] n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen, CF 3 or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the provisos:
[0027] R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl; and
[0028] R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0029] the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein:
a is 1 and b is 0;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is —CF 3 ;
[0030] R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the provisos:
[0031] R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl; and
[0032] R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0033] the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II, wherein:
a is 1 and b is 0;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the provisos:
[0034] R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl;
[0035] and the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] and
[0036] R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 1 and b is 0;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 ;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 ;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 ;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 ;
R 8 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 ;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the provisos:
R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl;
and the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] and
R 11 is not:
[0037]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 1 and b is 0;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 3 is hydrogen or halogen;
R 4 is hydrogen;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen;
R 7 is hydrogen;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the provisos:
R 9 is not optionally substituted benzyl;
and the compound of Formula II is not of structures:
[0000]
[0000] and
R 11 is not:
[0038]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 0 and b is 1;
R 1 is —OR 13 ;
[0039] R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen, CF 3 or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
the compound of Formula II is not of structure:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 0 and b is 1;
R 1 is —OR 13 ;
[0040] R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
the compound of Formula II is not of structure:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein:
a is 0 and b is 1;
R 1 is —OR 13 ;
[0041] R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 8 is hydrogen;
R 9 is hydrogen;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
R 14 is hydrogen, CF 3 or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
the compound of Formula II is not of structure:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein:
a is 0 and b is 1;
R 1 is —OR 13 ;
[0042] R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 3 is hydrogen or halogen;
R 4 is hydrogen;
R 5 is halogen;
R 6 is hydrogen;
R 7 is hydrogen;
R 8 is hydrogen;
R 9 is hydrogen;
R 10 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 9a is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 10a is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
R 13 is hydrogen; and
the compound of Formula II is not of structure:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II, wherein:
a is 0 and b is 1;
R 1 is —OR 13 ;
[0043] R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 3 is hydrogen or halogen;
R 4 is hydrogen;
R 5 is halogen;
R 6 is hydrogen;
R 7 is hydrogen;
R 8 is hydrogen;
R 9 is hydrogen;
R 10 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 9a is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 10a is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
R 13 is hydrogen.
In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 1 and b is 1;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
with the proviso:
that R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II, wherein
a is 1 and b is 1;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 5 is halogen;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen, —COOR 15 , —OR 13 , —NR 11 R 12 , NO 2 , optionally substituted heterocycle, optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkyl, optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl or optionally substituted C 3-8 cycloalkenyl;
R 8 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
with the proviso:
that R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 1 and b is 1;
R 1 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, —NR 11 R 12 or —OR 13 ;
R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 4 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 5 is halogen, —CF 3 or —S(O) n R 14 ;
n is 0, 1 or 2;
R 6 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 7 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl, halogen;
R 8 is hydrogen;
R 9 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 10 is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 9a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 10a is hydrogen, optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 11 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 12 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
R 14 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
R 15 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl;
with the proviso:
that R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0000] In another aspect, the invention provides a compound represented by Formula II,
wherein
a is 1 and b is 1;
R 1 is —OR 13 ;
[0044] R 2 is optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl or optionally substituted C 6-10 aryl;
R 3 is hydrogen;
R 4 is hydrogen;
R 5 is halogen;
R 6 is hydrogen;
R 7 is hydrogen;
R 8 is hydrogen;
R 9 is hydrogen;
R 10 is hydrogen;
R 9a is hydrogen;
R 10a is hydrogen; and
R 13 is hydrogen or optionally substituted C 1-8 alkyl; and
with the proviso:
that R 11 is not:
[0000]
[0045] The term “alkyl”, as used herein, refers to saturated, monovalent or divalent hydrocarbon moieties having linear or branched moieties or combinations thereof and containing 1 to 8 carbon atoms. One methylene (—CH 2 —) group, of the alkyl group can be replaced by oxygen, sulfur, sulfoxide, nitrogen, carbonyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, sulfate, sulfonate, amide, sulfonamide, by a divalent C 3-8 cycloalkyl, by a divalent heterocycle, or by a divalent aryl group. Alkyl groups can have one or more chiral centers. Alkyl groups can be independently substituted by halogen atoms, hydroxyl groups, cycloalkyl groups, amino groups, heterocyclic groups, aryl groups, carboxylic acid groups, phosphonic acid groups, sulphonic acid groups, phosphoric acid groups, nitro groups, amide groups, sulfonamide groups.
[0046] The term “cycloalkyl”, as used herein, refers to a monovalent or divalent group of 3 to 8 carbon atoms derived from a saturated cyclic hydrocarbon. Cycloalkyl groups can be monocyclic or polycyclic. Cycloalkyl can be independently substituted by halogen atoms, sulfonyl C 1-8 alkyl groups, sulfoxide C 1-8 alkyl groups, sulfonamide groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, —OC 1-8 alkyl groups, —SC 1-8 alkyl groups, —C 1-8 alkyl groups, —C 2-6 alkenyl groups, —C 2-6 alkynyl groups, ketone groups, alkylamino groups, amino groups, aryl groups, C 3-8 cycloalkyl groups or hydroxyl groups.
[0047] The term “cycloalkenyl”, as used herein, refers to a monovalent or divalent group of 3 to 8 carbon atoms derived from a saturated cycloalkyl having at least one double bond. Cycloalkenyl groups can be monocyclic or polycyclic. Cycloalkenyl groups can be independently substituted by halogen atoms, sulfonyl groups, sulfoxide groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, —OC 1-6 alkyl groups, —SC 1-6 alkyl groups, —C 1-6 alkyl groups, —C 2-6 alkenyl groups, —C 2-6 alkynyl groups, ketone groups, alkylamino groups, amino groups, aryl groups, C 3-8 cycloalkyl groups or hydroxyl groups.
[0048] The term “halogen”, as used herein, refers to an atom of chlorine, bromine, fluorine, iodine.
[0049] The term “alkenyl”, as used herein, refers to a monovalent or divalent hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, derived from a saturated alkyl, having at least one double bond. One methylene (—CH 2 —) group, of the alkenyl can be replaced by oxygen, sulfur, sulfoxide, nitrogen, carbonyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, sulfate, sulfonate, amide, sulfonamide, by a divalent C 3-8 cycloalkyl, by a divalent heterocycle, or by a divalent aryl group. C 2-6 alkenyl can be in the E or Z configuration. Alkenyl groups can be substituted by alkyl groups, as defined above or by halogen atoms.
[0050] The term “alkynyl”, as used herein, refers to a monovalent or divalent hydrocarbon radical having 2 to 6 carbon atoms, derived from a saturated alkyl, having at least one triple bond. One methylene (—CH 2 —) group, of the alkynyl can be replaced by oxygen, sulfur, sulfoxide, nitrogen, carbonyl, carboxyl, sulfonyl, sulfate, sulfonate, amide, sulfonamide, by a divalent C 3-8 cycloalkyl, by a divalent heterocycle, or by a divalent aryl group. Alkynyl groups can be substituted by alkyl groups, as defined above, or by halogen atoms.
[0051] The term “heterocycle” as used herein, refers to a 3 to 10 membered ring, which can be aromatic or non-aromatic, saturated or unsaturated, containing at least one heteroatom selected form oxygen, nitrogen, sulfur, or combinations of at least two thereof, interrupting the carbocyclic ring structure. The heterocyclic ring can be interrupted by a C═O; the S and N heteroatoms can be oxidized. Heterocycles can be monocyclic or polycyclic. Heterocyclic ring moieties can be substituted by halogen atoms, sulfonyl groups, sulfoxide groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, —OC 1-6 alkyl groups, —SC 1-6 alkyl groups, —C 1-8 alkyl groups, —C 2-6 alkenyl groups, —C 2-6 alkynyl groups, ketone groups, alkylamino groups, amino groups, aryl groups, C 3-8 cycloalkyl groups or hydroxyl groups.
[0052] The term “aryl” as used herein, refers to an organic moiety derived from an aromatic hydrocarbon consisting of a ring containing 6 to 10 carbon atoms, by removal of one hydrogen atom. Aryl can be substituted by halogen atoms, sulfonyl C 1-6 alkyl groups, sulfoxide C 1-6 alkyl groups, sulfonamide groups, carboxcyclic acid groups, C 1-6 alkyl carboxylates (ester) groups, amide groups, nitro groups, cyano groups, —OC 1-6 alkyl groups, —SC 1-6 alkyl groups, —C 1-6 alkyl groups, —C 2-6 alkenyl groups, —C 2-6 alkynyl groups, ketone groups, aldehydes, alkylamino groups, amino groups, aryl groups, C 3-8 cycloalkyl groups or hydroxyl groups. Aryls can be monocyclic or polycyclic.
[0053] The term “hydroxyl” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—OH”.
[0054] The term “carbonyl” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—C(O)—”.
[0055] The term “ketone” as used herein, represents an organic compound having a carbonyl group linked to a carbon atom such as —(CO)R x wherein R x can be alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycle as defined above.
[0056] The term “amine” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—NR x R y ”, wherein R x and R y can be the same or independently H, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycle as defined above.
[0057] The term “carboxyl” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—C(O)O—”.
[0058] The term “sulfonyl” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—SO 2 ”.
[0059] The term “sulfate” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—O—S(O) 2 —O—”.
[0060] The term “sulfonate” as used herein, represents a group of the formula “—S(O) 2 —O—”.
[0061] The term “carboxylic acid” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—C(O)OH”.
[0062] The term “nitro” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—NO 2 ”.
[0063] The term “cyano” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—CN”.
[0064] The term “amide” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—C(O)NR x R y ” wherein R x and R y can be the same or independently H, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycle as defined above.
[0065] The term “sulfonamide” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—S(O) 2 NR x R y ” wherein R x and R y can be the same or independently H, alkyl, aryl, cycloalkyl, cycloalkenyl, heterocycle as defined above.
[0066] The term “sulfoxide” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—S(O)—”.
[0067] The term “phosphonic acid” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—P(O)(OH) 2 ”.
[0068] The term “phosphoric acid” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—OP(O)(OH) 2 ”.
[0069] The term “sulphonic acid” as used herein, represents a group of formula “—S(O) 2 OH”.
[0070] The formula “H”, as used herein, represents a hydrogen atom.
[0071] The formula “O”, as used herein, represents an oxygen atom.
[0072] The formula “N”, as used herein, represents a nitrogen atom.
[0073] The formula “S”, as used herein, represents a sulfur atom.
[0074] The invention discloses compounds
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate; [(4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-oxobutanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-oxobutanoyl)amino]acetate; 2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoic acid; tert-butyl 2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoate; {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate; 2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid; tert-butyl 2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}propanoate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; 2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoic acid; tert-butyl 2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoate; ({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}amino)acetic acid; tert-butyl ({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}amino)acetate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid tert-butyl {[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-[2-(dimethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-4-methylpentanamide; [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]acetate; [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-ethylbutanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-ethylbutanoyl)amino]acetate; [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2,4-dimethylpentanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2,4-dimethylpentanoyl)amino]acetate; (2S)—N-[(1S)-2-amino-2-oxo-1-phenylethyl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoate; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-[(2R)-1-hydroxypropan-2-yl]-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoate; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino)}propanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; (2S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; (2S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanamide; (2S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; (2S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylpentanamide; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; propan-2-yl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate; ethyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate; methyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)pentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylpropanamide; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-oxopropyl)-3-phenylpropanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-oxopropyl)-3-phenylpropanamide; (2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpentanamide; (2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpentanamide; (2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; (2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; (2S,3S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanamide; (2S,3S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoe;thyl)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanamide {[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylpropanamide; 3-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}propanoic acid; tert-butyl 3-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}propanoate; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}acetate.
[0172] In another aspect the invention discloses compounds:
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-(methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate; 2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid; tert-butyl 2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}propanoate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; 2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoic acid; tert-butyl 2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoate; ({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}amino)acetic acid; tert-butyl ({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4-[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}amino)acetate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-[2-(dimethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-4-methylpentanamide; [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoyl)amino]acetate; [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-ethylbutanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-ethylbutanoyl)amino]acetate; [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2,4-dimethylpentanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2,4-dimethylpentanoyl)amino]acetate; (2S)—N-[(1S)-2-amino-2-oxo-1-phenylethyl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoate; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-[(2R)-1-hydroxypropan-2-yl]-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2,3-dihydroxypropyl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(1,3-dihydroxypropan-2-yl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxy-2-methylpropyl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoate; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino)}propanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate; (2S)—N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid; tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxyethyl)-4-methylpentanamide; (2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide; (2S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide; {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid; tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate; tert-butyl 2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoate; 2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoic acid; tert-butyl [(4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-oxobutanoyl)amino]acetate; [(4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-oxobutanoyl)amino]acetic acid; tert-butyl {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate; {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid.
[0234] Some compounds of Formula I and of Formula II and some of their intermediates have at least one asymmetric center in their structure. This asymmetric center may be present in an R or S configuration, said R and S notation is used in correspondence with the rules described in Pure Appli. Chem. (1976), 45, 11-13.
[0235] The term “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” refers to salts or complexes that retain the desired biological activity of the above identified compounds and exhibit minimal or no undesired toxicological effects. The “pharmaceutically acceptable salts” according to the invention include therapeutically active, non-toxic base or acid salt forms, which the compounds of Formula I and of Formula II are able to form.
[0236] The acid addition salt form of a compound of Formula I and of Formula II that occurs in its free form as a base can be obtained by treating the free base with an appropriate acid such as an inorganic acid, for example, hydrochloric acid, hydrobromic acid, sulfuric acid, phosphoric acid, nitric acid and the like; or an organic acid such as for example, acetic acid, hydroxyacetic acid, propanoic acid, lactic acid, pyruvic acid, malonic acid, fumaric acid, maleic acid, oxalic acid, tartaric acid, succinic acid, malic acid, ascorbic acid, benzoic acid, tannic acid, pamoic acid, citric acid, methylsulfonic acid, ethanesulfonic acid, benzenesulfonic acid, formic and the like (Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts, P. Heinrich Stahal & Camille G. Wermuth (Eds), Verlag Helvetica Chemica Acta-Zürich, 2002, 329-345).
[0237] The base addition salt form of a compound of Formula I and of Formula II that occurs in its acid form can be obtained by treating the acid with an appropriate base such as an inorganic base, for example, sodium hydroxide, magnesium hydroxide, potassium hydroxide, Calcium hydroxide, ammonia and the like; or an organic base such as for example, L-Arginine, ethanolamine, betaine, benzathine, morpholine and the like. (Handbook of Pharmaceutical Salts, P. Heinrich Stahal & Camille G. Wermuth (Eds), Verlag Helvetica Chemica Acta-Zurich, 2002, 329-345).
[0238] Compounds of Formula I and of Formula II and their salts can be in the form of a solvate, which is included within the scope of the present invention. Such solvates include for example hydrates, alcoholates and the like.
[0239] With respect to the present invention reference to a compound or compounds, is intended to encompass that compound in each of its possible isomeric forms and mixtures thereof unless the particular isomeric form is referred to specifically.
[0240] Compounds according to the present invention may exist in different polymorphic forms. Although not explicitly indicated in the above formula, such forms are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention.
[0241] The compounds of the invention are indicated for use in treating or preventing conditions in which there is likely to be a component involving the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 receptor.
[0242] In another embodiment, there are provided pharmaceutical compositions including at least one compound of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier.
[0243] In a further embodiment of the invention, there are provided methods for treating disorders associated with modulation of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 receptor.
[0244] Such methods can be performed, for example, by administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention.
[0245] Therapeutic utilities of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 receptor modulators are ocular inflammatory diseases including, but not limited to, wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), uveitis, dry eye, Keratitis, allergic eye disease and conditions affecting the posterior part of the eye, such as maculopathies and retinal degeneration including non-exudative age related macular degeneration, exudative age related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy (proliferative), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), acute macular neuroretinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, cystoid macular edema, and diabetic macular edema; infectious keratitis, uveitis, herpetic keratitis, corneal angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, uveitis, retinitis, and choroiditis such as acute multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, Behcet's disease, birdshot retinochoroidopathy, infectious (syphilis, lyme, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis), intermediate uveitis (pars planitis), multifocal choroiditis, multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (mewds), ocular sarcoidosis, posterior scleritis, serpiginous choroiditis, subretinal fibrosis and uveitis syndrome, Vogt-Koyanagi- and Harada syndrome; vasuclar diseases/exudative diseases such as retinal arterial occlusive disease, central retinal vein occlusion, cystoids macular edema, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion, hypertensive fundus changes, ocular ischemic syndrome, retinal arterial microaneurysms, Coat's disease, parafoveal telangiectasis, hemi-retinal vein occlusion, papillophlebitis, central retinal artery occlusion, branch retinal artery occlusion, carotid artery disease (CAD), frosted branch angiitis, sickle cell retinopathy and other hemoglobinopathies, angioid streaks, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, and Eales disease; traumatic/surgical conditions such as sympathetic ophthalmia, uveitic retinal disease, retinal detachment, trauma, post surgical corneal wound healing, conditions caused by laser, conditions caused by photodynamic therapy, photocoagulation, hypoperfusion during surgery, radiation retinopathy, and bone marrow transplant retinopathy; proliferative disorders such as proliferative vitreal retinopathy and epiretinal membranes, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy; infectious disorders such as ocular histoplasmosis, ocular toxocariasis, presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS), endophthalmitis, toxoplasmosis, retinal diseases associated with HIV infection, choroidal disease associate with HIV infection, uveitic disease associate with HIV infection, viral retinitis, acute retinal necrosis, progressive outer retinal necrosis, fungal retinal diseases, ocular syphilis, ocular tuberculosis, diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis, and myiasis; genetic disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa, systemic disorders with accosiated retinal dystrophies, congenital stationary night blindness, cone dystrophies, Stargardt's disease and fundus flavimaculatus, Best's disease, pattern dystrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium, X-linked retinoschisis, Sorsby's fundus dystrophy, benign concentric maculopathy, Bietti's crystalline dystrophy, and pseudoxanthoma elasticum; retinal tears/holes such as retinal detachment, macular hole, and giant retinal tear; tumors such as retinal disease associated with tumors, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium, posterior uveal melanoma, choroidal hemangioma, choroidal osteoma, choroidal metastasis, combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium, retinoblastoma, vasoproliferative tumors of the ocular fundus, retinal astrocytoma, and intraocular lymphoid tumors; and miscellaneous other diseases affecting the posterior part of the eye such as punctate inner choroidopathy, acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, myopic retinal degeneration, and acute retinal pigement epitheliitis, systemic inflammatory diseases such as stroke, coronary artery disease, obstructive airway diseases, HIV-mediated retroviral infections, cardiovascular disorders including coronary artery disease, neuroinflammation, neurological disorders, pain and immunological disorders, asthma, allergic disorders, inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, cachexia, angina pectoris, post-surgical corneal inflammation, blepharitis, MGD, dermal wound healing, burns, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, actinic keratoses, viral warts, photoaging rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory disorders, alopecia, glaucoma, branch vein occlusion, Best's vitelliform macular degenartion, retinitis pigmentosa, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and any other degenerative disease of either the photoreceptors or the RPE (Perretti, Mauro et al. Pharmacology & Therapeutics 127 (2010) 175-188.) These compounds are useful for the treatment of mammals, including humans, with a range of conditions and diseases that are alleviated by the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 receptor modulation: including, but not limited to the treatment of wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), diabetic retinopathy (proliferative), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), diabetic macular edema, uveitis, retinal vein occlusion, cystoids macular edema, glaucoma, branch vein occlusion, Best's vitelliform macular degenartion, retinitis pigmentosa, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and any other degenerative disease of either the photoreceptors or the RPE.
[0000] In still another embodiment of the invention, there are provided methods for treating disorders associated with modulation of the FPRL-1 receptor. Such methods can be performed, for example, by administering to a subject in need thereof a therapeutically effective amount of at least one compound of the invention, or any combination thereof, or pharmaceutically acceptable salts, hydrates, solvates, crystal forms and individual isomers, enantiomers, and diastereomers thereof
[0246] The present invention concerns the use of a compound of Formula I and of Formula II or a pharmaceutically acceptable salt thereof, for the manufacture of a medicament for the treatment of ocular inflammatory diseases including, but not limited to, wet and dry age-related macular degeneration (ARMD), uveitis, dry eye, Keratitis, allergic eye disease and conditions affecting the posterior part of the eye, such as maculopathies and retinal degeneration including non-exudative age related macular degeneration, exudative age related macular degeneration, choroidal neovascularization, diabetic retinopathy (proliferative), retinopathy of prematurity (ROP), acute macular neuroretinopathy, central serous chorioretinopathy, cystoid macular edema, and diabetic macular edema; infectious keratitis, uveitis, herpetic keratitis, corneal angiogenesis, lymphangiogenesis, uveitis, retinitis, and choroiditis such as acute multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, Behcet's disease, birdshot retinochoroidopathy, infectious (syphilis, lyme, tuberculosis, toxoplasmosis), intermediate uveitis (pars planitis), multifocal choroiditis, multiple evanescent white dot syndrome (mewds), ocular sarcoidosis, posterior scleritis, serpiginous choroiditis, subretinal fibrosis and uveitis syndrome, Vogt-Koyanagi- and Harada syndrome; vasuclar diseases/exudative diseases such as retinal arterial occlusive disease, central retinal vein occlusion, cystoids macular edema, disseminated intravascular coagulopathy, branch retinal vein occlusion, hypertensive fundus changes, ocular ischemic syndrome, retinal arterial microaneurysms, Coat's disease, parafoveal telangiectasis, hemi-retinal vein occlusion, papillophlebitis, central retinal artery occlusion, branch retinal artery occlusion, carotid artery disease (CAD), frosted branch angiitis, sickle cell retinopathy and other hemoglobinopathies, angioid streaks, familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, and Eales disease; traumatic/surgical conditions such as sympathetic ophthalmia, uveitic retinal disease, retinal detachment, trauma, post surgical corneal wound healing, conditions caused by laser, conditions caused by photodynamic therapy, photocoagulation, hypoperfusion during surgery, radiation retinopathy, and bone marrow transplant retinopathy; proliferative disorders such as proliferative vitreal retinopathy and epiretinal membranes, and proliferative diabetic retinopathy; infectious disorders such as ocular histoplasmosis, ocular toxocariasis, presumed ocular histoplasmosis syndrome (POHS), endophthalmitis, toxoplasmosis, retinal diseases associated with HIV infection, choroidal disease associate with HIV infection, uveitic disease associate with HIV infection, viral retinitis, acute retinal necrosis, progressive outer retinal necrosis, fungal retinal diseases, ocular syphilis, ocular tuberculosis, diffuse unilateral subacute neuroretinitis, and myiasis; genetic disorders such as retinitis pigmentosa, systemic disorders with accosiated retinal dystrophies, congenital stationary night blindness, cone dystrophies, Stargardt's disease and fundus flavimaculatus, Best's disease, pattern dystrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium, X-linked retinoschisis, Sorsby's fundus dystrophy, benign concentric maculopathy, Bietti's crystalline dystrophy, and pseudoxanthoma elasticum; retinal tears/holes such as retinal detachment, macular hole, and giant retinal tear; tumors such as retinal disease associated with tumors, congenital hypertrophy of the retinal pigmented epithelium, posterior uveal melanoma, choroidal hemangioma, choroidal osteoma, choroidal metastasis, combined hamartoma of the retina and retinal pigmented epithelium, retinoblastoma, vasoproliferative tumors of the ocular fundus, retinal astrocytoma, and intraocular lymphoid tumors; and miscellaneous other diseases affecting the posterior part of the eye such as punctate inner choroidopathy, acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy, myopic retinal degeneration, and acute retinal pigement epitheliitis, systemic inflammatory diseases such as stroke, coronary artery disease, obstructive airway diseases, HIV-mediated retroviral infections, cardiovascular disorders including coronary artery disease, neuroinflammation, neurological disorders, pain and immunological disorders, asthma, allergic disorders, inflammation, systemic lupus erythematosus, psoriasis, CNS disorders such as Alzheimer's disease, arthritis, sepsis, inflammatory bowel disease, cachexia, angina pectoris, post-surgical corneal inflammation, blepharitis, MGD, dermal wound healing, burns, rosacea, atopic dermatitis, acne, psoriasis, seborrheic dermatitis, actinic keratoses, viral warts, photoaging rheumatoid arthritis and related inflammatory disorders, alopecia, glaucoma, branch vein occlusion, Best's vitelliform macular degenartion, retinitis pigmentosa, proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR), and any other degenerative disease of either the photoreceptors or the RPE.
[0247] The actual amount of the compound to be administered in any given case will be determined by a physician taking into account the relevant circumstances, such as the severity of the condition, the age and weight of the patient, the patient's general physical condition, the cause of the condition, and the route of administration.
[0248] The patient will be administered the compound orally in any acceptable form, such as a tablet, liquid, capsule, powder and the like, or other routes may be desirable or necessary, particularly if the patient suffers from nausea. Such other routes may include, without exception, transdermal, parenteral, subcutaneous, intranasal, via an implant stent, intrathecal, intravitreal, topical to the eye, back to the eye, intramuscular, intravenous, and intrarectal modes of delivery. Additionally, the formulations may be designed to delay release of the active compound over a given period of time, or to carefully control the amount of drug released at a given time during the course of therapy.
[0249] In another embodiment of the invention, there are provided pharmaceutical compositions including at least one compound of the invention in a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier thereof. The phrase “pharmaceutically acceptable” means the carrier, diluent or excipient must be compatible with the other ingredients of the formulation and not deleterious to the recipient thereof
[0250] Pharmaceutical compositions of the present invention can be used in the form of a solid, a solution, an emulsion, a dispersion, a patch, a micelle, a liposome, and the like, wherein the resulting composition contains one or more compounds of the present invention, as an active ingredient, in admixture with an organic or inorganic carrier or excipient suitable for enteral or parenteral applications. Invention compounds may be combined, for example, with the usual non-toxic, pharmaceutically acceptable carriers for tablets, pellets, capsules, suppositories, solutions, emulsions, suspensions, and any other form suitable for use. The carriers which can be used include glucose, lactose, gum acacia, gelatin, mannitol, starch paste, magnesium trisilicate, talc, corn starch, keratin, colloidal silica, potato starch, urea, medium chain length triglycerides, dextrans, and other carriers suitable for use in manufacturing preparations, in solid, semisolid, or liquid form. In addition auxiliary, stabilizing, thickening and coloring agents and perfumes may be used. Invention compounds are included in the pharmaceutical composition in an amount sufficient to produce the desired effect upon the process or disease condition.
[0251] Pharmaceutical compositions containing invention compounds may be in a form suitable for oral use, for example, as tablets, troches, lozenges, aqueous or oily suspensions, dispersible powders or granules, emulsions, hard or soft capsules, or syrups or elixirs. Compositions intended for oral use may be prepared according to any method known in the art for the manufacture of pharmaceutical compositions and such compositions may contain one or more agents selected from the group consisting of a sweetening agent such as sucrose, lactose, or saccharin, flavoring agents such as peppermint, oil of wintergreen or cherry, coloring agents and preserving agents in order to provide pharmaceutically elegant and palatable preparations. Tablets containing invention compounds in admixture with non-toxic pharmaceutically acceptable excipients may also be manufactured by known methods. The excipients used may be, for example, (1) inert diluents such as calcium carbonate, lactose, calcium phosphate or sodium phosphate; (2) granulating and disintegrating agents such as corn starch, potato starch or alginic acid; (3) binding agents such as gum tragacanth, corn starch, gelatin or acacia, and (4) lubricating agents such as magnesium stearate, stearic acid or talc. The tablets may be uncoated or they may be coated by known techniques to delay disintegration and absorption in the gastrointestinal tract and thereby provide a sustained action over a longer period. For example, a time delay material such as glyceryl monostearate or glyceryl distearate may be employed.
[0252] In some cases, formulations for oral use may be in the form of hard gelatin capsules wherein the invention compounds are mixed with an inert solid diluent, for example, calcium carbonate, calcium phosphate or kaolin. They may also be in the form of soft gelatin capsules wherein the invention compounds are mixed with water or an oil medium, for example, peanut oil, liquid paraffin or olive oil.
[0253] The pharmaceutical compositions may be in the form of a sterile injectable suspension. This suspension may be formulated according to known methods using suitable dispersing or wetting agents and suspending agents. The sterile injectable preparation may also be a sterile injectable solution or suspension in a non-toxic parenterally-acceptable diluent or solvent, for example, as a solution in 1,3-butanediol. Sterile, fixed oils are conventionally employed as a solvent or suspending medium. For this purpose any bland fixed oil may be employed including synthetic mono- or diglycerides, fatty acids (including oleic acid), naturally occurring vegetable oils like sesame oil, coconut oil, peanut oil, cottonseed oil, etc., or synthetic fatty vehicles like ethyl oleate or the like. Buffers, preservatives, antioxidants, and the like can be incorporated as required.
[0254] The compounds of the invention may also be administered in the form of suppositories for rectal administration of the drug. These compositions may be prepared by mixing the invention compounds with a suitable non-irritating excipient, such as cocoa butter, synthetic glyceride esters of polyethylene glycols, which are solid at ordinary temperatures, but liquefy and/or dissolve in the rectal cavity to release the drug.
[0255] Since individual subjects may present a wide variation in severity of symptoms and each drug has its unique therapeutic characteristics, the precise mode of administration and dosage employed for each subject is left to the discretion of the practitioner.
[0256] The compounds and pharmaceutical compositions described herein are useful as medicaments in mammals, including humans, for treatment of diseases and/or alleviations of conditions which are responsive to treatment by agonists or functional antagonists of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor. Thus, in further embodiments of the invention, there are provided methods for treating a disorder associated with modulation of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor. Such methods can be performed, for example, by administering to a subject in need thereof a pharmaceutical composition containing a therapeutically effective amount of at least one invention compound. As used herein, the term “therapeutically effective amount” means the amount of the pharmaceutical composition that will elicit the biological or medical response of a subject in need thereof that is being sought by the researcher, veterinarian, medical doctor or other clinician. In some embodiments, the subject in need thereof is a mammal. In some embodiments, the mammal is human.
[0257] The present invention concerns also processes for preparing the compounds of Formula I. The compounds of formula I according to the invention can be prepared analogously to conventional methods as understood by the person skilled in the art of synthetic organic chemistry. Synthetic Scheme 1 set forth below, illustrates how the compounds according to the invention can be made.
[0000]
[0000]
[0258] Compounds of Formula I were prepared as depicted in Scheme 1. Compounds of Formula II were prepared as depicted in Scheme 2. In general, a t-butyl ester derivative of an amino acid is reacted with a substituted phenylisocyanate to produce a phenylurea derivative. The t-butyl ester protecting group is then removed under acidic conditions to give the amino acid urea. The carboxylic acid group is then converted to an amide by treating the compound with activating reagents, such as 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide (EDCI) and Hydroxybenzotriazole (HOBt) in the presence of an amine, or by other methods known to those skilled in the art. At this stage, those skilled in the art will appreciate that many additional compounds that fall under the scope of the invention may be prepared by performing various common chemical reactions. Details of certain specific chemical transformations are provided in the examples.
[0259] Those skilled in the art will be able to routinely modify and/or adapt the following scheme to synthesize any compounds of the invention covered by Formula I or Formula II.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0260] It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. As used herein, the use of the singular includes the plural unless specifically stated otherwise.
[0261] It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that some of the compounds of the invention may contain one or more asymmetric centers, such that the compounds may exist in enantiomeric as well as in diastereomeric forms. Unless it is specifically noted otherwise, the scope of the present invention includes all enantiomers, diastereomers and racemic mixtures. Some of the compounds of the invention may form salts with pharmaceutically acceptable acids or bases, and such pharmaceutically acceptable salts of the compounds described herein are also within the scope of the invention.
[0262] The present invention includes all pharmaceutically acceptable isotopically enriched compounds. Any compound of the invention may contain one or more isotopic atoms enriched or different than the natural ratio such as deuterium 2 H (or D) in place of hydrogen 1H (or H) or use of 13 C enriched material in place of 12 C and the like. Similar substitutions can be employed for N, O and S. The use of isotopes may assist in analytical as well as therapeutic aspects of the invention. For example, use of deuterium may increase the in vivo half-life by altering the metabolism (rate) of the compounds of the invention. These compounds can be prepared in accord with the preparations described by use of isotopically enriched reagents.
[0263] The following examples are for illustrative purposes only and are not intended, nor should they be construed as limiting the invention in any manner. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that variations and modifications of the following examples can be made without exceeding the spirit or scope of the invention.
[0264] As will be evident to those skilled in the art, individual isomeric forms can be obtained by separation of mixtures thereof in conventional manner. For example, in the case of diasteroisomeric isomers, chromatographic separation may be employed. Compound names were generated with ACD version 12.5. In general, characterization of the compounds is performed according to the following methods, NMR spectra are recorded on 300 or 600 MHz Varian and acquired at room temperature. Chemical shifts are given in ppm referenced either to internal TMS or to the solvent signal.
[0265] All the reagents, solvents, catalysts for which the synthesis is not described are purchased from chemical vendors such as Sigma Aldrich, Fluka, Bio-Blocks, Combi-blocks, TCI, VWR, Lancaster, Oakwood, Trans World Chemical, Alfa, Fisher, Maybridge, Frontier, Matrix, Ukrorgsynth, Toronto, Ryan Scientific, SiliCycle, Anaspec, Syn Chem, Chem-Impex, MIC-scientific, Ltd; however some known intermediates, were prepared according to published procedures.
[0266] Usually the compounds of the invention were purified by medium pressure liquid chromatography, unless noted otherwise.
[0000] The following abbreviations are used in the examples:
Et 3 N triethylamine
CH 2 Cl 2 dichloromethane
CDCl 3 deuterated chloroform
MeOH methanol
CD 3 OD deuterated methanol
Na 2 SO 4 sodium sulfate
DMF N,N dimethylformamide
EDCI 1-ethyl-3-(3-dimethylaminopropyl) carbodiimide
HOBt Hydroxybenzotriazole
[0267] THF tertahydrofuran
ClCO 2 Et ethylchloroformate
NH 3 ammonia
[0268] The following synthetic schemes illustrate how compounds according to the invention can be made. Those skilled in the art will be routinely able to modify and/or adapt the following schemes to synthesize any compound of the invention covered by Formula II.
Example 1
Intermediate 1
tert-Butyl (2S)-2-{[(4-Bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoate
[0269]
[0270] To a solution of L-phenyl-alanine tert-butyl ester hydrochloride (100 mg, 0.41 mmol) and 6 mL of methylene chloride at 25° C. was added 4-bromo-phenyl isocyanate (81 mg, 0.41 mmol) and triethylamine (62 mg, 0.62 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 30 minutes. The mixture was concentrated and the residue was purified by medium pressure liquid chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate: hexane (20:80) to yield Intermediate 1, as a white solid.
[0271] 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.20-7.35 (m, 5H), 7.13-7.20 (m, 2H), 7.01-7.10 (m, 2H), 6.79 (br. s., NH), 5.52 (br. s., NH), 4.70 (t, J=6.2 Hz, 1H), 2.91 (ddd, J=19.0 Hz, J=6.0 Hz, 2H), 1.47 (m, 9H).
[0272] Intermediates 2, 3 and 4 were prepared from the corresponding amino acid in a similar manner to the procedure described in Example 1 for Intermediate 1, starting with the appropriate amino acid. The results are described below in Table 1.
[0000]
TABLE 1
Interm.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
2
tert-Butyl(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo phenyl)carbamoyl]amino{-3- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.29- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.22 (m, 2H), 6.83 (br. s., 1H), 4.44 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 1H), 1.81-1.99 (m, 1H), 1.36-1.46 (m, 1H), 1.08-1.31 (m, 1H), 0.86- 1.02 (m, 6H).
3
tert-Butyl(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-pentanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.26- 7.36 (m, 2H), 7.09-7.18 (m, 2H), 6.95 (br. s., NH), 4.40-4.50 (m, 1H), 1.73-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.25-1.46 (m, 2H), 0.95 (t, 2H).
4
tert-butyl(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo phenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.20- 7.33 (m, 2H), 7.04-7.15 (m, 2H), 4.44 (dd, J = 9.1, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 1.74 (dd, J = 12.9, 6.4 Hz, 1H), 1.54-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.50 (s, 9H), 1.40-1.47 (m, 1H), 0.97 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, 3H).
Example 2
Intermediate 5
(2S)-2-{[(4-Bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoic Acid
[0273]
[0274] A solution of Intermediate 1 (60 mg, 0.15 mmol) and 0.5 mL of formic acid was stirred at 25° C. for 3 hours. The resulting mixture was quenched with water (imp then extracted with ethyl acetate. The organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 , filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The residue was rinsed 4 times with methylene chloride: hexane (1:1) to yield Intermediate 5 as a white solid.
[0275] 1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.29 (s, NH), 7.40-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.31 (m, 5H), 5.98 (d, J=7.9 Hz, NH), 4.67 (m, 1H), 3.02 (ddd, J=19.0 Hz, J=6.0 Hz, 2H).
[0276] Intermediates 6, 7 and 8 and Compounds 1 through 6 were prepared from the corresponding urea derivative in a similar manner to the procedure described in Example 2 for Intermediate 5. The results are described below in Table 2.
[0000]
TABLE 2
Interm.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
6
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.24 (br. s., 1H), 7.44-7.53 (m, 2H), 7.32- 7.42 (m, 2H), 6.08 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 4.44 (dd, J = 8.6, 4.8 Hz, 1H), 1.86-2.00 (m, J = 9.1, 6.9, 4.6, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 1.43- 1.61 (m, 1H), 1.15-1.33 (m, 1H), 0.88- 1.04 (m, 6H).
7
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-pentanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.20 (s, NH), 7.43-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.08 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, NH), 4.38- 4.50 (m, 1H), 1.77-1.92 (m, 1H), 1.61- 1.76 (m, 1H), 1.36-1.53 (m, 2H), 0.89- 1.00 (m, 3H).
8
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.17 (s, NH), 7.43-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.35-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.04 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, NH), 4.42-4.53 (m, 1H), 1.73-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.73 (m, 2H), 0.97 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, 3H).
Comp.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
1
{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- phenylpropanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.26 (s, NH), 7.71 (br. s., NH), 7.32-7.46 (m, 4H), 7.13-7.31 (m, 5H), 6.03 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, NH), 4.71 (td, J = 7.7, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.98 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 2H), 3.14-3.26 (m, 1H), 3.01 (dd, 1H).
2
3-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- phenylpropanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.27 (s, NH), 7.44 (s, NH), 7.33-7.43 (m, 4H), 7.15-7.30 (m, 5H), 6.03 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, NH), 4.53-4.65 (m, 1H), 3.34-3.51 (m, 2H), 2.93-3.15 (m, 2H), 2.47 (td, 2H).
3
{[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.28 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.16 (br. s., NH), 7.67 (br. s., NH), 7.34 (dd, J = 11.0, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.23-7.30 (m, 1H), 6.57 (d, J = 9.4 Hz, NH), 4.37 (dd, J = 8.6, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 3.89- 4.08 (m, 2H), 1.86-1.98 (m, 1H), 1.53- 1.67 (m, 1H), 1.10-1.27 (m, 1H), 0.98 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.85-0.94 (m, 3H).
4
{[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.27 (s, NH), 7.66 (br. s., NH), 7.42-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.08 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.34 (dd, J = 8.6, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 3.88-4.09 (m, 2H), 1.81-1.96 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.67 (m, 1H), 1.06-1.27 (m, 1H), 0.97 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.86-0.93 (m, 3H).
5
{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino} pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.25 (s, NH), 7.67 (br. s., NH), 7.41-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.13 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, NH), 4.42 (td, J = 7.7, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.89-4.08 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.54-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.34-1.51 (m, 2H), 0.91 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H).
6
{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.19 (s, NH), 7.70 (br. s., NH), 7.42-7.51 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.07 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, NH), 4.46 (ddd, J = 9.6, 8.3, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.87-4.07 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.46-1.59 (m, 1H), 0.95 (s, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H).
Example 3
Compound 7
tert-Butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}acetate
[0277]
[0278] To a solution of Intermediate 5 (80 mg, 0.22 mmol) and 2 mL of anhydrous DMF at 25° C. was added EDCI (64 mg, 0.33 mmol), HOBt (45 mg, 0.33 mmol), glycine tert-butyl ester (44 mg, 0.33 mmol) and N-methylmorpholine (44 mg, 0.44 mmol). The resulting mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 12 hours. The mixture was quenched with water (1 mL), and the product was extracted with ethyl acetate (20 mL). The layers were separated, and the organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 , filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting product was purified by medium pressure liquid chromatography on silica gel using ethyl acetate: hexane (40:60) to yield Compound 7 as a white solid.
[0279] 1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.18-7.35 (m, 7H), 7.03 (d, J=8.5 Hz, 2H), 6.85 (br. s., 1H), 4.69 (t, J=7.5 Hz, 1H), 3.74-3.96 (m, 2H), 2.98-3.19 (m, 2H), 1.42 (s, 9H).
[0280] Compounds 8 through 27 and Intermediate 9 were prepared from the corresponding urea derivative in a similar manner to the procedure described in Example 3 for Compound 7. The results are described below in Table 3.
[0000]
TABLE 3
Comp.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
8
tert-butyl3-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}- 3-phenylpropanoyl] amino}propanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.18- 7.35 (m, 7H), 7.08-7.17 (m, 2H), 4.54-4.64 (m, 1H), 3.28-3.52 (m, 2H), 2.94-3.17 (m, 2H), 2.18-2.40 (m, 2H), 1.41 (s, 9H).
9
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylpropanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.30- 7.37 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.30 (m, 7H), 4.50 (dd, J = 7.8, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.44- 3.59 (m, 2H), 3.23-3.30 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.15 (m, 1H), 2.90-3.01 (m, 1H).
10
tert-butyl{[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.92- 7.99 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 7.40 (br. s., NH), 7.07-7.16 (m, 2H), 6.67 (s, NH), 6.54 (br. s., NH), 4.21-4.27 (m, 1H), 4.05-4.15 (m, 1H), 3.83- 3.92 (m, 1H), 1.79-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.64 (m, 1H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 1.19-1.24 (m, 1H), 1.00 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.92 (t, 3H).
11
tert-butyl{[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 8.55 (s, NH), 8.36 (br. s., NH), 7.33-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 6.28 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, NH), 4.20 (dd, J = 8.6, 6.3 Hz, 1H), 3.72-3.97 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.56-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.13-1.31 (m, 1H), 1.01 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.92- 0.98 (m, 3H).
12
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-3-methyl-N-(2- oxopropyl)pentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.34- 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.34 (m, 2H), 4.22 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H), 4.05 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, 2H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 1.80-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.14- 1.26 (m, 1H), 0.81-1.07 (m, 6H).
13
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-3-methyl-N-(2- oxopropyl)pentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.99 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, J = 10.7, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.16-7.27 (m, 1H), 4.22 (d, J = 5.9 Hz, 1H), 3.94- 4.14 (m, 2H), 2.14 (s, 3H), 1.84- 1.96 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.67 (m, 1H), 1.14-1.32 (m, 1H), 1.01 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.92-0.98 (m, 3H).
14
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpentanamide
1H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33-7.42 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.12 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.55- 3.65 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.37 (m, 1H), 1.76-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.63 (m, 1H), 1.09-1.31 (m, 2H), 0.90-0.99 (m, 6H).
15
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.99 (t, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.18-7.27 (m, 1H), 4.13 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.56- 3.65 (m, 2H), 3.31-3.37 (m, 1H), 1.77-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.50-1.61 (m, 1H), 1.10-1.26 (m, 1H), 0.88-1.01 (m, 6H).
16
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-oxopropyl)-3- phenylpropanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.23 (s, NH), 7.59 (br. s., NH), 7.32- 7.47 (m, 4H), 7.15-7.29 (m, 5H), 6.01 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.70 (td, J = 7.7, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 4.05 (d, J = 5.3 Hz, 2H), 3.12-3.24 (m, 1H), 2.95- 3.06 (m, 1H), 2.10 (s, 3H).
17
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-oxopropyl)-3- phenylpropanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.22 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (br. s., NH), 7.61 (br. s., NH), 7.32 (dd, J = 11.0, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.15-7.29 (m, 6H), 6.51 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 4.72 (td, J = 7.9, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 4.05 (dd, J = 5.6, 1.2 Hz, 2H), 3.14-3.24 (m, 1H), 2.95-3.05 (m, 1H), 2.10 (s, 3H).
18
tert-butyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-pentanoyl]amino} acetate
1H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.20 (s, NH), 7.60 (br. s., NH), 7.42- 7.51 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.07 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, NH), 4.41 (td, J = 7.9, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.75-3.99 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.43 (s, 9H), 1.37-1.48 (m, 2H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H).
19
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylpropanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.91 (t, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.17-7.34 (m, 7H), 4.50 (dd, J = 8.2, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 3.44-3.59 (m, 2H), 3.23-3.27 (m, 2H), 3.05-3.17 (m, 1H), 2.87- 2.99 (m, 1H).
20
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)pentanamid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.23 (dd, J = 8.2, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 3.56- 3.63 (m, 2H), 1.69-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.54-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.29-1.51 (m, 2H), 0.91-1.02 (m, 3H).
21
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)pentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.97 (t, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, J = 10.7, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.19-7.27 (m, 1H), 4.23 (dd, J = 8.1, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.56-3.66 (m, 2H), 1.68-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.54-1.68 (m, 1H), 1.34-1.51 (m, 2H), 0.91-1.03 (m, 3H).
22
methyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}- pentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.19 (s, NH), 7.71 (br. s., NH), 7.42- 7.52 (m, 2H), 7.31-7.42 (m, 2H), 6.07 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.34-4.47 (m, 1H), 3.86-4.10 (m, 2H), 3.66 (s, 3H), 1.73-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.71 (m, 1H), 1.35-1.51 (m, 2H), 0.92 (t, 3H).
23
ethyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}- pentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.19 (s, NH), 7.69 (br. s., NH), 7.42- 7.50 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.40 (m, 2H), 6.07 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.42 (td, J = 7.9, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 4.13 (q, J = 7.2 Hz, 2H), 3.85-4.06 (m, 2H), 1.73- 1.88 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.34-1.51 (m, 2H), 1.20 (t, J = 7.3, 3H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.3, 3H).
24
isopropyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-pentanoyl]amino} acetate
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.20 (s, NH), 7.67 (br. s., NH), 7.43- 7.51 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.42 (m, 2H), 6.07 (d, J = 9.7 Hz, NH), 4.97 (dt, J = 12.5, 6.2 Hz, 1H), 4.41 (td, J = 7.8, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.82-4.04 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.55-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.34-1.50 (m, 2H), 1.22 (s, 3H), 1.20 (s, 3H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.3, 3H).
25
tert-butyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.16 (s, NH), 7.62 (br. s., NH), 7.42- 7.49 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.40 (m, 2H), 6.03 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, NH), 4.40-4.51 (m, 1H), 3.76-3.95 (m, 2H), 1.72- 1.84 (m, 1H), 1.60-1.73 (m, 1H), 1.45-1.58 (m, 1H), 0.95 (s, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H).
26
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-4-methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.34-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.24-4.33 (m, 1H), 3.55-3.64 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.35 (m, 2H), 1.64- 1.79 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.62 (m, 2H), 0.98 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H).
27
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4-methyl-N-(2- oxopropyl)pentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.17 (s, NH), 7.61 (br. s., NH), 7.42- 7.50 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.42 (m, 2H), 6.06 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, NH), 4.45 (ddd, J = 9.7, 8.1, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 4.04 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.12 (s, 3H), 1.72-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.60-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.45- 1.58 (m, 1H), 0.95 (s, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H).
Interm.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
9
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N- hydroxypentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 10.27 (br. s., OH), 8.18 (br. s., NH), 8.03 (s, NH), 7.42-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.11 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, NH), 4.23-4.34 (m, 1H), 1.52- 1.80 (m, 2H), 1.27-1.49 (m, 2H), 0.87-0.95 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H).
Example 4
Compound 28
(2S,3S)—N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanamide
[0281]
[0282] To a solution of Compound 11 (50 mg, 0.13 mmol) and 5 mL of anhydrous tetrahydrofuran under argon at −78° C. was added triethylamine (24 mg, 0.17 mmol) and ethyl chloroformate (17 mg, 0.16 mmol). The mixture was stirred at −78° C. for 30 minutes, and then ammonia gas was bubbled into reaction flask for 1 minute. The resulting mixture was stirred at 25° C. for 2 hours. The reaction was quenched with water (1 mL), and the residue was extracted with ethyl acetate (20 mL). The layers were separated, and the organic layer was washed with water, brine, dried over Na 2 SO 4 , filtered, and the filtrate was concentrated under reduced pressure. The resulting product was purified by medium pressure chromatography on silica gel using an eluent of methanol: dichloromethane (10:90) to yield to yield Compound 28 as a white solid.
[0283] 1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.05 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.85 (q, J=17.0 Hz, 2H), 1.78-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.54-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.16-1.33 (m, 1H), 0.99 (d, J=6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.92-0.98 (m, 3H).
[0284] Compounds 29 through 85 as well as Intermediates 10 through 35 were prepared from the corresponding acid derivative in a similar manner to the procedure described in Example 4 for Compound 28.
[0000]
TABLE 4
Comp.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
29
(2S,3S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2- {[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 8.00 (t, J = 8.6 Hz, 1H), 7.32 (dd, J = 10.7, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.18-7.26 (m, 1H), 4.05 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 1H), 3.74-3.95 (m, 2H), 1.80-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.18-1.32 (m, 1H), 1.00 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.92-0.98 (m, 3H).
30
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2- {[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-pentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.27 (s, NH), 7.70 (br. s., NH), 7.41-7.48 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.41 (m, 2H), 7.02 (s, NH), 6.30 (s, NH), 6.22 (d, J = 5.3 Hz, NH), 4.22-4.32 (m, 1H), 3.72-3.91 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.56- 1.71 (m, 1H), 1.37-1.53 (m, 2H), 0.88- 0.97 (m, 3H).
31
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2- {[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl] carbamoyl}amino)pentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.23 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.13 (br. s., NH), 7.72 (s, NH), 7.35 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dt, J = 8.9, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.00 (s, NH), 6.66 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, NH), 6.34 (s, NH), 4.29 (dd, J = 12.2, 8.1 Hz, 1H), 3.82 (dd, J = 5.9, 1.8 Hz, 2H), 1.75- 1.90 (m, 1H), 1.58-1.73 (m, 1H), 1.37- 1.53 (m, 2H), 0.89-0.98 (m, 3H).
32
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2- {[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.20 (s, NH), 7.77 (br. s., NH), 7.40-7.47 (m, 2H), 7.32-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.04 (br. s., NH), 6.38 (br. s., NH), 6.18 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 4.31 (ddd, J = 9.4, 7.0, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.71-3.93 (m, 2H), 1.69- 1.85 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.69 (m, 2H), 0.96 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 3H).
33
tert-butyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}- 4-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.89 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.55 (br. s., NH), 7.07 (dd, J = 10.7, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 6.95-7.04 (m, 1H), 6.84 (br. s., NH), 4.43 (br. s., NH), 4.00-4.16 (m, 1H), 3.81-3.92 (m, 1H), 1.69-1.88 (m, 1H), 1.56- 1.70 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.97 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, 3H).
34
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.27 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (br. s., NH), 7.71 (br. s., NH), 7.34 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.1 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dt, J = 8.8, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.54 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, NH), 4.42-4.53 (m, 1H), 3.93-4.01 (m, 2H), 1.72- 1.86 (m, 1H), 1.63-1.74 (m, 1H), 1.46- 1.60 (m, 1H), 0.96 (s, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H).
35
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4-methyl-N-(2- oxopropyl)pentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.30 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (br. s., NH), 7.62 (br. s., NH), 7.31-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.30 (m, 2H), 6.52 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.39-4.53 (m, 1H), 4.04 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 2.10-2.15 (m, 3H), 1.70- 1.86 (m, 1H), 1.61-1.71 (m, 1H), 1.47- 1.62 (m, 1H), 0.96 (s, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H).
36
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2- hydroxyethyl)-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.97 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.18-7.27 (m, 1H), 4.28 (dd, J = 9.2, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.56-3.64 (m, 2H), 3.32-3.37 (m, 2H), 1.64-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.50-1.62 (m, 2H), 0.98 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H).
37
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4- bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.22 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (br. s., NH), 7.77 (br. s., NH), 7.34 (dd, J = 11.0, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.25 (dt, J = 8.9, 1.7 Hz, 1H), 6.99 (br. s., NH), 6.62 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, NH), 6.37 (br. s., NH), 4.33 (ddd, J = 9.6, 7.0, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.72-3.92 (m, 2H), 1.68-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.70 (m, 2H), 0.96 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (d, 3H).
38
tert-butyl(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.90 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.45 (br. s., NH), 7.02- 7.15 (m, 2H), 6.92 (s, NH), 6.61 (br. s., NH), 4.37-4.54 (m, 2H), 1.79 (dt, J = 13.2, 6.9 Hz, 1H), 1.56-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.46 (s, 9H), 1.40 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (s, 3H), 0.95 (s, 3H).
39
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.26 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.08 (br. s., NH), 7.67 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, NH), 7.33 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.27 (dt, J = 8.8, 1.8 Hz, 1H), 6.52 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, NH), 4.40- 4.54 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.59-1.72 (m, 1H), 1.45-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.39 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (s, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H).
40
(2S)-N-[(1S)-2-amino-1-methyl-2- oxoethyl]-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.25 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.09 (br. s., NH), 7.57 (d, J = 5.6 Hz, NH), 7.35 (dd, J = 11.0, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.22-7.31 (m, 1H), 6.92 (br. s., NH), 6.54 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 6.29 (br. s., NH), 4.30-4.44 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.90 (m, 1H), 1.47-1.72 (m, 2H), 1.30 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, J =1.5 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (d, 3H).
41
tert-butyl(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-({[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl}amino)-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.62 (br. s., NH), 7.21-7.29 (m, 2H), 7.08-7.16 (m, 2H), 6.90 (br. s., NH), 4.39-4.50 (m, 1H), 4.35 (t, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 1.73- 1.86 (m, 1H), 1.54-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.38 (d, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 2.9 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, J = 2.9 Hz, 3H).
42
tert-butyl(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}- 4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-3- methylbutanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.45 (br. s., NH), 7.21-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.10-7.18 (m, 2H), 4.45 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (dd, J = 8.5, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.07-2.20 (m, 1H), 1.77 (dt, J = 13.3, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.56-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.98 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H), 0.91 (s, 3H).
43
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.22 (s, NH), 7.66 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, NH), 7.43- 7.50 (m, 2H), 7.34-7.41 (m, 2H), 6.05 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, NH), 4.39-4.52 (m, 2H), 2.81 (br. s., 4H), 1.71-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.71 (m, 1H), 1.43-1.57 (m, 1H), 1.39 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.94 (s, 3H), 0.92 (s, 3H).
44
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}-3- methylbutanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.45 (br. s., NH), 7.21-7.30 (m, 2H), 7.10- 7.18 (m, 2H), 4.45 (t, J = 7.2 Hz, 1H), 4.32 (dd, J = 8.5, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 2.07- 2.20 (m, 1H), 1.77 (dt, J = 13.3, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.56-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.98 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H), 0.93 (s, 3H), 0.91 (s, 3H).
45
(2S)-N-[(1S)-2-amino-1-methyl-2- oxoethyl]-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.21 (s, NH), 7.56 (s, NH), 7.42-7.49 (m, 2H), 7.33-7.40 (m, 2H), 6.06-6.12 (s, NH), 4.28-4.44 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.59-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.47- 1.59 (m, 1H), 1.30 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (s, 3H), 0.92 (s, 3H).
46
(2S)-N-[(1S)-1-(amino-3methyl-1- oxobutan-2-yl]-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}- 4-methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.34- 7.40 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.34 (dd, J = 9.5, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.21 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 1H), 2.02-2.16 (m, 1H), 1.67- 1.79 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.65 (m, 1H), 0.94- 1.00 (m, 9H).
47
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxy- 2-methylpropyl)-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.93 (s, NH), 7.33-7.40 (m, 2H), 7.26- 7.33 (m, 2H), 6.28 (br. s., NH), 4.25- 4.36 (m, 1H), 3.15-3.27 (m, 2H), 1.67- 1.81 (m, 1H), 1.50-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.17 (s, 6H), 0.99 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, 3H).
48
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-[2-hydroxy- 1-(hydroxymethyl)ethyI]-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.30 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 3.86-3.96 (m, 1H), 3.62 (t, J = 5.6 Hz, 4H), 1.67- 1.81 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.67 (m, 2H), 0.98 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H).
47
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2,3- dihydroxypropyl)-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.34 (m, 2H), 4.28 (dd, J = 8.9, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.64-3.76 (m, 1H), 3.46-3.52 (m, 2H), 3.33- 3.42 (m, 1H), 3.15-3.27 (m, 1H), 1.67- 1.80 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.67 (m, 2H), 0.98 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H).
48
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-[(1R)-2- hydroxy-1-methylethyl]-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.40 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.26 (dd, J = 8.2, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 3.88-3.99 (m, 1H), 3.49 (dd, J = 5.4, 1.3 Hz, 2H), 1.72 (dt, J = 13.3, 6.8 Hz, 1H), 1.50- 1.60 (m, 2H), 1.14 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.98 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, 3H).
49
tert-butyl(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methyl pentanoyl]amino}propanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.36 (dd, J = 9.5, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 4.26 (dd, J = 8.6, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 1.49-1.84 (m, 6H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 1.36-1.43 (m, 1H), 0.99 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 3H), 0.90-0.96 (m, 3H).
50
tert-butyl(2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.32- 7.43 (m, 6H), 7.25-7.31 (m, 2H), 4.41 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 1.72-1.81 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.40 (s, 9H), 1.17-1.19 (m, 0H), 0.99 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 6H).
51
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.40 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.32- 4.44 (m, 2H), 1.35-1.90 (m, 7H), 0.99 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H), 0.91-0.96 (m, 3H).
52
(2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.40- 7.47 (m, 2H), 7.23-7.39 (m, 7H), 4.41 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 1.70-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.69 (m, 2H), 0.98 (t, 6H).
53
(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopentan- 2-yl]-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.30 (ddd, J = 16.0, 9.4, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 1.50- 1.86 (m, 5H), 1.33-1.48 (m, 2H), 0.95- 1.01 (m, 6H), 0.89-0.96 (m, 3H).
54
(2S)-N-[(1S)-2-amino-2-oxo-1- phenylethyl]-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.41- 7.48 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.42 (m, 7H), 4.36 (dd, J = 9.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.52-1.82 (m, 3H), 0.92-1.02 (m, 6H).
55
tert-butyl{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2,4- dimethylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.30- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.15-7.23 (m, 2H), 6.82 (br. s., 1H), 2.15-2.32 (m, 1H), 1.68- 1.79 (m, 2H), 1.63 (s, 3H), 1.48 (s, 9H), 0.93 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H), 0.89 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 3H).
56
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2,4- dimethylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.31 (d, J = 14.4 Hz, 2H), 3.92 (d, J = 1.2 Hz, 2H), 2.03-2.15 (m, 1H), 1.70- 1.86 (m, 2H), 1.58 (s, 3H), 0.95 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H), 0.91 (d, J = 6.4 Hz, 3H).
57
tert-butyl{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2- ethylbutanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.247.39 (m, 2H), 7.24 (m, 2H), 6.50 (s, NH), 3.85 (s, 2H), 2.21-2.40 (m, 2H), 1.82 (dq, J = 14.2, 7.3 Hz, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 0.85 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 6H).
58
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2- ethylbutanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 600 MHz) δ: 7.35 (d, J = 8.8 Hz, 2H), 7.26-7.30 (m, 2H), 3.92 (s, 2H), 2.23-2.34 (m, 2H), 1.78- 1.89 (m, 2H), 0.85 (t, J = 7.5 Hz, 6H).
59
tert-butyl{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.23 (m, 2H), 7.39 (m, 2H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 1.52 (s, 6H), 1.45 (s, 9H).
60
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoyl]amino}acetate acid
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.23- 7.40 (m, 4H), 3.81 (s, 2H), 1.51 (s, 6H).
61
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-N-[2- (dimethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.34- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.36 (dd, J = 10.0, 4.7 Hz, 1H), 3.97-4.13 (m, 2H), 3.03 (s, 3H), 2.94 (s, 3H), 1.51- 1.83 (m, 3H), 0.94-1.03 (m, 6H).
62
tert-butyl{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.49- 7.56 (m, 4H), 4.36 (dd, J = 9.7, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 3.70-3.95 (m, 2H), 1.69-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.68 (m, 2H), 1.43- 1.46 (m, 9H), 0.99 (dd, J = 6.4, 4.1 Hz, 6H).
63
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.50- 7.56 (m, 4H), 6.37 (d, J = 7.6 Hz, NH), 4.38 (dd, J = 9.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.79- 4.04 (m, 2H), 1.69-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.50- 1.70 (m, 2H), 0.99 (dd, J = 6.4, 3.8 Hz, 6H).
64
tert-butyl{[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.32 (m, 2H), 6.29 (s, NH), 4.17-4.24 (m, 0H), 3.73- 3.95 (m, 2H), 1.87 (dtd, J = 9.8, 6.5, 3.2 Hz, 0H), 1.61 (ddt, J = 17.0, 7.4, 3.6 Hz, 0H), 1.43-1.47 (m, 9H), 1.11- 1.27 (m, 0H), 0.90-1.03 (m, 6H).
65
{[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.27-7.32 (m, 2H), 6.29 (s, NH), 4.19-4.26 (m, 1H), 3.81- 4.00 (m, 2H), 1.84-1.94 (m, 1H), 1.60 (ddd, J = 13.2, 7.6, 3.5 Hz, 1H), 1.13- 1.30 (m, 2H), 1.13-1.30 (m, 2H), 0.96 (d, J = 17.6 Hz, 3H).
66
tert-butyl{[(2R)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 600 MHz) δ: 7.35- 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.31 (m, 2H), 4.34 (dd, J = 10.0, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.75-3.91 (m, 2H), 1.73-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.63- 1.68 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.59 (m, 1H), 1.44- 1.47 (m, 9H), 0.99 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H).
67
{[(2R)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 600 MHz) δ: 7.34- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.32- 4.38 (m, 1H), 3.84-4.00 (m, 2H), 1.72-1.81 (m, 1H), 1.63-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.60 (m, 1H), 0.99 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H).
68
tert-butyl{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.27- 7.34 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.24 (m, 2H), 6.24 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, NH), 4.30-4.40 (m, 1H), 3.72-3.95 (m, 2H), 2.40-2.43 (m, 3H), 1.69-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.50- 1.68 (m, 2H), 1.44-1.47 (m, 9H), 0.99 (dd, J = 6.4, 4.7 Hz, 6H).
69
2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 8.27 (s, NH), 7.52 (d, J = 19.9 Hz, 4H), 6.29 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, NH), 4.27-4.43 (m, 1H), 1.70-1.85 (m, 1H), 1.45-1.67 (m, 8H), 0.98 (dd, J = 6.4, 2.9 Hz, 6H).
70
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.26- 7.34 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.24 (m, 2H), 4.30- 4.41 (m, 1H), 3.80-4.03 (m, 2H), 2.39-2.43 (m, 3H), 1.49-1.84 (m, 3H), 0.98 (dd, J = 6.4, 4.1 Hz, 6H).
71
tert-butyl({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4- [(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl} carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}amino) acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.52- 7.57 (m, 2H), 7.47-7.52 (m, 2H), 4.32- 4.40 (m, 1H), 3.72-3.95 (m, 2H), 1.69-1.84 (m, 1H), 1.50-1.68 (m, 2H), 1.42-1.47 (m, 9H), 0.99 (dd, J = 6.3, 4.2 Hz, 6H).
72
({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4- [(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl} carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}amino) acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.47- 7.57 (m, 4H), 4.37 (dd, J = 9.5, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.83-4.02 (m, 2H), 1.70-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.68 (m, 2H), 0.99 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 3H).
73
tert-butyl2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.31 (dd, J = 9.1, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 1.67-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.45-1.63 (m, 2H), 1.39- 1.44 (m, 15H), 0.97 (dd, J = 6.6, 3.1 Hz, 6H).
74
2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 8.46 (s, NH), 8.26 (s, NH), 7.33-7.38 (m, 2H), 7.25-7.31 (m, 2H), 4.32 (dd, J = 9.2, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 1.68-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 1.48 (s, 3H), 0.98 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 3H).
75
tert-butyl{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.61 (s, 4H), 4.37 (dd, J = 9.8, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 3.72-3.96 (m, 2H), 2.77 (s, 3H), 1.69- 1.85 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.69 (m, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H), 0.94-1.05 (m, 6H).
76
tert-butyl{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.77- 7.86 (m, 2H), 7.57-7.67 (m, 2H), 4.37 (dd, J = 9.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.71-3.96 (m, 2H), 3.07 (s, 3H), 1.69-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.70 (m, 2H), 1.40-1.49 (m, 9H), 0.94-1.03 (m, 6H).
77
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.57- 7.66 (m, 4H), 4.38 (dd, J = 9.7, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.81-4.03 (m, 2H), 2.77 (s, 3H), 1.69-1.85 (m, 1H), 1.48-1.68 (m, 2H), 0.92-1.03 (m, 6H).
78
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.76- 7.87 (m, 2H), 7.57-7.68 (m, 2H), 6.43 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, NH), 4.32-4.45 (m, 1H), 3.81-4.04 (m, 2H), 3.07 (s, 3H), 1.71-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.70 (m, 2H), 0.98 (dd, J = 6.4, 3.5 Hz, 6H).
79
tert-butyl2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4- methyl-2-({[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoyl]amino}propanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.46- 7.58 (m, 2H), 4.33 (dd, J = 9.2, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 1.69-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.46-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.36-1.46 (m, 15H), 0.94- 1.04 (m, 6H).
80
tert-butyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- (methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.24- 7.41 (m, 4H), 4.44 (dd, J = 7.8, 5.4 Hz, 1H), 3.70-3.99 (m, 2H), 2.54-2.68 (m, 2H), 2.12-2.18 (m, 1H), 2.11 (s, 3H), 1.85-2.02 (m, 1H), 1.41-1.50 (m, 9H). [α]D = −21.8 (c = 1.00, MeOH)
81
tert-butyl{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- (methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.26- 7.43 (m, 4H), 4.43-4.57 (m, 1H), 3.70- 4.03 (m, 2H), 3.24 (s, 2H), 2.99 (s, 4H), 2.28-2.42 (m, 1H), 2.11-2.26 (m, 1H), 1.47 (s, 9H).
82
{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- (methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.25- 7.44 (m, 4H), 6.55 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 4.53 (m, 1H), 3.79-4.10 (m, 2H), 3.26 (m., 2H), 2.98 (s, 3H), 2.26-2.42 (m, 1H), 2.20 (m, 1H).
83
{[(2S)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- (methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.26- 7.42 (m, 4H), 6.55 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 4.47-4.58 (m, 1H), 3.80-4.11 (m, 2H), 3.25 (m, 2H), 2.98 (s, 3H), 2.28- 2.43 (m, 1H), 2.11-2.27 (m, 1H).
84
tert-butyl{[2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- (1H-imidazol-4- yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.61 (s, 1H), 7.21-7.41 (m, 4H), 6.94 (s, 1H), 4.51-4.64 (m, 1H), 3.75-3.96 (m, 2H), 3.07-3.22 (m, 1H), 2.93- 3.06 (m, 1H), 1.49 (s, 9H).
85
{[2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- (1H-imidazol-4- yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid
1 H NMR (DMSO-D 6 , 300 MHz) δ: 8.93 (NH, 1H), 8.42 (br. s., NH), 7.67 (s, 1H), 7.34 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 4H), 6.88 (s, 1H), 6.28 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 4.44 (m., 1H), 3.55-3.90 (m, 2H), 2.93 (m., 2H).
86
tert-butyl2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.31 (dd, J = 9.1, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 1.67-1.80 (m, 1H), 1.45-1.63 (m, 2H), 1.39- 1.44 (m, 15H), 0.97 (dd, J = 6.6, 3.1 Hz, 6H).
87
2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 8.46 (s, NH), 8.23 (s, 2NH), 7.33-7.39 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.31 (m, 2H), 6.19 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.31 (m 1H), 1.73 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.49 (s, 3H), 1.48 (s, 3H), 0.98 (d, J = 3.8 Hz, 6H), 0.96 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 6H).
88
tert-butyl{[4-amino-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}- 4-oxobutanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.27- 7.42 (m, 4H), 4.69 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.75-3.94 (m, 2H), 2.70-2.78 (m, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H).
89
4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4-oxobutanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.26- 7.44 (m, 4H), 4.62 (t, J = 5.3 Hz, 1H), 2.70-2.94 (m, 2H).
90
tert-butyl{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-indol-3- yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.56- 7.61 (m, 1H), 7.30-7.36 (m, 3H), 7.23- 7.26 (m, 2H), 7.16 (s, NH), 7.08 (td, J = 7.6, 1.2 Hz, 1H), 6.95-7.02 (m, 1H), 6.13 (d, J = 7.3 Hz, NH), 4.60-4.68 (m, 1H), 3.80 (s, 2H), 3.32-3.38 (m, 1H), 3.11-3.23 (m, 1H), 1.43-1.47 (m, 9H).
91
tert-butyl{[4-amino-2-{[(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}- 4-oxobutanoyl]amino}acetate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.27- 7.42 (m, 4H), 4.69 (t, J = 6.0 Hz, 1H), 3.75-3.94 (m, 2H), 2.70-2.78 (m, 2H), 1.45 (s, 9H).
Interm.
IUPAC name
No.
Structure
1 H NMR δ (ppm)
10
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl] amino}-3- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.33- 7.41 (m, 2H), 7.26-7.33 (m, 2H), 4.18 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H), 1.74-1.91 (m, 1H), 1.50-1.66 (m, 1H), 1.11-1.33 (m, 1H), 0.99 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, 3H), 0.91- 0.97 (m, 3H).
11
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.99 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.31 (dd, J = 10.7, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.19-7.27 (m, 1H), 4.18 (d, J = 6.2 Hz, 1H), 1.78-1.95 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.65 (m, 1H), 1.10-1.27 (m, 1H), 1.00 (d, J = 6.7 Hz, 3H), 0.91- 0.98 (m, 3H).
12
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-pentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d6, 300 MHz) δ: 8.28 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 8.12 (br. s., NH), 7.33 (dd, J = 11.0, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.26 (dt, J = 8.9, 1.9 Hz, 1H), 7.07 (br. s., NH), 6.55 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, NH), 6.40 (br. s., NH), 4.38 (td, J = 7.8, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 1.73-1.89 (m, 1H), 1.54-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.24-1.49 (m, 2H), 0.92 (t, J = 7.3 Hz, 3H).
13
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d6, 300 MHz) δ: 8.17 (s, NH), 7.41-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.33- 7.40 (m, 2H), 6.03 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 4.39 (ddd, J = 9.4, 8.2, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 3.58 (q, J = 5.6 Hz, 2H), 3.26- 3.37 (m, 2H), 1.66-1.81 (m, 1H), 1.44- 1.67 (m, 2H), 0.94 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 3H), 0.92 (d, J = 1.4 Hz, 3H).
14
(2S)-2({[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (acetone-d6, 300 MHz) δ: 8.27 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.06 (br. s., NH), 7.34 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.25- 7.31 (m, 1H), 6.53 (d, J = 7.0 Hz, NH), 4.43-4.55 (m, 1H), 1.73-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.71 (m, 2H), 0.98 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 3H), 0.96 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 3H).
15
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanamide
1 H NMR (acetone-d6, 300 MHz) δ: 8.28 (t, J = 8.9 Hz, 1H), 8.07 (br. s., NH), 7.33 (dd, J = 10.8, 2.3 Hz, 1H), 7.23- 7.30 (m, 1H), 7.10 (br. s., NH), 6.50 (d, J = 8.2 Hz, NH), 6.38 (br. s., NH), 4.42 (ddd, J = 9.6, 8.3, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.70- 1.87 (m, 1H), 1.59-1.70 (m, 1H), 1.44- 1.59 (m, 1H), 0.95 (d, J = 1.5 Hz, 3H), 0.93 (d, 3H).
16
tert-butyl(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2- fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.89 (t, J = 8.8 Hz, 1H), 7.14 (dd, J = 10.4, 2.2 Hz, 1H), 7.06 (d, J = 9.1 Hz, 1H), 6.80 (d, J = 2.6 Hz, NH), 5.79 (br. s., NH), 4.45 (dd, J = 8.8, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.69- 1.85 (m, 1H), 1.57-1.69 (m, 1H), 1.52 (s, 9H), 1.41-1.48 (m, 1H), 0.97 (d, J = 3.5 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, 3H).
17
2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2,4- dimethylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.31- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.22-7.30 (m, 2H), 1.80- 1.92 (m, 2H), 1.71-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.56-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.44 (s, 3H), 0.98 (d, J = 1.2 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, J = 1.2 Hz, 3H).
18
tert-butyl{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 9.29 (br. s., NH), 8.58-8.75 (m, 4H), 7.33 (br. s., NH), 2.65-2.75 (m, 9H).
19
2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2- methylpropanoic acid
1H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.32- 7.37 (m, 2H), 7.24-7.29 (m, 2H), 1.52 (s, 6H).
20
2-{[(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl]amino}-2-ethylbutanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-d6, 300 MHz) δ: 8.76 (br. s., 1H), 7.44-7.52 (m, 2H), 7.31-7.40 (m, 2H), 6.30 (br. s., 1H), 2.29-2.48 (m, 2H), 1.75-1.92 (m, 2H), 0.76-0.86 (m, 6H).
21
tert-butyl(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.50 (s, 4H), 4.27 (dd, J = 9.1, 5.6 Hz, 1H), 1.68-1.86 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.66 (m, 2H), 1.45-1.50 (s, 9H), 0.95 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H).
22
(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl} amino)pentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.49- 7.57 (m, 4H), 4.38 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.69-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.69 (m, 2H), 0.92-1.01 (m, 6H).
23
tert-butyl(2S)-2-({(4-chlorophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)4- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.30- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.28 (m, 1H), 4.25 (dd, J = 8.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 1.74 (dd, J = 13.6, 7.5 Hz, 1H), 1.51-1.67 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.97 (t, J = 6.9 Hz, 6H).
24
(2S)-2-({(4-chlorophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)4- methylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.29- 7.38 (m, 2H), 7.17-7.27 (m, 2H), 4.36 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.73 (dd, J = 18.3, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 1.51-1.68 (m, 2H), 0.98 (dd, J = 6.4, 3.5 Hz, 6H).
25
tert-butyl(2S)-2-({(4-iodophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)4- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.50- 7.59 (m, 2H), 7.12-7.23 (m, 2H), 4.25 (m, 1H), 1.73 (m, 1H), 1.49-1.63 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.91-1.03 (m, 6H).
26
(2S)-2-({(4-iodophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)4- methylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.50- 7.58 (m, 2H), 7.13-7.21 (m, 2H), 4.35 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.50-1.86 (m, 2H), 1.01 (m, 6H).
27
(2R,3R)-2-({(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)3- methylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.35- 7.39 (m, 2H), 7.28-7.32 (m, 2H), 4.32 (d, J = 4.7 Hz, 1H), 1.92 (dq, J = 6.8, 4.6 Hz, 1H), 1.46-1.60 (m, 1H), 1.16- 1.33 (m, 1H), 0.93-1.02 (m, 6H).
28
tert-butyl(2R)-2-({(4- bromophenyl)carbamoyl}amino)4- methylpentanoate
1 H NMR (CDCl 3 , 300 MHz) δ: 7.33 (d, J = 8.5 Hz, 2H), 7.17 (s, 2H), 4.43 (dd, J = 9.1, 5.3 Hz, 1H), 1.68-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.56-1.67 (m, 1H), 1.48 (s, 9H), 1.44 (s, 1H), 0.97 (d, J = 4.1 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, J = 4.4 Hz, 3H).
29
(2R)-2-({(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)4- methylpentanoic acid
1 H NMR (acetone-D6, 300 MHz) δ: 8.17 (s, NH), 7.43-7.50 (m, 2H), 7.33- 7.41 (m, 2H), 6.04 (d, J = 7.9 Hz, NH), 4.42-4.52 (m, 1H), 1.71-1.87 (m, 1H), 1.52-1.69 (m, 2H), 0.97 (d, J = 2.1 Hz, 3H), 0.95 (d, J = 2.3 Hz, 3H).
30
tert-butyl(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylthio)phenyl] carbamoyl}amino)pentanoate
1 H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.27- 7.32 (m, 2H), 7.18-7.23 (m, 2H), 4.22- 4.29 (m, 1H), 2.42 (s, 3H), 1.70-1.79 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.61 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.97 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 6H).
31
(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4- (methylthio)phenyl] carbamoyl}amino)pentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.25- 7.31 (m, 2H), 7.14-7.20 (m, 2H), 4.37 (dd, J = 9.2, 5.1 Hz, 1H), 2.39 (s, 3H), 1.68-1.83 (m, 1H), 1.51-1.67 (m, 2H), 0.96 (dd, J = 6.2, 2.3 Hz, 6H).
32
(2S)-4-methyl-2-{({4- [(trifluoromethyl)thio]phenyl} carbamoyl}amino)pentanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.52- 7.58 (m, 2H), 7.47-7.52 (m, 2H), 4.37 (dd, J = 9.4, 5.0 Hz, 1H), 1.70-1.82 (m, 1H), 1.53-1.69 (m, 2H), 0.99 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 3H), 0.97 (d, J = 3.2 Hz, 3H).
33
tert-butyl(2S)-4-methyl-2-{({4- [(trifluoromethyl)thio]phenyl} carbamoyl}amino)pentanoate
1 H NMR (CD3OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.53- 7.57 (m, 2H), 7.47-7.51 (m, 2H), 4.26 (dd, J = 8.9, 5.7 Hz, 1H), 1.74 (td, J = 13.6, 6.7 Hz, 1H), 1.51-1.65 (m, 2H), 1.47 (s, 9H), 0.97 (t, J = 6.7 Hz, 6H).
34
(2S)-2-({(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)4- (methylthio)butanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 7.23- 7.41 (m, 4H), 4.31-4.42 (m, 1H), 2.56 (d, J = 15.5 Hz, 2H), 2.12-2.23 (m, 1H), 2.08 (s, 3H), 1.98 (dt, J = 14.0, 7.2 Hz, 1H).
35
2-({(4-bromophenyl) carbamoyl}amino)3-(1H-imidazol- 4-yl)propanoic acid
1 H NMR (CD 3 OD, 300 MHz) δ: 8.76 (s, 1H), 7.23-7.40 (m, 6H), 4.65 (m, 1H), 3.03-3.27 (m, 2H).
BIOLOGICAL DATA
[0285] Biological activity of compounds according to Formula II is set forth in Table 5 below. CHO-Gα16 cells stably expressing FPRL1 were cultured in (F12, 10% FBS, 1% PSA, 400 μg/ml geneticin and 50 μg/ml hygromycin) and HEK-Gqi5 cells stable expressing FPR1 were cultured in (DMEM high glucose, 10% FBS, 1% PSA, 400 μg/ml geneticin and 50 μg/ml hygromycin). In general, the day before the experiment, 18,000 cells/well were plated in a 384-well clear bottom poly-d-lysine coated plate. The following day the screening compound-induced calcium activity was assayed on the FLIPR Tetra . The drug plates were prepared in 384-well microplates using the EP3 and the MultiPROBE robotic liquid handling systems. Compounds were tested at concentrations ranging from 0.61 to 10,000 nM. Results are expressed as EC 50 (nM) and efficacy values.
[0000]
TABLE 5
FPRL-1
Ga16-CHO
IUPAC Name
EC 50 (nM)
Compound
(Rel. eff.)
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-imidazol-4-
10.0
yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.95)
tert-butyl {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-
263
imidazol-4-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.95)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
247
(methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(1.01)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
1238
(methylsulfonyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.97)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
7
(methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(1.03)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
127
(methylsulfanyl)butanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.98)
2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
2.3
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(0.92)
propanoic acid
tert-butyl 2-methyl-2-{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
1016
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(1.07)
propanoate
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
459
(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(1.12)
acetic acid
tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
1083
(methylsulfonyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(0.90)
acetate
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
358
(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(1.21)
acetic acid
tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
668
(methylsulfinyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(0.97)
acetate
2-{[(2S)-2-({[(4-bromophenyl)amino]carbamoyl}amino)-4-
1
methylpentanoyl] amino}-2-methylpropanoic acid
(0.96)
tert-butyl 2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
133
4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoate
(1.16)
({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4-
560
[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}
(1.07)
amino)acetic acid
tert-butyl ({(2S)-4-methyl-2-[({4-
3103
[(trifluoromethyl)sulfanyl]phenyl}carbamoyl)amino]pentanoyl}
(0.78)
amino)acetate
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
2.95
(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(1.05)
acetic acid
tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
116
(methylsulfanyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(0.98)
acetate
{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
1229
methylpentanoyl]amino} acetic acid
(0.97)
tert-butyl {[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
3657
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.92)
{[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
19315
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.45)
tert-butyl {[(2R,3R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
3974
3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.44)
{[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
1.8
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(0.99)
acetic acid
tert-butyl {[(2S)-4-methyl-2-({[4-
309
(trifluoromethyl)phenyl]carbamoyl}amino)pentanoyl]amino}
(0.81)
acetate
{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
1489
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.87)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-[2-
1.4
(dimethylamino)-2-oxoethyl]-4-methylpentanamide
(0.90)
[(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-
480
methylpropanoyl)amino]acetic acid
(0.99)
tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-
114
methylpropanoyl)amino]acetate
(1.02)
[(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-
19
ethylbutanoyl)amino]acetic acid
(1.04)
tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2-
31
ethylbutanoyl)amino]acetate
(1.03)
[(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2,4-
22
dimethylpentanoyl)amino]acetic acid
(0.98)
tert-butyl [(2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-2,4-
58
dimethylpentanoyl)amino]acetate
(0.98)
(2S)-N-[(1S)-2-amino-2-oxo-1-phenylethyl]-2-{[(4-
84
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(0.99)
(2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
9.1
methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoic acid
(1.08)
tert-butyl (2S)-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-
122
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
(1.02)
methylpentanoyl]amino}(phenyl)ethanoate
(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopentan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-
6.4
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(1.03)
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
1.0
methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoic acid
(0.89)
tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-
13
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
(1.06)
methylpentanoyl]amino}pentanoate
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-[(2R)-1-
3.0
hydroxypropan-2-yl]-4-methylpentanamide
(1.00)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2,3-
5.1
dihydroxypropyl)-4-methylpentanamide
(0.98)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(1,3-
7.4
dihydroxypropan-2-yl)-4-methylpentanamide
(0.96)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-hydroxy-
2.1
2-methylpropyl)-4-methylpentanamide
(1.01)
(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-amino-3-methyl-1-oxobutan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-
1.3
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(1.03)
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
1.83
methylpentanoyl]amino}-3-methylbutanoic acid
(1.13)
tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-
68
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-
(0.98)
3-methylbutanoate
(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-
24
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(0.96)
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
11
methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
(1.05)
tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-
147
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
(0.96)
methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate
(2S)-N-[(2S)-1-amino-1-oxopropan-2-yl]-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
31
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(1.05)
(2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
12
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
(0.95)
methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
tert-butyl (2S)-2-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
174
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
(1.00)
methylpentanoyl]amino}propanoate
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
77
hydroxyethyl)-4-methylpentanamide
(1.05)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
20
methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide
(0.99)
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
4.5
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(0.95)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
3.6
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(1.10)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2- {[(4-bromo-2-
134
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
(1.19)
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
5.2
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanamide
(0.98)
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-
2.5
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanamide
(0.97)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methyl-N-(2-
4.7
oxopropyl)pentanamide
(0.82)
(2S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-
1.05
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-methylpentanamide
(1.08)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
0.88
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.91)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
11
hydroxyethyl)-4-methylpentanamide
(0.92)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
140
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.85)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
4.8
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.92)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
83
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.95)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
92
oxopropyl)pentanamide
(0.92)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
35
oxopropyl)pentanamide
(1.05)
propan-2-yl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-
14
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate
(1.04)
ethyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-
57
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate
(1.18)
methyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-
17
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.88)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
105
hydroxyethyl)pentanamide
(0.87)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
38
hydroxyethyl)pentanamide
(0.92)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
16
hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylpropanamide
(0.98)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-
3.2
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.91)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-
31
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}pentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.95)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
12
oxopropyl)-3-phenylpropanamide
(0.94)
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
29
oxopropyl)-3-phenylpropanamide
(0.96)
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-
62
(2-hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpentanamide
(1.00)
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
24
hydroxyethyl)-3-methylpentanamide
(1.00)
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
36
methyl-N-(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide
(1.01)
(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methyl-N-
10
(2-oxopropyl)pentanamide
(0.97)
(2S,3S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
10
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanamide
(1.00)
(2S,3S)-N-(2-amino-2-oxoethyl)-2-{[(4-
4.6
bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-methylpentanamide
(0.81)
{[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
2.7
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(1.00)
tert-butyl {[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
280
3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.85)
{[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
5.5
3-methylpentanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.95)
tert-butyl {[(2S,3S)-2-{[(4-bromo-2-
757
fluorophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
(0.86)
methylpentanoyl]amino}acetate
(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-N-(2-
6
hydroxyethyl)-3-phenylpropanamide
(0.92)
3-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
18
phenylpropanoyl]amino}propanoic acid
(0.98)
tert-butyl 3-{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
255
3-phenylpropanoyl]amino}propanoate
(1.00)
{[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
7.7
phenylpropanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.99)
tert-butyl {[(2S)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-
118
phenylpropanoyl]amino}acetate
(0.91)
tert-butyl 2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
2725
4-methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoate
(0.74)
2-{[(2R)-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
490
methylpentanoyl]amino}-2-methylpropanoic acid
(0.74)
{[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-indol-3-
0.73
yl)propanoyl]amino}acetic acid
(0.97)
tert-butyl {[2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-3-(1H-
305
indol-3-yl)propanoyl]amino}acetate
(1.03)
[(4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-4-
2938
oxobutanoyl)amino]acetic acid
(0.81)
tert-butyl [(4-amino-2-{[(4-bromophenyl)carbamoyl]amino}-
2306
4-oxobutanoyl)amino]acetate
(0.90) | The present invention relates to novel amide derivatives of N-urea substituted amino acids, processes for preparing them, pharmaceutical compositions containing them and their use as pharmaceuticals as modulators of the N-formyl peptide receptor like-1 (FPRL-1) receptor. | 0 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to a clutch pedal of a friction clutch for an automobile, and more particularly, to a device for turning the clutch pedal over for reducing the force for working the clutch pedal.
2. Description of the Prior Art
A conventional turnover device comprises an arm for turning the clutch pedal over which is jointly rotatably connected to the clutch pedal by a rod or a lever and a tension spring provided between the arm and the clutch pedal. When the clutch pedal is worked until it reaches a predetermined position, the force of the tension spring acting on the clutch pedal to return it to its initial position is changed to assist forward movement of the clutch pedal, and thereby reduce the force for working the same.
In a position at which the tension spring changes the direction of force acting on the rod, i.e., a turnover point, the direction of the force acting upon the portions connecting the rod with the clutch pedal and the arm is changed. The aforementioned parts are pivotally connected with each other by, for example, engagement of pins and pin holes, and in general, a clearance is defined between each of the pins and the pin holes to allow each other's relative rotation. On account of this, when the direction of the force acting on the rod is changed at the turnover point by rapid movement of the clutch pedal, a knocking sound is generated in either of the connecting portions, the impact of which will exert a bad influence upon operational feeling of the clutch pedal.
Even when a bush is interposed between the pin and the pin hole, a clearance will more or less be created, and granted that the pin and the pin hole are completely fitted with no clearance defined, abrasion of the bush will inevitably create a clearance.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The object of the present invention is to overcome the aforementioned disadvantage of the prior art providing a device for turning over a clutch pedal which can prevent generation of knocking sounds in connecting portions between the clutch pedal and a rod and between the rod and a rotatable arm at a turnover point into which the clutch pedal is worked and further prevent bad influence upon the pedal feeling by impact with which the knocking sounds are accompanied.
According to the present invention, there is provided a device for turning over a clutch pedal which can prevent generation of knocking sounds following abrupt relative displacement in connecting portions between the clutch pedal and a rod and between the rod and a rotable arm by providing lateral force which acts upon the rod at the intermediate portion between the aforementioned connecting portions substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the rod so that members forming the connecting portions are displaced relatively to each other within clearances defined therebetween continuously keeping in sliding contact with each other when the direction of force acting on the rod is changed at a turnover point and further prevent bad influence upon the pedal feeling by an impact which is accompanied with the knocking sounds.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of a clutch pedal to which the device according to the present invention is applied;
FIG. 2 is a partially fragmentary rear elevational view of the clutch pedal as viewed from right-hand direction in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front elevational view of the clutch pedal illustrating operation of the device according to the present invention; and
FIG. 4 is an enlarged partially fragmentary top plan view of the rod in either end in which the clearance between the pin and the bush is exaggeratedly illustrated for easy understanding of the connecting portion.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2 of the drawings, there is shown a clutch pedal 1 of a vehicle, of which pedal boss 1a is rotatably mounted to a pedal shaft 2 which is secured to a pedal bracket in the vehicle body (not shown). The clutch pedal 1 is connected by a clevis pin 5 to a clevis 4 which is, in turn, connected to a push rod 3 of a clutch master cylinder (not shown).
An arm 7 for turning the clutch pedal 1 over is rotatably mounted to a part of the body member rearwardly of the clutch pedal 1, i.e., in the right hand side in FIG. 1. A boss 7a provided in one end of the arm 7 is mounted rotatably along an arm shaft 8 which is secured to the body member. The arm 7 is connected substantially at its middle portion to a portion of the clutch pedal 1 by a rod 9. A member 11 connecting the rod 9 to the clutch pedal 1 comprises a pin 11a projecting integrally from the clutch pedal 1 and a pivot hole (not shown) formed in one end of the rod 9 which are rotatable relative to each other and a bush 11b interposed therebetween (see FIG. 2). In like manner, a member 12 connecting the rod 9 to the arm 7 comprises a pin 12a projecting integrally from the arm 7 and a pivot hole (not shown) formed in the other end of the rod 9 which are rotatable relative to each other and a bush 12b interposed therebetween (FIG. 2). Since the arm 7 is thus connected by the rod 9 to the clutch pedal 1, the arm 7 is rotated along the arm shaft 8 in the direction of an arrow A in FIG. 1 when the clutch pedal 1 is worked. The rod 9 is divided into two parts with respect to its longitudinal direction, the axial length of which is adjustable by a turnbuckle 10.
A pin 13 extends integrally from the clutch pedal 1 between the clevis pin 4 and the pedal shaft 2, and a tension spring 15 is provided between the pin 13 and another pin 14 extending integrally from the free end of the arm 7. When the clutch pedal 7 is in a return position and kept in contact with a pedal stopper 6 as shown in FIG. 1, a line connecting the two pins 13 and 14, i.e., the axis of the tension spring 15, is located above the arm shaft 8 along which the arm 7 is rotated.
Between the clevis pin 5 of the clutch pedal 1 and the rod 9, there is provided another tension spring 16 which is smaller in spring constant than the aforementioned tension spring 15. The tension spring 16 is engaged with the rod 9 at the intermediate portion between the connecting members 11 and 12, and further, arranged to apply tensile force against the rod 9 substantially perpendicularly to its axis when the clutch pedal 1 is worked until it reaches a turnover point as hereinafter described.
When the clutch pedal 1 is in the return position as shown in FIG. 1, the tensile force of the tension spring 15 provided between the pin 13 of the clutch pedal 1 and the pin 14 of the arm 7 acts upon the arm 7 to rotate the same in the direction of an arrow B in FIG. 1 along the arm shaft 8. By virtue of the moment of rotation of the arm 7 and the tensile force of the spring 15, the clutch pedal is maintained in the return position.
In operation, the clutch pedal 1 is worked to be rotated along the shaft 2, and the arm 7 is rotated through the rod 9 in the direction of the arrow A as hereinabove described, so that the clutch pedal 1 reaches the turnover point as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3.
After the clutch pedal 1 passes through the turnover point, the arm 7 acts reversely upon the clutch pedal 1 through the rod 9 to push the clutch pedal 1 forwardly in the direction to which it is worked. Namely, after going past the turnover point, the clutch pedal 1 is subjected to auxiliary force from the tension spring 15 to move into the position as shown in solid lines in FIG. 3.
Thus, the force of the tension spring 15 acting on the clutch pedal 1 changes its direction at the turnover point as shown in phantom lines. Consequently, the force acting on the members 11 and 12 connecting the rod 9 with the pedal 1 and the arm 7 also changes its direction at the turnover point. FIG. 4 shows enlarged views of the connecting members 11 and 12 which are exaggeratedly illustrated for the purpose of each understanding of the conditions thereof. Between each of the pins 11a and 12a and the bushes 11b and 12b, there is a clearance for facilitating relative rotation thereof and/or defined by abrasion of the bushes 11b and 12b, and in FIG. 4, the clearances are illustrated in an extremely enlarged fashion for easy comprehension of the force acting on the connecting members 11 and 12.
When the force acting on the connecting members 11 and 12 changes its direction as hereinabove described, the pins 11a and 12a move relative to the rod 9 within the clearances from the positions shown by solid lines X to the positions shown by two-dot chain lines Z. Supposing that the pins 11aa and 12a move from the positions shown by the solid lines X directly to those shown by the two-dot chain lines Z relatively to the rod 9, there will be generated a knocking sound between the rod 9 and the pins 11a and 12a. In addition, the impact of each of the pins 11a and 12a upon the rod 9 will be transmitted to the clutch pedal 1 to impair pedal feeling.
However, in the embodiment of the present invention, the tension spring 16 is provided between the middle portion of the rod 9 and the clevis pin 5 of the clutch pedal 1 to apply tensile force substantially perpendicularly to the axis of the rod 9 when the clutch pedal 1 is in the turnover point as shown by phantom lines in FIG. 3 as hereinabove described. Therefore, the tensile force of the tension spring 16 acts equally upon the two connecting members 11 and 12. By virtue of this, the pins 11a and 12a move relatively to the rod 9 from the position shown by the solid lines X to those shown by the two-dot chain lines Z through positions shown by one-dot chain lines Y in FIG. 3. Namely, the pins 11a and 12a move relatively to the rod 9 along the bushes 11b and 12b continuously keeping in contact with the inner surfaces thereof to prevent generation of the aforementioned knocking sound and a bad influence to the pedal feeling.
It is again to be noted that the displacement between the pins 11a and 12a and the rod 9 is extremely exaggerated in FIG. 4, and through the pins 11a and 12a and the rod 9 are displaced relatively to each other, it is described in this specification on the supposition that the pins 11a and 12a alone move along the rod 9 while the rod 9 is kept stationary, for the convenience of explanation.
While the invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that modification or variation may be easily made without departing from the scope of this invention which is defined by the appended claims. | Disclosed herein is a device for turning over a clutch pedal which comprises an arm for turning the clutch pedal over, a rod connecting the arm to the clutch pedal for joint rotation upon working of the clutch pedal and a tension spring provided between the arm and the clutch pedal. When the clutch pedal is worked until it reaches a predetermined position, the direction of force of the tension spring acting on the clutch pedal for returning it to its initial position is changed to assist forward movement of the clutch pedal. The device further includes a means connected to the rod for applying lateral force to the rod. | 8 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a method for protecting rolling stock, buildings, structures, chemical apparatus, piping and the like from direct exposure to radiant heat, and to a heat-insulation material which is used for covering interior or exterior surfaces for protection.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
For a long time, sheets of aluminum, silver and other metals have been used as heat-insulation materials to intercept radiant heat. More recently, so-called metallized plastic film which is obtained by depositing aluminum, zinc, silver or some other metal in the form of a thin layer by means of vacuum evaporation or plating on one surface of a transparent plastic film such as polyvinyl chloride or polyethylene terephthalate has also been used as a heat-insulation material. For effective use, the metallized plastic film is so positioned that the transparent plastic side of the film will face the radiant heat source. Thus, the mirror face of the metal layer reflects the radiant heat to provide the desired insulation.
With the sheet of metal or the metallized plastic film, the insulation is accomplished by causing the radiant heat to be reflected by the mirror face of metal layer as described above. When a building has an exterior surface covered with the sheet of metal or the metallized plastic film, for example, the solar ray impinging upon the mirror face of metal layer of the heat-insulation material is reflected and the reflected ray may have a dazzling effect on persons travelling persons travelling nearby. When the same heat-insulation material is used to cover an interior wall surface of a building, there has a disadvantage that the reflected ray tends to impart a feeling of aggravated fatigue to the occupants of the building.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The primary object of the present invention, therefore, is to provide a method for insulation whereby a given article is protected from exposure to radiant heat by having the incident radiant heat intercepted en route to the article.
The second object of the present invention is to provide a heat-insulation material which possesses an excellent heat insulating property and at the same time does not give a mirror-face reflection of radiant heat.
These objects and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention. It has now been discovered that when a laminate is formed by depositing a metal on one surface of a translucent or opaque film of polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer having a specific transmission ratio of visible ray and a specific transmission ratio of infrared ray and this laminate is applied to an article with the metal lamina facing the surface to be protected (on the inside), the covered surface, though totally destitute of metallic gloss, can provide as effective insulation of radiant heat as when the insulation is effected by causing the radiant heat to be reflected by the mirror face of a metallized plastic film.
According to the present invention, therefore, there is provided a laminate composed of a film of polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer, having not more than a 50% transmission ratio of visible ray and not less than a 30% transmission ratio of infrared ray, and a metal layer deposited on one surface of the film.
BRIEF EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the accompanying drawings:
FIG. 1 is a graph illustrating the changes in transmission ratio of rays through polyvinylidene fluoride film having a fixed thickness of 35 μ and containing titanium dioxide in varying concentrations;
FIG. 2 represents a specific example of the procedure to be followed in the determination of the effect of heat-insulation material in intercepting radiant heat; and
FIG. 3 is a graph showing the results of the determination carried out on various heat-insulation materials by the procedure shown in FIG. 2 with respect to the effect of insulation of radiant heat.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The film suitable for use in the present invention is a translucent or opaque film of polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer having not more a 50% transmission ratio of visible ray and not less than a 30% transmission ratio of infrared ray. This film can be obtained by adding to a polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer a substance having no compatibility therewith and forming the resultant mixture into a film. The polyfluoroolefin is a polymer obtained by polymerizing at least one fluoroolefin selected from the group consisting of vinyl fluoride, vinylidene fluoride, ethylene trifluoride, ethylene tetrafluoride, vinylidene fluorochloride, ethylene difluorochloride, ethylene trifluorochloride and propylene hexafluoride. Concrete examples include polyvinyl fluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyethylene tetrafluoride and polyethylene trifluorochloride. The fluoroolefin copolymer is a copolymer obtained by polymerizing at least one of the fluoroolefins in conjunction with at least one other monomer. Examples include ethylene tetrafluoride-ethylene copolymer and vinylidene fluoride-ethylene copolymer. Of these thermoplastic synthetic resins, polyfluoroolefins which excel in weathering resistance and which absorb substantially no infrared ray are used particularly advantageously for the purpose of the present invention. Of the polyfluoroolefins, polyvinylidene fluorides and polymers obtained by polymerizing not less than 85% by weight of vinylidene fluoride and the balance of at least one other fluoroolefin are preferably used. These polyfluoroolefins prove to be advantageous from the standpoint of molding, for they readily permit production of transparent films. The substance which is added to the polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer and which lacks compatibility with the resin is preferred to be of a type substantially incapable of absorbing infrared rays and heat rays. For the incompatible reason, this substance is most preferably colorless or white. Examples of substances which may be cited as satisfying this requirement include substantially water-insoluble inorganic compounds such as titanium dioxide, zinc oxide, aluminum oxide, calcium carbonate, gypsum, magnesium oxide and calcium sulfite, and resins such as polyethylene tetrafluoride, polyvinylidene fluoride, polyvinyl fluoride and polyvinyl chloride which are not compatible with the basal resin. The film obtained by adding the substance to the polyfluoroolefin or the fluoroolefin copolymer and molding the resultant mixture in the form of film is required to provide an average transmission ratio of not more than 50%, preferably 30%, of visible ray (4,000 A to 8.000 A in wavelength). The average transmission ratio is the value obtained by dividing the area of the graph indicating a given transmission ratio of the ray of wavelengths between 4,000 A and 8,000 A by the whole area of 100% transmission ratio of the ray of wavelengths between 4,000 A and 8,000 A. If the film is colorless and the ray absorption spectrum has no conspicuous peak in the neighborhood of 6,000 A, then the transmission ratio of the ray of a wavelength of 6,000 A may be used as an approximate value. Further, the film is required to pass most of the infrared ray and heat ray, direct or scattered, and absorb practically none of them. To be more specific, the film is required to permit passage of not less than 30% of infrared ray having a wavelength of not less than 25,000 A. In order to obtain a film having not more a 50% transmission ratio of visible ray and not less than a 30% transmission ratio of infrared ray, the proportion in which the incompatible substance is added to the polyfluoroolefin or the fluoroolefin copolymer may generally fall in the range of from 0.5 to 50 parts by weight based on 100 parts by weight of the resin, although the proportion is usually affected by the kind and particle size of the substance, the compatibility of the substance with the resin, the color of the resin, etc. In the addition of the incompatible substance to the polyfluoroolefin or the fluoroolefin copolymer, a pigment, a dyestuff or some other coloring agent which is compatible with the resin may simultaneously be incorporated into the resin for the purpose of imparting a decorative effect to the resultant film or for the purpose of imparting an identifying color. If a coloring agent is added, it is preferred to be of a light color so that possible adsorption thereby of heat ray will be relatively small. If the incompatible substance is transparent, then the resultant film will be white. Where a white film is to be obtained, therefore, addition of a coloring agent is not necessarily required. The film thus obtained is preferred to have as small a heat capacity as permissible. For this reason, the film is preferred to have as small a thickness as possible. In consideration of the film strength, the ease with which a metal is deposited on that film and the ease with which the laminate having the metal layer deposited on the film can be handled as a heat-insulation material, however, it is proper for the film to have a thickness of from 6 μ to 200 μ, preferably from 10 μ to 100 μ.
The heat-insulation material of the present invention is a laminate having a metal layer deposited on one surface of a film of polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer which is obtained as described above and which possesses not more than a 50% transmission ratio of visible ray and not less than a 30% transmission ratio of infrared ray. Deposition of a metal on one surface of such film may be accomplished by any suitable technique, for example, vacuum evaporation, plating, sputtering or printing. Alternatively, a metal sheet may be fastened to one surface of the film by using an adhesive of the type which neither absorbs heat ray nor undergoes discoloration as by the action of heat. The metal suitable for this purpose is not specifically limited. For example, silver, platinum, gold, aluminum, nickel, chromium, tin, antimony and any other proper metal may be used. It is preferable that the metal selected for use be white which provides less heat absorption than any other color. In addition, the metal layer is preferred to have a thickness sufficient to stop the passage of light and heat rays. A thickness in the range of from 500 A to several microns generally suffices. The laminate, heat-insulation material of the present invention, maybe used for covering roofs, interior and exterior walls of buildings and the interior and exterior wall surfaces of industrial apparatus and piping. This laminate, where necessary, may have its metal side adhered to a substrate sheet such as a foamed plastic sheet useful as a heat insulator or reinforcing material. In the deposition of the metal on one surface of the film, when the film is translucent and the metal layer is formed by vacuum evaporation to a very small thickness of the order of 30 A to 500 A, the metal layer will be translucent and the entire laminate will also be translucent. If such a translucent laminate is adhered to the outer surface of the glass in a building window or in an automobile window, with its metal side facing the interior, then the inhabitant of the building or the occupant of the automobile can see through the laminate but persons standing outside cannot see through.
As demonstrated in the preferred embodiments described below, the heat-insulation material of the present invention provides substantially the same effect of intercepting radiant heat as do the conventional metallized plastic films. Moreover, the heat-insulation of the present invention does not produce a glare nuisance.
EXAMPLE 1
1. Preparation of film -- To 100 parts by weight of a polyvinylidene fluoride obtained by suspension polymerization were added 1, 3, 5 and 30 parts by weight of TiO 2 (R101 made by Du Pont), respectively. The four resultant mixtures were extruded in the form of film by means of a T-die extruder to produce white unstretched films having a thickness of 35 μ. For comparison, a transparent unstretched film of polyvinylidene fluoride containing no TiO 2 and having a thickness of 35 μ was used.
In the accompanying drawings, FIG. 1 is a graph showing the results of the test conducted on the films for transmission ratio of rays by means of a self-registering spectrophotometer made by Hitachi Limited. In FIG. 1, the vertical axis shows the transmission ratio (%) of rays and the horizontal axis gives the wavelength (mμ), respectively. Also in FIG. 1 curve -1 is for a film containing no TiO 2 , 2 a film containing 1 part by weight of TiO 2 , 3 a film containing 3 parts by weight of TiO 2 , 4 a film containing 5 parts by weight of TiO 2 and 5 a film containing 30 parts by weight of TiO 2 , respectively. The transmission ratio of visible ray at 6,000 A and the transmission ratio of infrared ray at 25,000 A taken as representative values from the graph are shown in Table 1 below.
Table 1______________________________________Amount of TiO.sub.2 Transmission ratio Transmission ratioadded (%) of visible ray (%) of infrared ray______________________________________0 85.8 90.11 9.8 85.23 1.8 70.55 0 61.030 0 37.2______________________________________
On one surface of these films, aluminum was deposited to a thickness of about 0.2 μ by vacuum evaporation.
2. Determination of effect of intercepting radiant heat -- A piping-grade tube of carbon steel (of the type generally used for supply of gas) measuring 100 mm in length and 2 inches in diameter was covered over its entire surface by various insulating films adhered with the aid of a chloroprene type adhesive (CS-4640 H made by Cemedyne Co.). The ends of this tube were closed with a gypsum board 10 mm in thickness.
A thermocouple was placed in contact with the outer surface of the tube approximately at its center and each film was laid over the thermocouple and covered the tube. Another thermocouple was set approximately at the center of the interior of the tube.
As illustrated in FIG. 2, the covered tube 6 obtained as described above was mounted on supports 7 and 7' made of gypsum board in such a position that with the thermocouple 8 on top. 9 is the thermocouple inside the tube.
The covered tube 6 was irradiated by an infrared ray lamp (100 V and 500 W) positioned directly above the axis of the tube at a distance of 200 mm and the temperature on the surface of the tube and the temperature at the center of the tube's interior were measured.
By the procedure explained above, each film was tested for its ability to intercept radiant heat. The films, having different TiO 2 contents and a fixed thickness of 35 μ, were each tested for heat-insulating capability in two forms: one form had deposited on one surface thereof a coat of aluminum formed by vacuum evaporation and, in the other form, had no aluminum coating. The film in the aluminum coated form was adhered to the tube surface with the aluminum coating in contact with the tube surface. The same tube, not coated with any film, was subjected to the same test as a blank test. FIG. 3, which shows the results of the test is a graph showing the relation between the changes of temperature on the surface and temperature at the center of the tube interior and the duration of irradiation of infrared ray, after the irradiation with the infrared ray lamp. In FIG. 3, the vertical axis represents temperature (° C) and the horizontal axis represents duration of irradiation of infrared ray (in minutes). Also in FIG. 3, 10 denotes the changes of temperature at the center of the interior of the tube not covered with any film and 10' the changes of temperature on the outer surface of the tube having no film covering. 11 denotes the changes of temperature at the center of the interior of the tube covered with a film containing 3 parts by weight of TiO 2 , 11' the changes of temperature on the surface of the same tube. 12 denotes the changes of temperature at the center of the interior of the tube covered with a film having one surface coated with a vacuum-evaporation deposited aluminum layer and containing 3 parts by weight of TiO 2 and 12' the changes of temperature on the surface of the same tube. 13 denotes the changes in temperature at the center of the interior of the tube coated with an ordinary metallized plastic film having a vacuum-evaporated aluminum layer and containing no TiO 2 , and 13' the changes of temperature on the surface of that tube. It is clearly seen from FIG. 3 that after about 60 minutes of irradiation with the infrared ray lamp, the temperatures measured at different points invariably levelled off. This indicates that the effect of heat-insulation can be confirmed by studying the temperature measured after lapse of about 60 minutes.
3. Results -- The results of the test described above were as shown in Table 2 below. In the case of films having the same TiO 2 content, the film having a vacuum-evaporated aluminum layer exhibited a decidedly higher heat-insulating effect than the film lacking such a layer. Where the films having an aluminum layer contained no TiO 2 , they presented mirror faces of metallic gloss. In none of the films having an aluminum layer and containing TiO 2 , even as little as 1 part by weight, was metallic glare observed on the surface. Instead, these films presented a white appearance. When a beam of light was impinged upon their surfaces, no scintillating reflection was observed.
Table 2______________________________________Amount of Al layer Temperature TemperatureTiO.sub.2 added by vacuum in the on the(parts by evapora- interior of surface of Classifi-weight) tion tube (° C) tube (° C) cation______________________________________0 None 114 134 Control0 Present 44 55 Control1 None 110 133 Control1 Present 44 56 Present invention3 None 102 124 Control3 Present 45 57 Present invention30 None 85 102 Control30 Present 50 67 Present inventionOnly tube 102 121 Blank______________________________________
The tube coated with the film containing 3 parts by weight of TiO 2 and having on one surface a vacuum-evaporated aluminum layer was exposed to outdoor conditions for three months. After this outdoor exposure test, the tube was again subjected to the same test as desdribed above. In this test, the changes of temperature in the interior and on the surface were substantially the same as in the test performed prior to the outdoor exposure test.
EXAMPLE 2
Representative films prepared by way of test specimens in Example 1 were tested for reflective power. The measurement of reflection of light was made by using a gloss meter made by Toyo Seiki Seisakusho. First, a sample film was attached to a coarse surface of a metal substrate board and mounted on the sample support in the gloss meter in such a position that the beam of light of the light source impinged on the sample film at an angle of 60°. The beam of light reflected by the sample film at an angle of 120° was allowed to enter the light receiver (using CdS as the light receiving element) of the meter and measured for illumination.
An aluminum foil was used as the standard. This aluminum foil was attached to the surface of substrate board and the gloss meter was adjusted so that the scale gave 95% of reading of illumination of the foil. Under the same conditions for the gloss meter, the sample films were measured for illumination. The results of the test were as shown in Table 3 below.
Table 3______________________________________ Amount of Al Scale reading of TiO.sub.2 added layer illumination (%)______________________________________Metal substrate board -- -- 0.5Aluminum foil -- -- 95Polyvinylidene fluoride 0 None 20Polyvinylidene fluoride 0 Present 80Polyvinylidene fluoride 1 Present 22Polyvinylidene fluoride 3 Present 20Polyvinylidene fluoride 3 None 15Polyvinylidene fluoride 30 None 15______________________________________
EXAMPLE 3
A biaxially stretched film having a thickness of 18 μ was produced from a mixed composition consisting of 1 part by weight TiO 2 and 100 parts by weight of a copolymer obtained by copolymerizing 90 parts by weight of vinylidene fluoride, 5 parts by weight of ethylene tetrafluoride and 5 parts by weight of vinyl fluoride. On one surface of the film, aluminum was deposited by vacuum evaporation to a thickness of about 200 A.
The film having the vacuum-evaporated metal layer was adhered with a polyurethanic adhesive to the outer surface of one glass pane in a window, with the metal layer facing inside. With the sunlight falling directly on the window, a thermometer was positioned in the path of the sunlight behind a glass pane not covered with the film and another thermometer was positioned behind the film-coated glass pane in the path in which the sunlight would have travelled if it had not been intercepted by the film. The temperature on the former thermometer was 40.5° C and that on the latter thermometer was 31.3° C. The room temperature, when measured at the same time in the shaped portion of the room, was found to be 28.2° C.
When the light reflected from the glass panes was observed from outside the room, the reflection from the film-coated glass pane appeared to be slightly weaker than that from the glass pane having no film coating.
During daylight, a person standing inside the room could see through the film-coated glass pane whereas a person standing outside the room could not see inside through the same glass pane. | A method and laminate for protecting an article from exposure to radiant heat are disclosed. The laminate is formed by adhering a metal coating to one surface of a polymeric film of polyfluoroolefin or fluoroolefin copolymer, having not more than a 50% transmission ratio of visible ray and not less than a 30% transmission ratio of infrared ray. The laminate is adhered to a surface of the article to be protected with the polymeric surface outward. | 1 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates to positive displacement reciprocating compressors of the type having at least two compression stages arranged in series.
For some time now the prior art has embraced hydraulically-driven positive compressors of the reciprocating type, generally consisting of three coaxial bulkheads between which two coaxial cylinder barrels are located.
Each barrel accommodates a relative piston which strokes, fluid-tight, connected to the remaining piston by a rod; two chambers are thus enclosed by the pistons, the cylinder barrels and the central bulkhead, into which hydraulic oil is pumped, thereby creating a double-acting fluid power cylinder. The remaining two enclosures at either end, created by the pistons, the barrels and the outer bulkheads, or end caps, provide compression chambers.
Such compressors are utilized for the purpose of raising gas from a given initial pressure, which may be atmospheric, to ultra high pressure.
Gases are compressible; it follows therefore that an increase in pressure signifies reduction in volume, to a degree dependent on the final pressure that must be reached. This final pressure is arrived at gradually, for obvious reasons of bulk, employing either multi-stage compressors or a string of single compressors.
Problems with prior art compressors are encountered mainly at low pressure; in the first stage in particular, large bores are required in order to produce powerful suction as a result of the running speed, which is relatively low, especially when compared with mechanically-driven compressors.
Conversely, force required to compress the gas is significantly small, and with hydraulic oil constantly entering at the same high pressure, the need arises for a drastic reduction in the surface area of the piston on which this oil impinges. Such a requirement is met currently by enlarging the diameter of the piston rod; this signifies a considerable increase of the mass set in motion, however.
An increase of the mass set in motion not only renders the compressor singularly heavy, but also limits maximum velocity of the reciprocating components, limiting performance as a result.
Another problem encountered with prior art compressors is that, in the light of the above circumstances, it becomes necessary to employ one compressor of some considerable size for the initial stage, and at least one further compressor of more compact dimensions for successive stages.
The object of the invention is to eliminate the drawbacks described above.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention as described in the following specification and as claimed hereinafter, solves the aforementioned problems besetting embodiment of a positive displacement hydraulic drive reciprocating compressor.
Advantages provided by the invention consist essentially in the fact that it becomes possible to integrate a number of stages in a single compressor, whilst utilizing a lesser number of component parts, at the same time employing a piston rod of modest dimensions in order to limit the amount of mass set in motion and increase the velocity of reciprocating parts.
A further advantage of the invention is that one has the possibility, in three-piston compressors at least, of a floating type of connection between the pistons and rod, the effect of which is to produce a cushioning action at the end of each stroke, and a sweeter take-up on the subsequent return. More exactly, the hydraulic oil need not urge the entire assembly of pistons and rod into motion at the start of each stroke, albeit the assembly described herein is of reduced mass when compared with compressors of prior art design, but need shift only the mass of the small piston upon which it impinges.
Only on completion of such axial travel as is permitted by the play existing between piston and rod (the piston already being in motion) will the oil take up the mass of the small diameter rod and the central piston.
Another advantage of the invention is that, adopting the structural features thus intimated, it becomes possible to embody a multi-stage compressor possessing remarkably lightweight characteristics, especially where the reciprocating mass of pistons and rod is concerned.
Yet another advantage stems from the embodiment of a gas compressor according to the invention, namely, the option of taking in an appreciably high pressure at the first stage whilst exploiting the same hydraulic oil pressure control characteristics.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in detail, by way of example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 shows the axial section through an embodiment of a two stage compressor;
FIG. 2 shows part of the similar section through an embodiment of a three stage compressor the design of which is identical to the compressor of FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a schematic representation of the section through an alternative embodiment of the two-stage compressor in FIG. 1.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIG. 1, a first, two-stage embodiment of the positive displacement reciprocating compressor according to the invention consists of four coaxially-disposed bulkheads denoted 1, 2, 3 and 4 viewing from left to right, and three coaxial cylinder barrels, denoted 5, 6 and 7 viewing left to right, located between the bulkheads following the same numerical sequence. The bore of the barrels 5 and 7 at either end is smaller than that of the central barrel 6, and the diameter of the end bulkheads 1 and 4 smaller than that of the central bulkheads 2 and 3, by an amount which is dependent upon the compression ratio required. The four bulkheads 1, 2, 3 and 4 are clamped against the corresponding ends of the three barrels 5, 6 and 7 by conventional means, for example, tie-rods 23 and locknuts 24.
8, 9 and 10 denote respective pistons which reciprocate in fluid-tight fashion within the three barrels 5, 6 and 7, respectively. The three pistons are fitted by conventional means to a common rod 11 which slides back and forth, likewise fluid-tight, accommodated by axial holes in the central bulkheads 2 and 3. The central piston 9 is fixedly associated with the rod 11, whereas the two end pistons 8 and 10 are mounted to the rod in a floating arrangement which may be embodied, say, by providing the rod 11 with end stops 28 accommodated in relative seats 29 offered by the end pistons 8 and 10, which in turn are closed off by centerless disks 30. The length of the rod 11 is such that when either of the end pistons 8 or 10 comes substantially into contact with a relative bulkhead 1 or 4, the central piston 9 will be distanced marginally from the corresponding central bulkhead 2 or 3.
The piston 8 and barrel 5 at one end create two chambers, namely, a high pressure gas chamber 22 and a power chamber 14, the latter accommodating the piston rod 11. Similarly, the piston 10 and barrel 7 at the opposite end create two chambers, likewise, a high pressure gas chamber 22, and a power chamber 15 accommodating the rod 11. The central piston 9 and cylinder barrel 6 create two low pressure gas chambers 21, both of which accommodate the piston rod 11.
The power chambers 14 and 15 connect with relative flow passages 12 and 13 which in their turn connect ultimately with a hydraulic power pack (not illustrated) from which oil under pressure is pumped alternately into the two power chambers 14 and 15; ideally, such flow passages would be located in the adjacent bulkheads 2 and 3.
The low pressure chambers 21 (the first compression stage of a compressor according to the invention) communicate with an external source of gas by way of respective inlet valves 16 located in the central bulkheads 2 and 3, and with a device 20 for cooling compressed gas, by way of respective outlet valves 18 located likewise in the central bulkheads 2 and 3.
The high pressure chambers 22 (the second compression stage in a compressor according to the invention) communicate with the cooling device 20 by way of inlet valves 17 located in the end bulkheads 1 and 4, and with the service (not illustrated) to which compressed gas is supplied, in this instance by way of relative outlet valves 19 located likewise in the end bulkheads 1 and 4, and of a further cooling device 20a.
The three cylinder barrels 5, 6 and 7 are cooled by conventional methods; in the drawing, the central barrel 6 is provided with a jacket 25 connecting by way of respective ports 26 and 27 with a circuit (not illustrated) through which coolant is circulated, whereas the two end barrels 5 and 7 will generally be cooled by the hydraulic oil circulating through the respective power chambers 14 and 15.
A flow of oil under pressure into the left hand power chamber 14 causes the entire piston-and-rod assembly 8, 9, 10 and 11 to shift in the direction denoted f2, bringing about compression in the left hand high and low pressure chambers 22 and 21, and occasioning suction in the right hand high and low pressure chambers 22 and 21. Similarly, flow of oil into the right hand power chamber 15 causes the pistons and rod 8-9-10-11 to shift in the direction denoted f1, bringing about an inversion of the compression and suction strokes in the high pressure chambers 22 and the low pressure chambers 21.
At the start of each compression stroke, the end piston will be positioned 8 adjacent to the central bulkhead 2 and butted against the relative end of the rod 11. Oil entering the chamber 14 finds its way immediately between the end stop 28 of the rod and the seat 29 in the piston 8 with the result that the piston 8 alone shifts in the direction marked f2 toward the end bulkhead 1, while the rod 11 and the central piston 9 remain substantially motionless. Once the disk 30 is brought into contact with the stop 28, the piston 8 begins pulling, and draws with it the rod 11 and the central piston 9, assisted in so doing by the opposite end piston 10 which imparts thrust by reason of the force of gas entering the right-hand high pressure chamber 22.
Arrival of the left-hand piston 8 up against the end bulkhead 1 is accompanied by a sharp rise in oil pressure within the power chamber 14; this rise in pressure is exploited for the purpose of relaying a signal to a conventional device controlling stroke inversion, and the flow of hydraulic oil is switched to the right hand power chamber 15 accordingly. During inversion, the rod 11 and central piston 9 will continue to travel until such time as the piston 9 is gradually slowed up by resistance of the gas in the left hand low pressure chamber 21; the gas thus provides a cushioning effect which markedly reduces piston slam.
The sequence now repeats at the right hand end in the same fashion as explained for the piston denoted 8; a description is therefore superfluous.
To obtain a given degree of adjustment on the cushioning effect provided by relative movement between the end stops 28 of the rod 11 and the seats 29 of the end pistons 8 and 10, use might be made of appropriately calibrated restrictions incorporated either into the pistons 8 and 10 or into the rod 11.
A compressor according to the invention may also be embodied in three stages (as illustrated in FIG. 2) by adoption of two end barrels 5 and 105 with relative bulkheads 1 and 101 and pistons 8 and 108, added to each end of the central cylinder barrel 6, rather than one only. In this instance, the pistons could be fixedly associated with the rod 11 throughout (as in FIG. 2) or otherwise; clearly, the one rod serves all three stages. There will be four power chambers in such an embodiment rather than two, and these are denoted 14, 15, 114 and 115 (115 is not illustrated in the drawing, being identical to 114); the connections between the various chambers remain exactly the same as already described, with the sole difference that gas exiting from the second stage is taken into the third stage compression chamber 122 instead of being directed into the service (or into another compressor).
Lastly, FIG. 3 illustrates the embodiment of a two stage compressor in which the stages are inverted in relation to the embodiment o FIG. 1, that is, with low pressure chambers 21 located externally of the high pressure chambers 22; power chambers 14 and 15 remain disposed as before. Such an embodiment would be adopted where the initial intake pressure of a gas (flowing into chamber 21) is somewhat high, and the need consequently exists for a larger piston area, pressure of the impinging oil in chambers 14 and 15 being considered as par.
Thus, with the compressor as disclosed, one is able to cover a wide range of intake pressures (between 45-60 psi, with the embodiment of FIG. 1, and between 220-300 psi, with that of FIG. 3) and produce high output pressures (utilizing the three-stage embodiment of FIG. 2, for example). | The invention disclosed relates to the art field embracing positive displacement reciprocating compressors of the type featuring hydraulic drive, and sets out to simplify the construction of such units, rendering them more functional at the same time. Four coaxial bulkheads are adopted, set apart one from the next by three cylinder barrels, and three pistons which are mounted to a common rod and reciprocated thus, each in its respective barrel; the central piston and barrel are of either greater or smaller diameter than the remainder. Hydraulic oil from a power pack driving the compressor flows alternately into chambers which are occupied by the rod, and bounded at one end by one of the pistons of smaller or greater diameter. | 5 |
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application is a National Entry Application of PCT application no. CA2006/000848 filed on May 24, 2006 and published in English under PCT Article 21(2) under number WO 2006/125312, which itself claims priority on Canadian patent application no. 2,508,313, filed on May, 25, 2005. All documents above are incorporated herein in their entirety by reference.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a hockey stick, which consists of a handle portion, or shaft, and a blade portion, or blade.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Up till now, all hockey stick shafts, either of solid or hollow construction, have been manufactured in a similar standard rectangular configuration. This standard rectangular configuration has been the standard shape, which is preferred by a majority of hockey players. These actual designs of rectangularity have various radiuses placed at the intersecting planes (horizontal and vertical), and some of them include a cross sectional configuration of concaved/sided walls.
Composite hockey stick shafts, depending on their method and materials of construction, exhibit superior characteristics to hockey stick shafts of wood with respect to tensional resistance, bending moment resistance and shear resistance. However, composite hockey stick shafts have an inherent relative flexibility when submitted to direct impact at the blade, on particular under slap shot condition. A hollow rectangular beam structure, such as a hockey stick shaft, will, under a sudden cantilever type of loading (slap shot), exhibit a non-negligible deflection at mid span between the hockey player's hands localization. Such bending moment forces are transmitted inside the thin wall composite fiber-resin matrix construction and generate compression tension and shear stresses in the fiber-resin laminate.
The resulting level or amplitude of deflection between the player's hands (known as the buckling phenomenon) will be directly related to the area moment of inertia (dependent on the wall thickness) and the flexural elastic modulus of the fiber-resin laminate. Higher are the wall thickness and the laminate elastic modulus, higher is the overall stiffness and lower is the buckling phenomenon between the player's hands, but higher wall thickness involves higher weight of the shaft.
In some cases, due to the player's personal interest in added rigidity, higher bending resistance or a judicious combination of “stiffness—flex” in that particular zone will normally generate a quicker energy transfer allowing the player to deliver more dynamic and accurate puck releases.
Players who choose to play with composite hockey sticks continually seek out sticks having adapted rigidity and low weight. Experience has shown that conventional laminate constructions such as carbon, Kevlar and epoxy are close to attain a limit to maximize shot velocity and control, and increase durability and strength.
Objects and Statement of the Invention
It is an object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick with a quicker energy shaft loading under minimal flexural deformation.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick with a rapid energy transfer right after the contact between the puck and the blade of the stick.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a hockey stick with an energy charge in the shaft, which will be delivered at 100% in a shortest time possible.
These objects can be obtained with the present invention by providing, at mid span of the handle portion of the hockey stick, means having preformed stresses handle portion, which will induce flexural resistance. This creates induced stresses in the body, which will be later neutralized at impact as further stresses are induced.
There results a stiffer and more rigid handle portion for the hockey stick.
Other objects and further scope of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. It should be understood, however, that this detailed description, while indicating embodiments of the invention, is given by way of illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art.
IN THE DRAWINGS
FIGS. 1-6 show various elements illustrating a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 7 and 8 show elements of a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 9 , 10 a and 10 b show various arrangements of a third embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 11 is a perspective view showing a fourth embodiment of the present invention;
FIGS. 12 and 13 show a fifth embodiment of the present invention; and
FIGS. 14 and 15 show a sixth embodiment of the present invention.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
First Embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 1-6 , the force element may consist of a composite mono or bi-leaf spring that stores potential energy when pre-deformed before installation.
Depending of its geometry and strength, the composite spring will induce a preferential flexural resistance in the form of a multi point preloading stresses inside the tubular hockey shaft.
When submitted to an impact load, such as in slap shot, the bending moment induced in the hockey shaft must, first counterbalance the pre-induced flexural stresses by the spring insert localized inside the rectangular shaft before generating a deflection at mid span of the hockey shaft (when referring to the hockey player's hands position).
By definition, a composite mono-leaf bow spring has a central upwardly curved region introduced between two downwardly curved regions that are introduced between two more upwardly curved regions.
By varying the curvature, either the upwardly curved regions or downwardly curved regions, or by varying the construction of the leaf spring, the rate of displacement along each portion of the multi linear deflection response curve may be controlled.
Because of the composite material high specific strain energy storage capability and the possibility to design and fabricate a linear spring having continuously variable width and/or thickness along its length, such design features should lead to a more adapted hockey shaft.
The mono-leaf bow spring can achieve a multi linear deflection response when compressed under load. Also, it can be symmetrically or asymmetrically designed, depending upon the application requirement.
In some cases, the composite spring could have a sinusoidal profile with variable cross-section, always depending of the specific function requirements.
Normally the stiffness of the spring is directly related to the area moment of inertia of the section. The material in the central area of the solid cross-section of the leaf spring does not significantly contribute to the bending stiffness.
It could then be beneficial to manufacture a composite spring having a hollow cross-section being much lighter and having the same stiffness as for a solid area.
Hence, the embodiment consists in the prefabrication and installation of a linear spring having the geometry of a sinusoidal wave or a mono-leaf bow contacting in four different points inside the rectangular tubular hockey shaft, wherein two of the contact points are at the player's hand localization or slightly eccentric or displaced and the two other points at each end of the hockey shaft.
Before installation, the linear leaf spring is pre-deformed to be subsequently slid inside the tubular shaft and released. After releasing, the linear spring still has a deformation resulting (by reaction) in a flexural pre-stressed hockey shaft.
The induced flexural stresses resulting from the pre-deformed linear spring inside the hockey shaft will be oriented in a way as to resist to the shaft deformation when submitted to impact such as in slap shot conditions.
When the hockey blade impacts the puck, the stresses induced by the flexural moment (cantilever type) will have first to neutralize the one induced by the pre-stressed spring before to act directly on the shaft itself, resulting in a stiffer and more rigid hockey shaft.
As a variant of the present embodiment of the invention, the rectangular shaft may be molded with a curved shape and following its straightening, a rectangular profile called <<single blade>>, “D” (shown in FIG. 4 ) may be slid inside the shaft ( FIG. 6 ) to keep it permanently straight and pre-stressed.
Second Embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 7 and 8 , the hockey shaft is fabricated in two longitudinal halves, each one having a rectangular or trapezoidal profile. When moulded, these two halves are curved (more as a bow) and secured into a permanent assembly side-by-side with the particularity to be back to back in a concave condition.
After being compressed transversely, the two halves are permanently assembled by bonding, over wrapping or any other way.
The final hockey shaft assembly will have the same visual aspect as a standard shaft but with the added property to be a pre-stressed hockey shaft (in flexural condition).
The level of energy storage is directly related to the curvature amplitude, which is particular to each hockey shaft halves, combined to their inherent stiffness and strength.
Third Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 9 , in a first variant, the rectangular shaft has uneven wall thicknesses and to counterbalance and pre-stress the shaft, wires are embedded inside the thinnest wall after being pre-stressed in tension.
As shown in FIGS. 10 a and 10 b , in a second variant, the internal profile of the cross section is not rectangular, but more in a parallelogram or trapezoidal shape with the result that the circumferential wall thicknesses is not uniform. As in the first variant, wires would be pre-tensioned before being embedded in the thinnest wall section.
Fourth Embodiment
As shown in FIG. 11 , the basic hockey shaft having a rectangular profile may be molded and curved (with linear recess) to be straightened and locked in place permanently with the use of two straight grooved molded planks. The result is a pre-stressed shaft permanently assembled with adhesive.
Fifth Embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 12 and 13 , this embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment with the difference that two spring inserts are used inside the rectangular shaft; these spring inserts are immersed and superposed to generate a counterbalancing pre-stress effect (asymmetric).
Sixth Embodiment
As shown in FIGS. 14 and 15 , this embodiment is a variation of the first embodiment with the difference that two springs inserts are used end-to-end allowing pre-stressing at asymmetric location and with asymmetric pre-stressing loads. Springs may be inserted in the vertical or in the horizontal plane.
Concepts
The above-described six embodiments can be regrouped in three basics concepts.
A first concept consists of a straight molded hockey shaft in which the secondary component (one or two spring-type pieces) is slid therein to generate more stiffness. This concept may be found in the above-described first, fifth and sixth embodiments.
A second concept consists of a straight molded shaft having a variable wall thickness in cross-section and in which continuous wire reinforcements are admitted in one of the sides. This concept may be found in the third above-described embodiment.
A third concept consists in a curved molded shaft in one or two molded pieces that are straightened and locked in place. This concept is found in the above first, second and fourth embodiment. In a first variant, the hockey stick consists in a single molded shaft that is locked in place (after straightening) with a secondary component installed inside or outside the tubular shaft and mounted in place. In a second variant, the hockey stick consists in two-molded half-size curved molded shaft that are bound back to back after straightening.
First Concept
When a straight tubular hockey shaft is molded, it possesses a particular rigidity resulting from its construction (fiber—polymer resin—fiber orientation—fiber/resin ratio—relative thicknesses of each layer of reinforcement—total thickness of shaft wall). The rigidity or stiffness factor being directly dependent of the elastic modulus (E) and surface inertia moment (I), its value may be raised without changing any of the variables list mentioned previously. A device is incorporated inside the shaft with the result that, under impact (slap shot), the shaft will deflect less and return the accumulated energy under deformation faster and quicker. The net result will be that the puck (with a constant energy input) leaves the blades quicker and travels faster.
The device is basically a leaf spring, which, after a specific deformation, is slid and fixed inside the tubular shaft. Different spring rate can be obtained by varying, in a fixed geometry, the content of fiber and resin.
A steel leaf spring has a very high modulus of elasticity; but, with carbon fiber embedded in a thermoset resin, it is possible to obtain superior value.
Also, an additional benefit is obtained by the high elastic strain energy inherent in a composite laminate; it can be more than 10 times that of steel.
By combining different arc portions of the leaf spring (radius not constant), it is possible to obtain a continuous non-linear variable spring deformation rate. Under deformation, it is possible to create different reactive forces at different locations (ex.: hand positions on a hockey shaft).
Second Concept
The concept of using an asymmetric wall thickness (thickness variation on some of the four sides of the tubular shaft) has for objective to generate a hockey shaft having a different stiffness when used frontward and backward.
With the integration of preloaded reinforcing wires on the thin side, it is possible to adjust preferentially the stiffness or rigidity in the hockey shaft.
By a proper choice of the ratio t 1 /t 2 combined to the right number of reinforcing wires and the level of preloading in tension, it is possible to stiffen preferentially in one direction the hockey shaft with the objective to create a hockey stick which delivers the puck quicker and faster.
Third Concept
The concept to straighten a pre-molded curved shaft (single or double) offers the largest variety of options to obtain different levels of pre-stressed hockey shafts.
By defining exactly the curve amplitude of the hockey shaft for a determined construction, it is possible to generate the new flexural elastic modulus, resulting in a higher stiffness factor or higher shaft rigidity (more curved more energy required to straighten it and a stiffer hockey shaft at use).
The option to use two half-molded shafts bonded back to back has the particularity to simplify the assembly procedure.
When only one molded shaft is used, an accessory is required to lock it in position; however, it provides a lighter shaft.
In all these concepts, composite material is used to keep weight at a minimum and stiffness at a maximum. High modulus carbon fibres are part of the solution.
By carefully designing the shape of the components, the material system and the assembly technique, rigidity and stiffness of the hockey shaft is upgraded generating a quicker and faster puck release from the hockey blade, when compared to a conventional composite hockey shaft with pre-stressing in its tubular walls.
Although the invention has been described above with respect to various embodiments, it will be evident that it may be modified and refined in various ways. It is therefore wished that the present invention should not be limited in interpretation except by the term of the following claims. | A hockey stick comprising a shaft portion and a blade portion, the shaft portion including means having preformed stresses to induce a flexural resistance at about mid-span so as to create in the shaft portion induced stresses which are neutralized as stresses are further induced in the shaft portion at impact on the blade portion to thereby provide a stiffer and more rigid shaft portion. | 0 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a decoder and a method for decoding, and in particular a decoder for use in a wireless communication system.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An air interface is used in a wireless communication system to define the exchange of information between user equipment UE, for example a radiotelephone, and a base station or other communication system element.
[0003] For example, the High Speed Downlink Packet Access HSDPA specification, which forms part of the third generation partnership project 3GPP universal mobile telecommunication system UTMS specification, defines a High Speed Downlink Shared Channel HS-DSCH for allowing data transmissions from a base station to a plurality of UEs by sharing a given number of HS-DSCH codes among the plurality of UEs in a time/code division manner. To facilitate the sharing of the HS-DSCH channel among a plurality of UEs in a time/code division manner, an associated High Speed Shared Control Channel HS-SCCH provides information that allows a UE to make a determination as to whether data being transmitted in the HS-DSCH is intended for the UE.
[0004] As such, HS-SCCHs are used for transmitting signalling information to allow a UE to determine which data transmissions are intended for the UE and to allow the processing of data transmitted on the HS-DSCH by the appropriate UE.
[0005] The signalling information (i.e. control channel data) that is incorporated in an HS-SCCH is transmitted in time transmission intervals TTIs, where a TTI is divided into two parts. The first part of a TTI uses a UE specific masking, which allows a UE to make a determination as to whether data transmitted on an associated HS-DSCH is intended for that particular UE. The second part of the TTI includes a UE specific Cyclic Redundancy Check CRC attachment, which makes it possible to assess the result of HS-SCCH detection performed from the first part of the TTI.
[0006] The TTIs of the HS-SCCH are built on a three time slot per frame structure corresponding to a time interval of 2 ms. The first part (i.e. Part 1 ) of the HS-SCCH control channel is transmitted in the first time slot of the TTI and includes information of the HS-DSCH channalization code set (corresponding to 7 bits) and modulation scheme (corresponding to 1 bit). The second part (i.e. Part 2 ) of the HS-SCCH control channel is transmitted in the second and third time slots of the TTI and contains information on the HS-DSCH transport block size (corresponding to 6 bits) and Hybrid Automatic-Repeat Request HARQ process (corresponding to 7 bits). For robustness and to aid data recovery the data associated with part 1 and part 2 of the HS-SCCH TTI is encoded, using a convolutional code of rate R= 1 / 3 and constraint length K=9.
[0007] For the purposes of the 3GPP UTMS standard the coding scheme applied to the signalling information transmitted in Part 1 of the HS-SCCH produces 48 bits from the 8 Part 1 information bits. These encoded bits are then rate matched (i.e. punctured) to produce 40 bits, which are masked by a UE specific mask, thereby generating a 40-bit transmitted codeword as is well known to a person skilled in the art.
[0008] This process is illustrated in FIG. 1 , which shows a transmitting element 10 for use in a wireless communication system element 11 , for example a base station, which is arranged to encode a data string. The transmitting element includes a first element 12 that is arranged to receive the 7 channelization code bits 13 and the modulation code bit 14 to which is appended 8 tail bits. The information bits and appended tail bits are then provided to a convolutional encoder 15 , which generates a 48 bit codeword that is fed to a rate matching element 16 . The rate matching element 16 punctures the received codeword to produce a 40 bit sequence, which is passed to a masking element 17 that masks the rate punctured codeword with a UE specific scrambling sequence. The resulting codeword is then passed to a transmitter 18 for modulation, spreading and generation of a WCDMA transmitted signal.
[0009] To allow a UE to make a determination as to whether there is data being transmitted in one or more of the HS-DSCH codes that is intended for the UE, part 1 of the HS-SCCH (i.e. the first time slot of the HS-SCCH TTI) is transmitted in advance of the HS-DSCH data transmission. As such, a UE must decode the first part of the TTI in each HS-SCCH, where typically in a 3GPP UTMS system there are up to four HS-SCCHs transmitted simultaneously, in order to determine whether or not a data transmission included in a HS-DSCH is intended for that particular UE.
[0010] This process is complicated in that the information bits that form the first part of the HS-SCCH do not include a CRC attachment. As such, to aid data recovery a receiver uses convolutional decoder metrics for error detection.
[0011] Two common convolutional decoder techniques used for error detection are the Viterbi path metric difference algorithm and the Yamomoto-Itoh YI algorithm.
[0012] The Viterbi algorithm is based on a trellis diagram that is used to perform the decoding process in order to identify the particular path through the trellis that maximizes the probability that the corresponding bit sequence was transmitted, conditioned to the received data samples (Maximum Likelihood ML sequence).
[0013] In particular, the Viterbi path metric difference algorithm computes the difference in Viterbi path metrics between the merging paths in the last stage of a Viterbi trellis. The calculated difference is compared to a threshold. If the calculated difference is greater that the threshold the decoding is declared a success, otherwise it is declared a failure. When performing this calculation on the first part of the HS-SCCH, a successful decoding implies that the HS-SCCH transmission is estimated to be intended for the UE and a failure implies that the HS-SCCH transmission is estimated not intended for the UE.
[0014] An improved technique for decoding the HS-SCCH uses the YI algorithm, where the YI algorithm is based on a modified form of the Viterbi algorithm to produce a reliability indicator. In particular, the YI algorithm is based on the principle that when two paths merge in a Viterbi trellis and are close in terms of their path metrics, then the selection of one of the paths over the other is prone to error. For example, states in a trellis are labelled as “good” or “bad” depending on whether the survivor path at a state is reliable or not. To begin with all states are labelled “good.” As Viterbi decoding progresses and a survivor path is selected over a merging path at a state, the path metric difference is computed. This computed path metric difference is compared to a threshold. If the computed difference is less than the threshold the surviving path is labelled “bad,” otherwise it is labelled “good.” In any subsequent stage in the trellis, if a path labelled “bad” is selected over a merging path it retains the label “bad” even if the path metric difference exceed the threshold at that stage. At the end of the Viterbi decoding, the label on the chosen survivor path is checked. If the survivor path has a “good” label the decoding is regarded as a success and if “bad” the decoding is declared a failure.
[0015] However, both the Viterbi and YI algorithms can be computationally intensive, which can result in increased processor requirements and correspondingly an increase in associated power and cost of a device.
[0016] It is desirable to improve this situation.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0017] In accordance with an aspect of the present invention there is provided a decoder and a method for decoding according to the accompanying claims.
[0018] This provides the advantage of allowing the computational requirements for decoding data to be less than that required for decoding data using the Viterbi or YI algorithms.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0019] An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the drawings, of which:
[0020] FIG. 1 illustrates a wireless communication system element arranged for generating the first part of a HS-SCCH;
[0021] FIG. 2 illustrates a wireless communication device including a decoder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0022] FIG. 3 illustrates a decoder according to an embodiment of the present invention;
[0023] FIG. 4 illustrates the detection probability versus the false alarm probability for a decoder according to an embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0024] FIG. 2 shows a user equipment UE in the form of a wireless communication device 20 , for example a radiotelephone, a PDA or laptop, arranged to operate in accordance with the 3GPP wireless communication standard. The wireless communication device 20 includes an antenna 21 , a receiver 22 , a first processor 23 , a second processor 24 and an output device 25 .
[0025] The antenna 21 is coupled to the receiver 22 , which are arranged to receive a wideband code division multiple access WCDMA RF wireless communication signal that is in accordance with the 3GPP standard, as is well known to a person skilled in the art.
[0026] The received signals that are generated by the receiver 22 are provided to the first processor 23 in the form of a stream of data samples (i.e. a data sequence). The first processor 23 is arranged to despread, descramble, demodulated and decode the stream of data samples to recover the original information generated by the transmitting device, for example a base station, as described below.
[0027] Although the first processor 23 and receiver 22 are shown to form separate logical elements they can also be combined to form a single element. Alternatively, a single processor could perform the functions of the first processor 23 and second processor 24 .
[0028] Upon successful decoding of a HS-SCCH (i.e. the successful decoding of the codeword corresponding to the estimate of the 8 information bits that forms the first part of the HS-SCCH) the decoded information bits are provided to the second processor 24 to allow recovery of data transmitted on the HS-DSCH. The second processor 24 is coupled to an output device 25 .
[0029] The wireless communication device 20 will typically include other well known features, which are well known to a person skilled in the art and as such will not be describe any further for the purposes of the present embodiment.
[0030] As shown in FIG. 3 , the first processor 23 includes a despreading and descrambling module 30 coupled to a decoder 31 where the decoder 31 includes a correlator 32 , a selector 33 , a comparator 34 and an optional memory element 35 .
[0031] The despreading and descrambling module 30 is arranged to despread and descramble the received stream of data samples to generate the sequence of 40 samples corresponding to the 40-bit codeword generated by the transmitting element in the transmitting device, as described above. The module may include additional processing to improve the receiver performance in the presence of a multipath channel, as is well known to a person skilled in the art.
[0032] In contrast to the prior art technique of decoding in which a received data sequence is processed in accordance with the Viterbi or YI algorithm, the present decoder 31 , as described in detail below, operates on the basis of comparing a received sequence with all possible 40-bit transmitted codewords. For the purposes of the present embodiment in which only 8 unique information bits are encoded and transmitted in the first part of a HS-SCCH, only 2 8 =256 possible codewords could be applicable/intended for a specific UE.
[0033] Accordingly, a data sequence received by the decoder 31 via the despreading and descrambling module 30 is correlated using the correlator 32 with codewords that could be intended for the UE, which as stated above for the purposes of the present embodiment will be 256 codewords. As such, for the present embodiment the correlator 32 includes a bank of 256 parallel correlators (not shown) where each one of the bank of 256 correlators correlates one of the 256 possible codewords with the received data sequence. Although the current embodiment describes the use of a correlator 32 having a bank of 256 parallel correlators, alternative correlators could be used, for example a single correlator in which serial correlations are performed.
[0034] Additionally, codewords having more or less than eight information bits could also be decoded where the number of correlations to be performed would vary accordingly. For example, for a codeword corresponding to 6 information bits only 2 6 (i.e. 64) correlations would need to be performed for each received data sequence.
[0035] Coupled to the correlator 32 is a memory 35 for storing the 256 possible codewords where the 256 possible codewords are computed offline and stored in the memory 35 prior to operation of the decoder 31 . Alternatively, other means for providing the possible codewords to the correlator 32 are possible, for example a codeword generator (not shown) that is arrange to generate the codewords in a similar fashion to the codeword generator in the transmitting device, as described above.
[0036] As each codeword is represented by 40 bits (i.e. 5 bytes) and the memory is arranged to store 256 codewords, the memory 35 will typically be required to store at least 1280 bytes of information. Accordingly, the size of the memory 35 will typically be dependent upon the number of possible codewords that could be intended for a UE.
[0037] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, 256 correlations are performed for each received sequence. Therefore, the total number of operations performed by the correlator 32 is in the order of 10,751 (i.e. 256 ×40 =10,240 operations of sign change and accumulate, plus 511operations of compare and store). In comparison, more than 28,672 operations would be required to perform decoding using the YI algorithm (the basic Viterbi algorithm for decoding the rate ⅓, constraint length 9 convolutional code requires ( 2×256×3+256 )×16 operations).
[0038] The number of operations to be performed by the decoder 31 will vary according to the number of correlations that need to be performed. However, the number of operations to be performed using the YI algorithm will vary in a different proportion with the number of information bits. As such, there will be a threshold, for the number of codeword information bits, that will determine whether decoding via correlation of codewords or by the use of the YI algorithm will result in fewer operations when performing decoding. In the present embodiment, where part 1 of the HS-SCCH has 8 information bits the number of correlations is fixed at 256, and consequently the present embodiment has a computational advantage over the YI algorithm. However, the decoder 31 could be arranged to switch between decoding via correlation of codewords, as described herein, and a Viterbi based algorithm, such as the YI algorithm, based upon the number of received data samples, corresponding to a codeword, that need to be decoded.
[0039] The correlator 32 is arranged to generate an output value for each correlation where the output value is indicative of the likelihood that the codeword being correlated with the received sequence is the transmitted codeword.
[0040] For the purposes of the present embodiment, the output value generated by each one of the bank of 256 correlators are related to the natural logarithm of the probability of the correlated codeword being the particular codeword that was transmitted by the transmitting device, conditioned to the received data sequence.
[0041] In the present embodiment, the selector 33 is arranged to receive each of the correlation output values and select the two largest correlation values (i.e. the two values that correspond to the two most likely transmitted codewords).
[0042] The selector 33 is then arranged to subtract the second largest correlator output value from the largest output value to produce a resulting value where the resulting value provides an approximation to the log likelihood ratio for the specific codeword that produced the largest correlation output value when correlated with the received data sequence.
[0043] The resulting value (i.e. the approximation of the log likelihood ratio) is provided to the comparator 34 for comparison with a threshold value to provide a decoding reliability indicator. The threshold value is selected to provide an indication of the likelihood that the codeword that has been correlated with the received sequence to produce the largest correlation output value (i.e. the most likely transmitted codeword) is the same as the actual transmitted codeword, i.e. that a successful decoding has occurred. As such, the probability of correctly identifying whether a successful decoding has been performed is dependent on the setting of the threshold value. For example, if the threshold value is set too high then only a subset of possible successful decodings will be identified. However, if the threshold value is set too low then unsuccessful decodings may inadvertently be identified as successful decodings. As such, the setting of the threshold value is dependent upon the acceptable error rate for the decoder 31 . For example, FIG. 4 provides an illustration of the detection probability (i.e. the y axis) and false alarm probability (i.e. x axis) performance obtained with the present embodiment of the invention. The present embodiment has the same detection probability/false alarm probability performance as that demonstrated using the prior art YI algorithm technique while, as stated above, using considerably fewer operations for decoding a codeword containing information bits less than a given number.
[0044] If the comparator 34 makes a determination that the calculated approximation of the log likelihood ratio is greater than the specified threshold value (i.e. a successful decoding has been deemed to have occurred), the 8 information bits that correspond to the codeword having the largest correlator output value are provided to the processor 24 for processing the appropriate data transmitted on the HS-DSCH.
[0045] If the comparator 34 makes a determination that the calculated approximation of the log likelihood ratio is less than the specified threshold value (i.e. an unsuccessful decoding has occurred) the wireless communication device 20 continues to monitor the HS-SCCH channels without attempting to receive data over the HS-DSCH.
[0046] We note that, in an alternative implementation of the present invention, the detection process may be based on more than two and up to all correlation values produced by the correlator 32 .
[0047] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be modified in numerous ways and may assume embodiments other than the preferred forms specifically set out as described above, for example the decoding of channels other than HS-DSCH and HS-SCCH could be performed and the decoding could be performed on data transmitted according to wireless communication standards other than 3GPP. | A decoder for use in a wireless communication device, the decoder comprising a correlator for correlating a received data sequence with a set of codewords such that a correlation value is generated for each correlation, wherein the set of codewords correspond to possible codewords that could be generated from encoding bit sequences having a predetermined number of information bits; a selector for selecting a first correlation value and a second correlation value generated by the correlator and for subtracting the second correlation value from the first correlation value to generate a third value; and a comparator for comparing the third value with a predetermined value to generate a decoding reliability indicator. | 7 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This specification concerns a roof verge system. In particular there is disclosed a member for weathering, or capping, the edges of slates or the like at the verge of a roof.
In the course of non-public investigations by the applicant into the capping of natural or synthetic slates, or similar roof covering members, at the verge of a roof, consideration has been given to the use of an elongate member having a vertical portion and two inwardly projecting portions which respectively overlie the top and bottom surfaces of the slates. The lower of the inwardly projecting portions preferably acts as a concealed "gutter" which sill permit any rain water which seeps below the slates to flow down the roof to where it can, for example, be discharged into a conventional gutter system. In general, such arrangements are known and reference is made to WO 81/01583 which discloses a verge system for use with interlocking roof tiles. In this system, the lower portion is flat and serves to conduct water down the roof even though the portion is not, strictly speaking, formed as a channel.
In the course of the investigations referred to above, consideration has been given to the production of a single member which would be suitable for slates of differing thickness. Consideration has also been given to the design of a union by means of which two members could be joined together longitudinally in such a way that there would be a continuous concealed gutter extending down the roof, but avoiding the use of solvent welding or other separate means of sealing the joints between the various components.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention resulting from the above-mentioned non-public investigations includes both a unique roof verge member and a unique union. As regards the union, a simple construction has been devised which will permit the joining of two downwardly inclined lengths of water conducting members. Viewed generally from one aspect, this union for two longitudinally aligned, downwardly inclined, water conducting members comprises a first portion underlying the lower surface of the upper member, the first portion extending from a point longitudinally spaced from the lower free end of the upper member to such lower free end; a second portion overlying the upper surface of the lower member, the second portion extending from the upper free end of the lower member to a point longitudinally spaced from such upper free end, and a wall which interconnects the first and second channel wall portions and passes between the respective free ends of the two members.
An important point about such as arrangement is that it is for use in joining two inclined members. In use, water flowing down the upper member will encounter the wall interconnecting the channel wall portions, thus forming a dam. It will then flow over the dam portion and down onto the lower member so as to continue flowing downwardly. In the absence of solvent welding or other sealing means, there will also be a tendency for water to seep down between the free end of the upper member and the dam portion. This however cannot escape immediately since it encounters the first portion of the union which underlies the upper member. It will then tend to flow back between this first portion of the union and the upper member. However, because the members are inclined, the direction of this flow is uphill. Providing the first union portion is sufficiently long, having regard to e.g. the inclination angle, the anticipated flow and the height of the dam portion, it can be so arranged that no water reaches the end of the first portion and escapes from the union. Similarly, any water which might tend to seep back under the second portion of the union, overlying the lower member, is flowing uphill and similar considerations apply.
Whilst this union was designed with particular regard to the verge system referred to earlier, it will be of use in other contexts. It is considered inventive in its own right and protection is sought in broad terms for the union and its use with inclined water conducting members.
As regards the verge member itself, consideration has been given to a member which viewed broadly from one aspect comprises a planar portion to extend down the verge of the roof so as to conceal the edges of the slates or the like, inwardly directed flanges along both edges of the planar portion, and a pair of water conducting members on the inner surface of the planar portion, each respectively facing one of the flanges, with the spacing between one flange and its associated facing water conducting member being greater than the spacing between the other flange and its associated facing water conducting member. The member as a whole will generally be of regular cross section rather than tapering as in e.g. the system of WO 81/01583 referred to above. Depending on which way up the member is used, there will be a larger or smaller spacing between the flange and water conducting member which will be used in capping the slates or the like. Thus, two different thickness of slate can be handled. Such a verge member as outlined broadly above, is considered inventive in its own right and protection is sought in broad terms for the verge member.
By combining the two features of the union and the member design, a particularly effective system can be obtained. However, a problem has been identified in designing the combined system. In use, in joining the verge members, to give the desired effect in terms of function and appearance, the union should--apart from the portions discussed broadly above--preferably have portions which will overlie the two flanges and the planar portion of each verge member. Thus the two verge members as a whole will be fitted into the union, as well as the water conducting members being joined together in a watertight manner. However, with the verge member as described above, the two water conducting members are of course disposed asymmetrically between the flanges. Similarly, the union will have an asymmetric configuration. This means that two union shapes will be required--one left handed for use along one side of the roof and one right handed for use along the other side of the roof. The problem does not arise with the verge members themselves, since the can simply be reversed for use on one side of the roof or the other. However, the union is not reversible since the watertight joint can only work in one direction.
To deal with this problem therefore a further improved verge member has been devised which will enable a symmetrical union to be used, so that only one union shape is required regardless of which side of the roof is concerned. Viewed broadly from one aspect, this verge member comprises a planar outer portion to extend down the verge of the roof so as to conceal the edges of the slates or the like, inwardly directed flanges along both edge of the planar portion, and a pair of water conducting members on the inner surface of the planar portion, each respectively facing one of the flanges, the water conducting members being disposed symmetrically between the flanges but one of the flanges having a portion along its free edge which extends towards its associated water conducting member so as to reduce the size of the gap through which the edge of a slate or the like will pass in use. By this means, different sized gaps are provided but in terms of the portions which cooperate with the union, the arrangement is symmetrical. Such a verge member is considered inventive and protection is sought in broad terms for the member in its own right.
It will be appreciated that for the system to operate satisfactorily, various parts will need to be of the same size and shape, and designed to cooperate with other parts, and the dimensions of the water conducting members, dimensions of the union portions and so forth will be chosen to provide adequate removal of water in a reliable manner. These matters are within the competence of one skilled in the art.
Furthermore, when the verge members are to be used with the particular union discussed above, there should be a gap between the two water conducting members so as to permit the appropriate portions of the union to pass between them in order to underlie the appropriate water conducting member.
As regards the construction of the union for use in the combined system using the preferred verge members, it will be gathered from the above that this will include a pair of oppositely facing, symmetrically disposed, arrangements, each having the said first, second and dam portions. These arrangements will generally be provided on the inner surface of a planar portion which will overlie the planar portions of the verge members being joined. Furthermore, there will generally be inwardly directed flanges on the planar portion, to overlie the flanges on the verge member.
The water conducting members of the verge members, or any other member for use with the union, could be flat as in the system of e.g. WO 81/01583 discussed above. However, preferably they are in the form of channel members to provide more effective conduction of water. In such a case, the first and second portions of the union, which will respectively underlie and overlie the channel members being joined, should also underlie and overlie sides of the channel members.
In a preferred construction of verge member each channel member has portions downwardly directed and upwardly directed with respect to the planar portion. The union will have a corresponding configuration.
In general the verge members and unions will be of a plastics material and formed by extrusion, injection moulding or the like. However, other materials and forming methods are possible.
It will be appreciated that protection is sought not only for the verge members and unions independently, but for the combinations of the components, their use of a roof, and roof with a verge system using the components.
Consideration has also been given to means for securing the verge members, of either design discussed above, to a roof. This can present problems, particularly in terms of thermal contraction and expansion. Where dark colours (which absorb heat more readily) are used, or long continuous lengths of member are used, these thermal effects can be significant.
Accordingly, a preferred arrangement involves the use of clips which have portions to be secured to roof battens or the like, and portions which restrain the verge member against lateral movement but permit sliding movement relative to the clip. In systems where the verge members have channels members, the clips may have portions which clip over the inner walls of the channel members. The use of the second type of verge member, with the symmetrically disposed channel members, enables a single type of clip to be used in the same way on both sides of the roof. One or more suitable clips, such as the topmost clip along the verge, may be secured by a screw or the like to the verge member to prevent sliding movement so that it serves as an anchor clip. In a preferred arrangement the clip can also be used to block off the ends of the verge members, at the bottom of the roof.
As a whole, the preferred system has a number of advantages, including the need for three components only (the verge member, union and clip), the ability to cope with slates of different thicknesses, a neat external appearance, and effective channeling of water down the roof in a concealed manner. Individually all of the components may have uses in other contexts and the system as a whole may be used not only with slates and imitation slates, but with plain tiles, interlocking tiles, profiled tiles with suitably flat edge regions (provided e.g. by an interlocking region) wood shingles and so forth.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
A verge system for a roof, embodying several of the features discussed above, will now be described by way of example only of some of the broad aspects outlined, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of two verge members and a union, in an unassembled condition;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the three components in the assembled condition, and showing also a retaining clip secured to a roof batten;
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the components in the assembled condition, configured to go down in the opposite direction from the configuration of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a side view of the retaining clip; and
FIG. 5 is a view showing the construction at the bottom of a roof verge, adjacent an eaves gutter, with the slates and battens omitted for reasons of clarity.
FIG. 6 is a view showing a part of a verge member and two roof covering members.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference now to FIG. 1, there are shown two identical extruded plastics elongate verge members 1 and 2 to be joined by a union 3. The verge member comprises a vertically extending planar outer portion 4 having at its upper edge an inwardly perpendicularly directed flange 5 terminating at its free edge in a downwardly perpendicularly directed terminal portion 6. Along its lower edge the planar portion 4 has an inwardly perpendicularly directed flange 7 terminating in a free edge 8.
Disposed centrally of the planar outer portion 4, and arranged symmetrically, are two inwardly directed water conducting members or channels 9 and 10 which run parallel to the flanges 5 and 7. The water conducting channels 9 and 10 are of identical cross section, having inwardly directed inclined first side wall portions 11 and 12 respectively, flat bottom wall portions 13 and 14 respectively, and vertically directed second side wall portions 15 and 16 respectively. The symmetry is such that the space between the free edge of side wall portion 15 and the main part of flange 5 is equal to the space between the free edge of side wall portion 16 and the flange 7.
Between the free edge of the upwardly directed side wall portion 15 of the channel 9 and the free edge of downwardly directed terminal portion 6 of flange 5, is formed a first gap 17 to receive the edge of at least one slate of a particular thickness, which will be shielded by the verge member 1 as shown in FIG. 6. In FIG. 6, gap 17 of verge member 1 is arranged to receive roof covering members 50 and 51, which themselves may be arranged in a variety of known roof covering configurations. Gap 17 is of reduced size in view of the additional, downwardly directed terminal portion 6. The channel 9 will carry away any water which gets beneath the slate. The verge member 1 is elongate and will receive a number of slates. Slight resilience in the material of the verge member 1 will allow for the slate thickness to vary somewhat it being preferable that the free edges of side wall portions 15 and 16 engage the surfaces of the slates.
However, by turning the verge member the other way up, a slate of substantially greater thickness can be received in an alternative gap 18 between the free edge 8 of flange 7, and the free edge of side wall portion 16 of channel 10 with these free edges again preferably engaging the surfaces of the slate. Thus, the single verge member 1 can be used for widely varying slate thicknesses simply by being turned upside down.
The union 3 is designed to join together the verge members 1 and 2 and to ensure that there is a watertight join between the operative channels, i.e. channels 9 or 10, regardless of which way up the verge members are used.
The union 3 has a vertically extending planar outer portion 19 having first and second perpendicularly inwardly directed flanges 20 and 21 along its edges. Thus, the union can overlie outer portion 4 and flanges 5 and 7 of the verge members 1 and 2 so as to weather the joint between the members. A rib 22 extends around the inside of the union, on flange 20, outer portion 19 and flange 21, to serve as a locating stop when the verge members and union are being joined together. The width of the union either side of rib 22 is sufficient to ensure that the joint remains adequately weathered even if the verge members 1 and 2 move apart longitudinally as a result of thermal expansion.
On the rib 22 are provided four optional locating flanges 23,24,25 and 26 which overlie the inner wall of the vertical outer portion 4 of the verge member 1 and 2 to assist in location. These may be omitted and in cases where extreme temperature conditions are encountered it may be better to omit them. If excessive thermal expansion occurs, the locating flanges might in some circumstances hinder proper retraction of the verge members fully into the union once cooling takes place.
Disposed centrally of outer portion 19 of the union is a junction indicated generally at 27 to join together the channels 9 and 10 of the respective verge members 1 and 2. The union can be used either way up but will only work in one particular direction of water flow along the channels. With the system described this presents no problem since although there is asymmetry of the verge members in terms of the slate receiving gaps 17 and 18, the channels 9 and 10 are disposed symmetrically. As a result, the union is used one way up for flow in one direction and the other way up for flow in the other direction, but in either configuration can cope with the verge members being either way up. Whether channels 9 or channels 10 of the verge members 1 and 2 are being joined, the union can be fitted correctly to provide a watertight joint.
The junction 27 consists of two mirror image portions 28 and 29. In view of the symmetry, only portion 28 will be described in detail. This portion consists of an upstream part 30 configured to receive a channel (channel 9 in the configuration shown in FIG. 1). Upstream channel-shaped part 30 has a cross section matching that of the channel and is adapted to extend around the outside of the channel wall portions (11,13 and 15 for channel 9). Portion 28 has also a downstream part 31 configured to fit inside the channel, having a cross section matching that of the channel and being adapted to extend around the inside of the channel wall portions (11,13 and 15 for channel 9). The upstream channel-shaped part 30 and downstream channel-shaped part 31 are joined by a wall 32 which extends completely around the periphery of parts 30 and 31 and forms a dam interconnecting the respective channel wall portions (11,13 and 15 for channel 9).
As can be seen, the respective downstream parts of junction portion 28 and its mirror image junction portion 29 are spaced apart at 33. Thus, when verge member 1 is pushed into the union 3, the space 33 will receive the bottom wall portions 13 and 14 of the channels 9 and 10, and of course channel 10 of member 1 will be received in the junction portion 29. Similarly, the channels 9 and 10 are themselves spaced apart by a longitudinally extending space 34 so as to receive the common wall of upstream channel-shaped part 30 of the junction and its mirror image upstream channel-shaped part 35, with channel 10 of member 2 being received in this part 35. Thus, the verge members 1 and 2, and union 3, are securely joined together.
FIG. 2 shows the verge members 1 and 2 and the union 3 joined together. The members 1 and 2 extend down the side of a roof, with the top, i.e. ridge, of the roof being to the right of the figure as shown. In this configuration, the operative channel is 9 and any water seeping below slates (not shown) will flow down this channel from the right of the figure to the left.
Any water flowing down channel 9 of verge member 2 towards the union 3 encounters the wall 32 between parts 30 and 31. At a certain flow, the water will pass over the dam formed by wall 32 and onto part 31, from where it will flow down onto channel 9 of verge member 1. Because the arrangement is inclined, and the extent of part 30 is sufficient, the water will always flow over to part 31 before it can seep back up underneath channel 9 of verge member 2, between it and part 30, far enough to reach the end of part 30 and escape from the joint. The inclination, and extent of part 31 also tends to reduce any tendency for water to seep back up under part 31 far enough to escape from the joint. It may be desirable to arrange tolerances between the channels 9 and respective parts 30 and 31 so as to reduce a tendency for capillary action which could draw water up the gaps between the components.
Although the union 3 is designed for use without any extra seals or the use of e.g. solvent welding, it would be possible to use such features to seal the channels to the parts 30 and 31. In that case, some advantages of the union would be its general structural stability and its capability of dealing with any sealing failures with the seals solvent welding or the like. Furthermore if there are level, or shallowly inclined, roof portions such sealing means may be necessary if the same unions are to be used.
FIG. 3 shows the appearance of two verge members 1 and 2 joined by the union 3, extending down the roof on the other side of the roof ridge, i.e. with the top of the roof to the left in the figure as drawn. As will be appreciated, the union 3 has been turned upside down as compared to FIGS. 1 and 2. Because of the features of symmetry referred to earlier, this is possible whilst ensuring a correct fit.
By turning upside down the entire arrangements of FIGS. 2 and 3, i.e. both union and verge members, the channels 10 will be operative and thicker slates can be received in the gaps 18. It is still important to ensure that the arrangements are used such that the overlying part (i.e. 31 in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the union is on the downstream or lowermost side.
As shown in FIG. 2, the verge member 1 is attached to a wooden roof batten 36 by means of a moulded plastics clip 37. The clip is nailed to the batten 37 at 38 but is clipped over wall portions 15 and 16 of channels 9 and 10 in such a way as to permit movement of the verge member relative to the clip to allow for thermal expansion.
As shown more clearly in FIG. 4, the clip has an upper first portion 39 and a perpendicularly disposed second portion 40 formed with two recess portions 41 and 42 which respectively receive the wall portions 15 and 16.
As can be seen in FIG. 2, the free end of upper part 39 of the clip 37 is formed with two lateral protrusions 43. The purpose of these is to allow the clip 37 to perform another function at the bottom of the roof, where the verge arrangement is terminated. Referring now to FIG. 15, therefore, there is shown the arrangement of e.g. FIG. 2 at the bottom of the roof. The verge member 1 with channel 9 projects over a gutter 44 so that any water running down the channel 9 will flow into the gutter. A clip 37 is provided in the normal way and will be nailed to the lowermost roof batten (not shown).
The channel 10 is cut away (e.g. using a backsaw to modify the standard verge member 1) up to the lever of clip 37. A standard clip 37' is then pushed up the lower part of the verge member 1, with its upper part 39' passing up the space 45 between channels 9 and 10. The protrusions 43' on this clip then snaps behind the part 40 of clip 37. Thus, clip 37' is firmly held in place and in this position blocks the space 46 below the channels 9 and 10 so as to prevent the ingress of birds, vermin etc. into the roof below the slates.
As can be seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 the part 40 of clip 37 is also provided with an aperture 47. The purpose of this is to permit the clip 37 to be securely fastened to verge member 1 by means of a fastener such as a self tapping screw which will pass through the aperture and into the space 45 between channels 9 and 10. This may be desirable at certain points, such as at the top of the roof, to fix the system securely to the roof. At other points, of course, movement is permitted to allow for thermal expansion.
There can also be seen apertures 48 in the top part of clip 37, through which pass the nails for securing the clip to a roof batten.
It will be appreciated that many variations are possible both to the specific embodiment described and to the broad features referred to earlier. Many features are new both separately and in combination, such as the verge member, union, clip, or parts thereof, and the various way in which the components are used together on a roof whether generally or at specific places. All of these new features are inventive and protection may be sought hereunder for all of them. Furthermore, it is not intended that any terms used herein, whether by way of technical description or by way of broad statements of essential or desirable features, should exclude structures or features which at least to a substantial extent have the same or similar effects. | A system for covering the edges of slates or the like at the verge of a pitched roof, comprises a plurality of verge members (1, 2) joined by a union (3). Each verge member has a pair of flanges (5, 7) and a pair of channels (9, 10) defining two spaces (17, 18) for receiving the edges of the slates. The channels (9, 10) are disposed symmetrically between the flanges (5, 7) but one of the flanges has a portion (6) which results in the space (17) being narrower than the space (18), so that the verge member can be used with slates of different thicknesses. The union (3) joins together the verge members (1, 2) in such a way that the channels (9) being used are connected in a waterproof manner. The union (3) thus comprises an upstream portion (30) which underlies the channel (9) of the verge member (2) up the roof, and a downstream portion (31) which overlies the channel (9) of the verge member (1) down the roof, the portions (30, 31) being joined by a wall (32) extending between the ends of the two channels (9). | 4 |
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 60/250,275, filed Nov. 30, 2000.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] 1. Field of the Invention
[0003] This invention relates generally to signal processing, and more particularly, for example, but not by way of limitation, to a system and method for processing an audio signal prior to encoding said audio signal.
[0004] 2. Description of Related Art
[0005] Sound is enabled by variations in air pressure. These variations, called sound waves, can be converted into analog electrical signals, the voltage of which depends upon, among other things, the frequency or pitch of the sound wave as well as its pressure (i.e., its volume). Conversion of an analog sound wave into a digital electrical signal is commonly accomplished by an analog-to-digital (“A-to-D”) converter, which converts the analog voltage of the analog sound wave into a binary (digital) number that is generally in the form of one or more “on” or “off” electrical pulses. Thus, the A-to-D converter provides a digital data stream that is assembled into data packets by a packetizer for distribution, for example, over various intranets or internets, such as a local area network (“LAN”), wide area network (“WAN”), Internet, wireless network, or other. As such, the A-to-D converter is commonly referred to as an “encoder” or “coder.”
[0006] Conversion of the digital electrical signal back into an analog sound wave is commonly accomplished by a digital-to-analog (“D-to-A”) converter, which converts the digital data stream into various voltage levels that are fed to an amplifier and ultimately speakers, thus reproducing audible sound waves. As such, the D-to-A converter is commonly referred to as a “decoder.” The coder and decoder are commonly carried on a sound card in a personal computer (“PC”) or other computer platform, such as a personal digital assistant (“PDA”), and a combination coder-decoder (“codec”) includes both an A-to-D converter and a D-to-A converter.
[0007] Sophisticated recording technologies, such as compact discs (“CD”), attempt to create recordings of analog sound waves with perfect fidelity and perfect reproduction. Fidelity is a measure of similarity between the original sound wave and the reproduced signal. Reproduction is a measure of the way the recording sounds every time that it is played, regardless of how many times it is played. Provided the encoded data stream of numbers is not corrupted, the analog wave reproduced by the D-to-A converter will be the same every time. The analog wave reproduced by the D-to-A converter will also be very similar to the original analog wave if the A-to-D converter sampled the original analog wave at a high rate and recorded accurate voltage levels corresponding to the original analog wave. Thus, A-to-D converters are often characterized by two variables. The first variable is the sampling rate, measuring the number of samples taken per unit of time, frequently measured per second. The second variable is sampling precision, measuring the number of gradations or distinct voltage levels that are recognized during sampling. For example, at a sampling rate of 1,000 samples per second and a sampling precision of 10, the A-to-D converter samples the voltage of the analog wave every {fraction (1/1000)}th of a second and selects a number between 0 and 9 that is closest in proximity to the measured voltage that is representative of the analog wave. The series of numbers 0-9, first converted into a binary representation thereof, comprise the aforementioned digital representation of the original wave, which will be decoded by the D-to-A converter upon analog playback.
[0008] If the sampling rate and sampling precision are low, the reproduced analog signal will lose much of the data contained in the original analog sound wave, resulting in poor fidelity. This is commonly called “sampling error.” Sampling error is reduced by increasing both the sampling rate and sampling precision. For example, at a sampling rate of 2,000 samples per second and sampling precision of 20, the A-to-D converter samples the analog wave 2,000 times every second and selects a number between 0 and 20 that is closest in proximity to the voltage of the analog wave. Upon playback, the resulting wave will have decreased sampling error compared to sampling at 10 gradations and a sampling rate of 1,000 samples per second, but increased sampling error compared to sampling at 40 gradations and a sampling rate of 4,000 samples per second. Thus, as the sampling rate and sampling precision generally increase, sampling error decreases, thereby increasing fidelity.
[0009] For CD quality sound, the A-to-D converter sampling rate is 44,100 samples per second and each sample is commonly converted into a 16-bit number, corresponding to one of 65,536 gradations or distinct voltage levels. At this sampling rate and sampling precision, the output of the D-to-A converter so closely matches the original analog wave that the sound is essentially “perfect” to most human ears. However, most sound files containing such data are enormous, and often remain so even after being compressed. Thus, most sound files require a data transfer rate of at least 700 kilobytes per second (“kbps”) to be played in real-time, and with stereophonic sound files, the required data transfer rate doubles to at least 1,400 kbps.
[0010] Since the advent of the modern Internet, users often desire to listen to talk radio stations, interviews, sound clips, musical radio stations, and much more from their PCs and computing platforms. In fact, these services are commonly demanded both live and on-demand. However, since typical access to the Internet is limited to data transfer rates of 28.8 kbps, most sound files are too large to be delivered in real-time through an Internet-enabled network. For example, it can take over fifteen minutes to download a one minute sound file. Simple solutions, such as reducing the sampling rate to 8,000 samples per second or using 8-bit samples, result in greatly inferior sound quality; even still, such sound files still require data transfer rates of 64 kbps even for monophonic sound files, unfortunately greatly exceeding the Internet's current data transfer rates.
[0011] Thus, streaming technologies were introduced as a welcome solution to the above problems. With streaming audio, for example, an entire sound file need not be downloaded before listening can begin. Rather, the sound file is played and listened to as it is downloaded. More specifically, the sound file is sent as sequential data packets to a buffer in an end user's PC or other computing platform. When the buffer is full, which often requires no more than a few seconds, an audio player begins playing the sound file. As the sound file is played, additional data packets are delivered to the buffer, and as the buffer continues to receive the additional data packets for near-simultaneous playback, the entire sound file is thereby played in its entirety. After being played, each data packet is generally discarded, and the entire sound file may never exist in its entirety at the end user's PC or other computing platform.
[0012] Heretofore, however, sound quality continued to be a problem with most streaming audio applications. For example, the data packets comprising sound files are ordinarily transmitted using a User Datagram Protocol (“UDP”) instead of the Internet's ordinary Transmission Control Protocol (“TCP”). Unlike TCP, UDP does not re-transmit un-received packets; if it did, the end user's sound player would be constantly bombarded with re-transmitted packets, effectively hampering audible playback of the sound file.
[0013] Thus, to be used effectively on the Internet, playback sound quality needs to at least reach the level of an FM radio broadcast, yet still be able to be transmitted at a data transfer rate of 28.8 kbps. Heretofore, many prior art solutions focused on increasing the bandwidth of Internet transmission, thereby enabling more data to be transferred per unit time. Other solutions focus on using digital signal processors (“DSPs”) to alter playback after the analog sound wave has been encoded by the A-to-D converter. In addition, a variety of compression schemes, using complex mathematical methods and models, are used to approximate the analog signal.
[0014] Some compression technologies achieve modest sound quality at relatively low data transfer rates. However, to be used more effectively with real-time streaming delivery, for example, other factors must also be considered in order to provide for the highest quality end user experience. For instance, the speed of encoding and decoding, tolerance to lost data, and scalable audio quality are additional factors that are often overlooked.
[0015] The speed of encoding and decoding data is important because many time constraints are often placed on PC content conversion. Moreover, this speed is also of paramount importance in any live, real-time encoding application, which could involve multiple and simultaneous data transfer rates. Thus, although sophisticated mathematical algorithms can be employed to produce a quality return, the net gain in quality must be compared with the required encoding complexity. For example, if 50% or more of a PC's computing resources are required for a particular algorithmic compression scheme that yields only a 5% increase in playback quality, the algorithm may over-tax the PC's resources for most applications. As commonly recognized, such solutions thus remain viable only if unlimited computing resources are available. On the other hand, using algorithms that are too low in complexity result in poor audio quality. Thus, rather than limitlessly increase computational complexity at the expense of limited computing resources, what is needed is a technology that can implement a most preferred algorithm per computing cycle so as to increase the speed of encoding and decoding.
[0016] Secondly, tolerance to lost data is often overlooked. To be sure, streaming media technologies encounter many challenges that were not encountered by traditional networking media distribution technologies. For example, streaming audio is transmitted in real-time and thus, when information is lost, a server is often not available to retransmit un-received data packets. This has created the need for a “best efforts” UDP. Best efforts delivery mechanisms, combined with the inherent data packet losses that are inevitable on a public network, such as the Internet, suggest that missing audio data is unavoidable in Internet streaming. However, most present day A-to-D converters were not specifically designed for streaming data packets. Thus, while many compression algorithms employ predictive algorithms that use past data to compensate for lost data, such algorithms often require access to unavailable and incomplete data histories. Hence, when data packets are lost, current and future effective audio playback is hampered. One prior art solution attempting to mitigate this problem bundles large amounts of interdependent data into each data packet. This, however, can result in a single data packet representing a long span of audio data, which, if lost in transmission, can cause unacceptable audio gaps of 200 milliseconds (“ms”) or longer. Even after muting, repeating, and interpolating from surrounding audio data by techniques known in the art, these large gaps can result in audible deterioration that drastically reduce sound quality. For example, speech intelligibility can be altogether impaired.
[0017] As a result, many modern A-D converters limit algorithmic dependencies on prior data, allowing encoded data to instead be handled in relatively small, independently decodable units. This presents one lost data packet from effecting surrounding data packets. It also allows compressed data packets to be interleaved, juxtaposing several seconds of data onto neighboring packets. This allows efficient use of large network packets, yet does not create large gaps in decoded audio playback if lost data packets are allowed to only produce many small gaps, spread over several seconds, as opposed to being decoded as a single large gap. The small audio gaps are then compensated using known interpolation techniques, employing both past and future data packets to estimate lost content. The result is that, even under severe packet loss, the D-A converter can produce relatively good audio quality, effectively tolerating up to 15% data losses with relatively minimal audio quality degradation.
[0018] Thirdly, scalable audio quality is also often overlooked. To be sure, perceived audio quality of a highly compressed analog signal depends both on the range of the reproduced sound frequencies and the accuracy of representation of the original analog waveform. Thus, one A-to-D converter may achieve a wide frequency response, but sub-optimally reproduce information contained in those frequencies. Conversely, another A-to-D converter may achieve satisfactory playback for a narrow range of frequencies, but sub-optimally reproduce information at the upper or lower ends of the frequency range. Many common A-to-D speech converters typify this problem, whereby frequencies that represent human speech are accurately reproduced, yet the addition of any music that falls outside of the optimal range sounds distorted or is altogether absent. Other commonly available A-to-D converters focus on specific bandwidth targets where distinct audio characteristics are desired. For example, a specific algorithm may be used to produce quality that is transparent to the uncompressed original signal at a low data transfer rate. Hence, if an A-to-D converter yields an audio “sweet-spot” at a specific data transfer rate, using that same encoder at much slower or faster data transfer rate may yield greatly distorted audio playback.
[0019] Other encoders strive to not only accurately reproduce audio signals at specific frequencies, but also to achieve relatively broad frequency responses as well, given a specified data transfer rate such as the Internet's 16-32 kbps. Moreover, some codecs dynamically change data transfer rates based on current data requirements. Thus, during musical playback that is particularly difficult to accurately reproduce, these codecs dynamically decrease their frequency response so that extra data can be used to more accurately reproduce the information of the frequencies being reproduced. However, problems persist for web streamers if the bandwidth of the transmission channel changes during transmission, or clients, often having varying receiver resources, join or leave the network during transmission.
[0020] What continues to be needed, therefore, are systems and methods that can transmit and receive audio information over a network such as the Internet while utilizing as few bits as possible, yet preserve the best possible quality of sound in an audio sound file. The systems and methods must perform conversions and the scripting of algorithms in the quickest possible time to avoid delay or packet loss that can result in fidelity loss. And they must have the capacity for dealing with the inevitable intermittent losses of data that can and do occur on congested public networks, and all these tasks must be accomplished using a minimum of computing resources.
[0021] Further, one must remain mindful that the afore-mentioned A-D converters only work within limited bandwidth restrictions. Thus, in order to execute conversions efficiently, the algorithms allocate limited bits differently according to the complexity of the audio signal. In other words, prior art A-to-D converters are sensitive to complex audio signals. For example, a major factor in the complexity of an audio signal is the dynamic amplitude excursions that occur during the course of the audio playback, such as transitioning from a soft passage in a musical piece to a loud crashing symbol. In response to dynamic intervals such as these, the prior art A-to-D converters decrease the frequency response and allocate more bits to defining the complex waveform. Thus, there may be instances where an A-to-D converter will be forced to exceed the target bandwidth to accommodate a complex waveform, and then later be forced to economize other bits in order to make up the difference, thereby creating distinct audible distortions.
[0022] As a result of the foregoing considerations, the inventor conducted unique, experimental testing on the analog signal using professional audio processing techniques. The results of the testing revealed that significant benefits are realized by processing an audio signal before it is encoded by an A-to-D converter, such as enabling the A-to-D converter and D-to-A converter to run more efficiently and effectively, thus yielding higher fidelity outputs. As described subsequently, these techniques improve signal to noise ratio, focus on critical bands, and maximize utilization of the amplitude response allocated by targeted bandwidth parameters. What is described, therefore, is a solution to the above problems that can be implemented efficiently, readily, and cost-effectively.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0023] By the systems and methods of the present invention, a dynamic audio processor for processing an audio signal prior to encoding is presented. While prior art solutions have focused on processing an audio signal after it is digitialized, the inventive arrangements presented hereby preprocess the audio signal before it is encoded. Specific but non-exhaustive examples of actual and anticipated applications include a web streamer that provides digital data streams from a server. In such an embodiment, the audio signal is desirably delivered such that there is no need to store the entire digital data stream at a client before playback. In any event, the dynamic audio processor and processing methods presented hereby comprise means for and steps of modifying an audio signal into a preferred signal format prior to digitalization thereof. Thus, the systems and methods provide analog-to-analog modification of audio analog input signals. The analog-to-analog modification creates a preferred analog format that is effectively and efficiently converted into the digital data stream by an encoder, such as an A-to-D converter or codec, whereupon, along with other advantages, significant bandwidth can thereby be minimized and saved, for example, for other applications.
[0024] In one embodiment, the systems and methods are carried by functional stand-alone components. In an alternative embodiment, the systems and methods are carried as integral components of a PC or other computing platform. In another alternative embodiment, the systems and methods are carried as part of the encoder. In another alternative embodiment, the systems and methods are implemented by providing a codec design in the form of software that is provided to data processing means for providing the encoder and decoder sections of such codec. In addition, the encoder and decoder portion of the codec may be provided in the form of software that is transmitted to an end user prior to receipt of video and audio signal data streams.
[0025] In a preferred embodiment, the inventive arrangements receive the analog audio signal input, nominalize the signal to provide a level input, compress the signal according to a pre-set compression ratio, equalize the signal to achieved a desired effect, and nominalize the signal for subsequent outputting thereof.
[0026] The foregoing and other objects, advantages, and aspects of the present invention will become apparent 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 present invention. Such embodiment does not represent the full spirit or scope of the invention, however, and reference must also be made to the claims herein for properly interpreting the spirit and scope of this invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0027] [0027]FIG. 1 is a simplified streaming environment in which a preferred embodiment of the present invention may be practiced;
[0028] [0028]FIG. 2 is a functional block diagram depicting various embodiments of the present invention;
[0029] [0029]FIG. 3 is a representative embodiment of various front panel controls for the dynamic audio processor of the present invention;
[0030] [0030]FIG. 4 is a representative embodiment of various back panel controls for the dynamic audio processor of the present invention; and
[0031] [0031]FIG. 5 is a representative flow chart depicting various embodiments by which the various methods of the present invention may be practiced.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 1, a simplified streaming media environment 10 is depicted in which preferred embodiments of the present invention may be practiced. More specifically, an audio source 12 is in electronic communication with the inventive Digital Audio Processor (“DAP”) 14 of the present invention, which is also preferably in electronic communication with a PC 16 or other computing platform such as a PDA. Alternatively, the DAP 14 is an integral component of the PC 16 , for example, fitting into a well-known 5¼ inch drive bay 18 thereof. The PC 16 preferably contains therein an encoder, such as an A-D converter or codec (not shown), for encoding audio signals into a digital data stream. Alternatively, the DAP 14 is an integral component of the encoder. In any event, the PC 16 is preferably in electronic communication with a client-server environment 20 comprising one or more servers 22 that are preferably in electronic communication with one another and also with one or more end users 24 . Representative client-server environments 20 include, for example, a LAN, WAN, the public Internet, a wireless network, and other client-server environments 20 and other networks.
[0033] As known, when a representative end user 24 a clicks on a hyperlink to a streaming sound file displayed by the end user's 24 Web browser, that hyperlink does not directly activate the desired sound file. Rather, the Web browser contacts a server related to that hyperlink, which sends a metafile back to the Web browser. A metafile is a relatively small text file containing the address—i.e., the Uniform Resource Locator (“URL”)—the desired sound file and instructions that tell the Web browser to launch a sound player installed by the end user 24 . Representative sound players include, for example, well-known streaming players, such as RealPlayer available from RealNetworks, Inc. of Seattle, Wash. and Windows Media Player available from Microsoft Corp. of Redmond, Wash., installed by the end user 24 . In any event, the Web browser then launches the sound player and contacts the server identified in the URL, such as representative server 22 a , which is a streaming media distribution server designed to deliver sound files to the end user's 24 sound player. The end user's 24 sound player is generally enabled by a sound card that comprises a decoder, such as a D-A converter or codec (not shown) for decoding the digital data stream into audio signals for streaming playback. The decoded sound files thus create audible sound waves delivered to the end user 24 through speakers (not shown).
[0034] More specifically, the audio source 12 provides an audio signal 26 to the DAP 14 . Referring generally, the audio source 12 is one or more of the following: a live source; phonographic playback, magnetic tape playback, CD playback, or another type of playback; a traditional or internet radio broadcast or rebroadcast, or another type of broadcast; a television, satellite, cable, or telephonic transmission of an audio signal 26 , or another type of transmission; voice applications, including, for example, but not by way of limitation, so called “voice-over” applications including Internet telephony and the like; music applications; combination voice and music applications; and otherwise. Accordingly, the audio signal 26 is generally one of more of the following: a dynamic analog audio signal; a monophonic audio signal (i.e., involving a single transmission path); a stereophonic audio signal (i.e., involving multiple transmission paths); an audio signal extracted from a composite video signal comprising one or more audio signals; or otherwise.
[0035] As elaborated upon subsequently, an unspecified audio signal 28 is output from the DAP 14 and input into the encoder of the PC 16 . Preferably, the encoder then digitializes the modified audio signal 28 into a digital data stream 30 . In one preferred embodiment, the digital data stream 30 is encoded for streaming broadcast into the client-server environment 20 , the PC 16 preferably containing the means for stream broadcasting the digital data stream 30 as previously described.
[0036] Like the audio signal 26 input to the DAP 14 , the modified audio signal 28 output therefrom remains an analog audio signal. However, the DAP 14 processes the original audio signal 26 to enhance its subsequent encoding by the encoder. In other words, the DAP 14 processes the audio signal 26 to create the modified audio signal 28 so that the latter is more effectively and efficiently converted into the digital data stream 30 by the encoder of the PC 16 . The modified audio signal 28 thus comprises a preferred signal format for digitalization. In addition, significant bandwidth is thereby saved by the present inventive arrangements, which are embodied as an integral component of the encoder in one preferred embodiment.
[0037] In accord with the foregoing, the functionality of the DAP 14 is representatively depicted in FIGS. 2 - 4 , in which like numerals refer to like elements, as will be elaborated upon shortly. The inventive arrangements can be realized in hardware, software, or a combination thereof. For instance, any hardware, software, or combination thereof adapted or otherwise configured for carrying out the systems and methods described herein, is suited. For instance, the methods may be carried out in software for performing the described steps, or alternatively, by hardware that carries out the described functionalities, as known to persons skilled in such respective arts. For example, the DAP 14 is preferably powered by a 12 volt A.C. regulated power supply 32 that is in electronic communication therewith through a power supply input 34 and triggered, for example, by a power toggle switch 36 . It comprises means for receiving the audio signal 38 , including, for example, standard ¼ inch stereo signal input jacks. Preferably, but not by way of limitation, the means for receiving the audio signal 38 has a fixed input impedance of about 50 k Ohms. The DAP 14 also comprises means for outputting the modified audio signal 40 , including, for example, standard ¼ inch stereo signal output jacks. In a preferred embodiment, the means for outputting the modified audio signal 40 comprises a plurality of output channels such as three output channels. Preferably, but also not by way of limitation, the means for outputting the modified audio signal 40 has a fixed input impedance of about 470 Ohms.
[0038] In addition, the DAP 14 also preferably comprises means for receiving a video signal 42 , including, for example, National Television Standards Committee (“NTSC”) video input jacks. By known techniques, one or more audio signals can be extracted from a composite video signal to comprise the audio signal 26 for input into the DAP 14 . As such, the means for receiving the video signal 42 is preferably in electronic communication with the means for receiving the audio signal 38 . In addition, the DAP 14 also comprises means for outputting the video signal 44 , including, for example, NTSC video output jacks. In a preferred embodiment, the means for outputting the video signal 44 comprises a plurality of output channels such as three output channels, and are preferably electronic communication with means for outputting the audio signal 40 . Also, in electronic communication with the means for receiving the video signal 42 and the means for outputting the video signal 44 , the DAP 14 also preferably comprises means for amplifying the video signal 46 , such as a video distribution amplifier 46 , which is also preferably powered by the regulated power supply 32 . When so embodied, significant bandwidth is thereby saved by the present inventive arrangements, including, for example, additional bandwidth available for the composite video signal as saved bandwidth from the audio signal 26 .
[0039] Referring more specifically to FIG. 2, the DAP 14 receives the audio signal 26 at the means for receiving the audio signal 38 . Thereafter, the DAP 14 nominalizes the audio signal 26 . Means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 includes means for amplifying the audio signal—such as an input amplifier with positive gain—as well as the same or additional means for attenuating the audio signal—such as an input amplifier with negative gain. Preferably, the audio signal 26 is nominalized according to a pre-defined threshold. A preferred pre-defined level threshold comprises, for example, a pre-defined level input ranging from about −20 dBu to about +6 dBu. A preferred pre-defined level input comprises, for example, a level line input of about −10 dBu nominal for a stereophonic input audio signal 26 . This means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 provides a nominalized level audio signal 26 to the remainder of the DAP 14 , although hereinout, the processed audio signal 26 is still generally referred to, for simplicity, as the audio signal 26 . In a preferred embodiment, the means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 nominalizes the audio signal 26 according to a characteristic of the audio signal 26 . For example, a preferred characteristic of the audio signal comprises the voltage of the audio signal 26 . Thus, the means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 is preferably signal-level dependent and voltage-level dependent, preferably nominalizing the audio signal 26 to about −10 dBu nominal. To accomplish this nominalization, a preferred embodiment of the DAP 14 includes a level detector (not shown) in electronic communication with a voltage-controlled amplifier (not shown). Finally, the means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 is preferably user-adjustable by input means 50 to achieve a desired effect. Circuitry to carry out the described functionalities, if known to persons skilled in the art, are not needlessly disclosed hereunder.
[0040] Next, the DAP 14 includes means for compressing the audio signal 52 that is in electronic communication with the means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 . Referring generally, compression “squeezes” a relatively large audio signal into a relatively small signal space. For example, if the dynamic range of the original audio signal 26 exceeds the dynamic range of the DAP 14 , compression enables the audio signal 26 to fit within the processing limits of the DAP 14 . Compression is generally expressed as a “compression ratio” that describes how much the output of the audio signal changes in relation to how much the input changes. Without compression, for example, doubling the original audio signal 26 would correspondingly double the modified audio signal 28 . Such a 1:1 compression ratio implies that a change of +1 dBu at the input produces a corresponding change of +1 dBu at the output. Maximum or infinite compression, on the other hand, expressed as a ∞:1 compression ratio, suggests that the modified audio signal 28 does not change regardless of changes in the original audio signal 26 . In the middle, a compression ratio of 4:1 suggests that the modified audio signal 28 changes one quarter as much as the original audio signal 26 . Thus, at a compression ratio of 4:1, a +4 dBu change in the original audio signal 26 yields a +1 dBu change in the modified audio signal 28 , thereby reducing the dynamic range of the original audio signal 26 by a fourth without significant distortion thereof. In addition, “attack time” measures the amount of time it takes for full compression to be realized after an audio signal is within a given threshold. Fast attack times, for example, abruptly compress the audio signal after the audio signal falls within the threshold, thereby making the initial attack of an instrumental note, for example, sound dull. Similarly, “release time” measures the amount of time it takes to return to 1:1 compression after an audio signal is no longer within a given threshold. Fast release times, for example, abruptly arrest compression of the audio signal after the audio signal falls outside the threshold, thereby hastening, for example, the fade of an instrumental note.
[0041] In a preferred embodiment, the DAP 14 compresses the audio signal 26 . Preferably, the audio signal 26 is compressed according to a pre-defined compression ratio. A preferred pre-defined compression ratio comprises, for example, a compression ratio ranging from about 10:1 to about 2:1. In addition, a preferred pre-defined compression ratio comprises, for example, a compression ratio of about 4:1 at +6 dBu. This means for compressing the audio signal 52 provides a compressed audio signal 26 to the remainder of the DAP 14 . In a preferred embodiment, the means for compressing the audio signal 52 compresses the audio signal 26 according to a characteristic of the audio signal 26 . For example, a preferred characteristic of the audio signal 26 is the voltage of the audio signal 26 . Thus, the means for compressing the audio signal 52 is preferably signal-level dependent and voltage-level dependent, preferably compressing the audio signal 26 according to the pre-defined compression ratio when the audio signal falls within the pre-defined threshold. To accomplish this compression, a preferred embodiment of the DAP 14 includes a level detector (not shown) in electronic communication with a voltage-controlled compressor (not shown). Once the audio signal 26 is within the compression threshold, it is also preferably compressed according to a pre-defined attack time. A preferred pre-defined attack time comprises, for example, an attack time ranging from about 1 second to about 200 ms, preferably about 500 ms. Similarly, once the audio signal 26 is not within the compression threshold, it is preferably decompressed according to a pre-defined release time. A preferred pre-defined release time comprises, for example, a release time ranging from about 300 ms to about 50 ms, preferably about 150 ms.
[0042] Next, the DAP 14 includes means for equalizing the audio signal 54 that is in electronic communication with the means for compressing the audio signal 52 . Referring generally, equalizing changes the frequency response of a signal. For example, equalization enables a system to correct for unequal frequency responses, such as by adding or subtracting, for example, more or less response at indicated frequencies. Bass and treble controls are common equalizers, the combination of which are used depending upon, among other things, the type of audio input 26 .
[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the DAP 14 equalizes the audio signal 26 . The means for equalizing the audio signal 54 provides an equalized audio signal 26 to the remainder of the DAP 14 . To accomplish this equalization, a preferred embodiment of the DAP 14 includes a multi-band equalizer, such as, for example, a two-band shelving equalizer for attenuating high frequencies and low frequencies, preferably equalizing the audio signal 26 at about +3 dBu at about 80 Hz and about +4 dBu at about 12,000 Hz. In an alternative embodiment, the two-band shelving equalizer equalizes the audio signal 26 at about +3 dBu at about 12,000 Hz and about −3 dBu at about 80 Hz, for example, for a primarily voice audio signal 26 . Thus, the means for equalizing the audio signal 54 is preferably user-adjustable by input means 56 to achieve a desired effect. Referring generally, a shelving equalizer raises or lowers an entire range of frequencies above or below a specified level.
[0044] Next, the DAP 14 includes means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 that is in electronic communication with the means for equalizing the audio signal 54 . The means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 includes means for amplifying the audio signal—such as an input amplifier with positive gain—as well as the same or additional means for attenuating the audio signal—such as an input amplifier with negative gain. Preferably, the audio signal 26 is nominalized according to a pre-defined threshold. A preferred pre-defined threshold comprises, for example, a pre-defined level input. A preferred pre-defined level input comprises, for example, a level input ranging from about +1 dBu to about −10 dBu. In addition, a preferred pre-defined level input comprises, for example, a level input of about −10 dBu nominal for a stereophonic input audio signal 26 . The means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 provides a nominalized level audio signal 26 from the DAP 14 , as expected, for example, at a downstream encoder. In a preferred embodiment, the means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 nominalizes the audio signal 26 according to a characteristic of the audio signal 26 . A preferred characteristic of the audio signal 26 comprises, for example, the voltage of the audio signal 26 . Thus, the means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 is preferably signal-level dependent and voltage-level dependent, preferably nominalizing the audio signal 26 to about −10 dBu nominal. To accomplish this nominalization, a preferred embodiment of the DAP 14 includes a level detector (not shown) in electronic communication with a voltage-controlled amplifier (not shown). Finally, the means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 is preferably user-adjustable by input means 60 to achieve a desired effect.
[0045] In addition, the DAP 14 preferably includes means for enhancing the audio signal 62 that is in electronic communication with the means for compressing the audio signal 52 and the means for equalizing the audio signal 54 . In this preferred embodiment, the means for enhancing the audio signal 62 comprises means for decreasing reverberation in the audio signal 26 , for example, by introducing a time delay to accommodate voice audio signals 26 . Finally, the means for enhancing the audio signal 62 is preferably user-adjustable by input means 64 to achieve a desired effect, such as a toggle switch. For example, with a musical audio signal 26 , the means for enhancing the audio signal 62 is preferably toggled off.
[0046] In addition, the DAP 14 preferably includes means for monitoring the audio signal 66 that is in electronic communication with the first means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 , the means for compressing the audio signal 52 , and the second means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 . In a preferred embodiment, the means for monitoring the audio signal 66 comprises one or more signal level indicators 68 , such as light-emitting diodes, and input means 70 to select between the first and second means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 , 58 , such as a toggle switch. The signal level indicators 68 are preferably also used with the input means 50 used to achieve the desired effect with the first means for nominalizing the audio signal 48 , and also the input means 60 used to achieve the desired effect with the second means for nominalzing the audio signal 58 , so as to ensure an undistorted audio signal 26 is output from the DAP 14 , as adjusted by a user.
[0047] In addition, the DAP 14 preferably includes means for amplifying the audio signal 72 that is in electronic communication with the second means for nominalizing the audio signal 58 , such as, for example, a headphone amplifier, to selectively and audibly adjust the functionalities as desired above. Accordingly, the DAP 14 also preferably includes means for outputting the audio signal 74 that is in electronic communication with the means for amplifying the audio signal 72 , such as for example, a standard ¼ inch headphone output jack and input means 76 used to achieve a desired volume level.
[0048] Referring now to FIG. 5, various embodiments by which the various methods of the present invention may be practiced are depicted, substantially as described above. More specifically, the methods begin in step 100 , wherein the analog signal is received from an analog source. From step 100 , control passes to step 102 , wherefrom control passes to step 104 if the received signal is not a composite video signal. On the other hand, if the received signal is a composite video signal, control passes from step 102 to step 106 , where the audio signal is extracted from the composite video signal before control passes to step 104 . Thus, in a preferred embodiment, control passes from step 102 to step 104 if the received signal is not a composite video signal; otherwise, control passes from step 102 to step 106 if the received signal is a composite video signal. In any event, the audio signal is received in step 104 .
[0049] From step 104 , control passes to step 108 , where the received signal is preferably nominalized. From step 108 , control passes to step 110 , where the nominalized signal is compressed. From step 110 , control passes to step 112 , wherefrom control passes to step 114 if voice enhancement is not active. Otherwise, control passes from step 112 to step 116 , where the compressed signal is reverberated before control is passed to step 114 . Thus, in a preferred embodiment, control passes from step 112 to step 114 if the received signal is primarily a musical signal; otherwise, control passes from step 112 to step 116 if the received signal is primarily a voice signal. In any event, the compressed signal is equalized in step 114 .
[0050] From step 114 , control passes to step 118 , where the equalized signal is preferably nominalized. From step 118 , control passes to step 120 , where the nominalized signal is output. From step 120 , control passes to step 122 , wherefrom control passes to step 124 if the output signal is to be encoded. Otherwise, the method of the present invention terminates after step 122 . In step 124 , the output signal is encoded. From step 124 , control passes to step 126 , wherefrom control passes to step 128 if the encoded signal is to be transmitted, for example, into a client-server environment 20 . Otherwise, the method of the present invention terminates after step 126 . In step 128 , the encoded signal is transmitted, after which the method of the present invention terminates.
[0051] The spirit and scope of the present invention is not limited to any of the various embodiments described above. Rather, details and features of exemplary and preferred embodiments have been disclosed. Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, other modifications will therefore be apparent to those skilled in the art. Thus, it must be understood that the detailed description of the invention and drawings were intended as illustrative only, and not by way of limitation. | The present invention comprises methods and systems for a dynamic audio processor for processing an audio signal prior to encoding. The audio signal is pre-processed to provide analog-to-analog modification that creates a preferred analog format that is effectively and efficiently ready to be converted into a digital data stream by an encoder, such as an A-to-D converter or codec. One possible application includes, for example, a web streamer that provides digital data streams from a server. The inventive arrangements are preferably carried by functional stand-alone components, integral components of a PC or other computing platform, or carried as part of the encoder. Preferably, the pre-processing comprises receiving the audio signal, nominalizing the signal to provide a level input, and compressing and equalizing the signal for outputting thereof. | 7 |
BACKGROUND
A gas turbine engine typically includes an inlet, a compressor, a combustor, a turbine, and an exhaust duct. The compressor draws in ambient air and increases its temperature and pressure. Fuel is added to the compressed air in the combustor, where it is burned to raise gas temperature thereby imparting energy to the gas stream. To increase gas turbine engine efficiency, it is desirable to increase the temperature of the gas entering the turbine stages. This requires the first stage turbine engine components (e.g. vanes and blades) to be able to withstand the thermal and oxidation conditions of the high temperature combustion gas during the course of operation.
To protect turbine engine components from the extreme conditions, such components typically include metallic coatings (e.g. aluminides and MCrAlY coatings) that provide oxidation and/or corrosion resistance. The metallic coatings may also function as bond coats to adhere thermal barrier coatings to the substrates of the turbine engine components. Existing bond coats are applied to turbine engine components using a variety of deposition techniques (e.g. plasma spraying, cathodic arc plasma deposition, pack cementation, and chemical vapor deposition techniques). The ceramic thermal barrier coatings are then applied over the bond coats to thermally insulate the turbine engine component from the extreme operating conditions. Each bond coat deposition technique offers challenges that, unless resolved, can lead to quality, throughput, and expense issues for the finished product.
SUMMARY
A method of forming targets for cathodic arc deposition of alloy bond coats for turbine engine components consists of melting a first base alloy containing aluminum and other metals, adding grain boundary strengthening alloy additions to the melt, and casting the melt to form a billet that is subsequently sectioned into targets. The grain boundary strengthening additions minimize intergranular separation of the targets during cathodic arc deposition.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a schematic representation of a cathodic are deposition system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Under conditions of high deposition rates in cathodic arc deposition of alloy bond coats, temperature gradients in the near surface region of the cathodic arc target can generate internal stresses that may result in intergranular separation and ultimate fracture of the target. The invention teaches the addition of grain boundary strengthening alloy additions to the target material to suppress cracking during cathodic arc deposition.
Cathodic arc deposition involves a source material and a substrate to be coated in an evacuated deposition chamber containing a relatively small amount of gas. A schematic of cathodic are deposition system is shown is FIG. 1 . Deposition system 10 comprises chamber 12 , source material 14 , and substrate 16 . The negative lead of direct current (DC) power supply 20 is attached to source material 14 (hereinafter referred to as the “cathode”) and the positive lead is attached to an anodic member, usually chamber 12 itself. Cathode 14 is insulated from chamber 10 by insulators 18 . An arc initiating trigger 26 at or near the source electrical potential of the anode contacts cathode 14 and moves away from cathode 14 initiating an arc that extends between the cathode and anodic chamber 12 . System 10 further comprises vacuum connection 22 and gas inlet port 24 . The arc, or cathode spot where it contacts the cathode, moves randomly about the surface of cathode 14 in the absence of a steering mechanism. State of the art cathodic arc deposition equipment has features that both contain and steer the arc for efficient plasma deposition. The energy deposited by the arc at a cathode spot is intense; on the order of 10 5 to 10 7 amperes per square centimeter with a duration of a few to several microseconds.
The intensity of the energy raises the local temperature of the cathode spot to approximately equal that of the boiling point of the cathode material (at the evacuated chamber pressure). As a result, cathode material at the cathode spot vaporizes into a plasma containing atoms, molecules, ions, electrons, and particles. Positively charged ions liberated from the cathode are attracted to any object within the deposition chamber having a negative electrical potential relative to the positively charged ion. Some deposition processes maintain the substrate to be coated at the same electrical potential as the anode. Other processes use a biasing source to lower the potential of the substrate and thereby make the substrate relatively more attractive to the positively charged ions. In either case, the substrate becomes coated with the vaporized material liberated from the cathode.
As a result of the thermal intensity of the cathode spot during cathodic arc deposition, cathodes are directly or indirectly cooled to maintain reasonable thermal environments in the deposition chamber. Thermal gradients between the evaporating surface at the cathode spot and underlying cathode body and the resulting internal stress gradient may be sufficient to encourage high temperature grain boundary separation in the cathode material. Prolonged exposure to a high temperature tensile stress field may allow grain boundary cracks to reach a critical size resulting in catastrophic fracture of the cathode. High deposition rate coating resulting in higher temperature gradients exacerbates the problem. It is an object of the present invention to minimize or eliminate wasteful preliminary fracture of cathodic arc targets during deposition of bond coats on turbine components.
As noted earlier, bond coats are protective metallic coatings that provide oxidation and/or corrosion resistance to protect components from the extreme operating conditions existing in the hot gas path of a turbine engine. The bond coats supply aluminum to the interface between the superalloy substrate and a ceramic thermal barrier coat that maintains a protective aluminum oxide layer that inhibits oxidation of the substrate and outward diffusion of the alloying elements from the superalloy into the coating.
Common bond coats are MCrAlY bond coats such as those disclosed in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 6,284,390 and U.S. Appl. No. 2009/0191422 and incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. As used herein, the term “M” in MCrAlY may be nickel, chromium, iron, or mixtures thereof. Examples include NiCrAlY, CoCrAlY, FeCrAlY, NiCoAlY, NiFeAlY, NiCoCrAlY alloys and mixtures thereof.
Platinum additions to a MCrAlY bond coat are beneficial in that platinum is a slower diffusion species than aluminum and acts to prolong the bond coat and protective aluminum oxide layer lifetime. MCrAlYPt alloy examples include NiCrAlYPt, CoCrAlYPt, FeCrAlYPt, NiCoAlYPt, NiFeAlYPt, NiCoCrAlYPt and mixtures thereof.
Other additions to MCrAlY and Pt modified MCrAlY bond coat alloys may include hafnium, silicon, tantalum, tungsten, rhenium, zirconium, niobium, titanium, and molybdenum.
Examples of suitable concentrations for MCrAlY alloys include Cr concentrations from about 4 wt. % to about 25 wt. %, Al concentrations from about 5 wt. % to about 20 wt. %, Y concentrations from about 0.1 wt. % to about 2 wt. %, and the balance being Ni, Fe, or Co.
In another embodiment, the bond coat may be a nickel platinum aluminum hafnium bond coat as described in commonly owned U.S. Pat. No. 7,214,409, and incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.
Cathodic arc deposition targets may be formed by pressing metal powder, in particular hot isostatic pressing of powder, casting and other processes known in the art. In an embodiment, a preferred method is casting, in particular vacuum induction melting (VIM) during which the MCrAlY alloy is melted in a vacuum and then cast into a, preferably, cylindrical mold. Following casting, the ingot may be optionally hot isostatically pressed (HIP) at a temperature of about 1200° C.
Techniques for applying metallic bond coats by cathodic arc plasma vapor deposition are discussed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,932,078; 5,972,185; 6,036,825; and 6,224,726, all of which are incorporated by reference herein.
Production lots of cathodic arc target alloy material are in the form of cast bars. Due to the inherent hardness of cast MCrAlY, puck shaped targets are wire saw cut from the bars and installed in cathodic arc deposition equipment. During MCrAlY bond coat deposition, the surface temperature of the target will exceed the melting point even with cooling systems operating.
In platinum modified MCrAlY deposition, platinum can be introduced to the target in a number of ways. First, platinum can be introduced to the melt before casting. This results in homogeneous platinum distribution in the deposited coating. In other ways, platinum can be added to the top surface of an MCrAlY target as a coating. The platinum coating may be formed on the target surface using a variety of techniques such as electroplating processes and physical vapor deposition techniques. Examples of suitable platinum coating thicknesses include thicknesses ranging from about 1 micron to about 20 microns. Following deposition of the platinum layer, the target is then heat treated to at least partially diffuse the platinum into the MCrAlY alloy. Examples of suitable temperatures for the high temperature diffusion anneal process include temperatures ranging from about 930° C. to about 1100° C. Suitable heat treat durations include at least about 1 hour to about 4 hours. It is desirable to perform the diffusion anneal in a reduced pressure inert environment or vacuum. Adding platinum via a diffusion anneal results in a sharper concentration gradient with higher platinum at the surface and decreasing with depth below the surface of the target.
It is the purpose of the present invention to strengthen the grain boundaries of MCrAlY bond coat targets during high temperature cathodic arc deposition. With the present invention alloying elements are added to the cathodic targets to strengthen grain boundaries in the target. Examination of fracture surfaces of broken MCrAlY targets indicated a number of features. The fracture surface morphology always included grain boundary facets as well as transgranular fracture. It is suggested that, at the temperatures existing near the target surface during deposition, some grain boundaries separated due to the thermally induced stress field in the target. The grain boundary cracks then grew under the stress field until a point was reached where the stress concentration at the crack tip exceeded the critical stress intensity factor (i.e. the fracture toughness) and the fracture proceeded in a catastrophic transgranular fashion. The fracture origin is presumably related to low grain boundary strength in the near surface regions of the target during deposition.
Alloying elements that can perform this function are zirconium, boron, magnesium, calcium, cerium, and lanthanide series elements. In particular, additions of about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.20 wt. % Zr, more particularly additions of about 0.04 wt. % to about 0.12 wt. % Zr, additions of about 0.005 wt. % to about 0.03 wt. % B, more particularly additions of about 0.01 wt. % to about 0.02 wt. % B, additions of about 5 ppm to about 300 ppm Mg, more particularly about 10 ppm to about 200 ppm Mg, additions of about 5 ppm Ca to about 300 ppm Ca, more particularly about 10 ppm to about 200 ppm Ca, additions of about 2 ppm Ce to about 50 ppm Ce and additions of about 5 ppm La to about 50 ppm La.
With the above alloying additions, high temperature grain boundary separation and eventual fracture of expensive MCrAlY and other alloy cathodic arc targets is delayed or prevented resulting in increased product throughput.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment(s), 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(s) disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. | A method of forming targets for cathodic arc deposition of alloy bond coats for turbine engines components consists of melting a base alloy containing aluminum and other metals, adding grain boundary strengthening alloy additions, and casting the melt to form a cylindrical billet that is subsequently sectioned into puck shaped targets. The grain boundary strengthening additions minimize intergranular fracture of the targets during high current operation of the arc coating process. | 2 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an operation system, for transmission devices on a network, which manages information inherent to the operation system, and control and monitoring information for the transmission devices, by using a database of MIB (Management Information Base) management process, and to an alarm monitoring method therefor. The MIB is a set of management objects which are units of management information for a network management function.
2. Related Arts
Recently, for the operation system, in addition to the implementation of control and monitoring for a plurality of transmission devices, a need has been noted for a real-time process and operational reliability for the control and monitoring of the transmission devices on the network.
FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram illustrating a network. In FIG. 8, a station terminal 200a for a subscriber A and a station terminal 200b for a subscriber B are connected together by a relay transmission path 300. A plurality of network centers 400, which serve as relay terminals, are provided along the relay transmission path 300.
Each of the station terminals 200a and 200b includes a switch 202; a terminal device 201, which serves as an interface between a subscriber line and the switch; a multiplexer 203 for multiplexing a plurality of lines; and a cross connector 204 for connecting and switching the transmission paths.
The network center 400 includes a multiplexer 401 and across connector 402. A transmission device according to the present invention comprises the above described mulitplexers 203 and 401 and the cross connectors 204 and 402.
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of a operation system for transmission device (OPS). In FIG. 9, a plurality of transmission devices 401, 402 . . . and n located in the network 400, for example, are controlled by an operation system (OPS) 100. In the operation system 100, as will be described later, alarm notifications transmitted by the transmission devices are processed by a CPU 101, operation processing means, in accordance with an alarm monitoring program stored in a memory 102. The alarm notifications transmitted by the transmission devices are entered in a database 103. The processing results obtained by the CPU 101 are displayed on a display 104, and may be printed by a printer (not shown). The operation system 100 is provided for the station terminals 200 and network centers 400.
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of the alarm monitoring program. As is shown in FIG. 10, the program is composed of four layers: a GUI (Graphical User Interface) process, a MIB management process, a manager process, and a communication control process.
The GUI process is a process for interfacing with a user, and includes a control process for controlling the transmission devices and a supervision process for supervising the transmission devices.
The MIB management process uses a database to manage a set of objects, which are information units to be managed in the GUI process.
The manager process serves as an interface between the MIB management process and the transmission devices. The communication control process is a process for controlling the physical communication functions of the transmission devices. These processes are managed by an operating system (OS).
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining an operational concept for a conventional operation system. In FIG. 11, a MIB management process 01 includes a control reception thread 02, control threads 03 and 04, a database (DB) 05, a response reception thread 06 and a notification thread 07. A thread is a processing unit in a process which is performed.
A notification thread queue 08 is provided in the memory 102 as an area where a notification message from the response reception thread 06 is enqueued when the notification thread 07 is in the operating state (BUSY). In this specification, term `enqueue` means add an element(message) to a queue`.
Control processes 09 and 10 and a monitoring process 11 are GUI processes in FIG. 10, at a higher level than the MIB management process 01. The results obtained by the monitoring process 11 are displayed as a monitoring screen 16 on the display 104.
A manager process 12 serves as an interface for controlling and monitoring a plurality of transmission devices.
In FIGS. 12 through 16 are shown operation sequences of the conventional operation system. In FIG. 12 is represented an example where the transmission device detects a change in its state and transmits an autonomous alarm notification. In FIG. 12, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (1) from the manager process 12 and transmits it to the notification thread 07, which is in a standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the autonomous alarm notification (1), the notification thread 07 is set to the operating state (BUSY) and enters the autonomous alarm notification (1) in the database DB 05. When the notification thread 07 receives a setup response (1), it transmits the autonomous alarm notification (1) to the monitoring process 11, and returns to the standby state (IDLE).
FIG. 13 represents an example where an autonomous alarm notification is transmitted by a plurality of transmission devices. The response reception thread 06 receives an autonomous alarm notification (2) from the manager process 12, and transmits it to the notification thread 07 in the standby state. Upon the receipt of the autonomous alarm notification (2), the notification thread 07 is set to the operating state (BUSY), and enters the autonomous alarm notification (2) in the database DB 05. When the notification thread 07 receives a setup response (2), it transmits the autonomous alarm notification (2) to the monitoring process 11.
At this time, the response reception thread 06 may receive the autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (4) from the manager process 12 before it transmits the autonomous alarm notification (2) to the monitoring process 11. In this case, since the notification thread 07 is in the operating state (BUSY), the autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (4) are sequentially enqueued in the notification thread queue 08.
When the notification thread 07 has transmitted the autonomous alarm notification (2), it dequeues an autonomous alarm notification (3) from the notification thread queue 08. In this specification, term `dequeue` means `take out an element (message) from a queue`. As well as for the autonomous alarm notification (2), the notification thread 07 enters the autonomous alarm notification (3) in the database DB 05, and transmits it to the monitoring process 11. The notification thread 07 performs the same process for the autonomous alarm notification (4), and returns to the standby state (IDLE).
FIG. 14 represents an example where the alarm state of the transmission device is acquired by the performance of the monitoring process 11. In this case, much time and many procedures are required to directly access the transmission device (i.e., to shift down to the communication control process in FIG. 10) in order to obtain its alarm state. Therefore, for simplification, the autonomous alarm notification is read which has been entered in the database DB 05 during the MIB management process, explained while referring to FIGS. 12 and 13.
Specifically, when the control reception thread 02 receives an alarm re-transmission request from the monitoring process 11, it transmits it to the control thread 03, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission request, the control thread 03 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous alarm notifications from the database DB 05, and transmits them as alarm re-notifications to the monitoring process 11. In FIG. 14, the alarm re-notifications (1), (2), . . . and (5) correspond to the autonomous alarm notifications (1), (2), . . . and (5). Finally, the control thread 03 transmits an alarm re-transmission response to the monitor process 11, and returns to the standby state (IDLE).
FIG. 15 represents an example where an autonomous alarm notification is output during the transmission of the alarm re-notification. The control reception process 02 receives an alarm re-notification request from the monitoring process 11 and transmits it to the control thread 03, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-notification request, the control thread 03 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous notifications from the database DB 05, and transmits them as alarm re-notifications to the monitoring process 11 in the same manner as in FIG. 14. Finally, the control thread 03 transmits an alarm re-transmission response to the monitoring process 11.
As is shown in FIG. 15, before the control thread 03 transmits the alarm re-notification (5) to the monitoring process 11, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the manager process 12 and transmits it to the notification thread 07. Then, the notification thread 07 enters the autonomous alarm notification (5) in the database DB 05, and transmits it to the monitoring process 11. Following this, the alarm re-notification (5) is transmitted to the monitoring process 11. Therefore, as will be described later, the processing order for a new autonomous alarm notification and for an alarm re-notification corresponding to the preceding autonomous alarm notification is inverted.
In FIG. 16, the control reception thread 02 receives an alarm re-transmission request from the monitoring process 11, and returns a control thread BUSY error to the monitoring process 11.
Such a conventional operation system, however, has the following problems. First, in FIG. 13, when an autonomous alarm notification is frequently transmitted by the manager process 12, the process performed by the notification thread 07 can not catch up with it because of the time required to access the database DB 05, so that the autonomous alarm notification can not be transmitted to the monitoring process 11 in real time.
In addition, in FIG. 15, if, during the alarm re-transmission, the monitoring process 11 receives the autonomous alarm notification from the notification thread 07 before the process 11 receives all the alarm re-notifications from the control thread 03, the processing order for the alarm re-notification and for the autonomous alarm notification is inverted.
Specifically, the autonomous alarm notification output during the transmission of the alarm re-notification, is an alarm to provide notification of the occurrence of a new obstacle in the transmission device. When the alarm re-notification is information for providing notification of the recovery from an obstacle previously, these two notifications may be inverted and transmitted to the monitoring process 11, so that the monitoring process 11 will be notified that the new obstacle has been removed.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
To resolve the above problems, it is one object of the present invention to provide operation system for monitoring transmission devices and a method for monitoring the transmission devices in the operation system, wherein during the normal operation of a monitoring process, an autonomous alarm notification can be received in real time, and during an alarm re-transmission an alarm re-notification and an autonomous alarm notification can also be processed as a time series, and an alarm monitoring method therefor.
To achieve the above object, according to one aspect of the present invention, the operation system comprises:
a memory storing an alarm monitoring program including,
a manager process for receiving a first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the transmission devices,
a MIB management process for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and storing the first autonomous alarm notification to a database, and
a monitoring process for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the MIB management process and monitoring the first autonomous alarm notification, and
the MIB management process further including,
a re-transmission thread for storing the first autonomous alarm notification in the database; and
a response reception thread for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification to the re-transmission thread and the monitoring process; and
a processor for executing the alarm monitoring program.
With this arrangement, the autonomous alarm notification received from the response reception thread can be processed in real time.
The operation system of the present invention further includes a re-transmission thread queue in the MIB management process for queuing the autonomous alarm notifications transmitted from the response reception thread.
When the response reception thread receives a second autonomous alarm notification before the first autonomous alarm notification is stored in the database, the response reception thread transmits the second autonomous alarm notification to the monitoring process and enqueues the second autonomous alarm notification to the re-transmission thread queue.
After the first autonomous alarm notification is stored in the database, the re-transmission thread dequeues the second autonomous alarm notification from the re-transmission thread queue, and stores the second autonomous alarm notification in the database.
As a result, a plurality of autonomous alarm notifications received from the response reception thread can be processed in real time, and separately from the autonomous alarm notification processing in the monitoring process, the autonomous alarm notifications can be sequentially entered in the database.
According to the operation system of the present invention, when the monitoring process transmits an alarm re-transmission request notification to the response reception thread to read out the autonomous alarm notification stored in the database, the response reception thread transmits an alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process and the re-transmission thread, the re-transmission thread reads out the autonomous alarm notification stored in the database and transmits the autonomous alarm notification as an alarm re-notification to the monitoring process.
The memory of the operation system of the present invention further includes a re-transmission buffer storing the autonomous alarm notification, when the monitoring process receives the autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the response reception thread before receiving the alarm re-notification corresponding the autonomous alarm notification; and
after receiving the alarm re-notification, the monitoring process reads out the third autonomous alarm notification from the re-transmission buffer.
As is described above, since the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission is processed after the alarm re-notification has been processed, the alarm re-notification and the autonomous alarm notification can be processed as a time series.
The memory of the operation system of the present invention further includes a re-transmission flag which is set when the monitoring process receives the alarm re-transmission start notification; and
the autonomous alarm notification received by the monitoring process is stored in the re-transmission buffer while the re-transmission flag is set, and
after reading out the autonomous alarm notification from the re-transmission buffer by the monitoring process, the re-transmission flag is reset.
Since in this operation system the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-notification is processed after the alarm re-notification has been processed, the alarm re-notification and the autonomous alarm notification can be processed as a time series.
In addition, the memory of the operation system of the present invention further includes an alarm notification synchronous flag corresponding to each the alarm re-notification, which is set when the monitoring process receives the alarm re-notification or the autonomous alarm notification corresponding to the alarm re-notification, and
when the monitoring process receives the alarm re-notification after the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag is set by receiving the autonomous alarm notification, the monitoring process abandons the alarm re-notification.
When the autonomous alarm notification is received from the response reception thread by the monitoring process, the autonomous alarm notification is processed, regardless of whether the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag has been set or reset. When the corresponding flag has been reset, it is set.
In the operation system of the present invention, the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission is processed in real time. The flag corresponding to the autonomous alarm notification is set and the alarm re-notification corresponding to that flag is abandoned. Therefore, since an alarm re-notification which corresponds to the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission is not processed after the autonomous alarm notification has been processed, the autonomous alarm notification and the alarm re-notification will not be invertedly processed as a time series.
In the operation system of the present invention, all alarm re-notifications are transmitted from the re-transmission thread to the monitoring process, and an autonomous alarm notification from the response reception thread is stored in the database by the re-transmission thread.
The alarm re-transmission start notification may have a predetermined condition concerning the autonomous alarm notification stored in the database. In this case, the autonomous alarm notification corresponding to the predetermined condition is read out by the re-transmission thread.
The above condition is, for example, a range condition for designating a range for an autonomous alarm notification, or an alarm condition for designating a type of autonomous alarm notification.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of a operation system for transmission device according to a first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a diagram showing operational sequence (1) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing operational sequence (2) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 4 is a diagram showing operational sequence (3) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a diagram showing operational sequence (4) of the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of a operation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the operational sequence of the operation system according to the second embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating the outline of a network;
FIG. 9 is a diagram illustrating the arrangement of the operation system;
FIG. 10 is a diagram illustrating the configuration of an alarm monitoring program (OPS) in the operation system;
FIG. 11 is a diagram for explaining the operation concept of a conventional operation system for transmission devices;
FIG. 12 is a diagram showing operational sequence (1) of the conventional operation system;
FIG. 13 is a diagram showing operational sequence (2) of the conventional operation system;
FIG. 14 is a diagram showing operational sequence (3) of the conventional operation system;
FIG. 15 is a diagram showing operational sequence (4) of the conventional operation system; and
FIG. 16 is a diagram showing operational sequence (5) of the conventional operation system.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described. The technical scope of this invention, however, is not limited to these embodiments. The same reference numerals are used throughout to denote corresponding or identical components in the drawings.
FIG. 1 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of an operation system according to a first embodiment of the present invention. The arrangement of the operation system according to the embodiment is the same as that in FIG. 9. A CPU 101, which is the processing means, handles an alarm notification from a transmission device in accordance with an alarm monitoring program stored in a memory 102 in an operation system 100 in FIG. 9. The results obtained are presented on a display 104. The alarm notification is entered in a database 103.
In FIG. 1, a MIB management process 01 in the alarm monitoring program of the operation system comprises a control reception thread 02, control threads 03 and 04, a database DB 05, a response reception thread 06 and a re-transmission thread 13. A re-transmission thread queue 14, provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9, is an area in which messages from the response reception thread 06 are enqueued when a re-transmission thread 13 is in an operating state (BUSY).
Control processes 09 and 10 and a monitoring process 11 are processes at higher levels than the MIB management process 01, as previously described. A re-transmission buffer 15 is provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9 to hold the autonomous alarm notifications received from the response reception thread 06 while the monitoring process 11 is issuing an alarm re-transmission request. The results obtained by the monitoring process 11 are displayed as a monitoring screen 16 on the display 104.
The monitoring process 11 further includes a re-transmission flag 17 to indicate whether an alarm is being re-transmitted. The re-transmission flag 17 is provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9.
The features of the arrangement in FIG. 1 are that the re-transmission thread 13 and the re-transmission thread queue 14 are provided in the MIB management process 01 of the operation system, and that the retransmission buffer 15 and the re-transmission flag 17 are provided for the monitoring process 11.
In FIGS. 2 through 5 are shown operational sequences for the operation system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 2 represents an example where a single autonomous alarm notification is transmitted. The response reception thread 06 receives an autonomous alarm notification (1) from a manager process 12, and broadcasts (simultaneous transmission of data to more than one destination) it to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Therefore, the monitoring process 11 can receive the autonomous alarm notification (1) in real time without waiting until the autonomous alarm notification (1) is entered in the database DB 05. The re-transmission thread 13, which has received the autonomous alarm notification (1), is set to the operating state (BUSY) and enters the autonomous alarm notification (1) in the database DB 05, receives a setup response (1), and returns to the standby state (IDLE).
FIG. 3 represents an example where a plurality of autonomous alarm notifications are transmitted. The response reception thread 06 receives an autonomous alarm notification (2) from the manager process 12, and broadcasts it to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the autonomous alarm notification (2), the re-transmission thread 13 is set to the operating state (BUSY), and enters the autonomous alarm notification (2) in the database DB 05 and receives a setup response (2).
At this time, before the autonomous alarm notification (2) is entered in the database DB 05, i.e., when the re-transmission thread 13 is in the operating state (BUSY), the response reception thread 06 receives autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (4) from the manager process 12, and then sequentially transmits them to the monitoring process 11 in real time and sequentially adds them to the re-transmission thread queue 14.
As a result, even when autonomous alarm notifications are frequently transmitted by the manager process 12, they can always be transmitted to the monitoring process 11 in real time and in parallel to the entry of these notifications in the database DB 05, so that the processing speed can be improved.
After the re-transmission thread 13 has set the autonomous alarm notification (2), it dequeues the autonomous alarm notification (3) from the re-transmission thread queue 14 and enters it in the database DB 05. The autonomous alarm notification (4) is dequeued and set in the same manner, and the re-transmission thread 13 thereafter returns to the standby state (IDLE).
FIG. 4 represents an example where the alarm state of a transmission device is acquired from the monitoring process 11. In this embodiment, an alarm re-transmission request notification (corresponding to an alarm re-transmission request in the prior art) is transmitted from the monitoring process to the response reception thread 06. Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission request notification from the monitoring process 11, the response reception thread 06 broadcasts(simultaneous transmission of data to more than one destination) an alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission start notification, the re-transmission thread 13 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous alarm notifications from the database DB 05 and sequentially transmits them to the monitoring process 11, and finally transmits an alarm re-transmission end notification and returns to the standby state (IDLE).
In this embodiment, since the alarm re-transmission request notification is not transmitted to the control threads 03 and 04 in FIG. 11 or 16, even though they are in the operating state (BUSY) the re-transmission thread 13 initiates the processing in the same manner as for the autonomous alarm notification, so that an error response does not occur.
FIG. 5 represents an example where an autonomous alarm notification is transmitted during the transmission of an alarm re-notification. In FIG. 5, as well as in FIG. 4, first, the response reception thread 06 receives the alarm re-transmission request notification from the monitoring process 11, and broadcasts the alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission start notification, the re-transmission thread 13 is set to the operating state (BUSY), reads all the autonomous alarm notifications from the database DB 05 and sequentially transmits them to the monitoring process 11, and finally transmits an alarm re-transmission end notification.
At this time, before the alarm re-notification (5) is transmitted to the monitoring process 11, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the manager process 12. In this embodiment, then, the monitoring process 11 receives the alarm re-transmission start notification (1) and sets the re-transmission flag 17, as is shown in FIG. 5.
When the autonomous alarm notification (5) is transmitted from the response reception thread 06 to the monitoring process 11 while the re-transmission flag 17 is set, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is temporarily held in the re-transmission buffer 15. After the transmission thread 13 has transmitted all the alarm re-notifications, and the monitoring process 11 has received an alarm re-transmission end notification, the monitoring process 11 reads out the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the re-transmission buffer 15 for monitoring it. The re-transmission flag 17 is thereafter reset.
Therefore, even when the autonomous alarm notification is received while the alarm re-transmission is in progress, the reception order for the alarm re-notification (5) and the autonomous alarm notification (5) is not inverted, and the conventional problem can be resolved.
In FIG. 5, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is enqueued to the re-transmission thread queue 14 in addition to the monitoring process 11 as described in FIG. 3. The re-transmission thread 13 dequeues the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the re-transmission thread queue 14 and enters it to the database 05, after the re-transmission thread transmits the alarm re-transmission end notification to the monitoring process 11.
FIG. 6 is a diagram for explaining the operational concept of an operation system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. In the second embodiment, the re-transmission buffer 15 and the re-transmission flag 17 in the first embodiment are replaced by an alarm notification synchronous flag 18. Specifically, a monitoring process 11 includes the alarm notification synchronous flag 18 for device IDs, class IDs and instance IDs of individual transmission devices, and adds, to an alarm re-transmission start notification, a range condition (e.g., a device ID, a class ID, an instance ID) and an alarm condition (e.g., the occurrence of or the recovery from an obstacle) so that the conditions can be arbitrarily set as needed. An arbitrary ID or a global ID, with which all the IDs can be designated, can be assigned for the device ID, the class ID and the instance ID. The alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is provided in the memory 102 in FIG. 9.
The features of the arrangement in FIG. 6 are that the re-transmission buffer 15 and the re-transmission flag 17 in the monitoring process 11 in FIG. 1 are replaced, for each autonomous alarm notification, by the alarm notification synchronous flag 18 in order to process an autonomous alarm notification in real time, and that the range condition and the alarm condition are added to the alarm re-transmission request notification so that these conditions can be arbitrarily set to re-transmit only a required notification.
FIG. 7 represents an operational sequence according to the second embodiment of the present invention. In FIG. 7, the monitoring process 11 sets an arbitrary range condition and an alarm condition for the alarm re-transmission request notification, and the alarm notification synchronous flags 18 corresponding to the range condition are reset. Assume that autonomous alarm notifications (3), (4) and (5) are set as the range condition in FIG. 7, and an alarm for giving notification of the recovery of the transmission device from the obstacle is set as the alarm condition, and that the autonomous alarm notifications which satisfy the alarm condition are alarm re-notifications (3) and (5), of the autonomous alarm notifications (3), (4) and (5).
The response reception thread 06 receives, from the monitoring process 11, the alarm re-transmission request notification that includes the above described range and alarm conditions, and broadcasts the alarm re-transmission start notification to the monitoring process 11 and the re-transmission thread 13, which is in the standby state (IDLE). Upon the receipt of the alarm re-transmission start notification, the re-transmission thread 13 reads from the database DB 05 the autonomous alarm notifications corresponding to the range condition, i.e., the autonomous alarm notifications (3), (4) and (5). The re-transmission thread 13 sequentially re-transmits to the monitoring process 11 those autonomous alarm notifications which satisfy the alarm condition, i.e., the autonomous alarm notifications (3) and (5) in this embodiment, and finally transmits an alarm re-transmission end notification.
When a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is reset, upon the receipt of the alarm re-notification from the re-transmission thread 13, the monitoring process 11 displays it on the monitoring screen 16 and sets the corresponding flag 18. In FIG. 7, for example, the monitoring process 11 receives the alarm re-notification (3) and sets the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 (3).
In addition, in FIG. 7, as well as in FIG. 5, the response reception thread 06 receives the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the manager process 12 before the alarm re-notification (5) is transmitted by the re-transmission thread 13. In the second embodiment, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is transmitted to the monitoring process 11 in real time and is displayed on the monitoring screen 16. At the same time, the monitoring process 11 sets a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 (5), as is shown in FIG. 7.
Following this, the monitoring process 11 receives the alarm re-notification (5) from the re-transmission thread 13. Since, as previously described, the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 (5) is set, the monitoring process 11 abandons the received alarm re-notification.
More specifically, when a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is reset, the monitoring process 11 displays the received alarm re-notification on the monitoring screen 16 in real time and sets the corresponding flag 18. When a corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is set, it is assumed that an autonomous alarm notification has been received during the alarm re-transmission, and the alarm re-notification is abandoned. Furthermore, when the monitoring process 11 receives the autonomous alarm notification, it processes it in real time, regardless of whether the corresponding alarm notification synchronous flag 18 is set or reset, and sets the corresponding flag 18 if it is reset.
Therefore, the autonomous alarm notification received during the alarm re-transmission can be processed in real time, and also, the order in which the alarm re-notification and the autonomous alarm notification are received will not be inverted. In addition, it can be assumed that, at the time of the receipt of the alarm re-transmission completion notification, the alarm notification synchronous flag 18 which is reset does not satisfy the alarm condition designated in the alarm re-transmission request notification.
In FIG. 7, the autonomous alarm notification (5) is enqueued to the re-transmission thread queue 14 in addition to the monitoring process 11 as described in FIG. 3. The re-transmission thread 13 dequeues the autonomous alarm notification (5) from the re-transmission thread queue 14 and enters it to the database 05, after the re-transmission thread transmits the alarm re-transmission end notification to the monitoring process 11.
As is described above, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a operation system for transmission device wherein the monitoring process can receive autonomous alarm notifications in real time during normal operations, and alarm re-notifications and autonomous alarm notifications can be processed as a time series, and to provide an alarm monitoring method therefor.
The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is therefore 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 foregoing description and all change which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended to be embraced therein. | There is provided in accordance with the present invention an operation system for monitoring transmission devices, comprising: a memory storing an alarm monitoring program including, a manager process for receiving a first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the transmission devices, a MIB management process for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and storing the first autonomous alarm notification to a database, and a monitoring process for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the MIB management process and monitoring the first autonomous alarm notification, and the MIB management process further including, a re-transmission thread for storing the first autonomous alarm notification in the database; and a response reception thread for receiving the first autonomous alarm notification transmitted from the manager process and for transmitting the first autonomous alarm notification to the re-transmission thread and the monitoring process; and a processor for executing the alarm monitoring program. | 7 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a throttle control for an aircraft turbofan engine, and more particularly to a throttle control, which eliminates dead band in the throttle control.
Typically, two different power setting parameters are used to control the speed of operation of a turbofan engine. These are fan speed at high power setting and engine core speed at idle. Historically, the transition to fan speed from core speed causes a dead band or slippage in the throttle response. The dead band is different for each engine due to the variation in engine hardware and control sensors.
The disclosure in U.S. Pat. No. 4,296,601 seeks to address this problem by controlling a combined engine speed parameter. The combined speed parameter is comprised of core speed and fan speed. The combined parameter is correlated with power lever or throttle position so as to control fuel flow to the engine at variant power level requirements.
As indicated, many turbofan engines with electronic engine controls use fan speed as the power setting parameter for high power operation. Climb and takeoff power settings are examples of high power operation. However, at idle the same engine may use core (also known as HP shaft) speed as the power setting parameter. Typically, an equivalent idle power set fan speed is estimated for the core idle speed. The idle fan speed and the climb power setting fan provide end points for the engine throttle.
There is variability in the engine control sensors and from one engine's hardware to the next. Consequently, the estimated speed for idle may only be representative of a small number of engines. When operating at the estimated fan speed for idle some engines may have a core speed higher than the power setting core speed. To ensure all engines obtain the power setting core speed, the power set fan speed for idle is lowered below the estimated value. The lowering of the power set fan speed will ensure the engine transitions on to the core speed idle governor. However, this approach to transition from fan speed to core speed power setting often causes dead bands in the engine throttle movement.
The size of the dead band will vary depending on the individual engine characteristics. Consequently, on multi-engined aircraft the throttle for each engine will likely have a different dead band and could change as engines are replaced as part of normal maintenance.
As can be seen, there is a need for an apparatus and method to provide smooth transition from fan speed to core speed control, eliminating the throttle dead band. An apparatus and method is also needed that is stable dynamically and always ensures a flat or increased fan speed with increasing throttle position A further need is for engine throttle position or movement to result in a commanded fuel flow. Also needed is an apparatus and method that varies fuel flow to obtain a desired fan speed or idle core speed or set points there between to eliminate the dead band. Yet another need is for an apparatus and method that transitions from one controlling parameter to an entirely different controlling parameter and performs a selection between the various parameters to define the final control parameter to attack the direct cause of dead bands in throttle control of turbofan engines, such as by monitoring fuel flow to the engine to eliminate any dead band intervals
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention, a turbofan engine control system and method for eliminating dead bands in the throttle control decreases and increases the fuel flow to the engine during transition from the scheduled core speed to the scheduled fan speed of the engine to effect a smooth and continuous transition from the core speed to the fan speed and vice-versa. This is effected by generating a signal to a control unit to open and close a valve system to augment and/or decrease the fuel flow in response to sensing different throttle lever angles of the throttle in the control system.
In one aspect of the present invention a throttle lever for controlling engine speed is provided along with a fuel section for providing fuel flow to the engine at different throttle lever angles in proportion to the throttle lever angle, with the fuel section including a control mechanism for augmenting and decreasing the fuel flow in response to a fuel flow modifying electrical signal and a signal processing circuit for providing the fuel flow modifying signal in response to sensing different throttle lever angles representing a combination of the fan and core idle speed scheduling.
In another aspect of the invention, the signal processing circuit provides a signal which achieves a smooth and continuous transition from the core speed to the fan speed scheduling to eliminate any dead bands in the throttle lever angle.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a plurality of turbofan engines can be controlled by the system of the invention by providing a separate throttle lever for controlling engine speed of each engine, a fuel section, and a signal processing circuit for providing a fuel flow modifying electrical signal to the fuel section in response to sensing the different throttle lever angles associated with each engine representative of the combination of fan and core idle speed scheduling of each engine.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a graph of the desired power setting behavior correlated to throttle lever angle accomplished by the present invention; and
FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating a system for implementing the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the present invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly FIG. 1, the desired power setting behavior versus throttle lever angle (TLA) is depicted. For the majority of the throttle lever angle (TLA) range, the fan speed of the turbofan engine is the controlling parameter. At idle, the control parameter is the core speed of the turbofan engine. As indicated, there is to be a small region where a transition between fan speed and core speed control occurs; but all dead bands are eliminated by controlling fuel flow to the engine under the following protocol:
The change in fan speed for a fuel slow change is called the fuel flow gain for fan speed (Kwf fan ). The change in core speed for a fuel flow change is called the fuel flow gain for core speed (Kwf core ).
If the current fan speed is different from the desired (or power setting) fan speed, the required change is fuel is estimated by:
WF new −Wf old =Kwf fan ( N fanschedule −N fan ) (1)
Likewise, if the current core speed is different from the desired (or power setting) core speed, the required change in fuel is estimated by:
Wf new −Wf old =Kwf core ( N coreschedule −N core ) (2)
where Wf old and Wf new are the old (or current) and new fuel flow rates, respectively.
In the region of fan speed scheduling as depicted in FIG. 1, the engine fuel flow may be adjusted so that the engine fan speed equals the fan speed schedule:
N fan =N fanschedule
The transition from core speed scheduling to fan speed scheduling may be accomplished as follows:
N fan K pla +N core (1 −K pla )= N fanschedule *K pla +N coreschedule *(1 −K pla ) (3)
where K pla is 0 at idle TLA and increases to 1.0 at
TLA =(idle TLA )+(Transition TLA Range) (4)
The more complete form of equation (3) is obtained using equation (1) and (2) above to give:
Wf new =Wf old +Kwf fan ( N fanschedule −N fan ) K pla +Kwf core ( N coreschedule −N core )(1 −K pla ) (5)
Equation 5 accounts for the dynamic effects of adjusting fuel flow with fan and core speed while achieving a smooth and continuous transition from fan speed to core speed scheduling.
FIG. 2 shows a schematic block diagram of a fuel control system 10 for implementing the invention. This system includes an electronic computation unit (ECU) 20 which monitors the various engine operating parameters so as to control the operation of the fuel control to modify the fuel applied to the engine. The ECU 20 can modify flow in response to the engine parameters. Fuel can be supplied to a fuel pump, not shown. The fuel can flow through a line from the pump to a regulating valve assembly and then through another line to a power lever valve, which can be connected to the power throttle 22 (lines and valves are not shown), as they are well known to one of ordinary skill in the art. The power lever valve can be connected to a potentiometer which can be used to supply an electronic signal to the ECU 20 . The signal can indicate the power lever position of the pump and regulating valve arrangement which are standard and not shown, but are indicated schematically at 21 .
Included in the fuel control system 10 may be an electric torque motor (not shown) which may receive electrical signals from the ECU 20 over line 24 . In response to these signals, the torque motor can open a flapper valve which is normally closed in the absence of a signal. As mentioned in an earlier portion of this description, the ECU and torque motor can provide an electrical interface to the hydromechanical fuel control to provide proper fuel ration units to the engine in relation to power lever movement. The ECU may be programmed to such parameters as N core , N fan , N fanschedule , N coreschedule , designated N 1 , and N 2 in FIG. 2, and calculate the Wf new of the equation (5), until the correct ratio units are achieved for the engine at any operating condition. The ECU may accomplish this by applying a correction signal to the torque motor to modify the fuel flow produced by the hydromechanical portion in order to achieve the precise ratio units.
As indicated, the present system disclosed can utilize a combination of core idle speed and fan speed as the parameters to ration the fuel flow to the engine to effect a smooth and continuous transition from one to the other, rather than relying on but one parameter, such as engine fan speed, to eliminate dead bands in the throttle angle.
It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to preferred embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Any such modifications should in no way limit the scope of the invention, which should only be determined based on the following claims. | A turbofan engine throttle control system and method for eliminating dead bands in the throttle control by decreasing and increasing the fuel flow to the engine during transition from the scheduled core speed to scheduled fan speed of the engine to effect a smooth and continuous transition from the core speed to the fan speed and vice-versa. A signal is generated to open and close a valve system to augment and decrease the fuel flow in response to sensing different throttle lever angles. | 5 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known today that there exists a world wide energy crisis as a result of which scientists are constantly seeking new forms of energy, as well as more efficient ways of utilizing known forms of energy. The heart of the energy crisis is, as generally accepted, that presently available sources of energy are dwindling at a rate faster than that at which alternate forms of energy are being made available, in commercially usable form. Solar energy, the heat which is present in the sun's rays, is a virtually inexhaustible supply of energy and, if it could be economically concentrated in large quantities, would completely solve the problem of the dwindling sources of energy which are more readily available. Although there are substantial quantities of fossil fuels such as natural gas, oil and coal, these sources of energy are virtually irreplaceable and will eventually be exhausted. Wind and water energy are abundant and virtually inexhaustible, but are difficult to harness in large quantities. Geothermal energy is still being developed and is not commercially practible as yet, and nuclear energy is obviously fraught with problems too numerous to mention here.
Accordingly, the sun represents a source of energy which is not only vast and inexhaustible, but also, from a purely technical standpoint, one which is very simple to convert from mere "sunshine" into a more usable form of high grade energy. In fact, solar energy is one of the few forms of heat energy which can be utilized to great advantage in its natural form, that is, without converting it to another form. Radiation from the sun is manifested on earth in a variety of forms of energy, the two principal forms being heat and visible light, although there are many types of radiation other than those within the visible spectrum. The heat which is generated on earth from solar radiation is a usable form of energy that can be concentrated and utilized very simply and directly in the form of heat. For example, it has long been known that, if the sun's rays are focused through a magnifying glass or a suitable lens onto a small area or spot, the heat energy generated on that spot is sufficient to cause combustion of certain materials, such as wood or paper. Thus it is well known that, by concentrating the rays of the sun, the high temperature heat thereby generated from the solar radiation can be utilized effectively in that form.
A major obstacle to the efficient commercial utilization of solar energy on a practical basis is that a tremendously large area of solar radiation must be concentrated into a relatively small area in order to produce the high temperatures required to generate practical quantities of heat. The problem, therefore, is to provide a commercially economic way of concentrating the sun's rays over large areas and of redirecting those rays to a location where they are concentrated on a device which can collect and utilize the tremendous amounts of heat which will be generated thereby. Stated differently, the problem is simply one of concentrating a large quantity of "sunshine" so as to generate at one location a sufficiently large quantity of usable high grade heat that the entire effort in terms of cost of hardware and maintenance becomes commercially feasible. This problem has been solved to a large extent by a variety of apparatuses which have the capability of reflecting large quantities of solar radiation and concentrating the radiation on a receiver. One such apparatus, called a heliostat, includes a large reflecting panel, or a plurality of smaller ones, and is capable of appropriate movement so that it can track the relative movement of the sun during the day and generally continuously reflect the rays of the sun to a distant stationary receiver so as to concentrate those rays on the receiver so that a large quantity of heat is generated in a relatively small area. Another such apparatus is called a dish concentrator and is generally structurally and functionally similar to a heliostat except that the dish concentrator typically has a plurality of small reflecting panels which are capable of focusing the rays of the sun on a receiver mounted at relatively close range on the dish concentrator itself. To avoid unnecessary duplication, the panels will be further described in connection with a typical heliostat as illustrative of the environment in which the reflecting panels are used.
Known heliostats generally comprise a large, heavy base anchored into the ground, a large frame mounted on the base which is movable both in azimuth and elevation, and a plurality of large reflecting glass mirror panels mounted on the frame and movable therewith. A typical heliostat might have a reflecting surface measuring 22 feet wide by 24 feet high, and would be made up of 12 individual panels, each 4 feet wide by 11 feet long and constructed of 1/4" thick glass with a silver reflective coating on the rear surface of each glass panel. Each panel must be very solidly braced by sufficiently strong structural steel members, in order to provide adequate support for the glass panel, which presents two major problems. One is that glass has a high degree of fragility or a low modulus and must be adequately supported to accommodate constantly varying wind forces. The other is that glass is very brittle and will accept only very small lateral, bending or twisting forces. These factors necessitate the use of very strong bracing, in the absence of which the glass panels would break. In addition, all of the panels must be mounted on the frame so that collectively they form a very slightly concave surface, which will focus all of the sun's rays impinging on the 528 square feet of reflecting area onto a distant receiver, that is relatively quite small in area, and several hundred feet above the ground. It is apparent that such a device, having a glass surface area 22 feet wide and as high as a three story house, must be able to withstand enormous forces from wind, hail, hurricanes, and perhaps even earthquakes. It will also be apparent that the bracing necessary to rigidly maintain the flat, planar configuration of each glass mirror panel and the frame necessary to support all of the panels against their own weight and against external forces, is of a tremendous magnitude, the entire assembly weighing many tons, and therefore very costly to manufacture and assemble. The magnitude of this may be further appreciated by understanding that a single solar energy installation may involve many thousands of such structures located within a 200-500 acre area, all aimed at the same receiver, with consequent total costs for such an installation reaching into the hundreds of millions of dollars.
It can thus be appreciated that a major advantage will have been provided if the cost of each heliostat can be significantly reduced. The utility of heliostats in terms of practical commercial acceptance is measured primarily by the cost per square meter of the reflecting surface, the degree of solar reflectance, its maintainable pointing accuracy and the life expectancy of the unit. Therefore, depending upon the type of construction involved, a particular design of heliostat may or may not be commercially acceptable based on these factors. The lower the cost per square meter of high quality reflective surface, the more a particular design of heliostat can be utilized on a commercial scale.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to the field of solar energy and more particularly to solar reflecting panels for use with apparatus for reflecting and concentrating solar radiation on a close range or distant receiver.
The foregoing problems and disadvantages of known heliostats have been greatly obviated and, in some instances, substantially eliminated by the present invention which provides improvements in the solar reflecting panels of known heliostats, which improvements vastly reduce the cost of manufacture, assembly and maintenance over known heliostats. Various other operational advantages are also obtained by the improvements of the present invention, as will be made clear in the general discussion and detailed description of the invention hereinbelow.
Briefly, and in its broader aspects, the principles of the present invention are embodied in a variety of solar reflecting panels adapted for use with various apparatus for concentrating solar radiation on a close range or distant receiver to produce high temperatures thereof, the apparatus being capable of independent movement in both azimuth and elevation so that it reflects the rays of the sun to the receiver. A reflecting panel according to the invention comprises a reflecting member formed as a very thin, relatively large area and relatively flexible sheet of base material, such as stainless steel, and which presents a highly reflective surface to the rays of the sun, the reflective surface being either the surface of the sheet itself or an added layer of specular substance as more fully explained below. The reflecting panel also includes a tensioning frame for supporting the reflecting member, the tensioning frame having means for connecting preselected peripheral portions of the reflecting member to corresponding peripheral portions of the tensioning frame, and means for imposing sufficient stress on the corresponding peripheral portions of the tensioning frame to cause these portions to impose high linear tensile strain on the reflecting member, so that the tensioning frame maintains the reflecting member sheet in a substantially planar and highly tensioned condition.
In one of its more limited aspects, the tensioning frame comprises an outer frame member which is dimensioned to be substantially coextensive with the reflecting member and is formed of a plurality of separate elongate frame member sections, each of which includes suitable means for securely connecting preselected peripheral portions of the reflecting member to corresponding peripheral portions of the outer frame member. There is also an inner frame member disposed within the outer frame member and which has a structural configuration which is capable of withstanding very high compressive stresses directed inwardly relative to the two frame members. Further, the tensioning frame includes a plurality of frame separating devices disposed between the outer and inner frame members at spaced locations around the periphery of the inner frame members for imposing sufficient compressive stresses on the inner frame member to cause the outer frame member sections to be forcibly urged outwardly and thereby to impose the high linear tensile strain on the reflecting member to maintain the reflecting member in the substantially planar, highly tensioned condition.
It should be apparent just from the foregoing that an essential feature of the present invention is the complete elimination of any glass from the reflecting panel used with a heliostat constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention, and therefore of a unique and novel form of extremely light weight and therefore inexpensive reflecting member and structural support therefor, which nevertheless performs the desired function as well as glass. Since the very thin sheet metal reflecting member is only a small fraction of the weight of a comparably sized sheet of 1/4" thick plate glass, and since the tensioning frame requires only a small fraction of the material required for the structural steel bracing which is ordinarily required for adequate support of glass panels, it will be understood that a considerable cost reduction is achieved not only in the cost of manufacture and assembly of the reflecting panels but also in the cost of manufacture and assembly of the supporting structure of the heliostat or dish concentrator for the reflecting panels. The reason for this is that the supporting structure does not have to support as much weight with the reflecting panels of the present invention as with glass panels and also that lateral forces due to wind on the lighter weight panels will cause less strain on the supporting structure. An additional very significant advantage of these reflecting panels is the complete elimination of the problems resulting from broken glass.
In order to use such light weight materials for the reflecting panels, and in order to eliminate strong, rigid bracing such as is needed for glass panels, the reflecting member, i.e. the sheet of base material, must be maintained substantially planar during use. If the reflecting member is not almost perfectly planar, for example, if it is wavy, the rays of the sun will be reflected in random diverse directions rather than being reflected to, and sharply focused on, the distant or short range receiver or target, in which case the reflecting panel loses much of its efficiency and becomes substantially useless. In order to maintain the reflecting member substantially planar, it must be supported only at preselected portions or all of its periphery, so that it is, in effect, suspended in the manner of a drum head and consequently it must be held under high tensile strain so that it is maintained in a highly tensioned condition. The tensioning frame briefly described above, together with the reflecting member mounted thereon, provide a reflecting panel which is highly effective in reflecting and focusing the sun's rays and is extremely light in weight compared to a steel reinforced glass reflecting panel, and yet is itself structurally very rigid and capable of withstanding substantial forces from the wind without permanent deformation.
Other more limited aspects of the present invention include a resilient means interposed between the reflecting member and the tensioning frame for distributing individual high compressive loads from point application to as broad a surface as possible in order to eliminate distortion within the frame members and to prevent rupture of the reflecting member where it is connected to the outer frame member. The resilient means also permits a limited amount of relative movement between the reflecting member and portions of the tensioning frame to accommodate bending forces imposed on the total structure by the wind. Also, the means for imposing stress on the tensioning frame includes means for adjusting the amount of stress so imposed so that the extent of the strain imposed on the reflecting member can be adjusted in order to maintain the tension as uniform as possible around the periphery of the reflecting member. This is necessary in order to compensate for bending of portions of the outer frame member which occurs under high stress loading and which might cause a wavy condition of the reflecting member.
A highly advantageous feature of the present invention is that the reflecting member, held only around its periphery in suspension, can be caused to take on a very slight concavity, either from its own weight due to gravity or by magnetic means when the reflecting panel is almost vertical, so that the reflecting panel will more accurately focus the sun's rays on the receiver. In heliostats with conventional flat glass panels, each panel making up the total reflecting area must be very precisely positioned and locked in place in order to achieve the desired overall effect, which is difficult to do and to maintain.
Although the solar reflecting panels briefly described above and more specifically described hereinafter were conceived and designed for use in the field of commercial utilization of solar energy, particularly in conjunction with solar radiation concentrators, it has since been appreciated that many of the structural arrangements and configurations provided in the solar reflecting panels can be utilized to construct similar panels which have applicability in many other fields which are quite remote from solar energy. For example, panels constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention can be used in such diverse applications as structural and decorative panels for residential or commercial buildings, facing panels for roadside advertising signs, tilt-up garage doors, lightweight aircraft flooring, outdoor patio roofing and movable wall panels for partitioning business offices, to name several applications which presently appear to be practical for such panels. Further details of the use of these panels in these examplary fields and of such structural changes as may be necessary for such use are set forth below following the detailed description of the several embodiments of the solar reflecting panels.
Having briefly described the general nature and several features of the present invention, it is a principal object thereof to provide an improved solar reflecting panel for use with various solar radiation concentrating apparatuses such as heliostats and dish concentrators which can be manufactured, assembled and maintained at a small fraction of the cost of a comparable sized conventional glass reflecting panel.
It is a more specific object of the present invention to provide a solar reflecting panel which is entirely devoid of glass and consequently does not require heavy structural steel bracing.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a solar reflecting panel which weighs only a small fraction of comparably sized glass reflecting panels and yet has substantially the same reflective ability and quality as a comparably sized glass reflecting panel.
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a solar reflecting panel constructed to be a light weight yet relatively strong self-contained unit, in which there is a balance of compressive and tensile forces to maintain a very thin sheet metal reflecting member under high tension.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a panel having a highly tensioned sheet covering mounted on a light weight frame for use in various applications.
These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from an understanding of the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is a front elevation of a heliostat having a solar reflecting panel constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a side elevation of the heliostat as shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3 is a front view of a solar reflecting panel for use with the heliostat shown in FIG. 1 with most of the reflecting member broken away to reveal the details of the tensioning frame;
FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c are enlarged fragmentary views illustrating the manner in which the reflecting member is connected to the outer frame member;
FIG. 4 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 4--4 of FIG. 3 showing one of the separating devices provided at spaced locations around the periphery of the inner frame member;
FIG. 5 is an enlarged partly sectional view of one of the separating devices located at the corner junctures of the outer frame member sections;
FIG. 6 is a side view of a gusset plate used to connect the inner frame member sections together;
FIG. 7 is an enlarged fragmentary and sectional view of the separating device provided at the locations where the inner and outer frame members almost contact each other;
FIG. 8 is a rear view of another embodiment of solar reflecting panel for use with the heliostat shown in FIG. 1,
FIG. 9 is an enlarged sectional view taken on the line 9--9 of FIG. 8 showing one of the separating devices provided at spaced locations around the periphery of the inner frame member;
FIG. 10 is a fragmentary enlarged view of a portion of the outer frame;
FIGS. 11 and 12 are fragmentary, enlarged sectional views showing how the reflecting member is connected to the outer frame member in this embodiment;
FIG. 13 is a side view of the solar reflecting panel shown in FIG. 8;
FIG. 14 is a front view of another embodiment of a solar reflecting panel used with a dish concentrator with most of the reflecting member broken away;
FIG. 15 is an enlarged sectional view through one of the connecting struts taken on the line 15--15 of FIG. 14;
FIG. 16 is an enlarged sectional view through a frame member section where it meets one end of a strut showing one of the separating devices interposed between the frame member sections and each end of the struts;
FIG. 17 is a side view of the solar reflecting panel shown in FIG. 14 with the panel being stressed only in a lateral direction;
FIG. 18 is an end view of the panel shown in FIG. 17;
FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 17 but showing the panel as slightly curved in a longitudinal direction while stressed in a lateral direction; and
FIG. 20 is an end view of the panel shown in FIG. 19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIGS. 1 and 2 thereof, the reference numeral 10 designates generally a heliostat having a solar reflecting panel constructed in accordance with the principles of the invention. The heliostat 10 includes a base which, for purposes of illustration only, is shown merely as a column 12 which is firmly anchored in the ground such as being embedded in a large block of concrete 14. An elongate cap 16 is rotatably mounted on the top of the column 12 which projects about three to four feet above the ground. A longitudinally extending supporting member such as a suitable beam 18 is rigidly secured to the cap 16 so as to be rotatable therewith. Any suitable form of bracing such as the struts 20 are connected to the beam 18 so that it will not break away from the cap 16 from any lateral force which may be applied.
The heliostat 10 further includes a solar reflecting panel generally designated by the reference numeral 22. Since the present invention is embodied entirely with the solar reflecting panel 22, it will be described in detail below. For the purpose of the present discussion it is only necessary to explain that the reflecting panel 22 is mounted on the beam 18 for rotation therewith and for pivoted movement in elevation relative thereto. This is conveniently accomplished by hinging the reflecting panel 22 to the beam 18 by means of a piano hinge 24 or the like as seen in FIG. 2, so that the reflecting panel can be moved from a horizontal to a vertical position on the beam 18 by means now to be described.
A pair of relatively large sector gears 26 are suitably secured to the bottom edge of the reflecting panel 22 and lie in a vertical plane which is parallel to the vertical plane of the reflecting panel but at right angles to it. These gears may be formed as curved structural members with teeth if desired. Again, in order to provide proper bracing for the reflecting panel with respect to the gear sectors, appropriate guy wires 28 are connected between the outer ends of the gear sectors 26 and an intermediate point on the side edges of the reflecting panel 22.
Any suitable drive means, represented schematically in FIG. 1 by the box 30, is provided to cause both rotation of the cap 16 relative to the column 12 and pivotal elevational movement of the reflecting panel 22 relative to the beam 18. For example, drive means 30 may include one electric motor, suitably mounted on the rotatable beam 18 and connected by shafts 32 to gears 34 which mesh with the sector gears 26 to drive the latter, thereby changing the elevational position of the reflecting panel 22. The drive means 30 may also include another motor mounted with the first motor which drives a chain 36 which passes around stationary sprocket teeth 38 formed on the column 12 so that as the second motor drives the chain 36 in one direction or another, the entire structure from the cap 16 up will be caused to rotate in either direction.
From the foregoing it will be seen that the solar reflecting panel is supported on the base in such manner that it can be moved independently both in azimuth and elevation. This is necessary so that the reflecting panel in effect tracks the course of the sun during the day as the earth rotates, and also takes into account changes in the course of the sun as the orbit of the earth changes. It should be understood that the base, the supporting means and the azimuthal and elevational driving means as thus described form no part of the novelty of the present invention. Since this structure is more or less typical of a heliostat or a dish concentrator with which solar reflecting panels are used.
Referring now to FIG. 3, one embodiment of a solar reflecting panel 22 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention is seen to comprise a tensioning frame for supporting a reflecting member which is only fragmentarily shown in FIG. 3 in order to show the tensioning frame in solid line format. The tensioning frame comprises an outer square frame member in the illustrated embodiment being made up of four sections 40a, 40b, 40c, and 40d respectively for the outer frame members and 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d respectively for the inner frame members. Although the outer frame member 40 is shown as square, it is not so limited and may be of any desired shape and may therefore include more or less than four sections. Each section of the outer frame member 40, as best seen in FIG. 4, is in the form of an H-beam having a pair of outer legs 44 and a pair of inner legs 46 delineated by the cross member 48, the outer legs 44 being shorter than the inner legs 46 for a purpose to be made clear herein below. A clamping strip 50, in the shape of a rectangular U in cross section, is received within the space 52 defined by the outer legs 44 and the cross member 48, the clamping strip 50 serving to connect preselected peripheral edge portions 54 of a reflecting member 56 to corresponding portions of the outer frame member 40. As shown in FIGS. 3a, 3b and 3c, the peripheral portion 54 of the reflecting member 56 is simply creased and folded to a 90° angle at the inner and outer edges of one of the outer legs 44, and the clamping strip 50 is then forced into the space 52 to securely lock the peripheral portion 54 of the reflecting member 56 therein. It should be noted that the side legs 58 of the clamping member 50 project outwardly slightly beyond the end of the outer legs 44 of the frame member 40 so as to protect the latter and the reflecting member 56 from damage if the reflecting panel 22 is placed on an edge during assembly or other handling. The reflecting member itself may take a variety of forms and will be described in detail hereinbelow.
The four sections 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d of the outer frame member 40 are not directly connected together but rather are maintained in their normal assembled relationship as shown in FIG. 3 by each section 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d being connected to a peripheral edge portion of the reflecting member 56 in the manner just described. This permits the outer frame member sections 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d to be urged outwardly by means described below so that the reflecting member 56 can be pulled linearly in all directions in order to impose a high tensile strain thereon, in the order of 40,000 psi. Stated differently, the reflecting member 56 is being very slightly stretched in all directions in order to render it very taut on the tensioning frame and therefore substantially planar.
In order to impose such a high tensile strain on the reflecting member 56, the tensioning frame is provided with a plurality of frame separating devices by which the outer frame member 40 is forcibly urged outwardly with respect to the inner frame member 42, which is constructed to be capable of withstanding very high compressive loading around its periphery. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, there are two different types of separating devices which cooperate to produce the desired result, one type being located at the corner junctures of the outer frame member sections and the other type being disposed between the inner and outer frame members at spaced locations around the periphery of the inner frame member. With reference to FIG. 5, it will be seen that the end edges of the frame member sections 40a and 40b are mitred sufficiently so as to form an opening 58 defined by the tapered edges of the cross member 48 of the frame member sections 40a and 40b, the longitudinal axis of this opening being at about a 45° angle (assuming that the juncture is a 90° corner) to the frame member sections 40a and 40b. A bolt 60 is passed through the opening 58 and is threadably engaged with a triangular shaped nut 62 suitably positioned in the inner end of the mitred corner of the frame member sections 40a and 40b. A hexagonally shaped recess 66 is formed in the outer end of the bolt 60 so that it can be rotated by a hexagonal key. Each corner of the outer frame member 40 is constructed in identical manner to that shown in FIG. 5 and described above, assuming that the outer frame member 40 is rectangular. If it is other than rectangular, each juncture of adjacent frame member sections would have a similar separating device. It will now be apparent that as the bolt 60 is rotated in a direction to move the bolt inwardly, the conically tapered head exerts a compressive force down the length of each frame member section 40a and 40b by pushing on the mitred surfaces of the cross member 48 of each frame member section. Since the frame member sections cannot shrink and since this force is being exerted simultaneously on all four corners, the frame member sections must therefore move outwardly away from the center of the tensioning frame, at least near the corners. The result of such movement is that the reflecting member 56, connected as above described to all of the outer frame member sections, is placed under sufficient strain to maintain it highly tensioned, at least near the corners.
With the frame construction thus far described, the reflecting member 56 will not be uniformally tensioned in all directions simultaneously and therefore it may take on a wavy surface pattern rather than being planar. The reason for this is that as the outer frame member sections 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d apply strain to the reflecting member 56, they begin to bend slightly in the middle for lack of support with the result that the reflecting member 56 is not being uniformally tensioned. To counteract this bending effect of the outer frame member sections, another type of frame separating device is provided, a plurality of which are located at spaced intervals between the inner frame member 42 and the outer frame member 40 so that the latter is supported by the former in the manner now to be described.
Referring again to FIGS. 3 and 4, each of the inner frame member sections 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d is constructed as a U-shaped channel beam having an inner wall 70 and two side walls 72. It should be noted that the inner frame member 42 is also not limited to four sections, but this number is preferable. Each section is longitudinally curved, and the degree of curvature can range from that which will cause the inner frame member 42 to be circular to any less degree which will conveniently fit within the outer frame member 40, as shown in FIG. 3. The latter configuration is preferred because it saves material and therefy reduces the weight of the overall tensioning frame. Each of the sections 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d are rigidly connected together by means of specially shaped gussets 74 shown in FIG. 6, each of which has four openings 76 which align with similar openings 78 in the slide walls 72 of the inner frame member sections, so that the sections can be bolted or rivited to the gussets 74. Thus, the inner frame member 42 is a rigid construction formed of four arches all connected together and therefore capable of withstanding high compressive forces at any point around the periphery of the inner frame member.
In order to prevent the outer frame member sections 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d from bending as above described, the above mentioned plurality of additional frame separating devices are provided and located between the inner and outer frame members 42 and 40 and function forcibly to urge the outer frame member sections away from the inner frame member sections with varying degrees of force so that the outer frame member sections can be maintained perfectly straight. Thus, with reference to FIG. 3, there is seen a plurality of frame separating devices 80 disposed at spaced apart locations around the periphery of the inner frame member 42 and a pair of frame separating devices 82 located adjacent each corner or or juncture of the outer frame member 40. In addition, there are four locations 88a, 88b, 88c and 88d where the inner and outer frame members 42 and 40 almost contact each other and at which there are additional separating devices. All of these separating devices are substantially identical with the exceptions noted below.
FIG. 7 shows the separating devices provided at the four locations 88a, 88b, 88c and 88d where the inner and outer frame members 42 and 40 are close together. The cross member 48 is provided with a smooth sided aperture 90 through which passes a threaded set screw 92 having an outwardly facing hexagonally shaped socket 94 by which the screw is turned by means of a suitable tool. The set screw 92 is threadedly engaged with a nut 96 held against rotation by an elongate U-shaped, pre-arched spring member generally designated 98 which has upstanding side walls 100 connected by a central web 102. The web 102 also has a smooth sided opening 104 through which the screw 92 passes. The ends 106 of the spring member 98 bear on the cross-member 48 of the outer frame member sections at spaced apart locations of the purpose of more uniformly distributing the tremendous compressive forces imposed by the structure now being described, so that fewer compressive structural struts are required to support the load. It should be noted that although the pre-arched spring member 98 is shown in FIG. 7 in its arched configuration, in practice in the fully assembled and tensioned reflecting panel the compressive load on the spring member 98 may be sufficient to cause the web 102 to flaten out and lie in contact with the cross-member 48 between the ends 106 of the web 102. It will now be seen that the reason why the inner legs 46 of the outer frame member sections are longer than the outer legs 44 is to accomodate the spring members 98 entirely within the space defined by the legs 46. The inner end of the screw 96 presses into a recess 108 formed into the outer surface of a short pre-arched strip of spring steel 110, the outer ends 112 of which bear against the interior surface of the wall 72 of the inner frame member section 42a, 42b, 42c and 42d as the case may be.
The frame separating devices indicated by the numerals 80 and 82 are identical to the structure just described with the exception that the screws 92 are longer and those designated by the numeral 82 in FIG. 3 bear directly on the outer edge surfaces 84 and 86 of the corner gussets 74, pressing into recesses 114 and 116 formed in the edges 84 and 86 for that purpose.
From the foregoing description, it should now be apparent that as all of the screws 92 are turned in a direction to forcibly urge the outer frame member sections away from the inner frame member sections, large compressive forces will be built up on the inner frame member which are exerted generally radially inwardly from locations spaced around the periphery of the inner frame member 42. The sum of these forces constitutes a compressive load on the inner frame member 42 which it can withstand by virtue of the multiple arch construction as shown and described. Therefore the compressive forces are transferred to the corresponding sections of the outer frame member 40 at the intermediate locations shown in FIG. 3 as 80, 82 and 88. Thus the outer frame member sections 40a, 40b, 40c and 40d are all supported at these locations and are therefore maintained longitudinally straight while being forcibly urged outwardly by the conjoint action of the corner separating bolts 60 and the intermediate separating screws 92. The result of this conjoint action, with the reflection member 56 in place, is that the compressive stress on the inner frame member causes the outer frame member to impose a substantially uniform linear tensile strain on the reflecting member 56 so that the reflecting member is thereby held on the tensioning frame in a substantially planar and highly tensioned condition. It will thus be apparent that the tensioning frame consisting of the outer frame member 40 and the inner frame member 42, together with the reflecting member 56, constitute a reflecting panel 22 in which there is a balance of forces to maintain the reflecting member highly tensioned and substantially planar.
It should be noted that the reason for the pre-arched spring members 98 and 110 is to distribute the individual high compressive loads from the point application of the screws 92 to as broad a surface area as possible in order to eliminate distortion within the frame members and to prevent rupture of the reflecting member where it is connected to the outer frame member. The spring members also permit a limited amount of relative movement between the reflecting member and the inner frame member to accommodate for bending forces imposed by wind on the total structure. The amount of movement permitted by these spring members will allow the frame members to move with respect to each other so that the reflecting member will not be either over or under tensioned as a result of the bending forces.
The reflecting member 56 itself may take a variety of forms. As presently preferred, it is a sheet of stainless steel ranging from about 0.004" to 0.020" and having a highly finished specular surface. If not made of stainless steel, it may or may not be protected against the elements by any of a variety of synthetic varnish or resin base coatings which can be sprayed onto one or both surfaces, or they can be protected by electroplating. In this form the surface will have a reflectance of 65%. If a higher reflectance value is desired, the steel sheet can be coated with a metallic silver layer in the manner of a conventional glass mirror, which will provide a reflectance value of about 95%. With such a coating it would be necessary to apply some form of protective coating for the silver metallic layer since it would be susceptable to deterioration from airborne elements, such as oxygen and sulphides. Other suitable known forms of metal or metal based materials with suitable specular surface properties are deemed to be within the scope of this invention, as well as other forms of protective coatings such as polycarbonate resins which can be added adhesively to the metal sheet with a high reflective coating sandwiched between the plastic coating and the metal sheet.
A feature of the present invention not yet mentioned is the means by which a bending moment in the tensioning frame is overcome. The bending moment in the frame is caused by the strain, which is imposed on the reflecting member 56 by the outer frame member 40, reacting on only one side of the outer frame member 40, thereby tending to bend the outer frame member 40, and to some extent the inner frame member 42, out of its normal plane. In the preferred embodiment of the invention, this bending effect is overcome by providing means on the opposite side of the tensioning frame for applying a bending force equal and opposite to that applied by the reflecting member, such as a second sheet of metal on the opposite side of the tensioning frame from the reflecting member 56. Whether this second sheet of metal has a reflecting surface is not of importance so long as the second sheet of metal is otherwise identical to the reflecting member in such characteristics as composition, thickness, weight, thermal expansion and tensile strength so that it will have the same force reactions in the system as the reflecting member 56. With both metal sheets in place, the entire reflecting panel 22 is perfectly balanced not only linearally in any direction but also in transverse directions as well.
A further feature of the present invention not yet mentioned is seen in FIG. 3. A plurality of cables 120 are each suitably connected to the joints between the four inner frame member sections and to a ring magnet 122 located at the geometric center of the tensioning frame. The magnet is thinner than the width of the inner frame member 42, which in turn is thinner than the outer frame member 40, so that the reflecting member 56 and the second steel sheet do not touch the inner frame member under normal conditions. The magnet attracts both the reflecting member 56 and the second steel sheet toward each other with the result that the reflecting member 56 is given the very slight degree of concavity which is required to properly focus the rays of the sun on its target, or at least to assure that the rays are not reflected in a divergent manner. Thus, the reflecting member is provided with this adjustable concavity even when it is vertical, in which position it would not have the concavity due to slight sag from its own weight as it would in an angled or more horizontal attitude. The magnet also serves to eliminate vibratory oscillations due to the wind, especially in the more central area of the large reflecting member. The vibratory oscillations will be strongly dampened by a strong magnet since it effectively ties the front and back tensioned members together into one unit whereby each already tensioned sheet is slightly additionally tensioned so that the two opposed slightly concave planar surfaces help each from oscillating.
In another embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 8 through 13, the solar reflecting panel comprises an outer frame member generally designated by the numeral 120 and in the illustrated embodiment shown in FIG. 8, is square, of which three sides 120a, 120b, and 120c are shown, although the frame may be rectangular. Each side 120a, 120b and 120c is an outer frame member section, and all of the sections, regardless of the number, are rigidly inter-connected together. Each outer frame member section is formed as an L-shaped angle beam as best seen in FIG. 9, and has a slightly scalloped configuration along its length, as best seen in FIG. 10. Thus, each outer frame member section is formed to have protrusions 122 and depressions 124 in both legs of the angle beam for a purpose to be described below. The outer edge 126 is formed as a tapered edge, as shown in large section in FIG. 11, so that a peripheral portion 128 of a reflecting member 130 can be bent over an angle corresponding to the angle of the tapered position 132 of the angle beam which forms the tapered edge 126 thereby holding the reflecting member in place around the periphery of the outer frame member 120 as seen in FIG. 12.
The tensioning frame further includes an inner frame member generally designated by the numeral 134 and which comprises a channel beam which can be U shaped or the Z shape as shown in FIG. 9 having the two end legs 134a and 134b connected by the intermediate leg 134c. The channel beam as a shole is shown as round when viewed in plan but it may have other configurations and may be fabricated as a solid piece or as sections which are field assembled.
Between the two frames are a plurality of struts 136, which may extend radialy as shown or in parallel in groups if the inner frame member has a configuration in which it is concentric with the outer frame member and therefore would have flat sides. The struts 136 are preferably formed as square hollow sections, the outer ends of which are fixidly secured to the inner face 138 of the upstanding leg of the angle beam 120 such as by being welded thereto; the welds are indicated in FIG. 10 by the numeral 140. It will be noted that the struts 136 are secured to the angle beam section 120a at the locations of the depressions 124.
The inner end of each strut 136 is connected to the inner frame member section, as seen in FIG. 9, by means of a bolt 142 which passes through an aperture 144 in the intermediate leg 134c of the inner frame member and is threadedly engaged with a nut 146 suitably held against rotation in the inner end of the strut 136. The bolt 142 is adapted to press against an abutment member 148 which is welded or otherwise suitable secured to the strut 136. Thus, the bolt 142 is turned in a tightening direction in the nut 146, the end 150 of the bolt pushes on the abutment member 148 and forces the strut outwardly toward the outer frame member 120.
From the foregoing description, it will be seen that the tightening of all of the bolts 142 around the periphery of the inner frame member will tend to force the outer frame member sections outwardly which in turn will impose a high linear strain of the reflecting member 130. Because of the scalloped shape of the outer frame member 120, the tensioning force on the reflecting member is first imposed at the locations of the protrusions 122 since these are in contact with the reflecting member 130,, whereas the depressions 124 are not initially in contact with the reflecting member. However, as more force is applied to the outer frame member 120 by further tightening of the bolts 142, the outer frame member begins to straighten and the depressions 124 come into contact with the reflecting member 130, and when the force exerted by the outer frame member at the locations of the depressions 124 is equal to that at the locations of the protrusions 122, the outer frame member is then uniformly pulling on the reflecting member 130 with substantially the maximum force designed for. Thus, in this embodiment of the invention, the scalloped configuration of the outer frame member is, in effect, the resilient means for distributing the load on the reflecting member as much as possible.
In this embodiment of the invention, the bending moment, discussed in detail in connection with the preceeding embodiment, is overcome by means of the guy wires 152 which are suitably connected between the outer end of each strut and the outer edge of the leg 134a of the inner frame member 134. Thus, as the struts 136 are pushed outwardly, the guy wires are placed under additional tension to offset the bending moment in the tensioning frame caused by the high tension in the reflecting member 130.
FIGS. 14 through 20 illustrate still another embodiment of the invention which is directed toward a solar reflecting panel more particularly designed for use with a dish concentrator rather than with a heliostat. The reason for this is that the panel of this embodiment is generally rectangular, is much smaller than the panels used with a heliostat, and is substantially planar and tensioned in one linear direction but is curved in the other linear direction at right angles to the first linear direction, with the result that the panel can focus the rays of the sun on a much closer target than the type of panel used with a heliostat. Generally, a panel designed for use with a dish concentrator would be about four feet wide by eight feet long, and approximately six to eight such panels would be mounted on a single concentrator unit.
With reference to FIGS. 14 through 20, it will be seen that the panel shown therein differs significantly from the panels described above in that the tensioning frame does not have inner and outer frame members connected by expansion devices. Rather there is a single tensioning frame generally designated by the reference numeral 160 which comprises a pair of parallel frame member 160a and 160b which are formed as U-shaped channel sections as seen in cross section in FIG. 15. These frame members are maintained in operative relationship by the joint action of a reflecting member 162 which is connected to the frame members 160a and 160b and a plurality of struts 164 which include separating devices for pushing the frame members 160a and 160b away from each other against the resistance of the reflecting member 162 whereby the reflecting member is tensioned.
Thus, the reflecting member 162, is, as in the previously described embodiments, a sheet of stainless steel or other suitable material, the longitudinal edge position 166 of which is bent over into the outwardly facing recess 168 of each frame member 160a and 160b. A retaining channel member 170 is then inserted into the recesses 168 to securely connect the edge position 166 of the reflecting member 162 to the frame members 160a and 160b. This means of connecting the reflecting member 162 to the frame members 160a and 160b is similar to that shown and described in connection with the embodiment of FIGS. 3 through 7.
With reference to FIG. 16, it will be seen that each strut 164 is connected to the frame members 160a and 160b by a resilient expansion means having some similarities to that shown in FIG. 7. The expansion means comprises a set screw 172 which is received in an unthreaded aperture 174 formed in the bottom or inner wall 176 of each frame member 160a and 160b. The set screw 172 passes through another unthreaded aperture 178 formed in the bottom wall 180 of a U-shaped spring member generally designated by the numeral 182 and is then secured to a nut 184 which is suitably secured to, or is merely held against rotation by, the spring member 182. The inner end of the set screw 172 abuts against a plug 186 inserted into the end of the strut 164, the plug 186 having a flange 188 which prevents the plung 186 from moving further into the hollow strut 164. The channel shaped connecting member 170 is provided with an aperture 190 through which a suitable tool is inserted to engage the recess 192 in the set screw to turn the latter.
It will be understood from the foregoing that as all of the set screws are tightened into the nuts 184 at the opposite ends of each strut 164, the frame member sections 160a and 160b are pushed away from each other with great force, thereby, placing the reflecting member under high tension and pulling it into a planar configuration. The set screws are rotated until the bottom wall 180 of the spring member 182 lies substantially flat on the inner wall 176 of the frame member sections, the spring member having been curved in its unstressed condition similar to the spring member 98 seen in FIG. 7. At that point substantially the maximum compressive force will have been applied to the struts 164, and the spring members 182 will be distributing the load uniformly over the length of the frame member section covered by the spring member 182.
As briefly indicated above, the reflecting panel in this embodiment of the invention is intended to have a small degree of curvature in one direction and be planar in the other direction. The reason is that this panel is intended for use principally in a dish concentrator where the cavity receiver is located at a relatively close range to the reflecting panel. Thus, FIG. 17 shows a side view of the reflecting panel as it would appear before being curved and FIG. 18 show an end view of the same panel. The frame member sections 160a and 160b and the struts 164 are suitably mounted as a unit on a triangular shaped frame comprising a centrally disposed longitudinal beam 194 and a plurality of laterally extruding struts 196 which are suitably connected at one end to the beam 194 and at the other end to the frame member sections 160a and 160b. A tubular steel compression member 198 is connected to the beam 194 at the center thereof, and a guy wire or tensionable cable 200 is connected to the ends of the beam 194 and passes over the free end of the compression member 198. It will be apparent that, as the guy wire 200 is shortened by any suitable means (such as by interposing one or more conventional turnbuckles), the ends of the beam 194 will be pulled upwardly thereby creating the slight curvature in the beam 194 shown in FIGS. 19 and 20. This in turn causes the tensioning frame 160 to take on a corresponding curvature as seen in these figures, with the result that the reflecting member 162 remains planar between the two frame member sections 160a and 160b, but is curved longitudinally between the two end struts 164. With this arrangement all of the sun's rays impinging on the panel can be focused into the cavity receiver mounted on the dish concentrator.
As briefly explained in an early portion of this specification the principles of construction of the solar reflecting panels can be utilized to construct a variety of panels for use in many diverse fields which have no relation to the solar energy field. As stated above, the principles of this invention were conceived and developed for a panel to be used as a light weight reflecting panel to replace glass mirrors which have been the standard reflecting means prior to this invention. However, it has been appreciated that the panels described above, or others of such similar construction as to fall within the scope of the claims hereinafter set forth, can be used, either in identical form or with certain modifications mentioned below, for many other purposes.
With sharply increasing material prices, building designers have begun to seek alternate forms of very strong but light weight construction rather than the more traditional heavy steel beam construction. Obviously if the same strength can be achieved with less material, the final construction cost of a building will be substantially reduced.
Roadside advertising signs are another example of inefficient use of expensive materials. Typically formed of sheets of plywood secured to a metal framework capable of withstanding several lateral forces due to wind, plywood being both a heavy and expensive material, substantial cost reduction could be achieved by constructing the sign by utilizing one of the foregoing panel designs.
In large jet aircraft, material weight is a major source of concern, since every pound of material weight saved without loss of strength or rigidity is an additional pound of payload. It would seem practical to use the panel construction, perhaps with some transverse bracing, as flooring panels of the aircraft cabin.
Other uses such as garage door panels, roofing panels, etc., are believed to be apparent and need not be individually explained.
With respect to any changes or modifications which would be made to the above described solar reflecting panels to render them applicable for use in other fields, probably the most apparent change is the elimination of the highly specular surface on the sheet of base material. A panel designed for any of the above noted purposes need not have a reflective surface, at least not a highly reflective surface such as would be required for silver plating. A decorative building panel might be provided with a polished surface, but a roofing panel or a flooring panel which will be covered with carpeting could employ a base material sheet having an unpolished surface texture.
In some situations where the panel is intended to be used in a horizontal position and must support a load, such as for flooring or roofing, it may be necessary to provide additional supporting members within the inner frame member in order to prevent undue bending or excessive strain in the sheet of base material. These additional supporting members can be provided as a plurality of parallel or radial struts and may be secured to the inner frame member by any suitable means. Since the high tension on the sheet of base material would still provide a very substantial proportion of the load supporting capability of the panel, additional supporting strus could be kept to a minimum. | A solar reflecting panel for use with a variety of apparatus for concentrating solar radiation on a close range or distant receiver for producing high temperatures at the receiver in order to commercially utilize the heat energy thereby generated. The solar reflecting panel has a relatively large area, thin, flexible and highly reflective sheet member mounted on a tensioning frame which has an inner frame member capable of withstanding high compressive loads, an outer frame member, and several frame separating devices by which the outer frame member is forcibly urged outwardly relative to the inner frame member. By connecting the sheet reflecting member to the outer frame member, the tensioning frame imposes a high linear tensile strain on the reflecting member so that it is maintained in a substantially planar and highly tensioned condition. | 5 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The term avermectin (referrred to as C-076) is used to describe a series of compounds isolated from the fermentation broth of an avermectin producing strain of Streptomyces avermitilis and derivatives thereof. The morphological characteristics of the culture are completely described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,519. The avermectin compounds are a series of macrolides, each of which is substituted at the 13-position with a 4'-(α-L-oleandrosyl)-α-L-oleandrose group. The avermectin compounds and the instant derivatives thereof have a high degree of anthelmintic and anti-parasitic activity.
The avermectin series of compounds isolated from the fermentation broth have the following structure: ##STR1## wherein R is the 4'-(α-L-oleandrosyl)-α-L-oleardrose group of the structure: ##STR2## and wherein the broken line indicates a single or a double bond; R 1 is hydroxy and is present only when said broken line indicates a single bond;
R 2 is iso-propyl or sec-butyl; and
R 3 is methoxy or hydroxy.
There are eight different major avermectin natural product compounds and they are given the designations A1a, A1b, A2a, A2b, B1a, B1b, B2a and B2b based upon the structure of the individual compounds.
In structural formula Ia above, the individual avermectin compounds are as set forth below wherein the R group is 4'-(α-L-oleandrosyl)-α-L-oleandrose:
______________________________________R.sub.1 R.sub.2 R.sub.3______________________________________A1a Double Bond sec-butyl --OCH.sub.3A1b Double Bond iso-propyl --OCH.sub.3A2a --OH sec-butyl --OCH.sub.3A2B --OH iso-propyl --OCH.sub.3B1a Double Bond sec-butyl --OHB1b Double Bond iso-propyl --OHB2a --OH sec-butyl --OHB2b --OH iso-propyl --OH______________________________________The avermectin compounds are generally isolated as mixtures of a and bcomponents which differ only in the nature of the R.sub.2 substituent.These minor structural differences have been found to have very littleeffect on the isolation procedures, chemical reactivity and biological
Milbemycin compounds are similar to the above avermectin compounds in that the 16-membered macrocyclic ring is present. However, such compounds have no substitution at the 13-position and have a methyl or ethyl group at the 25-position (i.e., the position of the R 2 group in the above structural formula I). To the extent that such milbemycin compounds have hydroxy groups or can be converted to compounds with hydroxy groups which can then be substituted with the instant O-sulfate groups, they are to be construed as being within the ambit of this invention. Such milbemycin compounds and the fermentation conditions used to prepare them are described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,950,360. In addition, 13-deoxyavermectin aglycones are prepared synthetically from the avermectin natural products and are disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,171,134 and 4,173,571. Such compounds are very similar to the milbemycins differing from some of the milbemycins in having an isopropyl or sec butyl rather than a methyl or ethyl group at the 25-position.
U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,682 discloses phosphate esters of avermectin and milbemycin which are stated to have improved water solubility over the parent avermectin and milbemycin compounds and which are useful as anti-parasitic agents and insecticides.
The compounds of the present invention differ from those disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,682 in that the instant compounds have an --SO 3 .sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕ group (defined hereinbelow) instead of the phosphate ester groups of the patent compounds. In addition, the instant compounds have a completely different heteroatom bonded to the averectin skeleton than those of disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,469,682.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The instant invention is directed to O-sulfate derivatives of avermectins and milbemycins having improved water solubility and which are useful as anti-parasitic agents and insecticides.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The O-sulfate derivative avermectin and milbemycin compounds of the invention have the structural formula: ##STR3## wherein: X is ##STR4## R 1 is methyl, ethyl, isoproyl, or sec-butyl; R 2 is hydrogen, methyl, or --SO 3 .sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕ wherein M is a member selected from the Group I elements (i.e., Li, Na, K, Rb, Cs, Fr), the Group II elements (i.e., Be, Mg, Ca, Sr, Ba, Ra) or an ammonium, diloweralkyl ammonium, or pyridinium cation;
R 3 is hydrogen, hydroxy, --OSO 3 .sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕, α-L-oleandrosyloxy, 4'-(O)--SO 3 .sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕ - (α-L-oleandrolsyloxy), 4'-(α-L-oleandrosyl)αL-oleandrosyloxy, 4"-(O)--SO 3 .sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕ -4'- (α-L-oleandrosyl)-α -L-oleandrosyloxy wherein M is as defined above; provided that one of said R 2 or R 3 groups contains said --SO 3 .sup.⊖ M.sup.⊕ or --OSO 3 .sup.⊕ M.sup.⊖ substituents; and,
physiologically acceptable salts thereof.
The term "loweralkyl" when used in the instant application represents those alkyl groups either straight or branched chain which have from 1-6 carbon atoms. Examples of such alkyl groups are methyl, ethyl, propyl, iso-propyl, butyl, sec-butyl, pentyl, and the like.
Preferred Formula III compounds of the instant invention, and their physiologically acceptable salts, are members of the group:
sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin B1a/b;
sodium 4"-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a/b;
sodium 4',5-di-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a/b;
sodium 4",5-di-O-sulfate-avermectin B1a/b;
sodium 4'-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a/b monosaccharide;
sodium 4'-O-sulfate-avermectin B1a/b monosaccharide;
sodium 5-O-sulfate-13-deoxy-22,23-dihydroavermectin B1a/b aglycon;
sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin A1a/b; and,
sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin B2a/b.
The "b" compounds, those with a 25-isopropyl group, are very difficult to separate from the corresponding "a" compound with a 25-sec-butyl group and as such the compounds are generally isolated as mixtures of the two compounds. Thus, references in the instant application to "a" compounds such as B1a, A1a, and the like, are intended to define the pure compound as well as those which actually contain a certain proportion of the corresponding "b" compound. Alternatively, this representation of a mixture is sometimes done by referring to the B1 or B2 compounds or by separating the "a" compound from the "b" compound by a slash (/) such as B1a/B1b, B2a/B2b, and the like.
PREPARATION OF STARTING MATERIALS
The starting materials for the compounds of this invention are the avermectin and milbemycin fermentation products defined above. Thus, it is apparent that additional reactions are required to prepare many of the starting materials for the instant compounds. Specifically, reactions are carried out at the 4', 4", 5, 13, 22, and 23-positions. It is generally preferred to prepare whatever substituents are required at these positions before carrying out the reaction to introduce the O-sulfate on the substrate. Such a procedure generally avoids undesirable side reactions. This technique is not required, however, and if desired other sequences may be used. In addition, during the sulfation reaction, it is sometimes necessary to protect hydroxy groups where reaction is not desired. With the appropriate positions protected, the reactions may be carried out without affecting the remainder of the molecule. Subsequently, the protecting group may be removed and the unprotected product isolated. The protecting group employed is ideally one which may be readily synthesized, will not be affected by the reaction conditions and may be readily removed without affecting any other functions of the molecule. In general, it is not required to protect the sterically hindered C 7 -hydroxy group.
It should be noted that the instant protected compounds are novel and have antiparasitic activity. They are included within the ambit of the instant invention. One preferred type of protecting group for the avermectin and milbemycin type of molecule is the tri-substituted silyl group, preferably the trialkyl silyl group. One especially preferred example, is the t-butyl dimethylsilyl group. The reaction preparing the protected compound is carried out by reacting the hydroxy compound with the appropriately substituted silylhalide, preferably the silylchloride in an aprotic polar solvent such as dimethylformamide. Imidazole is added as a catalyst. The reaction is complete in from 1 to 24 hours at from 0° to 25° C. For the 5-position hydroxy group the reaction is complete in from 1/2 to 3 hours at from 0° C. to room temperature. This reaction is selective to the 5 position under the conditions above described and very little, if any, silylation is observed at other hydroxy substituted positions. If it is desired to protect the 23-hydroxy group a 4", 5,23-tri(phenoxyacetyl) derivative can be prepared. Basic hydrolysis will leave the highy hindered 23-O-substituent but will hydrolize the 5- and 4"-O-phenoxy acetyl groups leaving them available for reaction. The 5-position can be selectively protected as described above with t-butyldimethylsilyl, and the 4" group can be reacted.
The silyl group can be removed after the other contemplated reactions are carried out. The silyl group or groups are removed by stirring the silyl compound in an acetic acid-water mixture. The reaction is complete in about 1 to 12 hours at from 0° to 50° C.
Another of the starting materials used in the foregoing reaction scheme are those in which the 22,23 double bond of the A1 and B1 compounds has been reduced to a single bond. As is readily apparent from an analysis of the structure of avermectin starting materials there are 5 unsaturations in the 1-series of compounds. Thus in the "1" series of compounds it is necessary to reduce the 22,23 double bond while not affecting the remaining four unsaturations or any other functional group present on the molecule in order to selectively prepare the 22,23 dihydro avermectins. It is necessary to select a specific catalyst for the hydrogenation; i.e., one that will selectively hydrogenate the least hindered from among a series of unsaturations. The preferred catalyst for such a selective hydrogenation procedure is one having the formula:
[(Ph.sub.3 P).sub.3 RhY)]
wherein
Ph is phenyl and Y is halogen. The reduction procedure is completely described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,569 to Chabala et al.
Additional reactions which can be carried out to prepare the compounds of this invention are the selective removal of one or both of the α-L-oleandrosyl moieties (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,205 to Mrozik et al.) or the selective acylation of the susceptible hydroxy groups (described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,201,861 to Mrozik et al.).
The reaction conditions which are generally applicable to the preparation of both the monosaccharide and aglycone involve dissolving the avermectin compound or the hydrogenated avermectin compound in an aqueous acidic non-nucleophilic organic solvent, miscible with water, preferably dioxane, tetrahydrofuran, dimethoxyethane, dimethylformamide, bis-2-methoxyethyl ether, and the like, in which the water concentration is from 0.1 to 20% by volume. Concentrated acid is added to the aqueous organic solvent to the extent of 0.01 to 10% by volume. The reaction mixture is generally stirred at about 20°-40° C., preferably at room temperature, for from 6 to 24 hours. The lower concentration of acid, from about 0.01 to 0.1% will predominately produce the monosaccharide under the above reaction conditions. Higher acid concentrations, from about 1 to 10% will predominantly produce the aglycone under the above reaction conditions. Intermediate acid concentrations will generally produce mixtures of monosaccharide and aglycone. The products are isolated, and mixtures are separated by techniques such as column, thin layer preparative and high pressure liquid chromatography, and other known techniques.
The acids which can be employed in the above process include mineral acids and organic acids such as sulfuric, hydrohalic, phosphoric, trifluoroacetic, trifluoro methane sulfonic and the like. The hydrohalic acids are preferably hydrochloric or hydrobromic. The preferred acid in the above process is sulfuric acid.
A further procedure for the preparation of the monosaccharide or aglycone of the avermectin compounds or of the hydrogenated avermectin compounds utilizes a different solvent system for the monosaccharide and the aglycone. The procedure for the preparation of the monosaccharide uses 1% acid by volume in isopropanol at from 20°-40° C., preferably room temperature, for from 6 to 24 hours. For the preparation of the aglycone, 1% acid, by volume, in methanol under the foregoing reaction conditions has been found to be appropriate.
When this procedure is employed on the starting materials containing the 22,23-double bond, there is a possibility of an acid catalyzed addition of the solvent to the double bond. If such occurs, chromatographic purification will remove the by-product in order to allow for further reactions.
The acids listed above are appropriate for this process, and again sulfuric acid is the preferred acid.
The compounds wherein R 3 is hydrogen are prepared from the avermectin starting materials as described hereinbelow. The reaction at the 13-position can generally be carried either before or after the other above described reactions.
The series of reactions at the 13-position commences with the removal of the α-L-oleandrosyl-α-L-oleandrose side chain as described above. The avermectin aglycone compounds are then halogenated with a suitably reactive benzenesulfonyl chloride or bromide in the presence of a base to produce the "13-deoxy-13-halo-avermectin-aglycone" compounds. The halogen is then removed in a reaction with a trialkyltinhydride to produce the "13-deoxyavermectin aglycone compounds." The aglycone compounds are prepared using procedures described above.
The procedures for the preparation of the 13-deoxy compounds are described in detail in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,171,134 and 4,173,571 to Chabala et al.
The 23-hydroxy group is oxidized to the 23-keto group to form the compounds wherein R 1 is ═O, using oxidizing agents such as pyridinium dichromate; oxalylchloride-dimethylsulfoxide; acetic anhydride-dimethylsulfoxide; chromic acid-dimethylpyrazole; chromic acid; trifluoromethylacetic anhydride-dimethylsulfoxide; chromic acid-acetic acid; and the like. Oxalylchloride-dimethylsulfoxide is the preferred oxidizing agent. Suitably protected compounds, as described below, are employed. The reaction is carried out at from dry-ice bath temperatures to room temperature, preferably from dry-ice bath temperatures to 0° C. and is complete in from 1-24 hours. The reaction can be carried out in any solvent in which the starting materials are reasonably soluble, and which will not react with the oxidizing agent. Such solvents as dimethylformamide, dimethylsulfoxide, methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride and the like are acceptable. For pyridinium dichromate reactions, dimethylformamide and dimethylsulfoxide are preferred. For chromic acid-dimethylpyrazole reactions, methylene chloride is preferred. The compounds are isolated from the reaction mixture using procedures known to those skilled in the art.
The novel compounds of this invention have parasiticidal activity as anthelmintics, ectoparasiticides, insecticides and acaricides, in human and animal health and in agriculture.
The disease or group of diseases described generally as helminthiasis is due to infection of an animal host with parasitic worms known as helminths. Helminthiasis is a prevalent and serious economic problem in domesticated animals such as swine, sheep, horses, cattle, goats, dogs, cats and poultry. Among the helminths, the group of worms described as nematodes causes widespread and often times serious infection in various species of animals. The most common genera of nematodes infecting the animals referred to above are Haemonchus, Trichostrongylus, Ostertagia, Nematodirus, Cooperia, Ascaris, Bunostomum, Oesophagostomum, Chabertia, Trichuris, Strongylus, Trichonema, Dictyocaulus, Capillaria, Heterakis, Toxocara, Ascaridia, Oxyuris, Ancylostoma, Uncinaria, Toxascaris and Parascaris. Certain of these, such as Nematodirus, Cooperia and Oesphagostomum attack primarily the intestinal tract while others, such as Haemonchus and Ostertagia, are more prevalent in the stomach while still others such as Dictyocaulus are found in the lungs. Still other parasites may be located in other tissues and organs of the body such as the heart and blood vessels, subcutaneous and lymphatic tissue and the like. The parasitic infections known as helminthiases lead to anemia, malnutrition, weakness, weight loss, severe damage to the walls of the intestinal tract and other tissues and organs and, if left untreated, may result in death of the infected host. The substituted avermectin compounds of this invention have activity against these parasites, and in addition are also active against Dirofilaria in dogs, Namatospiroides, Syphacia, Aspiculuris in rodents, arthropod ectoparasites of animals and birds such as ticks, mites, lice, fleas, blowfly, in sheep Lucilia sp., biting insects and such migrating diperous larvae as Hypoderma sp. cattle, Gastrophilus in horses, and Cuterebra sp. in rodents.
The instant compounds are also useful against parasites which infect humans. The most common genera of parasties of the gastro-intestinal tract of man are Ancylostoma, Necator, Ascaris, Strongyloides, Trichinella, Capillaria, Trichuris, and Enterobius. Other medically important genera of parasites which are found in the blood or other tissues and organs outside the gastrointestinal tract are the filiarial worms such as Wuchereria, Brugia, Onchocerca and Loa, Dracunculus and extra intestinal stages of the intestinal worms Strongyloides and Trichinella. The compounds are also of value against arthropods parasitizing man, biting insects and other dipterous pests causing annoyance to man.
The compounds are also active against household pests such as the cockroach, Blatella sp., clothes moth, Tineola sp., carpet beetle, Attagenus sp., and the housefly Musca domestica.
The compounds are also useful against insect pests of stored grains such as Tribolium sp., Tenebrio sp. and of agricultural plants such as two-spotted spider mites, (Tetranychus sp.), aphids, (Acyrthiosiphon sp.); against migratory orthopterans such as locusts and immature stages of insects living on plant tissue. The compounds are useful as a nematocide for the control of soil nematodes and plant parasites such as Meloidogyne spp. which may be of importance in agriculture. The compounds are active against other plant pests such as the southern army worm and Mexican bean beetle larvae.
These compounds may be administered orally in a unit dosage form such as a capsule, bolus or tablet, or as a liquid drench where used as an anthelmintic in mammals. The drench is normally a solution, suspension or dispersion of the active ingredient usually in water together with a suspending agent such as bentonite and a wetting agent or like excipient. Generally, the drenches also contain an antifoaming agent. Drench formulations generally contains from about 0.001 to 0.5% by weight of the active compound. Preferred drench formulations may contain from 0.01 to 0.1% by weight. The capsules and boluses comprise the active ingredient admixed with a carrier vehicle such as starch, talc, magnesium stearate, or di-calcium phosphate.
Where it is desired to administer the avermectin derivatives in a dry, solid unit dosage form, capsules, boluses or tablets containing the desired amount of active compound usually are employed. These dosage forms are prepared by intimately and uniformly mixing the active ingredient with suitable finely divided diluents, fillers, disintegrating agents and/or binders such as starch, lactose, talc, magnesium stearate, vegetable gums and the like. Such unit dosage formulations may be varied widely with respect to their total weight and content of the antiparasitic agent depending upon factors such as the type of host animal to be treated, the severity and type of infection and the weight of the host.
When the active compound is to be administered via an animal feedstuff, it is intimately dispersed in the feed or used as a top dressing or in the form of pellets which may then be added to the finished feed or optionally fed separately. Alternatively, the antiparasitic compounds of our invention may be administered to animals parenterally, for example, by intraruminal, intramuscular, intratracheal, or subcutaneous injection in which event the active ingredient is dissolved or dispersed in a liquid carrier vehicle. For parenteral administration, the active material is suitably admixed with an acceptable vehicle, preferably of the vegetable oil variety such as peanut oil, cotton seed oil and the like. Other parenteral vehicles such as organic preparation using solketal, glycerol formal, and aqueous parenteral formulations are also used. The active avermectin compound or compounds are dissolved or suspended in the parenteral formulation for administration; such formulations generally contain from 0.005 to 5% by weight of the active compound.
Although the antiparasitic agents of this invention find their primary use in the treatment and/or prevention of helminthiasis, they are also useful in the prevention and treatment of diseases caused by other parasites, for example, arthropod parasites such as ticks, lice, fleas, mites and other biting insects in domesticated animals and poultry. They are also effective in treatment of parasitic diseases that occur in other animals including humans. The optimum amount to be employed for best results will, of course, depend upon the particular compound employed, the species of animal to be treated and the type and severity of parasitic infection or infestation. Generally good results are obtained with our novel compounds by administering about 0.001 to 10 mg of drug per kg of animal body weight, such total dose being given at one time or in divided doses over a relatively short period of time such as 1-5 days. With the preferred compounds of the invention, control of such parasties is obtained in animals by administering from about 0.025 to 1 mg per kg of body weight in a single dose. Repeat treatments are given as required to combat re-infections and are dependent upon the species of parasite and the husbandry techniques being employed. The techniques for administering these materials to animals are known to those skilled in the veterinary field.
When the compounds described herein are administered as a component of the feed of the animals, or dissolved or suspended in the drinking water, compositions are provided in which the active compound or compounds are intimately dispersed in an inert carrier or diluent. An inert carrier is one that will not react with the antiparasitic agent and one that may be administered safely to animals. Preferably, a carrier for feed administration is one that is, or may be, an ingredient of the animal ration.
Suitable compositions include feed premixes or supplements in which the active ingredient is present in relatively large amounts and which are suitable for direct feeding to the animal or for addition to the feed either directly or after an intermediate dilution or blending step. Typical carriers or dilutents suitable for such compositions include, for example, distillers' dried grains, corn meal, citrus meal, fermentation residues, ground oyster shells, wheat shorts, molasses solubles, corn cob meal, edible bean mill feed, soya grits, crushed limestone and the like. The active hydrogenated avermectin compounds are intimately dispersed throughout the carrier by methods such as grinding, stirring, milling or tumbling. Compositions containing from about 0.005 to 2.0% by weight of the active compound are particularly suitable as feed premixes. Feed supplements, which are fed directly to the animal, contain from about 0.0002 to 0.3% by weight of the active compounds.
Such supplements are added to the animal feed in an amount to give the finished feed the concentration of active compound desired for the treatment and control of parastic diseases. Although the desired concentration of active compound will vary depending upon the factors previously mentioned as well as upon the particular avermectin derivative employed, the compounds of this invention are usually fed at concentrations of between 0.00001 to 0.002% in the feed in order to achieve the desired antiparasitic result.
The avermectin compounds of this invention are also useful in combatting agricultural pests that inflict damage upon crops while they are growing or while in storage. The compounds are applied using known techniques as sprays, dusts, emulsions and the like, to the growing or stored crops to effect protection from such agricultural pests.
In using the compounds of this invention, the individual substituted avermectin components may be prepared and used in that form. Alternatively, mixtures of two or more of the individual avermectin components may be used, as well as mixtures of the parent avermectin compounds, other avermectin compounds or other active compounds not related to avermectin, with the compounds of this invention.
In the isolation of the avermectin compounds, which serve as starting materials for the instant proceses, from the fermentation broth, the various avermectin compounds will be found to have been prepared in unequal amounts. In particular an "a" series compound will be prepared in a higher proportion than the corresponding "b" series compound. The difference between the "a" series and "b" series is constant throughout the avermectin compounds and consists of a sec-butyl group and an iso-propyl group respectively at the 25 position. This difference, of course, does not interfere with any of the instant reactions. In particular it may not be necessary to separate the "b" components from the related "a" component. Separation of these closely related compounds is generally not practiced since the "b" compound is present only in a very small percent by weight, and the structural difference has negligible effect on the reaction processes and biological activities.
In particular it has been found that the starting materials for the compounds of this invention are very often prepared in a ratio of about 80% avermectin B1a or A1a and 20% avermectin B1b or A1b. Thus the preferred composition of this invention is one which contains about 80% of the "a" component and 20% of the "b" component.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Preparation of the O-sulfate avermectin and milbemycin derivative compounds of the invention is illustrated in the following Reaction Scheme for 4"-(O)--SO 3 .sup.⊖ Na.sup.⊕ -22,23-dihydroavermectin B. ##STR5##
The protected avermectin derivative (one equivalent) is dissolved in dry N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF). Four equivalents of dry pyridine is added to this mixture followed by the slow addition of a solution of two equivalents of sulfur trioxidepyridine complex in DMF. The reaction is conveniently monitored by HPLC on a reverse phase column using a solvent system consisting of acetonitrile and a tetra-n-butylammonium phosphate buffer. If the reaction has not gone to completion at this point, additional quantities of pyridine and the sulfating reagent may be added until HPLC indicates that all or most of the starting avermectin derivative has been consumed.
The reaction mixture is then added to water and the pH of the resulting solution adjusted to near neutrality with an aqueous sodium hydroxide solution. The 5-silyl protecting group can then be removed in an acetic acid-water solvent system and the resulting product purified on HP-20 resin to give the desired sulfated avermectin derivative.
The other derivatives are prepared under similar conditions.
The following examples are provided in order to more fully describe the present invention and are not to be construed as limitative of the invention.
The substituted avermectin derivatives prepared in the following examples are generally isolated as solids. They are characterized analytically using techniques such as mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance, and the like. The compounds are not characterized by sharp melting points; however, the chromatographic and analytical methods employed indicate that the compounds are pure.
In the following examples, the various starting materials therefore are avermectin compounds or derivatives of avermectin compounds. The avermectin compounds and the preparation and isolation thereof from fermentation broths are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,310,519. The selective 22,23-dihydro derivatives of avermectin compounds are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,199,569. The aglycone and monosaccharide derivatives of avermectin compounds are described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,206,205.
EXAMPLE 1
Sodium 4"-O-Sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1
To a solution of 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 (197 mg, 0.2 mmol) and pyridine (65 μl, 0.8 mmol) in 5 ml of dry N,N-dimethylformamide (DMF), a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (64 mg) in 0.75 ml of DMF was added slowly over ten minutes under a nitrogen atmosphere. The reaction was conveniently monitored by HPLC on a reverse phase (RP-18) analytical column [Whatman ODS-3, 65-80% gradient, acetonitrile/0.005M tetra-n-butylammonium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 44° C.]. The reaction mixture was stirred for 3 hours and then diluted with 40 ml of water. The pH of the resulting solution was adjusted to 7.75 with 0.1N sodium hydroxide solution. The solution was then carefully concentrated under reduced pressure and the residue dried on a vacuum pump overnight. The residue was suspended in methanol and the resulting solid sodium sulfate removed by centrifugation. The methanolic solution was concentrated to give 200 mg of sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 , m.p. 188° (dec). The 1 H NMR spectrum (CD 3 OD) of the product showed a downfield shift of approximately 1 ppm for the 4"-hydrogen when compared with the 4" -hydrogen in 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 . The product also exhibited additional spectroscopic data (UV, mass spectrum-FAB) consistent with its structure.
Microanalysis: Calc'd. for C 54 H 87 O 17 SSiNa-0.5H 2 O: C, 58.94; H, 8.06; S, 2.91. Found: C, 58.79; H, 7.96; S, 2.89.
EXAMPLE 2
Sodium 4"-O-Sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1
A solution of sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tertbutyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 (120 mg) in 25 ml of an acetic acid-water mixture (30:70) was stirred at room temperature for 5.5 hours. The reaction mixture was then carefully concentrated and dried under reduced pressure overnight. HPLC analysis indicated the desired product plus <2% of 22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 monosaccharide. The crude product was dissolved in 30 ml of water and the pH adjusted to neutrality. The solution was then chromatographed on a HP-20 column (40 ml of resin). The column was eluted with aqueous solvents in the following order: water (200 ml), 1:1 MeOH/H 2 O (300 ml), and then 3:1 MeOH/H 2 O. The fractions were analyzed by HPLC and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give 77.5 mg of pure sodium 4"-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 . The product exhibited characteristic 1 H NMR and mass spectroscopy (FAB) data.
Microanalysis: Calc'd. for C 48 H 73 O 17 SNa: C, 59.00; H, 7.53; S, 3.28. Found: C, 58.86; H, 7.56; S, 3.28.
EXAMPLE 3
Sodium 4",5-di-O-Sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1
To a solution of dried 22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 (175 mg) and pyridine (97 μl) in 5 ml of dry DMF, a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex 95.6 mg, in 1 ml of DMF was slowly added over 20 minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred for an additional two hours prior to dilution with water (40 ml). The pH of this solution was then adjusted to 7.25 with 0.1N sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction mixture was carefully concentrated under vacuum (caution: foamy). The residue was suspended in methanol and the solid sodium sulfate removed by centrifugation. The methanolic fraction was concentrated to give 231 mg of crude product which was then chromatographed on a HP-20 column (50 ml of resin). The column was eluted with various aqueous-methanol mixtures (0% to 100% methanol). The fractions were analyzed by HPLC and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give 211 mg (98%) of sodium 4",5-di-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 . The 1 H NMR spectrum (CD 3 OD) of the product showed a characteristic downfield shift for the 4"-hydrogen and the 5-hydrogen when compared with the spectrum for 22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 .
Microanalysis: Calc'd. for C 48 H 72 O 20 S 2 Na 2 : C, 53.42; H, 6.73; S, 5.94. Found: C, 53.18; H, 6.69; S, 5.89.
EXAMPLE 4
Sodium 4"-O-Sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-avermectin B 1
To a solution of 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 1 (197 mg) and pyridine (63 mg) in 5 ml of dry DMF under nitrogen, a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (64 mg, 0.4 mmol) in 0.5 ml of DMF was slowly added via syringe over ten minutes. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours and then diluted with 40 ml of H 2 O. The pH of this solution was adjusted from 4.35 to 7.35 with 0.1N sodium hydroxide solution. The reaction mixture was then concentrated (in vacuo) and the residue dried overnight. The residue was partitioned in methanol and the insoluble sodium sulfate removed by centrifugation. The methanolic fraction was concentrated to afford 192 mg of product. Spectroscopic data ( 1 H NMR UV, mass spectrum-FAB) was consistent with the assigned structure.
EXAMPLE 5
Sodium 4"-O-Sulfate-avermectin B 1
A solution of sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 1 (172 mg) in 25 ml of an acetic acid-water mixture (30:70) was stirred at ambient temperature for 6.5 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and dried under vacuum overnight. The residue was dissolved in 30 ml of water and the pH of the solution adjusted to 7.0 with 0.1N NaOH. This solution was then chromatographed on a HP-20 column (40 ml of resin). The column was eluted with various methanol-water mixtures (0%, 30%, 50%, 75%, 100% methanol). The fractions were analyzed by HPLC [Whatman ODS-3 RP-18 column, 45-65% gradient, acetonitrile/0.005M tetra-n-butylammonium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 44° C.] and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give 120 mg (78%) of pure sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin B 1 . The 1 H NMR spectrum (CD 3 OD) exhibited the characteristic downfield shift for the 4" -hydrogen (δ4.0). The UV and mass spectral (FAB) data were also in agreement with the structure.
Microanalysis: Calc'd. for C 48 H 71 O 17 SNa.3H 2 O: C, 56.01; H, 7.54; S, 3.12. Found: C, 56.05; H, 7.22; S, 2.98.
EXAMPLE 6
Sodium 4",5-di-O-Sulfate-avermectin B 1
A solution of avermectin B 1 (175 mg) and pyridine (96 mg) in 5 ml of DMF can be slowly treated with a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (96 mg) in 1 ml of DMF and the reaction permitted to stir under nitrogen until HPLC indicates the reaction has gone to completion. (If necessary, additional sulfating reagent can be added.) The reaction mixture can then be diluted with water (40 ml) and the pH adjusted to near neutrality with 0.1N NaOH. Careful concentration of the reaction mixture under vacuum can afford a solid residue which can then be suspended in methanol and the insoluble inorganic salts removed by centrifugation. The methanolic solution can be concentrated and the crude product chromatographed on HP-20 resin. Elution with various methanol-water mixtures will afford sodium 4",5-di-O-sulfate-avermectin B 1 .
EXAMPLE 7
Sodium 4'-O-Sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 Monosaccharide
To a solution of 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 monosaccharide (169 mg) and pyridine (63 mg) in 5 ml of dry DMF, a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (64 mg) in 1 ml of dry DMF was slowly added under a nitrogen atmosphere. Reaction was monitored by HPLC and an additional 20 mg of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex was required to complete the reaction. The reaction mixture was stirred for 2.5 hours and then diluted with water (40 ml). The pH of the solution was adjusted with 0.1N NaOH to 7.0 and then carefully concentrated under vacuum. The residue was suspended in methanol and the insoluble sodium sulfate removed by centrifugation. The methanolic solution was concentrated to give 195 mg of sodium 4'-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 monosaccharide. Mass spectral examination (FAB) revealed a molecular ion at 924 (M-Na). 1 H NMR indicated that the 4'-hydrogen had shifted downfield to δ4.1.
Microanalysis: Calc'd. for C 47 H 75 O 14 SSiNa-H 2 O: C, 58.48; H, 8.04; S, 3.32. Found: C, 58.51; H, 7.97; S, 3.29.
EXAMPLE 8
Sodium 4'-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 Monosaccharide
A solution of sodium 4'-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 monosaccharide (169 mg) in 25 ml of an acetic acid-water mixture (30:70) was stirred at ambient temperature for 6 hours. The reaction mixture was concentrated and the residue dried overnight. The crude product was dissolved in 30 ml of water and the pH adjusted to 7.5 with 0.1N sodium hydroxide. This aqueous solution was then placed on a HP-20 (50 ml of resin) column. The column was then eluted with various methanol-water mixtures (0%, 30%, 50%, 75%, 100% methanol). The fractions were analyzed by HPLC (same conditions as in Example 5) and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give 129 mg (87%) of sodium 4'-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 monosaccharide. Mass spectral analysis (FAB) indicated a molecular ion at 809 (M-Na).
Microanalysis: Calc'd. for C 41 H 61 O 14 SNa: C, 59.11; H, 7.38; S, 3.85. Found: C, 58.41; H, 7.29; S, 3.74.
EXAMPLE 9
Sodium 4'-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-avermectin B 1 Monosaccharide
To a solution of 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 1 monosaccharide (168 mg) and pyridine (63 mg) in 5 ml of dry DMF, a solution of sulfur trioxide pyridine complex (64 mg) in 1 ml of DMF can be slowly added. The reaction mixture can then be stirred under nitrogen until HPLC indicates complete reaction. Additional reagent may be required to complete the reaction. The mixture can then be diluted with water (40 ml) and the pH of the resulting aqueous solution adjusted to 7.0 with dilute sodium hydroxide. The reaction mixture can then be carefully concentrated under vacuum and the remaining residue suspended in methanol. The insoluble inorganic salts can be removed by centrifugation. The methanolic solution can be concentrated to give sodium 4'-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-avermectin B 1 monosaccharide.
EXAMPLE 10
Sodium 4'-O-sulfate-avermectin B 1 Monosaccharide
A solution of sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 1 monosaccharide (85 mg) in 15 ml of a 30:70 acetic acid-water mixture can be stirred for approximately 6 hours. The reaction mixture can be carefully concentrated and the residue dried overnight under vacuum. The crude product can then be dissolved in 20 ml of water and the pH adjusted to neutrality with 0.1N sodium hydroxide. This aqueous solution can then be added to a HP-20 column (30 ml of resin). The column can then be eluted with various methanol-water mixtures ranging from 0% to 100% methanol. The fractions can be analyzed by HPLC and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give pure 4'-O-sulfate-avermectin B 1 monosaccharide.
EXAMPLE 11
Sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin A 1
To a solution of 175 mg of avermectin A 1 and 95 mg of pyridine in 5 ml of dry pyridine under nitrogen, a solution of sulfur trioxide-DMF complex (95 mg) in 1 ml of DMF can be slowly added via a syringe. The reaction mixture can then be stirred until HPLC indicates complete reaction. The mixture can then be diluted with water (40 ml) and the pH of the resulting solution adjusted to 7.0 with dilute base (NaOH). The reaction mixture can then be concentrated and the solid residue suspended in methanol. The insoluble inorganic salts can be collected by means of centrifugation. The methanolic fraction can be concentrated and the residue dissolved in water and chromatographed on HP-20 resin (40 ml). Elution with methanol-water mixtures would yield pure sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin A 1 .
EXAMPLE 12
Sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-avermectin B 2
To a solution of 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 2 (200 mg) and pyridine (65 μl ) in 5 ml of dry DMF, a solution of sulfur trioxidepyridine complex (64 mg) in 1 ml of DMF can be slowly added. The reaction can be stirred at ambient temperature until HPLC indicates complete reaction. (Additional sulfating reagent can be added if necessary). The reaction mixture can then be diluted with water (40 ml) and the pH of the resulting solution adjusted to near neurality with 0.1N sodium hydroxide. The solution can then be carefully concentrated to dryness. The residue can be suspended in methanol and the inorganic salts separated by centrifugation. The methanolic solution can then be concentrated to give sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 2 .
EXAMPLE 13
Sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin B 2
A solution of sodium 4"-O-sulfate-5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)avermectin B 2 (120 mg) in 25 ml of a 30:70 acetic acid:water mixture can be stirred until complete deblocking has been effected. The reaction mixture can be concentrated and redissolved in water. The pH of this solution can be adjusted to 7.0 with 0.1N NaOH and the solution then added to a HP-20 column (40 ml). The column can then be eluted with various methanol-water mixtures (0%, 30%, 50%, 75%, 100% methanol). The fractions can be analyzed by HPLC and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give sodium 4"-O-sulfate-avermectin B 2 .
EXAMPLE 14
Sodium 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-13-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 Aglycon
To a solution of 65.5 mg of 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 aglycon and 30 μl of pyridine in 2.5 ml of dry DMF, a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (30 mg) in 0.5 ml of DMF can be added slowly under nitrogen. The reaction mixture can then be stirred until HPLC indicates near complete reaction. The mixture can then be diluted with water (25 ml) and the pH adjusted to near neutrality with 0.1N sodium hydroxide. The reaction mixture can be concentrated under vacuum and the residue partially suspended in methanol. The inorganic salts can be removed by centrifugation and the methanolic portion concentrated to give the product.
EXAMPLE 15
Sodium 13-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 Aglycon
A solution of sodium 5-O-(tert-butyldimethylsilyl)-13-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 aglycon (60 mg) in 15 ml of an acetic acid-water mixture (30:70) can be stirred at room temperature for 6 hours. The reaction mixture can then be concentrated under vacuum and the resulting residue dissolved in 15 ml of water and the pH adjusted to 7.0 with 0.1N NaOH. The aqueous solution can then be added to a HP-20 column (30 ml of resin) and the column eluted with various methanol-water mixtures. The fractions can be analyzed by HPLC and the appropriate fractions concentrated to give pure sodium 13-O-sulfate-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 aglycon.
EXAMPLE 16
Sodium 5-O-sulfate-13-Deoxy-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 Aglycon
To a solution of 53.4 mg of 13-deoxy-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 aglycon [H. Mrozik, et al., Tetrahedron Lett., 24, 533 (1983)] and 30 μl of pyridine in 2.5 ml of dry DMF, a solution of sulfur trioxide-pyridine complex (30 mg) in 0.5 ml of DMF was added slowly via syringe under nitrogen. Reaction mixture was stirred for 2 hours and then diluted with 25 ml of water. The pH of the solution was adjusted to 7.0 with 0.1N NaOH and then carefully concentrated under vacuum. The residue was suspended in methanol and the insoluble salts removed by centrifugation. The methanolic solution was concentrated to give 49 mg of crude product. This material was redissolved in water (25 ml) and added to a HP-20 column (40 ml of resin). The column was then eluted with various methanol-water mixtures (0%, 30%, 50%, 75% methanol). The fractions were analyzed by HPLC [Whatman ODS-3 RP-18 column, 50% acetonitrile/0.005M tetra-n-butylammonium phosphate buffer (pH 7.0), 44° C., 2 ml/minute, retention time=13 minutes] and the appropriate fractions combined and concentrated to give 34.1 mg of sodium 5-O-sulfate-13-deoxy-22,23-dihydroavermectin B 1 aglycon. The 1 H NMR spectrum (CD 3 OD) of this product exhibited the characteristic downfield shift of the C 5 -hydrogen to δ5.05 from δ4.28. The product also exhibited mass spectral and UV data consistent with its structure. | There are disclosed novel O-sulfate derivatives of avermectin and milbemycin. The avermectin and milbemycin O-sulfate derivatives have improved water solubility compared to the parent avermectin and milbemycin compounds and have utility as anti-parasitic agents and as potent insecticides against agricultural pests. | 2 |
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to boat mounted hunting blinds and more particularly to a collapsible frame for such blinds having a universal mount adapted for mounting and dismounting rapidly on various type of small boats.
Although it is well known in the art to provide hunting blinds for stationary and boat mounted use, the known blinds are difficult to set up and disassemble. Permanent type blinds have numerous disadvantages, not the least of which is that it makes navigation of the boat difficult. One such rigid blind is illustrated in Sutherland U.S. Pat. No. 4,070,722. This problem has been recognized in the prior art and numerous solutions have been proposed.
In the known proposals, as exemplified in Gillen, et al U.S. Pat. No. 4,106,145; Hinz U.S. Pat. No. 4,239,247 and Anderson U.S. Pat. No. 4,300,253, the frame of the blind is attached to the boat by means requiring a physical modification of the boat such as the drilling of holes for receiving bolts. Moreover, except for Gillen, et al, the structure of the prior art proposals are not widely adaptable to different boats without requiring modification. In Gillen, et al a set of hinge plates must be fixedly secured to the gunwale of the boat. The hinge plates pivotably carry the structural framing of the blind which is held in position by stop pins in fixed locations and the plates are such that they would not be easily angularly adjustable to different types of gunwales on the various types of boats. Gunwales, which are at the top of the sides of the boat, have various shapes and configurations for boats of various designs. In some cases they are flat, while for other boats they may have a circular bead or other cross-sectional configuration. Moreover, the sides and thus the gunwales of some boats are upright and planar while on other boats they may be inclined relative to the port and starboard side of the boat and may pitch in the longitudinal direction toward the bow and/or the stern of the boat.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Consequently, it is a primary object of the present invention to provide a blind having a collapsible frame including a universal mount which may be readily mounted on and disassembled from various types of boats.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a collapsible frame for a blind for mounting on boats having gunwales of various configurations, the frame having a universal mount adapted to be clamped to a side of the boat while straddling the gunwale.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a blind having a collapsible frame including a universal mount which may be readily mounted on and disassembled from various types of boats, the mount being adapted for clamping to a side of the boat and having frame carrying members adjustable about three axes.
Accordingly, the present invention provides collapsible frame structure for supporting the covering of a hunting blind on a boat, the frame structure including a pair of laterally adjustable U-shape tubular frame members hingedly connected together and at least one of the tubular members being carried by universal mounts clamped at opposite sides of the boat. The mounts include a C-shape clamp removeably clamped to each side wall of the boat and straddling the gunwale of the boat sides, a first bracket member pivotably carried by each clamp for movement about a first axis generally extending horizontally in the longitudinal direction of the boat, a second bracket member pivotably carried by the first bracket member for movement about a second axis extending substantially normal to the first axis, and means for securing each end of at least one of the tubular frame members to the second bracket member for pivotable movement about a third axis extending substantially normal to the second axis so that the frame member may be moved relative to the mounts about the third axis. Thus, all the ends of the frame members may be positioned in alignment with the top of the gunwale. The other tubular frame member may merely include abutment members at the ends thereof for resting on the top of the gunwale spaced from the mounts, the location of the abutment members on the gunwales and thus the vertical height of the tubular members above the gunwale being determined by tie means attached to the central portion of the tubular members.
In the specific form of the invention the first bracket member may be pivotably hinged to the clamp at various locations for providing additional adjustability for the structure. Each of the first and second bracket members preferably comprises an L-shape member so that one leg of the second bracket member rests on and is pivotable relative to a leg of the first bracket member, the other legs of the bracket members being pivotable about studs disposed through the clamp and the end of the frame member respectively.
The present invention provides a universal mount having articulating members which adapt the frame of the blind to be mounted on the known sports boats in a matter of minutes and to be removed in a similar time. The covering for the blind is fastened to the central portion of the tubular frame members and is draped about the boat once the frame is installed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The particular features and advantages of the invention as well as other objects will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a sport boat incorporating a blind embodying the principles of the present invention, the blind being disposed in the operative position;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 1 but with the covering removed to show the underlying frame structure of the blind;
FIG. 3 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view taken through one side and gunwale of the boat in FIG. 2 illustrating the details of the universal mount of the present invention for mounting the ends of one frame member;
FIG. 4 is a fragmentary perspective view of the detailed portion of FIG. 3 but with portions of the mount rotated from their position in FIG. 3;
FIG. 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of the detail of the abutment for supporting another frame member of the frame of the blind; and
FIGS. 6 through 9 are diagrammatic depictions of variations in mounting the framework of the blind for collapsing the blind to various dispositions within a boat.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Referring to the drawings, FIG. 1 illustrates a boat 10 almost totally concealed by the covering 12 of a blind generally designated at 14. As is known in the art the covering 12 should comprise a camouflage patterned material which may have cuts, incising or openings (not illustrated) so that one or more hunters in the boat may peer out and extend their weapons. The boat 10 may be of any conventional design used for various water sports, and may comprise any of the conventional materials, the boat illustrated being of the aluminum type and thus the sidewalls 16 generally have a gunwale 18 including a bead or circular cross-section as illustrated in FIG. 3. However, it should be understood that the present invention is adapted for use with other gunwales such as those which are of a Tee-shape, a straight flat shape or any of the fancy molding-type shapes which boat manufacturers utilize.
The covering 12 is supported on a structural framework such as illustrated generally at 20, the specific disposition of the framework and the number of individual framework supports being dependent upon the length of the boat and the preferences of the sportsman using the boat, variations of these being illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 6 through 9 to which further reference will be made. In each of these arrangements the structure for one complete set of such framework includes first and second substantially U-shaped tubular members 22, 24 each of which comprises a pair of arms 26, 28, one at each respective side of the boat, interconnected by a cross bar 30. Preferably the arms 26, 28 are bent at the ends adjacent the cross bar and are connected to the cross bar by sleeve members 32 which act as telescoping connectors, each sleeve 32 receiving one end of the cross bar 30 and one end of one of the arms 26 or 28 respectively. Thus, the cross bar 30 is telescopically adjustable between the arms 26, 28 for variations in boat widths. The arms 26 are pivotably connected together by a hinge member 34 at a point intermediate the respective ends for folding one relative to the other, and in a similar manner the arms 28 are connected by a hinge member 36, the location of the hinges 34 and 36 being substantially the same on both sets of arms 26, 28.
The lower end of the arms 26, 28 of at least one of the U-shape members 22, 24, e.g., member 22 in FIG. 2 is connected to the respective side of the boat by a universal mount 38 constructed in accordance with the invention and which is best illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 at a substantially enlarged scale. The ends of the arms 26, 28 of the other U-shape member, e.g., member 24, may also be connected by a mount 38 but, for cost effectiveness, and ease of use, it is preferred that a mere abutment structure 40 as best illustrated in FIG. 5 be utilized.
Referring to FIGS. 3 and 4, the universal mount 38 comprises a clamp 42 of a C-shape frame configuration and a threaded rod 44 adjustably received within a tapped boss 46 at one end of the clamp, the rod 44 having a pressure plate 48 at one end and a manually turnable crank 50 at the other end. The pressure plate 48 acts in conjunction with an anvil 52 at the end of the clamp remote from the boss 46. Thus, the clamp 42 may be a conventional off-the-shelf C-clamp which when connected to the boat sandwiches the side wall 16 between the plate 48 and the anvil 52 while the web 54 of the clamp straddles or spans the top of the gunwale 18. The web 54 includes one bore 56 at the central portion thereof, and preferably includes two more such bores 58, 60 adjacent respective ends thereof for selective use. Disposed within a selective one of the bores, such as 56 in FIG. 3 or 60 in FIG. 4, is a journal member 62 which may be a small bolt which first passes through and supports one leg 64 of an L-shape bracket 66 for pivotable movement on the member 62. The head of the bolt and a lock nut 68 on the end of the bolt attach the leg 64 of the bracket 66 to the clamp 42 while permitting pivotal movement of the bracket. The other leg 69 of the bracket 66 extends away from the web 54 of the clamp and has a bore through which another journal bolt 70 extends, the bolt 70 first passing through a leg 72 of a second L-shape bracket 74 to secure the brackets 66 and 74 together while permitting the bracket 74 to pivot relative to the bracket 66. The other leg 76 of the bracket 74 extends away from the bracket 66 and receives a bolt 78 which pivotably supports either the end of the respective arms 26, 28 directly or a sleeve 80 on its central portion adjacent the side of the leg 76 remote from the leg 72. If sleeve 80 is utilized, it receives and acts as a socket for a respective arm 26, 28 of the tubular member 22.
Since the bracket 66 may pivot about the substantially horizontal axis of the journal 62, and the bracket 76 may pivot about the axis of the bolt 70 which is substantially normal to the axis of journal 62, and further since the sleeve 80 may pivot about the axis of bolt 78, the latter axis being substantially normal to the axis of bolt 70, the axis of the sleeve 80 or the ends of the arms 26, 28 themselves may be adjustably positioned in a variety of dispositions. Coupled with the three holes 56, 58, and 60 in the web of the clamp, the clamp and the articulating members provide for a universal number of dispositions for supporting the tubular member 22.
As aforesaid, the ends of the arms 26, 28 of the tubular member 24 may be likewise supported by a universal mount, but it is preferred that the ends of those arms incude a Tee-connector 82 which merely abuts and rests upon the gunwale as illustrated in FIG. 5. This permits rapid folding of the framework 20. To preclude slipping of the tubular member 24 relative to member 22, tie means 84 in the form of straps or the like may be connected between the respective cross bars 30. A plurality of ropes, wires or the like 86 at the ends of the bow and stern of the boat act together with the framework to support the covering 12 which may be fastened to the cross bars 30 and drape over the ropes 86 and over the sides and ends of the boat.
To install the apparatus on a boat the clamps 38 need only be clamped to the side walls overlying the gunwales and the ends of the arms 26, 28 or the sleeves 80 articulated so as to overlay the gunwale and being in a disposition for receiving the respective arms 26, 28. The Tee-connectors 82 are positioned on the gunwale spaced from the clamps 38 and the straps 84 are adjusted for the desired height of the structure. When the framework is to be folded, the tubular members 24 and 26 are pivoted in the direction toward the clamps 38 and away from the Tee-connectors 86. Thus, a number of variations in mounting are possible.
In FIG. 2 there is illustrated a mounting where two sets of framework are utilized and both are pivoted toward the bow or front of the boat, that being the right end as viewed in FIG. 2. In FIG. 6 a single frame structure is depicted which is pivotable toward the bow. In FIGS. 7 through 9 two sets of framework are utilized which are pivotable toward the stern or rear of the boat in FIG. 7, while both are pivotable toward the center and away from both the bow and stern in FIG. 8. In FIG. 9 the framework is pivotable such that one set pivots toward the bow and the other toward the stern. The direction of folding is illustrated in FIG. 6 through 9 by the directional arrows.
Numerous alterations of the structure herein disclosed will suggest themselves to those skilled in the art. However, it is to be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiment of the invention which is for purposes of illustration only and not to be construed as a limitation of the invention. All such modifications which do not depart from the spirit of the invention are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. | A collapsible frame structure for supporting the covering of a hunting blind on a boat, the frame structure including a pair of laterally adjustable U-shaped tubular frame members hingedly connected together. At least one of the tubular members being connected to, or received within a socket of a universal mount at each side of the boat. The socket is pivotably mounted on articulating brackets pivotably carried by a C-shaped clamp removeably clamped to each side wall of the boat and spanning the gunwales. The other of the tubular members includes members at the end thereof for abutting the gunwales spaced from the clamps. With this construction the tubualar frame members and thus the blind are readily collapsible and may be mounted and dismounted in a matter of minutes. | 1 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates generally to digital communication receivers, and more particularly, to techniques for addressing Intersymbol Interference in such digital communication receivers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Differential detection techniques are used in many receivers, such as Personal Handy Phone System (PHS) digital receiver systems. The performance of such differential detection techniques, however, is limited by Intersymbol Interference (ISI) from the operating environment. For wireless channels that exhibit strong ISI, equalization based techniques, such as Decision Feedback Equalization (DFE) techniques, are used instead to improve system performance. For channels where there is only mild ISI, however, equalization is unnecessarily computationally intensive.
[0003] In fact, for those channels where the ISI is mild, the performance of the equalizer based receiver is not improved by the equalization technique (relative to a differential detection technique) and the performance might even be degraded. In addition, an equalization based receiver is generally more computationally intensive, usually requiring more MIPS (million instructions per second) for the more complex signal processing algorithms, and hence consumes more power (thereby shortening the battery life of the receiver).
[0004] While the above-described equalization and differential detection methods each perform in a satisfactory manner under appropriate conditions, a need exists for a detection method that demonstrates improved performance in any communication environment and is more resilient to ISI without unnecessarily consuming additional power.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] Generally, methods and apparatus are provided for processing a signal received on a channel. The intersymbol interference on the channel is initially evaluated and a detection method is selected from a plurality of available detection methods based on the intersymbol interference evaluation. For example, the plurality of available detection methods may include a differential detection technique and an equalization-based technique. The equalization technique may be, for example, a decision feedback equalization technique. The intersymbol interference evaluation may comprise, for example, a comparison of the signal to noise ratio at an output of a differential detector for at least a portion of a frame to a predefined threshold.
[0006] A more complete understanding of the present invention, as well as further features and advantages of the present invention, will be obtained by reference to the following detailed description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a receiver incorporating features of the present invention;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the differential detection subsystem of FIG. 1 in further detail;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the equalization subsystem of FIG. 1 in further detail; and
[0010] FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing an exemplary implementation of the methods of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0011] The present invention recognizes that a differential detection based receiver can work very well for the channels where the ISI is mild, while an equalization based receiver system can attain high performance for the channels with serious ISI. According to one aspect of the present invention, a receiver selectively applies either the differential detection or equalization technique, based on ISI conditions. In this manner, the appropriate detection technique is applied based on channel conditions, without unnecessarily consuming battery power.
[0012] Generally, the present invention characterizes the operating environment into at least two categories based on an assessment of ISI. A first operating environment category is characterized by a mild ISI environment, where the differential detection based receiver performs well, thereby consuming less power. A second operating environment category is characterized by a more severe ISI environment, where the equalizer based receiver would provide improved performance (and warrants the increased battery consumption). The differential detection based receiver or the equalization based receiver is then selected based upon the operating environment that has been identified. The disclosed approach enables a receiver to take advantage of both the differential detection and equalization approaches, as needed, and hence can significantly improve and overcome the issue of jitter in PHS receiver system performance while reducing power consumption.
[0013] As previously indicated, the present invention first identifies the operating environment, based on the associated ISI. Thereafter, the differential detection based receiver or the equalization based receiver is enabled based upon the operating environment assessment. FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of a receiver 100 incorporating features of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1 , the received RF signal is first demodulated into I and Q baseband components by a demodulator 110 . These I and Q signals are then each sampled by respective Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) 120 -I, 120 -Q with a sampling rate equal to twice the symbol rate. The resulting digitized baseband signals I k , Q k are fed to a carrier detection measurement procedure 130 and an ISI measurement procedure 140 , in a well-known manner.
[0014] For a more detailed discussion of the demodulation, sampling and carrier detection aspects of a conventional receiver, see, for example, Theodore Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice (2001), incorporated by reference herein.
[0015] As shown in FIG. 1 , the exemplary receiver 100 includes a switch 145 that selectively enables a differential detection based receiver subsystem 200 , discussed further below in conjunction with FIG. 2 , to further process the signals; or enables an equalization based receiver subsystem 300 , discussed further below in conjunction with FIG. 3 , for further processing. As previously indicated, the switch 145 enables the appropriate detection method 200 , 300 , based on the ISI measurement performed at stage 140 , relative to a specified threshold. Following the selected detection method 200 , 300 , de-encryption, de-scrambling, CRC check and bit packing are performed at stage 150 .
[0016] In one exemplary implementation, the ISI is evaluated at stage 140 by applying the differential detector 200 on some portion of the frame, such as the preamble and a unique word having predefined values. The signal to noise ratio (SNR) at the output of this detector 200 can be compared to a threshold to provide a reliable indicator of whether the differential detector 200 is adequate for detection. An SNR above the threshold indicates a low level of ISI, for which equalization is not required, while a SNR below the threshold indicates a high level of ISI for which equalization will give a significant improvement in performance, justifying the extra signal processing power.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the differential detection subsystem 200 of FIG. 1 in further detail. As shown in FIG. 2 , the input signals are further over sampled by a factor of 4 via interpolation at stage 210 and the resulting samples are then applied to a synchronizer 220 where the optimal symbol rate sampling phase is found (in order to synchronize the received frame). The signals are then down sampled at stage 230 back to the symbol rate at this optimal phase. Thereafter, differential detection and de-mapping are performed at state 240 to generate the bit streams which will be further processed with de-encryption (if necessary), de-scrambling, CRC and bit packing (stage 150 , FIG. 1 ) to get final results.
[0018] For a more detailed discussion of suitable differential detection techniques, see, for example, Theodore Rappaport, Wireless Communications: Principles and Practice, Ch. 6 (2001), or U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______, filed contemporaneously herewith, entitled “Method and Apparatus for Compensation of Doppler Induced Carrier Frequency Offset in a Digital Receiver System,” incorporated by reference herein.
[0019] It is noted that the synchronizer 220 is a correlation calculator for each phase of the symbol, plus a trace-back check to find the real optimal phase information. The reason for use of the trace-back check is that although the point of maximal value of the correlation among all phases is an effective estimate of the optimal phase, this estimate can have error due to the impairments of the operating environment. In order to get the refined estimate of the optimal phase, the trace-back check is carried out on the neighbors of the maximal point.
[0020] FIG. 3 is a schematic block diagram illustrating the equalization subsystem 300 of FIG. 1 in further detail. The equalization subsystem 300 may be implemented as a Decision Feedback Equalizer or a linear feedforward equalizer.
[0021] Generally, as shown in FIG. 3 , the digitized baseband signals I k , Q k are fed to a feed-forward FIR 310 . The N complex coefficients of the feed-forward FIR are initialized by a central-tap algorithm which is based on the information provided by the carrier detector 130 of FIG. 1 , while the M complex coefficients of a feed-back FIR 330 are set to values of zero. The learning algorithm for the exemplary DFE 300 is least mean square (LMS)-based using a block-multiple-epoch adaptive update approach.
[0022] It is noted that for rapid training on a short ideal reference sequence for PHS, it is important to do the multiple updates in a block, rather than on a symbol by symbol basis. The ideal reference training epoch is comprised of the corresponding preamble (PR) and unique word (UW) which are specified in the PHS STD-28 standard (Version 3.3). It is further noted that even though PR is not normally used for training, being a periodic sequence, a short portion of PR can be used effectively to increase the training in the case of a very short training sequence, as found in PHS. After the ideal reference training procedure is completed, the DFE 300 enters the data-directed training phase and the output of the slicer 320 is fed to the de-mapping module 340 to get the bit streams which will be processed by the following modules of de-encryption, de-scrambling, CRC check and bit packing (stage 150 , FIG. 1 ).
[0023] FIG. 4 is a flow chart describing an exemplary implementation of the methods of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 4 , the process 400 is initiated during step 410 upon receipt of a frame, n. Thereafter, the received RF signal r(t) is transformed during step 420 into baseband I(t) and Q(t) signals by the demodulator 110 . The I and Q signals are then each sampled by respective Analog to Digital Converters (ADC) 120 -I, 120 -Q during step 430 to obtain digitized baseband signals I k , Q k .
[0024] Carrier detection is performed at step 440 and a test is performed during step 450 to determine if the carrier frequency has appeared. If it is determined during step 450 that the carrier frequency has not appeared, then program control returns to step 440 .
[0025] Once it is determined during step 450 that the carrier frequency has appeared, then the ISI is measured during step 455 (at stage 140 of FIG. 1 ). A test is performed during step 460 to determine if the measured ISI is greater than a predefined threshold. If it is determined during step 460 that the measured ISI is greater than a predefined threshold, then the equalization based subsystem 300 is selected for detection during step 465 . If, however, it is determined during step 460 that the measured ISI is not greater than the predefined threshold, then the differential detection based subsystem 200 is selected for detection during step 470 .
[0026] Following detection during step 465 or 470 , de-encryption, de-scrambling, CRC check and bit packing are performed during step 480 (using stage 150 , FIG. 1 ), before the frame is incremented during step 490 , for processing of the next frame.
[0027] In this manner, the present invention improves performance and reduced power consumption of a PHS receiver system, or another receiver, by efficiently selecting an appropriate detection method based on channel conditions. In addition, the present invention eliminates the jitter that occurs with current PHS handset receiver implementations.
[0028] It is to be understood that the embodiments and variations shown and described herein are merely illustrative of the principles of this invention and that various modifications may be implemented by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. | Methods and apparatus are provided for processing a signal received on a channel. The intersymbol interference on the channel is initially evaluated and a detection method is selected from a plurality of available detection methods based on the intersymbol interference evaluation. For example, the plurality of available detection methods may include a differential detection technique and an equalization-based technique. The equalization technique may be, for example, a decision feedback equalization technique. The intersymbol interference evaluation may comprise, for example, a comparison of the signal to noise ratio at an output of a differential detector for at least a portion of a frame to a predefined threshold. | 7 |
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
This application claims priority to UK Application No. 1409516.0 filed May 29, 2014, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Phenethylamines can be depicted as:
and the 2C-X compounds are substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines in which R 3 and R 6 are methoxy, and R N , R α and R β are each hydrogen.
The ‘NBOMe’ compounds are highly potent hallucinogenic phenethylamine derivatives which have recently been encountered in cases of recreational drug use. Specifically they are 2C-X compounds in which R N is an optionally substituted benzyl derivative—also known as N-benzyl derivatives of the substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine 2C-X compounds. This modification appears to significantly enhance their potency and therefore increases the risk of overdoses by miscalculation of dose. For example, while a dose of 2C-I is around 20 milligrams, the dose of the NBOMe equivalent (25I-NBOMe) is less than one milligram (Blaazer et al. 2008). NBOMe compounds act as potent serotonin agonists particularly at the 5-HT 2A receptors which mediate the primary effects of hallucinogenic drugs. Their effects have been compared to lysergic acid diethylamide (LSD) and they are often sold either as ‘legal’ alternatives to this drug or misleadingly sold as LSD itself. NBOMe compounds are sold as freebase, hydrochlorides or can be complexed to hydroxypropyl beta-cyclodextrin (HPBCD) to increase bioavailability. Like LSD, NBOMe compounds are active at very low doses and therefore are often sold in the form of paper blotters which are administered by placing under the tongue.
Some of the NBOMe compounds most commonly encountered by law enforcement agencies include 25D-NBOMe-2-(2,5-Dimethoxy-4-methylphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (see FIG. 1A, 1B ), 25B-NBOMe-2-(4-Bromo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (see FIG. 1A, 1B ), 25I-NBOMe-2-(4-Iodo-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl] ethanamine (see FIG. 1 1 A, 1 B), 25C-NBOMe-2-(4-Chloro-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-[(2-methoxyphenyl)methyl]ethanamine (see FIG. 1A, 1B ) and 25H-NBOMe-2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)ethanamine (see FIG. 1A, 1B ).
The exact pharmacological and toxicological effects of many of these synthetic compounds in humans are unknown and can be unpredictable. The onset of effects is rapid and the duration is generally 2-4 hours but they can last much longer depending of the dose. Side effects may last up to 7 days however there are some reports of side effects persisting for months after use. Clinical features recorded in a case study of 25I-NBOMe use included tachycardia, hypertension, agitation, aggression, visual and auditory hallucinations, seizures, hyperplexia, clonus, elevated white cell count, elevated creatine kinase, metabolic acidosis and acute kidney injury (Hill et al 2013). NBOMe compounds have been associated with a number of deaths.
Many governments around the world have taken steps to illegalise this NBOMe family of novel designer drugs. For example, the UK home office issued a temporary class drug order (TCDO) on 4 Jun. 2013, which took effect on 10 Jun. 2013, prohibiting the production, import and sale of NBOMe compounds. Subsequently all N-Benzyl phenethylamines have been placed on the permanent controlled list and will be class A drugs in the UK from 10 Jun. 2014. Similarly in the United States the DEA made 25B-NBOMe, 25I-NBOMe and 25C-NBOMe schedule I controlled drugs for at least 2 years from 15 Nov. 2013.
Current analytical methods use mass-spectrometry (MS) in conjunction with gas chromatography (GC) or liquid chromatography (LC) (e.g. Poklis et al 2014). A disadvantage of such methods of detection is that they require expensive equipment and highly trained staff. On the other hand, immunoassays are known in the art as relatively cost effective, simplistic and rapid alternatives to MS based analysis. There remains a need for an assay which is not only sensitive to the NBOMe compounds currently found in seized drugs, but that can also detect analogues and derivatives which may make their way onto the market in future so as to enable improvements in the forensic toxicological and clinical analysis of the intake of these ever evolving designer drugs.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Described herein are the first known immunoassays for the selective detection and determination of the NBOMe sub-family of phenethylamine based designer drugs. The immunoassays are underpinned by novel, sensitive, sub-family-specific antibodies. The invention further describes substrates comprising an antibody that is specific to compounds of the NBOMe sub-family. Also described are novel immunogens and kits incorporating antibodies of the current invention.
REFERENCES
Blaazer, A. R et al. “Structure-activity relationships of phenylalkylamines as agonist ligands for 5-HT2A receptors”. ChemMedChem (2008); 3(9), 1299-1309.
FitzGerald, S. P. et al. “Development of a high-throughput automated analyser using Biochip Array Technology”. Clin. Chem. (2005); 51(7), 1165-1176.
Hill, S. L et al. “Severe clinical toxicity associated with analytically confirmed recreational use of 25I-NBOMe: case series”. Clin. Toxicol. (2013); 51, 487-492.
Immunoassay: A practical guide, by Brian Law, Taylor and Francis Ltd, ISBN 0-203-48349-9.
Poklis, J. L et al. “High-performance liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry for the determination of nine 25-NBOMe designer drugs in urine specimens.” J. Anal. Toxicol. (2014); 38, 113-121.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1A, 1B —Structural formulae for compounds belonging to the NBOMe sub-family of phenethylamines (compounds are numbered 1-85 in brackets for reference purposes herein).
FIG. 2 —Chemical Structures of haptens 1 and 2.
FIG. 3 —Chemical Reactions for the synthesis of hapten 1.
FIG. 4 —Chemical Reactions for the synthesis of hapten 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Unless otherwise stated, technical terms as used herein are used according to the conventional usage as known to those skilled in the art.
The chemical structures of the “NBOMe” compounds referred to herein are illustrated in FIG. 1A , B. A reference number has been given in brackets next to each compound name for clarity purposes. The suffix “NBOMe” as used herein may also be referred to herein as NB2OMe (25-NB2OMe), the 2 indicating the position of the methoxy group on the R N of the phenethylamine structure (Structure (X), being the benzyl group.
The invention describes a method of detecting or determining NBOMe compounds in a solution or an in vitro sample of an individual comprising; contacting the sample with one or more detecting agents and one or more antibodies; detecting, or determining the quantity of the one or more detecting agents; and deducing from calibrators the presence of or amount of NBOMe compounds in the sample or solution, the one or more antibodies characterised by having been derived from an immunogen of structure II.
The term “hapten” as used herein describes a pre-immunogenic molecule that stimulates antibody production only when conjugated to a larger carrier molecule. This larger carrier molecule can be referred to as an antigenicity-conferring carrier material (accm). Once the hapten is conjugated to the accm, it forms the immunogen.
The term “immunogen” as used herein, describes an entity that induces an immune response such as production of antibodies or a T-cell response in a host animal.
The accm can be any material that makes all or part of the hapten susceptible to antibody recognition and binding. For example the accm can be a protein, a protein fragment, a synthetic polypeptide or a semi-synthetic polypeptide. Alternatively, the accm comprises synthetic poly(amino acids) having a sufficient number of available amino groups, such as lysine. Further alternatively, the accm is selected from synthetic or natural polymeric materials bearing reactive functional groups. Still further alternatively the accm is selected from carbohydrates, yeasts and polysaccharides. Illustrative examples of useful antigenicity-conferring carrier materials are bovine serum albumin (BSA), egg ovalbumin (OVA), bovine gamma globulin (BGG), bovine thyroglobulin (BTG), keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) etc. Optionally the accm is selected from BTG or BSA.
It will be understood that the haptens of the current invention may be attached to the antigenicity-conferring carrier material (accm) via a cross-linking group or cross-linker. The cross-linking group may be any conventional cross linking group conventionally used in this field. The cross-linking group is ideally a functionalised linking group joining the accm to the hapten. Preferably, the cross-linking group may comprise or consist of a carboxyl, dithiopyridyl, maleimidyl, amino, hydroxyl, thiol and aldehyde moiety. The cross-linking group is well known to the skilled person in immunogen synthesis. In a preferred embodiment of the current invention, glutaraldehyde may be used to join hapten 1 and the accm. Glutaraldehyde reacts with the free amino groups on both the hapten and accm to form a cross-linker between the two. In this manner, the accm is conjugated via a cross-linking group to the nitrogen at position 4 of the dimethoxyphenyl group of hapten 1.
Alternatively, the haptens of the current invention may be directly conjugated or directly coupled to the antigenicity-conferring carrier material (accm) to form the immunogen. In this case, hapten 2 may be directly coupled to the accm via an amide bond, utilising a carbodiimide compound such as N, N-dicyclohexylcarbodiimide (DCC) to facilitate the reaction. These carbodiimides (such as EDC or DCC) facilitate the reaction between the carboxyl group (CO 2 H of R) on the hapten and free amino groups on the accm to form amide bonds with no crosslinking groups present between the conjugated molecules. In this manner, direct coupling takes place via amide bond formation. In this manner, the accm is conjugated directly to the carboxy-group of hapten 2.
According to a general aspect of the invention there is provided a hapten having the general formula:
Wherein R is:
-(A)-(B) n —, where A is O, S or N and B is a C 1-6 substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene or arylene moiety, n is either 0 or 1 and wherein A is attached to the phenyl ring. When A is N, H supplies any additional valencies.
Optionally, R is a substituted or unsubstituted amino group.
Examples of preferred haptens of the current invention are 25NH2-NBOMe (hapten 1 herein) and N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine (hapten 2 herein). Where the hapten is 25NH2-NBOMe, A is NH 2 and n is 0. Where the hapten is N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine, A is NH and B is —C(O)—CH 2 —CH 2 —CO 2 H, n is 1.
According to a second general aspect of the invention, there is provided an immunogen having the general formula:
Wherein X is a cross-linking group and Y is an antigenicity-conferring carrier material.
Optionally, X is -(A)-(B) n —, where A is O, S or N and B is a C 1-6 substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene or arylene moiety and n is either 0 or 1 and A is attached to the phenyl ring.
Optionally, X is -(A)-(B) n —, where A is O, S or N and B is a C 1-6 substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene terminating, before conjugation with the antigenicity-conferring carrier material, with a terminal reactive group and n is either 0 or 1.
When A is N, H supplies any additional valencies.
Further optionally, X is -(A)-(B) n —, where A is NH and B is a C 1-6 substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene terminating, before conjugation with the antigenicity-conferring carrier material, with a terminal reactive group and n is either 0 or 1. Preferably, in any of these embodiments, n is 0 and, when n is 0, A is optionally NH 2 . In any of these embodiments, A is attached to the phenyl ring. The substituents of the alkylene chain can either be incorporated off, within or at the end of the chain. Usually the substituents will be functional groups at the end of the chain (terminal reactive groups) which have participated in chemical bonding in order to form a link between the substituted phenethylamine structure and the carrier material. The conjugation to Y can be facilitated by, for example, the presence of a terminal reactive group selected from a carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, an aldehyde, an amino group, a maleimide, a halocarboxylic acid or an ester thereof, a dithiopyridyl moiety, a vinylsulphone moiety, a thiocarboxylic acid or an ester thereof.
An example of a preferred immunogen of the current invention is 25NH2-NBOMe conjugated to BTG or BSA, optionally BTG. This is accomplished using gluteraldehyde followed by a reduction of the resulting Schiff base by sodium borohydride. The preparation of these example immunogens is given in Examples 10 and 11—this is conjugation using a diketone such as glutaraldehyde. In another example, A is N and B is, before conjugation to Y, —C(O)—CH 2 —CH 2 —CO 2 H, n is 1 and Y is BTG or BSA—this is direct conjugation.
A further aspect of the current invention is an antibody raised to an immunogen described above. The term “antibody” as used herein refers to an immunoglobulin or immunoglobulin-like molecule. In a preferred embodiment, the antibodies are polyclonal antibodies. However, the skilled person will understand that any type of immunoglobulin molecule or fragment thereof can be used, for example monoclonal antibodies, Fab fragments, scFv fragments and any other antigen binding fragments all of which fall within the scope of the current invention. The polyclonal antibodies may be produced by any method as known to those skilled in the art. Any suitable host animal may be used in the immunisation process, preferably a mammalian animal for example, but not limited to, sheep, rabbit, mouse, guinea pig or horse. In addition, the antibodies may be in the form of polyclonal antisera.
When used in reference to an antibody, the word ‘specific’ or ‘specificity’ in the context of the current invention refers to the analyte or analytes that are preferably bound by the antibody, as gauged by a suitable metric such as the cross-reactivity. For purposes of comparison, one analyte with high cross-reactivity is generally given a value of 100%, with all other analytes accorded a value relative to this. Herein, 25I-NBOMe.HCl is given a value of 100%.
In addition, as is known by one skilled in the art, for cross-reactivity to be of practical use, the analyte specific antibody must display a high sensitivity as measured by a suitable metric such as the IC 50 . The IC 50 is a commonly used indicator of antibody sensitivity for immunoassays.
Optionally, the antibody of the invention is capable of binding to at least one epitope from the group comprising the molecules 25I-NBOMe, 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, 25H-NBOMe, 25N-NBOMe, 25T2-NBOMe, 25T4-NBOMe and 25T7-NBOMe. (Compounds 1, 37, 73, 7, 25, 31, 74, 67, 49, 80 and 55 of FIG. 1A , B). The term ‘able to bind to’ or “capable of binding” as used herein means that, under standard immunoassay conditions, for example as described in ‘Immunoassay: A practical guide’ by Brian Law, Taylor and Francis Ltd (ISBN 0-203-48349-9), the antibodies will bind to said molecules.
In a further embodiment, the antibody is additionally capable of binding to one or more molecules selected from the group 25I-NBOH, 25I-NBF, 25I-NBMD, 25B-NBOH, 25B-NBF, 25B-NBMD, 25C-NBOMe, 25C-NBOH, 25C-NBF, 25C-NBMD, 25F-NBOMe, 25F-NBOH, 25F-NBF, 25F-NBMD, 25D-NBOH, 25D-NBF, 25D-NBMD, 25E-NBOH, 25E-NBF, 25E-NBMD, 25P-NBOH, 25P-NBF, 25P-NBMD, 25T-NBOMe, 25T-NBOH, 25T-NBF, 25T-NBMD, 25T2-NBOH, 25T2-NBF, 25T2-NBMD, 25T4-NBOH, 25T4NBF, 25T4NBMD, 25T7-NBOH, 25T7-NBF, 25T7-NBMD, 25TFM-NBOMe, 25TFM-NBOH, 25TFM-NBF, 25TFM-NBMD, 25N-NBF, 25N-NBMD, 25H-NBOMe, 25H-NBOH, 25H-NBF, 25H-NBMD, 25N-NBOH and 25NH2-NBOH.
Further optionally, the antibody is capable of binding to one or more of the molecules selected from the group 25I-NB3OMe, 25I-NB4OMe, 25B-NB3OMe, 25B-NB4OMe, 25C-NB3OMe, 25C-NB4OMe, 25F-NB3OMe, 25F-NB4OMe, 25D-NB3OMe, 25D-NB4OMe, 25E-NB3OMe, 25E-NB4OMe, 25P-NB3OMe, 25P-NB4OMe, 25T-NB3OMe, 25T-NB4OMe, 25T2-NB3OMe, 25T2-NB4OMe, 25T4-NB3OMe, 25T4-NB4OMe, 25T7-NB3OMe, 25T7-NB4OMe, 25TFM-NB3OMe, 25TFM-NB4OMe, 25N-NB3OMe, 25N-NB4OMe, 25H-NB3OMe and 25H-NB4OMe.
We have advantageously found that the antibody of the invention is specific for at least one epitope of at least 25I-NBOMe, 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, 25H-NBOMe, 25N-NBOMe, 25T2-NBOMe, 25T4-NBOMe and 25T7-NBOMe.
Optionally, the antibody has 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe and greater than 10%, optionally greater than 15%, cross-reactivity to the group comprising of, but not limited to, 25N-NBOH and 25NH2-NBOH, optionally when measured according to Example 13.
Optionally or additionally, the antibody has 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe and less than 35%, optionally less than 30%, cross-reactivity to either one or both of 25N-NBOH and 25NH2-NBOH, optionally when measured according to Example 13.
Alternatively, the antibody has 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe and greater than 75%, optionally greater than 100% cross-reactivity to 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, 25H-NBOMe, 25N-NBOMe, 25T2-NBOMe, 25T4-NBOMe and 25T7-NBOMe. ‘Greater than 75% or 100% cross-reactivity’ in this case refers to the cross-reactivity to said compound relative to the 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe. Alternatively or additionally, the antibody has 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe and less than 200% cross-reactivity to 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, 25H-NBOMe, 25N-NBOMe, 25T2-NBOMe, 25T4-NBOMe and 25T7-NBOMe. ‘Less than 200% cross-reactivity’ in this case refers to the cross-reactivity to said compound relative to the 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe.
Still optionally, the antibody has 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe, and greater than 75\%, optionally greater than 100%, cross-reactivity for 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, 25H-NBOMe, 25N-NBOMe, 25T2-NBOMe, 25T4-NBOMe and 25T7-NBOMe, and greater than 10% cross-reactivity to the group comprising of, but not limited to, 25N-NBOH and 25NH2-NBOH. Alternatively or additionally, the antibody has 100% cross-reactivity to 25I-NBOMe, and less than 200% cross-reactivity for 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe, 25H-NBOMe, 25N-NBOMe, 25T2-NBOMe, 25T4-NBOMe and 25T7-NBOMe, and less than 35% cross-reactivity to either one or both of 25N-NBOH and 25NH2-NBOH.
Additionally or alternatively, the antibody may be characterised in that it shows no significant binding, preferably at 100 ng/ml of cross-reactant as defined in the examples, to 2C-B, 2C-I, 2C-E or DOB. As used herein, the term ‘no significant binding’ can be understood to mean any low cross-reactivity which would not compromise the assay. Optionally, this corresponds to a cross-reactivity of less than 5% relative to the analyte which has been given a value of 100% cross reactivity (25I-NBOMe herein), optionally when measured according to Example 13. More preferably, the cross-reactivity is less than 4% or 3% and even more preferably the cross-reactivity is less than 2% or 1% relative to the analyte which has been given a value of 100% cross reactivity for the assay, optionally when measured according to Example 13.
Additionally or alternatively, the antibody of the current invention may be characterised by its high sensitivity. Preferably, it has an IC 50 of <about 5 ng/ml, preferably <about 1 ng/ml, more preferably <about 0.5 ng/ml and even more preferably <about 0.2 ng/ml for one or more NBOMe compounds selected from, but not limited to, 25I-NBOMe, 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe and 25H-NBOMe, optionally when measured according to Example 13. Preferably, it has an IC 50 in the range of 0.075 to 0.175 mg/ml for one or more NBOMe compounds selected from, but not limited to, 25I-NBOMe, 25P-NBOMe, Mescaline-NBOMe, 25B-NBOMe, 25D-NBOMe, 25E-NBOMe and 25H-NBOMe, optionally when measured according to Example 13. In a preferred embodiment, the antibody has an IC 50 selected from one or more of at least about 0.164 ng/ml for 25I-NBOMe; at least about 0.147 ng/ml for 25P-NBOMe; at least about 0.138 ng/ml for 25B-NBOMe; at least about 0.1 ng/ml for mescaline-NBOMe; at least about 0.104 ng/ml for 25D-NBOMe; at least about 0.13 ng/ml for 25E-NBOMe; and at least about 0.096 ng/ml for 25H-NBOMe, optionally when measured according to Example 13. The use of the word ‘about’ accounts for the expected minor variations in the measured IC 50 value which may arise during scientific analyses by different individuals when effecting the assay or from slight differences in assay equipment and reagents.
A further aspect of the invention is an immunoassay method of detecting or determining NBOMe compounds or derivatives thereof in an in vitro sample from an individual or in a solution derived from a substance suspected to contain such compounds, the method comprising contacting the sample or solution with at least one detecting agent and at least one antibody of the invention; detecting or determining the detecting agent(s); and deducing from a calibration curve the presence of, or amount of NBOMe compounds in the sample or solution.
For the purposes of the invention, the sample to be used for in vitro analysis can be any sample from which an ‘NBOMe’ compound can be detected for example hair or a peripheral biological fluid but is preferably whole blood, serum, plasma, or urine. The sample may also be a solution which is suspected of containing a drug.
‘Detecting’ as referred to herein means qualitatively analysing for the presence or absence of a substance, while ‘determining’ means quantitatively analysing for the amount of a substance. The detecting agent is a small molecule (generally of similar structure to a molecule to be detected), conjugated to a labelling agent that is able to bind to one of the antibodies of the invention. Alternative names for the detecting agent are the conjugate or tracer. The labelling agent is selected from an enzyme, a luminescent substance, a radioactive substance, or a mixture thereof. Preferably, the labelling agent is an enzyme, preferably a peroxidase, most preferably horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Alternatively, or additionally, the luminescent substance may be a bioluminescent, chemiluminescent or fluorescent material. Preferably, for the immunoassay method of the invention, the detecting agent is based on a compound with a substituted-phenethylamine substructure conjugated to an enzyme or fluorescent molecule.
Preferably, the conjugate or detecting agent used in the immunoassays of the current invention is of the structure:
In which X is a cross-linking group and Y is a labelling agent which is detectable.
Preferably, the cross-linking group X is -(A)-(B) n1 —, where A, attached to position 4 of the phenyl ring, is O, S or N and B is a C 1-10 , preferably C 1-6 , substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene or arylene moiety and n1 is either 0 or 1. The substituents of the alkylene chain can either be incorporated off, within or at the end of the chain.
When A is N, H supplies any additional valencies.
Optionally, X is -(A)-(B) n1 —, where A is O, S or N and B is a C 1-6 substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene terminating, before conjugation with the labelling agent, with a terminal reactive group and n 1 is either 0 or 1. Further optionally, X is -(A)-(B) n1 —, where A is NH and B is a C 1-6 substituted or unsubstituted straight chain alkylene terminating, before conjugation with the labelling agent, with a terminal reactive group and n 1 is either 0 or 1. In any of these embodiments, n 1 is preferably 1. Usually the substituents will be functional groups at the end of the chain (terminal reactive groups) which have participated in chemical bonding in order to form a link between the substituted phenethylamine structure and the labelling agent. The conjugation to Y can be facilitated by, for example, the presence of a terminal reactive group selected from a carboxylic acid or an ester thereof, an aldehyde, an amino group, a maleimide, a halocarboxylic acid or an ester thereof, a dithiopyridyl moiety, a vinylsulphone moiety, a thiocarboxylic acid or an ester thereof.
Preferably, the labelling agent is horseradish peroxidase (HRP). Other conventional labelling agents may be used selected from an enzyme, such as peroxidase, a luminescent substance, a radioactive substance or a mixture thereof.
An example of a preferred conjugate or detecting agent of the current invention is N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine (Hapten 2) coupled to HRP. In this example A is NH and B, before conjugation to Y, is —C(O)—CH 2 —CH 2 —CO 2 H, n 1 is 1 and Y is HRP. The preparation of this example conjugate is given in Example 12.
The invention further describes a substrate with which the antibodies of the invention engage. The antibodies can engage with the substrate by, for example, passive adsorption or can be chemically bonded to the substrate attached by way of, for example, covalent bonds. Such covalent bonding generally requires the initial introduction of a chemically active compound covalently attached to the substrate surface prior to antibody addition. The antibody itself may also require the addition of a chemical activating group to achieve substrate bonding. These requirements are well known in the art. The substrate can be any medium capable of adsorbing or bonding to an antibody, for example a bead or nanoparticle (optionally chemically-activated), but is preferably of a planar conformation (optionally chemically-activated) such as a microtitre plate (as in Example 13 below) or a biochip. Microtitre plates commonly consist of 6, 24, 96, 384 or 1536 sample wells arranged in a 2:3 rectangular matrix. 96 well microtitre plates are commonly used in an ELISA. A biochip is a thin, wafer-like substrate with a planar surface which can be made of any suitable material such as glass or plastic but is preferably made of ceramic. The biochip is able to be chemically-activated prior to antibody bonding or is amenable to the passive adsorption of antibodies. The skilled person in biochip development for immunoassay application will recognize that a planar surface at high resolution e.g. if using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), is not perfectly ‘flat’ but will possess an uneven surface, the important aspect being that the ‘approximately’ planar surface is suitable for application. A microlayer coating of material can optionally be added to the planar surface of the substrate prior to antibody immobilisation. Either the upper surface or both surfaces of the substrate can be coated. In one embodiment other compound-specific or compound generic antibodies can also be incorporated onto the single substrate at discrete locations (so-called ‘spatially addressable locations’), such as antibodies cross-reactive to the 2C-X and DOX sub-families, methamphetamine, amphetamine and/or MDMA. This would enable the proficient screening of biological, product and environmental samples by highlighting not only the presence of any phenethylamine based designer drugs in the sample, but also to which sub-family the phenethylamine(s) belong(s); this makes the subsequent mass spectrometric confirmatory step, if required, less analytically complex.
Methods and Results
General Methodology
Preparation of Haptens, Immunogens and Detecting Agents
Although haptens provide defined structural epitopes, they are not in themselves immunogenic and therefore need to be conjugated to carrier materials, which will elicit an immunogenic response when administered to a host animal. Appropriate carrier materials commonly contain poly(amino acid) segments and include polypeptides, proteins and protein fragments. Illustrative examples of useful carrier materials are bovine serum albumin (BSA), egg ovalbumin (OVA), bovine gamma globulin (BGG), bovine thyroglobulin (BTG), keyhole limpet haemocyanin (KLH) etc. Alternatively, synthetic poly(amino acids) having a sufficient number of available amino groups, such as lysine, may be employed, as may other synthetic or natural polymeric materials bearing reactive functional groups. Also, carbohydrates, yeasts or polysaccharides may be conjugated to the hapten to produce an immunogen. The haptens can also be coupled to a detectable labelling agent such as an enzyme (for example, horseradish peroxidase), a substance having fluorescent properties or a radioactive label for the preparation of detecting agents for use in the immunoassays. The fluorescent substance may be, for example, a monovalent residue of fluorescein or a derivative thereof. Immunogen formation for the invention described herein involves conventional conjugation chemistry. In order to confirm that adequate conjugation of hapten to carrier material has been achieved, prior to immunisation, each immunogen is evaluated using matrix-assisted UV laser desorption/ionisation time-of-flight mass spectroscopy (MALDI-TOFMS).
General Procedure for MALDI-TOF Analysis of Immunogens.
MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry can be performed using a Voyager STR Biospectrometry Research Station laser-desorption mass spectrometer coupled with delayed extraction. An aliquot of each sample to be analysed can be diluted in 0.1% aqueous trifluoroacetic acid (TFA) to create 1 mg/ml sample solutions. Aliquots (1 μl) can be analysed using a matrix of sinapinic acid and bovine serum albumin (Fluka) as an external calibrant.
Preparation of Antisera
In order to generate polyclonal antisera, 2 mg of an immunogen of the present invention is prepared in PBS, mixed at a ratio of 50% immunogen in PBS with 50% Freund's Complete adjuvant (Sigma, Product Number—F5881) and emulsified by repeatedly passing the mixture through a tip on the end of a 1 ml syringe, until it reaches the required semi-solid consistency. 1 ml of the mixture is then injected into a host animal, such as rabbit, sheep, mouse, guinea pig or horse. Sheep are the preferred host animal. Further injections (boosts) are administered on a monthly basis (1 mg of immunogen is prepared in PBS and mixed at a ratio of 50% immunogen in PBS with 50% of Freund's Incomplete Adjuvant, Sigma product Number—F5506) until the required titre is achieved. Serum is sampled for evaluation of the antibody titre.
Briefly, blood is collected by applying pressure to the exposed jugular vein and inserting a clean 14 gauge hypodermic needle to remove 500 ml of blood per sheep, under gravity. The blood is stored at 37° C. for a minimum of 1 hour before the clots are separated from the side of the centrifuge bottles using disposable 1 ml pipettes (ringing). The samples are stored at 4° C. overnight.
Samples are then centrifuged at 4200 rpm for 30 minutes at 4° C. The serum is poured off and centrifuged again, at 10,000 rpm for 15 minutes at 4° C., before being aliquoted and stored at <−20° C.
The Immunoglobulin (Ig) fraction is extracted from the antisera via caprylic acid/ammonium sulphate precipitation of immunoglobulin.
The antibody titre is evaluated by coating a microtitre plate (Thermo Fisher Scientific NUNC, 468667) with antibody (125 μl/well) in coating buffer (10 mM Tris pH 8.5) at 37° C. for 2 hours. The plate is then washed 4 times over 10 minutes with working strength TBST. 50 μl of sample/standard (25I-NBOMe) is added to the appropriate wells in triplicate, followed by 75 μl of hapten-HRP conjugate and incubated at 25° C. for 1 hour. The plate is then washed and 125 μl of TMB (Randox Laboratories, 4380-15) added to each well and left at room temperature for 20 mins in the dark. The reaction is stopped using 125 μl of 0.2 M sulphuric acid. The absorbances are read at 450 nm with an ELISA microplate reader (BIO-TEK Instruments, Elx800) and the means calculated. Antibody sensitivity can then be determined.
When the optimal titre has been attained, the host animal is bled to yield a suitable volume of specific antiserum (overall this results in 20 bleeds in total, with approximately 200 ml of antiserum achieved per bleed). The degree of antibody purification required depends on the intended application. For many purposes, there is no requirement for purification, however, in other cases, such as where the antibody is to be immobilised on a solid support, purification steps can be taken to remove undesired material and eliminate non-specific binding.
Various purification steps are available if required, including Immunoglobulin Precipitation (as described above), Antigen-specific affinity purification, Size-exclusion chromatography and Ion Exchange Chromatography.
Immunoassay Development
The process of developing an immunoassay is well known to the person skilled in the art. Briefly, for a competitive immunoassay in which the target analyte is a non-immunogenic molecule such as a hapten, the following process is conducted: antibodies are produced by immunizing an animal, preferably a mammalian animal, by repeated administration of an immunogen. The serum from the immunized animal is collected when the antibody titre is sufficiently high. A detecting agent is added to a sample containing the target analyte and the raised antibodies, and the detecting agent and analyte compete for binding to the antibodies. The process may comprise fixing said serum antibodies to a backing substrate such as a polystyrene solid support or a ceramic chip. The antibodies can be polyclonal or monoclonal antibodies.
This can be carried out using an ELISA based format as described above for measuring antibody titre or as a Biochip based format. Details of how the antibodies are fixed to the Biochip are described in FitzGerald, S. P. et al, Clin. Chem. 51(7); 1165-1176; 2005. The signal emitted in the immunoassay is proportionate to the amount of detecting agent bound to the antibodies which in turn is inversely proportionate to the analyte concentration. The signal can be detected or quantified by comparison with a calibrator.
EXAMPLES (NUMBERS IN BOLD REFER TO STRUCTURES IN FIGS. 3 AND 4 )
Example 1: Preparation of 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)nitroethene 2
A solution of 2,5-dimethoxybenzaldehyde (25 g, 0.15 mol), nitromethane (100 ml) and ammonium acetate (11.6 g, 0.15 mol) was heated at reflux for 5 hours and left stirring at room temperature overnight. The solvent was evaporated under vacuum, the residue was taken up in dichloromethane (500 ml) washed by water (2×100 ml), 3 M HCl solution (4×100 ml) and brine (100 ml). The organic layer was then dried over sodium sulphate, filtered and concentrated to dryness. The residue obtained was purified by column chromatography (Silica gel, 5-30% dichloromethane in hexane) to give 20.0 g of 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl) nitroethene 2 as a light orange solid.
Example 2: Preparation of 2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine 3
To lithium aluminium hydride (10.32 g, 0.27 mol) was added anhydrous THF (300 ml). A solution of 1-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)nitroethane 2 (20.0 g, 0.956 mol) in THF (150 ml) was added drop-wise over a period of 45 min. The mixture was heated at reflux for 4 hours, after which thin-layer chromatography (TLC) analysis showed absence of starting material. After cooling at room temperature the reaction was quenched by the stepwise addition of 50% THF/H 2 O (10 ml), 15% NaOH solution and H 2 O (30 ml). The precipitate solids were removed by vacuum filtration, and the filtrate was reduced under vacuum to afford a yellow oil. The oil was dissolved in Et 2 O washed with H 2 O (2×100 ml) and then extracted into 1 M HCl (2×200 ml). The acidic extracts were washed with Et 2 O (2×75 ml) and then made strongly basic with 5 M NaOH. The basic solution was extracted with Et 2 O (3×150 ml). The ether extract was washed with water (2×100 ml), and brine (100 ml) dried over Na 2 SO 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness to provide 12.5 g of 2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine 3 as a clear oil.
Example 3: Preparation 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 4
To a cooled solution of 2-(2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine 3 (12.0 g, 0.066 mol) in acetic acid (200 ml) was added nitric acid (40 ml) and the solution was stirred at 0° C. for 1 hour. The mixture was poured into a mixture of ice and water. The mixture was then made strongly alkaline with 6 M NaOH. The basic solution was extracted with a mixture of benzene/ether (1/1) (2×200 ml). The organic layers were washed by water (100 ml) and brine (100 ml), dried over Na 2 SO 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness under vacuum to give 11.2 g of 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethanamine 4 as a brown dark oil (crude) used in the next step without any further purification.
Example 4: Preparation of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 5 (25NO2-NBOMe)
To a solution of the crude 2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethanamine 4 (4.52 g, 0.02 mol) in 1,2-dichloroethane (150 ml) at room temperature was added respectively 2-Methoxybenzaldehyde (4.0 g, 0.029 mol), TEA (4.8 ml, 0.029 mol) and Sodium triacetoxyborohydride (4.3 g, 0.02 mol). The mixture was then stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, after which TLC analysis showed absence of starting material 4. Water (200 ml) was added to the solution and the layers were separated and the aqueous layer was extracted by CH 2 Cl 2 (2×150 ml). The combined organic layers were washed by water (150 ml) and brine (100 ml), dried over Na 2 SO 4 and filtered. The filtrate was concentrated to dryness under vacuum. The residue obtained was purified by column chromatography (Silica gel, 5% MeOH in CH 2 Cl 2 to give N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 5 (4.1 g) as a foamy solid.
Example 5: Preparation of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-Amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine (25NH2-NBOMe) (Hapten-1)
To a solution of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 5 (4.0 g, 0.012 mol) in methanol (100 ml) was added ammonium formate (3.071 g, 0.059 mol) and 5% Palladium on carbon (Pd/C) (1 g). The reaction mixture was stirred at room temperature for 2 hours, after which TLC analysis showed absence of starting material. The mixture was filtered on a Celite® plug and the filtrate was concentrated to dryness. The residue obtained was purified by column chromatography (Silica gel, 10% MeOH in CHCl 3 ) to give 2.8 g of white solid of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-Amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine (25NH2-NBOMe) (Hapten-1).
Example 6: Preparation of N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 6
To a solution of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 5 (2.0 g, 0.006 mol) in dichloromethane (50 ml), was added TEA (1.87 ml, 0.012 mol) and catalytic amount of DMAP followed by di-tert-butyl dicarbonate (2.23 g, 0.012 mol) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The solution was washed by water (40 ml) and brine (40 ml), dried over sodium sulphate and filtered. The filtrate was evaporated to dryness and the residue obtained was purified by column chromatography (Silica gel, 40% ethyl acetate in hexane) to give the N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 6 as yellow solid.
Example 7: Preparation of N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine 7
The N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine 7 was prepared by the same method as Example 5 from N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-nitrophenyl)ethylamine 6. The product 7 is obtained as yellow solid.
Example 8: Preparation of N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine 8
To a solution of N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine 7 (1.0 g, 0.0024 mol) in pyridine (10 ml) was added succinic anhydride (1.69 g, 0.016 mol) and the mixture was stirred at room temperature overnight. The pyridine was removed under vacuum. The residue obtained was purified by column chromatography (Silica gel, 10% MeOH in chloroform) to give 810 mg of N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine 8 as a white solid.
Example 9: Preparation of N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine TFA salt (Hapten-2)
To a cooled solution of N-(tert-Butoxycarbonyl)-N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine 8 (800 mg, 0.0015 mol) in dichloromethane (10 ml) at 0° C. was added trifluoroacetic acid (10 ml) and the mixture was left stirring at room temperature overnight. The solvent was removed under vacuum and then was triturated several times with Et 2 O to give Hapten-2.
Example 10: Conjugation of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-Amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine (25NH2-NBOMe) (Hapten-1) to BSA (Immunogen-1)
0.379 mL of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-Amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine (25NH2-NBOMe) (Hapten-1) solution (3 mg/mL in Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2) was added to 2.5 mL of BSA solution (2 mg/mL in Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2), then equal volume of 2.0% Glutaraldehyde solution was added to the above mixture while stirring. The resulting solution was stirred at 15-25° C. for 1 hour. Sodium Borohydride was then added to final concentration at 10 mg/mL, and stirred for another 1 hour. Excess hapten was removed by dialysis at 2-8° C. against Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2.
MALDI results showed 31.7 molecule of (hapten-1) had been conjugated to one molecule of BSA.
Example 11: Conjugation of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-Amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine (25NH2-NBOMe) (Hapten-1) to BTG (Immunogen-2)
7.583 mL of N-(2-Methoxybenzyl)-2-(4-Amino-2,5-dimethoxyphenyl)ethylamine (25NH2-NBOMe) (Hapten-1) solution (3 mg/mL in Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2) was added to 50 mL of carrier protein Bovine Thyroglobulin (BTG) (2 mg/mL in Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2), then equal volume of 2.0% Glutaraldehyde solution was added to the above mixture while stirring. The resulting solution was stirred at 15-25° C. for 1 hour. Sodium Borohydride was then added to final concentration at 10 mg/mL, and stirred for another 1 hour. Excess hapten was removed by dialysis at 2-8° C. against Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2.
Example 12: Conjugation of N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine (Hapten-2) to HRP
N-(2-methoxybenzyl)-2-(2,5-dimethoxy-4-succinamidophenyl)ethylamine (Hapten-2) (3.0 mg) was dissolved in DMF (0.3 mL). and the resulting solution was added to N-Hydroxysuccinimide (1 mg), and pipet up and down until dissolved (this should take no longer than 30 seconds). The resulting solution was added to EDC hydrochloride (1.5 mg), and the mixture was incubated on the roller at room temperature for 2 hours. This solution was added drop-wise to a solution of HRP (20 mg) in 1.8 ml of Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 8.0. The resulting solution was incubated on the roller at room temperature for 16-20 hours. Keep the solution darkened. Excess hapten was removed with PD-10 column (Pharmacia), pre-equilibrated with Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2, followed by dialysis at 2-8° C. against Phosphate Buffered Saline, pH 7.2.
Example 13: Development of an Immunoassay for NBOMe Based Compounds
IgG was extracted from the antisera using ammonium sulphate/caprylic acid precipitation and the purified antibody was immobilised on a 96 well ELISA plate at 5 μg/ml in 10 mM TRIS buffer, pH 8.5 overnight at 4° C. The assay is based on competition for binding sites of a polyclonal antibody between HRP tracer and 25I-NBOMe.HCL or potential cross-reactants. The plate was washed (×3) with TBST and the calibrator (25I-NBOMe.HCL) or potential cross reactants added (50 μl per well), followed by HRP tracer (75 μl/well) to the appropriate wells. The plates were then incubated for 60 minutes at 25° C. They were then subjected to 2 quick wash cycles using TBST, followed by 4×2 minute wash cycles. 125 μL of signal (TMB) was then added to each well for 20 mins at room temperature in the dark. The reaction was stopped by the addition of 125 μl of 0.2 M Sulphuric Acid per well and the plates read immediately at 450 nm. Calibration curves were generated and these were used to determine the sensitivity and specificity of the immunoassay for 25I-NBOMe-HCL and potential cross-reactants. The data are inputted to a computer program called ‘KC Junior’ (Biotek). It gives a 4 parameter fit curve and allows the calculation of concentrations between the standard runs. This program is used to calculate the IC 50 values by dividing the 0 ng/ml optical density (OD) value by 2 and obtaining the concentration value from the curve for this OD. The results of this study are presented in Tables 1-3, cross-reactivity being calculated according to the following formula:
% CR=IC 50 25I-NBOMe.HCL /IC 50 CR ×100
Wherein % CR is the percentage cross-reactivity, IC 50 25I-NBOMe HCL is the concentration of 25I-NBOMe-HCL which causes 50% displacement of signal and IC 50 CR is the concentration of potential cross-reactant that causes 50% displacement of signal.
The antibody (RS2708) used to generate the data in the tables below (each of the Tables) was raised from immunogen 2 (Example 11) and the HRP tracer was prepared as in Example 12. With the exception of the data in Table 3, all IC50 and cross reactivity data were generated using the immunoassay of Example 13. The data in Table 3 were generated using the same antibody (RS2708) raised from immunogen 2 (Example 11) and the HRP tracer (Example 12) but were generated on a different immunoassay platform.
TABLE 1
Antibody (RS2708) coated at 5 μg/ml, with HRP tracer at 1/64K
Conc.
25I-NBOMe•HCl
ng/ml
Ave OD
% CV
B/Bo
0
2.258
1.0
100.0
0.03125
2.036
1.6
90.2
0.0625
1.811
0.8
80.2
0.125
1.383
0.5
61.3
0.25
0.754
1.7
33.4
0.5
0.331
2.1
14.7
1
0.172
3.3
7.6
2
0.119
2.4
5.3
IC 50
0.164 ng/ml
TABLE 2 Cross reactivity with NBOMe family compounds: Antibody (RS2708) coated at 5 μg/ml, with HRP tracer at 1/64K. IC 50 % Cross- Standard (ng/ml) reactivity 25I-NBOMe•HCl 0.164 100 25P-NBOMe•HCl 0.147 111.6 Mescaline-NBOMe•HCl 0.1 164 25B-NBOMe•HCl 0.138 118.8 25D-NBOMe•HCl 0.104 157.7 25E-NBOMe•HCl 0.13 126.2 25N-NBOMe•HCl 0.142 115.5 25T2-NBOMe•HCl 0.136 120.6 25T4-NBOMe•HCl 0.139 118 25T7-NBOMe•HCl 0.139 118 25H-NBOMe•HCl 0.096 170.8 25N-NBOH 0.615 26.7 25(NH2)-NBOH 0.887 18.5
Cross-Reactivity
To test the cross-reactivity of the antibodies against a range of compounds, they were first immobilized on a biochip platform (9 mm×9 mm) (Randox Laboratories Ltd.), which was the vessel for the immunoreactions. The semi-automated bench top analyser Evidence Investigator was used (EV3602, Randox Laboratories Ltd., Crumlin, UK, patents—EP98307706, EP98307732, EP0902394, EP1227311, EP1434995 and EP1354623). The assay principle is based on competition for binding sites of the polyclonal antibodies (RS2708 raised against the immunogen of Example 11) between free antigen (cross-reactants) and labelled conjugate (Hapten 2-HRP, prepared as in Example 12). Assay dilutent (155 μl), calibrator/25I-NBOMe or potential cross-reactant (25 μl) followed by Hapten 2-HRP conjugate (120 μl) were added to the appropriate biochip. The biochips were then incubated for 30 minutes at 30° C. on a thermo-shaker set at 370 rpm. The biochips were then subjected to 2 quick wash cycles using the wash buffer provided, followed by 4×2 minute wash cycles. 250 μl of signal (1:1 luminol+peroxide, v/v) was then added to each biochip, and after 2 minutes the biochip carrier was imaged in the Evidence Investigator analyser. The system incorporates dedicated software to automatically process, report and archive the data generated (details can be found in FitzGerald, S. P. et al, Clin. Chem. 51(7); 1165-1176; 2005). Table 3 shows the compounds tested, all of which elicited a negative response (cross-reactivity <1% compared to 25I-NBOMe) to the antibodies of the present invention.
TABLE 3
NEG RESPONSE
Tested at Conc
Compound
(ng/ml)
Mephedrone
16
mcPP
16
N-Ethylcathinone
16
MDPBP
16
Methylone HCl
16
Methcathinone
16
3-Fluoromethcathinone
16
Flephedrone HCl
16
BZP
16
MDPPP HCl
16
MDMA
16
DOB
16
Fenfluramine
16
Phentermine
16
2CT-7 HCl
16
2C-I
16
PMMA HCl
16
5-IT
16
6-APB
16
5-MAPB
16
Ethylone HCl
16
TFMPP
16
S(−)Methcathinone
16
5-APB
16
PMA HCl
16
Methylethcathinone HCl
16
R(+)Methcathinone HCl
16
(±) MBDB HCl
16
2C-B
16
Butylone HCl
16
Methadrone HCl
16
DOET
16
2C-E HCl
16
Bromo-Dragonfly
16
(±) MDA
16
MDPV
16
DOM
16
5-APDB
16
D-Amphetamine
16
TMA
16
Buphedrone
16
S(+)Methamphetamine
16
(±) Amphetamine
16
Methyethcathinone HCl
16
Methylphenidate
16
Ephedrine
16
Pseudoephedrine
16
RH-34
16
N-Ethylamphetamine
16
(±) Cathinone HCl
16
Antibodies of the present invention bind to an epitope of Structure (Y)
in which R 1 is selected from a halogen, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 thioalkyl, C 1-3 alkoxy, perfluoromethyl and nitro; R 2 , R 3 and R 4 are independently selected from H or a C 1-3 alkoxy; or R 2 and R 3 together form —O—CH 2 —O—.
Optionally, antibodies of the present invention bind to an epitope of Structure (Y′),
in which R 1 is selected from a halogen, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 thioalkyl, C 1-3 alkoxy, perfluoromethyl and nitro; and R 2 is selected from H or a C 1-3 alkoxy.
Optionally, antibodies of the present invention bind to an epitope of Structure (Y′), in which R 1 is selected from a halogen, hydrogen, hydroxyl, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 thioalkyl, C 1-3 alkoxy, perfluoromethyl and nitro; and R 2 is selected from H and methoxy.
Further optionally, antibodies of the present invention bind to an epitope of Structure (Y′), in which R 1 is selected from a halogen, hydrogen, C 1-3 alkyl, C 1-3 thioalkyl, C 1-3 alkoxy, and nitro; and R 2 is methoxy.
Still further optionally, antibodies of the present invention bind to an epitope of Structure (Y′), in which R 1 is selected from a halogen (optionally selected from I, Br and Cl), hydrogen, C 1-3 alkyl (optionally selected from methyl, ethyl and propyl), C 1-3 thioalkyl (optionally selected from propylthio and isopropylthio), C 1-3 alkoxy (optionally methoxy), and nitro; and R 2 is methoxy.
The cross reactivity data of Table 2 show that, when compared to 100% for 25I-NBOMe.HCl, substances sharing the epitope of Structure (Y) or optionally (Y′) show a cross reactivity of 75 to 200%. Antibodies of the present invention, therefore, can be utilised to detect or determine phenethylamines of the NBOMe sub-family and sharing the epitope of Structure (Y) or optionally (Y′).
The cross reactivity data of Table 2 also show that, when other substances are assessed that do not share the epitope of Structure (Y) or optionally (Y′) (25N-NBOH and 25(NH2)-NBOH), such substances show, when compared to 100% for 25I-NBOMe.HCl, a cross reactivity of less than 35%, optionally, less than 30%. In addition, the cross reactivity data of Table 2 show that, when the cross reactivity of 25N-NBOH is compared with 25N-NBOMe, the only difference being R 2 substituent, there is a dramatic difference in cross reactivity confirming the importance of the R 2 substituent being methoxy.
The cross reactivity data of Tables 2 and 3 also show that, when the cross reactivity of 25H-NBOMe is compared with RH-34 (each retains the R 2 substituent (methoxy)), there is, again, a dramatic difference in cross reactivity confirming that the identity of the R 1 dimethoxy phenyl group is important (in RH-34, this is replaced with a quinazoline-2,4-dione group).
As stated in the introduction above, the 2C-X compounds are substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamines in which, referring to Structure (X), R 3 and R 6 are methoxy, R 4 is not hydrogen and R N , R α and R β is hydrogen:
Similarly, DOB is also a substituted 2,5-dimethoxyphenethylamine in which R 3 and R 6 are methoxy, R 4 is bromo, R N and R β is hydrogen and R α is methyl. In contrast, in the NBOMe compounds, R N is an optionally substituted benzyl derivative.
The 2C-X compounds and DOB share, in Structure (X), R 3 and R 6 are methoxy, R 4 is not hydrogen and R 2 , R 5 , R N and R β are each hydrogen. The NBOMe compounds differ from the 2C-X compounds and DOB mainly but not exclusively by the definition of R N in Structure (X).
TABLE 4 Cross reactivity of the NBOMe ELISA with compounds from the 2C-X and DOX sub-families of phenethylamines: Antibody (RS2708) coated at 5 μg/ml, with HRP tracer at 1/64K. Samples @ 100 ng/ml Compound Ave OD % CV B/Bo IC 50 % CR 2C-I 2.003 3.0 88.8 >100 <0.16 2C-E 2.082 0.8 92.2 >100 <0.16 DOB 2.072 2.4 91.8 >100 <0.16 2C-B 2.029 1.0 89.9 >100 <0.16
DOB is 2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine and 2C-B, 2C-E and 2C-I are depicted below
Nomenclature
2D Structure
2C-B
2C-E
2C-I
The cross reactivity data of Table 4 show a % cross reactivity, optionally when measured according to Example 13, when compared to 100% for 25I-NBOMe.HCl, of less than 5%, optionally, less than 4% or 3%, further optionally less than 2% or 1% for substances of Structure (X) in which R 3 and R 6 are methoxy, R 4 is not hydrogen and R 2 , R 5 , R N and R β are each hydrogen.
The cross reactivity data of Table 4 show a % cross reactivity, optionally when measured according to Example 13, when compared to 100% for 25I-NBOMe.HCl, of less than 5%, optionally, less than 4% or 3%, further optionally less than 2% or 1% for substances of Structure (X) selected from one or more of DOB (2,5-Dimethoxy-4-bromoamphetamine), 2C-B, 2C-E and 2C-I.
The Table 4 data show that the antibodies of the present invention bind to an epitope of Structure (Y) or optionally (Y′). The substances from the 2C-X and DOX sub-families of Structure (X) lack the substituted benzyl ring of Structure (Y) or optionally (Y′). The dramatically lower cross reactivity demonstrates that the antibodies of the present invention are also binding to the substituted benzyl ring of Structure (Y) or optionally (Y′), when measured according to Example 13. | An immunoassay method for detecting and determining ‘NBOMe’ family designer drugs is described. Also described are components for use in implementing the method, namely, antibodies, detection agents, solid state devices and kits as well as immunogens used to raise the antibodies. | 2 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a polypeptide with lipolytic enzyme activity and to a method of preparing it.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] WO2004064537 discloses a method for the in-situ production of an emulsifier in a foodstuff, wherein a lipid acyl transferase is added to the foodstuff. WO2005066347 discloses a method of producing a variant glycolipid acyl transferase enzyme.
[0003] V Neugnot et al., European Journal of Biochemistry, Vol. 269 (6) pp. 1734-1745 (2002) March, describes a lipase/acyl transferase from Candida parapsilosis.
[0004] WO8802775A1 describes Candida antarctica lipase A. WO9401541A1 discloses variants of C. antarctica lipase A.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The inventors have found that variants with increased acyl transferase activity can be designed on the basis of a three-dimensional model by making amino acid alterations near the active Ser of lipolytic enzymes such as C. antarctica lipase A or the lipase/acyl transferase from C. parapsilosis.
[0006] Accordingly, the invention provides a method of preparing a polypeptide, comprising:
a) providing a three dimensional model of a parent polypeptide having lipolytic enzyme activity and an amino acid sequence with an active Ser having at least 80% identity to any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-5, b) selecting an amino acid residue in the parent polypeptide which has a non-hydrogen atom within 10 Å of the a non-hydrogen atom in the active Ser in the model, c) providing an altered amino acid sequence which is at least 80% identical to any of SEQ ID NOS: 1-5, and wherein the difference from the parent polypeptide comprises substitution or deletion of the selected residue or insertion of at least one residue adjacent to the selected residue, d) preparing an altered polypeptide having the altered amino acid sequence, e) determining the acyl transferase activity of the altered polypeptide, and f) selecting an altered polypeptide which has an increased acyl transferase activity compared to the parent polypeptide.
[0013] The invention also provides a polypeptide which:
[0014] has lipolytic enzyme activity, and
[0015] has an amino acid sequence which has at least 80% identity to SEQ ID NO: 1 and has a different residue at a position or has an insertion adjacent to a position corresponding to any of residues 82-87, 108, 132-133, 138, 140-142, 145, 172-179, 182, 202-216, 220-232, 235, 238, 241-242, 257,264, 267-268, 275-277, 280, 282-288, 290-296, 298-299, 304, 320, 324-328, 356-357, 360 and 420-421 of SEQ ID NO: 1.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] FIG. 1 shows a three-dimensional model of Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA, SEQ ID NO: 1) with a substrate analog (myristic acid).
[0017] FIG. 2 shows an alignment based on the three-dimensional structure of the following sequences in full-length or truncated form:
SEQ ID NO: 1 (CAND_A) SEQ ID NO: 5 (CaLIP1, ADY62089) SEQ ID NO: 6 (ADY62090, CaLIP2) SEQ ID NO: 7 (ABJ25493, A. fumigatus lipase) SEQ ID NO: 2 ( Pseudozyma lipase, ADZ72148) SEQ ID NO: 4 (CpLIP2, Q8NIN8) SEQ ID NO: 3 (CpLIP1, Q8NJ51)
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Parent Polypeptide
[0025] The invention uses a parent polypeptide with lipolytic enzyme activity. It may be Candida antarctica lipase A (CALA, SEQ ID NO: 1), Pseudozyma sp. lipase (SEQ ID NO: 2) described in WO2005040334, C. parapsilosis lipase CpLIP1 (SEQ ID NO: 3) or CpLIP2 (SEQ ID NO: 4), any of CaLIP1-10 from Candida albicans , e.g. CaLIP1 or CaLIP2 shown as SEQ ID NOS: 5-6, or Aspergillus fumigatus lipase (SEQ ID NO: 7).
Three-Dimensional Model
[0026] The invention uses a 3D model of the parent polypeptide. FIG. 1 gives the coordinates for a 3D model of CALA with myristic acid as a substrate analogue. The active Ser is in position 174.
Selection of Amino Acid Residue
[0027] An amino acid residue is selected in the 3D model having a non-hydrogen atom within 10 Å of a non-H atom of the active Ser.
[0028] In the model in FIG. 1 , the following residues have a non-H atom within 10 Å of a non-H atom of the active Ser (position 174 of SEQ ID NO: 1): 80-85, 108, 112, 116, 132-133, 139-140, 145, 171-182, 200-207, 211, 215, 220, 223, 264, 268, 318-321, 324-328, 332, 355-357, 359-361, 419-421, 425.
Altered Amino Acid Sequence
[0029] The selected residue may be substituted with a different residue, particularly with a more efficient pi electron donor residue. Amino acid residues are ranked as follows from least efficient to most efficient pi donors (an equal sign indicates residues with practically indistinguishable efficiency). Other residues are not considered to be pi electron donors:
[0000] T<N<H<F<Y<W
[0030] The substitution may particularly be conservative, i.e. substitution with another residue of the same type (negative, positive, hydrophobic or hydrophilic). The negative residues are D, E, the positive residues are K, R, the hydrophobic residues are A, C, F, G, I, L, M, P, V, W, Y, and the hydrophilic residues are H, N, Q, S, T.
[0031] Alternatively, an amino acid insertion may be made at the N- or C-terminal side of the selected residue, particularly an insertion of 1-2 residues.
[0032] CpLIP1 or CpLIP2 (SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4) may be used as a template for the amino acid alteration by referring to an alignment as shown in FIG. 3 for SEQ ID NOS: 1-5. Thus, the selected residue may be substituted with the residue found in the corresponding position for SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4. The selected residue may be deleted if SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4 has a gap at that position. An insertion may be made adjacent to the selected residue if SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4 has an additional residue at that position; the insertion may in particular be the same residue found in SEQ ID NO: 3 or 4.
Particular Substitutions
[0033] The variant may particularly comprise one or more of the following substitutions: Y83W, V103T and/or H132Y. More particularly, it may comprise the combination F223A F421V Y83W.
Nomenclature for Amino Acid Alterations
[0034] In this specification, an amino acid substitution is described by use of one-letter codes, e.g. P205W. Multiple substitutions are concatenated, e.g. P205F T211W to indicate a variant with two substitutions. P205W, Y, F is used to indicate alternatives, i.e. substitution of P205 with W, Y or F.
Assay for Acyl Transferase Activity
[0035] In general, the activity may be determined by incubating the polypeptide with an acyl ester as acyl donor and an alcohol as acyl acceptor in an aqueous system and analyzing the mixture after the incubation to determine the transfer of the acyl group. This may be done, e.g. as described in WO2004064537.
Use of Lipolytic Enzyme Variant
[0036] The variants of the invention have increased acyl transferase activity. They may be used in various processes where they are mixed with an acyl donor and an acyl acceptor in an aqueous system to effect acyl transfer, e.g. as described in the indicated publications:
In-situ production of an emulsifier in a foodstuff, such as baked goods made from dough, e.g. as described in WO2004064537. Production of a carbohydrate ester, a protein ester or a hydroxyl acid ester, WO2004064987. Reducing or removing diglyceride from edible oil, WO2005066351. Enzymatic degumming of edible oil, WO2005066351.
Examples
[0041] | Variants with increased acyl transferase activity can be designed on the basis of a three-dimensional model by making amino acid alterations near the active Ser of lipolytic enzymes such as C. antarctica lipase A or the lipase/acyl transferase from C. parapsilosis. | 2 |
This invention was made with Government support under Contract No. DE-AC05-960R22464 awarded by the United States Department of Energy. The Government has certain rights in the invention.
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
The following relate to the present invention and are hereby incorporated by reference: U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/570,289 Biaxially Textured Articles Formed by Powder Metallurgy by Goyal, filed on Dec. 18, 2001, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,331,199 U.S. Pat. No. 5,739,086 Structures Having Enhanced Biaxial Texture and Method of Fabricating Same by Goyal et al., issued Apr. 14, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,741,377 Structures Having Enhanced Biaxial Texture and Method of Fabricating Same by Goyal et al., issued Apr. 4, 1998; U.S. Pat. No. 5,898,020 Structures Having biaxial Texture and Method of Fabricating Same by Goyal et al., issued Apr. 4, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,958,599 Structures Having Enhanced Biaxial Texture by Goyal et al., issued Sep. 9, 1999; U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,966 Method of Forming Biaxially Textured Substrates and Devices Thereon by Goyal et al., issued Oct. 10, 1999; and U.S. Pat. No. 5,968,877 High Tc YBCO Superconductor Deposited on Biaxially Textured Ni Substrate by Budai et al., issued Oct. 10, 1999.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to biaxially textured metallic substrates and articles made therefrom, and more particularly to such substrates and articles made from high purity face-centered cubic (FCC) materials using powder metallurgy techniques to form long lengths of biaxially textured sheets, and more particularly to the use of said biaxially textured sheets as templates to grow epitaxial metal/alloy/ceramic layers.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Current materials research aimed at fabricating high-temperature superconducting ceramics in conductor configurations for bulk, practical applications, is largely focused on powder-in-tube methods. Such methods have proved quite successful for the Bi—(Pb)—Sr—Ca—Cu—O (BSCCO) family of superconductors due to their unique mica-like mechanical deformation characteristics. In high magnetic fields, this family of superconductors is generally limited to applications below 30K. In the Re—Ba—Cu—O (ReBCO, Re denotes a rare earth element), Ti(Pb,Bi)—Sr—(Ba)—Ca—Cu—O and Hg—(Pb)—Sr—(Ba)—Ca—Cu—O families of superconductors, some of the compounds have much higher intrinsic limits and can be used at higher temperatures.
It has been demonstrated that these superconductors possess high critical current densities (J c ) at high temperatures when fabricated as single crystals or in essentially single-crystal form as epitaxial films on single crystal substrates such as SrTiO 3 and LaAlO 3 . These superconductors have so far proven intractable to conventional ceramics and materials processing techniques to form long lengths of conductor with J c comparable to epitaxial films. This is primarily because of the “weak-link” effect.
It has been demonstrated that in ReBCO, biaxial texture is necessary to obtain high transport critical current densities. High J c 's have been reported, in polycrystalline ReBCO in thin films deposited on special substrates on which a biaxially textured non-superconducting oxide buffer layer is first deposited using ion-beam assisted deposition (IBAD) techniques. IBAD is a slow, expensive process, and difficult to scale up for production of lengths adequate for many applications.
High J c 's have also been reported in polycrystalline ReBCO melt-processed bulk material which contains primarily small angle grain boundaries. Melt processing is also considered too slow for production of practical lengths.
Thin-film materials having perovskite-like structures are important in superconductivity, ferroelectrics, and electro-optics. Many applications using these materials require, or would be significantly improved by, single crystal, c-axis oriented perovskite-like films grown on single-crystal or highly aligned metal or metal-coated substrates.
For instance, Y-Ba 2 —Cu 3 —O (YBCO) is an important superconducting material for the development of superconducting current leads, transmission lines, motor and magnetic windings, and other electrical conductor applications. When cooled below their transition temperature, superconducting materials have no electrical resistance and carry electrical current without heating up. One technique for fabricating a superconducting wire or tape is to deposit a YBCO film on a metallic substrate. Superconducting YBCO has been deposited on polycrystalline metals in which the YBCO is c-axis oriented, but not aligned in-plane. To carry high electrical currents and remain superconducting, however, the YBCO films must be biaxially textured, preferably c-axis oriented, with essentially no large-angle grain boundaries, since such grain boundaries are detrimental to the current-carrying capability of the material. YBCO films deposited on polycrystalline metal substrates do not generally meet this criterion.
The present invention provides a method for fabricating biaxially textured sheets of alloy substrates with desirable compositions. This provides for applications involving epitaxial devices on such alloy substrates. The alloys can be thermal expansion and lattice parameter matched by selecting appropriate compositions. They can then be processed according to the present invention, resulting in devices with high quality films with good epitaxy and minimal microcracking.
The terms “process”, “method”, and “technique” are used interchangeably herein.
For further information, refer to the following publications:
1. K. Sato, et al., “High-J c Silver-Sheathed Bi-Based Superconducting Wires”, IEEE Transactions on Magnetics, 27 (1991) 1231.
2. K. Heine, et al., “High-Field Critical Current Densities in Bi 2 Sr 2 Ca 1 Cu 2 O 8+x /Ag Wires”, Applied Physics Letters, 55 (1991) 2441.
3. R. Flukiger, et al., “High Critical Current Densities in Bi(2223)/Ag tapes”, Superconductor Science & Technology 5, (1992) S61.
4. D. Dimos et al., “Orientation Dependence of Grain-Boundary Critical Currents in Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7−* Bicrystals”, Physical Review Letters, 61(1988) 219.
5. D. Dimos et al., “Superconducting Transport Properties of Grain Boundaries in Y 1 Ba 2 Cu 3 O 7 Bicrystals”, Physical Review B, 41 (1990) 4038.
6. Y. Iijima, et al., “Structural and Transport Properties of Biaxially Aligned YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7 7−x Films on Polycrystalline Ni-Based Alloy with Ion-Beam Modified Buffer Layers”, Journal of Applied Physics, 74 (1993) 1905.
7. R. P. Reade, et al. “Laser Deposition of biaxially textured Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Buffer Layers on Polycrystalline Metallic Alloys for High Critical Current Y—Ba—Cu—O Thin Films”, Applied Physics Letters, 61 (1992) 2231.
8. D. Dijkkamp et al., “Preparation of Y—Ba—Cu Oxide Superconducting Thin Films Using Pulsed Laser Evaporation from High Tc Bulk Material,” Applied Physics Letters, 51, 619 (1987).
9. S. Mahajan et al., “Effects of Target and Template Layer on the Properties of Highly Crystalline Superconducting a-Axis Films of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−x by DC-Sputtering,” Physica C, 213, 445 (1993).
10. A. Inam et al., “A-axis Oriented Epitaxial YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−x —PrBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−x Heterostructures,” Applied Physics Letters, 57, 2484 (1990).
11. R. E. Russo et al., “Metal Buffer Layers and Y—Ba—Cu—O Thin Films on Pt and Stainless Steel Using Pulsed Laser Deposition,” Journal of Applied Physics, 68, 1354 (1990).
12. E. Narumi et al., “Superconducting YBa 2 Cu 3 O 6.8 Films on Metallic Substrates Using In Situ Laser Deposition,” Applied Physics Letters, 56, 2684 (1990).
13. R. P. Reade et al., “Laser Deposition of Biaxially Textured Yttria-Stabilized Zirconia Buffer Layers on Polycrystalline Metallic Alloys for High Critical Current Y—Ba—Cu—O Thin Films,” Applied Physics Letters, 61, 2231 (1992).
14. J. D. Budai et al., “In-Plane Epitaxial Alignment of YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7−x Films Grown on Silver Crystals and Buffer Layers,” Applied Physics Letters, 62, 1836 (1993).
15. T. J. Doi et al., “A New Type of Superconducting Wire; Biaxially Oriented Tl 1 (Ba 0.8 Sr 0.2 ) 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O 9 on {100 }<100> Textured Silver Tape,” Proceedings of 7 th International Symposium on Superconductivity, Fukuoka, Japan, Nov. 8-11, 1994.
16. D. Forbes, Executive Editor, “Hitachi Reports 1-meter Tl-1223 Tape Made by Spray Pyrolysis”, Superconductor Week , Vol. 9, No. 8, Mar. 6, 1995.
17. Recrystallization, Grain Growth and Textures , Papers presented at a Seminar of the American Society for Metals, Oct. 16 and 17, 1965, American Society for Metals, Metals Park, Ohio.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide new and useful biaxially textured metallic substrates and articles made therefrom.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such biaxially textured metallic substrates and articles made therefrom by rolling and recrystallizing high purity face-centered cubic materials to form long lengths of biaxially textured sheets.
It is yet another object of the present invention to provide for the use of said biaxially textured sheets as templates to grow epitaxial metal/alloy/ceramic layers.
Further and other objects of the present invention will become apparent from the description contained herein.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method of preparing a biaxially textured alloy article having less magnetism that of pure Ni which comprises the steps of: forming a powder mixture comprising a binary mixture selected from the group of mixtures consisting of: between 99 at % and 80 at % Ni powder and between 1 at % and 20 at % Cr powder; between 99 at % and 80 at % Ni powder and between 1 at % and 20 at % W powder; between 99 at % and 80 at % Ni powder and between 1 at % and 20 at % V powder; between 99 at % and 80 at % Ni powder and between 1 at % and 20 at % Mo powder; between 99 at % and 60 at % Ni powder and between 1 at % and 40 at % Cu powder; between 99 at % and 80 at % Ni powder and between 1 at % and 20 at % Al powder; compacting the mixture to form a raw article; heat treating the raw article to form a sintered article and to obtain a grain size which is fine and homogeneous; rolling the sintered article to a degree of deformation greater than 90% to form a deformed raw article; and rapidly recrystallizing the deformed article at a temperature below its secondary recrystallization temperature and higher than its primary recrystallization temperature to produce a dominant cube oriented {100}<100> orientation texture; the article having a Curie temperature less than that of pure Ni.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method of preparing a biaxially textured alloy article having less *magnetism than pure Ni which comprises the steps of: forming a powder mixture comprising a ternary mixture selected from the group of mixtures consisting of: Ni powder, Cu powder, and Al powder; Ni powder, Cr powder, and Al powder; Ni powder, W powder and Al powder; Ni powder, V powder, and Al powder; Ni powder, Mo powder, and Al powder; compacting the mixture to form a raw article; heat treating the raw article to form a sintered article and to obtain a grain size which is fine and homogeneous; rolling the sintered article to a degree of deformation greater than 90% to form a deformed article; and rapidly recrystallizing the deformed article at a temperature below its secondary recrystallization temperature and higher than its primary recrystallization temperature to produce a dominant cube oriented {100}<100 > orientation texture, the article having a Curie temperature less than that of pure Ni.
In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method of preparing a biaxially textured alloy article having less magnetism than pure Ni which comprises the steps of: forming a powder mixture comprising at least 60 at % Ni powder and at least one of Cr powder, W powder, V powder, Mo powder, Cu powder, Al powder, Ce powder, YSZ powder, Y powder, and RE powder; compacting the powder mixture to form a raw article; heat treating the raw article to form a sintered article characterized by a sintered network of Ni, the elements being essentially undiffused with each other; rolling the sintered article to a degree of deformation greater than 90% to form a deformed article; rapidly recrystallizing the deformed article at a temperature below the secondary recrystallization temperature and higher than the primary recrystallization of the Ni to produce a dominant cube oriented {100}<100> orientation texture, the article having a Curie temperature less than that of pure Ni; and epitaxially depositing on the dominant cube oriented {100}<100> orientation textured surface a layer selected from the group consisting of oxide layers and nitride layers.
In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method of preparing a strengthened biaxially textured article having less magnetism than pure Ni which comprises the steps of: forming a powder mixture selected from the group consisting of the following metals and alloys: Ni, Ag, Ag—Cu, Ag—Pd, Ni—Cu, Ni—V, Ni—Mo Ni—Al, Ni—Cr—Al, Ni—W—Al, Ni—V—Al, Ni—Mo—AlI Ni—Cu—Al; and at least one fine metal oxide powder, metal carbide powder or metal nitride powder such as but not limited to Al 2 O 3 , MgO, YSZ, CeO 2, Y 2 O 3 , and RE 2 O 3 ; compacting the mixture to form a raw article; heat treating the raw article to form a sintered article and to obtain a grain size which is fine and homogeneous; rolling the sintered article to a degree of deformation greater than 90% to form a deformed article; and rapidly recrystallizing the deformed article to produce a a dominant cube oriented {100}<100> orientation texture, the article having a Curie temperature less than that of pure Ni.
In accordance with a fifth aspect of the present invention, the foregoing and other objects are achieved by a method of preparing a strengthened biaxially textured alloy article which comprises the steps of: forming a powder mixture comprising at least one of the group consisting of Ni, Cu, Ag metals and alloys thereof; and at least one of the group consisting of internally oxidizable alloying elements, compacting the mixture to form a raw article; heat treating the raw article to form a sintered article and to obtain a grain size which is fine and homogeneous and to convert the oxidizable element into a homogeneously distributed oxide phase within the article; rolling the sintered article to a degree of deformation greater than 90% to form a deformed article; and rapidly recrystallizing the deformed article at a temperature below its secondary recrystallization temperature and higher than its primary recrystallization temperature to produce a dominant cube oriented {100}<100> orientation texture, the article having a Curie temperature less than that of pure Ni.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C.
FIG. 2 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 10° to 360°, for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 8.8°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 3 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜6.1°.
FIG. 4 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 8.5°.
FIG. 5 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100} <100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C.
FIG. 6 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 36°, for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 5.8°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 7 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the (ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 4.3°.
FIG. 8 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.4°.
FIG. 9 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C.
FIG. 10 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 36°, for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 8.7°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 11 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 5.8°.
FIG. 12 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 9.8°.
FIG. 13 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C.
FIG. 14 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 36°, for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 6.1°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 15 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 4.5°.
FIG. 16 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.3°.
FIG. 17 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The Mg is predominantly expected to be present as MgO. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C.
FIG. 18 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 360°, for a Ni-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100 >, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.7°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 19 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the coscan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.8°.
FIG. 20 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-0.03 at %Mg. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 9.2°.
FIG. 21 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The Mg is predominantly expected to be present as MgO. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C.
FIG. 22 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 360°, for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03% Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 9.1°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 23 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the co-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.2°.
FIG. 24 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 9.1°.
FIG. 25 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The Mg is .predominantly expected to be present as MgO. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing A temperature of the sample was 1400° C.
FIG. 26 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 360°, for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 6.1°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 27 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10 0 to 40 with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 6.7°.
FIG. 28 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-9 at %W-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the (scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.5°.
FIG. 29 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The Mg is predominantly expected to be present as MgO. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C.
FIG. 30 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 36°, for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 8.1°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 31 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 5.1°.
FIG. 32 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10 0 to 40 0 with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1200° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 9.5°.
FIG. 33 shows a (111) pole figure for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The Mg is predominantly expected to be present as MgO. The pole figure indicates only four peaks consistent with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C.
FIG. 34 shows a phi (φ) scan of the [111] reflection, with φ varying from 0° to 360°, for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The presence of four peaks is with only a well-developed {100}<100>, biaxial cube texture is apparent. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The FWHM of the φ-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 6.5°. The FWHM of the peaks in this scan is indicative of the in-plane texture of the grains in the sample.
FIG. 35 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10° to 40° with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final annealing temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 6.9°.
FIG. 36 shows a rocking curve (ω-scan) from 10 0 to 40 0 with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction, for a Ni-13 at %Cr-0.03 at %Mg alloy fabricated by rolling and annealing a compacted and sintered, powder metallurgy preform. The final armealing A temperature of the sample was 1400° C. The peak is indicative of the out-of-plane texture of the sample. The FWHM of the ω-scan, as determined by fitting a gaussian curve to one of the peaks is ˜ 7.9°.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Note: As used herein, percentages of components in compositions are atomic percent unless otherwise specified.
A new method for producing highly textured alloys has been developed. It is well established in the art that high purity FCC metals can be biaxially textured under certain conditions of plastic deformation, such as rolling, and subsequent recrystallization. For example, a sharp cube texture can be attained by deforming Cu by large amounts (90%) followed by recrystallization. However, this is possible only in high purity Cu. Even small amounts of impurity elements (i.e., 0.0025% P, 0.3% Sb, 0.18% Cd, 0.47% As, 1% Sn, 0.5% Be etc.) can significantly modify the deformation behavior and hence the kind and amount of texture that develops on deformation and recrystallization. In this invention, a method is described to texture alloys of cubic materials, in particular FCC metal based alloys. Alloys and composite compositions resulting in desirable physical properties can be processed to form long lengths of biaxially textured sheets. Such sheets can then be used as templates to grow epitaxial metal/alloy/ceramic layers for a variety of applications.
The present invention has application especially in the making of strengthened substrates with magnetism less than that of pure Ni. For a substance to have less magnetism than pure Ni implies that its Curie temperature is less than that of pure Ni. Curie temperature is known in the art as the temperature at which a metal becomes magnetic. In the following description, a material having less magnetism than that of pure Ni implies a material having a Curie temperature at least 50° C. less than that of pure Ni.
Many device applications require good control of the grain boundary of the materials comprising the device. For example in high temperature superconductors grain boundary character is very important. The effects of grain boundary characteristics on current transmission across the boundary have been very clearly demonstrated for Y123. For clean, stochiometric boundaries, J c (gb), the grain boundary critical current, appears to be determined primarily by the grain boundary misorientation. The dependence of J c (gb) on misorientation angle has been determined by Dimos et al. [1] in Y123 for grain boundary types which can be formed in epitaxial films on bicrystal substrates. These include [001] tilt, [100] tilt, and [100] twist boundaries [1]. In each case high angle boundaries were found to be weak-linked. The low J c observed in randomly oriented polycrystalline Y123 can be understood on the basis that the population of low angle boundaries is small and that frequent high angle boundaries impede long-range current flow. Recently, the Dimos experiment has been extended to artificially fabricated [001] tilt bicrystals in Tl 2 Ba 2 CaCu 2 O x [2], Tl 2 Ba 2 Ca 2 Cu 3 O x [3], TlBa 2 Ca 2 Cu 2 O x [4], and Nd, 1.85 Ce 0.15 CuO 4 [3]. In each case it was found that, as in Y123, J c depends strongly on grain boundary misalignment angle. Although no measurements have been made on Bi-2223, data on current transmission across artificially fabricated grain boundaries in Bi-2212 indicate that most large angle [001] tilt [3] and twist [5,6] boundaries are weak links, with the exception of some coincident site lattice (CSL) related boundaries [5,6]. It is likely that the variation in J c with grain boundary misorientation in Bi-2212 and Bi-2223 is similar to that observed in the well-characterized cases of Y123 and Tl-based superconductors. Hence in order to fabricate high temperature superconductors with very critical current densities, it is necessary to biaxially align essentially all the grains. This has been shown to result in significant improvement in the superconducting properties of YBCO films [7-10].
A method for producing biaxially textured substrates was taught in previous U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,086, 5,741,377, 5,898,020, and 5,958,599. That method relies on the ability to texture metals, in particular FCC metals such as copper, to produce a sharp cube texture followed by epitaxial growth of additional metal/ceramic layers. Epitaxial YBCO films grown on such substrates resulted in high J c . However, in order to realize any applications, one of the areas requiring significant improvement and modification is the nature of the substrate. The preferred substrate was made by starting with high purity Ni, which is first thermomechanically biaxially textured, followed by epitaxial deposition of metal and/or ceramic layers. Because Ni is ferromagnetic, the substrate as a whole is magnetic and this causes difficulty in practical applications involving superconductors. A second problem is the thermal expansion mismatch between the preferred substrate and the oxide layers. The thermal expansion of the substrate is dominated by that of Ni which is quite different from most desired ceramic layers for practical applications. This mismatch can result in cracking and may limit properties. A third problem is the limitation of the lattice parameter to that of Ni alone. If the lattice parameter can be modified to be closer to that of the ceramic layers, epitaxy can be obtained far more easily with reduced internal stresses. This can reduce or prevent cracking and other stress-related defects and effects (e.g. delamination) in the ceramic films.
Although a method to form alloys starting from the textured Ni substrate is also suggested in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,739,086, 5,741,377, 5,898,020, and 5,958,599, its scope is limited in terms of the kinds of alloys that can be fabricated. This is because only a limited set of elements can be homogeneously diffused into the textured Ni substrate.
A method for fabricating textured alloys was proposed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,964,966 issued on Oct. 21, 1999 to Goyal, et al. The '966 patent involves the use of alloys of cubic metals such as Cu, Ni, Fe, Al and Ag for making biaxially textured sheets such that the stacking fault frequency, V, of the alloy with all the alloying additions is less than 0.009. In case it is not possible to make an alloy with desired properties to have the stacking fault frequency less than 0.009 at room temperature, thene deformation can be carried out at higher temperatures where the v is less than 0.009. However, '966 may be limited in the sharpness of the texture which can be attained. This is because no specific control on the starting material to fabricate the biaxially textured alloys was given which results in a sharp biaxial texture. Moreover, the alloys fabricated using the methods described in the invention, result in materials which have secondary recrystallization temperatures less than 1200° C. Once the secondary recrystallization temperature is reached, the substrate essentially begins to lose all its cube texture. Low secondary recrystallization temperatures unit the sharpness of biaxial texture that can be obtained and what deposition temperatures can be used for depositing epitaxial oxide or other layers on such substrates.
Furthermore, '966 does not teach how one could potentially texture and effectively use an alloy with compositions such that the stacking fault frequency of the alloy is greater than 0.009 at room temperature, Lastly, '966 does not provide a method or describe an article which effectively incorporates ceramic constituents in the alloy body to result in very significant mechanical toughening, yet maintaining the strong biaxial texture.
A metallic object such as a metal tape is defined as having a cube texture when the [100} crystallographic planes of the metal are aligned parallel to the surface of the tape and the [100] crystallographic direction is aligned along the length of the tape. The cube texture is referred to as the {100}<100> texture. Here, a new method for fabricating strongly or dominantly cube textured surfaces of composites which have tailored bulk properties (i.e. thermal expansion, mechanical properties, non-magnetic nature, etc.) for the application in question, and which have a strongly textured surface that is compatible with respect to lattice parameter and chemical reactivity with the layers of the electronic device(s) in question, is described. Herein the term dominantly or strongly cube textured surface describes one that has 95% of the grains comprising the surface in the {100}<100 > orientation.
The method for fabricating biaxially textured alloys of the herein disclosed and claimed invention utilizes powder metallurgy technology. Powder metallurgy allows fabrication of alloys with homogeneous compositions everywhere without the detrimental effects of compositional segregation commonly encountered when using vacuum melting or casting to make alloys. Furthermore, powder metallurgy allows easy control of the grain size of the starting alloy body. Moreover, powder metallurgy allows a fine and homogeneous grain size to be achieved. Herein, fine grain size means grain size less than 200 microns. Homogeneous grain size means variation in grain size of less than 40%. In the following we break the discussion into three parts:
a. Procedures and examples to obtain biaxially textured alloys which have stacking fault frequencies less than 0.009 at room temperature, but have better biaxial textures and have higher secondary recrystallization temperatures.
b. Procedures and examples to obtain biaxially textured alloys with a distribution of ceramic particles for mechanical strengthening.
c. Procedures and examples to obtain and effectively use biaxially textured alloys which have stacking fault frequencies greater than 0.009 at room temperature.
Procedures and Examples to Obtain Biaxially Textured Alloys Which Have Stacking Frequencies Less Than 0.009 at Room Temperature, but Have Better Biaxial Textures and Have Higher Secondary Recrystallization Temperatures
The basic premise or idea here is that alloys are formed by starting with high purity powders of the alloy constituents, mechanically mixing them together to form a homogeneous mixture, compacting and heat-treating the resulting body to form a raw article or starting preform. The thermomechanical treatment results in a fine and homegeneous grain size in the initial starting preform.
EXAMPLE I
Begin with a mixture of 80% Ni powder (99.99% purity) and 9% W powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1200° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 1 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured alloy substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 2 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape is determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 8.8°. FIG. 3 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 3 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 6.14°. FIG. 4 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 8.49° . This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being ale ned in all direction within 8-9° Alloys made by procedures other than what is described above result in secondary recrystallization at about 1200° C.
EXAMPLE II
Begin with a mixture of 80% Ni powder (99.99% purity) and 9% W powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1400° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 5 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured alloy substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 6 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape is determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 6.3°. FIG. 7 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [ 200 ] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 7 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 6.7°. FIG. 8 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 7.5°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all direction within 6-7° Alloys made by procedures other than what is described above result in secondary recrystallization at temperatures much below 1400° C. and do not result in single orientation cube texture as shown in the pole figure of FIG. 5 .
EXAMPLE III
Begin with a mixture of 87 at % Nickel powder (99.99% purity) and 13% Chromium powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1200° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 9 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured alloy substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 10 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 8.68°. FIG. 11 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 11 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 5.83°. FIG. 12 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 9.82°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all directions within 8-10°. Alloys made by procedures other than what is described above result in secondary arecrystallization at 1200° C.
EXAMPLE IV
Begin with a mixture of 87at % Nickel powder (99.99% purity) and 13% Chromium powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1400° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 13 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured alloy substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 14 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 6.1°. FIG. 15 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 15 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 4.5°. FIG. 16 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 7.3°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all directions within 6-7°. Alloys made by procedures other than the what is described above result in secondary recrystallization at temperatures much below 1400° C. and do not result in single orientation cube texture as shown in the pole figure of FIG. 13 .
Similar experiments can be performed with binary alloys of Ni—Cu, Ni—V, Ni—Mo, NiAl, and with ternary alloys of Ni—Cr—Al, Ni—W—Al, Ni—V—Al, Ni—Mo—Al, Ni—Cu—Al. Similar results are also expected for 100% Ag and Ag alloys such Ag—Cu, Ag—Pd.
Procedures and Examples to Obtain Biaxially-textured Alloys with a Distribution of Ceramic Particles Mechanical Strenghthening
Conventional wisdom and numerous experimental results indicate that hard, ceramic particles are introduced or dispersed within a metal or alloy it results in significant mechanical strengthening. This arises primarily due to enhanced defect or dislocation generation should this material be deformed. Conventional wisdom and prior experimental results also indicate because of the presence of such hard, ceramic particles, and the enhanced defect generation locally at these particles, the deformation is very inhomogeneous. Inhomogeneous deformation essentially prevents the formation of any sharp crystallographic texture. Hence, conventional wisdom and prior experimental results show that the presence of even a very small concentration of ceramic particles result in little texture formation even in high purity FCC metals such as Cu and Ni. Here we provide a method where ceramic particles can be introduced in a homogeneous fashion to obtain mechanical strengthening of the substrate, and still obtain a high degree of biaxial texture. The key is to have a particle size of less than 1 m and uniform distribution of the ceramic particles in the final preform, prior to the final rolling to obtain biaxial texture.
EXAMPLE V
Begin with a mixture of 0.03 at % Mg and remaining Ni powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. During this thermomechanical processing all the Mg is converted to MgO and it is dispersed in a fine and homogeneous manner throughout the preform. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1200° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4%H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 17 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured, particulate, composite substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 18 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 8.68°. FIG. 19 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 19 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 7.92°. FIG. 20 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 9.20°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all directions within 8-10°. Alloy substrates made by procedures other than what is described above undergo .secondary recrystallization at such annealing temperatures and lose most of their biaxial texture. On the contrary, the substrates reported here improve their biaxial textures upon annealing at temperatures as high as 1400° C.
EXAMPLE VI
Begin with a mixture of 0.03 at % Mg, 9 at %W and remaining Ni powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C for 2 hr. During this thermomechanical processing all the Mg is converted to MgO and it is dispersed in a fine and homogeneous manner throughout the preform. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1200° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 21 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured, particulate, composite substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 22 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 9.05°. FIG. 23 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 23 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 7.2°. FIG. 24 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 9.04°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all directions within 8-10°. Alloy substrates made by procedures other than what is described above undergo secondary recrystallization at such annealing temperatures and lose most of their biaxial texture. On the contrary, the substrates reported here improve their biaxial textures upon annealing at temperatures as high as 1400° C.
EXAMPLE VII
Begin with a mixture of 0.03 at% Mg, 9 at %W and remaining Ni powder (99.99% .purity). Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. During this thermomechanical processing all the Mg is converted to MgO and it is dispersed in a fine and homogeneous manner throughout the preform. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1400° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4%H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 25 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured alloy substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 26 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape is determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 6.1°. FIG. 27 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [ 200 ] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 27 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 6.7°. FIG. 28 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 7.5°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all direction within 6-7°. Alloy substrates made by procedures other than what is described above undergo secondary recrystallization at such annealing temperatures and lose most of their biaxial texture. On the contrary, the substrates reported here, improve their biaxial textures upon annealing at temperatures as high as 1400° C.
EXAMPLE VIII
Begin with a mixture of 0.03 at % Mg, 13 at % Cr and remaining Ni powder. Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. During this thermomechanical processing all the Mg is converted to MgO and it is dispersed in a fine and homogeneous manner throughout the preform. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1200° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 29 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured, particulate, composite substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 30 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 8.06°. FIG. 31 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 31 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 5.1°. FIG. 32 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 9.47°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all directions within 8-10°. Begin with a mixture of 0.03 at % Mg, 9 at %W and remaining Ni powder (99.99% purity). Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. During this thermomechanical processing all the Mg is converted to MgO and it is dispersed in a fine and homogeneous manner throughout the preform. The grain size at the end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1400° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4%H 2 in Ar.
EXAMPLE IX
Begin with a mixture of 0.03 at % Mg, 13 at % Cr and remaining Ni powder (99.99% purity). Mix and compact at appropriate pressures into a rod or billet. Then heat treat at 900° C. for 2 hr. During this thermomechanical processing all the Mg is converted to MgO and it is dispersed in a fine and homogeneous manner throughout the preform. The grain size at the A end of heat treatment is less than 50 μm. Deform, by rolling, to a degree greater than 90% total deformation, preferably using 10% reduction per pass and by reversing the rolling direction during each subsequent pass. Anneal at about 1400° C. for about 60 minutes to produce a sharp biaxial texture. Annealing is performed in flowing 4% H 2 in Ar.
FIG. 33 shows a (111) X-ray diffraction pole figure of the biaxially textured alloy substrate. As can be seen, only four peaks are evident. Each peak refers to one of four crystallographically similar orientations corresponding to {100}<100>, such that the (100) plane is parallel to the surface of the tape and <100> direction is aligned along the long axis of the tape. FIG. 34 shows a phi-scan of the [111] reflection showing the degree of in-plane texture. The FWHM of the tape is determined by fitting a gaussian curve to the data is ˜ 6.5°. FIG. 35 shows the rocking curve or the out-of-plane texture as measured by scanning the [200] reflection of the substrate. FIG. 35 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked in the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 6.9°. FIG. 36 is a rocking curve with the sample being rocked about the rolling direction and shows a FWHM of 7.9°. This is truly a single orientation texture with all crystallographic axis being aligned in all direction within 6-8°. Alloy substrates made by procedures other than what is described above undergo secondary recrystallization at such annealing temperatures and lose most of their biaxial texture. On the contrary, the substrates reported here, improve their biaxial textures upon annealing at temperatures as high as 1400° C.
EXAMPLE X
Begin with 99.99% pure Ni powder, and mix in fine (nanocrystalline or microcrystalline) oxide powders such as CeO 2 , Y203, and the like. Mix homogeneously and compact to a monolithic form. Deform, preferably by reverse rolling to a degree of deformation greater than 90%. Heat treat at temperatures above the primary recrystallization temperature but below the secondary recrystallization temperature to obtain a sharp biaxially textured substrate.
Similar experiments with additions of a dispersion and at least one fine metal oxide powder such as but not limited to Al 2 O 3 , MgO, YSZ, CeO 2 , Y 2 O 3 ,, YSZ, and RE 2 O 3 ; etc. can be performed with binary alloys of Ni—Cu, Ni—V, Ni—Mo, Ni—Al, and with ternary alloys of NiCr—Al, Ni—W—Al, Ni—V|—Al, Ni—Mo—Al, Ni—Cu—Al. Similar results are also expected for 100% Ag and Ag alloys such Ag—Cu, Ag—Pd.
Procedures and Procedures and Examples to Obtain and Effectively use Biaxially Textured Alloys Which Have Stacking Fault Frequencies Greater Than 0.009 at Room Temperature
In all the following examples, begin with separate powders of the constituents required to form the alloy, mixing them thoroughly and compacting them preferably into the form or a rod or billet. The rod or billet is then deformed, preferably by rolling, at about room temperature or a higher temperature provided the higher temperature is low enough that negligible inter-diffusion of elements occurs. During the initial stages of deformation the larger metal constituent essentially forms a connected and mechanically bonded network. The rod or billet is now rolled to a large degree of deformation, preferably greater than 90%. The alloying element powders remain as discrete particles in the matrix and may not undergo any significant deformation. Once the deformation is complete, rapidly thermally re-crystallize the substrate to texture the matrix material. The alloying elements can be diffused in at a higher temperature after the texture is attained in the matrix.
EXAMPLE XI
Begin with 80% Ni and 20% Cr powder. Mix homogeneously and compact to a monolithic form. Heat-treat to low temperatures so as to bond Ni-Ni particles. Since Cr particles are completely surrounded by Ni, their sintering or bonding to the Ni particles is not critical. Deform, preferably by reverse rolling to a degree of deformation greater than 90%. In such a case, the final substrate does not have a homogeneous chemical composition. There are clearly Cr particles dispersed in the matrix. The substrate is now rapidly heated in a furnace to a temperature between the primary and secondary recrystallization of Ni. The objective is to obtain a cube texture in the Ni matrix, with local regions of high Cr concentrations. The aim of the heat treatment is to minimize diffusion of Cr into the Ni matrix. Once the cube texture has been obtained, desired epitaxial oxide, nitride or other buffer layers are deposited on the substrate. Once the first layer is deposited, the substrate can be heat treated at higher temperatures to affect diffusion of Cr into Ni. While high concentrations of Cr of 20 at % in the substrate would result in appearance of secondary texture components, it does not matter at this point what the texture of the underlying metal below the textured ceramic buffer layer is, since further epitaxy is going to occur at the surface of the first ceramic layer.
Similar experiments can be performed with binary alloys of Ni—Cu, Ni—V, Ni—Mo, NiAl, and with ternary alloys of Ni—Cr—Al, Ni—W—Al, Ni—V—Al, Ni—Mo—Al, Ni—Cu—Al. Similar results are also expected for 100% Ag and Ag alloys such Ag—Cu, Ag—Pd.
Similar experiments can also be performed with additions of a dispersion of at least one fine metal oxide powder such as but not limited to Al 2 O 3 , MgO, YSZ, CeO 2 , Y 2 0 3 ,, YSZ, and RE 2 O 3 ;etc. with binary alloys of Ni—Cu, Ni—V, Ni—Mo, Ni—Al, and with ternary alloys of Ni—CrAl, Ni—W—Al, Ni—V—Al, Ni—Mo—Al, Ni—Cu—Al. Similar results are also expected for 100% Ag and Ag alloys such Ag—Cu, Ag—Pd.
While there has been shown and described what are at present considered the preferred embodiments of the invention, it will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications can be made therein without departing from the scope of the inventions defined by the appended claims. | A method of preparing a biaxially textured alloy article comprises the steps of preparing a mixture comprising Ni powder and at least one powder selected from the group consisting of Cr, W, V, Mo, Cu, Al, Ce, YSZ, Y, Rare Earths, (RE), MgO, CeO 2 , and Y 2 O 3 ; compacting the mixture, followed by heat treating and rapidly recrystallizing to produce a biaxial texture on the article. In some embodiments the alloy article further comprises electromagnetic or electro-optical devices and possesses superconducting properties. | 2 |
BACKGROUND
[0001] a. Field of the Invention
[0002] This invention relates to an inflatable dam assembly. In particular, this invention relates to a combined inflation, sealing and anchoring arrangement for a self-supporting dam for protecting buildings and property from rising flood water.
[0003] b. Related Art
[0004] When flood water rises above normal ground level it begins to infiltrate building fabrics exploiting any weakness in/or absence of damp proofing arrangements. If the flooding below the damp proof course is sustained or rises to apertures within the building envelope severe damage to the property and its contents occurs. Severe flood water damage usually renders a property uninhabitable for long periods of time.
[0005] A number of flood defense systems for buildings and other structures are known; however, many of these systems have disadvantages in relation to cost, size and the ease and speed of deployment when flooding occurs.
[0006] It is, therefore, an object of the present invention to provide an inflatable dam assembly that overcomes the disadvantages of prior art systems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an inflatable dam assembly comprising:
an inflatable membrane; means for inflating said membrane; an anchoring element operably engaged with the inflatable membrane; and a duct for housing the anchoring element and at least a part of said membrane, the duct comprising retaining means configured to retain the anchoring element within the duct, wherein, in use, the anchoring element is moveable relative to the duct in a first direction towards the retaining means and in a second direction away from the retaining means.
[0013] Preferably the anchoring element is movable between a first position in which the membrane is not clamped between the anchoring element and the retaining means, such that there is a gap between the membrane and the retaining means, and a second position in which a part of the membrane is clamped between the anchoring element and the retaining means.
[0014] Preferably the duct has opposing side walls and the retaining means comprises a first protrusion extending inwardly from a first one of said side walls and a second protrusion extending inwardly from a second one of said side walls.
[0015] Preferably the retaining means comprises a pair of opposing first and second protrusions forming a neck region of the duct, a dimension of the neck region being smaller than a dimension of the anchoring element, such that the anchoring element cannot pass through the neck region of the duct. A lower region of the duct may, therefore, be defined between a base of the duct and the neck region, and the anchoring element may be housed within said lower region. Preferably a distance between the base of the duct and the neck region is at least two times a dimension of the anchoring element.
[0016] In embodiments in which the retaining means comprises protrusions, the protrusions preferably have a substantially semi-cylindrical shape.
[0017] Preferably the anchoring element is substantially cylindrical.
[0018] In preferred embodiments the anchoring element is provided within the inflatable membrane.
[0019] In embodiments in which the retaining means comprises protrusions, the duct preferably comprises separate first and second components, the first component including the first protrusion and the second component including the second protrusion. The first and second components are preferably secured to each other to form the duct.
[0020] In preferred embodiments the inflatable dam assembly further comprises a membrane terminating element including guide means engaged with an end region of the inflatable membrane. Preferably the guide means comprises a guide rod and the end region of the inflatable membrane includes a plurality of apertures through which the rod is received.
[0021] According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of installing an inflatable dam assembly, the dam assembly comprising an inflatable membrane, means for inflating said membrane, an anchoring element, and a duct having retaining means, and the method comprising the steps of:
positioning the duct in a trench in the ground; operably engaging the anchoring element with the inflatable membrane; positioning the anchoring element within the duct such that the retaining means retain the anchoring element within the duct; and connecting said inflating means to the membrane to permit inflation of the membrane, wherein the duct is configured such that the anchoring element is moveable relative to the duct in a first direction towards the retaining means and in a second direction away from the retaining means.
[0027] In preferred embodiments the duct has opposing side walls and the retaining means comprises opposing first and second protrusions, a first protrusion extending inwardly from a first one of said side walls and a second protrusion extending inwardly from a second one of said side walls, and the duct comprises separate first and second components, the first component including the first protrusion and the second component including the second protrusion. In these embodiments the method preferably comprises:
inserting the first component into the trench; positioning the anchoring element with respect to the first component; inserting the second component into the trench, such that the first and second protrusions retain the anchoring element within the duct; and securing the second component to the first component.
[0032] The present invention is the key part of an impervious self-supporting dam system deployed away from any structure/site to be protected. The dam activation medium is self-contained, non-perishable and not dependant on external energy sources such as electricity which could be lost prior to flooding occurring.
[0033] This invention prevents water ingress between dam and the ground by utilising a loose anchor element that wedges itself against two lower fixed points (usually below ground). As a membrane inflates it creates a seal on the inner (side to be protected) fixed point and stabilises itself against a further set of secondary upper fixed points (usually at ground level). By continuing this inner fixed point from its normal horizontal position to a vertical orientation a continuous seal can be achieved up a vertical surface from the horizontal inner fixed point below ground.
[0034] As this system is self-supporting it is able to be installed away from any structure's to be protected. This ensures that natural air movement around the structure's fabric is maintained so minimising the risk of damp penetration.
[0035] This invention could be activated by operating a simple hand valve or automatically triggered by a float switch arrangement or water level sensor/s detecting rising water conditions.
[0036] It is possible that if chemical toilets, water storage and generator back-up were in place or temporarily available the protected building could remain habitable so that the flood situation could be monitored and the property remain secured from possible looting.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0037] The invention will now be further described by way of example only and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
[0038] FIG. 1 shows an inflatable dam according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention, and illustrates in particular the dam inflation, anchoring and sealing arrangement;
[0039] FIG. 2 shows a connection between a means for inflating the dam and dam anchoring means of the inflatable dam of FIG. 1 ;
[0040] FIG. 3 shows the inflatable dam of FIG. 1 installed in a flood defense location at a distance from a building structure;
[0041] FIG. 4 shows an arrangement for terminating an inflatable membrane of an embodiment of the inflatable dam;
[0042] FIGS. 5 a to 5 c show plan views of inflatable dams according to the present invention installed around detached, semi-detached and terraced buildings;
[0043] FIG. 6 shows an inflatable dam according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention in a stowed and covered configuration below ground (solid lines) and an uncovered and deployed configuration (dashed lines);
[0044] FIGS. 7 to 9 show alternative constructions of anchoring means of an inflatable dam according to embodiments of the present invention; and
[0045] FIGS. 10 a to 10 e show stages in the method of installation of an inflatable dam according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0046] FIG. 1 shows an inflatable dam 1 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. The inflatable dam 1 comprises a membrane 2 that, when inflated, provides a barrier to flood waters.
[0047] In its inflated state an upper portion 4 of the membrane 2 is located above the level of the ground 6 and a lower portion 8 of the membrane 2 is retained below the level of the ground 6 within anchoring means 10 . The upper portion 4 of the membrane 2 has a substantially cylindrical shape when fully inflated.
[0048] An anchoring and inflation assembly 12 is retained within and encapsulated by the membrane 2 . In this embodiment the anchoring and inflation assembly 12 , shown more clearly in FIG. 2 , comprises an anchoring element 14 , an inflation manifold 16 and a means 18 for connecting the inflation manifold 16 to a source of compressed gas, for example compressed air.
[0049] In this embodiment the anchoring element 14 is a substantially cylindrical tube and the inflation manifold 16 , also in the form of a substantially cylindrical tube, is positioned within the anchoring element 14 . Both the anchoring element 14 and the inflation manifold 16 include one or more holes 15 , 17 .
[0050] The anchoring means 10 comprises a duct 20 installed in the ground 6 . The duct 20 has opposing, substantially vertical side walls 22 , 24 and a base 26 . A top of the duct 20 is open such that the duct is in the form of a substantially U-shaped channel. The duct 20 comprises retaining means or detents 28 , 30 that extend inwardly from each of the side walls 22 , 24 . The detents 28 , 30 , therefore, create a narrow neck region 32 of the duct 20 and an upper chamber 34 is defined in an upper region of the duct 20 above the detents 28 , 30 and a lower chamber 36 is defined in a lower region of the duct 20 below the detents 28 , 30 .
[0051] The duct 20 is preferably formed from two components 31 , 33 . A main component 31 includes at least the base 26 of the duct 20 , together with one of the side walls 22 and its associated detent 28 . A second component 33 includes at least a part of the second one of the side walls 24 and the associated detent 30 .
[0052] The underground duct section 20 can be readily manufactured in a wide range of materials which include, but are not limited to, Thermoplastics, Thermosetting Plastics, Aluminium, Plated Steel, Stainless Steel, Reinforced Resins and Concrete.
[0053] Preferably, the main duct 20 is surrounded on either side with concrete 35 of suitable mass to serve as a robust foundation to resist the lifting and rolling forces exerted on the membrane 2 when in use, as shown most clearly in FIG. 3 .
[0054] The detents 28 , 30 preferably comprise opposing ridges or lobes that protrude into an interior space of the duct 20 . The detents 28 , 30 preferably have a semi-cylindrical profile and extend along the length of the duct 20 . Although the detents 28 , 30 are described and shown in this embodiment as having a convex curved inwardly facing surface, it will be appreciated that in other embodiments the detents 28 , 30 may be of any suitable shape for retaining the anchoring element 14 and membrane 2 as described below.
[0055] The lower chamber 36 houses the anchoring and inflation assembly 12 within the lower portion 8 of the inflatable membrane 2 with the remainder of the membrane 2 being stowed in the upper chamber 34 , as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 6 .
[0056] The distance between the detents 28 , 30 , i.e. the width of the neck region 32 , is slightly smaller than the width or diameter of the anchoring element 14 , therefore not allowing it to be pulled out of the duct 20 by membrane 2 when inflated and promoting angular contact between the anchoring element 14 and surfaces of the detents 28 , 30 creating a wedging action.
[0057] The lower chamber 36 is sized to permit vertical movement of the anchoring and inflation assembly 12 , as illustrated in FIG. 6 . Accordingly, a height of the lower chamber 36 , i.e. the distance between the base 26 and the neck region 32 of the duct 20 , is greater than a height or diameter of the anchoring element 14 . This allows the anchoring and inflation assembly 12 to move between a first position in which the anchoring element 14 is spaced away from the detents 28 , 30 and there is a gap between the membrane 2 and at least one of the detents 28 , 30 , and a second position in which the anchoring element 14 clamps or seals the membrane 2 against the detents 28 , 30 , as explained further below. Preferably the height of the lower chamber 36 is at least two times the diameter of the anchoring element 14 , but the height of the lower chamber 36 may be between 150% and 300% of the diameter of the anchoring element 14 .
[0058] One advantage of the anchoring and inflation assembly 12 being significantly smaller than the lower chamber 36 of the duct 20 it is placed in, is that there is little risk of the membrane 2 being damaged during installation of the inflatable dam 1 . Accordingly, installation is a task that can be undertaken without any specialist training.
[0059] A second advantage is that it allows the anchoring element 14 to be seated on the base 26 of the lower chamber 36 of the duct 20 when the membrane is in a stowed, or non-deployed, position, thereby allowing any rainfall to wash any accumulated sediment past the detents 28 , 30 when the dam 1 is not in use. Furthermore, when the membrane 2 is deployed and inflated, the detents 28 , 30 are wiped clean as the membrane 2 inflates and rises into position.
[0060] Although anchoring element 14 and detents 28 , 30 are depicted as rounded in shape, other geometries could also be used, including but not limited to, triangular, pentagon, hexagon, heptagon, octagon etc. or combinations of other geometries and rounded forms.
[0061] One advantage of having a wedging action with the anchoring element 14 pushing against the matching profiles of the detents 28 , 30 is that it puts the material of the two components 31 , 33 of the underground duct 20 (restrained by its concrete surround 35 ) in compression rather than in shear allowing the duct 20 to be more compact, i.e. less material is used in the duct and the duct is easier to handle and to transport to site.
[0062] Another advantage of having a wedging action coupled with small contact areas in this way is that a high compressive force can be applied across the sealing point allowing it to accommodate imperfections in the mating surface of the ridge profile 28 , 30 of the underground duct 20 , i.e. the surface of the detents 28 , 30 against which the membrane 2 is clamped by the anchoring element 14 .
[0063] As membrane 2 inflates it sandwiches itself between anchoring element 14 and both matching ridges 28 , 30 creating a continuous compression seal at least on the fixed ridged profile 28 . In other words, a part of the membrane is clamped between the anchoring element 14 and both matching ridges 28 , 30 . This arrangement of having a single sealing surface and allowing the lower chamber 36 to fill with water when in use has the advantage of not having to seal any part of the secondary removable component 33 to the main component 31 . In this way, only one side of each end of main duct section needs a seal/gasket, the side incorporating the fixed prominent ridge 28 . This could be a gasket strip or a bead of flexible sealant/chemically hardened compound placed vertically from top to bottom which is simply trimmed flush with fixed prominent ridge 28 before membrane 2 and the secondary component 33 is installed. It is also possible to cast the main component 31 of the underground duct 20 with in-situ concrete using two part formers and a continuous pour technique thus eliminating the need for gaskets/sealants.
[0064] A second pair of prominent ridges/radius corners 38 , 40 located at an upper end of each of the side walls 22 , 24 , stabilise the inflated membrane 2 from rolling when subjected to water pressure on one side, due to flood waters. The inflation pressure of the membrane 2 can be up to 8 bar above atmospheric pressure which means it can resist side pressure in a similar way a motor vehicle tyre does when cornering. Therefore, this arrangement requires no additional support to be added in order to resist imposed side movement of the membrane 2 when inflated.
[0065] The materials of which the membrane 2 can made include but are not limited to Kevlar Cloth and Polyaramid Cord impregnated with Vulcanized Neoprene Rubber.
[0066] The membrane 2 is inflated via the perforated, semi-rigid anchoring element 14 and the inflation manifold 16 by a flexible hose 42 within a conduit 44 connected to one or more remote gas cylinders 46 or a compressor backed-up by one or more gas cylinders (shown in FIG. 3 ). Manifold 16 also serves as a clamping nut into which a proprietary gas connection may be screwed, using the membrane 2 as a gasket seal between the anchoring element 14 and the gas connection assembly.
[0067] The materials from which the anchoring element 14 can be made include, but are not limited to, Polypropylene, Polythene and Nylon. The materials from which the inflation manifold 16 can be made include, but are not limited to, Stainless Steel, Plated Steel, Thermoplastics materials, Brass, Aluminium Bronze and Copper.
[0068] All drains serving a protected building 3 would be fitted with proprietary non-return type flood protection devices and down pipes from guttering would be temporarily diverted to flow over the inflatable dam 1 to cope with rain fall-off from the roof/s. It is inevitable that some storm water will collect between the dam 1 and the building 3 due to continued rainfall, water lapping over the dam 1 from bow waves of passing rescue vehicles/boats or prolonged seepage under the dam 1 etc. It would, therefore, be preferable to install a proprietary drive channel drain system 48 connected to a sump and pump arrangement to ensure the protection of a building 3 is maintained over longer periods of flooding.
[0069] Where there is a need for the inflatable membrane 2 to be attached to a structure/s, a membrane terminating element 50 is used. The membrane terminating element 50 comprises a vertically extending protrusion 52 having a profile or shape substantially the same as the horizontally extending detent 28 . This vertical section 52 having a prominent ridge profile extends upwards to above the height of the inflated membrane 2 , as illustrated in FIG. 4 .
[0070] This vertical profile element 52 works in a similar way to the underground duct arrangement 20 where membrane 2 is sealed against the prominent ridge profile 52 , but instead of being anchored by an anchoring element, a vertical pre-tensioned rod or pole 54 is used. This vertical rod or pole 54 being in tension resists horizontal forces applied when in use. Sealed end portions 56 of the membrane 2 are perforated with slots or holes 58 through which the rod or pole 54 extends. The slots or holes 58 are arranged to allow the sealed end portion 56 to rise vertically up the retaining rod or pole 54 when the membrane 2 is inflated from a stowed position underground.
[0071] The materials from which the vertical profile element 52 can be made include, but are not limited to, Stainless Steel, Plated Steel and Concrete. The materials from which the vertical rod or pole 54 can be made include, but are not limited to, Stainless Steel, Plated Steel, Brass and Aluminium Bronze.
[0072] This vertical profile termination arrangement 50 has the advantage that it can be secured to the side of any structure such as a bridge over a river or an existing sea/harbour wall.
[0073] Furthermore, two vertical profile elements 52 bolted or otherwise secured together in a back to back arrangement (not shown) can allow two membranes 2 to be connected together making it possible for membranes 2 of different heights or materials/duty and/or inflation pressures to be used in combination in a membrane run to protect a particular structure or dwelling. This back to back arrangement has the particular advantage of allowing a section or sections of a membrane run to be deflated in order to allow flood control by purposely creating a flood plain upstream of any section under threat of being breached or structure such as a bridge being overwhelmed or damaged.
[0074] Another less obvious advantage of using this back to back arrangement is to create an exact demarcation boundary point between areas of responsibility e.g. between Local Governments or Public to Private or Military/Defense installations.
[0075] Groups of buildings such as housing estates or villages may have a continuous membrane run across the low lying areas prone to flooding and running up to higher ground, stopping in a simple sealed end/terminating arrangement, such as that described above. Alternatively, whole communities may be encircled by a continuous membrane.
[0076] Detached buildings 60 may have a continuous dam 1 extending around the external walls with one single, joint 62 in the membrane 2 , preferably located on a straight run, as illustrated in FIG. 5 a . Alternatively, overhead services could be disconnected and an already completed, continuous membrane 2 lifted over the building 60 and overhead services reconnected.
[0077] Semi-detached and terraced buildings 64 , 66 or obstructing structures require the internal fixed prominent ridge 28 to be continued from its underground position up the structure's vertical surface by means of a vertical profile element 52 within the termination arrangement 50 .
[0078] The membrane 2 when in the stowed position is preferably covered with a non-perishable loose fitting cover 68 which is displaced during inflation, as shown in FIG. 6 . This cover 68 can be simply laid in the underground duct 20 or tethered to it. The cover 68 may be seated on the radius corners 38 at the top of the duct side walls 22 , 24 . The materials used for the manufacture of this cover 68 include, but are not limited to, Cast Iron, Plated Steel, Stainless Steel, Aluminium, Reinforced Resins, Thermoplastics materials and Concrete.
[0079] In FIGS. 1 to 8 , the duct 20 has been depicted as comprising an extruded profile. In particular the main component 31 of the duct 20 comprises a first extruded profile including the base 26 , side walls 22 , 24 and detent 28 . The second component 33 comprises an extruded profile that includes the second detent 30 , and at least a part of the second component 33 has a shape that matches the profile of a part of the second side wall 24 . In this way, the second component 33 may be secured to the main component 31 by means of bolts or other suitable fixing means such that a part of the second component 33 is in contact with a part of the side wall 24 of the main component 31 .
[0080] It will be appreciated, however, that many other methods of construction could be used to form the duct 20 . Examples of some other methods of production for the underground duct are illustrated in FIGS. 7 to 9 . FIG. 7 shows a main component 131 and a second component 133 of duct 120 that have been formed by moulding. FIG. 8 shows an embodiment of a duct 220 in which the base 226 , side wall 222 and first detent 228 are formed by surfaces of a first region 221 of cast material, for example cast concrete. The second side wall 224 and second detent 230 are formed by surfaces of a second region or block 223 of cast material, for example cast concrete. In this embodiment the second block 223 is received within a channel 225 formed in the base 226 of the first region 221 of cast material. FIG. 9 shows a further embodiment of a duct 320 in which the main component 331 and second component 333 are extruded. Combinations of different materials may be used for the main component 31 , 131 , 221 , 331 and the removable component 33 , 133 , 223 , 333 of the underground duct 20 , 120 , 220 , 320 .
[0081] To install the inflatable dam assembly 1 of the present invention, first the main component 31 of the two part underground duct 20 is installed in the ground 4 .
[0082] The main component 31 of the duct 20 incorporating fixed detent or prominent ridge 28 is preferably laid within a simple trench on a bed of concrete with its uppermost surfaces flush with the ground level and fixed detent or prominent ridge 28 orientated toward the buildings/site to be protected by the inflatable dam 1 . The continuous cylindrical membrane 2 encasing the anchoring element 14 is then loosely placed within the main component 31 of the duct 20 , with the anchoring element 14 below the detent 28 . The second removable component 33 of the underground duct 20 having the matching detent or ridged element 30 is then secured into position, thereby forming the upper and lower chambers 34 , 36 within the duct 20 .
[0083] The method of installation of an inflatable dam assembly according to the present invention will now be described in more detail with reference to FIGS. 10 a to 10 e.
[0084] In Stage 1 both components 31 , 33 of the two part duct section 20 are bedded on a layer of concrete 70 within a trench 72 in the ground 4 so that the tops of its side walls 22 , 24 are flush with the surrounding ground level. The first section of duct 20 is placed over a conduit run 44 so as to allow the flexible inflation hose to pass through. Each subsequent section of duct 20 is aligned with each other so that detent or prominent ridge 28 forms a continuous sealing surface along all sections installed. To assist in this alignment an optional guide assembly 74 comprising two wedge-shaped components 76 bolted or otherwise secured together may be used. The guide assembly is located such that the two wedge-shaped components straddle the detents or prominent ridges 28 , 30 , as illustrated most clearly in FIG. 10 b.
[0085] In Stage 2 of the installation, spaces 78 between each side wall 22 , 24 of the underground duct 20 and respective side walls of the trench 72 are filled with concrete, until a top surface of the concrete is flush with the ground level. In some embodiments it may be desirable if the top surface of the concrete is slightly lower than the surrounding ground level. This would allow a more aesthetic finish to be applied such as block paving, tarmac, shingle or grass.
[0086] In Stage 3 , when the concrete laid in Stages 1 and 2 is sufficiently cured or hardened, the removable component 33 incorporating detent or prominent ridge 30 is removed. The inflation hose 42 is connected to the inflation manifold 16 , and therefore to membrane 2 and anchoring element 14 . The inflation hose 42 is then fed through conduit 44 until the anchoring element 14 within a part of the membrane 2 is resting on the base 26 of the underground duct 20 , as shown in FIG. 10 c . The majority of the membrane 2 is laid at ground level above prominent ridge profile 28 in order to allow maximum access to the duct wall 24 opposite the prominent ridge 28 .
[0087] In Stage 4 the removable component 33 of the underground duct 20 incorporating prominent ridge profile 30 is secured in place, as illustrated in FIG. 10 d . At this point the membrane 2 can be inflated and inspected and/or tested.
[0088] In Stage 5 the membrane 2 is folded or rolled and stowed within the underground duct 20 and enclosed by the loose fitting cover section 68 . | This invention relates to an inflatable dam assembly. In particular, this invention relates to a combined inflation, sealing and anchoring arrangement for a self-supporting dam for protecting buildings and property from rising flood water. An inflatable dam assembly comprises an inflatable membrane; means for inflating said membrane; an anchoring element operably engaged with the inflatable membrane; and a duct for housing the anchoring element and at least a part of said membrane, the duct comprising retaining means configured to retain the anchoring element within the duct, wherein, in use, the anchoring element is moveable relative to the duct in a first direction towards the retaining means and in a second direction away from the retaining means. | 8 |
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to an apparatus of the type known as a masking machine for use in dispensing strips of masking material.
BACKGROUND
[0002] In painting objects, for example automobiles or houses, it is often necessary to mask areas of the object which are not to be painted. A masking machine is often used in this process for connecting a strip of masking tape to the edge of a length of masking paper as the paper is withdrawn from a roll.
[0003] The existing masking machines often have a limited capacity for roll materials of different sizes and generally will not carry all of the materials needed in a particular masking operation. Because of their designs, the prior art machines often suffer from mechanical failures. These known machines may be difficult to move around a shop, and with many masking machines, tools, e.g. wrenches, are required to change the rolls of paper.
[0004] The present invention addresses concerns with the prior art and proposes a novel masking machine design.
SUMMARY
[0005] According to the present invention there is provided a masking machine for plural rolls of masking sheet material, said machine comprising:
[0006] a frame including:
[0007] spaced apart front and back sides, each with a base member and two end members converging upwardly from the base member to define upwardly convergent ends of the frame;
[0008] cross members extending across the ends of the frame and joining the end members of the front and back sides; and
[0009] a plurality of roll support members positioned between the front and back sides and extending between the ends of the frame, the roll support members being vertically spaced apart and supported at opposite ends by the cross members.
[0010] The upwardly convergent design accommodates the various paper roll sizes in a stable design that minimizes space requirements. The dimension between the front and back sides of the frame need only be sufficient to accommodate the paper rolls and any necessary guides for the paper.
[0011] In preferred embodiments, the roll supports are inclined downwardly and towards one end, so that the roll is held in place by gravity. The end of the roll may be supported by a spring pin that may in turn be selectively positioned along the support to accommodate paper rolls of differing lengths.
[0012] To enable quick and tool-free exchange of rolls, the roll support is preferably removably supported on the cross members.
[0013] Each roll support is preferably associated with a respective cut-off member extending across the front side of the frame in front of the roll support. The cut-off members are preferably arranged horizontally, parallel to the base members or the front and back sides.
[0014] To guide the paper off the rolls, guide rods may be mounted on the frame in front of the rolls. Where cut-off members are used, the rods are positioned between the rolls and the cut-off members, parallel to the cut-off members.
[0015] To apply masking tape to one edge of the paper as it is drawn from the rolls, the machine may include vertically spaced apart tape holders mounted at one end of the frame between the rolls and the back of the frame. This applies the tape over a large portion of the circumference of the roll to ensure a good, smooth adhesion of the tape to the paper roll.
[0016] The preferred frame has front and back sides of a generally triangular shape, preferably isosceles. This accommodates the larger rolls at the bottom and smaller rolls towards the top. The shape itself is more robust than configurations known in the prior art.
[0017] By using four caster wheels for support of the base, the unit may be moved easily about a shop, while being very stable in use. This also allows the unit to be made from robust, damage resistant materials of greater weight than prior art two-wheel devices, which must be sufficiently light that they may be tipped up to one side for movement.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0018] In the accompanying drawings, which illustrate an exemplary embodiment of the present invention:
[0019] [0019]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a masking machine according to the present invention from the front and right;
[0020] [0020]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a masking machine according to the present invention from the left and back;
[0021] [0021]FIG. 3 is a right end view of the masking machine;
[0022] [0022]FIG. 4 is a left end view of the masking machine;
[0023] [0023]FIG. 5 is a partial sectional view showing the application of masking tape to a roll of paper; and
[0024] [0024]FIG. 6 is a cross section along line 6 - 6 of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0025] Referring to the accompanying drawings, there is illustrated a masking machine 10 that includes a frame 12 . The frame is a space frame with triangular front and back sides 14 and 16 respectively, a right end 18 and a left end 20 . Each side of the frame includes a horizontal base member 22 , a right end member 24 and a left end member 26 . The right and left end members converge from the ends of the base member towards the top where they are joined by a short cap 27 .
[0026] The two triangular sides are joined at the opposite ends of their bases by base cross members 28 . Each cross member includes a rectangular flange 30 that extends across the bottom of the two base members 22 and is secured to them adjacent their ends. The cross member also includes an upright trapezoidal flange 32 with an aperture 34 adjacent its upper end.
[0027] The front and back sides of the frame are also joined by two sets of five cross members 36 , one set at the right end and the other at the left end. Each cross member is a plate with a rectangular section 38 and a trapezoidal section 40 with an aperture 42 formed between the two sections. As shown most particularly in FIGS. 3 and 4, the cross members at the right end of the frame are mounted with the trapezoidal sections at the top while the cross members at the left end are inverted, with the trapezoidal sections at the bottom. In addition, the cross members at the left and right are aligned with the base of the rectangular section of one being aligned vertically with the base of the rectangular section of the other. This means that a line through the apertures 42 of two corresponding cross members will slope down from the right to the left.
[0028] The bottom-most cross members 36 at the left and right ends support a roll support tube 44 which engages in the apertures 42 of the two cross members. The tube carries an inclined flange 46 adjacent one end to support the tube on the right end cross member 36 .
[0029] Spaced from the opposite end of the tube are a series of apertures 48 that are selectively engaged by spring pins 50 to support the lower or left end of a paper roll.
[0030] Four additional support tubes 52 , 54 , 56 and 58 are mounted in the other pairs of cross members 36 . They are configured in the same way but are shorter to accommodate the narrowing width of the frame towards the top and paper rolls of shorter length.
[0031] At the bottom of the frame a horizontal support tube 60 extends through the apertures 34 of the base cross members. This is horizontal and not inclined. This material is also used in masking in an automotive environment. The plastic roll support tube has two apertures positioned adjacent its opposite ends to receive respective spring pins 64 .
[0032] Across the front side of the frame 14 are five cutter bars 66 that are oriented horizontally and positioned in front of the roll support tubes 44 , 52 , 54 , 56 and 58 respectively. Each cutter bar has a bevel 68 along the bottom to provide a cutting edge 70 . Positioned between each cutter bar 66 and the respective roll support tube is a guide rod 72 . The guide rod is horizontal and secured to the cross members 36 .
[0033] To apply masking tape to the edge of a strip of paper as it is pulled from a roll, five tape holders 82 are mounted on the back side of the frame. These project inwardly from the right end, parallel to the plural support tubes. They are positioned below the cross members 36 . Each tape holder includes a threaded rod 92 secured to the right end member 24 of the frame and a disk-like core 94 (FIG. 5) mounted on the threaded rod by two lock nuts 96 that provide for adjustment of the core along the threaded rod.
[0034] The base of the frame is completed with a center cross member 98 extending from the front side to the back to join the base members 22 at the center and an expanded metal mesh panel 100 that can be used for supporting any auxiliary tools that may be required while allowing dust to fall through to the floor.
[0035] At the corners of the base, are castor wheels 102 . These allow the masking machine to be moved readily to any desired location in a shop.
[0036] At the top of the frame, a cork pad 104 is glued to the cap 47 to provide a safe place to hold razor blades that are used in masking.
[0037] As illustrated schematically in FIG. 5, five paper rolls 106 (one shown) of differing lengths are mounted on the five roll support tubes 44 , 52 , 54 , 56 and 58 . A roll of plastic sheeting (not shown) is mounted on the plastic roll support tube 60 . Five rolls of masking tape 108 (one shown, FIG. 5) are mounted on the discs 94 of the tape holders 82 with the masking tape being pulled off the roll of masking tape and onto the edge of a respective sheet of paper as it is pulled off its roll.
[0038] Paper is easily installed on this machine simply by pulling the spring pin 50 from the associated roll support tube and pulling the roll support tube out of the machine far enough to release the core of a roll being replaced and to install a new roll on the tube. When the new roll is in place, the spring pin can be reinstalled to hold the roll in the correct position. Gravity holds the rolls in the correct position.
[0039] While one embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, it is to be understood that other embodiments are possible within the scope of the invention as will be apparent to those knowledgeable in the art. The invention is therefore to be considered limited solely by the scope of the appended claims. | A masking machine for plural rolls of masking paper has a generally triangular shape with triangular front and back frames joined by a base and a number of cross members. The cross members support inclined roll supports at both ends. The base of the machine is mounted on castor wheels for portability. Paper and masking tape applied to an edge of the paper are guided out of the machine by horizontal guide rods and outer cutter bars which are conveniently positioned across the front of the frame. | 8 |
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to an antiglare film, a polarizer, and an image display device.
BACKGROUND ART
An optical layered body is commonly provided on the outermost surface of an image display device, such as cathode ray tube displays (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma displays (PDP), and electroluminescent displays (ELD), for antireflection.
Such an optical layered body for antireflection suppresses reflection of images and lowers the reflectance by light diffusion or light interference.
A known optical layered body for antireflection is an antiglare film including a transparent substrate and an antiglare layer with surface roughness provided on the surface of the transparent substrate. Surface roughness on the surface of such an antiglare film diffuse external light, thereby preventing reduction in visibility due to reflection of external light and reflection of images.
An optical layered body is commonly provided on the outermost surface of an image display device, and therefore is required to have a hard-coating property for avoiding scratches formed during handling thereof.
Conventionally known antiglare films are formed, for example, by applying a resin containing a filler such as silicon dioxide (silica) to the surface of a light-transmitting substrate to form an antiglare layer thereon (see Patent Literatures 1 and 2, for example).
Surface roughness of such antiglare films is formed by the following methods. Particles such as aggregative silica particles are aggregated to form surface roughness on the surface of the antiglare layer. An organic filler or the like having a particle size of not smaller than the thickness of a coating film to be formed is added to a resin to form surface roughness on the layer surface. An organic filler or the like having a particle size of not larger than the thickness of a coating film to be formed is added to a resin, so that surface roughness is formed on the layer surface by curing shrinkage of the resin at positions corresponding to the organic filler. A film having surface roughness on its surface is laminated to transfer projections and depressions. Each of these methods is employed alone or in combination with others.
These conventional antiglare films produce light diffusion/antiglare effects by surface features of the antiglare layer. Accordingly, to enhance the antiglare effect, projections and depressions need to be enlarged. An enlarged projections and depressions, however, increase the haze value of the film to cause white muddiness, problematically lowering the contrast of the displayed image.
Further, conventional antiglare films have flicker, so-called scintillation as disclosed in Patent Literature 3, on the film surface, problematically lowering the visibility of the display screen.
To solve the above problems, an antiglare film in which a hard coat layer and an antiglare layer are laminated is known (see Patent Literature 4, for example). An antireflection film having such a layered configuration suppresses scintillation and white muddiness, while maintaining the hard-coating property and the antiglare property. Such a film, however, is thick, failing to satisfy the recent demands for thinner antiglare films.
Accordingly, there has been a demand for an antireflection film including an antiglare layer with a monolayer structure that sufficiently suppresses scintillation and white muddiness, while maintaining the hard-coating property and antiglare property.
CITATION LIST
Patent Literature
Patent Literature 1: JP-A H06-18706
Patent Literature 2: JP-A H10-20103
Patent Literature 3: JP-A 2000-304648
Patent Literature 4: JP-A 2009-086361
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Technical Problem
The present invention aims to provide, in consideration of the state of the art, an antiglare film that has a thin antiglare layer and suppresses generation of scintillation and white muddiness at significantly high levels, while maintaining the hard-coating property and antiglare property, thereby providing favorable high-contrast display images, and to provide a polarizer and an image display device each including the antiglare film.
Solution to Problem
The present invention relates to an antiglare film including: a light-transmitting substrate; and an antiglare layer that has surface roughness on the surface and is provided on one face of the light-transmitting substrate, wherein the antiglare layer has plural rod-shaped projections having an aspect ratio of at least 2 on the opposite side of the surface contacting the light-transmitting substrate, the projections of the antiglare layer occupy 20 to 40%, per unit area, of the opposite side of the surface contacting the light-transmitting substrate, and N T indicating the number of all projections and N S indicating the number of rod-shaped projections among all the projections, per unit area of the surface of the antiglare layer, satisfy the following formula (1):
N S /N T >0.2 (1).
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the N T and the N S preferably further satisfy the following formula (2):
N S /N T >0.4 (2).
Further, in the antiglare film of the present invention, N T indicating the number of all projections and N o indicating the number of projections having an area of at least 500 μm 2 among all the projections, per unit area of the opposite side of the surface of the antiglare layer contacting the light-transmitting substrate, satisfy the following formula (3):
N C /N T ≧0.25 (3).
The plural rod-shaped projections of the antiglare layer formed on the opposite side of the surface contacting the light-transmitting substrate preferably have their major axes randomly oriented.
The rod-shaped projections are preferably formed of aggregates of organic fine particles.
The antiglare layer preferably further contains inorganic fine particles. The inorganic fine particles are preferably formed of a layered inorganic compound.
The antiglare layer preferably has a thickness of 2.0 to 7.0 μm.
The present invention also relates to a polarizer including a polarizing element, which includes the antiglare film on a surface of the polarizing element.
The present invention further relates to an image display device including the antiglare film or the polarizer.
The present invention is specifically described below.
The present inventors have intensively studied about antiglare films including a light-transmitting substrate and an antiglare layer that has surface roughness on the surface and is provided on one surface of the substrate to find the following fact, thereby completing the present invention. In the case where the antiglare layer has a specific thickness and has specific rod-shaped projections among the surface roughness on the surface in a specific proportion, a resulting antiglare film suppresses generation of scintillation and white muddiness at significantly high levels, while maintaining the hard-coating property and antiglare property, thereby providing favorable high-contrast display images.
The antiglare film of the present invention includes a light-transmitting substrate and an antiglare layer that has surface roughness on the surface and is provided on one face of the light-transmitting substrate.
Preferably, the light-transmitting substrate is smooth and heat-resistant and has excellent mechanical strength. Specific examples of materials of the light-transmitting substrate include thermoplastic resins such as cellulose acylates, polyesters, polyamides, polyimides, polyether sulfones, polysulfones, polypropylenes, polycycloolefins, polymethylpentenes, polyvinyl chlorides, polyvinyl acetals, polyether ketones, polymethyl methacrylates, polycarbonates, or polyurethanes. Preferable are polyethylene terephthalate and cellulose triacetate.
The light-transmitting substrate is preferably a flexible film formed of any of the thermoplastic resins. In accordance with the applications that require curability, the substrate may be a plate formed of any of the thermoplastic resins or a glass plate.
In the case where the light-transmitting substrate is a film, the thickness thereof is preferably 20 to 300 μm. More preferably, the lower limit of the thickness is 30 μm and the upper limit thereof is 200 μm. In the case where the light-transmitting substrate is a plate, the thickness may exceed the above thickness of the film. Before formation of the hard coat layer and the like on the surface, the light-transmitting substrate may be subjected to, for the purpose of enhancing the adhesiveness, application of a coating composition called an anchoring agent or a primer, in addition to a physical or chemical treatment such as corona discharge treatment and oxidation treatment.
The antiglare layer is formed on one face of the light-transmitting substrate and has surface roughness on the opposite side of the surface contacting the light-transmitting substrate.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the antiglare layer has plural rod-shaped projections having an aspect ratio of at least 2 on the surface.
The term “projections” herein refers to convex regions formed by slopes having an inclination angle of at least 0.7° observed on the surface of the antiglare layer under a microscope. Unless otherwise specified, “the surface of the antiglare layer” means the opposite side of the surface of the antiglare layer contacting the light-transmitting substrate.
Next, the term “inclination angle” is described.
Since the antiglare layer has a large number of fine projections and depressions formed on the surface, a local inclination angle at an arbitrary point on the surface of the antiglare layer varies, and the inclination angle is determined for each arbitrary point. The term “inclination angle” herein is defined to be the inclination angle relative to the average plane of the antiglare layer. The inclination angle is calculated as described below.
Rectangular coordinates (x, y) are set on the average plane (hereinafter, referred to as a plane T). A coordinate z is further set in the direction orthogonal to the plane T (i.e., the direction along the height of projections and depressions). An arbitrary point on the antiglare layer surface is represented by (x, y, z). In the case where the inclination angle of the point A is determined, the coordinates of the point A are set as (x i , y j , z A ). The projected point of the point A on the plane T is set as a point a (the x and y coordinates of the point a are the same as the x and y coordinates of the point A).
Points b and c are plotted symmetrically about the point a, each at a minute distance δ from the point a along the direction parallel with the x axis passing through the point a. Points d and e are plotted in the same manner each at a minute distance δ from the point a along the direction parallel with the y axis passing through the point a (points b, c, d, and e are plotted on the plane T). The projected points of the points b, c, d, and e on the antiglare layer surface are set as points B, C, D, and E, respectively. The z coordinates thereof are set as z B , z C , z D , and z E (the x and y coordinates of the points B, C, D, and E are the same as the x and y coordinates of the points b, c, d, and e, respectively). The coordinates of the points B, C, D, and E are mentioned below.
Point B: (x i −δ, y j , z B )
Point C: (x i +δ, y j , z C )
Point D: (x i , y j −δ, z D )
Point E: (x i , y j +δ, z E )
The inclination Sx at the point A relative to the x axis in the x direction and the inclination Sy at the point A relative to the y axis in the y direction are calculated based on the following formulae:
Sx =( z C −z B )/2δ, and
Sy =( z E −z D )/2δ.
The inclination St at the point A relative to the plane T is calculated based on the following formula:
St =√{square root over (( Sx 2 +Sy 2 ))}. [Mathematical Expression 1]
The inclination angle at the point A is obtained as arctan (St)
The inclination angle is determined from three-dimensional information of the surface roughness determined with a confocal microscope, interference microscope, or atomic force microscope (AFM).
The device used in measurement of the inclination angle is required to have a horizontal resolution of at most 5 μm and preferably at most 2 μm, and an orthogonal resolution of at most 0.1 μm and preferably at most 0.01 μm.
Examples of a noncontact 3D surface profiler favorably used in measurement of the inclination angle include “Zygo New View 6000” series from Zygo Corporation. The area measured is preferably large, and is at least 200 μm×200 μm and preferably at least 500 μm×500 μm.
The term “rod-shaped projections” herein means that the “projections” have a rod-shaped profile on the plane of the antiglare layer.
The term “aspect ratio” refers to a major/minor axis ratio of an ellipse. The major/minor axis ratio of an ellipse can be obtained as the ratio between the major axis and the minor axis (major axis/minor axis) of an equivalent ellipse (an ellipse having the same area and the same first and the second moments in physics as those of the object) that is a projected shape of the “projection” on the average plane of the antiglare layer surface.
The major/minor axis ratio of an ellipse can be calculated using commercially available image-processing software. For example, Image-Pro Plus from Media Cybernetics, Inc. is suitably used.
In a comparison of the inclination angle between the periphery and the central portion (the top or near the top of the rod-shaped projection) of the rod-shaped projection reveals that the inclination angle at the periphery is larger than that at the central portion in the cross-sectional direction of the antiglare layer.
The rod-shaped projections have their major axes randomly oriented on the antiglare layer surface. Such rod-shaped projections on the antiglare layer surface reduce the amount of light diffusion without changing the amount of light reflection on the surface of the antiglare layer, thereby achieving both the antiglare property and prevention of white muddiness.
In conventional antiglare films, most projections formed on the antiglare layer surface have a non-rod shape such as a circular shape in a plan view, though the size thereof varies. On the antiglare layer with such projections formed thereon, the amount of light diffused by one projection is constant in all directions. Accordingly, in the case where the amount of light diffusion is reduced on the entire surface of the antiglare layer by decreasing the number of projections, the amount of light reflection on the surface of the antiglare layer increases.
In contrast, in the case where rod-shaped projections are formed on the surface of the antiglare layer, the amount of light diffused by one rod-shaped projection varies in accordance with the directions of light, enabling to reduce the amount of light diffusion in comparison with that of one non-rod-shaped projection. In the antiglare film of the present invention, such rod-shaped projections are provided on the surface of the antiglare layer with their major axes randomly oriented, and therefore, the amount of light diffusion can be reduced in comparison with the case where non-rod-shaped projections are formed, while the amount of light reflection on the entire surface of the antiglare layer is hardly changed.
Here, the state where “the rod-shaped projections have their major axes randomly oriented” refers to a state where inclinations (degrees) of major axes of the equivalent ellipses of the rod-shaped projections on the surface of the antiglare layer have a standard deviation of at least 40 degrees relative to the standard axis (Y axis (ordinate axis) of the image) of the antiglare layer image in measurement of the inclination in a range of 0 to 180 degrees.
The “equivalent ellipse” has been already mentioned in the description on the aspect ratio. The inclination (degree) of the major axis can be calculated as an “angle” using commercially available image processing software. For example, Image-Pro Plus from Media Cybernetics, Inc. is suitably used. The standard deviation can be calculated using commercially available spread sheet software such as Excel (registered trade mark) based on the “angle” obtained using commercially available image processing software.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, non-rod-shaped projections may be formed, in addition to the rod-shaped projections, on the surface of the antiglare layer. Such non-rod-shaped projections may be formed by a conventionally known method, and examples thereof include projections formed by organic fine particles contained in the antiglare layer without being aggregated, and projections formed by inorganic fine particles, which will be described later.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, projections occupy 20 to 40%, per unit area, of the surface of the antiglare layer. If projections occupy less than 20% of the surface of the antiglare layer, the antiglare layer surface has a large flat region to increase the amount of regular reflection too much, resulting in the insufficient antiglare property of the antiglare film of the present invention. If projections occupy more than 40% of the surface of the antiglare layer, the amount of regular reflection is too small, resulting in poorer prevention of white muddiness, in addition to reduced luminance and worse blurring of images compared to the original quality of the image source.
In the antiglare layer, N T representing the number of all projections and N S indicating the number of rod-shaped projections among all the projections, per unit area of the surface, satisfy the following formula (1):
N S /N T >0.2 (1).
The formula (1) shows the proportion of the rod-shaped projections in all the projections formed on the surface of the antiglare layer. When the N S /N T is at most 0.2, that is, when the proportion of the rod-shaped projections is at most 20% in all the projections formed on the surface of the antiglare layer, the proportion of non-rod-shaped projections in the projections formed on the surface of the antiglare layer is great, resulting in formation of the antiglare layer with the surface having many dot-shaped fine projections and depressions. In such a case, the amount of light diffusion on the surface of the antiglare layer becomes greater, resulting in poor prevention of white muddiness of the antiglare film of the present invention. Further, the antiglare property of the antiglare film of the present invention is also lowered to some extent.
The N S and the N T preferably satisfy the formula (2):
N S /N T >0.4 (2).
In the case where the formula (2) is satisfied, that is, when the proportion of the rod-shaped projections in all the projections formed on the surface of the antiglare layer is more than 40%, the effects mentioned above are more surely achieved.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, N T indicating the number of all projections and N C indicating the number of projections having an area of at least 500 μm 2 among all the projections, per unit area of the surface of the antiglare layer, preferably satisfy the formula (3):
N C /N T ≧0.25 (3)
The “projections having an area of at least 500 μm 2 ” of the present invention are projections of the size contributing to achievement of the antiglare property and prevention of white muddiness of the antiglare film of the present invention. Satisfaction of the formula (3), that is, formation of projections satisfying the above area range in a proportion of at least 25% in all the projections formed on the surface of the antiglare layer, significantly improves the antiglare property and prevention of white muddiness of the antiglare film of the present invention.
The N S , N T , and N C are determined using a device of “Zygo New View 6000” series and commercially available image processing software (e.g., Image-Pro Plus from Media Cybernetics).
The rod-shaped projections have an aspect ratio of at least two. The equivalent ellipse preferably has a major axis size of 20 to 250 μm and a minor axis size of 10 to 100 μm. If the major axis size is less than 20 μm, the proportion of the slope having a large inclination angle is too much increased in the rod-shaped projections, possibly lowering the contrast. If the major axis size is more than 250 μm, the antiglare property may have directivity.
If the minor axis size is less than 10 μm, dark lines or bright lines may be generated in stripes. If the minor axis size is more than 100 μm, the proportion of the slopes of a large inclination angle is too much decreased in the rod-shaped projections, lowering the antiglare property.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the rod-shaped projections may be formed of rod-shaped fine particles, and are preferably formed of aggregates of organic fine particles. The rod-shaped projections formed of aggregates of organic fine particles suppress external diffusion due to the surface shape, and has a larger interfacial area between a binder resin described later and organic fine particles compared to rod-shaped fine particles, achieving internal diffusion more effectively. As a result, the scintillation is reduced and the contrast is improved at the same time.
The rod-shaped projections may be formed of aggregates of the organic fine particles and a layered inorganic compound described later. Such aggregates have an amorphous rod shape, not a clear rod shape or elliptical shape. Formation of rod-shaped projections from aggregates of organic fine particles having such a shape and a layered inorganic compound achieves the effects of the present invention more favorably.
The organic fine particles are preferably fine particles formed of at least one material selected from the group consisting of acrylic resins, polystyrene resins, styrene-acrylic copolymers, polyethylene resins, epoxy resins, silicone resins, polyvinylidene fluoride resins, and polyfluoroethylene resins. Among these, styrene-acrylic copolymer fine particles are suitably used.
The size of the organic fine particles is not limited, and the average particle size is preferably 1.0 to 7.0 μm. The organic fine particles with the average particle size of less than 1.0 μm may cause difficulty in formation of the rod-shaped projections. The organic fine particles with the average particle size of more than 7.0 μm may form large projections and depressions on the antiglare layer surface, causing a problem of scintillation. The lower limit of the average particle size is more preferably 1.5 μm, and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 5.0 μm.
The average particle size of the organic fine particles is determined by the Coulter counter method in measurement of the organic fine particles alone.
In contrast, the average particle size of organic fine particles in the antiglare layer is calculated as the average size of the cross sections of 30 arbitrary organic fine particles constituting rod-shaped projections in observation of the antiglare layer under a transmission optical microscope or, if the transmission optical microscopy is not appropriate, under a cross-sectional electron microscope (transmission type such as TEM or STEM is preferable).
In determination of the average particle size of the organic fine particles by transmission optical microscopy or cross-sectional electron microscopy, the particle size of the cross section of one organic fine particle is the average value of the maximum size and the minimum size of the particle. The cross section of one organic fine particle is sandwiched with two parallel lines, and the distance between the two lines is measured. The largest distance between the two lines is regarded as the maximum size, and the smallest distance between the two lines is regarded as the minimum size.
The refractive index difference between the organic fine particles and a later-described binder resin is preferably 0 to 0.15. The refractive index difference exceeding 0.15 may cause generation of white muddiness. The refractive index difference between the organic fine particles and a binder resin is more preferably 0 to 0.10.
The rod-shaped fine particles are not limited, and examples thereof include polymer fine particles produced by the method disclosed in JP-A 2009-1759 and polyacrylonitrile fine particles “TAFTIC YK series” from Toyobo co., Ltd. In the case that the rod-shaped projections are formed of a later-described inorganic compound, the rod-shaped fine particles may be a layered inorganic compound. Examples thereof include “MICRO ACE series” from NIPPON TALC CO., LTD.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the antiglare layer preferably further contains inorganic fine particles.
The inorganic fine particles are not limited, and examples thereof include layered inorganic compounds such as smectites (e.g., montmorillonite, beidellite, nontronite, saponite, hectorite, sauconite, stevensite), vermiculite, halloysite, kaolinite, endellite, dickite, talc, pyrophyllite, mica, margarite, white mica, bronze mica, tetra-silicic mica, taeniolite, antigorite, chlorite, cookeite, and nantite. These layered inorganic compounds may be natural products or synthesized products. The layered inorganic compound may be subjected to organic surface treatment.
The average particle size of the inorganic fine particles is shown as the average particle size D50 (median size in particle size distribution) determined by laser diffraction scattering particle size distribution analysis, in measurement of the inorganic fine particles only. The particle size range is preferably 0.1 to 9 μm, and more preferably 0.3 to 5 μm.
In contrast, in measurement of the inorganic fine particles by observation of the cross section of the antiglare layer under an electron microscope or the like, the average particle size is preferably about 0.3 to 5 μm.
If the particle size is too small, formation of the rod-shaped projections on the antiglare layer surface is difficult. If the particle size is too large, the transparency of the entire antiglare film may be affected.
The particle size of the inorganic fine particles in the antiglare layer is calculated as the average size of the cross sections of 30 arbitrary inorganic fine particles in observation of the cross section of the antiglare layer under an electron microscope. The size of the cross section of the inorganic fine particle is the value measured in the same manner as in the case of measuring the Cross section of the organic fine particles mentioned above.
The inorganic fine particles are preferably a layered inorganic compound.
A layered inorganic compound suitable for the present invention has a thin flat shape, and appears acicular as illustrated in FIG. 5 in observation of the cross section under an electron microscope.
In the case where the rod-shaped projections are formed of aggregates of organic fine particles, the antiglare layer further containing a layered inorganic compound allows favorable formation of rod-shaped projections formed of the aggregates on the antiglare layer surface. Though the reason for this is not yet clarified, the above rod-shaped projections are presumably formed as follows. The layered inorganic compound can form aggregates having a directionality in the antiglare layer. Organic fine particles gather around the aggregates having a directionality to form aggregates, thereby forming the rod-shaped projections.
Examples of such a layered inorganic compound include the compounds mentioned above. In particular, talc is favorably used in the present invention.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the average particle size of the layered inorganic compound is the average value of the above-mentioned major axis size and minor axis size of 30 acicular pieces of the layered inorganic compound measured in observation of the cross section of the antiglare layer under an electron microscope. The major axis size and minor axis size of the layered inorganic compound are values measured by the same method of measuring the largest size and smallest size of the cross section of the above-mentioned organic particles, respectively.
The amount of the inorganic fine particles is preferably 0.1 to 8.0 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of a later-described ionizing radiation-curable resin in the antiglare layer. If the amount is less than 0.1 part by mass, sufficient rod-shaped projections may not be formed on the antiglare layer surface. If the amount is more than 8.0 parts by mass, the transparency of the antiglare film of the present invention may be lowered. The lower limit of the amount is more preferably 1.0 part by mass and the upper limit of the amount is more preferably 6.0 parts by mass.
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the antiglare layer preferably includes a binder resin in which inorganic fine particles and one of aggregates of the organic fine particles and aggregates of the organic fine particles and the layered inorganic compound (hereinafter, these aggregates are correctively referred to as aggregates of organic fine particles) are dispersed.
The binder resin is preferably transparent, and is preferably obtained by, for example, curing an ionizing radiation-curable resin that is cured by UV light or electron beams, by UV light or electron beam irradiation.
The term “resin” herein covers, unless otherwise specified, monomers, oligomers, and polymers.
Examples of the ionizing radiation-curable resin include compounds having one or at least two unsaturated bonds, such as compounds having acrylate functional groups. Specific examples of the compounds having one unsaturated bond include ethyl(meth)acrylate, ethyl hexyl (meth)acrylate, styrene, methyl styrene, and N-vinyl pyrrolidone. Specific examples of the compounds having at least two unsaturated bonds include: polyfunctional compounds such as polymethylolpropane tri(meth)acrylate, hexanediol (meth)acrylate, tripropylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, diethylene glycol di(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tri(meth)acrylate, pentaerythritol tetra(meth)acrylate, dipentaerythritol hexa(meth)acrylate, 1,6-hexanediol di(meth)acrylate, and neopentyl glycol di(meth)acrylate; and reaction products of the above polyfunctional compounds and (meth)acrylates (e.g., poly(meth)acrylate esters of polyalcohols). The term “(meth)acyrylates” as used herein refers to methacrylate and acrylate.
In addition to the above compounds, also usable as the ionizing radiation-curable resins include relatively low molecular weight resins having unsaturated double bonds, such as polyester resins, polyether resins, acrylic resins, epoxy resins, urethane resins, alkyd resins, spiroacetal resins, polybutadiene resins, and polythiol polyene resins.
The ionizing radiation-curable resins may be used in combination with solvent-drying resins (resins that are formed into films only by drying, upon application thereof, solvents added for adjustment of the solids content, e.g., thermoplastic resins). The use in combination with solvent-drying resins effectively suppresses film defects on the face where the coating liquid is applied upon formation of the antiglare layer.
The solvent-drying resins usable in combination with the ionizing radiation-curable resins are not limited, and thermoplastic resins are commonly used.
The thermoplastic resins are not limited, and examples thereof include styrene resins, (meth)acrylic resins, vinyl acetate resins, vinyl ether resins, halogen-containing resins, alicyclic olefin resins, polycarbonate resins, polyester resins, polyamide resins, cellulose derivatives, silicone resins and rubbers or elastomers. The thermoplastic resins are preferably amorphous and soluble in organic solvents (especially in common solvents that can dissolve plural polymers and curable compounds). In terms of the film-forming property, transparency, and weather resistance, particularly preferable are styrene resins, (meth)acrylic resins, alicyclic olefin resins, polyester resins, and cellulose derivatives (e.g., cellulose esters).
The antiglare layer may contain thermosetting resins.
The thermosetting resins are not limited, and examples thereof include phenol resins, urea resins, diallyl phthalate resins, melamine resin, guanamine resins, unsaturated polyester resins, polyurethane resins, epoxy resins, aminoalkyd resins, melamine-urea cocondensated resins, silicone resins, and polysiloxane resins.
The antiglare layer that contains inorganic fine particles, binder resins, and the aggregates of organic fine particles and has rod-shaped projections formed of the aggregates of organic fine particles is formed as follows. For example, a composition for an antiglare layer, which contains the organic fine particles and inorganic fine particles mentioned above, monomer components of binder resins (e.g., the above-mentioned ionizing radiation-curable resin), and photopolymerization initiators, is applied to a light-transmitting substrate. The applied composition is dried to be formed into a film, followed by curing of the film by ionizing radiation or the like.
In the composition for an antiglare layer, preferably, the organic fine particles do not form aggregates in the composition and form aggregates when formed into a film through application and drying of the composition. If the organic fine particles form aggregates in the composition for an antiglare layer, rod-shaped projections having axes that are randomly oriented cannot be formed. For achieving this, an appropriate amount of a solvent that is highly compatible with organic fine particles and has a high volatilization rate may be added to the composition.
In the case where rod-shaped projections are formed from rod-shaped fine particles mentioned above, when a composition for an antiglare layer which contains rod-shaped fine particles, instead of the organic fine particles, is applied, conditions should be set in such a manner that no shearing force is applied to the rod-shaped fine particles for the purpose of preventing alignment of the rod-shaped fine particles.
The photopolymerization initiators are not limited, and known initiators may be used. Specific examples thereof include acetophenones, benzophenones, Michler-Benzoyl benzoate, α-amyloxime esters, thioxanthones, propiophenones, benzyls, benzoins, and acylphosphine oxides. Further, photosensitizers are preferably mixed in the composition, and specific examples of the photosensitizers include n-butylamine, triethylamine, and poly-n-butylphosphine.
In the case where the ionizing radiation-curable resin is a resin system having a radical polymerizable unsaturated group, preferable examples of the photopolymerization initiators include acetophenones, benzophenones, thioxanthones, benzoin, and benzoin methyl ether. Each of these may be used or two or more of these may be used in combination. In the case where the ionizing radiation-curable resin is a resin system having a cationoic polymerizable functional group, preferable examples of the photopolymerization initiators include aromatic diazonium salts, aromatic sulfonium salts, aromatic iodonium salts, metallocene compounds, and benzoin sulfonate esters. Each of these may be used alone, or two or more of these may be used in combination.
The amount of the photopolymerization initiators in the composition for an antiglare layer is preferably 1 to 10 parts by mass based on 100 parts by mass of the ionizing radiation-curable resin. If the amount is less than 1 part by mass, an antiglare layer to be formed may have a poor hard-coating property. If the amount is more than 10 parts by mass, an antiglare layer to be formed may have lower transmissive visibility.
Preferably, the composition for an antiglare layer further contains a solvent.
The solvent is not limited, and examples thereof include water, alcohols (e.g., methanol, ethanol, isopropanol, butanol, benzyl alcohol), ketones (e.g., acetone, methyl ethyl ketone, methyl isobutyl ketone, cyclohexanone, cyclopentanone), esters (e.g., methyl acetate, ethyl acetate, propyl acetate, butyl acetate, methyl formate, ethyl formate, propyl formate, butyl formate), aliphatic hydrocarbons (e.g., hexane, cyclohexane), halogenated hydrocarbons (e.g., methylene chloride, chloroform, carbon tetrachloride), aromatic hydrocarbon (e.g., benzene, toluene, xylene), amides (e.g., dimethylformamide, dimethylacetamide, n-methylpyrrolidone), ethers (e.g., diethyl ether, dioxane, tetrahydrofuran), and ether alcohol's (e.g., 1-methoxy-2-propanol).
The raw material content (solid content) of the composition for an antiglare layer is not limited, and is commonly 5 to 70% by mass, and is preferably 25 to 60% by mass.
The composition for an antiglare layer may contain conventionally known additives such as dispersants, surfactants, antistatic agents, silane coupling agents, thickeners, anti-coloring agents, colorants (pigment, dye), defoamers, leveling agents, flame retardants, ultraviolet absorbers, tackifiers, polymerization inhibitors, antioxidants, surface modifiers, and lubricants, for the purpose of, for example, increasing the hardness of the antiglare layer, suppressing curing shrinkage, controlling the refractive index, or the like.
The composition for an antiglare layer may contain photosensitizers. Specific examples of the photosensitizers include n-butylamine, triethylamine, and poly-n-butylphosphine.
The method of preparing the composition for an antiglare layer is not limited, provided that components can be uniformly mixed. Exemplary methods include use of a known device such as a paint shaker, bead mill, kneader, or mixer.
The method of applying the composition for an antiglare layer to a light-transmitting substrate is not limited, and a known method may be used, such as spin coating, dipping, spraying, die-coating, bar-coating, a roll coater method, a meniscus coater method, a gravure reverse coater method, a slot die coater method, a reverse coater method, a roll coater method, a Meyer Bar method, a rod coater method, a lip coater method, flexo printing, screen printing, and a bead coater method.
In the present invention, the composition for an antiglare layer is preferably applied to a light-transmitting substrate by monolayer coating to form a film. The monolayer coating simplifies the production process and reduces the cost, and avoids risks caused by formation of a film by multilayer coating, such as reduction in the adhesiveness between the films formed earlier and the film formed later, generation of cissing, contamination, and entry of air. In addition, formation of a film by monolayer coating allows formation of a thinner antiglare layer, favorably preventing generation of cracks as defects caused during formation of the antiglare layer.
The method of drying the composition for an antiglare layer applied to a light-transmitting substrate is not limited, and exemplary methods include low pressure drying, heat drying, and a method employing the low pressure drying and heat drying in combination.
In the case where the organic fine particles in the composition for an antiglare layer are formed into aggregates during the drying, formation of the aggregates can be controlled by adjusting the heating temperature and the wind speed for drying.
Examples of the method of ionizing radiation for curing the film include use of light sources such as ultra-high pressure mercury lamps, high-pressure mercury lamps, low-pressure mercury lamps, carbon-arc lamps, black light fluorescent lamps, and metal halide lamps.
The ultraviolet light may have a wavelength within a range of 190 to 380 nm. Specific examples of electron beam sources include various electron beam accelerators such as Cockcroft-Walton type, Van de Graaff type, resonance transformer type, insulated core transformer type, linear type, dynamitron type, and high frequency type.
The thus formed antiglare layer preferably has a thickness of 2.0 to 7.0 μm. If the thickness is less than 2.0 μm, the antiglare layer may have only insufficient strength, resulting in a poor hard-coating property. If the thickness is more than 7.0 μm, the antiglare layer may have a poor bending property. In addition, cracks are likely to be formed during formation of the antiglare layer. Further, upon rolling the antiglare layer with contaminants included therein, cracks starting from the contaminants are likely to be formed in the antiglare layer. The lower limit of the thickness of the antiglare layer is more preferably 3.5 μm, and the upper limit thereof is more preferably 6.5 μm.
The thickness of the antiglare layer is measured with a confocal laser microscope (Leica TCS-NT, LEICA CAMERA AG, magnification of object lens: 10 to 100 times).
In the antiglare film of the present invention, predetermined rod-shaped projections as mentioned above form surface roughness on the surface of the antiglare layer. Specifically, the surface roughness preferably have a shape satisfying the following inequalities wherein Sm (mm) represents the average interval between projections and depressions on the antiglare layer surface, ea (deg) represents the average inclination angle of projections and depressions, and Rku represents the kurtosis of projections and depressions, from the standpoint of achieving both favorable contrast and suppression of scintillation. If the Sm is less than the lower limit or the ea is more than the upper limit, prevention of white muddiness or scintillation may be insufficient. If the Sm is more than the upper limit or the ea is less than the lower limit, reflection of external light cannot be suppressed, possibly causing problems such as insufficient antiglare property.
If the Rku is more than the upper limit, projections and depressions made by the top face of the rod-shaped projection (hereinafter, referred to as the plateau of projection) and/or the antiglare film surface other than the projection parts (hereinafter, referred to as the bottom face of the depressions) become too rough, causing white muddiness to lower the contrast. In addition, schintillation may be not sufficiently prevented. If the Rku is less than the lower limit, projections and depressions made by the plateau of the projection and/or the bottom face of the depression may be too flat, lowering the antiglare property.
0.10<Sm<0.35
0.15<θa<0.30
2<Rku<4
The Sm herein is obtained by the method in conformity with JIS B 0601-1994. The ea is a numerical value obtained based on the definition in the operation manual (revised on 20. July, 1995) of the surface roughness measuring instrument “SE-3400” (Kosaka Laboratory Ltd.), from the arc tangent of the sum of the projection heights (h 1 +h 2 +h 3 + . . . +h n ) present at the standard length L (θa=tan −1 {(h 1 +h 2 +h 3 + . . . +h n )/L}) as illustrated in FIG. 1 . The Rku is calculated from the following equation wherein n represents the number of data points in measurement of the height of projections and depressions and Yi represents the height at each point relative to the average surface, which are measured with a noncontact 3D surface profiler (“Zygo New View 6000” series from Zygo Corporation).
Rku
=
1
n
·
Rq
4
∑
i
=
1
n
Yi
4
[
Mathematical
Expression
2
]
In the formula, Rq refers to the root mean square value and is represented by the following equation:
Rq
=
1
n
∑
i
=
1
n
Yi
2
.
[
Mathematical
Expression
3
]
In the antiglare film of the present invention, the antiglare layer preferably has a surface skewness Rsk of larger than 0. If the Rsk is less than 0, the height distribution of the projections and depressions on the surface of the antiglare layer is concentrated on the higher side relative to the average plane. In such a case, the area occupied by the projections on the surface of the antiglare layer is less likely to be controlled within the above-mentioned range (20 to 40% per unit area). In addition, even if gentle projections are formed, formed projections are too large, leading to poorer prevention of scintillation. The Rsk is calculated from the following equation wherein n represents the number of data points in measurement of the height of projections and depressions and Yi represents the height at each point relative to the average surface, which are measured with a noncontact 3D surface profiler (“Zygo New View 6000” series from Zygo Corporation). The Rq is the value as described above.
Rsk
=
1
n
·
Rq
3
∑
i
=
1
n
Yi
3
[
Mathematical
Expression
4
]
The antiglare film of the present invention preferably has a total light transmittance of at least 85%. In the case where the antiglare film of the present invention with a total light transmittance of less than 85% is applied to the surface of an image display device, the color reproducibility or visibility may be impaired. The total light transmittance is more preferably at least 90% and still more preferably at least 91%.
The antiglare film of the present invention preferably has a haze of less than 80%. The antiglare layer may have a haze derived from internal diffusion of fine particles contained therein and/or a haze derived from surface roughness formed on the outermost surface. The haze derived from internal diffusion is preferably not less than 0.3% but less than 79%, and more preferably not less than 1% but less than 50%. The haze on the outermost surface is preferably not less than 0.5% but less than 35%, more preferably not less than 0.5% and less than 20%, and still more preferably not less than 1% and less than 10%.
The antiglare film of the present invention preferably has a low refractive index layer on the antiglare layer for more favorably preventing white muddiness.
The low refractive index layer lowers the reflectance upon reflection of light from outside (e.g., fluorescent lamps, natural light) on the surface of an optical layered body. The low refractive index layer preferably comprises any of 1) a resin containing low refractive index inorganic particles, such as silica or magnesium fluoride, having a particle size of at most 100 nm, 2) a fluororesin that is a low refractive index resin, 3) a fluororesin containing low refractive index inorganic particles, such as silica or magnesium fluoride, having a particle size of at most 100 nm, 4) inorganic films formed of silica, magnesium fluoride and the like. The resin other than the fluororesin may be those used as the binder resin forming the antiglare layer mentioned above.
The thickness of d A of the low refractive index layer is not limited, and preferably satisfies the following formula (a):
d A =m λ/(4 n A ) (A)
wherein n A represents the refractive index of the low refractive index layer, m represents a positive odd number and preferably represents 1, and λ represents the wavelength and preferably represents a value within a range of 480 to 580 nm. In such a case, the reflectance is lowered because the effect of light interference is utilized.
The antiglare film of the present invention may appropriately include one or two or more other layers (e.g., antistatic layer, antifouling layer, adhesive layer, hard coat layer) provided that the effect of the present invention is not impaired. In particular, an antistatic layer and/or an antifouling layer are preferably formed. These layers may be similar to those of a known antireflection laminated body.
The antiglare film of the present invention is produced by forming an antiglare layer on a light-transmitting substrate using a composition for an antiglare layer which contains organic fine particles, inorganic fine particles, an ionizing radiation-curable resin, a solvent, and a photopolymerization initiator.
The composition for an antiglare layer and the method of forming an antiglare layer may be the same as the composition and the method mentioned in the above description on the method of forming the antiglare layer of the antiglare film.
The antiglare film of the present invention may be provided on the surface of a polarizing element in such a manner that the antiglare layer in the antiglare film is not in contact with the surface of the polarizing element, thereby producing a polarizer. Such a polarizer is one aspect of the present invention.
The polarizing element is not limited, and examples thereof include polyvinyl alcohol films, polyvinyl formal films, polyvinyl acetal films, and ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymer saponified film, which are preliminary dyed with iodine or the like and stretched. Before lamination of the optical layered body of the present invention on the polarizing element, the light-transmitting substrate (triacetylcellulose film) is preferably subjected to saponification. Saponification improves the adhesiveness and achieves the antistatic effect.
The present invention also relates to an image display device including the antiglare film or the polarizer.
The image display device may be a non-selfluminous image display device such as LCDs or a selfluminous image display device such as PDPs, FEDs, ELDs (organic EL, inorganic EL), or CRTs.
A LCD, a typical non-selfluminous display device, includes a light-transmitting display body and a light source for irradiating the light-transmitting display body from the backside. In the case where the image display device of the present invention is a LCD, the antiglare film or polarizer of the present invention is formed on the surface of the light-transmitting display body.
In the case where the image display device of the present invention is a liquid crystal display device including the antiglare film, light from the light source is emitted from underneath the optical layered body. In a STN-type liquid crystal display device, a retardation plate may be placed between the liquid crystal display element and the polarizer. Between respective layers of the liquid crystal display device, an adhesive layer may be optionally provided.
A PDP that is the selfluminous image display device is a device including a surface glass substrate (having an electrode formed on the surface) and a backside glass substrate (having an electrode and fine grooves on the surface, and having red, green, and blue phosphor layers formed in the fine grooves), wherein the surface glass substrate and the backside glass substrate face to each other and discharge gas is enclosed between the substrates. In the case where the image display device of the present invention is a PDP, the above antiglare film is provided on the surface of the surface glass substrate or on the front plate (glass substrate or film substrate).
The selfluminous image display device may be an image display device such as a CRT which converts electric signals to light to generate visible images, or an ELD device in which luminous substances (e.g., zinc sulfide or diamines which emit light upon application of a voltage) are deposited on a glass substrate and display is performed by controlling a voltage applied to the substrate. In this case, the above-mentioned image display devices have the above antiglare film on the outermost surface or on the surface of the front plate.
In either case, the image display device of the present invention may be used for driving a display of a TV, computer, electric paper, or the like. Especially, the image display device of the present invention is suitably used for display devices for high definition images, such as CRTs, liquid crystal panels, PDPs, ELDs, and FEDs.
Advantageous Effects of Invention
The antiglare film of the present invention has a configuration described above, and therefore has a thin antiglare layer, maintains the excellent hard-coating property and antiglare property, and sufficiently suppresses scintillation and white muddiness. Accordingly, the antiglare film provides high-contrast display images.
The antiglare film of the present invention is suitably used for cathode-ray tube displays (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma displays (PDP), electroluminescent displays (ELD), field emission displays (FED) or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is an exemplary view for illustrating how to measure θa.
FIG. 2 is an image of the antiglare layer surface of an antiglare film according to Example 1.
FIG. 3 is an image of the antiglare layer surface of an antiglare film according to Comparative Example 1.
FIG. 4 is an image of the antiglare layer surface of an antiglare film according to Comparative Example 2.
FIG. 5 is a STEM photo of a cross section of an antiglare film according to Example 1.
DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS
The present invention is described with reference to the following examples. However, the below embodiments do not limit the interpretation of the claimed invention. Unless otherwise specified, “part” and “%” are described based on mass.
Example 1
A composition for an antiglare layer containing the following components was prepared. The composition was applied to a triacetylcellulose film (TD80U, Fuji Photo Film Co., Ltd.) having a thickness of 80 μm, as a light-transmitting substrate, using a gravure reverse coater in such a manner that the cured film had a thickness of 5.0 μm. The applied composition was dried in an oven at 70° C. for 60 seconds and then irradiated with UV light at a dose of 120 mJ/cm 2 for curing thereof, thereby forming an antiglare layer. In this manner, an antiglare film was produced.
(Composition for an Antiglare Layer)
Binder resin (pentaerythritol tetraacrylate, NIPPON KAYAKU CO., LTD.) 40 parts by mass Binder resin (urethane acrylate, UV1700B, The Nippon Synthetic Chemical Industry Co., Ltd.) 60 parts by mass
Organic fine particles (styrene-acrylic copolymer, XX245C, average particle size of 2 μm, refractive index of 1.515, SEKISUI PLASTICS CO., LTD.) 4 parts by mass
Talc (nano talc D-1000, average particle size of 1 μm, NIPPON TALC CO., LTD.) 3 parts by mass
Leveling agent (polyether-modified silicone oil, TSF4460, Momentive Performance Materials Inc.) 0.04 parts by mass
Polymerization initiator (Irg184, BASF Japan) 6 parts by mass
Solvent (toluene) 60 parts by mass
Solvent (cyclohexanone) 40 parts by mass
Example 2
An antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 using a composition for an antiglare layer prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 1 part by mass.
Example 3
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 6 parts by mass. Using the composition, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 5.5 μm.
Example 4
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the organic fine particles used were styrene-acrylic copolymers (SSX-42CSS, average particle size of 3.5 μm, refractive index of 1.545, SEKISUI PLASTICS CO., LTD.). Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 6.0 μm.
Example 5
An antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 using a composition prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 1 part by mass.
Example 6
An antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 using a composition prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 6 parts by mass.
Example 7
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the organic fine particles was changed to 2 parts by mass and the amount of the talc was changed to 2 parts by mass. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 3.5 μm.
Example 8
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 2 parts by mass. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1.
Example 9
First, a composition (A) for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the amount of the organic fine particles was changed to 15 parts by mass, and that the leveling agent was not added. Second, using the composition (A) for an antiglare layer, an antiglare layer (A) was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 4.0 μm.
Next, a composition (B) for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the organic fine particles were not added and that the amount of the talc was changed to 6 parts by mass. Using the composition (B) for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film including a two-layered antiglare layer was produced by forming an antiglare layer (B) on the antiglare layer (A) in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 4.0 μm.
Comparative Example 1
An antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1, using a composition prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the talc was not added.
Comparative Example 2
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 9 parts by mass. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 6.0 μm.
Comparative Example 3
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the talc was not added. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 5.5 μm.
Comparative Example 4
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the amount of the talc was changed to 9 parts by mass. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 6.5 μm.
Comparative Example 5
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that 7 parts by mass of inorganic fine particles (amorphous silica, average particle size of 1.5 μm, AX-204 Nipgel, TOSOH SILICA CORPORATION) was used instead of the organic fine particles and talc. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 1.5 μm.
Comparative Example 6
An antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Comparative Example 5 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 3.5 μm.
Comparative Example 7
A composition for an antiglare layer was prepared in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the amount of the organic fine particles was changed to 1 part by mass and the amount of the talc was changed to 0.5 part by mass. Using the composition for an antiglare layer, an antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 1 except that the thickness of the cured film was set to 3.5 μm.
Comparative Example 8
An antiglare film was produced in the same manner as in Example 4 except that 3 parts by mass of inorganic fine particles (amorphous silica, average particle size of 1.5 μm, AX-204 Nipgel, TOSOH SILICA CORPORATION) was used instead of the talc and that the thickness of the cured film was set to 4.0 μm.
(Evaluation)
The resulting antiglare films were evaluated by the following methods. Table 1 shows the results.
(Evaluation of Projections)
Measurement was performed on the percentage of the area occupied by projections (area ratio), the ratio (N S /N T ) between the number (N T ) of all projections and the number (N S ) of rod-shaped projections among all the projections, the ratio (N C /N T ) between the number (N T ) of all projections and the number (N C ) of projections having an area of at least 500 μm 2 among all the projections, per unit area of the antiglare layer surface.
A randomly chosen site of the antiglare layer was measured with a 3D surface profiler (“Zygo New View 6000” series from Zygo Corporation) under the conditions of observation view: 0.55×0.55 mm, sampling interval: 1.119 μm, objection lens: ×10 magnification, and zoom lens: ×2 magnification. The surface shape to be removed was set as “Cylinder”.
Based on the measurement, an image was produced in which the region where the inclination angle was at least 0.7° and the region where the inclination angle was less than 0.7° were colored differently using Zygo. The image was processed using image processing software “Image-Pro Plus” from Media Cybernetics for calculation of the major/minor axis ratio of an ellipse, angle, and area.
In calculation using Image-Pro Plus, spatial calibration (1.119 μm/pixel) was carried out for adjustment between the length of one pixel in the Zygo image and the value calculated by Image-Pro Plus.
The number of projections was calculated using a “Count/Size” command of Image-Pro Plus. The number of projections was counted under the following conditions of the outline style of “Filled”, object options of “4-connected”, “Fill Holes” and clean borders of “None” in the option menu of the “Count/Size” command, thereby sorting the projections.
The sorted projections were subjected to calculations of the above measurement items (area, area ratio, major/minor axis ratio of an ellipse, angle). Based on the results, the percentage of the area occupied by projections (area ratio), N S , N T , N C , and angle, per unit area, were calculated. In calculation of each measurement item, data was extracted in accordance with the default filtering range (mentioned below).
<Filtering Range>
Area: 12.52161 to 12521610 μm 2 , area ratio: 0 to 1, major/minor axis ratio of an ellipse: 1 to 1000000, angle: 0 to 180.
FIG. 2 illustrates an image of the antiglare layer surface of an antiglare film according to Example 1. FIG. 3 illustrates an image of the antiglare layer surface of an antiglare film according to Comparative Example 1. FIG. 4 illustrates an image of the antiglare layer surface of an antiglare film according to Comparative Example 2. FIG. 5 illustrates an STEM photo of a cross section of an antiglare film according to Example 1.
(Rku, Rsk)
The antiglare layer surface was measured with “Zygo New View 6000” series from Zygo Corporation in the same manner as in evaluation of projections. Then, using the same device, the Rku (kurtosis) and Rsk (skewness) were calculated.
(Sm)
The Sm (average interval between projections and depressions) was measured under the condition that the cutoff wavelength λc was set to 2.5 mm using a surface roughness measuring instrument “SE-3400” (Kosaka Laboratory Ltd.), in conformity with JIS B0601-1994.
(θa)
Using the surface roughness measuring instrument “SE-3400” (Kosaka Laboratory Ltd.), θa was measured under the same conditions as those employed in the measurement of the Sm.
(Scintillation)
The image display devices of 200 ppi and of 140 ppi each had the antiglare film applied to the outermost surface. The devices were placed in a room at an illuminance of about 1000 Lx and set to display white screens. The screens were visually observed for sensory evaluation at a distance of about 1.5 to 2.0 in from various angles, for example, from right and left and from above and below. Thus, sensory evaluation was performed to evaluate scintillation of the white screen display in accordance with the following criteria.
Good: no scintillation was found in the device of 200 ppi.
Fair: scintillation was found in the device of 200 ppi, and no scintillation was found in the device of 140 ppi.
Poor: scintillation was found in the device of 140 ppi.
(White Muddiness)
To the obtained antiglare film, a black acrylic plate was attached on the light-transmitting substrate side using an acrylic adhesive for an optical film (Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., “DA-1000” (product name)), thereby preparing a test sample. The sample was placed horizontally. A fluorescent lamp was set at a vertical position of 1.5 m distant from the sample, so that the fluorescent lamp was reflected on the sample. The sample was visually observed for sensory evaluation from various angles under the condition that the illuminance on the sample was set to 800 to 1200 Lx. Thus, sensory evaluation was performed to evaluate white muddiness in accordance with the following criteria.
Good: no white muddiness was observed, and the whole sample appeared black.
Fair: slight white muddiness was observed, but the whole sample still appeared black.
Poor: strong white muddiness was observed, and the whole sample appeared white.
(Film Thickness)
A cross section of the obtained antiglare film was observed under a confocal laser microscope (Leica TCS-NT, LEICA CAMERA AG, magnification of object lens: 10 to 100 times) to determine the presence of an interface and measure the thickness of the antiglare layer. Specifically, the thickness of the antiglare layer was measured in accordance with the following procedure.
<Measurement Procedure>
(1) For a vivid image without halation, a wet object lens was used in the confocal laser microscope and about 2 mL of oil having a refractive index of 1.518 was put on the antiglare film for observation. Oil was used to eliminate an air layer between the object lens and the optical layered body.
(2) The thickness of the maximum projection and the minimum depression on one screen (2 sites in total), from the light-transmitting substrate, were measured. The same measurement was performed for five screens, and 10 sites in total were measured. The average value thereof was regarded as the film thickness.
In the case where the interface is not clearly observed under a confocal laser microscope, the film may be cut with a microtome and the cross section thereof may be observed with an electron microscope (preferably of transmission type such as TEM and STEM) for calculation of the thickness.
(Hard Coat Property)
The pencil hardness of the antiglare film was measured in conformity with JIS K-5400 for evaluation of the hard-coating property.
A pencil hardness tester (TOYO SEIKI SEISAKUSHO, LTD.) was used for the measurement. The pencil hardness test was performed five times. In the case where no appearance defect was found in at least three tests out of five tests, the hardness of the used pencil was obtained. For example, in the case where no appearance defect was found in three tests among five tests using a 2H pencil, the pencil hardness of the optical layered body was regarded to be 2H.
When the antiglare film has a pencil hardness of at least 2H in the pencil hardness test, the antiglare film is regarded to have a hard-coating property.
(Evaluation of Cracks)
The antiglare sheet was wound around a mandrel used in a cylindrical mandrel method employed in the bending test in accordance with JIS-K-5600-5-1, for evaluation of cracks formed in accordance with the following criteria.
Good: no crack was formed when the sheet was wound around an 8-mm mandrel.
Fair: cracks were formed when the sheet was wound around an 8-mm mandrel, but no crack was formed when the sheet was wound around a 10-mm mandrel.
Poor: cracks were formed when the sheet was wound around a 10-mm mandrel
(Antiglare Property)
To the antiglare film, a black acrylic plate was attached on the light-transmitting substrate side using an acrylic adhesive for an optical film (Hitachi Chemical Co., Ltd., “DA-1000” (product name)), thereby preparing a test sample. The sample was placed horizontally. A fluorescent lamp was set at a vertical position of 1.5 m distant from the sample, so that the fluorescent lamp was reflected on the sample. The sample was visually observed for sensory evaluation from various angles under the condition that the illuminance on the sample was set to 800 to 1200 Lx. Thus, sensory evaluation was performed to evaluate the antiglare property in accordance with the following criteria.
Good: the fluorescent lamp was reflected on the sample, but the outline thereof is blurred and not traceable.
Poor: the fluorescent lamp was reflected as if the sample was a mirror, and the outline (boundary of the outline) of the lamp is clearly seen.
TABLE 1
Area
Hard
The
Ns/Nt
Nc/Nt
ratio
White
coat
Antiglare
number
θs
Sm
(%)
(%)
(%)
Scintillation
muddiness
Thickness
property
Cracks
property
of layers
Rku
Rsk
(deg)
(mm)
Example 1
47.3
29.9
32.5
Good
Good
5.0
2H
Good
Good
1
2.7
0.13
0.195
0.3098
Example 2
55.1
26.6
23.3
Good
Good
5.0
2H
Good
Good
1
2.5
0.11
0.247
0.1247
Example 3
42.2
31.8
33.2
Good
Good
5.5
2H
Good
Good
1
3.0
0.34
0.189
0.2587
Example 4
52.2
34.3
31.8
Good
Good
6.0
2H
Good
Good
1
3.6
0.77
0.202
0.3042
Example 5
56.0
28.0
25.6
Good
Good
6.0
2H
Good
Good
1
2.4
0.19
0.232
0.1462
Example 6
37.0
41.0
37.8
Good
Fair
6.0
2H
Good
Good
1
3.8
0.22
0.288
0.1336
Example 7
45.1
30.2
27.8
Good
Good
3.5
2H
Good
Good
1
2.6
0.15
0.214
0.2738
Example 8
46.3
22.3
30.2
Good
Fair
5.0
2H
Good
Good
1
2.9
0.24
0.132
0.5341
Example 9
23.9
32.0
34.1
Fair
Good
8.0
2H
Fair
Good
2
2.6
−0.22
0.297
0.2383
Comparative
16.2
11.5
38.3
Fair
Poor
5.0
2H
Good
Good
1
3.6
0.38
0.251
0.1024
Example 1
Comparative
39.0
12.4
58.3
Fair
Poor
6.0
2H
Good
Good
1
3.5
0.62
0.499
0.1732
Example 2
Comparative
18.4
27.5
60.1
Poor
Poor
5.5
2H
Good
Good
1
3.2
0.47
0.342
0.0737
Example 3
Comparative
17.6
17.0
68.0
Poor
Poor
6.5
2H
Good
Good
1
4.7
1.06
0.400
0.1504
Example 4
Comparative
0.0
100.0
99.8
Poor
Poor
1.5
H
Good
Good
1
5.2
1.09
3.014
0.1136
Example 5
Comparative
12.1
10.5
26.1
Poor
Poor
3.5
2H
Good
Good
1
6.2
1.25
0.399
0.132
Example 6
Comparative
22.5
18.6
18.4
Good
Good
3.5
2H
Good
Poor
1
2.1
0.07
0.142
0.3655
Example 7
Comparative
18.2
15.5
34.5
Fair
Poor
4.0
2H
Good
Good
1
4.3
2.02
0.323
0.156
Example 8
As shown in Table 1, each of the antiglare films according to the examples had rod-shaped projections formed favorably, and therefore was excellent in evaluations of scintillation, white muddiness, the hard-coating property, cracks, and the antiglare property. The antiglare films according to Examples 6 and 8 were slightly poor in prevention of white muddiness, because formation of rod-shaped projections was slightly insufficient (Example 6) or the area of large projections was slightly not enough (Example 8). The antiglare film according to Example 9 had a two-layered structure to be thicker, and therefore was slightly poor in prevention of cracks and scintillation.
In contrast, any of the antiglare films according to the comparative examples was not excellent in all the evaluations of white muddiness, scintillation, the hard-coating property, and the antiglare property.
INDUSTRIAL APPLICABILITY
The antiglare film of the present invention is suitably used in cathode-ray tube displays (CRT), liquid crystal displays (LCD), plasma displays (PDP), electroluminescent displays (ELD), field emission displays (FED), and the like. | The present invention provides an antiglare film that has a thin antiglare layer and suppresses generation of scintillation and white muddiness at significantly high levels, while maintaining the hard-coating property and antiglare property, thereby providing favorable high-contrast display images. The present invention is an antiglare film including: a light-transmitting substrate; and an antiglare layer that has surface roughness and is provided on one face of the light-transmitting substrate, wherein the antiglare layer has plural rod-shaped projections having an aspect ratio of at least 2 on the opposite side of the surface contacting the light-transmitting substrate, the projections of the antiglare layer occupy 20 to 40%, per unit area, of the opposite side of the surface contacting the light-transmitting substrate, and N T indicating the number of all projections and N S indicating the number of rod-shaped projections among all the projections, per unit area of the surface of the antiglare layer, satisfy the following formula (1):
N S /N T >0.2 (1). | 6 |
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